All language subtitles for Aurora Teagarden Mysteries A Lesson in Murder 2024 720p WEB-DL x264 BONE

[♪♪♪]

[radio playing]

♪ We always end up
right here ♪

[♪♪♪]

[door slams shut]

♪ No matter... ♪

[music trails off]

Dr. Carpenter?

Hello?

[glass shattering]

[♪♪♪]

Dr. Carpenter?

[♪♪♪]

What?

[♪♪♪]

[muffled screaming]

[body thuds]

[clack]

[♪♪♪]

[Aurora Teagarden] Poison may be

humans' most elegant

and private version
of murder.

It was only after studying
patterns of past poisonings

that investigators
began to pick out

various chemical elements

that someone
could use to kill.

Tanner. Yes.

Yeah. Uh...

different poisons--

they leave behind different,
uh, different signs?

Yes. The signature
of each poison

can be very different.

[Tanner] You can't just
walk up to somebody,

and be like,
"Yeah, dude was poisoned"?

[Professor Lindo]
Here's the thing.

Uh, forensics is rooted
in, uh...

repetition and patterns,

and it's traditionally
these patterns

that we investigate.

Because, the truth is that there
aren't really any new crimes.

Criminals are rarely innovative.

And often, all you need
to catch them

is...
to read the right book.

So, if you do the reading
this semester, Mr. Carpenter,

then you may
find your answer.

For your research paper--
pick... your... poison.

Your assignment is to choose
a case of real-life poisoning,

and to give me
5,000 words on the murder

and how it was solved.

So many poisons...
so little time.

- [thump]
- Hey, Tanner.

Not nice.

All right, everyone,
that's class. Thank you.

You gotta stay awake
if you want to keep your spot.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, Kev!
Why so sleepy lately?

I've had a lot of practice
the last few weeks.

I thought baseball
didn't start for another month?

Oh, the season doesn't start
till the spring,

but Coach picks
the starting lineup next week,

so I gotta hustle if I want
to keep my spot at shortstop.

All right.
Well, maybe we just, uh,

try to go to bed
a little earlier,

get a little more rest?

- Yeah, I'll try.
- Okay.

[♪♪♪]

- Hey!
- Hi.

I thought we were
meeting in the cafeteria?

[girl] Oh, I, uh, I-I wanted
to walk with you.

[chuckles]

Um, Aurora, this is
my girlfriend--

- Jenny.
- Hey.

She took this class
last semester.

Professor Lindo is so cool.

You're preaching
to the choir, Jenny.

It's so good to meet you.

- Nice to meet you.
- [overlapping] Bye.

- Bye, Kevin.
- See ya.

[whispers]
Owen is following me again.

[♪♪♪]

[Kevin] I'll talk to him.

[Jenny] No. Kev, don't.

[Kevin]
Come on, he's my friend.

At least, he was.

Trust me...

he's not your friend, okay?

Let's go this way.

[Lindo] You know,
I am on pins and needles

to see more
of your thesis.

Yeah, well,
you better buy a pin cushion,

because it feels like
every tangent I follow

just creates more.

Oh, yes, tangents.

They do have
a tendency to multiply.

Oof.

Mr. Watson.

I didn't expect to see you
walk back into my office.

Professor.

Guess you're the new T.A.?

Yeah. Aurora Teagarden.

Okay.

This is Cal Watson,
your predecessor.

You never responded
to my email

about the letter
of recommendation.

Well, I understood
that you got another job.

Not an academic job.

You know I was good at teaching.

And you know why I can't,
in good conscience,

give you a letter
of recommendation.

So no second chances--

that's the lesson
you want me to take away here?

[♪♪♪]

What was that about?

Cal was a good T.A.,

until he started giving
his friends grades

that they didn't earn,

so I had to let him go.

Speaking of which-- oh, wait,
don't you have to get going?

A rare free moment, Professor.

Oh!

Can we talk tangents?

I am at your disposal.
What do you got?

[sighs]
Okay, so here's what we got--

[knocking]

- Hi!
- Hi.

Mm! Sally, thank you
for being my chauffeur today.

Well,

it's not like I've got anything
else to do with my time.

Mmph. Sounds like bad news.

No news.

I mean, no voicemail!

No, oh-sorry-but-we-regret-
to-inform-yous.

They said I would hear by now!

How could I not be qualified
to fold T-shirts?

Okay, look.
Sally, it's not you.

You know, it's the recession.

You could work on your blog.

I can't even
make myself look at it.

I need to leave that blog,
and last year, behind me.

I just need to focus
on my journalism degree

and getting those six credits.

But somehow, I cannot line
all of them up in one semester,

so I'm living with my parents.

They want to spend
so much time with me.

I know. The other day,

I was eating lunch
while I was working,

and I got up to grab a book,

- and when I came back--
- Roe--

...My mother had completely
redone my entire place setting--

my silverware, my plate,
my glass, and--

Because your glass
was on the left!

And, as everyone knows,
drinks go on the right.

D, remember--
"on the right."

I taught you that
when you were eight.

It's a mnemonic device!

I would think, as
a fellow educator, that, uh...

that you would appreciate
learning things that way.

"Fellow educator"?

Mm-hmm! Yes!

I accepted a temp job
at the university.

Professor Briggs
in the Business Department

has asked me to help him
create a curriculum

for his entrepreneurship class.

Aida, that sounds
perfect for you!

I know!

Congratulations.
I'm happy for you.

Oh, thank you!

Oh, and, Sally,

don't worry about living with
your parents in this climate.

I mean, it's a--
it's a smart financial decision.

And I'll be on campus
all the time, Aurora,

so you and I can
have lunch!

Every day.

Maybe!

Yeah.

Uh... when you're not
already having lunches with me.

Oh! Well--

She just promised all
of her lunches this week to me,

to help me with my resume,

because I need a job.

You are so generous like that.

[Roe] Apparently.

- The best.
- [mouthing words]

- Okay, we have to go.
- Bye.

- [laughing] Bye.
- Bye!

[♪♪♪]

Okay, uh, I need...

um... ugh!

- Okay, I can do this.
- You can use regular English.

No, no! I can do this.

If I can learn French,
I can learn diner slang.

Uh...
I need two dots and a dash.

Fried eggs and bacon.

And "shingles...
with a dance"?

"Shimmy and a shake--"
buttered toast with jam.

- I'm getting better.
- You're doing great!

Um... I had a great time
the other night.

Yeah, me too.

When can I take you out again?

How about tonight?
Is that too eager?

Uh... no.

Let's do it.

[chuckles] It's a date.

You know, my, uh, great-aunt
on my father's side,

she was a dentist--
I didn't like her very much.

She'd tease me with candy
all the time.

All right, gentlemen.

I think you ordered
all the eggs and bacon we have.

Thanks, Roe.

Anyway, the, uh, perp
put the office manager under,

using that knockout gas
they give you.

Uh, when she came to,
she was woozy,

but relatively unharmed.

What'd they take?

They're still checking
on the inventory,

but I'm thinking
it was after drugs.

Whoa, where was this?

Carpenter Dental
on Norwalk Place.

"Carpenter Dental"?

I have a student
named Tanner Carpenter.

Think they're related?

Maybe.

Smith?

Sorry.

Miss Teagarden.

Cook?

Could I get a refill, please?

Absolutely.

Thank you so much.

Hey, Roe?

I'm eating.

Um, would you maybe wanna

grab a coffee with me
after work or something?

Oh, um...

I would love to, but...
I-- I can't.

I've got, uh...

- Plans with Daniel?
- Yeah.

You two are getting
pretty serious, huh?

Yeah. Uh, I mean, maybe.

[stammering]
He's really nice.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Well, I'm-I'm happy for you.

Another time, then?

- Yes.
- Yeah?

For sure. Um...

I should probably
get his coffee.

- Yeah.
- Okay.

Struck out, huh?

What? No, we're just, um...

Friends. Right?

Right.

You're a rookie
in more ways than one, Smith.

[♪♪♪]

Oh. Professor Lindo!

My daughter speaks
so highly of you.

Aurora, your-your T.A.

I'm Aida Teagarden.

Aida, Aurora's mother.

It's so nice
to finally meet you.

I am so fond of Aurora.

I understand
that you're not crazy

about her
taking the job with me?

[laughs] Oh, well,
I do have my issues

with the subject matter.

I mean, of the myriad of things
she could be studying,

she chose--

[overlapping]
...True crime.

- Yes!
- Listen, I happen to think

it is
the most interesting subject.

Well, I just wish it were
a little less ghoulish,

but, once my daughter sets
her mind to something,

I mean, you cannot dissuade her.

Well, strong-willed
and self-confident--

she must get that
from somewhere.

Oh!

So, are you here
taking a class, or--?

No. No, no, no.

I'm-I'm helping, uh,
Professor Briggs

with curriculum development.

Yeah. And maybe doing
a guest lecture or two.

Oh, that's so great.

I'm so glad that Conrad
finally took my advice

and got someone
with real-life experience

to help boost
the value of his class.

So then,
I have to thank you.

I mean, I am feeling
so energized,

being on campus
with so many young people.

I mean, they're so spirited.

[menacingly]
You don't deserve shortstop.

You can't just have it
'cause you want it, Tanner!

Sometimes--

Hey! Oh, my gosh!

Stop it, you two!

- [grunting]
- Hey! Stop it!

Get a hold of-- Oh!
Oh, my g--

[Lindo] Okay, that's enough!

Mr. Carpenter-- with me, now!
Come on!

I am so sorry.

It's okay.

It's nothing that a little
dry-cleaning won't help.

Whoa!

Okay, you seem to be
really angry right now.

What's going on between you two?

He-He took my spot
on the team.

Listen.

I don't care what happened,
you guys cannot fight on campus.

Are-Are you okay?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm-I'm fine.

What were you two
fighting about?

Oh, nothing.
He just blames me

for every bad-luck thing
in his life.

Well, I hope
you can resolve your differences

without getting physical again.

Yeah, I doubt it.

Hey, um, can I, uh,
help you wherever you're going?

This is kinda heavy.

No, it's okay.
I'm a lot stronger than I look.

- That's yours.
- Thank you.

- I gotta--
- Yep.

...Take care of this. Bye.

I'm so sorry, again.

No! It's all right. It's okay.

Listen.
Go clean up your things,

and I want to speak to you
in my office.

Sure.

Tanner.

My mother told me
you spilled coffee on her.

- Your...
- [bag hits floor]

Your m-- Your mom?

Mm-hmm.

I'm so sorry
your mom got caught up

in the middle of all that.

What were you and Kevin
fighting about?

[sighs]

First, he broke my leg.

When?

Last year.
Crashed into me at a practice.

I had to get surgery,
go through rehab. It sucked.

- It must've been hard.
- It was.

I used to own shortstop.
Now Kevin's parked on it, 24-7.

Coach won't give it back to me.

I mean, who's gonna scout me
if I'm not a starter?

No one.

Because of him.

Look. I understand
that you two have a history,

but fighting won't only
get you suspended,

it will get you
kicked off the team.

So, try to get along.
Please?

Good morning, everyone.

Let's talk about murder.

There'll be no more fighting
amongst any of my players.

Isn't that right, Lambert?

I'm not the one
who starts it.

Did I ask you that? No.

But what I really wanna know

is why Lambert here
isn't passing your class,

especially since this is
his second time taking it

after failing it last year.

Look, he needs at least a "C"

to be eligible to play ball
in the spring,

so...
what's the problem?

That's my burning question
as well.

Maybe you can enlighten us,
Mr. Lambert?

Well, he missed the test
on the last unit

and he hasn't taken
the makeup test,

but if he does well enough,

he'd have enough points
to bring him up to a "C".

You know,
my players take this class

because they say
it's an easy English credit.

An ea--
[stammers]

- Oh, boy.
- Ahem.

They may say
that it's fun, or...

they might call it interesting,
but I defy you

to find me a student who thinks
this is an easy credit.

I mean, besides,
exercising the mind

is vastly more challenging
than whenever it is you--

Okay! Okay. You know what?

I... would be happy
to work with Kevin.

Um... when's
your last class today?

I have practice after that.

Okay, after practice,
come by the R'n'R Diner

and I will work with you
on my break.

Um--

Oh, he'll be there.

Great.

[Jenny] It's not fair to Kevin

if you keep
showing up like this.

It's rude.

[Owen] I'm not being rude
to Kevin.

Yes, you are.
Yes, you are.

Hey, Jenny.
Are you all right?

She-She's fine.

We-We were just talking.

Okay, I think
Jenny can answer for herself.

Well, we-we actually
used to date, so--

No, Owen, it's-- just...

It's none
of your business, okay?

Sorry.

[sighing]

- [Owen] We can figure this out.
- [Jenny] No, I don't want to.

[♪♪♪]

Hey. What are you thinking
for tonight?

Mm. I'm thinking Thai.

Ooh, Thai?
I like that.

- [door bell jingles]
- Yeah.

You waiting for someone?

Uh, yeah.
I've got a student coming by.

He's really been struggling,

and I promised
to help him on my break.

You're always helping people.

So, did you wanna reschedule,
or--?

No! No, I'm--
I'm really excited.

Yeah, I'm really excited, too.

Uh, what are you
helping your student with?

Well, he has to pass the class.

There's another player

gunning for his spot
on the baseball team.

You know I played baseball
my first year of college?

Competition for spots
is rough.

- [bell jingles]
- Ew.

- Yeah.
- Oh. One sec.

Professor Lindo,
what are you doing here?

Well, I thought since
you're working two jobs,

and you're overlapping them
to help Kevin,

I would come and lend a hand.

So, where are
you guys working?

Uh, he's not here yet.

Oh. Oh, really?

'Cause I thought
I saw his car outside.

I mean, we can check.

I've been waiting
for, like, half an hour.

See, I-I overheard him talking

about how his dad
gave him an old Mustang,

and there you go.

- Oh.
- Oh, gosh.

[Roe] Is he asleep again?

[Lindo] Oh,
this poor kid is so tired.

Kevin?

Hey, Kevin?

[knocking]

Okay, let's--
let's check that out.

Kevin?

Hey.

Kevin?

Kevin.

[gasping]

Oh. Is he--?

He's dead.

[♪♪♪]

[Roe] Detective Cook,

did you find any evidence
on Kevin's body?

There's no wounds, no blood,
no clear cause of death.

We're going
to talk to the parents,

find out if there's
any underlying health issues.

Well, are you
considering foul play?

Because when we found him
his lips and fingers

were tinged blue, which can be
a sign of poisoning.

I'd prefer to wait for
the medical examiner's report.

Okay. Well, you should know,

Kevin had a fight
with another student at school.

It was kind of a big deal.

One step at a time,
Miss Teagarden.

Excuse me.

I-- [fuming sigh]

Arthur! Hey.

- Kinda busy here. What's up?
- Look, you should know,

Kevin had a huge fight
with another student.

Okay, that's definitely notable.

Who with?

Tanner Carpenter.

Look, I was trying
to tell Detective Cook--

his body,
it was tinged blue.

It could be a sign of poison.

This might not be
so-natural causes.

Roe, we can't just
jump to conclusions.

We need an expert to go--

[sighing]

I'll work on Cook.

Thank you.

That's my boyfriend's car.

Poor Jenny.

She was always so lovely
when we had her in class.

Poor Kevin.

Are you thinking
what I'm thinking?

"What if he was murdered?"

[♪♪♪]

[sirens wailing]

Hey, Jenny.

Got you some cocoa.

[Cook] And how did you
know the deceased?

We, um... we were best friends.

"Were"?
You mean, until today?

[Owen]
Uh, no. Until a while ago.

I'd been trying to patch
things up with him for months,

but I-I guess I never can now.
[chuckles nervously]

"Patch things up"--

by hanging out
with his girlfriend?

[Jenny] I don't understand
how Kevin could be dead.

I saw him, like,
two hours ago.

I know,
and I'm so sorry.

Can I ask, though,

why are you here
with Owen?

Kevin wanted me
to meet him here

after he studied with you.

Owen gave me a ride.

Did you see Kevin today,
outside of class?

A-After
their baseball practice,

a-a lot of those guys
go to Pizza & Play,

and, yeah, I-I saw him there.

Is that the place
with the robot mouse?

No, it's a few blocks away
from the university.

This place has an arcade.

Bunch of different things.

Baseball players like it
for the batting cages.

And the recovery shakes.

"Recovery shakes"?

Chocolate shakes with a--
with a protein powder in them.

You found a shake
in Kevin's car.

Yeah.

Hey, is it okay if I, you know,
um, g-get out of here?

I-I-- I have to be somewhere.

Really?

More important than here?

My parents.

The-- They're really worried.

You're good to go.

We'll be in touch.

[Cook scoffs]

[♪♪♪]

[Aida] Well, fighting aside,

he seemed like
such a sweet young man.

I mean-- [stammers]

...offered to carry my bag
to the car.

I know.

I really liked Kevin.

Oh, it's heartbreaking.

You don't think
the boy he fought with

had anything
to do with this, do you?

I... I don't know.

That's what I'm afraid of.

[doorbell chimes]

You know, and then
there's this other kid, Owen.

And I don't know,

he was just so strange when
he found out about it. Hmm.

[Aida]
Oh! Daniel, come on in.

[Daniel] Thank you.

Oh, Daniel!
I'm so sorry.

I completely forgot
about our date.

No, no, no. It's okay.
I just wanted to make sure

you're okay after
what happened to your student.

Oh. Look, it's awful,

but it's really sweet of you
to check on me.

- Thank you.
- Of course. I just--

I also wanted to see
if you were eating.

Do you want me
to go get you something?

- Can I make you something?
- No, no, no. I'm good. I--

[♪♪♪]

You know what?

Let's go out.

How do you feel
about pizza?

[♪♪♪]

[indistinct chatter]

[♪♪♪]

[Ricky whispers] Cal.

[♪♪♪]

Cal?

Aurora.

[perturbed]
What are you doing here?

[Ricky clears his throat
pointedly]

Sorry.

[cheerfully] Ma'am.

Welcome to Pizza & Play,

where our pizza
gets the high score.

Try one of our classic shakes,

drop a... quarter
in a classic game,

and enjoy
our outside play area.

[Daniel chuckles]

Okay! Well, uh...

we came for dinner.

She likes bread and cheese.

Also, sauce.

- Yes!
- [dryly] Lucky us.

What can I get for you?

Uh, could we get
a pepperoni and mushroom?

Just a little onions, please.

You know what, Cal?

Why don't you go ahead

and put some extra onions
on there?

Compliments of the house,
of course.

Oh, no, that's okay, actually.
Light onions would be good.

I insist!

I absolutely insist.

Double the onions,
no charge.

Because, at Pizza & Play,
we go the extra--

"...Mile--"

...To give you more
of what you love.

- "More of what you love."
- Yeah!

Okay! Well, uh,

can we get some fresh basil
on that pie?

W-- uh... s-sure...

[whispers]
Do we have that?

- I don't know.
- Oy...

[boldly]
I will find you fresh basil!

[claps and chuckles]
Great!

[Ricky giggles to himself]

What just happened?

I have no clue.

[Daniel]
You know, I was there

that day that you had
your interview at R'n'R.

I saw you talking to Emilio
through the kitchen window.

Oh, did you now?

I did. And after you left,

I said that I would quit
if he didn't hire you.

[laughs]
I think you're exaggerating!

Not even a little.

Roe, I watched you,

and I had such
a strong feeling--

like I had to get to know you.

[Tanner] Whoo!

[cackling giddily]

Dude, I am definitely going
back to shortstop now, baby!

Come on--!
[stops suddenly]

But tonight's for Kevin.

We lost a good baseball player,
and he's gonna be missed.

To Kevin, hey?

[group] To Kevin.

We're not really here
for the pizza, are we?

I mean...

I am hungry.

Hmm.

[chuckles weakly]

Okay, I'm sorry. Look.

See that guy?

He's the one
I was telling you about--

the rival baseball player,

who's clearly about to benefit
from my student's death.

Well, maybe we bring
our pizza to a table out here

when it's ready--

see what else
baseball boy does.

Really? You don't mind?

Nah! I'm just glad
to be here with you.

Thanks.

[♪♪♪]

Roe?

It's not even seven yet.

- Coffee?
- Sure.

I couldn't sleep.

I can't stop thinking
about Kevin.

You know, Tanner
was practically celebrating.

And Owen! What was--

[Cook] Miss Teagarden.

Do you have
new information for us?

I actually had some questions
I'd like to ask you.

Then please leave.

We have an investigation
we're trying to run.

One that pertains to my class.

A valued member of my class
has died,

and other students
are gonna be asking questions.

I mean, should I have them
contact you directly, or--?

- Ahem.
- All right.

Smith...

give her the basics--

just the basics.

Gotta say--
I'm impressed you got your way.

Even if he's annoyed with you.

[chuckles]

So, whatcha got for me?

Right! So, Kevin's autopsy
showed he died of hypoxia.

It's when oxygen can't reach
the tissues of the body.

Huh. Well,
was it from illness, or--?

Well, lots of things
can cause it,

even in a young athletic guy,
like Kevin.

But get this--

by the time his body
got to the medical examiner,

his skin had turned blue.

Arthur...

that's what I told
Detective Cook yesterday--

blue can be a sign of poison.

My class is in the middle of
studying homicide by poisoning.

I was right!
Kevin was murdered.

Okay, walk me through that.

We're studying poisoning
in Professor Lindo's class,

and, yesterday, Kevin got into
a fight with Tanner Carpenter,

who, in class, asked
how the police can tell

if a body
has been poisoned.

Okay, that is
definitely suspicious.

I was supposed to get
a copy of the toxicology report

this morning.

Oh, here it is.

Lab results showed that
the deceased tested positive

for sodium nitrite
in a, quote--

"lethal amount".

There were equivalent--

Smith. I think this goes
well beyond the basics.

Miss Teagarden,
show yourself out.

This is now officially
a murder investigation.

[♪♪♪]

[Roe] "Sodium nitrite
is an inorganic salt

used in industrial settings,

mostly in the curing
and processing of meats."

I'm-I'm pretty sure

a student, last year,
chose it for their paper.

I'm-- I'm just trying
to find out who wrote it.

Hmm!

You know, it says here

that sodium nitrite's used
in dental offices

to prevent instruments
from rusting when soaking

in cleaning solutions.

Wait!

I just overheard Arthur
and Detective Cook

talking about a break-in
at Carpenter Dental.

Well, Tanner Carpenter's mom,
Eileen--

that's her office.

[scoffs darkly]

Well, Tanner and his teammates

were mourning the loss
at Pizza & Play,

but they did not
look very mournful.

And did you know that's where
Cal Watson's working now?

Aurora...

Kevin was the one who told me

what Cal was doing
with the grades.

Which means he had motive
and opportunity.

[♪♪♪]

[sighing] Okay.

Time to employ
some information science

on this murder.

Wait, you don't think
it's a little too personal?

I mean, we know them,
and...

we're supposed
to be teaching them.

That's exactly why we have
to look into this ourselves.

We have a responsibility
to these kids-- to Kevin.

Yeah, all right.

All right, yeah. Let's do it.

[exhales] Okay.

So, you guys really think
someone put poison in his shake?

We're just trying
to find that out.

Yikes!

[chuckles] You know...

I actually wanted
to be a cop once,

when I was a kid,

but clearly, I made a--

a different career choice here.

But, uh, hey, can I ask
you guys a question?

Is it fun to drive
with the siren on?

- Yes.
- "Yes"!

But we're not here

to investigate
your career choices.

We're here to investigate
a murder,

and we'd like
your cooperation.

Absolutely!
Yes. Anything you need.

Your security cameras--

we need to see
the footage from yesterday.

Sure, yeah. Our surveillance
system is top-notch.

Had it upgraded after that, uh,

"dance birthday party" went
a little sideways last July.

Yeah, I'm sure you guys
heard all about that, though.

The, uh-- the big, uh...
10th... birthday...

party.

Footage?

Footage! Right!
Let's go.

This way!

I'm quitting coffee.

Now, you probably won't be able
to see much of the dining room,

'cause we keep
all the cameras targeted

at the main points of entry
and egress--

or "the exit".
Heh, heh.

Oh... okay.

Oh, look at that--
you guys are in luck.

Camera two is pointed
right to the dining room--

that's weird-- anyway.

Here we go.

- Uh...
- [keys clacking]

4:30... 4:31.

[Cook] And there they are.

The victim, his girlfriend,
and best friend.

Placing an order.

The guy at the back counter,
by the mixer--

who's that?

Uh, that's Cal Watson.

He's the, uh, A.M.--
assistant manager.

[Cook] What's he adding?

[Ricky] That's--
that's just protein powder.

You get a free scoop
of your choice with every shake.

There's a protein powder,
there's an energy boost,

a wellness boost,
a serenity blend.

I like the energy boost, myself.

You don't say.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, a lot of
the other athletes and stuff,

they like the protein powder.

[Cook] Your A.M. sure is taking
his time with that shake.

And blocking the view
of the camera while he does it.

[Lindo]
He does have a strong motive,

and he likely had opportunity.

When we were there last night,
he got our drinks,

and he gave us real attitude.

His manager had to take over.

Hang on.
Owen Parker's got the tray now.

[♪♪♪]

Well, Mr. Parker had
plenty of time

to tamper with the shake.

Plenty of time.

Owen's ex-girlfriend
is dating Kevin--

his supposed best friend--

so, that's a strong motive.

And we do know
that he was at the pizza place

- with Kevin.
- And at the same table

as Kevin and Jenny,
so he probably had opportunity.

[Lindo]
He did take my class last year.

And he acted really weird
when he found out Kevin died--

laughing-- I mean,
nervous, maybe, but still.

Hmm.

[Arthur]
Wait, that's Tanner Carpenter!

Roe told me about a fight
he had with Kevin Lambert

just the day before this.

I appreciate
your enthusiasm, Smith.

- Write it down.
- Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

It seems pretty mild.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

All right,
that wasn't subtle.

Tanner had
the shake in his hands.

And then, there's Tanner,
who seems to be

screaming his motive
from the rooftops.

Yeah. And he has shown us
he has quite a violent temper.

And we don't know if he was
at Pizza & Play that night,

but his mother is a dentist, so,
he has access to sodium nitrite.

But it's his mother's practice,

so why would
he need to break in?

[notification buzzes]

Okay.

Well, I just found out
who wrote the paper

on sodium nitrite
as poison...

Jenny Lee.

What's she doing?

Looks like she's pouring
something into it. Sugar?

In a milkshake?

And why not use the sugar
that's on the table?

No, we do not put sugar packets
on the table anymore.

Not since
the 10th birthday party,

not since July. Mm-mm.

You know what?
I remember that party.

- You do?
- No.

[Ricky sighs]

[Roe] I don't know why
I'm so surprised it was Jenny.

I mean, quite often,
it's the romantic partner

who's guilty
in a murder case.

Yeah, but I think it's only
around 6% for a male victim

and something like
30% for a female.

That said,

poison has historically been
a woman's method.

Hmm.

I really do think we're getting
somewhere with this.

Ahem.

You know, Aurora, I--

I think maybe we should just
take a step back here, okay?

Because this is just getting
a little too close for comfort,

and I wanna make sure

that we are giving it
the gravity it deserves.

Yes. Of-Of course.
I-I completely understand.

Okay, so it looks like we have
four solid suspects--

Cal Watson,

Owen Parker,

Tanner Carpenter,

and Jennifer Lee.

Why don't you get a feel
for the girlfriend?

If there's anything
suspicious there,

bring her in.

[Sally] Where are we?
Who-Whose house is this?

[Roe]
The murder victim's girlfriend

and a suspect.

Roe!
You could have warned me!

I'll be right back.

Wha-- I thought
we were going out!

Five minutes.

[thud]

"Five minutes."
[sighing]

[♪♪♪]

[knocks]

Jenny.

Hi.

This must be about Kevin.

I actually wanted
to ask you about

a paper you wrote last year
for Professor Lindo's class.

I don't understand.

Your paper on murder by
sodium nitrite poisoning.

I was just curious
why you chose it,

how you got the idea--

if, maybe,
you showed it to anyone

or discussed it in class?

That's not how Kevin
was poisoned, was it?

Yeah. I--

I thought you knew.

No, just that
he had been poisoned.

With the same poison
you wrote about.

S-So, wait--
so now you're here to, like,

- see if I did it--
- No--

...Because I know so much
about sodium nitrite?

No. I didn't mean
to imply that.

- Roe!
- But you said--

What's going on?

She's saying
I poisoned Kevin!

Uh, n-not technically.

I was just trying
to ask if you--

I think what she meant is,
she just had a few questions.

Excuse us for a moment.
What are you doing here?

She wrote a paper about sodium
nitrite. Why are you here?

Because she's a suspect.

Wait. I'm a suspect?

Well, no. Uh...

You just said that I was!

- Well, yeah. Um--
- So?

But that's not to say
we think you--

[Jenny] Uh...

Uh, Miss Lee.

This security footage shows you
interacting with Kevin's shake.

Can you explain
what you were doing?

So you think
I poisoned him, too?

Kevin said that his shake
was too bitter--

that maybe they put
too much protein powder in it,

so I put some sweetener in it
for him.

So, you just carry--?

Yeah. I do.

[Jenny rummages in bag]

See?

Huh!

Do you mind
if I hang onto those?

Thank you.

You believe me,
don't you?

Your paper on sodium nitrite--

I don't even remember writing
that paper, I swear!

All right. Well,
thank you for your time, Jenny.

We'll, um--
We'll be in touch.

[sighs]

[door slams]

[Roe groans]

She seems really upset.

I don't think
I handled that too well.

I don't think I did, either.

Ah, we're both new at this.

No, it's not the same, Roe.

I'm supposed to be
talking to suspects--

you're not.

And when Cook finds out
you were here--

Uh, Cook doesn't have
to find out I was here.

I'll talk to you later.

Arthur--
[sighs] I'm sorry!

[knocking at door]

Arthur... hey.

Hey.

So, um...

what did Cook say?

Nothing. I handled it.

I only came by to let you know

that it was just sweetener
in those packets.

Though that's not conclusive
evidence she didn't do it.

Cook's gonna reach out
to Professor Lindo,

to try to get
a copy of Jenny's paper.

Do you think she did it?

Personally?

No. The paper feels
coincidental.

- Hmm.
- Cook isn't so sure.

One thing we know, though,

is that every person
on our suspect list

- is connected to that class.
- You have a list?

Of course, we have a list.

I'll show you mine
if you show me yours?

[♪♪♪]

Our suspects are identical.

Okay, so...

besides Jenny adding sweetener
to the shake,

what else did you
see on the security footage?

Roe, you know I can't
just offer up that information.

Arthur, if our lists
are identical,

you could just tell me things
I already know.

All right.

Well, as you know,
Cal made the shake,

taking his time.

Cal having been fired after
Kevin revealed

he had been cheating
for his buddies

gives him motive.

Working at Pizza & Play
gave him opportunity.

Owen, once Kevin's good friend,

now Jenny's scorned ex,

handled it next--
also taking his time.

Jenny, our victim's girlfriend,

dumped what appeared
to be sweetener into it.

And if she was familiar
with sodium nitrite--

...And Cal was her T.A.,

he must have graded her paper,
so he's familiar, too.

[Arthur] Right. Tanner
and Kevin have a scuffle.

Tanner knocks the shake over,
then picks it up, off-camera.

Wait. What's this about

the break-in
at Carpenter Dental?

Sodium nitrite's used
in dental offices,

and Eileen Carpenter,
the dentist, is--

[Arthur] Tanner's mom!

So he'd know exactly where
to get his hands on some.

Although, why he'd break
into his mother's office

has been bothering me.

Seems like he could just walk in
and take whatever he wanted.

Who knows why killers
do the things they do.

Maybe Cook'll want

to hit Carpenter Dental
in the morning,

before we interview
our suspects.

Oh! You know, I--
I could go with you.

We could, like--

Roe, Cook's not
gonna go for that.

No! It could be, like,
a coincidental run-in.

There's a cafe nearby.

We could finally get that coffee
you've been talking about,

discuss what you learned.

That's-- That's not exactly
what I had in mind.

[sighing]

Look, I appreciate
all the info.

You've done enough.

Arthur.

This is important to me.
I knew Kevin.

I taught him.

I feel responsible for making
sure his killer is caught.

And that responsibility
leads you to this?

This is obsession, Roe.

No! This--
This isn't obsession.

It's--

It's why
I'm in library science--

to separate theory from fact,

to learn
how to make connections

and uncover the information
that isn't obvious.

And I just gave you

information
you didn't have.

So, clearly, there are things

a police officer alone
can't see. Hmm?

[Aida] Aurora?

Is that Arthur up there
with you?

Yes, Mother!
We'll be down in a minute!

[footsteps]

She's coming up.

[dryly] Oh, good.

Arthur! Hi.

Hi, Aida.

[breath deflates in shock]

Aurora! In my attic?

We're just trying to work
on the Kevin situation.

You know I don't want you
involved in all of this!

And... and you--
you should know better.

Can we help you, Mother?

Yeah. Um...
I found this in my tote.

I'm sure it got mixed up
with my papers

when I got drenched
by coffee--

...from that guy.

Wait. Y-You're saying
Tanner Carpenter dropped this?

Yeah. Well, it's mostly
just schoolwork and a-- [scoffs]

...very badly-written essay

on the assassination
of Jean-Paul Marat.

If I'd had a red pen,
I would have corrected it.

And some, uh,
poorly-organized papers,

and also... this.

- Ooh, let me see that--
- I'll... take it.

He is a suspect, after all.

Thanks, Aida.

We can use all the help
we can get on this one.

You mean like my help?

[laughs]
I think you've helped enough.

Mother.

Oh, I know that tone.

I'll see you, Arthur.

- Bye, Mother!
- ♪ Bye! ♪

I'm sorry about that.

Ah, it's okay.

[♪♪♪]

[alert chimes]

You okay? Bad news?

Uh... there's gonna be
a candlelight vigil for Kevin

at the university tonight.

Professor Lindo's gonna make
a little speech.

And I bet you anything
his killer is gonna be there.

Is it true they always return
to the scene of the crime?

Well, not always,

but cliches are cliches
for a reason, right?

Well, since you're gonna be
rubbing elbows with killers,

I think I should go
to this vigil with you.

- If that's all right?
- Really?

- You want to?
- Yeah!

I'll be, like, your backup.

But one of these days,
we should really go to a movie,

like normal people.

- Yes, please.
- All right.

Ahem!

My new resume.

Ooh... fancy.

This looks great!

[whispers]
Daniel is looking right at you.

[sighs]
Two jobs and a beau.

Roe, you have no idea
how good you have it.

Are you not feeling
the romance?

I mean, he's completely smitten
with you!

Daniel is perfectly sweet,

and we are having
a lovely time together.

But...?

But...
I know a place that's hiring.

What? Where?

Pizza & Play.

Ew! Pizza & Play
is, like, gross and hectic.

And also, where your student
literally got poisoned!

Look, Arthur was able
to look at the security footage.

And I thought,
if you were there,

- we could, you know--
- You thought

that I could play a spy
in your little whodunit game?

- No.
- Mm-hmm.

No. Not-- Not spy.

More like, um...
going undercover.

Like a journalist.

Think about it--

Sally Allison cracks the case.
She figures out who did it.

Okay, I'll think about it.

I mean, this could be your way
to get back into writing, and--

Okay! I said
I would think about it.

And if you don't
stop badgering me,

I'm gonna tell your mother.

[gasps] You wouldn't dare.

Oh, I would.
Of course, I would.

[laughs]

Okay, so I'm gonna need
a reference.

Me?

Don't make me beg, please.

Sure.

[Tanner, laughing]
Yeah, I didn't like Kevin.

I had my reasons, but, uh...

I didn't put sodium-whatever
in his shake.

Sodium nitrite.

There's plenty of it
at your mother's dental office.

Or there was,
until the other night,

when someone broke in.

Now at least one bottle
is missing.

Teresa, from the office--

she said the assailant
had a build just like yours.

A lot of people match my build.

You're on the baseball team,
right?

Yeah.

What position?

Shortstop.

This roster says that,
as of last week,

Kevin was
the starting shortstop.

[huffs]

[Arthur] Bet you're pretty happy
to be back to starter,

now that Kevin's dead.

Bet you wanted
that position pretty bad.

Yeah.

Bad enough to kill for it.

Kid, you're connected
to the sodium nitrite,

and you got a great reason
to want Kevin dead.

Okay, I don't-- I don't know
what you want me to say to you.

I'm not the only one
who didn't like Kevin, okay?

He got a guy named Cal Watson
fired from the university,

probably messed up
his whole life.

You should talk to him.
How 'bout that?

You know, Carpenter,
we're talking to you right now.

That's what
you need to worry about!

[Roe] Arthur said Tanner
denied knowing anything

about how sodium nitrite
got into Kevin's shake.

Yeah, of course he did.

Oh, no.

I forgot my notes on my desk
and Kevin's parents are waiting.

Oh. Uh, it's okay.
You go meet them.

I'll get the notes.

- Be right back.
- Okay, thank you.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

Hello?

[rummaging and thudding]

Hey!

[♪♪♪]

Hey!

[thudding]

- [slam]
- [thud]

You shouldn't have gone after
him, you should've called me.

Arthur, I know.

I've learned my lesson.

Now, can we just figure out
what the person was looking for?

I think we should talk about
the fact that you were attacked!

Any idea who might want
to rob you, Professor?

Well, my first thought
was Cal Watson.

I wouldn't give him
a letter of recommendation,

so maybe he wanted to steal
some of my letterhead.

Yeah, but why ransack
your office?

I don't know.

To get back at me
for refusing him?

I really think
this has something to do

with Kevin's murder.

Maybe it was somebody else
in your class?

You know, Professor,

it's probably not the best idea
to teach a class

on how to commit a murder
and get away with it.

"Get away with it"?

So, you don't think you'll
catch the killer, Alistair?

[chuckles]

Let's check with, uh,
campus police--

their security cameras.
Maybe they got something.

Professor. Miss Teagarden.
Let's go, Smith.

You know, I just wish
they seemed more concerned

- about you.
- I'm fine.

[Daniel sighs]

Let me get you some more ice.
Okay?

Thanks.

Hmm.

So, Cook's first name
is Alistair?

[chuckling]

Always know the cops as well as
you know the suspects, Aurora.

Mm.

I don't know,
maybe he's right.

Maybe teaching true crime is...

nothing more than handing over
the blueprints for murder

to impressionable minds.

Oh, come on!
You don't really believe that?

I don't know
what I believe right now.

But I-I know I don't like
the idea of convening a class

when there may be
a possible killer in our midst.

Well, I believe that the answer
to Kevin's murder

is where
the poisoning happened.

Pizza & Play.

I'm gonna go there tomorrow
and get a lay of the land,

and see if I can come up with
a working theory

- of what happened.
- No. Aurora. I don't want

you putting yourself
in any more danger. Okay?

This course has already
caused enough problems.

- Professor--
- No, listen.

If teaching this class

is really just teaching people
how to get away with murder,

well, then
it's not only irresponsible,

it's morally wrong.

Are you saying--

Yes. I am saying

that if the police do not catch
Kevin's killer, then--

well, then,
that's the end of this course.

[♪♪♪]

Lab results
on those sweetener packets?

Yeah.

Nothing suspicious

in the ones
the girlfriend handed over,

but it doesn't mean
she didn't poison him that day.

The real question is,

did the shake taste funny

because it was
already poisoned?

That would leave us
with two of 'em

that handled it before
she added the sweetener--

Cal Watson,
Owen Parker.

And Tanner Carpenter,
who knocked it over.

[sighing wearily] Right.

I don't know, it seems like
our suspects are lying to us.

Kevin Lambert's text messages.

So, Owen told us
he'd spent months

trying to patch things up
with his so-called best friend.

But, according to these,

he only started doing that
four days before the murder.

Lie number one.

Cal Watson claimed

he felt no animosity
toward Kevin,

but sent him angry text messages
over the past several weeks,

blaming him
for ruining his reputation.

That's two.

And why would Tanner
tell us he hardly knows Cal,

then send Kevin a text,
calling him a "rat"

for outing Cal
to Professor Lindo?

Lie number three.

We need to interview 'em
each again.

Separately.

[folder crinkles]

Surprise 'em,
throw 'em off guard.

It's time
for some real detective work.

No more messing around.

Smith.

You coming?

[chuckles]
Let me get my jacket!

[♪♪♪]

Ah, my replacement.

Do you want this job, too?

I don't want anything from you.

Then why are you here?

Oh, I meant, I don't want
anything from you, personally.

I'd like a chocolate shake.

Coming right up.

[♪♪♪]

Sally?

[Roe laughs]

Oh, I'm sorry--

"Caesar Sally".

I needed a job, okay?

And they're hiring!

This is just until
I find something else.

Just admit
that journalistic curiosity

played a little part
of why you applied.

You want to know
the real reason I applied?

Mm.

This hat.
I look adorable in it.

[chuckles]
That you do, Caesar Sally.

That'll be $4.19.

Cal, um, were you
working last night,

or did you go to the vigil
for Kevin?

I didn't see you there,

but I don't know--
I thought maybe I saw you

leaving
Professor Lindo's office.

Want your receipt?

Thanks.

Yeah, we'll go to Chuck's
on the way back.

Sally, you work here?

[annoyed]
You got a twin?

Miss Teagarden,
why are you everywhere?

I...

I was craving a shake.

Cal Watson,
we have a few questions for you.

I'm not an idiot.

You're trying to get me to talk
without my lawyer present.

Shady.

[Cook] Fine.
You wanna play it that way?

Call your lawyer

and tell him to meet us
down at the station.

Look.

A couple days ago,

I saw Kevin go
into Owen Parker's car.

Owen practically lives
out of that car.

Maybe you should check that out.

You're just
remembering that now?

You know what, Smith?

It feels like he's trying
to get us to leave.

I'm just trying to help.

You leaving is a bonus.

- [phone ringing]
- [Cook] Is it now?

Professor Lindo.
Hi, I'm--

[Cook's interrogation continues]

Uh, yeah, I'm on my way.

Whoa!

You put this place
back together fast.

Yeah.

Which is how I discovered

that the hard copies
of last semester's

writing assignments
are all gone.

The one on
the murder-by-poisoning unit?

Not just those--
all of them.

From the entire semester!

[sighs]

Well, it's gotta be Cal, right?

But he knew my filing system,

a-and whoever broke
into this place

obviously did
some frantic searching.

Okay. So...

Tanner didn't
take the class last year,

so the only suspects
whose work disappeared

are Jenny and...

Owen Parker.

[sighs]

I'll be right back.

[♪♪♪]

Arthur. Hi.

I've got
some information for you.

What? You're where?

[♪♪♪]

[Roe]
You're arresting Owen?

We found this
under his passenger seat.

Sodium nitrite powder.

Someone must have
put that there!

[amused] Really?

We'll have to talk about
that now, won't we?

Isn't that kind of weird?

I mean, why would he let you
search his car if he did it?

Plenty of criminals are sloppy.

But poison
isn't a crime of passion.

I mean, the statistics
are overwhelming.

Poisoners go to great lengths

to make sure
they don't get caught--

it's almost always planned.

She's right.

Well, we don't arrest people
based on statistics, Roe.

We use the evidence,

and the evidence suggests
that Owen might have done it.

[bag rustles]

[Cook] Smith!

Excuse me.

Something doesn't add up.

Mm-mm.

Look, I swear,
I'm telling you the truth.

Why would I say
"go ahead and search"

if I knew
that bottle was in there?

Maybe you thought
you'd taken care of it.

Maybe you didn't realize
it rolled under your seat.

No, that's--

Look, I-- I have no idea
where that bottle came from!

It-It's an old car.
T-The locks don't always work!

Anyone could have put it there.

Someone's messing with me.

And who do you think
would be messing with you, Owen?

I don't know.

Look, I swear,
I-I don't know.

But--

I'm sure someone else had
a reason to get rid of Kevin.

Someone else wanted
to kill your best--

sorry-- ex-best friend.

You're sure of that, huh?

Tanner was always
complaining about him,

that he took his spot
on the team.

Someone made all the papers

from your true-crime lit class
last semester disappear--

including yours.

You know
anything about that?

I don--

W-What are you asking?

[slowly] Do you
still have the paper

you wrote
for that class?

Can you show it to us?

No, I-I deleted
all my stuff from last year.

But you must know
what it's about--

the subject matter.

Not really.

I-I mean, it-it was
a really boring class, and...

Look, I don't remember!

I don't believe him, Smith.
Do you?

No, I don't.

[pounds desk]

But...

if you want,

you're free to go.

I am?

We don't have enough
to charge you...

yet.

[bangs table]

So don't leave town.

Hello, darling.

Oh, working on your thesis?

Not exactly.

[sighing] Aurora.

I know, I know--
me and my murder cases.

[sighing]

Oh, boy. Elbows on the table
and everything.

What's wrong?

I'm exhausted!

How do you do it?

Do what?

How do you deal with that--

that sea of eyes
looking at you blankly?

I mean, who knows if--

if anyone
is really paying attention?

Yeah. I mean...

it can be
really tough sometimes.

You know? But I just--

I try to look out

and find the one person
that seems engaged,

and just talk directly to them.

You might not
get through to everybody,

but there's always
someone listening.

Yeah, you're right.

[sighs]

How did you get so smart?

Mm. Dad.

[hurt] Dad?

Kidding.
[chuckling]

[♪♪♪]

"Dissolve completely
in liquid before use."

[Cook] Cook it at 375.

You're gonna burn it.

Look, gotta go.

"Wash skin thoroughly
if handled.

Toxic if swallowed."

It's a bottle insert
for sodium nitrite.

Who had this?

[♪♪♪]

Why are you showing this to me?

Because...

[flip]

...it came from here.

Where did you get that?

It's your folder.

Fell out of
your backpack during a fight.

Uh, yeah, that's my folder,

but I-I've never
seen this before.

It's an insert from
a bottle of sodium nitrite.

- Look familiar?
- No.

Same bottle that came from
your mother's dental office,

and then was stashed
under Owen Parker's car seat

in an attempt to frame him.

That's crazy.

I told you guys,
I-I didn't steal anything.

And how would I even know
she'd have that kind of thing?

And how would I know
what kind of car Owen drives?

I don't know him.

You're on video, Tanner,

knocking over
Kevin Lambert's shake,

and disappearing with it
for long enough to poison it.

Look, it was
a stupid thing to do,

but I didn't poison his shake!

Then explain that.

I don't know!

Maybe someone put it
with my stuff.

My backpack went missing
a couple days ago,

at the batting cages.

But you had it
the following day at school?

Yeah, someone
returned it to me.

Uh, someone who works there.

The-The-- The guy
we were talking about earlier.

Cal Watson?

Yes, him.

The guy you claim not to know?

I don't know him!

I just know that he was a T.A.
for Professor Lindo's class

and helped a few guys
on the team

get a decent grade
so they could play ball,

and Kevin ratted him out.

So those guys got suspended
from the team,

and he ruined the season--

wrecked the team,
wrecked me--

but hey, at least
he got to play shortstop.

[chuckles bitterly]

The guy's such a rat.

Thank you so much

for an excellent example
of motive for murder.

Just 'cause I'm not sad
Kevin's dead

doesn't mean I killed him.

But if Cal Watson's
the one who did him in,

hey, I might even thank him.

Un-Unless
he's trying to pin it on me,

'cause...
then I hope you catch him.

[♪♪♪]

[indistinct exchange]

Well, does Arthur think
it was Cal?

I don't know
what Arthur thinks.

He's not really listening to me.

I don't know why.

I'm helping him
with the investigation.

He just seems so annoyed.

Does he seem annoyed

when you guys talk
about other stuff?

Other stuff, like--?

Well, if you guys only ever

talk about
murder investigations, and...

Daniel, then--

I work with Daniel!

And you are dating him!

Okay, yes, I'm dating him.

I just think he misses when
we all used to hang out...

together.

Like, you know,
in high school.

I know, it's just...
that was a long time ago.

Yeah, I know.

It was a long time ago.

[clanking]

[shake can thumping]

[Sally continues to struggle,
loudly]

Uh... Sally?

Yeah?

Would you like me
to help you with that?

No! You're not
allowed back here.

Okay. Well,

we have the same shake machine
at the diner

and I know how to fix it.

Well, then, get back here!

Okay.

All right,
here's what you wanna do.

So, you take this piece off.

- Okay?
- Okay.

Make sure that's attached,

and there's a little support
underneath that you-- Oh!

- What is that?
- Oh, no, no, no!

Don't touch that.

[alarmed] What? Why? Why?

Uh, sodium nitrite
in its crystalline form

is yellowish.

It could be poison.

I gotta say,

it was nice of you
to call this time,

instead of running
your own investigation.

Hey, you know me--
tch, team player.

You're not part of the team,

Miss Teagarden--
you're not even on the bench.

But you did stumble upon
some good evidence,

which points at Cal Watson.

And it puts the poison
at the shake machine,

which is where
he could have added it.

And framed Owen
by planting evidence.

[phone rings]

Smith.

Update on Cal Watson?

He's very leisurely
strolling home,

stopping in a few shops
on his way.

Seems pretty casual.

Was it sodium nitrite?

We can't be certain
until it's tested,

but it sure looks that way.

Bring him in.

Uh, never mind.
He's running.

Well, run after him!

Yes. In pursuit.

Ma'am.

Well, running from the cops
seems kind of...

Guilty?

Yeah. Right?

Yeah.

[♪♪♪]

[Arthur] Cal, stop!

[♪♪♪]

Cal!

Stop!

[panting intensely]

I surrender, Officer.

It's all just
a misunderstanding.

[wheezing]

Well, after
talking to his lawyer,

Cal Watson claimed
he was working at Pizza & Play

the night of the break-in
at Carpenter Dental.

I double-checked

the surveillance footage
of Pizza & Play,

and his alibi checks out.

[Cook sighs heavily]

He's not the one
who stole the sodium nitrite.

[crumpling]

[Cook growls]

Send him home.

[Roe] Cal refused to admit
that the sodium nitrite was his.

Arthur said they didn't
have enough to hold him.

They seem to be
just as confused as we are.

I can't believe
that I hired a T.A.

who may have been capable
of committing a murder.

And a sloppy one at that.

I mean, if he did it,

he would have had days
to clean up the evidence.

I've decided that I am cutting
the unit on poison short.

That with everything
that's happened, it just...

it just doesn't feel right.

What's next?

"The Queens of True Crime."

I asked the students
to pick a book

by either Ann Rule
or Kathryn Casey,

and then write an essay
breaking down the case

and how it was solved.

Wait.

Did you do that unit
last year?

Yeah, I did. Why?

Well, I'm just wondering
what books our suspects chose.

I mean, Owen and Jenny, too.

It-- It just seems like
whoever stole those essays

thought there must be
something damaging in them.

Sure. But, for all we know,
Cal-- or whoever it was--

just wanted to destroy
Jenny's paper on sodium nitrite,

not knowing
that we'd already found it.

Maybe.

But...
maybe it's something else.

I suppose it could be,

but, I mean,
those two authors

have written more than
40 books between them,

and there's no way
that I'm gonna

remember which student
chose what,

so, I'm sorry, Aurora, I just--

I think this is a thread
that we have to let go.

It doesn't make any sense

for Tanner
to break into the office.

He could have taken the keys
from his mother.

It would've been much easier.

And Tanner was the last one
to touch that cup.

It would make so much more sense
if it was poisoned

before it even reached Kevin.

It'd explain the bitter taste
in need of sugar.

Maybe it really did have
too much protein powder.

I mean, I can see Tanner
planting the sodium nitrite

in Owen Parker's car,

but adding the powder
to the shake machine

to implicate Cal Watson?

That'd be really tricky.

Kid does make the place
his second home.

He could've easily planted it.

No problem.

[chuckles dryly]

[sighs]

Ah, it could be any one of 'em.

I guess we just have to hope
for more information to turn up.

[♪♪♪]

"Hope for more information
to turn up"?

Smith, you really are
a rookie.

[Arthur sighs]

[Cook] I need a donut.

[sighing]

[whirring]

[Daniel] I feel like
I should do an accent.

[Roe]
Why would you do an accent?

'Cause I'm going undercover!

{Roe laughs]

You're cute.

And, normally,
I would say yes, please,

but today we're just us.

Okay. Well, I mean,
it's less fun, but okay.

Look, I really appreciate
you doing this.

You know, the police seem stuck,

and my professor is having

some kind of
crisis of confidence

about teaching true-crime lit,

and I want her to know
that it's not the problem,

but the solution.

[crack]

I get it.

Okay, so I'm thinking
you go up to Tanner.

You know, something like, uh--
like, "Wassup, bro?"

And he's like, "Wassup?"

And, you know, you can, like,

throw th-the bats and the balls,

a-and s-sports things,

just, you know--
just get him to say something!

Now who's cute?

Okay.

Thank you.

I am so ready for my break.

[pats seat]

What are you doing?

Do you ever read anything
other than true crime?

Uh, rude! Why don't you try it
before you knock it?

You might like it.

Got nothing better to do
for the next 20 minutes, so...

- [grunt]
- [crack]

Set another.

[whomp]

Hey, nice hit!

Thanks.

Is Coach gonna let you play

with the police
all over you, or--?

- [crack]
- I'm being framed...

and he kinda has to,
if he wants to win.

Framed, huh? Man, that's,
uh, gotta grind your gears.

Yeah, a little.

But, uh, it's not gonna work.
I'm innocent.

You know who did it?

Could be the guy desperate
to date Kevin's girlfriend.

Owen?

[exhales wearily]

You seem to know
an awful lot, bro.

I mean,
look who I'm dating here, huh?

[♪♪♪]

Better you than me.

This Owen guy--
like, why would he go after you?

You know,
I get his beef with Kevin--

- stealing his girlfriend and all.
- Is it really stealing,

though,
if she was just using Kevin

to make Owen jealous?

No--

I saw Jenny and Owen together
not even two weeks ago,

and they looked...
awfully friendly...

...and that was
before Kevin died.

Good luck.

Did you hear that?

No. I was reading.

I thought we were reading.

You're reading.
I-I have to go call Arthur.

- Roe?
- [calling] Roe!

Jenny, why don't you tell us
about your relationship

with Owen
right before Kevin died?

Have you ever had two boys

be interested in you
at the same time?

Uh...

...hard to say.

I wasn't popular
in high school,

but, then I came to college,
and...

Owen was a nice guy.

Strange sometimes, sure,
but nice,

and he would do anything for me.

But then there was Kevin.

And in high school,

the idea of the star athlete
being interested in me

would be some sort
of cruel joke.

But he was.

So I told Owen
that we couldn't be

anything more than friends
ever again.

Okay. Well, uh,
thank you, Jenny.

Uh, I do actually have
one more question.

Do you happen to remember
what book you chose

for the Queens of True Crime
Literature unit?

Uh... yeah.

Uh, Bitter Harvest .

It was so depressing.

Honestly,
Professor Lindo is cool,

but the whole class
was depressing.

Owen talked me into taking it.

Do you remember
what book he chose?

Uh, no.

He would help me with my papers,

but I-I never
helped him with his.

Did he help you with
your paper on sodium nitrite?

Um...

yeah.

I was really overwhelmed
with other classes

freshman year,
and all.

He pretty much wrote it for me.

[♪♪♪]

[Cook sighs wearily]

We should get Jenny in here,
right?

So you can hear for yourself

why I think Owen Parker's
at the top of the list now?

Sure. Owen's at
the top of the list now.

Three hours ago,
it was the Tanner kid.

Yesterday, it was Cal Watson.

We're chasing our tails
trying to make somethin' stick!

Well, I don't think
it's Jenny,

but someone is doing
an excellent job

of framing the others.

No, Smith.

No one's doing an excellent job
of framing the others.

You frame someone,

they go to jail
for what you did.

Do you see anyone
sitting in jail?

No.

Whoever killed Kevin Lambert

might just get away with it.

[♪♪♪]

Hey!
What'd you figure out?

Nothing.
That's the problem.

I think Detective Cook
is giving up on this case.

He thinks it's unsolvable.

Ugh. Well...
I can see his frustration.

And yours.

When I get frustrated like that,
I just try to... step back.

You know?

Look for the bigger picture.
Try to find the pattern.

And what if there isn't one?

There's always a pattern.

Like Professor Lindo says--

"there are
no innovative killers."

Well, enlighten me,
Roe Teagarden.

What's the pattern here?

Well...

I don't know yet.

I don't think
we've stepped back far enough.

But we will.

I believe in us.

I believe in you.

I need to believe
in the system.

Procedure--
that's how crimes are solved.

Look, there are just some leads
you can't follow as a cop.

I can follow any evidence
that leads me--

But you can't follow a feeling.

We should do this more.

Hang out, I mean.

Well, we see each other
all the time!

Yeah, at the diner,
when we're both at work.

Well... we're busy people.

Yeah, but I miss
getting coffee with you,

and talking about school,
about people...

about crime.

I really-- I love
spending time with you, Roe.

Arthur, um...

I'm really sorry

we haven't hung out
like I said we would.

And-And we can.

We will.

And you know that, no matter
what happens in my life,

we're always gonna
be friends, right?

Yeah.

Yeah, I know that.

Have you, uh, found anything
in the books?

[taken aback] Uh...

yeah.

Yeah, there's, uh,
lots in the books.

Um...

many different ways
this could have happened.

Much like my thesis--

lots of tangents,
and none that quite fit.

[♪♪♪]

Aurora.

I didn't expect to see you here.

Oh, and with a stack of books--
what a surprise.

Mother,
what are you doing here?

Well, one of my students
has asked to meet me for coffee

so she could pick my brain
about the housing market.

Oh! A one-on-one session.

Those can be really satisfying.

Oh, and to be talking
about my true passion.

See? You were right.

Someone was listening!

Well done, Mother.

[chuckles]
Oh, there she is now.

[sighs disdainfully]

Really?

[sing-song] Have fun.

I will.

See you later.

Hey. That's a lot of reading.

Yeah, more like
a lot of skimming.

I'm trying to find
some inspiration.

Or maybe where someone else
found inspiration.

Hey, thank you for getting
Tanner to spill some stuff.

Yeah, it was interesting.

It's like a game of Clue.

I can see
how you can get obsessed.

But it's, uh, not a game,

and... I wonder--

do you think this obsession's...
healthy?

[chuckles dryly]

Look, you are not the first
person to suggest that,

but ignoring the truth

while a potential murderer
might show up in my class

isn't the path
to my mental health

and well-being.

Right. Heh.
Yeah. Of course.

[♪♪♪]

I have to go.

Okay. Uh...

to play detective?

Never. I'm a librarian.

Can you put the books--
I'll be back! Just...

Thanks.

Hey, Cal. So, that thing
that was in the machine--

Yeah, I already got
the third-degree

from the cops about that.

Right.

But, um, did you know
that it was in there?

It would be pretty bad
if I did.

But--

[chuckles anxiously]

Sally, you're all right,

but clearly, you've forgotten
how to have a conversation.

[♪♪♪]

[zipping bag]

[sighing tensely]

What do you want now?

Well, Tanner,

we're moving on to the Queens
of True Crime next section,

and I had
a recommendation for you.

Yeah... no thanks.

You sure?

I think you'll like this one.

You'll never guess who did it...

...unless
you've already read it.

[♪♪♪]

You know what? I, uh...

I don't think
this one's my speed.

I'll pick my own, thanks.

Suit yourself.

See you around.

[♪♪♪]

Goodnight!

Hey. Sal, you okay?

No.

[sighing]

In the book you gave me,

the detectives
needed a confession,

so they grilled the guy
until he gave it.

Okay...

I tried to get Cal to confess,
and I was really bad at it.

You-- um...

I know!
But it was the book.

I couldn't put it down, Roe.

You're dragging me
to the dark side.

First... this--

Well, I--

And spying?

Uh, "journalism."

[Sally sighs]

And, if it makes you
feel any better,

I tried a gambit of my own,

and I'm not sure it paid off.

What do you mean?

Sally? I gotta bounce.
I need you to lock up, okay?

What? No! Cal already left.
I-- I'm the only one here--

[Ricky] Ah, you got this.

Look, I just got off
the phone with corporate,

and they want me
to drive down there

and interview for
the Regional Manager's job.

Isn't it
a little late for that?

Ooh, lemme tell ya--
it's about three years too late,

if you're asking me.

[chuckles]
Anyway, here you go.

[crash]

Ooh!

Anyway, it doesn't matter.
Just, um...

don't even have to bother
counting the drawer or anything.

Just make sure the food
is sealed and refrigerated--

that's it, and then you lock
the doors when you leave.

Piece of cake. Okay?

Sally Addison--

[grandly]
..."Employee of the Month."

[imitates stadium cheering]

No, a-actually,
it's "Allison"--

I know. I know.

I know.

What?

I like that guy.
He seems great!

[Roe snickers]

I've been here
for three days, Roe.

Do you know
how big this place is?

I can't close it all by myself!
He hasn't shown me how.

It's okay.
I can stay back and help.

Good. I was prepared to beg.

Do you think he'll take
the leap to upper management?

I don't even know if
he's gonna make it to his car.

[laughs]

Okay, what can I do to help?

I have to try to figure out
how to lock that front door.

If you could...

...find room in the walk-in

for all the stuff
that's left over in the kitchen,

- pretty please?
- Sure.

- Thank you!
- You're welcome.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[hits key]

[♪♪♪]

In the security footage
with Kevin,

the camera was pointed

dead on the counters
and the dining room,

but this is pointed
directly at the door.

[♪♪♪]

Wait.

[♪♪♪]

[gasps quietly]

Cal moved the camera.

[♪♪♪]

He wanted us to see it all!

[♪♪♪]

[yelps]

[line ringing]

Arthur! I got it!

It wasn't just one of them,
it was--

[Sally cries out]
Roe!

Hang it up.

[♪♪♪]

[Sally whimpering]

[Sally whimpering]

What are you doing?

She knew the book you read.

You could have told me that
in the text.

Something more than just,
"Get over to Pizza & Play!"

She figured it out!

What do you think
I figured out?

Shut up!
I'm not talking to you!

We need to fix this
before it gets worse.

This wasn't the plan, Cal!

Plans change!

And? What do we--
What do we do, huh?

[Cal] Put 'em in
the freezer overnight!

They got locked in.
It was a terrible accident.

[grunting]

And we delete the footage
this time?

[Cal]
There's no cameras back here.

[Sally whimpers]

[phone rings]

- Take her!
- Hey!

Sally, run! Go!

[phone ringing]

Go! Get her!

[♪♪♪]

[phone ringing]

I-I'm not doing this.

You're not going anywhere.

We... are not...
getting caught!

You're already caught.

I know all three of you
killed Kevin together,

and you spread around
the evidence enough

to create reasonable doubt
about each of you,

and if I figured it out,
the police will, too.

[♪♪♪]

[Cal]
Don't let her manipulate you.

[Roe] And that's why

you broke into Professor Lindo's
office. Right, Owen?

You were freaked out about
your paper on Die, My Love .

Okay, let me go.
I won't say anything!

- Just let me leave!
- You choreographed it

so each of you
touched the shake that day.

You each had motive
and opportunity,

and by making it look obvious,

you threw everything
into confusion.

How does she know all this?

She doesn't.
She's guessing!

And you're giving it
away, idiot!

[Roe grunts]

- [Cal grunts]
- [Roe yelps]

I'm done, Cal.

[Cal] No! Get back here.

- [thud]
- [wham]

[♪♪♪]

[grunts]

If she gets away,
we're all going down!

Come on!

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[Tanner wheezing]

[♪♪♪]

Aurora?

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

- [Sally yelps]
- Gotcha!

Oh!

Stop running, Sally!

[Sally whimpering]

[grunts]

No.

[Sally whimpers]

Oh!

- [boff]
- [wham]

Huh.

[cackles in glee,
then stops]

- [jousting pole hits ground]
- Sorry.

Uh...

[♪♪♪]

[object clatters]

[grunting]

[Cal groans]

Go! Get her!

[♪♪♪]

Aurora.

Stop.

Owen.

You don't have to do
anything you don't want to do.

No.

I have to.

No, you don't have to.

You can cooperate with the cops.

You can tell them
it was Cal's idea--

that they talked you into it.

Just, please, Owen.

I know
you don't want to do this.

[♪♪♪]

[fumes] Oh.

You... are such a pain.

If you won't do it,
I will.

[Arthur, shouting]
Drop the knife!

Hands on the bar.

[knife clatters]

Let's go.
Check them for weapons!

Let's go!

[Cal pounds the bar]

- Sally!
- Roe! Are you okay?

[Arthur] You're under arrest
for the murder of Kevin Lambert,

all three of you!

You have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say or do
can be used against you

in the court of law.

You have the right
to an attorney.

If you do not have one,
one will be appointed to you.

[♪♪♪]

Not bad, huh?

I can't not finish it!
I've already made it this far.

- But, Roe?
- Hmm?

After this, this is it. Okay?

No more true crime.

- Sure.
- Seriously!

We'll see.

[Roe chuckles]

Hi!

- Hi.
- Hi.

You can spare me any more
of the gruesome details,

but I'm so glad
that it's all over,

and that--
that you're okay.

Thank you, Mother.

Oh, Aurora tells me

that you're thinking of
discontinuing your class.

Yeah, I am considering it.

I mean, I-I can't help but feel
responsible for all of this.

What you're responsible for
is guiding me.

I mean, yes, the subject may
produce the occasional Tanner,

but it creates more people who
care about finding the truth.

Knowledge can be dangerous, yes,

but if we believe
in each other...

...we owe it to each other
to be honest,

and trust that people
will take the information

and do something good.

Well-argued, Miss Teagarden.

However, I-I don't know,
I just--

Well, I'm only recently
an educator,

and, uh, I must say that, um...

[sighing]

...as much as I have distaste
for the subject matter,

I-- I agree with Aurora.

Wow!

- Mm-hmm.
- Thank you, Mother.

Okay. Well,
perhaps you're right.

You know, while I still feel
it is my responsibility

to make some significant changes
to the syllabus,

I agree it is my job
to continue to educate those

who are inclined to do good.

So...

Yes. Of course, we'll continue.

Really?

- Yes.
- Oh, thank you!

[Lindo] Thank you, Aurora.

Well, I have to get to class!

Well, I'll walk with you, Aida.

- Okay.
- See you later.

Bye.

You are really something else.

After all that,
you puzzled out

the craziest murder plot
I have ever heard of.

Well...

And don't tell Cook I told you,
but he's impressed.

Begrudgingly, maybe,
but he's impressed.

Really?

Ahem!

Miss Teagarden.

Cook.

Let's go, Smith.

We got things to do,
and I gotta fry some fish.

[Roe chuckles]

Bye.

Hi.

Okay, I'm starving.

Can we grab a bite
before we meet Daniel?

Maybe something quick?

Okay.
Anything but pizza, please.

I'm thinking burgers.

[scoffs]

Okay, so another date
with Daniel, then?

Yeah. I mean,
I'm not really used to it,

but, uh, he's sweet.

Mm-hmm. That's it?

There's no other... suspects?

[♪♪♪]

No.

No other suspects.

Okay.

Question for you.

Mm?

So, do you think
it's normal

that we've been held hostage
twice in the span of six months?

Sure.

We're in our 20s.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]