Midsomer Murders (1997–…): Season 7, Episode 7 - Ghosts of Christmas Past - full transcript
Nine years after Ferdy Villers killed himself, his family reunites for Christmas, unaware that someone is out for revenge.
Let's see if it'll stay up this time.
Unlike last year
Check the mince pies, then I want to get
the brandy butter down in plenty of time.
Bendy wire please?
Lydia. Bendy wire.
Keep yourself together.
You've got a home here
for as long as you want.
Stop being silly.
Oh, my God.
Nine years later
That's Mrs. Seymour, my schoolteacher.
Welcome to Draycott.
Merry Christmas.
Hello, Alfie.
You're a lovely dog, aren't you?
You ready?
Yeah
If there are any problems... Tom
A Merry Christmas to you too, Ted.
If there are any problems, don't
feel you can't call me.
I want to make a.. Tom
Pam
Do not feel just because it's
Christmas, you can't give us a call
Okay? Anything serious happens
I want to know about it. Understood?
Yeah, I got the message sir. What are you
looking for? An escape from the in laws?
Don't you overdo things
this evening alright?
Things have a habit of
happening at Christmas time.
You may have to be razor sharp in the
morning. Yes sir.
Oh come on mummy, please!
When any of my friends go home with their
girlfriends their parents always
put them in the same room.
I mean you know what the score is.
You can do what you like in your
grubby little flats in university.
But when you're in my house, there is no
bonking till you've tied the knot.
I'm sure Emily could survive without your
attention for a couple of days.
Aunt Lydia!
Will you stop this silliness now.
I will not
have you ruining Christmas.
Do you understand?
I don’t believe it. Wait till you meet
the rest of the family.
Sorry about the sleeping arrangement.
- It doesn’t matter, really.
Still it would have been nice.
You'll just have to grab
the opportunities as they arrive.
Come on, Alfie. Time for a
bit of fresh country air.
Five minutes.
Be careful.
You quite sure we
haven’t met before?
Not as far as I know.
What was your surname again?
- Hide.
Is that with an I or a Y?
Umm.. an I.
Hide, with an I.
We should have left earlier.
Like we're in a hurry to get there.
Phoebe, do you think you can try
to be a little positive this time?
Christmas, you know the season
of goodwill. That sort of thing.
Come on where's the fire, Vicar?
My god! I think it's my brother.
Dominic, they are lovely.
Absolutely lovely.
Gorgeous.
So who is here?
Just Aiden with his latest.
Why don't you go and introduce yourself?
Her name is Emily.
Apparently can't go a night without sex.
Apart from that she seems quite ordinary.
I'm Dominic. You must be Emily?
The first time in Draycott Hall is always
a bit of an ordeal. They are all barmy.
Aren’t you Lydia?
Anymore bad vibes lately?
Mock. I am very sensitive to these things
So how is the crossword going?
Thirteen down. Bit of a sticker.
No sign of them yet.
Enjoy it while you may.
- I heard that.
You will try a little patience with him?
He does not always know what he says.
Not much, he doesn’t.
What do you think of the tree?
They're very realistic these days.
It's lovely, Mum.
And no needles on the carpet.
He's brought the monopoly.
A beard? And your hair. Its amazing.
Is everything alright?
Everything is absolutely fine.
Been too long.
Far too long.
Cmon everybody, you'll get soaked.
Lets get you inside.
Howard, no dilly dallying.
Kate Digby, get yourself sorted out and
we'll all meet in the hall for drinks.
Oh Dominic, come and meet Ross.
Our long lost brother.
A good friend. And a very
useful bridge partner.
The whole thing could do with rewiring,
but it all costs so much these days.
The switches at the other end are fine,
its just that these ones don't function.
And careful of the sockets in your room
It can be slightly, you know..
Dangerous?
Temperamental
It’s so god to have you here.
Everybody together again after
so long.
Cmon I'll help you unpack.
Please, there's really no need.
I'd like to.
How does it fit?
What do you think?
Perfect.
It's out of bounds.
I remember.
I hope you are going to
behave yourself this year?
Yes Aunt Jennifer, I will do my very best.
Pick a card.
Any card.
Now close your eyes.
And visualise the card
in your mind's eye.
Visualise it.
Think it.
Project what you see.
Yes, I'm definitely feeling something.
Any luck at all?
Yes, the six of hearts, I believe.
I think you've got a mischievous
streak in you, Howard.
I like that in a man.
Jennifer just said something
to you about 'being out of bounds'.
O, Uncle Ferdy Studio.
The late Uncle Ferdy.
That's you uncle is it?
Mine, Aiden's, Phoebe's.
He was a magician.
Well known in magic circles.
And indeed the magic circle itself.
Aiden never mentioned him.
No one does. He is persona non grata since
his suicide. great disgrace for the family.
State of the place.
Even the decorations.
Are the same from the time Mom and Dad
were alive. What's she clinging on to?
Happier times maybe?
Seems our sister has something
of a problem with moving on.
It's crazy. It should be sold.
Move into somewhere more manageable
We have been saying
the same thing for years.
Frankly Kate could do with
her share of the proceeds.
What about me?
She can not go on like this.
A quickie before supper?
I always fancy one of those.
Who's Uncle Ferdy?
It sounds so awful and you've never
mentioned his suicide and everything.
He was just a very weak and selfish man
And I don’t like to talk about him. Okay?
Feelings run a bit high this time of year.
It all happened just before
Christmas, nine years ago.
You didn’t know about it.
Hit the red wine is my advice.
Its the only way I get through it.
That and thermal underwear.
Seven.
Right.
Let's see what you've got.
Proceed directly to jail.
Oh Dad!
Only kidding. You won second prize in a
beauty contest. Collect £10.
Anyway, I know Mom and Dad would dearly
love to see us all gathered here tonight.
In the home they loved so much.
That we love so much.
So here is to a very, very
happy and special Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
O, the crackers.
Anyone's got a light? Aiden?
What am I thinking, silly me.
How can you tell...
- No riddles, please.
How can you tell
A heartless liar with
blood on their hands.
Yes Howard, that's not clever or funny.
That's whats on the paper.
They'll each be dead by
midnight Boxing Day.
Let me see that.
No.
Just leave it. I'll go.
It was just one of stupid Howard's
practical jokes. Lydia.
It wasn’t me. You know how
sensitive Lydia is.
I don’t know what you
thought you were doing.
You're not listening to me.
Were supposed to believe you?
How is she? I want that boy to apologize.
- Right now.
I told you, I didn’t do anything.
Howard!
Fine. I apologise.
No more. It stops here.
...
Just come for a walk.
I can't, I'm on duty.
It'll be a great party.
I'm really... really on call.
Oh leave him. Boring sod.
Yeah, thank you. Happy Christmas.
Howard, this is not the time.
We'll freeze to death. Come along.
Careful Muriel, it is very slippery.
Oh please, God! Not a power cut.
Come on Howard. Inside now.
Leave it...
C'mere its your bedtime. C'mon.
Aunt Lydia alright?
Yes, she's just putting the car away.
I think I'll go and see about that coffee.
When did we get this one
of the carol service?
There might be a bit of a run of the
kettle this evening. Hot water bottles.
Is something wrong?
I thought I heard something banging.
Probably the heating trying to work.
It's in the garage!
Okay! I'm opening the door. Be careful!
Lydia, where is the remote for
the garage door?
That does not work.
But where is it?
On'the little table by driver's side.
I just need a minute.
- I'll do it.
I switched off the ignition.
And I did not knock the wardrobe over.
Cars not start on their own and
wardrobes do not fall over by themselves.
That’s what I'm saying. I'm not mad.
- We’re not saying you are.
Its just when Dominic tried the inside
door, it wasn’t locked as you said it was.
And when Emily tried the
remote control the garage door
opened without a problem.
And you said it wasn’t working.
But I'm sure
It was an accident.
You must have stumbled and pulled the
wardrobe over and then it hit your head.
You were confused and your
imagination ran wild.
Probably because of Howards
little practical joke earlier.
I thought it'd be my fault.
Howard.
Let's have no more of this silliness.
You have just had one of
your little flutters.
You really think so?
Of course I do.
We don’t want it spoiling Christmas
Do we?
Now we'll all go to bed and then tomorrow
we'll have a lovely Christmas day. Wont we?
Aiden? Is that you?
Emily? Are you alright?
Whats happening?
That’s a very good question.
Put the ladder back and go to your room.
Sex mad.
Okay I cant do it. No I cant.
Do it for Ferdy's sake.
Alfie, is that you?
Alright. Alright.
You're not sleeping on my bed.
Yes, I can hear you.
You're going downstairs.
Be quiet, naughty boy.
Where have you got to? Alfie?
Did you hear that? No I..
- Lydia, is that you?
Are you alright? Lydia?
Nice wrapping paper.
Oh, lovely smellies.
Thank you, Father Christmas.
Don't mention it.
An electric carving knife.
- Its from Mum.
Dad discovered them recently
and thought you should have one.
Its no reflection on your
carving abilities.
I'm sorry to disturb you sir.
Hope you finished opening your stockings.
Whats happened?
They'll each be dead by midnight
on Boxing Day.
This boy Howard may have been responsible.
But now he's denying it.
His aunt, Mrs. Jennifer Carter who seems to
own this place. She doesn’t believe him.
She claims the boy is responsible and that
Miss Villiers fall was just an accident.
This where they found her?
Head that end and
feet well that end obviously.
Around five past two, out cold.
She's in the Causton General.
Do we know if the landing lights
were turned on?
They were not, sir. The switch nearest
Miss Villiers room is not working.
Looks like the whole place could do
with rewiring or knocking down.
You wanted to see me?
You must be Howard.
This is Inspector Barnaby.
How do you do?
I'd like to make it clear Howard, I'm not
accusing you of anything.
But before we get into any kind of
investigation.
I want you to realise that
wasting police time
is an offense, and the courts takes that
very seriously, indeed.
If you have anything to do with this.
Anything at all, now is the time to tell us
You won't get into any kind of trouble
if you tell us the truth.
It had nothing whatsoever to
do with me.
Can you tell me why initially
you admitted to it?
I suppose it's like when the police use
undue pressure on a suspect and
He confesses just to get the
coppers off his back.
None of them would believe
I hadn’t done it
So I admitted to it, to keep them happy.
Any idea how this riddle got into
the cracker?
A disgruntled employee at the
cracker factory perhaps?
Some kind of industrial terrorism?
But then again it might be a result
of a much more sinister motive.
When your aunt fell..
Great aunt. And..
I don’t believe it was a fall.
Pushed. Is more like it.
A push?
There is a great deal of
anger in this house.
And pain.
Don’t ask me what its about. I know nothing
of the details. I'm far too young.
Thank you.
With blood on their hands.
Anyone here have any idea,
who or what this refers to?
Its just one of Howard's
practical jokes.
But just for now let's just assume
that it's not. Please
I'll ask again: Does anyone one
know what this refers to?
Is there any recent
deaths in the family?
A friend?
- Uncle Ferdy.
Shut up Howard, you've caused enough
trouble. Jennifer.
Why not mention Ferdy?
Ferdy was our brother. That’s Kate's,
Jennifer's and my elder brother.
He committed suicide
nine years ago.
He fell in love with a manipulative
drug addicted woman.
They’re engaged to be married, and then he
found out just what a
deceitful, thieving little gold digger
she was. And it broke his heart.
He simply couldn’t cope with it.
- Gold Digger?
Ferdy was due to inherit a large fortune
from our Uncle Bart.
When he died it went to Ross,
the next in the male line.
Uncle Bart was a stickler for tradition.
Anything more recent?
...
And there’s nothing apart from this riddle
to suggest it wasn’t an accident?
Nothing at all.
She just went down for a glass of water
and missed her footing. It was dark.
Sir?
Happy Christmas.
I'm sorry to drag you out sir.
The canteen is closed. Do you fancy lunch?
You've got something with the old lady,
in case she regains consciousness?
Follow us home. Actually you're
doing us a bit of a favor.
One less turkey curry over
the next fortnight.
Well, there is one thing we can
all be sure of.
Lydia would have not wanted Christmas to be
ruined because she tumbled down the stairs.
Question: What does the word minimum mean?
Answer: A very small mother.
You know I'm sure I put a £1 coin
in Grandpa's pudding.
But he didn’t find it.
You don’t think?
It's not funny, Cully.
Mom thinks Grandpa swallowed the £1 coin
in his Christmas pudding.
So this is the sensitivity control.
This must be the...
He's wanted one for years.
Cheese? The coffee is coming.
I'm not sure I've got room.
Overdid the pudding. So delicious.
A bit lumpier than usual, I think.
She just regained consciousness. Apparently
she is very anxious and frightened.
Miss Villiers these men are from the
police. They need to ask some questions.
Miss Villiers I'm sorry to trouble you.
Someone...
Somebody pushed me.
Did you see who that someone was?
It was dark, she didn’t see them.
She imagined it.
You have to understand she
has been very confused
lately. Well that's right
isn’t it, Dominic?
She has been behaving a little
strangely, yes.
And this was before the riddle going on
about bad vibes and god knows what.
Id like to look over her room now if I may.
I want you to be present while we do that.
Shes saying, someone in the
house tried to kill her?
She was pushed down the stairs Aunt
Jennifer. Im not sure what you’d call it.
I'll she if she is alright.
Especially after the garage incident.
Someone tried to gas her.
We should have mentioned it earlier.
Well would you mention it now please?
It was about here.
This is where you heard the shot?
And the door to the garage is here?
Yes sir.
Down the corridor.
May I ask you sir whats your
connection with the family?
I'm just a friend.
And a bridge partner.
A sad ole waif from Australia they
took pity on for Christmas.
How long have you known them?
About six or seven years.
You alright?
It is this family. I didn’t think
it could get any worse.
They all know they should have
done more to help Uncle Ferdy.
They never really took it seriously.
You think that’s what the "blood
on their hands" was referring to?
Maybe. But Aunt Lydia was closer
to Uncle Ferdy more than anyone.
She was the only one who was sympathetic.
She cant be blamed.
If anyone was unsympathetic to Ferdy
It was Jennifer.
I remember at breakfast
when we stayed here for a few days
You alright?
Emily, could I talk to you
for a minute please?
Not you Phoebe. Could you stay here a
minute? I'd like to speak to you as well.
Wont be a second.
I need you and Dominic to go through
what happened in the garage please.
So if you could wait downstairs in the
sitting room? I'll be along shortly.
I couldn’t help but overhear you
talking to Emily just now.
You were talking about the family's
feeling of guilt, about Ferdy's suicide.
And you were about to describe what
happened at a breakfast. Was it?
Listen, I need to get the
background to all of this.
I was only 12 at the time.
I have a daughter Phoebe, and at that age
girls can be as perceptive as any grownup.
This breakfast that you were
talking about when was it?
About nine years ago.
A couple months before
Uncle Ferdy died.
Mom had brought me and Howard
down for the weekend.
Ross was still working in the city then,
before he went all peculiar.
Impeccable family. And for some reason
she's mad about you.
Despite you spending months at the end of
piers at Blackpool docks or god knows where
And she has persuaded her brother in the
city to offer you a job.
I mean what more do you want?
Here we all are trying to sort out your
life, and you just throw it back at us.
I'm a professional magician.
For God sake.
Its what I do Jennifer.
Yes and I think we have all been tolerant.
But there comes a point.
I mean what age are you?
Look were not saying you shouldn’t carry it
on as a hobby, but please Ferdy.
I mean pantomimes and summer seasons.
You don’t have the faintest idea what I'm
talking about, do you?
Not a clue.
I don’t think Aunt Jennifer really
understood what made Ferdy tick.
D'you think that someone thought that she
was responsible for Ferdy death?
She was hardly sympathetic.
But if she'd had her way, he'd never had
met the loathsome Claire.
What happened? -She recognised she
was bad luck the moment she saw her.
It was the next time we were down.
I remember I was watching out for Dad.
Couldn’t wait to go home.
Who is that?
- I do not know. A woman.
Hello, I’m here for the interview.
With Ferdinand Villiers.
What interview?
For the magician's assistant.
My name is Claire English.
Oh I'm terribly sorry. He is not
looking for an assistant.
He should have phoned you.
I'll have a word with him
Anyway I'm very sorry that he's wasted your
time, but I must get on. Excuse me.
Come on in, let's get that
hutch cleaned out.
And then it happened.
Alfie!
Little scoundrel.
Oh hes gorgeous. How old is he?
About twelve weeks.
I'm sorry. You must be Claire,
You're here for the assistant's job.
It's alright, I enjoyed the drive anyway.
Beg your pardon?
I've already been told there is no vacancy.
I'm terribly sorry.
There must be a misunderstanding.
The job is there if you're interested.
Oh.
Let's go to the studio and we can talk.
Love at first sight.
At least from Ferdy's point of view. Hook
Line and Sinker.
Whirlwind romance,
engaged at the wedding date.
And then he discovered that she was
just out for what she could get.
It broke him.
I really cant see what the ghastly
woman has got anything to do with this?
If you could humour me a little Mrs.
Carter. How did you establish
that she was as you say, a gold digger?
The valuable art deco statuette
went missing from the drawing room.
Ferdy's assistant
Fiancee, was caught red handed
trying to sell it.
We then discovered that she'd an extensive
criminal record for theft and drugs. Okay?
This is Lydia's bedroom.
I just stand here do I?
If you'd be so kind. Yes please.
Whats the matter? Nothing.
Its just that lamp was on the bookshelf.
She must have moved it for more light.
Or something.
A letter writer, your Auntie? No.
Certainly didn’t receive much post.
A wedding video.
Peter Bunting to Diana Snape.
Means nothing to me.
I don’t know all my aunts friends.
I'm down at the house now.
Its the hospital, sir.
I'm afraid there were some
unforeseen complications.
Miss Villiers died
ten minutes ago.
I tried the remote.
It's still here. And
the garage door opened.
Seemed to be working perfectly.
Can I get this right?
Miss Villiers went out through
that corridor. Yes?
She closed the door behind her
And then she heard the car's engine
starting up again.
That’s what she said.
I think that was it?
She'd just gone down the corridor when
she heard it. That’s what she said.
So she came back into here.
She saw the wardrobe. Realised she couldn’t
get down to turn the ignition off.
And so she tries her remote
on the garage door. But
It doesn’t open when she tries it. And she
had the adjoining door closed behind her.
When she tried, she said it was locked.
But it wasn’t locked when you tried it?
Well, no.
And Lydia driven herself back from carol
service alone then put the car
No, I was with with her.
Well she liked to drive, she was
a very independent woman.
That’s why she had the automatic door put in
so she could come and go when she wanted.
And you got out of the car before she put
it away. Did you? Yes that’s right.
Well, with all that stuff here you cant get
out on the passenger side.
And you went to the house through the front
door? .Straight away?
Yes. Everyone was getting out of the Range
Rover and I followed them in.
Emily saw me. You were taking your coat
off? - That's right.
I'm so sorry. Really.
Just leave it. Please.
I'm gonna need some more coke.
She gets out of the car
Closes the car door
Turns towards the garage door.
It still works.
If what Lydia said was true.
Someone was not with the others when she
put this car away
We were all in the hall.
Or kitchen.
Except for Ross. I think he was in his
bedroom, didn’t go to the carol service.
Was Ross the only one who didn’t go?
Uh..Digby didn’t go either.
He was asleep on the sofa
when we got back.
Can you tell us Mrs. Carter, who'll
benefit from Lydia's will?
I will.
But I won't benefit much, she
only had a few thousand.
It wish it were more.
Have you got financial problems?
I couldn’t help noticing the house...
well could do with some attention.
It'll get done. One way or another.
My son is due to inherit a substantial
amount of money and that'll go towards it.
Inherits from who?
Uncle Barts estate.
Aiden just continues to not smoke till
his 21st birthday and he gets £100,000.
And Aiden doesn’t smoke?
Of course not.
Mrs. Frears?
How long did your Aunt Lydia
been living here?
Thirty years or more.
She moved in after our parents died,
as our guardian.
Who owns the house now?
- All three of us.
But Jennifer's always felt most strongly
about the place.
We said she could stay on, with Lydia.
Very generous of you.
Still jointly owned with Ross and me.
Don’t need the money?
- No.
We can check your bank records.
If we need to Mrs. Frears.
I believe the overdraft is
currently running at £ 30,000.
Alfie. Sit.
Go on.
Open it.
They must have sold it.
She just wiped away all evidence
he ever even existed.
It was by birthright.
You?
Well I expected this from Howard,
but really.
We weren’t very sympathetic
towards Ferdy.
I felt that we should have helped him more
through his depression,
his breakdown.
I never thought that
he would actually.
One more question, Mr. Villiers.
You didn’t go to the
carol service, did you?
I'm a Buddhist.
Where were you when the others came back?
I was in my room.
- Anyone seen you?
Not straight away. I came down
when I heard all that stuff about Lydia.
Emily, what did you make of Lydia?
I only met her on Christmas eve,
but I liked her.
She was a bit weird, but y'know
- Weird, how?
Just generally.
Like wanting to know how my name was
spelled and then writing it in her book.
Just generally.
Not one single piece of equipment.
Didn’t you know you should
encourage your children's interest?
Howard, why don’t you show me
one of your card tricks?
So who's next, Sir?
I want to phone Bullard. See if
he remembers that suicide.
Then we'll talk to the boy Howard next.
For god-sake stop pestering.
Everyone give me the cards.
Give me the cards!
- I really don’t mind.
We all liked doing card tricks at his age.
Not a problem.
Howard, could you come here please?
Go on then. Show us one of your tricks.
I'll ask you to pick two cards.
Happy Christmas. I'm sorry about the
timing of this. Listen
Ferdy Villiers. You knew him?
- Slightly. Terrible business.
No chance that the suicide was faked
and that in fact it was a murder?
There was no sign of a struggle.
I suppose its possible.
It wouldn’t be very easy to fake.
Yes that’s what I thought.
You know the woman committed suicide?
What woman?
- The fiancee. Claire I think it was.
The two cards you pick, the six of
hearts and the seven of spades
Which you put back in the pack separately
are now have come together.
Six of hearts and the seven of spades will
now miraculously be side by side.
They're not there.
You did put them back in the pack?
- You saw me put them back.
Are you sure you didn’t pocket them?
Yeah.
Chief Inspector, could I ask you to check
the Sergeant’s right hand jacket pocket?
How did you do that?
I don’t normally explain, but
It's quite simple. Hardly a trick at all
I slipped the cards into your pocket as we
came from the drawing room to here.
How did you know I was gonna ask
you for a card trick?
I sat here looking sad fiddling with the
cards, and you felt sorry for me.
You thought it would cheer me up. - How did
you know which cards I was gonna pick?
I forced you there as well. Obviously.
Getting you pick the cards that I wanted.
Which weren’t the six of hearts
and the seven of spades.
They were the six of spades and
the seven of hearts.
I just said they were after you'd put them
back in the pack and you accepted it.
It's all to do with the power
of suggestion. Its a big part of
magic. Persuading people they've
seen things that they haven’t.
A bit sneaky.
- I do my best.
May we start the interview now?
Did he ask you about Ferdy?
Yes.
What did you say?
- What is there to say?
You alright, darling?
George Bullard tells me that
Claire, the fiance
Committed suicide shortly after Ferdy.
Well need to find out about that.
Mrs. Carter, we've finished the
interviews for today.
You planning to doing some shooting?
Tomorrow, why?
Don’t you think it'd be a
good idea to give it a miss?
There's a boxing day shoot every year.
Its tradition.
But the threat in the riddle did mention
more than one person
being dead by midnight boxing day.
All those shotguns going
off its not exactly the safest
place in the world for you to be. Is it?
I suggest that this year you do not attend.
Ridiculous.
What exactly are we looking for sir?
You know what Emily was saying about Lydia
wanting to know how to spell her name right
What you think that was all about?
- Don't know. A snob thing
Or maybe she wanted to
get the right spelling
because she knew she was
going to write it down somewhere.
We know Lydia did not write many letters.
- True, but she wrote something.
A diary perhaps?
- Wouldn’t that be nice.
Maybe
She didn’t move the lamp to get
extra light on the desk.
But so that she could get her
something behind the lamp.
Open Sesame.
Keen diaries.
- Give thanks Scott. Give thanks.
Christmas Eve. That's the last entry.
They say the riddle was a practical joke.
I wish it was.
I just discovered my diary for the
year of Ferdy's death is missing.
She's not wrong.
Someone knows what happened.
I knew such evil would never
just fade away. I told...
Didn’t finish.
How many diaries?
- They go back 15 years, Mrs Carter.
We'll have to read through them all.
Lydia has been keeping a secret diary.
I wonder if the say something
about Ferdy's death?
Unfortunately, the diary for that
particular year is missing.
The last thing entry though in the current
diary. That’s very interesting.
She says: I knew such evil
Would never just fade away.
Got any idea what she meant by that?
None whatsoever. She was a very
mixed up person, as you are aware.
May I ask please that you all to stay
here for the time being?
I wish you a good night.
Such evil.
Shut up, Ross.
Such evil?
What did she mean by that?
Are you going to explain
it to us because we've all
been wondering what happened for
quite a long time now.
And you think you? You, can
can take the moral high ground now?
Stop it! Just stop it!
- Is that what you think?
After drifting around the world for nine
years, because you were
too weak and too pathetic to face what
happened here. Jennifer.
No, lets get this all out.
While you've been contemplating your navel,
I have been looking after Lydia.
Bringing up a child, trying
to keep the family house
together, and without a penny
of the millions you inherited
Family house?
- I know it means nothing to you.
But some of us had to cope with what
happened. I mean we couldn’t run away.
Anyway, you know Lydia was nine parts
mad by the time she fell down those stairs.
Oh and thank you very much for ruining
this Christmas. I am so glad you came.
If you feel so blameless then why
aren’t you going on the shoot tomorrow?
Well Lydia just died. I thought it would
be good idea to show her a little respect.
Nothing to do with you being scared?
- This isn’t helping, Ross.
Jennifer, no ones saying that you got
anything to fear at the shoot tomorrow.
Its just perhaps not such a good idea.
Of course I have
nothing to fear.
Anyway I didn’t say, we weren’t going
on the shoot. Its still on.
Absolutely. Good for you.
I'm going, and that’s final.
Come on Alfie, walkies.
Come on.
- I don’t think he likes the sound of guns.
Look.
- Its only a nail.
Yes... its an old one.
Probably 1920s or so.
Some of the the original laborers cottages
I'm sure. Daniel.
It's not the diaries sir,
its the the video.
That's Emily, but
that's not whats interesting.
You see the bloke there in the
morning suit with his back to the camera?
One who’s smoking.
That's Aiden.
- Exactly.
Back view
But you can tell its him.
If the executor saw this, he's
down a 100 grand. I call that a motive.
What did you find out
about Claire's suicide?
Looks like she did it after
Ferdy topped himself.
She drove up to Pritchards wood. Put a
hosepipe on the exhaust and gassed herself.
Family?
- Its a bit patchy.
I've asked George Bullard to get the report
see if he can find who identified the body.
And seems she was buried at Malham Cross.
- I'll see you in the car.
Joyce, I'm sorry about this.
There’s a couple of things
we've got to check out. I'll
be back as quick as I can.
Typical.
That's hot. Thank you.
Of course I didn’t swallow it. It was a
stupid thing to do. I could've choked.
A pound coin!
Douglas.
Well I shall tell Joyce. But
I think I'll let her stew a bit first.
Oh Douglas, Muriel. I'm sorry, I gotta get
down to police business - Again? Sorry.
Just along here.
Here we are.
Claire English.
- You know Who leaves the flowers?
No, I don’t know.
They are normally fresher than that.
Being by the path you'll notice.
It always seems to be a fresh bunch.
Really? Yes.
I must get on. if you'll excuse me
- Thank you for your time.
Happy Christmas.
What do you think?
- Serious devotion.
That’s Peter and Diana's wedding.
That’s me.
Could you stop it now please?
- And that's you. And you're smoking.
Where did you get it?
- I think you know where from Aiden.
We got it from Lydia's bedroom.
She knew the Snapes.
They must have sent here a copy.
That’s why she kept
saying she recognized me.
You're telling me Lydia never
mentioned this tape before?
He thinks I killed Lydia to
stop her telling the executors.
Hundred thousand pounds, quite a motive.
Just a minute. If he'd
gone through the trouble
of killing her so she couldn’t
show anyone the evidence.
Why not take the evidence?
Where's your mum, Aiden?
She's at the shoot. Why?
I thought she had agreed not go.
- She changed her mind.
Your uncle Ferdy died from
a shotgun wound.
Claire, his fiancee
was killed with car fumes.
Someone tried to kill Lydia with car fumes
and now Jennifer is out there on a shoot.
Who else from here is out on the shoot?
I don’t know.
Just Digby, I think.
Just Digby,
See if the others are here.
Sir, everyone’s here except
Oh, you found Mr. Jones.
This is more like it.
Where did you get these cartridges?
I've just had a dud.
Classic shooting accident.
The shooter puts a
20-bore cartridge in by mistake.
20-bore cartridge being smaller
than a 12-bore doesn’t lodge
in the breach but slides
a few inches down the barrel.
Gun doesn’t go off when
the trigger's pulled
The shooter breaks the gun.
The unused cartridge doesn’t eject.
Put’s a 12-bore on top of the
cartridge which fits perfectly.
And the next time he pulls the trigger..
She would have noticed
that the cartridge was smaller?
In the heat of the shoot looking up
all the time, waiting for the next bird.
Someone put that
cartridge in her pocket deliberately.
We are sure they were suicides, aren’t we?
Could Ferdy and Claire's
death had been staged to look like suicide?
Then someone discovered it was
murder and decided to take their revenge.
Makes more sense if there
was a motivation for all of this.
What about Digby and Kate?
- My dear it was Ross who gained.
And he doesn’t seem to be interested in
helping them, financially or any other way.
Whatever the motivation, our problem
is that anyone could have gone into
that coat room and dropped the
cartridge into Jennifer's coat pocket.
Anyone anytime.
What about the garage?
If we think there was a genuine
attempt on Lydia's life by the murderer
Then Ross is the only one whose
whereabouts we cant be sure
of when the others were coming
back from the carol service.
Magic.
Its all to do with the power of suggestion.
Its a big part of magic.
Persuading people they've seen
things they haven’t.
The key is in the
manner of the incidents.
I almost forgot. You asked for details on
who identified the body of Claire English.
Any use?
Oh yes, George. Thank you.
She was provoked.
My mother was provoked
into going to the shoot.
Someone pattern put that cartridge
in her pocket.
Judging from the various modus operandi
I think we can assume the motive's revenge.
Leave it, Howard.
I wonder what your mother did to...
Shut up Howard!
We're all thinking it.
Do you know what happened, Aiden?
All those years ago?
Where is Mr. Jones?
He was here a short time ago.
I think he went into the kitchen.
Thank you. Stay where you are.
Any joy?
No. You check the rest of downstairs.
When exactly did you last see him,
Mr.Jones?
About the time he went upto the shoot.
And no one has seen him since then?
How did he get here? Has he got a car?
He came by taxi.
He's done a runner.
- I think so, yes.
Get on to the station, put out
a description
and check his home address of course.
I'm going out to the garage.
Any news, I'm on the mobile.
He left the second remote
for me to find in his bedroom.
There were two remotes. He was a magician.
An illusionist.
And a very good one too.
My guess is that’s how he knew Ferdy.
I got a glimpse of his slight
of hands skill a bit earlier.
Just didn’t occur to me, that he
could kill Jennifer from half a mile away.
He couldn't have done it.
He was their friend for heaven sake.
Dominic helped get Lydia
out of the garage.
You think so? You are the one who heard
Lydia calling for help. Weren’t you?
Did you see Dominic open the door
between the corridor and the garage?
No I got there just after he'd opened it.
In fact
you could say Dominic rushed
to get there first.
So you cant be sure whether
door wasn’t locked as Lydia claimed.
Alright, I'm at the door. Be careful.
He came in here in front of Emily to
swap the two remotes.
So that when a few moments
later, Emily tried
the one she assumed
Lydia tried just before.
She found it was in fact working.
But of course, cast further
doubt on Lydia's account.
But he couldn’t have done that stuff in
the garage. He came through the front door.
Are you sure?
- I saw him.
I'm sure I did.
A false memory created in Emily's mind,
by Dominic's
considerable powers of suggestion.
You're saying she agreed he went through
the front door just because he said so?
- A clever bit of manipulation.
He knew she liked him. She wasn’t
expecting him to try to trick her. Was she?
She was a guest at someone elses house/.
Wanted to make a good impression.
She wouldn’t want to contradict him.
Would she?
He was easy and confident.
Garnished it with a bit of factual details.
She was taking her coat off at the time.
Everyone was getting out of the
Range Rover and I followed them in.
Emily saw me, you were
taking your coat off?
That was a pretty safe bet
in the circumstances. Wasn’t it?
But she linked that real detail with the
image he just put in her mind.
So it became one whole memory.
- That's right.
Just like the seven of hearts
and the six of spades.
But what I think actually
happened that night is this.
Dominic was waiting
outside the garage door.
As Lydia pointed her remote,
he was using his to close the door.
And he nipped in under the door as
it was closing and she was leaving.
He turns the engine back on.
And then
Just to make it appear
like it was maybe just an accident.
A safety net in case
someone found Lydia
before the carbon monoxide
had done its job.
When the carbon monoxide didn’t work.
He waited until the middle of the night
and somehow
Tricked Lydia into leaving her room
and pushed her down the stairs.
When it came to Jennifer, well
all he had to do was drop
the 20-bore cartridge into the
pocket of her shooting jacket
and hope for the worst.
Pure evil has
walked alongside us in this house.
We're talking about a man
who cold-bloodedly murdered
the two people who invited
him into their home.
Into the warmth of their family.
Our family.
How can you possibly just sit
there being so English. So calm.
Its as though somehow you still blame...
To the Villiers family.
Happy Christmas.
Give me that.
Oi!
It's just the ramblings
of a senile old woman.
You can't possibly think it was any
relevance. Its time we learned the truth.
Some dates are marked.
November 30th.
A present for the Villiers family.
No please, carry on.
November 30th.
Claire is full of surprises.
The more I see of her, the more I like her.
Its nice to see one that’s genuine.
Today we were in the
drawing room and she was
looking at a statuette
on the mantelpiece.
This is a very valuable piece.
She very kindly offered to get it valued.
She is going upto London next week,
and said she'd pop in to the auctions.
I explained that the others
would not approve.
So it was probably best not to mention it
to anyone, not even to Ferdy.
December 2nd.
I had a terrible row with Jennifer today.
I can't believe what she is suggesting.
A criminal record. Heroin and theft.
But Jennifer, private detectives?
I think I was justified don’t you?
Somebody has
got to look after Ferdy's interests,
he's obviously not going to.
She'd been very kind to me.
Offering to...
Offering to what?
- No nothing.
Offering to what? I had to tell her,
she just wouldn’t let it drop.
She is going to make him
sell the house and move away. No.
You know its true.
Then you know what'll happen.
What? Some decaying old peoples home.
Is that how you want to end your days?
I don't care. I can't do it.
- Yes you can.
For Ferdy's sake.
For Ferdy?
December 6th.
After Claire had left for London
We called the police and said
the statuette had gone missing.
I want to report a theft.
Lydia Villiers.
Apparently they put descriptions
of stolen valuables on
a list, which they faxed to
dealers and auction houses.
Claire said there was some mistake
and that I had asked her to get it valued.
I'm arresting you under
suspicion of theft.
But when she heard that I
was the one who had reported the theft
She apparently went very quiet.
It was like she'd given up, they said.
But why Dominic?
And why wait nine years?
Claire's maiden name was Jones.
She was Dominic's sister.
Dominic identified the
body, but we think he also
knew Ferdy because of their
common interest in magic.
And we suspect,
that he introduced Claire to Ferdy
When he put her up
for the assistant's job.
But why wait till now? Nine years.
Its just a thought but if he is
doing a runner. Leaving the area, whatever.
Do you not think there might
be a particular place
he'd want to visit if
hes leaving for good?
Clean away.
Dear old Ferdy
was so hopeless with women.
My sister was hopeless with men.
Or at least picking them.
Hopeless with life in general, really.
When they met. They
found each other.
And the future looked
So bright
For both of them.
Why did you wait nine years?
I don’t know what had
happened until a couple of weeks ago.
I suspected,
but didn’t have any proof.
I got my break last summer.
Lydia let slip that she
kept a record of all her bridge games.
Silly thing.
Nothing really.
But it suddenly occurred
to me that there might be a diary.
It took me longer
to find than it did you.
But when I did
It was quite an eye opener.
That should do it.
Dad, are you sure about this?
Got your appetite back then, Douglas?
Stomach back to normal?
- Still a few twinches.
Actually we've got a little
confession to make to you.
I thought you might.
It's probably our fault.
But thing is Joyce put two pound coins
into your Christmas pudding. Didn’t you?
We're worried you
might have swallowed them.
Two?
I honestly don’t think you could've
done that, but I think its best we check.
Pull your jumper up.
It looks like surgery there.
Don't tell him quite yet.
Any chance for a
minced pie, Joyce?
In the oven. There's brandy
butter and cream on the side.
Unlike last year
Check the mince pies, then I want to get
the brandy butter down in plenty of time.
Bendy wire please?
Lydia. Bendy wire.
Keep yourself together.
You've got a home here
for as long as you want.
Stop being silly.
Oh, my God.
Nine years later
That's Mrs. Seymour, my schoolteacher.
Welcome to Draycott.
Merry Christmas.
Hello, Alfie.
You're a lovely dog, aren't you?
You ready?
Yeah
If there are any problems... Tom
A Merry Christmas to you too, Ted.
If there are any problems, don't
feel you can't call me.
I want to make a.. Tom
Pam
Do not feel just because it's
Christmas, you can't give us a call
Okay? Anything serious happens
I want to know about it. Understood?
Yeah, I got the message sir. What are you
looking for? An escape from the in laws?
Don't you overdo things
this evening alright?
Things have a habit of
happening at Christmas time.
You may have to be razor sharp in the
morning. Yes sir.
Oh come on mummy, please!
When any of my friends go home with their
girlfriends their parents always
put them in the same room.
I mean you know what the score is.
You can do what you like in your
grubby little flats in university.
But when you're in my house, there is no
bonking till you've tied the knot.
I'm sure Emily could survive without your
attention for a couple of days.
Aunt Lydia!
Will you stop this silliness now.
I will not
have you ruining Christmas.
Do you understand?
I don’t believe it. Wait till you meet
the rest of the family.
Sorry about the sleeping arrangement.
- It doesn’t matter, really.
Still it would have been nice.
You'll just have to grab
the opportunities as they arrive.
Come on, Alfie. Time for a
bit of fresh country air.
Five minutes.
Be careful.
You quite sure we
haven’t met before?
Not as far as I know.
What was your surname again?
- Hide.
Is that with an I or a Y?
Umm.. an I.
Hide, with an I.
We should have left earlier.
Like we're in a hurry to get there.
Phoebe, do you think you can try
to be a little positive this time?
Christmas, you know the season
of goodwill. That sort of thing.
Come on where's the fire, Vicar?
My god! I think it's my brother.
Dominic, they are lovely.
Absolutely lovely.
Gorgeous.
So who is here?
Just Aiden with his latest.
Why don't you go and introduce yourself?
Her name is Emily.
Apparently can't go a night without sex.
Apart from that she seems quite ordinary.
I'm Dominic. You must be Emily?
The first time in Draycott Hall is always
a bit of an ordeal. They are all barmy.
Aren’t you Lydia?
Anymore bad vibes lately?
Mock. I am very sensitive to these things
So how is the crossword going?
Thirteen down. Bit of a sticker.
No sign of them yet.
Enjoy it while you may.
- I heard that.
You will try a little patience with him?
He does not always know what he says.
Not much, he doesn’t.
What do you think of the tree?
They're very realistic these days.
It's lovely, Mum.
And no needles on the carpet.
He's brought the monopoly.
A beard? And your hair. Its amazing.
Is everything alright?
Everything is absolutely fine.
Been too long.
Far too long.
Cmon everybody, you'll get soaked.
Lets get you inside.
Howard, no dilly dallying.
Kate Digby, get yourself sorted out and
we'll all meet in the hall for drinks.
Oh Dominic, come and meet Ross.
Our long lost brother.
A good friend. And a very
useful bridge partner.
The whole thing could do with rewiring,
but it all costs so much these days.
The switches at the other end are fine,
its just that these ones don't function.
And careful of the sockets in your room
It can be slightly, you know..
Dangerous?
Temperamental
It’s so god to have you here.
Everybody together again after
so long.
Cmon I'll help you unpack.
Please, there's really no need.
I'd like to.
How does it fit?
What do you think?
Perfect.
It's out of bounds.
I remember.
I hope you are going to
behave yourself this year?
Yes Aunt Jennifer, I will do my very best.
Pick a card.
Any card.
Now close your eyes.
And visualise the card
in your mind's eye.
Visualise it.
Think it.
Project what you see.
Yes, I'm definitely feeling something.
Any luck at all?
Yes, the six of hearts, I believe.
I think you've got a mischievous
streak in you, Howard.
I like that in a man.
Jennifer just said something
to you about 'being out of bounds'.
O, Uncle Ferdy Studio.
The late Uncle Ferdy.
That's you uncle is it?
Mine, Aiden's, Phoebe's.
He was a magician.
Well known in magic circles.
And indeed the magic circle itself.
Aiden never mentioned him.
No one does. He is persona non grata since
his suicide. great disgrace for the family.
State of the place.
Even the decorations.
Are the same from the time Mom and Dad
were alive. What's she clinging on to?
Happier times maybe?
Seems our sister has something
of a problem with moving on.
It's crazy. It should be sold.
Move into somewhere more manageable
We have been saying
the same thing for years.
Frankly Kate could do with
her share of the proceeds.
What about me?
She can not go on like this.
A quickie before supper?
I always fancy one of those.
Who's Uncle Ferdy?
It sounds so awful and you've never
mentioned his suicide and everything.
He was just a very weak and selfish man
And I don’t like to talk about him. Okay?
Feelings run a bit high this time of year.
It all happened just before
Christmas, nine years ago.
You didn’t know about it.
Hit the red wine is my advice.
Its the only way I get through it.
That and thermal underwear.
Seven.
Right.
Let's see what you've got.
Proceed directly to jail.
Oh Dad!
Only kidding. You won second prize in a
beauty contest. Collect £10.
Anyway, I know Mom and Dad would dearly
love to see us all gathered here tonight.
In the home they loved so much.
That we love so much.
So here is to a very, very
happy and special Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
O, the crackers.
Anyone's got a light? Aiden?
What am I thinking, silly me.
How can you tell...
- No riddles, please.
How can you tell
A heartless liar with
blood on their hands.
Yes Howard, that's not clever or funny.
That's whats on the paper.
They'll each be dead by
midnight Boxing Day.
Let me see that.
No.
Just leave it. I'll go.
It was just one of stupid Howard's
practical jokes. Lydia.
It wasn’t me. You know how
sensitive Lydia is.
I don’t know what you
thought you were doing.
You're not listening to me.
Were supposed to believe you?
How is she? I want that boy to apologize.
- Right now.
I told you, I didn’t do anything.
Howard!
Fine. I apologise.
No more. It stops here.
...
Just come for a walk.
I can't, I'm on duty.
It'll be a great party.
I'm really... really on call.
Oh leave him. Boring sod.
Yeah, thank you. Happy Christmas.
Howard, this is not the time.
We'll freeze to death. Come along.
Careful Muriel, it is very slippery.
Oh please, God! Not a power cut.
Come on Howard. Inside now.
Leave it...
C'mere its your bedtime. C'mon.
Aunt Lydia alright?
Yes, she's just putting the car away.
I think I'll go and see about that coffee.
When did we get this one
of the carol service?
There might be a bit of a run of the
kettle this evening. Hot water bottles.
Is something wrong?
I thought I heard something banging.
Probably the heating trying to work.
It's in the garage!
Okay! I'm opening the door. Be careful!
Lydia, where is the remote for
the garage door?
That does not work.
But where is it?
On'the little table by driver's side.
I just need a minute.
- I'll do it.
I switched off the ignition.
And I did not knock the wardrobe over.
Cars not start on their own and
wardrobes do not fall over by themselves.
That’s what I'm saying. I'm not mad.
- We’re not saying you are.
Its just when Dominic tried the inside
door, it wasn’t locked as you said it was.
And when Emily tried the
remote control the garage door
opened without a problem.
And you said it wasn’t working.
But I'm sure
It was an accident.
You must have stumbled and pulled the
wardrobe over and then it hit your head.
You were confused and your
imagination ran wild.
Probably because of Howards
little practical joke earlier.
I thought it'd be my fault.
Howard.
Let's have no more of this silliness.
You have just had one of
your little flutters.
You really think so?
Of course I do.
We don’t want it spoiling Christmas
Do we?
Now we'll all go to bed and then tomorrow
we'll have a lovely Christmas day. Wont we?
Aiden? Is that you?
Emily? Are you alright?
Whats happening?
That’s a very good question.
Put the ladder back and go to your room.
Sex mad.
Okay I cant do it. No I cant.
Do it for Ferdy's sake.
Alfie, is that you?
Alright. Alright.
You're not sleeping on my bed.
Yes, I can hear you.
You're going downstairs.
Be quiet, naughty boy.
Where have you got to? Alfie?
Did you hear that? No I..
- Lydia, is that you?
Are you alright? Lydia?
Nice wrapping paper.
Oh, lovely smellies.
Thank you, Father Christmas.
Don't mention it.
An electric carving knife.
- Its from Mum.
Dad discovered them recently
and thought you should have one.
Its no reflection on your
carving abilities.
I'm sorry to disturb you sir.
Hope you finished opening your stockings.
Whats happened?
They'll each be dead by midnight
on Boxing Day.
This boy Howard may have been responsible.
But now he's denying it.
His aunt, Mrs. Jennifer Carter who seems to
own this place. She doesn’t believe him.
She claims the boy is responsible and that
Miss Villiers fall was just an accident.
This where they found her?
Head that end and
feet well that end obviously.
Around five past two, out cold.
She's in the Causton General.
Do we know if the landing lights
were turned on?
They were not, sir. The switch nearest
Miss Villiers room is not working.
Looks like the whole place could do
with rewiring or knocking down.
You wanted to see me?
You must be Howard.
This is Inspector Barnaby.
How do you do?
I'd like to make it clear Howard, I'm not
accusing you of anything.
But before we get into any kind of
investigation.
I want you to realise that
wasting police time
is an offense, and the courts takes that
very seriously, indeed.
If you have anything to do with this.
Anything at all, now is the time to tell us
You won't get into any kind of trouble
if you tell us the truth.
It had nothing whatsoever to
do with me.
Can you tell me why initially
you admitted to it?
I suppose it's like when the police use
undue pressure on a suspect and
He confesses just to get the
coppers off his back.
None of them would believe
I hadn’t done it
So I admitted to it, to keep them happy.
Any idea how this riddle got into
the cracker?
A disgruntled employee at the
cracker factory perhaps?
Some kind of industrial terrorism?
But then again it might be a result
of a much more sinister motive.
When your aunt fell..
Great aunt. And..
I don’t believe it was a fall.
Pushed. Is more like it.
A push?
There is a great deal of
anger in this house.
And pain.
Don’t ask me what its about. I know nothing
of the details. I'm far too young.
Thank you.
With blood on their hands.
Anyone here have any idea,
who or what this refers to?
Its just one of Howard's
practical jokes.
But just for now let's just assume
that it's not. Please
I'll ask again: Does anyone one
know what this refers to?
Is there any recent
deaths in the family?
A friend?
- Uncle Ferdy.
Shut up Howard, you've caused enough
trouble. Jennifer.
Why not mention Ferdy?
Ferdy was our brother. That’s Kate's,
Jennifer's and my elder brother.
He committed suicide
nine years ago.
He fell in love with a manipulative
drug addicted woman.
They’re engaged to be married, and then he
found out just what a
deceitful, thieving little gold digger
she was. And it broke his heart.
He simply couldn’t cope with it.
- Gold Digger?
Ferdy was due to inherit a large fortune
from our Uncle Bart.
When he died it went to Ross,
the next in the male line.
Uncle Bart was a stickler for tradition.
Anything more recent?
...
And there’s nothing apart from this riddle
to suggest it wasn’t an accident?
Nothing at all.
She just went down for a glass of water
and missed her footing. It was dark.
Sir?
Happy Christmas.
I'm sorry to drag you out sir.
The canteen is closed. Do you fancy lunch?
You've got something with the old lady,
in case she regains consciousness?
Follow us home. Actually you're
doing us a bit of a favor.
One less turkey curry over
the next fortnight.
Well, there is one thing we can
all be sure of.
Lydia would have not wanted Christmas to be
ruined because she tumbled down the stairs.
Question: What does the word minimum mean?
Answer: A very small mother.
You know I'm sure I put a £1 coin
in Grandpa's pudding.
But he didn’t find it.
You don’t think?
It's not funny, Cully.
Mom thinks Grandpa swallowed the £1 coin
in his Christmas pudding.
So this is the sensitivity control.
This must be the...
He's wanted one for years.
Cheese? The coffee is coming.
I'm not sure I've got room.
Overdid the pudding. So delicious.
A bit lumpier than usual, I think.
She just regained consciousness. Apparently
she is very anxious and frightened.
Miss Villiers these men are from the
police. They need to ask some questions.
Miss Villiers I'm sorry to trouble you.
Someone...
Somebody pushed me.
Did you see who that someone was?
It was dark, she didn’t see them.
She imagined it.
You have to understand she
has been very confused
lately. Well that's right
isn’t it, Dominic?
She has been behaving a little
strangely, yes.
And this was before the riddle going on
about bad vibes and god knows what.
Id like to look over her room now if I may.
I want you to be present while we do that.
Shes saying, someone in the
house tried to kill her?
She was pushed down the stairs Aunt
Jennifer. Im not sure what you’d call it.
I'll she if she is alright.
Especially after the garage incident.
Someone tried to gas her.
We should have mentioned it earlier.
Well would you mention it now please?
It was about here.
This is where you heard the shot?
And the door to the garage is here?
Yes sir.
Down the corridor.
May I ask you sir whats your
connection with the family?
I'm just a friend.
And a bridge partner.
A sad ole waif from Australia they
took pity on for Christmas.
How long have you known them?
About six or seven years.
You alright?
It is this family. I didn’t think
it could get any worse.
They all know they should have
done more to help Uncle Ferdy.
They never really took it seriously.
You think that’s what the "blood
on their hands" was referring to?
Maybe. But Aunt Lydia was closer
to Uncle Ferdy more than anyone.
She was the only one who was sympathetic.
She cant be blamed.
If anyone was unsympathetic to Ferdy
It was Jennifer.
I remember at breakfast
when we stayed here for a few days
You alright?
Emily, could I talk to you
for a minute please?
Not you Phoebe. Could you stay here a
minute? I'd like to speak to you as well.
Wont be a second.
I need you and Dominic to go through
what happened in the garage please.
So if you could wait downstairs in the
sitting room? I'll be along shortly.
I couldn’t help but overhear you
talking to Emily just now.
You were talking about the family's
feeling of guilt, about Ferdy's suicide.
And you were about to describe what
happened at a breakfast. Was it?
Listen, I need to get the
background to all of this.
I was only 12 at the time.
I have a daughter Phoebe, and at that age
girls can be as perceptive as any grownup.
This breakfast that you were
talking about when was it?
About nine years ago.
A couple months before
Uncle Ferdy died.
Mom had brought me and Howard
down for the weekend.
Ross was still working in the city then,
before he went all peculiar.
Impeccable family. And for some reason
she's mad about you.
Despite you spending months at the end of
piers at Blackpool docks or god knows where
And she has persuaded her brother in the
city to offer you a job.
I mean what more do you want?
Here we all are trying to sort out your
life, and you just throw it back at us.
I'm a professional magician.
For God sake.
Its what I do Jennifer.
Yes and I think we have all been tolerant.
But there comes a point.
I mean what age are you?
Look were not saying you shouldn’t carry it
on as a hobby, but please Ferdy.
I mean pantomimes and summer seasons.
You don’t have the faintest idea what I'm
talking about, do you?
Not a clue.
I don’t think Aunt Jennifer really
understood what made Ferdy tick.
D'you think that someone thought that she
was responsible for Ferdy death?
She was hardly sympathetic.
But if she'd had her way, he'd never had
met the loathsome Claire.
What happened? -She recognised she
was bad luck the moment she saw her.
It was the next time we were down.
I remember I was watching out for Dad.
Couldn’t wait to go home.
Who is that?
- I do not know. A woman.
Hello, I’m here for the interview.
With Ferdinand Villiers.
What interview?
For the magician's assistant.
My name is Claire English.
Oh I'm terribly sorry. He is not
looking for an assistant.
He should have phoned you.
I'll have a word with him
Anyway I'm very sorry that he's wasted your
time, but I must get on. Excuse me.
Come on in, let's get that
hutch cleaned out.
And then it happened.
Alfie!
Little scoundrel.
Oh hes gorgeous. How old is he?
About twelve weeks.
I'm sorry. You must be Claire,
You're here for the assistant's job.
It's alright, I enjoyed the drive anyway.
Beg your pardon?
I've already been told there is no vacancy.
I'm terribly sorry.
There must be a misunderstanding.
The job is there if you're interested.
Oh.
Let's go to the studio and we can talk.
Love at first sight.
At least from Ferdy's point of view. Hook
Line and Sinker.
Whirlwind romance,
engaged at the wedding date.
And then he discovered that she was
just out for what she could get.
It broke him.
I really cant see what the ghastly
woman has got anything to do with this?
If you could humour me a little Mrs.
Carter. How did you establish
that she was as you say, a gold digger?
The valuable art deco statuette
went missing from the drawing room.
Ferdy's assistant
Fiancee, was caught red handed
trying to sell it.
We then discovered that she'd an extensive
criminal record for theft and drugs. Okay?
This is Lydia's bedroom.
I just stand here do I?
If you'd be so kind. Yes please.
Whats the matter? Nothing.
Its just that lamp was on the bookshelf.
She must have moved it for more light.
Or something.
A letter writer, your Auntie? No.
Certainly didn’t receive much post.
A wedding video.
Peter Bunting to Diana Snape.
Means nothing to me.
I don’t know all my aunts friends.
I'm down at the house now.
Its the hospital, sir.
I'm afraid there were some
unforeseen complications.
Miss Villiers died
ten minutes ago.
I tried the remote.
It's still here. And
the garage door opened.
Seemed to be working perfectly.
Can I get this right?
Miss Villiers went out through
that corridor. Yes?
She closed the door behind her
And then she heard the car's engine
starting up again.
That’s what she said.
I think that was it?
She'd just gone down the corridor when
she heard it. That’s what she said.
So she came back into here.
She saw the wardrobe. Realised she couldn’t
get down to turn the ignition off.
And so she tries her remote
on the garage door. But
It doesn’t open when she tries it. And she
had the adjoining door closed behind her.
When she tried, she said it was locked.
But it wasn’t locked when you tried it?
Well, no.
And Lydia driven herself back from carol
service alone then put the car
No, I was with with her.
Well she liked to drive, she was
a very independent woman.
That’s why she had the automatic door put in
so she could come and go when she wanted.
And you got out of the car before she put
it away. Did you? Yes that’s right.
Well, with all that stuff here you cant get
out on the passenger side.
And you went to the house through the front
door? .Straight away?
Yes. Everyone was getting out of the Range
Rover and I followed them in.
Emily saw me. You were taking your coat
off? - That's right.
I'm so sorry. Really.
Just leave it. Please.
I'm gonna need some more coke.
She gets out of the car
Closes the car door
Turns towards the garage door.
It still works.
If what Lydia said was true.
Someone was not with the others when she
put this car away
We were all in the hall.
Or kitchen.
Except for Ross. I think he was in his
bedroom, didn’t go to the carol service.
Was Ross the only one who didn’t go?
Uh..Digby didn’t go either.
He was asleep on the sofa
when we got back.
Can you tell us Mrs. Carter, who'll
benefit from Lydia's will?
I will.
But I won't benefit much, she
only had a few thousand.
It wish it were more.
Have you got financial problems?
I couldn’t help noticing the house...
well could do with some attention.
It'll get done. One way or another.
My son is due to inherit a substantial
amount of money and that'll go towards it.
Inherits from who?
Uncle Barts estate.
Aiden just continues to not smoke till
his 21st birthday and he gets £100,000.
And Aiden doesn’t smoke?
Of course not.
Mrs. Frears?
How long did your Aunt Lydia
been living here?
Thirty years or more.
She moved in after our parents died,
as our guardian.
Who owns the house now?
- All three of us.
But Jennifer's always felt most strongly
about the place.
We said she could stay on, with Lydia.
Very generous of you.
Still jointly owned with Ross and me.
Don’t need the money?
- No.
We can check your bank records.
If we need to Mrs. Frears.
I believe the overdraft is
currently running at £ 30,000.
Alfie. Sit.
Go on.
Open it.
They must have sold it.
She just wiped away all evidence
he ever even existed.
It was by birthright.
You?
Well I expected this from Howard,
but really.
We weren’t very sympathetic
towards Ferdy.
I felt that we should have helped him more
through his depression,
his breakdown.
I never thought that
he would actually.
One more question, Mr. Villiers.
You didn’t go to the
carol service, did you?
I'm a Buddhist.
Where were you when the others came back?
I was in my room.
- Anyone seen you?
Not straight away. I came down
when I heard all that stuff about Lydia.
Emily, what did you make of Lydia?
I only met her on Christmas eve,
but I liked her.
She was a bit weird, but y'know
- Weird, how?
Just generally.
Like wanting to know how my name was
spelled and then writing it in her book.
Just generally.
Not one single piece of equipment.
Didn’t you know you should
encourage your children's interest?
Howard, why don’t you show me
one of your card tricks?
So who's next, Sir?
I want to phone Bullard. See if
he remembers that suicide.
Then we'll talk to the boy Howard next.
For god-sake stop pestering.
Everyone give me the cards.
Give me the cards!
- I really don’t mind.
We all liked doing card tricks at his age.
Not a problem.
Howard, could you come here please?
Go on then. Show us one of your tricks.
I'll ask you to pick two cards.
Happy Christmas. I'm sorry about the
timing of this. Listen
Ferdy Villiers. You knew him?
- Slightly. Terrible business.
No chance that the suicide was faked
and that in fact it was a murder?
There was no sign of a struggle.
I suppose its possible.
It wouldn’t be very easy to fake.
Yes that’s what I thought.
You know the woman committed suicide?
What woman?
- The fiancee. Claire I think it was.
The two cards you pick, the six of
hearts and the seven of spades
Which you put back in the pack separately
are now have come together.
Six of hearts and the seven of spades will
now miraculously be side by side.
They're not there.
You did put them back in the pack?
- You saw me put them back.
Are you sure you didn’t pocket them?
Yeah.
Chief Inspector, could I ask you to check
the Sergeant’s right hand jacket pocket?
How did you do that?
I don’t normally explain, but
It's quite simple. Hardly a trick at all
I slipped the cards into your pocket as we
came from the drawing room to here.
How did you know I was gonna ask
you for a card trick?
I sat here looking sad fiddling with the
cards, and you felt sorry for me.
You thought it would cheer me up. - How did
you know which cards I was gonna pick?
I forced you there as well. Obviously.
Getting you pick the cards that I wanted.
Which weren’t the six of hearts
and the seven of spades.
They were the six of spades and
the seven of hearts.
I just said they were after you'd put them
back in the pack and you accepted it.
It's all to do with the power
of suggestion. Its a big part of
magic. Persuading people they've
seen things that they haven’t.
A bit sneaky.
- I do my best.
May we start the interview now?
Did he ask you about Ferdy?
Yes.
What did you say?
- What is there to say?
You alright, darling?
George Bullard tells me that
Claire, the fiance
Committed suicide shortly after Ferdy.
Well need to find out about that.
Mrs. Carter, we've finished the
interviews for today.
You planning to doing some shooting?
Tomorrow, why?
Don’t you think it'd be a
good idea to give it a miss?
There's a boxing day shoot every year.
Its tradition.
But the threat in the riddle did mention
more than one person
being dead by midnight boxing day.
All those shotguns going
off its not exactly the safest
place in the world for you to be. Is it?
I suggest that this year you do not attend.
Ridiculous.
What exactly are we looking for sir?
You know what Emily was saying about Lydia
wanting to know how to spell her name right
What you think that was all about?
- Don't know. A snob thing
Or maybe she wanted to
get the right spelling
because she knew she was
going to write it down somewhere.
We know Lydia did not write many letters.
- True, but she wrote something.
A diary perhaps?
- Wouldn’t that be nice.
Maybe
She didn’t move the lamp to get
extra light on the desk.
But so that she could get her
something behind the lamp.
Open Sesame.
Keen diaries.
- Give thanks Scott. Give thanks.
Christmas Eve. That's the last entry.
They say the riddle was a practical joke.
I wish it was.
I just discovered my diary for the
year of Ferdy's death is missing.
She's not wrong.
Someone knows what happened.
I knew such evil would never
just fade away. I told...
Didn’t finish.
How many diaries?
- They go back 15 years, Mrs Carter.
We'll have to read through them all.
Lydia has been keeping a secret diary.
I wonder if the say something
about Ferdy's death?
Unfortunately, the diary for that
particular year is missing.
The last thing entry though in the current
diary. That’s very interesting.
She says: I knew such evil
Would never just fade away.
Got any idea what she meant by that?
None whatsoever. She was a very
mixed up person, as you are aware.
May I ask please that you all to stay
here for the time being?
I wish you a good night.
Such evil.
Shut up, Ross.
Such evil?
What did she mean by that?
Are you going to explain
it to us because we've all
been wondering what happened for
quite a long time now.
And you think you? You, can
can take the moral high ground now?
Stop it! Just stop it!
- Is that what you think?
After drifting around the world for nine
years, because you were
too weak and too pathetic to face what
happened here. Jennifer.
No, lets get this all out.
While you've been contemplating your navel,
I have been looking after Lydia.
Bringing up a child, trying
to keep the family house
together, and without a penny
of the millions you inherited
Family house?
- I know it means nothing to you.
But some of us had to cope with what
happened. I mean we couldn’t run away.
Anyway, you know Lydia was nine parts
mad by the time she fell down those stairs.
Oh and thank you very much for ruining
this Christmas. I am so glad you came.
If you feel so blameless then why
aren’t you going on the shoot tomorrow?
Well Lydia just died. I thought it would
be good idea to show her a little respect.
Nothing to do with you being scared?
- This isn’t helping, Ross.
Jennifer, no ones saying that you got
anything to fear at the shoot tomorrow.
Its just perhaps not such a good idea.
Of course I have
nothing to fear.
Anyway I didn’t say, we weren’t going
on the shoot. Its still on.
Absolutely. Good for you.
I'm going, and that’s final.
Come on Alfie, walkies.
Come on.
- I don’t think he likes the sound of guns.
Look.
- Its only a nail.
Yes... its an old one.
Probably 1920s or so.
Some of the the original laborers cottages
I'm sure. Daniel.
It's not the diaries sir,
its the the video.
That's Emily, but
that's not whats interesting.
You see the bloke there in the
morning suit with his back to the camera?
One who’s smoking.
That's Aiden.
- Exactly.
Back view
But you can tell its him.
If the executor saw this, he's
down a 100 grand. I call that a motive.
What did you find out
about Claire's suicide?
Looks like she did it after
Ferdy topped himself.
She drove up to Pritchards wood. Put a
hosepipe on the exhaust and gassed herself.
Family?
- Its a bit patchy.
I've asked George Bullard to get the report
see if he can find who identified the body.
And seems she was buried at Malham Cross.
- I'll see you in the car.
Joyce, I'm sorry about this.
There’s a couple of things
we've got to check out. I'll
be back as quick as I can.
Typical.
That's hot. Thank you.
Of course I didn’t swallow it. It was a
stupid thing to do. I could've choked.
A pound coin!
Douglas.
Well I shall tell Joyce. But
I think I'll let her stew a bit first.
Oh Douglas, Muriel. I'm sorry, I gotta get
down to police business - Again? Sorry.
Just along here.
Here we are.
Claire English.
- You know Who leaves the flowers?
No, I don’t know.
They are normally fresher than that.
Being by the path you'll notice.
It always seems to be a fresh bunch.
Really? Yes.
I must get on. if you'll excuse me
- Thank you for your time.
Happy Christmas.
What do you think?
- Serious devotion.
That’s Peter and Diana's wedding.
That’s me.
Could you stop it now please?
- And that's you. And you're smoking.
Where did you get it?
- I think you know where from Aiden.
We got it from Lydia's bedroom.
She knew the Snapes.
They must have sent here a copy.
That’s why she kept
saying she recognized me.
You're telling me Lydia never
mentioned this tape before?
He thinks I killed Lydia to
stop her telling the executors.
Hundred thousand pounds, quite a motive.
Just a minute. If he'd
gone through the trouble
of killing her so she couldn’t
show anyone the evidence.
Why not take the evidence?
Where's your mum, Aiden?
She's at the shoot. Why?
I thought she had agreed not go.
- She changed her mind.
Your uncle Ferdy died from
a shotgun wound.
Claire, his fiancee
was killed with car fumes.
Someone tried to kill Lydia with car fumes
and now Jennifer is out there on a shoot.
Who else from here is out on the shoot?
I don’t know.
Just Digby, I think.
Just Digby,
See if the others are here.
Sir, everyone’s here except
Oh, you found Mr. Jones.
This is more like it.
Where did you get these cartridges?
I've just had a dud.
Classic shooting accident.
The shooter puts a
20-bore cartridge in by mistake.
20-bore cartridge being smaller
than a 12-bore doesn’t lodge
in the breach but slides
a few inches down the barrel.
Gun doesn’t go off when
the trigger's pulled
The shooter breaks the gun.
The unused cartridge doesn’t eject.
Put’s a 12-bore on top of the
cartridge which fits perfectly.
And the next time he pulls the trigger..
She would have noticed
that the cartridge was smaller?
In the heat of the shoot looking up
all the time, waiting for the next bird.
Someone put that
cartridge in her pocket deliberately.
We are sure they were suicides, aren’t we?
Could Ferdy and Claire's
death had been staged to look like suicide?
Then someone discovered it was
murder and decided to take their revenge.
Makes more sense if there
was a motivation for all of this.
What about Digby and Kate?
- My dear it was Ross who gained.
And he doesn’t seem to be interested in
helping them, financially or any other way.
Whatever the motivation, our problem
is that anyone could have gone into
that coat room and dropped the
cartridge into Jennifer's coat pocket.
Anyone anytime.
What about the garage?
If we think there was a genuine
attempt on Lydia's life by the murderer
Then Ross is the only one whose
whereabouts we cant be sure
of when the others were coming
back from the carol service.
Magic.
Its all to do with the power of suggestion.
Its a big part of magic.
Persuading people they've seen
things they haven’t.
The key is in the
manner of the incidents.
I almost forgot. You asked for details on
who identified the body of Claire English.
Any use?
Oh yes, George. Thank you.
She was provoked.
My mother was provoked
into going to the shoot.
Someone pattern put that cartridge
in her pocket.
Judging from the various modus operandi
I think we can assume the motive's revenge.
Leave it, Howard.
I wonder what your mother did to...
Shut up Howard!
We're all thinking it.
Do you know what happened, Aiden?
All those years ago?
Where is Mr. Jones?
He was here a short time ago.
I think he went into the kitchen.
Thank you. Stay where you are.
Any joy?
No. You check the rest of downstairs.
When exactly did you last see him,
Mr.Jones?
About the time he went upto the shoot.
And no one has seen him since then?
How did he get here? Has he got a car?
He came by taxi.
He's done a runner.
- I think so, yes.
Get on to the station, put out
a description
and check his home address of course.
I'm going out to the garage.
Any news, I'm on the mobile.
He left the second remote
for me to find in his bedroom.
There were two remotes. He was a magician.
An illusionist.
And a very good one too.
My guess is that’s how he knew Ferdy.
I got a glimpse of his slight
of hands skill a bit earlier.
Just didn’t occur to me, that he
could kill Jennifer from half a mile away.
He couldn't have done it.
He was their friend for heaven sake.
Dominic helped get Lydia
out of the garage.
You think so? You are the one who heard
Lydia calling for help. Weren’t you?
Did you see Dominic open the door
between the corridor and the garage?
No I got there just after he'd opened it.
In fact
you could say Dominic rushed
to get there first.
So you cant be sure whether
door wasn’t locked as Lydia claimed.
Alright, I'm at the door. Be careful.
He came in here in front of Emily to
swap the two remotes.
So that when a few moments
later, Emily tried
the one she assumed
Lydia tried just before.
She found it was in fact working.
But of course, cast further
doubt on Lydia's account.
But he couldn’t have done that stuff in
the garage. He came through the front door.
Are you sure?
- I saw him.
I'm sure I did.
A false memory created in Emily's mind,
by Dominic's
considerable powers of suggestion.
You're saying she agreed he went through
the front door just because he said so?
- A clever bit of manipulation.
He knew she liked him. She wasn’t
expecting him to try to trick her. Was she?
She was a guest at someone elses house/.
Wanted to make a good impression.
She wouldn’t want to contradict him.
Would she?
He was easy and confident.
Garnished it with a bit of factual details.
She was taking her coat off at the time.
Everyone was getting out of the
Range Rover and I followed them in.
Emily saw me, you were
taking your coat off?
That was a pretty safe bet
in the circumstances. Wasn’t it?
But she linked that real detail with the
image he just put in her mind.
So it became one whole memory.
- That's right.
Just like the seven of hearts
and the six of spades.
But what I think actually
happened that night is this.
Dominic was waiting
outside the garage door.
As Lydia pointed her remote,
he was using his to close the door.
And he nipped in under the door as
it was closing and she was leaving.
He turns the engine back on.
And then
Just to make it appear
like it was maybe just an accident.
A safety net in case
someone found Lydia
before the carbon monoxide
had done its job.
When the carbon monoxide didn’t work.
He waited until the middle of the night
and somehow
Tricked Lydia into leaving her room
and pushed her down the stairs.
When it came to Jennifer, well
all he had to do was drop
the 20-bore cartridge into the
pocket of her shooting jacket
and hope for the worst.
Pure evil has
walked alongside us in this house.
We're talking about a man
who cold-bloodedly murdered
the two people who invited
him into their home.
Into the warmth of their family.
Our family.
How can you possibly just sit
there being so English. So calm.
Its as though somehow you still blame...
To the Villiers family.
Happy Christmas.
Give me that.
Oi!
It's just the ramblings
of a senile old woman.
You can't possibly think it was any
relevance. Its time we learned the truth.
Some dates are marked.
November 30th.
A present for the Villiers family.
No please, carry on.
November 30th.
Claire is full of surprises.
The more I see of her, the more I like her.
Its nice to see one that’s genuine.
Today we were in the
drawing room and she was
looking at a statuette
on the mantelpiece.
This is a very valuable piece.
She very kindly offered to get it valued.
She is going upto London next week,
and said she'd pop in to the auctions.
I explained that the others
would not approve.
So it was probably best not to mention it
to anyone, not even to Ferdy.
December 2nd.
I had a terrible row with Jennifer today.
I can't believe what she is suggesting.
A criminal record. Heroin and theft.
But Jennifer, private detectives?
I think I was justified don’t you?
Somebody has
got to look after Ferdy's interests,
he's obviously not going to.
She'd been very kind to me.
Offering to...
Offering to what?
- No nothing.
Offering to what? I had to tell her,
she just wouldn’t let it drop.
She is going to make him
sell the house and move away. No.
You know its true.
Then you know what'll happen.
What? Some decaying old peoples home.
Is that how you want to end your days?
I don't care. I can't do it.
- Yes you can.
For Ferdy's sake.
For Ferdy?
December 6th.
After Claire had left for London
We called the police and said
the statuette had gone missing.
I want to report a theft.
Lydia Villiers.
Apparently they put descriptions
of stolen valuables on
a list, which they faxed to
dealers and auction houses.
Claire said there was some mistake
and that I had asked her to get it valued.
I'm arresting you under
suspicion of theft.
But when she heard that I
was the one who had reported the theft
She apparently went very quiet.
It was like she'd given up, they said.
But why Dominic?
And why wait nine years?
Claire's maiden name was Jones.
She was Dominic's sister.
Dominic identified the
body, but we think he also
knew Ferdy because of their
common interest in magic.
And we suspect,
that he introduced Claire to Ferdy
When he put her up
for the assistant's job.
But why wait till now? Nine years.
Its just a thought but if he is
doing a runner. Leaving the area, whatever.
Do you not think there might
be a particular place
he'd want to visit if
hes leaving for good?
Clean away.
Dear old Ferdy
was so hopeless with women.
My sister was hopeless with men.
Or at least picking them.
Hopeless with life in general, really.
When they met. They
found each other.
And the future looked
So bright
For both of them.
Why did you wait nine years?
I don’t know what had
happened until a couple of weeks ago.
I suspected,
but didn’t have any proof.
I got my break last summer.
Lydia let slip that she
kept a record of all her bridge games.
Silly thing.
Nothing really.
But it suddenly occurred
to me that there might be a diary.
It took me longer
to find than it did you.
But when I did
It was quite an eye opener.
That should do it.
Dad, are you sure about this?
Got your appetite back then, Douglas?
Stomach back to normal?
- Still a few twinches.
Actually we've got a little
confession to make to you.
I thought you might.
It's probably our fault.
But thing is Joyce put two pound coins
into your Christmas pudding. Didn’t you?
We're worried you
might have swallowed them.
Two?
I honestly don’t think you could've
done that, but I think its best we check.
Pull your jumper up.
It looks like surgery there.
Don't tell him quite yet.
Any chance for a
minced pie, Joyce?
In the oven. There's brandy
butter and cream on the side.