Speaker 1: The Evergreen Murders returned to Evergreen Part three, The break in.
Maria screamed again as Sheriff Cutler's body rolled down the
snow embankment and came to rest in front of her
high heeled shoes. Nick and Mackenzie looked on in horror,
and the bartender from the cocktail party, whose name they
had discovered was Robert, put a reassuring arm around Maria.
She turned toward him and buried her face in his chest.
He's dead, she exclaimed, her voice muffled inside Robert's wool scarf.
Oh my god, he's dead. Robert started to reach out
with his dress shoe and nudge the body, but Nick
stopped him. Wait, he instructed him, putting his hand on
his pea coat. Don't touch him. I'm just trying to
roll him away. Dude. The guy totally kicked it. Must
have gotten frostbed after being too drunk and gotten punched
in the face. Man, what a bummer way to go.
Nick pulled his gloves out from out of his coat
pocket and proceeded to put them on. Well, he's definitely dead, yes,
but there's no way he could have died from natural causes.
What do you mean, Robert asked, still clutching Maria, who
was now crying and shaking with cold. I mean, Nick said,
crouching down next to Sheriff Cutler and gently inspecting him.
I don't think think he died from hypothermia. The dude
was hammered and he fell into this snow bank and died. Right. Well,
let's see, Nick started, Sheriff Cutler was a little older,
a few years over fifty. I'd say, he was overweight,
and he was inebriated. All of these things could definitely
cause hypothermia to set in faster. But Nick checked his
smart watch. He left the party just under an hour ago,
so let's say fifty minutes. It's he checked his watch again.
Thirty three degrees outside with no wind. Even in these
cold temperatures, it would be extremely difficult for a man
of his age, weight and drunkenness to die from hypothermia
in under one hour. Scientifically, that is, dude. Robert seemed impressed.
How come you know so much about hypothermia? That's like crazy,
Nick grimaced. I had a kid from my grade growing
up fall into a river when he and his dad
went ice fishing. The dad didn't have time to get
him out, and he drowned. We all had a lesson
about hypothermia after that, dude, Robert said, again, bummer, It
was a bummer, for sure, Nick said, casting a glance
at Mackenzie. But Robert wasn't done. So you're saying this drunk,
fat dude was what murdered. It appears that way, Nick said,
finally losing his patience. But we can't be for sure
until the police get here. Robert, why don't you help
Maria to her car or maybe drive her home? She
seems pretty upset. Mackenzie and I will stay here and
deal with this. You sure, dude, I could like be
a witness to the c or something. Yeah, we're sure,
Mackenzie piped up. Thanks for everything, No problem, dudes, Come on,
let's go. Mackenzie and Nick watched as Robert led a
still shaken Maria to his car and helped her into
the passenger seat. Mackenzie turned to Nick, Now, what call
Deputy Dave. But before he gets here, let me just
take another look at the body. No problem, dude, Mackenzie said,
pulling out her cellphone. Her response elicited a small smile
from Nick as he carefully checked over the body. Mackenzie
got a hold of Deputy Dave, who still seemed wide awake,
and said he would be there as soon as possible.
She hung up and crouched down beside Nick. Do you
see any evidence that someone actually murdered Sheriff Cutler? Not
to the naked eye, Nick replied, but there's always something.
Mackenzie put on her own gloves and gingerly started patting
Sheriff Cutler down. The blood from his nose where Roland
had punched him was still on his face, but was dry.
His tie was askew underneath his jacket, and one button
on his plaid shirt was open, but other than that,
the man could have passed for sleeping. Mackenzie scanned the
body for a little bit and then carefully rolled the
sheriff onto his side. She pulled his shirt up out
of his pants, and there, just under his rib cage
was a corkscrew sticking out of his flesh. Underneath the body,
in that spot in the snow, Nick and Mackenzie noticed
was a small circle of blood there. Mackenzie declared, someone
stabbed him with a corkscrew, right, and there wasn't much
blood because it was so cold out. Along with Cutler
being drunk and the cold, and the fact that he
was stabbed with this corkscrew, he deaf could have died
in a couple of minutes. Looks like it, Mackenzie agreed,
sitting back on her heels. And the corkscrew was obviously
from the party. Anyone could have grabbed it without anyone
else knowing. I bet there were multiple corkscrews there tonight.
Weapons more like it. Nick said, Well, now I guess
we just wait for Sheriff Dave. He pulled Mackenzie in
for a hug and stroked her hair. I can't believe
this is happening again during our wedding week, McKenzie sighed
and leaned against him. Well, you know what they say,
a heinous murder on your wedding week is good luck,
Nick laughed ruefully. I think that's rain on your wedding day.
But good try. Oh right, Mackenzie said, I get those
two mixed up all the time. Well, Sheriff Cutler sure
has made a lot lot of enemies lately, it seemed like,
Nick said, Yes, he has, with one of them being
Deputy Dave. And speak of the devil. Nick trailed off
and lowered his voice. A cop car was making its
way up to the back alley of the pub, its
red and blue lights flashing. The car came to a
stop in front of Nick and Mackenzie, and Deputy Dave
got out. He adjusted his uniform and made his way
up to the couple, evening Nick Mackenzie, he said, tipping
his hat to them. Long time no see. Nick and
Mackenzie exchanged surreptitious glances. The man was acting very nonchalant
for the fact that his boss, with whom he had
just had two major blowout fights, was dead. High Deputy
Nick said, shaking the man's hand. Looks like we found
Sheriff Cutler. Guess he never made it back to the
station tonight. Deputy Dave tipped his hat as if thinking,
and crossed his arms over his chest. Then he looked
over at Mackenzie. What is it with you? Miss? Excuse me,
McKenzie said, what is it with you that every time
you show up here in this town people go dying
on me? Nick piped up, looking angry. Now, don't go
blaming this on Mackenzie. This is not her fault. Someone
killed Sheriff Cutler and now it's up to you to
find the killer. Deputy Dave laughed. Well, seeing as I'm
now the only police officer left in this town, it
looks like I may have to call in for back
up from the next town over, That is, if there
was a murder here, which there wasn't. What do you
mean there wasn't a murder here? Nick was getting even angrier.
Sheriff Cutler was killed by someone. It looks like a
simple case of hypothermia to me, Deputy Dave interjected, prodding
the dead body with his foot. Sheriff Cutler was drunk
and Roland punched him. He stumbled out into the snow,
passed out, and never made it back to the station.
What a shame. Deputy Dave shook his head, took off
his hat and pressed it against his chest with a
show of respect, but his face and his mannerism said
he had no respect for the man who was just killed.
Deputy Mackenzie said, leaning down to gesture toward the bottle
opener that was sticking out of Sheriff Cutler's side. You
can clearly see right here that someone stabbed him with
this corkscrew. That is most likely how he died, not
by hypothermia. Whoever stabbed him knew that he was drunk,
that he most likely would not be able to make
it back to the station, and was counting on the
fact that he would remain here in the snow until
he was dead. That is the killer you need to
look for. Deputy Dave shook his head again and put
his hat back on his head. Well, Miss Monroe, I
said what I said. I will get the coroner out
here to look at the body and then take it
to the morgue, and when he comes, I will insist
that Sheriff Cutler stabbed himself by mistake. It was a
horrific accident, nothing more. Wait, Nick said, shaking his fist
at Dave. You mean to tell me that Sheriff Cutler
was murdered and you aren't going to do a thing
about it. That's ludicrous. That's corrupt. Deputy Dave laughed and
pulled out his phone to call the coroner. If only
you knew who was actually corrupt in this town, you
wouldn't be arguing with me. I hate to say it,
but I'm glad the bastard is dead. He was nothing
but trouble. Mackenzie and Nick looked at each other in disbelief.
But you even threatened Sheriff Cutler earlier in the night
at our party. Mackenzie said, how do we know you're
not the killer? You did want his job, and you
seemed pretty angry at him at the party. Jesse Thompson
even said that you and Sheriff Cutler were arguing earlier
in the day at the station. She did, did she?
Deputy Dave asked, putting the phone up to his ear,
that little nosey good for nothing should watch her back.
Nothing good going to come out of her little video project.
He put his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone.
And if you must know, I didn't kill Sheriff Cutler.
I was at the station for the past hour, finishing
up some paperwork. Expected to see him come in tonight,
but he never did, probably because he was too busy
getting killed, I mean, unexpectedly dying from hypothermia. I have
an alibi for the time when I left the party
up and till right now with you good folks. Now,
if you'll excuse me, I have a dead body to
dispose of. Nick opened his mouth to protest, but Mackenzie
put a hand on his arm. She motioned with a
nod toward Nick's house. Let's go, she mouthed to him,
and steered him away down Main Street. Can you believe
that guy? Nick shouted. Once they were out of earshot,
they could hear the sirens of the ambulance nearing the
town square. And to think I thought Deputy Dave was
a nice guy, He's not. He's nothing but a corrupt,
greedy police officer. I agree, it really is a shame,
Mackenzie said, But it sounds like maybe Sheriff Cutler was
also corrupt. And it sounds like Deputy Dave isn't going
to do a thing about his murder. He's going to
write it off as an accident and pretend like nothing
ever happened. You know what that means? Then she looked
at an expectantly as they made their way up the
steps to his front door. I know what that means,
Nick sighed. That means we have to catch the killer
before he or she strikes again. Yes, we do, Mackenzie agreed,
stepping inside the warm entryway. Do you think Deputy Dave
could have done it? Mackenzie thought for a moment, I
don't think so. It sounds like he has an alibi
for the time when Sheriff Cutler was murdered, but it's
definitely not airtight. But you never know. He did seem
pretty mad at the sheriff today, and he definitely wanted
his job and he wanted him out of it. Greed
can cause people to do pretty crazy things. One thing
I do know is that tomorrow we have to check
up on his alibi and we have to go talk
to Roland at the Bow's bed and breakfast. Both seemed
pretty pissed off at the sheriff and had a motive
for murder. I mean, Sheriff Cutler had just fired Dave
moments before. If that's not motive, I don't know what is.
We also need to figure out exactly what Sheriff Cutler
and Deputy Dave were arguing about, and we have to
find out what Operation Sheet means. Nick headed up the
stairs to his bedroom, but right now we need to
go to bed. I'm dead tired. Oops too soon to
say dead tired, I would say so, Mackenzie said, and
with a sigh, headed up the stairs behind him. The
next morning, Mackenzie and Nick woke up early and had
coffee and toast for breakfast. The first order of the
day was for them to visit Roland Hayes at the
Bows Bed and Breakfast to find out why he had
been so angry at Sheriff Cutler. They then had to
meet with Jesse and Steve to go over some more
videotaping suggestions, and then they had another meeting with Maria
at the wedding planner. Their rehearsal dinner was planned for
the next night, and Mackenzie wanted everything to go smoothly.
She was hoping that she and Nick could wrap things
up and find the killer before then, just so nothing
else went wrong. Mackenzie also hoped that Maria was feeling
better after discovering Sheriff Cutler's body the night before. She
knew the woman had faced a big shock. Mackenzie and
Nick hopped into Nick's truck and drove the few blocks
to the Bow's Bed and Breakfast. They could have walked,
but it had started snowing again and was even colder
than the day before. Mackenzie hoped that the snow would
keep up like it was forecasted to. She definitely wanted
a winter Wonderland wedding and would love it if it
was snowing. On their actual wedding day, which was in
mere days. It would make everything seem that much more magical.
In a few short minutes, they were entering the Bow's
Bed and Breakfast, where they were greened by Bernadette Roberts,
the young woman who had seemed so upset the other
night after the fight was Sheriff Cutler, Deputy Dave, and
her boss Roland. Bernadette was sitting at the front desk
as she normally was working on the computer and listening
to Christmas music. Mariah Carey sang all I Want for
Christmas is You, and Bernadette was singing along. She smiled brightly.
As Nick and Mackenzie entered. She seemed a world away
from the desolate woman she was just a few hours before.
Nick Mackenzie. She greeted them, turning away from her computer
and toward them, to what do I owe this pleasure? Hi? Bernadette,
you seem in good spirits today. Mackenzie replied, well, sure,
why not. It's Christmas, my favorite time of the year.
It's just that you are so upset the other night
after what Sheriff Cutler said about you and Roland. Oh
that yeah, no big deals, ill Bernadette said, Sheriff Cutler
was just drunk. I'm sure he didn't mean whatever he
said the other night. I got a good night's sleep,
and I'm not going to let that bother me. I
bet he's really feeling hungover today. Huh. She winked at
Mackenzie and Nick, who exchanged glances. Yeah about that, Nick started.
Sheriff Cutler was found dead last night after the party.
He was murdered. Bernadette registered a look of utter shock
on her face and gasped as her hands flew to
her mouth. I can't believe it, she whispered. Sheriff Cutler
murdered by who. Well, that's what we're here to find out.
Nick said, we were hoping to talk to Roland today
about his fight with the sheriff last night. Bernadette bolked, Wait,
you don't think No, Roland never could have done that.
Roland could never murder anyone. I mean, I know he
Sheriff Color weren't the best of friends, but no, no way,
Roland would never hurt a fly. No one said anything
about Roland being a murderer. We just wanted to talk
to him. Nick trailed off as a door opened behind
the front desk, and Roland himself emerged smiling. Who said,
what about who being a murderer? Roland flashed a small
smile at the couple and placed a hand on Bernadette's shoulder. Bernadette,
let me go speak with Mackenzie and Nick a minute
in the conference room. Please continue to man the desk.
Roland gestured for Mackenzie and Nick to follow him, and
they dutifully did to a room in the back of
the hotel. Roland again gestured to a set of chairs
at the head of the table. He took one himself,
then leaned back and placed his hands behind his head.
I assume you are here to speak about your rehearsal
dinner that will be held here. What tomorrow night is it?
I can assure you that everything is coming along very
smoothly and there's absolutely nothing to worry about. Mackenzie spoke up.
We are very grateful to be able to host our
rehearsal dinner here, and yes it is tomorrow night, but
I'm afraid that is not why we're here. Nick piped up,
we are actually here to ask you about your whereabouts
for after our party last night, after you attacked sheriff Cutler,
Roland laughed. I would hardly call that and attack Nick.
The man was drunk and basically stumbled into my fist.
He was hurling ludicrous accusations about myself and my business,
not to mention making unfounded statements about an integral employee
on my staff. I simply would not add that the
man deserved whatever was coming to him. You mean, like
being murdered, Nick sent forward in his chair mckenn's. He
noticed a look of surprise and fear across Roland's face
before he spoke up. Do you mean to tell me
that Sheriff Cutler was murdered last night? That is correct,
mackenzie said, After you and he and Deputy Dave got
into a fight and you punched him. Sheriff Cutler was
found murdered not two hours later. Well, well, well someone
actually killed the bastard, Roland said, musing. He then sat
up straighter once he realized that mackenzie and Nick were
staring at him. I mean, good for that person, but
it certainly was not me. I only punched the guy,
I didn't kill him. That's insane. Where were you after
the party, then, Nick asked, I went to visit my
ailing mother at her nursing home in Patascola. She is
a night owl and is up late into the evening.
She has dementia, so I make it a point to
try to visit her as much as I can. You
need a fob to get into the building, which I have.
You also need to check in with the receptionist at
the night desk and show an ID proving you are
a pre approved visitor, which I did and which I am.
There are computer records of all of that went straight
to Sunny Day's nursing home and never stopped to stab
anyone along the way. Mackenzie decided to change the subject,
seeing as they probably were not going to get any
further with Roland's alibi, which seemed air tight. Do you
have any idea what Operation Sheep could mean? Operation Sheep
never heard of it? What's that? Roland questioned. We were
hoping you would know. Sheriff Cutler and Deputy Dave were
fighting about that the other day in the police station.
Jesse Thompson and her boyfriend Steve were there to interview
them for their documentary and overheard them speaking about that.
Then you and Dave and Cutler got into an argument
last night We just thought you might have some idea
about what it could mean. Roland spoke, well, I'm sorry
to disappoint you again, but I have never heard of
that before, and I am certainly not privy to police
investigation business, which it seems like you two are playing
detective again. Are you not? Trouble just follows you two
wherever you go, doesn't it. Roland winked at the couple
to show he was joking and being light hearted, but
Mackenzie sensed malice in his tone. Before they could speak up,
Roland continued, as for that Jesse girl and her documentary,
she should leave it alone. Miranda Sebastian and Tom de
Witt have been behind bars for years. No use dredging
up old wounds here in Evergreen, I say. Mackenzie grimaced
and glanced at Nick, who made a slight motion with
his head toward the door. He then spoke up, well,
mister Hayes, we certainly have taken up enough of your
time this afternoon. We also need to get going because
we have a meeting with our wedding planner, but we
are excited to be hosting our rehearsal dinner here tomorrow night.
My pleasure, Roland countered, standing up and walking toward the
conference room door. I assure you all plans for the
dinner are well under way. That is, if you don't
mind using the space owned by someone you think is
a cold blooded murderer. Roland paused a minute and then
guffawed loudly. Just a joke, you two, Just a joke.
The three of them exited the conference room and walked
toward the front door. They passed Bernadette, who was shaking
the snow off of her coat. As she shrugged it off,
she waved to the two of them as they left,
popped out for my lunch break, and it's getting even
colder out there, so bundle up. They thanked Bernadette and
told her they would see her at the Herschel dinner
the next night. Mackenzie and Nick climbed into the truck
and headed off to meet with their wedding planner. As
they drove, they talked, what do you think Do you
believe him? Nick asked her. I'm not sure. The guy's
kind of a cocky jerk, that's for sure, but that
doesn't make him a murderer. Yeah, but he did punch
sheriff Cutler true, and one thing he said did not
sit well with me. What was that? Nick asked. Roland
said that he didn't kill anyone on the way home,
and he certainly didn't snab anyone. We didn't tell him
how Sheriff Cutler died, only that he was murdered. How
did he know Sheriff Cutler was staged? Nick mused, that
is a great question. How would he have known? He
claimed to not even have known he was dead. Yes, suspicious,
for sure, Mackenzie agreed. Nick pulled up to the Evergreen
Diner where they were having a lunch meeting with Maria.
Let's table this for now, though, shall we we need
to nail down our last minute wedding plans with Maria?
Mackenzie agreed. An hour and a half later, Nick and
Mackenzie drove back to Nick's house. They had another meeting
with Jesse and Steve in a few hours, but before that,
Mackenzie had invited Cameron and Kevin over for snacks and
a drink. She wanted to catch up with her best
friend from La before things got too crazy over the
next few days. As they pulled up to Nick's house,
she saw Cameron's rental car in the driveway, but no
sight of the two men. As Mackenzie and Nick entered
the house, Mackenzie was surprised to see Cameron and Kevin
standing at the kitchen island, lunching on crackers and holding
glasses of wine. As Cameron went to hug Mackenzie, she
stepped back. We decided to make ourselves at home, Cameron said,
wigging his wine. We raided the wine fridge and found
some food. We are starving. But how did you guys
get in the house. Cameron looked at her with a
confused glance. The front door was open. I thought you
had left it open for us because it was so
cold outside, and figured you'd be back soon. Mackenzie looked
at Nick, who looked back and shock. But we didn't
didn't what Cameron asked. We didn't leave the door open.
I locked it, Nick said, Oh no, Kevin said it
was completely open. You better go check and make sure
nothing was stolen. Sounds like a break in to me.
Nick said, I'll check the downstairs and call sheriff Dave.
You three go upstairs and make sure nothing has been taken.
I don't have much, but there are some electronics upstairs.
Most of my cash and passport and valuables are in
the safe. Cameron, Kevin, and Mackenzie ran up the stairs
in record time. They checked the primary bedroom, bathroom, and
guest bathroom, but nothing was out of order. Just as
Mackenzie was about to go back downstairs, Kevin called from
the guest bedroom at the end of the hall, guys,
come quick. Cameron and Mackenzie rushed in there. Hanging up
on the back of the closet door was Mackenzie's beautiful
wedding dress, but now it was covered in what looked
like blood. Upon closer inspection, the three realized it was
splotches of red paint. There were slashes all through it,
so the dress was a holy mess and utterly unrecognizable.
Pinned to the dress was a note that said stop
investigating if you know what's good for you, written in
red marker. The dress was completely ruined and the note
of blatant warning. It wasn't long before Nick heard the
shouts and join them in the guest bedroom. He was
on the phone with Deputy Dave reporting the break in.
So you're saying nothing was stolen. They could hear Deputy
Dave asks through the speakerphone. No, there doesn't seem to
be anything taken, but the intruder ruined Mackenzie's wedding dress
and left a warning note. Deputy Dave paused a warning note.
You say, okay, I'll be over there as soon as
I can be to take your statement. And Nick, I
wasn't going to tell you this, but I think it's
something you may need to know. What is it, Nick
asked into the phone. Deputy Dave sighed wearily. Got a
call from the Columbus Police Department early this morning. They
were calling about a bolo possibly in the Evergreen area.
I'll be on the lookout for who, Nick asked. Deputy
Dave replied, somberly, for jacts. It seems that Miranda Sebastian
and Tom de Witt escaped from prison yesterday. The Evergreen
murders returned to Evergreen. A Mackenzie Monroe Christmas Mystery is written, produced,
and performed by Me Katie Accardo, Sound mixing and editing
by Me god Resting, Mary Gentlemen. Instrumental music written, recorded
and performed by Jack Hire, Steve Bain, Jim Vanreith and
the Angel Choir. Tune in in one week on Tuesday,
December tenth, for part four of the series. Make sure
to check out our first and second seasons, The Evergreen
Murders and Murder at Mistletoe Manor available wherever you get
your podcasts. And for you true crime fans, check out
both seasons of True Crime and the fifty Podcast for
some crazy true crime stories from all of the great
states throughout this country. Thank you so much for stop
back in the Back a b it Ple