Midsomer Murders (1997–…): Season 2, Episode 2 - Strangler's Wood - full transcript

BIRDSONG

Morning, Mr Pike.

Good morning, Darren.

Did Miss Bradley talk to you?

Oh, yes.

Ten semi-skimmed, ten full-cream.

Yes.

It is surprising,
the number of people who want it.

Want what, Mr Pike?

Semi-skimmed.

Oh, yeah...



It's amazing.

For Christ...

HORN BLARES

You wally!

(WHISTLES CHIRPILY)

Oh, good morning.

Yes.

The milk, he come.

It's not 'he', Anna.

I don't know why you bother,
she never understands.

I don't want this.

You can't go to school
on an empty stomach.

You want fry eggs, Mrs Merrill?

Not today, thank you, Anna.



I should go. I'll miss the train.

What time is it?

Where's your watch?

I took it in.

Why?

It was running slow.

No eggs, Anna!

I'm out of here.

Aren't you going to say goodbye?

No.

You'll have to talk to him.

You're the expert. Why don't you?

Dave, come on.

David!

Creep!

Oh, Gary.

Where did you throw it?

BOTH: Over there.

Have you got it?

RINGS DOORBELL

I hate leaving you. Will you be OK?

It's two weeks.
Cully's out of work...

They call it 'resting', Dad.

It still means
you can look after me.

I hoped you'd be looking after me.

You can look after each other.

Listen. I've left food
in the freezer, and there's -

A list by the fridge and emergency
phone number by the phone.

We'll be fine.

It's so unlike my mother to get ill.

She's never had a day's illness.

See to her and don't worry about us.

After two weeks of your cooking -

She'll be back on her feet
before you know it.

Seriously, you will call
if there's any problem?

I don't know why you're worried.

You don't know your father.

If a case comes up...

I've been at home when he's working.

But I've always taken
the brunt of it.

You make him sound like an ogre.

I'm looking forward
to some father-daughter bonding.

Anyway, he isn't even on a case.

PHONE RINGS

She's gone.
She said she'll phone tonight.

What?

Dad!

Oh, I'm sorry...

I'll go and see about lunch.

Actually, I think
lunch is going to have to wait.

Morning, Troy.

A young woman.
Mid twenties. She's not English.

Some schoolkids found her.

Schoolkids? Why were they here?

They use it as a short cut
to Causton Comprehensive.

Your old alma mater, eh?

Go on.

She was lying stark naked,
strangled with a necktie.

That sounds familiar.

She's over there.

What? Under the sheet?

Yeah.

Ah.

Are you Barnaby?

I am
Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

Dan Peterson. Forensic.

Where's Dr Bullard?

Corfu.

He's on his hols, I'm standing in.
This one's a doddle.

Death by strangulation.
Five days ago, I guess.

A guess?

I'd say a guess wasn't good enough.

All right. I'll get back to you.

No sign of a struggle.

No.
She let whoever it was undress her.

Sergeant.

A bit of hanky panky in the woods.
Maybe she stripped for them.

Or maybe he, she or they took
her clothes off her after death.

Sir!

Over here.

Watch your feet.

What is it? Clay?

Yeah. It's all over the place.

Her clothes. Looks as if
they've just been thrown here.

Sao Paulo.

Italy.

It's Brazil, I think, Troy.

One more thing.
We may have had some luck.

It'd be a welcome change.

The SOCO people found it
when they got here.

Under some leaves. It's a Rolex.

Yes.

It must have slipped off.
Maybe while he was...

A man's watch.
Trace the watch, find the man.

A man, anyway.

Wait a minute.

Of course this place is familiar.

It's Strangler's Wood.

There you are. Nine years ago.

A bit before my time.

And mine.

Three girls murdered in the area.
Each one strangled with a tie.

Strangler's Wood.

Actually, it's Raven's Wood.

It was re-christened by The Sun.

Eva Hoffman. A German student
backpacking in England.

Joan Chaplin. A local girl.

Working at the Fox And Goose.

And Judith Albiston.
Australian au pair.

Also working locally.

Maybe this girl's an au pair.

You don't get many Brazilians here.

That is very true, Troy. Maybe you
should ring around the agencies.

Why do you think there's no photos?

They'll be somewhere in records.

Mmm... Well, I want them.

I want everything
connected with Raven's Wood.

Right.

And get hold of Rolex. There's
a number on the back of the case.

At least a serial number
can tell us where it was bought.

I suppose I should talk

to whoever investigated the murders
nine years ago.

It's a George Meakham.

Ooh...

Three murders
in just under two years.

I was the officer in charge.

We never caught him, you know.

Yes, I read.

I never had the resources.

And those girls.
Stupid bloody girls.

Why did they go into the wood?

They never learned.

Did you think someone local
was responsible for it?

It had to be. Someone who knew
the wood like the back of his hand.

And now there's a fourth victim?

It looks like it.

I always said it would happen.

You'll want me to come into Causton.
Help you with what I know.

I don't think it's necessary.

I'll send a man over with the file.

I understand
you live in the village?

Yes, I moved here.

After they made me retire.

I live with my wife.

"Loose End House".
That's what we call it.

Well, we'll be in touch.
Thank you, sir.

You won't get him, you know.

He got the better of me.
He'll do the same to you.

Did you find him?

Yes.

He was very encouraging.

How about you?

No luck with the agencies.
I spoke to Peterson.

Peterson?

The pathologist.
She died last Wednesday.

Almost a week ago.

Time?

Between nine and midnight.

And I got onto Rolex.

And?

I know where the watch was bought.

Good.

Hello, dear.
Did you have a good game?

Strangler's Wood.

Yes, I know.
I heard about it in the village.

Maybe you should talk to the police.

They've already spoken to me.

Did you tell them?

I didn't tell them anything.

And if they come here,
you'll do the same.

But if you were there, George...
They'll find out.

It's a Rolex.

Oyster Perpetual GMT Master.

You see?

Yeah, I can see that, sir.

It's very pricey.
We don't sell very many of them.

So, would you have any idea
who you sold that one to?

Oh, yeah.

Who?

Well,
I'd have to look in my records.

Do you think you could do that?

Yes, all right.

He's very tetchy, isn't he?

Yes. Here we are.

3411456.

It's the number on the case,
you see.

And who bought it?

It was a Mrs Merrill.

I know that name...

'Dear Kate, I was cleaning
the bedroom of my 17-year-old son,

when I found a magazine
hidden under his bed.'

'To my horror,
the magazine is called Gay News.'

How did she survive?

'Should I pretend
it never happened?'

KNOCK AT DOOR

Anna!

He's 17, for God's sake. He's a man.

Yes, Mrs Merrill?

The door...

Tell her to read the magazine
and get a life.

Yes?

Hello, is Kate Merrill in, please?

Mrs Merrill? Yes.

It's two men.

Can I help you?

DOOR SLAMS

I take it that's your au pair?

Yes.

Sorry, I didn't get to explain.

I'm DCI Barnaby.
This is Sergeant Troy.

We're from Causton CID.

It's not David, is it?

Or John?

I'm sorry?

David is my son. John is my husband.

No. We're investigating
a murder in Raven's Wood.

Oh, they were talking about it
in the village.

I'm Elizabeth Frances.
I back onto the wood.

A grandstand view,
except I didn't see anything.

We work together.

We write a column. An agony column
for the local newspaper.

Kate Merrill!

Yes.

I think I've read your column.
Maybe.

Please, do sit down.

Thank you.

Can I get you some coffee?

No, thanks. Not for me.

Dandelion tea?

Not me.

It was a young woman, wasn't it?
In the wood.

And she hasn't been identified yet.

So, what brings you here?

Troy?

You bought a Rolex watch,
Mrs Merrill.

Yes. About two years ago. It was an
anniversary present for my husband.

When did you last see it?

Actually,
he wasn't wearing it this morning.

He said
he'd put it into the repairs.

Is this your husband's watch?

Yes...

I mean, it could be...

I think I should go
and leave you three alone.

No, stay.

This can't be John's watch.

I told you, he put it into repairs.

Is that what he told you?

Where is your husband, Mrs Merrill?

In London.

John's Marketing Director
for Monarch Tobacco.

He's meeting the advertising agency.
I can call him if you want.

No. I don't think
that will be necessary.

But if he could give me a ring
when he gets back tomorrow?

The number's on there.

Oh, thank you. Gavin Troy.

Have we met?

No. I don't think so.

I feel I know your name.

It's a lovely house you have here,
Mrs Merrill.

How long have you been here?

Oh,
it must be about eight years now.

No, nine. Just before the first...

Where did you find the watch?

In Raven's Wood.

It can't be John's. It can't be.

Oh, I'm sure
there's some simple explanation.

Just get him to give me a call
when he gets back.

She was nervous about something.

So, what sort of agony column
does she write, Troy?

I've only glanced at it, sir.
It's just problems...

Don't look,
but we are being watched.

No, don't look.

The house?

Garden.

He lied to me.

What?

About the watch.

Maybe he didn't.

He told me it was being repaired.

Why don't you ask him?

I think I will.

What time is it?

Ten to six.

He should be in.

Hello? Yes. Could I speak
to John Merrill, please?

Oh. Thank you.

He's just gone out.

Morning.

Dad, you haven't eaten any of it.
What?

Eggs, bacon, sausage.
All your favourites.

Oh, sorry.

It's all cold now.

So, what is it this time?

It's a South American girl.

Actress or a model, it looks like.

There she is.

Strangled in Raven's Wood.

Wasn't that the...

Yes, it was.

Three cases in 18 months.
But that was nine years ago.

So why's he started again?

That's one question.
I have another. Why did he stop?

PHONE RINGS

All right. I'll get it.

Barnaby.

Oh. That is excellent, Troy.

Yes, yes. I'll meet you there.

We may have an ID
on that girl in the wood.

A maid who works in the local hotel.

Dad, why don't we go out
for dinner tonight?

We could try that new place
in Causton.

Yeah. Why don't we meet there?

Eight o'clock? Table for two?

I wasn't planning to invite Troy!

'Bye.

I knew it was her.

As soon as I saw the paper.

I would have told the manager,
but he's not here.

Where is he?

London.

This is her room.

And she booked this room
for the week?

That was a week ago. Yes.

She was here one night,
and then she never came back.

'CC' - Carla Constanza.

Did she check in with that name?

Yes.

Did you speak to her?

I don't think
she spoke much English.

I helped with her bags.
That one and another.

Her clothes are still here, sir.

Were you here when she checked in,
Miss Bradley?

Just call me Gloria,
everyone else does.

Except Mr Pike.

Yes, I was here.

I was working reception.

It was a Wednesday
about half past four.

It was very quiet that afternoon.

'No-one had booked
and Mr Pike didn't expect anyone,

but then she just turned up.'

Good afternoon. Can I help you?

'I got the feeling straight away
that she was nervous.'

She was out of breath.
It was like she'd been running.

Was there anyone with her?

Just the taxi driver.

And she paid for the whole week?

Yes. She paid by credit card.

She asked me for a downstairs room,
so I gave her this one,

but there's a nicer view
on the first floor.

Did you see her again?

No.

But I heard her. That same day.

It must have been
about an hour later. Half past five.

I went past her room,
and I heard her voice.

Someone was there,
and they were having a barney.

Was it a man or a woman?

I'm not sure.

'She was shouting at someone,

but I couldn't understand a word
she was saying.'

'And then she threw something.'

GLASS BREAKING

'I didn't know
whether to call Mr Pike.'

But it wasn't my business and
anyway, it was the end of my shift.

So I didn't.

Did you see her the next day?

No.

She had had an argument.
She'd thrown an ashtray.

It was in the fireplace. There was
glass and cigarette ends everywhere.

Sir?

There's one entry for Wednesday.

CAR HORN

Oh, that's Mr Pike now.

He always hoots like that.
To let his mother know he's back.

Can I help you?

Yes. We're from Causton CID.

The police?

Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

DS Troy.

Why? What are you doing here?

Miss Bradley?

I called them, Mr Pike.

Why?

The South American lady in Room 15?

She's been strangled.

What?

In Strangler's Wood.

No. That's... not possible.

I mean...

Have you taken the papers up yet?
To Mother?

No.

Don't. I don't want her upset.
Understand?

Mr Pike, I was wondering
if we could have a word.

'I bought this hotel ten years ago.'

'Yes. That's when it started.'

One of the girls who was killed...

Joan Chaplin,
she actually worked here.

So I understand.

She was close to my mother.

That's why I don't want her to know
about this. She was upset.

Very, very, upset.

Well, we may have to speak to her.

No, no. That's not possible.
She's ill. She's dying.

She has cancer of the pancreas,
stomach...

Just about everywhere.
She's upstairs.

Oh, I'm sorry.

She's been dying
for about six years now.

We're getting used to it.

What can you tell us
about Carla Constanza?

Nothing.

She had Room 15.
She paid with American Express.

Did you not see her at all?

No. I didn't book her in.
She left that evening.

You weren't working that evening?

Yes. I was behind reception.

But I went up to the first floor
a few times. To see mother.

There's more than one exit
she could use.

Did it bother you
that she didn't return?

Not at all. She'd paid for her room.

What she did with it was up to her.

So there's nothing else
you know about Carla Constanza?

No.

Yes.

She made two telephone calls.

That Wednesday?

I don't suppose your phones -

Oh, yes. It's very up-to-date.
Both the numbers will be recorded.

Two numbers.
Both local. One in Causton.

Five o'clock and five past.

1225. We know that one, Troy.

Do we?

It's Kate and John Merrill.

Oh, Mr Rolex.

Yeah.

That says they spoke for 45 seconds.

Maybe they arranged to meet.

Maybe.

DOOR BANGS

Leonard?

I've got your morning medication.

Who were those two men?

What two men?

I saw them out of the window.

They were policemen.

They came here to warn me.

Warn you?

There are some false £20 notes
in circulation.

It was nice of them.

Thoughtful.

How are you feeling today, Mother?

I'm in pain.

You'll feel better later on.

If God wanted me to feel better,
he'd put me out of my misery.

But he wants me to suffer.

He's still punishing me.

I'll come up at lunchtime, Mother.

I haven't had my paper.

It didn't come.
I'll give them a call.

You can read your Bible.

You're on Ezekiel, aren't you?

You like Ezekiel.

TROY: 'Monarch Tobacco.'

BARNABY: 'The second number
Carla Constanza rang.'

Are you Barnaby?

Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

Bill Mitchell. Chairman.
It's my company.

What can I do for you?
Local charity, is it?

Policeman's ball?
I'm usually good for a bob or two.

We're here
in connection with a murder inquiry.

What? Are you joking?!

A young woman's body
found in Raven's Wood.

What's it got to do with me?

Does the name Carla Constanza
mean anything?

Carla!

It wasn't her, was it?

Now, this is Carla.
Our biggest-selling cigarette.

Not over here.
We sell a bit in the Asian market.

In Brazil,
they're the market leader.

The numero uno.

And they were named after her?

Yes. Carla Constanza.

Gorgeous girl,
but the talent of a flea.

She was in a Brazilian soap and
we got her to promote the cigarette.

The names were a coincidence.

And was it a success?

I'll say.
We put her on TV and in posters.

She spearheaded our campaign.

Then she became a star
and the brand rocketed.

Now you tell me she's dead!

Christ! It's a bloody disaster.

When did you last see her?

Oh, a couple of months ago.

Out in Rio. Went for the shoot...
An ad we haven't released.

Do you know how bad this is?

Carla has a 22% share of the fifth
biggest tobacco market in the world.

We're talking about a woman's death.

I'm talking about
relaunching, repackaging,

scrapping expensive advertising.

Maybe losing the brand.

If that happens,
I may lose the whole shebang.

Did you know Miss Constanza
was coming to England?

No. She never told me.

You didn't get a call from her?

Last Wednesday, about five o'clock?

No... We have 200 extensions here.

She could have been put through
to anyone.

Do you know why
she would come over here?

No. Talk to John Merrill.
My marketing manager.

It was him who hired her.
He knew her better than me.

I understand he's in London.

He's due back
on the four o'clock train.

Will you release the name
to the press?

Oh, yes. We'll have to.

Oh, Christ. Do you have any idea
what this is going to do to me?

It's a complete bloody nightmare.

We're very sorry, sir.

I'd like a copy of that last advert.
And a corporate brochure.

Have you got one I can have?
Background on the company.

Ask my secretary. Anything else?

I don't suppose the name Draycott
means anything to you?

Draycott?

No. Never heard of him.

Why do you ask?

No reason.

So where now?

John Merrill's, I think.

He'll be home
if he caught the train at four.

Yes. Five thirty. Overtime.

Just checking.

Do you have a problem?

No.

Carla Constanza.

Yes, Kate.

I heard it on the news.

Has Bill rung?

Not yet.

Surprise me.

You know he'll blame me, don't you?

He'll say I killed her as well.

He won't be the only one.

What?

The police were here yesterday.

What do you mean? Why?

They found a watch near the body.

A Rolex.

It's your Rolex.

Of course it's not.

Then where is it?

I told you...

You lied to me.

It wasn't a lie!

I lost it.

I... I didn't want to tell you.
It would have meant a row.

I was going to replace it
and hope you didn't notice.

So, why didn't you?

I lost it a week ago.

There's a three-month waiting list
for a new one.

You don't believe me, do you?

Do you?

So... what?

Do you think I killed her?
Is that it?

I killed her and left the watch?

I didn't say that.

No, you didn't have to.

She was strangled. Strangled.

Oh, for God's sake!

DOOR CREAKS

David!

You've got to do something
about him.

He's always snooping.
Something's wrong with him.

You should talk!

Oh, don't start that again.

I'm not going to.

The police are here.

Looks like he's home.

Yes.

That's interesting.

What?

Oh, use your eyes, Troy.

White clay.

Remember where the body was found
in Raven's Wood?

It's the same.

It might be, Troy.

First he leaves his watch. Now this.

He's certainly
making it easy for us.

Yes. It does look like my watch.

All I can say
is someone must have taken it.

I haven't been near Raven's Wood.

Did you take it off
outside the house?

No.

Have you had visitors?
Any builders? Decorators?

No.

Is there anyone else who could have
taken it while you were here?

Well, I suppose...

..Kate.

I didn't take it.

Anna.

Your au pair.

Yes.

I don't wear it in the bath, so...

I suppose she might have...

So, what can you tell us
about Carla Constanza?

What do you want to know?

What was your relationship?

I didn't have one.
Not in my wife's sense of the word.

She writes an agony column,
you know.

I told them.

When did you last speak to her?

My wife, or Carla?

Um... In Rio.

I was there a few months ago
with Bill.

And you didn't know
she was coming to this country?

She never said anything.

You didn't speak to her last week?

No.

We know she rang here, sir.

Last Wednesday at five o'clock.

The night she was killed.

She may have rung, but I was out.

I never get in much before six.

And what about you, Mrs Merrill?

I was at the paper.
I got back the same time as John.

Do you have an answering machine?

Yes.
There were no messages, I'm sure.

What about your movements
that night?

Were you both in?

I went out at seven.

I got back at midnight.

Oh, it's the same every Wednesday.

I do a stint on the local helpline.
I'm a volunteer.

Kate's very good with problems,
Chief Inspector.

Other people's, anyway.

Anna left with me.

I gave her a lift into Causton.
She went dancing, I think.

So you were in the house alone?

Yes. Well, there was David.

Yes. Two chapters of Roald Dahl and
a glass of warm milk was my evening.

Baby-sitting?

Got it in one.

Detective Inspector,
may I ask something?

But of course. Yes.

Whoever did this,

is it the same person
as all those years ago?

Oh, it's too early to say,
Mrs Merrill.

They were strangled, weren't they?
Three other girls.

I'm afraid they were. Yes.

Oh, Anna.

I'm very glad to see you.

Where?

Her English isn't very good.

Last Wednesday.

Miercoles.

The answering machine.

Was there a message?

Estaba un mensaje
de una Carla Constanza?

Wednesday?

No. There was no message.

No message at all.

Are you going out, Anna?

No, Mrs Merrill. I'm going out.

She's always in Causton.
Pubs and discos. And boys.

You will let me know, won't you?
If there's any news.

We will keep you informed,
Mrs Merrill.

Thank you.

That was very impressive, Troy.

I didn't know you spoke Portuguese.

It was Spanish, sir.
I've been going to night classes.

You certainly got through to her.

What do you make of Kate Merrill?
She seemed nervy.

Yes, but why?

Lights out, David.

Was that the police?

How did you kn...

You shouldn't eavesdrop, David.

What have I told you?

You'll only hear things
you'll wish you hadn't.

You and Dad were arguing again.

We weren't arguing.
We were talking... loudly.

Do they think he did it?

No. Of course not.

He was here with you the night
it happened, so he couldn't have.

Yeah.

He was here most of the time.

Come on. Lights out.

And don't waken up too early.

Night.

David...

What did you mean,
'most of the time'?

What?

Your dad.

He went out for a bit.
I heard his car.

When?

I don't know. It was dark.

And he left you on your own?

No, Anna was back, I think.

I don't know.
Maybe I just dreamed it.

Yes, that's probably it.

One of your dreams.

Now, go to sleep.

I've come to say goodnight
to David.

You're too late.
He's already asleep.

Cully!

Cully?

Cully...

It's OK. You've already explained.

No, it was bad of me. I'm sorry.

It wasn't the end of the world.

I got two margaritas
and the Head Waiter proposed.

Will you eat this,
or shall I throw it away?

You sound like your mother.

I do have a surprise for you.

To make up for last night.

Yes?

That play you fancied, in Causton.

The Pinter?
I thought it was sold out.

Oh, it is. But I have two tickets.

When?

Tonight.
If you're still talking to me.

Dad...

Tonight. At seven thirty.

I'll meet you there.

I'll call you to make sure.

I promise I will not forget.

Two free tickets. I can't think
how you managed to get them.

No. I'm sorry.

We're sold out.

Are you sure there's nothing left?

Of course. I've just told you.

I don't think you quite understand.

I am Detective Chief Inspector
Barnaby from CID.

Oh, yes?

And I have to see this play
as part of an investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector...

It was you that investigated
that man who got his throat cut.

In the Peter Shaffer play.

That's right.

You don't think it'll happen again?

That's the first time
I've done that.

What?

Pulled rank.

I've got the video you wanted.

The advert came this morning.

Ah. Thank you.

Look over there.

That's Anna.

The Merrill's au pair.

Hello, Anna.

Buenos dias.

Yes.

Are you shopping?

Shopping? Yes!

I get this for Mrs Merrill.

She send me in the shopping.

In the shopping for Mrs Merrill.

So you plan to spend a long time...

with the Merrills?

Yes?

You like it there?

Thank you.

I don't think
she understood a word I said.

They cost less
if they don't speak English.

Come on.

ADVERT VOICEOVER: 'Carla...'

'So existe uma Carla.'

'E ela sabe o que ela quer.'

'Sem duvida e suave.'

'Sem duvida e Carla.'

Can they advertise like that?

This is Brazil.

Do you want me to translate, sir?

No, I think I get the message, Troy.

Carla the girl. Carla the cigarette.

Kill one and you probably kill both.

Maybe that's why she was strangled.

To destroy the business?

Yeah. That's right.

What about the other girls?
Nine years ago.

There are two important differences.

The first three girls
were attacked in the wood.

Raped and strangled.

Carla wasn't sexually assaulted
at all.

Looking at the body, I'd say
she wasn't attacked in the wood.

It's more likely she was strangled
somewhere else and carried there.

So it looked like the other deaths?

Exactly.

DOOR OPENS

Barnaby.

Mr Meakham.

So, have you got anything?

You haven't, have you?
He's invisible.

How did you get in here?

You think they'd stop me?
I spent 20 years in this place.

This was my office. Here.

Listen to me, Barnaby.

I went through my notes.
They're here.

Listen,
I understand you want to help -

Don't patronise me.
You haven't lived with it.

It is my case now.

My responsibility.
You just go home. Leave it.

No, listen to me, please -

Troy.

I'll show you out, sir.

Listen.

Eva Hoffman.
The 13th day of the month.

Friday 13th, Joan Chaplin.

A full moon.
The classic serial killing.

Judith Albiston.

Just eight days after Joan.

What are you talking about?

Today is the 13th.

It's eight days
since the last death.

And there's a full moon tonight.
Don't you see?

No.

The killer will.
There'll be another victim.

Come on, sir.

I tell you,
he's going to kill again.

So, what have we got?

We're going to run with the man
who's been seeing his secretary,

the mother and her gay son,
the nervous bride,

and the letter of the week - the man
with the non-existent sperm count.

Letter of the week
in more ways than one.

Kate?

Sorry, Lisa, I was miles away.

It's your deadline tomorrow.

(Sighs)

God, all these sex problems - and
I suffer from the worst one of all.

Can't get any.
Hmm.

Do you ever regret it, Liz -
the divorce?

Not as much as I regret
the marriage.

I miss about eight inches of Larry,

and I'm not referring to the
diameter of his brain.

Are you alright, Kate?
Yeah.

I mean, you and John?

I don't want to talk about him.
(Sighs).

Call me if you need me.
Yeah.

It's alright, Anna.
I can see myself out.

Thank you.

(REMEMBERS)
'David, what did you mean?'

'He went out for a bit.
I heard his car.'

'When?'

'I don't know. It was dark.'

'And he left you on your own?'

'No. Anna was back, I think.'

'I don't know.
Maybe I just dreamed it.'

BELL RINGS

Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby,
wasn't it?

Yes, sir.

Yes. I never forget a name.

It's my business, of course.

You're pursuing your investigations?

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course.

Can I help?
If there's anything I can do...

I appreciate that, sir.

It's my belief that Carla Constanza

was picked up by a car from this
hotel on the evening of her death.

You think so?

It's possible.

I've got some photos to show you.

Certainly.

One of them
might just jog your memory.

Where's your assistant?
The young man.

Oh, it's his birthday. I said
he could have a drink in the bar.

I'll be back in a jiffy, Mrs Pike.

No, I don't know him. Who is he?

He owns a tobacco company.

Monarch?

Yeah.

Some of their people come to lunch.
Disgusting habit.

Smoking, I mean.

But I've never seen him.

What about this one?

Oh, yes.

Ohhhh, yes.

He was here on Wednesday night?

I didn't see anyone then.
But he used to come often.

Mr Jones.

Jones?
That's what he called himself?

Yes. I knew it wasn't his real name.

We do have people
who use this hotel...

How shall I put it?

On a nightly basis.

With a lady.

He brought a woman here?

Exactly.

Mrs Jones?

That's what he called her.

What was she like?

Aged about 40.

Smart dresser.

Fair hair.

She always drank dandelion tea.

Are you sure
they only used the name 'Jones'?

They never used the name 'Draycott'?

No.

When were they last here?

At the start of the year.
They came often.

Makes you sick, really, doesn't it?

The thought of it.

Casual sex.

They haven't been recently.
Not on Wednesday.

I'm Detective Sergeant Troy.

You came the other day.

Yes.

You came about the £20 notes.

I'm sorry?

The forgeries.

I'm afraid it's something
more serious than that.

What?

Tell me.

We're investigating a death.

Where?

A woman was found in Stra...
in Raven's Wood about a week ago.

She was staying in this hotel.

She'd been...
Strangled!

Yes.

With a tie. Yes.

You knew a girl who was killed
nine years ago. Joan Chaplin?

Are you all right?

Get out.

Get out of here.

It's a police investigation.

Maybe we can talk
when you're feeling better.

Many happy returns of the day,
Sergeant.

What?

Any luck?

They're all mad in there.

Did you find Mrs Pike?

Yes. She got a bit... excitable.

Not too excitable, I hope.

Vengeance.

Vengeance is mine!

Bill...

..I don't know what to do.

That makes two of us, darling.
Jesus Christ, it's a mess.

Now I've got the press at the door,
and you know what they're like.

John was...

..involved with Carla, wasn't he?

What?

When you were over in Rio. They...

No.

If I found out about it,
I'd divorce him.

He'd lose his job,
the house, David...

What do you mean?
Do you want a drink?

No.

Well, I do. G&T, Brian.

And steady on the tonic.

Certainly, Mr Mitchell.

Are you sure?

The police
found John's watch in the wood.

Next to the body.

That's not possible.

And then there was clay on his car.

They said
it was the same as in the wood.

It's not just that.

There's much... much more.

You don't think he killed her?!

I'm sorry, Kate,
but that's ridiculous.

I mean, John is many things.

Difficult, moody, secretive...

But a killer?

I think you'd better line these up.

Do you have a telephone?
I need to make a call.

PHONE RINGS

Hello, Barnaby.

I'm afraid it's not possible.
But we could meet tomorrow.

But of course I do.

No. No, wait...

Who was it?

That was Kate Merrill.

She says she knows
who killed Carla Constanza.

She says she has proof.

6:45.

I am aware of the time, Troy.

I'm supposed to be at
Causton Playhouse in 15 minutes.

God!

PHONE RINGS

It's the bloody answerphone.
She must have left already.

Would it help if I stayed?
I could talk to Mrs Merrill.

That's very kind of you, Troy.

But I think
it's me she wants to see.

You could do me a favour, though...

Gavin?

I don't believe it.

It wasn't his fault.
Something came up.

He asked me to give you these.

Sometimes, he is totally impossible.

Most of the time. Yeah.

Are you free this evening?

I did Pinter for GCSE.
I didn't understand it.

I'll explain in the interval.

Drinks on me.

Whatever you say. Yeah.

I'm going out.

Tonight?

Yes, tonight. Now.

George...

Don't start, Emily.

I don't know when I'll be back.

Don't wait up for me.

MEOWING

DISTANT SCREECHING

'Where did you find this,
Mrs Merrill?'

At the back of his wardrobe.

All crumpled up.

How did you know it would be there?

I didn't.

I was just looking. I didn't know
what I was going to find.

It's her lipstick, isn't it?

We can't be sure.

It is.

Where's your husband now?

Working late. David's at a friend's.

That's why I had to see you now.

The watch... The car...

Now this.

He had a motive.

If David was right and he was out...

I don't understand.

What do you want?
For me to arrest him?

No.

I don't know.

I want to know the truth.

CAR ALARM BLEEPS

In a hurry, John?

Bill...

I wish you'd tell me
what's going on.

I'm... seeing
the advertising people tomorrow.

I don't mean just business.
I mean you and Kate.

Bill...

..this isn't the place.
I can't talk now.

Where are you going?

Home.

I suggest we talk damn soon.

About Kate. And about Carla.

To be honest, John,
you're becoming a bloody liability.

Do you know why
I haven't arrested your husband?

No.

All the evidence against him
is circumstantial.

And this...
It just seems too deliberate.

Maybe he wanted it to be found.
Maybe he wanted me to know.

No. It's just like the watch.

It feels planted.

But who by? He only takes the watch
off at home and nobody's been.

Just me, Liz...

And Anna...

'There's something else
you should know.'

He enjoys...

..strangling me.

In bed.

He liked to...

..to put a rope
around my neck while we made love...

..when we first moved here,
at the time of the first killings.

And recently...

..he tried to do it again.

'I know it's him.'

I'm certain of it.

And I'm afraid of him.

CAR ENGINE STARTS

(Screams)

No...

This was an interesting one.

I've not had one of these before.

A Portuguese?

The cause of death.

It wasn't the car?

No. That broke a few bones.

But what killed her
was an injection.

Here, in the neck.

An injection of what?

Liquid nicotine. Someone pumped her
with enough to kill a dozen...

..Portuguese.

Nicotine?

The same as you get in cigarettes.

You extract the nicotine from half
a pack and there's enough to kill.

(Impersonates Michael Caine)
Not a lot of people know that.

Probably just as well...

Monarch Tobacco.

Yes...

I still haven't had your report
on Carla Constanza.

She was strangled.
In Strangler's Wood.

With a tie.

What else do you want to know?

Everything.

First Carla, then this.

It's abso-bloody unbelievable.

Did you know Anna Santarosa?

No. Well, I'd met her once or twice
when I was in the house.

When was the last time
you were at the Merrills'?

About a month ago?

She was an au pair
who spoke little English.

Hardly registered
on the Richter Scale.

An injection of liquid nicotine
killed her.

What? But I thought...

Do you keep liquid nicotine here?

Yes. We have
an extensive research facility.

And who has access?

Me.

Various departmental heads.
Security. Not John.

He doesn't have a key?

Not to my knowledge.
But it's not a key.

All the doors
are on electronic codes.

Did you happen to see John Merrill
last night?

As a matter of fact,
I met him in the car park.

Actually,
he seemed in rather a hurry...

No, no, no.... wait a minute.

He was just on his way home.

Do you know where he is now?

We believe
the death of Carla Constanza

does not damage the image
of Carla the cigarette.

In fact, if positioned correctly,

it will actually strengthen
the brand!

John...

Can I have a word?

I found what you had to say
very interesting,

but I'm afraid
it's going to have to wait.

'I was a research chemist once.'

Working in hyperactivity in
children... the tyrosine metabolism.

Maybe I'd have found a cure.

But then my grant was pulled,

and Kate
got me a job with her Uncle Bill.

Monarch Tobacco.

Bill Mitchell?

He's her uncle. Didn't you know?

I have an agony aunt for a wife
and uncle for an employer.

I'm well looked after.

Is he married?

Bill? No. He's divorced.

Something I suppose
I should be looking forward to.

Do you think I killed her? Carla?

And Anna?

Kate does.
She's moved David out of the house.

She's avoiding me.

Where were you last night, sir?
Between seven and nine.

At work.

And then at home, on my own.

I understand Kate was with you.

How about
the night of Wednesday the fifth?

I never left the house.

Talk to Liz.

Elizabeth Frances.

She rang me.
It must have been ten o'clock.

We talked for ten, twenty minutes.

How would you describe
your relationship with Mrs Frances?

We're friends.

God, you have been busy,
haven't you?

We were lovers.

Past tense. It's over.

You used to meet
at The Fox And Goose.

Yes.

Why not her house?

Well, you obviously
haven't met her neighbours.

If she tips the paper boy,
they know how much.

I wouldn't think a hotel
like The Fox And Goose was safer.

There wasn't anywhere else.

Anyway, Liz enjoyed the...

The sense of adventure.

Sneaking in.

Using false names.

Jones?!

Yes!

You didn't use any other names?

You never booked in
in the name of Draycott?

No.

That name
doesn't mean anything to you?

No. Why should it?

Carla had a meeting on the fifth.
The name Draycott was in her diary.

Well, I never used that name.

I said, I was home on the fifth.
I never left the house.

Your son says differently.

Yeah, well,
maybe he had a bad dream.

Look,
I've had as much as I can take.

Mr Merrill, your watch
was at the scene of the crime,

and it seems your car
was there, too.

Your shirt is smeared with lipstick,

which we have identified
as Carla Constanza's.

You knew both the victims,
and you have no witness

who can tell us where you were
at the time of either death.

Yes.

Fine.

Why don't you arrest me for murder
and get it over with?

They let him go.

Where is he now?

I don't know.

I don't want to know.

I only stayed with him
because of David.

And David's more...
troubled than ever.

You don't mind him staying
this weekend, do you?

I'll enjoy his company. He's asked
me to take him out on the boat.

Mum!

Coming!

You don't really think it was John,
do you?

I don't want to talk about it.

Is it all ready to go, then?

Yep.

MOTOR WHIRRS

Yes.
I telephoned John last Wednesday.

We spoke
for about a quarter of an hour.

Tea for you, Sergeant? It's ginseng.

Thank you.

It'll revitalise your energy points.

You have to look after them.

Mrs Frances...

Liz, please.

Liz.

You were having an affair
with John Merrill.

Well, I wouldn't say that.

We were having sex.

Good old rumpy pumpy.

Ah, this is a delicate question.

Did he introduce a ligature,

a rope into your...liaisons?

You've been speaking to Kate.

I've never known an agony aunt
so full of angst.

Yes.
He liked to put it round my neck.

It was a fetish, but I didn't
like it, so I told him to stop.

Was that why it ended? The affair?

No. That was my fault.

I got drunk one night
and made the fatal mistake.

I wrote to him. The sort
of letter you regret posting.

What did you say?

Oh, the usual sort of thing.

He didn't love his wife.
We were great together.

He wanted out, I wanted in, so...

When was this?

About a month ago.

And how did he react?

He denied ever receiving it.

He said it was lost in the post.

The truth is,
he didn't want to know.

Why did you telephone him
on Wednesday?

I was missing him.

I knew I'd blown it,
but I thought we could talk.

I telephoned a couple of times,
left messages.

I finally got him about ten.

So, you see, he was in the house.

He could have gone out.
Between ten and twelve.

Plenty of time
to kill Carla Constanza.

You realise she told us
why Anna Santarosa was killed.

Did she?

Elizabeth Frances left two messages
on the Merrills' answerphone.

Do you remember what Anna said?

Wednesday?

No, there was no message.

No message at all.

'She hardly spoke English, yet
was determined to be understood.'

Because she was lying.

Well, yeah.

Carla phoned the Merrills'
for 45 seconds.

Long enough to leave a message.

And the message was in Portuguese.

The language Anna understood.

And whatever Carla said...

Gave her ammunition for blackmail.

But who was she blackmailing?

Keep your eyes on the road, Troy.

Haven't we had enough death?

I don't deserve this.
I really don't.

I thought we should celebrate.

Mum rang.
She's coming back tomorrow.

Oh, that's marvellous.

Her mother's...

Granny decided
she was better on her own.

She's on the two o'clock train.

Great. I was missing her.

You didn't even think about her.

I certainly did. Several times.

What's all this, then?

Roast lamb and potatoes.

Broccoli...

..and fresh peas.

PHONE RINGS

It's all right.
I'm not going to answer it.

It could be your mother.

Dad...

All right, then. Answer it.

I'll be right back.

Hello, Barnaby.

Who found him?

Gloria. The maid.

He left the tap running.
The water came through reception.

It's a full-time job
being around you two.

No wonder Dr Bullard needed a break.

Tell me.

Repeated lacerations.

None of them very deep.

Chest... Hand...

Face.

One of them got him in the throat.

That's the one that killed him.

The door wasn't locked?

God!

Towel...

I just don't get it.

What?

The connection.

Carla Constanza,
Anna Santarosa and this.

There's a connection.

I can see it too clearly.
All this could have been prevented.

What, you know who did it?

As a matter of fact, I think I do.

Well, who is it?

Do you really want to know?

I think it was you.

I'm afraid she's dying,
Chief Inspector.

You'll find
she's been dying for some time.

Medically speaking,
she should have gone.

Only her willpower
has kept her going.

And now she has no reason to live.
Exactly.

I'll leave you with her.

Thank you.

Mrs Pike?

Can you hear me?

Mrs Pike?

My name is
Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

And I think
you've met Sergeant Troy.

You're not needed.

We have to ask you a few questions.

We have to know.

You killed your son.

It was because you knew

what he had done
all those years ago.

Yes.

He killed three girls.

Eva Hoffman.

Joan Chaplin.

And Judith Albiston.

And you found out about it.

He was an abomination.

But you didn't go to the police.

Flesh of my flesh.

I couldn't go to the police.

I couldn't.

But I warned him.

It must never happen again.

Never while I'm alive. Never.

Mrs Pike...

Leave it, Troy.

We've got no reason to stay.

That's why the killer stopped
after three.

His mother found out.

She spent the next nine years
watching him. Protecting him.

But he didn't kill Carla Constanza.

No, whoever killed Carla Constanza

wanted it to look like
one of the earlier killings.

Strangled in Strangler's Wood.

Remember when we told Leonard?

No. That's not possible.

I mean...

Have you taken the papers up yet?
To mother?

As the killer, he knew
there hadn't been a fourth murder.

He didn't want his mother
to see the paper.

He knew she'd get the wrong idea.

She didn't know
about Carla Constanza.

Until I went in there and told her.

Did John Merrill kill Carla, or not?

You want the truth? I don't know.

Her death
could bring down Monarch Tobacco.

It could ruin Bill Mitchell.

John Merrill wouldn't mind that.

But if he did kill the girl,
why incriminate himself?

And if someone planted those clues,
what had he done to deserve that?

And then there's Draycott.

The mysterious Mr Draycott.

Mr Draycott. Mrs Draycott.

We know Carla comes here
and goes to a two o'clock meeting.

Then she books into a hotel,

and at five thirty
she has an argument.

But we don't know who with.

Maybe that was Draycott.

For us, Draycott doesn't exist.

'Do you want to go to the office?'

'No,
I want to go home and see my wife.'

'But first,
there's something I have to do.'

I wanted to speak to your husband.

George isn't at home.

I was going to tell him

that we've found the man who killed
those girls in Strangler's Wood.

Oh!

Would you keep it confidential
for 24 hours?

It was a hotel manager,
Leonard Pike.

He was a local man.
Lived in the area.

And you have him?

Leonard Pike is dead.

Chief Inspector,
can I show you something?

After he retired, George became
obsessed with the killings.

That's why we moved here.

He couldn't bear to be away.

These... photographs...

He stole them from the files.

And there's more.

He used to put them on
and go into the wood.

Sometimes he spent all night there.

He said
he was trying to become the killer.

To get into his mind.

I started following him, you know.

Because
after that other girl was found,

I began to wonder if George...

Emily?

It's over, George.

We're selling the house and leaving
this horrible, horrible place.

It's over. We can finally go.

All right, David? Got everything?

Where's my life jacket?

You don't need one, do you?
Here. Catch.

Are you sorry
your dad's not joining us?

No, not really.

No. Didn't think you would be.

Joyce?

Hi, Dad.

Hi, Cully. Where's your mum?

We took her things up.
She'll be catching her breath.

What did you say just then?

What?

Of course...

That is it.

I've got to go. Tell your mother.

Cully? Was that Tom?

Have you got the
pathologist's report from Peterson?

No. Come with me. I want you
to look something up. Sir?

Look on the Internet,
the main police computer. Anywhere.

It's a name. Aycott.

Not Draycott, but Aycott.

Dr Aycott. A-Y-C-O-T-T.

OK? Come on.

Peterson.

Your report on Carla Constanza.

It's just off the photocopier.

I was going to send it over.

You're too late.

She was sick. She had an illness.

How did you know?

Just tell me what it was.

Pulmonary emphysema.

And the cause?

Smoking.

In months,
she'd have needed an oxygen bag.

A couple of years, she'd be dead.

Whoever strangled her
probably did her a favour.

Mr Barnaby?
There's a message for you.

A Dr Ian Aycott

was killed last week
in Harley Street.

A fire in his clinic.
The police are still investigating.

Got it!

Carla came to England
to see Dr Aycott.

Her writing
made it look like 'Draycott'.

He told her the worst.
Then she came here.

'What was it
Gloria the maid told us?'

'When Carla arrived, she was out of
breath, as if she'd been running.'

'But it was her illness!'

'She was like that all the time.'

That's what puzzled me.

Why did she want
a ground floor room?

She couldn't manage the stairs?

Yes. And The Fox And Goose
doesn't have a lift.

But who was it in her room?

I don't think
anybody was in her room.

Gloria only ever heard one voice.
Carla's.

'She was shouting at herself
and the injustice.'

Sues cigarros estao me matando.

Eu tenho uma doenca.

Idiota.

Voce va pagar.

Merda.

'And when she saw that ashtray
full of cigarette ends...

..the very cause of her illness...'

She just threw it against the wall.

Exactly. In anger.
Anger was what it was about.

So, where are we going?

We'll start at the Merrills'.
I'll drive.

DOOR OPENS

You're drunk.

Why not, Kate?

Why not?

You think I'm a killer.

The police think I'm a killer.

Maybe...

..I should prove you all right.

You know what's been bugging me,
Troy?

Whoever took Carla
into Strangler's Wood

was creating a smoke screen.

To divert our attention.

So she looked like another victim.

Certainly, but at the same time,
the lipstick on the shirt,

clay on the car, the lost watch...

Someone was desperate
to blame John Merrill.

Do you know who?

Yes.

I finally think I do.

You don't like your dad,
do you, David?

No.

Is that why you did it?

Come on.
You can tell your Uncle Bill.

It had to be you
who took that watch.

And the rest of it.
There isn't anybody else.

Do you want the police
to arrest your dad?

Yes.

So you found the body.

And you went back
with your dad's watch.

Put clay on his car.

You even smeared his shirt
with her lipstick.

You've been watching too much TV,
David.

You've been a very naughty boy.

And, you know, if anything happened
to you now, no-one would know.

Inside. What happened?

Nothing. Nothing.

She tried to stab me.

She th...

She thought I was going to kill her.

So she tried to stab me.

Mrs Merrill, you have to tell me.
Where's your son?

Where's David?

The evidence against John Merrill
was crude, childish.

That watch, pure Agatha Christie.

David Merrill
wanted to incriminate his father?!

He must have found the body
going to school,

and that's when he had his big idea.

Why?
What has he got against his dad?

Elizabeth Frances.

He found out about his dad's affair
a month before all this began.

I wrote to him. The sort of letter
you regret posting.

John Merrill said
he never got the letter.

Somehow, David got hold of it first.

He found out his dad was
having an affair and meant to leave,

and when, a month later,
he chances on the body,

he decides to have his revenge.

If John Merrill didn't kill her,
who did?

Bill Mitchell, of course.

SIRENS

He's not back yet.

Carla Constanza made two telephone
calls from The Fox And Goose.

John Merrill wasn't in,
so she left a message.

But she got through
to Bill Mitchell.

And she told him.

Yeah. Look at it from his side.

Carla Constanza,
smoking's personification,

dying slowly
from a smoker's disease.

He would have been ruined.

That's why he took the gamble.

She was dying anyway. But if
she died in Strangler's Wood...

'He must have picked her up,
and pretended to reason with her.'

'But he just wanted her on her own.'

'He wasn't to know that Carla
had already phoned John Merrill.'

"Sues cigarros estao me matando."

"Eu tenho uma doenca."

"Eu vou encontrar com Bill Mitchell
hoje a noite."

"Voce va pagar."

'Anna Santarosa heard that message
in her own language.'

'It must have told her enough
for her to try some blackmail.'

"The message is deleted."

'And that was her big mistake.'

'Bill Mitchell had higher stakes.'

'He didn't hesitate.
He killed her, too.'

(Screams)

'And did he kill Dr Aycott?'

'Yes. He had to get rid
of Carla's medical records.'

Actually, Draycott, or Dr Aycott,
was what gave him away.

Really?

Yeah.

Remember when you asked him
about the name?

Draycott? No.

Never heard of him. Why do you ask?

No reason.

'The way he smiled.
He knew we'd got it wrong.'

And he also knew
that Draycott was a man.

'Never heard of him.' he said.
We didn't tell him that.

So much killing!

And now
he's alone with David Merrill.

Sir!

He's here!

Mr Mitchell.

Where's the boy?

I couldn't kill him.

He's a complete little shit, but...

..he's a child.

I couldn't do it.

Hello, you.

How's your mum?

She's fine.

Oh, good. Good, good, good, good.

How was the father-daughter bonding?

That didn't quite happen.

I heard. I'm afraid
you're not Cully's favourite person.

Where is she?

She's out.
She's got a new boyfriend.

Actually,
I think he's a policeman, too.

You're not serious?

Yes.

And so is she, I think.

Oh, no...

No. It can't be...

Oh, it's good to be home.