Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 14, Episode 5 - Murder Checks In - full transcript

*MURDOCH MYSTERIES*
Season 14 Episode 05

Episode Title: "Murder Checks Inl"
Aired on: February 01, 2021

we tramp all day,
stopping for lunch of course,

And then we arrive
at the blackhurst inn

In time for dinner.

So truly roughing it.

Well, it won't be too grand.

And I just thought it
might be a nice change for us.

We get to relax,
enjoy nature...

coo-ee!

Over here!



Meet new people.

Couldn't we just tramp
to the inn ourselves?

Travelling with other
people will be fun.

We can make new friends.

Well, finally!

We've been waiting
for an hour.

Father, please.
It hasn't been that long.

Clair,
you're too sweet.

You need to speak up
for yourself.

Priscilla bantam.

Would you be so kind as to
help me with my valise?

We have to load
our own cases

onto this sorry
excuse for a horse?

Yes, father.



Then what are we paying for?

The day has barely started,
mr. Ferdinand.

Let us start off
on a good foot.

William. This is mr.
Johnson, our tour guide.

Ah. Pleasure to meet you.

Mr. Johnson?

You can't be
from around here.

My family has lived
here for centuries.

David johnson
is not my true name.

What is
your true name?

Father. Father.

Mr. Ferdinand, I believe your
daughter is looking for you.

Oh.

Have you been
a guide in these parts long?

This is my first summer
working at the inn.

But I know every inch
of this land, of course.

Do you know all
local melanerpes?

That's the genus
of several different

Species of woodpeckers.

I take it that you do.

Please correct me if
I misidentify any birds,

Professor leamington.

I think we're about
ready to get started.

Mrs. Bantam.

Allow me to introduce you
to my wife, dr. Julia ogden.

Let us be on more
familiar terms.

Call me priscilla.

Do keep your eyes up
for the sharp shinned hawk.

It would be so easy
for amateur bird-watchers

To miss them.

Who are you?

I am a professor of zoology
at the university of toronto.

I specialize
in ornithology.

- Oh, you don't say.
- Ooh-hoo-hoo.

Well, then, it appears
we have an expert here.

I hope station house 4
is muddling along without you.

I'm certain they
are doing just fine.

It is wonderful
to be here.

You know, I could look
into other group expeditions.

- We could do this every
other weekend! - Oh, stop.

I'm serious.

Of course, ruthie quit her job

As soon as she realized
she was with child.

Of course.

Apparently the
hospital directors

Were quite surprised.

Surprised she
lasted this long?

Ruth is a very
hard worker.

Of course.

But taking care of a baby
is the hardest work there is,

So ruth tells me.

She said we'll need at
least three nursery maids.

Three maids?

Higgins, won't
that cost a fortune!

Well, my taxi business
is still going strong.

Is it?
Wait a minute.

Didn't rupert newsome's wife
give you both bags of money?

Lucinda bought us a house
but she only gives us

A small monthly
allowance.

That woman.

I know.
She's richer than croesus,

You'd think she could afford
to give us what we deserve.

No, higgins.
That woman!

I'm just wild
for gambling.

Care to bet a dollar that
we'll see a beaver dam

In the next half hour?

A dollar for beavers?

Well, let's make
this interesting.

I'll bet you ten dollars
I can flip heads

Ten times on this coin.

That's impossible.
You're on.

No, I don't know anyone in
the medical science building.

Only fellow zoologists.

I see.
Well, I am a surgeon.

Oh, I think just saw
a long-billed curlew.

They remind me
of the latham's snipe.

Have you ever seen one?
They are magnificent.

No, I don't believe I have.

You wouldn't have.
They breed primarily in india.

You know, I read several
ornithology journals

Prior to this trip,

And one mentioned
that very bird.

Except it said
it lives primarily

In australia and japan.

How did you do that?

It's all in the wrist.

One more toss.
Double or nothing?

If you insist.

I think you offended
professor leamington.

I'm sure he's used
to scholarly banter.

Miss ferdinand.

Please, call me clair.

Oh, have you ever done
any fishing, clair?

Can't say that I have.

Your wife is quite
interesting.

Have you been
married long?

Oh, a few years, yes.

Happy ones?

It's a community allotment.

Too many people to count
have access to it.

I spoke to the woman
who dug up the head.

She was last here
three days ago.

Nobody saw anything.

Perhaps the victim
was buried at night.

What have you been
doing, higgins?

Supervising, sir.

However, my shift is over now,
so I'll be on my way.

Hold your horses,
hurricane.

Watts is on a case,
murdoch's away.

I want you two
to take this.

Us, sir?
Are you sure?

Higgins.

Here, they've got
the rest of the body.

Deep cuts on the ankle.
What does that indicate?

Sir, what if
the killer's plan

Was to dismember
the rest of the body

But they were interrupted.

Startled by someone?
Very good, crabtree.

That means there
could be a witness.

Or not.

Eh?

Perhaps the killer
just gave up.

I've always thought it would
be a tremendous amount of work

To do a complete
dismemberment.

Isn't it lunchtime all ready?

I'm starving.

You're in luck,
mr. Ferdinand.

This is the clearing
where we stop for lunch.

Oh.

Not much of a clearing
if you ask me.

Watch it, you oaf!

Mr. Ferdinand.

You're a cheat!

- Give that back!
- I will not!

And I want my
fifty dollars back!

What's all this about?

He has
a double-head coin!

That's how he
won our bets!

I want my money back!

Now, wait, lady.
I won, you lost.

Hey!

Give me back my coin,
that is my coin,

That is my property.

I demand that you give
that back to me right now.

Perhaps we should find
our own lunch spot?

I think mr. Johnson
has the lunch hampers.

Oh, I think I can get one
without anyone noticing.

Oh, aren't you sly.

Ooh.

What was that?

I don't know.

It sounded like it
came from over there.

But I don't see anything.

Sit right here, father.
The best seat in the house.

Hm.

I saw those lunch hampers.

The sandwiches
looked inedible.

Well, let me see if I can
go find you some water.

Look out!

William!

Are you all right?

No! He's a lunatic.
He just attacked me.

I was protecting you.

You could have killed.

I just might die from
the injury you gave me!

Let me have a look.

Oh, it's just
a little cut.

Here.

I can clean it up
and bandage it.

You know, I don't
think I've received

The attention of a female
doctor before.

Certainly never
one so beautiful.

Actually,
it's not that bad.

You can bandage it up
when we get back to the inn.

Yah!

Let's have some lunch.

Miss hart.

What surprise do you have
in store for me today?

A murder victim
in parts.

Buried in
a community garden.

Is all the body
accounted for?

I believe so.

When can we expect
a full report?

Tomorrow morning.

Can't we start today?

I started early
today which means

I'll be finishing soon.

You wouldn't
want shoddy work.

Of course not,
miss hart.

As you were.

Thank you for
understanding.

- Gentlemen.
- Miss hart.

We shall look forward
to your report tomorrow.

I am off the clock,
constable.

Good.

Because your date is
here to take you out.

Hm. Just in time.

I was thinking, tonight
we could go to le coq d'or.

I've heard of
that place.

They're not going
to let me in.

You're forgetting
something very important.

I've got money.

Money opens
every door.

Of course, it's
a beginner's mistake

To identify
as herring gulls

What were clearly
swallow-tailed gulls.

But I won't blame
you for that error.

Are you certain?

Oh yes, quite certain.

That is it.

You, sir,
are a fraud.

Now, I know for a fact
that swallow-tailed gulls

Only live in south america
and they don't migrate.

I know this because
my daughter and I

Spent three months this spring
birdwatching in per...

Are you suggesting that
I've misidentified that bird?

I find it curious
that I, a layman,

Know more about
that bird than you.

Mm.

The president of
the university

Happens to be a good
friend of mine.

When we get back to toronto
I'm going to tell him

What a buffoon you are.

Buffoon?

I read this inn
has excellent dinners

And feather beds.

I thought you said this trip
wouldn't be too grand.

Well, it's no tin of beans
and a cold mat on the ground,

But it'll do.

Oh, hey, hey, hey, hey.

- Oh, dear.
- Don't touch her!

Father.

Keep your hands
to yourself, sir.

- Sir, I was only...
- I saw what I saw.

Well, collins,
wasn't it?

The groundskeeper?

I remember you
from last year.

I believe this young man was
merely assisting your daughter,

Mr. Ferdinand.

You might not know much,
mr. Murdoch

But you must know
that you can't

Let a man like that
take liberties.

Father, enough.

It's quite a place
you have here, mr. Hager.

Well, I'm glad
you think so.

I've run this place
for 20 years.

And some folks,
like mr. Ferdinand

And his daughter,
come back every summer.

Do they?

I got the distinct impression
that the trip thus far

Hasn't been up to
mr. Ferdinand's standards.

Oh, that's just his way.

Did I hear my name?

Oh, we were just saying
that you've been our guest

For over a couple
of years now.

I don't know why
I keep coming.

I hope this year
the bed doesn't sag.

You have the best
in the house.

I'll see everyone
in the morning.

I'm heading
upstairs, as well.

Goodnight, everyone.

What does everyone say
to a game of hearts, hm?

I'm in.

Oh, actually,
I'm feeling quite tired.

Shall we?

You've read my mind.
Good night.

Well, it looks like it's
just you and I, mr. Hagar.

I'm game if you are.

Ahh.

Alone at last.

What do you say tomorrow
morning we take a canoe out

And do some
discovering on our own?

Perhaps we could find
that swallow-tailed gull

That's mysteriously
made its way to canada.

And prove that
professor right?

Not on your life.

Help! Help! Someone!

Mr. Collins.

What's the matter?
Are you hurt?

It's mr. Ferdinand!

He's... He's...

He's dead.

What were you doing
in mr. Ferdinand's room?

I wasn't.

I was turning down
the lamps in the hall.

I thought I heard something
coming from this room,

A scuffle, a voice.

So you knocked
on the door?

No, sir.

Mr. Ferdinand made his
feelings toward me quite clear.

I didn't think he'd want
me asking after him.

I see. What then?

I heard glass
breaking.

That's when
I tried the door.

It was open
and I entered, and...

did you see anyone else?

I may have seen someone
climbing out the window.

But I couldn't be sure,
it was too dark.

Right.
Thank you.

Is there a constabulary
near here to the inn?

They're about
a half day's riding away.

They don't have an automobile,
as far as I know.

See if you can find someone
to can contact them.

And no one is
to leave here.

Yes, detective.

- William.
- Yes?

He was stabbed in
the abdomen with a thin,

Sharp blade.

Deep enough to puncture
the inferior vena cava.

He would have
died very quickly.

So, just before mr. Collins
entered the room?

Or just shortly after.

Ordinarily,
I'd begin by asking

Who would wish
the victim dead.

But in mr. Ferdinand's case,

It may be easier to ask
who didn't wish him harm.

I had to slip the maitre
d'hotel five dollars,

But I hear the broiled
quail is worth it.

I'll have that, then.

Ah, yes.

We'll start with
the coquille of crab,

Followed by the...

Pardon me, we
are out of that.

Oh.

Well, then we'll start with
the oysters en brochette...

We're out
of that, too.

All of the oysters.

Really, sir,
we're out of everything.

- Everything?
- Unfortunately.

Impossible.

Go to the kitchen
and tell us what you do have.

There must be something.

You heard the lady.

I can't believe this.
This is an outrage.

Higgins! I thought I told
you to clean this up.

I can't just put it away.
It's not finished.

That's how
jigsaw puzzles work.

Yes, I know that.
So, why don't you finish...

What the bloody hell
is that doing there?

Put it away!

Sir, the way that a jigsaw
puzzle works is that...

I know how a jigsaw
puzzle works, higgins.

Margaret saw one at our
neighbour's house a while back,

So of course she
had to have one.

What was the picture
on the front?

I don't bloody know!

It's a pastime for ladies.

Oh, no sir.
It's for everyone.

It's not for constables
in a station house.

Now, get rid of it.

Sir, right away.

I've been to the morgue,
I have miss hart's report.

Good, I'll take a look.

By her estimation,
the victim was killed

Late afternoon two days ago
and was buried between

Midnight and three o'clock
in the morning

Before the gardener
dug her up.

Excellent work, crabtree.

Higgins, what have
you been up to?

Did you find out
the identity of the victim?

No, sir.

I've been through
her possessions

But there was nothing
to identify her.

A reticule.
Anything in this?

Just a receipt.

A delivery slip.

With an address on it.

Probably hers.

And you didn't think
this was of any relevance?

C'mon, higgins.

Helmet, higgins.

Tonight, you and me.

Perhaps.

- Promise me...
- I have to go.

Well, he won't know.

Someone's here.

Miss ferdinand.

We're terribly sorry
about your father.

I wanted to tell
you both something.

When I came down this
morning I passed mrs. Bantam

On the stairs and she
was counting some money.

Do you think she stole
it from your father?

I don't want to say.

It's probably nothing

But she was very
angry with my father.

Thank you for
telling us.

You don't think
that she...

We'll speak
with mrs. Bantam.

Could you tell me a little bit
more about what happened?

Mr. Hagar won't allow me
to see my father's room.

It's probably
for the best.

Are you all right?

I just can't believe
that my father is dead.

Carry on,
whitnow.

Ah, any luck with
the address?

Well, sir, we found
the victim's name.

Miss emily bishop.

We spoke to her
neighbour, sir.

Miss bishop never
had any visitors.

Apparently she just
kept to herself.

Maybe she fell in
with the bad lot.

Or maybe she was
the bad lot.

Look what we found
when we searched her room.

This account book is from
the office where she worked.

Why would she
have taken those?

What are you
implying?

Did you somehow
obtain the money you had lost

Through wagers
to mr. Ferdinand?

Be direct, man.

Are you asking if
I killed mr. Ferdinand

And took back my money?

You were seen this morning
counting some money.

What of it?
I have rather a lot.

All right, tell us
what happened last night.

You went upstairs,
you were in your room alone,

All night?

Do you want to picture me
in my boudoir, detective?

Please answer
the question.

Yes, I was in my room.
I didn't leave it all night.

And I would hardly kill
someone for cheating me

Out of the paltry sum of $50.

Thank you,
mrs. Bantam.

You didn't really
answer the question.

Were you alone?

We are ladies,
aren't we?

Let's be discreet.

Now, there's definitely
more to the story

Than mrs. Bantam
is telling us.

But I don't know if the truth
will have anything to do

With mr. Ferdinand's death.

Well, what could
her motive be?

She didn't seem that upset
about the money she'd lost.

Yes, but all kinds of
people can have moments

Of murderous impulse.

I have a feeling
mr. Ferdinand's murder

Was not committed
on impulse.

There it is.

As I suspected -
saw marks.

Wish I'd seen
that earlier.

Could they have
cut the branch

And then remained
in the tree?

Perhaps they waited
for mr. Ferdinand

To be underneath...

Surely they would
have been seen.

The other possibility
is that is was cut

Three-quarters
of the way through

And then they let
gravity do the rest.

Hello, miss...
Miss irwin.

We're here to inquire
about miss bishop.

She is the accountant.

I'm afraid to say she's dead.

She's been murdered.

Huh. You don't say.

Leave it to emily
to get murdered.

What a go-getter.

We found files
and account books

From this office
in her home.

Emily never stopped working,
even nights and weekends.

Can you believe that?

Who brings work
home with them?

That is strange.

Miss irwin,
we couldn't have a word

With the owner,
could we?

Uh, yeah,
I'll get him.

That's terrible.
Why would this happen?

Miss bishop was
such a hard worker.

Now what am I going to do?

Do you of know
of anyone who may have

Wished miss bishop ill?

No, all she did was work here.
It was her whole life.

We did find files from
your office in her home.

I told her not
to do that!

Those are confidential
documents.

I am the main supplier
of medical equipment

For all the hospitals
in toronto.

There are many other men
vying for my contracts.

Anybody in particular
come to mind?

Derek winslow.
My main competitor.

He's been trying to
take me down for years.

Is it possible
miss bishop was planning

To sell information
to mr. Winslow?

And then he
killed her for it?

It doesn't seem likely
for either of them.

But, stranger things
have happened at sea.

I read in maclean's magazine

That there are now
wilderness camps for girls.

Oh, do you wish
there had been those

When you were a girl?

Even if there were,

I don't think I would
have been allowed.

Little julia ogden,
covered in mud

And mosquito bites.

You would have hated it.

Perhaps you're right.

But I do love it
when we go camping.

Well, staying at a beautiful inn

Is hardly
wilderness survival.

This is the wilderness,
William, is it not?

Well, the bed certainly
looked comfortable.

It's a shame we
hardly slept in it.

Poor mr. Ferdinand.

First, the tree branch
almost kills him...

We now know there was
a first attempt on his life.

That narrows down
our list of suspects.

That would mean that
it couldn't have been

Anyone in our
travel party.

No, someone already
at the inn who travelled

To the lunch area
and then back.

Mr. Hagar?

I don't think he could
have climbed the tree.

That only leaves
george collins.

Yes, we'll have to interview
him when we get back.

Perhaps there's a previous
history between the two men.

Wait, William!

Is that mr. Collins?

Is he alive?

I'm afraid not.

He died from
a heavy blow to the head.

There are shards
in the wound

But I can't tell
what they are.

No attempt to
hide the body.

Perhaps the killer
was interrupted.

If someone did come along,

They would have
seen the body.

Mr. Collins'
horse is packed.

He was leaving.

So, he killed mr. Ferdinand,
and then intended to flee?

But then,
who killed him?

Well, now.

Julia.

It's heavy
and large enough.

And it would account
for the shards in the wound.

A salt lick.

I believe we've found
our murder weapon.

William.

R.L.

Professor
leamington.

Do you think
he killed him?

What reason would he have
to kill a groundskeeper?

You and the missus
would be better off

Having a baby girl.

Why's that, sir?

Well, I brought
up two boys.

I imagine
it's easier.

Sugar and spice,
and all that kind of thing.

Ruth says that whether
the baby is a boy or a girl,

She wants the middle name
to be roger after her brother.

As long as the name is all the
child gets from roger newsome.

That's my sky bit.
Give it here.

Sir, I'm doing
the edge pieces.

Give it there,
that's for my pile!

Crabtree?

Sir, I've just been
to the office

Of winslow medical supplies
and spoke to mr. Winslow.

The competitor that
mr. Graham mentioned.

He says he's never heard
of miss bishop,

And I'm inclined
to believe him.

He is keen to
unseat mr. Graham,

But seems to me
to be on the level.

So you don't think
mr. Winslow tried to buy

Any official documents
off miss bishop?

I don't think so, sir.

Not to mention he has an alibi
for the night in question.

What about mr. Graham?

Her boss?
He seemed to like her.

Maybe that's
the problem.

He tried it on her
and she rejected him.

Well, I had thought
of that already sir,

And I've been by the house,

Questioned each of
the family members,

They all gave him an alibi.

Good work, crabtree.

At least one of
you is on the case.

Sir, our leads are all dead.
The case is a dud.

You can't just
give it up, higgins.

Start with
what you know.

Other than her
name and address,

We don't know anything.

She has no family,
no friends that we could find.

The two suspects we did
find both have alibis.

I am bedeviled, sir.

She didn't just
dismember herself

And fall into the garden.

I mean, somebody did it.

And they did
a terrible job, as well.

Higgins, you're right.

They did a terrible job.

With me. With me.

Ah, peace at last.

- Why are we back here?
- Just trust me.

There are other
restaurants.

Not like this one.

You're back.
How interesting.

I hope you haven't
run out of food again.

I'm afraid so.

This restaurant
was very poorly run.

That will change,
starting now.

I'm sorry, sir?

As of twelve o'clock
this afternoon,

I am the new owner
of this restaurant.

And we will no longer
require your services.

And anyone who has a problem
is invited to leave.

Did you really just
buy this restaurant?

Indeed I did.

You wanted to see me?

Yes, professor.

Is this about those
awful murders?

I've already said, I don't
know anything about that.

We found something of
yours in the stable.

Next to george
collins' body.

I've never seen
that before in my life.

It's monogrammed
with your initials.

So it is.
But what does that prove?

Mr. Ferdinand questioned
your credentials,

Did he not?

I heard him say that he
was going to tell the president

Of the
university that you were...

A buffoon?

The nerve of that man,
thinking he knew

More about birds than I did.

Did you have george collins
kill mr. Ferdinand?

And then, when he took fright
and wanted to flee,

Did you kill him too?

Enough.
I haven't killed anyone.

Then why was your
handkerchief in the stable?

I can't say.

Well, then professor,
you leave me no choice

But to arrest you
for the murder of...

Wait. No.

All right,
I was in the stable.

But I never saw
mr. Collins.

Why were you in there?

I couldn't possibly
divulge that information.

Need I remind you that
two men are dead, professor?

I was with priscilla.

Mrs. Bantam.

We went there
to get some privacy.

Detective!

Apologies for being so
direct, mrs. Bantam.

I should think so.

Were you alone with
the professor today?

Yes. In the stables.

I've always adored horses.

Did you see george collins
while you were in the stables?

The professor and I,
if you must know,

Were in the hayloft
when that young man came in

And began saddling his horse.

We climbed down
the ladder outside.

Quite fun.

And were you also with
the professor last night,

In your room,
when mr. Ferdinand was murdered?

Aren't you an
inquisitive one?

Yes, we were together.

Thank you,
mrs. Bantam.

Detective?

I think your wife
suffers from indiscretion.

I assure you I do not
have the same problem.

Why did the killer do
such a lousy job, higgins?

I mean, consider
where we are.

- Toronto?
- Yes, exactly.

The garden where miss bishop
was buried is right there.

But just a block this way,
there's a construction site

Where they're
pouring foundations.

The killer could
have dumped the body

In the concrete pit.

That would've
been smart.

And just a street
over this way,

There's a manufacturing
plant for acid.

They could have dumped
the body in acid,

Never to be seen of again.

And just another
street beyond that,

There's a glue factory.

Do you see what
I'm saying?

Why the garden?

Well, of all the places
you just mentioned,

It would have still be fairly
hard to dispose of a body.

The garden is right there.

So why the shallow grave?

Have you ever
tried to dig a grave?

It's not as easy
as you think.

I've done my share
of digging, henry.

So you're suggesting
the killer had both

A powerful animosity
towards miss bishop

And was also
incredibly lazy.

I'm suggesting
the killer possessed

Both those inclinations
and lived very close by.

That's miss irwin!
Her co-worker!

Could she have hated

The hardworking
miss bishop that much?

I've just searched
david johnson's room.

The tour guide.
He also cares for the stables.

Where george collins
was killed.

What did you find?

A letter.

'David. I saw you leave
mr. Ferdinand's room.

I know you killed him.

Give me $50
and I won't tell.'

Signed george.

George collins
was blackmailing him.

Mr. Johnson! A word.

Julia, you stay here.

William!
He's fleeing.

I'm going after him.

David johnson!
Rein in your horse!

Just let me go.

I'm a police detective.
You're coming with me.

Why did you run?

Does it matter?

I know that look.

You've already
made up your minds.

Why do you say that?

I've been
in jail before.

For something
I didn't do.

I know how it works.

What can you tell us
about this letter.

I've never
seen it before.

It was addressed
to you from george collins.

What reason would I have
to kill mr. Ferdinand?

This is my first
summer working here,

I only met him
yesterday.

He was a horrible man,
but the world's full of 'em.

I do question motive.

This letter would suggest
that you killed mr. Ferdinand,

You were then seen leaving
his room by mr. Collins,

Who then attempted
to blackmail you.

I never got this letter.

And why would he try
and blackmail me for money?

He knew I didn't
have any.

Miss irwin, given that your
apartment still has several

Traces of the crime,

This interview, I suppose,
is little more than a formality.

I didn't do it!
You can't prove it.

Someone else killed her.

Somebody else killed
her in your apartment?

Miss irwin, it was you.
It had to be.

I am not saying
another word.

George,
let me take this.

Miss irwin, I think I know

What kind of person
miss bishop was.

Oh, really?

Mm.

Always the first to arrive,
the last to leave,

Taking files home...

Made you look bad.

She would always chide me
for not keeping my desk clean.

I hated her!

She even came to your
apartment to boss you around.

Can you believe that?

Did you get
into a fight?

She just went on and on

About how I should
work as hard as her,

And how I was so lazy.

I got up from my
chair and...

You hit her?

You were pushed to the edge,
weren't you, miss irwin?

Your nerves were shot.

And every day you
would go to the office

And have to watch little
miss perfect working so hard.

When a person
goes to their job,

They don't want to see that.

Exactly.

No, you want to come
in a few minutes late,

Leave a few minutes early,
and when you're off the clock,

You do not want
to think about work.

She wouldn't stop.

I just pushed her.

She hit her head on the mantle
and there was blood everywhere.

She died right
there on my floor.

And then...

And then I had to get
rid of her, and that was...

Hard work.

All right, I think
I've heard enough.

Higgins, why don't
we take miss irwin

Down to the holding cells.

That is, if it's not
too much trouble.

No, not at all.

I still have at least
an hour on my shift.

Come on, miss irwin.

No point making a fuss.

I think mr. Johnson
is telling the truth

When he says that he's never
seen that letter before.

I agree.

Which got me thinking that
perhaps he didn't write it.

You think someone else wrote
it to try and frame mr. Johnson?

I had a search
in mr. Collins' room

For a sample
of his handwriting.

And you found
something...

'my darling, we will
be together forever. Soon.'

It's the same handwriting
as the letter to mr. Johnson.

But it's addressed
to the inn

And the intended recipient
was mr. Collins.

'Greetings from peru'.

You, sir, are a fraud.

Now, I know for a fact
that swallow-tailed gulls

Only live in south america
and they don't migrate.

I know this because
my daughter and I

Spent three months this spring
birdwatching in per...

Don't touch her!

Father!

Sir, I was only
helping the lady.

Collins, wasn't it?

Keep your hands
to yourself.

Clair ferdinand
and george collins were in love.

Her father would never
have let them be together.

So george collins
killed mr. Ferdinand.

Mr. Collins
stabbed mr. Ferdinand,

And then, to make sure
he wasn't a suspect,

He made himself a witness.

Help! Help! Someone!

We need to find clair.

Ah, professor, have you
seen miss ferdinand?

Oh, yes, I heard her say
she was going for a walk.

Right, julia,
you stay here.

I'll find her.

Clair?

Miss ferdinand!

Fancy a young woman
like that enjoying

Such a violent sport.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't
let her go out alone,

But I thought it would
be good for her.

Fresh air,
thrill of the hunt.

Are you talking about
clair ferdinand?

Yes. She went out
with my hunting rifle.

Clair?

Clair?

Miss ferdinand.

I just need to
speak with you.

Did you know what
george collins was planning?

Clair?

Miss ferdinand. We found you.

If you don't mind.
I'm hunting.

Put down the gun, clair.

Detective murdoch and I
just want to talk to you.

I didn't do anything.

That's enough, clair!

It's over.

My father is dead.
What do you want from me?

Your lover is dead, too.

And it was your doing.

You're coming with us.

We found
the blackmail letter you wrote.

Your plan to frame
david johnson

For george collins'
murder didn't work.

Tell us what happened.

My father
hated george.

We could have
never been together.

So george collins
murdered him?

I didn't
want him to.

When he told me what
he'd done, I was shocked.

I could never be
with him after that.

He went wild.

I had no other choice...
Everything happened so fast.

And that's when you hit
him with the salt lick?

I just wanted
to get away.

I didn't mean
to kill him.

I didn't mean for any
of this to happen.

That's a very sad story.

Unfortunately, I'm not one
for romantic fiction.

You planned with george collins
to murder your father.

You showed him precisely
where to sit

So that he would be
hit by the tree branch.

Ah! Ah!

You stayed up late...

Playing cards
with mr. Hagar,

So that you would
have an alibi.

You even tried to
implicate mrs. Bantam

But it didn't work.

George collins was worried the
two of you would be found out.

And he wanted to run.

But you knew it would
make you both look guilty.

You panicked
and you killed him.

I will never forgive myself
for what I've done to george.

But I'm happy that
my father is dead.

You wanted your lover
and your inheritance.

Shame you won't be able
to spend it behind bars.

I've just been to the cells
to check on miss irwin.

Yes, well, I've been
hard at work as well.

You haven't filled out the
incarceration forms, have you?

Not quite.

And you haven't cleared away
this infernal jigsaw puzzle...

I told you I can't until...

I know, I know,
until it's finished.

You know what?

I'm going to finish it,
then it can go back in the box.

Well, if you insist.

What's the point
of this, anyway?

At least with a word puzzle,
you're using your brain.

Here you're just
reassembling a picture.

Why does everything
have to have a point?

Jigsaws are just fun.

Right. Until you can't
finish it and get bored.

Precisely.

Too much work.

You know, higgins,
I see an affinity

That you share with miss irwin.

Oh?

Yes, you're both
lazy as lords.

But I would never
kill you, george.

Oh, well, that's a relief.

That would double
my workload.

Well, you'll never
finish it like that.

Come to lunch
with me.

Somewhere new.

No. I'm busy.
You go, though.

Your restaurant needs you.

I've tired of it.

Once I fired that man
it wasn't so fun anymore.

You really do,
don't you?

Do what?

Work with
dead bodies.

Does it disgust you?

It's gruesome.

I'm glad we didn't have
to escort miss ferdinand

Back ourselves.

Those two local
constables seemed glad

To have to go
to toronto.

And mr. Hagar didn't
mind lending us

All this camping
equipment?

Not at all.

Well, William.

You've got what
you wanted.

A private camping trip.

I'm sorry our little holiday
didn't go as planned.

It can be fun to
meet new people.

But I think we'll have
more fun on our own.