The Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s18e13 Episode Script

1
(SQUEAKING)
- Caught another one!
- Ah! Good work, Mr. Rotta.
- Ooh!
- You know, I've been to every building
in this city, every mansion and slum,
and City Hall's just
as chock full of rats
- as the rest of 'em.
- Ah!
Too bad you can't trap the rat
giving a speech outside City Hall.
- Hope you're not a fan.
- Oh, not a fan.
- (SQUEAKING)
- Big fan of these guys, though. Ha.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I can't believe Chadwick
Vaughan is running for mayor.
The outgoing mayor tapped him himself.
And so far, Vaughan's running unopposed.
Be a dark day for this
city if he gets the reins.
My first order of business
will be cleaning up
the corrupt constabulary
and partisan Crown Attorney's office.
- (WOMAN): Yes!
- (MAN): Hear, hear!
Time to put an end to these
politically motivated sham trials.
I myself was only rescued
from a malicious prosecution
by the good sense of my fellow citizens
on the jury who found me
innocent of all charges.
- (APPLAUSE)
- Doesn't mention it was a murder trial.
And that he should've been hanged.
I couldn't agree more.
We must root out the radical
elements in our justice system.
These people will never be satisfied
until they have
destroyed our way of life.
- (APPLAUSE)
- One need only consider
the recent appointments
at Station House Four.
Not the most traditional
choices, to say the least.
Our justice system must be focused
on rooting out criminals
and undesirables
infiltrating our city!
(MAN): Yeah! Ha-ha! Yeah! Bravo.
Chadwick Vaughan is the real criminal.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(GASPS)
(SCREAMING)
(THEME MUSIC)
Today, we will begin canvassing
for a new police census.
Wasn't there a government
census just last year?
Yes, Constable Roberts.
But our outgoing mayor
believes that census undercounted
the citizens of Toronto.
- Can't we just mail out a survey, sir?
- Hm.
We are looking for
accuracy, Constable Higgins.
We will be registering
each citizen in person.
We will be knocking
on doors day and night
and meeting the people of Toronto.
You are not to rely on
neighbours or rumours
until all avenues have been exhausted.
Sounds like we'll be the
ones getting exhausted.
I want Station House Four
to collect more statistics
than any other station house,
so I am offering a prize
for the pair that
collects the most names.
- What's the prize, sir?
- Surprise prize.
Constable Roberts, you
and Constable Higgins
will be canvassing in this area.
You two will be over here,
and you two over here.
We have the smallest section.
It's also one of the most densely
populated areas of the city.
Double the doors to knock.
Excellent chance at the prize.
There were no witnesses.
Do you think she was killed overnight?
I'd say she's been
dead about three hours.
Unfortunately, there's
nothing on her person
to indicate her identity.
- She's dressed respectably.
- And plainly.
Certainly not for a
night out on the town.
So, what was she doing here?
Ah, Murdoch! Just popped
by the station house.
They told me where to find you. Ah.
- Dear God.
- Sir?
I spoke to this woman yesterday
at the Chadwick Vaughan announcement.
She was no fan of his at
all. I quite liked her.
Did you learn her name?
No, she only mentioned Vaughan,
who appears to have it in for me
and the Crown Attorney's Office.
I suppose he still resents
being put on trial for murder.
He's a bloody killer, as we all know,
who's now looking to
run for mayor, unopposed!
It is upsetting, sir.
But there's still time for someone
to throw his hat in the ring.
If they fancy facing
off against a murderer.
Anyhow,
if he's got it in for me,
he's got it in for all of us.
Look sharp, lads,
and let's catch this killer quickly.
The victim was strangled
by a single hand.
You can tell by the
bruising on her neck.
Thumb and four fingers.
A killer with a deadly grip.
Indeed.
It reminded me of a
victim I examined recently.
Station House One brought
her over a few months ago.
Unfortunately, when I last checked,
the case is still unresolved.
(MURDOCH): Is that right?
Take a look at the bruising patterns.
They're strikingly similar.
Almost identical.
This victim was also
strangled in an alley at night,
found in the morning.
I can track down more information
on this Jessie Wallace.
The file's a bit light on details.
Good work, Miss Hart. Keep me posted.
Of course.
That looks like a lot of stairs.
At least the doors'll be close together.
Don't you like meeting new people?
It's hard to believe there's
hundreds of thousands of them here.
How big is this building?
In the city, I mean.
All right.
- Still no answer?
- No.
Neighbour I spoke to
said there's a older lady
named Ida that lives here.
Oh, that would match last year's census.
Ida McKay, born in 1854.
Knock again. Maybe she's going deaf.
You know, if I'm to
get exhausted working,
I'd prefer it to be
doing something useful!
Uh, catching a criminal,
solving a murder, not
interrupting other people's naps.
- Let's just mark her down. Come on.
- No.
We're supposed to try three times
before we rely on
second-hand sources, remember?
Well
then let's write her a note
telling her when we'll be back.
For when she wakes up from her nap.
Do you really think you can identify
the young woman by her clothing alone?
Well, sir, our only other option
is to wait for a
missing person's report.
- Hm.
- Um,
modest, but decent attire.
All of it smells rather
strongly of coffee.
I found several pencil
stubs in her pocket.
And I've confirmed
traces of egg and flour
on the soles of her
shoes, along with this
third substance here.
Oh!
Cayenne pepper.
What do you conclude, Detective?
Well, sir, I believe our
victim was a waitress.
- Hm.
- I just have to determine
- where she worked.
- Mm.
Where was she found?
In this alley, right here,
which is very close to a diner here.
Good place to start, then.
(BELL ON DOOR RINGS)
Ah, ah, ah!
Those ferrets may be good
at catching rats, Mr. Rotta,
but I will not have them
inside with the customers.
(SQUEAKING)
Good day.
Detective Murdoch, Toronto
Constabulary. Mister?
Lu. Min Lu. I'm the owner.
Oh! Very good. Mr. Lu, do
you recognize this woman?
That's Bridget.
Bridget Thurston.
- She's dead?
- What?
I-I'm afraid so.
Mr. Lu, when did you last see her?
Last night, right here. Working.
We've been staying open all night.
You know, try to get customers
on their way home from the bars,
but it was slow.
I let her go early.
What time was that?
Around four.
Cora and I stay on until
the morning folk come in.
I was mostly working the grill.
Thank you, Mr. Lu.
If I could, ah, ask you
a few questions, Miss?
- Cora Hastings.
- Miss Hastings.
I told Bridget she
needed to live closer.
My place is small, but at
least it's right next door.
Poor Bridget had to walk home alone.
Mm.
Did Miss Thurston have any
enemies that you know of?
No.
Although
There's sometimes pressure on
the girls who work nights to
provide favours.
- Did Miss Thursto?
- No! No.
Bridget never even flirted for tips.
That's why she left service to
become a waitress in the first place.
She used to be a cook in a grand house,
until she ran into
trouble with the master.
Who might that be?
(KNOCKING)
(PLAYFUL MUSIC)
You here to see which
way I'm gonna vote?
No, we're here for the police census.
Can you confirm your name and age, sir?
Wayne Minniman, 56 years old.
And does anyone else live at
this address, Mr. Minniman?
Yes, my roommates.
Tommy, Benny, Miles, Bo, and Taffy.
But, uh, well, they're
away on vacation right now.
- Hm.
- All of them?
All of them.
Bit strange them all taking
a vacation at the same time.
And that they all fit in the same flat.
Well, they'll all be home soon, I swear.
Oh, just a minute.
(CAT YOWLING)
(HISSING, YOWLING)
- Here's their information.
- Oh, that's all right, sir.
We'll come back to verify
the details with them.
In person.
Yeah, but I wrote it all down!
There's a new opponent in
the race, a Mr. Noah Everett.
I suppose Vaughan couldn't bribe
everyone to stay off the ballot.
Any progress on that murder case yet?
Yes, sir. I've identified the victim.
It would seem that Miss Thurston
used to work as a cook
for none other than
Mr. Chadwick Vaughan.
First, she was at Vaughan's
rally making disparaging comments,
then she turns up dead.
And now we know that she worked for him?
What are you waiting for, Murdoch?
Sir, we believe we may have
stumbled upon a sequential killer.
Miss Thurston is the second of two women
who were strangled overnight
just within the past few months.
You're saying that
Vaughan's on a killing spree.
No, sir, because the
first victim was murdered
while Mr. Vaughan was
in custody for his trial,
so it couldn't have been him.
You can't be sure of that.
Vaughan's as slippery as they come.
- Yes.
- Arrest him anyway.
Throw a wrench in his campaign.
Because if Vaughan wins,
we're all in trouble.
This way, please.
Mr. Vaughan.
Ah. The corrupt constabulary.
How may I be of assistance?
Mr. Vaughan, are you familiar
with a Miss Bridget Thurston?
- No, I don't believe so.
- Oh.
Apparently, she was employed as a cook
in your household up until
just a few months ago.
Oh, yes.
Miss Thurston.
Unfortunately, I had to let her go.
Why's that?
She seemed to think I only
wanted her for kitchen duties.
Naive girl.
Miss Thurston is dead, Mr. Vaughan.
Ah, well. That is a tragedy, to be sure.
Where exactly were you two nights ago?
If that's when something
happened to the girl,
I suppose I should say I was at home
with the many staff members I'm certain
will attest to my presence.
Are you quite sure?
Because we will be checking.
- Feel free.
- You did it.
- Sir.
- I know he did it.
So prove it.
And don't forget to vote.
We should have him locked up, Murdoch.
Sir, we still don't
know if Miss Thurston
was killed by Chadwick Vaughan.
And there's reason to believe that both
she and Miss Wallace were
murdered by the same hand.
And, remember, Mr.
Vaughan was in custody
at the time of the first murder.
The same hand? That's just a theory.
There is strong evidence, sir.
Detective Watts is chasing
down leads now on Miss Wallace,
details that Station House
One may have overlooked,
and they could lead us to the killer.
Why look? He's standing
right in front of us.
We've got to get him off the street.
- More women could die.
- Sir, I need more evidence.
If it's evidence you
want, I'll find it myself.
Still no answer?
No.
Perhaps the poor woman is bedridden?
Can't make it to the door.
Our note is still there, after all.
But the wreath is gone.
Someone's been here
since our last visit.
Do you think Miss McKay
is inside but avoiding us?
Yeah, I don't know.
The-the neighbour said she
heard a woman screaming earlier.
It's all quiet now.
She also said she's worried.
She's never gone this
long without seeing Ida.
Oi! You!
I need you to ask you some
questions about the candidate.
Of course, sir.
It's Chief Constable to you, young man.
You seemed a bit nervous earlier.
Everyone on the campaign's
been on edge since
Mr. Everett announced
he's running for mayor.
Surely Vaughan's not worried
about a little competition?
Mr. Everett used to be one of Mr.
Vaughan's closest confidantes, sir.
But now he's been badmouthing Mr.
Vaughan to anyone who will listen,
and Mr. Vaughan says that
Everett will live to regret it.
Ah. Hold this.
Go on.
And I'm not sure that Mr. Vaughan
was home that night like he told you.
I heard him making plans to
attend a dogfight on Dundas Street.
Dogfight, eh?
Um, I'm legally obligated
to tell you all this, right?
Of course.
Now then, Mr. Everett,
I understand that
you're running for mayor
- against Chadwick Vaughan.
- That's right.
I'm going to bring
Toronto into the future
by expanding the waterworks
and modernizing the sewers.
That's just a regular floor
that you're perched on,
- Mr. Everett, not a soapbox.
- Hm.
I've heard that you
and Vaughan were close.
Why compete against a friend?
He may have been a friend
until I told him I was running.
Then he said I was scum.
Hm. Very nice of him.
But more than that,
he can't be trusted.
Chadwick Vaughan is a man with
money instead of a conscience.
You're not wrong there.
Does this have anything to do with
that poor woman who was found dead?
I've, uh
heard things from Vaughan about women.
So, Miss Thurston,
is there anything else you
remember your sister Bridget
saying about Chadwick Vaughan
before he dismissed her?
Bridget wasn't let go.
She quit because Mr. Vaughan
wouldn't leave her alone.
Mr. Vaughan harassed her?
He was determined to have her.
Even called up her agency
and left her a bad reference
all to try and force her
back into working for him.
He lied about her to the agency?
Bridget wanted the respectability
and the safety of working
in a fine household,
but he drove her away, out of
service altogether, to here.
And it still wasn't far enough.
You think Chadwick Vaughan
may have still been after her?
He told her that, in the end,
he always gets what he wants.
(CRYING)
Nothing will convince me
that Chadwick Vaughan
didn't kill my sister.
I've spoken to more than a dozen people.
Surely there's enough in this
file to send him to prison.
Uttering threats, making false claims,
and attending a dogfight on the night
of Miss Thurston's murder.
And he's knocked more
than a few women about.
We'll look into these
allegations, sir, but
so far, Mr. Vaughan's family and staff
have backed up his alibi.
We'll need more in
terms of hard evidence
to charge him with anything.
The evidence is not good enough
unless you've found it
yourself, eh, Murdoch?
I'm worried about the Chief Constable's
single-minded pursuit of Mr. Vaughan.
This may end badly
for Station House Four,
especially for some of us.
So I've heard.
(WATTS): Uh, constables, have
you seen Detective Murdoch?
Pardon me just a moment, Inspector.
- Watts.
- Mm?
Have you learned about Jessie Wallace?
Ah, first off, nobody called her Jessie.
Miss Wallace was a prostitute
better known as Venus in Furs.
- Oh, my.
- Yes, she spent a great deal of time
frequenting music clubs downtown
and always wore mink stoles and coats.
If she always wore fur,
it would imply she had
high-paying clients.
Mm. Yes.
I also spoke to her roommate.
She said Miss Wallace
mentioned she had something
in her possession that
could get her killed,
but wouldn't tell her what it was.
I'm not surprised Mr. Minniman
didn't answer his door this time.
I'm sure his five roommates
haven't magically
returned from vacation.
He could be telling the truth.
Lodgings aren't cheap and there's plenty
of overcrowded apartments around town.
That was some strange sounds
coming from behind the door,
- squealing and scratching.
- And whining and hissing.
You think it was animals?
I hope it was animals.
In Chatham, we like to
keep our animals outdoors,
for the most part.
I'd wager you're right, Constables.
Probably mousers and terriers in there
keeping the vermin down.
How do you figure that, ma'am?
Well, that building you were in
is better than most
when it comes to rats.
I keep losing tenants to it.
You manage a building nearby?
The apartments near the diner.
Oh, when this new hotel's up,
it'll be full of rats, too.
That's city life for ya.
Mr. Everett, why do you believe
people of this city should vote for you?
I am committed to improving the sewers.
Toronto is growing faster
than the current system
can keep up with, and
households in the Ward
deserve better than
contaminated communal water taps.
(APPLAUSE)
Think he'd make a good mayor?
He'd be better than Vaughan.
What to say to the criticism
that you're inexperienced?
Mr. Vaughan has been a member of
the Board of Control for years.
And the power has gone to his head.
Just yesterday, the Chief Constable
was asking me questions
about Mr. Vaughan,
who's clearly under
investigation again by the police.
Now I ask you this:
Is that the kind of
man who should be mayor?
Mr. Vaughan, what do you think
of your opponent, Mr. Everett?
He's a loser
who should quit the race
now and save the city
the cost of the ballots.
All he cares about are raising taxes
and filthy sewers.
In fact, he likes sewers so much,
he's probably a rat himself.
Noah Ever-rat, more like.
(CROWD LAUGHING)
I'm sorry, but there's not enough
here to convict Mr. Vaughan.
And besides, we can't afford
another trial like the last one.
Rattail? Sugar-powdered licorice.
- Kids love 'em.
- No, thank you.
They can have them.
Is that rat poison that
you'll be putting down?
No, it's harmless.
But the rats don't like it.
Keeps them on their
runs right into my traps.
Mm.
Now then, Mr. Rotta, tell me:
How would I go about catching a rat?
To catch a rat, you
have to know their ways.
Go to their secret places
where they come out at night.
Not too different from people
who have things to hide.
Take your man Mr. Vaughan.
I know a secret or two about him.
Do you know why the Chief
Constable summoned us here?
I'm guessing he's found something.
And I have a feeling it has to
do with Mr. Chadwick Vaughan.
Sir?
Ah, good. You're here.
- What is this place?
- A secret den of perversion
maintained by Chadwick Vaughan.
- How did you find it?
- I have my sources.
I'm a very well-connected man.
Now, gentlemen, there's sure to
be something incriminating here.
(TENSE MUSIC)
Sir?
What have you got there?
Piece of fur.
It looks like mink.
Just like the stoles
favoured by Miss Wallace.
Which proves she was here.
That means Vaughan is
connected to both victims.
I told you he was guilty!
Yes, I've maintained that
apartment most of my marriage.
A wife is a treasure who
must be treated like a queen.
But a king?
King needs a court.
- And a courtesan or two?
- Hm.
So you entertained
numerous guests there.
Did you ever host a woman
known as Venus in Furs?
Yes.
Yes, I had Venus over numerous times.
How did you know?
- I understand the woman is dead.
- (MURDOCH): We found fur.
I see.
Why shouldn't there be fur?
I treated her well,
bought her the finest mink.
- So you bought her gifts?
- Certainly.
Wasn't the only one, either.
Venus was obsessed with fur, after all.
Perhaps one of her less luxurious
pelts was the one shedding.
Gentlemen, you can't
keep wasting my time
every time a woman dies in Toronto.
I had no reason to kill
her, or Miss Thurston.
Huh.
Venus was a professional
of the highest order
and very discreet.
We both enjoyed our relationship.
And, of course,
I was in custody when she died.
He didn't seem rattled in there, did he?
No, he didn't.
So, Watts, have you turned
up anything we can use?
I spoke to Miss
Wallace's aunt and sister.
Neither of them knew
what she could have had
in her possession that
would put her in danger.
And her roommate has searched
their place high and low.
The fact is, sir, we
don't have enough evidence
to charge Vaughan with either murder.
Vaughan could have hired
someone to do the killings.
His so-called alibis are meaningless.
We are investigating that possibility,
as well as the rumoured
dogfight the night of the murder.
(SIGHS) Well, carry on.
Watts, let's start by determining
if Miss Thurston and Miss
Wallace knew each other.
Perhaps there's another
common denominator.
Right. I'll see what I can find
out about Miss Wallace's clients.
So you admit it?
Yes, yes, fine. It's true.
Tommy, Benny, Miles, Bo,
and Taffy are my pets and,
well, I tried to get
their names on the census.
But why?
Because I love them.
And they deserve to be counted!
(SCOFFS)
Did Miss Wallace's family know
anything of her clients?
No. They believed her to be a secretary.
Hey! This elevator's months early!
Ha You can't just leave it here!
We haven't even gotten
off the ground yet!
Imbecille!
So these ferrets will do the trick?
Yes, ma'am. They'll catch
all the rats I couldn't trap.
Oh.
(DISTANT HORSE NEIGHING)
(BELL ON DOOR RINGS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Miss Hastings.
You're back.
We were wondering if Miss Thurston
was at all acquainted
with a Jessie Wallace,
otherwise known as Venus in Furs.
Possibly through Chadwick Vaughan.
I've never met Mr. Vaughan.
I do remember Venus.
She came into the
diner from time to time.
And was she friends with Miss Thurston?
I don't think so.
Venus was just a customer.
We both served her.
Speaking of customers,
that gentlemen was seated
there last time I was here.
Yes.
Ned couldn't afford his lodgings
after he lost his factory job.
He's here most nights.
Just like Mr. Everett.
Always stops in for a coffee and a chat.
- Your usual, Noah?
- If you please, Cora.
What do you have there?
The evening edition of The Sentinel
featuring a laundry list
of Chadwick Vaughan's
- dirty deeds.
- Oh!
Uh, you're the Noah
Everett running for mayor?
Yes, I am!
And I think I've finally
got a shot in this race.
Congratulations.
Miss Cherry, where did you get
the information you published?
Not now, Detective. Mr.
Vaughan, what is your response
to the recent allegations
that have surfaced?
Sources close to you
have reported adultery,
slander, threats, cruelty to women,
attendance at illegal dogfights
There's no merit to
these claims whatsoever.
We are witnessing today
is libel, plain and simple.
The allegations in The Sentinel
are nothing but spurious reports.
The police planted this story!
In fact, it probably came straight
from the Chief Constable himself.
(APPLAUSE)
Well said! Bravo!
Vaughan for mayor!
(ALL CHANTING): Vaughan lead on!
Vaughan lead on!
Vaughan lead on!
Did you share your Vaughan
dossier with Miss Cherry?
(SIGHS) What of it?
His supporters have closed ranks.
They'll likely never speak to us now.
And rumours of this Venus in
Furs are the talk of the town.
This could compromise our investigation.
Who would have thought
that news of a man's crimes
wouldn't even put a
dent in his reputation?
Miss Cherry?
I have something.
- It might be important.
- Well, come in. Spit it out!
It's a manuscript.
A roman à clef, if you will.
Written by one Venus in Furs.
It's a salacious
account of her various
indiscretions with a
number of powerful men.
How did you come by it?
Venus entrusted it to a friend.
Apparently, Vaughan was furious
when he found out she
was going to publish it.
He demanded that she destroy it.
This could be the dangerous item
that Miss Wallace spoke
to her roommate about,
the thing that could get her killed.
Venus's friend read the
article in The Sentinel,
thought it might be important
and brought it to me.
She said it's full of passages
of Vaughan's indiscretions.
I'm surprised, Miss Cherry.
One would think you would
want to break news of this
in your paper?
I was.
But now I fear that Vaughan will twist
the headlines in his favour,
even though Everett is by
far the better candidate.
I am so tired of those stairs.
It's our last visit.
If she doesn't answer,
we'll use the information
- from the neighbour.
- Oh!
You mean the neighbour that you
spoke to the first time we came?
Yes. Hello.
You're not Ida McKay.
Uh, no, I'm Max Crisp.
Where's Miss McKay?
She's gone?
- Gone?
- Um, moved away.
Uh, she's my aunt, and
she left me her flat.
Yes, it's-it's lovely building.
Uh, hardly any vermin.
So, the census seems
to be doing quite well.
We've already collected
the names of hundreds
more Torontonians than were
reported on the Dominion census.
Of many different ancestries, as well.
Well, since men can't vote
unless they hold property,
I doubt the government
enumerators tried very hard.
Hm. Still, I would like to know
how many people we are serving.
It might convince the city
to increase our funding.
Hm. I doubt that.
Besides, a highly
motivated police officer
can do the work of ten men.
What do you mean by that?
I've arrested Chadwick Vaughan.
- He's in your cells right now.
- In my cells?
Good to have a killer
behind bars before nightfall,
wouldn't you say?
Toodle pip.
Toodle pip.
Englishmen. (SCOFFS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(CHURCH BELL RINGING)
Step aside, please. Step aside.
It's Cora Hastings.
She has the same one-handed
bruising around her neck.
Watts, we need to secure the area
and question witnesses quickly.
Miss Hastings hasn't been here long.
And Chadwick Vaughan
is still in our cells.
Yes. Miss Hastings was definitely killed
while Mr. Vaughan was locked up.
Which means we've got the wrong man.
(EFFIE): I can't believe you went ahead
and arrested Mr. Vaughan!
Sir, I thought we agreed
that there wasn't enough
evidence to charge him yet.
The Crown Attorney is furious.
He ordered me here to try to
smooth things over with him.
What were you thinking, sir?
I was thinking that we
now had hard evidence
of antagonism between
Vaughan and both victims.
Miss Wallace was about to expose
him in print as a philanderer.
There's still the issue of his alibis.
His family a-and staff are maintaining
that he was at home the night
of Bridget Thurston's murder.
As does another councilman
who says they played snooker
together at Vaughan's residence.
Oh, and the dogfight
organizer was arrested
and says Vaughan placed
a bet, but never showed.
I've told you before,
Vaughan could easily have got
his people to lie for
him or hired a killer!
Not this time.
No.
Mr. Vaughan was in custody all night
and was never alone to have
ordered Miss Hastings' murder.
Someone else is killing these women.
You're going to have to release Vaughan.
And make nice.
Open up, Crisp. We're back!
We need to talk to Ida McKay now!
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
May I help you?
Uh, are you Ida McKay?
Yes.
And do you know Max
Crisp, your, uh nephew?
Not her nephew.
And where do you live?
He lives at this address, too.
He does?
We were hoping to avoid any interference
with the morality officers.
Not everyone is as
understanding of our relationship
as I know you two gentlemen would be.
Oh!
And now, if you'll excuse us.
(CHUCKLING) Stick around
long enough, Teddy,
you won't even blink an eye.
You're free to go.
The Crown Attorney wishes to extend
his sincere apologies, Mr. Vaughan.
He would want to apologize, wouldn't he?
And you,
Mrs. Crabtree.
Are you sorry?
I never want to see the
innocent behind bars.
Ah! (LAUGHING)
A murder is most
unfortunate for the victim,
but in this case,
rather providential for
me, wouldn't you say?
I've always believed that
God is looking out for me.
You have to admit, you looked guilty.
I never admit anything.
Uh, excuse me! Do you live here?
Yes. I'm the landlady of this building.
Oh. I'm a detective investigating
Cora Hastings' murder.
I noticed no key was found on her body,
and I'd like to be
let into her apartment.
Oh, it's just awful.
My tenant, murdered!
- (DOOR CLOSING)
- And my other tenants?
They're terrified of being
strangled in their beds.
- Does he live here?
- No.
I know you from the
diner, don't I? Ned, is it?
Yes.
Are you coming from
Cora Hastings' apartment?
Yes. Uh, Cora gave me her key.
She said I could, uh,
grab a few hours' sleep
so I'll be rested enough
to, to look for work today.
Why were you let go from your job?
Arthritis. I can barely
hold a cup of coffee,
let alone run a machine.
Cora said she'd be back at
seven when her shift ended,
- but she's late.
- Back by seven.
Do you know any reason she
would have left work early?
No. I-I thought I would
check at the diner.
Miss Hastings was murdered
around five this morning.
(GASPS)
Could someone at the
all-night diner be the killer?
- All of the victims are connected to it.
- It's a good theory.
And perhaps we should take another look
at Miss Wallace's manuscript.
Chief Constable Brackenreid
dropped it off earlier.
An arrest, Constables?
You see, sir, we realized
that Mr. Minniman here
wasn't just trying to get his
pets added to the census
He was trying to commit election fraud
by getting extra names
added on to the voter roll.
And when we leaned on him, he
admitted to being paid by
Noah Everett.
Very good. Well, get him booked,
then it's back to your
clipboards, Constables.
Those names won't collect themselves.
Sir, could you please tell us
what the surprise prize is
for the winning census team?
(SIGHS) Very well.
A beautiful, first place blue ribbon!
A ribbon?
Yes!
I-is there a prize for catching
criminals at the same time?
Mm. Uh, job satisfaction.
Hm.
Thank you, sir.
- Thank you.
- Hm.
Something on your mind, Detective?
Noah Everett is a regular
customer at the diner.
All right. I did pay Minniman,
but Minniman came to me.
He said he'd found a way
to inflate the voter roll
and cast extra ballots.
He believed in the cause.
I thought you had to be
a property owner to vote.
- Doesn't Mr. Minniman rent his lodgings?
- Oh.
Well, another reason someone like me
needs to win the election.
To represent all the people.
Chadwick Vaughan would be
a terrible mayor and, worse,
I think he's done every evil
thing he's ever been accused of.
Well, you aren't just
here to answer questions
about the election, Mr. Everett.
Were you acquainted with
a Miss Jessie Wallace?
Uh, no, I don't think so.
You may have known her as Venus in Furs.
Oh.
Yes.
I appreciate you not trying to deny it.
Miss Wallace wrote this manuscript,
and in it, she goes into
a great deal of detail
about a man she dubbed
Rowan Peverett.
Peverett. Uh, well,
Venus and I were-were
on quite friendly terms,
though I had no idea she was
working on something like that.
Such a frank portrayal in print
could harm one's chances at election.
Are you suggesting that I hurt her?
I-I would never.
A-and Chadwick Vaughan introduced us.
He must be in here, as well.
Mr. Vaughan has an alibi for the murder.
But you knew Miss Wallace.
You knew Cora Hastings.
Did you also know Bridget Thurston?
She worked at the diner, as well.
I knew her and I liked her,
and Cora and Venus, but,
but I-I was away in Brooklyn,
studying their waterworks,
the night Venus was killed,
a-and I can prove it.
A-and my next-door
neighbour's a busybody.
She keeps track of all
my comings and goings.
I-I'm sure she can vouch for me
for the nights of the other murders.
We'll be booking you for
election fraud, Mr. Everett,
and then we'll verify your alibis.
I don't believe Mr. Everett did it.
And looking into Vaughan's finances,
we've found no evidence
that he hired any killers.
And Everett's out of the
race for election fraud.
So it would seem.
Which means that Vaughan
will definitely be mayor,
and my days as chief
constable are numbered.
You probably won't fare
much better, Murdoch.
- Hm.
- (SQUEAKING)
Looks like the rats are definitely
taking over for good here at City Hall.
I'll be the one fleeing
this sinking ship.
We've been thinking that the victims
were connected by the diner, but
perhaps the diner isn't the link,
just the fact that it's open late.
Killers come out after dark.
Nothing good happens
after midnight, Murdoch.
Mm.
What is that all over the floor?
I don't know.
Something that Mr. Rotta
put down for the rats.
He said it was harmless, but
rats don't seem to like it.
That's cayenne pepper,
the same substance found
on Miss Thurston's shoes.
- Where are you off to?
- (DOOR OPENS)
I know who our killer is.
Watts! You were just inside?
Yes. I wanted to know why Cora Hastings
- left her shift early last night.
- And?
Apparently, the diner
was forced to close
at about a quarter to five when
a bunch of rats came running in.
- I suspect the killer is
- Mr. Rotta.
(BOTH): The ratcatcher.
Someone inside said he just came out.
There he is.
Watts, force him north. I have an idea.
Stop!
(TENSE MUSIC)
(PANTING)
(SQUEAKING)
(GRUNTING)
(ROTTA SHOUTING)
(LAUGHING)
Everyone pretends to be
grateful to the ratcatcher.
But, really, they think I'm vermin, too.
Actually, I think you're
a murderer, Mr. Rotta.
Good thing you trapped me.
Otherwise, I would have never stopped,
never stopped running and hiding,
taking what I want after nightfall.
(ROTTA SHOUTING)
This is what happens
when you force into the dark
what you don't want to see.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
- I can't believe it.
- I can.
Mr. Vaughan,
you're only a few hours away
from officially winning
the mayoral election
with nearly all polls reporting.
- Any comments?
- I'm looking forward to starting my term
and removing from office
the partisan Chief
Constable Thomas Brackenreid
and all current Crown Attorneys.
If not for their undue
focus on persecuting me
and stealing the election,
this wretched Bill Rotta
might have been caught sooner,
and an innocent young woman spared.
This is for Bridget!
(CROWD SCREAMING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(GRUNTING)
That's no way to seek
justice, young lady.
I understand you were quite
the hero, Chief Constable.
You saved Chadwick Vaughan's life.
Well, I don't have any love for the man,
but I couldn't stand by
and watch Miss Thurston
- murder him in cold blood.
- (CHOI): Mm.
(CLEARING THROAT)
Mr. Mayor.
What are you doing here, Vaughan?
And what's with the sling?
You never even got a
taste of that blade.
Careful, Chief Constable.
I'm here to say thank
you for saving my life.
Don't make me regret it.
Was there anything else, Mr. Mayor?
Any staffing changes, for example?
Not for the moment.
I don't want to appear ungrateful.
In public.
So we're calling it even, then?
For now.
But not forever.
(THEME MUSIC)