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Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Challenge (2019) is an engaging mystery drama that follows a clever detective as she uses her sharp mind to solve puzzling situations in her community. When an unusual case arises, she works with friends and colleagues to uncover clues, think critically, and piece together the truth.
Featuring smart problem-solving and character-driven storytelling, Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Challenge (2019) emphasizes teamwork, clever thinking, and curiosity. Its suspenseful yet family-friendly approach makes it suitable for viewers of all ages.
Perfect for fans of mysteries, puzzle-solving stories, and character-focused dramas, this film delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking viewing experience.
Featuring smart problem-solving and character-driven storytelling, Crossword Mysteries: Proposing Challenge (2019) emphasizes teamwork, clever thinking, and curiosity. Its suspenseful yet family-friendly approach makes it suitable for viewers of all ages.
Perfect for fans of mysteries, puzzle-solving stories, and character-focused dramas, this film delivers an entertaining and thought-provoking viewing experience.
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00:00:00Music
00:00:09Music
00:00:24Music
00:00:59Honey, you're early. Hold on a sec.
00:01:02Sorry I was late.
00:01:30I left my lunch on the train platform and when I went back to get it, well, I ended up on Express to Flatbush.
00:01:35Don't worry. Sorry, I'll order you lunch.
00:01:37I owe you. Your cousin Elliot's starting his internship today.
00:01:40Thanks for giving him a shot. Maybe now he'll move off my couch.
00:01:43You know the internship only pays a small stipend, right?
00:01:46Sure, but maybe I'll buy a futon.
00:01:48Oh, hey.
00:01:51Lieutenant.
00:01:53Tess. Hi.
00:01:55Hi.
00:01:57It's been a long time.
00:01:58Two months.
00:01:59Yeah. Yeah.
00:02:00You know, I was going to call you.
00:02:01I was going to also, I was going to call.
00:02:06How are you?
00:02:07Good.
00:02:08Good.
00:02:08Yeah, really, really good.
00:02:11Oh, are congratulations in order?
00:02:13Observant as always and wrong.
00:02:15No, I've been running around town running errands for my sister's wedding.
00:02:18Oh, good. Good. I mean, good for her. That's awesome.
00:02:22Yeah. Oh, speaking of my sister, Tess Harper, this is my sister, Angela.
00:02:27You're Tess?
00:02:29Yes. Hi, nice to meet you.
00:02:30Oh, the pleasure is all mine. Logan has told me so much about you.
00:02:33But he didn't mention how pretty you were.
00:02:38Really?
00:02:38Thanks.
00:02:39Cheers.
00:02:40Don't mind her. She doesn't get out much.
00:02:43Okay.
00:02:44I love his document.
00:02:45So what brings you two down to the paper today?
00:02:47A favor, actually. You see, Angela's getting married next week.
00:02:50Congratulations. Oh, I love weddings. There's the dancing and the dresses.
00:02:54Drama and the expense. They're fantastic.
00:02:56Ignore my big brother.
00:02:58So we already sent in our announcement to the Sentinel,
00:03:01but getting a photo in along with it, well, that's a bit harder to pull off, so...
00:03:05So, Angela and I were wondering if you could help.
00:03:10Well, I mean, I can't make any promises,
00:03:12but I'm certainly happy to put in a word with our wedding page editor.
00:03:14Oh, thank you.
00:03:15Um, I brought along a photo option.
00:03:17Oh, good. You know what? Let's go to my desk.
00:03:24Oh, sorry. I just got to put out a couple wedding fires.
00:03:29Gardens, bridesmaids, what's next?
00:03:32You know, these traditions are important.
00:03:34Really?
00:03:34Do you know why the groom always stands to the bride's right?
00:03:36Not a clue.
00:03:37Because in the old days, he needed his right hand free to fend off backstabbers.
00:03:42Well, I'm glad those days were over. I'd never be off duty.
00:03:44Well, I am off on more errands.
00:03:46Yeah, I should probably head back to the precinct myself.
00:03:49It was so nice to meet you, Tess. Thank you for your help.
00:03:51Oh, of course. My pleasure. And congratulations.
00:03:56Sure. Of course. It's good to see you.
00:04:01Good to see you.
00:04:03She's cute.
00:04:03Oh, stop it. Come on.
00:04:08Tess.
00:04:09Meet my cousin Elliot.
00:04:11Oh, hi. So nice to meet you. So happy to have you on the team.
00:04:14I'm a really big fan of your puzzle. So how can I help around here?
00:04:17The fun part about this internship is one minute you're researching igloos, the next medieval combat.
00:04:23Well, I'm a history major, so all that sounds like a blast.
00:04:25Great. I just have to finish this puzzle and then we'll have a meeting.
00:04:28Actually, actually, you guys might be able to help.
00:04:31I am looking for a romantic nine-letter word.
00:04:34Second letter H.
00:04:38Christmas.
00:04:40Turns out it's the most popular holiday for wedding proposals.
00:04:44Perfect.
00:04:45Thanks.
00:04:47Christmas.
00:04:49Let me show you to your desk.
00:04:51Hello?
00:04:53Oh, hi. Yes. Please tell Professor Clark I will be there in a minute.
00:05:00Lyle, it has been too long.
00:05:03I think the last time I saw you was that exhibit at the mathematics museum.
00:05:06I know.
00:05:07But at least I get to see you each morning when I open up my newspaper.
00:05:11Speaking of which, I just finished today's puzzle.
00:05:14Same old Lyle.
00:05:15Anything Within Reach is a bookmark.
00:05:19Unraveling the Beale Papers.
00:05:21Sounds interesting.
00:05:22Oh, it's just a book I started.
00:05:24So, catch me up.
00:05:26I feel like I haven't spoken to you in forever.
00:05:28Well, you're looking at a tenured professor of history.
00:05:32Are you serious?
00:05:33That is so exciting.
00:05:35Congratulations.
00:05:37So, what are you working on?
00:05:38Are you studying World War II ciphers or Navajo code talkers?
00:05:42Oh, nothing much, really.
00:05:43Nothing much?
00:05:44I just haven't had much time lately for new research.
00:05:47I've got a heavy teaching load at the university.
00:05:49And I've been seeing a really special woman.
00:05:53And, well, she's the one.
00:05:56That's great.
00:05:58Abby and I have been going out for about a year.
00:06:00And we have lots in common.
00:06:05She's got me exercising.
00:06:07Thanks to her, I'm vegan now.
00:06:09She's really great.
00:06:10She's beautiful.
00:06:12And you brought us together.
00:06:14Wait, I did?
00:06:15Last year, I was at a cafe doing your crossword.
00:06:18And I saw a woman doing the same crossword at the next table.
00:06:21Next thing you know, we're trading hints.
00:06:24And by 42 down, we had a date set up the next day.
00:06:27Tell me about her.
00:06:28I want to hear more.
00:06:29Abby's a chef.
00:06:31And she just started her own catering company.
00:06:33And she teaches cooking classes on the Upper West Side.
00:06:37She's fun.
00:06:38Kind.
00:06:39Brilliant.
00:06:40And we love doing your puzzle together over brunch every Sunday.
00:06:43Which brings me to this.
00:06:50This is gorgeous.
00:06:53Ah, I mean, that.
00:06:55That is a diamond.
00:06:56Abby's worth every carat.
00:06:57From Witherspoons, no less.
00:06:59Okay, this ring needs to be in a vault somewhere.
00:07:01Don't worry, I keep it somewhere very safe until I'm ready to pop the question.
00:07:06And, well, that's where you come in.
00:07:08I was wondering if there was any way you could hide my marriage proposal in your crossword puzzle.
00:07:13You know what?
00:07:15I'm always up for a challenge.
00:07:17So you'll do it?
00:07:18I'd be honored.
00:07:20So the clue for Abby is free with her advice.
00:07:23As in, dear Abby.
00:07:25And Shakespeare to friends is will.
00:07:28And then the last clue on the top line is words that have a nice ring to them.
00:07:32So altogether, that's...
00:07:34Abby, will you marry me?
00:07:35Exactly.
00:07:36I'm excited to see how this turns out.
00:07:48Knock, knock.
00:07:49Oh, hey, Dad.
00:07:50Got here fast.
00:07:51I was in the neighborhood getting fitted for my tux and I heard the call.
00:07:54Right.
00:07:55I just didn't think you wanted to go home and get roped into wedding planning.
00:07:57Exactly.
00:07:59So, what have we got?
00:08:01Stabbing victim's name is Lyle Clark, 34.
00:08:04He's a college history professor.
00:08:06Neighbors hear any noise?
00:08:07Any struggle?
00:08:08No.
00:08:08No, we can't see the area.
00:08:10But we've got no surveillance footage and no murder weapon yet.
00:08:14Who found him?
00:08:15His girlfriend, Abby Miller, 30.
00:08:17Obviously, she's in shock.
00:08:18They took her down to Grandview for observation.
00:08:20Oh, behind you.
00:08:22I'd like you to meet my new partner.
00:08:23Detective Winston, right?
00:08:25Still getting used to that detective part.
00:08:27Yeah, well, you know, saves time to just call him rookie.
00:08:29Hey, man.
00:08:30I've been a patrol officer for four years.
00:08:32Yeah, but now you're new to homicide, so to me, you're a rookie.
00:08:35Don't sweat it.
00:08:35I still call Logan a rookie.
00:08:37Yeah, once a week.
00:08:38I check the door jams and the hinges.
00:08:40No sign of forced entry.
00:08:42Well, someone had a good look around.
00:08:43Yeah, but it's not a robbery.
00:08:44There's no way it can be.
00:08:45Look, they left the laptop, left the phone.
00:08:48So, a stabbing, huh?
00:08:50With no murder weapon.
00:08:51Any household items appear to have been used?
00:08:55There is one knife missing from this set.
00:08:58All right, let's let Forensic do their thing.
00:09:00Winston, do me a favor.
00:09:01I want you to check the victim's financials.
00:09:03Already on it.
00:09:04Good.
00:09:04Oh, you're a sister.
00:09:06Duty calls.
00:09:07Well, good luck with that.
00:09:08I'm going down to the hospital to question the girlfriend.
00:09:10Copy that.
00:09:17First off, Abby, I just want to say how sorry I am for your loss.
00:09:21And I was wondering if you could tell me when the last time you saw Lyle.
00:09:28It was just last night.
00:09:33We met up at a party for the history department.
00:09:37Lyle had been doing research all day.
00:09:39The last thing that I said to him was that I'd meet him at his place for brunch this morning.
00:09:49It's our Sunday tradition, doing the puzzle.
00:09:55And Lyle promised that he would have a big surprise.
00:09:59So you happen to go over to Lyle's place, say, 11 a.m.?
00:10:06I, uh, volunteer Sunday mornings making breakfast for the seniors at St. Mark's.
00:10:15Sometimes it runs late.
00:10:21Lyle?
00:10:22Can I come in?
00:10:23Did you notice anything unusual lately?
00:10:45Yes, actually, he started receiving those threats.
00:10:52What do you mean, threats?
00:10:54Over the past couple of months, Lyle had been getting these threats in the mail.
00:11:00Okay.
00:11:01He said that they were from his ex-girlfriend, Bethany.
00:11:05But he didn't want to talk about her much.
00:11:07You wouldn't happen to have any of those notes, would you?
00:11:13He always threw them away.
00:11:15But I kept one.
00:11:19Would you happen to know if maybe anybody else might have had a grudge against Lyle?
00:11:25It might be nothing.
00:11:28What?
00:11:28There's this professor in his department, Emery.
00:11:35They were arguing about something at the party last night.
00:11:38Arguing about what?
00:11:40I'm not sure.
00:11:41I was across the room.
00:11:42When I asked Lyle about it, he said it was nothing.
00:11:46But Lyle and Emery were both up for tenure last month.
00:11:51Just one opening.
00:11:54And Lyle got it.
00:11:58Is there anything else that wasn't right?
00:12:05No.
00:12:07No, everything was great.
00:12:11He'd been looking at property for us in Connecticut.
00:12:15You know, dreaming about our future together.
00:12:23Thank you for your time.
00:12:28Once again, I'm sorry for your loss.
00:12:40Nice work on the murder board, Rook.
00:12:42Now all we need is to get some suspects up here.
00:12:45Hey.
00:12:46What's this?
00:12:47Oh, it's a note the victim received.
00:12:49Gotta get that down to forensics.
00:12:51Talk to me.
00:12:51What do you got?
00:12:52Well, this was found in a bag on the crime scene.
00:12:55Grocery store receipt, time stamp 932.
00:12:57Girlfriend arrived at 11.
00:12:59I called the senior center where she volunteers.
00:13:02Alibi checks out.
00:13:03So our victim was murdered between the hours of 9.45 a.m.
00:13:06and 11 a.m.
00:13:07Meanwhile, I got a team check in his office on campus.
00:13:09Looks like it was ransacked.
00:13:11Somebody was obviously looking for something.
00:13:13What's that?
00:13:15Called TH.
00:13:18Hmm.
00:13:27Tess Harper.
00:13:30Tess?
00:13:31Logan, is that you?
00:13:32Uh, yeah.
00:13:35Um, yeah, it's me.
00:13:37Listen, something, uh, this is going to sound, uh, very strange.
00:13:41What is?
00:13:43We just found your phone number at a homicide scene.
00:13:53The cause of death was loss of blood from multiple stab wounds all in the upper torso.
00:13:57Defensive wounds on the hands and arms suggest that there was a struggle.
00:14:00Now, this was broken off in the fourth rib.
00:14:04Was that the tip of the knife?
00:14:05A ceramic knife.
00:14:06Now, their edges are harder than steel, but they're brittle when twisted.
00:14:09And this fragment is too small to identify the brand, but this isn't your run-of-the-mill consumer knife.
00:14:14This is high-grade zirconium.
00:14:19First off, Tess, I just want to say how sorry I am.
00:14:22Poor Lyle.
00:14:25How was Lyle when you saw him last week?
00:14:27He was fine.
00:14:28I mean, he seemed excited and a little nervous.
00:14:32I had never met Abby, but he clearly seemed like he was crazy about her.
00:14:37The ring he got her, the engagement ring, was massive.
00:14:41Yeah, we, uh, we didn't find the engagement ring in the crime scene.
00:14:43And we do know that he didn't propose.
00:14:46Could you describe it?
00:14:48Uh, I'd say it was probably two or three carats.
00:14:51It was a unique style.
00:14:53It was in a, uh, a blue box from Witherspoons Jewelers.
00:14:57Witherspoons?
00:14:58Wow.
00:14:59This isn't cheap.
00:15:00Yeah, you know, I kind of found that a little odd.
00:15:03Honestly, I, I'm what an associate professor would earn.
00:15:06I feel like that would be a, a year's salary at least.
00:15:09Oh, and it could have been a family heirloom, maybe bought with some family money?
00:15:12Yeah, no, I don't think Lyle's family had money.
00:15:14He was a scholarship student in college, just like I was, you know, work-study loans.
00:15:18So you don't remember anything different about him at all?
00:15:21No.
00:15:22He, he said he had gone vegan.
00:15:24I mean, he, he looked, he looked healthy and he seemed excited.
00:15:32Was Lyle into cooking?
00:15:34Why?
00:15:35The murder weapon was a high-end ceramic knife.
00:15:39Oh.
00:15:41Rookie.
00:15:41Well, I mean, he said that Abby is a chef.
00:15:45She'd probably have one of those, right?
00:15:48Right, yeah.
00:15:50Tess, thanks for coming down, okay?
00:15:51We'll take you from here.
00:15:53Okay, thanks.
00:15:57Oh, by the way, your, uh, your sister's photo will be in the paper with her wedding announcement next week.
00:16:02That's very kind of you, Tess, I appreciate it.
00:16:06I'll, uh, I'll be in touch.
00:16:07Okay.
00:16:08All right.
00:16:11It's strange what, uh, Tess said about Lyle not having any money, huh?
00:16:17Especially when his girlfriend said he was out scoping all properties in Connecticut to buy.
00:16:21Well, his record's clean.
00:16:23His worst offense was a parking ticket last month.
00:16:25Hmm.
00:16:26You gonna talk to the ex-girlfriend?
00:16:28Yeah, no, I will.
00:16:30She's a doctor.
00:16:30She's in surgery all day, but I think I'll start with the victim's mother instead.
00:16:36It's all just such a shock.
00:16:38Who would want to kill one of the nicest guys in the world?
00:16:42I'm just so sorry about Lyle.
00:16:45I know how much he meant to you.
00:16:47Something about it doesn't make sense, though.
00:16:49Well, Lyle said he hadn't been researching anything lately, and research was his passion.
00:16:53Why did a sudden change?
00:16:56People don't usually change unless they have a reason.
00:17:00Maybe Lyle had a secret?
00:17:02Maybe.
00:17:04Maybe it cost him his life.
00:17:05Oh, it's lovely.
00:17:23So, um, when was the, um, the last time you saw Lyle?
00:17:28Last Monday.
00:17:30He helped me pack up some of the things here.
00:17:32And when you saw him, did anything seem different about him?
00:17:38Just the same sweet son as always.
00:17:41So he grew up here, then?
00:17:42Yes.
00:17:44It isn't much, I know.
00:17:47I was raised up on a farm in Connecticut.
00:17:49Lots of space to play and run.
00:17:52I always wanted that for Lyle.
00:17:55But we were happy here all the same.
00:17:56His grandfather was a corporal in World War II.
00:18:03Ah.
00:18:04He was a codebreaker for a while.
00:18:06That's what spurred Lyle's interest in history.
00:18:09He found that photo in the basement a month ago.
00:18:13There's a lot of old family things down there.
00:18:15Oh, do you mind if I take a look?
00:18:17No, not at all.
00:18:18No, not at all.
00:18:48What's all that?
00:18:59It's, uh, my friend Lyle.
00:19:01Some articles he wrote on codenames used in World War II.
00:19:04Some of the codenames were so exotic.
00:19:05Operation Barbarossa, Operation Galahad.
00:19:09Hey, an Enigma machine.
00:19:10I did a paper on it last quarter.
00:19:12It's like a typewriter that automatically codes what you type.
00:19:15Not to distract you, but isn't the Sunday puzzle due?
00:19:18Yes.
00:19:19You know what?
00:19:20Maybe I make the theme of the puzzle World War II codenames.
00:19:23That way it's a nice tribute to my friend and
00:19:25I can make my deadline and still do my research.
00:19:29I'll be back after lunch.
00:19:30Hi, I'm looking for any publications by Dr. Lyle Clark on code breaking.
00:19:45Clayton, you work with Dr. Clark.
00:19:48Maybe you can help her.
00:19:49Oh, great.
00:19:49Hi, I'm an old friend of his, Tess Harper.
00:19:52I work at the Sentinel.
00:19:53It's a pleasure to meet you.
00:19:54I'd be happy to help.
00:19:56Okay, great.
00:20:00You're the crossword puzzle editor.
00:20:02He told me about you.
00:20:04So you were in on Lyle's secret.
00:20:08Lyle's marriage proposal.
00:20:09Oh, yeah.
00:20:12But sworn to secrecy.
00:20:14He was terrified that Abby would find out and ruin his big surprise.
00:20:17This place is a maze.
00:20:21If you ever get lost, the red line on the floor shows you the way out.
00:20:25So you were Lyle's assistant.
00:20:27When was the last time you spoke with him?
00:20:30Saturday night at a department party.
00:20:33He'd just driven back from Connecticut.
00:20:36Really?
00:20:37When was that?
00:20:38Do you remember what time?
00:20:40It must have been eight or nine.
00:20:42He'd been going up to Connecticut most weekends.
00:20:45He was interviewing some World War II vets up there for some research.
00:20:48Did you ever go along?
00:20:50No.
00:20:50Lyle believed interviews went best one-on-one.
00:20:53How did he handle Connecticut trips, though, with his teaching schedule?
00:20:56I heard he had a heavy course load.
00:20:58Lyle?
00:21:00He was only teaching one class.
00:21:02Really?
00:21:04Oh.
00:21:04You know, I have a question for you.
00:21:06Why all the questions?
00:21:09I...
00:21:10It's okay.
00:21:13The lights are just on motion sensor.
00:21:15We better get moving, then.
00:21:16So, uh, the victim's mother seems to think that Abby was after his money.
00:21:27Well, Abby was planning to visit Lyle the morning of his murder.
00:21:31That's when she discovered the body.
00:21:32Now, she is a chef, and the murder weapon was a ceramic knife.
00:21:37Well, that's all circumstantial at best.
00:21:39There's no smoking gun.
00:21:40Well, his financials came in.
00:21:41Less than 3K in his bank account, and no record of a ring purchase.
00:21:45All right, what about his online stock trading account?
00:21:48There isn't one, but the forensics report is back.
00:21:50Well, that was fast.
00:21:52Friends in high places.
00:21:53All right, what'd they say?
00:21:54Nothing much.
00:21:56No DNA, no prints, other than the victims.
00:21:59It's odd.
00:22:00No DNA, no prints, no online stock trading account.
00:22:04All right, do me a favor.
00:22:05Keep digging.
00:22:05I'm, uh, here on campus now.
00:22:06I'll be back in a couple hours.
00:22:14Tess!
00:22:17Hi.
00:22:18Hi.
00:22:19What are you doing here?
00:22:21I was just doing a little research for a World War II crossword puzzle.
00:22:24Just reviewing some things that Lyle had written on the subject.
00:22:27Really?
00:22:28What's a seven-letter word for going where one shouldn't?
00:22:30Uh, seven letters.
00:22:31That would be intrude.
00:22:34Exactly.
00:22:34So take the hint and don't.
00:22:36Oh, so you've got some crossword skills after all.
00:22:39And Tess, you do know there's a handful of top libraries in a two-mile radius,
00:22:42and you decide to come all the way over here.
00:22:43Yeah, I wanted a change of scenery.
00:22:45Well, great, perfect.
00:22:46So now you've had your change of scenery,
00:22:48so I'll walk you to the subway so you can go home.
00:22:49Okay.
00:22:50Okay.
00:22:51I guess you don't want to know the two big lies that Lyle's T.A. was just told.
00:22:54Okay, okay.
00:22:55All right.
00:23:02Lyle's T.A., Clayton.
00:23:03He just told me that Lyle drove home from Connecticut on Saturday night to go to a faculty party.
00:23:09Okay, so?
00:23:10So, Lyle had choroideremia.
00:23:12It's a condition that can cause nighttime blindness.
00:23:15In college, when we were studying, if we went out for pizza late at night, I always drove.
00:23:19Did his T.A. tell you why Lyle went to Connecticut?
00:23:22Yeah, he said he was doing interviews for his research.
00:23:26Are you sure?
00:23:28Yeah.
00:23:30Wait, why?
00:23:32Ah, it's...
00:23:33Logan.
00:23:34Oh, come on.
00:23:35I gave you useful information.
00:23:37His girlfriend mentioned that he went out to Connecticut for house hunting, not research.
00:23:41Why am I telling you this?
00:23:44Because I'm very persuasive.
00:23:46You think?
00:23:47Yeah.
00:23:49You know, something else I wanted to tell you.
00:23:50It was really strange.
00:23:51When I saw Lyle, he said he wasn't doing research because he was teaching so much.
00:23:55But he was teaching one class this semester.
00:24:00Well, thank you, Tess.
00:24:02Now it's time to go home.
00:24:04Okay.
00:24:04You're welcome.
00:24:05Bye-bye.
00:24:19Of course, as much as we love books, so do pests that eat the paper and binding.
00:24:26But luckily, conservators have discovered that freezing books is a great way to eliminate pests
00:24:32and leave the book unharmed, like this little gem.
00:24:35This peacock has been stitched onto linen and placed into leather binding,
00:24:40and all of it saved by a freezer.
00:24:43Now, moving on.
00:24:48Professor Nelson, Detective O'Connor, NYPD.
00:24:52I left you a message.
00:24:53Ah, yes, Detective.
00:24:55Glad to help.
00:24:56Detective Logan, this is Christina Blake.
00:24:58She's a guest lecturer this semester on antique books.
00:25:01Wow.
00:25:01It was a pleasure to meet you, Christine.
00:25:03I thoroughly enjoyed your lecture.
00:25:05Not only does she help half the department with their research,
00:25:07but she also owns one of the finest antiquarian bookstores in the state.
00:25:11Wow.
00:25:11Speaking of which, I have got to get back to the store.
00:25:14But nice to meet you.
00:25:15You as well.
00:25:18Um, do you mind if we do this in the gym?
00:25:21I teach boxing for at-risk youth.
00:25:24After you.
00:25:25All right.
00:25:31Poor Lyle, man.
00:25:37Still can't believe it happened.
00:25:39Hmm.
00:25:40Were you and Lyle on, uh, on good terms?
00:25:43Oh, yeah.
00:25:44Good friends, not just colleagues.
00:25:45I mean, we used to bounce ideas off each other all the time.
00:25:48Hmm.
00:25:49And when the, uh, tenure committee awarded him the only tenure position,
00:25:52that wasn't awkward, right?
00:25:53Come on.
00:25:53Two boxers enter the ring, only one emerges victorious.
00:25:56It's not personal.
00:25:57It's just the way it is.
00:25:58I was actually happy for him.
00:26:00It's just interesting, because I heard you guys had quite the argument
00:26:02at the department party the night before he was killed.
00:26:04Whoever told you that got it wrong.
00:26:05We were always animated when we discussed our work.
00:26:08Hmm.
00:26:09But now that he is gone, you might get tenure after all, right?
00:26:12True, but that's not how I would have wanted it to go down, you know?
00:26:18Where were you Sunday morning, the day he was killed?
00:26:25Actually, I was at a pancake breakfast for the international students.
00:26:33Whoa.
00:26:34I gotta tell you, Emory, that's going the extra mile.
00:26:36The college that denied the tenure, huh?
00:26:38What can I say?
00:26:40I'd like to give back.
00:26:42You know, if you ask me, the good professor seems a little too good to be true.
00:26:53So you think tenure literally brought the knives?
00:26:55Maybe.
00:26:56Listen, do me a favor, check all the other staff that worked with Lyle for me.
00:26:59You got it.
00:27:00You still on campus?
00:27:01No, I'm actually going to do, uh, look around the crime scene one more time.
00:27:04I'll call you in a bit.
00:27:05Good luck.
00:27:12Good luck.
00:27:13Good luck.
00:27:41I thought you were a vegan.
00:28:06Bingo.
00:28:11I need you to identify something for me, all right?
00:28:26Is that the engagement ring you saw?
00:28:29Yeah, that's it.
00:28:30Show her the page you found.
00:28:31She knew the guy.
00:28:32She might recognize it.
00:28:33Do you recognize this?
00:28:37No, I've never seen this before.
00:28:40It's obviously something that Lyle wanted to be kept safe.
00:28:43Bank account numbers, safe combinations.
00:28:45I don't know.
00:28:46I wonder.
00:28:47You know, maybe it's a code.
00:28:49Code breaking was a huge part of his research.
00:28:51I mean, if it is, which one is anyone's guess?
00:28:54There are a million ways to code a message.
00:28:57Do you mind if I maybe try to make sense out of all this?
00:29:01Like, with a copy?
00:29:03No.
00:29:04What are you doing?
00:29:05Are you memorizing those numbers, Tess?
00:29:06Maybe.
00:29:07Fine.
00:29:08Winston, make her a copy of the numbers.
00:29:09Sure thing.
00:29:10Come with me.
00:29:11I got the address of that colleague of his, Christina.
00:29:14I'll text it to you.
00:29:15All right, cool.
00:29:16Yeah, I'm still at the hospital waiting to talk to the ex-girlfriend,
00:29:17so I'll be in touch in a bit.
00:29:18All right.
00:29:19Bye.
00:29:20Bye.
00:29:21Bye.
00:29:22Bye.
00:29:23Bye.
00:29:24Bye.
00:29:25Bye.
00:29:28Bye.
00:29:29Excuse me.
00:29:30I was wondering if we could maybe just check again.
00:29:31Oh, I'm sorry.
00:29:32She's still in surgery.
00:29:33Right.
00:29:34I'm sorry.
00:29:35She's still in surgery.
00:29:36Right.
00:29:37Bye.
00:29:40Excuse me, I was wondering if we could maybe just check again.
00:29:43I'm sorry, she's still in surgery.
00:29:46Right.
00:29:50Here she is.
00:29:52Oh, hey, Doctor.
00:29:54Lieutenant Logan O'Connor and YPD.
00:29:56You've been dodging my calls.
00:29:58I wasn't avoiding you, Lieutenant, but we're understaffed,
00:30:00and I've had two gunshot wounds and a burst appendix this morning.
00:30:03No, I understand.
00:30:04I just wonder maybe you could share a little bit of information with me
00:30:06about your relationship with Lyle Clark.
00:30:09We didn't have one anymore.
00:30:11I relocated to New York for him when we were dating.
00:30:14Yeah, if I'd stayed at my last hospital, I'd be head of surgery by now.
00:30:17But he drops me, and a year later, he's got a fiancé.
00:30:21Fiancé?
00:30:22I didn't realize that was common knowledge.
00:30:24He proposed in the crosswords.
00:30:26As soon as I read Abby's name, I knew it was from Lyle.
00:30:29Yeah, he's friends with that puzzle editor.
00:30:32Have you been in contact with Lyle Leigh?
00:30:34Not in ages.
00:30:36Where were you Sunday morning between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.?
00:30:40In surgery.
00:30:42Do you know anything about these notes that Lyle's been receiving lately?
00:30:45Notes?
00:30:46Yeah, you know, like threatening letters.
00:30:48No.
00:30:49Must have been from someone with time on their hands, which I certainly don't have.
00:30:51Right, no, I understand.
00:30:52Just a final question, then I'll let you go.
00:30:54We found out that Lyle made a pretty large purchase recently,
00:30:57a lot more than what a professor can afford.
00:30:59I didn't know if you knew if his family had any money.
00:31:01Money?
00:31:02Yeah.
00:31:03Please, not a chance.
00:31:04His family used to own a farm in Connecticut.
00:31:06We went up to see it once, but they had to sell it some years back.
00:31:09Hmm.
00:31:09Oh.
00:31:11I gotta go.
00:31:12Sorry.
00:31:12All right, love.
00:31:13Thanks for your time.
00:31:14How goes it?
00:31:30Good.
00:31:31I've been doing that research you wanted on high-end ceramic knives.
00:31:34So they're used by chefs, but also scuba divers because they don't corrode.
00:31:39Ceramic can be super sharp.
00:31:40Look at this.
00:31:41Thieves use ceramic shards to break tempered glass.
00:31:46It concentrates all the force onto a tiny point, almost as fine as a diamond.
00:31:51So interesting.
00:31:53Good work, Elliot.
00:31:57I mean, look at these rings.
00:32:00Who could afford those?
00:32:04Who indeed?
00:32:05Oh, fancy meeting you here.
00:32:21Hmm.
00:32:22What are you doing here?
00:32:23Oh, just browsing.
00:32:24You know, my aunt has a birthday coming up, so I thought that I would, um, you know, see
00:32:28if there was something here I wanted to buy for her.
00:32:30A little pricey here, isn't it?
00:32:31What?
00:32:32No, they have plenty of things in my price range.
00:32:33Really?
00:32:34Yeah, like this, this, uh, this, this diamond stick pin.
00:32:39Yay.
00:32:40It must be nice for Aunt Candace, right?
00:32:42It was all these jewelry stores in Manhattan.
00:32:43You choose Witherspoons?
00:32:45Okay, fine.
00:32:46I wanted to see if they had any engagement rings like Lyle's.
00:32:49They don't have any rings like Lyle's here.
00:32:51Yeah.
00:32:52Their rings are stunning.
00:32:53Yeah, just like their prices.
00:32:56Do you know that wearing wedding bands on the left hand dates back to Roman times?
00:33:01Really?
00:33:01Yeah.
00:33:02They believe that the vein in your fourth finger connected directly to your heart.
00:33:06Oh, you learn something new every day.
00:33:07Excuse me.
00:33:10I was wondering if I can ask you a question about an engagement ring.
00:33:13Oh, I'm sure we can find you the perfect ring in your price range.
00:33:16Modern bridal trends recommend spending two months' salary.
00:33:19But that's just a guideline.
00:33:24Especially when you have a fiancé as lovely as you do.
00:33:27Oh, no, no, no.
00:33:27We're not together.
00:33:28She and I are just...
00:33:29Sweetheart, don't be embarrassed.
00:33:32Between you and me, he just doesn't trust his own taste.
00:33:34Oh, I'm the same way.
00:33:35I insisted.
00:33:36My husband and I selected the engagement ring together.
00:33:39Um, actually, I wanted to ask you a few questions about this engagement ring that, uh, was actually purchased at your store.
00:33:46My goodness.
00:33:47Is there something wrong with the ring?
00:33:50No, not at all.
00:33:52In fact, this is one of the most beautiful stones I've seen in a long time.
00:33:55You just don't see diamonds like this anymore.
00:33:57So you're saying that this ring was not purchased here at your store?
00:34:00No.
00:34:03This looks to be like an antique.
00:34:06The diamond is old European cut.
00:34:09The most popular style pre-1920.
00:34:12So where would a ring like this come from?
00:34:14Well, if you want my opinion, a museum.
00:34:17Really?
00:34:20Anything else?
00:34:21Oh, sweetheart, weren't you going to buy me that stick pin?
00:34:25Cash or credit?
00:34:26Hey, any luck figuring out what those numbers are?
00:34:35Not yet.
00:34:37At first I thought maybe there were phone numbers or social security numbers, but there doesn't seem to be any sort of pattern.
00:34:43So many hits come up.
00:34:44The secret code Benedict Arnold used, the Beale papers.
00:34:48And get this, one Greek king tattooed a message on a shaved servant's head, so when his hair grew back in, the message was hidden.
00:34:56Can you go back for a second?
00:34:57Can you go back for a second?
00:34:58Beale papers, why does that sound so familiar?
00:35:01I just finished today's puzzle.
00:35:06Lyle was researching the Beale papers, but what are they?
00:35:09Apparently in the 19th century, a man named Beale was said to have had a fortune in gold.
00:35:14To find where it was hidden, he created a special code.
00:35:17Wait, a book cipher.
00:35:19Can you click there?
00:35:20The format's the same.
00:35:25It's groups of three numbers.
00:35:27You're right.
00:35:29Lyle, I think we just found the key to this puzzle.
00:35:37So they're not related, these two numbers?
00:35:39Oh, strange.
00:35:40It's a book cipher.
00:35:43A book cipher?
00:35:45What is that?
00:35:46It's a book cipher.
00:35:47It's a coded message that uses a book as its key.
00:35:49So how does that work?
00:35:51I'll show you.
00:35:52Okay, so say person A has a copy of a specific book.
00:35:57Oh, law enforcement procedure and practice.
00:35:59No, the book itself doesn't matter, as long as person B has a copy of the exact same book.
00:36:03Okay.
00:36:04Can I borrow this for just a second?
00:36:05I'm going to give it right back.
00:36:06Thanks.
00:36:07So now we have a copy of the same book.
00:36:09We can send each other coded messages.
00:36:11Test that sounds a little complicated.
00:36:13No, it's really not.
00:36:14It's simple.
00:36:15You just replace the words with numbers.
00:36:17The first number is the page.
00:36:18The second number is the line on that page.
00:36:20And then the third number is the word's position in that line.
00:36:24Hmm.
00:36:24Okay, for instance, 208, 29, 11.
00:36:28208, 29, 11.
00:36:30And 103, 15, 9.
00:36:33Okay, 208, what is that data?
00:36:3729.
00:36:3829, 11, proven is the word.
00:36:42And 103, 15, and 9.
00:36:48Okay, proven, proven, proven right.
00:36:54So you think you're proven right, huh?
00:36:56It's a trick that spies have used since the Revolutionary War.
00:36:59Now, to crack the code, you need to know exactly what book was used.
00:37:02Great.
00:37:03Do you know what book he used?
00:37:05Unfortunately, no.
00:37:06Oh, well, that just narrows it down to every book ever printed.
00:37:09Yeah, but you know what?
00:37:10Maybe Lyle left a clue somewhere.
00:37:12There must be a clue.
00:37:13Excuse me.
00:37:14A book cipher.
00:37:14I mean, this is fascinating, Tess.
00:37:16Dad, we're running late.
00:37:18Oh, sorry.
00:37:19Oh, hi, Tess.
00:37:20I'm surprised to see you here.
00:37:22We're taking lessons for our father-daughter dance.
00:37:24Oh, that's so sweet.
00:37:26Have fun.
00:37:27And FYI, the wedding is this weekend, and Logan still needs a date.
00:37:31What Logan needs is for the bride-to-be to move along.
00:37:36Bye, Angela.
00:37:37Oh, I love you, too.
00:37:39I love you.
00:37:43Bye.
00:37:48It's against library policy to disclose the books our patrons check out.
00:37:51Of course, I understand.
00:37:53Lyle was a dear friend, and since he's passed, I was...
00:37:57I'm sorry.
00:37:58I'm sorry.
00:37:58I'm sorry.
00:38:28I'm sorry.
00:38:39Oh, hey.
00:38:40I was just looking for you.
00:38:41Yeah, no, I'm just going to be going down the hall.
00:38:43Do you want to grab a coffee?
00:38:44Yeah, sure.
00:38:44Awesome.
00:38:58Put it, yeah.
00:39:07Yeah.
00:39:08Yeah.
00:39:09Yeah, I know.
00:39:13Yeah, yeah.
00:39:15Lyle and his bookmarks
00:39:34This is Detective O'Connor
00:39:36I'll give you a message
00:39:36Logan, listen
00:39:39I found a receipt for a book that Lyle purchased
00:39:41Anastasia Stories for Children
00:39:43from 1941
00:39:44He paid $300 for it
00:39:46so I'm assuming it's something special
00:39:47I'm headed down to the bookstore
00:39:49where he bought it
00:39:50so I'll call you back
00:40:14Can I help you?
00:40:34Yes, I am looking for an old collection of children's stories
00:40:38It's sold out online and my intern has called every library in the city
00:40:41No luck
00:40:42I had a friend who purchased a copy here
00:40:45so I was hoping that maybe lightning could strike twice
00:40:48Oh, that sounds like a challenge
00:40:49Yeah, what's the book?
00:40:50It's Anastasia Stories for Children
00:40:52It's an old storybook, 1941
00:40:55I don't have a copy
00:40:57but let me see what I can find
00:40:58I have a few tricks up my sleeve
00:41:00That's very kind
00:41:01Thank you so much
00:41:02I'm Christina
00:41:03Hi, Tess
00:41:04Your shop is...
00:41:05It's so unique
00:41:06Oh, thank you
00:41:07I've always loved antique books
00:41:10I have them on every subject
00:41:11Yes
00:41:12Oh, do you do bookbinding as well?
00:41:14Yes, this is my ER for damaged books
00:41:17A lot of my patients need mending
00:41:19I can imagine
00:41:20When I moved in, this place was a restaurant
00:41:22So I kept the walk-in freezer
00:41:25because freezing books is actually the best way to kill any insects
00:41:28or mold spores that might be present
00:41:30Huh, that's so interesting
00:41:31So you get rid of the bugs and don't harm the books
00:41:34Yes, exactly
00:41:36So do you really think you might be able to find a copy of the Anastasia book?
00:41:40I can't promise anything, but I'd be happy to try
00:41:42Oh, I really appreciate that
00:41:43Here, let me get my card
00:41:50Ah, you write the crossword for the sentinel
00:41:53How exciting
00:41:53It can be
00:41:55It's also a lot of work
00:41:58So please call me if you find out any information on the book
00:42:01Really, thanks for your help
00:42:04Tess texted me this, uh, picture this morning
00:42:10Lyle's girlfriend, Abby, and his T.A., Clayton
00:42:15Looks like they're having quite the, uh, cozy lunch, huh?
00:42:19Meanwhile, the phone records came in
00:42:20Oh, yeah?
00:42:21The day of his murder
00:42:22The ex-girlfriend, Bethany, called Lyle five times
00:42:25Short calls, a few seconds
00:42:27Hang-up calls, maybe
00:42:28Hmm, it's interesting
00:42:30As Bethany told me she hadn't been in contact with Lyle and ages
00:42:33Also, I've been, uh, tracking the money
00:42:36All right
00:42:37Turns out the victim's mom was facing foreclosure on the house
00:42:39Mm-hmm
00:42:40Up until about a month ago
00:42:41And suddenly the mortgages have paid off
00:42:43Really?
00:42:45That's a big chunk of change
00:42:46I got it
00:42:47Hey, got what?
00:42:49I figured out how to decipher part of the message
00:42:51Here, I'll show you
00:42:52The key is an old children's book
00:42:57Now, I don't have the actual book yet
00:42:59But I found a few pages of it online
00:43:01And I was able to decode part of the message
00:43:03I mean, there are a lot of gaps
00:43:05But it's a letter from Lyle's grandfather to Mildred
00:43:08About jewels
00:43:10They're buried on or around their, their old farm
00:43:13It sounds like it could be in more than one place
00:43:15Well, that could be worth tens of millions today
00:43:17If I could just find the whole book
00:43:19I could decode more of the message
00:43:21And, and maybe help identify who killed Lyle
00:43:23Good work, Tess
00:43:25Good work
00:43:27Is that Lyle's grandfather's uniform?
00:43:31Yes, it is
00:43:32You know, these patches and medals could tell us a lot about him
00:43:36Can I take a pic?
00:43:38Yes
00:43:38No
00:43:38What?
00:43:40What?
00:43:41My code-breaking just established motive
00:43:43Possible motive
00:43:44Oh, come on, Logan
00:43:45Fine
00:43:49Thanks
00:43:52You know, maybe Lyle found some of the jewels
00:44:00And that's where the antique engagement ring came from
00:44:02But you think there might be more out there?
00:44:05We have to find the entire book to figure that out
00:44:07Okay, look, I'll go by Lyle's office and his condo
00:44:10And I'll do some snooping around
00:44:11But I don't remember seeing it, so
00:44:12Well, one thing's for certain
00:44:14Millions of dollars are a lot of reasons for murder
00:44:18And it is
00:44:20Am I going to see what Angela's wedding?
00:44:28I understand that Logan doesn't have a date yet
00:44:31You're going to Angela's wedding?
00:44:32Mm
00:44:32The groom's parents are on the advisory board of the opera with me
00:44:36Of course, you know everyone
00:44:38Honey, are you okay?
00:44:42You haven't hardly spoken a word since the bridge
00:44:45Yeah, sorry I'm not better company today
00:44:48Oh, you're always my favorite company
00:44:50But if you want to talk about something, I'm here
00:44:54There's just this one thing I can't shake
00:44:56It's Abby, Lyle's girlfriend
00:44:59The chef you told me about?
00:45:01Yeah, Lyle was head over heels in love with her
00:45:04But when I saw Abby with that grad student yesterday
00:45:07It just, I don't know
00:45:09It looked really suspicious
00:45:10Are you thinking that maybe they had something to do with Lyle's death?
00:45:15Maybe they were involved
00:45:17And they wanted to take Lyle's treasure all for themselves
00:45:19Do you think it's possible?
00:45:23Is it possible that Lyle could have deluded himself about Abby this whole time?
00:45:28It happens
00:45:29Well, the murder weapon was a high-end ceramic knife
00:45:34Something a chef would use
00:45:35Abby's a chef
00:45:36She probably owns knives like that
00:45:38You're right
00:45:39Tell Logan because I'm sure he's going to want to check that out
00:45:43Well, that would require a search warrant
00:45:45And he doesn't have enough evidence to get one
00:45:47Unless
00:45:48Unless
00:45:51Unless
00:45:53Unless I happen to meet up with Abby
00:45:56With a potential murderer
00:45:57Come on, Tess
00:45:59I don't want you taking those kind of risks
00:46:01I'm not going to be wandering down some dark alley
00:46:03She teaches workshops at a cookware store in the Upper West Side
00:46:06Hmm
00:46:06Where they sell knives
00:46:08I could sign up for a class
00:46:10And
00:46:11What's the worst thing that happens?
00:46:13I burn a souffle
00:46:14Please, Tess
00:46:15I don't want you going alone
00:46:17Please
00:46:18So come with me
00:46:20Okay
00:46:22If that's what it takes for me to keep my eye on you
00:46:25I will
00:46:26Well, thanks for meeting me
00:46:30I appreciate that
00:46:31How long did you know Lyle?
00:46:35Since grad school
00:46:36We stayed in touch
00:46:37To be honest, this store isn't exactly profitable
00:46:40So Lyle helped me supplement my income with work here and there
00:46:43What sort of work?
00:46:46Lots of things
00:46:47You know, helping find articles he needed
00:46:50Helping him organize his notes
00:46:52I helped him research his last couple of books
00:46:54Oh
00:46:55Do you know if anyone would have had anything against Lyle?
00:47:00Lyle was the nicest guy you could ever imagine
00:47:03But Lyle did say his ex Bethany had been threatening him
00:47:07Apparently things were pretty bad between them
00:47:09And where were you last Sunday?
00:47:13Oh, uh, right here
00:47:15My store is open on Sundays and I was working
00:47:17Well, thank you for your time
00:47:19How's it going over there, Elliot?
00:47:27Trying to figure out this military uniform is harder than it looks
00:47:30I've identified the easy ones
00:47:32Bronze star, purple heart
00:47:34What's the white patch with the gold stars?
00:47:38Fighting badgers?
00:47:40I wonder what that could be
00:47:41You know, sometimes people call first
00:47:48Oh, yeah, sorry
00:47:49The patch on the uniform is from a special tactical unit in the war
00:47:53Called the Fighting Badgers
00:47:54It turns out in the last days of the war
00:47:56They were stationed near a castle where a bunch of jewels went missing
00:47:59A legendary trove of jewels that belonged to a very wealthy family
00:48:03So Lyle's grandpa must have found the jewels and bought them back after the war
00:48:07Exactly
00:48:07And maybe that's what Lyle was looking for up in Connecticut
00:48:10Right
00:48:11Yeah, that's my next stop
00:48:12I tracked down the property records on the old Clark's family farm
00:48:16Turns out it's near a place called Thompson's Mill
00:48:18Yeah, they sold the property off years ago
00:48:20Okay, so maybe we follow Lyle's path and we figure out what happened to Lyle
00:48:23We?
00:48:25Tess, you're not coming along
00:48:26Okay, fine
00:48:30It's fine
00:48:31I mean, I'll go up there myself and, you know, look around
00:48:35Disturb some evidence
00:48:36Don't you have work to do?
00:48:38Like, good work in the car if you let me go with you
00:48:40Fine
00:48:44Okay
00:48:45You know, I just
00:48:48Let's go
00:48:48I just need a clue for gold
00:48:50What some hearts are made of?
00:48:55Wow
00:48:55Thank you
00:48:57So nice
00:49:00Yeah, just making friends to everyone, aren't you?
00:49:02Yeah
00:49:02So how's the wedding planning going?
00:49:13That's fine
00:49:14Although I'm a little stuck on coming up with my toast
00:49:17So
00:49:18Well, do you like the groom?
00:49:21Yeah
00:49:21Yeah, he's fine
00:49:22Once you pass the background check
00:49:24What?
00:49:25What?
00:49:26Come on, it's marriage
00:49:28It's forever, right?
00:49:32Oh
00:49:33Well, you should probably start by saying what a perfect couple they are
00:49:37And then tell a funny story
00:49:39Maybe not about the background check
00:49:41Yeah, leave that part out
00:49:43So, tell me, what would your wedding be like?
00:49:46Let me guess
00:49:47Your vows would be filled with crossword clues
00:49:50No
00:49:52I think mine would be
00:49:55I don't know, something simple
00:49:57You know, like a country wedding
00:49:59Come on
00:50:00What? You?
00:50:01Yeah
00:50:02I grew up outside of Greencastle, Indiana
00:50:05You do not strike me as a country girl
00:50:07At all
00:50:08Well, I'll have you know
00:50:09I owned more rubber boots than heels
00:50:11Yeah, my dad was a teacher
00:50:14And we had a small farm
00:50:16I know how to milk a goat
00:50:17Of course you do
00:50:21Yeah
00:50:23So, Mr. Baxter
00:50:32I was just wondering if you had any visitors on the property recently
00:50:35That were, you know, looking around, asking questions
00:50:38Beside yourself, detective
00:50:40Usually the teenager's trying to spook the cows
00:50:43But last month I chased two fellas off
00:50:46Who were digging a hole in my field
00:50:47And strangest thing
00:50:49You wouldn't, uh, mind showing us where they were digging, would you?
00:50:54No, this way
00:50:54Careful of the foxtail barley
00:51:04Or you'll never get it out of your clothes
00:51:05Oh, yeah
00:51:06Too late
00:51:08They were digging right here
00:51:11And when those two fellas saw me
00:51:13They tossed their things in the truck
00:51:14And they were gone by the time I got close
00:51:16Was that one of the guys you saw?
00:51:20That's him
00:51:20And the other guy was tall
00:51:22Skinny, too
00:51:23What about that guy?
00:51:26Yeah, that's the other guy
00:51:28Someone else has been here recently, too
00:51:30What do you mean?
00:51:31Just last week
00:51:32There was someone else snooping around in my field
00:51:34Could you describe them?
00:51:36No, I couldn't see them
00:51:37It was too dark
00:51:38If you need any more help
00:51:40I'm happy to talk to you later
00:51:41But I gotta check on the cattle
00:51:42Appreciate your time
00:51:44Thank you
00:51:45Yeah
00:51:45Well, that obviously confirms
00:51:50That Lyle and Clayton
00:51:51With their treasure, aren't they?
00:51:52Yeah
00:51:52And that Clayton lied to me
00:51:54He said Lyle always made the trip up here solo
00:51:57And whoever that third person was
00:51:58That was snooping around
00:51:59I can guarantee they were
00:52:00Treasure hunting, too
00:52:01Here we go
00:52:07Thanks for letting me tag along
00:52:14Did I have much of a choice?
00:52:16No
00:52:16Okay, good night
00:52:19Good night
00:52:20Oh
00:52:28Hello?
00:52:33Yes, this is she
00:52:35Oh, you have the book
00:52:37Great
00:52:38How late are you open?
00:52:39I'll be right there
00:52:41Forensics found DNA traces
00:52:48On the envelope the threat was sent in
00:52:50Hmm
00:52:50That's good
00:52:51Let's see if they can match it to Bethany
00:52:53Because I also found a DNA sample
00:52:55On a water bottle
00:52:56Will do
00:52:58Oh, um
00:52:59How did your day in the country go?
00:53:02Oh, it's great
00:53:02I mean, we confirmed that Lyle and Clayton
00:53:04Were up there treasure hunting in Connecticut
00:53:05We?
00:53:08Yeah, we
00:53:09I took Tess along
00:53:10Oh, interesting
00:53:11What is that supposed to mean, Dad?
00:53:14Nothing
00:53:15Nothing
00:53:15She's an asset, Dad
00:53:17To the case
00:53:17Yes
00:53:18Good thinking
00:53:19Um, so
00:53:21You got a date to your sister's wedding
00:53:23Angela keeps bugging me about it
00:53:25Why don't you ask Angela?
00:53:26That'll bug me about it
00:53:27But you won't talk to her about it
00:53:29Exactly
00:53:30Hmm
00:53:31What's up, bud?
00:53:36Still no leads on how the victim's mom
00:53:38Got her mortgage paid off
00:53:39Let me ask you
00:53:40If Lyle did find the jewels
00:53:42How did he, uh
00:53:44Turn them into cash?
00:53:45I don't know
00:53:46Diamonds are worthless without a buyer
00:53:48Hmm
00:53:48Yeah
00:53:49How does a straight arrow guy like
00:53:52Lyle find someone to fence his diamonds?
00:54:09Anastasia's stories for children
00:54:23I'm sorry, if you got a call
00:54:26The book should be up here
00:54:28I don't see it
00:54:29Must have been reshelved
00:54:31Here are the call numbers
00:54:34Okay, great
00:54:37I'll go check in the stacks
00:54:38But hurry
00:54:39We're closing in ten minutes
00:54:40Sure
00:54:41Okay
00:54:44Eight, two, three
00:54:46Hello?
00:54:53Hello?
00:54:55Hmm
00:54:56Ah
00:55:18Ah
00:55:18I thought you told me you were going to be going home to work on your puzzle tonight.
00:55:44I was, until the library called that they found the book.
00:55:46You do realize we're dealing with a murderer here, right, Tess?
00:55:48Yes, I realized that, and I've been very careful.
00:55:50Careful?
00:55:51Careful would be you not mixing yourself up in any of it at all.
00:55:54Okay, fine.
00:55:55Message received.
00:55:57Who could have called me if it wasn't the library?
00:56:00We traced the call to a burner phone.
00:56:04Someone was trying to scare you away.
00:56:06But someone who doesn't want anyone else finding the book.
00:56:09I don't know yet.
00:56:10I don't know.
00:56:10Look, did you notice anybody try to follow you in?
00:56:12No.
00:56:13I mean, no, it was late.
00:56:16I mean, there were people.
00:56:17There were, there was a guy on a bicycle.
00:56:20There was a student film crew.
00:56:21All right.
00:56:22Look, I'll just, let's just get you on.
00:56:24All right?
00:56:32Talk to me.
00:56:32What do you got?
00:56:33Tess doing okay?
00:56:35Yeah, no, she's fine.
00:56:36I mean, could end it differently, but she'll be fine.
00:56:38Listen, I might have an idea on how Lyle sold some of those diamonds.
00:56:43You remember on Lyle's record, that parking ticket from last month?
00:56:46Mm-hmm.
00:56:46It's not the ticket that matters.
00:56:48It's where he got it.
00:56:50When I was a patrol cop, this was my old beat.
00:56:52Yeah, it's out in Long Island.
00:56:54Right.
00:56:55All right, let's check the CCTV footage with the time of the parking ticket.
00:56:59Maybe we'll get lucky and see who he was meeting and why.
00:57:02Exactly.
00:57:04You remember this guy?
00:57:06No.
00:57:07Don't remember him, sorry.
00:57:08Really?
00:57:10Because he's got a parking ticket right outside your store here.
00:57:14Three weeks ago this Wednesday?
00:57:15Doesn't mean he came in here.
00:57:18True.
00:57:18No, it's very true.
00:57:19Although we do have footage of him actually walking right through this front door.
00:57:25The photo's hard to see.
00:57:27Hmm.
00:57:28Well, maybe you'd have better luck with putting your glasses on.
00:57:35Now you mention it,
00:57:36he did bring some jewelry in,
00:57:39a ring,
00:57:40bracelet,
00:57:41all diamonds.
00:57:42And you bought them?
00:57:43Of course not.
00:57:45Mr. Richards, we both know that you've been charged twice in stolen merchandise cases,
00:57:48so come on.
00:57:49And never convicted.
00:57:51Those times I was the one who was cheated,
00:57:53which is exactly why,
00:57:54without the papers to prove he owned them,
00:57:55I would never make that mistake again.
00:57:57So you didn't buy anything?
00:57:58How could I?
00:58:00Without documentation?
00:58:03I don't hear her know.
00:58:06Then no,
00:58:08I didn't buy anything.
00:58:09And that is how we make tapenade easy.
00:58:22Beautiful.
00:58:23Oh, well done.
00:58:26So, we'll take a short break,
00:58:28and then we'll move on to eggplant parmesan.
00:58:30Mmm, that sounds good.
00:58:31Mm-hmm.
00:58:33I'm going to say hi.
00:58:38Everything looks delicious.
00:58:42I'm Tess.
00:58:43I was an old friend of Lyle's.
00:58:45This is my aunt, Candace.
00:58:47I'm pleased to meet you.
00:58:49We're so sorry to hear about Lyle.
00:58:51Tess,
00:58:53Lyle talked about you all the time.
00:58:55We really love doing your puzzles together.
00:58:57Thanks.
00:58:59You must think that it's odd that I'm working.
00:59:02It just,
00:59:03it helps me get my mind off of things.
00:59:06Of course.
00:59:07That's understandable.
00:59:09Actually,
00:59:10I haven't left the house since it happened.
00:59:13I thought it would do me good to get out.
00:59:16Sure.
00:59:16Wow, these are,
00:59:18these are some knives.
00:59:19Ceramic?
00:59:21Nothing better for paper-thin slices.
00:59:22Miss?
00:59:25Oh, um,
00:59:26excuse me.
00:59:26Just a moment.
00:59:32Well,
00:59:33she lied about not leaving the house.
00:59:36I saw her with Clayton two days ago.
00:59:39Come on,
00:59:40you're the psychologist.
00:59:40What do your instincts tell you?
00:59:42Well, when people lie,
00:59:43they usually reveal more than what you actually asked for.
00:59:46Which is what she just did.
00:59:49Wait,
00:59:49she's coming back.
00:59:50I, I,
00:59:50I need you to distract her.
00:59:52Jess,
00:59:52don't do anything crazy,
00:59:53please.
00:59:54We're in a room full of people.
00:59:55This,
00:59:55this is important.
00:59:56Please.
00:59:58Yeah.
00:59:59Um,
00:59:59Abby.
01:00:01Uh,
01:00:01since we're here,
01:00:02could you please help me pick out the best possible?
01:00:05Oh,
01:00:06onlet pans
01:00:06for cooking onlets.
01:00:08The copper ones.
01:00:09I'd be glad to.
01:00:09Great.
01:00:10You stole a knife?
01:00:27I'm trying to help.
01:00:28After what we talked about in the library,
01:00:30you stole the knife.
01:00:30I told you,
01:00:31Tess,
01:00:31to be careful.
01:00:32You said the murder weapon was a high-end ceramic knife.
01:00:34Maybe this is from the same set.
01:00:35And I'll have forensics analyze it.
01:00:37But if this was the murder weapon,
01:00:38you just contaminated and compromised evidence.
01:00:40Sorry to interrupt.
01:00:42Check this out.
01:00:43Mildred's loan was paid off by a wire transfer from an account in the Caymans.
01:00:48But a few days after Lyle's death,
01:00:50there was a second exchange.
01:00:51Guess what names are on the account?
01:00:53Who?
01:00:54Clayton and Abby.
01:00:55Okay,
01:00:56so who funded the account in the first place?
01:00:57Galaxy Jewelers.
01:00:58Probably in return for fencing the diamonds.
01:01:01Also,
01:01:01I got those phone records back.
01:01:03Clayton and Abby exchanged a dozen calls in the days after the murder.
01:01:07What about before?
01:01:08No.
01:01:10Well,
01:01:10that's interesting.
01:01:10I guess Clayton's got some explaining to you why his name is on an account in the Cayman Islands,
01:01:14and he's up there at some farm in Connecticut digging for treasure.
01:01:16I know you.
01:01:44You're Bethany,
01:01:45right?
01:01:46I think we met that time at the mathematics museum when you were...
01:01:49With Lyle.
01:01:50I remember you're his friend who writes a crossword.
01:01:52You wrote the proposal crossword for him?
01:01:55I did.
01:01:56As a favor.
01:01:57That's nice.
01:01:59I never understood his obsession with puzzles.
01:02:01I'd much rather spend my Sundays training for triathlons than filling in boxes.
01:02:06Always loved puzzles, even in college.
01:02:08Yeah, he was a kid who never grew up.
01:02:09Well, it seems like a lot of people are going to miss him.
01:02:16I thought I'd add something of my own.
01:02:19Thanks for meeting me here.
01:02:29thanks for meeting me here this is Clark's out at the store I've been
01:02:49helping her with the move well it certainly is nice of you she's a nice
01:02:52lady and Wow was everything to her I think it's time you leveled with me
01:02:57Clayton you see we know you have a record we also know you're working the library
01:03:02when Tess was attacked because it happened during your shift I wasn't
01:03:05there really I snuck off to the gym to get in a workout any witness feel to
01:03:10cooperate that nope but I ran my gym card when I got there who knows maybe you
01:03:15gave your gym card to a friend meanwhile we saw you and Abby alone
01:03:20together privately this week on campus you saw us sure did and you lied to us
01:03:28about not going up to Connecticut you see Clayton the owner of the farm saw you
01:03:32with Lyle now we both know Lyle can't drive at night right obviously you must
01:03:36have driven for him who knows maybe you killed him no you got this all wrong I
01:03:40didn't kill anyone well it looks pretty suspicious looks like you and Abby
01:03:43gonna share in quite the windfall if you found all the jewels look I know this
01:03:47looks bad then convinced me it isn't I owed Lyle my life really I was in and
01:03:53out of Juby and headed straight for prison I got a job sweeping up at the
01:03:57library Lyle helped me put together an application and get into college and in
01:04:00return you'd help him search for the diamonds yeah Lyle found the cipher once
01:04:07he got his hands on the Anastasia book he had the key to decode it that's how we
01:04:11found the diamonds but the larger cash is still out there somewhere and that one
01:04:15is worth millions did you realize that those diamonds are fencing along to
01:04:19someone that's a felony claim unless of course you can provide me with a little
01:04:24more information look Lyle just wanted a small cut of the jewels to help out his
01:04:29mom and Abby okay he made me promise that if anything happened to him I would
01:04:33find the rest of the jewels and return them to the rightful owners right some
01:04:37wealthy family in Europe did you introduce Lyle to your diamond fence I stayed in
01:04:42touch with some of my old friends why don't you explain to me how you created
01:04:45this whole account in the Cayman Islands with you and Abby's name on it yeah we
01:04:49got that little bit of information from the IRS I gotta tell you Clayton you got
01:04:52quite a handy back on a forgery pal I set up the account with cash from the first
01:04:57jewels that we found okay that's why I was meeting Abby to tell her about it
01:05:03she didn't want the money she said that we should tell the authorities
01:05:08Lyle made me promise that Abby would be cared for if anything happened to him
01:05:11what do you mean if anything happened to someone else was looking for the jewels
01:05:15when we were up at the farm we saw another car Lyle was convinced we were being followed
01:05:20I don't care if you believe me or not just make sure Abby doesn't get blamed for anything
01:05:28we'll be touch what do you got news from forensics the DNA on the envelope matches the DNA on Bethany's
01:05:40water bottle fantastic well that confirms it doesn't it Bethany wrote those threats
01:05:45how'd I go with Clayton
01:05:50Logan oh come on okay fine all right I suppose I owe you because Clayton did confirm your story
01:05:59about the missing World War II treasure and he also confessed about going up to the farm with Lyle
01:06:05you're welcome but he also insisted that he was only helping Lyle and Abby is totally innocent in all
01:06:12of us oh and we also got a lab results back on Abby's knife ceramic doesn't match the murder weapon
01:06:17so where does that leave things well it leaves us we have a suspect whoa hold on a sec what's up bud
01:06:25really okay I'm on my way I gotta go what is it breaking the case I hope
01:06:42talk to me it was found by a jogger a package wrapped in plastic with a ceramic knife that
01:06:48has blood on it see if that blood matches Lyle's well Bethany's apartment is minutes away and according
01:06:53to neighbors she runs the trail every day I post an officer on her until we get the lab results back
01:06:56and that knife may have found her murderer
01:06:59Logan hi hey what are you doing down here well I have some news Bethany is in a four-hour surgery
01:07:12as we speak and I've got officers waiting outside the yard arrest her when she's done Bethany really
01:07:17yeah test results came back on the night tested positive for Lyle's blood and that hair that was
01:07:22in the package it matched Bethany's DNA her alibi didn't clear at all she said she was in surgery
01:07:27all this Sunday and she wasn't she called in sick so so that's that that's it that's it yeah we got
01:07:34her wow so you keep a record of all permits for student film projects correct yes they're required
01:07:43and a film permit would tell you where and when a certain project be filming on campus yes it's
01:07:47university policy oh great do you happen to have a permit for a student film project that was
01:07:52filming on campus this week perchance only one I'll make you a copy thank you very much
01:08:01the movers are almost finished it's odd to see this place so empty the memories you have here can't be
01:08:13packed up they'll stay with you even in your new home good news something I've been looking for
01:08:22have you ever heard of an old book Anastasia's stories for children of course that was my favorite
01:08:30book as a kid funny you should bring that up why is that not too long ago Lyle asked if my father used
01:08:39to read me any special book growing up so that explains why Lyle's grandpa chose that book for
01:08:46the key because it was his daughter's favorite book I'm headed down to a bookstore I know I think
01:08:51they have the book we need to help us find the diamonds how'd the interrogation go that was good
01:09:00Bethany obviously admitted to sending the threatening letters and those phone calls to Lyle but she
01:09:05insisted she had nothing to do with the murder so how does she explain the hair on the murder weapon
01:09:10she can't seems like everything's wrapped up in a nice bow for me maybe but I don't trust perfectly
01:09:17wrapped presents when I'm right I'm right how's that go over here take a look at this this is that
01:09:25student film footage I told you about the night test was attacked guess who gets a nice little cameo in
01:09:32the background following test in the library she's watch this boom emery yeah think you can handle holding the fort
01:09:52yeah I'm out
01:10:04all that proves is that I went to the library that night really at the exact time the test was attacked
01:10:09coincidence is it a coincidence that the department said you never gave back your key when Lyle got your
01:10:15office didn't I who can remember I think it was you that ransacked Lyle's office emery lock wasn't
01:10:22broken someone who entered must have had a key come on emery were you looking for something I have no
01:10:27idea what you're talking about and unless there's some sort of specific charge there's the door
01:10:33okay well I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again
01:10:55hi hi you got my message yes you have the book uh yes I managed to find a copy after all it just came in
01:11:02oh Christina thank you so much no of course uh books in the back but I have something to show you
01:11:07first real treat the world's very first crossword puzzle published December 21st 1913 in the New York
01:11:16world diamond shaped I'm familiar with it this is amazing have a look I'll be right back
01:11:23I mean this crossword is just it's incredible
01:11:34you're leaving already but I have the book that you wanted yeah I can come back later
01:12:03no
01:12:10Winston do me a favor run a quick search on Bethany and that bookseller Christina Blake and see if
01:12:14anything connects them so you've had the book all along of course and you have something I have been
01:12:19searching for too the cipher the books of no use without it I knew Lyle all those years and he tried
01:12:27to cut me out of my share of the jewels so it was it was you up at the farm tailing Lyle and Clayton yes
01:12:35Emery told me about the jewels Lyle had gone to him asking about unsolved thefts during the war
01:12:39well Emery had written some articles on it so it didn't take him long to figure it out but when I went
01:12:44to confront Lyle about it he thought he'd done nothing wrong I found you the book that helped you
01:12:48find them I'm just taking back what the family deserves and what about what I deserve after
01:12:54everything I've done for you I lost it I only wanted what was mine
01:13:01I found Lyle the book and he didn't tell me it was the key to millions in jewels and after all I had
01:13:07done to make him look good with his research so I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and I just
01:13:12I didn't mean to kill him things just got out of hand
01:13:24and then I searched everywhere
01:13:36I found the Anastasia book but I could not find that cipher
01:13:40so you framed Bethany to cover your tracks
01:13:46she'd been sending threats to Lyle Lyle had told me all about it
01:13:52you have the cipher I saw a copy in your wallet when you gave me your card
01:13:57so may I have it now please
01:14:10so what do you got
01:14:28so what do you got i checked social media and university records bethany and christina
01:14:42were roommates in grad school and i just got some hits on marathons they both ran in they're
01:14:48in the same runners club wait wait test said she was going to a bookstore what if that
01:14:52bookstore was christina's i gotta go
01:15:22thieves use ceramic shards to break tempered glass it concentrates all the forest under
01:15:29a tiny point almost as fine as a diamond
01:15:52hey what are you doing here what do you mean what i'm doing here i'm here to save you
01:16:11i saved myself you're home yes christina killed lyle i know do you know where she is no but
01:16:20i know where she's headed so it's a it's a three-hour drive up to the uh the farm in
01:16:27connecticut and she left about 20 minutes ago no that puts her somewhere around riverdale
01:16:32by now are you okay yeah okay i'm going right now
01:16:35logan it's winston i got that info for you she's in a 2018 gray sedan license plate 9821ER
01:16:54put on an apb she's been spotted over on the sawmill river parkway copy that i'm almost there
01:17:10police hands where i can see them get out slowly
01:17:24christina blake you're under arrest for the murder of lyle clark i just wanted what was mine
01:17:47why chase test down at the library no that was emery's idea he ransacked lyle's office too
01:17:53look we just needed the cipher and tess had it in her bag but she wouldn't let it go
01:17:58read her her rights
01:18:01so how did you guess that christina might be behind it all
01:18:16uh bethany said that she actually visited the farm with some friends when she's in grad school so
01:18:22christina obviously would have known the location of the farm
01:18:25and bethany's dna was on the knife yeah she grabbed a strand of hair from her baseball cap
01:18:31and tried to frame her and what about emery he confessed right away trying to save his own neck
01:18:36i mean obviously emery and christina were working together
01:18:39if lyle gone emery would of course get tenure and christina would get a bump in pay of a million bucks
01:18:45poor lyle just you know his whole life ahead of him
01:18:54tess i'm really sorry what happened to your friend
01:19:00thank you really thank you for everything
01:19:06thank you
01:19:09you're welcome
01:19:12so am i on the team now or
01:19:14not yet
01:19:15well i hope you get some rest and you're able to
01:19:20actually enjoy your sister's wedding this weekend
01:19:23yeah yeah yeah
01:19:26you know about that i
01:19:28um
01:19:30i didn't know if maybe you wanted to uh
01:19:32come with me
01:19:34go to the wedding
01:19:37yes the wedding no no yes of course the wedding
01:19:41maybe you know i don't want to like interfere
01:19:44okay hold on a second you interfere with everything
01:19:46except what an invite to a wedding are you serious
01:19:49i'd love to go
01:19:53great
01:19:56by the power vested in me
01:20:04by the state of new york
01:20:06i pronounce you
01:20:08husband
01:20:09and wife
01:20:10ah well i predict a long happy marriage they do seem really happy
01:20:20i'm not as happy as i am now that this wedding hoopless over
01:20:33all right all you wallflowers come on down it's time for everyone to get up and dance
01:20:37candace
01:20:39candace
01:20:41would you care to dance
01:20:43well i would love to captain
01:20:45uh you two it's not a wedding until everyone dances you know
01:20:47that's right
01:20:48uh you two it's not a wedding until everyone dances you know
01:20:51that's right
01:20:53out of the tree of life i just picked me a plum
01:20:59shall we
01:21:00i thought you'd never ask
01:21:03okay
01:21:04still it's a real good bet
01:21:14the best is yet to come
01:21:16best is yet to come
01:21:22and babe won't that be fine
01:21:25you think you've seen the sun
01:21:30but you ain't
01:21:31oh it's the precinct i gotta take this
01:21:33look at logan
01:21:34it's your sister's wedding
01:21:35one dance
01:21:38ah okay fine
01:21:40let's do this
01:21:41you know the foxtrot
01:21:42of course
01:21:43it's just like a crossword
01:21:44two down one across
01:21:45you lead
01:21:47i'm kidding
01:21:49you ain't seen nothing yet
01:22:03the last all-new mystery of the year before miracles of christmas starts only on hallmark movies and mysteries
01:22:10i'm good
01:22:11i'm good
01:22:12i'm good
01:22:13lacy chabert and brennan elliott are going to need a little magic to solve this one
01:22:17i'm looking at you
01:22:18i'm looking at what someone wants you to see
01:22:19do not get involved
01:22:20no i know
01:22:21crossword mysteries abracadabra premieres next sunday night at nine
01:22:24the last all-new mystery of the year before miracles of christmas starts only on hallmark movies and mysteries
01:22:31uh...
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