DRINKERS LAUGH AND CHAT
MAN: Just leave it! No. I will not leave it.
What do you mean, limited skills?
I've won the casting final three times in a row
and you call my skills limited? How dare you?
Is that any better?
Isobel.
She hit me.
Come on, Isobel. I'll give you a lift.
She hit me, Derrick. Aren't you going to do something?
(LAUGHS MADLY)
Ah, Troy. Spot of breakfast?
Morning, sir. Actually, I'm about to take a statement.
A woman who wants to press charges of assault against Isobel Hewitt.
Isobel Hewitt, the Jaguar-owning pensioner?
The very same.
Seems there was a bit of a barny at the Midsomer Fly Fishers last night.
I'm with you.
It wasn't as if she was provoked. I was the one who was provoked.
Mrs Hewitt provoked you?
She told me I fished more downstream than up.
The River Amble is a strictly dry fly and upstream nymph.
Right. And where did this happen?
Outside The Old Fisherman.
Perhaps I should explain.
My husband, Derrick, he's club secretary, called a special meeting.
We've been finding weighted lures in over-hanging branches on the river.
The sort of thing you find in gravel pits.
Anyway, he wanted to spell out the rules,
particularly to the newcomers like Isobel,
and make it clear
that anyone caught using such unsporting tactics
would be ejected from the club on the spot.
I see.
And did anyone suggest that Isobel was responsible
for the weighted lures?
No.
Of course, it is odd that they've only started to appear
since she joined the club
and she has caught an extraordinary number of fish, some...
..some very big ones.
And that might have been mentioned in front of Mrs Hewitt?
The point is Isobel Hewitt assaulted me.
I have witnesses. Doctor Goff was there, he'll tell you.
And I intend to press charges.
Assault? Outside a pub?
The woman was hysterical. Someone had to do something.
What's going to happen next?
We're used to the endless speeding fines and parking tickets,
but physical assault!
It's all over the village.
But that's not what we came round here to discuss.
Melrose?
Yes.
The thing is, Aunt Isobel... ..We can't go on paying off your overdraft.
You are consistently spending more than you've got.
We're not a bottomless pit.
I'm sorry, darling, I'm just not very good at finances.
Perhaps we could get Quentin over.
No, we will not get Quentin over.
He's got one of those calculator things.
Hello, Quentin. Still making a living?
Hello. Yeah, just about. What do we owe the pleasure?
I'm moving back to the village.
Andrew's taking me to look at a house.
Mind keeping an eye out for a Georgian dining table, 10 seater?
I've got the very one.
Thought you might. Be in touch.
TOYS SQUEAK
You shouldn't worry. Something will turn up. It always does.
No, it will not.
You have to sell the car. You have no alternative.
COW BELL RINGS
Is Isobel Hewitt at home?
Isobel.
I've come to say a very belated thank-you.
Leo. Leo Bantock.
You and your husband helped me out of a tight spot
when no-one else would lend me a bean.
I'm afraid I'm a little hard-pressed at the moment
if you wanted a further injection. No! It's not that.
No, I sold the business.
Did rather well, actually,
and as I was passing I thought I'd drop by
to tell you your shares are worth a bit.
Not a huge amount, probably 20 grand or so.
20? Not a bad return on 2,000.
Not at all bad.
How sweet of you to come and tell me. Can I give you a drink?
Actually I'm just off to look at a house and we're late already.
I'm moving back to the village.
Lovely. We'll see you again then.
These are for you.
How gorgeous.
Rebecca, look. Aren't they gorgeous?
HORN TOOTS
You're just in time.
What are we celebrating?
Getting the ghastly Rebecca off my back.
There couldn't be a better reason than that.
There are some of the VE Day celebrations.
And one or two others.
Just ignore the ones of my sculptures,
I don't think they'll be of any interest.
They're great. Thank you.
If you know anyone else with early photos, that'd be absolutely...
She's going to kill someone one of these days.
You should try Isobel Hewitt, she'll have some photographs.
Her Triumph's at Silverstone.
TROY: Bloody hell! I knew fishermen were mad, but...
..I suppose I'll have to get a statement from Isobel Hewitt.
Yes, I'll come with you.
We can call in on Cully on the way.
PLANE ROARS OVERHEAD
BIG BAND PLAYS
TYRES SCREECH
Can you stop the car a minute, Troy?
What, here? Just pull over.
Turn the engine off.
DISTANT ENGINE ROARS
Don't think Isobel Hewitt'll be at home, that's her Jaguar.
Straight six, twin cam.
Come on, sir. You can't tell that from here.
Carry on.
She insisted on pressing charges.
Nothing I could say would change her mind.
I've never seen my wife so wilful.
Still, bet there's a few people won't be sorry
to see Isobel Hewitt get her comeuppance.
Keith, the renewal for the lease of the fishing rights is coming up.
You know what a stickler Sir Harry is for correct form.
I hear Midsomer Fly Fishers are still using weighted lures on river.
Old Sir Harry won't be too pleased.
I don't think Sir Harry's interested in malicious gossip
from a sacked keeper with a criminal record.
Easy now.
You want to try and get your wife to stop having catfights
outside pub.
Whole village knows about that one.
Certainly won't do reputation of fly-fishers' much good.
Ah! Leo.
Hello, Derrick.
Keith.
So it's true then, you are moving back to the village.
Pint, please.
Yep. Sold the business.
I've been looking at the old manor house this morning.
You must've done pretty well for yourself.
Better at business than he is with women.
Oh, dear! Think I hit a nerve there.
Forget I said anything.
I'm surprised you'd come up with a comment like that, Keith,
after that business I heard about your wife and Duncan Goff.
What business?
Dad! What a nice surprise.
Is that it?
Those are the photos I've got so far.
Can I see? Go ahead.
Mum's coming out later. Good.
Gavin.
I didn't know libraries were your thing.
I kind of got talked into it.
I'm setting up the exhibition in the hall tomorrow.
What brings you to Malham Bridge?
Oh, you know. Run of the mill stuff.
Interviewing an old-age pensioner for assault.
Isobel Hewitt? You won't catch her at home.
She just roared through here in her Jaguar.
Apparently she likes to practise skid control at the old airfield.
(SIGHS) What? Is your dad ever wrong?
Keith?
What is it?
I'm going to ask you a question.
And I'll know if you lie to me.
So think very carefully before you reply.
TYRES SCREECH Woo-hoo!
Sorry, sir.
What the hell?
Can I help you?
It's alright, Quentin, it's the rozzers.
Hello, Tom. Have you come to arrest me?
I'm not sure yet. Do you know Sergeant Troy?
No, we haven't met. Hello, Sergeant.
This is Quentin Roka, my friend.
How do you do? What's this about?
I rather think it's in connection with my alleged assault
on Margaret Seagrove last night. Assault?
Yes, it's all complete nonsense.
The woman was hysterical.
We need to ask you a few questions.
Oh, don't worry. We have no secrets, Quentin and I.
Should you have a solicitor?
No! Tom's not going to do anything sneaky. Are you, Tom?
Will you join us? I think we have spare glasses.
No, thanks. Thank you all the same.
Of course. Of course.
So what exactly happened outside the pub last night?
Well, you know, it was quite extraordinary.
We've all heard the expression foaming at the mouth
but I've never actually witnessed it.
So you just slapped her across the face?
Yes.
Well, we none of us wanted her bursting a blood vessel.
Though, I can't deny
there was a little thrill of pleasure when I made contact.
Well, you've met her.
But that wasn't the motive.
And that's what you detectives care about, don't you?
I've got to go and see old Charlie Fuller.
Pain killers aren't strong enough apparently
and then there's Mrs Anscombe.
So don't bother about supper. I'll pick up a sandwich.
Make sure you eat something, Duncan. Don't wait up.
Do you want me to move out?
You said it was over, didn't you?
It was over three years ago.
Look, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
Ruthy, I don't blame you. Not with your delicate mental health.
Because nobody in their right mind could've gone with that old prat.
That vain, incompetent quack.
I don't blame you.
Leo?
Of course, I'll have to make a detailed examination
but it looks as though the cause of death in each case
was from a blow to the back of the head.
The stake must have been taken from the tree-planting.
Which suggests it wasn't premeditated.
Exactly.
Have you seen this?
Looks like his cause of death was pretty similar.
I'm just saying.
I had my line caught in the tree.
I was looking up, trying to pull it free.
Just fell over them.
And you didn't see them earlier on the river?
They were further upstream.
The last time you saw them
was at the meeting at the Old Fisherman Pub?
That's right. Well, Duncan.
I saw Isobel just yesterday morning.
I took a chap called Leo Bantock round to her house
before going on to see a property.
Leo Bantock? Who's he?
Businessman.
He knew the Hewitts a few years ago.
Wanted to tell Isobel about some shares she had
that had gone up in value. 20,000 pounds.
Have you got his number?
It's in my briefcase.
He's looking at another house tomorrow morning, the Old Mill.
Perhaps we could see him there.
Fine.
What time are you meeting? Midday.
That would be very useful. Thank you.
Would you excuse us?
I found him fishing further upstream, sir.
And you are?
Derrick Seagrove. Club secretary. What's happened here?
Seagrove? Margaret Seagrove's husband?
Yes?
DCI Barnaby, this is Detective Sergeant Troy.
Mrs Hewitt and Dr Goff are dead.
Oh, my God.
I saw them both fishing just - what? -
an hour and a half ago 100 yards upstream.
That would have been 10 o'clock?
Yes, I suppose it was. Yes.
Was it murder?
No question.
Did you see anyone else fishing on the river this morning?
No. Just the four of us.
You didn't see anyone?
No.
Not today.
Look, I don't know if it's relevant,
but we've had trouble with poachers of late.
I saw one a couple of weeks ago across the meadows.
Camouflage gear. Did a runner.
What we've got to do first
is establish whether they were murdered together
and for the same reason,
or whether one of them happened upon the murder scene
and was killed to protect the identity of the killer.
In which case we need to know which of the victims was the target.
There's no way they could have had a thing going?
I know they were getting on but you never know with these wrinklies.
Maybe Quentin got jealous. Decided to do them in.
He's weird that bloke.
Is there any family who could come and be here with you?
Mrs Goff?
There's my daughter in Causton.
How am I going to tell them?
Oh, Duncan. Issie.
How well did you know Mrs Hewitt?
We were at school together.
Isobel Hewitt and Doctor Goff, dead as dead.
Why would anyone want to kill them?
With Isobel, who knows?
But Doctor Goff - probably one jealous husband too many.
Derrick? What is it?
Do you feel up to answering a few questions, Mr Plunkett?
Go ahead.
I have to ask you this.
Who benefits from your aunt's will?
(CHUCKLES DISDAINFULLY)
Oh, I'm sorry. It's just...
My Aunt Isobel had nothing to leave.
When Kenneth died a few years ago, her husband,
we discovered he'd had a little trouble with the stock market.
There was nothing.
We helped out by buying the house and contents
on the understanding that she could stay there
for the rest of her natural life.
It gave her a bit of capital.
It was all above board -
solicitors, a written contract. What happened to the capital?
I wanted her to buy an annuity but she wouldn't have it.
She spent it. All of it.
We've been bailing her out for the last year.
And the 20,000 in shares?
You heard about that.
Well, it means she dies solvent.
But only just.
A big chunk of that money will be going on settling bills.
Isobel had no comprehension of economy.
As you can see we don't exactly live like lords.
It severely stretched us, letting her live in that house,
and we've had to scrimp to get by.
Isobel, of course, continued to live the high life.
It wasn't quite like that.
I'm sorry, it was.
I know she's family and you have to be loyal
but the truth is, Isobel was a very manipulative woman.
Men ran around after her and she did nothing in return.
Which men ran around after her? My husband for one.
And Quentin Roka for another.
Her antique dealer playmate.
God knows what was going on there.
Quentin runs the antique shop near Isobel's.
He often helps her out...
..Wheedling his way into her confidence.
With the finances.
Quentin paid the odd bill for her at the Post Office. That is all.
Out of the goodness of his heart. Yes. I think it probably was.
Anyway, to answer your question,
I am the person who will benefit financially from Isobel's death
in that I now have possession of my assets.
The Plunketts have the strongest motive.
The house, the land, it's going to be worth a million or two.
In the hands of a builder...
But if they'd planned it,
they'd have known they'd be top of the list.
I'm more interested in the windfall.
The 20,000 coming just the day before the murder
seems a bit more than a coincidence that, doesn't it?
Whatever. Quentin Roka's got to be worth a look.
I thought you should know.
I'm sorry.
Something terrible's happened.
Duncan and Isobel have been murdered.
Andrew Turner found their bodies by the river.
When did it happen?
Between 10:00 and 11:00 this morning.
Thank God for that.
You were here with me.
Am I a suspect?
We have no particular suspects at this stage
but where were you between 10:00 and 11:00 this morning?
I was doing housework.
And you were here all morning?
This is because of me and Isobel falling out, isn't it?
That's why you're talking to me.
We're talking to everyone, Mrs Seagrove.
Can you tell us what you know about Doctor Goff?
Did he have any enemies at the club that you were aware of?
Not really. I'd say he was generally liked.
And Isobel? Did she have any enemies?
Besides me, you mean?
(GULPS LOUDLY)
I did not kill her. Or Doctor Goff.
I may have disliked Isobel but I could never murder her.
My condolences about Isobel.
I suppose as her closest relative,
Melrose'll be getting the house.
Perhaps you'll be moving in?
We already own the house, and have done for years.
Isobel didn't have a bean.
And it could be a confrontation with a poacher
that got out of hand.
There's Margaret Seagrove who fell out with Isobel.
And we haven't even got to Quentin Roka,
her gay antiques dealer toy boy.
Wait, could we keep a bit of an open mind on this one?
The village has lost quite a character in Isobel.
And what about the doctor? Was he well liked?
I suppose so. Poor wife. She was obviously devastated.
It's the bereaved partners that really get to you.
There's something about elderly people being bereaved
when they've been in love for a lifetime.
Suddenly all alone.
You've not heard about his womanising then? Doctor Goff?
Serial apparently.
The night before the murders he was seen climbing a ladder
to an upstairs window of his house at 1:00 in the morning.
Word is, his wife locked him out.
I'll give you 6.50.
You'll give me the full asking price.
In fact, no! I won't accept it.
I'm putting an embargo on all ill-dressed, bad-mannered people.
My furniture deserves more. Don't come back!
Bloody right I won't come back.
Thank you.
They can get to you after a while.
To be honest, it's a bit hard to come to terms with.
Have you managed to make any sense of it yet?
I'd like to ask you some questions, if I may.
When did you last see Mrs Hewitt?
It was just before she went fishing.
I went round for breakfast.
I live above the shop here and I often go to...
..used to go to Isobel's for breakfast.
I'd pick up milk and a paper on the way. It was a bit of a routine.
Do you have any idea who might have killed Mrs Hewitt or Doctor Goff?
Have you spoken to Isobel's nephew and that ghastly wife of his?
We've spoken to the Plunketts, yes.
Then you know all about the arrangements with Isobel's house?
We know the Plunketts own it.
The whole thing was a disgrace.
They didn't mention how much they paid for it?
No. Well, I suppose they wouldn't.
It was just after Isobel's husband, Kenneth, died.
Isobel was out of her mind with grief
and they persuaded her she had to sell to them.
Rushed it through, paid virtually nothing for it.
The furniture was worth twice what they paid.
They were letting her live there until she died.
But at the time that didn't look as though it'd be very long.
I'd say they were after a quick return.
Was she unwell at the time?
She'd lost the will to live.
She was fading away in front of our eyes. And then the pneumonia.
Duncan thought it was just a matter of days.
What happened?
I suggested a spin in the Jaguar.
That's all it was.
Frankly, I saw it more as a farewell to the other great love of her life,
besides Kenneth.
It was the first time I'd driven the thing.
We'd just got up to the wood by Malham Cross and she...
..she said I was driving like an Edwardian governess
and she'd take over. And she did.
And that was it?
Pretty much.
Duncan persuaded her to take up fly fishing again
she hadn't done it since she was a girl. She loved it.
She got fitter, stronger.
The sparkle returned.
She could have gone on for years.
But somehow I don't think the Plunketts approved
of her new lease of life.
Were you due to get anything in the will?
I doubt it.
Isobel scarcely had two beans to rub together.
We have to ask you this.
Where was I yesterday morning between 10:00 and 11:00?
Well, I was here,
apart from a 10-minute walk to the shop.
A little after 10:00, I would think. They'd remember.
Inspector, there was a lot of resentment in this village
towards Isobel.
I think she reminded them of everything they were not.
And they didn't like it very much.
Thanks for your time. Goodbye.
He should be here shortly.
He's obviously worth a few bob, this Leo Bantock.
Oh, I think so.
DISTANT VOICES ARGUE
Now, what's all this about?
I'm waiting.
He's the murderer.
You're pathetic. She chose me, not you. That's what this is about.
Troy! Just walk him away. Right you. Come on.
Leo, are you alright?
You're Leo Bantock, are you?
What of it?
Right. Who's that fellow, the one you accused of being a murderer?
Keith Scholey, the local restaurateur.
I'm sorry.
What made you believe he's the murderer?
So stupid.
I told him his wife had had an affair with Doctor Goff.
And you believe he killed Doctor Goff in revenge?
I told him the day before the murders.
A bit of a coincidence, don't you think?
And what did he mean when he said "she" chose him and not you?
It's got nothing to do with it.
I used to go out with Ruth, the woman he married.
But that was years ago. It's nothing to do with this.
OK. Where can I find you?
I'm staying at the pub.
Right. And please stay away from Mr Scholey. Alright?
He says he was nowhere near the river at the time of the murders.
I was in the restaurant with my wife and she can back me up.
Did you confront your wife about the affair Leo Bantock said
she'd had with Doctor Goff?
She said it was over years ago. And I believe her.
Did you confront Doctor Goff about it?
I went round to his house but he wasn't in. I told his wife.
You told his wife? And how did Mrs Goff react to it?
She was upset. Which is what you wanted.
Yes, I was with Keith.
When did you arrive at the restaurant and when did you leave?
I got there at 10:00 and helped in the kitchen.
We did lunch. And I suppose I left about 3:00. Keith stayed on.
Right. The affair you had with Doctor Goff.
Oh, please.
It ended three years ago. It was never serious.
Duncan was...
..just a very nice man.
And it was a mistake.
What about your relationship with Leo Bantock?
(GASPS) That has...
That happened years ago before I even married Keith.
It's got nothing to do with this.
Your husband seems to think
Leo resents the fact you married Keith and not him.
It all happened a lifetime ago.
We'll have to sell all this.
Well, I've got no use for it.
And put the house on the market.
Straight after the funeral.
We're going to have to think about the arrangements.
Drinks after the service.
Nobody'll expect more than a glass.
A crate of wine, no more.
Case.
What?
It's a case of wine, a crate of beer.
Whatever. She'll get 12 bottles and be grateful.
Family only. That's final.
Mum, don't you think some of Dad's old friends and patients
would like to come, pay their respects?
I will not have a procession of his old flames filing past the grave.
I will not.
DOORBELL RINGS
Good afternoon, I'm DCI Barnaby, this is DS Troy.
Are you Mrs Goff's daughter? Yes.
Is your mother at home? Yes. Come in.
Thank you.
Mum, it's the police.
Is this a bad time?
No, not at all.
I'd like to speak to your mother alone, please, if I may.
Thank you.
Mrs Goff, we've learned that Mr Keith Scholey came round here
to speak to you on the night before your husband's murder.
What he told me was no surprise.
Oh, you knew about the affair?
Not that one specifically.
But my husband had always had something of a wandering eye
and I tolerated it.
We've also learned that later on that same night,
your husband was seen climbing into the house
through an upstairs window.
He'd forgotten his keys.
He didn't want to wake me.
If you think I locked him out, I didn't.
Mrs Goff, I couldn't help noticing the Vegetarian Society magazine.
Are you a member? Yes. Why?
Just curious.
I know your husband was a keen fisherman and did a bit of shooting.
We had a live and let live household.
You didn't eat the trout he caught, then?
Fish may not be the cleverest of God's creatures,
but I think to class them as vegetables is a little unkind.
How goes it?
What do you think?
It's looking good.
There's one major gap I haven't filled yet.
Isobel Hewitt's obituary. Quite a woman.
Demon racer, society hostess.
Apparently there's a collection of photos at the house.
Pity if we couldn't include some. Ask Melrose, he'll help you out.
Oh! I nearly forgot.
I heard something else about Doctor Goff today.
Keith Scholey's mother died of cancer last year.
Apparently Keith blamed him,
said his mother would've survived if he'd diagnosed it sooner.
He made official complaints and they came to nothing.
Keith said it was a cover up.
BIRD CAWS
MAN: Derrick. You coming to the pub?
Derrick! You coming to the pub?
I don't know why you're being so ridiculous about all this.
After everything Isobel did. The way she behaved.
Who are these people?
Bit of a turn out, then.
Isn't that that politician?
Yes, disgraced former minister. With mistress.
That one's an actress, isn't she? What's her name?
I don't know.
Poor old Quentin.
Did you find anything on him?
It seems he's managed to keep his record clean, sir.
Yes, It was a lovely service, wasn't it?
Thanks very much.
Would you excuse me a moment?
May I offer my sincerest condolences.
Peregrine Slade.
We thought we'd keep the service simple.
Hadn't really planned on this many people.
Yes, Yes. I can see.
Would it be terribly forward of me to contribute a little something
to Isobel's sending off?
I have some bottles of her favourite bubbly in the car.
Fine.
And I brought Hastings with me, he's very keen to help out.
Aren't you, Hastings?
Right. Good.
Try the kitchen, Hastings, it's straight through the back.
Sandy, old chap, give us a hand, would you?
Awfully good of you.
Dixie. I was so sorry to hear.
Beatrice.
You must be devastated.
MERRY JAZZ PLAYS
Sounds like a bit of a party, sir.
Have you heard she didn't even own her own house?
No. Not even a stick of furniture.
And all those airs and graces.
JAZZ CONTINUES
Oh, that's good. You local?
Chelsea. I had to come. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Issie.
Really? Yeah.
Back in the '60s she was my best customer.
Went through a bad patch, cash flow, Issie kept me going.
She upped her regular order of lobsters to keep me in business.
Great lady. Loved her oysters.
This is just so Isobel.
SPOON CLINKS GLASS
Thank you. Please. Thank you.
Your lordships, ladies and gentlemen, honourable members,
and not such honourable members.
Sorry, John. It's a very sad day for us all.
We're going to miss dear Isobel rather badly.
It's certainly my regret
that I didn't see more of her during the last few years.
I remember telling her how moving out into the country
amongst all the inbreds and hayseeds,
how she'd lose touch with her city mates.
And indeed I was proved right.
But we can see today how her old friends did not forget Isobel.
She may have come to somewhat of a sticky end
but it should not stop us from celebrating a well-lived life.
One that I think few of us could hope to match.
To Issie and her talent for life.
ALL: To Issie.
I'm so sorry.
Now you know why Bertie was such a bargain.
I'm sure it's only something minor.
You mean nothing fell off this time.
Thanks, Mum. I really do appreciate this. You're a lifesaver.
The man from the garage said he'd be at least two hours
and I've got to get these up.
Have you got enough for a good show, do you think?
I hope so. Still got a few more promised.
People have been coming for the gossip as much as anything.
About the murders?
Loads of theories, most of them ridiculous.
I'm sure Tom will sort it all out. With Gavin's help.
Surprised to see you here! I suggest you leave as quickly as possible.
I think perhaps we should circulate.
You decided to come.
Derrick, I found another weighted lure.
This time in the three willows stretch.
You've been at the river?
Isn't that where you were last night
when you thought someone was watching you? Yes.
And didn't you fish that stretch last thing?
I'm sorry, I'm not quite with you.
What if someone is deliberately planting weighted lures
to make the Midsomer Fly Fishers look like
a bunch of unsporting gravel-pitters?
Someone who resents being sacked?
Someone who's hoping Sir Harry will spot the lures
when he walks the river?
Good God!
Oh, look! So sweet!
Don't children look lovely in those huge bonnets?
And so serious.
With good reason. They're in the workhouse.
Many of them will never reach adulthood.
Well, this one looks cheery.
What are they celebrating?
The end of the First World War.
Do you know Malham Bridge lost 15 men?
Three from one family alone.
Mrs Cooper gave me this one.
She said she still remembers her grandmother weeping
the day that would have been her brother's birthday.
Darling, are you sure this isn't getting to you?
What? It's other people's stories, not yours.
You mustn't let it affect you too much.
That's exactly what you say to Dad.
And you are just like him.
It's James Tapsell. Got to be.
He wants us to lose the lease out of sheer spite.
Now I'm walking the river with Sir Harry the day after tomorrow
so we'll have to keep a round the clock watch.
Catch Tapsell at it. Can I count on you?
I think it more likely Isobel was the target.
When did you last see Isobel?
I spoke to her by phone the night before she was killed.
She'd just had the most terrible row with a mutual friend.
And if you want to hear who, Chief Inspector,
you'll have to refill my glass.
You'd been partners in the antique shop a while, then?
Taught him everything he knows.
He was running a bistro when I first met him.
I had an antique stall, Portobello Road. Seven years.
He was obviously very close to Isobel.
Can we have a refill here, please?
It was Dixie.
She'd just found out Duncan had been carrying on with some local woman.
And Isobel, never very big on tact, told her a few home truths.
But Dixie knew about her husband's affairs, didn't she?
Apparently not.
I wouldn't read too much into it, though.
They often had flare ups.
It went back a long way.
Isobel went off travelling around the world
with her glamorous diplomat husband
while Dixie stayed in the village sculpting labradors
and being a doctor's wife.
Did she resent it?
Isobel could be quite mischievous.
She liked to tease Dixie.
Anything from her Morris Minor to her vegetarianism.
Dixie has never had any sense of humour about animal welfare.
She used to fall out with Duncan about it.
Excuse me. Of course.
It's Beatrice, isn't it?
Isobel told me all about you. I'm Quentin.
Oh-h-h-h! You're the poodle!
(CHUCKLES) Of course, Isobel loved poodles.
Anyway, it's lovely to meet you.
I know you did so much for her. Excuse me.
Sir.
I've just been hearing one or two things about Quentin.
It seems Quentin made a bit of a habit
of befriending elderly ladies.
I've just been talking to his old partner, Steve.
When Steve first met him,
Quentin had just inherited several thousand pounds from a woman,
a customer at his bistro in Notting Hill.
How did she die? I'll check.
The point is, Steve reckons Quentin was expecting to make a few bob
from Isobel. Had his eye on the furniture.
You shouldn't listen to a word that little rat says.
Steve was poison.
He'd been creaming off profits from the shop
and that's why Quentin had to get rid of him.
The truth is, Quentin saved Isobel's life.
When Kenneth died Isobel completely lost the will to live.
I was her oldest friend but I could do nothing.
But then Quentin nursed her when she had pneumonia.
He cheered her up. He made her laugh.
Without him I think she would have just faded away.
No. Quentin was very kind to Isobel.
Is that Isobel?
Yes.
With Kenneth.
And that was me, believe it or not.
Mrs Goff, I'm very glad to have found you here.
I wanted to ask you about the argument you had with Isobel
the night before she was killed.
How did you find out about that?
You did have an argument with Isobel that night, didn't you?
I'm afraid
I was not entirely truthful
when I told you that I'd always known about Duncan's affairs.
It's not true!
Just thought you should know.
Liar!
I wanted to see if Isobel knew anything.
I know Duncan. He would never do such a thing.
You don't think it's possible, do you?
I'm sorry.
You're saying you had no idea about Duncan's affairs?
Affairs? How many affairs?
Oh God.
I'm sorry.
I just assumed you knew.
We all did.
Are you saying I've been an object of public ridicule and pity
for my entire married life?
Well, darling, if you will marry a man 10 years your junior,
I mean, really, I don't know what you expected.
You have affairs with younger men. You don't marry them.
But we did marry.
For love.
At least I thought we had.
Hello.
Is it true you're moving back to the village?
I was intending to.
I'm not sure it's the right thing to do any more.
All this has shown there's a lot of history here.
I thought I could leave it in the past and move on.
Now I'm beginning to think maybe I should stay in London.
Not that I want to.
There's nothing for me there.
(WHISPERS) Don't stay in London.
I'd prefer it if you didn't talk to my wife.
You're lucky I don't do you for assault. And slander.
I still think you did it. Watch your mouth.
If you two are going to start hitting each other,
could you do it outside?
My good lady wife backs up my alibi. Didn't they tell you?
What, you bullied her into lying for you? You be careful.
If you two can't be civil under the same roof, one of you should leave.
I'm not going anywhere.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Not Keith Scholey's biggest fan, is he?
You just missed a bit of a scene there, Chief Inspector.
And you can get the chairs? Oh, yes.
Still moving back then?
Have you seen they've already put the For Sale sign outside Isobel's?
Well, why hang about?
It's what they've been waiting for.
Are you thinking of saving the place from the developers?
Leo, what did you mean yesterday when you said
Keith had bullied Ruth into lying for him?
Oh, I was just being bloody minded.
It's just that I couldn't accept Keith wasn't involved.
But what did you mean exactly?
It was just...
..Well, Ruth had apparently said she was with Keith in the restaurant
at the time of the murders.
It's his alibi. In the restaurant?
That's right. Why?
Nothing.
Anyway, I better go.
Troy, the old lady that Quentin inherited the money from
died of cancer. I still think he's dodgy.
I spoke to the Home Beat Officer at Notting Hill myself.
He remembered Quentin Roka, says he's straight as a die.
Good morning.
What can I do for you?
Few more questions, I'm afraid, Mr Roka.
Fire away. When you lived in Notting Hill,
we understand you inherited a substantial amount
from an elderly woman you had befriended, a Mrs Glendenning.
Is that right?
I can guess where you got this from. Is it true?
What are you suggesting? Just answer the question please.
Yes, she left me some money. I liked the woman.
We'd been friends for some time before she became ill.
It was cancer. Not easy to fake. We know how she died.
You think I was tempted to speed up the process in Isobel's case.
Is that it?
If I was going to befriend elderly women for their money,
don't you think I could have picked someone better off than Isobel?
Are you still on for tonight?
I'll pick you up at 9:00.
Gwen?
Do you remember on the day of the murders, mid-morning,
seeing me at the village shop?
Yes. Do you remember what time it was?
About 10:15.
Yes, that's what I thought.
Sorry. That was all. Thank you.
What do you think you're...
GRUNTS AND GROANS
Well, that was very stupid, wasn't it?
A double murder a few days ago
and you go down there in dead of night.
I'm sure it was James Tapsell. Our old gamekeeper.
We had to sack him when he sold some trout he'd taken from the river
to a fishmonger in Causton.
And now he's trying to turn Sir Harry against us out of spite.
But it was him. I'm sure of it.
It may or may not have been James Tapsell
who was at the river last night.
If it was, you were lucky to get away with grazes and a bloody nose.
Well, exactly. He can be violent.
What if Isobel and Duncan had surprised him on the river?
James Tapsell is one person who does have a solid alibi for the murders.
He was working in the cellar of the Old Fisherman with the landlord
all that morning.
Yes, well. I don't know about that.
But the thing is, I caught him a good'n.
So whoever it was,
I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't have a black eye this morning.
Mr Roka.
Thank you for coming in.
I didn't mention
when I told you I'd gone up to the shop the morning of the murders
I'd knocked on the door of Keith's restaurant on the way.
Keith asked me to look out for some paintings
and I wanted to tell him about ones I'd found.
Anyway, the thing is, there was no reply.
You didn't think this worth mentioning before?
There was no one there so I didn't think it contributed to any alibi.
I just didn't think it was relevant.
You think it's relevant now?
Well, now that I know that Keith Scholey said
he had been there at the time, 10:15.
Look, I don't know if any of this is of any importance,
I just thought I better tell you.
I'm not sure where he is. Is it important?
It could be. When did you last see your husband?
Last night. He stayed out.
Does he often stay out at night?
I think he was making a point.
We'd had a bit of a row.
He sometimes sleeps on the sofa in the restaurant office
if we've had words.
That's Scholey's car, isn't it?
Mr Scholey? Hello?
Bloody hell.
30 quid for half a lobster.
The mussels aren't bad - a fiver.
Mr Scholey?
In the middle of cutting up the vegetables, he stops.
For some reason.
There's no obvious cause of death.
It's probably asphyxiation or exposure to the cold of the fridge.
Yeah. Soon as you can. Thanks.
So someone deliberately shut him in.
What I don't understand is why he didn't open it from the inside.
Standard safety features on these walk-in fridges.
Look.
It's rock solid there.
Look.
It's been wedged with a nail.
Poor sod.
Thought he'd try calling for help and dropped his phone.
Why didn't the murderer just close the door and put the padlock on?
Why bother wedging the bolt?
If you'd wedged the safety bolt beforehand,
then once the door was shut
it would be effectively locked from the inside.
Whereas if you had to put the padlock on,
it could have taken vital seconds,
in which time poor old Keith could've pushed the door open.
The murderer wouldn't have wanted Keith to know their identity.
He could've written the name on the wall inside.
Smeared it with something perhaps.
We'll get SOCO to check that.
So whoever it was
would've waited outside the kitchen,
heard Keith open the fridge door, run in,
swung it shut, and that would've been it.
Apart from turning the light out.
Scholey wouldn't have gone in with the light off.
A nasty touch, that, wasn't it?
Not enough he should die, had to be in the dark.
SIRENS WAIL
I'm sorry.
As far as I knew the door was fine.
You've no idea when or how the bolt was jammed?
No. No.
Have you got the phone?
Does this belong to the restaurant?
Yeah. Why?
Where did you find it? In the fridge.
You seem surprised. No.
No, it's just...
..it's normally kept over there by the cash till.
When you spoke to us earlier,
you said that you'd had a row with Keith.
It was just...Nothing really.
It was nothing.
Mrs Scholey, your husband's been murdered.
You had a row with him a short time before.
You've got to tell us exactly what the argument was about.
He said I was being disloyal.
But I wasn't, I wasn't.
I was thinking about both of us.
You see, I wasn't sure about the timings of the alibi.
Keith said I joined him at the restaurant at about 10:00.
And, well, I thought it could have been a bit later.
How much later?
Well, anything up to half an hour.
But I'm not sure.
I'm not saying I thought he was the murderer.
I didn't think that for a moment.
I was concerned that someone might have seen me
coming into the restaurant. Later.
And it looking as though I'd lied about the timing. That's all it was.
DOORBELL RINGS
I thought I'd better drop these off.
Duncan left them at the club house.
It's Keith Scholey. He's been murdered.
Thank you for your help, Mrs Scholey.
I understand how hard it can be.
Leo Bantock appears again.
Excuse me!
Oh, great.
Can you deal with him?
I want to have another look at this fridge.
Oh, thanks.
Sergeant...
Ruth!
I'm so sorry.
I don't feel anything.
Ruth?
I made the wrong choice, marrying Keith.
Why did we break up?
It's all a mess now.
If I can do anything.
I'm glad you're here, Leo.
Just give me some time. Please?
There he is.
I told you.
Can I have a word please, James.
We're satisfied you have a solid alibi for the murders.
Between you and me,
I'm not too interested in doing you for assault.
But we could waste a lot of valuable time
trying to track down the person who's been lurking around the river.
If you tell me, off the record, you were at the river last night,
you'd save us a lot of time.
I don't think you should be looking for anyone else.
OK. Thank you.
Tapsell's our man in the camo gear.
But it's all to do with fishing club stuff.
I double-checked his alibi for the murders
and the landlord's wife backed him up.
How we doing here?
We have a dead chief suspect.
We know that Keith Scholey had two very solid motives
for killing Doctor Goff.
And he'd persuaded his wife to give him an alibi
which she says was false.
So it looks as though he wasn't where he said he was
at the time of the murders. Enough there to charge him.
But if you're going to kill someone in a kitchen full of sharp knives,
why go to the trouble of wedging the safety mechanism
of a walk-in fridge?
Why not just stab him?
Think, Troy. Think.
Why the walk-in fridge?
Do you think the phone is significant?
How?
Ruth Scholey was surprised we found it in the fridge.
She said he normally left it by the till.
Let me try something.
MOBILE BEEPS
Got a signal. Could you swing the door to, sir?
TAP TAP
There was no signal.
And now there is again.
The phone signals are being blocked by the door.
Well, there's lead in the door. So?
Maybe that's it.
What if?
Hang on.
What if Keith Scholey was the murderer
and he knew we were on to him?
And he was getting nervous because his wife was suspicious
which we know she was because that's what the row was about.
And he wanted to do something to throw us off the scent.
He set up a faked attempt on his own life.
But he cocked it up.
Keith wanted to make it look as if the murderer had tried
to lock him in the fridge.
That's why he jammed the safety bolt.
He couldn't do it any other way.
He couldn't put the padlock on from the inside.
I think he planned to save himself by phoning for help.
From inside.
He did a trial run with the door open and got a dial tone,
but what he didn't realise was that when the door was closed
there'd be no reception
because of the lead in the door.
Yeah, but surely he'd have tested the phone with the door shut
if his life depended on it.
Maybe it didn't occur to him.
Well, he'd have to be very stupid not to double check that.
There's nothing says murderers have to be members of MENSA, sir.
Well, there is a certain surreal logic to that, yeah.
So you think it's possible?
Yes. I do.
We just have to get the reports from forensics and pathology
but it looks like it could be case closed.
Fantastic. Well done, Gavin.
I'd like to have been a fly on the wall
when he realised he wasn't getting a signal on his phone.
Must have felt a bit of a twit.
Poor man. In a walk-in fridge.
He was a murderer, Mum. Still.
Right. Same again everyone? Troy?
No more for me. I'm driving.
I'll drive. Come on. You deserve it. A good day's work.
Thank you, sir. And in the dark as well.
So Isobel Hewitt died
just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
That's right. Just after her windfall, too.
WOMAN: Have you heard she didn't even own her own house?
Not even a stick of furniture.
And all those airs and graces.
Wheedling his way into her confidence with the finances.
Quentin paid the odd bill for her at the Post Office. That is all.
Same again?
Yeah. Yes, please. Thank you.
Mrs Scholey?
It's Tom Barnaby. Yes.
You know you told us
you were unsure about the reliability of your husband's alibi,
did you mention your concern to anyone else?
You see, it was the phone, that was the clincher.
Your guv'nor's nipped out. Asked me to bring these over.
Said he'd see you at the exhibition. Thank you.
Mrs Plunkett!
Is your husband about?
He's in the sitting room. Thank you.
Front door's open.
May I come in?
Yes. Of course.
I was hoping you'd be here.
THUD OF FURNITURE
Quentin's giving me a hand with the furniture. Valuing and so on.
Do you know where Isobel's share certificate is?
I think so.
Can you show me? Yes.
That's odd. The key's usually...
Oh.
She must've forgotten to put it back.
This is the share certificate? Yup.
Can I have a look at those, please?
Is this the formal agreement between yourself and Isobel
for the transfer of the ownership to you of the house and furniture?
Yes, it is. Melrose! The Jaguar man's here.
I'm sorry. Would you excuse me a moment?
Yes, of course. Oh, there's one thing.
Your agreement with Isobel about the house
was that common knowledge in the village?
Not as far as I know.
She was a proud woman.
She asked us not to mention it.
Thank you.
Oh, don't worry, there are no secrets between Quentin and me.
I've finished upstairs. I think you ought to have a look at...
Mr Barnaby!
Have you seen Melrose?
You jammed the safety mechanism
so that it wasn't noticeable from the outside
and then you just picked your moment.
I'm sorry?
You ran a bistro in London, Quentin.
You'd know all about walk-in fridges and lead linings.
As you shut the door,
you threw the phone in but you made a mistake.
You shouldn't have switched the light off in the fridge.
Keith wouldn't want to dial a number in the dark.
Not if his life depended on it.
You're saying I murdered Keith Scholey?
Yes.
I've just spoken to Ruth.
She told me how she explained to you in the garden at Isobel's
that she was worried about the timings on her husband's alibi.
Do you remember that?
Yes, you suggested she think about it for a day or two
before telling us.
So? What's that mean?
You know, for a moment I thought you killed Keith out of revenge
because you thought he'd killed Isobel and Duncan
but then I realized, it wasn't revenge.
Keith was just a decoy.
We were getting a bit too close for comfort,
asking questions about your past.
And you thought the best way to get us off your back
was to convince us that someone else murdered Isobel and Duncan.
And the likeliest suspect
was Keith with his iffy alibi and solid motives.
But he could always deny it.
And that might cause us to doubt -
better if he were dead.
He couldn't deny anything then, could he?
And why not make it look
as if Keith was trying to fake his own murder
and accidentally killed himself? That's even better.
It must have been quite a shock
when you discovered the house sale agreement in the desk
and that Isobel was penniless.
What had she promised you?
The furniture? House?
Everything?
And after all you'd done for her.
I explained to you.
I knew about the sale of the house. No, you didn't.
Not until you found this.
Right, I'm calling my solicitor.
How did it happen, Quentin?
Isobel asked if you could find the share certificate for her?
Yes?
Probably just before she set off fishing that morning.
You stumbled across the agreement as you were searching.
The two documents next to each other.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Yes, you do. No, I don't. You're lying.
I have never seen that agreement.
You quite sure? Yes, I'm absolutely...
Well, maybe I did.
Actually, yes, she did show it to me.
Of course, she did. Just after she'd signed it. That's right.
You just realized we'll find your fingerprints all over it.
That's it, isn't it?
You're getting me confused.
You loved her, didn't you?
I don't believe you cared about the money.
That's not why you killed her.
And it wasn't because she conned you
and not because she didn't love you.
It was the casual assumption you were someone who could be bought.
When you thought
what was between you and Isobel was something beautiful.
I think you loved her
more than you've ever loved anything or anyone.
But when you saw this document
you realised just how fundamentally unimportant
you were and always had been to Isobel.
You can't prove any of this.
A 75-year-old woman.
She was extraordinary.
Like a bright jewel.
And I'll never see her again.
I thought that knowing Isobel
was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to me.
She made me...
..She brought out the best in me.
What happened?
Oh, please, Quentin, don't be so tedious.
For God's sake, pull yourself together.
You thought I was here for what I could get out of it?
Is that what you thought of me? Of us?
No, I'm not putting up with these tantrums.
You really can be very boring.
I couldn't bear it.
I just wanted to talk to her.
But then.
She killed the fish.
CHURCH BELL TOLLS
Ahhh!
And there she was.
All that life, suddenly gone.
And Duncan?
He must have heard something.
My God!
What have you done?
Yes, I loved Isobel.
The nephew was only too pleased to lend them.
Bit of a memorial, I suppose.
I'll see you down there.
What's happening, sir? There's been a development.
Quentin Roka was our man after all.
What? He's just confessed to the murders.
All three? All three.
It seems your first hunch was the right one.
You see, it suddenly occurred to me
that if Gwen Dobson, the local gossip,
didn't know about Melrose owning Isobel's house,
then it was possible no one else did either.
Maybe not even Quentin. It's a long story.
Of course, I couldn't have got there without Troy
working out the business with the fridge. Good work.
You thought it was Quentin from the word go.
See the lesson in all this? Always follow your first instincts.
I'll get the car, shall I? Yep.
I'll have to catch the exhibition some other time, alright? OK, Dad.
Hang on, Troy. I'm coming with you.
Closed Captions by CSI