(eerie music)
(traffic droning) (eerie music continues)
(wind chimes chiming) (eerie music continues)
(footsteps thumping)
(dog barking) (tippy humming)
(tense music) (items rattling)
- (sighs) hello my lovelies.
(eerie music) (items clanking)
(wind chimes chiming) (dog barking)
(door rattling)
(tense music) (footsteps thumping)
Oh!
I thought I told you
To be a good little boy (chuckles).
What have you been up to tonight, mm?
Did you listen, did you listen, huh?
(items clanking) (tense music)
(hand thumping) who's there?
(footsteps thumping) (tense music)
You? (tense music continues)
(ceramic smashing) (tense music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (dramatic music)
(bells ringing) (happy music)
(bell ringing) (traffic droning)
(happy music continues)
- Yes, mr. Sherman.
Don't worry, it'll get delivered on time.
That's what we do, you click it, we ship it.
Yes, no, thank you, take care.
- Just remember, you can't control the us mail,
But what you can control is how much--
- I know, I know, we need a bigger space.
- It's not just that.
- What is it?
- I knew it knew it. - Knew what?
- It's the stepdaughter.
She always hated her father's new wife.
Oh, I'm sorry, I ruined the ending for you.
- Oh no, it is okay.
I am actually cutting back
On my true crime intake this holiday season.
- Really, why, are you feeling okay?
- Yes, I'm just trying to focus all my energy
Into this place.
- So where are you and frank going tonight?
- Our usual place.
Riley, we're already like this old boring married couple,
And it's only been a couple months.
- Frank is nuts about you.
I'm sure eventually he would like to be a married couple.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, we are nowhere near that.
And plus I've got a business to grow.
- You're the boss, but I'd just hate
For you to wake up 10 years from now with regrets.
- You focus on delivery times and I will focus on my future.
- Okay. (gentle music)
(traffic droning) (gentle music continues)
(bell ringing) (footsteps thumping)
- Ah, the creme brulee was delicious.
- As always, do you wanna come over?
- Yeah, I do, but I gotta be up so early for work tomorrow.
- I'll set an alarm. - No, seriously.
I really should get home, I have a lot to do before bed.
- Sure, I'll just walk into your car.
- Hey, are you mad?
- I see how important your business is to you,
But well, there doesn't seem to be much room left
For us hanging out.
- It's the holidays, it's the busiest time of year.
- Yeah, well, it's always gonna be something, isn't it?
And as both of our businesses grow,
It's only gonna be harder to find time to spend together.
- Exactly, so you understand.
- I mean, if we can't find the time now.
(gentle music)
Look, diana, you're great
But I'm just starting to think
Maybe we're in different places.
- Are you breaking up with me?
- Yeah, I guess I am,
But we can still be friends.
(traffic droning) (somber music)
- So that's it.
(footsteps thumping) (traffic droning)
- [frank] do you want me to walk you to your car?
- I'm fine. (footsteps thumping)
(traffic droning) (footsteps thumping)
(eerie music)
- Hey! (eerie music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (eerie music continues)
Hey! (diana gasping)
(tense music) (footsteps thumping)
(tense music continues) (diana gasping)
(items rattling) (footsteps thumping)
(diana gasping) (footsteps thumping)
Whoa, whoa, diana.
- Why were you chasing me?
- You dropped this. (traffic droning)
- Thanks.
Frank, look,
I just wanted to let you know that I...
(phone ringing) (gentle music)
- You should get it.
- Sorry, it just might be about--
- About the business, I know.
Take care, diana.
(somber music) (phone ringing)
(footsteps thumping) hello?
Yeah, this is she.
(suspenseful music)
Oh my god.
She just couldn't have fallen down those basement stairs.
I mean, she was obsessively careful
About holding onto the railing, remember?
She always stopped me before I went down
To the basement and reminded me.
(birds chirping) - listen, aunt tippy
Was getting older and it's really hard to wrap your mind
Around something like this.
It's just really upsetting.
- I hadn't seen aunt tippy in years.
I should have visited her more often.
- Honey, she knew you had a business to run.
She really admired you for that.
- I mean, she was getting older,
But whenever I talked to her,
She just sounded so full of life.
- Yeah, well, aunt tippy was very lively.
- You don't think you can make it back for the funeral?
- We'd never get a flight to get back there on time.
- Well, you'll be back for christmas, won't you?
- Of course, we never miss that.
- Well, I love you guys.
- We love you.
Okay sweetie, we'll talk soon. - Bye mom.
(gentle music) (phone beeping)
(gentle music continues)
- Hey, you okay?
- I just can't stop thinking about my aunt tippy.
- The one who wasn't really your aunt?
- Well, she was my grandparents' neighbor and best friend.
And we always spent the holidays together.
She and uncle eric kind of adopted me
As their daughter when I was there.
- Did something happen?
I mean, you haven't been back there recently.
- They got divorced and then my grandparents passed away,
All within a few years.
And I started the business
And life just got in the way I guess.
- But she still sent you one of those every year?
- Yeah, she did.
- Your aunt, was she old?
- Older, but she always had this youthful energy to her.
- Well, it's just that people associate falls
With the elderly.
But the truth is, cases where someone
Is pushed happen far more often than people think.
- I also feel like something's not right.
It's weird that she fell from all the way
On the top of the stairs.
- Right, you remember the infamous staircase murders?
- Yeah, we listened to the entire thing together.
How can I forget?
- It's always someone the victim knew who pushed them.
- Well, I'm sure the police are investigating.
- Hey, didn't you have an old romance there?
- Yeah, matt, wow, you have a good memory.
- Matt, that's right.
Remind me again what happened between you two?
- We just wanted different things.
I probably won't even see him. - [riley] mm.
(gentle music) (traffic droning)
(door rattling) (luggage rattling)
(gentle music continues) (diana sighing)
(door slamming) (traffic droning)
(gentle music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (wind chimes chiming)
(gentle music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(eerie music) (footsteps thumping)
(wind chimes chiming) (eerie music continues)
(birds chirping)
- Hello, little guy.
(eerie music continues) (wind chimes chiming)
(footsteps thumping) (wind chimes chiming)
(footsteps thumping) (eerie music continues)
(door squeaking) hello?
(door squeaking) (door slamming)
(gentle music) (footsteps thumping)
(gentle music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(brush scratching) (footsteps thumping)
(eerie music) (footsteps thumping)
(brush scratching) (eerie music continues)
(brush scratching)
(footsteps thumping) (stairs squeaking)
(brush scratching)
Who are you?
- Who are you? - I'm diana hart.
Tippy was my aunt. - Mm, the entrepreneur.
- I'm sorry? - You're the entrepreneur.
- Oh no, I just own a small company in san francisco.
- Well, that's what she called you.
Said you started your own business.
In her book, you were an entrepreneur.
- What are you doing here?
- Cleaning, what else?
- Cleaning the basement, isn't this a crime scene?
(brush scratching) (ominous music)
- Hello, diana, are you here?
(placid music) (brush scratching)
Oh, I'm so sorry, I had a showing that ran late
And my client was talking my ear off.
I'm brianna, oh, it's so nice to finally see you in person.
- It's nice to meet you too.
There's a woman in the basement cleaning?
- Oh, that's mrs. Hobart, your aunt's housekeeper.
Mrs. Hobart is the one who found her.
It gave her quite a shock, naturally.
I think she feels it's her duty
To keep the house looking nice.
- I've finished in the basement.
- Thank you, mrs. Hobart. (footsteps thumping)
So are you hungry, no, tired?
Why don't I show you to your room?
- [diana] mm-hmm. (footsteps thumping)
(gentle music) (birds chirping)
(statue scraping) (gentle music continues)
(diana chuckling) (statue thumping)
(gentle music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(beads rattling) - I didn't know
If you knew where the linen closet was.
- Oh, it's been a while.
I stayed with my grandparents
When I used to come to hillsdale,
But I played in this house a lot as a kid.
So many interesting nooks and crannies.
- Oh, well, make yourself at home.
I know tippy would've wanted that.
(somber music)
I can't believe it.
- I know, neither can I.
When you called me, I didn't think it was real.
(somber music continues) (footsteps thumping)
Brianna, what do you think about the way she died,
Her falling down those stairs?
- Well, she should never have gone down those steps alone,
But she was too proud to ask for help.
Ever since I knew her, she was headstrong.
We were pretty new friends.
Of course, once you get closer to older,
Anything less than 10 years is new.
But we became close quickly, like sisters.
And since I lived next door,
Well, we saw each other every day.
- So you must have seen her the day of the accident?
- No, no, I'm afraid not.
I was visiting my daughter in the city.
- But you had seen her recently?
- Of course. - What did she seem like?
Did she seem sick or confused?
- Oh, she was fine, like always.
It was just a horrible accident.
I need to focus on tomorrow.
- [diana] oh, do you need help with anything?
- No, no, please just settle in
And tomorrow's gonna be a long day
And I'm sure I'll need your help back here
At the house after the funeral.
(somber music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(phone ringing) (traffic droning)
- Hey. (traffic droning)
- [riley] so you made it in one piece.
- Why wouldn't I?
- Do you know how many women disappear
On road trips every year?
- No, and I don't want to. - How's it going?
- I've already met tippy's housekeeper and best friend.
- [riley] that's nice.
- The housekeeper is far from nice.
Today when I got to the house,
She was cleaning the basement floor,
Like really scrubbing it.
- I don't know, you gotta keep an eye on her, diana.
You know what they say?
Never underestimate the help.
- Yeah, she seemed angry about something.
I'll call you before I get back.
- Okay, well, everything's fine on this end.
No need to rush back.
- Thanks, riley, talk soon.
(vehicle droning) (placid music)
(birds chirping) (door slamming)
(footsteps thumping) (paper rustling)
How's it going? - Great.
We're just putting some things away
For the gathering tomorrow.
(mysterious music) (footsteps thumping)
Let's put that in the kitchen.
(mysterious music continues)
(bell ringing) (traffic droning)
- [attendee] I hope this fruit cake's appropriate.
- Watch your step. - [attendee] thank you.
Yeah, she was so nice.
- The service was lovely. - Oh.
- I can't get over how many people came.
- Well, your aunt was loved by a lot of people in this town.
- I recognized a bunch of them from when I was a kid.
- Oh, I'm sure. - Excuse me.
- [brianna] hi, larry. - Hi.
- Uncle larry, oh.
- It's so good to see you, diana.
- So good to see you too.
I'm so sorry about tippy. - Yes, me too.
- Whenever we talked, she always spoke so highly of you.
- We may have decided to part ways,
But we never stopped being friends.
She was a wonderful woman.
- She definitely was.
- So how long are you staying in town?
- I'm leaving tomorrow morning, unfortunately.
- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. (mysterious music)
Well, it would've been nice to catch up.
- Do you have a cell phone?
- I'm not that old, my dear. (diana laughing)
(mysterious music continues)
Well, let's exchange numbers so we can keep in touch.
- Yes, since tippy's gone, we really should do that.
I think she would've wanted that.
- Uh-huh. (mysterious music continues)
(wind chimes chiming) (birds chirping)
(attendees chattering) (footsteps thumping)
- Thank you, diana.
- I'm happy to help.
(attendees chattering) (footsteps thumping)
Is she okay?
- She was always angry at your aunt for all the clutter.
She could never get the house
As clean as she wanted it to be.
- Did they get along?
- Mrs. Hobart's husband was sick for years
And she didn't have it easy.
And tippy was, well, always kind to her.
I guess you could say that, well, they needed each other.
- Mm, where's the trash can?
- Out the back and around the corner.
(attendees chattering) (footsteps thumping)
(plastic rustling) (footsteps thumping)
- Excuse me, I just wanted to say
That you have my deepest condolences.
- Thank you. - George park.
I live across the street with my family.
- Did I see you yesterday walking by the house?
- Yeah, I'm a detective
And I'm also part of the neighborhood watch.
So I just like to keep a eye on things.
- Are you in charge of the investigation of my aunt's death?
- Ms. Hart, your aunt's death
Was an accident. - You're certain?
- Well, we have no reason to think otherwise.
- Well, did you see the crime scene?
Was there any evidence of foul play?
- From what we saw,
It looked like she slipped on the top step.
Again, I'm sorry for your loss.
She certainly will be missed. - Thanks.
- Look, it was nice meeting you.
I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances.
- Nice to meet you too.
(gentle music) (footsteps thumping)
(birds chirping) (door rattling)
(diana sighing) (door thumping)
(birds chirping) (footsteps thumping)
(diana sighing) (lid rattling)
(plastic rustling) (lid slamming)
(twig snapping) (ominous music)
(footsteps thumping) (ominous music continues)
Mm.
Oh! - Oh.
I'm sorry, that's not how I meant for this to go.
- Matt dempsey. - Diana hart.
- I was wondering when you were gonna show up.
- I'm sorry, I had to stop by the office after the funeral.
(birds chirping) how are you?
- I'm okay, everything considered.
- Yeah, I'm sorry.
- Thank you.
- So.
- So you're still in hillsdale.
- Did you think I'd be anywhere else?
- No, you're still a lawyer.
- Not something you do as a hobby.
- I didn't mean it like that.
- Actually, I'm your aunt's lawyer.
- Really? - Yeah, tippy, she
Had the same estate lawyer as your grandparents.
He retired a few years ago, so she hired me to take over.
How long are you staying for?
- I'm going back to san francisco in the morning.
- (laughs) yeah, yeah,
I don't think so. - Excuse me?
- Diana, you're the beneficiary.
- Of what? - Of everything,
Tippy's whole estate.
- What?
- You really didn't know?
It was in her will, she left you everything.
Her house, her money, all her possessions.
- Sorry, this is just a lot to take in.
- Look, I gotta get back to the office.
Just take a moment, let it sink in.
You've got my number, so gimme a call.
(door rattling) (plastic rustling)
- Isn't he as handsome as ever?
Tippy told me everything about the two of you.
Showed me all the old pictures.
You two were so adorable.
- Well, that was in the past.
- Ah, well, some things change and some don't.
- Brianna, I think I'm gonna be here a little longer
Than I thought.
- Oh, to take care of the estate, I assume.
- You knew about that?
- Of course, I was tippy's best friend.
- I wasn't aware of it until just now.
- Well, I'm not surprised, that's how tippy was.
- I can't believe it, you own a house.
(bell ringing) - not for very long.
I'm gonna sell it, obviously.
- Yeah, but it's yours, right?
You'll get all the profits?
- I just feel kinda guilty about the whole thing.
- Why?
- Because,
Tippy left me all of this
And I wasn't even thoughtful enough
To come visit her over the last few years.
- Yeah, but you were busy building a company.
She understood, that's why she left you everything.
- I guess. - So, do you
Have any suspects yet?
- Well, I did find a button
On the floor in tippy's living room.
And guess who's missing that exact same button?
- The butler. - [diana] very funny.
- Okay, well whose was it?
- Her ex-husband's. - (gasps) wow.
A crime of passion. (bell ringing)
Did she break his heart?
- Hardly, I dunno, maybe they argued.
- Oh, and then in the tussle,
His button came off and then he threw her down the steps.
- I can't find any reason for him to hurt her though.
Everyone said they were on good terms.
- Now that's what they said in the prairie murders too.
Everyone thought it was amicable,
But he had like this simmering hatred for her,
Poisoned her one night.
- Tippy's neighbor who's a detective
With the local police department
Is certain that it was an accident.
But I spotted him watching the house the other day.
- Huh, interesting.
- So do you think it could be the detective?
- All I'm saying is most murders
Are committed by people the victim knew.
We're looking for someone who had motive and access.
- Mm, well, obviously I'm gonna be here a little longer
Than I thought.
- [riley] take all the time you need.
- Thanks, riley, I should probably go back inside.
- [riley] bye. - Bye.
(gentle music) (vehicle droning)
(footsteps thumping) (gentle music continues)
I like your place.
- Well, it's not the old homestead, but it suits me.
Besides the house just felt like tippy.
- Mm, I know what you mean.
- I have a confession.
I really didn't expect you to call,
But I am delighted to see you.
- Well, I might be here a little longer than I thought.
Thought it'd be nice for us to catch up.
- Mm, so tell me everything.
- Oh no, you first.
What have you been up to?
- Well, I'm semi-retired.
I'm not employed by the university,
But I do guest lecturing on occasion.
I've taken up painting, I always wanted to.
- Mm, is this some of your work?
- (laughs) no, trust me.
My paintings aren't something you'd want on your wall.
Not even your bathroom wall.
- (laughs) and you and aunt tippy,
There was no talk of reconciliation?
- No, why? - Well, all the history
You guys had together.
You never saw each other.
- Not since the divorce, no.
- Huh? (gentle music)
- Is there something you want to ask me, diana?
- There's actually something I want you to explain to me.
(gentle music continues) (bag rattling)
- My button, I was looking for this, where'd you find it?
- I found it at aunt tippy's house.
I thought you said you hadn't seen her.
- After I heard what happened, I rushed over.
I couldn't believe that it could be true.
The police were there, some of the neighbors.
- So detective park and brianna.
- He was there, I think she was outta town.
Look, diana, I had no reason to hurt tippy.
I loved her, we just weren't in love anymore.
- Tippy was always warning us how steep those stairs were,
Making sure we held onto that banister.
- You're searching for answers where there aren't any.
Sometimes life just isn't fair.
(gentle music continues) (birds chirping)
(footsteps thumping) (vehicle droning)
- [diana] mm. (birds chirping)
(diana sipping) mm, mm.
(birds chirping) (vehicle droning)
(footsteps thumping) (eerie music)
(twig snapping) (footsteps thumping)
(eerie music continues) (chair creaking)
(diana sighing) (eerie music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (eerie music continues)
(diana gasping) - oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't want to disturb you,
But I just came by to drop off the key
For tippy's safety deposit box.
- Sorry, I've just been a little jumpy lately.
Do you know what tippy had in the box?
- No idea, but you may wanna stop by the bank tomorrow
Just in case there's something in there
That we need to deal with.
- Okay, will do.
(vehicle droning) (birds chirping)
It was nice to see you earlier.
I was just really overwhelmed about everything.
- It's okay, I understand.
- Can I offer you a drink?
- [matt] is it hot chocolate?
- With a nip of rum. - Oh, I remember
When we got into your grandparents' liquor cabinet
And drank out peach schnapps.
- How could I forget?
- Nobody told us that it was meant
To be mixed with something else.
- Mm, and I got so sick, I had to tell my parents it's
Because I was eating too many christmas cookies.
- Yes (laughs), oh.
- So for all time's sake?
- I'd love to, but I gotta head back to work.
- Yeah. (gentle music)
- Look, how about I come by tomorrow
And, you know, help you with anything?
- Yeah, that'd be great, thanks.
(gentle music continues) (birds chirping)
(vehicle droning)
(traffic droning)
Hey, I just left the bank.
- So what was inside?
Wait, wait, wait, don't tell me.
Gold coins and unmarked bills?
- [diana] no. - Tippy's written confession
Of her bonnie and clyde crime spree from her youth?
- With your crime fixation,
I'm not sure I want you handling the books.
- Well, you'll be happy
When you see the numbers from this weekend.
- [diana] good. - So?
- So what? - [riley] what was inside?
- Oh, just some personal documents.
And then I found this little notebook
With a bunch of numbers in it.
- Numbers like bonds or certificates of deposit?
- I'm not sure.
- [riley] send me a picture. - Okay, one sec.
Oh, and I found this other picture.
Let me send it to you too.
(gentle music)
(camera snapping) (vehicle droning)
(camera snapping) (phone dinging)
- Aw, you guys look so happy.
- I know, take a look at that christmas village.
I'd forgotten all about it until I saw this photo.
- Wow, that village is insane.
- Yeah, my grandparents and aunt tippy started it
And when they passed, she continued adding to it.
- [riley] is the village still there?
- Yeah, probably just boxed up somewhere.
Riley, hold on.
(suspenseful music) (vehicle droning)
♪ from the top of every mountain ♪
Detective park. - Ms. Hart, how are you doing?
- I'm okay, I'm glad I caught you.
I was just wondering if you heard anything else.
- About? - About my aunt's death?
Maybe something that points away from an accident?
- Like I said before,
There's no evidence it was anything else.
- Well, how can you be so sure?
- No forced entry, nothing obvious was taken.
- I know my aunt did not fall down those stairs.
I think someone pushed her. - Look, ms. Hart--
- If there was no forced entry,
Maybe it was someone she knew
And maybe they didn't take anything obvious.
I mean, it happens all the time.
- It does. - Yeah.
Haven't you heard about the infamous staircase murder?
- Look, we have a term at the police academy,
It's called fishing for worms.
It's what young recruits do when they first get out
Because they wanna catch a criminal so badly.
- Well, maybe it's better to be eager than to be complacent.
- You do this job long enough,
You discover that life is much more mundane
Than what people think it is. (traffic droning)
- I don't find this mundane at all.
- And I know how hard it is to lose a loved one.
But like I said, with elderly folks, this happens.
Have a good day, ms. Hart.
(suspenseful music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(door rattling) (door slamming)
- [riley] okay, is he gone?
- Riley, I forgot you were still on the phone.
- Oh, I heard all of it, talk about suspicious.
He's on the neighborhood watch
But he won't investigate her death as more than an accident?
Reminds me of the buffalo creek incident.
- Hmm, I don't remember that one.
- Small town murders, everyone was a suspect.
Turns out it's the local sheriff.
- Well, like you said, access and motive.
(phone dinging) shoot, I'm running late.
- Wait, wait, while you two were chatting,
I went ahead and I googled those numbers.
- And? - And nothing,
They're not phone numbers.
They're too long to be alarms or lock codes.
They're not coordinates.
- Hmm, thanks for checking in on that.
I'll ask matt if he knows about it.
- Matt, so you have seen him?
- Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that.
He's actually my aunt's estate lawyer.
- Mm, how convenient.
Bet he's gonna have to have you sign a lot of paperwork
Before you're able to return.
- No, it's nothing like that.
Hey, shouldn't you be shipping out deliveries?
It is the holidays, riley.
- Yep, I'm on it, boss. (gentle music)
(birds chirping)
- [diana] I thought you said this was gonna be simple.
- I said straightforward.
There's nothing simple about dealing with probate law.
- Here I thought I could just sign on the dotted line
And head back to san francisco.
- How is the city?
- It's fine, it's where my company is, so.
- And business, it's good?
- It's very good.
We're actually looking into getting a bigger space.
- Oh, yeah, so you made the right decision.
(dog barking) - yeah, I guess.
I mean, it's hard to know, but...
- Your grandparents, they'd be so proud of you.
- Thanks. (gentle music)
Oh, there's something I wanted to show you.
(gentle music continues) (footsteps thumping)
Do you have any idea what this could be?
I found this in aunt tippy's safe deposit box.
- Not off the top of my head, no.
- I thought they maybe could be bond numbers.
- I mean, it's possible.
The only thing is there's no bonds listed in her estate.
I mean, there's property, cash, stocks, but no bonds.
Is there anything else of interest in the box?
- Just birth certificate and passport.
- Okay, I could ask her previous lawyer.
Like I said, he's retired, but he's still in town.
- Do you mind if I speak to him?
There's just a couple more things I wanna ask him.
- Yeah, of course, I can give you his number.
- Okay, oh, and there was one more thing.
I found this in the box. - Oh, I remember this.
- Yeah, you and your family came over that day.
(gentle music continues) (door rattling)
(footsteps thumping) (birds chirping)
Oh, mrs. Hobart, what are you doing here?
- I left something, I came to get it.
- Well, do you need help finding it?
- No. (footsteps thumping)
- That was a little strange.
- She worked with tippy for a long time.
Maybe she's finding it hard to let go.
- There was definitely something weird about that.
- Well, what do you mean?
- My aunt, she did not fall down those stairs.
She was so vigilant on holding onto the handrails
Because the stairs were so rickety.
- Are you saying she was murdered?
- I think so.
- The police ruled it as an accident.
- Oh, mrs. Hobart.
(door rattling) (ominous music)
Bye. (door squeaking)
I think she took something.
(ominous music continues)
(vehicle droning)
I so appreciate you seeing me
On such short notice, mr. Newhouse.
- Not at all.
I feel awful that I missed her funeral,
But I was outta town on a case.
Although I am retired, I stayed busy consulting.
Besides, I love a good mystery.
- Mystery? - This, on the top of my head,
I don't know what these numbers correspond to.
- Okay, you see, I thought those could be bond numbers
But matt said that there were no bonds listed in her assets.
- No, none that I remember, and investments
Would not have been your aunt's thing anyway.
- No? - Nah, she was more
Into the giving than the earning.
She gave plenty to charities, most of 'em local.
- Yeah, she was always so generous.
- Sometimes to a fault.
Thank you, arlene. - [arlene] mm-hmm.
- Of course, we all have our indulgences.
You remember those gnomes?
She spent a pretty penny on those gnomes.
Boy, she gave me one every single christmas,
Which means I have 31 of them (chuckles).
(footsteps thumping) (book thumping)
Ah, I really am gonna miss her.
- Is there anything else I should be made aware of,
Anything about the estate?
- Nah, you're in good hands of matt dempsey.
He's young, but is eminently qualified.
He could have had his pick of all the big city firms,
But he chose to stay here, he said the town needed it.
- Yeah, I know.
But mr. Newhouse, if I'm being completely honest,
I was a little more than surprised
When I heard that I was aunt tippy's sole heir,
And it made me wonder if there's anyone else out there
Who thinks that they might deserve some of it.
- I drafted the will myself.
You don't have to worry about anybody contesting it.
- Mm, what about her ex-husband?
I mean, I know they were friendly, but--
- Good old larry, he's old fashioned that way.
He wouldn't think of taking a dime
From his ex-wife's estate.
Also, he has his own money.
He lives modestly, but don't let that fool you.
- Well, what about mrs. Hobart?
Do you think she could have been angry
That none of it was left to her?
- Tippy already helped her quite a bit,
And as kind as your aunt was, she and mrs. Hobart,
They still had a working relationship.
- Brianna? - Ah, brianna
Was a saint to her.
They really took care of each other.
But at the end of it all, brianna isn't family.
- Yeah, well, technically I'm not family either.
(gentle music)
- But you are the family that tippy chose.
(gentle music continues)
(birds chirping)
(door slamming) (footsteps thumping)
(vehicle droning) (door rattling)
- Brianna. (door squeaking)
- I saw that you were at home
And I wanted to bring you these.
- Oh, brianna, I should be giving these to you.
I can't imagine how you must be feeling.
- Well, it's been hard, to be honest.
It's tough to process that I'll never see her again
Or receive one of her gnomes (laughs).
- Well, I have plenty here.
You can take as many as you want.
There's a favor I wanted to ask you,
Only if it's not too painful.
Do you think you could sell this house for me?
I think that's what aunt tippy would have wanted.
- Oh. (bright music)
(bright music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (bright music continues)
(bell ringing)
(door rattling) - [matt] ah, it snowed.
- Just in time for christmas, come on in.
- Okay. (footsteps thumping)
Oh, I brought bagels.
- Thank you, sorry, we're just
In the middle of cleaning everything.
- So brianna was here?
- Yes, she is downstairs in the basement.
We're trying to go room by room, divide and conquer.
- Why don't you get mrs. Hobart to do that?
- Ugh, are you serious?
I'd much rather her not be here.
You saw her the other day.
She was angry about something.
- I think that's just the way she is.
- I know she took something.
- So you're still convinced tippy was murdered?
- I just want someone to investigate a little more.
- Okay. - Anyway.
Did you come all this way just to deliver bagels?
- Yes, but if you wanna divide and conquer, put me to work.
- [diana] hmm. - Okay.
(bright music) (vacuum droning)
- Oh, good job, guys, place is looking really great.
I have to go to an open house, but I'll be back right after.
- Thanks, brianna. - Ah, why don't you two
Take a break? (footsteps thumping)
- That sounds like a good idea.
- Hmm, we should have eaten these when they were fresh.
- Mm-hmm, I am too hungry to care.
Don't you need to get back to the office?
- I should, but that's the nice thing
About being your own boss, you have the freedom.
- And a lot more of the responsibility.
- I'm sure your business is doing just find right now.
(bell ringing) (gentle music)
You know who that is?
- That's probably the truck
From the children's home, come on.
- Okey dokey. (gentle music continues)
(door rattling) (items rattling)
- (grunt) these items are fantastic, ms. Hart.
They're a huge help, especially around christmas.
- Really, it's my pleasure.
I know my aunt was so involved with your organization.
- Are you selling the place?
- Yeah, eventually. (box rustling)
- Oh, well, we can't accept these.
- You can't accept christmas decorations?
- We can, but these aren't decorations,
They're antiques. - Antiques?
- Yeah, and some of these ornaments,
Especially the angel, collectors would love those.
- Oh, well, if I'm not a collector,
What do you suppose I do with them?
- Take them to the collector's collective.
They'll give you a good deal, ask for jerry.
- Collector's collective, we will.
I'm gonna take these inside. - Okay.
- Hi, looks like you and matt have been really productive.
- Yeah, we're getting there.
Hey, this man just asked if the house was on the market.
- You know, before I put up the for sale sign,
We need to hang more garland and lots of lights here.
- Brianna, the house is already decorated.
We're supposed to be getting rid of stuff,
Not putting more things up.
- It's christmas and people love buying during this season.
And nothing says home like lots of holiday decorations.
(gentle music) (tree rustling)
(footsteps thumping) (gentle music continues)
- The room really needs that christmas village.
(footsteps thumping) (gentle music)
(box rustling)
(box thumping) (items clattering)
(gentle music continues)
- Hey, oh, I'm sorry. (diana gasping)
I keep scaring you. - It's okay.
I'm looking for that christmas village,
The one in the photo, I can't seem to find it.
- Oh yeah, the one with the figurines?
Yeah, I didn't see it anywhere
When we were going through everything.
- I wonder where it is.
- Maybe your aunt got rid of it?
- There's no way, she loved it.
- Maybe we donated it accidentally.
- I would've noticed that.
- I'm sure we'll find it somewhere.
Hey, you should take a look outside, looks great.
- Oh, maybe you should switch careers
And become a christmas decorator.
- Don't tempt me, hey, you go up.
I'm gonna look for some more lights.
There is a couple more places I'd like to hit.
- Okay. (gentle music)
(box rattling) (ominous music)
(birds chirping) (door squeaking)
(door thumping) - wow, looks great.
- It's gonna look even better when it's dark
With all the lights.
(birds chirping)
(diana sighing)
(diana sipping)
- You know, I can't imagine my aunt tippy
Leaving me everything except
For her most sentimental item, her christmas village.
- What if she donated it somewhere?
Everyone said how generous she was.
- Or maybe someone stole it.
- Ooh, the infamous christmas bandit.
- Haha. (birds chirping)
- Well, is there anything else missing?
- I don't think so, but mrs. Hobart took something.
Did you see her purse?
- So you think she stole
Your aunt's sentimental christmas figurines?
(birds chirping) (gentle music)
You have a vivid imagination, diana hart.
(gentle music continues) (birds chirping)
(door rattling) (tray scraping)
(door squeaking)
- Mm, it smells delicious in here.
- Trade secret. - Does it really work?
- Of course, when people walk inside,
The smell just makes them feel right at home.
Now get going, the prospective buyers
Will be here any minute.
- Oh, brianna, have you seen this christmas village?
- I've seen it before, of course,
But I haven't seen it since last year.
- I can't find it.
- Well, maybe you donated it by accident.
- That's what matt said, but I would've remembered that.
Has there been any burglaries in the area?
- With detective park around?
I mean, burglars aren't the brightest bunch,
But they'd be pretty dumb to break in when he's around.
(gentle music)
Maybe if I'd been around. - Oh, no.
You can't blame yourself. - Thank you.
Now get going, you can't be here when the buyers come.
(gentle music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(bell ringing) (upbeat music)
♪ baby, stand up
- Can I help you? - [diana] are you jerry?
♪ yes, she is
♪ yeah, she's traveling a dream ♪
♪ in anywhere style
♪ she's getting ready for the santa ♪
- Are you from the irs?
♪ she only wants one - no.
- Well, then yes, I am jerry.
- Greg from the children's house sent me.
- (sighs) did he say anything about our trip to vegas?
- No, he wouldn't take these because they're antiques.
My aunt, she recently passed away
And I inherited all this stuff.
- Honest man, that greg.
I never could get him to go to vegas.
(upbeat music continues) (jerry chuckling)
Very nice. (mysterious music)
Give you 100 bucks for the whole box.
- Okay, yeah, if you think that's fair.
- Let me give you some advice, young lady.
You should do some research before you sell something.
Each one of these figures
Is worth well over a hundred dollars.
- Are you serious? - You bet.
- And you'd buy them? - Let's see what we have.
(mysterious music continues) (paper rustling)
(mysterious music continues)
- Is that a christmas village?
(mysterious music continues)
Are these valuable?
- Look at the prices.
(mysterious music continues)
- $500 for this little church?
- Some of them, if they have the original certificates,
Are worth thousands of dollars.
- You're kidding me.
- Oh, I never kid about money,
Well, except when I'm playing poker.
(mysterious music continues)
- Oh my god. - What is it?
- These numbers, do you know what they are?
- Oh, they're serial numbers.
That way each piece can be identified.
(mysterious music continues)
- Could these be serial numbers?
- It could be, I'd have to do some research.
(mysterious music continues)
- Would you mind?
- (laughs) well, as long as I get dibs
On whatever deal you try to make.
(mysterious music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (vehicle droning)
(statue grating) (hand patting)
(footsteps thumping) (door rattling)
(door squeaking)
(footsteps thumping)
(items rattling) (ominous music)
- Brianna? (ominous music continues)
(items rattling) (footsteps thumping)
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(gasps) I knew it.
Back to the scene of the crime?
- Excuse me? - Trying to get rid
Of all the traces of what you did?
- What I did and I'm doing
Is fixing up your aunt's basement.
- Mm, right. - It looks like a hurricane
Hit down here after you moved everything around.
She'd want the place cleaned up and organized.
- I'm sorry, but I don't believe you.
(ominous music continues) (phone ringing)
- [operator] 911, what's your emergency?
- [mrs. Hobart] I told you I was cleaning.
- Cleaning up the scene of the crime?
And I saw you steal something from the house the other day.
- Can you explain
Why you let yourself in without permission?
I mean, you do know that it's now ms. Hart's house.
- It's ms. Tippy's home as far as I'm concerned.
That girl never came to visit her aunt.
I was there almost every day.
- Are you sure you didn't wanna make it your home?
- Ms. Hobart, I need you to give diana your keys.
If you do, I'm sure she'll drop any charges.
- Charges for what?
- Breaking and entering.
Your keys, please. (phone ringing)
(keys rattling)
(mrs. Hobart sobbing)
- Oh, oh. (somber music)
(ms. Hobart sobbing) - mrs. Hobart, I'm so sorry.
I didn't mean to upset you like this.
- (sobs) your aunt was my only friend.
She was the only one that was there for me
When philip got sick and when he died.
(sobs) she was like family to me.
She made me laugh.
- Laugh? - Well, those damned gnomes
And the way she spoke to them.
I only went by to take one to remember her by.
(gentle music) (door squeaking)
I'll never forget what she looked like in that basement.
At that moment, I knew, I knew someone had pushed her.
Brianna said I was being dramatic.
The police just dismissed it.
She was always so careful holding onto that railing.
I can't believe she fell on her own, I don't believe it.
(gentle music continues) (phone ringing)
- Well, thank you, mrs. Hobart, you're free to go.
(gentle music continues) (officers chattering)
- Wow. - I gotta tell you,
I was not expecting that. - Well, now do you believe me?
Even mrs. Hobart thinks her death is suspicious.
- I'm sorry, but I need more
Than a sentimental housekeeper who's grieving.
- But she's confirmed everything that I've been saying,
Tippy was always careful on those stairs.
- But it doesn't mean that it wasn't an accident.
I need evidence, diana, real tangible evidence.
- I know she was pushed. - (sighs) okay.
Well, you can always call me
If the gnomes start acting up, mm?
- I bet they'd agree with me and mrs. Hobart.
- Well, they're more than welcome to file a complaint.
(suspenseful music) (phone ringing)
Merry christmas. (bright music)
- I've already accused two people
And the town detective thinks I'm crazy.
- Well, don't worry.
In the end, the detective always comes around.
(gentle music) so what's next?
- Well, I'm gonna get brianna a thank you gift.
There's already four offers on the house.
She said there might be a bidding war.
- That's fantastic, wait,
So you already checked out her alibi?
- Yeah, yeah, she said she was out of town
With her daughter, and larry knew she was gone
When they found tippy, so.
I don't know what we're missing.
(phone beeping) oh, I gotta go.
That's the antique guy. - All right.
Call me when you wanna drop your next episode.
- Yeah, with my audience of one.
(footsteps thumping) (bell ringing)
- You are in luck. (bell ringing)
The serial numbers you gave me,
They all belong to the same collection.
There's hundreds of pieces from snow covered houses
To individual ice skaters.
- I think she only had a few dozen.
- But the numbers you gave me are for the dickens village.
- As in charles dickens?
- Yeah, of "a christmas carol."
- That's a good thing.
- Yeah, it's a very good thing
If you're planning on selling them.
Each one of these pieces is worth well over $1,000.
But there's more.
I mean, just for the heck of it,
I decided to enter serial numbers into our store's database.
As it turns out, I actually purchased a handful
Of these over the years.
- Do you remember who you bought them from?
- I'm not sure.
- How can you not be sure?
Aren't you supposed to verify everything?
- To be honest, we're in the middle of updating our system.
We're a little behind in old paperwork.
- Is there any way you can find out?
It's very important.
- Yeah, I probably can, just take a little time.
- Okay, thank you, jerry, talk soon, okay?
(mysterious music) (bell ringing)
(dog barking) (mysterious music continues)
(floorboard creaking) (ominous music)
(floorboard creaking) (ominous music continues)
(footsteps thumping)
(floorboard creaking) (ominous music continues)
(footsteps thumping)
(floorboard creaking) (ominous music continues)
(footsteps thumping)
(floorboard creaking) (footsteps thumping)
(keys rattling) (floorboard creaking)
(footsteps thumping) (floorboard creaking)
(ominous music continues) (floorboard creaking)
(suspenseful music) (footsteps thumping)
- (screams) oh my god, ah!
- Oh my god, matt!
Ah, here, here, here,
I am so, so sorry.
- Oh wow, mm.
- [diana] what in the world were you thinking?
- I wanted to surprise you with dinner.
I got here and the house was dark.
I assumed you were sleeping and I didn't wanna wake you.
I still had a set of keys,
So I let myself in and put the food in the fridge.
- You looked like a burglar, matt.
- I just came from the gym.
Oh, the chinese food is probably getting cold right now.
- Oh, wait, no, no, no, don't move.
I like my chinese cold, it's okay.
- Why is it always bad timing with us?
(gentle music)
- This whole thing just has me on edge.
I feel like I'm missing something.
- Well, I could help you if I could see.
- Don't smile, can you try to keep your eyes open?
- I mean, it hurts.
- Where does it hurt? - Everywhere.
(gentle music continues) (diana kissing)
Here. (gentle music continues)
(diana kissing) (gentle music continues)
Here. (gentle music continues)
(diana kissing) (gentle music continues)
(birds chirping) (gentle music continues)
(gentle music) (footsteps thumping)
(phone dinging) (diana gasping)
- Your aunt started selling her pieces a few years ago,
Four years ago to be precise.
- Why would she sell it?
It's not like she needed the money.
Did she ever tell you why she was selling?
- [jerry] never met her myself.
- What? - Nope, usually she'd send
A photo, I'd give her a quote,
Then she'd have the messenger deliver the piece.
If it was a good condition, I would wire her the money.
- Is that normal?
- Oh, in this business, what is normal?
The arrangement seemed to work for both of us.
- Do you remember what the messenger looked like?
- I don't know,
She was just a kid. - A kid?
- Well, she looked young to me.
I had to call her once,
But I'm sure I don't have the number lying around anymore.
- It's too bad.
- What about the account number you used to wire the money?
Do you still have that? - Sure.
- Well, can you give that to us?
- Yeah, I'll just have to go to computer out front
And I'll send it to you.
- That would be great.
- Thank you, jerry.
- (sighs) we're getting close.
(vehicle droning)
Thanks for coming with me.
- It was my pleasure.
- Now I'm positive something happened the night she died.
- Someone stealing your aunt's figurines
Is still a big step away from murder.
- Who else would know about that bank account?
Maybe tippy's accountant.
- She didn't have one.
Lloyd handled all her financial affairs.
- Lloyd. - Look, I can see
Why you want an explanation.
It is hard to lose someone, especially so suddenly.
- It is, it's not just about that.
There's something so suspicious about it.
- Have I told you how nice it is to have you around again,
Even under these circumstances?
- Yes, but you can tell me again.
- We'll get to the bottom of this, okay?
Now I'd love to stick around, but I do have work to do.
- Of course. (door rattling)
(birds chirping) (ominous music)
(door slamming) (ominous music continues)
(door rattling) my lady, dinner tonight?
- Yeah. - [matt] okay then.
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
- I can't believe I missed this.
- It's my fault, diana.
It's always who you least suspect, but old flame?
It's so cliche.
Even in "love lies bleeding,"
It was actually the ex-boyfriend's new lover.
- I should have said something to him
Or grabbed the box before he drove away.
I was just in shock. - No, you did the right thing.
I mean, you don't know how he would've reacted.
Think about what he did to tippy.
- What if I hadn't sprayed him the other night?
- It's not worth thinking about.
- Riley, I feel like, I feel like such a fool.
- No, you're vulnerable and falling back in love.
What are you gonna do now?
- Well, there's only one thing I can do.
- [george] thank you for coming down, mr. Dempsey.
- Of course, I'm happy to help any way I can.
- I hear that you've been helping ms. Hart.
- Trying to, yeah.
- So you are aware of the value of these collectibles
That were allegedly stolen?
- Of course, I was with diana when she got them appraised.
- Mm, and you were at the simms residence two days ago?
- Yeah, been there every day since tippy passed.
- May I ask why? - To help diana.
- Of course, and while you were there,
Did you take anything from the house?
- What do you mean?
- [george] I mean, did you remove anything?
- I helped diana load some boxes into a truck,
But they went right to the donation center.
- Anything else? - Why am I starting to feel
Like I should have my lawyer here?
(tense music) (officers chatting)
No, nothing, why, what's going on?
- You know, I wondered if you wouldn't mind
If I just check the backseat of your car.
- Why? - I'll ask again.
Did you take anything from tippy simms' house
And can you prove your whereabouts
On the night that tippy died?
- Are you accusing me of murder?
- Should I? (tense music continues)
- Can I go to my car?
- You're not being charged with anything.
You can leave whenever you want.
- Don't worry, I'll be right back.
(tense music continues) (officers chattering)
(box thumping)
This is me and diana from when we were kids.
Tippy showed me these photos recently.
She kept them all in this box.
I was gonna get the best one framed for diana
As a christmas present.
(tense music continues)
(gentle music) (footsteps thumping)
- Matt, matt, let me explain.
- There's not much to explain, diana.
You thought I was a murderer.
Or at best, at best, a thief.
- I'm sorry, it's just when I saw tippy's box
In your backseat, I couldn't help but wonder.
- Well, you didn't think to call and ask me?
- It's been so many years.
I didn't know if I could trust you.
- And here I was feeling
Like we really understood each other.
Even after you left me five years ago,
I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.
- I did not run out on you.
I just wanted to start my life.
- That didn't include me in it.
- Which was your choice!
Matt. - You know,
I thought that maybe, maybe we'd...
You know what? It doesn't even matter.
You're going back to san francisco.
(somber music) (footsteps thumping)
(birds chirping) (somber music continues)
(phone ringing)
(phone clicking) (phone ringing)
- Hi, mom. - [mom] diana.
The signal's really bad on the ship.
Can you hear me, sweetie? - Yep, I can hear you.
- Are you still in bed? - [diana] mm-hmm.
- [mom] what time is it, is everything okay, honey?
- I've been better. - Okay, all right.
Tell me everything.
(somber music)
- It's too much to explain on the phone,
But don't worry, I'm fine.
- Well, I don't wanna throw gasoline on the fire,
But I have some bad news.
- Is it dad? - No, dad's fine, we're fine.
I'm afraid we're not gonna make it home
For christmas after all. - What?
- I know, I'm so sorry.
There's a storm and we're late coming to port
And we're gonna have to change our flights.
And the first flights land after christmas.
- But we've never not spent christmas together, mom.
- And I promise I'll make it up to you, I feel terrible.
- It's okay, it's not your fault.
There's nothing you can do. - Thanks you, sweetie.
How's everything with the? - Mom, mom?
(somber music continues) (phone beeping)
(somber music continues) (footsteps thumping)
- I'm so sorry to see you go.
(somber music continues) (footsteps thumping)
Well, this too shall pass.
- I always found that phrase trite,
But now I'm kinda hoping it's true.
- Well, it's well worn for a reason.
- Thank you so much, brianna, for everything.
I couldn't have done all this without you.
- Well, you know, you can stay
And celebrate christmas with me and my daughter.
- That's so sweet, but my best friend invited me
To join her family.
- Oh, well, family is wherever you make it.
- That's true. - I mean,
I haven't seen my daughter in ages.
She's always working so hard, she reminds me of you.
- Your daughter? - What, dear?
- You haven't seen her for a while.
When I asked you where you were the night of tippy's death,
You told me you were with her.
- Oh, she was on a business trip
And I was staying with the kids, barely saw her.
Well, don't be a stranger, mm.
And you always know where to find me, I'm right next door.
All right, safe travels.
(phone dinging) (door rattling)
(phone snapping) (door thumping)
(ominous music) (phone clicking)
(phone ringing) - detective park.
- Hey, I got the account information
For the person that's selling the christmas figurines.
I just texted it to you.
(phone ringing)
- Right, good work, diana, I'll take it from here.
- Okay. - I know that you listen
To a lot of true crime podcasts, but that doesn't mean
That you know how to do detective work.
- I know, detective park.
- [george] I'll be in touch when I know more.
(gentle music) - sure.
(gentle music continues) (phone clicking)
(vehicle droning) (gentle music continues)
(phone ringing) (gentle music continues)
(ominous music)
- Sorry to keep you waiting. - No problem.
- (sighs) what can I do for you?
(ominous music continues) (paper rustling)
- [diana] does this account number look familiar to you?
- I wouldn't know, but if this account is somehow relevant,
Dollars to donuts, it's in this envelope.
Everything you asked for that I had for you is in here.
- And the rest of it?
- When I retired, I asked my clients
If they wanted their files.
Some did, but others just had me shred them for them.
- But you kept tippy's?
- Only the most important documents,
Things she'd need in the event of an audit.
- So you don't remember her opening up any bank accounts
For her business? - Her business?
- For the sale of her christmas figurines?
- Hmm, I never opened one for her
But it's possible she did it herself.
If she was selling these figurines for profits,
She would've declared the income.
Your aunt was very honest in that regard.
This has become quite a mystery, hasn't it?
(phone dinging) (ominous music)
- Will you excuse me?
I just have to make a call. - Oh, sure.
(ominous music continues) (file scraping)
(gentle music) (patrons chattering)
(gentle music continues) (patrons chattering)
(footsteps thumping) (gentle music continues)
- Hi, I'm diana.
- Where's the item you want me to deliver?
- I actually don't need you to transport anything.
You see, someone's been selling my aunt's christmas village.
And if you are the one that brings them
To jerry, I was just-- - oh, gosh.
- Oh, no, wait, I'm not trying to harm you in any way.
I'm just trying to figure out who's stealing from my aunt.
(gentle music) (patrons chattering)
- I didn't know I was doing anything legal.
- You're not in any trouble.
I just wanna know who hired you.
(gentle music) (patrons chattering)
Please. (footsteps thumping)
(gentle music continues) (patrons chattering)
- It's an old woman.
- How old?
- I don't know. - What does she look like?
- She always had her hair covered and wore sunglasses.
She meets me at a corner in her car
And hands me the package.
- Did you notice anything else about her?
- Oh yeah, this time. - This time, recently?
- Yeah, yeah, so she just gave this to me.
She wanted me to get a price for it.
(gentle music continues) (patrons chattering)
- What did you notice this time?
- Oh, yeah, so she had a burn on her arm
When she handed me the package.
- A burn? - Yeah, like my mom gets
When she cooks.
(gentle music continues) (patrons chattering)
(birds chirping) (footsteps thumping)
(gentle music) (diana sighing)
(diana knocking) (gentle music continues)
(ominous music) (door rattling)
- Diana, I thought you left.
- Something's come up that's kept me here.
- Oh, okay well, come on in.
(birds chirping) (door thumping)
So can I get you something to drink, coffee, tea?
- No, I'm fine. - [brianna] oh.
(ominous music)
(diana gasping) (ominous music continues)
- How'd you get that?
- Oh, baking cookies for the open house.
I am such a klutz when I'm cooking.
(ominous music continues) (vehicle droning)
Diana, is everything all right?
(ominous music continues) (paper rustling)
- Does that account number look familiar to you?
(ominous music continues)
Jerry from the collector's collective said he's
Been wiring money to that account for the last four years.
(ominous music continues)
How much of the christmas village is left, brianna?
(ominous music continues) (briana panting)
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(hand thumping) (tense music)
- I'm not gonna let you ruin everything.
- No! (tense music continues)
(ominous music) (footsteps thumping)
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(diana panting) (ominous music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (ominous music continues)
(diana panting) (ominous music continues)
(footsteps thumping)
(fighters grunting) (tense music)
(fighters grunting) (tense music continues)
(diana thumping) (knife whooshing)
(statue whooshing)
(briana grunting) (diana grunting)
(gentle music) (vehicle droning)
(gentle music continues)
(rope scraping) (ominous music)
What are you doing?
- They won't find you for a few hours.
And at that time, I'll be long gone.
- They have your account number, they can track you down.
(ominous music continues)
So how'd you do it, huh?
(ominous music continues)
Tippy found out and then you tried to kill her.
(ominous music continues)
The nicest woman in the world killed
Over some christmas figurines?
(ominous music continues) (cloth thumping)
- You have no idea what I have been through.
My husband left me and then I lost my job
And I had to go out on my own.
Tippy, tippy had plenty of money.
She didn't need those figurines.
She'd pull 'em out once a year,
And otherwise they'd be in the basement collecting dust.
- My aunt was so generous.
She would've helped you, you could have asked her for help.
- I, I couldn't.
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(mysterious music) (diana grunting)
(phone clicking) (diana panting)
(phone ringing) - hey, diana, how's?
- Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.
- Huh, huh? (ominous music continues)
(footsteps thumping) (phone scraping)
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
- So happened that night, brianna, just tell me?
- I didn't mean to kill her.
It was an accident.
(tense music)
- Then what happened, please?
I need to know.
(ominous music) (brianna panting)
- I had been taking the figurines,
A couple here, a couple there.
And then a couple months ago, she noticed they were missing.
And I tried to convince her
That they had been misplaced, but she was adamant.
I decided right then that I would take them all
In one fell swoop and make her believe
That they'd been misplaced.
Tippy was at a holiday concert,
And I knew it was my only chance,
But she came home early.
- You?
- I don't know why, I'll never know why.
I watched her trip.
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
Fall. (ceramic smashing)
(tippy thumping) and I tried to wake her up.
I really did, but what I realized,
What was the point in an accident ruining two lives?
(ominous music continues)
- She was your friend, brianna, your best friend.
- Yes, and I know that she wouldn't have wanted me
To turn myself in. - Is that so?
- [brianna] yeah. - Because she's not
Here to ask.
- Oh, you are so self righteous.
You never checked in on her to see how she was doing.
No, oh, a birthday card, a phone call,
But you were always too busy with your own life.
Well, I came over every day to check on her.
(ominous music continues) - you're right.
I should have done all those things.
(ominous music continues)
But I wasn't the one that stole from her.
I wasn't the one who betrayed her.
You will never get away with this.
- Yeah, well, I already have.
(ominous music continues) (footsteps thumping)
(siren wailing) (door rattling)
- [officer] hold it right there!
Slowly with your hands up.
(gentle music)
- Thanks for being so understanding about me being here.
- Are you kidding?
I couldn't have written a better ending.
- Well, I couldn't have done it without you.
- Says the hero of every detective story.
(phone clicking) (wind chimes chiming)
(gentle music)
- I'm so glad you could find it
In your heart again to forgive me.
- Of course, now, when I thought about it,
I couldn't really blame you for being suspicious.
And you were right in thinking something was wrong
About tippy's death.
One more present. (diana laughing)
I'm not sure what you gotta think about it, but...
(bright music)
- A gnome? - Yeah.
- You didn't think I had enough of these for a little while?
- Well, it's a detective, you don't see the badge?
- Aw, I love it.
I'll put it on my desk in san francisco.
- About that, I think I made a mistake.
- What do you mean?
- Five years ago, I knew that it was your dream
To start a business in san francisco.
And at the time, I'd felt that it was right
To stay in hillsdale.
But now, now I realize that it was a safe move
And I'm ready to start taking some risks.
(gentle music) - are you saying?
- I'm moving to the city. (diana laughing)
Look, I lost you once
And I'm not gonna make the same mistake again.
(romantic music) (bell ringing)
- Who could that be?
(gentle music) (footsteps thumping)
(door rattling) (gasps) mom, dad, you made it.
Come on in.
- Yeah, we managed to get a flight.
Took us a few tries, but here we are.
- Yeah, and we realize that you're right.
We always do christmas together.
- Well, I'm so happy you're here.
Mom, dad, you remember matt.
- Of course. - Yeah, good to see you.
- Oh, I wanna make a toast. - Oh.
Here, this one's for you.
You can take that, there you go.
- [mom] thank you. - There you go.
(gentle music)
To aunt tippy.
- To aunt tippy. - To aunt tippy.
- [matt] to aunt tippy, cheers.
- [mom] cheers. (diana laughing)
- Mm-mm, I've cinnamon on top of this.
- [dad] tell me about the tree.
- Yes, this tree, okay,
So I found it in all aunt tippy's stuff.
(family chattering) (gentle music)