Elsbeth (2024) s01e02 Episode Script

1
♪
GLORIA: Yes, my darlings,
it's that time of the month,
where we gather for an
open and civil discourse
- on the issues facing our cooperative.
- [DOG BARKING]
Shut that mutt up!
I'm not kidding, Dorothy. I mean it.
And stop leaving little presents
for me in the garden.
[DOG GROWLING]
Happy birthday ♪
GLORIA: You all should have
received the agenda in advance.
Happy birthday, dear ♪
Shut up!
DANIEL [IN DISTANCE]:
What do you want from us?!
We have to live our lives!
Oh, Annie, you're still single, yes?
My son won the lottery for
tickets to Moulin Rouge!
I have no interest.
- You should be his date.
- Mom, stop. Mom? Stop.
GLORIA: You'll all get your chance
to bitch at me, I promise.
LEONARD: Why would you paint
the lobby walls oatmeal?
It's the color they use in institutions.
I don't hear you. And it's taupe.
Taupe, you philistine.
And we must replace the sidewalk.
People are going to sue the building.
Take it up at the board meeting.
Oh, I will.
So, shall we begin?
Item three on the agenda.
Leonard, you seem to
be chomping at the bit.
Simply put, we have all wanted to escape
your reign of terror for years,
but you've always blocked us.
Well, we now have a buyer
that even you can't reject.
Joann Lenox from Joann
Lenox Realty will explain.
Joann?
Thank you, Leonard.
My client is prepared
to purchase four units
at a price that will bring
generational wealth
to everyone in this building.
Now, I can't say more, but
she is a national treasure
who wants these apartments
for members of her family,
and her name rhymes with "Boprah."
[GASPING, LAUGHTER]
Ooh, I just said it out loud.
- Oh, shh.
- I figured it out.
- Don't tell anyone.
- Yes. It's her.
- LEONARD: You've got it right.
- Vetoed.
- What?
- Celebrities bring paparazzi,
attention and excessive renovations.
My family was part of
this original co-op,
and I won't allow the
culture to be changed.
This is outrageous.
If I were to allow a sale at this time,
it would be my son's garden apartment.
He doesn't deserve to live here.
You cannot keep holding us hostage.
Uh, do you even have
the authority to do this?
How can anyone reject Boprah?
You have a problem, vote me out.
Anyone else want to put
in the 70 hours a week?
You come at me, I'll come at you.
I have access to all your financials,
and a whole lot more.
I know where the bodies are buried.
♪
Lewis? Can you get that for me?
You can just drop it in there.
FISNIK: Come on, here we go.
Come on. Careful.
You're an unemployed DJ.
What could she possibly see in you?
[SCOFFS] What could anyone see in you?
I don't know, Ma. I don't know.
Oh, no. I think I left the stove on.
Go get the soup. I'll go back.
♪
[CLATTERING IN DISTANCE]
♪
Oh, Lewis.
I was gonna bring this up
to your mother tomorrow,
but since it concerns you, here.
Is this for real?
Your mother asked me to prepare it.
I'm sorry.
I hate to get in the middle
of a family squabble.
You're listing my apartment?
Kicking me out?
Oh, that woman is being a
little premature, but
yes, I did mention it as a possibility
at the last board meeting
and I guess she jumped on it.
That's what they do.
You've been threatening
to do it for years and
Well, maybe this really is the time.
Well, now? You know my DJ business
dried up during the pandemic.
- [DOG BARKING]
- I'm gonna kill her.
Shut that dog up!
I have no job, no money.
How am I supposed to live?
You know, it really is my fault, too.
I pampered you too much. [SCOFFS]
Every damn doodle on
that fridge. No more.
[DOG CONTINUES BARKING]
Dorothy!
I'm warning you!
Oh, don't you wave me off like that.
I'm serious. You know
I've had this convers
Oh, what is the point of talking to you?
You can't just cut me off.
Especially if it's your fault, too.
Honey, this is tough love.
It's time you grew a pair.
[DOG BARKING]
[GROWLS] I thought you
had that dog muzzled.
You take me seriously. I
[SCREAMS]
No!
[THUD]
Ma!
It's her son!
He must've pushed her!
[SIREN WAILING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[GRUNTING SOFTLY]
Excuse me. Sorry. Uh, please
Excuse me. Oh, excuse me.
Sorry. [CHUCKLES]
KAYA: Ah, there you are.
- This way.
- Thanks.
Ooh, jumping like that makes
you lightheaded. Whoa.
This must be the suspect.
Oh, he looks like he really needs a hug.
And a lawyer.
In New York, I can only give the hug.
DOROTHY: I heard them arguing.
They were always fighting up there.
Next thing I know,
Gloria falls from the balcony,
face-first. Splat.
And you actually saw her son push her?
Well, the streetlight went out
when they fixed the sidewalk,
so it was dark.
But I definitely saw him run away.
So, they were arguing,
which is face-to-face,
and then she was pushed,
so shouldn't the victim
have landed on her back
and not her front?
Wait.
[GRUNTS]
Two possibilities.
She either executed a
perfect backflip or
something made her turn.
"Aah "
[IMITATES THUD]
Well, at least she fell
between the cones
and didn't hit anyone on the way down.
- Silver lining, right?
- You must be Tascioni,
with the consent decree.
Heard you're, uh, smarter than you seem,
but are a bit of a weirdo.
"Smarter than I seem"? How nice.
I got that on a report card once.
[CHUCKLES]
Ah
- Oh.
- Hi.
Hello.
So, did you know the victim well?
Gloria Blecher was, well, one of a kind.
A classic New York character.
But she and Lewis haven't been
the same since her husband left.
When was that?
30 years ago, just after I moved in.
Mm. Hmm.
FISNIK: "Fisnik Raapi."
I'm doorman and super.
Gloria wanted two jobs, one salary.
And there's no way the railing gave way.
Witnesses said Gloria's been
leaning on it for decades.
They weren't shocked it collapsed.
She was a little bird woman.
And we checked all the
balconies a month ago.
Fisnik Raapi.
- It's Albanian.
- Oh, wow.
Right. I've heard this
fun fact about Albanians.
No means yes, yes means no. That true?
Yes.
[LAUGHS]
Isn't that fun?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Uh, can I help you?
Oh, I-I'm a real estate agent.
I've always wanted to see in this unit.
Lady, the body's still warm.
Oh, I was actually called
here by the police.
One of my listings was in
Gloria's hand when she died.
And what was the listing for?
Her son's apartment. She was
kicking him out of the nest.
I guess he got upset.
I've already told the
officers downstairs.
I do a lot of business in this building.
It's a very hard day.
Yet you still look immaculate.
Oh, thank you.
Well, I may seem unruffled,
but something like this
could really affect
the value of the co-op.
Uh, I'm sorry. We can't let
you contaminate the scene.
- Okay.
- WOMAN: Officer Blanke.
Yep.
See? We're wearing these little booties.
I think we get to keep 'em. [CHUCKLES]
Mm.
You know, I'm new to the city.
Can you help me find an apartment?
Oh, I'd be glad to refer you
to the appropriate broker.
I think I want you. Can I have you?
Mm, my plate is pretty full.
I'm more like a side dish.
Do you have a card?
Oh
I rushed here from my
office and forgot my bag.
- Too bad.
- Wait. [GASPS]
You're Joann Lenox.
I've seen your face on billboards.
- [LAUGHS]
- The billboards.
Wow, so I can find your number, easy.
Great.
I'm Elsbeth, by the way.
Elsbeth Tascioni.
It's like "Elsbet," but with a "lithp."
I really hope we can work together.
ELSBETH: Isn't that Joann Lenox?
I thought she left her
bag at the office.
That's what she said.
Well, that's a funny thing.
KAYA: Okay, let me see it.
- Might be the best one yet.
- Wow.
- That's uncanny.
- Right?
Can you believe the guy
never went to art school?
Mm-hmm.
[PHONE VIBRATES]
Oh.
Where is it? Oh, my gosh. Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
I think I have to ta take this.
Um, I'll be right back.
Uh, Browner's got the son in the box.
He hasn't lawyered up yet.
Said he has nothing to hide,
but you should probably observe.
Oh, okay.
Oh, uh, sorry.
[CLEARS THROAT] Yes. Yes, sir?
No update on Wagner?
What the hell have you been doing?
Earning his trust?
You're not out there to
play cops and robbers
or to make friends.
Um, I know you put me here to watch him,
but is there anything in particular
you want me to look for?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Any names, any threatening phone calls.
Any unusual business dealings.
Even the smallest detail
can be important.
Copy that, sir.
LEWIS: I already told you.
Mrs. Lee's dog was barking.
Ma ran to the balcony to yell at her,
and the railing gave way. That's it.
And it's weird because
Dorothy had that dog muzzled.
Why-why was he barking again?
Accident, huh? So why'd you try to run?
No, I didn't run.
I-I was just rushing to where
she fell. I was scared.
BROWNER: Come on, your mother
threatened to cut you off
and you pushed her off the balcony.
LEWIS: No, no, I didn't push her.
I-I never even liked to
touch her in any way.
Does anyone else even have a key?
To my mother's apartment? No.
Not even Fisnik.
You're insulting my
intelligence now, Lewis.
You had motive, means and
opportunity. You killed her!
Mm. Looks like Browner's
playing bad cop.
Then shouldn't there be a good cop, too?
LEWIS: I already told
you, I didn't push her.
Lie to me again I dare you
and I will bury your ass under the jail!
Sorry, sorry. I am so sorry.
I just thought everyone might
need a little potty break
and a snack.
I brought "cragels."
They're a new half-croissant,
half-bagel hybrid.
Genius or folly? Let's find out, hmm?
Are you nuts?
You can't just bust in here.
Actually, I think I can.
Oh, we'll see. I'm calling Wagner.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, wow, that's not [CLEARS THROAT]
This works for me.
- Thanks.
- Good.
Ma drove me crazy, but
I would never hurt her.
It was an accident.
Why won't anyone believe me?
I drive my son Teddy crazy, too,
but I know he loves me.
Families are complicated.
I'm not even sure she was
really gonna kick me out.
She seemed a little
surprised by the listing.
So, Joann Lenox jumped the gun?
Well, Ma had been threatening to do it,
and then Joann's always pushing
for a sale, and who knows?
Do you remember if Joann had her bag
when she handed you the listing?
I think it was designer.
It had a little monogram, black.
- Had a little
- I-I didn't notice.
Why do you ask?
[CLICKS TONGUE, MUTTERING]
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Not sure yet.
- The suspect needs to be detained
- A confession is inadmissible
- if it's coerce, and you were acting
- so I can do my damn job
- and make an arrest.
- like such a bully in there.
And you're acting like
a defense attorney.
- Whose side are you on, anyway?
- The truth.
- Oh
- I am only on the side of the truth now,
- and it feels so good.
- She's overstepping, Captain.
- Please tell her.
- Enough.
You're like my kids in
the back seat of the car
on the way to Florida.
- I'm not doing that again.
- KAYA: Forensics came back.
The bolts on the railing
were deliberately loosened,
rigged to give way.
Where does that leave us?
[INHALES SHARPLY]
Hmm
Well, Detective Browner's theory
is that this was a crime of passion,
but the evidence suggests the opposite.
- It was premeditated.
- So?
They both point to the same person.
Lewis hated his mother, killed her.
But Lewis only found out
about the listing from Joann
right before he confronted his mother.
The bolts had to have been
loosened well before that.
I mean, why would Lewis supply
the means for the murder
before he even had the motive?
So what's your theory?
Someone else tampered with the railing.
It's worth investigating before
you throw away the key.
All right.
Detective, do what you do. Go detect.
This one's not fully baked yet.
Ms. Tascioni, you hang back.
Okay, before you say anything,
isn't this exactly what
the consent decree is for?
I'm trying to save the
department from a lawsuit.
Observe and report from a distance.
That's the job.
Stop sticking your nose into everything.
Why can't you understand that?
Hmm?
- Be
- What?
Uh-uh.
[MUTTERS]: You don't want
to do that. Just walk out.
Voice mails, am I right?
Oh.
- Hi.
- Oh, hi.
Oh, wow, you look incredible. Again.
- What's your secret?
- Diet, exercise.
Vyvanse for my ADD.
Did you always want to
be a real estate agent?
I've always liked seeing
how other people lived.
It's like reading their diaries.
I have to really understand
my client to make a match.
You I don't get at all.
I don't get who you are
or what you actually do.
And I don't really think you're
looking for an apartment.
- Why's that?
- Why did you want to start
with this particular building, Elsbeth?
- Oh, it seemed lovely when
- When you were just here
for the murder investigation?
Admit it you're snooping around.
I don't have the authority
to investigate anything.
And my short-term rental has bugs.
I'm a motivated buyer.
- Promise.
- [DESK BELL CHIMES]
Plus, I'm open to all neighborhoods
and possibilities.
I think it's time to rebrand myself.
Don't a lot of people do that here?
[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]
Do you have keys to all the units?
See? Snooping.
Curiosity is not snooping.
- It's actually a sign of intelligence.
- Oh, this is silly.
I don't have keys to Gloria's apartment
and I never did.
I was indisposed. Apologies.
Feel free to look around.
This isn't marble, is it?
Uh, no, it's concrete, actually.
It's a color I call dark elegance.
- Isn't it incredible?
- Yeah.
Leonard's concrete company
provides the materials
for half the construction in Manhattan.
The countertops are just a side line.
Yes, I want people to see
the beauty in concrete,
not just the functionality.
Did you have anything to do
with the sidewalk repair
outside Gloria's unit?
Uh, well, yes, I did,
as a matter of fact.
It's just unfathomable
that Gloria died on it.
Mm.
Um, I feel grateful that I was
at the theater that evening
and didn't witness it firsthand.
I have a subscription to the Roundabout.
- Gold Circle.
- I didn't even know her,
and it still feels like a shock.
Well, Gloria was a real
classic New York character.
Although not the same
since her husband left her.
Didn't let anyone get too close.
Heartbreak will do that to you.
- Mm. I suppose that's true.
- Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Uh, do you mind just
giving us a quick moment?
- Oh, sure, sure.
- Thank you.
Why are you still showing the apartment?
Is Oprah out?
Oprah is having cold feet
from the bad headlines.
But Gloria can no longer block a sale,
so be thankful for that.
Who is that woman?
I don't trust her shoes.
♪
♪
Well, what do you think?
I think I want to be a
New Yorker with a view.
JOANN: Lewis?
Why isn't he in prison?
I guess they don't have
enough evidence yet.
I hate when a job isn't finished.
Well, it's worse if they make a mistake.
That's kind of my job.
To make sure they don't.
LEWIS: I'm home!
And I'm innocent!
♪
Milo, what are you doing?
What are you digging for?
Honey!
[LAUGHING]: Milo, what what Oh.
[GROWLING]
Oh.
KAYA: So, that powder
was near the railing?
Someone in good shape
could have easily climbed
from one balcony to the other
and loosened the bolts.
Joann has a key to
Leonard Rosen's apartment.
That gives her opportunity.
- Hey!
- Oh!
[SIGHS] But Joann's
- My age?
- Look.
I agree Joann's a little hinky.
I mean, she did lie
about having her bag,
and little lies usually
cover bigger ones.
"Hinky." [LAUGHS]
Spoken like an attorney.
Whoa! Uh-uh!
You sure you want to eat that?
It's the world famous dirty water dog.
Mmm.
Unmissable.
So that building really
in your price point
or you just working the case?
I defended some
high-profile clients in Chicago.
Crime really does pay.
So this consent decree
thing's gonna last a while?
I hope so.
You're really just
giving up your old life?
My old life can come visit.
You mean your son?
I just didn't know you had one.
Teddy's in D.C. now. He's doing great.
Doesn't tell me everything.
I try not to meddle, but it's hard.
- Elsbeth Tascioni.
- [GASPS]
- What's up?
- Hey.
The murder weapon was found
in the community garden.
The wrench that loosened the
screws on Gloria's railing.
And it has Lewis Blecher's
prints all over it.
You know, you're right
the truth really does feel good.
- What's up, Kaya?
- Whatever, Joey.
[SIGHS] I admit the weed garden is mine.
- But that's not illegal anymore.
- Forget the weed.
How do you explain the wrench?
LEWIS: How do I'm not handy.
I-I don't think I've ever
even touched a wrench.
Well, you touched this one.
Your prints are all over it.
Think fast.
- What the hell are you doing?
- Sidebar.
You're not in court.
Lewis caught those pretzels
pieces with his right hand.
But forensics say the prints on
the wrench were made by his left.
Why would he use his off hand
to turn those heavy bolts?
Killers' methods are
sometimes hard to fathom.
- Stop overthinking it, yeah?
- Uh
I think I remember how my
prints got on the wrench.
Enlighten us.
A neighbor was fixing a bike
outside and dropped it.
I was holding my mother's
arm with my right hand,
so I grabbed the wrench with my left,
and put it away.
[SMACKS LIPS]
What neighbor?
I was the last buyer Gloria approved.
I can't believe she's gone.
- Were you two close?
- No, no.
I heard she didn't trust people
since her husband left her.
But she was a great New York character.
JOEY: Do you remember seeing
Lewis the night of her death?
Sure, yeah, I, uh, I was fixing my
bike and I dropped my wrench.
And Lewis has this big, creepy
crush on me, so he helped.
Do you know where the wrench is now?
Well, I assume that he
put it back in my toolbox.
- Can you check?
- Mm-hmm.
[LATCHES UNBUCKLE]
It's gone.
Oh, my God. I would hate to think
that something of mine
was used to kill someone.
ELSBETH: Why would Lewis
steal the wrench from Annie
on the way to get soup with his mother?
What Not a closet anymore.
He wouldn't have time
to loosen the bolts.
It all happened too fast.
Well, loosening the bolts
didn't have to take long.
And his prints are on the murder weapon.
Which was so conveniently
found in his weed garden.
You think he was framed?
Well, Lewis said that Gloria
was surprised by the listing.
Ever think Joann showed
it to him right then
to deliberately provoke a reaction?
Ever think the suspect
might be stirring some
maternal instincts
and you have a soft spot?
♪
Oh
Wow. You didn't tell me
exercise meant climbing walls.
Maybe I didn't want you to know.
Your, uh, assistant told
me where you were.
Well, they're fired.
What do you want now, Ms. "Taskionay"?
Tascioni.
All evidence points to Lewis Blecher.
They're almost ready to indict.
Thought you'd want to know.
Yes. That's good to hear.
But there are still some issues.
And it's my job to make sure
the police do everything right.
They found the wrench
with Lewis' fingerprints
in his weed garden.
What issues can there be?
Well, Lewis' motive suggests
a crime of passion,
but the evidence points
to premeditation.
Hmm.
- Yeah, it's a conundrum.
- Hmm.
Well, let's see.
Gloria's been threatening to
kick Lewis out for a long time.
Maybe actually seeing the listing
was the straw that
broke the camel's back.
Ooh, what's that?
Does that make you go fast?
It's for grip.
So you think Lewis could have been
planning the attack in advance?
Okay, listen. If the
police have questions,
let them send a detective
and interview me formally.
This game is no longer cute.
It's not a game.
[SIGHS]
I want to buy Leonard Rosen's apartment.
Oh, come on. Really, Elsbeth?
No, yes, I've made up my mind.
That view, oh!
3D is a premium unit in a
luxury Upper West Side building.
Are you aware of the asking price?
Yes, and I can pay cash.
I'll provide you my financials.
Well, look at you, Chicago lady.
I know. I don't seem rich.
I'm still getting used
to the idea myself.
I just worked hard and
did okay in my divorce,
and there I was. [GRUNTS]
Always sweeter to earn it yourself.
Well, it's the only way a Tascioni
or a Grozeki could ever get ahead.
I don't blame you for changing it.
Grozeki how do you know that name?
Oh, well, when I searched "Joann Lenox"
- to get your number
- Uh-huh.
I found your mother's obituary.
Sadie Grozeki,
survived by her daughter, you.
I'm sorry for your loss.
My mother had a very hard life.
She cleaned the kind of
apartments I now sell.
I built everything I
have because of her.
And I won't let anything stop
me from reaching the top.
You're right
this stuff really does work.
[SHORT CHUCKLE]
Hydro Super Grip.
Ms. Tascioni managed to get a sample
of the resin used by Joann Lenox
at the rock climbing gym.
Turns out that it's a perfect match.
Huh.
Joann was selling the apartment
below, so she had a key.
That's access.
She was using her rock climbing skills
to move between Leonard Rosen's balcony
and Gloria's and loosen the bolts,
where she left behind
some resin from her hands.
You got it, yay!
- That's credible, Detective?
- It tracks.
The real estate agent set
up the son to take the fall.
MAN: No! No! No, I demand
to see Wagner now!
He needs to answer for
what's happening at FlairAll!
Get off me, damn it! I see you, Wagner.
I see you!
I'm sorry, Captain.
Wali going off again. Wali's nuts.
WAGNER: I thought I told you to
give his photograph to security.
NOONAN: Yeah, I did.
This place is like a sieve.
Well, another satisfied customer.
- Where were we?
- Joann Lenox. Case closed.
No, too many holes.
I mean, how did the wrench
with Lewis' prints
magically get from the street
level to the upper floor?
Maybe the same way Joann's
bag appeared out of nowhere.
We still haven't figured that out yet.
Yes, a motive would be nice, too.
So we're shaky on means and opportunity
and we don't have a motive,
so what does that tell us?
I don't think Joann
could've done this alone.
It's been quite a rollercoaster,
Lewis. How are you holding up?
First Dad, now Mom.
It's hard being an orphan.
I'm sorry for your "t'suris."
That means "sorrows."
I'm working on my Yiddish
to be a New Yorker.
Oh, yeah, my mother
said I caused her tsuris
- every day of my life.
- Oh, "tsuris."
- Yeah. The T is silent.
- Got it.
I want to find out who killed
her and tried to set me up.
Wait. Think I've got something.
What is this?
Oh, that's the agenda from
the last co-op meeting,
a week before Ma died.
She loved to pre-game.
ELSBETH: Okay, huh.
"Item three: prospective
sale of four units
to Oprah Winfrey?
Guest: Joann Lenox."
Oprah? That's big news.
- Had you heard about this?
- Oh, board meetings.
Blech. But, you know, Ma lived for them.
And she kept all the minutes in here.
Uh, 40 years worth,
documenting everything.
- What do you call that?
- A gold mine.
Where's this month's?
Oh.
Looks like this is the most recent.
I guess Gloria didn't live
to see the latest set.
That still gives us plenty
of reading to do.
Cool.
I'm gonna go put on one of my DJ mixes.
But first
I have an apartment to buy.
JOANN: Ten percent over
asking is the magic number.
- Are we still all cash?
- Yep.
But before we go any further,
I'd like to see the latest
co-op board minutes.
Just to know how the
building does business
and if everyone gets along.
Well, those documents are usually
sent by the signing office
to the buyer's attorney.
Well, luckily, I'm my own attorney,
and this is considered a
signing office, isn't it?
So think it all works out.
Thank you.
Thank you. Let's see.
Cracked sidewalk,
uh, paint color in lobby
Where's item number three?
There's no mention of Gloria
blocking your sale to Oprah.
Let me show you.
See?
It's here. That's kind of
a big detail to leave out.
Well, I don't know why
they would omit it.
Gloria vetoes sales all the time.
But this was for life-changing money.
For you, too.
What exactly are you suggesting?
You know something, Elsbeth?
You've had the wrong idea
about me from the beginning
and I think it's time we cleared it up.
I'm one of the biggest brokers
in the biggest markets in the world.
I make huge sales every day.
Money would never be a
motive for me in anything,
let alone taking a human life,
and I'm offended by the implication.
I didn't mean to offend you.
If you're uncomfortable
with me or with the board,
feel free to take your questions
and walk out the door.
In fact, I encourage it.
[TREADMILL STOPS]
But won't the board have
questions for me, too?
Submit my financials
and set up the meeting.
It's between me and the co-op now.
I'm just trying to buy
an apartment, Joann.
[TECHNO MUSIC PLAYING]
Hi.
Hey. So, I've been following
all these stories.
8F has been having an affair with 3C.
And 5J owes 6B money.
Find any motive for murder?
Only on every single page.
I used to power through
thousands of pages
of discovery right before court.
Just have to get in my zone.
Thought I'd chill you out with
my famous golden milk bud tea.
- Mmm.
- Mmm.
I just had to send some
weed up from the garden.
Mm. What do you mean, "send up"?
Oh, I put it in the dumbwaiter
in the basement
and just sent it straight
up to the apartment.
Did you say dumbwaiter?
Yeah, most of them were
bricked over years ago,
but my mom never let anybody
into this apartment, so
we kept ours.
Does Leonard's apartment
have one on the same line?
3D. Maybe. Why?
I love when all the
pieces come together.
JOANN: I believe you've
all had a chance to review
Ms. "Taskionay's" application.
- Tascioni.
- Are there any questions
before we take a final
vote on her approval?
ELSBETH: Actually I have a
few questions before I decide
- if I would be a good fit.
- You have questions for us?
Questions about what?
The night Gloria Blecher died.
LEONARD: What's that have to do with us?
Maybe nothing. Let's find out.
Let's go step-by-step.
Well, I don't know what this
is, but I'm not listening.
Don't you want to see
if she gets it right?
Wow, I feel like I'm back in court,
making a final summation.
Wow. Ugh. [CHUCKLES]
Okay. [CLEARS THROAT]
La, la. Okay.
Let's begin at the beginning.
Lewis and Gloria headed out
for their nightly soup run.
Annie, you waited
outside with your bike.
And you took advantage of Lewis' crush
to get his prints on the wrench.
You then brought the wrench
to the secret dumbwaiter
"Dumbwaiter" is one word.
And you sent it up to 3D.
Which is Leonard's apartment.
Leonard. You agreed to give access
between your balcony and Gloria's
and then you went to the Roundabout
which sounds fun, I love
theater for an alibi.
Daniel.
It was your job to distract
Fisnik long enough
to allow Joann to sneak
past him into the building.
Joann.
You took the elevator to 3D,
where the wrench was waiting for you
in the dumbwaiter.
You must have had a change of clothes,
something dark in that monogrammed tote,
along with the Hydro Super Grip.
You then utilized your
rock climbing skills
to go from Leonard's balcony to Gloria's
where you loosened the
bolts on her railing.
Then you got back to
the lobby just in time
to give Lewis the listing,
lighting the fuse for his
argument with his mother.
Dorothy, you heard them arguing,
and that was your cue
to take the muzzle off
your dog and let him bark,
knowing it would enrage Gloria
and lure her to the balcony,
where she'd plunge to her death.
Leonard, that was a nice touch
with the newly-poured
concrete and the red cones
so that no innocent bystanders
would be crushed by Gloria.
The repair also took
out the streetlights,
so, bonus points for that twofer.
Joann, when the case
against Lewis was stalling,
you buried the wrench with
his prints in his weed garden
and had Dorothy's dog dig it up.
And we found the dog food,
so we know that was premeditated, too.
Whew. Ta-da.
Did we miss anything?
What about the clothes?
I-I didn't think that you would
risk ruining a $1,500 dress.
Plus, that coat would catch your eye.
- Was I right?
- This is total fantasy.
You can't prove any of that.
It's the most ridiculous
thing I've ever heard.
The woman's crazy.
And what motivation
would we possibly have?
Oh. Well, you all believed that
Oprah was gonna make you rich.
Believed?
Do you want to tell them or should we?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Oprah was never interested
in this building.
Not true.
Gloria's death put her off.
ELSBETH: Well, can you call
Oprah and confirm that, then?
Or anyone who works for her?
Put it on speaker, please.
It's after hours and you're certifiable.
- I'm not doing a thing.
- ELSBETH: Uh-huh.
I'm from Chicago. I checked.
Ms. Lenox, you left resin on the railing
that matched the resin
you used rock climbing.
You're toast.
You all are.
"A classic New York character."
You got your stories too straight.
[POLICE RADIOS CHIRP]
Oh, uh, we didn't think
of it. It was her idea.
- I-I
- I'm completely innocent.
- Her idea.
- Come on.
You all hated Gloria.
Oprah was just the excuse.
Leonard, she's rejected
your buyers for 17 years.
You believed Gloria was the
reason your kids had no friends.
Annie, she pushed her loser son on you.
And you, Dorothy have you
forgotten your first dog, Bubbles?
You know in your heart she poisoned him.
You had your reasons, too, Joann.
And yours cut the deepest.
What do you know about it?
Please take me. Take me away.
KAYA: Did you hear?
The board members have all
turned on Joann and taken deals.
- That's great.
- Mm-hmm.
She's requested a meeting with you.
- Who? Joann?
- Mm-hmm.
She's waiting in interrogation.
- What?
- [PHONE VIBRATES]
Um, I'll be right there.
- Hello?
- CELETANO: You got anything?
Yes, I have an update.
That man, Wally, tried to see Wagner,
but he was turned away.
What did he want?
I don't know. Something about
a company called FlairAll.
- FlairAll?
- Yes.
You absolutely sure?
Yes. What is this about?
Taking bribes, laundering
money through Wagner
and his wife's charitable foundation.
But who's Wally?
Stay close, Elsbeth.
I'll be in touch.
Well, you look great, Joann, again.
Orange is a tricky color, but
it works wonderfully
with your skin tones.
Yes. I'm a very lucky woman.
How are you holding up?
As in so many matters,
I look to Martha Stewart
for inspiration.
- Me too.
- Even in small spaces,
there are possibilities.
[SIGHS] I wish you could
take a look at my office.
[SOFT CHUCKLE]
Now, tell me what you know.
I know that Sadie Grozeki
your mother
worked as a live-in domestic
for Gloria Blecher.
Gloria accused her of
theft and fired her.
You are amazing.
How did you find that out?
Oh
We read through 40 years
of board minutes,
with every bit of gossip
written between the lines.
My mother was a victim.
Gloria's husband fell for her
and wanted them to run away together.
When that miserable bitch found out,
she evicted us and ruined
my mother's reputation.
- She couldn't get work anywhere.
- Mm.
And Lewis Sr. didn't help?
- I thought they were in love.
- Mm-hmm.
My mom reached out to him,
but he'd disappeared.
We had no money, no place to live.
Life was all uphill,
thanks to Gloria Blecher.
Captain Wagner.
[GRUMBLES]
Congratulations, Ms. Tascioni.
You've now helped clear three homicides.
ELSBETH: Three? Uh,
I only counted two, sir.
They started renovations
in Gloria's apartment
and discovered something
hidden in the wall.
Is that
WAGNER: The mummified body
of Lewis Blecher, Sr.
It's been in there over 30 years.
Well, no wonder she hated renovations.
I guess my mom got off easy.
Gloria only ruined her life.
And you finally got
your revenge for that.
It was Sadie Grozeki's dying wish.
And I wanted you to know
it was all worth it, Ms. Tascioni.