[tense music playing]
[rapid footsteps]
[man 1 grunts]
[man 1 screaming]
[man 2 grunting]
[cash register dings]
Thank you.
Miranda.
- Miranda!
- Mm.
Oh, sorry, Annette.
It's just--
it's the new Christie book.
Aren't you
supposed to be at work?
I would not
make it through the day
if it were not
for this book.
Oh, nonsense.
You have a job, you don't live
in a boarding house.
Well, you've done
quite well for yourself.
Oh, so, that's it then?
At least you're
surrounded by stories.
I'm surrounded by plants.
Flowers, Miranda.
You're surrounded by flowers.
I mean, you spend your days
surrounded by beauty
and all you can think about
are your morbid little stories.
Little stories?
Would that we could
live a life
a quarter
as Inspector Poirot.
Solving cases,
uncovering plots,
finding truth
in all of the lies.
Creating order
out of the chaos.
These are not little stories.
Oh, speaking of, were you able
to find any more criminal--
- It's from 1907, but--
- Annette!
You're so wonderful.
Thank you.
- Of course.
- Oh. Oh.
- Miranda.
- Hmm?
Shouldn't you
be getting to work?
[inquisitive music playing]
Every contact leaves a trace.
Oh.
[soft chuckle]
[bell dings]
[woman groans]
Oh, oh, dear! Oh, my!
- Let me help you.
- Thank you, Miranda, dear.
I passed three others
and you were my only tenant
to offer a hand.
Oh, I'm sure
they just didn't notice.
[chuckles] Well, that's what
I like about you, dear.
You are always paying attention.
Good evening, Mrs. Cavendish.
Oh, I almost forgot.
A man dropped this off today.
Did he say who it was from?
No, but he didn't seem
the courier type
by the looks
of his suit jacket.
[exclaims] Perhaps,
he's a gentleman caller.
Oh, one would have
to meet gentlemen
for them to come calling.
[sighs]
Well, good night.
[chuckles]
"Miss Green, you have been
cordially invited
to Abbott Island
for an audience
with Mr. Lewis Findley
over the upcoming weekend.
All will be explained onsite,
please pack accordingly.
You may find your travel
accommodations enclosed."
Where's the return trip?
"Few concrete facts
are known about
the English textile magnate
outside of his extreme wealth,
estimated in the billions.
The rest is hearsay
and speculation."
Well?
I think
it's a strange proposition
and you should take heed.
You've no sense of adventure.
Adventure?
I'm all for adventure.
But, Miranda,
I know you better than this.
You're careful, pragmatic,
and most of all, smart.
And smart girls
don't run off to islands,
because they received
an unmarked letter.
It has Findley's seal.
You said yourself
the seal is different.
Well, I'm currently working
on a theory about that.
Miranda, be reasonable.
You're not Scotland Yard,
you're a florist.
What would your mother say?
You're being robbed.
What? That makes no sense.
Sir, you can take the books
out of your pockets now.
I beg your pardon?
There were 46 books
on the rear bookshelf,
there's currently 44.
She would say it'd be safe.
[dramatic music playing]
[train horn blows]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughing]
Ah, here for Findley,
I suppose?
Well, allow me
to introduce everyone.
This is Miss Lu Wang.
Not much of a talker that one.
Then these chatterboxes
are Phillip Armstrong, doctor,
and make no mistake,
he will remind you.
Well, my mother is very proud,
as is my uncle,
- who is one of the top--
- Yes, fascinating.
And then we have--
Ah, I'm terribly sorry, dear.
I've already forgotten
your name.
My name is Carmen Blanco.
Pleased to meet you.
And what about him?
That is Donald Walker,
an American journalist.
Best to steer clear of that one.
He's a bit of a--
Watch it, Kane.
Yes, well...
Lawrence Kane
at your service.
Barrister by trade,
London's foremost man
about town by reputation.
[chuckles]
Miranda Green. Florist.
Ah, Miranda Green, florist.
Welcome to our little party.
They're all the same.
Myself and those two
already checked.
Hmm.
And no one's met Findley?
No. No connections at all.
There shouldn't be six.
I beg your pardon.
There should only be five people
on this train.
Ah, I, uh, I don't follow.
There are five leaves
on the seal
which shouldn't be there.
They don't appear
on Findley's seal anywhere else.
It must have something to do
with the invitation,
those invited,
but it doesn't make sense.
There are five leaves
and six people.
I'm sure
it's just a coincidence.
I suppose it could be.
[dramatic music playing]
Good afternoon, everyone.
My name is Gordon,
Lord Findley's valet.
If you can please make your way
to one of the cars,
- we're a bit behind schedule.
- Could you please tell us--
All will be explained
in due time, Mr. Armstrong.
Now, if you'll
please make haste.
Weather conditions have made
the trip to the island--
[chuckles]
Precarious.
It's all a bit precarious,
ain't it?
[birds squawking]
[exhales]
[car doors close]
[Gordon] Right.
Allow me to introduce Sean,
the house butler,
and Katherine, our maid.
They'll be at your service
for the duration of your stay.
That's it?
Findley couldn't afford
more help?
Lord Findley
prefers a more intimate
staffing arrangement, sir.
Yeah, sure he does.
Excuse me,
where is Mr. Findley?
- Uh, master--
- Lord Findley's plane
was grounded by fog.
There's an approaching storm
and he will be
joining us tomorrow.
That doesn't leave us
much time.
I took off almost
a week of work to be here.
Forget almost.
I was on a story in Valdosta.
You know how long it takes
to get from Georgia,
to New York, to here?
Of course you don't.
Well, five hours by rail
to Atlanta
and five hours by plane
to New York.
Yeah, okay. Alright.
You will have
the appropriate audience
with Lord Findley, my dear.
I can assure you of that.
Well, if you'll allow me
to show you to your quarters.
Uh, Sean and Katherine
will bring your belongings
shortly.
Quarters. I've never
stayed in quarters before.
It's a room.
Welcome, my dear.
Lord Findley has instructed us
to proceed with
the weekend as planned.
As such, there will be
cocktails in the lounge,
once you've settled in.
Welcome to the east wing.
If you'll follow me
to your individual quarters,
the east wing houses
Lord Findley's guests.
Mr. Walker.
I think you'll find
your accommodations--
Ms. Blanco, Ms. Wang,
and Mr. Armstrong.
I think you'll find
your accommodations
more than satisfactory.
I think this will suffice.
Follow me.
Oh.
Mr. Kane. Ms. Green.
Oh, uh, promise me
you'll keep it down, dear.
I'm a bit of a light sleeper.
Only if you guarantee the same.
Hm.
Don't fret, Miss Green,
Lord Findley knows
his guests value their privacy.
The rooms
have been soundproofed.
[Phillip]
I still find it funny.
Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
[Phillip] My, my. My, my.
[indistinct]
- I had not seen that...
- No, well, I think...
Ah, Miss Green,
what a pleasure it is
to have you join us.
Would you care
for a refreshment?
He makes a splendid Manhattan.
Well, the master
also has a stocked cellar
from his private vineyard.
That would be splendid.
A vintage the master
was particularly fond of.
Was?
Hmm?
Oh, my apologies of course.
No, the master simply had a...
well, a change of taste.
Well, it's certainly better
than what I'm used to.
Not much of a drinker, are you?
I prefer to keep a clear head
in unfamiliar surroundings.
Eh, that's smart.
I got this, thanks.
Oh, Mr. Walker!
What? The old man won't miss it.
Will he?
Of course not, sir.
Hmm.
A toast, shall we?
Since we're all
finally here together.
What a lovely idea.
Come on, come on, come on.
Gather around.
You too, Walker,
you can brood later.
- Up, up, up.
- [laughter]
[Lawrence clears throat]
What shall we toast to?
To our generous host?
To the workers
he used and discarded.
- Oh.
- Why don't we toast
to new friends?
Whatever the reason
and wherever the location,
we're all here together.
In this world,
it's a small miracle.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- [loud bang]
- Oh.
- [record skipping]
Terribly sorry.
[Lawrence] Oh, bloody hell.
[chuckles]
- [clears throat]
- [Phillip]
Quite bit of a fight.
Why don't we all get to
know each other a little better?
- Ooh.
- Ah.
Shall we play a game?
A delightful idea.
I assume we all know
how to play
Two Truths and a Lie.
- Nope.
- Oh, God.
Oh, stop it you two.
This is going to be fun.
- [Donald] Mm.
- I shall go first.
[chuckles]
- I am from Seville, Spain.
- Mm-hmm.
I am a waitress
at my father's restaurant.
- Hmm.
- Lie.
Huh.
Your bag looked
to be secondhand,
and your coat,
it was a child size,
English in origin.
But if your father
owned a restaurant,
it would stand to reason
you would be able to afford
at least one of the two, so...
That's remarkable.
Is that true?
Yes.
I-I never knew my father.
Oh, Carmen.
Dear,
I'm-I'm so sorry. I didn't--
Hey, it is alright.
Good guess.
Yeah, but it's not a guess,
is it?
How did you do that?
I just pay attention.
I have a good memory,
I suppose.
No, I have a-a good memory,
this is--
this is something else entirely.
Now, this is getting good.
You go, Doc.
- I don't--
- No. No, we're doin' this.
Come on, kid,
two truths one lie, go.
Very well.
Um, I graduated from Oxford,
my father
also graduated from--
Lie.
You don't know
your father either, do you?
He's dead, isn't he?
Come on, how?
[exhales] Well, his shoes
weren't properly polished,
and on the train,
when he spoke of his family,
he skipped from mother to uncle.
So, it stands to reason--
Stands to reason.
My father passed, too,
if it's any consolation.
It appears we have
our first commonality.
No, my father is alive
and well in Guangzhou.
Um, and you, Lawrence?
Buckinghamshire.
Mr. Walker?
- I'll play next.
- No, I didn't--
One, I'm a reporter
for The Daily Truth.
Two, my mother's dead.
And three,
I've never k*lled a man before.
Three's the lie.
Game over.
Asking the wrong questions
can get you hurt.
[sighs]
[bell tolling]
I would suggest
you not wander too far.
The house is easy
to get lost in.
Oh, I have an excellent
sense of direction,
but thank you
for your concern, Gordon.
[mysterious music playing]
The master's dog, Blunder,
passed some weeks back.
Then why keep the water fresh?
Well, the master
was very fond of his dog,
and I should think
he rather enjoyed the ritual
of tending to him.
Now, if you'll follow me,
please.
Dinner will be served shortly.
Oh, I can make my own--
I must insist,
Miss Green, hmm?
This is not your house.
[laughing]
[gasps]
Oh, my!
This must be
the old man's study.
Adams.
My name is Armstrong.
Do not correct me, Adams,
I am your boss, Lewis Findley!
[clears throat]
Yes, sir.
I want you to buy me Seville.
The whole city?
The whole city!
Very well. Done and done.
And what should we do
with your new city, sir?
Burn it to the ground.
It is a place
where dreams go to die.
Perhaps... there is something
else to be done.
Because I know of a girl
who lives there,
who is beautiful and kind.
Maybe we can give her the city,
so she can care for its people
in the manner they deserve.
Hmm.
- Oh, my Lord.
- Mm.
Look at that.
[Carmen] It's beautiful.
It's, uh,
it's called a "katar."
- Hmm.
- It's an ancient Tamil w*apon.
Hmm.
Stunning, isn't it?
Yes.
[bell jingling]
Uh, right.
[chuckles]
After you, sir.
Oh, why, thank you.
[clears throat]
The man shows up
at his hearing with one shoe.
Well, I-I take one look at him
and I realize
that this is an opportunity
to get the case thrown out.
So, I tell the judge,
"Take a look at his feet."
- I-I--
- [laughs]
You know, I literally hold
the man's foot up--
[coughs, mutters]
- Shoe up and put--
- Come on, offer him water.
- Oh!
- [coughing continues]
Oh, my goodness,
I'm terribly sorry, sir!
[Lawrence] Oh...
[chuckles]
It's, uh...
quite all right, dear.
- Now, um, where was I?
- [clears throat]
Uh, Katherine was it?
Would you care to tell us
a bit about yourself?
- [exhales] No...
- Or your time
working for Mr. Findley?
Oh, thank Christ.
Um... um...
Oh, well, they can share, too.
What a wonderful idea.
Please share, Katherine.
Yeah, Katherine, share.
I wanna hear how
he treats his people.
Hopefully better
than you treated this pork loin.
Mister-- Lord Findley
is kind to us.
He treats us like family.
[footsteps retreating]
Was it something I said?
[soft chuckle]
[energy powering down]
[woman screaming in distance]
- [gasps]
- Was that you? Screaming?
No. What is going on?
It's probably nothing.
Stay in your room
while I check it out.
[inhales sharply]
What are you doing here?
Same thing as you.
Trying to figure out
what's going on here.
Huh, Gordon. I was setting
for an explanation
for the power loss.
Please, follow me.
[energy powers up]
Ladies and gentlemen,
there is no cause for alarm.
Well, why did the power go out?
It appears the main switch
was flipped,
but there is no reason
for alarm.
There is no one else
on the island, I assure you.
It was likely an animal.
Regardless, I have fixed it,
so there'll be no more
trouble or incidents tonight.
Now, if you'll please
retire to your rooms.
[Lawrence] Hm.
Miss Green, if you please.
Gordon, has there been
any construction
in this hallway recently?
Not that I know of,
why do you ask?
When the power went out,
I heard a woman scream.
Well, your room
is not far from Miss Blanco.
I should think
she had quite a start.
You said the rooms
were soundproof.
I suppose her window was open.
Now, there'll be
no more questions.
Would you please return
to your quarters?
I won't leave the hall,
but I don't feel like
going back in there yet.
Very good, miss.
[mysterious music playing]
- [door closes]
- [dogs barking in distance]
[gasps]
[birds chirping]
[clock ticking]
[indistinct chattering]
[Carmen laughing]
- You, too.
- Good morning.
Good morning.
Ah...
I was about to go for a walk,
it's a lovely day out.
Oh.
Oh, God, yeah.
I was actually just about
to go for a walk,
if you'd care to join me.
Or if you prefer to stay.
Uh, yeah, I'm, uh,
not much
of a breakfast guy.
More of a coffee
and cigarettes for me.
- Can we smoke in here?
- I'm... not sure.
Right. Well, shall we?
Please.
[Donald]
So, what's your deal?
I'm a florist from London.
No, that's what you do,
or at least what
you say you do.
What's your deal?
I've been watchin' you.
You're smart.
Not like that putz doctor,
the real kind.
I see the things
other people miss.
No, it's more than that.
You put things together
in a way I've never seen before.
At least not from a civilian.
And yet that's all I am.
Well, why not put your
detective skills to better use?
Oh, it's just not a fitting
profession for a lady.
There's not a place
at Scotland Yard for me.
So, go private.
You know, I knew a lady gumshoe
in California.
She couldn't have been
more than 20 years old.
Pretty little slip
of a thing, too.
She was the best I've ever seen.
I should like to have
your experiences, Mr. Walker.
Trust me, you...
you don't want those.
Speaking of experiences,
is it true you k*lled a man?
You know, I thought you'd
have gotten to that sooner.
Yeah, it's true.
Look, I'm not proud of it.
What happened?
He was a, uh...
he was a hotshot boxing
promoter out of Boston,
and I was doin' a story
on the Irish mob
and their connections
around the city.
One night...
One night, I see him,
and he's with his wife...
and he starts beatin' on her,
somethin' fierce.
And then he slipped,
hit his head.
Cost me a hell of a story,
he would have k*lled her.
I remember that story.
Of course you do.
You were let off
because none of the witnesses
would come forward.
Yeah, well, like I said,
he slipped and hit his head,
ten or so times.
I think you're not
the terrifying brute
you try to present.
Still, I would like
to avoid such situations.
[sighs]
Listen, you gotta
get down into the muck
if you wanna find the truth.
You can't have any fear
or limits
to what you'll do
to find your answers.
What I said to you yesterday,
that-that wasn't a thr*at.
Then what was it?
Call it a
"professional courtesy."
Guys like Findley,
they-they got secrets
they won't hesitate to protect.
You don't care
for our host, do you?
I've never met the man.
Ah, just when I thought
you were starting to show me
a little respect.
You know,
the comments, the rants...
you have an issue
with Lewis Findley
that doesn't even
require his presence.
You caught me.
Then why come?
Same as you.
I-I've got questions.
I think we may not
find many answers.
Maybe not.
But guys like Findley,
they don't do anything
without an angle.
Hopefully, I can at least
figure that out.
I know it has something
to do with us, but...
Yeah.
Me neither.
Hmm.
You know, yesterday,
I didn't mean to--
Look!
[foreboding music playing]
[Donald] What the hell?
[Lu] There's one extra rabbit.
Jesus. And?
Oh, no, you don't.
No, you're not
doin' that again.
You can't dumb me up now.
You know somethin',
I wanna hear what it is.
You're gonna tell me.
Where are you going?
Come on!
Unbelievable.
Alright,
what the hell is this?
[Miranda]
I think it means there's
someone here who doesn't belong.
Yeah, well, I got my guess.
Oh, she doesn't know anything.
At least I don't think
she does.
Explain that.
Well, she could just as easily
be one of the five.
All this does is confirm
that there's someone here
who's not who they say they are.
It's games on top of games,
on top of games.
And we're going to have
to play them all.
[knocking on door]
How may I help you,
Mr. Armstrong?
I think you can call me
"Phillip" at this point.
Oh, no,
I am just a poor waitress
and you a successful doctor.
I know my place, Mr. Armstrong.
I'm hardly rich.
Hmm, you belong in this house
more so than I do, no?
Now, chip-chop, what is it
that you are bothering me for?
I was just about
to take a little nap
before lunch.
It's, um, it's "chop-chop,"
not "chip-chop."
Ah, so you've come
to insult my English.
[moans]
Well, if that is all,
I'd like to take my siesta now.
Right.
[sighs]
I think I'll have a walk.
Yes, I'll have a walk.
[indistinct chattering]
Alright, trust me.
This is a bit strange.
[Donald]
If he shows up, I'll eat a bug.
[laughing]
[clears throat]
Alright, what's going on here?
Last night, you couldn't
get enough to eat or drink,
and now you're sharing secrets
and barely eating, hmm?
[Gordon clears throat]
I'm afraid I have some bad news.
Lord Findley is still grounded
and weather conditions
have not improved as expected.
As a result,
he will not be joining us today.
Huh!
[sighs]
[chuckles]
[shrieks]
What the bloody hell
are you doing?
Whatever I want, Larry.
Findley's not here
to stop me, is he?
You're mad. He's mad.
[Lawrence clears throat,
coughs]
[mysterious music playing]
[muted dialogue]
[bell jingling]
[panting]
Something's happened.
What's goin' on?
[tense music playing]
[panting]
- Is that--
- It's Lawrence.
Kane. Kane.
- [Katherine] Oh, my God.
- How?
Well, gee, let me guess.
He was stabbed.
Kid, go and get the help.
Why put the Kn*fe
in the tree?
[Carmen]
Maybe it was a message.
Who could do such a thing?
Someone very determined.
And someone very strong.
Miranda, where are you--
Oh, hell.
[breathing deeply]
You gonna swim for it?
You know, you don't strike me
as the type of person
to go sightseeing
while the rest of us get hunted.
This is a nightmare.
The rabbits.
I saw.
What do we do?
Use this, sweetheart.
It's not enough, Donald.
Yeah, well, the world's
full of disappointments.
Look, I've been around.
One thing I've learned
is you do what you gotta do
with what you got.
What if I can't?
Well, then we probably all die.
We should gather in the lounge.
Is that really a good idea?
Yes, and it wasn't a request.
[clears throat]
Follow.
Let me try once more
from the top.
[tense music playing]
Phillip and Carmen
were in the east wing hall,
Lu was in her room,
I was in the study,
Donald was outside,
and the staff is still
all unaccounted for
during the period
where the late Mr. Kane
was being brutally m*rder*d.
As such, I have concluded
that we must treat everyone,
myself included, as a suspect.
- Now, hold on a second. You--
- No one has a valid alibi,
it is the only logical
starting point.
Phillip and I already said
that we were together
in the hall.
Did anyone else
verify this encounter?
I'm sorry.
Is our word no good?
Given the fondness
you two have for one another,
it is equally as plausible
you would cover for each other
as it is that you were together
in the east wing hall.
Huh, she's got you there,
kiddies.
And what of you and the Yank?
Don't think we haven't
all witnessed your conspiring?
Which is why Mr. Walker
is atop my list of suspects.
Wait, what?
You ungrateful--
You were the closest
to the body.
You are also
the most physically able
to overpower Lawrence.
I barely knew the guy!
Exactly.
We barely know each other,
and you barely knew
the deceased.
We must try to figure out
what connects us
to understand
who has a true motive.
Right now,
this is just conjecture
and baseless speculation.
It would help
if we knew anything
about the late Mr. Kane
as a start, anything at all.
- Sean?
- Ma'am.
Can you go look at the body?
Check his pockets.
See if there's anything
that might help us know him
a little better.
Yes, of course, ma'am.
Wait, someone
should go with him.
- I'll accompany Sean.
- Thank you, sir.
Maybe someone not on the staff.
I will go.
Thank you, my dear.
Well, alright.
Now, sweetheart,
this should be good.
What's the baseless
speculation about you?
Ah, a delightful exercise.
Well, I found
the deceased boorish.
And I was the last person
in the study,
where the dagger
resided on Findley's desk.
Right now, we all have
conceivable opportunity
and equally likely motives,
which is why
we can't rule anyone out.
Including you.
Miss Green,
I hardly think that's
an appropriate accusation.
If we know little
about each other,
we know even less about them.
And it was one of us k*lled!
We mustn't resort
to tribal suspicions.
I am merely asserting
that anyone of us
can be a suspect
until we can gather
more information
and begin
ruling individuals out.
- The body is gone!
- What?
Mr. Kane's body is missing.
I think we all understood
the first time,
but just to reiterate, what?
Bodies do not just get up
and walk away.
No, dear, they do not.
And I know from experience.
I need to see this for myself.
Okay. What did you do?
What's going on?
Is the body there or not?
- No.
- That's impossible.
Not if she
and the old man moved it.
Why and how would I
accomplish that, Mr. Walker?
One mystery at a time.
I still think they
had something to do with it.
We must watch our insinuations
and accusations.
Oh, now, we should
watch our insinuations?
I'd like to know
where all of you were
at the time Kane was k*lled,
and it would be
in your best interest
to tell us now.
- Is that a thr*at, sir?
- I don't know, Jeeves, is it?
Now, hold on,
this is ridiculous.
We must not to let our emotions
get the best of us.
May I make a suggestion?
You haven't needed
permission thus far.
Why don't we take
to our rooms until dinner?
It's 5:00 now,
that's two and a half hours.
That's plenty of time
for tempers to subside
and then we can start
a conversation
that's based on facts
and provable truths.
What about us?
Who is supposed
to prepare the meal?
I don't feel safe
in the kitchen alone.
Why don't we take heed
to travel in pairs or groups?
- This is a good idea.
- Fine by me.
Lock your doors!
I need a drink.
Refreshments can be
brought up, sir.
- Yeah, I got it. Thanks.
- Of course.
My dear, shall we?
Well, that was a mistake.
I don't remember you
asking for my loyalty.
And, more importantly,
I don't remember
giving you mine.
Yeah, well,
now you got no one
to watch your back, sweetheart.
[sighs]
When the others
lock their doors,
please come to my room.
I don't wanna be alone.
Of course,
but we must be careful
until we get off this island.
Come on.
[mysterious music playing]
[knocking on door]
[knocking continues]
I'm so scared.
Findley will be here
in the morning,
and we'll get to
the bottom of all this.
There's nothing to fear.
And what of us?
We can leave and be together.
You can visit me in London.
London is dreary.
Then I shall come to Seville.
I hate Seville.
Then we can go anywhere
in the world that you desire.
And if you can't pick one place,
we'll go everywhere.
It doesn't matter
so long as we're together.
What a beautiful dream.
Then let's make it real.
Sometimes I forget
how young you are,
how simple your life has been.
What does that mean?
Nothing, darling.
Tell me more
about your beautiful dream.
[sobbing]
- What's wrong?
- [whimpers]
It will all be over soon.
Everything is going
as anticipated.
Hmm.
[door opens]
[groans]
[grunts, groans]
[door creaking]
What? What?
No. No! No! No! No!
[crickets chirping]
Where's Sean?
Probably puttering
about somewhere.
No, he's supposed to be here.
[mysterious music playing]
[speaks Spanish]
This man is dead.
Take the body to the lounge.
[grunts]
Every contact leaves a trace.
- Oh, that's odd.
- What?
To whom does this belong?
- Miss Wang, please follow me.
- Where are we going?
You'll be spending
the rest of the night
locked in your room,
and in the morning
you'll be turned over
to the proper authorities.
I did not k*ll this man!
Miss Wang,
don't make this any harder
than it needs to be!
[exhales] This is outrageous!
Why would I k*ll this man?
How would I k*ll him?
Sean was an old man.
The k*ller did incapacitate him
by knocking him with the door.
It's not outside the realm
of possibility.
That's it, come along.
No, wait! I'll be back
in less than an hour.
Do not lock this woman up yet,
or I'll have you arrested
for false imprisonment.
Thought so.
Wait! Where are you going?
She's deranged.
Nothing new on that front.
[dramatic music playing]
[branch snaps]
[Katherine sobbing]
I don't understand
how this is happening.
I know, my dear.
It's all very shocking.
How can they just be dead?
It's only been one day.
One day and two men
are just... dead.
Dying ain't hard,
sweetheart.
Everybody does it.
[door opens]
[dog whimpering]
Meet Blunder.
Findley's dog.
- Findley's dead dog.
- [dog whimpers]
- Not quite.
- Miss Green, what is
the meaning of all this,
and what does it have to do
with the dog?
I think we can drop that now.
Everyone, meet Lewis Findley.
What?
How?
Show, don't tell, Mr. Armstrong.
See?
Now, Gordon, be a dear
and open your coat.
It would be improper
for a textile man
to dress beneath his station.
Says who?
Lewis Findley, before he
went underground in 1897.
So, that's it?
That's your big reveal? A coat?
No, that's just a taste.
[door creaks open]
Watch your step,
careful now.
Alright, you got us
all packed in here. Now, what?
Right, well, in the hour
or so before dinner--
You mean when we were
supposed to be cloistered.
Oh, where's the fun in that,
Mr. Walker?
I took the liberty
of taking a tour of the house
without a guide.
It really is
an expansive property,
full of nooks and crannies.
Plenty of places
to hide secrets.
And that's when
I came upon this room.
Now, I don't know
if you've noticed,
but there are no photographs
or portraits in the house.
Lewis Findley was apparently
a recluse of the highest order,
who abhorred having his likeness
taken in any way.
I'm sure that's what sparked
your interest, right,
Mr. Walker?
Um, yeah.
Yeah, 'cause the old man,
he was always using
an interme... intermediary.
You.
I knew--
I knew you from somewhere.
This guy-- you were his stand in
at the meeting with Carnegie
in New York, weren't you?
[laughs]
Which time?
Mr. Carnegie was very fond
of his little events.
There was always a banquet
or a dedication
that we mustn't miss.
This is getting
a bit off topic.
There'll be time enough
for that later.
At the moment, we must continue
with the task at hand.
His perceived aversion
to photographs
was not entirely accurate.
Wow, the old man
really liked the mutt.
Which is why he hid Blunder
in a small,
though surprisingly
comfortable shack
on the northernmost point
of the island.
I saw it on my way
to the cliffs.
Poor Blunder, he just
couldn't uphold the ruse.
And that brings me
to my last surprise.
If you'll all follow me
to the lounge.
This behavior
seems a bit ghoulish
given the circumstances.
I rather like it.
Gettin' a little sick
of your games, old man.
Alright, all settled?
This better be good,
sweetheart.
Miranda, please,
there have been two murders.
We are very afraid.
No, you're right.
I have been a bit glib.
The truth is a man has d*ed,
and it's a somber occasion,
traumatic even.
But you are wrong on one count.
You may come in.
[footsteps approaching]
Hello all.
Uh, terribly sorry
about the morbid theatrics.
[chuckles]
- I'm gonna k*ll you,
you no good son--
- Oh!
- No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
- [Donald] Let go!
- [Gordon] Mr. Walker.
- [Phillip] No, no!
What a big, twisted-- damn you--
I got it, I'm fine. I'm fine.
Alright, let go. Alright.
But you're gonna
answer some questions
if you wanna
get off this island alive.
That is, uh, more than fair,
all being all things considered,
but if you'll allow me
to explain,
you may find that I am not
completely deserving
of execution.
Would anyone else care for one
before we begin?
Yeah. I'll have one.
[drink pours]
[bottle clanging]
[exhales]
Right, on with the show.
Many months ago I was approached
by Lord Findley here
with a rather strange
proposition
and an even stranger scheme.
Lord Findley valued his privacy
above nearly all else,
that much is true.
He never took a family,
but that is not to suggest
he didn't seek
intimate companionship
in his day.
In point of fact, Mr. Findley
was a bit of a lothario,
and believed himself
to have sired
a number of children,
all of whom
could serve as his heirs
when the time came.
And the hour
was approaching fast.
Lord Findley
was unwilling, however,
to turn his immense fortune
over to a complete stranger,
much less so to, as he put it,
an undeserving lout.
The man really seemed
most invested
in what would happen
to his holdings
and his business.
He made it very clear,
"One heir".
To the rest, well... phew.
So, off I went.
[muted dialogue]
Five children deemed most fit
to inherit the immense fortune.
Five invitations.
But that was only the beginning,
for how was Findley to choose?
[chuckles]
Give the old man
credit for creativity.
He hired a pair of actors,
that he used from time to time
as surrogates,
to play his staff
alongside himself,
as he would adopt the role
of the venerable butler Sean.
But how to provoke a person,
to reveal their true nature
in but a short weekend,
which Findley insisted
was all he needed
to choose an heir?
I suppose a m*rder
was as good a way as any.
The rest, the lights, and such,
were all meant to invoke
tension and unease.
And the rabbits?
Rabbits?
In the woods,
there's a small shack
with five live rabbits,
one dead.
They looked to represent us.
Oh, I believe they were
just meant as fresh meat
for the dog.
Sorry it isn't
a saucier reason, my dear.
[chuckles]
My employer was eccentric,
not insane.
Yeah,
I don't see the difference.
He wanted to test you.
This, however,
wasn't part of the plan.
Lord Findley
had fully intended to reveal
his selection tomorrow.
I'm sorry, I truly am.
Where are Gordon and Katherine?
Who cares?
They can't leave.
About that.
Hurry, dear!
I'm trying!
We must launch!
[gasps]
[choking]
Let him up, we'll come quietly!
Oh, do something!
- He's going to k*ll him!
- Donald!
Where were you going, huh?
Donald, let him up right now,
or I'll make sure you spend
the rest of your life in jail!
[panting]
[Miranda] Why run?
Look, miss, it was a gig,
and a bloody good one
at that, huh?
Findley was a bit
of an odd fellow,
bit cold as well,
but he took care of us,
paid us well.
We're not exactly
West End regulars.
Acting gigs in London,
not exactly stable work,
and we're not exactly
spring chickens.
[Katherine] This isn't where
we thought we would end up,
playing his staff,
being his emissaries.
But it's been so hard.
We've been married for 15 years
and what do we have
to show for it?
No children,
nary a leading role between us,
but these past few years,
working for Mr. Findley
allowed us to buy a house
and start--
You're not answering
the question.
Yeah, because they don't
have an answer to the question,
'cause they k*lled the old man.
Trust me, I've seen plenty
of guilty people,
and these two are guilty as sin.
We didn't k*ll him!
Look, let me explain.
This gig was different.
Findley was very clear
that we should make no mistakes.
He needed us to get the absolute
most out of each of you.
We needed to poke, and prod,
and instigate
as much as possible
without givin' up the game.
And he was always there.
It was a lot of pressure.
And then when the old man
turned up dead--
You panicked.
How were we going to
keep the house without...
Oh, I'm sorry.
You found and lost
a father today.
It hardly compares.
My father is Shen Wang,
and he is alive and well
in China.
Lewis Findley
may have known my mother,
but he was not my father.
Nor was he a father
to any of us.
Not a real father, anyway.
Thank you.
Yeah, I don't buy it.
So-so, let me get
this straight.
The old man croaks,
and the two of you decide
to take off in the boat,
leave us stuck here
on the island, all 'cause
you got panicked, huh?
I don't buy it. Not one bit.
I haven't forgot
about you either, missy.
You've been skulkin'
around the house
since you got here
like you got somethin' to hide.
And all of a sudden,
out of the blue,
your scarf turns up
wrapped around
a dead guy's neck!
This is outlandish!
Miss Green,
talk some sense into him.
It is hard to understand
why you would come
all the way from China
on little more
than an invitation.
There you go. Thank you.
You're not off the hook either,
sweetheart.
You're always walkin' around,
readin' your little
mystery books.
Dreamin' of becomin'
a real detective one day.
Then your dreams come true
and you get to solve
a real m*rder.
Maybe you thought
the only thing
better than solvin' one m*rder
is solvin' two, huh?
Maybe that meant enough for you
to k*ll the old man yourself.
Alright, this is
a reasonable enough theory.
But there's more
connecting you to the m*rder.
- Like what?
- You despise
the trappings of wealth,
and we've already seen
the ferocity of your rage.
Oh, there it is.
Soon as chips are down,
you come after me every time.
This is getting ridiculous.
We know that someone
k*lled Mr. Findley.
The impostors are suspects,
as well as Mr. Walker,
Miss Green, and Miss Wang,
but we are talking in circles.
I'd say that list
is a bit short, don't you?
What are you implying,
Mr. Kane?
I could never harm anyone.
Phillip, tell them.
It's unlikely.
But you would do anything
to avoid returning to Seville.
And what of you?
Are you not above suspicion?
That's outrageous!
I am a doctor.
My job is to help and heal.
As though no doctor
has ever committed
nefarious deeds?
What of your Jack the Ripper?
Are there no theories
that he is a doctor?
One baseless theory
implicates all doctors.
Brilliant. Well done.
- What about H.H. Holmes?
- And Hawley Crippen.
Burke and Hare sold bodies
to medical schools.
Bodies that they stole
and m*rder*d.
Morality lessons from a lawyer,
and a lawyer that took part
in this charade no less.
That's very rich
coming from you, old boy.
I suppose this was inevitable.
But since we're all passing
blame around tonight,
humor me, why would I k*ll
my employer, hmm?
Maybe because
you're the only one
with access to the will.
- What?
- If you could add one of us,
you could just as easily
add yourself.
You wouldn't even have
to take the whole fortune.
You could just carve off
a little piece of the estate
for yourself.
Well, considering I currently
don't have access to the will,
I'd say that's a faulty theory.
How dare you?
You are the lawyer!
[overlapping chatter]
Enough!
This isn't getting us anywhere.
We need to rest.
We'll call the police.
They will handle this
in the morning.
Good idea.
[clears throat]
[crying]
[knocking on door]
What?
I need you to come with me.
I think that would be a bit daft
given the circumstances.
Wouldn't you agree,
whatever your name is?
Still Gordon.
That much is true.
If I wanted you dead,
I could force my way in.
[chuckles]
I need to show you something.
And why would I want to see it?
Because I think
you can find the k*ller.
You know, you had me worried
when we first met.
Yeah, you seemed very skilled
at detecting a lie.
But I suppose we all
have our parts to play.
And there's only one thing
left to do at this point.
[bell tolling]
Where is Miranda?
Where's Gordon?
He left in the night.
He said he had to take care
of something in the study.
Oh, no.
[tense music playing]
[exhales] Friends!
Or should I say
brothers and sisters?
Where's my husband?
He's preparing the boat
for our departure.
He took it a few hours ago
to fetch Detective Church here.
Detective Harold Church,
Dartmouth constabulary.
Pleasure.
We have much to discuss.
There's a m*rder*r in our midst.
Aren't you being
a little cavalier?
No reason for alarm, sir.
Alright then, shall we?
[lock rattling]
[mechanical whirring]
[Carmen] It is me.
I can't be older than 14 here.
He was watching us
all this time.
That's just the tip
of the iceberg, I'm afraid.
Gordon and Katherine
weren't lying
when they said they were
keeping an eye on us.
[static buzzing]
So, what in the hell
am I lookin' at?
Cameras,
and expensive ones at that.
Completely state-of-the-art,
in every room,
with this nifty little feature
that logs footage
- and replays it.
- Impossible.
[Gordon] Findley had connections
with both the American
and British m*llitary,
very high up.
One day the whole apparatus
just showed up
with some very
serious-looking men in uniform.
He showed me how to operate it,
but he never said where
he obtained such technology.
I first suspected
something was off
when I could hear Carmen
scream through the walls.
Even if the claims
of soundproofing
were a lie meant to scare,
a house as sturdy as this
should dampen the sound
a bit better,
but Findley had a whole network
of hallways behind these walls.
So, you saw the k*ller?
This is ridiculous.
I'm leavin'.
I'm afraid I can't let you
do that, my good man.
I'm sure you understand.
[Miranda]
The surveillance yielded
a treasure trove of information,
but I'm sure
you'd all like some context.
You know, working with roses,
one becomes desensitized
to such wounds,
which I'm sure is something
that you have experienced,
Mr. Kane.
Hazards of the job.
And, Findley insisted on
rehearsing multiple scenarios
before choosing exactly
how I was to be m*rder*d.
Your father's hands
weren't terribly steady.
How could he
treat his friends so poorly?
Men that rich
don't mix with staff.
I should take offense,
but spot on, old boy.
As I'm sure you know our father
was quite the traveler,
and he made sure
to document his adventures,
even his dalliances.
Liu Chan.
My mother.
Esme Blanco.
And mine.
Please don't.
Naturally, my mother was here.
But one name was missing.
No Walkers, no Americans,
nothing of the sort.
But there was one name
that appears again and again:
Shelby.
She was the first,
a maid who worked on the estate,
and apparently she left
quite an impact on Findley.
The first few pages
are documented meticulously,
and with a romantic fervor
that Findley
seemed unable to access
for anything else in his life.
Shelby and her child.
For you see, the maid
had a child, a boy.
Detective, will you check
his breast pocket?
Steady now, big fellow.
Yes. Shelby Walker
and Lewis Findley.
I'm afraid
this doesn't prove much.
Just wait.
[Donald]
He said he'd marry her.
Over and over and over.
So, she waited, and waited
for him to tell his parents.
She was young, she had time.
But then she got pregnant...
and that changed everything.
Said he had no choice
but to fire her.
And she got-- she got nothing...
because payouts raise questions.
So, she had-- [sniffles]
she had nowhere to go.
Her own family
wouldn't let her in,
because she was unmarried
and carrying a...
a bastard son.
So, she moved to the States.
She had me on the boat.
She always clung to this hope
that... that one-day Findley
would come for her.
We would live
in the lap of luxury.
She refused to find
any permanent work,
because she was sure
that any day now,
her prince would come.
She'd say,
"Daddy will come save us."
Daddy.
Then she got sick.
So sick that she swallowed
her pride and she...
she wrote Findley a letter,
begging for help.
Not a word.
And she made sure
that I knew the truth
about Findley before she d*ed.
And when her day came...
that was there
that I vowed that...
I would come after Findley
and everyone like him
for the rest of my life.
[sniffles]
See, the rich and powerful,
they know that information
can do more harm
than any-any Kn*fe or p*stol.
So, I became
a hunter of secrets.
I would find their sins
and I would drag 'em out
into the cold light of day
for everyone to see.
He watched your every move.
[Donald] Those...
those are my stories.
It's all in the journal.
He was terribly proud of you.
He didn't care much
for your politics,
but your drive,
your relentlessness.
You were everything
he wanted in an heir,
'cause you were just like him.
I was nothing like him!
I mean, look around.
He just left us all
to struggle and survive,
while he watched us
from his gilded towers.
And at any time, he could have
eased our suffering, but, nope.
He has let us twist
in the wind.
And then when that time
came in his life
to do the right thing
and let us in...
more games.
So, I did the one thing
that that man, that--
that coward didn't have
the decency to do.
I stopped the game.
By k*lling him?
By doing what was necessary.
By framing me.
By blaming Gordon, then Miranda,
and when that didn't work,
making sure we blamed
one another,
so that you could slip away.
You are the real coward!
Well...
I guess I got a bit
of the old man in me after all.
But y'all should be thanking me.
I set you free.
That money is cursed.
For four of us,
there is the utter degradation
of being told to our face
by Findley
that we're just not good enough.
And then for
the one lucky winner...
it's a worse fate
to be locked in a cage
and turned into a cheap
facsimile of him.
[Miranda]
That's not exactly true.
This was never a game
of choosing.
This was due diligence.
It was always
going to be you, Donald.
This was just a test to vet you.
We were never serious options.
And now, it will be no one.
The inheritance
should be divided equally
amongst his children.
Is that not the law?
Possibly, but the will
was very specific
that should an heir
not be chosen,
all assets would be returned
to Findley Industries
and a successor
be appointed by the board.
If an heir were chosen, however,
all would be well taken care of.
Though you'd be forced to
relinquish your names,
sworn to secrecy under thr*at
of losing your buyouts.
Games on top of games.
Take him away, Detective.
I'm terribly sorry.
Had I known the depths
of his sadism,
I never would have partook.
He would have found
someone else.
Our father
does not define our worth,
nor does our station.
We are the masters
of our own fate.
- We don't need him.
- Or his money.
Because we have each other.
[chuckles]
[birds squawking]
What's going to happen to him?
It should be
an open and shut case.
He'll spend the rest
of his life in a cell.
What a waste.
Oh, you're too kind.
And that's why you'll never be
a detective, sweetheart.
That compassion
is why I caught you,
and it's why
I'll catch more like you.
And don't call me "sweetheart."
Be seein' you, sis.
Miss, wait.
You've got a gift for this.
If you ever need a hand
getting started,
I have mates at Scotland Yard.
Oh, thank you.
But I think my services
are better utilized on my own.
Oh, like a private detective?
Uh, the money--
Oh, I've never had
much use for money,
but I would like to be
of service to people
who truly need it.
Still, I'll take this.
Even a good detective
needs help from time to time.
[chuckles]
Right you are, miss.
And I'll make sure
the world knows
that the woman who found
Lewis Findley's k*ller
is open for business.
Thank you, sir.
I was thinking about us.
As was I.
Just because
we can't be together,
doesn't mean we can't be
in each other's lives.
I've never had
a little brother before.
- I'm not that young.
- [chuckles]
Darling, it's a joke.
[barking]
[whimpering]
I suppose he abandoned you, too.
Well, why don't you join
our collection of lost things?
We need to look out
for each other.
[dramatic music playing]
Invitation to a m*rder (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3