Moonflower Murders (2024) s01e04 Episode Script
Episode 4
Melissa James
had no enemies,
but somebody broke into
her house and strangled her.
We have information
that could help you.
"My darling darling,
we have to tell the world
about the love we share."
PÜThis is not addressed
to her husband.
Mr. Marsh has suggested
that he and Miss James
were more
than business partners.
We had a very close
relationship.
She said that the hotel was
crooked.
An eyehole concealed in the
wall.
£980,000.
You are the sole beneficiary.
He's my brother--
I've got to tell him.
I've got an interview.
It's an independent
publishing company,
and I know the C.E.O.
I'm hoping to speak
to Stefan Leonida.
He's in jail in Norfolk.
I have a friend who works
with the prison service.
You can take
whatever money
the Trehernes are stupid
enough to pay you
and get the hell out of here.
If I see you again,
I will arrest you.
It was here, I know it was.
Cecily, what are you
looking for?
The pen, my dad's pen.
He lent it to me for tomorrow.
Well, why do you need it?
Something borrowed.
Cessy, relax.
We can just find
something else.
It was expensive,
and he'd never even used it.
Who could've taken it?
Hey.
Hey, hey.
You're not having
second thoughts, are you?
No.
Look, this is
what we're gonna do.
We have this party
this evening, but first,
we're gonna have
a quiet drink,
just the two of us
and then we're gonna
watch the sun come down,
all right?
I don't want to drink
too much tonight.
One is not gonna hurt you.
I wish Dad had closed the hotel
for the wedding.
We have weddings here
all the time.
Nobody's ever complained.
I know, but this one's
special.
I'm glad you think so.
I can't believe
that this time tomorrow,
we'll be on our way
to Antigua.
And married.
Oh, God.
Aiden.
Mr. Parris,
what can I do for you?
Well, you can start
by introducing me
to your lovely fiancée.
Uh, Cecily, this is the guest
that I mentioned to you.
The one who didn't like
his room.
Ah, yes.
I hope your new one's
all right.
Oh, it's perfect.
Well, almost perfect.
This is for you.
Sorry?
It isn't working.
Have you had it
next to your phone?
That can demagnetize them.
No, I don't think so.
But I can see
that I'm intruding.
Can I offer you
my congratulations
for tomorrow?
Thank you.
And I understand there's
a party this evening.
Yes, uh, I hope
it won't disturb you.
Oh, not at all--
I'm actually going out.
There's an opera being
performed at Snape Malting.
What opera's that?
Uh, Mozart.
"The Marriage of Figaro."
It's one of my favorites.
God, what a creep.
Better get him a new key.
Oh, sure.
There is one thing,
though.
Yeah, what's that?
The opera he mentioned.
"The Marriage of Figaro."
What about it?
I was looking at the program
just yesterday, and,
if he's going to
Snape Malting tonight,
he's wasting his time.
It's not on.
Hm.
Craig Andrews.
Susan!
Wonderful
to see you.
Oh, this is so kind.
Not at all,
it's a pleasure.
Uh, where's
your car?
Uh, I'm, I'm in a bay,
round the corner.
Perfect--
come on in.
I hope I haven't disturbed
your writing.
No, honestly, it's fine.
How long was
the drive down?
Oh, about two hours.
That's not bad.
Still got
that little red MG?
Yeah, afraid so.
Would you, um,
like some coffee?
Uh, yeah, I'd love some.
These are for Louise.
Louise?
Oh, God-- um
Didn't I tell you?
What?
She's not here.
We, um
We went our separate ways.
Right.
When?
Uh, last year.
You didn't say anything
on the phone.
Well, I assumed you knew.
No.
Oh
I feel a bit embarrassed now,
um
I hope you don't feel, um,
uncomfortable,
staying here, it
Oh, no, I'm, not at all,
but
There's a hotel up the road,
if
No, no.
No, it'll be fine.
It's just, you know,
if I'd have known
Well, I,
I love flowers.
Oh, well!
So
There you go.
Thank you.
Mm.
Why don't you make
yourself comfortable?
Um, your room's at the top
of the stairs,
first door on the right.
Okay.
I'll get the coffee on.
Sure.
So, what happened?
What, me and Louise?
Mm.
Well, you know what it's like
being married to a writer.
Oh.
I'm not sure
there's a more
selfish, inward-looking
profession in the world.
Anyway, we had
three good years,
and, um
Then she met someone else.
I'm sorry.
No, don't be.
I mean,
we're still good friends,
and, um, I'm very happy.
This house, the books.
Which I owe all to you,
by the way.
Oh, Craig.
That's not true.
Well, you found me.
You encouraged me.
And somehow,
you made the books, um
Bestsellers?
Exactly.
You and Alan Conway.
Yeah, I was sorry
about Clover Books.
Me, too.
I am looking
for another job.
Well, anyone
in their right mind
would snap you up.
Actually, I've got
an interview today.
Oh, really, who with?
Uh, Parker Chance.
Do you know them?
They're an independent.
They're small, but,
you know, they're successful.
Thought you were happy
in Crete.
I am, but I, I--
I miss publishing.
What does Andreas think
about all of this?
It's not easy.
God, we've got so much
to catch up on.
Why don't we do it
over supper?
There's this
new little bistro
that's opened up
just around the corner,
if you're up for it--
I mean, it's very informal.
Yeah, I'd, I'd
I'd like that.
Great.
Oh, by the way,
I managed to
track down your prisoner.
Mm!
Um, Stefan Leonida.
He's being held in
HMP Weystone in Norfolk.
Right, um
Can you get me in?
As it happens,
I know the governor.
Basically, I've added you
to their literacy program.
Obviously, there are
some forms to fill in,
and Mr. Leonida has to
agree to a one-to-one.
Mm-hmm.
Brilliant,
thank you.
I'm glad to help.
Hm.
Did you know
that last year,
my books were the
third-most popular in prison
after James Patterson
and Jeffrey Archer?
I'm not surprised.
Well, you know.
ANDREAS
YANNIS
Susan.
Nathan.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Oh.
It's great to see you again.
And you.
How are you?
Yeah, I'm good,
thank you.
Yeah.
Please, come on up.
So, you've been in Athens.
How long is it now?
Oh, a year,
and actually, it's,
it's Crete.
Yes, that's it.
And you've been,
uh, running a hotel.
Mm.
The Trifilli.
Yes, it's Greek for clover.
Andreas named it after
Clover Books.
Yeah.
I was very sorry to hear
about what happened.
Yeah-- yeah, it was horrible.
So.
You want to come back.
That's why I'm here.
Yeah, I miss publishing.
And I heard you were looking
for a senior editor.
If you don't mind, I'll just say
right from the off,
I feel a little awkward
interviewing you, Susan.
Oh!
I thought it was
just a conversation
between two friends,
one of whom had given
the other
his first job in publishing
15 years ago.
I'm still grateful.
You don't need to be.
You did a brilliant job.
Okay, then.
Look, as a friend--
I'll be honest with you,
Susan--
I'd love to have you
on board.
If it was my decision,
you'd start tomorrow.
But I'll have to talk
to my partners.
Persuade them.
Persuade them?
Well, they don't know you.
But they know Alan Conway.
18 million copies sold.
I mean, they, they've heard of
the "White Dagger" series.
They've read Craig Andrews.
Alan Conway's dead,
"White Dagger's"
out of print,
and even Craig Andrews
doesn't sell like he used to.
Well, that's told me,
I suppose.
I don't mean to do that,
I'm just saying.
Look, you've been away
for a year, Susan.
And things have been changing
very fast:
the people, the industry
Are you saying I'm out of touch?
I didn't say that.
I think you implied it.
Okay, then, fine.
Let me ask you something.
Do you have
an Instagram account?
No.
Are you on TikTok?
No.
What do you think
of romantasy?
Why do you ask?
40 million copies sold,
mainly through BookTok.
I'm not on BookTok,
either.
And that's what I mean.
That's what
I'm talking about.
No, what you're talking
about is genre fiction.
Romantasy may
sell millions, but
You're really a fan?
I'm a fan of the sales.
Ah.
And some of the biggest
writers
in the world
aren't writers
in the old-school sense,
not anymore.
They're influencers.
Oh!
Right, yeah, okay.
Do you really believe that?
Do you?
Times have changed, yes.
Of course they have.
But you know
as well as I do
that what sells books
isn't social media
in any shape or form.
It's writers
who can tell stories
that mean something
to people's lives.
That's my world,
and if you want to
make me feel like
I'm Methuselah's great-aunt,
then I'm disappointed in you,
because that is not who I am
and it's not how you were
when you started out.
Okay, then, um
All right, let me ask you
something else,
if you want to talk
old school.
We're publishing a crime novel
by Lucy Foley.
She's very good.
Here's the cover.
What do you think?
It's a good title,
I like the colors.
But, um, I'm not sure
about the image.
Why not?
Because it's
It's crass and clichéd,
and it's,
it's actually
rather horrible.
Lucy Foley's
an intelligent writer.
She needs this sort of image
like a hole in a head,
which is actually
what it shows.
Our marketing team
liked it.
Well, they're wrong.
Lucy's readers
use their brains.
They don't need to see them
splattered over the page.
And it was my idea.
Well, I don't think
it's a good one.
We'll let you know.
I think you already have.
We'll have a bottle
Oh!
of the Chablis Premier Cru.
Perfect.
Thanks.
I shouldn't be drinking
at lunchtime.
Richard'll be mad with me.
Um, who's Richard?
My current live-in.
Ooh!
Actually, he's more than that.
We're thinking of getting
married.
God! Isn't that awful?
Must be getting old.
You've done very well
for yourself.
You mean Alan Conway
did well for me.
I got two million
for that house, Susan.
Wow.
Did you ever think
I was the one who did him in?
Oh, you were
my number-one suspect.
Glad to hear it.
Poor Alan.
Even after all this time,
it's still hard to believe
he was murdered.
Mm, it is.
Oh, it's good to
see you again, James.
Oh.
- Chablis?
Yeah, that's fine, just pour it.
Now a second murder.
Oh.
You never stop, do you?
Well,
the whole world believes
that a Romanian hotel worker,
Stefan Leonida,
killed Frank Parris.
Cecily Treherne had
her doubts,
and now she's disappeared.
Now, it may be
that Alan hid something
in the book, and you knew him
better than anyone.
Yeah, well,
I knew Frank Parris, too.
Did you?!
God, yes.
In the bad old days,
when I was working, Frank
took me to bed
maybe half a dozen times
at 300 quid a pop.
To be honest, he wasn't
a very nice man, Susan.
In what way?
He liked to have
all the power.
He liked to play games.
Not at all my cup of tea,
but he was paying top whack,
so I didn't complain.
And actually,
I should be grateful to Frank.
It was Frank
who introduced me to Alan.
That was
before Alan came out?
Oh, yeah, long before!
Yeah, Alan was gay, obviously,
but he didn't want
anyone to know it.
He'd just finished
his second book,
and he was married.
He was terrified-- if anyone
found out about him,
it would just ruin his career.
But it was Frankie
who changed all that.
In what way?
Frank was a sort of
mentor to him,
encouraging him to,
you know
explore his sexuality.
So Frank introduced you
to Alan to help him?
Absolutely.
I was part of his therapy.
JAMES
I quite liked Alan
when I first met him.
He was so unsure of himself.
It was only much later,
when Alan's book sales
went ballistic,
he became a monster.
Alan,
you're gay,
you like men.
Why don't you just
admit it?
I have a wife and son.
suspect that maybe something
isn't quite right?
What do they think
that Daddy's doing in London
on his own half the time?
It's not just that.
I work at a school.
Alan, there are hundreds of
gay teachers out there.
Doesn't make them
dangerous or predatory.
You're just scared,
and you're making excuses,
and you don't see it, but
you're harming your own life.
Be what you are!
Be happy.
I've got to dash.
Leo's waiting for me
outside.
Why didn't you invite him?
I'm spending enough on him
as it is
without buying him dinner.
Nice to see you again,
James.
Look after my friend.
I'm not just a commodity,
you know.
Actually, that's exactly
what you are.
But you're a very nice one.
Have fun.
JAMES
That was the last time
I saw Frank Parris.
We were sitting at
that table over there.
Alan became a regular
client of mine,
and then we became an item.
And finally, he came out of
the closet, and of course,
nobody gave a damn--
welcome to the 21st century.
Tell me about Leo--
did you ever meet him?
No.
I'd heard his name mentioned
quite a lot on the circuit.
Alan met him, with Frank,
a couple of times.
He used to say Leo was
much sexier than me.
Exactly the sort of thing
he would say.
Nothing else?
Not really.
Do you know
where he came from?
Actually, maybe I do.
I have a feeling
he was Australian.
Why do you say that?
Alan made a joke
about him once.
He said Leo had just
got back from Melbourne,
so he was probably in bed
with jet lag.
Ah.
You know, Alan's third book
was dedicated to them.
"For Frank and
In Remembrance."
What do you think he meant?
Maybe Leo died.
AIDS was still killing
loads of young men,
even in 2013--
500 a year.
Leo disappeared off the scene.
That could've been why.
I take it you never
read the book.
I never read any of 'em,
till I was in 'em.
But I only showed up in
book number five.
But I have got something
that may help you.
I managed to dig
these out for you.
They're the notes Alan made
when he was writing
"Atticus Pünd Takes the Case."
That is exactly
what I wanted, thank you!
It's even better than that.
I found all the interviews he
did when he visited the hotel.
Branlow Hall?
Yes!
He spoke to loads of people,
and they're all on
these memory sticks.
Imagine that,
you can actually
hear Alan's voice again.
That'll be an experience.
I'll bet.
You can keep it all.
It's no use to me.
Anyway
I suppose we should
have a toast to Alan.
No.
To you and Richard.
I hope you'll be
very happy together.
ALAN
Do you mind if I record this?
Why do you want to?
I like to keep a note
of everything I do.
I take it you know
who I am.
I can't say I do,
I'm sorry.
Alan Conway.
Well, I'm a writer--
you might have heard of me.
Are you a journalist?
It's been six weeks since
the death of Mr. Parris,
and we've still got journalists
turning up all the time.
Some of them have
even booked rooms.
I don't think we really
have any more to say.
I am not a journalist.
I used to teach
at Woodbridge School,
but I've just given in
my notice.
I'm a full-time writer now.
Fiction--
I write detective stories.
Oh, yes, yes, I'm sorry.
Uh, I don't really have
much time for literature.
I was also a very close friend
of Frank Parris.
Well, I'm very sorry.
Mm-hmm.
We were all shocked
by what happened,
you can imagine.
I was thinking of
writing a story
based on
what happened here.
A novel?
Yes.
Oh, I'm not, I'm not sure
I'd feel very comfortable
being in a book.
Oh, I wouldn't do that.
I never use real people
in my books,
and certainly not without
their permission.
That's room, uh, 13, Moonflower.
Interview with Cecily Treherne,
24th of July
Can I just start
by saying how sorry I was
to hear about
what happened?
And on your wedding day?
Of all days?
Thank you.
Did you manage
to get away?
No, we had to postpone.
We hope to go to Antigua
in a couple of weeks.
Oh-- thank you.
I'm sure it will be lovely
when you get there.
How well did you know
Mr. Parris, Mr. Conway?
Oh, no, Alan, please.
Well, he was a very
good friend.
Although I hadn't seen him
for a couple of years,
after he went to
Australia.
Oh.
Did you know he was
coming back to this country?
No.
I did hear about the collapse
of his business.
It was sad.
Frank was
a very generous man.
He was quite
a difficult guest.
In what way?
Didn't like his room.
Complained about the food.
And I'd be interested to know,
did he have a habit
of making things up?
What do you mean?
Well, there were
two things.
First, he said his room key
wasn't working.
But later on,
when we checked it,
it was absolutely fine.
Mm?
And there was something else
that was strange.
What was that?
He told everyone
he was going to the opera,
to see "The Marriage of Figaro"
in Snape.
Made a big thing of it.
But it was nonsense.
I actually double-checked,
and it wasn't on.
"Figaro."
Why do you want
to know all this, Alan?
Oh, to be honest, I
I'm a little bit stuck
with my newest book.
I thought it might
give me a few ideas.
But don't worry, I'm not going
to write about any of you.
I'm setting my new book
in Devon.
Tell me about
Stefan Leonida.
He's on remand.
His trial's coming up
in a few months.
Do you think he did it?
Well, there was money
in his room,
and Derek saw him
in the corridor
the night it happened, so
Derek is your
night manager, yes?
Yes, but it's all irrelevant.
The police tell me he's
made a full confession.
Well, you don't sound
so sure.
I liked Stefan.
I trusted him.
He had a criminal record.
He wasn't the only young
offender working in the hotel.
My father was
running a program.
So who else?
I don't think it's fair
to give out names.
No.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have asked.
Cecily?
Oh, this is Aiden,
my husband.
Yes, we've met.
I showed Mr. Conway
to his room.
Oh.
I hope it's all right.
Fine, thank you.
Alan's been asking me
about the murder.
Yes.
I was told you were talking
to Lawrence.
We had a brief chat.
Forgive me, Mr. Conway.
I know who you are
and what you write.
But it's my job
to look after the interests
of this hotel,
and, all in all, I don't think
we need any more publicity.
And I really don't think
you could stop me
writing what I want.
No, but I can politely ask you
to stop asking
intrusive questions.
No offense meant.
Aiden? No.
Archie?
No.
Algernon.
Yes!
Algernon Marsh had no decency,
no scruples,
and no loyalty to anyone.
This was something
his brother-in-law,
Dr. Leonard Collins,
was about to discover.
You are a swine,
Leonard.
You weren't going
to tell me.
How dare you search
through my desk.
I was looking for
the bus timetable.
But this is what I found.
"The last will and testament
of Clarissa Marsh,
late of Brooklyn, New York."
£980,000.
She left it to Samantha,
not to you.
Ooh, she was my aunt, too.
Oh, she saw you for
what you were, Algernon.
And so did Melissa.
Those shares
you were selling her
weren't worth the paper
they were printed on.
How do you know that?
She told me!
She knew you
were lying to her.
Mmm.
Well, you'd know a thing or two
about lying,
wouldn't you, Leonard?
I don't know
what you're talking about.
£980,000.
She didn't want you
to have the money,
and there is nothing
you can do about it.
See, that's where I think
you might be wrong, Leonard.
You can talk to Samantha.
You can persuade her
to divide it two ways,
50-50.
And why in God's name
would I do that?
Because there are things
that Melissa told me
about you, Leonard.
Things that might make my sister
see you in a very
different light.
Are you threatening me?
Do you know?
I think I might be.
And where is Samantha now?
In the church, hmm?
'Cause that might make
a very good place
to have a little chat.
So, eight years ago,
Alan Conway visits Branlow Hall.
He talks to Lawrence, he talks
to Aiden and Cecily, to Derek.
And he must have met
Derek's mother, too,
because she's
in the book.
And he turns them all
into caricatures.
Um, shall we, um
Shall we get another one?
Oh, my God, have we finished it?
Well, it's been
that sort of day, hasn't it?
Uh, just a glass.
Okay.
Excuse me?
Yes, sir.
Two more glasses, please.
Of course.
He must have known
who killed Frank Parris.
Yeah, but it
might've been, um
Oh, God, what was
his name again, Stefan?
Leonida?
Yeah.
Well, yeah,
except if it was Stefan,
it would've been
an open and shut case.
And DS Locke
would've actually
got it right for once.
But I just don't think
that would've interested Alan.
Well.
It's quite a puzzle.
Mmm.
Why did Alan have to be
so bloody inscrutable?
Inscrutable.
Mmm.
I love that word--
it's so Edgar Wallace.
Oh, God, don't tell me
you used to read him.
Yeah, pulp fiction--
I loved him.
When I was about five.
Do you have to go back
to Suffolk tomorrow?
I'm working
for the Trehernes.
I'm on the payroll.
They won't miss you
for one more day, will they?
I need to see Katie again.
I'm worried about her.
There's something
she isn't telling me.
I said we'd have supper.
I'll be honest with you, Susan,
it's really great
to see you again.
Here you are,
madam.
Thank you.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oh, she's always been
the sensible one.
Is she older than you?
No! Younger!
Oh, God.
But Katie's married,
she's got two children,
she's got
a sensible job.
Oh, a part of me's
always envied her.
Well, I would've said that Crete
was much more of an adventure.
Yeah, you would've thought so.
It hasn't really turned out
like that.
Here we are.
Shall we, uh, have
a little nightcap?
Why not?
Oh, wow.
So, will you go back?
Where?
Crete.
Um
Hmm
I don't know.
No, no.
Hmm.
Don't think so.
Sorry, sorry.
Oh, just, uh
Don't be.
No, you're, you're right.
You need to go back
to editing.
Yeah, my books
were so much better
when you were working
on them.
That's not true.
Mmm?
Hmm.
You should tell Parker Chance
that if they give you a job,
I'll come over to them.
Oh, well,
I think they'd like that.
I've really missed you,
Susan.
Oh.
What are you doing?
Well, don't, don't tell me
I've offended you.
No.
No, no, you haven't
offended me.
But I
But what?
No, I
I'm really grateful,
Craig, I, I am--
I mean
Mm-hmm.
But I'm still with Andreas,
so
But you just told me
that you
No, no, no, no,
no, no, no.
Oh, come on.
Look, you're fed up
with Crete,
you're fed up with the hotel
Yes, but I'm not fed up
with him.
Then why have you
been leading me on?
What?
No, I
No, Craig, you have
completely misread this.
Oh, I don't think
that I have.
Yeah, no.
Craig.
I did not come here
Right, I think I'm
gonna have to
Oh, God.
I'm gonna have to go.
What?!
No, no, no,
you, you can't go.
You're, you're
too drunk to drive!
I'm gonna get a cab.
Oh!
Taxi!
Hi-- uh, nearest hotel,
please.
Hi.
Hi.
Um, can I book a room
Yes, of course.
please, for the,
for the night.
Where's my phone?
My phone.
Where's my
Oh, my God.
Must have left it in the cab.
Great.
God.
I have to say,
this is very good of you,
Mr. Pünd.
Oh, the pleasure
is all mine.
Mmm, it's one of
the benefits of being
a private investigator
that it is the client who pays.
I'll send the bill
to Mr. Schultz.
And now who is that?
He was Melissa James's agent.
PÜ
Her American agent.
It's he who employed me.
Well, I'm glad
you're here.
This case is a right puzzler,
and no mistake.
Nothing makes any sense.
Oh, I do not agree.
It's, it's certainly,
on one level,
it's complicated,
but on another,
everything is
straightforward.
Go on, then.
No fewer than seven people
may have wished
to kill Melissa James,
all of them for
the most ordinary reasons.
Lance and Maureen Gardner.
She knew they were
defrauding her.
PÜ
Indeed so.
Phyllis Chandler
and that ghastly son of hers--
a Peeping Tom, of all things.
That was an unpleasant business
she discovered.
What, you think his mother
was protecting him?
Well, it's possible.
And then there is
Algernon Marsh.
Oh, God, a nasty piece of work.
Also cheating her,
in his case with a,
an investment
almost certainly valueless.
Oscar Berlin.
She decided not to appear
in his film.
That would've ruined him.
And John Spencer.
Now, that's where
I'd put my money, Mr. Pünd.
Do you think he knew
Miss James was having an affair?
Jealous husband
who strangles his wife?
Just like Shakespeare.
Uh, uh, Othello!
He strangled Desdemona
for exactly that reason.
Mmm-- hmm.
Well, the motivation
is clear.
But it is the order of events
that perplexes.
At28, Melissa James
is alone in the house.
The Chandlers
have the night off.
Her husband is at the opera.
Then she calls Dr. Collins.
She's in tears,
in fear of her life.
She makes the call
from downstairs.
So it would seem.
She tells Dr. Collins that there
is an intruder in the house.
She says quite distinctly,
"He wants to kill me."
The call is overheard
by his wife.
That is correct--
I wonder only
why she then returns
to her bedroom.
If, if Miss James believed
herself to be in danger,
why did she not
leave the house?
Oh
I know you'll find out
who did this, Mr. Pünd.
Forgive me for saying this,
but, um, I hope they hang.
I'd say that's
unlikely, Miss Cain.
Do you not think
Mr. Pünd will solve the case?
I'm sure he will.
The death penalty's
all too rare these days.
Judges no longer have
the appetite for it.
They're actually talking
about changing the law.
More's the pity, in my view.
What do you say,
Mr. Pünd?
I have seen too much death
in my life, Detective Inspector.
It's my belief
that to kill a killer
is to descend
to his or to her level.
But to think someone
could kill a woman
as talented as Melissa James
and get away with it!
I agree with Miss Cain.
Then we must at least ensure
that they are apprehended.
Hmm.
Oh, uh
Almost forgot, uh
I do have one piece
of information
which may be of help,
Mr. Pünd.
I did as you said
and checked out
that theater in Barnstaple,
the night that
John Spencer claims
he went to
"The Marriage of Figaro."
PÜ
The lead singer was struck down
by a car that did not stop.
And the performance
was canceled.
So wherever he was,
Mr. Spencer wasn't there.
Cheers.
I just don't get it.
What is so important about
"The Marriage of Figaro"?
It's an opera!
PÜ
You don't like opera?
Well
I've never really got it.
The stories are just
so ridiculous, and miserable.
I mean, women throwing
themselves off castle walls
or dying of consumption.
"Tosca" and "La Bohème."
Ah.
You're a fan.
Oh, yeah, I went often
to the Vienna State
Opera House.
It was before it was destroyed
in the war.
Will you
have any breakfast?
I think not.
I shouldn't have come.
To London?
To England.
But you've made progress.
Well, yes.
Yes.
I've blown my one chance
of returning
to publishing,
which probably means
I'll spend the rest of my life
changing sheets
and shouting at waiters
in a language
that I can't even speak.
But you are perhaps closer
to discovering the truth.
Why did Frank Parris
go to the hotel, hmm?
He lied about his key
not working, and then again
The opera.
John Spencer did exactly
the same in the book.
But if he didn't go to
the opera, where did he go?
Oh!
When's the next flight back
to Crete?
ANDREAS
Uh, service?
Coming!
Yes?
Who's this?
This is Craig Andrews.
Sorry, can I speak
to Susan Ryeland, please?
She's not here, I'm afraid.
Um
She was here last night,
and, uh
Katie!
Sir?
How you bearing up,
Mr. Spencer?
Um, not so bad,
thank you.
Do you have any news?
Yes, sir, we do.
You made an arrest?
We're about to.
We just have a few questions,
if you don't mind.
No, of course.
Anything.
Mr. Spencer,
although it is, um, painful
to ask you this,
even so,
it is necessary.
Were you aware that your wife
was having an affair?
We do need an answer, sir.
I didn't know.
But I'm not surprised.
Why are they here?
They didn't say.
What do they want?
What do you think they want?
They're here about you.
But you still
loved her, hmm?
She meant everything to me.
We found a letter.
It's written
in her hand.
"My darling darling.
"I can't go on living
this lie anymore.
"I simply can't.
"We have to be brave
and tell the world
about the love we share."
Any idea who this
might've been written to?
Of course I don't--
I have no idea at all.
Do you mind if I?
Mmm.
Thank you.
Mr. Spencer, on the night
of your wife's death,
you told us
you was at the opera,
attending a performance
of "The Marriage of Figaro."
Yeah, that's right,
she was meant to come with me,
but she changed her mind.
So you went alone.
Yes.
Did you enjoy it?
Yes-- no, no!
Why are you asking me that?
Because on the night
in question,
the opera was canceled, sir.
So you couldn't
have gone to it.
So where were you?
PÜ
It would not be wise
to tell us further untruths,
Mr. Spencer.
It's too late now for that.
I was here.
You never left?
No, I, I left--
I drove as far as the village.
But I was in no mood
for the opera.
I came back and
And you confronted
your wife.
Oh, we had a terrible row.
She told me she was leaving me.
And?
You murdered her.
Yes!
Yes, I strangled her
in the bedroom.
Oh, thank God.
Oh, thank God it's over.
Yeah, you won't believe it,
but it's all I've wanted,
just for it to be over.
I'll make a full confession--
I'll tell you everything.
Am I under arrest?
If you'll come with me,
sir,
we'll formally charge you
when we get to the station.
May I go upstairs
to get my shoes and a jacket?
Of course, sir.
We'll wait for you here.
Thank you.
You've no idea
how sorry I am.
How much I hate myself.
I couldn't have lived
with this any longer.
Forgive me,
Detective Inspector, but
is that wise?
He, he could make a run
for it.
I don't think so,
Miss Cain.
I have two men outside.
Yet, it is interesting,
though, that
there's so much
that is not right.
In what way?
Well, the argument.
Did it take place here
or in the bedroom?
Maybe it happened in here,
and he followed her up.
And if he was angry
with her,
violent, even,
why did she not lock the door?
Or better still,
and I've asked
this question before,
why did she not leave the house?
Well, I agree there are
plenty of questions
we still need to ask,
Mr. Pünd.
That's why I'm taking him
to the station.
But you heard him.
We had him bang to rights,
and he confessed!
You can't argue with that.
Mmm.
Ooh, Mr. Pünd!
There's someone outside!
She's right! I saw him, too!
But who?
That's what I mean to find out.
Will you stay here, Miss Cain?
Oh, yes, of course.
Either of you two
see anything?
No, sir.
Right, there's an
intruder in the grounds!
One of you stay here
and make sure
Mr. Spencer
doesn't leave.
And you, round the other way!
PÜ
There's nobody.
Anything?
Nothing, sir.
Right, keep looking
round.
There was definitely
someone here.
I think a man.
Where does that go?
It's the kitchen, I think.
Has anyone come in here?
No, sir.
And neither of you been out?
No, sir.
We've been here
all the time.
Miss Cain?
What now?
CHUBB
Miss Cain!
Oh, no!
You met Alan Conway.
What actually happened?
One thing led to another.
I think you'd better sit down.
Mr. Pünd has something
to tell you.
I'm trying
to help you find Cecily.
The only way I can do that
is to know what she knew.
Susan.
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had no enemies,
but somebody broke into
her house and strangled her.
We have information
that could help you.
"My darling darling,
we have to tell the world
about the love we share."
PÜThis is not addressed
to her husband.
Mr. Marsh has suggested
that he and Miss James
were more
than business partners.
We had a very close
relationship.
She said that the hotel was
crooked.
An eyehole concealed in the
wall.
£980,000.
You are the sole beneficiary.
He's my brother--
I've got to tell him.
I've got an interview.
It's an independent
publishing company,
and I know the C.E.O.
I'm hoping to speak
to Stefan Leonida.
He's in jail in Norfolk.
I have a friend who works
with the prison service.
You can take
whatever money
the Trehernes are stupid
enough to pay you
and get the hell out of here.
If I see you again,
I will arrest you.
It was here, I know it was.
Cecily, what are you
looking for?
The pen, my dad's pen.
He lent it to me for tomorrow.
Well, why do you need it?
Something borrowed.
Cessy, relax.
We can just find
something else.
It was expensive,
and he'd never even used it.
Who could've taken it?
Hey.
Hey, hey.
You're not having
second thoughts, are you?
No.
Look, this is
what we're gonna do.
We have this party
this evening, but first,
we're gonna have
a quiet drink,
just the two of us
and then we're gonna
watch the sun come down,
all right?
I don't want to drink
too much tonight.
One is not gonna hurt you.
I wish Dad had closed the hotel
for the wedding.
We have weddings here
all the time.
Nobody's ever complained.
I know, but this one's
special.
I'm glad you think so.
I can't believe
that this time tomorrow,
we'll be on our way
to Antigua.
And married.
Oh, God.
Aiden.
Mr. Parris,
what can I do for you?
Well, you can start
by introducing me
to your lovely fiancée.
Uh, Cecily, this is the guest
that I mentioned to you.
The one who didn't like
his room.
Ah, yes.
I hope your new one's
all right.
Oh, it's perfect.
Well, almost perfect.
This is for you.
Sorry?
It isn't working.
Have you had it
next to your phone?
That can demagnetize them.
No, I don't think so.
But I can see
that I'm intruding.
Can I offer you
my congratulations
for tomorrow?
Thank you.
And I understand there's
a party this evening.
Yes, uh, I hope
it won't disturb you.
Oh, not at all--
I'm actually going out.
There's an opera being
performed at Snape Malting.
What opera's that?
Uh, Mozart.
"The Marriage of Figaro."
It's one of my favorites.
God, what a creep.
Better get him a new key.
Oh, sure.
There is one thing,
though.
Yeah, what's that?
The opera he mentioned.
"The Marriage of Figaro."
What about it?
I was looking at the program
just yesterday, and,
if he's going to
Snape Malting tonight,
he's wasting his time.
It's not on.
Hm.
Craig Andrews.
Susan!
Wonderful
to see you.
Oh, this is so kind.
Not at all,
it's a pleasure.
Uh, where's
your car?
Uh, I'm, I'm in a bay,
round the corner.
Perfect--
come on in.
I hope I haven't disturbed
your writing.
No, honestly, it's fine.
How long was
the drive down?
Oh, about two hours.
That's not bad.
Still got
that little red MG?
Yeah, afraid so.
Would you, um,
like some coffee?
Uh, yeah, I'd love some.
These are for Louise.
Louise?
Oh, God-- um
Didn't I tell you?
What?
She's not here.
We, um
We went our separate ways.
Right.
When?
Uh, last year.
You didn't say anything
on the phone.
Well, I assumed you knew.
No.
Oh
I feel a bit embarrassed now,
um
I hope you don't feel, um,
uncomfortable,
staying here, it
Oh, no, I'm, not at all,
but
There's a hotel up the road,
if
No, no.
No, it'll be fine.
It's just, you know,
if I'd have known
Well, I,
I love flowers.
Oh, well!
So
There you go.
Thank you.
Mm.
Why don't you make
yourself comfortable?
Um, your room's at the top
of the stairs,
first door on the right.
Okay.
I'll get the coffee on.
Sure.
So, what happened?
What, me and Louise?
Mm.
Well, you know what it's like
being married to a writer.
Oh.
I'm not sure
there's a more
selfish, inward-looking
profession in the world.
Anyway, we had
three good years,
and, um
Then she met someone else.
I'm sorry.
No, don't be.
I mean,
we're still good friends,
and, um, I'm very happy.
This house, the books.
Which I owe all to you,
by the way.
Oh, Craig.
That's not true.
Well, you found me.
You encouraged me.
And somehow,
you made the books, um
Bestsellers?
Exactly.
You and Alan Conway.
Yeah, I was sorry
about Clover Books.
Me, too.
I am looking
for another job.
Well, anyone
in their right mind
would snap you up.
Actually, I've got
an interview today.
Oh, really, who with?
Uh, Parker Chance.
Do you know them?
They're an independent.
They're small, but,
you know, they're successful.
Thought you were happy
in Crete.
I am, but I, I--
I miss publishing.
What does Andreas think
about all of this?
It's not easy.
God, we've got so much
to catch up on.
Why don't we do it
over supper?
There's this
new little bistro
that's opened up
just around the corner,
if you're up for it--
I mean, it's very informal.
Yeah, I'd, I'd
I'd like that.
Great.
Oh, by the way,
I managed to
track down your prisoner.
Mm!
Um, Stefan Leonida.
He's being held in
HMP Weystone in Norfolk.
Right, um
Can you get me in?
As it happens,
I know the governor.
Basically, I've added you
to their literacy program.
Obviously, there are
some forms to fill in,
and Mr. Leonida has to
agree to a one-to-one.
Mm-hmm.
Brilliant,
thank you.
I'm glad to help.
Hm.
Did you know
that last year,
my books were the
third-most popular in prison
after James Patterson
and Jeffrey Archer?
I'm not surprised.
Well, you know.
ANDREAS
YANNIS
Susan.
Nathan.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Oh.
It's great to see you again.
And you.
How are you?
Yeah, I'm good,
thank you.
Yeah.
Please, come on up.
So, you've been in Athens.
How long is it now?
Oh, a year,
and actually, it's,
it's Crete.
Yes, that's it.
And you've been,
uh, running a hotel.
Mm.
The Trifilli.
Yes, it's Greek for clover.
Andreas named it after
Clover Books.
Yeah.
I was very sorry to hear
about what happened.
Yeah-- yeah, it was horrible.
So.
You want to come back.
That's why I'm here.
Yeah, I miss publishing.
And I heard you were looking
for a senior editor.
If you don't mind, I'll just say
right from the off,
I feel a little awkward
interviewing you, Susan.
Oh!
I thought it was
just a conversation
between two friends,
one of whom had given
the other
his first job in publishing
15 years ago.
I'm still grateful.
You don't need to be.
You did a brilliant job.
Okay, then.
Look, as a friend--
I'll be honest with you,
Susan--
I'd love to have you
on board.
If it was my decision,
you'd start tomorrow.
But I'll have to talk
to my partners.
Persuade them.
Persuade them?
Well, they don't know you.
But they know Alan Conway.
18 million copies sold.
I mean, they, they've heard of
the "White Dagger" series.
They've read Craig Andrews.
Alan Conway's dead,
"White Dagger's"
out of print,
and even Craig Andrews
doesn't sell like he used to.
Well, that's told me,
I suppose.
I don't mean to do that,
I'm just saying.
Look, you've been away
for a year, Susan.
And things have been changing
very fast:
the people, the industry
Are you saying I'm out of touch?
I didn't say that.
I think you implied it.
Okay, then, fine.
Let me ask you something.
Do you have
an Instagram account?
No.
Are you on TikTok?
No.
What do you think
of romantasy?
Why do you ask?
40 million copies sold,
mainly through BookTok.
I'm not on BookTok,
either.
And that's what I mean.
That's what
I'm talking about.
No, what you're talking
about is genre fiction.
Romantasy may
sell millions, but
You're really a fan?
I'm a fan of the sales.
Ah.
And some of the biggest
writers
in the world
aren't writers
in the old-school sense,
not anymore.
They're influencers.
Oh!
Right, yeah, okay.
Do you really believe that?
Do you?
Times have changed, yes.
Of course they have.
But you know
as well as I do
that what sells books
isn't social media
in any shape or form.
It's writers
who can tell stories
that mean something
to people's lives.
That's my world,
and if you want to
make me feel like
I'm Methuselah's great-aunt,
then I'm disappointed in you,
because that is not who I am
and it's not how you were
when you started out.
Okay, then, um
All right, let me ask you
something else,
if you want to talk
old school.
We're publishing a crime novel
by Lucy Foley.
She's very good.
Here's the cover.
What do you think?
It's a good title,
I like the colors.
But, um, I'm not sure
about the image.
Why not?
Because it's
It's crass and clichéd,
and it's,
it's actually
rather horrible.
Lucy Foley's
an intelligent writer.
She needs this sort of image
like a hole in a head,
which is actually
what it shows.
Our marketing team
liked it.
Well, they're wrong.
Lucy's readers
use their brains.
They don't need to see them
splattered over the page.
And it was my idea.
Well, I don't think
it's a good one.
We'll let you know.
I think you already have.
We'll have a bottle
Oh!
of the Chablis Premier Cru.
Perfect.
Thanks.
I shouldn't be drinking
at lunchtime.
Richard'll be mad with me.
Um, who's Richard?
My current live-in.
Ooh!
Actually, he's more than that.
We're thinking of getting
married.
God! Isn't that awful?
Must be getting old.
You've done very well
for yourself.
You mean Alan Conway
did well for me.
I got two million
for that house, Susan.
Wow.
Did you ever think
I was the one who did him in?
Oh, you were
my number-one suspect.
Glad to hear it.
Poor Alan.
Even after all this time,
it's still hard to believe
he was murdered.
Mm, it is.
Oh, it's good to
see you again, James.
Oh.
- Chablis?
Yeah, that's fine, just pour it.
Now a second murder.
Oh.
You never stop, do you?
Well,
the whole world believes
that a Romanian hotel worker,
Stefan Leonida,
killed Frank Parris.
Cecily Treherne had
her doubts,
and now she's disappeared.
Now, it may be
that Alan hid something
in the book, and you knew him
better than anyone.
Yeah, well,
I knew Frank Parris, too.
Did you?!
God, yes.
In the bad old days,
when I was working, Frank
took me to bed
maybe half a dozen times
at 300 quid a pop.
To be honest, he wasn't
a very nice man, Susan.
In what way?
He liked to have
all the power.
He liked to play games.
Not at all my cup of tea,
but he was paying top whack,
so I didn't complain.
And actually,
I should be grateful to Frank.
It was Frank
who introduced me to Alan.
That was
before Alan came out?
Oh, yeah, long before!
Yeah, Alan was gay, obviously,
but he didn't want
anyone to know it.
He'd just finished
his second book,
and he was married.
He was terrified-- if anyone
found out about him,
it would just ruin his career.
But it was Frankie
who changed all that.
In what way?
Frank was a sort of
mentor to him,
encouraging him to,
you know
explore his sexuality.
So Frank introduced you
to Alan to help him?
Absolutely.
I was part of his therapy.
JAMES
I quite liked Alan
when I first met him.
He was so unsure of himself.
It was only much later,
when Alan's book sales
went ballistic,
he became a monster.
Alan,
you're gay,
you like men.
Why don't you just
admit it?
I have a wife and son.
suspect that maybe something
isn't quite right?
What do they think
that Daddy's doing in London
on his own half the time?
It's not just that.
I work at a school.
Alan, there are hundreds of
gay teachers out there.
Doesn't make them
dangerous or predatory.
You're just scared,
and you're making excuses,
and you don't see it, but
you're harming your own life.
Be what you are!
Be happy.
I've got to dash.
Leo's waiting for me
outside.
Why didn't you invite him?
I'm spending enough on him
as it is
without buying him dinner.
Nice to see you again,
James.
Look after my friend.
I'm not just a commodity,
you know.
Actually, that's exactly
what you are.
But you're a very nice one.
Have fun.
JAMES
That was the last time
I saw Frank Parris.
We were sitting at
that table over there.
Alan became a regular
client of mine,
and then we became an item.
And finally, he came out of
the closet, and of course,
nobody gave a damn--
welcome to the 21st century.
Tell me about Leo--
did you ever meet him?
No.
I'd heard his name mentioned
quite a lot on the circuit.
Alan met him, with Frank,
a couple of times.
He used to say Leo was
much sexier than me.
Exactly the sort of thing
he would say.
Nothing else?
Not really.
Do you know
where he came from?
Actually, maybe I do.
I have a feeling
he was Australian.
Why do you say that?
Alan made a joke
about him once.
He said Leo had just
got back from Melbourne,
so he was probably in bed
with jet lag.
Ah.
You know, Alan's third book
was dedicated to them.
"For Frank and
In Remembrance."
What do you think he meant?
Maybe Leo died.
AIDS was still killing
loads of young men,
even in 2013--
500 a year.
Leo disappeared off the scene.
That could've been why.
I take it you never
read the book.
I never read any of 'em,
till I was in 'em.
But I only showed up in
book number five.
But I have got something
that may help you.
I managed to dig
these out for you.
They're the notes Alan made
when he was writing
"Atticus Pünd Takes the Case."
That is exactly
what I wanted, thank you!
It's even better than that.
I found all the interviews he
did when he visited the hotel.
Branlow Hall?
Yes!
He spoke to loads of people,
and they're all on
these memory sticks.
Imagine that,
you can actually
hear Alan's voice again.
That'll be an experience.
I'll bet.
You can keep it all.
It's no use to me.
Anyway
I suppose we should
have a toast to Alan.
No.
To you and Richard.
I hope you'll be
very happy together.
ALAN
Do you mind if I record this?
Why do you want to?
I like to keep a note
of everything I do.
I take it you know
who I am.
I can't say I do,
I'm sorry.
Alan Conway.
Well, I'm a writer--
you might have heard of me.
Are you a journalist?
It's been six weeks since
the death of Mr. Parris,
and we've still got journalists
turning up all the time.
Some of them have
even booked rooms.
I don't think we really
have any more to say.
I am not a journalist.
I used to teach
at Woodbridge School,
but I've just given in
my notice.
I'm a full-time writer now.
Fiction--
I write detective stories.
Oh, yes, yes, I'm sorry.
Uh, I don't really have
much time for literature.
I was also a very close friend
of Frank Parris.
Well, I'm very sorry.
Mm-hmm.
We were all shocked
by what happened,
you can imagine.
I was thinking of
writing a story
based on
what happened here.
A novel?
Yes.
Oh, I'm not, I'm not sure
I'd feel very comfortable
being in a book.
Oh, I wouldn't do that.
I never use real people
in my books,
and certainly not without
their permission.
That's room, uh, 13, Moonflower.
Interview with Cecily Treherne,
24th of July
Can I just start
by saying how sorry I was
to hear about
what happened?
And on your wedding day?
Of all days?
Thank you.
Did you manage
to get away?
No, we had to postpone.
We hope to go to Antigua
in a couple of weeks.
Oh-- thank you.
I'm sure it will be lovely
when you get there.
How well did you know
Mr. Parris, Mr. Conway?
Oh, no, Alan, please.
Well, he was a very
good friend.
Although I hadn't seen him
for a couple of years,
after he went to
Australia.
Oh.
Did you know he was
coming back to this country?
No.
I did hear about the collapse
of his business.
It was sad.
Frank was
a very generous man.
He was quite
a difficult guest.
In what way?
Didn't like his room.
Complained about the food.
And I'd be interested to know,
did he have a habit
of making things up?
What do you mean?
Well, there were
two things.
First, he said his room key
wasn't working.
But later on,
when we checked it,
it was absolutely fine.
Mm?
And there was something else
that was strange.
What was that?
He told everyone
he was going to the opera,
to see "The Marriage of Figaro"
in Snape.
Made a big thing of it.
But it was nonsense.
I actually double-checked,
and it wasn't on.
"Figaro."
Why do you want
to know all this, Alan?
Oh, to be honest, I
I'm a little bit stuck
with my newest book.
I thought it might
give me a few ideas.
But don't worry, I'm not going
to write about any of you.
I'm setting my new book
in Devon.
Tell me about
Stefan Leonida.
He's on remand.
His trial's coming up
in a few months.
Do you think he did it?
Well, there was money
in his room,
and Derek saw him
in the corridor
the night it happened, so
Derek is your
night manager, yes?
Yes, but it's all irrelevant.
The police tell me he's
made a full confession.
Well, you don't sound
so sure.
I liked Stefan.
I trusted him.
He had a criminal record.
He wasn't the only young
offender working in the hotel.
My father was
running a program.
So who else?
I don't think it's fair
to give out names.
No.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have asked.
Cecily?
Oh, this is Aiden,
my husband.
Yes, we've met.
I showed Mr. Conway
to his room.
Oh.
I hope it's all right.
Fine, thank you.
Alan's been asking me
about the murder.
Yes.
I was told you were talking
to Lawrence.
We had a brief chat.
Forgive me, Mr. Conway.
I know who you are
and what you write.
But it's my job
to look after the interests
of this hotel,
and, all in all, I don't think
we need any more publicity.
And I really don't think
you could stop me
writing what I want.
No, but I can politely ask you
to stop asking
intrusive questions.
No offense meant.
Aiden? No.
Archie?
No.
Algernon.
Yes!
Algernon Marsh had no decency,
no scruples,
and no loyalty to anyone.
This was something
his brother-in-law,
Dr. Leonard Collins,
was about to discover.
You are a swine,
Leonard.
You weren't going
to tell me.
How dare you search
through my desk.
I was looking for
the bus timetable.
But this is what I found.
"The last will and testament
of Clarissa Marsh,
late of Brooklyn, New York."
£980,000.
She left it to Samantha,
not to you.
Ooh, she was my aunt, too.
Oh, she saw you for
what you were, Algernon.
And so did Melissa.
Those shares
you were selling her
weren't worth the paper
they were printed on.
How do you know that?
She told me!
She knew you
were lying to her.
Mmm.
Well, you'd know a thing or two
about lying,
wouldn't you, Leonard?
I don't know
what you're talking about.
£980,000.
She didn't want you
to have the money,
and there is nothing
you can do about it.
See, that's where I think
you might be wrong, Leonard.
You can talk to Samantha.
You can persuade her
to divide it two ways,
50-50.
And why in God's name
would I do that?
Because there are things
that Melissa told me
about you, Leonard.
Things that might make my sister
see you in a very
different light.
Are you threatening me?
Do you know?
I think I might be.
And where is Samantha now?
In the church, hmm?
'Cause that might make
a very good place
to have a little chat.
So, eight years ago,
Alan Conway visits Branlow Hall.
He talks to Lawrence, he talks
to Aiden and Cecily, to Derek.
And he must have met
Derek's mother, too,
because she's
in the book.
And he turns them all
into caricatures.
Um, shall we, um
Shall we get another one?
Oh, my God, have we finished it?
Well, it's been
that sort of day, hasn't it?
Uh, just a glass.
Okay.
Excuse me?
Yes, sir.
Two more glasses, please.
Of course.
He must have known
who killed Frank Parris.
Yeah, but it
might've been, um
Oh, God, what was
his name again, Stefan?
Leonida?
Yeah.
Well, yeah,
except if it was Stefan,
it would've been
an open and shut case.
And DS Locke
would've actually
got it right for once.
But I just don't think
that would've interested Alan.
Well.
It's quite a puzzle.
Mmm.
Why did Alan have to be
so bloody inscrutable?
Inscrutable.
Mmm.
I love that word--
it's so Edgar Wallace.
Oh, God, don't tell me
you used to read him.
Yeah, pulp fiction--
I loved him.
When I was about five.
Do you have to go back
to Suffolk tomorrow?
I'm working
for the Trehernes.
I'm on the payroll.
They won't miss you
for one more day, will they?
I need to see Katie again.
I'm worried about her.
There's something
she isn't telling me.
I said we'd have supper.
I'll be honest with you, Susan,
it's really great
to see you again.
Here you are,
madam.
Thank you.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oh, she's always been
the sensible one.
Is she older than you?
No! Younger!
Oh, God.
But Katie's married,
she's got two children,
she's got
a sensible job.
Oh, a part of me's
always envied her.
Well, I would've said that Crete
was much more of an adventure.
Yeah, you would've thought so.
It hasn't really turned out
like that.
Here we are.
Shall we, uh, have
a little nightcap?
Why not?
Oh, wow.
So, will you go back?
Where?
Crete.
Um
Hmm
I don't know.
No, no.
Hmm.
Don't think so.
Sorry, sorry.
Oh, just, uh
Don't be.
No, you're, you're right.
You need to go back
to editing.
Yeah, my books
were so much better
when you were working
on them.
That's not true.
Mmm?
Hmm.
You should tell Parker Chance
that if they give you a job,
I'll come over to them.
Oh, well,
I think they'd like that.
I've really missed you,
Susan.
Oh.
What are you doing?
Well, don't, don't tell me
I've offended you.
No.
No, no, you haven't
offended me.
But I
But what?
No, I
I'm really grateful,
Craig, I, I am--
I mean
Mm-hmm.
But I'm still with Andreas,
so
But you just told me
that you
No, no, no, no,
no, no, no.
Oh, come on.
Look, you're fed up
with Crete,
you're fed up with the hotel
Yes, but I'm not fed up
with him.
Then why have you
been leading me on?
What?
No, I
No, Craig, you have
completely misread this.
Oh, I don't think
that I have.
Yeah, no.
Craig.
I did not come here
Right, I think I'm
gonna have to
Oh, God.
I'm gonna have to go.
What?!
No, no, no,
you, you can't go.
You're, you're
too drunk to drive!
I'm gonna get a cab.
Oh!
Taxi!
Hi-- uh, nearest hotel,
please.
Hi.
Hi.
Um, can I book a room
Yes, of course.
please, for the,
for the night.
Where's my phone?
My phone.
Where's my
Oh, my God.
Must have left it in the cab.
Great.
God.
I have to say,
this is very good of you,
Mr. Pünd.
Oh, the pleasure
is all mine.
Mmm, it's one of
the benefits of being
a private investigator
that it is the client who pays.
I'll send the bill
to Mr. Schultz.
And now who is that?
He was Melissa James's agent.
PÜ
Her American agent.
It's he who employed me.
Well, I'm glad
you're here.
This case is a right puzzler,
and no mistake.
Nothing makes any sense.
Oh, I do not agree.
It's, it's certainly,
on one level,
it's complicated,
but on another,
everything is
straightforward.
Go on, then.
No fewer than seven people
may have wished
to kill Melissa James,
all of them for
the most ordinary reasons.
Lance and Maureen Gardner.
She knew they were
defrauding her.
PÜ
Indeed so.
Phyllis Chandler
and that ghastly son of hers--
a Peeping Tom, of all things.
That was an unpleasant business
she discovered.
What, you think his mother
was protecting him?
Well, it's possible.
And then there is
Algernon Marsh.
Oh, God, a nasty piece of work.
Also cheating her,
in his case with a,
an investment
almost certainly valueless.
Oscar Berlin.
She decided not to appear
in his film.
That would've ruined him.
And John Spencer.
Now, that's where
I'd put my money, Mr. Pünd.
Do you think he knew
Miss James was having an affair?
Jealous husband
who strangles his wife?
Just like Shakespeare.
Uh, uh, Othello!
He strangled Desdemona
for exactly that reason.
Mmm-- hmm.
Well, the motivation
is clear.
But it is the order of events
that perplexes.
At28, Melissa James
is alone in the house.
The Chandlers
have the night off.
Her husband is at the opera.
Then she calls Dr. Collins.
She's in tears,
in fear of her life.
She makes the call
from downstairs.
So it would seem.
She tells Dr. Collins that there
is an intruder in the house.
She says quite distinctly,
"He wants to kill me."
The call is overheard
by his wife.
That is correct--
I wonder only
why she then returns
to her bedroom.
If, if Miss James believed
herself to be in danger,
why did she not
leave the house?
Oh
I know you'll find out
who did this, Mr. Pünd.
Forgive me for saying this,
but, um, I hope they hang.
I'd say that's
unlikely, Miss Cain.
Do you not think
Mr. Pünd will solve the case?
I'm sure he will.
The death penalty's
all too rare these days.
Judges no longer have
the appetite for it.
They're actually talking
about changing the law.
More's the pity, in my view.
What do you say,
Mr. Pünd?
I have seen too much death
in my life, Detective Inspector.
It's my belief
that to kill a killer
is to descend
to his or to her level.
But to think someone
could kill a woman
as talented as Melissa James
and get away with it!
I agree with Miss Cain.
Then we must at least ensure
that they are apprehended.
Hmm.
Oh, uh
Almost forgot, uh
I do have one piece
of information
which may be of help,
Mr. Pünd.
I did as you said
and checked out
that theater in Barnstaple,
the night that
John Spencer claims
he went to
"The Marriage of Figaro."
PÜ
The lead singer was struck down
by a car that did not stop.
And the performance
was canceled.
So wherever he was,
Mr. Spencer wasn't there.
Cheers.
I just don't get it.
What is so important about
"The Marriage of Figaro"?
It's an opera!
PÜ
You don't like opera?
Well
I've never really got it.
The stories are just
so ridiculous, and miserable.
I mean, women throwing
themselves off castle walls
or dying of consumption.
"Tosca" and "La Bohème."
Ah.
You're a fan.
Oh, yeah, I went often
to the Vienna State
Opera House.
It was before it was destroyed
in the war.
Will you
have any breakfast?
I think not.
I shouldn't have come.
To London?
To England.
But you've made progress.
Well, yes.
Yes.
I've blown my one chance
of returning
to publishing,
which probably means
I'll spend the rest of my life
changing sheets
and shouting at waiters
in a language
that I can't even speak.
But you are perhaps closer
to discovering the truth.
Why did Frank Parris
go to the hotel, hmm?
He lied about his key
not working, and then again
The opera.
John Spencer did exactly
the same in the book.
But if he didn't go to
the opera, where did he go?
Oh!
When's the next flight back
to Crete?
ANDREAS
Uh, service?
Coming!
Yes?
Who's this?
This is Craig Andrews.
Sorry, can I speak
to Susan Ryeland, please?
She's not here, I'm afraid.
Um
She was here last night,
and, uh
Katie!
Sir?
How you bearing up,
Mr. Spencer?
Um, not so bad,
thank you.
Do you have any news?
Yes, sir, we do.
You made an arrest?
We're about to.
We just have a few questions,
if you don't mind.
No, of course.
Anything.
Mr. Spencer,
although it is, um, painful
to ask you this,
even so,
it is necessary.
Were you aware that your wife
was having an affair?
We do need an answer, sir.
I didn't know.
But I'm not surprised.
Why are they here?
They didn't say.
What do they want?
What do you think they want?
They're here about you.
But you still
loved her, hmm?
She meant everything to me.
We found a letter.
It's written
in her hand.
"My darling darling.
"I can't go on living
this lie anymore.
"I simply can't.
"We have to be brave
and tell the world
about the love we share."
Any idea who this
might've been written to?
Of course I don't--
I have no idea at all.
Do you mind if I?
Mmm.
Thank you.
Mr. Spencer, on the night
of your wife's death,
you told us
you was at the opera,
attending a performance
of "The Marriage of Figaro."
Yeah, that's right,
she was meant to come with me,
but she changed her mind.
So you went alone.
Yes.
Did you enjoy it?
Yes-- no, no!
Why are you asking me that?
Because on the night
in question,
the opera was canceled, sir.
So you couldn't
have gone to it.
So where were you?
PÜ
It would not be wise
to tell us further untruths,
Mr. Spencer.
It's too late now for that.
I was here.
You never left?
No, I, I left--
I drove as far as the village.
But I was in no mood
for the opera.
I came back and
And you confronted
your wife.
Oh, we had a terrible row.
She told me she was leaving me.
And?
You murdered her.
Yes!
Yes, I strangled her
in the bedroom.
Oh, thank God.
Oh, thank God it's over.
Yeah, you won't believe it,
but it's all I've wanted,
just for it to be over.
I'll make a full confession--
I'll tell you everything.
Am I under arrest?
If you'll come with me,
sir,
we'll formally charge you
when we get to the station.
May I go upstairs
to get my shoes and a jacket?
Of course, sir.
We'll wait for you here.
Thank you.
You've no idea
how sorry I am.
How much I hate myself.
I couldn't have lived
with this any longer.
Forgive me,
Detective Inspector, but
is that wise?
He, he could make a run
for it.
I don't think so,
Miss Cain.
I have two men outside.
Yet, it is interesting,
though, that
there's so much
that is not right.
In what way?
Well, the argument.
Did it take place here
or in the bedroom?
Maybe it happened in here,
and he followed her up.
And if he was angry
with her,
violent, even,
why did she not lock the door?
Or better still,
and I've asked
this question before,
why did she not leave the house?
Well, I agree there are
plenty of questions
we still need to ask,
Mr. Pünd.
That's why I'm taking him
to the station.
But you heard him.
We had him bang to rights,
and he confessed!
You can't argue with that.
Mmm.
Ooh, Mr. Pünd!
There's someone outside!
She's right! I saw him, too!
But who?
That's what I mean to find out.
Will you stay here, Miss Cain?
Oh, yes, of course.
Either of you two
see anything?
No, sir.
Right, there's an
intruder in the grounds!
One of you stay here
and make sure
Mr. Spencer
doesn't leave.
And you, round the other way!
PÜ
There's nobody.
Anything?
Nothing, sir.
Right, keep looking
round.
There was definitely
someone here.
I think a man.
Where does that go?
It's the kitchen, I think.
Has anyone come in here?
No, sir.
And neither of you been out?
No, sir.
We've been here
all the time.
Miss Cain?
What now?
CHUBB
Miss Cain!
Oh, no!
You met Alan Conway.
What actually happened?
One thing led to another.
I think you'd better sit down.
Mr. Pünd has something
to tell you.
I'm trying
to help you find Cecily.
The only way I can do that
is to know what she knew.
Susan.
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