Vera s01e02 Episode Script
Telling Tales
(KEYS JANGLING) (DOOR OPENS) MAN: Jeannie.
Jeannie.
Hospital visit.
OFFICER: Hey! Long! Get back here now! Jeannie? (PANTING) Nice place.
Me mum said it was nice.
So, are you going to invite us in? I've come all this way.
Come on.
Let us in, will you? I'm going to count to ten.
Then I'm going to call the prison.
Oh, come on.
Go on.
Scram! Back to your hole! Look at me! You're so bloody brave, aren't you? Why can't you look at me? I never did anything wrong.
I said look at me! Youneveroncecame to see me! I hate you! I hate you! You never (YELPS) Oh, God.
Do you not love me? No.
Never.
You made my life a nightmare.
You can wake up now.
(TYRES SCREECH) Vera - Season 1, Episode 2 "Telling Tales" (MOBILE RINGS) It's not like you to stoop to a spot of roadkill, Vera.
Oh, better class of roadkill, this one, Billy.
DCC wants a report on what the victim was doing before he goes to the press.
I bet he does.
Still, seeing as we're here Traffic accident? Yes.
And no.
Billy.
Well, the collision might have killed her but I'm guessing it didn't do this.
You sure? Mr Long? DCI Vera Stanhope.
DS Joe Ashworth.
What were you thinking of, letting her out in the first place? She was bound to come after me.
Like an animal, she was.
Your hand OK? Aye.
It's all right.
Better than my head.
We'll get someone to look at it.
No need to fuss.
It's just for evidence.
So you struck first? What do you think happened here? She was your daughter, Mr Long.
No.
She gave that up a long time ago.
Ah, you play yourself, do you? Mm? Piano.
Oh, it'sTheresa's thing.
The late wife.
And Jeannie, she had a knack for it.
(STRIKES KEY ON OUT-OF-TUNE PIANO) Why hang on to it if she was never coming home? Well, she's not coming home now.
No, she's not.
She went for me! On me own doorstep and And what? (SIGHS) I don't know.
You don't know or you can't remember? I was trying to defend myself.
She kept clawing at me.
I was trying to get back into the house.
I looked upand all of a sudden she stepped back.
Just stepped back off the kerb? Onto the road.
Aye.
An accident? On purpose.
She saw that bus coming.
She walked right into it.
Did she say anything before she erm? No.
OK.
Right.
Not much to be scared of, is she? Not any more.
The bairns keeping you up? What is that supposed to mean? Nah.
Just an observation.
And what is this? (LAUGHS) It was me dad's.
Well, it was either me or the scrapheap.
Oh, it was a devil to get her started.
(STARTS ENGINE) It's a she, is it? NEWSREADER:.
.
for murder, died instantly following the collision.
It is thought she escaped while being transferred from Ebmore Prison to hospital for routine surgery.
Long was convicted for the brutal murder of her lover's daughter, schoolgirl Abigail Mantel, more than a decade ago.
Police say the incident is not being treated as suspicious (PHONE RINGS) .
.
but appeal to any witnesses to come forward.
WOMAN: Hello? Hey, sis.
It's me.
Chris? Where are you? At home.
Oh.
What? No.
No.
"Home" home.
Right here, right now.
Can I come and stay for a bit? Do you know the way after all these years? OK.
TV:.
.
was available for comment although it is understood that a full investigation into prisoner transportation has already begun.
Jeannie Long was convicted for the brutal murder of her lover's daughter, Abigail Mantel, in a case that electrified Tynemouth.
Jeannie Long.
11 years into a life sentence.
She was a star turn.
DI Fletcher's last collar before I showed up.
Greatly missed, I'm sure.
Anyone here work the case? Last man standing.
Well, go on, then, blossom.
Stand up.
Let's hear it for Kenny.
That's it.
Come on.
Mind over matter.
OK.
ErJeannie.
Pretty lass.
22 years old at the time.
Living with a rich boyfriend out in Tynemouth.
Keith Mantel.
Wife passed away, had an only daughter named Abigail, but everybody called her Abby.
She's er14 or summat.
15.
She was15.
Two pretty lasses under the one roof, fighting over the big man.
Until Keith had enough.
He throws Jeannie out the house.
Jeannie is so angry, she follows Abby out of town, comes back hours later, scratches down her face.
Abby's fibres all over her clothes.
Jeannie strangled her near Ebdon Wood.
Clothing, wasn't it? Aye, some sort of close weave.
Tie.
Scarf.
Shirt sleeve.
We reckon she threw it away.
If I could haul us back to this morning The bus driver confirmed Jeannie stepped into the road.
It was suicide? Basically.
Plus five more eye-witnesses say the same thing.
Well, that's Dad in the clear.
He still hit her.
Self-defence.
You love your kids, no matter what.
Oh, bless him.
In his own little world.
What was she thinking, running off to her dad's? They would have sent her straight back.
Had enough, I suppose.
Wanted to go home.
I don't know.
Take care, OK? See you soon.
Wind slightly off the berth.
Steering her back to two five zero.
Tea, sir.
Thank you very much.
(RUSSIAN ACCENT) James, what are going to call your son? (SPEAKS RUSSIAN).
.
Matthew.
Excellent, James.
You are very, very fast learner.
(LAUGHS) For special occasions.
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN) (SPEAKS RUSSIAN) Matthew.
Na zdorovje.
Hang on.
(KNOCKS ON DOOR) Boss.
What? Can I have a word a moment, please? What? Dennis Firle called the station overnight.
I recognised his name.
Who? Well, I just got off the phone to him.
He saw her.
What? Who? Saw who? Dennis Firle saw Jeannie Long.
11 years ago.
The same day, same time as Abby's murder.
King's Cross station.
What? Mr Firle knew Jeannie.
He said he would have talked to her but he and his wife were moving to the States and they were running late for their flight.
But why didn't he say so at the time? He did.
He heard Jeannie was in trouble and he called from the States.
It's all in the original action list.
Look.
They squared the case off so fast that nobody called him back.
He's willing to fly over to testify.
He read about Jeannie online last night.
He was totally distraught.
Jeannie had an alibi all along and she never knew.
So, come on, since you're on a roll - if she didn't kill Abigail Mantel, who did? JOE: Mr Mantel.
Mr Mantel.
Sorry.
I'm not with it today.
We're here to advise you that Jeannie Long may not have been responsible for your daughter's death.
Right.
Right.
We'll obviously want to reopen the investigation, which is going to mean questions.
Sure.
Understood.
She sounded like a lovely girl, your daughter.
Aye, she was.
WOMAN: Mr Mantel.
Guests on their way, would you believe? Fundraising for the lifeboats.
Might it be an idea to put them off? (DOORBELL) Too late.
That'll be the caterers.
Let's get this party started.
He never visited her in prison, not once, Jeannie's dad.
Not our place to judge.
You do it all the time.
It's a job, not a crusade.
She was in Year 10.
Mr Rollworth's class.
Abig You were at school with Abigail Mantel? Aye.
Did you know her? She was in the year below.
You don't talk to anyone outside your year.
I remember, though, they had thismemorial for her in assembly.
Her face up on the overhead projector in the gym.
And I also remember everyone was weeping for her like they all knew her, like she was some sort of special person.
Maybe she was.
Me sister got so sick of it, she did her hair up like Jeannie Long.
Bet your mam loved that.
She went after her with a pair of scissors.
She looked like Joan of Arc.
It was a mad summer.
Best summer of me life.
Why's that? When I met me missus.
MAN: Emma.
Emma.
Emma.
Sleepyhead.
Oh, James.
How long have I? Oh, hours.
Here.
Drink up.
Oh, cripes, the party! Dad's going to It's OK.
I gave him a call, said we're going to be late.
OK.
If you're not up to it, I can always cancel.
No, it's what I need.
Get out of me own head for a bit.
She was the best friend I ever had.
Hey.
Not quite the best.
I feel old.
I do, though.
Chris is back.
Oh.
Where is he? He's me brother.
I didn't pick him.
All right.
CHRIS: I didn't pick you, either.
I better get Matthew ready.
Youcoward.
Why not give your mum and dad a call? Leave it out, man.
Just cos you've got no family of your own.
Chris.
(DOOR CLOSES) Will we see you at the party? I hope not.
So, go on.
Ask me.
I know you're dying to.
OK.
What have you come back for this time, Chris? It's been three years.
Am I skint, you mean? No.
No, you keep your hands in your pockets.
I'm not skint, Jim.
As a matter of factI had to.
No choice.
Not this time.
All right.
Tell her I said I'm sorry, will you? MAN: See you tomorrow, Robert.
Robert Winter? DCI Vera Stanhope.
Yes, I thought you'd be along.
Listen, I wanted a word.
Er, you see, you were Jeannie's last recorded visitor.
Look, sorry, er we could make an appointment.
Not only am I running late but it's my turn to wash up.
I'll dry, if you like.
No, nobody to talk to.
Not since her mother died.
The father Yeah, we know about.
Of course.
Jeannie had no friends inside? No.
Well, she was so adamant that she was innocent.
That tends to grate on the rest of the wing.
Did she convince you at all? As her probation officer, I was duty-bound to block my ears.
Whether I wanted to or not.
Yeah, course you were.
Face your demons.
In the end.
If you can.
That's the message.
One moment of madness.
Et cetera.
I did what I could for her.
Within my remit.
Did she ever talk about the day of Abigail's murder? Mr Winter.
If they knew that I played any part in this, they would have my job.
In what? Jeannie kept begging me to look into a possible appeal on her behalf.
In the end I said, "Make an account of everything that happened.
Your story.
How you remember it.
" She sent me all this.
Craziness, so it seemed.
Anyway, the last time we met, I told her.
No appeal.
I gave her hope.
Weak.
Cruel of me.
(LIVELY FOLK TUNE) Here's your dad.
Sorry I'm late, love.
Sorry.
There's quite a turn-out, eh? Are you surprised? That dead girl.
I can't believe he just went ahead with it.
He seems all right, considering.
MOTHER: He's probably loving it.
Centre of attention.
You know what he's like.
We'll just show our faces.
Half an hour.
I feel sick, just being here.
Of course you do.
We all do.
Ohlook at that poor girl.
She's dead on her feet.
Mam.
Leave her be.
EMMA: It's so embarrassing.
Thank you all for trooping out tonight.
I would have cancelled.
You all know why.
She killed my little girl.
Eleven years trying to say those words.
Now they've got hold of some alibi.
Jeannie didn't do it.
Someone else did.
And all that hate gone to the wrong address.
You see? Soit's like we've buried not one but two little girls.
Two daughters.
Some of you may remember She was a talented musician, Jeannie was.
So I'd like us all to hear this, please.
(MELANCHOLY PIANO MUSIC) JEANNIE: Me and Keith, well well, he was the love of me life.
He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
(RINGS) - I don't know why.
She was always somad jealous.
Anyway ANSWERPHONE: Hello.
Your call cannot be taken at the moment.
Please leave your message after the tone.
(BEEP) She would have scratched me face off if I hadn'tgot out the house.
I just ran for it.
Cos once Abby got wound up, nothing would havestopped her.
I went to London for the day, like I said.
When I got back that night, there was thispolicewoman.
I over I overreacted.
I see that now.
I was was just trying to defend meself.
I'm sorry.
I'm dying in here.
Will somebody pleaseplease help me? Please.
(BEEP) (LAUGHTER AND MUSIC) Ow! That's the trouble with this town.
Everyone loves the old days.
(CAR HORN BLARES CONTINUOUSLY) Oh, what is that? (WAILS) Mam? Mam? Mam! Mam! Mam! Mary.
Mam! Mary! Mary.
It's all right.
What's going on? Come on, darling.
Oh Oh, God! Chris! Stay there.
Stay there.
Chris! Chris! Please, no! Not Chris! Please! (WAILING) No, Chris! Christopher Winter.
He's only been back in the country two days.
Family haven't seen him in years.
Billy? Well, I think we can rule out traffic accident.
Head wound.
This errivet near the crown.
Time of death? Murder weapon? Nah.
No sign.
Well, the night is young.
Car? Belonged to his sister.
The boot waswas found like this? What? It's warped.
Twisted.
Victim leans in to get something out of the back, down comes the boot, strikes him hard, back of the head.
The boot? Aye, it's possible.
No great blood loss but er possible brain haemorrhage, depending on the force of the blow.
That would do it.
Can we go home now? Witnesses? Well, it's early days.
But no-one's come forward.
The ticket-takers had all gone in.
So erthe front door was closed.
Hm? So, very likely, the killer came from the road.
Eh, it's a fair walk.
No-one heard any cars.
Besides, the lights in the garden are that low, anyone could have got in and out and not been seen.
We could be looking at any one of the guests.
It's all right, Mam.
It's OK.
Is this the mother? How are we doing? We wanted to call but you don't want to make a fuss.
I shall have a word with the medic, get something for your wife, help her sleep.
Mam's on these horse tranquillisers as it is.
A light sleeper, aren't you, love? I have been.
Matthew? It's all right.
He's asleep in his buggy.
Get these people home if Forensics are happy.
As for the rest, names and addresses, send them home.
Vera.
Caroline! I didn't know you were local.
I'm not.
Well, North Shields.
Well, it's only over the river.
Wellsee you.
Aye.
Caroline Fletcher.
DI Fletcher, as was.
Who investigated Abigail's murder.
Nice ankles, don't you think? Not so you'd notice.
You after a raise? What is she doing here, anyway? All right, don't take your coats off.
Holly, victim.
Christopher Winter, aged 24.
He's been overseas on and off since he left school after his GCSEs.
Doing what? Drugs? No.
Travelling, bar work.
He hasn't been home since the Christmas before last and he kipped over at his sister's on Sunday night.
Then Murdered in the driveway while Keith Mantel's holding a fundraiser for our brave lads on the boats.
Taylor, I want details of his every movement since he set foot back in the country.
From where? Er, Amsterdam.
Ferry.
So, where he went, who he met, talked to.
Phone calls.
Right? NowKeith Mantel.
Joe.
Family were a big noise on the docks.
Made a fortune out of ship-building.
Sold to a Danish company.
We can leave the Danes out of it.
Keith Mantel put all his capital into property.
- Mantel's estate agents.
When did you say he sold up family business? Twelve years.
Maybe four months before Abby's death.
So, first Abigail, now Chris Winter.
Right.
Copies of the old Abigail Mantel file.
Such as it is.
You think same killer? That's a starting point.
- Shall I have a word with DI Fletcher? Oh, I can do that, pet.
Who got any sleep last night? Well, don't go making up for it now.
No more leave without my say-so.
And, Holly, leave the boyfriend at home.
Don't have a boyfriend.
Right, you lot, I want witness statements from all the guests by closing time tonight.
Joe, with me.
Holly, you can drive us.
You said killed by a blow from the edge of the boot.
I seem to recall that was your theory.
Oh, you're the expert, pet.
Thank you.
Pet.
Look.
Victim's struck once on the back of the head.
Edge of the boot.
Thisrivet.
It's enough to stun him but then comes blow number two.
The death blow.
Cracked skull.
Internal haemorrhage.
So, what hit him? Flat surface.
Bloody hard.
Metal, I'm guessing.
And look.
Traces of earth, mud, in his hair.
Tell the Crime Scene mob we're minus a murder weapon.
Priority.
Will do.
Time of death? Fifteen, 20 minutes before your witness found him.
Right.
You're welcome.
Ooh.
Billy.
That autopsy report I sent you.
Abigail Mantel? The same.
You know what I'm asking.
Two murders, decade apart.
Different MO.
Was it the same killer? No.
No evidence of it, anyway.
Two killers.
I think you're meant to swallow those whole.
I like to know what I'm eating.
Everything all right? Tummy trouble.
Ohh.
Something you ate? Manner of speaking.
Oh, Billy.
Yeah.
Look, Vera Right.
Not a word to your team, eh? Your young man is running for Pope, is he not? God help the Vatican.
Seven-day course.
Soon be back in business.
What is it they say, eh? "You're as old as who you feel.
" And who did you feel? It was dark.
The beer flowed like wine.
It's all a bit of a blank, to be honest.
Still, she left you something to remember her by, eh? (CHUCKLES) Taylor's been through Christopher Winter's calls.
Two hours before he died, he called your direct line.
What? How did he get hold of that? You sure you never met him? No.
Oh, hold on.
Joe, check my answerphone.
CHRIS WINTER: Listen, you won't remember me.
I want you to know, whatever happens, I'm not here to judge you.
I'm just saying somebody's got to make a stand.
Cos that womanJeannie Long, her blood is on your hands.
On all our hands.
Time to stop running.
Set us all free.
Our son.
Famous last words.
Who was he calling? The message appears to have been left for me.
Oh.
You two? Never met.
No.
I thought you might be able to explain.
Oh, don't ask us.
Mrs Winter.
Last night.
If you're feeling up to it.
I I cut me hand.
So silly.
I went back to the car.
I thought I might have some plasters in the first-aid box.
And I don't know if I did or not.
And Chris? He was lying there.
But then I was so frightened, I don't know what happened next.
Well, did you see anybody, hear anything? No.
No.
Christopher.
On the phone.
Could I possibly hear it one more time? Mary.
I don't care about the words.
It's just his voice, you see.
Yeah, course she can.
Listen, you won't remember me.
I want you to know, whatever happens, I'm not here to judge you.
I'm just saying somebody's got to make a stand.
Christopher's room.
Once upon a time.
We use it for ironing, mostly, now.
You know what it's like.
Kids grow up.
Move out.
You don't know what to do with the space.
He could have called.
You don't have to be strong.
Yes, I do.
I do.
They look to you, do they, the family? My fault.
I encourage it.
And out there, where your daughter found Abigail.
Past the trees.
That's it.
(SIGHS DEEPLY) Did you not think about moving? Sure.
We'd talk about it.
Mary has her own ideas.
Fear.
Trauma.
I said to her, "It takes more than a change of scenery.
" "You have to face your demons.
" Like I said to Jeannie.
Oh, I meant to ask.
You'd have thought Abigail's friendship with your daughter Yes.
Yes, I did point out the conflict.
The prison service, they they felt that the common ground would actually do her good.
Mm.
The erDVD.
Was that of any use? (MOBILE RINGS) Oh, sorry.
Excuse me.
Joe? JOE: CSI foundthis .
.
in Christopher Winter's rucksack.
Oh.
Very nice.
No.
Inside.
Abigail Mantel? "Looking's free.
" Aye.
And that's not all.
DI Fletcher? Joe.
Have a word with the sister.
How well did Chris Winter know Abigail Mantel? And, er, where are you off to? Bit of lippy.
And a hard hat.
I'm going into battle.
I am honoured.
I expected uniform.
Or a phone call.
You're no ordinary witness, are you? BesidesI could use your help.
Oh.
OK.
Last night, I see your lot coming up the drive, I'm straight into automatic.
Time of death? Where's my crime scene? Don't tell me you miss it.
Oh, you know.
Never when sober.
(LAUGHS) No ring? Not the one that counts.
You? Oh "Small, yet clumsy," me dad used to say.
Ah, it's a pity, though, with your looks.
Plus now you're out of the force.
What's that got to do with it? Oh.
You and erKeith Mantel.
The other night at the party in the garden, under the gibbous moon.
I tell you, my radar's slow as it comes but even I thought, "Hello.
History.
" Sorry.
Lost me.
Well, rich, good-looking man, in bits over his dead lass.
Enter DI Fletcher, hormones raging.
You kissed it all away, didn't you? All that pain.
Detective at 34, the darling of the ACC.
I wondered why you walked away from the job.
You broke the golden rule - never get involved with a witness.
I never touched him.
Not during.
After.
After you charged the wrong woman with murder.
You see that lass he was with at the party? What is she? A model or what? Why are you making this personal? What did I ever do to you? Not me.
Her.
The girlfriend he couldn't quite get rid of.
I fitted up Jeannie Long now, did I? You were in too much of a hurry.
You and your precious alibi.
You would have done the same yourself.
I mean, we had time-wasters calling up every minute of the day.
You can't act on every call.
You No, I was thinking more of Abigail.
Sexually active, according to the autopsy.
Who with? Not relevant.
Why didn't you take a statement from Chris Winter? He was 14 years old.
He was only 400 yards from where Abigail was murdered.
He was in his room.
He could have climbed out.
The family wouldn't have seen.
You don't know that.
Lookwhat we found .
.
in Chris's wallet.
My old business card.
So what? He hung on to it all these years.
Look.
Direct line.
That'smy number now, of course.
And you know what else? He left a message.
I thought it was for me but it wasn't.
It was for you.
Do you want to hear it? Listen.
You won't remember me.
I want you to know, whatever happens, I'm not here to judge you.
I'm just saying somebody's got to make a stand.
Cos that womanJeannie Long, her blood is on your hands.
On all our hands.
Time to stop running.
Set us all free.
JOE: Your brother and Abby.
Were they an item? Mrs Bennett? Sorry.
I keep thinking I know your face.
I can't St Joseph's.
I was a year above.
Right.
Did I Did we know each other? I don't think so.
No.
StillI can't think there was anything to it.
She was probably just flattered.
Though with Abby, you never knew what was coming.
It's why I liked her.
She was fond of you? I wasstarry-eyed.
Captive audience.
We'd sit on the beach with a couple of Dad's ciggies and watch the sun go down behind St George's.
Abby loved an audience.
I wasgoing to the shops to get I don't know what.
Eggs.
And I saw thisbright blue in the corn.
I thought, "I know that coat anywhere.
" And I'm glad.
I'm glad you were there.
You know what it was like, that summer.
Yeah, I do.
You know, sometimes it's like I'm still there.
In that field.
Likeit was me who died andall this just .
.
something somebody made up in their head.
Mrs Bennett Sorry.
I don't know where I am today.
All right.
James will be home any minute and I'll be fine.
(BABY CRIES) Oh.
There he goes.
Like clockwork.
OK.
Hypotheses.
Christopher Winter murders Abigail Mantel.
Why? Why, he's nuts about her.
She's egging him on and he sees her from his bedroom window, out in the field by the house, and climbs out of the window to meet her.
And He makes a move, she laughs in his face.
Right.
And he Well, he just loses it.
Kills her.
Strangles her, no less.
And then back up the drainpipe.
Enter DI Fletcher.
Doesn't even interview him.
Sends Jeannie down for murder inside, what, Kenny? 14 hours? Christopher Winter takes off, first chance he gets.
Travels the world.
Suitcase full of snow-globes.
Spool on ten years.
Come on, somebody, help me.
Erm, he reads about Jeannie's death.
He feels ashamed.
You can't run for ever.
Nobody can.
He comes back home to confess - at the party, maybe.
At the party.
With the whole community in view.
But somebody gets to him first.
Somebody stops him from speaking out.
Who? .
.
cos once Abby got wound up, nothing would havestopped her.
She was Don't you need to get off? No, I'll finish up here first.
Oh, right.
Wait till the bairns are all tucked up.
No, it's not like that.
Don't worry, pet.
You won't be the first.
You've cheered up, haven't you? Have I? Mm.
Old case in ribbons.
Caroline Fletcher, egg on her face.
It's got nothing to do with her.
They're all saying it's a personal vendetta.
A female thing.
Who? Everyone.
Her face.
They did that to her.
Caroline Fletcher and Keith Mantel.
It was like a witch-hunt.
Her own father.
Back onto him again, are we? He gave up on her.
Want to see something funny? The old bugger.
Me dad.
Gets more post than I do.
This came for him.
North Berwick.
Very nice.
He always hated going out of his way.
Unless it was for a lesser-spotted canary or Go on.
"Dear Hector I don't know if this is your address.
Some months since you last joined our Friday afternoon game.
Please come again.
You're always very welcome.
Wishing all good health to you, your daughter and yourgrandsons, Alan and Kevin.
Best wishes, your friends here on the Clifford Green.
" I looked it up.
It's a bowling green.
(LAUGHS) He's never bowled a ball in his life.
Well, so I thought.
He must have gone up there every Friday, told the old buggers some pack of lies about his perfect family.
No wonder he's such a grumpy old sod.
All he ever wanted all these years is grandsons.
Well, at least it clears one thing up, eh? Alan.
Kevin.
He was a Toon fan, was he, your dad? (JOE LAUGHS) It's not funny.
All right, I'm sorry.
Hey, I'm sorry.
I crossed a line.
Safe to go home now, I should think.
(BANGING AND CLATTERING) OK.
(MELANCHOLY PIANO MUSIC) (FLOORBOARD CREAKS) Who's that? Hello? VERA: Hair colour? Clothing? Anything at all? I told you.
I didn't get a look at him.
Well, any idea what he was after? Crack some heads, run off with the booty, I imagine.
One o'clock in the morning.
Why weren't you tucked up in bed? Seem to sleep better in the chair.
Saves me the trouble of changing the sheets.
I know what you mean.
Well, Forensics are taking a look.
Let's see what turns up.
Oh, I I've been meaning to ask.
Your witness statement.
Aren't you off duty? You say you went to the cellar for more wine.
See, nobody saw you leave or come back.
Did you see Chris Winter? No.
Don't even know what he looks like.
I'll tell you who I did see hanging around.
Jeannie's father, Michael.
Michael Long.
Wasted journey, pet.
Families only.
Murder weapon.
A match for the blow to Chris Winter's skull.
Where was it? On the banks of the Wansbeck.
Downriver of Mantel's place.
Now, that missing afternoon, he was digging.
Digging forsomething.
Slings whatever it is in the car, plus the shovel.
Goes to the party.
"Look," he says.
"Look what I dug up.
" Pops the boot, leans in to fetch it, killer stuns him, grabs the shovel.
"Santa Eulalia.
" Some church.
Or a boat.
James Bennett works as a launch pilot.
Do a background check on him.
Will do.
Holly.
Oh.
Well, go on.
Go fetch.
I thought you needed help with Michael Long.
Hol can sit in.
Oh.
Yeah.
Yeah, sure.
Well, go on.
Move.
Why didn't you tell us you were at the party, Mr Long? Nobody asked.
You weren't on the guest list.
Did you see Chris Winter on your travels? On my way out.
He talk to you? He said, "You're Jeannie's dad, aren't you?" I said, "Who are you?" He said Go on.
"Sorry.
" Sorry? Sorry for what? I don't know.
I went home, didn't I? Sorry for what, Mr Long? For killing Abby Mantel.
Hey? Well, someone had to pay.
Me.
I paid.
The trial.
TV.
Newspapers.
Neighbours don't want to know you.
My wifeburied at 43! This doctor said, "She looks like an old woman.
" She did, an' all! Like a withered old woman.
Jeannie did that.
Our Jeannie! But she didn't.
Next time - if there's a next time - you sit, you make your little notes and you keep your mouth shut! OK? Look, this is not about you.
No, you're right.
I just work so hard.
I know you do! I just want you to What? To say, "Well done.
" It doesn't matter.
Well, I'll just er .
.
let you Go give her nose a wipe, will you? Ma'am, there's a call for you.
Right.
Er, DI Fletcher.
Where's Joe? No idea.
Yes, it was a It was a keepsake.
It's mine.
Chris must have borrowed it.
Oh, you didn't know he had it? No.
Not his style to ask.
That's a bit selfish.
Oh, we never reallygot on much.
But he was close to your wife.
Oh, yeah.
Emma romanticised him.
The great wanderer.
She always wanted to travel herself, so Can I have it back? Well, once the trial's over, yeah.
All right.
Right.
Course.
How did he seem - Chris - when he was staying here? Erm He was Oh.
He did say sorry before he left.
That was a first.
"Sorry"? Yeah.
"Tell her I'm sorry.
" Meaning your wife? I don't know.
(PHONE RINGS) Hello? KEITH: Does your wife know your little secret? Who or what is James Bennett, anyway? What if she were to find out? Emma.
It's just Caroline was asking to see the room, weren't you? That's right.
Well, here we are, then.
Now, I may have been a lousy cop but I do know about people.
(BUZZING) You hear that? Wasps' nests.
They come back every year, don't they, Mary? Oh, they love our tiles right under the eaves.
OK.
Well, I was asking, wasn't I, about? The summer we had the business with Abigail.
Christopher was so afraid of them getting in, the wasps, it was like a phobia.
And God forbid anybody should open the window.
It was so hot, I could hardly bear to come up here.
The windows were rusted shut in the end.
Christopher was hardly going to climb out the window.
No.
No, he wasn't.
So he couldn't possibly have killed Abigail, could he? So, OK, no murder.
No guilty secret.
No big public confession planned for Keith's party.
Oops.
How'd you hear all that? Kenny.
It's called loyalty.
Look it up.
What was that she said about Christopher? Nothing.
Nothing at all, pet.
Mrs Winter.
Oh! Mrs Winter.
I was sound asleep.
I'm sorry to barge in again but your husband said something about you wanting a change of scenery.
Now, those leylandii you have in the garden.
Oh yes.
I was just wondering Robert was dead against planting them.
He said, "Can't we get new curtains?" I said, "I can't live in the dark.
" Still, they've shot up.
Weeds, really.
But they block out the view.
The view? Of where she died.
So you had a clear view of the fields, did you? From the house.
Not from down here, no.
But from upstairs? From the bedroom? Where's Joe? He's out and about.
Do you want I was wrong.
Chris Winter didn't kill Abigail.
Sorry? What? He was a witness.
There were no trees back then.
He was up in his room and he saw what happened.
He saw who did it.
And would somebody mind telling Kenny to go home? Why? He's been onto Caroline Fletcher about my investigation.
(MOBILE RINGS) Transfer or suspension.
His choice.
Tell him.
What? I'm on me way.
JOE: It wasn't that hard in the end.
I looked at the lab report for the mud on the shoes and the shovel.
"Unusual sandy texture.
" Plus plenty of diverse pollen.
Pine pollen, especially.
So I'm thinking, "Where was Chris digging? Pine forest.
" Second one I tried.
Got lucky, really.
No such thing.
They're just up here.
Oh.
I see.
So Chris Winter witnesses Abigail's murder .
.
buries something here, down one of these holes.
Then, 11 years later, Jeannie's death all over the news.
Back he comes.
Attack of conscience.
Says sorry to everyone he meets.
And digs it back up again.
There's proof, almost.
The murder weapon that strangled Abby.
They never found it, did they? What if Chris took it, buried it before the police arrived to protect whoever murdered Abby? You know.
Or some sort oftoken or souvenir.
He fancied her, didn't he? Do you think that's possible? Yeah, I do.
You already worked that out, didn't you? Not necessarily.
About last night.
I'm not meself.
I don't know whether it's Franny or The new baby, you know.
Oh, yeah, I know.
On third time round you'd think we'd have it licked.
I don't know why, it just seems so hard this time.
It was so easy when we first met.
Just worn out, the pair of you.
What you need is a break.
'Ey, I am interested, pet.
Honest.
"It's a job, not a crusade.
" What's that from? Fortune cookie? You.
It's from you.
It sounds like crap when you say it.
Oh, is that right? Wisdom is all about the execution.
(MOBILE RINGS) Holly.
Yes? I ran James Bennett through the PNC.
And get this - he's down as having an alias.
An alias? That's right.
James Arthur Bennett, formerly known as James Arthur Shaw.
Shaw? Yep.
Changed his name by deed poll, August 2000.
2000.
Same year Abby died.
Good work.
Thanks, ma'am.
Mr Bennett? Mr Bennett! Emma? Get out an APW.
Ports, airports, railways.
Somebody call the harbourmaster.
Did James Bennett clock in for work? I already asked.
There was no sign.
Boss.
ErmKenny's got the reports from the lab about the intruder at Mantel's property.
And what are you? A human shield? Kenny, out.
I want to help.
Well, try the voluntary sector.
Meals on wheels.
27 years I've put in.
Is he still here? I'm not going anywhere.
Justget out! You're not welcome here! And Report.
I erm Yeah.
Prints, fibres galore.
You name it.
Get up.
What, guests from the party? Yeah, correct.
What about broken glass? Blood spatters? The only blood was Mantel's.
James Shaw to James Bennett.
Why? What did the in-laws say? It was news to them.
James's family was a no-fly zone.
His mam raised them up in Leven.
When she died, he joined the Merchant Navy.
Raised by his mam? Where's Dad? James never knew him, they said.
(PHONE RINGS) What? Guess who was the last person to ring James Bennett's house before he went walkabout.
You think James broke into your house.
Maybe.
What was he looking for? Sorry.
I've nothing for you here.
Listen.
We need your help.
James Shaw.
Anything you can tell us at all.
Well, if not him, his family.
His father? Marty Shaw.
On the left.
This you, is it? He used to work for you? Aye.
And my dad before me.
Years ago.
Foryou know, the business.
Till I sold up.
And what happened then? He was let go.
Along with all the other lads.
So you think the son's coming after you? Broke into the house to hurt you.
I didn't see him.
Ah, but you think so.
And last night, you called to make a few choice threats.
I hope you don't mind me asking You've had the house to yourself, have you, sincesince Jeannie? I'm better off on me own.
Oh.
(CHUCKLES) Abigail make life difficult for you, did she? You and Jeannie.
Not worth living.
I was everything to that child.
No mam.
I was all the family she had, God help her.
And when she turned 15- all grown up, so she kept telling me - I thought (SIGHS) "Get my life back now.
My turn.
" "Jeannie can move in.
Why not? Abby, she'lltake it in her stride.
" "Get that bitch out the house.
" Or what? She didn't run to specifics.
Teenager.
Surely.
Amateur dramatics.
Not Abby.
She could be quite grown-up when she needed to be.
She was .
.
hard work.
Listen.
Why don't I get the Crime Scene boys in again? Have another go.
What for? Well, if it was James who attacked you, they know what they're looking for this time.
If it helps.
You're not going to get any fingerprints now.
I'm not looking for prints.
Oh, do me a favour.
Give it till lunch time, then call him back in.
Call who? Kenny.
We don't want him choking on a sausage.
I've left a thousand messages.
They probably just wanted to get away.
No word? No.
Ma'am, take a look at this.
It's just come through.
May 2000, Marty Shaw, James's father.
An accident.
They know about this? No.
(PHONE RINGS) Hello? Hello? Love? What's going on? JAMES: Everything's fine.
We're fine.
We're just away for a bit, OK? VERA: Where are you, love? Mary? (FOGHORN) (FOGHORN) The boat.
They're on the boat.
Holly! (SIREN) Wait! Wait! They were bound for Bremen, Germany.
What they going there for? We don't know yet.
Let's pray.
Keep us informed.
Yeah.
Course.
MARY: Christ the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are those with Him.
And blessed is the fruit of our Lord Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God Where is he? Wait.
Shh.
Joe.
(BABY CRYING) Over there.
Joe.
Shh-shh-shh.
It's all right, James.
I'm just taking my wife and my son away for a wee while.
EMMA: James! EmmaI'm sorry! Emma! We know about your dad, James.
A shipbuilder.
Laid off after 25 years.
Job prospects zero.
Ten pints of Stella.
Breaks into his old workplace.
Goes joy-riding on a forklift truck.
Three dead.
My father.
And some lass helping her sleeping child out the car.
So you changed your name? It's a bit extreme.
Look, I was 18 years old, all right? I hated him.
And then Keith calls up, making all theseall these threats.
Saying he's going to come round and tell Emma everything.
I just thought, "Get her away.
" You know.
"Find some space to breathe and make her understand.
" Look, I swear I was going to bring them straight back home.
Me and Keith, we Well, he Well, he was the love of me life.
He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
(DISC SKIPS BACK) He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
I don't know why.
She was (DISC SKIPS BACK) He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
I don't know why.
She was .
.
always so .
.
mad jealous.
She would have scratched me face off if I hadn'tstopped her.
(SKIPS BACK) Mad jealous.
She would have scratched me face off if I hadn'tstopped her.
(MOBILE RINGS) (WHISPERS) Joe.
Charge him with the abduction.
No.
James Bennett is not the killer.
They're fine.
Ohh.
And Matthew? And Matthew.
Thank you.
That's quite a confession.
You put this together? Out of Jeannie's own words? Yes.
To make her sound guilty? Why? I used to do the school run.
She and Emma.
I'd catch her in the mirror.
Her eyes.
Colour rising in her neck.
One day she called me.
One Saturday in June.
"Robert," she said.
Like that.
Like we were friends.
"Robert, I've no money for the metro.
Give us a ride home.
" And how long? You two.
The first time I thought, "She's using me for some sort of game.
" Some private agenda.
I felt so ashamed.
And the second time I thought, "No.
No, she wants this.
" Her needs.
Third time I thought "Well You're into the unknown.
" Can you not say her name, even now? Abby.
Abby.
And the day of the murder? She called the house.
I met her over in the field.
It all came out.
She said, "I'm going to tell my dad.
" "I've got to.
" You see, I was right.
It was all a set-up, a ploy.
She didn't want me.
She wanted to get back at her dad for bedding Jeannie Long.
Oh.
And so Mm? So I killed her.
(PLAYS NOTES) (NO NOTE) Mr Mantel.
How? What? How'd you kill her? Oh.
With er With string.
You know, garden string.
What did you do with it? Burned it.
(MOBILE RINGS) Yes? Bring it over straightaway.
Mrs Winter.
Yes? Mary, stay in the sitting room.
We'll wait for the solicitor.
In here, please, Mrs Winter.
Sit.
If you wouldn't mind.
What's going on? Let's just give them a minute.
So tell us about Abby's death.
What you remember.
Oh.
Not much, really.
I slept through most of it.
When I woke upI got such a fright.
I locked meself in the car.
(TUTS) No, love.
That was this time round.
With Chris.
Oh.
Was it? I'm sorry.
I can't really remember.
It's all? Hm? It's a blank.
Shock.
That's normal.
(KNOCK ON DOOR) Come in.
Ma'am.
Thank you, Kenny.
Now let's have a look.
I'm sorry about these, love.
Now, then Now let's just see .
.
if this might jog your memory.
Now, when you broke into Keith Mantel's house the other night, Robert .
.
struck him with a bottle .
.
is this what you were after? In the piano.
'Ey, you must have been in a right panic to have left it there.
She called the house.
Abby.
Mary.
She called the house.
I said, "I've got a scarf just like that one.
" She said, "This is your scarf.
" "He gave it to me.
He took it.
" Mary, why did your son take this scarf and bury it in the woods? What was it he saw from his bedroom window? I strangled her .
.
with my scarf.
He is such a good man.
And she was going to tear his good name apart.
Some silly little girl.
My fault.
Ah, but you made up for it, pet, in your own way.
Twisting Jeannie's words.
Turning her innocence into some cooked-up confession to murder just so you could bring it home and play it to the wife.
And put that big, bad dream of hers back in its box.
But then Jeannie died.
Back comes Chris Enough.
Enough.
Your son.
Forced, finally, to saying it out loud.
She can't hear this.
It's the truth.
You saw him at the party, standing by the garden gate.
No! He had the scarf in the boot of his car.
He wanted to tell the truth.
Set us all free.
So you killed him.
Keep that secret buried.
Our lad? I had to protect you.
I had to protect you.
Sweetheart.
My sweetheart, Mary.
Oh (SCREECHES) Please.
Get off! Joe! Look, calm her down, calm her down.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Come on, Mrs! Kick it back.
Come on!
Jeannie.
Hospital visit.
OFFICER: Hey! Long! Get back here now! Jeannie? (PANTING) Nice place.
Me mum said it was nice.
So, are you going to invite us in? I've come all this way.
Come on.
Let us in, will you? I'm going to count to ten.
Then I'm going to call the prison.
Oh, come on.
Go on.
Scram! Back to your hole! Look at me! You're so bloody brave, aren't you? Why can't you look at me? I never did anything wrong.
I said look at me! Youneveroncecame to see me! I hate you! I hate you! You never (YELPS) Oh, God.
Do you not love me? No.
Never.
You made my life a nightmare.
You can wake up now.
(TYRES SCREECH) Vera - Season 1, Episode 2 "Telling Tales" (MOBILE RINGS) It's not like you to stoop to a spot of roadkill, Vera.
Oh, better class of roadkill, this one, Billy.
DCC wants a report on what the victim was doing before he goes to the press.
I bet he does.
Still, seeing as we're here Traffic accident? Yes.
And no.
Billy.
Well, the collision might have killed her but I'm guessing it didn't do this.
You sure? Mr Long? DCI Vera Stanhope.
DS Joe Ashworth.
What were you thinking of, letting her out in the first place? She was bound to come after me.
Like an animal, she was.
Your hand OK? Aye.
It's all right.
Better than my head.
We'll get someone to look at it.
No need to fuss.
It's just for evidence.
So you struck first? What do you think happened here? She was your daughter, Mr Long.
No.
She gave that up a long time ago.
Ah, you play yourself, do you? Mm? Piano.
Oh, it'sTheresa's thing.
The late wife.
And Jeannie, she had a knack for it.
(STRIKES KEY ON OUT-OF-TUNE PIANO) Why hang on to it if she was never coming home? Well, she's not coming home now.
No, she's not.
She went for me! On me own doorstep and And what? (SIGHS) I don't know.
You don't know or you can't remember? I was trying to defend myself.
She kept clawing at me.
I was trying to get back into the house.
I looked upand all of a sudden she stepped back.
Just stepped back off the kerb? Onto the road.
Aye.
An accident? On purpose.
She saw that bus coming.
She walked right into it.
Did she say anything before she erm? No.
OK.
Right.
Not much to be scared of, is she? Not any more.
The bairns keeping you up? What is that supposed to mean? Nah.
Just an observation.
And what is this? (LAUGHS) It was me dad's.
Well, it was either me or the scrapheap.
Oh, it was a devil to get her started.
(STARTS ENGINE) It's a she, is it? NEWSREADER:.
.
for murder, died instantly following the collision.
It is thought she escaped while being transferred from Ebmore Prison to hospital for routine surgery.
Long was convicted for the brutal murder of her lover's daughter, schoolgirl Abigail Mantel, more than a decade ago.
Police say the incident is not being treated as suspicious (PHONE RINGS) .
.
but appeal to any witnesses to come forward.
WOMAN: Hello? Hey, sis.
It's me.
Chris? Where are you? At home.
Oh.
What? No.
No.
"Home" home.
Right here, right now.
Can I come and stay for a bit? Do you know the way after all these years? OK.
TV:.
.
was available for comment although it is understood that a full investigation into prisoner transportation has already begun.
Jeannie Long was convicted for the brutal murder of her lover's daughter, Abigail Mantel, in a case that electrified Tynemouth.
Jeannie Long.
11 years into a life sentence.
She was a star turn.
DI Fletcher's last collar before I showed up.
Greatly missed, I'm sure.
Anyone here work the case? Last man standing.
Well, go on, then, blossom.
Stand up.
Let's hear it for Kenny.
That's it.
Come on.
Mind over matter.
OK.
ErJeannie.
Pretty lass.
22 years old at the time.
Living with a rich boyfriend out in Tynemouth.
Keith Mantel.
Wife passed away, had an only daughter named Abigail, but everybody called her Abby.
She's er14 or summat.
15.
She was15.
Two pretty lasses under the one roof, fighting over the big man.
Until Keith had enough.
He throws Jeannie out the house.
Jeannie is so angry, she follows Abby out of town, comes back hours later, scratches down her face.
Abby's fibres all over her clothes.
Jeannie strangled her near Ebdon Wood.
Clothing, wasn't it? Aye, some sort of close weave.
Tie.
Scarf.
Shirt sleeve.
We reckon she threw it away.
If I could haul us back to this morning The bus driver confirmed Jeannie stepped into the road.
It was suicide? Basically.
Plus five more eye-witnesses say the same thing.
Well, that's Dad in the clear.
He still hit her.
Self-defence.
You love your kids, no matter what.
Oh, bless him.
In his own little world.
What was she thinking, running off to her dad's? They would have sent her straight back.
Had enough, I suppose.
Wanted to go home.
I don't know.
Take care, OK? See you soon.
Wind slightly off the berth.
Steering her back to two five zero.
Tea, sir.
Thank you very much.
(RUSSIAN ACCENT) James, what are going to call your son? (SPEAKS RUSSIAN).
.
Matthew.
Excellent, James.
You are very, very fast learner.
(LAUGHS) For special occasions.
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN) (SPEAKS RUSSIAN) Matthew.
Na zdorovje.
Hang on.
(KNOCKS ON DOOR) Boss.
What? Can I have a word a moment, please? What? Dennis Firle called the station overnight.
I recognised his name.
Who? Well, I just got off the phone to him.
He saw her.
What? Who? Saw who? Dennis Firle saw Jeannie Long.
11 years ago.
The same day, same time as Abby's murder.
King's Cross station.
What? Mr Firle knew Jeannie.
He said he would have talked to her but he and his wife were moving to the States and they were running late for their flight.
But why didn't he say so at the time? He did.
He heard Jeannie was in trouble and he called from the States.
It's all in the original action list.
Look.
They squared the case off so fast that nobody called him back.
He's willing to fly over to testify.
He read about Jeannie online last night.
He was totally distraught.
Jeannie had an alibi all along and she never knew.
So, come on, since you're on a roll - if she didn't kill Abigail Mantel, who did? JOE: Mr Mantel.
Mr Mantel.
Sorry.
I'm not with it today.
We're here to advise you that Jeannie Long may not have been responsible for your daughter's death.
Right.
Right.
We'll obviously want to reopen the investigation, which is going to mean questions.
Sure.
Understood.
She sounded like a lovely girl, your daughter.
Aye, she was.
WOMAN: Mr Mantel.
Guests on their way, would you believe? Fundraising for the lifeboats.
Might it be an idea to put them off? (DOORBELL) Too late.
That'll be the caterers.
Let's get this party started.
He never visited her in prison, not once, Jeannie's dad.
Not our place to judge.
You do it all the time.
It's a job, not a crusade.
She was in Year 10.
Mr Rollworth's class.
Abig You were at school with Abigail Mantel? Aye.
Did you know her? She was in the year below.
You don't talk to anyone outside your year.
I remember, though, they had thismemorial for her in assembly.
Her face up on the overhead projector in the gym.
And I also remember everyone was weeping for her like they all knew her, like she was some sort of special person.
Maybe she was.
Me sister got so sick of it, she did her hair up like Jeannie Long.
Bet your mam loved that.
She went after her with a pair of scissors.
She looked like Joan of Arc.
It was a mad summer.
Best summer of me life.
Why's that? When I met me missus.
MAN: Emma.
Emma.
Emma.
Sleepyhead.
Oh, James.
How long have I? Oh, hours.
Here.
Drink up.
Oh, cripes, the party! Dad's going to It's OK.
I gave him a call, said we're going to be late.
OK.
If you're not up to it, I can always cancel.
No, it's what I need.
Get out of me own head for a bit.
She was the best friend I ever had.
Hey.
Not quite the best.
I feel old.
I do, though.
Chris is back.
Oh.
Where is he? He's me brother.
I didn't pick him.
All right.
CHRIS: I didn't pick you, either.
I better get Matthew ready.
Youcoward.
Why not give your mum and dad a call? Leave it out, man.
Just cos you've got no family of your own.
Chris.
(DOOR CLOSES) Will we see you at the party? I hope not.
So, go on.
Ask me.
I know you're dying to.
OK.
What have you come back for this time, Chris? It's been three years.
Am I skint, you mean? No.
No, you keep your hands in your pockets.
I'm not skint, Jim.
As a matter of factI had to.
No choice.
Not this time.
All right.
Tell her I said I'm sorry, will you? MAN: See you tomorrow, Robert.
Robert Winter? DCI Vera Stanhope.
Yes, I thought you'd be along.
Listen, I wanted a word.
Er, you see, you were Jeannie's last recorded visitor.
Look, sorry, er we could make an appointment.
Not only am I running late but it's my turn to wash up.
I'll dry, if you like.
No, nobody to talk to.
Not since her mother died.
The father Yeah, we know about.
Of course.
Jeannie had no friends inside? No.
Well, she was so adamant that she was innocent.
That tends to grate on the rest of the wing.
Did she convince you at all? As her probation officer, I was duty-bound to block my ears.
Whether I wanted to or not.
Yeah, course you were.
Face your demons.
In the end.
If you can.
That's the message.
One moment of madness.
Et cetera.
I did what I could for her.
Within my remit.
Did she ever talk about the day of Abigail's murder? Mr Winter.
If they knew that I played any part in this, they would have my job.
In what? Jeannie kept begging me to look into a possible appeal on her behalf.
In the end I said, "Make an account of everything that happened.
Your story.
How you remember it.
" She sent me all this.
Craziness, so it seemed.
Anyway, the last time we met, I told her.
No appeal.
I gave her hope.
Weak.
Cruel of me.
(LIVELY FOLK TUNE) Here's your dad.
Sorry I'm late, love.
Sorry.
There's quite a turn-out, eh? Are you surprised? That dead girl.
I can't believe he just went ahead with it.
He seems all right, considering.
MOTHER: He's probably loving it.
Centre of attention.
You know what he's like.
We'll just show our faces.
Half an hour.
I feel sick, just being here.
Of course you do.
We all do.
Ohlook at that poor girl.
She's dead on her feet.
Mam.
Leave her be.
EMMA: It's so embarrassing.
Thank you all for trooping out tonight.
I would have cancelled.
You all know why.
She killed my little girl.
Eleven years trying to say those words.
Now they've got hold of some alibi.
Jeannie didn't do it.
Someone else did.
And all that hate gone to the wrong address.
You see? Soit's like we've buried not one but two little girls.
Two daughters.
Some of you may remember She was a talented musician, Jeannie was.
So I'd like us all to hear this, please.
(MELANCHOLY PIANO MUSIC) JEANNIE: Me and Keith, well well, he was the love of me life.
He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
(RINGS) - I don't know why.
She was always somad jealous.
Anyway ANSWERPHONE: Hello.
Your call cannot be taken at the moment.
Please leave your message after the tone.
(BEEP) She would have scratched me face off if I hadn'tgot out the house.
I just ran for it.
Cos once Abby got wound up, nothing would havestopped her.
I went to London for the day, like I said.
When I got back that night, there was thispolicewoman.
I over I overreacted.
I see that now.
I was was just trying to defend meself.
I'm sorry.
I'm dying in here.
Will somebody pleaseplease help me? Please.
(BEEP) (LAUGHTER AND MUSIC) Ow! That's the trouble with this town.
Everyone loves the old days.
(CAR HORN BLARES CONTINUOUSLY) Oh, what is that? (WAILS) Mam? Mam? Mam! Mam! Mam! Mary.
Mam! Mary! Mary.
It's all right.
What's going on? Come on, darling.
Oh Oh, God! Chris! Stay there.
Stay there.
Chris! Chris! Please, no! Not Chris! Please! (WAILING) No, Chris! Christopher Winter.
He's only been back in the country two days.
Family haven't seen him in years.
Billy? Well, I think we can rule out traffic accident.
Head wound.
This errivet near the crown.
Time of death? Murder weapon? Nah.
No sign.
Well, the night is young.
Car? Belonged to his sister.
The boot waswas found like this? What? It's warped.
Twisted.
Victim leans in to get something out of the back, down comes the boot, strikes him hard, back of the head.
The boot? Aye, it's possible.
No great blood loss but er possible brain haemorrhage, depending on the force of the blow.
That would do it.
Can we go home now? Witnesses? Well, it's early days.
But no-one's come forward.
The ticket-takers had all gone in.
So erthe front door was closed.
Hm? So, very likely, the killer came from the road.
Eh, it's a fair walk.
No-one heard any cars.
Besides, the lights in the garden are that low, anyone could have got in and out and not been seen.
We could be looking at any one of the guests.
It's all right, Mam.
It's OK.
Is this the mother? How are we doing? We wanted to call but you don't want to make a fuss.
I shall have a word with the medic, get something for your wife, help her sleep.
Mam's on these horse tranquillisers as it is.
A light sleeper, aren't you, love? I have been.
Matthew? It's all right.
He's asleep in his buggy.
Get these people home if Forensics are happy.
As for the rest, names and addresses, send them home.
Vera.
Caroline! I didn't know you were local.
I'm not.
Well, North Shields.
Well, it's only over the river.
Wellsee you.
Aye.
Caroline Fletcher.
DI Fletcher, as was.
Who investigated Abigail's murder.
Nice ankles, don't you think? Not so you'd notice.
You after a raise? What is she doing here, anyway? All right, don't take your coats off.
Holly, victim.
Christopher Winter, aged 24.
He's been overseas on and off since he left school after his GCSEs.
Doing what? Drugs? No.
Travelling, bar work.
He hasn't been home since the Christmas before last and he kipped over at his sister's on Sunday night.
Then Murdered in the driveway while Keith Mantel's holding a fundraiser for our brave lads on the boats.
Taylor, I want details of his every movement since he set foot back in the country.
From where? Er, Amsterdam.
Ferry.
So, where he went, who he met, talked to.
Phone calls.
Right? NowKeith Mantel.
Joe.
Family were a big noise on the docks.
Made a fortune out of ship-building.
Sold to a Danish company.
We can leave the Danes out of it.
Keith Mantel put all his capital into property.
- Mantel's estate agents.
When did you say he sold up family business? Twelve years.
Maybe four months before Abby's death.
So, first Abigail, now Chris Winter.
Right.
Copies of the old Abigail Mantel file.
Such as it is.
You think same killer? That's a starting point.
- Shall I have a word with DI Fletcher? Oh, I can do that, pet.
Who got any sleep last night? Well, don't go making up for it now.
No more leave without my say-so.
And, Holly, leave the boyfriend at home.
Don't have a boyfriend.
Right, you lot, I want witness statements from all the guests by closing time tonight.
Joe, with me.
Holly, you can drive us.
You said killed by a blow from the edge of the boot.
I seem to recall that was your theory.
Oh, you're the expert, pet.
Thank you.
Pet.
Look.
Victim's struck once on the back of the head.
Edge of the boot.
Thisrivet.
It's enough to stun him but then comes blow number two.
The death blow.
Cracked skull.
Internal haemorrhage.
So, what hit him? Flat surface.
Bloody hard.
Metal, I'm guessing.
And look.
Traces of earth, mud, in his hair.
Tell the Crime Scene mob we're minus a murder weapon.
Priority.
Will do.
Time of death? Fifteen, 20 minutes before your witness found him.
Right.
You're welcome.
Ooh.
Billy.
That autopsy report I sent you.
Abigail Mantel? The same.
You know what I'm asking.
Two murders, decade apart.
Different MO.
Was it the same killer? No.
No evidence of it, anyway.
Two killers.
I think you're meant to swallow those whole.
I like to know what I'm eating.
Everything all right? Tummy trouble.
Ohh.
Something you ate? Manner of speaking.
Oh, Billy.
Yeah.
Look, Vera Right.
Not a word to your team, eh? Your young man is running for Pope, is he not? God help the Vatican.
Seven-day course.
Soon be back in business.
What is it they say, eh? "You're as old as who you feel.
" And who did you feel? It was dark.
The beer flowed like wine.
It's all a bit of a blank, to be honest.
Still, she left you something to remember her by, eh? (CHUCKLES) Taylor's been through Christopher Winter's calls.
Two hours before he died, he called your direct line.
What? How did he get hold of that? You sure you never met him? No.
Oh, hold on.
Joe, check my answerphone.
CHRIS WINTER: Listen, you won't remember me.
I want you to know, whatever happens, I'm not here to judge you.
I'm just saying somebody's got to make a stand.
Cos that womanJeannie Long, her blood is on your hands.
On all our hands.
Time to stop running.
Set us all free.
Our son.
Famous last words.
Who was he calling? The message appears to have been left for me.
Oh.
You two? Never met.
No.
I thought you might be able to explain.
Oh, don't ask us.
Mrs Winter.
Last night.
If you're feeling up to it.
I I cut me hand.
So silly.
I went back to the car.
I thought I might have some plasters in the first-aid box.
And I don't know if I did or not.
And Chris? He was lying there.
But then I was so frightened, I don't know what happened next.
Well, did you see anybody, hear anything? No.
No.
Christopher.
On the phone.
Could I possibly hear it one more time? Mary.
I don't care about the words.
It's just his voice, you see.
Yeah, course she can.
Listen, you won't remember me.
I want you to know, whatever happens, I'm not here to judge you.
I'm just saying somebody's got to make a stand.
Christopher's room.
Once upon a time.
We use it for ironing, mostly, now.
You know what it's like.
Kids grow up.
Move out.
You don't know what to do with the space.
He could have called.
You don't have to be strong.
Yes, I do.
I do.
They look to you, do they, the family? My fault.
I encourage it.
And out there, where your daughter found Abigail.
Past the trees.
That's it.
(SIGHS DEEPLY) Did you not think about moving? Sure.
We'd talk about it.
Mary has her own ideas.
Fear.
Trauma.
I said to her, "It takes more than a change of scenery.
" "You have to face your demons.
" Like I said to Jeannie.
Oh, I meant to ask.
You'd have thought Abigail's friendship with your daughter Yes.
Yes, I did point out the conflict.
The prison service, they they felt that the common ground would actually do her good.
Mm.
The erDVD.
Was that of any use? (MOBILE RINGS) Oh, sorry.
Excuse me.
Joe? JOE: CSI foundthis .
.
in Christopher Winter's rucksack.
Oh.
Very nice.
No.
Inside.
Abigail Mantel? "Looking's free.
" Aye.
And that's not all.
DI Fletcher? Joe.
Have a word with the sister.
How well did Chris Winter know Abigail Mantel? And, er, where are you off to? Bit of lippy.
And a hard hat.
I'm going into battle.
I am honoured.
I expected uniform.
Or a phone call.
You're no ordinary witness, are you? BesidesI could use your help.
Oh.
OK.
Last night, I see your lot coming up the drive, I'm straight into automatic.
Time of death? Where's my crime scene? Don't tell me you miss it.
Oh, you know.
Never when sober.
(LAUGHS) No ring? Not the one that counts.
You? Oh "Small, yet clumsy," me dad used to say.
Ah, it's a pity, though, with your looks.
Plus now you're out of the force.
What's that got to do with it? Oh.
You and erKeith Mantel.
The other night at the party in the garden, under the gibbous moon.
I tell you, my radar's slow as it comes but even I thought, "Hello.
History.
" Sorry.
Lost me.
Well, rich, good-looking man, in bits over his dead lass.
Enter DI Fletcher, hormones raging.
You kissed it all away, didn't you? All that pain.
Detective at 34, the darling of the ACC.
I wondered why you walked away from the job.
You broke the golden rule - never get involved with a witness.
I never touched him.
Not during.
After.
After you charged the wrong woman with murder.
You see that lass he was with at the party? What is she? A model or what? Why are you making this personal? What did I ever do to you? Not me.
Her.
The girlfriend he couldn't quite get rid of.
I fitted up Jeannie Long now, did I? You were in too much of a hurry.
You and your precious alibi.
You would have done the same yourself.
I mean, we had time-wasters calling up every minute of the day.
You can't act on every call.
You No, I was thinking more of Abigail.
Sexually active, according to the autopsy.
Who with? Not relevant.
Why didn't you take a statement from Chris Winter? He was 14 years old.
He was only 400 yards from where Abigail was murdered.
He was in his room.
He could have climbed out.
The family wouldn't have seen.
You don't know that.
Lookwhat we found .
.
in Chris's wallet.
My old business card.
So what? He hung on to it all these years.
Look.
Direct line.
That'smy number now, of course.
And you know what else? He left a message.
I thought it was for me but it wasn't.
It was for you.
Do you want to hear it? Listen.
You won't remember me.
I want you to know, whatever happens, I'm not here to judge you.
I'm just saying somebody's got to make a stand.
Cos that womanJeannie Long, her blood is on your hands.
On all our hands.
Time to stop running.
Set us all free.
JOE: Your brother and Abby.
Were they an item? Mrs Bennett? Sorry.
I keep thinking I know your face.
I can't St Joseph's.
I was a year above.
Right.
Did I Did we know each other? I don't think so.
No.
StillI can't think there was anything to it.
She was probably just flattered.
Though with Abby, you never knew what was coming.
It's why I liked her.
She was fond of you? I wasstarry-eyed.
Captive audience.
We'd sit on the beach with a couple of Dad's ciggies and watch the sun go down behind St George's.
Abby loved an audience.
I wasgoing to the shops to get I don't know what.
Eggs.
And I saw thisbright blue in the corn.
I thought, "I know that coat anywhere.
" And I'm glad.
I'm glad you were there.
You know what it was like, that summer.
Yeah, I do.
You know, sometimes it's like I'm still there.
In that field.
Likeit was me who died andall this just .
.
something somebody made up in their head.
Mrs Bennett Sorry.
I don't know where I am today.
All right.
James will be home any minute and I'll be fine.
(BABY CRIES) Oh.
There he goes.
Like clockwork.
OK.
Hypotheses.
Christopher Winter murders Abigail Mantel.
Why? Why, he's nuts about her.
She's egging him on and he sees her from his bedroom window, out in the field by the house, and climbs out of the window to meet her.
And He makes a move, she laughs in his face.
Right.
And he Well, he just loses it.
Kills her.
Strangles her, no less.
And then back up the drainpipe.
Enter DI Fletcher.
Doesn't even interview him.
Sends Jeannie down for murder inside, what, Kenny? 14 hours? Christopher Winter takes off, first chance he gets.
Travels the world.
Suitcase full of snow-globes.
Spool on ten years.
Come on, somebody, help me.
Erm, he reads about Jeannie's death.
He feels ashamed.
You can't run for ever.
Nobody can.
He comes back home to confess - at the party, maybe.
At the party.
With the whole community in view.
But somebody gets to him first.
Somebody stops him from speaking out.
Who? .
.
cos once Abby got wound up, nothing would havestopped her.
She was Don't you need to get off? No, I'll finish up here first.
Oh, right.
Wait till the bairns are all tucked up.
No, it's not like that.
Don't worry, pet.
You won't be the first.
You've cheered up, haven't you? Have I? Mm.
Old case in ribbons.
Caroline Fletcher, egg on her face.
It's got nothing to do with her.
They're all saying it's a personal vendetta.
A female thing.
Who? Everyone.
Her face.
They did that to her.
Caroline Fletcher and Keith Mantel.
It was like a witch-hunt.
Her own father.
Back onto him again, are we? He gave up on her.
Want to see something funny? The old bugger.
Me dad.
Gets more post than I do.
This came for him.
North Berwick.
Very nice.
He always hated going out of his way.
Unless it was for a lesser-spotted canary or Go on.
"Dear Hector I don't know if this is your address.
Some months since you last joined our Friday afternoon game.
Please come again.
You're always very welcome.
Wishing all good health to you, your daughter and yourgrandsons, Alan and Kevin.
Best wishes, your friends here on the Clifford Green.
" I looked it up.
It's a bowling green.
(LAUGHS) He's never bowled a ball in his life.
Well, so I thought.
He must have gone up there every Friday, told the old buggers some pack of lies about his perfect family.
No wonder he's such a grumpy old sod.
All he ever wanted all these years is grandsons.
Well, at least it clears one thing up, eh? Alan.
Kevin.
He was a Toon fan, was he, your dad? (JOE LAUGHS) It's not funny.
All right, I'm sorry.
Hey, I'm sorry.
I crossed a line.
Safe to go home now, I should think.
(BANGING AND CLATTERING) OK.
(MELANCHOLY PIANO MUSIC) (FLOORBOARD CREAKS) Who's that? Hello? VERA: Hair colour? Clothing? Anything at all? I told you.
I didn't get a look at him.
Well, any idea what he was after? Crack some heads, run off with the booty, I imagine.
One o'clock in the morning.
Why weren't you tucked up in bed? Seem to sleep better in the chair.
Saves me the trouble of changing the sheets.
I know what you mean.
Well, Forensics are taking a look.
Let's see what turns up.
Oh, I I've been meaning to ask.
Your witness statement.
Aren't you off duty? You say you went to the cellar for more wine.
See, nobody saw you leave or come back.
Did you see Chris Winter? No.
Don't even know what he looks like.
I'll tell you who I did see hanging around.
Jeannie's father, Michael.
Michael Long.
Wasted journey, pet.
Families only.
Murder weapon.
A match for the blow to Chris Winter's skull.
Where was it? On the banks of the Wansbeck.
Downriver of Mantel's place.
Now, that missing afternoon, he was digging.
Digging forsomething.
Slings whatever it is in the car, plus the shovel.
Goes to the party.
"Look," he says.
"Look what I dug up.
" Pops the boot, leans in to fetch it, killer stuns him, grabs the shovel.
"Santa Eulalia.
" Some church.
Or a boat.
James Bennett works as a launch pilot.
Do a background check on him.
Will do.
Holly.
Oh.
Well, go on.
Go fetch.
I thought you needed help with Michael Long.
Hol can sit in.
Oh.
Yeah.
Yeah, sure.
Well, go on.
Move.
Why didn't you tell us you were at the party, Mr Long? Nobody asked.
You weren't on the guest list.
Did you see Chris Winter on your travels? On my way out.
He talk to you? He said, "You're Jeannie's dad, aren't you?" I said, "Who are you?" He said Go on.
"Sorry.
" Sorry? Sorry for what? I don't know.
I went home, didn't I? Sorry for what, Mr Long? For killing Abby Mantel.
Hey? Well, someone had to pay.
Me.
I paid.
The trial.
TV.
Newspapers.
Neighbours don't want to know you.
My wifeburied at 43! This doctor said, "She looks like an old woman.
" She did, an' all! Like a withered old woman.
Jeannie did that.
Our Jeannie! But she didn't.
Next time - if there's a next time - you sit, you make your little notes and you keep your mouth shut! OK? Look, this is not about you.
No, you're right.
I just work so hard.
I know you do! I just want you to What? To say, "Well done.
" It doesn't matter.
Well, I'll just er .
.
let you Go give her nose a wipe, will you? Ma'am, there's a call for you.
Right.
Er, DI Fletcher.
Where's Joe? No idea.
Yes, it was a It was a keepsake.
It's mine.
Chris must have borrowed it.
Oh, you didn't know he had it? No.
Not his style to ask.
That's a bit selfish.
Oh, we never reallygot on much.
But he was close to your wife.
Oh, yeah.
Emma romanticised him.
The great wanderer.
She always wanted to travel herself, so Can I have it back? Well, once the trial's over, yeah.
All right.
Right.
Course.
How did he seem - Chris - when he was staying here? Erm He was Oh.
He did say sorry before he left.
That was a first.
"Sorry"? Yeah.
"Tell her I'm sorry.
" Meaning your wife? I don't know.
(PHONE RINGS) Hello? KEITH: Does your wife know your little secret? Who or what is James Bennett, anyway? What if she were to find out? Emma.
It's just Caroline was asking to see the room, weren't you? That's right.
Well, here we are, then.
Now, I may have been a lousy cop but I do know about people.
(BUZZING) You hear that? Wasps' nests.
They come back every year, don't they, Mary? Oh, they love our tiles right under the eaves.
OK.
Well, I was asking, wasn't I, about? The summer we had the business with Abigail.
Christopher was so afraid of them getting in, the wasps, it was like a phobia.
And God forbid anybody should open the window.
It was so hot, I could hardly bear to come up here.
The windows were rusted shut in the end.
Christopher was hardly going to climb out the window.
No.
No, he wasn't.
So he couldn't possibly have killed Abigail, could he? So, OK, no murder.
No guilty secret.
No big public confession planned for Keith's party.
Oops.
How'd you hear all that? Kenny.
It's called loyalty.
Look it up.
What was that she said about Christopher? Nothing.
Nothing at all, pet.
Mrs Winter.
Oh! Mrs Winter.
I was sound asleep.
I'm sorry to barge in again but your husband said something about you wanting a change of scenery.
Now, those leylandii you have in the garden.
Oh yes.
I was just wondering Robert was dead against planting them.
He said, "Can't we get new curtains?" I said, "I can't live in the dark.
" Still, they've shot up.
Weeds, really.
But they block out the view.
The view? Of where she died.
So you had a clear view of the fields, did you? From the house.
Not from down here, no.
But from upstairs? From the bedroom? Where's Joe? He's out and about.
Do you want I was wrong.
Chris Winter didn't kill Abigail.
Sorry? What? He was a witness.
There were no trees back then.
He was up in his room and he saw what happened.
He saw who did it.
And would somebody mind telling Kenny to go home? Why? He's been onto Caroline Fletcher about my investigation.
(MOBILE RINGS) Transfer or suspension.
His choice.
Tell him.
What? I'm on me way.
JOE: It wasn't that hard in the end.
I looked at the lab report for the mud on the shoes and the shovel.
"Unusual sandy texture.
" Plus plenty of diverse pollen.
Pine pollen, especially.
So I'm thinking, "Where was Chris digging? Pine forest.
" Second one I tried.
Got lucky, really.
No such thing.
They're just up here.
Oh.
I see.
So Chris Winter witnesses Abigail's murder .
.
buries something here, down one of these holes.
Then, 11 years later, Jeannie's death all over the news.
Back he comes.
Attack of conscience.
Says sorry to everyone he meets.
And digs it back up again.
There's proof, almost.
The murder weapon that strangled Abby.
They never found it, did they? What if Chris took it, buried it before the police arrived to protect whoever murdered Abby? You know.
Or some sort oftoken or souvenir.
He fancied her, didn't he? Do you think that's possible? Yeah, I do.
You already worked that out, didn't you? Not necessarily.
About last night.
I'm not meself.
I don't know whether it's Franny or The new baby, you know.
Oh, yeah, I know.
On third time round you'd think we'd have it licked.
I don't know why, it just seems so hard this time.
It was so easy when we first met.
Just worn out, the pair of you.
What you need is a break.
'Ey, I am interested, pet.
Honest.
"It's a job, not a crusade.
" What's that from? Fortune cookie? You.
It's from you.
It sounds like crap when you say it.
Oh, is that right? Wisdom is all about the execution.
(MOBILE RINGS) Holly.
Yes? I ran James Bennett through the PNC.
And get this - he's down as having an alias.
An alias? That's right.
James Arthur Bennett, formerly known as James Arthur Shaw.
Shaw? Yep.
Changed his name by deed poll, August 2000.
2000.
Same year Abby died.
Good work.
Thanks, ma'am.
Mr Bennett? Mr Bennett! Emma? Get out an APW.
Ports, airports, railways.
Somebody call the harbourmaster.
Did James Bennett clock in for work? I already asked.
There was no sign.
Boss.
ErmKenny's got the reports from the lab about the intruder at Mantel's property.
And what are you? A human shield? Kenny, out.
I want to help.
Well, try the voluntary sector.
Meals on wheels.
27 years I've put in.
Is he still here? I'm not going anywhere.
Justget out! You're not welcome here! And Report.
I erm Yeah.
Prints, fibres galore.
You name it.
Get up.
What, guests from the party? Yeah, correct.
What about broken glass? Blood spatters? The only blood was Mantel's.
James Shaw to James Bennett.
Why? What did the in-laws say? It was news to them.
James's family was a no-fly zone.
His mam raised them up in Leven.
When she died, he joined the Merchant Navy.
Raised by his mam? Where's Dad? James never knew him, they said.
(PHONE RINGS) What? Guess who was the last person to ring James Bennett's house before he went walkabout.
You think James broke into your house.
Maybe.
What was he looking for? Sorry.
I've nothing for you here.
Listen.
We need your help.
James Shaw.
Anything you can tell us at all.
Well, if not him, his family.
His father? Marty Shaw.
On the left.
This you, is it? He used to work for you? Aye.
And my dad before me.
Years ago.
Foryou know, the business.
Till I sold up.
And what happened then? He was let go.
Along with all the other lads.
So you think the son's coming after you? Broke into the house to hurt you.
I didn't see him.
Ah, but you think so.
And last night, you called to make a few choice threats.
I hope you don't mind me asking You've had the house to yourself, have you, sincesince Jeannie? I'm better off on me own.
Oh.
(CHUCKLES) Abigail make life difficult for you, did she? You and Jeannie.
Not worth living.
I was everything to that child.
No mam.
I was all the family she had, God help her.
And when she turned 15- all grown up, so she kept telling me - I thought (SIGHS) "Get my life back now.
My turn.
" "Jeannie can move in.
Why not? Abby, she'lltake it in her stride.
" "Get that bitch out the house.
" Or what? She didn't run to specifics.
Teenager.
Surely.
Amateur dramatics.
Not Abby.
She could be quite grown-up when she needed to be.
She was .
.
hard work.
Listen.
Why don't I get the Crime Scene boys in again? Have another go.
What for? Well, if it was James who attacked you, they know what they're looking for this time.
If it helps.
You're not going to get any fingerprints now.
I'm not looking for prints.
Oh, do me a favour.
Give it till lunch time, then call him back in.
Call who? Kenny.
We don't want him choking on a sausage.
I've left a thousand messages.
They probably just wanted to get away.
No word? No.
Ma'am, take a look at this.
It's just come through.
May 2000, Marty Shaw, James's father.
An accident.
They know about this? No.
(PHONE RINGS) Hello? Hello? Love? What's going on? JAMES: Everything's fine.
We're fine.
We're just away for a bit, OK? VERA: Where are you, love? Mary? (FOGHORN) (FOGHORN) The boat.
They're on the boat.
Holly! (SIREN) Wait! Wait! They were bound for Bremen, Germany.
What they going there for? We don't know yet.
Let's pray.
Keep us informed.
Yeah.
Course.
MARY: Christ the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are those with Him.
And blessed is the fruit of our Lord Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God Where is he? Wait.
Shh.
Joe.
(BABY CRYING) Over there.
Joe.
Shh-shh-shh.
It's all right, James.
I'm just taking my wife and my son away for a wee while.
EMMA: James! EmmaI'm sorry! Emma! We know about your dad, James.
A shipbuilder.
Laid off after 25 years.
Job prospects zero.
Ten pints of Stella.
Breaks into his old workplace.
Goes joy-riding on a forklift truck.
Three dead.
My father.
And some lass helping her sleeping child out the car.
So you changed your name? It's a bit extreme.
Look, I was 18 years old, all right? I hated him.
And then Keith calls up, making all theseall these threats.
Saying he's going to come round and tell Emma everything.
I just thought, "Get her away.
" You know.
"Find some space to breathe and make her understand.
" Look, I swear I was going to bring them straight back home.
Me and Keith, we Well, he Well, he was the love of me life.
He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
(DISC SKIPS BACK) He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
I don't know why.
She was (DISC SKIPS BACK) He had a daughter but we didn't get on.
I don't know why.
She was .
.
always so .
.
mad jealous.
She would have scratched me face off if I hadn'tstopped her.
(SKIPS BACK) Mad jealous.
She would have scratched me face off if I hadn'tstopped her.
(MOBILE RINGS) (WHISPERS) Joe.
Charge him with the abduction.
No.
James Bennett is not the killer.
They're fine.
Ohh.
And Matthew? And Matthew.
Thank you.
That's quite a confession.
You put this together? Out of Jeannie's own words? Yes.
To make her sound guilty? Why? I used to do the school run.
She and Emma.
I'd catch her in the mirror.
Her eyes.
Colour rising in her neck.
One day she called me.
One Saturday in June.
"Robert," she said.
Like that.
Like we were friends.
"Robert, I've no money for the metro.
Give us a ride home.
" And how long? You two.
The first time I thought, "She's using me for some sort of game.
" Some private agenda.
I felt so ashamed.
And the second time I thought, "No.
No, she wants this.
" Her needs.
Third time I thought "Well You're into the unknown.
" Can you not say her name, even now? Abby.
Abby.
And the day of the murder? She called the house.
I met her over in the field.
It all came out.
She said, "I'm going to tell my dad.
" "I've got to.
" You see, I was right.
It was all a set-up, a ploy.
She didn't want me.
She wanted to get back at her dad for bedding Jeannie Long.
Oh.
And so Mm? So I killed her.
(PLAYS NOTES) (NO NOTE) Mr Mantel.
How? What? How'd you kill her? Oh.
With er With string.
You know, garden string.
What did you do with it? Burned it.
(MOBILE RINGS) Yes? Bring it over straightaway.
Mrs Winter.
Yes? Mary, stay in the sitting room.
We'll wait for the solicitor.
In here, please, Mrs Winter.
Sit.
If you wouldn't mind.
What's going on? Let's just give them a minute.
So tell us about Abby's death.
What you remember.
Oh.
Not much, really.
I slept through most of it.
When I woke upI got such a fright.
I locked meself in the car.
(TUTS) No, love.
That was this time round.
With Chris.
Oh.
Was it? I'm sorry.
I can't really remember.
It's all? Hm? It's a blank.
Shock.
That's normal.
(KNOCK ON DOOR) Come in.
Ma'am.
Thank you, Kenny.
Now let's have a look.
I'm sorry about these, love.
Now, then Now let's just see .
.
if this might jog your memory.
Now, when you broke into Keith Mantel's house the other night, Robert .
.
struck him with a bottle .
.
is this what you were after? In the piano.
'Ey, you must have been in a right panic to have left it there.
She called the house.
Abby.
Mary.
She called the house.
I said, "I've got a scarf just like that one.
" She said, "This is your scarf.
" "He gave it to me.
He took it.
" Mary, why did your son take this scarf and bury it in the woods? What was it he saw from his bedroom window? I strangled her .
.
with my scarf.
He is such a good man.
And she was going to tear his good name apart.
Some silly little girl.
My fault.
Ah, but you made up for it, pet, in your own way.
Twisting Jeannie's words.
Turning her innocence into some cooked-up confession to murder just so you could bring it home and play it to the wife.
And put that big, bad dream of hers back in its box.
But then Jeannie died.
Back comes Chris Enough.
Enough.
Your son.
Forced, finally, to saying it out loud.
She can't hear this.
It's the truth.
You saw him at the party, standing by the garden gate.
No! He had the scarf in the boot of his car.
He wanted to tell the truth.
Set us all free.
So you killed him.
Keep that secret buried.
Our lad? I had to protect you.
I had to protect you.
Sweetheart.
My sweetheart, Mary.
Oh (SCREECHES) Please.
Get off! Joe! Look, calm her down, calm her down.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Shh.
Come on, Mrs! Kick it back.
Come on!