Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 9, Episode 1 - Nolo Contendere - full transcript

Murdoch investigates a prison stabbing which may be connected to the murder for which George Crabtree is imprisoned.

(theme music)

(guard): Come on, hurry up!

- Ugh! Ah!
- Copper...

one of these days, when
their backs are turned, huh...

(chuckling)

You're the copper?

Who wants to know?

Name's Julian Foster.

- I'm only in for assault.
- Good for you.

What I mean is I'll be out soon,

and I have some business to attend to,



business that could profit us both.

- How so?
- Tell me where she is.

- Who?
- The one whose husband

you're doing time for killing.

- Why are you looking for her?!
- It's not just me.

If you care for her, you'd
best let me find her first.

Move apart!

Meet me in the coal shed in 10 minutes.

William...

what do you think of this?

"Cartography exhibit.

The original Mercator projection."

The complete planisphere.

They're only in town for a
little while. I thought we might



have lunch after.

Better get going then.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Henry, a burglary isn't usually

something that requires my attention.

I see. Yes, yes, I'll be there presently.

No Mercator projection?

There's been a burglary at
Edna Brooks' old residence.

Then, you should go.

Probably has nothing to do with her, but...

George is in prison for a
crime she likely committed;

it's better a dead-end
than a missed opportunity.

You're right.

- (indistinct chatter)
- (guard): Keep away.



Oh, my God!

Foster!

Foster, look, look at me.

Who... who... who did this to you?

What does this have to do
with Edna Brooks?! Fos... !

Dammit!

Guards! Guards!

- (George): What are you doing?!
- Get back with the others.

You can't move the body like... Ugh!

- Ugh!
- Let's go on.

- You're destroying evidence!
- Don't get involved!

- That man was murdered.
- It's not your concern.

(George): As a matter of fact,
it's of great concern to me.

Then be smart about it.

(guard): Back to it!

Mr. Suffock's been living here

for the past four months,
and this is the first break-in

- as far as he knows.
- What was taken, Mr. Suffock?

Uh, nothing as far as I can tell.

He returned home from his night shift

and he found his curtains were drawn, sir.

They were open before I left to work.

I was thinking that the intruder may not

have wanted to be seen
from the outside, sir.

- A reasonable assumption.
- (Horse whinnying)

No sign of forced entry.
Did you lock that door?

Of course. They must have picked the lock.

Or had a key.

You think Mrs. Brooks returned, sir?



Sir?

Something is different
from when I was last here.

What?

I... I don't know. Henry,
please fetch my camera.

Right away.

You're not a policeman anymore

so stop behaving like one.

That man who was killed, he's somehow

connected to a woman by
the name of Edna Brooks.

- Yes, I know who she is.
- You do?

She's the reason you're
in here, is she not?

She killed her husband, and
you took responsibility for it.

What makes you think I didn't kill him?

If you'd been guilty, you
would have pled guilty.

If you were both innocent you
would have pled not guilty.

Instead you pled nolo
contendere, no contest,

the only plea that would close the case

without forcing you to confess
to a crime you didn't commit.

You're either the most
noble man I've ever met

or the stupidest.

I can't quite decide which.

Good luck to you.

There's plenty of break-ins
in that neighbourhood, Murdoch.

There was no sign of forced entry, sir,

and the curtains were deliberately drawn.

So, Edna Brooks went back to her apartment,

- is that what you're suggesting?
- It's possible.

- You're clutching at straws.
- Sir, they are all I have.

Bloody Crabtree! If he would just tell us

where she was. I know he knows!

I've tried. He won't even see me.

So, how is this lot gonna help?

Well, sir, if Edna Brooks did return

to her apartment, she did so for a reason.

What exactly are you looking for?

I'm not sure. Something is different

- from when we were there last.
- After Archie Brooks' murder?

Is something missing?

I don't know. I can't
quite put my finger on it.

Spot the difference.

What fun! They could
make a game out of this.

The blood is gone.

- And there's a new tablecloth.
- Hmm, not that.

Look at the stove.

- What?
- Look at the stove pipe.

It was misaligned and now it's not.

That's it! That's what was bothering me!

The stove pipe was
removed and then replaced.

Someone was looking for something.

Or retrieving it.

(both chuckling)

I knew there was a reason I
married you. (Murdoch laughing)

(indistinct conversations)

(guard): Alright, stand in the yard!

I wouldn't do that.

I need to see that body
before it's disposed of.

Just wait a moment.

You know something? He said your mother

- was a prostitute.
- He did, did he?

What are you saying about my
mother? You better watch it!

Get out of here! I never said nothing!

- You made a big mistake!
- Get off of me!

- (indistinct shouting)
- Break it off!

I'll kill you!

- You better watch it!
- YOU better watch it!

(indistinct shouting outside)

(guard): Come on! Let's
go to work! Move 'em!

Sir.

It's good to see you, George.

Thank you for coming, sir.

What have you?

A man by the name of Julian Foster
was killed in here yesterday.

He was in the same regiment
as Archibald Brooks.

How do you know that?

They share a regimental tattoo.

And, sir,

he told me he was to be released soon,

and he was asking Edna's whereabouts.

I think she might be in danger.

Where is she?

Ah, I can't tell you what I don't know.

You do know.

I can still tell when
you're lying to me, George.

- You're protecting her.
- Sir, you of all people should understand.

Foster was murdered, sir;

it might have something to
do with Archibald Brooks.

I'll look into it.

(guard): Take him out of here.

(guard): That's it.

Stand back, please.

(indistinct chatter)

You found us an apartment
on Trafalgar Square?

Not on it, but three blocks away.

I have butterflies.

- Good butterflies?
- I think so.

Oh, Emily, I'm so excited
you've decided to come.

The suffrage movement there
is years ahead of Canada.

We did run a candidate
for provincial election.

Yes. That is why Emily
Pankhurst wants us to join her.

- Oh, I should go.
- I'll see you at home.

What have you, Detective?

The victim's name is Julian Foster.

He was murdered in the Don Jail.

And I have assumed jurisdiction.

He was stabbed,

and I believe this to be the murder weapon.

I should be able to confirm that.

Doctor...

this may have something to do
with the Archibald Brooks' case.

I'll see what I can find.

Thank you, Doctor.

And how do you suggest we proceed?

We ask around. The door to the coal shed

was open to the yard.
Somebody saw something.

And you think they'll talk to us?

A homosexual and a
disgraced police officer?

So what do you suggest? We do nothing?

Is that the only inference you can draw?

- (guard): You lads...
- How would you proceed?

Why are these men in here, Crabtree?

What common trait do they hold?

Poor judgment.

And what constitutes poor judgment?

Rashness, I suppose.

A tendency to act without
regarding consequence.

Or is it the inability to
imagine the series of events

that led them to their present circumstance

and correctly assess its probability?

Stupidity, Crabtree.

Thought-stunting, bat-blind stupidity

is the sine qua non of incarceration.

- Wouldn't that include us?
- Indeed.

But stupidity is relative.

Some have it in abundance,

and others have comparatively little.

As members of the latter category,

we have an advantage,
and I suggest we use it.

Put it on the desk, James, and open it up.

Julian Foster's worldly possessions.

I paid a visit to his rooming house.

- Thank you, sir.
- I fancied the stroll.

Good lad.

Foster's honourable discharge certificate,

dated last November.

Oh, I'd imagine that
was taken during the war.

Sir, have a look at the third man

from the left.

Archie Brooks. They must
have known each other.

Indeed.

- "Notice of Desertion."
- For whom?

Some character named Douglas Roper.

Well, they were in a different unit.

Why would Foster be keeping all of this?

"Doug Roper. 301 Linden Street."

I'm sorry. I don't know where Douglas is.

- He never returned from the war.
- You think he's dead.

I wish I could hope otherwise.

What do you all want from him anyway?

I'm sorry, "all"?

There were others looking for him.

- (Brackenreid): Who?
- A few months ago,

a couple of men came asking after him.

- I told them what I told you.
- Uh...

was one of them this man?

Yes, that's him.

What about the other man?

I never got a good look at him.

I didn't know they were soldiers.

Do you think they know something?

Do you think Douglas is alive?

I'm sorry, ma'am,

but we don't know what
happened to your husband.

I saw you nodding at that detective

like you were telling him something.

We used to work together.

Well, you might want to be careful,

otherwise people think you're a rat.

- He doesn't need my help.
- If he found the murder weapon,

he'll find fingermarks.

Not if they've been wiped.

How long have you been in here?

Detective Murdoch invented a technique

to find fingermarks even
after they've been wiped off.

Really?

He rubs a compound on it, puts
it under some special light;

the fingermarks glow red.

- Red?
- Something to remember

when you get out of here.

Mark my words. As soon as
he matches the fingermark,

he'll make an arrest.

Now, do you care to make a wager on who?

For money?

Yes, for money. I'm gonna take odds.

On who killed Foster?

If you pass it around, I'll cut you in.

Only, tell the right people.

We don't want the guards
getting wind of this.

(clicking tongue)

- (indistinct talking)
- (laughter)

- (Julia Ogden): Are you coming to bed, William?
- (Murdoch): In just a moment.

What has you so engrossed?

An unusual coincidence.

Archibald Brooks was
reported killed in battle

the day before Douglas Roper

was declared a deserter.

Did the two men know each other?

Impossible to say, but they
were in the same battle.

How did the army know that Mr. Roper

- wasn't just missing in action?
- His identification tags

were found in a hotel in Johannesburg.

So, a dead man comes to life,

and a presumably living man
disappears without a trace.

Curious turn of events, no?

(guard): Alright, you're relieved.

10 to 1?

You don't think I'm capable of murder?

OK, 5 to 1, you feel better?

- What's your game?
- I'm just looking

- for a way to pass the time.
- But you're not on the board.

- I didn't kill the guy.
- Come on, Lester,

- it's just a harmless bit of fun.
- What you getting out of it?

- We're splitting the spread.
- What's my cut?

We'll cut you in for half again
for every bet you bring in.

(Lester scoffs.)

Pearson.

Pearson's going at 10 to 1;

Franklin might be a better value.

Pearson.

Pearson it is.

You're thinking that Archie Brooks

switched identities with
this Douglas Roper character.

It would explain Brooks'
unlikely resurrection

and Roper's disappearance.

Being dead has its advantages.

Especially if you're
the only one who knows.

- His mates didn't know.
- They came looking for Roper.

Perhaps they were confirming a suspicion.

You think they were really after Brooks?

Foster was asking George about Edna.

Could she be mixed up in this?

Someone was looking for
something in her apartment.

Sir, why do you think

Brooks wandered into a back
alley after he was shot?

(Brackenreid): Looking for help, I imagine.

(Murdoch): Why not go out the front
door? More likely to find people.

(Brackenreid): Not everyone
thinks as straight as you.

(Murdoch): No, sir.

No single act is undertaken
without a reason.

Archibald Brooks was shot.

But he was a soldier,
he would have surmised

that he was in mortal danger.

Yet, he chose to wander into a back alley

in the dead of winter
instead of seeking help.

What was he after?

I take it you didn't see his face.

How do you know that?

Location of the wound.

Your head was turned when the pipe hit you.

You think it was a pipe?

If it had an edge, I might be
doing this on the morgue table.

(Murdoch exclaiming in pain)

That's what you get for skulking around

a deserted alley all by yourself.

Well, I found out what Foster
and his partner were after.

A raw diamond?

This case does have its
roots in South Africa.

And not just South Africa.
The bloody Boer War.

This could be war booty.

However it came to be,

if Archibald Brooks came into
possession of this diamond,

swapping identities with
Douglas would provide him

with the opportunity to flee with it.

And how did Foster and his
partner find out about it?

Well, sir, perhaps the diamond
was hidden by all three of them.

They made a pact to retrieve it together.

Yes. But Brooks had the
opportunity to retrieve it

for himself. The other
two, believing he was dead,

return to the hiding spot
but found the diamond gone.

So, they think back and they
put two and two together.

Hence the visit to Mrs. Roper.

(indistinct chatter)

You think Archibald Brooks'
army buddies killed him?

It's a version of the events

that's consistent with the facts.

It certainly would explain a lot.

But we need to know if it's consistent

with what you know to be true.

It is.

(Murdoch sighs.)

You have to tell me, George.

I need to hear it from you.

Did you kill Archibald Brooks?

No, sir, I did not.

But you thought Edna did.

- Now, why would you think... ?
- Sir, I bought her the gun.

I showed her how to use it.

I may as well have
pulled the trigger myself.

You have to tell me where she is.

(knocking on a door)

(George): You remember I was
upset the night of the stakeout?

Yes. Of course, I remember.

You had been to her place, to Edna's.

But I went by way of the back alley in case

- Archibald Brooks was home.
- And you discovered his body.

Archibald had come home,

drunk and belligerent.

Did he hit you?

I stayed out of his way.

I waited until he fell
asleep, and then I left.

Where to?

I... I wanted to...

rent a room in the
Junction for Simon and I.

I had enough money for a week, but...

I hadn't gone five blocks when I remembered

that I'd left the money in the apartment.

- So you went back.
- Yes,

and Archie was gone.

I was relieved.

And then I saw the blood.

And then I saw the gun.

Ah, the gun! I didn't want

to leave her without
any kind of protection.

I... I kept it at the
back of the kitchen drawer.

But that's not where you found it.

It was on the table.

I picked it up. It was still warm.

And that's when George came in.

She's standing there, holding the gun.

I walked up to her.

I didn't even notice the
blood that I'd stepped in.

He told me that the
police would be here soon,

and that they'd want to speak to
me, and that I had to leave now.

I told her to collect
Simon and go to an address

that I'd given her where
I knew she'd be safe.

And he told me to never try to contact him,

no matter what.

You thought George killed your husband.

Of course I did. Do you think

that I would have let him
take the blame if I didn't?

I loved him.

I still do.

They both thought the other one did it.

And bloody Crabtree wiped
the fingermarks that could

- have proven them both innocent.
- Indeed.

- So what now?
- We go back to the evidence.

What's that?

It's a scarf found on Mr. Brooks' body.

No doubt he used it to staunch the blood.

What else have we got?

- Not much, I'm afraid.
- (Phone ringing)

Detective Murdoch.

I don't have much. I've confirmed

the blade you found was the murder weapon.

The stab was an underhand
thrust. No defensive wounds.

So, the victim wasn't expecting it.

Based on the angle of entry, I've estimated

the killer was several
inches taller than the victim.

(indistinct chatter)

- Edna!
- George!

Step back!

You got five minutes.

I can't believe you did this.

I can't believe you'd
think that I could let you.

- How is Simon?
- I don't know.

He's not living with me.

He thinks that I killed his father.

Did he say that?

Not in so many words. What do we do?

We find the man who killed
Foster. He's in here somewhere.

- How will that help?
- He was likely hired

by Foster's partner, and
one of the two of them

killed your husband. I'm sure of it.

(indistinct chatter)

You got the inmates to
bet on who the killer is?

It won't stand up in court of
course, but I'm sure you can

extract a confession once
the suspect is identified.

- And do you have a suspect?
- We believe so.

A man named Carter got the most bets,

but that was expected due
to his thuggish reputation.

The trick was to measure the deviation

between the expected and
the empirical results.

- There was an anomaly.
- Pearson.

Everyone who bet on him was in
the yard at the time of the murder.

And none of those men could be
persuaded to change their bets.

Thank you.

Mr. Pearson!

I don't have to talk to you.

- That matters little to me.
- The evidence speaks for itself.

But you may find that it's in your best

interests to do so.

How's that? I'm already
a convicted criminal.

Right.

We'd like to know who hired you.

Nobody hired me.

I doubt very much that you killed

- Mr. Foster for free.
- Why not?

Can't spend money in prison.

I sure as hell ain't gonna
spend it where I'm going.

But if that money had been
given to your mother...

It would be a shame to have
to confiscate that money

simply because you wouldn't help us out.

I never got his name.
He was referred to me.

- By whom?
- He never said.

Do you see him here in this photograph?

- Maybe.
- Well, then maybe you could point him out.

Sirs, I've identified the man in the photo.

His name is Joseph
Pringle. He was discharged

- the same day as Foster.
- Do we have an address?

Just an old one in Kingston,
sir. Nothing in Toronto.

Henry, we need to find this man.

We have to be able to
place him at the scene.

Sir.

Murdoch, Edna Brooks said
the barrel of the weapon

was still warm when she picked it up.

She could have seen the
killer leaving on her way back.

If I did, I don't remember.

Simon might have seen something.

How's that?

He returned to the
apartment when I was gone.

How do you know that?

He took the money.

I found it missing when I returned.

Where might we find him?

(Edna sighs.)

Please, if you have any idea...

(tapping cane on wood)

Ah! Ugh!

- Stop!
- Police! Stay right there!

Simon, your mother's worried about you.

- She's not my mother.
- She says that you went back

to the apartment the night
that your father was killed.

- She lied!
- She knows, Simon.

She said that you took some
money that she was saving.

- I didn't take anything.
- Listen. We don't

care about the money. We think
you might have seen something

the night that your father was killed.

I didn't see anything.

Simon...

we believe your father may have
been killed by a fellow soldier.

Not Constable Crabtree?

We need your help, son.

(Simon exhales.)

Did you return to the apartment the night

- of your father's murder?
- Yes.

Where was your father
when you returned home?

In bed. Sleeping one off.

Was anyone hanging around when
you entered or left the apartment?

Uh, there was a man outside when I left.

A man. Right.

Um, do you recognize that man from

any of these photographs?

I... can't remember his face.

What do you remember,
son? What was he wearing?

A coat.

- Colour?
- Can't remember.

What do you remember, Simon?

He was, he was wearing a scarf.

You remember that?

Well, it was cold, I wished I had one.

Alright, a scarf.

- Can you describe it?
- Had stripes.

- What colour stripes?
- Different colours.

Blue...

(Simon sighs.) Uh, red maybe and white.

Alright, Simon, thinking
back on that scarf...

look at these photographs.

Do you see the man that was wearing it

- in any of these photographs?
- Whoever was wearing it

- likely killed your father.
- Think, Simon.

Well, it's him if it's anybody.

Bloody hell. We've got him.

Now, we just have to find him.

Thank you, Simon.

(Simon sighs.)

They told me I could keep the money.

Mrs. Pearson, please have a seat.

It's not in our interest

to deprive you of the money.

We do however need your help
to set an innocent man free.

Well, alright.

Now, we believe you recently received

a payment from...

- this man?
- I don't know his name.

We know who he is. We're
trying to locate him.

I don't know where he lives.

I'm sorry. I wish I could help.

Mrs. Pearson...

... did you receive payment personally?

He left it in the mailbox
like he was supposed to.

- Did you see him?
- Through the window.

Was he coming or going?

- Coming.
- From which direction?

Sherbourne Street.

And what of his appearance?
How was he dressed?

Regular like.

Working clothes.

Mrs. Pearson,

I am going to need to see that money

and the envelope it came in.

Didn't come in an envelope. It was a bag.

A brown bag.

- Where is it?
- I get to keep it, right?

(Brackenreid): This is all we've got?

These bills are part of an issue

distributed to nine
branches of the Toronto Bank.

- Out of how many?
- Twelve.

That doesn't narrow it
down by very much, does it?

No, but other factors do.

He was returning from work

somewhere east of Mrs. Pearson's home.

That narrows it down to six branches.

Uh, the bag itself is plain brown paper.

Too widely distributed to be of any help.

- But there are other clues.
- Such as?

A spot of mold on the inside.

I've asked Dr. Ogden to help identify it.

Of course you have.

On the underside, a smear of grease,

perhaps from being placed on a work bench.

It will be my job to determine what kind.



(Ogden gasping) It's definitely mold.



A variety of penicillin by the looks of it.

Well, this is definitely grease.

Petroleum-based, I think.

(drawer sliding open)

- It's bicycle grease!
- It's Roquefort cheese!

Oh...

- "Ontario and Wilton."
- Roquefort is imported from France.

Only one distributor sells
to delicatessens and grocers.

We're restricting our
search to delicatessens

who serve the workers'
meals in brown paper bags.

- Next, Henry.
- Uh, "Wyatt and Sumach."

Those are the green
pins; what about the blue?

Bicycle shops. We believe
he worked in a bicycle shop.

We're looking for all three colours

to be present within walking distance

during his lunch hour. Next.

"Queen East at River Street," sir.

Queen and River.

I believe we have it.

Right then.

Let's get cracking.

(man): Let's get a move on.

Excuse me. Does this man work here?

(Murdoch): Have you seen him lately?

- Stop! Police!
- (Suspenseful music)

- Stop!
- Murdoch, I'll head him off!

Stop!

Mr. Pringle, stop!

You're under arrest!

No!

Ugh!

(grunting) AAAAAH!

(body impacting ground)

Don't worry, Murdoch.

Even without him, we've got the
evidence to get Crabtree out.



(inaudible conversation)

Lads, let's at least appear to be working.

(policemen chattering)

(inaudible talking)

How long have they been in there?

Not quite an hour.



George Crabtree has been exonerated

- and will be released forthwith.
- Hey!

(indistinct chatter)

So, now is our time of parting.

- I'm afraid it is.
- Congratulations.

- You know, I couldn't have done it without you.
- I disagree.

You've proven yourself a
fine detective, Crabtree.

That's funny, considering
I'll probably never be one now.

True. You won't be going
back to the life you had.

It's not gonna be easy for you.

Well, I've got the love of a good woman

and a boy who needs taking care of.

I'll see to that.

Well, good luck to you then.



(guard): Clear the gate.

(clanking)

(Brackenreid): Could sink
a man if he swallowed this.

38 carats.

It will be beautiful when it's cut.

I understand you've located an owner.

Wealthy Dutchman from
the Western Transvaal.

Paid for it with his own blood, no doubt.

O'Reilly. Gilchrist.

You've visited the armory?

Straight to the bank and
no stopping to gawk at it.



(phone ringing)

(George sighs.)

- George! Hahaha!
- Henry! Good to see you!

You've helped yourself to my desk, I see.

- You weren't using it.
- (Murdoch): George!

- Sir.
- Welcome home.

We're so glad to see you back.

Thank you, Doctor. And thank you, sir,

for everything you did.
Everything you all did.

Have you met with the new Chief Constable?

I have. I return as Constable Third
Class. Three months' probation.

- You got off cheap.
- I'm aware of that.

- What's this?
- (Brackenreid): It's the evidence that convicted you.

And then helped exonerate you.

- I was about to put it away.
- (Brackenreid): Somewhere we can all forget about it.

- Where did this come from?
- With Archibald Brooks' body.

He used it to staunch the blood.

(Brackenreid): Belonged to the
killer. Simon identified it.

- George?
- You alright, George?

Sir... this is Simon's scarf.

Are you sure?

I gave it to him.

(Murdoch, echoing): What
do you remember, Simon?

(echoing): He, uh...
he was wearing a scarf.

(echoing): Whoever was wearing
it likely killed your father.



- (gunshot)
- AH! Ah, ah...

(Simon gasping)

(Edna's voice): Dear George,
the fates are against us.

Perhaps, they always were.

I'll never forget what you did for us.

Please forgive my doing what I must.

I love you and I will miss you always.

So when Edna heard Simon
lie about the scarf,

she knew he was the killer.

Are you going after them?

Bulletins have been sent out,
but that's the extent of it.

So you won't pursue them.

If information comes to
us, we'll investigate,

but no one's burning to see a boy hang

for shooting his father.

- Likely in self-defence.
- Exactly.

But you did it, William.

You freed George.

You're a hero.

(both chuckling)



I heard what happened.

I'm sorry.

Wasn't meant to be, I suppose.

I just hope they're alright.

You did everything you
could for them, George.

More than any man would.

You were prepared to give them your life.

And now you have yours back.

When do you leave?

Dr. Ogden told me you
were going to England.

Three weeks and a day.

You're counting down. It's a good sign.

Means you want to go.

I do.

Well...

to new beginnings then.

New beginnings.

Announcer: On the next Murdoch...

Somebody shot at me.

Well it's a good thing they missed.

Announcer: A star comes to town

but not everyone's a fan.

It's somewhat of a surprise...

That someone hasn't shot at me before.

Announcer: William Shatner guest stars in an all-new

Murdoch Mysteries, next
Monday at 8:00 on CBC.