Original subtitles

- If you have any questions or information,

you bring it to me rather than acting on it alone; agreed?

EMILY (V.O.): I've never been one to sit back

and hope for a good outcome.

Which is why I fall back on some old habits.

A home is worth protecting.

[lively Christmas music]

♪ See the snow that's gently falling ♪

♪ Children playing, joy is calling ♪

♪ Everybody knows it, soon it's Christmas! ♪

EMILY: You are gonna love this one.

Okay...

Merry Christmas!

CUSTOMER: Thank you.

- Here you go. Red ribbon, green bow.

Just as the doctor ordered.

She's literally my doctor.

I sort of promised her a discount.

Ah, not a problem.

Um...

Here you go.

[choir singing "Deck the Halls" outside]

Do you hear that music?

Oh, is it that time already?

Yeah, that would be the Singing Snowbelles.

They always do a night of carolling as promotion

for their tree lighting concert in the park.

Wait, where are you going?

- You really think I'm gonna miss a live Christmas carolling event

happening right outside my shop? Have you met me?

Fair point.

BELLES: ♪ See the blazing Yule before us ♪

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪

♪ Strike the harp and join the chorus... ♪

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Dad, what's up?

- Hey, I just wanted you to know I'm running a little late

to pick you up. We went into overtime.

Well, did you win, at least?

- Depends on how you define "win."

- I tend to define it as the team with the most goals at the end.

Oh, then we didn't win.

VIOLET: Well, you'll get 'em next time, right?

And there's no rush to get me.

I'm watching the store for a few minutes while Emily's outside.

- Oh, yeah? What's she doing?

I'll give you one guess.

BELLES: ♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la! ♪

[applause]

VERA: "Silent Night" on three.

Debbie on the solo.

- Oh, actually I was thinking maybe--

VERA: Not now, Brooke.

Here we go.

DEBBIE: ♪ Silent Night ♪

♪ Holy Night ♪

[high-pitched voice] ♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ 'Round yon virgin mother and child... ♪

EMILY (V.O.): When I was little, I dreamed about

joining a choir one day.

Then I grew up, and my life took a slightly different direction.

More shadows, fewer songs.

And let's face it, a choir just doesn't have

that element of danger.

DEBBIE: ♪ Love's pure light ♪

♪ Radiant beams from thy holy face... ♪

[creaking sound]

♪ With the dawn of redeeming grace... ♪

[creaking sound]

DEBBIE: ♪ Sleep in heavenly... ♪

[loud cracking]

♪ Peace... ♪

[screaming]

[loud crash]

Oh, no!

[people exclaiming frantically]

DEBBIE: Get me out!

- Does anything hurt? Is anything trapped?

Are you okay? Can you move?

I think so.

EMILY (V.O.): I take it back.

Choir is a lot more dangerous than I assumed.

[Debbie breathing heavily]

[dramatic music]

[theme music]

♪

♪

[gasps]

EMILY (V.O.): Yeah, that never gets old.

Why can't I dream of candy canes and sugarplums,

like a Christmas store owner should?

Is it guilt?

Is it paranoia?

Or am I just drinking way too much coffee

and riding a caffeine wave right into slumberland?

Let's hope it's not the last one.

[mysterious music]

♪

♪

♪

♪

EMILY (V.O.): Happy memories later.

Right now I have a new toy in need of a test run.

My black market connection, Famous Ray,

managed to find me a top-of-the-line

computer encryption device that will keep me invisible.

Come to Mama...

Okay...

All systems go.

Thank you, Famous Ray.

EMILY (V.O.): I'm now free to navigate online

without fear of being discovered.

Which is perfect, because the person I'm after--

the one who brought my entire world

crashing down around me--

is not so easily found.

This program I built will scrape every website and database,

from the surface web to the deep web,

for any mention of a name that still has the power

to raise the little hairs on the back of my neck:

Chimera.

It might take days, even weeks, to get a hit.

But patience is the one thing I have plenty of.

Although...

I do have a store to open, and a watched pot never boils.

- ♪ "Deck the Halls" is stuck in my head ♪

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la ♪

♪ Candy canes and gingerbread ♪

♪ Fa la la la la, la la la la-- ♪

- BROOKE: Emily. - Oh!

- Can you believe what happened yesterday?

That sleigh just falling like that?

It's hard to believe Debbie wasn't injured.

- I'm... just so glad nobody got hurt.

I'm-- I'm actually not open yet, Brooke.

- Would you mind if I put a flyer in your window?

It's for the Belles' concert

at the tree lighting ceremony this weekend.

- Uh... - Right here looks great.

Actually, um, I was curious...

your group is called the Singing Snowbelles, right?

- Uh-huh!

- I definitely saw a few snow-beaux up there last night.

- Oh! Yeah, well, we were originally all women,

but we opened it up to everyone about five years back.

Vera wasn't too happy at first, but she warmed up to it,

after about a year or so.

Who's Vera?

Oh, she's our choir director.

She can be tough.

A real Belle-breaker, if you know what I mean.

- I think I do. - Hmm.

You know, I, uh, heard you singing as I was coming in.

- Oh. - You have a nice voice.

With some formal training, it could even be passable.

You're so kind.

- And the choir could definitely use a new alto,

considering we lost a few members after yesterday.

- Well, that had to be a fluke accident, though, right?

True, but...

we've had our share of those lately.

Debbie, the one who almost got crushed,

she nearly died of food poisoning a few months ago.

And Clara... [sighs]

Poor sweet Clara, our best voice by far,

she was killed in a random hit-and-run.

- God, that's terrible. I'm so sorry.

- Which is why we need some fresh blood.

We need you.

- Yeah, I don't-- I don't think so.

I like to save my singing for the shower.

- Ah. Well, just think about it.

Okay, we rehearse at the community centre,

and I will text you all the information.

You're a member of our community now, Emily.

I would love to see you get more involved.

Okay.

- Okay? - Okay.

- I'll text you! - Okay!

EMILY (V.O.): As much as I shouldn't get involved,

something is bothering me.

Between the multiple near-death experiences,

and a member actually getting killed,

to me, that sounds like more than just a run of bad luck.

♪

- Hey, Sam, how long before I can haul this away?

I got other jobs to get to.

- I know. It just...

takes as long as it takes.

♪

♪

Morning, Sam.

Emily.

Violet mentioned you witnessed the accident.

- Yeah. That woman is lucky to be alive.

Debbie Hannigan.

I went to high school with her.

I think it was probably just an installation issue.

- I dunno. I know the company that makes these.

Can I take a look?

Sure.

♪

- Yeah, no, the leg of the sleigh snapped off the support rod.

That shouldn't happen.

They're built to withstand extreme weather.

Manufacturer defect?

Or...

maybe it was intentional?

[chuckles]

Do you actually think

someone was trying to flatten the Belles?

I mean, it's possible, right?

Thank you for the info.

Maybe I'll bring you on as a Christmas consultant.

- Yeah, okay. You know where to find me.

I do!

EMILY (V.O.): Now that I've had a closer look at the sleigh,

I'm pretty sure this was no accident.

But I can't share that suspicion with Sam.

Spending time with him will only lead to trouble.

EMILY: Hey, have a great rest of your day.

Okay, okay.

What's going on, Em?

It's not like you to be in such a rush to close.

- I just have somewhere I need to be.

Where's that?

I would rather not say.

- Is it a date? Who's the lucky guy?

It's not a date.

And that is all you're getting out of me.

- Alright, keep your secrets! See if I care.

Okay.

- You need anything else before I go?

Actually...

I have something for you.

What?

[keys jingle]

You're giving me a store key?

Yeah, you earned it.

I'm also giving you a raise.

What's the catch?

- Oh, there's no catch. I just--

I've been really impressed with your initiative,

and I think you're ready for some more responsibility.

- I am. I really am.

So, you wanna do the honours?

I think you got it.

- Just want to make sure. I'm nervous.

Oh.

Don't be. You did great.

Is your dad picking you up?

- No, I'm meeting him at the diner.

I'd ask you to join us but you've got your mystery plans.

- Yes, I do, and I'm running late,

so I will see you tomorrow.

- Goodnight. - Night.

[The Belles warming up]

♪ La la la la, la la la la la ♪

♪ Lee lee lee lee, lee lee lee lee lee ♪

♪ Lay lay lay lay, lay lay lay lay lay ♪

♪ La la la la, la la la la la-- ♪

- Enough! Let's move on.

Hi!

Hot yoga's down the hall.

BROOKE: Uh, no, Vera, this is Emily,

the alto I was telling you about.

Emily, come in.

- Sure, yeah. If that's okay.

Hi.

Why not?

Take a spot anywhere.

Sure.

Uh, Vera?

Should she not audition?

VERA: Why not?

I suppose we might as well see what you've got.

Here, sing this.

- Oh, just-- just right now? Here in front of everyone?

- That's the general idea of a choir, yes.

[chuckles nervously]

Okay. [clears throat]

[hums briefly]

♪ Silent night ♪

♪ Holy night ♪

♪ All is calm ♪

♪ All is bright ♪

♪ 'Round yon virgin

mother and child... ♪

- That's fine. Thank you.

BROOKE: Told you she was great.

- I'm Debbie. Welcome to the choir.

We're in desperate need of strong voices

ever since Clara died.

Yeah, I'm so sorry.

Was she the one who was killed in the hit-and-run?

- Clara was a one-of-a-kind talent.

There's no replacing her.

EMILY: Oh, I'm not...

I'm not trying to replace anybody.

Stay if you want.

Or go.

It doesn't matter to me.

[Belles singing]

♪ Fa la la la, fa la la, la la la ♪

♪ Fa la la... ♪

EMILY (V.O.): There's definitely a weird energy

with this group.

And a real chance that one of them is a killer.

[Belles singing]

EMILY (V.O.): So if I walk away now,

it'll be on my conscience if anyone gets hurt.

[Belles singing "Deck the Halls"]

EMILY (V.O.): Besides... young me would love this.

Finally living the dream.

BELLES: ♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪

♪ Fa la la, la la la, la la la... ♪

EMILY (V.O.): After two hours of belting out carols,

my throat is sore and raw.

I never realized how painful singing could be.

Hopefully my sacrifice is not in vain.

Clara Jameson.

Struck and killed by an unknown vehicle in an industrial area

of White Rock, a 40-minute drive from Fletcher's Grove.

No CCTV cameras were in the area.

No witnesses. No arrests.

Survived by her husband, Adam Jameson.

Wait...

EMILY (V.O.): Poor guy.

No wonder he looked so sad.

EMILY: Good to see you, Sam.

What can I do for ya?

I need your help.

The manufacturer of that Santa sleigh that fell

appears to have gone out of business.

I can't track them down.

- Yeah, they merged with another company

and they go by a different name now.

I think I have the catalogue here somewhere.

[humming "Silent Night"]

You sound good.

You should maybe think about joining the Belles.

I already did.

You're kidding.

- Would I lie to an officer of the law?

I've caught you in several.

That's a good point.

The less said about that, the better.

I, um... I can't find it here,

but I will find their contact info

and send it over to you.

- Great. - Yeah.

Thanks.

Hey, Sam?

Just, last night at rehearsal,

the topic of Clara Jameson's death came up.

Ooh, yeah, that was tragic.

Her husband Adam's still reeling from the loss.

- I heard there weren't many leads.

- Well, they knew it was a bronze sedan,

but that's as far as they got.

She died in White Rock, so it wasn't my case.

- Too bad it wasn't caught on camera.

And what was she doing over there, anyway?

Again, not my case.

You know, I'm having a hard time

picturing you as a Singing Snowbelle.

- I'm having trouble picturing you as a hockey player.

Oh yeah, you best believe Violet's told me all about that.

She says you're pretty good too.

Ah, I got some chops.

Yeah?

- I probably could have been a lot better,

but I turned down a full scholarship

and joined the force instead,

much to the shock and dismay of my father.

- Disappointing parents is a rite of passage.

- Yeah, let me guess, your folks were all about Halloween.

You went this way just to spite 'em.

Yeah, somethin' like that!

[chuckles nervously]

Um, I gotta actually--

- Yeah, of course. Send me that when you can.

- Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Hi, did you find everything okay?

Oh my gosh, I love this guy.

Alright.

Let's see...

- Your baskets look so much nicer than mine.

What is your secret?

Practice.

- I was worried you'd say that.

[door bells jingling]

Debbie!

Hey, welcome to the Mistletoe.

This store is so cute!

I thought maybe I'd pick up some treats for the choir.

Honey-free. I'm allergic to bee pollen.

- Yeah, I'm sure we can find you some things.

- Clara used to bring in snacks when she was the soloist.

People loved her for it.

It also helped that she was an amazing talent.

Were you two close?

- I rarely saw her outside of choir.

She was a vocal coach for kids.

Very in demand.

Didn't leave much time for socializing.

- Well, it's nice that she made time for the choir.

- We worked around her schedule.

Not that it made a difference.

She was leaving us anyway.

Leaving The Belles?

I hadn't heard that.

- It happened right before she died.

But I should go.

I don't want to be late for practice.

Why don't we go together?

I would like that.

- Uh, Violet, hey, I'm gonna leave a few minutes early.

I need you to lock up.

Are you good with that?

Absolutely!

I won't let you down!

Okay.

Okay, everyone!

The tree lighting ceremony is coming up fast,

and we really need to bring our A-game together

if we're gonna pull this off.

Now, I know, I know...

it's a challenge without Clara,

but I want you to know that I will do my absolute best.

Also, I brought treats.

Allergen-free!

[all exclaiming]

- Brought sugary bribes, you mean.

- So I guess you don't want any, then.

Oh, I didn't say that!

- Thank you, Debbie, for your rousing words,

but I think we all know that without Clara,

we are ultimately doomed to failure.

- Ah, well... [chuckles]

Only if we stick with Debbie as our soloist.

I would like to put myself forward for consideration.

[scoffs]

I'm singing the solo.

It's already been decided.

- Maybe we should open it up to a vote.

Let's get back to work.

- Fine. - Fine.

♪

EMILY (V.O.): What was that?

If I knew choir politics were this entertaining,

I would have joined ages ago.

[car approaching]

- Register is locked, alarm is on, lights are off,

sign says "closed"...

[car honks]

- Sorry, Vy, Pete's just mad

'cause Mom made him drive me to get you.

Let's go, come on!

- Coming. Just locked up. Hi, Pete.

Just get in.

- Stop being a jerk to my friends.

VIOLET: Hey, Nicki.

[car starts]

Great rehearsal tonight.

Yeah.

- It's Lance, right? - Yeah.

EMILY (V.O.): Man, I can't get a word in edgewise

with this motormouth.

- So, um, after the tree lighting,

the Belles go on the road, I heard?

There's a competition?

- [sighs] Not that it matters.

We're going from top five to bottom five without Clara.

I wish I'd gotten to meet her.

- Yeah, this choir didn't deserve her.

- What-- what makes you say that?

- Well, everyone was jealous of her,

especially Debbie.

Now that she's gone, everyone's saying how amazing she was.

But they drove her away.

- You don't seem to like anyone here very much.

Why do you stick around?

I like to sing.

- Okay, then. Asked and answered.

Oh, Emily!

Thanks for staying late for a little extra practice.

Yeah, no problem.

- We were just discussing adding some morning rehearsals

to the schedule.

Right, Vera?

Knock yourself out.

6:30 okay with you, Emily?

Perfect.

EMILY (V.O.): I'm starting to notice that while Vera

is the choir leader on paper, it's actually the Belle

with the weakest voice that seems to be calling the shots.

Although, judging by Brooke's attempted coup

earlier this evening, I'd say the power dynamic

is anything but settled.

And it strikes me as very suspicious

that both women targeted by mysterious "accidents"

have held the coveted position of lead soloist.

Hey, thanks for coming.

- I was on my way home. Is everything okay?

- Yeah, I'm just curious how your investigation

into Debbie's near-miss the other day is going.

- Oh, it's-- it's not.

There's nothing to suggest it was intentional,

and since no one was hurt--

- She could have died. - Yes, but she didn't.

This time.

I have a bad feeling this isn't the end of it,

and I think it has something to do with Clara's death.

I am telling you, the people in that choir

would kill for the solo.

- Look, I can't throw department resources

at crimes that may not exist.

- I'm just asking you to keep an open mind.

Please.

- Fine. I'll take another look.

That's all I'm asking.

Thank you.

♪

[car starts]

[car drives away]

♪

Hey, June, it's Emily.

You busy?

JUNE: The Singing Snowbelles? You?

- Why is everybody so surprised by this?

- I hear the choir leader's really tough.

Vera?

Oh, well, I had the opposite experience.

She kinda seems like she doesn't care at all.

- Well, maybe she's chilled out a little.

That choir is bad news, Emily.

Don't let them get their hooks in you.

My advice, run, don't walk, away from those backstabbers.

Don't mind her.

She used to be in the Belles,

and I think it broke something inside of her.

- After two days with them, I can see how.

It's like Glee meets Mean Girls

meets Friday the Thirteenth with that crew.

- I think they were on a winning streak for a bit,

placing pretty high in competitions.

Brooke wouldn't shut up about it.

But I think they've fallen a bit since then.

- Yeah, they lost their soloist over the summer.

I don't think they've recovered.

I know what that feels like.

Hey.

How are you holding up?

Oh...

Better.

I went back to work, which has helped a lot.

That's good.

- Everyone says that it gets better with time, but...

I'm just having a hard time believing that's true.

- I mean, it is and it isn't.

I think grief never really disappears, it just...

just becomes an ache you learn to live with.

ADAM: Thanks for the refill, Sue.

- Uh... will you excuse me just for a second?

I'll be right back.

Of course.

Hey, um, sorry...

Sorry to bother you. Um, are you Adam?

You do the junk removal?

Uh, yeah, that's right.

Yeah, I'm Emily.

I own the Christmas shop down the street.

I've just got some stuff I'd like to get rid of.

Oh, uh, yeah.

Schedule's pretty tight this week.

I also do electrical work, and I'm swamped with

residential light displays.

Uh, so, um, try me in early January?

- Uh, great. Will do, thanks.

Sorry, I-I hope you don't mind me asking, but...

was your wife Clara?

Did you know her?

No, no, but I feel like I do.

I joined the Snowbelles, and they all talk about

how incredible she was.

They killed my Clara.

- Well, I... I thought it was an accident.

- An accident? No.

No, that was no random hit-and-run.

I know for a fact that Clara was murdered.

[starts car]

♪

♪

EMILY (V.O.): I keep replaying Adam's words

in my head.

"I know for a fact Clara was murdered."

I wonder if he has proof to back up his claim,

or if it's just his grief refusing to give him closure.

[computer beeps]

EMILY (V.O.): Sounds like I just got a hit

on the name "Chimera."

♪

EMILY (V.O.): A darknet forum for hackers.

Looks like it's been inactive for months,

so even if Chimera was here, it wasn't a recent visit.

The trail is still cold.

But I'm not deterred in the least.

After all, that's the temperature

that revenge is best served at.

♪ There is joy in the hearts... ♪

Merry Christmas.

Emily, are you okay?

Seems like your Christmas cheer's at a 3

instead of your usual 11.

I'm all good.

Just, you know, some personal stuff.

- Okay. Just wanted to make sure

I didn't mess up closing last night.

- What? No, it was perfect.

I knew I could count on you.

I might have to get you to close up every night.

- I'm up for that, but I have to get out on time tonight.

I'm going to my dad's hockey game.

You should come with.

My friend Nicki works at the rink concession stand

so I can hook you up with free hot dogs.

- Sounds tempting, but I have choir practice tonight.

And every night.

And some mornings.

And kill me.

You did it to yourself!

I can't wait to see you singing at the tree lighting.

I'll take videos.

EMILY (V.O.): Crap. I hadn't thought of that.

That's all I need are dozens of videos of me floating around.

All the more reason to--

- Hello? Earth to Emily?

Where'd you go there?

Sorry, uh, just...

in my head.

Um, you know what?

You go, cheer on your dad, eat a hot dog for me,

and I will, um...

I will close up tonight, okay?

Thanks.

♪

LANCE: What do you want me to do?

What do you want, huh?

ADAM: I know it wasn't you, I know that,

but you gotta give me something.

LANCE: Listen, I told you already, you made a mistake.

- I'm not-- look, I'm not gonna pretend this never happened!

- You better back off if you know what's good for you!

♪

Everything okay?

- Oh, uh... yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Just a difference of opinion.

Oh, uh, by the way, I'm doing the electrical set-up

for the tree lighting ceremony tomorrow,

so I'll be near your shop.

Have your junk ready, and I'll swing by and grab it.

- Oh, great, thanks. Appreciate it.

[car starts]

[car drives off]

[indistinct chatter]

- I couldn't help but notice you and Adam arguing.

You know each other well?

Well enough.

EMILY (V.O.): That looks suspiciously like

a prison tattoo.

And I would know, not that I'm sharing that story with Lance.

Or anyone else.

♪

VERA: Alright! Everyone, get into formation.

Where's Debbie? I just saw her.

- Well, hopefully getting some singing lessons.

That's quite enough of that.

I can't find my bag!

I set it down and now it's gone.

- Um, I think that's it over there.

Oh, thank you, Lance.

Oh...

That's strange.

I don't remember leaving it over there.

- Well, now that we've solved that riveting mystery,

let's get this over with.

No need to be rude, Vera.

- Well, we're all here now, and ready to go.

Emily's right.

We've wasted enough time.

[plays note on harmonica]

BELLES: [singing]

EMILY (V.O.): Adam and Lance at each other's throats.

Now Debbie and Vera?

Not exactly tidings of comfort and joy.

[Belles singing "Silent Night"]

VIOLET: Where's the key?

Emily's never gonna trust me again.

[phone buzzing]

Hey, Dad.

SAM: [phone] Hey!

We're just about to start the second period.

We're up by two. Where are you?

- I don't think I'm gonna make it to the game.

- Everything okay? You sound stressed.

VIOLET: No.

It's all good. I'm just...

in the middle of something.

- Okay... Can I help?

Not really.

I got it.

Good luck with your game.

- Uh, okay, okay. See you at home.

VIOLET: Thanks, Dad.

[sighs]

♪

BELLES: ♪ Peace... ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace. ♪

- Hah! That wasn't half bad!

EMILY (V.O.): What do you know? Vera does care.

Vera...

Should we run my solo now?

Why not?

[squeaky vocalizing]

BROOKE: Debbie, are you feeling okay?

It sounds like you're coming down with something.

- Oh, no. I'm fine.

I just need to lubricate.

[bottle sprays]

Much better.

- Glad to hear it. And here we go.

♪ Oh, holy night... ♪

♪ The stars are brightly shining... ♪

[trails off]

♪ Fa... ♪ [gasping for air]

EMILY: Debbie? Debbie? BROOKE: Oh, God!

EMILY: Debbie! She can't breathe!

She's having an allergic reaction!

BROOKE: She keeps an EpiPen in her bag!

EMILY: Bag, bag, bag, bag! Okay!

[Debbie gasping]

EMILY: Come on, come on, come on.

It's not here! Call 911!

BROOKE: Yeah.

EMILY: It's okay. Debbie, Debbie, Debbie.

Help is on the way, okay? We've got you.

Just hold on, alright? Just hold on.

Stay with us. Stay with us.

We've got you. Stay with us.

Stay with us.

[police siren whooping]

- How is she? - Paramedics got to her quickly.

She's awake and responsive.

Glad to hear it.

Hey, Debbie. Can you tell me what happened?

I don't know.

More bad luck, I suppose.

My throat suddenly started swelling up

when I tried to sing.

- I mean, it had to be an allergic reaction.

- But I didn't eat or drink anything.

Your throat spray.

I use it constantly.

It's never done this before.

Um... one sec.

She was looking for her bag earlier.

Someone may have had an opportunity to access it.

- You think it was tampered with?

- What else could it be? Her EpiPen was also missing.

- I think maybe you were onto something when you said

these weren't accidents.

Better late than never.

- Did you join an a cappella choir just to prove me wrong?

- What? No!

Well, maybe a little.

- Well, now's probably a good time to quit.

- Oh, I don't know. I'm kind of...

curious to see where this goes.

- How did I know you were gonna say that?

EMILY (V.O.): Sam's right, of course.

There's really no reason for me to remain a Belle.

But maybe it's as Sue suggested...

I let them get their hooks in me.

♪

EMILY: Uh, I think this is the last of it.

Thanks so much for making the time.

It's not a problem.

Like I said, I was in the area anyway.

- I... I hope you don't mind me asking, but...

did Clara ever tell you why she quit the Belles?

Oh, um... of course.

Uh, yeah.

She got an offer to audition for the number-one ranked choir

in the state, the Jolly-Rockers in White Rock.

And, um, she had just left her audition when she was killed.

That's so heartbreaking.

- She purposely made her audition on a night

that the Belles were in Rochester at a big concert,

so they wouldn't show up there and try to talk her out of it.

The Belles knew about it?

She told Debbie in confidence,

and then regretted it when she learned that it was Debbie

who was the one funding the Belles the last few years.

- I thought it was a public choir, funded by the town.

- They needed a private donor to fill the gap,

so I guess Debbie stepped in.

She'll smile to your face while stabbing you in the back.

If I were you...

I'd get out while you can.

People keep telling me that.

I have to get going.

They're expecting me at the park.

- Right, yeah. The tree lighting, right?

Just invoice me whenever you can.

Don't worry about it.

It's nice to get some stuff off my chest.

Clara would have liked you.

EMILY: Hey, Vy.

EMILY (V.O.): I'm starting to think Adam

may not be so far off base.

It's one thing to quit the Belles,

but taking her talents to a rival choir?

That could rub people the wrong way.

- All good today? No issues?

- Not that I'm aware of. Why?

- Just making conversation. - Okay.

Um, can you watch the store for a couple minutes?

- You'll be back before closing, right?

- Of course. - Then no problem.

Okay, thanks!

- [door bells jingling] - [door closes]

EMILY: Hot coffee and pastry,

care of Sue's Diner!

Come and help yourself.

- The risers need to be properly levelled and centred

or it throws off the whole balance.

Hey, Vera.

Got some coffee over there if you want some.

Terrible for the voice.

Switch to ginger tea. You'll thank me later.

- Looks like things are coming along.

It'll get there.

Let's hope the tree lights.

Nothing more disappointing than hitting a high C in the dark.

If anyone could actually hit a high C these days.

I'm guessing Clara could.

- She was a once-in-a-lifetime talent, our Clara.

- I'm guessing it'll be hard to place

in the upcoming competition without her, won't it?

Try impossible.

I wouldn't even bother

if we hadn't already paid the entrance fee.

- What makes you think the tree might not light?

You don't think Adam is up to the task?

- That poor man has been through so much.

But his constant attacks on the choir,

treating us like we did something wrong...

[scoffs]

You can't believe a thing he says.

He's gone completely off the deep end.

- Hey, I told you that that is all wrong!

Here, let me show you.

♪

[phone buzzing]

- Hey, Sam. What's up?

- The lab confirmed that Debbie's throat spray

tested positive for bee pollen.

- So we're talking attempted murder.

Possibly.

What else could it be?

Someone took the EpiPen out of her bag.

She almost died.

The choir trusts you.

They feel comfortable around you.

I want to ask you to do something for me.

- You want me to spy on the Belles?

- No, not spy. Just watch.

And listen. And tell me what happens.

So, spy?

- Oh! I knew this was a bad idea. - No, no, no--

- It's just, you clearly have a natural talent for this.

You proved as much on the poisoning case.

Oh, I mostly got lucky.

Any Belle in particular that you want me to focus on?

As a matter of fact...

- Please tell me it's Brooke. It would explain so much.

Not Brooke, no.

I got Clara's file from White Rock PD.

It turns out they did have a suspect in the hit-and-run;

they just never had enough evidence to make an arrest.

- And now they're targeting Debbie.

- That's where it gets complicated.

[mysterious music]

No...

Debbie?

- Does she strike you as an attention-seeker?

Wait...

You think that she faked the attempt on her life?

It's possible.

What better way to get the police off your trail?

♪

EMILY: Have a good night, Vy.

- Thanks, Em. - Mm-hm.

- You're the best. - Bye!

[door bells jingling]

DEBBIE: Oh! Thank you.

♪

Hello.

Hi!

- These are for you. For saving me.

- Not necessary, but they're beautiful.

Thank you.

How's your throat doing?

- Mm, my doctor's insisting I rest it for a few days.

Can you imagine? This close to the tree ceremony?

- Well, you don't want it to get worse.

Especially with Christmas coming up.

So, do you have any plans?

Or are you like me and just

working straight through the holiday?

Oh, I, uh...

I came into an inheritance a few years back

and retired early.

Kind of regret it now.

Money doesn't go as far as it used to.

And the choir's all I have now.

♪

EMILY (V.O.): Okay, then.

Seems like the perfect opportunity to test

Sam's theory that our victim may actually be a suspect.

So, um, did you...

did you manage to snag a parking spot out front?

- Oh, no. I walk everywhere.

Cars are so expensive these days,

and the maintenance costs are crazy.

My last car was literally held together with duct tape

and a prayer. [chuckles]

A few months ago, I had it hauled off for parts.

And good riddance!

- You know, a friend of mine was actually looking

to get rid of their car.

Do you remember the company you used?

I'm not even sure.

I left it at the bottom of the driveway with a sign saying,

"Go ahead and take it."

- You should have called Adam Jameson.

I'm sure he would have been happy to take it.

Hm, I doubt that.

I don't think he likes me very much.

Why do you say that?

- The week before Clara died, Adam showed up at my door,

drunk and angry, demanding that I tell him

who in the choir Clara was having an affair with.

He was sure I would know because...

Clara often confided in me.

But in this case, he was dead wrong.

There are no secrets in choir.

If Clara was having an affair and stepping out on Adam,

it wasn't with a Belle.

♪

- Alright. Bye. - [door bells jingling]

♪

- Sam. You need to hear this.

EMILY: This is where Adam lives?

Not exactly the cover of Home and Garden , huh?

Hey, thanks for letting me come along.

- Let me do the talking, alright?

- If there is any truth to Adam's suspicions of an affair,

that kinda points to him as a suspect, doesn't it?

[knocking]

Adam?

It's Sam Wilner.

[knocking]

SAM: Adam, you there?

[sighs]

His truck isn't here. Maybe he's on a junk run.

- [sighs] Sorry for the wasted trip.

I'll try again tomorrow.

♪

EMILY: Careful, there's something on the road.

SAM: Yeah, I see it.

It's a box.

- Yeah, I know. I think...

I think it's from my shop!

Well, how'd it get out here?

- I gave Adam a bunch of stuff from my shop to get rid of.

There's another one, and...

Over there.

Hey.

Looks like he went off the road.

[suspenseful music]

♪

No airbag.

And there's blood on the wheel.

He might be injured.

He left his cell phone behind.

- Maybe he made it up to the road,

got a lift to a hospital.

But if he didn't,

he could still be out here somewhere.

- Well, then we better find him before dark.

At these temperatures, he won't survive the night.

♪

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