The Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s13e12 Episode Script
Fox Hunt
1 Ah, thank you.
Now, tell me, how does it feel, Tom? Well, it's not really my colour.
Bet you've never seen a lady in scarlet before? - Heck of a thing.
- Isn't it though.
That's my sister for you.
Tom, I was so pleased to meet you at the Masons.
I knew that a real Englishman would appreciate our little fox hunt.
Well, I'm all for good food and drink.
So's the wife.
Well, food anyway.
Lucinda, will we see your fiancé today? He won't be joining the hunt, I'm afraid.
- He's taken ill.
- Oh, that's such a shame.
Hardly.
I should be happy not to have to lay eyes on that twit today.
- Oh hush, Bernie.
- I'm only teasing.
Indeed the real question is though, where on Earth is dear Ricky boy? - Who's that? - Rick Steel, our neighbour.
He hosted last year's hunt.
Not quite as grand as this, of course.
We can hardly have a hunt without him.
But then again, what can we do? The fox waits for no man.
Tom, as an old hand why don't you kick things off.
Eh? The toast, man.
The traditional start of the hunt.
Oh, the toast.
Right.
Ladies and gentlemen, Thomas Brackenreid.
The fox is a funny animal.
Clever, they say.
But how clever is he, really? Not as clever as us.
So let's rip the bugger apart.
- To the chase! - To the chase.
Oh hello.
Still working on your paper for the medical journal? Another day or two.
William, have you seen Goldie Huckabee recently? I haven't seen her in a few days.
Perhaps they're out of town.
That's just it.
Raymond is most certainly home.
And he's acting strangely.
You've been keeping an eye on him? Not at all.
I couldn't help but notice yesterday he was in his shed until late in the evening.
When I walked by I heard him making odd noises Like he was struggling with something.
Perhaps he's building something in there.
Neighbours do all sorts of strange things.
Yes, I know, it's silly.
It's only And I can't be certain, but two nights ago I was awoken at the break of dawn.
I think I heard a gunshot.
I didn't hear anything.
Are you quite sure? No.
I was asleep, so I suppose it could have been anything.
Would you like me to No, no.
I'm sure it's all in my head.
Too much work.
Lovely horse, Miss Helmsworthy.
She's no Whisper.
Whisper? What's that? Lucy's horse.
He was a fine old fellow.
Smooth as a windless lake.
But alas, she rides another today.
So, what ever happened to Whisper? - We shot him.
- Oh.
Drinks.
England is lousy with foxes, well you know that Tom, but it might take us a while to rouse one here.
You won't hear any complaints from me.
Cheers.
Shame you don't have any scotch.
Come on then, lads.
Let's have at it.
Let's hurry on! The dogs have got a scent! Come on.
Ah-ha.
They've got something.
Is it a fox? No.
Look.
Rick Steel, neighbour and fellow fox hunter.
Lives just over there.
Well, the ground is soft here.
Someone had to have known that.
It would be a good place to hide a body.
Miss Hart says he's been dead two hours.
So maybe an hour before the hunt began.
Is this paint on his clothing? Looks like it.
His neck is bloodied.
So he must have fought with someone.
He was strangled? We were thinking likely by a piece of leather, less than an inch thick.
That could be just about anything in this area.
We'll have the constables do a thorough search.
I cannot believe it.
I cannot.
Rick was such a dear friend.
Who could have done such a thing? We don't yet know.
Did he have any enemies that you know of? - No, of course not.
- No, no.
Well there was that awful business with Merriwether.
- Merriwether? - Our butler.
- But he couldn't - Darling, is that you? Stop! Sir! Someone's fleeing! Rupert? Oh, hello Henry.
Oh, my aching joints.
There was a time when I was very fast, you know.
I was known as the fastest man in Mimico.
- You never would have caught me back then.
- I'm sure.
What in God's name are you doing here? And why did you try to flee our murder investigation, Mr.
Newsome? Well, first of all, I didn't know there was a murder investigation.
I was fleeing in general.
Why? I was embarrassed.
I saw Henry and I didn't want to have to explain myself.
Explain what? All right.
If I must tell the tale After your wedding to my sister, I set out on my adventure.
Oh adventuring I go, adventuring I go, Hup-ho hup-ho Oh adventuring I go I was penniless, as you know, and ready to see the world.
hup ho hup ho my name is escargot, I still had a spring in my step when I happened upon Lucinda Helmsworthy.
It doesn't look right! Now.
The Newsomes and the Helmsworthys have never gotten on, so I tried to avoid her.
Rupert Newsome? What in God's name are you doing? She insisted I come inside.
And then we fell in love and got engaged.
Quite romantic, really.
So you have been here in Mimico the entire time.
Yes.
And you didn't tell anyone? Not even Ruthie? I didn't want to bother her.
Also, perhaps we should continue not to bother her.
What is there to say, really? I'm engaged, - I'm in Mimico, blah blah blah - I've already telephoned.
Roo roo! My darling brother.
My darling, darling big man.
Where have you been? Tell me everything.
He never left Mimico.
What? He's been living with the Helmsworthys the whole time.
Since an hour after we got married.
Oh god no! Ruthie please! Don't! Oh! Hello Raymond.
I didn't realize garbage collection was today.
Yes, I hired someone to take it.
Oh.
Why is that? Not that I mean to pry.
Nice to see you.
Nice to see you.
Oh, tell Goldie that I say hello.
Where is she, by the way? I haven't seen her in days.
I'm sorry, I need to Oh.
Mr.
Merriwether.
Your wife used to be in the employ of the man who was just found dead.
She was, yes, until recently.
What happened? Mr.
Steel was not a kind employer.
He was always shouting at her, and worse.
Finally, Emily told him off and he fired her on the spot.
- You disliked him.
- Well, yes.
But Mr.
and Miss Helmsworthy hired Emily on straight away.
Mr.
Steel didn't care for that.
Even so.
You were stationed out near where the body was found well before the hunt started.
I was, but I was immobile.
Even if I'd seen Mr.
Steel, which I did not, I was holding a tray of drinks.
You saw them, sir.
The cups have no base.
- It's impossible to put the tray down.
- It's true.
Odd piece of kit.
I did hear something, though.
What's that? Whispering.
When I was in the field, about an hour before the hunt.
More than one person.
To the east, in the woods.
I didn't expect them to be royalty, but really.
You couldn't have known he'd be such a boor.
- And what about her? - The Masons I just assumed such people would have class Whoa, whoa! - Sir stop! - What is it? Twine.
I nearly rode into it.
Could have broken your bloody neck.
Someone intended to disrupt the hunt.
Whoever did this is likely who the butler heard whispering.
Saboteurs.
They think fox hunting's cruel.
It certainly isn't much fun for the fox, sir.
They chase it to exhaustion, then It is a bit of fun.
These are decent people.
Murdoch.
Red paint, like was on the victim.
Perhaps this is where he was killed.
All right, so someone's tying these up.
Steel comes round and spots them, tells them to pack it in.
They spray paint on him and there's an altercation.
One of them kills him.
Possibly.
But people who can't bear to see animals die surely wouldn't strangle a human being.
Fox hunters must die! Fox hunters must die! Fox hunters must die! I may have been mistaken.
Right, you lot, stand down.
We're allowed to protest! Not on private land.
And not with an open fire.
- Who's in charge of this mob? Is it you? - Bugger off.
- Right, you're coming with me.
- I'm the leader.
I'm responsible.
- Who are you? - Charlene Chamberlain.
If you're arresting anyone, it's me.
Well, Miss Chamberlain, we're arresting all of you.
Come with me, young lady.
Fox hunters must die.
That is a direct threat.
What is the alternative? These people murder for sport.
Their dogs rip those poor foxes apart.
They must be stopped.
And that's why you set up the twine.
Oh but, Mr.
Steel came upon you, is that right? I don't recall We found red paint in your coach.
The same hue as the paint that was spattered on Mr.
Steel.
All right, yes.
He saw us.
And we threw paint at him.
History will bear us out.
We apologize for nothing.
Not even for killing Mr.
Steel? Steel is dead? - "Boor"? - That's what he said.
He must have been talking about you.
About us.
Margaret.
Why would they invite us here only to insult us behind our backs? It doesn't make sense.
No, you're right.
Bernard and Lucinda are our friends.
Now go enjoy yourself.
I've heard there's passion fruits in the next room.
- You know how I feel about her.
- You dislike her? You know very well I dislike her.
I have disliked her since childhood.
Is there anyone I dislike more? Fine.
But very few people.
She is my bride-to-be.
You may dislike her, but you're just going to have to accept - the fact that I adore her.
- Perty! There's my little Rumpelstiltskin.
Let's have a tussle, shall we? She likes to tussle.
I love her so.
You like that? The evidence against Miss Chamberlain is compelling, but circumstantial.
Should we release them? For now.
But find out all we can about them.
Have the constables found the murder weapon yet? Sir.
We searched the stables, the grounds, the house No sign of blood on anything that could have been used to strangle him.
And what of the dead man's family? I checked into that, sir.
He was a widower, so his only direct relatives are his two sons.
One lives abroad but the other lives with Mr.
Steel, sir.
His will didn't specify where his money was to go, so they'll split everything.
He went to the trouble of making a will but didn't specify who would receive his money? It only covered his business interests.
He was a drug manufacturer and apparently tested his formulas on animals, sir.
But his will did provide that the animals be freed upon his death.
Hmm.
Free the animals? That makes no sense.
Our research is our business.
Perhaps he'd developed a conscience.
I understand testing can involve brutal treatment.
- I've read that - The papers are run by the same soft-brained crybabies who are always whining about animals' rights down at the university.
They are protesting something they believe to be immoral.
They don't know how the world works.
Did God not grant us dominion? He did.
But he did not equate dominion with torture.
We do two things here, Detective.
We kill animals and we save people.
And Rick Steel felt the same way.
He wasn't conflicted? He'd been toe-to-toe with some of those anti-vivisectionist protesters only a few weeks ago.
He wasn't conflicted, he wanted to expand.
Expand Whenever I see a lady wearing trousers, I think, now that is something.
- Thank you.
- You're quite welcome.
And that hat.
I can't imagine where you found it.
- At the milliner's.
- It is truly remarkable.
Thank you.
Imagine how I felt when I heard - you and Rupert were to marry.
- Oh I know, I know.
Though, I did find myself wondering, why, why are they marrying? Of course, he's a brilliant man, we all know that.
And dashing.
And he could charm a fish straight into a skillet.
Oh and he's so, so handsome.
- Well there you have it.
- But he's penniless.
As you know.
So why would a Helmsworthy want to marry a pauper? Ruth.
Dear, dear Ruth.
I have money.
There's stacks of the stuff all over the place.
The fact that your brother has no money only makes him a better match in my eyes.
It's much like owning a fine horse.
A horse depends on you for its food, its shelter, its very life.
And so you can bend it to your will.
There is nothing that evokes true love like complete control.
What a pleasant metaphor.
But really, isn't true love Dear God.
So when do you think this could this have happened? It wasn't here when we retrieved the horses for the hunt.
I haven't been here.
I couldn't say whether or not this happened before or after the saboteurs were rounded up.
Whoever killed dearest Ricky is being allowed to wander about and terrorize us.
Really, Tom, can't you settle this nasty business? Now that you suggest it, we'll really put our minds to it.
That's a good lad.
Tosser.
Maybe I'll settle this after all.
Sir.
I spoke with the victim's lawyer.
He says the will was drawn up only a few weeks ago.
But it was Mr.
Steel who set out the terms.
But the lawyer never met with Steel face-to-face about it.
He says the documents were hand delivered to him by a member of Mr.
Steel's staff.
But they were signed and on Steel's letterhead, so Perhaps someone in Mr.
Steel's household is mixed up in this.
- Very good, Henry.
- Sir.
Sir? What's brought you here? - This is the Steel house.
- Yes.
I'm, aware.
I'm here to inquire about Mr.
Steel's will.
The will? I've got something better than that.
Look.
A bucket of blood? Used to paint a threat on the Helmsworthys' stables.
They left a trail right to the back of the house.
You, you're one of the saboteurs.
What are you doing here? Sir, I believe this is Rick Steel's son.
"You are next.
" And a trail of pig's blood leading straight to your house.
I had nothing to do with that.
My friends and I would never use animal blood.
You were setting fire to an effigy a few hours after your father was found murdered.
I didn't even know he'd been killed until you coppers rounded us up.
What of your father's will? His business tortures innocent animals.
I couldn't stop him, but at least it would cease upon his death.
Perhaps you hastened that death.
- To help those innocent animals.
- No.
No, I didn't do it.
The last time we saw each other was a few hours before the hunt.
He warned me not to "pull anything".
In spite of your differences, you still lived at home with your father.
We were barely speaking.
That conversation lasted a few seconds and then he hurried off to fix the gate.
Which gate? He didn't say, but I assumed the one on the horse trail between our property and the Helmsworthys'.
It's been rather a bone of contention as of late.
Between your father and the Helmsworthys? My father put the gate up several months back.
There's a jag in the property line and it stopped Bernard from cutting across his land.
What was Mr.
Helmsworthy's reaction? He was furious.
Of course, he never let on.
He's much too proper for that.
He just snuck out one evening and took it down.
- What, the whole gate? - Yes.
So then my father put it back up.
Then Bernard decided he'd just leap over it with his horse.
That really got under my father's skin.
And yet, your father was still invited to the Helmsworthys' hunt.
Even though they were no longer friends.
They're just rich people putting on airs.
They were never really friends.
- You win.
Clearly I cannot marry her.
- Oh goody! What will I do? - Well, you just won't.
- But how? Tell her the wedding's off.
I can't do that.
First of all, I need the money.
I was poor once, it's not as nice as they say in the books.
- You were poor for a few hours.
- And I can't endure it again.
I am too old.
We're only a year apart.
But I have aged very poorly.
Rupert, you don't need money to be happy.
Look at Henry and me, you know, we're as happy as larks.
Yes, certainly, but you're lying about that.
Your life is an unending torrent of misery.
- No it's not - It's okay, Ruthie.
So is mine.
So is everyone's.
It's just your life is more miserable because you're married, poor.
Both.
Rupert.
My life is not miserable.
I love Henry.
He loves me.
The money doesn't matter.
- You're not making a joke? - No.
Not even partly.
A little half joke? No, Rupert.
I mean it.
Okay, enough.
I'll do it.
I'll sit down across from Lucinda and tell her the wedding is off, right this minute.
Perty? Where have you gotten to? There's damage here on the gate.
Perhaps that's what Mr.
Steel was going to fix.
Murdoch.
There's a wrench.
I don't see any other tools lying around.
Strange.
Perhaps one of the hinges had worked loose.
There are other mounting holes on the pillars as well.
Have a look at this.
Sir, that is blood.
This may have been used to wipe the murder weapon.
And what about this mark? Could be boot polish.
Indicating some sort of struggle.
Well sir, we are near where he was buried.
Meaning this could be where the murder happened.
Let me get this quite right.
You believe that I killed Rick Steel because of a gate? I think you did it because you hated him.
- The gate was only part of it.
- Tom.
This is poppycock.
The saboteurs threatened my and my sister's life.
They are clearly responsible.
Why are questioning me about a gate? The saboteurs didn't threaten your life.
- They wrote - It was a ruse.
Meant to lead us to the wrong suspect.
Then find out who did it and arrest them.
I had nothing to do with this.
And the fact that you think I did Tom.
Please.
We're such good friends.
Tosser.
Based on the location of the gate and the location of the burial site, the killer likely disposed of the murder weapon somewhere along here.
Along the path to the stables.
If the killer was involved in the hunt, however, it would be likely be somewhere along the way back to the Helmsworthy home.
Higgins said the stables were searched.
Every inch.
But they were searched immediately after the fox hunt.
Perhaps not all the horses were back by then.
Maybe one of them wasn't accounted for.
So, trip back to the estate? Perhaps I could detain William for just a few minutes.
- Of course.
I'll get the lads to prepare a carriage.
- Sir.
Julia? I thought you were hard at work on your paper.
William.
Look.
It's a bloody nightgown.
I found it in the Huckabees' trash.
You were in their trash? I know it sounds mad.
But Raymond was acting very strangely.
I asked him about Goldie and he just avoided the question and hurried away.
I think he's hiding something.
Do you think he's done something to Goldie? He was getting rid of her clothing and some of it is clearly covered in blood.
And remember that story I told you some weeks ago? That Goldie casually mentioned their neighbours back in Kingston had died "mysteriously".
- But she didn't mention how they died.
- Mysteriously! - All right, I'll go pay him a visit.
- No, you can't do that.
- Why? - You'll have to explain why you're there and in doing you'll need to explain I've been watching him.
I'll send a constable around.
He can say he received a call from a concerned neighbour.
Yes.
All right.
And you'll let me know if anything else happens.
Thank you, William.
Darling.
- There's something we need to discuss.
- Yes? - It's about our wedding.
- Yes? - Well, it's just that - Bah! It is supposed to open! I hate things that don't do what they're supposed to.
Yes, Perty? What were you saying? About our wedding? I want cake.
What? For the wedding.
We must have cake.
Of course we'll have cake.
Are you all right? You look unwell.
I'm fine.
I couldn't do it.
- Are you afraid of her? - Of course I'm afraid of her! So, what, you're just going to get married - because you're afraid not to? - Well.
Yes.
Oh.
What is the intention of this charade? These people are always up to some silliness, Bernie, what with their stern looks and their furrowed brows.
That's right, Bernie.
Just being thorough.
Not all the horses were here last time we searched.
We do want to catch whoever did this quickly, don't we? Well, Tommy, my horse was in the stables before, your constables already searched her.
This is a waste of time.
We'll see about that.
Higgins.
Nothing, sir.
Gloves.
Sir, is that blood? The palms are abraded.
These could have been used to commit the murder.
These black marks would match the shoe polish that was found on the gate, likely from when the killer dragged the body to where it was buried.
Still no murder weapon? Sir.
Reins.
They've been wiped clean but there's blood residue - between the laces.
Whose horse is this? - Mine.
Sir, you were out with your horse when we searched the stables.
So, the killer could have hid the gloves there shortly before the hunt began but immediately after commuting the murder.
Then changed out the reins so the blood residue would be found on someone else's horse.
So it was one of the fox hunters then.
I know exactly who it was and I'll be bringing him in.
Bernie.
A word.
That's a good girl Sir.
I fear we may be focused on the wrong suspect.
How's that? Miss Helmsworthy.
Could you please raise your arms? Why? What is this about? Your arms, Miss Helmsworthy.
Don't do it, Lucy.
When this man speaks in this tone, no good can come of it.
It's fine.
There, my arms are raised.
Shoe polish.
From dragging the victim by his boots.
Excuse me, what exactly are you saying? We're saying that you're under arrest for murder.
- Really? - You keep your mouth shut, Newsome.
- This is ridiculous! - Bernard.
What am I to say? I didn't do it.
Where were you at the time of the murder? An hour before the hunt.
- Out for a walk on the grounds.
- Alone? Rupert was meant to join but he was "ill".
And the gloves, the reins? I don't know a thing about them.
What of the shoe polish on your blouse? - How did it get there? - I don't know, I swear.
I hadn't noticed it.
So you have no answers, no alibi, nothing to say in your defense.
But why? Hmm? Why would I kill him? Your horse.
Whisper.
What about him? You had to kill him.
We put him down.
Because you missed the jump over Rick Steel's gate.
That's why the top of it's damaged, isn't it? Yes.
I was careless.
I misjudged the leap.
His leg clipped the gate, we tumbled He broke his He was in such pain.
You loved that horse.
You blamed his fall on the gate.
In part.
But it was my fault I missed the jump.
Or so you thought.
Until the morning of the hunt, when you discovered you didn't miss the jump at all.
What? That morning Rick Steel went out to fix something on that gate.
I don't know what you're talking about.
He was lowering it.
Back to where it was before.
After having raised it, secretly, purposefully, in order to trip the very next horse Mr.
Helmsworthy tried to jump it with.
But you were riding that day.
It was you who made the jump.
It was your horse that Rick Steel killed with his gate.
He killed Whisper? No answer, ma'am.
I'm sure it's nothing.
Thank you.
They think I did it.
Oh.
- Oh.
- I will likely hang.
Oh.
I cannot bear the thought.
My love for you is so, so So much love.
If only we could still marry, it would fill me with such happiness.
But, alas, that is now impossible.
- Well, I - Oh, if only were not so! All I want is to marry you and to be with you every day until the end of time! But instead you must hang.
Chin up, Perty.
No need for tears.
Oh, I cannot bear the pain a moment longer.
Goodbye forever, my love.
That fool Bernard Helmsworthy is going ahead with the hunt.
Are you joining them? He'll likely be chastened now that his sister's been done up for murder.
Plus, I'm going to ruin his little hunt.
- Sir? - I've been thinking, Murdoch.
You can't eat the fox.
The pelt gets ripped apart by the dogs.
And what did the little bugger ever do to anyone anyway? Well, I can't say I disagree.
So you're going to sabotage the hunt? I'll do my best.
And even if I can't save the fox, I'll annoy him just by being there.
Perhaps I'll join you.
Eh? I know that look.
We have our killer, Murdoch.
Well, sir, it's just that Miss Helmsworthy's reaction seemed oddly sincere.
She was shaken when we told her - that Rick Steel killed her horse.
- She's posh.
Their whole lives, all they do is pretend.
But there is one other outstanding detail.
The pig's blood used to write "You are next" on the stables.
- What about it? - I don't know where she got it.
That bothers me.
I hardly think a jury would ask.
But if it makes you feel better, tag along.
I said, Lucinda, no, I'm sorry, but I don't love you.
The wedding is off.
You said that to her after she was arrested for murder? Oh Henry, you foolish little Henry.
The best time for honesty is all the time.
I am so proud of you.
As proud as when I ran around the house even faster than Roger? Prouder.
Oh.
- What's this? - Hm? There's something on your collar.
Now it's on my hand.
- Henry what is this? - It looks like It's shoe polish.
Oh, no, yes.
That's nothing.
It's just a little trick to keep the grey away.
You use shoe polish in your hair? Don't judge me, Henry.
You don't know what it's like to grow old.
You're about the same age.
Yes, but I have led a very difficult existence There's shoe polish in your hair.
Like the shoe polish on Lucinda's blouse.
Hm? What? I didn't hear you.
Ruthie, would you like a lemonade? Yes.
Wait.
Why did you ask me that? You know very well I always want a lemonade.
Did it ever occur to you the shoe polish on Lucinda's blouse, which could send her to the gallows, might be from your hair? What? No.
Ah.
So glad you could join us again, Tom.
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
I like fox hunting almost as much as a three day bender.
Next time, do remember to bring some scotch or ale to the party, Bernie.
No one really likes this grape juice.
Sir.
Tell them.
- Must I? - Tell us what? I On occasion Put shoe polish in my hair.
The shoe polish on Lucinda's blouse was probably from tussling with Rupert.
Meaning she could be innocent.
Didn't I already tell you that? Why don't you set her free and go, conduct your business elsewhere.
We have fox to hunt.
Just a moment, Mr.
Helmsworthy.
Sir, I've been searching the grounds looking for where one might obtain a pail of animal blood.
Your neighbours have a small farm.
They recognized the pail.
Yes, so? You paid them a visit.
I had to inform them of Rick's passing.
Indeed.
But as you left, they saw you cut across their field on your way back here.
The shortest distance would have led you past the sty, where a pig had just been bled.
It was you who wrote the message, you led us to Steel's son.
You killed Rick Steel.
- Why would I - You loved that horse, also.
It was you who had to put the animal down.
That's right.
Your sister never said "I shot him".
She said "we".
Now Ya! Whoa.
Bernard Helmsworthy, you're under arrest for murder.
I'll fight it, Tom.
I can hire the very best defense.
I don't care what you spend your money on, you rich tit.
You're going to hang for this.
Consider yourself fortunate.
At least you won't be made to suffer.
Sir! Well, at least that little bugger got away.
Mr.
Huckabee.
Pardon me for being blunt, but where is your wife? And why were you hiding from the police? What the heck are you talking about? A police constable came to your door.
- You were home but did not answer.
- I saw the curtain move.
You were watching me? You called the police? Answer our questions.
Where is Goldie? And what have you been doing in that shed of yours? You people are crazy.
You threw out pieces of her clothing, some of them have blood on them.
And she hasn't been seen in days.
And I heard a gunshot.
Now, tell us, sir.
Where is she? She's ten yards behind you.
But the blood A buck wandered through the yard.
Ten-pointer.
I shot it.
I've been butchering it in the shed.
Ray? - What's going on? - Oh! Why are you holding my old nightgown? And why is there blood on it? It was going in the trash, I used it as an apron.
I did not anticipate that my neighbours would be spying on me, and going through my trash in order to In order to what, exactly? Prove that I killed my wife? We are so sorry.
Why didn't you just tell me she was in Unionville? I asked because I was worried.
You acted very strangely.
I suppose I did.
See, I'm serving the deer tonight.
For a party of friends.
And I was trying to avoid you both because We didn't want you there.
Oh.
We tried to be friendly when we first moved in.
We really tried, didn't we, hun? - We really tried.
- Yup.
You people were so cold.
And now this We are so very sorry.
Please allow us to make it up to you.
Come to dinner one evening.
Please, we'd love to have you.
Well, Raymond's too polite to say anything.
So I will.
From this moment on, stay out of our lives.
Raymond, come on.
Oh.
It's really happened.
- It's all over.
- Cheer up, Rupert.
Married life isn't all bad.
What's that supposed to mean? - What? - "Not all bad"? What part of it is bad? None of it? Anyhoo, we're rich again! Whee! - I thought you were happy without money.
- Oh, that's silly.
You said you loved Henry.
- I do.
- And that money didn't matter.
That doesn't sound like me.
Anyway, when are we going mansion-shopping? You will buy us a mansion, won't you, Ru-Ru? Yes, of course.
Oh, Perty! You know what time it is, don't you you old .
Tea-time? No? Of course not.
It's time to tussle!
Now, tell me, how does it feel, Tom? Well, it's not really my colour.
Bet you've never seen a lady in scarlet before? - Heck of a thing.
- Isn't it though.
That's my sister for you.
Tom, I was so pleased to meet you at the Masons.
I knew that a real Englishman would appreciate our little fox hunt.
Well, I'm all for good food and drink.
So's the wife.
Well, food anyway.
Lucinda, will we see your fiancé today? He won't be joining the hunt, I'm afraid.
- He's taken ill.
- Oh, that's such a shame.
Hardly.
I should be happy not to have to lay eyes on that twit today.
- Oh hush, Bernie.
- I'm only teasing.
Indeed the real question is though, where on Earth is dear Ricky boy? - Who's that? - Rick Steel, our neighbour.
He hosted last year's hunt.
Not quite as grand as this, of course.
We can hardly have a hunt without him.
But then again, what can we do? The fox waits for no man.
Tom, as an old hand why don't you kick things off.
Eh? The toast, man.
The traditional start of the hunt.
Oh, the toast.
Right.
Ladies and gentlemen, Thomas Brackenreid.
The fox is a funny animal.
Clever, they say.
But how clever is he, really? Not as clever as us.
So let's rip the bugger apart.
- To the chase! - To the chase.
Oh hello.
Still working on your paper for the medical journal? Another day or two.
William, have you seen Goldie Huckabee recently? I haven't seen her in a few days.
Perhaps they're out of town.
That's just it.
Raymond is most certainly home.
And he's acting strangely.
You've been keeping an eye on him? Not at all.
I couldn't help but notice yesterday he was in his shed until late in the evening.
When I walked by I heard him making odd noises Like he was struggling with something.
Perhaps he's building something in there.
Neighbours do all sorts of strange things.
Yes, I know, it's silly.
It's only And I can't be certain, but two nights ago I was awoken at the break of dawn.
I think I heard a gunshot.
I didn't hear anything.
Are you quite sure? No.
I was asleep, so I suppose it could have been anything.
Would you like me to No, no.
I'm sure it's all in my head.
Too much work.
Lovely horse, Miss Helmsworthy.
She's no Whisper.
Whisper? What's that? Lucy's horse.
He was a fine old fellow.
Smooth as a windless lake.
But alas, she rides another today.
So, what ever happened to Whisper? - We shot him.
- Oh.
Drinks.
England is lousy with foxes, well you know that Tom, but it might take us a while to rouse one here.
You won't hear any complaints from me.
Cheers.
Shame you don't have any scotch.
Come on then, lads.
Let's have at it.
Let's hurry on! The dogs have got a scent! Come on.
Ah-ha.
They've got something.
Is it a fox? No.
Look.
Rick Steel, neighbour and fellow fox hunter.
Lives just over there.
Well, the ground is soft here.
Someone had to have known that.
It would be a good place to hide a body.
Miss Hart says he's been dead two hours.
So maybe an hour before the hunt began.
Is this paint on his clothing? Looks like it.
His neck is bloodied.
So he must have fought with someone.
He was strangled? We were thinking likely by a piece of leather, less than an inch thick.
That could be just about anything in this area.
We'll have the constables do a thorough search.
I cannot believe it.
I cannot.
Rick was such a dear friend.
Who could have done such a thing? We don't yet know.
Did he have any enemies that you know of? - No, of course not.
- No, no.
Well there was that awful business with Merriwether.
- Merriwether? - Our butler.
- But he couldn't - Darling, is that you? Stop! Sir! Someone's fleeing! Rupert? Oh, hello Henry.
Oh, my aching joints.
There was a time when I was very fast, you know.
I was known as the fastest man in Mimico.
- You never would have caught me back then.
- I'm sure.
What in God's name are you doing here? And why did you try to flee our murder investigation, Mr.
Newsome? Well, first of all, I didn't know there was a murder investigation.
I was fleeing in general.
Why? I was embarrassed.
I saw Henry and I didn't want to have to explain myself.
Explain what? All right.
If I must tell the tale After your wedding to my sister, I set out on my adventure.
Oh adventuring I go, adventuring I go, Hup-ho hup-ho Oh adventuring I go I was penniless, as you know, and ready to see the world.
hup ho hup ho my name is escargot, I still had a spring in my step when I happened upon Lucinda Helmsworthy.
It doesn't look right! Now.
The Newsomes and the Helmsworthys have never gotten on, so I tried to avoid her.
Rupert Newsome? What in God's name are you doing? She insisted I come inside.
And then we fell in love and got engaged.
Quite romantic, really.
So you have been here in Mimico the entire time.
Yes.
And you didn't tell anyone? Not even Ruthie? I didn't want to bother her.
Also, perhaps we should continue not to bother her.
What is there to say, really? I'm engaged, - I'm in Mimico, blah blah blah - I've already telephoned.
Roo roo! My darling brother.
My darling, darling big man.
Where have you been? Tell me everything.
He never left Mimico.
What? He's been living with the Helmsworthys the whole time.
Since an hour after we got married.
Oh god no! Ruthie please! Don't! Oh! Hello Raymond.
I didn't realize garbage collection was today.
Yes, I hired someone to take it.
Oh.
Why is that? Not that I mean to pry.
Nice to see you.
Nice to see you.
Oh, tell Goldie that I say hello.
Where is she, by the way? I haven't seen her in days.
I'm sorry, I need to Oh.
Mr.
Merriwether.
Your wife used to be in the employ of the man who was just found dead.
She was, yes, until recently.
What happened? Mr.
Steel was not a kind employer.
He was always shouting at her, and worse.
Finally, Emily told him off and he fired her on the spot.
- You disliked him.
- Well, yes.
But Mr.
and Miss Helmsworthy hired Emily on straight away.
Mr.
Steel didn't care for that.
Even so.
You were stationed out near where the body was found well before the hunt started.
I was, but I was immobile.
Even if I'd seen Mr.
Steel, which I did not, I was holding a tray of drinks.
You saw them, sir.
The cups have no base.
- It's impossible to put the tray down.
- It's true.
Odd piece of kit.
I did hear something, though.
What's that? Whispering.
When I was in the field, about an hour before the hunt.
More than one person.
To the east, in the woods.
I didn't expect them to be royalty, but really.
You couldn't have known he'd be such a boor.
- And what about her? - The Masons I just assumed such people would have class Whoa, whoa! - Sir stop! - What is it? Twine.
I nearly rode into it.
Could have broken your bloody neck.
Someone intended to disrupt the hunt.
Whoever did this is likely who the butler heard whispering.
Saboteurs.
They think fox hunting's cruel.
It certainly isn't much fun for the fox, sir.
They chase it to exhaustion, then It is a bit of fun.
These are decent people.
Murdoch.
Red paint, like was on the victim.
Perhaps this is where he was killed.
All right, so someone's tying these up.
Steel comes round and spots them, tells them to pack it in.
They spray paint on him and there's an altercation.
One of them kills him.
Possibly.
But people who can't bear to see animals die surely wouldn't strangle a human being.
Fox hunters must die! Fox hunters must die! Fox hunters must die! I may have been mistaken.
Right, you lot, stand down.
We're allowed to protest! Not on private land.
And not with an open fire.
- Who's in charge of this mob? Is it you? - Bugger off.
- Right, you're coming with me.
- I'm the leader.
I'm responsible.
- Who are you? - Charlene Chamberlain.
If you're arresting anyone, it's me.
Well, Miss Chamberlain, we're arresting all of you.
Come with me, young lady.
Fox hunters must die.
That is a direct threat.
What is the alternative? These people murder for sport.
Their dogs rip those poor foxes apart.
They must be stopped.
And that's why you set up the twine.
Oh but, Mr.
Steel came upon you, is that right? I don't recall We found red paint in your coach.
The same hue as the paint that was spattered on Mr.
Steel.
All right, yes.
He saw us.
And we threw paint at him.
History will bear us out.
We apologize for nothing.
Not even for killing Mr.
Steel? Steel is dead? - "Boor"? - That's what he said.
He must have been talking about you.
About us.
Margaret.
Why would they invite us here only to insult us behind our backs? It doesn't make sense.
No, you're right.
Bernard and Lucinda are our friends.
Now go enjoy yourself.
I've heard there's passion fruits in the next room.
- You know how I feel about her.
- You dislike her? You know very well I dislike her.
I have disliked her since childhood.
Is there anyone I dislike more? Fine.
But very few people.
She is my bride-to-be.
You may dislike her, but you're just going to have to accept - the fact that I adore her.
- Perty! There's my little Rumpelstiltskin.
Let's have a tussle, shall we? She likes to tussle.
I love her so.
You like that? The evidence against Miss Chamberlain is compelling, but circumstantial.
Should we release them? For now.
But find out all we can about them.
Have the constables found the murder weapon yet? Sir.
We searched the stables, the grounds, the house No sign of blood on anything that could have been used to strangle him.
And what of the dead man's family? I checked into that, sir.
He was a widower, so his only direct relatives are his two sons.
One lives abroad but the other lives with Mr.
Steel, sir.
His will didn't specify where his money was to go, so they'll split everything.
He went to the trouble of making a will but didn't specify who would receive his money? It only covered his business interests.
He was a drug manufacturer and apparently tested his formulas on animals, sir.
But his will did provide that the animals be freed upon his death.
Hmm.
Free the animals? That makes no sense.
Our research is our business.
Perhaps he'd developed a conscience.
I understand testing can involve brutal treatment.
- I've read that - The papers are run by the same soft-brained crybabies who are always whining about animals' rights down at the university.
They are protesting something they believe to be immoral.
They don't know how the world works.
Did God not grant us dominion? He did.
But he did not equate dominion with torture.
We do two things here, Detective.
We kill animals and we save people.
And Rick Steel felt the same way.
He wasn't conflicted? He'd been toe-to-toe with some of those anti-vivisectionist protesters only a few weeks ago.
He wasn't conflicted, he wanted to expand.
Expand Whenever I see a lady wearing trousers, I think, now that is something.
- Thank you.
- You're quite welcome.
And that hat.
I can't imagine where you found it.
- At the milliner's.
- It is truly remarkable.
Thank you.
Imagine how I felt when I heard - you and Rupert were to marry.
- Oh I know, I know.
Though, I did find myself wondering, why, why are they marrying? Of course, he's a brilliant man, we all know that.
And dashing.
And he could charm a fish straight into a skillet.
Oh and he's so, so handsome.
- Well there you have it.
- But he's penniless.
As you know.
So why would a Helmsworthy want to marry a pauper? Ruth.
Dear, dear Ruth.
I have money.
There's stacks of the stuff all over the place.
The fact that your brother has no money only makes him a better match in my eyes.
It's much like owning a fine horse.
A horse depends on you for its food, its shelter, its very life.
And so you can bend it to your will.
There is nothing that evokes true love like complete control.
What a pleasant metaphor.
But really, isn't true love Dear God.
So when do you think this could this have happened? It wasn't here when we retrieved the horses for the hunt.
I haven't been here.
I couldn't say whether or not this happened before or after the saboteurs were rounded up.
Whoever killed dearest Ricky is being allowed to wander about and terrorize us.
Really, Tom, can't you settle this nasty business? Now that you suggest it, we'll really put our minds to it.
That's a good lad.
Tosser.
Maybe I'll settle this after all.
Sir.
I spoke with the victim's lawyer.
He says the will was drawn up only a few weeks ago.
But it was Mr.
Steel who set out the terms.
But the lawyer never met with Steel face-to-face about it.
He says the documents were hand delivered to him by a member of Mr.
Steel's staff.
But they were signed and on Steel's letterhead, so Perhaps someone in Mr.
Steel's household is mixed up in this.
- Very good, Henry.
- Sir.
Sir? What's brought you here? - This is the Steel house.
- Yes.
I'm, aware.
I'm here to inquire about Mr.
Steel's will.
The will? I've got something better than that.
Look.
A bucket of blood? Used to paint a threat on the Helmsworthys' stables.
They left a trail right to the back of the house.
You, you're one of the saboteurs.
What are you doing here? Sir, I believe this is Rick Steel's son.
"You are next.
" And a trail of pig's blood leading straight to your house.
I had nothing to do with that.
My friends and I would never use animal blood.
You were setting fire to an effigy a few hours after your father was found murdered.
I didn't even know he'd been killed until you coppers rounded us up.
What of your father's will? His business tortures innocent animals.
I couldn't stop him, but at least it would cease upon his death.
Perhaps you hastened that death.
- To help those innocent animals.
- No.
No, I didn't do it.
The last time we saw each other was a few hours before the hunt.
He warned me not to "pull anything".
In spite of your differences, you still lived at home with your father.
We were barely speaking.
That conversation lasted a few seconds and then he hurried off to fix the gate.
Which gate? He didn't say, but I assumed the one on the horse trail between our property and the Helmsworthys'.
It's been rather a bone of contention as of late.
Between your father and the Helmsworthys? My father put the gate up several months back.
There's a jag in the property line and it stopped Bernard from cutting across his land.
What was Mr.
Helmsworthy's reaction? He was furious.
Of course, he never let on.
He's much too proper for that.
He just snuck out one evening and took it down.
- What, the whole gate? - Yes.
So then my father put it back up.
Then Bernard decided he'd just leap over it with his horse.
That really got under my father's skin.
And yet, your father was still invited to the Helmsworthys' hunt.
Even though they were no longer friends.
They're just rich people putting on airs.
They were never really friends.
- You win.
Clearly I cannot marry her.
- Oh goody! What will I do? - Well, you just won't.
- But how? Tell her the wedding's off.
I can't do that.
First of all, I need the money.
I was poor once, it's not as nice as they say in the books.
- You were poor for a few hours.
- And I can't endure it again.
I am too old.
We're only a year apart.
But I have aged very poorly.
Rupert, you don't need money to be happy.
Look at Henry and me, you know, we're as happy as larks.
Yes, certainly, but you're lying about that.
Your life is an unending torrent of misery.
- No it's not - It's okay, Ruthie.
So is mine.
So is everyone's.
It's just your life is more miserable because you're married, poor.
Both.
Rupert.
My life is not miserable.
I love Henry.
He loves me.
The money doesn't matter.
- You're not making a joke? - No.
Not even partly.
A little half joke? No, Rupert.
I mean it.
Okay, enough.
I'll do it.
I'll sit down across from Lucinda and tell her the wedding is off, right this minute.
Perty? Where have you gotten to? There's damage here on the gate.
Perhaps that's what Mr.
Steel was going to fix.
Murdoch.
There's a wrench.
I don't see any other tools lying around.
Strange.
Perhaps one of the hinges had worked loose.
There are other mounting holes on the pillars as well.
Have a look at this.
Sir, that is blood.
This may have been used to wipe the murder weapon.
And what about this mark? Could be boot polish.
Indicating some sort of struggle.
Well sir, we are near where he was buried.
Meaning this could be where the murder happened.
Let me get this quite right.
You believe that I killed Rick Steel because of a gate? I think you did it because you hated him.
- The gate was only part of it.
- Tom.
This is poppycock.
The saboteurs threatened my and my sister's life.
They are clearly responsible.
Why are questioning me about a gate? The saboteurs didn't threaten your life.
- They wrote - It was a ruse.
Meant to lead us to the wrong suspect.
Then find out who did it and arrest them.
I had nothing to do with this.
And the fact that you think I did Tom.
Please.
We're such good friends.
Tosser.
Based on the location of the gate and the location of the burial site, the killer likely disposed of the murder weapon somewhere along here.
Along the path to the stables.
If the killer was involved in the hunt, however, it would be likely be somewhere along the way back to the Helmsworthy home.
Higgins said the stables were searched.
Every inch.
But they were searched immediately after the fox hunt.
Perhaps not all the horses were back by then.
Maybe one of them wasn't accounted for.
So, trip back to the estate? Perhaps I could detain William for just a few minutes.
- Of course.
I'll get the lads to prepare a carriage.
- Sir.
Julia? I thought you were hard at work on your paper.
William.
Look.
It's a bloody nightgown.
I found it in the Huckabees' trash.
You were in their trash? I know it sounds mad.
But Raymond was acting very strangely.
I asked him about Goldie and he just avoided the question and hurried away.
I think he's hiding something.
Do you think he's done something to Goldie? He was getting rid of her clothing and some of it is clearly covered in blood.
And remember that story I told you some weeks ago? That Goldie casually mentioned their neighbours back in Kingston had died "mysteriously".
- But she didn't mention how they died.
- Mysteriously! - All right, I'll go pay him a visit.
- No, you can't do that.
- Why? - You'll have to explain why you're there and in doing you'll need to explain I've been watching him.
I'll send a constable around.
He can say he received a call from a concerned neighbour.
Yes.
All right.
And you'll let me know if anything else happens.
Thank you, William.
Darling.
- There's something we need to discuss.
- Yes? - It's about our wedding.
- Yes? - Well, it's just that - Bah! It is supposed to open! I hate things that don't do what they're supposed to.
Yes, Perty? What were you saying? About our wedding? I want cake.
What? For the wedding.
We must have cake.
Of course we'll have cake.
Are you all right? You look unwell.
I'm fine.
I couldn't do it.
- Are you afraid of her? - Of course I'm afraid of her! So, what, you're just going to get married - because you're afraid not to? - Well.
Yes.
Oh.
What is the intention of this charade? These people are always up to some silliness, Bernie, what with their stern looks and their furrowed brows.
That's right, Bernie.
Just being thorough.
Not all the horses were here last time we searched.
We do want to catch whoever did this quickly, don't we? Well, Tommy, my horse was in the stables before, your constables already searched her.
This is a waste of time.
We'll see about that.
Higgins.
Nothing, sir.
Gloves.
Sir, is that blood? The palms are abraded.
These could have been used to commit the murder.
These black marks would match the shoe polish that was found on the gate, likely from when the killer dragged the body to where it was buried.
Still no murder weapon? Sir.
Reins.
They've been wiped clean but there's blood residue - between the laces.
Whose horse is this? - Mine.
Sir, you were out with your horse when we searched the stables.
So, the killer could have hid the gloves there shortly before the hunt began but immediately after commuting the murder.
Then changed out the reins so the blood residue would be found on someone else's horse.
So it was one of the fox hunters then.
I know exactly who it was and I'll be bringing him in.
Bernie.
A word.
That's a good girl Sir.
I fear we may be focused on the wrong suspect.
How's that? Miss Helmsworthy.
Could you please raise your arms? Why? What is this about? Your arms, Miss Helmsworthy.
Don't do it, Lucy.
When this man speaks in this tone, no good can come of it.
It's fine.
There, my arms are raised.
Shoe polish.
From dragging the victim by his boots.
Excuse me, what exactly are you saying? We're saying that you're under arrest for murder.
- Really? - You keep your mouth shut, Newsome.
- This is ridiculous! - Bernard.
What am I to say? I didn't do it.
Where were you at the time of the murder? An hour before the hunt.
- Out for a walk on the grounds.
- Alone? Rupert was meant to join but he was "ill".
And the gloves, the reins? I don't know a thing about them.
What of the shoe polish on your blouse? - How did it get there? - I don't know, I swear.
I hadn't noticed it.
So you have no answers, no alibi, nothing to say in your defense.
But why? Hmm? Why would I kill him? Your horse.
Whisper.
What about him? You had to kill him.
We put him down.
Because you missed the jump over Rick Steel's gate.
That's why the top of it's damaged, isn't it? Yes.
I was careless.
I misjudged the leap.
His leg clipped the gate, we tumbled He broke his He was in such pain.
You loved that horse.
You blamed his fall on the gate.
In part.
But it was my fault I missed the jump.
Or so you thought.
Until the morning of the hunt, when you discovered you didn't miss the jump at all.
What? That morning Rick Steel went out to fix something on that gate.
I don't know what you're talking about.
He was lowering it.
Back to where it was before.
After having raised it, secretly, purposefully, in order to trip the very next horse Mr.
Helmsworthy tried to jump it with.
But you were riding that day.
It was you who made the jump.
It was your horse that Rick Steel killed with his gate.
He killed Whisper? No answer, ma'am.
I'm sure it's nothing.
Thank you.
They think I did it.
Oh.
- Oh.
- I will likely hang.
Oh.
I cannot bear the thought.
My love for you is so, so So much love.
If only we could still marry, it would fill me with such happiness.
But, alas, that is now impossible.
- Well, I - Oh, if only were not so! All I want is to marry you and to be with you every day until the end of time! But instead you must hang.
Chin up, Perty.
No need for tears.
Oh, I cannot bear the pain a moment longer.
Goodbye forever, my love.
That fool Bernard Helmsworthy is going ahead with the hunt.
Are you joining them? He'll likely be chastened now that his sister's been done up for murder.
Plus, I'm going to ruin his little hunt.
- Sir? - I've been thinking, Murdoch.
You can't eat the fox.
The pelt gets ripped apart by the dogs.
And what did the little bugger ever do to anyone anyway? Well, I can't say I disagree.
So you're going to sabotage the hunt? I'll do my best.
And even if I can't save the fox, I'll annoy him just by being there.
Perhaps I'll join you.
Eh? I know that look.
We have our killer, Murdoch.
Well, sir, it's just that Miss Helmsworthy's reaction seemed oddly sincere.
She was shaken when we told her - that Rick Steel killed her horse.
- She's posh.
Their whole lives, all they do is pretend.
But there is one other outstanding detail.
The pig's blood used to write "You are next" on the stables.
- What about it? - I don't know where she got it.
That bothers me.
I hardly think a jury would ask.
But if it makes you feel better, tag along.
I said, Lucinda, no, I'm sorry, but I don't love you.
The wedding is off.
You said that to her after she was arrested for murder? Oh Henry, you foolish little Henry.
The best time for honesty is all the time.
I am so proud of you.
As proud as when I ran around the house even faster than Roger? Prouder.
Oh.
- What's this? - Hm? There's something on your collar.
Now it's on my hand.
- Henry what is this? - It looks like It's shoe polish.
Oh, no, yes.
That's nothing.
It's just a little trick to keep the grey away.
You use shoe polish in your hair? Don't judge me, Henry.
You don't know what it's like to grow old.
You're about the same age.
Yes, but I have led a very difficult existence There's shoe polish in your hair.
Like the shoe polish on Lucinda's blouse.
Hm? What? I didn't hear you.
Ruthie, would you like a lemonade? Yes.
Wait.
Why did you ask me that? You know very well I always want a lemonade.
Did it ever occur to you the shoe polish on Lucinda's blouse, which could send her to the gallows, might be from your hair? What? No.
Ah.
So glad you could join us again, Tom.
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
I like fox hunting almost as much as a three day bender.
Next time, do remember to bring some scotch or ale to the party, Bernie.
No one really likes this grape juice.
Sir.
Tell them.
- Must I? - Tell us what? I On occasion Put shoe polish in my hair.
The shoe polish on Lucinda's blouse was probably from tussling with Rupert.
Meaning she could be innocent.
Didn't I already tell you that? Why don't you set her free and go, conduct your business elsewhere.
We have fox to hunt.
Just a moment, Mr.
Helmsworthy.
Sir, I've been searching the grounds looking for where one might obtain a pail of animal blood.
Your neighbours have a small farm.
They recognized the pail.
Yes, so? You paid them a visit.
I had to inform them of Rick's passing.
Indeed.
But as you left, they saw you cut across their field on your way back here.
The shortest distance would have led you past the sty, where a pig had just been bled.
It was you who wrote the message, you led us to Steel's son.
You killed Rick Steel.
- Why would I - You loved that horse, also.
It was you who had to put the animal down.
That's right.
Your sister never said "I shot him".
She said "we".
Now Ya! Whoa.
Bernard Helmsworthy, you're under arrest for murder.
I'll fight it, Tom.
I can hire the very best defense.
I don't care what you spend your money on, you rich tit.
You're going to hang for this.
Consider yourself fortunate.
At least you won't be made to suffer.
Sir! Well, at least that little bugger got away.
Mr.
Huckabee.
Pardon me for being blunt, but where is your wife? And why were you hiding from the police? What the heck are you talking about? A police constable came to your door.
- You were home but did not answer.
- I saw the curtain move.
You were watching me? You called the police? Answer our questions.
Where is Goldie? And what have you been doing in that shed of yours? You people are crazy.
You threw out pieces of her clothing, some of them have blood on them.
And she hasn't been seen in days.
And I heard a gunshot.
Now, tell us, sir.
Where is she? She's ten yards behind you.
But the blood A buck wandered through the yard.
Ten-pointer.
I shot it.
I've been butchering it in the shed.
Ray? - What's going on? - Oh! Why are you holding my old nightgown? And why is there blood on it? It was going in the trash, I used it as an apron.
I did not anticipate that my neighbours would be spying on me, and going through my trash in order to In order to what, exactly? Prove that I killed my wife? We are so sorry.
Why didn't you just tell me she was in Unionville? I asked because I was worried.
You acted very strangely.
I suppose I did.
See, I'm serving the deer tonight.
For a party of friends.
And I was trying to avoid you both because We didn't want you there.
Oh.
We tried to be friendly when we first moved in.
We really tried, didn't we, hun? - We really tried.
- Yup.
You people were so cold.
And now this We are so very sorry.
Please allow us to make it up to you.
Come to dinner one evening.
Please, we'd love to have you.
Well, Raymond's too polite to say anything.
So I will.
From this moment on, stay out of our lives.
Raymond, come on.
Oh.
It's really happened.
- It's all over.
- Cheer up, Rupert.
Married life isn't all bad.
What's that supposed to mean? - What? - "Not all bad"? What part of it is bad? None of it? Anyhoo, we're rich again! Whee! - I thought you were happy without money.
- Oh, that's silly.
You said you loved Henry.
- I do.
- And that money didn't matter.
That doesn't sound like me.
Anyway, when are we going mansion-shopping? You will buy us a mansion, won't you, Ru-Ru? Yes, of course.
Oh, Perty! You know what time it is, don't you you old .
Tea-time? No? Of course not.
It's time to tussle!