Silent Witness (1996) s03e03 Episode Script

Completion on the 31st.
Pleasure doing business with you.
How much? Full price.
Few more like that, we could retire.
VIOLIN CONTINUES PHONE RINGS Leave it, Suzy, leave it.
Come on! I said leave it.
PHONE RINGS PHONE RINGS Hello? Who's speaking, please? No, sorry.
She's not here.
SUZY: The sign's down.
It can wait until tomorrow.
Can't leave it like that - it's dangerous.
The door's open.
Suzy! Suzy! Christ! Gemma? My baby! We are going to be late! Don't touch her! Don't you dare touch her! Testator Sile-ens Costestes e Spiritu-um Silentiu-um.
You're putting me off.
Much as I love watching a woman in her boudoir, we're going to be lateagain! I thought you hated fundraisers.
I hate pretending to enjoy myself.
Liar! OK, what I hate is turning up alone and being jumped on by adoring mothers.
Aw! Shall I fend them off for you? You do it brilliantly.
MOBILE RINGS Sam Ryan.
Right.
Whereabouts is that, please? You were on your way out.
I still am.
What have we got? It's, um, their daughter.
They found her at the foot of the stairs.
Is it their house? No, they're the estate agents.
They found the side door open, walked in, there she was.
.
.
Cheers.
It's possible she did just fall.
You don't think so? The way she's lying.
Looks like she came down headfirst, but look at her shoes.
Fashion victim? She's still quite warm.
No obvious injuries.
Apart from the broken neck(!) Apart from the scratches.
A lot of broken fingernails.
Her clothes are badly ripped.
That could have been the fall.
Nails and splinters sticking out.
Thought estate agents had stopped going out alone.
Well, they have guidelines now.
Travel in pairs, carry rape alarms, mobile phones, the lot.
But this one shouldn't have been here at all.
Can you turn her? Apparently, it wasn't part of her job description to show clients round her father's houses.
Yeah? What are these for, then? Dead girl was Gemma Boyd.
Paul Franklin was her stepfather.
What about her mother? Suzanne.
In shock.
Can't get anything.
Shall I take them home? Just her.
I still want him.
See you for the PM in the morning.
You can put your lipstick back on.
'Don't worry.
It'll be all right.
' They said they'd be here.
They will be.
.
.
Just in time.
This is Kate - one of my medical triumphs.
This is Dr Ryan.
Lovely to meet you.
And you.
We were terrible in rehearsal.
You'll be fine.
I better go.
Break a leg.
OK, so where are all the adoring mothers? They know defeat when they see it.
How long had the house been empty? A couple of years, but it only came on to our books about a week ago.
See if you can match these keys to any properties.
Which was Gemma's desk? That one.
Is this her appointments diary? No, it's mine and Suzy's.
Gemma didn't have appointments.
She worked in the office with me, filing making coffee, answering the phone She didn't even go out for lunch most days Always on a diet.
Teenagers.
You wanted a picture? Nothing more recent? No.
She was never a pretty baby.
A little fat lump she was.
You look away for a minute and they're grown up.
I'm sorry.
What's it gonna be like? There'll be a lot of questions No, no What's it gonna be like when I start to feel it? Because I can't, you know? I can't feel anything.
It's the shock.
Can't hear her, can't smell her PHONE RINGS Franklin residence.
'Hello? 'Hello? Is anybody there?' PHONE BUTTONS BEEP That happened before? What? Someone ringing, but not speaking.
Mrs Franklin? D'you have any idea why Gemma would have been carrying those keys? No.
I can't understand it.
Do they have anything in common at all? Nothing.
Different locations and prices Vendors have all moved out.
So they're all empty? Yeah.
Have you been having any funny phone calls lately, Mr Franklin? Not that I'm aware of.
Why? Someone rang the house when I was there - a breather.
'Tell Gemma Mr Harris will meet her as arranged.
'Tell Gemma Mr Harris will meet her as arranged.
' Is that him? Is that his voice? Police! Will you let go of the phone, please? Phone call to the house came from here.
Think it's a stalker? He was here.
THEY PLAY "Scheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsakov Not exactly the Berlin Philharmonic.
It's in a good cause.
Bravo! (Home in time for the news.
) I didn't think it was that bad(!) Dad! Dad! What's she so upset for? She was horrible to Gemma half the time.
We all need to get some sleep.
HEAVY BREATHING Subject's an adult female.
She was 17.
White, well-nourished, long blonde hair.
Height 5ft 8.
streak on her abdomen and striae gravidarum on her thighs.
Stretchmarks? I'm not sure yet, but she may have been a mother.
That's the first I've heard about it.
Are you sure? OK, not sure, but? It's highly likely.
A lot of bumps and scratches on her.
She fell down a staircase with no carpets.
Trevor, look at these flecks.
Blood? More like paint.
Possibly.
The paintwork was peeling where they took the carpets up.
These look more like chips of paint from a bicycle or a car or something.
The lab will confirm it.
OK.
Thanks.
It looks as though she died the same afternoon she was found.
Cause of death's probably a broken neck.
Likely she died instantly.
Now, I have to wait for the lab results to be sure, but the presence of what looks like semen would indicate that she'd had sexual intercourse that day.
Doesn't look forced, but the internal might show more.
No furniture in the house? That's right.
Can't see this a girl like this risking splinters in her bum.
Well, I just mean the killer isn't a boyfriend We have no idea who or what he is.
Am I supposed to go to school? Do what you bloody like.
What is it? She definitely had a boyfriend of some kind.
How do you know? Because Gemma Boyd was pregnant.
Oh, brilliant! What are we doing for supper? .
.
No, thanks.
Nothing.
My sister's arriving.
How about lunch? Sure.
I'll come to you.
Lovely.
Has the temperature dropped several degrees in here? OK He's rich, successful, handsome Tall.
Tall.
But? I think you can do better.
What is your problem with James? He's everything I can't stand about surgeons.
An ego the size of Jupiter, he's cocky And I worry about you.
I know I shouldn't interfere.
No-one would come to me for advice on how to construct a successful love life, but I do think you could do better.
I'm a big girl, Trevor.
DOORBELL Hold on a minute.
Sorry.
I was putting the rubbish out.
Sohave you found this Mr Harris yet? I was hoping you could help us.
Oh, er, well We've no clients by that name.
No-one I can think of who knew Gemma.
Maybe it was somebody she met before.
Before what? Well, Gemma hasn't always lived here.
Oh, sorry She came back to me about six months ago, moved in with us when Paul gave her the job.
Look, um My first husbandused to be away a lot in the Merchant Navy.
When he did come home, he used to communicate with his fists.
So I took Gemma and I left Well, it wasn't easy.
And I had a living to make, you knowum So by the time I met Paul, she was living full-time with Eileen.
Eileen? Lee's mum.
Who's Lee? A yob, he's a gyppo, virtually.
A great big stupid bloody grin on his face - I knew he'd be trouble.
Lee was Gemma's boyfriend? Yeah.
Or still is, maybeI don't know.
She didn't really talk about it.
I suppose she knew that I didn't really approve.
She could have done so much better for herself.
Did they fight? Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised.
Little girl is like him, poor thing.
Little girl? Lee and Gemma had a baby? Yeah.
She lives with him.
With Lee.
You have spoken to them about what's happened? No.
That the best they had? Yeah.
Nothing since she was 13.
OK! Gemma Boyd died in a house where she shouldn't have been, after keeping an appointment with a Mr Harris.
She had keys for half a dozen houses.
Executive detached - 450 grand.
Studio flat - needs attention.
The only connection is? They were all empty.
Maybe she's fixing up a squat.
Or somewhere to meet her man.
The only key that's missing is 27 Cumberland Avenue - where she died.
Either Mr Harris took it, or someone else let her into the house.
We have discovered this morning that Gemma Boyd was pregnant.
She already had one child by a boyfriend - Lee Bennett.
"A gyppo, virtually.
Great big stupid bloody grin on his face.
" Sounds like your type(!) While Bradley's tracking down the boyfriend, I want every property on the Franklin list checked out.
.
.
And I want you to check all incoming calls to the Franklin home and office.
Bloody hell! - Plenty to wipe your bum on there! - Very funny! Find the number from which Mr Harris made this call.
'Tell Gemma Mr Harris will meet her as arranged.
' 'Tell Gemma Mr Harris will meet her as arranged.
' - Not a stranger.
- He knows her.
Anything else? Middle-aged.
Local.
No please or thank-you.
You know what else I'm hearing? Authority.
Gemma had to meet him.
She had no choice.
I'm sorry you had to be the one to tell me the news.
Thing is, I need to speak to Lee.
No No, it's all right.
I'll tell him.
I mean, I need to speak to Lee formally.
If you suspect Lee, you're barking up the wrong tree.
It's standard procedure to talk to everyone she knew.
Come here.
How much time did Gemma spend here? Recently, just weekends when she wasn't working.
She was with her mother's family during the week? She was grateful for that job.
Paul was a bit of a leg-up for Suzanne - after the last one.
What d'you make of Mrs Franklin? She was a cow.
When Gemma was pregnant, she told her to get an abortion or get out.
What about Lee? My son wasn't good enough for her! .
.
But your daddy's the best lad in the world, isn't he? I told you - Lee's out.
Was he out yesterday afternoon? ErMonday afternoon? Jobcentre - you can check.
Do you wannasee her picture? Yeah, please.
.
.
Sit there, poppet.
Mind your head.
She's lovely, ain't she? Mummy Come in.
Well, now! Give us a kiss, then! God, you look well! Well, so I should.
Your hair's lovely.
I like the coat.
Yes, well Give me your bag Sam, listen What? I'm getting married.
Isn't it amazing? You're full of surprises! Well, I am going to be a June bride, June the 6th, so if you've anything on that day, cancel it! Who is it? Hmm Billy Prior.
Billy Prior? Danny's brother?! He went to Australia.
He came back.
He married Finished! But you hate Billy Prior! Didn't he push you off your? Bike.
And throw your satchel in a puddle? Sam, that was 30 years ago.
So has he changed much? No, he hasn't changed Come in.
Dr Ryan, this is Paul Franklin.
Yes, of course.
.
.
Sorry.
OK, Mr Franklin, we're just about ready for you.
Can I, er have a few moments alone with her? I'm sorry - it's not permitted during a murder investigation.
Oh While we're here, why don't we do the blood test? What blood test? It's routine under the circumstances.
Dr Ryan can do it.
I'll wait outside.
See you later.
After you.
I need your consent to take a blood test to establish paternity of Gemma's baby.
I see.
Is that OK? All the men she knew will be tested? Yeah.
Mmm.
OK, Doctor.
I'm all yours.
How far was she, er? I don't think I'm at liberty to say.
NoI suppose not.
You OK? Yeah, I'm fine, fine Please Go ahead.
Clench your fist for me, please.
Oh, this is pointless.
You'd I can ask someone else to be with you if you're worried about the needle.
It's not the needle.
This is just such a waste of time There.
It's all done.
Press down on this swab, please.
We should know the results of the tests in a couple of days.
You don't need a result.
You know as well as I do who the father of Gemma's baby was.
Don't you? We're all done.
Thanks.
.
.
Can you come down to the station? I'd like to take a proper statement.
I don't think Is he OK? I think you'll have to wait for your statement.
What's the problem? He didn't like the needle.
Hi! This bloody book - wish I hadn't started it.
Is your sister here? Waltzed in and said she's getting married.
How many husbands is that? This is her first.
Marvellous.
You can be a bridesmaid.
I'm starving.
Let's go.
I met her, you know.
Who? Your dead girl - Gemma.
Did you? I realised this morning.
The whole family came to Kate's last rehab session.
I liked her - kind as well as pretty.
And not a patient.
Mmm.
You got it! VIOLIN PLAYS Where have you been? Just the office, that's all.
Funny.
I rang.
You weren't there.
Kate! Come downstairs and get some lunch.
VIOLIN STOPS BANGING AND DOORBELL What now? I know you're in there! I know you're in there! I don't want you! I want her! Right Interview with Lee Bennett.
Present DS Bradley, PC Clive, Mr Blake.
Time now How would you like it?! Finding out from a policeman! .
.
Anything you do say Treating us like muck! Listen I'll kill her next time! .
.
Something you later rely on in court.
Leewhy did you go to Paul Franklin's house today? Gemma didn't like me going there.
She said it just caused trouble with her mum.
You don't like her mum? She grassed me up when Gemma was pregnant.
I got cautioned for unlawful sexual intercourse, thanks to Suzanne Franklin.
How old were you then? Did you and Gemma meet at the houses Paul Franklin was selling? We'll find out anyway.
You have to say it out loud.
Yes! But just to chat.
I don't want you thinking What? Well, that we did it.
It? Had sex.
Because we never - not in other people's houses, not with all their furniture.
Did you meet Gemma yesterday afternoon at 27 Cumberland Ave? No.
You sure? I never killed her! You will never get me to say that I killed her! Did you know Gemma was pregnant? Was she? Was it your baby? Of course it was mine! Who else's could it have been? What are you saying? What are you saying? Suspect is banging the table.
What are you saying? He's a liar! .
.
What are you saying? Kate? - How does the arm feel? - Feels good to me.
I have someone claiming paternity.
And he is? Lee Bennett.
Father of her first child.
Interesting.
There are no real defence wounds on her.
Her nails are broken, but there's only splinters of wood from the stairs under them.
I asked you over because of the shoes.
What about them? If she'd been wearing them when she fell, I'd expect to find bruising on the feet or abrasions on the buckles, but there's nothing.
If she wasn't wearing them, how did they get down the stairs? There's a mark on her throat.
He hit her with her shoe? Not exactly.
Look at this heel.
This could do serious damage in the hands of a determined attacker.
That didn't have that much force.
I think this just landed on her.
It's like the killer just threw these down the stairs after her.
One two.
Did you know she was pregnant? No.
So what was the fight about? What do you mean? If it wasn't about her being pregnant, what was it about? He was threatening my wife.
Why would he want to do that? Inspectorwhy don't you get to the point? Where is the key to 27 Cumberland Ave? In my safe.
Was it you who let Gemma into the house? Yes.
I knew the house would be empty and quiet, so I arranged to meet her there.
She was late.
I was worried.
When she arrived, we went upstairs and talked.
Then I left.
Drove away.
You don't want to leave at the same time in case people see.
Now tell me the part you missed out.
We didn't argue, if that's what you mean.
How did she fall, then? I don't know.
I wasn't there.
When I leftGemma was standing at the top of the stairs .
.
looking down at me like an angel What? She was 17 and your stepdaughter.
You'll have to do better than that! I'm sorry.
It's just that your morals don't interest me.
Were you in love with her? Yes.
Was it your baby? I believe so.
Mmm Did you kill her? No.
Trevor would say there's no man good enough for either of us.
I said to him, "Even with Sam's terrible taste in men" Unfair.
If I'm getting a new brother-in-law, I hope you brought photos.
He doesn't take much of a photo.
No defensive speeches now.
No need.
He's lovely.
You'll like him.
Samwho's that? You're not supposed to be here.
Be a lot easier to swap keys.
I could've chilled the champagne.
Here's a spare set for my house.
.
.
You must be Wyn.
I'm James.
Hello.
Congratulations on your news.
Let me do that.
You take them.
I'll do it.
Listen, this is Wyn's first night.
We've a lot of catching up to do.
I'll be quiet.
Go on.
You can survive without me for one evening.
What if Paul Franklin found out Gemma was just using him to set up a series of love nests with Mr Harris? It's a perfectly good motive, but it works both ways, doesn't it? I mean, you're Mr Harris and you find out your girl's having an affair with her stepfather.
I'd kill him, not her.
It's DC Wright here from the East Anglia Police.
Are you the owner of a house in Walker Street? She's gone where? Florida? SHE HUMS A TUNE You haven't been back to the property? Yeah.
Thanks very much.
Two phone calls made last week from an empty house.
Where? Walker St.
SIRENS WAIL Not exactly my idea of a love nest.
The bastard! He did know her.
That your dead girl? Gemma.
Pretty.
Who's the other woman? Her mother.
You're kidding? MUFFLED CHAT She knew.
What do you think you're doing? Put it down.
Just what gives you the right to mess about with her things? Give it to me.
She always let me.
Well, Gemma's not here now and I forbid it! She hated you.
Don't you dare talk to me like that, you spoilt little cow! Ow! You're hurting me! I really tried to make this work.
All three of you ganged up on me! I'll tell Daddy! Tell your precious daddy! He'll look after you! Your daddy'll sort you out! Just like he sorted out my Gemma! Stop it! Leave me alone! You're frightening me! You should be bloody frightened!