Ships in the Night: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery

The film begins with retired doctor Eli Leichtner showing Zee Madieras his prototype for a portable dialysis machine, which he intends to release as open-source technology. Meanwhile, retired detective Jeff Jackson and Zee attempt to navigate their rekindled romance, though their dinner plans are repeatedly thwarted by their professional duties. The plot intensifies when Bernie Orwell, the abrasive manager of the Winchester Galleries, is found murdered in the gallery. A specific sculpture by local artist Carl Kilburn, 'Boat Into Wind,' is missing from the scene. Jeff joins Chief Madieras in the investigation, which initially focuses on Bernie's husband, Derek, who is jealous of Bernie's suspected affair, and Don Samuels, a gallery employee who was secretly planning to open a rival business with Bernie. The investigation takes a dangerous turn when Derek Orwell, believing Jeff is Don, attempts to assassinate him with a sniper rifle. After Derek is apprehended, Jeff and Zee discover that Eli Leichtner has also been murdered and his invention stolen. They realize the missing sculpture was used as a vessel to smuggle the dialysis machine out of the country. A trip to Boston to intercept a shipment reveals that the tech mogul Adam Shearin is involved in the smuggling ring. However, Jeff and Zee eventually deduce that the true mastermind is gallery owner Lila Winchester. Lila killed Bernie to stop her from exposing the smuggling operation and later murdered her partner, Adam, to frame him as the sole culprit. In a final confrontation at the marina, Lila attempts to flee but is cornered by Jeff and Zee. The film concludes with Jeff and Zee finally enjoying a quiet moment on the pier, where Zee gifts Jeff a painting to fill the empty space on his wall, symbolizing their growing relationship.