Jane Mysteries, The: m*rder at Moseby (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[fingers snapping rhythmically]

[A Way With Words Performed by Jodie Sweetin]

You've got a way with words

That brings out the best in the worst

You whisper dark nothings

Unsure if you're bluffing

Spinning your tales into verse

You've got a telltale heart

That won't let you move off your mark

It's maddening rhythm

Won't be forgiven

Until you confess to the part

You've got a way with words

That some find a little absurd

When you turn a phrase

It haunts me for days

And hangs in the air like a curse

You've got a way with words



You've got a way with words

[music ends]

[thumping heartbeat]

[doorbell]

[Jane] One second!

Anthony?

Jane! You're back.

And working at your uncle's Foundation.

Yeah...

How did you hear that?

I have my sources.

Um, do you have a moment for me?

Yeah, I do, I just, um, you caught me off guard.

I'm sorry to surprise you like this, I just...

I need your help.

[Anthony] You always used to work late so

I figured I would just take my chances that you were awake.

Yeah, well,

the curse of a singer having your best hours be at night.

It's really good to see you, Jane.

I can't believe it's been 15 years

since I've seen you in person.

You know, I'm teaching theater at Moseby now.

Yeah, I saw that, online actually.

Great photos, by the way.

So what's it like teaching there?

Well it's not as exciting as performing all over Europe.

Yeah, well, I'm sure it's really rewarding, though,

to work with the students.

I mean, you're training up the next generation of actors.

Yeah. Yeah it is.

Actually, we're getting ready

for the Edgar Allan Poe Festival again.

Oh, yeah, wow.

The Poe Festival.

A lot of memories there.

Yeah, which actually leads me to why I'm here.

I was preparing a photo retrospective for the festival

and I came across something in an old camera roll that's...

Been haunting me.

Well, it definitely could have been more in focus.

Well, just look at the background.

You see there's a figure there.

And I swear that they're loading a body

into the trunk of that car.

So, you thought you saw someone loading a body

into the trunk of a car and you didn't call the police?

I saw someone loading something into the back of a car!

And I didn't know if I should call the police.

"Villains!" I shrieked,

"dissemble no more!"

"I admit the deed! Tear up the planks!"

"Here, here!"

"It is the beating of his hideous heart!"

[applause]

Guys, get together.

I'm going to get a group shot for the yearbook.

[Young Anthony] Yeah, that's good.

[camera clicks]

Come on, men. We're going to miss the rest of the show!

What the...

[Anthony] Right?

All these years I thought it was just a mistaken memory,

or an apparition in the fog.

But now...

Now you're wondering if you witnessed an actual crime?

Looking at that photo, I know I'm not crazy, right?

Well, it's hard to say.

It has been a few years since I've seen you, so...

[Anthony chuckles]

Honestly, though, I feel like,

I feel like I'm the narrator in Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart".

The guilt, after all these years of not saying anything,

it's just starting to eat away at me.

Anthony, why didn't you say something back then?

You were going through so much after that night.

I mean, I probably would have

said something eventually if...

If I would have stayed.

Right.

I mean, I agree it looks suspicious, but

this isn't really what the Foundation does.

I don't mean to drag you back to that night, I just,

I don't know where else to turn.

Well, you know what?

How about we start a preliminary case file

and we'll just see where we go from there. Okay?

Oh!

I hope we're not interrupting anything.

No! Not at all.

John, this is Anthony, a friend of mine.

We went to college together.

Detective John Cameron.

Detective. And a handshake to match.

It's nice to meet you.

John works with us at the Foundation.

He's our police liaison.

I help out where I can.

Anthony, it's been a long time.

Nice to see you, Sadie.

I was sorry to hear about Harold.

Thank you. He is greatly missed.

Actually, Anthony was here looking for some answers

to an old question.

[John] Well, I don't see a case here.

Well, the feeling at the moment was bone-chilling.

I remember thinking something was off.

No disrespect, Anthony.

But we can't investigate a feeling.

Well, you have to admit it looks a little suspicious, John.

Well, that grainy photo with all the fog in the background?

I mean, taking out the trash would look suspicious.

Well, I think I'm going to dig in

and see if I can find something.

[Jane] At least just to put Anthony's mind at ease.

Okay.

I'll put in a missing persons check for those dates

and see if anyone's still looking for somebody.

That will tell us if there is in fact a real crime here.

Perfect! That would be really helpful.

Yeah, that means a lot.

Well, it's getting late.

Okay, I'd like to catch you two up on some things,

so if you'll excuse us, Anthony?

Actually, Jane.

I was thinking that we could go through some old yearbooks?

Maybe talk about the old days.

I think we can all wait until tomorrow.

[Sadie] I'll show you both out.

[Jane] Yeah.

[Sadie] My goodness.

You and Anthony looked cozy when we came in.

Ha! Yeah.

Thanks for saving me from that situation.

Yeah, it must have been a surprise

to see him after all these years?

Yeah, you're telling me.

Why is it you always look your worst when you see an ex?

[Sadie laughs] I think that's

the very laws of human nature.

[Jane chuckles] Yeah.

[Sadie] So...

You two were deep in conversation.

Yeah, we were.

It was starting to be a bit of

a dark trip down memory lane.

I'm worried about you diving into memories from that night.

I don't think that it's Anthony's intention

to bring up any sadness about Mom's death.

But it's the same night as she was k*lled.

The night of the first Poe Festival.

And that's very emotional territory.

Oh, I know.

I relive that night all the time.

[Sadie] It was a major factor in you deciding

to go away to Europe.

And ending things with Anthony.

Jane, you don't have to take this case.

You know, this might sound strange, Sadie,

but it's part of the reason that I want to take the case.

It just feels like everything around that night was,

I don't know, cursed.

I just don't want you to open up that wound all over again.

That would imply that the wound

had healed in the first place.

You know what?

Maybe, maybe it will be an opportunity for us to...

I don't know...

clear up some things about our break up, get some closure.

Maybe.

Whoa!

[Jane giggles]

Hey.

A little too much coffee this morning?

Yeah, I guess I'm just a little on edge today.

Are you investigating Anthony?

No no no no. I'm just doing my due diligence, is all.

He's a college professor and an old friend.

I mean, I thought we believed people who brought stories to

the Foundation, not started questioning them.

It's just a real lack of evidence

so we have to start at the source.

[John] Do you know why he took so long to report this?

Yeah, because it was all just a

vague memory in his head until

he found those pictures years later.

Well, that's exactly it.

I just don't think he's a credible witness.

Well, right now he's our only witness.

Yeah, I just don't think he's telling us the whole story.

Well, if that's true, then I'll

be the one to figure that out.

So you two were together, huh?

Yes, we dated, but can we please stay on topic here?

Did you run the missing persons search?

No I didn't.

I just wanted to make sure Anthony was on the level.

Hmm. Do I detect a note of jealousy?

No no. Absolutely not.

Okay.

[John] Now, what do you remember from that night?

Um... Well,

I was on stage singing when that photo was taken.

We went on right after Poe's

Ravens did their poetry reading.

I can probably find a program from that night,

somewhere in the attic.

Okay. Anything else?

No, nothing, nothing right now.

But I am going to see Anthony later,

so maybe we'll remember some things.

And I'll be sure to check on his credibility.

[Anthony] It's so good to see you. Welcome.

[Jane] Wow!

I'm impressed.

This is quite a step up from the college dorm.

Yeah. Well, I decided to trade in the milk crates

and get a real bookcase.

Um. Can I get you a drink?

No. Actually I just came to brainstorm about the case.

Really?

Thank you.

Don't thank me yet. I have zero leads. So...

What's going on in there?

Oh, yeah. I was thinking about what John said

about the quality of the photo.

So I tracked down the negative and...

[Jane chuckles] Wow...

Of course you built yourself a darkroom.

Yeah. It's my happy place!

Yeah, you always were a purist.

I can see you're not going digital anytime soon.

Oh digital! Why would you say that in here?

Ohhhh... Autofocus...

Megapixel!

No, stop! You're giving me hives!

[Jane laughs]

Well your work is still really beautiful.

Emotional, even.

Thank you.

That means a lot coming from a friend...

And fellow artist.

Let's see what we got.

Yeah, I was just finishing these.

Hey, look at this!

[Jane] Do you see that?

Is that a...

Is that a faculty parking sticker?

[they both laugh]

It is! Oh my gosh.

Yes!

You know what?

I'll enlarge that and I'll make some copies.

Perfect.

You know I think I actually will

take that drink you were offering.

Okay.

Well, we're going to need some

sort of theory before we start

accusing anyone on the teaching staff of m*rder.

It's so scary to think that this may be someone

that I work with every day.

Or it could be someone

who hasn't taught at the school in ages.

I'm going to need access to the school

to fully investigate though.

You can't just walk in there and ask for files.

Yeah, I'm going to need an angle.

If only you were a teacher.

I could probably pull some strings

and get you on the staff, but...

Huh. Well you know, I might happen to know

a very qualified singing teacher who could help.

[Sadie] I like you with black hair.

Yeah?

Should I do it for real?

I don't know. How does it make you feel?

Like a beautiful, passionate, intellectual woman,

raven-haired...

[Sadie laughs] Edgar Allan Poe?

Definitely.

But do I look like a visiting vocal arts professor?

You have me fooled.

Now we just have to pick out the right clothes.

Well, what do you think?

I think it says, you can trust me with all of your secrets.

Perfect. Then I should have a confession in no time.

The question will be from who?

It's time.

You don't want to be late for your first day of school.

Hold it.

There!

You just posted that you can't

wait to meet your new students.

Perfect! Thank you. I appreciate that.

And I appreciate you, Jane Da Silva.

Go get 'em.

I will.

[fingers snapping rhythmically]

[a cappella performance of "Nevermore"]

Woo woo woo woo woo woo

Fly, fly, fly away bird

Get a million miles away from

me where you can't be heard

Tap, tap, tap at the door

To tell me your secrets evermore

To tell me your secrets evermore

Wow! Professor Germaine told me

that you guys were talented,

but that was, that was fantastic!

I'm so impressed.

You obviously have the piece down,

so why don't we just work on stage presence a little bit.

You.

Me?

Yes you with the fantastic alto.

Are you ready to add in some dance moves?

Oh no. I can't do that, Professor Emma.

Of course you can. Don't be silly.

I get really nervous.

I don't even know if I'll be able to perform in the show.

I see...

Hey, you got a minute?

Yeah. Yeah.

Ah, you know what you guys? Class is dismissed for the day.

We'll catch up later.

Did you find anything?

Ah, maybe.

Why don't you grab your stuff and meet me at the library.

Okay, be right there.

Hey.

I thought we were meeting in the library.

Forget the library.

Anything on the record is just puff pieces

about how wonderful the school is.

Now the real gossip is in the faculty lounge.

I'm camping out there asking unsuspecting professors

about anything juicy.

And lo and behold, people love to divulge their secrets!

Oh! Do tell!

Mr. Genoah. Do you remember him?

Yeah, he used to teach elocution, right?

Exactly. Well, he was laid off

for some improprieties with the alumni fund.

Oh, interesting.

Yeah. And Dean Simpson, who was a teacher then,

he had a real awful split with his wife.

Like a real messy divorce that ended with her running off

with their contractor to Mexico!

Oh!

Yeah, he was a wreck.

He was coming in late to class and weeping,

and not showering, stuff like that.

And he's the Dean now?

Yeah.

Oh, that's kind of juicy. Anything else?

Ms. Pearce, she was caught having an affair

with one of the student's fathers.

And they were both married at the time.

In France, that wouldn't even raise an eyebrow.

Oh. [Laughs]

She also offered a scholarship to her lover's kid

and they didn't qualify for it so that was a big to-do.

Whoo. Now that's bad, yeah...

but none of these things seem like a motive for m*rder.

Well, I know, but I'm just looking for any wild card

behavior to give you more to go off.

And you did always love the gossip.

Yes. And you can't write this stuff.

[they both laugh]

It's been nice hanging out with you again.

Yeah. And it's nice to be with you at Moseby.

Right. I can't believe it.

Oh, ah, before I forget.

I got Sylvia in Admissions to

write a list of all the faculty

that have been here for 15 years or more.

Oh, that is super helpful.

You know what? I'm going to go finish up in class

and then I'm going to check in with John.

And I'll catch up with you later. Okay?

Thanks.

- [knocking]

- Hey.

Hey.

Any heat on the cold cases?

Well, you tell me.

Well, here are the four missing

persons from that time frame.

Oh.

Well, that's great.

I mean, not great that they went missing.

Well, fortunately they've all

been identified or found alive.

That doesn't sound too unfortunate for their families,

but I know what you mean.

It just means no leads for the mystery body.

But all that means is that nobody filed a police report,

right?

Right. It doesn't rule out a crime, it just means that

no one's been looking for anyone during those two weeks.

What kind of person goes missing

and doesn't have someone report it?

Are there circumstances that you've seen where

missing persons reports aren't filed?

Well, I've seen it occur if someone's new in the country.

Maybe they've gone undocumented and the family didn't want

to report it due to fear of deportation.

Right.

Or maybe they were brought to the country under duress?

Or maybe it was a foreign student

whose family didn't report them missing, for some reason.

Maybe.

Are those new suspects?

Just possibilities.

These are the professors that

were at the school 15 years ago.

We have Professor Jacob Penn,

who teaches in the literary department.

And we have Yvonne Savage.

She teaches costumes and set design.

And then...

We have Andrew Simpson who

taught in the drama department before he became Dean.

Hmm.

I like Penn.

He looks familiar.

I'll check for priors.

Okay. And I'll start with Yvonne Savage.

[footsteps]

[Jane] Ahem.

Welcome.

Wow, I feel like I've stepped into Edgar Allan Poe's lair.

Oh, yes I know.

It's as though the 1850's has exploded in my office.

It must be quite fun, though, getting everything ready

for the Poe Festival.

I do love it. But this time of year

I'm hard-pressed to find a seat

for a fellow faculty member.

Oh, well. That's fine. I can stand.

Really, I just wanted to come say hello

since we're both working on the show.

Well, it's wonderful to meet you.

I love your hair.

Oh! Thank you.

Um, I was also wondering if you

might have a contribution for

the photo project that Anthony's

working on for the festival.

I mean, Professor Germaine.

Photo project?

Yes, it's a photo retrospective of the Poe Festival

over the years.

I understand you were there for the very first one.

That certainly was a big night.

Good performances?

I actually didn't see much of the show that night.

Oh, really. Why is that?

As I recall, there were some rowdy kids in the hall and

I believe it was Professor Jacob Penn who needed my help

with the situation.

Oh, so, you were in the hall then

and not out in the parking lot?

Why would you ask me that?

No reason, I just, ah, somebody else has said that

there was a disturbance in the parking lot, so...

What kind of disturbance?

Oh, just college kids doing their thing I'm sure.

[Jane chuckles]

Unless you heard some other details?

No. No details.

But I will take a look to see if I have

any photos from that night.

Or any others over the years.

Fantastic, thank you. I appreciate your time.

[knocks lightly]

Thank you for coming by, Professor Wiley.

Ah, yes.

I wanted to welcome you to Moseby.

Anthony speaks very highly of you.

Oh, well, thank you. It's quite wonderful to be here.

I have a wonderful group of students.

Oh, well, the students are giving you glowing reports, too.

Oh really?

Yes. It bodes well for you continuing to cover for.

Professor Levy while they're on maternity leave.

And I must say, you seemed to have captured

the very essence of what the Edgar Allan Poe Festival

means to this institution.

Well, I am quite familiar with his works.

Hmm, it all does seem familiar.

Please sit.

So, how is the performance coming along?

The music department is expected to be

the very fabric of the evening.

Oh, it's terrific.

Such talent in the singing program.

But the board is a little skeptical about having

a real live touring singer take over.

But they are hoping that you can give the students a real

preparedness for what a career

in the musical arts looks like.

But they're worried that you might not be grounded enough.

Oh, please don't worry about that at all.

I am the poster child for grounded.

Hmmm...

Where did you say you taught in Europe?

Oh, it was at the, uh, Parisian Academy...

des Voix Humaines?

It's in the Sixth.

Well, huh, I trust that if there's anything I can do

to make your stay more productive or comfortable

you'll let me know.

Yes. Well, you know,

in fact I do have one question for you.

Anything.

Does the school have an official

policy on undocumented students?

[chuckles] Oh, I thought you were going to ask me

about the food in the commissary.

Um, yes, it's allowed under federal law.

And we changed our private policy some years ago so that

it no one longer discriminates

against undocumented students.

But as far as I know, there's no one currently enrolled

who's in that situation.

Why do you ask?

Would it be possible to search back records, say 15 years?

What's this about?

Well, I met a woman on campus recently who was looking for

an acquaintance of hers that she knew from back then,

and she was fairly sure that the student didn't have an

official visa, so it's made the

search much more complicated.

Well, if you give me a name,

I can have Sylvia in Admissions look into it.

Oh, you know, unfortunately no.

It seems to be of a rather sensitive nature.

Oh, I see.

Well, without a name I don't see

how I can possibly help you.

Hmm...

But you were a professor back then, correct?

Perhaps the situation rings a bell with a student?

Don't you have a class starting in a few minutes?

Oh! Yes. Indeed I do.

I'm still getting use to my schedule.

Thank you so much for your time, Dean Simpson.

My pleasure. The door is always open.

Thank you.

It's just like an acting performance, right,

or an oil painting.

There's a bit of the artist infused into the work.

I like to call it singing from the heart,

but the deeper explanation is that we all bring

our own histories to each piece of music.

Our own challenges, our fears, our secrets.

It's why you'll notice that you'll sing a piece

very differently if you're in a good mood

versus if you're in a bad mood.

But it's our job as vocal performers to be able to access

those feelings and bring that

emotion and nuance to our voice.

You act a role, you don't just sing it. Okay?

All right. See you next time.

[Female Student] I have Professor Savage next.

[Male Student] I asked her for a short extension

and she went off on me.

Apparently she was never the same

after the nervous breakdown.

Really.

[Professor Penn] I know it's here somewhere...

[Jane] I do appreciate you looking for

anything from the previous Poe festivals.

I'm hoping to use it to inspire my students.

I'm always happy to help a colleague.

Even if I really should be preparing tomorrow's lecture.

Well, thank you for your time, Professor Penn.

I'm hoping to make an impression

on the administration as well.

Maybe work towards something more permanent.

Miss Wiley, but perseverance does pay off.

Right Bartholomew?

[Jane laughs uncomfortably]

Ah, so, do you happen to remember hearing anything about

an incident at the first Poe Festival?

I believe there was something about some rowdy kids?

The first Poe Festival?

When was that?

Oh, maybe, fifteen years ago.

Fifteen years.

Who can remember that far back?

Well, Professor Savage seemed to have it all right up here.

That woman is a vault.

I'm sure that's why she's so high strung.

Ah, well...

Do you remember anything else about the evening?

Did you see any of the show?

As a matter of fact, yes.

I watched Jane Da Silva's performance.

She was our rising star.

Oh, really?

A talent to be sure but then she just seemed to disappear.

After that unfortunate family incident.

Oh. Family incident?

Yes, her mother passed.

In any case, Jane put on a fantastic performance,

that's what I remember.

Oh, and chaperoning the dorms afterwards.

I was in charge of the dorms back then.

Did any students happen to go missing

from the dorms that evening?

What are all these questions about?

Rowdy kids? Missing students?

Oh, I just have an inquisitive mind, is all,

like asking questions.

I remember!

There they are!

These are the photos from all the Poe festivals

through the years.

With a heavy emphasis on the

literary performances of course.

Thank you so much, Professor Penn.

These are wonderful! I really appreciate it.

You take good care of them please.

They're the originals.

I'll do you one better and I will scan them

and have digital copies made.

Wonderful, thank you.

Let me just check that I got them all.

Thank you so much, Professor Penn.

I have to be getting to class.

[Jane] Professor Savage had her memories on speed dial

from that night.

It was super weird.

Suspicious. And why would you remember something

from 15 years ago if it wasn't something momentous?

Yeah.

And Professor Jacob Penn had

that raven mask in his cabinet!

Do you think they were in on it together?

I wouldn't put too much stock into the raven mask.

You can buy them online or at any costume store.

And would you really keep the same mask for 15 years?

We can't rule them out.

Why don't we go through our own individual experiences

from that night?

Maybe we can jog some memories.

Okay.

I brought the yearbook and the

theater program from that night.

I didn't see anything of interest, but,

I don't know, maybe you should take a look.

I was sh**ting 35 millimeter photographs all night

for my photography class.

The outdoor poetry readings, the concert inside.

And of course, lots of photos of you.

You looked gorgeous that night.

I must gone in and out of that entrance gate a dozen times.

The only people in raven masks

were the spoken word performers.

And they're all present and accounted for in the photos.

After the incident I was a bit shaken up.

I went to go change film rolls and

I watched the end of the concert.

As soon as it was over I went backstage to see you.

And I was backstage or onstage basically all night.

I don't really remember anything unusual.

You know, nobody missed their cues,

no performers went missing.

Once the crowd thinned out I went backstage to get my stuff

and then I went outside.

I never made it to the formal dance that night

because Uncle Harold was there to pick me up.

That's when you found out.

Yeah.

I didn't know what happened. And I couldn't find you.

And you weren't at the dorm.

I was a mess.

But we didn't leave any later than 10:30pm.

And this photo was taken at nine.

You know what? It's late.

Why don't we call it a night?

Yeah, we can keep digging tomorrow.

- Okay, yeah...

- Yeah...

You, you keep that.

And I'll... I'm going to go.

New episode for "Make-Do Murders" came out this morning.

It's my favorite podcast.

Well, actually, I like anything that's gory and weird.

Un. Ex. Pected.

Pretty sure I know who done it.

But, what can I help you with, dear?

Oh!

[types into her computer]

Yes, Emma Wiley.

Nice to finally meet you.

Well, of course, if things had

gone through the proper channels

I would have met you weeks ago.

Oh, well, I'm so sorry. Did I do something wrong?

Oh no not you, dear.

People flout the rules all over the place here.

I've gotten used to it.

What can I do for you?

Well, I have a friend who lives overseas

and she was wondering about admissions for her daughter.

Oh, all right. Does she have the transcripts?

I believe so.

And what about English proficiency?

TOEFL or IELTS?

Actually I think her questions were more in regards to

what sort of paperwork, or administrative protocol,

would need to be followed and

what exactly she'd need to file?

Well, usually a valid passport is required.

Then some sort of standard test, like an SAT for example.

Oh. And how long do you keep those records for?

What does that matter for your friend?

We keep our records after ten years in deep storage.

And is that here, or...

At a secure facility.

Not at the school.

Interesting.

Fascinating, yes.

Yes, yes.

Well, I should be getting to my class.

[thumping heartbeat]

[heavy breathing]

[Sadie] So you think she's covering something up?

A secure facility where they keep old records?

Come on.

That sounded like a complete untruth.

Maybe you could cross-reference with Dean Simpson.

You know, I don't have any proof,

but if it was a student that was being put into that car,

then that means that somebody went missing

when they were in the care of Moseby College.

And that would be a major liability for the school.

Yeah.

But who's behind the mask?

Ouch!

[John]Hey Jane? I hope you don't mind.

I let myself in!

You left the window open!

Whoa whoa whoa! Hey, stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!

Detective John Cameron.

You've some explaining to do.

[John] So let me get this straight.

You broke into the house

with the intention of finding clues for a crime?

Or a conspiracy.

[John] So you committed a crime to solve a crime.

Well, you know how police work goes, detective.

Sometimes you have to bend the rules to uphold them!

[John scoffs] All right.

What were you expecting to find?

Well, as I said, there is something fishy about that.

Emma Wiley.

Well, if that is her real name.

[Sylvia] She was asking some very pointed questions

in the Admissions office.

Very pointed!

[Jane scoffs] This is ridiculous.

He's not getting anywhere with her.

[John] Okay, you have to understand that fishy

doesn't give you the right to break and enter.

Sorry.

Will I need a lawyer?

This is a waste of time.

Jane, what are you doing?

[Sylvia] Wait a minute.

You're Jane Da Silva!

You caught me.

Now can you please spare us the conspiracy theories.

I never forget a face.

Jane is an ace consulting detective.

Brilliant mind for deduction.

And she reads people like a pro.

Well, that may be true,

but her snooping techniques could use some work.

Huh!

In light of this revelation, my

actions have been validated!

Not quite, Sylvia.

But, I'd like to talk about a deal.

I'm listening.

Well, Jane Da Silva here,

she's undercover at your school as Emma Wiley.

She's uncovering an identity theft ring.

At Moseby?

Yeah, that's right.

And we're hoping to get an agent on the inside.

I can do that.

I watch the mysteries on television all the time

and I'm always a step ahead.

Hmm. I bet you are.

What do you need me to do?

Well, first off, we'd like to

have access to the 2008 records.

I can't do that. Deep storage.

Why are you lying about the files?

I'm not lying!

Okay, so if I get a warrant to search the archives,

I'm not going to find any file from that semester?

[John] Sylvia, will you please answer the question?

Okay!

I'm guilty!

The archives are a mess!

What?

I've been meaning to organize them for years,

but there's always something more pressing.

So they're not in the storage?

No, they're sitting in the back of the Admissions office,

just like you suspected.

And they're in complete disarray.

Oh, I'm so humiliated!

Sylvia, thank you for being so candid.

And because of your forthright honesty,

I think we can trust you with an undercover task.

What task?

Well, we'd like you to be on the lookout

for a certain person of interest.

We call him... Mr. Tangerine.

Whoa.

Now, his M.O. is to infiltrate Admissions offices to steal

personal information for the purposes of identity theft.

So if I cooperate, I get to go free?

Absolutely.

[Jane] All right. So I will see you all at rehearsal later.

Hey!

So, how are you feeling about the show?

I still don't want to do it, but I know I have to.

Oh come on! We got to work on your enthusiasm.

Have you talk to your counselor?

I've been working on my anxiety.

Okay, good.

Because it would be a crime to

keep that voice from everyone.

Okay?

I'll see you later.

Good job today.

Hello, Sylvia.

[whispers] I'm not here.

[whispers] Okay...

The key...

The key.

Oh.

What?

Like season three of "Make-Do Murders".

Oh boy, do I have to spell it out?

It's a skeleton key to the school.

Opens any door.

Plus, we loan it out on the regular

and I give you permission.

[Sylvia clicks her tongue]

Yeah. [Jane clicks her tongue]

Come on. It's fine. We have permission.

Not from Professor Penn.

No. From the institution.

Yeah, that counts.

Yeah, the raven mask is right over here.

[John] Man, this place is creepy.

[Jane] Yeah.

[Jane] He definitely has peculiar taste.

[John laughs]

[Jane] Here. Hold this for a second.

[John] Sure.

[Jane] There we go.

[John] Pretty dull otherwise, though.

[Jane] Nothing else interesting?

No. No signed confessions from 15 years ago.

[they both chuckle]

[Jane] All right. Come on. Let's go.

[John] Yeah.

[John] Well, this is an interesting piece.

Do you know what this is?

[Jane] Yeah, that's a Japanese Daruma doll.

They're good luck charms.

[John] Well, that's specific.

[Jane] Well, maybe he traveled there or something.

[Jane] The files are over here.

Find something interesting?

Huh. Yeah.

I think I found Professor Savage's alibi.

Looks like the night of the Poe

Festival she got served with

custody papers from her ex-husband.

That would send anybody into a tailspin.

Yeah.

- Here take a look.

- Sure.

[Jane reading note] Inquired regarding whereabouts

of Jane Da Silva, no information given.

Huh.

[Anthony] Recuse yourself? Why?

I just feel like there's a lot

of personal entanglements here.

You mean us.

I didn't know that you tried to look for me.

Oh, well... I mean everyone was pretty concerned

when you just sort of took off.

No, this was years later.

I just don't think that my past feelings for you

should have any bearing on the importance of this case.

It just, it makes me wonder, is all.

Wonder what? Do you think I'm making this up?

No. I just, it made me wonder if,

I don't know, if you weren't

feeling nostalgic or something,

and you wanted to stir things up for old time's sake.

You think that I brought this case to you

as a ruse to try to rekindle our romance?

No.

Anthony, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply...

No!

You can recuse yourself, or whatever,

but I'm going to keep going, okay.

I owe it myself.

And I owe it to whoever was in that trunk

to get to the bottom of this.

But what if there wasn't someone in the trunk?

What if it wasn't a body?

What if all of this is in your imagination?

Do you believe that?

Look, I don't know what I believe anymore.

I just know that there's a lot of dead ends.

Well, maybe this is bringing us to a time

that you'd rather forget.

Yeah.

I should go.

- [Jane's phone rings]

- [John] Hey, Jane.

I think I've found something interesting from that time but

I don't think it has anything to do with Anthony's case.

There is no Anthony's case.

You were right.

I'm sorry. I think I have a bad connection.

Did you just say I'm right?

Well you were partially right anyway.

It was a bad idea to use any of the Foundation's resources

when we didn't have any significant evidence.

[John] Well, if we're going to close the case,

perhaps we can meet to go over the details.

Yeah, okay.

I guess it's sad that you won't be seeing

the Poe Festival through.

[Jane] Yeah, it is.

I'm missing teaching already.

It's breaking my heart that I can't be there

for those students but

Anthony thought it would be better this way all round.

[John ] Well, I don't know about that.

You seemed to have a really good

connection with those kids.

And a real fresh perspective on that Poe guy.

Thanks.

So, what can the Foundation do for your mystery find?

[John] Why don't you come by the station to discuss?

- Hey.

- Hey!

Too much of a stereotype?

Oh, no. A classic. Thank you.

What you got?

Well, a grieving family lost their daughter

many many years ago.

They just stopped hearing from her.

It's like she fell off the face of the earth.

Hmm. Give me some details.

Well, her name is Nami Hisako.

She was 34 years old when her family

filed a missing persons report.

Now they didn't know why she was

in America, but that's the last

place she phoned them from, right after she disappeared.

The phone records all check out.

Sounds like it could be a good case for the Foundation.

Yeah, I had a feeling your heart

would go out to the family.

I tried to contact them through a translator but

unfortunately there was no new information.

Did they say why she was in Baltimore?

You know, they weren't very forthcoming.

Either they really didn't know or they're hiding something.

I mean, why would a family who's

been missing their daughter for

years not want to do everything

that they could to find her?

You know, maybe she was all right.

Maybe she just didn't want to

talk to her family anymore and

wanted to start a new life of her own.

Yeah, maybe. But, I don't know,

after all these years and they

still haven't heard from her.

Yeah. Yeah, it's possible she was fine but

after all these years, foul play is more likely.

Those poor parents.

And that poor young woman.

Yeah, well, at least they have us, right?

Yes they do.

Well, I'll run Nami's name and see how and where

she entered the country and we'll go from there.

Okay. And once we get her port of origin,

I can figure out what her timeline was the country.

All right, great!

All right. I'm going to head out.

But I will order us some dinner

at the Foundation office later?

Hmm. Yeah, it's a date.

Okay.

[John] Six Nami Hisakos have gone through official

citizenship applications over the past ten years,

but there's no ID match to the family's photo.

Hmm. And you said her family wasn't even sure

why she was here, right?

That's where I think they weren't being truthful.

Well, we have a name.

So at least it's a start.

True but I haven't found anything on her

through the usual places.

I'm going to start sending her details

through other official channels now.

Well, it might be time to try some unofficial channels.

Excuse me.

So, you must be missing rehearsals.

Yeah, you know, I am.

I forgot what it's like to be in a full production.

Kind of exhilarated by it all.

Hmm. I'm sorry it didn't work out.

Here's hoping that Nami's case has a better ending.

Well, she's got the best team anyone could ask for.

[Song "Holding On" begins]



Life



Isn't what it always seems



Isn't that what it always brings

[Jane sobbing] I just don't know how this happened!



I mean, they just left her in that car to die.



[sobbing] I can't do this!

Do what?

Do us. I'm sorry.



Happily



I keep on holding on



I keep on holding on



I keep on holding on



Keep on holding on



[music ends]

[loud bang]

[Sadie clears her throat]

[John] How did you get this report?

I'm afraid my source needs to remain anonymous.

Oh... The internet?

[Sadie] Maybe.

- Hmm.

- Huh.

So, it looks like Nami Hisako

entered the country three months

before the night in question as Hana Oharu.

Well, I'll run this new name and keep you both posted.

Great. Thanks John.

So, are you sad not to be helping with the Poe Festival?

Yeah, I am.

I mean, those kids were so great and talented.

It's going to be a fabulous night.

Well why don't you help?

Oh I don't know.

I feel so bad about pretending to be that

professor to those students.

And I...

To be honest, that night holds a lot of dark memories

for me and I was a little uneasy going back to them all.

Sometimes coming full circle can offer closure.

I know your mother would want that for you.

Well, I had hoped for that, but...

I think I know in my heart that the only way I'm going to

find closure is if I find out what really happened

to Mom that night.

With all our resources, we've never been able

to crack her case.

You know, it just never made sense why she was

on the other side of town that night.

I know, Jane. I know.

[John] Just the way you like it.

Oh! Thanks, John.

Thanks for meeting me here.

Yeah.

So I'll been over at the immigration office

following up on Sadie's lead.

Oh. Anything turn up?

Well, I wish I had more news.

Hana Oharu has completely disappeared since using those

phony documents to get into the country.

There's no record of her living here,

or leaving the country, so she might still be here.

Of course this couldn't just be easy.

I mean, she could still be in Baltimore.

Or anywhere else in the country.

Or nowhere in the country at all.

Hey well, don't lose heart.

We haven't even started canvassing yet,

see what people remember.

Hey.

Is something else on your mind?

You know, actually, there's been something

I've been wanting to talk to you about.

Everything okay?

It's about my mom, the night she died.

Yeah, the hit and run.

Right.

Well, that night there was one eye witness

who said that they saw a partial plate.

R. O. B.

I've played that in my head a million times.

R. O. B.

But they could never trace it to any vehicle

that had been in an accident or anything.

Hmm. It could have been fake plates.

Any scumbag who leaves an accident

probably has other crimes to hide.

Exactly!

I know that now,

now that I'm helping to solve and investigate crimes,

but I just...

I just have so many regrets about leaving back then.

Hey. Don't do that to yourself.

I mean, why did I leave Sadie and Uncle Harold?

They needed me here.

I could have been trying to help solve my Mom's case,

or at least, following leads while there were some.

You weren't equipped for that then.

Don't second guess your choices.

You had to protect yourself.

It's just, I made so many rash decisions.

Like breaking up with Anthony?

[scoffs] Anthony?

No no no no. That was...

I don't regret that decision.

Anthony and I were just not meant to be.

[message notification]

Oh! It's Anthony.

He wants to meet.

[John] Wow! Well, he sure has dramatic timing,

I'll give him that.

[Jane] I'll tell him to come by.

[Anthony] Thank you for seeing me.

Jane, I know that you've recused yourself, but there's

just something I want to clear up for my own sake,

if that's okay.

I don't want to re-kindle anything with you.

I can see that you guys are working closely together now.

And I respect that.

I guess I just thought that after all these years, it was

time to find the moment of truth

with you at the Foundation.

And with your help, John.

Anyway, I appreciate all that you've done.

Of course.

Yeah, we're moving onto another missing persons case.

Her family deserves some answers too.

What, you've already moved on?

But why do you have a picture of Hana Oharu?

That's our new case.

You know her?

Yeah, she used to work at Moseby

in the dining hall after hours.

She would clean up and restock supplies.

You're kidding?

She used to make me homemade maki.

Wait. Are you sure this is the same woman?

Yeah. Definitely.

So, wait a minute.

So, Nami-slash-Hana is connected to the college.

And to Dean Simpson!

That Japanese good luck charm in his office.

Exactly.

And Anthony's potential body in the trunk.

I mean, that was right around the same time frame.

It might not be that far fetched after all.

I don't know what you guys are talking about.

Well, I think your case just got brought back to life.

And so did Professor Emma Wiley!

Thanks for returning my call.

I heard that you worked in the

dining hall of Moseby College

some years ago with a woman named Hana Oharu.

Could you tell me anything about her?

Do you know who would have hired

the dining hall staff at that time?

Yes, please. If you could find out.

And anyone you can think of

who might have crossed paths with Hana Oharu.

Yeah.

[knocking]

Simpson! You in there?

[knocking]

Dean Simpson?

[muted]

[muted]

[Jane] I am so impressed with how hard you all have worked.

And your voices sound incredible.

Now, I apologize that I haven't been here

for the last two rehearsals.

I had a bit of personal business

that I had to wade through.

Sometimes you have to listen to your energies.

But your energies are telling me

that you are ready to make this

the best Poe Festival that Moseby College has ever seen!

[clapping]

[message notification]

Hello Jane, if that is indeed your real name.

Hello Sylvia.

I was thinking...

along with the files that were not sent off-site,

I have found many years of security tapes backlogged.

I was wondering if that would be

any use to the investigation.

Absolutely! That is amazing, Sylvia.

Thank you. You are the best!

Oh, I knew that my skills would come in handy.

Absolutely. Now I have to call John.

How can we access the footage?

I can let you into the lock up.

Sorry. I thought these were going to be a great lead.

That's okay.

It kind of looks like my mom's video collection.

She had every one of our

old holidays and milestones recorded.

What I wouldn't give to see some of that footage!

Yeah, that's definitely sealed

and available on a need-to-know basis only.

Ah! Let me guess. Deep storage?

No, no storage deep enough.

[Jane laughs]

Oh! Bingo!

The week of the first Poe Festival.

Oh great.

Lucky all these tapes didn't get thrown out

when everything went digital.

Yeah.

[John] I'm not sure if we're going to

find what we're looking for.

It could take us days to find anything useful.

Yeah.

Wait!

Look!

Dean Simpson and Hana?

Whoa.

Were they a couple?

[Jane] It certainly looks like it.

Oh ye of little faith.

There's trouble in paradise, though.

Uh huh.

- [pounding on door]

- Dean Simpson! Police.

Open up!

[door opens]

Ah! It's open.

Jane! You can't just...

It's not breaking. It's just entering.

Come on.

[door closes]

Okay, well, he's definitely not here.

But we'll keep looking for him.

And we'll get someone stationed at the school.

Oh, the school's going to be chaos tonight

with the Poe Festival.

- That's tonight?

- Yeah.

The Dean needs to be there, doesn't he?

Faculty usually attend, but if he heard about

our investigation he could have fled.

Right. Well, we'll stake it out and hope he shows.

Yeah. Well, I can cover backstage.

I have to be back there anyway.

Okay. And we have to get going.

We were never even here, John.

Right.

- [heartbeat thumping]

- [heavy breathing]

- [heartbeat thumping]

- [heavy breathing]

[vehicle starts]

- [heartbeat thumping]

- [heavy breathing]

Welcome to the 15th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Festival!

[applause and cheering]

This is a rich tradition here at Moseby...

I can't do this.

You did fine this afternoon.

Just sing your part and pay no attention to the audience.

[audience applause in background]

But listen to them. It's packed out there.

Here, repeat after me.

I have a gift.

I have a gift.

I would be depriving the world

if I don't share it with everyone.

I would be depriving the world of my gifts

if I do not share with everyone.

And Professor Emma will k*ll me

if I don't get out on that stage.

And Professor Emma will k*ll me

if I don't get out there on stage.

[Jane laughs] Yes.

Now, you want to be celebrating a victory. Right?

Not regret chickening out. Okay?

- Okay.

- All right.

Let's go do this. Come on.

You got it.

Poe's famous literary career began here in Baltimore.

[Professor Penn] Which is also where he met his wife

and where he died all too soon.

So we honor with this celebration

that is now a tradition.

[applause and cheering]

The first Poe Festival

set the standard for all the festivals to come.

And tonight we look back on all the alumni

who helped to bring Poe's works alive.

Let the Festival begin!

Yes!

[Professor Penn] Please welcome Moseby's own

talented a cappella group...

All right! Go break a rib!

The Telltale Hearts!

[applause and cheering]

[fingers snapping rhythmically]

[a cappella] Woo woo woo woo

Woo woo woo

Dead of midnight, black and blue

In the dark, whispering true

Rapping softly at my door

To tell me your secrets nevermore

In the dark, the dark of night

A little eerie feeling something ain't right

[Jane] No no no! Help!

Once adrift, washed ashore

Tell me your secrets nevermore

Fly, fly, fly away bird

Get a million miles away from

me where you can't be heard

Tap, tap, tap at the door

Have you seen Emma Wiley?

She's supposed to take over for me.

She's backstage.

No she's not. No one's seen her.

And I can't find Dean Simpson either.

He's in charge of the schedule.

[a cappella singing continues]

In the dark the dark of night

A little eerie feeling something ain't right

[John] Jane?

Once adrift, washed ashore

Tell me your secrets nevermore

Fly, fly, fly away bird

Get a million miles away from

me where you can't be heard

[Jane] You'll never get away with this! Help!

To tell me your secrets evermore

Jane!

To tell me your secrets evermore

[applause and cheering]

[Jane] Look, I don't know what you're trying to do, okay,

but there's going to be a lot of people looking for me.

Dean Simpson?

It was you? You k*lled Hana Oharu?

No. I didn't k*ll her, Jane.

How do you know my name?

I saw through your disguise on day one.

Even with the wig.

You did?

I just couldn't figure out why.

Well, Professor Anthony Germaine has a photo of you

loading what looks like a body into the trunk of a car

on the night of the first Poe festival.

I just need a chance to explain myself

before this all gets blown out of proportion.

Well, I think that ship has sailed.

Jane...

I need you to listen to me.

And I promise, I'll untie you.

Detective John Cameron requesting back up

on my position immediately.

Hang in there, Jane.

[Dean Simpson] When my wife left me

I was so lonely.

It was an incredibly humiliating time for me.

I just wanted some company.

Some companionship.

So I started talking to Hana through this agency

that brings women over to America from other countries.

You mean like a mail order bride?

Yes. This business, it seemed completely legitimate to me.

They had all the government documents.

I vetted them.

I even went to a Notary to make sure that

this wasn't some kind of scam

because we were falling in love.

We were...

[scoffs]

It was long distance but we were falling in love.

So what happened next?

They brought her over.

[Dean Simpson V.O.] We were together finally.

Life was perfect for awhile.

[Dean Simpson V.O.] Like how we dreamed.

She was so bright and funny.

[Dean Simpson sighs]

We had the life that we wanted.

[Dean Simpson V.O.] But the first red flag

was learning that her name wasn't Hana.

It was Nami.

The agency told her that she needed

to use another name for legal reasons.

When in fact, what they were doing

was creating a fake ID for her.

Now I knew we should have called the cops right away,

but I was just hoping that no one would notice.

[Dean Simpson V.O.] That we could just go on,

living our lives, and everything would be okay.

But then this man came up to us

and told me we had to start paying these extra fees.

And these fees weren't part of the deal.

So I got suspicious.

But what other choice did I have?

This agency, I don't know what

their reach is around the globe,

but it's extensive.

So I just wanted the problem to go away, so I paid them.

But it was never enough. We didn't have any more money.

Nami, she had a health issue that was k*lling her appetite.

And we didn't know what it was.

And every series of tests seem

to point to something different.

And it was just all so expensive.

But she was working at the school at the time, right?

In the evenings?

Yes. But we were out of options.

Pretty risky.

We...

We were desperate.

She started getting sicker and sicker.

And I begged her to stop.

I said don't work, get some rest.

We fought about it.

And yes, I'm not proud to say, we fought about it at work.

[Jane V.O.] Yeah, we found some security footage

of that argument.

[Dean Simpson V.O.] Yes, I was so worried about her.

She said we needed to pay,

so we could give the money to those...

[breathes hard]

Criminals.

Anyway, she insisted on coming

that night to the Poe Festival.

She saw how hard

I had worked the students to build that performance.

She wanted to support me.

And then what happened?

It was when you went on stage.

You've got a way with words

That bring out the best in the worst

You whisper dark nothings

[Nami has trouble breathing]

I just need to close my eyes for a few minutes.



Don't let me miss too much.

I want to see your students.

That won't let you move off your mark

It's maddening rhythm

I'm so happy to be right here with you.

I love you so much.

I love you more.

You've got a way with words

That some find a little absurd

[Nami coughs and struggles]

[Dean Simpson] It was clear that

something was different this time.

I'll be back. It's okay.

You've got a way with words

You've got a way with words



- [song ends]

- [applause and cheering]

[Dean Simpson V.O.] Her legs gave out.

And I rushed to her side.

[applause continues]

[Dean Simpson V.O.] It was so loud.

My head was spinning. I was scared, and I panicked.

I still don't know why I did it.

I found a mask. A cloak.

Carried her to the car.

I just drove her home.

My love... was gone.

I am so sorry.

Thank you.

It's more than I deserve.

Whatever happened with the criminal agency?

[Dean Simpson groans]

They kept threatening me

and collecting payments after Nami's death.

They said they'd go to the authorities.

To tell the authorities what?

To tell them Nami had passed.

Wait. You you never reported her death?

So you just drove her home and...

I drove her home.

I wanted her to be at peace.

In the home that she loved, the home that we shared.

She's in the back yard.

Under her favorite raspberry bush.

How could you keep this from her parents?

Her parents didn't approve of our marriage.

They cut ties with her and told

her to stop contacting them.

However they left things with her,

they eventually reported her missing.

They still cared?

Yes.

And they deserve to know the truth.

I know.

I wrote them a letter.

I explained to them, how much we loved each other.

How sorry I was.

And all the doctors we saw.

I even included all the medical reports.

I don't know why.

They'd never be able to understand.

I just couldn't mail it.

And now, I have this heartbeat that rings.

I hear it every day, ringing in my head,

reminding me how much I love her,

but driving me mad too.

[Jane] Listen, it's not too late to do the right thing.

For Nami.

[Dean Simpson] It's getting louder, Jane!

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm okay.

We got everything, though. I got a full confession.

Great.

You can tell your story all over again at the station.

Get me out of this, please.

Ah, ah, thank you.

Here, get rid of these too.

Thank you.

Oh man, I'm never going to look

at zip ties the same way again.

Hey. Did he hurt you?

No no, I mean, being stuffed in the trunk of a car

wasn't exactly fun, but he's no k*ller.

You certain about that?

Fairly certain, yeah.

In that envelope there are all of her medical records

from before she died.

They'll shed some light on things.

We'll also know more when we examine the body.

Did he tell you where the body's buried?

Yeah.

Right out back.

Under the raspberry bush.

Well, you were right, Jane.

He was telling the truth.

The medical examiner found that

Hana died of complications from Lupus.

Such a traumatic story.

Yeah. What's going to happen to Dean Simpson?

Well, it's not ill*gal to bury a loved one

in your back yard in the state of Maryland.

But not reporting a death is a bit more murky.

Plus there's this little matter of kidnapping you

and throwing you in the trunk of a car.

Definitely frowned upon by police.

Even after all that, I still feel sorry for him.

Hana was so great.

I'm just glad I got to know her.

Thank you for helping her, Jane.

Of course.

It does sounds like this is all

going to take a little while

to get sorted out, though.

Yeah, it's a bit of a mess,

but I don't think he'll do prison time.

Well, it really seemed like true love.

And a true telltale heart.

By the way, guess who they got

to fill the shoes of Dean Simpson?

- Really?

- Yeah.

Congratulations, Anthony.

Thank you.

There's no chance I can get you to

take on a full time teaching job at Moseby is there?

Well, um...

You know, I think the Foundation needs me right now.

But I would love to come back

as a guest lecturer from time to time.

From time to time.

I'll take what I can get.

Oh.

I almost forgot.

When I was enlarging the crime scene photo

I made a mistake and I blew up the wrong car.

Take a look at the car next to Dean Simpson's.

It matches the description of the one

that was seen at my mom's accident.

Look at the license plate.

Oh...

Anthony! I, I, I...

Wow.

A mystery for another day.