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01x05 - Episode 5

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Moonflower Murders". Aired: 2024*
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It is an adaptation of the 2020 mystery novel of the same name by British author Anthony Horowitz and the second novel in the Susan Ryeland series.

01x05 - Episode 5

Post by bunniefuu »

I have got something

that may help you.

They're the notes Alan made

when he was writing

"Atticus Pünd Takes the Case."

I found all the interviews he

did when he visited the hotel.

Imagine that, you can actually

hear Alan's voice again.

Algernon Marsh had no decency

and no scruples.

How dare you search

through my desk.

£980,000.

You can talk to Samantha.

Persuade her to divide it

two ways.

And why in God's name

would I do that?

Because there are things

that Melissa told me about you,

Leonard.



Were you aware that your wife

was having an affair?

Yes, I strangled her

in the bedroom!

I need to see Katie.

I'm worried about her--

there's something

she isn't telling me.

Yes.

Who's this?

CRAIG

Craig Andrews.

What are you doing?

She was here last night,

and she left her phone.

Good morning, Mr. Pünd.

Oh, Miss Cain.

Please, sit down.

Um, would you like

a cup of tea?

Well, I wouldn't say no,

thank you very much, Mr. Pünd.

I hope you have

recovered from the shock

of what occurred yesterday.

To be honest with you,

I haven't had a wink of sleep,

and the sooner we're out

of here, the happier I will be.

Mm-hmm.

I have been checking

the train times,

and there is a

00 from Barnstaple

that gets us into London

not too late.

I'm afraid I'm going to have

to disappoint you, Miss Cain.

My work here is not yet

complete.

But I, I don't understand.

John Spencer confessed

to the m*rder

of Melissa James,

then took his own life.

That was the opinion

of Detective Inspector Chubb.

He did not take his own life.

You mean he?

He was m*rder*d.

Oh, gosh, I don't know

how much more

I can take of this, Mr. Pünd.

It is not my intention

to distress you further.

Mm.

Oh, if you prefer, um,

we, we can talk

of other things.

No, no, no,

I might as well know.

John Spencer went upstairs to

put on his coat and his shoes.

And when he returned,

he was indeed wearing

coat and shoes.

Mm-hmm.

Why?

If he was intending

to k*ll himself,

why would it matter

what he was wearing?

He was an English gentleman?

He'd want to look his best?

Perhaps so, but, um,

consider the position

of the dagger.

Hm? It was, uh, near to

the bottom of the stairs.

Are you suggesting to me

that John Spencer

took the knife with him

upstairs,

stabbed himself, and then

came back downstairs again?

I, I don't, I don't know.

And finally, to choose

such a method!

There were razors

in the bathroom.

He could've hanged himself

with a tie.

But to act like the Japanese and

inflict hara-kiri on himself

is not, I think, the practice

of an English gentleman.

So where does this take us,

Mr. Pünd?

Maybe we should find out

who was in the garden.

They caused a diversion.

They could've done it

deliberately!

I already know who looked

through the window, Miss Cain.

So, do you know

who k*lled John Spencer?

It's not just a question

of who m*rder*d John Spencer.

We must ask ourselves

why.

Mm.

Good morning, Herr Pünd.

Miss Cain.

Oh, I'm glad I caught you.

I, uh, I just wanted

to say goodbye

before you went on your way.

I think you'd better sit down,

Detective Inspector.

Mr. Pünd has something

to tell you.

Oh.

Can, can you move?

All right?

God.

Come on!

What's your problem,

love?

All right, mate,

I'll see you down there, yeah?

In your own time.

Jack.

Hi.

Is your mum here?

I haven't seen her.

Right, good, well,

then maybe you can tell me

what's going on.

What do you mean?

Well, I drove past the house

this morning, your house,

and it's being sold.

Yeah.

Why hasn't your mother

mentioned it to me?

Why would she?

Because I'm her sister--

we talk all the time!

I don't know--

why don't you call her?

Well, as if my life

wasn't complicated enough

at the moment,

I've lost my phone.

I've left it in London--

so, please, please,

Jack, tell me

what's going on.

I can't talk about it.

What do you mean,

you can't talk about it?

I

Do you know

when she might be back?

She said00.

Okay, well, uh, can you do

me a favor, could you call her?

Tell her I was here,

and say that I'll look in

around00--

can you do that?

She might not answer.

Then leave a message.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

I'm fine.

These are nice.

They're for the church.

Third Sunday after Trinity.

Ah, of course.

You know, I've been, um

I've been thinking.

Mm? What about?

About the money.

I've been thinking

about nothing else.

You know, I wonder

if we should accept it.

There are others in

much greater need than us.

You know, I don't know anyone

in the world as good as you.

But actually,

I was having second thoughts

about what you said

when we got the news.

What was that?

About Algernon.

Maybe it is wrong of us

not to include him.

But I thought you said that's

what Aunt Clarissa wanted.

Well, yes, that is

what she wrote in her will.

But, well,

she's no longer with us.

And really, it's up to us

what we do with the money.

Uh, up to you, I mean.

But I, I thought we'd decided.

Hm

Well, he, he's your brother.

Perhaps if we give him

a share,

he might find himself.

What, what sort of share?

Uh, well, I mean,

that's not really for me to say.

Twenty percent?

Thirty?

I really don't know, Leonard.

I must say, I'm surprised.

What was it you said

just now?

"People in greater need

than ourselves."

Well, that wasn't what I meant.

I'm taking these to the church.

I haven't offended you, I hope.

Not at all,

you've just surprised me.

And maybe you're right.

I'll think about it.

You're absolutely sure,

Mr. Pünd?

I do not believe John Spencer

took his own life.

Well, if he didn't k*ll

Melissa James, then who did?

That is indeed the question,

Detective Inspector.

But there is perhaps

one person we've overlooked.

Well, who's that?

Miss James wrote a letter

of love, but she failed

to address it.

"My darling darling."



Indeed so.

Do you know who she meant?

I have an idea.

"My darling

darling."

Yes.

Yes, she was going

to send this to me.

At least,

I assume she was.

You were more than

her financial adviser?

That what you're saying?

Well, one thing led to another,

I'm

Oh, don't look

so shocked, Leonard.

She was bored of John Spencer--

you must've known that.

Um,

what time did your relationship

with Miss James begin,

Mr. Marsh?

About six months ago,

I think?

Oh.

It's not against the law.

Maybe so.

But I'll tell you

what is against the law.

Is that your automobile

parked outside?

Uh, yes.

Can you explain the damage

to the front fender?

No, no, no, I, um

I hadn't noticed it.

On Wednesday of last week,

a man by the name

of Henry Dickson,

an opera singer, was hit

by a car as he was out walking.

The driver did not stop.

Mm-hmm, and what about it?

A car similar to yours

was seen by a witness.

There was damage to the fender

and evidence of a blood stain,

and

We have a cigarette found

at the scene of the crime.

Ooh!

The same brand

you're smoking now.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Algernon,

tell them it isn't true!

You win some,

you lose some, Leonard.

Tell me,

how is Mr. Dickson?

Well, you didn't k*ll him,

if that's what you mean.

Oh!

Oh, it's not too serious, then.

Uh, maybe a rap

on the knuckles?

Maybe a fine? I don't need

to worry about that,

do I, Leonard?

You'll take care of me.

Mr. Pünd!

Mrs. Collins, you

You will forgive me

for intruding.

No, not at all.

Everyone is welcome here.

But I'm afraid I bring

bad news.

Your brother, Algernon

What's he done this time?

He hit a man

in a traffic accident,

and failed to stop

or offer assistance.

Has he been arrested?

Inspector Chubb is with him now.

This is so typical

of Algernon.

I'm not gonna give him

anything!

I'm sorry?

I've inherited some money

from an aunt of mine.

Quite a lot of money.

I wanted to tell you

from the start,

but I wasn't sure

it was relevant.

Mm, and, and you were

considering

sharing it with your brother.

Well, my husband

was dead set against it

to start with,

but now he's saying we should.

I just don't understand him.

I'm not sure

I want to keep any of it.

There's something

I wished to ask you.

Were you aware that your brother

was involved in an affair

with Melissa James?

An affair?

An adulterous affair?

Oh, yes.

No, I had no idea!

Are you quite sure?

He has admitted to it.

It, it's such a wicked thing

to do, it

She is a married woman,

and to commit adultery

is unforgivable.

It's a crime against God.

Sometimes I feel like

St. Daniel,

cast into the lions' den.

m*rder and wickedness--

it, it's all around me.

You blame Miss James.

For her weakness.

I blame both of them.

And at the same time,

I find it hard to believe.

Algernon and Melissa?

She was better than that.

How could she have

set her sights so low?

Mrs. Endicott,

my name is Susan Ryeland.

We met at Aiden's house.

Yes, I remember.

I wondered if I could

have a word with Derek.

Come in.

Thank you.

Derek? You have a visitor!

He's only just woken up.

Oh.

He was working last night.

He had his shift

at the hotel.

Can I get you some tea?

Uh, no, thank you.

Do you have the day off?

No, I only work part-time.

Oh.

Yeah, and Roxana's

at a play date right now.

I can't do more than that.

I had a heart attack

two years ago,

and the doctors told me

to take care.

Oh, I'm sorry.

No, I'm fine now--

got Derek here.

And Aiden and Cecily

look after me very well.

Mm.

So you enjoy working for them.

Oh, they're lovely people,

and they both live

for that child.

Oh, what Aiden must be

going through right now.

Mm.

Sorry.

Don't bear thinking about.

What do you think

might have happened to Cecily?

No, I don't know--

I try not to think about it.

Aiden says it's something

to do with that book of yours.

Atticus Pünd.

You met Alan Conway?

Yeah.

Yeah, he, he came here,

asking questions.

He talked to everyone.

He said it was

for research.

Who is it, Mum?

This is Susan Ryeland,

you know?

Oh, yeah.

She's helping the police

with their

Oh, hello.

finding Mrs. MacNeil.

Yeah, is there

any news?

Uh, no, I'm afraid not.

She were just asking

about Alan Conway.

The writer? Didn't like him.

Well, that's what I wanted

to ask you.

What actually happened

when he came here?

Alan recorded his conversations

with everyone else, except you.

Why was that?

Well, that's easy to explain--

I didn't let him.

Well, it's a, a lovely house--

have you been here long?

My husband and I first

lived here when we were married.

So, Derek, you have been here

your whole life.

Oh.

Excuse me, Mr. Conway,

what are you doing?

No, Alan, please.

I just thought

I'd record this.

Oh, no, I, I'd prefer

if you didn't.

Sorry?

I, I don't want to be recorded.

Well, it's just for me--

I have a terrible memory.

I don't really want to talk

about what happened at all,

if you want the honest truth.

And I, I don't think you should

be writing about it, either.

Seriously, Gwyneth?

I think you should go.

Well, that explains

why he put you in the book.

He did that to Aiden,

didn't he?

He did it to anyone

who annoyed him-- I'm sorry.

It's not your fault, dear.

Some people just

don't know how to behave.

There was one other thing

I wanted to ask you.

I wonder if you know

Martin and Joanne Webster.

They just live up the road.

Yeah, we know them all right--

the odd couple.

You can say that

again.

Been here 20 years,

never once invited us

into their house.

And you'd think they'd be

more hospitable.

He knows us well enough, he was

always in and out of the hotel.

I used to help unload

his vans.

I'm sorry, we're, we're

talking about Martin Webster?

Yeah, he's got a laundry

business in Woodbridge.

He used to do all the sheets

and towels at the hotel.

Used to?

Cecily fell out with him.

She stopped using them.

Let me get this straight.

Martin Webster was the

brother-in-law

of Frank Parris,

and he also knew

Cecily Treherne?

Mm, course he knew her, but

They definitely weren't friends.

Martin.

I thought we asked you

not to come back here.

You knew Cecily Treherne.

I met her a few times.

You do know she's disappeared.

Everyone knows that.

In fact, we're all getting

a bit fed up

with it, to be honest.

She used to use

your laundry service.

The two of you argued.

Yes.

Why?

I really don't think

that's any of your business.

And you and I

have spoken enough.

Why does she keep

coming here?

That's a good question.

I think she's becoming

a bit obsessed about it all.

What are we gonna do?

You want me to do

something about it?

No.

Look, don't worry

about it, dear.

She doesn't know anything

about us,

and she's not gonna find out

anything, either.

I'll make sure of that.

Susan.

I didn't realize you were back.

You made me jump.

I'm sorry.

After what happened,

this, uh, this whole corridor

can be a bit unnerving.

Do you want to look

at room 12?

Uh, no.

Nothing much in there.

How was London?

Uh, actually it was useful.

Uh, I got all of Alan's notes

and the interviews

that you did,

and everyone else.

And what are you doing here?

I'm trying to work

something out.

Derek Endicott was

on reception the night

that Frank Parris was k*lled.

He heard the dog bark

and he came up the stairs.

That was when he saw a figure

in the corridor,

someone he thought was Stefan.

That's what he told the police.

Yes, but it would've taken Derek

less than five seconds

to get from the dog basket

into the corridor,

and by that time,

Stefan had already disappeared.

Or he'd already gone into the

room, he had a key.

Yes.

Yes, Stefan had a key

for all the rooms.

Yeah, but what

happened after that?

I mean, what would

you do if a complete

stranger came

into your room?

I'd shout for help.

So why didn't Derek hear

anything?

Frank Parris

could've been asleep.

In which case, Stefan wouldn't

have needed to k*ll him.

He could've just taken the money

and left.

What are you saying?

Just that

whatever happened here,

it wasn't what we think.

And for that matter, why did

the dog bark in the first place?

I'm, I'm afraid

I can't help you.

Actually, maybe you can.

I listened to the recordings,

and there's something

that Cecily said.

He wasn't the only young

offender working in the hotel.

My father was running a program.

So, what other offenders

did you have working here?

I don't think I should

be sharing that information.

Lawrence, I'm trying

to help you find Cecily.

The only way I can do that

is to know what she knew.

So

Who was it?

That's it, keep that wrist

strong, squeeze.

Liam, I need to talk

to you.

I'm busy.

No, this won't wait.

It's gonna have to.

Okay.

I know you have

a criminal record.

You served six months

in Long Bay Prison in Sydney

for providing your clients

with steroids.

All right.

I'll talk to you, okay?

Just not here.

Testosterone, boldenone,

Anadrol-- it's no big deal.

I was getting it cheap from

Thailand, like everyone else.

But then the police

caught up with you.

Six months-- I did four.

And then you came

to London?

It was easier to get new clients

away from home.

What sort of clients,

Liam?

What exactly

were you doing?

I was a personal trainer.

What do you think

I was doing?

Did you come

from Melbourne?

No, Brisbane.

So why don't you tell me

the truth

about what was happening here

with Stefan?

I don't know what

you're talking about.

I think you do.

The last time

I spoke to you,

you said that you felt

"sorry for the poor b*stard"

because of the way

they treated him here.

What did you mean

by that?

He was a skivvy.

He'd work a 12-hour shift.

Toilets, gutters, the roof,

the trash-- you name it.

You know how much

they were paying him?

They were trying to help him.

Come on, darling.

Their so-called youth offender

outreach program?

It's a rip-off--

it's a way to get cheap labor

to keep this stinking

hotel running.

You've stayed here

long enough.

Where else am I gonna go,

with my conviction?

Besides,

it's not the half of it.

So what's the other half?

Cecily Treherne was okay.

But her sister

Lisa's the devil.

She had her claws into

Stefan from the start.

In what way?

What way do you think?

Nice hunk of 22-year-old

Eastern European flesh?

She was in a relationship

with him?

Well, I wouldn't call it that.

But they were having sex,

if that's what you mean.

Poor sod couldn't say no to her.

After all,

she was running the hotel.

She had complete power

over him.

Did he tell you this?

No, he didn't talk

about that kind of stuff.

But he was miserable

whenever she was around.

You know,

I actually saw them once?

Tell me.

LIAM

I'd gone out for a run.

There's a circuit that

takes me through the woods.

And I'd just set out,

and that's when I saw her.

I mean, it was pretty obvious

what was going on.

I couldn't help

but wonder who it was,

and that's when I saw them.

Stefan and Lisa going at it,

hammer and tongs.

When was this?

A couple of weeks

before the m*rder.

And it was definitely

Stefan and Lisa?

That's a fair question,

Sue.

Susan.

Whatever.

It was night.

There was some distance

between us.

To be honest, my first thought

was that it was Aiden

having it away with Lisa,

which would've been a laugh.

Was Aiden like that,

promiscuous?

No way.

Cecily would've kicked him out

if he did.

And anyway, it wasn't him.

Aiden has a tattoo

on his shoulder,

it's like a big tadpole.

I could see quite

clearly, it wasn't there.

Could've snuck away right then,

but would you believe it?

I stepped on a branch.

Went off like a g*nsh*t,

the guy turned around.

It was definitely Stefan.

Did he see you?

I don't think so.

Well, he never

mentioned anything.

So why did Lisa fire him?

Well, she accused him

of stealing.

But everyone knows

it was Natasha.

It wasn't him.

Maybe he'd given her

the old heave-h*

and she wanted

to get rid of him.

I know what I'm

talking about.

She's doing

the same thing to me.

Anytime she needs a root,

I'm her first port of call.

And do you?

Yeah, I don't mind--

keeps her sweet.

She pays a little extra

on the side.

Oh!

Was there anything else

you want to know?

Uh, no, no.

Definitely not.

Mmm, great.

Thank you.

KATIE

Hi, it's Katie, please leave

a message.

Katie, uh, I've managed

to lose my mobile,

but I've been trying

to get hold of you.

Jack says

you'll be home by00.

So, I'm gonna come over now.

Okay, bye.

Hi.

Did you get my message?

Yeah, sorry, um,

just having a bit of a day.

Can I come in?

Of course.

You didn't tell me!

And you asked me to go

to the garden center

so I wouldn't see

the sign outside.

You got a buyer, then?

We've just exchanged.

And you lied to me, Katie.

You told me that

you had decorators in.

I don't see any sign of

any decorators anywhere.

And Jack.

He's dropped out

of university.

He's a mess.

He looks

utterly miserable.

Has this got anything

to do with Gordon?

You never talk about him.

He's never here.

Why do you want to know?

Because I care

about you, Katie.

And we don't have any secrets

from each other.

Gordon's left me.

What?!

Oh, my

When?

Six months ago.

I didn't tell you

because I didn't want you

to be worrying about me.

You've got enough on

your plate, and anyway,

there's nothing

you could do.

I could've been there for you.

I didn't want you there.

I wanted you here.

I couldn't ask, and anyway,

I didn't want to.

Why not?

Because I felt so bloody stupid!

And I still do now.

He started working late,

in London.

First one night a week,

then it was two nights.

And then he

sweet-talked me

into renting a flat

near the bank

to save money.

Can you believe that?

Our money--

our joint account.

All to support

his sordid little love nest.

Do you know who it is?

Oh

It's his secretary.

And, and how pathetic

is that?

Her name's Naomi.

Mmm.

She's 20 years younger than him.

I mean, she's barely older

than his own daughter.

Oh, Katie.

No.

I'm so sorry.

Please, Susan, don't.

I don't want your pity.

It will only make

things worse.

You may as well

hear the rest of it.

He was lavishing money

on Naomi-- trips to Paris.

And at the same time, he was

maxing out on his credit card.

His company credit card.

So of course,

eventually, they found out.

And he lost his job.

He's lucky they didn't

decide to prosecute.

They're letting him

pay it back in installments.

Anyway, the upshot of it all

is that we couldn't

afford the house.

But you both own it.

Yeah, well,

it's a 50-50 split,

but it still means downsizing.

It's

It's a mess.

And as for Jack and Daisy

Daisy doesn't want to know.

She's furious.

She thinks he's having

some pathetic midlife crisis

that he's inflicting

on all of us.

And as for Jack

Well, you've seen.

He always was the

more sensitive one.

I've promised I won't cry,

and I'm not going to.

But I can tell you,

what's upset me the most

is that I feel so stupid.

Like I've been

somehow inadequate,

and I'm the one to blame.

But you know that's not true.

But course it's not.

It's all down to him, all of it.

But it's still how I feel.

And that's another reason

why I didn't want you to know.

Because I've always

been the sensible one,

haven't I?

Married with two children,

a nice house in Suffolk,

and a job in a garden

center, while you,

you've been gallivanting

around London,

and now Crete,

and where's it got me?

I'm not gallivanting

anymore.

You're thinking of

leaving Andreas.

I couldn't believe it

when you told me that.

You two are wonderful together.

He's a good man,

and he loves you to bits,

and you should be grabbing

onto him and holding him

with both hands.

You don't know

how lucky you are.

Katie, what can I do?

Oh

There's nothing you can do.

I'll be fine,

I'll get through it somehow.

All I'm saying is,

think again.

What?

What? Oh

What? Get, get out of the

Get out of the

What are you doing?!

Oh, my

What is it?

What?!

No!

The body of a young woman's

been found in Rendlesham Forest.

I'm very sorry to have

to tell you this, Mr. MacNeil,

but we have every reason

to believe that it's Cecily.

No.

Aiden.

There'll have to be a,

a formal identification,

but in the meantime, I

I wonder if you recognize this.

It's hers.

How did you find her?

Well, we hadn't stopped looking,

but in the end,

it was a dog walker.

Oh, God.

Oh, my God.

What happened?

I thought I told you

to leave.

Oh, God

We've found the body

of Cecily Treherne

in woodland

not far from here.

She'd been strangled,

just like the actress

in that book of yours.

Oh, I suppose

you're gonna try

and make something

out of that.

No.

Funny, innit?

How real m*rder

isn't quite as much fun

as those stories of yours.

They're not my stories.

We've got a husband in there

sobbing his heart out,

two parents who've just

lost a daughter,

and an eight-year-old girl

who's about to find out

she no longer has a mummy.

But I suppose,

to you, oh,

that's all

entertainment.

How can you be so cruel?

Because this is my life,

and you've got

no place in it!

Susan.

Oh, God.

I was hoping

to see you.

I've just heard the news--

I'm so sorry.

Sorry that my sister's

been found dead?

Or that your all-expenses paid

visit to the hotel is now over?

What?

Well, I don't think

there's any further reason

for you to stay here,

do you?

What is wrong with you?

The hotel is fully booked out

next week,

we need your room--

I'm just doing my job.

Does your father know

you're talking to me?

Well, actually, my father wanted

me to have this conversation.

We want to bring an end

to his arrangement with you,

and we think

you should leave.

When?

Tomorrow.

Checkout's at00.

Derek will help you

with your luggage.

Susan?

Andreas!

What are you doing here?

What is it,

what's wrong?

You tell me.

What?

Where were you last night?

Why are you even

asking me that?

'Cause I need to know

if you want to see me.

I want to see you

more than anyone.



I have asked you

to return here today

because, well, it seems

that events at Clarence Keep

did not occur quite

as we believed.

Are you telling us that

the detective inspector

was wrong all along,

and it was not her husband

who k*lled Melissa?

Oh.

It is only thanks

to the detective inspector

that I was able

to solve the case.

It was he who made

the observation

that unlocked

everything.

Thank you, Mr. Pünd.

What observation was that?

You compared the m*rder

of Melissa James

to the death of Desdemona

in William Shakespeare's

"Tragedy of Othello."

"Beware the green-eyed monster."

Hmm.

Let us return

to the beginning.

We know

that Miss James was k*lled

very shortly after28

in the evening.

28, yes,

that's when she called me.

Mm.

Please, please,

please come round.

I don't know what to do.

I'm so frightened.

Please! He wants to k*ll me.



"He wants to k*ll me."

But to whom was she referring?

It was her husband.

It, it had to be her husband.

That would indeed seem

to be the case, Miss Cain.

John Spencer was

not at the opera.

He lied to us.

I came to the house

that evening, as I told you.

I did not see him.

In the moments before he died,

Mr. Spencer was obliged

to explain to us

exactly what occurred.

You never left?

No, I left.

I drove as far as the village.

But I was in no mood

for the opera.

I came back.



And you confronted

your wife?

We had a terrible row.

She told me she was leaving me.

That argument

must have taken place

after the Chandlers had left to

see their relatives in Bideford.

We, we never heard them

argue.

No, of course we didn't.

We kept our distance,

as was our place.

When did you leave the house?

At ten past six.



So,

Mr. Berlin arrives, he leaves.

The Chandlers also depart.

And what

of Algernon Marsh?

I'm in the pub.

Lots of people saw me.

Several of them

saw you leave.

I'd had enough to drink.

I walked home.

So,

Mr. Berlin arrives,

he leaves.

The Chandlers also depart.

And that is when

John Spencer returns.

He was who she was scared

of when she called us.

Evidently, and yet

we have a problem.

All the evidence suggests

that the telephone call

was made from this room.

We found the tissues

with her tears

down here,

and the phone in her bedroom

was torn out of the wall.

And yet it is in the bedroom

that Dr. Collins

discovered the body.

That's right,

she was on the bed.

You see? It does not work.

"I'm so frightened.

He wants to k*ll me."

Where is Melissa when she

says this, and, and where

is her husband?

They were both in here.

If Melissa really believes

herself to be in danger,

why does she return

to the bedroom?

And where is John Spencer?

Why does he allow her to make

a telephone call for help?

Maybe they argued upstairs

after all.



And what time is the telephone

cord pulled out of the wall?

Does Melissa come down

to the living room,

call for help, and then

return to the bedroom?

He's right,

it makes no sense.

All I can tell you is,

she was definitely dead,

she was definitely

on the bed,

and she had definitely

been strangled.

I, I saw the ligatures.

I, I'm so glad that you chose

to mention that, Dr Collins.

You see, it reminds me of a most

interesting piece of information

that was shared with me

by my good friend

Detective Inspector Chubb.

She must have put up

quite a fight.

The sheets were crumpled,

one of the lamps was broken,

and there was two sets of

abrasions around her neck.

Why two sets of abrasions?

Miss James was

only strangled once.

Well, she was struggling,

you know?

Maybe the cord slipped,

and the k*ller had

to apply it a second time.

That is exactly what I believed,

until the moment

that you referred to the drama

of "Othello."

I don't, I don't

understand.

What happens in that play?

Desdemona is strangled

by her jealous

husband, hmm?

And just like John Spencer,

he confesses to the crime.

"She is dead," he says.

"Still as the grave.

I have no wife."

But then she recovers.

She's not dead, after all.

Exactly.

Strangulation,

it kills by restricting the flow

of blood or oxygen to the brain.

This I've noted in

"The Landscape

of Criminal Investigation."

But although unconsciousness

will take seconds,

death may take several minutes.

So, John Spencer

didn't k*ll her?

He believed that he had, mm?

She had fallen,

struck her head.

There was blood.

She was not moving.

We can imagine his horror.

He believed that he had k*lled

the woman he most loved.

He ran out of the room,

out of the house,

leaving her behind.

But then she woke up.

She woke up.

The telephone cord had been

pulled from the wall,

so she had to make her way

downstairs to call for help,

and it was Dr. Collins

who answered.

And I, I said I'd be

around straight away.



But in fact,

it took you ten minutes,

during which time

Miss James returned to her bed,

which is where you found her.

So, who k*lled her?

Dr. Collins, of course.

No.

No.

It, that's not possible.

Not Leonard.

Melissa James was a friend

of mine and a patient.

What possible reason

could I have to k*ll her?

"My darling darling.

"We must be brave

and tell the world

about the love we share."

This letter

was addressed to you.

Wait a minute.

Algernon Marsh told us

the letter was addressed to him!

He was lying.

Why would I do that?



For one simple reason.

You did not wish us to discover

that the true lover of Miss

James was your brother-in-law,

Dr. Collins.

It was all about the money.

Exactly, Miss Cain,

the money.

Left to Mrs. Collins

by her aunt.

Her brother, ooh,

he wanted a share of it.

And he knew that he could

blackmail Dr. Collins

with his knowledge

of the affair.

But that meant shielding him,

pretending that it was he,

and not Dr. Collins,

who was the true lover

of Miss James.

This, this is,

is nonsense.

You have a wife

who is deeply religious,

who told me herself

she could never forgive

the sin of adultery.

Had she discovered

the truth about you,

she would've left you,

which is exactly

why you had

to k*ll Melissa James.

She was

threatening

to tell the world

about your affair.

They're already

seeing each other.

Then suddenly Mrs. Collins

gets the inheritance.

Exactly.

He will have control

of the money,

but only if she

remains as his wife.

£980,000.

How did you learn

of the affair, Mr. Marsh?

Melissa told me.

She couldn't stop herself.

She was besotted with him.

So, it's true.

Leonard?



Her husband attacks her.

And Miss James,

she calls her lover for help.

In so doing, gave him

the perfect opportunity

to silence her,

knowing full well

that it would be John Spencer

that would take the blame.

You're a monster.

I can't bear it!

I'm sorry,

Samantha.

I really am.

But I mean, Melissa was a star.

She said she was going to

go back into the movies.

She talked about Hollywood.

And I thought she was

my ticket out of this,

this boring village,

my boring life.

But then, when you

got the money,

I realized what

a fool I'd been.

I've nothing

to say to you, Leonard.

I'll tell you what else is true.

He was

blackmailing me!

Swine.

You should

arrest him, too.

What?

Take them both away.

Go on, then.

Dr Collins.

I'd never have believed it.

Because he was

the least likely suspect?

Because he wasn't

a suspect at all.

But there's one thing

I don't get, Mr. Pünd.

If Dr. Collins

k*lled Melissa James,

who in the blazes

k*lled John Spencer?

Mmm, that is the second part of

the puzzle, Detective Inspector.

And I have a confession

to make.

The person who k*lled

John Spencer

was me.

I should not have

taken this case.

I started all this,

and now I'm gonna finish it.

Why won't you take

no for an answer?

Don't you want to know

who k*lled her?

I know who k*lled her.

He's hiding something.