EMILY (V.O.): Most of the time, I see myself
as your unassuming small-town retail store owner,
but there's always been a part of me that's ready to run.
[people screaming]
EMILY: I just happened to be in the right place
at the right time.
-Aah!
EMILY (V.O.): Still no hits on Chimera.
I've underestimated him in the past and it ended badly.
SAM: I did a little digging.
Tell me you haven't been lying to me.
Who are you, really?
-I can't tell you.
I'm sorry.
-If you're in witness protection--
-No, it's more complicated than that.
Please, just-- just let it go.
-If you could just assure me.
-Just stop.
Please.
I can't.
-Can't... or won't?
-[sighs]
-Well, I guess I have my answer, then.
â™ª
-Sam, I...
â™ª
I really wish we could have gone for that walk in the snow.
â™ª
-Merry Christmas, Emily.
[door closes]
[sombre music]
â™ª
[upbeat, festive music]
â™ª Feel the sunlight â™ª
â™ª Feel the cold outside â™ª
â™ª Looking forward to the winter â™ª
EMILY (V.O.): I won't lie...
I thought about leaving, just packing up my cats
and my computer and my comfortable pyjamas
and starting over in some other small town.
But I love it here.
I love my shop.
I love the people.
I even love the cold.
And what's to say things will be any better somewhere else?
Knowing me, I'd just find some inventive new way
to mess up a good thing.
â™ª ... for the holidays â™ª
[indistinct lyrics]
MR. HENLEY: This is gonna happen, okay?
We're gonna lose sometimes. It's all right.
-Judging from your expressions, I guess you had a tough match.
-We played hard, Sue, but the chess gods
were just not looking down on us today.
SUE: Maybe I can help with that.
Milkshakes are on the house!
-Hey! -Thanks.
MR. HENLEY: See?
Look at that.
-You okay, Kyle?
-I just don't understand what happened.
We never lose to East Creek.
My focus has been way off.
So distracted by school work.
-Sorry.
-Oh, no, no, no, no, I don't-- I don't mean you.
I'd be lost without your help.
-Um... you have your books with you?
-Yeah, yeah. Uh, here.
Here we go.
-Wait...
Is that the new "Run, Run, Himari" volume?
-Yeah, I picked it up at the new anime store
next to the skate-sharpening place.
-Okay, I have to know, does Himari finally--
Wait... No distractions.
School stuff first, and then I want a page-by-page recap.
-Deal.
-Let me guess--
large coffee, black.
-Thank you very much. Yes, please.
-I'll brew you a fresh pot.
Violet, break's over!
-I'll be back in a few, okay?
-I'm not goin' anywhere.
VIOLET: You know, Emily, you really should hydrate
after a run, like a normal person.
-Hah! Normal's overrated.
EMILY (V.O.): Losing Violet at the Mistletoe
was a painful consequence of what I'm calling
the Christmas Eve Catastrophe.
Without knowing my situation, Sam didn't feel safe
having her in my immediate orbit.
And I can't really blame him.
-So, Christmas is comin' up fast.
-Mm-hm.
-Must be getting busy at the Mistletoe.
-Yeah, yeah, it's picking up.
EMILY (V.O.): I told Violet I needed to cut her hours
to zero during our slow period,
a lie she gracefully accepted.
MR. HENLEY: Okay, bring it in.
I don't want to see any more long faces.
-What's goin' on over there?
VIOLET: The chess team just got back
from an out-of-town match.
That's Mr. Henley, the coach.
MR. HENLEY: And I will see you all at practice tomorrow.
EMILY: "Henley." Uh, why do I know that name?
-He's my English teacher. I've mentioned him before.
-Yes.
Right.
-And you and I will have a talk.
-I just don't understand why-- -We'll talk about it tomorrow.
VIOLET: Uh, Mr. Henley?
Before you leave, I have someone I want you to meet.
-Hi. Tim Henley. -EMILY: Emily Lane.
You've made quite an impression on Violet.
-Oh, really? I must not be giving out enough homework.
-[laughs]
Hey, I know why the team lost today.
You're not wearin' your lucky tie.
-Oh. You noticed that, huh?
So, how do you two know each other?
-Emily's my boss.
Well... former boss.
Hopefully future boss, hint-hint?
-Well, I'm sure you're just as impressed with Violet as I am.
SUE: Violet. Table five. -Uh, that's me.
You too, feel free to keep singing my praises.
-I was actually just on my way out,
but it was great meeting you.
-Yeah, you too. Merry Christmas.
MR. HENLEY: Merry Christmas.
-Hey, coach-- -It's out of my hands, Shayne.
[intriguing music]
-Who's that cute guy over there?
-He's a friend from school. -Oh...?
-And before you ask, it's not like that.
He struggles with Shakespeare,
so Mr. Henley asked me to help him get his grade up.
-Mm-hm.
EMILY (V.O.): As the immortal bard once said,
"The lady doth protest too much."
I know a teen crush when I see one.
VIOLET: Oops, heh. Forgot to turn the coffee on.
-Hello, Sam. -Emily.
Getting excited for the holidays?
-Kinda goes without saying, doesn't it?
And how have you been?
-Can't complain.
EMILY (V.O.): And that about sums up every conversation
I've had with Sam since last Christmas.
-I should-- -Yep, yeah.
Have a good... night.
EMILY (V.O.): Sure, we're friendly to each other
on the occasions we cross paths,
and we've had many chances to clear the air, but...
we never did.
-Oh, Sam, wait.
Uh, Violet asked about coming back
to work at the store?
-Uh, yeah, I'm not sure that's--
-No, no, I know, I know, um...
I just wanted you to be aware that she brought it up.
-All right.
Thanks for letting me know.
-[sighs]
[sombre music]
â™ª
[car lock beeps]
â™ª
[mysterious music]
â™ª
-My God.
[tense music]
[car lock beeps]
â™ª
[tires squealing]
[theme music]
â™ª We wish you a merry Christmas â™ª
â™ª We wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy... â™ª
EMILY: Good news. I found another one.
June, hey!
-Oh! Hey!
Emily, it is bustling in here!
You're gonna need to hire some extra help.
-Oh, God, I know.
I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
-Oh, well, are we still on for dinner?
I understand if you need to cancel.
-No, absolutely not.
No, let me just finish up with these last few customers,
and then we'll be good to go.
-Okay. -Okay.
EMILY: This is so nice.
I didn't realize how much I needed this.
JUNE: Right?
The problem is, I share my clinic with my house,
so I don't go anywhere. -Yeah, same.
If I didn't have to leave my apartment
to open up the shop, I wouldn't know what day it was.
-[laughs] Well, here's to getting out more often.
-I will drink to that. -[glasses clink]
SUE: Great job today, Violet.
You want something to eat before you go?
-I'm good, thanks. My dad's on his way.
-What you reading over there?
-A book about chess.
-I didn't know you had an interest, Vy.
SUE: Oh, it's not chess that she's interested in.
It's who's playing the game.
EMILY: Oh! Okay!
-Kyle is a good friend.
-Kyle!
-And chess is important to him,
so I figured I'd at least learn the basics.
Is that so wrong?
-No. -JUNE: I think it's sweet.
But when you say "good friends"...
-That's all we are.
-Yeah, okay.
-Although, I am kind of hoping
he asks me to the Snowflake Semi-Formal
next week.
But don't say anything to Dad.
The last time he saw a boy talking to me,
he ran a background check on him.
And that was in middle school.
-Yeah, that tracks.
[all laugh]
EMILY: You know, I used to dabble in chess back in the day.
-Really?
-Yeah, I mean, I was no grandmaster or anything,
but I held my own.
SAM: Violet?
-Oh, Dad.
-Ladies.
VIOLET: Can I drive, please?
-Maybe on the side roads.
-All we have are side roads.
-She's quite the smitten kitten!
-And Kyle is crazy about her too.
He's in here so much during her shifts,
I should charge him rent.
[all laugh]
â™ª
-[cat meows] -EMILY: Hello!
Hi! [kiss sound]â™ª
â™ª
Okay...
EMILY (V.O.): I was careless in
my search for Chimera last year
and very nearly brought them right to my doorstep.
Since then, I've replaced my hard drive
and built an improved firewall
to ensure nobody can pinpoint my location.
Now I'm mostly focused on tracking sites
associated with Chimera,
rather than poking the bear directly.
So, what have I discovered?
-Gotcha.
EMILY (V.O.): Mostly that Chimera is being
as careful as I am.
But the last few months I've noticed an uptick
in their activity, which makes me uneasy
and triggers some bad memories.
[timer beeps]
EMILY (V.O.): I'd much rather bury my head in the snow
and pretend Chimera isn't still a threat...
but I can't let myself get complacent.
Not again.
â™ª
-Violet! -Hey.
-Are you on your way to school? -Yeah.
It's been a while since I've been by.
I miss it.
-Well, my loss was Sue's gain.
She told me what a great job you're doing.
-[chuckles] She's lying.
Uh, can I ask a favour?
I'm on the decorating committee for the semi-formal,
and I was hoping you might have some decorations
you'd be willing to donate...?
-Yeah, I'm sure I could figure something out.
I'll take a look.
-Thanks. -Yeah.
-Oh, and, um...
you mentioned you play chess.
Any chance you have time to teach me a thing or two?
-Are you sure Mr. Henley wouldn't be a better choice?
-Maybe, but he's gone.
-What do you mean, "gone"?
-The day after you met him at the diner,
he didn't show up for school, and he hasn't been back since.
Kyle says the chess team's really struggling without him.
-Well, he can't have just vanished.
-Our vice-principal told us that he resigned unexpectedly
to take care of a sick relative or something,
but I can't believe that he'd just leave
without saying goodbye to his students like that.
It's very unlike him.
-Yeah, it does seem unusual.
-Oh, I'm gonna be late.
You'll get back to me about those decorations?
-Yes, absolutely.
-Thanks, Em. You're the best.
[intriguing music]
EMILY (V.O.): It was easy enough to find
Tim Henley's address online,
even if I don't quite understand why I felt
compelled to come to his house.
But then again, I probably don't need a shrink to tell me
that in addition to a guilty conscience
for ending Violet's employment so abruptly,
I also feel bad that she's now lost someone important
in her life.
â™ª
EMILY (V.O.): Mail's piling up.
Nobody's been here for days.
Maybe he's had to leave town.
But then, why leave the Christmas lights on like this?
Something feels very wrong here.
EMILY: You don't think a missing teacher
is worthy of investigation?
-Missing's an overstatement.
Look, if he handed in his resignation letter,
it doesn't exactly scream foul play.
-I am telling you, there was zero indication
that he was on the brink of walking away.
-Okay.
I'll look into it.
-Great, thank you.
-How's everything else?
You doing okay?
-Yeah, yeah.
Um...
Christmas store's keeping me busy.
-Good.
I know we haven't, um...
I want you to know I regret how we left things.
I was caught off guard, and I didn't handle it well.
-Um...
I probably could have handled things differently, too.
-It's not to say I don't still have questions.
-And I'm still not comfortable answering those questions.
Great. See ya.
SAM: Bye.
[intriguing music]
â™ª
-Hello.
EMILY (V.O.): It's been
a long time since I've set foot
in a high school-- a lifetime, really.
And as different as my experience was,
there's still something very familiar.
The sounds, the smells...
It's like I'm being transported back in time.
â™ª
YOUNG EMILY: Excuse me, um,
I'm looking for the residence building...?
[girls giggle]
-Hello.
â™ª
[school bell rings]
TEACHER: Everyone take your seats quietly, please.
There's a seat right up here.
-I like your computer.
The processing speed on that model is incredible.
-You know computers?
-I have a customized PC back home.
It's an older model, but I've been working on upgrading it.
I'm Grace.
-Good to know.
I'm Aaron.
TEACHER: Class is starting.
Computer away now, please.
Thank you.
EMILY (V.O.): It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times.
I don't think Charles Dickens was referring to high school
when he wrote that, but he may as well have been.
RAY: Emily! Ha-ha! EMILY: Ray!
What...?
Merry Christmas.
-Oh, are we starting that already?
We're barely into December.
-Well, it's never too early to wish someone a merry Christmas.
-I'll take your word for it. -What brings you here?
-I sponsor the chess team.
I was just droppin' off their new team jackets.
You like? Hm?
-Seems a little... niche, no?
It's not exactly Friday Night Lights.
-I'll have you know that the chess team
has a long and storied tradition.
Five times regional champs in the last decade alone.
-I stand corrected.
Do you know where the gym is?
-Mm! Down the hall, to the right.
Tell 'em Famous Ray sent ya.
-You really can't turn it off, can ya?
-[chuckles] Merry Christmas, Emily.
Ooh, hey, you're right!
Maybe it's not too early!
Hm!
[applause]
[intriguing music]
â™ª
-Odin's mate.
Well played.
-You know your stuff.
I don't think we've met.
Richard Leeland, vice-principal and interim coach.
-Emily Lane, observer.
-Are you a family member, or...?
-No, I just came to drop off this box of decorations
for the dance committee, but I got turned around.
-Well, I can take that for you.
-Oh, great. Thanks.
-This match should be wrapping up soon, anyway.
-It was over two moves ago.
Bishop to h6.
-Checkmate. -[applause]
-Good game. -Good game.
-You know, the, uh...
the team could use a seasoned hand in that corner.
This isn't really my forte.
My son Shayne convinced me
after our long-time coach left the school.
-It was... unexpected?
The coach leaving?
-I was completely blindsided. He really let these kids down.
But it does leave us in the market for a new coach.
The team plays in competition twice a week after school
and the practices are flexible.
What do you say?
-I can't, I'm sorry.
-Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.
-Yeah. -Nice to meet you.
EMILY (V.O.): I have to admit,
I'm tempted by the vice-principal's offer.
If things weren't so complicated,
I might have even taken him up on it.
-Oh--
[mysterious music]
[sighs]
EMILY (V.O.): That was close. Sam almost saw me.
Wait, why am I even hiding from him?
I have every right to be here!
Guilty reflex, I guess.
[mysterious music]
â™ª
-[dog barks] -Ooh!
Hey! Oh, where'd you come from?
Is your person in there? Huh?
-I think he's a stray.
I've seen him around the last couple of days.
Didn't have the heart to call animal services.
-Yeah, he's got no collar.
I think I know just who you need.
â™ª
JUNE: I mean, he's hungry, but otherwise healthy.
-I'll take him back to my clinic for a more thorough checkup
and a hot meal.
If we're lucky, he'll have a chip
with his owner's information on it.
-I'd keep him here,
but Mosley and Doyle weren't too thrilled
with the idea of another roommate.
Had to lock them in my bedroom just to keep the peace.
-Oh, it's okay! I've got the space.
-Plus, it'd be kinda nice to have the company.
-Yeah.
-Even if it's just for a day or two.
You're getting a late start to your decorating.
-Uh...
Yeah, I've been a little distracted.
-Anything you want to talk about?
-[phone ringing] -Oh!
-Hey, Sam. What's up?
â™ª
-Thanks for coming.
EMILY: Everything okay?
-That depends.
Wanna tell me what you were doing
at the high school this afternoon?
I saw your car in the lot
when I went to talk to the staff about Violet's teacher.
-What'd you find out?
Okay, fine.
Violet came to see me today
to ask if I had any decorations I could donate for the dance.
I went to the school to drop them off.
That's it. Your turn.
-All right.
Henley's a popular guy.
His peers seem pretty disappointed he left.
A few of them have reached out,
but no one's heard anything back.
-What about the resignation letter?
-I've asked to see it.
I'm meeting with the vice-principal tomorrow.
Look, the point is, I've got it handled.
-Fine.
-Look, I may not fully know your circumstances,
but I'm pretty sure you came here
to keep your head down and start fresh.
The more you get involved in things that don't concern you,
the more you put yourself and possibly others at risk.
â™ª On the first day of Christmas... â™ª
EMILY: Merry Christmas!
Thanks for comin' in.
-Emily, hi.
-Brooke! What can I do for ya?
-I was just in the area
and thought I would pop by to say thank you
for the Christmas decorations you donated.
-For the school dance? -Exactly.
-Well, I head up the decorating committee.
-Isn't that a... student-led committee?
-Uh... technically.
I first accepted the position when I was a student.
After I graduated, I intended to hand over the reins
to someone with the same drive and passion.
But I just never found them.
Anyway, one of those strings of lights that you brought over
isn't working, and I was just wondering
if maybe you had a replacement.
-Ah, it's probably just a faulty bulb.
You just have to figure out which one it is
and switch it out. -Perfect!
If you could come by after school and take care of that,
that would be wonderful!
-Yeah, I-- I-- I could do that.
-I knew I could count on you. [giggles]
-Actually, um... you know what?
Hang on a second.
If you spend some time at the school,
you probably know a little bit about what goes on there, right?
-Try me.
-Uh, okay, um...
I dunno, let me see.
Any good intel on the chess team?
-Well, I know the top players are in line for scholarships.
Very competitive.
And I also know that our team is in some trouble this year,
thanks to East Creek bringing in a ringer for their coach.
-Do tell.
-Mm. Mila Bancroft.
As I understand it, she was a former prodigy,
but she was blacklisted from competition
when she was still a student.
-But do you know why?
-[giggles sharply]
She hired someone to rough up her opponent
so they'd miss the match and she would win by default.
It was a big scandal at the time.
-I guess everyone's entitled to a second chance.
But with Mr. Henley gone...
-Ooh... [chuckles]
Well... that's another thing.
I was hearing whisperings about the two of them.
-Mila and Coach Henley? -Mm-hm!
There was some suggestion that they were meeting on the side
for extracurricular activities.
I'm saying that they may have--
-No, I got it, I got it, I got it.
-Okay. Well, I'll see you after school.
-Okay. -Okay. [giggles]
SAM: I don't see how this is relevant.
-Come on, Sam. Two chess team coaches
from rival schools in a torrid love affair.
One suddenly goes missing?
-What does it matter if they're in a relationship?
-For starters, Mila's history
of solving problems with violence.
Also, just ethically, it's not a good look,
which is probably why they kept it a secret.
-Is it really a secret if people are talking about it?
-Okay, so what's the next move?
-There is no next move! We just had this conversation!
-That was before I brought you a lead!
-That doesn't change anything!
Look, I want you to stay away from the school
and anyone associated with this.
-Stay away from Violet, you mean.
'Cause that's actually what this is all about.
You-- you still think I'm a danger to her.
-I don't know if you're a danger to her.
Look, if you would just let me in--
-We have talked about this, Sam. I--
-I know. I guess I thought if enough time passed,
maybe you would change your mind.
-And I thought that if enough time passed,
you'd finally start to appreciate the person I am now,
instead of fixating on the person I used to be.
But I guess we were both wrong.
[door opens and closes]
EMILY (V.O.): Don't do it.
Just keep on walking.
-You're Mila Bancroft, right?
-I am.
-I'm an admirer of yours.
-Seems you're not my only fan.
Richard Leeland just offered me a coaching job.
-But you're already coaching a team.
-And we are quickly rising in the rankings,
which is likely why Leeland was hoping to convince me
to switch sides.
But, uh... I'm happy where I am.
Though I do sympathize that those kids
lost their own coach so abruptly.
-Yeah.
Did-- did you and Coach Henley get along well?
-Well enough.
Good man.
A worthy adversary.
-Adversary, yes. It's interesting.
-Why do you say it like that?
-It's just a rumour that I heard.
-[sighs]
I am well aware of those disgusting rumours.
-Oh... -But that's all they are.
I would never risk harming my reputation further
by getting involved with a fellow coach.
Feel free to spread that around.
EMILY (V.O.): Pushing buttons and hitting nerves .
All in a day's work.
â™ª Deck the halls with boughs of holly â™ª
EMILY: Okay. Try now.
-Okay.
Still nothing.
You know, I was gonna ask you...
How would you feel about being a chaperone at the dance, huh?
-I don't think that's a good idea.
-Ah.
-You already signed me up, didn't you?
-I did. -Ah.
-Yeah... Hey!
No, you have to alternate the colours of the balloons!
Blue, white, blue.
You know what? Stop! Stop, stop, stop!
I will just do it myself!
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!
-Hey, Vy...
So, do you have a date for the dance yet?
-Not yet.
I keep dropping hints to Kyle,
but it's like he just doesn't quite understand the assignment.
-Well, have you considered asking him?
-I thought about it,
but what if he says no?
-If he says no, it's his loss.
-You're right.
Um...
I've been meaning to ask,
do you think maybe I could come back to the Mistletoe?
Just a few days a week, even, for the holidays?
-I will definitely take that into consideration.
You know, I think all these bulbs are faulty.
I might have more in my car, though.
-I tried to convince him to take a leave of absence instead,
but he said this was for the best.
-And he didn't elaborate on the reason?
-Well, just what's in the letter.
A family member required full-time care.
-Did he seem... out of sorts at all to you?
-He did seem a little anxious, which was unusual.
-You know if anyone else was in the building that night?
-It was later in the evening.
I typically work until about 8:00,
and the only other people here most nights
are the custodial staff.
-Any security cameras?
-Not inside, no.
We take student privacy seriously.
There's a camera at the main entrance and at the side exits,
but that's it.
Tim wasn't just a teacher here;
he's also a friend.
I have to ask...
should I be concerned?
-I hope not.
EMILY (V.O.): I feel awful pushing Violet away.
But Sam has made his position clear,
and he's not wrong.
As long as Chimera remains a threat,
I'll never be totally safe.
SHAYNE: Oh, you think you're better than me?
Don't teach me how to play chess, all right?
-Shayne, this is important to me, okay?
I need this scholarship. -You don't deserve it, man!
You shouldn't even still be on the team right now!
-Guys, guys, guys! Break it up, break it up!
-That's enough, that's enough!
MR. LEELAND: Hey! Stop this right now!
-He started it.
-My office. Both of you.
[tense music]
Now!
What happened?
SHAYNE: He started it.
â™ª
EMILY: Sam, wait.
You're not gonna ask me what I'm doing here?
-Nope.
-Well, I'm gonna tell you anyway.
Brooke asked me to come, so you can blame her.
How'd it go with Leeland? Is the resignation letter legit?
-I'll let the lab determine that.
-Great. Thanks for the sparkling conversation.
-Look, I am trying to stay calm, but once again,
you've Emily'd your way into my investigation.
-You wouldn't even have an investigation
if I hadn't brought this to you!
Did you honestly just use my name as a verb?
-Wilner.
EMILY (V.O.): I should probably tell Sam
what Shayne said to Kyle during their argument:
"You shouldn't still be on the team."
But I'm not sure
it's connected to Coach Henley,
and I don't think Violet would appreciate me drawing
Sam's attention to Kyle without good reason.
SAM: All right, well, let's get forensics out to Newark ASAP.
And keep the ASO's away from it. Thanks.
-Did you track down Henley? -Not yet.
-ASO, airport safety officer--
you found his car at Newark Airport!
That's an eight-hour drive from here.
If he was in a rush to help a family member,
why not fly out of somewhere closer, like... like Buffalo?
-Great question. -Wait, if you're bringing in
forensics, there must be a reason.
You found something in the car, didn't you?
What was it? Was it an ear? Was it a finger?
-His suitcase was still in the trunk.
-Oh, that's a pretty big red flag.
-I need to get back to the station.
â™ª
EMILY (V.O.): I thought throwing myself into my work
would help distract me from getting involved in Sam's case,
but my mind is gonna go where it goes.
I'm just along for the ride.
-[mug clunks] -[cat meows]
-Oh, shoot...
Shoot. Ah.
â™ª
EMILY (V.O.): The angry words between Kyle and Shayne
keep replaying in my head.
Kyle's clearly the top player,
so what did Shayne mean when he said
Kyle shouldn't be on the team?
If Kyle's scholarship opportunity was threatened,
it could lead to him doing something desperate.
Oh, I hope that's not the case.
Violet is clearly crushing on him.
I was her age once.
I know that feeling.
AARON: Get away from me, Zeke!
ZEKE: What's your problem? I just wanna see your computer.
AARON: I said no. Stop! ZEKE: Gimme that! Gimme it!
AARON: Stop! ZEKE: Gimme it, come on!
-No! -I'm not asking permission.
Gimme that.
AARON: I said get away from me, Zeke! Get away!
-ZEKE: Gimme it, gimme it! -[book thuds]
-Why am I not surprised you freaks stick together?
-[sighs]
-Greek mythology.
Cool.
Big fan of the Minotaur myself.
-I'm more of a Medusa girl.
-I, uh...
I have to go.
-Sure.
â™ª
[buttons beeping]
[lock beeps open]
TEACHER: Nice of you to join us, Aaron.
VIOLET: Emily, I wanted to let you know,
I've decided to take your advice.
-Great! About what?
-You know, asking Kyle to the dance.
-Of course, sorry, I'm, um... I'm just a little, um...
-Here. Let me help.
-Uh... okay, thank you.
Oh-- hi!
All right...
Hey, so we're Kyle and Mr. Henley close?
-Mr. Henley was a fan. -Yeah?
-Kyle was failing English earlier in the semester
and almost lost his spot on the chess team,
and that's why Mr. Henley asked me to tutor him.
-He didn't want to lose his best player, huh?
-It's more than that.
He knows Kyle's home life isn't the easiest.
-Sorry to hear that.
-His mom's a single parent and she works long hours.
I can relate to that. We talk about it a lot.
The difference is, Kyle never even knew his dad.
BOTH: Merry Christmas!
-I really miss this.
And don't even try to say you don't.
[school bell rings]
MR. LEELAND: I'm glad you reached out.
I, uh, hope this is in regards to my offer.
-Uh, I actually haven't made a decision
about the coaching position yet,
but I did have a couple questions.
-Fire away.
-I heard that if a team member
falls below a certain grade level,
then they're no longer eligible to play...?
-That's our policy. Education first.
-Right.
-To be candid, there are a few players
hovering close to that line.
Kyle Granger is one of them.
He's turned around his average this past month.
-Oh, that's-- that's good to hear.
I mean, Kyle is... he's a rare talent.
-But as I said, it's no longer an issue.
So, what do you say?
-Well, I still have a few outside factors to consider,
but I promise I will let you know soon.
EMILY (V.O.): I'm not sure if Kyle's grades
are what Shayne was referring to
in the argument, but it was nice to hear
that Violet's tutoring is paying off .
Kyle is so lucky to have her in his corner.
-Hello again. -Hey.
EMILY: I just wanted to say thank you
for helping out during the fight yesterday.
That was pretty good timing.
-Yeah, it's not the first time those two have butted heads.
Chess can get pretty tense.
I'm Hollis, by the way.
-Oh, Emily. -Hey.
-Nice to meet you.
Oh, oh!
[dog barks]
HOLLIS: Looks like our friend is back.
-That's weird. I left him in really good hands.
-Why don't I go round him up? -Great.
[line trilling]
-Emily, I'm glad you called. I have a problem.
-Uh, does it have to do with a certain four-legged friend?
-Yes.
I put him in the backyard to get some fresh air,
and he must have jumped the fence.
Wait, how did you know that?
-Well, he's here at the high school as we speak.
-Oh! Good.
Something must be familiar to him there.
Good news is he has a chip. His name is Clyde.
I've been trying to get ahold of his owner, Tim Henley.
-Tim Henley?
-That's what the chip said.
-Um, I gotta call you later, okay?
[dog barking]
HOLLIS: Hey, we're down here!
He was pawing at the door, so I let him in.
He made a beeline here, and he just stopped.
-It's Coach Henley's dog.
-What?
You're kidding. He abandoned him?
That's not like Tim.
-I think... he smells something familiar.
[dog whimpers]
HOLLIS: You mean on the floor?
-Or through it.
Dogs can pick up a scent ten miles away,
even from outside.
Something drew him here.
â™ª
Wait...
This-- this part of the floor looks new.
When was it laid?
-Oh, it was part of a renovation project.
They did the levelling and digging a few weeks ago,
but they just put the concrete a few days ago.
-[dog barks] -Why?
[eerie music]
-Sam...
I think I found Tim Henley.
â™ª It's comin' on Christmas â™ª
â™ª And you have to leave â™ª
â™ª So I got to thinkin' â™ª
-â™ª What it all means to me... â™ª
-[doorbell rings]
-Hey. -Can I come in?
-Yeah.
-Ground-penetrating radar confirmed your suspicion.
There's a body underneath the floor.
Excavation's happening now.
-It's Henley. His dog tracked him there.
Where's Clyde now?
-He's been returned to June's care for the time being.
-Thank you.
-I, uh...
I haven't told Violet yet.
She's gonna be devastated.
-Let me put on some tea for you.
-Thank you.
[cat meows]
EMILY: You know...
Violet is so strong.
She'll-- she'll be okay.
-No, I know, she's just, uh...
she's never lost anyone before.
Not like this.
-[sighs]
Oh, I was looking for that. Thank you.
EMILY (V.O.): I'm slipping. That was careless.
-Something you're working on?
-Uh, just some order codes for suppliers
I'm thinking of using for the shop.
Actually, you know, while you're here,
can you help me out with something?
I can't quite reach the top.
â™ª Funny thing about Christmas â™ª
â™ª
â™ª It can fill your heart with life â™ª
â™ª With family and laughter... â™ª
SAM: Sure.
â™ª Shining all through the night â™ª
â™ª I'm still missing you for Christmas â™ª
â™ª
â™ª Under my tree... â™ª
-What do you think?
-It's perfect.
â™ª Under my tree... â™ª
â™ª
VIOLET: This is really good.
I don't think you even need my help anymore.
-Done with me already, huh? -I didn't say that.
-[chuckles]
I just can't believe they're opening the school so soon.
They only found Coach Henley a few days ago.
-I know.
My dad says that's normal.
Once the forensics is done, they--
Sorry, you don't want to hear this.
-Oh, no, no, I don't mind.
I like listening to you.
Oh...
VIOLET: Emily.
I'll get your coffee.
SUE: I got it. You just relax.
-But I'm not on break.
-I said I got it.
[quietly] She's been through so much.
-I can't imagine how hard it must be.
-Well, as painful as it is,
it's a good lesson for them to learn.
In the end, death comes for us all.
Oh, fresh-baked cookies just out of the oven.
What do ya say?
-I'm good, thanks. -Hm.
-Oh! Emily!
I am so glad I bumped into you.
I just got word from the school board
that the Snowflake Semi-Formal is still on,
so save the date!
-The dance is still going ahead?
-Well, I had to twist some arms,
but I was able to convince the board
that you kids need this now more than ever.
It will be dedicated to the memory of Mr. Henley.
VIOLET: He really would have loved that.
He wouldn't have wanted us to be sad.
It's what we all loved about him.
â™ª
-Well, that doesn't look too friendly.
[mysterious music]
â™ª
[dramatic music]
â™ª
-Well, thanks for your help, Violet.
-Um, actually...
there's something I wanted to ask you.
-Okay, but can I go first?
I've been meaning to, um...
You know, now that the dance is back on,
I didn't know if-- maybe, only if you wanted to, we could--
-Yes! -Really?
-What took you so long?
Dad!
Um, there's someone I want you to meet.
-Kyle Granger? -That's right.
-You need to come with me.
Your mom will meet us at the station.
-Sam...?
SAM: We can discuss this later, all right?
-What's this about, Sam? -Dad, please.
SAM: You're wanted for questioning
in regard to the murder of Tim Henley.
-I didn't do anything wrong! -Dad!
-We can talk about it at the station, all right?
Let's go.
-It's okay.
â™ª