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Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement (2024)

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Comedy Movie Collection.

Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement (2024)

Post by bunniefuu »

Yeah. Take care, guys.

There you are.

I got ya.

Hello?

Who's there?

You!

Almost scared me to death.

Good morning!

Nelly!

Helen!

This place looks amazing!

- Congratulations.

- Thank you!

You want a coffee?

On the house.

Yes, please.

Uh, to go.

To go! You got it...

to go.

Helen?

Is that Peter?

I can't look.

Affirmative.

Peter Henderson-Huang...

incoming.

- Okay, uh...

- ...bye, Helen!

Okay. We're open daily!

Eight to eight!

Yeah!

- Hi!

- Hi.

Morning, Nelly.

Ooh! Sunflower test!

Who's winning?

Well, Sunny Delight is tallest,

but Suntastic has better seeds.

Ooh...

Looks like this foliage spray

really does the job.

I'll have 1,500 words

by end of day, no problem.

I heard Helen opened the diner?

- Mm!

- Yes!

What you cooking?

Souffls.

Three-part series...

"France at Home."

Hmm. Better get crackin'!

Help yourself

- to middling profiteroles...

- Oh!

...Tastes like mediocrity.

Never stopped me.

Mm. Yum!

Oh, uh, Marty brought the mail?

He sure did.

Oh.

Mm... This is for you.

Ooh. Thank you.

So... I saw what you wrote

in your column to Grace,

you know...

"Kitten-Less and Longing

in Babbleton," Fiona.

Right.

You told Grace to, "Be patient.

Good things will come."

- I said that?

- So, yesterday,

I see Peter at the park,

and he tells me

Grace "found" a kitten

right after you wrote that.

Under the shrubbery,

in their own garden.

Amazing!

I really hope

he let her keep it.

How could he not?

Does he have a choice?

The whole town

was rooting for Grace!

"Kitten-Less

and Longing in Babbleton,"

Fiona.

So, funny thing...

that kitten looks an awful lot

like those tabbies

up for adoption near your place.

Ee...

You said one would be perfect

for Grace.

Ah! Poor Peter.

I've rather been avoiding him!

So long as everyone

ends up happy, right?

Well... almost everyone.

Huh.

I just got a handwritten letter.

No return address.

Snail-mail advice?

Don't they use

the anonymous web form?

Yeah, they do.

This woman is worried

that her boyfriend

might be cheating on her.

Oh...

He was the bee's knees,

now secretive.

She suspects

canoodling in the shadows

with another woman!

How awful.

And mysterious!

Who's it from?

It's signed

"Worried in Babbleton."

I wonder why it's handwritten?

Maybe an off-grid?

No Internet?

Hmm.

I think I know this handwriting.

Oh!

Yes, yes, yes.

She has been dotting her "I" s

with hearts

ever since elementary school.

Dahlia Chatters!

Which means...

...Blake Jarvis!

No! Blake?

What are you thinking...

worrying our poor Dahlia?

Tch-tch-tch!

Nelly...

where're you going?

You know, advice

for an advice column

usually happens at a desk!

Type-type, type-type?

Blake?

I need to talk to you.

Blake?

Oh, no!

Blake?

No.

No, no, no!

No!

Is anybody there?

Uh, police, please?

Yes, I need some help.

Blake Jarvis's house.

Uh, yes! Yes, I'm here.

Yeah, please send someone.

There's been a m*rder.

It wasn't a robbery.

Nothing seems stolen.

He still had his phone

and his watch.

Bless his soul.

He took a terrible tumble.

Burgi! This wasn't an accident.

He was clearly pushed.

Oh! Detective Mickey.

Hey.

You met Nelly Parker?

Nelly's got a knack for advice.

She's the one who found Blake.

If I could just get a...

You're not much of anyone

in Babbleton

until you know Nelly, Mick.

He's so new here.

Nice to meet you, Ms. Parker.

Detective Michael Hogan.

Oh, uh, Nelly.

I've just been

reassuring our Nelly here

that the medical reports

will come back

and tell us

poor Blake took a header.

Did Doc Balliol

examine the body yet?

Oh, I'm afraid I'm not

at liberty to discuss that.

- Oh?

- Nelly.

Mickey's gonna tell us

what we need to know

to put your mind at ease, okay?

- Let's hear it, Mick.

- Thank you.

With all due respect, Sheriff,

uh, we should probably

discuss this in private,

- don't you think?

- Oh.

Um, o... kay then.

Well, uh, Dr. Balliol still

needs to conduct a full autopsy

and run the tox screens,

but the preliminary comments

put the time of death

somewhere between

10 p.m. and midnight

last night.

And there is an indication

that the victim was pushed

from the top of the stairs

- with significant force.

- Oh, my.

I knew it!

Did you notice the sawdust?

It had been swept away.

As though someone were trying

to erase a trail of footprints?

Yeah. Yeah, we caught that.

And the light was off!

I don't imagine

Blake went upstairs in the dark.

Certainly couldn't have

flipped the switch

after he died... obviously.

Obviously. Yeah.

Well, we're gonna

dust everything for prints.

- Good!

- Good.

Okay. Uh, Sheriff,

how do you see

this investigation proceeding?

Oh. You got a handle on it,

Mick.

Why not make it a trial run?

Yeah?

Congratulations!

Thanks. Um, okay, I guess

what I'll do then is...

Oh! Uh, wait.

I did... find this.

- Oh, my.

- Whoa. Where did you find that?

$20,000!

It was in Blake's

right-breast pocket.

Uh...

Oh, yeah. I... I don't...

Oh, man.

Huh.

So...

you were friends

with Blake Jarvis?

Oh, I knew Blake for forever,

but, uh, we weren't close.

What would you call "close"?

Birthday parties? Maybe...

Maybe more than that?

Did you go

to Blake's birthday parties?

- No.

- Did you date him?

What? No.

Date him?

We weren't close.

Dating would be close.

- True.

- Anyways, he was with Dahlia.

I used to babysit Dahlia.

I was friends with her brother

in second grade.

- I didn't date him either.

- Mm-hmm.

- Just, you know, for the record.

- Right.

So, why come here this morning

to see your acquaintance?

Well, I wanted to talk

to Blake face-to-face.

About what?

Love. Life.

Pursuit of happiness?

Mm-hmm.

I'm an advice columnist.

I was doing some research.

What kind of research?

Oh, it covers

a wide range of topics!

You should read

the weekend edition.

Well! That concludes

my statement.

For now.

It's very tidy in here,

don't you think?

Was Blake

a particularly neat person?

I have no idea.

Huh!

If he wasn't,

maybe the k*ller came back

and cleaned the place up.

That would tell you something,

wouldn't it? Hmm?

Well...

Ah!

Thank you for the water,

Michael.

All right, you guys fan out,

see what you can find,

all right?

Hey, Sheriff.

Nelly?

Oh. Dahlia. Oh!

I don't understand,

is this real?

I'm so sorry.

Why would anyone

want to hurt Blake?

I mean, everyone loved him.

I don't know.

But you can figure this out,

Nelly, right?

- Wh-What happened to him?

- I...

Please?

Maybe if we put

our heads together,

we can come up with some clues

to help the police.

Clues. O-Okay.

How do we do that?

Uh, um...

why don't we step away?

Uh... yeah,

we'll just go this way.

This way. Um...

Oh.

Um, why don't we start by...

remembering the last time

you and Blake spoke.

Uh, that would be on the phone.

I think yesterday evening,

after supper?

Okay, do you remember

what time that was?

Uh... quarter to seven?

Okay. Good!

This is very useful.

And what did

the two of you speak about?

Um... I asked him

what he had for supper.

All right.

And how did he sound?

Like, what was

his tone of voice?

Did he sound like

he usually did?

- No. He was rushing...

- Oh!

...Like he wanted

to get rid of me.

That was the last time we spoke.

Oh...

Dahlia.

I know this is hard...

...but I know

you're "Worried in Babbleton."

Worried?

That Blake was being unfaithful.

But cheating?

Dahlia, it just...

it sounds so harsh.

Oh. No. It was more of

a bad feeling than anything,

Nelly...

the-the prickles.

Like, like I knew

Blake had a secret.

- A secret?

- Not a good secret.

Oh!

It was happening more and more,

where he just didn't want

to talk to me, you know?

Like-Like he had

more important things.

Than you?

No way!

Oh, uh, his furniture business...

it kept him really busy, right?

Always! It wasn't that.

He w... He was acting sneaky.

Wait, I don't have

to tell the police, right?

I mean... I mean,

I don't have evidence

of Blake cheating.

You do have to tell them.

I wanted to talk to you first,

but Dahlia,

I'm gonna have

to tell them as well.

It could be really important.

Look, I am going to help you.

I promise.

Do you have any idea who

Blake was sneaking around with?

Uh...

you don't think that's who

did this to him?

Oh! Uh...

I mean, it could be possible.

Ms. Chatters?

Mr. Jarvis's partner?

I don't think I know you.

He's new.

Detective Michael.

Or Mickey? M-Mick? Uh...?

Detective Michael Hogan.

And I'm gonna have to ask you

to come with me,

if you don't mind.

Detective, Dahlia and Blake

were together for three years.

Right.

Yes. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Um, I can arrange

to have you meet

with a victim's advocate,

if you'd like, but first,

I really need

to ask you to come with me...

and, uh, Sheriff Brahm...

back to the station,

for questioning.

W...

You'll-You'll come with me?

Yes, of course.

No, no, no. I've already

taken Ms. Parker's statement.

I really must insist

that you come with me alone...

I mean, and with Sheriff Brahm,

of course.

But this isn't

formal questioning.

Is it, Detective?

- Well...

- So wouldn't it be nice

if Dahlia had some support?

Or, I'm... if this is

formal questioning,

then maybe she should be

calling a lawyer.

No. No, no, no.

She can have support.

Great. All right.

I'll drive us. Okay?

We'll see you there.

Great!

Never a break.

See ya at the station, Burgi.

Right-o, kiddo!

Well, thank you guys

for coming in, again.

Good?

Okay, so. Um, you were home

all night, Ms. Chatters?

You didn't go out at all?

That's your statement, right?

Yes. That's what she said.

I heard it, too.

- Great.

- Mm-hmm.

Um... right.

My last class ended at five.

Fine.

And what were you teaching?

Soc 101.

My mother used to teach it, too.

- Okay.

- And my step-sister

picked me up at the Sub.

Oh, uh...

"Student... Union... Building."

Yes, I know.

Thank you very much.

- Well, just...

- I've got it, thank you.

So, if you could, please,

for the record, Ms. Chatters,

give me your sister's full name?

Oh! Formal.

Step-sister.

My dad was remarried.

Okay.

Colleen Hartell.

And we rent an apartment

at the Mason Building.

And Ms. Hartell was home

with you all night?

Yes.

Yeah. We made spaghetti.

Vegetarian, with eggplant.

Yum!

So, you had dinner...

go on, please.

Well, like I told Nelly,

I called Blake after.

It was, like, 6:45.

Yeah, 6:45.

That's what you said.

Ms. Parker?

If you would please

stop interfering

with my investigation,

that would be great.

Oh.

Thank you.

Now, this... this call,

was this your only communication

with Blake last night?

Yes. Yeah.

He was in a hurry,

which fit in with

my suspicion lately that...

Mm-hmm.

...That he may have

been cheating on me.

You suspected Blake

of infidelity?

Well, just this morning,

I received

a letter in the mail...

"Support person"...

you are not

my person of interest.

Wait! Person of interest?

Does that mean I'm a suspect?

No, no, no.

All parties are of interest

in the early stages

of a m*rder investigation.

But...

...if I'm being frank,

Ms. Chatters,

you just gave me

a very convincing motive.

So, how long did you suspect

your partner of cheating?

Uh, a few weeks, maybe?

A-A... A month?

I-I really don't know.

"A few weeks to a month."

Okay.

Just one... one sec.

Um...

Oh.

Look, in light of this

new, incriminating information,

I really need

to consult with my, uh...

well, anyway, it doesn't matter.

I'll be right back.

You made me tell the police

and now they think

I k*lled him for it.

No! No, I don't think

they think that.

All right, maybe Michael

is considering the idea,

but you had to tell him.

Otherwise, you'd be withholding,

and that's gotta be worse.

Everything's worse

with Blake m*rder*d.

I never even wanted

to talk about the cheating,

even before...

and why does everyone

want me to talk about

being suspicious?

Who's everyone?

Ahem.

Okay.

Sheriff says you can go,

but please stay in Babbleton,

and we'll be in touch

as the investigation proceeds.

You wouldn't happen to have

the access code

to Blake's phone, would you?

No.

Hmm. All right.

Please, stay in Babbleton.

Oh, no, she should

be pulling up soon.

Oh.

Do you think they'll really

get into Blake's phone?

I mean, it's like a violation

of privacy.

I don't know.

Oh, there she is.

Oh.

And what are you gonna do?

I'm gonna solve this case.

Dahlia...

I know you didn't do this.

Everyone else needs

to know it, too.

Thank you.

You always take on

everyone's problems.

But how do you know

where to start?

Oh, I have an idea.

Don't you worry.

- Dahlia!

- Oh.

She can't be away

from work long.

She owns her business.

Coming, Colleen!

Oh, I could have driven you.

Oh, she wanted to.

She's like that.

Oh, but...

you'll keep me in the loop?

So loopy!

I promise.

You okay?

Thanks for coming.

- Okay.

- Yeah.

Forgive me for trespassing.

Hold up. What'd you find?

Peter!

You scared me half to death!

Why are you skulking?

I thought I saw something.

It's just

a Bank of Babbleton pen.

Hmm.

Do you steal these?

Yeah, of course, you do.

Everyone does. Hmm.

What are you doing here?

Huh? Oh!

Uh, came to get something

I left here last night.

I didn't know about Blake until

I saw the crime-scene tape.

It's really awful!

Can't believe he was m*rder*d.

Yeah, it's heartbreaking.

I was just with Dahlia.

Mm.

So, you were here last night?

Sure. Poker night.

Hey, that new detective...

strict!

I'm never getting inside.

Well, it is

a secure crime scene.

We're not even allowed out here.

Ah, well. I gotta go.

Peter! What did you

leave at the house?

What did you forget last night?

Oh. Uh, nothing.

Uh, listen, Grace needs

my help with the cat.

First vet check.

Thanks for that, by the way.

We're doing a grand

"kitten reveal" on Sunday.

I was starting to think

you're avoiding me.

What? No! As if.

Wasn't gonna bite

your head off, Nelly.

Only inviting you to a party.

Hmm?

Hey, uh, Peter...

who played poker?

The usual suspects.

Jody Day.

Connor Wooly.

Grace, Blake, me.

Played the first Friday

of every month for years.

- Why?

- Last night was Wednesday.

Yeah. So Blake changed it.

- Did he do that often?

- Never.

So why did he do it last night?

Don't know. How 'bout you ask

someone who actually knew him?

Sometimes, I think

I really didn't.

What's hiding in here?

Please don't sh**t me.

Tell me why not.

I-I knew Blake.

I'm a friend of...

Blake is no friend of mine,

and this is my property.

Maybe we could be friends?

I'm Nelly Parker.

Rumple Snide.

Would you mind if

I asked you a few questions?

Police already

took my statement.

But maybe just one thing first.

Would you mind...?

Okay, yeah.

Great! Okay!

So much better.

Uh, do you know what happened

to Blake Jarvis last night?

m*rder.

Yes. Between 10 p.m.

and midnight.

Mr. Snide...

Call me Rumple.

Snide's my father.

Okay. Mr. Snide...

did you hear anything unusual

last night?

Like, anything

out of the ordinary?

No noise from Jarvis

would be out of the ordinary.

- Oh?

- Power tools...

day in, day out.

Customers going

right to the door.

This is a neighborhood!

Yes, indeed.

But surely

not customers at night?

Well, no.

A lot of loud people

last night, though.

Wasn't even Friday.

What time did you hear

the loud people?

10 p.m. Shouting.

And then, 11,

the light went on

at the workshop over there.

Shines right into my window,

right up there.

Well, that must be

horrible for you!

Yeah.

But you said you heard shouting?

Uh, was it...

was it angry shouting?

Or... Or joyful shouting?

Or maybe the scared kind?

- Angry.

- Oh!

And then, an hour later,

the workshop light goes on.

Mm. Could've been a half-hour.

Never place clocks in a bedroom.

No! Of course not.

No place for clocks

in the bedroom.

Do you think it was

the security light that went on?

Motion sensor.

Jarvis trips it every time

he goes out there,

which is a lot of times

in a night, if you ask me.

More, lately.

Did you see Blake

go out there last night?

I mean, you've got a great view.

Nah, put my sleep mask on.

- Oh!

- Ear plugs, too.

Getting ready for

a final "walk-through,"

they call it.

Lot of work.

You're selling your house?

Oh, I didn't see

a realtor sign out front.

Private sale.

Privacy is my constitutional

right, you know.

Oh! Heh. All right.

Oh. Uh, Rumple, do you ever

get intruders back here?

Sure.

Because I swear I heard someone

in the bushes earlier today.

Get rats. Rabbits.

Slugs.

Snakes.

You.

Yeah, I just...

yeah.

No, Blake

didn't have poker last night.

It was Wednesday.

But what do I know?

The five of them played

for years without me.

Ice?

Colleen and I go

to the movies on Fridays.

Poker wasn't a secret, though.

I mean, he always told me.

I think he always told me.

I was at Blake's house,

and there were no dirty dishes,

no playing cards...

That was Blake.

Neat freak in the house,

dust all over the workshop.

But poker would explain

the wad of cash I found?

Hmm. Cash?

Yeah. I found $20,000

in Blake's pocket.

Cash?

Yes!

- Could he have won it?

- At poker?

Of course not! I mean,

they didn't even play for money.

What about money?

I did talk

to the old man next door,

- and he...

- No, no, no.

Don't listen to Grumple.

He hates Blake.

"Grumple"? Oh!

All right.

Could it have been

from a furniture sale, though?

Blake didn't take cash.

Huh.

Anyway, he was working

on a bench until Monday.

Ask her!

Did you find out who

he was sneaking around with?

The other woman?

Uh, no. Uh...

No. I'm on it, though. Okay?

Uh...

I'll talk to you later!

Oh.

Hello again,

"Detective Michael."

Ms. Parker.

What are you doing here?

I'm just, uh, visiting a friend.

That friend's name wouldn't

happen to be Jody Day, would it?

Ooh, ah... hey.

Chain grease, that's the worst.

Seriously...

what are you doing here?

Are you following me?

Following you on...

on this thing?

No. But I have learned

some information

you may find interesting.

Oh, yeah? Like what?

Blake hosted

a poker game last night.

Yeah, I know that.

What I'm more interested in

is why your friend, Dahlia,

didn't tell us about that.

Makes me wonder

what else she's hiding.

She didn't know,

because it was Wednesday.

You sure about that?

That it was Wednesday?

Yeah.

N... No, no, no!

That's not what I meant.

Hey!

- Are you following me?

- No, I'm not.

Oh, Jody!

Nelly.

Ms. Day.

Just the person

we're looking for.

Uh, yes. Uh...

We've got some questions

for you.

No.

I have some questions for you.

So, Miss Day,

you went to Blake Jarvis's

Wednesday-night poker game?

Well, I thought Wednesday

was a nice change for poker.

And was it? Nice?

No, actually.

It was tense.

Blake kept checking his phone...

which is a rule we have...

no phones at the table...

Sure!

...And Peter called him out,

and I don't blame him,

but it seemed like Blake

just wanted the game to end

after that.

He forced a bold move...

all in... and lost,

then the boys

started exchanging jabs.

Uh, some select words

were thrown.

Blake's neighbor said

that he heard angry shouting.

Peter and Blake?

But Grace stepped in.

She's so diplomatic.

Nice work,

getting her that kitten, Nelly.

Thank you.

She deserves it.

But it wasn't me!

Was shouting usual

at these games?

Definitely not.

We're a "please,

pass the pretzels" crowd.

Hmm.

Peter said

that he left something

at Blake's that night.

- Do you know what it was?

- Hey, could you just...

I'll ask the questions, okay?

Oh, right. Uh...

you...

Thank you.

Do you know what it was?

- No.

- "No."

Blake gave me

my first woodworking job.

I apprenticed under him.

Jody, I'm so sorry.

I know you understand, Nelly.

All right, Miss Day. Thank you.

That'll be all for now.

Thank you very much. Um...

Yes, we should be going.

Um...

Uh, Jody?

Who won the pot that night?

Oh, that was Connor.

Connor Wooly.

The banker.

Thank you.

So, what do you

think of that fight

between Blake and Peter?

Are you asking me?

Well, you knew 'em both.

I do know them.

But are you admitting

that I'm helpful?

No.

But you wanna know what I think.

The sheriff seems

to think that you are an asset,

so...

Yeah. I would like

to know what you think.

Deal.

No, not a deal.

I just wanna know

what you think.

It's kind of a deal.

I was wondering

what Peter Huang was doing

at Blake's this morning.

Something was definitely up.

We can't ask him right now,

he's at an appointment...

a vet appointment...

for the kitty!

Huh.

Do you want a ride?

You don't know where I'm going.

Connor Wooly's, right?

- You sure you don't want a ride?

- Yes! I mean, no. I...

Okay! Race you there!

See you soon!

We never play for money.

I'm the one who won't go there.

So you gamble for stuff instead?

Money is work for me.

- This is fun.

- Huh. Interesting.

And how much at they worth?

Ah, it's worth a gamble.

There were only

100 of these ever made.

You won all those at poker?

Some nights

are luckier than others.

Wow!

What's this?

What's going on?

Oh, hi, Paige!

Honey-pie, hello.

This is my wife, Paige.

Hi.

Nelly and Detective Michael

were viewing my loot.

Oh. So, Connor told you

he bet the weed whacker

and came home

with collectible mallards?

They're worth a lot!

If you place

zero value on utility.

You're here about Jarvis?

I am.

Connor was one of the last

to see him alive.

All everyone at Helen's

can talk about is m*rder.

Wait. Everyone knows?

I heard from Peter Huang.

He heard it from Jody Day.

- Wait. Peter did?

- You bet.

Jody's EMT friends

spilled the beans

when the ambulance

was dispatched.

She called Peter

when he was banking with me.

We must've been

the first to know.

Other than you authorities,

and, uh, the k*ller.

So, what time

did Peter get that call?

Came into the bank

when we first opened.

That's nine a.m.

I was at the theatre last night,

in case you're wondering.

Connor was at poker,

but he came home right after.

- I told them that.

- He was home by 11.

10:15. I told them.

Right.

I mean, I was home by 11,

after the play ended...

Death of a Salesman...

I'm sure you've heard of it.

Yeah, I have.

Yeah, me too.

Uh, can anyone confirm

that you were home before 11?

I walked home from Blake's.

I left when everyone else did,

so I must have been here

by 10:15.

And you work

at the Bank of Babbleton?

I do.

Blake Jarvis held

an account there?

Affirmative.

I do the books

for his business, too.

Blake was a build-it-with-

your-own-hands type.

Needed me to handle his money.

Do you have

something to add, Paige?

No.

Okay. I'm gonna need to see

Blake's bank statements

and his business records.

If you could help

facilitate that,

I would much appreciate it.

Of course.

Oh, um...

he also had a very large sum

of cash on his person.

Like, a really big stack.

You wouldn't know anything

about that, would ya?

No.

Dinnertime.

Connor?

That's my cue to chop carrots.

Could you show

the Detective and Nelly out?

Uh, we're gonna need you to,

actually,

sign your statement.

We are?

Well, it's protocol, so.

Yeah, yeah!

Yeah, yeah.

Protocol. Please.

I didn't know you work

with the police, Nelly.

Did you leave

the lifestyle magazine?

Sure didn't.

Look for "monster-in-law" advice

in the weekend edition.

Oh... I wouldn't miss it.

Neat pen!

Thanks.

This is my lucky space pen.

Oh?

Wanna give it a try?

It writes upside-down.

Oh, wow.

I bet you keep this

in your pocket all the time.

- I know I would.

- Solid bet, Nelly!

You should play poker.

Thank you.

Uh, do you have one of

these neato pens, Paige?

No.

So what do you use?

Pens.

You know, I think

you should probably

- sign the statement, too.

- She should?

Mm-hmm. Well, it's protocol.

Yeah, so th-there's...

protocol.

- "Protocol"?

- Yeah. Yeah.

I didn't say

any of these things.

This is Connor's statement.

Why should I sign it?

Yeah, that's bonkers!

Michael, she doesn't need

to sign the statement.

It's Connor's.

So, we should go.

Cool pen!

Oh, thanks.

Uh, thank you.

Did you see Paige reach

for that pen in her pocket

and then it wasn't there?

And then,

she got a Bank of Babbleton pen!

Okay, okay.

Hey, what was with

the signatures and the pens?

I didn't understand any of that.

Connor might be in the clear

with that fancy space pen,

but I think Paige uses up

those Bank of Babbleton pens

like they're going out of style.

"In the clear" how?

Because of a pen?

I don't know how...

Oh! Hey.

Oh, uh, Connor.

Uh, what's up?

She doesn't know

that I came out.

Michael, I need you

to understand about the timing.

I didn't mean

to make it sound suspicious.

Neither did Paige, I'm sure.

Okay. Well, I'm listening.

She's mad at me.

- Oh!

- She lost her wedding ring.

I bought her a replacement.

I thought it would cheer her up.

But I was quite wrong.

I mean, I-I got

the size quite wrong.

I don't think

she has sausage fingers!

- Ohh...

- It was an honest mistake.

Connor... I'm so sorry.

I get it.

Really?

I don't.

Sleeping in separate rooms...

Oh!

I went to the guest room

like she told me.

I didn't know about the play!

I thought she was sleeping

when I came back.

She hates it when I wake her up.

But you still don't have

an alibi, Connor.

Paige can't confirm

when you came in.

Correct! I mean, no.

He's right.

- It's not less suspicious.

- No.

I want you to know

there's nothing fishy,

whether Paige

went to the theatre or not.

You suspect she didn't?

Death of a Salesman?

Oh...

She couldn't know where I was

on account of different rooms,

so, unless she passed by me

in the hallway...

Oh... like ships

passing in the night.

Okay...

let me see

if I get this straight.

- Oh.

- You came out here

to tell us

that neither of you has an alibi

from the time you left poker

and she left the theatre...

if, in fact, she went

to the theatre at all?

Because neither has a clue

if the other one

was here that night!

But the car was here

when I came back.

Oh!

Yeah. I came in

through the garage

and I saw it parked there.

That... That's why

I thought she was sleeping.

Well, that's great.

Very helpful.

Thank you, Connor!

But...?

- Not less suspicious.

- No.

No, I suppose not.

Mm.

Okay, then! Um...

Why don't you come

by the station in the morning

with Blake's financials

and we'll talk?

Okay.

- Great!

- Connor!

Carrots!

Oh, Connor, you better go.

- Mm-hmm.

- Honey-pie!

Poor Connor.

Well, he made his bed.

With sausage fingers.

Okay, that's kind of funny.

- Yeah!

- Whoa.

Hey. Uh...

w-we were just

on our way to the-the...

Yeah, we were gonna

go to that place.

Yeah, yeah, the place...

to talk about, uh...

- Those things!

- ...The things!

- So, uh, bye, Paige!

- Yeah! Bye, Paige!

- See ya.

- Thank you so much!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'll see ya at the diner. Good?

Okay. Sorry about that.

It was the Sheriff on the phone.

Just, uh, more of the typical.

- "Typical"?

- Mm-hmm.

Give me the typical.

I wanna know typical!

You don't give up, do you?

You know I cannot talk to you

about this stuff.

But you love

my inside information.

People tell me things.

Mm-mm. Not everyone.

Help me help you.

Wasn't that the deal we made?

No, no.

No, there was no deal.

What are you, five?

Okay.

The tox screen...

- Oh!

- ...Showed nothing unusual.

And there were no fingerprints

on the broomstick

or on your light switch.

So the k*ller wore gloves!

No, no, no.

Gloves would've left

old fingerprints intact.

The k*ller wiped

the surfaces clean afterwards.

Interesting!

- Mm-hmm.

- A clean-up effort.

- Yeah.

- What about Blake's phone?

No, we're still waiting

for the records on that.

- Tech can't get into the phone.

- Oh.

Do you know everyone?

Everyone knows everyone

in Babbleton.

Mm-hmm. Well, the Sheriff seems

to think you have some kind of...

I don't know...

special knowledge.

Is that why

you're buying me dinner?

Well played.

Okay, fine, but,

- I wanna get my money's worth.

- Oh!

Show me some magic.

How about, uh...

Oh...

"Yours truly,

Feeling Jelly."

Intensely envious of his wife,

Darlene, when she started

getting attention at work.

Ooh.

Never underestimate jealousy.

Mm!

But it looks like

those two crazy kids

worked it out.

Oh... that's not Darlene.

Oh!

I didn't see that comin'!

Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Hold that thought.

- I do see pancakes coming.

- Breakfast for dinner!

- Thank you.

- Extra whip.

- Extra strawberries, Detective.

- Oh...

Thank you so much.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Oh, my goodness.

I am so hungry.

Mm!

Ohh... I really needed that.

Big first week, huh?

Oh, you have no idea.

The paperwork alone.

I think Sheriff Brahm is trying

to test me with this case.

There is one thing

that's been bothering me

- about Peter Huang.

- Okay.

You want me to ask you

what doesn't jive?

- Mm-hmm.

- Okay, I will.

What doesn't jive?

All right, so...

well, he doesn't like kittens...

- there's that.

- Yeah.

But also, the timing.

Jody said she called him

when the ambulance was sent out.

- Mm-hmm?

- But when I saw him,

hours later, at the house,

he made out like

he had arrived all innocent,

just to pick something up,

and then, he dodged me

when I asked him what it was.

Hmm?

Yeah. Yeah, that's odd.

But what about the pens?

I didn't understand

what was happening

with the pens.

Yes. So, I found

this

under the bushes

at Blake's house...

a Bank of Babbleton pen.

It's a bank-teller pen.

Yeah, I get that,

but when did you find it?

And... at my crime scene?

I went back to interview

the neighbor, grumpy guy.

They call him "Grumple,"

if you can believe that.

Ooh, probably not to his face.

Anyways, naturally,

I thought the pen

belonged to Connor.

Banker, right?

Mm-hmm.

So, I thought to ask

for signatures

to see who had a pen.

Now, I think probably

Paige dropped the pen.

Or... well,

anyone who steals bank pens.

Why would Paige be hiding

in the bushes at Blake's place?

How many more times

are you gonna do this to me?

Find things

that are useful to the case?

No!

Come on!

You're like a lone wolf.

You get that I'm trying

to solve a m*rder here, right?

This is my first case

with Sheriff Brahm,

and every time I turn around,

you're jumping out of the cake

with jazz hands,

saying, "Oh, look at me, here's

some more evidence I withheld!"

Oh. Well...

I guess I'm just used

to working alone,

writing my column.

Do you live alone, too?

Do you live with someone?

No.

No, not anymore.

I got divorced.

There. I said it.

That's why the transfer.

Fresh start.

Yeah, something like that.

Look. Good work with the pen.

I mean it.

I'm glad you found it.

But, moving forward,

maybe we need

to work on our communication

just a little bit. Okay?

Okay.

Okay. Good.

That being said...

did it look like

anybody had been hiding

in the bushes recently?

Definitely!

There were broken branches,

and I swear,

I heard someone scurrying away

when I was finding Blake's body.

- Ah...

- Speculation, not new evidence.

- Hmm.

- I promise.

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

Now we got something.

What? What now? What'd I do?

Uh, no, nothing. I just...

I just like

that you ordered that.

Hmm.

Maybe souffl isn't meant

to be baked in a toaster oven.

If Dahlia's motive

was Blake cheating,

why would she share that?

And this m*rder

definitely didn't seem planned.

Ooh! Crime of passion?

So, Blake was

pushed down the stairs.

There's no weapon.

How do the police find clues?

No weapon.

No footprints. No tire tracks.

No fingerprints.

No access to Blake's phone, yet.

But the k*ller swept the floor

where they walked,

they wiped the light switch

and the broom handle clean.

Blake had cash in his pocket...

but they didn't steal it.

Unless they didn't know

about the money. Hmm.

Paige Wooly at the theatre?

I don't think so!

She's been working double shifts

at Helen's and the DMV.

Paige could have been

hiding in Blake's bushes.

Someone dropped

a Bank of Babbleton pen there.

Could she be

Blake's other woman?

I mean, people can surprise you.

Her marriage is on the rocks.

Connor!

An affair could

contribute to that. Hmm!

Oh! Not Jody.

We don't wanna think

that anyone we know did this,

but it happened in Babbleton,

so chances are they did.

You know, I have to say...

a m*rder plan

to push a guy like Blake

down the stairs

is not a very good m*rder plan.

It happened

in the heat of the moment.

The k*ller scrambled

to cover their tracks.

Now they're worried

they made a mistake.

They don't want me, or anyone,

looking that closely.

Hmm!

Nelly, how do you know all this?

Well...

...someone left this

at my house.

"Get your nose out of

where it doesn't belong"?

I know!

Somebody broke into your house

with this?

Well, they threw it

through the window with a rock,

but no hearts on the "I" s,

so...

"Don't mess with me."

Nelly, this is a threat!

Question is, what was happening

when the k*ller pushed Blake?

What was the feeling

that caused the push?

That is the motive.

A crime of passion!

What makes people passionate?

Money!

Or romance.

Yes!

Oh!

I spoke with Blake's neighbor,

Grumple...

Rumple? Rumpole?

Grumple? Grumple...

- "Rumple Snide."

- Yes!

Yes, I wrote about him

for the Bloom Count.

He was runner-up.

He does not like noise,

or light,

or Blake, or...

- You.

- ...Me very much. Hmm.

And he just sold his house.

These are the things

I know so far.

Okay, here he is.

This is the photo that I used

in the Bloom Count issue.

- Paige Wooly!

- What?

She's, like, Rumple's niece,

or something.

What?

- Yeah!

- Huh.

- Hey.

- Oh!

Hello!

Uh, Mickey...

uh, Detective! Michael.

Detective Michael.

Uh, hey! Do you know Fiona?

- She makes a great souffl.

- It...

It's actually not your best.

But, um...

she's great.

Hello, Detective.

What can we help you with?

Yes.

I know you're in

the middle of, uh...

Work?

...Work, right.

Um...

You wouldn't happen

to know anything about

"monster" mothers, would you?

You said something about

a column, or an article...

Uh... ooh.

Uh...

Monsters-in-law?

- That was it!

- Yes!

Close enough. Listen.

I need you to come with me.

Okay? So, I drive really fast.

So, I'll just wait in the car

for you.

Okay? Come with me?

Nice to meet you.

All right! See you in a bit!

Uh...

"Detective Mickey"?

"Detective Michael Hogan."

Detective Dreamy!

Okay.

I'm going now.

Oh!

You do drive fast.

Sheriff said hurry, so we hurry.

Dahlia's mom is kicking up

quite a fuss.

Well, she probably thinks

Dahlia should've had a lawyer.

Hey, that was a statement,

until she handed us

a motive on a silver platter.

All right, where do I come in?

What do mean,

where do you come in?

Aren't you always in?

Yesterday, you're in everything

like a dirty shirt.

Suddenly, you wanna back out?

I don't wanna back out.

Paige Wooly!

Hold on!

Hey!

Wh-Where you going?

I-It's just a quick pit-stop.

Don't worry!

We'll still win the race.

Paige!

Paige?

Paige!

Ohh! Paige!

Please! Yes!

What is wrong with you?

I am on my way to work.

Please tell me...

why did you make that noise...

about Blake and money?

- Ugh!

- Yes! That is the noise.

Because Blake had no money!

He wasted Connor's time.

He mostly didn't pay him.

He spent as much as he earned.

That's called a furniture hobby,

not a business.

You know, I saw him

at Vera's Jewelry Store,

visiting an engagement ring

he could not afford.

All, like...

"...My precious."

Honestly, I don't know

how Dahlia could even stand him.

You took a second job.

You can't relate?

Okay, Paige, I'm sorry.

I spoke with Rumple Snide.

Your Uncle Rumple?

I have to go.

The only thing

that my daughter is guilty of

is her horrible taste in men!

It's bad enough

that she would've

married the scoundrel,

but the way that

you treated her,

like some common criminal...

Whoa, whoa. Dahlia was

marrying Blake Jarvis?

He told me his intentions,

of course.

Brazen, presumptuous man.

So he wasn't pulling away

from her, then?

Of course, he wasn't!

Why would he do that?

My daughter was paying

for everything.

With my money, mind you...

mortgaged

and remortgaged to the hilt,

he gets her

to fund his business...

furniture!

So you were worried

he was using her?

It's worse than that, Nelly.

I heard he was cheating.

One of those "has his cake

and eats it too" types.

I've never really

understood that...

who doesn't eat their own cake?

Can we...

Can we just sit down?

Please, sit down.

Why don't we sit down?

Thank you.

Um...

where did you hear

about the cheating?

Women are intuitive, Detective.

Mm.

But she was smitten,

and blind...

I had to take matters

into my own hands,

for her protection.

Okay, I'm gonna need you

to explain to me

exactly what you mean by that,

Mrs. Chatters.

- "Ms."

- "Ms." Chatters.

And please remember

that it is your duty

not to obstruct justice.

This is the kind of person

you keep company with?

Zinnia... I know.

Detective Michael

is infuriating.

He can be self-righteous,

and really annoying.

He can also be right here.

But...

I do believe he means well.

He is an honest man

who would not have got

a statement from Dahlia

without a lawyer present...

if he had thought

she was a suspect.

She's not a suspect?

Well, I...

You were just

protecting your daughter.

You were saying?

Well, I hired a detective

to follow Blake...

a private investigator,

and I had to tell

Dahlia this morning.

Oh, so she was angry?

Oh!

Did the P.I. get back to you

with his findings?

Well, he said

he would take photos

that I could use as evidence

to try to talk

some sense into her.

That's all I wanted to do,

Nelly,

was to catch Blake in the act.

O-Of course!

The P.I. was parked

outside of Blake's house

Wednesday night.

Wait! What?

Wednesday night?

Mm-hmm.

You had a P.I.

doing surveillance

the night of the m*rder?

Do you think

that he might have seen

something to do with the m*rder?

He might have.

He probably did.

Yeah, I'm gonna need his name.

Larry Foot.

Okay.

From Larry Foot Investigations.

Oh! Yes, on Spruce Street.

Spruce Street.

- Mm-hmm.

- Great.

So, remember,

I am the detective,

so I will be asking

the questions, okay?

But Burgi did say that I...

I know what the Sheriff said,

but this a m*rder investigation,

and though I do appreciate

your help with Zinnia,

you are still just a civilian,

and there are procedures

that have to be followed.

Of course, procedures!

So we're in agreement then?

I'm the leader

of this investigation,

you are the observer.

Got it?

Got it!

Active observer.

No, no, no!

I didn't say active.

Passive. Silent observer...

I'm not sure why I bother.

Oh, no.

No, Sheriff,

there's no one here.

Yeah, one security camera,

but it's smashed.

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

I can go check again.

All right,

I'll call you right back. Bye.

Don't... touch... anything.

I'll be right back.

Oh!

Ba-da, ba-ba-ba, ba

bada, da, da-da

Da...

Oh, have mercy!

Nelly Parker?

- What happened?

- The office was robbed.

- My office!

- Larry Foot?

The police are looking for you.

Oh, you've gotta be kiddin'.

I didn't do it!

I think they just want

to know if you're okay.

Ohh!

Did someone threaten you?

Uh... no, not lately.

Your computer was stolen.

Yeah, well, nothing that

ain't backed up on the cloud.

Brilliant!

Zinnia Chatters told us

she hired you

to follow Blake Jarvis.

Any chance you caught

any photos at his house?

Oh, big time!

- Oh!

- Caught a skulker!

Bit of a "spray-and-pray"

in the dark,

but probably something

to I.D.

Amazing!

I wonder what else

Blake was up to this week...

Mostly worked, and, uh...

...he was buying a ring

for his lady friend.

Oh...

Larry Foot.

Ya seem like a guy

with a story to tell.

I probably shouldn't.

Yeah, all right!

Uh...

I just came

from Vera's Jewelry Shop.

- Oh?

- Check this puppy out.

Wow!

Oh, if I'd had

something like that...

..."ex" might

just be a state of mind.

I've said yes to plastic.

Get this... Blake agrees

to buy it from Vera

- two weeks ago.

- Mm-hmm.

18 grand.

$18,000?

Yeah!

But he tells Vera

he can't pay for it till today.

- Not even a deposit.

- Oh?

He was all set

to pick up the ring...

payment in full

at three p.m.,

reservation at Gastronome

at eight.

Oh...

Blake was gonna propose

to Dahlia on Friday.

That's why he switched

the poker night...

kept it a secret from her.

But wait!

Are we sure that Dahlia was

the person he was proposing to?

Sure, we're sure!

Vera says so.

- Oh?

- Blake even brought a friend

to try it on...

same size as Dahlia.

Who was the person

he brought to try on the ring?

And how did you end up

with that big, fat diamond ring

in your pocket?

Zinnia got real protective.

Calls me this morning

in a real tizzy,

fighting with the daughter...

wants me to secure the ring,

she says,

before Dahlia learns

it went out into the world

on someone else's finger.

She's high-strung,

that Zinnia...

but a good mama.

I like the cut of her jib.

Everything's comin' up Larry!

Ahh. Well...

not everything.

Well, yeah.

Hey.

Oh! This is

New Detective Michael Hogan.

He's gonna want

to speak with you.

Larry Foot?

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

You're leaving?

Deadline at the office.

Type-type!

Okay, fine, but...

Larry has back-ups

of all the photos.

Yeah, yeah, yeah,

I'll deal with that in a minute,

but just so you know,

this break-in means

the k*ller is escalating.

So you understand how

dangerous that can be, right,

and you're okay?

- Sure.

- "Sure"?

Positive?

Listen. I'm going back

to the scene of the crime

this afternoon.

You're not gonna follow me

this time, right?

Right. No way.

Good.

Now, please, be careful.

Michael... you got this.

Yeah, I know I got this!

I got this,

but does she have this?

Zinnia said that Blake is broke

and needed Dahlia's money,

which, as it turns out,

is her money.

Meanwhile, he's walking around

with a fistful of cash,

shopping for

a two-carat diamond ring.

Just doesn't make sense.

What does

Detective Michael think?

He's, um, difficult...

to read.

Mm-hmm. You're never difficult.

Oh!

Look at this,

a submission from...

hmm!

"Jealous Green Monster."

What to say

to all the monsters, hmm?

You know, you have

this amazing talent

for being able to help

everybody else

with their romance.

Maybe take

your own advice sometime.

What, like about dating?

I mean, it's been years

since Fred.

You do date sometimes, right?

Well...

What about... tch-tch...

Detective Dreamy?

Is he single?

Maybe, you know, I...

I like to be carefree,

and maybe I don't want

to be bogged down

with responsibility to others.

Maybe... I'm a lone wolf.

Ha!

Nelly, you are

the most connected, caring,

community-minded person I know.

If anyone in Babbleton

needs help,

you are there.

That is the opposite

of carefree.

Well, that is not the point.

The point is...

who is Blake Jarvis

sneaking around with? Hmm?

We're missing something...

over there.

I don't know.

Did you know that Rumple Snide

will be joining us

at Babbleton Rose?

He was something of

a beau of mine back in 1967.

I just met Rumple Snide.

He sold his house.

Yeah. I liked Rumple.

That is a rare response

to Rumple, Granny.

Well, never judge

a book by his cover.

Do you know anything

about his relationship

to Paige Wooly?

Oh, Paige?

Yes, lovely girl.

Also not a widely-held opinion.

She sold his house.

But Paige isn't a realtor.

Oh!

Rumple hates doing business

with strangers.

And Paige knew a buyer,

so the house never

got on the market.

She got $300,000 for him.

So, now he can move here,

and he doesn't have

to work so hard.

Granny, that can't be right.

That was the price years ago.

Not now.

Numbers!

That's not the point, is it?

You're right.

It's not, I suppose.

The point is,

your former beau

is coming to live here.

Mm-hmm.

What will the others make of it?

I suppose

it'll "Rumple" some feathers.

Granny!

Who are we watching?

Shh.

Jody's job hunting.

Oh, and we're hunting Jody?

Do you have your binoculars?

Or do you use

a magnifying glass?

Okay.

Um, ahem, Ms. Day?

If I can just talk to you for

- a second, please?

- Hi, Jody!

Hi, Nelly.

Officer?

"Detective," actually.

Ms. Day, I found something

in Blake Jarvis's workshop.

It's of a personal nature.

Oh. Wow. This should be good.

Uh, a photo of you was found

in Blake's possession.

Enchanted. Do show.

Oh, he kept it!

Nelly, look.

- Ooh-la-la!

- I know, right?

Would you care to explain

the circumstances

that led to that photo?

Detective...

have you ever lost a bet?

So that's not, uh...?

I was so sure it would be

Blake in that dress...

but somehow,

he drew into the full house.

Next time.

Yeah. I'll take that.

Thank you.

Do you want a ride?

- No!

- A milkshake?

No!

Oh! Oh, here we go! Ooh.

- Goodie!

- Thank you.

That looks fantastic.

Mm!

Thank you.

I do have a magnifying glass,

by the way.

I am a detective, after all.

Mm.

Working on the weekend, huh?

Yeah. So how 'bout you?

How, uh...

How's your weekend?

Well, I went to go

see my grandmother,

and the many, many gentlemen

who love her.

Oh. So Grandma's a bit of

a heartbreaker, is she?

Granny Lu?

More... heartwarming.

I see.

So... kinda like you,

I guess?

Hmm!

Oh, don't think

I'm a lone wolf anymore?

I didn't say that.

I'm still trying

to figure you out.

Do I make it difficult?

My friend, Fiona,

says I can be difficult.

I wouldn't say difficult.

Just...

it's a bit of a process.

Okay, well...

bring it on.

What do you want to know?

Oh yeah? Anything?

Yes.

Okay.

Uh, let's see.

Um, oh, I know.

What makes you

so relentlessly happy?

Oh!

Honestly? Um...

Most things make me happy.

Well, I guess a few things

don't make me happy.

Okay, well, what are those?

If... If you don't mind

my asking.

Yeah.

Um, well...

I wasn't always a lone wolf.

Oh, really?

I was engaged to Fred,

my childhood friend...

later, my boyfriend.

Hmm.

And then, he proposed.

It was...

It was a dark and stormy night,

pouring rain,

in this parking lot

behind the country fair midway.

He had won this little

plastic, purple ring

in one of those, um, you know...

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- ...Toss games.

I know.

And, uh, he just dropped down

to his knee right into a puddle.

We were laughing so hard,

I could hardly get the words out

to say yes.

I remember, um...

on the car stereo,

the song was,

"Every Rose Has Its Thorn."

Poison.

Tsk. Good song!

Yeah. Yeah, great song.

I'm sorry.

It's not a sad memory. It's...

I have a lot of great memories

with Fred, but...

Time was not on our side.

He... um, he died

in a car accident,

five years ago.

I'm so sorry.

Well, he, uh...

gave me an appreciation

for glam rock.

Yes, he did!

And dancing in the rain.

Taught me what it's like

to... love and be loved.

Hmm.

I guess...

I just...

choose not to be sad.

Hmm.

Nelly?

Yeah, I know.

Heart on my sleeve!

Oh, she's perfect!

Aw, I just love her.

She was right under my peonies!

Oh! Bless you!

Hey, Peter, when are

those burgers gonna be ready?

Here you go.

Oh, hi.

Hey, you, Nelly Parker!

Thanks for showing up.

I was worried you were gonna

hide on me forever

because you did a bad thing.

You can't think

that kitten was a bad thing.

She's growing on me.

Mm-hmm.

Surf or turf?

Uh, surf, please.

So, Peter, um...

Jody called you

before I saw you at Blake's.

You came there after you knew

that he had been k*lled.

Hang on a second.

That's not what I knew.

Jody said an ambulance

went to pick him up,

- that's it.

- Uh-huh?

She said nothing about m*rder.

I know... it looks bad.

Yeah, it looks bad!

You lied.

I... had an argument

with Blake,

I didn't wanna tell you.

I wanted to get something back.

It was a watch he won off Grace

the Friday before.

- A watch?

- Grace is no card shark.

She had the flush,

but she'd already bet away

everything we brought.

Grace was so upset with herself,

and I'd become this villain

who wouldn't let her get a cat.

Peter, that's not the reason.

Anyway...

I went to see Blake.

Explained that the watch

was worth too much for our game.

He wouldn't hear it.

He said he won,

fair and square...

"rules are rules."

So you used the opportunity

of him going in an ambulance

to sneak in

and try and steal it back?

I'd copped to it

when he realized what I did...

maybe, by then,

he'd see the light.

I didn't know

he was m*rder*d, Nelly.

I just thought he'd cut

one of his big Blake thumbs

on a table saw.

She's wearing

Grace's bloody watch!

How are you doing?

Sadness turned to anger,

thanks to my mother.

She should never have hired

that private investigator.

She's just trying to help you.

She was yelling at the police

in your defense yesterday.

Well, yelling

is my mother's specialty.

There was a robbery

at the private eye's

office, right?

Yeah. But he has digital files,

so the police are

gonna get everything.

- Really? They will?

- Mm-hmm.

Maybe they'll solve this now,

so they can stop persecuting me.

Dahlia, I have to ask you,

where did you get this?

From Blake.

Just out of the blue, too.

Probably buttering me up,

so I wouldn't suspect

his cheating.

It wasn't really his.

You don't think he took this

from the other woman, do you?

He took it from... Grace.

Blake stole my watch from Grace?

Not exactly.

He won it.

Fair is fair.

When is

this going to get easier?

I don't know.

I'm sorry.

Oh... boy.

Michael?

Dahlia Chatters,

you are under arrest

for the m*rder of Blake Jarvis.

Please stand up.

Turn around.

You have the right

to remain silent.

Anything you say

can, and will, be used

against you in a court of law.

You ready to go?

Let's go!

Nelly!

How can you do this?

She has an alibi!

She was with me.

There's no way

she m*rder*d Blake.

- Michael...

- She was texting him

- all night long.

- Seriously?

- So, she...

- She lied!

She was texting him

every ten minutes until 11:30,

which is when

she could have k*lled him.

And, Nelly, the texts...

they were not friendly.

No, but Rumple said

the security light

at the workshop

went on earlier than that.

Tell it to the judge, Nelly.

There's nothing

I can do for you.

Michael, wait! Please.

Dahlia admitted

she talked to Blake.

She said that call was

her only communication with him!

Okay, so she was embarrassed.

My column was coming out.

What if her letter was chosen?

What letter?

Nelly...

what letter?

Dahlia

wrote into my column

for advice

about Blake's cheating.

She signed it

"Worried In Babbleton,"

but I knew it was her

'cause I know her handwriting.

I always figure it out, anyways.

I went to go see Blake

to talk to him about the letter.

We talked about this!

We did!

The communication thing!

No more lone-wolf stuff!

Were you ever gonna

tell me about this?

I tried to tell you...

- You did not.

- ...At the police station.

I don't believe

Dahlia k*lled Blake.

Nelly, don't you get it?

It doesn't matter

what you believe!

This is police work.

Suspects get treated

with objectivity,

and you just don't have that.

No.

I guess I don't.

And if it means

turning my back on my friends,

I don't think I want it.

Nelly, fix this!

I can't.

I tried.

I just made it worse.

But Dahlia didn't do it.

Please, Nelly.

Nelly, Dahlia didn't do it.

Okay, so, that night,

you and Dahlia...

making dinner...

vegetarian spaghetti.

With eggplant!

Yum! Then what?

Uh...

we started a movie around 9:30.

What about Blake's neighbor?

He's a really mean old man.

Do you think he's the m*rder*r?

All right, so Dahlia's

texting during the movie.

Angry with Blake?

Yeah, she was texting.

But I-I didn't ask about what.

I know better.

What about Jody Day?

Did you know Jody

worked for Blake,

but she got laid off?

Okay, so when did the movie end?

Around 11:30.

Then we went to our rooms...

to bed.

Okay. So Dahlia stops

texting with Blake at 11:30.

Colleen, couldn't Dahlia

just have snuck out

without you realizing?

No. No way.

I would've heard her,

on account of her squeaky door.

Okay, the police are

gonna need proof than that.

How do we prove that

Dahlia stayed in her room?

It couldn't be that easy.

It couldn't?

If she snuck out to Blake's,

it would be on...

...camera.

And if she didn't,

the tape could clear her.

That's when we got home...

5:00 on Wednesday,

like Dahlia told you.

Mm-hmm, okay.

Here we go.

9:04.

Oh...

I forgot.

Dahlia wanted hot chocolate.

Ooh, the hot-cocoa run!

Don't gotta tell me

about those, hey, Mick?

Yeah.

That's not enough time

for a m*rder.

Anyway, it is too early.

Blake was still playing poker.

We're headed into time of death.

Yeah.

- That's it?

- Yep.

See? Dahlia didn't go out!

Bupkis.

For the love of the Lord,

let that girl out,

before her mother shows up.

- Boss?

- Yes?

Larry Foot has something.

You'll want to see this.

Is it the P.I.'s photos?

Yeah. This might

shake things up, huh?

Let's find out.

You were about

to let Dahlia out, remember?

She said let her out!

Darling, not yet.

Yeah, could you take

Colleen home

- for us, please?

- Yeah.

No! I-I don't want to go

without Dahlia.

Honey.

Sometimes, we don't

always get what we want.

It's gonna be okay.

It's okay.

Thanks for everything, Nelly.

Something just doesn't add up.

I don't get it.

What's bothering you?

Time of death is between

10 p.m. and midnight.

You and Dahlia

watching the movie.

She's angry,

she's texting Blake.

The movie ends 11:30.

She stops rage-texting Blake.

You both go to bed.

The police think that's

when she goes to Blake's

and pushes him down the stairs.

The walk is ten minutes away.

T-The police are wrong!

Why haven't

they released her yet?

Show me!

Show you what?

None of this matters.

Yeah. You get to be Dahlia.

I'm gonna retrace steps.

Show me her bedroom! Hmm?

Yeah?

There's no way she could've

climbed out of here.

Is there another way

she could have snuck out?

I guess that's the alibi.

- Michael?

- Nelly...

No, no, it's me.

They're giving me

one phone call since last night.

Dahlia. I'm so sorry.

I promised I would fix things,

and it's just such a mess.

I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

I should have told you

about those text messages.

It's just...

we thought Blake was cheating,

and I was acting like

a jealous girlfriend,

giving him the gears.

I...

I couldn't show the detective.

I'm ashamed... I couldn't

show anyone, not even you.

I understand.

Why do the police keep

asking me about a letter?

W... "Worried in Babbleton"...

the letter

that you sent me for advice.

Nelly, I never

wrote you a letter,

and New Michael keeps

insisting that I did.

What-What...

What was it about,

and why do you think

it came from me?

The hearts on the "I" s,

that's you.

Or someone who knows you.

Well, lots of people

draw hearts.

Uh, Dahlia,

I gotta call you back.

Wait! No!

I can't answer calls!

Nelly?

Where are you going?

Wait!

- Colleen, stop!

- Nelly...

it's not what you think.

Good grief. Just...

Was it the letter?

Or stupid P.I. Larry

and his photos?

I never even saw him!

You knew the security camera

would show

that you two had stayed

in the apartment all night.

But you climbed down

the garden trellis

to sneak out back to see Blake.

Do you suppose

I was Blake's other woman?

Desperately in love

with my step-sister's boyfriend?

No. No, I don't suppose

you liked him at all.

There was no other woman.

Blake loved Dahlia.

Either you were mad

because you genuinely believed

that he was cheating on her,

or you made up that

bogus cheating story yourself.

Why?

I was 20 when Dahlia's dad

and my mom got married,

so we didn't get

to grow up together.

I'd never had a little sister,

and she'd never had

anyone to look out for her,

like I could.

So that's what this is about...

protecting your sister?

Blake was always too busy!

He wouldn't even

invite her to poker.

But the thing is,

Blake was never too good

to take her money.

Dahlia cares...

about me.

She cared about Blake,

and you... everyone...

but I could see that her life

wasn't gonna be good with him.

She just couldn't see it,

because he wasn't

bad enough, you know?

You knew

that he was gonna propose.

You were the one

who went to Vera's

and tried on

the engagement ring.

He thought

I'd be happy for them.

How crazy is that?

Why fake a letter to me, then?

I thought you would advise her

to dump him,

if he was unfaithful to her,

and I guessed if I sent

something personalized,

you'd think it came from Dahlia,

and you'd get right in there,

and you'd fix it.

But I didn't

get to Blake in time.

No.

Neither did I.

Wait, what?

He was dead when you got there?

I didn't go there to k*ll Blake.

I went to finally confront him!

And when I saw him

crumpled like that,

at the bottom of the stairs...

You're gonna have to tell

the police all of this.

But, Nelly, who k*lled Blake?

Don't answer it!

Paige!

Put the phone down.

Hi. It's Nelly.

Hi, Detective!

I don't wanna hurt you.

Just don't say anything.

Don't tell him I'm here.

Don't speak to the detective,

Nelly.

I came here to talk to you.

Nelly!

The police let me out.

Nelly, are you there?

Yes, Detective, I'm just

at the office right now.

- No!

- Nelly?

I've got big news to tell you.

The P.I. had photos of

Paige Wooly at Blake's house.

New Michael just sped

out of here

to arrest her.

I am not trying to hurt you.

Nelly?

I am asking you to listen!

Paige,

they have photos of you

at Blake's house that night.

Yes!

Because I was there!

I waited until the game ended,

and I hid

so Connor wouldn't see me.

Why?

I thought you might know.

Ohh...

you stole from Rumple Snide.

So you do know.

Nelly...

Blake was blackmailing me.

I had to meet him after the game

with the cash.

I'm mortified.

Uncle Rumple trusted me.

It just got so complicated.

Connor is a banker,

but he is also a shopaholic.

Our bank accounts

are all drained.

I was already working full-time.

So you used it as a chance

to get out of debt.

I met one of Connor's clients

who said he'd cut me in

for half the difference

if he got the house

for $80,000 under market value,

and I advised Uncle Rumple

it was a good deal.

He has these hang-ups

about privacy and strangers.

I thought it was low-risk.

I knew he would never gossip

about the sale price.

Well, there was one person

he was willing to tell.

Except for that's not

how Blake found out.

He overheard me

talking with the buyer

in the yard.

It was just...

so stupid of me.

So you had to cut him in?

I saw him at Vera's,

looking at her diamonds.

He was so desperate to propose,

but all of his money

was tied up with Dahlia,

and her mom, and the business.

I convinced him

to keep his mouth shut

for half my share.

But with that cash coming in,

why did you

have to take a second job?

Oh... guilt.

I decided I was gonna

pay Uncle Rumple back,

no matter how long it takes.

I have to get

Connor out of debt, Nelly,

or we'll lose our home.

I didn't know what else to do.

Were you hiding in the bushes

when I found Blake's body?

I went to tell him

that I was coming clean

with Uncle Rumple.

I hoped he'd return the cash.

We could both

do the right thing.

But... I was too late.

So did you trash

Larry Foot's office

to destroy the photos of you?

No!

O-Of course not.

I didn't even know about Foot

at all until tonight.

I didn't damage any property,

I didn't hurt anyone,

and I didn't k*ll Blake!

So, who else knew

about Larry Foot?

Dahlia, Zinnia, Colleen...

I guess any of the poker players

who were there that night

and saw him when they left.

Connor said that he heard

that Blake had been m*rder*d

when Jody called Peter

at the bank...

but Jody didn't tell Peter

that Blake was dead,

which means...

...Connor knew

because he k*lled Blake.

That's enough, Nelly.

Connor!

What are you doing?

Put the g*n down. Put it down!

You don't even know how to...

Mmf!

Say nothing, Nelly...

or Paige dies.

Connor...

Connor, you don't

wanna hurt her.

You're the one who knew

that she was being blackmailed.

You were trying to be her hero.

It won't make any difference.

She thinks I'm a failure!

Connor, please...

give me the g*n.

You don't wanna hurt her.

You love your wife.

You're right, Nelly.

It would be better if you died.

Ah!

Hands up!

Connor Wooly...

you are under arrest

for the m*rder of Blake Jarvis.

You have the right

to remain silent.

Anything you say can,

and will, be used against you

in a court of law.

You good?

- Yeah.

- All right.

You have a right to an attorney,

if you can't afford an attorney,

one will be provided for you.

Thank you.

You good?

Mm-hmm. You?

Yeah, not bad.

Considering.

How did you know...

You go first.

You came for Paige?

Yeah, I did, but, uh,

then I realized

she couldn't have done it,

'cause if she had,

she would've picked up

that cash.

Only Connor Wooly

was so bad with cash

that he didn't have

the good sense

to pick up a stack of it

sitting right under his nose.

- "So bad"?

- Mm-hmm.

I...

I saw the financials!

Larry Foot's surveillance photos

caught Paige sneaking

around Blake's.

At 10:15, and then again

ten minutes later.

Not enough time

to commit a m*rder.

And it was way before

Rumple saw the light turn on,

too, so...

Well, that is

some solid evidence, Detective.

- Yeah.

- Objectivity!

Hmm.

Magnifying glass?

No!

Shh...

It doesn't explain

why you came here

instead of going

to the Woolys' house?

No, I guess it doesn't.

So why did you come here?

Because, Nelly,

by now, I realize

that anyone who has a problem

in Babbleton

comes to see you.

So what next?

Mickey!

I need you

over here for a minute.

Ah...

A detective's work

is never done.

- Mm-hmm.

- Mm-hmm.

Good morning!

What a beautiful day!

Hey!

Time to make it official.

Well-deserved.

Welcome to the force, Detective.

Thank you, Sheriff Brahm.

- I mean...

- Mm?

"Burgi."

- You'll get it.

- I will get it.

I will.

Thank you.

Meow!

You got the cat?

I sure did.

"Kitten-Less and Longing

in Babbleton"

turns out to be

"Regretfully Allergic

in Babbleton."

Hmm.

So "Nelly Knows"

doesn't always know everything

about everything, then, huh?

Well, I do have it

on good authority

that congratulations

are in order.

Well done, Detective Michael!

Thank you.

You're gonna have to get used

to seeing me around town.

Ooh!

"Single and Ready to Mingle

in Babbleton?"

Oh, brother.

You know, some of us around here

have work to do.

Come on!

Helen's for lunch?

Yeah. It's a Belgian waffle

kind of day.

- Ooh, international!

- Mm-hmm.

Sophisticated. Fancy!

What are you gonna have?

I think I'll have the special.

I want to be surprised.

Why doesn't that surprise me?