Original subtitles

Let me start with a quieter first for myself.

Hey,

it's a punter.

Get in with the clown.

A poor job, a little dent on the wing.

Sorry, can't help you.

It's a shame, because you've got such a good reputation.

You're winding me up.

No, but I am about to wind up my window.

Look, Rick, it's a law!

Rick, it's a law!

Rick!

Well, yes.

Where have you parked?

I haven't got the car. That's what I was saying earlier about being late. Oh, I

see. I'm sorry. I thought you were offering me a lift.

I'm offering to walk you home.

All right.

We're going in your direction anyway, so it's no problem. I do know what my

direction is.

Jericho. Am I right?

Yes. Will you tell me?

Did I? Ages ago. Canal Reach, number... nine.

Ollie. I hesitated about the number in case you think I've dwelt on it.

I don't know your first name.

That's right.

So? I don't use it. Don't be silly.

My parents, it was silly.

What do your friends call you?

I don't know.

Morse.

You know, it's interesting, because ten years ago, this street, or this area,

anyway, was not considered fashionable.

And now it's Oxford trendy, you think? Oh, no, no, no, I didn't mean... No, I

know what you meant.

Can I get you a cup of tea?

Thank you.

No, I mean... I meant this is a very nice area.

They're worth it.

Anyway, it would be great.

Not to say you like my house, though. Not to say things like, ten years ago,

this is the kind of furniture people liked. Right.

I've got to say, this is the kind of house I really like.

And I have to tell you, this is the kind of house I really like. That's good.

Ned's here. Ned?

You here?

Sorry, am I interrupting something? No, no, not at all.

Ned? I'm just going.

Don't worry, I've just been very kindly brought home.

Ned, this is... Morse.

Hello, Ned.

Ned uses the piano. He writes music.

Really? Not really.

Anyway, listen, I should probably get along.

Don't mind me. I'll go upstairs. No, you don't need to do that.

I'll put the kettle on.

What kind of music?

Sorry? What kind of music do you write?

Short music.

Very good music.

Anyway, my books are upstairs.

There's no milk, by the way.

Are you sure?

Yeah. Come through.

He's really talented, really.

He's doing a law degree.

Or rather, not doing one. He's a marvellous musician. He's a terrible

Do you let a lot of people play your piano?

Every day. It's how I live. I teach.

Oh, right.

I don't teach Ned. He's sort of adopted.

He adopted me.

There isn't any milk. Will you have something else?

No, no.

Really, don't bother.

It is a nice house.

Thank you.

Exactly as I imagined it.

And this is very impressive.

I've got one of these beauties.

Have you?

I used to work for them, Richard. Did you? A long time ago. Otherwise they

wouldn't have been able to afford... It was a present.

are going away from me.

I am going to go, I think, but... Well, listen, I hope perhaps we could

do something.

Perhaps a film or something.

If you're not too busy.

But let me know.

That would be good.

Okay.

Okay.

Yes. Look forward to that.

Bye. Bye.

Sorry, did I frighten him off?

Probably. Where?

Where what?

I can't stand men his age. The way they are with women. The way they pant over

you. What do you mean, pant?

Just a very nice man in the choir.

He was going to have a cup of tea. That's all.

Before you pinched all my milk.

I've got a pupil in a minute. I want to get changed.

You could get some milk.

Okay.

Money's a small problem.

It's some in my purse.

I'll get it.

I don't know how you can bear it, that noise.

Have some of this.

Thanks.

Are you getting anything done?

No. Are you trying to get anything done?

I've written about 40 bars of my piece.

I meant your law.

Good, terrific.

I'm pleased about the piece.

I want you to hear it.

Are you interested?

Yes, I want to hear it.

It's probably rubbish.

Ned, I want to talk to you about money.

I know, I must pay you back. I told you about the bank.

It's ridiculous. No, no, in fact, I don't want you to pay me.

I... Have you taken any money from my purse for some reason recently?

No. I'm only asking because if you were short of cash again, I could lend you

some more.

I'd rather do that than for you to feel you had to take it from me.

I said I haven't.

Right.

Do you want me to give you your keys back?

I mean, I will. I'll give you them back. No, no, I just wondered whether you

were especially short of money at the moment.

Christ, I can't breathe in my room, so now I can't breathe here. It's all

Sometimes maybe I may have picked up things without realising.

I don't know if I have.

It's all right.

You only have to ask me.

Please, just ask me.

Thank you.

See? Real beer.

I'm sorry I don't know the difference.

Is that why we came here?

Partly.

Cheers. Cheers. Yes.

Anne, I was wondering if we could go somewhere next week after the

to celebrate.

If you're not already... No, I'm not doing anything.

Although I expect people want to go somewhere as a group, don't you think?

Yeah, I expect so. It was just a thought.

Yes, of course. We could always go somewhere anyway.

Oh, well, good.

You know... Oh, well, let's see.

Could I run you home later? I've got a car tonight.

Come through.

I'll get the kettle on.

Oh, it's a mess.

Oh, it looks fine.

I imagine your house to be very... Very what?

I don't know.

Very something.

Oh, yes, it is.

Extremely something.

Are you really a policeman?

Yes.

I was sure you'd take sugar.

I had you down for, well, anything other than a policeman.

Hope it doesn't stand against me.

No, of course you did. Of course not. In what sense?

I don't know.

You enjoy it?

It's OK.

What about piano teaching? Is that fun?

Yes. Well, it's not fun.

It's OK.

It's fine.

It's OK.

Well, you have high hopes, don't you? And then one day you turn around and

you are, a piano teacher.

It's fine.

I like my house. I like my pupils.

I'm fine.

And is there anybody important at the moment around?

I think so, yes.

Can't say fairer than that.

No. What?

No, no, I thought there must be.

This kettle takes an age.

Would you just excuse me if I pop up there?

Point me at the teapot and I'll do the honours.

Oh, I'll bless you. It's, um, well, you can see.

Anne, you all right?

I'm... Yes, I'm fine. I'm just... Look, I'll finish my tea and let you get off

to bed.

Yes, that's probably it. I'm bushed.

You're very thoughtful.

I don't mean... I don't mean that in a patronising way.

I just feel you're very sensitive.

No.

I'm very disappointed.

I couldn't believe there wouldn't be anyone, but...

I had fantasized, I suppose.

Even after last week and your friend, but... Anyway.

It's not like that.

It's too complicated to explain. It's... It's all very stupid.

It's a complete mess.

I think the point is that it's the wrong... At another time, it's not you.

really like you.

Really?

I'll pick you up next week, drive you to the performance.

Really? It's so close. I can easily... Nevertheless.

Thank you.

I'd like that.

It's me.

Can you talk?

I must see you.

Don't, please.

Well, just come over.

Anytime. I'm not going anywhere.

I don't believe you.

I don't know.

Will you call me back?

I'm coming.

I have to go.

Yes. Right.

Yes.

I'll use my key.

Morning.

I've just come to see if the wall at the back's dried out so that I can make

good. Right.

I'm not disturbing you, am I? I would prefer it, Mr Jackson, if you didn't spy

on me in the evenings.

What's that supposed to mean?

You know very well what I'm referring to.

I'm sure I don't. I don't want any unpleasantness. And I'm telling you, I

spy on nobody.

Spy? Well, anyway, now I've said... I think it's a bloody insult!

I do!

Mr Jackson... I thought I'd finish the work.

Unless you want to get somebody else.

No, please go ahead.

What's going on? Is she all right?

I'm afraid not, sir.

Sir?

We're trying to keep people out of here, sir.

There's a hell of a crowd in there.

Who did this? I don't want a phone call. Man or woman?

I'd have to check, sir. Never mind.

Have you touched anything out here?

No, sir.

Have you spoken to Chief Inspector Batch? Just passing, Sergeant. Just

nose in. Shall I tell the chief you're here? Was there a note?

No, sir.

Don't mind me.

Shut the door, Lewis. It's not a party.

I was just passing.

Came to see what all the fuss was about.

Lived alone.

Piano teacher, apparently.

Seen dozens like it time of year. Grim.

Anyway, our thing was at the circus.

How did you get on with it?

She'd managed to kick the stool halfway across the room.

What? She'd kicked the stool away somehow.

Lewis is full of grand theories.

Oh, I just don't understand it. Oh, come on, let's finish off here, for Christ's

sake.

Anyway. Sir, the key.

Oh, yes.

Good night, sir.

Morse.

You know who he is, don't you?

Ah, no, I don't. Yes, sir.

Wandering around Jericho, eh?

I'd often wonder what he did at night, besides the booze.

I've heard he's meant to be a very clever man. Is he?

I've heard he's after the superintendent's job, and I don't like

You know why?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Because somebody else we know is after it and all.

Someone who is pig -sick of evenings like this.

Is there a fish and chip shop round here?

Not that I know of, sir.

Go away.

It's early. It's not a takeaway.

I've got money.

Yeah? Well, you owe me 15.

I've got lots of money.

Anyway, I haven't got anything.

I haven't.

Shit.

Look, I'm cold and I haven't got anything.

I'm going to have something now.

What's the matter with you?

What's the matter with you?

All right.

Wait there.

I'll have to go.

Excuse me, Mr. Richards. I have an urgent call for you.

Hello?

Police.

I'm sorry to bother you, sir. I was hoping you might be able to help me. I

didn't do it, honest.

I'm sorry?

A joke.

I didn't do it.

A joke.

I see.

Did you by any chance cut that key?

I don't know.

Cut lots of keys.

Perhaps if you had a good look at it.

If you're asking whether I'd ever cut keys for the woman in Canal Reach, then

the answer's yes.

Uh -huh.

I presume that's what you hear about. It's a small place, mate.

Yes, I would say this.

Most of life finds its way through a barbed wire shop.

You think about it.

Why should anyone want new keys?

Not a bottle of meth.

Now, the dinner service.

Huh? Just storing everything.

You mean... Yeah, I'll cut that.

So tell me, why would Anne Staveley want a new key cutting? It'd be more

interesting. Why should she want four keys cutting?

Four? Yeah.

There's another story in that.

OK. Well, I'll tell you, one person has had a key off of her.

I'm all ears.

Oi.

Thank you, Mr Grimes.

your research.

Could you hold the line, please?

Is he in?

He is. Do you want to go through?

Hello,

what bring?

I'm afraid he's engaged.

Can you call back later?

Next page.

I haven't got the truth. I want you to tell me the truth.

And listen, I heard the phone call this morning, so don't.

I want you to tell me the truth.

And then I will tell you the truth.

Mr. Jackson.

Don't give much thought to other people's peace around here, do you?

Up and down with those radios crackling.

They don't give much thought, do they, darling?

Did you know Mrs. Bailey?

Well, not the sense of knowing her, no. I mean, I knew her, but we didn't have

nothing to do with each other.

Do you mind if I sit down? Suit yourself.

No, it's just I understand you might have been doing a few odd jobs for Mrs.

Staveley. Well, I do jobs for everyone around here.

I mean, that's what I do.

So, I mean... Of course.

So, you've been working for Mrs. Staveley recently?

Yeah. Yeah, I did her new front door and some bits and bobs and... I repointed

her back wall.

I've just finished it.

But hardly tell a lie, let alone anything else.

I just go in and do the job and come home.

I see.

And, er, did Mrs. Staveley...

Give you a key or what?

Yeah, that's right, I had a key.

I'll give it back, though.

Yesterday afternoon, as a matter of fact.

I slipped it through a letterbox.

Why? Wasn't she in?

Well, I rang the bell, but I didn't wait.

She was a piano teacher.

Do you know that?

A whole load of people going in and out of that house, all sorts.

Oh, I slipped it through a letterbox.

It's all right now.

Why do you think Mrs. Deverley might have killed herself?

I don't know.

I don't go poking my nose into other people's business.

Did you strike her as a happy woman?

Oh, yes, I think so, yeah.

She seemed all right.

You know one of your blokes was round here yesterday afternoon, don't you?

What do you mean, one of our blokes?

Well, I swear I saw someone go into her house yesterday afternoon.

I've seen her round there before.

And he was there again last night.

I swear, it's the same bloke.

Was it the uniformed officer?

No, he's a bloke in a dickie and a bow tie.

Senior -looking sort of bloke.

And you're sure of this?

Definitely, yeah.

He's been round here late at night, this bloke.

Doing a spot of late -night investigating, I shouldn't wonder.

It's quite the fashion at number nine, that sort of thing.

Look at your face!

Excuse me, sir.

You've still got a bit of... Gun?

Yes, sir.

You were explaining, sir, how you came to be revisiting the scene.

Not about explaining. I was telling you.

Why, do you have any doubt about my... I do, sir, yes. And are you going to pass

on this doubt to Chief Inspector Bell?

I think so, sir. Are you?

I'm also going to have to tell him, sir, that I've reason to believe that you

were in the vicinity of the house on the day Anne Stavely died.

And that it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that you were having an

affair with Miss Stavely. Who you knew through your mutual membership of a

choral society.

You, just hang on a minute, sir.

I also think you might have had a key from Miss Staveley and that you had some

reason to suspect that she might have come to some harm, hence the sudden

appearance when we met at Canal Reach.

You might also have been borrowing money from Miss Staveley, again, for some

reason which I can't... which I'm not too sure about. Lewis, tell me about

key I'm supposed to have. No, no, no, no. Tell me about this money I've been

borrowing. No, in fact, tell me, as you've obviously been doing your

tell me everything you know about Anne Staveley. You're not going to deny that

you knew... Lewis!

Actually, I think the best thing is for you to follow me back to my place. I've

got a bottle of some very good desert. We're clearly going to have to swap.

Oh, I would actually like to get back to Canal Reach tonight.

We could always get to an off -lighting. Apart from anything else, I think my

wife wouldn't be too happy if... Fair enough. We'll get to an off -lighting,

I'm probably going to have to ask you to lend me some cash, but...

Dear Mr. Richards, it's about Mrs. Stavely who died. I know all about her.

But does Mrs. Richards.

I know all about it. I hope you believe me, because if you don't, I'm going to

tell her everything.

You are rich, and what is a thousand pounds? If you agree, I'll not bother to

write again. Spelling is...

Let's make sure the police don't know anything. Here's what to do. Don't give

anything traceable. Forget the money and used notes. I hope you'll not try

anything funny. Please remember your wife.

Shall I speak to Adele? No.

Mrs. has got M -I -S -S -I -A.

You're not going in? In a minute.

Waiting for me? No, I'm having a decent cup of coffee.

Oh, I hate this place.

I hate inquest.

Dreadful coffee, and it's like a funeral, isn't it?

I don't know. What's the good thing about funerals?

Nothing. Music?

So, what's this about you and the dead woman?

I want to try and get the inquest adjourned. You're a bloody idiot,

But you just say you were knocking her off.

Because I wasn't.

To save me a lot of aggravation, I've got better things to do than bugger

looking at diaries and address books.

Anyway, just keep your mouth shut and let things go through just this moment.

It's a good job Lewis has got a bit of mouse.

It would look great, wouldn't it?

Especially with you after a superintendent's badge.

Suicide woman carrying copper's child.

What?

Thank you.

Could you please give me your name?

Harriet Louise Staveley.

Harriet Louise Staveley.

What is your relation to the deceased?

Mother. I'm the mother.

I have to ask you if you've formally identified the body of your daughter,

Jacqueline Roseberry Staveley.

I have.

Yes.

Estimate the time of death at somewhere between 7 and 9 .30 a .m. on the morning

of the day of discovery.

Apart from the contusions to the neck already described, the deceased had

suffered fractures to the laryngeal cartilages and the cervical vertebrae

dislocated. Otherwise, all principal organs were found.

Weight at death was around 57 kilos.

The deceased, who bore the marks of previous childbirth with both striae

gravidarum and linea gravidarum, was again pregnant, and I estimate the fetal

age is somewhere between eight and ten weeks.

Thank you, Doctor.

Have you any doubt in your mind that this woman met her death by her own

My job, sir, is to certify death, where it has occurred, and to ascertain, where

possible, the physical causes.

Yes, and you've ascertained the death was caused by hanging. In your opinion,

was the death self -inflicted?

In my opinion...

I would say it was possible.

Possible. Thank you.

You may stand down.

I now call upon Chief Inspector Bell to give evidence.

I have your statement before me, Chief Inspector.

Can I ask you if you have any amendments or additions to make to it?

Not at present, sir, but the pathologist's information about Miss

pregnancy, which was only with us yesterday, does raise certain questions

I can't at the moment provide answers to. We shall make a formal application

an adjournment until we can complete our inquiries.

I see.

Do you have any objections to my issuing a burial notice?

No, sir, we have no objection.

Very well.

This inquest is adjourned until July 3rd, when a jury will be present.

Thank you, sir.

All stand.

Have a drink later, Max.

Me?

Dinner.

Mrs. Stavely, hello. My name is Morse. I'm a police officer. I was a friend of

your daughter's.

Phantom.

And do you think Anne killed herself?

I don't know. I don't know what happened.

I don't think she killed herself.

But you would want to know. She was such a kind girl. She was a kind girl, but

if you knew her, you'd know that. She was always. She was so generous.

Look, not now, but sometime.

Could we talk? I'll give you my telephone number. Yes, yes.

Will you call me? I will call you, yes.

There is one thing I'd like to know that can't wait, and that is, did you know

that Anne had been pregnant before?

Oh, yes, yes.

But that was years ago. She married the father.

That was years ago. I mean, that was what ruined her, the baby and then the

marriage, and then it spoiled everything.

She was 18.

Right. And what happened to the baby? I mean, do you... What... Where did the

child live?

Oh.

I'm afraid I can't tell you that. The baby was a boy.

The baby was adopted, and I never even saw him.

And then, you see, she gets pregnant again. She got pregnant again, and look

what happened. Was that a surprise, pregnant again?

Until last night, I had no idea, no.

So you couldn't think who the father might be?

No, no, but if you were her friend, haven't you got any idea?

That's what everyone keeps asking.

I want Mr.

Alan Richards.

It's a personal matter.

Just tell him it's a personal thing.

Yeah, all right.

Mr.

Richards, well, we don't know each other as such, but let's just say that

I'm a friend of Anne Stavely's.

Or should we say was, Mr. Richard?

What?

Yeah, yeah, I heard you.

You got my letter.

Well, how much then?

Yeah, I can remember. I just wonder how much you're saying.

You'll be glad you've done this, Mr. Richards.

And so will Mrs. Richards.

Don't you threaten me, mush. I could make things very black for you.

Yeah, well, I could.

Do you remember that?

Very black.

Okay.

This is what you do.

Yes? Oh, hello.

Is Ned about?

I'm afraid he isn't, no.

Can I help?

No, no. It was Ned I was hoping to catch. I'm a relative.

Uncle. Really?

Did I meet you at his birthday thing?

I don't think I did.

No, that's right. No, I missed it.

Well, anyway, I'm sorry.

I'll wait. Do you mind?

Oh, really?

It's a time for a lecture.

Have you come a long way?

Well, quite, yes.

Would you rather I waited for a martyr?

No, no.

No. Come in.

That's Ned's bedroom.

Through there. And mine's through there. We share this room.

It's not very tidy, is it?

Sorry.

Oh, don't worry.

Does he bring Anne back here much?

Anne? Anne Stavely.

He seems to be mentioning her a lot in his letters, that's all.

I don't know the name, sorry.

We were wondering whether he'd found himself a girlfriend.

No, I don't think so.

But Ned doesn't bring his friends back.

It's not a big place and we don't... He spends a lot of time out, actually.

We both do.

But he does have a lot of friends.

This is Anne Stanley.

Do you recognise her?

No. No, I thought it was his mother.

This is our first term sharing, and as I said, we're different subjects.

Who's the darn fan?

Is that you?

No.

Oh, this will be him.

Ned! What?

Your uncle.

What? I think uncle is a slight exaggeration, but we have met.

Chief Inspector Morse.

Quiet. What?

Ned, he said he was your uncle. Did you kill Anne Stabley? Get out!

Why don't you come to the inquest?

You know, I've had a lot of trouble finding you. Don't you go to classes any

more? Look, I've got to go.

Well, that's fine. You go. No, you go.

You stay.

I can't work out whether or not you're having an affair with her. My guess,

But you were certainly stealing from her.

No, I was not.

Yeah, I've met you before. That's right, at Jericho.

Yeah. Anne said you tried it on with her.

I didn't kill her.

Guys like you couldn't say two words without trying to shove a hand up her

skirt.

That's what she said, is it, about me?

Everyone used her. She was sick of being used.

Always someone's punch bag, that's what she said.

I loved her.

She was everything to me, a mother and a... It wasn't just five minutes' tickle

away from the wife.

I'm not married.

Look, can I... Is there anything I can do? I wasn't talking about you. That was

your baby, was it? What?

She was pregnant.

I don't believe you. That's complete crap. Look, I've got to go.

I want you to go now.

I've still got some more questions.

I want to know what you did with the money you stole from Anne Stabley's

What was she so much of a mother to you that she gave you the odd hundred quid

now and again?

I don't have to listen to this.

I'm sorry,

the health centre's closed.

Well, look, the point is, I get a prescription and bring it for you.

I didn't ask for this stuff. I'm ill. The guy writes out the script and I

collect it. I'm ill. He clearly thinks it'll help me get better.

I'm asking you, do you ring every doctor?

When you say you're ill, what exactly is the problem?

Actually, I have an addiction problem as it happens, not that it's any of your

business, but since you are... I'm sorry, I cannot dispense this

You'll have to come back tomorrow morning when the health centre's open

can ring Dr Minero.

Thanks a shit.

I mean, really, thanks a complete shit.

OK, well, can I have it back?

Because I need it back.

Thanks. I'm sorry, you'll have to collect it in the morning.

You're a pleasant man, do you know that? A regular guy.

You will all, of course, have heard of the sad news and tragic death.

It so happened that she worked for Mr. Richards at one point, and it was at her

suggestion we invited him along to talk to us this evening.

Anyway, ladies and gentlemen, on the fascinating subject of how a small

engineering company made an international impact on the world of hi

very happy to welcome a name familiar to all serious music enthusiasts.

Mr. Alan Richards.

Managing Director of Richards Audio Research.

Alan.

Thank you.

Yes, well, just to repeat Mr. Hornsby's remarks about my lateness, for which I

apologise, and also to share his sadness at the loss of Anne Stavely. She was a

very dear personal friend, as well as someone who worked with me.

There's not a lot one can say, really. It's a terrible thing.

Except perhaps to take care, all of us, with those we care about.

Well, Anne indeed suggested I come and talk to you this evening about the

company that my brother and I founded some dozen years ago and with which Anne

was closely involved in the early years. Now, I'm not really much of a talker,

but I am something of an evangelist as far as this thing is concerned.

The Richards' turntable.

Who's that?

Good night. Thank you.

Oh, um, you're the singing policeman.

Which travels before me, the singing bit or the policing bit? No, I saw you at

the inquest, Anne's inquest, and then the chairman pointed you out to me. I

enjoyed your talk. Thank you. I've got a riches debt. I'm honoured, Chief

Inspector. How did Anne Stavely acquire hers?

That was a farewell present.

Such a generous firm, I'm surprised she left.

It's Maud. What's the excitement?

Incident in Jericho, sir. A man believed killed.

Whereabouts?

Canal Reach.

on before yourself.

Just so happened to be in the area.

That's right.

And you knew him too, did you, Jackson?

No. No.

Well, if somebody didn't like him very much, split open his head.

I know the feeling.

What's the estimated time of death?

Oh, no, don't tell me.

Between seven and eight this evening.

Do you know yet?

I'll make it up there now.

What makes you think you know?

Just a hunch.

I don't much like your involvement in this, Morse. No.

But if you are, if you know something I don't, I want to hear about it.

Fair enough.

So, I'll tell you what I know.

A woman apparently commits suicide and no one knows why.

We find out about it from an anonymous phone call.

Then we find out that this single woman is pregnant.

A fortnight later, a man living opposite gets his head mashed in.

Interesting, eh?

More interesting than that. Somebody is kind enough to call it about Mr

Jackson's demise.

When? What time?

Quarter to ten, something like that?

Will someone have recorded the exact time? No, no, it's not the same caller.

Jackson called about Anne's death, I'm certain of that.

I went to the box at the top of the road on the night she died. The directory

was open on P.

There was a strong smell of fish, Jackson's perfume.

I'll tell you what I think, Bell.

I think that Jackson saw something on the day Anne Stavely died and somebody

else didn't want him to tell us about it. Then I hope it isn't you, Morse.

Because you keep turning up like a bad penny.

I do, don't I?

Evening, sir.

I'm sorry to hear about your head. How is it?

Sore. Not as sore as Jackson's.

We've got to find this man out before he picks on anyone else. What do you

think? Chief Inspector Morse is very keen to know the time of death.

I'll know by morning.

You don't know.

Nope. A guess.

Between 9 and 9 .30.

That's a guess.

The body is still warm.

Fitting with your theories, Morse. It buggers them to hell.

Where were you between 9 and 9 .30?

Oh, I had the perfect alibi. The problem is, so does my suspect.

We were together.

What? I'm sorry to drop by unannounced.

You're not ill, are you?

No.

Well, I wanted a word.

Oh, yeah. Come in.

Having a bit of a night in, eh?

Can I get you a drink or a coffee or something?

I wouldn't mind if we could have that record a bit. Oh, yes.

I'm sorry.

Thanks.

My house ahead.

Leaking. I'll live.

I was sorry about that.

Well, um... Oh, yes, sir.

Sit down.

Well, I've got some good and bad news for you, Morse.

We're not going to give you the supers, John.

Right.

You're a clever sod, but you don't say the right things to the right people.

never will.

It doesn't bother me, but it doesn't do you any good.

You didn't want it anyway, did you?

No.

I mean, the point is, hey, you're unorthodox.

I mean, look at you.

It's not exactly... But anyway, fine, I mean, I like that. It doesn't bother me,

but... Was that the good or the bad news?

We're giving Bell the job.

He's not exactly a brain merchant, but he does... Well, I don't have to tell

you, he's... He's, um... He fills in the forms, he always has the

right... Anyway, shut your mouth a minute and listen, Morse.

I want you to tell me about the Jericho killings.

You've got shit all over you at the moment.

I don't know why.

Not quite.

I want you to tell me what you know about it, and if I'm convinced you're

mixed up in it, you can take it over.

That's if I'm convinced.

I don't have to convince you of anything.

Get your clothes on and I'll take you for a drink.

At least you stop sulking when there's a beer glass in front of you.

How can you think I'm mixed up with a murder case?

I just want to know what's going on.

Which pub?

Not that bloody awful hole you go to.

Wherever you like.

Just give me five minutes.

Yes, could I speak to Alan Richards, please?

Oh, yes, my name's Chief Inspector Moore.

Thank you.

Hello.

No, no, I just wondered if you'd heard about the murder in Jericho last night.

What?

A man was killed.

His name was George Jackson. Did you know him?

Well, you must know someone in Jericho, Mr. Richards.

This man lived opposite Anne Stavely.

No, no, I'm not accusing you of anything, Mr. Richards.

That's right, yes, you do have a pretty good alibi.

That's right.

Yes, I can vote for you, Mr. Richards.

I just wondered what you were doing on June the 11th.

Let me jog your memory. That was the day Anne Stavely died.

Anything you say to me will be treated with respect, Mr Richards.

If it's within the law.

I see.

And what would the lady's name be?

Oh, sorry, sir.

I think I'm going to have to insist on a name, Mr Richards.

And an address.

Hang on.

I'm sorry, hang up. A pen and a bit of paper.

Right, thank you, Mr. Richards.

Hills as in Dales.

Woodstock.

37?

Right.

Oh, yes, I understand.

Do you have any idea why Anne Stavely would want to commit suicide?

No, I didn't think you would.

Of course.

Yes?

You wanted to see me, sir.

Oh, oh, right, yes.

I expect you've heard your boss is getting promoted.

Yes, sir.

Good, eh?

Oh, yes, sir.

Marvellous.

I'm a quite different kettle of fish, Lewis.

Richards reckons he spent the afternoon and stably died under a duvet with a Mrs

Jennifer Hill.

Go and see her and try and work out how he could be in Woodstock and Jericho at

the same time.

Right, I'll see you later, sir.

I'm coming with you, Lewis.

He's dropping me off at the right cliff. They found Ned Murdock for us. Have

they? No thanks to you. That's to take an overdose before I can speak to him.

Oh, come on.

And I want the fingerprint reports from Jetson's house.

I'd like full reports, Lewis. I'd like everything written down.

Right. Right.

What about the business of the parking ticket?

Followed that up.

What do you mean?

The parking ticket.

Richard's car was parked in Jericho on the day Ann Stavely died.

You didn't tell me.

There was a parking ticket on the windscreen.

You see, somebody's lying.

What's the point? That can't work out who.

No, I'll tell you what's worse.

I don't believe anybody.

Careful, Louis.

Sort of stated here.

Not great.

There's a strong possibility he'll lose his sight in one eye.

Really? I understood he came in on an overdose.

He did, but in the process he obviously got very disturbed. He tried to blind

himself. I need to talk to him. Is that all right?

You'll have to come back, Inspector. He's going to be in the theatre in ten

minutes. He's already had his chemo. Well, ten minutes will be enough at the

time. I'm sorry, you'll have to come back.

That's very inconvenient.

Nevertheless, come back another time.

What? Well, I just... Anyway, do you want a light on?

No. Do you want cheering up?

No. Where's Richard's car?

The fine was paid first thing the next day by A. Richard 216 Oxford Avenue,

Banbury. And I've typed it all out in. Good.

Good.

Is that how you spell debited?

Yeah. What about the woman in Woodstock?

She says he was with her.

All afternoon?

Yes, sir.

She looked like the kind of woman who'd keep you occupied all afternoon?

I don't know.

You don't know.

Ann Stabley was that kind of woman, Lewis.

Call Richard. Make me an appointment to see him in the morning. Right.

One thing is certainly true.

And Jackson was getting his comeuppance. Murdoch was lying in the Radcliffe. And

if he didn't kill Jackson and Alan Richards didn't kill Jackson, who the

did? Maybe Superintendent Bell was right.

The murder was to do with Jackson.

Superintendent, Christ.

Let's go and find a pub.

I need to get home, sir. It's my night with the kids. Well, you just have to be

a bit late.

Sorry, sir. Another time.

Oh, sir, before you go...

There's news from the forensic people. They did find something when they went

back to number 10. Two prints, and there weren't jackpots.

Chief Inspector Moore.

Good morning.

Mr. Richards is expecting you. Please go through.

Can I get you a coffee?

No, thank you. No coffee, thanks.

Nice place to work?

Yes, very.

Richard's a good boss?

Terrific.

You're very loyal.

Ah, Inspector Morph did come in.

You sure you won't have coffee?

Positive.

This is beautiful.

Why did you lie to me, Richards?

I beg your pardon?

You told me you didn't go to Jericho on the day Ian Stavely died.

Why, that's the truth.

So who did you lend your car to?

A car? Nobody.

Oh, the Merc, you mean. That was probably parked outside.

While you were with your friend in Woodstock.

That's right.

I don't use the Mercedes too easily.

I have a little Metro.

I must say you're extremely generous.

Not only do you lend somebody a very expensive car, you also pay their

fines for them.

Why don't we stop buggering about and you tell me what really happened on the

afternoon of June the 11th?

Right, there's no point, is there, if you know about the parking ticket? OK,

um... I did go to see Anne.

Look, the fact of the matter is, um... Some time ago, I had been very close.

With Anne, I was in love with her, I think.

At one stage, I considered leaving my wife, but that didn't happen.

And so, inevitably, it became rather difficult here at the office with Anne,

it seemed best that she leave and find something less... Of course, I made it

financially, you know.

That was some time ago.

It seemed that she was fine. We saw each other a number of times.

Anyway, she called me. She wanted me to look in. She'd had some work done on the

house. I agreed, and that afternoon I went to Canal Reach, but in fact there

no one in when I got there.

Although you did go in.

Oh, sure.

How did you get in?

Oh, well, the door was open.

There was nothing new in that.

Then what?

Well, I mean, as I said, there was no one there.

I called her name a number of times, but no one answered, so... So?

I left.

But you went upstairs, didn't you?

I might have gone upstairs just to have a look around, you know, see if she was

having a bath or whatever, but... I can't remember.

You can't remember?

You haven't got the foggiest, have you? Because you were nowhere near unstable

that afternoon.

So who are you trying to protect?

Me.

My husband's covering for me, Inspector.

Husband?

That's right.

We sent the secretary home.

See, Alan was lying about the car and the ticket and going to Jericho.

My husband's very good at lying, Inspector.

Over the years, he's lied his way in and out of a whole host of beds.

For once, he's lying on my path.

Really?

It was me that went to visit Anne Stavely.

It was me that got the ticket and I paid it.

And did you kill Anne Stavely?

I didn't have to.

She was already dead.

Yeah, I know, Lewis. It wasn't like a balloon. I'm just going to open the

window. Morning, there.

You're one of those people who has breakfast, aren't you? Oh, yes, I am.

So, what's the programme today?

I don't know.

Right.

Morning.

Anyway, my car will be ready at lunchtime.

I can't think in these other cars.

Well, that's good, then, isn't it?

It's all right. It's a car.

I've got something to add to the Jackson file.

Which is?

He deposited £250 in the post office on the afternoon he was killed.

Really? In cash.

Well, is this significant? I thought he did odd jobs.

Well, I'll check, but I don't think it was money he got for a job.

Well, I don't see why not.

Well, that's because you were in a bad mood.

Why don't we assume it was money he got to be paid off?

OK. And let's assume that it was Richards that paid him off, because

seen something going on in Jericho on the afternoon Hans David died.

The money was for Jackson to keep his mouth shut, but signs were Jackson

going to do that, so Richards bumped him off.

And this is despite the fact that his wife says she went to Jericho, not him.

Another woman swears he was in her bed at the time, and I swear he was giving a

lecture when Jackson was killed.

Oh, that's right.

Oh, I think you're probably right, Lewis. At least that's the way it ought

have happened, but this doesn't get us anywhere.

Well, I've been asking myself if someone else could have killed Jackson for

Richard. And if so, who?

His wife?

His brother?

You're very sparky this morning.

Oh, you can't beat a cooked breakfast.

And it's also my birthday. That might be something to do with it.

Go and see the brother, then. Ask him if he killed Jackson.

And take his fingerprints.

And the other ones, too, while you're about it. And the wife's.

And find out if Jackson's recently been paid for a job, because if he has, your

theories ought to cock. I mean, Anne Stavely could have taken that £100 out

pay Jackson for some job he did for her. In fact, that could be part of the 250.

No, it isn't. Anne Stavely paid him by cheque. I've got her cheque stub and his

pay in counterfoil.

Oh, it's all right, Lewis. No need to go mad.

Come on, we'll celebrate your birthday.

Oh, no, thanks, Lewis. It's a bit early for me.

Suit yourself.

The boy's parents are driving down this evening.

No idea what I'm going to say to them.

Why should they expect you to say anything? Well, I'm his tutor. I had no

about the drugs business.

And now this.

I gather that the family, his family, are childless. That's the other thing.

Really? Apparently, yes. There's cystic fibrosis on the mother's side.

I don't quite know why, but she told me when I telephoned her, Edwin was

adopted.

I didn't know.

No.

I want to send one of my sergeants round later to look through his belongings,

unless you have any objections.

Well, it's just routine.

We're not intending to prosecute, despite the fact that he assaulted a

officer. Worse, he assaulted this police officer.

He punished himself, so there's no point.

Well, that's very... Thank you. Well, in that case, of course, we shouldn't

object to... What an idiot.

It's been staring me in the face.

I'm sorry, but what is it? Who killed Anne Stabley? It's been staring me in

face.

I was trying to find whatever it was they were looking for when they killed

Jackson. They couldn't have been Tony Richards because he was with me.

It wasn't his brother.

I didn't get that good a look at the man, but I'll swear it wasn't Alan

Richards. I know it wasn't. Alan Richards is in London on some conference

other. Is he now?

Should have bloody well asked.

Anyway, he can't be a suspect any longer.

Did you get Johnny's prints?

Oh, yeah.

I liked him, actually.

I don't think he'd kill anybody.

I did like him.

Speaks very highly of you, nurse.

What about Adele, Richard?

Is she in London too?

No, she's in Banbury still. Very happy to give her statement and her

fingerprint.

Very repentant. Oh, she also spent the evening in Jackson and died with Tony,

she says.

So that is alibi.

Convenient. Very close family, aren't they? Yeah.

Is she still saying she went to the house and burnt the love letters her

wrote to Aunt Clare?

Found that she paid the parking ticket. She did as well.

You see the cheques, Dad? Yeah.

So, I was wondering about Richard's then.

He didn't kill either of them.

Oh, no, he didn't kill Anne Staveley. No, no, Richards didn't kill her, but

tell you who did. Do you want to know?

Are you taking that back? No, no, no.

The man who killed Anne Staveley is called Sophocles.

Was he when he's at home?

Look, I want you to do a couple of things for me, then I'll explain

I want to know the name of the other driver when Anne Staveley's husband was

killed, and then I want to know what happened to the son she had adopted.

Social services will tell you.

And if they get stroppy and awkward, get very stroppy and awkward back.

Do I know this Sophocles?

Only if you loved your mother, Lewis.

Excuse me, sir.

Sarge, you said to let you know about those prints.

Tony Richards and his brother's wife.

Adele Richards?

Yeah, that's right.

And? Neither of them match with the ones we got from in here.

Still, you thought we made one arrest.

Who's that?

This is Sophocles, Chuck.

Lewis, Sophocles died two and a half thousand years ago.

What are you doing?

Are you just ragging me or what? No.

You are, aren't you?

Look, okay, I don't know who this bloke is. I'm supposed to.

At least I can survive half hours' work without reaching for a beer glass.

That's a good idea, Lewis. We still haven't celebrated your birthday.

Come on.

And I'll tell you why I'm deadly serious about Sophocles.

Thank you.

No,

actually, it was your birthday you cut me off.

Oh, partly. It's him.

No, first things first.

You know all about the Oedipus complex, Lewis, where you want to bed your mum

and bury your dad, yeah?

I know the gist. Oh, the gist will do fine.

Sophocles wrote a play about it.

Oedipus the king.

Now, Oedipus was this big tyrant, this big man, who found out that the woman

he'd married was his mother, and a man he'd killed in an argument at a

crossroads was his father.

So Jocasta, who was his wife and his mum, when she found out, guess what she

did?

Kills him.

No. She hangs herself.

Oh, I see.

Interesting, eh?

I can't imagine marrying my mother.

Well, Oedipus wasn't too happy about it, either.

Wasn't she a bit old for it? She was very attractive.

Now, after she's hanged herself, he poked his own eyes out.

Any of us sound familiar?

Yeah, yeah.

Aunt Stavely and... And she had a son who she had adopted. Right. And guess

I find out today is an adopted son?

Edwin Murdoch.

Yes. And guess whose birthday falls on the same day Aunt Stavely died?

Edwin Murdoch.

Just coins. Anne Staley had a copy of the Sophocles by her bed.

She almost certainly at one time or another had Ned Murdoch in her bed. Now,

know it sounds incredible, but maybe that's the point. I mean, why else

an intelligent, attractive woman suddenly decide to do something so

I mean, why else does a talented young man blind himself?

Yeah, but what about killing the father? Where does that go?

I go and find out who else was involved in the car crash.

The only coincidence, really, is that Anne's David's adopted son should turn

in Oxford.

It's quite possible they should find themselves attracted to each other.

The rest, after they've found out, well, that's the product of something else.

That's some kind of bizarre kind of atonement.

No. I know.

Bloody hell.

So Sophocles did it.

Well, there's nothing to report yet, sir.

There's no point in haggling with social services. Don't elective a Murdoch boy,

do you? Yes, I've tried that, but he's being operated on again today.

They're trying to rescue the... Well, he's got a retina damaged.

Anyway, I thought I could go back tomorrow, but in the meantime... In the

meantime, you and I are going to the Richards' office.

And you'd better make all your appointments early tomorrow.

We're all meeting at the Canal Reach for lunch.

Sorry, sir.

Who's we? Oh, everybody.

And I'll tell you something else for nothing. If I'm right or we were wrong

Anne did commit suicide, there's a note somewhere. I want to read it.

Oh, good man.

Can I help you?

Chief Inspector Morse, CID. I'd like to speak to Tony Richards.

I'm afraid Mr Richards is at lunch. Can I take a message?

No, I don't think so. When do you expect him? I'm sorry. He may not be back

again today, sir. He wasn't sure.

Yes, it's always a dilemma, isn't it, coming back after lunch? We'd like to

around the offices.

I think one of the partners would prefer to tell you rather than... I haven't

got time to muck about.

You take Tony's office. I'll ransack Alan's.

Mrs. Richards?

Sorry to bother you still.

The police are here without a search warrant.

Yes. Can you come over here as soon as possible? Okay. Thank you. Bye.

There's nothing in there.

What have you found?

Listen to this, Lewis.

Brilliant. Amazing sound.

Where was it?

It was filed under B for blackmail.

I'm serious.

No, Jackson was black... Jackson was blackmailing him.

It looks like it.

Except... Except...

I'm not sure, but I can't believe Jackson wrote that letter.

Why did he say that?

I don't know.

Yeah,

Mr. Richards, it's about Mrs. Stavely who died. I know all about her, but does

Mrs. Richards?

No.

Well, we know he wasn't very clever. There wasn't a single book in his house.

That's the point. Whoever wrote that wants you to think he's not very clever.

But that letter... There's nothing to misunderstand.

Stand. Despite the ballet and despite the punctuation, it doesn't affect

being said.

It's as clear as crystal.

No, Jackson didn't write that letter.

And if he didn't, Lewis, who the hell did write it?

I hope you've got a very good explanation for entering these offices

warrant. I have. I'm just photocopying it.

I'll have to keep the original, but...

This is for your reference.

He knew something, doesn't he? No, I think it's a complete bluff. He's trying

force us into some sort of confession.

All he's got is that blackmail letter, and that's easily dealt with. You

I can't stand the fate that gives me the willies.

Look at it. A bit of a coat of paint, and I adore it. Do any good.

Oh, don't go maudlin on us.

I've been covered up and been humiliated on your behalf, but yes, I'll try not

to go maudlin.

Sorry. Sorry I'm late.

Still, nice day, eh?

Tony Richards?

We haven't met. I'm Mort.

I thought you'd let yourself in.

Shall we go into the front room? That's probably best.

What do you think, Alan?

Ah, sure.

Might as well sit down, eh?

Anybody play?

I wonder what'll happen to these things.

Look, there's your lovely turntable gathering dust.

Tragic. God, these fingerprint boys make a mess.

Anyway, I asked you all to come here today because...

I was hoping Sergeant Lewis would be here by now.

Anyway, can't be helped.

Yes, yes, this was Anne Stavely's house, and in there is where she died.

From that beam.

She tied a cord to that hook.

I expect it was normally used for hanging up her washing.

Shut the door, and you can't even tell she's there.

That's what happened to me.

I came here on the day she died, and I didn't even know she was hanging there.

That was while you were here, Mrs Richards.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes, you were upstairs going through Anne's things, looking for any letters

might incriminate your husband.

Much as yesterday afternoon I was going through your husband's office looking

for any letters that might incriminate him. You found love letters.

I found a blackmail note.

What did you do about that blackmail note, Alan?

I paid up.

Did you?

Yes, I gave Jackson the money.

When?

You know all this.

OK, on the day he died, I delivered the money. I had to leave it behind a

telephone box just down the road.

There's no mention of this arrangement in the letter.

No, he called me shortly after.

I see.

Fine. So, you paid him the money.

How much, by the way?

£250. I told him that was all I was prepared to give.

So, you paid him the £250, and later that day, he was murdered.

Well, you know it couldn't have been me. I was with you.

It wasn't your brother, was it?

Not even a brother would be prepared to go that far.

Oh, I don't know.

I can't remember where you were on that particular night, Tony.

I was with Adele.

Oh, yes, yes, with your brother's wife.

And you can vouch for that, Mrs Richards.

Yes.

Yes.

Well, I must say, I don't believe you.

I think you killed George Jackson while your brother was giving his talk to our

group. I think you followed Jackson back from the drop.

and confronted him in his house about what evidence, if any, he had about your

brother's liaison with Anne Stavely.

And when Jackson wouldn't play ball, you smashed his head open on his bedpost.

How am I doing?

It's rubbish, and you know it. Your sergeant took my brother's fingerprints,

they didn't match with the ones shown in Jackson's house.

So... So what other evidence have you got?

And besides, if I'm prepared to cover up for my husband, why should he worry

about being blackmailed in the first place? It doesn't make sense.

Well, I was hoping that you'd explain that to me.

I can't explain it because it didn't happen.

Tony didn't kill Jackson.

That'll be Sergeant Lewis. Will you excuse me?

Thank God you're here. I'm halfway up my own back, sir.

Sorry, sir. I've been chasing a lot of stuff on the unstable adoption.

Later. I think you should know this now.

Ant Davey's son was adopted by a family in Wales.

I spoke to him on the phone this morning. He's a postman. Brilliant.

Her husband was killed in a head -on collision just outside Portsmouth. The

other driver was a pensioner, died instantly.

Naturally. I've also checked with Swansea. Edwin Murdoch doesn't even have

driving licence.

Sophocles didn't do it.

It looks as though I should send everybody home, as I'm clearly so far

Well, I hope that means you're going to leave us in peace from now on.

I don't think you can afford to be so righteous, Mrs Richards.

Anyway... Don't let us keep you.

Mr Richards, we haven't met on Sergeant Lewis.

Oh, I know.

What did you say?

I was just introducing myself to Mr Richards. Just say that again. Just

exactly what you just said.

We haven't met. I'm Sergeant Lewis.

You have met Lewis. You've taken this man's fingerprints.

No, sir, that's the Mr. Richards whose prints I took. Tony Richards.

Is this true?

I'm right, sir.

So which of you is Alan Richards?

It's Morse.

Yes.

I want to try and close the Jericho case this evening.

There's a few things I need to know just for my peace of mind.

All right.

Did you see Anne on the day she died?

Yes.

Or rather, I saw her dead the day she died.

I went round to the house in the morning and she was... Right.

And was there anything...

Did you take anything from the room?

Yes, I took money from her purse.

It was money.

You're not going to believe this. It was money she'd taken out the bank for me.

I believe you.

She thought she was paying for driving lessons.

I can't even remember.

Some story I invented to get cash from her.

All right, but no letters.

You didn't disturb anything else?

No, I panicked.

I was so desperate for heroin, I couldn't even... I should have phoned

police and saved her the humiliation from hanging there all day.

I was so desperate.

Were you the father of her child?

I don't think that's possible, Inspector.

Oh.

I don't have relationships with women.

I see.

Right. Okay.

There's just one more thing.

A letter has come into my possession addressed to Mr.

Alan Richards and asking him for money. In fact, demanding money.

I'm assuming that that letter was a sort of practical joke. Am I right in

thinking that?

Yes.

Then you'd better have it back.

How did you know I found it?

One of those guesses where you've guessed everything else and been wrong.

And you typed the envelope and I checked it with your typewriter.

Anyway, it had to be you because there wasn't anyone else, really.

So, just genius.

Richard hurt Anne so much.

That's why she killed herself.

She was tired of being hurt by men.

Had no qualms about trying to get money off him. He had plenty.

And he was so cruel to Anne.

She said once that she waited every day for him to call or arrive.

And he didn't bother.

Well, let that be an end to it. Burn it.

I will.

Thanks.

I miss them.

Inspector?

I'm still here.

Yes, I miss her too.

Did she ever say anything about me?

I know she talked about me at the beginning when I was a bit clumsy about

her out, but did she say anything after that?

I'm sorry.

Not that I remember.

No.

I just wondered.

Oh, there!

Good news. We found the letter. What letter?

Hans Daveley.

It was inside one of Jackson's rods.

The hollow, I see. The rod.

One letter.

Just said a letter. I don't know.

I don't see why they couldn't have found it the first time, Ron. What were they

doing? We couldn't find it.

Come on, hurry.

No need to hold it up like a trophy. We all know what a fishing rod looks like.

Who found it?

One of the boys, sir. I guess that.

Well, I think what happened is that one of the blokes is a bit of a keen

fisherman and he was...

admiring the rods when he came across the letter. What are you trying to say,

Lewis? Where did this admiration of the rods take place?

In the chap's garage, sir. In the chap's garage.

Taking his work home with him, was he?

I've spoken to the man, sir, and I'm pretty confident it won't happen again.

And the fact of the matter is he could have just thrown the letter away. Is the

rest of Jackson's tackle in the shed?

Absolutely, yeah. Definitely.

All right, then, we'll all stay here till we find out whether or not there

any more letters.

Sir...

Does it say what you thought it would say?

It says that Richard's broke her heart.

Take a copy of it. Let Richard see it.

Forget it. There won't be any on it.

I think he thought she might have written a letter to somebody else.

And he read this and changed his mind.

Oh, don't just stand there. Get this place tidied up.

And this time, leave the rod galore.

You're a lucky lad, Dixon.

On another day, you'd have ended up with one of them fishhooks up your backside.

Amazing.

Four of us went into that house on the day she died.

First Jackson, then Ned Murdoch.

And Adele Richards.

And then me.

And I'm the only one that came away empty -handed.

Fancy a pint?

Ah, I'd like to, but... Yes, yes, I know.

I'll see you tomorrow.