Quirke (2013–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Elegy for April - full transcript
What's there to know about you?
Would I want to see you hurt?
You who were a son to me. Weren't you
better off with me in Carricklee?
Do you know the kinds of things that
went on that place?
You're not my father, Quirke.
I told you I won't leave Mal.
(Phone ringing)
"It's Sarah."
"She's dead."
"She said she had a pain in her
head. She fell down and died."
(Gasping)
(Scream)
(Shivering)
(Theme music)
The hard part is learning to live
with yourself sober.
How often to do pray? Pray?
Yeah, pray.
Who would I pray to?
Jesus Christ.
About what?
About easing the burden of your
anger.
Why would I be angry?
Well speaking for myself, if my
parents had given me away
I might be angry.
Very angry.
Look, I didn't even know my parents.
And you had to know them to be
angry?
Is your daughter angry?
She's young. That's how young people
are.
You gave her away. No I didn't.
You didn't give her away?
No I didn't give her away.
My wife died in childbirth. My brother
and his wife they couldn't...
anyway that's how things were done
at that time.
That's how things were done?
Mm-m.
Or... that's just the way you allowed
it to happen.
(Doorbell rings)
(Doorbell rings again)
(Traffic passing)
(Indistinct conversations)
I know what this is about.
Really?
You've changed your mind.
And you want to go to the pictures
with me this weekend.
No. Sorry.
It's not about that?
No, it's not about that.
I'm worried about April.
About April, why?
Because I haven't heard from her in
ten days. And?
We were supposed to meet at
The Corinthian last Thursday,
she never showed.
I rang her the next day, no answer
and I haven't heard from her since.
Did you go round to her flat?
Lots of times.
I was just there.
What about work?
They say she sent in a sick note and
hasn't been back.
There you go.
She's gone away on a skite.
Did she say that?
Not to me but,
why should she? Mm.
Did you try her key?
What key?
I never knew that was there.
She lets me kip on her couch
sometimes.
(Keys jangle)
This way
I don't have to wake her.
I see.
It's all perfectly innocent, Phoebe!
(Door closes)
(Opens lock)
Wait! Shouldn't we knock first?
Probably.
April?
April?
What?
She never makes her bed.
(Door closes)
Hi think we should tell the police.
Tell them what?
That April is missing.
You know what April's like, she's
away on a bender somewhere
and she hasn't come home yet.
Come on.
Have you time for a quick drink?
I better not.
You don't make it easy, do you?
Alright I have to get back anyway.
We'll give it another day or two,
if we don't hear anything
we'll put a piece in the paper
saying 'April where are you?!'
Don't put it in the paper. Alright,
take it easy I'm only joking!
Promise me?
Promise, Jesus!
I'm sure it's nothing!
(Car horn beeps)
Tell me a little more about Sarah,
will you?
Sarah...
she was my brother's wife.
I know that.
But you've always managed to skirt
around. She's dead.
Yeah.
She died just before things started to
come apart at the seams, didn't she?
Passed away in March
your drinking gets out of hand May,
June,
you see your GP about it in August.
You were arrested outside McGonagles
for drunken affray in September.
The Board of the hospital hauled you
in in November.
I mean, if you consider it like
a graph
things get worse and worse from the
moment she died.
Well, it's one way of looking at it,
yeah.
And what way would you look at it?
(Scoffs)
She was my brother's wife.
And that's it? That's it.
Well Doctor Quirke, on paper it seems you've
done everything that was asked of you.
You want to go home, fine.
But my concern and I'm being frank
with you,
is that we'll be seeing you back in
here before long.
You've an interesting job,
a good mind,
no family hanging out of you
no-one telling you to do anything
you don't want to do
and yet you're hell bent on killing
yourself, with liquor.
What would you say if I told you
that was my life?
I'd say, good luck.
Alright.
Good luck...
Doctor Quirke.
Thank you.
(Sighs)
Anyway, you're out. Yeah.
No more gargle!
Good for you.
Thanks.
Can we go, Mal.
(Car starts)
What did she say?
(He laughs) That is classic!
That is absolutely classic!
Denny, I'll talk to you later.
(Puts down phone)
Doctor Griffin!
I didn't know you were...
What's going on?
It's just... everyone calls on Doctor
Quirke's phone
my office is so small.
How is Doctor Quirke?
Can we expect him back soon?
Get your stuff out of here.
Yeah, yeah.
And I want all your reports for the last four
weeks, neatly stacked on Doctor Quirke's
desk ready and waiting for him.
You got that?
I was going to do it. Sure no-one
tells me anything.
And tell someone to clean up in
here.
(Birds singing)
Phoebe! I'm sorry.
I got tied up at the hospital.
They always start late on opening
nights.
There's Jimmy.
Ahoy my hearties!
Looking good.
Isabel looks so beautiful.
Sure that picture's ten years old.
What are you talking about it, it's
for this show!
(They laugh)
Come on.
(Audience applaud)
(Indistinct conversations)
Hello, Phoebe.
Hi.
You're home.
Yeah. I got back yesterday.
So Mal gave me the ticket for this,
for tonight, excuse me.
He's working.
This is Jimmy Minor.
Nice to meet you.
Patrick. Nice to meet you.
This is Quirke. He's my em...
Yeah. Em... do you work at the
hospital?
Yeah, I'm doing my residency.
Ah!
Good, that's great.
Oh look out, here she is!
You were fantastic!
Oh stop I was horrid!
Oh, Jimmy!
Patrick! You're a darling. Thank you
so much for coming. Congratulations.
Hello. Hello. Congratulations
that was wonderful.
Thank you.
Well, I'd better rush off.
Nice to meet you all.
Thank you very much for coming.
Goodnight, Phoebe.
(News report plays on radio)
(Doorbell rings)
I forget how you take it.
Do you want me to get you some...?
Black is fine.
Sorry I haven't seen you since the
funeral.
I got your card.
But I wanted to drop by.
Things just got... you know?
What was it like, in Saint John's?
It was...
You've stopped...? Yeah.
Over a month now.
And how are you?
I'm okay.
Do you miss Sarah?
Yeah.
Do you?
(Sighs)
Ah... I did have a reason to come and
see you.
A friend of mine has disappeared.
I don't know if you know her, April?
April Latimer.
She was a few years ahead of me at
the College of Surgeons.
Have you spoken to her family?
I don't know them.
Well I know the brother a little
bit.
He's quite a well-known
gynaecologist.
Could you ask him if she's alright? Yeah,
we can ask him together if you like.
Thanks, Quirke.
We appreciate you taking the time,
Doctor.
Not at all.
You mentioned on the phone something
about my sister April.
Yeah, well it's just... I hope you're not
going to tell me she's in trouble again.
Well it's... Phoebe really she's...
she's a little concerned about
her. Oh?
Well... the thing is... no-one has, well none
of her friends have seen her in over two weeks.
I'm not sure I can help you.
I'm sure it's none of our business.
No, you don't understand, Doctor
Quirke
I haven't seen April in
four-and-a-half years
and she lives around the corner from
me. Oh.
No I'm sorry to say that anything we ever hear
from April these days is the odd bit of...
well, unpleasant gossip.
I'd like to help you but that's...
April is...
Do you think that if you asked your
mother she might know where she is?
Not at this time, Doctor Griffin.
Look, what I will say is that knowing April
she'll probably show up sooner or later.
(Doorbell rings)
Ah!
That's my first appointment.
Thank you for your time.
Not at all.
(Door closes)
Do you think he was telling the
truth?
Dunno.
He could be protecting her because she doesn't
want anyone to know where she is. Mm.
Don't you think he was awfully quick to tell
two strangers what a disaster his family is?
He might be beyond caring.
How could you not care about your
sister?
The landscape of your average family,
Phoebe, can be quite strange.
(She cries)
I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.
No, it's not that it's just...
I just know something terrible
has happened to April, Quirke.
It just... I just know.
(Dog barking)
(Door opens)
Thanks for coming, Inspector.
Quiet building.
Only one other flat is occupied
apparently.
Must be why it's so cold.
(Door opens)
Miss Latimer?
Miss Latimer?
Is she an untidy girl as a rule?
Eh... I don't know. She could be.
She's very em...
What?
Social girl by all accounts.
Oh dear.
Her family have heard nothing you
say?
No, she sent in a sick note and
that's the last anybody's heard.
Have you seen it, the sick note?
No.
Might be worth a look.
See if she signed it herself.
(Closes drawer)
How have you been, Doctor it's
a long time since I've seen you?
You know I was in Saint John of the
Cross over the Christmas? Oh.
The drink, was it?
I'm afraid so, Inspector.
Well, you're off it now? Yeah.
Oh, good for you.
Bedroom through here?
Doctor Quirke!
If you please.
And how is Mrs Hackett?
Her inexhaustible reservoirs of
forbearance continue to astound.
Give us a lift with that, will you?
Problem is, Doctor Quirke, people go
missing every day
sometimes they just turn up,
sometimes they never do.
Without a report from the family,
I can't even put a single man on it.
Just pure budgetary constraints,
I.e. I have no money.
I understand.
The Latimers are a powerful family,
Doctor Quirke.
Perhaps even a dangerous family, if
you had the wrong side of them.
Unfortunately, if they're not
interested in where their daughter is
there may not be a huge amount
I can...
now what would you say that is?
It's blood.
Mm.
A lot of blood.
You know I might let you do the
talking.
Are you sure?
(Rings doorbell)
This isn't officially an
investigation.
I'm not supposed to be on the bloody
Southside without my passport.
(Birds singing)
Gentlemen.
Mrs Latimer. Thank you for seeing
us.
This is Inspector Hackett.
Inspector. Morning.
A policeman and a Doctor.
Should I be worried?
Thank you, Marie. Yeah, ma'am.
Mrs Latimer, my daughter is
Phoebe Griffin.
Perhaps you know her?
I know who she is.
You've already been to see my son
Oscar.
Then you'll know that nothing has been
heard from April for some weeks now.
So you called the police on my
behalf?
Well, Inspector Hackett is here in an
unofficial capacity, so far.
And what capacity are you here in?
Eh... the thing is, Mrs Latimer,
April hasn't been to work, she
hasn't been seen
her flat is empty.
She's moved?
No. Her things are all still there.
Doctor Quirke asked my advice and I suggested
as next-of-kin you might know where she's gone.
Well the sad fact is I don't.
She leads her own life.
That's how she wants it and that's
how it is.
Is there anybody that she might... I-I've
just told you, she leads her own life.
I can't afford to allow myself to
get upset about this anymore.
She is my daughter, and I have to
love her of course
but how can I?
She's never let me. There you are.
Well... other people are entitled to
love her, aren't they?
(Doorbell rings)
You're impertinent, Doctor Quirke.
And from what I hear, you're in no position yourself
to challenge anyone on their duties of a parent.
(Knock on door) Yeah.
Oh, God... it's bitter out there.
Inspector Hackett I presume?
Minister.
Oh don't call me Minister, we don't bother
with titles and all that around here.
Bill will suffice.
Is that tea fresh?
Sit down, sit down.
So this em niece of mine, what is it
this time?
Another boyfriend up in court?
Apparently she hasn't telephoned her
friends in a week. Is that all?
(He chuckles)
She's probably down the country with
some young fella!
Sorry, Celia. Yeah.
Well. If you'll excuse me.
I'll leave you gentlemen to it.
Oh for Gods' sake! Come on.
I need some air.
(Seagulls squawk)
Poor Celia.
She's at her wit's end, lads.
April's caused her nothing but
heartache.
Her father died when she was nine or
ten, probably didn't help
if you want to take the charitable
view.
But I'm inclined to think she'd be
exactly the same even if he'd lived.
Minister, we found blood on the
floor beside April's bed.
In her bed? No, down between the floorboards
like someone tried to clean it up
but well it's a devil to get rid of.
Obviously we didn't mention anything
to Mrs Latimer
but I have a fella looking at it for
me now. What fella?
From the forensics unit.
Who does he report to, you?
Me yeah.
They don't go blabbing it about the
place, do they?
No sir.
I'd hate for Celia to hear some
silly tittle-tattle.
Of course.
Christ.
Is there anybody that your niece
might have been seeing or...?
Anybody that she might have been
afraid of?
You a detective as well now, Quirke?
No.
What makes you think you're entitled
to ask me personal questions?
Well, I just thought that we were
all...
I'm not sure I care what you
thought.
Marching into an old woman's house
and... Minister, that was my eh...
Doctor Quirke is a city
pathologist,
he's here with me today in his
professional capacity.
Oh is that right?
I heard you were retired out of your
job recently, no?
No I was in Saint John of the Cross.
Oh that's right... your nerves,
was it?
No, drink. Oh, yeah.
That's what I heard.
Just stay close to me on this blood
stain or whatever it is, Inspector.
Right I have to vote on some blasted
private member's bill so eh...
I'll wish you good morning.
Minister.
When are you getting back to work?
Soon I suppose. Yeah.
Sooner the better I'd say, wouldn't
you? Yeah.
(Rings doorbell)
Come on!
(Dog barking)
Am I late?
Only three quarters of an hour.
Oh.
(Closes door)
Hope you like your steak well done?
Rose Crawford is on the prowl.
She asked for your number.
Don't feed the dog at the table.
Sorry.
There was some talk at the Board
meeting on Friday
people wondering about your plans.
What people?
Your chap in pathology, what's his
name, Sinclair?
He just wants my job, that's all. Well,
you better watch out or he'll get it.
Look, Mal I appreciate that you're
cooking for me
but you don't have to keep checking
up on me all the time.
I'm not checking up on you!
Do you not think I might just like
seeing you from time to time?
Not really, no.
(Chuckles)
I was going to ask you to come to the
Society of Corpus Christi dinner with me
no listen, there's no mass or
prayers or anything
it's a charity bash.
Few dances, few speeches, might have
a laugh.
Hm-m.
Sarah and I went every year.
I just...
don't want to go on my own.
It's usually crawling with spinsters
and widows.
Oh, fabulous.
Now, do you want some trifle?
And don't worry, there's no sherry
in it, Phoebe told me not to.
Oh, just in case I fly off the
handle?
Has she mentioned anything about
April Latimer to you? Yeah.
That she was missing. Missing?!
My backside!
I'd put a guinea on it that she's got in
trouble and gone to London to get it fixed.
Oh yeah?...
And a ferocious drink problem.
She's on thin ice at the hospital
according to Professor Moriarty.
If she hasn't already fallen through
that is.
Doctor Quirke! You're back.
Yeah, I'm just trying to catch up
before I hit the grindstone.
Can I eh, can I work away in here?
Requests in writing.
(He sighs)
Can I drop it up to you later?
Go on. Thanks.
You're looking well, by the way.
Oh you're big liar, Margaret!
Doctor Quirke!
Eh, I didn't know you were...
This is Jim. James Minor from the
Evening Press.
Yeah, we've met.
Doctor Sinclair here was just giving me a bit of
background on the lady who jumped off the eh...
jumped off the...
it's very sad. Really?
Can you go and sort out the post that's
building up in the dispatch box? Yeah.
Of course.
Yeah... I better... Before you go, could
I have a word with you, Mr Minor.
Of course.
Call me Jimmy, will you? Jimmy.
You're a friend of April Latimer's,
aren't you? Yeah.
So what do you think happened to her?
What happened to her? Well you're a
man of the world I can see that.
Well... look, I know that Phoebe
idolises April, alright?
So anything I say here is between
us, okay? Yeah, sure.
Go on.
I'll put it this way, I can see why
her family would be terrified.
Of what?
Scandal.
Embarrassment.
April, is wild. Wild?
What, drink?
She drinks, but you, know? Wild.
With men, alright?
Yeah men.
What kind of men?
The wrong kind.
Fellas that would just use her. Fellas
you'd be scratching your head wondering
what in the name of Jesus could she
possibly...
And has there been anybody recently?
Of course there was!
(Sigh)
Don't get me wrong,
April's a good friend, she's a really
nice person but there's something...
phh!
Missing somewhere.
I'm sorry, Doctor Quirke, there's
someone on the phone for you.
Who is it?
It's an American lady.
Thanks, Jimmy.
Sir?
Oh, he'll have one.
Rose, you know I've been away.
Away where?
Saint John of the Cross.
Oh you dried out?
Well, good for you.
To sobriety.
(Glasses clink)
I'll have them take it away. I don't want
you back up in the Cross on my account.
So, how's Phoebe?
She's em... she's good.
And Mal?
Mal, you know Mal.
He says he's going to retire soon.
Retire?
Well he's far too youthful.
Well, that's what I said.
I'll tell you what he needs.
A decent period of mourning, a year
or two
then get married again.
Who would marry him, Rose?
You'd be surprised, Quirke.
I would be surprised.
(They laugh)
So what about you?
What about me?
Don't you ever get lonely? Oh!
Who doesn't, Rose?
Nobody.
Maybe I should marry you.
I wouldn't let you do that to
yourself, Rose!
(She laughs)
ROSE'S VOICE ECHOES: Now, tell me
they have fresh oysters.
(Lively chatter)
Phoebe!
What did you think of the match?
What match!
What match?
Oh for crying out loud!
What do you want to drink?
Just a tonic water, thanks.
I'm meeting Patrick.
Oh!
Excuse me!
We're just getting some food.
You should come with us. No.
Something tells me, I wouldn't be
welcome.
Phoebe! Jimmy!
I forgot the match was on. Hey.
We should go to Fratellis. It'll be
quiet.
Good idea, I'm starving!
Have a drink first! For Jaysus'
sake!
Hey, Minor! What do you want,
a pint? Yeah a pint.
And here, Tommy, get me a, tonic
water?
And Patrick what do you want?
I'm alright, Jimmy, thanks.
Get him a banana!
(Laughing)
I'll see you outside, Phoebe.
Ah Patrick!
Patrick, wait!
You sure that's a good idea?
What are you talking about?
You're supposed to be his friend and
you don't even stand up for him.
You know, he was having it off with
April, don't you?
So what if he was? What's it to you?
He knows more than he's letting on,
that's all.
Let go of me, Jimmy.
Just watch your step! That's all I'm
saying.
Or you'll be on that boat to London
too.
Someone give me a drink for the love
of God. Get that into you.
Slainte!
Are you alright?
Do you get that kind of thing a lot?
(Speaks in Dublin accent)
Well, more than I'd like!
(They laugh)
Look if you want to leave it
tonight, I don't mind, Phoebe. No.
Listen, Jimmy just said something to
me. What?
Nothing. You know what he's like.
Mm.
If we hurry we can catch the last
sitting at Fratellis.
(Church bells ring)
Glass of wine, sir?
No, thank you.
Oh God, Mal you didn't tell me the
Judge was here.
I-I em... assumed you knew.
Mal.
Ah, you came!
Just seeing if the old tuxedo still
fits after all these years.
Well it does. You look well, and you
too, Mal.
Although you could do with
a haircut, both of you, now come on.
Let's have a drink before dinner.
(Indistinct conversations)
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Ah, John.
Ah, Judge. Hiya, Bill.
I was wondering if you'd be able to
make it. How are you, Bill?
Fine, thanks.
Quirke. Minister.
I've a small bone to pick with you.
Oh?
I've been hearing unfavourable
reports.
Like what?
You've been going into people's homes
accusing them of all sorts of things.
They're a good family, the Latimers
and certainly not ones to
antagonise.
I'm not antagonising them.
You're always a pathologist.
First, last and always, Quirke.
You never leave a thing alone, until
you understand it.
Some things are not for us to
understand,
should be left alone.
To-to-to... To what, to rot?
To die?
Don't be so naive.
You go on like a bloody adolescent!
Like what's your man in 'Rebel
Without a Cause'?
All I've ever done is treat you like
a member of our family
but you know what?
Its like you never accepted us. What are you
talking about, of course I've accepted you.
You think I don't know you were carrying
on with your own brother's wife?
Your brother!
Jesus' sake. Look at him.
> Ladies and Gentlemen, could you
please take your seats downstairs?
Well, your Grace, are Wexford going
to do it on Sunday?
(Sighs)
Can I get a glass of wine, please?
We've a nice chateauneuf du pape
open this evening or?
Em... I'll have a whiskey.
Irish? Sure.
Double? Yeah.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I hope I'm not disturbing you?
I met you at the opening night.
Oh yeah.
Miss Galloway, of course.
It was an excellent performance.
Thank you for saying so.
The bar man said you were drinking
whiskey?
Thank you.
Would you care to join me?
Only if you don't mind.
Of course not.
I'm using you, actually.
Oh, really?
The man over there at the bar,
with the makeup and terrible black
wig,
he's hounding me to play Peggy in a musical
version of Playboy of the Western bloody World!
I wish I could be of some use to
you, Miss Galloway but
I wasn't planning on staying too
long.
Got to get up for work in the
morning.
Oh that's perfect!
I can walk out with you.
So how do you know Phoebe?
I know Phoebe through...
April Latimer. Ah.
April sort of took Phoebe under her
wing.
Although I'm not sure how much
shelter there is under there.
I hear that she's eh...
like a force of nature.
More like a bloody tornado.
She's her own worst enemy, really.
Our lives have gone a bit quiet all
of a sudden since she...
she's gone wherever she's gone.
And to tell you the truth, there are quite a lot of
people who wouldn't really care if she never came back.
Sad but true, I'm afraid.
This is me.
Why don't you come in?
(Dog barking)
(She laughs)
You can take off your coat, you
know?
No, it's just... Just what?
Sorry.
Maybe we're a little drunker than
I thought.
Well I better... I better get going.
I don't want to give you the wrong
idea.
Why don't we both... get the wrong
idea and see where it leads us?
(Birds singing)
Row over a bottle of wine in an
alleyway.
That's what I call a thirst.
I have the results from forensics of
the blood on April's flat.
Well? Hm.
Two blood types mixed together,
AB Positive and AB Negative.
And one person can't be both?
Yeah.
AB Negative is the rarest blood type
there is.
I mean less than one percent of the
population have it but.
AB Positive is more common.
But you can't as you say, be both.
Don't tell me the lab have made a
cock-up?
I don't think so. So?
What if the sample was post-partum?
A mother and a baby.
Something like that.
Miscarriage, termination.
Okay, so she lost a child or someone helped her lose
it and now she's recovering somewhere, it's possible.
You're not convinced?
There's eh..there's a lot of blood
there.
And I've been having a look at this
sick note.
No signature.
They can be right nuisance, Doctor
Quirke, these niggling feelings.
You don't know why you feel the way
you feel but you do it,
it's like having a hangover when you
haven't had a drink.
I'll keep my ears open.
Unofficially of course.
Good luck.
> If it's about the rent, you're
wasting your time.
No, no, it's not about the rent.
> Are you trying to take away my cat? No,
I'm not trying to take your cat away.
> Could you fix me gas fire?
I'll have a go.
You're not like the other men from
the Gas Board.
We'll that's because I'm not really
from the Gas Board
but I can tell you, that I think
you've been cut off.
Ah that's a distinct possibility
alright.
Now listen, if you're a Jehovah's
Witness come right out and say it.
No, no I'm not a Jehovah's Witness.
Actually, I'm a doctor.
Do you happen to know the girl who
lives upstairs?
Of course I know her, she does me
shopping for me,
that's why I'm starving in here!
You see I couldn't go out because there was all
men coming up and down out there. What men?
Men, coming up the stairs.
And I heard her crying.
And so I just kept me door shut.
Wh-who was crying?
And there was a man that night,
my God
he looked as if he'd sprung from the
very pit of Hell itself!
(Nurses chatting)
She's all yours, Doctor.
Doctor!
Oh... thank you, Sister.
Everything alright?
Morning, Doctor Griffin.
Chop, chop, eh? Yeah, sir.
Morning, Sister.
Morning, Doctor Griffin.
Howya, Dermot? Can I go in?
I wouldn't go in just at the moment,
Doctor.
Speak of the devil!
Hope you're proud of yourself too!
Here, keep as a souvenir.
And I'll tell you this for the very
last time,
you stay away from my family, all of
you, do you hear me?!
And you... you look to your sense of
decency, sir.
Or by Christ you'll regret that you
ever stuck your nose into this
I'll walk you out, Minister.
What are you looking at? Get back to work
you lazy sods, what's the matter with you?
(Phones ringing)
Well, Doctor. You've done it now,
haven't you?
For myself, I know you're only
trying to help
this kind of thing will cause uncle
Bill hell in the Cabinet
which is why he's so...
See, no-one really understands what
it is to be a Latimer.
My father carried James Connolly out
of the GPO after the surrender.
He shared a cell with
Eamon De Valera.
He lost his friends, family,
everything to free this country.
Whereas uncle Bill, I'm sure you
know,
people don't respect him as much as
they did my father.
He never said anything about the
blood. What blood?
The blood that we found beside
April's bed. What kind of blood?
April's kind.
Why didn't you say anteing?
Because up to now we didn't know
whose it was.
This is...
obviously we'll have to eh...
God!
What happened?
Accident,
miscarriage,
who can say?
Until the family files a report the
police can't... No em...
obviously I'll talk to uncle
Bill,
get onto the police and see if they
can, you know... quietly.
Unless you know where she is.
I wish I did.
You could try asking some of her so
called friends.
Like who? I don't know.
Half of them are low-lifes, I can't
remember
and the men... Christ,
I dread to even...
there's that Nigerian chap, works
at the hospital.
Can't keep his hands off the nurses.
Someone even told me that himself
and April had... Mm.
Look I better get back.
Can I give you a lift?
I think I'll walk.
Good luck, Quirke.
(He groans)
Hello?
What time is it?
In the morning?
Oh.
The evening!
What's wrong?
Mal!
Mal!
What happened?
Where have you been?
I was... I...
Oh God!
Look at you!
(Sighs)
Stroke?
Mrs O'Halloran found him on the
kitchen floor this morning.
Is there anywhere around here I can
get a coffee? Oh for Christ sake!
Phoebe.
Go home with him.
Make sure he eats.
I'll call you if there's any change.
I called in there today.
To April's?
I met with April's neighbour.
She told me that she'd seen a black
man going up to April's flat.
Do you happen to know who that might
be?
No.
What about the African man I met you
with at the play?
Eh..no. He didn't know April.
The Latimer's have complained to the
police so, I've been warned away.
I know.
And Jimmy's been sacked as well.
Who?
Jimmy Minor.
He wrote the piece about April in
the paper.
Why did they sack him?
For writing the piece.
(Sighs)
You want me to make you some dinner? Eh...
no thanks. I think I'll just go to bed.
You want me to sit here for a few
minutes?
I'm not going to drink.
I'll light the fire.
I said I'm not going to drink.
Please don't hate me.
Why would I hate you?
Because Delia died giving birth to me. Ah
Jesus' sake what are you talking about?
I wouldn't blame you.
And I understand under the
circumstances why you gave me away.
I did not give you away!
Mal and Sarah, they...
they were able to give you things
that... It doesn't matter.
I've forgiven you.
Okay?
You've forgiven me?
Yeah, I have.
Why do you think I would need your
forgiveness?
Well...
no it's just that it..
No, listen to me, I don't need
yourforgiveness
and I don't need anybody else's!
Have you got that?
I'm sorry, I-I just... What?
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Me too.
(Door closes)
(Man wolf-whistles)
Black coffee, two sugars.
Your hands are shaking.
April?
Hey.
It's alright.
It's alright.
Patrick?
Hm?
What do you think has happened to
April?
I don't know.
Did you ever visit her in her flat?
Yeah, of course.
A few times.
Were you and her...
What?
Well, someone spoke to April's
neighbour...
and she said that she saw a black
man going up to April's apartment
and that April was crying.
Who was talking to her?
The police?
No.
Quirke.
Is that why you came here? No!
Well, yeah.
I think you should go, Phoebe.
Why?
Because I thought you came her to
see me,
not because you think I had something
to do with what's happened to April.
I don't!
So why did you come here?
Why are you asking me this?
Because I was jealous!
Alright?
Because I was jealous.
(Knock on door)
> Who's up there?
Nobody, Mrs Gilligan!
It was just the radio.
> What?
It was the radio!
Goodnight, Mrs Gilligan.
You should go. I'll be quiet.
No!
Let me stay, Patrick, please! I said
just go, Phoebe alright, just go.
(She sobs)
(Knock on door)
Come in.
Morning, Lazarus.
How are you feeling?
(Sighs)
Just about as rough as I deserve to
feel, I imagine.
(She laughs)
What time did I get here?
About three.
Half three.
Did I disgrace myself?
Did you try to get me into bed,
you mean?
Yeah, you tried. Sorry.
Don't worry, you were very gallant.
I made you a cup of tea and you sort
of keeled over.
Sorry.
Quirke, if you're going to keep on
apologising you can clear off.
Sorry, I...
Why don't you go and make us a pot
of coffee?
There's a dear.
(Sighs)
Quirke.
Are you alright, Doctor?
Are you going to eat?
No.
I've never been able to eat
breakfast.
Prefer to drink it, I suppose?
Isn't a joke, is it?
No.
You gonna go back in, to
Saint John's?
I don't know.
I've got to do something.
Isn't there anyone you want to stay
sober for?
For Phoebe?
I know she reveres you.
She'd be better off without me.
No.
I don't believe that.
I think maybe the real reason I came
here last night was to...
was to ask...
Hm?
Ask me what?
To help me.
God, I don't know about that!
Please?
I could try.
I was thinking about work.
Have you ever considered coming back
to Boston with me?
I don't think so.
You're crazy!
If I had your brains, I wouldn't waste
my youth in some damn hat shop!
Come home with me.
You could enrol in college, you
could even apply for... I can't!
Why not?
You know, there comes a time when you have
to stop trying to be the good daughter
or the good little girl or whoever
it is you're trying to be.
Oh yeah?
And what should I be trying to be?
How about yourself?
(Knock on door)
Yeah?
Doctor Griffin? Patrick.
What can I do for you?
I was... wondering if you know
anything about this?
What is it?
It's a letter from the Minister of
Justice about my immigration status.
How would I know about that?
Well my visa is contingent on my
studies here at this hospital.
Hm.
You do know that April Latimer's
uncle is the Minister?
I don't know where she is.
Fair enough.
But if her uncle is trying to kick
you out of the country
it suggests that he thinks
otherwise.
I don't.
Hm.
Well... I can give you a letter that says the
hospital couldn't possibly do without you.
Thank you, Doctor Griffin.
Or, I could tell them about
I don't know... a misdiagnosis here,
a sloppy prescription there.
And you might suddenly start to look
even more dangerous.
Why would you do that?
I don't give a tinkers damn where
April Latimer is
I don't even like her.
But Phoebe loves her.
So if you do know anything, I want
to know too.
Let's go down to pathology, shall
we?
Pathology?
She asked me for my help.
She was very brave and we...
we did it.
You terminated her pregnancy?
Yeah.
At her flat?
Well it wasn't my baby if that's
what you're thinking, alright?
I stayed with her that night and she
was fine.
But the following evening,
she phoned me...
she was bleeding.
I told her to... get an ambulance,
I begged her
but she absolutely forbade it.
I went straight there and I...
I did what I could but.
But what?
She was alive when I left her.
You left her?
I'm not saying anything else.
Why?
Because she made me promise.
Ah for crying out loud!
Is that really important now?
Yeah.
If she's alive it is.
And if she's dead?
Look, I made a promise to her,
alright?
I made a promise.
If you want to know any more,
why don't you ask her family?
What makes a man like that risk everything
for the likes of April Latimer?
Whatever it is he's not going to
tell us.
It must be his baby.
You can imagine how that went down with
the Latimers and their precious family.
A black baby is up there with incest
for the likes of Bill Latimer
and Oscar Latimer, my God!
Although Patrick is actually
a prince in his own country so
that might make the difference.
Yeah em, I left my keys inside.
I'll telephone you later.
There's some chicken stew at home,
if you'd like.
I'm afraid you've wasted your trip,
Doctor Quirke.
My son is not at home.
Do you know where he is?
I don't think that's any of your
business, Doctor Quirke.
But if you must know, he's in town
tonight.
Corpus Christi have seen fit to grace my
late husband with a Legion of Honour medal
and Oscar is to collect it on his
behalf.
You're not going yourself?
It's men only tonight.
Naturally.
Can I give him a message for you?
No thank you.
(Church bells ring)
All men are heroes to their sons.
But few are heroes to an entire
nation.
That was my father's privilege.
If my father
if...
My father was here tonight,
he would be so proud
and it is therefore with some pride
that I stand here before you
to accept this great honour in
memory of my father, Connor Latimer,
a patriarch, and a patriot.
Thank you.
(Applause)
For God's sake!
What is it now, Quirke?
People are starting to worry about
you, you know that?
I spoke to Patrick Ojukwu this
evening.
Who?
He confessed to performing an abortion
on your sister, April in her flat.
I thought you should know.
But then you already do, don't you?
I know nothing of the sort.
Who is this eh... Patrick Ojukwu?
Patrick Ojukwu.
He's the man who asked you to come
and save your sister.
But she died, didn't she?
How the hell would I know?
Because you hid her body.
I did no such thing.
His was the consciousness, not just
of a man
but of a people.
(Applause)
Ojukwu called you because she was
bleeding to death
but you panicked.
And you hid her body.
And why would I do that?
Because she was carrying your baby.
Listen to yourself.
She was my sister, for Christ sake!
That's why you had to hide the body,
because of the scandal.
She botched her own abortion and you
couldn't clean it up. No.
The baby's blood was AB Negative, the
same as yours.
You must have thought it was a long shot
that anybody would put two and two together
but you couldn't take the chance,
could you?
I'm going to give you thirty seconds
to get out of this building.
It's only because I know that you've
got a drink problem.
But if you're not gone by then,
I'm going to have you thrown out.
And I'm going to see to it
personally, that you're struck off.
Look your little bird is missing
a wing. What?
I think I might have it here. What are
you talking about, go home, Quirke.
Well look at that.
Perfect.
Know where I found that?
In April's flat.
(Applause continues)
You let her die, Oscar.
You let her die.
No!
Everything alright, gentlemen?
Yeah, everything's alright.
And now, gentlemen, may I ask you all to be
upstanding, for my brother, Connor Latimer?
I tried to save her, Quirke.
There was nothing I could do.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I never loved anyone like I loved
April.
I was telling the truth
about not seeing her for four years,
until one night at the end of October when we
bumped into each other on South Anne Street.
She was drunk out of her mind,
didn't know where she was.
So, I put her in a taxi and
I brought her home and I, I...
went in.
She was eh... barely conscious, she
didn't know it was me, I don't think.
And I... don't know why I did it..
(Crying) to obliterate it
or to control it or...
oh Christ!
To obliterate what, Oscar?
We were just... we were just children
and our heroic father would come in
stinking of drink
and he'd tell us both of us to get
into the bed
and then he'd... he'd...
oh Christ!
Oscar.
Even when he died, it didn't...
we just didn't speak to each
other any more until that night.
What's going on here?
Patrick called me and told me what
they'd done
and I know it was my baby.
And there was nothing I could do.
She died about ten minutes after I got
there, God help her, God help her!
I watched her die.
He doesn't know what he's saying.
This has nothing to do with you!
What do you mean it has nothing to
do with me?
Have you any idea what you're
saying?
Oscar?
Where's April's body?
(He sobs)
How did you get on?
Well, they extended my visa.
Because of this?
Wow!
That is...
Want a drink?
Hey...
Hey! There, now.
It's alright.
You did your best.
'After a jittery final of fence, Persian
Tiara suddenly managed to surge.
'The crowd roared their approval for
a fitting finale to...'
(Knock on door)
Just thought I'd say goodbye.
When are you off?
Rose is calling for me at seven and
I fly out tonight.
I don't suppose you'll miss me?
I'm really sorry that things turned
out so badly for your friend April.
It's funny, isn't it?
Out of everyone, you were the only
one who...
(Coughs)
Are you alright?
My boy! My boy.
Are we at the races now?
No. I was reading you the results.
Go back to sleep. You'll be as right
as rain.
We were going in the school gates
a few minutes ago.
You'll be alright.
Get some sleep.
I know... I know it's wrong.
What is.
I always loved you more than anyone
else.
Why do you think that is?
Bad judgment maybe. Hah!
I wont be able to give you your
presents on Christmas morning.
Of course you will.
Ah!
You used to ask me if I knew who put
you in the orphanage.
I said I didn't know, but I do...
I do know.
It was me.
No! You-you took me out, Dad,
you gave me a home.
Yeah, but I also put you in.
We had no choice, we couldn't get
married, we had no money.
Broke my heart, nearly killed me,
I swear to God!
But as soon as I could I got you
out.
Every night, I dreamt you were calling
to get me to come back and get you.
I did in the end.
I always knew.
Who told you?
Nobody.
Who was my mother, Dad?
No, I can't...
(Mumbles)
(Sobbing)
That'd be great.
Listen... I wanted to give you this.
I was going to give it to Mal to give
to you,
It belonged to your mother. Thanks.
Quirke.
(She cries)
Would I want to see you hurt?
You who were a son to me. Weren't you
better off with me in Carricklee?
Do you know the kinds of things that
went on that place?
You're not my father, Quirke.
I told you I won't leave Mal.
(Phone ringing)
"It's Sarah."
"She's dead."
"She said she had a pain in her
head. She fell down and died."
(Gasping)
(Scream)
(Shivering)
(Theme music)
The hard part is learning to live
with yourself sober.
How often to do pray? Pray?
Yeah, pray.
Who would I pray to?
Jesus Christ.
About what?
About easing the burden of your
anger.
Why would I be angry?
Well speaking for myself, if my
parents had given me away
I might be angry.
Very angry.
Look, I didn't even know my parents.
And you had to know them to be
angry?
Is your daughter angry?
She's young. That's how young people
are.
You gave her away. No I didn't.
You didn't give her away?
No I didn't give her away.
My wife died in childbirth. My brother
and his wife they couldn't...
anyway that's how things were done
at that time.
That's how things were done?
Mm-m.
Or... that's just the way you allowed
it to happen.
(Doorbell rings)
(Doorbell rings again)
(Traffic passing)
(Indistinct conversations)
I know what this is about.
Really?
You've changed your mind.
And you want to go to the pictures
with me this weekend.
No. Sorry.
It's not about that?
No, it's not about that.
I'm worried about April.
About April, why?
Because I haven't heard from her in
ten days. And?
We were supposed to meet at
The Corinthian last Thursday,
she never showed.
I rang her the next day, no answer
and I haven't heard from her since.
Did you go round to her flat?
Lots of times.
I was just there.
What about work?
They say she sent in a sick note and
hasn't been back.
There you go.
She's gone away on a skite.
Did she say that?
Not to me but,
why should she? Mm.
Did you try her key?
What key?
I never knew that was there.
She lets me kip on her couch
sometimes.
(Keys jangle)
This way
I don't have to wake her.
I see.
It's all perfectly innocent, Phoebe!
(Door closes)
(Opens lock)
Wait! Shouldn't we knock first?
Probably.
April?
April?
What?
She never makes her bed.
(Door closes)
Hi think we should tell the police.
Tell them what?
That April is missing.
You know what April's like, she's
away on a bender somewhere
and she hasn't come home yet.
Come on.
Have you time for a quick drink?
I better not.
You don't make it easy, do you?
Alright I have to get back anyway.
We'll give it another day or two,
if we don't hear anything
we'll put a piece in the paper
saying 'April where are you?!'
Don't put it in the paper. Alright,
take it easy I'm only joking!
Promise me?
Promise, Jesus!
I'm sure it's nothing!
(Car horn beeps)
Tell me a little more about Sarah,
will you?
Sarah...
she was my brother's wife.
I know that.
But you've always managed to skirt
around. She's dead.
Yeah.
She died just before things started to
come apart at the seams, didn't she?
Passed away in March
your drinking gets out of hand May,
June,
you see your GP about it in August.
You were arrested outside McGonagles
for drunken affray in September.
The Board of the hospital hauled you
in in November.
I mean, if you consider it like
a graph
things get worse and worse from the
moment she died.
Well, it's one way of looking at it,
yeah.
And what way would you look at it?
(Scoffs)
She was my brother's wife.
And that's it? That's it.
Well Doctor Quirke, on paper it seems you've
done everything that was asked of you.
You want to go home, fine.
But my concern and I'm being frank
with you,
is that we'll be seeing you back in
here before long.
You've an interesting job,
a good mind,
no family hanging out of you
no-one telling you to do anything
you don't want to do
and yet you're hell bent on killing
yourself, with liquor.
What would you say if I told you
that was my life?
I'd say, good luck.
Alright.
Good luck...
Doctor Quirke.
Thank you.
(Sighs)
Anyway, you're out. Yeah.
No more gargle!
Good for you.
Thanks.
Can we go, Mal.
(Car starts)
What did she say?
(He laughs) That is classic!
That is absolutely classic!
Denny, I'll talk to you later.
(Puts down phone)
Doctor Griffin!
I didn't know you were...
What's going on?
It's just... everyone calls on Doctor
Quirke's phone
my office is so small.
How is Doctor Quirke?
Can we expect him back soon?
Get your stuff out of here.
Yeah, yeah.
And I want all your reports for the last four
weeks, neatly stacked on Doctor Quirke's
desk ready and waiting for him.
You got that?
I was going to do it. Sure no-one
tells me anything.
And tell someone to clean up in
here.
(Birds singing)
Phoebe! I'm sorry.
I got tied up at the hospital.
They always start late on opening
nights.
There's Jimmy.
Ahoy my hearties!
Looking good.
Isabel looks so beautiful.
Sure that picture's ten years old.
What are you talking about it, it's
for this show!
(They laugh)
Come on.
(Audience applaud)
(Indistinct conversations)
Hello, Phoebe.
Hi.
You're home.
Yeah. I got back yesterday.
So Mal gave me the ticket for this,
for tonight, excuse me.
He's working.
This is Jimmy Minor.
Nice to meet you.
Patrick. Nice to meet you.
This is Quirke. He's my em...
Yeah. Em... do you work at the
hospital?
Yeah, I'm doing my residency.
Ah!
Good, that's great.
Oh look out, here she is!
You were fantastic!
Oh stop I was horrid!
Oh, Jimmy!
Patrick! You're a darling. Thank you
so much for coming. Congratulations.
Hello. Hello. Congratulations
that was wonderful.
Thank you.
Well, I'd better rush off.
Nice to meet you all.
Thank you very much for coming.
Goodnight, Phoebe.
(News report plays on radio)
(Doorbell rings)
I forget how you take it.
Do you want me to get you some...?
Black is fine.
Sorry I haven't seen you since the
funeral.
I got your card.
But I wanted to drop by.
Things just got... you know?
What was it like, in Saint John's?
It was...
You've stopped...? Yeah.
Over a month now.
And how are you?
I'm okay.
Do you miss Sarah?
Yeah.
Do you?
(Sighs)
Ah... I did have a reason to come and
see you.
A friend of mine has disappeared.
I don't know if you know her, April?
April Latimer.
She was a few years ahead of me at
the College of Surgeons.
Have you spoken to her family?
I don't know them.
Well I know the brother a little
bit.
He's quite a well-known
gynaecologist.
Could you ask him if she's alright? Yeah,
we can ask him together if you like.
Thanks, Quirke.
We appreciate you taking the time,
Doctor.
Not at all.
You mentioned on the phone something
about my sister April.
Yeah, well it's just... I hope you're not
going to tell me she's in trouble again.
Well it's... Phoebe really she's...
she's a little concerned about
her. Oh?
Well... the thing is... no-one has, well none
of her friends have seen her in over two weeks.
I'm not sure I can help you.
I'm sure it's none of our business.
No, you don't understand, Doctor
Quirke
I haven't seen April in
four-and-a-half years
and she lives around the corner from
me. Oh.
No I'm sorry to say that anything we ever hear
from April these days is the odd bit of...
well, unpleasant gossip.
I'd like to help you but that's...
April is...
Do you think that if you asked your
mother she might know where she is?
Not at this time, Doctor Griffin.
Look, what I will say is that knowing April
she'll probably show up sooner or later.
(Doorbell rings)
Ah!
That's my first appointment.
Thank you for your time.
Not at all.
(Door closes)
Do you think he was telling the
truth?
Dunno.
He could be protecting her because she doesn't
want anyone to know where she is. Mm.
Don't you think he was awfully quick to tell
two strangers what a disaster his family is?
He might be beyond caring.
How could you not care about your
sister?
The landscape of your average family,
Phoebe, can be quite strange.
(She cries)
I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.
No, it's not that it's just...
I just know something terrible
has happened to April, Quirke.
It just... I just know.
(Dog barking)
(Door opens)
Thanks for coming, Inspector.
Quiet building.
Only one other flat is occupied
apparently.
Must be why it's so cold.
(Door opens)
Miss Latimer?
Miss Latimer?
Is she an untidy girl as a rule?
Eh... I don't know. She could be.
She's very em...
What?
Social girl by all accounts.
Oh dear.
Her family have heard nothing you
say?
No, she sent in a sick note and
that's the last anybody's heard.
Have you seen it, the sick note?
No.
Might be worth a look.
See if she signed it herself.
(Closes drawer)
How have you been, Doctor it's
a long time since I've seen you?
You know I was in Saint John of the
Cross over the Christmas? Oh.
The drink, was it?
I'm afraid so, Inspector.
Well, you're off it now? Yeah.
Oh, good for you.
Bedroom through here?
Doctor Quirke!
If you please.
And how is Mrs Hackett?
Her inexhaustible reservoirs of
forbearance continue to astound.
Give us a lift with that, will you?
Problem is, Doctor Quirke, people go
missing every day
sometimes they just turn up,
sometimes they never do.
Without a report from the family,
I can't even put a single man on it.
Just pure budgetary constraints,
I.e. I have no money.
I understand.
The Latimers are a powerful family,
Doctor Quirke.
Perhaps even a dangerous family, if
you had the wrong side of them.
Unfortunately, if they're not
interested in where their daughter is
there may not be a huge amount
I can...
now what would you say that is?
It's blood.
Mm.
A lot of blood.
You know I might let you do the
talking.
Are you sure?
(Rings doorbell)
This isn't officially an
investigation.
I'm not supposed to be on the bloody
Southside without my passport.
(Birds singing)
Gentlemen.
Mrs Latimer. Thank you for seeing
us.
This is Inspector Hackett.
Inspector. Morning.
A policeman and a Doctor.
Should I be worried?
Thank you, Marie. Yeah, ma'am.
Mrs Latimer, my daughter is
Phoebe Griffin.
Perhaps you know her?
I know who she is.
You've already been to see my son
Oscar.
Then you'll know that nothing has been
heard from April for some weeks now.
So you called the police on my
behalf?
Well, Inspector Hackett is here in an
unofficial capacity, so far.
And what capacity are you here in?
Eh... the thing is, Mrs Latimer,
April hasn't been to work, she
hasn't been seen
her flat is empty.
She's moved?
No. Her things are all still there.
Doctor Quirke asked my advice and I suggested
as next-of-kin you might know where she's gone.
Well the sad fact is I don't.
She leads her own life.
That's how she wants it and that's
how it is.
Is there anybody that she might... I-I've
just told you, she leads her own life.
I can't afford to allow myself to
get upset about this anymore.
She is my daughter, and I have to
love her of course
but how can I?
She's never let me. There you are.
Well... other people are entitled to
love her, aren't they?
(Doorbell rings)
You're impertinent, Doctor Quirke.
And from what I hear, you're in no position yourself
to challenge anyone on their duties of a parent.
(Knock on door) Yeah.
Oh, God... it's bitter out there.
Inspector Hackett I presume?
Minister.
Oh don't call me Minister, we don't bother
with titles and all that around here.
Bill will suffice.
Is that tea fresh?
Sit down, sit down.
So this em niece of mine, what is it
this time?
Another boyfriend up in court?
Apparently she hasn't telephoned her
friends in a week. Is that all?
(He chuckles)
She's probably down the country with
some young fella!
Sorry, Celia. Yeah.
Well. If you'll excuse me.
I'll leave you gentlemen to it.
Oh for Gods' sake! Come on.
I need some air.
(Seagulls squawk)
Poor Celia.
She's at her wit's end, lads.
April's caused her nothing but
heartache.
Her father died when she was nine or
ten, probably didn't help
if you want to take the charitable
view.
But I'm inclined to think she'd be
exactly the same even if he'd lived.
Minister, we found blood on the
floor beside April's bed.
In her bed? No, down between the floorboards
like someone tried to clean it up
but well it's a devil to get rid of.
Obviously we didn't mention anything
to Mrs Latimer
but I have a fella looking at it for
me now. What fella?
From the forensics unit.
Who does he report to, you?
Me yeah.
They don't go blabbing it about the
place, do they?
No sir.
I'd hate for Celia to hear some
silly tittle-tattle.
Of course.
Christ.
Is there anybody that your niece
might have been seeing or...?
Anybody that she might have been
afraid of?
You a detective as well now, Quirke?
No.
What makes you think you're entitled
to ask me personal questions?
Well, I just thought that we were
all...
I'm not sure I care what you
thought.
Marching into an old woman's house
and... Minister, that was my eh...
Doctor Quirke is a city
pathologist,
he's here with me today in his
professional capacity.
Oh is that right?
I heard you were retired out of your
job recently, no?
No I was in Saint John of the Cross.
Oh that's right... your nerves,
was it?
No, drink. Oh, yeah.
That's what I heard.
Just stay close to me on this blood
stain or whatever it is, Inspector.
Right I have to vote on some blasted
private member's bill so eh...
I'll wish you good morning.
Minister.
When are you getting back to work?
Soon I suppose. Yeah.
Sooner the better I'd say, wouldn't
you? Yeah.
(Rings doorbell)
Come on!
(Dog barking)
Am I late?
Only three quarters of an hour.
Oh.
(Closes door)
Hope you like your steak well done?
Rose Crawford is on the prowl.
She asked for your number.
Don't feed the dog at the table.
Sorry.
There was some talk at the Board
meeting on Friday
people wondering about your plans.
What people?
Your chap in pathology, what's his
name, Sinclair?
He just wants my job, that's all. Well,
you better watch out or he'll get it.
Look, Mal I appreciate that you're
cooking for me
but you don't have to keep checking
up on me all the time.
I'm not checking up on you!
Do you not think I might just like
seeing you from time to time?
Not really, no.
(Chuckles)
I was going to ask you to come to the
Society of Corpus Christi dinner with me
no listen, there's no mass or
prayers or anything
it's a charity bash.
Few dances, few speeches, might have
a laugh.
Hm-m.
Sarah and I went every year.
I just...
don't want to go on my own.
It's usually crawling with spinsters
and widows.
Oh, fabulous.
Now, do you want some trifle?
And don't worry, there's no sherry
in it, Phoebe told me not to.
Oh, just in case I fly off the
handle?
Has she mentioned anything about
April Latimer to you? Yeah.
That she was missing. Missing?!
My backside!
I'd put a guinea on it that she's got in
trouble and gone to London to get it fixed.
Oh yeah?...
And a ferocious drink problem.
She's on thin ice at the hospital
according to Professor Moriarty.
If she hasn't already fallen through
that is.
Doctor Quirke! You're back.
Yeah, I'm just trying to catch up
before I hit the grindstone.
Can I eh, can I work away in here?
Requests in writing.
(He sighs)
Can I drop it up to you later?
Go on. Thanks.
You're looking well, by the way.
Oh you're big liar, Margaret!
Doctor Quirke!
Eh, I didn't know you were...
This is Jim. James Minor from the
Evening Press.
Yeah, we've met.
Doctor Sinclair here was just giving me a bit of
background on the lady who jumped off the eh...
jumped off the...
it's very sad. Really?
Can you go and sort out the post that's
building up in the dispatch box? Yeah.
Of course.
Yeah... I better... Before you go, could
I have a word with you, Mr Minor.
Of course.
Call me Jimmy, will you? Jimmy.
You're a friend of April Latimer's,
aren't you? Yeah.
So what do you think happened to her?
What happened to her? Well you're a
man of the world I can see that.
Well... look, I know that Phoebe
idolises April, alright?
So anything I say here is between
us, okay? Yeah, sure.
Go on.
I'll put it this way, I can see why
her family would be terrified.
Of what?
Scandal.
Embarrassment.
April, is wild. Wild?
What, drink?
She drinks, but you, know? Wild.
With men, alright?
Yeah men.
What kind of men?
The wrong kind.
Fellas that would just use her. Fellas
you'd be scratching your head wondering
what in the name of Jesus could she
possibly...
And has there been anybody recently?
Of course there was!
(Sigh)
Don't get me wrong,
April's a good friend, she's a really
nice person but there's something...
phh!
Missing somewhere.
I'm sorry, Doctor Quirke, there's
someone on the phone for you.
Who is it?
It's an American lady.
Thanks, Jimmy.
Sir?
Oh, he'll have one.
Rose, you know I've been away.
Away where?
Saint John of the Cross.
Oh you dried out?
Well, good for you.
To sobriety.
(Glasses clink)
I'll have them take it away. I don't want
you back up in the Cross on my account.
So, how's Phoebe?
She's em... she's good.
And Mal?
Mal, you know Mal.
He says he's going to retire soon.
Retire?
Well he's far too youthful.
Well, that's what I said.
I'll tell you what he needs.
A decent period of mourning, a year
or two
then get married again.
Who would marry him, Rose?
You'd be surprised, Quirke.
I would be surprised.
(They laugh)
So what about you?
What about me?
Don't you ever get lonely? Oh!
Who doesn't, Rose?
Nobody.
Maybe I should marry you.
I wouldn't let you do that to
yourself, Rose!
(She laughs)
ROSE'S VOICE ECHOES: Now, tell me
they have fresh oysters.
(Lively chatter)
Phoebe!
What did you think of the match?
What match!
What match?
Oh for crying out loud!
What do you want to drink?
Just a tonic water, thanks.
I'm meeting Patrick.
Oh!
Excuse me!
We're just getting some food.
You should come with us. No.
Something tells me, I wouldn't be
welcome.
Phoebe! Jimmy!
I forgot the match was on. Hey.
We should go to Fratellis. It'll be
quiet.
Good idea, I'm starving!
Have a drink first! For Jaysus'
sake!
Hey, Minor! What do you want,
a pint? Yeah a pint.
And here, Tommy, get me a, tonic
water?
And Patrick what do you want?
I'm alright, Jimmy, thanks.
Get him a banana!
(Laughing)
I'll see you outside, Phoebe.
Ah Patrick!
Patrick, wait!
You sure that's a good idea?
What are you talking about?
You're supposed to be his friend and
you don't even stand up for him.
You know, he was having it off with
April, don't you?
So what if he was? What's it to you?
He knows more than he's letting on,
that's all.
Let go of me, Jimmy.
Just watch your step! That's all I'm
saying.
Or you'll be on that boat to London
too.
Someone give me a drink for the love
of God. Get that into you.
Slainte!
Are you alright?
Do you get that kind of thing a lot?
(Speaks in Dublin accent)
Well, more than I'd like!
(They laugh)
Look if you want to leave it
tonight, I don't mind, Phoebe. No.
Listen, Jimmy just said something to
me. What?
Nothing. You know what he's like.
Mm.
If we hurry we can catch the last
sitting at Fratellis.
(Church bells ring)
Glass of wine, sir?
No, thank you.
Oh God, Mal you didn't tell me the
Judge was here.
I-I em... assumed you knew.
Mal.
Ah, you came!
Just seeing if the old tuxedo still
fits after all these years.
Well it does. You look well, and you
too, Mal.
Although you could do with
a haircut, both of you, now come on.
Let's have a drink before dinner.
(Indistinct conversations)
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Ah, John.
Ah, Judge. Hiya, Bill.
I was wondering if you'd be able to
make it. How are you, Bill?
Fine, thanks.
Quirke. Minister.
I've a small bone to pick with you.
Oh?
I've been hearing unfavourable
reports.
Like what?
You've been going into people's homes
accusing them of all sorts of things.
They're a good family, the Latimers
and certainly not ones to
antagonise.
I'm not antagonising them.
You're always a pathologist.
First, last and always, Quirke.
You never leave a thing alone, until
you understand it.
Some things are not for us to
understand,
should be left alone.
To-to-to... To what, to rot?
To die?
Don't be so naive.
You go on like a bloody adolescent!
Like what's your man in 'Rebel
Without a Cause'?
All I've ever done is treat you like
a member of our family
but you know what?
Its like you never accepted us. What are you
talking about, of course I've accepted you.
You think I don't know you were carrying
on with your own brother's wife?
Your brother!
Jesus' sake. Look at him.
> Ladies and Gentlemen, could you
please take your seats downstairs?
Well, your Grace, are Wexford going
to do it on Sunday?
(Sighs)
Can I get a glass of wine, please?
We've a nice chateauneuf du pape
open this evening or?
Em... I'll have a whiskey.
Irish? Sure.
Double? Yeah.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I hope I'm not disturbing you?
I met you at the opening night.
Oh yeah.
Miss Galloway, of course.
It was an excellent performance.
Thank you for saying so.
The bar man said you were drinking
whiskey?
Thank you.
Would you care to join me?
Only if you don't mind.
Of course not.
I'm using you, actually.
Oh, really?
The man over there at the bar,
with the makeup and terrible black
wig,
he's hounding me to play Peggy in a musical
version of Playboy of the Western bloody World!
I wish I could be of some use to
you, Miss Galloway but
I wasn't planning on staying too
long.
Got to get up for work in the
morning.
Oh that's perfect!
I can walk out with you.
So how do you know Phoebe?
I know Phoebe through...
April Latimer. Ah.
April sort of took Phoebe under her
wing.
Although I'm not sure how much
shelter there is under there.
I hear that she's eh...
like a force of nature.
More like a bloody tornado.
She's her own worst enemy, really.
Our lives have gone a bit quiet all
of a sudden since she...
she's gone wherever she's gone.
And to tell you the truth, there are quite a lot of
people who wouldn't really care if she never came back.
Sad but true, I'm afraid.
This is me.
Why don't you come in?
(Dog barking)
(She laughs)
You can take off your coat, you
know?
No, it's just... Just what?
Sorry.
Maybe we're a little drunker than
I thought.
Well I better... I better get going.
I don't want to give you the wrong
idea.
Why don't we both... get the wrong
idea and see where it leads us?
(Birds singing)
Row over a bottle of wine in an
alleyway.
That's what I call a thirst.
I have the results from forensics of
the blood on April's flat.
Well? Hm.
Two blood types mixed together,
AB Positive and AB Negative.
And one person can't be both?
Yeah.
AB Negative is the rarest blood type
there is.
I mean less than one percent of the
population have it but.
AB Positive is more common.
But you can't as you say, be both.
Don't tell me the lab have made a
cock-up?
I don't think so. So?
What if the sample was post-partum?
A mother and a baby.
Something like that.
Miscarriage, termination.
Okay, so she lost a child or someone helped her lose
it and now she's recovering somewhere, it's possible.
You're not convinced?
There's eh..there's a lot of blood
there.
And I've been having a look at this
sick note.
No signature.
They can be right nuisance, Doctor
Quirke, these niggling feelings.
You don't know why you feel the way
you feel but you do it,
it's like having a hangover when you
haven't had a drink.
I'll keep my ears open.
Unofficially of course.
Good luck.
> If it's about the rent, you're
wasting your time.
No, no, it's not about the rent.
> Are you trying to take away my cat? No,
I'm not trying to take your cat away.
> Could you fix me gas fire?
I'll have a go.
You're not like the other men from
the Gas Board.
We'll that's because I'm not really
from the Gas Board
but I can tell you, that I think
you've been cut off.
Ah that's a distinct possibility
alright.
Now listen, if you're a Jehovah's
Witness come right out and say it.
No, no I'm not a Jehovah's Witness.
Actually, I'm a doctor.
Do you happen to know the girl who
lives upstairs?
Of course I know her, she does me
shopping for me,
that's why I'm starving in here!
You see I couldn't go out because there was all
men coming up and down out there. What men?
Men, coming up the stairs.
And I heard her crying.
And so I just kept me door shut.
Wh-who was crying?
And there was a man that night,
my God
he looked as if he'd sprung from the
very pit of Hell itself!
(Nurses chatting)
She's all yours, Doctor.
Doctor!
Oh... thank you, Sister.
Everything alright?
Morning, Doctor Griffin.
Chop, chop, eh? Yeah, sir.
Morning, Sister.
Morning, Doctor Griffin.
Howya, Dermot? Can I go in?
I wouldn't go in just at the moment,
Doctor.
Speak of the devil!
Hope you're proud of yourself too!
Here, keep as a souvenir.
And I'll tell you this for the very
last time,
you stay away from my family, all of
you, do you hear me?!
And you... you look to your sense of
decency, sir.
Or by Christ you'll regret that you
ever stuck your nose into this
I'll walk you out, Minister.
What are you looking at? Get back to work
you lazy sods, what's the matter with you?
(Phones ringing)
Well, Doctor. You've done it now,
haven't you?
For myself, I know you're only
trying to help
this kind of thing will cause uncle
Bill hell in the Cabinet
which is why he's so...
See, no-one really understands what
it is to be a Latimer.
My father carried James Connolly out
of the GPO after the surrender.
He shared a cell with
Eamon De Valera.
He lost his friends, family,
everything to free this country.
Whereas uncle Bill, I'm sure you
know,
people don't respect him as much as
they did my father.
He never said anything about the
blood. What blood?
The blood that we found beside
April's bed. What kind of blood?
April's kind.
Why didn't you say anteing?
Because up to now we didn't know
whose it was.
This is...
obviously we'll have to eh...
God!
What happened?
Accident,
miscarriage,
who can say?
Until the family files a report the
police can't... No em...
obviously I'll talk to uncle
Bill,
get onto the police and see if they
can, you know... quietly.
Unless you know where she is.
I wish I did.
You could try asking some of her so
called friends.
Like who? I don't know.
Half of them are low-lifes, I can't
remember
and the men... Christ,
I dread to even...
there's that Nigerian chap, works
at the hospital.
Can't keep his hands off the nurses.
Someone even told me that himself
and April had... Mm.
Look I better get back.
Can I give you a lift?
I think I'll walk.
Good luck, Quirke.
(He groans)
Hello?
What time is it?
In the morning?
Oh.
The evening!
What's wrong?
Mal!
Mal!
What happened?
Where have you been?
I was... I...
Oh God!
Look at you!
(Sighs)
Stroke?
Mrs O'Halloran found him on the
kitchen floor this morning.
Is there anywhere around here I can
get a coffee? Oh for Christ sake!
Phoebe.
Go home with him.
Make sure he eats.
I'll call you if there's any change.
I called in there today.
To April's?
I met with April's neighbour.
She told me that she'd seen a black
man going up to April's flat.
Do you happen to know who that might
be?
No.
What about the African man I met you
with at the play?
Eh..no. He didn't know April.
The Latimer's have complained to the
police so, I've been warned away.
I know.
And Jimmy's been sacked as well.
Who?
Jimmy Minor.
He wrote the piece about April in
the paper.
Why did they sack him?
For writing the piece.
(Sighs)
You want me to make you some dinner? Eh...
no thanks. I think I'll just go to bed.
You want me to sit here for a few
minutes?
I'm not going to drink.
I'll light the fire.
I said I'm not going to drink.
Please don't hate me.
Why would I hate you?
Because Delia died giving birth to me. Ah
Jesus' sake what are you talking about?
I wouldn't blame you.
And I understand under the
circumstances why you gave me away.
I did not give you away!
Mal and Sarah, they...
they were able to give you things
that... It doesn't matter.
I've forgiven you.
Okay?
You've forgiven me?
Yeah, I have.
Why do you think I would need your
forgiveness?
Well...
no it's just that it..
No, listen to me, I don't need
yourforgiveness
and I don't need anybody else's!
Have you got that?
I'm sorry, I-I just... What?
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Me too.
(Door closes)
(Man wolf-whistles)
Black coffee, two sugars.
Your hands are shaking.
April?
Hey.
It's alright.
It's alright.
Patrick?
Hm?
What do you think has happened to
April?
I don't know.
Did you ever visit her in her flat?
Yeah, of course.
A few times.
Were you and her...
What?
Well, someone spoke to April's
neighbour...
and she said that she saw a black
man going up to April's apartment
and that April was crying.
Who was talking to her?
The police?
No.
Quirke.
Is that why you came here? No!
Well, yeah.
I think you should go, Phoebe.
Why?
Because I thought you came her to
see me,
not because you think I had something
to do with what's happened to April.
I don't!
So why did you come here?
Why are you asking me this?
Because I was jealous!
Alright?
Because I was jealous.
(Knock on door)
> Who's up there?
Nobody, Mrs Gilligan!
It was just the radio.
> What?
It was the radio!
Goodnight, Mrs Gilligan.
You should go. I'll be quiet.
No!
Let me stay, Patrick, please! I said
just go, Phoebe alright, just go.
(She sobs)
(Knock on door)
Come in.
Morning, Lazarus.
How are you feeling?
(Sighs)
Just about as rough as I deserve to
feel, I imagine.
(She laughs)
What time did I get here?
About three.
Half three.
Did I disgrace myself?
Did you try to get me into bed,
you mean?
Yeah, you tried. Sorry.
Don't worry, you were very gallant.
I made you a cup of tea and you sort
of keeled over.
Sorry.
Quirke, if you're going to keep on
apologising you can clear off.
Sorry, I...
Why don't you go and make us a pot
of coffee?
There's a dear.
(Sighs)
Quirke.
Are you alright, Doctor?
Are you going to eat?
No.
I've never been able to eat
breakfast.
Prefer to drink it, I suppose?
Isn't a joke, is it?
No.
You gonna go back in, to
Saint John's?
I don't know.
I've got to do something.
Isn't there anyone you want to stay
sober for?
For Phoebe?
I know she reveres you.
She'd be better off without me.
No.
I don't believe that.
I think maybe the real reason I came
here last night was to...
was to ask...
Hm?
Ask me what?
To help me.
God, I don't know about that!
Please?
I could try.
I was thinking about work.
Have you ever considered coming back
to Boston with me?
I don't think so.
You're crazy!
If I had your brains, I wouldn't waste
my youth in some damn hat shop!
Come home with me.
You could enrol in college, you
could even apply for... I can't!
Why not?
You know, there comes a time when you have
to stop trying to be the good daughter
or the good little girl or whoever
it is you're trying to be.
Oh yeah?
And what should I be trying to be?
How about yourself?
(Knock on door)
Yeah?
Doctor Griffin? Patrick.
What can I do for you?
I was... wondering if you know
anything about this?
What is it?
It's a letter from the Minister of
Justice about my immigration status.
How would I know about that?
Well my visa is contingent on my
studies here at this hospital.
Hm.
You do know that April Latimer's
uncle is the Minister?
I don't know where she is.
Fair enough.
But if her uncle is trying to kick
you out of the country
it suggests that he thinks
otherwise.
I don't.
Hm.
Well... I can give you a letter that says the
hospital couldn't possibly do without you.
Thank you, Doctor Griffin.
Or, I could tell them about
I don't know... a misdiagnosis here,
a sloppy prescription there.
And you might suddenly start to look
even more dangerous.
Why would you do that?
I don't give a tinkers damn where
April Latimer is
I don't even like her.
But Phoebe loves her.
So if you do know anything, I want
to know too.
Let's go down to pathology, shall
we?
Pathology?
She asked me for my help.
She was very brave and we...
we did it.
You terminated her pregnancy?
Yeah.
At her flat?
Well it wasn't my baby if that's
what you're thinking, alright?
I stayed with her that night and she
was fine.
But the following evening,
she phoned me...
she was bleeding.
I told her to... get an ambulance,
I begged her
but she absolutely forbade it.
I went straight there and I...
I did what I could but.
But what?
She was alive when I left her.
You left her?
I'm not saying anything else.
Why?
Because she made me promise.
Ah for crying out loud!
Is that really important now?
Yeah.
If she's alive it is.
And if she's dead?
Look, I made a promise to her,
alright?
I made a promise.
If you want to know any more,
why don't you ask her family?
What makes a man like that risk everything
for the likes of April Latimer?
Whatever it is he's not going to
tell us.
It must be his baby.
You can imagine how that went down with
the Latimers and their precious family.
A black baby is up there with incest
for the likes of Bill Latimer
and Oscar Latimer, my God!
Although Patrick is actually
a prince in his own country so
that might make the difference.
Yeah em, I left my keys inside.
I'll telephone you later.
There's some chicken stew at home,
if you'd like.
I'm afraid you've wasted your trip,
Doctor Quirke.
My son is not at home.
Do you know where he is?
I don't think that's any of your
business, Doctor Quirke.
But if you must know, he's in town
tonight.
Corpus Christi have seen fit to grace my
late husband with a Legion of Honour medal
and Oscar is to collect it on his
behalf.
You're not going yourself?
It's men only tonight.
Naturally.
Can I give him a message for you?
No thank you.
(Church bells ring)
All men are heroes to their sons.
But few are heroes to an entire
nation.
That was my father's privilege.
If my father
if...
My father was here tonight,
he would be so proud
and it is therefore with some pride
that I stand here before you
to accept this great honour in
memory of my father, Connor Latimer,
a patriarch, and a patriot.
Thank you.
(Applause)
For God's sake!
What is it now, Quirke?
People are starting to worry about
you, you know that?
I spoke to Patrick Ojukwu this
evening.
Who?
He confessed to performing an abortion
on your sister, April in her flat.
I thought you should know.
But then you already do, don't you?
I know nothing of the sort.
Who is this eh... Patrick Ojukwu?
Patrick Ojukwu.
He's the man who asked you to come
and save your sister.
But she died, didn't she?
How the hell would I know?
Because you hid her body.
I did no such thing.
His was the consciousness, not just
of a man
but of a people.
(Applause)
Ojukwu called you because she was
bleeding to death
but you panicked.
And you hid her body.
And why would I do that?
Because she was carrying your baby.
Listen to yourself.
She was my sister, for Christ sake!
That's why you had to hide the body,
because of the scandal.
She botched her own abortion and you
couldn't clean it up. No.
The baby's blood was AB Negative, the
same as yours.
You must have thought it was a long shot
that anybody would put two and two together
but you couldn't take the chance,
could you?
I'm going to give you thirty seconds
to get out of this building.
It's only because I know that you've
got a drink problem.
But if you're not gone by then,
I'm going to have you thrown out.
And I'm going to see to it
personally, that you're struck off.
Look your little bird is missing
a wing. What?
I think I might have it here. What are
you talking about, go home, Quirke.
Well look at that.
Perfect.
Know where I found that?
In April's flat.
(Applause continues)
You let her die, Oscar.
You let her die.
No!
Everything alright, gentlemen?
Yeah, everything's alright.
And now, gentlemen, may I ask you all to be
upstanding, for my brother, Connor Latimer?
I tried to save her, Quirke.
There was nothing I could do.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I never loved anyone like I loved
April.
I was telling the truth
about not seeing her for four years,
until one night at the end of October when we
bumped into each other on South Anne Street.
She was drunk out of her mind,
didn't know where she was.
So, I put her in a taxi and
I brought her home and I, I...
went in.
She was eh... barely conscious, she
didn't know it was me, I don't think.
And I... don't know why I did it..
(Crying) to obliterate it
or to control it or...
oh Christ!
To obliterate what, Oscar?
We were just... we were just children
and our heroic father would come in
stinking of drink
and he'd tell us both of us to get
into the bed
and then he'd... he'd...
oh Christ!
Oscar.
Even when he died, it didn't...
we just didn't speak to each
other any more until that night.
What's going on here?
Patrick called me and told me what
they'd done
and I know it was my baby.
And there was nothing I could do.
She died about ten minutes after I got
there, God help her, God help her!
I watched her die.
He doesn't know what he's saying.
This has nothing to do with you!
What do you mean it has nothing to
do with me?
Have you any idea what you're
saying?
Oscar?
Where's April's body?
(He sobs)
How did you get on?
Well, they extended my visa.
Because of this?
Wow!
That is...
Want a drink?
Hey...
Hey! There, now.
It's alright.
You did your best.
'After a jittery final of fence, Persian
Tiara suddenly managed to surge.
'The crowd roared their approval for
a fitting finale to...'
(Knock on door)
Just thought I'd say goodbye.
When are you off?
Rose is calling for me at seven and
I fly out tonight.
I don't suppose you'll miss me?
I'm really sorry that things turned
out so badly for your friend April.
It's funny, isn't it?
Out of everyone, you were the only
one who...
(Coughs)
Are you alright?
My boy! My boy.
Are we at the races now?
No. I was reading you the results.
Go back to sleep. You'll be as right
as rain.
We were going in the school gates
a few minutes ago.
You'll be alright.
Get some sleep.
I know... I know it's wrong.
What is.
I always loved you more than anyone
else.
Why do you think that is?
Bad judgment maybe. Hah!
I wont be able to give you your
presents on Christmas morning.
Of course you will.
Ah!
You used to ask me if I knew who put
you in the orphanage.
I said I didn't know, but I do...
I do know.
It was me.
No! You-you took me out, Dad,
you gave me a home.
Yeah, but I also put you in.
We had no choice, we couldn't get
married, we had no money.
Broke my heart, nearly killed me,
I swear to God!
But as soon as I could I got you
out.
Every night, I dreamt you were calling
to get me to come back and get you.
I did in the end.
I always knew.
Who told you?
Nobody.
Who was my mother, Dad?
No, I can't...
(Mumbles)
(Sobbing)
That'd be great.
Listen... I wanted to give you this.
I was going to give it to Mal to give
to you,
It belonged to your mother. Thanks.
Quirke.
(She cries)