Original subtitles

We need a mayor who is sensitive to women's issues.

- Run for Mayor. - What?

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

You promised that after you finished this term of office,

you'd marry me.

I adore Cabot Cove, but really,

the people here aren't exactly ambitious.

Well, I love it here.

Anybody who's ever stayed in that motel

knows the windows don't lock.

Then you are running.

I knew it, I knew it!

I'm not running!

Aha, Seth.

I'm feeling hearty this morning, Jess.

What do you say we go for a mile and a quarter?

Perfect, if we walk towards town.

I have a haircut at Loretta's.

As long as I don't have to go inside.

I'll just get my purse.

Aren't you going to call in the professionals, huh?

I give you another week at this.

Seth, I have told you.

I find this very relaxing.

Excuse me.

Hello?

Yes, speaking.

Oh, yes, Mr. Vernon.

Yes, I did get your letter, and...

Well, I'm flattered that your client loves my house,

but as I explained when I wrote back...

Thank you, but my house is not for sale.

Mr. Vernon, forgive me if I seem a little abrupt,

but I do not wish to sell,

not now, not ever.

How much?

You know what's driving the property values

right through the roof, don't you?

It's these rich weekenders

spilling over from Morgan Bay.

Yes, Morgan Bay used to be

such a nice, sleepy little town.

Now you can't even get into the cafe

at the Shady Side Restaurant there

without a reservation.

Well, you don't think that's going to happen here, do you?

What do you suppose that phone call was all about?

I tell you, these city people

are looking for new territory to weekend-ize.

Morning, Sam.

Oh, morning, Jessica, Doc.

Been meaning to talk to you.

Can't stop, Sam.

We're edging up our pulse rates.

My goodness, Sam, is it election time already?

Every two years.

Didn't know Sam could count that high.

Oh, Seth, he's harmless enough.

That's my point exactly.

He never does anything.

Don't you think it's peculiar

that he takes off every July?

July, Jess.

When everything's going on

with the tourists and all, tourists!

You know, Seth, you don't have to exercise

to get your pulse rate up.

Morning, Milton.

Jessica.

I didn't know you were running against Sam.

Dirty job, but somebody's got to do it.

"The future is now"?

What in blazes does that mean?

The future's not now, it's then.

No, no, the past is then.

Should be an interesting race.

This is the first time in years

that Sam has had any competition.

Milton is too much of a grouch

to capture the imagination of those voters

who have seen to it that Sam is returned to office

term after term after term.

You mean the 86% that stay home.

Exactly.

Jessica,

all I know is that your books give me nightmares.

Why don't you write something happy

in a nice magazine?

Ideal, somehow I don't think

that Jessica's goals include

writing recipes for leftover meat loaf.

Actually, my main goal right now

is finishing fixing up my house.

Are you thinking of selling, Jessica?

The market's strong now.

I'm sure we could do very well.

Sell?

Eve, my goodness,

you know I wouldn't dream of it.

Oh, excuse me a second, Jessica.

Good morning, Mrs. Thayer.

Yes, I wonder if you could help me.

Her husband's very nice,

but she's a bit of a snob.

Well, all I know is that when I see them around town,

they're always arguing about something.

Well, they paid 208 for Sarah Jenkins' house,

just for weekends.

Well, $208 seems very reasonable for a weekend.

Well, I can get to you

as soon as I'm finished with Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, good.

Help yourself to some coffee.

Oh, have you got any cappuccino?

Afraid not.

Oh.

- Decaf? - No.

- Good morning. - Oh, hello.

Good morning, Winifred.

You look very relaxed

for somebody who's throwing a party tonight.

Oh, well, you know, Jessica,

the caterers take care of all of that.

Although, I must say, I really don't trust them.

Are there any good food people in this town?

Now, you be sure to call me about your house, Jessica.

I think I already have one of your cards, Eve.

You know, I'm really so busy right now.

There's this New York attorney

who has all sorts of Park Avenue-ish clients

who are so thrilled with Cabot Cove.

But I'm sure I could find time for some of your friends

who might like to move

to our little pied-a-plage, Mrs. Thayer.

Well, of course, but...

Quel dommage.

Jessica's taken my last card.

But perhaps I could bring some

by your house this evening

say, eight-ish?

Oh, good heavens, look at the time.

I completely forgot...

my parking meter.

Now, you say you can take me in about half an hour?

I'll squeeze you in.

Splendid.

Jessica.

Eve, that New York attorney

wouldn't by any chance be Jason Vernon, would it?

Jessica, I can't believe

you'd do business behind my back.

Isn't he a doll?

Et tu, Phyllis?

Oh, come on, he just came by my place

to say that he was very interested

in my property.

I must say, he did make a good case for development.

And he said he could help my travel agency.

You know, I got kind of a strange offer

myself from that guy.

And I thought he was my exclusive.

Well, he sent me a letter

saying that this building could be very valuable,

pending a zoning change.

Now, what does that mean?

I can't imagine.

I mean, a zoning change would require

that there should be a change

in the way that the city council votes,

and Sam's always provided the swing vote

that keeps everything the way it is.

Which is a prehistoric way to run a city.

You'd think we were in the Dark Ages

before 30-day escrows.

I mean, we've got to get Sam Booth out of there.

Oh, Eve, you can't be voting for Milton Overguard.

That sexist pig?

Forget about it.

Well, I'm going to vote for him.

Ideal, why?

He's such a sourpuss.

I bet you can't think of one nice thing

to say about him.

Well...

his poor dear wife, may she rest in peace,

did make the most delicious cherry turnovers.

Well, me, I'm voting for Sam.

He's got nice soft hair.

You're done, Jessica.

Thank you, dear.

You know, what this town really needs

is a woman mayor.

Don't you think so, Jessica?

Well, I don't think that the mayor's sex

should really matter.

No.

But it helps to have some.

Phyllis!

That's not nice.

Four weeks, Jessica.

Thank you, Loretta.

I'm ever so sorry to bother you ladies,

but do any of you know

where I might find the Mayor's office?

Oh, yes.

Turn to the left, go almost a block,

you can't miss it.

Why, thank you, ma'am.

That's right nice of you.

Tell you the truth, I do feel kind of dumb asking,

but I get a little confused here in the big city.

Do you work here, ma'am?

Oh, no, dear.

This is Jessica Fletcher, the writer.

Uhhuh. Oh, and I'm Annie Mae Chapman.

Hello.

- Bye-bye. - Bye.

Oh, ma'am, I was just hoping

to make an appointment for tomorrow,

if you can fit me in.

I know you must be real busy,

with a beautiful place like this.

Well, I'm sure I could fit you in, Miss Chapman.

Oh, good.

See, there's somebody that

I want to look real special for.

Now, who does she want to look so special for?

What's the matter, Eve?

Afraid of a little competition?

Well, would you look at

what they've done to Sarah Jenkins' house.

You'd think the whole point of living at the beach

would be to get as far away as possible from the city.

Jessica.

Here we are.

I found him.

Jessica, glad you could make it.

Thank you so much.

- Seth. - Horton.

How many raffle tickets can I sell you?

They're only $50.

A piece?

See, I told you.

They are too expensive.

Every penny goes

to the Cabot Cove Wilderness Protection Fund.

Oh, yes, so that the deer can

continue to chew up my roses.

Honey.

Well, I'd love to buy two.

I think it's very neighborly of you

to throw this party for the fund, Horton.

May I give you a check before I leave?

- Of course. - All right.

Just wanted to let the locals know

that we care about Cabot Cove.

And let them take a gander at the house, of course.

Naturally, he couldn't wait until it was finished.

Of course, we'll probably all be dead by then.

Now, Jessica, don't get me wrong.

I adore Cabot Cove,

but really, the people here aren't exactly ambitious.

Well, I love it here.

I love the slow carpenters,

I love your new traffic light

that kind of sticks on yellow.

Well, of course you love it, darling.

You're not trapped behind it all week

when you're trying to get things done.

All you have to do is just come flying in for the weekend.

You know, that airstrip is about the only thing

that could stand improving.

If you put in a real airport,

I wouldn't have to drive down from Morgan Bay.

Oh, and where do you suggest we put this real airport?

Oh, it wouldn't be hard to yank out

a couple of acres of pine.

No.

Paul!

Paul contributed the Ferrari for the raffle.

Excuse us, won't you?

Oh, just one moment, please.

These rumaki are supposed to be cooked.

It's raw bacon here, dear.

Ferrari?

Rumaki.

Oh, Seth!

Jessica!

Isn't this fabulous?

I've already made three appointments

for people to see your house, Jessica.

Eve, I'm not selling my house.

Oh, good idea, Jessica.

Wait till the prices go up even further.

Oh, my!

Isn't that Horton Thayer?

He's dreamy.

Doesn't she realize

that if the weekenders push up these values,

the locals won't even be able to afford Cabot Cove?

I'm a realtor here in town,

and I wanted to give you my card.

All right, well...

Would you excuse me, please?

Oh, of course.

She came on to me.

What, I can't even smile at a woman?

Are we going to go through this again?

I just want to know what room

you're going to be sleeping in tonight, darling.

Oh!

The lady Eve strikes again.

Well, the mayoral candidates are pressing the flesh.

Of course, in Sam's case,

there's an abundance of flesh to press.

Pardon me.

You are JB Fletcher,

the mystery writer, aren't you?

Yes.

I'm sorry to bother you, ma'am,

but I'm a great fan...

Oh!

Of your house.

Oh, come on, woman, I haven't got all night.

Doc!

Excuse me, Doc.

I've been wanting to confer with influential citizens

about a project I've come up with

that will really put us on the map.

The Cabot Cove International Airport.

Oh, now, this airport wouldn't specialize

in commuter flights between here and Boston, now,

would it, Milton?

Sure!

Boston's a nice town.

What's wrong with that?

Tell me something, Milton.

Where exactly does all the money come

for those five-color posters of yours, huh?

I haven't met a single person in Cabot Cove

that has contributed one cent toward your campaign.

Maybe I am getting funds from out-of-towners.

What's wrong with that?

I got a right to get campaign money

anywhere I can.

It's the American way.

I'll tell you something else that's the American way.

These out-of-towners can support you

till the cows come home, but they cannot vote for you.

Thanks for making my night, Doc.

Oh, Doc.

Doc, you're not supporting that nasty old coot,

now, are you?

I plead the sanctity of the polling booth, Sam.

But, Doc,

I don't know what I'd be if I wasn't Mayor.

Getting reelected's about all I know how to do.

Let me tell you something, Sam.

Your record as a zero growth Mayor

is very attractive,

not that you planned it that way.

How's that again, Doc?

What I'm trying to say is that your strong suit

is that you are a do-nothing Mayor.

Oh.

Thanks, Doc.

Thanks a lot.

You know me.

I went to school with you.

I was there when your children were born

and when your pets died.

You named the new sewage line after me.

If there's anybody out there

who has any doubts about electing me

to another two years of service to Cabot Cove,

let them speak now.

But, Sam, you promised me you wouldn't run again.

Who said that?

I never made any such promise in my life.

Well, who in blazes are you?

Sam, it's me, Annie Mae.

I just got my hair done,

so I guess he doesn't recognize me.

I don't know any Annie Mae.

Why, Sam, don't pretend like you don't know me.

But I don't know you.

And what's more,

I don't think anybody here knows you.

Oh, yes, we do.

Sure.

Well, I mean, Eve does,

and Loretta.

We met yesterday.

At my place, yeah.

Well, of course they don't know me.

I've never even left Wyoming before.

Ladies and gentlemen,

if you're gonna believe

an outside agitator from Wyoming...

Casper, Wyoming.

You remember, Sam.

You promised that after you finished

this term of office, you'd come back...

and marry me.

Marry you?

Ridiculous!

I've never even seen this woman before.

She probably escaped from the Portland sanitarium.

Friends, friends, friends.

Oh, look, honey.

Look.

You may have caught the Mayor at a bad time.

I mean, what more could he say in front of a crowd of voters?

He could have said he loves me

and that he's coming back with me like he promised.

Are you sure we're talking about the same Sam Booth?

Oh, of course.

Here.

That's Gladys, our eldest.

Your eldest?

And that's Randolph and Fitzroy, the twins.

And there's Clementine,

and there's the baby, Sam junior.

Morning, Jessica.

Oh, good morning, Fulton.

Guess you heard about yesterday's ruckus.

Oh, yes.

Never would have thought it of Sam Booth.

Can't picture him being the father of five, can you?

Especially with such an attractive young lady.

Oh, then you've met Annie Mae?

Oh, my, yes, yes.

She came around asking for directions.

She's so very attractive, don't you think?

She didn't happen to ask for directions

to the Mayor's office, did she?

That Sam's a sly fox, isn't he?

Seth, I'm surprised.

I mean, Sam just doesn't seem like the sort of person

who would lead a double life.

He's an open book.

Something by Jacqueline Susann.

Do you know that he's lived in the same house

since he was born?

I've never even seen him out on a date.

May not be quite as harmless as you thought, eh?

You know, Seth Hazlitt,

you really are an old gossip. You know that?

Absolutely wrong.

I'm merely an informed citizen

who, come election day, is going to exercise

his God-given right at the ballot box.

This year, I'm actually going to vote.

I'll get it.

Howard, Ebeneezer.

Hope we're not interrupting anything, Jessica.

Of course not. Come inside.

Doc, what are you doing here?

I might ask you the same question, Howard.

Emergency.

Oh, I'll get my bag.

No, it's not you, Doc.

It's Jessica's help we need.

What?

As you know, Jessica,

Ebeneezer and I sit on the city council.

And the only way we've been able

to keep the zoning the way it needs to be

is because Sam has been providing the swing vote.

But because of this scandal, Sam may not be reelectable.

And if Milton Overguard is elected,

that will tip the city council towards the zoning changes.

Yes, it certainly is cause for alarm,

but what can I do?

Run for Mayor.

What?

Now, there's an idea.

You would be a shoo-in.

Oh, but surely there are others

who are far more qualified than I am.

Everybody likes you, Jessica.

They respect your judgment.

And you've got the good sense to keep your trap shut.

And you have no history of philandering.

Do you?

Thank you, both of you.

But I have just finished two books in a row,

and I'm looking forward to a nice rest.

Oh, but you're the only celebrity

we have in this town.

You're uniquely qualified.

Yes.

No one has your style, your popularity...

your intelligence

you're one of a kind, Jessica.

One of a kind.

Gentlemen, thank you.

I'm really very flattered.

But the answer is no.

Unequivocally no.

What about you, Doc?

Would you consider running?

For you, ma'am.

For you, Miss Pickett.

Overguard potholders for you, Miss Simpson.

- Thank you. - Potholders!

Potholders for Overguard!

"With Overguard you won't get burnt"?

Have you ever heard of such a paternalistic attitude?

Actually, Eve, I'd say that Sam is the candidate

with the paternalistic attitude.

Well, girls, I knew it.

I just went through all my old records

at the travel agency, and sure enough,

Sam Booth has taken a trip to Casper, Wyoming,

every July for the last ten years.

How disgusting.

Well, he should resign from office

and drop out of the election.

It's the only honorable thing to do.

Well, at least he should resign from the committee

to pick the father of the year.

Oh, Corrine, will you get that?

You know what we need?

We need a mayor who is sensitive to women's issues.

I mean, somebody who doesn't take

the women of Cabot Cove for granted.

Mrs. Simpson, it was a Mr. Knox

about that order you offered to write up for him.

Oh, God!

Oh, how could I forget?

He's hot to trot for the old Mulavey place.

And he's in the middle of a heavenly divorce.

She'd be the worst thing

that could ever happen to this town.

But there is one woman in Cabot Cove

who would make a terrific mayor.

I'm sorry, but the answer is no.

It was no last night, and it's no now.

But, Jessica, we can't have Sam Booth.

But another thing, Phyllis.

I think that Sam should be given a chance

to answer these charges

before the whole town pillories him.

Sam's secretary said

that Sam's been avoiding Annie Mae all over town.

Well, that shouldn't be too hard.

Annie Mae didn't even know her way to the Mayor's office.

She came by my travel agency and asked me for directions.

Phyllis, did you give her directions

that could have led her to the Bayside Cafe?

Not unless her IQ is smaller than her bra size.

A civic government

is like the kitchen of a house.

And who's better in the kitchen than a woman?

Sisters, think about it. Think about it.

If all the women in Cabot Cove vote for me,

those two sexist pigs will split the male chauvinist vote,

and we'll finally have a woman in the kitchen.

Now everybody, help yourself to cookies.

Sounds like good strategy.

I don't know.

Eve's already alienated

a certain portion of the voters.

Women with husbands.

Oh.

Oh, thank goodness, a familiar face.

You were in the beauty parlor.

Mm-hmm.

- Jessica... - Fletcher.

Fletcher.

And I'm Annie Mae Chapman.

Of course.

I don't know why that nice Mrs. Simpson invited me.

I don't know a soul here.

Oh, but Annie Mae,

surely you've met some other people from town.

Well, between you and me, ma'am,

they're only interested in gossiping.

And that's not why I came here.

Forgive me for asking,

but why did you come to Cabot Cove?

Why, to see Sam, of course.

Yes, but why now?

I mean, why, after all these years,

did you decide to visit Cabot Cove now?

To tell you the truth,

I was getting a little impatient with Sam.

Every year he'd say

how's he has obligations to the folks here.

So last year, I finally said

that when he is done with this term of office,

he should come back to Wyoming

and take care of me and the little ones.

What a shame you couldn't bring the children with you.

Is somebody looking after them for you?

They're with my sister.

Oh.

I just miss them so much.

Oh, I don't think I showed you

this sweet little photo of Sam.

She's in here, girls!

And she's showing pictures!

Isn't it cute, that little hat?

And he is standing

right in front of our little love cabin in the woods.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, and here's where he made me hold

that smelly old fish while he took my photo.

And this is Gladys and the twins.

Oh, I'm sorry to be boring you this way, Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, don't be silly.

Oh, the twins are beautiful.

Oh, thank you.

Strange.

You know, I think I've seen them somewhere.

Sure, they look just like Sam.

Annie Mae?

Oh, Annie Mae, Eve's been trying to find you.

She wants to introduce you to some people.

Well, my goodness, isn't that nice?

If you ladies will excuse me.

Oh, of course.

Come on, let's go.

"Some people" being

the entire female voting population of Cabot Cove.

You got it.

You know, Annie Mae certainly knows

how to handle herself, for a girl from the sticks.

Yeah, well, she may be from the sticks,

but she stopped off in New York

to get her hair done.

Oh, you mean her haircut is too sophisticated?

Well, that's no Casper, Wyoming, color job.

Jessica!

Sam?

Where have you been?

I've been waiting for you for hours.

Well, I've been at Eve Simpson's.

Whatever is it?

Eve Simpson's?

You were at that suffragette rally?

I came over here to go down on bended knee

and beg you to support me publicly,

only to find out you're supporting Eve Simpson.

No, Sam. Listen, calm down, will you?

Just answer me this, Jessica.

What did I ever do to you?

Sam, I'm not supporting anybody.

Then you are running.

I knew it, I knew it!

Well, you know what that means.

Everyone's gonna believe that awful girl's story.

I'll be finished in this town.

Sam, would you please get a hold of yourself?

Finished!

I'm not running!

Bad news, Jessica.

- The election? - Well, you might say.

Annie Mae Chapman was killed last night.

What?

Shot dead in her motel room.

Oh, that's terrible!

You're telling us.

It takes Sam completely out of the running for mayor.

Has anybody notified her sister?

Which leaves only Milton and Eve,

both of whom are, as you know, very dangerous.

Oh, please stop, both of you.

A woman has died.

I mean, let's set aside the election for now.

Well, you're absolutely right, Jessica.

And that's why you'd be such a great mayor.

You have compassion.

That's right, you've got to run.

We don't care what you say.

We'll write you in, if necessary.

Ayup.

Please, Sam.

I want to help you.

Well, what exactly did you have in mind, Jessica?

A statement to the press?

Well, I'm talking about

the murder of Annie Mae Chapman.

What's that got to do with me?

That's a good question.

I don't mean to be suspicious, Jessica,

but after what you've put me through

these last few days,

you'll have to excuse me if I question your loyalties.

Sam, you've got to realize that people are going to,

well, at least wonder about

the nature of your relationship with that young woman.

What?

Excuse me, Mrs. Fletcher.

Mr. Mayor, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you

a few questions about last night.

Sheriff.

Well, you can't believe I had anything to do

with that girl's death?

Where were you last night, sir?

He came to see me, sheriff.

No kidding.

Stay long?

No, no.

He seemed rather upset.

What about?

Well, I suppose it could have been

that you were concerned about your reputation,

weren't you, Sam?

Well, thanks, Jessica.

Thank you ever so much for your help.

It's all a smear, sheriff.

A smear to keep me from winning.

Well, here's my problem, sir.

You're the only person in town

who had a relationship with the deceased.

We did not have a relationship!

I've never had a relationship with anybody.

Then how do you explain these photos?

Fakes!

Why, this is a conspiracy!

That's not you holding that fish?

Sheriff, Annie Mae could have gotten

a hold of one of those pictures,

had another one of herself taken.

I mean, they're not in the same shot.

That's right.

What about the photos of the kids?

I hate children.

I mean, I love children, but not my own children.

If I had any children of my own, which I don't.

Well, sheriff, I hope you're going to get in touch

with that poor woman's sister.

Floyd's already working on it, Mabel.

The least you could do is go to Wyoming

and take care of those poor, unfortunate orphans,

now that your love bunny is dead.

There aren't any children.

But the mayor's the only one with a motive.

Well, that we know of.

But what do we really know about Annie Mae, anyway?

I mean, doesn't it seem peculiar

that all she had in her wallet

were the snapshots and her driving license?

I mean, I don't have a driver's license,

but I certainly have more ID than that, don't you?

Something else we found in her purse.

Good heavens!

Two thousand bucks.

Found her purse right there on the nightstand.

Well, you'd think, with that much money,

she would have locked the window.

Anybody who's ever stayed in that motel

knows the windows don't lock.

I asked around.

At least we know the motive wasn't robbery.

You know, there's something about this photo here.

Those are the same kids.

That is the exact same photograph.

Now things are starting to make sense.

You're gonna love this, Mrs. F.

No Annie Mae Chapman with the Wyoming DMV.

No Annie Mae Chapman in Casper.

Nobody knows her anywhere.

You know, the catalog company

would know the model agency that those twins came from.

Maybe that agency knows something about Annie Mae.

Well, I don't get it.

Supposing it was a scam, what was the deal?

To shake Sam down?

Well, from the timing, I'd say it was more likely

that it was done to discredit Sam.

Lose him the election.

So the money in her purse...

possibly a payoff.

But who would want to go to all that trouble

to win an election in Cabot Cove,

for God's sakes?

The job doesn't pay enough

to buy hair curlers for a skinhead.

Sheriff Metzger!

Mr. Overguard.

We were just talking about you.

Never mind that.

You listen to me.

This girl's death must be

your number one priority, understand?

I want it solved, and I want it solved quick.

Why, Milton, I never realized

that you were interested in police business.

This sort of sex scandal

might hurt a congressman in Washington,

but in Cabot Cove,

it only makes Sam Booth look interesting.

Good morning.

Don't forget me on election day.

Oh, Jessica!

Hello, Eve. How are you?

Oh, very well.

A little gift you may find useful

how to fix up your home and sell it for a profit.

Oh, thank you.

I believe I did mention that

I don't intend to sell my house.

Oh, keep it anyway.

A little personal gift from me to you.

Well, thank you.

I hope I can count on your vote.

You know, Eve, I don't really know

how you stand on a lot of the issues.

I mean, for example, what do you think about

all of this trade that we're getting on weekends?

Oh, well, naturally, as a realtor,

I mean, I have to be in favor of development.

But it should be development with heart.

Yeah.

The sort of development that that attorney

from New York was advocating?

Vernon, was that his name?

Oh, Mr. Vernon is all for keeping

the character of Cabot Cove intact.

I just met with him last night, in fact.

Oh, is he in Cabot Cove?

Oh, no, no.

I went over to Morgan Bay to see him after my rally.

He's flying back to New York today...

Well, Jessica, I'd love to chat with you

about issues and things,

but I've got a campaign to run.

Ciao!

Sorry I didn't get this back to you sooner, Seth,

but this town certainly has been hopping.

Ayup.

First of all, Sam shows up at your house

at all hours, a desperate man,

and then Annie Mae Chapman

gets herself shot in her motel room,

and then you finally dissuade Sheriff Metzger

from arresting Sam.

Well, that's not quite...

then you found out that Annie Mae is a fraud

and that her children were all probably

underage Brooke Shieldses.

But that's amazing, Seth.

How did you find all that out so quickly?

I mean, it hasn't even been in the paper yet.

How long am I gonna have to be

on these things, Dr. Hazlitt?

Oh, it's a minor sprain, Corrine.

I expect if you stay off your feet,

you'll be back at gossip center by tomorrow.

Is everything all right, Corrine?

Do you have a way to get home?

Actually, Mrs. Fletcher,

I was just gonna ask Dr. Hazlitt

if he could give me a ride to the sheriff's office.

Whatever for, Corrine? Are you on assignment?

You already seem to know every move the sheriff makes.

I just happen to know some information

that I think the sheriff ought to know,

information which might pertain to the murder.

Well, of course, if you saw something,

that would be important.

I didn't actually see it.

I hope I'm doing the right thing.

I know I've gotten in trouble before

for passing along information.

Nice way to put it.

So, what is it, Corrine?

Well, I wouldn't want to be accused of gossiping.

So far, no one can accuse you

of even passing along information.

Well, I have it on very good authority

that Annie Mae Chapman was seen going into her room

at the Paradise Motel late last night with a man.

With Sam Booth?

No, not the mayor.

With another man.

So who did she go into her motel room with?

I don't exactly know.

You don't exactly know?

You try and do your civic duty,

and everybody jumps all over you.

Corrine, who did you hear this from?

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher, you know,

a manicurist cannot reveal her sources.

In this case, make an exception.

It was Ideal Malloy.

I heard her talking about it in the produce department

of Ferguson's Grocery this morning.

That modeling agency, they're gonna send up a sheet

with photos of all their kid models.

You know, I wouldn't be surprised

if all of Annie Mae's children

turned up on those proof sheets.

Not Annie Mae, ma'am.

Anne Mitchell.

She used to be a model with the agency herself.

She blew in last week, saying she was desperate

and needed photos of five kids.

Yeah, things are starting to make sense.

But there's one thing

that I don't quite understand, sheriff.

Why you want me with you

while you talk to Ideal Malloy.

Well, I don't really need you with me, exactly.

It's...

Well, the fact is, ma'am,

there have been some evenings when Mrs. Malloy has called me

about her cat being up a tree,

but when I get there, there's that cat

sitting in the kitchen like a big, fat doorstop.

And Mrs. Malloy?

She's got this big, fat grin on her face.

Well, actually, it was Eve who told me

about Annie Mae's being at that Paradise Motel

with another man.

Isn't that just shocking?

Particularly with that motel's reputation.

Why, do you know

they even have cable television?

Did you see her yourself, Mrs. Simpson?

No, but since when is it a crime to report news?

Now, when I become Mayor, I'm going to see to it

that the police in this town stop bullying people.

Excuse me, Eve,

but how did you know

about Annie Mae being at the motel?

Well, if you must know, from Loretta.

Well, I figured that her red hair

wasn't all that was phony about that girl.

And then, when I heard about her

going into her motel room with another man...

so you only heard about it?

Is there anybody who hasn't heard about it?

Were you told who the man was, Loretta?

Well, maybe Mrs. Grant knows.

She's the one who filled me in

on her way to work this morning.

Oh, well, I'm afraid I can't help you, sheriff.

As a matter of fact, I heard about it from...

all I can say is,

the Paradise Motel is the last place on earth

that one would expect to find a man like Horton Thayer

carrying on a rendezvous.

Ideal!

Oh, I don't go to the Paradise Motel.

I only go to the cafe there

because it has the best clam chowder

in the whole shore.

But, Ideal, why didn't you tell us

when we came to your house

that it was you who'd seen Annie Mae?

Well, Jessica,

I didn't want you to think I was a gossip.

Thayer!

Sheriff?

Winifred's car is gone.

That one Thayer's?

Yes, it's covered, the way it usually is

when he's in the city during the week.

Yeah, but we know better, don't we?

Thayer, police. We know you're in town.

Jessica, sheriff.

I've been avoiding the phone and the door.

I'd have opened up right away if I'd known it was you.

Yeah, right.

I must say, I'm surprised you're in Cabot Cove

during the week, Horton.

I wanted to steal a little time here incognito.

Come on in.

Sorry I can't offer you anything,

but the larder's bare.

Winifred's out marketing.

I don't deny it.

The woman called me

and asked me to have a drink with her.

Yeah, but I swear I'd never met her before.

You must admit, Horton, it's hard to believe

that a total stranger would call and invite you

to have a drink in her motel room,

and even harder to believe that you would accept it,

especially as you were in town incognito.

All right.

All right, I'll tell you everything,

but please, please don't tell my wife.

She doesn't know anything about this,

and she'd only misinterpret it.

Annie Mae worked for you, didn't she?

In an attempt to influence the election?

She called last night,

asked me to come and meet her.

I imagine she wanted some money?

More money.

I should have remembered how greedy Anne was.

We had an affair about ten years ago.

She was a model, an actress.

So when I came up with this idea,

I figured she could pull it off.

So you hired her.

I didn't hire her.

I wanted to keep my distance from the whole affair.

My attorney handled the arrangements.

Jason Vernon.

That's right.

I imagine that you employed Annie

to discredit Sam,

to get Milton elected mayor?

Since Milton was clearly pro-development,

it's easy to assume that you are, too.

Makes sense.

I also suspect that you are the anonymous buyer

for whom Mr. Vernon is working.

Yeah.

And you stood to lose an awful lot

if Annie Mae spilled the beans.

Sheriff, I paid her off.

Two thousand dollars, cash.

Right.

But when I left the motel, she was alive.

I swear it.

Alive, huh?

Let's see what happens to that story

when his lawyer gets here.

I'm sorry, sheriff,

but something just doesn't fit.

Now, hold it, ma'am.

Don't waffle on me now.

You're the one who figured out his motive.

Yes, but that's just it.

Having a lot of money tied up

in the development of Cabot Cove

is a reasonable motive

for trying to swing an election.

But for murder?

Well, the motive was blackmail.

She wanted 2,000 bucks.

Yes, but if the money meant that much,

why didn't he take it back?

Why did he leave it in the motel room?

Oh, Jessica.

Excuse us, please.

Sheriff, what is the meaning of this outrage?

I demand that you release my husband immediately.

God, word travels fast in this burg.

My husband's attorney telephoned me

as soon as Horton called him.

Now, then...

Ma'am, forgive me,

but I've got your husband dead bang.

He's been placed at the scene of the crime.

He doesn't have an alibi.

Well, what about a motive?

He doesn't even know this Anne Mitchell.

Motive?

I'll give you a motive.

He and those other sharks were trying to take over this town,

turn it into some kind of an Atlantic City or something.

Excuse me, sheriff...

and I happen to like this town just the way it is!

Sheriff... Mort.

Just a moment.

Winifred, how did you know

that Annie Chapman's real name was Anne Mitchell?

Well, I must've heard it around town.

But nobody else in town knew.

And the sheriff himself only discovered it

a couple of hours ago.

And I didn't tell anybody, except Mrs. Fletcher.

Well, I don't know.

I mean, Horton must've told me.

But you just said he didn't even know her.

The only way that I can think that you would know

Anne Mitchell's real name was if you knew her.

Well, that's absurd.

I mean, how could I?

Well, that's just the point.

In order to know her name, you must have known her

when she had an affair with your husband

a few years back?

You were still able to recognize her voice,

weren't you, last night,

when she telephoned your house?

No, that's... no, that's wrong.

Horton answered the telephone.

Oh, that's odd.

He said he'd been avoiding the telephone

or the front door,

that he was in town, incognito.

You know what I think, ma'am?

I think you followed him to the motel.

You waited for him to leave.

And Mrs. Thayer, I'm sure I could get somebody

at that motel to ID your car.

Not that many Jags in Cabot Cove.

Uhhuh, I bet you could.

Well, the gossip wires burn

pretty hot in this town, don't they?

Oh, God, how I hate this place!

The only reason why I stay here

is because I cannot show my face in Boston!

He's had affairs with so many women!

Mostly my friends, I might add!

You bet I killed her,

the same way I wanted to kill all the other women

he'd humiliated me with.

I feel so good this morning,

I may do two miles instead of just one.

Well, I wouldn't want you to overdo it.

Oh, good morning, Loretta.

Oh, good morning, Jessica, Seth.

Morning.

- Say, have you heard? - What's that?

The election results just came in.

Ebeneezer's wife, Beth, gave them to me.

Have we still got a town?

How did Eve do?

Six votes.

Odd, I didn't know she had five friends.

She's holed up at home and speaking to no one.

Then who did win?

Not Milton Overguard?

No, he got 19.

You mean...

Morning, voters!

Thank you kindly.

Well, I have to get down to the shop

and tell the girls

before they find out from someone else.

Bye-bye.

Well, safe for another two years.

You know, maybe, Jess, next time you should run.

What for?

I understand that Milton Overguard

and his Boston cronies

were last seen checking property

at Amaquonsett Point.

Were they?

Well, since there's nothing to do again,

perhaps we've selected the right man for the job.

Ayup.