Original subtitles

Hey! Hey!

Come here!

You'll never believe this, but we have to visit a brewery.

Trevor Radford, managing director of Radford. One of the brewers found him at

the bottom of a vat.

Just like poor old Clarence.

Sounds like a pretty good way to go.

Keep respect, then.

I'm Dr. Halliday.

Your first case, Doctor?

Yes. They've thrown me in at the deep end, like the deceased.

He didn't drown.

It's too early to say.

There's a depressed fracture front left of skull with a circular point of

impact. Some heavy blunt instrument, perhaps.

Time? That's a difficult one.

They say the temperature in there is 55 degrees. That would have speeded things

up a bit.

Approximately.

Well, the body's cold, so it must have been at least eight hours ago. Probably

nearer ten.

Assuming he was pushed in immediately after he was hit on the head.

Around ten yesterday evening. What would he have been doing here at that time of

night? I think I can help you there, Inspector.

Norman Weeks, Marketing Director.

Yes, Mr. Weeks.

Trevor had been burning the midnight oil quite a lot lately, ever since farmers

announced their offer.

Farmers? Of Banbury? They're trying to take us over.

Trevor was preparing what he called a defence document to be circulated to the

shareholders.

Well, that would explain why he was on the premises. It doesn't explain what he

was doing in here.

No.

Where's his office?

into the yard, found the door open.

Anything missing?

Gail?

Anything missing?

Oh, I don't think so.

This is Gail, our secretary.

She was the last person to see Trevor alive.

Except for the murderer.

Well, yes, naturally.

He was preparing a defence document.

Where is it?

Could be in the safe, but I don't have the keys.

1841.

The brewery's been in the Radford family all that time?

Nearly 150 years.

No wonder they don't want to sell.

What time did you leave last night?

Just after six.

I offered to stay on, but Mr. Redford said he didn't need me.

Excuse me, sir.

Who's Mr. John Wheatley?

The company surveyor.

Why would Mr. Redford be writing a letter to him dated 10th of June, 1986?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Seems to have made a copy.

I suppose that could be in the safe, too.

How many work here?

Ten in the brewing area, about 50 in the other departments.

I want every employee interviewed, Lewis.

Then get a search organised.

Tell the lads they're looking for a heavy...

Blunt intimate.

Right then.

Take this back to the office. Give them to make a transcript.

Now, what do we know about the late Mr.

Radford? Married?

Mrs. Radford, please.

She's not up yet. Wake her, will you? It's important.

You'd better come in.

Shut the door behind you.

Mrs. Radford!

Yes, I can hear you.

There's a policeman to see you.

You're a policeman?

Yes.

If it's about that parking ticket, I paid it yesterday. It's not about a

ticket.

Someone's dead.

Yes.

Who is it?

Isabel? Charles?

I'm afraid it's your husband.

I wondered if you'd make us both some coffee.

Please. Mrs. Radford's just had a very nasty shock.

All right.

I'll take mine black. No sugar.

Car accident?

No. He was murdered.

Last night, at the brewery.

The brewery?

Look, Mrs. Redford, there are a few questions I have to ask, but I can come

back.

I... I went to bed early, you see. I took a sleeping pill.

Mrs. Redford?

All the time I was asleep.

He was... I never thought to look.

I just assumed he'd come and gone again.

I don't think you ought to be alone.

Is there anyone you'd like me to call?

How was he?

He was, um... hit on the head and... put into

a vat.

Could you call Stephen?

My brother -in -law.

Number?

It's in the book by the phone.

Under Radford Future Tech.

Ask him to tell his parents. I'll meet him there in an hour.

Would you like me to drive you?

Who else knew Mr. Radford was working late last night?

Oh, everyone.

I mean, we all knew about Farmer's offer and about the governor trying to fight

it off.

You were all behind him. Of course.

We produce some of the finest wine in the country.

So everyone's against farmer's bid, right?

Well, everyone at the brewery.

And what about the family?

Oh, well, family.

There's no accounting for them, is there?

Take the brother for one, Mr. Stephen.

Here, Mr. Trevor never did see eye to eye.

I'm always arguing about this and that.

Well, only last week.

We all heard him.

Mr. Trevor said in the diary he needed more time to pull the brewery round.

Mr. Stephen... I don't think he thought Mr.

Trevor could organise a proverbial even in his own brewery.

All right, then, where does your mate...

Morse? Go ahead, Officer 03.

It's Lewis, sir.

Where are you?

I'm driving Mrs. Radford to her in -laws.

That's something you should know.

According to one of the employees, Radford had a big bust -up with his

last week.

Not now, Lewis. I told you, I'm with Mrs.

Radford.

Oh, right then.

I'll call you back.

Please suggest it.

Mrs.

Trevor, on behalf of the staff, may I say how sorry I am? Thank you, Jeff.

They're waiting for you.

There's a policeman outside. Show him where to go, will you?

Any sign of the murder weapon?

Nothing yet.

Tell him to keep looking.

I'll meet you at the pub later.

May I have your name, sir?

Mort.

Rank.

That's important, isn't it?

I have to announce you, sir.

Chief Inspector.

Please come in.

This way, sir.

Chief Inspector Morse, madam.

The Good Samaritan.

Not entirely. I was coming anyway.

You're in charge of the investigations, Inspector?

Yes. Come over here.

I'm Isabel Ranford.

This is my husband.

And my son, Stephen.

I didn't catch the name.

Morse.

You'll have to speak up. He's rather deaf.

And, uh, what's he doing here?

He's a policeman. He's come to ask some questions.

You're looming, Inspector. Do sit down. I can't bear people looming at me.

Helen, come and sit next to me.

Chin up, dear. We must all be very brave.

Well?

Who stands to benefit from your son's death?

Benefit?

From his will, you mean?

Not necessarily. I was thinking of the brewery.

Who'll take over as managing director?

What?

The brewery, Mr. Radford.

Who'll be the new manager?

That is yet to be decided by the board.

No, dear, it'll be Farmers' decision.

If the deal goes through. It will.

You're not being much help, Mother.

Mr. Morse wants to know who'd have been next in line if Farmers hadn't

intervened. I've no idea.

Norman Weeks, I suppose.

Or, uh, Victor Preece.

Who? Where were you last night, Mr. Preece? At home, laying a new trap for

Flying Scotsman.

What? You must have heard of the Flying Scotsman.

It's a steam locomotive.

Or was, before they brought in these hideous new diesel things.

The track. How long did it take?

Three or four hours. I kept changing my mind, you see. I couldn't decide whether

to take the North Allerton to Newcastle section along the coast through West

Hartlepool and Sunderland or stick to the inland route through Bishop Auckland

and Durham. So you were at home the whole evening.

Anybody corroborate that?

Yes, my mother.

And the main local story is at 11 o 'clock.

Police are baffled by the death of Trevor Radford, managing director of

Radford's Brewery, whose body was found in one of the fermenting vats early this

morning. According to the Thames Valley CID, Mr Radford was working late last

night and appears to have been attacked as he left his office.

Oh, blast!

This offer for the brewery, I understand it caused some disagreement in the

family. Who told you that?

Is it true?

Yes.

We did disagree about it. We still do.

But I fail to see what bearing that has on my son's death.

I'm just trying to establish a motive, Mrs Radford. My dear Inspector, I don't

know what circles you move in, but in this family we're not in the habit of

murdering each other every time we have a disagreement.

They know about your row with Trevor, Stephen.

Someone at the brewery told them. So you think I may have killed my brother, do

you?

Because we had a route.

Would you mind telling me where you were last night?

Around ten o 'clock.

I was driving back from Bristol.

Alone?

Yes. And what were you doing in Bristol?

Oh, really? This is intolerable. I don't mind, Mother.

I had a meeting with Tremolo Computers.

My company makes their printed circuit boards.

What time did your meeting end?

About seven.

I stopped off to have something to eat.

Where?

Some Italian place. I can't remember the name.

Paid by credit card, did you?

No. It came to under 20 pounds, so I paid cash.

What time did you arrive home?

That's enough, Morf.

We've been very patient.

But if all you're going to do is stand there and virtually accuse poor Stephen

of Trevor's murder, then none of us has anything further to say. The chief

inspector's leaving, Jessop. Show him out, will you?

I thought it might be you.

Well, George, why is that?

Oh, you know, murder inquiry, beer involved.

I'll give it to Morse, I thought.

Really? Make beer as well, do you?

Good old Morse.

Always the Puritan.

Purist, George.

Never one to make fine distinctions, were you?

We've both been out in the real world a long time.

Knocks the corners off.

Yes, well, that makes them easier to cut, I suppose.

Getting the grand tour, am I?

Hello, Farmer's Brewery International.

How may I help you?

All right, but he's not in the office at the moment.

It's a long way from Sparta, George.

Sorry?

The little club we ran at Oxford.

Or you ran, I should say.

Yes, the Society for the Promotion of Traditional Real Ale.

I never worked out what the first A stood for.

Boys' Games, Morse. It's a competitive world out there.

So I keep hearing.

If you get Radford's, who'll run it?

We haven't got it yet.

Someone from Radford's, or will you put your own man in?

It's a corporate decision.

So Trevor Radford couldn't hack it, is that the story?

What? Oh, Trevor Radford's no longer the issue.

That's one way of putting it.

Look, Radford's is a sick company.

Bad marketing, bad pricing structure, bad financial strategy.

They need somebody, as the Americans say, to kick ass.

Their freehold's worth quite a bit, too.

I'm not an asset stripper, Morse, so don't come to Guardian Editorial with

We're talking commercial synergy here.

Either Radford gets an injection of outside capital or the whole lot goes

the tube and the family win it.

I'm their white knight, Morse.

But who's the dragon, George?

One of us will have to keep an eye on the brewery.

I will.

Won't it be too much for you, dear?

What about your own business?

It's only a week to the board meeting, Mother, and it'll give me a chance to do

some detective work.

What was that?

Detective work, Dad. I want to find out why Farmer's offer was so low. There's

no mystery about that. Every predator makes a low sighting shot. Not this low.

It bears no relation to our asset value.

I think farmers know something we don't. Lord, I'd leave you to the meeting if I

were you.

Don't rock the boat. What do you mean, don't rock the boat?

I'm trying to keep it afloat, for God's sake, till farmers rescue us.

Oh, stop it!

Trevor's dead, for God's sake.

All you can do is talk about the value of your bloody assets.

I've got a copy of the transcripts here.

Dear Mr Wheatley, I've just received your revaluation of our efforts, which

frankly astonishes me.

I feel I must put on record my opinion that your estimates are, without

exception, far too high.

Oh, give it to me, Lewis.

Far too high.

I realise that land values have increased dramatically over the last few

But even taking this into account, I cannot agree... Don't slurp in my ear,

Lewis.

I cannot agree that a 200 % increase overall is justified.

Perhaps we should meet to discuss the matter.

Yours sincerely, Trevor Radford.

Why would Radford have dated that letter three years ago?

And why would he have burnt the top copy?

Any ideas, Lewis?

There's got to be something to do with the takeover.

The motive, I mean.

It's got to be financial.

Maybe.

But I think it's also to do with a family feud.

What, the brother? Stephen?

Not just Stephen. The father, the mother, the sister -in -law.

I had the distinct impression that every one of them was being economical with

the truth, as if they were closing ranks.

Death always makes people close ranks.

Death and money.

And Trevor's death has certainly cleared the way for the sale of the brewery.

But who benefits from the takeover? The Radford family, certainly.

Farmers.

And the new managing director.

There were two candidates.

Norman Weeks and Victor Preece.

Yeah, I interviewed both of them.

And?

Well, I advise check out.

All right.

Let's go and talk to the surveyor.

Do you want me to come in?

Better not.

Hello.

What makes you think he typed this last night?

Because he made a copy. The column was in the waste paper basket.

But this isn't the original.

No.

Well, what happened to it?

He burnt it.

How very odd.

I really can't help you, Chief Inspector. I've no idea why he should

decided that my valuation was excessive.

You didn't disagree with it at the time?

On the contrary, he seemed completely satisfied.

And since then, you've had no cause to revise your figures?

I wasn't asked to revise them.

Could Redford's change of mind have anything to do with Farmer's offer for

brewery? Well, that wouldn't make sense.

Because whether or not the bid was successful, we want the valuation to be

high as possible.

Is that a copy of the valuation?

Of course. Could we see it?

What's the matter with Lewis? Don't you have enough paperwork?

Well, I might have a bearing clip.

What if it might have been killed to stop him sending that letter?

Why? Well, I've no idea.

But he burnt it, so he obviously never intended to send it. We don't know what

him that burned it.

Were there any other prints on it? None that we could find.

Not much of a theory then, is it? Well, do you have one?

Not yet.

But there's something very interesting about this case.

What?

Everyone we've talked to so far is hiding something, including that

Trevor Radford must have told the family.

They must know that he wanted you to take over as manager.

Maybe.

Anyway, it's all academic now.

Not necessarily.

You can always tell them that you were Radford's choice.

It doesn't work like that, Mother.

The family will make their own appointments.

The police won't bother you any more, will they?

You're the one who's lost out.

Yes.

I'm going to have to... What's the expression? Consider my position.

Don't be silly, Victor. You mustn't resign.

I'm a qualified carer, so I'll have no trouble finding another job.

Well, we must stay here in Oxford.

Oh, no, I couldn't face another move.

There you go.

Thank you, dear.

Can you phone Bullens for me today?

All right.

I'll miss my guard man coming, yeah? Right.

Oh, by the way, don't bother about dinner tonight.

Mrs Radford gone shopping with children.

Be back soon.

It's all right if we wait, isn't it?

Suit your kids this, Lewis.

Thank you.

Keep an eye on the children.

Mrs Radford?

Yes? I'm Chief Inspector Morse. This is Sergeant Lewis.

I was wondering when you were going to get round to me.

Oh? Last and definitely least.

How can I help you, Chief Inspector?

Your husband told us he had a business meeting in Bristol the day before

yesterday.

Really?

You didn't know?

I'm not interested in his meetings. They can be in Timbuktu for all I care.

What time did he arrive home, Mrs. Rutherford?

He's a suspect, is he?

Well, I expect someone told you that Trevor and Stephen didn't get on.

Is it true?

Yes.

Poor old Trevor made rather a mess of things at the brewery and Stephen gave

hell.

He's the one with the head for business.

Trevor was too proud to take his advice.

And they disagreed about whether or not to accept Farmer's offer?

Well, I think both of them would like to have kept the brewery going if it

hadn't been losing money.

Stephen was just trying to salvage something from the wreck, that's all. So

time did he get home from Bristol?

I've no idea.

You weren't here?

I was asleep.

What time did you go to bed?

I don't know.

I was asleep.

I was watching television and then the bloody horse of the air show came on so

went to bed. It must have been about half past eleven.

You didn't ask him why he was so late?

I don't have that sort of marriage, Mr. Mort.

The police may wish to ask us some more questions.

Be careful what you say to them, won't you?

Why?

We have some dirty linen.

We don't want it washed in public.

Well, what dirty linen?

To do with the family.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Yes, you do.

Do I?

It must have slipped my mind.

Good.

Excuse me, madam. Mr. Lineker is here.

Here's a bow, my dear.

I don't know what to say.

Nothing, George.

But it's kind of you.

What's he here for?

Come to offer my condolences, Charles. I'm so sorry. Oh.

I suppose you think it's just a formality now. What?

Our acceptance. I suppose you think it's a foregone conclusion. He hasn't come

to talk business, dear. Don't be so uncivil.

I still can't believe it. Who on earth would want to kill him?

Yes.

He's such a harmless boy.

A little out of his depth, perhaps.

That's what I find so hard to bear.

The fact that he wasn't a success.

Never really achieved anything.

It's not easy, the brewery business.

You know as well as I do, if Stephen had been running the brewery, it would

still have been viable.

And you'd have had to pay a lot more for it.

Life's never that easy, Lewis.

I've just been on to Tremelo Computers in Bristol.

And? They did have a meeting with Stephen Radford on the day of the

it finished at six, not seven.

All right.

Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.

Let's say he went for a meal before driving home.

Let's be generous. Let's say the meal took an hour and a half.

The drive back couldn't have taken more than an hour and a half.

He could have been in Oxford well before 9 .30.

He didn't get home till after 11 .30.

Which puts him right in the frame.

And his wife didn't seem too keen to get him out of it.

Bitter.

She seemed very bitter.

Well, you think so?

That was a curious phrase she used.

Last and definitely least.

But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

Very good, Lewis. Where do you pick that up?

Sunday, of course, sir.

And what's its relevance?

It means that it's one of these days I'm going to be a chief inspector.

And you're going to be a sergeant, sir.

It's Nelson.

In view of the recent tragedy, I think we should meet.

Don't you?

To discuss the future.

I rang a mate of mine on the Oxford Mail, and he confirmed what I'd already

heard at the brewery. It's been running it in a loft for several years.

So why does he think farmers want to take it over?

For the land.

Prime site.

He reckons they'll close the place down, sell off the land to a development

company. They've done it before.

I know.

Really? Chief Inspector Morse, Thames Valley, please. Mr. Radford.

One thing that puzzles him, though, why the offer's so low?

He says it's nothing like what it should be worth.

Just a few more questions, sir.

All right, but make it quick. I'm up to my eyes today.

You're not interested in helping us find your brother's killer?

Not if you're trying to pin it on me.

What time did you arrive back in Oxford the day before yesterday?

Here we go again. We're going again because we didn't get an answer the

time. I'm sorry, I really don't remember.

You must have some idea. Nine, ten, eleven?

Well, let's see. I left Bristol just after eight, so it must have been about

half past nine. And you drove straight home?

No. No.

According to your wife, you hadn't returned when she went to bed at 11 .30.

And your meeting finished at six, which leaves five or six hours unaccounted

for. I'd arranged to meet someone.

In Oxford?

Yes. Who?

I'm afraid I can't tell you.

A woman?

You must draw your own conclusions.

Oh, I came to my own conclusion some time ago, Mr. Radford.

Oh, I thought it was Trevor.

When I heard the doorbell, I thought I was losing his key. I thought about

phoning, but then I thought, well, that's the easy way, so...

Do you want to come in?

How are you bearing up?

All right. You didn't get sunk in yet?

Family rallying round?

Yes.

Everyone's been very kind.

Good.

If Stephen and I can do anything to help Helen, you will let us know, won't you?

Thank you, Thelma.

They wouldn't want you to be alone.

Unless, of course, you prefer it.

One of us could stay with you, if you like.

No.

No, that won't be necessary.

Sure you don't want me to send Stephen round? I mean, he could sleep on the

or something.

Just till you're over the worst.

I wouldn't dream of imposing on him.

He's got enough on his plate as it is.

He wouldn't mind.

He can sleep anywhere. It makes no difference to him.

Shall I lend him to you for a while?

Dangerous.

I might want to keep him.

I don't think so.

He's very unreliable, you know.

A lot of unexplained absences.

Really?

That's why the police came to see me.

They wanted to know where he was the night that Trevor died.

Yes, well, it was the police who brought me the news. Chief Inspector in charge

of the case. He drove me over to Isabelle's. Really?

He seemed to pick on Stephen.

That made Isabelle very angry.

I can imagine.

Still, it's not absolutely impossible, is it?

Well, Trevor was in his way, wasn't he?

At the brewery, I mean.

The old Ethel and Jacob thing.

One brother depriving the other of his birthright.

May we therefore beg your indulgence over the settlement of your account and

trust that it meanwhile delivers a volume.

We'll continue as usual.

Yours faithfully, Cedra.

What do you think?

Sound all right?

Should buy us in time?

Yes, let's hope.

We'll need time to make sure it gets the evening post okay.

You're wasting your time, you know.

Hitching your wagon to the wrong star.

What do you mean?

I mean when farmers take over, I shall still be here. Victor won't. And how do

you know that?

Never mind.

Just take my word for it.

Pathologist reporter.

Give me the gist.

Well, the blow to the head didn't kill him. He drowned.

He must have been attacked as he left the office.

Probably on the staircase, even down to the main door.

So he could have been hiding behind one of those big copper things.

Tons, Lewis.

They're called tons.

It's where the brewers make the mash.

All right, then. Tons.

I mean, it must have been pretty dark in there.

So he leaps out.

What makes you so sure it was he?

Well, it couldn't have been a woman.

She'd have had to drag him all the way back up the staircase.

Radford didn't wail that much. A strong woman, a fit woman, could have dragged

him into the mashing room and lifted him into the vat.

Tons of... Didn't you say that's what it was called?

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!

What? How are you?

How are you, Dad?

What have you been doing?

I went to see Helen this afternoon.

How is she?

Oh, prostrate with grief.

Is there anything we can do?

Well, I would offer to lend you to her.

Lend me to her?

I thought you might like the company.

A manly soul at a cryon.

I told her I could do without you for a few days.

Very generous of you.

Well, she shouldn't be alone at a time like this.

I wouldn't be any use to her.

I only get on her nerves.

Did you get a visit from the police today?

Yes, you?

Yes.

You seem to be a suspect.

They wanted to know why you were home so late the night you were last.

What did you tell them? I told them I had no idea.

I'm afraid I'll probably be late again tonight.

I have to go to the brewery.

See if I can plug a few holes in the sinking ship.

Plug away, darling.

That tart at the brewery, is it?

Don't start all that again.

Come on, little secretary.

I wish you'd find a girl of your own class.

Someone you could bring home.

Why can't I bring Gail home?

Because she'd only get ideas, that's why.

What ideas? This isn't exactly a palace, ma 'am.

She was a gold digger. She'd probably run a mile.

I think you're being very selfish.

My blood sugar was all wrong this morning.

What if I had one of my funny turns? I'll ask Mrs. Kremble to look in.

What about my guards, Van?

Sorry, I forgot.

Oh, for Christ's sake.

I'll need it for the weekend.

No, I promise I'll ring Bullens tomorrow.

Don't bloody bother.

I'll do it myself.

Good luck, Stephen.

Bit of a horror story, I'm afraid.

Let's hope I can give it a happy ending.

Happy for the Radfords or us minions?

For us all.

You sure you don't like me to stay behind?

I know as much about the financial situation as anybody.

No thanks, Norman.

If I have any questions, I'll call you.

There should be another column, too, sir.

Headed Farmers.

Oh, come on, Lewis.

You think they hired a hitman to knock off the opposition?

You've been watching too many American movies.

I meant it's a long shot, sir.

There's a lot of money at stake. They didn't have to kill Radford.

All they had to do was improve their bid. Make the family an offer they

refuse.

Still trying it on, is he?

His thought never stops.

I think you're right about him and Farmer.

He gave the game away this afternoon.

Oh?

Told me I was wasting my time with you, because after Farmer took over, he'd

still be there, but you wouldn't.

I knew it. I knew that bastard was feathering his own nest.

So what will you do?

Start looking for another job.

In Oxford?

Yes.

Mum's settled here now. She doesn't want to move again.

There was enough of an upheaval three years ago.

It was her idea, though.

She wanted to come south.

Why? Her great -grandad used to live around here.

the only one in our family that had a bit of money, so she thought the streets

of Oxford must be paved with gold.

I'd like to meet your mum.

I'd really like to see your trains, Victor.

I'm afraid it's worse than we thought.

I think you ought to come over.

No, no, no.

You handle it.

Do whatever you have to do.

What I ought to do is go to the police.

Yes, I know.

You mean you knew what Trevor was up to?

Yes, Stephen.

And I'm sorry you had to find out.

Steven!

Same modus operandi.

Identical. Different weapon, though. Something long and flat, like an iron

or something.

Isn't there something you ought to have told me, Mrs. Wrightfield?

We were going to spend the night together.

When he didn't turn up, I came looking for him.

I just can't believe it.

That it could happen again.

I tried to break it up with him.

I really tried.

What about your sister -in -law?

She knew.

Only she ever said anything.

Just dropped heavy hits.

No way of getting back at me.

Did you call her?

No, I don't.

I suppose you think I'm a bitch.

I did try.

You seem to be taking it remarkably calmly, Mrs. Bradford. Am I?

Did you love your husband?

You think I married him for all this?

That's what his bloody family thinks.

I was his secretary and then I did his PR.

We spent a lot of time together.

He must have been quite a catch.

It may be difficult to believe, Inspector, but so was I.

No.

No, I don't find that difficult to believe.

It's a very physical thing, you see.

We couldn't keep our hands off each other.

I got pregnant.

And I insisted on him doing the honourable thing.

So there I was.

A beautiful baby.

Married.

Until death us.

Oh, God, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean... No, not at all.

You see, marriage brings you down to earth as such a bump.

I expect you know all about that.

Have you managed to keep your illusions?

I've never put it to the test.

The bachelor?

Really?

Extraordinary.

The bachelor gay, am I?

How does that song go?

Do you?

Though I suffer from Cupid's dart.

Right.

You look the faithful type.

One woman at a time, man.

Do I?

You do.

Quite a catch.

And Stephen wasn't?

What? A one woman at a... A one woman man.

I see and learn I didn't have exclusive rights.

There were lots of women before Miss Horse of the Year show.

So you knew about Helen?

Of course I knew about Helen.

I knew about all of them.

And how did you feel?

How do you think I felt?

As with a physical relationship, take that away.

I knew it would happen one day.

And I...

fat and middle -aged, but I've been a pretty good Nick, wouldn't you say?

Of course, I felt disappointed.

Why didn't you divorce him?

Don't think I haven't thought that.

Well, what the hell?

I'd lose more than I'd gain.

I mean, I've got the Radford name. The bank manager loves that beautiful house.

Two wonderful children.

I'll settle for that.

Where were you last night between 8 .30 and 10?

Singing.

Singing?

The local operatic.

Oh, you're doing La Traviata.

That's right.

You're playing Violetta?

No.

No, I'm just a member of the choir.

See you, ma 'am.

Thank you, dear.

Did you have a good time last night?

Yes, ma 'am.

How are you sleeping with her?

What? The girl, has she got a flat?

A room of her own. She lives with her parents.

Did she ask you back last night?

Drink your tea while it's hot, Mum.

Oh, no trouble was cooking the books.

Maybe Stephen was in on it.

Maybe our murderer found out.

You don't kill someone because they're cooking the book, Lewis. All you have to

do is expose him.

But it can't be a coincidence it's all blown up now, just after a farmer's

offer.

I think we should have a talk with the farmers.

I'll do that. I want you to go back to Radford's, re -interview all the

employees, check their alibis.

Right.

I'm going to have a couple of hours of sleep and then go and see the parents.

They'll be shipped out.

It'd be terrible if they lose both thumbs in the same week.

I'm sure they'll survive.

You don't like that family, do you?

Looks like I'm not the only one.

But when you're at the brewery, find out if they've sacked anyone lately.

Morning, Shelley.

Morning.

I suppose you've heard the news.

News? There's been another murder at Radford's Brewery.

What? I heard it on the car radio.

It's the brother, the one who started the electronics firm.

Good God.

Makes you wonder who'll be next, doesn't it?

Shelley?

Cancel my appointments for this afternoon, would you?

I have to go out.

Chief Inspector Morse, madam.

Can't this wait?

I'm afraid not, Mrs. Radford. It's possible you may be in danger.

Danger?

You mean I'm next on the list? Or your husband.

Anyone connected with the brewery.

Please keep your voice down, Inspector. It's some sort of threat. I don't want

him to know about it.

He's had enough shock for one week.

May I sit down? Do.

Has the family any enemies that you know of?

What on earth is going on?

It's nothing important, dear. I'll deal with it.

Enemies?

Someone whose toes you've trodden on. Someone with a grudge.

I expect a lot of people have grudges against us. We're well off.

We have an extremely successful business.

If it was so successful, why did Trevor have to borrow a million pounds from the

bank?

I've talked to the bank manager. It was three years ago, just after the

revaluation of your assets.

Charles. Why?

Did you know about this?

Why? That Trevor took out a million pound loan three years ago.

Yes. And he didn't pay it back.

No, he did not.

Well, that settles it. We shall have to sell.

Look, Sergeant, I realise you've got a job to do, but we're fighting for

survival at the moment. One more day's loss of production will be very

We'll be as quick as we can, sir.

And we'll start with you, shall we?

Now, where were you last night?

At home.

All evening?

Yes.

And your wife will confirm that, will she?

No.

I'm afraid she can't.

It was her bridge night.

You'd have left her long ago if you hadn't been for the children.

They're my only grandchildren, you know, Inspector.

And now... they're both my son and daughter.

Thelma tells me that she knew all about her husband's affairs and she didn't

care.

Is that what she said?

I think you'll find she cares very much about anything that threatens her

security.

And you don't blame Helen?

Accidents will happen, even in the best regulated families.

Mr. Macorber.

Oh, I thought it was W .C. Fields.

Anyway, I'm very fond of Helen.

This doesn't have to become public knowledge, does it?

It depends on whether it has a bearing on the case.

Of course it hasn't.

Mrs. Preece?

Yes. Police.

It's about the murder at the brewery.

Murderers. Plural.

What? There's been another one. Last night.

Mr. Radford's brother.

We're rechecking everybody that works there. May I come in? If you're checking

up on Victor, he was out to dinner last night with a girlfriend.

I know.

What time did he arrive back?

Not late.

What about three nights ago, the night Trevor Radford was killed? I told you

that on the telephone. He was here the whole evening.

Perhaps we could talk about exactly what time he got back.

I had no idea things were so bad. Why didn't you tell me?

I didn't want to worry you.

I'm a shareholder, Charles. I have a right to know.

He specifically asked me not to tell you.

Why did he need the money?

Expansion.

Expansion? Yes, he said he wanted to buy more tied houses. He said it would

ensure our survival.

That should have been a board decision. He didn't think he could get it through

the board. That's why he took out a personal loan.

For a million pounds?

But he didn't have the security.

No.

No, I guaranteed it.

You mean you mortgaged the house?

Yes. You fool! You bloody old fool! He assured me that he'd pay it back within

five years. You'd never have known.

We must bring forward the board meeting to this afternoon.

Oh, my heavens! Say, is it?

At least let's wait until we bury them. No.

This business has gone on long enough.

We must make a decision before the weekend.

How well do you know the Radford family, George?

Charles and my father are quite close friends.

Then why are you trying to buy the brewery on the cheap?

Come on, Malt.

We made a perfectly fair offer.

Based on your own valuation?

Of course. Which doesn't seem to bear any relation to the Radford valuation.

Well, we shall have to see, won't we?

Our surveyors are usually pretty good.

I think you'll find they'll accept.

Especially now.

Look, it's a terrible tragedy. Of course it is, but it makes no difference.

We put in our offer nearly three weeks ago.

And business is business. I'm afraid so.

One's first duty is to one's shareholders.

Is that why you approached Norman Weeks? Offered to make him managing director

if your bid was successful.

Who told you that? Is it true?

You know Trevor Radford wanted to reject your offer.

Yes, Charles told me.

Why was the offer so low?

I'm sorry, Morse. I don't quite see where this is leading.

Would you like to confirm where you were last night, George?

I was in the theatre.

The local operatic society.

Of which I am patron.

I was with my wife.

and several friends.

Oh? Are you sleeping with him?

Well, that's none of your business.

I'm sorry.

I have to know.

Why? You invited him home last night, didn't you? After your dinner.

Look, why don't you ask Vic? I did. He wouldn't tell me.

Well, I'm not going to tell you either.

You stupid little tart.

Why can't you leave him alone?

Yes, well, you all know why you're here, so I'll throw the meeting open to

discussion. There's no time for discussion, Charles. We're in no

refuse farmer's offer. It's the only one we're likely to get.

But it's a quarter of what the company's worth, Isabel.

We can't let it go at this price.

We've no choice, dear.

Of course we have a choice.

If farmers won't increase their offer, we should reject it.

I know that's what Trevor would have done. I'd leave Trevor out of this if I

were you in view of his record.

At least he accepted his responsibilities.

But he didn't refuse them.

It's too late for recriminations.

Well, I know how Stephen would have voted anyway.

That's why I'm pledging his shares for acceptance.

Are you sure he left them to you? Oh, yes.

I spoke to the solicitor.

Well, it's an ill wind, I suppose.

I checked too.

It seems I'm the sole beneficiary of Trevor's will.

So the least I can do is follow his wishes.

I vote for rejection.

Norman?

I'm on this board as a representative of the workforce.

So I must vote for a future which guarantees continuity of employment.

And that future, in my opinion, lies with farmers.

So I'm for acceptance.

Well, Charles and I also vote to accept.

And together with Thelma's shares... Just a moment, please.

Just a moment. Just a moment.

I blame myself for the trouble we're in.

I retired too early, and I recommended Trevor to take my place. They were bad

decisions, both of them for which I apologise to the board, but I do not

them to be irredeemable.

What are you talking about, Charles?

I've been searching my conscience these last terrible days, and I

can't agree to this sale.

Not after a century and a half of continuous family control. My ancestors

turned in their graves and I could never sleep peacefully in mine. What's the

point of holding on to the brewery now? We've no need of it.

We have grandchildren.

And in 20 years' time... In 20 years, there'll be nothing to leave!

Except massive debts.

Norman, can I ask you something?

Do you believe the company can be turned round?

Well, not without a complete reorganisation of the sales and

departments.

Could you do it?

Me? Yes, if we gave you a free hand.

Could you save the brewery?

Yes, Mr. Radford.

I believe I could.

Then I propose we appoint Norman as the new managing director and

reject Farmer's offer.

No!

This is our last chance to liquidate our assets.

If we don't accept this offer, we'll have nothing.

Not even a decent pension.

I've lost two sons.

And I'm damned if I'm going to spend an impoverished old age just because your

bloody ancestors might turn in their graves.

It's the living you should care about, Charles.

I suggest we take a vote.

Who's for acceptance?

420 ,000 shares.

And for rejection?

580 ,000.

So.

We carry on.

Isabel!

Isabel!

they have telephones in your neighborhood?

I did ring, sir.

Several times.

Don't hear the damn thing out here anyway.

It's been another murder.

I hope it's that landlord from the crock and bullfinch teaching to keep his beer

properly.

Brewing?

No, sir.

Not our problem, then.

I'm afraid it is, sir.

Oh, that's official, is it? Yeah.

Chief Super thinks there could be a connection with the brewery murders, so

giving us first crack at it.

That's very generous of him.

Put that wheel on, will you, Lewis? I'm just going to wash my hands.

It blows to the body as well as the front and the back of the head. It

completely shatter the skull.

Any forensic connection with the brewery murders?

No. This is different.

Because it's messy. Right.

It took several blows to kill him.

Looks like you tried to phone for help.

I've never seen anything like this attack.

It was frenzied.

Desperate, then?

Our killer?

You have a theory, Lewis.

Well, the brewery murders were premeditated, weren't they?

Single blows.

Victims taken by surprise each time.

Whereas this... Oh, look.

I can see, Lewis.

Desperate.

No.

Now, I think we're looking for two different killers.

All right, take him away.

Hang on a minute.

I'm sure... I've seen this bloke somewhere before.

Where?

No idea.

But his face is definitely familiar. Come and look, sir.

I'll take your word for it.

You don't look to the afternoon, do you?

And then he came back and had a late appointment.

Who was it? Some woman.

She didn't give her name. Said he'd know who it was.

When was this appointment arranged?

She phoned yesterday afternoon, just before I left.

What exactly did she say?

She said she wanted to see Mr Nelson. No, no, no.

What exactly did she say? Exactly.

Well, let me think.

She said...

Something like, would you ask Mr.

Nelson to remain at the office?

I shall be arriving just after six.

May I see that, please?

Just a few cancelled appointments yesterday afternoon.

Two appointments the day before that.

the day before.

Do you have a client named Knox?

Knox?

Never heard of him.

Or her.

Or her.

Thank you.

Lewis, go over to the county records office. See if you can find out what

was interested in.

Thank you. He's been very helpful.

And the main news headlines at 10 o 'clock.

Alfred Nelson, a 45 -year -old solicitor, was found battered to death

Aldgate's office this morning.

According to Chief Inspector Morse of the Thames Valley CID, the attack took

place early yesterday evening.

He's appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of St Aldgate's between 6 and

7pm to come forward if they saw anything suspicious.

Where have you been all day?

You know exactly where I've been, sir.

The county records office.

What took so long?

Long? You should have seen the papers.

They've got half the Amazon rainforest in there. Papers?

At the county records office? That's amazing.

And none of them were catalogued.

If I hadn't got lucky, I'd have been there all week.

Have a beer, Lewis.

So you did get lucky.

Ebenezer Knox.

Born 1813 in Woodstock.

Educated at Winchester and Balliol.

Became the youngest justice of the people in the county.

Then in 1841, he and another man bought a piece of land.

You never guessed what the other man's name was.

Rattard.

Righty.

Three murders in a week, Lewis.

The chief super was right. There could be a connection.

But the pathologists thought there was no connection with Nelson's murder.

You're not listening, Lewis.

Even if we're looking for two killers, they could still be connected.

Well, you're right, Lee.

Knox's partner's name was Timothy Radford.

Radford and Knox started the brewery.

Is there any evidence Radford bought Knox out?

No.

No.

He caught the bastard?

Not yet.

Talk to my wife?

No.

It's you I came to see.

Tell me about Ebenezer Knox.

What?

Ebenezer Knox.

Where on earth did you dig him up?

County Records Office.

He was your great -grandfather's original partner, and I think he's the

all this. He died more than a hundred years ago. Yes, yes, but not in Oxford.

He seems to have been a very prominent citizen, but there's no record of him

after 1850 when he sold his house in Woodstock.

And there's no evidence he ever sold his half share in the brewery. No, not

sold.

But he certainly agreed to relinquish it.

You know all about this, don't you?

Family archives?

Well, just as my father left them.

I'm sorry about the dust. I haven't been down here for years.

To whom it may concern, I, the undersigned, hereby do solemnly

and humbly swear to leave the city of Oxford forthwith and never return, and

that in exchange, Timothy Radford of Marston Lodge, Oxford, will provide

me with the sum of 100 pounds each and every year for so long as I shall live.

Signed Ebenezer Knox.

It doesn't explain why.

No, but... This does.

Look at the names of the parents.

Ebenezer Knox, Margaret Fordham. Who was she?

A woman of the streets. There's a newspaper cutting here.

Oxford woman found guilty of vagrancy and prostitution.

Third offence, jail for one year.

So Knox left Oxford to avoid a scandal.

The date fits.

The birth was registered in 1850. Where did he go?

Somewhere in the northeast, I believe. He doesn't specify.

According to this document, Knox agreed never to return to Oxford.

But he didn't agree to give up his half share in the brewery.

North East, you say?

1850 -ish.

Ebenezer Knox.

Seems he cut quite a dash when he first came to Sunderland.

Flashy height, bender with a posh southern accent.

He started another brewery with a blog called Beddow.

Come into the office.

Neither of them could have been much good at business. They pretty quickly

down the tube.

Beddow's son bought them out in the end.

Where did all this come from?

An old mate of mine, sir.

In the history department at Newcastle University.

There's a professor there. Just written a book, Drink and Sobriety in the

Victorian North East.

You're all about Knox.

I've already got this from Lineker's computer.

Ah, but that's not all, sir. Not quite.

In 1852, Knox married a local girl. And they had a daughter who married a man

named Preece.

Ah.

Interesting, eh?

And then I suddenly remembered where I'd seen that solicitor fella, Nelson,

before.

What a pair they must have been.

Who? Knox and Radford.

One of them a hypocrite, the other a blackmailer.

Blackmail? Knox was a justice of the peace.

A pillar of the community.

So when a convicted prostitute gave birth to his child, she took the birth

certificate to Radford.

Radford probably paid her off and blackmailed Knox into leaving Oxford.

Made him sign a letter promising never to return.

Did Rodford ever give him back his share?

No. Gave him £100 a year of pittance.

So, technically, half the brewery still belongs to Knox's heirs.

Not just technically, Lewis.

Legally.

Can we come in, Mrs P?

Where's Victor, Mrs Preece?

Upstairs. Could you ask him to come down, please? Why?

I think you know why, Mrs Preece.

He couldn't have done those murders. He was out with a girlfriend.

We've talked to her. On both nights, he left her around nine o 'clock. And came

straight home?

I don't believe you, Mrs Preece. I think you've been covering up for him.

She should never have told him.

About your claim on the brewery?

That he'd been swindled out of his inheritance.

That's a dangerous thing to tell a little boy.

Especially a little boy who keeps his feelings

bottled up all the time.

But it was you who persuaded him to come here.

To apply for the job at Radford's.

But he had the qualifications and we needed the money.

To pay a solicitor.

Nelson.

But he told you your claim couldn't be substantiated.

Just my luck to hire a crook.

Which is your son's room?

I'll show you.

He took every single penny we had.

And then when these murders started, he... He tried to blackmail you. I told

we couldn't pay him any more. Even this house he's rented.

But he wouldn't listen.

Victor.

Put your jacket on, dear.

I'm afraid you have to go to the police station.

Your mother's going too, Victor.

I know he was with his girlfriend at the time of Mel.

You killed him, didn't you, Mrs. Preece, to protect your son?

When I come out, I'll get you too.

I shouldn't worry about it. By the time he comes out, you'll be long gone.

You're wasted as a cobbler's.

You should have joined the diplomatic service.

Something is worrying you, though.

Yes. What?

Loose ends.

And a piece that doesn't fit.

What does it matter, Chief Inspector?

The boys are dead.

Trevor's dead.

You knew he'd committed a fraud?

Fraud? What are you talking about?

When did you find out, Mr Radford?

When he asked me to guarantee a bank loan, Trevor persuaded the surveyor to

overestimate the brewery's assets, thus increasing the value of the shares.

So he could borrow against them. Oh, no, it wasn't for personal gain. It was to

save the brewery.

It was still a fraud.

And when farmers made their bid, he realised he was in danger of being found

out, so he wrote a backdated letter to the surveyor expressing his disagreement

with the high valuation.

I knew that once George Lineker took a look at the books, the fraud would be

exposed and... We couldn't have that.

Oh, no, we couldn't have that, could we?

The family reputation must be preserved at all costs.

The magnificent Radford.

For ten years you've been looking down your nose and smiling at me and all the

time... Just look at you.

I bet this is embarrassing you, Inspector, but... But I'm pleased it's

in the open now because... I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to say this.

You never wanted me, did you?

Just the grandchildren.

My kids.

So, now you're going to get your own way.

But I'm taking them with me.

And if you want to see them, you are going to have to whistle.

Well, Inspector.

Must the evil that men do live after them?

Or can it remain our secret?

There's nothing I can prove, Mrs. Wrightford.

I can't even prove the surveyor deliberately made a false valuation,

Your son Trevor can rest in peace.

So there are more important things than money.

What?

Family on it.

It's what the Radfords care about.

It's what he cares about.

I'm not sure about her.

Right, she'll stay with him when the money runs out.

They'll have to sell that house, won't they?

Pay off the... The hell

do you... Say that again.

Say that again, what you just said.

Well... I was just wondering whether she'd stay with him when the money was

Lewis, you're a genius. You've cracked it.

I thought we'd already cracked it. We cracked half of it, but we got the other

half wrong.

So I'm a genius, am I?

Yes, because you talk like Mrs. Preece.

You don't talk like Mrs. Radford.

I'm not with you, sir.

Isabel Radford wouldn't say stay.

She'd say, remain.

So? Can it remain our secret?

Can it remain our secret, she said.

The woman that phoned Nelson's secretary told her to ask him to remain at the

office. A bit tenuous, isn't it? I shall be arriving just after six. Now, most

people would have said, I'll be there just after six, wouldn't they? Mrs

certainly would.

But Nelson was blackmailing Mrs Preece. She admitted it herself.

Only since the first murder, and only for pocket money.

He was already playing for bigger stakes.

Why didn't you go to the police about

the blackmail?

We'd have lost half the brewery.

That odious little man, Nelson.

He threatened to give it to the priestess.

I wasn't going to have those bloody people get their hands on our brewery.

Oh, my darling.

What a terrible, terrible person you

had to be.

Why didn't you share it with me?

Because I didn't want you involved, Charlie.

Oh.

If the deal had gone through, I'd have paid Nelson off for my share,

and that would have been that.

Oh, no, it wouldn't.

He'd have come back for more.

Blackmailers always do.

That's one problem you won't have to face now.

Is that you, Morse?

I was just coming to see you.

How kind of you to offer me a lift.

We're arranging to have someone take you home, Mrs Preece.

You may still be charged with obstructing the course of justice.

Are you all right?

I'll be alone again now.

Yes,

I suppose you will.

Fancy a pint, eh?

Do you know, Lewis, I'm not absolutely sure I do.