Original subtitles

CHUBB: Melissa James had no enemies,

But someone broke into her house and strangled her.

We have information that could help you.

MISS CAIN: "My dear dear, we have to tell the world

"about the love we share."

PÜND: This is not directed at your husband.

Mr. Marsh has suggested that he and Miss James

They were more than business partners.

We had a very close relationship.

She said the hotel was crooked.

A hidden eye in the wall.

LEONARDO: £980,000.

You are the sole beneficiary.

SAMANTHA: He's my brother. I have to tell him.

SUSAN: I have an interview.

It is an independent publisher,

And I know the CEO

Good luck.

SUSAN: I hope I can talk.

to Stefan Leonida.

He's in jail in Norfolk.

I have a friend who works with the prison service.

LOCKE: You can take any money.

The Trehernes are stupid enough to pay you.

and get out of here.

If I see you again,

I will arrest you.

(thunder)

(moans)

(click)

CECILY: It was here, I know.

AIDEN: Cecily, what are you looking for?

The pen, my dad's pen.

He lent it to me for tomorrow.

AIDEN: Well, why do you need it?

Something borrowed.

Cessy, relax.

We can find something else. (the drawer opens)

It was expensive and I had never even used it.

Who could have taken it?

(sighs)

Hey.

Hey, hey. (laughing)

You're not having doubts, are you?

(sighs): No.

Look, this is what we're going to do.

We have this party tonight, but first,

Let's have a drink quietly.

Just the two of us...

(laughs)

...and then we will see the sunset,

is it okay?

I don't want to drink too much tonight.

Nobody is going to hurt you.

CECILY: I wish Dad had closed the hotel for the wedding.

We have weddings here all the time.

Nobody has ever complained.

I know, but this one is special.

I'm glad you think that.

I can't believe that this time tomorrow,

We will be on our way to Antigua.

And he got married. (laughs)

(gasps) (laughs)

(Frank clears his throat)

(Gently): Oh, God.

Assistant.

Mr. Parris, what can I do for you?

Well, you can start by introducing me.

To your lovely fiancée. (laughs)

Hey, Cecily, this is the guest I mentioned to you.

The one who didn't like his room.

Oh yes.

I hope your new son is doing well. Oh, it's perfect.

Well, almost perfect.

This is for you.

I'm sorry?

It's not working.

Did you have it next to your phone?

That can demagnetize them.

No, I don't think so.

But I see that I am intruding.

Can I offer you my congratulations?

For tomorrow? Thank you.

And I understand there's a party tonight.

Yeah, uh, I hope you don't mind.

Oh, not at all. In fact, I'm going out.

An opera is being performed at Snape Malting.

What opera is that?

Uh... Mozart.

"The Marriage of Figaro."

It's one of my favorites.

(footsteps receding)

(mumbling): God, what a pervert.

CECILY: You better get him a new key.

AIDEN: Oh, sure.

However, there is one thing.

Yes, what is that?

The opera you mentioned.

"The Marriage of Figaro."

And what about that?

I was watching the show yesterday and,

If you go to Snape Malting tonight,

You're wasting your time.

It's not on

Mmm.

(The overture to "The Marriage of Figaro" plays)

(bell ringing)

Craig Andrews (born June 10, 1961) is an American actor and actor.

(laughing): Susan!

How good to see you.

Oh, this is very kind.

Not at all, it's a pleasure.

Uh, where's your car?

Uh, I'm, I'm in a bay, just around the corner.

Perfect, come in.

SUSAN: I hope I haven't disturbed your writing.

CRAIG: No, honestly, it's fine.

How long was the trip there?

SUSAN: Oh, about two hours.

That's not bad.

Do you still have that little red MG?

(laughs): Yes, I'm afraid so.

Would you like some coffee?

Uh, yeah, I'd love some.

These are for Louise.

Luisa?

Oh, God... um...

Didn't I tell you? That?

She's not here.

We, uh...

Each one took their own path.

Good.

When?

Uh, last year.

You didn't say anything on the phone.

(laughs): Well, I assumed you knew that. No.

Oh...

I feel a little embarrassed now, huh...

I hope you don't feel, um, uncomfortable,

Staying here, it's...

Oh, no, I'm not at all, but...

There's a hotel at the end of the street, yes...

(laughs): No, no. (laughs)

No, it will be fine.

It's just, you know, if I had known...

Well, I love flowers.

Oh well! (laughs): So...

There you have it. Thank you. (laughs)

(sniffing): Mm.

Why don't you make yourself comfortable?

Um, your room is at the top of the stairs.

First door on the right. Okay.

I'm going to prepare the coffee. Clear.

(laugh)

So what happened?

What, Louise and me? Mm.

Well, you know what it's like to be married to a writer.

Oh, I'm not sure there is one more

Selfish and introspective profession in the world.

Anyway, we had three good years,

and, uh...

Then he met someone else.

I'm sorry. No, don't be sorry.

I mean, we're still good friends.

and, uh, I'm very happy.

This house, the books.

All of which, by the way, I owe it all to you.

Oh, Craig.

That's not true.

Well, you found me.

You encouraged me.

And somehow, you made the books, um...

The best sellers?

Exactly. (laughs)

You and Alan Conway.

Yes, I'm sorry about Clover Books.

Me too.

I'm looking for another job.

Well, anyone who is in their right mind

I would catch you

In fact, I have an interview today.

Oh yeah? With who?

-Hey, Parker Chance.

Do you know them? They are independent.

They're small, but you know, they're successful.

I thought you were happy in Crete.

I am, but I, I... I miss posting.

What does Andreas think of all this?

It's not easy

God, we have a lot of catching up to do.

Why don't we do it during dinner?

There is a new little bistro.

that opened around the corner,

If you're up for it... I mean, it's very informal.

Yes, I would, I would...

I would like that.

Excellent.

Oh, by the way, I did it.

Locate your prisoner. Hmm!

One, Stefan Leonida.

He is being held at HMP Weystone prison in Norfolk.

Well, um...

Can you let me in?

I happen to know the governor.

(series)

Basically, I've added you to their literacy program.

Obviously, there are some forms to fill out,

and Mr. Leonida has to accept one on one. Mm-hmm.

Great, thank you very much. I'm glad I could help.

Hmm. Did you know that last year,

My books were the third most popular in prison.

After James Patterson and Jeffrey Archer?

I'm not surprised. (both laugh)

Well, you know.

(both laugh)

(ship's horn sounding in the distance)

ANDREAS (speaking Greek):

YANNIS:

ANDREAS:

(laughs)

YANNIS:

ANDREAS:

YANNIS:

ANDREAS:

YANNIS:

ANDREAS:

YANNIS:

ANDREAS:

YANNIS (smacks lips):

(exhale) (elevator rings)

Susanna.

Nathan, sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, it's great to see you again.

And you.

How are you? Yes, I'm fine, thank you.

Yes. Please come up.

NATHAN: So, you were in Athens.

How long has it been?

Oh, one year,

And it's actually Crete.

Yes, that's it. (laughs)

And you've been, uh, running a hotel.

Mm.

The Trifilli.

Yes, in Greek it means clover.

Andreas gave him that name after...

Clover Books. Yes.

(both laugh)

I'm very sorry for what happened.

Yes... yes, it was horrible.

So.

Do you want to go back

That's why I'm here.

Yes, I miss posting.

And I heard you were looking for a senior editor.

If you don't mind, I'll say it from the beginning:

I feel a little uncomfortable interviewing you, Susan.

Oh!

I thought it was just a conversation.

between two friends,

one of which had given to the other

His first job in the publishing sector 15 years ago.

Still, I thank you. You don't have to be.

You did a brilliant job.

Okay then.

Look, as a friend...

I'll be honest with you, Susan...

I'd love to have you on board.

If it were my decision you would start tomorrow.

But I'll have to talk to my partners.

Persuade them. Persuade them?

Well, they don't know you.

But you know Alan Conway.

18 million copies sold.

I mean, they've heard of the "White Dagger" series.

They've read Craig Andrews.

Alan Conway is dead,

"White Dagger's" is out of stock,

And not even Craig Andrews sells like he used to.

Well, they already told me that, I guess.

I don't want to do that, I'm just saying it.

Look, you've been away for a year, Susan.

And things have been changing very quickly:

the people, the industry...

Are you saying I'm out of touch?

I didn't say that

I think you implied that.

Well, then, okay.

Let me ask you something.

Do you have an Instagram account?

No.

Are you on TikTok? No.

What do you think of romanticism?

Why do you ask?

40 million copies sold,

mainly through BookTok.

I'm not on BookTok either.

And that's what I mean.

That's what I'm talking about.

No, what you're talking about is genre fiction.

Romance can sell millions, but...

(exhale)

Are you really a fan?

I am a fan of sales.

Oh. (Laughing) And some of the most important writers

There are no writers in the world

In the old school sense, not anymore.

They are influencers. Oh!

Okay, yeah, okay.

Do you really believe that?

You?

Times have changed, yes.

Of course.

But you know it as well as I do.

That's what sells books

They are not social networks in any type of format.

It is the writers who can tell stories.

that mean something to people's lives.

That's my world,

and if you want to make me feel like

I am Methuselah's great aunt,

So I'm disappointed in you,

Because that's not who I am

and it's not like you were when you started.

Okay, then, um...

Okay, let me ask you something else,

If you want to talk the old way.

We are publishing a crime novel by Lucy Foley.

She is very good.

Here is the cover.

What do you think?

(exhales): It's a good title, I like the colors.

But, eh, I'm not sure about the image.

Why not?

Because it is...

It's rude and full of clichés, and it's...

It's actually pretty horrible.

Lucy Foley is an intelligent writer.

She needs this kind of image like a hole in her head,

which is actually what it shows.

Our marketing team liked it. But they are wrong.

Lucy readers use their brains.

They don't need to see them scattered across the page.

And it was my idea.

Well, I don't think it's good.

We'll let you know.

I think you already have it.

(people talking in the background)

(Susan laughs) We'll have a bottle...

Oh... from the Chablis Premier Cru.

SERVER: Perfect.

SUSAN: Thank you.

You shouldn't drink at lunch time.

Richard will be angry with me.

Hey... who's Richard?

My current coexistence.

Oh! Actually, it's more than that.

We are thinking of getting married.

(gasps) God! Isn't it horrible?

He must be getting old.

You have done very well for yourself.

You mean Alan Conway did it right for me?

I got two million for that house, Susan.

(whispers): Wow.

Did you ever think I was the one who killed him?

Oh, you were my number one suspect.

I'm glad to hear it. (laughs)

Poor Alan.

Even after all this time,

It's still hard to believe he was murdered.

Mm, it is.

Oh, it's good to see you again, James.

JAMES: Oh.

SERVER: Chablis? JAMES: Yeah, okay, just serve it.

(exhales): Now a second murder.

SUSAN: Oh, you never stop, do you?

(Gently): Well,

The whole world believes

than a Romanian hotel worker,

Stefan Leonida, killed Frank Parris.

Cecily Treherne had her doubts,

and now it has disappeared.

Now, Alan may have been hiding something.

in the book, and you knew him better than anyone.

Yeah, well, I knew Frank Parris too.

(gasps): Did you do it?!

God, yes.

In the bad old days,

When I was working, Frank

He took me to bed maybe half a dozen times

At 300 pounds each. (laughs softly)

To be honest, he wasn't a very nice man, Susan.

How?

He liked to have all the power.

He liked to play.

It's not at all to my taste,

But it paid very well, so I didn't complain.

And I really should be grateful to Frank.

It was Frank who introduced me to Alan.

Was that before Alan showed up?

Oh yes, much earlier!

Yes, Alan was gay, obviously.

but he didn't want anyone to know.

He had just finished his second book,

and got married.

He was terrified: if anyone found out about him,

It would just ruin his career.

But it was Frankie who changed all that.

How?

Frank was kind of

mentor for him,

encouraging him to, you know...

(lowers voice): ...explore your sexuality.

So Frank introduced you to Alan to... help him?

Absolutely.

I was part of his therapy.

(laughs)

JAMES (voice-over): I quite liked Alan when I met him.

He was so unsure of himself.

It was only much later,

When sales of Alan's book skyrocketed,

He became a monster.

Alan,

You are gay, you like men.

Why don't you just admit it?

I have a wife and a son.

And you think not?

Do you suspect that perhaps something is not right?

What do you think Dad is doing in London?

only half the time?

It's not just that.

(lowers voice): I work at a school.

Alan, there are hundreds of gay teachers out there.

It doesn't make them dangerous or predatory.

You are afraid and you make excuses.

and you don't see it, but you are damaging your own life.

I know what you are! (phone rings)

Be happy.

(inhales): I have to run.

Leo is waiting for me outside.

Why didn't you invite him?

I'm already spending quite a bit on it.

Without inviting him to dinner.

Good to see you again, James.

Take care of my friend.

I'm not just a commodity, you know?

Actually that's exactly what you are.

(Gently): But you are very kind.

Enjoy.

JAMES (voice-over): That was the last time I saw Frank Parris.

We were sitting at that table there.

Alan became a regular customer of mine,

And then we become an element.

And finally he came out of the closet, and of course,

Nobody gave a damn...welcome to the 21st century.

Tell me about Leo: did you ever meet him?

No.

I had heard his name mentioned quite a bit on the circuit.

Alan met him, Frank, a couple of times.

I used to say that Leo was much sexier than me.

Exactly the kind of thing he would say.

Nothing else?

Not precisely.

Do you know where it came from?

Actually, maybe yes.

I have a feeling he was Australian.

Why do you say that?

Alan made a joke about him once.

He said Leo had just returned from Melbourne.

So I was probably in bed with jet lag.

Oh.

Know? Alan's third book was dedicated to them.

"To Frank and Leo: In memory".

What do you think he meant?

Maybe Leo died.

AIDS continued to kill many young people,

Even in 2013: 500 a year.

Leo disappeared from the scene.

That could have been the reason.

I guess you never read the book.

I never read any of them until I was in them.

But I only appeared in book number five. (laughs)

But I have something that could help you.

I managed to dig them up for you.

They are the notes that Alan took when he was writing.

"Atticus Pünd takes on the case".

That's exactly what I wanted, thank you!

It's even better than that.

I found all the interviews he did when he visited the hotel.

Branlow Hall?

Yeah!

He talked to a lot of people and they were all in...

These USB sticks. (gasps)

Imagine that,

You can actually hear Alan's voice again. (laughs)

It will be quite an experience, I bet.

You can keep it all

It's of no use to me.

(Laughing) Anyway...

I guess we should make a toast to Alan.

No.

For you and Richard.

I hope you are very happy together.

ALAN (on recording): Do you mind if I record this?

I really don't know why...

Why do you want?

I like to keep a record of everything I do.

I guess you know who I am.

I can't say yes, sorry.

Actor Alan Conway became the lead actor in the film.

Well, I'm a writer. You may have heard of me.

Are you a journalist?

It's been six weeks since Mr. Parris' death,

And we still have journalists showing up all the time.

Some of them have even reserved rooms.

I don't think we have anything more to say.

I'm not a journalist.

I used to teach at Woodbridge School,

But I just gave my notice.

I am now a full-time writer.

Fiction: I write detective stories.

(Laughing): Oh, yes, yes, sorry.

Uh, I don't really have much time for literature.

I was also good friends with Frank Parris.

Well, I'm very sorry. Mm-hmm.

We were all shocked by what happened,

You can imagine it.

I was thinking about writing a story.

Based on what happened here.

A novel?

Yes.

Oh no, I'm not sure.

I would feel very comfortable being in a book.

Oh, I wouldn't do that.

I never use real people in my books,

and certainly not without your permission.

LAWRENCE: That's room number 13, Moonflower.

(recording stops)

(mouse clicks)

ALAN: Interview with Cecily Treherne,

July 24

2015. (Cecily laughs)

(clears throat)

Can I start by saying how sorry I am?

To find out what happened?

And on your wedding day?

Every day? Thank you.

Did you manage to escape?

No, we had to postpone it.

(moans)

We hope to go to Antigua in a couple of weeks.

Oh, thank you.

I'm sure it will be lovely when you get there.

How well did you know Mr. Parris, Mr. Conway?

Oh no, Alan, please.

Well, he was a very good friend.

Although I hadn't seen him for a couple of years,

After going to Australia. Oh.

Did you know I would return to this country?

No.

I heard about the collapse of your business.

It was sad.

Frank was a very generous man.

He was quite a difficult guest.

How?

I didn't like his room.

I complained about the food.

And I would be interested to know,

Did you have a habit of inventing things?

(laughs): What do you mean? Well, there were two things.

First, he said his room key didn't work.

But later when we check it,

It was absolutely fine. Hmm?

And there was something else that was strange.

What was that? He told everyone.

He went to the opera,

to see Snape's "The Marriage of Figaro."

He made a big deal about it.

But it was nonsense.

In fact I checked it again and it wasn't on.

"Figaro."

Why do you want to know all this, Alan?

Oh, to be honest, I...

(clears throat): I'm a little stuck.

with my newest book.

I thought you could give me some ideas.

But don't worry, I'm not going.

write about some of you. (laughs)

I'm setting my new book in Devon.

Tell me about Stefan Leonida.

He is in preventive detention.

His trial will take place in a few months.

Do you think he did it?

Well, there was money in his room,

and Derek saw him in the hallway

the night it happened, so...

Derek is your night manager, right?

Yes, but everything is irrelevant.

The police tell me he has made a full confession.

Well, you don't sound so sure.

I liked Stefan.

I trusted him. He had a criminal record.

He was not the only young criminal who worked at the hotel.

My father ran a program.

And then who else?

I don't think it's fair to name names.

No.

(stuttering): I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have asked.

AIDEN: Cecilia?

Oh, this is Aiden, my husband.

Yes, we met.

I showed Mr. Conway his room.

(laughs): Oh, I hope everything is okay.

That's fine thanks.

Alan has been asking me about the murder.

AIDEN: Yes.

They told me you were talking to Lawrence.

We had a brief talk.

Forgive me, Mr. Conway.

I know who you are and what you write.

But it's my job

look after the interests of this hotel,

And in general, I don't think we need more advertising.

And I really don't believe

You could stop me from writing what I want.

No, but I can ask you politely.

stop asking intrusive questions.

No offense intended.

(blow)

ALAN: Aiden? Good.

(key click)

(gasp): Archie?

(land): No.

(slowly): Algernon.

Yeah!

(thunder)

Algernon Marsh had no decency or scruples,

and no loyalty to anyone.

(thunder rumbling)

This was something that his brother-in-law,

Dr. Leonard Collins was about to find out.

You're a pig, Leonard.

You weren't going to tell me.

How dare you search my desk?

I was looking for the bus schedule.

(exhales): But this is what I found.

"The last testament of Clarissa Marsh,

"Missed from Brooklyn, New York."

£980,000.

She left it to Samantha, not you.

Ooh, she was my aunt too.

Oh, she saw you as you were, Algernon.

And Melissa did too.

Those stocks you were selling him

They were not worth the paper they were printed on.

How do you know that?

He told me!

She knew you were lying to her.

Hmm.

Well, you know a thing or two about lying.

Wouldn't you, Leonard?

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

£980,000. (laughs)

She didn't want you to have the money,

and there is nothing you can do about it.

Look, that's where I think you might be wrong, Leonard.

You can talk to Samantha.

You can persuade her to divide it into two parts,

50-50.

And why in God's name would he do that?

Because there are things that Melissa told me

About you, Leonard.

Things that could make my sister

I see you in a very different light.

Are you threatening me?

Do you know it? I think it could be.

And where is Samantha now?

In church, huh?

'Cause that could be a really good place

to have a little chat.

(thunder)

SUSAN: So, eight years ago,

Alan Conway visits Branlow Hall.

Talk to Lawrence, talk to Aiden and Cecily, talk to Derek.

And he must have met Derek's mother too.

Because she's in the book.

And turns them all into caricatures. (both laughing)

Um, come on, um...

Shall we get another one?

Oh my God, are we done?

Well, it's been that kind of day, hasn't it?

(both laughing)

Hey, just a glass. Alright.

Excuse me? Yes sir.

Two more glasses, please.

Of course.

He must have known who killed Frank Parris.

Yeah, but it could have been, uh...

Oh God, what was his name again, Stefan...?

Leonida? Yes.

Well, yeah, except if it was Stefan,

It would have been a clear and closed case.

And DS Locke would actually have...

I did it right for once.

But I don't think that would have interested Alan. Well.

It's quite a puzzle. Hmm.

Why did Alan have to be so inscrutable?

Inscrutable. Hmm.

I love that word, it's very Edgar Wallace.

Oh God, don't tell me you used to read it.

Yes, pulp fiction... I loved it. (laughs)

When I was about five years old.

(laugh)

Do you have to go back to Suffolk tomorrow?

I'm working for the Trehernes.

I'm on the payroll.

They won't miss you another day, right?

I need to see Katie again.

I'm worried about her.

There's something you're not telling me.

I said we'd have dinner.

I'll be honest with you, Susan, it's really great.

to see you again.

Here you go, ma'am.

Thank you.

Health.

Health.

(laughs)

Oh, she's always been the sensible one.

Is she older than you?

No! Younger! (laughs)

(laughing): Oh, God.

But Katie is married, has two children,

She has a sensible job.

(laughs)

Oh, part of me has always envied her.

Well, I would have said that Crete was much more of an adventure.

(Sighing): Yes, you would have thought of that already.

In reality it hasn't turned out that way.

Here we are.

Shall we have a drink before bed?

SUSAN: Why not?

(both laugh)

(jazz playing softly in the background)

Oh wow. (both laugh)

So will you come back?

Where? Crete.

One...

Mmm...

(whispers): I don't know.

(sniffs)

No, no. (laughs)

Mmm.

I don't believe it. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Oh, just, uh...

Don't be.

No, you're right.

You have to edit again. (laughs)

Yes, my books were much better.

When you were working on them.

That's not true.

Hmm? Hmm.

You should tell Parker Chance...

...if they give me a job I'll spend time with them.

(glasses clink) Well, I think they'd like that.

(laughs)

(jazz continues)

I've missed you so much, Susan.

Oh.

What are you doing?

Well, no, don't tell me I've offended you.

No.

No, no, you haven't offended me.

But I... But what?

No, I...

I am very grateful,

Craig, I, I'm... I mean... Mm-hmm.

But I'm still with Andreas, so...

But you just told me that you... No, no, no, no,

No, no, no. Oh, come on.

Look, you're sick of Crete,

You're fed up with the hotel...

Yes, but I'm not sick of him.

So why have you been giving me false hope?

That?

(laughs)

No, I... (inhale)

No, Craig, you have read this completely wrong.

Oh, I don't think so.

that I have But.

(mumbles): Craig.

I didn't come here...

Well, I guess I'll have to...

Oh, God.

I'll have to go. CRAIG: What?!

No, no, no, you, you can't go.

You're too drunk to drive! I'm going to take a taxi.

(Craig exhales)

(jazz continues)

(laughs, sighs)

Oh!

Taxi!

Hello...uh...the nearest hotel please?

Hello. Hello.

Um, can I reserve a room...? Yes of course.

...please, for the, for the night.

Where is my phone?

My phone.

Where is my...?

Oh my god.

(sighs)

I should have left it in the cabin.

(exhales): Great.

(Gently): God.

(exhale)

(jackhammer blow, reverse signal beeps)

(people talking in the background)

(construction continues in the distance)

(baby crying)

(The cup falls hard on the table)

(moans)

(baby crying)

CHUBB: I have to say,

That's very kind of you, Mr. Pünd.

Oh, the pleasure is all mine.

Mmm, it's one of the benefits of being

a private investigator

That it is the client who pays.

I will send the invoice to Mr. Schultz.

And now who is that?

He was Melissa James' agent.

PÜND: Your American agent. (laughs)

It was he who employed me.

Well, I'm glad you're here.

This case is a real enigma, and there is no doubt.

nothing makes sense

Oh, I don't agree.

It is, it is certainly, on one level,

It's complicated, but on the other hand,

Everything is simple.

Go ahead, then.

No less than seven people

He may have wanted to kill Melissa James,

All of them for the most ordinary reasons.

Lance and Maureen Gardner.

She knew she was being let down.

PÜND: That's right.

MISS CAIN: Phyllis Chandler

and that horrible son of his... a voyeur, no less.

She found it to be an unpleasant business.

What, you think his mother was protecting him?

Well, it's possible.

And then there's Algernon Marsh.

Oh God, what a disgusting piece of work.

He also cheated on her, in his case with a,

An investment almost certainly worthless.

Oscar Berlin.

She decided not to appear in his film.

That would have ruined it.

And John Spencer.

That's where I would put my money, Mr. Pünd.

Do you think he knew Miss James was having an affair?

Jealous husband strangling his wife?

(laughs)

Just like Shakespeare.

Uh, uh, Othello!

He strangled Desdemona for exactly that reason.

Mmm... hmm.

Well, the motivation is clear.

But it is the order of events that is puzzling.

At 6:28, Melissa James is alone in the house.

The Chandlers have the night off.

Her husband is at the opera.

Then call Dr. Collins.

She is crying and fears for her life.

She makes the call

From below.

So it seems.

She tells Dr. Collins that there is an intruder in the house.

She clearly says, "He wants to kill me."

The call is heard by his wife.

That's right, I'm just wondering

That's why he then returns to his bedroom.

Yes, if Miss James believed she was in danger,

Why didn't he leave the house?

Oh...

I know you will find out who did this, Mr. Pünd.

Forgive me for saying this, but, uh, I hope they hang them.

I'd say that's unlikely, Miss Cain.

Don't you think Mr. Pünd will solve the case?

CHUBB: I'm sure he will.

The death penalty is very rare today.

The judges no longer have the appetite for it.

They are actually talking about changing the law.

(laughs)

It's a shame, in my opinion.

What do you say, Mr. Pünd?

I've seen too much death in my life, Detective Inspector.

I think kill a murderer

is to descend to their level.

But to think that someone could kill a woman

As talented as Melissa James and you got away with it!

I agree with Ms. Cain.

Then we should at least make sure they are stopped.

Hmm.

Oh, uh... (laughs)

I almost forgot, huh...

I have a piece of information

which might be helpful, Mr. Pünd.

I did what you said

and I visited that theater in Barnstaple,

The night that John Spencer claims

He went to see "The Marriage of Figaro."

PÜND: The lead singer was killed

for a car that did not stop.

And the performance was cancelled.

So wherever he was, Mr. Spencer wasn't there.

Health.

I just don't understand it.

What is so important about “The Marriage of Figaro”?

It's an opera!

PÜND: Don't you like opera?

Well...

I've never really understood it.

The stories are so ridiculous and miserable.

I'm talking about women throwing themselves off castle walls.

or die from consumption.

"Tosca" and "La Bohème."

(laughs) Ah.

You are a fan.

Oh yes, I went often.

to the Vienna State Opera.

It was before it was destroyed in the war.

you want

Have you had breakfast?

I don't believe it.

I shouldn't have come.

To London?

To England.

But you have made progress.

Well, yes. (laughs)

Yes.

I've wasted my only chance to come back

Upon publication,

Which probably means I'll spend the rest of my life

changing sheets and yelling at the waiters

in a language I can't even speak.

But maybe you are closer to discovering the truth.

(sighs)

Why did Frank Parris go to the hotel, huh?

He lied about his key not working, and then again...

The opera.

John Spencer did exactly the same thing in the book.

But if he didn't go to the opera, where did he go?

Oh!

(quietly): When is the next flight back to Crete?

ANDREAS (speaking Greek):

VANGELIS:

ANDREAS:

MAN: Uh, service?

VANGELIS: I'm coming!

(cell phone ringing)

(phone ringing)

(laughs)

Yes?

Who is this?

(on phone): This is Craig Andrews.

Excuse me, can I speak to Susan Ryeland please?

She's not here, I'm afraid.

Um... (clicks tongue)

She was here last night and, uh...

She put down her phone.

(gasps): Katie!

(bell rings)

(bell rings)

Sir?

CHUBB: How are you holding up?

Mr. Spencer?

Umm, not so bad, thanks.

Do you have any news?

Yes sir, we do.

Did you make an arrest?

We're about to do it.

We just have a few questions, if you don't mind.

No, of course.

Anything.

Mr. Spencer,

Although it is, um, painful to ask you this,

Still, it is necessary.

Did you know that your wife was having an affair?

We need an answer, sir.

I didn't know.

But it doesn't surprise me.

(The conversation continues through the door)

(Gently): Why are you here?

(Gently): They didn't say it.

(the conversation continues)

(stutters): What do you want?

What do you think they want?

They are here to talk about you.

But you still loved her, huh?

She meant everything to me.

We found a letter.

It is written in his hand.

(clears throat)

"My dear dear.

"I can't keep living this lie.

"I just can't.

"We have to be brave and tell the world

"about the love we share."

Any idea who this could have been written to?

Of course not, I have no idea.

Do you mind if I...?

Hmm.

Thank you.

(lighter clicks)

Mr. Spencer, the night of your wife's death,

You told us you were at the opera,

attend a performance of "The Marriage of Figaro."

Yes, that's right, she was supposed to come with me.

but she changed her mind.

So you went alone. Yes.

Did you like it? Yes, no, no!

Why do you ask me that?

Because on the night in question,

The opera was cancelled, sir.

So you couldn't have gone.

So where were you?

(John exhales) PÜND: It would not be wise

to tell us more falsehoods, Mr. Spencer.

It's too late for that now.

I was here.

Did you never leave?

No, I, I left... I drove to town.

But I wasn't in the mood for opera.

(shaking voice): I came back and...

And you confronted your wife.

Oh, we had a terrible fight.

She told me she would leave me.

AND?

You murdered her.

Yeah!

Yes, I strangled her in the bedroom.

(exhales heavily)

Oh, thank God.

Oh, thank goodness it's over.

Yes, you won't believe it, but it's all I wanted.

Just for it to end.

I'm going to make a full confession: I'll tell you everything.

Am I under arrest?

If you come with me, sir,

We'll formally charge him when we get to the station.

Can I go up and get my shoes and a jacket?

CHUBB: Of course, sir.

We are waiting for you here.

Thank you.

You have no idea how sorry I am.

How much I hate myself.

I couldn't live with this anymore.

(the door opens)

Forgive me, Detective Inspector, but...

(clears throat): ...is that wise?

He, he could escape.

I don't think so, Miss Cain.

I have two men outside.

Still, it's interesting that...

(laughs): ...there are so many things that are not right.

How?

Well, the argument.

Did it happen here or in the bedroom?

Maybe it happened here and he followed her.

And if he was angry with her,

violent, even

Why didn't you close the door?

Or better yet,

And I've asked this question before,

Why didn't he leave the house?

Well, I agree that there are many questions.

We still have to ask, Mr. Pünd.

That's why I'm taking him to the station.

But you heard it.

We left him on the right path and he confessed!

You can't argue with that. Hmm.

Oh, Mr. Pünd!

There's someone outside!

You are right! I saw it too!

But who?

This is what I want to discover.

Will you stay here, Miss Cain? Yes of course.

Do either of you two see anything?

No, sir. CHUBB: Right, there's an intruder on the grounds!

One of you stay here and make sure

Mr. Spencer is not leaving.

And you, on the other hand!

PÜND: There is no one.

Something? Nothing, sir.

Okay, keep looking around.

There was definitely someone here.

I think a man.

Where is that going?

It's the kitchen, I think.

Has anyone come in here?

No, sir.

And none of you have gone out?

PHYLLIS: No, sir.

We've been here all the time.

(sighs)

(exhale)

(Miss Cain screams)

Miss Cain?

(moaning): Now what?

(screaming) CHUBB (screaming): Miss Cain!

(Miss Cain moaning)

Oh no!

(howls)

(howls) (grunts)

(gasp)

(click)

You met Alan Conway.

What really happened?

ALGERNON: One thing led to another.

MISS CAIN: I think you'd better sit down.

Mr. Pünd has something to tell you.

SUSAN: I'm trying to help you find Cecily.

The only way I can do that

It's knowing what she knew.

LAWRENCE: Susan. (gasps)

ANNOUNCER: Visit our website

for videos, newsletters, podcasts and more.

And join us on social media.

To apply for this program, visit ShopPBS.

"Masterpiece" is available with PBS Passport

and on Amazon Prime Video.