Elsbeth (2024) s02e15 Episode Script
I See... Murder
1
Tim says I talk about him too much.
But George has only been gone two years.
I'm supposed to just forget about him?
Oh
You know, it's normal
to struggle after loss.
And your George was
such a large presence.
Yeah. Well, Tim's no help.
Now that he's divorced,
he's running around
with women that he finds
on some dating "thing" on his phone,
and using Ronaldo without my permission.
- Ronaldo?
- My driver.
Oh, yes. How is he?
Unavailable.
Which means I'm always
stuck at home, alone.
I miss my Georgie so much.
Marilyn, please, you have to help me.
Oh. Please, don't fret, my pet, okay?
Let's see if we can connect
with your George, okay?
Let's put him here. Okay.
(EXHALES, INHALES)
(RAGGED EXHALE)
Okay. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
George is here.
- Oh.
- Okay? Uh, uh, George, George,
you're gonna have to slow down.
Your hubby is very,
very talkative today.
He is holding a briefcase.
And it's all business.
And he's saying
uh, something about a vote?
The Butterwell board meeting
is next week.
What is he saying?
He's closing a book.
And he's saying
"Phyllis, let it go."
Oh.
Georgie, I
I don't believe that. (NERVOUS CHUCKLE)
Are you absolutely sure?
Spirits never lie.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
Mrs. Pierson's son
is here to pick her up.
Stepson.
Tim.
Marilyn connected with your father.
He made it very clear.
He wants us to sell the company.
Wow, really? That's amazing.
Why don't you wait in the car?
I'd like to ask Marilyn
a few questions of my own.
All right.
You are a gift from heaven.
Oh.
I am but a vessel.
- Please don't touch that.
- TIM: Why?
Is it going to give me bad juju?
No, it's just very expensive.
How can I help you?
Listen, I'm not going
to mince words here.
This thing you have going
with my stepmother ends now.
- This thing?
- You've had a nice run,
made a bunch of my father's money,
but I'm back in town, so now it's over.
(SIGHS)
Phyllis has come to rely on my services.
And she's paid up
until the end of the month.
I don't care.
Enough is enough.
Well, if she comes running,
don't expect me to turn her away.
I could never be that cruel.
(BLOWING)
Daddy is not talking
to you from the beyond.
Are you insane?
You don't know her at all.
She's a con artist.
You listen to me, Phyllis.
My father never wanted
to sell the business,
especially not to SnackerDoodle.
They're the enemy.
I once ate a SnackerDoodle
Ginger Snap at a friend's house
when I was eight.
I was grounded for two weeks.
Two weeks.
- Tim, honey, if you could just
- No, no, no.
Don't honey me.
You're not my mother.
Butterwell means everything to me.
Really?
You didn't take
any interest in the business
when your father was alive.
- You went away.
- Things are different now.
Daddy's gone, and I'm here.
It's time I continue the legacy.
You are not voting to
sell the company. Got it?
If that's what you want.
(SCOFFS)
And you are not to see
that psychic again.
(PHONE CHIMES) Get a
therapist like a normal person.
I'm late.
I'm taking Ronaldo.
(SIGHS)
Georgie
what should I do?
George?
What are you trying to say?
♪
TIM: She blocked me?
Damn it.
(SCOFFS)
(TWIG SNAPS, FOOTSTEPS NEARBY)
(GRUNTS)
♪
He went on an Internet date
two nights ago,
and no one has heard from him since.
He never called Ronaldo,
my chauffeur, for a ride home
and his housekeeper says that
his bed hasn't been slept in.
And what happens when
you call his phone?
It just goes to voicemail.
Mrs. Pierson, I don't mean
to be indelicate,
but your stepson was a grown man
who went on a date.
For all we know, he's simply
preoccupied.
PHYLLIS: He missed his squash game.
And he hasn't used the family
gold card since Tuesday.
Well, you know what I always say?
Trust your instincts.
Don't worry, Phyllis.
I'm here. Spirit is with you.
And who are you, exactly?
I'm Marilyn Gladwell,
professional psychic.
I came as soon as Phyllis called.
Why not before?
Marilyn, this is, uh,
the police captain, Officer Blanke,
and her police friend or something.
MARILYN: Oh, my.
The things that have happened in here.
Ladies, if you'll excuse me.
I'll leave you in the capable hands
of Officer Blanke and Ms. Tascioni.
MARILYN: Oh, wait, wait.
I'm sorry, but Spirit is
practically screaming at me.
Here we go.
I'm seeing a blue station wagon.
Does that mean anything to you?
No.
Good luck.
So, were you friends with Tim?
Oh, no. Not really. I
I met him a couple of times.
Nice kid. Troubled.
But she can help you find him.
Isn't that right?
That won't be necessary.
Nonsense. She worked with the FBI.
MARILYN: Well, only a handful of times.
I was close with the former director.
But I think that we should let
the police handle this for now.
Please do this for me.
If anyone can find Tim, it's you.
MARILYN: Mm, ha, yeah.
Spirit is definitely
steering me over to the right.
We should've just hung
back at the station
and waited for TARU to get
a ping on Tim's cell phone.
ELSBETH: Is she talking to herself?
Have you ever been to a psychic?
Once, on my honeymoon.
He predicted we'd live
happily ever after.
(BOTH LAUGHING) (MARILYN SHUSHES)
No talking.
- Huh
- ELSBETH: You all right?
Something is clouding my eye.
I think I have some drops
in here somewhere.
No! My third eye.
Oh. Can you use drops for that?
It's gone.
I can't hear him anymore.
Maybe we should just head
back to the precinct?
Hmm.
Wait. Look.
KAYA: Crows. And a lot of them.
I think that's called a murder.
Phyllis did say
her driver dropped Tim off
near the park Tuesday night.
Maybe Marilyn already knew that
and got lucky?
Yeah. Maybe.
Hmm.
♪
I'm officially reclassifying
the missing person case to homicide.
I hope you took thorough notes
at the crime scene.
Of course. Uh, who should
I hand them over to?
Is Detective Donnelly
on this? Or Smullen?
Uh
Keep them for yourself.
Because
you're being promoted to detective,
effective immediately.
This is your case.
(LAUGHS) Thank you so much, Captain.
It's been a long time coming.
You deserve it. Here you go.
KAYA: Oh Wow.
Congratulations, Detective.
(CHEERING)
Oh, I'm so happy for you!
I am just so, so happy!
Ooh, I can see that.
Oh. And I have something for
you I can finally give you.
I think it'll really
(CLUCKS TONGUE) suit you.
Wait, you did not go back
and buy that suit?
I couldn't resist it.
It went on sale the week
after you returned it.
It looked so good on you.
- You did not have to do that.
- WAGNER: All right, then.
Take it away, Detective Blanke.
What are we looking at?
(KAYA CLEARS THROAT)
Our victim, uh, Tim Pierson,
was shot with an arrow two nights ago.
The ME said the arrow
pierced his breastplate
and went straight through his heart.
Sorry, I should not be smiling.
Time of death was around
9:15 p.m. Tuesday,
based on Tim's last text
to an online date, who stood him up.
Now, as strange as it sounds,
this could be a case of
wrong place, wrong time.
There have been reports of vigilante
rat hunters using bows
and arrows in the park.
Did you say "vigilante rat hunters"?
- Mm-hmm.
- This city never fails.
I have a call in to Parks and Rec
to learn more about the rat people.
Excellent. Anything else?
Well, there is the
Uh! No. No. No. Shh.
This is your case, Detective.
(CLEARS THROAT) Don't want to overstep.
Good idea.
Actually, there is one more
element we should explore.
That psychic who helped find
the body got us pretty close.
I think it's worth talking to
her again and getting an alibi.
Ooh! Great idea. I'll go get my coat.
Oh, actually, I was gonna head
over to Parks and Rec first.
You know, start with the most obvious.
Sensible choice, Detective.
But you should go talk to
Marilyn, if you feel like it.
But who would I go with?
Don't look at me.
I don't like psychics.
Especially that one.
I might have someone.
Stand by.
Let me see the badge.
(SQUEALS)
It's so shiny.
Elsbeth, meet Officer Nicky Reynolds.
They would love to
get an alibi with you.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Let's do this.
♪
(WATER RUNNING SOFTLY)
Ooh
(SIGHS) That water feature
is so soothing.
Don't you think?
So, um, are you from New York City?
No.
I'm from Chicago.
Well, uh, Peoria, originally.
Did you always want to be
in law enforcement?
Sort of.
Cool.
That's cool. (CLEARS THROAT)
You have any weekend plans?
Is this a part of the consent decree?
Like, are you supposed
to be reporting on us or?
Oh, no. Gosh, no.
I'm just, um, making conversation.
(SIGHS, CLEARS THROAT)
So, um, what does a psychic's
assistant do, exactly?
Do you get to polish the crystal balls?
I handle all the bookings and billing.
People pay a lot of money for her time.
You may not believe in it,
but Marilyn's the real deal.
Mm.
She will see you now.
Oh, Phyllis. Aw
How are you holding up?
Marilyn's getting me through it.
Phyllis, pet, I want you to spend
at least an hour in your crystal room.
And then it's straight to bed, okay?
Okay.
(SMACKS LIPS) Ugh, poor thing.
Were she and Tim very close?
It must be such a shock
Ms. Gladwell, what were you doing
Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m.? (CLICKS PEN)
- Am I a suspect?
- ELSBETH: Uh, no, no.
Nothing like that.
This is just standard police work.
Okay, well Tuesday
Oh. I was with many people.
Um, I was channeling
a client's ancestors
- over the telephone.
- ELSBETH: Oh.
Hope you have a good long-distance plan.
Oh. Oh, yeah.
NICKY: We're gonna need a name
and phone number
for your client, to verify.
Oh, so much for discretion.
But there's nothing
to be embarrassed about,
so give them what they want.
Okay.
ELSBETH: Oh, Marilyn, um
if I may ask, uh,
oh, wow, that is so cool.
- Um, since you Oh.
- No, it's okay.
Sorry. It's supposed to be like that.
You're good, you're okay.
Since you so brilliantly
led us to the exact area
where Tim's body was found
It was the general area.
No one is that good, not even me.
Well, I was impressed.
- Oh!
- Oh, gosh.
Um, maybe you could
just give us a little
insight into the case?
(SIGHS) I'm sorry, but I just can't keep
giving pro bono services to the police.
And my fee is $1,500 an hour.
Uh, can the NYPD afford that?
I'll have to ask. But in the meantime,
maybe you could just do
a little check-in?
See if you hear anything?
For Phyllis. She seems so sad. (SIGHS)
Okay.
(SIGHS)
(EXHALES)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
MARILYN: I-I'm not getting anything,
you know, it's, uh,
just-just interference.
All I'm experiencing is bad energy.
Oh.
So, you two are the copresidents?
We're the founders.
The Rodent Death Society is
a volunteer organization.
Anyone is welcome.
And you all just get together and
hunt rats?
With bows and arrows?
What would you use?
Uh, rat poison?
Do you know what rat poison
does to birds of prey?
BRAD: It-It's one of the
many reasons why rats are
a plague on the environment.
Not to mention the infrastructure
and, most importantly,
the people of New York City.
Okay. So you said you have hunted
in this area here, near Bank Rock Bay,
where our victim was found
with an arrow in his chest?
We've hunted there,
but we didn't kill that man.
Look.
We only use blunt tip arrows.
They deliver a deadly blow
to small animals
without piercing them.
It couldn't go through
a human breastplate.
And you're sure every member
of RDS uses the same equipment?
It's part of the Rodent
Death Society pledge.
You know, I think we actually
put up a couple of trail cams
around Bank Rock Bay.
We use the footage to
gauge rodent density.
Do you want access
to those memory cards?
You have footage of the park?
Yeah, I'll take those cards.
So, they just get together and
- hunt rats?
- KAYA: Yeah.
It's weird, but they're
not our suspects.
They don't use this kind of arrow.
ELSBETH: That looks old
And sharp. Mm-hmm.
I sent the arrow
to our weapons specialist.
Hopefully they come back with something.
Huh.
How'd it go with Marilyn?
She has an alibi.
She was giving a client a phone reading.
Officer Reynolds called
the client to confirm.
Huh.
Any chance we could be dealing
with another Hepson case,
you know, committing murder
while on the phone
and faking her location?
Unlikely. The client called her,
and Marilyn uses a landline.
I think we're back to square one.
So, what do we do next?
I think we need to look
at the victimology.
Who was Tim Pierson,
and why was he all the way out
in that part of the park?
He was waiting for his date.
Oh! We should check
BOTH: his dating app!
Yes! Um, are you hungry?
Do you want to order take out,
make a night of it?
Yes, please.
- Okay.
- Oh. No.
I need to write up my interview reports.
But Officer Reynolds is in the bullpen.
I can send them in to help.
Oh. Okay.
Good.
Hey, Nicky.
ELSBETH: Are you sure you're
not even a little bit hungry?
No, thanks.
And the MSG.
Oh, look at this.
Tim uses the same line
on every potential date.
He says his Aunt Bitsy just died
and he really doesn't want to be
alone right now.
Lame. Do you do a lot of online dating?
- No.
- Yeah, I never had the courage.
But my son Teddy met
his boyfriend that way.
So, does that mean
you're in a relationship?
Or actively single?
I don't know what I am.
(CHUCKLES) Um
There's this guy in Scotland.
He's really cute. And, uh, he sings.
But that's just so far away.
Have you ever tried
the long-distance thing?
I don't really talk
about my personal life at work.
I think it's important
to separate the two.
Oh, okay. Thats, um, yeah.
I respect that.
Found something.
Okay, try to follow.
I was able to unlock
Tim's archive of people
who've blocked him.
He had more than most.
This is Kristy Brown, the
woman he was waiting for.
She never showed and
then, she blocked him.
Check out her interests.
They're nearly identical to Tim's:
basketball, crypto currency.
Italian Gothic Horror films?
That's uncanny.
It's almost as if she's deliberately
trying to attract Tim.
Let me try something.
I knew it. Look.
Her picture is taken from
someone else's page.
(GASPS SOFTLY) Kristy
Brown isn't a real person.
So that means Tim was catfished.
(GASPS) But who would do that?
And why?
I bet it was the killer.
PHYLLIS: Tim only moved back
to New York a few weeks ago.
His life in L.A. had fallen apart.
His wife left him (SIGHS)
and then he had to shut down
his production company.
You look different today.
That is a fabulous suit.
Thank you.
So, why did Tim have to shut
down his production company?
No one liked his films.
They said they were "too
pretentious for Oscar bait,"
whatever that means.
What about his ex-wife?
Tawny's living with her scuba
instructor in Santa Monica.
She's no killer.
Besides, she got everything
in the divorce.
That's why Tim came crawling
back to the family business.
Butterwell Treats. Have you heard of it?
Oh, yeah, they make the brownies
with those sprinkles in them.
- Mmm.
- Yeah, confetti fudge bars. (GROANS)
That's it.
But George just told me
he wants us to sell the company.
Um, I'm a little confused.
Isn't George dead?
(SIGHS)
Two years this Easter.
So, how do you know he wants
you to sell the company?
Marilyn connects me with Georgie
so he can advise me on everything.
Health, business, home decor.
(CHUCKLES) That wallpaper was his idea.
Sometimes George even
speaks to me through the lights.
- The lights?
- They flicker whenever he's around.
Oh. Well, that's fun.
(CHUCKLES)
I have to say,
aw, it's just so moving
the way you talk about him.
You two, you just seem like
you were made for each other.
We met later in life,
so I always felt that we both
got a second shot at love.
(CHUCKLES)
When he died,
I was so lost.
(INHALES) But then, I met Marilyn
and she brought my Georgie
back to me. (LAUGHS)
You and Marilyn seem so close.
But having an on-call psychic,
that must be so expensive.
You sound like Tim.
He said I was throwing
his father's money away.
He insisted I stop seeing her.
Really? Why?
Tim was a nonbeliever.
All he cared about was money.
And he wanted Phyllis to stop seeing me
because he was afraid that she
would vote to sell the company.
Because he had no other prospects.
But George wants Phyllis
to let go of Butterwell,
and I told her so.
I know that look.
Yeah, you're wondering how do I do it?
You know, what's my "trick"?
Well, kind of. Yes.
Well, let me assure you
that it's no trick.
I'm not wearing an earpiece, you know?
Give me your hands.
Let me lock in. Okay?
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Oh, yes, there is definitely a
spirit around you.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Yeah, she's
She's glad you're still wearing them.
What?
Those earrings. They were hers.
Um, yeah, it's a maternal presence.
A grandmother?
And I'm s I'm seeing
a lot of bright colors
and big hats, and gaudy costume jewelry.
And sh
Oh, yeah, she says, "More is more."
(CHUCKLING) You know? Um
You used to play dress-up in her closet.
(ELSBETH GASPS SOFTLY)
I'm seeing a lot of pink chiffon,
and, uh, fringed suede.
Oh, she was your favorite
person in the whole world,
and she encouraged you to be
bold and colorful, too, like her.
And
she wants you to know
that she still sees you,
even when you're sad.
(SNIFFLES)
Chin up, Elly.
I'm always with you.
(CRYING)
(MARILYN GROANS)
You see? That's no trick.
KAYA: Wow.
That is an unusual talent.
(EXHALES) KAYA: If
you don't mind me asking,
where are you from, exactly?
Your accent is just hard to place.
Oh, yeah. (EXHALES)
Hither and yon. (CHUCKLES)
I'm a citizen of the world.
I was born in Europe,
I spent some time in the Baltic region
and many years in Injiah.
As my friend the Dalai Lama always says,
- "To travel is to live." Yeah.
- Hmm.
Or maybe that was Joan Collins.
Ah
- Sounds impressive.
- Yes.
- Um, we'll be in touch.
- Good, good. Okay.
- May I have one of this?
- Yes, yeah, of course. Yeah.
There. Go in Spirit.
(EXHALES)
Ms. Tascioni?
- Elsbeth?
- Sorry?
Did you say something?
Are you all right?
- Did that psychic get to you?
- Oh.
I never believed
in that woo-woo stuff. But
But sometimes they get you, don't they?
My great aunt called it
the devil's work.
Maybe she was right.
Elsbeth?
(SINGSONGY): You need
to take a look at this.
The report on the arrow came back.
Ah. So we were right, it's old,
but they managed to find
a faded serial number on the inside.
They traced it to a place
called Wike Hardware.
It's an old mom-and-pop shop
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm. And guess what?
Wike Hardware is still in business.
(CHUCKLES)
My great-grandfather opened up
as a general store back in '05.
That's 1905, in case you were confused.
Harlan. Don't hold the
phone so darn close.
No one wants to see your nose hair.
- What?
- KAYA: Mr. Wike,
do you know who this arrow
might belong to?
It was sold at your store.
HARLAN: That's a Werner 300.
Those are discontinued now,
illegal in seven states
for being too sharp.
Really popular back in the '60s.
So, there's no way of
knowing who this belongs to?
(CHUCKLES) No, I must've sold
thousands of them over the years.
Most folks use carbon fiber
or fiberglass now.
More reliable, lighter-weight
so you get flatter trajectory.
Wow. You seem to know
an awful lot about arrows.
Sweetheart, this is Bucks County,
the Woodchuck Hunting
Capital of the Northeast.
ELSBETH: Woodchucks?
As in How much wood ♪
Would a woodchuck chuck
if a woodchuck ♪
I gotta stop you right there.
Woodchucks don't actually chuck wood.
Common misconception.
I am so sorry. I had no idea.
Uh, Mr. Wike, just one more question.
Are there any Gladwells
in your neck of the woods?
We know any Gladwells?
Mm, no.
Nope. No Gladwells.
NICKY: I've scrubbed through
every minute of this trail cam footage.
In the hours leading up to the murder,
there's no sign of anyone,
except for Tim walking past.
Wait
Does that bush look like it's moving?
NICKY: Must be the wind.
Play the clip again,
but slow it down this time.
And zoom in.
(GASPS, TAPS TABLE)
That's it! Huh.
What's it?
Meet me at the crime scene
in an hour and I'll show you.
Ha!
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Captain? I need a signature.
Oh. Come on in.
Captain, are you all right?
Uh, it's nothing.
What do you need me to sign?
I have a minute, if you want
to get something off your chest.
Some people find
a flat affect comforting.
Please.
Share.
It's that psychic lady, she got to me.
And what's weird is that
I was thinking about
the thing she mentioned.
- Who is that?
- Scottie Fenton.
He was the third victim of
the St. Ivan University Killer,
an old case from the '90s.
A killer stalked and murdered
well-to-do college boys out in Queens.
I was just an officer,
working the vigil
for the first two victims
out in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
There was a guy in the crowd
who wouldn't put out his cigarette.
A scuffle ensued.
There was something strange about him
When my partner and I approached,
he disappeared into the crowd
and we tracked him to the parking lot,
to an old, blue station wagon.
And he drove off.
One week later
Scottie Fenton was dead.
Eventually, detectives
brought in the killer.
They had pulled him over
for a busted taillight on an
old
blue station wagon.
If only I had gotten to him that night.
If only I had followed my hunch,
maybe Scottie would be here today.
Hindsight is always perfect, Captain.
But our work is much
more complicated in the moment.
Lieutenant,
do you think it's true?
Do you think people can
communicate with us
after they're gone?
I do.
♪
Elsbeth?
Elsbeth, hello?
Ha-ha! (GASPS)
(CHUCKLES)
(SINGSONGY): Got ya.
I'm still wearing a gun, you know.
Oh, gosh. Right, I'm sorry.
What are you wearing?
It's a ghillie suit.
A ghillie who?
A ghillie suit. Back in Peoria,
my dad practically lived in one of these
during duck hunting season
so he could blend into the brush.
The moving bush.
So, you're saying
our killer was some hunter
wearing a ghillie suit?
Exactly. Only, whoever did this
wasn't hunting ducks or rats.
They were hunting Tim Pierson.
Mm-hmm.
(RAT SQUEAKS) (BOTH GASP)
That was a rat, wasn't it?
Yeah.
KAYA: Reagan Lott. Arrested
for shoplifting in Philly
back in 1999. Marilyn's assistant?
- Mm-hmm.
- How did you find that?
Something about Marilyn's accent
rubbed me the wrong way.
She told us she's from Europe,
but the way she says the word "over"
is just like my friend from the Poconos.
Her whole story seemed shady,
so I got her prints.
That's why you took the crystal.
Mm-hmm. I was hoping
to get a hit on Marilyn.
Turns out, I got a hit on Reagan.
I used to steal things.
I did my community service, I moved on.
I don't see what the problem is.
How did you meet Marilyn Gladwell?
She used to babysit me when I was a kid.
So, Marilyn's from Pennsylvania, too?
Little town called Bartonville.
It's in Bucks County.
So why does she tell
people she's from Europe?
Nobody wants to pay
top dollar for a psychic
from backwoods Pennsylvania,
so she rebranded.
Mary Lou Grunderson became
Marilyn Gladwell.
Her career took off.
Grunderson. (SCOFFS)
You'd think when a detective
comes to interview you
about a homicide,
you'd give them your real name.
Makes you wonder
what other lies Marilyn told.
For example, where she was
the night of the murder.
We already told you.
She was on the phone with a client.
Making false statements to police
in a murder investigation is
a serious charge.
♪
Okay.
I do the phone readings sometimes.
But only with new clients.
So where was Marilyn?
She said she was tired
and needed to rest.
I assumed she was in her room, sleeping.
Did you actually see her?
Well, no.
I was in the session room, on the phone.
Marilyn's assistant gave
the phone reading that night.
Meaning Marilyn's whereabouts
at the time of the murder are unknown.
And Marilyn Gladwell is
actually Mary Lou Grunderson,
from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The same place that vintage arrow
that killed Tim was from.
That sounds like it's coming together.
Good job, you two. (CHUCKLES)
No, no, this was all Detective Blanke.
But wait, there's more.
Tell him about the dating profile.
The online date Tim was
supposed to meet was bogus.
He was catfished.
We think the killer used
the fake dating profile
to lure Tim to a secluded area.
Good find, Detective.
Actually, Officer Reynolds
cracked that last piece.
- WAGNER: Oh, really?
- Mm-hmm.
I'm glad to hear they're working out.
Smart young officers could benefit
from cozying up to you two.
Cozy might be a stretch.
Officer Reynolds won't even tell
me what kind of music they like.
I was just trying to pick
the radio station.
Well, that's
ELSBETH: And what
defines an "overshare," exactly?
They accused me
of not respecting boundaries.
Like it's such a crime to be friendly.
Uh, this Marilyn or Mary Lou
sounds like a solid suspect.
But I still don't understand why
she would kill her client's stepson.
We think the motive was financial.
Tim was pressuring his stepmom
to stop seeing Marilyn.
- Why?
- ELSBETH: Phyllis was spending
over $200,000 a year on her services.
She was Marilyn's best client.
But someone like Marilyn can
always get a wealthy client.
There must be more to it.
♪
Knock-knock.
I, uh, just let myself in.
Ooh, um
I grabbed your mail, too.
- I hope you don't mind.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
- Sure.
Uh, please, sit.
Oh, wow, I really appreciate you, um,
fitting me in after hours.
I hope that Reagan informed you
about the additional charge.
She did. She is a very
thorough assistant.
Oh, wow. Is that a lighting app?
- So cool. What is that called?
- Let's
just take a deep breath (INHALES)
and silence the chatter of the mind.
Mm.
(EXHALES SLOWLY)
So, how does this work, exactly?
At your direction, I will connect you
with departed family members.
Does it have to be family?
No, it can be loved ones, friends, uh,
anyone that you're d-drawn to.
How about Tim Pierson?
(SCOFFS)
I had a feeling you'd say that.
Right, 'cause you're a psychic.
Oh, gosh, think about
all the surprise parties
you missed out on. (GASPS)
Yeah, I-I'm still having trouble
picking up anything from Tim.
It's it's murky.
Mm. Well, you're still
connecting to George, right?
Maybe you could ask George
to ask Tim if he knows
anyone from Pennsylvania?
(SCOFFS)
Oh.
You found out my little secret.
(SIGHS) It's true.
I'm not from Europe.
I'm just a small-town American girl.
But I'm not the first person
to come to New York
and reinvent themselves,
am I, Elsbeth Tascioni from Chicago?
(GASPS) I guess you read the newspaper.
- Touché.
- Yeah.
The truth is, I may have
come from nothing,
but I always knew
I was destined for a big life.
And look. I made it happen.
I advise CEOs, celebrities,
campaign strategists.
But I don't waste my gift
on nonbelievers.
So, unless you have a serious request
(WITH ACCENT):
I think we are going to have
to cut this session short.
Oh. I understand.
Oh, by the way,
I happened to notice a piece of mail
from SnackerDoodle, the snack company.
It was labeled "to investors."
That must be
a very lucrative investment,
because I can't get enough
of those cookies. (CHUCKLING)
I like them even better
than Butterwell's.
AVA: Oh, yes.
SnackerDoodle and Butterwell
have been competing for years
to be America's favorite snack brand.
Hmm. And who's winning?
By all metrics, I'd say SnackerDoodle.
- Better snacks?
- AVA: Better management.
And since SnackerDoodle
has a bigger market cap,
they've been trying to
buy Butterwell for years.
But George Pierson would never sell.
But now George Pierson is dead.
And, as of last fall, so is Judd Finch,
the CEO of SnackerDoodle.
But that hasn't stopped
them from trying.
They're calling it
the "Battle of the Widows."
The SnackerDoodle widow
versus Phyllis Pierson?
If you think Phyllis is an odd duck,
you should meet Mrs. Finch.
Talk about eccentric.
How eccentric?
(GASPS) Do you think
she talks to a psychic?
I know Georgie wants me to sell,
but Tim came to me in a dream last night
and he was screaming at me not to sell.
MARILYN: Really?
Because I haven't heard
anything like that.
The vote is tomorrow and I'm lost.
I wish I could hear another opinion.
Maybe someone else in the family.
Yeah. A-All right, pet. Easy.
Uh, let me see who I can
connect with, okay?
Oh, yes.
Someone's here. Um
(GROANS) Is this
George's sister, perhaps?
I'm getting a-a "B" name.
Betty? No.
No, Bitsy.
Does that name mean something to you?
George's sister. Aunt Bitsy?
Yeah, that's it.
And she's saying,
"It's time to let it all go."
Yeah.
(CLUCKS TONGUE)
Did you get that?
KAYA: Marilyn Gladwell,
you're under arrest for
the murder of Tim Pierson.
Thanks for your help,
Phyllis. You did good.
What is this?
ELSBETH: Tim talked
about his dead Aunt Bitsy
in his messages to online dates.
And since we know
the killer catfished him
through a dating profile,
it stands to reason
that the killer would know
about Aunt Bitsy.
MARILYN: You're wrong.
George, he brought the spirit
of Aunt Bitsy forward,
- that's how I know about her.
- KAYA: Mm.
There's only one problem
Aunt Bitsy isn't real.
She's a character
from old Butterwell ads.
(ANNOUNCER VOICE):
"Aunt Bitsy's Swiss Rolls have
a little bit of jelly
and a whole lot of love."
Do you remember that one?
KAYA: The only reason
you know about her is
because you created
the Kristy Brown dating profile.
Tim mentioned Aunt Bitsy
as a pickup line.
And we know you lied about your alibi.
Reagan did the phone reading
on the night of the murder,
pretending to be you.
I was tired. I see a lot of clients.
Yes, you do, including Mrs. Finch,
the widow to the SnackerDoodle fortune,
and the controlling vote
on its board of directors.
That's why you're so heavily
invested in SnackerDoodle.
A stock that's set
to skyrocket if it acquires
longtime competitor Butterwell.
But Tim was interfering
with your ability to manipulate Phyllis.
And you are a master manipulator.
You even made Phyllis's lights flicker
by using the lighting app.
(CRYING): Marilyn, how could you?
I didn't kill Tim. It wasn't me.
KAYA: Yes, it was.
Because only Mary Lou Grunderson,
1971 Woodchuck Festival Champion,
could hit her target dead center
with a Werner 300 arrow.
Oh Get up.
I
I don't believe it.
What? That you got caught?
Or that you didn't see it coming?
Let's go.
- Was it, was it all a lie?
- Oh, no.
Not all of it.
She did pick up on something very real:
your husband is with you.
(SIGHS) No one can take that away.
It doesn't take a psychic to feel it.
You know, my astrologer said
that something like this would happen.
Wow.
(TEXT WHOOSHES)
I guess you were right all along.
Oh, no. It was just a good hunch.
Detective Blanke did most
of the heavy lifting.
You were a big help, too. (PHONE CHIMES)
Oh, sorry. This is
my dog walker. (GIGGLES)
You have a dog? (CHUCKLES) I love dogs.
And I'm trying to get
a transfer to the K-9 unit,
but it's so hard to get in.
No way! Uh, well, this is Gonzo.
She's a good girl.
- Do you have a dog, too?
- I wish.
My building doesn't allow pets.
Well, anytime you want
to join us for a walk,
you're most welcome.
Gonzo's very friendly.
Cool. I'm down.
See you. Elsbeth.
(LAUGHS)
Your attorney is on her way.
Until then
I have a personal question.
I know a lot of the "readings"
you gave Mrs. Pierson were
creative fiction
- Ah. No comment.
- But I also know
you have a gift.
So I want to ask you
The blue station wagon.
The victim, Scottie.
I was wondering if he
Uh, how should I put this?
Does he blame me?
Let's ask him.
(INHALES)
(EXHALES)
(SIGHS)
I'm not getting anything.
What does that mean?
Peace.
It means he's no longer
on this plane, he's moved on.
Maybe it's time you should as well.
Thank you for your time.
Oh! (WINCES)
Ah! Oh, no!
Ms. Gladwell? Are you all right?
Your friend, Ms. Tascioni.
She needs to be careful.
Oh, I feel a sharp pain.
And now
I see blood.
Oh, so much blood!
And there's an evil figure
in a dark robe.
Water. Now silence.
Dead silence.
Tim says I talk about him too much.
But George has only been gone two years.
I'm supposed to just forget about him?
Oh
You know, it's normal
to struggle after loss.
And your George was
such a large presence.
Yeah. Well, Tim's no help.
Now that he's divorced,
he's running around
with women that he finds
on some dating "thing" on his phone,
and using Ronaldo without my permission.
- Ronaldo?
- My driver.
Oh, yes. How is he?
Unavailable.
Which means I'm always
stuck at home, alone.
I miss my Georgie so much.
Marilyn, please, you have to help me.
Oh. Please, don't fret, my pet, okay?
Let's see if we can connect
with your George, okay?
Let's put him here. Okay.
(EXHALES, INHALES)
(RAGGED EXHALE)
Okay. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
George is here.
- Oh.
- Okay? Uh, uh, George, George,
you're gonna have to slow down.
Your hubby is very,
very talkative today.
He is holding a briefcase.
And it's all business.
And he's saying
uh, something about a vote?
The Butterwell board meeting
is next week.
What is he saying?
He's closing a book.
And he's saying
"Phyllis, let it go."
Oh.
Georgie, I
I don't believe that. (NERVOUS CHUCKLE)
Are you absolutely sure?
Spirits never lie.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
Mrs. Pierson's son
is here to pick her up.
Stepson.
Tim.
Marilyn connected with your father.
He made it very clear.
He wants us to sell the company.
Wow, really? That's amazing.
Why don't you wait in the car?
I'd like to ask Marilyn
a few questions of my own.
All right.
You are a gift from heaven.
Oh.
I am but a vessel.
- Please don't touch that.
- TIM: Why?
Is it going to give me bad juju?
No, it's just very expensive.
How can I help you?
Listen, I'm not going
to mince words here.
This thing you have going
with my stepmother ends now.
- This thing?
- You've had a nice run,
made a bunch of my father's money,
but I'm back in town, so now it's over.
(SIGHS)
Phyllis has come to rely on my services.
And she's paid up
until the end of the month.
I don't care.
Enough is enough.
Well, if she comes running,
don't expect me to turn her away.
I could never be that cruel.
(BLOWING)
Daddy is not talking
to you from the beyond.
Are you insane?
You don't know her at all.
She's a con artist.
You listen to me, Phyllis.
My father never wanted
to sell the business,
especially not to SnackerDoodle.
They're the enemy.
I once ate a SnackerDoodle
Ginger Snap at a friend's house
when I was eight.
I was grounded for two weeks.
Two weeks.
- Tim, honey, if you could just
- No, no, no.
Don't honey me.
You're not my mother.
Butterwell means everything to me.
Really?
You didn't take
any interest in the business
when your father was alive.
- You went away.
- Things are different now.
Daddy's gone, and I'm here.
It's time I continue the legacy.
You are not voting to
sell the company. Got it?
If that's what you want.
(SCOFFS)
And you are not to see
that psychic again.
(PHONE CHIMES) Get a
therapist like a normal person.
I'm late.
I'm taking Ronaldo.
(SIGHS)
Georgie
what should I do?
George?
What are you trying to say?
♪
TIM: She blocked me?
Damn it.
(SCOFFS)
(TWIG SNAPS, FOOTSTEPS NEARBY)
(GRUNTS)
♪
He went on an Internet date
two nights ago,
and no one has heard from him since.
He never called Ronaldo,
my chauffeur, for a ride home
and his housekeeper says that
his bed hasn't been slept in.
And what happens when
you call his phone?
It just goes to voicemail.
Mrs. Pierson, I don't mean
to be indelicate,
but your stepson was a grown man
who went on a date.
For all we know, he's simply
preoccupied.
PHYLLIS: He missed his squash game.
And he hasn't used the family
gold card since Tuesday.
Well, you know what I always say?
Trust your instincts.
Don't worry, Phyllis.
I'm here. Spirit is with you.
And who are you, exactly?
I'm Marilyn Gladwell,
professional psychic.
I came as soon as Phyllis called.
Why not before?
Marilyn, this is, uh,
the police captain, Officer Blanke,
and her police friend or something.
MARILYN: Oh, my.
The things that have happened in here.
Ladies, if you'll excuse me.
I'll leave you in the capable hands
of Officer Blanke and Ms. Tascioni.
MARILYN: Oh, wait, wait.
I'm sorry, but Spirit is
practically screaming at me.
Here we go.
I'm seeing a blue station wagon.
Does that mean anything to you?
No.
Good luck.
So, were you friends with Tim?
Oh, no. Not really. I
I met him a couple of times.
Nice kid. Troubled.
But she can help you find him.
Isn't that right?
That won't be necessary.
Nonsense. She worked with the FBI.
MARILYN: Well, only a handful of times.
I was close with the former director.
But I think that we should let
the police handle this for now.
Please do this for me.
If anyone can find Tim, it's you.
MARILYN: Mm, ha, yeah.
Spirit is definitely
steering me over to the right.
We should've just hung
back at the station
and waited for TARU to get
a ping on Tim's cell phone.
ELSBETH: Is she talking to herself?
Have you ever been to a psychic?
Once, on my honeymoon.
He predicted we'd live
happily ever after.
(BOTH LAUGHING) (MARILYN SHUSHES)
No talking.
- Huh
- ELSBETH: You all right?
Something is clouding my eye.
I think I have some drops
in here somewhere.
No! My third eye.
Oh. Can you use drops for that?
It's gone.
I can't hear him anymore.
Maybe we should just head
back to the precinct?
Hmm.
Wait. Look.
KAYA: Crows. And a lot of them.
I think that's called a murder.
Phyllis did say
her driver dropped Tim off
near the park Tuesday night.
Maybe Marilyn already knew that
and got lucky?
Yeah. Maybe.
Hmm.
♪
I'm officially reclassifying
the missing person case to homicide.
I hope you took thorough notes
at the crime scene.
Of course. Uh, who should
I hand them over to?
Is Detective Donnelly
on this? Or Smullen?
Uh
Keep them for yourself.
Because
you're being promoted to detective,
effective immediately.
This is your case.
(LAUGHS) Thank you so much, Captain.
It's been a long time coming.
You deserve it. Here you go.
KAYA: Oh Wow.
Congratulations, Detective.
(CHEERING)
Oh, I'm so happy for you!
I am just so, so happy!
Ooh, I can see that.
Oh. And I have something for
you I can finally give you.
I think it'll really
(CLUCKS TONGUE) suit you.
Wait, you did not go back
and buy that suit?
I couldn't resist it.
It went on sale the week
after you returned it.
It looked so good on you.
- You did not have to do that.
- WAGNER: All right, then.
Take it away, Detective Blanke.
What are we looking at?
(KAYA CLEARS THROAT)
Our victim, uh, Tim Pierson,
was shot with an arrow two nights ago.
The ME said the arrow
pierced his breastplate
and went straight through his heart.
Sorry, I should not be smiling.
Time of death was around
9:15 p.m. Tuesday,
based on Tim's last text
to an online date, who stood him up.
Now, as strange as it sounds,
this could be a case of
wrong place, wrong time.
There have been reports of vigilante
rat hunters using bows
and arrows in the park.
Did you say "vigilante rat hunters"?
- Mm-hmm.
- This city never fails.
I have a call in to Parks and Rec
to learn more about the rat people.
Excellent. Anything else?
Well, there is the
Uh! No. No. No. Shh.
This is your case, Detective.
(CLEARS THROAT) Don't want to overstep.
Good idea.
Actually, there is one more
element we should explore.
That psychic who helped find
the body got us pretty close.
I think it's worth talking to
her again and getting an alibi.
Ooh! Great idea. I'll go get my coat.
Oh, actually, I was gonna head
over to Parks and Rec first.
You know, start with the most obvious.
Sensible choice, Detective.
But you should go talk to
Marilyn, if you feel like it.
But who would I go with?
Don't look at me.
I don't like psychics.
Especially that one.
I might have someone.
Stand by.
Let me see the badge.
(SQUEALS)
It's so shiny.
Elsbeth, meet Officer Nicky Reynolds.
They would love to
get an alibi with you.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Let's do this.
♪
(WATER RUNNING SOFTLY)
Ooh
(SIGHS) That water feature
is so soothing.
Don't you think?
So, um, are you from New York City?
No.
I'm from Chicago.
Well, uh, Peoria, originally.
Did you always want to be
in law enforcement?
Sort of.
Cool.
That's cool. (CLEARS THROAT)
You have any weekend plans?
Is this a part of the consent decree?
Like, are you supposed
to be reporting on us or?
Oh, no. Gosh, no.
I'm just, um, making conversation.
(SIGHS, CLEARS THROAT)
So, um, what does a psychic's
assistant do, exactly?
Do you get to polish the crystal balls?
I handle all the bookings and billing.
People pay a lot of money for her time.
You may not believe in it,
but Marilyn's the real deal.
Mm.
She will see you now.
Oh, Phyllis. Aw
How are you holding up?
Marilyn's getting me through it.
Phyllis, pet, I want you to spend
at least an hour in your crystal room.
And then it's straight to bed, okay?
Okay.
(SMACKS LIPS) Ugh, poor thing.
Were she and Tim very close?
It must be such a shock
Ms. Gladwell, what were you doing
Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m.? (CLICKS PEN)
- Am I a suspect?
- ELSBETH: Uh, no, no.
Nothing like that.
This is just standard police work.
Okay, well Tuesday
Oh. I was with many people.
Um, I was channeling
a client's ancestors
- over the telephone.
- ELSBETH: Oh.
Hope you have a good long-distance plan.
Oh. Oh, yeah.
NICKY: We're gonna need a name
and phone number
for your client, to verify.
Oh, so much for discretion.
But there's nothing
to be embarrassed about,
so give them what they want.
Okay.
ELSBETH: Oh, Marilyn, um
if I may ask, uh,
oh, wow, that is so cool.
- Um, since you Oh.
- No, it's okay.
Sorry. It's supposed to be like that.
You're good, you're okay.
Since you so brilliantly
led us to the exact area
where Tim's body was found
It was the general area.
No one is that good, not even me.
Well, I was impressed.
- Oh!
- Oh, gosh.
Um, maybe you could
just give us a little
insight into the case?
(SIGHS) I'm sorry, but I just can't keep
giving pro bono services to the police.
And my fee is $1,500 an hour.
Uh, can the NYPD afford that?
I'll have to ask. But in the meantime,
maybe you could just do
a little check-in?
See if you hear anything?
For Phyllis. She seems so sad. (SIGHS)
Okay.
(SIGHS)
(EXHALES)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
MARILYN: I-I'm not getting anything,
you know, it's, uh,
just-just interference.
All I'm experiencing is bad energy.
Oh.
So, you two are the copresidents?
We're the founders.
The Rodent Death Society is
a volunteer organization.
Anyone is welcome.
And you all just get together and
hunt rats?
With bows and arrows?
What would you use?
Uh, rat poison?
Do you know what rat poison
does to birds of prey?
BRAD: It-It's one of the
many reasons why rats are
a plague on the environment.
Not to mention the infrastructure
and, most importantly,
the people of New York City.
Okay. So you said you have hunted
in this area here, near Bank Rock Bay,
where our victim was found
with an arrow in his chest?
We've hunted there,
but we didn't kill that man.
Look.
We only use blunt tip arrows.
They deliver a deadly blow
to small animals
without piercing them.
It couldn't go through
a human breastplate.
And you're sure every member
of RDS uses the same equipment?
It's part of the Rodent
Death Society pledge.
You know, I think we actually
put up a couple of trail cams
around Bank Rock Bay.
We use the footage to
gauge rodent density.
Do you want access
to those memory cards?
You have footage of the park?
Yeah, I'll take those cards.
So, they just get together and
- hunt rats?
- KAYA: Yeah.
It's weird, but they're
not our suspects.
They don't use this kind of arrow.
ELSBETH: That looks old
And sharp. Mm-hmm.
I sent the arrow
to our weapons specialist.
Hopefully they come back with something.
Huh.
How'd it go with Marilyn?
She has an alibi.
She was giving a client a phone reading.
Officer Reynolds called
the client to confirm.
Huh.
Any chance we could be dealing
with another Hepson case,
you know, committing murder
while on the phone
and faking her location?
Unlikely. The client called her,
and Marilyn uses a landline.
I think we're back to square one.
So, what do we do next?
I think we need to look
at the victimology.
Who was Tim Pierson,
and why was he all the way out
in that part of the park?
He was waiting for his date.
Oh! We should check
BOTH: his dating app!
Yes! Um, are you hungry?
Do you want to order take out,
make a night of it?
Yes, please.
- Okay.
- Oh. No.
I need to write up my interview reports.
But Officer Reynolds is in the bullpen.
I can send them in to help.
Oh. Okay.
Good.
Hey, Nicky.
ELSBETH: Are you sure you're
not even a little bit hungry?
No, thanks.
And the MSG.
Oh, look at this.
Tim uses the same line
on every potential date.
He says his Aunt Bitsy just died
and he really doesn't want to be
alone right now.
Lame. Do you do a lot of online dating?
- No.
- Yeah, I never had the courage.
But my son Teddy met
his boyfriend that way.
So, does that mean
you're in a relationship?
Or actively single?
I don't know what I am.
(CHUCKLES) Um
There's this guy in Scotland.
He's really cute. And, uh, he sings.
But that's just so far away.
Have you ever tried
the long-distance thing?
I don't really talk
about my personal life at work.
I think it's important
to separate the two.
Oh, okay. Thats, um, yeah.
I respect that.
Found something.
Okay, try to follow.
I was able to unlock
Tim's archive of people
who've blocked him.
He had more than most.
This is Kristy Brown, the
woman he was waiting for.
She never showed and
then, she blocked him.
Check out her interests.
They're nearly identical to Tim's:
basketball, crypto currency.
Italian Gothic Horror films?
That's uncanny.
It's almost as if she's deliberately
trying to attract Tim.
Let me try something.
I knew it. Look.
Her picture is taken from
someone else's page.
(GASPS SOFTLY) Kristy
Brown isn't a real person.
So that means Tim was catfished.
(GASPS) But who would do that?
And why?
I bet it was the killer.
PHYLLIS: Tim only moved back
to New York a few weeks ago.
His life in L.A. had fallen apart.
His wife left him (SIGHS)
and then he had to shut down
his production company.
You look different today.
That is a fabulous suit.
Thank you.
So, why did Tim have to shut
down his production company?
No one liked his films.
They said they were "too
pretentious for Oscar bait,"
whatever that means.
What about his ex-wife?
Tawny's living with her scuba
instructor in Santa Monica.
She's no killer.
Besides, she got everything
in the divorce.
That's why Tim came crawling
back to the family business.
Butterwell Treats. Have you heard of it?
Oh, yeah, they make the brownies
with those sprinkles in them.
- Mmm.
- Yeah, confetti fudge bars. (GROANS)
That's it.
But George just told me
he wants us to sell the company.
Um, I'm a little confused.
Isn't George dead?
(SIGHS)
Two years this Easter.
So, how do you know he wants
you to sell the company?
Marilyn connects me with Georgie
so he can advise me on everything.
Health, business, home decor.
(CHUCKLES) That wallpaper was his idea.
Sometimes George even
speaks to me through the lights.
- The lights?
- They flicker whenever he's around.
Oh. Well, that's fun.
(CHUCKLES)
I have to say,
aw, it's just so moving
the way you talk about him.
You two, you just seem like
you were made for each other.
We met later in life,
so I always felt that we both
got a second shot at love.
(CHUCKLES)
When he died,
I was so lost.
(INHALES) But then, I met Marilyn
and she brought my Georgie
back to me. (LAUGHS)
You and Marilyn seem so close.
But having an on-call psychic,
that must be so expensive.
You sound like Tim.
He said I was throwing
his father's money away.
He insisted I stop seeing her.
Really? Why?
Tim was a nonbeliever.
All he cared about was money.
And he wanted Phyllis to stop seeing me
because he was afraid that she
would vote to sell the company.
Because he had no other prospects.
But George wants Phyllis
to let go of Butterwell,
and I told her so.
I know that look.
Yeah, you're wondering how do I do it?
You know, what's my "trick"?
Well, kind of. Yes.
Well, let me assure you
that it's no trick.
I'm not wearing an earpiece, you know?
Give me your hands.
Let me lock in. Okay?
(INHALES DEEPLY)
Oh, yes, there is definitely a
spirit around you.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Yeah, she's
She's glad you're still wearing them.
What?
Those earrings. They were hers.
Um, yeah, it's a maternal presence.
A grandmother?
And I'm s I'm seeing
a lot of bright colors
and big hats, and gaudy costume jewelry.
And sh
Oh, yeah, she says, "More is more."
(CHUCKLING) You know? Um
You used to play dress-up in her closet.
(ELSBETH GASPS SOFTLY)
I'm seeing a lot of pink chiffon,
and, uh, fringed suede.
Oh, she was your favorite
person in the whole world,
and she encouraged you to be
bold and colorful, too, like her.
And
she wants you to know
that she still sees you,
even when you're sad.
(SNIFFLES)
Chin up, Elly.
I'm always with you.
(CRYING)
(MARILYN GROANS)
You see? That's no trick.
KAYA: Wow.
That is an unusual talent.
(EXHALES) KAYA: If
you don't mind me asking,
where are you from, exactly?
Your accent is just hard to place.
Oh, yeah. (EXHALES)
Hither and yon. (CHUCKLES)
I'm a citizen of the world.
I was born in Europe,
I spent some time in the Baltic region
and many years in Injiah.
As my friend the Dalai Lama always says,
- "To travel is to live." Yeah.
- Hmm.
Or maybe that was Joan Collins.
Ah
- Sounds impressive.
- Yes.
- Um, we'll be in touch.
- Good, good. Okay.
- May I have one of this?
- Yes, yeah, of course. Yeah.
There. Go in Spirit.
(EXHALES)
Ms. Tascioni?
- Elsbeth?
- Sorry?
Did you say something?
Are you all right?
- Did that psychic get to you?
- Oh.
I never believed
in that woo-woo stuff. But
But sometimes they get you, don't they?
My great aunt called it
the devil's work.
Maybe she was right.
Elsbeth?
(SINGSONGY): You need
to take a look at this.
The report on the arrow came back.
Ah. So we were right, it's old,
but they managed to find
a faded serial number on the inside.
They traced it to a place
called Wike Hardware.
It's an old mom-and-pop shop
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm. And guess what?
Wike Hardware is still in business.
(CHUCKLES)
My great-grandfather opened up
as a general store back in '05.
That's 1905, in case you were confused.
Harlan. Don't hold the
phone so darn close.
No one wants to see your nose hair.
- What?
- KAYA: Mr. Wike,
do you know who this arrow
might belong to?
It was sold at your store.
HARLAN: That's a Werner 300.
Those are discontinued now,
illegal in seven states
for being too sharp.
Really popular back in the '60s.
So, there's no way of
knowing who this belongs to?
(CHUCKLES) No, I must've sold
thousands of them over the years.
Most folks use carbon fiber
or fiberglass now.
More reliable, lighter-weight
so you get flatter trajectory.
Wow. You seem to know
an awful lot about arrows.
Sweetheart, this is Bucks County,
the Woodchuck Hunting
Capital of the Northeast.
ELSBETH: Woodchucks?
As in How much wood ♪
Would a woodchuck chuck
if a woodchuck ♪
I gotta stop you right there.
Woodchucks don't actually chuck wood.
Common misconception.
I am so sorry. I had no idea.
Uh, Mr. Wike, just one more question.
Are there any Gladwells
in your neck of the woods?
We know any Gladwells?
Mm, no.
Nope. No Gladwells.
NICKY: I've scrubbed through
every minute of this trail cam footage.
In the hours leading up to the murder,
there's no sign of anyone,
except for Tim walking past.
Wait
Does that bush look like it's moving?
NICKY: Must be the wind.
Play the clip again,
but slow it down this time.
And zoom in.
(GASPS, TAPS TABLE)
That's it! Huh.
What's it?
Meet me at the crime scene
in an hour and I'll show you.
Ha!
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
Captain? I need a signature.
Oh. Come on in.
Captain, are you all right?
Uh, it's nothing.
What do you need me to sign?
I have a minute, if you want
to get something off your chest.
Some people find
a flat affect comforting.
Please.
Share.
It's that psychic lady, she got to me.
And what's weird is that
I was thinking about
the thing she mentioned.
- Who is that?
- Scottie Fenton.
He was the third victim of
the St. Ivan University Killer,
an old case from the '90s.
A killer stalked and murdered
well-to-do college boys out in Queens.
I was just an officer,
working the vigil
for the first two victims
out in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
There was a guy in the crowd
who wouldn't put out his cigarette.
A scuffle ensued.
There was something strange about him
When my partner and I approached,
he disappeared into the crowd
and we tracked him to the parking lot,
to an old, blue station wagon.
And he drove off.
One week later
Scottie Fenton was dead.
Eventually, detectives
brought in the killer.
They had pulled him over
for a busted taillight on an
old
blue station wagon.
If only I had gotten to him that night.
If only I had followed my hunch,
maybe Scottie would be here today.
Hindsight is always perfect, Captain.
But our work is much
more complicated in the moment.
Lieutenant,
do you think it's true?
Do you think people can
communicate with us
after they're gone?
I do.
♪
Elsbeth?
Elsbeth, hello?
Ha-ha! (GASPS)
(CHUCKLES)
(SINGSONGY): Got ya.
I'm still wearing a gun, you know.
Oh, gosh. Right, I'm sorry.
What are you wearing?
It's a ghillie suit.
A ghillie who?
A ghillie suit. Back in Peoria,
my dad practically lived in one of these
during duck hunting season
so he could blend into the brush.
The moving bush.
So, you're saying
our killer was some hunter
wearing a ghillie suit?
Exactly. Only, whoever did this
wasn't hunting ducks or rats.
They were hunting Tim Pierson.
Mm-hmm.
(RAT SQUEAKS) (BOTH GASP)
That was a rat, wasn't it?
Yeah.
KAYA: Reagan Lott. Arrested
for shoplifting in Philly
back in 1999. Marilyn's assistant?
- Mm-hmm.
- How did you find that?
Something about Marilyn's accent
rubbed me the wrong way.
She told us she's from Europe,
but the way she says the word "over"
is just like my friend from the Poconos.
Her whole story seemed shady,
so I got her prints.
That's why you took the crystal.
Mm-hmm. I was hoping
to get a hit on Marilyn.
Turns out, I got a hit on Reagan.
I used to steal things.
I did my community service, I moved on.
I don't see what the problem is.
How did you meet Marilyn Gladwell?
She used to babysit me when I was a kid.
So, Marilyn's from Pennsylvania, too?
Little town called Bartonville.
It's in Bucks County.
So why does she tell
people she's from Europe?
Nobody wants to pay
top dollar for a psychic
from backwoods Pennsylvania,
so she rebranded.
Mary Lou Grunderson became
Marilyn Gladwell.
Her career took off.
Grunderson. (SCOFFS)
You'd think when a detective
comes to interview you
about a homicide,
you'd give them your real name.
Makes you wonder
what other lies Marilyn told.
For example, where she was
the night of the murder.
We already told you.
She was on the phone with a client.
Making false statements to police
in a murder investigation is
a serious charge.
♪
Okay.
I do the phone readings sometimes.
But only with new clients.
So where was Marilyn?
She said she was tired
and needed to rest.
I assumed she was in her room, sleeping.
Did you actually see her?
Well, no.
I was in the session room, on the phone.
Marilyn's assistant gave
the phone reading that night.
Meaning Marilyn's whereabouts
at the time of the murder are unknown.
And Marilyn Gladwell is
actually Mary Lou Grunderson,
from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The same place that vintage arrow
that killed Tim was from.
That sounds like it's coming together.
Good job, you two. (CHUCKLES)
No, no, this was all Detective Blanke.
But wait, there's more.
Tell him about the dating profile.
The online date Tim was
supposed to meet was bogus.
He was catfished.
We think the killer used
the fake dating profile
to lure Tim to a secluded area.
Good find, Detective.
Actually, Officer Reynolds
cracked that last piece.
- WAGNER: Oh, really?
- Mm-hmm.
I'm glad to hear they're working out.
Smart young officers could benefit
from cozying up to you two.
Cozy might be a stretch.
Officer Reynolds won't even tell
me what kind of music they like.
I was just trying to pick
the radio station.
Well, that's
ELSBETH: And what
defines an "overshare," exactly?
They accused me
of not respecting boundaries.
Like it's such a crime to be friendly.
Uh, this Marilyn or Mary Lou
sounds like a solid suspect.
But I still don't understand why
she would kill her client's stepson.
We think the motive was financial.
Tim was pressuring his stepmom
to stop seeing Marilyn.
- Why?
- ELSBETH: Phyllis was spending
over $200,000 a year on her services.
She was Marilyn's best client.
But someone like Marilyn can
always get a wealthy client.
There must be more to it.
♪
Knock-knock.
I, uh, just let myself in.
Ooh, um
I grabbed your mail, too.
- I hope you don't mind.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
- Sure.
Uh, please, sit.
Oh, wow, I really appreciate you, um,
fitting me in after hours.
I hope that Reagan informed you
about the additional charge.
She did. She is a very
thorough assistant.
Oh, wow. Is that a lighting app?
- So cool. What is that called?
- Let's
just take a deep breath (INHALES)
and silence the chatter of the mind.
Mm.
(EXHALES SLOWLY)
So, how does this work, exactly?
At your direction, I will connect you
with departed family members.
Does it have to be family?
No, it can be loved ones, friends, uh,
anyone that you're d-drawn to.
How about Tim Pierson?
(SCOFFS)
I had a feeling you'd say that.
Right, 'cause you're a psychic.
Oh, gosh, think about
all the surprise parties
you missed out on. (GASPS)
Yeah, I-I'm still having trouble
picking up anything from Tim.
It's it's murky.
Mm. Well, you're still
connecting to George, right?
Maybe you could ask George
to ask Tim if he knows
anyone from Pennsylvania?
(SCOFFS)
Oh.
You found out my little secret.
(SIGHS) It's true.
I'm not from Europe.
I'm just a small-town American girl.
But I'm not the first person
to come to New York
and reinvent themselves,
am I, Elsbeth Tascioni from Chicago?
(GASPS) I guess you read the newspaper.
- Touché.
- Yeah.
The truth is, I may have
come from nothing,
but I always knew
I was destined for a big life.
And look. I made it happen.
I advise CEOs, celebrities,
campaign strategists.
But I don't waste my gift
on nonbelievers.
So, unless you have a serious request
(WITH ACCENT):
I think we are going to have
to cut this session short.
Oh. I understand.
Oh, by the way,
I happened to notice a piece of mail
from SnackerDoodle, the snack company.
It was labeled "to investors."
That must be
a very lucrative investment,
because I can't get enough
of those cookies. (CHUCKLING)
I like them even better
than Butterwell's.
AVA: Oh, yes.
SnackerDoodle and Butterwell
have been competing for years
to be America's favorite snack brand.
Hmm. And who's winning?
By all metrics, I'd say SnackerDoodle.
- Better snacks?
- AVA: Better management.
And since SnackerDoodle
has a bigger market cap,
they've been trying to
buy Butterwell for years.
But George Pierson would never sell.
But now George Pierson is dead.
And, as of last fall, so is Judd Finch,
the CEO of SnackerDoodle.
But that hasn't stopped
them from trying.
They're calling it
the "Battle of the Widows."
The SnackerDoodle widow
versus Phyllis Pierson?
If you think Phyllis is an odd duck,
you should meet Mrs. Finch.
Talk about eccentric.
How eccentric?
(GASPS) Do you think
she talks to a psychic?
I know Georgie wants me to sell,
but Tim came to me in a dream last night
and he was screaming at me not to sell.
MARILYN: Really?
Because I haven't heard
anything like that.
The vote is tomorrow and I'm lost.
I wish I could hear another opinion.
Maybe someone else in the family.
Yeah. A-All right, pet. Easy.
Uh, let me see who I can
connect with, okay?
Oh, yes.
Someone's here. Um
(GROANS) Is this
George's sister, perhaps?
I'm getting a-a "B" name.
Betty? No.
No, Bitsy.
Does that name mean something to you?
George's sister. Aunt Bitsy?
Yeah, that's it.
And she's saying,
"It's time to let it all go."
Yeah.
(CLUCKS TONGUE)
Did you get that?
KAYA: Marilyn Gladwell,
you're under arrest for
the murder of Tim Pierson.
Thanks for your help,
Phyllis. You did good.
What is this?
ELSBETH: Tim talked
about his dead Aunt Bitsy
in his messages to online dates.
And since we know
the killer catfished him
through a dating profile,
it stands to reason
that the killer would know
about Aunt Bitsy.
MARILYN: You're wrong.
George, he brought the spirit
of Aunt Bitsy forward,
- that's how I know about her.
- KAYA: Mm.
There's only one problem
Aunt Bitsy isn't real.
She's a character
from old Butterwell ads.
(ANNOUNCER VOICE):
"Aunt Bitsy's Swiss Rolls have
a little bit of jelly
and a whole lot of love."
Do you remember that one?
KAYA: The only reason
you know about her is
because you created
the Kristy Brown dating profile.
Tim mentioned Aunt Bitsy
as a pickup line.
And we know you lied about your alibi.
Reagan did the phone reading
on the night of the murder,
pretending to be you.
I was tired. I see a lot of clients.
Yes, you do, including Mrs. Finch,
the widow to the SnackerDoodle fortune,
and the controlling vote
on its board of directors.
That's why you're so heavily
invested in SnackerDoodle.
A stock that's set
to skyrocket if it acquires
longtime competitor Butterwell.
But Tim was interfering
with your ability to manipulate Phyllis.
And you are a master manipulator.
You even made Phyllis's lights flicker
by using the lighting app.
(CRYING): Marilyn, how could you?
I didn't kill Tim. It wasn't me.
KAYA: Yes, it was.
Because only Mary Lou Grunderson,
1971 Woodchuck Festival Champion,
could hit her target dead center
with a Werner 300 arrow.
Oh Get up.
I
I don't believe it.
What? That you got caught?
Or that you didn't see it coming?
Let's go.
- Was it, was it all a lie?
- Oh, no.
Not all of it.
She did pick up on something very real:
your husband is with you.
(SIGHS) No one can take that away.
It doesn't take a psychic to feel it.
You know, my astrologer said
that something like this would happen.
Wow.
(TEXT WHOOSHES)
I guess you were right all along.
Oh, no. It was just a good hunch.
Detective Blanke did most
of the heavy lifting.
You were a big help, too. (PHONE CHIMES)
Oh, sorry. This is
my dog walker. (GIGGLES)
You have a dog? (CHUCKLES) I love dogs.
And I'm trying to get
a transfer to the K-9 unit,
but it's so hard to get in.
No way! Uh, well, this is Gonzo.
She's a good girl.
- Do you have a dog, too?
- I wish.
My building doesn't allow pets.
Well, anytime you want
to join us for a walk,
you're most welcome.
Gonzo's very friendly.
Cool. I'm down.
See you. Elsbeth.
(LAUGHS)
Your attorney is on her way.
Until then
I have a personal question.
I know a lot of the "readings"
you gave Mrs. Pierson were
creative fiction
- Ah. No comment.
- But I also know
you have a gift.
So I want to ask you
The blue station wagon.
The victim, Scottie.
I was wondering if he
Uh, how should I put this?
Does he blame me?
Let's ask him.
(INHALES)
(EXHALES)
(SIGHS)
I'm not getting anything.
What does that mean?
Peace.
It means he's no longer
on this plane, he's moved on.
Maybe it's time you should as well.
Thank you for your time.
Oh! (WINCES)
Ah! Oh, no!
Ms. Gladwell? Are you all right?
Your friend, Ms. Tascioni.
She needs to be careful.
Oh, I feel a sharp pain.
And now
I see blood.
Oh, so much blood!
And there's an evil figure
in a dark robe.
Water. Now silence.
Dead silence.