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01x03 - Peril of the Belles - Part 1

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

01x03 - Peril of the Belles - Part 1

Post by bunniefuu »

- If you have any questions

or information,

you bring it to me rather than

acting on it alone; agreed?

EMILY (V.O.): I've never

been one to sit back

and hope for a good outcome.

Which is why I fall back

on some old habits.

A home is worth protecting.

[lively Christmas music]

See the snow

that's gently falling ♪

Children playing,

joy is calling ♪

Everybody knows it,

soon it's Christmas! ♪

EMILY: You are

gonna love this one.

Okay

Merry Christmas!

CUSTOMER: Thank you.

- Here you go.

Red ribbon, green bow.

Just as the doctor ordered.

She's literally my doctor.

I sort of promised

her a discount.

Ah, not a problem.

Um

Here you go.

[choir singing "Deck the Halls"

outside]

Do you hear that music?

Oh, is it that time already?

Yeah, that would be

the Singing Snowbelles.

They always do a night

of carolling as promotion

for their tree lighting concert

in the park.

Wait, where are you going?

- You really think I'm gonna miss

a live Christmas carolling event

happening right outside my shop?

Have you met me?

Fair point.

BELLES: See the blazing

Yule before us ♪

Fa la la la la,

la la la la ♪

Strike the harp

and join the chorus ♪

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Dad, what's up?

- Hey, I just wanted you to know

I'm running a little late

to pick you up.

We went into overtime.

Well, did you win, at least?

- Depends on how

you define "win."

- I tend to define it as the team

with the most goals at the end.

Oh, then we didn't win.

VIOLET: Well, you'll

get 'em next time, right?

And there's no rush to get me.

I'm watching the store for a few

minutes while Emily's outside.

- Oh, yeah?

What's she doing?

I'll give you one guess.

BELLES: Fa la la la la,

la la la la! ♪

[applause]

VERA: "Silent Night" on three.

Debbie on the solo.

- Oh, actually I was

thinking maybe--

VERA: Not now, Brooke.

Here we go.

DEBBIE: Silent Night ♪

Holy Night ♪

[high-pitched voice]

All is calm ♪

All is bright ♪

'Round yon virgin

mother and child ♪

EMILY (V.O.): When I was little,

I dreamed about

joining a choir one day.

Then I grew up, and my life took

a slightly different direction.

More shadows, fewer songs.

And let's face it,

a choir just doesn't have

that element of danger.

DEBBIE: Love's pure light ♪

Radiant beams

from thy holy face ♪

[creaking sound]

With the dawn

of redeeming grace ♪

[creaking sound]

DEBBIE: Sleep in heavenly ♪

[loud cracking]

Peace ♪

[screaming]

[loud crash]

Oh, no!

[people exclaiming frantically]

DEBBIE: Get me out!

- Does anything hurt?

Is anything trapped?

Are you okay?

Can you move?

I think so.

EMILY (V.O.): I take it back.

Choir is a lot more dangerous

than I assumed.

[Debbie breathing heavily]

[dramatic music]

[theme music]





[gasps]

EMILY (V.O.): Yeah,

that never gets old.

Why can't I dream of

candy canes and sugarplums,

like a Christmas

store owner should?

Is it guilt?

Is it paranoia?

Or am I just drinking

way too much coffee

and riding a caffeine wave

right into slumberland?

Let's hope it's not

the last one.

[mysterious music]









EMILY (V.O.): Happy memories

later.

Right now I have a new toy

in need of a test run.

My black market connection,

Famous Ray,

managed to find me

a top-of-the-line

computer encryption device

that will keep me invisible.

Come to Mama

Okay

All systems go.

Thank you, Famous Ray.

EMILY (V.O.): I'm now free

to navigate online

without fear

of being discovered.

Which is perfect,

because the person I'm after--

the one who brought

my entire world

crashing down around me--

is not so easily found.

This program I built will scrape

every website and database,

from the surface web

to the deep web,

for any mention of a name

that still has the power

to raise the little hairs

on the back of my neck:

Chimera.

It might take days,

even weeks, to get a hit.

But patience is the one thing

I have plenty of.

Although

I do have a store to open,

and a watched pot never boils.

- "Deck the Halls"

is stuck in my head ♪

Fa la la la la,

la la la la ♪

Candy canes and gingerbread ♪

Fa la la la la,

la la la la-- ♪

- BROOKE: Emily.

- Oh!

- Can you believe

what happened yesterday?

That sleigh

just falling like that?

It's hard to believe

Debbie wasn't injured.

- I'm just so glad

nobody got hurt.

I'm-- I'm actually

not open yet, Brooke.

- Would you mind if I put

a flyer in your window?

It's for the Belles' concert

at the tree lighting ceremony

this weekend.

- Uh

- Right here looks great.

Actually, um, I was curious

your group is called

the Singing Snowbelles, right?

- Uh-huh!

- I definitely saw a few

snow-beaux up there last night.

- Oh! Yeah, well,

we were originally all women,

but we opened it up to everyone

about five years back.

Vera wasn't too happy at first,

but she warmed up to it,

after about a year or so.

Who's Vera?

Oh, she's our choir director.

She can be tough.

A real Belle-breaker,

if you know what I mean.

- I think I do.

- Hmm.

You know, I, uh, heard you

singing as I was coming in.

- Oh.

- You have a nice voice.

With some formal training,

it could even be passable.

You're so kind.

- And the choir could

definitely use a new alto,

considering we lost

a few members after yesterday.

- Well, that had to be

a fluke accident, though, right?

True, but

we've had our share

of those lately.

Debbie, the one

who almost got crushed,

she nearly died of

food poisoning a few months ago.

And Clara

[sighs]

Poor sweet Clara,

our best voice by far,

she was k*lled

in a random hit-and-run.

- God, that's terrible.

I'm so sorry.

- Which is why

we need some fresh blood.

We need you.

- Yeah, I don't--

I don't think so.

I like to save my singing

for the shower.

- Ah.

Well, just think about it.

Okay, we rehearse

at the community centre,

and I will text you

all the information.

You're a member

of our community now, Emily.

I would love to see

you get more involved.

Okay.

- Okay?

- Okay.

- I'll text you!

- Okay!

EMILY (V.O.): As much

as I shouldn't get involved,

something is bothering me.

Between the multiple

near-death experiences,

and a member

actually getting k*lled,

to me, that sounds like more

than just a run of bad luck.



- Hey, Sam, how long

before I can haul this away?

I got other jobs to get to.

- I know.

It just

takes as long as it takes.





Morning, Sam.

Emily.

Violet mentioned

you witnessed the accident.

- Yeah.

That woman is lucky to be alive.

Debbie Hannigan.

I went to high school with her.

I think it was probably

just an installation issue.

- I dunno. I know the company

that makes these.

Can I take a look?

Sure.



- Yeah, no, the leg of the sleigh

snapped off the support rod.

That shouldn't happen.

They're built to withstand

extreme weather.

Manufacturer defect?

Or

maybe it was intentional?

[chuckles]

Do you actually think

someone was trying

to flatten the Belles?

I mean, it's possible, right?

Thank you for the info.

Maybe I'll bring you on

as a Christmas consultant.

- Yeah, okay.

You know where to find me.

I do!

EMILY (V.O.): Now that I've had

a closer look at the sleigh,

I'm pretty sure

this was no accident.

But I can't share

that suspicion with Sam.

Spending time with him

will only lead to trouble.

EMILY: Hey,

have a great rest of your day.

Okay, okay.

What's going on, Em?

It's not like you to be

in such a rush to close.

- I just have somewhere

I need to be.

Where's that?

I would rather not say.

- Is it a date?

Who's the lucky guy?

It's not a date.

And that is all

you're getting out of me.

- Alright, keep your secrets!

See if I care.

Okay.

- You need anything else

before I go?

Actually

I have something for you.

What?

[keys jingle]

You're giving me a store key?

Yeah, you earned it.

I'm also giving you a raise.

What's the catch?

- Oh, there's no catch.

I just--

I've been really impressed

with your initiative,

and I think you're ready

for some more responsibility.

- I am.

I really am.

So, you wanna do the honours?

I think you got it.

- Just want to make sure.

I'm nervous.

Oh.

Don't be.

You did great.

Is your dad picking you up?

- No, I'm meeting him

at the diner.

I'd ask you to join us but

you've got your mystery plans.

- Yes, I do,

and I'm running late,

so I will see you tomorrow.

- Goodnight.

- Night.

[The Belles warming up]

La la la la,

la la la la la ♪

Lee lee lee lee,

lee lee lee lee lee ♪

Lay lay lay lay,

lay lay lay lay lay ♪

La la la la,

la la la la la-- ♪

- Enough!

Let's move on.

Hi!

Hot yoga's down the hall.

BROOKE: Uh, no, Vera,

this is Emily,

the alto I was

telling you about.

Emily, come in.

- Sure, yeah.

If that's okay.

Hi.

Why not?

Take a spot anywhere.

Sure.

Uh, Vera?

Should she not audition?

VERA: Why not?

I suppose we might as well

see what you've got.

Here, sing this.

- Oh, just-- just right now?

Here in front of everyone?

- That's the general idea

of a choir, yes.

[chuckles nervously]

Okay.

[clears throat]

[hums briefly]

Silent night ♪

Holy night ♪

All is calm ♪

All is bright ♪

'Round yon virgin

mother and child ♪

- That's fine.

Thank you.

BROOKE: Told you she was great.

- I'm Debbie.

Welcome to the choir.

We're in desperate need

of strong voices

ever since Clara died.

Yeah, I'm so sorry.

Was she the one who was

k*lled in the hit-and-run?

- Clara was

a one-of-a-kind talent.

There's no replacing her.

EMILY: Oh, I'm not

I'm not trying

to replace anybody.

Stay if you want.

Or go.

It doesn't matter to me.

[Belles singing]

Fa la la la,

fa la la, la la la ♪

Fa la la ♪

EMILY (V.O.): There's

definitely a weird energy

with this group.

And a real chance

that one of them is a k*ller.

[Belles singing]

EMILY (V.O.): So if

I walk away now,

it'll be on my conscience

if anyone gets hurt.

[Belles singing

"Deck the Halls"]

EMILY (V.O.): Besides

young me would love this.

Finally living the dream.

BELLES: Don we now

our g*y apparel ♪

Fa la la, la la la,

la la la ♪

EMILY (V.O.): After two hours

of belting out carols,

my throat is sore and raw.

I never realized

how painful singing could be.

Hopefully my sacrifice

is not in vain.

Clara Jameson.

Struck and k*lled by an unknown

vehicle in an industrial area

of White Rock, a 40-minute drive

from Fletcher's Grove.

No CCTV cameras

were in the area.

No witnesses. No arrests.

Survived by her husband,

Adam Jameson.

Wait

EMILY (V.O.): Poor guy.

No wonder he looked so sad.

EMILY: Good to see you, Sam.

What can I do for ya?

I need your help.

The manufacturer of

that Santa sleigh that fell

appears to have

gone out of business.

I can't track them down.

- Yeah, they merged

with another company

and they go by

a different name now.

I think I have the catalogue

here somewhere.

[humming "Silent Night"]

You sound good.

You should maybe think

about joining the Belles.

I already did.

You're kidding.

- Would I lie

to an officer of the law?

I've caught you in several.

That's a good point.

The less said about that,

the better.

I, um

I can't find it here,

but I will find

their contact info

and send it over to you.

- Great.

- Yeah.

Thanks.

Hey, Sam?

Just, last night at rehearsal,

the topic of Clara Jameson's

death came up.

Ooh, yeah, that was tragic.

Her husband Adam's

still reeling from the loss.

- I heard there

weren't many leads.

- Well, they knew

it was a bronze sedan,

but that's as far

as they got.

She died in White Rock,

so it wasn't my case.

- Too bad

it wasn't caught on camera.

And what was she doing

over there, anyway?

Again, not my case.

You know, I'm having a hard time

picturing you

as a Singing Snowbelle.

- I'm having trouble picturing

you as a hockey player.

Oh yeah, you best believe

Violet's told me all about that.

She says you're pretty good too.

Ah, I got some chops.

Yeah?

- I probably could have

been a lot better,

but I turned down

a full scholarship

and joined the force instead,

much to the shock

and dismay of my father.

- Disappointing parents

is a rite of passage.

- Yeah, let me guess, your folks

were all about Halloween.

You went this way

just to spite 'em.

Yeah, somethin' like that!

[chuckles nervously]

Um, I gotta actually--

- Yeah, of course.

Send me that when you can.

- Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Hi, did you find

everything okay?

Oh my gosh, I love this guy.

Alright.

Let's see

- Your baskets

look so much nicer than mine.

What is your secret?

Practice.

- I was worried

you'd say that.

[door bells jingling]

Debbie!

Hey, welcome to the Mistletoe.

This store is so cute!

I thought maybe I'd pick up

some treats for the choir.

Honey-free.

I'm allergic to bee pollen.

- Yeah, I'm sure

we can find you some things.

- Clara used to bring in snacks

when she was the soloist.

People loved her for it.

It also helped that

she was an amazing talent.

Were you two close?

- I rarely saw her

outside of choir.

She was a vocal coach for kids.

Very in demand.

Didn't leave much time

for socializing.

- Well, it's nice that

she made time for the choir.

- We worked around

her schedule.

Not that it made a difference.

She was leaving us anyway.

Leaving The Belles?

I hadn't heard that.

- It happened

right before she died.

But I should go.

I don't want to be late

for practice.

Why don't we go together?

I would like that.

- Uh, Violet, hey, I'm gonna

leave a few minutes early.

I need you to lock up.

Are you good with that?

Absolutely!

I won't let you down!

Okay.

Okay, everyone!

The tree lighting ceremony

is coming up fast,

and we really need

to bring our A-game together

if we're gonna pull this off.

Now, I know, I know

it's a challenge without Clara,

but I want you to know that

I will do my absolute best.

Also, I brought treats.

Allergen-free!

[all exclaiming]

- Brought sugary bribes,

you mean.

- So I guess you don't

want any, then.

Oh, I didn't say that!

- Thank you, Debbie,

for your rousing words,

but I think we all know

that without Clara,

we are ultimately doomed

to failure.

- Ah, well

[chuckles]

Only if we stick with

Debbie as our soloist.

I would like to put myself

forward for consideration.

[scoffs]

I'm singing the solo.

It's already been decided.

- Maybe we should

open it up to a vote.

Let's get back to work.

- Fine.

- Fine.



EMILY (V.O.): What was that?

If I knew choir politics

were this entertaining,

I would have joined ages ago.

[car approaching]

- Register is locked,

alarm is on, lights are off,

sign says "closed"

[car honks]

- Sorry, Vy,

Pete's just mad

'cause Mom made him

drive me to get you.

Let's go, come on!

- Coming.

Just locked up. Hi, Pete.

Just get in.

- Stop being a jerk

to my friends.

VIOLET: Hey, Nicki.

[car starts]

Great rehearsal tonight.

Yeah.

- It's Lance, right?

- Yeah.

EMILY (V.O.): Man,

I can't get a word in edgewise

with this motormouth.

- So, um,

after the tree lighting,

the Belles go on the road,

I heard?

There's a competition?

- [sighs]

Not that it matters.

We're going from top five

to bottom five without Clara.

I wish I'd gotten to meet her.

- Yeah, this choir

didn't deserve her.

- What-- what makes you

say that?

- Well, everyone

was jealous of her,

especially Debbie.

Now that she's gone, everyone's

saying how amazing she was.

But they drove her away.

- You don't seem to like

anyone here very much.

Why do you stick around?

I like to sing.

- Okay, then.

Asked and answered.

Oh, Emily!

Thanks for staying late

for a little extra practice.

Yeah, no problem.

- We were just discussing

adding some morning rehearsals

to the schedule.

Right, Vera?

Knock yourself out.

6:30 okay with you, Emily?

Perfect.

EMILY (V.O.): I'm starting

to notice that while Vera

is the choir leader on paper,

it's actually the Belle

with the weakest voice that

seems to be calling the shots.

Although, judging by

Brooke's attempted coup

earlier this evening,

I'd say the power dynamic

is anything but settled.

And it strikes me

as very suspicious

that both women targeted

by mysterious "accidents"

have held the coveted position

of lead soloist.

Hey, thanks for coming.

- I was on my way home.

Is everything okay?

- Yeah, I'm just curious

how your investigation

into Debbie's near-miss

the other day is going.

- Oh, it's-- it's not.

There's nothing to suggest

it was intentional,

and since no one was hurt--

- She could have died.

- Yes, but she didn't.

This time.

I have a bad feeling

this isn't the end of it,

and I think it has something

to do with Clara's death.

I am telling you,

the people in that choir

would k*ll for the solo.

- Look, I can't throw

department resources

at crimes that may not exist.

- I'm just asking you

to keep an open mind.

Please.

- Fine.

I'll take another look.

That's all I'm asking.

Thank you.



[car starts]

[car drives away]



Hey, June, it's Emily.

You busy?

JUNE: The Singing Snowbelles?

You?

- Why is everybody

so surprised by this?

- I hear the choir leader's

really tough.

Vera?

Oh, well, I had

the opposite experience.

She kinda seems like

she doesn't care at all.

- Well, maybe she's

chilled out a little.

That choir is bad news, Emily.

Don't let them

get their hooks in you.

My advice, run, don't walk,

away from those backstabbers.

Don't mind her.

She used to be in the Belles,

and I think it broke

something inside of her.

- After two days with them,

I can see how.

It's like Glee meets Mean Girls

meets Friday the Thirteenth

with that crew.

- I think they were on

a winning streak for a bit,

placing pretty high

in competitions.

Brooke wouldn't

shut up about it.

But I think they've fallen

a bit since then.

- Yeah, they lost their soloist

over the summer.

I don't think they've recovered.

I know what that feels like.

Hey.

How are you holding up?

Oh

Better.

I went back to work,

which has helped a lot.

That's good.

- Everyone says that it

gets better with time, but

I'm just having a hard time

believing that's true.

- I mean, it is

and it isn't.

I think grief never

really disappears, it just

just becomes an ache

you learn to live with.

ADAM: Thanks for the refill,

Sue.

- Uh will you excuse me

just for a second?

I'll be right back.

Of course.

Hey, um, sorry

Sorry to bother you.

Um, are you Adam?

You do the junk removal?

Uh, yeah, that's right.

Yeah, I'm Emily.

I own the Christmas shop

down the street.

I've just got some stuff

I'd like to get rid of.

Oh, uh, yeah.

Schedule's pretty tight

this week.

I also do electrical work,

and I'm swamped with

residential light displays.

Uh, so, um,

try me in early January?

- Uh, great.

Will do, thanks.

Sorry, I-I hope you don't

mind me asking, but

was your wife Clara?

Did you know her?

No, no, but I feel like I do.

I joined the Snowbelles,

and they all talk about

how incredible she was.

They k*lled my Clara.

- Well, I

I thought it was an accident.

- An accident?

No.

No, that was

no random hit-and-run.

I know for a fact

that Clara was m*rder*d.

[starts car]





EMILY (V.O.): I keep

replaying Adam's words

in my head.

"I know for a fact

Clara was m*rder*d."

I wonder if he has proof

to back up his claim,

or if it's just his grief

refusing to give him closure.

[computer beeps]

EMILY (V.O.): Sounds like

I just got a hit

on the name "Chimera."



EMILY (V.O.): A darknet forum

for hackers.

Looks like it's been

inactive for months,

so even if Chimera was here,

it wasn't a recent visit.

The trail is still cold.

But I'm not deterred

in the least.

After all,

that's the temperature

that revenge is best served at.

There is joy

in the hearts ♪

Merry Christmas.

Emily, are you okay?

Seems like your

Christmas cheer's at a 3

instead of your usual 11.

I'm all good.

Just, you know,

some personal stuff.

- Okay.

Just wanted to make sure

I didn't mess up

closing last night.

- What?

No, it was perfect.

I knew I could count on you.

I might have to get you

to close up every night.

- I'm up for that, but I have

to get out on time tonight.

I'm going to my dad's

hockey game.

You should come with.

My friend Nicki works

at the rink concession stand

so I can hook you up

with free hot dogs.

- Sounds tempting, but I have

choir practice tonight.

And every night.

And some mornings.

And k*ll me.

You did it to yourself!

I can't wait to see you

singing at the tree lighting.

I'll take videos.

EMILY (V.O.): Crap.

I hadn't thought of that.

That's all I need are dozens

of videos of me floating around.

All the more reason to--

- Hello?

Earth to Emily?

Where'd you go there?

Sorry, uh, just

in my head.

Um, you know what?

You go, cheer on your dad,

eat a hot dog for me,

and I will, um

I will close up tonight, okay?

Thanks.



LANCE: What do you

want me to do?

What do you want, huh?

ADAM: I know it wasn't you,

I know that,

but you gotta give me something.

LANCE: Listen, I told you

already, you made a mistake.

- I'm not-- look, I'm not gonna

pretend this never happened!

- You better back off if

you know what's good for you!



Everything okay?

- Oh, uh yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Just a difference of opinion.

Oh, uh, by the way,

I'm doing the electrical set-up

for the tree lighting ceremony

tomorrow,

so I'll be near your shop.

Have your junk ready,

and I'll swing by and grab it.

- Oh, great, thanks.

Appreciate it.

[car starts]

[car drives off]

[indistinct chatter]

- I couldn't help but notice

you and Adam arguing.

You know each other well?

Well enough.

EMILY (V.O.): That looks

suspiciously like

a prison tattoo.

And I would know, not that I'm

sharing that story with Lance.

Or anyone else.



VERA: Alright!

Everyone, get into formation.

Where's Debbie?

I just saw her.

- Well, hopefully getting

some singing lessons.

That's quite enough of that.

I can't find my bag!

I set it down and now it's gone.

- Um, I think

that's it over there.

Oh, thank you, Lance.

Oh

That's strange.

I don't remember

leaving it over there.

- Well, now that we've solved

that riveting mystery,

let's get this over with.

No need to be rude, Vera.

- Well, we're all here now,

and ready to go.

Emily's right.

We've wasted enough time.

[plays note on harmonica]

BELLES: [singing]

EMILY (V.O.): Adam and Lance

at each other's throats.

Now Debbie and Vera?

Not exactly tidings

of comfort and joy.

[Belles singing "Silent Night"]

VIOLET: Where's the key?

Emily's never gonna

trust me again.

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Dad.

SAM: [phone]

Hey!

We're just about to start

the second period.

We're up by two.

Where are you?

- I don't think I'm gonna

make it to the game.

- Everything okay?

You sound stressed.

VIOLET: No.

It's all good.

I'm just

in the middle of something.

- Okay

Can I help?

Not really.

I got it.

Good luck with your game.

- Uh, okay, okay.

See you at home.

VIOLET: Thanks, Dad.

[sighs]



BELLES: Peace ♪

Sleep in heavenly peace. ♪

- Hah!

That wasn't half bad!

EMILY (V.O.): What do you know?

Vera does care.

Vera

Should we run my solo now?

Why not?

[squeaky vocalizing]

BROOKE: Debbie,

are you feeling okay?

It sounds like you're

coming down with something.

- Oh, no.

I'm fine.

I just need to lubricate.

[bottle sprays]

Much better.

- Glad to hear it.

And here we go.

Oh, holy night ♪

The stars are

brightly shining ♪

[trails off]

Fa ♪

[gasping for air]

EMILY: Debbie? Debbie?

BROOKE: Oh, God!

EMILY: Debbie!

She can't breathe!

She's having

an allergic reaction!

BROOKE: She keeps

an EpiPen in her bag!

EMILY: Bag, bag, bag, bag!

Okay!

[Debbie gasping]

EMILY: Come on,

come on, come on.

It's not here!

Call 911!

BROOKE: Yeah.

EMILY: It's okay.

Debbie, Debbie, Debbie.

Help is on the way, okay?

We've got you.

Just hold on, alright?

Just hold on.

Stay with us.

Stay with us.

We've got you.

Stay with us.

Stay with us.

[police siren whooping]

- How is she?

- Paramedics got to her quickly.

She's awake and responsive.

Glad to hear it.

Hey, Debbie.

Can you tell me what happened?

I don't know.

More bad luck, I suppose.

My throat suddenly

started swelling up

when I tried to sing.

- I mean, it had to be

an allergic reaction.

- But I didn't eat

or drink anything.

Your throat spray.

I use it constantly.

It's never done this before.

Um one sec.

She was looking for

her bag earlier.

Someone may have had

an opportunity to access it.

- You think

it was tampered with?

- What else could it be?

Her EpiPen was also missing.

- I think maybe you were onto

something when you said

these weren't accidents.

Better late than never.

- Did you join an a cappella

choir just to prove me wrong?

- What?

No!

Well, maybe a little.

- Well, now's probably

a good time to quit.

- Oh, I don't know.

I'm kind of

curious to see where this goes.

- How did I know

you were gonna say that?

EMILY (V.O.): Sam's right,

of course.

There's really no reason

for me to remain a Belle.

But maybe it's

as Sue suggested

I let them

get their hooks in me.



EMILY: Uh, I think

this is the last of it.

Thanks so much

for making the time.

It's not a problem.

Like I said,

I was in the area anyway.

- I I hope you don't

mind me asking, but

did Clara ever tell you

why she quit the Belles?

Oh, um of course.

Uh, yeah.

She got an offer to audition

for the number-one ranked choir

in the state,

the Jolly-Rockers in White Rock.

And, um, she had just left her

audition when she was k*lled.

That's so heartbreaking.

- She purposely made her

audition on a night

that the Belles were

in Rochester at a big concert,

so they wouldn't show up there

and try to talk her out of it.

The Belles knew about it?

She told Debbie in confidence,

and then regretted it when

she learned that it was Debbie

who was the one funding

the Belles the last few years.

- I thought it was a public

choir, funded by the town.

- They needed a private donor

to fill the gap,

so I guess Debbie stepped in.

She'll smile to your face

while stabbing you in the back.

If I were you

I'd get out while you can.

People keep telling me that.

I have to get going.

They're expecting me

at the park.

- Right, yeah.

The tree lighting, right?

Just invoice me

whenever you can.

Don't worry about it.

It's nice to get

some stuff off my chest.

Clara would have liked you.

EMILY: Hey, Vy.

EMILY (V.O.): I'm starting

to think Adam

may not be so far off base.

It's one thing

to quit the Belles,

but taking her talents

to a rival choir?

That could rub people

the wrong way.

- All good today?

No issues?

- Not that I'm aware of.

Why?

- Just making conversation.

- Okay.

Um, can you watch the store

for a couple minutes?

- You'll be back

before closing, right?

- Of course.

- Then no problem.

Okay, thanks!

- [door bells jingling]

- [door closes]

EMILY: Hot coffee and pastry,

care of Sue's Diner!

Come and help yourself.

- The risers need to be

properly levelled and centred

or it throws off

the whole balance.

Hey, Vera.

Got some coffee over there

if you want some.

Terrible for the voice.

Switch to ginger tea.

You'll thank me later.

- Looks like

things are coming along.

It'll get there.

Let's hope the tree lights.

Nothing more disappointing than

hitting a high C in the dark.

If anyone could actually hit

a high C these days.

I'm guessing Clara could.

- She was a once-in-a-lifetime

talent, our Clara.

- I'm guessing it'll be

hard to place

in the upcoming competition

without her, won't it?

Try impossible.

I wouldn't even bother

if we hadn't already paid

the entrance fee.

- What makes you think

the tree might not light?

You don't think Adam

is up to the task?

- That poor man

has been through so much.

But his constant

attacks on the choir,

treating us like

we did something wrong

[scoffs]

You can't believe

a thing he says.

He's gone completely

off the deep end.

- Hey, I told you that

that is all wrong!

Here, let me show you.



[phone buzzing]

- Hey, Sam.

What's up?

- The lab confirmed

that Debbie's throat spray

tested positive for bee pollen.

- So we're talking

attempted m*rder.

Possibly.

What else could it be?

Someone took the EpiPen

out of her bag.

She almost died.

The choir trusts you.

They feel comfortable

around you.

I want to ask you

to do something for me.

- You want me

to spy on the Belles?

- No, not spy.

Just watch.

And listen.

And tell me what happens.

So, spy?

- Oh! I knew this was a bad idea.

- No, no, no--

- It's just, you clearly

have a natural talent for this.

You proved as much

on the poisoning case.

Oh, I mostly got lucky.

Any Belle in particular

that you want me to focus on?

As a matter of fact

- Please tell me it's Brooke.

It would explain so much.

Not Brooke, no.

I got Clara's file

from White Rock PD.

It turns out they did have

a suspect in the hit-and-run;

they just never had enough

evidence to make an arrest.

- And now they're

targeting Debbie.

- That's where

it gets complicated.

[mysterious music]

No

Debbie?

- Does she strike you

as an attention-seeker?

Wait

You think that she faked

the attempt on her life?

It's possible.

What better way to get

the police off your trail?



EMILY: Have a good night, Vy.

- Thanks, Em.

- Mm-hm.

- You're the best.

- Bye!

[door bells jingling]

DEBBIE: Oh!

Thank you.



Hello.

Hi!

- These are for you.

For saving me.

- Not necessary,

but they're beautiful.

Thank you.

How's your throat doing?

- Mm, my doctor's insisting

I rest it for a few days.

Can you imagine?

This close to the tree ceremony?

- Well, you don't

want it to get worse.

Especially with

Christmas coming up.

So, do you have any plans?

Or are you like me and just

working straight

through the holiday?

Oh, I, uh

I came into an inheritance

a few years back

and retired early.

Kind of regret it now.

Money doesn't go

as far as it used to.

And the choir's all I have now.



EMILY (V.O.): Okay, then.

Seems like the perfect

opportunity to test

Sam's theory that our victim

may actually be a suspect.

So, um, did you

did you manage to snag

a parking spot out front?

- Oh, no.

I walk everywhere.

Cars are so expensive

these days,

and the maintenance costs

are crazy.

My last car was literally

held together with duct tape

and a prayer.

[chuckles]

A few months ago,

I had it hauled off for parts.

And good riddance!

- You know, a friend of mine

was actually looking

to get rid of their car.

Do you remember

the company you used?

I'm not even sure.

I left it at the bottom of

the driveway with a sign saying,

"Go ahead and take it."

- You should have

called Adam Jameson.

I'm sure he would have

been happy to take it.

Hm, I doubt that.

I don't think

he likes me very much.

Why do you say that?

- The week before Clara died,

Adam showed up at my door,

drunk and angry,

demanding that I tell him

who in the choir

Clara was having an affair with.

He was sure

I would know because

Clara often confided in me.

But in this case,

he was dead wrong.

There are no secrets in choir.

If Clara was having an affair

and stepping out on Adam,

it wasn't with a Belle.



- Alright. Bye.

- [door bells jingling]



- Sam.

You need to hear this.

EMILY: This is where Adam lives?

Not exactly the cover of

Home and Garden , huh?

Hey, thanks for letting me

come along.

- Let me do the talking,

alright?

- If there is any truth to

Adam's suspicions of an affair,

that kinda points to him

as a suspect, doesn't it?

[knocking]

Adam?

It's Sam Wilner.

[knocking]

SAM: Adam, you there?

[sighs]

His truck isn't here.

Maybe he's on a junk run.

- [sighs]

Sorry for the wasted trip.

I'll try again tomorrow.



EMILY: Careful,

there's something on the road.

SAM: Yeah, I see it.

It's a box.

- Yeah, I know.

I think

I think it's from my shop!

Well, how'd it get out here?

- I gave Adam a bunch of stuff

from my shop to get rid of.

There's another one, and

Over there.

Hey.

Looks like he went off the road.

[suspenseful music]



No airbag.

And there's blood on the wheel.

He might be injured.

He left his cell phone behind.

- Maybe he made it

up to the road,

got a lift to a hospital.

But if he didn't,

he could still be

out here somewhere.

- Well, then we better

find him before dark.

At these temperatures,

he won't survive the night.