Murder in a Small Town (2024) s01e01 Episode Script
The Suspect
1
♪
[VAN DOOR ROLLS OPEN]
And you stand there, in my house
I'm sick and tired of
What an awful, awful thing.
And when all is said and
done, you just made it worse.
This is just the truth and
it's high time you faced
[THUD]
[ENGINE REVVING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
We're up here ♪
Under the sun, the moon, and stars ♪
The galaxies above are so far apart ♪
But I see you on the block each day ♪
I wanted to reach out ♪
[DOOR CHIME]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Nice one big hands.
Karl?
And you're Cassandra.
- Hi.
- I'm not normally this late.
No, I am. Um, but
It's okay, I'll get used to it.
Um
Uh, I mean assuming we do this again.
You don't look like your photo.
Not in a bad way.
Oh. Off to a roaring start.
Don't let me interrupt.
I'm just here to let you
know about our specials today.
So I'll get you started.
We have a
oyster chowder.
It's piping hot.
And for dessert, a passion fruit sorbet.
Something to drink?
This water is fine, thank you.
Water. Exciting.
Same here.
Perfect.
She's a friend of yours?
She was until about a minute ago.
- [CHUCKLES]
- But she owns the place, so
We ought to be nice.
Karl, look. Before we
get any further, um
this probably won't work.
I'm sure you're a decent guy, but
bottom line, I don't know
that I want this with anyone.
This?
- A relationship.
- Oh, um
Yeah.
How about lunch?
We both want lunch, I hope.
Yes. God, yes.
[KEYPAD BEEPS]
[PHONE RINGING]
[VOICEMAIL] This is Carlyle Burke.
I can't take your call right now
but it's important to me.
Leave a message. [BEEP]
Carlyle?
Forty-something.
Newly single, older
doesn't always equal wiser,
but I like to think I'm making progress.
- Hmm.
- Your profile, I liked it.
It did not say what you do, though.
I'm the Chief of Police.
[SCOFFS] No, you're joking.
No.
Um, yeah. That's why I kept it vague
'cause you don't exactly come right out.
No. I, I get that.
Lonely top cop, new in
town. Seeks soulmate.
- Chief of Police.
- Mm-hmm.
And no offense, you guys
have a difficult job.
There's plenty of good
cops too, yada yada.
But of all the types I ever
imagined myself with a
Your turn.
Um types?
[SIGHS] Point taken.
Wow.
Do you always do that? The sphinx.
That's an interesting question.
Do you always do that?
The self-sabotage.
Oh, hell yeah.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
[LAUGHS]
Um, well It's charming.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Cheers.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Corporal Yen?
Yes. That's me.
Excellent. I'm Isabella.
- Nice to meet you.
- Come on. Through here.
And this is where it
all happens, sort of.
Sergeant Sokolowski,
this is Corporal Yen.
You'll meet all these other guys later.
- Sergeant.
- Welcome.
Heard a lot of really good things.
The detective who took
down a cartel in Philly.
Yeah. Well, I was part of the team.
- Smart and humble.
- Mm-hmm.
I resent her already.
[CHUCKLES] Uh, is Chief Alberg
The boss is out to lunch.
That's not a warning.
In fact, he's totally the opposite.
He's literally having lunch.
This is Officer Kendrick.
From Philly?
Sixers fan.
Oh, all the way.
- Andy.
- Edwina.
And this will be your desk.
The lockers are through there.
So How do you like Gibsons so far?
First 10 minutes not bad.
It's small and sometimes weird.
But give it a chance.
I bet you'll love it.
Tell you the truth,
I didn't know they still had librarians.
I mean, obviously there's still books.
and, uh, and, and I like
books, but, uh, somehow
I just don't I don't
think of libraries.
What do you think about, Karl?
You know, my daughters read.
Okay.
Yeah. Two of them.
Well, more like one and a half.
Uh, Steph's the eldest.
She's off to university.
She still talks to me, but
But Holly's 16, so
What'd you do to her?
I failed, I guess.
Uh, Holly's with her mom?
Mm-hmm.
Divided loyalties?
I can say something glib and stupid.
- Oh, that'd be good.
- Yeah. [CHUCKLES]
How about you?
My loyalties? Uh few but fierce.
You've never been married?
I got close once.
I mean close-ish.
Here we go. Fish and chips.
And a burger.
- Thank you.
- Enjoy.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I'd love to see you
again. If that'd be okay.
Go ahead and call.
Okay.
[PHONE RINGING]
Yeah?
What?
Did someone notice anything?
A vehicle, sounds from the house?
You got it, Corporal.
Corporal, good to see you.
Sergeant Sokolowski's inside.
Tell me everything.
Uh, vic's name was Carlyle Burke.
Eighty-five years old.
Guy who found him isn't
much younger, George Wilcox.
Says he just dropped by to say hello.
Your first homicide, kid?
You get used to it.
Some first day, huh, Corporal?
Single blow, looks
like. No forced entry.
Doesn't look like
anything's missing, but
Chief?
Tidy room.
No obvious signs of a struggle.
Blood splatter minimal.
Somebody's library books.
Okay. Rest of the house.
[BIRD SQUAWKING]
[BIRD] Hi.
Yep.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi. Hi.
I think he's been saying Tom.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi.
It's probably his name.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi.
He must've bought it today
or else someone else gave it to him.
Maybe Wilcox brought it?
No, he says he's a
gardener, not a fisherman.
[CAMERA SHUTTER SNAPS]
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
[CAMERA SHUTTER SNAPS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Mr. Wilcox.
I'm Chief Alberg.
So you're the boss, are you?
They said you wanted to
ask me some questions.
You okay?
There's gonna be one
hell of a hullabaloo
once people figure out what's happened.
I'd like you to show
me how you found him.
Can you do that?
I'll do what I can.
Was the door open when you got here?
No. I knocked a couple
of times. No answer.
So I tried the doorknob.
It wasn't locked.
I decided to go in and see how he was.
He is 85, you know.
Was 85.
Was Mr. Burke in ill health?
How the hell should I know?
Eighty-five years old. At that age
The whole bag of bones
is wearing out fast.
At any minute something essential
could just let go on you.
Yeah, no, I know the
feeling myself some days.
So you, um you came inside.
I, uh I think I shouted something.
I dropped my books.
I didn't well
I wasn't thinking all that clearly.
And then?
Called 911.
Hmm.
Was he a
was he a good friend
of yours, Mr. Wilcox?
We, uh knew each other.
You came here fairly often though?
Not not really, no.
Well, look around.
Tell me if you see anything unusual.
That.
That's unusual.
Anything else?
Look
I don't know.
It's, it's just, um
I'm sorry.
I couldn't find anything.
We'll need your
fingerprints for comparison.
Now?
Sid, let's get Mr. Wilcox a ride.
Yep.
Expect a phone call.
We'll have some more
questions about Mr. Burke,
who his friends were,
that sort of thing.
What about my library books?
Oh, I'll have to keep
those. They're evidence.
For what?
One more question.
Do you know anyone who might
have wanted Mr. Burke dead?
No. I didn't.
Hmm.
I'd like to go home now,
if you wouldn't mind.
Of course.
This way, Mr. Wilcox.
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hey, guys?
Give us the room.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
What's missing?
The balance is off.
Balance.
Imagine you're looking at a painting.
Both ends, there and there.
What do you see?
Nothing.
Yeah, that's my point.
Doesn't it look like
something should be there?
Sure. Yeah, possibly.
If you're like one of those people
who kinda wants everything in order.
Well, look at the room.
If they were valuable, we got a motive.
Maybe.
Let's find out about the fish.
Oh, yeah I'm already on that.
Find out who was clearing deadfall.
The fresh sawdust out
back. You didn't notice?
Eyes wide, Sid. There'll
be no stopping you.
[DOOR OPENS]
Good.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]
Other hand, please.
Thank you.
[SPEAKS MANDARIN]
[SPEAKS MANDARIN]
Oh Only a few words.
I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me.
As far as I know, both your parents
were born and raised in Portland.
Philadelphia, actually.
But my ye-ye's from Shanghai.
Uh, Myra. That's that's my wife.
We both love to travel. Hong Kong twice.
Uh, but never Shanghai.
Maybe that's your next trip.
You're old before you know.
At some point the walls
start closing in on you.
Then it's done.
Finita la commedia.
[BEEPING]
[PHONE ALERT CHIMES]
[PHONE RINGS]
Steph. I know, I know.
Text don't call, but
I'm old.
You speak to Holly?
Well, texted.
You know, like normal people.
I don't think she hates you or anything.
It's the break. She has a boyfriend.
I think she changed her mind
- and was afraid to tell you that.
- Afraid?
Dad you expect a lot from yourself
and from other people.
Sometimes that's hard to deal with.
I uh, no.
That's I I don't expect.
Yeah, but you do.
I don't care. I'm as bad as you are.
But Holly's different.
So how is the Sunshine Coast?
As great as you remember?
You know, it is like I remember.
Some of it, anyway.
Sometimes I look at a view and
I saw that when I was a kid.
It's starting to feel like home.
Does this mean you've met someone?
No. Nothing like that.
We had lunch.
That's amazing.
But the coast itself
something about small towns,
you get to be who you are.
Hmm. Go outside the box.
Follow your tinfoil-hat hunches.
Yeah. Go do my job. Thank you very much.
Investigate without six
layers of bureaucracy.
I think I may get myself a sailboat.
Ooh. Very nice.
So what's her name?
The one you haven't met?
Cassandra.
So, you saw George Wilcox walk past?
Yeah, about 2:30.
I don't know if he saw me on the deck.
He's a good fella, George.
And your grandson. Riley, is it?
Seems we missed him yesterday.
Well he-he, he keeps himself busy,
helping people out.
Uh, look he didn't see nothing!
- Riley Erlandson.
- Oh, come on, come on. He's just a kid.
Just just
I'm Corporal Yen.
Oh
Finley holds out her grandfather's
old hand-mad hunting map,
as Tyler and Kaitlyn gather round.
The legend says that the elder tree
is more than 400 years old.
But this tree is special
Cassandra.
George! Hi.
Hi.
Ah! What? Oh my goodness.
It is beautiful. Thank you.
You're welcome. You know, I
really love saying your name.
Cassandra Lee has such
a wonderful lilt to it.
[CHUCKLES]
There.
Met someone, have you?
Well, had lunch with.
Great.
Don't get me wrong,
independence is a fine thing.
Only highly overrated.
You looking for something in particular?
A good mystery, maybe.
A mystery? You?
Well, yeah. It's a great choice.
Um the Wednesday night
book club's discussing
the modern crime novel
and Dostoevsky comes up
again and again.
Spoiler alert.
Raskolnikov confesses.
Hmm.
I was the one who found the body.
Carlyle Burke.
Oh my God.
That's the reason I'm
here without my books.
The cops kept them.
Never mind the library
books. How are you doing?
Well I was right next to him.
It.
The corpse.
As close as I am to you now.
George, that's awful.
You know, you're more than welcome
to come over for a visit.
Sometime. Anytime.
- [CHUCKLES]
- It's been a while.
- Yeah.
- We could have, uh
rosehip tea from my greenhouse.
Okay.
Good.
You weren't keen to talk to us.
You can understand how that might look.
Like I got nothing to say to you.
It might.
On the other hand
The fish guy
Talk to him instead of
hassling innocent people.
Fish guy.
The cops were asking who sells fish.
There's a guy, crappy
old van with rainbows.
Going door to door.
That's good to know.
He's a weird-looking dude.
A black guy.
Sorry. A person of color.
Can I leave now?
She's a good hire, boss.
Yeah, she's smart.
Asian.
You're a good man, Sid.
Keep evolving.
That's what my daughter
keeps telling me.
- The brilliant one?
- Yeah. Steph.
Mine keep telling me to lose weight.
All five of 'em.
Maybe the maybe the
other old guy saw him.
George Wilcox, you mean?
Yeah, he went by around 12:30.
Your grandpa said 2:30.
No, my grandpa was asleep.
He's hiding something.
He has a record, breaking and entering.
Where are we with the fish guy?
Oh, I'm looking harder as of now.
It's a robbery gone wrong.
Okay, well, so what was stolen?
Guy gets spooked. Doesn't
have time to grab everything.
Ask around the senior center,
see where that leads you.
I wanna know if the victim
had friends, visitors.
Maybe someone knows if
he had valuables in there.
He probably had cleaners.
Good one.
Assuming it was a robbery,
it'd be worth keeping
an eye on the place.
There's a high-end
security monitoring system.
Burke just didn't have it activated.
Well, let's activate it.
I wanna know if anyone else
saw George Wilcox at 12:30.
[PHONE ALERT CHIMES]
- [PHONE ALERT]
- [PHONE NOTIFICATION]
- Contact info. Carlyle Burke's sister.
- Thanks, Isabella.
I'm, uh, really sorry about your loss.
My brother was 85 years old.
We don't live forever.
Well, the circumstances though,
that must be disturbing to you.
Homicide, so I understand?
Mm-hmm.
Um when will you be
coming out, Ms. Ridings?
To Gibsons.
Oh, I don't think I'll be coming out.
You're a long way from Chicago.
Well, the funeral, settling
your brother's affairs.
You're his next of kin.
Oh.
I take it the two of you were estranged.
Estrangement implies
a previous affection.
He didn't like me. I didn't like him.
Who was close to your brother?
Who else have you talked to?
A man named George Wilcox.
I remember George Wilcox.
Yeah. A great, tall fella.
He was Carlyle's best man.
At your brother's wedding, you mean?
Oh God, what a wedding.
And that long best man
with his even longer face.
Seething.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Afternoon, Mr. Wilcox.
Don't you ever wear a uniform?
No uniforms, no police car.
How am I supposed to take you seriously?
This help?
Nuh-uh. Got a gun?
Why, do you think I'll need one?
Your wife?
Myra. She died last March.
You still miss her.
Now that right there
is what's wrong with all you cops.
In a nutshell.
You still miss her.
Jesus wept.
Audrey, your sister.
So any suspects?
Not really.
An unknown person went
into Mr. Burke's house
armed with a blunt instrument.
Why the hell would
Carlyle have let him in?
That's an interesting question.
Maybe the killer used something
that he found inside the house.
It's probably out in the
middle of the ocean by now.
You can be a very
irritating man, Mr. Wilcox.
Anybody ever tell you that?
I don't suppose you dropped
in on Carlyle twice yesterday.
And why would I do that?
You're here for a reason, I presume?
Your, uh, fingerprints.
Were all over the living room.
I was somewhat, um
how shall I say discombobulated.
Right.
Let's not waste any more time
with this cantankerous old man act.
I know Carlyle Burke was
your brother-in-Law, so
Start talking.
We met years ago.
We both taught at uni on the mainland.
I taught Russian history.
Carlyle taught music.
Yeah.
I never trusted him.
Every year, Myra and I, we'd
have this Christmas party.
And that's where he met her. Audrey.
Did you tell Audrey
you didn't trust him?
Myra and I had to leave for Germany
right after the wedding.
I had a job there teaching.
Two year exchange.
And that was
'76, '77.
That's when Audrey was killed.
Car accident.
After the funeral,
I didn't see him again for 35, 40 years.
Not until he showed up here.
You say you never trusted him
but you never really got to know him.
So
maybe you were all wrong about Carlyle.
You may be right about that.
Yeah. That could be true.
Something Burke's sister
said at the wedding.
Long sad faces. Seething.
That was, what 50 years ago.
Whoever smashed Carlyle Burke's skull,
that was a crime of passion.
I've been back for five years now.
My mom likes my brother
better, to be honest.
Um, but he has a partner
and three kids, so
Is that why you came back here
to look after her?
No. God, no.
But to be closer.
And I love the coast, I grew up here.
- And?
- What is this, an interrogation?
Oh, I thought we were divulging.
Well, divulge.
- Big city police work.
- Mm-hmm.
It was taking its toll
on my marriage, 20 years.
I'm not sure I ever saw it coming.
I looked up and then
it had all fallen apart.
It was my fault, I stopped noticing.
I've always been good at that.
How was that?
So what were you looking for
when you signed on to a dating site?
- You.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]
Um it's my daughter's idea.
- Ah.
- The one who still talks to me.
So, basically I'm a shot in the dark.
- How about you?
- I wasn't meeting anyone. And, um
Men seem to find me disconcerting.
Please disconcert me.
Well, I signed on with the
hope of finding a pleasant,
not unattractive, courteous male person
with whom I can have
adequate conversation
and spectacular sex.
How's the conversation?
So far it's not bad.
I have a friend who lives up the road.
Audrey?
No, it's me.
George, are you all right?
Yeah, sure. Fine.
The sun was in my eyes.
Hope you don't mind.
Is he the one?
Is now a bad time?
No, no, no. It's all good.
All good.
I should've called before
showing up, I'm sorry.
Since when did you become
friends with the police force?
Not the entire force, just Karl.
I see you've been digging
out there, Mr. Wilcox.
Even at this time of
year. It's impressive.
I'm thinking about
planting a garden myself.
Are you now?
You should see George's garden in June.
It is spectacular.
The hydrangeas are blue and then purple.
My mother used to grow geraniums.
Sunflowers and hollyhocks.
There's an amazing sense of grace
to be found with gardening.
That is, as long as you can
handle the responsibility.
It's hard to tell if
your interest is genuine,
Mr. Alberg.
Hard to know if you're that sort of man.
Never mind those.
It's my pleasure.
You changed something.
Nope.
Something's different.
I ought to know, I'm
the one who lives here.
Karl.
Goodnight, Mr. Alberg.
[SLOW TEMPO MUSIC]
Uh, well that was nice.
Uh, it's been a while since
I've had an evening out.
That was an evening out?
You must not get out much.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Go for a night cap somewhere?
If you say it's okay, it's okay ♪
It is late.
Okay.
If you say it's okay with you ♪
Call me.
Be there to hold you tight, ♪
Hold you tight ♪
Love you all through the night ♪
If it's okay with you ♪
If it's okay with you ♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I drink single malt.
You've come to the right place.
I haven't I haven't
finished unpacking.
Yeah, how long have you been here?
Uh three, four months.
[LAUGHS]
I'm busy with work.
Uh-huh.
That's my mom.
I mean, not her obviously, but her work.
Shirley Alberg.
She was just starting to
get noticed when she passed.
You checked me out.
[LAUGHS] Librarians call it research.
I'm sorry about your mom.
I was 16, so
Yeah, I'm pretty much over it.
Where is that?
That is Half Moon Bay.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
My-my mom stayed here a few times.
Ah.
I came here with her
once, um, years ago.
I was nine.
And-and you, what,
you camped on the beach
while your mom painted?
- Kind of, yeah.
- Oh, you are such a Bohemian.
- Mm-hmm.
- And now you're the Chief of Police.
Surprises the heck out
of me too sometimes.
Hm.
What about your dad?
Did he ever come with you guys?
Oh no, no. I mean, uh
I never had one.
Yeah.
Just me and my mom, far
back as I can recall.
My mom really loved it here.
Something she said about the place.
It, uh
it has a special kind of peace.
It heals.
Sometimes you need that, you know?
Yeah, I do.
Yeah. Maybe that's why I'm back.
Trying to reconnect or something.
[CAT MEOWS]
Karl, do you have a cat?
Possibly. Yeah.
Felix.
That's, uh, that's
what I call him anyway.
He sort of disappeared.
But, uh
Now the food's getting eaten, so
You said you had single malt.
Yeah.
Guys say all kinds of stuff.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
♪
Don't ♪
Take the night ♪
Don't leave here ♪
Just make it right ♪
God
The last time I had a proper date
it's been a minute.
We'll take it as slowly as you want.
What are the other options?
Do you expect me to live ♪
That kind of life? ♪
I won't ♪
I'll fight ♪
Don't take the night ♪
Take the gun and I'll take the knife ♪
Don't take the night ♪
Don't take the night ♪
♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[THUD]
[CAR ENGINE]
[KNOCKING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
You crafty old bastard.
[DRAGGING BOAT]
Evening, George.
What are you doing out there, George?
Rowed quite the distance, didn't you?
Had to get out past the shelf.
I don't know what you're talking about.
The murder weapon, George.
The one you buried and then dug up.
You chuck them both or just the one
you bashed his head in with?
Doesn't matter 'cause
I'm gonna find them.
Good! You look for whatever
you damn well please.
- I'm going to bed.
- Oh, you're a determined man, George.
Well, so am I.
I'll have the sea search people with me.
Underwater drones, side
scan sonar, state of the art.
There's nothing those guys can't find.
You don't frighten me.
I just thought there might be
something you'd like to tell me.
Well, you thought wrong, sonny.
I don't have anything to tell you.
You understand?
Nothing.
Karl?
Karl?
Seems like sorrow ♪
Great.
Never done leave nobody alone ♪
[PHONE ALERT CHIMES]
- Maybe by tomorrow ♪
-
♪
Baby, by tomorrow ♪
Good morning, boss.
You wanted to see us?
It's uh, it's the old guy.
George Wilcox?
He's dumped the murder weapon.
There's a shelf, 100 yards off shore.
All the way across
that stretch of coast.
Burke's place is here, Wilcox is here.
If he's smart, the old
bastard rowed out past it.
And the old bastard's smart.
Last night? I mean, why?
Something to do with the sister.
Yeah, but we still
Of course we'll need a motive.
But he did it, Sid.
I was pretty convinced
yesterday, now I know.
I'll get someone to look through
- the security footage from the house.
- Okay.
And I need to know if anybody else
saw George Wilcox go
past that house at 12:30.
We need to nail down
what's actually missing.
- Cleaning lady.
- Yeah. Found her. Do you want me to
Now. Please.
And find the fish guy.
Anything else for me?
Uh
some deodorant would be nice.
For me, Sid.
You smell as fresh
as a mountain morning.
Karl Alberg.
Look at you.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi.
Help you?
It's a real old timer, this guy.
He won't eat. Tried bird
seed, whole grain bread.
Nuh-uh. No, you need
to give him some mango.
Maybe a slice of peach.
- Seriously?
- Yeah.
So, I hear you folks
have been looking for me.
Derek Farley.
Yeah, I sold a trout up the road.
I just
I swear to God, man. I don't know
Just tell me what time you got there.
What you saw.
9:30, maybe 10:00 AM.
But I rang that bell
and he opened the door.
Did you see anyone with him?
Anyone coming or going?
No one.
Did he say anything?
Thanks for the fish,
something like that.
Uh, no wait. Um
No, he said he'd invited
a friend to lunch.
Did he mention a name?
Just an old friend.
Invited him to lunch.
Mm-hmm.
Thanks Mr. Farley, you've been helpful.
- Really?
- Yeah, very.
Semper Fi.
Desert Storm.
I moved here 20 years ago.
Met my wife. Better way to live.
Mrs. Harris, we appreciate your help.
A tragedy, what a tragedy.
- Poor Mr. Burke.
- Yeah.
I cleaned his house for years, you know,
like clockwork, every
second Saturday afternoon.
What we need to do is compile a list,
anything of value that
may have been in the house.
Because robbery was the motive?
Let's say we're doing our due diligence.
Well, he had a fair bit.
Silverware and china. Some old antiques.
Of course people love to say antique
when they really mean old.
Mrs. Harris
Have you ever seen one of these?
Trench art? Sure.
Artwork made from artillery shells.
This is really good. Bit
of an artist yourself.
Think carefully now,
did Carlyle Burke have
Two of 'em. There and there.
You sure?
Ever since I've been cleaning his house.
But they're not really valuable though,
you buy 'em online.
Oh, yeah. Thank you, Mrs. Harris.
Thank you.
Oh, uh, careful.
Oh! Scene of the crime.
Yes.
It's probably out in the
middle of the ocean by now.
So
We went for a walk, visited a friend,
and then walked some more.
Okay. Promising start.
He dropped me off at
my car and then I, um
I followed him back to his place.
Shut up!
He's an artist. Who would've thought?
Okay, never mind that.
He's actually very good.
Artistically.
And no, before you ask,
he did not ask to paint my portrait.
I'm late for work.
Okay, Cass, Cass This is great.
It is. Whether you
wanna admit it or not.
Be happy.
[SQUEALS]
[LAUGHS] Thank you.
So, um is it just his hands?
Okay, bye Phyll.
Boss.
That old accident
report from Bellingham.
Burke's wife. Single vehicle.
Turns out, driving too
fast, just went off the road.
Second page is the autopsy report.
They gave her the works.
Apparently George Wilcox
insisted death due to injury
sustained in the crash.
Also, there may have been some
old fractures that hadn't set.
And possibly some new ones, but
the rest of her was
too busted up to know.
Anything from the sea search guys?
[GROANS]
Big ocean.
Yeah, well I don't
care if they find anything,
he can see them from his
window every time he looks out.
Okay. Just hear me out.
Just, uh, devil's advocate.
Let's say the old guy
did just go out for a row.
I had an uncle, slipped a gear
stopped wearing pants.
Yeah.
everyone confesses, Sid
sooner or later to somebody.
George Does something hurt?
- Does your heart hurt?
- No, it isn't that.
I am going to take you to a doctor.
No!
No, no. No doctors. Nuh-uh.
Okay. Okay. No doctors.
Come on, let me take you home.
You gonna be okay?
Fine.
Thank you.
For everything.
What are they doing?
Their job.
I'm going away, Cassandra.
Soon.
Going away. Why?
To be with my daughter.
But your garden?
I, uh I don't deserve it anymore.
I-I just can't stomach the thought
of dying where Carlyle died.
Being buried where he's buried.
But Myra's buried here too.
Hmm.
He's dead now.
Why do you still hate him so much?
I've done a terrible thing, Cassandra.
And, uh
I need to atone.
At first I wanted to give myself up,
but then I thought prison?
No.
I, I I can't.
I can't spend the last days
of my life behind bars.
Not for him.
George. What, uh
what am I supposed to do with this?
Do whatever you need to do.
Oh hey, Cassandra
Give me a minute.
[BREATHING SHAKILY]
Sure we could keep going.
But it's more than 100,000
square yards of ocean.
Rocks all over the bottom,
some as big as a truck.
Keep going.
Until?
I tell you to stop.
[PHONE VIBRATES]
Well, well. The amazing
disappearing detective.
I've heard about guys sneaking
out in the middle of the night,
but from your own house?
I was gonna suggest dinner, but
today's getting away from me.
Maybe on the weekend or something?
Cassandra?
I'd like to see you today. It
doesn't have to be for long.
What's up?
I saw police boats on the water.
Took a notion there might
be a weapon out there.
And was there?
There he is sphinx.
It was quite the
experience this morning.
Waking up alone in your house
with bits of you lying around,
hanging on the walls.
I know. I'll, uh
I'll get the unpacking finished.
You're an artist too. Not just your mom.
I went into the room.
Those paintings, they're, uh
they're amazing.
And personal.
So is was waking up
in someone else's bed.
Not what I would've
expected from you, but
you take it seriously, you're good.
How's your friend, George Wilcox?
My God.
Are those a policeman's eyes?
They're my eyes, I'm a policeman.
Why
[CLEARS THROAT] are you a policeman?
Because I'm good at the job.
I can imagine.
And I like it.
That's not an answer though.
Why do you like it?
I like figuring things
out. Solving things.
I like serving and protecting.
I know, a walking cliché.
I thought so too until
my daughters were born.
And what about justice?
Oh, justice isn't up to me, thank God.
Thank God?
The law lets you know where you stand.
I don't
think that George is doing
very well, to be honest.
He, uh, came by the library today.
What he have to say for himself?
We just talked.
You said you wanted to to meet.
Well, what's up?
I had a really nice time last night.
Me too.
[PHONE RINGS]
I should get back to work.
[PHONE RINGS]
[PHONE RINGS]
Yeah, Sid. I'm on my way.
Already did the living room,
kitchen and bathroom, Chief.
Also the tool shed. No joy.
Guy stuff.
Yes, sir.
Tools. Junk.
What's outta place?
Thing is, Chief, if we
had a better sense of
what we were looking for,
that might help.
Well, something that
should be there but isn't.
Something that shouldn't be here but is.
Right. Right.
Big picture first, then details.
Mm-hmm.
That
[JEWELRY RATTLING]
[WOOD KNOCKING]
Puzzle box.
My ye-ye loved those.
"I can't live in fear,
Carlyle. I won't. Never again."
"May 15th, 1978."
"If you raise a hand to me again"
George Wilcox.
You've always suspected.
You wait 40 years and then you kill him?
- He did it, Sid.
- Okay. But without a confession,
what are the odds we're gonna get him?
Then I'll get a confession.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
I'd like you to come
with me, Mr. Wilcox.
Oh going downtown, are we?
[POLICE RADIO]
I thought maybe you'd
come to say goodbye.
One of us going somewhere?
She didn't tell you?
I'm going to Montréal.
Um
I can't let you do that.
Why not?
You've got nothing on me.
It's all circumstantial.
I'm not even a suspect.
I'm a person of interest.
And as free as a bird.
Speaking of birds, Carlyle
left you his parrot.
[DOOR OPENS]
Sometimes it's harder than
you'd believe to kill someone.
You bash away and they
just refuse to die.
You speaking from personal experience?
Sometimes it's just one little smack.
He invited you for lunch.
Now why would he have done that?
You tell me.
Maybe 'cause it was the
anniversary of Audrey's death?
Maybe Carlyle figured time was short.
Eighty-five years old.
Like you said, George, wearing out fast.
There were things he wanted to say,
problem is he said them.
How am I doing so far, George?
See, I I don't think you
came here planning to kill him.
But the man just wouldn't shut up.
Would he, George?
He started talking about your sister.
I'm warning you.
Audrey was broken long before I met her.
And that is the truth and
it's time you faced up to that.
For your own sake.
- Shut up!
- Saying things you couldn't stand to hear.
So you grabbed something.
Poor Audrey would've been better off
if she'd never had a brother.
You just wanted to make him stop.
She'd be better off if you'd never
[THUD]
And all of a sudden there he is
lying dead.
With his eyes open.
I know
because I found the body.
Talk to me, George.
You don't need to carry this.
[SCOFFS]
You miserable cops.
You have no idea what I carry around.
I remember
coming in the back door.
I could see him in the living room.
Sitting in the chair?
Standing.
Beating her with a razor strop.
Carlyle Burke?
My stepdad.
It started when we were 14, 15.
He'd beat my twin sister
every time he went on a bender.
I'd hit him with anything
I could get my hands on.
He'd just pick me up and
throw me across the room.
You've probably heard all this before,
haven't you, Mr. Alberg?
A man with your experience.
One day on the way home
I heard Audrey's screams
all the way to the top of the road.
I wanted to kill him.
I ran down to where his truck was parked
to grab the shotgun off his rack.
I fired a shot in the air.
Get the hell out of here,
you miserable son of a bitch.
He, uh
he was too far away to grab the gun
and too drunk to think straight.
So he turned tail and
stumbled back towards his truck.
My mother ran after him,
yelling at him not to drive.
That she was sorry
and begging him to take her with him.
He fishtailed across the
yard, clipping the gate.
As he turned onto the upper road
I said to no one in particular
If there is a God in heaven
I hope he drives the two of
them off the bloody cliff.
Sometime that evening
two cops showed up.
They told us
our father's truck had
been forced off the road
by a tractor trailer.
It had flipped over the guardrail
and plunged into the ocean.
So
there is a God.
I failed my sister, Mr. Alberg.
And I might just as well
have killed both my parents.
That's it.
I have nothing more to say to you.
- Is she here?
- Uh, that way.
Your friend says he's leaving.
He's surprised you didn't tell me.
I assume that we're talking about
You have something to tell me?
He did it.
He did it and you know that.
- I'm not sure.
- Do you have any idea how serious this is?
Pretend I don't, Karl.
Pretend I'm an idiot.
If you're withholding information
Is that what I am to you, a source?
Oh, Cassandra
How many possible sources do
you screw in the course of
- A man is dead!
- Do not
[WHISPERS] Don't
shout at me.
Karl. Listen
If George Wilcox had told me
that he committed a crime
I'd have looked in the legal
section and I'd have found
that a confession like that
isn't admissible evidence.
Even if he said the words.
Yeah, well, you might wanna look again.
It is hearsay.
It wouldn't have mattered what I said.
It might have mattered to me.
Karl, he is an old man.
He is giving up everything he loves.
He's no danger to anyone.
Is it really so cut and dry for you?
Is it really so damned clear?
No.
But I don't make the rules
and I don't get to break them.
[SCOFFS] Well, I wonder
how you carry it, Detective.
The weight of your own integrity.
Hmm. Yeah.
[PA] Attention all passengers
kindly return to your vehicle
the ferry is about to unload.
I have enough to press charges, George.
Put it all together, there's
motive, opportunity, means.
You take care, now.
♪
♪
♪
Everything will be okay ♪
Everything will be fine ♪
♪
Everything will be okay ♪
Everything will be fine ♪
Everything will be ♪
"Dear Mr. Alberg
I understand you asked my doctor
about the state of my health,
which he refused to divulge.
It would've been
simpler to have asked me.
Yes, I am dying. If
that's of any consequence.
I can't say I'm surprised
and definitely not dismayed.
I never liked this life
all that much anyway.
First of all, I'm
writing to say thank you.
It was kind of you to
let me see those letters.
It must have been a
frustrating time for you.
I know how much you
cops like to get your man
and all that crap.
Just think how much
harder it might have been
if I'd planned the whole thing.
Still, you did get your man in the end.
Yes, Mr. Alberg. I killed Carlyle Burke.
There's my confession,
signed by my dying hand.
You can go ahead and
close your case now.
Finita la commedia.
P.S. I like you, Mr. Alberg,
in spite of everything.
And I know Cassandra
cares for you a great deal.
I'd be heartbroken if I
thought I'd spoiled that."
I received a letter.
Hmm. Same here.
God after all that.
Yeah.
George only outlived
Carlyle Burke by three weeks.
How you been?
I've been fine, thanks. You?
Uh, I don't suppose
you'd want a a kitten.
Felix came back.
He got himself pregnant?
Yeah. Go figure.
How many?
Six.
He told me what you did.
Those letters.
That was very kind.
I might have done the same
if I'd been in your position.
I might have handled things differently.
So, what'd he say to you in his letter?
Uh he told me not
to screw it up with you.
Hm.
[CHUCKLES]
Anyway
Karl, I'd have to see the kittens first.
I'll check with Felix.
See when it's convenient.
Okay.
Well you know where to find me.
Good night, good night ♪
Good night. ♪
Good night. ♪
Two lifelines ♪
On my hand ♪
♪
♪
[VAN DOOR ROLLS OPEN]
And you stand there, in my house
I'm sick and tired of
What an awful, awful thing.
And when all is said and
done, you just made it worse.
This is just the truth and
it's high time you faced
[THUD]
[ENGINE REVVING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
We're up here ♪
Under the sun, the moon, and stars ♪
The galaxies above are so far apart ♪
But I see you on the block each day ♪
I wanted to reach out ♪
[DOOR CHIME]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Nice one big hands.
Karl?
And you're Cassandra.
- Hi.
- I'm not normally this late.
No, I am. Um, but
It's okay, I'll get used to it.
Um
Uh, I mean assuming we do this again.
You don't look like your photo.
Not in a bad way.
Oh. Off to a roaring start.
Don't let me interrupt.
I'm just here to let you
know about our specials today.
So I'll get you started.
We have a
oyster chowder.
It's piping hot.
And for dessert, a passion fruit sorbet.
Something to drink?
This water is fine, thank you.
Water. Exciting.
Same here.
Perfect.
She's a friend of yours?
She was until about a minute ago.
- [CHUCKLES]
- But she owns the place, so
We ought to be nice.
Karl, look. Before we
get any further, um
this probably won't work.
I'm sure you're a decent guy, but
bottom line, I don't know
that I want this with anyone.
This?
- A relationship.
- Oh, um
Yeah.
How about lunch?
We both want lunch, I hope.
Yes. God, yes.
[KEYPAD BEEPS]
[PHONE RINGING]
[VOICEMAIL] This is Carlyle Burke.
I can't take your call right now
but it's important to me.
Leave a message. [BEEP]
Carlyle?
Forty-something.
Newly single, older
doesn't always equal wiser,
but I like to think I'm making progress.
- Hmm.
- Your profile, I liked it.
It did not say what you do, though.
I'm the Chief of Police.
[SCOFFS] No, you're joking.
No.
Um, yeah. That's why I kept it vague
'cause you don't exactly come right out.
No. I, I get that.
Lonely top cop, new in
town. Seeks soulmate.
- Chief of Police.
- Mm-hmm.
And no offense, you guys
have a difficult job.
There's plenty of good
cops too, yada yada.
But of all the types I ever
imagined myself with a
Your turn.
Um types?
[SIGHS] Point taken.
Wow.
Do you always do that? The sphinx.
That's an interesting question.
Do you always do that?
The self-sabotage.
Oh, hell yeah.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
[LAUGHS]
Um, well It's charming.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Cheers.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Corporal Yen?
Yes. That's me.
Excellent. I'm Isabella.
- Nice to meet you.
- Come on. Through here.
And this is where it
all happens, sort of.
Sergeant Sokolowski,
this is Corporal Yen.
You'll meet all these other guys later.
- Sergeant.
- Welcome.
Heard a lot of really good things.
The detective who took
down a cartel in Philly.
Yeah. Well, I was part of the team.
- Smart and humble.
- Mm-hmm.
I resent her already.
[CHUCKLES] Uh, is Chief Alberg
The boss is out to lunch.
That's not a warning.
In fact, he's totally the opposite.
He's literally having lunch.
This is Officer Kendrick.
From Philly?
Sixers fan.
Oh, all the way.
- Andy.
- Edwina.
And this will be your desk.
The lockers are through there.
So How do you like Gibsons so far?
First 10 minutes not bad.
It's small and sometimes weird.
But give it a chance.
I bet you'll love it.
Tell you the truth,
I didn't know they still had librarians.
I mean, obviously there's still books.
and, uh, and, and I like
books, but, uh, somehow
I just don't I don't
think of libraries.
What do you think about, Karl?
You know, my daughters read.
Okay.
Yeah. Two of them.
Well, more like one and a half.
Uh, Steph's the eldest.
She's off to university.
She still talks to me, but
But Holly's 16, so
What'd you do to her?
I failed, I guess.
Uh, Holly's with her mom?
Mm-hmm.
Divided loyalties?
I can say something glib and stupid.
- Oh, that'd be good.
- Yeah. [CHUCKLES]
How about you?
My loyalties? Uh few but fierce.
You've never been married?
I got close once.
I mean close-ish.
Here we go. Fish and chips.
And a burger.
- Thank you.
- Enjoy.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I'd love to see you
again. If that'd be okay.
Go ahead and call.
Okay.
[PHONE RINGING]
Yeah?
What?
Did someone notice anything?
A vehicle, sounds from the house?
You got it, Corporal.
Corporal, good to see you.
Sergeant Sokolowski's inside.
Tell me everything.
Uh, vic's name was Carlyle Burke.
Eighty-five years old.
Guy who found him isn't
much younger, George Wilcox.
Says he just dropped by to say hello.
Your first homicide, kid?
You get used to it.
Some first day, huh, Corporal?
Single blow, looks
like. No forced entry.
Doesn't look like
anything's missing, but
Chief?
Tidy room.
No obvious signs of a struggle.
Blood splatter minimal.
Somebody's library books.
Okay. Rest of the house.
[BIRD SQUAWKING]
[BIRD] Hi.
Yep.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi. Hi.
I think he's been saying Tom.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi.
It's probably his name.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi.
He must've bought it today
or else someone else gave it to him.
Maybe Wilcox brought it?
No, he says he's a
gardener, not a fisherman.
[CAMERA SHUTTER SNAPS]
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
[CAMERA SHUTTER SNAPS]
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
Mr. Wilcox.
I'm Chief Alberg.
So you're the boss, are you?
They said you wanted to
ask me some questions.
You okay?
There's gonna be one
hell of a hullabaloo
once people figure out what's happened.
I'd like you to show
me how you found him.
Can you do that?
I'll do what I can.
Was the door open when you got here?
No. I knocked a couple
of times. No answer.
So I tried the doorknob.
It wasn't locked.
I decided to go in and see how he was.
He is 85, you know.
Was 85.
Was Mr. Burke in ill health?
How the hell should I know?
Eighty-five years old. At that age
The whole bag of bones
is wearing out fast.
At any minute something essential
could just let go on you.
Yeah, no, I know the
feeling myself some days.
So you, um you came inside.
I, uh I think I shouted something.
I dropped my books.
I didn't well
I wasn't thinking all that clearly.
And then?
Called 911.
Hmm.
Was he a
was he a good friend
of yours, Mr. Wilcox?
We, uh knew each other.
You came here fairly often though?
Not not really, no.
Well, look around.
Tell me if you see anything unusual.
That.
That's unusual.
Anything else?
Look
I don't know.
It's, it's just, um
I'm sorry.
I couldn't find anything.
We'll need your
fingerprints for comparison.
Now?
Sid, let's get Mr. Wilcox a ride.
Yep.
Expect a phone call.
We'll have some more
questions about Mr. Burke,
who his friends were,
that sort of thing.
What about my library books?
Oh, I'll have to keep
those. They're evidence.
For what?
One more question.
Do you know anyone who might
have wanted Mr. Burke dead?
No. I didn't.
Hmm.
I'd like to go home now,
if you wouldn't mind.
Of course.
This way, Mr. Wilcox.
[POLICE RADIO CHATTER]
[DOOR OPENS]
Hey, guys?
Give us the room.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
What's missing?
The balance is off.
Balance.
Imagine you're looking at a painting.
Both ends, there and there.
What do you see?
Nothing.
Yeah, that's my point.
Doesn't it look like
something should be there?
Sure. Yeah, possibly.
If you're like one of those people
who kinda wants everything in order.
Well, look at the room.
If they were valuable, we got a motive.
Maybe.
Let's find out about the fish.
Oh, yeah I'm already on that.
Find out who was clearing deadfall.
The fresh sawdust out
back. You didn't notice?
Eyes wide, Sid. There'll
be no stopping you.
[DOOR OPENS]
Good.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]
Other hand, please.
Thank you.
[SPEAKS MANDARIN]
[SPEAKS MANDARIN]
Oh Only a few words.
I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me.
As far as I know, both your parents
were born and raised in Portland.
Philadelphia, actually.
But my ye-ye's from Shanghai.
Uh, Myra. That's that's my wife.
We both love to travel. Hong Kong twice.
Uh, but never Shanghai.
Maybe that's your next trip.
You're old before you know.
At some point the walls
start closing in on you.
Then it's done.
Finita la commedia.
[BEEPING]
[PHONE ALERT CHIMES]
[PHONE RINGS]
Steph. I know, I know.
Text don't call, but
I'm old.
You speak to Holly?
Well, texted.
You know, like normal people.
I don't think she hates you or anything.
It's the break. She has a boyfriend.
I think she changed her mind
- and was afraid to tell you that.
- Afraid?
Dad you expect a lot from yourself
and from other people.
Sometimes that's hard to deal with.
I uh, no.
That's I I don't expect.
Yeah, but you do.
I don't care. I'm as bad as you are.
But Holly's different.
So how is the Sunshine Coast?
As great as you remember?
You know, it is like I remember.
Some of it, anyway.
Sometimes I look at a view and
I saw that when I was a kid.
It's starting to feel like home.
Does this mean you've met someone?
No. Nothing like that.
We had lunch.
That's amazing.
But the coast itself
something about small towns,
you get to be who you are.
Hmm. Go outside the box.
Follow your tinfoil-hat hunches.
Yeah. Go do my job. Thank you very much.
Investigate without six
layers of bureaucracy.
I think I may get myself a sailboat.
Ooh. Very nice.
So what's her name?
The one you haven't met?
Cassandra.
So, you saw George Wilcox walk past?
Yeah, about 2:30.
I don't know if he saw me on the deck.
He's a good fella, George.
And your grandson. Riley, is it?
Seems we missed him yesterday.
Well he-he, he keeps himself busy,
helping people out.
Uh, look he didn't see nothing!
- Riley Erlandson.
- Oh, come on, come on. He's just a kid.
Just just
I'm Corporal Yen.
Oh
Finley holds out her grandfather's
old hand-mad hunting map,
as Tyler and Kaitlyn gather round.
The legend says that the elder tree
is more than 400 years old.
But this tree is special
Cassandra.
George! Hi.
Hi.
Ah! What? Oh my goodness.
It is beautiful. Thank you.
You're welcome. You know, I
really love saying your name.
Cassandra Lee has such
a wonderful lilt to it.
[CHUCKLES]
There.
Met someone, have you?
Well, had lunch with.
Great.
Don't get me wrong,
independence is a fine thing.
Only highly overrated.
You looking for something in particular?
A good mystery, maybe.
A mystery? You?
Well, yeah. It's a great choice.
Um the Wednesday night
book club's discussing
the modern crime novel
and Dostoevsky comes up
again and again.
Spoiler alert.
Raskolnikov confesses.
Hmm.
I was the one who found the body.
Carlyle Burke.
Oh my God.
That's the reason I'm
here without my books.
The cops kept them.
Never mind the library
books. How are you doing?
Well I was right next to him.
It.
The corpse.
As close as I am to you now.
George, that's awful.
You know, you're more than welcome
to come over for a visit.
Sometime. Anytime.
- [CHUCKLES]
- It's been a while.
- Yeah.
- We could have, uh
rosehip tea from my greenhouse.
Okay.
Good.
You weren't keen to talk to us.
You can understand how that might look.
Like I got nothing to say to you.
It might.
On the other hand
The fish guy
Talk to him instead of
hassling innocent people.
Fish guy.
The cops were asking who sells fish.
There's a guy, crappy
old van with rainbows.
Going door to door.
That's good to know.
He's a weird-looking dude.
A black guy.
Sorry. A person of color.
Can I leave now?
She's a good hire, boss.
Yeah, she's smart.
Asian.
You're a good man, Sid.
Keep evolving.
That's what my daughter
keeps telling me.
- The brilliant one?
- Yeah. Steph.
Mine keep telling me to lose weight.
All five of 'em.
Maybe the maybe the
other old guy saw him.
George Wilcox, you mean?
Yeah, he went by around 12:30.
Your grandpa said 2:30.
No, my grandpa was asleep.
He's hiding something.
He has a record, breaking and entering.
Where are we with the fish guy?
Oh, I'm looking harder as of now.
It's a robbery gone wrong.
Okay, well, so what was stolen?
Guy gets spooked. Doesn't
have time to grab everything.
Ask around the senior center,
see where that leads you.
I wanna know if the victim
had friends, visitors.
Maybe someone knows if
he had valuables in there.
He probably had cleaners.
Good one.
Assuming it was a robbery,
it'd be worth keeping
an eye on the place.
There's a high-end
security monitoring system.
Burke just didn't have it activated.
Well, let's activate it.
I wanna know if anyone else
saw George Wilcox at 12:30.
[PHONE ALERT CHIMES]
- [PHONE ALERT]
- [PHONE NOTIFICATION]
- Contact info. Carlyle Burke's sister.
- Thanks, Isabella.
I'm, uh, really sorry about your loss.
My brother was 85 years old.
We don't live forever.
Well, the circumstances though,
that must be disturbing to you.
Homicide, so I understand?
Mm-hmm.
Um when will you be
coming out, Ms. Ridings?
To Gibsons.
Oh, I don't think I'll be coming out.
You're a long way from Chicago.
Well, the funeral, settling
your brother's affairs.
You're his next of kin.
Oh.
I take it the two of you were estranged.
Estrangement implies
a previous affection.
He didn't like me. I didn't like him.
Who was close to your brother?
Who else have you talked to?
A man named George Wilcox.
I remember George Wilcox.
Yeah. A great, tall fella.
He was Carlyle's best man.
At your brother's wedding, you mean?
Oh God, what a wedding.
And that long best man
with his even longer face.
Seething.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Afternoon, Mr. Wilcox.
Don't you ever wear a uniform?
No uniforms, no police car.
How am I supposed to take you seriously?
This help?
Nuh-uh. Got a gun?
Why, do you think I'll need one?
Your wife?
Myra. She died last March.
You still miss her.
Now that right there
is what's wrong with all you cops.
In a nutshell.
You still miss her.
Jesus wept.
Audrey, your sister.
So any suspects?
Not really.
An unknown person went
into Mr. Burke's house
armed with a blunt instrument.
Why the hell would
Carlyle have let him in?
That's an interesting question.
Maybe the killer used something
that he found inside the house.
It's probably out in the
middle of the ocean by now.
You can be a very
irritating man, Mr. Wilcox.
Anybody ever tell you that?
I don't suppose you dropped
in on Carlyle twice yesterday.
And why would I do that?
You're here for a reason, I presume?
Your, uh, fingerprints.
Were all over the living room.
I was somewhat, um
how shall I say discombobulated.
Right.
Let's not waste any more time
with this cantankerous old man act.
I know Carlyle Burke was
your brother-in-Law, so
Start talking.
We met years ago.
We both taught at uni on the mainland.
I taught Russian history.
Carlyle taught music.
Yeah.
I never trusted him.
Every year, Myra and I, we'd
have this Christmas party.
And that's where he met her. Audrey.
Did you tell Audrey
you didn't trust him?
Myra and I had to leave for Germany
right after the wedding.
I had a job there teaching.
Two year exchange.
And that was
'76, '77.
That's when Audrey was killed.
Car accident.
After the funeral,
I didn't see him again for 35, 40 years.
Not until he showed up here.
You say you never trusted him
but you never really got to know him.
So
maybe you were all wrong about Carlyle.
You may be right about that.
Yeah. That could be true.
Something Burke's sister
said at the wedding.
Long sad faces. Seething.
That was, what 50 years ago.
Whoever smashed Carlyle Burke's skull,
that was a crime of passion.
I've been back for five years now.
My mom likes my brother
better, to be honest.
Um, but he has a partner
and three kids, so
Is that why you came back here
to look after her?
No. God, no.
But to be closer.
And I love the coast, I grew up here.
- And?
- What is this, an interrogation?
Oh, I thought we were divulging.
Well, divulge.
- Big city police work.
- Mm-hmm.
It was taking its toll
on my marriage, 20 years.
I'm not sure I ever saw it coming.
I looked up and then
it had all fallen apart.
It was my fault, I stopped noticing.
I've always been good at that.
How was that?
So what were you looking for
when you signed on to a dating site?
- You.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]
Um it's my daughter's idea.
- Ah.
- The one who still talks to me.
So, basically I'm a shot in the dark.
- How about you?
- I wasn't meeting anyone. And, um
Men seem to find me disconcerting.
Please disconcert me.
Well, I signed on with the
hope of finding a pleasant,
not unattractive, courteous male person
with whom I can have
adequate conversation
and spectacular sex.
How's the conversation?
So far it's not bad.
I have a friend who lives up the road.
Audrey?
No, it's me.
George, are you all right?
Yeah, sure. Fine.
The sun was in my eyes.
Hope you don't mind.
Is he the one?
Is now a bad time?
No, no, no. It's all good.
All good.
I should've called before
showing up, I'm sorry.
Since when did you become
friends with the police force?
Not the entire force, just Karl.
I see you've been digging
out there, Mr. Wilcox.
Even at this time of
year. It's impressive.
I'm thinking about
planting a garden myself.
Are you now?
You should see George's garden in June.
It is spectacular.
The hydrangeas are blue and then purple.
My mother used to grow geraniums.
Sunflowers and hollyhocks.
There's an amazing sense of grace
to be found with gardening.
That is, as long as you can
handle the responsibility.
It's hard to tell if
your interest is genuine,
Mr. Alberg.
Hard to know if you're that sort of man.
Never mind those.
It's my pleasure.
You changed something.
Nope.
Something's different.
I ought to know, I'm
the one who lives here.
Karl.
Goodnight, Mr. Alberg.
[SLOW TEMPO MUSIC]
Uh, well that was nice.
Uh, it's been a while since
I've had an evening out.
That was an evening out?
You must not get out much.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Go for a night cap somewhere?
If you say it's okay, it's okay ♪
It is late.
Okay.
If you say it's okay with you ♪
Call me.
Be there to hold you tight, ♪
Hold you tight ♪
Love you all through the night ♪
If it's okay with you ♪
If it's okay with you ♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I drink single malt.
You've come to the right place.
I haven't I haven't
finished unpacking.
Yeah, how long have you been here?
Uh three, four months.
[LAUGHS]
I'm busy with work.
Uh-huh.
That's my mom.
I mean, not her obviously, but her work.
Shirley Alberg.
She was just starting to
get noticed when she passed.
You checked me out.
[LAUGHS] Librarians call it research.
I'm sorry about your mom.
I was 16, so
Yeah, I'm pretty much over it.
Where is that?
That is Half Moon Bay.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
My-my mom stayed here a few times.
Ah.
I came here with her
once, um, years ago.
I was nine.
And-and you, what,
you camped on the beach
while your mom painted?
- Kind of, yeah.
- Oh, you are such a Bohemian.
- Mm-hmm.
- And now you're the Chief of Police.
Surprises the heck out
of me too sometimes.
Hm.
What about your dad?
Did he ever come with you guys?
Oh no, no. I mean, uh
I never had one.
Yeah.
Just me and my mom, far
back as I can recall.
My mom really loved it here.
Something she said about the place.
It, uh
it has a special kind of peace.
It heals.
Sometimes you need that, you know?
Yeah, I do.
Yeah. Maybe that's why I'm back.
Trying to reconnect or something.
[CAT MEOWS]
Karl, do you have a cat?
Possibly. Yeah.
Felix.
That's, uh, that's
what I call him anyway.
He sort of disappeared.
But, uh
Now the food's getting eaten, so
You said you had single malt.
Yeah.
Guys say all kinds of stuff.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
♪
Don't ♪
Take the night ♪
Don't leave here ♪
Just make it right ♪
God
The last time I had a proper date
it's been a minute.
We'll take it as slowly as you want.
What are the other options?
Do you expect me to live ♪
That kind of life? ♪
I won't ♪
I'll fight ♪
Don't take the night ♪
Take the gun and I'll take the knife ♪
Don't take the night ♪
Don't take the night ♪
♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[THUD]
[CAR ENGINE]
[KNOCKING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
You crafty old bastard.
[DRAGGING BOAT]
Evening, George.
What are you doing out there, George?
Rowed quite the distance, didn't you?
Had to get out past the shelf.
I don't know what you're talking about.
The murder weapon, George.
The one you buried and then dug up.
You chuck them both or just the one
you bashed his head in with?
Doesn't matter 'cause
I'm gonna find them.
Good! You look for whatever
you damn well please.
- I'm going to bed.
- Oh, you're a determined man, George.
Well, so am I.
I'll have the sea search people with me.
Underwater drones, side
scan sonar, state of the art.
There's nothing those guys can't find.
You don't frighten me.
I just thought there might be
something you'd like to tell me.
Well, you thought wrong, sonny.
I don't have anything to tell you.
You understand?
Nothing.
Karl?
Karl?
Seems like sorrow ♪
Great.
Never done leave nobody alone ♪
[PHONE ALERT CHIMES]
- Maybe by tomorrow ♪
-
♪
Baby, by tomorrow ♪
Good morning, boss.
You wanted to see us?
It's uh, it's the old guy.
George Wilcox?
He's dumped the murder weapon.
There's a shelf, 100 yards off shore.
All the way across
that stretch of coast.
Burke's place is here, Wilcox is here.
If he's smart, the old
bastard rowed out past it.
And the old bastard's smart.
Last night? I mean, why?
Something to do with the sister.
Yeah, but we still
Of course we'll need a motive.
But he did it, Sid.
I was pretty convinced
yesterday, now I know.
I'll get someone to look through
- the security footage from the house.
- Okay.
And I need to know if anybody else
saw George Wilcox go
past that house at 12:30.
We need to nail down
what's actually missing.
- Cleaning lady.
- Yeah. Found her. Do you want me to
Now. Please.
And find the fish guy.
Anything else for me?
Uh
some deodorant would be nice.
For me, Sid.
You smell as fresh
as a mountain morning.
Karl Alberg.
Look at you.
[BIRD SQUAWKS] Hi.
Help you?
It's a real old timer, this guy.
He won't eat. Tried bird
seed, whole grain bread.
Nuh-uh. No, you need
to give him some mango.
Maybe a slice of peach.
- Seriously?
- Yeah.
So, I hear you folks
have been looking for me.
Derek Farley.
Yeah, I sold a trout up the road.
I just
I swear to God, man. I don't know
Just tell me what time you got there.
What you saw.
9:30, maybe 10:00 AM.
But I rang that bell
and he opened the door.
Did you see anyone with him?
Anyone coming or going?
No one.
Did he say anything?
Thanks for the fish,
something like that.
Uh, no wait. Um
No, he said he'd invited
a friend to lunch.
Did he mention a name?
Just an old friend.
Invited him to lunch.
Mm-hmm.
Thanks Mr. Farley, you've been helpful.
- Really?
- Yeah, very.
Semper Fi.
Desert Storm.
I moved here 20 years ago.
Met my wife. Better way to live.
Mrs. Harris, we appreciate your help.
A tragedy, what a tragedy.
- Poor Mr. Burke.
- Yeah.
I cleaned his house for years, you know,
like clockwork, every
second Saturday afternoon.
What we need to do is compile a list,
anything of value that
may have been in the house.
Because robbery was the motive?
Let's say we're doing our due diligence.
Well, he had a fair bit.
Silverware and china. Some old antiques.
Of course people love to say antique
when they really mean old.
Mrs. Harris
Have you ever seen one of these?
Trench art? Sure.
Artwork made from artillery shells.
This is really good. Bit
of an artist yourself.
Think carefully now,
did Carlyle Burke have
Two of 'em. There and there.
You sure?
Ever since I've been cleaning his house.
But they're not really valuable though,
you buy 'em online.
Oh, yeah. Thank you, Mrs. Harris.
Thank you.
Oh, uh, careful.
Oh! Scene of the crime.
Yes.
It's probably out in the
middle of the ocean by now.
So
We went for a walk, visited a friend,
and then walked some more.
Okay. Promising start.
He dropped me off at
my car and then I, um
I followed him back to his place.
Shut up!
He's an artist. Who would've thought?
Okay, never mind that.
He's actually very good.
Artistically.
And no, before you ask,
he did not ask to paint my portrait.
I'm late for work.
Okay, Cass, Cass This is great.
It is. Whether you
wanna admit it or not.
Be happy.
[SQUEALS]
[LAUGHS] Thank you.
So, um is it just his hands?
Okay, bye Phyll.
Boss.
That old accident
report from Bellingham.
Burke's wife. Single vehicle.
Turns out, driving too
fast, just went off the road.
Second page is the autopsy report.
They gave her the works.
Apparently George Wilcox
insisted death due to injury
sustained in the crash.
Also, there may have been some
old fractures that hadn't set.
And possibly some new ones, but
the rest of her was
too busted up to know.
Anything from the sea search guys?
[GROANS]
Big ocean.
Yeah, well I don't
care if they find anything,
he can see them from his
window every time he looks out.
Okay. Just hear me out.
Just, uh, devil's advocate.
Let's say the old guy
did just go out for a row.
I had an uncle, slipped a gear
stopped wearing pants.
Yeah.
everyone confesses, Sid
sooner or later to somebody.
George Does something hurt?
- Does your heart hurt?
- No, it isn't that.
I am going to take you to a doctor.
No!
No, no. No doctors. Nuh-uh.
Okay. Okay. No doctors.
Come on, let me take you home.
You gonna be okay?
Fine.
Thank you.
For everything.
What are they doing?
Their job.
I'm going away, Cassandra.
Soon.
Going away. Why?
To be with my daughter.
But your garden?
I, uh I don't deserve it anymore.
I-I just can't stomach the thought
of dying where Carlyle died.
Being buried where he's buried.
But Myra's buried here too.
Hmm.
He's dead now.
Why do you still hate him so much?
I've done a terrible thing, Cassandra.
And, uh
I need to atone.
At first I wanted to give myself up,
but then I thought prison?
No.
I, I I can't.
I can't spend the last days
of my life behind bars.
Not for him.
George. What, uh
what am I supposed to do with this?
Do whatever you need to do.
Oh hey, Cassandra
Give me a minute.
[BREATHING SHAKILY]
Sure we could keep going.
But it's more than 100,000
square yards of ocean.
Rocks all over the bottom,
some as big as a truck.
Keep going.
Until?
I tell you to stop.
[PHONE VIBRATES]
Well, well. The amazing
disappearing detective.
I've heard about guys sneaking
out in the middle of the night,
but from your own house?
I was gonna suggest dinner, but
today's getting away from me.
Maybe on the weekend or something?
Cassandra?
I'd like to see you today. It
doesn't have to be for long.
What's up?
I saw police boats on the water.
Took a notion there might
be a weapon out there.
And was there?
There he is sphinx.
It was quite the
experience this morning.
Waking up alone in your house
with bits of you lying around,
hanging on the walls.
I know. I'll, uh
I'll get the unpacking finished.
You're an artist too. Not just your mom.
I went into the room.
Those paintings, they're, uh
they're amazing.
And personal.
So is was waking up
in someone else's bed.
Not what I would've
expected from you, but
you take it seriously, you're good.
How's your friend, George Wilcox?
My God.
Are those a policeman's eyes?
They're my eyes, I'm a policeman.
Why
[CLEARS THROAT] are you a policeman?
Because I'm good at the job.
I can imagine.
And I like it.
That's not an answer though.
Why do you like it?
I like figuring things
out. Solving things.
I like serving and protecting.
I know, a walking cliché.
I thought so too until
my daughters were born.
And what about justice?
Oh, justice isn't up to me, thank God.
Thank God?
The law lets you know where you stand.
I don't
think that George is doing
very well, to be honest.
He, uh, came by the library today.
What he have to say for himself?
We just talked.
You said you wanted to to meet.
Well, what's up?
I had a really nice time last night.
Me too.
[PHONE RINGS]
I should get back to work.
[PHONE RINGS]
[PHONE RINGS]
Yeah, Sid. I'm on my way.
Already did the living room,
kitchen and bathroom, Chief.
Also the tool shed. No joy.
Guy stuff.
Yes, sir.
Tools. Junk.
What's outta place?
Thing is, Chief, if we
had a better sense of
what we were looking for,
that might help.
Well, something that
should be there but isn't.
Something that shouldn't be here but is.
Right. Right.
Big picture first, then details.
Mm-hmm.
That
[JEWELRY RATTLING]
[WOOD KNOCKING]
Puzzle box.
My ye-ye loved those.
"I can't live in fear,
Carlyle. I won't. Never again."
"May 15th, 1978."
"If you raise a hand to me again"
George Wilcox.
You've always suspected.
You wait 40 years and then you kill him?
- He did it, Sid.
- Okay. But without a confession,
what are the odds we're gonna get him?
Then I'll get a confession.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
I'd like you to come
with me, Mr. Wilcox.
Oh going downtown, are we?
[POLICE RADIO]
I thought maybe you'd
come to say goodbye.
One of us going somewhere?
She didn't tell you?
I'm going to Montréal.
Um
I can't let you do that.
Why not?
You've got nothing on me.
It's all circumstantial.
I'm not even a suspect.
I'm a person of interest.
And as free as a bird.
Speaking of birds, Carlyle
left you his parrot.
[DOOR OPENS]
Sometimes it's harder than
you'd believe to kill someone.
You bash away and they
just refuse to die.
You speaking from personal experience?
Sometimes it's just one little smack.
He invited you for lunch.
Now why would he have done that?
You tell me.
Maybe 'cause it was the
anniversary of Audrey's death?
Maybe Carlyle figured time was short.
Eighty-five years old.
Like you said, George, wearing out fast.
There were things he wanted to say,
problem is he said them.
How am I doing so far, George?
See, I I don't think you
came here planning to kill him.
But the man just wouldn't shut up.
Would he, George?
He started talking about your sister.
I'm warning you.
Audrey was broken long before I met her.
And that is the truth and
it's time you faced up to that.
For your own sake.
- Shut up!
- Saying things you couldn't stand to hear.
So you grabbed something.
Poor Audrey would've been better off
if she'd never had a brother.
You just wanted to make him stop.
She'd be better off if you'd never
[THUD]
And all of a sudden there he is
lying dead.
With his eyes open.
I know
because I found the body.
Talk to me, George.
You don't need to carry this.
[SCOFFS]
You miserable cops.
You have no idea what I carry around.
I remember
coming in the back door.
I could see him in the living room.
Sitting in the chair?
Standing.
Beating her with a razor strop.
Carlyle Burke?
My stepdad.
It started when we were 14, 15.
He'd beat my twin sister
every time he went on a bender.
I'd hit him with anything
I could get my hands on.
He'd just pick me up and
throw me across the room.
You've probably heard all this before,
haven't you, Mr. Alberg?
A man with your experience.
One day on the way home
I heard Audrey's screams
all the way to the top of the road.
I wanted to kill him.
I ran down to where his truck was parked
to grab the shotgun off his rack.
I fired a shot in the air.
Get the hell out of here,
you miserable son of a bitch.
He, uh
he was too far away to grab the gun
and too drunk to think straight.
So he turned tail and
stumbled back towards his truck.
My mother ran after him,
yelling at him not to drive.
That she was sorry
and begging him to take her with him.
He fishtailed across the
yard, clipping the gate.
As he turned onto the upper road
I said to no one in particular
If there is a God in heaven
I hope he drives the two of
them off the bloody cliff.
Sometime that evening
two cops showed up.
They told us
our father's truck had
been forced off the road
by a tractor trailer.
It had flipped over the guardrail
and plunged into the ocean.
So
there is a God.
I failed my sister, Mr. Alberg.
And I might just as well
have killed both my parents.
That's it.
I have nothing more to say to you.
- Is she here?
- Uh, that way.
Your friend says he's leaving.
He's surprised you didn't tell me.
I assume that we're talking about
You have something to tell me?
He did it.
He did it and you know that.
- I'm not sure.
- Do you have any idea how serious this is?
Pretend I don't, Karl.
Pretend I'm an idiot.
If you're withholding information
Is that what I am to you, a source?
Oh, Cassandra
How many possible sources do
you screw in the course of
- A man is dead!
- Do not
[WHISPERS] Don't
shout at me.
Karl. Listen
If George Wilcox had told me
that he committed a crime
I'd have looked in the legal
section and I'd have found
that a confession like that
isn't admissible evidence.
Even if he said the words.
Yeah, well, you might wanna look again.
It is hearsay.
It wouldn't have mattered what I said.
It might have mattered to me.
Karl, he is an old man.
He is giving up everything he loves.
He's no danger to anyone.
Is it really so cut and dry for you?
Is it really so damned clear?
No.
But I don't make the rules
and I don't get to break them.
[SCOFFS] Well, I wonder
how you carry it, Detective.
The weight of your own integrity.
Hmm. Yeah.
[PA] Attention all passengers
kindly return to your vehicle
the ferry is about to unload.
I have enough to press charges, George.
Put it all together, there's
motive, opportunity, means.
You take care, now.
♪
♪
♪
Everything will be okay ♪
Everything will be fine ♪
♪
Everything will be okay ♪
Everything will be fine ♪
Everything will be ♪
"Dear Mr. Alberg
I understand you asked my doctor
about the state of my health,
which he refused to divulge.
It would've been
simpler to have asked me.
Yes, I am dying. If
that's of any consequence.
I can't say I'm surprised
and definitely not dismayed.
I never liked this life
all that much anyway.
First of all, I'm
writing to say thank you.
It was kind of you to
let me see those letters.
It must have been a
frustrating time for you.
I know how much you
cops like to get your man
and all that crap.
Just think how much
harder it might have been
if I'd planned the whole thing.
Still, you did get your man in the end.
Yes, Mr. Alberg. I killed Carlyle Burke.
There's my confession,
signed by my dying hand.
You can go ahead and
close your case now.
Finita la commedia.
P.S. I like you, Mr. Alberg,
in spite of everything.
And I know Cassandra
cares for you a great deal.
I'd be heartbroken if I
thought I'd spoiled that."
I received a letter.
Hmm. Same here.
God after all that.
Yeah.
George only outlived
Carlyle Burke by three weeks.
How you been?
I've been fine, thanks. You?
Uh, I don't suppose
you'd want a a kitten.
Felix came back.
He got himself pregnant?
Yeah. Go figure.
How many?
Six.
He told me what you did.
Those letters.
That was very kind.
I might have done the same
if I'd been in your position.
I might have handled things differently.
So, what'd he say to you in his letter?
Uh he told me not
to screw it up with you.
Hm.
[CHUCKLES]
Anyway
Karl, I'd have to see the kittens first.
I'll check with Felix.
See when it's convenient.
Okay.
Well you know where to find me.
Good night, good night ♪
Good night. ♪
Good night. ♪
Two lifelines ♪
On my hand ♪
♪