Randall Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969) s01e18 Episode Script

Hello, Ben.
Long time since you been around here, Jennings.
Too long.
We all have our problems.
Yours is that you're in arrears.
- 50 pounds.
- You never came for it, Jennings.
Like I said, we all have our problems.
But I'm here now, Ben.
And I want my money.
They don't reckon much to the Jennings boys here since your brother Mick was put away.
- What does that mean? - Means you're finished.
Nobody wants to know.
You take that line with me and you'll wake up on Monday without a business.
Without one workable machine, Craddock.
We'll take this place apart.
You haven't got the weight.
Pull out before you hit real trouble.
Trouble? You mean George Roden? Have you been paying him? - So he's taken over, is that it? - Take off, Jennings.
- He thinks we're finished, eh? - He's not the only one.
Beat it, Jennings.
You've had your last hand-out from me.
Come on.
You said to call, George, if any of the Jennings boys came visiting.
- What's first prize, Jeannie? - First prize? Jeff, I'm sorry, but I've got to rush if I want to be out of here by five.
You've got a date, have you? Yes, I have.
With you.
Tonight? Oh, Jeff.
Don't tell me you've forgotten.
No, no Where are we going? - The Rotary dinner.
- Oh, that.
Oh, that? "That" is your new potential divorce clients.
They could be very useful contacts for you.
I'd forgotten about that.
I didn't get a dress suit.
- I meant to hire one.
- Well, it's too late now.
- Have I got to have one? - Yes, you do.
Without the evening gear you wouldn't even get in the Whitlock Hotel.
- Come on.
- Is that bad? Oh, come on.
Right.
Out! - Out.
- Right.
It's the same story everywhere.
George Roden's moved on to our pitch.
Clubs, arcades, the lot.
We're cleaned out.
- Better get something done about it.
- It can't be too soon.
OK.
Tonight.
George Roden? And how is that, sir? How is it? There's room for four of us in here.
Well, we can all go.
Perhaps a size smaller, sir.
- A size smaller? Look at me.
- Ridiculous.
- Just look at me.
- Yes, sir.
Do you think you could find something a little less like a circus tent? I'm doing my best, sir.
It's the only one we've got.
All right.
I'll see what I can do.
You've upset him.
Don't take it out on him.
You arrived too late.
- All the suits have gone.
- I don't expect a Saville Row job, but I'm not going round looking like a vaudeville comedian.
Why not? You'll get some laughs.
Just don't stand up.
I am doing my best, you know, sir.
He's still upset.
Look, his eyes are flashing.
- You've got him going.
- Oh, shut up.
Well, really.
Well, that's all right, sir.
It's lovely, sir.
- Fits like a glove, sir.
- It's supposed to fit like a suit.
Well just keep breathing in.
I can't.
Yeah, time I picked Jeannie up.
- Is it gonna be a late do? - I don't know.
There'll be dinner, toasts, boring speeches.
Might go on forever.
I'm a bit worried about Jeannie.
She's not looking well.
- I thought she looked fine.
- No, she's a bit pale.
So, don't keep her out all hours, right? If I had my way, we'd leave before the brown Windsor soup.
Good night.
# Take a cup of kindness yet # For the sake of auld lang syne # For auld lang syne, my dear For auld lang syne # Take a cup of kindness yet For the sake of auld lang syne It wasn't that bad.
Don't you believe it.
You're not wearing a hired dinner suit.
You can't complain.
You did meet some very useful people.
- Oh, yeah.
Business before pleasure.
- Yes.
Hello.
Sorry, wrong car.
Mine's the same type.
Oh? Where? Anybody can make a mistake.
Cool customer.
You didn't have very much to say for yourself.
Jeannie, tonight I could do without trouble.
- What's that? - Our friend left us a present.
It's a used cartridge case.
Jeff, look at your cuff.
It's blood, Jeannie.
We'd better get over to the police.
- Jeannie.
- Hm? We've got company.
It's a thin story, Randall.
Exactly.
If we'd wanted it to look good, we'd have thickened it up a bit.
Maybe.
Take a look at these.
I'll be back in a minute.
- He doesn't believe us.
- It's just professional caution.
- Name? - Jennings.
The family feuding with the Rodens.
It's never run to murder before.
A duff-up in a back alley is more their style.
They've been in there a long time.
They'll be showing them the photos.
- Photos? - Mug shots.
- Hm.
- Everyone that's been inside.
- Have they got one of George? - Sure, they got one of George.
He said they got a good look at him.
Then they'll identify, there's not doubt about that.
Jeff! - That's him.
- George Alfred Roden.
- Roden? - George Alfred.
- Are you certain? - Positive.
- Mrs.
Hopkirk? - Yes, quite sure.
- Shall we pick him up, sir? - Yes.
We'll need to see you again, after we've had a talk with him.
- What about the car? - You can have it back tomorrow.
There's a police car waiting to take you back.
No, thanks.
We'll take a taxi.
- Shall I see you up? - No, thanks.
I'm all right.
Something on your mind? It's silly, I suppose.
It's just a feeling about tonight.
You mean the court, the identification parade? Maybe.
Something else? I don't know.
Intuition.
Ah, it'll be all right tomorrow.
- Bye, Jeff.
- Good night, darling.
Which one do we start with? The fella or the girl? Jeff, how many times have I told you about keeping Jeannie out late? It's a long story, Marty.
A month or so in jail, I don't mind.
But I don't want to see the business run down.
I don't see why it should, George.
Don't worry.
Mr.
Loftus and young Mort'll see they keep paying up.
What makes you think they're gonna put you away? I was seen, wasn't I? In the car park.
Don't worry.
Nothing to fret about.
I mean a witness is only as strong as his constitution.
- George Roden? - What's all this about? Psychological warfare? Detective Inspector Large, I'd like to ask a few questions.
Fine.
Tina, make way for the Inspector.
Go on, dear.
Off you go.
- At the station, if you don't mind.
- Certainly, I'm very cooperative.
What's it all about, then? Is it a traffic offence, eh? I have trouble with cars.
Don't I? - Cars - You run it close, Roden.
Yes, something to do with cars.
One car, anyway.
And a dead man inside.
Dead! Oh, dear, oh, dear.
Dead.
Anybody I know? I'll say this, you're a cool customer.
With two witnesses I've got you by the throat.
You won't shake me free easily.
Chocolate? Jeff, you can't let Jeannie go through all this.
Look, you find a body in the back of your car, it makes you very cooperative, take it from me.
- It's not you I'm worried about.
- Thanks.
We can't allow Jeannie to give evidence against George Roden.
- Why not? - Because he's capable of anything.
You know how it is.
If there's a feud on, the Jennings mob won't thank you for getting mixed up in it.
And they might have got to Jeannie already.
Marty? Marty! You could be right.
Hello? - Jeannie? - 'Yes.
' Are you all right? Apart from being in imminent danger of pneumonia, I'm fine.
- 'Why, Jeff?' - Nothing.
I was just checking.
- I'll see you tomorrow, OK? - 'Fine.
' - Good night.
- Night.
- Who's there? - Police.
Evening.
You've had a big night.
Bodies in cars, police stations, identifications You do get my meaning? Suppose I decide to be awkward and say no? I think he's getting the message.
- Yes, not so full of the old chat.
- Keep it that way.
Especially when the law shows you them pictures.
I suppose George Alfred sent you.
No names.
No pack drill.
So I don't get to know who sent the message.
Mm-mm.
Nor the names of the messenger boys.
I don't think he's sufficiently impressed.
Come on.
Everyone makes a mistake, Randall.
Once.
I'm sure when you've thought it over, you'll know what to do.
Jeff, are you asleep? Jeannie's gone to bed.
She's locked herself in, so she should be OK.
You were guarding the wrong place.
Mort Roden and Mike Hales.
Yes, we know them.
- I suppose we'd better pick them up.
- Don't bother on my account.
Wouldn't want them to think they got me worried.
How long could you hold them? Thank you.
That's very public spirited of you.
Your kindness is exceeded only by your personal beauty.
- What about Mrs.
Hopkirk? - She's waiting outside.
- Shall I bring her in? - No! Don't tell her anything.
They didn't go near her and I didn't breathe a word about the argument.
- How did you explain that? - I trod on a broom.
Can't you keep her out of this? You've got me.
She can identify George.
The Rodens know that.
If they've planned anything, they'll go ahead either way.
Yeah, I can see that.
Very nice turnout this morning.
Cut the jokes, Roden.
Get in line.
Move over.
Call the first witness, Sergeant.
Mrs.
Hopkirk! Take your time, Mrs.
Hopkirk.
Walk to the end of the row, and if necessary return, and place your hand on the shoulder of the man you wish to identify.
You may ask for the men to speak if you wish.
That's the man.
Thank you.
- D'you want to change your position? - Second time lucky, eh? Mr.
Randall.
Walk to the end of the row, Mr.
Randall.
Then I know the form, thank you, Inspector.
Thank you, Mr.
Randall.
Yes.
Thank you, Mr.
Randall.
It's the least I could do.
Charged with murder.
On the word of a couple of informers.
How can you trust people like that? I thought we'd frightened him good last night.
- He's tougher than I thought.
- What about her? The girl.
- Maybe he fancies her.
- Good idea.
- George'd like that one.
- Wait a minute.
We're getting carried away.
- First, the legal way.
- Sorrell? That's right, Mr.
Ralph Sorrell.
Mrs.
Roden, shall we say - 2,000 pounds? - Say something else.
Less.
I wish I could, with such excellent and regular customers as your family.
- But times are - Hard.
I know.
- 1,500.
- Cash? When have you ever had anything else? - Then we have an agreement.
- I should think so.
Oh, there's just one thing I forgot to mention.
Mm? If you don't get him off, you get nothing.
My dear Mrs.
Roden.
No, I tell a lie.
If you don't get him off, there might be a little consolation prize.
From Mort.
Then we'd better start thinking about it.
Two witnesses.
The case would seem to rest entirely on two witnesses.
The identification system is being seriously questioned at the moment.
Even by the most enlightened judges.
Good.
I myself am on the committee of the profession to recommend a re-examination of the procedure.
At present, it does not contribute towards a just result.
Most likely not.
It would help my brief enormously if someone were to see Mrs.
Hopkirk.
I was going to take my car to the garage, - but things have been a bit hectic.
- It's probably just the plugs.
- They might need a clean-up.
- Yes, probably.
- Are you going out again? - No, I'm not, Sergeant.
- I'll have a look if you like.
- Would you? - Yeah.
- All right.
Fair's fair.
- I'll give you a cup of tea.
- Fine.
- It's all as we left it.
- Good.
I'll put the kettle on, then.
It's OK.
Aaah! - Hello, Marty.
- You're all right.
- Comparatively, yeah.
- I must be losing my grip.
I was positive something was wrong.
It might be Jeannie! - A letter? - Yes, addressed to Inspector Large.
- She's gone.
- How can she be? - She's got a police guard.
- He's messing about with her car.
- Get the police round there.
- What can I tell them? Work something out.
I have to find Jeannie.
How long do you expect to keep me here? - As long as it's necessary.
- They'll find me easily.
Will they? This is the last place they'll look.
Yeah, well.
Now, d'you know what to do? I'd better get back.
Off you go, Ma.
I'll look after her.
You keep your hands off her.
As long as she's safe, George is safe.
- I wasn't gonna hurt her, Ma.
- You'd better not.
- Mind how you go, Mrs.
Roden.
- Don't worry, nobody'll see me.
Better make ourselves comfortable.
If, when you arrived at the apartment she'd gone, how did you get in? - I have a key.
- I see.
You say she left a letter? - That's right.
Addressed to you.
- You didn't think of bringing it? - No, I didn't.
- You didn't see my man, Chalmers? No.
You know, Randall, this is a pretty tall story.
- Inspector, this is urgent! - So you've said! Sorry, sir.
You were supposed to stay with Mrs.
Hopkirk! - I took her to the apartment.
- That's not what I said.
No, sir.
I was only outside for a few moments.
- Which was long enough.
- I didn't see them.
- I didn't see her leave.
- You telling me they grabbed her? That's the only thing that could have happened, isn't it? No.
Perhaps you didn't see her because she didn't want you to.
Come on, Inspector.
When I want your advice, I'll ask for it! - Randall said there was a letter.
- Oh Er, yes.
He was right.
It's addressed to you.
She's gone to the country.
Says she couldn't identify Roden anyway.
That's not from Jeannie.
- You can't believe this.
- Of course - You could've known all along.
- What? - The contents of the letter.
- How could I? Simple.
If you were there when the lady wrote it.
Why would she write that? The offer of a large sum of money perhaps? Inspector, I don't like the way this conversation's going.
Where's Mrs.
Hopkirk? - I've been asking you to find her.
- My man was there.
- She wanted to disappear! - Perhaps they were waiting for her.
- I checked the apartment, sir.
- Under the beds? - She could have called out.
- He was outside mending the car.
Oh? I thought I caught a glimpse of him on the way in.
And saw the letter? - Yeah.
- You're holding out on me, Randall! You just find Mrs.
Hopkirk.
If she's disappeared, it's because she wanted to.
- Inspector - Prove me wrong by testifying! What happens to Jeannie then? - What about my car? - Take it.
Thanks.
- D'you believe him, sir? - I don't know what to believe.
- D'you think he'll go in the box? - He better.
Otherwise I'll throw the book at him.
What about Mrs.
Hopkirk? Put out a description.
I want her found.
There's no sign of her anywhere, Jeff.
- Can you sort of home in on her? - I've tried.
It doesn't work.
Why don't you relax? Has anybody else put any pressure on you? - No.
Only the Inspector.
- Eh? He's got a sneaking suspicion we've taken a bribe.
If I don't come through with my story in court, he'll try and prove it.
- And if you do? - Jeannie's in trouble.
There's no reason why we shouldn't be a little friendly.
Keep your hands off me! Jeannie! I don't understand.
I really thought I'd made contact with her.
- You ended up in the apartment? - Yeah.
- Keep looking, Marty.
- Right.
- Where are you going? - To visit the Rodens.
Oh.
Don't move.
- That was silly of me.
- Always look where you're going.
I suppose you're old Mother Roden.
That's right.
- You know who I am? - Sure.
You're that informer fella.
Uh-uh! I want the girl.
Jean Hopkirk.
Oh, she's gone, has she? Pity.
Still, it means she can't say nasty things about my George in court.
- You've got her here.
- Have I? In that case, you'd better have a look round, hadn't you? All right, she's not here.
Where is she? Even if I knew, you'd have to kill me first.
I mean, the way things are, it'd be like sending me own son to jail.
I mean it, mister! You'd have to kill me first.
So you stood and watched her eating chocolates? What could I do? Suffocate her with a sack full of soft-centres? - If necessary.
She is responsible.
- Where did you look? Come on, Jeff.
Everywhere.
Twice! What are we gonna do with her? You heard your ma.
Nothing.
I mean after the hearing.
The way things are, I don't see as George'd be able to let her go.
Do you? I think I am right in saying, Mr.
Jennings, that those were the events of that fateful evening and you didn't see your son alive again.
- No, sir.
- Thank you, Mr.
Jennings.
Mr.
Jennings, though I sympathise with you in your sad loss, while you are in this court, you will behave in a seemly manner.
'Who's that?' This is the Criminal Court, you've got the wrong number.
No, that's right, Randall.
The Criminal Court.
- Who's that? - We met the other night.
Remember? - Listen, the girl's all right.
- How do I know? Just listen.
Ow! Jeff, go to the court and tell them everything! She's a pretty girl.
At the moment.
If Your Worship pleases, I would like to call Mr.
Jeffrey Randall.
Call Mr.
Jeffrey Randall.
Jeffrey Randall.
Jeffrey Randall.
Jeffrey Randall.
I'll see what's happened.
He's not there.
Can you give us ten minutes? I'm afraid that's the end of your case.
Is there nothing you can do? It is getting late.
This magistrate lives some distance out of town.
He usually likes to adjourn early.
Where is your witness, Mr.
Parker? Can you try? - Er, may it please Your Worship - You want to adjourn? - Your Worship.
- Yes, I know, Mr.
Sorrell, but we can't all live in central London.
The court will adjourn until ten o'clock tomorrow.
Be upstanding in court.
Reprieved.
- Any luck? - Marty.
- No, how about you? - Nothing.
What do we do now? I can't go back to court until we find Jeannie.
The Rodens must have Jeannie.
The phone call.
It all adds up.
It's funny.
Every time I get this feeling that Jeannie's in danger, I end up at our apartment.
It's old associations, Marty.
They die hard.
- Do you think so? - Must be.
If we find the Rodens, we'll find Jeannie, I'm sure.
- So we keep looking.
- Let's go.
Nip outside, see if the police are around.
Right.
When this lot's over, we should have a party.
- What kind of party? - A welcome home.
For when George gets back.
Don't count your chickens.
What's wrong? Randall won't testify while we've got the girl.
Don't be too sure, he's stubborn.
Doesn't like it when the pressure's on.
He won't let anything happen to you, eh, my darling? He might not have a choice.
The police will see he gives evidence.
He disappeared, sweetie.
Right after we called him.
Don't you worry.
He won't let any harm come to you.
- Why don't you go and lie down? - I'll be all right.
You've had a long day.
You must be tired.
Mm.
I am a bit.
There's a bed in the other room.
I'll call you if anything happens.
I suppose I might as well.
Come on, Ma.
- Good night.
- Night.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
Very touching.
I'm a lovely son, aren't I, my darling? Why don't you take a little walk to the off-licence and get a bottle? Your ma wouldn't like it.
You know what she said.
No boozing till after the hearing.
Well get a breath of fresh air, then.
Have a walk round the block? Two walks round the block.
Have three walks round the block.
If you say so.
I do say so.
Take your time.
You've got no control.
You wouldn't dare.
What's wrong? What's going on? It's nothing.
A little accident, Ma.
Where's Hales? - He went for a walk.
- Oh? It's gonna be a long night.
They're here.
The bogies.
Yeah, yeah, Inspector.
We were just moving on.
No, relax.
I'm not the law.
I'm looking for the Roden family.
They used to have a garage here.
Yeah, I know.
They haven't been around for days.
Er you wouldn't know where they might have gone? Well, they - They might be anywhere.
- That's right.
Anywhere.
Trouble? - Anything I can do for you? - Yeah.
I've been asking around.
You know the Rodens.
- Who doesn't? - Where are they? - They got a garage.
- I tried there.
Then I wouldn't know.
- What about when things warm up? - You the law? What do you do? Like I said, I wouldn't know.
They're on your payroll, I suppose.
Suppose I took it into my head to smash a few of your machines.
- You'd need them then.
- Maybe.
- You'd get in touch.
- No.
I'd leave a message.
- I think you're holding out on me.
- Think what you like.
- I could be awkward.
- How awkward? You got a licence for this lot? A current licence? Look, I told you, if they're not at the garage, I don't know where they are.
Really? It's not worth my while to cross you, is it? No.
About the licence.
You won't stir it up for me.
Why should I? I leave that sort of thing to the law.
- Nothing? - Nothing.
- Jeannie! - Happen again, Marty? I could have sworn she was here this time.
- What are you doing here anyway? - Oh, I don't know.
I thought Jeannie might have left some kind of clue.
If she has, I can't find anything.
Same last night.
Nobody's seen the Rodens since George's arrest and nobody knows where they've gone.
Court opens in ten minutes and in 15 George Roden will walk out free.
Lack of evidence.
I don't know what to do.
I've tried everything.
- I keep coming back here.
- Wait a minute.
If you arrive here every time you think of Jeannie Yeah? Why don't you think of Jeannie while you're here? What good will that do? I don't know.
Something might happen.
- It's worth a try.
- Away you go.
You see, Jeff.
Nothing.
What do you mean? You were going up and down like a yo-yo.
- Was I? - Straight up.
- Phew.
- What's the matter? I just had a funny feeling that Jeannie walked across my gr - Up you go, Peter Pan.
- Right.
It's time I left for the court.
I'll phone as soon as I have any news.
Mort Uh-uh.
Jeff! They're here! They've been here all the time.
You get Jeannie, I'll get to the court.
Right.
So! You took the place upstairs.
Clever.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I think you do, Mrs.
Roden.
It's difficult to spirit a grown woman out of a busy block.
The court resumes in ten minutes, Mr.
Randall.
It's too late now for you to do anything about it.
- Let's go! - What about them? Later.
We've got two minutes to get to court.
Be upstanding in court.
So you have not yet found your witness Jeffrey Randall, Mr.
Parker? In that case, I have no Gentlemen, I do not intend to proceed until the offending window has been located and firmly closed.
How we doing? If it is beyond your powers to trace the source of one small draught Thank you, gentlemen.
At last.
At your service, gentlemen.
Myself and Mrs.
Hopkirk.
Is this your missing witness, Mr.
Parker? Yes, it is, Your Worship.
Your Worship, before we proceed Yes, Mr.
Sorrell? My client wishes to change his plea.
From not guilty? To guilty, Your Worship.
Somebody up there likes me.