Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Power - full transcript

Thank you!

Wow!

Quite the turnout
for a scientific demonstration.

More of a spectacle,
I should say.

Shall we move closer
to the stage?

Yes, of course.

What have you got there?

Are we having a picnic?

Well, I thought
since we are in a park.

First, I'd like to thank
each and every one of you.

People, please stand back.



There's a very dangerous
electrical demonstration

about to take place.

That includes you, miss.

I'm giving him his last meal,
if you don't mind.

Well, I'm going to have
to insist -

They're going to execute him.
Did you know that?

That's not really my -

It's criminal is what it is.

Now, look here, constable.

I'm from
the Toronto Humane Society,

and I demand that you do
something about this.

- Such as?
- Arrest them.

My name is Daniel Pratt.

I'm the owner and manager
of Toronto Electric and Light.



For the last 10 years,

we have been safely lighting
the streets of Toronto

with direct current.

But that contract expires
next year,

and a new and very dangerous
form of electricity

is being considered
by city council.

It's called alternating current,
and it's a killer.

What Mr. Pratt isn't saying,
of course,

is that he's made his entire
fortune off of direct current.

So, this exhibition
is really about money.

And the desire to keep it.

It is up to us,

the responsible citizens
of Toronto,

to not let that happen.

To that end,
I've arranged a demonstration

by Mr. Allen Fawkes,

one of Thomas Edison's
top engineers,

from New York City.

Thank you.

Joining Mr. Fawkes on stage

is Alderman Edwin Dodd,

chairman of
the Street Lighting Commission.

And, of course,

the very lovely Alice Howard,

newly crowned
Miss Toronto Electric and Light.

Mr. Fawkes,
you have the stage, sir.

Thank you, Daniel.

Ladies and gentlemen,

as we speak, a generating plant
is being built at Niagara.

One that will harness
the power of the Falls

and convert it
into alternating current.

Now, Mr. Thomas Edison
has brought electricity

into your homes
via direct current

at 110 volts, the maximum
he considers to be safe.

But these Niagara people would
send their alternating current

into our city at 20,000 volts.

Goodness.

Mere parlor tricks.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we are honored to have
a distinguished visitor

in our midst.

None other than the man
who invented this killer system,

Mr. Nikola Tesla.

That's really him.

You recognize Tesla?

Yes.
He's one of my heroes.

Mr. Tesla, would you
care to step up on the stage?

No?

Perhaps Mr. Tesla realizes
the mistake he has unleashed.

Rubbish.

So that you, too,
are also aware,

I will now demonstrate to you

the dangers
of alternating current.

We are going to pass 1,000 volts
of alternating current

through a living animal.

That's 1/20 of what Mr. Tesla
and his cronies

are proposing to bring
to our city.

This is not a demonstration.

This is an execution.

Now, what did this dog ever do
to deserve this?

Miss, you have to stay back.

They're going to execute
a harmless animal!

- I sympathize, but -
- A harmless animal!

I sympathize, but I can't
let you hurt yourself.

- I can't let that happen.
- I'm sorry.

Ladies, please,
you need to stay back.

They should electrocute you,
Mr. Fawkes!

- Miss, please.
- Miss Howard.

Turn off the power!

Jesus!

It's clearly
a case of electrocution.

Why did the current run
through her and...

Not through the dog.

This is exactly the type
of tragedy you can expect

with these sorts
of high voltages.

It's why I've never made
a secret

of my support
for direct current.

It's safer, and the safety
of my constituents is paramount.

I agree
with Mr. Dodd's sentiments.

In fact, you're safer
cuddling up to a cobra

than to alternating current.

Hey, stop! That's my dog!
What do you think you're doing?

Officer, I want you to arrest
this woman for theft.

And I want you to arrest him
for cruelty to animals.

What, the fifth demonstration
of ours you've tried to disrupt?

Yes! And you shall continue
to see me again and again,

so long as you insist

on executing poor,
defenseless creatures.

Sir, might I have a word?

- That dog belongs to me.
- Absolutely.

However, given the publicity

that may arise
from this incident,

don't you think it wise
to be seen as merciful?

Yes, fine,
let her have the damn thing.

The dog's all yours, ma'am.

Take good care of him,
or I'll have to arrest you.

- Thank you, constable.
- Crabtree.

George Crabtree.

Edna Garrison.

Come on.

Come on.

What's the matter?

Well, the current came
through here.

When she brought
the handle down,

the power should have flowed
through these wires

to the dog.

Unless...

Unless what?

Rubber.

Someone put an insulator
between the contacts,

preventing the handle
from closing the circuit.

So, if the rubber insulator
saved the dog,

why didn't the switch's
rubber handle save Miss Howard?

That's a very good question.

Well, this has
turned into a right cock-up.

What have we got?

Well, we know why the dog
didn't die.

Sod the dog.
What's happened to the girl?

She was electrocuted.

Whether it was intentional
or not -

Are you suggesting murder?

The stakes
are certainly high enough.

You're talking about
the street-lighting contract.

Millions of dollars could be won
or lost, by either side.

But how does this poor dead girl
fit in, then?

That's what I intend
to find out.

Be careful when you go dancing,
Murdoch.

There are some people

who don't like their toes
being stepped on.

Alderman Dodd,
Inspector Thomas Brackenreid.

I can assure you, sir, that
we'll get to the bottom of this.

Well, you bloody better.

This is an outrage.

Why would someone want to tamper
with this switch, Mr. Fawkes?

Clearly, someone was out
to embarrass us.

By killing a young woman?

By causing the demonstration
to fail.

I can't imagine even Tesla
intended his prank to kill.

Why would the inventor
of alternating current

want to discredit
his own invention, Mr. Fawkes?

Because he'd do anything

to undermine Mr. Edison and
direct current, that's why.

The man carries a grudge
like no one I've ever met.

Oh, come, now, Mr. Fawkes.

If anyone stood to gain
from this young woman's death,

it's you.

- Me?
- Yes.

You go around the country

putting on
these dog-and-pony shows

to discredit
alternating current.

Well, I'm convinced.
It's dangerous.

We electrocute dogs, Detective.

A few curs, strays,
to save thousands of lives.

The idea that I would
electrocute an innocent girl

for the sake of publicity,
it's monstrous.

A fortune hangs in the balance,
Mr. Fawkes.

Not my fortune.

Your career, then.

You're barking
up the wrong tree, Detective.

Very well. We shall have to see
where the evidence leads us.

The switch box was stored
at one of my facilities,

but I fail to see
how that matters.

Mr. Pratt, a young woman
was killed today

using equipment stored
in your warehouse

during a demonstration
you helped organize.

Are you implying -

Why are your hands shaking,
Mr. Pratt?

I can't help thinking about
what happened to poor Alice.

Well, then,
for poor Alice's sake,

answer the questions
that are put to you.

Who had access
to the switch box?

Mr. Fawkes, myself,
some of my employees.

- Was it guarded?
- Intermittently.

A night watchman patrols

three of my generating
stations in the East End.

But any effort
to break and enter

would have triggered an alarm.

You have an alarm system?

Designed by no less
than Mr. Thomas Edison himself,

in consultation
with the Pinkerton Agency.

Was an alarm triggered?

Alarm events are recorded in
a log book at the guard station.

George, I need you to fetch
the security logs

for the Toronto Electric
and Light station on Shuter.

- Right away, sir.
- Thank you.

Sir?

I was thinking, what if
the motive behind the tampering

was simply to save the dog.

One of the advocates for the
humane treatment of animals.

Well, I got the sense that their
group leader, Miss Garrison,

was very committed to the cause.

If you thought it worthwhile,
I could drop by...

Excellent idea, George.

Yes, bring her in.

Sir, I was thinking I could
conduct the interview myself,

save you the trouble.

No, no.
Bring her in.

While you fetch her,
I have a call to make.

Hello?

Mr. Tesla?

Hello?

Mr. Tesla?

Hello?

Stop!
Please step out of the circle

and put your left hand
in your pocket.

Sorry.
Potential for great injury.

How?

You are standing

in a high-frequency
electrical field.

That's how a light bulb
can be powered without wires.

But my left hand?

Should the electricity
have entered your left hand,

it would have exited
via your left foot,

passing through and quite
possibly stopping your heart

on its journey.

Ah.

We wouldn't want that now,
would we?

Now, how can I help you?

Mr. Tesla, I'm Detective Murdoch
of the Toronto Police.

Pleased to make your
acquaintance, Detective Murdoch.

Please stand right there
while I transmit my last digits.

Sorry.

Very sorry.
I should have warned you.

Hold on.

Ah, there.

That's it.

Now you can arrest me or do
whatever it is you came to do.

I'm not here to arrest you.

Excuse me.

Yes.

Okay, yes, go.

What great joy!

Thank you, thank you.

That was my laboratory
in New York.

They received my message.

You sent a message to
New York City through the air?

Uh-huh.

The first six digits of pi,
back to front.

My Serbian humor.

How is this possible?

Well, simply modulating
the electrical waves

transmitted and received...

At the same resonant frequency.

Yes, exactly.

A police officer
and a man of science.

Well, I dabble.

But this invention of yours,
imagine the possibilities.

Yes, ships will be able to send
telegrams while at sea.

You could send voice
over airwaves.

Why stop at voice?

If you were to capture an image,

you could modulate the signal

depending on the amount
of light reflected.

- Transmit images.
- Mm-hmm.

You could call it
a telekinetascope.

Too many syllables.

Call it, uh, tele...

...vision.

Huh.

But I have more important things
to do,

as I'm sure you have.

I presume you are here

about the accident
at the demonstration today.

Yes, well, it was no accident.

The switch box
had been tampered with.

Mr. Fawkes suggested

that you might have wanted
to disrupt his demonstration.

Yes, of course, he would.

That's how little imagination
he has.

But please tell Mr. Fawkes
from me

that if I had wanted to disrupt
his silly demonstration,

I would have fired
a million-volt pulse

at his generator,

thereby disabling it.

You could do that?

I would need to build
the prototype first, but, yes.

Ah, well, at any rate,

where were you last night,
Mr. Tesla?

I was dining
with the Serbian consul

who are here to see my work
at Niagara.

Then I spent the night
in my hotel.

Thank you.

Mr. Tesla, I wonder
if you would assist me

in determining
how the victim was killed.

Huh.
Of course, Detective Murdoch.

I have a few meetings
and shall drop by your office.

Station number four.

Great.

Thank you.

Constable Crabtree?

Hello, again, Miss Garrison.

Do come in.
Sorry.

Hey, there, fella.

Oh, good boy, good boy.

Okay, d-
No, down, down.

- Good boy.
- He's a she, actually.

Oh.

Does she have a name?

No.
No, not yet.

So, what brings you here?

Have you come to call on me?

Actually, ma'am, I'm here
to escort you to the station

for questioning.

Sir, I have the security logs
as you asked.

And?

There was an alarm tripped
at 7 minutes past 1:00 a.m.,

but nothing was damaged
or stolen.

Or so it seemed.

And Miss Garrison is waiting
for you in the interview room.

Thank you.

Sir, if you're busy,
I could conduct the interview.

Thank you, George.
I'm sure I'll be fine.

Of course.

I care for animals.
Is that a crime?

No, but sabotage is,

especially when it ends
in the electrocution of a woman.

Are you accusing me of murder?

Did you tamper
with the equipment?

No, of course not.
I would never do such a thing.

No?
Not even to save the life

of a poor, innocent dog,
Miss Garrison?

As much as
I would have liked to,

I wouldn't have even known how.

Where were you
between midnight and 2:00 a.m?

I was asleep in my bed,
of course.

Can anyone vouch for this?

Yes. I live
in Miss Beezley's Boarding House

on Queen Street East.

The doors are locked
at 10:00 sharp.

Oh, sorry.

So, Miss Garrison
is not involved, then?

She could have spent
the night out.

Have someone verify her story
with the landlady.

But when I saw her at the stage,

she seemed very bright-eyed
and perky.

I mean, she didn't seem like
somebody who had spent the night

breaking into buildings
and whatnot.

George,
are you sweet on this girl?

No.

And I would never let
my personal feelings

cloud my judgment.

See that you don't,
because until proven otherwise,

Miss Garrison remains a suspect.

Murdoch, there's some tosser
in the booking area.

Says he knows you.
And he's a bloody nuisance.

Mr. Tesla.

Detective Murdoch.

So, you do know each other.

Now, why doesn't that
surprise me?

What the choffin' hell
are you doing to the telephone?

I've been thinking
about Detective Murdoch's idea

of transmitting voice
over airwaves.

Voice over airwaves.

Yes, and a thought
struck me while I waited here.

I believe
with slight modifications,

I could convey a telephone
signal using my transmitter.

Would you care to assist me?

I'd be honored.

This is a telephone transmitter.

You've been working on the idea,
as well.

Yes, however, my motives are
much more selfish than yours.

I've been trying to eavesdrop
on criminal conversation.

The problem is the wires.

How can you transmit
surreptitiously

when you have wires
going everywhere?

This is why you were asking me

about wireless
voice transmission.

Yes, in part.

However, that can wait.
This is the switch box.

Yes, it is the switch handle
we want to look at.

The problem with using rubber
as an insulator

is that, in time, it will crack.

Yes, I've thought of that,
but this rubber is clearly new.

If I wanted to kill somebody,

I would cut through to the
metal, the underlying metal,

and fill the slit
with a conductor.

Such as?

Graphite powder, one of
the best conductors there is.

And it's black, like the rubber.

The victim
never would have known

that the handle
had been tampered with.

The current would
cause the graphite to burn

and the rubber to fuse...

Erasing the evidence.

But if that's the case,

some graphite should remain
imbued in the rubber.

Very good, Detective Murdoch.

Shall we test your hypothesis?

May I suggest your lamp?

Rubber
is an effective insulator.

A thin slice would stop
a strong current.

But if this rubber is imbued
with the conductor,

as we suspect,

then it should allow the current
to go through.

You may plug the lamp back in,
Mr. Tesla.

It would seem the young lady
was murdered.

The only question now is "Why?"

New addition to your staff?

Sometimes I desire
a little more companionship.

Doctor, have you
a post-mortem report for me?

Yes.
I'm sorry it took so long,

but I rarely get the chance to
examine an electrocution victim.

Yes, I suspect it will become
less rare in the next while.

No doubt.

Still, I was curious to know
the path the electricity took.

And?

Well, it entered her right hand,

traveling
through her spinal cord,

which I suppose makes sense.

It passed through her liver,

and then flowed down her
right leg, exiting via the heel.

Electricity taking
the easiest path to ground.

But how does it know
what that is?

Nature at its most efficient.

It's fascinating.

Yes, however, I have determined
that Miss Howard was murdered.

- Have you a motive?
- Not yet.

Well,
I don't know if this helps,

but I did find one thing.

In following the electrical
path, I dissected the uterus.

I found a small distension.

So small I almost missed it.

- A distension?
- Yes.

Actually, an immature placenta.

Miss Howard
was five weeks pregnant.

Up the duff, was she?
Well, there's a motive for you.

Whoever killed Miss Howard
knew about electricity,

knew where the equipment
was stored,

and knew the victim
would be pulling the switch.

I believe the father is either
Daniel Pratt or Edwin Dodd.

Jesus, Murdoch!

Pratt's a bloody millionaire,

and Dodd is the most powerful
man in city government

next to the mayor.

Either of 'em could eat you
for breakfast and probably will.

What about old Guy Fawkes?
He fits the bill.

Ah, Fawkes.
Very good, sir.

I believe he has
far less motive.

- Motive?
- You said it yourself.

Pratt is a millionaire,
a married one.

Dodd is a prominent
public figure.

An illicit relationship
could cost them both dearly.

And Fawkes had nowhere near
the stature of the other two.

You do insist on playing
with fire, don't you?

Hopefully, I will get to
the bottom of matters quickly.

Alice and I shared a small flat
for the last two years.

So, you knew her well, then?

As well as anyone, I suppose.

She worked days.
I worked nights.

So we only saw each other
on Sundays.

Even then, we were
very different people.

How so?

Well, I'm shy,

especially when it comes to men.

Alice wasn't at all.

Men doted on her.

Please.

Thank you.

I know this sounds terrible,

but, well, I suspect
some of them were married.

Was she seeing anyone special?

There was one.

It was all very secret.

But, well, she seemed to be
in love with him.

She told you this.

A woman can always tell.

I spoke to him several times
on the telephone.

He had a nice voice.

Um, do you recognize
either of these men?

I'm sorry, no.

I never met any of her beaus.

Would you remember his name?

Alice was very discreet.

She never mentioned names.

I have Miss Howard's
personal effects.

However, we've been unable
to reach her next of kin.

She has a sister in Kingston.

I could see that she gets them.

Do you know what this is?

Her latest boyfriend
gave her that.

Did he, now?

Yes?

Ah, Detective.

Please have a seat.

Would you like an orange?

No, thank you.

They're very hard to find,
grown in Florida.

Thank you.

I just need to ask you
a few questions.

Certainly.
Go ahead.

Well, um, what was the nature
of your relationship

with Miss Howard?

She was a member
of my clerical staff.

Oh?

I thought she was Miss Toronto
Electric and Light.

She was far too beautiful
to remain a clerk.

Is that why you were having
sexual relations with her?

I beg your pardon.

You gave this to her?

I've never seen this before.

I expect your wife
had her suspicions.

Perhaps I'll ask her.

Wait.

All right.

Yes.

Alice and I
were briefly involved.

But it's been over now
for weeks.

When did she tell you
she was with child?

- With child?
- Yes.

Miss Howard
was five weeks pregnant.

- But you knew that.
- My child?

That's impossible.

Yes, Mr. Pratt, your child.

That's why you killed her,
isn't it?

Killed her. No.
It was an accident.

It wasn't an accident.

Miss Howard was murdered.

Thank you.

Oh, sir.

Is there anything else
you'll be needing this evening?

I believe that's all.
Thank you, George.

Okay.
Well, I'll see you tomorrow.

George.

Is that lavender I smell?

Cleanliness, sir.
Next to godliness.

I'll remember that.

Does your detective wish
to interrogate me further?

Actually, miss, my interests
here are strictly personal.

I'm afraid my own interests
in that regard have waned.

Miss, I'm well aware that
the ship between us has sailed.

In fact, these flowers
were not meant for you.

- They're not?
- No.

This is very awkward now,

but I was hoping to make
the acquaintance of your dog.

Does she like violets?

You've come to call on my dog?

Yes. I was hoping
she would walk with me.

In fact, I'd be very obliged
if you could join us,

maybe as chaperone.

Will you wait downstairs?

Mr. Fawkes, what brings you by?

Daniel Pratt came to see me
this afternoon.

The man was beside himself.

It's understandable.
His mistress is dead.

And you suspect he killed her?

I do.

And I intend to prove it.

I don't think you could be
more wrong, Detective.

Oh.
Why is that?

Because the original plan

wasn't for Miss Howard
to throw the switch.

So, who was supposed to throw
the switch, then?

Alderman Dodd, of course.

If anyone was the intended
victim, it was him.

You look beautiful.

And your owner's
not so bad either.

She has to be back by 10:00.

Does she have a name yet?

Yes.
Violet.

That's a pretty name.

Pretty flowers.

Well, Violet, shall we?

Mr. Dodd?
Hello?

Hello?

Put your hands on your head.

Slowly.

Now, turning around.

Again, very slowly.

It's you.
You're...

Detective William Murdoch.
Toronto Constabulary.

Detective, what, in God's name,

are you doing prowling around
in the middle of the night?

Do you make a habit
of brandishing weaponry

each time someone chances
to visit, Mr. Dodd?

This?
This is my father's birding gun.

I've never even touched it
before this evening.

So, why bring it out now?

You bloody well know why.
Someone tried to electrocute me.

But, sir, why would someone
try to kill you?

That's just it.
I've no idea.

I'm a politician.

A noble calling, to be sure,

but you can't please everyone,
can you?

But, Mr. Dodd,
you are also the chairman

of the Street Lighting
Commission, are you not?

I'm just one of five men
on that committee.

Yes, but it's my understanding
you cast the deciding vote

if there were to be a tie.

In effect, you decide whether
or not alternating current

comes to Toronto,
making you a very powerful man.

My position is known by all,
and I've never wavered.

I have no idea why someone
may want to harm me.

Oh, I don't know, Murdoch.

Something's not quite right
about this.

I agree.

But who would have stood to
profit from Dodd's death?

The A. C. camp, I suppose.

But, then,
why do it in such a way

to discredit their own system?

Yes, and, furthermore,

cities everywhere are adopting
the A. C. system.

Toronto may not this time,

but they will have to soon
or face being left behind.

Then, maybe it was someone
from the D. C. side.

That wouldn't make sense either.
Dodd supported D. C.

Or so he says.

But in my experience, dealing
with people like Edwin Dodd,

what they say and what they do

are two totally
different things.

Well, if anything, the A. C. camp
would want to sway his vote.

Bribery?

Which may explain -

Do you have today's paper?

Niagara A. C.

What is it?

The stock rose
from 76 to 95 cents.

After Miss Howard's death,

I would have thought
the stock would have dropped.

Yeah, but, instead,
it rose by almost 25 %.

Probably the A. C. people
buying it.

Which seems to indicate
that the fix was in.

So it would seem.

But how did you know
about the stock, sir?

Intuition.

Really?

Well, I can't bloody well retire
on a copper's salary, can I?

So I've been following
the markets.

Something that you'd be
well-advised to look into,

me old mucker.

Perhaps I will, after I look
into this bribery situation.

Hurry!

I can't.
I have a stitch.

Oh, no.

- It's locked?
- What time is it?

Two minutes past the hour.

Two minutes.
Damn that woman's dark soul.

Should you knock?

No. I've got two demerits
this month.

One more and I'm out.
Come on.

Hello?

Mr. Tesla?

Hello?

Mr. Tesla?

Hello.

Hello?

I said hello.

Hello, Mr. Tesla.

You must hold down the switch

on the side of the box to speak.

Then release it to listen.

Hello.
Hello, Mr. Tesla?

That's it.
Hello, Detective Murdoch.

Mr. Tesla, where are you?

I am dining at the Grand Hotel.

How did you know I was here?

You tripped a switch
when you came through the door.

Mr. Tesla,
I have some questions.

Of course you do.

There is much to know.

Essentially, what I have done

is taken a conventional
telephone signal

and passed it through
a coil and condenser set -

No, Mr. Tesla.

I have questions
about the murder.

I need to speak with you
in person.

Yes, very well.

I always leave the latch open.

Pass me Violet.

Good girl.

Are you coming?

You want me to come in?

Just for tea.

I mean, you can leave
by the back stairs.

All right.

All right.

Oh, my!

Oh, dear.

You are accusing me
of bribing a civic official.

Not you, Mr. Tesla.
Perhaps someone in your camp.

I am a scientist,
Detective Murdoch.

I do not sully my hands with
the sordid details of business.

But if I may speak frankly...

Of course.

Alternating current
doesn't need to bribe its way

into the future.

The forces of logic and history
compel it to.

Many inventions have been
ahead of their time, Mr. Tesla.

Consider the works
of Da Vinci alone.

Even your hometown of New York

has been slow to adapt
to your system.

I reiterate.

I -

We did not bribe Mr. Dodd.

Then, Mr. Tesla,

how do you explain
the fluctuating stock prices?

It should have gone down
after what happened.

I shall get
to the bottom of this.

Dodd's banking information.

Cost me a bottle
of my finest Scotch.

- Hope it was worth it.
- See for yourself.

$20, 000 deposited last Monday.

How much does an alderman make?

$300 a year, if he's lucky.

So, if Niagara A. C.
had bought off Dodd...

They had no reason to kill him.

So I suppose somebody from
the D. C. camp must have done it.

What if Pratt had found out?

And he still
was under the assumption

that Dodd was his man.

Well, if it was me,
I'd want to kill the bastard.

Honest to goodness, how can
a police officer be so clumsy?

Well, breaking and entering
with grace

is not exactly part of my job.

Well, don't worry
about the mess.

I'll make us a pot of tea.

Um, I have a confession to make.

It wasn't your dog
I was sweet on.

I mean, she's really great,
but...

Did that hurt?

It hurt really nice.

- I should go make some tea.
- Yeah.

He's supposed to be working,
and it's almost midnight.

His wife said
he likes to keep late hours.

Huh.
I bet that Miss Howard did, too.

What's wrong with the lights?

Daniel Pratt?

Mr. Pratt?

Mr. Pratt?

Wait, sir, don't!

- What?
- Don't touch him.

I believe
he's been electrocuted.

Had you touched him
or the telephone,

you might also be dead.

As you suspected,
another electrocution.

Yes, except, this time,

the current flowed directly
through the heart.

Yes, it stopped dead.
How did you know that?

The killer was quite ingenious,
really.

As soon as the earpiece
was lifted,

the electrical current flowed
through the arm,

across the chest,
and out the other arm.

It's not my place,

but would Mr. Dodd have
the knowledge to do this?

It's quite simple, actually.

The earpiece was wired
directly to the power outlet.

The next call that came for
Mr. Pratt proved to be deadly.

- Uh, sir?
- Yes, George?

There's something
I need to speak with you about.

- It will have to wait.
- Oi, bugalug, shift.

- Sir, we need to arrest Dodd.
- Not without evidence.

We have evidence.

We might have got him
on corruption, but not murder.

Do you not think he did it?

One electrocution for another.

An eye for an eye.
It's bloody poetic.

Who else could have done it?

Actually, sir, there is someone.

Where did you get that?

How did a schematic
for an A. C. generator

end up in your possession,
Miss Garrison?

You had your constable spy
on me?

Must I repeat the question?

I needed it,
to sabotage the demonstration.

So you broke
into Mr. Pratt's warehouse

and tampered with the handle.

Uh, no, I was at the warehouse,
but we didn't do anything.

We?

There were three of us.

We had to make sure
that those bastards

didn't kill
any more innocent animals,

at least not for that day.

What happened, then?

Well, when the alarm went off,

we just panicked and ran.

Nothing more?

Nothing more.

Sir, you believe
Miss Garrison, then?

It would explain
why the alarm went off

but the security guard found
no one.

Well, that's a relief.

So, you let the girlfriend off,
eh?

Inspector, my relationship
with Miss Garrison

is strictly professional.

Hey, Romeo,
it's me you're talking to.

Of course it is.

So, we're back to Dodd, are we?

It has to be him.

Dodd's a D. C. man.

He starts taking
bribes from the other side.

Pratt finds out,
stands to lose a fortune,

decides to eliminate Dodd.

Sees his chance
at the demonstration.

Slips into the warehouse -

his own warehouse,
no one asks a question

does some friggin' and jiggin'
with the generator.

But at the last minute, Miss
Howard steps into Dodd's place.

And all Pratt can do is look on

as his mistress flicks
the switch.

Yes.

Dodd finds out
that Pratt's onto him,

decides to seek his own revenge.

Plausible.
Bloody plausible.

How do we prove it?

I have an idea.

The transmittable distance
will depend on power.

You're saying
it must be transportable?

Yes, something roughly
the size of a suitcase.

It will be heavy.

35 pounds at least.

He doesn't have to carry it far.

Still a challenge.

It's my understanding
that you enjoy a challenge.

That, I do.

You want me to blackmail
Edwin Dodd?

Yes, but only as a means
of making him admit his guilt.

I don't know.
He's already killed one man.

What's to stop him
from killing me?

You'll be in a public place,

and we will record
your conversation.

How?
That's impossible.

No longer, Mr. Fawkes.

- Mr. Fawkes.
- Mr. Tesla.

I understand congratulations
are in order.

The engagement
isn't official yet.

Still, an heiress.

I suppose
if you can't earn a fortune,

it helps to marry into it.

- I will not work with this man.
- Likewise.

Gentlemen, gentlemen, please.

I will ask that you put aside
your personal differences.

I left the receiver in my lab
with my assistant

to test the range of the device.

Mr. Fawkes,
if you will say something

in the direction
of the briefcase...

What should I say?

Whatever comes to mind.
It need not be pithy.

Little Miss Muffet sat
on a tuffet,

eating her curds and whey.

Well, your device seems
a bit underwhelming.

Just a moment.

Yes.

Little Miss Muffet sat
on a tuffet,

eating her curds and whey.

You've outdone yourself, Nikola.

Actually, I must share the
credit with Detective Murdoch.

- Mr. Fawkes.
- Have a seat.

- What's this?
- My new suitcase.

Very stylish.

Not very, but it is
surprisingly practical.

Now, I don't have much time.
What is this all about?

I know what you did last night.

What are you talking about?

I know everything, Edwin.

You took 20, 000
from Niagara A. C.

Pratt was onto you.

Is that why you killed him?

I don't need to sit here
and listen to this.

It's up to you,
but if you walk away,

I will go to the police.

How much?

Half.

$ 10,000.

I don't have $ 10,000.

Well, that's too bad.

The amount's non-negotiable.

All right.

But I'll need some time.

I spent it all
on Niagara A. C. stock.

Shall I play the rest
of the conversation, Mr. Dodd?

What do you want?

A full confession.

So, is it case closed?

That's a good expression,
case closed.

It's strong.
I should remember it.

Dodd confessed to killing Pratt

and to taking bribes
from Niagara A. C.

You sound disappointed.

I only wish I'd gotten
a confession from Pratt himself

that he, in fact,
rigged the switch.

Well, be grateful that you're
not still trying to prove

he wanted to kill Miss Howard.

Why is that?

Because I don't think
he had motive.

What makes you say that?

Mr. Pratt's pubic bone
was severely broken.

It's a green break, probably
happened in childhood.

Both seminal vessels
were crushed.

So, then...

He couldn't have impregnated
Miss Howard.

- But if he didn't...
- Who did?

Probably someone
who shouldn't have.

Perhaps Dodd wasn't the target
after all.

Perhaps it was Miss Howard.

Her latest boyfriend
gave her that.

I've never seen this before.

Pratt was telling the truth.

What are you talking about,
William?

Pratt never gave Miss Howard
the pendant.

But she was in love with someone
in the electric business.

Miss Howard.

It was Fawkes.
He had access to the warehouse.

He knew Miss Howard
would be throwing the switch.

And why would he
want to kill Miss Howard?

He was about to marry
into a very wealthy family.

Her pregnancy
would have ruined everything.

That's monstrous.

How will you prove it?

Luckily, I have a witness.

I know everything, Edwin.

You took 20, 000
from Niagara A. C.

That's him.

That the voice I heard on the
telephone calling for Alice.

I'd recognize it anywhere.

You visited Toronto
five weeks ago

in preparation
for your demonstration.

Miss Howard
was five weeks pregnant.

Shall I go on?

I think I'd like to speak
with a barrister.

Hello, miss.

I didn't expect
I'd see you again.

Well, Violet violated
Miss Beezley's slippers.

Oh, is that right?

I'm sorry to hear that.

I've no one to take her.
Would you?

Yes, of course, of course.

Um, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry about what happened.

So am I.

Perhaps I could pay her a visit,

to ensure
she's being treated well.

I think that would be the
responsible thing to do, ma'am.

Come on. Come on, girl.

Hello?

Mr. Tesla?

Mr. Tesla?

Hello?

Detective Murdoch.

You are the first to receive
a wireless transmission

from New York.

I came to thank you and...

Do not attempt
to transmit in return.

The power of this unit
is far too weak.

While I do think this is
a splendid invention,

I have other ideas
of much greater importance

that must be explored.

We are men of the future,
Detective Murdoch.

And what a future it shall be.

Yes.

What a future it shall be.