The Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s18e14 Episode Script

1
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(ROBERTS): Never seen a line this long.
Well, it is the first
automat restaurant in Toronto.
Five-cent meals from a machine.
- Wonder if they're any good.
- Mm, doesn't matter.
There are no waiters, so no tips.
You know, if you ask me,
I don't know why anyone
should get any for
carrying around trays.
I don't get tips for catching criminals.
Welcome to Khan's Automat.
Coins for your cash?
Ah, yes. I bet this
place is making good coin.
(CHUCKLING) You get it. Yeah.
Thank you, sirs.
Twenty-five cents for you
and you. Go right in.
Ha.
(BRIGHT MUSIC)
(MACHINE DINGS)
Wish my folks in Chatham could see this.
Very efficient. Very modern.
Not a waiter in sight. It's beautiful.
This place must be raking it in.
First time here, gentlemen?
I'm the owner, Jay Khan.
Ah. Pleased to meet you.
Constable Henry Higgins-Newsome.
Constable Teddy Roberts.
This is an ingenious
concept. And clearly a hit.
Oh, thank you, gentlemen.
Served over 3,000 in
the past three weeks.
(SCOFFS) That's phenomenal.
It must be nice. You don't
even have to do that much.
- It's a money-making machine.
- I know. It's a gold mine.
- I wish I'd thought of it.
- You could be a part of it.
What do you mean?
How would you two like
to own one of these?
Us?
I'm looking to expand all over
the city and I'll need partners.
Uh, you want us to be
your business partners?
Mr. Khan. We've run out of pecans.
The seller said something
about an overdue invoice.
Ah, Chris. Great job with
the early morning baking.
We actually bake our
own fresh bread here.
- That's impressive.
- (KHAN CHUCKLES)
- But what about the
- Not now.
So, gentlemen, what d'you say?
You know, I did bring some
money when I came to Toronto.
I would score points with
Ruthie if I strike gold.
Are you sure about this?
I know a thing or two about business.
I'm married to Ruth Higgins-Newsome,
the most business-smart
woman in all of Toronto.
I don't like it. That
automat is a heartless place.
- What are you talking about?
- The place is booming.
Uh, Karl Marx said that
machinery could undermine
the dignity and value of human labour.
I think there's value in
finding a cheap, quick meal.
- (PHONE RINGING)
- Oh. Uh
Detective Llewellyn Watts. Ah!
Inspector Choi!
You've been to the automat, haven't you?
Mm. I've been to one like it,
in Philadelphia, years ago.
I must say I enjoyed the convenience.
All right. See you.
You two, with me.
Perhaps we can continue our conversation
about the dignity of labour.
(TENSE MUSIC)
Anything of note?
Well, one man reported the dead man
saw an angel floating in the air
just moments before he fell.
Well, this is our lucky day, gentlemen,
the existence of Heaven has been proven.
(THEME MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
Jeez! Louise!
What's an Assistant Crown Attorney doing
sitting around with a tabloid?
I am taking a five-minute break.
Only failed journalists
write for that, you know.
Ooh, well then, I suppose
you don't want to hear
about John Eaton's new paramour.
Oh! Or these corrupt city councillors
receiving mysterious lumps of cash.
No, these are just articles
by failed journalists.
Just let me see.
She was hatless in public.
Could he have had a heart attack?
Maybe, but he's a fit man,
likely no more than 25.
Hardly the typical
victim of a heart attack.
Any trauma to the head or chest area?
No signs of impact.
No swelling, bleeding,
no redness, no discolouration.
A witness told Constable Roberts
that Mr. Cranely said
he saw a floating angel.
It appears your faith has
been rewarded, Detective.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
Hm.
Oh!
You find something?
Today's date.
If he was on time,
he was headed to an
address on May Street.
Let's see where that takes us.
Good day, Miss Hart.
(SCOFFS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Hello! Miss.
Can I help you?
Yes, uh, Detective Murdoch,
Detective Watts of the
Toronto Constabulary.
You have a meticulously kept garden.
- I covet your tiger lilies.
- Ah, thank you.
If the sun never set, I'd
spend all day in the garden.
(CHUCKLES)
Um, do you happen to
know a Mr. Lyle Cranely?
Lyle and I are sweethearts.
Is he in trouble?
I regret to inform you
that Mr. Cranely is dead.
Dead?
My Lyle?
How?
That's what we're trying to determine.
We need to ask you a
few questions, Miss?
Uh, uh, uh, Ginny Fisher.
Lyle and I were supposed to
celebrate my birthday today.
He was going to come by.
When?
This afternoon.
He said he would prepare lunch himself,
that I wouldn't have to lift a finger.
When did you see him last?
Two days ago.
His schedule always changes,
but he had that day off.
Did he show any signs of
illness when you last saw him?
Not at all.
He was generally healthy?
Healthy enough to work
as a carpenter most days
and as a construction worker other days.
Despite the odd jobs, he works
worked hard.
(CRYING)
(SOBBING)
He was eating this smashed
piece of bread with mustard.
And
This appears to be the birthday lunch.
These pastries are
dirty from the street,
but they look like the good stuff.
Box of chocolates.
All eight pieces still inside.
Some cheese and cold cuts in paper.
Bread.
This appears to be a gift.
Ooh.
From Dooley Jewellers.
Hello, Miss.
Toronto Constabulary.
We are investigating
a case and, uh, well,
has this man come into
your shop recently?
He has indeed. Uh,
he purchased a ladies'
barrette this morning.
Oh!
What time was that at?
Around 9:30. I was just opening shop.
And how did he seem?
What, uh, physical condition
was he in, for example?
Oh, he was a robust young fellow.
Was in a great mood, too.
He said the barrette was for his lady.
He wanted to show the girl
how serious he was about her.
And in my experience, that usually means
that he thinks there are other
men vying for her attention.
So he bought the
barrette to win her over.
Well, that's why you buy
women jewellery, isn't it, sir?
(WOMAN GIGGLES)
Do you know where he was headed to next?
No. I haven't a clue.
- Mm. Right, then.
- Hm.
Thank you so much for your time.
So, he was here at 9:30 a.m.,
seemingly healthy,
and then fell down dead
sometime before 10:30
when we received the call.
(SIGHS) There are countless places
that he could have visited
between here and where he fell.
(LIVELY MUSIC)
Good day.
Hello.
That tabloid paper.
It is against the law for a lady to read
indecent material in public.
Oh!
Thank you for the information.
Miss Iona Berger.
Toronto Morality Officer.
Mrs. Effie Crabtree.
I purchased this at the
newsstand over there.
It is not illegal.
It is immoral.
I am perfectly aware of the 1890 bylaw
passed prohibiting indecency.
However, this is not explicit content.
"Eaton's New Paramour."
"Bribes At City Hall."
"Love Triangle In Rosedale."
Can you really say such vulgar claims
promote exemplary
standards that befit a lady?
- Miss Berger, I assure
- If you find enjoyment
reading this material,
please do so in the
privacy of your home.
This is a warning.
Next time, there will be a fine.
Fine.
(LIVELY MUSIC)
Thank you.
Lyle Cranely had cardiomegaly.
An enlarged ventricle can be benign,
or it can cause a heart condition,
like an irregular heartbeat.
Could this condition have killed him?
Well, most people live long lives
despite the condition, if managed well.
He was healthy otherwise.
Can tell he wasn't much
of a smoker or a drinker.
I doubt he required
much treatment at all.
Perhaps the thought of
winning over his lady
made his heart skip a beat too many.
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
Got a great storefront for
you to rent, prime location.
- That's a lot of foot traffic.
- Imagine, gentlemen.
Khan's Automat, the go-to lunch spot
for all the office workers around here.
Seems fine to me. How do we get started?
Well, you'll need supplies.
Luckily for you gentlemen,
I've got a strong relationship with
a vending machine maker in Buffalo.
I could get you a deal.
Okay, good. You see?
This is exactly why
we need you, Mr. Khan.
Please, call me Jay.
Now these machines are made-to-order.
The space looks big
enough for about two.
Uh, you will order through
me to have them shipped over.
- I'll need a cheque by tonight.
- Hold on.
That sounds like a big expense.
We might need a few
days to think it over.
These machines are dust and rust-proof.
They'll last a lifetime.
Uh, th-that sounds fantastic.
But I do have one caveat.
We name the restaurant after us.
- Whatever you wish.
- Ah-ah. Deal.
- Fantastic. Let me show you the inside.
- All right.
Higgins.
Seems like a bit of a
gamble, don't you think?
Come on! Man knows what he's doing.
Say we let him take charge. You and I?
We'll just get to sit back,
relax, and rake in the dough.
(CHUCKLES) Trust me.
All right.
(KHAN): You'll put your
one vending machine here.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I'll have the Turkey Tuesday special.
Where is everyone?
(SCOFFS)
- At that automat down the street.
- Oh.
Damn place has taken my
lunch and dinner crowds.
It's a fad.
Nothing they make there can
compare with your turkey pie.
I don't know about that.
I already had to let my cook
go last week, Detective Watts.
- No.
- Yeah.
Now I'm doing it all myself.
And I'll tell you, if
business doesn't pick up,
I'll have to close up shop.
You know, all that food
sitting in those machines
for God knows how long.
It's bound to go bad, or
teem with pests, or both!
Is that a fact?
There was even an article
about it in Jack Canuck.
Mm. Jack Canuck is a paper
that thrives off of sensational claims.
Well, I worked in
restaurants for 26 years
and I don't trust that
place to be hygienic.
Oh.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Excellent. Now that you've
signed the contract, gentlemen,
I can start to show you
the ropes of the business.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- Fantastic.
Detective Watts!
- You change your mind about the automat?
- Ah.
This is Mr. Khan. We
just signed a contract.
Soon we'll be so rich,
we'll be shedding banknotes
everywhere we go. (CHUCKLES)
Right. I'm Detective Llewellyn Watts
There have been some questions
about the cleanliness
of this restaurant.
That's absurd!
At Khan's Automat, our
meals are made from scratch
using the highest-quality ingredients.
Unsold food is discarded
at the end of each night.
Our meals are kept in
refrigerated compartments
of superior-quality vending machines.
Try our turkey dinner,
or our customer favourite,
the beef sandwich.
Shame. I already ate.
(GROANS)
Uh, are you all right?
(GROANS)
(PATRONS GASP)
(TENSE MUSIC)
It was bizarre how
suddenly he fell dead.
I assume the man died shortly
after consuming the beef sandwich.
I'll have Miss Hart focus her attention
on the contents of his stomach.
I found this in the man's wallet,
a pay cheque for Greg
Hopping with his address.
Please, ah, continue to enjoy your meal.
In fact, everyone will receive
a free coffee or tea
for the inconvenience.
Sirs! Ah, gentlemen!
I heard rumours that sanitation
is not the automat's
strong suit. In fact,
I was here because I
wanted to ask about it.
- Let's have a look at the kitchen.
- Hm.
Is it possible you didn't
wash certain produce?
That's not possible.
- You sound quite confident.
- (SIZZLING)
Produce is brought here when delivered.
Each shift, the cook
responsible for preparation
washes, peels and chops
the produce right away.
Everything's kept fresh and ready
in this refrigeration system.
A series of steps in specific sequence,
like an assembly line. It must
yield to excellent efficiency.
Meat and dairy are kept here.
We use the scale to measure
out only what we need,
so nothing sits on the counter.
There's no room for error.
Breaking down a single
task into a series
of smaller ones for greater accuracy.
And reducing people to
extensions of a machine.
Do you find this to be an
alienating place to work?
Suits me fine.
I don't like most people,
let alone customers.
I focus better when there's no
need to rush cooking on order.
Thank you, gentlemen.
I'll have constables collect
samples of the ingredients.
Watts.
Hm?
Cufflink.
Seems out of place.
Gentlemen, does this cufflink
belong to either of you?
No. There's a strict policy
against wearing
accessories in the kitchen.
Hm.
Perhaps an outsider
made their way back here.
I can round up all the
kitchen staff and ask.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I spoke to all eight cooks and busboys.
They said that the kitchen
is never left unattended.
An outsider would not go unnoticed.
And the cufflink?
Uh, no one recognized it,
nor knew how it could have
gotten into the kitchen.
Perhaps it's a member
of the cooking staff
that's been dismissed
and they left this behind.
Mm.
Or could it be that the restaurant food
had nothing to do with the
cause of the man's death?
After all, it was just the one man
who died out of everyone who ate there.
- Right.
- (PHONE RINGING)
Detective Murdoch.
Go ahead, Miss Hart.
I conducted a detailed analysis
of Lyle Cranely's stomach contents.
I found what appears
to be tiny black flecks
among partially digested food.
I think they're seeds of some sort.
Perhaps poppy seeds? Sesame?
No.
Take a look at this photomicrograph.
These seeds are flat
and oblong in shape,
one millimetre in length
and very lightweight.
I've never seen them before.
How curious.
What's also interesting
is Mr. Hopping had the same
seeds in his stomach contents.
And both men had
similar food substances,
like starch and beef.
There was a half-eaten
sandwich in the food debris
found with Cranely.
Both men had automat sandwiches.
But the two men didn't
show the same symptoms.
Well, each body reacts to
the same triggers differently.
Miss Hart, what about the food samples
- we took from the kitchen?
- Oh.
Tests conducted on mice show all
ingredients are safe to ingest.
So it wasn't from spoiled food, then,
but rather these seeds.
Someone is targeting customers.
Anyone who eats there is in danger.
You can't do this.
I must take necessary precautions
to ensure no more deaths occur
at your place of business.
Can't you do something, gentlemen?
We're supposed to be business partners!
Hey, sir!
I was sick as a dog the
other day when I ate here.
- Know anything about that?
- Oh, I had a stomachache so bad
I thought I was on my deathbed.
They are up in arms.
Being assaulted by customers
was not part of my path to riches.
(CROWD CLAMOURING)
So these two deaths are both
linked to Mr. Khan's automat.
That would appear to be the case.
Anyone with coins could sabotage
these meals, if done discreetly.
Seeing the size of the crowds there,
I find it hard to believe
that someone could put seeds
into dozens of sandwiches
without ever being seen.
Fair point.
Something else I find puzzling:
I just spoke with Mrs. Hopping,
our second victim's wife,
and she stated that her husband
had a pre-existing heart condition
called arrhythmia, also
known as irregular heartbeat.
Not unlike our first victim.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Mrs. Crabtree.
- (EFFIE SCREAMING)
Oh, my God.
I'm glad you decided to put
away the crude literature.
Surely you have better
things to do than talk to me.
I'm on my way to do
rounds at the dance halls
and keep my eye on errant young women.
Oh. What exactly will
you be looking for?
Young women accepting drinks
from strangers, for one.
Mm.
Well, don't let me keep you.
Oh!
I already gave you a
warning about that paper.
Which is why I had it
hidden, Miss Berger.
I don't see anyone in
the immediate vicinity.
Who exactly am I offending?
The law.
You are being written up.
I am a Crown Attorney.
Then you should know better.
(SCOFFS)
Detective.
Please. I'd like to
reopen my restaurant.
Mr. Khan, we cannot simply
I've thrown out all
the food in the kitchen.
Even if there had been any
spoilage, it's all gone now.
You know, I can get you
and your boys a free meal
or three, everything on the house.
Just let me reopen.
I'm afraid your business
will remain closed
until the police
investigation is complete.
Police investigation? I thought this
was just a food safety inspection.
Mr. Khan, we now have proof
that two people have
died eating sandwiches
from your restaurant.
And there's enough evidence
to suggest malicious intent.
Eddie Scott.
Pardon?
The owner of that second-rate
diner down the street tried to
sabotage my restaurant last week.
What do you mean, sabotage?
He came in and made a big show
about finding rat
droppings in his meat loaf.
That is until two customers
said they saw him sprinkle
those droppings onto his own plate.
- What happened next?
- I threw him out.
I spoke to Mr. Scott yesterday.
He blamed the automat
for taking his customers.
I told you.
In fact,
Mr. Scott was the only one who told me
- that the automat is unsanitary.
- Ah.
It appears you've found
What is that they call it?
A smoking pistol.
(LIVELY CHATTER)
Hi.
Mr. Scott? A word, please.
Please tell me you're here to
order something for takeaway.
As you can see, every table is full.
As it should be.
Are you aware that Mr. Khan's automat
up the street has been shut down?
I am.
Serves him right. I told you, Detective,
that place is unsafe.
Mr. Scott, last week,
you put rat droppings
in a meal at the automat.
Says who?
Do you deny it?
(SCOFFS)
No.
So you knowingly told a police detective
that the automat was unsanitary.
Mr. Scott, did you or did you not
poison the sandwiches at the automat?
Listen,
I did pull that trick. It was stupid.
But I only put the
droppings on my own plate
and I would've stopped
anyone who'd tried to eat it.
I have nothing to do with any poison.
I recall you said you
laid off your cook.
Yes. Fred Alber's his name.
Actually,
when I laid him off, he
swore and cursed at the automat.
Said he'd burn the place down.
Oh. So now you are pointing the blame
at an employee you fired?
I'm just telling you what he said.
Mr. Alber.
I understand you were
dismissed from Scott's Diner
approximately three weeks ago.
It's hotter than a kitchen in here.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Oh!
Mr. Alber, your attention, please.
Yeah, I was dismissed.
Even though it was my
cooking that made the place.
- Saw you in there almost every day.
- Mm-hmm.
I have a report that you threatened
to burn the automat to the ground.
It's only bottle talk, nothing more.
I mean, I've never even
been in the damn place.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
Recently,
I had to borrow money
from my own daughter.
Do you know what that
does to a father's heart?
- Here.
- Oh.
Wh?
Do you wear matching cufflinks?
Not today.
(WATTS): Mm-hmm.
You say you've never
been to the automat,
yet your tie pin matches this
cufflink we found in its kitchen.
I told you I wouldn't be
caught dead in that place.
But you do recognize
the cufflink, correct?
Yeah.
When was the last time
you wore the cufflinks?
Not sure.
Last day at the diner?
Maybe I lost it. I can't remember.
Perhaps a stay in our cells
will help to refresh your memory.
Oh
He's in a state. I
don't think he did it.
Perhaps he's in a state
because he killed two people
without intending to.
This is what machines do to a man.
Watts, be serious.
Machines allow for sequential workflow,
standardization and increased sales.
There's nothing inherently
inhumane about that.
If we do entertain the possibility
that Mr. Alber lost his
cufflink at the diner,
anyone could have picked it up.
So Mr. Scott could have
recognized it and planted it
at the automat in order
to frame Mr. Alber.
You think Eddie Scott's a killer?
He's tried to sabotage
the automat once before.
Mr. Khan, you have to
cancel our contract.
Sorry, gentlemen, but
the contract is binding.
You made a deal. Live with it!
We didn't know we were
buying into a sinking ship.
And it'll float again.
And I've already used your money
to order the two new machines.
I can't get that back.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
Our money is gone.
Think we may have bet
on the wrong horse.
(SIGHS)
Never seen that before in my life.
It belonged to your cook.
- Is that so?
- And it was found in Mr. Khan's establishment.
Well, nothing to do with me then.
Anything else?
Not at this time.
Good. As you can see, I've
got, uh, hungry mouths to feed.
And when will the automat reopen?
Once our investigation is complete.
Investigation. So the rumours are true.
What rumours?
People are saying the
place was sabotaged.
I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Ah! Inspector Choi.
- A word?
- Of course. If you'll excuse me, Miss Cherry.
- Louise.
- Effie.
- You hired her?
- I did.
We are one of the few cities
without a female police officer.
I felt a change was in order.
Right. Well, she just fined me
two dollars for reading
a copy of Jack Canuck
in a secluded area of a park.
Unfortunately, it is a
law that's on the books.
But this all seems a bit
backwards, doesn't it?
This city hires a woman lawyer
as the Assistant Crown Attorney,
then you hire a female police officer,
only to police what
women can read in public
by naming obscure bylaws.
Fair. But one could easily argue
that an Assistant Crown Attorney
seen reading coarse
material is inappropriate.
I'll go talk with her.
Thank you.
- Inspector.
- Miss Berger.
Thank you for spotting the tabloid,
but Mrs. Crabtree's fine will be waived
as I hold the discretion to do so.
And why's that?
(SCOFFS)
You are aware that Mrs. Crabtree
is the Assistant Crown Attorney?
Does that matter?
Did you not hire me to carry out
the duties of a morality officer?
Or should I be selective
in who I write up?
That's all right, Inspector.
I'll pay this at the booking desk.
Good day.
Inspector, I know all too well
that a household without
rules self-destructs.
I believe the same goes for society.
These laws protect us.
Miss Berger,
a keeper of the law must often
pick and choose their battles.
At this rate, you'll fine half
of Toronto for minute misdeeds.
If that's the case, the
city coffers will be full,
and you can build more jail cells.
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
(SIGHS)
Thank you.
You know, this is your fault.
How so?
You came up with the idea
to invest in that place.
- When Ruth finds out I spent our money
- Maybe it'll open again.
Two people died eating the food there!
- It's not going to open again.
- Well, don't blame me!
Well, I am blaming you!
Constables. Is there a problem?
No, sir.
Then what are you two arguing about?
Roberts and I bought
into a new automat, sir.
Given everything that's happened,
we've lost a lot of money.
You paid Khan before
the place was even built?
Well, he had to buy equipment.
With your money?
Pretty sure he cashed the
cheque the second he got it.
Oh, Roberts, Higgins,
I've a feeling that Mr. Khan is not
being transparent about your deal.
What do you mean? He said
he was raking in money.
Yes, but he cashed your
cheque almost immediately,
which tells me he is
seeking short-term funds.
Henry, request his bank records,
see if he has any insurance
policies, anything you can find.
Detective Watts and I will
have a chat with Mr. Khan.
And, uh,
shake hands.
You both made a mistake.
(PLAYFUL MUSIC)
If Mr. Khan had debt,
perhaps one of his creditors
could have done this.
Wouldn't have done much
to get their money back.
No. But it would have gone a long way
to warning the next person
who decides to default on their loan.
Mr. Khan?
Detective Murdoch.
Would you like a sandwich? Oh!
That's right. I can't serve you.
We have a few questions for you.
Oh, if it'll open this place up again,
I'd be happy to answer them.
Um, imagine opening an
establishment like this
comes at a considerable cost.
Oh, these machines are
of the highest quality.
They don't come cheap.
Are you carrying any debt?
Why, of course. Every
entrepreneur carries debt.
Any you haven't been able to pay?
You think one of my creditors did this?
- Just exploring possibilities.
- What's in here?
All the coins that the
customers use are collected here.
The coin tossers collect them
so we always have a constant supply.
So the cooks and busboys
aren't the only ones in the kitchen.
Would you please excuse us, Mr. Khan?
I fear the pool of suspects
in this case just keeps growing.
Could you look in on Miss Hart to see
if she's gotten anywhere
with those seeds?
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Don't misunderstand,
I'm not against other things
that morality officers do,
like help mistreated wives,
or track down husbands who've
abandoned their families.
But I think that women should
have access to new ideas!
I think I can help you.
How?
She did say one law for all, am I right?
Mrs. Crabtree, do you know
if the police are intending
to charge Mr. Alber?
I do not.
I'd hope they get off the pot.
I could really use my
cook. I'm being run ragged.
If you want to change the law,
sometimes you have to break it.
(HIGGINS): Hello.
You're that coin tosser, aren't you?
(WOMAN): Yes.
What are you doing here?
My father's in your cells.
I wish to speak to him.
He didn't do anything wrong.
And now that I've lost my job
since you closed down the automat
Pardon me.
You're Fred Alber's daughter?
- I am.
- And you work at the automat?
I did.
Please come with me. I have
a few questions for you.
(TENSE MUSIC)
You recognize this?
Yes. Where'd you find that?
In the kitchen of the automat.
Well, I'll take it back.
How did it get there?
I don't know.
Michelle.
Wh-what are you doing here?
Mr. Alber, please. Have a seat.
Your daughter and I were
just trying to determine
how your cufflink ended up
in the kitchen of the automat,
and we thought perhaps
you could help us.
I told you.
I haven't been in that
damned kitchen in my life!
And yet,
this is evidence that you were.
No, he wasn't.
I was.
You?
I work there.
You what?
That place cost me my job!
I can't believe you'd do such a thing!
We were broke!
You were lying around
the house doing nothing.
This was the first job offered.
I took the cufflinks to pawn them.
That one must have
fallen out of my pocket.
Neither me nor my
father had anything to do
with poisoning the customers.
We're just trying to
make our way in the world.
He was doing good business.
Yes, until he killed someone.
Still, sales weren't
covering his loan payments.
He was just paying off interest.
Any suspicious lenders who may
have wanted to teach him a lesson?
Ah, all banks so far. No sharks.
But this latest
transaction is interesting.
A payment made just yesterday
to Steinbach Automat.
Strange. It's only a hundred dollars.
Only? How many machines were you buying?
Two. He told us two
machines cost two hundred.
Those machines should be
no more than fifty apiece.
The machines only cost a hundred?
He took the other hundred off us.
Likely to try to finance his debt.
I'd say the two of you could
get out of your contract.
Go.
Detective.
We may be looking at it
in the wrong direction.
Perhaps these deaths are
not a result of someone
trying to drive Mr.
Khan out of business.
Both of these victims
were men above reproach.
Their deaths do seem unintentional.
You could be wrong. Take a look at this.
Uh, right here.
Foxglove seeds.
Ingesting a small
amount can cause symptoms
like severe vomiting for most people,
but it could be far more
dangerous, or even lethal,
- for those with arrhythmia.
- Hm. Anything else?
Foxglove poisoning can
cause visual disturbances
and hallucinations.
Which would explain why Mr.
Craneley reported seeing angels.
And with that, the existence
of God remains unproven.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
A visit to our first victim's
fiancée might be in order.
Miss Ginny Fisher, the gardener. Right.
Detectives, have you found anything?
We have. The murder weapon.
Murder weapon? I
The constable said that he
died from food poisoning.
Oh, he died of poison, all right,
but I think you are very aware of that.
Wha
You think that I killed Lyle?
That's ridiculous. I loved him.
Until you had a change of heart,
and then you poisoned him with
the seeds of the foxglove plant,
grown right here in your own garden.
I, I don't know anything about that.
Poison? (SCOFFS)
Gardener as able as
you would be familiar
with the various properties of plants.
I don't know anything
about flowers or plants!
A neighbour of mine does everything.
I'm not even allowed to water them!
Is that right?
Where might he be?
I'll show you.
Sorry, gentlemen, but a deal is a deal
- and a contract is a contract.
- Not if it's crooked.
You take that back.
- I am an honest
- Ah, you are far from that.
Prove it.
You took two hundred dollars from us
for machines that only cost one hundred.
There are shipping charges, expenses.
- Yeah, loans to pay off.
- With our money.
We have the paperwork, Jay.
I could charge you with
fraud and misrepresentation.
Could?
Dissolve our contracts,
or you're coming down
to the station with us.
And give us our money back.
We're not leaving until
we have our cheques.
Fine. I'll go get your cheques.
But I'm telling you,
you guys are making a huge mistake.
(DOOR SLAMS)
Ha.
There'll be 500 of them
available free of charge
to any woman who wants them.
Louise, I'm not sure I should
go up against the police.
You're not going up against the police.
You're doing the right thing.
(DOOR OPENS)
- Mr. Scott.
- We are quite busy at the moment.
We're not here to eat, Mr. Scott.
I understand you have a new cook.
- I do.
- We'd like a word with him, please.
Chris, could you come
out here for a moment?
What is going on here?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
- What's this about?
- You killed Lyle!
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Mr. Yammet,
I'd like you to come
down to the station house.
- No.
- No, no.
(PANTING)
Henry! Roberts! Stop that man.
(PANTING)
(GRUNTING)
Well done, gentlemen.
Ginny once told me about his arrhythmia.
She and Lyle didn't think much of it.
But you knew that
foxgloves could be lethal
to someone with that condition.
The seeds look a bit like black pepper.
I sprinkled just enough
on the beef sandwiches
to make people very ill.
It would appear to be
a mass food poisoning.
You thought you could
get away with this?
I noticed he came in for
a beef sandwich every day.
Then rumours started about
the automat being unsanitary.
I could cover my tracks.
But you killed another man;
could have killed more.
I didn't think arrhythmia
was all that common.
An extremely risky assumption.
(CHUCKLES)
Ginny was too good
for that idiot Cranely.
I couldn't let her marry him.
I had loved her for years.
She deserves more.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
People of Toronto!
Thank you for standing
by me and my business.
The police have confirmed
that recent events
are due to one single criminal incident.
Now that they've caught the culprit,
I am happy to say that
we are back in business
and ready to serve!
- (APPLAUSE)
- (WOMAN): Congratulations!
This is the longest line I've ever seen.
Stop saying that.
Why are people happy
to be eating here now?
Seems like convenience and
novelty are here to stay.
Y'know, I think I've come out
of this a wiser businessman.
Roberts, we were supposed to be making
a tidy profit from all this.
Would you prefer to have been swindled?
Think of it as just a startup cost.
I'm going to see about getting back in.
Mr. Khan!
Jay! (HIGGINS CHUCKLES)
- What do you want?
- I may have been a little bit hasty earlier.
Hasty? You threatened me with jail.
No! That was just a
I want back in.
(CHUCKLES) Sorry, that ship has sailed.
I've got a new business partner.
And he's willing to
pay more than you will
for the privilege of
becoming very, very rich.
- Mr. Khan, don't be unreasonable.
- No risk, no reward, Constable.
And the next time you'd
like a meal, go to the diner.
Your food is terrible!
(HIGGINS CHUCKLES)
This is the modern age.
It doesn't matter.
Mrs. Crabtree.
(SCOFFS)
I'm writing you another fine.
Well, that's your prerogative.
But I hope you have a lot
of tickets in that book.
One battle doesn't win
the war, Mrs. Crabtree.
(LIVELY MUSIC)
(THEME MUSIC)