Original subtitles

Sir? Maggie.

DCI Leonard Grout, F Division, Shepherd's Bush. Maggie Forbes.

Glad to know you, Maggie.

Sir, take a pew.

A fancy one?

No, thanks.

Now, Len's got a problem and wants our help.

More to the point, he wants your help.

Len? How quickly could you clear your deck, Inspector?

Oh, let's see. An emergency.

It's an emergency.

Let's say 20 minutes.

I mean, if I can leave Hanson to Croft. Yeah, I'll fix her.

What's the problem?

Tart flashing.

Two girls over the past three weeks cut up pretty habitually.

Right. Old cutthroat job.

Now, complications.

Officially, we know nothing about it.

Stummelkrum. Never happened. You know what they're like.

They complain they were slashed means admitting they're on the game. Yeah, the

old story.

On the other hand, I'm not sitting back letting another ripper situation develop

under my own nose.

Could we be talking about a vindictive pimp? Why not? Could easily.

What have you got in mind?

To put you undercover into the pub the girls work out of.

I put in one of my own girls, they're known.

You're not.

I don't have to tell you, you're free to say no. I'm absolutely free.

Remember what happened before with the breakfast?

I'm not likely to forget.

No, I'll... I'll give it a go. Risk of being obvious, it could be dangerous. I

think I'll work that one out.

I wouldn't normally ask someone of your rank, Maggie, but I need someone who can

think for herself under pressure and have never served on the patch. No, I

understand. That's fine.

You're sure? Perfectly.

Bill and I discussed it. We thought the best way of doing it paper -wise would

be a duty elsewhere assignment.

Oh, well, that keeps it good and vague. Exactly.

It'll mean a temporary transfer to F Division.

Fine.

Well, now, I'd better get on with it.

Sir?

Nice tight skirt.

Not very subtle.

Married? Widow.

And still keen?

Very. Say the word, I'll take off your hands permanently.

Oh, Len.

A flawless, irreplaceable Ming Dynasty porcelain vase.

What of it?

Does not require more careful handling. Got it?

Who is it?

Who wants to know?

A friend.

You from the hospital or something?

No.

Switch it off.

Leave it on.

Oh, Lily Law, that's all I need, isn't it?

How many stitches?

Enough. Twenty? More. Thirty? Thirty -odd.

How are you going to manage? Get a brown paper bag. Who says?

Don't matter who said.

Some weirdo'll probably turn onto a brat who'll look like a zebra anyway.

May I have some coffee? Only got instant.

My favourite. Ain't got no sugar. Don't take any.

You're hard to put off, ain't you?

Fairly.

Bella. No.

Listen. I don't want to listen. If we don't put this bastard out of the way,

he's going on. You're not the first, you won't be the last. I bothered you, I'm

sure, but I don't bother me. Tough titty. They're rubbish people.

They've been deceived?

Of course not. I wouldn't let them in if they did.

What did your pimp say?

Crack about the paper bag, was it?

It's all considering you earn from.

Plenty more where I come from.

Or you can pick them up off the doll cubes.

He got a name?

If he had, he never told me.

Can your face be fixed?

Oh, sure.

He's a plastic surgeon in Harley Street, you know. He bobbed me nose, fixed me

child. He's all at the same time.

Really? Sure.

And the problem is, he wants some money.

I suggest a lifetime subscription, but he wasn't interested, you know.

Wife's picture on the side.

Lady Mac in her twinset and pearls.

Two kids.

In kilts.

So respectable.

You heard of the criminal injuries, were you? I mean, filing a complaint?

Wouldn't it be worth it? There's a con.

Oh, you're bitter.

Oh, bloody wooden bear! All right, stop feeling sorry for yourself and do

something about it! Get daft, will you?

Garth, this undercover deed, Ella Maggie's.

Hang on.

What about it? Well, I was wondering if I could tackle on.

Well, it would be handy to have someone we know out there with her, wouldn't it?

That's what I thought. So could you square it with F Division?

I just have.

Take good care of her.

At length.

We hope so.

What are you drinking?

who has performed in front of the Queen, Prince Charles, the Princess of Wales,

and too many other pups to mention.

But tonight, for the very first time, here we present that master of the

keyboard, that king of the arts...

There's only just enough trade to go around, if you take my meaning. Funny, I

thought there was a vacancy. Two, in fact.

Who have you been talking to?

You shouldn't believe all you hear.

I don't. I'm not believing a lot of what I hear right now, no, thanks.

You've got a minder?

Of course.

I was born

in the smoke. I lived most of my life here. I thought the world was

waiting for another Dorothy Squires and I would be it.

I toured the club, got as far as Derby and guess what? Found out I was wrong.

Worked my way back the hard way. That is fine.

Oh, no. Could it be amateur?

Oh, don't be modest, darling.

There's no percentage of it. No, I was wondering.

Could you give her a slot?

Why not? Don't bother. It's no bother, is it? No.

No bother at all.

Gives me a rest.

Go on, Maggie.

See what you can do.

OK.

What you're going to think, I'll go and tell Oscar Peterson.

and prodigious effort, the management of the Victoria, Bill and Rodney, present

Bill and Rodney, present a new face.

Yes, importing fresh talent for the titillation of the popular city of

Haven't seen you around before.

Well, you wouldn't, I haven't been around.

Well, the other girls won't like it. Why not?

Competition. Tough.

How about giving a lonely man a bit of the action, eh?

You look lonely to me, George, yanking away at the bar with your mates.

Oh, you notice me?

Of course.

How come?

You talk so loud.

Yeah, well, it's not all talk, Blackie. No, I'm sure.

How about you and me going someplace?

Not tonight.

Not a car?

Maybe you've got a guest somewhere, eh?

Maybe. How much?

You talk but you don't listen. I said not tonight, Josephine.

You're calling me a puffle, Sammy.

No, of course not.

What's with the Josephine stuff, then? It's just a saying, an expression, you

know.

Oh.

Well, a single bird comes in here, she's in here for one thing and one thing

only. Yes, so I've heard.

What's your name?

Come on then, Maggie. Drink up. Let's go.

You've got to say everything 50 times around here. I said no.

What's it take to turn into a yes?

More than you can afford.

So it is money, then.

Get lost.

Stop playing games, shall we?

You're hurting my wrist. Yeah, well, I'm like that. Get my way. I'm lovely. But

if I don't, now come on, let's go.

Trouble, Maggie?

My friend here, George.

Hi, George. He doesn't seem to speak English. He can't tell no from yes.

He's got a big mouth, George.

How do you like it even bigger?

Apart from one ear to the next?

Yeah, well, if she ain't grafting, what's she doing in here?

She's on a quiet drink.

Any objections?

I said, was there any objection?

Toe rag?

No. Out.

George, come back. You'll end up in Ipping Forest.

OK.

Listen, George, I'm sorry. Does not number...

He hurt you?

I don't prove that easy.

Oh, yeah.

It's a bloody daft assignment if you ask me. Well, nobody did, but thanks anyway

for the assistance.

For the record, what do you keep in that pocket?

Hey, it's nice.

Not as big as the last place, but I like it.

I'll manage.

Yes, I'm sure.

Have a seat.

What's the landlady like?

Amenable. Is she good for the odd Sunday lunch?

As we know.

Shared nightcap?

This one, I want to strip him.

Oh, I was going to blow on the ear sometime.

It's funny you should say that.

Look, suggestion for you. Oh, my night for them.

You need a gaff for your cover.

Somewhere to hustle from.

Somewhere believable, somewhere local.

Well, what about it, my dear?

Hey, marvellous. One problem, what will you do?

I've, um, friend.

Lives around the corner. Lady friend?

No, his name's Aubrey.

Didn't you know I was ginger?

Shouldn't have mentioned it. You're pretty prickly. Sorry.

It's a lady.

My fashion expert, remember?

Relax. There's some trouble with our Nick. It's too cosy every once in a

I'll walk out of that place on my own man. My life's my own, OK?

Fine.

I'm not an expert on tarts, boudoirs, and I should think they're pretty light

boxing trophies. Oh, I don't know. Odd Lonsdale belt for the kinky ones.

Take fully 20 seconds to move them.

Do you mind if I fussy it up a bit?

A bit.

What'll you tell the landlady?

Ex -lady friend, staying over a couple of nights, OK?

Hey, no phone?

I'm not that, darling. There's one down the hall.

Oi!

You fancy a dram?

Yeah, I'd love one.

Ooh, that man.

Oh, George.

Yeah. Yeah, tasty, wasn't he?

How are they standing?

They don't have a lot of choice, some of them.

Poor cows.

That phrase, the meat rack, you start to know what it really means.

What is it this time?

Too early to tell.

Greta. He fell from his mum's field of cold.

Who doesn't? Hey, was she born in England?

No, Jamaica.

Don't you ever use a pattern?

No, take the grill out of it. I don't want to know what it looks like until

finished. The last one she did had three arms.

So did the fella.

At least that's what it felt like.

You don't say much, Maggie.

Empty vessels.

My mum was always saying that. Yeah, mine too.

Right and all.

Never made much sound, I didn't.

How do you all feel about West Bromwich Albion, then?

Passionately.

None of you said anything, have you, miserable sods? About what?

My new eye shadow.

Oh, that's what it is.

I thought your old man had dumped you. Very funny.

It feels very strange from inside, all...

Heavy.

So, what's happened to Molly, then? Anybody know?

Yeah, she's gone back where all the good Scots lasses go, north of the border.

Is she the other one that got done up?

Yeah. Excellent ethics, like listening to Tommy Darker say.

British? Yeah.

Not very.

I drank from one of the pools once.

£750 ,000.

All the notes stretched across the cheque. What happened?

Forgot to post them. Oh, sorry. Just my luck.

I don't even have happy dreams.

Anyone got any idea as to who did it?

No.

Can be a robot.

Does that say anything to anyone?

You don't even seem curious.

I'm not.

What if you're next?

Then it'll be too late to be curious. Bella was a weirdo. So?

Weirdo's a trap weirdo. Very strange lady, our Bella.

I knew a shrink once.

Aye, aye. Who used to come round regular, just to talk.

Is it any wonder, listening to what he's been listening to all day?

He told me that there are certain people make evil things happen.

You know, like a moth is attracted to a lightbulb. That was Bella.

Has to be a king, doesn't he?

Who? The fellow with the razor.

Oh, forget him.

Look, I've got two kids. If I go, who's going to look after them, eh? If I can

forget him, so can you.

Love, if your name's on it, it's on it. If it isn't, why worry?

I'm off.

Night, everyone.

Hey, don't forget, Sloan Street, 11 o 'clock.

See how they're biting.

What are you doing out there? Party.

You never told me.

It's a class you do.

Charlie. Be good.

I'm not good.

I'm the best.

You looking for some fun?

I might be.

Want to give me a lift then while you're making up your mind? Why not?

Hop in.

Look, I knew I was being followed. I got a bit scared.

I'd hate to meet you when you were very scared.

Oh, I'm sorry. Are you OK?

Yeah, I think so.

Hey, where'd you learn to wrestle like that? Dale Martin?

I had a boyfriend once in Houston Judo.

I thought you were.

Well, why were you following me?

Have you got a drink or anything?

I've got a drop of scotch. Yeah, fine.

Do you want some water?

No, I never touch the stuff.

Bottoms up.

If that's the way you like it.

Why were you following me?

Maggie, I've been watching you.

Yes?

Three nights you've been down the Vic and we don't reckon you've had a pull

I didn't realise I was being spied on.

It's true, isn't it? What is?

Admit it. Admit what?

Oh, you don't come easy, does it?

OK, fair enough. You sussed me out.

Why don't you give the thing in another go?

Every other housewife defrosting fish fingers can sing, or thinks she can.

Give her Nelson Riddle and bingo, she's Peggy Lee.

Who?

Anyway, the girls and I have had a bit of a whip round.

Yeah, there's 12 quid in there. It's not a lot, but it'll help out with the

groceries till you get started.

I can't take your money. You're not taking it.

You're borrowing it. It's a loan.

That's for the scotch.

I'll see you. Good night.

Yes, thanks, Sal.

God bless.

You might not believe it, mister, inspector, but that's the first dead

ever seen.

Really?

I suppose you see lots.

Too many.

I was driving once in Bedford, and a woman got knocked down on the bridge.

know the main bridge.

There's such a crowd of ghoulish people.

I couldn't understand it.

When I first saw her...

For one second, you know, I honestly didn't believe it was her.

No? I thought they'd got it wrong.

It's not her.

I've never seen her hair that colour.

Never.

And she looked so... There's no other word for it.

So old.

So very old.

It's me.

I really can't explain it.

Sorry.

The 23 next February.

Mr. Putman, hideous as it may seem, the newspapers will cover this. It is now a

murder inquiry.

Of course, yes. I hadn't thought... They'll be after you, you know, for

background photos, human interest. Oh, we'll try to help. Of course we will.

There's no reason not to, is there?

Did you have any idea what Wendy did?

Yes. She lived in London.

We was in Northamptonshire with a close family.

She rang home most Fridays.

Weekly chinwag with her mum.

What do you think she did?

It's no mystery, Inspector.

No? Nothing to be ashamed of. What was it?

She worked in the retail trade.

Sounds portentous, doesn't it?

She was an assistant in a shoe shop.

Very good, too.

Been tipped for a managerette's job when the right vacancy came up.

And so she told us.

But secretly, we thought she was a bit on the young side.

Look, Mr. Putman, I have to tell you this, because if I don't, you'll find

from the newspapers. If you know, perhaps you'll be able to shield your

I don't understand.

Wendy was a prostitute.

No.

There's been a mistake, that's a mistake.

She has a police record. It does go back some years. She was arrested on

numerous occasions.

Prostitute?

At the shoe shop.

No, there was no shoe shop.

She didn't work under the name of Wendy Putman. She used the name Vicky Walker.

Vicky?

You know somebody called Vicky?

Incredible.

Incredible?

I used to have this cartoon stuck up on my workshop walls.

Cut out of the newspaper, you know.

Been up there for years.

Felt defeated in the end.

He's a man I have a great admiration for.

Mr. Batman, who are we talking about?

Vicky, the cartoonist.

Her political partner.

She must remember all those years ago.

You obviously won't want to see where she lived. Perhaps half of her things

for you. I don't want to know that.

How do you go on with the sex of the woman you've been married to for 32

Guess what?

You don't know us at all.

How do I do it?

Tell me, Inspector.

Tell me.

Need I ask?

Oh, eat.

First he gets told his daughter is dead, then he has to ID the court, then at a

bonus he gets told that she's nothing but a commoner garden tom.

Great. And for your next trick, Maggie Forbes... Hey, easy. Oh, it's easy for

you to talk, Jake. You didn't have to tell him. He asked me how.

How do I go home and tell my wife?

You got any copycat answers for that?

Thanks for handling Putman, Maggie. Where is he?

We've got him in a car, shooting him up the N1.

The locals are in the pictures out in the WPT. Oh, terrific.

Did you get him a dress so we can parcel up the kinky gear and the porno piggies

for him? Well, we're a little emotional at the moment. Correction, we're a hell

of a lot emotional at the moment. This isn't bobbing, it's social work. Quite

true. Well, a lot of it is, isn't it?

Now, regarding the decoy detail, I'm a two -minute off. We'll carry on. You

to? Yes.

Chance is all right. Think he'll have gone to ground. Well, let's work on the

assumption that he isn't that smart or that his ego's too big or his libido or

whatever else it is that turns him on.

Fine, fine.

Car numbers, owner's addresses, lone men who were in the vicinity of Victoria

last night. Right, let's get on with it. You sound in a hurry. I've got a nasty

taste in my mouth, and the sooner I'm rid of it, the better.

How'd it pull?

About Vicky, then.

Yeah, rough.

Bloody Roth is all over the place.

Don't have a lot to rattle you, do you?

Well, like she said, if your number's on it.

You think this lipstick's too much?

No. Like kissing a pillar box.

You should always emphasise your assets.

You should.

Well, your Rini's packed it in.

Yeah, she's gone back to her dad's shop.

Chitlins and watermelon.

You carrying on just the same?

Well, I've quit grafting the cars for the moment.

Who worked out the car?

Oh, so me old man said.

Oh, yes, he must have.

Oh, all he sees is money.

Oh, you're fooling yourself, love.

That's as good as it'll ever be.

How are you?

Suffering from shock at the moment.

I checked it out with Groudy. Thought it might be a good idea if you have a

visit once in a while.

Well, it is a bit difficult playing no -no -no -no when you're supposed to be a

working girl.

Where's Jake?

Me and my shadow.

Top of the bill, policeman's fault.

Let's be serious.

Now, this girl's been murdered.

I'm going to call it off, pull you out, yes?

Oh, I don't like leaving things half done.

Half done? What am I saying? We haven't done anything yet. Can we talk about it?

Freak up. Let's go.

Right.

Ready when you are, sailor.

This isn't just a purely social visit. Now he tells me.

Grout asked me to drop by.

I think he frightened him. If I want a bit strong. Bloody women, so emotional.

You met the dead girl's father, didn't you?

Right.

He went home.

Must have told his wife.

He's taken his motor car out, topped it up with petrol, which was unusual,

apparently. Normally bore it a gallon at a time.

Oh, no.

WPC went out there this evening, found them both dead in the garage, maybe

running.

You OK?

Nothing you could do?

You told him. I do.

Who says what it says, sir? It stands to reason.

What the hell's reason got to do with it?

Had to be done.

Oh, God, some days it's a lousy job.

Poor little man.

Want you to pack it in? Come home?

No.

I want him.

Whoever he is, whatever, I want him nicked.

Mr. Moody?

Mr. Alan Moody?

Sorry.

You sure you're not Alan Moody?

Dead sure.

Looks like him to me.

Do you own a Ford Cortina, sir?

No. Rolls -Corniche.

I need the extra space for me paper round.

Oh, all right. We've had our little joke. Let's start again.

How are you, Mr. Alan Moody?

Depends which Alan Moody you're after, doesn't it? The one who lives at 46

and Drive.

Sound familiar?

Sounds familiar.

So you're Alan Moody?

I didn't say that. Yes or no?

Looks like it, doesn't it?

Let's say no more.

Obstructing the police in the course of their inquiries.

That's an offence, you know. Police? I thought you were Salvation Army.

Having a coffee with Ronald or something?

Not a Major Barbara, nor General Boone.

What do you want me for?

Fishing outside territorial waters.

I know the common market's a con, but don't tell me the Grand Union ain't

British anymore.

All he needs is a haul.

You own a Ford Cortina, right?

That was the other Moody.

Mr. Moody, either here or now, amicably or down at the nick officially.

Well, it'll take two hours to get round to you.

Maybe more.

I'm not sure what your amicable means, but I'll go for that.

The number plate on your motor.

Back and front.

E -Y -X -5 -O -1 -B. See?

And a colour book, whatever you call it.

Where were you two nights ago, sir?

Two nights ago? Oh, God, the things you're supposed to remember.

I remember sweet rationing.

Jet setter like me could have been Paris, Beirut, or let's nick him.

I'm fed up with this song and dance. Hang about, don't give your neck. All

right, we'll tell you where we think you were, and then it's your turn, OK?

Fair enough.

Two nights ago. You were curb -crawling in the vicinity of Shepherd's Bush

Green. Hang about?

What's curb -crawling? Looking for a bit of leg -over.

The pay -at -the -door kind. Prostitute.

Are you serious?

Yes. No way. I wouldn't go with a bross.

Valley mail? Too much. Amium at a status.

Sorry, mate. Not my scene.

Were you anywhere near the Victoria pub of Shepherd's Bush Green?

Not within miles.

Can you prove it?

Depends what you call proof.

Well, is there anyone that can vouch for where you were?

Two nights ago.

It'd be Tuesday, wouldn't it? Uh, Tuesday.

About what time? Between nine and ten thirty.

Live a normal life, me. One night's like any other. Try.

Yeah, easy. I was home. Alone?

No. Old Stripe were there. We met her.

She sent us up here.

You didn't tell her you... No, no, no. Not a word.

Got enough troubles as it is.

Tuesday night.

Yeah, Tuesday, about 8 .30, my daughter Charlene drops in with her husband. They

have a couple of games of gin, a few beers, and then I drive them home.

No, I didn't.

No.

I hadn't even got the motor.

Sorry, you got the wrong number, mate. Where was it?

In the garage, being serviced.

Overnight? Yeah.

That unusual?

Yeah. Needed a new clutch plate. Must have been a rare one for what they

You still got the bill?

Yeah, I'm framing it.

Bill checks up the lock.

Where is this garage?

Morning.

Good morning, Mr.

Ryan. Can I help?

We hope so.

We're police officers.

Pleasure to help the police, particularly in these hard times.

Mr. Ryan, our car comes into this garage.

Presumably you know where it is to add its stay with you.

Every second.

I log them in the book, make up the worksheet with the customer, and the car

keys go on that board over there until work is ready to come in.

We usually know approximately how long each job will take.

Customer rings in, calls round, pays the bill, collects the car, and then stores

it. Until the next time.

But what if a car has to stay overnight?

Same procedure.

End of the day, mechanic hangs the key back on the board and collects it again

first thing next morning.

Fine. Now, let me be more specific.

I wondered how long we'd talk generalities.

A customer of yours named Moody.

Ah, yes, yes, I know Mr. Moody.

Uh, 414.

That's him? Yes, he's been coming here for years.

He's a bit of a clown.

That's him.

His car was here over Tuesday night.

Was it?

Sure.

He said Tuesday.

Uh, what, this Tuesday?

This Tuesday.

Ah, yes, that's correct.

Uh, 5 ,000 miles service. Query with the fan belt. Keeps it not working.

Filled up with antifreeze, slipping clutch, clutch renewed.

And it was kept overnight?

It was. We collected it mid -morning Wednesday.

Mr Ryan, that car was seen and its number plate was logged by the police in

Shepherd's Bush on Tuesday night.

How would you account for that?

I couldn't. In fact, I... No, no, hold on, hold on.

Ah, no, I'm wrong, no.

I was going to say it was a physical impossibility, but the clutch was fixed

Tuesday night.

Do you lock this office?

Of course I do. Every night? Every night.

Were the keys back on the board, the Cortina keys, when you locked up on

Tuesday? Well, I said so, but I can't be certain. Not 100%. It wouldn't be that

day. We ought to spring this, Lockster.

Not easy to get into the shop, though.

There's a lot of expensive equipment out there. Yeah, I was thinking about

staff.

What was the car doing?

Can you tell me?

Oh, we've seen it's Shepherd's Bush. We want to talk to the driver. A routine

inquiry.

What time would this be?

Nine, ten -thirty, somewhere around there.

It was hardly somebody road -testing it. Hardly.

So you can't help us.

Doesn't look like it.

Any chance of the number being noted down incorrectly?

Possible. Highly unlikely.

No chance of two people having the same number? Not legally.

Oh, well, I give up.

Yeah, well, what about one of your boys?

Borrowing it? Oh, no, no, I think not.

A, they all have cars of their own, and B, it is against all company rules.

Yeah, well, rules are there to be broken, according to some people. True.

Well, you can ask them if you like, but I doubt if anyone will admit to it.

How many sets of keys are there to the outside shop?

Three. And to this office?

Two, and there's one on file somewhere.

Have you a lift of your men's names and addresses?

Yes. I'll have to get it next door from the couch.

Do you want it now? Please.

Excuse me.

Switcher plates?

Why?

I only asked a question.

Just back from the garage.

And? No sugar.

Right. Oh, thanks.

Coffee's better this side of town. Really?

Perhaps that'll persuade you to stay.

About the garage.

The Cortina was there Tuesday night.

So, that lets friend Moody out. Seven mechanics. Man named Ryan does the

bookkeeping, runs reception.

Type of celestinist. Doesn't even have a driving licence.

Oh, and an earth mother in account. Been there since Lord Nuffield was in short

pounds. So, what's that? Seven suspects in all?

Eight.

Now, what I've done... I hope you'll approve.

Sure I will, sir. I've got a photographer, telephoto on his brownie.

all eight coming or going from a house opposite.

Occupied? Councillor, housing committee, a good personal friend.

Then we'll show the photos round and run our own spot the ball.

One of them possibly is the man who striped you. I want you to pick him out

it is not grassy. What is it then? Shopping only for Christmas? No one

know it was you. No, just a quick nod and I'm down the nick for an identity

parade. I give you my word. You would? Yes. No comment.

What are they, mechanics or something?

Any one of them strikers familiar?

None of them.

You've not seen any of these men before? I told you, didn't I?

Have you thought much about the man who did it?

Think? I've not time to think, have I? With every gormless copper in F Division

coming up here to turn me over.

Well, you can see their point. You could be concealing the identity of a

murderer. Now, you don't want to report an assault, it's your affair, but a

murder is a different ballgame. I told them everything I know.

I know, I read it, it couldn't have taken long.

Your face is looking better.

Thank you.

Mr Magoo.

Looks like a mop of the underground.

Be silly to lie to me, Bella. Why would I? I'm not sure. Some sort of revenge?

Some little vigilante do -it -yourself group? If there was a chance, half a

chance, of nailing this bastard for myself, there's no way I'm going to tell

anything. Now, listen.

A murder.

An assault.

A wounding, perhaps, too. Carrying an offensive weapon.

Enough to put him away forever. Isn't that enough? For you, maybe. And you?

The first shriek when the knife goes in.

And this is the one she dwelt on? Ryan? Yes.

He's the one with the access keys, what have you.

Why don't I go and see him at the garage?

And do what?

Put myself on offer. See if I can wind him up. How?

What?

Try and buy a car.

See if I can get him round to the Victoria.

Using yourself as bait? Sort of.

I'm having a vision of Bill Russell's face. Yeah, it's with backup.

Of course.

What's the talk without a pimp?

No, no, I can't fit you in until Thursday.

All right, all right, Mr Elliot. I'll put you down for Thursday.

Soon after nine as possible, please. Yes, I'll put the work in there.

Thank you.

Mr Ryan?

That's me. Yeah, they said I'd find you in.

How can I help?

I'm looking for an old car to buy.

Champagne, taste, pale ale, money.

How much? Oh, I don't know.

200 quid, you know, run forever, nothing that can't be fixed, the curvy group.

Yeah, well, we don't sell cars here.

Sales are handled from our ones, with Sarah.

Yes, I know that, but they said, have a word with you, smile nicely, and

maybe you'll fix something.

Yes, well, I'll keep an eye open.

Oh, would you? I'll be no way in grave.

How about an address or phone number?

What's better than that? You find me a car and I'll buy you a drink down the

Vic. You know the Victoria, don't you?

Yes. Yeah, I bet you do. All the gentlemen know where the Victoria is.

a phone number?

7430606.

I'm out a lot.

Well, you know how it is.

Come down the Vic, ask for Maggie and we'll have a nice little drink together,

OK? All right.

Tell me.

What's the perfume you use?

It's American.

An American gentleman bought me a bottle. Do you like it?

It's very fragrant.

Yeah, I like it.

Hey, I'll tell you what.

Well?

You were going to forget me, were you?

Maggie and the thing. What?

Any time after seven.

Holbrooks?

Gran?

It's not like you to phone me here.

No, I haven't forgotten.

We discussed it last night, don't you remember?

I said I'd go to the library and... No, look, I haven't forgotten.

Yes, yes, it's perfectly clear.

We said we'd have a go at one of the Russians.

The Anna Karenina or... Well, I know, but it's only at the end.

Well, if you think it's too glum, we... we'll go for another Jane Austen or

something, hmm?

Well, it was only a suggestion.

Look.

Look, I must go, I must go.

It's my desk. It looks like the wreck of the Hesperus.

Bye.

All neatly stashed away, sir. Nobody found a thing. Good.

Jake? Yes.

Mr Ryan.

Oh, how did you find me?

I called the number. Your landlady gave me the address.

Oh, I see.

Well, you found one already.

Found one?

You were going to... found me a car. You know, my 200 quid banger? Yes, yes.

Yes, I found one.

That's why I'm here.

I want to take you there and show you. Oh, I'm afraid I can't come just now.

Why's that?

I've got to go out.

You've got to come.

I told the owner.

I'll tell you what. Why don't I meet you later? No.

It's got to be now.

It must be the call I'm expecting.

What makes you think so?

It's due. It's about 7 .30 they said.

Look, do you mind stepping out of my way?

The landlady says she's not there.

Give it another ten minutes. It's a quarter to eight.

If anything happens to her, I'll be early to turn on traffic control.

Out them on bloody Golia.

So what are you going to do?

Stripe me?

Or kill me?

I didn't mean to. killer. No, I'm sure you didn't. Maybe you go slashing around

with that thing, you never know what damage you can do. I just wanted them to

look ugly. Why?

Tat.

Cheap, filthy tat.

For every whore there has to be a client.

Why are you so down on them?

Why don't they give you a hard time? I wouldn't touch one.

Are you married?

Mr. Ryan?

No.

You live alone?

No, I live with my grandmother.

You look after her, do you? Yes.

Yes, we look after each other. That sounds nice. It is.

She's a remarkable woman.

A fine person.

Have you ever thought who'd look after her if you weren't there?

I'll be there. You won't, you know. Who says? I do.

No, I'm seeing anything.

Well, they have all got his picture, sir.

Of course.

What sort of Amazon are you showing?

I'm worried.

You're like the rest of them. You'll make a mistake in the end. Not me. Too

late, Mr. Ryan. You've already made it.

Oh, yes.

Tell me about it.

Mr. Moody's Cortina. You shouldn't have borrowed it.

How did you know? I suppose you took a different car each time.

How did you know about the Cortina? They have a photo. Who have they?

Who's they?

You've shown it to girls already.

They're probably tracing you right this minute. They probably followed you here.

Did you check?

You're saying that to frighten me. Why bother?

You think they believed you when they questioned you in the garage?

They didn't.

You're not a... No, I'm not.

What are you? Can't you guess?

In my bag on the bed. See for yourself.

Go on, open it.

Take out the blue wallet.

We've known for some time. Just a matter of giving you enough rope.

Oh, God.

Oh, the mess.

Don't tell Grandma.

Promise. You mustn't.

She must never know.

Please.

She'll find out, Mr Ryan.

She's bound to in the end.

She used to kiss me goodnight.

As she bent over, I'd smell her perfume.

I'll always remember that. Would your mother?

We were all so happy together.

It was such fun.

It was holidays at the cottage.

I never realised, of course, why she went out.

Every night.

Where the money came from.

It was that perfume.

She used to look and smell so beautiful.

All right! All right!

What did you do to him?

Hello. Your man.

Must have given you a laugh.

Not at all. I thought it was very kind.

I bet.

That's true.

Why couldn't you let us in on it?

Trust me, it was possible. You made us look right, Bert.

Not at all. Yes, you did.

You conned us. We thought the man for you, didn't we? Made life easier for

safer, no?

Yeah. And had a bloody good laugh at our expense.

A lot of dumb scrubbers? Yeah, I can imagine what you said.

It wasn't like that.

OK, you brought the money back.

Goodbye.

Can't we even have a farewell drink on it?

Inspector, I'm particular who I drink with.

Is that how you all feel?

Ah, go on, sling your hook.

Fair enough.

Police. Big.

Yeah, I don't know.