Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

Well, what do you think?

What do I think...

I think the color

is very colorful...

Sally, you're not reaching for your phone.

I seem to be, and I can't help myself--

Oh, don't you dare!

Please. Sally. Don't...

Don't, don't, don't--

-Got it. -Gotta go. Bye!

Give me, give me--

Is Sally gone?

Yes, but only because my dress slowed me down.

Aurora...

I think we should have said no

when your Aunt Neela asked us

to be in her wedding.

She's your sister.

And she has no taste in wedding finery.

Well, if you'd let John propose,

you could throw a wedding

and show us all how it's done.

Oh, please,

a woman should date at least a year

before she's ready to contemplate a proposal.

Besides,

this has completely put me off weddings--

unless, of course, you were the bride.

Look at you two lovely ladies.

What do you think of the dresses?

We look adorable.

[Aida scoffs]

That's not the word I'd use.

This dress is much too big on me,

and can we please do something

about these dreadful sleeves?

I'll get the seamstress right over.

Thank you.

I'm supposed to show a house in 20 minutes.

Do me a favor, darling,

head over to the Anderton house,

and meet the client for me?

His name is Martin Bartell,

and he's the new Executive Vice President

at PanAgra.

Oh, but don't show him the backyard.

because it's such a special feature,

I'd like to show him.

Got it.

I think.

Martin Bartell?

You're not Aida.

Not that I'm disappointed.

Roe Teagarden, I'm her daughter,

and official greeter for the day.

Happy to be greeted.

Well, shall we take a look?

Wow.

It looks exactly the same.

Frozen in time.

You've been here before?

Oh, in high school.

Yeah, Mandy Anderton was my best friend.

Her parents died a few years ago,

and I think she always imagined

moving back here one day, to live, but...

she just got married, so...

time to sell.

What about you? Married?

Haven't been tempted yet.

And, um, what do you do?

Shouldn't we be talking about you,

and what you're looking for in a house?

Oh, wait,

Aida mentioned her daughter the librarian.

That's you?

There's a big pantry

in the kitchen, if you like to cook.

I used to have a mad crush on the librarian

when I was a kid.

She was so mysterious.

Always shushing me.

How many boys have you shushed today?

You wouldn't be the first.

Ah, this fireplace is awesome.

Yeah, oh, I remember,

we used to lay our sleeping bags right down here, and...

Something's different.

What about the backyard?

I have to do a lot of entertaining.

Oh, then you'll love the backyard.

But let's wait for my mother,

so she can show it to you.

I'm not very good at waiting.

Oh, very nice.

Yup.

Mandy's house was always the house

for slumber parties.

I can see why.

Oh.

That's upside down.

I recognize this.

Oh, it belongs to Tonia Lee Greenhouse.

She's a realtor.

She considers these scarves her signature.

I should let her know that I found it.

Do you mind?

A librarian and a good Samaritan.

I'll just look around.

[call ringing]

Hi, Cindy. Is Tonia Lee in?

Where does this go?

Oh--

What? Donnie reported her missing?

Missing since when?

What? Yesterday?

Did she show the Anderton house yesterday?

Because I found one of her scarves here.

You need to call the police.

I have to call you back.

Oh, no.

Is that...

She's dead.

Did you check her pulse?

I checked.

[gasps]

Oh, it's Tonia Lee.

She's cold to the touch.

I imagine she's been dead for a while.

Are those bruises on her neck?

I'd say she was strangled.

There are drag marks on the ground.

We're messing up the crime scene.

We have to get back to the house.

[Aida]: Hello? I hear voices.

There you are.

What are you-...

[gasps]

My heart is breaking for Donnie right now.

He adored Tonia Lee.

I mean, just adored her.

It's 10 minutes.

The police station is practically around the corner.

Mother, it could have been you

showing the house yesterday.

[knocking on door]

There they are.

I could tell how upset you were

to find someone you know

like that,

and yet you had the presence of mind

to worry about preserving the crime scene.

Lynn, hello.

You found her?

Not me. Him.

Martin Bartell, meet Detective Liggett Smith.

Glad you're here, Detective.

The body's out back?

Yes.

Why don't we head back there,

and you can walk me through, step by step, how you found her.

Stay with them until we get their statements.

Yes, ma'am.

[shutter clicking]

Uh, Miss Teagarden,

I don't think

Detective Smith would like it

if she knew you were taking pictures.

Oh, it's only a few.

This house is my mother's listing.

They're for her.

For me?

Still.

Oh, it's fine, I'm finished anyway.

Aurora...

what in the world are you doing?

[whispering] Mother,

is there anything different about this room

since the last time you saw it?

I feel like something's missing.

Honestly, Aurora,

you can't expect me to take an inventory now.

But you do have a list

of all the items in the house

when you put it on the market?

Of course I do. In my office.

I want to get it.

And we should make a copy for Lynn, too.

Yeah, Lynn has had us here for hours,

asking question after question.

I can't believe it.

Tonia Lee.

She was always so friendly and so stylish.

She had those fabulous scarves.

I know.

Yeah, I found one all folded up, nice and neat.

I had to give it to Lynn.

I wish I could have given it to Donnie.

Oh, poor Donnie.

Sally.

Are you crying?

[tearfully] No.

I'm a hardened reporter.

And I'm going to go down to Greenhouse Realty right now,

see what I can find out.

Oh, good.

Well, stop by after.

That detective is very thorough

with her questioning.

[sighs] Yes, Lynn is...

"thorough" is a good word.

Is it just me,

or do you two rub each other the wrong way?

We have a complicated history.

Oh.

I like complicated.

Oh.

Mr. Bartell,

I am so sorry.

You make an appointment with me and end up...

It really has been

the most awful afternoon.

No. Not all of it.

Please let me make it up to you.

Let's say dinner,

tomorrow

at my house?

I would like that.

Especially if your lovely daughter is there.

Oh, she'll be there.

I think we could all use a pleasant evening

after such a terrible shock.

Till tomorrow then.

Well, he really likes to get his way.

I suppose that's how

someone becomes a top-level executive

at a major manufacturing corporation.

Well, Mother, Lynn kept asking me questions

about where I got the keys to let Martin in,

and why this house doesn't have a lockbox.

I explained that to her.

When a house is full of valuables,

I don't use a lockbox.

The other agents

just sign out with Patty at the reception desk.

I'm sure Tonia Lee signed it out yesterday.

But if Tonia Lee had it when she died,

then how did it get back to the office?

Mother, I think you need to call a staff meeting.

Well, I'd tell him

you're not even going to take that offer to your client.

I'd tell him it's an insult.

Hey, Roe. You want coffee?

No, thanks, Patty.

-Mackie? Eileen? Coffee? -No.

I spoke to the new owners of Jane's house.

They said they were very happy there.

Oh, yeah, thanks again for handling the sale, Idella.

[clearing throat]

Earlier today,

Tonia Lee Greenhouse was found

at the Anderton home,

and she was...

she was murdered.

What?

That can't be.

No, wasn't she showing the Anderton house yesterday?

Well, the police saw no sign of a break-in,

so whoever she was meeting was the likely suspect.

That's why I carry mace

when I meet a client at an empty house.

I don't want us fearing our clients,

we just have to help the police catch whoever did it,

so we need to answer questions

about when Tonia Lee picked up the key yesterday.

But she didn't pick up the key.

Mackie took it to her.

What?

She called here late in the afternoon,

said she needed to meet someone at the house,

didn't have time to pick up the key.

Did she say who she was meeting?

No.

I signed the key out in her name,

and went home and changed,

and then took it to her while I was out running.

Didn't speak more than two words to her.

Wait, the real question is, who brought the key back?

Well, somebody put it in Patty's desk,

'cause it was there

when I signed it out this morning at 9:30.

You didn't see who brought it back?

I didn't even know it was back in my desk

until your mom asked for it.

It just doesn't make any sense.

I mean, how could the key be there, unless--

Unless someone who knew where it belonged

put it back?

So, you see the problem.

Your key was last seen in the possession of our victim,

then mysteriously reappeared in a desk,

where only a select group of people

know it's supposed to be.

Are you saying

that a real estate agent attacked Tonia Lee?

You mean, you think someone in this office?

Oh, that's absurd.

There are two other agencies in town.

Greenhouse, and Sternholz-Farrell.

They know where the key belongs.

Someone from their office

may have put it back.

Fingerprints might help us,

but since so many of you have handled the key

already today,

I'm not going to hold my breath.

In the meantime,

Mr. Night, I need you to come back to the station.

We have some questions.

Yeah, fine.

We're going to have questions

for the rest of you, eventually,

so don't think about leaving town for a while.

So, what does this mean?

We're all suspects now?

This is horrible.

I need to go home.

I don't think anyone's going to get much work done today.

You're all free to go.

I'm not going anywhere,

not as long as there are clients

who still need me.

And besides,

if Greenhouse Realty shuts down with Tonia Lee gone,

someone's going to get their listings.

Mother, how well do you really know

these people in the office?

Why would you ask me that?

Because one of them might be a killer.

So Cindy couldn't shed any light

on who Tonia Lee was supposed to meet

at the Anderton house?

No, and I wish I hadn't gone.

Donnie Greenhouse was beside himself,

he was so upset.

And then the police came,

and started treating him like a suspect.

I mean, honestly,

the most famously devoted husband in town?

They really think it's someone in real estate?

Because of the key.

Tonia Lee had it,

and then it showed up back at Patty's desk.

Only a real estate person would know where to put it.

So the motive would be rivalry?

Who's Tonia Lee's biggest rival?

Probably my mother,

but, of course, she didn't do it.

But it's possible someone in our office did.

They took Mackie in for questioning.

The kid you used to babysit?

Yeah.

I've known him forever.

Now, Eileen Crandall,

she's a different story.

She's only been working for my mother about six months.

She seemed really eager

to snatch up the Greenhouse listings.

Well, and then there's Sternholz-Farrell.

Oh, Franklin.

I forgot he was your real estate guy.

You forgot what your boyfriend did for a living?

Well, he's not my boyfriend. We only went on three dates.

But he was a perfect gentleman,

I can't imagine he'd be involved in this.

I don't know his business partner,

Terry Sternholz, that well, though.

Oh, I know her.

She's a big donor for the library.

I like her.

Well, that's not a very big pool of suspects.

No.

And my mother is friends with all of them,

and she said they all get along,

so rivalry as a motive, I don't know.

You know, I thought there was something different

about that house.

But I've cross-checked all my pictures

I took today

with the inventory my mother gave me,

and nothing seems to be missing.

Oh, wait. I have pictures

from back when we used to have slumber parties there.

[cell phone rings]

I have a very depressing story to write,

so you let me know

if you find anything interesting.

Hello?

Roe Teagarden? Martin Bartell.

Martin.

What a surprise.

I thought I'd check in on you, make sure you're okay.

Oh, you didn't have to do that.

I served eight years in the Army.

Did two tours in Afghanistan,

and I know

that the full impact of events doesn't often hit people

until a few hours later.

Well, I'm fine.

I just want to know

who would do such a thing to Tonia Lee,

especially if it's someone my mother works with every day.

Yeah, it kind of makes you think, doesn't it?

Makes you think what?

About the fine line between life and death.

About how we can't let any opportunities

to truly live life

slip through our fingers.

No, I guess you can't.

I'll see you tomorrow then.

[gasps]

I knew it.

Detective Smith,

what can you tell us

about the status of your investigation?

The medical examiner

has officially ruled Tonia Lee's death a homicide,

death by asphyxiation.

The marks around her neck

suggest strangulation

with some type of ligature.

We estimated the time of death

between 5:45 and 6:00 p.m.,

when a neighbor heard a scream in the Anderton back yard.

Another neighbor also said

he saw Tonia Lee's car leaving the driveway

at quote, "somewhere around 6:00 p.m."

What? Wait, if she was screaming--

We also believe

the person who attacked Mrs. Greenhouse

then took her car

and drove it to the Greenhouse Realty office,

where it sat overnight.

Wow, that's brazen.

That's all we have for now.

What about suspects?

Uh, yes, uh, right now,

well, we only have persons of interest

in this case,

no official suspects.

And what about motive?

Uh, yeah, no.

I mean, we've got a few working theories,

but, no... motive.

That's all for now.

That's all for now.

Hey, have you seen my mother?

She's over there.

[Patty]: The police kept you there three hours?

[Mackie]: Yeah, lucky for me,

lots of people saw me jogging all over my route,

so I'm in the free and clear.

I think

they should be dragging Donnie in.

Statistically speaking,

isn't it usually the husband?

We're here at Donnie's house

to pay our respects.

I don't think it's that husband.

Roe, it's good to see you.

Franklin. Terry.

Don't suppose you brought Sally with you?

No, but she did mention you last night,

had nice things to say about you.

That's right,

you and Sally Allison dated.

For about a week,

then she dumped me for my cousin, Henry.

Excuse me.

Okay, I figured out the difference

at the Anderton house.

Back in the day,

they had this really awesome painting

hanging in the corner.

See?

But here's the photo I took the other day.

Look, it's not the same painting.

But that photo's from 20 years ago.

I mean, that painting could have been switched out

at any time.

Yeah, but you take a bunch of photos

for your listings

for your website, right?

Aurora, this is hardly the time

to go hunting for photos.

I mean, I haven't even had a chance to talk to Donnie yet.

Of course, what do you say to a man

who is so overcome with grief?

I mean, I pride myself

in knowing what to say in any situation,

but this is just crazy.

I found it.

[gasping]

The painting hanging there now

is not the same one that was there two weeks ago

when I listed the place.

Mother...

I think we just found

the motive for Tonia Lee's murder.

We should stay for dessert.

We should get back to work.

I haven't even finished my sandwich.

Well, pack it up to go.

Captain Burns is all over me

on this realtor homicide.

Come on.

Oh, Roe, nice to see you.

We were just leaving.

No, wait, hold on.

Lynn, I have really important information

that you need to see

on the Tonia Lee case.

Oh, great.

Arthur...

you know how Burns feels

about us talking to her.

Let's just hear her out. She always has good ideas.

[sighs heavily]

All right,

what can we do for you?

This picture was taken

the day my mother

put the Anderton house on the market.

This is a picture that I took

the day we found Tonia Lee.

Look at the paintings.

Mandy Anderton hasn't been back to the house

since it was listed,

which means.

this painting has been stolen.

If Tonia Lee caught the thief,

that means he might have been trying to shut her up, right?

I mean, I would be happy

to call pawn shops, and art galleries--

Maybe we should get you a job application,

you can apply to the force.

Kidding.

Totally kidding.

Look, Roe,

I appreciate you bringing this to our attention,

but it would be so nice,

if just this once,

I could do my job

without tripping over you at every turn.

Lynn.

If you're right,

and Tonia Lee's attacker is a real estate agent,

that means my mother could be sharing an office

with a murderer.

How can I not try to find out who did this?

All right, fine,

you want to help?

You can help by being a librarian.

Research this painting.

Find out exactly who painted it

and what it's worth.

Nice to see you.

Thanks, Mandy.

Yeah, let's catch up next time you're in town.

Okay, bye.

Was that Mandy Anderton from high school?

Mm-hmm, she listed the house with my mother.

Now, she said the painting was a landscape

by a California artist named Joseph Kleitsch.

It was once owned by William Randolph Hearst,

but that's all she remembers.

Oh, here it is.

Okay...

[typing]

Here's another Kleitsch painting

that went up for auction a few years ago,

and the winning bid...

is almost half-a-million dollars.

Half-a-million!

Shh!

Sorry, too loud, I know, I know.

Lillian...

I love your new look.

Flattery will not distract me.

Patrons are not allowed behind the desk.

Go on, other side of the desk.

Okay.

Hey, Perry.

Didn't expect to see you here.

I read.

I asked him here.

I could use his, um... expertise.

This is not a social club.

Right, Lillian, we're going outside.

Uptight much?

So you're trying to crack a mystery

again, huh?

That Greenhouse lady?

You called Perry about that?

Well, why not tap into resources

at the Real Murders Club?

Yeah, why not?

Okay, so I'm thinking

you might have some expertise in, um...

well, where someone would go to sell stolen goods.

Um, you don't think that's a little offensive?

Hey, look.

Everyone knows I took a few vacations

in the county jail.

I never tried to hide it.

I could ask around.

What do you got?

Well, this painting

is missing from the crime scene.

Whoa, art?

Oh, man, that's specialized.

I maybe know one guy that might have an inside

of where to park high-end stuff like this.

Okay, well, one guy is better than no guy.

Oh, and can you just...

you know, keep it on the down-low?

Yeah, I gotcha.

I dig this mystery stuff.

I'll see what I can find out.

See? Not offensive.

I think I made his day.

I think I should use Perry's expertise

for some of my stories.

[cell phone rings]

I gotta go.

Okay.

Mother, hello.

Aurora?

Where are you?

At the library. Why?

Didn't I remind you

not four hours ago

that Martin Bartell is coming for dinner?

Well, he's here,

and you're not.

Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry.

Yup, I'm on my way.

I'm on my way...

Well, Lynn agrees.

Tonia Lee must have realized

the Kleitsch painting was missing,

and confronted whoever she thought took it,

and I think she suspected

someone she was close to,

probably one of her colleagues.

Hmm, I think that's reaching a bit, dear.

Now, let's get back to your Army career,

Mr. Bartell.

The F.B.I. says

that 90% of stolen artwork is the result of an inside job,

someone who has access

to the art.

Like a real estate agent who could get the key

to the Anderton house.

Exactly.

Have the police gone over the key log book

in your office, Aida?

I'd prefer not to discuss such a depressing topic

over dinner.

You and Aurora can leave that

for your real murders club.

I'd much rather talk about our guest.

I understand that you won quite a few medals

during your service, Mr. Bartell.

Actually, I'd love to hear more about this art theft.

We recently had a painting go missing

from the offices at the plant.

You're kidding! When?

About a month ago.

I'm told it's worth several hundred thousand.

Did you tell the police?

No. No, like you said,

it's probably an insider,

so we'd like to get to the bottom of it ourselves.

Oh, no, but you have to tell them now.

I'm going to call Arthur Smith,

he's in charge of all the burglaries.

Our board of directors would prefer not to advertise

the fact that

we have expensive art hanging on the walls--

But the theft could be related

to what happened to Tonia Lee.

Arthur, hi.

Yes, listen,

I just found out

that Martin Bartell had a painting stolen

from his office.

Do you want me to tell him to meet him at the plant?

I don't have much choice, now, do I?

Well, not exactly how I intended to spend my evening,

talking to the police.

But it really could help solve a murder.

It could also get me in hot water with my board.

I wonder

if the police know they have someone so persistent

at corralling evidence for them.

Oh, they know.

Well, here's hoping I get to see you again soon.

Aida, thank you for dinner.

I enjoyed it.

Thank you so much for coming.

John.

Aurora, that man is a client,

and you practically drove him away.

Mother,

I know that you care about your business,

but I care about your life.

I know you do, but--

Have any of your employees ever talked about

an interest in art or paintings?

Has Eileen?

Please stop pointing fingers at my staff.

These people are like family to me.

Whoever did this terrible thing does not work for me.

Okay, I know that most of her staff

has worked for her for years,

but not all of them--

not Eileen.

I trust your mother's instincts about people.

Maybe the police are wrong,

and it's not an agent.

Maybe it's a house hunter

who saw an agent signing out the key.

It could be.

Maybe I'll have my mother give me a list

of all the people she's taken to see the Anderton house.

How about I ask her

when she's not so irritated?

Fine.

I'll work on getting a list from the other agencies.

Hey.

Perry, hi. You got my message?

I thought you'd just call me back.

Had an appointment with my probation officer so.

He's across the street.

Oh.

I haven't got ahold of my friend for Roe yet,

if that's what you wanted to ask me about.

Oh, no. I, um...

I did a search of our classifieds,

and I found an ad listing

a painting for sale about two weeks ago.

You think someone

would try to sell a hot painting in the paper?

I wouldn't think so, but...

This ad didn't have a phone number,

it only had an email address,

but when I tried to send an email

to that address,

it came back as undeliverable.

Now, our I.T. guy told me

that it was probably a "burner" address?

Yeah, a temporary email.

If you want to scam someone.

Right.

So, I don't suppose you have any expertise in that area?

Nah, hacker types are kind of lame,

but I do know some people that know people.

Probably get you an I.P. address.

Where it came from, yes! That's exactly what I need.

Yeah, I'm on it.

[phone ringing]

Hey Roe, what's up?

Sally,

it is so good to see you.

You, too.

Hi, Roe, Sally.

What brings you here?

Sally's writing an article about Tonia Lee.

Yes. I am.

Terry and I were just

talking about that whole awful business.

Were you two close to Tonia Lee?

We both went for coffee at least once or twice a month.

Franklin more often than me, but...

It's starting to sink in she's really gone.

She won't be

at our banquet planning meeting tomorrow.

[Franklin]: Well, if we're still

really going forward to it.

Hey, maybe you'd like to go to the broker's dinner

with me, Sally?

We could catch up.

I could gloat to Henry

about how I stole you back from him,

Oh...

You know that never went anywhere...

right?

Ahem.

Right.

We were wondering how many people

you showed the Anderton house to?

[Franklin]: Not very many,

actually.

Franklin, you collect art?

Uh, no.

This was my mother's doing.

She decorated my office the year before she died.

That's right.

Your mother used to own an art gallery.

Then you must know a lot about art.

No, not much.

My mom, yes, she was the art expert.

She pushed paintings on the whole family.

Why the interest?

A valuable painting is missing from the Anderton house.

The police think it could be a possible motive

for what happened to Tonia Lee.

Wow. I hadn't heard that.

We should tell them, Franklin.

Fine.

Go ahead.

We also had a painting disappear

from one of our listings a couple of weeks ago.

Oh, my gosh. That makes three!

I wonder why Arthur wouldn't tell me about that?

Well...

we talked the owners out of reporting it stolen.

We didn't want people to think

that listing with Sternholz-Farrell

meant they get robbed.

Our insurance company reimbursed the owners.

[♪♪♪]

Thanks, Arthur.

Well, it's looking more and more like

we have an art thief

working overtime around here.

And, somehow, Tonia Lee Greenhouse

stumbled onto whoever's doing it?

Well, unfortunately,

Arthur said they found fingerprints

of about 40 different people

at the Anderton house,

so it'll take a long time to analyze it, but...

if it is a real estate agent,

Franklin might be the only one with knowledge

about paintings that are worth a lot of money.

Plus, clearly, he has expensive taste.

Oh, please, I know Franklin.

I used to go out with him.

Right. He took you to dinners.

No. He cooked for me.

And he has the cleanest house that I've ever seen.

He wouldn't let me walk on his carpet with my shoes on.

There's no way

he would do something as messy as murder.

Besides, why would he steal something from his own listing,

and put his own business in jeopardy?

Well, I don't have the answers yet.

But if he's guilty, I'll find them.

Like a dog with a bone.

[laughing]

Wait. Franklin Farrell?

Seriously?

Franklin is your main suspect?

Why is that funny?

You know I'm not one for gossip.

Mother, please.

Gossip this once.

The truth is, Franklin is so...

h-he's such a lightweight.

He only went into the real estate business

because he has no other skills or talents.

Terry's the one who keeps that agency afloat.

Okay, but if she's the one making all the commission,

then why is he the one driving the Mercedes?

I'm sure he inherited his mother's estate.

Believe me, he was not driving a Mercedes

before she died.

Oh, no. I'm gossiping

and I'm turning into an amateur detective

just like you and John.

Did you know I found John eavesdropping on Eileen?

Eileen? Do you know why?

[phone rings]

Oh.

I've been waiting for this call. I have to take this. I'm sorry.

Hello?

Tell Megan I'm off to lunch.

Franklin!

I hope you're glad to see me.

Of course, I'm just surprised, that's all.

I have something to give you,

and I, um... I didn't want to wait.

[gasps]

You remembered.

All right.

Sure.

Okay, just go over the figures again.

All right.

[♪♪♪]

Idella? Are you okay?

Roe. Yeah, I'm fine.

You don't look fine.

It's just Donnie. He's so upset at me.

He has this crazy idea about me

and he just won't let it go.

He thinks that I know who killed Tonia Lee.

It's-- It's ridiculous,

because how would I know what happened?

[sniffling]

Why would Donnie think you know?

Idella...

if you do know something, maybe I can help.

[sobbing softly]

You can't help me.

Idella...

[sighs heavily]

Idella, wait!

Oh!

Hi!

Martin? What-- What are you doing here?

Um, this is where

my board decided to have lunch today.

If that's okay with you?

Oh, of course. Yeah.

Um, I hope you have a great lunch.

Wait, wait.

Aren't you curious

about my meeting with your detective friend?

[gasps] Yes.

Oh, yes, I am!

But I-I really have to go catch my--

Who are you protecting?

Look, the police told me

how the key to the Anderton house

just happened to reappear in your office,

and now you're telling

your whole staff to clam up!

Donnie, of course--

Who are you protecting? Is it Mackie?

Eileen?

You know, Tonia Lee always said

that that new hire of yours was gunning after our clients.

Donnie, I know you're upset, but--

Don't patronize me!

I deserve answers!

[Martin]: All right, your lunch is finished.

This isn't over, Aida!

[exhales] Oh.

We've become a spectacle.

How nice.

That was so efficiently done.

Thank you.

Any time. Everyone all right?

Yeah.

I should get back to lunch with my board.

Aida.

[♪♪♪]

I've had it with all the suspicion

directed at my staff.

I mean, first,

Mackie is taken away by the police,

and then we're all fingerprinted,

and now Donnie is confronting me like this.

Yeah, but he mentioned Eileen.

And you said that John had some concerns about her, too,

but you didn't say why.

Oh, something ridiculous

about her being an art history major--

Really? Eileen is an art expert?

I'll have none of this, Aurora!

Eileen is a very dedicated worker,

and she-she puts in more hours than I do,

so I'm not gonna have you watering any seeds

of doubt about her.

Okay, Mother, take a deep breath.

I have to go to Sternholz-Farrell.

We have a banquet to prepare.

Mother, that's Franklin's office.

Yes, I know, that's Franklin's office.

Okay, then I'm going with you.

Okay, then.

[Aurora]: So what'd you find out about Eileen?

[John, oh phone]:Well, I called a real estate guy

I know in Seattle--

Oh! Where Eileen had an agency of her own?

[John]:Right.

My friend has heard rumors

that Eileen was in hot water

with the local brokers' association.

Oh! That doesn't sound good.

[John]:I've got a call in to the association president.

Okay, well, I'm researching Franklin, too.

Man, I just wish that my mother would be more worried

that the bad guy could be somebody she works with.

She knows these people.

It's hard for her to see them any other way.

Well, Tonia Lee

knew them, too...

and now she's dead.

First thing we have to do

is figure out who's gonna handle the decorations.

Tonia Lee always did give our banquets a nice look.

I can handle that.

I have an artistic eye.

So you have a background in art?

Never mind.

I have to say, it's putting a real lump in my throat

seeing Tonia Lee's chair empty.

You should try sitting down to dinner

opposite an empty chair.

She used to be there, every night, across the table...

the most beautiful woman in the world.

[♪♪♪]

[all gasping]

Aida...

I think you know something about who killed Tonia Lee,

and I want you to tell me what it is,

right now.

Are you planning to shoot me, Donnie?

I'm calling the police.

No, I've got this.

Let Donnie answer me first.

What are you planning to do?

I'm planning to find out the truth.

Idella refused to tell me what she knows.

I'm not gonna let you refuse, too.

Why do you think Idella knows what happened to Tonia Lee?

Because I saw her car pulling out of our parking lot

the night Tonia Lee didn't come home.

The police say the guilty one

drove Tonia Lee's car back to the office

and left it there.

I think Idella was there to give him a ride home.

That's crazy!

Idella is a total stickler for playing by the rules.

You can't be saying that Idella

is conspiring with a killer.

I think everyone in your office is conspiring with a killer.

Donnie Greenhouse,

you are blind with grief.

You've known me 20 years.

We sit together in church!

And you know in your heart that if I had

any idea who killed Tonia Lee,

I'd be banging on the doors of the police station.

And I certainly wouldn't keep it from you.

[♪♪♪]

Maybe you can get Idella to tell you who did.

Because she knows, I'm telling you that.

[♪♪♪]

I wouldn't have let him shoot you, Aida.

Mother.

I think I need to go talk to Idella.

[Sally]: Okay.

We're getting close to the Clarion subdivision.

[Aurora]: Good.

Patty said Idella isn't picking up her cell phone,

but she knew that she was meeting a client

at one of the four listings on that sheet.

I still don't believe it.

Idella? An accomplice to murder?

I doubt

that she knew she was an accomplice.

My feeling is that she thought

she was just picking up a friend at Greenhouse Realty

that night.

[Sally]: Okay. No car. The next one is on...

Maple.

Maybe Idella's protecting whoever she picked up.

Maybe she's in some kind of romantic relationship

with them.

That sounds plausible.

Which would mean a male person,

like Franklin.

Okay, would you stop with Franklin?

He's not seeing Idella.

How do you know?

Because he's seeing me.

He got concert tickets

for us to go and see my favorite band.

He asked me to go with him this morning.

You can't go! He's a suspect!

Only in your suspicious mind!

[Aurora]: Okay. Here's Maple.

[Sally]: I see the sign up ahead.

And there's Idella's car.

[♪♪♪]

If Idella's supposed to be showing

a client the house...

Yeah, then there should be two cars here.

[♪♪♪]

[knocking] Idella! It's Roe!

Idella?

Are you here?

It's so quiet.

It's "spooky" quiet.

[♪♪♪]

It's Idella.

I think she's dead.

[dispatch radios crackling]

So, it looks like she was strangled.

Just like Tonia Lee.

I hate to say it,

but I saw Donnie arguing with Idella earlier today--

And he was at the police station

all afternoon,

trying to convince me

that Idella knew who went after his wife.

Wasn't Donnie who did this.

Oh, thank goodness.

But clearly, Donnie was right about Idella.

Have you looked into Franklin Farrell?

[Sally]: Why would you think it was Franklin?

You were just with him at his office.

That was an hour ago!

He would've had time to get here.

Does he have an alibi

for Tonia Lee's time of death?

Aurora Teagarden!

You're here at my crime scene,

exactly where

you're not in any way, shape, or form, allowed to be.

Now, I know people in this town

think you're some kind of super-sleuth,

but what you are is an obstacle.

Continually in the way, interfering, obstructing,

and if I find out--

Okay, sir?

Roe's a witness.

She actually discovered the body.

And how did you let that happen?

[Exhales] Uh...

Maybe we can think of her

as one of those annoying pilot fish.

You know the ones that follow whales around?

I mean, no one wants them around,

they're a pain,

but necessary in their own way.

You know I can hear you?

Yeah.

Thanks. I think.

So you were asking about Farrell's alibi.

Well, he tells us that he was standing in line

buying tickets to some concert.

Oh! He was!

I have the tickets right here, in my purse.

Look. There's a time/date stamp

showing when they were purchased.

Okay, now, why would he

stand in line

when he could just buy them online?

That just sounds like someone trying

to set up an alibi, to me.

Oh, stop, Roe!

Security footage is gonna confirm it for us either way.

In the meantime,

our fingerprint analysis came back.

Just about everyone who works in real estate

has left prints at the Anderton house,

but, out of the two clear prints we found on the wall

where the missing painting was hanging,

only one of them belonged to an agent,

and it wasn't Franklin.

Then who was it?

Eileen Crandall.

That's who Donnie has been focusing on!

And-And John, too,

because she's an art history major.

You said there were two sets of prints.

Whose were the other?

Martin Bartell.

I have to get back inside.

[sighing heavily]

Oh, poor Idella.

What-- What kind of monster would do such a thing?

You work 20 feet away from her, Mother.

The danger is getting closer and closer to you!

I need to ask everyone in your office

who she's closest to.

I have to find out if she was seeing someone.

No. You'll do no such thing.

They don't even know that she's died yet,

and when I tell them, they're going to be upset.

I mean, very upset, so, please,

just give them a day to grieve

before you start hounding them.

Is that clear?

[♪♪♪]

Be safe.

I'll keep my ears open.

John, uh...

Make sure my mother doesn't

go anywhere alone with Eileen.

Or Martin Bartell.

[♪♪♪]

[knocking at door]

[sighs]

Hey, Roe.

Martin.

I don't remember inviting you to stop by.

No. I heard on the radio

that you'd found another body.

I wanted to check up on you.

I brought you some food, in case you're hungry.

People who find bodies often forget to eat.

Um... can I come in?

Yes, but just for a minute,

and just because my mother would never forgive me

for being rude to you again.

Why didn't you tell me the day we found Tonia Lee

that you'd met her before?

Well, I am house-hunting.

She just happened to be

the first real estate agent that I talked to.

Oh.

I've made it onto your suspect list.

[scoffs] Not just my list.

I get it.

When bad things happen,

it helps people feel better

to think that it's the new guy in town

and not someone that they might know.

Your fingerprints were found

near where the missing painting was hanging

in the Anderton house.

Did you know

that the painting that replaced it

had a thrift store sticker on the frame?

It did?

Mm-hmm.

Can't blame me

for wanting to take a closer look at that.

Come on.

If I had done something to the lovely Mrs. Greenhouse,

would I have led you-- and the police--

straight to her body?

Criminals like to go back to the scene of the crime,

to watch people react to what they did.

Okay, what about the body you found today?

Now, clearly, I couldn't have had anything to do with that.

You saw me at the restaurant,

about to sit down to lunch with my board.

I don't know what time you left.

Okay, well,

clearly, we are not going to be enjoying this meal together,

which is too bad,

because I thought maybe

you could help me sort out this theft at the plant.

I have a list

of all of the employees that work there.

I don't see a list.

Oh, it-- [sighs] It's in the car.

Why don't you let me know when you're ready to trust me?

[♪♪♪]

[door opens, then shuts]

[♪♪♪]

You're still here?

I thought you had to leave for a funeral.

I do.

Ah...

a Kleitsch landscape does hold the eye, doesn't it?

You know this artist?

Of course!

I'm a member of the Western Art Appreciation Society.

I believe cultural enrichment is very important.

Wow.

That's very... interesting.

You don't have to pretend you think I'm interesting.

I know what you and your friends

think of me.

[dry chuckle]

That, uh, Perry Dell, he said I was "uptight".

Lillian, I would never say that.

Mm. But you'd think it.

You're very loosey-goosey,

and I have no idea why.

You have a mother with a perfect sense of propriety.

Hey...

So far this week,

I have been called

an "annoying fish" and "loosey-goosey".

Well, I'm just going to call you wrong.

Did you see my story today?

Right here, first paragraph.

"Franklin Farrell was cleared by security camera footage."

So there.

You are officially wrong about him,

I was officially right.

You may applaud now, if you like.

Shouldn't we go?

It's really rude to be late to a funeral.

[Sally]: It was very frustrating

writing that story

and not being able to name

who the police are interested in.

Martin Bartell, Eileen Crandall.

Yeah, my mother is determined

to defend Eileen.

Still haven't figured out a way around that yet.

Did Perry ever get back to you

with any info on how an art thief

might access the black market?

He said he's still looking into it.

But maybe there's another way to find out.

[inaudible exchange]

So you really like Franklin, huh?

Well, I guess I must,

with how much I wanted to defend him.

I mean, the neat-freak thing did drive me batty

when we tried to date before,

but he's sweet,

and he didn't hold a grudge

when I dated his cousin right after him,

so, might be worth it to give him another shot.

And you don't find him a little, um...

shallow?

You found her? You found Idella?

She was just the nicest person.

Why would anyone want to hurt her?

Well, that's what we're trying to figure out.

You were really close to her, huh?

Like sisters.

Do you know if she was dating anyone,

or seeing anyone?

You know, I kind of got the feeling she was.

She didn't say anything, though,

but I did notice her in the front seat

of a white car once.

I didn't notice the driver,

but I remember the car

was coming out of the PanAgra parking lot.

Oh, there's your mother.

PanAgra? Where Martin works.

But he doesn't drive a white car.

Still...

it's a sign that the factory thefts

could be related to the real estate thefts.

Excuse me.

[line ringing]

Martin, it's Roe.

I'd really like to see that list of PanAgra employees.

[♪♪♪]

Aida doesn't seem angry at Donnie

that he all but pulled a gun on her the other day.

Well, my mother believes a lady

always gives a person the benefit of the doubt.

You must have noticed that,

after working for her for the past six months.

It's been eight months.

Yeah. She hires people

without even checking their references.

I know that was true for Mackie.

Was that the same for you?

Why don't you come out and just ask me

what you want to ask me?

Roe?

Oh, there you are.

I was gonna give up looking for you

and call you.

Martin, what are you doing here?

Paying my respects.

Besides, you wanted to have a look

at that list of employees.

Oh... Yeah, but not this afternoon.

Why not?

This collaborative mood of yours

could evaporate any second.

Okay, where's the list?

What made you think you'd be

welcome in my house, Bartell?

Mr. Greenhouse,

allow me to express my sincere condolences.

I'm not gonna "allow" you anything.

You shoved me out of the restaurant

the other day,

now I'm gonna return the favor.

Okay, all right.

[♪♪♪]

Well, that was exciting!

What? What is it?

Martin talked to Idella an hour before she was killed.

Any time you feel like

telling me what's bothering you...

No rush.

I saw your recent calls.

I didn't mean to,

but I know that you talked

to Idella Yates

an hour before she was attacked.

[chuckles]

I don't find that funny.

No, I'm sure you don't.

Um, I spoke to her

because I telephoned ABT Realty

to speak to your mother about resuming my house-hunting.

I would've thought

that you would've told me that yesterday,

when you knew I found her body.

I had no idea whose body you found.

You didn't tell me.

It was on the news!

You said you heard the radio report.

Well, I didn't catch the victim's name.

The only name I heard was yours.

Where's the list of PanAgra employees?

Oh...

Uh...

I must have picked it up with some other papers

and taken it into my office.

We can go there now, if you want.

You can email it to me.

And the window of opportunity is closed once more.

[sighs] All right.

What's your email?

[car approaching]

Great. The president of my fan club.

[door opens and shuts]

This is a judicial order

allowing us to collect a DNA sample from you,

so if you wouldn't mind coming with us...

There's no use delaying the inevitable, is there?

[♪♪♪]

They found DNA on Tonia Lee's body?

Not on the body.

It was actually on the scarf you found.

It was covered in drops of saliva

that didn't belong to Tonia Lee or her husband.

So you think it was the murder weapon?

I touched the scarf, too.

Do you need a sample from me?

We'll get the results back

from Mr. Bartell's test in a couple of weeks.

Why don't we wait and see if that's a match first?

Do you really believe it was Martin?

We can tie him to both victims,

and he's been a common thread

in both the thefts with the Anderton house

and PanAgra.

We've also been looking into his background.

Isn't he a war hero?

Yes,

but we're finding long stretches of time

where we can't find

any information on him at all.

Roe... you should stay away from him.

Don't worry.

We annoying pilot fish know which sharks to avoid.

[♪♪♪]

Martin Bartell was a spy!

Hey. How are you holding up?

I can't believe

we were all at one funeral yesterday

and have to go to another one on Saturday.

I know.

It's hard.

Hey, um...

Patty, do you remember

Martin Bartell calling here for my mom,

and you passing it on to Idella?

The police asked the same thing this morning.

I shuffle calls around for all kinds of reasons.

I can't remember if I sent a call

from Mr. Bartell to Idella or not.

This is absolutely unacceptable!

And I suppose you have something to do with this, too?

[Eileen huffs]

She didn't take that well.

Take what?

Aida?

John has been investigating me like I'm a common criminal.

I merely asked Eileen

if she could explain why she was asked to leave

the King County Association of Realtors in Seattle.

I can explain that.

She'd been accused of theft.

She was?

You know?

Of course I know!

I also know the man who accused her.

He sits on the board of the association,

and he is a reprehensible human being

who lies about everything that--

Let's just say I've dealt with him before.

Which is one reason

why I asked Eileen to come to work here.

But the real question is, John...

Why did you continue looking into her background

after I asked you not to?

Well, I thought it was important to, uh...

-Roe, help me out here. -[phone chimes]

Ohh. Oh!

I-I have someone waiting for me.

Mother, don't be too hard on John.

He's just trying to help.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

Psst!

Perry, you said you had some information for me?

Yeah. Look, I finally talked

to my friend who's into the art scene...

told me about this guy called "The Curator."

Shops hot paintings and art and whatever,

over in Seattle.

Eileen is from Seattle.

Did your friend say who the "Curator" might be?

Nope. Says no one's ever seen him or even talked to him.

Well, then how does he know it's a him?

Could it be a her?

I guess,

but whoever it is has a way-complicated system

for dropping off money

in exchange for paintings and stuff.

You know, like a... like a spy movie or something.

A spy movie?

So that's it.

Guess I'll see you at the meeting tonight.

Huh?

Oh! The Real Murders Club.

Yeah, yeah, I'll see you tonight.

[♪♪♪]

A spy?

[♪♪♪]

He was a handsome man, charming and seductive.

That's how Rodney Alcala approached his victims--

with a smile and his camera,

telling them how beautiful they were.

Some of his subjects told police how charismatic Rodney was,

how convincing that he was truly interested in them.

In reality,

he was only interested in stealing their lives.

That's the mark of a master manipulator--

a man who killed with kindness.

[indistinct chatter]

Great job tonight, Lemaster.

Well, thank you, Sally.

I'll see you two at the next meeting.

Absolutely!

[hushed exchange]

I'm really getting into this clandestine stuff.

Might have to become a private investigator.

[John]: What was that about?

Oh, nothing.

Um... Oh! So how did it go with Eileen and my mother?

You forgiven?

I know Aida wants to defend Eileen,

but I'm not ready to rule her out.

I keep hearing stories about her clashes

with Tonia Lee.

[Sally]: What about Martin Bartell?

The police took a DNA sample, right?

It'll take weeks to get the results.

So, not enough to make an arrest?

It's only circumstantial evidence.

Well, there's a stronger circumstantial case

against Eileen, if you ask me.

But what if it's not her?

What if Martin is the guilty one?

What, he just gets to walk around,

doing whatever he wants for who knows how long?

Unless someone gets some harder evidence against him.

[car approaching]

Ready to go?

Roe, what are you doing?

Just a little research.

[♪♪♪]

Shouldn't we stop her?

[♪♪♪]

I'm hoping to get out of this rental pretty soon.

I mean, it'll do for now,

but I can't wait to get my own furnishings back.

I'm surprised you agreed to cross my threshold.

Actually, I'm surprised

you agreed to meet with me at all.

Considering the police

are trying to tar me with their brush.

Well, it didn't seem to bother you much.

You seemed pretty cavalier about being taken in yesterday.

An innocent man can afford

to be entertained by their bumbling.

An innocent man,

or one who's confident he won't get caught?

I hear DNA is pretty good

at proving it one way or the other.

I'm not the bad guy, Roe.

But I am interested in finding him...

and he just might be on my list of employees.

Shall we sit down and take a look at it?

Mm-hmm.

Why don't you read each name

and tell me what you might know

about each person?

Okay. The first one is Robert Broderson.

Now, that's Wendy Broderson's husband.

[phone buzzing]

Sorry. Go ahead.

Oh, a-aren't you gonna answer that?

I don't recognize the number.

But it might be important.

Then they'll leave a message.

[phone buzzing]

Okay, if you're not answering that because of me,

I'd feel really guilty.

[beep] Hello?

[man's voice]: Is this the Curator?

You have the wrong number, pal.

I've got your number all right,

and I know what you've been up to, Bartell.

If you want to keep me quiet, you need to meet me now.

Main and Third.

[beep]

Was it important?

I have to leave.

It's an emergency meeting.

Can I drop you at home?

Oh, I-I don't mind staying, until you get back.

I-I'd really like to go through this list,

if that's okay?

Oh.

Okay, uh, I'll try to be quick.

[♪♪♪]

[door opens and shuts]

[♪♪♪]

Password protected, of course,

but there are ways around that...

[computer trilling]

[gasps]

Just what do you think you're doing?

[♪♪♪]

Enlighten me.

What were you looking for on my computer?

I was looking for evidence

that you might have known Idella and Tonia Lee

more than you let on.

If you have questions, why not simply ask me?

I researched you.

I know that you were in Army intelligence,

and then the CIA.

And I also know you were kicked out of the CIA

for refusing to follow orders.

Orders that were immoral.

And just how did you learn all of that?

I'm a librarian.

I have a Master's Degree in finding information.

So you knew that I was a covert operative,

and you still went through

with this whole transparent ploy to get me out of my own house?

Obviously, I'm not that good at covert operations.

[exhales]

Um, who's "The Curator"?

I thought he might be you.

I researched you, too.

I asked around about you.

And I learned about a woman

who's solved difficult crimes

and sent the culprits to jail.

I thought it was a whole lot of small-town exaggeration...

But then I remembered how you handled yourself

when we found that body.

You were calm under pressure.

I've seen how quick your mind is,

how fast you put things together,

and I realized

that your reputation is not exaggerated.

You have very good instincts.

So I'll ask you again...

do you really think

that I'm responsible for these killings?

I don't know.

[♪♪♪]

These are the passwords...

to my computer...

and to my cell phone.

[slides them across counter]

I have no desire to fool you,

only to help you.

I'm gonna take a walk around the block.

Take all the time you need.

Oh, and, uh...

this time, I'm really leaving.

[♪♪♪]

Hey.

You're still here.

Half expected you to call someone

to come pick you up.

I didn't look at your computer, or your phone.

But if that's why you're here...

It would be an invasion of privacy.

I know, it doesn't make any sense.

My head kept telling me to look,

but I didn't,

and not because

you know the police are already investigating you,

and you would've deleted

everything connected to Tonia Lee and Idella anyway,

but because my instincts are telling me

that you didn't do it.

Although maybe I shouldn't listen to them,

because I-I'm wrong sometimes.

I mean, the person I really thought did it

has an airtight alibi.

Well, shall we look at the list

and see if that sparks anything for you?

You're not upset that I tried to trick you?

You're careful. I like that.

It's a lonely thing, sometimes, being careful.

This I know.

You don't seem like someone who's ever been lonely.

Well, maybe because I haven't been...

since I met you.

Surprised?

'Cause I'm surprised I said that out loud just now.

[both chuckling]

[banging at door, man shouts]: Bartell!

Lawrenceton Police! Open the door!

I said, open up!

Arthur!

What are you doing here?

Thank goodness, you're all right.

Of course, she's all right!

Are you here to make an arrest?

No, I'm here for you.

Roe, we have to talk--

which we can do as I drive you home.

Now!

That was incredibly rude!

And that was incredibly stupid,

going into the home of our top suspect?

I know you were looking for evidence,

don't deny it.

Oh! I forgot the list.

No, no, no. You are coming with me.

Who called you? Sally?

No! [sighs]

Maybe. Uh, look.

I knew you went into Bartell's house.

I was watching, and then,

I saw him come out alone,

and go back in alone, and I thought that maybe--

Oh... Arthur, you were worried about me?

[sighing]

You're lucky he knows we've got our eye on him.

Please promise me

that you will not be alone with him again.

You know, I don't think Martin is the one

who went after Tonia Lee and Idella.

You have no idea what you're saying,

or who that guy really is.

I know more than you think.

-[car door shuts] -Oh, Roe!

Oh, thank goodness, you're okay.

[flustered gasp] You called Arthur?

Well... you know how I worry about you!

We were both concerned about you.

We wanted to make sure you were okay.

Yeah! I'm fine. Okay?

Shall I go home?

If that's okay

with my other self-appointed guardian?

Just be safe.

Remind me to thank Arthur tomorrow,

when I'm done being annoyed at him.

I don't know why you're annoyed.

You had us scared half to death.

Okay, I know that the police are focusing on Martin,

but I think we need to still look at Eileen,

see if she has some connection to PanAgra.

[sighing]

[email alert beeps]

[♪♪♪]

[buzzing]

[beep]

Aurora Teagarden.

You sent me the list.

How'd you get my email address?

Well, you're not the only one who can find information.

[chuckles] Thank you.

I'll have a look at it tonight.

So are we at the point yet

where I can ask you out and you might say yes?

Well...

I don't have a date

for the real estate broker's dinner tomorrow.

If the "The Curator"

is a real estate agent named Eileen,

then that's where she'll be.

And if you come with me,

then maybe you could tell me if you've seen her at PanAgra,

checking out the artwork.

Perfect! When can I pick you up?

Well, I don't want the police pulling you over

and yanking me out of the car,

so how about I meet you there?

[laughs]

It's a date.

Finally!

[beep]

[♪♪♪]

You're stunning.

Thank you.

You look pretty nice yourself.

Ready to cause a stir?

Are you?

[♪♪♪]

[hushed]: There's Eileen Crandall.

Well, she does look familiar.

[indistinct comment]

[♪♪♪]

Aurora?

Look at you. You look lovely, darling.

Thank you.

Mr. Bartell.

Well, as my-- my client, I'm happy to see you,

but as everyone seems to be saying,

you're a suspect in the death of my employee...

I understand your dilemma.

Martin didn't hurt Idella, Mother.

I suppose I'll have to put my faith

in "innocent until proven guilty",

although I don't know if they have the same faith.

A depressing reminder

that we real estate agents need protecting.

Yes.

Um, I didn't have any room at my table,

so I've put you

at the Sternholz-Farrell table.

Aww.

Oh, be nice.

Thank you.

[♪♪♪]

I was hoping to be seated next to Eileen,

so I could ask her some pointed questions.

Yeah, it's too bad we're not.

I know some very effective interrogation techniques.

Oh, wait. You're not joking, are you?

Oh, well, there's Sally and Franklin.

Hey, Franklin, which way to our table?

Oh! You're not Franklin.

Uh, this is Henry Evans, Franklin's cousin.

Evans? What are you doing here?

Ah, Mr. Bartell, I--

Okay, I asked Henry

to come and meet me here before dinner tonight.

You're Franklin's cousin,

but your last name's not Farrell?

On our mother's side.

And you know Martin how?

Henry works in security at PanAgra.

I found out that someone was trying to sell a painting

through the classifieds.

Wait.

You think an art thief

would sell stolen paintings through the paper?

Iwouldn'tthink so,

but this ad had an email address,

and Perry figured out how to find its I.P. address,

and... it's at PanAgra.

So she thought that I could

track down the specific computer

to that address.

You mean you wanted to find out if it belonged to me?

Well, Roe didn't tell me

she was bringing you here tonight.

How long ago was the ad placed?

Two months ago.

And you know Martin moved here one month ago.

Uh... yes.

I knew that,

only I forgot I knew it until just now.

Well, someone must belong to that I.P.,

and I'm gonna find out who.

Of course, I'll let you know first, Mr. Bartell.

Please do, Henry.

You and Frankie have fun at that concert, Sally.

Will do.

[♪♪♪]

So, shall we get a drink

and see if we can find Franklin?

Oh, did I tell you

that the museum's dedicating

an entire wing to his mother?

Oh, yeah? Why's that?

Probably because

she left them all of her money.

What?

Oh! There's Franklin!

Wait, Franklin didn't inherit?

Wait! Franklin didn't inherit!

But he's been spending a lot of money

since his mother died.

His cousin Henry,

he knew about the concert,

and he looks a lot like Franklin.

All of this means...?

Well, Franklin's alibi for Tonia Lee

is that he was buying concert tickets.

What if it was Henry who was buying the tickets

and showed up in the security footage?

I mean, maybe Franklin doesn't have an alibi at all!

You've got to go catch Henry.

Find out if he bought the concert tickets.

And use those interrogation techniques of yours!

Don't mind if I do.

[♪♪♪]

Oh, it's him...

Franklin's the killer.

[♪♪♪]

Hello, everybody.

Sally, can I see you for a minute, please?

I just sat down.

Pretty please, with sugar?

Okay.

Excuse me.

[hushed]: Okay.

Do you see the way Franklin folded his napkin?

I know. He's always been weird about how he folds things.

Okay, do you remember when I f--

I couldn't catch Henry.

I'm gonna hop in my car and follow him to the plant.

It's only five minutes away.

I'll be back in time for dinner.

No!

W-- Martin, w--!

[frustrated sigh]

Okay, stay here. Don't move.

I'll be right back.

[♪♪♪]

Martin!

Where's he going?

I saw him with you. Martin Bartell.

Donnie, I need you to--

He's the one who killed Tonia Lee!

-It wasn't him! -I'll make him pay.

Donnie! It wasn't Martin!

Okay? But the police will know

by the end of the night who did it.

There will be justice for Tonia Lee and for Idella.

[♪♪♪]

Oh!

[♪♪♪]

Where'd Franklin and Sally go?

The two lovebirds left.

Seems like they suddenly couldn't wait to be alone.

Oh, no!

If Sally comes back, tell her to call me immediately!

Okay.

[indistinct exchange]

Hey! So that security footage that showed Franklin Farrell

buying concert tickets at the time of Tonia Lee's death--

What about it?

It didn't show his face, did it?

I mean, just his back?

Who told you that?

Okay, remember the way Tonia Lee's scarf was folded?

Well, Franklin just folded his napkin like this...

then he took off with Sally!

I can't let her be alone with him.

Sally, why didn't you--

Roe, this is not enough to go on!

You have to get away from Franklin now!

Martin! I know Franklin is the killer,

and he just took off with Sally.

I'm gonna go over to his house now

and get her out of there.

[♪♪♪]

[Aurora, banging on door]: Sally! Open this door! Sally?

Open the door!

[knocking loudly]

Oh, hello, Roe. What a surprise.

Where's Sally? I need to talk to her.

She's not here. She had a headache.

Wanted to go home.

I dropped her off at her place.

Sally! Are you here?

I just told you she wasn't. [laughs]

[♪♪♪]

Okay, well,

if you see her, just tell her I'm--

You recognized the painting,

didn't you?

[chuckles] I don't know what you're talking about.

I know how smart you are, Roe.

You recognized it.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

I just couldn't bring myself to part with it.

And Tonia Lee figured out that you took it.

Just because I took the painting doesn't mean that I killed her.

Then-- Then who?

Your cousin, Henry?

[sighs heavily]

Henry had nothing to do with Tonia Lee.

Nothing.

Whole reason I had to stop her

was to protect Henry.

I couldn't let him go to jail!

Not when I was the one who talked him

into helping me with my little cash-flow problem.

You're "The Curator"!

Or at least you and Henry both are.

Do not blame him.

He is not the Curator. He's simply following my orders.

Well, he must be pretty upset

that you made him an accomplice to murder.

He doesn't even know I did that.

But Idella did.

She picked you up

after you dropped off Tonia Lee's car at her office.

[sighs heavily]

Why did you have to involve Idella?

That was a mistake.

We had plans for a date that night,

and I didn't want to deviate from what I would normally do.

I thought she would believe my story,

and she did at first.

And then she didn't.

Everything would've been fine

if I just hadn't misplaced Tonia Lee's scarf.

[gasps]

As precise as you are?

How did you let that happen?

Couldn't find it.

I was straightening up,

and it was just gone.

I was looking for it

when I heard the neighbors come out,

and I just had to get out of there.

Another mistake...

and now you're caught.

By who? You?

No, the police.

They're on their way here right now.

[exhales darkly]

Oh!

[shattering]

[thud]

Roe!

[crash]

Hey! Down here.

[chuckles] Here I thought I'd be rescuing you,

but it looks like you've already rescued yourself.

Well, sort of...

but I twisted my arm when he fell on me.

Oh. Well, then allow me.

Here.

Sorry.

Ohh.

Are you hurt anywhere else?

No, I don't think so.

What about Franklin?

Is he still alive?

Oh, yeah.

The police are right behind me. They'll deal with him.

I have to get you to a hospital.

No. It's--it's okay.

I'm okay.

You're sure?

Well-- Oh!

Actually...

this is good practice.

Practice for what?

[♪♪♪]

Thank you

for signing your statement.

Ho, ho, ho. I think, uh...

I think there's much more

for which you could be thanking her.

Franklin would still be roaming free

if not for Aurora.

He was the top of my list, too.

If he hadn't had what seemed like a solid alibi--

Or people like me defending him.

I, for one, have no problem thanking you.

You're an awesome friend.

[♪♪♪]

And a master sleuth.

And a pesky pilot fish.

What?

Nothing. Ahem.

Roe, the police department officially thanks you

for your assistance.

Thank you, Lynn.

And maybe we could have lunch soon.

I don't think so.

[♪♪♪]

You certainly have

a lot of admirers in this town.

Some more than others.

I think I need to take drastic measures

to ensure that no one else sweeps you off your feet.

Wait.

Martin, what are you doing? What are you-- No. What--

We hardly know each other!

Aurora Teagarden,

will you make me the happiest man in the world...

...and go to a movie with me?

[laughs]

[others chuckling]

Yes, Martin,

I would be happy to see a movie with you.

Oh, good.

[Aida sighs]

You know, Mother, with this sling on my arm,

there's no way I can put on that bridesmaid's dress.

You're gonna have to stand up for Aunt Neela all on your own.

Oh, no. We are getting you into that dress.

Yeah, I'm with Aida on this one.

I think you need to wear the dress.

You know, I have some pictures, Martin.

-They're absolutely-- -Pictures!

-Sally--! -...Gorgeous.

-Don't you dare! -You need to see this dress.

No, no. No!

You do. We need your support.

Don't. I-- I can't even defend myself!

[Aurora bickering as Sally continues with Martin]

[♪♪♪]