December 30, 2019 • 36 mins
When James Morelli invited his family to a desert retreat, he planned on picking the successor to his billion dollar fortune. But the meditative weekend goes awry when James is found dead following a sound bath. Which one of his family members wanted a seat at the table so bad that they’d kill for it?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hmm. Let your breath fall in and out. Just read
mm hmmm. I have to admit it's hard to relax
(00:21):
given everything I just told you, But that's what these
singing bowls are for. Mr Morelli. The sound vibrations will
help your body enter a state of deep relaxation. So
breathing in and breathing out good. Just follow where the
(00:45):
sounds take you. Hm hmm. I seem to have left
my shooting box next door. Continue that deep breathing and
I'll be right back. Mm hmmm. So what does a
(01:17):
shrewdy box anyway? Really? But everyone just is ridiculous. It's
(01:46):
going to be all right. Can you do it for
your father? To creezad? Oh my god, look shy, Oh
my god, breathing, Oh my god, that job god. People.
(02:14):
Welcome to Solve, the interactive mystery podcast where you don't
just hear about crimes, you solve them. Each episode will
present you with a different case inspired by a true crime.
You'll interrogate suspects, piece together evidence, and investigate the crime scene.
You're the detective. This is your case, can you solve it?
(02:35):
Solve presents family feud. Thank you for Halio. That will
be all and make sure no one comes onto the
veranda while we're out here. Of course, you think I
(02:58):
killed my dad, that's why you're walking to me first. Well,
write this down. I wanted in black and white. I
did not, could not, would not hurt my own father. Look,
I get it. I'm not a hysterical mess. So I
look suspicious. But everyone grieves differently, and my father taught
(03:21):
me to never show weakness. So here we are. This
whole god forsaken spa trip was my father's idea. Oh Dad, huh. Ever,
the master manipulator. He wanted to keep all of us
on this compound in the middle of the freaking desert
(03:44):
and have us duke it out old school show of
love and work ethic. Well he got what he wished for.
Holy fuck, it's hot his balls. What's your mouth, Benji,
I'm on the phone, always on the phone. Face so sorry,
I mean, Piper, It's called work. Try it sometimes, trust me.
(04:06):
I'm good. I like it out here. Oh look, Satan
spawn likes the heat. You. Dorian is so glad to
see you made it. Don't be a dick me, how
Mr child Woo, that's stop number? You know? Mind being
called satan spawn do you Dorean? Well, if anything is
an insult to your mom, not you boy about mom. God,
(04:32):
It's like I always say, Meredith, children can't live with him,
which is why I'm never having him. Oh, Benjamin, I
didn't know someone was waiting to bear your child. That
great call in the desert getaway sarcasm is an appalling habit. Sorry, sir,
(04:54):
good to see you all finally decided to show up.
Meredith and I have been here for an hour. Where
are Piper and Dorian? We're supposed to be connecting as
a family. Excuse me, I have to take this since
when does Mr laid Back jump for a ringing phone?
(05:17):
Piper thought she was Dad's favorite, but everyone knew it
was me and that drove her crazy. Worked yourself like
a dog, and it was never good enough for dad.
But Dad had a soft spot for me. It's firstborn.
So you forgot your credit card in the room? Oh shit,
(05:40):
this is the one link to my dad's account, right,
that's right, sir, cool, I'm good. Thanks for helly y'all.
I'll tell you this though, my dad purposely brought us
to the middle of the desert to mine funck us.
He was playing chicken with our heads and one of
us cracked. You know who really couldn't hand of the pressure, Dorian?
(06:03):
That kid is weird man. Meredith doesn't like anyone to know,
but we all can see what a freak he is.
Lizard lizard lizard, you lizard lizard. Yeah, missed so fast, couch, Dorian.
You're not going rocks it lizards again? Are you? And
(06:24):
I get two seconds to myself? Mom? And why are
you wearing high heels in the desert? You look stupid.
I've been looking everywhere for you. The whole family is
moving into the cabin, so what are you doing all
the way out here? Earlier? Can unpack my bags, come
inside and join the group. Your father expects you to
be already think I'm a psycho. Mom, I don't know.
(06:47):
I mean, I start almost feel bad for mom. She's
not very smart. She married my dad for his money
after Benji and Piper's mom died. Total code digger. I
didn't mean that. Why did I say that? Did I
see that? Such an idiot? God? Um, look, I don't
I don't know who killed my dad. I swear, but
(07:09):
it wasn't me. I would never hurt anything. Oh, lizard here, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard. Heybody,
slow down, slow, oh, Dorian. Dorian is well. James and
I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars when he was
(07:31):
a child to try and figure out what was what
was wrong with him, But no one could give me
anything definitive, so we just learned to live with his peculiarities.
I just I just say that he's my special boy.
(07:53):
I know if he only spent more time learning the
family business than he did kicking rocks and animals, he
could be so successful. But I really thought james Is
announcement would get Dorrian to change what you stopped everyone
set out. First of all, thanks for coming all this way.
(08:16):
I thought it was important for us to connect now
that I'm almost dead. Fiber, I came to this country
when I was fifteen years old with just twenty dollars
in my pocket, and I built a distribution company that
I can be proud of billion dollars as of this morning.
Roughly as I was saying, I'm old that I'm not
(08:40):
a fool, I know which way the wind is blowing,
meaning what that I'm passing off the company. Honey, I
will make my final decision on Friday, So try and
enjoy the week and don't suck up to me too much.
(09:02):
All right, let's say damn it, Dad, I just want
to say. I think it's brave of you to admit
that you're ready to pass the torch to us, the
younger generation. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision. Now
you just have to let us show you how smart
we are. I have to use the restaurant. Excuse me,
(09:33):
pardon me, sir, but I couldn't help. But notice you
left abruptly. Is everything all right? Am I making a
mistake here? In thirty five years, I've yet to see
you make one mistake. Oh blow smoke up my ass.
You don't make mistakes. You test options. You know what
(09:53):
I see, sir. I see a man who has the
life experience to know what's right. M m hm hm.
I don't deserve you, Roelio, Thank you, sir. I was
proud to serve Mr Morelli. I've been in his side
(10:14):
for the best and worst of times. When his first
wife passed, the man was so distraught the business seemed
like it would fail in his absence. I don't think
you'd mind me saying it was I who stepped in
and covered for him. He just needed some time. So
you could say that without me, there would be no
(10:36):
Morelli enterprises today, and that's why Mr Morelli put me
in his will. Still, his family treated me like a
common servant. Would you like some wine, Miss Piper? No
none for me, Ralio, but fetch me some sparkling water.
Everything okay, dear find Meredith. Ah, you look radiant tonight,
(11:03):
by the way, absolutely glowing. Thank you. If I didn't
know any better, I think you are pregnant. But it's
bad luck to deny a pregnancy. Motherhood was the best
thing that ever happened to me. I haven't told anyone.
(11:28):
It's still really early. Please don't tell my dad. Your
secret is safe with me. Excuse me? Where was I? Oh? Good, James,
You're back comes it comes it. We're all still reeling
from your exciting announcement. But I'd like to give a toast.
This will prove to be a truly special week to
(11:51):
family to fall for laxy stuff. Dorian, Honey, you enjoying
your massage? Yeah, you know you have come so far.
When you were a boy, you would scream bloody murder
if anyone touched you now, could you What do you
(12:16):
think about your father's announcement? Oh? Could you get my
upper arms and shoulders they're sore from yesterday's workout. Ah,
there you go. I am so proud of your father
for taking time for himself in the later years of
his life. All of my men coming into their own. Okay,
(12:41):
this is a big opportunity. Dorian. Why are you just saying, Okay,
don't you care about your future because he isn't going
to give me the company? Why would you say that?
Because it's true. You just have to make him see
how brilliant you are, sweetie, and you are. You are brilliant.
I'm your mother, and I know what is best for you. Listen,
(13:03):
you can do it. I believe in you. Okay, Mom, Okay,
I love you. Yeah you too, Oh Benjamin, Dorian and
I were just finishing up. Come on, Dorian, Dorian, you're
getting a massage that I didn't like it when people
(13:24):
touched you know, I do, It's just sometimes I don't whatever, Okay,
totally normal guy, fucking it. He has a conneption if
you hug him. But he's cool with a massage, and
that's is so just he's not trustworthy. I mean, for real,
(13:48):
though he's always given me the heady jeemies creepy creepy dude,
and after that weird running, I definitely needed a massage,
but of course I was rudely interrupted. Ah, I like
(14:09):
a lot of pressure, dude. Yeah, that's good. There you
are Jesus Christ, Piper. What the hell are you kidding
me with the massage right now? What did you sleep
through Dad's big announcement last night or what? We're not
here from massages. We're here to win a company, so
I'm on it. Bullshit, But I have a plan you
(14:33):
don't even want to hear mine. Does yours involve getting
a rub and tug? Because no, we've got to get
ahead of this. I say we tag team Dad, turn
him against Dorian. Wait, do you think that's really going
to consider Satan's spawn? Dorian is the only option besides us,
And you know that Meredith is in Dad's ears constantly
buzzing about her weird golden boy. But if we're a
(14:55):
team and we show him how insane that kid is,
then Dad can't not choose us. So what will you go? Fift? Well,
since it's my idea and I already worked within the company. Well,
I worked there too. Sometimes the balls on this chick,
(15:15):
I don't need you. In fact, teaming up with you
as a risk I can't take. I lose my stock
options and fucked. I guess what. Dad can't stand you,
he told me himself, probably because you're adopted. I'm not five.
That adoption line doesn't work on me anymore. And if
Dad can't stand anyone, it's you. Whatever you have to
tell yourself. So that's it. We're going it alone. That's it. Shit. Uh,
(15:44):
I gotta take this. What the hell? I shouldn't have
been surprised that Benji would throw his only sister under
the bus, but it hurts. He was so cut throat,
you know, he killed just to keep his goddamn stock options.
Benshi was acting odd from the start, in my opinion.
(16:08):
Whenever you'd catch him unawares, he'd be wild eyed and sweaty,
but in the next breath he'd flip the switch and
be back to wise cracking. Oh. On Wednesday morning, I
found him kissing up to James. Yeah. I heard the
whole thing while meditating next door. The walls are made
of straw, you know. I was skeptical at first, Dad,
(16:31):
But I think this place is really something special good.
It's given any time to think, you know, to brainstorm
about ideas for the company. How so well, it seems
to me that if we want to capture larger slice
of the marketplace, we should, you know, stay ahead of
the curve. I mean, have you thought about drone power
(16:52):
delivery services? Interesting? I've got a ton of ideas like that.
They just come to me all day long. You're not
gambling anymore than I haven't been to a casino going
on six years. You know that. Uh well, it's not
that yours is a stupid idea, son, it's just common.
(17:14):
But then you'd have to be in on internal company
discussions to know that we do, in fact have a
drone fleet, but it's focused on delivering secure packages within
the military. Oh it was Piper's idea. Actually, I see,
so the military delivering weapons or ramo or whatever. In
(17:34):
today's call out culture, I don't know, imagine the Twitter
takedown and social justice warriors got a whiff of that.
Now we have to think of our brand. It's not
a bad point, I know, it's not. Piper is stuck.
You can't lead a company with a play by the
rules mindset. You do. If you keep this up, I
(17:57):
can see a place for you at the table. So
I'm in the stupid little hut next door, trying to
focus on my breath while meditating. But all I can
think about is Benji weaseling his way in with James
like that. Disgraceful. Of course I said something to James
(18:18):
the minute he returned to our room. How is your
son and my love? I'm thirsty? I bet hey, let
me rub your feet. It feels great. Thank you. Of
(18:47):
course you know I couldn't help. But overhear your conversation
with Benji during my meditation session. Oh is it considered
spying when the walls are made of grass? Deer? Well,
what do you think? The boy is clearly trying to
reform his ways, But do you believe him? He's been
(19:11):
acting oddly? M I agree. I'm sorry to say I
I don't think he can be trusted, not right now.
You never stop worrying about your children. You never stop
being a parent until, of course, you become a grandparent grandparent.
(19:34):
I wasn't supposed to say anything. Did bench you get
some girls pregnant? Not that I know of Piper. Is
she pregnant? You didn't hear it from me? Well, why
would she keep that from me? Motherhood is a big calling.
Maybe she fears it would negatively affect her work. This
changes everything. I don't say anything, my love. She's not
(19:57):
telling people yet. Of course, not come here line with
me yet. Well, Meredith was right about one thing. The
walls are thin. Yeah, I heard her. Whatever, I'm used
(20:18):
to it. So my family doesn't support me. Whatever. I
just keep doing my thing. Dad saw how hard I worked.
I deserve the company. I mean, I'm working my ass
off while being pregnant. Do you know how tired you
are in the first trimester? Honestly, Meredith can go fuck.
(20:38):
Oh my god. She is so manipulative. She drives me crazy.
Another delicious meal, Dad, I didn't cook it, Piper, but
you organized it. Thank you. You got some brown stuff
on your nose. Pie. You went to talk, Benji. We
all see you sneaking around, sucking up to Dad. This
father and son bonding. You're the worst one. You can
(21:01):
do it. Okay? Oh shit, look, James, my love Dorian
has something he wants to share. Hey, Dad, Um, so
I was thinking spick up son, I cat her. Oh
well I was. I was thinking about some ideas for
you know, the company that I thought you might like,
sort of you know, well, it's well, it's kind of
(21:22):
like like this. Um oh, social media. We're being pushed
out by satan spawn? You're right? Are you really that stupid?
I wouldn't tie myself to you if you were the
only block of wood floating by in this empty ocean
of a family reunion? You're done? What are you talking
about that's going to choose me? What did you do?
(21:43):
I just reminded that of your nature, you know how
you're afraid of breaking the rules. God, I could killed you.
Piper is everything? Okay? Stay out of this, Meredith. We
all know how good you are with secrets. Oh dear,
you know, yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to,
but don't be so angry. You can't let those hormones
(22:03):
get the best of you. What's going on here? Just
Piper being Piper? Dad, go check on her, please. Absolutely,
Piper locked herself in her room. The ice Princess didn't
want anyone to see her cry. Everything with the morales
(22:26):
is big, dramatic. You know, I'm up two hours before
and two hours after all of them. I never take
a vacation, but you don't see me crying in my room.
I have to make sure their lives are in other
especially Mr Morale. If it won't for me, Meredith would
run right over him. Come here, honey, Yeah, James sweeny. Um,
(22:56):
I'm just I'm just not in the mood. I'm sorry.
What's I'm just I'm I'm worried about Dorian. Now. He
told me he's been wanting to spend more time with you,
but it's been so hard with you working so much.
The boy needs his father. See, I just worried that
(23:19):
he barely knows you. With Benji and Piper, you were
just starting out. Then you had more time for them,
but by the time Dorian came along, you were already.
James MORRELLI I'm sorry. I'm not blaming you. You do
so much for your family. I'm sorry. It's just don't cry.
(23:42):
Shook her face. Dorian has very good idea. Yeah, I
think good enough to consider passing off the company. Maybe
him maybe. Oh. I love you, I really do. Oh.
(24:12):
I can't take this chop at the Lizard. It's just
(24:36):
no way. Hey, Dorian, hyper leave me. Alone. You know
that people who torture animals end up being serial killers. Right,
do you think Dad's gonna give his company to a
serial killer? I didn't I didn't do anything, Paul. Dorian
is everything. Okay, Why are you wearing just a sheet? Hyper?
(24:58):
Leave Dorian alone? Are protecting him, Meredith? In fact, Dad
should know how he spends his time. Dad, what is
going on out here? Piper stuff? You're just emotional because
you go to hell, Meredith, Dad, look what Dorian does
for fun? Did you kill that lizard? Dorian? Don't answer that,
Dorian and know he was He was supposed to run
(25:19):
away before I could kill I didn't mean to your
family awaking the coyotes. Last is always Benjie Piper gotten
into you. I'm not your mindless worker, be Dad. I
deserved the company. Whoa whoa. If anyone deserves it, it's
your firstborn. I think I deserve it because I have
the best ideas. And Dad even Dorian. His phone rang
(25:47):
and he turned into a ten year old boy. Ben.
She just never grew up. He has a problem. I guess. Yeah,
it's really sad. But in the moment we all went
for blood, and maybe we made him snap. Who's always
(26:07):
calling you? Benji? Yeah? Benji? What's going on? No near business?
Let me see your phone? Son, Give it to me. Dad, No, Benjamin? Hello,
who is this? This is James Morelli. Why are you
calling my son? I see I can explain how much
(26:29):
you're gambling again, only with friends. It's under control, Dad,
I swear Jesus Christ, what's wrong with you? Answer your father? Benjamin?
How much? Seven? What kind of friends? Stay out of this? Hello? Yes,
(26:50):
call the most recent number on Benji's phone. Get the
people's information. I gotta wire them seven d dollars to
save my delinquent subs. Right away, your phone, Benjamin, that
I don't need you to there you go, Hell you,
I don't want to see and if your faces until tomorrow,
(27:12):
we're doing a sound bath in the morning. Until then,
I need a break from all of you, from you
to Meredith. I'll sleep in a different room tonight. James,
this is all your fault. Jesus can't You're gonna hurt yourself. Dorian, child,
(27:37):
it is over. And if they've fucked it all up,
that's never gonna trust me. Now. I swear to God
my child will not turn out like him. What child.
You got your wish, Benji, we're all on our own.
You're pregnant, God damn it. Hello, oh hello Mr Morrali,
(28:03):
you're early. If you're not earlier late, you're the sound
bath guide. Yes, sir, good, let's get started. Should we
wait for your family? My family like my eldest son,
the lying gambler, and my daughter who hit her pregnancy
from me, or my youngest the freak up family. Children
(28:30):
especially can be difficult. No, you want to talk about difficulty,
you should meet. My wife plays my children against each other.
All I wanted was to reconnect with my family. Instead
they turned it into a blood bath. Well, these retreats
are meant to help you release that which doesn't serve you.
(28:52):
So how do you plan to release this conflict with
your loved ones? Tell them my decision, which is I
will not be handing off the company. That's the only solution.
None of them can be trusted. Well, then you certainly
need to unwind. Mm hmm, let your breath fall in
(29:23):
and out. Just mm hmmm. I have to admit it's
hard to relax given everything I just told you. But
that's what these singing bowls are for. Mr Morelli the
(29:43):
sound vibrations will help your body enter a state of
deep relaxation. So breathing in and breathing out good. Just
follow where the sounds take you. Hm hmm, I seem
(30:04):
to have left my shrewty box next door. Continue that
deep breathing and I'll be right back. M So what
(30:31):
does a shrewdy box anyway? M hm. Really, what everyone
(30:59):
try is ridiculous. It's going to be all right. Can
you do it for your father to gree Oh my god, look,
heads on the ground. Oh my god. People, you've reached
(31:28):
the end of the investigation. It's time to decide who
you think James's killer is. Here are your suspects. James's
gambling son Benji. Piper thought she was Dad's favorite, but
everyone knews me and that drove her crazy. James's workaholic daughter, Piper,
(31:48):
I deserve the company. I mean, I'm working my ass
off while being pregnant. James is eager to please second
wife Meredith saw him in the stupid little hut next door,
trying to focus on my breath while meditating. But all
I can think about is Benji weaseling his way in
with James like that. James's oddball son from his second marriage, Dorian.
(32:14):
It is over and they even sucked it all up.
That's never gonna trust me now or the long time
butler Roehellio, So you could say it. Without me, there
would be no Morelli Enterprises today, and that's why Mr
Morelli put me in his will. We'll be back with
the answer after a word from our sponsor. Now it's
(32:46):
time to learn who killed James. James's killer was his
wife Meredith. She had a habit of eavesdropping on her
family's conversations, and I heard the whole thing while meditating
next door. The walls are made a stray. No considered
spying when the walls are made of grass deer. And
(33:06):
when she overheard James telling the sound Bath Guide that
her precious boy Dorian wouldn't be getting the company, she
was furious. Or my youngest the freakly, I will not
be handing off the company. That's the only solution, after all.
She only married James so that her future child would
(33:26):
inherit the family business. She married my dad for his money.
After Benjie Piper's mom Day, she worked hard to keep
up appearances, but what gave her away were her high heels,
something she wore everywhere she went. Can I get two
seconds to myself? Mom? And why are you wearing high
heels in the desert? You look stupid relaxing stuff, Dorian, honey,
(33:48):
you enjoying your massage. And if you listen closely, you
could hear the heels in the sound bathroom when James
was murdered. So what does that shrewdy box? Anyway? This
(34:17):
episode was inspired by a true crime from two thousand twelve,
when the mysterious death of a man made headlines when
it was revealed that he and his wife had been
expelled from a desert meditation retreat, a retreat which turned
out to be a deadly cult. James Morrelli was played
by John Sanderford, Meredith Morrelli by Lisa Fussen, Piper Morelli
(34:42):
by Carla Delaney, Benji Morelli by Austin Bassis, Dorian Morrelli
by Patrick Havanaugh, Rohelio by Clayton Frowning, Sound bath guide
by Cathy Voo. This episode of Solve was written and
directed by Amelia Phillips, Executive produced by Corey Serge and
(35:03):
Walt Palmer, Produced, recorded, and mixed by Salt Audio Sound
Design and edited by Jasper van Dyke for Salt Audio.
Mixed by Zack Jurich. Original music and score by Noah
Gersh and Jamie Scheffman at Salt Audio. Production coordinator Liz LeMay,
(35:26):
Casting by Romy Stuttman, Casting Assistant Daisy Laura. Recorded at
Bang Zoom Studios. This episode of Solve was hosted by
Me Mike McNeil. Next Time on Solve, a journalist uncovers
(35:51):
a deadly scandal. It's it's Senator Leslie, and that's not
his wife. That's not a woman, and that's not a
bible least something was Avery in over her head? Just
how deep did this conspiracy go? People don't drop on
the lips of cash on your coffee table to squash allegations.
I'll keep digging, you'll stop digging. I told you to
(36:12):
drop this, and you win. Rogue anyway, If a story
is no good, you're killing. Tune in next week to
find out
Hmm. Let your breath fall in and out. Just read
mm hmmm. I have to admit it's hard to relax
(00:21):
given everything I just told you, But that's what these
singing bowls are for. Mr Morelli. The sound vibrations will
help your body enter a state of deep relaxation. So
breathing in and breathing out good. Just follow where the
(00:45):
sounds take you. Hm hmm. I seem to have left
my shooting box next door. Continue that deep breathing and
I'll be right back. Mm hmmm. So what does a
(01:17):
shrewdy box anyway? Really? But everyone just is ridiculous. It's
(01:46):
going to be all right. Can you do it for
your father? To creezad? Oh my god, look shy, Oh
my god, breathing, Oh my god, that job god. People.
(02:14):
Welcome to Solve, the interactive mystery podcast where you don't
just hear about crimes, you solve them. Each episode will
present you with a different case inspired by a true crime.
You'll interrogate suspects, piece together evidence, and investigate the crime scene.
You're the detective. This is your case, can you solve it?
(02:35):
Solve presents family feud. Thank you for Halio. That will
be all and make sure no one comes onto the
veranda while we're out here. Of course, you think I
(02:58):
killed my dad, that's why you're walking to me first. Well,
write this down. I wanted in black and white. I
did not, could not, would not hurt my own father. Look,
I get it. I'm not a hysterical mess. So I
look suspicious. But everyone grieves differently, and my father taught
(03:21):
me to never show weakness. So here we are. This
whole god forsaken spa trip was my father's idea. Oh Dad, huh. Ever,
the master manipulator. He wanted to keep all of us
on this compound in the middle of the freaking desert
(03:44):
and have us duke it out old school show of
love and work ethic. Well he got what he wished for.
Holy fuck, it's hot his balls. What's your mouth, Benji,
I'm on the phone, always on the phone. Face so sorry,
I mean, Piper, It's called work. Try it sometimes, trust me.
(04:06):
I'm good. I like it out here. Oh look, Satan
spawn likes the heat. You. Dorian is so glad to
see you made it. Don't be a dick me, how
Mr child Woo, that's stop number? You know? Mind being
called satan spawn do you Dorean? Well, if anything is
an insult to your mom, not you boy about mom. God,
(04:32):
It's like I always say, Meredith, children can't live with him,
which is why I'm never having him. Oh, Benjamin, I
didn't know someone was waiting to bear your child. That
great call in the desert getaway sarcasm is an appalling habit. Sorry, sir,
(04:54):
good to see you all finally decided to show up.
Meredith and I have been here for an hour. Where
are Piper and Dorian? We're supposed to be connecting as
a family. Excuse me, I have to take this since
when does Mr laid Back jump for a ringing phone?
(05:17):
Piper thought she was Dad's favorite, but everyone knew it
was me and that drove her crazy. Worked yourself like
a dog, and it was never good enough for dad.
But Dad had a soft spot for me. It's firstborn.
So you forgot your credit card in the room? Oh shit,
(05:40):
this is the one link to my dad's account, right,
that's right, sir, cool, I'm good. Thanks for helly y'all.
I'll tell you this though, my dad purposely brought us
to the middle of the desert to mine funck us.
He was playing chicken with our heads and one of
us cracked. You know who really couldn't hand of the pressure, Dorian?
(06:03):
That kid is weird man. Meredith doesn't like anyone to know,
but we all can see what a freak he is.
Lizard lizard lizard, you lizard lizard. Yeah, missed so fast, couch, Dorian.
You're not going rocks it lizards again? Are you? And
(06:24):
I get two seconds to myself? Mom? And why are
you wearing high heels in the desert? You look stupid.
I've been looking everywhere for you. The whole family is
moving into the cabin, so what are you doing all
the way out here? Earlier? Can unpack my bags, come
inside and join the group. Your father expects you to
be already think I'm a psycho. Mom, I don't know.
(06:47):
I mean, I start almost feel bad for mom. She's
not very smart. She married my dad for his money
after Benji and Piper's mom died. Total code digger. I
didn't mean that. Why did I say that? Did I
see that? Such an idiot? God? Um, look, I don't
I don't know who killed my dad. I swear, but
(07:09):
it wasn't me. I would never hurt anything. Oh, lizard here, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard. Heybody,
slow down, slow, oh, Dorian. Dorian is well. James and
I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars when he was
(07:31):
a child to try and figure out what was what
was wrong with him, But no one could give me
anything definitive, so we just learned to live with his peculiarities.
I just I just say that he's my special boy.
(07:53):
I know if he only spent more time learning the
family business than he did kicking rocks and animals, he
could be so successful. But I really thought james Is
announcement would get Dorrian to change what you stopped everyone
set out. First of all, thanks for coming all this way.
(08:16):
I thought it was important for us to connect now
that I'm almost dead. Fiber, I came to this country
when I was fifteen years old with just twenty dollars
in my pocket, and I built a distribution company that
I can be proud of billion dollars as of this morning.
Roughly as I was saying, I'm old that I'm not
(08:40):
a fool, I know which way the wind is blowing,
meaning what that I'm passing off the company. Honey, I
will make my final decision on Friday, So try and
enjoy the week and don't suck up to me too much.
(09:02):
All right, let's say damn it, Dad, I just want
to say. I think it's brave of you to admit
that you're ready to pass the torch to us, the
younger generation. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision. Now
you just have to let us show you how smart
we are. I have to use the restaurant. Excuse me,
(09:33):
pardon me, sir, but I couldn't help. But notice you
left abruptly. Is everything all right? Am I making a
mistake here? In thirty five years, I've yet to see
you make one mistake. Oh blow smoke up my ass.
You don't make mistakes. You test options. You know what
(09:53):
I see, sir. I see a man who has the
life experience to know what's right. M m hm hm.
I don't deserve you, Roelio, Thank you, sir. I was
proud to serve Mr Morelli. I've been in his side
(10:14):
for the best and worst of times. When his first
wife passed, the man was so distraught the business seemed
like it would fail in his absence. I don't think
you'd mind me saying it was I who stepped in
and covered for him. He just needed some time. So
you could say that without me, there would be no
(10:36):
Morelli enterprises today, and that's why Mr Morelli put me
in his will. Still, his family treated me like a
common servant. Would you like some wine, Miss Piper? No
none for me, Ralio, but fetch me some sparkling water.
Everything okay, dear find Meredith. Ah, you look radiant tonight,
(11:03):
by the way, absolutely glowing. Thank you. If I didn't
know any better, I think you are pregnant. But it's
bad luck to deny a pregnancy. Motherhood was the best
thing that ever happened to me. I haven't told anyone.
(11:28):
It's still really early. Please don't tell my dad. Your
secret is safe with me. Excuse me? Where was I? Oh? Good, James,
You're back comes it comes it. We're all still reeling
from your exciting announcement. But I'd like to give a toast.
This will prove to be a truly special week to
(11:51):
family to fall for laxy stuff. Dorian, Honey, you enjoying
your massage? Yeah, you know you have come so far.
When you were a boy, you would scream bloody murder
if anyone touched you now, could you What do you
(12:16):
think about your father's announcement? Oh? Could you get my
upper arms and shoulders they're sore from yesterday's workout. Ah,
there you go. I am so proud of your father
for taking time for himself in the later years of
his life. All of my men coming into their own. Okay,
(12:41):
this is a big opportunity. Dorian. Why are you just saying, Okay,
don't you care about your future because he isn't going
to give me the company? Why would you say that?
Because it's true. You just have to make him see
how brilliant you are, sweetie, and you are. You are brilliant.
I'm your mother, and I know what is best for you. Listen,
(13:03):
you can do it. I believe in you. Okay, Mom, Okay,
I love you. Yeah you too, Oh Benjamin, Dorian and
I were just finishing up. Come on, Dorian, Dorian, you're
getting a massage that I didn't like it when people
(13:24):
touched you know, I do, It's just sometimes I don't whatever, Okay,
totally normal guy, fucking it. He has a conneption if
you hug him. But he's cool with a massage, and
that's is so just he's not trustworthy. I mean, for real,
(13:48):
though he's always given me the heady jeemies creepy creepy dude,
and after that weird running, I definitely needed a massage,
but of course I was rudely interrupted. Ah, I like
(14:09):
a lot of pressure, dude. Yeah, that's good. There you
are Jesus Christ, Piper. What the hell are you kidding
me with the massage right now? What did you sleep
through Dad's big announcement last night or what? We're not
here from massages. We're here to win a company, so
I'm on it. Bullshit, But I have a plan you
(14:33):
don't even want to hear mine. Does yours involve getting
a rub and tug? Because no, we've got to get
ahead of this. I say we tag team Dad, turn
him against Dorian. Wait, do you think that's really going
to consider Satan's spawn? Dorian is the only option besides us,
And you know that Meredith is in Dad's ears constantly
buzzing about her weird golden boy. But if we're a
(14:55):
team and we show him how insane that kid is,
then Dad can't not choose us. So what will you go? Fift? Well,
since it's my idea and I already worked within the company. Well,
I worked there too. Sometimes the balls on this chick,
(15:15):
I don't need you. In fact, teaming up with you
as a risk I can't take. I lose my stock
options and fucked. I guess what. Dad can't stand you,
he told me himself, probably because you're adopted. I'm not five.
That adoption line doesn't work on me anymore. And if
Dad can't stand anyone, it's you. Whatever you have to
tell yourself. So that's it. We're going it alone. That's it. Shit. Uh,
(15:44):
I gotta take this. What the hell? I shouldn't have
been surprised that Benji would throw his only sister under
the bus, but it hurts. He was so cut throat,
you know, he killed just to keep his goddamn stock options.
Benshi was acting odd from the start, in my opinion.
(16:08):
Whenever you'd catch him unawares, he'd be wild eyed and sweaty,
but in the next breath he'd flip the switch and
be back to wise cracking. Oh. On Wednesday morning, I
found him kissing up to James. Yeah. I heard the
whole thing while meditating next door. The walls are made
of straw, you know. I was skeptical at first, Dad,
(16:31):
But I think this place is really something special good.
It's given any time to think, you know, to brainstorm
about ideas for the company. How so well, it seems
to me that if we want to capture larger slice
of the marketplace, we should, you know, stay ahead of
the curve. I mean, have you thought about drone power
(16:52):
delivery services? Interesting? I've got a ton of ideas like that.
They just come to me all day long. You're not
gambling anymore than I haven't been to a casino going
on six years. You know that. Uh well, it's not
that yours is a stupid idea, son, it's just common.
(17:14):
But then you'd have to be in on internal company
discussions to know that we do, in fact have a
drone fleet, but it's focused on delivering secure packages within
the military. Oh it was Piper's idea. Actually, I see,
so the military delivering weapons or ramo or whatever. In
(17:34):
today's call out culture, I don't know, imagine the Twitter
takedown and social justice warriors got a whiff of that.
Now we have to think of our brand. It's not
a bad point, I know, it's not. Piper is stuck.
You can't lead a company with a play by the
rules mindset. You do. If you keep this up, I
(17:57):
can see a place for you at the table. So
I'm in the stupid little hut next door, trying to
focus on my breath while meditating. But all I can
think about is Benji weaseling his way in with James
like that. Disgraceful. Of course I said something to James
(18:18):
the minute he returned to our room. How is your
son and my love? I'm thirsty? I bet hey, let
me rub your feet. It feels great. Thank you. Of
(18:47):
course you know I couldn't help. But overhear your conversation
with Benji during my meditation session. Oh is it considered
spying when the walls are made of grass? Deer? Well,
what do you think? The boy is clearly trying to
reform his ways, But do you believe him? He's been
(19:11):
acting oddly? M I agree. I'm sorry to say I
I don't think he can be trusted, not right now.
You never stop worrying about your children. You never stop
being a parent until, of course, you become a grandparent grandparent.
(19:34):
I wasn't supposed to say anything. Did bench you get
some girls pregnant? Not that I know of Piper. Is
she pregnant? You didn't hear it from me? Well, why
would she keep that from me? Motherhood is a big calling.
Maybe she fears it would negatively affect her work. This
changes everything. I don't say anything, my love. She's not
(19:57):
telling people yet. Of course, not come here line with
me yet. Well, Meredith was right about one thing. The
walls are thin. Yeah, I heard her. Whatever, I'm used
(20:18):
to it. So my family doesn't support me. Whatever. I
just keep doing my thing. Dad saw how hard I worked.
I deserve the company. I mean, I'm working my ass
off while being pregnant. Do you know how tired you
are in the first trimester? Honestly, Meredith can go fuck.
(20:38):
Oh my god. She is so manipulative. She drives me crazy.
Another delicious meal, Dad, I didn't cook it, Piper, but
you organized it. Thank you. You got some brown stuff
on your nose. Pie. You went to talk, Benji. We
all see you sneaking around, sucking up to Dad. This
father and son bonding. You're the worst one. You can
(21:01):
do it. Okay? Oh shit, look, James, my love Dorian
has something he wants to share. Hey, Dad, Um, so
I was thinking spick up son, I cat her. Oh
well I was. I was thinking about some ideas for
you know, the company that I thought you might like,
sort of you know, well, it's well, it's kind of
(21:22):
like like this. Um oh, social media. We're being pushed
out by satan spawn? You're right? Are you really that stupid?
I wouldn't tie myself to you if you were the
only block of wood floating by in this empty ocean
of a family reunion? You're done? What are you talking
about that's going to choose me? What did you do?
(21:43):
I just reminded that of your nature, you know how
you're afraid of breaking the rules. God, I could killed you.
Piper is everything? Okay? Stay out of this, Meredith. We
all know how good you are with secrets. Oh dear,
you know, yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to,
but don't be so angry. You can't let those hormones
(22:03):
get the best of you. What's going on here? Just
Piper being Piper? Dad, go check on her, please. Absolutely,
Piper locked herself in her room. The ice Princess didn't
want anyone to see her cry. Everything with the morales
(22:26):
is big, dramatic. You know, I'm up two hours before
and two hours after all of them. I never take
a vacation, but you don't see me crying in my room.
I have to make sure their lives are in other
especially Mr Morale. If it won't for me, Meredith would
run right over him. Come here, honey, Yeah, James sweeny. Um,
(22:56):
I'm just I'm just not in the mood. I'm sorry.
What's I'm just I'm I'm worried about Dorian. Now. He
told me he's been wanting to spend more time with you,
but it's been so hard with you working so much.
The boy needs his father. See, I just worried that
(23:19):
he barely knows you. With Benji and Piper, you were
just starting out. Then you had more time for them,
but by the time Dorian came along, you were already.
James MORRELLI I'm sorry. I'm not blaming you. You do
so much for your family. I'm sorry. It's just don't cry.
(23:42):
Shook her face. Dorian has very good idea. Yeah, I
think good enough to consider passing off the company. Maybe
him maybe. Oh. I love you, I really do. Oh.
(24:12):
I can't take this chop at the Lizard. It's just
(24:36):
no way. Hey, Dorian, hyper leave me. Alone. You know
that people who torture animals end up being serial killers. Right,
do you think Dad's gonna give his company to a
serial killer? I didn't I didn't do anything, Paul. Dorian
is everything. Okay, Why are you wearing just a sheet? Hyper?
(24:58):
Leave Dorian alone? Are protecting him, Meredith? In fact, Dad
should know how he spends his time. Dad, what is
going on out here? Piper stuff? You're just emotional because
you go to hell, Meredith, Dad, look what Dorian does
for fun? Did you kill that lizard? Dorian? Don't answer that,
Dorian and know he was He was supposed to run
(25:19):
away before I could kill I didn't mean to your
family awaking the coyotes. Last is always Benjie Piper gotten
into you. I'm not your mindless worker, be Dad. I
deserved the company. Whoa whoa. If anyone deserves it, it's
your firstborn. I think I deserve it because I have
the best ideas. And Dad even Dorian. His phone rang
(25:47):
and he turned into a ten year old boy. Ben.
She just never grew up. He has a problem. I guess. Yeah,
it's really sad. But in the moment we all went
for blood, and maybe we made him snap. Who's always
(26:07):
calling you? Benji? Yeah? Benji? What's going on? No near business?
Let me see your phone? Son, Give it to me. Dad, No, Benjamin? Hello,
who is this? This is James Morelli. Why are you
calling my son? I see I can explain how much
(26:29):
you're gambling again, only with friends. It's under control, Dad,
I swear Jesus Christ, what's wrong with you? Answer your father? Benjamin?
How much? Seven? What kind of friends? Stay out of this? Hello? Yes,
(26:50):
call the most recent number on Benji's phone. Get the
people's information. I gotta wire them seven d dollars to
save my delinquent subs. Right away, your phone, Benjamin, that
I don't need you to there you go, Hell you,
I don't want to see and if your faces until tomorrow,
(27:12):
we're doing a sound bath in the morning. Until then,
I need a break from all of you, from you
to Meredith. I'll sleep in a different room tonight. James,
this is all your fault. Jesus can't You're gonna hurt yourself. Dorian, child,
(27:37):
it is over. And if they've fucked it all up,
that's never gonna trust me. Now. I swear to God
my child will not turn out like him. What child.
You got your wish, Benji, we're all on our own.
You're pregnant, God damn it. Hello, oh hello Mr Morrali,
(28:03):
you're early. If you're not earlier late, you're the sound
bath guide. Yes, sir, good, let's get started. Should we
wait for your family? My family like my eldest son,
the lying gambler, and my daughter who hit her pregnancy
from me, or my youngest the freak up family. Children
(28:30):
especially can be difficult. No, you want to talk about difficulty,
you should meet. My wife plays my children against each other.
All I wanted was to reconnect with my family. Instead
they turned it into a blood bath. Well, these retreats
are meant to help you release that which doesn't serve you.
(28:52):
So how do you plan to release this conflict with
your loved ones? Tell them my decision, which is I
will not be handing off the company. That's the only solution.
None of them can be trusted. Well, then you certainly
need to unwind. Mm hmm, let your breath fall in
(29:23):
and out. Just mm hmmm. I have to admit it's
hard to relax given everything I just told you. But
that's what these singing bowls are for. Mr Morelli the
(29:43):
sound vibrations will help your body enter a state of
deep relaxation. So breathing in and breathing out good. Just
follow where the sounds take you. Hm hmm, I seem
(30:04):
to have left my shrewty box next door. Continue that
deep breathing and I'll be right back. M So what
(30:31):
does a shrewdy box anyway? M hm. Really, what everyone
(30:59):
try is ridiculous. It's going to be all right. Can
you do it for your father to gree Oh my god, look,
heads on the ground. Oh my god. People, you've reached
(31:28):
the end of the investigation. It's time to decide who
you think James's killer is. Here are your suspects. James's
gambling son Benji. Piper thought she was Dad's favorite, but
everyone knews me and that drove her crazy. James's workaholic daughter, Piper,
(31:48):
I deserve the company. I mean, I'm working my ass
off while being pregnant. James is eager to please second
wife Meredith saw him in the stupid little hut next door,
trying to focus on my breath while meditating. But all
I can think about is Benji weaseling his way in
with James like that. James's oddball son from his second marriage, Dorian.
(32:14):
It is over and they even sucked it all up.
That's never gonna trust me now or the long time
butler Roehellio, So you could say it. Without me, there
would be no Morelli Enterprises today, and that's why Mr
Morelli put me in his will. We'll be back with
the answer after a word from our sponsor. Now it's
(32:46):
time to learn who killed James. James's killer was his
wife Meredith. She had a habit of eavesdropping on her
family's conversations, and I heard the whole thing while meditating
next door. The walls are made a stray. No considered
spying when the walls are made of grass deer. And
(33:06):
when she overheard James telling the sound Bath Guide that
her precious boy Dorian wouldn't be getting the company, she
was furious. Or my youngest the freakly, I will not
be handing off the company. That's the only solution, after all.
She only married James so that her future child would
(33:26):
inherit the family business. She married my dad for his money.
After Benjie Piper's mom Day, she worked hard to keep
up appearances, but what gave her away were her high heels,
something she wore everywhere she went. Can I get two
seconds to myself? Mom? And why are you wearing high
heels in the desert? You look stupid relaxing stuff, Dorian, honey,
(33:48):
you enjoying your massage. And if you listen closely, you
could hear the heels in the sound bathroom when James
was murdered. So what does that shrewdy box? Anyway? This
(34:17):
episode was inspired by a true crime from two thousand twelve,
when the mysterious death of a man made headlines when
it was revealed that he and his wife had been
expelled from a desert meditation retreat, a retreat which turned
out to be a deadly cult. James Morrelli was played
by John Sanderford, Meredith Morrelli by Lisa Fussen, Piper Morelli
(34:42):
by Carla Delaney, Benji Morelli by Austin Bassis, Dorian Morrelli
by Patrick Havanaugh, Rohelio by Clayton Frowning, Sound bath guide
by Cathy Voo. This episode of Solve was written and
directed by Amelia Phillips, Executive produced by Corey Serge and
(35:03):
Walt Palmer, Produced, recorded, and mixed by Salt Audio Sound
Design and edited by Jasper van Dyke for Salt Audio.
Mixed by Zack Jurich. Original music and score by Noah
Gersh and Jamie Scheffman at Salt Audio. Production coordinator Liz LeMay,
(35:26):
Casting by Romy Stuttman, Casting Assistant Daisy Laura. Recorded at
Bang Zoom Studios. This episode of Solve was hosted by
Me Mike McNeil. Next Time on Solve, a journalist uncovers
(35:51):
a deadly scandal. It's it's Senator Leslie, and that's not
his wife. That's not a woman, and that's not a
bible least something was Avery in over her head? Just
how deep did this conspiracy go? People don't drop on
the lips of cash on your coffee table to squash allegations.
I'll keep digging, you'll stop digging. I told you to
(36:12):
drop this, and you win. Rogue anyway, If a story
is no good, you're killing. Tune in next week to
find out
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