All language subtitles for Inspector.Morse.S07E01.PAL.DVDRip.x264

John, I met some friends from college.
They've asked us over. Do you want to

come? Um, I don't think so.

Oh, good boy.

Look, why don't you go over? I, um, I
honestly don't feel up to it.

John!

What's wrong? Look, nothing's wrong, I
promise.

I've got behind with my work and I need
to think about it, that's all.

Sure. Positive.

Look, why don't you go back to your
friends and have a good time, eh?

I'll give you a call in the morning.

Good evening, Mr. Brewster.

Can we interest you in a hand? No, thank
you. I never gamble.

And neither should you, by the look of
that law.

Hello, Dr. Brewster again.

Are you sure my husband's not at the
clinic? He couldn't have come back?

Forgotten something?

No.

No, it's just that he's not arrived yet.

Mr. Matthew Brewster, who's found dead
in his garage with a car engine running.

This could take us half the night.

I've been on the coast since 8 o 'clock
this morning.

So have I, Sergeant.

Yeah, but I haven't spent the last two
weeks lying on a beach in Italy, have I?

I've spent my holiday engaged in
cultural pursuits, Lewis, not lying on a

Mm -hmm.

Seems peaceful enough to me.

That's how it was when we found him,
Coach.

There was nothing unusual caught your
eye when you came in?

No, nothing at all.

Could you tell me what happened this
evening?

Matthew was due home at about 8 .40.
That was his usual time.

Due home from where?

His clinic.

My mother and father own a private
clinic, Chief Inspector.

He usually left around 8 and was found
later.

When he wasn't home by nine, I began to
worry.

I had thought of calling the police, but
I didn't want to make a fuss or be a

foolish.

I told myself he'd broken down
somewhere.

I looked out of the window several
times, hoping to see Matthew get out of

car.

The last time I looked, I saw John
arrive and he discovered what had

What time was that?

Around eleven, I think.

When I arrived, I heard the engine
running.

Then I saw the fumes.

I tried to open the garage door.

When I did, I couldn't see anything.

I tried to find the light switch, but I
began to feel the effect of the fumes.

Thank you, Lewis.

Probably not.

It's something that Dr. Brewster said.

She said she looked from the house,
hoping to see her husband get out of the

car. But he'd get out of the car in the
garage, wouldn't he?

The doors open automatically on
approach.

You can't even see the garage from that
room.

Just a slip of the tongue to...

Yeah. He can clear it up in the morning.

But why do it this way, Lewis?

Drive home, I mean.

They own a clinic.

He was surrounded by any number of drugs
or poisons he could have used.

I guess when you get to the point of
killing yourself, you're not thinking

clearly.

But you think it was suicide?

No reason to suspect anything else.

It was murder, Lord, certainly murder,
although there was a pretty tough

to make it look like suicide.

Do you mind explaining, Doctor? Well,
it's all a matter of deduction, really.

See here, look.

These marks across the chest and around
the wrist.

He was tied into the seat. Now, if he
was tied in, he was conscious and may

felt compelled to cry out. So, I have a
look around the mouth. And what do I

find?

Traces? Of adhesives and minute injuries
where the facial hair has been torn

out.

He was bad and gagged, Morse.

He was murdered.

Time and cause of death?

Asphyxiation, 9 .30 o 'clock.

We know he left the clinic shortly after
eight.

Would you agree that there wasn't time
enough to have him killed elsewhere?

Yes, I would.

The killer was taking quite a risk
there, wasn't he?

Staying in there until the job was done.

unless he came out and went back in
again later.

But then he'd have to get back in, close
the garage doors behind him, make sure

that Brewster was dead, take off the
gag, untie the rope, and then find his

back out of the doors again.

Brewster's son was driven out by the
fumes.

I've already thought of that.

Then what have you deduced?

Well, either you're looking for someone
with an exceptional pair of lungs, a

Japanese pearl diver, say, Or your
killer was a commoner garden Englishman,

using breathing apparatus, perhaps.

What is going on, Chief Inspector? Could
we talk inside, Dr. Brewster? Tell us

what's going on, please.

I'm sorry, you are.

Mark Felton. I'm from the Radcliffe
Infirmary.

Claire is my patient.

It would be better if we talked inside,
Mr. Felton.

You've surely made a mistake, Chief
Inspector.

My husband's death must have been an
accident.

I can assure you, Dr. Brewster, it
wasn't an accident.

Can you think of anyone who might want
to harm your husband?

No.

Of course I can't.

Who would want to harm Matthew?

The idea's quite preposterous. Someone
did.

I'd like you to think very carefully.

Did your husband mention any recent
conversation he might have had?

Any incident or event that he considered
out of the ordinary?

No.

Well, was that break -in that you
mentioned, Claire?

At the clinic?

When was that?

Seven, eight months ago, I don't
remember.

There was nothing taken. The police
thought it likely that the intruder was

after drugs.

We heard no more about it.

Dr Brewster, last night you said you
went to the window expecting to see

your husband getting out of the car.

How could you expect to see him if he
was in the garage?

What?

Oh.

Sometimes he parked in the drive, Chief
Inspector, especially if John was still

out. Matthew, he... very often left
early for the clinic in the

morning.

Inspector? Of course.

Clare, I want you to go upstairs and
rest.

Bye.

Why is it, Chief Inspector, that doctors
make such bad patients?

Why, my way.

I'd prefer her in hospital for a day or
two, but you won't hear of it.

Is her condition so serious?

Proper medical care and attention. She
had three, maybe four years at bed.

And she could well do without this kind
of trauma.

And that damn clinic.

They became an obsession with both of
them.

Is the clinic in trouble?

On the contrary, it's thriving.

At the beginning, they invented
everything they had.

Borrowed heavily.

But they made it work.

Where's Mother?

Is she all right? She's all right, John.
She's upstairs. She's fine.

Will you excuse me?

We've got something here.

What's that?

More tape, I'd like a bit.

I asked him about last night.

He told me he'd spent some time with a
girlfriend, a Jane Bowen, English

up at the university.

Anyway, that was around about seven o
'clock.

Afterwards, he says he went for a drive
and then came home.

Well, that's four hours. What was he
doing?

Thinking, he says.

He is doing a doctorate in philosophy.

All the other things, the diving
equipment, sir. He doesn't use it. He

know anyone who does. I'm about
finished, sir. That's the meagre

afraid. Where did this come from?

Down in the car inspection pit.

We did find two rolls of tape in the
toolkit, but neither of them comes from

this. It's much broader.

All right, get it off to forensic, and
thank you.

You can

take them off.

Yeah. Miss Barney?

Yes.

Shall we walk?

Yes, I'd like that.

I must have lost to know how I can help.

I've never met John's father, or his
mother for that matter.

How long have you been seeing John?

Two years.

And you've never met his family?

According to John, I'd simply be
something else for his father to

They didn't get on, I'm afraid.

John had been expected to follow his
father and mother into medicine.

When he refused, his father turned
against him.

Last night, how did John seem to you?

Oh, down, I'd say.

Do you know why?

He said he'd fallen behind with his work
and wanted some time on his own.

Your questions, Chief Inspector, I can't
quite see their relevance.

Oh, they're just routine in cases of
murder.

When John phoned last night, he seemed
to think it was an accident.

Or suicide.

No. No, John's father was murdered.

Chief Inspector, what I said about John
and his father, you mustn't infer... As

I said, my questions are purely routine.

You're on to a winner here, Sergeant.

Do you want to have a look?

Tell me what I see.

Hair, the tape that was brought in, and
probably from the dead man's face, I

think.

I'm pretty confident that it was used as
a gag.

That was a nice cup of tea.

Not too sweet.

I've had a chance to think about all
this, Mother.

And I'm going to tell the police about
Michael Steppings.

Steppings?

Why?

Tell them what?

That he made threats against Father in
court.

But... That was two years ago.

Steppings was upset.

There were letters.

They were sent to Father.

What letters?

Anonymous threats.

Abuse.

Father thought it best.

You didn't know.

We'll be opening up that entire episode.

Think what could come out of it.

I should have mentioned these sooner, I
know, but with everything that's

happened, I wasn't thinking she'd been
better.

Your mother didn't mention them either.

She didn't know about them. My father
didn't want to distress her.

As for himself, he didn't take them
seriously.

Then why did he keep them?

He didn't. Well, not all of them.

The first few he destroyed, but after
that I'm sure he was going to take them

the police.

You didn't preserve the envelopes?

They were typed, posted from various
places in London.

Besides, we were pretty certain who was
sending them, so... We thought they were

from a man called Michael Steppings.

You see, four years ago, his 15 -year
-old daughter came into the clinic for a

minor operation.

But something went wrong.

She suffered profound brain damage.

Steppings took my parents to court two
years later.

Needless to say, they were completely
placed.

But Steppings couldn't accept the
court's decision, so he made threats.

Who is this Michael Steppings?

He's the bookmaker.

The Michael Steppings?

Yes.

Started off with one betting shop down
in London, so finished up with a regular

empire.

He should be an easy man to find.

He lives in Oxfordshire.

Whereabouts, I'm not exactly sure.

I'd like to talk about Michael Steppe.

You've spoken to him?

Not yet. My sergeant's trying to locate
him.

Can you tell me about his daughter?

Tell you what?

What happened to her?

She went into cardiac arrest.

The court found the clinic blameless,
Chief Inspector. I need hardly say it

a tragedy, but we were completely clear.

Dr Brewster, I am not questioning the
court's judgment.

Your son came forward with the name of a
possible suspect.

There are questions that have to be
asked.

Yes, well... You think it might have
been Steppings?

You? Well, I wouldn't know, would I?

He struck me as being a highly
intelligent man.

To threaten us in open court and then
send anonymous letters. It seems a

particularly reckless strategy for a
killer to adopt.

You said threatened us, not just your
husband?

Matthew was the surgeon, I was the
anesthetist, and there was a nurse,

Hazlitt.

As I recall, he threatened all three of
us.

You're not sure?

You will appreciate, Chief Inspector,
that that trial was an experience I've

tried very hard to forget.

But why was it important who he
threatened?

You were in the house alone.

If he did kill your husband, then why
not you?

The nurse, is she still here?

No, she left soon after the trial two
years ago. She's at Burnley Green

now.

We don't keep in touch.

Found him, sir.

Bit more difficult than we thought,
though.

A man with an empire, Lewis?

Yeah, well, turns out he sold his
business, sir.

Living the life of a recluse out near
Chipping Norton.

Oh, and I checked out the report on the
break -in at the clinic here.

Nothing, really.

Some damage to a couple of filing
cabinets.

I want to see a transcript of the
Brewster trial.

No bother, as long as somebody else has
asked for a copy already.

If not, the notes will still be in
shorthand. Could take weeks.

Why do we need one?

I want to know who Stepping's threatened
and what he said, not what people think

he might have said.

Would you believe it?

120 grand. It won't even budge.

It's a beautiful car.

Likewise.

Michael Stebbings.

Who are you? What brings you to this
neck of the woods? I'm Chief Inspector

Morse, Thames Valley CID.

I'm investigating the murder of Matthew
Brewster, Mr Stebbings.

Yes, I read about it.

Well, I'd be a hypocrite if I said I was
sorry, Mr Morse.

So I won't.

Am I suspect?

Yes.

Thought I might be.

Come on inside, Chief Inspector.

I've got an angry call to make.

Patrick, Mike's stepping.

Listen, why don't you get some lads over
here and pick up my car?

It's not working.

That's what for.

Right?

Okay, I'll shove the keys in the exhaust
and call me. Let me know what the

hell's going on.

It's a fine view.

Can't say I notice it much.

Mr. Steppings, don't you have a
wardrobe?

Yeah, somewhat.

I tend to do most of my living in here
now, Mr. Morse.

When things get too bad, I bung the
whole lot off to the cleaners.

Now, Brewster.

Have you ever contacted him?

After what he did?

No. Why should I?

The court found him not guilty.

With respect, Mr Morse, the court was
wrong.

They were removing a mole.

A simple operation.

Just about impossible for anything to go
wrong.

But it is possible.

Yeah, that's what the judge said.

There's always an element of risk, and I
should understand that.

An allusion to my former profession, I
think.

Where were you the night Bruce was
murdered?

That was Tuesday, wasn't it?

I was at Newmarket in the afternoon.

I had a meal over there.

Left about six.

I went to visit my daughter at Burnley
Green Hospital.

She's at Burnley Green?

Yeah, why?

Go on.

I left at 7 .30, made for home.

You came straight home?

No, no, I stopped at a pub to go to the
loo.

That would have been about eight.

I had a shandy, gone to Bandit, read the
paper, even managed to do the whole

crossword, and left about nine.

Would anyone remember you there? Did you
speak to anyone?

I doubt it.

The only person I spoke to was the
barmaid who served me.

Oh, yeah.

There was a lady who came in and asked
me to move my jacket so she could sit

down.

And that was all?

She said something about how busy the
place was.

That was it.

This pub, have you been there before?

No.

It's called Black Swan on the road
north.

I know.

Well, will you be checking my story at
the hospital?

Oh, yes.

Any chance of any?

Your business.

Why did you give it up?

I didn't give any point to it.

When I started out, it was to get the
best for me and mine.

Only now there ain't any mine.

Except, Avril.

You're not married?

Of course.

My wife, Julie, she felt as bad about
Avril as I did, but she thought it was

wrong to dwell upon it.

But I did dwell on it, Mr. Morse.

Left off.

As for myself, I've already got more
money than I need, so why go on?

Making time easy, making money. Of
course.

Oh, I'm ready.

Gambling. I liked it. I was good at it.

I don't think I could live with the
uncertainty.

The person you want to see is Dr. Greer.

He's in charge.

And do drop by on the chairs before you
go.

Chapter 7.

Ginger continues the story.

You can confirm that he was here,
Doctor.

Oh, yes, Chief Inspector.

I was on duty.

He often visits at night.

Sometimes in the early hours of the
morning.

He's absolutely devoted to the girl.

What kind of man is he?

In my opinion, someone who's given up on
life.

I don't think the matter except the
girl.

Even his wife left them, you know.

Can't say I'd blame that.

She could see it was hopeless and wanted
to put an end to it, but he wouldn't

hear of it.

I take it the girl will never recover?

No, never, Chief Inspector.

My old merry legs will take as much care
of them as you or I could.

Doctor! Mr. Morse!

Avril! This is the policeman I was
talking about.

Chief Inspector Morse.

This is my girl, Avril, Chief Inspector.

You'll have to excuse her not getting
up.

But after her run -in with the
Brewsters, there's not much she can do.

I'm very sorry, Mr Steppings.

Did you help out Mr Morse, Doctor?

Indeed I have.

I'm intruding here and you want to be
alone with your daughter.

Dr. Greer?

Right. I assure you I would not sell
that pony for any money. He's so

good -tempered and trustworthy.

Is that you?

Yeah. No coffee

will be fine.

You look tired.

Has it been awful?

Yes.

What would you expect?

John, listen.

I think I may have said too much to that
policeman, Morse.

What do you mean?

Oh, silly.

I mentioned to him that you and your
father weren't on the best of terms.

I wasn't aware of what had happened at
the time.

Tell the truth.

Besides, I don't think Morse's interest
in me will last very long.

Do we have a transcript?

Yeah. It was a request for one from
Michael Steffings.

Did you see him yesterday?

Yes. He has a motive, a shaky alibi, and
he knows how to use diving equipment.

Sounds promising.

Oh, to God it's not, Lewis.

Well, there's nothing much to tell, no
unidentified fingerprints, and the

lettering came from half a dozen
different newspapers. However, I put it

machine here and this crop top.

Obviously written on a sheet above the
one used for the letter.

Just numbers.

Couldn't be an enemy.

Any idea what they might be?

Sorry. I did say there was nothing much.

Can I have a copy of it?

I'm no lawyer, sir.

But it seems to me the Brewsters
couldn't lose that, eh?

It was a routine minor operation that
they carried out three or four times

before. The barrister was able to give
the court names, dates, even testimony

ungrateful patients.

And steppings?

Oh, there's no doubt he did threaten all
three of them.

Yes. I want justice for my little girl.

If I don't get it here, I'll get it some
other way. I'll make the three of them

pay.

Then why wasn't Dr Brewster harmed?

And the nurse, Hazlitt, for a year she's
worked at the hospital where Steffings

has his daughter.

They're both of the much easier targets.

Miss Wendy Hazlitt?

Yes? Chief Inspector Moore, Thames
Valley CID.

Oh, hold on.

If you'd like to come through here,
Chief Inspector.

Half an hour later and you would have
missed me.

You're going away?

Yes, just for a couple of days, to the
Lake District.

You're very fortunate.

Well, yes, well...

I'm an amateur painter.

I expect to be working mostly.

How can I help you, Chief Inspector?

I'm investigating the murder of Matthew
Brewster, Miss Haslett.

Ah. I'd like to talk to you about
Michael Steppings.

Well, I don't actually know Michael
Steppings, Chief Inspector.

No, I appreciate that, but he did make
threats against you at the Brewster

trial. I wondered if he approached you
or...

Made any attempt to carry out his
threat?

No, but at least not in the way you
mean.

When I left Matthew, Mr.

Bruce's clinic, I tried to support
myself by painting alone. Now,

that didn't work out, and I had to look
for a job. I was taken on at Burnley

Green. When Michael Stepping was found
out, he tried to have his facts.

He does pay the hospital a great deal of
money for keeping his daughter there,

and I expected that he'd get his way.

But fortunately, Dr Greer, one of the
consultants there, went up with the

compromise. He agreed to let me stay on,
provided I undertook not to go near

Avril Steckings.

Matthew Brewster was sent a series of
anonymous letters after the trial. Did

receive anything like that?

No, nothing.

Do you think that Michael Steppin sent
those letters?

Unfortunately, we don't know who sent
them.

Well, I'm sorry I couldn't have been
more help.

No, no, not at all.

I'd better let you get on. I can see
myself out.

Bye -bye.

Think, damn you.

One sheet of paper, blue, eight by five.

Two rows of numbers.

To the left, 10, 50, 7.

To the right, 25.

Good morning, sir. Constable Willis,
Crime Prevention Unit.

Are you the owner of the house?

That's right.

There have been a number of burglaries
in the area, sir, mainly in property

this. Would you mind if I checked your
security and possibly offered some

advice? Of course not. Come on in.

Thank you.

Can I get you something?

Your blood's really not drinking on,
Judy.

A cup of tea would be fine, sir, thank
you. Coming up.

My alarm system's controlled from in
here.

Well, I must say, this all seems rather
elaborate, Morse. I've no real grounds

for a warrant.

If Steppings is innocent, I don't want
to upset him any more than is necessary.

You don't want to upset him?

We're not the Samaritans, Morse. A man's
been murdered, and this Steppings is a

suspect. I know that.

Sir. What?

You were right about those numbers, sir.

You even gave Constable Willis a
demonstration.

I've put him in the interview room. I've
cautioned him, informed him of his

right. Oh.

I'd say you've got yourself a result
there, Chief Inspector.

So get yourself down there, matey, and
give him hell.

Give him hell.

Yes, sir.

You had a visit today from Crime
Prevention Officer, Mr. Stepping.

Yeah, I did. Mr. Morse, your sergeant
says I'm being held in connection with

Bruce murder.

I don't understand.

You have a safe, Mr. Stepping.

Yeah, came in the hour.

And you changed the combination six
months ago?

What's that got to do with anything?

Did you keep a note of the combination?

Of course.

And a backup in case the original got
lost.

Doesn't that rather defeat the purpose
of a safe?

I mean, having notes of the combination
lying around the house.

Well, not really, sir.

Mr Stebbins takes precautions.

He writes down his combination on a
sheet of paper and then tears it in

Hide the pieces in different places.
Isn't that right, Mr. Stabbing?

Yeah. Look.

Is that your combination?

Yes, it is.

Where the hell did you get this from?

Have you seen these before?

A forensic examination showed that one
of these bore the combination to your

safe.

They were sent anonymously to Matthew
Brewster.

All right.

I sent them some letters.

But you saw what they did to my girl,
Mr. Marshall.

I had to get back at them some way.

I tried the law. It didn't work. They
walked away scot -free.

You threatened Matthew Brewster in
court.

You sent him anonymous letters
threatening his life.

And then Matthew Brewster was murdered.

Possibly by someone who knew how to use
diving equipment.

And you do.

Wait a minute now.

I didn't kill anyone and I didn't
threaten his life.

You are evil and you will pay.

I am going to kill you.

Kill you?

I remember writing that.

Not kill you.

You expected to believe that when you
lied about sending the letters in the

first place.

Look, you don't understand.

I'd get drunk, I'd sit and brood, I'd do
one of these letters.

What I'm saying is I can't remember
this.

I didn't kill that man, Mr Morse.

Chief Inspector Morse has some news for
you.

We're holding Michael Stepping for
questioning.

He's admitted sending the letters to
your husband.

And the murder?

Not yet. We only brought him in an hour
ago.

Then thank you for bringing us the news
so quickly, Chief Inspector.

Has he said anything? What can he say?

He'll probably be making the same old
accusations about his daughter, that's

all.

Inspector?

Your son's right.

Of course I have.

We have a great deal to thank you for,
Chief Inspector.

Michael Steppings is being held for
questioning, Mr Brewster, that's all.

If you'll excuse me, I'll continue to
keep you informed.

Thank you.

You mustn't worry yourself.

Promise me.

I can't help it. You must help it.

There's nothing to fear from Michael
Steffens.

Nothing at all.

What the

hell's

wrong with you?

Finding out what those numbers meant was
a good piece of work.

It was a lucky guess.

What would happen to her if we did put
him away?

Ah, that's it, is it?

The girl.

It's got nothing to do with you, see.

Anyway, we haven't even charged him yet,
never mind put him away.

No, no, you're right.

But it's not just the girl. There's the
whole question of why he ignored the

other two people he threatened.

Steffens isn't stupid, and yet we're to
believe that he forewarned his victim by

sending him anonymous letters.

You can have a look at the present, you
know that?

Well, it's not going to get me out of
here.

No. On the evidence I have, I can hold
him for 36 hours and then apply for an

extension if necessary.

In the hope that I'll eventually
confess?

Something like that.

I didn't kill him, Mr. Morrison.

I'd like you to do something, Mr.
Steppings.

You said that at the time of the murder
you were in a pub.

from just before 8 o 'clock till after
9.

Now, I can take you there to see if
anyone remembers you, but only if you

to go.

You're asking me to take a great chance.

That pub was crowded.

You said a woman spoke to you. Yeah, she
asked me to shift my jacket so she

could sit down.

That's all.

Unless you care to tell me about how
busy the pub was. I told you this.

Just now, I don't have another boy.

So what?

I didn't do anything.

If I go to that pub and they say we
haven't seen him here, it might look bad

me. It looks bad either way.

If you don't go, we might reasonably
assume you're afraid to because you

there.

You think about it, Mr. Steffings.

Chief Inspector.

You don't like this, do you?

No. Well, if it makes it any easier, I
know it's a job.

You could do something for me.

Ever since Davril's been in hospital,
I've never missed a day.

I'd like to know that everything's all
right.

Mr. and Mrs. Hart, this gentleman has
told us that he came here last Tuesday

evening, shortly before eight, and he
stayed till just after nine.

Can either of you remember seeing him in
the pub?

I can't, no. But that doesn't mean he
wasn't here. The pub gets pretty crowded

that time of night.

I understand.

No.

No, he was here.

You're sure, Mrs. Hart?

It was his clothes.

His suit.

Not that one, but one like it.

Expensive -looking, I mean.

I remember thinking that when I served
him.

Jesus, my suit.

You're sure about the time and the day?
I'm sorry.

I only know it was recently.

Listen, Watson.

It's not enough.

But it had to be that night.

I've never been in here before or since.

For God's sake, she recognised me. What
more do you want? Take it easy, Mrs

Steppings. Take it easy? I came here in
good faith. Don't tell me to take it...

Steppings? Michael Steppings?

Yes? What is it, Mrs Hart?

He's right.

It was Tuesday night, though I'm still
not sure about the time.

You lost something.

No, I didn't lose anything.

Yes, you did.

Your checkbook.

A customer handed it in.

A woman.

She was sitting next to you and noticed
it after you left.

She said she went after you, but you
drove off.

This woman saw Mr Stepping's lead?

Yes. Where's the checkbook now, Mrs
Hart?

I kept it for a couple of days, thinking
he'd come back for it. When he didn't,

I posted it to his bank in Oxford.

Could still be in the post office.

Get on to it, Lewis.

Could I use your phone?

Yeah, I'll show you in the office.

Mrs Hart, we'd like you to come with us
to the station.

Why do you have to have the checkbook
now? Can't you take a word for it when

turns up?

If the woman handed the book to Miffy's
heart, her fingerprints will be on it.

They might help us to trace her.

At the very least, they can confirm her
identity if we find her.

But can't you tell me any more?

Oh, I understand.

Yes, thank you, Chief Inspector.

But please let me know what happens.

Was that Morse?

Yes, I inquired about Stepping.

Has he confessed?

No.

Morse mentioned some new development,
but that was all.

He didn't say what?

No.

But I expect we'll find out in due
course.

These are the fingerprints on Stepping's
checkbook.

This is Steppings, which matches the
sample we took ourselves.

This is Mrs. Hart's and the one we took.

These, we suspect, belong to our missing
witness.

What exactly do we know for certain,
Ross?

That he was in the pub on Tuesday night.
What we don't know is what time he

left.

Normally, Brewster arrived home around 8
.40.

Now, to be there in time to kill him,
Steppings would have had to leave the

at 8 .20 at the latest.

Well,

that settles it.

You'd better try for a television, then.

Cheer up.

We might get lucky.

I don't know, Lewis.

There'll be a thousand reasons for her
not to come forward.

What if she's a married woman?

She might not want her husband to know
she spoke to a strange man in a pub.

She asked him to move his jacket.

And went on to say the pub was crowded.

It was.

The landlord said so.

But that's not the point, is it?

Her second comment was unnecessary,
voluntary.

She was out on her own, Lewis. Good God,
do I have to spell it out?

Well, I am interested in hearing what
you have to say on the matter.

It was obviously a flirtation, Lewis.

Innocent, I'm sure.

But I doubt if her husband would see it
that way. The Oxford police are

interested in hearing from anyone who
visited this popular public house on the

wood -eaten road north of Oxford last
Tuesday.

You might have noticed this well
-dressed man of stocky build with grey

hair. We know the man was in the Black
Swan last Tuesday night and we know he

lost an item of value when he was in
there.

This item was subsequently handed in to
the landlady by a woman.

We would very much like to speak to this
woman and...

What's

wrong?

What's wrong?

What do you think is wrong?

I don't like watching it.

What a bloody stupid question.

Hang on.

Don't take this out on me. It's just not
fair.

It must be terrible for you. I can see
that. But they've got their steppings,

haven't they?

It'll be all over soon.

This one sounds promising.

It's a Miss Jeffery.

Hello, Miss Jeffery.

Yorkshire? No, no, no, no, no. Wait till
I get there.

We've had a call from a Miss Margaret
Jeffries who lives in Harrogate. She saw

the broadcast and claims to be the woman
who spoke to you in the pub.

Now, your photograph and the third
fingerprint taken from your checkbook

been faxed to Harrogate CID.

She's agreed to be interviewed in the
morning.

You found her?

What if she's some kind of nutter?

A crank?

I mean, you must get people like that
all the time.

We get our fair share, but we have the
fingerprint.

We have that, Mr. Stepping.

Well, I must say, I'm not going to see
the day.

What's that?

But I'd be trying to get a bookmaker out
of jail.

And why have I never met these
Steppings? That's what I don't

I mean, normally these nouveau riche
types are hammering on the door of

circles five minutes after they move
down from Dundon.

You mean you've never come across them
down at the lodge, sir?

Not quite, Sergeant. What's so funny,
Morse?

Nothing, sir. I was just reflecting on
what Sergeant Lewis considers to be

polite society in Oxfordshire.

I see.

Well, you might reflect on this.

What happens if Stepping's story is
confirmed?

Do we have another direction to go in?

No, sir.

Ever since Brewster's death was
confirmed as murder, all the facts have

towards Stepping's. We've had no reason
to look elsewhere.

She just comes for a second.

At 8 o 'clock this morning, two officers
from Harrogate CID interviewed Margaret

Jeffries at her home.

She volunteered to be fingerprinted and
the prints mapped those on your

checkbook.

Can you say what time I left the pub?

No, she can't. What?

What's all this?

Let me finish, Mr Steppings. She can be
certain about the time she went into the

pub.

She was listening to the 8 .30 news as
she drove into the car park.

What does that mean?

It means that at the time she sat down
next to you, Matthew Brewster was

arriving home to be met by his killer.

You can leave here whenever you want.

Hello, Mr Steffi.

I can come back and do this later if you
like.

Thank you, I'd appreciate that.

No?

Miss Flowers?

They arrived this morning.

There was no card.

Everything all right? Yeah.

There were some fresh flowers in Avril's
room.

I hope you don't mind. I was passing a
florist.

I saw them and I sent them.

This is a nice place.

You know, I've got two things in this
world, Mr. Morse.

I got Avril and I got money.

And I can never give you my girl, but...
Maybe... This.

Mr. Stepping. Just put your name on it
and it's yours.

I got ten times that amount last time I
went.

I won't miss it.

I was going to say that what I did...
That's my job.

This is not for what you did.

This is for the flowers.

All the time my girl's been there,
you're the first person to treat her as

though she's still alive.

That's very generous of you, but I can't
accept it.

You can go anywhere you like.

Yes, I could, but what would I do when I
get there?

It's a pity you don't gamble, Mr. Morse.

Cards should be your game.

Mind you, if you ever do take it up...
Remind me not to sit in with you.

What will happen to Avril?

I'm not stupid, Mr. Morse.

I know I can't keep her like that
forever, but I can't let her go right

When I was in that cell, I kept
wondering what would happen to her if

didn't get out.

I curse myself I haven't sent those
letters, but I had to get back at them

way. But why just Matthew Brewster? Why
not his wife or the nurse? I suppose

the Brewsters could share his.

As for the nurse, well, that would have
been a dead giveaway, wouldn't it?

I was never that drunk.

Why would the nurse cover up for them?

That's a good question, Mr. Morse.

When we were preparing the court case,
my QC hired a private detective to talk

to other patients and have a look at the
Brewsters.

Anyway, this character comes back and
says he thinks Matthew Brewster, Wendy

Hazel, are having an affair.

Brewster was a regular visitor to her
flat, he says.

If they were lovers, that would explain
why she covered up for him.

That's my theory anyway.

I don't know. It's a private detective.
They tend to spice up their report.

Yes, but if Brewster and the nurse were
having an affair, this could be a crime

of passion, couldn't it?

Well, if it was, then we'd stop at the
nurse.

With Claire Brewster, she might have
found out about it.

She's an unlikely killer, Lewis,
especially given the way it was done,

gagged. And then there's this...

Fearing about the aqualung.

Very doubtful, given her condition.

Ah, Chief Inspector, do come in.

Thank you.

Would you mind coming through to the
kitchen, please?

You have some news.

Yes, I do.

We've released Michael Stepping.

He had an alibi.

I am relieved it's not stepping.

Coffee?

Nothing.

So, what will you do now?

That depends on the outcome of this
conversation.

I don't understand.

Dr. Brewster, it's been suggested to us
that your husband may have had an affair

with Wendy Hazlitt.

I have to know if that's true, if I'm to
conduct this inquiry effectively.

Can you tell me if that's true?

Yes, Chief Inspector, it was true.

Well, Wendy is a young, attractive
woman.

And sometimes when a husband and wife
work and live together, they can become

little tired of each other's company.

Were they still seeing each other prior
to your husband's death?

No, they were not.

When did the affair end?

About two years ago, when Wendy left the
clinic.

Were there recriminations?

I understand Wendy had some idea of a
future for herself with Matthew, yes.

And when he chose to end the affair, she
had difficulty accepting it.

What had this to do with Matthew's
death?

Could have nothing. I'm sorry, I had to
ask.

Oh, you needn't, Inspector.

As I said, it was over a long time ago.

Of course.

Sergeant Lewis.

That's right. I'm Wendy Hadlett.

You asked for me.

Yes.

Is there somewhere we could talk? Yes,
go outside.

Miss Hazlitt, you and Matthew Brewster,
your relationship was

more than just professional.

Yes.

Yes, it was.

Ah.

Can you tell me where you were on the
night he was murdered?

I obviously remember quite well,
Sergeant. I was at home finishing a

Can anybody verify that?

No. I was alone all evening.

Surely you don't suspect me.

In a murder inquiry, Miss Hazlitt, we
have to question anybody close to the

victim. But why should I kill him?

Matthew and I were planning to marry.

Oh, yeah.

He was going to leave his wife for me.

Now the clinic was a success
financially, he could afford to take

and marry me. It's what we'd always
dreamed of.

Can you prove that, Miss Hazlitt?

I'm not sure.

I know that Matthew told his son John of
our plans and that his mother would

need a great deal of help and support
and that he'd have to provide that for

her.

But as to whether or not John would
confirm it, I'm not sure.

Not if he thought it was going to help
me.

Married?

I've just spoken to Mrs Brewster. She
said the affair ended two years ago.

Do you believe her, Miss Nurse?

She claimed Matthew Brewster told
someone else about their intentions.

Your son, John.

So, couldn't it have been the son?

I mean, when you think about it, it
would make sense.

We know there was no love lost between
them.

John Brewster watches his parents
breaking their back to make that clinic

success. Probably destroyed his mother's
health.

Then the old man says he's going to dump
her and take off with another woman.

His mother's dying, sir. John's hardly
likely to be overjoyed, is he?

So, he kills him.

Tries to make it look like suicide,
botches the job.

And then he remembers Michael Stepping.

Stepping's letters?

Would explain why he took his time
bringing them to us, sir. He was

all through.

He may have been doing more than
thinking it through, Lewis.

Now, Stepping said that he couldn't
remember making any specific death

If you're right about John Brewster,
that he's been trying to frame

then isn't it just possible that
Steppings didn't make this threat?

As I told you before, the newsprint came
from several different sources and

would tell us nothing, but this time I
looked at the adhesive.

The same stuff was used throughout,
except for this one phrase, I'm going to

kill you.

As you can see, that is most certainly
different from the rest.

Want to pick him up?

On what charge?

We'll try it against Brewster. See where
it takes us.

It would be Brewster's word against
Steffings.

Steffings is on record as saying he
can't remember making the threats. He

actually deny it.

There's the glue.

We'll try and make that stick.

Couldn't we?

No.

There must be something we can do.

We need a fact.

Louis, nothing left.

We haven't really looked into this
aqualung theory yet, have we?

There can't be many places in Oxford
selling diving equipment, can there?

Nothing.

There might be a record of sales
somewhere.

Another blank.

What did he say?

Oh, he's held diving equipment, all
right, but not off the shelf.

Not the demand.

If you want it, you have to order it.

There's no record of Bruce having
ordered anything.

Nowhere else, is there?

Not in Oxford, sir.

That bloke did mention one possibility.

But Bruce would have to be stupid, sir.

Way too obvious.

What can I do for you, Jen?

Chief Inspector Morse is a Sergeant
Lewis. Did you have a membership list?

Yes, we did. Could we have a look at it?
Yeah, of course.

This is the present list.

It's in alphabetical order.

Lovington.

Well, as you said, he's not that stupid.

I'm sorry to trouble you. No trouble.

Blue, is it?

Is this Jay Foley?

That isn't Jane Foley, is it? Jane,
yeah.

Do all the members have lockers? Yes.

And the keys?

I've got one. They've got another.

All right, I'll do them, sir.

Mr. Brewster?

Thank you.

Inspector, what brings you here?

Your father was murdered, Mr. Brewster.
Why should a visit from the police seem

so odd?

You're right, it shouldn't, I suppose.

I don't know what's wrong with me today.

I was trying to read before you came in.

Couldn't.

Go and find that, Chief Inspector.

You're reading and your mind's trying to
take it in. Mr. Brewster.

This afternoon, we found out that Jane
Foley is a member of the University

Subaqua Club.

You told me you didn't know anyone who
was interested in diamonds.

Did I?

I must have forgotten.

That's all.

Why did you wait so long before bringing
us the letters?

Look, Chief Inspector, I told you that
the... We think one of the letters was

altered. How altered?

A phrase was added, a specific death
threat against your father.

Michael Stepping couldn't remember doing
it.

I think you did.

Nonsense. You can't prove that. Your
father told you he intended to leave

mother, didn't he?

What? He and Wendy Hazlitt planned to
marry.

Chief Inspector, I hear everything
you're saying, but I can't believe your

thing.

Detective Sergeant Lewis entered the
room at 22 .02.

It's all over.

What is it?

What is that?

It's a forensic report on a roll of tape
we found in Jane Foley's locker at the

Subaqua Club.

It says, categorically says, that the
piece of paper used to gag your father

the last piece torn from the roll.

They even sent a photograph showing how
they match.

Would you like to see it?

Now.

Are we to believe that Jane Foley is the
killer, Mr Brewster?

No.

I'm the one you want.

I killed him.

He was going to leave my mother after
all she'd done for him.

I should remind you that this interview
is being taped.

I wish to make a full statement.

I'd like you to give this news to my
mother.

And for the love of God, get Mark
Felsham there when you do.

Please.

I can't understand his reluctance to
tell us more about it.

Can you?

You know what police were like.

Everything by the book?

You're right.

Yeah, yeah.

Thank you for coming, Doctor.

Quite frankly, I'd rather be a million
miles away. You're sure about this? John

Brewster's confessed. Right now, he's
making a full statement.

Good evening, Mr. Rooster.

There.

Chief Inspector Morse has some bad news.

Very bad news.

Oh.

Then perhaps I'd better hear it.

Earlier today, I took your son into
custody.

This evening, he admitted killing his
father.

That's ridiculous.

John killed his father.

I have never heard such rubbish.

Why would he tell me that? Why would he?

Your husband told him that he was about
to leave you and that he was going to

marry Wendy Haslett.

That is vile rubbish.

Matthew left that slut two years ago, he
told me.

He said he'd made a mistake and begged,
begged for my forgiveness.

Please. No!

I won't have it. I won't listen to this.
I want to see my son. That's not wise.

May I see him?

May I speak to my son?

Wait for me.

And she survived, Doctor.

She's had a massive heart attack, Chief
Inspector.

The odds are not good.

Mark, what the hell's going on? Why
wasn't I called earlier?

This is Chief Inspector Morse. Chief
Inspector, this is Thomas Neely, the

booster solicitor.

Under the circumstances, I thought it
best to call him.

Why wasn't I told about this?

Your client was informed of his rights,
Mr Neely. He didn't ask for a solicitor.

He just sat there and confessed to
murder, hmm? Yes.

I intend to listen to his confession in
the morning.

You're welcome to be there, say, ten o
'clock.

In the meantime, I'd like to speak to my
client, if you don't mind.

Why should I mind?

Morning.

Morning.

You've got it back.

A blocked fuel line, they say. Come on.
I was going to give it a trial run.

No, thank you.

I thought you should know that we've
arrested someone for Matthew Brewster's

murder.

Who? His son, John.

You're joking.

Why should a son want to kill his
father? Because he didn't like the idea

father taking off with another woman.

The nurse?

Yes.

I don't expect you to agree, Mr Morse,
but I can't help seeing there's some

of justice for Avril.

I can't see it that way, no. But if I'm
wrong, Mrs. Brewster hasn't escaped her

measure of divine judgment.

How's that, Mr. Morse?

She collapsed when we told her about her
son.

She'll be all right, then?

Her chances aren't very good.

I'd taken Jane's aqualung from the club
and some rope and tape from the boot of

my car.

I walked back to the garage and waited.

I had a gun.

When my father drove into the garage, I
got in behind him and had him into the

car.

There's a lot more to come.

I want to hear something again.

I walked back to the garage and waited.

I had a gun.

When my father drove into the garage, I
got in behind him and...

Nothing wrong.

I want to talk to him again, and I'd
like you there, McNeely.

Your solicitor has objected to your
treatment here, Mr. Brewster.

He wants you to go over your statement
again.

You freely admit to killing your father?

Yes.

You waited until he drove into the
garage, got him behind him?

Yes.

How many more times do I have to say it?

When you say you waited in the garage,
do you mean you were hiding there?

Yes.

But how could you have known that your
father would drive into the garage?

Your mother said that if he intended
leaving early in the morning, he often

parked in the drive.

I just don't know how... I waved him in.

That was it. I waved him in.

I remembered when I was hiding in the
garage that he might not come in, so I

waved him in.

You waved him in.

Satisfied, Mr. Neely?

Yes.

Chief Inspector?

What the hell was that all about?

Would you agree that your client just
lied to me? Is he mad?

You don't expect me to answer that, do
you? Why would a man admit to murder and

then lie about how he did it?

All right.

I think he lied.

But you have evidence, Morse. The diving
gear, the tape, a damn confession. I

have everything but the truth.

Inspector, what's wrong?

I have John Brewster in custody. He says
he killed his father.

Incredible.

I can't believe it. You may be right not
to, Miss Foley. Why don't you get in

and I can give you the details.

What is this?

How did you get in here? Mr. Neely got
me in. We've come to get you out.

I don't understand it. Did they confess?

Why? Did they threaten you?

Threaten me?

Nobody's threatened me. Look, John, sit
down and shut up. Jane's got something

to say.

More to say, you used my aqualung. If
you had, you'd be dead.

The bloody thing's not working.

The valve jammed and won't let air
through.

Once more, we can prove it.

I asked the instructor to get it
repaired two weeks ago.

He never got round to it. I'll have you
out of here in five minutes. No.

No.

You mustn't do that.

They mustn't know.

Don't you see?

They have to believe. What do we have to
believe, Mr Brewster?

That you killed your father.

Not anymore, we don't.

You've no idea.

You don't know what you've done.

So, if it wasn't Stebbings, then it
wasn't the son, doesn't it have to be

missus?

Why else would John Brewster have
confessed if not to protect his mother?

It's difficult to arrive at any other
conclusion.

You see, I ruled her out simply because
I thought she was physically incapable

of killing anyone.

This way, Sergeant.

We had to let John Brewster go.

I know. He phoned to ask about Claire.

Coffee? Yeah,

his confession was a lie.

We think he was trying to protect his
mother.

Would she have been up to it, sir?

Physically, I mean.

Perhaps I'd better show you her records,
Sergeant.

I looked after Claire for five years.

I'd hardly describe her as a robust
human being.

I see what you mean.

This date here, sir, the 10th of June,
1989, does that mean she was in here

day? Yes, and overnight. Why?

I've kept her in on a number of
occasions.

I'll be as brief as I can. I don't want
to keep you from the oil. No, I was just

finishing anyway.

These are very good.

Thank you.

You're not in the market by any chance,
are you?

I might be, I'd like to say.

Yes, through a small gallery, are you?

I could let you have a card before you
go.

Right.

Now.

There's just one question, Miss Haslett.
Is it possible that Claire Brewster

knew that her husband was about to leave
her?

I don't think so.

I know Matthew was very worried about
how she might take the news. He

wasn't eager to tell her.

Is that it?

Yes, that's it.

Right, I'll let you have that card.

That one's not for sale, Chief
Inspector.

Oh? No, it's a private commission.

The setting's somewhere in Wales. Do you
like it?

Very much. Well, there's my card. The
gallery's not very far out of town.

Thank you. I look forward to going.

Chief Inspector, one thing.

Your question.

Why don't you ask Claire?

I'm afraid I can't.

Claire Brewster is critically ill in
hospital.

Well, I'll leave you in this.

Where the hell have you been?

Bruce's clinic.

I wanted to check.

Have you come up with something?

Yeah.

Whether it's relevant or not, I don't
know.

This morning I went down to the
Radcliffe infirmary.

Mark Felsham showed me Claire Bruce's
medical file.

According to the file, she was in the
Radcliffe for treatment on June the

1989, right?

Yes. In the trial transcript, the
Brewster's QC quotes three successful

operations similar to Avril Stebbing as
proof of the Brewster's competence.

Even gave the dates.

One of those operations took place on
June the 10th, 1989.

So what did you find out at the clinic?

Claire Brewster signed as the
anaesthetist that day.

So, I checked against all the dates
given in Felsham's medical records,

two other examples of her being in two
places at the one time.

There's nothing else, sir.

Proved Michael Steppings was right.

That was one dodgy clinic.

The proof was right here in the trial
transcript all the time.

If you compare it to the clinic's
records, I mean.

But you'd have to be told what was in
the transcript, wouldn't you?

And know what to compare it with.

Yeah, obviously.

You said that Steppings had asked for a
transcript.

When was that?

I don't know, sir. I could soon find
out, though.

Yes, do that, would you, then?

Oh, hello.

You have a patient there, Claire
Brewster. I'd just like to know how she

No, a friend.

Colonel's friend.

Ah, no.

I don't think so.

Michael Stepping's asked for the
transcript nine months ago.

More than a year after the trial.

Why? It doesn't make sense.

Doesn't it?

It was shortly after Wendy Hazlitt
started work at Burnley Green.

And what if she told him where to look?

The transcript itself isn't enough.

Was that break -in at the clinic, Lewis?

What was it you said?

Some filing cabinets were damaged? Now,
when was that?

Eight months ago.

Hazlitt starts work at Burnley Green?

And then suddenly Michael Steppings
wants a transcript of the Brewster

He gets one and there follows a break
-in at the clinic.

There's nothing taken.

No drugs, no equipment.

The intruder contents himself with
rummaging through some files.

It has to be coincidence.

Hazlitt and Steppings, he threatened
them. Trying to have a fact.

They were enemies.

I was at her home, Lewis.

I saw a painting.

It was by her. It was recent.

And for my money, it was of the view
from Stepping's window.

Now, how was it done if they're such
enemies?

But he had an alibi.

The man had an alibi.

He's saying the witness lied.

Why not?

All I know is that if I'm right about
that painting, and I think I am, then

she's lied to me. Not only about the
painting, but about how well she knew

stepping. These prints, they're
identical.

Margaret Jeffreys and Wendy Hazlitt are
one and the same person.

Miss Wendy Haslett?

Yes. We'd like you to come with us, Miss
Haslett.

Look, I'm afraid I can't. I'm going
away.

No, you're not.

Here, check it on that one.

Go on, Ted.

Left in a hurry by the look of it.

Call the hospital, ask if he's been
there. If he hasn't, then he's not gone.

I want that hospital watched at all
times.

Roger.

Let me be clear about this, Miss
Hazlett.

You were an unqualified person, and yet
you were acting as an anaesthetist at

the Brewster Clinic.

When Claire became ill, she had to cut
her workload.

They couldn't afford a qualified
replacement, so Matthew asked me if I

help out.

He knew I wouldn't refuse.

I was to handle only minor cases when
Claire wasn't feeling up to it or had to

go into the Radcliffe.

And it worked.

Until Avril Steppings came in.

I didn't give her enough anaesthetic.

When Matthew started to cut, she went
into cardiac arrest.

I panicked.

Froze.

Why was Claire bruised?

lying down in her office. By the time
she got to theatre, the damage had been

done.

You told the court you followed the
proper procedure.

Yes.

And after all that, when I'd helped him,
I'd risked imprisonment,

ruined the young girl's life.

Matthew Brewster rejected me.

I suddenly saw him for what he was. He
was just an old man wanting a bit on the

side.

So I decided he was going to pay for
that.

You didn't have the stomach for it
yourself, so you went to Michael

Is that why you took the job at Burnley
Green?

Well, I... I had to judge the strength
of his feeling.

He'd made threats in court, but anyone
can make threats.

That first time...

He saw me by Avril's bedside. I knew
what he was capable of.

So I told him the truth.

Look, he understood that it hadn't been
my fault, that I'd been used.

And the alibi?

Six months ago, Steppings gave me the
money to buy a house in Harrogate. I

my name as Margaret Jeffreys.

What happened in the pub?

When I arrived, Steppingham had already
left.

I waited a while and gave the barmaid
the checkbook.

You said that Brewster ended the affair,
but you told Sergeant Lewis that you

and Brewster intended to get married.

Well, that was a lie, of course.

But John Brewster confirmed it.

John Brewster knew what was going on at
the clinic.

On the night of the killing, Steppings
called John.

He said he had proof of malpractice.

Now, Steppings said that he knew the
Bruces couldn't be retried for Avril,

there were other cases.

There would be fresh trials.

And all that would mean for Claire.

If John wanted to help his mother, he
would have to go to Steppings' house and

wait there till 9 .30.

If Steppings hadn't arrived by then, he
had to come back the following day.

Well, Steppings didn't show.

He was in the garage, killing Buster.

Yes.

But he'd got John out of the way,
ensuring that he had no alibi.

The next day, Steppings actually told
John what he'd done. He pointed out

options.

If he went to the police, Steppings
would publish his evidence of

If he didn't... John had to ask himself
the question, could his mother survive

another trial, possible imprisonment?

He must have thought not.

He agreed to admit to the murder in
exchange for Steppings withholding his

evidence.

But it was always possible that John's
confession would finish his mother off

and then he'd be free to tell the truth.

What would that truth be, Lewis?

That Michael Steppings was the killer?

As far as we were concerned, Bruce had
already tried to frame Steppings.

And what of Miss Hazlitt?

Why should we suppose that she'd lie for
Michael Steppings? They were mortal

enemies, weren't they?

And then there was Steppings' alibi.

Now, how could John Brewster possibly
account for that when they'd managed to

fool us?

By the time we'd taken Brewster
seriously, Hazlitt and Steppings would

Where, Miss Hazlitt?

Anywhere I wanted to go.

Stepping's promised to take care of me
after John Brewster had been put in

prison. Take care of you.

Something tells me that's exactly what
he would have done.

Nothing from the hospital, sir.

Must be out of the country by now.

I just can't believe that he'll abandon
his daughter.

It's been almost 16 hours.

What about his car? Someone must have
seen it.

It's hardly inconspicuous.

Yeah, Lewis.

Right, then.

Claire Brewster died at six this
morning.

His mother's been dead for two hours,
Lewis.

Bruce is free to tell the truth, yet he
hasn't contacted us.

What?

The writer didn't abandon her.

I found this with his bag.

Dear Mr. Morse, when you get this, I'll
be long gone.

I always knew I'd have to take off only
not so soon.

I don't know what you've found out.

So here's something for you.

Hazlitt was my alibi.

I didn't like deceiving you.

I really didn't.

And don't worry about Avril.

My ex -wife will take care of her.

Steffing said he deliberately marked the
anonymous letters.

He said if the police were halfway
clever, they'd trace the letters to him.

I was to say the letters had been sent
to my father.

The tape I was to put in Jane's locker.

How did he find out Jane was a member of
the Subaqua Club?

Through me.

He'd watched the family for months.

Jane's hobby had been a real find, he
said.

It had helped him decide on how he'd
kill my father.

He stayed in the garage the whole time,
you know.

Poetic justice, he called it.

My father had stood and watched his
daughter.

Now he could do the same.

And just as his daughter was alive, but
not alive.

So Mother would spend her remaining time
with me in prison.

Why did you kill him?

I didn't intend to kill him.

When I got to his house, he was about to
leave.

I pleaded with him.

I'd kept my part of the bargain. I
couldn't help it if it hadn't worked

He wouldn't listen.

He said if Mother recovered, it would be
to find her name in all the papers.

I tried to prevent him from leaving.

There was a wrench lying on the... And
I... He

was monstrous, Chief Inspector.

Monstrous.

Was he, Mr Brewster?

Your parents and Nurse Haglet ruined his
daughter's life.

And for no other reason than to save
money.

You knew that and you stood by them.

If Michael Steppings was monstrous Mr.

Brewster, he was made monstrous.

Can I help you?

I've come to see Avril Steppings.

Are you a relative?

No, no, nothing like that.

Her father and I were friends for a
while.

That's all.

Well, I'm afraid Avril's no longer with
us.

Her mother arrived and asked us to take
her off the life support system.

I'm so very sorry.

What's wrong?

He's not there anymore, Lois.

Ah.

Seems a shame to waste, doesn't it?

Red roses? About the most expensive
flowers around.

Not really.

I plundered some flowers once before
they had a much higher price tag.