1 00:00:00,126 --> 00:00:02,294 ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪ 2 00:00:02,378 --> 00:00:04,255 [Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote... 3 00:00:04,338 --> 00:00:05,631 They certainly are an attractive couple. 4 00:00:05,715 --> 00:00:06,674 Sure, they are. 5 00:00:06,757 --> 00:00:08,342 They’ve got their health and they’re under 30. 6 00:00:08,426 --> 00:00:10,261 Do you know what my problem is, Mrs. Fletcher? 7 00:00:10,344 --> 00:00:12,221 Married or unmarried, makes no difference to her. 8 00:00:12,304 --> 00:00:14,640 Someone ought to tell Wanda that nobody is gonna pay 9 00:00:14,724 --> 00:00:16,267 for something that she gives away. 10 00:00:16,350 --> 00:00:18,853 You promise you’ll always love me, no matter what? 11 00:00:18,936 --> 00:00:20,396 Charlie, of course I will. 12 00:00:20,479 --> 00:00:22,648 I can’t believe that Charlie intends 13 00:00:22,732 --> 00:00:26,652 to marry you and then continue an affair with another woman. 14 00:00:26,736 --> 00:00:29,155 You’re gonna be in for one hell of a surprise. 15 00:00:29,238 --> 00:00:30,114 Merry Christmas. 16 00:01:50,486 --> 00:01:52,154 [man] Ladies and gentlemen, 17 00:01:52,238 --> 00:01:57,993 friends, neighbors, family, merry Christmas. 18 00:01:58,077 --> 00:01:59,286 [woman] Merry Christmas. 19 00:01:59,370 --> 00:02:01,914 Thank you for joining Mary and me 20 00:02:01,997 --> 00:02:04,792 in welcoming a newcomer to Cabot Cove. 21 00:02:04,875 --> 00:02:08,337 I give you Charles Davenport McCumber, late of the US army... 22 00:02:08,420 --> 00:02:09,338 [man] All right, Charlie. 23 00:02:09,421 --> 00:02:11,257 ...who in June of 24 00:02:11,340 --> 00:02:15,761 next year will be taking the hand of our treasured, wonderful 25 00:02:15,845 --> 00:02:18,264 daughter, Elizabeth, in marriage. 26 00:02:18,347 --> 00:02:19,390 [woman] Oh. 27 00:02:25,771 --> 00:02:27,898 Well, they certainly are an attractive couple. 28 00:02:27,982 --> 00:02:30,025 Oh, sure they are. 29 00:02:30,109 --> 00:02:32,319 They’ve got their health and they’re under 30. 30 00:02:32,403 --> 00:02:35,573 This time next year, he’ll be working for me and Irv Lazarus, 31 00:02:35,656 --> 00:02:38,826 so you can take all your tax and accounting problems 32 00:02:38,909 --> 00:02:41,287 directly to Charlie because Irv and I 33 00:02:41,370 --> 00:02:44,248 are gonna be trying to take a couple of strokes off our golf game. 34 00:02:46,417 --> 00:02:48,335 I don’t think that’s gonna sit too well 35 00:02:48,419 --> 00:02:50,170 with the son of a certain partner. 36 00:02:50,254 --> 00:02:52,923 Bert Lazarus, Irving’s son. 37 00:02:53,007 --> 00:02:55,968 Well, isn’t he the office manager for the company? 38 00:02:56,051 --> 00:02:58,721 Yes, but that’s not the same as being the Vice President, 39 00:02:58,804 --> 00:03:01,974 and that is what Alan has promised his future son-in-law. 40 00:03:02,057 --> 00:03:04,476 Charlie got himself an MBA in the army. 41 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,731 Oh, as I recall, poor Bert flunked math in high school. 42 00:03:08,814 --> 00:03:09,982 Yeah. 43 00:03:10,065 --> 00:03:13,569 And last but not least, because that’s her peach flambé dessert 44 00:03:13,652 --> 00:03:16,322 you’ve all been moaning over, Amy Wainwright. 45 00:03:19,199 --> 00:03:21,827 And we’ve got Floyd Bigelow of Benning Hardware 46 00:03:21,911 --> 00:03:24,663 to thank for giving Amy enough time off to get the job done. 47 00:03:24,747 --> 00:03:26,081 Floyd? 48 00:03:26,165 --> 00:03:27,333 [man] Well, he was here a minute ago. 49 00:03:33,714 --> 00:03:35,883 Come on, Floyd, aren’t they looking for you? 50 00:03:35,966 --> 00:03:37,217 Huh? 51 00:03:37,301 --> 00:03:38,260 Don’t you have to go back out there? 52 00:03:38,344 --> 00:03:40,095 -Mm-hmm. -Mm-hmm? 53 00:03:43,807 --> 00:03:46,393 Hi, Bert. 54 00:03:46,477 --> 00:03:47,937 Could’ve knocked, Bert. 55 00:04:06,956 --> 00:04:08,207 Aha. 56 00:04:10,125 --> 00:04:12,127 Oh, Charlie, it’s beautiful. 57 00:04:21,512 --> 00:04:26,016 How come nobody ever gave me anything like that? 58 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:28,185 Oh, Wanda, baby, do you really think 59 00:04:28,268 --> 00:04:30,771 that you deserve something like that? 60 00:04:33,148 --> 00:04:34,942 You think you got the world by the short hairs, 61 00:04:35,025 --> 00:04:37,319 don’t you, Floyd? 62 00:04:37,403 --> 00:04:40,572 I do. Isn’t that right, Bert? 63 00:04:40,656 --> 00:04:43,075 Right, Floyd. 64 00:04:43,158 --> 00:04:45,828 You know all I have to say? 65 00:04:45,911 --> 00:04:48,497 You’re gonna be in for one hell of a surprise. 66 00:04:58,882 --> 00:05:00,426 Someone ought to tell Wanda 67 00:05:00,509 --> 00:05:04,847 that nobody is gonna buy something that she gives away. 68 00:05:04,930 --> 00:05:06,974 How do you figure an army guy can afford a ring like that? 69 00:05:07,057 --> 00:05:08,934 Oh, don’t let it eat you up, Bert. 70 00:05:09,018 --> 00:05:10,811 She had my ring once. 71 00:05:10,894 --> 00:05:12,604 Oh, for God’s sake, that was your high school ring. 72 00:05:12,688 --> 00:05:15,733 She got the grades to go to Berkeley, you didn’t. 73 00:05:15,816 --> 00:05:18,318 I got to stand by while a damn stranger 74 00:05:18,402 --> 00:05:21,196 becomes a partner in my old man’s firm. 75 00:05:23,323 --> 00:05:25,617 You know, I remember when you were a little girl, 76 00:05:25,701 --> 00:05:29,371 you always talked about marrying a man in uniform. 77 00:05:29,455 --> 00:05:31,498 Oh, yeah. Well, I got my signals crossed. 78 00:05:31,582 --> 00:05:32,875 He was supposed to be a fireman. 79 00:05:32,958 --> 00:05:35,294 Oh, you did. 80 00:05:35,377 --> 00:05:39,006 Mrs. Fletcher, do you believe that someone can fall in love overnight? 81 00:05:39,089 --> 00:05:41,216 Well, I certainly fell hard once, 82 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:43,469 but not overnight, mind you. 83 00:05:43,552 --> 00:05:45,345 With Charlie it was just so sudden, 84 00:05:45,429 --> 00:05:47,514 like he was so afraid of losing something. 85 00:05:47,598 --> 00:05:49,391 Well, that something is you, Beth. 86 00:05:49,475 --> 00:05:51,518 I understand that he was with the army in the Gulf War. 87 00:05:51,602 --> 00:05:53,103 Yes. 88 00:05:53,187 --> 00:05:55,481 Well, then he may have seen death and suffering, 89 00:05:55,564 --> 00:06:00,277 and that can have an emotional effect on a man. 90 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,113 Beth told me that you didn’t have any folks, Charlie. 91 00:06:03,197 --> 00:06:04,656 Right. 92 00:06:04,740 --> 00:06:06,617 My sister and I grew up in foster homes. 93 00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:08,160 Well, if it makes you feel any better, 94 00:06:08,243 --> 00:06:09,787 as soon as those grandchildren start arriving, 95 00:06:09,870 --> 00:06:11,914 they’ve always got a home here with Mary and me. 96 00:06:11,997 --> 00:06:15,918 Maybe it’s selfish, but we figured they won’t go running off to California. 97 00:06:16,001 --> 00:06:18,420 Excuse me, Mr. Forsythe, Mrs. Forsythe. 98 00:06:18,504 --> 00:06:19,922 I haven’t met Mr. McCumber yet. 99 00:06:20,005 --> 00:06:21,423 I’m Mort Metzger, Sheriff around here. 100 00:06:21,507 --> 00:06:22,800 Welcome to Cabot Cove. 101 00:06:22,883 --> 00:06:24,510 Nice to meet you, Mort. It’s Charlie. 102 00:06:24,593 --> 00:06:26,095 Well, thanks. Listen, I heard you were 103 00:06:26,178 --> 00:06:27,888 captain of your army pistol team. Is that right? 104 00:06:27,971 --> 00:06:30,933 Beth sent us that army newspaper with a picture of you and your team. 105 00:06:31,016 --> 00:06:32,309 Mort’s captain of ours. 106 00:06:32,392 --> 00:06:34,895 You know, next Saturday is team practice. 107 00:06:34,978 --> 00:06:37,439 We’ll have a weapon for you and you’d sure be real welcome. 108 00:06:37,523 --> 00:06:39,650 Well, it just so happens I brought my weapon with me. 109 00:06:39,733 --> 00:06:41,068 It’s at the hotel. You bet I’ll be there. 110 00:06:41,151 --> 00:06:43,070 Oh, that’s great. 111 00:06:43,153 --> 00:06:44,947 Hey, listen, you wouldn’t happen to be a tenor, would you? 112 00:06:45,030 --> 00:06:49,409 I’m a fair shot, but no way a singer, except maybe in the shower. 113 00:06:49,493 --> 00:06:52,830 That’s a pity. See you then. 114 00:06:52,913 --> 00:06:55,582 Mort is also the leader of the Cabot Cove Caroleers. 115 00:06:55,666 --> 00:06:58,043 You’re gonna see him tomorrow night at the Christmas shindig. 116 00:07:06,927 --> 00:07:08,804 I heard my parents. 117 00:07:08,887 --> 00:07:12,057 They’re already talking about grandkids? 118 00:07:12,141 --> 00:07:15,477 Look, I have something important I have to talk to you about. 119 00:07:15,561 --> 00:07:18,605 It looks like the only way you and I are ever gonna be able to spend some time 120 00:07:18,689 --> 00:07:20,732 alone is if you come to my hotel room. 121 00:07:20,816 --> 00:07:22,734 Wow. 122 00:07:22,818 --> 00:07:24,319 Do I have to make an appointment? 123 00:07:26,697 --> 00:07:28,824 Thank you, Mary. 124 00:07:28,907 --> 00:07:30,075 Smell that, Seth. 125 00:07:30,159 --> 00:07:31,118 No. 126 00:07:31,201 --> 00:07:32,578 Smell what, Mrs. Fletcher? 127 00:07:32,661 --> 00:07:34,246 Well, the air isn’t cold and wet. 128 00:07:34,329 --> 00:07:35,789 It’s dry and crispy. 129 00:07:35,873 --> 00:07:36,999 And there’s a wind from the north. 130 00:07:37,082 --> 00:07:40,419 What Jessica is trying to say is that we’re in for a white Christmas. 131 00:07:40,502 --> 00:07:42,504 Wishful thinking, Jessica. 132 00:07:42,588 --> 00:07:46,717 Besides, snow leads to traffic accidents and frozen extremities. 133 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:47,926 Well, how do you like the car, Charlie? 134 00:07:48,010 --> 00:07:49,636 Oh, it’s great. 135 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:51,180 Just a loaner, but I’m thinking about buying one. 136 00:07:51,263 --> 00:07:52,347 Now, you’ll get a better deal in Portland. 137 00:07:52,431 --> 00:07:53,390 That’s where I got mine. 138 00:07:53,473 --> 00:07:54,892 Listen to him. 139 00:07:54,975 --> 00:07:56,602 Floyd’s a killer of a dealmaker. 140 00:07:56,685 --> 00:07:58,103 See you tomorrow, Charlie. 141 00:07:58,187 --> 00:07:59,897 Floyd. 142 00:07:59,980 --> 00:08:01,440 Tomorrow, Mrs. Fletcher. 143 00:08:05,819 --> 00:08:08,405 Something wrong, Seth? 144 00:08:08,488 --> 00:08:09,531 I don’t think so. 145 00:08:09,615 --> 00:08:11,241 What gives you that idea? 146 00:08:11,325 --> 00:08:12,993 Well, you’ve been going out of your way 147 00:08:13,076 --> 00:08:16,663 to deny even a smidgen of Christmas spirit. 148 00:08:16,747 --> 00:08:19,082 I guess it has come over that way. 149 00:08:19,166 --> 00:08:20,751 Fact is, these last few days, 150 00:08:20,834 --> 00:08:22,669 I’ve been reminded of when I was ten years old. 151 00:08:22,753 --> 00:08:26,298 Oh. What happened when you were ten? 152 00:08:26,381 --> 00:08:28,175 You’d think it was silly. 153 00:08:28,258 --> 00:08:29,885 Try me. 154 00:08:33,138 --> 00:08:35,182 Well, that was the Christmas I decided to sneak down 155 00:08:35,265 --> 00:08:39,811 and explore under the tree, the way kids will do. 156 00:08:39,895 --> 00:08:43,690 I was dead sure my pop had saved up to buy me a train set. 157 00:08:43,774 --> 00:08:47,903 I remember the tingle of anticipation, 158 00:08:47,986 --> 00:08:50,697 all those mysterious colorful packages. 159 00:08:50,781 --> 00:08:54,701 Well, later that morning when I opened them up, 160 00:08:54,785 --> 00:08:56,453 it wasn’t a train set. 161 00:08:56,536 --> 00:09:01,333 No, it was underwear and socks. 162 00:09:01,416 --> 00:09:04,586 Jess, I don’t think you can understand 163 00:09:04,670 --> 00:09:07,714 how incredibly disappointing that is for a ten-year-old. 164 00:09:07,798 --> 00:09:10,300 Oh, I think I do. 165 00:09:10,384 --> 00:09:12,594 This year, with the world in the shape it’s in, 166 00:09:12,678 --> 00:09:15,764 Christmas is a hollow promise. 167 00:09:17,307 --> 00:09:19,810 We should not be looking for toys anymore. 168 00:09:25,023 --> 00:09:26,733 It was lovely. Thanks so much. 169 00:09:26,817 --> 00:09:28,068 Congratulations, Beth. 170 00:09:29,945 --> 00:09:31,613 I gotta go on a buying trip to Portland tomorrow. 171 00:09:31,697 --> 00:09:33,323 Should be back by about 11. 172 00:09:33,407 --> 00:09:35,325 So, I’ll get the best deal I can for you, all right? 173 00:09:35,409 --> 00:09:37,244 I appreciate that. Thanks. 174 00:09:37,327 --> 00:09:38,829 Here, I’ll get it. 175 00:09:38,912 --> 00:09:39,830 Thank you. 176 00:10:13,113 --> 00:10:14,614 [woman on tape] Hello, there. 177 00:10:14,698 --> 00:10:16,408 This is a friend of yours. 178 00:10:16,491 --> 00:10:18,243 I know the game you’re playing. 179 00:10:18,327 --> 00:10:20,245 Unless you want me to blow the whistle, 180 00:10:20,329 --> 00:10:22,873 be at Sally’s Landing at 10:00 tonight. 181 00:10:22,956 --> 00:10:25,125 [Beth] Charlie? 182 00:10:25,208 --> 00:10:27,919 Bye, see you tomorrow night. 183 00:10:28,003 --> 00:10:28,962 Merry Christmas. 184 00:10:32,591 --> 00:10:33,925 Willie Nelson? I love him. 185 00:10:34,009 --> 00:10:35,177 I didn’t know you liked-- 186 00:10:35,260 --> 00:10:36,887 Charlie, what’s the matter? 187 00:10:40,390 --> 00:10:41,391 Sorry. 188 00:10:46,146 --> 00:10:48,940 Hasn’t been enough of that lately. 189 00:10:49,024 --> 00:10:51,443 You promise you’ll always love me, no matter what? 190 00:10:51,526 --> 00:10:55,530 Charlie, of course I will. 191 00:10:55,614 --> 00:10:57,991 You have that worried sound in your voice again. 192 00:11:03,914 --> 00:11:06,583 I’ll pick you up for dinner at 6:30. 193 00:11:06,666 --> 00:11:08,418 I’ll be waiting. 194 00:11:17,052 --> 00:11:18,345 [woman on tape] Hello, there. 195 00:11:18,428 --> 00:11:20,097 This is a friend of yours. 196 00:11:20,180 --> 00:11:22,057 I know the game you’re playing. 197 00:11:22,140 --> 00:11:23,975 Unless you want me to blow the whistle, 198 00:11:24,059 --> 00:11:26,603 be at Sally’s landing at 10:00 tonight. 199 00:11:26,686 --> 00:11:29,606 You and me have to come to a little business arrangement. 200 00:11:29,689 --> 00:11:33,110 This way you have time to think about what it’s worth. 201 00:11:33,193 --> 00:11:35,195 Bye. 202 00:11:40,909 --> 00:11:42,369 Bye, Amy. 203 00:11:42,452 --> 00:11:43,954 Merry Christmas, Mr. Nelson. 204 00:11:47,290 --> 00:11:48,667 Merry Christmas. 205 00:11:53,839 --> 00:11:55,841 [telephone ringing] 206 00:12:19,406 --> 00:12:21,032 Here. 207 00:12:21,116 --> 00:12:23,034 Mrs. Fletcher, I’m just on my way out to Portland, 208 00:12:23,118 --> 00:12:24,619 but Amy will help you with whatever you need. 209 00:12:24,703 --> 00:12:25,996 Oh, thank you. 210 00:12:26,079 --> 00:12:27,497 Just the roll of paper, please, Amy. 211 00:12:27,581 --> 00:12:29,916 And I’m gonna see you tomorrow night at the community center? 212 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,251 Certainly will. 213 00:12:31,334 --> 00:12:32,544 Have a good trip. 214 00:12:32,627 --> 00:12:35,630 I’ll have that January inventory breakdown for you when you get back. 215 00:12:44,389 --> 00:12:46,391 You sure you have to leave so soon? 216 00:12:46,475 --> 00:12:48,185 It’s just tonight I'm bushed. 217 00:12:48,268 --> 00:12:50,270 I’m decorating at the community center in the morning. 218 00:12:52,397 --> 00:12:55,025 I’ll be at the hotel prepping for the state CPA exams. 219 00:12:55,108 --> 00:12:56,401 Pick me up at 6:00? 220 00:12:58,153 --> 00:12:59,362 You bet. 221 00:13:54,376 --> 00:13:56,503 You were right about the star. 222 00:13:57,128 --> 00:13:58,421 Do you have the time, Jessica? 223 00:13:58,505 --> 00:14:01,216 Yeah, it’s about 9:45. 224 00:14:01,383 --> 00:14:03,301 Oh, the party’s tonight, but I gotta go. 225 00:14:03,385 --> 00:14:05,679 I have to hold the fort till Floyd comes back from Portland. 226 00:14:05,762 --> 00:14:07,222 Oh. Well, you run along, then. 227 00:14:09,599 --> 00:14:12,018 Amy, leaving so early? 228 00:14:21,278 --> 00:14:22,904 I’m assigned to balloons. 229 00:14:22,988 --> 00:14:25,824 When I find them, what am I supposed to do with them? 230 00:14:25,907 --> 00:14:29,411 They’re in the ladies’ lockers, Wanda. 231 00:14:29,494 --> 00:14:32,706 Strangely enough, we’re doing what we usually do with balloons. 232 00:14:32,789 --> 00:14:34,416 We’re blowing them up. 233 00:14:34,499 --> 00:14:36,543 Oh, there’s also a helium tank in there, 234 00:14:36,626 --> 00:14:38,420 just in case you may need it. 235 00:14:47,762 --> 00:14:48,972 Wanda came from upstate. 236 00:14:49,055 --> 00:14:50,473 She got a job with the city 237 00:14:50,557 --> 00:14:53,059 and immediately started playing the field. 238 00:14:53,143 --> 00:14:56,104 Married or unmarried, makes no difference to her. 239 00:14:56,187 --> 00:14:57,355 Amy works in the hardware store, doesn’t she? 240 00:14:57,439 --> 00:14:58,356 For Floyd Bigelow? 241 00:14:58,440 --> 00:14:59,941 That’s right. 242 00:15:00,025 --> 00:15:02,235 And she has been carrying a torch for him forever. 243 00:15:02,319 --> 00:15:05,071 But as far as Floyd’s concerned, she doesn’t exist. 244 00:15:05,155 --> 00:15:06,489 Fact is, Floyd has no respect for women. 245 00:15:06,573 --> 00:15:07,616 Oh, dear. 246 00:15:07,699 --> 00:15:10,744 And the poor girl has to work in the same office with him every day? 247 00:15:10,827 --> 00:15:13,163 And wonder what he’s doing with his nights. 248 00:15:15,582 --> 00:15:18,835 Jessica, with Wanda roaming around, 249 00:15:18,918 --> 00:15:21,087 do you think that I should be worrying about Charlie? 250 00:15:22,756 --> 00:15:25,216 Seems like his mind has been someplace else lately. 251 00:15:25,300 --> 00:15:27,927 Why don’t you nab him? Ask him out to lunch. 252 00:15:28,011 --> 00:15:28,928 Now? 253 00:15:29,012 --> 00:15:30,305 Yes, right now. 254 00:15:30,388 --> 00:15:33,975 I mean, get some of these doubts of yours out in the open, face to face. 255 00:15:34,059 --> 00:15:37,979 Well, he’s over at the hotel working on his CPA exam. 256 00:15:38,063 --> 00:15:40,231 You know, maybe I will around noon, if we’re finished here. 257 00:15:40,315 --> 00:15:41,399 We will be. 258 00:15:55,789 --> 00:15:57,248 Here you go, Linda. 259 00:15:57,332 --> 00:15:58,458 Thanks. 260 00:15:58,541 --> 00:15:59,876 [telephone ringing] 261 00:15:59,959 --> 00:16:01,211 Benning Hardware. 262 00:16:03,213 --> 00:16:04,756 It’s for you, Floyd. 263 00:16:04,839 --> 00:16:06,383 Who is it? 264 00:16:06,466 --> 00:16:08,468 Some lady. I didn’t ask. 265 00:16:08,551 --> 00:16:10,095 I’ll take it in the back. 266 00:16:29,489 --> 00:16:32,409 [muffled shouting] 267 00:16:36,162 --> 00:16:37,789 We made it, Beth. Off you go. 268 00:16:37,872 --> 00:16:39,958 -Thank you, Jessica. -Okay. 269 00:16:40,041 --> 00:16:41,960 Oh, Jess, I need four more red balloons. 270 00:16:42,043 --> 00:16:42,961 Oh, I’ll get them for you. 271 00:16:43,044 --> 00:16:45,088 Thanks. 272 00:16:45,171 --> 00:16:47,424 Absolutely, yes. 273 00:16:47,507 --> 00:16:48,550 Beautiful. 274 00:16:52,303 --> 00:16:53,388 Mary needs four red balloons. 275 00:16:53,471 --> 00:16:55,098 Okay, I’ll tell you what. 276 00:16:55,181 --> 00:16:56,933 I’ll trade you four red balloons for my lunch. 277 00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:58,351 I think I left it up front. 278 00:16:58,435 --> 00:17:00,478 It’s in a white plastic grocery bag. 279 00:17:00,562 --> 00:17:02,021 Oh, don’t I see it in there? 280 00:17:03,690 --> 00:17:06,359 I have personal business matters in there. 281 00:17:06,443 --> 00:17:07,485 I shouldn’t have left it open. 282 00:17:07,569 --> 00:17:08,695 Sorry. 283 00:17:08,778 --> 00:17:10,739 Those are green balloons. 284 00:17:10,822 --> 00:17:12,866 Whoops, right. 285 00:17:12,949 --> 00:17:14,868 Do you know what my problem is, Mrs. Fletcher? 286 00:17:14,951 --> 00:17:17,245 Yes, possibly achromatopsia. 287 00:17:17,328 --> 00:17:18,830 You’re color blind, Wanda? 288 00:17:18,913 --> 00:17:20,832 -Right. -Right. 289 00:17:20,915 --> 00:17:22,083 No problem, these will do. 290 00:17:42,353 --> 00:17:44,022 Surprise! 291 00:17:44,105 --> 00:17:45,690 Charlie? 292 00:18:00,872 --> 00:18:01,873 [woman on tape] Hello, there. 293 00:18:01,956 --> 00:18:04,042 This is a friend of yours. 294 00:18:04,125 --> 00:18:06,044 I know the game you’re playing. 295 00:18:06,127 --> 00:18:08,004 Unless you want me to blow the whistle, 296 00:18:08,087 --> 00:18:10,423 be at Sally’s Landing at 10:00 tonight. 297 00:18:10,507 --> 00:18:13,676 You and me have to come to a little business arrangement. 298 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:17,388 This way you have time to think about what it’s worth. 299 00:18:17,472 --> 00:18:18,640 Bye. 300 00:19:13,111 --> 00:19:15,572 Charlie, I am so sorry. 301 00:19:15,655 --> 00:19:18,867 Beth said to tell you that she is just not up to it. 302 00:19:19,325 --> 00:19:20,368 Did she say what was wrong? 303 00:19:20,451 --> 00:19:23,037 Who knows? It must have been something she had for lunch. 304 00:19:23,162 --> 00:19:25,874 She was right as rain when she left the community center this morning. 305 00:19:25,957 --> 00:19:27,250 She left? 306 00:19:27,333 --> 00:19:28,751 12:30. 307 00:19:28,835 --> 00:19:30,378 Why, I thought she went looking for you. 308 00:19:30,461 --> 00:19:32,213 Are you sure Beth’s okay? 309 00:19:32,297 --> 00:19:34,507 Oh, I’m sure she’ll be fine tomorrow, don’t worry. 310 00:19:34,591 --> 00:19:36,634 Charlie, it’ll disappoint so many people 311 00:19:36,718 --> 00:19:38,094 if you’re not there tonight. 312 00:19:38,177 --> 00:19:41,264 Look, you can deliver best contribution 313 00:19:41,347 --> 00:19:45,894 to the Fire Department’s toy fund for underprivileged kids. 314 00:19:45,977 --> 00:19:47,562 -Now come on. -Come on. 315 00:19:49,731 --> 00:19:52,108 ♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪ 316 00:19:52,191 --> 00:19:54,110 ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪ 317 00:19:54,193 --> 00:19:56,029 ♪ ’Tis the season to be jolly ♪ 318 00:19:56,112 --> 00:19:58,114 ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪ 319 00:19:58,197 --> 00:20:00,366 ♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪ 320 00:20:00,450 --> 00:20:02,243 ♪ Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ 321 00:20:02,327 --> 00:20:04,412 ♪ Troll the ancient yule-tide carol ♪ 322 00:20:04,495 --> 00:20:06,497 ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪ 323 00:20:06,581 --> 00:20:08,666 ♪ See the blazing yule before us ♪ 324 00:20:08,750 --> 00:20:10,627 ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪ 325 00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:12,670 ♪ Strike the harp and join the chorus ♪ 326 00:20:12,754 --> 00:20:14,797 It would be nice if it were a proper Christmas 327 00:20:14,881 --> 00:20:18,426 and they had some real snow on those boughs of holly. 328 00:20:18,509 --> 00:20:22,555 Oh, Seth, try to forget about the underwear and socks. 329 00:20:22,639 --> 00:20:24,682 Look, we may not have snow on the ground, 330 00:20:24,766 --> 00:20:27,060 but look at all those beautifully wrapped gifts 331 00:20:27,143 --> 00:20:28,937 for those children who really need them, 332 00:20:29,020 --> 00:20:31,272 and there’s a whole bunch of toys there, too. 333 00:20:31,356 --> 00:20:33,274 ♪ Sing we joyous, all together ♪ 334 00:20:33,358 --> 00:20:35,443 ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪ 335 00:20:35,526 --> 00:20:37,320 ♪ Heedless of the wind and weather ♪ 336 00:20:37,403 --> 00:20:43,076 ♪ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! ♪ 337 00:20:43,159 --> 00:20:44,118 Hey. 338 00:20:49,374 --> 00:20:51,751 Thank you. 339 00:21:22,907 --> 00:21:25,743 Jess, I haven’t danced the samba in years. 340 00:21:25,827 --> 00:21:27,578 Oh, that was a samba? I thought I was doing the rumba. 341 00:21:27,662 --> 00:21:29,122 Oh, no, no, if that had been the rumba, 342 00:21:29,205 --> 00:21:31,958 I wouldn’t have been doing the box step, I would have been doing the cross, 343 00:21:32,041 --> 00:21:33,876 and it wouldn’t have had all those nice dips. 344 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:35,628 Oh, is that what those were? Dips? 345 00:21:35,712 --> 00:21:37,755 Oh, I’ve got to sit down. 346 00:21:37,839 --> 00:21:39,465 Hey, Mrs. Fletcher, Doc, Charlie. 347 00:21:39,549 --> 00:21:41,592 Oh, Sheriff, you’ve done such a wonderful job 348 00:21:41,676 --> 00:21:43,011 with the Caroleers since last Christmas. 349 00:21:43,094 --> 00:21:44,137 Thank you. 350 00:21:44,220 --> 00:21:46,014 The nice thing about it is that 351 00:21:46,097 --> 00:21:47,265 the Fire Department’s toy drive doubled what it did last year. 352 00:21:47,348 --> 00:21:48,891 That’s wonderful. 353 00:21:48,975 --> 00:21:50,101 Where is Mrs.? 354 00:21:50,184 --> 00:21:51,686 Same as every year, taking baskets 355 00:21:51,769 --> 00:21:54,105 for the poor down to that church in Grove Creek. 356 00:21:54,188 --> 00:21:56,733 She’ll by later, though, if it’s not too late. Excuse me. 357 00:21:56,816 --> 00:21:59,360 That reminds me, I’d better get into my Santa Claus suit. 358 00:21:59,444 --> 00:22:00,486 What’s that about? 359 00:22:00,570 --> 00:22:02,447 Oh, that’s the raffle. 360 00:22:02,530 --> 00:22:04,782 You see, Seth matches the number on your dinner ticket, 361 00:22:04,866 --> 00:22:07,118 and if you’re lucky, you might win a prize. 362 00:22:07,201 --> 00:22:10,163 She’s on the raffle committee, but it’s just more foolishness. 363 00:22:10,246 --> 00:22:14,667 Last year, I won a pair of sequined bedroom slippers. 364 00:22:14,751 --> 00:22:16,502 Weren’t even my color. 365 00:22:24,260 --> 00:22:25,386 Hello? 366 00:22:29,265 --> 00:22:30,266 Yes. 367 00:22:30,349 --> 00:22:31,726 Oh! 368 00:22:36,272 --> 00:22:37,899 You’re doing wonderful, Charlie. 369 00:22:37,982 --> 00:22:38,941 Thank you. 370 00:22:39,025 --> 00:22:40,151 You’re a great dancer, too. 371 00:22:40,234 --> 00:22:42,153 Thank you. 372 00:22:42,236 --> 00:22:44,989 [man on mic] This is your last chance to buy extra raffle tickets 373 00:22:45,073 --> 00:22:46,449 while the band takes a short break. 374 00:22:46,532 --> 00:22:47,825 Santa Claus will be arriving soon. 375 00:22:47,909 --> 00:22:49,410 Excuse me. 376 00:22:51,829 --> 00:22:54,207 You know, I’d like to give Beth a call and see how she’s feeling. 377 00:22:54,290 --> 00:22:55,124 Is there a phone around here? 378 00:22:55,208 --> 00:22:57,418 Yeah, there’s one in the office, another one out by the lockers. 379 00:22:57,502 --> 00:22:58,836 Oh, thanks. 380 00:23:01,005 --> 00:23:03,591 Mrs. Fletcher, would you like some eggnog or some punch? 381 00:23:03,674 --> 00:23:05,426 Oh, no thanks, Floyd. 382 00:23:05,510 --> 00:23:07,053 Listen, you’re on the raffle committee. 383 00:23:07,136 --> 00:23:10,056 Aren’t we supposed to be organizing things for Seth about now? 384 00:23:10,139 --> 00:23:11,599 Sure are. 385 00:23:11,682 --> 00:23:12,809 Perhaps we should rustle up some of the committee. 386 00:23:12,892 --> 00:23:13,768 Yeah. 387 00:23:20,316 --> 00:23:21,609 Where is Mattie Lazarus? 388 00:23:21,692 --> 00:23:23,236 I saw Mary here a minute ago. 389 00:23:23,319 --> 00:23:24,612 I’d better go get them. 390 00:23:24,695 --> 00:23:25,571 Okay. 391 00:23:52,348 --> 00:23:53,933 [gunshot] 392 00:23:59,438 --> 00:24:01,232 Wanda? 393 00:24:11,576 --> 00:24:13,619 Seth, what the hell was that shot? 394 00:24:24,213 --> 00:24:26,007 It’s Wanda. She’s been shot. 395 00:24:38,895 --> 00:24:40,688 She’s still alive, fellas, so easy. 396 00:24:40,771 --> 00:24:42,398 Very easy. 397 00:24:44,984 --> 00:24:47,653 Don’t ask me why or how, but her heart’s still beating. 398 00:24:47,737 --> 00:24:49,447 What are her chances, Seth? 399 00:24:49,530 --> 00:24:51,073 Next to none, I’m afraid. 400 00:24:51,157 --> 00:24:52,116 I’ll go with her. 401 00:24:53,951 --> 00:24:56,746 Sheriff, somebody dumped these in the bushes out back. 402 00:24:58,664 --> 00:25:01,500 Handy disguise, wouldn’t you say, Mrs. F? 403 00:25:01,584 --> 00:25:04,337 Must have been worn by whoever it was Charlie McCumber 404 00:25:04,420 --> 00:25:06,422 saw just before he discovered Wanda. 405 00:25:06,505 --> 00:25:11,427 Sheriff, Wanda’s locker was wide open and empty when we all came in. 406 00:25:12,929 --> 00:25:14,222 Does that suggest anything to you? 407 00:25:14,305 --> 00:25:17,433 Oh, what are you thinking? That something was stolen from it? 408 00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:20,353 Well, I’m thinking that Wanda was very protective 409 00:25:20,436 --> 00:25:22,313 about something in it this morning. 410 00:25:22,396 --> 00:25:23,981 Whatever it was, it isn’t there now. 411 00:25:24,065 --> 00:25:27,068 Providing a possible motive. 412 00:25:27,151 --> 00:25:28,861 Some kind of shame, isn’t it? 413 00:25:28,945 --> 00:25:30,947 You mean it being Christmas? 414 00:25:31,030 --> 00:25:34,200 Yeah. It’s almost as though Doc stacked the deck against us. 415 00:25:34,283 --> 00:25:36,244 You noticed that about Seth, too, huh? 416 00:25:36,327 --> 00:25:38,454 Kind of hard not to notice. 417 00:25:38,537 --> 00:25:40,248 I’ll have Andy drive you home, Mrs. F. 418 00:25:40,331 --> 00:25:41,249 Thanks, Sheriff. 419 00:25:41,332 --> 00:25:42,208 Andy. 420 00:25:46,879 --> 00:25:51,550 [man] This city, being as small as it is, government’s run on a part-time basis 421 00:25:51,634 --> 00:25:53,886 by businessmen like myself and Floyd here. 422 00:25:53,970 --> 00:25:56,639 Wanda just kind of kept the whole thing glued together. 423 00:25:56,722 --> 00:26:00,268 Yeah, the Mayor said that Wanda was the best executive assistant he ever had. 424 00:26:00,351 --> 00:26:02,270 Ran the city like a well-organized household. 425 00:26:07,358 --> 00:26:08,484 Did you just get here? 426 00:26:08,567 --> 00:26:09,944 No, I’ve been in the kitchen. 427 00:26:10,027 --> 00:26:12,029 Then you know what happened. How are you feeling? 428 00:26:13,739 --> 00:26:14,824 What’s the matter? 429 00:26:14,907 --> 00:26:16,701 I went to your hotel at noon. 430 00:26:16,784 --> 00:26:18,160 I listened to the tape. 431 00:26:18,244 --> 00:26:19,787 I saw you at the Light House Motel. 432 00:26:19,870 --> 00:26:21,539 God. 433 00:26:21,622 --> 00:26:23,207 Look, Beth, I can explain everything. 434 00:26:23,291 --> 00:26:24,709 I’ve been wanting to so badly, but-- 435 00:26:24,792 --> 00:26:25,918 [Bert] Sheriff. 436 00:26:29,422 --> 00:26:31,590 Look what I found. 437 00:26:31,674 --> 00:26:33,009 Sure smells like it’s been fired recently to me. 438 00:26:33,092 --> 00:26:34,302 Where did you find it, Bert? 439 00:26:34,385 --> 00:26:37,179 Out in the bushes, back of the lockers. 440 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:45,855 This is army issue. 441 00:26:45,938 --> 00:26:48,733 Charlie, what you said to me yesterday about having one of these at your hotel-- 442 00:26:48,816 --> 00:26:49,984 That’s mine, Sheriff. 443 00:26:50,067 --> 00:26:52,111 Any idea how it got to where it got? 444 00:26:52,194 --> 00:26:53,738 Hell, no. 445 00:26:53,821 --> 00:26:56,866 Somebody must’ve stolen it from my hotel room. 446 00:26:56,949 --> 00:27:00,578 Charlie, you don’t plan on leaving Cabot Cove in the next few days, do you? 447 00:27:00,661 --> 00:27:02,121 What the hell are you insinuating, Metzger? 448 00:27:02,204 --> 00:27:03,456 That’s okay, Alan. 449 00:27:03,539 --> 00:27:05,958 Sheriff, I’m not going anywhere. 450 00:27:07,585 --> 00:27:09,795 Not until all this is cleared up, anyway. 451 00:27:12,465 --> 00:27:13,966 I’ll see you tomorrow, Beth. 452 00:27:24,852 --> 00:27:28,105 [Seth] Wanda Andrews is still alive. 453 00:27:28,189 --> 00:27:32,526 She struck me as a rather ornery young woman, 454 00:27:32,610 --> 00:27:34,403 all gristle and not much heart. 455 00:27:34,487 --> 00:27:35,821 Maybe it was the gristle that saved her life. 456 00:27:35,905 --> 00:27:37,239 What do you mean by that? 457 00:27:37,323 --> 00:27:39,283 Well, the bullet struck the occipital lobe, 458 00:27:39,367 --> 00:27:43,287 a glancing blow, that was deflected in some 459 00:27:43,371 --> 00:27:46,916 fluky fashion, centimeters from where it could have done real harm. 460 00:27:46,999 --> 00:27:49,794 Dr. Nielson relieved the resulting hematoma. 461 00:27:49,877 --> 00:27:52,797 I take it she showed more heart than you thought. 462 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:53,798 [door bell ringing] 463 00:27:53,881 --> 00:27:55,007 Excuse me. 464 00:28:05,518 --> 00:28:06,936 Beth, hello. 465 00:28:07,019 --> 00:28:09,647 Mrs. Fletcher, I’m sorry it’s so early, but I just had to talk to you. 466 00:28:09,730 --> 00:28:12,691 The Sheriff has arrested Charlie for Wanda Andrews’s murder. 467 00:28:12,775 --> 00:28:14,819 [Seth] Oh, it’s not murder yet, young lady. 468 00:28:14,902 --> 00:28:17,530 Not with the victim still alive and kicking. 469 00:28:17,613 --> 00:28:19,198 Thank God. 470 00:28:19,281 --> 00:28:20,157 Beth, come in. 471 00:28:25,371 --> 00:28:27,665 They flew Charlie’s gun up to forensic experts 472 00:28:27,748 --> 00:28:30,209 in Portland last night and found out that it was 473 00:28:30,292 --> 00:28:33,546 the same weapon that was fired at Wanda. 474 00:28:33,629 --> 00:28:35,214 This morning they went to his room, 475 00:28:35,297 --> 00:28:38,426 they found this blackmail tape that was left in his car 476 00:28:38,509 --> 00:28:41,137 threatening a disclosure of some kind. 477 00:28:41,220 --> 00:28:42,847 They recognized Wanda’s voice. 478 00:28:42,930 --> 00:28:46,225 But, Beth, there’s something odd about that. 479 00:28:46,308 --> 00:28:51,230 I mean, how could Wanda know enough about Charlie to blackmail him? 480 00:28:51,313 --> 00:28:54,233 All I know is he went to Sally’s Landing 481 00:28:54,316 --> 00:28:56,235 on Monday night to meet her, Mrs. Fletcher. 482 00:28:56,318 --> 00:28:58,112 He told me that he went there to reason with her, 483 00:28:58,195 --> 00:29:00,364 but he couldn’t even summon the courage to face her. 484 00:29:00,448 --> 00:29:01,449 [Seth] Now, hold it, Beth. 485 00:29:01,532 --> 00:29:02,450 If he couldn’t face her, 486 00:29:02,533 --> 00:29:05,870 where in the world did he find the courage to shoot her? 487 00:29:05,953 --> 00:29:07,830 I’m wondering what it is that Wanda 488 00:29:07,913 --> 00:29:11,333 had on Charlie or what she thought she had. 489 00:29:19,675 --> 00:29:22,887 Well, why don’t I grab some shuteye and then get back to County Hospital? 490 00:29:22,970 --> 00:29:23,971 Ladies. 491 00:29:30,102 --> 00:29:32,605 Maybe it has something to do with this ring, Mrs. Fletcher. 492 00:29:32,688 --> 00:29:34,607 It seems so expensive. 493 00:29:34,690 --> 00:29:36,734 I can’t imagine where he got the money to buy it. 494 00:29:41,363 --> 00:29:42,865 I told you how secretive he’s been. 495 00:29:42,948 --> 00:29:46,160 I found out that there’s this girl, 496 00:29:46,243 --> 00:29:47,912 she’s very pretty. 497 00:29:47,995 --> 00:29:51,499 She’s been staying at the Light House Motel. 498 00:29:53,375 --> 00:29:55,669 And Charlie’s been seeing her. 499 00:29:55,753 --> 00:29:58,172 Now, Beth, I can’t believe 500 00:29:58,255 --> 00:30:00,299 that Charlie intends to marry you 501 00:30:00,382 --> 00:30:03,719 and then continue an affair with another woman. 502 00:30:07,431 --> 00:30:09,558 [Wanda on tape] ...be at Sally’s Landing at 10:00 tonight. 503 00:30:09,642 --> 00:30:12,978 You and me have to come to a little business arrangement. 504 00:30:13,062 --> 00:30:17,066 This way you have time to think about what it’s worth. 505 00:30:17,149 --> 00:30:18,567 Bye. 506 00:30:18,651 --> 00:30:20,444 I hate to say it, Mrs. F, 507 00:30:20,528 --> 00:30:22,947 but it sure seems to give Charlie a motive. 508 00:30:23,030 --> 00:30:25,783 It’d help if we knew what his secret is. 509 00:30:29,286 --> 00:30:30,538 Sheriff, as far as you know, 510 00:30:30,621 --> 00:30:34,833 was Wanda Andrews out of Cabot Cove for any length of time last year? 511 00:30:34,917 --> 00:30:35,918 Like where? 512 00:30:36,001 --> 00:30:37,836 Well, like California? 513 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:40,297 Oh, no way, she was too busy. 514 00:30:40,381 --> 00:30:43,217 You weren’t here when the Mayor and a bunch from the City Council 515 00:30:43,300 --> 00:30:45,594 and their spouses took a hankering to go to Tokyo. 516 00:30:45,678 --> 00:30:47,721 Tokyo? No, I certainly wasn’t. 517 00:30:47,805 --> 00:30:49,723 All in the interest of trade relations. 518 00:30:49,807 --> 00:30:52,643 Like we were gonna build a chain of Cabot Burgers on the Ginza. 519 00:30:52,726 --> 00:30:55,354 Well, Floyd Bigelow went too, and while he was gone, 520 00:30:55,437 --> 00:30:56,730 Wanda kept up the city books for him. 521 00:30:56,814 --> 00:30:58,274 Now, when he came back, 522 00:30:58,357 --> 00:31:00,234 Floyd complained that the books didn’t balance. 523 00:31:00,317 --> 00:31:02,695 He cried for weeks about the cost of that trip. 524 00:31:04,196 --> 00:31:07,241 Hey, Sheriff, Mrs. Fletcher. 525 00:31:07,324 --> 00:31:09,076 I brought you the light bulbs you ordered. 526 00:31:09,159 --> 00:31:10,786 Hey, Floyd, I was just telling Mrs. Fletcher 527 00:31:10,869 --> 00:31:12,121 about the problems you had in the Tokyo junket. 528 00:31:12,204 --> 00:31:13,956 Oh, the junket wasn’t a problem. 529 00:31:14,039 --> 00:31:15,749 It’s when I got back from Tokyo, 530 00:31:15,833 --> 00:31:18,377 there was something screwy with the city pension account. 531 00:31:18,460 --> 00:31:19,712 The books said one thing, 532 00:31:19,795 --> 00:31:23,132 but the banks and the S&L quarterlies I got said something else. 533 00:31:23,215 --> 00:31:25,634 I mean $400,000 something else. 534 00:31:25,718 --> 00:31:29,138 Are you saying that Wanda Andrews was involved in the discrepancies? 535 00:31:29,221 --> 00:31:30,764 Yes, I think so. 536 00:31:30,848 --> 00:31:32,349 I mean, there was some comingling 537 00:31:32,433 --> 00:31:35,019 between the pension account and the short-term CDs. 538 00:31:35,102 --> 00:31:38,522 And once these short-term CDs matured halfway through the summer, 539 00:31:38,606 --> 00:31:41,233 I think Wanda recorded them as rollovers, 540 00:31:41,317 --> 00:31:45,154 when in fact she forged the signature and cashed them out. 541 00:31:45,237 --> 00:31:47,281 Well, unless she recovers and tells someone 542 00:31:47,364 --> 00:31:48,782 what she did with the money, 543 00:31:48,866 --> 00:31:52,411 the pension fund is gonna be out $400,000. 544 00:31:52,494 --> 00:31:55,122 That means a lot of pensioners are gonna find 545 00:31:55,205 --> 00:31:57,791 nothing but a hole in their Christmas stockings. 546 00:31:57,875 --> 00:32:02,421 I am blasted if that isn’t the meanest thing a person can do, 547 00:32:02,504 --> 00:32:05,633 depriving retired folk of their independence. 548 00:32:05,716 --> 00:32:08,802 Another good reason to keep Wanda alive, Seth. 549 00:32:08,886 --> 00:32:11,639 I mean, she is the only person that can help us to locate the money. 550 00:32:11,722 --> 00:32:13,057 Yeah. 551 00:32:13,140 --> 00:32:14,642 But the question in my mind 552 00:32:14,725 --> 00:32:19,188 is what was it that provoked the attack on her life? 553 00:32:19,271 --> 00:32:24,276 I mean, was it her own blackmail scheme or was it her knowledge of the investment? 554 00:32:24,360 --> 00:32:27,780 Hmm, well, that is two different kettles of fish. 555 00:32:29,657 --> 00:32:31,950 And who was she blackmailing? 556 00:32:32,034 --> 00:32:35,037 I mean, the tape that I heard in the Sheriff’s office 557 00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:38,290 could have been directed at almost anyone. 558 00:32:38,374 --> 00:32:42,461 At the same time, there was something downright personal about it. 559 00:32:42,544 --> 00:32:45,964 Then if the intended victim was somebody else, 560 00:32:46,048 --> 00:32:50,844 Wanda might have become impatient and contacted them directly. 561 00:32:50,928 --> 00:32:53,222 And he or she retaliated by trying to kill Wanda. 562 00:32:53,305 --> 00:32:56,225 Jess, I hate to bring this up, but if Charlie’s gun was stolen, 563 00:32:56,308 --> 00:32:59,728 you have to consider who had access to Charlie’s room at the hotel. 564 00:32:59,812 --> 00:33:01,563 I know, Beth. 565 00:33:01,647 --> 00:33:03,357 Like anybody else from here, 566 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:05,943 she could have recognized Wanda’s voice on the tape, 567 00:33:06,026 --> 00:33:07,444 tried to kill her to protect Charlie. 568 00:33:09,822 --> 00:33:13,117 Sorry, I just don’t believe that of Beth. 569 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:16,870 You just don’t or you’d rather not? 570 00:33:16,954 --> 00:33:20,249 Well, I’d better be getting back to the hospital. 571 00:33:20,332 --> 00:33:21,667 Thanks for the coffee. 572 00:33:24,712 --> 00:33:28,257 [knocking on door] 573 00:33:33,554 --> 00:33:34,763 Yes? 574 00:33:34,847 --> 00:33:37,266 Hello. My name is Jessica Fletcher. 575 00:33:37,349 --> 00:33:40,102 I’d like to ask you about Charlie McCumber. 576 00:33:40,185 --> 00:33:41,895 Come on in. 577 00:33:41,979 --> 00:33:42,980 Thank you. 578 00:33:47,443 --> 00:33:50,112 I heard the news on the radio, 579 00:33:50,195 --> 00:33:52,656 and they say Charlie tried to kill some woman. 580 00:33:52,740 --> 00:33:54,867 This is-- it’s all a crazy nightmare. 581 00:33:54,950 --> 00:33:57,286 Look, I’d like to help if I can. 582 00:33:57,369 --> 00:33:59,788 Now first of all, if I may ask you, 583 00:33:59,872 --> 00:34:01,915 what is Charlie McCumber to you? 584 00:34:01,999 --> 00:34:05,669 I’m Monica, his sister. 585 00:34:05,753 --> 00:34:10,007 Oh, for heaven’s sakes, Monica, all is not lost. 586 00:34:10,090 --> 00:34:12,009 What do you mean? 587 00:34:12,092 --> 00:34:14,928 Well, first of all, I’m gonna make you a cup of tea. 588 00:34:15,012 --> 00:34:17,556 Then you’ll be able to pull yourself together 589 00:34:17,639 --> 00:34:21,894 and then you’re gonna tell me what all this odd business is about. 590 00:34:21,977 --> 00:34:23,395 Momma? Momma? 591 00:34:29,651 --> 00:34:31,153 Is that your little girl, Monica? 592 00:34:31,236 --> 00:34:35,532 No, this is Belinda, Charlie’s little girl. 593 00:34:44,750 --> 00:34:48,295 Back in California, before he met Beth Forsythe, 594 00:34:48,378 --> 00:34:51,799 Charlie was going with a girl named Belinda Nordstorm. 595 00:34:51,882 --> 00:34:54,051 Ah, little Belinda’s mother, I take it. 596 00:34:54,134 --> 00:34:56,887 She and Charlie were planning to get married, 597 00:34:56,970 --> 00:34:59,681 but Charlie’s outfit was suddenly 598 00:34:59,765 --> 00:35:02,392 called to the Persian Gulf, 599 00:35:02,476 --> 00:35:06,522 and while he was away, 600 00:35:06,605 --> 00:35:08,899 Belinda died in childbirth. 601 00:35:08,982 --> 00:35:10,651 And you took charge of the baby? 602 00:35:10,734 --> 00:35:15,322 Charlie was mentally and emotionally destroyed. 603 00:35:15,405 --> 00:35:17,032 Until he met Beth Forsythe, 604 00:35:17,115 --> 00:35:19,827 and then his whole life just seemed to turn around. 605 00:35:19,910 --> 00:35:20,869 They fell in love. 606 00:35:22,454 --> 00:35:24,832 But he didn’t tell her about the baby. 607 00:35:24,915 --> 00:35:27,042 Well, why ever not? 608 00:35:27,125 --> 00:35:29,461 Well, it’s difficult to explain. 609 00:35:29,545 --> 00:35:33,215 First, he was afraid of Beth’s reaction to Belinda’s illegitimacy. 610 00:35:33,298 --> 00:35:35,592 He didn’t want Beth to go out of his life 611 00:35:35,676 --> 00:35:37,135 the way Belinda had. 612 00:35:38,887 --> 00:35:43,934 You see, we lost our parents when we were young. 613 00:35:44,017 --> 00:35:48,313 Charlie’s whole life has been about losing people he loves. 614 00:35:48,397 --> 00:35:50,607 And that’s why he postponed telling Beth. 615 00:35:50,691 --> 00:35:52,317 I know it seems ridiculous. 616 00:35:52,401 --> 00:35:54,736 But when Charlie came to Cabot Cove, 617 00:35:54,820 --> 00:35:57,072 he faced the prospect of telling Beth’s parents, too. 618 00:35:59,199 --> 00:36:02,119 I know the Forsythes and they’re good people. 619 00:36:02,202 --> 00:36:04,580 But I can see how in Charlie’s eyes, 620 00:36:04,663 --> 00:36:07,207 they’re the very ones who are depending on him 621 00:36:07,291 --> 00:36:08,876 for their grandchildren. 622 00:36:08,959 --> 00:36:12,129 Not somebody else’s illegitimate child. 623 00:36:12,212 --> 00:36:15,007 I mean, they’ve guaranteed him a new start, 624 00:36:15,090 --> 00:36:17,759 a place in the community. 625 00:36:17,843 --> 00:36:21,638 I find it very hard to believe that Wanda Andrews, 626 00:36:21,722 --> 00:36:23,390 knowing Charlie’s secret, 627 00:36:23,473 --> 00:36:27,728 would attempt to blackmail him on something so harmless. 628 00:36:32,316 --> 00:36:35,152 Of course, the colors. 629 00:36:35,235 --> 00:36:37,613 Why didn’t I think of it before? 630 00:36:37,696 --> 00:36:39,281 It was all an accident. 631 00:36:39,364 --> 00:36:40,782 What colors? 632 00:36:40,866 --> 00:36:43,911 Well, in this case, the red and the green. 633 00:36:43,994 --> 00:36:46,246 Thank you, Belinda. 634 00:36:46,330 --> 00:36:48,040 May I use your phone? 635 00:36:48,123 --> 00:36:50,375 Oh, please, but-- 636 00:36:50,459 --> 00:36:51,585 And I’ll need a phone book. 637 00:37:06,767 --> 00:37:08,894 Unless you need anything else, I’ll be going now. 638 00:37:08,977 --> 00:37:10,687 Oh, yeah, you go ahead, Amy. 639 00:37:10,771 --> 00:37:12,481 Oh, and tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, 640 00:37:12,564 --> 00:37:14,191 so we’ll be closing around noon. 641 00:37:14,274 --> 00:37:16,151 And when you go, do you mind turning out the lights? 642 00:37:16,234 --> 00:37:18,570 Merry Christmas, Floyd. 643 00:37:18,654 --> 00:37:21,531 Well, Merry Christmas to you too, Amy. 644 00:37:30,540 --> 00:37:32,167 [telephone ringing] 645 00:37:34,169 --> 00:37:35,712 [Jessica] Floyd? 646 00:37:35,796 --> 00:37:37,631 Oh, yes, Mrs. Fletcher. What can I do for you? 647 00:37:42,052 --> 00:37:44,596 [Jessica] Floyd, I may have a lead on those 648 00:37:44,680 --> 00:37:47,015 missing pension funds that you were talking about. 649 00:37:47,099 --> 00:37:48,392 [Floyd] You don’t say? 650 00:37:48,475 --> 00:37:49,851 I was wondering if you could meet me 651 00:37:49,935 --> 00:37:52,187 at the community center at about 7:00. 652 00:37:53,939 --> 00:37:56,191 Well, can’t this wait till after the holidays? 653 00:37:56,274 --> 00:37:58,443 Well, it really can’t. 654 00:37:58,527 --> 00:38:00,487 It’ll only take a few minutes of your time. 655 00:38:00,570 --> 00:38:04,700 Seven o'clock, well, that’s in an hour. 656 00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:06,118 I guess I can meet you. 657 00:38:06,201 --> 00:38:07,703 Where exactly would you like to meet? 658 00:38:07,786 --> 00:38:09,121 In the ladies’ locker room. 659 00:38:09,204 --> 00:38:12,207 And, Floyd, please bring a key to Wanda Andrews’s locker. 660 00:38:12,290 --> 00:38:13,834 Look, how in the hell would I have 661 00:38:13,917 --> 00:38:16,503 a key to Wanda Andrews’s locker, Mrs. Fletcher? 662 00:38:16,586 --> 00:38:19,381 [Jessica] Well, you cut keys for the community center, don’t you? 663 00:38:19,464 --> 00:38:22,467 Like you do for all the hotels and motels in town? 664 00:38:22,551 --> 00:38:25,637 Yes, I suppose you’re right. 665 00:38:25,721 --> 00:38:28,015 In which case, you must keep masters. 666 00:38:28,098 --> 00:38:31,101 Yes, I do. It’s gonna take a little time, though, but I can do it. 667 00:38:33,687 --> 00:38:39,151 Oh, and, Floyd, it might be a good idea if you brought Amy. 668 00:38:39,234 --> 00:38:40,402 [door closes] 669 00:38:40,485 --> 00:38:42,529 Amy just left, Mrs. Fletcher. 670 00:38:42,612 --> 00:38:43,655 I’ll be there though. 671 00:38:43,739 --> 00:38:45,198 Thank you. 672 00:39:16,980 --> 00:39:19,024 [Amy] It’s not in there, Floyd. 673 00:39:20,776 --> 00:39:24,279 I took everything out yesterday for safekeeping. 674 00:39:24,362 --> 00:39:28,825 Amy, why are you all dolled up? 675 00:39:28,909 --> 00:39:30,911 What the hell are you doing here? 676 00:39:30,994 --> 00:39:33,205 Well, that’s a pretty funny question coming from you. 677 00:39:33,288 --> 00:39:36,583 It is the ladies’ locker room. 678 00:39:36,666 --> 00:39:39,294 You know, I always knew Wanda had something valuable in there, 679 00:39:39,377 --> 00:39:41,046 but I never knew what it was, 680 00:39:41,129 --> 00:39:44,091 until she called yesterday and tried to blackmail you. 681 00:39:44,174 --> 00:39:45,801 What do you know about that? 682 00:39:45,884 --> 00:39:47,219 I listened. 683 00:39:47,302 --> 00:39:51,098 When you were in Tokyo and she found out how you’d robbed those pension accounts 684 00:39:51,181 --> 00:39:52,974 and put the money in those three bank accounts in Portland, 685 00:39:53,058 --> 00:39:55,227 I always knew about that, Floyd, 686 00:39:55,310 --> 00:39:57,187 but I never told anyone. 687 00:39:57,270 --> 00:39:58,563 Oh, God. 688 00:40:01,399 --> 00:40:02,567 You killed Wanda? 689 00:40:02,651 --> 00:40:03,902 I always thought it was Charlie-- 690 00:40:03,985 --> 00:40:05,904 You thought it was Charlie McCumber, 691 00:40:05,987 --> 00:40:09,699 and poor dead Wanda would take the blame for the money you stole. 692 00:40:09,783 --> 00:40:12,327 Well, yesterday I wrote her a note from you 693 00:40:12,410 --> 00:40:15,705 and I told her to meet you here during the party last night. 694 00:40:18,583 --> 00:40:20,585 So I’m still in the clear. 695 00:40:20,669 --> 00:40:22,712 I mean, no one knows the difference. 696 00:40:22,796 --> 00:40:26,007 Well, except me, Floyd. 697 00:40:26,091 --> 00:40:28,510 I’ll share the money with you, Amy. 698 00:40:28,593 --> 00:40:30,846 It’s not about the money, Floyd. 699 00:40:30,929 --> 00:40:33,557 It’s what you give to everybody else. 700 00:40:40,313 --> 00:40:42,732 Can't this... 701 00:40:42,816 --> 00:40:43,859 Can’t this wait? 702 00:40:43,942 --> 00:40:45,902 They’ll be here pretty soon. 703 00:40:45,986 --> 00:40:48,029 Just make me think that what I did was worthwhile. 704 00:40:48,113 --> 00:40:49,614 Please, Floyd. 705 00:40:49,698 --> 00:40:51,658 Amy, I can’t have you hanging around my neck 706 00:40:51,741 --> 00:40:53,493 for the rest of my life! Don’t you understand that? 707 00:40:53,577 --> 00:40:55,412 [Mort] Police! Freeze right there. 708 00:40:55,495 --> 00:40:56,371 Now! 709 00:40:59,457 --> 00:41:00,917 Amy Wainwright, 710 00:41:01,001 --> 00:41:03,545 I’m arresting you for attempted murder. 711 00:41:03,628 --> 00:41:04,671 Attempted murder? 712 00:41:04,754 --> 00:41:07,132 I thought Wanda was dead. 713 00:41:07,215 --> 00:41:09,426 Lucky for Amy, she’s alive. 714 00:41:09,509 --> 00:41:11,052 Doc Hazlitt and some high-priced surgeon 715 00:41:11,136 --> 00:41:13,889 are over at County General trying to keep her that way. 716 00:41:13,972 --> 00:41:17,809 Floyd, I’m arresting you for being an accessory after the fact 717 00:41:17,893 --> 00:41:19,936 and for embezzlement of city funds, 718 00:41:20,020 --> 00:41:23,690 and in the present circumstances, assault with a deadly weapon. 719 00:41:23,773 --> 00:41:26,193 Why did you have to get involved with this? 720 00:41:26,276 --> 00:41:28,069 Wanda deserved anything she got. 721 00:41:28,153 --> 00:41:30,947 Because it was Wanda’s mistake that brought Charlie McCumber into it, 722 00:41:31,031 --> 00:41:32,949 and at that point I had to be involved. 723 00:41:33,033 --> 00:41:34,534 What do you mean mistake? 724 00:41:34,618 --> 00:41:37,913 When Floyd was away last summer, Wanda discovered his embezzlement 725 00:41:37,996 --> 00:41:39,915 and decided to blackmail him. 726 00:41:39,998 --> 00:41:42,834 Evidently, she didn’t want to confront him directly at first, 727 00:41:42,918 --> 00:41:44,461 so she chose a rather bizarre, 728 00:41:44,544 --> 00:41:46,713 nonetheless effective, way to set him up. 729 00:41:46,796 --> 00:41:50,550 She left a blackmail tape in what she thought was his car. 730 00:41:50,634 --> 00:41:55,430 Wanda is color blind and unable to distinguish green from red. 731 00:41:55,513 --> 00:41:58,934 Except for color, Floyd’s car is identical to Charlie’s, 732 00:41:59,017 --> 00:42:01,561 so she put the tape in Charlie’s car by mistake. 733 00:42:01,645 --> 00:42:04,981 When no one showed up at Sally’s Landing on Monday night, 734 00:42:05,065 --> 00:42:07,317 Wanda decided to call Floyd directly, 735 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:10,862 only that was the night that he was in Portland. 736 00:42:10,946 --> 00:42:13,490 So she had to wait until yesterday to call him, 737 00:42:13,573 --> 00:42:15,742 when he was at the store 738 00:42:15,825 --> 00:42:18,161 and you were there to listen in. 739 00:42:20,205 --> 00:42:22,207 At the Forsythes’s party, you heard Charlie say 740 00:42:22,290 --> 00:42:24,084 he had his service weapon at the hotel. 741 00:42:24,167 --> 00:42:27,254 Getting a key was simple, since Benning Hardware supplied 742 00:42:27,337 --> 00:42:29,506 most of our local places with keys. 743 00:42:29,589 --> 00:42:33,343 So you got Charlie’s gun and a Santa Claus outfit 744 00:42:33,426 --> 00:42:37,847 and waited for Wanda right here in the ladies’ locker room. 745 00:42:39,683 --> 00:42:41,101 I couldn’t let her hurt you. 746 00:42:44,688 --> 00:42:47,357 I didn’t know what it was gonna be like to shoot somebody. 747 00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:50,360 She came in and I shot once. 748 00:42:50,443 --> 00:42:53,655 I was so scared, I didn’t even wait to see if she were dead or alive. 749 00:42:53,738 --> 00:42:57,867 I just cleared out the locker and I left. 750 00:42:57,951 --> 00:43:01,538 I was always there for you and you never noticed. 751 00:43:01,621 --> 00:43:03,498 The only thing I ever wanted 752 00:43:03,581 --> 00:43:05,917 was to have you pay attention to me. 753 00:43:06,001 --> 00:43:10,547 I didn’t want to get Charlie McCumber in trouble, 754 00:43:10,630 --> 00:43:13,008 I just wanted to save Floyd. 755 00:43:16,011 --> 00:43:19,514 So tell me, Mrs. F, what was Charlie McCumber’s secret? 756 00:43:21,266 --> 00:43:23,810 Well, that’s not for me to say. 757 00:43:23,893 --> 00:43:26,771 But I don’t think it’ll be a secret much longer. 758 00:43:40,493 --> 00:43:43,079 Oh, I had to be crazy to doubt Beth and her folks. 759 00:43:43,163 --> 00:43:45,915 Well, Beth knows that you were afraid of losing her, 760 00:43:45,999 --> 00:43:47,709 and that’s what counts for her. 761 00:43:47,792 --> 00:43:51,212 And if you have any doubts about her being an instant mother, 762 00:43:51,296 --> 00:43:54,966 how about a couple of instant grandparents? 763 00:43:55,050 --> 00:43:56,468 [Charlie] Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher. 764 00:43:56,551 --> 00:43:58,928 It’s a Christmas I’ll never forget. 765 00:44:04,142 --> 00:44:05,477 Nice young man. 766 00:44:05,560 --> 00:44:07,604 Oh, Seth, I’d given you up for lost. 767 00:44:07,687 --> 00:44:10,482 I was at the hospital checking on Wanda Andrews. 768 00:44:10,565 --> 00:44:11,733 She’s gonna be all right. 769 00:44:11,816 --> 00:44:13,485 Oh, thank goodness. 770 00:44:13,568 --> 00:44:14,861 That’s great. 771 00:44:14,944 --> 00:44:16,488 Just a little something. 772 00:44:16,571 --> 00:44:18,323 Oh, well, I’ve got yours here, too. 773 00:44:18,406 --> 00:44:19,449 Oh. 774 00:44:20,700 --> 00:44:22,077 Well, let’s see. 775 00:44:34,172 --> 00:44:35,090 A train. 776 00:44:37,425 --> 00:44:38,968 I deserve that. 777 00:44:39,052 --> 00:44:40,804 The little train that could. 778 00:44:43,098 --> 00:44:47,102 Tonight, when Wanda pulled through 779 00:44:47,185 --> 00:44:49,646 and I was part of it, 780 00:44:49,729 --> 00:44:52,399 Jess, suddenly everything seemed brighter. 781 00:44:52,482 --> 00:44:54,984 Then Frank was right, 782 00:44:55,068 --> 00:44:57,028 when he said that Christmas should remind us 783 00:44:57,112 --> 00:45:01,741 of what could be, not what is. 784 00:45:01,825 --> 00:45:03,451 Yeah. 785 00:45:03,535 --> 00:45:05,036 I hate to admit it, 786 00:45:05,120 --> 00:45:07,539 but I guess I was still looking under the tree. 787 00:45:07,622 --> 00:45:09,374 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 788 00:45:09,457 --> 00:45:11,042 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 789 00:45:11,126 --> 00:45:12,669 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 790 00:45:12,752 --> 00:45:14,879 ♪ And a happy New Year ♪ 791 00:45:14,963 --> 00:45:16,548 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 792 00:45:16,631 --> 00:45:18,299 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 793 00:45:18,383 --> 00:45:20,135 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 794 00:45:20,218 --> 00:45:22,053 ♪ And a happy New Year ♪ 795 00:45:22,137 --> 00:45:25,682 ♪ Good tidings to you, where ever you are ♪ 796 00:45:25,765 --> 00:45:29,519 ♪ Good tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year ♪ 797 00:45:29,602 --> 00:45:31,271 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 798 00:45:31,354 --> 00:45:33,022 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 799 00:45:33,106 --> 00:45:34,774 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 800 00:45:34,858 --> 00:45:36,568 ♪ And a happy New Year ♪ 801 00:45:36,651 --> 00:45:40,447 ♪ Good tidings to you, where ever you are ♪ 802 00:45:40,530 --> 00:45:44,284 ♪ Good tidings for Christmas and a happy new year ♪ 803 00:45:44,367 --> 00:45:46,077 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 804 00:45:46,161 --> 00:45:47,829 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 805 00:45:47,912 --> 00:45:49,664 ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪ 806 00:45:49,747 --> 00:45:55,712 ♪ And a happy New Year ♪ 807 00:45:56,004 --> 00:45:58,214 [man] Merry Christmas! 808 00:45:58,298 --> 00:45:59,591 Merry Christmas, Jess. 809 00:45:59,674 --> 00:46:01,301 Merry Christmas, Seth.