Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 8, Episode 8 - High Voltage - full transcript
Detective Murdoch investigates the apparent murder of an inventor who is found sitting in a chair he invented. That chair was meant to provide a mild electrical current as a rejuvenation technique but Dr. Grace is certain that he was in fact electrocuted. He had a young woman with him the night he died but the investigation leads him to inventor Thomas Edison and the main suspect - his son Thomas Edison Jr. Meanwhile, the mayor tells Inspector Brackenreid to speak to Murdoch about Julia's plans to run in the upcoming election - fully expecting he will exercise his authority as her husband. Murdoch makes it clear to everyone that he has no intention of interfering and will support Julia in her campaign.
Come on, you promised.
I will show you
if you don't tell anyone.
Who would I tell, Freddie?
- Wow!
- As I promised.
The magnificent Vital Motion Plus. Here.
Try it out.
Oh, I don't know...
It is harmless, my dear. Totally harmless.
Actually, it will do you a power of good.
How does it do a person good, Freddie?
You need not worry about
the principle of the thing.
- Just hop in.
- Are you sure?
You won't regret it, I promise.
But to experience the real benefits,
the electrodes
should be applied next to flesh.
Oh!
If you dare, my beauty!
You really know
how to persuade a woman.
- Tea?
- Yes, please.
Come in!
George!
- Doctor! Sir!
- Morning, George!
Wonderful digs!
Look at this!
Splendid view of the city!
Thank you, George... What
brings you here this morning?
Oh, sir, pardon the interruption.
You're needed. There's been a murder.
Oh, I see. I'll fetch my bicycle
from the hotel stables
and meet you at the scene.
Well, you shouldn't need your bicycle,
sir. The murder was here. Room 206.
- When was the body found?
- Early this morning
by a maid. She's quite
distraught, apparently.
Sir, the victim appears
to have been electrocuted.
Some unfortunate mishap.
Well, that would account
for the power outage
we experienced last night.
And if that is the case,
the time of death would
be shortly before midnight.
What do we know about the victim, George?
His name is Frederick
Longfellow. From his effects
it seems he's a
businessman and a scientist.
He's in Toronto for the big
Medical Exhibition and Emporium
that opens today. I believe this...
device is the thing he's trying to sell.
I found a registration form in his room.
This isn't his room?
I found a key in his pocket for 209.
Alright then.
Search this room, and
leave the body in the device
for Doctor Grace to examine at the morgue.
Sir.
- Mr. Mansfield?
- Good morning, Detective!
- Morning.
- Your mail, sir.
Yes. Thank you.
Terrible business upstairs.
All in all too much excitement
- for one night, wouldn't you say?
- Indeed. I need to know
who Room 206 was registered to.
Strange!
The page has been torn out.
I'll need to take this.
Yes, yes, of course. I'm
glad you're in charge, sir.
I should, um...
I...
Is something wrong, Mr. Mansfield?
For your ears only, Detective.
Of course.
Mr. Longfellow came to the
hotel last night in the company
of a woman. Now, a respectable
establishment such as ours
frowns upon a gentleman
escorting a woman to his room.
However, Mr. Longfellow
slipped me a sizable sum
to look the other way.
Did you see his companion?
- Yes, I did.
- Can you describe her?
She was a striking woman, jet black hair...
Almost exotic!
And you're quite sure he was electrocuted?
He absolutely was. His heart had stopped.
It would seem this machine
killed him. These burn marks
match the oval shape of the
electrodes on the machine.
- Well, that's odd!
- What's that?
This current isn't enough
to kill anyone. It's perfectly safe!
I'll have to take it for further testing.
Oh my!
Edna!
What brings you to the station?
Well, I wanted to ask a favour of you.
- For Simon.
- What's he done now?
Oh! No, nothing like that.
He's expressed this interest to go
to the Traveling Medical Emporium.
Somewhat morbid, I guess,
but... I'm trying to encourage
all law-abiding interests in the boy.
Well, how can I help?
Well, I've been offered a job
- that I can't turn down.
- So you'd like me to take him?
Yes!
Edna, does Simon find it odd
that we spend time together
while... I mean, he doesn't
know his father is dead, yet.
I do know that I have to tell him and...
I'm just waiting for the right moment.
D'you wanna take him?
- Yes, of course, be happy to!
- Thank you, George.
George. Were you able to find
- any fingermarks in Room 206?
- Yes, sir.
I'm cataloguing them
now. It may take some time
before I figure out who they belong to.
Right. Please pull up
Thomas Edison's fingermarks
- from our records.
- Edison, sir?
Yes, George. Room 206 was
registered to Thomas Edison.
Sorry I'm late.
What have I missed?
We are debating how we best
persuade the good men of Toronto
- to cast their votes for the fairer sex.
- Hello,
I'm Lillian Moss. Margaret
has attracted me to your cause.
- Oh! Pleased. I'm Emily Grace.
- Another doctor, Lillian.
- Emily is the city coroner.
- I'm already flattered by the company I'm keeping.
Don't sell yourself short,
Lillian. You've already been
- of great service!
- Lillian is a fellow member
of the Socialist League.
They've offered to run Julia
- as a candidate.
- Am I not
too well-heeled for the socialists?
- What about the Liberal Party?
- A woman as a Liberal candidate?
In Ontario? Never!
Perhaps I should run as an Independent.
Unfettered by affiliation!
- Are you sure, Dr. Ogden?
- I think I am.
My uncle is sympathetic
and a prominent Masonic Lodge member.
- He's keen to meet you.
- A Socialist
with connections to the Masons, no less.
I've learned to get ahead in this world,
you take friends no
matter where you find them.
And I am much more
interested in women than I am
in society's conventions.
Macaroon?
Excellent roast beef, Mr. Mayor.
And the Yorkshire pudding was spectacular.
You can always count on a
Mason meeting for a good lunch
and a dollop of gossip, Brackenreid!
Some of which falls in
your bailiwick, I believe.
- Really?
- Your Detective...
- The Catholic?
- Murdoch. What about him?
I hear his wife has some
notion of running for office.
Ludicrous idea. Not good for him,
her breaking the law.
Last thing your boy needs.
- Is she breaking the law?
- Not the letter, I gather,
but certainly the intent.
Have a word. He's gaining a reputation.
- You mean she is.
- No difference.
They are man and wife, are they not?
Good day.
Sir. The hotel room was registered
- to Thomas Edison.
- Thomas Edison? Seriously?
- What's he doing in Toronto?
- I have no idea, but it stands...
He's not here for that Medical
carry-on surely. That thing's
only one step removed from
those traveling medicine shows
- and their snake oil salesmen!
- Sirs!
- What have you, George?
- You were right, sir,
Edison's fingermarks were
in Room 206. What's more
is they were all over that... contraption.
Longfellow electrocuted and Edison knowing
a thing or two about
electricity! Makes sense.
- Except for the murder bit.
- Have Longfellow and Edison
- ever crossed paths before?
- They did, sir. They had
a business relationship of sorts
a couple of years ago. I'm still
- looking into the details.
- Business partners?
That's never been motive for murder before.
Time to have a word
with the gent! Carry on!
Oh, Mr. Edison!
Detective Murdoch. What can I do for you?
I'm here to bring you in for questioning
regarding the murder
of your former partner.
Mr. Longfellow was found electrocuted
in your hotel room, your fingermarks
- on the murder weapon.
- That was not my hotel room.
Your signature is in the register.
Did you remove the page to
conceal your involvement?
It was not my hotel room.
Sir, I have your signature.
- I demand your cooperation.
- That's not my signature.
It's my son's.
Thomas Alva Edison Junior.
My son has learned to copy
my signature rather well!
It can be quite convenient to be mistaken
for your famous father. He adds "Jr"
as an afterthought. Considerate.
Mr. Edison,
why were your fingermarks
found on the electrical device?
I was in Room 206.
I saw Longfellow. He was already dead.
What time was this?
After midnight? 12:30... ?
Why did you not report the murder?
- What would be the point?
- You felt no obligation?
- No.
- Or perhaps you didn't
because you thought your son
responsible. That's why you tore
the page from the register. To protect him.
My son is capable of many things,
but not murder.
What was the nature
of your relationship
with Frederick Longfellow?
He would bring me inventions
hoping the Edison company
would invest in their commercialization.
Most of these were useless.
Yet, you still formed a company with him.
- Why was that?
- One invention had merit.
A new light bulb filament. Longfellow and I
formed a company to
patent it two years ago,
last time I saw him. Anything else?
Yes, Mr. Edison. Why are you in Toronto?
I'm looking for my son.
Oh, well then, it seems
our interests have converged!
Where might we find him?
I believe he is working for
the Traveling Medical Emporium.
He's paid by so-called inventors
to lend the Edison name
to their useless products,
sullying my reputation in the process.
- Dr. Grace!
- Miss Moss!
Lillian, please.
I hope I'm not intruding.
I don't think you're disturbing anyone.
I came to tell you
that Dr. Ogden made a very
good impression with my uncle.
She has his vote, though I'm
not sure about his fellow Masons.
Julia is very impressive
and has always been
- an inspiration to me.
- You're a doctor as well!
You're both inspirations.
Could I take you for tea?
Oh! I'd be delighted.
Simon, look at this.
Ha! Look!
Sorry!
Arthritis, catarrh,
ailments of the blood,
the spleen, and liver.
The Magno-Electric Vitalizer
aids in all manner of illness.
And you can surely trust a product endorsed
by Thomas Alva Edison.
I personally examined the
Vitalizer and indeed tried it
with excellent results.
I warrant it is safe...
Thomas Edison is a famous
inventor. This must be
his son following in his footsteps.
My father was a blacksmith
before he went off to the war.
That's an admirable trade.
I used to watch him work.
Do you think you'll follow in his path?
Me? No! It's too hot and sweaty!
And where's the money
in forging horseshoes?
... see more hair growth
even on my youthful head
as a result of daily use.
And a finer head of hair I
have yet to see, Mr. Edison!
Step up! Who wants one!?
Look at this!
Look at this arm!
This device is a modern marvel,
one that can complete complex tasks
a cosmetic prosthetic cannot.
See how the hand moves like that, son?
It's like an automaton.
Nobody would mess about with
me if I had an arm like that.
I'd be a mechanical man!
Yes, but think about it. You'd
have to cut one of your own
- perfectly good limbs off!
- Well, so what?
The electrical arm is far more useful!
A tool... a deadly weapon
as part of your own body!
I suppose it might come in handy.
What would you rather cut off, Constable?
Your left or your right arm?
See, you'd think the left,
because I'm right-handed,
but there are a lot of
variables you need to consider.
For example...
... I'm sure it's what
you need, and perhaps
your hair is fine for the moment...
Excuse me, Mr. Edison Junior?
Yes.
Detective William Murdoch,
Toronto Constabulary.
- I'd like to have a word.
- Of course!
- What is this about, Detective?
- Where were you last night?
Last night? I believe I was in a tavern.
Who were you with?
Mr. McBride, whom I work with.
Mr. Rico from the booth across the way
also joined us. What of it?
- What's going on?
- A misunderstanding,
I am quite sure. Tell
the Detective where I was
- last night, Mr. McBride.
- Rico and I took him out drinking.
I was persuading him to come work with me,
- not that charlatan Longfellow.
- Until what hour?
I'd say Mr. Edison here
staggered out of the tavern
around eleven, just before perhaps.
Well oiled, too! Singing and carrying on.
As I told you.
Mr. Edison,
I'd like you to accompany me
to the station house, please.
Is that... is that necessary?
Yes, yes, it is.
Thank you for coming in, Doctor Ogden.
- You wanted to speak to me?
- Yes, yes, I do.
Please have a seat.
At the Masonic lunch, there was talk
about you being a candidate
at the provincial election.
I trust I can count on
your support, Inspector.
A word in your ear, Doctor.
It's already caused quite a stir.
Well, that is exactly our
intention. What we hope is...
There'll be serious consequences.
Naturally. Any attempt by
women to raise their voices
- beyond a polite murmur is a challenge to almost every...
- It's not the woman's right
to vote claptrap that I'm talking about!
Although I am happy to offer an opinion
on another occasion.
No, this is about Murdoch.
William and I have discussed my decision.
- He completely understands!
- I'm not sure he does.
- Inspector, what is this about?
- Now that you're married,
Doctor, the world sees you
differently. You're his property
and whether you like it or not,
your actions are his actions.
That is not how William
and I view our marriage,
- as you well know!
- Listen to me,
you making a public spectacle of yourself
will not sit well with
Murdoch's political masters.
And legitimately standing
for political office
is not a spectacle, sir.
Oh for God's sake, woman!
Be realistic for once!
This is none of your affair, Inspector.
Mr. Edison,
how did you know Frederick Longfellow?
I lent the Edison name
to his latest invention,
the Vital Motion Plus.
And when did you last see him?
Yesterday. I left him
at the Exhibition Hall
before I met up with McBride and Rico.
Ah yes, you work for Mr. McBride now.
- Why is that?
- My name sells their products
like hot cakes. Frederick
was not giving me the respect
I felt I deserved, so
I took McBride's offer.
Detective, why are you
asking me these questions?
Frederick Longfellow was found murdered
in your hotel room.
My hotel room?
- That's impossible.
- Out of my way!
Do you know who I am?
Is my son under arrest?
Mr. Edison.
He's assisting me with my inquiries.
Then I trust you'll have no objection
to me joining your interview.
Chop-chop!
- Thomas.
- Father. This is bewildering. I've...
Just answer the Detective's questions.
Mr. Edison,
how did your fingermarks come
to be on Mr. Longfellow's device?
- What of it?
- Well, the man was electrocuted
by his own invention, so I ask again:
- how did your fingermarks come to be on it?
- The thing was in his room.
- Of course he touched it.
- Before we left
for the Exhibition Hall
last evening, I examined
the Vital Motion Plus quite thoroughly.
I do not lend my name
without knowing what it is
- I am endorsing.
- Hm.
How does the Vital Motion Plus work?
A mild current
runs through the electrodes.
I actually gave Frederick
a couple of suggestions to help
improve the machine's potency...
- but the man thought that...
- Don't make things worse!
- He knew better than an Edison!
- That machine is a sham!
- Did you learn nothing from me, boy?
- I am no longer
in short trousers, Father.
I can make my own decisions.
Yes. And destroy the good
name of Edison in the process.
Gentlemen, if I may. Mr. Edison... Junior,
where did you go after you
left Mr. McBride and Mr. Rico?
- I actually don't remember.
- For God's sake.
I was in the land of drink,
sir. I'm ashamed to say that
this is not the first occasion
- I have lost time to the bottle.
- Be quiet.
You don't know what you are saying.
Land sakes, Father, I can handle
this. I don't need you interfering!
Gentlemen, please...
Don't you have somewhere important
to be? A patent to file, perhaps?
If there's nothing further, we're leaving.
Thomas, come!
You'll be hearing from
our lawyer, Detective.
Detective!
I extracted these fibres
from the victim's mouth.
A cotton cloth of some
kind was stuffed into
- his mouth and then removed.
- A handkerchief?
There is a second colour of fibre
- which would suggest...
- ... A monogram.
Mr. Edison! Mr. Edison,
- a question if you will.
- Me?
Yes. It would appear that
you were the first person
to see Frederick
Longfellow after his death.
What was in his mouth?
I don't recall there being anything.
You're lying. Answer the question.
I don't see how this has anything to do...
What are you trying to hide, Mr. Edison?
What evidence did you remove
from the scene of the crime?
That is preposterous!
Detective!
Well, well, well!
It would seem I have to arrest you
for the murder of Frederick Longfellow.
- No need, that's my handkerchief.
- Thomas!
I must have misplaced it somehow.
- Ah! Misplaced!
- I see.
I have no doubt that these fibres,
which were found in
Frederick Longfellow's mouth,
will match those of this handkerchief.
Mr. Edison Junior, I'm
afraid I must detain you
on suspicion of murder.
Sir, why did you not charge Edison Junior?
Because it troubles me
that I can't figure out
what caused the deadly
current that killed Longfellow.
All these connections
appear to be in order.
When I was at the Medical
Exhibition, sir, I saw
a prosthetic hand that ran on electricity.
- Fully functional?
- Yes, sir.
Must be the work of a
great scientific mind!
Sir it was uncanny. I wonder
if the future will allow
for electronic body parts to replace
our hands or hair or...
- Hair?
- Well, yes sir,
a toupee of sorts, but
if you were frightened,
an electric charge would
cause it to stand on end.
Aha! George,
have a look right here.
A piece of frayed cloth
that matches the sheathing
on the AC wire that comes in
this side of the transformer.
- You think it was disconnected?
- I believe so.
- That would certainly bypass the transformer.
- So it must have
- been reconnected.
- But not before
delivering the deadly current
that killed Longfellow.
Mr. Edison, I have a few more questions.
Detective, I don't know
how that handkerchief
- got in Frederick's mouth.
- You really have
no recollection of where
you went that night?
None at all. I woke up in a tavern
in the west end the morning I
was to appear at the Exhibition.
Certainly not a convincing alibi.
It is the only one I have.
Right then.
The Vital Motion Plus
requires a transformer...
Of course. You cannot shoot direct current
into a machine like that.
You'll electrocute the user.
Direct current?
Don't you mean alternating current?
Really, Detective, direct means: directly!
Clearly more powerful
than a current that goes
back and forth. Even someone
with a rudimentary knowledge
of electricity knows that.
I believe you may have
this confused, Mr. Edison.
A rectifier converts alternating
current to direct current.
The transformer simply changes the voltage.
Does it?
Are you sure?
Quite sure.
To tell the truth,
I never really grasped the
fundamentals of electricity.
But there's no need to
share that with my father,
is there, Detective? He might be,
shall we say, disappointed.
I trust you got everything sorted, Murdoch?
- Sir, I've interviewed Edison Junior and...
- I meant with your wife,
- the good doctor.
- Sirs!
- What have you, George?
- Edison Junior
has endorsed various
devices, my favourite being
the Solid Gold Wizard Fountain Pen.
But nothing seems to warrant
a dispute with Longfellow
- worthy of murder.
- It could be over anything.
Junior's touting for another
inventor now. Isn't that enough?
Sir, I now don't think that he's our man.
The murder was committed by
skillfully bypassing elements
of the transformer. I
don't think Edison Junior
had the technical know-how to do that.
Well, what about the evidence
against him? The dead man was
killed in his room. Fingermarks
all over the machine.
And Junior's handkerchief was
stuffed in the victim's mouth.
All very convenient.
What about this mystery lady
last seen with Longfellow?
- Any luck tracking her down?
- Well, the clerk's account:
dark hair, exotic...
perhaps a lady of the night?
We're circulating her description now.
A needle in the proverbial haystack.
Anyway, that's enough for today, gentlemen.
Some of us have got wives to go home to.
I don't know why the Inspector
felt the need to interfere!
I felt as though I was
in front of the headmaster
- to account for my naughtiness!
- Mr. Mansfield.
- Evening, Detective Murdoch.
- That's what you get for asking him
to walk you down the aisle:
unwanted fatherly advice.
You should have heard him.
"Your actions are his actions!"
Am I to be forever
hamstrung by such a backward
- view of marriage?
- Let's not let society
constrain us, Julia, no
matter what the consequences.
We're a modern couple
living in a modern world.
Absolutely.
But what consequences do you mean?
Will you be censured if I run for election?
Oh, tongues will wag, ancient
history will be dragged up.
But your position is
not in jeopardy, surely?
I'll steel myself for a strong talking-to
by the Chief Constable.
There'll be veiled warnings...
Warnings? They might dismiss you?
- Oh, I didn't say that.
- That is ridiculous.
My reputation stands for something.
And I'm sure the Inspector will
back me if it comes to that.
William, you should not
be put in that position!
Julia, we are husband and wife.
We stand together, no
matter what comes our way.
I won't be charging your
son with murder just yet.
Oh, that's a relief. Why not?
- I believe he's been set up.
- Who would do that?
I was about to ask you that very question.
Ah! My son has never been
particularly discriminating
about the company he keeps.
I don't know why, but the boy
has never applied himself.
He's been...
lackadaisical since his school days.
- That must be frustrating.
- Frustrating?
I am at my wit's end. Sorry
I can't help you, Detective.
Do you have any other leads?
Yes. We're looking for the
woman that was last seen
with Mr. Longfellow.
Quite likely a prostitute.
Ha! That woman was no prostitute,
I can assure you of that.
- Why do you say that?
- Longfellow was
too cheap to pay for a woman.
At the beginning of any
Exhibition, he'd find himself
a pretty young demonstrator to consort with
and he'd drop her like a
hot potato when the next crop
of young girls came by. Dreadful habit.
Sir,
while these ladies are
quite fetching, none of them
really match the description
of our mystery woman.
Right. I suggest we split up, George.
You take this side of the pavilion.
Sir.
Detective. When will I
get Thomas Edison back?
My sales have plummeted without him.
Mr. Edison is currently
a guest of Station House
Number Four and will remain as such
until this investigation is concluded.
Then what are you lot doing
- wandering around here?
- Sir.
Just a moment, George.
Actually, we are looking
for a woman who was
seen with Mr. Longfellow.
- Sir!
- Perhaps an employee
- of the Emporium.
- Sir! She's right there.
Oh!
Good work, George.
This tincture is guaranteed to heal
all small cuts and aid
in the removal of warts
- and other blemishes.
- Ahem! Excuse me, Miss.
Detective Murdoch, Toronto Constabulary.
- What can I do for you?
- What is your name?
- Anna Rico.
- Miss Rico, you are
Mr. Rico's daughter?
- Yes!
- Why are you not working
- at his booth?
- I am employed by the Emporium,
- not just one booth owner.
- Ah!
You knew Frederick Longfellow?
Yes. I met him
when he was setting up
here. Such terrible news.
You were seen with him the night he died.
He took me for dinner.
And then?
He suggested...
- a nightcap at his hotel.
- And you went?
He seemed to be a gentleman
and I suppose I was
flattered by the attention.
What happened once you were at the hotel?
Frederick tipped the hotel
clerk to look the other way
and we went up to the rooms.
- He wanted to show me something.
- Anna?
Detective. What is happening?
I have a few questions for Miss Rico.
- What kind of questions?
- I should get back to work,
- if you don't mind.
- Please, Miss Rico,
- continue.
- Speak up, Anna.
We walked into a hotel room.
The machine he had invented was there.
He wanted to show it to you.
I think rather he was trying to seduce me.
I'm sorry, Papa.
I should not have gone that night.
What happened after that?
I was about to get into the machine...
there was a knock at the door.
Another man came in. He was very drunk.
I began to think it
was not such a good idea
to be in a hotel room
with two men. So I left.
This man that came to the
hotel, would you recognize him?
Answer, Anna.
You have to tell the
Detective everything you know.
Yes. I recognized him.
He works here at the Exhibition.
Who is he?
Thomas Edison Junior.
In light of this new information,
your son will have to remain
in custody, Mr. Edison.
I see.
- I've arranged for a good lawyer.
- Would you like to see him?
I don't think so. It's a
matter for the courts now.
It's a hard pill to swallow
discovering your son's
- a murderer.
- Sir, I'm convinced
- there's more to this.
- Can't argue with the evidence,
now that there's an eyewitness.
Are you sure you're not being
- blinded by his pedigree?
- Sir, there are several possibilities.
For example, Anna Rico
also works for Mr. McBride,
Longfellow's rival. The two of
them could be up to something.
Have Crabtree see what he
can come up with on her,
though I doubt you will
find anything. Sometimes
it's just what's in front of you.
- Sir.
- Murdoch,
did my word with the Doctor sink in?
Julia told me you spoke with her.
- Good. So it's sorted?
- Very much so.
I fully support her decision to run.
I'm going to give this
to you straight, Murdoch.
Your wife's actions are
jeopardizing your position
- within the Constabulary.
- Sir, the world is changing...
So I'm bloody told. I know
you've married a firebrand
and she's the persuasive
type, but you're her husband.
What you say goes.
Wear the trousers for once, man!
This matter is closed.
I'll look into Anna Rico for you, sir.
We could have a poster of
Julia dressed as Liberty.
Oh, come on, you don't
like the idea of Liberty?
It's stirring. Very Boadicea et al...
A female warrior, that, I like.
- A warrior princess!
- Oh now, she doesn't have to be a princess.
Emily, hello!
Miss Moss! Am I interrupting?
Not at all. We were just
going over some ideas
for your publicity.
- Is something wrong?
- Actually,
I came to tell you that I'm
withdrawing from the election.
- What?
- I think it's for the best.
- I bring a lot of controversy with me.
- Why does that matter?
- It's about taking a stand!
- I really feel quite strongly
about this, Emily. I'm
not the right candidate.
Will you give us a moment?
Julia!
Why are you giving up so easily?
I'm not giving up. It just need not be me
- on the campaign poster.
- This is about the Detective,
isn't it? Let me guess. He doesn't approve.
On the contrary, he
completely supports my running.
He's almost more enthusiastic than I am.
Then what is the problem?
What I do directly impacts upon William.
I have to take that into consideration.
If you weren't married to him,
what would you do?
Emily,
this matter is closed.
When a woman marries, she
loses a piece of herself.
- So it seems.
- I do know a place
that will serve a woman a good stiff drink.
Then I would like to
know where that place is.
Anna Rico? I don't know any Anna Rico.
- What are you asking me for?
- She claims you arrived
at the hotel room not half
an hour before Mr. Longfellow
- was murdered.
- Why would a woman I've never met
lie about me?
I must have been there.
Maybe I am your killer, Detective.
Well, the evidence certainly
points towards you, Mr. Edison.
Are you sure you remember nothing?
Sadly, I don't.
Has my father asked about
me? He hasn't visited.
He has arranged for a good lawyer for you.
Of course he has. He wouldn't want
the Edison name sullied.
Sir, I've been doing
that search you asked for.
Rico? It's an uncommon surname,
but I found a court document
filed a couple of years
ago by a Georgio Rico.
- Georgio Rico?
- Yes, sir.
But it was witnessed by his sister Anna.
Now, as it turns out, Georgio
Rico was trying to win back
a patent for this long
lasting light bulb filament.
He was suing Frederick Longfellow, sir,
- and Mr. Edison Senior.
- Of course I remember Georgio.
Good brain!
Longfellow brought me
his filament invention.
- And you patented it.
- Yes. Longfellow and I formed
a company and put it into production.
Very successful it was, too.
And Mr. Rico's involvement?
The young man was remunerated for his work,
but he did not grasp the business side
of things, hence the lawsuit.
- Do you know where we might be able to find him?
- Sadly,
there was a tragic end
after the lawsuit failed.
Suicide, I understand.
A shame really.
The lad had talent.
Gentlemen.
I almost feel sorry for
Junior with a father like that.
With her brother's tragic death after
a failed lawsuit, that would certainly
give Anna Rico motive for murder.
It would indeed.
Sirs,
I spoke to Mr. Mansfield, the desk clerk.
He confirms that Anna
Rico was in the hotel lobby
at the time of the power
outage at quarter to midnight.
He didn't see anybody else of
note coming or going that night.
Thank you, George.
So she's not our murderer.
Edison Junior did it.
Well, sir, there is another possibility.
Anna Rico could be involved.
- How?
- Well, she could easily
have lured Longfellow into his machine.
Once strapped in, let
someone else into the room.
Someone who may have had
reason to want Longfellow dead.
Why frame Edison Junior? He had
nothing to do with the business dealings
that caused the brother's
suicide. That was Edison Senior.
Sir,
if you want to truly punish a man...
You take his son.
Mr. Rico.
You took advantage of
Edison's weakness for drink,
knowing that he would remember nothing.
Your daughter Anna let you into the
room, where you rigged the machine
to electrocute Longfellow, leaving behind
a trail of clues you knew we would find.
Including an eyewitness.
Why, Mr. Rico?
Georgio,
he was a genius.
I joined the traveling exhibition,
selling my wares like a
common showman to support him.
He took over my workshop.
The electrical limb was his invention.
The filament for the
light bulb was another.
His life was just beginning
when it was cut short
by the greed of those men.
Mr. Rico, you are under arrest for murder.
You! You would have seen
my son hang for murder!
- You killed mine.
- What?
- I did no such thing!
- You took his life
as much as if you had tied the
rope around his neck yourself.
Why my son? Why not me?
I wanted you to know how I feel.
To grow old without your
beloved boy at your side.
What greater pain can there be
than to lose one's son?
Take me away, Detective.
I am ready.
- Mister Edison. You're free to go.
- Thank you, Detective.
- Goodbye, father.
- I would like to wish you well.
- Then do so. Is it so hard?
- Have you learned nothing
- from your time in the cells?
- Yes. That my father would leave me there to rot.
- Patently untrue. Tell him, Detective...
- Gentlemen.
Given the tragic circumstances
surrounding this case,
perhaps it would be a good idea
for you to come to some sort
of civilized arrangement.
I can see no way forward while the boy
insists on using the Edison name
to endorse worthless products.
I have to live.
- I cannot do so without an income.
- What do you suggest that I do?
- If you had paid attention at school...
- Perhaps I can help
- find a compromise that's acceptable to both parties.
- Like what?
Ahem!
Perhaps Mr. Edison Junior
would be willing to not use
the family name in business in exchange
- for a monthly stipend.
- That might be acceptable.
- How healthy a stipend?
- I'll have the details
drawn up. Good day, Detective.
- I am sorry things couldn't end on...
- Now that I am no longer
shackled to the Edison name,
what do you think of Thomas Willard?
That's a perfectly good name.
Perhaps Burton Willard has more authority.
- Also good.
- "Burton Willard."
I can see that name
splashed across a billboard.
What an odd pair the
Edisons turned out to be.
Not what you'd expect a famous
father and son to be like at all.
There's no telling, is
there. You never really know
- what the private lives of public figures are like.
- I suppose not.
Who knows, maybe young Edison
will end up on a career path
that doesn't step on his
father's. Maybe he'll be a...
beekeeper or something.
Well, from what you describe, it doesn't seem
as though he'll succeed at much of anything.
Oh, I just want to step
in here for a moment.
- You two go on.
- Alright.
Do you think Mr. Edison
Junior will miss his father?
I suspect he might, you know.
Who knows, maybe the two will mellow out
over the next few years.
I would miss my father.
I already miss him a lot.
Why do you think my mom won't tell
me that he's never coming back?
What do you mean?
She got a letter a couple
months ago that made her cry.
Did you read it?
I know my father's dead.
- She just won't say anything.
- Well, that's a very difficult thing
to tell a son, Simon.
You should tell her that you know already.
- You think?
- I do. I think she would be relieved.
I think you might feel relieved.
Yeah. I should tell her.
Do you want to...
I don't know, do you want
to give this thing a whack?
- Yeah.
- Here you are.
Give it a good one, now.
Oh, very nice!
- Very good!
- That was so close.
- Yeah.
- Oh, I don't know. I've got a...
sore elbow, you see, I don't...
- Who knew!
- I can't believe it!
All-new Murdoch.
A moment of silence for Mr. Grady.
Everybody hated him.
To you!
Murdoch Mysteries,
next Monday at 8:00 on CBC.
I will show you
if you don't tell anyone.
Who would I tell, Freddie?
- Wow!
- As I promised.
The magnificent Vital Motion Plus. Here.
Try it out.
Oh, I don't know...
It is harmless, my dear. Totally harmless.
Actually, it will do you a power of good.
How does it do a person good, Freddie?
You need not worry about
the principle of the thing.
- Just hop in.
- Are you sure?
You won't regret it, I promise.
But to experience the real benefits,
the electrodes
should be applied next to flesh.
Oh!
If you dare, my beauty!
You really know
how to persuade a woman.
- Tea?
- Yes, please.
Come in!
George!
- Doctor! Sir!
- Morning, George!
Wonderful digs!
Look at this!
Splendid view of the city!
Thank you, George... What
brings you here this morning?
Oh, sir, pardon the interruption.
You're needed. There's been a murder.
Oh, I see. I'll fetch my bicycle
from the hotel stables
and meet you at the scene.
Well, you shouldn't need your bicycle,
sir. The murder was here. Room 206.
- When was the body found?
- Early this morning
by a maid. She's quite
distraught, apparently.
Sir, the victim appears
to have been electrocuted.
Some unfortunate mishap.
Well, that would account
for the power outage
we experienced last night.
And if that is the case,
the time of death would
be shortly before midnight.
What do we know about the victim, George?
His name is Frederick
Longfellow. From his effects
it seems he's a
businessman and a scientist.
He's in Toronto for the big
Medical Exhibition and Emporium
that opens today. I believe this...
device is the thing he's trying to sell.
I found a registration form in his room.
This isn't his room?
I found a key in his pocket for 209.
Alright then.
Search this room, and
leave the body in the device
for Doctor Grace to examine at the morgue.
Sir.
- Mr. Mansfield?
- Good morning, Detective!
- Morning.
- Your mail, sir.
Yes. Thank you.
Terrible business upstairs.
All in all too much excitement
- for one night, wouldn't you say?
- Indeed. I need to know
who Room 206 was registered to.
Strange!
The page has been torn out.
I'll need to take this.
Yes, yes, of course. I'm
glad you're in charge, sir.
I should, um...
I...
Is something wrong, Mr. Mansfield?
For your ears only, Detective.
Of course.
Mr. Longfellow came to the
hotel last night in the company
of a woman. Now, a respectable
establishment such as ours
frowns upon a gentleman
escorting a woman to his room.
However, Mr. Longfellow
slipped me a sizable sum
to look the other way.
Did you see his companion?
- Yes, I did.
- Can you describe her?
She was a striking woman, jet black hair...
Almost exotic!
And you're quite sure he was electrocuted?
He absolutely was. His heart had stopped.
It would seem this machine
killed him. These burn marks
match the oval shape of the
electrodes on the machine.
- Well, that's odd!
- What's that?
This current isn't enough
to kill anyone. It's perfectly safe!
I'll have to take it for further testing.
Oh my!
Edna!
What brings you to the station?
Well, I wanted to ask a favour of you.
- For Simon.
- What's he done now?
Oh! No, nothing like that.
He's expressed this interest to go
to the Traveling Medical Emporium.
Somewhat morbid, I guess,
but... I'm trying to encourage
all law-abiding interests in the boy.
Well, how can I help?
Well, I've been offered a job
- that I can't turn down.
- So you'd like me to take him?
Yes!
Edna, does Simon find it odd
that we spend time together
while... I mean, he doesn't
know his father is dead, yet.
I do know that I have to tell him and...
I'm just waiting for the right moment.
D'you wanna take him?
- Yes, of course, be happy to!
- Thank you, George.
George. Were you able to find
- any fingermarks in Room 206?
- Yes, sir.
I'm cataloguing them
now. It may take some time
before I figure out who they belong to.
Right. Please pull up
Thomas Edison's fingermarks
- from our records.
- Edison, sir?
Yes, George. Room 206 was
registered to Thomas Edison.
Sorry I'm late.
What have I missed?
We are debating how we best
persuade the good men of Toronto
- to cast their votes for the fairer sex.
- Hello,
I'm Lillian Moss. Margaret
has attracted me to your cause.
- Oh! Pleased. I'm Emily Grace.
- Another doctor, Lillian.
- Emily is the city coroner.
- I'm already flattered by the company I'm keeping.
Don't sell yourself short,
Lillian. You've already been
- of great service!
- Lillian is a fellow member
of the Socialist League.
They've offered to run Julia
- as a candidate.
- Am I not
too well-heeled for the socialists?
- What about the Liberal Party?
- A woman as a Liberal candidate?
In Ontario? Never!
Perhaps I should run as an Independent.
Unfettered by affiliation!
- Are you sure, Dr. Ogden?
- I think I am.
My uncle is sympathetic
and a prominent Masonic Lodge member.
- He's keen to meet you.
- A Socialist
with connections to the Masons, no less.
I've learned to get ahead in this world,
you take friends no
matter where you find them.
And I am much more
interested in women than I am
in society's conventions.
Macaroon?
Excellent roast beef, Mr. Mayor.
And the Yorkshire pudding was spectacular.
You can always count on a
Mason meeting for a good lunch
and a dollop of gossip, Brackenreid!
Some of which falls in
your bailiwick, I believe.
- Really?
- Your Detective...
- The Catholic?
- Murdoch. What about him?
I hear his wife has some
notion of running for office.
Ludicrous idea. Not good for him,
her breaking the law.
Last thing your boy needs.
- Is she breaking the law?
- Not the letter, I gather,
but certainly the intent.
Have a word. He's gaining a reputation.
- You mean she is.
- No difference.
They are man and wife, are they not?
Good day.
Sir. The hotel room was registered
- to Thomas Edison.
- Thomas Edison? Seriously?
- What's he doing in Toronto?
- I have no idea, but it stands...
He's not here for that Medical
carry-on surely. That thing's
only one step removed from
those traveling medicine shows
- and their snake oil salesmen!
- Sirs!
- What have you, George?
- You were right, sir,
Edison's fingermarks were
in Room 206. What's more
is they were all over that... contraption.
Longfellow electrocuted and Edison knowing
a thing or two about
electricity! Makes sense.
- Except for the murder bit.
- Have Longfellow and Edison
- ever crossed paths before?
- They did, sir. They had
a business relationship of sorts
a couple of years ago. I'm still
- looking into the details.
- Business partners?
That's never been motive for murder before.
Time to have a word
with the gent! Carry on!
Oh, Mr. Edison!
Detective Murdoch. What can I do for you?
I'm here to bring you in for questioning
regarding the murder
of your former partner.
Mr. Longfellow was found electrocuted
in your hotel room, your fingermarks
- on the murder weapon.
- That was not my hotel room.
Your signature is in the register.
Did you remove the page to
conceal your involvement?
It was not my hotel room.
Sir, I have your signature.
- I demand your cooperation.
- That's not my signature.
It's my son's.
Thomas Alva Edison Junior.
My son has learned to copy
my signature rather well!
It can be quite convenient to be mistaken
for your famous father. He adds "Jr"
as an afterthought. Considerate.
Mr. Edison,
why were your fingermarks
found on the electrical device?
I was in Room 206.
I saw Longfellow. He was already dead.
What time was this?
After midnight? 12:30... ?
Why did you not report the murder?
- What would be the point?
- You felt no obligation?
- No.
- Or perhaps you didn't
because you thought your son
responsible. That's why you tore
the page from the register. To protect him.
My son is capable of many things,
but not murder.
What was the nature
of your relationship
with Frederick Longfellow?
He would bring me inventions
hoping the Edison company
would invest in their commercialization.
Most of these were useless.
Yet, you still formed a company with him.
- Why was that?
- One invention had merit.
A new light bulb filament. Longfellow and I
formed a company to
patent it two years ago,
last time I saw him. Anything else?
Yes, Mr. Edison. Why are you in Toronto?
I'm looking for my son.
Oh, well then, it seems
our interests have converged!
Where might we find him?
I believe he is working for
the Traveling Medical Emporium.
He's paid by so-called inventors
to lend the Edison name
to their useless products,
sullying my reputation in the process.
- Dr. Grace!
- Miss Moss!
Lillian, please.
I hope I'm not intruding.
I don't think you're disturbing anyone.
I came to tell you
that Dr. Ogden made a very
good impression with my uncle.
She has his vote, though I'm
not sure about his fellow Masons.
Julia is very impressive
and has always been
- an inspiration to me.
- You're a doctor as well!
You're both inspirations.
Could I take you for tea?
Oh! I'd be delighted.
Simon, look at this.
Ha! Look!
Sorry!
Arthritis, catarrh,
ailments of the blood,
the spleen, and liver.
The Magno-Electric Vitalizer
aids in all manner of illness.
And you can surely trust a product endorsed
by Thomas Alva Edison.
I personally examined the
Vitalizer and indeed tried it
with excellent results.
I warrant it is safe...
Thomas Edison is a famous
inventor. This must be
his son following in his footsteps.
My father was a blacksmith
before he went off to the war.
That's an admirable trade.
I used to watch him work.
Do you think you'll follow in his path?
Me? No! It's too hot and sweaty!
And where's the money
in forging horseshoes?
... see more hair growth
even on my youthful head
as a result of daily use.
And a finer head of hair I
have yet to see, Mr. Edison!
Step up! Who wants one!?
Look at this!
Look at this arm!
This device is a modern marvel,
one that can complete complex tasks
a cosmetic prosthetic cannot.
See how the hand moves like that, son?
It's like an automaton.
Nobody would mess about with
me if I had an arm like that.
I'd be a mechanical man!
Yes, but think about it. You'd
have to cut one of your own
- perfectly good limbs off!
- Well, so what?
The electrical arm is far more useful!
A tool... a deadly weapon
as part of your own body!
I suppose it might come in handy.
What would you rather cut off, Constable?
Your left or your right arm?
See, you'd think the left,
because I'm right-handed,
but there are a lot of
variables you need to consider.
For example...
... I'm sure it's what
you need, and perhaps
your hair is fine for the moment...
Excuse me, Mr. Edison Junior?
Yes.
Detective William Murdoch,
Toronto Constabulary.
- I'd like to have a word.
- Of course!
- What is this about, Detective?
- Where were you last night?
Last night? I believe I was in a tavern.
Who were you with?
Mr. McBride, whom I work with.
Mr. Rico from the booth across the way
also joined us. What of it?
- What's going on?
- A misunderstanding,
I am quite sure. Tell
the Detective where I was
- last night, Mr. McBride.
- Rico and I took him out drinking.
I was persuading him to come work with me,
- not that charlatan Longfellow.
- Until what hour?
I'd say Mr. Edison here
staggered out of the tavern
around eleven, just before perhaps.
Well oiled, too! Singing and carrying on.
As I told you.
Mr. Edison,
I'd like you to accompany me
to the station house, please.
Is that... is that necessary?
Yes, yes, it is.
Thank you for coming in, Doctor Ogden.
- You wanted to speak to me?
- Yes, yes, I do.
Please have a seat.
At the Masonic lunch, there was talk
about you being a candidate
at the provincial election.
I trust I can count on
your support, Inspector.
A word in your ear, Doctor.
It's already caused quite a stir.
Well, that is exactly our
intention. What we hope is...
There'll be serious consequences.
Naturally. Any attempt by
women to raise their voices
- beyond a polite murmur is a challenge to almost every...
- It's not the woman's right
to vote claptrap that I'm talking about!
Although I am happy to offer an opinion
on another occasion.
No, this is about Murdoch.
William and I have discussed my decision.
- He completely understands!
- I'm not sure he does.
- Inspector, what is this about?
- Now that you're married,
Doctor, the world sees you
differently. You're his property
and whether you like it or not,
your actions are his actions.
That is not how William
and I view our marriage,
- as you well know!
- Listen to me,
you making a public spectacle of yourself
will not sit well with
Murdoch's political masters.
And legitimately standing
for political office
is not a spectacle, sir.
Oh for God's sake, woman!
Be realistic for once!
This is none of your affair, Inspector.
Mr. Edison,
how did you know Frederick Longfellow?
I lent the Edison name
to his latest invention,
the Vital Motion Plus.
And when did you last see him?
Yesterday. I left him
at the Exhibition Hall
before I met up with McBride and Rico.
Ah yes, you work for Mr. McBride now.
- Why is that?
- My name sells their products
like hot cakes. Frederick
was not giving me the respect
I felt I deserved, so
I took McBride's offer.
Detective, why are you
asking me these questions?
Frederick Longfellow was found murdered
in your hotel room.
My hotel room?
- That's impossible.
- Out of my way!
Do you know who I am?
Is my son under arrest?
Mr. Edison.
He's assisting me with my inquiries.
Then I trust you'll have no objection
to me joining your interview.
Chop-chop!
- Thomas.
- Father. This is bewildering. I've...
Just answer the Detective's questions.
Mr. Edison,
how did your fingermarks come
to be on Mr. Longfellow's device?
- What of it?
- Well, the man was electrocuted
by his own invention, so I ask again:
- how did your fingermarks come to be on it?
- The thing was in his room.
- Of course he touched it.
- Before we left
for the Exhibition Hall
last evening, I examined
the Vital Motion Plus quite thoroughly.
I do not lend my name
without knowing what it is
- I am endorsing.
- Hm.
How does the Vital Motion Plus work?
A mild current
runs through the electrodes.
I actually gave Frederick
a couple of suggestions to help
improve the machine's potency...
- but the man thought that...
- Don't make things worse!
- He knew better than an Edison!
- That machine is a sham!
- Did you learn nothing from me, boy?
- I am no longer
in short trousers, Father.
I can make my own decisions.
Yes. And destroy the good
name of Edison in the process.
Gentlemen, if I may. Mr. Edison... Junior,
where did you go after you
left Mr. McBride and Mr. Rico?
- I actually don't remember.
- For God's sake.
I was in the land of drink,
sir. I'm ashamed to say that
this is not the first occasion
- I have lost time to the bottle.
- Be quiet.
You don't know what you are saying.
Land sakes, Father, I can handle
this. I don't need you interfering!
Gentlemen, please...
Don't you have somewhere important
to be? A patent to file, perhaps?
If there's nothing further, we're leaving.
Thomas, come!
You'll be hearing from
our lawyer, Detective.
Detective!
I extracted these fibres
from the victim's mouth.
A cotton cloth of some
kind was stuffed into
- his mouth and then removed.
- A handkerchief?
There is a second colour of fibre
- which would suggest...
- ... A monogram.
Mr. Edison! Mr. Edison,
- a question if you will.
- Me?
Yes. It would appear that
you were the first person
to see Frederick
Longfellow after his death.
What was in his mouth?
I don't recall there being anything.
You're lying. Answer the question.
I don't see how this has anything to do...
What are you trying to hide, Mr. Edison?
What evidence did you remove
from the scene of the crime?
That is preposterous!
Detective!
Well, well, well!
It would seem I have to arrest you
for the murder of Frederick Longfellow.
- No need, that's my handkerchief.
- Thomas!
I must have misplaced it somehow.
- Ah! Misplaced!
- I see.
I have no doubt that these fibres,
which were found in
Frederick Longfellow's mouth,
will match those of this handkerchief.
Mr. Edison Junior, I'm
afraid I must detain you
on suspicion of murder.
Sir, why did you not charge Edison Junior?
Because it troubles me
that I can't figure out
what caused the deadly
current that killed Longfellow.
All these connections
appear to be in order.
When I was at the Medical
Exhibition, sir, I saw
a prosthetic hand that ran on electricity.
- Fully functional?
- Yes, sir.
Must be the work of a
great scientific mind!
Sir it was uncanny. I wonder
if the future will allow
for electronic body parts to replace
our hands or hair or...
- Hair?
- Well, yes sir,
a toupee of sorts, but
if you were frightened,
an electric charge would
cause it to stand on end.
Aha! George,
have a look right here.
A piece of frayed cloth
that matches the sheathing
on the AC wire that comes in
this side of the transformer.
- You think it was disconnected?
- I believe so.
- That would certainly bypass the transformer.
- So it must have
- been reconnected.
- But not before
delivering the deadly current
that killed Longfellow.
Mr. Edison, I have a few more questions.
Detective, I don't know
how that handkerchief
- got in Frederick's mouth.
- You really have
no recollection of where
you went that night?
None at all. I woke up in a tavern
in the west end the morning I
was to appear at the Exhibition.
Certainly not a convincing alibi.
It is the only one I have.
Right then.
The Vital Motion Plus
requires a transformer...
Of course. You cannot shoot direct current
into a machine like that.
You'll electrocute the user.
Direct current?
Don't you mean alternating current?
Really, Detective, direct means: directly!
Clearly more powerful
than a current that goes
back and forth. Even someone
with a rudimentary knowledge
of electricity knows that.
I believe you may have
this confused, Mr. Edison.
A rectifier converts alternating
current to direct current.
The transformer simply changes the voltage.
Does it?
Are you sure?
Quite sure.
To tell the truth,
I never really grasped the
fundamentals of electricity.
But there's no need to
share that with my father,
is there, Detective? He might be,
shall we say, disappointed.
I trust you got everything sorted, Murdoch?
- Sir, I've interviewed Edison Junior and...
- I meant with your wife,
- the good doctor.
- Sirs!
- What have you, George?
- Edison Junior
has endorsed various
devices, my favourite being
the Solid Gold Wizard Fountain Pen.
But nothing seems to warrant
a dispute with Longfellow
- worthy of murder.
- It could be over anything.
Junior's touting for another
inventor now. Isn't that enough?
Sir, I now don't think that he's our man.
The murder was committed by
skillfully bypassing elements
of the transformer. I
don't think Edison Junior
had the technical know-how to do that.
Well, what about the evidence
against him? The dead man was
killed in his room. Fingermarks
all over the machine.
And Junior's handkerchief was
stuffed in the victim's mouth.
All very convenient.
What about this mystery lady
last seen with Longfellow?
- Any luck tracking her down?
- Well, the clerk's account:
dark hair, exotic...
perhaps a lady of the night?
We're circulating her description now.
A needle in the proverbial haystack.
Anyway, that's enough for today, gentlemen.
Some of us have got wives to go home to.
I don't know why the Inspector
felt the need to interfere!
I felt as though I was
in front of the headmaster
- to account for my naughtiness!
- Mr. Mansfield.
- Evening, Detective Murdoch.
- That's what you get for asking him
to walk you down the aisle:
unwanted fatherly advice.
You should have heard him.
"Your actions are his actions!"
Am I to be forever
hamstrung by such a backward
- view of marriage?
- Let's not let society
constrain us, Julia, no
matter what the consequences.
We're a modern couple
living in a modern world.
Absolutely.
But what consequences do you mean?
Will you be censured if I run for election?
Oh, tongues will wag, ancient
history will be dragged up.
But your position is
not in jeopardy, surely?
I'll steel myself for a strong talking-to
by the Chief Constable.
There'll be veiled warnings...
Warnings? They might dismiss you?
- Oh, I didn't say that.
- That is ridiculous.
My reputation stands for something.
And I'm sure the Inspector will
back me if it comes to that.
William, you should not
be put in that position!
Julia, we are husband and wife.
We stand together, no
matter what comes our way.
I won't be charging your
son with murder just yet.
Oh, that's a relief. Why not?
- I believe he's been set up.
- Who would do that?
I was about to ask you that very question.
Ah! My son has never been
particularly discriminating
about the company he keeps.
I don't know why, but the boy
has never applied himself.
He's been...
lackadaisical since his school days.
- That must be frustrating.
- Frustrating?
I am at my wit's end. Sorry
I can't help you, Detective.
Do you have any other leads?
Yes. We're looking for the
woman that was last seen
with Mr. Longfellow.
Quite likely a prostitute.
Ha! That woman was no prostitute,
I can assure you of that.
- Why do you say that?
- Longfellow was
too cheap to pay for a woman.
At the beginning of any
Exhibition, he'd find himself
a pretty young demonstrator to consort with
and he'd drop her like a
hot potato when the next crop
of young girls came by. Dreadful habit.
Sir,
while these ladies are
quite fetching, none of them
really match the description
of our mystery woman.
Right. I suggest we split up, George.
You take this side of the pavilion.
Sir.
Detective. When will I
get Thomas Edison back?
My sales have plummeted without him.
Mr. Edison is currently
a guest of Station House
Number Four and will remain as such
until this investigation is concluded.
Then what are you lot doing
- wandering around here?
- Sir.
Just a moment, George.
Actually, we are looking
for a woman who was
seen with Mr. Longfellow.
- Sir!
- Perhaps an employee
- of the Emporium.
- Sir! She's right there.
Oh!
Good work, George.
This tincture is guaranteed to heal
all small cuts and aid
in the removal of warts
- and other blemishes.
- Ahem! Excuse me, Miss.
Detective Murdoch, Toronto Constabulary.
- What can I do for you?
- What is your name?
- Anna Rico.
- Miss Rico, you are
Mr. Rico's daughter?
- Yes!
- Why are you not working
- at his booth?
- I am employed by the Emporium,
- not just one booth owner.
- Ah!
You knew Frederick Longfellow?
Yes. I met him
when he was setting up
here. Such terrible news.
You were seen with him the night he died.
He took me for dinner.
And then?
He suggested...
- a nightcap at his hotel.
- And you went?
He seemed to be a gentleman
and I suppose I was
flattered by the attention.
What happened once you were at the hotel?
Frederick tipped the hotel
clerk to look the other way
and we went up to the rooms.
- He wanted to show me something.
- Anna?
Detective. What is happening?
I have a few questions for Miss Rico.
- What kind of questions?
- I should get back to work,
- if you don't mind.
- Please, Miss Rico,
- continue.
- Speak up, Anna.
We walked into a hotel room.
The machine he had invented was there.
He wanted to show it to you.
I think rather he was trying to seduce me.
I'm sorry, Papa.
I should not have gone that night.
What happened after that?
I was about to get into the machine...
there was a knock at the door.
Another man came in. He was very drunk.
I began to think it
was not such a good idea
to be in a hotel room
with two men. So I left.
This man that came to the
hotel, would you recognize him?
Answer, Anna.
You have to tell the
Detective everything you know.
Yes. I recognized him.
He works here at the Exhibition.
Who is he?
Thomas Edison Junior.
In light of this new information,
your son will have to remain
in custody, Mr. Edison.
I see.
- I've arranged for a good lawyer.
- Would you like to see him?
I don't think so. It's a
matter for the courts now.
It's a hard pill to swallow
discovering your son's
- a murderer.
- Sir, I'm convinced
- there's more to this.
- Can't argue with the evidence,
now that there's an eyewitness.
Are you sure you're not being
- blinded by his pedigree?
- Sir, there are several possibilities.
For example, Anna Rico
also works for Mr. McBride,
Longfellow's rival. The two of
them could be up to something.
Have Crabtree see what he
can come up with on her,
though I doubt you will
find anything. Sometimes
it's just what's in front of you.
- Sir.
- Murdoch,
did my word with the Doctor sink in?
Julia told me you spoke with her.
- Good. So it's sorted?
- Very much so.
I fully support her decision to run.
I'm going to give this
to you straight, Murdoch.
Your wife's actions are
jeopardizing your position
- within the Constabulary.
- Sir, the world is changing...
So I'm bloody told. I know
you've married a firebrand
and she's the persuasive
type, but you're her husband.
What you say goes.
Wear the trousers for once, man!
This matter is closed.
I'll look into Anna Rico for you, sir.
We could have a poster of
Julia dressed as Liberty.
Oh, come on, you don't
like the idea of Liberty?
It's stirring. Very Boadicea et al...
A female warrior, that, I like.
- A warrior princess!
- Oh now, she doesn't have to be a princess.
Emily, hello!
Miss Moss! Am I interrupting?
Not at all. We were just
going over some ideas
for your publicity.
- Is something wrong?
- Actually,
I came to tell you that I'm
withdrawing from the election.
- What?
- I think it's for the best.
- I bring a lot of controversy with me.
- Why does that matter?
- It's about taking a stand!
- I really feel quite strongly
about this, Emily. I'm
not the right candidate.
Will you give us a moment?
Julia!
Why are you giving up so easily?
I'm not giving up. It just need not be me
- on the campaign poster.
- This is about the Detective,
isn't it? Let me guess. He doesn't approve.
On the contrary, he
completely supports my running.
He's almost more enthusiastic than I am.
Then what is the problem?
What I do directly impacts upon William.
I have to take that into consideration.
If you weren't married to him,
what would you do?
Emily,
this matter is closed.
When a woman marries, she
loses a piece of herself.
- So it seems.
- I do know a place
that will serve a woman a good stiff drink.
Then I would like to
know where that place is.
Anna Rico? I don't know any Anna Rico.
- What are you asking me for?
- She claims you arrived
at the hotel room not half
an hour before Mr. Longfellow
- was murdered.
- Why would a woman I've never met
lie about me?
I must have been there.
Maybe I am your killer, Detective.
Well, the evidence certainly
points towards you, Mr. Edison.
Are you sure you remember nothing?
Sadly, I don't.
Has my father asked about
me? He hasn't visited.
He has arranged for a good lawyer for you.
Of course he has. He wouldn't want
the Edison name sullied.
Sir, I've been doing
that search you asked for.
Rico? It's an uncommon surname,
but I found a court document
filed a couple of years
ago by a Georgio Rico.
- Georgio Rico?
- Yes, sir.
But it was witnessed by his sister Anna.
Now, as it turns out, Georgio
Rico was trying to win back
a patent for this long
lasting light bulb filament.
He was suing Frederick Longfellow, sir,
- and Mr. Edison Senior.
- Of course I remember Georgio.
Good brain!
Longfellow brought me
his filament invention.
- And you patented it.
- Yes. Longfellow and I formed
a company and put it into production.
Very successful it was, too.
And Mr. Rico's involvement?
The young man was remunerated for his work,
but he did not grasp the business side
of things, hence the lawsuit.
- Do you know where we might be able to find him?
- Sadly,
there was a tragic end
after the lawsuit failed.
Suicide, I understand.
A shame really.
The lad had talent.
Gentlemen.
I almost feel sorry for
Junior with a father like that.
With her brother's tragic death after
a failed lawsuit, that would certainly
give Anna Rico motive for murder.
It would indeed.
Sirs,
I spoke to Mr. Mansfield, the desk clerk.
He confirms that Anna
Rico was in the hotel lobby
at the time of the power
outage at quarter to midnight.
He didn't see anybody else of
note coming or going that night.
Thank you, George.
So she's not our murderer.
Edison Junior did it.
Well, sir, there is another possibility.
Anna Rico could be involved.
- How?
- Well, she could easily
have lured Longfellow into his machine.
Once strapped in, let
someone else into the room.
Someone who may have had
reason to want Longfellow dead.
Why frame Edison Junior? He had
nothing to do with the business dealings
that caused the brother's
suicide. That was Edison Senior.
Sir,
if you want to truly punish a man...
You take his son.
Mr. Rico.
You took advantage of
Edison's weakness for drink,
knowing that he would remember nothing.
Your daughter Anna let you into the
room, where you rigged the machine
to electrocute Longfellow, leaving behind
a trail of clues you knew we would find.
Including an eyewitness.
Why, Mr. Rico?
Georgio,
he was a genius.
I joined the traveling exhibition,
selling my wares like a
common showman to support him.
He took over my workshop.
The electrical limb was his invention.
The filament for the
light bulb was another.
His life was just beginning
when it was cut short
by the greed of those men.
Mr. Rico, you are under arrest for murder.
You! You would have seen
my son hang for murder!
- You killed mine.
- What?
- I did no such thing!
- You took his life
as much as if you had tied the
rope around his neck yourself.
Why my son? Why not me?
I wanted you to know how I feel.
To grow old without your
beloved boy at your side.
What greater pain can there be
than to lose one's son?
Take me away, Detective.
I am ready.
- Mister Edison. You're free to go.
- Thank you, Detective.
- Goodbye, father.
- I would like to wish you well.
- Then do so. Is it so hard?
- Have you learned nothing
- from your time in the cells?
- Yes. That my father would leave me there to rot.
- Patently untrue. Tell him, Detective...
- Gentlemen.
Given the tragic circumstances
surrounding this case,
perhaps it would be a good idea
for you to come to some sort
of civilized arrangement.
I can see no way forward while the boy
insists on using the Edison name
to endorse worthless products.
I have to live.
- I cannot do so without an income.
- What do you suggest that I do?
- If you had paid attention at school...
- Perhaps I can help
- find a compromise that's acceptable to both parties.
- Like what?
Ahem!
Perhaps Mr. Edison Junior
would be willing to not use
the family name in business in exchange
- for a monthly stipend.
- That might be acceptable.
- How healthy a stipend?
- I'll have the details
drawn up. Good day, Detective.
- I am sorry things couldn't end on...
- Now that I am no longer
shackled to the Edison name,
what do you think of Thomas Willard?
That's a perfectly good name.
Perhaps Burton Willard has more authority.
- Also good.
- "Burton Willard."
I can see that name
splashed across a billboard.
What an odd pair the
Edisons turned out to be.
Not what you'd expect a famous
father and son to be like at all.
There's no telling, is
there. You never really know
- what the private lives of public figures are like.
- I suppose not.
Who knows, maybe young Edison
will end up on a career path
that doesn't step on his
father's. Maybe he'll be a...
beekeeper or something.
Well, from what you describe, it doesn't seem
as though he'll succeed at much of anything.
Oh, I just want to step
in here for a moment.
- You two go on.
- Alright.
Do you think Mr. Edison
Junior will miss his father?
I suspect he might, you know.
Who knows, maybe the two will mellow out
over the next few years.
I would miss my father.
I already miss him a lot.
Why do you think my mom won't tell
me that he's never coming back?
What do you mean?
She got a letter a couple
months ago that made her cry.
Did you read it?
I know my father's dead.
- She just won't say anything.
- Well, that's a very difficult thing
to tell a son, Simon.
You should tell her that you know already.
- You think?
- I do. I think she would be relieved.
I think you might feel relieved.
Yeah. I should tell her.
Do you want to...
I don't know, do you want
to give this thing a whack?
- Yeah.
- Here you are.
Give it a good one, now.
Oh, very nice!
- Very good!
- That was so close.
- Yeah.
- Oh, I don't know. I've got a...
sore elbow, you see, I don't...
- Who knew!
- I can't believe it!
All-new Murdoch.
A moment of silence for Mr. Grady.
Everybody hated him.
To you!
Murdoch Mysteries,
next Monday at 8:00 on CBC.