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MURDER, SHE WROTE: NIGHT OF THE COYOTE (TV)

Summary

One in this murder mystery series about an unassuming Maine mystery writer turned sleuth named Jessica B. Fletcher who uses her professional insight to help solve real-life homicide cases. In this episode, Jessica visits the historical town of Silverville, New Mexico with her friend Susan and watches a reenactment of the last stage robbery by famed bandit Cutter McGee, whose treasure was never found. Max Teller, who runs the town, briefly chats with Jessica and then encounters Ben Judson, who offers to buy Silverville from him, as the bank is about to foreclose on him, but he refuses. Jessica then meets Charles Strickland, who is writing a history book about Silverville and McGee, and he suggests that the treasure is merely legend. Later, Tony Sable surprises Max at home and demands his share of their former off-shore account, threatening to reveal how Max acquired the funds to purchase Silverville. As Susan paints, Jessica explores the desert and runs into Sheriff Sam Keeyani, who warns her about Coyote Canyon, which is allegedly haunted by "skinwalkers." Back at the office, Max angrily fires his assistant Earl for stealing and denies him his final payment, and Earl threatens revenge.

Later that night, someone burns down the Silverville artifact museum. Sam arrives and hunts for clues, seemingly employing supernatural methods, and then declares that Earl is innocent despite having motive. Jessica notes how his "curious way" is really just clever observation, and they agree that an arsonist wearing sneakers doused the museum in gasoline. Susan, who is enamored of Max, offers to help him rebuild, but he remains secretive and standoffish. Sam attempts to woo Alice, who works in the mayor's office, and Charles brings an inventory of the museum's goods and then gives Jessica a tour of the town. Sam questions Earl, who has an unsavory alibi for the fire, but secretary Betty then finds Max shot dead in his office. Sam questions Susan, and she privately admits to Jessica that she was deeply hurt when she caught Max and Betty together, but did not kill him. Betty admits spending the evening with Max, saying that he then left to meet someone, possibly Ben. Tony is found driving Max's car, and he admits that he used to run a business with Max and went to prison when Max turned him in for stealing, saying that Max kept some of the ill-gotten money and bought Silverville. He denies murdering him, however, saying that he was expecting a payout from him and would not kill his "meal ticket." Jessica guesses that Max was hunting for McGee's treasure and heads to the library to research the matter, but finds several newspapers from McGee's time missing.

Sam and Ben talk, and Ben reveals that he wanted to buy Silverville for the water rights. Sam then takes Jessica to meet his uncle, a shaman, and he tells her the legend of McGee's skirmish with the natives in the desert after the robbery, during which he was assisted by the "trickster" spirit of the coyotes. When she finds McGee's diary, she discovers coordinates written inside and, with Sam's help, uncovers the likely location of the stolen treasure: a cave in Coyote Canyon. She calls Charles to meet her there, and they discover that the hidden strongbox contains only useless bonds, and she accuses him of killing Max for nothing. He reluctantly admits that he hid the newspapers to keep anyone else from learning about McGee and figured out the coordinates as well, shooting Max when he followed him to the location, and Sam observes how his uncle's story helped lead Jessica to the burial cave. Later, Jessica enjoys drinks with her friends, and a romance finally seems to bloom between Sam and Alice. Commercials deleted.

Details

  • NETWORK: CBS
  • DATE: November 22, 1992 8:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:46:20
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:46295
  • GENRE: Drama, mystery/suspense
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, mystery/suspense; Indigenous Peoples Collection
  • SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1984-1996
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Angela Lansbury … Executive Producer
  • Al Kraus … Coordinating Producer
  • Bruce Lansbury … Supervising Producer
  • Mark A. Burley … Supervising Producer, Writer
  • Todd London … Co-Producer
  • Peter S. Fischer … Created by
  • Richard Levinson … Created by
  • William Link … Created by
  • Jerry Jameson … Director
  • Jonathan Tunick … Music by
  • John Addison … Theme Music by
  • Angela Lansbury … Cast, Jessica Fletcher
  • Frederick Coffin … Cast, Tony Sable
  • Steve Forrest … Cast, Max Teller
  • Graham Greene … Cast, Sheriff Sam Keeyani
  • Mariette Hartley … Cast, Susan Lindsay
  • Gary Kasper … Cast, Earl
  • James Stephens … Cast, Charles Strickland
  • Nicolas Surovy … Cast, Ben Judson
  • Floyd Red Crow Westerman … Cast, Uncle Ashie Nakai
  • Joanelle Nadine Romero … Cast, Alice Chee
  • Laura Wernette … Cast, Betty
  • Roman J. Cisneros … Cast, Deputy
  • Ernie Vincent … Cast, Mr. Wheatman