Welcome to our World! Where we serve you cookies to ensure you get the best viewing experience on our site.

Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?

Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register

02x04 - The Ides of December - Part 2

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Mistletoe Murders". Aired: October 31, 2024 – present.*
Watch/Buy Amazon


Emily Lane, a mysterious woman, moves to the small town of Fletcher's Grove in Upstate New York and buys a year-round Christmas shop.

02x04 - The Ides of December - Part 2

Post by bunniefuu »

Emily, this is Reed Donley,

my mentor.

What are doing in town?

Babysitting

a bunch of paintings.

-Reed, Reed!

-No, no, no, no, no!

This is a White Rock crime.

I'm aware

I'm not in my jurisdiction.

School's database

with back-door access

-Who showed you how to do this?

-Self-taught.

That's not the painting

I saw on the truck.

Tell him what you told me.

It's not the same painting.

Well, maybe they showed you

the wrong one on the truck.

No, it was that painting.

The subject and composition

are the same,

but the face

is sort of different.

It's hard to explain.

But it was late at night.

I mean, maybe it looked

different in the dark?

Maybe you don't

appreciate who I am

or what I do, but I know art.

I have an eye for it, and that

is not the same painting.

Alright, I need you to

keep this to yourself for now.

Will you make it worth my while?

Do you enjoy not being in jail?

Harrison!

What'd you think?

Was it worth the wait?

I'm speechless.

I knew you would be.

If you'll excuse me.

If Harrison's right,

and someone did

swap out those paintings,

it could be the reason

why Reed was k*lled.

I have to bring this to Meadows.

No, that's just gonna

open a whole can of worms!

It changes the entire focus

of the investigation.

I can't withhold it from him.

I guess it's your call.

You okay?

You seem a little tense.

I'm sure

it has nothing to do

with learning he's been

snooping around in my past.

I just don't think it's fair

how far we've come,

only to hand it off

to another detective.

This is about

getting justice for Reed.

I don't care who gets the win.

As annoyed

as I am,

I can't deny

he has a point there.

That makes zero sense,

Wilner.

Why would somebody

replace a painting

with an imperfect forgery?

That's the question!

What did Moira Wells

have to say about it?

She didn't seem to indicate

anything was wrong.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

Well, there you go.

She's familiar

with the painting;

she would have

noticed any flaws.

Maybe she's involved somehow?

Are you even

listening to yourself?

Sam knows

what he's talking about,

and you should be

looking into this!

-I'm sorry

-Who are you?

I run the local Christmas shop.

She's done some consulting

work for us in the past.

-I've heard enough.

-This is a waste of my time.

Hey, I'm trying to help you!

No, you are trying

to convince yourself

that your buddy Reed

died a hero,

when everything points

to this being

a random robbery gone wrong.

I have a m*rder to solve.

You have fun with

whatever this is.

Just stay out of my way.

Well, I thought

that went really well.

As steamed

as I am at him,

Sam made a good point

last night.

If the self-portrait

really is a fake,

then Moira had to have noticed,

which would mean she's

wrapped up in this somehow.

It made me realize how little

I really know about her.

According to this article,

Moira was put up for adoption

as a newborn, but tracked down

her birth mother, Catherine,

eight years ago,

which is when she discovered

her grandmother

was Angela Wells.

Her previously

floundering career as an artist

got a major boost from that.

Her birth mom passed away only

a few years after they reunited,

complications from

early-onset Alzheimer's.

I can only imagine

how hard that must have been.

The loss of my own parents

changed the course of my life

in ways I never

could have predicted.

Hi, everyone.

Now, I hate to kick off

the school year

on such a negative note, but

there's something

I need to address,

and I'm afraid

it's quite serious.

Now, it has been brought

to my attention that someone

was able to access

the school's bank accounts,

and removed funds

that were set aside

for the senior class trip.

That's really awful.

The authorities

have been alerted,

and in their opinion,

the responsible party

would have required

advanced coding knowledge

in order to circumvent

the bank's digital

security protocols.

Are you saying

it was one of us?

There's strong

evidence to suggest

that our school network was

the origin point of the breach.

Now, if anyone has anything

they want to say to me,

come speak to me

privately, then.

Until this matter is settled,

this program is discontinued.

I can't believe

she's blaming us.

It is possible, though, right?

I mean, you did manage

to get into

the school database unnoticed.

A bank can't be

that much harder.

Wait, do you think I did this?

Of course not.

I know you'd never do anything

to hurt anybody, but

if people found out

what we've been up to,

guilty or not

we'd be blamed.

You're right.

We should be careful.

Thanks for coming.

I needed someone to tell me

I'm not crazy.

Or that I am crazy.

That works too.

-I'm happy to help.

-What is all this?

A deep dive into the personal

and professional life

of Moira Wells.

Wow,

I guess I'm not the only one

with Moira on the brain today.

Guess how many

paintings Moira sold

back before she learned

who her grandmother was?

Never mind, I'll just tell you.

Zero, zilch, nada.

And then, suddenly,

she changes her name to Wells

And suddenly

her career takes off.

-Exactly.

-I've gone through every archive

I can get my hands on.

You know what I can't find?

One single shred of evidence

that suggests Moira Wells

is truly related to Angela.

You really went down

a rabbit hole on this.

-Oh, yeah.

-It's become a whole thing.

And what I learned

is that Catherine

was already impacted

by her Alzheimer's diagnosis

when Moira

first came into the picture.

There was never

a DNA test ordered.

Noah's

research is lining up

exactly with my own.

Let's see if he's come

to a similar conclusion.

You think that Moira

could be a fraud?

No.

I think she's

definitely a fraud.

She got her own supposed

grandmother's middle name wrong.

I think you might

be onto something.

-Yes!

-I knew you'd believe me!

Still, without

any actual evidence.

I know, I know.

I just

I needed to get it

out of my system.

As intriguing

as this is,

it doesn't answer

any of the questions

surrounding Reed's m*rder.

The smart thing to do

would be to concentrate

on the crime itself.

But that's easier

said than done,

because Moira Wells is now

living rent-free in my head.

Emily,

what have you done?

Why would you buy so many

of these ornamental rabbits

with Santa hats?

There must be two dozen in here.

-I had a moment of weakness.

-They're so cute.

Hey, did you figure out

what to get Kyle for Christmas?

Nope,

and I'm running out of time.

What gift says

"I like you a lot,

"but definitely not in a weird,

desperate, clingy way"?

What about a shiny,

adorable rabbit

wearing a cute little Santa hat?

All that says is

"I used my staff discount."

Well, why don't you make him

something yourself?

Mm-mm, I'm so not crafty.

I once tried to make

a macaroni bracelet,

but I didn't realize you weren't

supposed to cook the macaroni.

-Hey, Dad.

-Hey, Vy.

Emily, are you free for a bit?

What's up?

Harrison asked to meet up

at the art space,

but he'll only talk to me

if you're there.

I have no idea why.

Because you are a grumpy cop,

and she is a nice lady.

-Vy, would you mind

-Watching the store?

I got it.

He didn't give you

any indication

of what this was about?

No.

And he better not be

wasting my time.

I'm still trying to figure out

why someone would

make an imperfect forgery.

Maybe the forger

lacked in skill.

-It's possible.

-I do have my moments.

Help!

Somebody help!

Help!

What?

Harrison?

He has a pulse,

but it's faint.

-What happened?

-I don't know!

I came out here to get some air,

and I just found him like this.

-Hey, Harrison Harrison!

-Come on, come on, come on!!

Harrison's lucky

you found him when you did.

Yeah, I know.

It's just everything is

-What do you mean?

-What happened?

Somebody destroyed

my painting for the competition.

My canvas was cut.

All my supplies were scattered.

Was anyone else targeted?

-I don't think so.

-It was just me.

I started to have

a panic attack,

and so that's why

I came out here.

Harrison's stable, but he

hasn't regained consciousness.

His wallet and phone

appear to be missing.

He was robbed?

In the middle of the day,

in a public space?

What's even more strange

was the method.

Attempted suffocation

with a toxic substance.

I noticed he smelled

of turpentine when we found him.

Sam, look.

-Oh, leave it.

-Police are en route.

It looks like a painter's rag.

I'm guessing someone

came up from behind Harrison

and put it over his mouth

until he passed out.

Great, so we have an entire

art space full of suspects.

-It's mine.

-Excuse me?

Some artists prefer mineral

spirits to clean their brushes,

but I find

that turpentine works best.

Whoever destroyed my painting

must have taken it.

-You again?

-Nothing to do with me.

I just called it in.

Who found him?

I did.

And you, Christmas lady?

Just along for the ride.

-Okay, you stay.

-You too, Wilner.

Ride's over.

You can go now.

Emily!

Is it true what I'm hearing?

Is Harrison Crane dead?

What? No!

He's not out of the woods,

but yeah, he's stable.

Oh, thank goodness.

I mean, if he had died,

then they probably

would have cancelled

the whole contest,

and then all my work would

have been for nothing.

Well, that, and also

it would have been so sad.

Yeah, um, where's June?

June went home to

walk that dog of hers

for like the third time

already today.

I think you need to question

her dedication to this project.

Maybe I should have made you

my model after all.

In fact, there's still time

-Great talking to you! Bye, now!

-No, it would be so easy!

-Bye, now!

-You'd look so good in red!

Piper is

right to be upset.

This was very much intentional.

Somebody is sending her

a message.

Hey

Sorry you didn't get to see

the finished piece.

Yeah, me too.

Well, how'd it go

with the detective?

Good, yeah, he took

my statement and he released me.

Your friend's still out there,

though.

Wait, you're not quitting

the contest, are you?

You know,

I have been a starving artist

for such a long time,

and I think this is a sign

it's time to give up the dream.

No, if anything,

this is a sign that someone

is incredibly jealous

of your talent.

It's your decision,

but if you walk away now,

then they just

get what they want.

Yeah, maybe.

Or maybe they just

don't like my art.

-I don't know.

-This feels personal.

Have you looked into

Moira Wells any further?

No, I've exhausted

all my resources.

Why?

What's going on?

I think she may

have just sabotaged

another young artist's work.

I'd love to know why.

Well, you could always

ask her yourself.

She's on her way over.

-She's coming here now?

-That's right.

I gave her a call

to tell her I over-reacted.

I suggested

she come by for a drink

in hopes of putting this whole

misunderstanding behind us.

Why would you do that?

It's the season of forgiveness.

More like the season

of lying through your teeth.

What's your game, dude?

Trust me, this is for the best.

Moira.

I'm so glad you came.

I cannot tell you enough

how sorry I am for my behaviour.

You were way out of line,

but I'm happy

to put this behind us.

Have you met my friend, Emily?

We've crossed paths.

Yeah, at the art space, right?

Yeah.

Emily, care to join us?

Tempting, uh, but I gotta

get back to my shop.

In case we don't cross paths

again, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

To burying the hatchet.

I'll drink to that.

I'm back.

-Don't distract me.

-I need to focus on this.

I hope

Noah knows what he's doing.

If his plan

is to loosen Moira up

to get her to spill her secrets,

I'm not at all convinced

she'll be so easily played.

Hey, Sam.

I hope this isn't your

one phone call from prison.

Ah, Meadows was just

puffing up his chest

to prove he was in charge.

He mostly seemed curious

about whether I knew

if Reed had anyone else

besides Benny on his payroll.

-Like who?

-I don't know.

When I turned Reed down

for the job, Reed mentioned

he had another friend

he could ask,

but I didn't get a name.

You think there was a third

security guard that night?

It's possible.

When we talked to Benny,

he mentioned turning down

a second shift

that Reed needed to fill?

Yeah, that's right.

I think it's time Benny and I

had another little

heart-to-heart.

He wasn't too eager

to talk to you last time.

I can handle Benny.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Okay.

-Is that a

-paper snowflake?

-Yeah!

-I took your advice

and I decided

to make a gift for Kyle.

Okay

Moment of truth!

-Yeah.

-Let's do it.

I can't even make a snowflake.

In a way,

you made many snowflakes.

You're not helping.

-You know what?

-I believe in you, okay?

Here's what we're gonna do.

We are not leaving here until we

have the perfect homemade gift!

I should probably

call my dad and let him know

I'm never coming home.

Man,

why're you hassling me?

Told you everything I know.

Not everything.

What about the money?

What money?

The five bills Harrison paid you

to get a look at the painting.

Yeah, I know about that.

So, did you and Reed split it

between yourselves,

or did you include

the other guy?

-What other guy?

-The third security guard.

The friend Reed hired

to work the morning shift.

Okay, look, Reed mentioned that,

but I never saw anything.

And for the record, Reed never

took any of Harrison's money.

He said that I needed it more.

He was good like that.

That much I believe.

I'm sorry I lied.

I was scared.

How about Detective Meadows?

Did you lie to him too?

Who?

Look, you and your lady friend

are the only other people

who've been around here.

White Rock PD

haven't talked to you?

No, I figured they

were following their own leads,

and why would I put myself

on their radar, right?

Right.

Let's gather

'round the fireplace ♪

Feel the Yuletide

shining bright ♪

How's it goin' over there?

Not bad.

For an eighth attempt.

Um

I'm sure he's gonna love it.

-Noah?

-I'm glad I caught you.

It worked!

Uh, what worked?

My plan

to learn definitively

if Moira is related

to Angela Wells.

-You didn't.

-Heck yeah, I did.

Moira's DNA.

We just need to get it to a lab.

You think maybe Sam might

Where'd you get

the other sample?

What other sample?

The sample you're

planning to compare it to.

Angela's DNA?

-I didn't consider that.

-Okay, let me think.

Um, Angela is buried

here in town, right?

Whoa, slow down, there, Igor,

we're not digging anyone up!

I meant get a court order

and exhume the body.

I'm not a monster.

No judge is gonna

sign that order

without proof of a crime.

So you're saying

I apologized for nothing?

She made her own brushes,

using the trimmed ends

of her hair.

Okay, I think I have an idea.

But we're gonna need some help.

Hey, Chuck, look, I got

a piece I need to drop off.

I figure it's safer here

than it is in my car.

I'm not supposed to

open the door.

Come on, Chuck, you know me.

And it's cold out here.

-Sorry, Ray, I really can't.

-Fine.

You know, I admire

your dedication to your job.

We'll just leave this valuable

piece of art out here all night,

where it will certainly

get frost damaged,

but I'm sure Moira Wells

will understand.

Have a great night!

Ray?

Package has been delivered.

Phase two in progress.

Is everyone okay?

I need a hand over here!

It worked.

But I think I overdid it.

Fred's gonna be real mad

about his car when he gets back.

Just keep him

occupied as long as you can.

Right.

I'll call for help.

No, no, I'm fine.

Just, uh, need to take

some photos for the lawsuit.

Hey, you should do the same.

I'm in.

Well, make it quick.

I don't know how long

Noah can hold this guy.

It's not

exactly Oceans Eleven,

but we've also got our sights

set a little lower

than a casino vault

full of cash.

Okay, a lot lower.

-You see that?

-Right over there?

That's pure ice.

I don't see anything.

-Okay.

-I got what I came for.

Yeah, not a moment too soon.

Look, just get outta there.

Hurry.

I'm sorry,

I gotta get back to my post.

Whoa, whoa, whoa,

we're not done here!

Hey!

He's on his way back.

I couldn't stall him any longer.

That's not good.

I'm still inside!

Hey, excuse me!

Uh, can I bother you

for directions for a moment?

I really need to get back.

Oh, please, man, it's my

daughter's Christmas pageant.

I promised her I'd be there.

She's got a solo.

Okay, where are you

trying to get to?

-Thank you.

-You are a life-saver.

Okay, so, if we're here, right?

Yes, that's where we are, yeah.

Then I went all the way

up Chestnut there,

and I looked,

but it's not on the right.

It's not

You gotta go left, yeah.

Ah, okay!

Hey, what

-Oh, no, yeah, that's it.

-I should have gone left.

That's

thank you for your help.

Merry Christmas.

What a strange night.

And that'll do it.

-Thanks for the assist, Ray.

-I owe you.

Yes, you do, and I look

forward to collecting one day.

In the meantime, remind me

to upgrade the security

in this place.

I really dropped the ball

on that.

And you said you weren't

comfortable getting involved.

I wasn't.

I'm still not.

Pass it over.

-Oh, what, this

-this DNA sample that you wanted?

Oh

-I have a friend in the lab.

-I can call in a favour.

Okay.

Yes, I know, once again

I'm falling back

on department resources.

Separating myself from the job

has proven harder

than I thought.

Don't sell yourself short.

That was quick thinking

back there.

Things would've gone

really bad, really fast

if you hadn't intervened.

Thanks.

Oh, by the way,

Harrison reached out.

He's been released

from the hospital.

He want to meet up with us

in the morning if you're free.

I can move some things around.

Christmas time

is here again ♪

I'm still

extremely annoyed

that Sam has been digging

into my past behind my back,

but I can't deny I'm enjoying

this little rebellious streak

he's on.

It's nice to see he's seeing

the world from my point of view

for a little while.

Sometimes you gotta

be a little bad

in order to do good.

Of course, it can be

a tricky balancing act,

and if you're not careful,

the darkness

overshadows the light.

-Come quick.

-I've been looking for you.

-What? I have class.

-The bell just

Just come.

What's going on?

I'd do anything to get back

where I used to be ♪

Before the life I know ♪

Ms. Cambridge?

Spinning, oh,

spinning, oh-oh-oh ♪

I overheard the police,

and apparently,

the money was found in a secret

bank account under her name.

Spinning, oh ♪

I'm falling

in slow motion ♪

I guess you just don't know

what people are capable of.

I feel so much better.

What doesn't k*ll me

makes me stronger.

To the tune of a 100,000 new

followers in the last 24 hours!

You here to boast,

or you here to talk?

Okay.

Moira's unveiling

of the self-portrait

is really bugging me.

I know what I saw in that truck.

But it's your word

against Moira's.

-Maybe.

-But maybe not.

Okay, I told you that

I tried to get a shot

of the painting, right?

Here's the thing.

I did take a picture.

You have it here?

I didn't even realize I had it

until I was editing some videos

for my channel.

It's a little dark and blurry,

but it's all still there.

I thought your phone was stolen.

Oh, please,

I had a new one shipped over

within five minutes

of waking up in the hospital.

It's all in the cloud,

still there.

Oh,

I can barely make it out.

Maybe we can digitally

clean it up?

Why are you

helping us like this?

The satisfaction of helping

solve a potential crime.

Okay, fine.

I want Moira to pay

for not giving me the exclusive.

And there it is.

Alright, I sent the photo

to a tech guy I've used before.

No guarantees, but he's

worked wonders in the past.

Well, if that doesn't pan out,

I could always give it a try.

Thought you didn't

care much for computers.

Or was that just

another one of your stories?

I didn't mean that like that.

No, I just assumed

that you knew all my secrets,

since you've been investigating

me this whole time.

What?

You've been

looking into my past.

Don't even bother

trying to deny it, Sam.

-Okay, it's

-it's not what you think.

-Really?

-Okay, what is it, then?

Okay

Well, as far as I see it, you're

here 'cause you're hiding

from someone or you're

running from something.

And the fact that you're

in some kind of danger

that I know nothing about,

that I can't see, that

doesn't sit well with me.

So, last Christmas,

when you wouldn't let me in,

I did what I always do

when I'm faced with a mystery:

I threw myself into solving it,

so I could be there

to help you, if you need it.

That's all I want,

is just to be there for you.

I didn't ask for your help, Sam.

There are things

that belong to me,

that I don't want

you to know about.

-Because you don't trust me.

-No, it's not about trust.

Then why?

Because I like the way

you used to look at me.

It made me feel special.

It still does.

And I'm afraid that if you

I'm afraid if you know

my secrets,

then you're never gonna

look at me like that again.

It's from my tech guy.

That was fast.

Can I see?

The likeness is uncanny.

But not to Moira.

-No, not Moira.

-That is Piper.

What now?

This doesn't prove

that Moira k*lled Reed,

but it does prove that she knew

about the painting.

You gonna bring it to Meadows?

No.

The painting's

in Fletcher's Grove.

That makes this a local crime.

Sounds like

you've made a decision?

I'm gonna need the full

weight of the department

behind me.

It's good to see you back,

Detective Wilner.

-Back in business.

-No more lone wolf?

Ah, I work better

in a pack anyway.

I had Moira brought in.

She's here now.

What about Meadows? Does he

know you're back in business?

Not yet, but that could

change any minute,

so let's go talk to him

before it does.

You want me in there with you?

Yeah.

I owe you

for all your help this week.

But only to observe.

You understand?

Yeah, I think I can handle that.

They're very similar.

I'm embarrassed I didn't notice.

Yeah, right.

And the Oscar goes to

You don't think

this original painting

bears a striking resemblance

to anyone?

Like who?

-Piper Hutchens.

-She's a big fan of yours.

-I have a lot of fans.

-Of course.

You're Moira Wells,

granddaughter of Angela Wells.

Or are you?

You see, unlike you

DNA doesn't lie.

Where'd you get this?

Doesn't matter.

It's accurate.

And it proves to me

that you're a fraud.

Catherine Wells publicly

accepted me as her daughter.

I was a legal beneficiary

of her estate.

You took advantage of a woman

with early-onset Alzheimer's who

was both vulnerable and lonely!

How did you even

find out about her?

What is she doing here?

Observing.

But actually,

I have the same question:

how'd you find your way in?

I read a story about

Angela Wells in a magazine.

Right, the one that got

her middle name wrong.

It mentioned

that her only daughter

was recently moved

to a care home.

I paid her several visits,

eventually convinced her

I was the child she gave up.

She desperately wanted it

to be true, and so it was.

But then Piper showed up

at one of your events,

and you noticed

the uncanny resemblance

to Angela's self-portrait.

She lived in Fletcher's Grove;

it was too much

of a coincidence.

She was the true heir

of Angela Wells,

only she had no idea.

And you did everything

you could to dismiss

and belittle Piper,

hoping that she'd just give up

on her dream

and stay out of the public eye,

including

destroying her contest entry.

Is the thing that I would say,

if I wasn't just

here to observe.

But Piper didn't go away.

So you made a plan to switch

the painting with a forgery,

with a few subtle

facial differences.

No one would

know the difference.

The real painting has been

hidden away for years

by a reclusive collector.

You were one of very few people

who knew about it,

and the only way

to safely swap it out

was while it was on the truck.

How much did you pay Reed

to turn a blind eye

while you switched out

the paintings?

You can't prove any of this.

You know, you would have

got away with it, too.

If only Reed hadn't taken

a second bribe that night,

allowing Harrison a sneak peek

at the merchandise.

Okay, look, I didn't k*ll Reed.

You're late!

I was expecting you an hour ago.

I was

there just before dawn.

It took all of ten minutes.

He was very much alive

when I left.

And I suppose you

didn't attack Harrison

at the art space either?

Harrison told me

about the photo over dinner.

Said it was blurry,

but that if I didn't give him

the exclusive,

he'd leak it anyway.

I couldn't risk it coming out,

so I thought if I faked

the robbery and took his phone,

that that would be enough.

Clearly I was wrong, okay?

That doesn't make me a k*ller.

That remains to be seen.

I have nothing else to say.

I want my lawyer.

Wilner.

What have you done?

I need you to be more specific.

You blew up the case

I was building!

Well, it's not just

your case now.

It's a joint effort

between our departments.

So, since we're working

together, maybe it's time

You did this on purpose,

didn't you?

You never stepped away

from this at all.

-Reed was my partner.

-My friend.

Even if he was an ex-addict

with failing kidneys,

do you really think Moira Wells

had the physical strength

to overpower him

and k*ll him with his own g*n?

What?

-Nothing.

-I just

happen to agree with you

about Moira.

But we still have her on

the fraud and art theft charges.

-So, where is she?

-In custody?

I was forced to release her.

After her lawyers learned that

her DNA wasn't obtained legally,

they convinced her

to retract her confession.

And without the original

Angela Wells painting,

I have nothing to prove she was

the one who switched them out.

Well, that's just great.

It's a minor setback.

I have a judge ready to issue

a warrant for a DNA test.

We'll have her back

in our custody by morning.

That painting is worth something

if it hits the black market.

Did she tell you

where she stashed it?

-Not yet.

-We'll get it back.

Do you have

somebody watching her?

What if she grabs it and splits?

-Look, she's a public figure.

-Where's she gonna go?

She's staying at the Grand.

We'll pick her up

in the morning.

You can be there.

You can count on it.

Hey, this is Detective Wilner.

Get me Moira Wells's

lawyer immediately.

-Okay, you ready?

-Mm-hm.

I can't wait

for you to open this.

-Can I go first?

-I worked so hard on

Was that my present?

Uh, no.

I don't know what

that was.

But, uh

Here's your present.

What are you doing?

This is

Uh

Merry Christmas.

-Amazing.

-Thank you.

-So good!

-Thank you.

Violet, I actually loved it.

Seriously, amazing job.

Wow, uh, that is going to be

a very tough act to follow.

Well

Here's yours.

-Socks?

-Ah.

You always complain

when your feet are cold.

And you told me

that you love pandas.

And they're violet.

Just like you.

They are very violet.

I love them.

-Really?

-You're so thoughtful.

Thank you.

Of course.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I just realized

I owe my dad an apology.

Don't ever tell anyone

about this, okay?

Like, ever.

You got it.

-Moira Wells

-Don't move.

I knew as soon

as I heard you were released

you were gonna

go for that painting.

And you led me right to it.

Now hand it over.

Reed held out on me too,

and you know what I did to him.

You don't wanna make

the same mistake.

-Hand it over.

-Now.

I don't think so.

What

You?

Never mess with

a Christmas lady.

Hey, hey,

everybody chill!

There's been a big mistake.

I'm a cop.

And not for much longer.

Mike Meadows!

You're under arrest

for the m*rder of Reed Donley.

You're making a mistake, Wilner.

Let's go.

-You okay?

-Yeah.

You?

I will be.

This is ridiculous.

It's my word against hers.

Reed held out on me too,

and you know what I did to him.

You don't wanna

make the same mistake.

She was wired.

You put her in Moira's clothes,

you put her in Moira's

rental car,

you set a trap.

Why?

When you came to my office,

you mentioned

Reed's kidney issues.

He told me he only shared that

with a few close friends.

I read it in the autopsy report.

It wasn't in the report.

I spoke to the examiner.

Reed told you himself.

You're the friend he went to

after I turned him down.

My son wants to go

to medical school.

Can you imagine?

While on a cop's salary?

You were supposed to work

the morning shift.

What happened?

I got there a few minutes early,

and I happened to see

Moira swap the paintings.

I also saw her hand

an envelope to Reed.

Big fat one.

So I figured, it's only fair

if I get cut in.

You want me

to stay quiet on this,

it's gotta be 50-50, okay?

-I can't do it, Mikey.

-I need it.

Just give me the envelope!

No, it's not gonna happen, okay?

We're done here.

Don't walk away from me!

-What are you doing, man?

-Give me that

-Hey! Come on!

-Settle down!

Don't take my

Nobody knew

that I was doing the job.

I asked him to keep it off

the books

'cause I was embarrassed.

But you weren't sure.

That's why you asked

about the third guard.

Wanted to see if you were safe.

How did you know

I'd take the bait?

Greed's a powerful motivator.

You said it yourself:

the Wells painting

had some value.

You weren't gonna

leave that on the table.

So, you got Moira to tell you

where she stashed the painting.

I called her lawyers

after you left my office.

She was pretty eager

to make a deal in exchange

for a reduced sentence

on her charges.

And that's why you told me

what hotel she was at.

Smart.

And that Christmas lady,

the way she held herself,

she was an undercover, right?

Alright, everyone, it's the

moment you've been waiting for!

Congratulations to the winner

of the Christmas

art competition

Piper Hutchens!

Yay!

And there you have it, folks!

The true heir of Angela Wells

taking the world

or at least this little

frozen corner by storm!

It's breathtaking.

She couldn't have picked

a better inspiration.

I mean, what's more Christmassy

than the Mistletoe?

Well, I suppose,

just like Angela Wells,

I too will remain unappreciated

in my time.

You know,

you haven't even shown me

the finished painting yet.

Yeah, I haven't

seen it yet either.

Oh! Well, there's no time

like the present.

It's you?

Well, obviously!

It's a self-portrait!

But I was posing for you.

I gave you days of my time.

Well, I needed someone

to model the coat.

Oh, she's speechless!

I get it.

Emily?

Piper!

Ah, congratulations!

I'm so touched by your painting.

You you made

the Mistletoe look so magical.

Well, I'm really glad

you like it.

'Cause I would like

to offer you the original.

-Oh, no, no.

-Come on, I can't.

-I insist.

-I owe you so much.

Everything you've done for me

Are you kidding me?

You're a Wells.

You were born for this.

Yeah, I don't know if I'm ever

gonna get used to that.

I like my privacy.

Yeah, like your grandma.

Ah

I know just where

I'm gonna put it.

It's Christmas ♪

Thanks again for giving us

access to your store last night.

Well, I wasn't crazy

about the broken window,

but it was worth it.

Hey, maybe I'll send

Moira a signed copy

of my book in prison.

She would love that.

Hey, Vy, if you wanna take off,

I can close up.

With Kyle gone for the holidays,

I need the distraction.

Plus my feet

are so warm and cozy,

I think I could stay on them

all day.

-Emily, could I, uh

-steal you for a moment?

-Why don't we talk outside?

-It's so beautiful out.

So, that's it.

You got him.

Mostly thanks to you.

Ah, you would have managed.

But it wouldn't have

been as much fun.

Hey, I, uh..

I want you to know,

my investigation

into your past

it's over.

You were right, I overstepped.

I apologize.

Just like that?

I'm more interested

in the person you are now.

It just

took me a second

to realize that.

Thank you.

Maybe we could make a deal.

No more secrets?

Or no new secrets.

Okay

Yes, I think

I think I can manage that one.

So, we good?

Yeah.

We're good.

I'm not exactly

sure where this leaves us,

but if nothing else,

it feels like a fresh start.

I can work with that.

Is it me, or is it beginning

to look a lot like Christmas?

Aaron?

My eyes must be

playing tricks on me.

It can't be him.

Hey everything okay?

Um

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Uh it's nothing.