Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (2003) Movie Script

DENNY: Gather round,

gather round and listen.

Listen to me now.

As you travel through life,

you'll encounter many barriers

to happiness.

You'll go down some rough roads and

sometimes you may take a wrong turn.

Well, if that happens, take

heed of what I say to you now,

for some day these words may

help you.

A long time ago when our land

was new and our people young

like some of you, there lived in

those ancient times an Irish king

whose greed and avarice were

known throughout the land.

A tyrant who would covet

and then obtain anything

of value within his realm.

But with all his treasures and

possessions, he knew no happiness.

He had no joy or

fulfillment, and so,

he was unable to find his way.

And much like that king of

old, there is a man who,

not so long ago, thought

he had everything in life.

Wealth, and fame and power.

But he really had nothing.

For the one thing he wanted

most, eluded him.

The love of his lost child.

As a young man in a dark and

brooding moment,

he had wanted to end it all.

He was beyond despair,

when, suddenly,

he was given a second chance.

A chance to begin again.

And so he did. So you see,

my brethren,

it is a truth that those who

put greed and avarice

before love are destined

to live a life full of sadness

and misery.

Ah, but those who put love first

will always find the rainbow.

So, get out there

and start looking

for that rainbow.

For all you know, it could be

right around the corner.

(CHUCKLES)

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDS)

Oh, God, Denny, look at the

time, I'm gonna be late.

EAMON: I suppose you're wondering

why I called you all together In this way.

Especially since I'm now

as dead as a doornail.

(WOMEN GASP)

To my wife Margaret, I leave

the house called Second Chance,

with all its contents and land,

together with a sum of money, which

is more than sufficient for her needs.

Although, she, of course,

will disagree.

NURSE: There you are, sir,

just a small amount.

(DOOR SLAMS)

EAMON: Thank you very much.

(WHISPERING) Breeta, have

you no respect for your father?

Can't you leave that

creature outside?

EAMON: To my elder daughter, Fiona,

I leave the business, Byrne Enterprises.

Yes!

And as she's unencumbered,

except for her own incompetence,

I advise her to ask Tom

Molloy, our Sales Director,

to manage the company, but

knowing her obstinacy,

she'll do no such thing.

My younger daughter, Breeta,

has already inherited

my love of Celtic myths

and legends,

but since she told me she

doesn't care at all about my money,

in material terms, I leave

her absolutely nothing.

And since her boyfriend, Paddy

Whelan, showed no desire

to become one of the family,

I leave exactly the same to him.

What is he doing here?

If it comes to that, why

should she be here?

EAMON: But to our housemaid...

Shh.

Nora Flood, I leave

the sum of £2,000

in recognition of her faithful

service to us.

Ugh!

And to John Herlihy, in

gratitude for his service

as our handyman for 20

years, and especially

for his rare devotion during

my last

horrendous days,

I leave the sum of £25,000.

And I hope he uses it wisely.

Now, Michael Davis.

I have the highest opinion of

his abilities as our gardener.

But I don't trust his

financial acumen.

Indeed, I have arranged with

our senior solicitor,

Harry Ryan, to pay him a

monthly stipend

on condition that he finishes

his course in horticulture.

Last of all, I hope that

Jessica Fletcher

will be here as I asked.

To her I leave Rose Cottage

together with its contents and

the land on which it stands.

For it was she who long ago

gave a second chance in life

to a man she didn't even know.

(WHEEZES)

Outrageous.

EAMON: Thank you.

NURSE: There you are.

I'll bet that put the cat

among the pigeons.

But I've another wee surprise

for you all,

so just settle down.

JESSICA: I think perhaps

I should leave the room.

Not at all, Mrs. Fletcher,

sit down.

This concerns you too.

Charlie, would you play that

for me, please?

Indeedlwill.

(SNICKERS)

Just like your father,

to play silly games.

The Last Will and Testament of

Eamon Byrne, Part Two.

Harry Ryan will hand each

one of you

a sealed envelope

containing a clue.

If these clues are shared among

you, they will lead to a treasure

of inestimable value.

But you will have to put aside

your differences

and work together or the

treasure will be lost forever.

Amen.

Brilliant, Da. Absolutely,

bloody brilliant.

MARGARET: Breeta! Breeta,

we're not finished here yet.

FIONA: Oh, let her go, Mother.

RYAN: Charlie, hand these out,

will you?

There's one for everyone

except Mr. Herlihy and Mr. Molloy.

Yes, yes, I will.

Mrs. Fletcher, Nora,

Fiona, Michael,

Paddy, Mrs. Byrne.

Well, uh, I'll keep Breeta's.

I'll take it for her.

The hell you will!

I'll take it to her.

I'll take care of that.

You know, Mrs. Byrne,

Breeta doesn't live here now.

And you, Paddy Whelan,

are no longer welcome here.

(SCOFFS)

I think, if you don't mind,

I'll take a look around

the garden.

MICHAEL: Mr. Molloy,

Mr. Molloy,

Tom, would you wait

a minute? Michael.

There's something I

need to talk to you about.

Well, I need to get

back to the office. Right.

You know, I'm soon going

to be a member of the family.

Really? Me and Breeta,

we're going to get married.

She's not interested

in the business, but I am.

Oh?

I dare say it's not doing

too well just now.

Why do you say that?

Well, um...

It stands to reason,

Eamon's been failing badly the

last few months.

Michael, you know absolutely

nothing about business.

That's what Eamon thought,

but he was wrong.

If you and me sat down and went through the

accounts to see what money was lying idle,

I have some great ideas of

how we could put it to good use.

Do you seriously think I'm going to let

the gardener look through the accounts?

But I told you...

When and if you become

a member of the family

we might, I say might, talk

about this again.

Meanwhile, I suggest you stick

to your flowers.

PADDY: I hope you're satisfied.

It cost you your inheritance.

Oh, I'm sorry, Paddy, I'm sure.

But I didn't realize you only

wanted me for my money.

Oh, come on, that's a bloody

stupid thing to say and you know it.

Is it? All you ever talk

about is the money, Paddy.

So it must be the most

important thing to you.

Well if that's what you really

feel, we may as well call it a day.

That suits me.

Oh, come on, Breeta!

MICHAEL: Why don't you leave

her alone?

And why don't you

mind your own business?

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher,

there you are.

Oh, Mr. McCafferty.

I wanted to apologize. What

must you think of

our famous Irish hospitality!

Look, I understand that

this is a very difficult time.

Is Mr. Ryan

still here?

I'm afraid he's gone back to

town. Can I help you with anything?

Well, I find myself in a

very embarrassing situation.

Mr. Ryan's letter invited

me to stay at the house,

and it's quite obvious

that I'm not welcome there.

So I thought that if I could

get a room at the local hotel,

then I could change my plane

reservation and leave tomorrow.

Oh, no, don't do that. There's

some beautiful country around here.

And besides, believe it or not,

there's some very nice people, too.

Oh, I'm sure there are.

And, there will be formalities

to be completed

relating to your inheritance

of Rose Cottage.

Well, I'm not at all sure

that I'm going to accept it.

Ah, well, even then,

there will be papers to sign.

Anyway, the hotel in town is

fully booked for the music festival,

so you really can't leave.

And besides, I have a

message from Mrs. Byrne

to say that they are just

about to sit down to tea,

they'd be delighted if you'd

join them.

And I wonder whose idea

that was.

I can't imagine. (CHUCKLES)

Oh, come on now, Mrs. Fletcher,

give us another chance. You know, I'm

a great admirer of your mystery books.

You are? Indeed I am.

Does that settle it then?

All right.

Good. We'll arrange a meeting

in my office. Here's my card.

Call me if I can help

you with anything.

(sums)

HERLIHY: Get away would you.

Anyone could find it.

A wee dog digging for rabbits could come on

it. I've half a mind to dig it up myself.

NORA: Ah, don't be

saying that.

HERLIHY: Why not? I've as much

right to it as any of them.

John Herlihy, have you never

heard Denny sing of "The Lost Boy"?

You stupid bitch, would you stop

blabbering on about "The Lost Boy"?

I tell you, he'll be

the death of us all.

HERLIHY: He doesn't exist.

It's just one of Denny's songs.

Can't you get that through

your daft head? He doesn't exist!

That's the trouble

with John Herlihy.

One jar is never enough.

And ten is too many.

Oh, they're waiting on you

in the sitting room, Ma'am.

Thank you very much.

FIONA: Mrs. Fletcher, I dare say

you're expecting Rose Cottage to be

a charming Irish home. I'm sure

when you see it, you won't even want it.

It's very small and there

isn't even a thatched roof.

Well, presumably, there are

roses around the door.

I imagine that's why it

was called Rose Cottage.

Oh, dear.

Nora, you're so clumsy.

I'm sorry, ma'am,

I'll fetch a cloth.

MARGARET: Get out!

If you don't mind, I'd love to

have a look at it after tea.

Thank you.

Mrs. Fletcher, I should tell you that I

intend to contest my husband's will.

He was clearly out of his mind

when he left you that cottage.

Hello there.

Oh, hello there.

I wonder, could you point me

in the direction of Rose Cottage?

Indeed I could, ma'am, just

follow the path up ahead

and you'll see it on

the right. Ah, thank you.

Will you be warm enough?

Oh, I think so.

I'll walk fast.

They keep the key under the mat.

Thank you.

Bream'?

Hi.

How did you know it was me?

Your friend.

Oh, I suppose being a mystery writer

makes you a nosey parker as well.

Guilty as charged. And it does

mean that I notice things.

Such as?

Well, such as, that it's

not the easiest thing to be

the youngest member

of the family.

Hmm. Well, my mother thinks

I'm totally crazy.

And all Fiona ever thinks

about is herself.

But your father understood.

Yeah, he did, until, uh...

Well, Rose Cottage

belongs to you.

And everything that's in it,

but I would like to keep this,

please.

Oh, yes, of course, that

belonged to your father.

How do you know that?

Well, he was wearing it

in the video.

Would you like a cup of tea?

Oh, I'd love some.

I'll just put her in her box.

There you go.

Paddy Whelan tells me that

you're not staying at Second Chance.

No. You probably guessed

I've been living here.

Well, you're welcome to stay

on here. You and your friend.

Her name's Ooshna.

I'll remember that.

Hello, Ooshna. I'm Jessica.

Well, now, Jessica. Why did my

Da leave you Rose Cottage?

And what did he mean about the

second chance you gave him?

It's a long story. It happened

some time ago. You see...

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Breeta, lthought

you might be here.

I just wanted to be sure Mrs.

Fletcher found the place all right.

Well, she could

hardly miss it, Michael.

No, you're right.

But thank you for your concern.

Ay, Breeta, your mother put

your envelope in her desk.

I think you should

ask her for it.

Why should I?

Well, Eamon said that we

should all work together.

And you'll know better than anyone

how your father's mind worked.

You were always doing

crosswords together.

Are you going to share your

clue with us, Mr. Davis?

It's Michael.

And indeed I am.

"A piercing spear waging war."

And mine is...

(READING)

These sound as if

they come from a poem.

Yeah, it is. It's an old Celtic

poem called The Song ofAmairgen.

Denny will probably sing it

at the music festival.

Who's Denny?

Oh, he's the local crackpot.

Michael, he's not.

He's a sort of a poet.

I heard Nora talking about

"The Lost Boy."

What did she mean by that?

Well, it's one of the songs

Denny always sings.

I'm sure Nora must

have heard it.

She was talking to John

Herlihy in the kitchen about it.

You heard her,

didn't you, Michael?

I don't really remember what

she was saying.

Maybe it was part of the

clue she was given.

Breeta, do you have any notion

what the treasure might be?

No. I don't.

You must have an idea.

For God's sake, Michael, I

don't, okay? And I don't care.

I told my Da I didn't give a fig

for his money or the treasure.

It can stay hidden

for all I care. Okay?

I better get after her. When she's

het up, she can act like an idiot.

MICHAEL: Breeta.

Breeta, wait a minute!

(READING)

Oh, my goodness!

Nora?

Nora? Nora?

(BUMPING SOUNDS)

Nora?

0h. my God!

(BUMPING SOUNDS)

Mrs. Fletcher?

Mrs. Fletcher.

Yes?

I'm Inspector O'Dwyer.

I understand you've had

a very distressing experience.

Oh, yes.

Would you show me

exactly what happened?

Oh, yes, of course. It's

right up here in the barn.

So, you just walked inside and

John Herlihy fell through that trapdoor?

Yes. That's right.

He fell head-first.

Did he, indeed?

When I went to feel his pulse,

I'm almost sure that he was dead.

So you saw him

fall through the trapdoor

and he landed on his head

and that's what killed him.

No. I don't believe it was

the fall that killed him.

You see, when I examined him he had a

severe hematoma on the back of his neck.

Now, that could have

killed him outright.

But there was an undeveloped

one on his forehead

that he got on the way down

on the trapdoor.

No. Are you in

the medical field?

Ah, right, so as a mystery writer,

you are looking for the unexpected,

and, if you don't mind me saying

so, the sensational. Well, not when...

You see a man fall through

a trapdoor, and you say,

"Ah, sure, the fellow was

hit on the back of the head."

Well, it appeared... As a hard-working

policeman, I'm looking for the likely.

Your man, John Herlihy,

was a known drunk,

and our people found half

a bottle of whiskey up there.

So I'd say, he tumbled through the

trapdoor, hit his forehead as he fell,

and landed on the back of his

head, and that's what killed him.

All right, but I'm almost sure

that immediately after he fell

I heard the sound of movement,

someone up there.

Well, there'|| be a post-mortem,

sure that will tell us

how the poor fellow died.

Excuse me.

MICHAEL: Breeta, Breeta.

Are you all right?

Yeah. I just feel a bit sick.

I have something to tell you.

Look, if it's about John

Herlihy... He's been killed, I know,

and I'm real sorry, but Breeta,

this is about you and me.

Michael, there is no you and

me, okay? We're just friends.

I can't tell you why, but, Breeta,

things are going to be different.

I have prospects

now. Good prospects.

No. No. No, you and your

get-rich-quick schemes.

I don't want to hear about them.

I'm going to Rose Cottage

and I want to be on my own.

Mr. Whelan, are you on your

way to Second Chance?

Maybe you could show me the way.

Uh, sure.

Okay.

That was a terrible thing

about John Herlihy.

Yeah, well I never cared for

the fella myself.

Oh? Not that I wished

him any harm or anything,

but he was always on the make,

you know. Eamon could never see it.

Are you in business,

Mr. Whelan?

I own a garage.

Oh, family business?

No. I don't come

from around here.

Oh, I see. I came from

Connemara, looking for work,

and Eamon Byrne gave me a job.

Then the owner of the garage died.

And you bought it.

I did. Well, with the

help of Eamon Byrne.

Oh, that was very nice of him.

Well, there's Second Chance.

You should be all right now.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

FIONA: As our attorney,

what are you saying, Charles?

Really? Are you sure of

that, Charles?

What? What does he say?

Mother, wait, I'm on... Yes, Charles.

Yes. I see. Right.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Charles agrees with us. Father

couldn't have done it by himself,

so he must have asked John

Herlihy to hide the treasure.

That's why Herlihy

got no envelope.

And now he's dead so no one

knows where the treasure is.

It's just as well. When he was

drunk he could have told anyone.

What about that

ridiculously large bequest?

£25,000. How much

is that in Euros?

Charles says that

under the terms of the will,

Herlihy's bequest

comes back to the estate.

Oh, well that's

something, I suppose.

Though it should come to me!

FIONA: Oh, for God's sakes,

Mother.

MARGARET: I'm only saying, as the

senior survivor that the money is mine.

FIONA: He left you a very substantial

amount. How much money do you need?

It's not that I need anything,

I'm only suggesting that

we do the right thing, Fiona.

Oh? Mrs. Fletcher.

We were just saying, what a terrible

tragedy about poor John Herlihy.

And, I gather, you

were there when it happened.

Yes, I was.

Oh, the poor man.

Ah, you must be exhausted.

Fiona, tell Nora to show Mrs.

Fletcher up to her room. Thank you.

She's wailing and howling

like a banshee.

You'd have thought John

Herlihy was a close relative.

Well, tell her to stop.

Poor Nora.

Nora, will you come here!

Ah, the poor creature,

Mother of God, help us all.

Oh, God! MARGARET:

Nora, stop that. Come here.

You show Mrs. Fletcher

up to her room.

I will, ma'am.

Thank you.

You've been with the family

a long time, I expect.

Oh, no, only since...

That is, I took over

when Kitty Murphy got

too old to carry on.

Ah, you applied for the job?

Well, I got a letter from an employment

agency saying there was this job

and why didn't I

go in for it. So I did.

I see.

Here's your room.

Let me know if there's

anything you need.

Thank you.

Oh, this is very nice.

I'm sorry to have caused you

so much trouble at this sad time.

You shouldn't stay

in this place.

There's one who'll stop at

nothing to get the treasure.

MOLLOY: Well, Mrs. Byrne,

is there anything else you need

before the meeting tomorrow?

No. But you better

think about what I said.

Ah, Mrs. Fletcher.

You remember Tom Molloy,

our Sales Director.

Oh, yes, of course.

Hello.

Tom, get Mrs. Fletcher

a glass of sherry.

We were just talking about

Eamon's will. And the treasure.

I have to say,

if it were up to me, I'd get everyone

together, we'd open the envelopes,

have a grand party as we all

sat around and solved the riddle.

(LAUGHS) Well, it's got

nothing to do with you.

Exactly, Fiona.

It is, Tom, or should

be, a family matter.

My envelope is under

lock and key in the desk

along with Breeta's.

Oh, Fiona.

Here.

(CRASHING)

What's that woman up to now?

I'd better go and see.

What a fascinating collection!

I suppose it's all Celtic.

MOLLOY: Oh, yeah, and very

valuable, too, I should imagine.

I never shared my husband's

enthusiasm for old weapons.

Mother, she's not

in the kitchen.

I don't know where she is.

Well, find her. And when you

do, give her a good talking-to.

Can't have her disappearing like

that. I can do with a ride into town, Tom.

You'll excuse us,

Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, yes.

Nora? Nora are you all right?

Nora?

Oh, that's very good of you,

but you really don't have to.

Oh, I like to help.

Did you find Nora?

No, but she often goes off on her

own. I'll get the rest of the glasses.

Oh.

(NORA PRAYING NERVOUSLY)

Oh, Mother of God.

Deliver us from temptation.

Oh, Mother of God, it's you.

You've killed him, haven't you?

Don't hurt me, please.

|won't tell. I forgot,

I didn't bring my clue.

Don't get angry.

I swear, I'll help,

but please...

(DOOR CLOSING)

Oh, God.

(GLASS BREAKING)

Is someone there?

Oh!

Well done, lads.

Take a cast of the footprint.

Mrs. Fletcher, are

you sure you shouldn't go

to the hospital

just to make sure?

Thank you. I'm

quite all right,

just a few bruises.

You couldn't identify

the intruder?

It all happened so quickly.

The door hit me,

and I went flying backwards

and by the time I'd

got myself together,

whoever it was had gone.

Just as well. You say

the only item missing was

a short sword,

Mrs. Byrne?

Presumably the thief

would have taken more

if Mrs. Fletcher

hadn't interrupted.

Yes, although, I can't help

wondering if possibly whoever

it was, might have been

looking for something in that desk.

Maybe we should have a look

and see if anything's missing.

Oh, I'm sure there isn't.

What about the clues to this

treasure I keep hearing about?

Were any of them kept

there by any chance?

They're all there.

I dare say you have Mrs.

Fletcher to thank for that.

We found the imprint of a

rubber boot outside the door,

so, if we could

have a look at any

Wellington boots you have in

the house just to eliminate them.

We keep them in the back hall.

I'll have a look, sir.

Well, we have to be going.

We have a meeting to go to.

You don't mind,

Mrs. Fletcher?

Oh, no.

I'm sure you'll be glad of

a bit of peace and quiet.

Come along, Fiona.

I'm coming.

You have the results of the

postmortem for John Herlihy?

Yes. You were quite right.

It was that blow to the back

of the head that killed him.

Then it was murder.

I'm afraid so.

(MEOWS)

Oh, my, you startled me.

Did I startle you?

Of course, that's

how it was done.

MAN ON RADIO: Tonight, tonight

at The Railway Bar

the start of the

Celtic Festival!

This shows the financial situation in

these areas for the past six months.

There's peat, there's granite, and

these are the building contracts.

MARGARET: Oh, my word!

You mean they're

all losing money?

I'm afraid so.

And this shows

the overall financial

situation of the firm.

FIONA: You're actually saying

that we're in the red.

But Father always

seemed so confident.

I'm afraid he was failing very

badly in the last three years.

I did try to warn him.

What are we going to do?

CHARLES: Well, I don't want to

step on Tom Mo||oy's toes,

I know that Eamon thought

very highly of him...

Sounds to me as though Tom

Molloy got us into this mess.

|wouldn't say that,

but I will leave you

with these suggestions.

If Tom doesn't agree

with them...

Oh, Tom will agree.

I'll see to that.

Well, I have to go.

I have a meeting with Mrs.

Fletcher in a half an hour.

Tell her that I will never

let her have Rose Cottage.

Mmm.

Fiona.

Can I help you?

Yes, I have an appointment

with Mr. McCafferty.

It's Jessica Fletcher.

He has someone

with him right now.

Would you like to have a seat?

PADDY: What the hell did I

come down here for?

You can't help me.

That's all I need to know.

Oh, Mr. Whelan.

Hi, Mrs. Fletcher.

Mrs. Fletcher,

I'm so sorry.

I needed to see Paddy Whelan

on something rather unexpected.

Please, do come in.

Thank you.

He seemed upset.

Paddy's a bit of a rough diamond

with quite a hot temper on him,

but there's no real harm in him.

He was upset that Eamon

didn't leave him any money.

Especially since there was

a bequest to Michael Davis.

Exactly so.

There's always been a rivalry

between the two of them.

And, of course,

it's common knowledge

that Paddy's garage is

in financial difficulties.

So finding the treasure

would be important to him.

Oh, well, I suppose it would.

Please, do sit down.

Thank you.

Will you have a drink?

Oh, thank you, no.

It's a little early for me.

Oh, it is for me too,

but truth to tell,

I thought a drop of whiskey

might calm Paddy down.

You have a beautiful office.

I'm afraid that it's one

of my failings.

I like to surround myself

with beautiful things.

Connemara...

I've never been there.

But I hear it's beautiful.

I've never been there either.

That was given to me and I

keep it out of sentiment.

Now, have you thought any

more about Rose Cottage?

I have. And I'm

still uncertain.

Ah.

If Mrs. Byrne decides to

contest the will,

would you be able to give me

the name of a good solicitor?

Oh, yes, I can recommend

a grand firm in Dublin.

Thank you, that

will be very helpful.

Wasn't it terrible news about

the murder of John Herlihy?

Ah, so it was murder, then.

Mmm-hmm.

Well, that's terrible.

Mr. Molloy. Mr. Molloy.

Have you got a moment?

No. No, I don't. Look,

just a second, please.

What is it? I was just

over at Mr. McCafferty's

to see if there was anything

I could do about the will.

What about the will?

You can't change it.

No, I know, that's what

he said. It's just...

I'm having some trouble

with my business.

Look, the fact that Eamon gave

you money to start that garage

doesn't mean his estate

is responsible for it.

You're on your own there, boys.

Look, all I'm asking is...

I told you. Now

leave me alone.

PADDY: Well thanks for

nothing, Molloy.

God, you people are all the same, you,

McCafferty, the whole bloody lot of you.

You don't care about anything

but your own little worlds.

Well, we'll make it,

me and Breeta.

We'll show you. And you

can all go to hell.

(IRISH MUSIC PLAYING)

Listen to me, Margaret!

I don't agree at all.

You're just throwing

good money after bad.

Look, the money's gone

somewhere, that's for certain.

We might as well try

to save what's left.

If Charles' plan...

What does Charles know?

He's not a businessman!

Well, neither,

apparently, are you!

Mother, keep out of this.

All I'm saying is that the

business started losing money

when Charles McCafferty took

over the affairs of Byrne Enterprises.

Oh, yeah. Wasn't

that the same time

when you became Sales Director?

That was great.

Oh, they're just

getting started.

Can I get you something

to drink? A glass of whiskey?

No, thank you. I'll

have a small sherry.

I'll take an orange juice.

Orange juice? I've never

known you to refuse whiskey.

All right, Breeta,

orange juice it is, then.

Oh, Mr. Whelan?

Yeah.

You told me that

you had a garage.

Do you, by any chance,

have a taxi service?

I certainly do. Saint Brendan

Motors, at your service.

Good. I need to go into

Rathgen early tomorrow.

I need to give a

statement to the police

about the death of John Herlihy.

Don't bother with a taxi,

I'll drive you there myself.

Thanks a bunch.

Is 9:00 too early?

Mmm-hmm.

I've been wondering,

you promised to tell me

why Da left you Rose Cottage.

Ah, yes, I did.

Well, I was taking a

walk one evening

along the cliff in Cabot Cove.

And up ahead of me

I saw this young man

and he was standing, looking

down at the rocks below.

And he looked so alone.

I had the feeling that

he was going to throw

himself over the edge.

And that was my Da?

Yes.

I yelled at him

and he hesitated long

enough for me to run up

and grab him and pull him away.

So you saved his life.

Well, we sat down and we talked

and he was in a

terrible state of despair.

He said that after

what he had done,

he didn't deserve to live.

And I told him that everybody

deserved a second chance.

Did he tell you what he'd done?

No. He simply said that he had

betrayed a sacred trust.

I'm the Sales Director,

not a bloody accountant.

Give me something

to sell and I sell it.

There's nothing wrong

with my sales.

It's the company profits

that have taken a nosedive.

Well I still don't think

it's Charles' fault.

Maybe not.

Well, don't look at me!

And don't you look at me!

It's not my fault the

company's in the red.

Someone's undermining this

business, and I'd like to know who it is.

Well, why should

anyone do such a thing?

What if Eamon was

being blackmailed?

Maybe he was fiddling

with the books

to cover up that someone

was squeezing him.

But who? Who could

it have been?

I don't know. Unless...

What do you know about Paddy?

Just that he came here

from Connemara

and Father set him

up in business.

That's a funny sort

of thing to do,

to set up a total

stranger in business.

Unless Paddy had some

sort of hold over him.

Yeah, well if it comes to

that, why take Michael in

and pay for his education?

Why indeed?

Do you mind if I ask you

a rather personal question?

No. I often ask

them myself.

Why did you fall out

with your father?

Oh, we, uh, we quarreled

over Paddy Whelan.

I thought he liked Paddy.

He gave him the money for

the garage, didn't he?

Yeah, he did, but...

Did your father know that

that you were pregnant?

How did you know?

Well, I couldn't help

noticing how surprised

Michael was when you

ordered an orange juice.

(LAUGHS)

Yeah, I told my Da,

and he said it was a

terrible thing to bring

a child into the world

with no daddy.

Yes, but he liked Paddy.

Yeah, but I told him Paddy and

I don't believe in marriage.

(HONKING)

What does this

idiot think he's doing?

I think you should pull

over and let him pass.

I can't get over.

Are you quite sure

you're all right, Breeta?

Yeah, I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Paddy is not

answering his phone.

Isn't that just like him!

He must have it switched off.

(SIREN BLARING)

Mrs. Fletcher, Miss Byrne,

are you all right?

Oh, yes, Inspector, I'm

perfectly all right.

I'm really worried about Breeta.

We were forced off the road.

Would you agree, Miss Byrne?

I mean, that it was

a deliberate act

and not just an accident.

How would I know

the way people drive these days.

Did you get a

registration number?

No. I'm afraid

I didn't.

I was too busy trying to

keep my car on the road.

Mrs. Fletcher?

I didn't catch it either.

But I did see that it was a

white van. A very dirty one.

A dirty white van. Not much

to go on, I'm afraid.

We'll look into it.

Mrs. Fletcher, we'll get

a tow truck for Breeta.

If you'd come with me to

Rathgen and give your statement,

I'll see you get

back to Ballymure.

Of course.

The Garda will take

care of you, darling.

Okay, thanks.

Mrs. Byrne, I'm

sure you heard

that Breeta and I were

forced off the road today.

It was probably an accident.

Breeta's always

imagining things.

Well, no one imagined

the murder of John Herlihy

or the robbery at your house.

I really do think

that it may have

something to do

with this treasure.

And I think it has

nothing to do with you.

Well, actually it has a

great deal to do with me

because Eamon left me a

clue to the treasure.

Well, obviously he

was out of his mind.

I'd like to know what kind

of a hold you had over him.

Were you blackmailing him?

I suppose if we look at

his bank accounts now

we'll find that he

was sending you money.

Mrs. Byrne, the incident

that took place between

Eamon and me was private.

But this I can tell you,

when he became successful

he sent me a check for £10,000.

Ha!

I sent it back.

I didn't keep it.

And that was the last I heard,

until Mr. Ryan sent me

a round-trip ticket

and asked me to be here because

I was a beneficiary in Eamon's will.

Is Breeta all right?

Yes, yes, she is.

We were both very shaken up.

Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, Mr. Whelan.

Do you know someone

driving this van

forced Breeta off the

road this morning.

What? Is she all right?

Yes, yes, I think so.

Well, what makes you

think it was this van?

Well, I was riding with her

and I saw the name on the side.

And the paint here matches

the color of her car.

Well, I went out early in

my tow truck

to fetch a broken down car.

You know, she tried

to telephone you,

but there was no reply.

Mobile phones don't

work up in the hills.

Could anyone else have

taken it without your knowing?

I suppose. The keys are

always kept in the office.

Yeah...

Breeta, have you met

any of Paddy's family?

No, I don't think he has any.

He's a bit of a loner.

I guess that's why

we get on so well.

You know, that white van that ran us

off the road today, that was Paddy's.

I saw the name.

And there was a smear of red

paint on the side of the van

that matches the

paint of your car.

No. It couldn't have

been Paddy driving.

He'd never do anything

to hurt me or the baby.

Yes, that's what

lthought, but...

You didn't tell

O'Dwyer, did you?

No, but I really should.

Oh, no, don't. Please don't.

Paddy's had a few

brushes with the police.

Nothing serious,

but when he loses his temper,

he'll do anything.

Paddy, hey!

Hey, would you take

a look at my car

and make sure it's working okay?

Oh, we're on speaking

terms again now are we?

Sure, I'll have a look at it.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

And why shouldn't she be?

Well, we were

forced off the road

by a white van this morning.

You've got a white van,

Paddy, haven't you?

What the hell do

you mean by that?

Look, would you two just stop.

We're here to have fun.

BREETA: Come on,

Jessica, let's go inside.

I'll get the drinks, okay?

Right, I'll get a table.

MICHAEL: What about your clue

to the treasure, Paddy?

When are you gonna put it

on the table with the rest of us?

I'm not putting it anywhere

where a chancer like you

can get your hands on it.

Oh, chancer, is it?

I'm not the one whose

business is on the skids.

And I suppose you're not the

one who pinched the sword.

You're right about that.

I don't have to

steal from the Byrnes.

Breeta and me

are getting married.

Paddy, no, stop, just stop.

PADDY: Did you hear what

that bastard said?

What did you call me?

You heard what I called you.

I called you a bastard!

I don't care what you

called him, okay?

I am sick to death of you and

this damned temper of yours.

All right, fine,

then you have him.

You want him, you

got him. Have him!

Have him!

ANNOUNCER ON MICROPHONE:

Would you all hold your noise down?

Come on, lads, lads, please!

Come on. Now, give me your

attention over here.

My Uncle Denny's going to come out here

now and he's gonna tell you all a story.

So if I can just get you all

to put your hands together

with a little bit of

encouragement

for my old Uncle Denny.

(CROWD APPLAUDS)

Thank you very much.

I will tell you

the tale of Nuada.

Nuada of the Silver Hand!

Will you have a little patience?

And you've got it wrong!

He was Nuada Argat-I am, Nuada

Silver Arm... (CELL PHONE RINGING)

but he wasn't called

that till later.

Hello.

Nuada was king of the

Tuatha de Danaan,

and they were gods,

but they could die too,

like the rest of us.

King Nuada was a great fighter,

aided by his mighty sword,

from which no one could

escape once it was drawn.

I'll be right back.

And he fought the great

battle of Mag Tured,

and defeated the

Fir Belg, but...

There was a price to pay.

Sure, there was a

price to be paid...

lthought you'd come around.

For in that battle,

Nuada lost his hand,

and because any King of the

Tuatha de had to be perfect,

he could be king no more.

We don't need

the police involved.

And you were quite right,

Herlihy would blab to

anyone when he was drunk,

and that was most of the time.

From that day on he was

known as Nuada Argat-I am,

Nuada Silver Arm,

and sure didn't that

arm work just as well

as the ones you have yourselves.

So, how about a drink?

I better get back.

So it's agreed.

I didn't see anything and

I get half the treasure.

(GROANS)

(TIRES SCREECH)

I know he was a bit of an idiot,

and he never knew when

to hold his tongue,

but he was my friend.

Oh, of course he was.

You know, he told me

that he loved me,

but I, uh...

You love Paddy Whelan.

Yeah.

God, it's just so horrible

to think about

Michael being murdered.

Mrs. Fletcher,

Miss Byrne,

do you feel up to a

few questions now?

I understand that Michael Davis

was sitting at the

table with you.

Yeah, he was.

He got a call on his cell phone.

He went away, but he said

that he would be right back.

I believe it was that call

that lured him to his death.

Oh, God.

I'm sorry.

Inspector O'Dwyer, I

wonder if, by any chance,

you found an envelope that

looks like this on Michael's body?

I'll find out, sir.

Sorry, Paddy, no one's

allowed inside.

Ah come on, Deirdre.

I've got to see Breeta.

She'll be devastated.

DEIRDRE: Well I can't

let you through.

That's enough, Paddy. Now I

have to see to this lady here.

What is it, ma'am?

No envelope was found

on the body, sir.

I saw him put it in his pocket

right after he got here.

Now just earlier he had

shared his clue with us.

Now, I don't believe that

the murderer knew that.

I'm almost sure that Michael Davis

was in the barn when John Herlihy died.

I believe that he was hiding there and

that he may have seen the murderer.

Now, when I was

at the barn that day,

I found a piece of fabric.

Tonight, I noticed

Michael Davis'

jacket had a tear in it.

And you think that's

why he was murdered?

PADDY: Breeta!

Oh, Paddy, it's horrible.

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

Ah, Paddy, I understand there was a bit of

unpleasantness between you and the dead man.

Would you mind telling

me what it was about?

It was a private matter.

Is it true that he was stabbed

with a sword taken

from Second Chance?

Word travels fast.

Well, I don't have any

Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (2003) - full transcript