All language subtitles for Murder.She.Wrote.S04E15.Mourning.Among.the.Wisterias.1080p.AMZN.DD2.0.x265.HEVC-Bearfish_track3_[eng]

Grace Banfield is finally going

to make an honest man out of you.

The bride I had in mind is you.

[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

[gunshots]

Well, unless I'm mistaken,

your lawyer was murdered here last night.

Women in the south
are rarely starved for sex.

Well, I wouldn't know. I'm from maine.

Well, just how far would you go?

Oh!

Jessica has agreed to be my bride.

I want you all to be my bridesmaids.

[rattling]

[cheerful orchestral music]

[man reciting] "I've often wondered
what it really means to love.

I pride myself on knowing how to please,

but I never compromised
myself for someone else.

Never risked all.

In the end, you arrive at the same place

no matter what you risk.'"

"Jason leaves the room.

Marguerite walks
to the window and stares out,

looking into the street."

"She turns and stares at the phone...

begins to dial."

"Marguerite hears Buddy's
voice and begins to cry.

"'Buddy,' she whispers,

'it's Marguerite.'"

[man continues, indistinct]

Crystal, honey,

get away from that window
and come on back over here.

Mmm. Todd, it's too hot.

Anyway, I'm listening
to Eugene's new play.

Come on back over here
and comfort your new husband.

Remember how magical and cool

it was in Venice on our honeymoon?

Why can't we go away someplace cool again,

just for a few weeks?

Crystal, honey,

I've only been at Jonathan's
law firm a couple of months.

Besides, we don't have any money.

Well, why don't you just
ask your uncle Eugene for some?

[chuckling]

[Crystal] He's got more money
than he'll ever need,

and you know he would
never refuse you anything.

You know, there are other ways
of getting money

besides begging for it.

[man continues reading] "Rawlie exits."

"Marguerite fights back the tears,

picks up her suitcase and starts off."

"The phone begins to ring."

"She turns, hesitates."

"Finally she throws back
her shoulders and walks off."

"Curtain down."

-Well?
-[Jessica] Well, I, uh--

It's beautiful, of course,
but, uh, so sad.

"Sad"?

My dear Jessica, it's downright miserable.

If they want happy endings,
let 'em go to the movies.

It's art, Jessica. It has to end badly.

[coughs]

Oh, Deidre, darlin'.

Why don't you come out here,
where we can all...

see you eavesdropping?

[laughs] I was just passing by, Eugene,

looking for a breath of air.

All this rain we've been having
makes the humidity unbearable.

Is there a juicy part
in it for me, Jessica?

I'd say it was every bit as good

as the part that you played
in The Somber Twilight .

Ah...

643 performances at the Schubert.

I got so many flowers I was in danger

of developing allergies.

[laughs]

You haven't been in that kind
of danger for years, my dear.

I declare, if Eugene has
written another play for me,

why is he being so cruel
as to not let me read it?

Why are you so sure it's for you?

You don't even know what it's about.

I'm sure it's about another one

of your sex-starved southern women,

[with no southern accent]
but from what I've observed,

women in the south
are rarely starved for sex.

Well, I wouldn't know. I'm from Maine.

[laughs]

Whatever you wrote, Eugene,
I just know I'm right for it.

Hmm.

I haven't the heart to tell her

Marguerite is a girl of 25.

I can still play 25, Eugene.

[Crystal] My goodness, Todd.

I would imagine that
every actress in New York

will be just begging

for the lead in uncle Eugene's new play.

I might kill for a good part,

but I'd never beg.

[Crystal] Well! Hello, all.

Oh, Jessica, I hope
you're enjoying your visit.

Oh, very much.

Although I still haven't figured out

why Eugene was so insistent that I come.

Well, I told you, Jessica.

I wanted your opinion of my new play.

Well, he could have had
that by sending me a copy.

[Eugene] Why is it that in women I admire

I only inspire suspicion?

[Jessica laughs]

Sit down over here, Jessica.

-All right.
-All right.

I think you're looking a bit
better today, uncle Eugene.

Todd, boy, don't patronize me.

I look like ten miles
of bad road, and I know it.

[groans] I may have...

I may have overdone it a bit.

I-- Fetch me a sip of bourbon.

Oh, uncle Eugene,
you know what the doctor said.

That man's a sadist.

He only knows about needles, scalpels,

and disgusting intrusions into the body.

Well, you know, I think
Crystal's right, uncle Eugene.

You know, just because
you got a fancy law degree,

which I bought and paid for,

it don't make you my nursemaid, son.

Now get me a glass,
and bring another bottle.

Don't you think you're being
a little hard on him?

[Eugene] I've given
that boy everything, Jessica.

I took him in when his parents died.

I raised him as my own.

I bought him the right clothes,
the right schools.

He'll get everything when I go.

But damn it, he has no spine.

He's right about the drinking, you know.

[horn honks]

Aha!

Must be Arnold and Jonathan.

Arnold Goldman?

You didn't tell me that Arnold was coming.

Well, of course.

Who else would produce the new play?

Welcome to Thorncreek, Mr. Arnold.

Lord knows it's been too long.

Yeah, five years, Ola Mae,
since the last play.

You don't look a day older.

Has Eugene been behaving himself?

Not so's I've noticed.

[Arnold] Well, nothing like a new play
by Eugene McClenden

to bring the mountain to Muhammad.

Eugene!

[chuckling] Jessica! Well!

Nobody told me you'd be here.

Well, it was a command performance.

But Eugene hasn't told me
what my motivation is yet.

Oh! [chuckles]

Eugene, it sure is nice
to be working with you again.

You, uh, trimmed down
since the last time I saw you.

[Ola Mae] He doesn't eat enough
to keep a bird alive.

Wages of sin, Arnold,
and the price of great art.

I've been explaining to Mr. Goldman

that the price has gone up.

Yeah, we are gonna have to talk.

[Arnold] The numbers
that Jonathan has set down

really don't make any sense.

I don't know if you've been there lately,

but there's a cold wind
blowing down old Broadway.

[Jessica] Yes, well, if you gentlemen
are going to talk business,

I'm going to finish up some unpacking.

Seems to me you did well enough
with Somber Twilight

to see you through three flops

and a revival that closed

before they handed you your Tony award.

But this play is gonna
take over a million dollars.

I mean, you got 14 speaking parts.

You have seven major sets.

Nobody's putting a gun
to your head, Goldman.

If you've decided
to take a pass on this one,

Eugene and I will understand.

Now look. I want to produce
this play, all right?

But we've got to come
to some kind of an understanding.

Gentlemen, before the weekend is over,

I'm sure we'll all come
to a better understanding

about a lot of things.

Did you bring anything suitable

for a quiet family nuptial ceremony?

You old fox!

Is that why you summoned me
all the way down here?

[Jessica] Grace Banfield
is finally going to

make an honest man out of you.

Well, Grace and I are friends,

but her attention span is a little short.

Especially when there's
something in the vicinity

wearing pants.

[Eugene] No, the, uh--

The bride I had in mind is you, Jessica.

Eugene, stick to drama.

I don't think that comedy
is your long suit.

I haven't got time to do this right.

Oh, I could write you
a pretty speech about love--

Whatever that is--

But I respect you, admire you,

and what's even more important,
I need you desperately.

Eugene, please.

Hear me out at least.

What I have in mind
is a marriage of convenience.

Believe me, wouldn't be for long.

[chuckles] Your adventures with women...

have been legend on three continents.

Not one of them has ever been
able to get you near an altar.

Why now? Why me?

Because I'm dying, Jessica.

Oh, Eugene, please tell me
you're being over-dramatic.

[Eugene] Look at me.

Don't pretend you haven't
noticed how I've changed.

But what do the doctors say?

Bugger the doctors.
You know the life I've lived.

Could be my liver's pickled,
kidney's turned to stone,

malignant cells multiplying
feverishly in my stomach--

But surely there must be
something that can be done.

[Eugene] Exploratory surgery?

You keep the old vegetable
alive for another six months

just to watch him twitch. No.

John Barleycorn will see me
across the River Styx.

Jessica,

what I want...

is a legal wife who'll survive me.

You're my only hope.

It's about your play, isn't it?

[Eugene] You know, I'll be long
gone before it opens.

I want you to oversee the rehearsals,

do any little rewrites that,
you know, might be required.

Make sure

that Arnold doesn't turn it
into a musical on roller skates.

As my widow and heir,
you'll have all powers.

But what about Todd?

Jessica,

let me tell you about dying.

You see the bottom
of the cup... the dregs.

Todd is a mere boy.

Hasn't the faintest idea
what my work's about.

Married to a girl with air in her head

and fire in her drawers

who can't wait to become
a rich Savannah matron.

And there's Arnold. And Jonathan.

Jonathan? Oh, yes.

My lifelong friend and business manager

has been robbing me blind for years.

Oh, I didn't really care,
but Grace looked into it for me,

and, well, Jonathan's
getting downright bold.

Gotta call him on it.

[Crystal] Oh, that was a scrumptious
dinner, Ola Mae.

I don't know why I bother to cook.

Mr. Eugene hardly ate
more than a mouthful.

It's just this heat and humidity.

Why don't you go on to bed?

I'll go fix some more
of my fresh fruit cocktails,

try to get some nourishment in him.

Don't you make a mess in my kitchen.

Ola Mae!

[clock chiming]

Whoo!

Not a breath of air stirring anywhere.

Now, the way I see Marguerite...

she's a woman with a little more maturity.

A girl who's seen something of life.

Suffered.

Deidre, uh-- I think Eugene
sees her a little younger.

Arnold, you're the producer.

I mean, it's your money on the line.

Yeah.

-[Deidre] He'll listen to you.
-Yeah.

That idiot Jonathan,

if he keeps jacking up the price,

there may not be any production,
as far as I'm concerned.

Arnold, you and I have always

had a very close working relationship.

Yeah.

Now, you just convince Eugene.

Let me take care of Jonathan.

Deidre, my dear Deidre.

Now, just how far would you go
for a part like this?

Why don't we take
a stroll out on the veranda?

Might be a little cooler there.

[Jonathan] I'm telling you, Eugene,

everybody in New York'll
be bidding on this.

And for your information,
your buddy, Arnold Goldman,

gave us a royal screwing
on Somber Twilight.

I mean, a lot of cash just
vanished between the cracks,

if you know what I mean.

So you keep telling me, Jonathan.

I think, since Arnold's here,

we all ought to sit down and go into that.

Todd, boy, why don't you
freshen up our drinks?

My drink's just fine, uncle Eugene.

Thank you.

Uh, well, I'm ready for another one.

Todd, I understand that you're working

in Jonathan's law office now.

-Do you find it interesting?
-Oh, yes, Ma'am.

Very interesting. Very interesting.

I mean, a man can learn a lot

by keeping his eye on old Jonathan.

[groans]

-Eugene, what is it?
-Nothin', nothin'.

Just a-- just a little indigestion.

[groans] Jessica, would you...

go see if Ola Mae has a touch of bicarb?

Oh, yes. You rest here,
and I'll be right back.

You know something, uncle Eugene?

You really ought to take
better care of yourself.

Let me go!

[glass shattering]

Oh!

I didn't realize anyone was in here.

Oh, uh, Crystal seems
to have broken a glass.

I'm afraid she was a little careless.

Jonathan has apparently
misunderstood something.

On the contrary, my dear.

My understanding of things
has been greatly improved.

I'm sure that man is capable
of twisting anything

into the most vicious lie.

Uh, well, here.

Let me help you clean up this glass.

I'll do it.

Thank you, Jessica.

If you don't mind, I'd like
to be alone for a moment.

Yes.

[glass crunching]

[groans]

You hardly ate a bite
during supper, uncle Eugene.

May I fix you something before I retire?

No, thanks. I don't care for anything.

Thank you all the same.

[knocking]

Eugene? I wonder if I could
have a word with you, privately.

Whatever you have to say,
it'll wait 'til morning.

Now clear out, both of you.
Let a man get some rest.

Good night, uncle Eugene.

[gunshots]

-Todd?
-What the hell was that?

It sounded like shots.

Wait here. I'm gonna go check it out.

Wait for me. I'm not staying here alone.

Where's Eugene?

-[Arnold] Eugene!
-In here.

No.

[doorbell rings]

Captain Thorn.

Ola Mae.

Jonathan Keeler, huh?

Up in the garden room, Captain Thorn.

I wonder if you'd be
kind enough to make some coffee.

Perhaps you'd make a lot.

I'm expecting some of my people
here in a few minutes.

Already got it perkin'.

I'm Jessica Fletcher,
a guest of Mr. McClenden.

Everyone else is upstairs getting dressed.

Walker Thorn, Ma'am.

-Captain.
-As in police?

Homicide division.

Can I be of any help?
Show you where he is?

[Thorn] I think I can find it.

I'd like to talk to everybody...

after I've had a look.

[tinkling]

Everything is just as we found it.

-That window closed?
-Yes.

It's odd, isn't it?

Captain Thorn,
would there be a connection?

[Jessica] I mean, Thorncreek?

My father was born in this room.

Ah.

And your family sold
the property to Eugene?

Well, I'm not sure "sold"
is the right word, Ma'am.

The late Jonathan Keeler called
in some notes he was holding.

Thorncreek went lock, stock and barrel--

Pictures on the walls,
spoons in the sideboard.

I expect he made a handsome profit

when he sold it to Eugene.

I'm-- I'm sorry.

Strangely fitting.

My daddy born here, the man
who swindled him murdered here.

Now, if I've got this right,

everybody was in bed asleep
when the shots were fired.

I was, inspector.

[clears throat]

Todd and I were in bed,

but we weren't actually sleeping.

Crystal, honey, I don't think
Captain Thorn here

needs to know every little detail.

So you two can vouch for each other?

Conjugal alibi, is that it?

Look, Thorn, I'm an attorney, all right?

You want a precise answer?

I was in bed. Crystal was in the bathroom.

We both heard the shots.

And when you entered Jonathan's room,

you found Eugene holding the gun?

Damn it, Thorn.

A man hears shots in the middle
of the night in his own house,

so he goes to investigate armed.

Yes.

You have a whole collection on display

in a handsome cabinet in your room.

-Isn't that right?
-They're all legally registered.

Uh-huh. And what happened to that gun?

I put it back...

in the cabinet.

Is this the gun he was holding?

-Yes, that's-- that's it.
-It looks like it to me.

Eugene, I found this gun in
your cabinet, recently fired--

-Two rounds.
-You're saying...

I killed him?

I'm just trying to sort out
what happened, Eugene.

All right, wait a minute.

I had the Colt. That's the Smith & wesson.

Captain Thorn, everybody
was a little upset at the sight

of Mr. Keeler's body.

I doubt if anyone looked
that closely at Eugene's gun.

[Eugene] Well, all .38 revolvers look
pretty much alike.

Well, I think that just about
covers it... for tonight.

[Thorn] I suggest nobody leave town
without checking with me.

[Eugene] Thorn's obviously got a grudge
against me, Jessica.

His family ran this place into the ground.

Now he's sore 'cause I own it.

Eugene, I'm afraid
it's much more than envy.

I mean, there was the business of the gun,

you told him yourself that
Jonathan was stealing from you.

[Jessica] I mean, some people might take
that as a pretty good motive.

Oh, hogwash.

[Eugene] Strange part of it is, Jonathan
stopped in here last night.

Wanted to talk.

Did he happen to mention Crystal?

Crystal? Uh, no.

Well, she was here.
She was fussin' over me.

I got the feeling...

that Jonathan knew I was onto him,

and he was gonna try
to smooth talk me out of it.

[Eugene] I just wasn't up to it.

Anyway, that's the least of my worries.

Now, what is your answer
to my proposition?

I would ignore his
propositions if I were you, uh--

-Jessica, isn't it?
-Yes, Grace.

Jessica Fletcher.
We met last year in Atlanta.

I declare, Eugene.
You must be feelin' better.

I mean, I've only been gone a week

and I come back to discover

another woman in your bedroom.

Back already, Grace, from Atlanta?

Bad news travels fast.

You didn't shoot him, did you, Eugene?

I can't say I'd blame you if you did,

the way he's been stealing
behind your back.

[Eugene] Jessica, Grace is the one

who first put me wise to old Jonathan.

Seems he's been playing fast and loose

with her investments too.

I could scarcely believe it.

I mean, Jonathan is from
such a good family.

What on earth is that on your tray?

Oh, I fixed Eugene a couple
of poached eggs.

He seemed to be having trouble
getting anything down.

Well, no wonder.

You tell ola Mae to fry up
some ham and grits,

and while you're at it,

would you ask her to bring
my bags up here, please?

Uh, Jessica, if you'd be so kind,

would you tell Ola Mae to put Grace's bags

in the magnolia room?

Oh, yes, of course.

[Eugene] Sit down, Grace.

I think it's time we had a little talk.

[Jessica] Morning, Deidre.

I don't suppose you'd like
some lukewarm poached eggs,

would you?

Couldn't choke down a bite.

-Coffee?
-Oh, thanks.

Isn't that horrible about poor Jonathan?

Oh, yes.

Oh! Those wretched ants again.

I don't know why Ola Mae
doesn't do something about them.

I may be able to play a southern belle,

but I've never gotten
used to the little beasties

that thrive in this climate.

-Good morning.
-Morning.

[Deidre] Crystal, honey,

where is that handsome young
husband of yours this morning?

I need a word with him.

I just saw him out on the veranda,

talking with Arnold.

I think I'll have my coffee
out there with them.

Jessica--

I think I owe you an explanation
about last night.

Only if it'll make you feel better.

It's very important that Todd be a success

in his new position in Jonathan's firm,

and apparently,

Jonathan misunderstood my interest

in advancing Todd's career.

Jonathan tried to exchange
one advance for another?

I feel dreadful about it.

Especially now that that poor man is dead.

Now, I have not told Todd
about Jonathan's...

behavior,

and I would appreciate it
if you did not either.

Oh, of course not.

Sometimes what husbands don't
know is very good for them.

Oh, I knew you would understand.

[chuckles]

And if Todd didn't know,

then no one could think

that he'd have any reason
to resent Jonathan, could they?

I think I could agree
on these figures, Arnold.

After all, I'm not
as greedy as Jonathan was.

Oh, well, Todd, if, uh--

If you can manage
to make Eugene see it our way--

Well, considering
uncle Eugene's failing health,

I doubt whether he's gonna
want to waste his energies

on some trifling business details.

Mm-hmm.

I think we'll enjoy
doing business together.

Oh.

Do you trust that little lizard?

"Trust"? Deidre.

Trust-- that's rarely the basis
of a sound business arrangement.

Why, Arnold, I do believe
New York has made you cynical.

I have implicit confidence in your promise

that my name will be there in lights

when Eugene's new play opens.

Well, that's because our agreement

is based one something
much more reliable than trust.

[Thorn] Eugene, our lab report

definitely establishes
your gun as the murder weapon.

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you

to come down to Headquarters...

for fingerprinting and questioning.

Are you out of your mind?

This is Eugene McClenden, winner
of the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

[Thorn] Ma'am, I don't care
if he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

He's gonna have to come along
like any other citizen.

You got a warrant, Thorn?

I could easily get one, if you insist.

I do insist.

And then I'll get my lawyer
to sue your butt off

for false arrest.

Well, unless I'm mistaken,

your lawyer was murdered here
last night with your gun,

and by your own admission,

you had a pretty good reason
to pull the trigger.

Why? [groans]

Eugene?

[groaning]

Oh!

My god! Is he dead?

[Eugene]
No, I'm not going to any hospital.

[chuckling]

There's nothing wrong with me
but a little indigestion--

probably that ham and grits
I had for breakfast.

Eugene, for heaven's sakes, be sensible.

They're just routine tests, Eugene.

We don't find anything wrong,
you'll be out in a few days.

All right, now you get
this straight, Gordon.

You're not getting your hooks into me.

There's nothing wrong with me.

I'm fine. No hospital!

[Arnold] Instead of Marguerite
hustling drinks

in some tacky little roadside
bar-- I mean, it's so drab.

It's a downer, right?

I thought maybe she works
in a funky little jazz joint

in New Orleans.

I love it!

And maybe she sings.

Well, that'd brighten it up a bit.

Yeah.

Oh, some of that dialogue
I've got-- talk about boring.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

I could get a lot
of that across with my music.

That'd cost. But what the hell?

We could lose three
or four speaking parts.

But would Eugene go for it?

Deidre, darling,
Eu-- Eugene is not a well man.

I don't even think
we should bring it up now.

You think he might have something,

uh, you know, terminal?

Oh, it hurts me to even think about it.

But let's face it though,

by the time we get into production--

Here. We can lose this too.

Dr. Church, shouldn't he
be in the hospital?

I wouldn't be too concerned.
Probably something he ate.

Yes, well, he looks absolutely dreadful,

and he seems to be convinced

that he doesn't have long to live.

[Gordon] I'll make some routine tests
of these samples.

If it's anything serious,
we'll pick it up.

Thank you.

Well, doctor, is he gonna live?

-Probably indigestion.
-Hmm.

-Captain.
-Mrs. Fletcher.

[groans]

You still here, Thorn?

I thought I told you
to get off my property.

There's still a little matter

of Jonathan Keeler's murder, Eugene.

I'm a sick man, Thorn.

I'm under a doctor's care.

Let me die in peace.

Now, we've been doing a little checking

into Jonathan's financial affairs.

It seems he had his hand
in the cookie jar...

clear up to the armpit.

[Jessica] Captain Thorn, Eugene
already told you that.

Let me tell you something, Thorn.

I don't give a diddly squat
what you think or what you do.

You wanna arrest me? Fine!

I'll be dead and buried

before this damn thing ever gets to trial.

Now, unless you've got a warrant,

get the hell out of here!

Well, surely Eugene wasn't the only one

that Jonathan Keeler was stealing from.

I mean, I understand that Grace Banfield

had lost some money too.

That's right, Ma'am.

I talked to her accountant.

Seems like she had a big meeting
with him about that yesterday.

-Here, in Savannah?
-That was my understanding.

Well, that's odd.

I'm sure that she told Eugene

that she'd been in Atlanta for a week,

and than she only came up here
this morning.

Hmm?

She wasn't here last night, was she?

Well, no, but--

You know there was something odd
about those shots last night.

I know sometimes sound has a way
of playing tricks on you,

but when I first heard those shots,

I was under the impression

that they were fired
from outside the house.

I mean, in that heat,

every window in the place was open.

All but the window in Jonathan's room.

You're suggesting that someone

might have fired those shots
from the outside

and then closed the window.

Well, at least it's a possibility,

which means--

You know, for a yankee,
you don't miss much, Ma'am.

Jonathan wasn't stealing
from you, too, was he?

Fortunately, I only met him yesterday.

Well, I have work to do. Ma'am.

Excuse me, Mrs. Fletcher.

Was that Captain Thorn leaving?

Yes, you could still
catch him, if you hurry.

Oh, I guess it can wait,

but I'd really like to get a receipt.

A receipt?

For that comforter from the garden room.

Oh, the room that Mr. Keeler was shot in?

I don't remember seeing
any comforter there, Ola Mae.

[Ola Mae] Oh, it was there, all right.
Been there for 25 years.

Goose down.

Handmade by Captain Thorn's mama.

The police must have taken it
along for evidence or something.

Oh, I'm sorry.

He didn't mention anything to me about it.

Oh. Well, maybe he didn't think

it was any of your business.

Todd, honey.

You will never believe
what I just heard from Grace.

Her engagement to Eugene?

Well, it's off.

Crystal, honey, "off"?

Uncle Eugene and Grace were never engaged.

Well, never formally, no,

but I thought they had an understanding.

Anyway, Grace said...

that Eugene had made other plans.

Now, what do you suppose that means?

Crystal, honey,
uncle Eugene's a very sick man.

He's not gonna marry anyone.

But the doctor said--

Uncle Eugene doesn't tell
that doctor anything.

You mean that poor, dear man--

[Todd] He's lived a very full life.

Oh.

Oh, Todd.

What is that you're studying so intensely?

Well, it's a copy of uncle Eugene's will.

Hmm. Got it out of
Jonathan's files this morning.

Except for a few odds and ends,
it, uh, all goes to me.

[blows nose loudly]

Eugene, you, uh-

you've always been like
a brother to me, and I-I-I--

I just can't accept this-- I won't.

Spare me the histrionics.

The doctors-- they can
work miracles nowadays.

[Eugene] Forget the doctors. Just listen.

Nobody else can do the play.

You work the money out with Todd.

About money, he's smart.

Eugene, come on.

Let's not talk about money
at a time like this.

About Deidre,

she's not only too old to play Marguerite,

she's wrong for the part.

You know, she even tried to--

She snuck this in to me by way of a bribe.

But the part just calls
for somebody younger.

I've already talked
to Debra Winger's agent.

You always knew how to handle Deidre,

so find a way to, you know,
break it to her easy.

I don't wanna deal with it.

I'll find a way to tell her somehow.

-Promise me one thing.
-Yeah?

You won't change a line.

Not a word.

Arsenic base.

Best thing I've found for those ants.

Works on aphids too.

And it goes a lot further
than those spray cans.

Ola Mae, where do you usually keep this?

Here in the drawer.

If you find any little
creepy crawlies up in your room,

you just let me know.

[Jessica] Dr. Church?

This is Jessica Fletcher at Thorncreek.

Those specimens of Eugene's,

of course, I can't be positive,

but if you could run a special
test for arsenic poisoning.

[Eugene] Somebody's poisoning me?

Somebody here? In my own house?

[Thorn] Unless, of course,

you're doing it to yourself
out of meanness.

[groans]

You see, the beauty
of arsenic poisoning is,

administered in low doses
over a long period of time,

it takes on the characteristics
of a dozen other illnesses,

and unless someone specifically
thinks to test for it--

So how come I'm not dead already?

Because the doses were very small.

Now, the victim goes into a decline--

Even doctors are often fooled by this--

And then the fatal dose is administered.

And old Dr. Church
writes it up as a heart attack.

What I still haven't quite
been able to put together is:

what has all this got to do
with Jonathan's murder?

Maybe nothing.

Or maybe it was Jonathan
who was slipping a few drops

of arsenic into your bourbon, Eugene.

Was that it? Did you catch him at it?

Uh-uh!

Captain Thorn, did you or your men

remove a down comforter
from Jonathan's room?

No, there was no comforter in there.

I don't remember it either.

Someone must have removed it.

Why would somebody steal a comforter?

It's been hot as hell lately.

Very possibly to conceal powder burns

or two bullet holes.

You remember I told you

that I thought that the first two shots

came from outside the house?

Go ahead.

[Jessica] Well, what if the shots
that we heard

weren't the shots that killed Jonathan?

I mean, what if someone
slipped into Jonathan's room--

With one of Eugene's guns--

Wrapped the gun up
inside the down comforter

to muffle the sound.

And then fired two more shots
from the outside.

That would be very difficult to prove...

after the fact.

Unless something happened...

to force the killer's hand.

-Here you are, Crystal.
-Thank you.

[Deidre] Well, I declare.
Look who's up and about.

Eugene! My goodness.
You do look so much better.

Nothing wrong with old Eugene

that a touch of bourbon
and branch won't cure.

'Fraid I have to pass. Doctor's orders.

Eugene not taking a drink?

Next think you know, he'll be out jogging.

Uncle Eugene, Ola Mae's made
your favorite for dinner:

lamb, homemade mint jelly.

Actually, I won't be joining
you for dinner tonight.

I'm having a quiet supper in my room...

with Jessica.

We have a great deal to discuss.

But I did want to share with all of you...

one of the happiest moments of my life.

Jessica has agreed to be my bride.

-Oh!
-Well!

Why-- Why, Jessica!

How wonderful.

Oh, my head is in such a whirl
I hardly know what to say.

My goodness.

Well, another wedding at Thorncreek.

How exciting.

[Jessica] I know we're behaving

like a couple of impetuous youngsters,

but Eugene has managed to sweep away

all my silly doubts and reservations.

[Todd] Now, the wedding is to take
place in the near future?

Don't wanna give this yankee enchantress

time to change her mind.

Tomorrow afternoon,
right here in Thorncreek.

We've already filed the necessary papers.

Uh, but uncle Eugene,

what about Captain Thorn
and all the charges?

[Eugene] That's part of my strategy, son.

Thorn hasn't filed any charges yet.

And Jessica and I will be
leaving right after the ceremony

for an extended holiday abroad.

Which reminds me,

I'd like to go over some legal matters

with you in the morning.

Do you think you could find
a copy of my old will?

Well, yes. Yes, I'm sure that, uh--

I'm sure that poor Jonathan
left one somewhere.

I know that this
is dreadfully short notice.

And, of course, it'll have
to be a very informal wedding...

But I want you all to be my bridesmaids.

Come along, Jessica.

We have plans to make.

You all enjoy dinner.

Uncle Eugene.

Uh-huh?

Crystal.

You were groaning in your sleep.

You having a bad dream?

Yeah. Maybe I was.

Well, I brought you a little
something to help you sleep.

Oh.

Three fingers of bourbon.

You won't have any more bad dreams.

Why don't you drink it, Crystal, honey?

What?

Not thirsty?

No bad dreams of your own to wash away?

You give me that glass, Eugene.

No.

I think I'll save it for Captain Thorn.

How'd you know it was Crystal?

Well, I couldn't be positive of course,

but I knew that it was tied up someway

to Jonathan's murder.

You see, it occurred to me

that Jonathan might have been killed

because he'd found out
that she was poisoning you.

There's not a shred of evidence

to support that fanciful notion,
Mrs. Fletcher.

I think Jonathan knew
too much for his own good.

Jonathan knew and he never told me?

Well, I don't think he ever got a chance.

Remember you told me that

he wanted to talk to you that night?

And I told him to wait 'til morning.

I couldn't help remembering

something that I'd seen
that night in the kitchen.

A glass had been smashed.

Jonathan had crystal by the wrist.

I think that Jonathan must have
discovered her

putting ant poison into Eugene's drink.

Oh, Jonathan had made
an embarrassing advance.

[Jessica] So you wanted me to believe,

but you refused to let me help
you clean up the broken glass--

Perhaps because of what had been
in that glass.

[Crystal] Well, I could not
have shot Jonathan.

We all heard the shots.

Todd will tell you
we were in bed together.

Actually, he said that
you were in the bathroom.

[Thorn] Now, uh, just a minute, Ma'am.

What difference would that make?

Well, the shots we heard

weren't the ones that killed Jonathan.

I suspect that what she did was this.

[Jessica] Knowing that
she had to deal with Jonathan

before he had a chance to tell anyone,

she waited until she thought
everyone was asleep.

She took a gun from Eugene's room,

and crept into Jonathan's room.

She closed the window and wrapped the gun

in a down comforter

to muffle the sound of the shots.

She probably hid the comforter somewhere

until she could dispose of it
the next morning,

and then she returned to her own room,

where Todd was probably asleep.

[Jessica] I imagine the shots we heard

were fired harmlessly out of a window--

Which put her in the bedroom with Todd

at the time that Jonathan
was apparently shot.

During the confusion,
Crystal had plenty of time

to return the gun to Eugene's room

where Captain Thorn found it.

Jonathan had made

unseemly advances

on more than one occasion.

I didn't mind killing him at all.

But uncle Eugene,

I want you to know that it took...

all the courage I could muster.

Crystal.

Why?

Well, for the money, of course.

But I...

I've always treated Todd and you
with great generosity.

Oh, yes, you...

lorded your generosity over my husband.

He has choked...
on your kindness, uncle Eugene.

[Crystal] Oh, you made him son and heir,

then kept him dangling
on a paltry little allowance.

And I don't think we should
have to wait forever...

for what is rightfully ours.

We have a position in society to maintain.

[Eugene] Dr. Church tells me

I ought to be back to
my old self in a few weeks.

[Jessica] Good. I still think
you should get a second opinion.

[chuckles]

I'm really annoyed at you, Jessica.

Mmm. Spurnin' my offer of matrimony.

Well, think of it
as a very short engagement.

[Eugene] Well, you were right.

It sure worked.

Poor Todd.

I'm gonna have to rebuild
some bridges there.

Eugene, I heard typing
in your bedroom this morning.

Are you rewriting?

Matter of fact, I've started a new play.

Oh, that's very exciting.
What is this one about?

Same old thing:

[chuckles] My nearest and dearest friends.

Whatever would I do without them?