Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder

- A first edition Agatha Christie in perfect condition.

- The spine has never been cracked.

Collector had it on his shelf for over forty years.

- I know it's pristine. Lucky for us.

-What s the point of owning an Agatha Christie if you're not going to read it?

- Philby, You know that collectors buy first editions,

and then stash them away to increase their value.

- You're holding a bottle of vintage wine.

You don't let it become vinegar.

If you have it, drink it.

Philby, did I do something?

Are you mad at me?

No, of course not.

What's wrong then?

Philby, I know something's wrong.

You might as well tell me.

- If I don't tell you, will you stop asking?

What do you think?

A colleague of mine died.

Oh I'm so sorry.

So am I.

I learned a lot from him.

Was it sudden?

No

He was sick for a long time?

No

I don't understand.

He died of retirement.

He took his brilliant mind,

and his years of experience,

and he put them on a shelf,

and went fishing.

If that's what he wanted...

It was a waste.

- I'll log in the Agatha Christie.

You call Mrs. Tollin

you tell her it's in

And then she can hide it away

for another forty years.

- You shouldn't work at mealtime, Cassie.

You should have time to relax.

- really and when have you ever relaxed Bonnie

I don't I've ever even see you sit down.

- Oh that's different I own this place,

when you are here I am working

Trust me on my own time I do nothing but sit.

Cassie I'm sorry I'm late

I drove Philby to the airport. - Vacation?

- No his friend's funeral in Michigan.

- Oh I am so sorry. How's he taking it?

- Not well he's convinced retirement killed his friend.

And I have a feeling he is reassessing his own life.

-Strictly speaking Philby isn't retired.

That bookstore of yours keeps him very busy.

- Without him I'd have to close up shop.

But I think he misses what he used to do.

Which was?

I think Philby is a spy.

Has he ever fessed up to this?

- Cassie! If Philby's a spy

you actually think he'd admit it?

- The guy doesn't blink. It drives me crazy.

- Philby is a puzzle I intend to figure out.

- No matter how long it takes me.

Excuse me ladies.

- Bonnie you weren't at Thursday night Mayhem.

I know I am so sorry.

Thursday night Mayhem is our mystery readers group.

It's loads of fun. -I'll bet it is.

Jason Hurd

Samantha Kinsey

Cassandra Hillman

Okay here's the deal

Jason represents a Seventies folk group The Ramblers.

You're two are too young to know who they are.

But they had a great following on college campuses.

Well they're doing a nostalgia tour.

Like a comeback tour?

- No this is strictly for charity.

All the money is going hungry children.

But between you and me

there are several recording companies have shown some interest.

And I have some big venue promoters coming up from LA.

so it could be a comeback

Knock on wood.

- Well then, they need a concert venue,

Now Jason called my agency and I checked

and the school gyms are booked

the park has insurance issues

and our restaurants don't want to disrupt their business.

And I can't because of the Sullivan wedding.

But you have that lovely area out front,

perfect for an outdoor concert.

For charity.

- All right I know we're not talking about the Dixie Chicks here.

But The Ramblers could bring in a decent crowd.

Get you some good promotion for your bookstore.

What do you say?

If you want I'll send you some of their music.

No need. I've heard it.

Please tell The Ramblers they're welcome to play at my bookstore.

Thank you

- She's wonderful You're wonderful, it's a great cause.

Okay! - Okay thank you.

- I've never heard of The Ramblers.

- They played college campuses in the late Sixties and Seventies.

Their one big hit was Mick, The Magic Mushroom.

Of course at the time I thought Mick was a kid's puppet

character like Big Bird on Sesame Street.

The whole magic mushroom reference went way over my head.

- So you are into ancient history?

How very retro-hip of you.

But folk singing Sam, I can't believe you listen to folk.

Just The Ramblers

Don't tell anyone

but I know every lyric to every song they ever recorded.

You're kidding?

My mom was a huge fan.

I would listen to their 8 track tapes

when I went to sleep at night

when I woke up in the morning.

They were the soundtrack to my childhood.

Hello?

Flight 429 now boarding...

Samantha, Philby

Philby! Where are you?

- I ran into some friends at the funeral.

I'm going fishing.

- Fishing? So you won't be back today?

Flight 429 Gate

I gotta go.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Philby Okay?

He said he's going fishing.

- Well, I have booked the group into larger venues than this

but nothing anywhere as cool as this.

This is amazing.

The band would like to thank you personally

if you don't mind them coming over.

- Great I would love to meet them.

Done!

- The Singing Nun, The Ramblers, The Zombies, The Pacemakers

- If I'd been managing them back then, they would have made big bucks.

This was the height of their popularity.

-Those were different times Jason.

I'm Dan Howard, Ms. Kinsey. - Of The Ramblers

- We can't thank you enough for inviting us to play here.

- It's Samantha and it's my pleasure.

Where's Steven and Carly?

They're out front.

Now we haven't played an outdoor concert in years. This is great.

- We're going to need to string some lights. I don't see any outlets.

- And that's Steven Please excuse me If I don't put a lid on these guys.

Your courtyard will be visible from space. They love their lights.

You must be Samantha

You darling!

Hungry children everywhere will thank you.

- You're welcome. And they're welcome.

You must think I'm a loon.

Well maybe I am.

I'm Carly McGuire.

- I know who you are. I recognize you from your record covers.

- Oh If I d known then what I know now, I would have worn sunscreen.

You look great

For an old broad

So books. Show me your place.

C'mon in

Hello Samantha

- Hey, Oh just be careful of that flower bed.

Welcome back!

What's going on?

- Well it's a long story but we are having a concert for charity

Right here. You remember that Seventies group The Ramblers?

- Back in the Seventies your music was your politics.

I didn't listen to folk singers.

Excuse me I've got some paperwork to do.

- The Ramblers said they wanted to rehearse.

Where are they it is getting late?

- Maybe musician time is not like real time. It might be a whole other thing.

- Kind of like your fishing trip.

Flight 429. I heard the boarding call and checked on it.

You were calling me from Bloomington Indiana. Your friend's funeral was in Detroit.

Will you tell me what you were doing in Bloomington?

No

-You're back in the game aren't you Philby.

What game?

You don't have to tell me.

I'm just sorry you don't trust me.

- I've told you Samantha I trust you with my life.

- You remember that old saying

Those can't do, teach.

Yes

Well those who can't teach, consult.

Consult...about what?

Difficult cases

I've joined a group of specialists.

We're on call by various agencies.

We assist when they ask.

- And with your years of experience and expertise

It won't go to waste.