"Makeup to Die For"

Norwood & Cross, P.I. 

An AVA 2026 Platinum Award Winning Series

  Episode 6: “Makeup to Die For”

Welcome back to Norwood and Cross, P.I.—where the coffee’s stale, the suspects are lying, and Jason Cross still thinks “business casual” means clean jeans.

Today’s case takes Nicole and Jason into the glamorous world of beauty empires, billion-dollar cosmetics, and marriages held together with little more than hairspray and denial.

Because when a makeup mogul turns up dead, everyone’s got something to hide… and someone’s foundation is about to crack.

 Credits: 

Created, written, and produced by: Jody Lebel    vojodylebel@gmail.com         

Directed by: Nick Omana - nick@nickomana.com 

Project Manager and Editor: Edward Waldorph - ewaldorph@yahoo.com 

Foley/Sound Engineer: Tittoedits(@atifullah9988) 

VOICEOVER CAST: 

Narrator: Mike Coward, stocos28@gmail.com 

Jason: Max Cutler,  maxbcutler@gmail.com 

Nicole: Rachel Vega,  rachel@rachelvegavo.com

Mr. Gray: Ralph Duke,  rdukevo@gmail.com

Neighbor: Peggy Lee,  say.plees@frontier.com

Stacie: Jeanine Orci, jeanineorci@gmail.com

Sam: Edward Waldorph - ewaldorph@yahoo.com

Announcer for fake sponsor - Alibi App: Nick Omana - nick@nickomana.com 

Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:06

Welcome back to the world of private investigations, where the mascara is waterproof, the alibis are smudged, and someone always ends up with lipstick on their motive. Enter Nicole Norwood and Jason Cross. Divorced, disgruntled, and deeply committed to solving cases, preferably before happy hour. She's got a mind like a steel trap, and a wardrobe that says, I can solve a crime and host a power brunch. He's got a gut instinct and a glove compartment full of questionable protein bars. She's all facts, focus, and four-inch heels. He's improv, impulse, and whatever he found under the car seat. Together, they're Norwood and Cross PI, making justice look effortless, even when it involves contour brushes, corporate secrets, and a killer with a flair for drama. When it comes to beauty, some say it's only skin deep. But in today's case, it goes all the way to the bone. Meredith Gray, the CEO of Foxy Cosmetics, had it all. Money, makeup, and a face that launched a thousand infomercials. But now she's got a toe tag and a bullet hole. Her husband swears she just packed up and left. The neighbor says otherwise. And the secretary, well, she's picking out China patterns. Was it love gone sour? Business turned bloody? Or just another Thursday in suburbia? Either way, someone's about to get powdered, primed, and prosecuted. As Nicole pulled into the driveway, the gray estate sprawled ahead, elegance wrapped in a platinum credit card.

SPEAKER_03 1:50

As she took in the grandeur, Jason muttered, Bet they don't shovel their own driveway.

SPEAKER_02 1:56

Jason, put down your taco. We're here.

SPEAKER_03 1:59

But I'm hungry.

SPEAKER_02 2:01

Is that a stain on your shirt?

SPEAKER_03 2:03

No, it's uh it's a monogram. Never mind that. Just look at this place. Wow. Okay, Detective Barbie, bring me up to speed.

SPEAKER_02 2:13

A patrol car found Meredith Gray dead on Saturday morning, a few miles from her residence here. She was in her car, on the side of a quiet road, a fatal gunshot wound to the side of the head.

SPEAKER_03 2:25

Robbery, you think?

SPEAKER_02 2:26

The cops ruled that out because Meredith's handbag and wallet were on the passenger seat, seemingly untouched.

SPEAKER_03 2:33

Where do I know that name from?

SPEAKER_02 2:35

I'm surprised you've heard of her, seeing as how you use dish soap in the shower. She's the CEO of Foxy Lady Cosmetics.

SPEAKER_03 2:43

Oh, right. I've seen her television ads. She and her husband, Doug Gray, built up that multimillion dollar cosmetics business.

SPEAKER_02 2:50

She never went anywhere without wearing full makeup, claiming she was a walking billboard for the company.

SPEAKER_03 2:56

So who hired us?

SPEAKER_02 2:58

The police questioned the husband and released him, but Meredith had a huge life insurance policy. They want us to double-check things before they pay out.

SPEAKER_03 3:07

Let me guess, her husband was the beneficiary.

SPEAKER_02 3:09

No, in fact, it will go to her favorite charity, Best Friends of Animals.

SPEAKER_03 3:14

That's a bit of a twist I wasn't expecting.

SPEAKER_05 3:17

Jason and Nicole made their way to the front door, rang the bell, and were greeted by Mr.

SPEAKER_07 3:23

Gray. I was expecting you. The insurance company told me you were coming. Please come in. We're sorry for your loss. Oh, thank you.

SPEAKER_02 3:33

I know our questions might be difficult.

SPEAKER_07 3:36

I understand.

SPEAKER_02 3:38

When did you last see your wife?

SPEAKER_07 3:40

At breakfast Friday. Yesterday morning before I left for work. When I came home from work, she was gone. And where were you last night?

SPEAKER_05 3:51

Mr. Gray appeared to get emotional. His face pinched in pain, and he looked down at the floor while he gathered himself together. Nicole wasn't buying it.

SPEAKER_07 4:04

But look, you should know that Meredith and I were having problems. She planned to start her own makeup company. I taught her everything she knows, and she wanted to screw me.

SPEAKER_02 4:17

Hmm. Uh, is it alright if we look around a bit?

SPEAKER_05 4:20

With that, he led them through the house and finally into the bedroom, where he flung open the doors to show his wife's empty closet. Nicole noticed that Meredith's dressing table was covered with makeup, brushes, and multiple boxes of Foxy cosmetic products.

SPEAKER_07 4:36

Not only does she want to destroy our business, but she left me. When I got home around 6:30, she was gone.

SPEAKER_03 4:45

Was Meredith having problems with anyone else?

SPEAKER_05 4:48

Uh well, there might be someone. Mr. Gray ran a nervous hand through his hair, hesitated a moment, then faced Nicole and Jason.

SPEAKER_07 4:58

Let me be truthful here.

SPEAKER_02 5:00

Yes, by all means, Mr. Gray.

SPEAKER_07 5:02

My secretary, Stacy, and I are having a little fling. Nothing serious. I don't think Meredith knew about it, but I did tell Stacy that Meredith wanted to break up the business. It's only fair since Stacy's job could be on the line.

SPEAKER_05 5:19

Next, Jason and Nicole spoke to a neighbor across the street. She told him that Mrs. Gray had left the house and came back at least twice last night. And both times, Mr. Gray pulled out right after she did, like he was going after her.

SPEAKER_00 5:34

They're an odd couple. She's always made up like she's headed to the Oscars. He looks like he sleeps in his car. It quieted down around ten or so when her husband came back home and parked for the night. I went to bed. I didn't see when Mrs. Gray came home.

SPEAKER_02 5:54

Uh, did you see either of them moving boxes or piles of clothing like they might be splitting up?

SPEAKER_00 6:01

Oh no, but I didn't watch their every move. I only noticed because when their cars come and go, the headlights shine into my living room window.

SPEAKER_05 6:13

Jason and Nicole drove over to the secretary's condo. When Stacy heard the bad news, she looked shocked.

SPEAKER_03 6:20

When was the last time you saw Meredith?

SPEAKER_01 6:23

Well, um, she was here last night. Um got here about eight. We drank some wine, and Meredith told me she was going to divorce her husband. I was secretly delighted. Doug and I are in love. You knew she wanted to open up her own company, right? I knew. I told her it would cut Foxy Lady right in half, or worse.

SPEAKER_03 6:45

Were you worried about your job?

SPEAKER_01 6:47

Doug wants to marry me. There's no way my job is in danger. But I'd hate to see the business ruined by her. She's such a prima donna. Was a prima donna. Look, I tried to talk her out of it, but she didn't care. She told me she's even talked to someone about financing. Uh Sam Kingston. What time did she leave here? Oh, let's see. I caught my favorite TV show, and that starts at nine. She was gone by then.

SPEAKER_03 7:14

Have you spoken to or seen Doug Gray since yesterday at work?

SPEAKER_01 7:17

No, but I didn't expect to.

SPEAKER_05 7:19

When asked, Sam Kingston, a financial planner, admitted that he and Meredith had discussed the possibility of him investing in her new business.

SPEAKER_06 7:28

We actually got to the point where we were about to sign papers, but then she hesitated. Wanted more time to think about it, she said. I'm not sure. But I think she might have been stringing me along just to upset her husband.

SPEAKER_02 7:48

Did you see Meredith last night?

SPEAKER_06 7:50

Yes. She showed up here around 9:30, and we had a huge fight. She left in a huff. I didn't lay a hand on her. If she's telling you I threatened her, she's blowing it out of proportion.

SPEAKER_05 8:05

Jason and Nicole left Sam's house and headed to Warter Car.

SPEAKER_03 8:10

Well, that wraps things up for today. Wanna go get some pizza and brainstorm back at my place?

SPEAKER_02 8:15

No need. There was definitely foul play involved here. And I know who to point the finger at.

SPEAKER_03 8:22

Why do you say that?

SPEAKER_02 8:23

Her makeup was still on the vanity, Jason. She wouldn't leave that behind.

SPEAKER_05 8:28

Who does Nicole suspect? And why? Solution. And just like that, the case was closed, sealed tighter than Meredith Gray's foundation on a humid day. Turns out Meredith didn't run. She didn't pack. And she sure didn't leave her contour kit behind. Doug claims she vanished after breakfast, but the neighbors saw him tailing her like a bad cologne. And that vanity table? Meredith Gray wasn't planning a getaway. That dressing table, still loaded with product, was proof he was lying through his over-bleached teeth. He didn't just want to save his business, he wanted to erase the competition. With one very permanent solution.

SPEAKER_03 9:12

Case closed. Our client?

SPEAKER_02 9:19

Yes, and so is your losing streak in the laundry department.

SPEAKER_03 9:23

That's not dirt, I tell you, that's character.

SPEAKER_02 9:26

It's Pennypasta from Tuesday.

SPEAKER_05 9:29

Tonight's episode was brought to you by the Alibi App, the only app designed for modern life, poor choices, and situations involving your wife, your secretary, and a neighbor with binoculars.

SPEAKER_03 9:40

I think the Alibi app is fabulous. I could have used it so many times. But listen, Nicole, she's gonna love this sponsor. And by love, I mean threaten bodily harm. Mostly for you, but I'm pretty sure I'll get it too.

SPEAKER_05 9:55

It's too late. They're already booked in.

SPEAKER_03 9:57

I've got your back, man. I'll distract her by bringing up my mother. That's a three-hour rant right there.

SPEAKER_05 10:03

I'll do better. Promise.

SPEAKER_03 10:04

If you don't hear from me after this, check the ER.

SPEAKER_05 10:08

And now, dear listeners, a word from this week's sponsor.

SPEAKER_04 10:11

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SPEAKER_05 11:00

Next time on Norwood and Cross PI. The knives are sharp, the kitchen's a mess, and the famous chef Dory is dead on the floor. Someone's cooked up a murder inside Somerset's most exclusive restaurant. The secret ingredient? Betrayal. Was it the nervous manager? The determined sous-chef? Or revival with an empty menu and a full wallet? Nicole's hunting for clues, Jason's wondering if the souffle is still salvageable. It's fine dining, foul play, and a recipe someone would kill to steal. Don't miss Recipe for Murder, because revenge is best served hot. Be sure to subscribe to Norwood and Cross P.I., where the heels are high, the coffee's cold, and the crimes just keep coming.