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00:00There's nothing worse than a nightmare so intense
00:09that even after you're awake, you can't be sure it wasn't real.
00:16Good morning, boys.
00:18Mama loves you.
00:19Yes, I do.
00:30They say Fletcher's Grove is the kind of small town where time moves a little slower.
00:38Where everyone knows everyone else's business and people keep their doors unlocked.
00:43Because you never know when a friend might pop by for a visit.
00:47I haven't been here long enough to confirm or deny this.
00:50But as someone who strongly values their privacy...
00:54Well, let's just say I keep my door double-bolted.
01:00Large black coffee, order up.
01:04Thanks, Sue. You're a lifesaver.
01:06Hey!
01:06That one's actually mine. I ordered before you.
01:08I guess chivalry is dead.
01:10Not dead. Just on a case-by-case basis.
01:13I'm sure yours will be right up.
01:15That was the end of the pot.
01:17Grab a seat. I'll brew you another.
01:23There are days when I think to myself,
01:25who is this socially awkward, caffeine-obsessed cat lady?
01:30But most of the time, I see myself as your average, unassuming, small-town retail store owner
01:35who leads a perfectly ordinary life.
01:38Then again, a shop that worships at the Shrine of Christmas 365 days a year
01:43may be considered by some to be far from ordinary.
01:46In which case,
01:47I'm a rock star.
01:49Violet, crank it. I love this song.
01:52Emily, I'm begging you to let me pick a new playlist.
01:55Maybe with some songs from this century?
01:57And...
01:59That's a wrap. Here you go.
02:02It's perfect.
02:04And, yeah, I was thinking you could train me on cash.
02:06Not that I don't love stocking shelves,
02:08but I've been here almost three weeks.
02:09No, no, no. You're right. You're ready.
02:11We'll start next shift.
02:13Why not right now?
02:14I actually have to close the store early today.
02:15June's coming by to give Doyla's checkup.
02:18You know, I should actually bring something for her.
02:21June Hubble is not just the best veterinarian I know.
02:34She's also one of the few people here in town
02:36that I consider a true friend.
02:39Hey, us cat people have to stick together.
02:42Everything looks good.
02:43His incision is healed nicely,
02:45and I see his weight is up a bit.
02:47Oh, yeah. He's definitely got his appetite back,
02:49that's for sure.
02:50You've been a good patient, huh?
02:52Yeah.
02:54If anything changes, you call me right away.
02:57I don't care if I'm, uh, walking down the aisle.
03:01No.
03:03Marcus proposed.
03:04We're talking about a May wedding.
03:07Congratulations. I'm so happy for you both.
03:09It doesn't even feel real.
03:11Marrying my ex-husband, I mean, who does that?
03:14People who deserve a second chance.
03:17Oh, I have something for you, actually.
03:20Oh, you didn't have to do that.
03:27Are you kidding me?
03:28You save my sweetie, you get cookies for life.
03:30Oh, well, I'll save it for tonight.
03:32Marcus is taking me on a horse-drawn wagon ride
03:35at the Christmas tree farm.
03:36Sounds romantic.
03:37Sounds like we're going to freeze our butts off.
03:39All the more reason to snuggle up together.
03:41Oh, I like the way you think.
03:43Not too cold, are you?
03:52Not at all.
03:53It's beautiful here.
03:55Not as beautiful as you.
03:56Um, after the ride, I've got a bit of business
04:06to take care of here at the farm.
04:08What kind of business?
04:10It's nothing.
04:10It's just bank stuff.
04:12Marcus.
04:13Okay, you got me.
04:17The truth is, it's a surprise for you.
04:20And I promise you're going to love it.
04:23Trust me?
04:24Whoa-ho-ho, up there.
04:34Okie-doke, folks.
04:35That is the end of the line.
04:37Woo!
04:38Now we've got some hot chocolate
04:40waiting for you by the gift shop.
04:41And, oh, don't forget,
04:42Christmas trees are now available for pre-order.
04:45Rowan.
04:46Much a step.
04:50Lady.
04:54Here.
04:58It'll warm you up.
04:59Um, I'm going to handle that bit of business
05:02that we talked about first.
05:03But when I get back,
05:06I'm going to grab some dinner,
05:07and I'm starving.
05:09Here.
05:10Something sweet to tide you over.
05:14Be right back.
05:20Marcus.
05:24We need to talk.
05:26Not now, Gordon.
05:27I've done what I can for you.
05:28We're just going to have to be patient.
05:30Okay?
05:32All right.
05:32Bye.
05:49I need your help.
05:53Trying to place this special order
05:55for this lovely lady,
05:57and it's frozen.
05:58Why does technology hate me?
06:00This thing is ancient.
06:01Here, let me try rebooting.
06:17Let me guess.
06:18You're here to apologize
06:19for taking my coffee yesterday.
06:21Not quite.
06:22I'm actually here
06:23in an official capacity.
06:24Detective Sam Willner.
06:25Oh, um...
06:26What are you doing here?
06:27Checking up on me or something?
06:29I actually hear about a case.
06:30Could you give us a minute?
06:31You got it.
06:34Pilot's last name is Willner, too.
06:36She's my daughter.
06:37Right.
06:37You should have put that together sooner.
06:39I'm Emily Lane.
06:40It's nice to officially meet you.
06:42I wish you were under better circumstances.
06:44Are you familiar with a man
06:45named Marcus Donovan?
06:46Yeah.
06:46He's my friend June's fiance.
06:48Why do you ask?
06:49There was an incident
06:49at the Chalmers tree farm last night.
06:52Marcus is dead.
06:53I can't believe it.
07:06How did you say he died?
07:07I didn't.
07:08Yeah, but you're here investigating,
07:09so you must suspect foul play.
07:11Under the mistletoe.
07:13This came from your store, did it not?
07:14Uh, yeah.
07:15I don't know what it's doing
07:16in an evidence bag, though.
07:18This wrapper was found
07:19next to Marcus's body.
07:20The cookie was ingested
07:21just prior to his death.
07:23You're telling me
07:24that my cookie killed Marcus?
07:27I'm sorry.
07:28That was taken out of context.
07:29Our cookies are very safe.
07:30Come again.
07:31Did I hear you say someone died?
07:33It doesn't concern you.
07:34It does if there's a maniac
07:36loose on the streets.
07:37Do I look like
07:38Final Girl material to you?
07:40Violet?
07:41Whatever.
07:42I'll just get Emily
07:42to tell me after you leave.
07:45Sorry about that.
07:46Where was I?
07:47You were explaining
07:48that Marcus was poisoned
07:49by one of my cookies.
07:50Who said anything about poison?
07:51What other way is there
07:52for a cookie to kill a man?
07:54I can't discuss
07:54the details of the case.
07:55Is this your entire stock?
07:57No, I have a bunch more
07:58boxes in the back.
07:59Well, I'm going to have
08:00to take them with me
08:00if you're okay with that.
08:01And if I'm not?
08:03I'll come back with a warrant
08:04and take them anyway.
08:06Great.
08:07Yeah, I'll go get those
08:08packed up for you.
08:13That's all of them.
08:15Okay, thank you.
08:16I will, uh,
08:17get these back to you
08:18if I can.
08:18See you after your shift, bye.
08:20Later, Dad.
08:28Do you need some help
08:30with that?
08:31No, I got it.
08:32Yeah.
08:33Um,
08:34actually, yes.
08:37Doug?
08:39Okay.
08:39Thanks for your help,
08:44Miss Lane.
08:45It's just Emily.
08:45Okay, Emily.
08:48Bye, Sam.
08:59I suspect my perfectly
09:02ordinary life
09:03just got more complicated.
09:06But that's nothing
09:07compared to the loss
09:07my friend June
09:08must be feeling.
09:09There was a time
09:18I would have been curious
09:19about a man
09:20leaving the home
09:20of a dead man's fiancée.
09:23But today,
09:23I'm just here
09:24to comfort a friend.
09:29It's a veggie casserole
09:30from Sue's.
09:31She sends her condolences.
09:33Those are nice.
09:38They are from his
09:38co-workers at the bank.
09:40Marcus' supervisor,
09:41Trent,
09:41delivered them.
09:43They were close.
09:43I saw him on his way out.
09:45I thought I recognized him.
09:47I have an account
09:48at that branch.
09:49I didn't know
09:49what to say to him.
09:51I just still can't believe
09:52that Marcus is just gone.
09:53I know.
09:54It's just
09:55so unfair.
10:02At the farm,
10:03you didn't notice anything
10:05or anyone unusual?
10:06No.
10:07After the wagon ride,
10:08Marcus said he had
10:09something to take care of
10:10and that he'd be right back.
10:12When he didn't return,
10:13we searched the grounds
10:14and...
10:15I'm sorry.
10:20No, no, no.
10:21Don't be.
10:22This is...
10:22impossible.
10:25I should have asked
10:25more questions.
10:27Especially after...
10:30After what?
10:33Marcus and I
10:34were apart for three years.
10:36We both dated
10:37other people in that time.
10:39But Marcus was seeing
10:41someone until
10:42right before
10:43we rekindled things.
10:45Lizzie Klein.
10:47What is she even
10:48doing here anyways?
10:51No clue.
10:52It's a coincidence,
10:53really.
10:54I mean,
10:55really hot.
10:56I know it's not your fault,
10:57but...
10:58Listen to me.
10:59If there's one thing
11:00I learned during our time apart,
11:02it's that I don't want
11:03to be with anyone else.
11:05I love you,
11:05who are you.
11:08So,
11:09he brought his
11:10ex-girlfriend along
11:12for the wagon ride?
11:13No,
11:13no,
11:14it wasn't like that at all.
11:15They didn't even
11:16talk to each other.
11:21Let me make you
11:21some tea.
11:22Don't you dare you.
11:23Go sit down.
11:24I got it.
11:25Oh,
11:30Sue,
11:30that was delicious.
11:31So glad you liked it.
11:33I'll,
11:33um,
11:33bring you both some pie.
11:34Not for me,
11:35thanks.
11:35I'm stuffed.
11:36Same here.
11:37I got way too many
11:38blueberries
11:39and no room
11:39in my freezer.
11:41Pie is happening.
11:41Deal with it.
11:43Yes,
11:44we're having pie.
11:45Oh,
11:45hey,
11:45before I forget,
11:46tickets for the
11:47Festival of Lights
11:47go on sale this week.
11:48Do you have a preference
11:49for what night
11:49you want to go?
11:50Oh,
11:51we don't have to do that
11:52this year
11:53if you're too busy.
11:54What are you talking about?
11:55It's a family tradition.
11:57Yeah,
11:57but the light show
11:58is always more mom's thing.
12:00What is it you say
12:01every year?
12:02I'd hate to get
12:02that electric bill.
12:05Do I really sound like that?
12:06Oh,
12:06yeah,
12:06I nailed it.
12:08Hey,
12:08I know things are
12:09different this year,
12:10but just because
12:11it's only the two of us,
12:12it doesn't mean
12:12we can't do all the
12:13fun holiday stuff
12:15we usually do,
12:16right?
12:18Absolutely.
12:20Hi,
12:26boys.
12:29Mama missed you.
12:33Everyone knows
12:34that when someone
12:34has killed,
12:35the first person
12:36the investigation
12:36will focus on
12:37is the significant other,
12:38which means June
12:40is likely at the top
12:41of Sam's suspect list.
12:44But after spending
12:45time with her,
12:45really getting to know her,
12:47I have to say,
12:48that just doesn't
12:49sit well with me.
12:49Which is why
12:52I can't help
12:53but feel obligated
12:54to temporarily
12:55fall back
12:56on some old habits.
13:08Hello,
13:09Lizzie Klein.
13:10As I dug into
13:18Lizzie Klein's past,
13:19I admit I made
13:20some assumptions
13:21about her character.
13:23Most of them
13:24revolved around
13:24a jilted lover
13:25blind with envy.
13:28This is why
13:29we shouldn't assume.
13:32Good morning.
13:33Hi there.
13:34Can I help you?
13:35Yeah, I hope so.
13:36I have a friend
13:37who's moving
13:37into the area.
13:38I'm just scouting out
13:39child care options.
13:40You don't have
13:41any spots available,
13:42do you?
13:42We absolutely do.
13:44I'm Lizzie.
13:45I'm Emily.
13:46I own Under the Mistletoe?
13:48Of course.
13:48The Christmas store
13:49I popped in
13:50when you first opened.
13:51Oh.
13:52You said you're here
13:53for a friend?
13:54Yeah, yeah, yeah.
13:54She just got a job
13:55at the bank
13:55right down the street
13:56from my shop.
13:56Oh.
13:59I used to date
14:01someone who works there.
14:03I just learned
14:03he passed away.
14:04Oh, I'm so sorry.
14:08Wait, was his name Marcus?
14:10Yes, exactly.
14:12We dated for a year
14:13but we broke up
14:14a few months ago.
14:15Must have been hard.
14:16I think it was inevitable.
14:18We wanted different things.
14:20Oh, you're expecting.
14:21Oops.
14:23It's getting harder to hide.
14:24I shouldn't pry.
14:25No, not at all.
14:27It's nice to open up
14:28to someone.
14:29I met someone new
14:30and, well,
14:31things happen.
14:33Wait, so did Marcus
14:34know about this?
14:35What am I doing?
14:36I'm such a busybody.
14:38I'm sorry.
14:38It's okay.
14:39That's what I meant
14:40when I said
14:41we wanted different things.
14:42So you just went
14:43your own ways.
14:44Exactly.
14:45Yeah.
14:45Although I saw him
14:46at the tree farm
14:47the other night
14:47and his new lady
14:49kept giving me
14:50the evil eye.
14:51Not that I can blame her.
14:52You were there
14:53with your new boyfriend?
14:54Um,
14:55just me.
14:57I'm considering
14:58taking the kids there
15:00and I wanted to go
15:01myself first
15:02to make sure
15:03it was safe.
15:05Listen to me
15:06going on about myself.
15:07You want to know
15:08about the daycare?
15:09I can already tell
15:10they're in excellent hands.
15:12My friend will be in touch.
15:14I don't love lying
15:15to people
15:15to get them talking
15:16but when it comes
15:17to her reason
15:18for being on that wagon ride,
15:20Lizzie is also
15:21playing fast and loose
15:22with the truth.
15:23Good morning.
15:40Oh, help you
15:41with something?
15:41Yeah, I was hoping
15:43to sign up
15:43for one of the wagon rides.
15:45I tried to do it online
15:46but I couldn't figure out
15:47how to...
15:47I got them all 60 years
15:48without using the computer,
15:49young lady.
15:50Ain't about to start now.
15:52As for the wagon ride,
15:53sorry,
15:54we're booked up solid
15:55through Christmas.
15:56Oh.
15:57I see.
15:58I'd heard that there was
15:58a death on the property.
16:00I thought maybe
16:00that would hurt business.
16:01Just wanted to show my support.
16:04Well, that's kind of you.
16:05Yeah, we did have
16:06a few cancellations
16:07but those slots
16:08filled up pretty quickly.
16:09Families around here
16:10have been coming forever.
16:11I guess those folks
16:12understand that
16:13tragedy can strike anywhere.
16:14That's very true.
16:16I'm sorry.
16:16Um, are you okay?
16:19I, uh, lost my footing
16:21coming down off the wagon.
16:24Anyway, you still want
16:25your name on the wait list.
16:26My daughter Anna
16:27can set you up
16:27in the gift shop.
16:29Great, appreciate it.
16:30I kind of feel bad
16:32for the guy.
16:34I know a blistering hangover
16:36when I see one.
16:57Wilner.
17:00Yeah, came in just now.
17:02Okay, thanks for the heads up.
17:07Pento Barbato?
17:09Oh.
17:30This is a boot scuff.
17:42I think Marcus climbed this tree.
17:45Which means he was likely
17:47either hiding from someone
17:48or spying on someone.
17:50Where did you come from?
18:12There's a shortcut through here.
18:14It leads up to the gas station.
18:15Huh?
18:16They sell sandwiches.
18:17Oh, good to know.
18:17So I think I took a wrong turn
18:20on the way to the gift shop.
18:21Do you work here?
18:22Going on ten years.
18:24Do you know what
18:24that ribbon's for?
18:25Yeah.
18:26They're so customers
18:27can handpick
18:27their own Christmas trees.
18:29They put a ribbon around it
18:30with their contact info
18:30and we, uh,
18:31hack it and pack it for them.
18:33Although I don't know
18:34why that's there.
18:35These trees aren't for sale.
18:36No.
18:37Yeah, come on.
18:38I'll walk you to the gift shop.
18:39Great, thanks.
18:40You must be Anna?
18:54Your dad told me
18:54to come find you.
18:56Poor guy looked like
18:57he was set to collapse.
18:58Yeah, he runs himself ragged
18:59trying to keep this place together.
19:01That's nice you can be here to help.
19:03Not as much as I'm needed.
19:05I'm away at college
19:05most of the week.
19:06Oh, what's your major?
19:07Agriculture.
19:08My hope is to make
19:10the farm more efficient.
19:11Of course,
19:12dad doesn't exactly
19:12embrace change.
19:14I suggested we go green
19:15and he said the trees
19:15are green enough.
19:16That's a pretty good line.
19:18Sure.
19:18First time I hear it.
19:20So, how can I help you?
19:21Uh, there was talk
19:22of a wait list?
19:23Ah.
19:23Yes, let me just check
19:25our big red computer here.
19:27Did you have a date in mind?
19:30Uh, you mind if I just
19:31take a look?
19:32Have at her.
19:32Great.
19:35What I'm actually after here
19:37is a comprehensive list
19:38of names of everyone
19:39who rode on that wagon
19:40with Marcus the night he died.
19:43Which is kind of hard
19:44to get with an audience.
19:46Oh, my gosh.
19:47I love this.
19:50Make a great gift
19:51from my riding club.
19:52Do you have more of these?
19:53Let me check the back.
19:53Bantam.
20:04Oh, great.
20:05Is that enough for you?
20:08Yeah, that'll do it.
20:10Wait.
20:13Emily.
20:13Emily.
20:15What brings you out here?
20:16Uh, just picking out my tree.
20:20The big one in your shop's not enough?
20:21You can never have
20:22too many Christmas trees.
20:24Unless you have more than five,
20:25then that's too many.
20:26Huh.
20:28Uh, I hear this place
20:30is pretty popular.
20:30You ever done the wagon rides?
20:32Only every year.
20:33Until recently.
20:34But even after my wife
20:35and I split up,
20:36we'd still all come as a family.
20:38I see you could still
20:38do that together?
20:39Yeah, we somehow managed
20:41to stay on good terms.
20:42Of course, the last few times
20:43we came, Violet barely looked up
20:44from her phone.
20:45Oh, well, the age when nature
20:47doesn't hold a candle
20:47to social media.
20:48Exactly.
20:52Well, I should...
20:53Yep, I gotta...
20:54Also, okay.
20:55Okay.
20:55Joey Vaughn, why can't I find you?
21:16What you working on over there, Em?
21:19Doing a search of all the names
21:20of the people
21:20who were on the wagon
21:21with Marcus the Nighty Diet?
21:23Just looking at cute cat videos.
21:25Please tell me
21:26this isn't what my 30s
21:27are gonna look like.
21:33Hey.
21:34Emily.
21:34Are you busy?
21:38Emily.
21:39Oh, hi.
21:40Regular order?
21:41Yes, but I will take it
21:42to stay this time.
21:43Oh.
21:45Broke-out friends.
21:46They take up a big booth
21:48for two hours
21:49and I only order water.
21:51And then they wonder
21:51why I have to raise my prices.
21:55Emily!
21:56Broke Carmichael.
21:58Come say hi!
21:59The neighborhood alpha retailer.
22:02I'm pretty sure she despises me,
22:04but that hasn't stopped her
22:05from trying to recruit me
22:06into her book club
22:07slash gossip circle.
22:09Broke.
22:10Ladies.
22:10You know, one of these days
22:11you are gonna accept my invite
22:13and join us, Emily.
22:14We have a real steamy one
22:15Miss Mom, don't we, girls?
22:16Well, I do appreciate
22:18a good bodice buster,
22:19but lately I've been on
22:20more of a mystery kick.
22:22You know, something
22:23with the body count.
22:25Well, we are open
22:26to all genres.
22:28Maybe we will let you
22:29pick January's title.
22:31I'll have to think about that.
22:33Have a good one.
22:36Hey, Emily.
22:37Oh, hi, June.
22:40I couldn't stay there
22:42while the police
22:42tore my place apart.
22:43Of course.
22:44Anything you need.
22:45Who were they even
22:46looking for?
22:47I don't know.
22:48They just said it was
22:49part of a routine
22:50police investigation.
22:52There's nothing routine
22:53about tearing
22:54someone's life apart.
22:55But if it helps them
22:57figure out what
22:57happened to Marcus,
22:59it'll be worth it.
23:02I miss him
23:03so much already.
23:06I always loved him,
23:08even in our time apart.
23:10June, you need to come
23:16with us.
23:17Sam, not my...
23:17Miss Lane, you have
23:19to let me do my job.
23:21It's okay, Emily.
23:23I'll be fine.
23:24June Hubble, you are
23:25under arrest for the murder
23:26of Marcus Donovan.
23:28You have the right
23:29to remain silent.
23:30Anything you say can
23:31and will be used against you
23:32in the court of law.
23:33He's in my...
23:34Just...
23:34Emily, how can I help you?
23:48I would like to discuss
23:48what happened at the diner.
23:50You mean with June?
23:51I mean with your
23:52very public arrest
23:53of an innocent woman.
23:55Yes.
23:56Have a seat.
23:57You want some coffee?
23:58No, I don't want coffee.
23:59I want answers.
24:01Why are you so convinced
24:02she's innocent?
24:03You said it yourself
24:04you only met her
24:04a short time ago.
24:05For starters,
24:05I am a very good
24:06judge of character.
24:07I don't doubt that.
24:08What else?
24:11Okay, during my first week here,
24:13one of my cats
24:14had a medical emergency.
24:15I thought I wouldn't be able
24:16to get him in to see anyone
24:18till the next morning,
24:18but somehow I managed
24:19to get a hold of June at home
24:21and she insisted
24:21that we come over right away.
24:23Turns out it was
24:24a ruptured ulcer.
24:25Doyle wouldn't have made it
24:26through the night
24:26if June hadn't acted
24:27so quickly.
24:28She'd put his life
24:29over her own needs.
24:31That is who June Hubble is.
24:33I'm glad your cat
24:34pulled through.
24:35That is your only takeaway?
24:36June's arrest was justified.
24:39Okay.
24:42You pretty much told me
24:43that the cookie is poisoned.
24:44So, what?
24:45You've got eyewitnesses
24:47at the farm
24:47who saw June
24:48give Marcus the cookie?
24:49I can't answer that.
24:50You were searching her home.
24:51What were you looking for?
24:52It doesn't concern you.
24:53You were looking
24:53for the poison, right?
24:57And since you arrested
24:58her immediately after,
24:59you must have found it.
24:59So, what kind of poison was it?
25:00Are you seriously
25:01asking me that?
25:02I'm guessing it's not
25:02one of the biggies,
25:03like arsenic or strychnine.
25:05She wouldn't have
25:05that lying around.
25:06But, A, maybe something
25:07a little more related
25:08to her job,
25:09like, um, like, like,
25:10like the drug used
25:11to euthanize animals.
25:13What is that called again?
25:13It's Pento something.
25:14You're wasting your time.
25:15Pento, Pento Barbital.
25:17Right?
25:18I can't confirm that.
25:19Oh, but your face just did.
25:21You know what?
25:21I have to get back to work,
25:22but thank you
25:22for coming by, Emily.
25:24You got the wrong person,
25:26Detective Wilner.
25:29I understand that Sam
25:30has to follow
25:31departmental procedure,
25:32but I've never been one
25:34to sit back
25:34and hope for a good outcome.
25:36Not when I can roll up my sleeves
25:37and get the job done myself.
25:39And in my experience,
25:41the best way
25:41to get into the mind
25:42of a criminal
25:43is to consult one.
25:45Every charming little town
25:47has a dark underbelly
25:48if you know what to look for.
25:49It's not the kind of thing
25:50that's usually advertised
25:51with a big sign.
25:53But lucky for me,
25:55there are exceptions
25:57to that rule.
25:59That is real mahogany
26:00and you picked
26:01my pocket on the price.
26:03Okay, now you don't tell anybody
26:04you caught me
26:05in a moment of weakness, okay?
26:06Hi, Ray.
26:07Emily!
26:08Think so comfortable?
26:09Now,
26:12if you hear about
26:14that special order
26:15he placed last month,
26:16it hasn't arrived yet.
26:17In fact,
26:17it was rather tough to source.
26:20But I'll give you
26:21a good discount
26:22if you finally tell me
26:23how you found out
26:24about my little side business.
26:26Game recognizes game.
26:28I love that answer.
26:29It doesn't tell me anything,
26:30but I love it.
26:32I need some information, Ray.
26:35Sure.
26:36Usual terms, of course.
26:37Yeah, just to add it
26:38to my account.
26:39Do you know anyone local
26:40named Joey Vaughn?
26:42I've known a couple of Vaughns,
26:43but Joey?
26:43I don't think so.
26:44Why?
26:44You heard about Marcus Donovan?
26:45Oh, poor guy.
26:47Yeah, I knew him a little.
26:48Was he into anything shady?
26:50Well, as far as I know.
26:51I have heard
26:52that some drunk
26:53was mouthing off about him
26:54at an underground poker game
26:55recently, though.
26:56You know Gordon Chalmers?
26:58Uh, the guy
26:58that owns
26:59the Christmas tree farm, right?
27:00Yeah, that's him.
27:01Apparently Marcus
27:02turned him down
27:02for a bank loan.
27:04Yeah, his daughter mentioned
27:06that the farm
27:06was struggling financially.
27:08That is the least
27:08of his worries.
27:09I mean, that guy
27:09is up to his neck
27:11in gambling debts
27:12to dangerous people.
27:13So Marcus turns
27:13Gordon down for a loan,
27:15and days later,
27:16he's found poisoned
27:17on Gordon's property.
27:18Mm-hmm.
27:20I don't suppose you'd consider
27:21sharing this with the police.
27:22Well, don't even joke about it.
27:23I mean, you know how fast
27:24my sources would dry up?
27:25Don't worry, Ray.
27:26Your secret's safe with me.
27:28Oh, glad to hear you say that,
27:29because taking care of each other,
27:31that's how people like us survive.
27:33See you around.
27:36Joey Vaughn.
27:39I'm not surprised
27:40to hear about the drinking.
27:41It's the gambling
27:42I find more troubling.
27:43Who did you say told you this?
27:45Uh, no one in particular.
27:46Just overheard a conversation
27:47at the diner.
27:49Right.
27:50Well, I appreciate you
27:51bringing it to my attention.
27:52You gotta admit,
27:53this does make Gordon
27:55a credible suspect.
27:56Why?
27:57Because he was turned down
27:57for a loan?
27:58I mean,
27:59it's not exactly
28:01a smoking gun,
28:02but you'll look into it, right?
28:03Was there anything else?
28:05Yes, actually.
28:07I would like to come
28:09and visit June, tonight.
28:11Uh, that's not a good idea.
28:13I mean, I could always
28:13go through her lawyer,
28:14if you prefer.
28:16Or you could just be
28:17a nice guy and help me out.
28:19I will see what I can do.
28:21See?
28:22I told you I was
28:23an excellent judge of character.
28:28It doesn't matter
28:30what happens to me.
28:32I don't even care anymore.
28:33That's just your grief,
28:34talking.
28:35I promise this will
28:36all be behind you
28:37so soon.
28:41I was wondering,
28:43how well did Marcus
28:44know Gordon Chalmers?
28:46They had a bank relationship.
28:49There was an argument
28:50over a bank loan,
28:51but Marcus cleared the air
28:52pretty quickly.
28:53They were thick as thieves
28:54after that.
28:56What's this about, Emily?
28:58I'm just trying
28:58to understand Marcus better.
29:01He was a complicated guy
29:03behind that smile.
29:05All I know is that
29:06I saw a real change in him.
29:08He was less interested in work,
29:10and I became the main focus
29:12of his attention.
29:15That's what won me back.
29:18And then someone
29:19took him away from me.
29:20There are certain muscles
29:31I haven't stretched
29:32for a while,
29:33but I'm hopeful
29:34that I haven't completely
29:35lost my touch
29:36in the time
29:36that I've been here.
29:45Still got it.
29:47Despite getting back together,
29:49Marcus and June
29:49still have separate homes.
29:51And what better way
29:52to learn more about Marcus' death
29:53than to see how he lived?
30:01I can tell the police
30:02have been through here already,
30:04probably for the same reason
30:05I'm here now,
30:05to learn more about Marcus.
30:12Interesting bedtime reading.
30:13I've seen a lot of things
30:22used as bookmarks
30:23in my day,
30:23but this is a new one.
30:32Strange.
30:33I haven't seen any other toys
30:35in the house.
30:36People who display collectibles
30:37typically don't stop at one.
30:39unless it has a more
30:42practical application.
30:49Well, hello.
30:54Brantix already did a sweep,
30:55but I want to go through
30:56every inch of this place again,
30:57so why don't you take
30:58the front here
30:59and I'll start at the back.
31:00Come on.
31:05get some simple things to catch.
31:07How do we get to catch?
31:08Bye.
31:09Do you?
31:09I don't know?
31:10Hi.
31:19Go get some silly.
31:20What the fuck?
31:22Oh!
31:52That was way too close for comfort.
32:04Okay, let's see what we've got.
32:13Oh boy, gonna be a long night.
32:18Marcus was even more organized than I imagined.
32:21I could learn something from him.
32:24He kept a digital copy of every bank form,
32:27loan application, and lunch order
32:28that ever crossed his desk.
32:51Wait a second.
32:59No freaking way.
33:02What are you up to, Marcus?
33:04You really clean every decoration on this tree once a month?
33:10Of course.
33:11Christmas is all about the sparkle.
33:14Dust is the enemy of sparkle.
33:16So it's not just a gimmick.
33:18You're really cuckoo for Christmas, huh?
33:20You better believe it.
33:22What about you?
33:23Oh, sure.
33:25It's the one time a year when my mom and dad
33:27would spend time together after their divorce.
33:29They'd go out of their way to do all these holiday activities with me.
33:32It was pretty special.
33:34You don't do it anymore?
33:35My mom took a new job in the city last spring.
33:38This is our first holiday apart.
33:41Sorry.
33:41It's not that bad.
33:43I'm going to go spend a few days with her.
33:45But my dad's being a little weird about it.
33:47It's like he thinks he needs to personally make up for the fact she's not here.
33:52What about you?
33:53What kind of family stuff did you do at Christmas?
33:56Yeah.
33:57My family situation was a little different.
34:02I sense you don't want to talk about it.
34:04That's cool.
34:05We can change the subject.
34:07What are you up to after work?
34:08Oh, big plans.
34:09Got to get to the bank before it closes.
34:11I got some business to take care of.
34:13You lead a very exciting life, huh?
34:16I wasn't totally honest with Violet.
34:18While I do have business here,
34:20it's not with the bank so much as a specific banker.
34:24Trent Hadley, Marcus' friend and boss.
34:27My hope is that Trent is the kind of guy Marcus would confide in,
34:31including any secrets he may have been keeping from June.
34:34Well, as far as a loan goes,
34:35I don't see any issues from the bank's perspective.
34:38When were you thinking of starting your store renovation?
34:40I was hoping early in the new year.
34:42I'd been talking to Marcus about it before he passed.
34:48Just to clarify, you are his direct supervisor, right?
34:52Correct.
34:53Although I never really got used to that.
34:55Really?
34:55Why is that?
34:56He and I came up through the ranks together.
34:58It's only recently I was promoted ahead of him.
35:00I'm still processing.
35:04I'm so sorry.
35:06You were close?
35:06Not always.
35:07In the early days, when we were both young and hungry,
35:10we were basically rivals.
35:12But at some point, competition turned to friendship.
35:16I owe him.
35:17Big time.
35:18For what?
35:19Marcus was offered this promotion first.
35:22When he turned it down, he opened the door for me.
35:24I can't imagine it was an easy decision to turn down a promotion.
35:29It wasn't just the promotion.
35:30It was his whole career.
35:31He actually gave his notice.
35:33He had something else lined up?
35:34Yeah.
35:35His marriage.
35:36He said he wanted to devote all his attention towards June.
35:40He didn't want to make the same mistakes.
35:41That's really sweet.
35:43Sounds like he had some big plans.
35:46Big expensive plans.
35:48Like I told the police when I asked, I love the guy,
35:50but he was making some strange decisions.
35:52Like withdrawing the bulk of his savings in cash.
35:55You know how much interest he lost doing that?
35:57Sorry, let's get back to you.
36:01So are you a baseball fan?
36:03Oh, yeah.
36:03Yeah.
36:04Collecting memorabilia is kind of a hobby.
36:07Some of them are even signed.
36:08Check it out.
36:09Arky Vaughn, when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 42.
36:12Arky.
36:14That's an interesting name.
36:15No nickname.
36:15His real name is Joseph.
36:17Joseph.
36:19Joey Vaughn.
36:20Exactly.
36:21One of the top shortstops of his era.
36:24So, let's talk numbers.
36:27I came here for answers, but I'm left with a new question.
36:31Why would Trent leave a fake name in the reservation log at the tree farm?
36:36There's really only two answers.
36:38He wanted to stay anonymous, or he was trying to cover his tracks.
36:44Yeah, yeah.
36:44I'll see you guys later.
36:45See you later.
36:46Yeah.
36:47Well played, Universe.
36:53I did not see that coming.
36:55I'm still processing the fact that Marcus's friend Trent is Lizzie's baby daddy.
37:04I wonder if Marcus had any idea.
37:06But before I go down that particular rabbit hole, there's still the question of the contract I found on Marcus's thumb drive.
37:13They seem nice.
37:27Hello?
37:28Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
37:29Not so loud.
37:30You're making Shadow nervous.
37:31Sorry.
37:32She lashes out when she gets scared.
37:33It's a good way to get hurt.
37:34Sorry.
37:35I just saw the hired muscle racing out of here.
37:43I thought maybe I thought maybe you had some trouble.
37:44I don't know what you mean.
37:45I haven't talked to anybody.
37:47Mind that wood.
37:48It's rotting.
37:49Full places on its last legs.
37:51I had a farmhand almost come through the floor of the loft last year.
37:55I had to stop using it.
37:58Anyway, what was it you needed exactly?
38:00Right.
38:01No, I wanted to show you something.
38:03Do you recognize this?
38:06Where did you get this?
38:10I just found it in some of Marcus's belongings when I was helping June pack up.
38:14It looks genuine.
38:15You know, I don't want to trouble you with it.
38:17I could just show it to Anna.
38:19I'm sure she could...
38:20Yeah, yeah.
38:21No, no.
38:22I don't want to upset her.
38:23Anyway, it doesn't matter.
38:24The contract was never signed.
38:26So the deal died with Marcus?
38:28Before that even.
38:29Marcus pumped the brakes on the deal himself.
38:32Thought he needed a little more time.
38:34I'm sure he had his reasons.
38:36Wedding expenses maybe?
38:37Well, whatever it was, paper's worthless now.
38:41So you're keeping the farm then?
38:43I was gonna ask June Hubble if she'd honor the deal.
38:46She'd come by here the other day when I was...
38:49under the weather.
38:56Anyway, I think she's got more important things to worry about now.
38:59Okay.
39:00I still can't believe June would do something like that.
39:03Well, I guess you never really do know what's going through people's minds, do you?
39:08By the way, this is not what you think.
39:11I lost this a couple of days ago.
39:13Found it in the straw while I was mucking out the stalls.
39:16Must have put it down and forgot about it.
39:19Hmm.
39:20Happens.
39:21Yeah, well, more and more it seems.
39:24Getting old sucks, kid.
39:27I don't recommend it.
39:29Take care of yourself, Gordon.
39:31Yeah, you, uh, you too.
39:38Rowan, you know we don't wanna do this, okay?
39:40It's just the farm is struggling right now.
39:42Ridiculous.
39:43Rowan.
39:47Everything okay?
39:48Just some frustration bubbling over.
39:50I asked my dad to cut back the hours of some of our senior employees.
39:53I guess Rowan didn't take it so well.
39:55I don't blame him.
39:56He's been here a long time.
39:57He deserves better.
40:03Oh.
40:04That's strange.
40:06Dad would never let Shadow out of the stalls unattended.
40:09Shadow's loose.
40:10Somebody get her.
40:11Let's go.
40:12Oh, no.
40:13Dad!
40:14Is he breathing?
40:15He's breathing.
40:16Okay.
40:17Yeah.
40:18I need an ambulance at the Chalmers tree farm right away.
40:22Dad, wake up.
40:23We just found him.
40:24He's unconscious.
40:25He's still breathing.
40:26Please wake up, Dad.
40:27Please wake up.
40:28Come on, Dad.
40:29Wake up.
40:30Detective Wilner, an emergency call just came in from the Christmas tree farm.
40:35It sounds like Gordon Chalmers has been poisoned.
40:37What?
40:38Who called it in?
40:39Someone named Emily.
40:41Yeah.
40:42Yeah, yeah, yeah.
40:43I can hear them now.
40:44Okay.
40:45Okay.
40:46All right.
40:47They're almost here.
40:48Yeah.
40:49There's nothing worse than a nightmare so intense that even after you're awake, you can't be sure it wasn't real.
41:06No.
41:07Uh-Oh, no.
41:08No, no, no, no.
41:09No, no.
41:10No, no, no.
41:11Not mom.
41:12What.
41:13Whatever you're taking, provide you to all I've tried to do this to only be.
41:15No, no, no, no, no.
41:16Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah.
41:17What.
41:19Why is it going to do so?
41:20Now, what is it going to be?
41:21What's it going to be?
41:22Oh, no.
41:23I'm sorry.
41:24We'll win.
41:25Yeah, yeah, yeah.
41:26You know, you know.
41:27No, I'm sorry.
41:28Oh, no, yeah, yeah.
41:29No, no, no.
41:30No, I'm sorry.
41:31No, I'm sorry.
41:32No, no.
41:33No, no, no.
41:34No, no, no, no.
41:36Transcription by CastingWords
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