Wycliffe (1994–…): Season 5, Episode 2 - Time Out - full transcript

Kim, a prostitute, informs Doug Kersey that a punter told her that, three nights earlier, he murdered another lady of the night. Kersey is initially sceptical but evidence points to James ...

[theme music]

[laughter]

[music playing]

[laughter]

[music playing]

She was about your age.

Who?

Who are we talking about?

This girl.

Well, woman, I suppose.

Met with her, did you?



In Eastgate?

Yeah, that's right.

Good, was she?

But you chose me tonight, then, isn't it?

Should have gone looking for her.

Well, I can't, can I?

Why not?

Cause I killed her.

You know what day is today, don't you?

No.

Oh, Charlie.

Today is Wednesday.

It's mobile library day.

I thought that was Monday?



No.

Thit's dustbins, which you forgot.

Ruth's box.

She wants them renewed.

Do you think you can manage that, Charlie?

Yes, I can manage that!

I'll see you later.

Bye, love.

Bye.

Morning, kid.

Morning, Mr. Caplin.

Oh, Mr. Caplin?

I want a word with you.

Ah?

With me?

In broad daylight?

[ringing]

Hello?

Hall, CID.

Right.

Morning.

Ma'am?

There's been a call from Carrick's CID.

DS Caplin? - Oh, yeah.

Jack Caplin.

He's a sort of unofficial one man vice squad over there.

Right, well, some punter's made a confession to one

of the prostitutes in Eastgate.

Isn't that all part of the game?

A murder confession.

Oh.

Um-- OK.

Can you ask Mr. Kersey to look into this?

He should be in any minute now.

Right.

This man-- he started talking in the night, didn't he?

Last Saturday night.

Said he'd killed one of the girls.

Where did this conversation take place?

My room.

Did he give his name?

No.

Seen him before?

Never.

Can you describe him?

Of course I can't describe him.

Why not?

You said he paid for the whole night.

All right, then.

He was about--

40.

Wearing a suit and tie.

Will that do?

Anyway, I'm scared.

What if he turns up again?

What if he comes looking for me?

And why should he do that?

Because of what he told me.

He might have changed his mind in the morning.

When did he leave?

I don't know, do I?

He fell asleep about half four.

He'd already paid, so I got my things together and crept out.

This girl he said he killed--

um, any idea who she might be?

Well, did he tell you when he killed her?

Yeah.

He said about three nights before he met me.

So if this is true, we're talking about a murder

that happened a week ago, yeah?

Something like that, yeah.

So why didn't you tell Mr. Caplin earlier, then, eh?

I was going to.

But I just didn't get round to it.

Did he say where it took place?

Yeah.

He said something about driving around by Millau bridge,

then down to the levels.

The nature reserve?

- Yeah. - OK.

Thanks.

So what about me?

What am I supposed to do?

Well, you could always take a bit of a holiday.

Oh, yeah.

I'll pop over to the Bahamas, shall I?

[piano music]

She could well be giving us the run around, sir.

But I thought you should hear about it.

Right.

In the meantime, I'll chat to some of the taxi drivers.

A few of them work Eastgate.

Why should she give us the run around?

Well, she's not only a known prostitute,

she's also a known liar.

Bit of an attention seeker.

Any other girls been reported missing?

No. I've checked.

There's nothing. Not even a rumor.

All right.

Still-- thought you should hear about it.

Now it's your problem. - Right.

Ta.

VOICEMAIL: Hello?

Nobody here right now, so please call back later,

or leave a message after the tone.

Hi.

It's me.

Lucy.

I hope you're well.

Um-- I haven't been feeling very comfortable about the way

we left things, and I just wondered if perhaps we

could have a drink some time?

So that there's no bad feelings.

Right, I'll-- I'll wait to hear from you.

OK.

Bye.

Ruth?

Hello, Dad.

Hello.

Your mother rang.

Says she's going to be late. - Yeah, I know.

She told me.

How have you been today?

Oh, I'm fine.

I'm fine.

- Did you renew my books? - Yes, yes.

Yes, yes.

I thought it might be a good idea if you

and I got some supper together.

Save some for your mother.

Well, I can't stop.

I'm going out.

[knocking]

- You off? - Yes, ma'am.

If that's all right.

Oh, Mr. Kersey just called in.

He said to tell you that the Carrick job-- waste of time.

Good.

One less to worry about.

All right, Derek. See you tomorrow.

Ma'am.

What's the rush?

I'm meeting some of the others, and they won't wait.

I don't even know what play it is you're doing.

What is it?

"An Inspector Calls."

I'm playing the spoiled, selfish daughter.

- Right. - See you later.

Take care.

Goodnight, ma'am.

Goodnight, Julie.

[gasp]

Oh!

Angus.

Goodness sake.

You scared me to death.

Sorry.

I didn't mean to startle you.

I got your message on the answering machine,

so I thought I'd come round.

Come in.

So how are you?

Um-- I'm fine.

I just wanted to apologize, really.

I was under a lot of pressure.

I shouldn't have walked out on you.

[inaudible].

I meant to.

And then I was going to phone you, but I didn't know--

So-- how is work?

Oh, well, um--

I didn't get the promotion.

Job was [inaudible].

He changed his mind.

I'm sorry.

Do you want a drink?

A coffee, or something?

Well, I thought we might out for a meal,

if you're not too tired.

OK.

I missed you.

Yeah, me too.

All right?

It's cold out here.

Any trade inside?

Maybe.

Anyway, I need warming up.

What time is Ruth getting back?

About 10:00.

How's she getting home?

Joanna's dad always gives her a lift.

Who?

Joanna.

College friend.

I don't suppose you've met her.

You should be here in the daytime.

This must seem like a strange place to you.

What?

Your home during the daytime.

Have you managed to find your way around?

Just about.

There.

I recognize my own plate, thank you.

And my own fork.

Oh, Charlie.

After you left this morning, there

was this man out with the dog.

What, the one with the spaniel?

Yeah.

Yeah, I often see him.

I think he lives down Ladywell Park.

Ladywell Park?

Well, in that case, why should he

stand on a corner, staring down the main road

as if he was lost?

Why shouldn't he?

Well, I think his behavior is a bit strange.

I've decided to keep an eye on him.

In fact, I saw him again later.

Out with his dog.

And that makes him strange, does it?

He was dressed as if he was going to the office.

Charlie-- may I make a suggestion?

Find yourself something to do while you're on sick leave.

Like what?

Oh, I don't know.

Bird watching, cooking--

I don't think spying on people is good for you.

[music playing]

Fella over there wants to buy you a drink.

Where?

In the corner.

So I drove along Eastgate a little way,

and then stopped to tidy up the backseat.

You'd be amazed what they leave in there sometimes.

No, I wouldn't.

Go on.

Well, this van was parked alongside the curb

with its engine running.

The door was open, and this girl was having a right argument

with the driver.

What time was this?

About half nine, quarter to 10.

She seemed to be wanting to get away from him,

but he was reaching out and hanging on to her.

And then as I was closing the rear door,

I saw him lean half out of the van and grab her.

Dragged her inside.

And I heard her shout out--

almost a scream.

And the van drove off.

So why didn't you report this to the police there

and then, Mr. Tolman?

My boss wouldn't like to know that I was using

Eastgate for trade at all.

And neither would my missus.

But the extra money comes in handy.

I know.

Well, can you describe this man?

- I didn't see him clearly. - What about the woman?

Did you recognize her?

I've seen her around the Eastgate area, yes.

But she's not one of my regulars.

Late 20s?

30, maybe?

Slim.

Not like the usual tart.

What makes you say that?

I don't know, really.

I suppose her clothes were different.

Better spoken.

What sort of van was it?

Small.

Dark blue, dark green.

One door at the side was a lighter color.

After they drove off, I picked 'em up again,

didn't I, on the A-39.

I was turning off, and he was going

straight on in the direction of Millau bridge,

towards the levels.

Have you seen the woman since that night?

No, I haven't.

Right.

Thanks very much, Mr. Tolman.

[phone ringing]

- Hello? - Doug here.

Oh, hi, Doug.

I'm on my way over to Carrick, if that's all right with you?

I thought you said that was a waste of time?

Yeah, I did, but there's been a bit of a development.

OK.

OK, I'll talk to you later.

RIght.

Um-- I thought I might go in and see Charlie on the way in.

Oh, good idea. Yeah.

Bye.

Angus?

You don't have to do the washing up, you know?

I am going to be leaving in a minute.

Anything else?

Finished with your cup?

I'll have another coffee.

80 p.

Hello.

Lucy.

It's good to see you.

Come on in.

Shall I do that?

No, no.

I can manage, thank you.

I'm glad you came, actually.

I need your voice.

So has the crime rate gone haywire since I've been away?

When do you need to go to the hospital again?

Next Thursday.

- Must be nice to be home. - Yes, it is.

Yes.

The shooting-- it happened in this very room.

Yeah, I know.

It's the last place one would expect, I suppose.

But even when we're not on our job,

we're guaranteed to face death from time to time.

In my world, I spend most of my time alone.

And I have to be in this room.

But if I chose, I could avoid it for the time being.

Until I'm fully recovered.

But I don't.

I refuse to.

Well, at least you've picked a good time

to be away from the factory.

DCC is on a mission.

I thought he was leaving?

He is, but not for another month yet.

Meanwhile, he wants to ensure, in his words,

an effective utilization of intelligence

and managerial information.

He's making sure you're in the thick of it, yeah?

Oh, no, no.

I'm-- I'm well out of favor.

What's happened?

I didn't make the right noises at the right time.

You said you wanted my advice?

Oh, yes. Yes, yes.

So I did.

He comes this way, usually on foot.

Always smartly dressed, but going nowhere.

And you think this man is up to something?

I have no idea.

But you know how it is in our job.

You get an instinct about somebody?

And what's your instinct telling you?

It's just a feeling that I've got, that something is wrong.

And that feeling won't go away.

Well, if you like, I could check him out for you?

I don't know his name, do I?

Or where he lives.

That's why I needed your advice.

I'm beginning to get on Helen's nerves with it.

She thinks I'm becoming obsessed.

If you don't mind me saying so, sir, you--

you does seem to be on a bit of a mission of your own.

Yes, I suppose I am.

[knocking]

[knocking]

[knocking]

- Rupert. - We're shut, Mr. Caplin.

I know you're shut.

Detective Inspector Kersey.

Great.

I suppose the bar is shut, as well, is it, Rupert?

Yes. Well, I don't know him.

Oh, dear. Oh, dear.

And the favors I do you.

What favors?

I just don't want to be sociable.

That's all.

Not at this time of the day.

Then why not try being helpful, instead?

Mr. Kersey wants to know about one of the girls.

Girls?

What girls?

Oh, come on, Rupert.

We know you wouldn't make a living without it.

We don't know the name of the girl we're looking for.

In fact, we don't actually know what she looks like.

Oh, I've got plenty of those.

But it's possible she could have gone missing.

It's also possible that someone's killed her.

Now, we've been told that she's--

she's a bit different.

Don't pull faces, Rupert.

We're still talking about a female.

She dresses differently.

She's-- she's maybe a bit classier than the rest.

Doesn't mean a thing to me.

[ringing]

Well, the taxi driver said he was up near the filling

station, so she would have been dragged into the van

somewhere up there.

Well, perhaps someone else saw something, then.

Well, could be.

But there wouldn't be much point in doorstepping

that end of the street.

It's mostly offices and warehouses.

Which would be closed at that time of night, wouldn't they?

- Yes, sir. - Right.

Hang on. Look at the state of this.

Body to body massage?

Oh, dear.

Versatile Sue with the 42?

New girl in town. Do you know her?

Yeah, well, she doesn't look like that, for a start.

She's a right old slapper.

Lived here for years.

All right.

Let's get a move on.

I'd better get on the blower.

Put a trace on that van.

Yeah.

Um-- I want to check the mortuary first.

Right.

- During the last fortnight? - Yep.

Well, I can check all the other mortuaries for you,

but all our female brought in deads for that period

have been identified.

Bar one.

When was this one found?

10 days ago.

She still still in the fridge?

Yes, but I don't think she's what you're looking for.

Place of death?

Barrack Bridge.

I'd say this one's a jumper.

There's nothing to suggest suspicious death.

Unless she was pushed.

Which I doubt.

Ah.

No, she's not the one.

You wanna take a look at the levels?

Yep.

Thanks, Cyril.

Well, if this is the place, we'd have a right job

finding whatever's left of her.

Mhm.

OK, Jack.

Back to HQ?

Uh, no.

Um-- I'll drop you off.

I've got to see something first.

[beeping]

Well, the taxi driver's version of events

sounds genuine enough.

And why would he lie?

Did you manage to speak to any of the other women?

No.

Wrong time of the day, ma'am.

And wrong day of the week.

Tomorrow night.

Friday.

That's when they'll be out and about for the weekend.

So what does Doug think about this woman who's

supposed to have been murdered?

Well, Mr. Kersey reckons that if it's all right with you,

we'll give it another couple of days.

Three at the outside, and then if nothing turns up,

forget about it.

Two days.

I'll tell him, ma'am.

Some business, my lover?

[camera shutter snapping]

What's the matter?

What's wrong, Charlie?

That man--

I've seen him before.

[knocking]

- Morning, Lucy. - Sir.

Only visiting.

Do you fancy a coffee?

Uh-- Yeah.

Yeah, sure.

About three years ago, in Plymouth--

Thank you.

On one of those police in the community consultative

meetings, you know?

Thank you.

Which dragged on and on.

Bet it did.

Anyway, when it was finished, I went back to the local nick

with a friend of mine, who was a DS there.

And he needed an ID parade organizing,

which I ran for him.

But it was very curious, because all the men

were very smartly dressed.

They were all in suits and ties.

It was like a business called that had lost its way.

Anyhow, the complainant had no hesitation

in picking out one of the men.

What was the offense?

Sexual assault. A woman had been

attacked in the red light area.

If you don't mind me asking, sir, um--

what's this all about?

The man who was picked out of the ID parade--

he's-- he's the neighbor that I've been telling you about.

He's the man who's been hanging about outside my house.

Are you sure?

I'm positive.

OK.

Um-- What do you want me to do about it?

The guy has a right to live wherever he wants to live.

Yeah, I know that.

But right now, I don't like the way he's behaving!

By the way, here's the car registration number.

L31OVE?

That's the one.

Suppose the bar is still closed, is it?

[inaudible].

Right.

Beth was in last night.

Beth?

How is she?

Not good.

Too much of that. - Was she working?

Oh, she can't hack it on her own anymore.

No pimp's going to put her on a corner.

She came in for a drink.

She'd be better off with a meal.

At least once in a while.

Anyway, she was going on about part timers

taking the work away from her.

If there's any one person to blame for that,

that's Beth herself.

Any part timers in particular?

Yes.

That's what I thought would interest you.

She mentioned one girl.

Some mystery.

Little bit different to the rest.

Vehicle check.

The owner's name is James Michael Lasseter.

Addressed the [inaudible] Ladywell Park.

I thought so.

So I did a trace on him.

One arrest.

In Plymouth?

Three years ago?

Mhm.

There you are, then.

But no conviction.

He didn't do it.

He didn't do anything.

He was innocent.

The guy just happened to be in the area

when the assault took place.

Well, doing what?

Selling insurance.

It was a misunderstanding.

Guy was just going about his business at the time.

And they believed him?

They had to.

Somebody else pleaded guilty to the crime,

and he was a known offender.

Got five years for it.

[buzzer]

BETH: Who is it?

It's Mr. Caplin, Beth.

What do you want?

Just a friendly chat.

That's all.

This is Detective Inspector Kersey.

- Hello, Beth. - Two of you?

And you just want to chat?

Yeah. Can we come in?

So what do you really want, Mr. Caplin?

A threesome?

Now, now, Beth.

You know I'm an unhappy married man.

I'll teach you things to take home.

Not to my bloody wife.

I used to look good once, you know?

You still look good.

I used to work from a book.

Did all the top resorts.

Big hotels.

It'll be all right again once I sort myself out.

When were you last in Eastgate, Beth?

I don't know.

Three or four days ago?

You were out last night, weren't you?

Was I?

Subway CLub.

Oh.

Yeah.

Yeah, so I was.

You were having a go at the part time girls.

Well, I wasn't having a go, exactly.

I mean, we've all got to earn a living.

I mean, we don't do it for apples, do we?

You mentioned a girl that was a bit special.

Was a bit different. Who's she?

Who said so?

Rupert.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, that one.

I wondered why Rupert were asking me all them questions.

Is she in trouble?

Not as far as we know.

Can you describe her?

Well, she's about 30, I suppose.

Maybe be a bit younger.

Her makeup's all right, but she's

not doing herself any favors, wearing them clothes she wears.

She needs to rough it up a bit.

Punters like that.

I mean, they don't want to pay for someone who talks like she

works in a department store.

Have you seen her lately?

What?

This girl?

No.

She's probably got herself a steady client.

What makes you say that?

Well, I-- I saw her getting out of the same car

a couple of times.

Can you describe the car?

No.

It were just a car.

Wasn't a van, was it?

Of course it wasn't a van.

Look, I may be stupid, but I do know the difference.

Don't suppose you've got the color of it?

I remember the number.

Well, some of it.

Because it spelled out a word.

The letters and numbers, and that.

Love.

L something-- O-V-E.

Excuse me, ma'am?

It's this inquiry we've got going over in Carrick.

It's a list of all the curb crawlers

who have had warning letters over the last six months.

This chap here-- his registration number matches up.

Right.

You'd better come with me.

[doorbell]

[dog barking]

Yes?

Mr. James Lasseter?

Yes, that's me.

Detective Inspector Lane.

This is Detective Sergeant Caplin.

What is it?

What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong, Mr. Lasseter.

We just wondered if we could have a word with you?

May we come in?

Oh. All right.

[dog barking]

Excuse me.

I'll just put him in the kitchen.

Come on, Susie.

There's a good girl.

And don't make a mess.

I just cleaned in here.

Oh, uh-- that's for my wife.

She's away on a business trip.

I always like to welcome her home.

She appreciates it.

Do you mind if I ask what you do for a living, sir?

I work for myself.

I'm in small business insurance.

Lynn-- she works for a big company.

She's responsible for setting up business

conferences all over the place.

So she must be away from home quite a lot?

Unfortunately, yes.

Would you like to come through here?

We don't usually have the police arriving in Ladywell Park.

In fact, nothing very much happens here at all.

It's a godforsaken place.

But we've bought the house, so we're stuck with it.

By the way, don't you have a colleague

living in the neighborhood?

Don't think so.

Up by the crossroads.

House just down the lane from the church.

Doesn't a policeman live there?

The car outside, Mr. Lasseter--

does it belong to you?

Of course it does.

Have you received any correspondence from Carrick

police concerning your car?

In what way?

Well, to put it bluntly, your car registration number appears

on the curb crawling list.

Would that be correct?

I did receive a letter with words to that effect, yes.

I tore it up.

Did your wife see the letter?

She may have done.

I made no attempt to hide it.

Why should I?

It's simply the police making a mistake, as usual.

Do you know Eastgate and Carrick?

As a matter of fact, yes.

Some of my clients are in that part of town.

Do you visit them at night?

I prefer to call it late evening.

A lot of small companies.

Graphic designers, printers.

They tend to work late.

When was the last time you were there?

I don't two. Two or three days ago, maybe?

Look, would you mind telling me what this is about?

We're making inquiries about the possible abduction

of a woman.

Oh, for goodness sake.

And we've been told by a witness

that a woman was seen getting out of your car

on a couple of occasions.

Where?

In Eastgate?

Yes.

And I take it that this witness of yours is reliable?

We're not prepared to discuss that.

Ah, I thought not.

You see, this sort of thing has happened to me before.

Yes, we know.

In Plymouth, three years ago.

And you've gone out of your way to dig that up, as well,

have you?

Because your colleagues happened to have been wrong on that

occasion.

They admitted it.

They even apologized to me.

Did you know that?

Yes.

In the same way that you're wrong now.

Come in.

So you've actually been making inquiries

at this man's house because of something

that happened in Carrick?

Yes, sir.

I thought I was supposed to be away from it all.

Perhaps you should move the whole of HQ here, eh?

And you think he's responsible for this incident in Carrick?

Well, we're not ruling him out, sir.

But I suppose it is possible that Mr.

Lasseter's been the victim of circumstance

on two separate occasions.

Who knows?

These things do happen.

Just come through.

I need to talk to you.

I told you the other night-- just leave me alone.

Please.

Get off me, you!

You see, you listen to me.

You're the only one who listens to me.

Only when there's money up front.

And I don't want your money.

Not now.

I didn't want to kill her.

But she was different, you see?

And that got to me.

It upset me.

I had to do it.

And now I'm worried I'm--

I'm terrified-- that I could do it again.

To somebody else.

You're a nut case.

The police are looking for you, you know?

Yes, mate?

Millau bridge.

What about it?

Millau bridge.

That's where I want to go.

Just you, is it?

Yeah.

All right.

Hop in.

Angus.

Hi.

What are you doing?

Well, I realized I still had your spare key,

so I let myself in.

Thought I'd tidy up a bit for you while I was waiting.

[inaudible].

What?

Nothing.

Millau bridge.

Drive on, would you?

Where to?

There's nowhere to go.

Down there.

I'm sorry, mate.

This is as far as I go.

That'd be 12.50 this time of night.

12.50-- 13-- - Keep it.

What?

Oh-- thank you very much.

It's just along here.

There was nothing we could do.

When did you find him?

About half an hour ago.

Right.

Sergeant-- see if he's got any ID on him,

and contact the coroner's office.

Sir?

Yeah?

Out there in the water.

See it?

We found him.

Well, the bird watchers spoiled their day

before it even started.

Who is he?

His name is Raymond King.

[inaudible]

Any signs of foul play?

[inaudible] doesn't think so.

Sir?

This must be the van we've been looking for.

It's the remains of a female.

How long do you think she's been in there?

I'll soon give you an idea.

I can tell you one thing--

she's been dead a lot longer than that poor fella.

I hope this won't take long.

I am rather busy.

I've got work to do.

We do need to talk to you, Mr. Lasseter.

It is important, sir.

Very important.

You say your wife's away on a business trip.

Is that right?

Yes.

Where's she gone?

To Birmingham.

How long's she been away, sir?

I-- I don't know.

A week, I suppose?

No longer than that?

It could be longer, yes.

What has this got to do with you?

Have you heard from your wife since she's been away?

Mr. Lasseter, has your wife been visiting Eastgate and Carrick?

Have you been taking her there?

Yes.

And bringing her back?

On occasions.

Most of the time, she gets a taxi home.

And did this arrangement also happen

in Plymouth three years ago?

Has your wife been working as a prostitute?

Do you recognize these, sir?

They belong to your wife, don't they?

What's happened to her?

We found a body on the levels this morning.

We believe it's your wife.

She was murdered.

Well, I suppose it had to happen one day.

There was a room she used to rent.

She never said where.

And I never asked.

Let's just say it was a far cry from Ladywell Park.

She was a lot younger than me, of course.

And pretty.

She liked people to be aware of that.

She liked the danger.

Amongst other things.

But I had to go along with it all.

Because I loved her, you see?

I still love her.

It was just something that she needed to do.

[crying]

So that's all he was doing out there.

Just waiting for his wife to come.

Shall we let Mr. Wycliffe know?

Let's call him from the office.

I can't wait to get out of here.

[tapping]

[tapping]

I thought you'd like to know that I've

identified the body of my wife.

Your friends took me to see her.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what you're talking about.

No.

I don't suppose you do.

When you say friends of mine, I take

it you mean police officers?

Yes.

Then whatever you've got to say, you say to them.

And don't come calling on my door.

But you're a neighbor.

You should do something about that camellia, you know?

That needs cutting right back.

Otherwise, next year--

Did you know my wife?

No.

Did you ever see her?

I don't know.

I might have done.

She was-- too good for Ladywell Park.

She was too good for any of us.

[theme music]