Detective Cordelia Cupp has been diligently investigating the suspicious death of Chief Usher A.B. Wynter at the White House, confronting high-profile guests and staff while piecing together a complex web of relationships and potential motives. In the latest episode titled “Dial M for Murder,” she employs her keen observational skills to unravel details, revealing personal conflicts that could be at the heart of this mystery.
As the investigation unfolds, FBI Agent Edwin Park finds himself both intrigued and frustrated by Cupp’s methods, particularly her tendency to sit back and let interviews develop organically. This strategy proves effective when she convinces President Perry Morgan to keep everyone present at the executive residence for further questioning. Prime Minister Stephen Roos of Australia insists that the murder cannot tarnish his country’s reputation, leading to heightened tension amongst the gathered guests.
One of the key figures in this unfolding drama is Australian Foreign Minister David Rylance. While under observation, Rylance wears A.B.'s blood-stained shirt, which raises immediate suspicions. Detective Cupp’s sharp eye catches the detail, confirming suspicions about wardrobe swaps in the heat of the evening.
During a contentious dinner planning meeting, Rylance had witnessed an intense argument between Chef Marvella and A.B. regarding the menu, particularly concerning the inclusion of flaming wagyu. Marvella allegedly shouted, “If you get in my way again, I am going to kill you!”—a statement that hangs ominously over the ensuing investigation.
In a bizarre twist, Rylance and Marvella later find themselves entangled in a spontaneous romantic encounter that turns chaotic, leading to bloodshed when Rylance accidentally injures himself. Adding to the peculiar nature of the night, Rylance later sees a suspicious figure entering the greenhouse with a flashlight while he is busy outside.
A.B. Wynter, before his death, ominously told Rylance, “I am going to be dead by the end of the night.” Such a dire prediction adds gravity to the already loaded atmosphere at the White House. After several interviews, it’s revealed that many staff members felt A.B. was overwhelmed and burdened by the pressures of his job; White House painter Angie Huggins noted that A.B. had expressed feelings of dread and responsibility regarding the events unfolding within the residence.
At the same time, Carpenter Eddie Gomez sheds light on the strains of the eventful evening. He recalls an explosive confrontation he overheard shortly before A.B. died, during which the Chief Usher screamed at an unseen adversary, “I am going to tell them everything!” His testimony brings further onto the table the notion that A.B.'s death might not be as simple as it appears.
The timeline is bolstered by Bruce Geller, the engineer, who, despite leaving Tripp Morgan’s toilet around 9:30 p.m., claims not to have encountered the First Gentleman, adding another layer of confusion to the timeline surrounding A.B.'s death.
Amid the investigation, various strange happenings occur: Gardener Emily Mackil mentions a Secret Service incident at the gatehouse, a detail that doesn’t seem to fit neatly into the evening’s narrative but is enough to pique Cupp's interest. The staff's relationship with A.B. is also portrayed as tumultuous, particularly among those who worked closely with him, including social secretary Lilly Schumacher, whose insights reveal many long-standing issues prior to the state dinner.
As Cupp gathers intel from the numerous interviews, she identifies Didier Gotthard, the pastry chef, as a potential person of interest due to his strange demeanor and the blue chalk mark on his back—consistent with the chalk found near the scene of the crime. The circumstances of the evening suggest less about A.B.'s murder and more about a larger issue within the executive residence, raising questions about accountability and management.
The culmination of evidence unfolds as Detective Cupp gathers everyone to witness as A.B.’s remains are wheeled through the main foyer, an action designed to observe the reactions of individuals present during this tense situation. Didier’s anxious behavior stands out; he rushes away from the crowd after quickly noticing the body, heightening Cupp's suspicions.
Finally, with a breadcrumb trail of declarations and actions leading up to that fatal moment, Cupp seems poised to uncover the truth. With everyone’s accounts swirling together like a convoluted complex case file, the identity of A.B. Wynter's murderer may remain hidden beneath layers of personal conflicts, pride, and surreal unfoldings at the White House.
In the next episode, the story promises to delve deeper into the motivations and interactions that could explain why things went so wrong one fateful night at the executive residence.
