Original subtitles

What on earth is... Sometimes the wind catches around the old tower. According

to legend, whenever the crying woman is heard, someone dies.

But with everything that's going on, what if they find out?

I have every reason to believe in the next 48 hours someone's going to try and

kill me. It's that place.

It's bad luck to disturb the rest of the dead. For my beloved Sarah, safe passage

through dangerous places.

That was so kind of you, meeting me at the airport, Sean. I hope it didn't put

you to too much trouble. No trouble at all, Jess.

It's my sabbatical. I'll spend it as I please.

Besides, what's an old retired cop like me gonna do otherwise?

Sit at home and watch those infernal Australian soap operas?

There's still going on about them.

We sent them convicts, now they're sending us soap operas.

If you ask me, we still owe them a few convicts. Well, I'll try to avoid them

and get on with my research.

Sounds like you've got quite a task ahead of you.

You know, I'm really very excited about it.

It's the biggest book that I've tackled yet.

What do you want to see first?

I'm very anxious to get a feel of everyday life here in Ireland. You know,

the people, the lifestyle, the colloquial speech, that sort of thing.

Then I know just the place.

I got a call from an old friend who heard I was back in the country.

It's in a charming little village about an hour outside of Dublin.

Would there be any problem finding a place to stay?

I'll take it care of.

I'm sure it's here somewhere.

What did you say the other reservation was?

Uh, Fletcher. Jessica Fletcher. Did you know that she's the same name as that

mystery writer woman?

She is. Aware of it, I'm sure.

Probably hears it all the time.

You know how it is.

One thing always pushing out the other.

Brian, is this what you might be looking for?

I sure I knew it was here all the time. Well, listen, I'll go seat your rooms,

and why don't you go over and have a bite of lunch, and I'll call you when

your rooms are ready. Oh, that'll be fine. Sean?

Isn't she that mystery writer?

Oh, you know the one. Now, don't you start on about that, though. The poor

woman gets mistaken for her all the time.

Sean!

Good to see you.

And you, and you.

Neil Gillen.

Jessica Fletcher. Yes, this is Neil Gillen, one of my oldest friends in the

world. And one of only two who'd admit it. Pleased to meet you. It's a great

pleasure. Ryan.

Sean was telling me that you bought a great house around here. Just finished

remodeling the inside. The outside you leave alone, kind of an unwritten law.

And Neil made his fortune in real estate.

Who'd have guessed it?

Comes out of a family as poor as mine, next thing he's a millionaire ten times

over. Anyone can make money if that's all you want to do. Problem is, most

developers destroy the past.

Here you learn to reach a kind of accommodation.

And speaking of accommodations, if you're going to be here a few days, I

insist you stay at our place.

Oh, no, we couldn't impose.

Besides, we just checked in. It is an imposition, and you leave old Brian to

me. He owes me plenty.

And we could use the company. It's a big old place, half empty. And besides, the

house came with a big library.

Local history, folklore.

If it's research you want to do, you couldn't find a better place to start.

All right, you talked us into it. God, to friends, then.

Present, absent, and on the road.

May you have warm words in the cold evening, a full moon in a dark night,

and the road downhill all the way to your door.

Drink to that.

Oh, my, I almost forgot.

You know, I noticed that there's a chemist's shop across the street. I have

some pictures that I took in London that I'd love to get developed before they

close. I'll be right back.

All right, Neil.

I'm here like I promised.

Now. What's wrong?

If I told you, you'd think I was mad.

Try me.

No, not yet.

It may be just my imagination.

Or it may be something else.

Something.

Something terrible.

Oh, come on, Neil. You've got to give me more than that.

Then let me just say my life may be at stake.

Now, please, Sean, I need someone objective. I don't want to prejudice

what you see or hear. Just come.

Look around, and once you've done that, we'll talk, and I'll tell you

everything, all right?

Oh, one thing more.

You're to tell no one about this.

Not even Jessica.

Francis Royley, proprietor at your disposal.

How do you do? What can I do for you? Well, I'd like to get these two rolls of

film developed, one print of each.

Certainly. And the name, please? Fletcher. Jessica Fletcher.

Right.

I heard you were coming.

It's a pleasure to meet you. We carry your books, you know.

Have a devil of a time keeping them in stock.

Is tomorrow all right on the film? Oh, that'll be fine.

Thank you. By the way, some of our customers, well, they're big fans of

yours, but they're, well, they're housebound, you know.

If you could see your way to signing a couple of books for them, I know it'd

perk them up. I could drop them off when I make my deliveries.

Oh, of course, I'd be delighted.

I'll see you tomorrow, then. OK.

Bye-bye.

Jessica. Sean. I'd like you to meet Claire Abbott.

Our helper, Claire. This is my old friend Sean Culhane and Jessica

Fletcher. Hello.

Well, now, hello. I knew we were having guests, but not so famous.

If there's anything at all I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.

Hi.

She's from the village. Never hurts to help keep the local economy going. This

way, then.

Before the remodeling, we used to have the worst breezes right through here.

Now, nothing.

Ah, there you are. This is my wife, Anne Gillan, and my cousin, Liam.

A pleasure.

Oh, how do you do?

Jessica Fletcher, Sean Colhead.

Neil's told me so much about you, Sean, I imagine some of it's even true.

Mrs Fletcher, we're doubly honoured.

Neil didn't tell me you were coming as well until yesterday.

Kept it as his little surprise.

Well, I hope it wasn't too much of a surprise. And it's Jessica.

Are you staying to dinner, then?

Oh, no, thank you. I've other plans.

It was a pleasure meeting both of you.

Good evening.

Oh, yes, that's very nice.

Very nice. I don't recognize it, though.

I'm not surprised.

Mouton Rothschild, 1945.

Almost impossible to get.

After we bought the house, Anne was exploring the wine cellar, found a hold

case, but hidden away.

We keep it for spasming.

What on earth is... When we remodeled, we left the exterior alone. Sometimes

the wind catches around the old tower.

Sounds almost sad.

As well it should.

Anne. The villagers all say it's the crying woman come back again.

Anne, for God's sake, let's not get into that, eh?

I'm sure our guests have no interest in such absurd stories.

Well, speaking as someone who makes a living telling stories, I'd be very

interested. This house was built 150 years ago by the captain of a trading

ship for his wife as a wedding gift.

He even built her a stone tower down by the cliffs so she could watch as he came

home from the sea.

One night she was up on the tower, terrible night, rocked with storms,

lightning.

And she watched.

as his ship was dashed against the cliffs.

It sank with all hands aboard.

In despair, she threw herself from the tower to join her husband in death.

How terrible.

According to legend, from time to time, the captain's wife can be heard here on

the grounds, weeping and calling for her husband.

The legend also says whenever the crying woman is heard...

Someone dies.

Just going for some warm milk.

Really? So was I.

Yeah, you saw it too.

I thought it was moving toward the tower.

Are you sure you saw a light in here?

For my beloved Sarah, safe passage through dangerous places.

Don't move.

Listen, I don't know who you are, but... The name's Quint Sankey.

I'm the caretaker round here, and I thank you to stay real still.

What are you doing here, trespassing?

I think there's been a misunderstanding.

We're guests of Neil Gillen.

This is his property, isn't it?

Aye, that it is, that it is.

But I thought I saw someone sneaking on the property, and whoever it were

weren't coming from the house.

So if you don't mind, let's be having you.

One thing's for sure.

You're not from these parts.

Because if you were, you'd know better than come here.

No one comes to the tower after dark.

These ways, no one alive.

I'm terribly sorry about all this, Jessica. It's our own fault, I suppose.

I should say, wandering about in the dark like that.

Well, I'll leave you to sort it out. I've done my job for the night.

Good evening.

Yes, well, I've had quite enough excitement for one night.

I'm off to bed.

And you should get some sleep too, Neil. Good night.

And I'll see you in the morning, Dan.

Certainly watches over him, doesn't she? Best thing that ever happened to him.

Made a new man out of him.

Oh, good morning, Shaw.

Been up long?

Couple of hours.

You know, Neil was right.

There's some fascinating material in his library and just the sort of thing I'm

looking for for my book.

What I need now is some personal stories.

You know, local yarns, that sort of thing. I was thinking of heading into

town. Would you like to come with me?

No, thanks.

I was... I think I'll just, you know, go for a stroll.

Take a look around in the daylight when it's a mite safer.

Get a feel for the place.

That's funny.

You know, you once told me that when you were starting to investigate a case, you

liked to walk.

every inch of the scene and get a feel of the place.

I suspect that our visit isn't quite as casual as you led me to believe.

I don't know. Let me finish.

Look, I don't want to intrude.

And if you want to deal with whatever it is on your own, I respect that.

And I'll stay right out of it.

I've got enough research material here to keep me busy.

But if you change your mind and if there's anything that I can do, I just

wanted you to know that.

I'm here.

That's all.

Mrs. Fletcher, back for your photos, are you? They just come in. Oh, great.

Oh, by the way, about those housebound customers I was telling you about, if

you wouldn't mind signing a few of your books? Oh, of course. No problem.

You must do quite a good business here.

When you're the only chemist for 20 kilometers, it works out pretty well.

So I carry a little of everything, you know, food, medicines, cameras, hoof-and

-mouth treatment.

I get doctors, dentists, vets.

Just plain folk.

There's always something new that's perfect. Thanks very much.

You're very welcome.

Emerald Sunset.

I didn't think that this new fragrance was coming out for several weeks.

It's just come in. I hear it's supposed to be wonderful.

Why not? You're the first one in town to buy this brand.

I'll be curious to know what you think of it.

Well, I'll let you know.

There we go.

Thank you very much. Goodbye.

And what were they fighting about?

Seems to me it involved five strong men, one woman, a tax collector, a horse,

several cases of good Irish whiskey, and crossing rights to Cavanaugh's Bridge.

And who won?

The horse!

Now, Mr. Foody, as far as local history is concerned, I mean, are there any

stories, legends, you know, that... kind of thing that comes to mind. Douglas,

what do you tell her about the crying woman?

Word is she's been hurt again up by Gillian's place.

That sounds fascinating.

Mr.

McNamara, Jason McNamara, and no need to introduce yourself, Mrs. Fetcher.

You're the biggest news to hit down since the great flood of 32.

Oh, I'm very flattered.

Mr. Foody, tell me more about the crying woman.

Folks have been talking about the crying woman for a hundred years now.

Every time she's heard from, someone dies.

Even in life, she was a strange one.

Always up at the tower.

But nobody ever saw her go in, and no one ever saw her go out.

Strange woman.

Maybe. All I know is, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have the crying woman

visit than Nail Gillen.

If ever a man deserved death, it's him.

The man's a thief.

Well, good day to you, Mrs. Trencher.

And be careful.

You never know what'll come out of the woodwork in a place like that.

Why did he call Neil Gillen a thief?

He used to own most of the land on either side of the Gillen place.

When he fell on hard times, he took out a loan he couldn't pay back.

The bank foreclosed, and Mr. Gillen bought the paper.

Ah, well, thank you for all the information, Mr. Foody.

You've been tremendously helpful.

My pleasure, darling.

You're looking for someone, then?

I was.

Looks like I lost him.

Happens a lot around here.

Look, I'm sorry about that bit last night, but there's been some strange

things happening around here lately. Can't be too careful.

Strange? How?

You see things in the woods some nights, like lights.

And then there's the voices.

Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sounding far away, like from another

world, or right next to you.

But when you get close, the lights vanish and the voices stop.

Where? By the tower, of course.

It's not a healthy place, that Mr. Culhane.

It's not healthy at all, at all.

Liam.

I want to talk to you.

But I was just on my way to... I know what you were just on your way to do. I

suggest you quit while you're ahead.

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

I'm talking about the large amounts of money that have disappeared from the

corporate Swiss holding accounts.

And what does that have to do with me?

You're the only one with the access code, remember?

Right. And how you got the code, I don't know, but I'll find out.

What was the plan, Liam? Steal a little at a time, see if anyone noticed, then

go for the rest of it? Was that it, then?

I don't have time for this. Right now, it's small time, Liam.

Hardly worth the scandal.

I might even be inclined to forget it if you tell me who gave you the access

code. Don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you! Damn it, answer me!

Oh, you're crazy, you know that?

You're out of your bloody mind.

And if you ever lay a hand on me again, ever, I'll tear your bloody

heart out.

I said to her, you know, it ought to be part of every IQ test.

If you can't make your VCR stop flashing 12, 12, 12...

You don't pass.

She still isn't speaking to me.

I don't blame her.

Brandy, take the edge off dinner.

Thanks, no.

So, now you've had a chance to look around, what do you think?

What do I think?

The last 24 hours, I've been threatened at gunpoint, seen strange lights in the

woods. Every time I turn around, somebody's talking to me about the

crying woman. In a way, it makes me think I ought to leave town fast.

What do I think?

I think it's time you leveled with me, Neil.

Because I don't like the way this is shaping up.

And I don't like keeping this from Jess.

You're right, I'm sorry. It's just in my heart. I didn't want to believe it.

I wanted someone to tell me I was crazy imagining things.

But I don't think so.

Sean, I have every reason to believe in the next 48 hours someone's going to try

and kill me.

What? Who?

That's the whole thing. I'm not sure. I mean, we've had some...

Some problems lately, money disappearing, things that'd be a lot

easier to conceal if I weren't here, but there's something else, something...

Neil?

Meet me here tonight at midnight, I'll tell you everything.

Darling, your toy's on the blink again.

Can you take a look at it, please?

Of course, just leave it there.

Oh, and don't forget, you've still got those portfolios to go through. The

broken won't wait forever.

Right, right, I'd forgotten.

I'll do it tonight before bed.

Which is where I should be heading now.

Good night, Neil.

Anne? Good night, Sean.

Good night, darling.

What is it?

Oh, dear, what is it?

I'm sorry about your loss, Mrs. Gillen.

I know this isn't a good time, but if there's anything else you can tell us

about your husband's condition when you found him.

No.

He was just sitting there.

At first... At first, I thought he'd just fallen asleep at his desk again.

But when I saw his eyes were open, I... I... Well, there'll have to be an

autopsy, of course.

But unofficially, I'd say it looks like a heart attack.

Are you sure, Sergeant?

I mean, there wasn't the telltale bluing of the lips that follows a heart attack.

Well, now, that's true.

Might have been an aneurysm then or some other natural cause.

Makes sense since there wasn't a mark on him.

I mean, the man was sitting at his desk in a closed room, windows locked, no

sign of distress.

One thing I've never seen, Mrs. Fletcher, is a relaxed murder victim.

True.

Almost all poison shows some signs of physical distress.

There you are, then.

Well, I must be going.

If I have any further questions, I'll be in touch.

Excuse me, Sergeant O'Malley.

May I have a word with you?

Yes, Mr. Culhane.

Something you remembered?

Um, no. No, not exactly.

Look, I used to be a police officer myself back a few years.

Yes, Mrs. Fletcher was telling me.

I'd appreciate it if you could do me a favor, one cop to another.

I guess that depends upon the favor now, doesn't it?

I've seen how coroners get when they think it's death by natural causes.

It'll be a five-minute autopsy. And you'd like the works, is that it?

Probably want to see the report yourself, too, I don't doubt.

Well, I'll see what I can do.

But until then, no interference in this case. Agreed?

Agreed. Thanks.

And he asked me not to tell a soul.

Not even you.

Do you know why?

Well, Neil was a private man. He always kept things to himself till he was ready

to act.

Must have been hard for him to bring me into this.

Damn it, Jess.

I should have done something.

Told someone.

Oh, listen. You were respecting the wishes of a friend. I mean, you cannot

blame yourself for honoring his decision, Sean. What matters now is...

finding out what happened.

Oh, then you don't believe this death by natural causes stuff any more than I do.

No. I keep thinking of the way the body was found.

So peaceful, so undisturbed. No sign of violence.

It's as if there's something that I can't quite put my finger on. You know,

I need to go back into the village. There's people I want to talk to.

Is there anything I can do?

What do you know about a man named Jason McNamara?

Looking for Jason McNamara. You found him.

Who are you, then?

My name's Sean Killane. I'm staying with the Gillens up the way.

I was wondering, since you own the land next door to his, if you heard or saw

anything last night.

No, not a thing.

That's funny.

I thought this part of the grounds belonged to Neil Gillen. No, it's mine.

Always was.

Now with Gillen dead, it'll be again.

Can't imagine his wife staying on now that he's gone.

Probably sent it back to me.

Cheap. Why do you say that?

I got my sources.

Your sources must be good.

Seeing as Neil's not dead eight hours, and here you not only know about it,

you're even making plans.

I suggest you move along now, Mr. Culhane.

I've got nothing more to say to you.

And that's dark news, Mrs. Fletcher. He was a good man, was Mr.

Gillen. It's that place.

I told him that no good will come with the way he went about restoring it.

All that noise and the work.

It's bad luck to disturb the rest of the dead.

Ah, the crying woman again, huh? Oh, no, don't scoff, Mrs. Fletcher.

The fact is there wasn't a peep heard out of that woman for nigh on 50 years.

Then Mr. Gillen moved into the house, and the next thing... You saw how it all

ended up?

Yes.

Yes, indeed.

Well, thank you, Mr. Malraen. I really appreciate your help.

Pleasure. Uh-huh.

This is Fletcher.

I just wanted to say thanks again for signing those books the other day for my

customers. It's the best medicine I ever delivered. Perked him right up. Well,

I'm glad to hear that.

Well, speaking of deliveries, I'll just give this to himself, and I'll be on my

way.

Oh, Sean, we need to talk.

Yes, we do.

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher.

I just got into town and I heard about Neil.

I'm terribly sorry this had to happen while you were here.

We wanted where you were this morning.

I had some business to attend to.

It's a nice village, but try and find a fax around here. I had to drive across

three towns before I found one.

Business on the weekend.

Bankers never sleep.

Oh, now I'll have to do it all over again.

To notify the stockholders about Neil, listen, with Neil gone, I'll be assuming

a larger role in the business, as he'd wanted me to do. So if there's anything

I can do in Neil's absence, just be sure to let me know.

Interesting. You caught the bit about the bank, too?

Just before he died, Neil mentioned something about money disappearing.

I think I'll give Sergeant O'Malley a call, see what he can find.

That's a good idea.

Meantime, I think it's time for me to have another talk with Anne.

So I suggest that we get together afterwards and compare notes.

Around two o'clock? Fine.

Coroner's report should be in by then.

Yeah. Hey, we make a pretty good team, don't we?

Phone call.

Right.

Are you sure, Liam?

Positive. Just do as I say. Find a place to stay and I'll see you in a day or

two. But with everything that's going on, what if they find out? They won't.

And if they do, it's best that I stay here to take care of things.

Now go on.

I see in a few days.

Oh, Jessica.

I'm sorry I didn't see you at breakfast, but with so much going on... Oh, that's

quite all right. I just wanted to know how you were doing.

I'm fine. Fine.

Please, come in. Thanks.

Can I... Can I beg you anything?

Oh, no. No, nothing at all.

I just wanted to tell you that if there's any way that I can help, please

tell me. I realize it must be rather daunting having to take over Neil's

responsibilities, his business, his property.

Yes.

Thank you.

I've decided to sell the house as soon as possible. I couldn't stay here

knowing what happened.

Of course.

And I understand that Liam will be taking on the burden of running the

business.

Willie.

I bet he said that's what Neil wanted. Well, he didn't.

Neil found out that Liam was dipping into the corporate accounts.

Just a little at first, then a little bit more.

Neil suspected that Liam was planning a big score this weekend, didn't he?

Yes, he...

You're not suggesting... This is outrageous.

You heard the police, Sergeant.

Neil died of natural causes.

This incident with Liam has nothing to do with it. He's a schemer, to be sure,

but... I know that this is difficult for you.

But if there's even a chance that there might be something more here than meets

the eye... It wasn't murder.

Neil died of natural causes.

Never a tissue around when you want one.

Oh, I'll get you one.

Thank you, Jessica.

It's just this has been so, so stressful.

Oh, I do understand.

I know Neil was a close friend of Sean's.

It's hard losing someone you care for.

When someone dies, you want to believe there's a reason for it.

Death is rarely fair.

We have to come to grips with it.

Stop trying to fix blame where there is none.

You understand that, don't you, Jessica?

The coroner found considerable amounts of fluid in Neil's lungs.

How could Neil have died of pneumonia?

I mean, you saw him. Did he look sick to you?

No, not at all.

So how do you explain this coroner's report?

I can't.

Then perhaps we can assist you.

Sergeant O'Malley has graciously brought me up to date on your inquiry.

Sean, I understand your concern.

But this household has been through so much, a prolonged investigation will

only hurt more people.

I can't have that.

I have just taken the liberty of showing Sergeant O'Malley something that will

prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Neil was not murdered.

If it will set your mind at ease, I would like to show it to you as well.

This way, please.

Neil loved his toys.

That's why he was renovating this place to bring it into the 20th century.

The night he... he died, I brought one of his toys here in case he could fix

it. The video camera.

What I didn't know was I accidentally left it switched on.

The camera recorded the last hours of Neil's life.

You'll forgive me if I don't stay to watch it again.

Once was more than enough It goes on for about an hour I'll fast

forward through some of it

And that's where you came in.

So you saw it for yourself.

No one came into the room. No one touched him.

He experienced no trauma, no distress.

Natural causes, just like the coroner said.

It's that simple.

Pretty, isn't it?

Yes.

But yes.

I'm lost.

Is it possible we've been wrong the whole time?

I know how you feel.

But the evidence is pretty overwhelming, isn't it?

Maybe Anne was right.

Maybe we should let it go.

Stop chasing shadows that don't exist.

And what's the point in it, after all? I ask you.

It's a fine day.

Not a cloud in the sky.

Flowers are blooming.

Or is that your perfume, Jess?

Oh, maybe it is.

It's a new brand I picked up at the chemist. They just got it in.

Jessica?

Jess?

They almost did it.

They were that close to getting away with it.

Who? What? Jess?

You're speaking in tongues again, and you know how that worries me.

Neil was murdered, Sean.

And I think I know who, and I think I know how it was done. But we just have

to be sure.

Come on.

Where are we going?

Shopping.

Shopping? Now?

Trust me.

Back again?

I'm just keeping a promise. You asked me about the perfume.

Oh, right.

How'd you like it, then?

Well, I think it's wonderful.

I mean, it's very light, not too clawing. What do you think, Sean?

Oh, yes, it's light. It's very light.

That's good.

Tell me, did anyone else buy a bottle of Emerald Sunset since I was in?

No. Are you sure?

Absolutely.

You were the first to buy one, and nobody's bought one since.

Well, that's curious.

Because this box holds a dozen bottles, and there are only ten left, which means

that one bottle is unaccounted for.

It's probably Mr.

Riley.

He's quite a lady's man, you know.

He probably took one as a present for one of his lady friends.

He does that often?

On occasion.

What's the point of owning a store if you can't dip into the inventory once in

a while?

Excuse me. Of course.

I don't suppose you'd mind telling me what a bottle of perfume has to do with

Neil Gillen's death now, would you?

Well, now there's only one person who can tell us that.

The crying woman herself.

Are you sure you want to be doing this?

It's awful cold in here.

Exactly. And colder outside.

Now, that is the whole point. The captain who built the house in this

tower loved his wife very much, remember?

That's what one of the villagers said.

He built it special for her to make it safe.

And?

Well, would a loving husband let his wife walk through the wind and the rain

all the way from the house?

Well, logically, he wouldn't. Exactly so.

Would you mind telling me what you're doing here?

Just exploring.

Well, I'm under orders to watch out for anybody going where they shouldn't, and

that includes you. So out you go, you and the lady both.

If you'd just listen to me.

Where is she?

Jess!

Jessica, what are you doing here?

I'm gathering evidence.

Please come in.

I don't want anyone to hear us.

Anne, I have reason to believe that your husband was murdered, despite what we

saw on the videotape. Jessica, we've been through all this.

Well, indulge me just for a moment.

Now, I think that the secret is here in this book.

I'm sure you remember it from the videotape.

Now, this is the book that Neil was reading when he died.

Now, there's a certain section here that I think will be of interest to you.

Really, this is quite upsetting and not at all necessary.

Please, give me a moment. I know it's here somewhere.

Well, maybe, but couldn't this wait until morning? It's late and I want...

I'd imagine finding the reason for your husband's murder might be worth staying

up a little longer.

I refuse to stay here all night.

It's locked!

Oh my goodness, it must be stuck or something.

Well, I'm sure somebody will come along and open it soon. Not to worry.

Hello? Hello?

Is there anyone out there?

Open the door!

I've got to get out of here!

Ann?

What's the matter?

You didn't have to do that.

We took the liberty of disconnecting the connection between the lamp and the gas

canisters in the basement.

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

We're talking about conspiracy to murder.

No.

No, this is absurd.

Yes. I suppose that's what you were relying on.

An unlikely alliance that was kept absolutely secret until your job was

finished. Except a few things didn't add up.

A dozen bottles of Emerald Sunset perfume arrived at Riley's shop.

Only one was sold, but ten were left. The cashier figured that it was a gift

to a lover.

She was right.

That's the same perfume that I noticed in your dressing room the other day.

Strange gift to give to a married woman, unless there's a more intimate

involvement. Then I remembered that when I arrived in town...

Francis Riley said he'd heard that I was coming. Not that I had arrived, that I

was coming.

But Neil didn't tell anyone.

Not the staff, not his cousin, no one.

Except you, the day before we arrived.

He wanted to keep it a secret, so the only way Riley could have known was

through you.

If you don't mind me asking, Mrs. Fletcher, why this fella?

Of all the people in the village for her to get involved with, Riley?

Well, because as the village chemist, he could legally obtain the one ingredient

necessary for the murder.

Nitrogen.

It's colorless, odorless, and absolutely lethal.

And as any good chemist knows, one of the unique things about nitrogen is that

the body interprets it as oxygen. You could be stuck in a room full of it and

never notice.

You just keep on doing whatever it was you were doing until you stop.

The brain passes out from lack of oxygen, the heart stops, and the lungs

fill with fluid, a side effect of nitrogen poisoning.

Yes, and that is exactly what happened.

Using the secret passage to the tower, which you probably found while exploring

the basement, as Neil mentioned, you hooked the canisters of nitrogen gas

into the central heating ducts that led into Neil's study here.

You then fixed the switch on Neil's desk lamp so that it would turn on the gas

and the light at the same time.

On the tape, I noticed that his cigar kept going out much faster than it

should have as the air was replaced by non-flammable nitrogen.

In a closed room with the window shut, the gas filled it in no time.

I noticed the way you came into the room after Neil was dead.

You switched off the lamp first and then checked him to avoid inhaling the gas.

You left the room and then cried for help. By the time we arrived, most of

the gas had escaped.

Well, that's all very interesting.

But how are you going to convince a jury?

Well, that's why I brought you in here and closed the door and switched on the

lamp. You had no way of knowing that we disconnected the nitrogen canisters.

The only reason that you would panic and switch off the desk lamp was because you

knew this room was a killing jar.

And that proves your involvement in Neil Gillen's murder.

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Now, what about the gas canisters? We checked the serial numbers, and the

invoice proves they were shipped to Mr. Riley.

It's airtight. There's no question about it.

The whole village is talking about it, you know.

It's quite the story.

Now, it figures, the way Anne moved in on Neil and stole him away from his

first wife, and all she wanted was the money. But now, what about the crying

woman and this bit about Neil's cousin?

Well, from what I saw, it was only the wind moving through the air ducts.

where it had been sliced and left open.

Ah, be that as it may, in my heart I like to believe that she was always

there and was trying to warn Mr. Gillen about what was coming.

Perhaps. As for Liam, turns out he used Claire to get the access code to Neil's

account. Now he's promised to give back the money in exchange for a reduced

penalty.

As I said, amazing.

Simply amazing.

Of course, everything amazes me.

Well, speaking of going, we should be heading off, Jess. Right.

I promised to show you all of Ireland.

The hills and the valleys, the green and the rocks and the sea.

And I mean to keep my promise.

There's adventures to be had out there.

Adventures out there?

What do you call all this?

A good start.