Original subtitles

[fingers snapping rhythmically]

[“A Way With Words” Performed by Jodie Sweetin]

♪ You've got a way with words ♪

♪ That brings out the best in the worst ♪

♪ You whisper dark nothings ♪

♪ Unsure if you're bluffing ♪

♪ Spinning your tales into verse ♪

♪ You've got a telltale heart ♪

♪ That won't let you move off your mark ♪

♪ It's maddening rhythm ♪

♪ Won't be forgiven ♪

♪ Until you confess to the part ♪

♪ You've got a way with words ♪

♪ That some find a little absurd ♪

♪ When you turn a phrase ♪

♪ It haunts me for days ♪

♪ And hangs in the air like a curse ♪

♪ You've got a way with words ♪

♪

♪ You've got a way with words ♪

[music ends]

[thumping heartbeat]

[doorbell]

[Jane] One second!

Anthony?

Jane! You're back.

And working at your uncle's Foundation.

Yeah...

How did you hear that?

I have my sources.

Um, do you have a moment for me?

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

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

I need your help.

[Anthony] You always used to work late so

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

Yeah, well,

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

It's really good to see you, Jane.

I can't believe it's been 15 years

since I've seen you in person.

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

Yeah, I saw that, online actually.

Great photos, by the way.

So what's it like teaching there?

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

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

to work with the students.

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

Yeah. Yeah it is.

Actually, we're getting ready

for the Edgar Allan Poe Festival again.

Oh, yeah, wow.

The Poe Festival.

A lot of memories there.

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

I was preparing a photo retrospective for the festival

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

Been haunting me.

Well, it definitely could have been more in focus.

Well, just look at the background.

You see there's a figure there.

And I swear that they're loading a body

into the trunk of that car.

So, you thought you saw someone loading a body

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

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

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

"Villains!" I shrieked,

"dissemble no more!"

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

"Here, here!"

"It is the beating of his hideous heart!"

[applause]

Guys, get together.

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

[Young Anthony] Yeah, that's good.

[camera clicks]

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

What the...

[Anthony] Right?

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

or an apparition in the fog.

But now...

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

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

Well, it's hard to say.

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

[Anthony chuckles]

Honestly, though, I feel like,

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

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

it's just starting to eat away at me.

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

You were going through so much after that night.

I mean, I probably would have said something eventually if...

If I would have stayed.

Right.

I mean, I agree it looks suspicious, but

this isn't really what the Foundation does.

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

I don't know where else to turn.

Well, you know what?

How about we start a preliminary case file

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

Oh!

I hope we're not interrupting anything.

No! Not at all.

John, this is Anthony, a friend of mine.

We went to college together.

Detective John Cameron.

Detective. And a handshake to match.

It's nice to meet you.

John works with us at the Foundation.

He's our police liaison.

I help out where I can.

Anthony, it's been a long time.

Nice to see you, Sadie.

I was sorry to hear about Harold.

Thank you. He is greatly missed.

Actually, Anthony was here looking for some answers

to an old question.

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

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

I remember thinking something was off.

No disrespect, Anthony.

But we can't investigate a feeling.

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

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

I mean, taking out the trash would look suspicious.

Well, I think I'm going to dig in

and see if I can find something.

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

Okay.

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

and see if anyone's still looking for somebody.

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

Perfect! That would be really helpful.

Yeah, that means a lot.

Well, it's getting late.

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

so if you'll excuse us, Anthony?

Actually, Jane.

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

Maybe talk about the old days.

I think we can all wait until tomorrow.

[Sadie] I'll show you both out.

[Jane] Yeah.

[Sadie] My goodness.

You and Anthony looked cozy when we came in.

Ha! Yeah.

Thanks for saving me from that situation.

Yeah, it must have been a surprise

to see him after all these years?

Yeah, you're telling me.

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

[Sadie laughs] I think that's the very laws of human nature.

[Jane chuckles] Yeah.

[Sadie] So...

You two were deep in conversation.

Yeah, we were.

It was starting to be a bit of a dark trip down memory lane.

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

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

to bring up any sadness about Mom's death.

But it's the same night as she was killed.

The night of the first Poe Festival.

And that's very emotional territory.

Oh, I know.

I relive that night all the time.

[Sadie] It was a major factor in you deciding

to go away to Europe.

And ending things with Anthony.

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

You know, this might sound strange, Sadie,

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

It just feels like everything around that night was,

I don't know, cursed.

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

That would imply that the wound had healed in the first place.

You know what?

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

I don't know...

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

Maybe.

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

Are you investigating Anthony?

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

He's a college professor and an old friend.

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

the Foundation, not started questioning them.

It's just a real lack of evidence

so we have to start at the source.

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

Yeah, because it was all just a vague memory in his head until

he found those pictures years later.

Well, that's exactly it.

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

Well, right now he's our only witness.

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

Did you run the missing persons search?

No I didn't.

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

Hmm. Do I detect a note of jealousy?

No no. Absolutely not.

Okay.

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

Um... Well,

I was on stage singing when that photo was taken.

We went on right after Poe's Ravens did their poetry reading.

I can probably find a program from that night,

somewhere in the attic.

Okay. Anything else?

No, nothing, nothing right now.

But I am going to see Anthony later,

so maybe we'll remember some things.

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

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

[Jane] Wow!

I'm impressed.

This is quite a step up from the college dorm.

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

and get a real bookcase.

Um. Can I get you a drink?

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

Really?

Thank you.

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

What's going on in there?

Oh, yeah. I was thinking about what John said

about the quality of the photo.

So I tracked down the negative and...

[Jane chuckles] Wow...

Of course you built yourself a darkroom.

Yeah. It's my happy place!

Yeah, you always were a purist.

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

Oh digital! Why would you say that in here?

Ohhhh... Autofocus...

Megapixel!

No, stop! You're giving me hives!

[Jane laughs]

Well your work is still really beautiful.

Emotional, even.

Thank you.

That means a lot coming from a friend...

And fellow artist.

Let's see what we got.

Yeah, I was just finishing these.

Hey, look at this!

[Jane] Do you see that?

Is that a...

Is that a faculty parking sticker?

[they both laugh]

It is! Oh my gosh.

Yes!

You know what?

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

Perfect.

You know I think I actually will

take that drink you were offering.

Okay.

Well, we're going to need some sort of theory before we start

accusing anyone on the teaching staff of murder.

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

that I work with every day.

Or it could be someone

who hasn't taught at the school in ages.

I'm going to need access to the school

to fully investigate though.

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

Yeah, I'm going to need an angle.

If only you were a teacher.

I could probably pull some strings

and get you on the staff, but...

Huh. Well you know, I might happen to know

a very qualified singing teacher who could help.

[Sadie] I like you with black hair.

Yeah?

Should I do it for real?

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

Like a beautiful, passionate, intellectual woman,

raven-haired...

[Sadie laughs] Edgar Allan Poe?

Definitely.

But do I look like a visiting vocal arts professor?

You have me fooled.

Now we just have to pick out the right clothes.

Well, what do you think?

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

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

The question will be from who?

It's time.

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

Hold it.

There!

You just posted that you can't wait to meet your new students.

Perfect! Thank you. I appreciate that.

And I appreciate you, Jane Da Silva.

Go get 'em.

I will.

[fingers snapping rhythmically]

[a cappella performance of "Nevermore"]

♪ Woo woo woo woo woo woo ♪

♪ Fly, fly, fly away bird ♪

♪ Get a million miles away from me where you can't be heard ♪

♪ Tap, tap, tap at the door ♪

♪ To tell me your secrets evermore ♪

♪ To tell me your secrets evermore ♪

Wow! Professor Germaine told me that you guys were talented,

but that was, that was fantastic!

I'm so impressed.

You obviously have the piece down,

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

You.

Me?

Yes you with the fantastic alto.

Are you ready to add in some dance moves?

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

Of course you can. Don't be silly.

I get really nervous.

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

I see...

Hey, you got a minute?

Yeah. Yeah.

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

We'll catch up later.

Did you find anything?

Ah, maybe.

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

Okay, be right there.

Hey.

I thought we were meeting in the library.

Forget the library.

Anything on the record is just puff pieces

about how wonderful the school is.

Now the real gossip is in the faculty lounge.

I'm camping out there asking unsuspecting professors

about anything juicy.

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

Oh! Do tell!

Mr. Genoah. Do you remember him?

Yeah, he used to teach elocution, right?

Exactly. Well, he was laid off

for some improprieties with the alumni fund.

Oh, interesting.

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

he had a real awful split with his wife.

Like a real messy divorce that ended with her running off

with their contractor to Mexico!

Oh!

Yeah, he was a wreck.

He was coming in late to class and weeping,

and not showering, stuff like that.

And he's the Dean now?

Yeah.

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

Ms. Pearce, she was caught having an affair

with one of the student's fathers.

And they were both married at the time.

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

Oh. [laughs]

She also offered a scholarship to her lover's kid

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

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

but none of these things seem like a motive for murder.

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

behavior to give you more to go off.

And you did always love the gossip.

Yes. And you can't write this stuff.

[they both laugh]

It's been nice hanging out with you again.

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

Right. I can't believe it.

Oh, ah, before I forget.

I got Sylvia in Admissions to write a list of all the faculty

that have been here for 15 years or more.

Oh, that is super helpful.

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

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

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

Thanks.

Oh.

Well, that's great.

I mean, not great that they went missing.

Well, fortunately they've all been identified or found alive.

That doesn't sound too unfortunate for their families,

but I know what you mean.

It just means no leads for the mystery body.

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

right?

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

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

What kind of person goes missing

and doesn't have someone report it?

Are there circumstances that you've seen where

missing persons reports aren't filed?

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

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

to report it due to fear of deportation.

Right.

Or maybe they were brought to the country under duress?

Or maybe it was a foreign student

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

Maybe.

Are those new suspects?

Just possibilities.

These are the professors that were at the school 15 years ago.

We have Professor Jacob Penn,

who teaches in the literary department.

And we have Yvonne Savage.

She teaches costumes and set design.

And then...

We have Andrew Simpson who

taught in the drama department before he became Dean.

Hmm.

I like Penn.

He looks familiar.

I'll check for priors.

Okay. And I'll start with Yvonne Savage.

[footsteps]

[Jane] Ahem.

Welcome.

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

Oh, yes I know.

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

It must be quite fun, though, getting everything ready

for the Poe Festival.

I do love it. But this time of year

I'm hard-pressed to find a seat for a fellow faculty member.

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

Really, I just wanted to come say hello

since we're both working on the show.

Well, it's wonderful to meet you.

I love your hair.

Oh! Thank you.

Um, I was also wondering if you might have a contribution for

the photo project that Anthony's working on for the festival.

I mean, Professor Germaine.

Photo project?

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

over the years.

I understand you were there for the very first one.

That certainly was a big night.

Good performances?

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

Oh, really. Why is that?

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

I believe it was Professor Jacob Penn who needed my help

with the situation.

Oh, so, you were in the hall then

and not out in the parking lot?

Why would you ask me that?

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

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

But I will take a look to see if I have

any photos from that night.

Or any others over the years.

Fantastic, thank you. I appreciate your time.

[knocks lightly]

Thank you for coming by, Professor Wiley.

Ah, yes.

I wanted to welcome you to Moseby.

Anthony speaks very highly of you.

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

I have a wonderful group of students.

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

Oh really?

Yes. It bodes well for you continuing to cover for

Professor Levy while they're on maternity leave.

And I must say, you seemed to have captured

the very essence of what the Edgar Allan Poe Festival

means to this institution.

Well, I am quite familiar with his works.

Hmm, it all does seem familiar.

But the board is a little skeptical about having

a real live touring singer take over.

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

preparedness for what a career in the musical arts looks like.

Hmmm...

Where did you say you taught in Europe?

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

des Voix Humaines?

It's in the Sixth.

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

to make your stay more productive or comfortable

you'll let me know.

Yes. Well, you know,

in fact I do have one question for you.

Anything.

Does the school have an official policy on undocumented students?

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

about the food in the commissary.

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

And we changed our private policy some years ago so that

it no one longer discriminates against undocumented students.

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

who's in that situation.

Why do you ask?

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

What's this about?

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

an acquaintance of hers that she knew from back then,

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

official visa, so it's made the search much more complicated.

Well, if you give me a name,

I can have Sylvia in Admissions look into it.

Oh, you know, unfortunately no.

It seems to be of a rather sensitive nature.

Oh, I see.

Well, without a name I don't see how I can possibly help you.

Hmm...

But you were a professor back then, correct?

Perhaps the situation rings a bell with a student?

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

Oh! Yes. Indeed I do.

I'm still getting use to my schedule.

Thank you so much for your time, Dean Simpson.

My pleasure. The door is always open.

Thank you.

It's just like an acting performance, right,

or an oil painting.

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

I like to call it singing from the heart,

but the deeper explanation is that we all bring

our own histories to each piece of music.

Our own challenges, our fears, our secrets.

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

very differently if you're in a good mood

versus if you're in a bad mood.

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

those feelings and bring that emotion and nuance to our voice.

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

All right. See you next time.

[Female Student] I have Professor Savage next.

[Male Student] I asked her for a short extension

and she went off on me.

Apparently she was never the same

after the nervous breakdown.

Really.

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

[Jane] I do appreciate you looking for

anything from the previous Poe festivals.

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

I'm always happy to help a colleague.

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

Well, thank you for your time, Professor Penn.

I'm hoping to make an impression on the administration as well.

Maybe work towards something more permanent.

Yes, well, it's never easy being a substitute,

Miss Wiley, but perseverance does pay off.

Right Bartholomew?

[Jane laughs uncomfortably]

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

an incident at the first Poe Festival?

I believe there was something about some rowdy kids?

The first Poe Festival?

When was that?

Oh, maybe, fifteen years ago.

Fifteen years.

Who can remember that far back?

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

That woman is a vault.

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

Ah, well...

Do you remember anything else about the evening?

Did you see any of the show?

As a matter of fact, yes.

I watched Jane Da Silva's performance.

Oh. Family incident?

Yes, her mother passed.

In any case, Jane put on a fantastic performance,

that's what I remember.

Oh, and chaperoning the dorms afterwards.

I was in charge of the dorms back then.

Did any students happen to go missing

from the dorms that evening?

What are all these questions about?

Rowdy kids? Missing students?

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

like asking questions.

I remember!

There they are!

These are the photos from all the Poe festivals

through the years.

With a heavy emphasis on the literary performances of course.

Thank you so much, Professor Penn.

These are wonderful! I really appreciate it.

Let me just check that I got them all.

Thank you so much, Professor Penn.

I have to be getting to class.

[Jane] Professor Savage had her memories on speed dial

from that night.

It was super weird.

Suspicious. And why would you remember something

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

Yeah.

And Professor Jacob Penn had that raven mask in his cabinet!

Do you think they were in on it together?

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

You can buy them online or at any costume store.

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

We can't rule them out.

Why don't we go through our own individual experiences

from that night?

Maybe we can jog some memories.

Okay.

I brought the yearbook and the theater program from that night.

I didn't see anything of interest, but,

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

I was shooting 35 millimeter photographs all night

for my photography class.

The outdoor poetry readings, the concert inside.

And of course, lots of photos of you.

You looked gorgeous that night.

I watched the end of the concert.

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

And I was backstage or onstage basically all night.

I don't really remember anything unusual.

You know, nobody missed their cues,

no performers went missing.

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

and then I went outside.

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

And this photo was taken at nine.

You know what? It's late.

Why don't we call it a night?

Yeah, we can keep digging tomorrow.

- Okay, yeah... - Yeah...

You, you keep that.

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

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

It's my favorite podcast.

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

Un. Ex. Pected

Oh!

[types into her computer]

Yes, Emma Wiley.

Nice to finally meet you.

Well, of course, if things had gone through the proper channels

I would have met you weeks ago.

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

Oh no not you, dear.

People flout the rules all over the place here.

I've gotten used to it.

What can I do for you?

Well, I have a friend who lives overseas

and she was wondering about admissions for her daughter.

Oh, all right. Does she have the transcripts?

I believe so.

And what about English proficiency?

TOEFL or IELTS?

Actually I think her questions were more in regards to

what sort of paperwork, or administrative protocol,

would need to be followed and what exactly she'd need to file?

Well, usually a valid passport is required.

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

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

What does that matter for your friend?

We keep our records after ten years in deep storage.

And is that here, or...

At a secure facility.

Not at the school.

Interesting.

Fascinating, yes.

Yes, yes.

Well, I should be getting to my class.

[thumping heartbeat]

[heavy breathing]

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

A secure facility where they keep old records?

Come on.

That sounded like a complete untruth.

Maybe you could cross-reference with Dean Simpson.

You know, I don't have any proof,

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

then that means that somebody went missing

when they were in the care of Moseby College.

And that would be a major liability for the school.

Yeah.

But who's behind the mask?

Ouch!

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

I let myself in!

You left the window open!