The Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s13e17 Episode Script

1 Still working? Almost finished.
Can it wait? Sometimes there are more important things than work.
What did you have in mind? Well, I was headed to bed.
But, the sheets are terribly cold.
William, I have surgery in the morning.
I know.
It's not that I don't want to.
There's a lot at stake.
Hello? What are you doing here? Visiting an old friend.
We weren't friends.
Oh.
It's nice to see you too, kid.
We worked together and now we don't.
What are you doing here? Someone we know is in town.
- Who? - He found you.
Now, I don't know if he's gonna a problem yet, but he might be.
So what? What are you telling me this for? Because I'm gonna make it all go away for you.
- I don't want anything from you.
- Look, Violet, I'm happy for you.
You've made good.
But the sad truth is, the things you do in life, they come back.
And when they do you have to deal with them.
That is unless you don't mind everyone finding out who you really are.
[WATTS.]
I detest the winters here.
[WALKER.]
They're not so bad.
- You just need a warmer coat.
- [WATTS.]
No, no.
It's not the cold.
- It's the dark.
- [WALKER.]
I prefer the dark.
No one can see what you're getting up to.
I'm starting to appreciate your logic.
Come on.
Llewelyn.
What? Go.
I'll handle this.
No witnesses.
No identification.
He's well-dressed, the clothes have a maker's mark, but the shop isn't in Toronto.
I'll have a constable run it down.
Run what down? The tailor.
Oh, yes, of course.
Sirs.
There's been a robbery.
A wealthy house only a few block from here.
Is this house missing its wealthy owner? No.
The owner called in the complaint.
No reason to suspect a connection then.
You look into that, Watts.
I'll handle this.
Uh, you're quite sure? I am quite sure.
Oh, and Detective, how did you find him here? I was cutting through here on my way home.
I don't understand it.
It's just gone.
- What exactly is gone? - My MacAuley.
I cherished it.
- MacAuley is a painter? - Yes.
Yes.
Philipe MacAuley.
Recently deceased, the poor man.
And as you can see, it's gone.
- But all the other paintings remain - Yes.
- So someone wanted this one - Yes.
- Did you have more MacAuleys? - Yes.
- And they didn't take them? - No, no, you see.
I heard the thief.
I came down from upstairs and I must have startled him.
- And they ran out.
- Yes exactly, they ran out.
What are you doing? Keeping my thoughts to myself to avoid them being interrupted.
- Now you look here - Watts, right? Station House Four? - And you are? - Edwards.
New man at Station House One.
- I see.
- Listen, I know this is your case.
But I've had a robbery case of my own to take care of, and I have a feeling there could be a connection.
Why is that? It was another collector who was stolen from.
And another MacAuley that was taken.
- Then we'll have to compare notes.
- Detective, I've been on the job three weeks, and I still don't have a solved case to my name.
What do you say we just work together? Now, if you two have finished trying to impress each other perhaps you can find my painting.
Oh right.
The sutures are secure.
- Let's remove the sponges.
- Nurse? Heart rate and breathing are strong.
I think we're finished.
Unless you have something else you'd like to do for him.
I think we've done enough for one day.
- How did this happen? - I don't know.
You're saying your sister's going to lose her house.
She has nothing saved.
Maybe she could come live with us for a little while.
- How much does she need? - Uh, I don't know exactly.
Well, find out.
We'll help.
- Do you mean that? - Family's family, Margaret.
It will stretch us, but we'll manage.
Thank you, Thomas.
- See you at dinner tonight? - All right.
See ya then.
[CRABTREE.]
Are you sure this is a good idea? Of course, go home, rest.
See your sweetheart.
I don't much like the idea of cancelling engagements.
We are plum out of books, George.
We can reschedule once the second printing is out.
Say, do you think we should add a foreword for the new edition? - To what end? - Well, perhaps my fans would like to hear from me.
Perhaps it would convince those who have already purchased a copy to purchase another.
George.
You're not Henry James just yet.
Though you may be on your way.
Safe travels.
Thank you Percy.
I'll see you in Toronto.
It's a good thing I found him before he found you.
You do recognize him, don't you? He certainly recognized you.
Where did he see me? You're in the papers, kid.
It's not every day one of your kind becomes a coroner.
What did he want with me? He wanted that five grand you took from him from that hustle back in Boston.
That was my cut.
[LINCOLN.]
Well, that ain't the story he was telling.
Now be a big girl, let's do what's right here.
- And what is it you think is right? - I'm gonna need that bullet.
- No.
- They can match bullets to guns now.
- I read about it.
- That does not change my answer.
I wasn't asking a question, kid.
The detective has already seen the body.
Where exactly am I to tell him it went? That's for you to figure out.
Now give it to me.
You know, you really should be thanking me.
Nurse, make sure these are filed away properly.
Right away, Doctor.
I think he's doing very well.
You two.
I have a proposition for you.
I've been asked to organize a surgery seminar at the London Medical College.
I'd like you two to lead it.
Haven't you been asked to? I don't have the privilege of leaving the hospital for a week.
I have many surgeries.
We'll reschedule them.
And obligations at home.
This is a great opportunity, Doctor.
A female instructor - I fear the students may be displeased.
- Let them be.
Dr.
Dixon can keep them in line if necessary.
This may be a new frontier for a female surgeon.
You would have a lot to teach them, Doctor.
Female or not.
You two are the future of medicine in this city, in this country.
And it's better to look to the future than the past.
The dead man in the alley was a Walter Kingman.
He had a reputation in Boston as a confidence man.
You discovered all this through the man's tailor? Memorable man, apparently.
The tailor made two dozen suits for him as samples to start a mail order business across New England.
Kingman took the suits, left him with a phony cheque.
Then presumably this tailor was not his only victim.
Not to hear him tell it, sir.
Then there's no shortage of people who may have wanted - this Mr.
Kingman dead.
- He could have bilked someone here in Toronto, sir.
Or his past has caught up to him.
Sir, have you ever considered an automobile.
Or perhaps an automobile service? - Lincoln.
- The hell do you want? The same as last time.
You off the streets.
Parker, isn't it? Seems like you didn't do a very good job last time.
No.
But this time I'm a cop.
No bullet.
What? Are you quite sure? Of course.
I don't recall there being an exit wound.
There was.
Have you found anything else? It was a small calibre weapon.
A pistol.
Close range.
Other than that, all I can tell you is he is dead.
I've done nothing wrong! We both know that's a lie.
- What's going on? - I locked up a criminal, Inspector.
- What's the charge? - Theft and fraud.
The coppers in Pittsburgh would be very pleased.
This isn't Pittsburgh.
What's he done here? I don't know yet.
But I'll find something.
That's not how we do things, Mr.
Parker.
You find something first, then you arrest him.
- I'm telling you, that man - I don't care.
- By the book, end of story.
- Thank you, sir.
It is a pleasure to deal with a real policeman, - and a gentleman.
- Don't push it.
Let him out, Constable.
This isn't over.
Oh, I was hoping you could go over Miss Hart's findings.
She claims a small calibre bullet went through the body but I never saw any blood on his back.
Are you sure you checked? No.
And Detective Watts assures me that he never got a look.
All right.
Well tomorrow? I have something to take care of at work.
How did the surgery go? Wonderful.
I saved a man's life.
Can I ask you a question? All right.
Are you always this good at everything that you try your hand at? We have the same level of expertise, - I could ask the same of you.
- Okay.
Go ahead.
Are you always this good at everything you try? Yes I am.
I think that we bring out the best in each other, Julia.
Ah.
Thank you.
And that's for you.
Signed copy.
Could be worth something one day.
So it's worth nothing right now? You're welcome.
Unbelievable.
Don't speak.
- What is this? Who are you? - I said don't speak.
Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you.
Follow me.
I've already released the body.
But it's been less than forty-eight hours.
My work was complete.
My report was thorough.
All unclaimed bodies were collected today.
Mr.
Kingman was among them.
It's a little fast, but releasing unclaimed bodies to the city for burial is standard procedure.
Assuming you've completed your full report, Miss Hart.
Of course.
I have photographs of everything relevant.
You're welcome to examine them at any time.
Visualizing.
What? Another MacAuley.
Yes.
Do you think he's any good.
Whoever's taking his paintings clearly thinks so.
Look at this.
- It's a woman's hair comb.
- Indeed it is.
No children, and the wife says it's not hers.
The housekeeper doesn't recognize it either.
Leaving us with two possibilities.
One, a mistress.
What, him? He claimed not to have one, but men do lie.
The man's eighty if he's a day.
The human's capacity to procreate declines with age, but the desire for intimacy never fades.
Yes, I suppose that's true.
Are you unmarried, Detective? Widowed.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
Me too.
What's the other possibility? I think you already know.
This belongs to our thief.
In which case, we may be looking for a woman.
Always an enjoyable pursuit.
I am telling you.
The man is crooked, through and through.
If he's in Toronto, it's for something nefarious.
[MURDOCH.]
But you don't know that.
- No.
- Then I'm afraid the Inspector's right.
We can't arrest him unless he actually does something.
In Pittsburgh, a scam went wrong and he left a mark dead.
Then why isn't he in prison? They couldn't prove it.
Do you know anything about a Walter Kingman? Uh, no, I don't recognize the name.
Another confidence man.
He turned up dead - murdered - the night before last.
Confidence men change their identities as often as most men change their suits.
Most men.
Indeed.
Well, if you don't recognize the name then perhaps you'll recognize his face.
I have more than one suit, you know.
They just look similar.
Yeah.
Yes.
- I've seen him.
- Where? I can't remember.
He wasn't anyone important.
- Just a low-level trickster.
- Mr.
Kingman was from Boston.
Could have been.
But if Mr.
Lincoln is in town, my bet is there's a connection between those two.
They're both from different cities.
And they're here at the same time.
These type of men run in the same circles.
Maybe one of them stepped on the other's mark.
We need to have a word with Mr.
Lincoln.
Your boss let him go.
Because you didn't have cause to hold him.
I'll find him.
[CRABTREE.]
What do you want with me? I just want to talk, George.
My name is Amelia and I am a fan of yours.
Well, I'm glad.
Is it really necessary that I'm tied up like this? I want to talk about Pearl Smythe.
Who? Pearl.
She's in your book.
Oh - you call her Rhoda - "Aunt Rhododendron".
But it is most certainly her.
Well, I don't know this Pearl.
And "Aunt Rhoda" isn't real, - my book is - Of course she's real.
You've said the book is based on your life.
That means you know her.
So you can help me find her.
I'm sorry, I really don't think I can.
You have to.
She's my mother.
Your boss told you to leave me alone.
My boss told me not to arrest you.
I can ask you what I damn well please.
And I can damn well ignore it.
- Walter Kingman.
You know him? - So what if I do? - What exactly are you gonna do about it? - Answer the question.
I thought you people didn't even like the coppers.
But then again, you ain't even a real copper are you? - Real enough.
- I'm finished with you.
No you're not.
You killed him, didn't you? - Kingman.
- So what if I did? There ain't nothing you can do to me.
Break it up! Enough! - You're going to the cells.
- So is he.
Hey, I didn't do nothing.
That man attacked me.
- What are you doing? - He's a criminal, I'm a copper.
[LAUGHS.]
Let's go.
Here we are.
What happened with the man in the alley? Detective Murdoch took the case.
- Has the killer been found? - Not yet.
Anyone ask how you came across the body? I said I came across it on my own.
It's not going to be pertinent.
There's no need to worry.
So long as we're discreet, no one will ever learn about us.
The people you work with already know about me.
And they don't about me.
We will endeavour to keep it that way.
Detective! Detective Edwards.
I haven't seen you in here before.
Nor I you.
Friend of yours? Jack Walker.
- Butcher.
- Indeed.
- Mind if I join you boys? - I assumed you would.
Yes.
It's true.
The character was based on a real person, but my Aunt Rhoda, Rhododendron is not her real name.
- I never even knew her real name.
- Well now you do.
It is Pearl Smythe.
Well, even if that's true, I can't help you to find her.
- I haven't even - Enough of your excuses.
You will help me find her.
Or you're not leaving this room alive.
- All right, all right.
- I'll I'll tell you everything I know about her.
That's all I can promise.
Thank you, George.
And I'm sorry about the Sometimes I just get a little bit unhinged.
A Negro.
In your employ.
Here.
Well, unofficially.
Are you kidding me, Tom? As if that is an excuse? - We pay him out of - I don't care.
He's a Negro.
Running around identifying himself as a member of this Constabulary.
I could fire you for this, Tom.
- Sir, there's no reason to - I have plenty of reason, by your own admission.
If you want to retain your position, make this right.
Immediately.
Where is he? Sir.
This was my idea.
- If I could speak with the Chief Constable - Forget it.
That fool arrested me and let Lincoln go.
Oh.
This is it.
Parker Am I free to go now? You were a good policeman.
Just not a good enough human being.
- Are you quite sure we couldn't make a - He's gone, Murdoch.
It's unjust.
It's the way of the world.
Well, it's wrong.
You're going away? For a week? [JULIA.]
In London, yes.
Is this is a significant opportunity? [JULIA.]
Very much so.
For both myself and Dr.
Dixon.
Dr.
Dixon? Dr.
Forbes wants the two of us to run the seminar together.
This isn't a good time, Julia.
I need your help examining Miss Hart's findings.
William, I think you're becoming a little obsessed with Violet Hart.
One could say the same about you and Dr.
Dixon.
[JULIA.]
He's a colleague.
Are you forbidding me to go? You are your own person.
Make your own choice.
I don't know why we couldn't have this conversation in a nice lounge.
Just answer the questions, sir.
Well the answer is, I'm very familiar with Mr.
MacAuley's work.
We understand it has increased in value since his death some months ago.
I understand the same.
I know there are people clambering to obtain an original.
[WATTS.]
And have any gone up for sale of late? Not that I'm aware of.
Not even on the black market.
Those who have MacAuleys are not eager to give them up.
So who wants one and can't get one? Or wants several.
I can think of two or three men who have inquired.
[WATTS.]
What about women? Oh.
Well, no, not that I know of.
[WATTS.]
Did you know MacAuley himself? - I'd met him.
- Was he married, engaged any women prominent in his life? I can't say I know.
But I can ask around.
[WATTS.]
Thank you, Mr.
Germaine.
Any time.
It was nice seeing you the other evening, Detective.
You as well.
You see, my mother left me when I was only 6 years old.
It was the same summer that she arrived in your life.
And that's how I know it must be her.
Perhap [COUGHS.]
Perhaps I could have a drink of water? Of course.
And I'll make some tea as well.
I'm sorry about what's happened.
Is that why you asked me here? You were fighting with Mr.
Lincoln.
- Now, if you know anything - I don't have to share it with you.
A man is dead.
Tell me what you know.
Look, the Inspector didn't want to fire you.
At least he got you out of the cells.
And I should be grateful for that? We are not your enemy.
I don't know who you are.
And I don't care.
Parker.
College.
Seems so long ago.
It's only two years.
- Makes me feel young again.
- You are young.
Yes, but not at heart, not like you.
Shall we? [AMELIA.]
Here you are Are you trying to escape? No.
How could you? - I trusted you.
- No, no, no! [SCREAMS.]
Good, work, McNabb.
We'll make a copper of you yet.
Sir.
I'm convinced Parker knows something.
You don't think he's involved? Only so much as he seems to have a personal stake in this case.
I believe he intends to prove that this Lincoln has committed murder.
Of the man in our morgue.
Of the man long since buried by the city, thanks to Miss Hart.
I'd like to speak with this Lincoln.
Have a seat.
Tread carefully, Murdoch.
- Sir, it's not like you to fear - Margaret's sister is in dire straits.
Normally that wouldn't be a problem.
But we're stretched pretty thin ourselves at the moment.
- I didn't realize.
- I can't lose my job.
I can't afford to.
Look, Murdoch, go home.
Spend the night with the wife.
We'll look into Lincoln tomorrow.
Julia is out of town at the moment.
London.
Working hard, no doubt.
I've never had as much fun as I did in Vienna.
Oh Vienna - remarkable.
- Although I prefer Paris.
- Have you been? Oh yes, I lived there for a year.
- Near the Jardin des Plantes.
- I didn't know that.
Oh, there's lots you don't know about me yet, Julia.
- Your song was lovely.
- Thank you.
I could always use a vocalist.
- Do you sing? - Oh, I couldn't possibly.
Come on, I'm sure your voice is lovely.
If you insist, Julia.
Let me call you sweetheart I'm in love with you Let me hear you whisper That you love me too.
Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so true let me call you sweetheart I'm in love with you.
Let me call you sweetheart I'm in love with you Let me hear you whisper That you love me too.
Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so true let me call you sweetheart I'm in love with you.
let me call you sweetheart I'm in love with you.
- This Parker is becoming a problem.
- I'm sure you can handle it.
He fancies himself a man of the law.
Not anymore.
As far as I know.
You know him, don't you? Not well.
Go and see him.
Tell him there are matters better left undisturbed, if he knows what's good for him.
And if I don't? I think you know what's at stake.
Really, I'm very sorry, George.
But I had no choice.
You understand that, don't you? Yes.
Of course.
I'll tell you I'll tell you everything I know.
Good.
Your mother was a lovely person.
- She took care of me as if I were her own son.
- I know that.
She was capable of such love and affection, wasn't she? Until she ran off to become a whore.
Look, many of my aunts did have male visitors.
But your mother never did.
You mother was more of, she was more of a caretaker.
For me, for my other aunts.
If I said differently in my book that was a flight of fancy.
She really was a wonderful woman.
Really? Tell me more.
Miss Hart, you wanted to talk to me.
I understand you're looking for John Lincoln.
Are you comfortable here? No.
But neither are they.
Then why? Because this is one of the finest lounges in the city.
And I belong here.
Mr.
Lincoln didn't kill that man.
How can you be sure? The bullet didn't match his gun.
- I thought the bullet was lost.
- It was.
And then it was found.
Murdoch could have mentioned it.
Mr.
Parker.
Those people are not your friends.
Did you really think they would stand up for you? People like us are expendable.
If we're not perfect, that's all the excuse they need to dispose of us.
That's why we have to protect ourselves.
For you it's too late.
You have one choice.
Get out of here.
Leave all of this behind.
As soon as I speak with Lincoln.
It is Robert, isn't it? Yes.
Stay for a drink.
Looks like a fellow had too much.
See what he has on him, shall we? You'll need to inform the Inspector.
- [HIGGINS.]
I'll call for Miss Hart as well.
- Henry, - let's not notify Miss Hart just yet.
- Sir? Just cover him up and don't let anyone touch a thing.
Did you see anything else? Just him dead.
You think he'll be needing those shoes? Get them out of here, now! It isn't your fault, sir.
- There's no way either of us could have known - That's rubbish and you know it.
He wouldn't have accepted our help even if we'd If this Lincoln did it, then it's our fault.
Well, my fault.
We don't know that he did.
How did he die? - Miss Hart hasn't examined the body yet.
- Why not? Sir, I would prefer that the postmortem be performed by Dr.
Ogden.
And if it is to be Miss Hart, then at least one or both of us should be present.
- [BRACKENREID.]
What for? - Because I don't trust her.
Why the bloody hell not? Sir.
Last year, when John was under investigation, she was responsible for the evidence that forced us to suspect your son of murder.
Responsible how? She placed a bullet fragment from John's gun into the wound.
She framed him.
My son.
I don't know that she knew it was John's gun.
But she did tamper with evidence.
How sure are you? I can't prove it.
But I believe she's mixed up in this.
Uh, could you repeat that? The removal of the appendix is a relatively simple procedure.
[MAN.]
Have you ever done it yourself? I have.
More than once.
And they let you? The majority of patients are more concerned with expertise than gender.
And Dr.
Ogden is one of the most capable surgeons in our province.
You should all be grateful to be learning from her.
As I have been.
Yes, he was here.
Was he with anyone? A coloured woman.
She was the one buying the drinks.
Would you accompany me to the Station House? I'm hoping you can help me identify this woman.
Of course.
That could be very helpful.
Detective, thank you for joining me.
We have a proper lead, courtesy of Mr.
Germaine.
- Oh? - It has been brought to my attention that one of the MacAuleys has come up for auction.
We believe it to be one of the stolen ones.
- And who's selling the painting? - It is supposed to be anonymous, but in the art world there is no such thing as anonymous.
A woman named Stella Davenport.
Well I must be off.
Is Is George Crabtree about? I'd like to pay him my regards.
He's off on travels at the moment.
Pity.
Bit of a fruitcase.
I believe the word is cultured.
Is that what they're calling it now? I don't know about you, Detective, but I would very much like to speak with Miss Davenport.
And I think I know exactly where she possibly could be.
With me, Detective.
Oh, Watts.
I thought I should inform you.
I recalled a rumour and it turns out to be true.
That friend of yours.
The butcher.
He was picked up by our Station House a few years ago for suspicious homosexual behaviour.
- I did not know that.
- No charges.
I don't know the details.
But not exactly the sort with whom one wants to be associated, hmm? I will take that under advisement.
The body of Robert Parker will be delivered to the morgue shortly.
Why was I not called to the scene? It is my job to examine a body at the scene of death.
And it is mine to ensure the integrity of a murder investigation.
I'll be along shortly.
And do not proceed with your postmortem until I arrive, Miss Hart.
As you wish.
Sir? That's her.
Thank you.
the last time I saw her was that autumn.
She'd found an opportunity working as a, as a seamstress in Halifax.
We had a little farewell party to see her off.
And that was the last time I saw her.
Halifax? Yes.
I think so That's where I was.
- That's where she abandoned me.
- All right, no, I must be mistaken No, no, so she went back to the same town, she didn't even bother to find her own daughter.
All right.
Look, stop, stop.
Look, I, your mother never went to Halifax.
I'm sorry, I lied.
Why? Because I can't help you, Amelia, I can't help you find your mother.
She's dead.
This will take some time, you know.
I know.
Much faster if you weren't here.
I am sure you are adept at working under pressure Miss Hart.
- Stella Davenport? - Yes? Detectives Watts and Edwards.
We need to speak with you about your fiancé.
- What for? - You stole some of his paintings.
- I did no such thing.
- No? Then it must be a coincidence that two nights ago we found a comb dropped by the thief at the scene of one of the thefts.
How is that a coincidence? Miss Davenport is about to purchase a comb herself.
You don't understand.
Those paintings belong to us.
- Us? - Philipe and I.
Philipe MacAuley.
He's dead.
No.
He is still very much alive.
[DIXON.]
There's no good time to say this so I may as well tell you now.
We may not be working together much longer.
Oh? Yes, I've been offered another position as head of surgery at a hospital in British Columbia.
Congratulations.
You're not thinking of turning it down? There are certain things that will pain me to leave behind.
But head of surgery Yes.
I suppose I'll have to make the best of what time I have left.
He was poisoned.
With what? I'm reluctant to say.
And why is that? I need to do more tests to confirm my hypothesis.
I can have another doctor perform the postmortem again.
You will not be able to hide the truth, Miss Hart.
I suspect it was phenol.
Used in preserving dead bodies.
A substance of which there is plenty in this very room.
What are you suggesting? Your arrogance has caught up with you, Miss Hart.
The owner of the bar you were in last night has identified you.
You were with Mr.
Parker in the last place he was seen alive, moments before his death.
You fed him drinks.
And you poisoned him.
Violet Hart.
You are hereby charged with the murder of Robert Parker.
- Are you certain? - I've told you everything I know.
We could all lose our jobs.
And more.
I know, sir.
- You best be sure.
- I intend to be.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Dr.
Dixon.
It's late.
I'm sorry if this is inappropriate.
Are you? - [PHONE RINGS.]
- Let it go.
Hello? [MURDOCH.]
Julia.
I'm sorry, I hope I didn't wake you.
William.
You didn't.
[MURDOCH.]
I need you to come back to Toronto, immediately.
- I know - It's all right.
I'll be on the next train.
I'll I'll be here when you get back.