Dalgliesh (2021) s02e04 Episode Script

1
People think starlings are ordinary
because they see them every day.
They're not.
Hm.
I've never noticed
those patterns they make.
Murmuration.
I love that you know that.
They speak in dialects.
What do you mean?
They mimic speech patterns.
Academics studied starlings
to learn how language
first evolved.
That can't be true.
SHE CHUCKLES
Mm.
OK, it's true, it's true.
If I was a bird,
I think I'd be a cuckoo.
I think we'd both be cuckoos.
CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS
All done.
She hasn't been dead longer than
three to four hours.
So approximately 4pm.
The cut would have produced enough
blood to write the graffiti.
It's the left to right slash
to her jugular which killed her.
Regina vs Beale.
Venetia Aldridge.
She successfully defended
Anthony Beale.
He went on to murder
Janet Carpenter's granddaughter.
Why is her blood on the ceiling?
She was standing
when her throat was cut.
If she did it herself, she would
have written on the wall first
which begs the question,
why crouch down so low?
She was left-handed, Miles.
I saw her drink
a cup of tea yesterday.
She turned the handle around.
She's standing here,
her throat's cut most probably
from behind her,
she falls here.
The killer sits her up
against the wall,
cuts the wrist, dips her finger
in her own blood
..writes,
then places the knife there.
Pending the PM, this is murder
disguised as suicide.
Agreed.
No-one really knew her
except to smile at.
She withdrew £15,000
three weeks ago.
I want to talk through everything
we know to be true.
We know that after her daughter
and granddaughter died,
Carpenter moved to London
and took the cleaning job
to get closer to Venetia.
And attended all her court cases.
She's got to have held
Venetia responsible.
We know she recently withdrew
£15,000 from her savings account,
a quarter of her savings.
To pay an accomplice?
A contract killing?
Possibly, yes.
Maybe that's why she was killed.
Maybe her accomplice was scared
she wasn't solid,
that she might come to us.
It might be nothing, sir,
it's in my report,
she went to Temple church yesterday.
Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
I'm afraid I don't really know her.
I'd never seen her until yesterday.
But, yes, she was here.
She seemed extremely troubled.
I spoke to her and she asked if
I'd hear her confession.
Her name was Janet Carpenter.
I'm sorry to have to tell you
that she died yesterday evening.
How?
She was almost certainly murdered.
We were hoping you might be able
to give us some information
Everything we spoke about
was under the Seal of Confession.
I'm sorry.
I understand.
Rather what I expected you to say.
A female QC was murdered in chambers
on Monday. I assume you know that?
Yes, I do.
Could you at least tell us whether
we're right in thinking
these deaths are connected?
I can't break
the Seal of Confession.
I think Janet Carpenter
would want us to know the truth.
Forgive me, but I don't think
she's gonna care
if you break faith with her now.
It isn't Janet Carpenter
I'd be breaking faith with.
Are we going to get a statement
from Garry Ashe?
Yes, I sent Tarrant.
Ashe likes to goad you and he likes
to goad me, it's a distraction.
Tarrant deals with him
and with Octavia.
Where were you yesterday afternoon
between the hours of three and six?
Wanstead flats with my fiance.
Can anyone else vouch for that?
Did you speak to anyone?
Buy an ice lolly?
HE SIGHS HEAVILY
Does the name Janet Carpenter
mean anything to you?
Yes.
She's a singer.
You grew up in care, didn't you?
Is that why you feel the need
to pretend to be so clever?
Did Kate tell you that?
You know that seems creepy?
The Kate thing.
Just like it seems creepy
you've shacked up with
Venetia Aldridge's daughter.
Janet Carpenter
..dead. Is she murdered?
HE TUTS
You need to pull your finger out.
We're watching you, Mr Ashe.
Clearly not or you'd know
where I was yesterday afternoon.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I'm going to reacquaint myself
with the laws concerning
police harassment.
HE SCOFFS
Was she murdered?
We aren't certain yet.
Well, if it's suicide,
surely that suggests
that she was also responsible
for Miss Aldridge's death.
Because we're awaiting the results
of the PM,
but we think it's highly likely that
Mrs Carpenter was murdered.
Oh, it's a disaster.
This is a disaster!
If the press get hold of this
No, they can't.
And we need you to see to that,
Dalgliesh.
Who wants to hire defence counsel
from a chambers where the staff
are dropping down dead?!
We'll need to take
witness statements from you all.
TELEPHONE RINGS
Your diary, in case you wish
to refer to it.
Where were you yesterday afternoon
between the hours of three and six?
If you've looked in my diary
I'd like you to tell me, please.
Yes, I had a meeting with
a solicitor
and we met at his offices
in Hatton Garden.
The meeting was at three o'clock
and I left at
3.45 and returned here.
So you arrived here at around?
Quarter past four.
I was here until
the usual time, six.
Who else was here?
Actually, not many
yesterday afternoon.
It was quiet.
Any of the partners?
Um They were in and out,
I suppose.
Did Venetia's daughter
ever come here?
On her own or with anyone else?
No.
At least, not since
I've worked here.
I've never met her daughter.
How about clients she defended?
Would they ever come here?
Yes, sometimes.
But only if they're not on remand,
of course.
DOOR OPENS
I'd like to ask you about
the evening Miss Aldridge died.
You told me you arrived home
at half past seven.
But your housekeeper
has since told us
that you didn't arrive home
until nine o'clock.
Which leaves an hour and a half
unaccounted for.
Well, she's mistaken.
I I took the newspaper
to Venetia.
You told me you didn't take her
the paper.
No, I did not.
I'm aware this must be challenging.
And difficult for you.
It wouldn't be difficult
if you didn't keep doubting my word!
You established that he lied to the
police when he was first arrested.
But he owned up to that.
It doesn't matter.
Remind the court that he is a liar
and sit down.
Never give unnecessary detail.
May I speak to you now, please?
Er, this is an exceptionally
important day for Matthew.
It's all right, Dad.
I'm sure it won't take long.
MOTORBIKE ENGINE STARTS
I was with my dad all afternoon.
We went to the Law Society library
and did some prep.
You seem close, you and your father.
We are.
My mother died when I was 12 and
it's been Dad and me ever since.
But you don't live with him?
No.
I'm married, two kids.
People always think I'm younger
than I am.
What did you think of Miss Aldridge?
I thought this was about
the cleaning lady.
I didn't like her much.
She didn't exactly encourage me.
In fact she tried
to make me feel stupid.
It was in the drawer of her desk.
I managed to sign it off.
I thought you should have it.
In the drawer.
Not on the desk.
God forbid anyone should see it.
SHE SCOFFS
Were you at school, then?
Boarding school.
She couldn't wait to pack me off.
When can I have her funeral?
It might be a while yet.
So sorry.
New camera?
It's Ashe's.
I bought it for him,
a make he's always wanted.
We're going bird-watching.
Where are you going to do that?
I don't know. Ashe knows loads
of places round where he grew up.
Essex.
How do you know that?
You have to learn a lot
about someone
when you arrest them for murder.
Can you go? He'll be back soon.
Are you scared of him?
No.
Look, I'm gonna say my piece,
Octavia.
I think it's really strange
that he picked you up in a bar
just after your mum defended him.
Think what you like.
And then your mum gets murdered.
And then another woman
gets murdered.
Janet Carpenter.
Have you heard of her? No.
Has Garry ever spoken about her?
You're so wrong about him.
Look, that's where he sleeps!
He doesn't even try it on, he says
we should wait until we're married.
Well, I think that's
pretty strange as well.
But he had nothing to do
with Mum's death!
It was probably one of those wankers
she works with
or one of those married men
she's messed around with!
Maybe one of them
needed to shut her up!
I was with my son, Matthew Ulrick,
in the library of The Law Society
researching facts pertaining
to the case he's about to lead.
And what time
did you leave the library?
5pm and then I went home.
I believe you have my address.
I didn't set eyes on Mrs Carpenter
all day yesterday. Nor did my son.
Are these members of your family?
There have been Ulricks at the bar
since George II.
It must be a relief.
Knowing that Venetia
isn't going to be head of chambers.
From what I've heard, she seemed
to have a low opinion of your son.
You know, I find this
rather disgraceful,
that you're treating us as suspects.
Sign here, please.
Sir?
Look
Venetia was having an affair
with Drysdale Laud.
What?
It was happening a couple of years
ago, I don't know if it still was.
How did you learn this?
I went to see Octavia.
Give us a moment, please.
Look, I know I shouldn't have
without telling you,
and I'm sorry.
You disobeyed a direct order.
What's going on, Sergeant?
I just really feel in my gut
that Ashe has got something to do
with these killings.
I know it might seem irrational,
and I'm really, really worried
about Octavia.
I can't believe we're letting
that situation continue.
It's not unlawful.
I know.
I wanted to find a link between
Ashe and Carpenter. And did you?
No.
It won't happen again.
At least you've told me now.
Yes, Venetia and I
had a brief relationship.
It finished last autumn.
Who finished it?
It was a mutual decision.
It was only ever an interlude.
We both knew that.
We'd been friends for 20 years.
You're married, aren't you?
Full marks.
Weren't you worried your wife
would find out?
No, actually,
we were extremely discreet.
Apart from
Who told you?
Matthew Ulrick, I suppose?
Why would you suppose that?
Because he walked in on us once
in Venetia's room.
Were you aware of any other members
of chambers knowing of the affair?
Well, I assumed he probably told
his father.
The boy can't sneeze
without asking permission.
You didn't think to tell us?
I am not in the habit
of volunteering unnecessary
information to the police.
What theory are you working on here?
That Venetia threatened to tell?
She wasn't that vindictive.
The affair was over.
As for head of chambers
..I would have enjoyed the fight.
TELEPHONE RINGING
Mr Froggart.
Thank you for the loan
of your scrap books.
Well, I, um
I hope they were of assistance.
They were.
Although I'd prefer
the term "chronicle"
with its implications
of the passages of time
and recording of days.
Can you tell me why you left
the employment
of Venetia's father's school
in 1943?
Venetia would have been 16
in that year.
Your implication
is not lost on me, Chief Inspector.
I admit that I loved Venetia.
But not in an improper way,
I, um
I'm-I'm not a sexual person.
I loved her mind
and I loved nurturing it.
So why did you leave?
Everybody left.
Venetia's father was a sadist.
He used any excuse to
beat the boys, thrash them,
bully them!
One boy
..Marcus Campbell
..he took his own life, he
hanged himself with the cord
of his dressing gown.
He was scheduled for a beating
the following morning
in front of the whole school.
There was an enquiry.
All the parents finally understood
what Aldridge was.
The school shut down.
CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING
DOORBELL RINGS
Chief Inspector?
Good evening. May I come in?
I
Not convenient, I'm afraid,
I'm expecting Matthew.
A little celebration.
Your signature.
Desmond Campbell Ulrick.
Is Campbell a family name?
It was my mother's maiden name,
we adopted it for a while.
No-one wanted to grow up
with a name like Ulrick
during the Second World War.
We?
Would that be you and your brother
Marcus Campbell?
MUSIC STOPS
Were you also a pupil
at Aldridge's school?
No, I was older than Marcus.
I was at Cambridge when he died.
He was 12 years old.
Daily anticipation
of humiliation and pain.
He couldn't take it any more.
Did you know that Venetia was
Clarence Aldridge's daughter?
Yes.
I asked her what part of the country
she was from
shortly after meeting her
and there it was.
We spoke about it briefly, agreed
there was nothing else to be said.
She had no illusion
about what her father was.
I pitied her that day.
I wonder what her own childhood
was like.
Oh, hey.
Where did this come from?
She brought it round,
the woman policeman.
It was in Mummy's desk.
HE SCOFFS
What have I told you about that?
What?
Mummy.
Sorry.
You didn't tell me she was here.
I was going to.
When was she here?
A couple of hours ago.
She asked if you knew some woman.
I said you didn't.
I told her you were gorgeous
and I love you.
I told her what a gentleman you are.
She couldn't believe it.
You wouldn't lie to me, would you?
No.
Because you know how I hate liars.
I'd never lie to you about anything.
Have you packed?
Not yet.
You won't need much.
And bring money.
'Thank you both for coming.'
The lady you spoke to me about,
Janet Carpenter
..she was extremely distressed
in the confessional.
She said she believed
evil took different forms,
that it drove down country lanes
in a van
looking for little girls to steal
from their mothers.
And that it also stood up in court
and defended the indefensible.
I didn't fully understand
what she was saying
and she left before I did.
But this arrived today
by second post.
She was planning to
confess to you, so
Thank you.
I'll leave you in peace.
Did she kill Venetia?
No, she discovered the body then
defiled it with the wig and blood.
What is it, sir?
Garry Ashe.
Carpenter had watched Ashe's trial.
She saw something I saw too,
that look he gave Venetia
at the end.
But Venetia got him acquitted.
She dismissed him like he didn't
matter to her, which he didn't.
Carpenter approached Ashe
and hired him to seduce Octavia.
Her revenge on Venetia.
So he could have killed Carpenter
over money or
Yes.
I think he did.
Oh, God. They're going away.
He's taking her to the country
or Essex, that's what he told her.
Get back to the Yard and put out
an immediate APB on Ashe.
He's to be considered dangerous.
Then get on to the children's homes
and find out what sort of parks
or country he used to go to.
Yes, sir. Where are you going?
Back to the house
in case they're still there.
Be careful.
METAL CLATTERING
You used to live here?
Home sweet home.
Was this
where she was murdered?
Your aunt?
Wait here.
FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS
MUFFLED CLATTERING
SHE GASPS
FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING
Never go to a woods without a knife.
TELEPHONE RINGS
Miskin.
DALGLIESH: 'They're not here.
'Housekeeper says they left
over an hour ago.'
The manager of the home said
he used to take Ashe to some woods
just east of Harlow.
I've got them on a map.
He said Ashe used to
go on his own sometimes
watching the birds.
'Good work. Alert traffic teams
in that area. I'm on my way.'
What's happening?
I just heard the callout about Ashe.
TELEPHONE RINGING
DS Miskin.
I think he killed his aunt.
There's a photo.
Where are you?
Petrol station.
I have to go.
I don't wanna be here. Help me.
He's got a knife.
Play the game.
Don't let him know that you know.
I'm gonna come and find you.
Where are you?
I think he's coming. Help me.
Play the game.
OCTAVIA BREATHES HEAVILY
MOTORBIKE ENGINE ROARS
BIRDS SINGING
How long will we stay here?
Not long.
If you could live anywhere
in the world
where would you live?
Monte Carlo.
Good taste.
We'll sleep here tonight,
tomorrow we'll go.
We'll get married there.
Would you like that?
Yes, I'd love that.
You're trembling.
POLICE RADIO:'All units mobilise.
'We're looking for
a red Honda motorcycle,
'registration golf, golf, echo,
7-9-2, November.'
'Second unit moving into the
south-western corner of the forest.
'First unit, advance northwest.'
'Sierra 2-3 to control. We have
sighted the suspect vehicle.'
BIRDS SINGING
CRACKING
I-I thought I heard something.
How did they know?
Who?
What did you tell the woman?
I
You lied to me.
I didn't.
Garry,
it's Chief Inspector Dalgliesh.
Come out slowly, please,
so we can talk.
Garry, come out alone, please,
and leave Octavia in there.
We can talk together.
You're an intelligent man,
let's find a way to resolve this.
I didn't lie to you.
I-I swear I didn't.
I promise.
Shh.
I'm here with armed officers, Garry.
Leave Octavia, come out quietly
and drop your weapon.
OCTAVIA GASPS
You make one sound,
just one sound
Let's talk about possibilities.
Resolve this together.
OCTAVIA BREATHES HEAVILY
When I say go, we go.
Leave me.
I'll tell them you didn't hurt me.
Go!
Back door! Back door!
OK, let's go.
Armed police, stop!
Armed police, stay where you are!
Stay where you are!
OCTAVIA GASPS
Armed police!
POLICE SHOU
OCTAVIA MOANS
POLICE SHOUT IN DISTANCE
I know this place.
I know this place.
OCTAVIA WHIMPERS
You killed my mum. Why did you kill
my mum? I didn't kill your mummy!
I really wish I had.
MUFFLED POLICE RADIOS
SHE WHIMPERS
MUFFLED SPEECH ON POLICE RADIO
Help!
HE GROANS
Armed police! Stop or I'll shoot!
Come on!
POLICE OFFICER GROANS
Officer down!
SHE PANTS
SHE WHIMPERS
It's over. Let her go.
It's over when I say it's over,
Kate.
Drop the knife.
You bitches are all the same.
Drop your weapon!
This is on you.
Ashe!
OCTAVIA PANTS,
GUNSHO
You're OK.
You had to take the shot, OK?
You had to take the shot.
You're OK.
SHE PANTS
OCTAVIA SOBS
You're OK.
SHE WEEPS
You're OK, Sergeant.
OK?
Yeah. Thanks.
BELL CHIMES
I've just been speaking
to Valerie Caldwell.
She tells me that your attentions
to her are unwanted
and she wishes them to stop.
What?
I told her to call me
if you ever make her
feel uncomfortable again
or if you make trouble for her
in any way.
She also told me
that on Monday night,
the night Venetia died
..you were in the church watching
her rehearse with the choir.
Yes.
Yes, I-I remember now.
She said you stayed until
almost the end, 20 past eight.
Venetia was dead by then.
I didn't kill Venetia.
Oh, thank God!
Thank God.
These great expanses of time
that I just
lose.
I'm sorry, must be frightening.
You would have been
walking through here
at around the time
the killer left chambers.
I want to ask you,
did you see anyone
coming out of chambers?
Locking the door?
Walking hurriedly towards the gates?
Well, yes.
Good Lord, I thought
we'd seen the back of you.
Mrs Carpenter wrote a confession
before she died.
She said she found Venetia dead
in her room at eight o'clock.
She thought she'd died from natural
causes. She couldn't bear it.
She felt
cheated out of her vengeance.
And just at the very moment when
Garry Ashe was putting into place
her plan to make Venetia suffer
..it was then that she put the wig
on Venetia's head
and threw the blood over her.
Your blood.
Vengeance?
A very powerful emotion.
After which she regretted it.
She tried to stop Ashe from moving
forwards with the plan
..and that's when he killed her.
You believe that,
that she didn't kill Venetia?
It seems perfectly obvious to me
that she did.
She didn't kill Venetia.
You did.
And why would I want to do that?
As you said
..the desire for vengeance
is a powerful thing.
It can be held in check,
suppressed by a determined mind,
but it's hard.
A fight.
A battle which must be fought
every day.
Every day you were confronted
by Venetia.
The flesh and blood of the man
who drove your little brother
to his death.
You fight to remain civilised,
you have to, but then
..then the cycle starts
all over again
right in front of your eyes.
An Aldridge
..bullying your son.
And you know it'll only get worse.
She'll become head of chambers,
you'll be outnumbered.
Laud won't be able to stop her.
She has power over him,
the affair you knew about.
She'll push your son out
and ruin his career,
and so you go to her rooms and you
ask her to give him a chance.
I imagine she didn't listen.
She was already overwrought after
hearing about Ashe and her daughter.
She says harsh things.
Dismisses Matthew as a fool.
And the paper knife was right there
next to your hand
and suddenly it's done.
An interesting theory.
But one which
you'll never be able to prove.
I have a witness.
Langton said he saw you leaving
chambers at 8.20 that night.
An old man with dementia, really?
He would be destroyed in court.
And then there's the discrepancy
in your son's witness statement.
He states that you both arrived
at the restaurant on time,
eight o'clock.
Which we did.
But then, further down,
you'll see that he talks about
putting his children to bed
before he left the house.
He goes into some detail
about how they don't like to
go to bed before it gets dark,
about how they insisted on watching
a certain television programme
before he took them upstairs.
We checked.
The programme didn't even start
until eight that night, so
..the earliest he could have been
at the restaurant
..was half past eight.
Well, then he
..he made a simple mistake.
Not one we're prepared to overlook.
Perverting the course of justice,
remind me,
what tariff does that carry?
You know the world is better off
without her.
And there is a certain justice
to it all.
I don't agree.
CAR ENGINE STARTS
THEY SING