Dalgliesh (2021) s02e01 Episode Script
Death of an Expert Witness (Part 1)
1
[WIND WHISTLING]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DALGLIESH: "She sorrowed into death,
tracks of tears like
cuttings on her skin.
That look I didn't
know, it was reproach.
You take my treasure and my blood,
the part of me that's
yours, and watch me go.
The wanted part.
You stand and watch me go
into the last sighting."
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
FIRE CRACKLING]
Hey! You see that?
You see that?
- Nice one.
- [LAUGHTER]
BOY: That was good.
Thought it was gonna
smash, but it didn't.
[CHUCKLES]
[SCREAMS]
BOY: What?
[GASPS, WHIMPERS]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
DALGLIESH: "And the night is
rendered still by her departure.
No sound, no screams to
halt the oncoming glare."
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[CLOCK CHIMING]
"The Christmas tree's magic
seemed to be wearing out.
It must be getting closer to morning.
Benji knew that the tree's
magic only worked at night.
What a great adventure Benji
was having, but he lost track of time.
How would he get back to
the front door on time?
Benji was trying"
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
"I stand aside.
A mouth of scree
a choke of swallowed words."
[APPLAUSE]
Well, I think we all
need a moment after that,
and then we'll begin
the interrogation, Adam.
[LAUGHTER]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, CAWING]
[BELL TOLLING IN DISTANCE]
HOWARTH: Good morning, Inspector.
DOYLE: Morning. Early
enough for you, Mr. Howarth?
You came along for the ride, then?
It's not very often we get the
director of the lab on the scene.
I told the staff I wanted
to follow the next murder,
familiarize myself with their work.
DOYLE: You couldn't have picked
a more straightforward one.
Domestic, 99% certain.
Even the murder weapon
was ready and waiting.
Keep out of the way!
What is this place, anyway?
Oh, yeah. You're not a local.
They call it a clunch pit.
They used to dig chalk out of
the ground here for building.
It's a dismal place to die.
Hey, Doc.
Sorry. I got here as soon as I could.
Nice of you to join us.
DOYLE: So are you actually going
to prioritize this one, then?
Only you said that
about the last murder,
and I was sitting on
my hands for a week.
I'll get started.
If you've got any
complaints about my lab,
put them in writing
with detailed evidence.
Your lab? I thought Mr.
Howarth is the new boss.
Of the facility, not my lab.
- Same difference.
- He's right.
The biology lab is
Dr. Lorrimer's domain.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Christ. He's even
worse than bloody usual.
I assume that you want
What is his problem, anyway?
I have no idea.
LORRIMER: We need to talk about this.
Not now.
DOYLE: Okay, lads. Let's get cracking.
Screens and cordons.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, CAWING]
[BELL RINGING IN DISTANCE]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
BELL RINGING IN DISTANCE]
- Brenda.
- Good morning, Mr. Howarth.
HOWARTH: And I need to
speak to the surveyors.
[RINGING CONTINUES]
LORRIMER: What are you doing?
I thought I could make
a start on the swab.
Leave it. I'll do it.
At least then it'll be done properly.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[ENGINE STARTS]
- WOMAN: Good night.
- MAN: See you tomorrow. Night.
WOMAN: All right. You coming, John?
MAN: Yeah. On my way.
Mr. Howarth asked me to
tell you he's leaving now.
And?
[DOWN-TEMPO FOLK MUSIC PLAYS]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
MUSIC CONTINUES]
MAN: Whoo!
[MUSIC BUILDS, CONTINUES]
Whoo!
[LAUGHTER, GLASSES CLINKING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[MUSIC BUILDS, CONTINUES]
WOMAN: Whoo! [LAUGHS]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[FOLK MUSIC FADES]
LORRIMER: Stop it. Stop it! [GRUNTS]
[BELL RINGING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS]
[RINGING CONTINUES]
[BELL ECHOING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
What do you want?
[MUSIC CONTINUES, LAUGHTER ECHOING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[GRUNTS]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
BLANCHE: America is a hard nut to crack.
It's also an enormous
market. We should be proud.
I know you won't read
what they're saying,
but 18,000 copies sold in two weeks.
So the U.S. office are
pushing for a tour
five or six of the major cities.
A tour.
Poetry is the new rock 'n' roll.
You could follow in the
footsteps of Dylan T.
- Hardly.
- You could.
It would be a blast.
Everything would be set up for you.
Fall That's autumn to you and me
starting in New York.
I have a job, Blanche.
No. You have two jobs.
And this one's getting
bigger and wants attention.
Last year, you said you were
thinking of stopping the policing.
That's a trick I play
on myself sometimes.
I tell myself I can stop
so that I can keep going.
Why do you need to keep going?
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
Sorry.
Honestly, I'm not sure.
- BLANCHE: Well
- [SAUCER CLANKS]
if there's any
chance you could stop,
might stop this would be the time.
Ride that wave.
We have a few weeks.
Can I tell them you're
thinking about it?
All right.
Excuse me. There's a
phone call for you, sir.
Scotland Yard.
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DALGLIESH: Dalgliesh.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
MISKIN: Why us, sir? This job.
DALGLIESH: The commissioner's
anxious about it.
Hoggatts laboratory is privately owned.
The evidence from almost
every investigation
in the region is sent there.
A murder or possible break-in,
it affects confidence.
Have you been to Norfolk before?
No.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[ENGINE STOPS, DOORS CLOSE]
Chief Inspector Dalgliesh?
Yes. This is D.S. Miskin.
Maximillian Howarth.
I'm the director. Please.
The staff are in the
library. D.I. Doyle's orders.
New building?
Yes. Ten years in the planning.
This one's barely fit for purpose.
Built as a private house.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
MACHINERY WHIRRING]
HOWARTH: Dr. Lorrimer was
our senior forensic biologist.
He's worked here for 15 years.
DALGLIESH: I assume you
knew him, too, Dr. Rollinson.
Oh, yes.
We've worked on dozens
of cases together.
I asked the local GP to come
and do the initial exam with me.
- I thought that would be for the best.
- Good.
So, time of death between
7:00 and 10:00 p.m. last night,
possibly 11:00.
Looks like a single swinging blow
delivered when Lorrimer turned his back,
and the mallet would fit as a weapon.
Would the assailant be bloodstained?
Probably not.
The blood appears to
have flowed steadily
without any preliminary splashing.
Would it have needed a lot of force?
Not especially. A woman
could have managed it.
I was about to say that
I'll know more after the PM,
but I take it that you'll
We'll be making arrangements
to have that done elsewhere.
- Who found the body?
- HOWARTH: Brenda.
Brenda Pridmore. She's
our clerical officer.
Poor girl's only 18.
How long was she alone with him?
Not more than a few
moments, I should say.
I was alone with him for a brief
time after I called the police.
Yes, briefly.
I'm sorry, but I'm due at the hospital.
Do you need anything else from me now?
An alibi?
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
You do want an alibi.
DALGLIESH: A simple witness statement
where you were last night,
when you last saw Dr. Lorrimer.
When you arrived, everything
was locked and alarmed as normal?
Yes. It's very strange.
And we've noticed nothing missing,
no other sign of a break-in.
Who else has keys apart from you?
Lorrimer.
And then there's one kept
in the wall safe in there
and one held at the police station.
This is the only door we use.
The back door's closed off.
- You arrived at what time?
- 8:25.
Brenda arrived as I was opening up.
I was seeing to the alarm
when Lorrimer's father rang,
asking if he was here.
He hadn't come home last night.
Brenda took the call and
ran upstairs to check and
Well
That's the only one in the
building which isn't kept locked.
Is it usually ajar?
Yes, but it's far too high up to access.
But in theory, someone could
have got in or out through there
without triggering an alarm.
Well, there's nothing on the other side
except for a sheer
wall and a 20-foot drop
down to the roof of
the incinerator shed.
Would a cleaner have come in last night?
Yes. We have a cleaner for an
hour at the end of every day.
Looks like someone was sick in there.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DOYLE: Those are his keys to the lab.
I'm glad to be handing this one over.
It's weird when you know them.
And l'm up to my eyes.
MISKIN: On the cases he was working on?
DOYLE: Mostly.
That was our murder
weapon at least that's
what he was supposed
to be confirming for us.
And the cases?
DOYLE: Young woman found
dead two nights ago in the clunch pit
quarry north of the town.
Head caved in.
We reckon it was the husband.
Found a note from a
fancy man in her bag.
Both the gentlemen have been
in custody since yesterday.
MISKIN: So is it possible
that someone was trying
to get to the evidence,
stop Dr. Lorrimer from examining it?
Like who?
As I said, suspects are both in custody.
And if someone was doing that,
why would they leave the mallet?
Next of kin was the
father. Is that right?
Yeah. We just left him.
Pretty sure he's not all there.
He reckons he called
here and spoke to Lorrimer
at a quarter to 9:00 last night.
Which pushes back the time of death.
Yeah, but it might not be true.
There's one other relative.
A cousin Angela Foley.
She actually works here.
Howarth's secretary.
I called her to get her to come
over and look after the old man.
She didn't sound thrilled,
but she's over there now.
DALGLIESH: Anything else
we need to know about?
I reckon that's it.
- Will you be needing these, two? Because
- Yes.
Let's get the body moved.
Then I want a thorough
search of the building
any possible access points
we haven't considered.
And I want a search of the grounds
any footprints, tire tracks.
MISKIN: There's what
looks like dried vomit
in the first sink in the men's toilets.
- Take a sample, please.
- We'll be sending forensics
- to the lab at the Yard.
- Yes, sir.
I don't want to speak ill of the dead,
but he was a miserable,
arrogant pain in the arse,
especially lately.
You won't be short of suspects.
DALGLIESH: When you came
downstairs after seeing the body,
had any other members of staff arrived?
No. Clifford Bradley arrived
while I was calling the police.
He's our junior biologist.
Then it was Miss Foley, my secretary.
- Dr. Lorrimer's cousin?
- Yes.
I had no idea they were
related until today.
But then, I've been here
less than eight months, so
You were an external appointment?
Yes. I was at the Darwin
Centre in London before this.
One could say I was headhunted.
Hoggatts is good, but it's slow.
Or at least it was.
And then there's the
new build to oversee.
The board felt the place needed a manager
rather than a scientist.
Would Lorrimer have wanted the job?
He did want it.
He showed a little
low-level resentment,
but nothing I couldn't deal with.
He was a first-rate biologist,
but he wouldn't have
made a good director.
He, uh, struggled to get on with people.
Do you know if there was
anything in particular
which had been troubling him lately?
No. I'm afraid I don't.
BRENDA: I've never
seen a dead body before.
Funny, all the stuff that comes in here.
I'm responsible for
signing everything in
with the police
liaison blood, fluids.
We even had a hand in a few weeks ago.
- Did you touch the body, Brenda?
- No.
I could just see that he was dead.
You waited in the hall while
Mr. Howarth went upstairs.
- Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.
Could anyone have come past you,
left through the front door, perhaps?
I don't think so.
I was shocked, but I
didn't faint or anything.
Do you think the murderer was
still there when I went upstairs?
Don't say that.
DALGLIESH: How did you
spend yesterday evening?
Actually, I played violin at
a concert in the local village.
My attempt to embed
myself in the community.
My sister was there
watching Domenica.
- Surname?
- Howarth.
She isn't married. She lives with me.
What time did you arrive?
Uh, half past 7:00.
Domenica wasn't feeling well,
so we left as soon as we could.
We got home at 9:30 and
went to bed around 10:30.
Did you have dinner before the concert?
Yes. A light supper.
What did you eat?
Oh. I-I see. This is because of the
An omelet, some green salad,
and a glass of Chablis.
BRENDA: I really liked Dr. Lorrimer.
He was nice to me.
He showed a real interest.
In what way?
I-I don't mean anything, you know
He tried to teach me things,
said I should get
some A-levels, science,
and maybe go to a college.
No one's ever said anything
like that to me before.
Mum and Dad are great, but they
just want me to get married.
They don't like that I'm working here.
And they'll like it even less now.
Do you live at home?
Yes. We have a farm.
What time did you leave work yesterday?
About 6:00, the normal time.
And where did you go?
I cycled home.
MISKIN: What time did you arrive there?
About 25 past.
It used to be quicker
because there was a shortcut
through the grounds up to the lane.
But I'm not allowed
to go that way anymore
because of the building works.
Were you at home all
of yesterday evening?
Yes. I don't go out midweek.
Had your mum made a nice dinner?
Yeah.
[VOICE BREAKING]Yeah. Chicken and chips.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DALGLIESH: Come in, Mr. Bradley.
We need your help.
You worked closely with
Dr. Lorrimer, I understand.
Can you tell us what he was in
the middle of doing last night?
He was running a test
electrophoresis
grouping a sample of the victim's blood
and the blood from the
suspected murder weapon.
- I'm not sure why that's gone.
- DALGLIESH: That's okay.
How long had you worked with him?
Eighteen months.
I'm not long qualified.
This is my first job.
Did you enjoy working under him?
Yes.
Yeah. He was brilliant.
I learned a lot from him.
He didn't suffer fools, but then
maybe that's how it should be.
How had he seemed recently?
Any particular worries he'd mentioned?
No.
What time did you
leave the lab yesterday?
6:00. I went straight home.
We've just had our first baby.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
My mother-in-law was there.
She stayed on for some dinner and
Do you mind telling me what you ate?
Why?
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
MACHINERY WHIRRING IN DISTANCE]
It was one of those chicken curries
you make using a packet, you know?
Uh I took my mother-in-law
to the bus stop for the 9:00 bus.
Got back quickly as I could.
The baby's got colic.
MERCER: Two different tread patterns.
A mismatch. That one's new to me.
DALGLIESH: It could be a Semperit.
We rarely see it.
Identify the brands and
start by ruling out any cars
belonging to the staff.
There's no reason why
they should park here
when there's a car park at the front.
And talk to all the local garages.
They should have records or at
least remember the combinations.
Yes, sir.
[MACHINERY WHIRRING]
Thoughts?
It seems like it has
to be someone he knows.
Why admit a stranger or
turn his back on a stranger?
The alternative is that
someone with keys to the lab
let themselves in, crept
upstairs, and surprised him.
Or someone didn't even
leave work, just lay in wait,
knowing there'd be a
murder weapon to hand.
If it was someone without keys,
they must have used Lorrimer's
set to lock up after themselves,
then found a way to replace them
on the body before D.I. Doyle arrived.
And they'd have to set the alarm.
It all points to someone
connected to the lab.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Angela Foley?
D.S. Miskin.
This is Chief Inspector Dalgliesh.
[EXHALES DEEPLY] I've
been waiting hours.
I phoned the priest from
the church he went to,
apparently, and he said he'll
be over soon. So can I go?
We're sorry for your loss.
We need to ask you some questions.
This is Stella Mawson.
Hi. The devil makes work and all that.
I'd rather she stayed
with me, if that's allowed.
- DALGLIESH: At this stage, yes.
- What other stages do you anticipate?
I understand you work
at Hoggatts laboratory.
I'm Mr. Howarth's P.A.
DALGLIESH: What time did you
arrive at work this morning?
8:40, as usual.
Mr. Howarth tells me that
you know the combination
for the key safe in the office.
ANGELA: It's my job to know.
We checked this morning to make
sure the keys were still there.
What time was that?
About 10 minutes after I arrived.
You must see quite a lot
of your cousin at work.
He was around, but we had
nothing to do with each other.
And I've got nothing to do with
the old man upstairs either.
He was my grandma's brother. That's it.
I told D.I. Doyle this. I
didn't grow up in the family.
I grew up in local authority care.
I've never considered him as family.
[VEHICLE APPROACHING]
When was the last time you
saw or spoke to Dr. Lorrimer?
Yesterday. It was 6:00.
I went up to the lab to tell him
Mr. Howarth was leaving for the night.
Did he say anything?
No.
[PEN SCRATCHING]
I've only ever had one
proper conversation with him.
Years ago, when my grandma died,
she left all her money to him.
But she said he should leave it to
me one day unless he'd had children.
Sons.
Only the sons count.
So I-I came here to
ask him if he'd consider
giving me a share of the money
straightaway, and he said no.
So now that Dr. Lorrimer is dead,
it's your understanding
that you inherit how much?
About £30,000.
- You'll have to ask the solicitor.
- STELLA: Probably more now.
I doubt crusty old
Edmund's been living it up.
- We know what you're thinking.
- I doubt that, Miss Mawson.
We were together all
evening and all night, so
MR. LORRIMER: Is that them?!
Is that correct, Miss Foley?
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Uh, yes.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[PAPER CRINKLING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DRAWER CLOSES]
Incredibly disciplined.
But where's his heart?
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Edmund was quite a scholar, wasn't he?
You must be very proud of him.
Oh, he is a scholar,
sir. Not many know that.
Did he have any good friends?
A girlfriend, perhaps?
Oh, not him. No.
There were that woman, of course.
That were a rum do.
Which woman was that?
Oh, I don't know. On the
telephone a few weeks back.
Edmund were in the bath,
so I picked the thing up.
She started off straightaway, yeah,
whispering that something was going on.
The The can being
burned and she had the numbers.
And then these numbers!
Well, how am I supposed
to remember them?
Do you mean something like
a a telephone number
or a-a date?
Oh, five or six numbers.
I remember the last two 18 and 40.
First houses I lived in.
DALGLIESH: Can you remember
what her voice sounded like?
Did she have an accent?
Was she young or old?
MR. LORRIMER: She sounded
excited, I would say.
No.
Conspiratorial. She
sounded conspiratorial.
Did you talk to Edmund about the call?
I did. He He said nothing.
He were always secretive, even as a lad.
Did he ever have a place that
he liked to hide things
inside the house or outside?
Things that he wished to keep private?
MR. LORRIMER: This was
my grandfather's desk.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
- He showed Edmund once.
- [LATCH CLICKS]
I remember.
[PAPER RUSTLING]
He was in love.
With Domenica Howarth.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, CALLING]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Dalgliesh.
Is your sister in?
Why?
If this is about the, uh,
thing she had with Lorrimer,
then I promise you that
I asked you if you knew of anything
which had been troubling him recently.
Well, I didn't think it was relevant.
DOMENICA: It's fine.
Let's get this over with.
DOMENICA: Oh, Lord.
Are those the drafts?
God, I always suspected
he'd been practicing.
The ones he did send went in the bin.
Sorry you've had to
read those, his whinings.
More of a cri du
coeur, wouldn't you say?
- How did you first meet?
- We met in church, weirdly.
I'm a thoroughly lapsed Catholic,
but I was in what passes
for a town around here.
I saw St. Benedict's, and
he happened to be in there.
We made the connection
about Max and the lab.
I made the mistake of imagining
there was something interesting
beneath that repressed exterior.
There was a clumsy, desperate
sort of need, I suppose.
But essentially he was boring.
So after a few weeks, I finished it.
Where would you meet?
Is that relevant?
We both have cars.
His is particularly roomy.
God knows there are plenty
of secluded spots around here.
Did anyone else know about the affair?
No. I'm certain of that.
And it wasn't an affair.
I told my brother, of course.
I didn't want Lorrimer thinking
he could wield power over him.
Max wasn't thrilled, but he
knew it wouldn't last long.
Max was right about
you. You are unexpected.
Not at all like the local coppers.
Nor are you, come to that.
Did you ever telephone Dr.
Lorrimer to make an arrangement?
No. I don't even know his number.
We'd arrange our next meeting
when we saw each other.
So the number 18 or 40 have
any significance for you,
- particularly in relation to him?
- No, none.
Have any reason to go
near the lab last night?
- No.
- Where were you last night?
Listening to Max
fiddling at his concert.
We left around 9:00, 9:15.
Came home and went to bed.
I had a headache.
DALGLIESH: These are
passionate, vehement letters.
His feelings for you were profound.
It's clear he'd never
felt such emotion before
and was desperate for the
relationship to continue.
Did he try to see you
or harass you in any way?
No.
You're judging me.
I don't judge people.
Do you want me to say 10 Hail Marys?
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
The results of the background checks.
Nothing on anyone who works at the lab.
Nothing on Stella Mawson.
I've asked them to check Domenica.
Did you believe her
that she never phoned him?
I think so.
But we can't rule her
out as our mystery caller.
Priorities for tomorrow.
We set up a search of
all the lab's case files,
any case Lorrimer worked on
which includes the numbers 18 and 40.
Anything involving cans or canisters.
Cannabis?
Yes. I'll see the solicitor.
Keep Mercer on the tires.
And we start checking alibis.
STELLA: What was it
like growing up in care?
We've never really talked about it.
ANGELA: There's not
much to say. It's lonely.
I resented other children
'cause they had mothers.
Never grown out of that.
It's pathetic.
I even resent Brenda on reception
'cause she's so obviously loved
and she's got a proper home.
So have you now.
And soon no one will be able
to take that away from us.
[INDISTINCT TALKING ON TELEVISION]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING]
Another one, sir?
Not for me, thanks.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
GIRL: Come on. Throw it. That's it.
That's good.
[ENGINE STOPS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
My dad's not in.
That's all right.
My name is Dalgliesh.
I'm a police officer.
It's actually your housekeeper,
Miss Willard, I've
You shouldn't talk to her.
She lies about everything.
And she steals Daddy's alcohol.
Police have come for you.
Stealing sherry.
Yes. Dr. Rollinson was
here all evening on Tuesday.
Uh, h-he arrived home at
around quarter past 7:00.
And he didn't go out
again, even briefly?
Oh, no. No, no, no. No.
He would have told me
because of the children.
That's my primary role, watching
them when he's called away.
William's a little angel.
But Nell Well, you saw.
School holidays are a trial, frankly.
But then they're missing their mother,
so one has to show understanding.
What happened to their mother?
Well, I'm afraid she ran off
with one of Dr. Rollinson's
colleagues from the hospital.
He was devastated!
But then, to my mind, a woman like that,
she wasn't worthy of him.
There's a divorce under way, I believe.
It's tragic, really. Shameful.
Father Gregory at St. Benedict's
mentioned that Dr. Lorrimer
sometimes drove you to Sunday Mass.
Yes, sometimes.
The bus service is so poor.
He'd pick me up if I was
waiting at the end of the lane.
Not that he was happy
about it. [CHUCKLES]
It was very much Father
Gregory's prompting.
I was once five minutes
late, and he'd gone.
Did you ever telephone him?
To make the arrangement.
No, no, no. Nothing so organized.
I oughtn't to say this,
and of course I'm horrified
by what's happened to him,
but he was a very off-putting man.
He barely spoke a word to me.
NELL: Daddy! Daddy!
ROLLINSON: Hello! Hello, you two.
- You okay?
- NELL: Yeah, I'm okay.
ROLLINSON: Steady.
Steady now, little one.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[CHUCKLES] There you go.
Nice to see you.
Ah. Chief Inspector. Got
everything you needed?
- Yes, thank you.
- NELL: Daddy.
- Had the PM results yet?
- Tomorrow.
- Come away.
- Okay. Okay.
Sorry.
Sorry.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
MISS WILLARD: William?
[DOOR OPENS]
Husband's clobber. Clunch pit.
Right. Okay.
What's going on?
Oh, they started looking
through loads of old case files.
I'm supposed to be
putting all these away.
But I ended up reading
them. They're great.
They're like all the
mysteries that you see on TV.
You're in this one.
Do you remember it?
Not really. Starring role, eh?
- Yes.
- [CHUCKLES]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
MISKIN: Is the lead officer
on that case available?
I'll hold.
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
MISKIN: Right. Okay.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
I've just been with Major
Hunt, Dr. Lorrimer's solicitor.
I'm afraid I have to
tell you that your cousin
didn't leave you any money in his will.
He left everything to his father,
with the exception of £5,000,
which he left to someone else.
That can't be right.
It just That isn't right.
He changed his will only last week.
Why?
The solicitor wasn't certain,
but he said Dr. Lorrimer
seemed to disapprove
of Miss Foley's friendship with you.
- [SIGHS]
- Who else?
You said he left money to someone else.
Who?
Brenda Pridmore.
[EXHALES SHARPLY, STAMMERS]
Brenda Pridmore, the girl
who works on reception?
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
How fucking predictable.
He said the money is for her education.
Interesting euphemism.
He could only have known
her what, five minutes?
Did either of you speak to
Edmund Lorrimer about the money
or the will at any time
over the last few months?
No.
If it's true that he took
against your relationship,
I'm wondering when he
had the opportunity to do so.
Can you leave now, please?
[VEHICLE PASSING, MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR OPENS]
I saw the sign outside.
Do you own this place or rent it?
Rent.
So, are you going to put in an offer?
Right.
We did. It was rejected.
- Star.
- We can't afford this place.
That's fine. We'll find somewhere else.
You seem very settled here.
The solicitor tells
me you're a novelist.
And as a writer, I should have thought
the last thing you would
want is to have to move.
What would you know about that?
You think what?
We found out there was
a new will in the offing
and tried to kill him before he made it?
But then "Oh, dear. Too late."
Will you go now, please?
Perhaps it's Brenda Pridmore
you should be speaking to.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[SOBS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, ANGELA CRYING]
MISKIN: It doesn't rule them out.
They might still have
another possible motive.
DALGLIESH: Yes.
Tough on Angela, though.
Her family's last chance
to do something for her.
I know what it's like when
you realize no one's there
to give you a break.
I can't believe Brenda's involved.
I spoke with her mother earlier,
and she confirmed her alibi.
She was with her parents at the farm.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
CARLING: Sir, you've just
had a call from the Yard.
Results of those tests
on the vomit are in.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Tuesday morning, Lorrimer
he told me he'd just
completed my annual report
and he was going to hand it
in to Mr. Howarth the next day.
He told me it was bad,
that he'd questioned my
competence about everything.
I tried telling him that I
only made a mess of things
when he was watching.
He made me so nervous.
A report like that means
they could get rid of me
and no other lab would look at me.
I told my wife.
She said I should try again
with him, confront him.
I knew he was working late,
so after I dropped my
mum-in-law at the bus stop,
I came back here.
What time was that exactly?
A few minutes after 9:00.
Mr. Bradley, I'm going to ask you again.
Are you sure you don't
want to call a lawyer?
I I, uh, rang the
bell, and he let me in.
We came up here.
I tried to plead with him,
but he was in a foul mood.
He wouldn't even look at me.
And then he just
suddenly started shouting,
telling me I was a useless biologist,
a hindrance, that I
was in the wrong job.
I felt
Ugh. I couldn't stand it.
Jesus.
I run to the toilets.
I was sick.
MAN: A Semperit? Yes.
I fitted the tire myself.
- Are you sure?
- Mm.
- Positive?
- Aye.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
- Have you got a phone?
- There.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
How long did you stay in the toilets?
About 10 minutes, I think.
I started to feel angry.
It was all so bloody wrong.
And I decided I was gonna tell him.
So I splashed some water on my face,
came back here, but
he was dead.
And I panicked. [EXHALES DEEPLY]
I thought someone was
gonna come at me, so I ran.
I'm sorry.
I just ran out of the building.
And there was this car
with its headlights on.
Right there. Right on me.
MERCER: It's registered to your missus.
No, no, no. I've got to
phone it in because I
Listen.
Because I'm not the
only one who bloody knows,
and I'm not getting dragged into this.
They're onto you.
So this is your heads-up, right?
I'll wait half an hour, and that's it.
I suppose we should eat something.
Where are you going?
It's going to be all right.
- W
- This is our home.
Knowledge is power.
What do you mean? Where are you going?
Don't worry. And don't follow me.
Love you.
Stella, w [SIGHS]
DALGLIESH: The car Could
you tell what make it was?
Could you tell who was driving?
It was too bright.
I ran for the trees,
worked my way along the
wall and out of the gates.
I swear I'm telling the truth.
I didn't kill him.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
They're sure?
BRENDA: Good night, Mr. Howarth.
[FOX BARKING IN DISTANCE]
Oh, no.
Oh, no!
[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
D.I. Doyle. Where is he?
I don't think he's in, sir.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
I'm sorry, sir. No one
seems to know where he is.
[TYPEWRITER CLICKING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
- [METAL CLANGING]
- [GASPS]
[FOOTSTEPS ECHOING]
[METAL CREAKING]
Hello?
[METAL CLANGING]
[GASPING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Help!
Help! Please!
Help me.
[GASPS]
[ROPE CREAKING]
Oh!
[WHIMPERING]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[WIND WHISTLING]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DALGLIESH: "She sorrowed into death,
tracks of tears like
cuttings on her skin.
That look I didn't
know, it was reproach.
You take my treasure and my blood,
the part of me that's
yours, and watch me go.
The wanted part.
You stand and watch me go
into the last sighting."
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
FIRE CRACKLING]
Hey! You see that?
You see that?
- Nice one.
- [LAUGHTER]
BOY: That was good.
Thought it was gonna
smash, but it didn't.
[CHUCKLES]
[SCREAMS]
BOY: What?
[GASPS, WHIMPERS]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
DALGLIESH: "And the night is
rendered still by her departure.
No sound, no screams to
halt the oncoming glare."
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
[CLOCK CHIMING]
"The Christmas tree's magic
seemed to be wearing out.
It must be getting closer to morning.
Benji knew that the tree's
magic only worked at night.
What a great adventure Benji
was having, but he lost track of time.
How would he get back to
the front door on time?
Benji was trying"
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
"I stand aside.
A mouth of scree
a choke of swallowed words."
[APPLAUSE]
Well, I think we all
need a moment after that,
and then we'll begin
the interrogation, Adam.
[LAUGHTER]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, CAWING]
[BELL TOLLING IN DISTANCE]
HOWARTH: Good morning, Inspector.
DOYLE: Morning. Early
enough for you, Mr. Howarth?
You came along for the ride, then?
It's not very often we get the
director of the lab on the scene.
I told the staff I wanted
to follow the next murder,
familiarize myself with their work.
DOYLE: You couldn't have picked
a more straightforward one.
Domestic, 99% certain.
Even the murder weapon
was ready and waiting.
Keep out of the way!
What is this place, anyway?
Oh, yeah. You're not a local.
They call it a clunch pit.
They used to dig chalk out of
the ground here for building.
It's a dismal place to die.
Hey, Doc.
Sorry. I got here as soon as I could.
Nice of you to join us.
DOYLE: So are you actually going
to prioritize this one, then?
Only you said that
about the last murder,
and I was sitting on
my hands for a week.
I'll get started.
If you've got any
complaints about my lab,
put them in writing
with detailed evidence.
Your lab? I thought Mr.
Howarth is the new boss.
Of the facility, not my lab.
- Same difference.
- He's right.
The biology lab is
Dr. Lorrimer's domain.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Christ. He's even
worse than bloody usual.
I assume that you want
What is his problem, anyway?
I have no idea.
LORRIMER: We need to talk about this.
Not now.
DOYLE: Okay, lads. Let's get cracking.
Screens and cordons.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, CAWING]
[BELL RINGING IN DISTANCE]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
BELL RINGING IN DISTANCE]
- Brenda.
- Good morning, Mr. Howarth.
HOWARTH: And I need to
speak to the surveyors.
[RINGING CONTINUES]
LORRIMER: What are you doing?
I thought I could make
a start on the swab.
Leave it. I'll do it.
At least then it'll be done properly.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[ENGINE STARTS]
- WOMAN: Good night.
- MAN: See you tomorrow. Night.
WOMAN: All right. You coming, John?
MAN: Yeah. On my way.
Mr. Howarth asked me to
tell you he's leaving now.
And?
[DOWN-TEMPO FOLK MUSIC PLAYS]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
MUSIC CONTINUES]
MAN: Whoo!
[MUSIC BUILDS, CONTINUES]
Whoo!
[LAUGHTER, GLASSES CLINKING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[MUSIC BUILDS, CONTINUES]
WOMAN: Whoo! [LAUGHS]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[FOLK MUSIC FADES]
LORRIMER: Stop it. Stop it! [GRUNTS]
[BELL RINGING]
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS]
[RINGING CONTINUES]
[BELL ECHOING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
What do you want?
[MUSIC CONTINUES, LAUGHTER ECHOING]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[GRUNTS]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
BLANCHE: America is a hard nut to crack.
It's also an enormous
market. We should be proud.
I know you won't read
what they're saying,
but 18,000 copies sold in two weeks.
So the U.S. office are
pushing for a tour
five or six of the major cities.
A tour.
Poetry is the new rock 'n' roll.
You could follow in the
footsteps of Dylan T.
- Hardly.
- You could.
It would be a blast.
Everything would be set up for you.
Fall That's autumn to you and me
starting in New York.
I have a job, Blanche.
No. You have two jobs.
And this one's getting
bigger and wants attention.
Last year, you said you were
thinking of stopping the policing.
That's a trick I play
on myself sometimes.
I tell myself I can stop
so that I can keep going.
Why do you need to keep going?
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
Sorry.
Honestly, I'm not sure.
- BLANCHE: Well
- [SAUCER CLANKS]
if there's any
chance you could stop,
might stop this would be the time.
Ride that wave.
We have a few weeks.
Can I tell them you're
thinking about it?
All right.
Excuse me. There's a
phone call for you, sir.
Scotland Yard.
[MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DALGLIESH: Dalgliesh.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
MISKIN: Why us, sir? This job.
DALGLIESH: The commissioner's
anxious about it.
Hoggatts laboratory is privately owned.
The evidence from almost
every investigation
in the region is sent there.
A murder or possible break-in,
it affects confidence.
Have you been to Norfolk before?
No.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[ENGINE STOPS, DOORS CLOSE]
Chief Inspector Dalgliesh?
Yes. This is D.S. Miskin.
Maximillian Howarth.
I'm the director. Please.
The staff are in the
library. D.I. Doyle's orders.
New building?
Yes. Ten years in the planning.
This one's barely fit for purpose.
Built as a private house.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
MACHINERY WHIRRING]
HOWARTH: Dr. Lorrimer was
our senior forensic biologist.
He's worked here for 15 years.
DALGLIESH: I assume you
knew him, too, Dr. Rollinson.
Oh, yes.
We've worked on dozens
of cases together.
I asked the local GP to come
and do the initial exam with me.
- I thought that would be for the best.
- Good.
So, time of death between
7:00 and 10:00 p.m. last night,
possibly 11:00.
Looks like a single swinging blow
delivered when Lorrimer turned his back,
and the mallet would fit as a weapon.
Would the assailant be bloodstained?
Probably not.
The blood appears to
have flowed steadily
without any preliminary splashing.
Would it have needed a lot of force?
Not especially. A woman
could have managed it.
I was about to say that
I'll know more after the PM,
but I take it that you'll
We'll be making arrangements
to have that done elsewhere.
- Who found the body?
- HOWARTH: Brenda.
Brenda Pridmore. She's
our clerical officer.
Poor girl's only 18.
How long was she alone with him?
Not more than a few
moments, I should say.
I was alone with him for a brief
time after I called the police.
Yes, briefly.
I'm sorry, but I'm due at the hospital.
Do you need anything else from me now?
An alibi?
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
You do want an alibi.
DALGLIESH: A simple witness statement
where you were last night,
when you last saw Dr. Lorrimer.
When you arrived, everything
was locked and alarmed as normal?
Yes. It's very strange.
And we've noticed nothing missing,
no other sign of a break-in.
Who else has keys apart from you?
Lorrimer.
And then there's one kept
in the wall safe in there
and one held at the police station.
This is the only door we use.
The back door's closed off.
- You arrived at what time?
- 8:25.
Brenda arrived as I was opening up.
I was seeing to the alarm
when Lorrimer's father rang,
asking if he was here.
He hadn't come home last night.
Brenda took the call and
ran upstairs to check and
Well
That's the only one in the
building which isn't kept locked.
Is it usually ajar?
Yes, but it's far too high up to access.
But in theory, someone could
have got in or out through there
without triggering an alarm.
Well, there's nothing on the other side
except for a sheer
wall and a 20-foot drop
down to the roof of
the incinerator shed.
Would a cleaner have come in last night?
Yes. We have a cleaner for an
hour at the end of every day.
Looks like someone was sick in there.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DOYLE: Those are his keys to the lab.
I'm glad to be handing this one over.
It's weird when you know them.
And l'm up to my eyes.
MISKIN: On the cases he was working on?
DOYLE: Mostly.
That was our murder
weapon at least that's
what he was supposed
to be confirming for us.
And the cases?
DOYLE: Young woman found
dead two nights ago in the clunch pit
quarry north of the town.
Head caved in.
We reckon it was the husband.
Found a note from a
fancy man in her bag.
Both the gentlemen have been
in custody since yesterday.
MISKIN: So is it possible
that someone was trying
to get to the evidence,
stop Dr. Lorrimer from examining it?
Like who?
As I said, suspects are both in custody.
And if someone was doing that,
why would they leave the mallet?
Next of kin was the
father. Is that right?
Yeah. We just left him.
Pretty sure he's not all there.
He reckons he called
here and spoke to Lorrimer
at a quarter to 9:00 last night.
Which pushes back the time of death.
Yeah, but it might not be true.
There's one other relative.
A cousin Angela Foley.
She actually works here.
Howarth's secretary.
I called her to get her to come
over and look after the old man.
She didn't sound thrilled,
but she's over there now.
DALGLIESH: Anything else
we need to know about?
I reckon that's it.
- Will you be needing these, two? Because
- Yes.
Let's get the body moved.
Then I want a thorough
search of the building
any possible access points
we haven't considered.
And I want a search of the grounds
any footprints, tire tracks.
MISKIN: There's what
looks like dried vomit
in the first sink in the men's toilets.
- Take a sample, please.
- We'll be sending forensics
- to the lab at the Yard.
- Yes, sir.
I don't want to speak ill of the dead,
but he was a miserable,
arrogant pain in the arse,
especially lately.
You won't be short of suspects.
DALGLIESH: When you came
downstairs after seeing the body,
had any other members of staff arrived?
No. Clifford Bradley arrived
while I was calling the police.
He's our junior biologist.
Then it was Miss Foley, my secretary.
- Dr. Lorrimer's cousin?
- Yes.
I had no idea they were
related until today.
But then, I've been here
less than eight months, so
You were an external appointment?
Yes. I was at the Darwin
Centre in London before this.
One could say I was headhunted.
Hoggatts is good, but it's slow.
Or at least it was.
And then there's the
new build to oversee.
The board felt the place needed a manager
rather than a scientist.
Would Lorrimer have wanted the job?
He did want it.
He showed a little
low-level resentment,
but nothing I couldn't deal with.
He was a first-rate biologist,
but he wouldn't have
made a good director.
He, uh, struggled to get on with people.
Do you know if there was
anything in particular
which had been troubling him lately?
No. I'm afraid I don't.
BRENDA: I've never
seen a dead body before.
Funny, all the stuff that comes in here.
I'm responsible for
signing everything in
with the police
liaison blood, fluids.
We even had a hand in a few weeks ago.
- Did you touch the body, Brenda?
- No.
I could just see that he was dead.
You waited in the hall while
Mr. Howarth went upstairs.
- Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.
Could anyone have come past you,
left through the front door, perhaps?
I don't think so.
I was shocked, but I
didn't faint or anything.
Do you think the murderer was
still there when I went upstairs?
Don't say that.
DALGLIESH: How did you
spend yesterday evening?
Actually, I played violin at
a concert in the local village.
My attempt to embed
myself in the community.
My sister was there
watching Domenica.
- Surname?
- Howarth.
She isn't married. She lives with me.
What time did you arrive?
Uh, half past 7:00.
Domenica wasn't feeling well,
so we left as soon as we could.
We got home at 9:30 and
went to bed around 10:30.
Did you have dinner before the concert?
Yes. A light supper.
What did you eat?
Oh. I-I see. This is because of the
An omelet, some green salad,
and a glass of Chablis.
BRENDA: I really liked Dr. Lorrimer.
He was nice to me.
He showed a real interest.
In what way?
I-I don't mean anything, you know
He tried to teach me things,
said I should get
some A-levels, science,
and maybe go to a college.
No one's ever said anything
like that to me before.
Mum and Dad are great, but they
just want me to get married.
They don't like that I'm working here.
And they'll like it even less now.
Do you live at home?
Yes. We have a farm.
What time did you leave work yesterday?
About 6:00, the normal time.
And where did you go?
I cycled home.
MISKIN: What time did you arrive there?
About 25 past.
It used to be quicker
because there was a shortcut
through the grounds up to the lane.
But I'm not allowed
to go that way anymore
because of the building works.
Were you at home all
of yesterday evening?
Yes. I don't go out midweek.
Had your mum made a nice dinner?
Yeah.
[VOICE BREAKING]Yeah. Chicken and chips.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
DALGLIESH: Come in, Mr. Bradley.
We need your help.
You worked closely with
Dr. Lorrimer, I understand.
Can you tell us what he was in
the middle of doing last night?
He was running a test
electrophoresis
grouping a sample of the victim's blood
and the blood from the
suspected murder weapon.
- I'm not sure why that's gone.
- DALGLIESH: That's okay.
How long had you worked with him?
Eighteen months.
I'm not long qualified.
This is my first job.
Did you enjoy working under him?
Yes.
Yeah. He was brilliant.
I learned a lot from him.
He didn't suffer fools, but then
maybe that's how it should be.
How had he seemed recently?
Any particular worries he'd mentioned?
No.
What time did you
leave the lab yesterday?
6:00. I went straight home.
We've just had our first baby.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
My mother-in-law was there.
She stayed on for some dinner and
Do you mind telling me what you ate?
Why?
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
MACHINERY WHIRRING IN DISTANCE]
It was one of those chicken curries
you make using a packet, you know?
Uh I took my mother-in-law
to the bus stop for the 9:00 bus.
Got back quickly as I could.
The baby's got colic.
MERCER: Two different tread patterns.
A mismatch. That one's new to me.
DALGLIESH: It could be a Semperit.
We rarely see it.
Identify the brands and
start by ruling out any cars
belonging to the staff.
There's no reason why
they should park here
when there's a car park at the front.
And talk to all the local garages.
They should have records or at
least remember the combinations.
Yes, sir.
[MACHINERY WHIRRING]
Thoughts?
It seems like it has
to be someone he knows.
Why admit a stranger or
turn his back on a stranger?
The alternative is that
someone with keys to the lab
let themselves in, crept
upstairs, and surprised him.
Or someone didn't even
leave work, just lay in wait,
knowing there'd be a
murder weapon to hand.
If it was someone without keys,
they must have used Lorrimer's
set to lock up after themselves,
then found a way to replace them
on the body before D.I. Doyle arrived.
And they'd have to set the alarm.
It all points to someone
connected to the lab.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Angela Foley?
D.S. Miskin.
This is Chief Inspector Dalgliesh.
[EXHALES DEEPLY] I've
been waiting hours.
I phoned the priest from
the church he went to,
apparently, and he said he'll
be over soon. So can I go?
We're sorry for your loss.
We need to ask you some questions.
This is Stella Mawson.
Hi. The devil makes work and all that.
I'd rather she stayed
with me, if that's allowed.
- DALGLIESH: At this stage, yes.
- What other stages do you anticipate?
I understand you work
at Hoggatts laboratory.
I'm Mr. Howarth's P.A.
DALGLIESH: What time did you
arrive at work this morning?
8:40, as usual.
Mr. Howarth tells me that
you know the combination
for the key safe in the office.
ANGELA: It's my job to know.
We checked this morning to make
sure the keys were still there.
What time was that?
About 10 minutes after I arrived.
You must see quite a lot
of your cousin at work.
He was around, but we had
nothing to do with each other.
And I've got nothing to do with
the old man upstairs either.
He was my grandma's brother. That's it.
I told D.I. Doyle this. I
didn't grow up in the family.
I grew up in local authority care.
I've never considered him as family.
[VEHICLE APPROACHING]
When was the last time you
saw or spoke to Dr. Lorrimer?
Yesterday. It was 6:00.
I went up to the lab to tell him
Mr. Howarth was leaving for the night.
Did he say anything?
No.
[PEN SCRATCHING]
I've only ever had one
proper conversation with him.
Years ago, when my grandma died,
she left all her money to him.
But she said he should leave it to
me one day unless he'd had children.
Sons.
Only the sons count.
So I-I came here to
ask him if he'd consider
giving me a share of the money
straightaway, and he said no.
So now that Dr. Lorrimer is dead,
it's your understanding
that you inherit how much?
About £30,000.
- You'll have to ask the solicitor.
- STELLA: Probably more now.
I doubt crusty old
Edmund's been living it up.
- We know what you're thinking.
- I doubt that, Miss Mawson.
We were together all
evening and all night, so
MR. LORRIMER: Is that them?!
Is that correct, Miss Foley?
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Uh, yes.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[PAPER CRINKLING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[DRAWER CLOSES]
Incredibly disciplined.
But where's his heart?
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Edmund was quite a scholar, wasn't he?
You must be very proud of him.
Oh, he is a scholar,
sir. Not many know that.
Did he have any good friends?
A girlfriend, perhaps?
Oh, not him. No.
There were that woman, of course.
That were a rum do.
Which woman was that?
Oh, I don't know. On the
telephone a few weeks back.
Edmund were in the bath,
so I picked the thing up.
She started off straightaway, yeah,
whispering that something was going on.
The The can being
burned and she had the numbers.
And then these numbers!
Well, how am I supposed
to remember them?
Do you mean something like
a a telephone number
or a-a date?
Oh, five or six numbers.
I remember the last two 18 and 40.
First houses I lived in.
DALGLIESH: Can you remember
what her voice sounded like?
Did she have an accent?
Was she young or old?
MR. LORRIMER: She sounded
excited, I would say.
No.
Conspiratorial. She
sounded conspiratorial.
Did you talk to Edmund about the call?
I did. He He said nothing.
He were always secretive, even as a lad.
Did he ever have a place that
he liked to hide things
inside the house or outside?
Things that he wished to keep private?
MR. LORRIMER: This was
my grandfather's desk.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
- He showed Edmund once.
- [LATCH CLICKS]
I remember.
[PAPER RUSTLING]
He was in love.
With Domenica Howarth.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, CALLING]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Dalgliesh.
Is your sister in?
Why?
If this is about the, uh,
thing she had with Lorrimer,
then I promise you that
I asked you if you knew of anything
which had been troubling him recently.
Well, I didn't think it was relevant.
DOMENICA: It's fine.
Let's get this over with.
DOMENICA: Oh, Lord.
Are those the drafts?
God, I always suspected
he'd been practicing.
The ones he did send went in the bin.
Sorry you've had to
read those, his whinings.
More of a cri du
coeur, wouldn't you say?
- How did you first meet?
- We met in church, weirdly.
I'm a thoroughly lapsed Catholic,
but I was in what passes
for a town around here.
I saw St. Benedict's, and
he happened to be in there.
We made the connection
about Max and the lab.
I made the mistake of imagining
there was something interesting
beneath that repressed exterior.
There was a clumsy, desperate
sort of need, I suppose.
But essentially he was boring.
So after a few weeks, I finished it.
Where would you meet?
Is that relevant?
We both have cars.
His is particularly roomy.
God knows there are plenty
of secluded spots around here.
Did anyone else know about the affair?
No. I'm certain of that.
And it wasn't an affair.
I told my brother, of course.
I didn't want Lorrimer thinking
he could wield power over him.
Max wasn't thrilled, but he
knew it wouldn't last long.
Max was right about
you. You are unexpected.
Not at all like the local coppers.
Nor are you, come to that.
Did you ever telephone Dr.
Lorrimer to make an arrangement?
No. I don't even know his number.
We'd arrange our next meeting
when we saw each other.
So the number 18 or 40 have
any significance for you,
- particularly in relation to him?
- No, none.
Have any reason to go
near the lab last night?
- No.
- Where were you last night?
Listening to Max
fiddling at his concert.
We left around 9:00, 9:15.
Came home and went to bed.
I had a headache.
DALGLIESH: These are
passionate, vehement letters.
His feelings for you were profound.
It's clear he'd never
felt such emotion before
and was desperate for the
relationship to continue.
Did he try to see you
or harass you in any way?
No.
You're judging me.
I don't judge people.
Do you want me to say 10 Hail Marys?
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
The results of the background checks.
Nothing on anyone who works at the lab.
Nothing on Stella Mawson.
I've asked them to check Domenica.
Did you believe her
that she never phoned him?
I think so.
But we can't rule her
out as our mystery caller.
Priorities for tomorrow.
We set up a search of
all the lab's case files,
any case Lorrimer worked on
which includes the numbers 18 and 40.
Anything involving cans or canisters.
Cannabis?
Yes. I'll see the solicitor.
Keep Mercer on the tires.
And we start checking alibis.
STELLA: What was it
like growing up in care?
We've never really talked about it.
ANGELA: There's not
much to say. It's lonely.
I resented other children
'cause they had mothers.
Never grown out of that.
It's pathetic.
I even resent Brenda on reception
'cause she's so obviously loved
and she's got a proper home.
So have you now.
And soon no one will be able
to take that away from us.
[INDISTINCT TALKING ON TELEVISION]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS,
DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING]
Another one, sir?
Not for me, thanks.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
GIRL: Come on. Throw it. That's it.
That's good.
[ENGINE STOPS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
My dad's not in.
That's all right.
My name is Dalgliesh.
I'm a police officer.
It's actually your housekeeper,
Miss Willard, I've
You shouldn't talk to her.
She lies about everything.
And she steals Daddy's alcohol.
Police have come for you.
Stealing sherry.
Yes. Dr. Rollinson was
here all evening on Tuesday.
Uh, h-he arrived home at
around quarter past 7:00.
And he didn't go out
again, even briefly?
Oh, no. No, no, no. No.
He would have told me
because of the children.
That's my primary role, watching
them when he's called away.
William's a little angel.
But Nell Well, you saw.
School holidays are a trial, frankly.
But then they're missing their mother,
so one has to show understanding.
What happened to their mother?
Well, I'm afraid she ran off
with one of Dr. Rollinson's
colleagues from the hospital.
He was devastated!
But then, to my mind, a woman like that,
she wasn't worthy of him.
There's a divorce under way, I believe.
It's tragic, really. Shameful.
Father Gregory at St. Benedict's
mentioned that Dr. Lorrimer
sometimes drove you to Sunday Mass.
Yes, sometimes.
The bus service is so poor.
He'd pick me up if I was
waiting at the end of the lane.
Not that he was happy
about it. [CHUCKLES]
It was very much Father
Gregory's prompting.
I was once five minutes
late, and he'd gone.
Did you ever telephone him?
To make the arrangement.
No, no, no. Nothing so organized.
I oughtn't to say this,
and of course I'm horrified
by what's happened to him,
but he was a very off-putting man.
He barely spoke a word to me.
NELL: Daddy! Daddy!
ROLLINSON: Hello! Hello, you two.
- You okay?
- NELL: Yeah, I'm okay.
ROLLINSON: Steady.
Steady now, little one.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[CHUCKLES] There you go.
Nice to see you.
Ah. Chief Inspector. Got
everything you needed?
- Yes, thank you.
- NELL: Daddy.
- Had the PM results yet?
- Tomorrow.
- Come away.
- Okay. Okay.
Sorry.
Sorry.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
MISS WILLARD: William?
[DOOR OPENS]
Husband's clobber. Clunch pit.
Right. Okay.
What's going on?
Oh, they started looking
through loads of old case files.
I'm supposed to be
putting all these away.
But I ended up reading
them. They're great.
They're like all the
mysteries that you see on TV.
You're in this one.
Do you remember it?
Not really. Starring role, eh?
- Yes.
- [CHUCKLES]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
MISKIN: Is the lead officer
on that case available?
I'll hold.
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
MISKIN: Right. Okay.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
I've just been with Major
Hunt, Dr. Lorrimer's solicitor.
I'm afraid I have to
tell you that your cousin
didn't leave you any money in his will.
He left everything to his father,
with the exception of £5,000,
which he left to someone else.
That can't be right.
It just That isn't right.
He changed his will only last week.
Why?
The solicitor wasn't certain,
but he said Dr. Lorrimer
seemed to disapprove
of Miss Foley's friendship with you.
- [SIGHS]
- Who else?
You said he left money to someone else.
Who?
Brenda Pridmore.
[EXHALES SHARPLY, STAMMERS]
Brenda Pridmore, the girl
who works on reception?
[EXHALES SHARPLY]
How fucking predictable.
He said the money is for her education.
Interesting euphemism.
He could only have known
her what, five minutes?
Did either of you speak to
Edmund Lorrimer about the money
or the will at any time
over the last few months?
No.
If it's true that he took
against your relationship,
I'm wondering when he
had the opportunity to do so.
Can you leave now, please?
[VEHICLE PASSING, MUSIC PLAYING]
[DOOR OPENS]
I saw the sign outside.
Do you own this place or rent it?
Rent.
So, are you going to put in an offer?
Right.
We did. It was rejected.
- Star.
- We can't afford this place.
That's fine. We'll find somewhere else.
You seem very settled here.
The solicitor tells
me you're a novelist.
And as a writer, I should have thought
the last thing you would
want is to have to move.
What would you know about that?
You think what?
We found out there was
a new will in the offing
and tried to kill him before he made it?
But then "Oh, dear. Too late."
Will you go now, please?
Perhaps it's Brenda Pridmore
you should be speaking to.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[SOBS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
[BIRDS CHIRPING, ANGELA CRYING]
MISKIN: It doesn't rule them out.
They might still have
another possible motive.
DALGLIESH: Yes.
Tough on Angela, though.
Her family's last chance
to do something for her.
I know what it's like when
you realize no one's there
to give you a break.
I can't believe Brenda's involved.
I spoke with her mother earlier,
and she confirmed her alibi.
She was with her parents at the farm.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
CARLING: Sir, you've just
had a call from the Yard.
Results of those tests
on the vomit are in.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
Tuesday morning, Lorrimer
he told me he'd just
completed my annual report
and he was going to hand it
in to Mr. Howarth the next day.
He told me it was bad,
that he'd questioned my
competence about everything.
I tried telling him that I
only made a mess of things
when he was watching.
He made me so nervous.
A report like that means
they could get rid of me
and no other lab would look at me.
I told my wife.
She said I should try again
with him, confront him.
I knew he was working late,
so after I dropped my
mum-in-law at the bus stop,
I came back here.
What time was that exactly?
A few minutes after 9:00.
Mr. Bradley, I'm going to ask you again.
Are you sure you don't
want to call a lawyer?
I I, uh, rang the
bell, and he let me in.
We came up here.
I tried to plead with him,
but he was in a foul mood.
He wouldn't even look at me.
And then he just
suddenly started shouting,
telling me I was a useless biologist,
a hindrance, that I
was in the wrong job.
I felt
Ugh. I couldn't stand it.
Jesus.
I run to the toilets.
I was sick.
MAN: A Semperit? Yes.
I fitted the tire myself.
- Are you sure?
- Mm.
- Positive?
- Aye.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]
- Have you got a phone?
- There.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
How long did you stay in the toilets?
About 10 minutes, I think.
I started to feel angry.
It was all so bloody wrong.
And I decided I was gonna tell him.
So I splashed some water on my face,
came back here, but
he was dead.
And I panicked. [EXHALES DEEPLY]
I thought someone was
gonna come at me, so I ran.
I'm sorry.
I just ran out of the building.
And there was this car
with its headlights on.
Right there. Right on me.
MERCER: It's registered to your missus.
No, no, no. I've got to
phone it in because I
Listen.
Because I'm not the
only one who bloody knows,
and I'm not getting dragged into this.
They're onto you.
So this is your heads-up, right?
I'll wait half an hour, and that's it.
I suppose we should eat something.
Where are you going?
It's going to be all right.
- W
- This is our home.
Knowledge is power.
What do you mean? Where are you going?
Don't worry. And don't follow me.
Love you.
Stella, w [SIGHS]
DALGLIESH: The car Could
you tell what make it was?
Could you tell who was driving?
It was too bright.
I ran for the trees,
worked my way along the
wall and out of the gates.
I swear I'm telling the truth.
I didn't kill him.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
They're sure?
BRENDA: Good night, Mr. Howarth.
[FOX BARKING IN DISTANCE]
Oh, no.
Oh, no!
[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
D.I. Doyle. Where is he?
I don't think he's in, sir.
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
I'm sorry, sir. No one
seems to know where he is.
[TYPEWRITER CLICKING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
- [METAL CLANGING]
- [GASPS]
[FOOTSTEPS ECHOING]
[METAL CREAKING]
Hello?
[METAL CLANGING]
[GASPING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Help!
Help! Please!
Help me.
[GASPS]
[ROPE CREAKING]
Oh!
[WHIMPERING]
[DOWN-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]