Original subtitles

You're going to be all in a fret driving like that.

Oh, I'm sorry. It's being a policeman.

You're always in a hurry and we are late.

Aren't you a little old to be running around in fast cars?

Well, they're pretty women to drive around within them.

Haven't you got yourself something more your own age?

Come on, they've started.

Where's my makeup box?

Here.

Hey, don't worry, Beryl. It's only nice.

You feel great once you're in costume.

Well, wait for me.

Look,

I'm sorry. I really don't like being frightened. Really.

Drive slowly, not a promise.

It's just that we were late.

Thanks. Sandra lives very near me. It's not out of her way. It's not out of my

way either. Not at all.

I'm sorry.

You're very nice.

I've just had enough of men for the moment, OK?

Later. May I please have a little house out there? We're trying to work.

You need to.

You do understand, don't you?

Thank you.

Move up, Kenners.

Make room.

I thought you liked it.

Do you? It's just it's so serious about it.

I'm not ready for all that again, Sandra.

Yes. Barge up! No, not a drum.

Not a rugger, man.

Right.

Is there a Mrs. Newsome? A Mrs.

Beryl Newsome? Yes.

Phone call.

I'm terribly sorry, Simon. I didn't know anyone knew I was here.

Do you mind?

No, no.

But try not to be too feminine about it, Beryl. I mean, save your voice for the

performance. Your weak chance, Beryl.

Pamina's got a sore throat and they want you to go on instead.

We're not supposed to take private calls.

Not really.

Sorry.

Great. Oh, that's not bad.

In fact, I think it's a minor miracle.

Bad, good, good, good, good. Yes, there's always one.

You.

Where's your regalia?

What? You're supposed to be wearing a medallion like the others.

Look. I'll switch it through to civil defence.

There's never anyone in there. Second door on the right.

Thanks. Don't tell the chief executive, that's all.

You people, you never look.

Box, under the window.

Hurry up.

Can't it wait?

It is the final dress rehearsal, sir.

All right.

Well, while we're waiting, let's have one more go at that top half, shall we?

Two, three, four, one.

Hello?

Oh, come on, is anyone there?

Have you ever heard of a chief inspector, CID, committing murder?

with me, sir.

I'll have your guts for God, and I shall be out there finding out who did...

About time.

Sir, will you please tell this officious constable... Calm down, Morse.

All right, constable, thank you very much.

I understand she was a girlfriend of yours.

Not exactly.

Well, er...

Under the circumstances, I've decided to put Jack Bottomley in charge.

But I'm here.

I was on the spot. I knew her. Yes.

And you were found beside her with a knife in your hand and blood all over

What the hell is that you're wearing?

You don't think.

You can't think. I don't think anything.

I just know I've got to suspend you.

I'm sorry, Morse.

Really? Well, I'm sure Morse and I can handle it in a perfectly friendly and

professional manner, sir.

What's he doing here?

Jack's sergeant's on holiday, so I've given him a Lewis.

Well, you won't be needing him for a while.

Better start rolling up your trouser leg, Lewis.

Sir?

You'll find Chief Inspector Bottomley a grand master, much grander than me.

Like a game of chess, do you think?

I'll make a change from the crosswords for you. All right.

Let's get started.

Lewis, come with me.

Matt, sit down, sit down.

It's going to be a bit awkward for you, Lewis. I think you can manage.

I'll do my best, then. Good lad.

Now, what the hell am I going to tell this choir so it's not in all the papers

tomorrow morning that a senior chief inspector's run amok in fancy dress?

So how long had you known?

Could have been anyone, couldn't it?

I mean, any of us. He's a madman.

Well, we don't know that he was a madman yet.

You mean someone wanted to kill Beryl?

Why? This is what we're going to try and find out.

Now, why do you think she asked you for this lift home?

She doesn't...

She didn't have a car.

She only joined a couple of months ago. I was just trying to make her feel, you

know, part of the group.

Speaking of groups, Moss, my off -duty activities are entirely my own business,

if you don't mind. I don't know how you come to know them.

They're hardly a secret.

Off down the lodge every Thursday with half the station.

And you're so fond of Mozart. He was a mason.

And the Magic Flute, it's a Masonic opera, isn't it? Well, I mean, look at

Yes, well, up to a point.

Then I don't understand your hostility.

Unless it's to me, personally.

Of course not.

Let's forget it, then.

Now, Beryl Newsome, she wore a wedding ring.

She wasn't married, though.

Divorced. Twice.

She was off men, she said.

I think something must have happened on the way over.

How difficult, I can't remember exactly.

Remember what?

The impression.

Oh, I don't know.

They probably had a bit of a tiff, you know, on the way over.

Look, Mrs Newsome, if she was really off, then... I didn't know that, did I,

till she told me.

Ah, this evening.

So what were your... feelings for her.

I found her a very attractive woman.

I think he was keener on her than she was on him.

Beryl, asking me for a lift.

He didn't like it.

I could see that.

He didn't like it at all.

Good night, Brenda.

Good night, ladies.

Good night, sweet ladies.

Hi, Mr.

Are you off to the lab?

That's right, sir.

Got that knife there?

Yes, sir, but I can't really... It's all right, dear. I won't tamper with your

seal.

Is this a dagger that I see before me?

Just an ordinary kitchen knife, I think, sir.

Brand new, too.

Bought for the purpose, I'd say. But what purpose, Jim?

What purpose?

Thank you very much.

I hope, uh... Well, you know, I hope everything works out all right for you,

sir.

Oh, that's very nice of you, thanks.

You've seen Lewis?

With Inspector Bottomley, sir.

Look, Lewis, what's his, um... sort of sex life been all these years? Any

idea? Not really.

Not much, I don't think.

No.

And people do sometimes, suddenly, if they're...

or disappointed or humiliated, perhaps.

He drinks a lot, doesn't he?

Not when he's driving, sir.

Look, I know Morse doesn't altogether care for me.

He doesn't care much for anybody, sir.

No, but he's going to do his damnedest to solve this case himself, isn't he? I

wouldn't put it past him. He didn't do it, I'm sure of that, so I've let him

But I want you to keep an eye on him.

This is a murder inquiry, Lewis, and not even your chief inspector can be above

suspicion. What am I to tell him, sir?

Anything you like.

Given your relationship, I expect you'll tell him the truth, won't you?

Bloody fool!

It's the knife, sir.

Why did he pick up the knife?

If I'd done that, he'd have given me a right bollocking.

We're going to see McNutt.

Who? Chief Inspector McNutt. He was my chief inspector when I was an ignorant

young sergeant like you. Took early retirement, clergyman. I lived in

I need to talk to Sir Astro.

I'd better check he's in, I suppose.

Sarastro is the fount of all wisdom.

In the opera.

He's a version of Zoroaster, the Persian philosopher.

I

learned

everything from Jasmine McNutt.

You can look right inside Caesar's mind.

Is that why he became a vicar?

No, that was his wife.

Very religious, is she?

She betrayed him.

With... With whom, Lewis?

And the answer is God. She died.

What happened to you?

My auntie in Middlesbrough, she went all religious when her daughter died.

Had to put her away for a bit.

of your family history never fails to astound me, Lewis.

And when she came out, she wanted to be a nun.

Only she wasn't a Catholic.

You don't have to be.

Say all that again.

I was meant to pick up the knife. Its handle was toward my hand.

You can leave out the literary flourishes, Morse. They were always a

I stretched out my hand to pick it up. I knew.

Well, I had an intuition.

I knew that it wasn't the knife with which he was murdered.

Of course, it all happened in a flash, but... it was too clean, I suppose.

I'll bet you anything you like forensic find there isn't a scrap of fibre or

flesh on it.

Gambling won't help.

That explains why you picked up the knife.

Not why would anyone want to implicate you in the murder? Sir.

Excuse me, Lewis.

Yes, Lewis.

I don't see why anyone would kill Mrs. Newsome if they wanted to get Inspector

Morse. Why not just kill him? Because they wanted to make him suffer pain

than death.

I assume that's your theory, Morse?

I think it must be.

It presupposes that you're in love with Mrs. Newsome.

Were you?

I liked her.

I thought she liked me.

I suppose I hoped something might come of it.

If someone killed her to entrap you, he or she must have known of your hopes.

I made no secret of my liking.

I didn't know.

Then you may breathe again, Lewis. We can rule you out.

Someone in the choir?

I can't imagine, sir. Try.

A friend, Miss Machen, she thought you'd had a tiff.

Had you?

No.

Not at all. She was just a bit jumpy, that's all.

Perhaps Miss Machen was jealous.

Sandra.

Well, where's the motive?

I don't know.

Have another beer. It may help you to think.

No, thanks.

You're in shock.

I think I'm more in danger.

Who from?

I've put a few people away over the years.

Simon Albright.

Brilliant psychopath.

Which is what we'd be looking for.

Alpha plus mind, gamma minus morals.

Poisoned six colleagues at work for no good reason except that it amused him.

But horrified by blood.

Fainted when he cut off his shaving.

He's still in Broadmoor.

You sure?

Well, we can check.

Hugo de Vries.

A genius, Lewis.

Perverted genius, of course.

One of the greatest con men of the age.

He certainly conned me.

But not Morse. Not Morse. De Vries never killed.

He did in Sweden.

Build a prison officer.

I never knew that.

No. Well, he did.

They're in jail.

Must be.

Better check.

It can't be well.

Not interested in alcohol, McNutt.

It's one serious failing.

They're full, are they? Yes, sir.

No space at all, sir.

All right. Wait a moment.

See what I can do.

Really, the richer this country gets, the more people there are on the

I just don't understand it. I really don't.

The government said...

Closing these places down. That, Lewis, is what I don't understand.

These people have nowhere to go.

Sorry, Morse. First things first.

This is someone in real trouble.

You ought to listen more to Lewis.

Someone who didn't like Mrs. Newsome is a much more likely person to have a kill

done. There's a place I know which will usually fit someone in.

Perhaps this gentleman would like to contribute to your night's lodgings.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. God bless you, sir.

Here, buy yourself a drink. Moss, please.

In you get.

Good night.

Good night. Good night, sir.

Great man.

Giving his life to people like that.

What the?

Envy, Mark?

Not envy. Mark, look!

It's the bloody Masons!

Oh, God, Ruth.

What's going on?

Trial? What?

An ordeal.

The hero has to pass various tests before he can be initiated.

Pressing compasses to his bare chest and that. Oh, no, it's serious stuff.

Trial by fire and water.

You see, to me, though, the hero... What the hell?

What do you want, Butterworth?

Excuse me, sir, but is this your car?

I don't know damn well it is. What are you playing at?

I'm sorry, sir.

Do you happen to have your license on you?

What's going on, Mike? A member of the public's reported this car cutting him

outside Maidenhead.

Driving very erratic, he says, going over 90.

There haven't been anyone near Maidenhead. No.

Oh, have you got the license number right and everything?

I'm sorry, sir. I was told to stop and breathalyze the driver.

That's okay.

Who am I?

Chief Inspector Morseford. Right, so be your age.

Somebody's after me. Look at the car.

Oh, the lodge. Been having some sort of a rally, sir? No, no, no. Of course not.

Sorry, I'm not supposed to ask.

Oh,

not you too.

Do you really think I drink and drive?

I'm sorry, sir. I was told to stop the car. Come on, Mike, for God's sake. No,

no, Lewis.

No, Butterworth has his order.

From Grandmaster Bottomley, I dare say.

They have to do as they're told, you know, or they get their throat nicked

their tongues cut out, and then they're buried at low watermark at midnight.

Isn't that right, Butterworth?

If I could just see your license, sir.

Uh, thanks, sir. That's all in order.

Now, if you wouldn't mind... Yes, all right, all right.

I know how it works.

If this thing turns red, I'll know I'm seeing things.

Thank you, sir. You see, you have had a drink. Yes, I know what I've drunk. Now,

can I get on back to Oxford?

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I'm very sorry. It's all right. You're only doing

duty, aren't you?

No hard feelings.

Well, you are a... If you people seriously think your childish hands...

I wouldn't put any of you on security.

Oh, yeah.

What's all this about?

Don't ask me.

Good night, Mike.

Good thing about Mr. McNutt to be here.

Yeah. That's the one thing my enemy's got wrong so far.

Is all the tape back on?

Not at the moment.

I'm glad you've been with me this evening, Lewis.

Why's that, then?

Bottomley would never have believed it.

I can hardly believe it myself.

Still here, Lewis?

Looks like it, sir.

What are you doing?

Sending an overnight to Sweden, sir.

Sweden?

Inspector Morse has an idea about a man in prison there. A con man called De

Vries. How can he help us?

I don't know, sir.

Is Morse off his head?

I couldn't say, sir. Well, I'm asking you to say.

Well, it seems that De Vries took against him for sending him down.

Claimed he was innocent.

Threats from the dock, the usual thing. Where did Sweden come into it? Well,

after we'd finished with him, they wanted him over there, where he killed a

prison officer.

Nasty piece of work, then.

I still don't see how... Checking, sir, that's all.

Don't stay up too late, Lewis.

There'll be plenty to do in the morning.

This is actually happening. Certainly seems to be.

No, no, no seeming about it. Once we start seeming, we'll be lost.

This is reality.

We've got to hold on to it tight.

What does all this stuff mean?

Don't ask me.

Last night, I went through my career.

I'm a fair man, aren't I, Lewis?

I never put anyone away who wasn't guilty, never.

Lean the other way sometimes.

Wouldn't you say I was fair?

Fairer to women than men sometimes.

Well, they're the fair sags.

I checked out that Simon Albright that Mr McNutt was talking about.

He's still in Broadmoor.

De Vries was the other one.

Haven't heard from Sweden yet.

He conned the whole University of Oxford for six months.

Took him for nearly a million quid.

Never admitted he was guilty.

Here, let's get this thing off.

You know, there is a connection between De Vries and Beryl Newsome.

Marion Brooke was involved with both of them.

Who, she?

Fundraiser for Amnox now. Used to work for the university.

She was the one to freeze con most.

What's Amnox?

A charity.

They raise money for people in jail around the world.

Not just politicos.

Anyone.

Come on. Follow me to the garage.

I'm gonna get a respray.

And then we'll talk to Marion.

He had such charm, De Vries.

Women kicked off their shoes the moment he entered the room.

And men took out their checkbooks.

The funny thing was, he didn't need the money. He clearly was on.

He seemed to enjoy the game for its own sake.

Sounds like one of these big businessmen.

They think they take all the company just for the hell of it.

Yeah, well, he'd have been a great success in the city, but something...

do you believe in evil?

Well, no, no, it's no use, is it, blaming things on the devil or God?

But some people, they seem to be wicked for the sake of it.

There may not be a devil, but there's devilry, all right.

And the priest, what did he actually do?

Oh, he said he was the heir to a Swedish armaments manufacturer with a very

guilty conscience.

I mean, think of that.

A man with no conscience at all.

He told them he was going to give them an institute for peace studies.

A man fighting a war against society. What better cover? He was clever.

You see?

He took one look and knew your weakness right away.

So you watch what you're saying, Lewis.

He was a bit sensitive about De Vries.

He broke up her marriage.

Apart from everything else.

But he's dead, didn't you know?

He killed himself in prison.

Do you know what those places are like?

Even in Sweden?

Hugo could con his way into and out of most things, but the Depression... When

was this? How did you hear?

His mother wrote and told me. It must have been two years ago. No, three.

Did he have a real mother?

Of course he did.

Highly respectable. We became great friends. He wasn't a mason, was he?

I don't know when he chose, I dare say. He was everything else.

Who is this bottomly man who wants to ask me about Cawdor?

Oh, we're in ahead of him, are we? Good.

Who is he?

He's the man that thinks I killed her.

We will not see it.

I found her, you see.

Myself, I always work on the principle that the last person to see someone

is the murderer.

He thinks it's the first person to see them dead.

That's ridiculous.

Well, he'll find that out in time.

Meanwhile, you're talking to his leading suspect.

How well did you know her, Marion?

Did she ever talk to you about the man in her life?

She mentioned you.

Aren't you going to ask me about her work here?

Ask you what?

I'm not quite sure.

The thing is...

But she was the only person in our section who could operate the new

And I don't know what she was up to, even if she was up to anything, but

quite big sums of money used to disappear, or appear to disappear, and

up again.

Nothing's ever actually gone missing.

I know a bit about computers.

Do you?

Perhaps you can explain it, then.

Oh, that's one of those. I like that.

Do you know how to work a book? Oh, yes.

What was the name of the account you were having trouble with?

General Pund B.

Right. I'm going to need a password.

Pamina. P -A -M -I -N -A.

Don't ask me why.

Pamina. Heroine of the Magic Flute. The piece we were doing with the choir.

Here we are.

Oh, yeah.

A lot of money. Well, we're not Oxfam, of course, but the public is very

generous. She could control all that.

Up to 100 ,000.

Not control it exactly, but move it around, looking for the best interest

on. Ah, here we go.

Where?

Michael Baker. What does that mean?

Famous con man in the 40s.

Played on the fact that most people, even in high finance, depend on trust

habit.

So he put money in and out of accounts for a year or more till the banks got to

think nothing of it.

Borrowed larger and larger sums, always for 24 hours, always in cash, always

paid back the next day.

I think I can guess the rest.

Right.

The banks got used to it. And then one day, good old Michael Baker took

everything out of all the accounts and vanished with something like two million

quid. He's been paying into different accounts, 20 ,000 or so at a time.

What names?

Several. Mrs. Brooks among them.

Mine?

Yesterday morning she paid it all into one.

You bank at the Wessex Savings Bank, don't you?

Yes.

And it's all yours.

£99 ,999 .99.

Well, the money's there, all right.

But didn't you think there was something odd?

A huge amount like that in my account.

Well, I have known you a long time, and you are a police officer.

The transfer's been perfectly in order.

As a matter of fact, I was going to ask you if you wouldn't rather put it on

deposit.

Now I suppose you want me to transfer it back to Amnox.

With interest.

No, no, I really don't... Thanks, Mr. Prettyman.

The next time I get rich quick, I'll let you know.

All right.

If Morse did it, he must have had an accomplice to make the phone call.

But, of course, that could have been someone completely innocent.

A friend asked to do it for a joke.

Not a very funny sort of joke.

Could have told him it was her birthday.

Wanted her out of the room for a few minutes while they prepared a surprise.

Well, she's certainly got that.

Sit down.

What about her husband?

The first a scientist.

Took the brain drain to America seven years ago.

We've checked him out with the police in Palo Alto.

Hasn't been back here in three years.

The second?

Derek Newtham.

financial consultant in Aylesbury.

Ah.

That's more like it.

Yes, sir.

Except he took a second honeymoon ten days ago and hasn't got back.

Are you sure?

Oh, quite sure, sir. Spoke to him myself in Istanbul.

Well, none of that gets us anywhere, does it?

It removes them from the list of possible suspects.

Look, twice married, there's a good chance there's other men.

Well, yes, indeed, sir.

Including... Yes, yes, but others, Bottomley.

What have you found out about her private life?

I just off to have a good look round her flat, sir.

Well,

I hope to God you don't find anything.

Well, you know.

Yes.

If I didn't know he was dead, I'd swear this was Hugo de Vries.

He's got his fingerprints all over him.

Like yours on that knife.

A man like de Vries, you've got to check inside the coffin.

I'll just go and see if we've heard back from Sweden yet.

I'm very sorry about this.

Well, at least we got the money back.

So why on earth Beryl would want to do something like that?

Perhaps she did have a boyfriend.

Women do sometimes, I believe.

Do you?

Got my fingers burnt.

It's a long time ago, Mary.

I loved him.

I know.

You want to have lunch one day?

I'd love to.

We could share our mutual disappointment.

I hope it'll be more fun than that.

I'm in need of a pick -me -up.

I think I'll go and buy myself a new dress.

That's a very pretty one you've got on.

You'd make quite a good con man yourself, you know.

Bye.

Thanks a lot.

It's true.

What is?

About De Vries.

Swedish computer files say he's dead.

His spirit lives on all earth.

Alas.

Also, Bottomley wants us over at the Cowley Road.

This is Newsome's flat.

Says he's found something important.

to come so quickly morse anything to oblige you bottomly just before we go in

what time did you pick her up yesterday half five she keep you waiting at all 20

minutes or so that's why we were late you go in or what stayed here i see

let's go in there

Had you been here before?

I dropped her off once, that's all.

We asked you in that time.

So you've never been in the past?

Right.

Know about that?

Yes.

Good.

Definitely she's still left in a bit of a hurry.

Now you say you didn't know her all that well.

That's right.

But you gave her your photo.

No.

This you?

Where the hell did she get that?

I was hoping you could tell me.

Are these yours?

Of course not. I've never been here, I told you.

This is your laundry box.

It has to be your time.

It's your handwriting on the crossword.

And that is your temple, I think.

Well, how do you explain this?

She's always late.

That was all I meant. She was late that evening.

It's true.

Morse, all the evidence is that you had sexual intercourse with Beryl Newsome

before you drove her to the hall. I did not.

I have never been in this room before, I swear.

And I have never, alas, made love to Beryl Newsome. Did you try and fail? Was

that the problem?

I never got the chance.

Then why did you kill her? That's enough, Bottomley. I did not kill her.

someone, I don't know who and I don't know why, is trying to frame me.

I'm sorry, Morse, but I don't think you've been telling us the whole truth.

You'd better come to the station.

I'm putting you under arrest.

But come on, let's go.

Someone must have seen the murderer, Lewis.

Has everyone been questioned properly? I don't trust Bottomley.

What about the dresser? He was in and out. What did he say?

Dresser? The bloke making sure we all looked right.

I'll check.

What's his name?

No idea.

Inspector Bottomley wants me to go around your house with him.

Your fingerprints were on that beer bottle.

And I expect you'll find a great deal more incriminating evidence.

Because whoever stole my beer must have gone through my drawers to find that

photograph.

God knows where else he's been.

Just don't believe everything you see.

Anything you'd like me to bring for you?

I'd like a libretto of the Magic Flute.

It's in one of the boxed opera sets.

What's a libretto?

A little book, Lewis.

A book of words. The text.

Ah. Thought you knew that by heart.

Maybe I've missed something.

About the initiation.

Initiation?

Into the mysteries.

No weather of light or darkness.

What about clothes and things?

Well, how long do you think they'll keep me here?

You'd better bring a few shirts and stuff.

It's all in the airing cupboard in the bathroom.

Right.

On my way.

Thanks, Lewis.

He wants to know about the dresser, sir, at the concert.

Oh, never mind about that. You read it.

Morse's personal file.

Fairly sensational reading, the early part.

I knew he was a favourite son of old McNutt's, but I never heard any of this.

Well, it's not something he won't know, is it?

Beating up a woman who'd had enough of him?

Well, you'll see.

It was only McNutt prevented a charge of criminal assault.

You said Morse wasn't capable of murder, Lewis.

Still sure?

Come on.

We left here half nine this morning. The windows were shut and no music playing.

And he wasn't out of my sight again until you took him down the station.

Look at this.

It's a continuous tape. What?

So it would keep on playing round and round.

Morse couldn't do that. He hardly knew how to turn this thing on.

Well, we know he has an accomplice, Lewis.

The man who made the phone call.

Why would you want to annoy the neighbors anyway?

Give credence to his story of persecution, of course.

Now, anything unusual in here?

I don't know that I would know.

I wish you'd have brought him along.

So he could muddy the evidence?

Brace up, Lewis!

Lewis?

What's that you've got?

A little book he wanted.

I hope you're not forgetting who you're working for.

It's only a libretto, see?

What does he want this for?

Well, this opera, it's all to do with the Masons, see?

He thinks the case is to do with the Masons, too.

Well, let's get on.

You try the bathroom, and I'll go in here.

He said we'd fetch him some clean clothes.

All right, then.

I don't know why he has a house this size.

Never has anyone to stay.

Oh, God.

At the back there where he wants us to think to it.

I warn the chief constable, there's no chance of keeping this out of the press

beyond tonight.

It's a very bad force.

It's not so good for McNutt.

You ever know him?

Only by reputation.

Damn good bloke.

Well, looks like he used undue influence to protect Horth that time. I'm not so

sure. I've been asking around, and nobody seems to remember anything about

There was never a whisper at the time, I do know that.

Well, you weren't quite so senior then.

No.

Well, what do you want to do?

I can't keep him on a holding charge forever.

You'd better go steady.

Forensic says he's right about the knife.

It was definitely not the murder weapon.

But of course he knew that. It's all part of the plot.

Who, the malicious caller?

The accomplice.

Well, Morse has only ever had one accomplice that I know of, and that's

Well, Lewis is very loyal, sir, yes.

In fact, he's the only person to confirm a lot of what Morse has said.

That they weren't at Maidenhead, for instance.

That he didn't come back here this morning.

Indeed, we've only Lewis's word that they left McNutt alive and well last

There's no trace of the alleged derelict.

And there was room at the hostel.

Where is Lewis?

We're in a real pickle here, Lewis.

I just want to ask you one thing.

Now, take your time.

Do you think that Morse killed either Mrs Newsome or Mr McNutt?

No, sir.

Why not?

The person that did this is cleverer than him.

He's got to be.

Why?

Well, he is clever, Morse. It had crosswords in that book.

He couldn't have done that tape.

And he couldn't have done the computer fraud, not in a million years. What

computer fraud?

All right, Lewis, tell us the worst.

Oh, you don't really think... I thought that was some kind of joke. I mean,

Morse... It looks very much as though he and Mrs. Newsome were conspiring

together, madam.

Why he then turned on her... You've known him a number of years, I believe.

Ten or eleven, since the De Vries case.

Twelve, as a matter of historical fact, madam.

Now, according to our records, Morse was involved at about that time with a

woman called Elizabeth Beckett.

Worked at the University Chess. I wonder if by any chance you remember her.

Liz Beckett, of course.

She was the University Chess. But I didn't know she and Morse.

Oh, yes, madam.

Well, well.

Why? Oh, don't say she. We're just trying to trace her, madam. You wouldn't

happen to know where she lives.

I'm afraid not.

She... My own life was fairly confused at that time.

When things got back to normal, Liz had vanished.

Oh, I don't mean... She'd left her job, that's what I mean.

Any idea why?

I think she had domestic problems.

Not that I knew that with Morse.

Are you sure?

Quite sure.

Oh, Lord.

There was violence, wasn't there?

Yes.

She came to work with a black eye once.

A couple of broken ribs.

And three missing teeth, too.

Good God.

Morse.

He asked me out only yesterday.

I should make other arrangements if I were you.

If I drove dead, then who is Monastatos?

Good and evil.

That's what we're dealing with here.

Good and evil.

Darkness and light.

MacNutt was a force against darkness.

And now because of me.

It is because of me.

Must be.

But who?

Someone who doesn't want my death.

I disgrace my complete public humiliation.

Did you check on the dresser?

Not yet.

Bottomley's had your personal file out.

I won't find much there.

I found out about one of your old girlfriends.

Oh?

Elizabeth Beckett.

Who? Ten or twelve years ago, Elizabeth Beckett.

Oh, Liz Beckett.

She wasn't my girlfriend.

She was a sad but well -endowed young lady from Hinckley.

Got involved with a panel beater who mistook her one night for a panel.

Well, it got him put away all right, but it couldn't be him.

Thick as two planks.

What makes you think Liz Beckett was my girlfriend?

And the file said you beat her up pretty badly.

What? It was only McNutt got you off with a severe reprimand. That's complete

art, McNutt!

I'm finding this very difficult to hold on to.

Me too.

Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute.

If someone's putting things like that on my file, then it must be someone here.

Someone inside the force.

Not necessarily.

It must be. It could be a hacker.

A what? A computer hacker.

getting into our files, rewriting them.

And the Amnox account, he could be rewriting everything.

Are you telling me we're not secure?

I don't know, sir. It doesn't look like it.

God.

I thought these books were supposed to be foolproof.

Foolproof against fools, yes, sir, but not against a very clever con man.

What the hell am I going to tell the Chief Constable?

They're every case for the last five years. I mean, the whole lot could be

overturned. I mean, oh, no, this is...

But how did he get in?

How did he do it? I mean, there's... there's passwords, aren't there?

Didn't hate to tell him.

Could be someone here.

Oh, God.

But mostly these people just try combinations.

Like with a safe, they just keep playing around until they find the one that

gives them entry.

Well, they must have plenty of time on their hands.

Oh, yes, they...

Like someone in prison.

Yeah. And it's power over life and death, isn't it, sir?

I mean, in here, in the file, he can make someone live or die, including

himself.

Don't get carried away, Lewis.

We've got to keep our heads.

But he can, sir.

And all the time, this debris that we thought was dead, well, perhaps he's

Not at all.

We haven't checked Morse's version of the Elizabeth Beckett story yet.

And that bastard could have altered everything.

The one thing he can't have altered, sir, the Oxford Mail.

It seems I owe you an apology.

Not at all.

I'll do the same for you one day.

Well, there it is. What this means about our records.

I never did like computers.

It's only people like Lewis understand them.

What I like is good, old -fashioned written evidence.

Which is why I want someone to go through the statements you took at the

I don't believe no one saw Beryl's murderer.

It's not possible. There were too many people about.

Are you sure you spoke to the dresser? He was everywhere.

What was his name?

I don't know.

You may.

He had a box full of Masonic regalia.

Well, I'll check it out for you.

So, what are you going to do now?

I'm going down the pub.

I'm going to show my gratitude to Lewis in the time -honoured way, just as soon

as they're open.

Open all day now, sir.

It's quite interesting being the hunted for once instead of the hunter.

You should try it.

Gives you insight into the criminal mind.

You have a look in there and make sure he's not going to kill you.

I don't think so.

I don't think I've suffered enough yet.

Well, it's had you locked up.

That was inconvenience, not suffering.

Good hard beds in those cells, by the way. You should try it.

Good for the spine.

And this is good for the brain, so drink up, Lewis.

We've had a couple of good ideas today, but we'll need more from you tomorrow.

Glad to see they're looking after you, sir.

They must value me quite highly after all.

Thanks, Lewis.

Give my regards to Papageno.

Who is it?

Your wife.

Good night.

Evening. Evening, sir.

You alone?

Oh, you do all right with me, sir?

I hope so. You keep your eyes open.

Yes, sir.

Fine, don't worry.

What's in that thing?

Oxygen. You've inhaled some nasty stuff in there. I don't want oxygen.

Take it easy. Sit down. Come on, come on.

What's happened?

What the hell's going on? There's more fire in your living room. Nothing to

worry about.

Why?

I'll deal by fire and water.

Of course, the flute.

I should have... Oh, God, yes, he's so... He's so

clever.

Sit back down. I'll have some more of this. Better get him to hospital.

He's not taking me to hospital.

You can't trust anyone, you see.

Don't you realise?

He may be... You see, he's everywhere and nowhere.

Are you a mason?

Are you?

You're in this together, aren't you?

My God, yes.

The masons.

Yes, you've always wanted to get me ever since you joined Thames Valley.

First you got into the force, and then you got into the computer, and then you

killed Beryl and McNutt, and now you want to kill me.

Can't you give him something? Get away from me, I told you, both of you.

It's the Matrons.

They want to kill me. They're trying to kill me.

Malcolm Lee is decreed in disguise.

Morse, for God's sake, pull yourself together.

Sorry.

It's Malcolm. Sorry, I thought.

Where's Lewis? I want Lewis.

You know, Lewis, Morse is a very good copper.

But sometimes he's more trouble than he's worth.

Is he all right now?

Well, he ought to be in hospital, really, but... Why don't you go and see

you think?

Any statement yet,

sir?

Laker. Laker.

Good morning, sir.

It's a terrible morning.

I spent 25 years building up this collection.

25 years.

Some of these 78s, they're irreplaceable.

Leaves a right old mass of fire, doesn't it?

Life, that's what leaves the mess. There's mad people everywhere.

I'm going to have to apologise to Bottomley. I'm told I accused him of

Vries.

It's not funny.

I'm going to have to... two... Lay it on with a trowel?

How low?

Yeah. Here's how he did it.

Nasty.

The sort of thing people leave in stores. You know, kind of animal people

that.

He must have plundered it when he played that trick with a loop.

Whoever the hell he is.

Is there anything legible on that label, Dearden?

Yeah, the magnificent... No.

Magnific... Magic.

conducted by art.

Toscanini? Arturo Toscanini? Talk about adding insult to injury.

That's the worst recording of the Magic Flute ever made.

I wouldn't allow it in the house.

Right.

Right.

Yeah. Right.

Sweden. Yes.

Thanks very much.

Tack.

Hugo de Vries screwed up the Swedish record, too.

He's not dead.

He talked himself into release on parole six months ago.

And while he was in prison, he took a degree in computer science.

through their equivalent of the Open University.

First -class honors, of course.

He even won some national prize.

But if he's on parole, there'll be some sort of check on him.

No one's seen him since the morning he stepped out of jail.

Marion Brooke.

She helped to put him away.

He got his mother to tell her he was dead.

God knows how long he's been planning this, but if he was after me, he'll be

after her, too.

Am I still suspended?

Well, he probably should be, but on our way, Lewis.

Oh, more.

This Drepper you keep asking about, no -one seems to know anything about him.

Now you see him, now you don't.

Let's defreeze, all right.

She isn't coming in today.

She rang up to say she wasn't feeling too well. She worked so late last night.

Why was that?

She often worked late.

Of course, she got sidetracked with this dreadful business about Beryl Newsome.

She was still at it when I left at 7 o 'clock.

It really is unbelievable about Beryl.

I'd always thought she was completely trustworthy.

Very idea...

Strain on everyone.

Particularly.

She and Beryl work so closely together.

What's it there?

A hand in glove.

I wonder if we ought to have another look at those accounts while we're here,

Lewis. Which accounts?

Here's the money coming out of your bank account again soon, going back where it

belongs. Thank God for that.

No. What is it?

It's gone again.

Where?

Uh, well, it takes a bit of sorting out, this.

For God's sake.

Computer virus, I'm joking.

What the hell does that mean?

It means this program's gone for a total burden.

The money.

99 ,900. God knows.

I know, too.

I think I know.

It's blowing the coop.

Looks like it.

Well, you're the birdcatcher, Lewis. It's your job to find that.

How is that, sir?

Find that.

Catcher and cager. Like Papageno.

Who?

It's about time you saw the magic flute, Lewis. Find out what I'm talking about.

Have you got your keys?

Off you go.

Yes?

Oh, uh, good morning.

Mrs. Brook in Thames Valley, CID.

There's something wrong.

No, no.

Do you know where she is?

At work, I expect. What's the matter?

She reported a prowler.

Did she?

Then you mind you catch him. There's too many of them about.

Oxford's not safe anymore. Not for women.

No, no. Well, um... She said she'd be in this morning.

Well, she's not.

She never is mornings. She's got a proper job.

But she's gone to the bank.

Shouldn't think so. She's left me my money, as usual.

Well, uh, now we're here, um... She said she saw him from the bathroom. All

right, if you'll come in and have a look.

Well, I don't know.

I suppose so.

Thanks very much. Right.

Right.

This is the bathroom.

That's funny.

She couldn't have seen anyone from here.

Must have meant the bedroom.

Must have.

I've made the bed.

Yes, she must have meant this.

She could have seen from here.

Is there anywhere else that could have been looking out that way?

There's a spare room, but I don't know why you...

Then do you really?

Do you mind if we take a look in the garden? See how he might have got in.

It's locked. You'll need the key.

Nice wine.

Yes.

Very nice indeed.

Thanks very much. I don't need to see the garden after all. What?

Just remembered I've got a call on my wine merchant.

What do you think you're up to?

Here.

I'll call the police.

Make sure not to put Chief Inspector Pottingley.

He drinks claret the way I drink beer.

A lot of it, you mean.

He goes for quality, not quantity. Chateau Petrus, Cheval Blanc.

The first growth, the great Pomerol, Saint -Emilion.

Several hundred quid a bottle, some of them.

That was 1970, she got there. A whole case of it. Worth a bit.

A thousand quid or more.

There's only one place he'd buy that here.

Morning, sir.

Can I have your glass of Australian Chardonnay? Jolly good notes. I'd like

see the manager right away.

I am the manager.

Is anyone buying Petrus and Cheval Blanc from you? By the case?

Yeah, he is.

Why? It's a murder investigation, sir.

I say.

Really?

Who is it? It's urgent.

Dr. James Wilson. New Zealander, I think. Visiting fellow of Wadham.

I was a bit surprised, the New Zealander. Of course, there are some

ones. Where did he live, in college?

Just a moment.

He gave us the very best references.

He would have done.

We sent him a couple of cases of Chateau Ozone, only last week.

Here we are, four Chippenham Close.

Thanks.

Sure you won't try the Chardonnay?

He's using the name Wilton.

Dr James Wilton.

Inform all ports and airports.

Probably traveling with Mrs. Marion Brooke.

Probably not under that name.

And tell Bottomley and Superintendent Strange we're going to Fort Chippenham

Close. Now.

Thanks.

Rubbish, these new models.

No class at all.

Is that him?

That's him.

Seems we're just here in time.

Where's she?

Gone to the bunk, like I said.

I hope so.

Is she in it with him or not?

That's the question.

Must be, surely.

Not if he's dead.

Here he is again.

Why do you want her to be innocent, sir?

I'm old -fashioned.

All right, you stay here. I'm not out in five minutes.

Oh, no, no, no, none of that. I'm coming with you.

It's me he wants. It's me he's going to get.

Or rather, it's me that's going to get him.

Call Bottomley if anything looks wrong.

Shouldn't that be I who am going to get him, sir?

Block the drive.

Hello, Hugo.

Morse, you made it.

Well done.

You're a little earlier than I expected.

And you're supposed to be late. The late Hugo de Vries.

I like being dead.

Takes the strain out of living.

But all good things must come to an end.

It's chilly out here.

Shall we go in?

Packing up. Dr. Wilson's off on his travels, yes.

Research, you know.

Into what?

The unknown.

Have you enjoyed the little dance I've led you?

I do hope so. I put so much into it.

Tell me, what finally brought you here?

The claret at Mrs. Brooks.

Ah.

Wasted on her, of course.

No palette, Marion.

None at all.

But what loyalty, Moss.

What loyalty.

Do sit down.

Tapping the claret. That's a fine old English expression for giving someone a

bloody nose.

How's your nose been? Out of joint.

May I offer you a drink?

No, thanks.

Yes, it's a bit early.

Shall we have our music?

You haven't given up drinking, have you? No.

I wondered. I was so sure you'd be over the limit. You always were in the old

days. Was I?

And you see, I so wanted you to know what it was like.

What what was like? To be caught, to be punished, to be made to look a fool.

People like you and McNutt, you regard it as your duty, your bounden duty,

that the phrase?

To deprive people of their liberty.

But it's theft, like any other.

How can anyone be himself in a prison, shut away from the light?

You should have thought of that before you started.

Started what?

My life of crime?

But that was all a joke, Morse. That was all fun.

I've never harmed a soul in my life.

You more than harmed Beryl Newsome. Not at all. You were ultimately responsible,

of course, you and Mac Nutt. But the person who did the actual deed, that was

Marion.

I was merely the dresser, the assistant to the star.

I bear you no malice.

I forgave you years ago for putting me away.

Isn't that what men do in your Bible when they cross with their wives? Put

away.

I believe so.

What a fascinating language.

But Marian couldn't forgive.

She loves me, you see.

Come on.

Are you telling me? Oh, I was her accomplice. I admit. Just for the hell

I left the knife, which you so obligingly picked up, and those little

irritations, the fire and water, they were my humble contributions, but the

master plan was hers.

Why would Mariam want to kill Beryl?

Beryl was about to find out.

Those financial manipulations...

You surely aren't still so much in love with that stupid woman as to believe her

capable of those.

No, no.

Marion and I, Morse.

After hours, of course.

How's the car?

It's being resprayed. Now, that was malicious, I admit. I couldn't resist

Not that you understood, I think.

You made an elementary mistake, you see.

You thought you were the hero.

You were meant to think that. You were meant to think your frustrations were

ordeals. But the villain undergoes frustrations too.

Until he and his mistress are overwhelmed by the truth.

I am the high priest, Morse. You are the evil spirit.

I am Zorathro.

You are Monastatos.

And now the earth is about to swallow you up.

Now look, Hugo.

I don't recall inviting you to use my Christian name.

Of course, you don't have one, do you?

On your knees, Morse.

What? I want you groveling on your knees.

I'm going to kill you.

Or am I?

You never know with me, do you?

It may be well worth your while to beg for mercy, but then again, it may not.

I may kill you cleanly with a single shot, like an English gentleman, but

again, I'm not an English gentleman, so it's really up to you how well you beg.

What do you want me to say? That you were wrong.

That I was always innocent.

As indeed I was.

You weren't innocent.

You're quite sure.

You're sweating, Morse. It's a disagreeable sight.

One shouldn't be afraid of death.

It isn't the end.

I got interested in Pythagoras in prison.

I learned there was no night, no day, no life, no death.

Metempsychosis, Morse. Oh, yes.

The soul never dies. It is transmuted. It migrates.

Barrels are fish now.

Or a bird.

Yes. I think a bird.

Quite possibly in a cage.

And, McNutt? A slug.

As for you...

A dung beetle.

Who's that?

My sergeant.

Why do policemen always go around in pairs like low comedians? Are you

permanently afraid, or what?

I'm afraid of you.

I've always rated you a real genius.

But if you honestly thought I'd come here alone... So impatient.

Walk over there, please.

Go on.

Turn away now.

Life and death, darkness and light.

None of it matters.

Goodbye.

Metempsychosis, Morse.

The sea change into something rich and strange.

Sir! He's getting to the door, sir!

I thought he shot himself.

Oh, God.

He was there. He was lying there.

Oh, my God.

That whole thing, that whole...

You bloody fool. You left your keys in the ignition. God almighty.

He fooled me again.

We'll have to use your car, Mariam. Which...

Excuse

me, madam, but may I see your driving license?

Wait a minute.

If it hadn't been for you, he couldn't stand the thought of more prison.

He told me if we were caught, he was going to shoot me first and then

If it hadn't been for that stupid, interfering policeman.

You were ready to die for him. I don't want to go to prison.

You should try it.

And you might find out what it's like for a brilliant man like Hugo to be

up day and night for years and years.

And the world outside, the stupid, idiotic, ordinary world.

Do you think what it was like for Beryl Newsome or McNutt?

He framed Hugo.

You gave the clinching evidence against Hugo yourself. You confused me.

Marion. Hugo was completely innocent.

He said you killed Beryl.

And you believed him.

How wonderful.

What were you going to do with the money?

Persecute you.

All this.

Murder and theft and murder again.

All this just to get me.

And we will, in the end.

We'll get you.

He persuaded me, you know.

While I was with him, he really persuaded me that she did the killings.

When he said he wasn't a killer, I... I don't know.

Do you think I'm losing my judgment?

What judgment's that?

I've lost my sense of reality.

I mean, is he really in there or not?

Oh, he's there, all right.

You never know with DeFries.

So much of our work, it's intuition, and he... He

didn't just get inside computers, he got inside my head.

Like he got inside Marion's.

Do you think he'd have stayed with her?

He'll stay with her forever.

Would you mind doing something for me, Lewis?

What's that?

The choir, they're...

Having a sort of memorial performance for Val. The magic clue.

Nice gesture.

I'm not going myself. I don't feel... Look, would you mind

representing me, sort of?

Take your wife.

You'll enjoy it, honestly.

It's good fun.

It's like a panther.

It's got a dragon.

And when is it?

Tonight. Oh, I can't tonight.

It's EastEnders.

The wife won't miss an episode of EastEnders. We can record EastEnders.

Well, but... Please.

There you go.

Ah, Moth.

Saw your car in the car park.

You made a good job of it, haven't there? You'd hardly know.

I'll know.

Anything new?

Well, we've counted the money. It's all that.

You'll want to wash your hands, then.

Dirty stuff.

It's going to do good work.

I suppose.

I give to Oxfam myself.

Do you?

Ah.

Well, speaking of charitable activities, I wonder... Well, I know you have

strong feelings about Freemasonry, but if you were to see for yourself the

lodge at work, I'd be very pleased to... to propose you.

Trying to establish true concord between us.

It does seem foolish for us to quarrel.

Thanks. Thanks a lot. But I don't join things. I'm even thinking of leaving the

choir.

What does he think?

I still couldn't understand a bloody word.

Let's go for a drink, for God's sake.