Episode 3 of *Murder in a Small Town* opens with a heart-pounding scene: Belinda, a young girl, pedals furiously on her bicycle as she is hotly pursued by a mysterious woman named Maria in a sleek black car. Shaken to the core, Belinda rushes home and frantically recounts the harrowing incident to her father, Richard.
That fateful night, tragedy strikes when Maria is found dead at her residence, and inevitably, Richard becomes the prime suspect in the eyes of the law. Carl arrives at the crime scene the following morning, surprisingly clear-headed after sharing a bottle of wine with Cass the previous night. Maria's neck has been broken with brutal force, suggesting the perpetrator possesses extraordinary strength. Additionally, a cryptic note addressed to Belinda is discovered at the scene, potentially harboring another vital clue.
This development propels Carl to the Banister household, where he uncovers a web of past grievances. It emerges that Maria abandoned the family when Belinda was just 10 years old, running off with another man named Daryl. The family harbors deep-seated resentment stemming from this betrayal. Richard admits to phoning Maria around midnight that fateful night but vehemently denies ever stepping foot beyond the front yard. However, his history is marred by previous altercations, including an assault from years prior and a veiled threat against Maria's life—factors that cast a shadow over his innocence. The pain and heartbreak over Maria's actions run deep, and Richard's anger and anguish are palpable, revealing a man still reeling from the emotional aftershocks of their split.
Meanwhile, Holly and her friend excitedly show Cassandra photos they've been snapping around town. Cass's eyes widen in recognition as she spots a picture of a shrine dedicated to her old schoolmate, Lauren Park, who died under mysterious circumstances many years ago. Intrigued, Holly decides to investigate the shrine that very night. As they lurk in the shadows, a pickup truck rolls into view. Seizing the opportunity, they snap a flurry of photos, convinced they've caught a glimpse of the "creeper"—the enigmatic figure they suspect has been funding Park's grave all these years.
At the quiet confines of the library, Cass stumbled upon Todd, a local homeless man engrossed in a book. His eyes widened in recognition when he caught sight of the news story about Maria, a reaction that seemed to hint at a deeper connection. Outside, however, Todd's world took a darker turn as a group of unruly kids began to harass him, pushing and shoving until he, in a desperate act of self-defense, brandished a knife and threatened them. This aggressive stance, though born out of fear, led to his immediate arrest and subsequent questioning by the authorities.
Back at Todd's makeshift camp, a significant discovery was made: a locket belonging to Maria. It appeared that Maria had once given the locket to Belinda, who had, in a moment of frustration or perhaps indifference, tossed it into the woods. Todd also confirmed a crucial piece of information—a blue car had been tailing Maria.
Meanwhile, Karl and his team were piecing together the puzzle. They discovered that the car Maria had been driving was, in fact, registered to her friend, Callie. Through Callie, they unearthed the reason behind Maria's presence in town: she had come to reunite with her father. The spotlight then shifted to her father's son, Harry, a man with a troubled financial past who had declared bankruptcy. Harry's motives became increasingly suspect, especially when it was revealed that he was the driver of the blue car.
The plot thickened as it became apparent that the entire ordeal was driven by greed and inheritance. Richard and Belinda, initially thought to be central figures, turned out to be mere diversions in a grand scheme orchestrated by Harry. His desire to seize the family property upon his father's demise had led him down a path of deceit and, ultimately, violence. Maria was merely the first casualty in his ruthless pursuit.
The police acted swiftly, apprehending Harry as he lurked around the Banister household. Inside, chaos ensued. Richard lay unconscious, a pool of blood forming around his head, while Belinda was chased relentlessly around the dining room by the deranged Harry. Just as hope seemed lost, Karl burst onto the scene, chasing Harry away and preventing what could have been a tragic ending. Harry was swiftly taken into custody, his malevolent plans foiled.
With the case finally solved, Cass and Karl found a moment to reconnect. Their earlier clash over Todd's case and differing approaches to handling it still lingered in the air. Cass, yearning for trust and a bit of space, suggested a simple yet meaningful gesture to bridge their differences: she asked Karl to cook dinner for them. In the warmth of the kitchen, amidst the sizzle of pans and the aroma of food, perhaps they could find a way to mend their rift and move forward, united in their pursuit of justice and understanding.
