Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 10, Episode 18 - Hell to Pay - full transcript

A conspiracy to silence a burlesque dancer puts Murdoch and the Station House No. 4 team in unforeseen danger.

(theme music)

(hubbub)

(foreboding music)

(indistinct chatter)

Shoot. I am ordering you to shoot!

(gunshot and screams)

- You missed!
- (hens clucking)

You did that on purpose, didn't you?

(dramatic musical peak)

_

(excited chatter)



(some man): We have all
night, so brace yourselves.

- (laughter)
- (some other man): Nice!

- Wooh!
- (general laughter)

(someone whistling)

(ooh's and aah's)

(loud laughter)

Hard to believe that
they elected that bugger.

- Sir?
- Frank Williams.

Not the most honorable
man from what I hear.

I wouldn't trust him as
far as I could throw him.

In fact I did throw him once,

many years ago when I
was still a constable.

- Nearly lost my bloody job over it.
- (chuckling): What happened?

He robbed a shop. His
father made it go away.



Twenty years later, he's
running City Council.

- We shall persevere.
- Indeed.

And now onto more pressing matters.

Any news on Mr. Dobbs?

Well, sir, at this point Mr. Dobbs
has been missing for three days.

Ugh. Bloody socialist.

Likely planning sedition somewhere.

As far as I know, sir,

he was merely asking for
fair working conditions.

I know that, Murdoch. I can
hardly say that I blame him.

Not the way these bloody developers

are stiffing the working man.

Oh, Murdoch, are you and
the missus free for dinner?

Margaret was wondering.

Sir, Julia is in Chicago
for the next few days.

But upon her return...

Ah, so you're on your own
tomcatting around! Ha ha!

Make sure you stay out of bother.

Sir, telephone call for you.

- She says it's important.
- Right. Sir.



Remind me again who you work for?

You work for the City of Toronto.

I also work for law and order.

One and the same.

And even if you disagree,

that does little to change
the fact that a policeman,

in your employ, is wanted for murder.

And you're doing
nothing to apprehend him.

Murdoch didn't kill
anyone. It's just absurd.

(chuckling): It is
what the evidence says.

Evidence can easily be manipulated
to make it look how you want.

I don't like what you're suggesting.

I know William Murdoch.

I know what he was looking into.

Baseless rumour.

But...

I don't begrudge you your feelings
of loyalty toward your men.

Even I've been willing to

look the other way to help
out a friend from time to time.

Davis.

Good to see you as well, Tom.

And it's Chief Constable Davis again.

Get out of my station, Davis.

I'm the one who's in charge around here.

From this moment heretofore,

Chief Constable Davis will be
leading the manhunt for your...

- Detective Murdoch.
- (knocking)

Chief Constable Davis. She's here.

- Who's she, Higgins?
- He was talking to me, Tom.

Oh Tom, I'll be using
your interview room.

I trust you won't interrupt.



Where is your husband?

I don't know.

Oh come on now, he is your husband.

You must keep tabs on him.

I certainly don't "keep
tabs" on my husband.

Well, considering the
circumstances of his disappearance,

perhaps you should.

Where is he?

I don't know.

I was in Chicago at a
conference when he went missing.

This would be the same time

the dead woman was found
in your husband's bed.

And I'm sure there's
an explanation for that.

Of course there is.

A burlesque dancer found
dead in a man's bed?

I can think of a few.

I doubt my husband
would ever be unfaithful.

Actually I... I know
that he would never...

What was his connection with her?

I wasn't aware of any.

You're not aware of much, are you?

But I suppose that should
come as no surprise.

It's been my experience
that very few wives

are aware of what their husbands
play at when they are away.

(suspenseful music)

- (indistinct voices)
- _

This is absurd.

- We should be home in our beds.
- Henry's right.

But instead we're out here
looking for Detective Murdoch.

- He's no murderer.
- You don't think I know that, Jackson?

Then what are we doing
out here looking for him?

Orders.

You mean to tell me that, if
you found Detective Murdoch,

George, you'd arrest him?

(footsteps amplified and eerie music)

(door creaking)

(catching breath)

(same eerie music)



_

What did you see?

It was shortly after my performance.

- (sound of partying)
- Enjoying your party?

Very much so.

Just remember who put you here.

- I remember.
- Good.

Is it done?

Melinda Street?

I filed the applications this morning.

So, most of the street is mine.

And you are now a rich man.

A good day all around.

And jail time...

if we're both found out.

There is little reward...
without risk, Franklin.

(loud voices, laughs and music)

- Well, I should get back to the party.
- One more thing.

I need you to take care of Dobbs.

(sneezing)

Who's that?!

(sound of steps running away)

(suspenseful music)

Gents.

He says there's an intruder
inside the building.

He'll have to call somebody else.

We're looking for
Detective Murdoch right now.

That's the thing of it, George.

He says the intruder
is Detective Murdoch.

(hushed): Oh God.

- Sir.
- George.

You're not supposed to be in here, sir.

I can leave.

I can't let you do that.

George, no.

Sir, it's for the best.

- I can't.
- Sir, you're wanted for murder.

You don't really
believe that to be true,

- do you?
- No, of course not, but come in with us.

We'll work together,
we'll clear your name.

You won't be able to.

I won't be able to, not behind bars.

- Sir, I can't let you leave.
- George. Please.

Tell Julia that you saw
me and that I'm fine.

You can tell her yourself. Lads.

- I'm sorry, George.
- (grunt)

(moaning)

- George! Are you alright, George?
- Where is he?

(suspenseful music)

WHERE IS HE?!

He got away.

Damn it, we're supposed to bring him in!

- George.
- Higgins, he's safer

with us than without us.

(dramatic musical peak)

This doesn't help us,
Crabtree, none of it.

Sir.

I didn't let him go. He escaped.

I'm sorry, Doctor Ogden.

That may be, but no one else
is going to see it that way.

As far as the Board of
Control are concerned,

- we're aiding and abetting a criminal.
- A criminal?

Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

The fact of the matter
is that right now,

your husband has no friends except us.

And the only friends that
we have are each other.

Right, then. If they're
after the Detective

it's because they think
he knows something.

And they want him to
go to the grave with it.

That's the truth of it, isn't it?

They'd rather see him dead than alive.

If he does get in contact you, Doctor...

You'll know!

No harm will come to
him, Doctor, I promise.

Thank you, George.

Inspector. What was he
doing with that woman?

- I don't know.
- And why was she in our home?

All Murdoch would say is
that she was a witness.

A witness to what?

I don't know.

(melancholy music)

Nina.

Tell me about Lydia and William.

I don't know anything.

I'm a grown woman.

My husband is in danger, so tell me.

I saw them together.

Together?

What do you mean, "together"?

(sound of partying nearby)

(sobbing)

They were just talking.

About what?

I don't know.

I heard that Lydia was
a witness to something.

- What did she see?
- I don't know.

- She wouldn't tell me.
- Nina, you must know something.

Lydia was at a private party.

Sometimes we're called to attend them.

Some of the girls go.

Who was there?

Construction bigwigs,
politicians, those sorts of people.

All she would tell me is
that she heard something

that she never should have heard.

- But you have no clue...
- Nothing at all.

(sobbing): But it must
have been something...

'cause a couple of days later,
two men came here looking for her.

But she was gone.

I never saw her again.

I'm sorry.

I know.

I do hope you find your husband.

He's a good and decent man.

I know.

- (sniveling)
- I will.

She was my friend.

(big sob) She was so funny.

And the city of
Toronto is indeed fortunate

to have the talents and acumen

of Mr. Robert Graham.

Whose new development on this very site

- will be this city's shining jewel.
- Hear! Hear!

(applause) Bravo! Well said!

Now Robert, would you
care to say a few words?

(clicking of the shutter)

Thank you, Counselor Williams.

I am honoured to be entrusted with

rebuilding this small
part of our beloved city.

The Great Fire was a tragedy
that has left an ugly scar.

But with destruction we
have a chance at rebirth.

This city will rise from the ashes

and turn into something more
beautiful than she ever was.

And, as I have assured my good
friend, Counselor Williams,

this flight will be on time

- and under budget.
- (applause and acclamations)

Thank you.

My life is in danger.

I just want to get out of
here, out of town, anywhere.

Who's after you?

Two men.

I've seen them, and they've seen me.

Why are they after you?

(sob)

I can't help you if you
don't tell me anything.

(She sighs, then snivels.)
I was working a party,

and I overheard two men speaking.

It sounded like they were up to no good.

What were they talking about?

Some building on Melinda Street,
how they were going to get rich.

And who were the two men?

One of them was Mr. Williams,

the man in the paper.

And the other?

A man named Graham.

Did you hear anything else?

Um...

They mentioned a man named Dobbs.

- Edward Dobbs?
- I don't know.

I think so.

(sobbing)

This beautiful dress...

I had it made just for the party.

(sobbing): And now it's ruined.

It's alright, Miss Hall, it's alright.

(sobbing)

Williams was one of them, sir.

Our new boss! Well isn't
that bloody wonderful!

- I'm going to investigate.
- Investigate what?

It's a crooked land deal.
What's to investigate?

Are you suggesting I look the other way?

I'm suggesting that if you look
into all the deals the city makes,

you're going to find hundreds
of similar arrangements.

- There's one more thing, sir.
- Of course there is.

- Edward Dobbs.
- Oh, bullocks.

The man has been missing for three days.

This could be more than politics
as usual. This could be murder.

No one will believe a word of it.

Your only source is nothing
more than a dance hall girl.

- No one's gonna take her seriously.
- I am.

You're not the average man, Murdoch.

I'm going to speak to Dobbs' wife.

I doubt she'll add much
to the mix, but go ahead!

(eerie music)

- Mrs. Dobbs...
- Just get away from me.

I have nothing to say to you.
Or any police, for that matter.

- I just have a couple of questions.
- I don't know where he is.

That's exactly what I'd
like to help you with.

Help... me.

I doubt that.

Your type never helps people
like us. You're just lackeys.

I can assure you that I am not.

- Now if your husband is missing...
- If?

He hasn't been here in three days.

There is no "if" about it.

Someone has killed him.

Or taken him.

They tarred and feathered a union
man in Colorado, not long ago.

They'll do worse to Edward.

Who would do worse to him?

Robert Graham.

Edward had called for a
strike against his company.

He was having some success.

If someone has hurt Edward...

(breathing deeply): ...Graham
had something to do with it.

(dramatic music)

I'd like to question Mr. Graham.

- No.
- No?

Graham's an untouchable.

He holds the secrets of almost

every elected city
official in his hands.

Sir, he may be responsible
for a man's disappearance.

A man no one cares about. A
socialist and a rabble rouser.

- A man nevertheless!
- (phone ringing)

If you want to go after
Williams and Graham,

you're going to need more than
the words of a dance-hall girl

- and a socialist's wife.
- (phone still ringing)

Detective Murdoch.

I'll be right there.

Edward Dobbs.

They pulled him out
of the lake yesterday.

He'd been in there three days.

But, take a look at this.

He was obviously strangled.

His wife's worst fear.

And nothing I can use.

Let me know if you find anything else.

(sound of a door)

Chicago.

You do remember?

I'm off this evening.

Ah yes, yes, right.

- Right, of course.
- I'm so happy

that my comings and goings still
leave such an impression on you.

(little chuckle)

(endearing music)

(door opening)

Mr. Graham. Have a seat.

- I'd prefer to stand.
- Very well.

A man in your employ is
lying dead in our morgue.

That's a shame.

It's an Edward Dobbs...

do you know him?

I have over a thousand men
working for me at present.

Yes.

But only one man who was
leading a potential strike action

- against your company.
- It's a democracy,

that's within his right.

I believe he was murdered.

And since I'm in here
I suppose you believe

I had something to do with it?

Would you like to clear your conscience?

I have no need to.

Are you sure?

So now that you've put me on notice,

am I free to go?

For now, Mr. Graham.

For now.

Thank you.

(knocking at the door)

I just want to go out of town.

You can't leave yet. I still need you.

For what?

If what you told me is true,

I need your help to take down Williams.

- Why bother?
- You can't...

- They are going to kill me!
- They won't.

They won't. I'll protect you.

- Please.
- I doubt that.

Especially after what I saw.

You told me you just
saw two men arguing.

(quickly, after hesitating):
Yes, that's right.

- You're lying.
- I am not!

You saw something more.

You saw something that
scared you. What was it?

- What was it?!
- I don't want to end up like Mr. Dobbs!

What happened to Mr. Dobbs?

(little sobs)

I saw more than I said.

(wind-like noise)

Well, I should get back to the party.

One more thing.

(music, voices and laughter)

I need you to take care of Dobbs.

(agitated moaning)

So do it.

- (hushed): Are you crazy?
- Far from it.

(desperate moaning)

I... I... I can't.

This man here... he's our new enemy.

A worker who thinks
he is more than he is.

A member of the rabble who
thinks he is above politics.

But I...

I say the word and the
world knows you're a crook.

You do this for me and
you're rich forever.

(moaning)

(suspenseful music)

(heart-wrenching moan)

(tearful moaning)

(pleading moans)

(moaning and grunting)

(grunting and choking sounds)

(stressful music)

I didn't help.

I didn't do anything, I just...

I just watched that man die

- before my eyes.
- Alright...

- (screaming and sobbing): NO!!
- (impact of body on floor)

(eerie music)

(small, sharp breath)

- (loud knocking)
- Toronto Constabulary!

Open up!

Open up, Murdoch!

- (more knocking)
- I SAID OPEN THE DOOR!!

GET AFTER HIM!!

(suspenseful music)

(indistinct voices)

Chief Constable Davis,
what in God's name is this?

You can't read? On your feet, Constable.

- Detective Murdoch could nev...
- A young woman

was found dead in your
Detective Murdoch's bed.

He ran from the Constabulary.

- He certainly could...
- Davis, I think this is ludicrous.

I don't want you to think.

I want you to do your job and
bring Detective Murdoch in.

Alive, preferably, but
I'll accept the other.

If Murdoch ran, it's
because he had good reason.

He certainly did.

Guilt!

Arm yourself, Inspector.

We're going out looking for your man.

(dramatic music)

(indistinct voices shouting)

(footsteps echoing)

Sir.

George.

You're not going to
hit me again, are you?

No, George, I'm not.

The only reason you connected is
because I truly wasn't expecting it.

Of course.

What do you need me for, sir?

George you must know I had nothing to do

- with Lydia Hall's murder.
- Of course not.

You hardly need mention it.

But the fact of the matter is Chief
Constable Davis is out for blood, sir.

Don't you think you're
better off coming with us?

No, I don't.

But there is something that
you could do for me, George.

I need you to find out all you can

about Frank Williams and Robert Graham.

They're the ones after you?

- It would appear so.
- Sir, that's not...

- that's not good news.
- I'm aware of that, George.

I also need you to speak
with your... reporter friend.

- Sir?
- At this point

I don't think anyone
in the Constabulary,

or City Hall for that
matter, can help me.

See needs to find where
the skeletons are buried.

I'll see what I can do.

If you find anything, leave
it here. I'll check back.

Sir, I think we should be doing this

- through the normal channels.
- George,

there are no normal channels anymore.

(voices approaching)

Sir.

You get out of here.
I'll take care of them.

No sign of him, lads.

What Station House are you boys from?

I see you're looking for...

Get your... HEY!! HEY!!

(suspenseful, dramatic music)

Get out.

I won't say it twice.

First, let me say I understand
the chain of command.

I understand loyalty to a superior
officer and, most importantly,

I understand loyalty to a friend.

Your Detective Murdoch is a lucky man.

I don't see much lucky
about his situation.

Ah, well, he put himself there.

I highly doubt that.

Well, I'm not interested
in your opinion.

What you need be concerned
with is your record.

You have spent time in jail,

your career is limited as it is.
If you don't cooperate with me,

your career is over.

I don't give a damn.

Well I do.

And I want answers.

(grunt)

Now I know you two have
been staying in contact

and I want you to bring him in.

I won't do it. (grunt)

- AAH!!
- Answer me!

- Give me the right answer!
- GET OFF HIM, DAVIS!!

- BACK OFF!!
- Stay away from my man.

- I'm your superior.
- I don't give a toss. Crabtree, get out.

NOW!

I've handled better
than you with a hangover.

Don't even think about it.

Get used to it, Davis.

You'll be back in here soon enough.

(door closing)

Here, get that down ya.

What did Murdoch say?
Has he gotten anywhere?

He wants me to look into Robert Graham.

You won't find anything.

- Does he know who killed Lydia?
- No. But it's clear

they're trying to make it look like him.

Surely sir, there's not a judge
in the city who would believe that?

I mean, it's William Murdoch.

They'll take him into custody,
he won't even stand trial.

Murdoch will end up a
Catholic wracked with guilt

searching for salvation
at the end of a noose.

My God.

So what do we do?

We help him without
being seen to help him.

Constable.

You're back on active duty.

But watch yourself.

You best tell Murdoch to surrender,

or there truly will be hell to pay.

(George sighs.)

(sigh)

(somber melody-less music)

(unnerving music)

(muffled groans and cries)

Louise. I need you to get me something.

A new suit.

No. I need you to get me
any information you can

on Franklin Williams and Robert Graham.

They're public figures.
They're well known.

I need to know what they get up
to when they're not in public.

- I'm not sure.
- Louise, Detective Murdoch is my friend,

he needs my help.

- They're powerful men, George.
- And Detective Murdoch is a good man

who's been accused of a
crime he didn't commit.

I'll look into it.

Thank you. George, I have to go.



(hubbub)

_

Thank you for coming, George.

I wasn't sure you'd be here, sir.

They'd never expect us to
meet in the same place twice.

- Any news on Julia?
- Only that she's been taken.

They're trying to force me out.

It might be the best thing to do, sir.

Not yet.

Meet me here again tomorrow.

Alright.



You said you would keep me safe.

You should have protected me.

- (floor creaking)
- William Murdoch,

you are under arrest.

(cocking of the gun
and suspenseful music)

Go and put the kettle on.

If you'd have asked for
help, you wouldn't be here.

You really believe that?

Does this looks like it?

- Go on, get out.
- They'll know you did this.

Go get what you need
on whoever's framing ya.

I'll find your wife.

(melancholy music)

Thank you, sir.

(clicking of lock and footsteps)

COME ON, THEN! (groans and grunts)

Ah! Ah!

I'll expect you out now.

You can't say that you weren't warned.

Cat got your tongue, Brackenreid?

I've been on the job
twenty years, Davis.

There's nothing you can do to stop me.

You heard him. You're finished.

I may be finished with the job.

Doesn't mean I'm finished with you.

Leave it, Davis.

Station Four is done.

The only person that
Murdoch has on his side

is that little imbecile.

I've got men on him, but
I doubt he's good for much.

Listen, you know the two
that are glued to Williams.

- Right.
- Well, I'm on to them.

And I'm not in uniform.
If Williams is involved

in Dr. Ogden's disappearance,

- then they've got something to do with it.
- Watch yourself, sir.

I've lost my job and my best
man, it's too late for that.

It's up to us to make this
right, Crabtree. You and me.



- (man nearby): Paper!
- (sound of engine)

I asked you to look into those two.

- I was, but...
- Instead you wrote an article

all but accusing Detective
Murdoch of murdering a woman and...

- abducting his wife. Why?
- Because that was the story.

Who told you Doctor
Ogden had been taken?

I received my report from
Chief Constable Davis.

Davis. And what do you
know that's not in here?

- Is she still alive?
- I don't know that, George.

You don't know. You know Davis
is a part of this, don't you?

- George, you're being ridicu...
- Davis is a part of it,

and so is Williams, and so is Graham.

- They're civic-minded men. Good citizens.
- That is a lie and you know it.

Get your hand off me.

I don't see much of a future for us

if you continue to act this way.

Now, I know you're fond
of Detective Murdoch

but, it's clear that he's not
the man you thought he was.

Well, it's clear that you're
not the woman I thought you were.

I was just doing my job.



(desperately yelling): HELP!

LET ME OUT!

Somebody!

(panting)

(sweet, tender music)

I don't know anything.

I told the Detective and
his wife all that I know.

I can't help you. I would if I could.

I know.

I think I just wanted to see you.

Well, here I am.

I'm so sorry. I never
should have let you go.

(quiet sob from her)

You deserve better than me.

I'm only realizing now that
there is no better than you.

But I don't know what to do.

With the Detective and Dr. Ogden gone...

You'll find them.

It's gonna be alright.

(She sighs.)

That's so touching.

Get out of here.

I would have thought
you'd be out looking.

Or is it that you'd rather spend time

with painted ladies than
look for your Detective?

- Or his missing wife?
- I said get out.

Strike me and you end up in a cell

where you will be even more
useless than you currently are.

But Constable, think about this...

you are at a crossroads in your life.

If you help me,

you will have an
unimpeded rise to the top.

Your Inspector is gone.

Your immediate superior is a murderer.

Things are looking up for
Constable George Crabtree

and all you have to do is look away.

I won't be doing that.

Sounds to me like you
wish to add another item

to your long list of mistakes.

Enjoy your time with your whore.

No.

Don't.

Don't worry, George,

nothing he says will bother me.

The way you just stood up to him...

makes me so proud of you.



Once you have her,
have Fergus and McFadden

take her to the other location.

Davis will be here in half
an hour to clean up the mess.

(snap of the fingers)

(grunting) AH!

(groaning and screaming)

This would have worked
out a lot better for you

if you hadn't of seen my face.

- Get rid of her!
- (Julia screams.)

- OUT THE BACK, YOU IDIOT!!
- (muffled screams)

- So you didn't see who left the note?
- No. Why?

- It's from Detective Murdoch.
- What's it say?

He needs our help.

(indistinct voices yelling nearby)



Let's go.

(approaching engine sound)

Oh! Motorbike.

Dr. Ogden?!

Doctor?!

(clicking of gun)

You should have stayed retired.

If you've hurt her...

You'll what?

I'll kill you.

I doubt that.

(cocking of gun)

(gunshot)

You sure this is the place?

This is where we met last time.

- Then where is he, George?
- I don't know, Jackson.

- (sound of running footsteps)
- DETECTIVE?!

(gunshots)

AH!!

- (more shots)
- AH!!

- (more shots)
- AAH!!

(last shots echoing)

(breathing hard): No.

(panting): No!

Oh my God. George!

No! No!

(dramatic music peaking)

HELP! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!!

HELP! Out of the way!

(people protesting)

Help! Help! Yes! YES!!

This is an emergency! This
is Detective William Murdoch.

Three constables are down.

I need an ambulance at the
church at Yonge and Heath.

Right away! Yes, right away!

You there! I need your assistance.

We'll send someone. You stay with me.

No! No! They need your help!

Where's my wife?

- If you've hurt her...
- You'll what?

Reach through those
bars and throttle me?

And who says I have her?

Or know anything about
what's happened to her?

- WHERE IS SHE?!
- I'll make you a deal.

You sign a confession that
you murdered that strumpet

and I will endeavour to find your wife.

No.

(sniggering): You do not have a
lot of bargaining power, Detective.

Your Inspector is not here for you.

In fact, he may be dead.

Your wife is gone, and if
she is not dead already,

she soon will be.

And I've heard at least one of
your loyal constables is dead.

So, will you sign that confession?

(breathless): No.

I'm sorry... for you.

(door opening)

(door closing)

(footsteps)

Detective Murdoch.

It appears you are
going to need some help.

(dramatic musical peak)