Original subtitles

Sloner 181.

Mark, this is Harry.

Harry?

Where are you?

I'm at the flat. I want you to come over as soon as you can and bring the van.

Now, that's important.

Why do you want the van?

I'll tell you when I see you.

All right, I'll come round straight away. You sound worried, Harry.

I am worried, hellishly worried.

Now, look, can you get hold of Jacqueline for me?

What time is it?

I doubt if she'll be back from the theatre yet.

Well, try and get hold of her if you can, Mark.

I think she can help me.

All right, all right, I'm coming.

Eric, at this time in the morning, what? Can I come in, Alan?

Yes, of course you can. What's happened?

I'm awfully sorry, getting you out of bed like this. I do apologise.

That's all right.

I'm worried, Alan, terribly worried.

You don't have to be a detective to spot that. What are you worried about?

I'm sure something's happened to Carol. She went up to London last night and she

hasn't returned.

Perhaps she stayed the night in town.

No, she didn't. That's just the point. I've spoken to Harry, and he put her on

the train.

Which train?

The last one, the 11.30.

I met it. I told her I was going to meet the train, but she wasn't on it.

Well, perhaps she went to sleep on it. It happens, you know.

That particular train goes to Dalesbury, doesn't it? Yes, I know it does. I've

just come from there.

It stopped at Felton Dale, Market Weldon, Railsford, and then Dalesbury.

I've checked every station, Alan. She wasn't on the train.

All right, then. Let's start at the beginning.

When did you last see her?

Yesterday afternoon, I popped in the office for a few minutes. She caught the

6.45, had dinner with Harry at the Positano, and then apparently...

Positano?

Yes, there's a little restaurant in Bloomsbury. Harry's very fond of it. He

goes there quite a lot.

Go on, Harry, go on.

After dinner, according to Harry, he drove her to the station. They were a

few minutes early, so they sat in his car for a little while, talking.

Then what happened?

He put her on the train.

At least that's what he says. Well, don't you believe him?

Yes, of course I believe him.

But... Well, if she was on the train, what the devil happened to her?

What was she wearing?

Oh, God, now let me think.

Did she change at the office? Yes, but I know what she was wearing. She had a

black lace cocktail dress. You probably remember it. Yes, I should do. I bought

it. And I think she had a blue coat with a fur collar. You know the one, Alan.

Was she wearing a hat?

No, I don't suppose she was. No. What did Harry say when you told him she

wasn't on the train?

Well, he was bewildered. He just couldn't understand it.

Oh, incidentally, I promised to ring him back. He's waiting for a call. Can I use

your phone? Yeah, go ahead. I'll get dressed.

Alan, what do you think's happened to Carol? I don't know. I hope nothing's

happened to her.

You tell Harry Brent I want to see him. Ask him to be in my office at nine o

'clock.

What's happened?

Well, there doesn't seem to be any reply.

Well, try again. You've obviously got the wrong number.

Yes, yes, yes, who is that?

Oh, this is Eric.

Oh, Eric, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize your voice.

You sound out of breath.

Yes, yes, I am. I was downstairs. Look, is there any news?

No, I'm afraid there isn't. I suppose you haven't heard anything. Carol hasn't

tried to phone you by any chance.

No, no, I haven't heard a word.

Look, Eric, I've been thinking she could have fallen asleep. That train probably

goes to Dalesbury. Yes, it does, but I've been there. I've checked every

station. Look, Harry, there's something very odd about all this.

What do you mean, Eric Ard?

Well, if she was on the train, she must have got off at one of the stations.

Otherwise... Don't forget, I want to see him.

Yes, all right, Alan.

Who is that, Eric? Who are you talking to?

I'm talking to Alan.

I'm with him at the moment. I'm in his flat.

Oh, good. Put him on. I'd like to have a word with him.

He wants to have a word with you?

Well, you tell him to be in my office at nine o'clock. I'll talk to him then.

He says he'll talk to you later, Harry.

What does he mean he'll talk to me later?

That's what he said. He wants to see you in his office at nine o'clock.

All right, I'll be there nine o'clock.

I'll see you, Eric.

I'm sorry I kept you waiting. It's just one of those days. Is there any news of

Carol? No, there isn't.

You know, I find it very difficult to believe she did catch that train last

night. Of course she caught the train. I drove her to the station. Well, no one

saw her at the station.

No one seems to remember getting on or getting off that train, Mr. Brent.

However, let's hear your story, shall we?

What time did you arrive at the Positano?

Oh, about ten past... How did you know we had dinner at the Positano? Well,

Eric told me. You must have mentioned it on the phone, I suppose.

Oh, yes.

Yes, that's right.

Well, go on.

Well, I arrived about 10 past 9. Carol was late about 20 minutes, I should

imagine. We had dinner and then we left the restaurant at about a quarter to 11.

I drove her to the station and she caught the train.

Did you actually see her get onto the train?

No, I... No, I didn't. Then how do you know she caught it? Well, she must have

caught it. Look, I want to know what happened. I want to know exactly what

happened at that station.

We'd had a row in the restaurant and we sat for a little while talking about it

in the car.

Then about...

Twenty past eleven, we both got out of the car and went into the station.

I said goodbye to her and went home.

Where did you say goodbye?

On the platform?

No, near the bookstore. I didn't go onto the platform, but she did. I stood and

watched her. You didn't actually see her get onto the train?

Well, no, I suppose I didn't.

I was too upset.

Upset? Yes, I've just told you. We had a row.

What was the row about?

Do I have to tell you that?

Look, you don't have to tell me anything, Mr. Brent, if you don't want

to.

She accused me of being a liar. She said she knew for certain that... Look, what

the devil does it matter what the row was about?

Look, I'm not trying to pull the wool over your eyes or cover up anything.

I've just told you we had one hell of a row and we broke things off.

Was Carol upset?

Yes, of course.

Very upset?

Very. We both were.

That's why I didn't go onto the platform with her. I usually do, but... Well,

last night we'd said goodbye once. I just couldn't face up to it again.

When you say you broke things off, you mean... I mean just that, that we were

finished. It's all over.

I'm afraid there's some news of Miss Viner.

Well, what is it? Well, that's Carol's handbag and her shoes.

Where did you find it?

They were found at Kingston, near the river.

A little girl found them on the way to school.

Kingston? That means she must have got the train on the other platform, the

1125. That goes to Kingston.

Unless she was taken there, of course.

Are they searching the river?

Yes, sir. Right, we'll get the car. I'll go straight away.

Wait a minute. What do you mean, unless she was taken there? Are you

suggesting... I'm not suggesting anything, Mr. Brent.

In fact, right now, I'm open to suggestions.

Is there any news of Carol?

Yeah, we found her handbag, Eric, and her shoes.

Where?

A little girl found them near the river, Kingston.

Oh, my God, I'm going over. Eric, wait a minute.

I've just come from Kingston. Now, believe me, there's no point in going

down there. There's absolutely nothing you can do.

All right, if you say so, Alan.

Did you see Harry this morning?

No, and I just can't understand it. Naturally, I was expecting him to call

him, but he didn't. He didn't even phone me.

Has he gone back to town?

Yes, I imagine so. Eric, according to Harry, he and Carol had a row last

night. They were both very upset. They broke things off.

I didn't know that. So I wanted to ask you. Didn't Harry mention her when you

spoke to him on the phone?

No, he didn't. You sure?

Yes, quite sure.

Thank you, Eric.

Now, don't you worry. The moment we hear anything, I'll get in touch with you.

Was that Harold Tolley I saw driving out of the gate just now?

Tolley? Yes, he was looking for some plants for a stall of his. He thought I

might be able to help him.

Did you tell him about Carol?

I told him I was worried because you didn't arrive home last night.

Was that a mistake? Shouldn't I have mentioned it?

Doesn't matter, eh?

Any news from Kingston?

No, nothing. I've just been on to them, as a matter of fact. Oh, Eric Viner

called. He was here about 20 minutes ago. Yeah, I've seen him. And there's a

call from Dalesbury. The Jason case is coming up at 2.30, not 3. Damn.

We'll have to leave here at half past one. I know.

Oh, by the way, Mr Tolley's here.

He wants to see you.

Tolley? But I've just seen him. To speak to?

No. No, he's coming out of Eric's place when we arrived. He must have come

straight here.

What does he want, you know? He wouldn't say. He insists on seeing you.

You want to see me?

Yes, if you spare a few minutes, Inspector.

Right, Tomlin's out.

It'll have to be a few minutes.

I've got a very busy day ahead of me, Mr Tully.

I did a bit of sorting out last night. I went through a few of Phyllis's, you

know, my wife's things. I found this photograph in her own bag. I thought you

might be interested in it.

You've shown this to anyone else?

No.

You didn't show it to Mr. Viner?

No, I told you I ain't shown it to anyone.

Oh, I see what you're getting at. No, I didn't see Mr. Viner this morning

because of the photo.

Well, why did you see him?

Well, I need some plants, and I was hoping he might be able to help me.

Did you know he was friendly with your wife?

Oh, I knew he knew, Phyllis. Of course, he met her through his sister, but that

photo seems to indicate they was very good friends. Yes, yes, it does indeed.

All right, Tully, I'll keep this, if I may.

Yes, of course.

Is there something else you want to see me about?

Yes, there is.

I've changed my mind.

You've changed your mind?

Yes, I've decided to tell you the truth.

It was true what Mrs Green told you. I did ask her to get the pen for me,

Fielding's pen.

I offered her £50 for it.

Why? Did you want the pen?

Well, a man I know asked me to get it for him. He said he'd pay a lot of money

for it. What do you call a lot of money?

400 pounds cash.

Who was the man?

Was he the man we picked up?

Kevin Jason?

Yeah.

How well do you know Jason?

Well, hardly know him at all, really.

Introduced himself to me one night in the Wooden Indian at Kingston.

Said he understood my wife used to work for Fielding and she was a friend of

Mrs. Green's.

No, he stood there talking for a bit. He bought me a couple of drinks.

I thought he was a bit of a nut. I didn't take him seriously.

But he was in the pub again the next night and we got talking again and it

was then he put the proposition up to me.

Did he tell you why he wanted the pen? Why he was going to pay so much money

for it? No, he didn't. I asked him.

He said that was his business. It was my business to get the pen.

I still think he's a nut. I mean, that damn thing ain't worth a fiver.

Why didn't you tell me this before, Tully?

What? I didn't want to get into trouble, and besides... Go on.

Well, Jason had already paid me 200 quid on account. I thought I might lose that

if I told you what had really happened.

I see.

I've told you the truth, Inspector. I'm only sorry I didn't tell it to you

before. Yes, so am I, Tully.

Well, now, I've given you a bit of information, Inspector. Perhaps you'd

give me some. Well, what do you want to know?

Well, what did Jason tell you? I mean, what was his story?

He didn't tell us anything. He refuses to talk. Ref...

You still holding him then?

Yes, he broke into my flat a few days ago. He was carrying a gun.

His case comes up this afternoon.

I didn't know that.

Well, I'm damned. That's why you picked him up then?

Yes, Mr. Sully. Well, if there's anything else, I... Yes, of course.

Morning, Inspector.

Good morning.

Has a message come through from Jason?

Jason? Yes, he wants to see you before the case comes up. They're bringing him

round at 12 o'clock.

Is he going to talk, right?

Yes, I think he is.

Do you think it presumptuous of me if I requested permission to use the john?

Go ahead.

You'll never make it. Tom Thumb couldn't climb out of that window.

Morning, Tom Hibbs.

Are the inspectors free now? It won't be a minute. I'll bring him in. Okay.

Morning, Sylvia.

Don't tell me they're making you work for a living these days.

No, I always do this in the coffee break.

Okay, the inspector's ready now.

Where the hell did you get that from? Listen, one squeak out of you and by

God, you've had it.

Take me over to the street.

Come on, walk to the door.

I shall use this bloody thing I'm warning you.

Good afternoon. Good afternoon, sir. Sir, Gordon Town is expecting me. Yes,

of course, sir.

Mr. Brent?

That's right.

Will you please come this way, sir?

Oh, I'll take your coat, if I may, sir.

Thank you.

Mr. Brent, sir.

Ah, thank you, Clayton.

Nice to see you, Brent.

How are you? I'm very well, thank you, sir.

Considering. Well, do sit down.

What do you like, Tarsus Sherry?

May I have a dry martini?

Can we manage a dry martini, Derek?

We'll do our best, sir.

Before I forget, Brent, the doctor wants to see you Thursday next 3 o'clock.

But I had a check-up four months ago.

Yes, I know, but you know Morgan. He practically runs the department these

days. Tiresomely conscientious, I'm afraid.

Please, sir, tell Morgan there's nothing the matter with my health.

Believe me, when I feel I can't do this job, I shall be the first.

You tell him, French. You're so much better at that sort of thing than I am.

However, we didn't meet to discuss your reflexes. Excellent, though I'm sure

they are, my dear fellow.

I gather from Rayner you have a problem.

Yes, sir.

Is it the girl?

Partly, but I take full responsibility for that.

Well, if it's not Miss Viner, what is it?

This business is coming to a head. With a bit of luck, we'll be picking the

bastard up in a day or two.

Well?

I'd like to tell Alan Milton about Fielding. I'd like to tell him the whole

story. Milton, that's the local man, the inspector?

Yes. Have I your permission, sir?

Do you think it's necessary to tell him the whole story, Brent?

Yes, sir, I do.

He's intelligent, he's on the ball, and he's highly conscientious.

Oh, dear.

Sounds exactly like Morgan. If we don't put him in the picture, I think there'll

be trouble, sir.

What kind of trouble?

Well, supposing he makes an arrest at the wrong moment?

Yes, that's a point to consider, I suppose.

Besides, he's got some information I want. Oh, I know you could get it for

me. You could go to the AC if necessary.

But things are hotting up, and at any time now, we may need his help, and we

may need it on the spur of the moment.

What about Miss Viner?

Do you want to put her in the picture, too?

That's up to you, sir.

I thought you'd say that.

Is that what you call accepting responsibility?

You seem to forget the girl was your idea.

I asked you to get friendly with her, that was all.

I did get friendly with her.

Yes, but unfortunately, that wasn't all, was it, Brent?

Well, how are your permission, sir? Do I speak to Milton?

If you speak to Milton, you might just as well speak to the girl. You know that

as well as I do. Yes, sir. You'd have to tell her the whole story right from the

beginning. Yes, sir. Is that what you want, Brent?

Yes, it is. I think it's about time I was frank with her.

It'll make a nice change, if nothing else.

Oh, dear.

We do have our problems, don't we, Brent?

I take it the answer's no.

My dear fellow, you really mustn't jump to conclusions.

You know what you and your friends in the department say about me?

Completely unpredictable.

We'll talk about it over lunch.

Isha 6239A.

Jacqueline, this is Harry.

Harry, where are you? Where are you speaking from?

I'm in a phone box.

I'm on my way out to you. I'll be there in about 20 minutes.

How did the lunch go?

Well, it wasn't easy, but I got what I wanted.

How are things at your end? Oh, still the same mad little get-together. But

there's nothing to worry about.

Don't be too long, Harry.

That was Harry on the phone. He's coming out to see you. He'll be here in 20

minutes.

Miss Finer, I know you must find this difficult to believe, but we didn't keep

you here last night without a very good reason. What was your reason?

Ask Harry. He'll tell you. I'm asking you, Miss Dawson.

What happened last night? I want to know.

Harry gave you a drink.

There was a sedative in it, a very strong one, I'm afraid.

Well, he wanted to make you sleepy so he could get you down here to Esher without

any fuss.

You passed out on him.

Well, Harry was scared, really scared.

One time he thought you were dead. But why did he bring me here in the first

place? Someone tried to kill Harry last night. Fortunately, they failed.

But Harry was worried.

He felt sure they'd try to get him again, perhaps in some other way.

Perhaps through you.

Through me?

Yes, but they won't, not now.

Don't worry.

How do you know they won't?

Because the gentleman in question happens to think you're dead, Miss

Viner.

He thinks you committed suicide last night.