Original subtitles

- Who are you, really? - I can't tell you.

- You're here 'cause you're hiding from someone

or you're running from something.

EMILY: Chimera is supposed to be about exposing corruption

and redistributing wealth.

- I need you to know who I really am.

- [door crashes] - Police! Freeze!

I know who you are.

Maybe more than you know yourself.

- You look pretty good for a dead woman.

[ominous music]

You shouldn't have come here.

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

If I wanted to hurt you, I could have.

I just want to talk.

I have nothing to say to you.

Grace...

Don't call me that.

Grace is dead.

You killed her.

- You really believe that, don't you?

Hmm.

Nice tree.

Festive.

It's very on-brand.

[drawer slides open]

- Whatever weapon you're reaching for right now,

you should know that I have precautions in place.

[drawer shuts]

You know I'm not bluffing.

How'd you figure it out?

- Well, you left some digital breadcrumbs

when you started looking into Chimera again.

Still took me the better part of a year

to track you down, though.

And now that you have...?

- Chimera has been compromised. Someone else is using the name.

They are responsible for the warehouse.

- You really expect me to believe that?

- Whether you believe me or not, we are being targeted.

Everyone.

Shauna and Roland are dead.

Everyone else is on the run, including me.

I suggest you do the same,

because if they haven't figured out that you're still alive,

it's only a matter of time.

- Stop. You need to get out.

Right now.

Get out!

And, Aaron, if you ever come back here, I swear-

Enjoy your holidays, Grace.

?

[breathing rapidly]

[intriguing music]

?

[keyboard clicking]

?

EMILY: No...

?

?

- [sighs] - [intercom buzzes]

Yes?

SAM: Hi, it's me.

Come on up.

?

?

- Sorry, that took so long. I, uh...

You okay?

Sam...

Take it easy.

?

[crying]

- I got you. I got you.

?

- So, this Aaron tried to kill you back in the day,

and now he knows he's failed?

Yes.

Okay.

- We can deal with this. - No, no, no, no.

Look, this is more than just about me.

The people I care about are in danger,

and they might not even know it.

I...

I need to make sure that they can't be hurt

by this thing that I created. I-I...

I won't let anyone else die because of me.

- It's fine. I'll come with you.

No.

You're a cop.

You can't go where I need to go.

I won't be gone long. Um...

A few weeks. You know, maybe a month.

Whatever you need.

I'm here.

["Another Year" by FINNEAS]

?

?

? Here we are again ?

? With family or friends ?

? Some extra time to spend ?

? And I'm not mad about it ?

? Don't waste a dime on me ?

? Just want your company ?

? Beside a Christmas tree ?

? If the dog allows it ?

?

? Hurry home, please ?

? I don't belong without you ?

?

?

?

[bright, festive music]

?

?

WOMAN: Dad, where is she even from?

She never talks about her past.

MAN: You're being ridiculous.

WOMAN: No, you don't know anything about her.

MAN: I'm happy! That's all I need to know.

Please, Dad, just listen to me!

I don't want to hear it, Ruth.

As long as you're standing here on my property,

- I won't have you talk- - Is everything alright?

- Oh... [sighs]

Of course, sweetheart.

Ruth was just...

I was just leaving.

[engine starts]

Richard...

- It will get better. I promise.

I need to finish the lights.

[sighs]

Yeah, well, don't overdo it.

As "Cheerman of the Board"

on the town's holiday event planning committee,

I have an obligation to overdo it.

Stubborn as ever.

Don't stay out too long. It's cold out here.

I won't.

[mysterious music]

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

- You really shouldn't be up here.

[dramatic music]

[unsettling music]

?

Dad...?

Dad!

[suspenseful music]

Oh, no... Dad!

Dad!

- [door opens and closes] - Dad!

HELEN: Ruth?

What's going on?

This is your fault!

Dad! Dad! Dad!

[dramatic music]

[theme music]

?

[upbeat festive music]

SUE: Hey, Sam!

Tonight's the big night. You excited?

Oh, I can't wait to see her.

I know I'm a little early, but...

Right on time, actually.

Hi, Dad.

- Oh! Oh, I missed you, kiddo.

I'm so glad you're back. I can't wait to hear everything.

And you will.

Taking a gap year to travel

was the best decision I've ever made,

but I've been on a plane for nine hours

and I really, really need a shower.

- Yeah, come on, I'll, uh... - [phone buzzing]

[sighs]

Wilner.

Right. Okay, uh...

I'm on my way.

- I'm good. I'll see you at home.

I'm so glad you're back.

?

[police radio chatter]

OFFICER: Detective Wilner, the body's en route

to the medical examiner.

Richard Smiley. He was on his roof

putting up Christmas lights, most likely slipped and fell.

He was clutching onto this red mitten.

His daughter called it in. Both the wife and the daughter

were on the scene when we arrived.

Did anyone move that ladder?

OFFICER: Not since we've been here.

RUTH: I'd left maybe 30 minutes earlier,

but then I realized I'd forgotten my computer bag.

I came back for it, and that's...

that's when I...

I'm Detective Wilner.

Why was he up there by himself?

Pride.

And he was a professional roofer,

so he had no fear.

- And your mom was with you when you found him?

Uh, stepmom.

My dad was dating Helen for about four years,

but they were married less than a year.

MAN: Hello? Excuse me.

Hey, can I help you with something?

- I just noticed all the commotion.

Is something going on?

Could I get your name, please?

Albert Dobbs.

I live just next door.

Nobody will tell me what's happened.

Is my family in any danger?

No, you're perfectly safe.

It's quite a set-up he's got.

- Yeah, and it gets bigger every year.

Oh, uh, speaking of which,

you might wanna shield your eyes.

[festive music blasting]

- Ah... Wow.

[Albert chuckles]

It's like that every night?

- Mm-hm. Timer goes off at 7:00 sharp.

It's like living next door to a supernova.

[intriguing music]

?

- [sighs] - [knock at door]

Helen?

My name's Detective Wilner.

Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

I couldn't be down there.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

Of course.

I noticed the window in your hallway is open a crack.

- Yeah, I leave it open when I work.

It gets warm up here when there's a fire going downstairs.

- It looks like you've lost a mitten.

- I never should have married him.

Uh, I didn't catch that.

- I'm sorry, I-I don't think I can do this right now.

I understand.

We can pick this up again in the morning.

Have you heard from her?

From Emily?

- Oh, yeah. Yeah, every few weeks.

You know, she's got a lot on her plate

dealing with her family situation.

I get that.

It's weird not having her here.

Doesn't feel like Christmas without her.

SUE: Here you go. Bottomless hotcakes.

Unless you want more than four.

[mysterious music]

?

- You seem pretty focused on my new regular.

Does she come in here often?

- Almost every day for the last month.

Orders one coffee, no food,

then uses this place like her personal business centre.

I'm starting to regret my free-refills policy.

?

SAM: And you're sure no one else was in the house at the time?

- No, Ruth had left a short time earlier.

It was just me and Richard.

Did you leave the house at all?

- Briefly, just to cut pine branches for my wreaths.

- Were you wearing your mittens at the time?

Yes.

- Do you have any idea how one of those mittens

could have ended up in your husband's hand

just prior to his death?

I really don't.

Your stepdaughter, Ruth,

how's your relationship with her?

- She's always been distant with me.

But this last month, since she's been staying in town,

she became... quite cold.

To me and her dad.

They had a big argument right before Richard fell.

That's why she left so abruptly.

What was the argument about?

Richard wouldn't tell me.

But I could see that he was very upset.

- Alright, thank you. That's it for now.

I'll have one of my officers drive you home.

Oh, uh, no need.

The mayor is sending a car for me.

- The mayor? - Yes.

As Christmas Cheerman, Richard worked very closely

with Mayor Pemberton. He's become a good friend.

After you.

Listen, I understand the mayor is a busy man,

but I have some questions

in regards to an ongoing investigation,

so if you could just find five minutes...

The lights are on.

WOMAN: [phone] What?

I'll call you back.

- [door bells jingle] - Emily?

- Oh! Hi, Sam.

June.

What are you doing here?

- Oh, Emily called out of the blue this morning

and asked if I could help get the shop in order.

- Is she back? Have you... seen her?

- Oh, she just stepped out a couple minutes ago.

- Right. Would you tell her I was here?

[door bells jingle]

- Why don't you tell her yourself?

Hey, Sam.

[soft, hopeful music]

?

It's so good to see you.

I'm so sorry the last couple months' communication

has been challenging.

I couldn't respond to your messages and I...

It doesn't matter.

?

- I have some boxes to unpack in the back,

so... I'm gonna go do that.

SAM: You're back now.

You are back, right?

- It's- it's complicated. Uh...

- You told me a month. It's been a year.

I know, I know.

- I have a case I need to... - Yeah, no, of course.

I- can we just...

Can we get together later and talk?

I'd love that.

- Good. - I missed you.

I missed you, too.

[door bells jingle]

EMILY (V.O.): This is agony.

The last thing in the world I want is to hurt Sam.

But this past year, I made promises I now have to keep,

even if that means sacrificing the new life

I've built for myself.

- Ruth? I'm sorry to disturb your work.

Uh, at the moment, I'm just...

writing a eulogy for my father.

Well, I won't keep you long.

Helen tells me you don't live here in town full-time.

Is that correct?

Um, I was worried about my dad,

and since I can work remotely,

I decided to temporarily move back.

Care to elaborate?

- After my mom passed, my dad had a really tough time.

And then he met Helen at one of his Christmas events.

I was... so happy for him,

but a few years later, they decided to get married,

and after the wedding, he grew more distant.

More secretive.

- And that was enough to bring you back?

- About a month ago, I got a text from a private number

telling me that Helen was dangerous.

I thought it was a scam and I blocked the person,

but...

after a visit home, I saw the friction between them,

and just something felt off.

- This person who reached out, any chance you got a name?

No.

No, I can forward you the message.

- I'd appreciate that. - Yeah.

- I understand you had an argument with your father

last night, shortly before his fall.

Is that what she told you?

It was nothing. I... [sighs]

I suggested that he take some precautions.

He didn't like that.

- Why didn't you mention this to me

when we spoke at the house?

- Because I want to believe this was an accident.

If Helen is responsible, then I only have myself to blame

for not taking that warning more seriously.

[mysterious music]

?

JUNE: I refuse to believe it.

EMILY: It breaks my heart too, but I can't leave the shop

just sitting closed indefinitely.

- I know, but it just feels so... permanent.

[door bells jingle]

- Oh, no. - Hello!

EMILY: Ah! There's my world traveller!

- Ah, nine countries in Europe is hardly the world,

but I'll take it.

- [chuckles] Hi. Oh!

- Dad says you're only here for the holidays.

Yes, that's true.

My aunt has no one else to care for her,

and she needs to be by the ocean for her health, so...

- Wait, does that mean you don't need any seasonal help?

'Cause I spent every penny of my savings,

and I need to save up for my next trip.

- Consider yourself hired. - Yes! Thanks, Em.

EMILY: Uh...

What is this box, June? Do you know?

- Oh, I'm not sure. You know, it was by the door

when I opened for you this morning.

- That's weird. I didn't order anything.

- No return address. - Well, just open it already.

- [chuckles] Okay.

ALL: Oh!

It's beautiful.

I know what happened.

The last two years, I ordered a handmade wreath

from the local wreath-maker.

She must have thought I ordered one this year, too.

You know what? I'm just gonna pop over, say thank you,

make sure it's paid for. Are you good, Vi?

Of course.

Back five minutes, and I'm already in charge.

[door bells jingle]

Come on, Ju.

You got time to lean, you got time to clean, right?

BROOKE: Oh, Emily, hi!

EMILY: Hi, Brooke!

- I am running for Christmas Cheerman,

and I'm hoping I can count on you for your support.

- Oh... That's it?

No "Welcome back" or "Good to see you again"?

- Why? Did you go somewhere?

Okay.

Um... what exactly is "Cheerman of the Board"?

- Oh, it's the person in charge of planning

and running all of the town-sponsored

Christmas events every December.

That's an elected position?

This community takes Christmas very seriously, Emily.

You, of all people, should know that.

Oh! Vote for Brooke!

Tragically, the former Cheerman, Richard Smiley, passed away,

so the position's up for grabs.

- Wait, wasn't he dating Helen Bishop,

the wreath-maker?

It's Helen Smiley now, yeah.

They got married last spring.

- That's so sad about Richard. When did he pass?

He fell off his roof last night

when he was putting up his Christmas lights.

- And you're out here gunning for his job a day later?

Mm, I know.

I got a late jump on it, but I waited out of respect,

so... yeah. Oh, hi!

Vote for Brooke! Vote for Brooke!

Wonderful!

[intriguing music]

?

[garden shears snipping]

Helen?

I thought I heard you out here.

- Emily, right? From Under the Mistletoe?

Yes, um...

I just heard about Richard. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

Did you get the package that I left for you?

- Yes, actually, that's why I'm here.

Just let me know how much I owe you, and-

- Oh, no. Nothing. No shop as special as yours

should be without a wreath on the door at Christmas.

It doesn't even feel like home anymore.

Richard was home, not this house.

Does that even make sense, that home can be a person?

I know exactly what you mean.

- Thanks for stopping by. - Mm-hm.

[sighs]

[intriguing music]

?

Merry Christmas to you, too.

- [knocks on door] - Come in.

Hey!

Hey.

- Settling back in okay? - Yeah, getting there.

Actually, I just brought Violet back on for the holiday season.

She's there right now.

- That's great. - Yeah.

- I know- I know you're busy, but I was just thinking,

would tonight work for dinner?

Give us a chance to talk.

It's a date.

?

- Oh, um, by the way, I paid Helen Smiley a visit.

I just- I just went to see her about a wreath she made me,

but while I was there, I couldn't help but notice...

- You've been back for ten minutes!

- ...there was a ladder in the yard?

You mean this one?

Yes.

Yeah, yeah, it was in this exact same position.

Looked like somebody had placed it there.

Which is strange, because why wasn't it against the roof

if Richard was still up there?

- Uh, well, I have a shop to re-open,

so I'm gonna...

[knock at door]

- Detective Wilner? The mayor's here to see you.

- Right. Ah, I forgot he was coming in.

- "He"? I thought the mayor was a woman.

- She retired last summer, and our new mayor ran unopposed.

- And Detective Wilner was not shy

about sharing his displeasure.

No!

RAY: Oh, yeah. But, uh, don't worry, Sam.

I don't hold it against you.

- Mayor Pemberton. Thanks for coming.

Oh, please.

No need to stand on formality among friends.

You can call me Ray, or Famous Ray, if you prefer.

Good to see you again, Emily.

- So, what? No more furniture store?

- Mm, no. Sadly I had to sell the business

when I took the job at Town Hall.

- It's the back-room business that concerns me.

- Oh, please, Sam, I'm a changed man.

Everything I do now is strictly on the books.

Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?

- Okay, I'm just gonna let you boys get to it.

Bye, Ray. I'll see you tonight, Sam.

Hm!

- It's in regards to Richard Smiley.

- Oh. Fine man and a good friend.

My heart breaks for Helen.

- Can you think of anyone who wasn't such a fan?

- Uh, well, nobody immediately comes to mind, but...

wait, so, you're suggesting that his death

might not be an accident?

- I'm looking at it from all sides.

- Well, I can assure you that there is no way-

MAN: No, I don't want to give a statement.

I've given enough statements! I want results!

She murdered her husband!

Do your job and make an arrest!

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay... What's goin' on here?

You're wasting time.

If you people don't act, she'll disappear again.

Who are you talking about?

You know her as Helen Smiley.

- And you are...? - Wes Hillman.

Alright, Wes.

Why are you so certain that Helen killed her husband?

- Because she used to be my stepmom,

and she's done it before.

[dramatic music]

WES: I was 11 years old when my father died.

At the time, he owned a big house

and a successful business,

and had a new wife, who came into our lives

a few years earlier.

How did he die?

- On his way to work, his car went off the road

and into a tree.

He had a cocktail of pills in his system.

That was a big red flag.

Within two weeks, I was living with relatives,

and my new stepmom was long gone with all his money.

- I understand why you're upset. - Oh, there's more.

Several years later, when I was working as a journalist,

I managed to track her down.

It turns out she was recently widowed again.

This time, her husband died of carbon monoxide poisoning

while she just happened to be away for the night.

I tried to raise the alarm, but she was already gone.

- So, how did you find her this time?

- I didn't. She found me.

[intriguing music]

?

?

- "Dear Wes, I want you to know I regret how I left things."

She sent you an apology in a Christmas card?

Read between the lines.

She wanted me to know she was about to strike again.

There was no return address,

but I tracked her area from the postage,

then searched wedding licences issued in the last year.

And there she was.

Helen Smiley.

- So, you're the one who texted Ruth?

A lot of good it did.

When I saw the news this morning,

I got on the first flight out of Cleveland

and came directly here.

How many more lives will she destroy

before someone listens to me?

[foreboding music]

EMILY: The store looks perfect!

I really owe both of you.

- Well, let's hope you remember that

when it's time for Christmas bonuses.

- Okay. Drum roll, please.

- A little anti-climactic, but we'll get there.

JUNE: Wait, Emily... what is this?

- Brooke is running for Christmas Cheerman of the Board,

which means that if she wins, she will be in charge

of planning all of the town Christmas activities.

Emily, you should run for this!

What?

Even if I was not leaving, I-I have too much on my plate.

Plus, I think you need like 500 signatures

just to get on the ballot.

Oh, no. I am running late for Sam.

- Go. - Thank you. Okay.

I'll close up after the rush.

- Hah, very funny. Thank you. - Bye.

- EMILY: See ya! - Bye.

You know, 500 signatures is not that many.

I like the way you think.

[festive jazz music playing]

- [quietly] A black widow killer? Seriously?

I'm almost sorry I asked.

No, you're not.

You have a soft spot for Helen, I can tell.

- I'm not saying that she didn't kill anyone in the past, but...

her grief was real.

I know what that looks like.

Thanks for sharing.

- Well, if I didn't, you'd just find some other way

to get the information.

- Ah, I feel so seen. It's so nice.

[Sam chuckles]

Oh, I missed this place.

You sure you can't stay?

- Turns out, not having agency resources to fall back on

makes finding people who don't want to be found

ten times harder.

But I have to get to them before Chimera does.

This new version of Chimera...

you're certain it's not Aaron?

- Pfft, I'm not certain of anything.

- Look, I understand the gravity of what you're doing,

and I support it 100%.

I just have to ask...

What does this mean for us?

Um...

?

Circumstances may have changed, but...

my feelings haven't.

- Well, good. That's a relief.

Yeah?

- I'm not ready to give up on this.

Me neither.

But I know I can't ask you to put your life on hold forever.

- Well, at least we have the holidays, right?

It's never a dull Christmas when you're around.

[chuckles]

Is that a compliment?

[intriguing music]

?

EMILY (V.O.): I miss my boys already,

but they don't travel well,

so I left them in good hands for a few weeks.

Still, I'm gonna be one lonely cat mama

without them this Christmas.

Seeing Sam today,

all those warm feelings came right back

and I can't even act on them.

I could use a distraction.

And I admit, I am tempted

to look deeper into Helen Smiley's life.

Could I be wrong about her?

Nobody here would have mistaken me for someone

with a criminal past, but I was no angel.

I don't know where I'd be right now

if not for someone offering me a shot at redemption.

[grunting]

- You wanna strike with your whole body,

not just your fists.

And also make sure that you're exhaling on every hit.

That way you're not getting winded too quickly.

- Okay, thanks for the tip. I'm Grace.

- I know. I read your dossier.

Oh.

- Not many people coming from your situation

get an opportunity like this.

Really grateful for everything

Operations Officer Chase has done for me.

She can be tough.

But she'll go to the mat for you if she believes in you.

She wants to see you in her office when you're done here.

Okay, thanks.

Oh, and, uh, I'm Thomas.

- Oh. - Thomas Chase.

Oh, uh, any relation?

Okay.

CHASE: I've been watching your progress.

Word from the farm is that you performed

in the top 10% overall.

Not bad, considering.

You still have a long way to go before you're field-ready.

The field?

I thought I was being trained as a cyber threat analyst.

- My boy Thomas sees potential in you.

He requested you for his special ops team.

Personally, I'm not sold.

This file only tells half the story.

I need to know that I can trust you with the lives of my people.

- You have nothing to worry about.

I'm finally where I was always meant to be.

Time will tell.

[intercom buzzes]

Hello?

VIOLET: It's Vi. Can I come up?

Yeah, of course.

[button buzzes and clicks]

Uh-huh...

This is... oh.

[knock at door]

ALL: Surprise!

- What? What is this?

- Your welcome-back party, of course!

- You didn't think we'd let ya get off that easy, did ya?

- Oh... [laughs] - Where are the glasses?

- Oh, just- yeah, uh-huh. - It was my idea, by the way.

And I brought stuff to make Christmas cookies!

- Oh...! [chuckles]

VIOLET: Okay, I made it myself!

JUNE: Really? VIOLET: Mm-hm.

Everybody's getting one.

[laughter]

VIOLET: Well, I have no money left.

JUNE: She's been all over the world.

VIOLET & JUNE: Emily! Get in here!

EMILY: I just can't believe you guys are all here.

This is so fun!

We missed you so much.

- Like too much. - I missed you guys!

SUE: Way too much. EMILY: I missed your coffee.

And you!

[laughter]

EMILY: Hey!

Look at you being all official.

Your own driver and everything.

- Thanks for meeting with me. Coffee?

Obviously.

Your text said it was important. What's up?

- I'm worried that- that Sam is leaning towards

keeping the Richard Smiley investigation open

when it's- it's clear the poor guy fell.

- What does that have to do with me?

- Well, just, you have Sam's ear. I thought maybe you could-

- Don't even finish that sentence.

- I figured that'd be your response.

It's just that with this kid Wes spreading lies about Helen,

I'm worried about her.

- You seem pretty confident that she's innocent.

- I worked closely with Richard over the past year,

and believe me when I tell you that he worshipped that woman.

Richard would never forgive me if I didn't look out for her.

That's very sweet, Ray, but...

you should really trust Sam on this one.

- I do. It's just the longer he takes to make a determination,

the more the public is gonna believe

that Helen's involved somehow. Ah...

Oh, I gotta go. Um, in 20 minutes

I am judging a Christmas embroidery competition

at the retirement village.

- Oh. [chuckles]

Thanks for the coffee!

- Mm-hm.

EMILY (V.O.): For the record, I believe Ray is right,

that Helen is no killer.

Just because she kept her past a secret

doesn't mean she did something wrong.

As someone who shares that in common with her,

I can't help but feel a sense of obligation to let her know

she's not alone.

- It's nice of you to check on me.

Yeah.

I've lost people close to me. I know how that feels.

Oh, thanks.

But to lose a husband, I...

I can't imagine.

- Yeah, Richard is especially tough.

I loved him so much.

But, um, this is something I've had to deal with before.

The press will be onto me by now,

so I might as well not sugar-coat it.

I have previous dead husbands

who people say that I killed for their money.

- Well, you can't let that get to you.

You shouldn't feel guilty.

- But I am guilty. I killed them.

Every single one.

[suspenseful music]

When you say you killed them...

- My first husband, Mason, was really struggling.

I knew he was taking prescription pills

just to get through the day.

But I didn't say anything

because I didn't want to shame him. [sighs]

Maybe if I hadn't stayed silent, he'd still be alive.

My second husband, Emmett, had asked me to replace

the expired carbon monoxide detector,

and I promised him I would when I got back from a weekend trip

to a craft fair. But by then it was too late.

- Well, you couldn't have known, though. Come on.

- That's exactly what Richard said.

I begged him to retract his proposal.

Well, you don't blame yourself

for what happened to Richard, do you?

He was getting older.

I wanted him to hire someone to put up the lights.

I should have insisted. [sighs]

After Emmett died, the press had a nickname for me.

Um, from an article written by my own stepson.

He called me the "Grim Wreather."

Because to marry me is a death sentence.

And, uh...

he was right.

[sombre music]

?

?

- Emily. - Hey, Sam.

Isn't this the part where you ask me what I'm doing here?

Ah, why bother?

You'd just respond with an excuse

just plausible enough to satisfy me.

- Well, I'm gonna tell you anyway.

I just- I feel bad for her.

I don't think she killed Richard.

- Three dead husbands, similar circumstances,

and her mitten was in Richard's hand.

How'd it get there if she wasn't up on the roof?

- Don't look now, but we're being watched.

The neighbour next door.

I said don't look. What are you...?

- Well, that just made me wanna look even more.

Seriously?

- Hi, Albert. - Oh! Hi!

I was just working on my lawn display and- and got curious.

SAM: Hmm.

- Are you still investigating what happened to Richard?

- I am. - Uh-huh...

And is there anything you'd be able to share, or...

No.

- Guess I'll just get back to work here.

- You know, two heads are better than one.

If you've learned anything you think might be helpful...

- The last thing I wanna do is roll back into town

and start stepping on your toes.

- Well, if you're stepping on my toes,

it means you're close to me, and...

I'd never complain about that.

- Uh, I should go. Violet's waiting.

?

[sighs]

[jazz version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" playing]

- So, how was dinner with my dad last night?

You guys have a chance to catch up?

- Yeah. Yeah, it was...

it was nice.

He really missed you.

What about you and Kyle?

Long distance can't be easy.

Very true.

Between his college and my travels,

we haven't seen each other in person for a few months.

But he's home for Christmas break soon,

so I'm looking forward to that.

Emily Lane!

How could you?!

- I'm gonna need a little more information than that, Brooke.

- I just learned that you've thrown your little Santa hat

into the ring for Christmas Cheerman.

- Um, I have no idea what-

Violet?

BROOKE: You know what? This is good.

Yeah, having some competition will serve to prove

that I am the best candidate for the job.

- Okay. - Mark my words, Emily.

Christmas is mine.

- [door bells jingle] - It was all June's idea.

This is so, so sweet, Vi,

but I can't accept the nomination. Come on.

I know.

I get it.

Hey, Sue.

- Emily! Just poured the last cup.

Give me a minute and I'll brew a fresh pot.

Yeah, take your time.

- Um, sorry. You're Ruth Smiley, right?

Richard's daughter?

- You run that, uh, Christmas shop. Emily?

Yes, yeah.

I made a few special orders for your dad last year.

- Oh. - I'm so sorry for your loss.

Thanks.

Uh, this is Wes.

In a weird way, we're kind of step-siblings.

- Really? - Uh, so, Helen is...

- Her name was Marjorie when I knew her, but yes.

- It's nice that you all share a bond.

- Actually, we're just meeting for the first time.

- Yeah, but we do share something in common, right?

To put it bluntly,

our stepmother murdered our dads.

- Oh, okay... Uh, well...

- Wes, uh, I don't think we should-

Well, I'm not gonna keep quiet.

Helen Smiley is a killer!

She needs to be stopped!

And the more people who know that,

the safer you'll all be.

SAM: I'm not sure what you think I can do about Wes.

- Explain to him that there's no evidence

to support his accusations.

- Honestly, Helen didn't help her case

sending him that Christmas card.

Whatever her intent was, he took it as a taunt.

[knock at door]

Come in.

- The forensic report you requested is in your inbox.

Thank you.

[door shuts]

What is it?

- They found a partial boot print on the roof by the window.

No tread to match it to, but based on the shape,

it was a different boot than the one Richard was wearing.

- Which means somebody else was up on that roof.

And unless I can prove that this has nothing to do

with Richard's death...

this is now officially a murder investigation.

[suspenseful music]

EMILY (V.O.): One of the things I've missed the most

during my time away was the simple pleasure

of looking out over the town,

seeing the quiet beauty of the snow-covered...

What?

BROOKE: Hi, vote for Brooke! [giggles]

Merry Christmas! Vote for Brooke!

[giggles] Merry Christmas!

Vote for Brooke!

Oh! I bet you're regretting your life choices

right about now, huh?

Is this all really necessary?

- If the big man in the red coat can visit every house

in one night, so can my crack team of elves.

- Look, I'm just saying you have nothing to worry about.

I'm not even-

- Of course I have nothing to worry about.

Everyone knows that I am the living embodiment

of Christmas spirit, while you simply peddle

in holiday trinkets.

- Excuse me? - Oh, Merry Christmas!

Vote for Brooke Carmichael for Christmas Cheerman!

So, that's your strategy?

You're just gonna bribe people for votes?

- Well, I prefer to think of it as spreading comfort and joy.

No one likes a sore loser, Emily.

- Don't get ahead of yourself. I haven't lost yet.

- Yes, you have. You just don't know it.

- Well, guess we'll see who the winner is

when all the votes are counted.

- You know, you seem a little out of sorts.

Enjoy a holiday swag bag.

No, thank you.

- Is that a scented candle? - Spiced eggnog.

?

- Mm-hm!

Hi! Vote for Brooke! Merry Christmas!

Well, this is heaven.

- This is not going to be easy, ladies.

We have a lot of ground to make up.

- You need to get out there in front of people.

They need to see how dedicated you are to Christmas.

- I own a year-round Christmas shop.

What's more dedicated than that?

- The real test will be the candidate speeches.

Brooke is an experienced public speaker,

so she has the edge there. We need a killer speech.

Don't you have a clinic to run?

- I'm available for emergencies, but other than that,

I'm taking a few weeks off this year.

VIOLET: Just breathe.

We've got this.

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Sam.

- Hey, can I borrow you after work?

What do you have in mind?

- I'm gonna pay Helen Smiley another visit,

and I thought it might be good if you could join.

- Really? - Yeah, if you're up for it.

I just want her to feel at ease,

and I think she might be more comfortable if you're there.

- Yeah, well, she is in a pretty fragile state.

- Great. I'll see you tonight.

Okay.

?

You're pretty quiet.

- June and Violet secretly nominated me

for the position of Christmas Cheerman.

- Well, that seems right up your alley.

Yeah...

but they did it because they're hoping that if I win,

it'll give me more reason to stay.

[phone ringing]

Wilner, go ahead.

OFFICER: Are you still en route to the Smiley residence?

I am.

OFFICER: We got a 911 call from a nearby address,

possible home invasion.

Responders are five minutes out.

- Alright, I'm close. What's the address?

[suspenseful music]

[sirens approaching]

ALBERT: I was watching TV

and I heard someone walking around on the main floor.

The intruder's still inside. I didn't get a look at them.

- Alright, stay here. - Yeah, okay.

[suspenseful music]

This is Detective Sam Wilner!

I know you're in there. Step outside slowly

with your hands in the air.

[police radio chatter]

[suspenseful music]

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[sighs]

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