All language subtitles for Agatha.Christies.Marple.S05E04.HDTV.XviD-BiA

Where are they?!

Open this door, in the name
of the People!

Yes, sir.

- What do you want at this late hour?
- Your son!

No!

Mama!

- By order of the Commune...
- I take orders from no one.

Mama!

I am your Queen,
Marie Antoinette.

We are to take Louis Charles...

Mama!

- You will not lay one finger on him!
- For his own safety.

Mama, mama,
don't let them take me!

You can't take him.

You can't take him!

Not my boy!

- No!
- Leave me alone!

- Have mercy.
- Mama!

- Let me go!
- Please!

Let go of him or we'll kill
the lot of you!

Mama!

You can't do this,
please, no!

- No, not my boy!
- Take him away!

Not my baby!

God Himself
has forsaken me...

Didn't she look lovely
on her way to the guillotine?

Oh yes, lovely.

Oh, imagine going to all that trouble
just to have your head cut off.

Oh, isn't she gorgeous?
It's like a dream, Jane.

My new neighbor, on the silver screen.
It's too thrilling.

It is exciting, isn't it?

Poor Arthur
must be spinning in his grave.

I couldn't be happier,
really, I couldn't.

Oh, Dolly.

Do you think she'll pop round
for cups of sugar?

The Mirror Crack'd
from Side to Side

Synced by Reef
www.addic7ed.com

Hollywood
has come to the home counties.

Movie star Marina Gregg has left
the palm trees and glitter of Los Angeles

for the leafy lanes and picturesque
villages of rural England.

Miss Gregg has taken up
residence

with her dashing young English
husband, film director Jason Rudd,

at Gossington Hall,
St. Mary Mead,

and seems to be loving her
new role as lady of the manor.

But it's not all huntin', fishin'
and shootin' for Miss Gregg.

She's hard at work
on a new film,

after her successful comeback
as Marie Antoinette.

This time she's taking
on another queen:

the Egyptian beauty
Nefertiti.

Yes, Marina Gregg is truly
queen of all she surveys.

She's in a very good mood today.
She's been out riding with her husband.

- How lovely.
- Yes.

She's quite taken
to country pursuits.

And what position
do you hold, Mr. Preston?

I'm Miss Gregg's exclusive
personal assistant.

Your guests, Marina.

- Riding makes me feel so alive.
- I know exactly what you mean.

Arthur, my late husband, always
got a little frisky after a canter.

- Do help yourselves.
- Thank you, Miss Gregg.

I love your English tea.

- Are you all right, Mrs. Bantry?
- Yes, I'm fine, thank you.

Only you're looking at me
rather strangely.

Am I? Oh, I'm so
frightfully sorry.

It must be the shock of seeing
you with your head back on.

We had the very great
pleasure of seeing you

in Marie Antoinette
the other afternoon.

- We were in shreds, weren't we, Jane.
- Yes.

- That's a very special movie for us.
- It's when we first met.

I hadn't acted for a while.

And I had the privilege
of directing her.

- I tell you, ladies, I was in awe.
- My darling...

- Such a gent!
- And so young. Gosh.

- Have a scone, Mrs. Bantry.
- Yes, please, help yourself.

Let them eat cake!

It must feel quite odd being
back in your old home, Mrs. Bantry.

But it's all so different.

I do hope, I really do,
that you don't mind

the way we pulled the house around
and changed things...?

You must think we're
the most terrible intruders.

No, not at all.

I'm thrilled you bought it and
I adore living in the lodge.

Your coming here

is one of the most exciting things
that's ever happened, isn't it, Jane?

Oh, yes, and we're all so looking
forward to the garden party.

- So you have no regrets.
- It's a new lease of life, Mr. Rudd.

Since the sale went through,
I've been traveling all over the place,

seeing my children
and grandchildren.

- You have children?
- Yes.

I have two sons, two daughters,
and nine grandchildren... So far.

It's great fun
being a grandmother.

- I wouldn't know.
- All the fun and none of the worry.

It's not too chilly for you,
is it, Miss Marple?

No, Mr. Rudd, thank you.
It's-it's very pleasant.

I'm sure you'll be very
happy here, Miss Gregg.

- Arthur and I had such good times.
- And we will too, won't we, Jason?

Home at last...
What a wonderful feeling.

How do you think
she keeps herself looking so young?

Maybe she eats
monkey glands.

Maybe it's that
cute young husband.

- How many has she had now?
- This is number five.

- It must be very tiring.
- Oh, exhausting. One was enough for me.

Dear old Gossington.

I shan't miss it,
you know.

You've made the
right decision, Dolly.

This is a lovely
little house,

perfectly placed
to keep an eye on things.

Yoo-hoo! Hi!

Ooh!

Oh!

Stupid...

Oh, dear.

Oh, that was
a nasty spill.

That young man was
driving like a mad thing.

I hope you haven't
hurt yourself.

- I went over on my ankle.
- That wretched pothole.

I shall have another word
with Councilor Hubbard.

Oh, dear,
let me help you.

I'll make you a nice cup of tea.
This is you, isn't it?

- Well, yes, but I'm perfectly all right.
- No, no, nonsense, you are bit shaken!

I don't take sugar,
Miss Badcock.

Oh, you must have sugar.
It's good for shock.

I was abroad with the ambulances during
the war and sugar always did the trick.

There now, you get that down,
you'll be right as rain.

I'm afraid I've put you
to a lot of trouble.

Oh, no, it's no trouble,
I can assure you.

What is the use if
you can't help each other?

That's what I say.
There.

Were you, um...

Were you on your way anywhere
in particular, Miss Marple?

I was on my way home,
actually, from Gossington Hall.

- Gossington Hall?
- Yes.

- You know Marina Gregg?
- I just met her, as a matter of fact.

Well, I never!

It's so exciting that she's chosen
to come and live here, isn't it?

I've always been
the most huge fan.

Look what I just bought.

I've been collecting photographs, magazine
articles, all sorts about her for years.

When I was a teenager,
I used to dream about her.

I'm so excited about
the garden party.

Excuse me, sir.

Vinnie, honey...

You're reading
your article again?

I just can't help
myself, pumpkin.

Oh, you're such
a clever boy.

Uh-uh.

Not the hair.

What say we take a spin
in the country this weekend?

Oh, Vinnie, I'd adore it.

Isn't England fun?

It's just like being in one of
those old-fashioned comedies.

Let's hope Marina
gets the joke.

Mwah!

How frightfully galling.

Dr. Haydock's insisted, quite
unnecessarily in my opinion,

that I rest it for a day or two.
Oh, thank you, Cherry.

- I was so looking forward to it.
- To be honest, I rather envy you.

I can't stand village do's...

Stale buns and warm
lemonade and tea.

No, I intend making a beeline for
the house and having a jolly good snoop.

Hang on, who's this?

- No, no...
- All right.

Tea, madam?

Marina!

- Councilor... and Mrs. Hubbard?
- That's right.

I'm Ella Blunt,
Jason Rudd's assistant.

- Would you care to follow me?
- Oh, yes, we'd love to.

- Mrs. Bantry?
- Oh, Mr. Preston!

Miss Gregg is greeting
a few special guests upstairs.

Yes, yes...

If you'd like
to follow me.

- Oh, how exciting!
- Yes...

Do take that.
Thank you.

Hold your stomach in.

Oh, roped off,
that's sensible, isn't it?

Yes, stop people
crashing in.

Excuse me?
Would you look this way?

Lovely.

Thank you.

Quite flashed
into my eyes.

Councilor
and Mrs. Hubbard.

How very
nice of you to come.

I do hope you enjoy
your afternoon.

- Jason...
- Let me get you a drink.

Mrs. Dolly Bantry.

Oh, Mrs. Bantry, it is
nice of you to come.

I wouldn't have missed it
for the world.

- I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Marple.
- Oh, she'll be on her feet in no time.

Jason,
look who's here.

- Ah, lovely to see you.
- Oh, Mr. Rudd.

Can I get
you a drink?

Primrose, why aren't
you in the studio?

Oh, Miss Blunt asked if I'd
help out here, Mr. Preston.

Did she now?

- Doctor Gerard Haydock.
- Just what the doctor ordered.

- So thoughtful of you to invite me.
- My pleasure, Doctor.

Tell me, what might
I have seen you in?

Doctor, may I
interest you in a drink?

I thought you'd never ask.
A scotch would go down a treat.

Primrose, those drinks
won't serve themselves.

Sorry, miss.

I've got the most
frightful thirst.

Aren't you
absolutely panting?

Miss Heather Badcock.

Oh, my God.

- Very buzzy, eh, Mrs. B?
- It's quite thrilling, Mrs. Hubbard.

Even my Leonard's
in quite a tizzy.

It takes a lot to get
him excited, believe me.

Miss Badcock is the indefatigable
secretary of the association.

Oh, Doctor!

I don't know what St. John
would do without her.

How wonderful.

Yes, she's always ready
with a smile and a helping hand.

Jason, I'm sure
Miss Badcock would like a drink.

You don't remember me, then?
Well, why should you?

It was years ago,
in Bermuda of all places.

I was there with
one of our units

and you came to open a show
in aid of St. John Ambulance.

Yes, of course.

I was just a girl
and absolutely thrilled.

Who'd be a film star,
eh, Mrs. B?

All that rubbish
you have to listen to.

- The doctor said I couldn't go.
- What a pity!

It's wonderful what they've done
to the old place, don't you think?

You know,
it's charming, gorgeous.

He's forced a vodka on me.
I'm not sure I like it.

So I said to myself, "I won't be beaten."
I got up, slapped some makeup on...

Knock it back, Mrs. Hubbard.
It's what you do with vodka.

Oh!

Have you got
pictures of Lola?

Lola! Mr. Hogg!

Miss Brewster?
Mr. Hogg?

Could you hold
there, please?

I've never forgotten how
wonderful you were that day.

It was a hundred
times worth it.

Darling?

Darling...?

Now what will you have to drink?
Jason, cocktails.

Ooh, I don't
know whether I should.

Let your hair
down, Miss Badcock.

- I suppose it is a special day.
- That's the spirit!

Have a daiquiri, Miss Badcock.
It's Marina's favorite.

- Oh, thanks.
- Darling?

I've had three already.

Lola Brewster and
Vincent Hogg.

I do not believe it!

Vincent!

- And Lola!
- My dear.

- Well, aren't you the dark horses.
- This house, it's so...

- Ancient.
- And so fitting.

I always knew you'd
end up in an old pile.

Dear Vincent.

Such a riot.

Rudd.

Let's have a nose around.

Do you think
we should?

This used to be
a bathroom.

It still is.

- Oh, I'm sorry!
- Hay fever. Nightmare.

Please excuse me.

Two basins!

- Look at this, my dear.
- Oh, dear Lord...

This used
to be our bedroom.

Oh, I say!

Oh!

I can't imagine
your Arthur in here.

Oh, do look at this!

Oh!

Oh, Dolly.

And this through here,
this used to be Arthur's seat.

- What was that?
- Yes, what was it?

What on earth is going on?

- Mr. Preston, what's happening?
- It's one of the ladies.

She's had a sort of seizure
or a fit or something.

- It's probably the heat.
- Yes, I'd better get some smelling salts.

Oh, dear.

Ah, Mr. Rudd,
how is she?

Mr. Preston's gone for
some smelling salts.

It's a bit late for that.

Oh, my goodness.

Heather
Badcock...?

- Dead as a doornail.
- Oh dear.

- And at the garden party!
- Dear me.

Yes. Full of beans one minute,
pegged out the next.

- What did she die of?
- No one knows.

She was fit as a
fiddle apparently.

Mind you, she always did have
that sort of ripe look,

like a piece of fruit
that's about to go off.

There's going to be an inquest
and a postmortem.

Well, of course,
under the circumstances.

Great heavens.
Heather Badcock.

- You don't think it'd be suicide, do you?
- Oh, no, no, she wasn't the type.

No, you're right,
you're right.

And anyway, why go to a party
to kill yourself?

No, no, it's
obviously murder.

- Oh, Jane, these are for you.
- Oh, thank you.

Cherry?

Leave her.
She's sleeping.

There was a kind
of reception committee

at the top of the stairs
for selected guests

and Heather Badcock arrived
shortly after I did.

Miss Heather Badcock.

Dr. Haydock introduced
her to Marina Gregg.

Miss Badcock is the
indefatigable secretary of...

Oh, doctor!

I don't know what St. John
would do without her.

How wonderful!

And Marina listened charmingly

while Heather went
on and on and on

about how she'd met Marina
years ago somewhere or other.

She wasn't very tactful,
I must say, because

she was emphasizing about
how long ago it was

and I don't think actresses like
to be reminded of how old they are.

But Heather Badcock
wouldn't think of that, would he?

No, I'm afraid she would not.

I mean, one wouldn't
wish her dead, but...

She was rather tiresome.

But Miss Gregg took it all
in good part?

- Well, yes, but...
- What?

Well...

When Miss Badcock was talking,
I got the impression

that Marina wasn't listening
after all.

She was staring over
Miss Badcock's shoulder,

and when Miss Badcock had finished,
there was an odd silence.

She was staring at the wall
opposite,

staring with...

Oh, how can I explain it?

Do try, Dolly.

She had a sort of...

She had a sort
of frozen look,

as if she'd seen...

No, let me put it like this.
Do you remember The Lady of Shalott?

"Out flew the web
and floated wide,"

"The mirror crack'd
from side to side,"

"'The doom has come upon me,'
cried the Lady of Shalott."

That's what she looked like.

- She was staring at the wall, you think?
- Well, she seemed to be.

Was there anything
on the wall?

Oh, I don't know.
Pictures, I think.

I don't think pictures
would be the reason.

No, especially as she'd see them
every day.

Were people still coming up
the stairs?

You mean she might have been
looking at one of them?

Yes, it's possible.

Well, there was a bit
of a to-do

when Lola Brewster arrived
with Vincent Hogg.

And also there was a young woman
there taking photographs.

- A photographer?
- Yes, she took one of me.

And then Marina, all of a sudden,
seemed to pull herself together.

I think... I think her husband
nudged her or something

and she was back to her old
charming self.

Now what would you like to drink?
Jason-cocktails.

- Oh, I don't know whether I should.
- Let your hair down, Miss Badcock.

- I suppose it is a special day.
- That's the spirit!

Have a daiquiri, Miss Badcock.
It's Marina's favorite.

Oh, thanks.

He gave a glass to
the Badcock woman and one to his wife.

- Daiquiris, I think.
- That's very interesting, Dolly.

Very interesting indeed.

But who on earth would want
to kill Heather Badcock?

- Unless she knew something.
- No.

If she'd known anything, she'd never
be able to keep it to herself.

- Perhaps she was blackmailing someone.
- Blackmail?

- The thought wouldn't enter her head.
- No, I suppose you're right.

It reeks of murder, though,
doesn't it?

The whole idea seems
so very unlikely.

Unless, of course,
it was the wrong murder.

An odd place
to choose, isn't it, sir?

What do you mean,
Tiddler?

Well, if I was going to poison
someone, spike their drink like,

I wouldn't choose a do with
loads of people milling around.

I mean, someone's bound
to notice, aren't they?

That's what we're
going to find out.

So, what was it then? Arsenic
or cyanide or something?

According to the inquest
it was an overdose

of hyethyldexyl-
barboquindelorytate.

Right.

It's an antidepressant, Tiddler,
commonly known as Calmo.

Widely prescribed in America,
but you could also get it here.

They found six times
the recommended dose inside her,

and she never use the stuff,
according to her doctor.

So are we actually gonna, like,
meet Marina Gregg then, sir?

Of course we are.
Damned fool question.

Are you a fan
of hers, Tiddler?

I am... sort of...
Yes, sir.

A bit old for you,
isn't she?

There...

Oh...

So, Inspector,

our local murder is considered worthy
of the attention of Scotland Yard?

Yes, Miss Marple.

The involvement of a Hollywood
star raises its profile somewhat.

Should I be honored that I am
your first port of call?

Commissioner Clithering
speaks very highly of you.

Ah, dear Sir Henry.
How is he enjoying his retirement?

- I suspect he's a little restless.
- Yes...

I can well
understand that, yes.

- How is the ankle?
- Oh, better, thank you, much better.

I must say, it is quite
a coincidence

that the woman who helped you when you
fell should be murdered a few days later.

Yes, isn't it?

I don't suppose you had any
intuition of this, did you?

Oh, good heavens, no.
What an idea. No, but...

Although she did remind me
of someone I once knew.

- Who was that?
- Alison Wilde.

Very kind and
full of life,

but only ever saw things
from her own perspective.

- And what's Miss Wilde doing now?
- Oh, she's dead, Inspector.

Would you care
for a Garibaldi?

No, thank you.

Oh, so sorry.

It is a pity you weren't at the garden
party yourself, Miss Marple.

Yes, isn't it? But
my friend Dolly Bantry was.

It was Mrs. Bantry who sold
Gossington Hall to Marina Gregg.

- And did Mrs. Bantry see anything?
- Yes indeed, she did.

And what was that?

Are you familiar with
The Lady Of Shalott?

And she was staring as if
she'd seen something awful.

- Just like the Lady Of Shalott.
- "The curse has come upon me"

Exactly!

Have you any idea what
she was looking at, Mrs. Bantry?

Well, I wish I knew. She seemed to be
looking over Mrs. Badcock´s shoulder.

- At the people coming up the stairs?
- I really couldn't say.

Oh, dear, I'm not explaining
myself terrible well, am I?

Oh, you're doing
very well, darling.

My husband never knew
what I was talking about.

Poor Arthur...

- You all right there, Sergeant?
- Yes, thank you, ma'am.

Do you know, I once
had a cat called Tiddles.

- It's Tiddler, ma'am.
- Is it? How lovely...

- Marina Gregg, darling...
- Yes, yes, of course. Well...

You see... I wondered what on earth
it was that made her look like that.

And then, I didn't think
anymore about it.

But then again...

I may have imagined
the whole thing.

Has that been helpful?

Never say Nefertiti.

Like a curse from
the mummy's tomb,

Marina Gregg seems dogged
by tragedy.

At a garden party for
the St. John Ambulance,

hosted by Miss Gregg
in her new country home

as a rather unconvincing
Lady Bountiful,

the secretary of
the local association,

a garrulous spinster by
the name of Heather Badcock,

suddenly dropped down dead.

The dreary proceedings, at which
Marina Gregg greeted guests

with the hauteur
of a minor royal, were...

Ironically kick-started
into life

by what is now being
treated as murder.

For the time being,

Miss Gregg is too distraught to continue
work on her new film, Nefertiti,

or is she merely having a pit
of being upstaged at her own party?

That's the one.

She was sitting right there
and she just went.

One minute she was fine,
and the next...

I thought she'd had a seizure
or a fit or something.

What she did have was six times the
maximum dose of a substance called Calmo.

Everybody takes Calmo.

- I don't.
- Oh, you should.

It is absolutely marvelous.

It bucks you up and it soothes you
down, if you take my meaning.

Would there be supplies
of it in the house?

Yeah, place is lousy with it.
Bottles of it everywhere.

Where exactly did Miss Gregg
receive her guests?

Well, she was standing
right about here.

And, oh, yes, there was a very
persistent photographer from London.

Margot something-or-other.
A chic beatniky type.

- She was taking photographs.
- And people were coming up the stairs?

Mm-hmm.

Yes, in driblets.

I brought up the VIPs, you might say,
and Ella Blunt brought up the rest.

- She's Mr. Rudd's secretary.
- And you are Miss Gregg's secretary?

Exclusive personal
assistant, Inspector.

And were you here the time
that Miss Badcock came up?

I'm ashamed to say, Inspector,
that I just cannot remember.

I have a feeling that I must
have gone back downstairs

to look after Vincent Hogg
and Lola Brewster.

Hi, Miss Brewster, how are you?
Mr. Hogg, right this way.

We'll go
on upstairs.

- Vincent...?
- Hogg, sir.

He's a journalist who used
to be married to Miss Gregg.

Oh, a fan! Well, we must
have a chat sometime.

This Vincent Hogg chappie...

Yes! We didn't even know
he was in the country.

So his turning up was
something of a surprise?

- You bet.
- A pleasant surprise, would you say?

- Oh, yes.
- And what about Lola Brewster?

Well, she was
a nice surprise, too.

So Miss Gregg was happy
to see them?

She couldn't have been happier;
in fact, she was thrilled.

- To see her ex-husband?
- Yes.

- With a redhead on his arm?
- That's Hollywood.

Well, I should like to have a word
with Miss Gregg, if I may.

Oh, but you can't,
she's totally prostrated.

Nevertheless, I'd still
like to speak to her.

Well, I'm afraid that's out
of the question, Inspector.

You see, the doctor came by this morning
and he gave her a little sedation.

I must say it's a relief to be
with someone who's normal.

What do you mean,
Doctor?

I've been attending
to Miss Marina Gregg.

Oh, is she ill?

Not remotely, but she's behaving
as if she were at Death's door.

Well, she must be very much upset
about Miss Badcock's death.

Her nerves are shot to pieces,
or so she kept telling me,

and would probably still be telling me,
had I not given her a sedative.

Such a shock, someone suddenly dying
like that in the middle of your party.

If you ask me, her upset has nothing
to do with Miss Badcock's death.

- Really?
- I probably shouldn't be saying this.

Oh, I assure you it
won't go any further.

So obsessed is she with herself,
she even said that,

"It was meant for me,
Doctor."

The poisoned drink?
She actually said that, did she?

- Yes, she certainly did.
- Why on earth would she say that?

Quite preposterous to claim
this tragedy as her own,

with poor Miss Badcock
barely cold in the ground.

Tell me, Doctor, can you
remember what happened

after Mr. Rudd served Miss Badcock
and Miss Gregg their drinks?

Yes, there were still guests
coming up the stairs.

There was a couple, I recall...

Lola Brewster
and Vincent Hogg.

A suave-looking chap and
a rather flashy-looking redhead.

I do not
believe it!

Miss Badcock and I
were shifted off a little.

And Miss Badcock drank
her daiquiri then?

No, because she wouldn't stop
talking about Miss Marina Gregg.

Ooh... oop.

- Excuse me.
- Yes, of course.

When did she drink it?

Well, it would have been
a little while after.

It was getting a bit crowded
by then.

Someone knocked
into her and she spilt it.

- She spilt it?
- Yes.

It went down her dress and
Miss Gregg's dress, I believe.

- Oh, sorry!
- Don't worry, it's only a Chanel.

- I'm so sorry, Miss Gregg.
- Here, wipe yourself.

I'm sorry.

Have this, why don't you?
I haven't touched it yet.

- She handed over her own drink?
- Yes.

- Are you quite sure of that, Doctor?
- Yes. Yes, I am.

And Miss Badcock took it?

No, she didn't want to at first,

but, yes, she took it.

And did what?

I've had far
too much already.

Drank it.

Rather quickly,
if memory serves.

Then I got chatting
to Councilor Hubbard,

and the next thing
I knew...

- Miss Badcock? Preston!
- Is everything all right?

- Can I get her anything?
- Get some smelling salts.

She was dead.

Mmm.

Well, Miss Marple, I'm delighted to tell
you that you are now off the sick list.

But here's something
for the pain.

But what if Miss Gregg is right, that
the poisoned drink was meant for her?

She might still
be in danger.

Yes, but, well, you know
what actresses are like.

Tell me, Doctor, do you know
if she's told her husband any of this?

No, she didn't.
I am quite sure of that.

In fact I even suggested that
perhaps she should.

It is extraordinary.

What is?

A good dose of sleuthing always
brings the color to your cheeks.

Inspector Hewitt.

- Inspector?
- Ah, Miss Marple.

- I've just seen Dr. Haydock.
- Nothing serious I hope.

No, on the contrary,
I'm perfectly well, thank you.

He mentioned something that
I think you ought to know.

This business has made us all
a bit edgy.

Especially your wife,
I understand.

She's sensitive at the best of times.
This hasn't exactly helped.

Excuse me, Mr. Rudd.

We were wondering if Miss Gregg
might be available

for a costume fitting
tomorrow morning?

How the hell
should I know?

I've been told your wife
was rather distracted

while Heather Badcock
was speaking to her.

Cut it.

It's perfectly possible. All this
handshaking does get a little tedious.

But you didn't notice
anything yourself?

Well, I think I did give
her a nudge at one point

to wake her up, but she
was fine after that.

- I'm sorry to interrupt...
- Twenty minutes, John!

Mr. Rudd...

I've got two dozen
journalists on the phone,

Jason, wanting to know when
they can speak to either you or Marina.

- I'll get back to you.
- They're very persistent.

- Ten minutes, Ella, okay?
- Okay.

As you can see, things are pretty
hectic, so if you wouldn't mind...

Mr. Rudd, has it occurred
to you that the poisoning

of Heather Badcock may have
been entirely accidental?

And that the real intended
victim was your wife?

Very astute, Inspector.
That's what I've thought all along.

Then why haven't
you said anything?

Because I don't want her
to suspect for one moment

that someone's out
to kill her.

Look out!

Hogg.

Hello?

I saw you do it.

What?

Honey, who is it?

I saw you put the tablets
in the glass.

You're husband number...?

Five.

Almost a cliché,
isn't it?

She's got it into her head that
she's cursed with bad luck.

Well, I have every intention
of proving her wrong.

Good for you.

You see, Inspector,
she expects too much.

She really believes
you can be happy ever after.

- Well, life's not like that, is it?
- And what about children?

That's one of the reasons
she considers herself unlucky.

She finally resorted to adoption
and then of course got pregnant.

She was over the moon,
but the result was catastrophic.

She gave birth to a boy who was severely
retarded and had a complete breakdown.

I met her on her comeback movie,
Marie Antoinette,

shortly after
she'd recovered.

- And the son?
- He had to be put into a home.

In America?

Yes, but he was recently moved
into a home over here.

Does she see him?

Too much contact would drive her
over the edge and we can't risk that.

But life goes on.

Not for
Miss Badcock.

It was you, wasn't it, Mr. Rudd,
who gave her her drink?

Yes, a daiquiri.

I gave one to Miss Badcock,
then one to Marina.

- It's Marina's favorite.
- Oh, thanks.

I've had three already.

And this was about the time that
Vincent Hogg and Lola Brewster appeared?

Yes.

I do not
believe it!

Vincent!
And Lola!

Marina put her
drink down on the table.

She hadn't touched it,
and greeted them.

And that's where
her drink remained.

And it was only then that it
could have been tampered with.

Don't ask me how it was done
and as for who did it,

well, you have about 20 possible
culprits to choose from.

Not now.

What then?

My wife finally managed
to retrieve her drink

when that woman must have
spilt hers.

- It's all right, really.
- I'm sorry!

And Marina offered her drink
to Miss Badcock and that was that.

But I can assure you, the fatal dose
couldn't have been added after then

because Miss Badcock drank it
immediately.

And five minutes later
she was dead.

Can you think of anyone who would
wish to harm your wife, Mr. Rudd?

I think it's fair to say that in our
business we derive a certain pleasure

from seeing colleagues
fall flat on their faces.

But as for wishing them dead,
not as a rule.

How long have you been
Mr. Rudd's secretary?

Five years.

I was part of the expats
community in L.A., and,

well, I was rather keen
to get involved in movies, so...

When Mr. Rudd offered me the job,
obviously I jumped to the chance.

You knew him
before he met Marina?

Oh, yes.

I suppose as Brits
we had a natural affinity.

He's a sort of genius, you know,
and still so young.

You like the job?

It suits my purpose, although
I hadn't bargained on murder.

Six times the recommended dose
could hardly be anything else.

- An accident?
- And how would that happen?

A lot easier than you think.
The house is simply full of drugs.

These theatrical types, they have
the most curious lapses in intelligence.

Mm...

I mean, sometimes I think
the more artistic they are,

the less common sense
they have.

I still don't see how such
an accident could happen.

One of the guests might have
wanted an upper or a downer,

having forgotten what
they had earlier,

put too much in a glass,

and then put it down,
got distracted and went off.

Along comes
Miss What's-Her-Name,

thinks it's her glass,
picks it up and drinks it.

People are very stupid,
you know.

Sorry, sir.

Tell me, Miss Blunt, does
Marina Gregg take Calmo?

Oh yes, We all do.

Have you any idea when I might
be able to talk to her?

She's always throwing
temperaments

and this has given her the perfect
opportunity to throw a really big one.

I didn't know you were
a film mag fan, Miss.

I'm not. Just curious,
that's all.

They belong to poor
Miss Badcock.

___

Inspector Hewitt kindly
procured them for me.

Would you say she
is difficult to work for?

"Difficult"...?
She's an absolute monster.

The woman has no moderation.

She's either jumping for joy
or in the depths of despair,

and there are certain topics
one simply can't mention.

Such as?

Mental breakdowns, psychiatric
hospitals, anything to do with children.

She can't have any more, and the one
she did have is completely bonkers.

- Then why bring him over here?
- Jason thought it would be for the best.

- In what way?
- To give the right impression.

I mean, after all,
Inspector,

it doesn't put Marina
in terribly good light, does it?

I mean, to move over here and leave
her son to... rot in an American asylum.

- But it's not Mr. Rudd's child, is it?
- No!

- The husband before last.
- And where is he now?

Florida.

Miss Blunt, do you know
if Marina Gregg is afraid of anyone?

Marina? Afraid?

Hay fever.
Complete nightmare.

___

___

___

___

___

A day out in London?
What a lovely idea.

I've been behaving
disgracefully, gentlemen.

Will you ever
forgive me?

I just let myself go to pieces
after this awful thing.

- Do take a seat, Inspector.
- Thank you, Miss Gregg.

This is
Sergeant Tiddler.

How adorable.

Pull up a chair, Sergeant Tiddler.
Make yourself at home.

Tiddler? Chair.

Yes, sir.

I'm so ashamed
of myself.

It's only natural that
you should have felt upset.

I'd no business making out it was
worse for me than anyone else.

Hadn't you,
Miss Gregg?

Well, hadn't you?

You're a very perceptive
inspector, aren't you?

Why do you think someone
wanted to kill you?

It was my glass, my drink
that had been tampered with.

It was just a mistake that
that woman got it.

I wouldn't have said anything,
but Jason insisted.

- You've confided in him, then?
- Dr. Haydock suggested I should.

Jason thought the same as me,
he thought it all along.

It was quite funny, really.

You didn't want to alarm me
by telling me.

I hope you're getting
this, Sergeant.

I am, ma'am.

Have you any idea, Miss Gregg, who
might have tampered with your drink?

- Of course I haven't.
- Are you certain?

- If I had, Inspector, I'd tell you.
- I'm sure you would.

I just wandered if you had
even the slightest suspicions.

It could have been anyone.
Jason, darling,

Inspector Hewitt thinks I know who spiked
my drink and I keep telling him I don't.

But I can't
help thinking

that perhaps you know a little
more than you're telling me.

- Well, I saw nothing.
- Neither did I.

- God, I'm exhausted.
- Just one more thing.

- Make him go away?
- Can't this wait, Inspector?

Someone has told me that while
Miss Badcock was speaking to you,

you looked over her shoulder and saw
something that seemed to alarm you.

- Now, is this true, Miss Gregg?
- Of course it isn't.

- What could possibly have alarmed me?
- That's what we want to find out.

It seems you might have been
looking at the staircase,

and at about that time Vincent Hogg
arrived with Lola Brewster.

Was it this that upset you?

I'm telling you I wasn't upset.
Who said I was?

Inspector, I think
it's time to go.

You didn't even know
they were coming, did you?

- I'd no idea they were even in England.
- So it was a surprise?

- Yes, it was. A delightful surprise.
- Delightful to see your ex-husband?

Inspector...

With your current husband's
ex-lover on his arm?

- Yesterday's papers, Inspector!
- So you knew about the affair, did you?

You're very persistent,
aren't you?

Did Lola Brewster ever make any
threats towards you, Miss Gregg?

- She wouldn't dare.
- Oh...

I'd heard that she pulled a gun on you
at a party after Mr. Rudd dumped her.

Let's cut to
the chase, shall we?

Lola Brewster had no opportunity
of poisoning that drink

because I was close beside
her most of the time.

Were you?

The idea that she'd come to
England and poison Marina...

- Close beside her? What were you up to?
- I wasn't up to anything!

And what about
Vincent Hogg?

The idea that that poisonous old
snake could in any way alarm me...

But there was something,
wasn't there, Miss Gregg?

- Something that distracted you?
- Okay, Inspector...

Let me put it like this.

I've had quite
a tough time recently,

but have gradually
been getting back on track

and am working my butt off, but I
still find time to open my house

to raise money for charity, and
to be nice and pleasant to everyone.

And they all say
the same thing to you,

and you say the same thing back,
over and over and over again.

Have you any idea
how boring that can be?

- Darling...
- But you do it 'cause it's your job.

And if at some point you
glaze over, then so be it.

I haven't the faintest idea
what Miss What's-Her-Face

was going on about, and I tell you,
it couldn't have been that riveting

because I did blank out, for
a second, two seconds, who cares?

I'm human, so sue me!

My only concern, Miss Gregg,
is for your safety.

An attempt was made on your life
by someone on the day of the party.

Someone who is quite
possibly still here

and who, in the scheme
of things, is bound to try again.

If you have even the vaguest
notion who that person might be,

I beg you to share it.

Perhaps you might know
something that I don't,

and if you do, you really
should tell us, for your sake.

But I don't!

How many more times
do I have to say it?!

I didn't see
anything! I didn't hear anything!

And you're all driving
me insane!

Now get out of here, the lot of you!
I want to be left in peace!

- I think you'd better...
- Yes. Thank you, Miss Gregg.

Mr. Rudd.

Any chance of an autograph,
Miss Gregg?

Get out!

She's a cracker!

___

And as we've known each
other for centuries,

we thought it would be jolly nice to have
a portrait taken as a sort of memento.

Friendship is so important,
don't you think, Miss Bence?

And having seen you at the party,
I thought... the very person.

Um, Miss Marple, can you look
a fraction less petrified?

Oh, am I...
I'll do my best.

And, Miss Bantry, perhaps not quite
so... lethal in your smile department?

Oh so... more mysterious.

Plausibly.

I expect you've taken lots of famous
people, haven't you, Miss Bence?

I'll shoot anyone
if they've got the money.

Hold it.

I gather from the press that
this woman was poisoned by mistake,

that it was in fact
intended for Marina.

That's right, sir. The overdose
was in Miss Gregg's cocktail.

Miss Badcock spilt her drink
and Miss Gregg gave her hers.

Pretty conclusive, I'd say.

You hadn't seen her
for a while?

Not since our divorce,
oh happy day!

So you didn't mind being
ditched for a younger man?

To describe our marriage as a hellish
nightmare would scarcely do it justice.

Then there was no love
lost between you?

No, Inspector, I hardly claim
to sob into my pillow every night.

Hm.

Why are you over here,
Mr. Hogg?

For my column, of course.

Marina's new film, Nefertiti,
God help us, is creating quite a buzz.

I would be negligent
to ignore it.

Now, Lola Brewster...

Ah, yes, she's been having
a little lie down.

But I'm sure
she's up and about by now.

Wasn't it provocative,
taking her to the party?

She's my partner.

- "Partner"?
- Rather American, isn't it?

Yes, we sort of gravitated
to each other as injured parties.

She's a sweet girl,
soothingly stupid.

Would it have been a shock for
Miss Gregg to see you together?

Oh, yes, most definitely.

I believe she's told certain friends
she's afraid of you, Mr. Hogg.

- I wasn't aware she had any friends.
- Answer my question, please.

Marina's an actress.
What do you expect? She plays up.

Why let something go when you can
make a five-act drama out of it?

- So she had nothing to be afraid of?
- Certainly not me, Inspector.

I'm a pussycat.

Of course, we're such big fans
of Marina Gregg, aren't we, Jane?

Are you a fan,
Miss Bence?

She can certainly act up
a storm.

Oh!

Oh...

Take this.

Mmm.

Perfect couple.

I thought she was so kind
to open her home for the party...

And it all went frightfully well, except,
of course, for poor Miss Badcock.

I'd very much like to see
your photographs, Miss Bence.

I expect you took several
of Lola Brewster.

Can you suck on the tube a little?
Smoke it up a bit?

Oh, that's just the ticket!

And hold it!

Of course, it was just about then that
Marina Gregg had that funny turn.

Did you notice that,
Miss Bence?

You were probably
imagining it, Dolly.

Well, I'm probably putting it
too strongly,

but it did seem for a moment
that she looked a little queer.

Mind you, I had just
knocked back

a ferocious martini, so I was
probably a bit squiffy.

Oh, well, you got
quite lyrical about it.

That's not like
me to be lyrical.

MISS MARPLE You quoted
Tennyson, I seem to remember.

Oh, did I?

"'The doom has come upon me,'
cried the Lady of Shalott."

Oh yes, you're right. I do love
that poem, don't you, Miss Bence?

Hmm...

Actually, it's, um...
it's "curse," not "doom."

But I know what you mean.

So you saw
it too, did you?

It's most extraordinary.

She's expressing nothing
whatever, no fear, no pain.

- Do you know, you're absolutely right.
- But there's something, isn't there?

Something she's seen,
or thought...

You capture her very
well, Miss Bence.

- Had you met before?
- Why do you ask?

Because you've worked
in America, perhaps.

How do you know that?

I've seen your name
in magazines.

I thought you may have encountered
her in a professional capacity.

I couldn't keep this, could I,
for my collection?

- Be my guest.
- Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

Of course, one can never be
sure how reliable these magazines are.

I've read, for example, that
she has any number of children

and then that she has
no children at all.

It's all most confusing,
isn't it, Dolly?

Utterly.

How many children does
she have, Miss Bence?

I haven't a clue.

Haven't you?

Haven't you really?

What are you doing here?
Has someone sent you?

No, no, we're just here to have our
photograph taken, aren't we, Jane?

Are you, Miss Marple?

What other possible reason
could there be?

- What the hell. It's hardly a secret.
- What isn't, Miss Bence?

That I'm one of the children
Marina adopted.

Well, we lived in
the East End of London,

my mother and eight of us kids,
and she simply couldn't cope.

So she did what a lot of women
did in her position

and she wrote to the rich and
famous, begged them to adopt,

and one day she got lucky.

Didn't Miss Gregg
also adopt a boy?

Yes, and for a time we lived
the most wonderful life.

Marina played her part
to the hilt.

- But she did want children, didn't she?
- Mmm, oh, yes.

She just didn't want us.

As soon as she discovered
she was pregnant, that was it.

All she wanted was
a child of her own.

- Well, you can't blame her for that.
- No...

But I can blame her for taking me,
and my mother for letting her.

And your adopted brother,
what's happened to him?

We drifted apart.
He was more resentful.

Always said that when he grew
up, he would kill her baby,

and then, of course, she gave birth
to that wretched little creature.

- Perhaps there's justice, after all.
- You hate her that much?

Why shouldn't I?

Tell me, Miss Bence,

was it Marina Gregg who arranged
for you to take photographs that day?

She knew nothing about it.

I was curious to see
her again, and...

Do you know what?
She didn't even recognize me.

I'm going down to Hellingworth Studios
to take some production shots.

I wonder if she'll
recognize me then.

- Now remember you're on duty, Tiddler.
- Yes, sir.

So for God's sake don't sit there with
your mouth open like a beached cod.

Are you going to ask me
lots of horrible questions, Officer?

It's Inspector, actually, and I hope
they won't be too horrible.

I'm sure they will be,

even though you have the kindest
eyes and the cutest smile.

You know, gentlemen, I'm sure this whole
thing must have been a terrible mistake.

- You think so, Miss Brewster?
- Oh, yes. It's all such nonsense.

As if anyone would want
to poison Marina!

She's an absolute sweetie.

- Everybody loves her.
- Including you?

I've always looked up to her.
She's such a brilliant actress.

You know, it's a scandal
she's never won an Oscar.

Still, she has a year
or two left.

Wasn't there a little trouble
between the two of you?

Oh, that!
It was nothing.

She stole my lover,
that's all.

- Jason Rudd.
- Isn't that hilarious?

- She's old enough to be his mother.
- You can't have been too pleased.

Well, I wasn't, but now I see it was
the best thing that could have happened.

I wouldn't have hooked up
with Vinnie otherwise.

- People say you were pretty furious.
- People say all sorts.

- Didn't you threaten to shoot her?
- Oh... sure...

But I didn't really mean it.

Miss Brewster, I have it
on very good authority

that you said, "That bitch needn't
think she'll get away with it."

"I'll get even
with her in the end."

- Did I really say that?
- I believe you did.

Well, I guess
I was a little mad.

We all get a little ruffled
sometimes, don't we, Inspector?

***

But do you really think I would
poison her cocktail

within three minutes
of seeing her again?

Really, Inspector, I do think
you're being a very silly boy.

I don't deny that Marina
can be a little...

Tricky, sometimes.

But she gets away with it
because we all love her so much.

She adopted some children
once, didn't she?

Yes, but I don't think
it worked out so well.

I guess it was kind of impulsive,
you know, like shopping.

You get it home, then
you think, "Oh, boring!"

Hailey Preston here.
Can I help you?

I saw you do it.

Excuse me?

I saw you put
the tablets in the glass.

- Yes?
- They're ready for you, Marina.

- Oh, Miss Gregg...
- Not now.

The usual suspects.

What the hell
are you doing here?

I'm very well,
thank you, Marina,

and I must say you look
every inch the queen.

So do you.

- Why are you here?
- We're doing the biggest spread.

Aren't you thrilled?

Vincent, you old dog!

Good heavens.
Casey!

So they still haven't
found you out?

- And Miss Brewster, as lovely as ever.
- Hi.

Marina.

- Does he play your husband?
- Yes.

Oh...

So Nefertiti also went
for men half her age?

Isn't that the cutest
coincidence?

And did you know she was
regarded as a fertility goddess?

- Quite a stretch for you, my dear.
- You bastard!

They're waiting for you.

Miss Gregg.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

Perfect. Wonderful.

We really must go.

Oh, I say!

- What are you doing here?
- Oh, good morning, Mr. Preston.

- Well, what are you doing here?
- Miss Gregg invited us.

- That's not like her.
- We're so excited, aren't we, Jane?

Oh, yes.

Why didn't
she tell me?

Scene 48, take 19.

Quiet, please!

Why
didn't you tell me this?

I'm really sorry I didn't
tell you before.

- I don't understand why you didn't.
- I didn't think it was important.

Primrose, it is
not your job to...

Quiet!

And...

Action!

My sweet lord, I am not
worthy of this honor.

Is he ever going to say
anything?

- It's your line, Marina.
- "Wife is honor enough."

I know what it is,
thank you very much!

I wouldn't hold your
breath for a sequel.

And... action!

My sweet lord, I am
not worthy of this honor.

- Wife is honor enough.
- Not worthy?

You are a thousand times worthy.
Our people await, my queen.

- Oh, my love.
- Excuse me, sorry.

- I have a line there.
- Then why the hell didn't you say it?

- I didn't have the chance.
- Dear God...

Okay, keep on rolling.
Get that outta here!

And...

Action!

My sweet lord, I am not
worthy of this honor.

- Wife is honor enough.
- Not worthy?

You are a thousand times worthy.
Our people await, my queen.

As equals we shall appear
before them.

Oh, my love...

- Is he going to do it like that?
- Okay. Hold it. Cut there.

Do it like what?

His hand slipped
below my waistline.

- No, it didn't.
- Tell him, Jason.

Casey, could you make sure
your hand stays above the waistline?

It always does, Jason. I wouldn't dream
of letting it go anywhere else.

Let me know
when you've finished.

- Marina...
- Coffee!

She's quite
a handful, isn't she?

Miss Gregg?

Jason!

Jason!

Jason!

Miss Bence,
what's happening?

Marina thinks her coffee's
been poisoned.

Good gracious!

Good morning!

Good morning.

- Beautiful weather.
- Yes, isn't it?

Why on earth use
the public call box?

Rather odd, I thought,
so I telephoned the Hall

and wondered if the line
was down, and it wasn't.

What do you think of that?

Clearly Miss Blunt did
not want to be overheard.

Exactly!

And one has
to ask oneself why.

She must have seen something
at the party.

I'd agree that someone
must have seen something.

The question is, why hasn't
that person come forward?

Are you suggesting blackmail,
Miss Marple?

Well, I wouldn't go
so far as that...

unless, of course,
someone else gets killed.

How was it, then?

Oh, it was the first day back on set
and she played up something rotten.

- Did she?
- You've no idea, Cherry.

She's a right madam.

She thought her coffee was poisoned at
one point and blamed me, if you please.

- No!
- She did.

If it weren't for Mr. Rudd
calming things down,

I dread to think
what might have happened.

- What did he do?
- He poured it away.

- Well, that's a bit silly, isn't it?
- How do you mean?

'Cause if it was poisoned,
there'll be no way of knowing.

Do you think
it might have been?

Well, if they can poison
her cocktail...

You know, I've been
thinking about that.

When I was helping out the day
of the party, I was quite close to her.

- Heather Badcock, you mean?
- Yes.

When she got the cocktail
all down her dress,

there was something
funny about it.

What?

Well, I didn't think anything of it
at the time, but mulling it over

when I popped into Gossington
Hall the other day,

I'm almost sure she did it
on purpose.

Spilt the
cocktail on purpose?

Yes.

- It's all right, really.
- Oh, sorry.

Don't worry,
it's only a Chanel.

- That is a bit funny, isn't it?
- Yes, it is.

- I've told Ella Blunt about it.
- What for?

'Cause she's been going on and on
at me about if I'd seen anything,

and then I thought,
well, yes, I had.

Here you are.

What is it?

The analysis of the coffee
Marina complained about.

But you poured it away.
I saw you.

Most of it. I'm pretty adept
at sleight of hand, you know.

Arsenic.

So she was right
about it tasting bitter.

No. Arsenic
has no taste.

But her instinct was right.

And we thought she was
just being hysterical.

Oh, don't worry.

It'll all work out.

She was so happy here. She said that
at last she felt she could settle down.

You didn't believe that,
did you?

I thought
there was a chance.

These things happen.

That's the way life is.

Some of us can take it,
and some of us can't.

Arsenic, though.
That's serious.

Jason, no one is going
to poison her here.

They've tried once,
for God's sake!

Bloody Marina!

Stupid bloody cow!

Oh... Jason.

Oh, my God!

Oh, God! Oh...

- Yes?
- Jane? Dolly.

The Blunt woman...

Dead!

I'm afraid I have some
rather bad news, sir.

- Ella Blunt died this morning.
- Oh, dear.

- Cyanide poisoning.
- How very unpleasant!

Why
are you telling me this?

Didn't you know her?

Well, our paths have
crossed once or twice, but...

Wouldn't Jason Rudd
be the man to ask?

I thought you might know
something he doesn't.

Then I have to disappoint you,
Inspector.

So there's nothing you could
say that would be of assistance?

Mr. Hogg...?

- There is something.
- Yes?

A couple of days ago
I got a call.

- I saw you do it.
- What?

Honey, who is it?

I saw you put
the tablets in the glass.

Did you recognize the voice?

No, but I know for a fact
it was Ella Blunt.

How?

- Why do you think she called you?
- I haven't the faintest idea.

Come on now, pumpkin.

"Marina's Murder Mayhem."

"To have one murder under one's roof
may be regarded as a misfortune;"

"to have two looks like
carelessness."

"Marina Gregg's rural idyll has been
blighted yet again by dastardly deeds,"

"this time in the shape
of a poisoned atomizer"

"inserted into the nostrils
of Miss Ella Blunt."

"Miss Blunt,
the devoted secretary"

"to Marina Gregg's boyish
husband Jason Rudd,"

"was a slave to hay fever,
and frequently..."

Dropping like flies,
aren't they, Miss Marple?

I wouldn't quite say that.

Primrose had a bit of a chinwag
with Miss Blunt the other day.

Primrose?

Primrose Dixon, she works
at the studios.

She said she had something
to tell her.

What did she have
to tell her?

Well, Primrose helped out
on the day of the party, see,

serving drinks and that, and ever since,
that Miss Blunt has been going on and on

asking her if she saw anything and
if she did, it was her duty to tell her.

- And did she see anything?
- Well, when she thought about it,

yes, something did strike her
as a bit funny,

so she thought she'd better
tell her.

And what was it, Cherry?

It was to do with Heather Badcock
and the cocktail.

Oh, yes?

- She said she did it herself.
- Did what herself?

Spilt the cocktail
all down her new dress.

- You mean accidentally?
- No.

Primrose said
she did it on purpose.

- Spilt the cocktail on purpose?
- Yes.

- That is a bit funny, isn't it?
- Yes-yes, it is.

It don't make much sense
whichever way you look at it.

No.

No, it doesn't.

You get on quite well with, uh...
With Primrose, do you, Cherry?

Oh yes, miss. We've known
each other since we were toddlers.

Good, because I have a suggestion
I think you might quite like.

So Ella Blunt had it in mind
to blackmail Vincent Hogg.

But she got
the wrong person.

It seems she got
the right one in the end.

Yes, but I'm at a loss as to know who.
Must be losing my touch.

We'll have none of that,
Inspector.

I would simply remind you
that in my experience

it is nearly always
the obvious person.

Meaning Jason Rudd?

Well, yes, but he seems
so very devoted,

one cannot see that
he has any kind of motive.

What reason did he give you
for throwing away the coffee?

He should surely
have left it for you.

Precisely, but he didn't think
there was anything wrong with it.

No, it seems that ever since
the day of the party,

Miss Gregg has thought that
everything was poisoned.

But it transpires that he didn't
throw it all away;

he kept some, had it analyzed
and found it was poisoned.

How interesting.

- Miss Marple...
- Yes?

What you told me about Margot Bence
being adopted by Miss Gregg...

You really believe that
after all these years...?

Oh, yes, I do. Children
remember, Inspector.

A grudge,
an injustice, a sorrow.

- They do remember.
- Yes.

Yes, I know.

My mother, when she died, I was
six years old in the nursery having tea.

Freshly baked scones,
straight from the oven.

A maid rushed in
and whispered to Nanny,

"There's been a dreadful accident.
The mistress... She's been killed."

And I didn't cry or speak.
I just...

stared at the scones,
still warm from the oven.

And even now, whenever I see a plateful
of scones, I'm filled with sadness.

For a moment I don't
remember, but...

Then I do.
Ridiculous, isn't it?

On the contrary, Inspector.
It is most revealing.

Bobby?

It's...

It's...

It's your mother.

Oh, Bobby.

Accounts vary, somewhat,
but the gist's the same.

It's the variations that
might provide the clue.

Well, according to
your friend Mrs. Bantry,

Heather Badcock said
something like,

"You won't remember, but years
ago in Bermuda I got up from bed"

"when I had chicken pox and came along to
see you and you gave me an autograph."

Now, Jason Rudd says that
Miss Badcock left her bed with flu

to get Marina Gregg's
autograph.

- Did he say when this was?
- About 12 or 13 years ago.

- I see.
- What?

Not quite as much
as I'd like to.

If only I knew
why she'd ruined her new dress.

- Who? Miss Badcock?
- Yes.

It seems such a very
odd thing to do.

Unless... of course.

Oh!

Oh, I must be very stupid!

I am glad that girl
is safely in Bournemouth!

- What girl?
- Primrose Dixon,

the one who works at the studios
and spoke to Ella Blunt.

How in heaven's name do you
know she's in Bournemouth?

Because I asked Cherry to take
her there on a little holiday.

Why on earth did you do that?

Because I don't want her
to get killed, of course.

- Chicken pox.
- You're sure?

Well, something like that.

I was talking about vodka at the time,
so I wasn't really listening.

- She didn't say whooping cough?
- Whooping cough?

She wouldn't put on makeup
for whooping cough.

Makeup?

It was the makeup that made
you think chicken pox?

- Or maybe it was nettlerash.
- Oh, you're hopeless, Dolly.

___

Makeup...

Makeup...

Of course!

Yes, yes, thank you so much.

Mr. Rudd doesn't see
anybody without an appointment.

- Oh, I still need to see him.
- Wait. He really can't be disturbed.

Oh, I'm sure he can.

Look, why don't you tell
me what it is that you want?

Well, I already have.
I need to see Mr. Rudd.

Miss Marple...

So this is where Marina Gregg
would have received her guests.

- Am I right?
- Yes.

Yes, and I expect she would
have been standing about here?

Uh, yes, she was.

You know, you remind me
of someone I once knew.

Gerald French.

- Uh, what did he do?
- Not a lot.

Had a most unfortunate past.

- What kind of a past?
- Oh, I couldn't possibly say.

So if you'd be so kind
as to fetch Mr. Rudd.

Uh, but Miss Marple...

Don't worry, I'll be
perfectly all right.

I understand now, Mr. Rudd.

The whole thing is
really very simple.

So simple... one just
couldn't see it.

What can I do for you,
Miss Marple?

Thank you so much
for seeing me.

This is really
not the best time.

Ah!

An inspector calls.

"Out flew the
net and floated wide",

"The mirror crack'd
from side to side,"

"'The curse has come upon me,'
cried the Lady of Shalott."

That's how Dolly Bantry described it,
the look on your wife's face.

Although actually she misquoted.
She said "doom" instead of "curse."

Perhaps a better word
in the circumstances.

On the day of the party,

while Heather Badcock was
talking to your wife,

Marina was not looking at her,
but at that picture.

A picture of a serene
Mother and Child.

And though there was doom
foreshadowed in your wife's face,

it was not on her
the doom would fall.

It was Heather Badcock who was doomed
from the moment she started talking.

- I don't follow.
- Why should you?

No one has told you
exactly what she said.

But they have, Miss Marple,
over and over again.

But not the crucial phrase, because
no one thought it was important.

I was just a girl

and absolutely thrilled at the prospect
of seeing you in the flesh.

I've always been the most huge fan, but
the most ridiculous thing was on that day

I went down with a temperature
and the doctor said I couldn't go.

What a pity!

Can you imagine
my disappointment, Miss Gregg?

- What did the doctor say it was?
- German measles.

But I wasn't feeling really ill and
I only had this little rash on my cheeks.

So I said to myself,
"I won't be beaten."

I got up, slapped some makeup on
and went along.

I am so pleased that
I made the effort.

- German measles?
- That is correct...

- Isn't it, Mr. Rudd?
- Yes.

A very slight illness, really.

A rash, a little fever,

but extremely infectious,
and if a woman contracts it

in the early stages
of pregnancy,

the consequences
can be devastating.

I think I'm right in saying your wife had
a child who was born greatly damaged

and that she's never really
recovered from the shock.

She never knew how, or when,
or from whom she'd...

Until the day
of the party,

when a perfectly strange woman
came up those stairs and told her.

And what made it worse, Heather
Badcock was proud of what she'd done.

She thought she'd been resourceful and
brave in getting up from her sick bed

and covering her rash with makeup
in order to meet her idol.

And boasted
all through her life.

She never meant
any harm...

People like her
lack any real consideration

for the way their actions
may affect others.

Imagine what that moment
meant for Marina.

For years she'd nursed
a kind of hatred

for this unknown person
who'd caused her tragedy.

And suddenly she meets
that person face to face,

a person who seems so happy
and carefree

and pleased with herself.

It was more than
she could bear.

Had she had time to think,
to calm herself...

But she didn't.

She always had her pills with her,
so it was very easy to do.

She put the stuff into her own glass,
and if by any chance anyone noticed,

they wouldn't have thought anything
of it, having seen her take them before.

She bided her time...

And presently found
the opportunity.

She managed to jog Heather Badcock's
arm so that she spilt her drink.

- I'm so sorry!
- Don't worry. It's only a Chanel.

And that was
where the confusion lay.

Now, I only had the account of what
Primrose Dixon reported to Cherry.

She said how funny it was that she
seemed to spill the drink on purpose...

Yes.

But the "she" that Primrose
referred to was not Heather Badcock,

but Marina Gregg.

It was really
the perfect murder.

Have this, why don't you?
I haven't touched it yet.

Oh, I couldn't.

Please do. I've had
far too much already.

She wanted
Heather Badcock dead.

And a few minutes later...
she was.

But then she was afraid,
afraid someone had seen,

and could see
only one way out -

to insist that the murder
had been aimed at her.

She gave the performance
of her life.

Jason!

And only one person
saw through it.

This is only a theory.

But you know it's the
truth, don't you, Mr. Rudd?

You know, because you knew
from the first.

Can you imagine my
disappointment, Miss Gregg?

What did the doctor
say it was?

German measles, but I
didn't feel really ill...

She would go to any lengths to
prove that she was the intended victim,

even down to doctoring
her own coffee.

That was her, wasn't it,
Mr. Rudd?

Yes, I thought so.

You were frantic
to protect her,

but you didn't realize how much
you would have to protect her from.

It was not only a question
of hushing up one death,

but also the death
of Ella Blunt...

who finally found the right person
to blackmail, thanks to Primrose Dixon.

I saw you do it.

I saw you put the tablets
in the glass.

I'm very sorry
for you, Mr. Rudd,

the agony you've been through
because you care for her so much.

Mr. Rudd, I need
to speak to your wife.

I'm afraid that won't
be possible.

It's all over, sir. You can't
make excuses for her any longer.

- Now where can I find her?
- In her bedroom, Inspector.

She died last night,
in her sleep.

- An overdose?
- That's right.

- Was it an accident?
- In my opinion, yes.

- But it could be suicide?
- It could, but it's most unlikely.

Or someone could
have given it to her?

It's almost impossible
to prove.

Doctor?

- You'll...
- Excuse me.

Such a beautiful creature
and such a wonderful gift.

How sad that she couldn't
let go of the past

and see the future
as it really was.

It's very fortunate
she took an overdose.

Death was really
the only escape left.

Yes, Mr. Rudd,
very fortunate indeed.

She was so lovely...

And she had suffered
so much...

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