11x03 - Russian Roulette

[bunniefuu]

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why do you miss

♪ When my baby kisses me?

♪ Heartbeat

♪ Why does a love kiss

♪ Stay in my memory? ♪

MUSIC: 'She's Not There' by The Zombies

♪ Well, no one told me about her

♪ The way she lied

♪ Well, no one told me about her

♪ How many people cried

♪ But it's too late to say you're sorry

♪ How would I know? Why should I care?

♪ Please don't bother trying to find her

♪ She's not there

♪ Well, let me tell you about the way she looked

♪ The way she acted

♪ The colour of her hair

♪ Her voice was soft and cool

♪ Her eyes were clear and bright

♪ But she's not there ♪

SEAGULLS CALL

MUSIC: 'Mr Armageddon' by Locomotive

♪ I am everything you see

♪ Everything you see and what is more... ♪

MIKE: That'll be at Diswell Tunnel, sarge?

CRADDOCK: So I'm informed.

An adult male, and not the first time.

All right, well, I'll take a ride over there.

Incidentally, sarge, I've decided to sit my sergeant's exams.

I'm glad to hear it, Bradley, and not before time in my opinion.

I'll set the paperwork in motion. - Thanks, sarge.

TRACY: And breathe out.

Right, Mr Maxwell, you can do your shirt up again.

Your chest is clear

and there's nothing wrong with your heart.

- Then why do I get chest pains? - When did they start?

- A couple of weeks ago. - Have you any pain anywhere else?

In your arms? Shoulders? - No.

Your medical records haven't reached us

from your previous GP. What was her name?

Mitchell. Dr Mitchell.

I think what I'll do is arrange for you to have an X-ray.

We'll take it from there, OK?

OK.

Ah, yes, sir, what can I get you?

IN RUSSIAN ACCENT You have whisky?

- Certainly. - I have one large whisky, please.

Right.

Hi, there. What can I get you?

A large malt, please.

I'm looking for a friend of mine. I hear he move round here.

And the name of this friend of yours?

Mr Scripps. Vernon Scripps.

I certainly know a Mr Scripps.

In fact, he's due in here just about now, I'd say.

Thank you. - That's good.

I'll bring you the change.

MUSIC: 'Green Street Green' by Herman's Hermits

♪ If you've got a pack of trouble

♪ Waying on your worried mind

♪ If you tend to see things double

♪ And you can't turn wind

♪ Take a trip to Green Street Green

♪ Get yourself a little scene

♪ Everything is kind of groovy

♪ Down at Green Street Green ♪

PC Mike Bradley, sir.

Aidensfield Police. - Oh, yes?

We've had reports of somebody on the railway line.

I was wondering if you'd seen anybody hanging around.

I'm afraid I haven't. No.

It's happened a few times. I'm surprised you haven't.

I don't spend my life looking out of the window.

No. Well, if you do spot anything, you know where to contact me.

David, just the man. Is Vernon with you?

No. He's, er... got a bit of business.

Well, that bloke says he's a friend of his.

- Oh, aye? - Excuse me!

Mr Scripps is not coming in today after all,

but young David here can tell you where to find him.

MAN: Oh, yes?

You are a friend of Vernon's? Yes?

Oh... Oh, aye. Yeah, well, we live together.

That is, we share the same house.

I also am a friend of his.

This house you have together... He will be there later, maybe? Yes?

Oh, aye, definitely.

Where is it, please?

It's just down the... I'll write the address for you.

That would be kind.

GINA: There you go, David.

My friend will get a big surprise when he sees me.

Oh, yeah.

There you go.

So, um... who are you, then?

Saukas. Igor Saukas. From Lithuania.

Mr Vernon was saying the other day he had some business with Lithuania.

- With me. - Oh.

CRADDOCK: Mr Denby, it's rare we're graced with a visit from MI .

I imagine so.

And how can we help you?

It's no more than a courtesy call at the moment, Sergeant,

to let you know we're on your patch.

I see.

And what, precisely, will you be doing on my patch,

Mr Denby? - Well, suffice to say

that if we need a spot of muscular backup at some point,

we may well call on you.

Which we'll be more than happy to supply, Mr Denby.

As long as I'm kept in the picture as to what we'll be backing up.

I hope that doesn't mean you're going to be uncooperative.

Good Lord, no, Mr Denby.

However, that said, you will find me more cooperative

if I know what I'm supposed to be committing my men to.

I see.

Hmm.

- All quiet, lads? - Yeah.

Clive.

Oh, hello, Bradley.

Someone told me you'd been shunted up to Yorkshire.

Is that what they said?

Anyway, must fly, old boy.

Busy, busy. See you around.

MIKE: I can't wait.

I reckon I could. Snooty beggar!

Old mate of yours, Mike?

I wouldn't put it that strongly. We were cadets together in London.

You'll be fascinated to hear he's now with MI , apparently.

Who? Denby?

You sound surprised.

He was never what you might call the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Which helps to explain the state of national security.

Saukas?

Not Igor flaming Saukas, I hope?

That's right. Nice bloke, I thought.

Until you get the wrong side of him.

Then he's like a bear with a sore tooth.

You didn't tell him where to find me?

Not exactly, no.

What do you mean, David, "Not exactly"?

Why? What's up?

What is up, David, is a couple of years ago,

I sold Comrade Saukas a consignment of umbrellas.

What's wrong with that?

They let the water in.

If he's back here looking for me, it can only mean one thing.

What? KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Oh, no! Oh!

David, I want you to calm down and listen.

Now, pull yourself together...

and when you've done that, answer the door.

What, me?

And when you do, tell him this, OK?

Tell him... I'm not in,

and, in fact, have left the country.

Yeah, but he...

He's not here.

In fact, he's left the country. - When did he tell you this?

Oh, just now.

On the phone. From the airport.

I see. Well, when you do see him, tell him Igor Saukas said hello.

Oh, hold on...

No, I won't. Not ever.

But if I do, I'll tell him.

So... goodbye.

Oh, yeah. Goodbye.

Hi, Mike.

Your usual, is it? - Oh, yes, please.

- You following me around, Clive? - Or should I be asking you that?

Never mind.

So, what brings you up to the frozen north?

That's what your sergeant sent you to find out, is it?

What?

Well, put it this way, of all the gin joints in Yorkshire,

why should it happen to be this one you strolled into?

It could have something to do with the fact

that this happens to be my local.

Hmm. Yes, of course it would.

Anyway, excuse me, old boy. I've got calls to make.

Hello, my friend.

Hey...

I hear you leave the country.

Look, Igor...

a-about the umbrellas... I can explain.

What's to explain?

In Lithuania, I make, how do you call it...

a big k*lling on them. - Really?

You got any more, I take them.

Oh, alas, no. That particular source dried up.

In the bankruptcy court.

Is no matter. I'm not here to talk about umbrellas.

I'm here to offer you a deal.

Oh, aye? What deal's that, then?

We don't talk about it here. Too many ears, but er...

Back at your place? - Right.

They're leaving.

Mr Maxwell...

I wondered if you'd managed

to fix up that appointment at the hospital.

Yeah, I did. I've been trying to call you.

It's : tomorrow morning. - A good thing I dropped in, then.

Yeah, I suppose it is.

I'm sorry if I startled you.

That's all right.

: tomorrow morning, then?

Right?

Yes. Now, I have to lock up, I'm afraid.

Yeah, of course. Sorry.

Good night, then. - Good night.

LAUGHTER

Oh, I come from poor country.

We have no natural resources.

Aye. Very bad luck that, Igor.

Except for just the one.

Which one's that, then?

- Peat. - Pete?

Pete?

Peat.

Oh, peat!

You mean that stuff they used to burn instead of coal?

That we have plenty of. It's just one problem.

What's that?

Because of the stupid iron curtain, we sell it only to Russia.

But, perhaps, my friends, there is a way round this...

a way of importing into England.

- Go on. - On my trawler in Whitby Harbour,

I have a load of this peat as ballast.

Yeah?

If I give it to you and you sell it,

and we split the money - ...

HE CHUCKLES

You know, Igor, the moment I heard you were back,

I knew some good would come of it. They were my words to you,

weren't they, David, when you told me?

HE CHUCKLES

IGOR: Now, remember, Vernon... Iksimaas...

- VERNON: Iksimaas... - IGOR: Tumaas...

- VERNON: Tumaas... - IGOR: Dilli.

Now, you say it all together on your own, OK?

- Iksimaas... - That's right. Yes, good.

- Tumaas. - That's good.

- Dilli. - Yes!

LAUGHS Good, my friend!

PHONE RINGS

Craddock.

Ah, good morning, sir.

Yes, Mr Denby did drop in and see me yesterday.

I wouldn't have said I was being uncooperative, sir.

I was merely seeking to clarify...

Of course, sir.

Yes, sir.

Goodbye, sir.

When you left London, did you jump or were you pushed?

Or is that none of my business?

Oh, I jumped.

- Headlong, in fact. - Really?

The pace of the city isn't for everyone, I suppose.

What do you want, Clive?

Vernon Scripps... What can you tell me about him?

He arrived here about a year ago

and his brother's the local undertaker.

What's he like?

I suppose he's a bit of a wide boy, but he's never given us any trouble.

What suddenly made Aidensfield so attractive to him, do you think?

It certainly can't be the nightlife.

I can't believe that you're suggesting

that he'd be up to anything

that your lot would be interested in.

They probably said that about Burgess and MacLean, old boy.

Who knows what uses they might find for him,

with Fylingdales nearby and Russian trawlers

in and out of Whitby?

Chief Superintendent Southgate called?

- That's right. - Good.

Only I need one of your... local yokels put under surveillance.

Oh, yes? And the name of this local yokel?

Scripps. Vernon Scripps.

And may I ask what it is Mr Scripps is suspected of?

If that isn't too presumptuous.

Well, let's just say he's been keeping

some dubious company lately.

Oh, and I'd prefer to be allocated two of your brighter specimens.

Of course.

Well, if you'd like to wheel them in...

Right.

Ventress...

Bellamy, in my office, please.

Erm... come on in.

Thank you.

I got your results back from the hospital.

I thought I'd drop by and let you know what they said.

Your lungs are completely clear.

What's wrong with me, then?

It could be a pulled muscle or a trapped nerve.

I thought I'd leave you some painkillers.

If it doesn't clear up by the weekend, come and see me.

Right.

Do you not feel isolated out here?

I like the quiet.

Besides, I've got the trains for company. If I get bored.

MUSIC: 'Atlantis' by The Shadows

What's happening?

They're loading something in sacks onto the back of their truck.

You feeling a bit conspicuous, Alf?

I mean, we could easily keep an eye on them from that pub over there.

What a good idea, Phil!

In fact, it's the best one you've had today.

After all, it's thirsty work, watching other people working.

Maybe... maybe you leave it to me and my boys, Vernon.

Right.

Come back and collect in minutes.

Just leave it, David!

Come on.

PHIL: Oh, no.

I don't believe this.

Right, come on. This way.

Come on, David, I got the last round.

All right. I would, only my hands are a bit... You know.

David, there's a gentlemen's toilet here,

and I wouldn't be surprised to find a wash basin

with running water.

Yeah, all right.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

- MAN: 'Doctor?' - Yes?

'Eamon Maxwell.'

What's the problem, Mr Maxwell?

I'm dying!

Where is the pain now, Mr Maxwell?

Right there.

And you have no pains anywhere else?

No.

If it was a heart attack, the pains wouldn't be there.

What are you suggesting? I'm making all this up?

You've convinced yourself you're having a heart attack and produced

what you think are the symptoms. - I should be in hospital.

If I thought you should,

I'd have already called an ambulance.

Your blood pressure is up a bit, but that's only to be expected

and it's nothing to worry about.

Your heart's fine, believe me, so try to calm down.

I want you to take two of these for now.

Tranquillisers?

Sedatives, to help you sleep. I want you to go to bed.

All right?

Good. I'll see you in my surgery first thing tomorrow. OK?

OK.

Thank you, Doctor. - All part of the service.

- Peat? - Yes, peat.

I'm not talking about your common or garden bog-standard peat.

I'm talking about Lithuanian peat,

the crème de la crème of peats.

Not only does it burn hotter than coal, and longer, but it also

fills the premises with the most aromatic of aromas.

Go on, then, I'll try a couple.

Right, David, off you go. Fetch some in.

Believe me, Gina, when you've experienced

what you're about to experience,

you will never touch a piece of coal again.

OSCAR: What's he going on about now?

- GINA: Peat. - Pete who?

Oscar, what we're talking about is the fuel of the future.

I tell you, people have been snatching my hands off

all over Aidensfield for this.

VERNON: Home, James, and don't spare the horses.

I've got to get on the blower to Comrade Saukas

and tell him we'll be down first thing tomorrow for another load.

Do you know, David?

The day is fast approaching when you and I will be

able to look our bank manager in the eyes again.

Oh, hello, Enoch.

How do, Mr Blaketon? Usual, is it?

Not today, Enoch. We're trying something different.

Oh, aye? And that something different

wouldn't be some of this Lithuanian peat, would it?

Well, er... yes, it would, as a matter of fact.

Supplied by...? Don't tell me.

One Vernon Scripps esquire?

Aye, that's right.

You're the fourth of my regulars today to have told me that.

I reckon it's about time me and Mr Scripps had a little chat.

Oh, dear.

Oh, yes.

I can see a very bright future beckoning for you and me, David.

I'm not just talking about one truck, you know.

No?

I am talking about an entire fleet,

spanning the whole of the northeast and beyond.

KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Is Scripps in?

Yeah, but...

It's just er...

Mr Scripps?

I don't believe I've had the pleasure.

Pleasure was the last thing I had in mind.

For you, anyroad.

And you are?

Enoch Payne. The one whose livelihood you're stealing.

Me, Mr Payne?

You, Mr Scripps.

And how do you reckon I'm doing that, Mr Payne?

By undercutting me with that rotten peat you're flogging.

Now, now. Come, come.

A little competition never hurt anybody, Mr Payne.

Quite right, Mr Scripps,

but it won't stop me hurting you if you don't stop.

Now, let's not be too hasty about this.

I'm not going to be.

When I dismember somebody, I like to take my time about it.

That's why,

when I were doing a bit of wrestling,

they used to call me The Excruciating Payne.

Really?

But you are, these days, a coalman by trade.

Is that right, Mr Payne?

That's right.

You could be the man we're looking for.

Oh, aye...?

We are suppliers

in sore need of a local distributor,

and you could be that man

to our mutual business advantage.

Oh, aye?

Take a seat, Mr Payne...

and let's discuss this like civilised human beings.

Aye.

How are you this morning?

I've still got the pain.

Your previous GP lives over in Barnswell, right?

That's right.

Which is a few miles from here.

Yeah.

What made you decide to change doctors?

It made sense to use someone in the village.

And you live alone?

That's right.

What do you do for a living, Mr Maxwell?

I was a teacher.

Was?

Yes. But what has any of this to do with the pains I've been getting?

Well...

there's no evidence that there's anything

physically wrong with you,

which suggests that the pains could be psychosomatic,

brought on, quite possibly, by stress.

Or, to put it another way... it's all in my mind, right?

That's not quite what I said, Mr Maxwell.

In as many words.

It's something we're all capable of.

We can generate psychosomatic symptoms

and the more intelligent and sensitive we are,

the more capable we are of it.

Look, Doctor,

get it into your head, will you?

I'm not imagining anything!

And there's nothing wrong with my mind.

I never said there was, and don't shout.

What do you expect me to do?

Sit there to be told I'm off my trolley?

You know, when I first met you,

I thought you were going to be different,

but you quacks are all the same.

If you can't fob someone off with a few pills,

or you can't fob them off with a headshrinker,

you're absolutely lost, aren't you?

TRICIA: I'm trying to help you, Mr Maxwell.

EAMON: And I'll get help, but not from here, obviously.

Another satisfied customer?

Well, hardly.

He's convinced he's having some kind of heart attack,

but there's nothing wrong with him.

MIKE: You know he owns the cottage by Diswell Tunnel?

TRICIA: I do. Yeah.

We've had reports of a man on the line there.

He said something the other day about trains.

Do you think he might potentially be suicidal?

Er... hypochondriacal certainly,

but self-destructive? I don't think so.

The two conditions hardly go hand in hand.

So, what's your problem?

Oh, nothing more than a request for a repeat prescription, actually.

DOOR OPENS

Ah, yes.

I've got a bone to pick with you two.

Oh, aye?

This peat you sold Gina, it won't burn.

You're sure it is peat, are you?

Oscar, would I sell you duff stuff?

You expect me to answer that, do you?

How exactly do you mean it won't burn?

Well, how else can I put it?

I'll say it slowly.

I can't get it to ignite.

Right.

I'll get onto my supplier in the morning.

No. You get onto your supplier now or I'll have my money back.

Right. Do you mind if we have a drink first?

Business before pleasure,

Mr Scripps.

Mr Maxwell...

Look, please, just go now or you'll leave me no choice.

What?

To call the police?

That would be the village constable, would it?

The one you discuss all your patients' secrets with?

And what do you mean by that?

What do you mean by discussing my "condition" with him?

Whatever happened to patient/doctor confidentiality?

How dare you discuss my health with that policeman

as if I were some sort of criminal?

You do realise I could have you struck off for that, Doctor?

So, what it boils down to is this, Igor...

that peat you sold me won't burn.

For a very good reason, my friend.

Oh?

Is not properly dried out yet.

Look, on long sea voyage,

the atmosphere in the hold is damp, no?

I suppose so.

Once it dries out, it burns like the billyo.

There's nothing else wrong with it?

My good friend, why would I lie? We have business.

Is in my interest to provide good stuff.

Just tell your customers give it a day or two

then try it.

And... speaking of business,

I believe we did agree...

- , ja?

Now I buy you a drink.

MIKE: Did he thr*aten you?

Only with getting me struck off, but I don't want it taken further.

He had a legitimate grievance. I was unprofessional.

Good job I don't have a receptionist hearing things.

So, what do you want me to do?

I don't know, just make sure it doesn't go any further.

After that fuss about the pill, I don't need another complaint.

Tricia, you don't have to worry about that. But look,

are you sure about him not being suicidal?

I'm positive, yeah.

It's just... You know what they say.

There's no smoke without fire.

GINA: Still no luck with it, then?

No. Not a ruddy flicker.

Why don't you try and get it going with a bit of coal and firelighters?

Well, anything's worth a try, I suppose.

COUGHING

What do you think's going on, Mr Vernon?

Let's just say, David, it might be wiser

to drink somewhere else tonight.

Scripps! You've done it this time!

Your days are numbered!

Blaketon! Where's Scripps?

He's just taken off in that truck,

and when I see him again, I'm going to k*ll him.

You'll have to join the queue.

This has happened to six of my best customers,

thanks to that flaming peat I sold them.

Now they're looking for a new coalman!

ENOCH: Scripps! Scripps!

I know you're in there, and you're going to have to come out sometime.

And when you do, I'll be waiting.

You can hide, but you can't run.

Leastways, not as fast as I can.

Peat?

And not a very good peat either from the sound of it.

Have you passed this on to our colleague in MI ?

No. I was just going to, sarge.

Oh, no, no, no, Ventress. That's quite all right. I'll do it.

So, Dr Summerbee, Eamon Maxwell...

Who was, I understand,

a patient of yours before he came to me?

- Yes. - What can you tell me about him,

that's not in his medical notes?

Well, always a highly-strung young man,

but there was never any evidence of anything more serious than that...

until his wife died,

which was a dreadful shock for him.

I mean, there she was, to all intents and purposes,

a perfectly healthy young woman.

And then, when she and Eamon were playing tennis,

she had a heart attack and died.

In his arms.

Right there, on the court.

SHE SIGHS

After that, he went completely to pieces.

Lost his job, everything, and then became quite convinced

he was going to have a heart attack himself.

I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't believe me.

Anyway...

things came to a head

when I suggested that I refer him to a psychiatrist.

At which point, he became quite abusive.

Violently abusive,

leaving me no choice but to refuse to treat him any longer.

I did try to help him,

but there was really nothing that I could do.

CRADDOCK: There we are, Mr Denby,

no threat to national security, just a grubby business deal.

Well, that's what it looks like on the face of it.

I'm sorry?

I mean, has it occurred to you

that your constable might have been recognised

and the conversation staged for his benefit?

With respect, sir, I don't think so.

I don't think they knew I was there.

Or was that what you were meant to think, Ventress?

- What are you saying, Mr Denby? - I'm saying, Sergeant,

that surveillance will be maintained until I say otherwise.

The KGB recruit the most unlikely characters.

A man like him could be useful in many ways.

It's a waste of time. There's no way Vernon Scripps could be a spy.

Of course he isn't, Ventress.

Only our Mr Denby doesn't think so.

Or doesn't choose to. - How do you mean?

It doesn't enhance your career prospects,

having to admit to everybody that you've wasted their time for a week.

However, if Mr Denby is "our man in Middlesbrough,"

his career's hardly on an upward spiral.

Oh, well, ours not to reason why.

Back in the saddle, Ventress. Off you go.

Chief Superintendent Southgate, please.

RINGING TONE

RINGS

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

Igor!

Vernon, my good friend.

Spare me the hands-across-the-Baltic bit.

What's the big idea of lumbering me with that stuff?

Just what I said when I tried to sell those umbrellas you sold me.

Only to be told by my customers they were... How shall I put it?

Not quite weatherproof.

So that was the game, was it?

That was the game, Vernon. What's the matter?

You don't see the funny side? - All I want to see is my money.

Just what I said myself, Vernon.

But guess what...

You can whistle for your money.

The way I see it,

we're even. OK?

- What's all this, then? - Vodka. It's good stuff.

I sell to a friend of mine.

And you told me you only exported peat!

A bit of a problem, is there, David?

Mr Ventress! What are you doing here?

Keeping an eye on you two.

Did you know you were under surveillance, then?

Surveillance?

Oh, yes, David.

SHE SIGHS

TRAIN IN DISTANCE

TRAIN APPROACHES

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

No!

EAMON: I don't want you here!

Chose a bad moment, did I, Eamon?

Embarrassing for you? I can see that.

Just go away and leave me alone!

I can't. When you became my patient, you became my responsibility.

I was planning on finding another doctor.

And another after that? You can't run away for ever.

- Will you go now? - Not until we've sorted this out!

Er... yeah. Right. Yeah, I've got that. Thank you.

Mike, that was the railway. More trouble over at Diswell Tunnel.

This time it was a man and a woman on the line.

Really?

Right.

I saw Dr Mitchell this morning.

That idiot.

I happen to agree with her.

Eamon, I know about your wife. You need psychiatric help.

Look, I told her...

Now, I'm telling you. No.

How old was she?

.

You must have really loved her.

It's a big mistake, letting yourself get that involved with anybody.

You don't believe that. I know you don't.

- You know nothing about me! - I am so sorry,

but, Eamon, you're not going to die of a broken heart.

You'll make yourself miserable

and that's the last thing she'd have wanted.

In the end, however terrible it is, you have to pick yourself up

and get on with it again.

MOTORBIKE APPROACHES

KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Hello, Mike.

Trish. Everything all right?

Fine, thanks.

We've had another report of someone on the line.

A man and a woman.

I've been here for half an hour and I haven't seen anything.

- You're sure about that, are you? - Absolutely.

You're quite sure everything else is OK?

I'm certain, Mike.

Well, in that case, I'll...

leave you to it. - Thanks.

Thanks.

That's all right.

If there's any more nonsense on the railway,

I'll have a word with PC Bradley.

I'll make an appointment with the psychiatrist.

You're suffering from clinical depression,

and it's treatable.

You have to promise me you'll keep this appointment. Promise me.

Igor...

a word before you beetle off with your ill-gotten gains.

OK.

For the last few days, you and me have been under surveillance.

Surveillance?

See the face?

You can spot 'em a mile off, secret policemen.

Coming from where you come from, you should know if anyone should.

Why would they be interested in us?

Because they reckon you're a spy, mate.

Ha-ha! Me? A spy?

Yes, well, I'm glad you find it funny. I wish I did.

How do you know that's what they think?

I've just been cross-questioned, given the third degree

in the car, David and me.

I'm not a spy. The idea is ridiculous.

Well, I know that

and you know that, but will they believe that,

knowing what nasty little suspicious minds they've got?

Then again, if I was to wander over and say for the last two days,

you've been trying to recruit me... Well, Igor,

it could be a long time before you see Mother Russia again.

What do you want?

Only what's due.

HE SIGHS OK.

Thanks. And tell you what, I'll take a crate of vodka,

just as samples,

and when you come back, maybe we can do some more business.

I don't want to see you...

till the day I die.

Oh, well, we'll have a chat then, then.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

I've just been told by your constables out there

that they're no longer at my disposal

on your orders.

No, not on my orders, Mr Denby,

Chief Superintendent Southgate at Division, actually.

Oh?

Having heard what was going on, he agreed with me

that this whole thing was becoming a wild goose chase.

With manpower as short as it is,

he decided that no more of my men can be spared.

If you wish to continue to pursue enquiries yourself,

I suppose that's your business.

But no longer ours, it seems.

Mr Scripps, take a look at that.

That's what I call a fire.

See me at the bar.

Poor old Denby, eh?

You should have seen his face, Mike.

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to laugh.

Well, I'm much obliged.

Oh, by the way, Enoch, my friendly coalman...

he's been looking for you.

Yeah. I bumped into him, thank you.

All sorted out now, I think.

To our mutual satisfaction.