All language subtitles for The.Book.Club.Murders.2024

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- Mom.
- Jeez, you scared me.

- Must be a good one.
- Oh, no, I can't find anything.

Doesn't look like you
have that problem.

- Too many?
- You can never have
too many books.

- Or shoes?
- Don't press your luck.
Come on.

All ready?

- Isn't this the book
you were looking at?
- Oh, yeah.

Oh, it's a great read.

Although it made me want to
install a home security system.

Would you like
to join book club?
We meet every Tuesday.

- Oh, I don't know. I--
- Come on, Mom.

You should give it a try.

All right, well,
that's never a good sign,

when your teenage daughter

is trying to get you
out of the house.

- Thanks.
- Tell you what.

- First one's on me.
- Oh, you don't have
to do that.

To be honest,
we could use from fresh blood.

- Wendy.
- Natalie.

- And this is my daughter Gwen.
- You're a reader, huh?

Guess it runs in the family.

Well, all the information
is on here.

I'll just print off another one.
Everything okay?

Uh, yes.
Thank you so much
for the book.

Hopefully see you
at the meeting.

- I hope so.
Have a good day.
- You, too.

All right, where to next?

I think you were saying
something about shoes?

I think I'm getting
a little tired.
Can we just go home?

Are you sure?

Yeah, of course.
Come on.

( knocking on door )

Hey, sweetheart,
can I come in?

Sure.

You know, you really have
done a good job in here, Gwen.

Yeah, well, I wanted something
a little different, you know?

Hmm.

Yeah.

You sure you're ready
to go back?

I can't spend the rest
of my life in the house.

I need to get back out there.

Mm.

Maybe we both should.

Get some sleep, sweetheart.

Good night, Mom.
Love you.

Love you, too.
Good night, GG.

( bell ringing )

- Okay, you have all your books?
- Think so.

- You have money for lunch?
- Got it.

Okay.
Oh, did you remember--

Mom, it's just school.
I'm not going on a safari.

- I'll be fine.
- Okay.

You promise you'll call
if you need to?

- I promise.
- All right.

- I love you.
- Love you, too.

Bye-bye.
Have a good day!

( whispering )

( whispering )

Gwen. Hey, welcome back.

Tony.
Yep, I feel very welcome.

- ( whispering )
- Tony: Ignore them.

They'll be talking about
someone else by lunchtime.

- Gwen?
- Hey, Tori.

- How are you doing?
- I'm okay.

Just trying
to get through today.

Or maybe
I'll go home at lunch.

I have a better idea.
I have my mom's car today.

What do you say
we go off-campus,

get some burgers
and a greasy pile of fries?

- That sounds perfect.
- It's meatloaf day
in the cafeteria.

- Mind if I tag along?
- Duh.

- Who do you think is paying?
- Hey, Tori, you ready?

Oh, Gwen, you're back.

- I'm back.
- I'm glad.

Why don't you come see me
sometime this week to check in?

I will.

See you at lunch?

( chattering )

- Hi.
- It's okay.

I know they look like
a bunch of gossipy bitches,

but that's only
because they are.

Come on,
let's get you a seat next to me
before they scare you off.

Okay. Hi.

- So what am I in for?
- It's actually a fun group.

Mostly.
I'll hit the highlights.

Meredith Davis,
she's a real sweetheart
and my best friend.

She loves romance novels,
tolerates true crime,

and pretends to have a headache
the weeks we read sci-fi.

- ( Natalie laughs )
- Anita Taylor.

Always has something
fun to say, but not today.

- Natalie: Oh.
- Wendy: April Brandt,

I believe she's a counselor
at the high school.

That would makes sense.

My daughter spoke to her
earlier this year.

Sadie Chandler,
amateur reader,

professional gossip,
and social climber.

Uh, Gwen is actually
dating her son Tony.

I'm not sure how someone
like her ended up
with such a sweet kid.

Oh, ladies! Looks like
it's about that time.

Let's get started.
We have a new member tonight.

Natalie, would you like
to introduce yourself?

Sure. Hi, I'm Natalie.

I'm a lifelong reader,

but I've never been
a part of a book club before.

Wendy caught me checking out
with my daughter,

and, well, she can be
very persuasive.

Welcome, Natalie.
We're excited
to have you here.

- Thank you.
- Well, let's jump right in.

Natalie, would you like
to get us started?

- What did you
think of the book?
- I really liked it.

I never saw the twist coming
at the end.

Who would've thought
she was getting stalked
by her step-sister?

Wendy: Great meeting!
See you all next week.

- What did you think?
- I really enjoyed myself.

It was nice to take my mind off
of things for a while.

Great.
Well, next week's book--

- Natalie?
- Oh, hi, Sadie.

It's so good to see you
out and about again.

I can't imagine
what you've been through.

Thank you.

Trevor hasn't given up,
you know?

The investigation
is still open.

My husband is a detective.

I think you may have
mentioned that once or twice.

So, Natalie,
how have you been?
Everything is so awful.

Actually, Sadie,
I was just about
to introduce Natalie

to some of the other ladies
before they left.

- Oh, well--
- Thank you.

- Thank you.
- Trust me, it's as much
for you as it is for me.

- Hey, Margey.
- Ugh! You know
I hate that name.

I know!
That's why I use it.
This is Natalie.

Welcome to the club.
I really liked your take on
the mob psychology in the book.

- Oh, thanks.
- Yeah.

Scary how fear could
take over a whole town.

Of course, I guess
we had a taste of that
ourselves last year.

Margey! Always the optimist.

I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to take a dark
turn in the conversation.

I just can't believe
it's been a whole year.

- Mer, you ready?
- Oh, yeah.

- Hey.
- Hey.

- Nice to meet you, Natalie.
- Um, you, too.

Oh, still on for coffee?

Yes. You know I never turn down
an appointment for caffeine.

Okay.

- Why don't we say hi
to your daughter's counselor?
- Okay.

- No...
- ( both whispering )

( clears throat )
Everything okay?

It's fine. What's up?

I wanted to make sure
that you got a chance

to say hello
to our new member.

April,
I have heard so much about you
from my daughter Gwen.

She said that you've really
helped her out a lot.

Yeah, I saw she was back
in school today.

She's a great kid.
You must be very proud.

Oh, thank you.
Well, she's a big fan
of yours, too.

Nice to you again, Natalie.
My daughter Tori's
in school with Gwen.

I thought that's why
you looked familiar.

Gwen mentioned that Tori
got into M.I.T.

You must be so excited.

Oh, that's really
lovely handwriting.

Is that an invitation
or something?

It's nothing.

Oh, you dropped something.

It's nothing. Thank you.

- It was nice meeting you.
- Uh, you as well.

Did I say something wrong?

If there's one thing
I've learned,

it's that people are crazy,

and it usually has nothing
to do with me.

Gwen, I'm home.

( footsteps thumping )

Gwen?

Oh, hey, Mom.
I didn't realize
what time it was.

Gwen, is there someone
in the house?

What? No.

( thump )

Come on, let's find
something for dinner.
I'm starving.

( creaking )

- ( creaking )
- ( gasps )

- Gwen there's someone here.
- Jeez, Mom.

- It's just Tony.
- Hey, Mrs. Johnston.

Tony, what a nice surprise.

I can see now why Gwen
was so anxious for me
to join the book club.

He just stopped by
to help me with my homework.

From the staircase?

I didn't know you were taking
quantum physics.

- We just overreacted.
- Uh-huh.

Well, lucky for
the both of you,

I am way too tired
to be upset about this.

I'm gonna heat up some dinner.

What? I'm hungry.

It was nice to see
your mom tonight, Tony.

Yeah, she loves that book club.

Gives her a chance
to talk about people

to someone other
than me and Dad.

Gwen, how was
your first day back?

It was okay.
I'm just glad it's over.

( phone chimes )

- What? No way.
- What?

It's Tori.
Her admission to M.I.T.
is being revoked.

- What?
- Revoked? Why?

Sam says her mom
helped her cheat on her
college admissions test.

I guess April
the school counselor
was involved, too.

- Tony:
How did they catch her?
- I don't know.

( phone ringing )

Sam? Wait, slow down.

That doesn't make any sense.
I saw her there.

We were at the same
testing center.

( music box playing )

( sniffling )

Hey. At least they're talking
about someone else today, right?

- Tori?
- Wow.

I didn't even know about it.

I guess they arranged to have
someone else retake the test

in my name without telling me.

I'm so sorry, Tori.

And M.I.T. revoked your offer?

M.I.T., Caltech, Stanford.

At this point I'll be lucky
if I can get into a state school
in North Dakota.

And the stupid thing is,
my scores were already
good enough.

But you know my mom.

How did they find out?

Someone sent these
letters to me,

to the school,
to the universities.

Who?

My mom swears
only she and April
knew what was going on.

She thinks April
must have done it.

"You got what you deserved."

That doesn't make sense.

Why would April
get herself in trouble?

It doesn't really matter,
does it?

My life is pretty much
over either way.

I know what it's like
to feel that way, Tori.

It'll get better,
I promise.

I should get going.

Keep it. Throw it.
I don't care.

I never want to see it again.

Tony: My parents won't be home
for a couple hours.

- So what do you want to do?
- I have some ideas.

- Dad?
- It's a pleasure
to see you, Ms. Johnston.

Dad, I thought
you were at work.

The department
is digitizing cold case files.

I remembered I had
a few tucked away in my study.

Tony, a word.

Dad, I'm sorry.
I didn't know--

What is Gwen Johnston
doing here?

What? What do you mean?

You know she and her mom
have involvement

in that McClain
missing persons case.

Okay, Dad, just because
she's the one who found--

And you know that
I'm up for a promotion, okay?

I cannot have you
seen palling around town
with this girl.

- Dad, come on.
- Tony.

Good.
Now I'm going back
to the station.

I will be home by dinner.

- Hey. So are we in trouble?
- What are you doing?

Oh, nothing.
Just waiting for you
to come back.

- Gwen.
- What?

Let's get coffee.
I'm gonna need caffeine
if we're gonna study Chaucer.

( lock clicking )

( creaking )

- Oh.
- Hello to you, too!

I'm sorry.
I was just a little zoned out.

Well, a bookstore is
the perfect place to escape.

- Can I help you find anything?
- No. No, I'm okay.

You want to talk about it?

Oh, I don't want to bother you

while you're working.

Well, how about you help me out?

Oh. Okay.

Wow. $500,000?

That's quite a check.

- Yeah.
- I remember that fire.

I had no idea that
that was your house.

I think the hardest part
has been to watch Gwen
go through it all.

First Lauren going missing,

then the house,
then her father.

Was Gwen close to Lauren?

Lauren was Gwen's best friend.

When her grandmother started
showing signs of dementia,

we invited Lauren
to stay with us.

Well, that was awfully
nice of you.

Unfortunately,
it didn't last very long.

Lauren had a lot
of problems of her own.

Bit of an understatement.

You knew Lauren?

A bit.

She used to browse
the bookshelves for hours
in the afternoon.

It seemed like
she didn't want to go home.

Kind of reminded me
of myself at that age.

I figured there were
worse places she could be
other than a bookstore.

Even if she occasionally helped
herself to the merchandise.

Like I said, reminded me
of myself at that age.

I think that was actually
the breaking point for us.

When I had to go
pick up Gwen and Lauren

from the police station
for shoplifting,

we finally had
to ask Lauren to leave.

You needed to do
what was best for your daughter.

A few weeks later,
Lauren stopped replying
to Gwen's texts.

So Gwen went over
to her grandmother's house
just to check on her, and--

I read about that.

- Someone broke in and--
- Her room was trashed.

There had clearly
been a struggle,

but nothing
was missing except...

Except Lauren.

Gwen blamed herself.

I don't think she's been
the same since.

In fact, since the fire,
I don't know that I have either.

Natalie?

What's wrong?

( gasps )

Wow, carb overload?
What's the occasion?

Oh, nothing.

I just couldn't
sleep last night.

Nightmares about Dad again?

- Don't be silly.
- Really?

- Yeah.
- Thanks.

Oh, I'm gonna leave you
some money for dinner tonight.

- Why? Where you going?
- I have my book club.

Oh, that's right.
Did you finish that book
Tony's mom picked yet?

- I got about halfway through.
- Yikes.

- Book one out of how many?
- Ten.

- Sounds like Sadie.
- Careful.

You don't want
to get off on the wrong foot
with your future in-laws.

Ah! Gwen!

So how did you enjoy
"The Dragons of Crothos
Chronicles"?

Hmm? Oh, I didn't
get to finish it.

Well, maybe that's because
it was barely shorter than
the entirety of Wikipedia.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm sorry.
I'm-- I'm just distracted.

- You haven't seen
Meredith, have you?
- No.

Hey, ladies.

Looks like April and Anita
are no-shows tonight.

They must be humiliated.
It's all anybody's
talking about.

- Is it?
- I've heard there might be
criminal charges filed.

- My husband was--
- Wendy: Sadie.

It's your book this week.
Why don't you get us started?

Sure,
if you're not up to it.

Okay, I hope everyone
enjoyed my favorite book.

Wendy:
Margey, we're just about
to get started.

- ( grunts )
- ( all gasping )

You stay away from me,
and you stay away
from my husband.

Or the next time I hit you,

it's going to be
with a baseball bat.

Oh, my God. Are you okay?

Wendy? Everyone's gone.

Thank you.

I suppose you're wondering
what that was all about.

I didn't want to pry.

It's a little too late for me
to expect privacy.

- What's this?
- Go ahead, open it.

"You can't hide. Aletheia."

Is this...

Meredith's husband Jeff.

Were you two...

It was right after my divorce,

and I was drinking
all of the time.

I think--

I think some part of me

was trying to destroy my life.

And he was--

he and Meredith
were having problems.

I didn't know her at the time.

Not that that's any excuse,
I just--

We ended it pretty quickly.

I think we were both so ashamed.

And we promised
not to tell anyone,

to protect Meredith, but--

- Someone found out.
- Looks like it.

This envelope,
it looks just like the one
Anita had last week.

Then I guess someone
in our group has a poisoned pen.

- ( knocking )
- ( gasps )

- Sadie, hi.
- Natalie, mind if I come in?

- Oh, of course.
- My famous lasagna.

- Just 25 minutes at 400.
- Oh, thank you so much.

- That's very sweet.
- It's overdue.

I was so sorry to hear
about your husband.

And now that our kids
are spending so much
time together...

Ah, yeah, Gwen does seems
to be smitten by Tony.

Young love.
It's a shame it can't last.

I suppose you've heard
by now about the letters.

Oh, I have. It's terrible.

Apparently, someone is taking on
the role of avenging angel.

Or a vengeful demon.

It seems that none
of our secrets are safe.

Meaning?

Meaning, if there's
anything you'd like

to get off your chest,
you might want to go ahead

and get ahead of it now,
before someone beats you to it.

Sadie, what are you
talking about?

I think you know.

Well, if I knew,
I wouldn't be asking.

Natalie, I'm sure
you've heard the rumors

about your husband
and Lauren McClain.

She's staying
in your house one minute,
you kick her out the next.

And then she goes missing?

People have their suspicions.

People have wild imaginations

and way too much time
on their hands.

All I'm saying, Natalie,
is if you know anything,

I can have my husband
take a statement.

Oh, that's what this is about.
Advancing your husband's career.

I'm just trying to help.

I don't need
your kind of help, Sadie.

- Natalie--
- And you can take
your lasagna with you.

I understand
why you're upset, Natalie.

- But if you change your mind--
- I won't. Have a good day.

- How's the book, Mom?
- It's pretty good.

Must be.

I think you've re-read
that page about 12 times.

I've just had a lot on my mind.

Does this have something to do
with the letters going around?

You know about those?

Mom, everybody
knows about that.

Tori got this in the mail
the same day she found out

about her Mom rigging her test.

"Sorry about M.I.T.

You got what you deserved.
Aletheia."

Does she have any idea
who did this?

That's what's so crazy.

Tori's like the sweetest person
I've ever met.

I don't know anyone who would do
something like this to her.

It's a little scary.

Well, hopefully they figure out

who's doing this soon
and put an end to it.

I wouldn't worry too much, GG.
They're just nasty letters.

Words never killed anyone.

We checked the door.
There was no forced entry.

Perp must've come
through the window.

Looks like he snuck up
on her from behind her.

There's something else.

Looks like
our poison pen author

may have just
upped their game.

What does it say?

All it says is "You're next."

I don't know!

Oh, my gosh.

I don't know.
It's just really scary.

( rustling )

You're right. You're right.

I'm calling the police.
I'll call you back.

- ( phone beeps )
- ( door opens )

( gasps, screams )

Hey, what's going on?

- You haven't heard?
- Heard what?

It's April.
She was killed last night.

What? What happened?

Someone snuck into her house,

and she was suffocated
by a plastic bag.

Oh, my goodness.
That's awful.

We all just found out,
so I'm canceling the meeting.

No, of course.

Ladies, please be careful
going home tonight.

Take care of yourselves
and each other.

Do you think it's Aletheia?

That's the signature
on all these letters.

The Greek goddess
of truth and revelation.

- Who would be doing this?
- I don't know.

But whoever it is,
I wouldn't want to be
their next target.

- Oh, hey, Mom.
- Hey, Gwen.

- Mail came.
- Anything good?

Oh, just the usual.
Bills and cleaning coupons.

Exciting.

- How was school?
- Pretty intense.

A couple of the seniors got
black envelopes in the mail.

I don't know what they said,
but there was a huge
fight at lunch.

Police showed up.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

Are you okay, Mom?

Yeah, I'm fine.
I'm just tired.

Could be worse.

There could be
a black envelope
in this pile.

Wendy:
They know what?

I don't know.

Are they suggesting
that Gwen was involved
in Lauren's disappearance?

She couldn't have been.
I know my daughter.

- Sure, it's just...
- What?

It's just that so far,
all of the letters
have been true.

- Where is Gwen right now?
- She's at home, studying.

Natalie, you need
to bring this to the police.

I know, just...

What if something did happen
between Lauren and Gwen?

I mean,
an accident or something?

You don't want to turn your
daughter in to the police.

- Well, I--
- You don't have to explain
yourself, Natalie.

You should be
on your daughter's side.

So what do I do?

Can you just ask Gwen
about it?

I'm not sure how she'd react
knowing I opened her mail.

Her mail from a psycho killer?

If you can't ask Gwen about it,
there's nothing that says

you can't do a little
sleuthing on your own.

( knocking on door )

- Hello?
- Hi, Martha.

Can I help you?

It's Natalie Johnston?

My daughter was friends
with Lauren.

Martha:
I apologize for the mess.

My nurse usually
tidies up for me,
but she's not here today.

- That's okay.
- So how can I help you?

I just wanted to see if
I could ask you some questions
about your granddaughter?

- Oh, Lauren?
- Mm-hmm.

She's not here anymore.

Oh, uh-- no, I did hear.

I just was hoping maybe
you remembered something

about the night
that she went missing.

Oh, her friend Gwen
came over that night.

Have you met Gwen?

- Yes.
- Well, she went to see
Lauren in her room.

The next thing, I--
I heard screaming.

- It's all right.
- Oh, I'm so sorry.

Please excuse me a moment.

Hi. I need to speak
to Detective Chandler please.

Thank you.

Mrs. Johnston.
What's this?

It's a black envelope I found
at Lauren McClain's house.

What were you doing
in Lauren McClain's house?

Please, detective,
just listen to me.

This proves that
whatever happened to Lauren

is connected to all of this.

She must've received
a letter from Aletheia

before she was killed.

Lauren McClain
is missing, okay?

Her case has not been
ruled a homicide.

That's what the police
are officially saying,

but do you really believe
Aletheia would've taken her
and let her live?

Mrs. Johnston,
slow down, okay?

You found an envelope
in an old cluttered house.

That doesn't add up
to murder.

So are you telling me
there's no correlation?

I'm telling you
you need to let the police
handle this investigation.

But, detective,
I think that that's very--

I'm also thinking that
it's a little convenient,

- you finding this envelope.
- I'm sorry?

It's no secret
that your husband
was a person of interest

in Lauren's disappearance.

My husband was cleared
of any wrongdoing.

By an alibi you provided.

What exactly are you suggesting?

I'm not suggesting anything,
Mrs. Johnston.

It's just this envelope
showing up is a convenient way

for you to redirect
any lingering suspicion
about your husband.

There are no lingering
suspicions about my husband,
detective.

And if you won't
do anything about this,
I can promise you, I will.

- Are you sure this is cool?
- Yeah, my dad's
working tonight.

All those letters
have got him scrambling.

- ( phone vibrating )
- It's fine.

Speak of the devil.

Hey, Dad. Nothing.

I just got home.

No, practice doesn't start
till next week.

Yeah, I don't know.
It's still in here.

( shutter clicking )

Sadie:
Looking for something?

Oh, I'm sorry.
I was just looking for a pen.

- Thanks.
- How's your mom?

She's good. She's good.

You know, considering
the circumstances.

And what circumstances
are those?

- Uh, you know.
- No.

Tell me.

Are you referring
to the letters...

...that come in these
black envelopes?

- Oh, I thought--
- You thought what?

That I was Aletheia?

So is it going okay?

- ( muted chatter )
- All right.

Let me give a little tip, Gwen.

When I have something to say,
you'll know I said it.

I don't have to hide behind
fake names and calligraphy.

- Sadie--
- It's not polite

to go snooping around
other people's homes, Gwen.

I would've thought your mother
had taught you better than that.

I'll only say this once, dear.

From work?

Okay.

Yeah, no, it's fine.

It's, uh--

- Going somewhere?
- Ask your mom.

What? What do you mean?

Gwen!

( phone vibrating )

Wendy, did you get to the part

where she develops the photos?

Natalie, can you come
to the bookstore?

- I need to talk to you.
- Yeah. What's going on?

It's the letter.

I just realized,
it reminded me of something.

What did it remind you of?

I'd like to show you in person.

I'm not sure I'm right,
and I don't want
to influence you.

Wendy, you're not making
any sense.

Natalie, please,
just trust me.

Okay. Uh, I'll see you soon.

Oh, hey, GG.
I thought you were at Tony's.

I was, until
Mrs. Chandler banished me.

Banished you? For what?

She caught me looking
through some stuff.

What? Hold on.
Why were you looking
through her stuff?

Mom, she knows something
about the letters.

She had ink, paper.

She had a bin full
of those black envelopes.

Here, I took pictures.

And what did she say about it?

She said they were part
of the investigation.

I mean,
that would make sense.

Look, I know that Sadie
can be difficult,

but I will try
and smooth things over
with her later tonight.

- I have to go.
- What? Where are you going?

I have to meet Wendy
at the bookstore.

But we will talk about this
when I get home, okay?

- But, Mom--
- And in the meantime,

try not to get caught snooping
through anyone else's house.

I'm not happy about this, Gwen.

Come on, Natalie.

( clattering )

( sighs )

Perfect.

Hello? Natalie?

Natalie, are you here?

You! Aah!

( gasping )

( coughs )

( grunts, wheezes )

( screaming )

( grunts )

Wendy?

Wendy?

( thud )

- ( gasps )
- ( door closes )

( keys jangling )

( gasps )

- Who's there?
- No, please don't!

- Natalie?
- Meredith?

- What happened?
- I don't know.
I don't know.

Meredith Davis
said she picked this
up off the body.

Natalie, tell me again
what happened.

Wendy called me
and told me to meet her here.

She said it was something about
the poisoned pen letters.

- What about them?
- She said that they reminded
her of something.

- Of what?
- I don't know.

She didn't say.

She sounded nervous.
Scared even.

- And when I got here...
- ( muted chatter )

...she was already dead.

I, um--
I thought I heard someone,

so I hid and texted 911.

And that's when Meredith
found me and we waited
for the police together.

Detective, I don't see
how she could've done this.

And where were you earlier
this evening, Mrs. Johnston?

I was--

I'm sorry. Do you think
that I was somehow involved?

- I'm just doing my job.
- I told you.

I was at home.
Gwen can vouch for me.

Tell me again
about the altercation
between these two.

Meredith had found out
about the affair

between Wendy
and her husband.

She showed up to book club
and slapped her.

But I still don't think
it was her.

Okay. We need you to come in
for a formal statement.

- Are you available tomorrow?
- Yeah.

- You have the right
to remain silent.
- No, please.

- I only came here
to talk to Wendy.
- Wait, no.

- Ask Natalie. Ask her!
- It wasn't Meredith.

- It couldn't have
been Meredith.
- Man: Anything you say

can and will be used against you
in a court of law.

- You have the right
to an attorney.
- Natalie!

- ( radio chatter )
- I was only...

- Mom?
- Hey, sweetie.

Mom, what's wrong?

It's Wendy.

What do you think
really happened?

I don't know.

Wendy wanted to talk to me
about the letters.

Maybe she found out
who wrote them.

Maybe that's why she's dead.

- Do you think Meredith did it?
- Maybe.

It seems like they're going
through every member
of your book club.

Except you.

Mom, are we in danger?

No. No, sweetie.

We're gonna be okay,
all right?

I promise, GG.
We'll be all right.

Trust me.

You know, I was thinking

I could throw
Daniel's retirement party.

He's been on the force
so long,

maybe something other
than store-bought cake
and stale coffee.

Or I can get you a cattle prod
and you can just push him out.

You can't blame me
for being a little excited

that my husband is
finally up for the promotion
he's worked so hard for.

- Almost as hard as his wife.
- Tony: Hey, Dad.

- Morning, sweetheart.
- I'm not hungry.

Everything all right?

Tony is angry with me
because I asked Gwen
to leave yesterday.

I don't see
what the big deal is.

The big deal is that your father
and I have worked hard

to provide you
with every opportunity,

and we don't want her
dragging you down.

What is that
supposed to mean?

- Sadie.
- What?

- Whatever.
- Tony!

Go talk to your son.

( bell ringing )

Hey, sorry again about my mom.

Yeah, I've seem to have
made quite an impression
on your parents, huh?

Hey, at least
they didn't catch you

playing the worst ever game
of hide and seek on the stairs.

Speaking of,
how is your mom?

She's doing better than
I would've thought.

I'd be completely
freaked out right now.

Actually, I am pretty
freaked out right now,

but at least
they caught the killer.

- What?
- Nothing, it's just...

- I don't think that she did it.
- What do you mean?

I overheard my parents
talking about the case.

Your dad was telling
your mom about the case?

He tells her everything.

Well, did you overhear
who he suspects?

No, just that the woman
they arrested had an alibi
at the time of the murder.

How about your mom?
She tell you anything?

Just that
she was found strangled

with a tie-dyed purple scarf,

which I've been having
nightmares about ever since.

- What's wrong?
- Purple scarf?

Tony, if you know something,
you need to tell--

My mom, she has
a tie-dyed purple scarf
she wears occasionally.

Well, has she worn it lately?

Tony?

I told the police it wasn't you.
It just didn't make any sense.

None of this makes any sense.

First I find out my best friend
is cheating with my husband.

Then I find out
she's been killed.

Then I'm being arrested for it.

Are you okay?

I don't know.

I guess I'm lucky our neighbors

heard me throwing Jeff
out of the house

during the timeframe
of the murder.

- I'm so sorry.
- Don't be.

It wasn't the first time
he's cheated.

But it is gonna be the last.

So why did
you go to the bookstore
if it wasn't--

To kill Wendy?

Believe me,
I thought about it.
But Wendy called.

She said that she had something
she needed to show me.

I told her I didn't want
to see her, but she insisted.

Did she say what it was?

Only that it might prove
who was writing the letters.

But she didn't tell me
anything else.

Yeah, I got
a similar phone call,

but she didn't
say much either.

What do you think it means?

I don't know.

But I'm not sticking around
to find out.

I'm gonna go stay with my sister
in Florida for a little while.

Natalie, you have
a daughter, right?

- Yeah. Gwen.
- Well, if I were you,

I wouldn't be here when Aletheia
chooses her next victim.

- Hey, honey, how was school?
- Mom, go.

- What's going on? Okay.
- Mom, please just drive.

Sadie? Is everything okay?

Why don't you ask your daughter?

- Gwen?
- Mom, I--
can we please just go?

Your daughter's been spreading
nasty little rumors

about me being involved
in Wendy's murder,

that my scarf was used
in the attack.

Turns out, it was just
to distract from her own
dirty little secret.

- Wasn't it, Gwen?
- What is she talking about?

Mom, one of the letters says
that I helped Dad kill Lauren.

- What?
- It's a lie.

Well, of course it's a lie.

That's the thing
about these letters.

They're vicious and cruel,
but they don't lie.

Wendy's affair?
Anita's little test scam?

Oh, and here's something new.

My husband
just arrested Jeff Davis

for an embezzlement scheme
at the parks department.

Meredith's husband?

You know Jeff,
don't you, Gwen?

Lauren was an intern
in his office until you
and your father--

You might want to think twice
before you finish that sentence.

Of course.

We all have our secrets
we wanna keep,

don't we, Natalie?

It seems the Johnstons
received a nice little

insurance check recently.

Tell me, Natalie,

how were your finances
before your husbands died?

Sadie, get your face
out of my window before
something happens to it.

You can run from the truth,
but it will eventually
catch up to you.

Get out of my way, Sadie.

Tony...

Don't let her get to you,
sweetie.

- Where is it?
- Where is what?

- The letter.
- Gwen--

Everyone else
that's been accused
of something got a letter.

I have a hard time believing
Aletheia just spared me

out of the goodness
of their heart.

Mom, please.

- When did you get this?
- A few days ago.

- And you didn't show me?
- I wanted to protect you.

Well, it didn't work out,
did it?

And Dad's life insurance check?
You didn't mention that.

It was overwhelming, GG.

I was processing it.
I still am.

But you didn't think
I should be processing this?

I just wanted
to ask you about it.

Ask me about it?
Ask me what?

Ask me if it was true?

You think I had something to do
with Lauren's disappearance?

No, of course not.
I'm on your side here.

Good. I'd hate to see
what you'd do if you weren't.

Gwen.

Gwen.

( gasping )

Gwen, honey, I know we're going
through a rough patch,

but we can
get through this together.

Rough patch?

Mom, people think
that we are killers.

That I killed Lauren
and you killed dad.

It's just lies, Gwen, okay?
Lies from some psychopath.

Yeah. Well, when lies
are all you have,

they begin to look
a lot like the truth.

Gwen.

Gwen!

Gwen, wait up.
Hey, what's the deal?

Someone told your mom
that we were talking
about her scarf.

- Gwen, it's not like that.
- Good, I'm glad.

Because I'd hate to think
that you were the one
that told her that,

and that was why
she accused me

of helping my father
murder Lauren

before my mother
burned him alive.

- She said that?
- Yes, Tony, she said that.

Gwen, I didn't know
she was gonna go there.

I just casually asked her
about her scarf.

She figured out
the rest from there.

Gwen, I swear.

What about the letters?
You don't believe them?

No, of course not, Gwen.
I know you.

I know that's a lie.

- Apparently, you know me
better than my own mom.
- What do you mean?

She hid one
of the letters from me

like she thought
it might be true.

Are you sure?
That doesn't sound
like your mom.

It sounds more like my mom.

I don't know.
Maybe I overreacted.

Look, I think everyone
is just on edge right now.

There was another fight
at the cafeteria today.

I guess more letters
have been turning up.

I just don't understand
why someone would be doing this.

Of course you don't, Gwen.
You're not a sociopath.

I also don't understand
who it could be.

Who would know all these
secrets about everyone?

It's like they've been
a fly on the wall
in every room in town.

I don't know.

( music box playing )

( knocking on door )

- Detective?
- Start in the bedroom.

- With me.
- I'm sorry. What's going on?

We have a search warrant
for this premises

based on an anonymous tip

in the disappearance
of Lauren McClain.

Anonymous?

So it could've come
from anyone?

It's our responsibility
to follow up on any tip,
Mrs. Johnston.

And what exactly was this tip?

- That's confidential
at this time.
- ( clattering )

So you're going to search
my entire house based
on an anonymous tip,

and not even tell me
what it said?

If you'll excuse me,
Mrs. Johnston.

- Mom.
- It's okay.
It's okay, sweetie.

Just stay out of their way,
all right?

I'm sure they'll be gone soon.

Chandler!

Bag it.

- What are they looking for?
- I don't know, honey.

I don't know.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.

If you're coming to apologize
for invading our home,

detective, you can save it
for my attorney.

Gwen, can I have you
to stand up please?

- What?
- Gwen Johnston,
I'm placing you under arrest.

You're arresting her?
For what?

For the murder
of Lauren McClain.

- Mom.
- Honey, don't say anything.

- You have the right
to remain silent.
- Not one word.

Anything you say can
and will be used against you
in a court of law.

It'll be okay, Gwen.

- Gwen!
- Mom!

Are you okay?

I don't know what
you're thinking, detective,

but you have made
a huge mistake.

Well, maybe Gwen
can help us clear that up.

Oh, no.
We are not talking to anyone
until our lawyer gets here.

That's your right.

But in about 90 minutes
this station closes
for the weekend,

so we can clear this up now,

or Gwen can spend
the weekend in a cell,

we can get to it on Monday.

- What?
- No, Gwen. It's okay.

I suppose it's just
a coincidence that you kept us
waiting here for four hours?

We were processing the evidence.

And what evidence
would that be?

This knife was
found in Gwen's bedroom.

It has traces of blood
that match Lauren McClain's
blood type.

- That doesn't prove anything.
- Well, maybe not yet.

But that knife matches a set
that was found in your kitchen.

We'll have the results back
in a few days,

and then we'll know if that's
really Lauren's blood or not.

This is ridiculous.
Is this Aletheia's doing?

You know you've been doing
a really good job, detective.

Instead of trying to find
the author of these letters,

you've just been running around
in circles for their amusement.

I don't think you understand
the severity of this situation!

Oh, I most certainly do,
detective.

But I also know my daughter,
and I know she's innocent.

- ( knocking on door )
- One moment.

- Hey.
- ( all whispering )

What? Are you kidding me?

Well, congratulations,
Mrs. Johnston.

Your attorney
has successfully argued
for your release.

- So she's free to go?
- For now.

- Okay, come on.
- But I wouldn't go too far,
Mrs. Johnston.

We'll have those DNA results
back on Monday.

And until then,
we'll be keeping
a close eye on you.

Let's go, Gwen.

Mom, I swear I don't know
anything about this.

I don't know how
that knife got in my room,

and I don't know how
Lauren's blood got on it.

- Mom, I swear I didn't--
- I know. Honey, stop.

You think I don't know
all that?

I know that you would
never hurt anyone,
let alone Lauren.

- Mom.
- Okay. I know, I know, honey.

I know.
It's okay. It's okay.

It's all right.
It's okay. Shh.

But listen to me,
if that blood is Lauren's,

like I think it might be,

then that means Aletheia
knows where the body is

and you are being framed.

So we have less than 48 hours
to figure out what to do

when the lab results
come back.

But we will figure this out.
It's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay.
It's gonna be okay.

- You okay?
- No, Tony, I'm not okay.

Someone is trying to frame me,
and if I don't do something,

I'm going to be spend
the rest of my life in prison.

What do you have in mind?

Tony, are you sure you want
to be a part of this?

- Your parents--
- Are certifiably insane.

I'm with you, Gwen.

If we're going
to find out the truth,

we have to start with Lauren.

Gwen, my dad,
the entire department,

has been searching
for Lauren for a year.

I know, but I knew her
better than anyone.

Maybe there's something
they missed,

something they wouldn't
have thought was important.

What did you have in mind?

( doorbell rings )

- Can I help you?
- Mrs. McClain, it's Gwen.

- Lauren's friend?
- Gwen, dear!

Well, hello!
Well, please come in.

- What a nice surprise.
- ( clattering )

Oh, that's my nurse.
She's fixing my lunch.

- Would you like anything?
- No, that's all right.

I just wanted to talk
with you about Lauren.

Poor girl.
Did you know her?

I-- Mrs. McClain,
it's me, Gwen.

I was friends with Lauren.

Oh, yes. I'm sorry.

I just wanted to ask you
about Lauren's disappearance.

I really don't like
to think about that very much.

I'm sorry to ask, Mrs. McClain.
It's just-- it's important.

Well, I remember Lauren
was in her room.

Her friend Gwen came over.
Do you know Gwen?

I know Gwen.
She's a great girl.

Yes. She and Lauren
were very close.

Uh, I'm sorry.
What was your question?

We were wondering...

Would it be okay
if we looked around
Lauren's room?

Oh, I don't know.

I haven't really let anyone
in there except the police.

I had breakfast
with Detective Chandler
this morning.

- What are
we doing here exactly?
- I don't know.

Looking for anything
the police might have missed.

Something that might tell us
what happened to Lauren.

There's no dust.

This whole place, spotless.

Maybe Martha keeps it
as a shrine to Lauren
or whatever.

Martha doesn't exactly
seem up to any housekeeping.

- ( thud )
- What was that?

Martha?

Ms. McClain? Hello?

( music box playing )

( door slams )

- Tony?
- Tony: Gwen?

- Tony, it's locked.
- Okay, hold on.

I'm going to kick it open.

- ( thunk )
- ( thudding )

Tony? Tony, are you okay?

Aah!

Gwen? Tony?

"Back soon. Don't worry. GG."

Oh, she has got
to be kidding me.

Gwen: Hey, it's Gwen.
Leave a message.

- ( beep )
- Gwendolyn Eleanor,

you call me the second
you get this message.

And you better be on
your way home when you do.

"Where are you?"

( phone chimes )

"Answer your phone."

( phone chiming )

( line ringing )

Operator: 911.
What's your emergency?

( phone chiming )

Hello? Hello? Hell--

( line disconnects )

Sorry, Gwen.

I know it's rude
to be on the phone

when you're with someone else.

But you have my full
attention now.

I didn't want our reunion
to be like this.

You know, I had something
more dramatic in mind,

like, visiting you in prison--

for my murder, no less.

How fun would that have been?

( mumbling )

Oh, GG.

Do you have something to say?

- Lauren, you're--
- I'm alive.

I know. Crazy, right?

Don't worry.
You are the only person
who will ever know.

Where's Tony?

Tony. About that.

He had a small run in
with this flashlight.

Is he alive?

Mm, I'm not a doctor, Gwen.

Congrats by the way.

Snagging the captain
of the baseball team?

You've really blossomed
this year.

- Lauren, please.
- "Lauren, please!"

You are so used to getting
your own way, aren't you?

You know, I thought
you were different.

I thought I finally had
a friend who cared about me.

But it turns out
you were like everyone else.

You only care about you!

That's not true, Lauren.
You lived in our house.

Your house. Your room.
Your stupid rules.

You, you, you.

It was never my home.

You made that clear
when you threw me out.

Lauren.

That was sort of the final cut,
you know?

You bleed a few thousand times,

and then one day you wake up

and think maybe it's my turn

to make everyone else bleed.

The letters. You wrote them.
You did all of this.

Congrats, Gwen.
You figured it out.

But not just the letters.

The knife in your room
with my blood on it?

That was me.

And that little
house fire last year?

It was supposed to be
a thank you gift

to all of you Johnstons
for your hospitality.

I didn't know you and Natty
were out of the house.

But then I realized
it's better this way, you know?

Why let you go out easy
when I can let you feel

what it's like to lose
everything the way I did?

- You're insane.
- No!

- My grandmother, however...
- Did you hurt her?

She's family, Gwen.

Let's just say
she's taking a little nap.

A couple of benzos
and she's out like a light.

Of course, she's out
most of the time anyway.

I was only gone a month,
and when I came back

she didn't even
recognize me anymore.

Just thought
I was her live-in nurse.

My own grandmother!

Lauren, why?
Why are you doing this?

Do we really have
to get into it?

Your mom will be here
any second.

Then we can have a real
family get-together.

( thunk )

Speak of the devil.

( panting )

Gwen?

Mom! Mom, Mom!

( grunting )

Shh.

Gwen?

( clattering )

Gwen?

Tony? Tony!

My God, are you okay?

Tony, are you okay?

- ( grunting )
- What? What?

Hi, Mrs. Johnston.

Lauren. Lauren.

Lauren, what have you done?

Only what you taught me,
Mrs. Johnston.

Punishing someone's mistakes

by ripping away
everything they love.

Lauren.

You knew I had nothing.

No one!

Except a grandmother
who doesn't even
recognize me anymore.

You threw me away
like an old piece of trash.

- Like I didn't matter.
- No, no.

At first, I blamed myself.

I tried to understand why.

And then I realized
I didn't matter.

Not to you.
Not to your husband.

Not to your daughter.
Not to anyone!

I matter now.

( grunting )

It was you? The letters?

Killing the book club members?

Oh, yeah.
You can thank April for that.

Well, I guess you can't.

'Cause she's dead.

( chattering )

( laughter )

She was my counselor,

and she was supposed
to help me.

Instead, she was trying
to get me expelled.

Expelled? Why?

Just a stupid little fire

in the gardening shed
behind the school.

It was an accident.
Mostly.

But she found out
I burned it down,

so I decided
to burn her down.

- How did you--
- How did I know?

How did I know everyone's
dirty little secrets?

It's pretty simple, actually.

You'd be surprised
what people will say
in front of you

when they think
you don't matter.

When they think
you're powerless,

it's like you're invisible.

Just a second.

It's like
I wasn't even there.

Like I didn't matter.

They thought I was too stupid

to figure out
what they were up to,

but she was stupid!

She was stupid
to underestimate me!

Getting to take down
Anita and Tori, well...

I don't want you
hanging out with her.

...that was just a bonus.

But then I realized...

I'd only just begun.

The letters just started
as a little fun.

I had the chance
to bring justice

to everyone who deserved it.

April, Anita,

Meredith's sleazy husband.

So do you want me
to come there

or do you want to come
to my place?

Yeah, she's still out of town.

Why Wendy?
Why did you kill Wendy?

That one was hard.
I actually liked Wendy.

But she was starting
to figure it out.

I wrote her a thank you note
last year.

Apparently, she found it and
recognized the handwriting.

She started asking questions.

I guess that's what you get
for having manners.

But don't worry.

I'm not the only person

with that handwriting.

What are you talking about?

You have been working
on your confession.

- To the letters?
- And to your little
killing spree.

Starting with me.

And your husband.

And April. And Wendy.

Yourself.
And your daughter!

Where is she? Where's Gwen?

Don't worry.

You two will be reunited
very soon.

No! No!

( grunting, panting )

- Goodbye, Mrs. Johnston.
- No. Lauren.

- Thanks for nothing!
- Lauren!

Say goodbye, bitch.

- Goodbye, bitch.
- ( thunk )

- Gwen. Gwen!
- Mom!

( panting )
Oh, Gwen.

( sobbing )

- ( radio chatter )
- I just hope she gets
the help she needs.

I just hope I never
see her again.

Mrs. Johnston, Gwen,
I just wanted to apologize

about the way this whole
investigation played out.

These letters,
they got personal,

and it clouded my judgment.

- I'm sorry for every--
- Detective.

You don't need to apologize.

When it comes to family,
it's always personal.

You've got quite
the amazing son over there.

- And you have
an amazing daughter.
- I know.

I still cannot believe
you bought this place
after everything.

- It's like a dream, honestly.
- I know.

Wendy and I
were kindred spirits.

I didn't know her
for very long,

but I feel like
she would've wanted
the bookstore to go on.

And plus,
with your father's
life insurance money,

it just kind of
all worked out.

Final copy.
What do you think?

I think I am very excited
to be in a book club
with my favorite daughter.

( music playing )

( music playing )