Episode 4 of *Only Murders in the Building* Season 5 kicks off with a succinct yet telling introduction to the trio of billionaires. Each spins their own tale of meteoric ascent to fortune, offering a fleeting glimpse into their personalities—and revealing just how superficial these titans of industry truly are.
The narrative then shifts back to the present day, where Mabel, Charles, and Oliver find themselves cowering beneath the bar counter in a casino, the soft clinking of glasses and muted laughter of the billionaires overhead. The trio cautiously scans the dimly lit room, searching for any signs of other occupants. In a daring move, Mabel hurls a dice across the floor, creating a diversion that allows Charles and Oliver to slip unnoticed out of the casino and make their way back to the building.
The following morning, Howard greets the residents with a peculiar announcement: he unveils a robot figurine named Lester, a tribute to the recently departed doorman. With a flourish, Howard explains that Robot Lester is the new digital doorman, equipped with the ability to scan residents' irises and fingerprints for seamless entry. Randall chimes in, reassuring everyone that he'll still be around, though his role may now be somewhat diminished.
Later, Mabel and Charles arrive at Oliver's apartment, where they're introduced to Vince, Lester's birding companion. Vince, with an air of mystery, claims he can decipher the cryptic code names Lester used to refer to the billionaires. He weaves a tale of interconnectedness, linking the bird names to Nicky, his wife, and the billionaires themselves.
Mabel, her mind racing with possibilities, suggests that they should subtly let the billionaires know that they're onto them. The trio springs into action, recording their next podcast episode filled with veiled references to Jay's missing finger. With bated breath, they post the episode online, waiting to see what ripples it will create in the already turbulent waters of their investigation.
Oliver and Mabel unexpectedly ran into Thé, Howard, and Robot Lester in the hallway. Howard launched into an enthusiastic discussion about a new murder podcast that had skyrocketed in popularity, surpassing even Mabel's own show. Sensing an opportunity, Thé attempted to offer Mabel some marketing advice, but her words only seemed to make Mabel feel increasingly insecure. In a moment of vulnerability, Mabel lied to Thé—a move that struck Oliver as decidedly odd.
Later, Mabel confided in Charles and Oliver, revealing that Thé had been her closest friend in middle school. The two had been practically inseparable back then. But time had passed, and when Mabel moved back into the building, she found Thé had moved on, forging new friendships in her absence. Mabel admitted that returning to her old school had left her feeling like an outsider, and Thé's presence only intensified those feelings of insecurity.
Just then, Jay sent a video message to the trio via social media. He expressed his willingness to answer any questions they might have and, without much prompting, invited himself over for dinner. That night, as they prepared for their unexpected guests, Oliver jokingly mentioned he was planning to serve Jay a platter of cheese. Charles, however, decided to take matters into his own hands and opted to make his mother’s signature recipe instead.
When Jay arrived, he wasn't alone. Camila and Bash had tagged along, much to the trio's surprise. Mabel, Charles, and Oliver seized the opportunity to grill the billionaires, pressing them on their alleged lack of involvement in Nicky's murder. The billionaires, in turn, emphasized the high stakes riding on their reputations. Camila elaborated, explaining how any association with the case could send their stocks plummeting, leaving countless people unemployed.
The murder investigation trio didn't stop there. They also probed the billionaires about Lester’s murder. The billionaires were taken aback, clearly shocked to learn that Nicky and Lester had been killed simultaneously. They mentioned details of the trio's ongoing investigation, further fueling the tension.
Jay and Bash began discussing the legal ramifications of the investigation Charles, Oliver, and Mabel were conducting. Sensing an opportunity to gain the upper hand, the trio decided to split the billionaires up and interrogate them individually. Mabel sat down with Jay, focusing on his finger, while Charles and Bash took charge of dinner preparations. Meanwhile, Camila engaged Oliver in a conversation about his recent wedding, subtly driving him into a state of insecurity by implying that his home was too filled with memories of his past for Loretta to comfortably make it her own.
As Charles and Bash worked together in the kitchen, they debated the impact of new technology on the older generation. When Charles’ recipe was accidentally damaged, Bash came to the rescue, locating the recipe from one of Charles’ older interviews. Charles was left in awe of Bash's resourcefulness.
Meanwhile, Mabel had a realization during her conversation with Jay. She saw that he was just like her—worried about not standing out in a crowd, fearful of being overlooked. The evening had taken an unexpected turn, revealing deeper layers and connections between them all.
Mabel confides in Jay, recounting how she finds herself perpetually entangled in a web of lies with her friend Thé, whom she secretly harbors feelings of inferiority toward. A bond of empathy and understanding blossoms between Mabel and Jay, prompting him to open up about a painful chapter in his life: he lost his finger as a consequence of a series of ill-fated choices.
Meanwhile, the trio of billionaires divulge a harrowing tale from the night of Lester's murder. They reveal how Nicky, armed with a cleaver, had ambushed Jay at the casino, severing his finger in a brutal act. Fearing for their own safety, the billionaires had fled the scene that fateful night.
As Jay, Bash, and Camila depart, the remaining trio convenes over dinner to dissect the day's revelations. Mabel staunchly defends Jay's innocence, a stance that prompts playful teasing from Charles and Oliver. However, Mabel turns the tables by announcing that Wondify, a prominent podcast company, has expressed interest in signing them—a response to her earlier, unsolicited cold email.
The following day, Mabel, Charles, and Oliver pay a visit to the Wondify office, where they are shown the state-of-the-art studio designated for their future recordings. Amidst the excitement, Mabel's keen eye catches a crucial detail: the severed finger points to the left, indicating it could not possibly belong to Jay, whose right pointer finger is missing.
This revelation leads them to the chilling conclusion that Jay is not being truthful, and that the billionaires are undoubtedly concealing something significant. Just as they are about to delve deeper, the Wondify representative drops a bombshell: Jay, Bash, and Camila have been named as new stakeholders in their company, rendering them off-limits for the podcast's investigations.
