All language subtitles for Murder.in.a.Small.Town.2024.S02E06.720p.WEB.H264-JFF_track3_eng

[tense music]

[woman screaming]

Help!

[panting]

[groans]

Help!

Help!

[panting]

[tires screech]

Oh my god!

My friends!

Please! Help them!

[hyperventilating]

♪

[Sid] We're looking at a bear attack.

Survivor is on the way to the hospital.

A Mackenzie Rankin, school teacher from Chicago.

She was out hiking with three of her friends.

A survivor does- does that mean...?

[Sid] Yeah. According to Mackenzie,

one of them may be dead, a Larissa Stewardson,

also from Chicago.

We're going to look for the other two.

[Laila] You're gonna need support.

No. Search and Rescue is on the way.

I'm gonna head out with the Ranger now.

Okay, uh, stay safe, Sarge.

Carry bear spray.

I'll talk to Mackenzie when she arrives.

Okay.

All right, Dan.

Lead the way.

All right. Keep the walkie on.

Cell service is patchy.

Stay on the trail.

Watch your back out there.

[engine fires up]

[pleasant music]

Karl?

Don't move.

What are you doing?

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

I'd show you, but--

No, I don't think I'm ready for how you see me.

Halfway between Venus de Milo and Helen of Troy.

Except with both arms and, uh...

too many clothes.

Ha! No pressure, right?

How much time do we have left?

Weekend's not over yet.

You're just going to keep drawing?

And are you going to keep talking?

[laughing] Oh my god.

[Doctor] We've stitched her up.

The bear swiped her shoulder and her arm.

She's in rough shape emotionally as much as physically.

Thanks. I'll try and go easy.

Okay.

My friends?

Nothing yet, I'm afraid.

But Search and Rescue is out there.

Larissa...

I think she's dead.

The bear...

[sobbing]

Can you tell me what happened, Mackenzie?

There's four of us.

Me and Larissa and Val and Aisha.

We came here yesterday to honor Megan.

Megan?

My little sister.

She- she died a year ago.

I'm sorry.

Emery Mountain State Park.

It was one of Megan's favorite places.

We used to hike there, the two of us.

How did Megan...

She took her own life.

That's tough.

Can you tell me what happened this morning?

Larissa had gone off to pick flowers for the memorial,

and she never came back.

We split up and went to look for her.

I kept calling,

and then suddenly I hear Larissa crying out, and...

and finally I saw...

the bears staring at her.

And there was just blood all over the place.

I tried to scare it away,

but then it came for me. It came for me.

I should have kept looking.

Hey. We will find them.

[Cassandra] This is how you remember it?

Ghosts.

I should have just booked another place

instead of visiting your past with you.

No, no, no, no, no, no, this is--

This was good.

What was it like...

that summer you spent with your mom?

[laughs]

Karl, did it rain that summer or...?

Uh, no.

It was- it was sunny every day. -Mm.

The moon was full every night.

I mean, it felt that way.

I wish you'd met her.

Yeah, so do I.

We need to make a habit of this.

The two of us getting away, rain or shine.

No, no, no, wait.

Not yet.

We've been together for six months.

If you had to pick a word to define us,

what would it be?

Improbable.

Pick another word.

[laughs] You pick one.

Magic.

I didn't see you coming.

I wouldn't have known to look for you.

And here you are.

[phone vibrates]

[phone vibrates]

It's time.

They'll need me at the barn, useless appendage and all.

Yeah. I get to have lunch with the mayor.

Oh, yeah? Budget talk?

Today's the day, maybe. Yeah, a meeting of the minds.

A breakthrough.

Yes. Maybe pigs will fly.

People change.

Bruckle.

What?

You said pick another word.

What kind of word is "bruckle"?

Bruckle?

Bruckle.

I'm gonna look that up later.

[laughs]

Sarge, SNR is focusing on the Southwest Sector,

but nothing to report yet.

Yeah, I found her.

[dramatic music]

You know what, I like driving it.

Maybe I'll get myself a truck.

[laughs]

Are you gonna be okay?

Here.

It's pathetic.

I'm the Chief of Police.

It's vulnerable and sweet.

I'm like a six foot three toddler learning how to walk.

[laughs] No.

- Hey. Hey. - No. Ah.

I tell you that I love you?

Yes.

Mhm.

Improbable.

It's just another word for magic.

Uh-huh.

I love you, too.

[phone vibrates]

[phone vibrates]

Hey kiddo, we just got back.

I hope you guys had fun.

Uh, so, listen, are you coming home first

or are you going straight to work?

Why?

[Holly] No, no. Nothing.

Uh, me and Devon are just working

on an art project for school.

It's a photo series.

"Still Dead Life".

We've sort of taken over the living room.

With dead stuff?

Oh, um, speaking of, um, is it for real?

We saw a post.

Someone got killed by a bear at Emery Mountain?

That's news to me.

Come home later. Okay?

After we get this place cleaned up.

Uh-huh.

Bye.

Okay. Bye, Dad.

[camera shutter snaps]

It's too self-aware.

We need something that feels more organic.

The cemetery.

Yes!

[camera shutter snaps]

[Sid] It's a hell of a way to die.

I still haven't found the other women or that bear.

I'm not sure this was a bear attack.

What are you talking about? It's...

[Sid] It's definitely a something attack.

I think she may have already been dead.

Oh, boy.

[sighs]

[telephone ringing]

[Laila] Jackson.

Hey... yeah.

Clyburn thinks she was already dead.

Okay. Got it.

Hey, everyone.

Chief, you're back.

How was your weekend?

It's over.

How's the day?

That was the Sarge.

He thinks we may have a murder.

Yep. Definitely over.

[Laila] It was supposed to be

a memorial for Mackenzie Rankin's sister, Megan.

Larissa Stewardson, the woman who was killed,

she was research partners with Megan at Northeastern

in the Chemistry Department.

They were also sorority sisters,

along with Aisha Cox.

The fourth woman?

[Laila] Val Fuentes.

She supervised Megan and Larissa

at Northeastern in the Chemistry Department,

where she taught.

Taught? What does she do now?

She's teaching at a college somewhere.

Mackenzie wasn't specific.

There's still no sign of Val or Aisha.

So the four of them fly out here.

Mmhmm. Mackenzie's idea.

They all loved Megan.

But someone didn't love Larissa.

Looks like.

I need to get up there.

Chief. Uh...

All due respect.

I'm fine.

Anyway, pain is good sometimes.

Helps remind you you're still alive.

[knocking]

Cassandra. Come in, come in.

Sorry, I'm late.

You're here now. That's all that matters.

Oh, wow.

You've been here before.

Oh, god. It's been years.

Um. Am I the first one here?

Oh, the first and only.

Let's sit.

Just you and me?

I decided that it was time to clear the air.

Welcome to my home.

Enter freely, go safely,

and leave some of the happiness that you bring behind.

[Dracula accent] Don't worry. I won't bite.

[laughs] Unlike Count Dracula.

Here, sit, sit.

We've known each other, how long?

My whole life.

I've been your mother's doctor for decades.

I was your doctor.

You babysat my daughter, for goodness sakes.

But I don't believe in all of that time

that you've ever trusted me, have you?

Not one inch.

Do you blame me?

Not really. All things considered.

And you do have trust issues.

Don't get all swollen up.

I don't suppose I've ever actually trusted you either.

And there was the birth control episode.

You know, doctor client confidentiality.

Guilty.

You were 15 years old.

I was asking theoretically.

And I mentioned it to your mother.

If I told you that I have always regretted that.

I know. Easy to say.

But it's a long time to hold a grudge, Cassie.

Especially when we could be

doing such good work, such meaningful,

such needful work together.

What do you have in mind?

Oh! [laughs]

So the bear attacked her there, and they ended up here.

[camera shutters snap]

Something attacked her here.

[Laila] There's blood.

Something or someone.

Someone moved the body before the bear attack.

What's beyond the trees?

Cliffs.

Want to take a look?

Let's analyze the ashes, content of the backpack too.

Okey-dokey.

[Laila] Chief!

Someone else was standing here.

Heels dug in, twisted, ran that way.

You got your father's eyes, Corporal.

[Cassandra] I keep pushing for the Arts Center

because I know the community would love it.

I agree. It would be great.

If we could find the funds, but- but we can.

It's just a matter of priorities.

- What I can do-- - Mmhmm.

--is set aside some funds to study the feasibility.

Bury it, you mean.

You'll head up the study.

We'll take it to referendum and let Gibsons decide.

Meantime, in the draft budget,

there is funding for a modest expansion of the library.

That's long overdue, as is Phase 1

of a homeless shelter, also in the draft budget.

And on the growth side,

there'll be some, oh, infrastructure expansion

in West Gibson

and six new police officers for our overworked Chief Alberg.

Thoughts?

I mean, in theory, I could get behind this.

Oh!

Bravo.

I do believe we've just turned a corner.

Christie, if this is in the actual budget.

You have my word.

Wow. We might actually become friends.

Cassie.

It's- it's never been personal, ever.

I am just so pleased

that we're finding common ground.

[door opens]

Oh, Brett. Hi, sweetheart.

You remember Brett.

Brett come say--

[door slams]

You remember my son, Brett.

- Yeah. Of course. - Sorry. He's been--

It's been such a week.

Did you know that boy who shot at him,

with a gun?

Yes. Yeah, I know. It's awful.

How's Brett doing?

[exhales sharply]

He's just pretending to be invulnerable.

[rock music blaring]

Um...

Uh, thank you so much for coming.

Of course.

- Okay. - Okay.

We found Larissa.

We recovered her body an hour ago.

The two of you were good friends?

She was my sister's friend.

They were research partners at Northeastern.

I was never super smart like them.

Aisha and Val?

We're still searching.

Uh...

Tell me about this morning.

As I told Corporal Jackson,

we met in the parking lot at Emery Mountain

and then we started up the trail to the cliffs.

And that's when Larissa took off on her own

to gather flowers.

She never came back.

So you, Aisha and Val split up to look for her.

You're the one who found her.

Have you ever been close to a bear, Chief Alberg?

When it had someone... I shouted.

I threw rocks, it- it turned on me.

Did you see anyone else?

Not until I reached the service road.

Chief?

Ranger Station just called. They found Val Fuentes.

Alive?

She stumbled into the main parking area.

She's on her way to the hospital now.

Go meet her.

Keep her away from Mackenzie.

I don't want them comparing stories.

[ATV engines rumble]

[Dan] Aisha?

[Sid] Aisha?

[Dan] Can you hear me?

Aisha?

Aisha?

Dan, Dan, get back here.

I think I got something.

What have we got here?

And tracks.

Now, is she coming or going?

No, look, she definitely went towards the bank.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

[Dan] You figure she climbed down there?

She's running like hell to get out of Dodge.

So she's either panicking or she's the killer.

[panting]

[groans]

[groans]

[muffled rock music blaring]

Brett!

Turn it down!

[turns down music]

More!

You're not in school.

What happened?

Nothing. It's just boring.

Brett, it's okay

that you were scared the other day.

I wasn't scared!

[thud]

Brett!

Brett.

What can I do to help, Brett?

[turns up rock music]

The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

Extensive cranial fractures and intracranial hemorrhaging.

The pattern of injury is consistent

with a blow from a heavy, rounded object.

How do we know the bear didn't knock her over

and she struck her head on the ground?

The angle of impact suggested she was standing.

Layman's terms,

someone bashed her head in with a rock.

How tall was Larissa?

Nearly six foot.

Okay.

Cassandra.

Shouldn't you be at school?

Me and Devon were taking photos at the cemetery...

and look at what I found.

Those flowers...

that's Enchanter's Nightshade, isn't it?

Like the bouquet at your friend Lauren's shrine.

It was also at Gospel Rock, where Donald Truscott fell.

Okay. Okay. This is weird.

Vengeance.

You told me that's what Nightshade symbolizes.

Lauren Park, Donald Truscott.

Now Calvin Wiley.

They're connected.

Who is Calvin Wiley?

[Karl] Miss Fuentes,

tell me about the group?

Wh- why does that matter?

I met Megan and Larissa at Northeastern.

I was teaching, Chemistry Department.

They were graduate students.

And Mackenzie?

She's Megan's sister.

And we hardly knew each other.

But two months ago, she- she called.

She was organizing a- a memorial tribute.

What about Larissa?

I...

I admired her...

tremendously.

Brilliant, energetic. She was set to make a fortune.

A new polymer formula...

came out of her PhD research with Megan.

So no one in the group had a problem with Larissa.

I mean... what sort of a question is that?

Did anyone have an issue with her?

Are you telling me it wasn't a bear?

Was there someone else out on the trail?

There was a man when we were setting out.

Larissa blew him off.

Everybody else saw him?

Maybe.

I don't know.

Describe him to me.

Thirties, dark hair, big hiking boots and- and camo pants.

He said his name was Martin.

- Martin? - Mm.

No. I never saw a man.

What did Val say?

There was some unpleasantness with Larissa.

First I've heard.

Not that Val would make something up.

I thought you and Val hardly knew each other.

My sister talked about her all the time.

She thought the world of her.

And Larissa?

What- what did your sister think of her?

They were friends, of course.

Research partners for years.

Larissa came all the way from Chicago to pay tribute.

You said you heard snarling.

That's what drove you to the clearing.

What did you see?

I already told you.

Please, I--

I saw the bear.

I saw a horrible black shape tearing at her.

I saw Larissa fighting for her life.

Fighting for her life?

She was being attacked by a bear.

Of course she was gonna try to fight back.

According to the medical examiner,

the attack was postmortem.

Larissa was already dead when the bear found her.

Already dead?

What killed her then?

If the bear was mauling her, it could have looked like

she was fighting back, arms flailing.

Where are we with the forensic artist?

Ah, he's with Val Fuentes now.

Let's see what they come up with.

Meantime, let's station someone outside Mackenzie's door.

In case of visitors?

Or departures.

[ATV engines rumble]

Sarge, I got some fresh tracks here.

Aisha?

Is that you?

[screaming]

Hey, hey!

[Dan] Hey! Hey! Good guy!

[screaming]

Aisha! Put it down!

Go away! Leave me alone!

I'm Sergeant Sokolowski, Gibsons Police!

Glasses.

Here, I have your glasses. Drop it.

Drop it!

A man, a man.

He- he wants to kill me.

[Holly reading] Calvin Wiley died eight years ago.

He was 43 years old.

He was active in the Coast Community Choir,

where his rich baritone gladdened many hearts.

[Cassandra reading] Police confirmed

they are treating the death as suspicious.

Gibson's record. August 8th, 2017.

He was murdered?

Lauren's death was an accident, right?

I'm not sure.

Neither were the police. They-

they interviewed a bunch of people,

and there was no evidence.

Mackenzie Rankin and her sister grew up in Earls Cove.

I want to talk to somebody who knew them.

All right.

She thinks someone was chasing her on Emery Mountain.

Well, Val Fuentes, she saw a man.

Sketch is almost ready.

Check the Emery Mountain parking log.

It's a State park.

Vehicles have to register to access the lot. On it.

You ready for this?

Six hours in the great outdoors hits a man up for the day.

That is a confined space.

I will stay downwind.

Okay.

Hi.

[breathing shakily]

Hey.

- Hi. Is he, uh... - Tied up, sorry.

Can I help you?

Um...

I think I'm looking into a cold case.

Eight years ago, a man named Calvin Wiley.

How would someone get more information?

Well, you'd file a request for information,

Mmm.

Or you'd ask a friend to sneak a peek when she gets a chance.

Isabella, you're the best.

I know.

Calvin Wiley, uh, before my time.

But I remember someone talking about that case.

He was poisoned, right?

Val came crashing through the trees.

She said someone was attacked.

Was it Larissa?

Did you see this man?

No, I- I didn't see anyone, I just ran.

Oh, I'd have never come except Larissa called.

She really wanted a friend.

I assumed you were all friends.

No, no. Larissa is my friend.

But Val, I guess her feelings were hurt

when she left the research project.

I think she felt disrespected,

Larissa doesn't feel comfortable around Val.

And Mackenzie, was she aware of this tension

when she invited all of you?

I don't really know Mackenzie.

All I know is that when Megan took her life,

Mackenzie was devastated.

No one really knows why she did it.

[crying] Where- where is Larissa?

I really want to see her.

Larissa didn't make it.

Sorry.

Oh my god! What? What?

She- she- she's dead?

[sobbing] No, no, no, no.

She's what, five foot three? Larissa was almost six foot.

Assuming she and the assailant were both standing.

Angle of that blow,

there's no way Aisha could have killed her.

Yeah, Val's not tall either.

Let's put that sketch out.

Television, newspapers, social media.

This morning at Emery Mountain a vehicle registered

to Martin Skelton. Gibson's address.

He's got priors. Drug offenses, assault.

We'll check it out.

Chief?

I spoke to a teacher out in Earl's Cove.

Sandra Gilmore.

Not only does she remember Mackenzie and Megan,

but she kept in touch with both of them.

Chemistry Department, Northeastern.

Larissa and Val did a PhD. So did Megan.

I'd like to talk to somebody on the faculty.

Check.

And whoever investigated Megan's suicide. Chicago P.D.

[tense music]

[knocking]

Martin Skelton, Gibsons Police.

[Sid] Gibsons Police, open up.

Hi Mr. Skelton.

[Laila] Sarge! He's running!

[groans]

[Sid] Stay down!

Nice work, Sarge.

Great outdoors.

Puts a pep in his step.

That's what Isabella said.

Calvin Wiley was poisoned?

We are not playing detective here.

I mean, we kind of are, though.

Why was he killed?

That's the question.

Enchanter's Nightshade symbolizes vengeance.

What did Calvin Wiley do?

And what did your friend Lauren do?

Lauren Park?

Her mom was in here just the other day.

She was asking about you.

No, I thought she moved away years ago.

Yeah. She's back.

She has a place down Fletcher Way.

Is there a law against using the side door?

No, but there's a law against stalking, Martin.

Killing women.

Whoa!

I went for a hike. That's all.

Recognize them, Martin?

Yeah. This one. I saw her.

How about the others?

This one said someone was chasing her.

Well, it sure as hell wasn't me.

Ringing any bells?

Oh my god.

Was that the woman?

The bear?

Her name is Larissa.

You didn't kill her?

Kill her?

I thought a bear killed her.

No, I didn't kill her!

Try again, Martin.

The truth.

Look, I went up there for the mushrooms, that's all.

Psilocybin.

But I never hurt anyone, let alone...

So you saw this one?

Yeah.

But none of the others?

Her too.

Alive and well.

They went on their way.

I went on mine.

But I- I heard them later.

Women's voices through the trees.

How many women?

At least two.

Could you make out what they were saying?

No. It was too far away.

I voted for you,

I believe in what you're doing.

Councilwoman Cassie Lee.

What's wrong?

Um...

It was my fault... Mrs. Park,

what happened to Lauren.

Kevin would have driven her home that night,

but they'd broken up, so Lauren was distraught.

And I was supposed to be there for her.

No. I was the steady one.

I was the friend who looked after her.

But I was at a concert that night.

Cassie...

you can't possibly blame yourself.

She should never have been walking home alone

that late at night.

I mean, there was that other stuff

she got mixed up in.

The drugs and that whole crowd.

Cassie, you've been carrying this for 25 years.

Oh, Cassie. Come here.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Karen, it was an accident, wasn't it?

Someone ran my daughter down and kept on going.

How can that be an accident?

[Dr. Elder] The research was Megan's to begin with.

Then Larissa teamed up and they were inseparable.

Until they weren't.

There was a falling out?

Yes.

And now both of them are gone.

It's very sad.

And Larissa had just sold her research to a cosmetic company.

It's a small fortune.

Tell me about Val Fuentes.

Val put her heart into that research, too.

And all her eggs in that basket.

I- I don't follow.

I was part of her tenure committee,

and she was counting on that research

to satisfy the requirements.

So when Larissa cut her out, she had nothing to fall back on.

You denied her tenure.

Val's teaching at a junior college now.

[knocking]

Sorry, Doctor Elder, I gotta go.

Thank you for your time.

Martin Skelton is in interviewing

and forensics just sent the report.

You wanted them to analyze Megan's remains.

Turns out they're not remains.

Cement dust.

Martin's said at least two women.

Larissa and her killer.

There was a third person in the clearing, too.

We know that how?

They turned and ran when they saw Larissa killed.

Right after where the bear attacked.

By the way, that person saw the murder.

What do we do now?

I need a confession.

Larissa cost you your career.

She cut you out of the research project

and ruined your chances for tenure at Northeastern.

Who'd you hear that from, Doctor Elder?

I hope you gave her my best.

You hated Larissa.

When you saw Mackenzie kill her,

you decided to cover for her.

[scoffs]

I'm sorry. Is this a joke?

You talk about it beforehand?

I don't think it was planned.

You saw it,

and then you ran.

And now you're lying.

That makes you an accessory after the fact, Val.

Whatever you're imagining, it never happened.

You're willing to bet the next 20 years of your life

that Mackenzie tells the same story?

Lawyer.

Yeah. Good luck.

When we first spoke,

I assumed you were grieving Larissa,

but I was wrong, wasn't I?

You were grieving your sister.

Megan died a year ago.

But today was the day when you could finally let go.

Tell me about Megan.

My sister was brilliant.

And fragile.

Her life mattered... much more than mine.

Why is that?

I'm a school teacher.

I do my best, but there's lots just like me.

I spoke to a friend of yours.

Your teacher, years ago, at Earl's Cove.

Sandra Gilmore.

She spoke about how you

looked after your sister after your mom died.

She said it was magnificent. Nothing ordinary about that.

When Megan needed you, you were there.

And then when she needed me most of all, I wasn't.

You mean when she took her own life.

I'm sorry.

I can only imagine how you felt.

Can you?

I can.

Um...

[clears throat]

I was 18

when my dad took his life.

I didn't see it coming.

He didn't leave a note.

The guilt,

you know, like...

like I could have done something.

My sister never left a note, either.

You took a month's leave after your sister died.

I had things to deal with.

You returned to work,

and then three months later, you suddenly quit.

I went traveling.

Grief caught up to me. You maybe know how that goes.

Or else you found something out.

I spoke to Detective Bradford, Chicago P.D.

Megan did write a note.

And months after she died, he turned it over to you.

That's my business.

"She stole my work. She stole my life.

"I don't see the meaning anymore.

"There is no more meaning."

"She" being Larissa.

So you made a plan.

You invited Val Fuentes and Larissa.

We came here to pay tribute.

Scatter my sister's ashes.

You didn't have the ashes, Mackenzie.

The urn was full of cement dust.

I'm guessing you spread the ashes in private

months before you read your sister's note.

This trip was play-acting.

The urn was a prop.

We came here...

to honor my sister.

And kill Larissa.

Imagine Megan standing here instead of me.

What would you say, Larissa?

Considering you betrayed her.

What?

[thud]

Your plan

was to shove the body off the cliff.

Injuries from the fall

would obscure the actual cause of death.

But then the impossible happened.

A bear drawn by the smell of blood.

[growling]

[screams]

No one could have planned that.

Your sister killed herself because of Larissa.

So...

you killed Larissa.

Larissa deserved much worse.

Mackenzie Rankin, you are under arrest

for the murder of Larissa Stewardson.

You have the right to remain silent.

You're still here?

Almost done.

You know, your dad was a damn good cop.

Yeah, it was my privilege to work with him.

He'd be proud as hell of his daughter.

Are you okay?

I am now.

I landed in a...

good place, sir.

Thank you.

Go home.

♪... while I go under?

♪ I'm not sure I'll be back.

♪ It's been a rough night, and I had dreams of dying. ♪

♪ So you fly your hearts and take it from me ♪

I was going to draw you buck naked

with flaming hair and both eyes on one side of your nose,

but instead I settled for this.

Uh-huh.

Here goes nothing.

Okay.

Okay.

Mm.

"What would pow'r the giftie gie us

"to see ourselves as others see us."

Robbie Burns.

What's that mean?

Oh, I look...

peaceful.

I look safe.

You are safe.

Hm.

And...

and gorgeous.

[laughs]

Well, I hope my drawing captures a little bit

of your beauty.

Oh, I looked it up.

Yeah. "Bruckle".

Ah.

Mm.

Yeah. It means delicate, fragile.

Yes, it does.

Delicate in that it has to be tended.

It can't be taken for granted.

Mmhmm.

How was your lunch with the mayor?

Oh, I think, just maybe, pigs flew.

- Oh. - Yes.

[mumbling] Wait, wait, wait.

Can you even do this?

Oh, bruckle, my ass!

[laughs]

♪