Chapter 9: Death Latte

even if they're not actually homemade. Half a minute to talk, of course. The sudden death of the antique store owner, Stephanie Reid had me convinced something was again not right in the town of Hollow Falls, but the doctor insisted it was a natural death and wouldn't give me the time of day. Jane did, though, take your hunch was right. They found strict nine, otherwise known as rat poison and listen to this. After reviewing the details, they decided to

go back and do another autopsy on Rock Monitue. I want to guess what they found. Strict nine. Looks like you've got a serial killer on your hands. I shouldn't have felt proud to hear her say that, but I did, and in a sick, twisted way, I also felt excited that there was a new mystery to solve. I guess that's what life and hollow Falls will do to you. I'm tig Torres and this is lethal lit two victims, each with a music box nearby. I had the means strict nine, and I had a lead suspect Harris. But

that's where things get complicated. Max was involved with him, had genuine feelings for him, and I didn't handle that well. I couldn't help it. I got that feeling, the feeling I had when the lit killer murders were happening, that it was only a matter of time until another body dropped m hm. I needed to apologize to Max, but also protect Max, which, if I was right, was more important than his feelings. Wind came along to make sure

I didn't make things worse. Welcome to the Montague Hotel, Hi, Max, Max. Max, let's have a lot in your hand when you're greeting guests. It no, sir, it's a cup of water to melt you with you which and how may I help you? Max? I wanted to apologize for coming off so intense yesterday. I'm sorry I was really shortsighted, and I let my ambition to find out more about Harris override your feelings for him. And but I still think we need to talk about him. M I see, do you have a

reservation with us? Max? Tag and Ella did over hear some pretty shady stuff at that antique store, and he hasn't come forward to the police about being the last person to see Stephanie alive, last besides Tag and Ella. You mean, I'm sorry, ladies, I don't seem to have a record of you in my system. I'm sure you're not both here to discuss personal matters, as that would get me in trouble with the OGRE currently observing security cameras in the office directly behind me. Perhaps you made

a reservation under a different name, Max. As painful as this is, we have to talk about it. It's really important one moment, and I'll check on that for you. You don't like Harris and you don't approve of my being in a relationship with him. He's a suspect. Why how he was badgering Brock moments before he died, Plus the stuff we overheard at the antique store, the music boxes and then Stephanie. There's no proof there's even been a murder. Brock Montague had a heart attack and the

antique lady had a seizure. No, Max, they were both poisoned. The coroner confirmed it half an hour ago. Now have you seen anything suspicious? You know, I've been too busy sipping on the latte that my beautiful, thoughtful boyfriend bought me, and I guess I forgot to indulge in any wild conspiracy theories this morning. You've got to listen to me. Someone else could die. Max. Excuse me, I've listened. I'm not convinced. Now let me do my job. Yes, I

have a delivery here for Max Wyneman. That's me have a nice day. That's a personal package. Uh no, Walter, it's it's a guest ledger I ordered to surprise you. Oh, it's from Harris. Less than a full month into a relationship and he can't keep himself from sending me surprises. Yeah, well that's nice. Next, put that latte down, tigs thing, just an accident, cleaning it up. Now we have to get you to the hospital right now. What the hell

is wrong with you? There's rat poison in that latte? Well, now I know why people don't get their stomachs pumped for fun. How are you feeling, Max? Mm hmm? Like Andy Cohen after taping a Housewives reunion, Badgered, exhausted, wondering why the hell I'm alive? The doctor says, you're all right, wonderful. Well, I hope you've got everything you wanted from this delightful experienced Tig, Let's do it again sometime. You're not safe here. Max,

We're going to take you home. You're being crazy. Tig Brock and Stephanie both died within minutes of getting a music box. If Harris or whoever it is is coming after you, then there's a good chance he'll try and make another move tonight. Shouldn't we call the police then and tell them what you can explain your little theory? Or does that mean having to tell them the truth about your antique store? B and E. We're going to stay with you tonight. Max. I'm sorry. I refuse to

believe that Harris would try to hurt me. It just doesn't make sense. He's our only serious lead right now, Harris and Ali. Yeah, but why would Ali want to kill Max Um? Maybe because we stopped him from fulfilling his murder dreams of killing you. I would either of them. What the hell did I do? I don't know. But we're not leading your side. No one's getting anywhere near you. Story of my life. I was acting a lot more certain than I really was. The truth is, it didn't

all make sense to me. Max had a good point. Why would Harris want him dead? And why put his return address on the music box package? And what possible connection could there be between brock Montacue, Stephanie and Max, a millionaire playboy, an antique store owner, and the high school junior currently leading the voting for most organized locker. Still, there was what I overheard at the antique store. Kay,

was I paranoid at the time? I reasoned to myself that it's safer to be paranoid when a friend's life is in the balance. Well, isn't this great? A prisoner in my own home forced to eat clam chowder straight out of the can? Can't we at least order from the star. We can't risk anyone touching your food, not even Phil. So what's the plan exactly? Well, we stay here with you until you're out of danger, which will be until that's reassuring um the three of us can

sleep in shifts. That way someone's always on the lookout makes sense. I think the first thing to do is now, who do you think that might be? Hey Lee? The listeners stay tuned more. Leathal Lid is up next, but first a quick word from our sponsor, hey Lee, the listeners take Torres here. There's always more to the mystery, and I could use your help getting to the bottom of it. Join us on Instagram and TikTok at I am tig Torres for more clues and inside info. Do

you have a baseball bat? Do I look like i'd have a baseball bat? What about a kitchen right in the kitchen? Show Look, we're armed in here and extremely dangerous. We called nine one one, the police are on their way. Come on, open up in there, l You almost gave me a heart attack. Are you seriously doing an all night vigil without me? Weren't you grounded after getting dropped off by a squad car last night? I can't believe you asked them to show for you home and literally

use the words chauffeur. I can't believe you stayed at the hospital. What'd you do walk home? Really anyway, I got a twenty minute lecture on political optics and a new bag for keeping it out of the papers. So we're going to continue keeping it out of the papers? Right? I really want that back? And how did you know we were here? Dig out of me to the group chat? Oh? Really, big step? Well, then, welcome to the party. It feels like a funeral in here. Don't you guys know how

to do a sleepover? Sure? So cute? All right? Never have I ever kissed a girl? Who? Who? Who? Alright? Alright, alright, calm down. It was fifth freaking grade with this random girl, Kelsey. I was hoping i'd absorb her abilities with men without also absorbing her red hair, Jean, can you imagine me as a ginger when I kissed Annie? Of course? And then there was this girl at camp. Oh my god, Annie and I haven't thought about that psycho and forever. Okay,

she's not a psycho. I still follow her on the ground. She's got a pug. She makes little hats for it. Who's Annie Win's first official girlfriend? She goes to Freman Prep. Now, wait, didn't you bring her to the end of the year formal? That's right, she was hitting on Katie Briggs, our head cheerleader, something pretty fierce, and that was one of your healthier relationships. Really, who else were you in? Okay? Enough attention on when we're still playing a game, are we not? Okay? Let's see.

Never have I ever developed real feelings for an actual psycho, like a potential serial killer? For example, Harris is not a psycho? Who said I was talking about you? I bet psycho killers make very passionate lovers. You know what? Can we not talk about psycho killers for like one glorious evening? Please? I'm serious? You're right, my bad? Look, none of you know Harris? Okay, It's not like I'm so unbelievably desperate for affection that I look past murder.

That's not what I said. Sure feels like it, believe me, Max. Everyone here knows. I'm in no position to judge you. But even assuming he's innocent, Harris still gives off shady vibes. Can I ask, what do you see in him? I really want to know? Yeah, I'm kind of curious too. Well. I'm he's gorge for one, he knows what he wants and he's not afraid to go for it. He's not like other people in this town, just letting themselves be dragged whichever way life happens to take them. He's got plans.

He makes me feel like I can be whatever I want to be. And unlike most of the superficial idiots on Grinder, he actually thinks these scars on my face or kind of hot? How? Who am I kidding? I want attention so badly, I'll look past anything. Now it turns out he's a murdering psychopath. Of course he is. Isn't that just exactly who I'd fall for. I can't believe I was so stupid. I think that what we had was real. Hey, don't say that, you're not stupid.

And maybe it is real. There's no denying the music box and the inks. And I felt so special when he brought me that lattape, but then it was a death latte. I think both things can be true. A person can have real feelings for you, and they can also want to hurt you. Who are we talking about, Tig Maybe it's just a side of himself he can't control. Maybe it's how he was raised. Everyone has control over the choices. They make you deserve better. Max. I'm just

saying it happens, don't hate on yourself. Max. Did you know I never cried when Tony was killed? Isn't that crazy? It wasn't until after I was at the mall trying out new eyeliner, treating myself. It just started falling and I couldn't stop for three day. Oh Ella, honey, come here, take okay, I ms Ali. I still think about him a lot. We all do, Tig, even though it turns out we didn't know him like we thought we did, only was a friend for a long time. Some of

it had to be real. I don't know. I have to tell you all something. What is it, Tig? I. I'm really glad you're all my friends here, you guys group hug. I'll look at us. Oh Ella, your nails, my dad? You know. I'm glad my dad moved me to Hollow Falls, even though Denise, my spiritual advisor, says the whole town is haunted. You don't believe in ghosts, now, do you know? But as Denise told you, you can be haunted by grief. You can't deny that that's true.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was something we could do about that, like some kind of exorcism or something, so we could all just get on with our lives. I can't wait to get the hell out of this place. It just eats people alive and make some Michelin star meal out of their dreams. If that all right, I'm walking off that stage of graduation and right out of town. You watch, We know you will, Max. Yeah, if anyone can, it's you? God? What time is it? Almost two? You're tired?

You kidding? The night is still young, queen? When I will tell you what I have? Mhmm. Looks like they're both out. Ella sleeps like she's posing for a selfie. I uh, you can rest your eyes if you want. I can keep watching. No, no, I mean unless you'd rather be alone. If you're uncomfortable spending the night together with me, well, I don't know. Would Annie be jealous? Annie is with a guy now right. Also, she wasn't the jealous type, far from it, truth be told. She

wasn't that into me. Good kiss her though? Oh yeah? Like how well, it's hard to put into words. You're not waiting for me to lean in and kiss you, are you? No, you're not waiting for me to lean in and kiss you? Are you, of course not. Okay, then we're on the same page. Then yeah, I mean this would be a pretty romantic time for a kiss, though, wouldn't It seems like it? What was that? Oh crap, Max? Wake up? Someone's at the door. What what's happening? Is

it your parents? No, they're a wait till the end of the week. Grab the skillet, Ella, There are scissors on the counter. When they get your knife, bax, Oh, Maxie Harris, don't come any closer. I am fully prepared to use these scissors. What are you gonna do? Give me bangs? What's going on in here? Max? Wait? Did I walk in and a sleepover? It's some cozy in here. We're not going to let you hurt Max. Hurt Max? How did you get in? Did you steal a key

to Max's house and make it? What are you talking about? You want drugs? Look, he gave me the key. Okay, Oh my god, I didn't know what What were you thinking? I gave him a copy while my parents are away. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Okay, seriously, what's going on here? They know about us. I told them you can't say anything about this. My father would kill me, dude, Please, he disn't just come about disinherit me. What do you want? Max got your little music box? Oh?

I see, and you went in right about time? We want in to? What to killing him? Why do you want Max dead? Want him dead? What are you talking about? It was a present, the first of its kind. And I have even more ideas of products for the Hollow Falls Murder Lover's Gifts Murder Lovers. I should be selling a couple of packages what I'm still working on the title. I wanted to be in the Montague, just off the lobby. I got key chains, mugs, I visited Hollow Falls and

lived to tell about it, T shirts. I've got the floor plan all mapped out. But then Brock was, well, you know, so the projects on pass for a while. That Walter is next to impossible to work with, right evil? See I told you guys, so that's why you were at the antique store. Yeah. Stephanie's in touch with the vendor overseas who was like so cheap by I don't even want to know how much they pay their workers. She gets sold a lot of her work done that way.

Some of her antiques aren't so antique. But sh it's a secret, Harris. Didn't you hear Stephanie's dead? Dude? What right after you were in her store last night? Strict nine poisoning? Oh god, no, no, no, no, no, this this is terrible. How am I going to find another vendor? Vendor? I guess I could do license plate frames, but no, those those music boxes were going to launch my mail over business. It's okay, it's okay. Is this guy serious right now? I'm sorry, You're right. I just I meant

to say, it's very sad. I guess wait, how did you know I was in her store last night? Um? We had a wait a minute, what are you doing sneaking in here at this time of night? Tig? Really you're a detective. I think you can figure this one out. Look like I was wrong about Harris being the killer. He was just an over zealous entrepreneur with questionable moral bearings. And for better or for worse, Max's boyfriend, Hey, Max

Tig wild night, Huh certainly memorable. It's not often you can say that getting your stomach pumped is the least weird part of your day. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I know you were just looking out for me, albeit in a completely deranged way. I just I wish you would take me a little more seriously sometimes and trust me when I tell you stuff. You're right. Well, it looks like you're back to square one. What'll you do now?

What would I do? Now? Well? I did what any hypocrite who just finished criticizing her friend's poor relationship choices would do. I called Dolly strict nine. That's interesting. Why is that interesting? Well, that's how Agatha Christie would kill people off in her stories. Could be not to the lick killer. How Ry Levinson, the original lip killer, Ali had given me an idea. Maybe the music box wasn't

the key clue. Maybe it was the strict nine. If the killer was using Strict nine as a literary reference, he might be connected somehow to Levinson. It was a stretch, but it was something to go on, which meant there was someone I had to talk to. You're going to go talk to Levinson? Are you nuts? Promise me you won't go see him. He's stronger than you think. He can get in your head. If he has something to do with this, then you visiting him in prison is

already a part of his plan. Don't you get it? He wants to be in your head too. Promise me you won't put yourself in harm's way like that. Promise you won't go to the prison. Okay, Ali, I promise? How bad could One? Little White? Lieb iron Horn's Epic Productions and I Heart Radio present Lethal Litt A tig Torres Mystery Season two created an executive produced by Heather Einhorn and Adam Staffaroni. Created by Alex Sagura and Monica Gallagher.

Executive produced by iHeart Radio head writer Melanie Hoops, writers Louis Cornfeld, Jasmine al Shammy and Adam Staffaroni. Directed by Critzia Bajos, with performances by Rebecca Solair as tig Torus, Shelley Shnoy as Win, Matt Gumley as Max, Luke Slattery as Ali, rachel Orem Land as Ella, with Critzia Bajos and J. B. Blanc. Special guest Chuck Bryant as Brock Montague.

Additional voices Paul Gayet, Caleb Jen Stacy Moseley, Alba Ponza de Leone, Stephanie she Christian Ochoa, Louis Cornfeld, and Megan Gray. Post sound and music by Chapter four. Sound supervision and sound design by Sarah Gibilaska. Music by Kareem Dueti. Produced by a Rupe, Santa Kayla and Bo Young Blood. Development Executive Greg Lock, Art production coordinator and script supervisor Laura Martin, Operations Laura Kaufman. Marketing and Publicity Jesse Post Digital Marketing

Jennifer Gennaro. Creative direction and design by Ryan McCann. Key art illustrated by Rebecca Mock. Promotional art illustrated by Breen Newman. Special thank you to the Shadow Unicorn. Head to Lethal Lip podcast dot com to share theories, discover new evidence, and follow case updates. Iron Horn's Epic Productions and I Heart Radio present Lethal Lit, a tag Torre's mystery