Hey, Christmas murder fans, this is Katie A Cardo. Listen in while
I tell you the story of the Evergreen Murders. A McKenzie Monroe Christmas Mystery,
Part sixth Solving the Murders. Mackenzie stared at the photo in shock.
So Tom DeWitt and Miranda Sebastian were together and most likely in on the murders.
And then, in a moment of clarity, she realized that unsuspecting Nick
was with one of those murderers right now alone. Before she could waste any
more time, McKenzie hastily shuffled the papers back into their folder, jammed it
back into the drawer, and closed it with a bang. Grabbing her purse,
she raced out of the office. Hey Steve called after her, what
no, goodbye? Did you find your phone? I did, thanks,
Mackenzie called out, running from the office. She had no time to explain
to this kid that what she had really just done was uncovered proof that his
accountant boss was actually a greedy, cold blooded murderer. The kid would probably
be scarred for life. Miranda sprinted down the steps of the building and,
once outside, pulled out her cell phone completely dead. She jammed her finger
at it to no avail, and tried to decide what to do. Up
ahead, mackenzie could just make out the twinkling lights of the diner, sparkling
in the now cold night air. Darkness had already fallen. She ran at
full speed toward the diner, almost knocking down a group of carolers in dickensiean
clothing, singing O kam all ye faithful. She slipped as she grabbed the
door handle and catapulted herself into the entryway. The first person she saw was
Diane, whose eyebrows raised in shock at the sight of McKenzie. Diane McKenzie
wheezed out of breath. Nick, he's in trouble. You need to call
nine one one. Dear, what do you mean? What's happened to Nick?
Hopefully nothing yet, But he's with Miranda Sebastian right now, and I'm
pretty sure she and Tom DeWitt killed Denver and Wanda. No, that can't
be, Diane said, suddenly, looking concerned. But how why? I'll
explain later. Right now, I need you to call nine one one and
get them over to the Sebastian mansion. Also, I need a car.
I'm going to try to get there quicker. Cameron, who had been in
the back booth with the film's director and a few of the crew members,
made his way up to the two women when he saw mackenzie run in.
Diane, we need to borrow your car, Cameron pleaded. He turned to
mackenzie, I'll drive, he stated, of course. Dear Oh, I
hope Nick is all right. Diane fished around in the pocket of yet another
Christmas sweater, this one adorned with scenes from each of the twelve Days of
Christmas, and produced a key ring with one single car key. It's the
gold Oldsmobile out in the back parking lot, she said, you can't miss
it. She was correct. As McKenzie and Cameron exited through the diner's rear
door off the kitchen, they found the massively long car, only one of
two parked there. Cameron got behind the wheel and McKenzie climbed in the passenger
seat. As Cameron started the engine and turned the car onto the road,
he smirked, if we weren't going to catch a murderous couple right now,
I'd probably have a really good laugh at myself driving this old boat. McKenzie
nodded, I know, thank you for driving. I hope we're not too
late. Cameron squinted through the windshield, his vision impaired by the snow and
sleet that had begun to blow. So how did you find out that Miranda
and Tom were in cahoots? Nick? And I went to Tom's office today
and I just got a bad feeling about the whole thing. Nick left to
go to his meeting with Miranda, and I snuck back into Tom's office.
Way to go, Nancy, drew, Cameron said, smacking the steering wheel
with the palm of his hand, Ignoring him. Mackenzie continued, I was
looking in a locked drawer in his desk and I found a bunch of papers
detailing the plans for the Evergreen Boughs Mall and housing complexes. He had budgets,
spreadsheets, contracts, everything, And I thought, now, why would
an accountant have all of this stuff if the mall was never going to be
built? And then I realized that Tom was making sure that it would be
built once he offed Denver. He was going to put those plans into place
so he and Miranda could profit off the development. But why, Miranda,
Cameron asked, what's her involvement with this. I think Mackenzie started that she
secretly wanted the development to happen, but Denver wouldn't budge. I think she
started an elicit affair with Tom and they killed Denver and Wanda. Now,
once the development is cleared, both of them will make millions. Wow,
Cameron stated, pulling the car into the mansion's driveway and turning off the headlights
so as not to arouse suspicion. I can't believe it. Miranda seems so
nice. Well she's not, McKenzie stated, and we have to go save
Nick. You stay here in the car. I'm going to walk around the
house to see if i can get in some way. Okay, Cameron said,
but be careful. I'll stay here and wait for the police. Mackenzie
tiptoed through the front lawn around to the side of the house, where she
noticed the only light was on. She crouched down below the windowpane, her
teeth chattering as the snow blew around her and her shoes sank into the drifts.
She raised herself up to the window's height and peered into the living room.
What she saw gave her chills. Through the window, she could see
Nick tied to a chair in the middle of the room with the same Christmas
lights with which Wanda had been killed. His eyes were wide with shock,
and he squirmed relentlessly against the wires. Miranda's back was to McKenzie, but
she could tell by the way she was standing that she was pointing a gun
at Nick. Soon she stalked back around the chair, and mackenzie could see
her face. She was just about to duck back down under the window sill
when she felt a large hand clamped tightly around her neck. McKenzie let out
a whimper as she felt the air being forced out of her lungs. Well,
well, well, what do we have here? It was Tom.
He grabbed her by the hair next and began to pull McKenzie around the side
of the house toward the front door. I wouldn't advise snooping around if I
were you. I heard a noise outside, and look what I found.
He opened the front door and shoved McKenzie into the living room. Nick cried
out when he saw her. Mackenzie no He shouted, hey, babe,
Tom said to Miranda, crossing the room and giving her ass a slap.
Look what I found out? In the yard up peeping Tom. He laughed
at his own joke. Miranda's eyes narrowed and she swung the gun toward mackenzie.
Great, she said, waving the gun toward another living room chair.
Just one more person we have to get rid of. Why is it that
our plans are always being ruined by stupid people like you and Denver and Wanda?
Mackenzie asked, as Tom roughly pushed her down into the chair and began
tying her up with lights. That's right, Miranda said, laughing maniacally,
just like them, my own husband getting in my way of making millions.
We could have been rich, even more rich, if he had just agreed
to the development. I stayed by his side for years, pretending to be
his confidant, pretending to agree with him and his choice to keep that stupid
piece of land. I mean, what sort of person holds onto a dumb
evergreen forest just because it's been in the family for generations? A fool,
Tom offered, finishing tying McKenzie up and potting her on the head. Yes,
a fool, Miranda agreed, But what about Wanda? McKenzie asked,
Why kill her? Didn't she want the property? Developed as well. She
did, yes, Miranda stated, getting a far away look in her eyes.
And originally Tom, Wanda and I were together in the deal. But
then Wanda got a little too greedy, didn't she Tom Tom nodded, Yeah.
That bitch got way too demanding. She just kept wanting more and more
money once we were finalizing the deal, so she had to go to Kenzie
gulped. She knew she had to stall as long as she could, hopefully.
Diana called the sheriff by now, and he was on his way.
Nick was looking at her with a pleading look. And then Miranda trilled swinging
the gun again. And then you two had to go looking into things,
sticking your nose into places where they don't belong. If you had just minded
your own business, none of this would be happening. But I did not
waste years of my life for my plans to be ruined by some small town
lawyer and his Hollywood agent girlfriend. But how did you know we were looking
into the murders? Miranda laughed again. Rick Matheson called me he wanted to
express his condolences and told me that two people had just been in his office
asking a bunch of questions about the development. He had not even been aware
that Denver had been murdered. That's when I knew it was the two of
you. And when I called my assistant from the car on the way here,
he told me that you had been by and left your phone in my
office. Tom said, I knew you hadn't He also asked me for your
number. Poor kid is in love with a soon to be dead woman.
Nick struggled harder against the lights. Mackenzie gazed out across the living room,
toward the twinkling Christmas tree and the hallway beyond it. Just when she was
about to panic, she caught a flash of something or some one dashing quickly
across the marble floors. She bit her lip to keep from crying out enough
talking, Miranda yelled, pointing the gun once again at McKenzie. It's time
for both of you to shut up once and for all. She raised her
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Suddenly, from behind the living room wall, Cameron appeared, gripping a
huge wooden nutcracker in his right hand. He held his finger up to his
lips as Mackenzie's eyes widened. Miranda saw the look of surprise on Mackenzie's face
and attempted to turn around, but Cameron was too quick. Before she could
react, he brought the nutcracker smashing down on her head. Miranda crumpled to
the ground. The crack resound throughout the room as Cameron quickly leaned down to
retrieve the gun that had fallen out of Miranda's hand. He held it up
in front of him and pointed it at Tom. Tom raised his hands and
whimpered in fear. Just then the door banged open and Sheriff Cutler burst into
the room, followed by two of his officers, their guns drawn, hands
up dropped the gun. Sheriff Cutler yelled. Cameron dropped the gun and it
clattered to the floor once again. Cutler then turned his gun on Tom,
who had slithered to the floor and was currently in the fetal position, crying,
Please don't hurt me. I think these two are the ones you're looking
for, mackenzie offered, as one of the police officers started to loosen the
light strings around her while the other helped Nick from his restraints. Yep,
we got him now, thanks to you all, Cutler said, appreciatively,
placing a still crying Tom and handcuffs. By this time, Miranda was starting
to stir, and the first police officer also placed her in handcuffs. No,
she cried, sitting up with a wild look on her face. No,
I'm innocent. It was Tom's idea. Tom's the murderer. It wasn't
me, you bitch. Tom spat out as he was led toward the front
door. You lying bitch, You're going to have to do better than that,
miss a Pashton, Cutler responded, leading her out of the house.
Tell it to the jury. Nick, Cameron, and McKenzie could hear her
screaming all the way out. Into the snow. Nick ran over to McKenzie
and enveloped her in a huge hug. I'm so glad you're okay, mack
he said, you saved my life, and you too, Cameron. I
don't know how to thank you. Guys. Oh, I'll think of a
way for you to make it up to me, Cameron responded, winking.
I was out in the car and I realized McKenzie was taking a really long
time. I knew she didn't have a phone or anything, and I really
wasn't comfortable with her confronting that psycho by herself. So I snuck around to
the back of the house and crawled in through a window. That's when I
heard you all in the living room. I grabbed the first heavy thing I
saw, and then, yes, I saved the day. Cameron joked.
Maybe I should give up the acting thing and become a private investigator. McKenzie
and Nick laughed. I think you shouldn't quit your day job, mackenzie said,
mostly because I don't know if I can make a commission off of you
if you became a PI. All right, I'll stick with the acting thing.
I guess now the movie can start filming again. Diane will be overjoyed,
Diane McKenzie said, turning toward Nick. Your mom must be so worried.
We borrowed her car to get here. Let's head back to the diner
and let her know her All okay, definitely, Nick agreed, putting his
arm around McKenzie's shoulder. You guys come with me. I'll get one of
Cutler's guys to drive her car back. I'm not letting either of you out
of my sight again. Diane rushed up to the three of them when they
entered the diner and threw her arms around Nick. Oh, thank heavens,
you're all okay. She then turned to McKenzie and Cameron and crushed them both
in bear hugs. I called the sheriff right after you left, but I
was still so worried. I can't believe that, Miranda, Sebastian and Tom.
She trailed off and wiped tears from her eyes. Well, anyway,
now, I guess Denver's forrest can be preserved, just like he wanted it.
It's a Christmas miracle. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, isn't it. McKenzie
realized, Yes, it is, Nick said, turning to gaze at her
and the Christmas eve Ball is tomorrow. We're supposed to leave, then,
McKenzie voiced a hint of sadness in her tone. Well, I don't know
about you, McKenzie, but I'm going to stay. Besides, production is
going to pick back up again now that the murders have been solved, Cameron
stated. He turned to Diane, and Diane he said, taking her hand
in his own, I would be honored if you would be my date to
the Christmas eve Ball tomorrow. I won't take no for an answer, Diane
yelped in excitement. Yes, yes, of course, she said, throwing
her arms around Cameron. Won't I be the talk of the town attending the
Christmas eve Ball with a famous movie star? Take that, Sam, she
said, pointing towards the heavens, and then clapping her hands together with glee.
Speaking of Nick, said, turning toward mackenzie and stroking her arm,
I would be honored if you would be my date to the ball. Make
me the happiest guy in Evergreen. I suppose I could stay, mackenzie said,
smiling coyly and lacing her fingers through his. That is, if we
can find me something appropriate to wear. She winked at Nick. Oh,
I'm sure that won't be hard. Nick stated, you always look amazed.
He then leaned back to hold her at arm's length and cocked his head up
toward the ceiling. Mackenzie looked up to find that they were standing right under
a sprig of mistletoe. Very sneaky, mister Tennenbaum, she said, throwing
her head back in laughter and winding her arms around him. Marry Christmas,
Nick, she said, Marry Christmas. Mac He whispered, and then the
next thing she knew as bing Crosby sang White Christmas over the speakers, and
Diane and Cameron clapped and cheered. They shared a long, passionate kiss.
The Evergreen Murders is written, produced, and performed by me Katie Acardo.
Sound mixing and editing provided by Jack Hire. Music provided by Jack Hire,
Jim van Wreath, Steve Bain, and the Angel Choir. Special thanks go
to Mary and Grace Gordon. This concludes the Evergreen Murders podcasts. Thank you
so much for listening. I hope you'll join me in January for my new
podcast called True Crime in the fifty, where I'll take a look at the
craziest crime stories from each state. Until then, Happy holidays and Merry Christmas.