Welcome back, detective enthusiasts, to the thrilling world of financial intrigue and sudden death, reminiscent of a high-stakes stock car race! We find ourselves at the prestigious investment firm, Ashcroft and Royce, where the air is thick with secrets and the scent of impending doom. Norma Pulaski, the ever-dutiful secretary, is juggling a precarious balancing act – attempting to mask her boss’s tardiness while fending off the unwelcome advances of office Lothario, Sid Hooper. Little does Norma know, her boss, Philip Royce, is not just late; he’s entangled in a web of romantic complications and oblivious to the financial storm brewing right at his doorstep.
Philip’s tardiness is quickly overshadowed by the arrival of Jessica Fletcher, seeking to discuss her investment portfolio. Jessica, armed with a hot tip from Cabot Cove about Spruce Electronics, is eager to delve into the details. However, Norma steers her away from Spruce, highlighting the potential of their competitor, Lowsonic, and their groundbreaking foray into HD TVs – a technology Norma confidently predicts will dominate homes within five years. It’s a crucial piece of financial diagnosis that sets the stage for the unfolding drama.
Norma reveals that Philip, with his supposed dedication to research, has already invested in Lowsonic stock for Jessica that very morning. Jessica, trusting their judgment, expresses her faith in Philip’s financial acumen, though she notes his frequent unavailability. A set of golf clubs catches her eye, prompting a subtle question about Philip’s time management – a seemingly innocuous observation that hints at deeper inconsistencies.
As Norma and Jessica prepare to leave for their lunch meeting – sans Philip – they encounter Jerome Ashcroft, the firm’s co-founder. Jerome, pleased with Jessica’s portfolio performance, is interrupted by his daughter Candice, Philip’s disgruntled almost-fiancée. Candice, reeling from a relationship setback, is determined to rekindle her romance with Philip, much to Jerome’s strategic advantage. Jerome, aware of Philip’s half-ownership of the company, sees Candice as a pawn in his corporate chess game, urging her to reconcile with Philip for his own gain. Candice, in a moment of familial discord, retorts with a chilling declaration, wishing her father dead – a foreshadowing of the dark currents beneath the polished surface of Ashcroft and Royce.
In the lobby, Sid Hooper intercepts Jessica and Norma, offering unsolicited financial advice with a side of sleazy charm.
Sid dismisses Lowsonic as a “dog stock” and touts his own brokerage prowess before disappearing into the elevator. Outside, Norma’s fiancé, Rudy, a baker, arrives, questioning Norma’s tardiness for lunch. Norma apologizes, cancelling their lunch plans. Jessica, ever gracious, offers to meet Philip herself, but Norma insists on being present, perhaps sensing Philip’s unreliability. Norma placates Rudy with promises of a home-cooked dinner.
At the restaurant, Philip remains absent. However, Jessica and Norma witness a tense exchange between Jerome Ashcroft and the formidable corporate raider, Gordon Tully. Tully is aggressively pursuing the acquisition of Ashcroft and Royce, met with Jerome’s staunch resistance. Just then, Philip finally arrives, laden with apologies, only to realize he’s critically short on time. He hastily arranges a golf date with a “Buddy Black” and proposes breakfast with Jessica to review her portfolio, eager to prevent her departure to New Hampshire without further financial consultation.
Philip mentions a new stock tip – Spruce Electronics, ironically the very stock Jessica initially inquired about.
Intrigued by the sudden reversal and sensing the need for a serious discussion, Jessica agrees to breakfast the following morning.
The next day unfolds with a grim discovery. Jessica arrives at Philip’s apartment to find a crime scene. Philip is dead, the victim of a brutal attack – his head struck with a golf putter. Lieutenant Moynihan, leading the investigation, probes Jessica about potential financial grievances, surprised to learn of her satisfaction with Royce Ashcroft’s services. Moynihan reveals Philip’s past shady dealings, adding layers to the victim’s character. Jessica, connecting the dots, points out the grim irony of Philip’s murder weapon and his impending golf game with the enigmatic Buddy Black. A detective presents a red beret found at the scene, and lipstick on a glass, triggering Jessica’s sharp intuition. She identifies Norma as the owner of the beret, setting the investigation on a new trajectory.
Norma, at the office, is genuinely shocked by Philip’s demise. She admits to delivering Philip’s briefcase to his apartment the previous night, inadvertently leaving her hat behind. Jessica, ever observant, spots a phone number scribbled on Philip’s notepad – Gordon Tully’s office. Sid Hooper reappears, opportunistically vying for Philip’s clients and computer access codes.
Jessica and Lieutenant Moynihan visit Jerome Ashcroft, who expresses shock. Moynihan, suspecting an inside job, requests a list of clients with recent losses. Jerome mentions a standard audit procedure upon employee departures. Sid Hooper returns with bombshell information – buy orders processed by Norma are dated after Philip’s murder.
Dun dun dun!
Norma is summoned to Jerome’s office, confronted with the post-mortem buy orders. She explains she acted to maintain workflow in Philip’s absence, a testament to her efficiency, as Jessica notes. However, Jerome, unimpressed, abruptly fires Norma – a move that backfires spectacularly.
Jessica attempts to console Norma, subtly hinting at inconsistencies in her previous statements. Norma cryptically claims nothing of investigative interest occurred the night before. As Norma prepares to leave, Jerome and Moynihan intercept her. Two million dollars is missing from Philip’s account, and Moynihan requests Norma’s presence downtown for questioning.
Undeterred, Jessica takes the investigation into her own hands, seeking out Gordon Tully. His secretary initially obstructs her, but Jessica’s mention of sharing information before going to the police gains her access.
While Tully conducts business calls, Jessica discreetly examines his office, spotting a signed photo with “Buddy Black.” Tully, finally available, questions Jessica’s information. She inquires about his last conversation with Philip. Tully claims a brief call followed by an all-night call to Japan. Meanwhile, Moynihan follows a lead – a bread delivery van seen outside Philip’s apartment the night of the murder.
Norma’s fiancé, Rudy, is questioned, feigning ignorance. However, a co-worker discovers an envelope with $20,000 in Rudy’s possession. Rudy initially claims winnings, then confesses to finding it in his car after a break-in. Moynihan remains unconvinced, detaining Rudy. At the precinct, they encounter Jessica, who seeks to discuss Tully, but Moynihan is confident he’s solved the case.
Norma, under interrogation, maintains her story but reveals crucial details: Philip, after showering, offered her a drink, and Rudy’s unexpected arrival triggered a jealous outburst, culminating in Norma dragging Rudy away – Philip was alive when they left.
Moynihan remains skeptical, even when Jessica points out Philip’s fully clothed state upon discovery.
Moynihan believes he has his culprits, but Jessica remains doubtful. She visits Candice Ashcroft, offering condolences. Candice, far from grief-stricken, clarifies: the engagement was off, amicable, she didn’t see Philip that night, and he was preoccupied with golf, specifically with Buddy Black.
Buddy Black – the name resurfaces, gaining significance.
At the precinct, Moynihan, focused on the missing money, dismisses Jessica’s insights about the breakup and Buddy Black. He laments potential losses from “dodgy trades” like his own Lowsonic investment. Lowsonic – a trigger for Jessica’s memory! She and Moynihan rush to Sid Hooper, now settling into Philip’s office. Confronted about knowing Jessica’s Lowsonic investment, Sid initially blusters. However, faced with evidence of Cayman Islands accounts and missing funds, he confesses to “borrowing” the money, promising repayment.
Rudy and Norma are released, but Jessica senses unresolved threads – Tully and Buddy Black. She questions Norma about Buddy Black. Norma only knows he’s a golf hustler who extracted large sums from Philip.
Time to meet Buddy Black.
Buddy Black reveals he knows nothing of the murder. Tully instructed him to play golf with Philip – no blackmail, nothing illicit. Confronting Tully, Jessica learns Philip bet beyond his means but agreed to sell, finalizing the deal the next day. Later, at lunch with Norma and Rudy, Jessica learns from Norma that Philip had Ashcroft and Royce stock in his briefcase – explaining the impending sale.
Jessica abruptly leaves lunch, returning to the office with Moynihan. She pieces together the puzzle: the golf clubs from the office to Philip’s apartment. Jerome confirms company stocks are in his safe. The pieces click.
Philip went to the office for his golf clubs, called Tully, overheard Jerome, and confronted him about the stock theft. Jerome went to Philip’s apartment. Words escalated to fatal blows. Case closed.
As we ponder the intriguing crossover potential of “Diagnosis Murder” and “Murder She Wrote”…
Until next time, detective aficionados!
