Wycliffe (1994–…): Season 3, Episode 7 - Last Judgement - full transcript

[theme music]

Ches?

[dog barking]

Shut up, Ches!

Ches, will you--

Oh my god.

Ches, come!

Come, Ches!

Been identified as a George Pender.

Seems he's a magistrate living locally.

If Franks is finished, let's have him down.



OK.

Cyril?

PC Dando, sir.

[inaudible] Station.

Sir.

He was definitely dead, was he, when he was found?

Oh, yes.

Ken Luscombe no in no doubt at all about that.

He was in a right old state when he got to the station.

You know Mr. Luscombe well, do you?

We do. Yes, sir.

Something of a regular magistrate's [inaudible]..

I see.

Can't help thinking, sir, it's a bit like an execution.



I know what you mean.

Was Mr. Pender generally liked, do you know?

He was.

Yes, sir.

By some of the tool rags who got it in the neck from him.

When he was on the bench, of course.

That's natural.

All right. Thank you.

Sir.

Well, I'm impressed, Charles.

That's a very professional job.

What?

Well, the knot he used.

It took a cool head to tie that one.

You think it's suicide?

What else?

I knew the man.

Oh.

Really?

Somehow it just doesn't make sense.

Well, it does to me, I'm afraid.

He'd found a pile of logs to stand on.

Measured the length of rope correctly.

Taken his own weight into account.

Of course, I can't be 100% sure until I get him up on the slab.

No, right.

Right.

Sorry.

I-- I didn't realize you knew him.

Well, not very well.

Just a professional relationship, really.

Look, why don't you give the post-mortem a miss?

Doug can do it.

No, no, no.

No, I'll be there.

Fine.

Missed all the fun, have I?

I'll catch up with you later, Lucy.

Doug will brief you.

I'm dropping in on the dead man's wife.

Right. OK.

So you know, he's in a funny old mood.

Been a long night, has it?

Yes, it has.

It is Neil, isn't it?

Yes.

Detective Superintendent Wycliffe.

Right.

You have my deepest sympathy.

Thanks.

I only met your father a few times, uh, socially.

But he impressed me very much.

Yeah.

Everyone liked Dad.

Is your mother--

Dr. Hawkins is with her.

Good.

He said he'd give her something to take the edge off.

Neil.

Just getting through the first few days--

Jane, this is Superintendent Wycliffe.

He's in charge of the case.

Is that what you call it?

When someone kills themselves?

It's still a case, is it?

Yes.

Nice to meet you, Jane.

I can't believe it.

I know.

You're to drink this, OK?

Doctor's orders.

Yours, you mean?

That's right.

If you'll excuse me?

Had Mr. Pender been to see you recently, doctor?

Do you know, I can't remember the last time

George came to the surgery.

We're both on the church committee.

That's where I usually ran into him.

Ah. Right.

Fit as a flea, he was.

I used to envy him.

Odd, isn't it?

What about mentally?

Did he ever show signs of depression?

None that I saw.

Anyway, I'll look at his medical notes.

See if your bloke can find something.

Right. Thank you.

Mrs. Pender?

I'm Detective Superintendent Wycliffe.

I can't tell you how sorry--

[crying]

Sorry.

Don't be.

I just--

I don't know.

Seeing you here-- it makes it all real.

I know.

How could he?

He had so much to live for.

Neil-- he adores Neil.

Yes.

There's no note.

Nothing.

But he seemed OK recently, had he?

Nothing was worrying him?

No.

All the pressure was off.

He retired last year.

His company was based near Liscott, wasn't it?

He didn't miss it at all.

Of course, he had his court work.

That kept him busy.

Dr. Hawkins mentioned he was on the church committee.

So much of our life revolved around the church.

George had such strong beliefs.

I envied him sometimes.

I mean, that's why it seems so impossible.

I'm sorry?

Well, George would never have taken his own life.

It goes against everything he believes.

Quite. Um-- look--

I'll be in close touch.

If you need me at all, just--

Last night's dinner.

Jane must have moved it over.

The house could have burned down.

I wouldn't have noticed.

And Jane was here with you last night, was she?

We were supposed to be celebrating.

Neil and Jane, they're getting engaged.

Ah, I see.

[knocking]

Oh, Anne.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, this is Detective Superintendent Wycliffe.

This is Jane's mother, Pat Trethowan.

Mrs. Trethowan.

He knew George.

Didn't you?

Mm.

Really?

Is there's anything I can do--

anything--

We'll find out what happened, Mrs. Pender.

Please.

I think they're more or less there, Charles.

No point in dragging it out.

Take as much time as you like.

Well, it's all there.

Classic signs of suicide.

I was 90% certain before, but now I'm 100.

You are?

Well, there's the nails, for a start.

No scuffing.

No breakages.

He's obviously made no attempt to loosen the rope.

The hands seem very tightly clenched, though, don't they?

That would happen at the end.

The final convulsion.

I see.

Consciousness was lost pretty rapidly,

due to vaguely inhibition.

And there's no signs of struggle?

None at all.

No marks to his neck, other than those caused by the rope?

No.

Definitely.

With manual strangulation, there's

usually a hyoid fracture.

In this case, there isn't.

It's not been done just to-- just to look like suicide?

He's got all the hallmarks, Charles.

All you've got to do is find out why he did it.

What's the problem?

I don't know.

Something's not right.

Oh?

I'm not questioning your judgment, Cyril.

It's just a gut feeling, that's all.

Well, I've never gone much on gut feeling.

Cyril, I'd like you to stay for a day or two.

What?

I think we've missed something.

If you could--

I'm due back in Plymouth this afternoon.

I've got a really difficult case waiting for me.

Yes, I just don't believe this is as open

and shut as you think.

Well, I don't come cheap, you know, Charles.

You'll have to clear it first, won't you?

And with the hospital.

Obviously.

Right.

Well.

Good luck.

I'll need a toothbrush, of cause.

I'll get someone to sort that out for you.

Rooms look fairly comfortable.

Only fairly?

I'll catch up with you later, then.

If there's anything you need--

Yes, well, pajamas would be useful, as well.

Nothing flowered.

[ding]

Yeah, we'll try--

Obviously is. Yeah.

OK. Thank you.

Never thought we'd get the go ahead, eh?

Yeah, but Dr. Franks says it's a suicide.

So what are we looking for?

Sorry?

Just saying, sir, that's a lot of trouble and expense

when it seems--

Well, our job is to find the motive

for George Pender's suicide.

And if we can't find the motive, we

treat the death as suspicious.

OK?

Everything all right?

Yes.

Fine, sir.

Lucy's just gone to talk to the Penders.

Right.

We need to find a match for the rope used in the noose, Andy.

Go check the Penders first.

- OK, sir. - And Ian?

Can you look to into the state of George Pender's finances?

See if he had any, uh, money worries?

All right.

I've just had a word with PC Dander, sir.

Doesn't sound as if we're going to find

any skeletons in the cupboard.

I wonder what enemies he made?

What, as a magistrate?

Well, I'm going to start with Ken Luscombe.

I don't think he was Pender's greatest fan.

[inaudible] a few jars already found him.

Gave me a real turn, he did.

But you recognized him straight away, did you, Ken?

Yeah, I did.

What do you think will happen to a man?

Out for a quiet walk, not troubling nobody.

Of course, you've been up in front of Mr. Pender

once or twice, haven't you?

Yeah, well-- fines, and that.

I mean, nothing major.

Coppers round here ain't got nothing better to do.

The last time it was farmers, complaining

about my dog worrying sheep.

All right, mine.

Oh, yeah?

I think the world of Jess.

Oh, I see he's exercised properly.

Even get the neighbor to take him for walks on odd occasions,

and all.

Who's your neighbor?

Mrs. Trethowan.

Her daughter's friendly with the Penders' son.

The sort of woman who's crazy about animals.

No man around.

So you reckon the fine was unjustified, do you?

Pender never listened to me.

He never listened to nobody.

He was like a [inaudible].

I see.

Still, he's got his comeuppance now, hasn't he?

That's one way of putting it, yeah.

Neil?

Detective Inspector Lane.

We're very sorry about your father.

I wondered if you felt up to talking while Sergeant

Dixon has a quick look around?

Look around?

Just the sheds and the garage, if that's OK, Neil.

We're trying to match up the rope that--

um-- the rope that, uh--

Yeah.

Right.

My mother's asleep.

Probably the best thing for her at the moment.

So would you feel able to talk?

Mrs. Trethowan?

That's right.

DI Kersey.

I'm here in connection with Mr. Pender's suicide.

What a terrible thing.

Poor Anne.

You know the family quite well, do you?

Jane, my daughter, she's a friend of Neil Pender.

Oh, yes.

Mr. Luscombe mentioned her.

He'll be dining out on this for a while, won't he?

drinking out on it, more like.

You don't much time for him, do you, Mrs. Trethowan?

I don't know.

But I hear you walk his dog occasionally?

As you get older, you begin to think

that animals are just so much nicer than humans, don't you?

Some humans.

Definitely.

We won't be disturbed in here.

So you were in court with him yesterday?

Yes.

It's just been such a shock.

That seems to be the general reaction.

I'm gonna miss him terribly.

He always cheered me up if I let a case get to me.

I see.

You can feel like you've got things badly wrong at times,

but George never faltered.

There was a real calling with him.

What about yesterday, Mrs. Blatchford?

Did anything unusual happen?

Can't think of anything.

He was really looking forward to his son

coming home from university.

Yes.

They we're going to celebrate Neil's engagement to, uh--

Jane Trethowan.

Really?

He never told me Neil was seeing anyone.

George wasn't prone to self-doubt

when he was on the bench, was he, Mrs. Blatchford?

Not at all.

But he did have a reputation for handing out stiff sentences.

Wouldn't have made him too popular with the defendants,

would it?

You don't expect to be popular, of course.

But no, he wasn't.

Can you think of anyone who might

have had a grudge against him?

So you don't think it was suicide?

We're considering all possibilities at the moment.

Oh.

Right.

One or two defendants spring to mind, I suppose,

with a really serious grudge.

That's right.

There's Jimmy Yates.

WYCLIFFE: Who's he?

He was up in court for a ruckus in a pub.

It wasn't too serious, actually, but George

gave him a custodial sentence.

You're saying that Yates had it in for Mr.

Pender because of it?

The thing is his wife had warned

him if he went to prison again, she was packing her bags.

And that's what she did, taking their little girl with her.

Yates was devastated, evidently.

I heard he blamed George.

Thanks.

So where are you at university, Neil?

Exeter.

Oh, really?

I went there.

Yeah?

Mhm.

Mind you, it was a few years ago now.

I expect it's changed quite a bit.

So are you coming into work?

It's usually quiet.

So anyway, I was going to be met at the station.

That's usual.

Your father was going to meet you?

Dad.

Yeah.

And?

He didn't show up.

And I got a taxi home.

Jane had come over.

We'd been going to tell him we were getting engaged.

I see.

Congratulations.

Mom said-- she said he'd set out to meet me.

She started getting worried.

Go on.

She phoned the police to see if there'd been an accident.

But then-- then about 11, was it?

This officer came.

Told us.

Neil, do you know if your father had any money worries?

No.

I mean, not that I know of, anyhow.

Did your mother?

I--

Sorry.

Not interrupting, am I?

Jane, this is Inspector Lane.

Hello.

Jane.

Nice to meet you.

Do you know if Mrs. Pender's still asleep?

She is.

Yes.

I don't think she should be disturbed.

No, no.

Fine.

I'll go home.

I'll come back later.

I'll give you a lift in mom's car.

No, it's all right. I'll walk.

Um-- I'll come with you, if you don't mind.

It's over a mile.

Oh, that's OK.

I could do with some fresh air.

Must be hard for you.

Talking to bereaved families so soon after it's happened.

Comes with the job, I'm afraid.

Well, I couldn't do it.

Mr. Yates?

Yeah?

Detective Inspector Kersey.

Wondered if I could get a word, please?

I'm busy.

Nice little ship.

What would you know?

Nothing.

Must be the only person to get seasick in the bath.

You've heard of Mr. Pender's death, have you, Mr. Yates?

I have.

Yeah.

You didn't think a lot of him, I understand?

I didn't, no.

Not a lot.

And I'm glad he's dead, and all.

In fact, it's the first time I've smiled in a while.

It's stunning up here, isn't it?

Mm.

Sometimes I still can't believe it.

We used to live in Plymouth.

A really cruddy part.

So when did you move down here?

Six years ago.

Mom saw this cottage for rent.

She was very keen to come.

I hear Mrs. Pender's very glad that Neil met you.

Oh, she was glad.

Yes.

How about Mr. Pender?

He did like me, you know?

I'm sure he did.

He was just--

well, it must have been a bit of a shock, us getting engaged.

Mr. Pender knew about the engagement?

What?

I'm sorry.

Um-- I got the impression from Neil that you were going

to break the news last night.

We were?

But Neil didn't get the chance to tell his father, did he?

Mr. Pender didn't turn up at the station.

That's right.

Mrs. Pender knew.

That's what I meant.

Oh.

We were going to tell Mr. Pender over dinner.

We weren't sure how he'd react.

I was a bit worried.

We were keeping that secret till then.

I see.

This way.

I just feel so sorry for Mrs. Pender and Neil.

I don't know what to say.

No.

Well, it's not like a normal death, is it?

If there is such a thing.

Excuse me. Getting on.

I always think it's best to keep busy

when things happen, I mean.

You look very skilled at that, Mrs. Trethowan.

Oh, well-- I suppose not having a man about,

I've learned to do things myself.

Jane's quite handy, of course.

Thank you.

When I'm allowed.

Jane tells me you moved down here from Plymouth?

That's right.

I'm gonna have to, uh, leave you and leave you, I'm afraid.

I've got to be at work soon.

Really?

What do you do?

Oh, just bar work.

Nothing glamorous.

I mean, you wouldn't expect it, would you?

Looking like this.

Did you know I used to have a waist your size?

Children do for you.

Be warned.

Anybody'd think you were 90.

Yeah, I feel it sometimes.

And a glass of the house red, please.

Very good, sir.

Anything in the medical notes that might help?

Nothing.

Mr. Pender was remarkably fit for his age.

That's what his GP told me.

No wonder they call it death by chocolate.

And there's no mention of mental illness?

No. None at all.

But then, it's often those that don't talk about it that

actually do the deed, isn't it?

All right.

Well, I-- I'd better go up.

I want to put a call in.

Find out how they managed without me today.

All right.

They're going to be totally stymied tomorrow.

It's a really tricky PM.

It's one thing.

What?

The knot used for the noose.

Yes.

What about it?

You said it was--

what was it?

You were impressed.

A professional job?

Yes.

A boy scout would have been proud.

Right.

Well, if you'll excuse me, Charles.

Work to do.

Still at each other's throats, I see.

So the best of us are [inaudible] again.

Yep.

I can't work out Pender's son.

He seems a nice lad, but--

there's something going on.

How do you mean?

I don't know.

He just seems really screwed up.

Yeah, well, he would be.

His old man's just hanged himself, hasn't he?

I know that, but--

there's also something about Jane Trethowan.

Do you realize that the Trethowans

live next door to Ken Luscombe?

No, I didn't.

Yeah.

He must qualify as a neighbor from hell, our Ken.

Do you want another?

Mm-mm.

No.

I'm going to bed.

Sleep tight.

Yeah.

Goodnight, sir.

I reckon Jimmy Yates seems promising, sir.

Have you eaten yet?

Yeah.

Yeah, I had something at the chippy down the road.

Sorry, what was that about Yates?

Well, it seems that he had it in for Pender in a big way.

I've checked with local intelligence, sir.

It seems Jimmy Yates made threats against the Penders

on several occasions.

I see.

He's also been hitting the bottle on a regular basis.

OK.

Let's see what he's got to say for himself.

Andy?

Right.

Sir, wouldn't it be better if I, uh--

The company Pender worked for is [inaudible]..

It's called Mathers.

Yeah, but he left last year, didn't he?

What's the point in following that up?

It's important background, well worth checking up on.

All right.

Sir, I think we should talk to Neil Pender again.

There's something he's not telling us.

Got something definite, have you?

No, just something his girlfriend said, really.

Right I want to speak to Yates first, though,

but follow up your hunch.

By all means.

Thank you.

Do you often take your boat out at night, Mr. Yates?

No point in staying home, is there?

Since my missus took off.

- What about last night? - What about it?

Out, then, were you?

Yeah.

Where?

Coon Bay.

I was putting down lobster pots.

So you weren't far from where Mr. Pender's

body was found, were you?

Wasn't I?

Look, can we talk somewhere quieter?

I'm sorry to keep you, Inspector.

Not at all.

Thank you for making to see me, Mr. Mathers.

Your-- your secretaries say you've got a busy day ahead.

Oh-- this takes precedence.

Anything I can do.

Anything at all.

Please.

Thank you.

I-- heard it was suicide?

Well, we're still investigating the circumstances

of Mr. Pender's death, so--

Oh, I see.

He sold his share in the business last year,

I understand? - Yes.

I think he would have gone a little bit earlier,

but he felt I needed all the help I could get.

After Dad died.

He was right.

Your father owned the company, did he?

Yeah.

Uncle George had a big stake in it, but Dad was the boss.

Of course, they started it together,

back in the mists of time.

Started with nothing.

Unusual story.

That's Uncle George on the left.

That's my father.

I think that bloke in the middle was

some mate of Uncle George's.

Where was the first venture actually based?

Plymouth.

Whitten Lane.

Dad said it was the pits even then.

Not surprisingly.

Factory space was dirt cheap.

Then you moved here?

Yeah, that's right.

As soon as the business took off.

It's strange, really.

Dad always talked about that time with huge nostalgia.

Uncle George didn't, though.

Really?

In fact, he didn't really like talking about matters at all.

Can I borrow this, Mr. Mathers?

Yeah.

Of course.

Thank you.

I just thought there might be something

you'd forgotten to tell me.

About the other night.

Nope.

You said your father didn't meet you from the station?

I've got to finish this.

OK.

So do you know where your wife is now, Mr. Yates?

They won't let me see her?

Who won't?

Her solicitor.

Say she don't want to see me.

She's frightened of what I'll do.

Some nonsense like that.

Has she reason to be frightened?

Of course not.

I'm going crazy without her and the kids.

He shouldn't have done it, should he?

He shouldn't have taken them away from me.

Who are we talking about, Mr. Yates?

Pender.

The fact that your wife left you wasn't

Mr. Pender's fault, was it?

He wouldn't listen, though, would he?

He could have given me probation again.

I was just rubbish to him.

How long have you been married, Mr. Yates?

Seven years.

How many children?

Two.

Sophie and-- and the baby.

Joseph.

That's his name.

That's what she's called him.

Right.

I haven't seen the baby.

She was due, see, when I went in.

Yeah, it must be hard for you.

It is, yeah.

It's like-- like he's not real.

I haven't seen him.

I'm his dad.

He needs me, don't he?

I'm sure.

Has your wife always stood by you before?

Always.

But she'd had enough this time, didn't she?

You pushed her too far.

It was Pender.

He did the damage.

Baby on the way.

Couldn't cope.

SHe wanted a new start, didn't she?

Yeah.

That's what you can't live with, isn't it, Jimmy?

That it was you who drove her away.

No.

Pender was useful, though, wasn't he?

Take out your anger on him.

Save you from having to face the fact

that it was all down to you.

Did you see George Pender last night, Jimmy?

You were near where he died, weren't you?

I was, yeah.

I can't sleep, see?

That's why.

I gotta go out every night.

The house without them is worse than prison.

I can't sleep!

All right, Jimmy.

All right.

Just wonder if it's worth it, sir.

Seems a bit of a trek for probably not very much.

I'd give it a go, Doug.

Yeah.

Of course, we're up against it, I'm afraid.

Yates is out of the frame.

Oh.

Right.

OK.

I'll get back to you later, then.

Just wondered if your father approved of your relationship

with Jane?

Why shouldn't he have approved?

Well, you're still quite young, aren't you?

Might have wanted you to finish your degree

before settling down.

He just wanted what was best for me.

Sure.

Do you want some help with that?

No, thanks.

Right.

Well, if there's anything you think

of that might be important, you know where to find me.

Yeah.

Neil?

I think you'd better tell them what really happened.

I'll give Mr. Wycliffe a call, shall I?

You're sure you don't want your mother present, Neil?

Yes.

I lied to you.

Go on.

On that night, Dad did meet me at the station.

And he seemed out of sorts.

Thought it would cheer him up if I

told him about getting engaged.

But it didn't?

He just totally blew.

Said I wasn't to see Jane again.

He didn't want her in the house.

I couldn't believe it.

He was like a different person.

We had this blazing row.

And up till then, you'd had no inkling that he didn't

approve of your relationship?

He seemed OK, yeah.

Mind, he didn't know it had got really serious.

I think he was hoping there would be someone at university.

A high flyer.

He had these big ideas.

Of course, Jane's mom was a barmaid.

That wasn't the thing.

And-- and his reaction went beyond anything

you might have expected?

All I could think was maybe I'd sprung it on him too

suddenly.

He'd always been so keen for me to get on.

I tried to explain it would give me

even more incentive to do well.

But that wasn't what was bothering him?

It seemed to go deeper.

He was shaking.

Pleading with me not to do it.

And as we got near the village, he seemed to calm down a bit.

Yes?

He said to drop him off near the house.

He had to see someone.

Told me not to tell Mom anything was wrong.

Just to say we'd missed each other at the station.

He'd be back in half an hour.

When did you tell your mother this, Neil?

Yesterday.

After Inspector Lane left.

I wanted to keep it from her, but she

knew something was wrong.

And you thought it was definitely suicide,

and she wouldn't be able to cope?

Yes.

Did you tell Jane your father knew about the engagement?

I didn't tell her what he said, though.

It would have hurt her too much.

So who did your father call on, I wonder?

I don't know.

Excuse me?

Is there anywhere around here I get something to eat?

There was.

But it burned down, mate.

Cheers.

Hey.

You could get something at the palace, mind.

That never shuts.

It's just around the corner.

Hello.

You got any, uh-- any rolls, or sandwiches, or anything?

We didn't do food.

Oh.

Well, I'll have half of that, then, please.

Just the drink, is it?

Yep.

You said you didn't do any food.

That's right.

That'll be 85 pence.

Here you go.

Have you worked here long, misses, uh--

Rita.

Rita.

Too long.

I wonder, um--

if you knew these three blokes?

Two on the outside had a business just around

the corner, about 20 years ago.

Why do you want to know?

I'm Detective Inspector Kersey.

I'm, uh, particularly interested in the guy on the left.

Don't know.

Yeah.

I mean, uh-- maybe I remember him.

A long time ago now, though, isn't it?

Know the face.

What's he done, anyhow?

Well, he died two days ago.

Oh, dear.

Mike will be sorry to hear that.

Mike?

Mike Fellows.

That's him.

He were a big mate of his.

Busy this time of the year, Rita?

No, not really.

Bit out of season, I suppose.

Doesn't look as if it depends on the season, does it?

Your sort of business.

Don't know what you want.

This, uh-- this Mike Fellows, this old friend--

where does he live?

I don't know.

Oh, come on.

He's a journalist with the Argus.

They've got offices on Valen Street.

Well, well.

Fancy old George.

Can I get you a coffee?

Uh, yes.

Yes, thanks.

When did you last see him?

Oh, I don't know.

20 years ago, must be.

That was a different life, that was.

And I didn't have this thing.

Did you know him well?

We were drinking buddies.

He'd just started the business then.

Ian, that other bloke--

Mathers?

That's right.

You? - No, thanks.

No, no.

He liked the good life did George.

Same as me.

We used to spend every spare moment in the palace.

Has it changed much?

Yeah.

It was great in those days.

Plenty of girls.

Warm and willing.

Any age, too.

No problem.

We had a right old time of it, me and him.

Oh, I-- I still see Rita.

Now and again.

Bet you do.

Warm, weren't she?

This isn't the George Pender we've heard

about up till now, Mr. Fellows.

No?

Well, it wouldn't be, would it?

Cause we had to make damn that nobody knew.

We both had families to protect.

And that was protecting them, was it?

This was a different life.

Lost my missus in the end, though.

Messy divorce.

George hung on to his, I understand.

What about when the business moved away?

Did he ever come back?

Cut off completely.

I tried to ring him a couple of times, but--

he didn't want to know.

He settled for the straight and narrow with Anne.

He got religion.

OK, Mr. Fellows.

Thanks for your help.

Didn't do him any good in the end, though, did it?

See what happens to reformed sinners?

Sounds quite a place, this Plymouth Hotel.

Yeah.

Cheers.

It seems that he and this Fellows bloke

did a great old time of it.

So it looks like Pender was still playing

around after he was married.

That's right.

How old is Neil, anyway?

20.

21.

So poor Anne was tied to the house and the baby [inaudible]..

Yeah.

It wasn't just one woman, either, according to

[inaudible].

You said the Trethowans moved here from Plymouth, Lucy.

Yes.

Why?

Let's go have a word.

See if Pat knew him back in the old days.

Jane?

We'd like to talk to your mother, please.

Well, I--

I mean, she's a bit tired.

She was working late last night.

PAT: It's all right, Jane.

Let them come in.

Hello.

Come in.

Do sit down.

Makes it seem small in here, as soon as somebody comes.

We're not used to it, I'm afraid.

It's been just Jane and me for so many years.

Jane, if there's something you need to do--

we just want to chat with your mother.

I'll go see Neil, then.

Don't be too long.

So you don't approve of Neil's relationship with Jane,

either, then, Mrs. Trethowan?

Don't I?

You see, um--

we understand from Neil that Mr. Pender was horrified when he

heard about their engagement.

Oh.

Not the right sort of people, I expect.

I'm just a barmaid.

My daughter wouldn't be good enough for his son,

with all his university degrees, and all.

That wasn't it, though, was it?

Wasn't it?

You seem to know so much about it, Mr. Wycliffe.

Why don't you tell me what it was?

Is your husband still alive, Mrs. Trethowan?

I didn't have a husband, Mr. Wycliffe.

No.

Did you know Mr. Pender when you lived in Plymouth?

Why would I have done?

WYCLIFFE: He used to, uh, drink at a hotel called the Palace.

His business was just around the corner.

Oh, really?

But it seems that business was not the main item

on the agenda at that time.

I think you do know about the Palace hotel.

Don't you, Pat?

Do I?

Did you work there?

You did know George Pender at that time, didn't you?

Oh, I knew George Pender, all right.

Did you have an affair with him?

An affair?

Didn't go in for all that, no.

Just the one night.

And you were expecting something more?

So stupid, I was.

I was working there as a barmaid.

He'd been chatting me up for a while.

Gave me this sob story about how his wife had left him.

I believed every word of it, didn't I?

You took him seriously?

He was going to take me away.

House in the country.

That was the plan.

Never have to work again.

He kept buying me drinks.

Oh, I went over and over it in my head after that night.

I kept blaming myself for being so stupid.

So weak.

That was after I found out I was pregnant, of course.

Did you tell him about the baby?

There would be no point, would there?

Knew that by then.

The other girls told me.

Just one night.

Then he didn't want to know you.

As if you didn't exist.

Did you ever think of having an abortion?

Yeah, I did. Yeah.

But I couldn't go through with it.

Didn't seem right.

And that baby was Jane?

Jane.

That's right.

So then you found out, uh, George Pender had moved here,

didn't you, Pat?

Oh, yeah.

It wasn't hard.

I knew I'd move here eventually.

Settle down on his doorstep.

Soon the fun would begin.

So what happened when you first moved down here?

Nothing.

He didn't know me.

And why should he?

A different person from the girl he knew then.

When did he realize?

A few weeks ago.

When Jane and Neil got really serious.

I told him then.

It was worth the wait, just for the look on his face.

Did you encourage the relationship

between Neil and Jane?

Why would I have done that?

Knowing they were half brother and sister.

That would be a crime, wouldn't it?

Encouraging that sort of thing.

Just-- took our walks past their house.

Spoke to Neil in the garden one day.

Introduced him to Jane.

I thought they ought to know each other.

Oh, dear.

It was love at first sight.

How could you let them?

He ruined my life.

Why shouldn't I ruin his?

Poor Anne.

She put him up on a pedestal, didn't she, George?

There he was, doing his good work.

Sitting up in court.

Playing god.

I'll have to tell her.

It's time she knew.

What about Jane, Pat?

Are you going to tell her, too?

Oh, Jane. She's young, isn't she?

She'll get over it.

She'll find somebody else.

You didn't.

That was different.

You were hurt.

This will be even worse when she knows--

Not the same.

Not at all.

The night George Pender committed suicide,

did he come around here?

He didn't.

No.

Are you absolutely sure about that?

I would have remembered, wouldn't I?

You see, we now know that he called on someone.

It's important we find out who.

I'm sorry I can't help you.

Right.

We may need to speak to you again.

Poor Ches.

Quite a fright, didn't he?

I hope he'll be all right.

I should worry about Jane, if I were you.

She's never going to admit that he came to see her, is she?

Nope.

Which means at the moment, nothing we can charge her with.

Unfortunately.

Dr. Franks would like you to meet him at the hospital, sir.

All right.

You started me thinking, Charles.

Last-- thank you, Billy.

Last night, when you asked me about the knot

he used for the noose.

I kept thinking about it.

You weren't the only one.

Kept remembering the way his fingers were clenched.

A final convulsion, you say?

Mhm.

That's what I presumed.

Then I began wondering if I'd missed something.

- And? - Mhm.

I had.

When I re-examined the hand, I found these two

fingers curling inwards.

And gradual foreshortening of the tendons.

Dupuytren's contracture, it's called.

So why didn't his GP say something?

Or his wife?

Well, perhaps he was trying to conceal it from her,

in order not to worry her.

It was in its early stages.

Obviously he didn't like visiting the quack.

So what's your opinion now?

Well, it's definitely suicide.

But he couldn't have tied a knot of that sort himself.

His condition would've made it impossible.

So somebody must have helped him.

Yes. I'd say so.

Come on.

Mrs. Trethowan?

We did say we might want to speak to you again.

We've just got back from our walk, haven't we, Ches?

Some new evidence has come to light.

Ah?

Jane?

Thought she might be back by now.

What new evidence?

It seems Mr. Pender could not have tied

the knot for the noose himself.

He had a medical condition that would

have made that impossible.

He must have had help.

Oh.

He did come here that night, didn't he?

Why would he have done?

There'd be no point, would there?

He thought he'd confront you.

Beg you to stop Jane seeing Neil.

Ask you to save them before it was too late.

But you wouldn't put a stop to it, would you, Pat?

You acted as judge, and jury--

and you found him guilty as charged.

You're wrong.

Am I?

Oh, he came here.

Begged me to take Jane away.

Offered me money.

Anything.

But I didn't judge him.

He did that himself.

But you tied the knot for him.

And you placed it in his hand.

And you helped him up the logs.

Yeah, I did that for him.

He couldn't manage.

He knew he must pay.

He wanted to do it.

He was a good Christian at the end, wasn't he?

Patricia Trethowan, I'm arresting you for aiding

and abetting a suicide.

You do not have to say-- - Jane.

I need to see Jane. I need to explain--

I think you'd better leave that up to us, Mrs. Trethowan.

You've done enough damage as it is.

I'll do it, if you like.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Mrs. Pender?

How are you?

You know.

Managing, I suppose.

That's about all.

Coffee?

I think it's still hot.

Fine.

Thank you.

Not for me, thanks.

Jane insisted on making us lunch.

I didn't think I could eat anything, but--

surprising, isn't it, how you go on doing ordinary things?

Yeah, it's important.

That's what Jane says.

She's so good for Neil.

Brings him out of himself.

I'll-- I'll go and have a chat with him.

Fine.

I'm sorry.

It's the tablets.

I must stop taking them soon.

Any news?

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