Miss Scarlet and The Duke (2020) s02e05 Episode Script

It's better for both of us
to leave things as they are.
You were meant to teach
my son to be a detective.
Fitzroy will be taken
from your command
and placed under Detective Phelps.
You know who you are.
I call that freedom indeed.
I hear you plucked young Fitzroy
from Detective Phelps to
assist you instead.
You disobeyed another
direct order, Inspector.
Hello, Inspector.
Harry.
Morning, Duke!
Morning, George.
Fresh bread!
Fresh loaves!
Morning, Inspector.
The usual, please, Jim.
Here you go.
Lovely.
Anything I need to know?
Nope, not today, Duke.
All right, keep your eyes peeled.
Thanks.
Busy night, Violet?
Frederick.
Duke.
Norman.
Morning, sir.
Did we have a meeting?
Sit down.
Is there a problem, sir?
Just take a seat, eh?
I know we've not always
seen eye to eye,
but I try not to let personal feelings
get in the way of professional decisions.
Which is why I'm recommending
you for a promotion.
Sir?
A vacancy for chief inspector has come up.
I put a good word in for you.
The job is yours.
Well, thank you very much, sir.
Well, it's about time you receive
the recognition you deserve.
Well done, laddie.
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
There'll be a few more
pennies in the bank, too.
You need to talk that through
with Superintendent McNeil,
but it'll be quite a jump up.
Superintendent McNeil?
The promotion's with the Glasgow force.
You'll be leaving end of the month.
The Glasgow force.
Nice to get back to
the old hometown, eh?
Well done again, laddie.
Sir?
I would like some time
to think about it.
Well, I'm off to Manchester
for a couple of days.
Give me your answer
when I get back.
Mr. Victor Latchman?
None.
Lord Alexander Lipton?
Nothing.
Sir Thomas Pembroke,
Marquess of Bath?
Not a thing.
Not a single piece of
scandal on any of them?
Well, the uncle of the Lipton man
has been throwing his money
around town.
On what?
Two hospitals
and a factory
making clothes for the poor.
We've been doing this for weeks now.
Why you care what they been up to?
Mrs. Parker pays me
to do background checks
on potential husbands for her niece.
She wants to know if they're suitable,
and I promised Hattie to find reasons
why they're unsuitable.
She wishes to marry
someone of her own choosing,
not her aunt's.
Well, you need to find
someone else to do your digging.
I'm done.
I know it's unethical,
but Hattie's led such a sheltered life,
it's boring.
Boring?
They're all the same men
with the same families
and the same lives.
There are better uses of my time.
I have a reputation to protect.
Is this you asking for more money?
No, it be about professional pride.
Why?
How much you offering?
You're right.
There are much better uses of our time.
I'm seeing Hattie presently.
I'll tell her to speak to her aunt.
I'm happy to have a word
if the money's right.
Now, that is something
I would love to see.
Inspector.
Moses.
What did he want?
We're working a case together.
What kind of case?
Is that a new waistcoat?
Very smart.
No.
Are you aware how often
you change the subject
when you don't wish to
talk about something?
I'm glad you're here,
I have a favor to ask.
Point proved, I think.
Do you have any plans
on Thursday evening?
Ivy is insisting
comes to dinner.
There's no way I can
suffer that alone.
Please, please?
Don't make me beg.
Never mind
I need to speak to you
about something.
Do you mind if I hail a cab
while we talk?
Hattie Parker is calling
around, and I'm running late.
Yes, fine.
This isn't going to be
about Moses, is it?
No, it's not about Moses.
But if you insist on associating
This is about Moses.
I didn't come here to
speak to you about Moses!
Or Barnabus bloody Potts!
I've been offered a promotion,
to chief inspector.
William, that's wonderful news!
Congratulations!
The, uh, the job is in Glasgow.
Oh, I see.
That's a shame, never mind.
Is that all you're going to say?
What else is there to say?
Scotland.
I'm well aware where Glasgow is.
But you're clearly not
How do you know?
William.
I say this as a friend.
Since I have known you,
you've been offered
many different jobs,
and any that are outside of London,
you've, you always turn down.
Yes, and this is
a promotion to chief inspector.
As was the job in Nottingham,
I seem to remember.
We've had this conversation
on at least
three occasions.
And each time, you, you
agonize over the decision,
and in the end decide to stay.
Why not?
You're comfortable here.
Comfortable?
That was a poor choice of words.
For your information,
I am seriously thinking
about taking this job.
And yes, I am well aware
that I've said that before.
William!
Your aunt has given me
yet another list
of potential husbands.
I'm running out of reasons
why they're unsuitable.
You must speak to her, Hattie.
Tell her you do not wish to marry yet.
It is not that I do not wish to marry.
It's just,
I do not wish to marry someone
who does not wish
to marry me.
You want to marry for love.
Yes.
But my aunt thinks I'm fanciful.
"Harriet," she says,
"You do not have
the luxury of time or looks
to wait for love."
How could she possibly understand?
Everyone is in love with her.
You're a grown woman.
You must stand up for yourself.
I do try, but you'd be surprised
how determined she can be.
Hattie.
You're a lovely young woman.
Any man would be
lucky to have you as their wife.
Do you think so?
Absolutely.
I will tell my aunt
I do not wish to wed
and that is that.
Papa left me some money.
Perhaps I could
set up my own house.
There may be financial implications,
but, as you say, Eliza,
I am a grown woman
and I will find a way.
Won't I?
You will.
I will go and see Mr. Norris,
our family accountant.
He will tell me which purse strings
my aunt controls.
So that is a plan.
Is it?
It is.
Will you come with me?
The man is the most dreadful bully.
I have every faith
that you can do this on your own.
That is a definite no?
Yes.
And you will not
change your mind?
No.
Thank you for changing your mind.
I must be careful
what I say to Mr. Norris.
He is rather enamored with my aunt.
Really?
she has many admirers.
After all, she is a very handsome woman.
It's a mystery how she remains alone.
Mr. Norris?
I'll wait here.
Are you sure you do not want to come in?
Mr. Norris?
Mr. Norris, it's Miss Parker.
Mr. Norris?
Fetch the police.
Now, Hattie!
Rigor mortis begins to set in
about two hours after death.
First in the muscles
around the face and jaw,
and then it progresses outwards
to the rest of the body.
This all feels very familiar.
Miss Scarlet,
I seem to remember asking you
to accompany Miss Parker
back to Scotland Yard
to give a statement.
Not just familiar, but staged.
Why go to all that effort?
Try moving his wrists.
Completely rigid.
The fingers, too.
Full rigor mortis takes
14 to 18 hours to develop,
Some point last night.
It's only a rough guide,
of course.
Quarter to midnight.
I stand corrected.
Miss Scarlet has clearly
developed a new technique
unknown to medical science.
It's called using your eyes.
The clock, it's been stopped.
No, it has stopped.
You do not know
it's been stopped.
Inspector Wellington.
This entire scene is exactly
as it was in the novel.
What novel?
"Quarter to Midnight"
by Samuel Bedborough.
You haven't read it?
No, enlighten me.
Been a few years
since I read it,
but I would swear everything
in this room is precisely
as it was in the book:
the blood-stained lily,
the knife in the neck,
the arrangement of his hand
on the chest,
and the clock stopped at
a quarter to midnight.
You really should read more.
I read plenty,
just not that particular book.
I've not read it, either.
Thank you, Detective Fitzroy.
Although I do read
at least one book a week.
At the moment, I'm working
through the Russians,
starting with Goncharov.
Make yourself useful.
See if there is a visitors' book
or a list of his appointments.
Find out who was last in here.
Miss Scarlet, a word?
Go back to Scotland Yard,
ask for Phelps,
make a statement.
But I can be much more use here.
Will you just do what I ask?
This is about your job offer, isn't it?
You're annoyed with what I said.
Eliza, I am so often annoyed with
what you've said,
it's hard to keep track.
You meant that I lack ambition.
No! Of course not!
Only that your life is
arranged as you like it.
You're settled.
That sounds even more
insulting than "comfortable."
I think it's best if we
cease to discuss this.
I will let you know my decision
when I have come to it.
All right,
No!
Now go back to Scotland Yard
and ask for Phelps.
That book, the one you think
the murderer imitated.
You said it was written by
Samuel Bedborough?
That's right, why?
The victim was his accountant.
I do not see what the problem is.
I'm not hiring you.
Just hear me out.
Firstly, I've read every
Samuel Bedborough novel.
I'm a huge fan of his work.
Secondly,
if you don't hire me,
Hattie Parker certainly will.
Mr. Norris was
a friend of her aunt's.
Surely it is better to share
information and resources.
If not for me,
for the taxpayers of London.
Oh, you're so selfless, Eliza.
It's a cross I must bear.
So?
Is that a yes?
How much is your fee?
On second thoughts,
let's forgo the haggling.
Think of the first amount
that you were going to say.
That seems fair.
Good, now half it.
"He could not be distracted
"once his mind was focused on a task.
"There was nothing that could
break his chain of thought.
"Not the shattering of
the window downstairs,
"not the footsteps in the hallway.
"When at last he looked up,
he saw a blade
"glistening
in the moonlight,
and felt the cold steel pierce his heart."
Thus concludes chapter three.
Thank you, Mr. Bedborough,
for once again
gracing our humble shop
with such a wonderful reading.
Now, if you would like
to form an orderly queue,
Mr. Bedborough will gladly
as long as they have been
purchased here, of course.
No, no, no!
Outside, please.
I need to speak to Mr. Bedborough.
This event is for ticket holders only.
You will have to wait in line
like everybody else.
Madam, I'm Inspector Wellington
with Scotland Yard,
I'm here on police business.
And yet you brought your wife.
She's not my wife.
I'm a private detective,
assisting Scotland Yard
with their inquiries.
I've heard many excuses
Oh, for God's sake,
I haven't even read
any of his damn books!
I have.
I am Miss Bedborough, Samuel's sister.
Is something wrong?
We need to speak to
your brother right away.
When did this happen?
We believe Mr. Norris
was killed last night.
Can you think of anyone who
might wish to do him harm?
He always seemed to be
a perfectly decent man.
In truth, I didn't know him well.
He was a business acquaintance.
We only met a few times a year.
When was the last time?
A few weeks ago, I think.
I couldn't say for sure.
As we mentioned, we believe
the crime scene
was arranged to resemble
the murders in
"Quarter To Midnight."
How extraordinary.
You understand that
I have to ask you about
your own movements last night, sir.
Why?
It's a standard question, Samuel.
They ask it of everyone.
I have a suite at the Brabham Hotel.
I'm staying there whilst
I finish my latest novel.
And were you alone?
You mean apart from
the 50 staff and 300 guests?
Samuel.
My sister and I had dinner,
and then I wrote, all night.
I'm rather late
delivering my latest novel.
Is it true you once
finished a manuscript
in the carriage on the way
to the publishers?
I am woeful about deadlines,
but I have no need for muse or mood.
I can write any time
or any place.
You enjoy my novels?
Very much so, yes.
In fact, "Quarter to Midnight"
is my favorite.
Ah.
I haven't read that particular one,
but, um, I did enjoy
"Curse of the Crimson Shadow."
That was not me.
"Quarter to Midnight"
is a tale of an author
struggling for inspiration.
It's based on Bedborough's own life.
He spent years as
an unpublished writer
before finally enjoying success.
The writer in the novel
is under pressure
to deliver his latest book,
and slowly starts going insane.
He believes
his two best friends
want to put him in an asylum,
so he kills them both.
But like Macbeth, he's unable
to live with the guilt.
Yes, Eliza, I know
the story of Macbeth.
My apologies.
Anyway, when the author
in the novel was a child,
his parents died of scarlet fever.
As a boy, he witnessed them
laid out in their coffins at home,
each holding a lily.
The clock in Norris's office
read a quarter to midnight,
which is the exact time
the two murders
in the book take place.
But on separate nights.
So if someone is that keen
to replicate the book,
then it is possible
that they could kill again.
It's possible, yes.
Do we know any more
about our victim?
Edward Norris, 52 years old,
uh, unmarried.
He's a respectable accountant
with 100 or so clients
that we're busy tracking down.
I'm going to read the book again,
see if there's anything we've missed.
May I suggest you do the same?
Fitzroy.
Get me everything you have so far
on Norris's associates.
Right away, sir.
Oh, and, uh,
do me a brief synopsis
on the story of Macbeth.
A couple of pages should do it.
You will have it, sir.
"When the hurly-burly's done,
when the battle's lost and won."
Make that one page.
Yes, sir.
Mm.
This is, of course,
Mr. Bedborough's
most famous work,
but have you considered
beginning with
"Alone In Greenwich"?
It should be here somewhere.
Ah, yes.
I'll, uh, read that
straight after this,
Miss Willoughby.
Might I recommend
that you read it first?
They do make a wonderful pair.
Such vivid prose.
I could recite every line.
I think I'll just
start with this one for now.
You know, what am I saying?
It, it is not
"Alone in Greenwich"
that you should begin with, no.
This, "The Witches Call."
And do you know why?
No, but I'm sure
you're going to tell me.
Welsh, too.
Well, I'm an inspector
I would also recommend
"The Jagged Tear."
In, in fact, perhaps
I should just get you
his complete works.
How does that sound?
Expensive.
May I ask
why you wanted to
speak to Mr. Bedborough?
I can't discuss that, I'm afraid.
I knew there was something wrong
as soon as he came in.
He usually turns up to readings
in a wonderful mood,
but today he was
rather withdrawn
and upset.
And this was before I spoke to him?
Yes.
I've never seen him like that before.
I, I do hope everything is all right.
Would you like them wrapped?
Want another, skipper?
No, I'm trying to concentrate.
Got you one anyway.
Not like you.
It's for the Norris case.
Right, yeah, that makes sense.
Didn't have you down
as much of a reader.
Apart from the "Sporting Post."
Did you want something, Charlie?
No, just seeing how you are.
If there's any news.
In the ten years
we've worked together,
I don't think you've ever
bought me a drink.
People change.
People do.
You don't.
What do you want?
All right if I speak my mind, skipper?
Well, that depends what
you're going to say, Charlie.
I heard the super talking
to you about the promotion.
I was just passing.
Passing?
And I was thinking,
if you did take it,
you might put in a word for me.
To take over from you.
Well, subtlety never was
your strong point, was it?
I've got a wife and four kids.
Five kids.
I can't afford to be subtle.
I know you've had
offers in the past
and turned them down.
But you're not getting any
At some point,
the offers will stop coming,
and that'll be your lot.
And if you're happy
with how things are,
Yes, thank you, Detective.
That any good?
Terrible.
Good morning.
Morning.
Thank you, Sidney.
I've made some progress
with the Norris case.
I need to see the evidence.
How did you find me?
Oh, you know, lucky guess.
You do have
something of a set routine.
Beard trim on a Monday,
dog track on Tuesday,
shoe shine on Wednesday.
All right, all right,
you've made your point.
What progress have you made?
I need to see the murder weapon.
I reread, "A Quarter to Midnight."
As did I.
Along with some of his other work.
Did you know that Bedborough
was raised in a workhouse?
I did, yes.
The themes of rags to riches
are very common with his characters.
Like the lawyer in
"Alone in Greenwich."
William, I'm both
surprised and impressed.
A compliment and an insult in one.
That's quite something,
even for you, Eliza.
Have you made your
decision yet about the job?
As I said, I will
let you know when I have.
Well, please feel free to
discuss it with me.
And let you insult me again?
No, thank you.
My intention was not to insult.
You can be rather sensitive sometimes.
Sensitive and settled,
well, this just gets
better and better.
William!
The case, Eliza?
You wanted to see the murder weapon?
The killer in "A Quarter to Midnight"
used the same weapon
for each murder.
The knife, yes.
The first victim
was stabbed in the neck
with his own knife.
The second had the same knife
embedded in his neck.
Which is how we found Norris.
He may not be the first victim.
Exactly.
Here it is.
When I closed the book
last night,
I noticed something
on the spine.
The publishers,
So if the killer is following
the plot of the book,
then the knife belongs
to the first victim.
It's locked.
Mr. Bellamy?
Is there a side entrance?
- Sir.
Look upstairs, touch nothing.
Inspector Wellington.
In here.
Just like the novel.
Right down to the time.
James was a good man.
He'd been my publisher for years.
He took me on when no one else
was interested.
When did you last see him?
We had dinner on Thursday night.
How did he seem?
In good spirits.
We talked through my latest chapters.
He gave me notes,
it was all very pleasant.
And you can think of no one that
may wish to do him harm?
My mind is a little foggy.
My brother has been
up all night writing.
I tell him to go to bed,
but he never listens.
And that's where you were
last night?
In this room, writing?
Yes, all night.
May I ask what happened to your hand?
God's sake.
Must you keep asking these
irrelevant questions?
Samuel.
My friend has just died.
Slipped in the bathroom.
One too many brandies.
Could we finish this later?
I must go and visit James's son,
he will be beside himself.
We'd prefer if you stay here, sir.
Both murders were exactly as in
your novel, and as you know,
there is a third death.
The author in my novel
takes his own life.
I can assure you I am not
planning on doing that.
Even so, if someone is determined
to replicate the book,
they may wish to do you harm.
Your sister's right, Mr. Bedborough.
I'll arrange for
police protection for you,
in the meantime,
if you'd like to go home.
Our home is being decorated.
- I'll stay here.
- As you wish.
I'll wait here until an officer arrives.
Miss Scarlet, if you could take
this message back
to Scotland Yard for me.
I tracked down the night porter.
Samuel Bedborough left the hotel
last night around 9:00
and didn't return again till
gone midnight.
A killer who replicates the plot
of his own book.
Isn't it more likely someone is
trying to damage his reputation?
Possibly, but there's no better
cover
than a murderer who hides in
plain sight.
Looks like he was arrested
three months ago.
What for?
Public disorder.
He was arguing with a woman
in the street
and apparently, they
threatened to kill each other.
They were arrested
for breach of the peace,
but no charges were brought,
so they were cautioned and released.
Francesca Bellesini.
She's an actress.
Go and speak to her
while I assess the bodies
in the mortuary.
Miss Scarlet.
Excuse me, sir,
your carriage is ready.
Thank you, Fitzroy.
On the way back from the
mortuary,
I wonder if we may go via
Covent Garden.
I would very much like
to secure tickets
for the premiere of Offenbach's
"The Tales of Hoffmann."
Perhaps I will do that
in my own time.
Perhaps you will.
God knows what'll happen
to him if I leave.
Well, it's a good job
that you're not going to take the job.
How many times?
I haven't made
my decision yet.
Unlike you, I give consideration
to the life that I've built here.
What do you mean, unlike me?
Well, if you were offered the
job,
you'd take it in a heartbeat.
Well, on the day
that women are allowed
to be chief inspectors,
we shall have that conversation.
You know what I mean.
If you were offered more money
and higher-profile cases,
you would jump at the chance,
no matter where the location.
We're very different people, William.
Oh, meaning that you have a
singular ambition,
and I am dull and predictable.
Beard trim on a Monday,
You're twisting my words.
Am I?
You do not have to
justify your life to me.
I do when you constantly
tease me about it.
Then I apologize.
Clearly hit a nerve.
From where I've come from,
I have done damn well to get this far.
We don't all have the luxury
of inheriting our father's business.
I will go and speak to Miss Bellesini.
You'll have my report in the morning.
Eliza.
That came out harsher than I expected.
Don't let me keep you, William.
It's almost time for your 3:00 whisky.
Excuse me, I'm looking for Miss Bellesini.
No, too pretty.
The maid cannot be
more handsome than me.
She must be ten years older,
at least.
Tell them to recast.
Miss Bellesini, I'm not involved
in your play.
I want to talk to you about
Samuel Bedborough.
What was the nature
of your relationship
with Mr. Bedborough?
The nature of our relationship?
Yes.
Physical.
And, um, and where did you meet him?
Oh, some party.
I cannot remember whose.
But we do not see each other anymore.
I have a new lover.
Younger, much more willing
to please, you know?
And how long were you
and Mr. Bedborough lovers?
A year, maybe a little less.
And what happened the night you
were arrested?
Ah, that was my fault.
Yeah, he tried to end things with me,
so I had a little too much
to drink and went to see him,
and one thing led to another,
you know how these things go.
The police were understanding.
I told them it was Italian passion.
Not that I am from Italy.
Nobody has heard about my country,
so Italy plays much better.
So you argued because he
finished your relationship?
Yes and no.
he's rich, why wouldn't he?
It was how he ended it.
He sent his little friend with
a diamond necklace.
A parting gift to make me go quietly.
Who was this friend?
Norris.
His accountant, I think.
I call him the Grim Reaper.
When you see him,
you know it's over.
He must have delivered bad news
to a dozen of Samuel's women
over the years.
The cause of death is identical
in both cases.
A single puncture wound to the
carotid artery.
The size of the wound indicates
the same weapon.
You two,
start making house calls
on the accountant's street,
see if he had any visitors.
Fitzroy, Phelps, you do
the same for the publisher.
"Screw your courage to the
sticking place
and we'll not fail."
Lady Macbeth.
Do I have to go with him?
That depends whether you want to
keep your job.
All right, off you go.
Fitzroy.
Word, please.
Look, what we do requires
working as part of a team.
Any detective, but you above all,
needs the trust and respect
of his colleagues.
I'm sorry, sir, it was misjudged.
One day, I may not be around to
look out for you,
so you need to start fitting in.
Where are you going?
I, I'm just making the point.
Go to the pub with them, right?
Let them moan about their job
or their wives
or the money that they lost on
the nags.
Hell, let them moan about me.
I would never let them do that.
The more you are an outsider,
the weaker you will be.
And men like Phelps,
they can smell weakness.
Now, that doesn't make him a bad man,
it's,
it's just the nature of being a copper.
Show them you can be one of the
lads, eh?
You sound like my father.
God forbid.
Sorry for the delay,
I was comforting my aunt.
She is in great distress about Mr. Norris.
Well, I have a question about Mr. Norris.
Samuel Bedborough said
that he and Norris
had a purely professional relationship,
only seeing each other
a few times a year.
Really?
I find that strange.
Mr. Norris was always mentioning
Mr. Bedborough to my aunt.
He made out the two were as
thick as thieves.
That may not have been true, of course.
He may have been trying to impress,
since he was secretly in love with her.
Hattie, can we go five minutes
without you mentioning your aunt?
Yes, of course, my apologies.
You said Norris and Bedborough
were "thick as thieves"?
It is my understanding
that they dined together
several times a month,
and Mr. Norris was always doing
this favor or that for
Mr. Bedborough.
I believe that Mr. Norris
recently arranged the purchase
of a house in Knightsbridge.
It was only a few doors down
I'm about to mention my aunt,
but I believe it is relevant.
Go on.
Mr. Bedborough's new house
was on the same street as my aunt's.
The other residents were beside
themselves
to have such a well-known face
Well, I am not one to gossip.
Of course.
But, please do.
Mr. Bedborough moved in
not two months ago
and seemed to be spending
a fortune on renovations.
But then last week,
the strangest thing happened.
Samuel Bedborough is up
to his neck in debt.
Yet he's staying in a suite
at the Brabham.
Not for much longer.
He is facing a hefty bill.
He owes money all over town.
That's why the bailiffs took his house
and everything in it.
And he be at the bailiffs' last night.
Doing what?
Trying to get back some
piece of furniture
they took from him.
Every day this week, he's turned
up trying to buy it back,
but they want the whole bill
paid or nothing.
What piece of furniture?
A writing desk.
Told them he couldn't write without it.
He told me he had no need
for "muse or mood."
That he could write anytime, anywhere.
Well, he wants that desk back.
Security caught him breaking
into their warehouse last night.
Roughed him up a bit.
His bandaged hand.
This warehouse.
I take it you have contacts there.
I have contacts everywhere.
Ain't seen nothing like that before.
Gentlemen!
It was amazing, weren't it?
Good evening.
Detective Fitzroy!
Ain't it past your bedtime?
would anyone like a drink?
Oh, they don't serve milk in here.
Well, I'll take that as a no.
Why don't you go home to
your mummy, Fitzroy,
so's she can clean you up?
Why don't you shut your mouth, Phelps?
You wanna repeat that?
Didn't think so.
Spoiled little brat!
You shouldn't have done that, boy.
We've got ten minutes till the
shifts change.
Bedborough's things
are over there.
They took everything from his
house, even the rugs.
They don't miss a trick, those boys.
the man has expensive taste.
These are from Maples of Piccadilly.
Here.
Doesn't look like much.
he must be very attached to it
if he's that desperate to get it back.
Maybe sentimental.
I once knew a man
who got into a knife fight
over a rocking chair
that belonged to his mother.
A man?
Hm.
You?
No!
Harpocrates.
What?
In one of Bedborough's early
grandiose character,
deliberately unlikeable.
He makes a fortune
defending men he knows
to be guilty of murder.
He calls himself Harpocrates.
legend has it
that whatever secrets he knows,
he will never speak of them.
He will take them to the grave.
But of course, his secrets are discovered.
"Alone in Greenwich."
"The Witches Call."
These are Bedborough's novels,
covered in notes and reworkings.
They must be the original manuscripts.
Why keep them hidden?
Anything to report?
No, sir.
How is Bedborough?
He's writing and asked
not to be disturbed.
Where is he?
What the hell's going on?
My thoughts exactly.
I needed to confirm a suspicion.
There's no time to waste, we need to go.
Where?
The final death in the book
is when the author takes his own life.
And you want to leave him unguarded?
He's not the author.
Miss Bedborough!
Put the knife down.
Do as he says.
Please.
The writing desk that was taken
from your brother's home.
That was yours?
Yes.
I found manuscripts inside with
notes from the publisher
addressed to you.
So it was you who wrote the novels,
not your brother.
Our mother died in the workhouse.
Our father,
God knows where he went.
Samuel was determined to make
something of himself.
He saw the parallels between his
own struggles
and those of Charles Dickens,
and felt sure it would make him
a great writer, too.
But he struggled for years to
become a novelist.
I didn't have the heart to tell
him the truth.
That he lacked the talent?
He knew it, too, deep down.
But he is my older brother.
I would have done anything to help him.
So I did.
I rewrote his story,
and found I had a flair for it.
By the time I submitted his
manuscript to the publishers,
there was barely a word of his left.
Why not put your own name
on the cover?
There are plenty of published
female writers.
Samuel begged me not to.
He could not have suffered
the humiliation
that his spinster sister was the
one putting food on the table
and not him.
But after the success of the
book started to rise,
I did ask him if I could use my
name to the next.
That was when they called the meeting.
They?
Samuel, Bellamy, and Norris.
The three of them convinced me
that as a woman,
my readership would be half of
that of a man.
They promised that one day I
could write under my own name,
but now was not the right time.
It was never the right time.
Why kill them?
The one benefit I received from
this arrangement
was that I would be well looked after.
I would have a comfortable home
and security.
But then, one day, the bailiffs arrived
and I found out the truth.
Samuel's debts were all-consuming.
He had spent every penny of my money.
And Bellamy and Norris knew all
along and did nothing.
They didn't care as long as the
books were still being written
money I was earning for them.
So this was your revenge?
And the world would know that
you were the true author.
I would have my moment of fame
in death.
All this time,
I have let my brother shine.
For what?
To end up a poor spinster back
in the workhouse.
Would you like me to arrange
you a lift home?
No, thank you.
I would take you myself, but
there are reports
that I have to finish
for the morning shift.
I understand.
All this politeness is exhausting.
Isn't it just?
I, I didn't mean what I said
about your father's business.
I know that you haven't been
handed anything on a plate.
I know how hard you've worked.
But there are times when you
push me too far.
I only tease you because
I'm so comfortable in our friendship.
But I suppose I can be a little
insensitive sometimes.
It is only because I'm envious.
Envious?
Of me?
You're fulfilled in your life.
That's not lack of ambition,
that's something you should
celebrate.
You have that rare thing
that most of us don't find in a lifetime.
True contentment.
That's why you're one of the people
I respect the most.
Forgive me, sir.
I, I didn't know
you were still here.
What have you done now?
I, I did as you suggested.
I, I went for a drink
and I, I tried to fit in.
Perhaps I tried a little too hard.
I could not go home to my father
like this,
so I thought I could sleep here.
you can stay there.
Thank you.
Sir.
- Hello!
- Harry.
Hello, Inspector.
Thank you.
Morning, Duke!
Morning, George.
- Fresh bread! Fresh loaves!
- There you go, love.
Cheers, Jim.
Thanks, Duke,
have a good day!
Cheers, Duke.
Violet.
Not again, Norman.
All right, Duke.
Come!
Can I have a quick word, sir?
Take a seat, I'm almost done.
How was your trip, sir?
Don't ask.
Business or pleasure?
Neither.
It was two days with my wife's family.
So, you've had time to think.
I trust you've realized
how good an opportunity this
promotion is.
I have, and you're right, it's
a good opportunity.
But it's not one that's right
for me
at the moment, sir.
I pulled in a lot of favors to
get you this, laddie.
Chance like this might
not come up again.
I understand, sir,
but my decision is made.
My life is here in London.
Well, I had hoped you would
accept the position
so I could avoid this.
Sir?
Fitzroy's father,
the police commissioner,
wants you gone.
The boy's getting worse, not better.
He's an albatross!
Which is why I told you to put
some distance
between yourself and him,
to let him sink or swim.
But you wouldn't listen to me.
Now he's drowning and his father
wants someone to blame.
There's only so many times
I can protect you,
so let me be crystal-clear.
You're going to take this post
in Glasgow.
Because there's no longer a job
for you here.
Your inspector friend
is leaving London.
You'll have no ally in Scotland Yard.
No one to share their resources
or indeed hire you.
Young Fitzroy will lead
the next case that comes in.
There's a name in there you
might recognize.
A hired assassin.
And Lizzie, is she safe?