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We welcome you once again to this week's episode of Divorce Ranch.

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When last we left our intrepid gumshoe, he was battered and bruised from a run-in with Joey Matinee,

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Mitzi's lover. Hitting dead ends at both Reno PD and the casino,

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Francis is left dependent on the Sidewinder's incipient divorcees to piece together Mitzi's last known whereabouts.

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Can he cut through the corruption and red tape to find her killer?

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Or will his resolve crumble like a soggy communion wafer?

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Dearest Ma, the truth will be harder to find than I anticipated.

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I won't worry you with the details, but my investigation has run up against some unsavory people,

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and I fear the women of the Sidewinder may know more than they're saying.

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I don't know how to make them trust me. They aren't like you,

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who served God's will faithfully despite the troubles with Father.

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Perhaps a change of tack is in order. As of today,

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I am no longer Detective O'Connell, but merely Francis,

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trustworthy friend to God and woman alike. Huh.

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We'll find her, Sarah.

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Find who? I will saddle the horses. You think she's outside in this heat?

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It's not that hot. Yet. Hi,

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Francis. What's with the shiner? Someone steal your lunch money?

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It's nothing. Look, is anyone going to tell me- Sarah,

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let's take another look through your room, just in case.

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Bev, you look upstairs. Someone please tell me what in the name of heaven is going on here?

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Little Bella is missing. How long has she been gone?

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A few hours. She can't have gotten far.

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I'm sure I can find her straight away. Like how you're finding Mitzi?

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I know some of you ladies don't think too much of me,

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but you could use a lawman on this case. Another pair of eyes could be what we need today.

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And I'd like to get to know the ranch a little better. I'll not have you pestering my guests with your questions.

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Not when there's a child missing. Out.

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But... Sorry, amigo. Bye-bye,

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Francis. Don't forget to moisturize.

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This eats murder on the skin. Hasco and Helen will check the pool house.

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I have a very important meeting. Surely the bartender can hold your highball for a few hours for a missing child.

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No. My goodness. Lord,

3:00

that stings. You really ought to stop putting your nose where it shouldn't be.

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I'm sure I told you to leave,

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Mr. O'Connell. Yes, but I... You've got no time for excuses.

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It'll be hotter than Hades in two hours. I've got to get moving.

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Of course. Ma'am?

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I apologize, sir. Is there something you need?

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I know Aoife wants me to sit on my hands, but I should be helping find Bella.

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I've solved over a dozen missing child cases in Chicago.

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I appreciate the thought, but- Back in 47,

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you may have heard of it, a six-year-old boy fell into an old bootlegging tunnel.

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He was severely dehydrated when we found him, but- You don't think she's fallen into an abandoned mine,

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do you? I mean, they're all over in Reno.

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She'd be all alone in the dark, just hot and- Calm down now.

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Calm down. I'm sure little Bella is absolutely- Never find her.

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What are you doing? Her stuffed rabbit's right here under the bed.

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In the two days I've been here, I've never seen her without it.

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She can't be far. Oh, she loves that dreadful thing.

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Mr. Hoppy, she calls it. You're a great mother,

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you know. Please.

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Help me find her. I promise I'll bring her home safe.

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Are there any friends she might have snuck off to see? Schoolmates?

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Maybe her father? No. No one. Is her dad even in the- You know what?

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Last night she said she was planning to look for Mitzi.

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Were Bella and Mitzi close? Bella adored her.

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Doesn't sound like you did. I see what you're trying to do.

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But if it helps you find her, I've got nothing to hide.

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Mitzi joded on my girl, but she was a bad influence.

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The day she disappeared, we went into town and...

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God. You can't be in here,

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little girl. Watch only. Bella,

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what happened? What are you doing out of the car? The store's so big in there.

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I got lost. A mean man picked me up and said I was trash and he threw me outside.

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Oh, my baby. Mitzi shouldn't have...

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You are? Auntie Metzi!

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I'm sorry, kitten. I had no idea that store was bad news.

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She should have never been in there. I was just trying to jazz up her wardrobe.

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Poor thing's tired of those homemade rompers you make her wear.

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Ta-da! Oh, it's so pretty!

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Um, can I keep it, Mama? I don't think it's appropriate to...

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It's a dress, not the Hope Diamond.

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Of course you can keep it, baby doll. Tell you what.

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Let's throw a little bash tonight at the ranch.

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But it's Aoife's day off. You know she won't change her schedule.

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Nobody likes a party pooper, Sarah. A party?

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That would make me feel better, Mama. Please.

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Mitzi burned bright, and Bella took to her flame like a little moth.

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But she wasn't careful. She had no idea what was safe for Bella.

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You know, I cross paths with people like Mitzi from time to time.

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They don't live in the same world as the rest of us. Not really.

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I think that's exactly right, Detective O'Connell. Please,

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call me Francis. Okay, Francis.

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You were saying about Mitzi? You really are a dog with a bone.

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Chief calls me a retriever. Mitzi spoiled Bella.

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Told her the whole world was open to her.

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But it just isn't true. Not for us.

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And then she left without saying goodbye,

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just like her. Like who? No one.

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Are you sure? I'd appreciate your help finding Bella,

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Detective. Frances.

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Maybe you can check the hayloft? She loves those ornery barn cats.

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Why, Detective! What are you still doing here? Any sign of Bella?

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None of your business. Aoife said...

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Sarah asked for my help. She's not upstairs.

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If you're done in here, I could use some help in the hayloft. I'd be honored,

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Detective. Please, call me Francis. I would love to.

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Francis? No, you look in on Sarah.

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I'll be helping the pipsqueak detective.

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But- You best not be alone with this man.

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It's my lucky day. Come on,

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Deputy Bev. Why are you so dang chipper?

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Can't say I'm much of a climber. It's a hayloft.

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You're gonna have to go up. Bella,

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are you up there? Sigh.

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Hey. Oh. Jeez.

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Oh. You sure are tops at making friends.

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Here, it's okay. You take the northmost quadrant.

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I'll start on the south end. I doubt she's up here,

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but if you see anything, a toy, a scrap of clothes...

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I'll holler. Anything?

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No. Sarah said Bella likes to pet the barn cats.

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Uh-huh. Everything okay?

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Just a mouse. Probably looking for a cooler hiding spot.

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It's boiling up here. So,

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you enjoying Reno? Not really.

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What about the Sidewinder? I hear the rooms are decent.

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If Eva lets you have one. It's fine.

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You know, Dottie told me about Bert. Last night,

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after I got, uh, reaccommodated from the casino.

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Serves you right. She told me he used to hit her.

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And? Scripture says wives are meant to serve their husband.

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If you think serving your husband means...

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But it also says men ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

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What's your point, Mr. O'Connell? Striking your wife is a grave sin in my book.

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I think... Mm. I believe

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God will judge him harshly. I hope you're right.

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Your sister deserves better. That's why she's here.

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Everyone's here for a reason. What's yours?

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Dottie. The girl's not up here.

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Time's a-wastin'. Oh!

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Ow! Wow.

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Where did you last see, Bella? Just trying to get a sense of her usual routines.

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Since Mitzi left, she... She was close with Mitzi?

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That's none of my business. You were Mitzi's maid.

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Did you ever see her together with the... Now that you know about me and Mitzi...

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Might be relevant to finding Bella. Some godly man you are.

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Using a missing kid as an excuse to question me about...

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That's not what I meant. Sarah said that Bella was talking about finding Mitzi last night.

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If there's anywhere she'd think to go, anything they used to do together...

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Must eat Sarah. Up, that Bella's still in love with Auntie Mitzi.

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What? I'm not the girl you should be talking to,

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detective. Mitzi really got on Sarah's last nerve at the party.

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Cheers, Beverly. I don't drink.

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Sure you do. Hi Aunt Mitzi!

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A fancy drink for my fancy girl?

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You can't be giving a kid- It's fine. My nanny used to give me a nip of brandy to help me sleep and I turned out perfect.

12:18

Sarah, there you are. We're fresh out of strawberries to go with our champagne.

12:21

Bella, what are you- Aunt Mitzi said I could try it!

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No, absolutely not! See?

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You can't just give a child- There, Bella.

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Sometimes the help can be very rude, but we mustn't let that ruin our evening.

12:40

Okay. Time for bed,

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Bella. No! I wanna stay with Mama Mitzi.

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I hate you. Let her stay.

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What's the harm? You stay away from my daughter,

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you trumped-up little brat! Ah!

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No! Mitzi told Sarah she'd have her fired.

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Mitzi sounds like a terrible boss. How long did you work for her?

13:18

That's your question? She was reckless with Bella,

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of course, but I already knew that, and I'm just trying to understand how you and Mitzi could have come together.

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I know exactly what you're trying to do,

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detective. You just want to close the case and run home to your perfect little life,

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no matter the cost to the rest of us. I'm done with your questions.

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You don't give a damn about the Sidewinder or Mitzi or anyone she has left behind here to clean up her messes.

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You are just fixing to pass judgment. I am not trying- Mitzi was a sad,

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mean little girl who ran away from her problems.

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I solved it for you. Enjoy your trip back to Chicago.

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Beverly, please! Bev? Everything okay?

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My, my, Frances. You certainly do have a way with women.

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Did you find Bella? Not yet, but I'll be sure to look long and hard for the little one down at the casino.

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You're leaving? Helen's taking me to work. I have to pay my bill somehow.

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How do I bill? And what a fabulous way to pay it,

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dear. You know, if you'd let that husband of yours see your act,

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he'd never let you go. Ta-ta,

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Francis. You didn't pay me yesterday,

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Detective. I... I'll have it tomorrow.

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But right now I need to talk to Beverly. You don't pay,

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you don't talk to my guests. Maybe there's a way I could earn my keep.

14:51

You don't look like you'd make much of a ranch hand.

14:54

What if I find the girl? Doesn't seem like I can stop you from looking anyway.

14:59

find her fast, and you've got yourself a one-day extension.

15:03

Thank you, ma'am. Go with Hondo. You can take my horse.

15:08

I'm not much of a rider. Fancy that.

15:10

Two fresh horses, ready to go. Juniper,

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he's resting. Thank you, Hondo. Mr.

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O'Connell here will be joining you this round.

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Glad to have you along, my friend. You are holding the reins too tight.

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I don't want to fall. I have to trust her.

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Good thing Aoife cannot see you like this.

15:39

She would lose all respect for you. I think that ship has sailed.

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There you go. You're getting it.

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See the pine grove over there? Shade.

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And lots of places to hide. Hey,

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I told you, do not hold the reins so tight.

15:57

It's ridiculous, Ennio Mori. I want to go left.

16:04

Whoa, are you okay? My whole body hurts.

16:09

I think I saw something. Here.

16:16

What are we looking? See that blackish-red stain?

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That's blood. No. Oh,

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not little Bella. See how dry?

16:26

It can't be Bella. This blood is at least a week old,

16:29

I'd guess. Mitzi? Maybe.

16:33

We need to comb the area. You're so beautiful.

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You're light. I don't understand why anyone would kill her.

16:43

The stories I've heard, she made a lot of people angry.

16:46

Enough to bring her out to the middle of the desert and- Wait.

16:50

Is that- A bullet casing. This is definitely a crime scene.

16:54

Someone shot her. Looks like.

16:58

I guess it's a bus. We need to secure any evidence.

17:02

We'll work our way out in a spiral. Yell if you see anything.

17:05

But Bella- Right. Just a quick sweep,

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and I'll come back once we find the kid. Hang on.

17:15

I think I've got something. I do not think that cactus did anything.

17:20

The bullet to go with our casing.

17:23

Looks like a.41 short.

17:27

That's... Huh. What?

17:30

Not ready to say yet. You know something.

17:32

Maybe. We have enough for now. Let's find the kid.

17:41

Good gravy. Doesn't Aoife know how to train a horse?

17:44

Sandy is the best broken horse we have.

17:48

Problem is her rider. She's wilier than Beverly.

17:52

And just as angry. Maybe she needs some blinders to keep her in line.

17:57

What? You wish to narrow her view?

18:00

Well, you should just open yours. My view's just fine,

18:03

thank you. The women at the Signwinder have no power.

18:08

No money. Nothing of their own.

18:11

They're not your enemy. They made a promise.

18:15

Not just to their husbands, but to God. And they're all here to break that promise.

18:19

There are rules, Hondo. What rule says a man can hit his wife?

18:25

What rule says he can abandon his family?

18:28

None, but that doesn't mean... Exactamente.

18:30

You see sin, my friend. But I see courage.

18:35

I see courage. Oh,

18:42

it's better. Water?

18:47

Thank you. We're running out of places to search.

18:51

Maybe she's back at the house. I hope so. We must go back soon to rest these horses and saddle up some fresh ones.

19:01

What's that down by the dead-looking tree? We burned brush there.

19:05

It keeps the smoke away from the ranch. Anyone ever burn anything else?

19:10

I do not think so. Let's go see.

19:18

Just brush, you see? I don't think I've ever seen gingham brush before.

19:25

Have you? Let me see that. Looks like a scrap of tablecloth.

19:29

Maybe a napkin? It is an apron?

19:34

Is that blood? Sarah's apron? Oh,

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she would never burn good fabric like this. She's always saving it for rags or patches.

19:42

Unless she has something to hide.

19:44

Sarah would not kill Mitzi. Even to protect her child?

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You're upset. There's too many things going on.

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Too many things, yeah. And so this is the day. I'll help you.

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I promise you. Fine. But don't make a decision today.

20:09

He deserves what's coming to him. He signed on his death warrant.

20:13

Are you sure that's what you want? That's fine.

20:16

Did you find her? Who do you want dead? Bella,

20:19

is she off? Okay. For Pete's sake, you were listening at the door instead of finding the child?

20:23

Our deal is off, detective. It's not what you think.

20:27

You don't have to tell him anything. He's always losing his nose in other people's business.

20:33

Well, what did Larry say back? At least that way I can't smell your cooking!

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You're a Larry McLion Lola fan!

20:44

I listen every week. It's my mother's favorite radio show.

20:47

Good woman! Sarah,

20:50

if you're mixed up in something, maybe it's related to Bella.

20:53

Please, just find her. I can't help you if you won't be honest with me.

20:58

Dearie, you don't have to tell him.

21:01

No, no, it's fine. My husband worked the mines back in 45.

21:06

There was a cave-in. No survivors. That's what they told me.

21:10

I'm sorry. Don't be. Bella and I made do.

21:13

Found our way to a decent life.

21:16

Until this letter came yesterday. Turns out the bastard escaped the mine but decided to not come home.

21:25

He ran off to Mexico. And he wants you to join him?

21:28

No. He's in debt to a local strongman and wants me to bail him out.

21:32

They'll kill him if he doesn't come up with the money. But you don't want to help him.

21:37

Like I said, Bella and I built a decent life here at the Sidewinder.

21:43

Marriage is a sacred covenant. But you were burdened with a faithless husband.

21:50

Sarah, I was raised to believe that those who do not keep their vows are barred from the kingdom of heaven.

21:55

But what kind of God can't forgive a trespass made in service of your daughter?

22:00

Maybe it's not as simple as I thought. My word,

22:04

detective. Go find my Bella.

22:08

Please. Yes, ma'am.

22:17

What? Are you in here?

22:40

Hello, thank goodness! Hi,

22:42

Mr. Detective, sir! Sarah!

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Aoife! I found her! Shh!

22:48

Will Mama be mad at me? Of course not,

22:50

dear. Please, come out of there. What's that you've got around your neck?

22:56

Oh. Aren't they pretty? They're Auntie Mitzi's necklaces.

23:01

Are you sure? Yeah, she wore them all the time.

23:04

They're very pretty. Can I ask where you found them?

23:09

In the drawer by the bed. There's a lot to live in there.

23:12

Can you put these back for me? Of course.

23:15

Thank you. Bella,

23:19

I was so worried. Where have you been?

23:21

Thanks to Lord, she's safe. Don't be mad,

23:24

Mom. Didn't you hear us calling? Where were you?

23:27

I went to look for Auntie Mitzi, but it was really hot outside.

23:31

When I came back for a drink of water, everyone was upset and running around.

23:36

And you didn't want to get in trouble. So I hid in here,

23:39

and then Mr. Detective found me. Good work,

23:42

Detective. Why will no one on this ranch call me Francis?

23:46

Let's get you downstairs, baby girl. You must be starving.

23:50

Bye, Mr. Francis. Aoife,

23:59

ma'am, whose room is this?

24:02

The stench of cheap perfume doesn't give it away.

24:06

It's Helen's. Divorce Ranch,

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a Good Story Guild production. Created by Rachel Music.

24:18

Show running by Michi Broman and Elena Christina Wagoner.

24:21

Episode 3 was written by Laura Skopek and directed by Rachel Music.

24:25

Starring Christopher Gebauer as Frances, Kate Fugelai as Aoife,

24:29

Enrique Quintero as Hondo, Laura Lee Walsh as Beverly,

24:33

Lisa Pedacci as Helen, Laureen Chesley as Sarah,

24:36

Laura Holliday as Dottie, Tina Huang as Hotsko,

24:39

and Chelsea Lang as Mitzi Ballantyne.

24:42

Featuring the Divorce Ranch Players Ted Evans,

24:45

Jamie Lujan, Jesse Birch, Megan Falcone,

24:48

Marnina Schoen, Kasia Monia, and Neil Fleming.

24:52

Music by Michelle Sadoff. Sound design by Lauren Cooper.

24:55

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Evan Chambers.

24:58

produced by Simone Kissel, executive produced by the Good Story Guild.

25:02

For transcripts, full cast and crew information,

25:04

and to follow this and other Good Story Guild productions,

25:07

please refer to our show notes.