Original subtitles

[ Birds chirping ]

ASHE: People think starlings\Nare ordinary

because they see them\Nevery day.

They're not.

Hmm.

I've never noticed\Nthose patterns they make.

ASHE: Murmuration.

[ Chuckles ]\NI love that you know that.

They speak in dialects.

What do you mean?

They mimic speech patterns.\NAcademics study starlings

to learn\Nhow language first evolved.

That can't be true.

[ Laughs ]

Okay. It's true. It's true.

If I was a bird,\NI think I'd be a cuckoo.

I think we'd both be cuckoos.

[ Tense music plays ]

[ Birds chirping ]

[ Theme song plays ]

[ Camera shutter clicking ]

MAN: All done.

KYNASTON: She hasn't been dead\Nlonger than 3 to 4 hours.

So approximately 4:00 PM.

The cut would have produced\Nenough blood

to write the graffiti.

It's the left to right slash to\Nher jugular which killed her.

Regina versus Beale?

Venetia Aldridge.

She successfully\Ndefended Anthony Beale.

He went on to murder\NJanet Carpenter's granddaughter.

Why is there blood\Non the ceiling?

She was standing\Nwhen her throat was cut.

If she did it herself, she would\Nhave written on the wall first.

Which begs the question,\Nwhy crouch down so low?

She was left-handed, Miles.

I saw her drink a cup of tea\Nyesterday.

She turned\Nthe handle around.

She's standing here.

Her throats cut,\Nmost probably from behind.

She falls here.

The killer sets her up\Nagainst the wall,

cuts the wrist, dips her finger\Nin her own blood,

writes,\Nthen places the knife.

Pending the PM, this is murder\Ndisguised as suicide.

Agreed.

[ Somber music plays ]

No one really knew her\Nexcept to smile at.

She withdrew £15,000\Nthree weeks ago.

I want to talk through\Neverything we know to be true.

We know that, after her daughter\Nand granddaughter died,

Carpenter moved to London\Nand took the cleaning job

to get closer to Venetia.

And attended all her\Ncourt cases.

She's got to have\Nheld Venetia responsible.

We know she recently withdrew\N£15,000

from her savings account,\Na quarter of her savings.

To pay an accomplice?\NA contract killing?

Possibly, yes.

Maybe that's why she was killed.

Maybe her accomplice was scared.\NShe wasn't solid.

That she might come to us.

It might be nothing, sir.\NIt's in my report.

She went to Temple Church\Nyesterday.

Lamb of God, who takes away\Nthe sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

[ Uplifting music plays ]

I'm afraid I don't\Nreally know her.

I'd never seen her\Nuntil yesterday.

But, yes, she was here.\NShe seemed extremely troubled.

I spoke to her, and she asked\Nif I'd hear her confession.

Her name was Janet Carpenter.

I'm sorry to have\Nto tell you that

she died yesterday evening.

How?

She was almost\Ncertainly murdered.

We were hoping you might\Nbe able to give us

some information, which --

Everything we spoke about

was under the seal of\Nconfession.

I'm sorry.

I understand.

Rather what\NI expected you to say.

A female QC was murdered\Nin chambers on Monday.

I assume you know that.

- Yes, I do.\N- Could you at least tell us

whether we're right in thinking\Nthese deaths are connected?

I can't break\Nthe seal of confession.

I think Janet Carpenter\Nwould want us to know the truth.

Forgive me, but I don't think\Nshe's going to care

if you break faith with her now.

It isn't Janet Carpenter\NI'd be breaking faith with.

[ Bell tolling ]

Are we going to get\Na statement from Garry Ashe?

Yes, I've sent Tarrant.

Ashe likes to go to you\Nand he likes to goad me.

It's a distraction.

Tarrant deals with him\Nand with Octavia.

[ Intriguing music plays ]

TARRANT: Where were you\Nyesterday afternoon

between the hours\Nof 3:00 and 6:00?

Wanstead Flats with my fiancée.

TARRANT: Can anyone else\Nvouch for that?

Did you speak to anyone?\NBuy an ice lolly?

[ Sighs ]

Does the name Janet Carpenter\Nmean anything to you?

Yes. She's a singer.

[ Chuckles ]

You grew up in care,\Ndidn't you?

Is that why you feel the need\Nto pretend to be so clever?

Did Kate tell you that?

TARRANT:\NYou know, that seems creepy,

the "Kate" thing.

Just like it seems creepy

you've shacked up with\NVenetia Aldridge's daughter.

Janet Carpenter.

Dead, is she?\NMurdered?

You need to pull\Nyour finger out.

We're watching you, Mr. Ashe.

Clearly not, or you'd know\Nwhere I was yesterday afternoon.

Now, if you'll excuse me,\NI'm going to reacquaint myself

with the laws\Nconcerning police harassment.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Ominous music plays ]

- Was she murdered?\N- We aren't certain yet.

Well, if it was suicide,\Nsurely that suggests

that she was also responsible\Nfor Ms. Aldridge's death.

DALGLIESH: Because we're\Nawaiting the results of the PM.

But we think it's highly likely\Nthat Mrs. Carpenter

- was murdered.\N- Oh, it's a disaster.

This is a disaster.\NIf the press get hold of this.

No, they can't. And we need you\Nto see to that, Dalgliesh.

And who wants to hire\Ndefense counsel from a chambers

where the staff\Nare dropping down dead?

We'll need to take\Nwitness statements from you all.

[ Soft music plays ]

[ Telephone ringing ]

Your diary, in case you wish\Nto refer to it.

Where were you\Nyesterday afternoon between

the hours of 3:00 and 6:00?

If you've looked in my diary --

DALGLIESH: I'd like you\Nto tell me, please.

LANGTON: Yes. I had a meeting\Nwith the solicitor.

We met at his offices\Nin Hatton Garden.

The meeting was at 3:00 and I\Nleft at 3:45 and returned here.

So you arrived here\Nat around...

Quarter past 4:00.

I was here\Nuntil the usual time -- 6:00.

Who else was here?

Actually, not many\Nyesterday afternoon.

It was quiet.

Any of the partners?

Um, they were in and out,\NI suppose.

Did Venetia's daughter\Never come here

on her own or with anyone else?

CALDWELL: No. At least not since\NI've worked here.

I've never met her daughter.

How about clients\Nshe defended?

Would they ever come here?

CALDWELL: Yes, sometimes.

But only if they're\Nnot on remand, of course.

I'd like to ask you about\Nthe evening Miss Aldridge died.

You told me you arrived home\Nat half past 7:00,

but your housekeeper\Nhas since told us that you

didn't arrive home until 9:00.

Which leaves an hour\Nand a half unaccounted for.

She's mistaken.

I -- I took the newspaper\Nto Venetia.

You told me you didn't\Ntake her the paper.

No, I did not.

I'm aware this must be\Nchallenging

and difficult for you.

It wouldn't be difficult

if you didn't keep\Ndoubting my word.

You establish that he lied\Nto the police

when he was first arrested.

- But he owned up to that.\N- Look, it doesn't matter.

Remind the court\Nthat he is a liar and sit down.

Never give unnecessary detail.

May I speak to you now, please?

Uh, this is an exceptionally\Nimportant day for Matthew.

It's all right, Dad.\NI'm sure it won't take long.

[ Tense music plays ]

I was with my dad all afternoon.

We went to the Law Society\NLibrary and did some prep.

You seem close.\NYou and your father.

We are.

My mother died when I was 12,

and it's been dad\Nand me ever since.

But you don't live with him?

No, I'm married. Two kids.

People always think\NI'm younger than I am.

What did you think\Nof Ms. Aldridge?

I thought this was\Nabout the cleaning lady.

I didn't like her much.

She didn't exactly encourage me.

In fact, she tried\Nto make me feel stupid.

MISKIN: It was in the drawer\Nof her desk.

I managed to sign it off.

I thought you should have it.

In the drawer.

Not on the desk.

God forbid anyone should see it.

Are you at school then?

Boarding school.

She couldn't wait\Nto pack me off.

When can I have a funeral?

It might be a while yet.\NSo sorry.

New camera?

It's Ashe's.\NI bought it for him.

Make he's always wanted.\NWe're going bird watching.

Where are you\Ngoing to do that?

Don't know. Ashe knows lots of\Nplaces around where he grew up.

Essex.

How do you know that?

You have to learn a lot\Nabout someone

when you arrest them for murder.

OCTAVIA: Can you go?\NHe'll be back soon.

Are you scared of him?

[ Scoffs ] No.

MISKIN: Look, I'm going to say\Nmy piece, Octavia.

I think it's really strange\Nthat he picked you up in a bar

just after your mum\Ndefended him.

Think what you like.

And then your mum gets murdered,

and then another woman\Ngets murdered.

Janet Carpenter.\NHave you heard of her?

No.

Has Garry ever spoken about her?

You're so wrong about him.\NLook --

Look, that's where he sleeps.\NHe doesn't even try it on.

He said we should wait\Nuntil we're married.

Well, I think that's\Npretty strange, as well.

He had nothing to do\Nwith Mum's death.

It was probably one of those\Nwankers she works with.

Or one of those married men\Nshe's messed around with.

Maybe one of them needed\Nto shut her up.

ULRICK: I was with my son,\NMatthew Ulrick,

in the library\Nof the Law Society,

researching facts pertaining\Nto the case he's about to lead.

TARRANT: And what time did you\Nleave the library?

ULRICK: 5:00 PM.\NAnd then I went home.

I believe you have my address.

I didn't set eyes\Non Mrs. Carpenter

all day yesterday.

Nor did my son.

DALGLIESH: Are these members\Nof your family?

There have been Ulricks at\Nthe bar since George II.

It must be a relief

knowing that Venetia isn't\Ngoing to be Head of Chambers.

From what I've heard,

she seemed to have\Na low opinion of your son.

You know, I find\Nthis rather disgraceful

that you're treating us\Nas suspects.

Sign here, please.

[ Soft music plays ]

Sir.

Look, Venetia was having\Nan affair with Drysdale Laud.

What?

It was certainly happening\Na couple of years ago.

I don't know if it still was.

How did you learn this?

I went to see Octavia.

Give us a moment, please.

Look, I know I shouldn't have\Nwithout telling you,

and I'm sorry.

You disobeyed a direct order.

What's going on, Sergeant?

I just really feel in my gut

that Ashe has got something to\Ndo with these killings.

I know it might seem irrational,

and I'm really,\Nreally worried about Octavia.

I can't believe we're just\Nletting that situation continue.

- It's not unlawful.\N- I know.

I wanted to find a link\Nbetween Ashe and Carpenter.

And did you?

No.

It won't happen again.

At least you've told me now.

Yes, Venetia and I\Nhad a brief relationship.

It finished last autumn.

Who finished it?

It was a mutual decision.\NIt was only ever an interlude.

We both knew that.

We'd been friends for 20 years.

TARRANT:\NYou're married, aren't you?

Full marks.

Weren't you worried\Nyour wife would find out?

No, actually,\Nwe were extremely discreet.

Apart from...

Who told you?\NMatthew Ulrick, I suppose.

Why would you suppose that?

Because he walked in on us\Nonce in Venetia's room.

Were you aware of any other\Nmembers of chambers

knowing about the affair?

Well, I assumed\Nhe probably told his father.

The boy can't sneeze\Nwithout asking permission.

- You didn't think to tell us?\N- I am not in the habit

of volunteering unnecessary\Ninformation to the police.

What theory are you\Nworking on here?

That Venetia threatened to tell?\NShe wasn't that vindictive.

The affair was over.

As for Head of Chambers,\NI would have enjoyed the fight.

[ Car door closes ]

DALGLIESH: Mr. Froggart.

Thank you for the loan\Nof your scrapbooks.

I, um...

I hope they were of assistance.

They were.

Although I prefer\Nthe term "chronicle"

with its implications\Nof the passage of time

and recording of days.

Can you tell me\Nwhy you left the employment

of Venetia's father's school\Nin 1943?

Venetia would have been 16\Nin that year.

Your implication is not lost\Non me, Chief Inspector.

I admit that I loved Venetia.

But not in an improper way.\NI am...

I'm not a sexual person.

I loved her mind\Nand I loved nurturing it.

So why did you leave?

Everybody left.

Venetia's father was a sadist.

He used any excuse to beat\Nthe boys,

thrash them, bully them.

One boy...

...Marcus Campbell,\Nhe took his own life.

He hanged himself with the cord\Nof his dressing gown.

He was scheduled for a beating\Nthe following morning

in front of the whole school.

There was an inquiry.

All the parents finally\Nunderstood what Aldridge was.

The school shut down.

[ Somber music plays ]

[ Classical music plays ]

[ Doorbell rings ]

Uh, Chief Inspector.

Good evening.\NMay I come in?

I...\NNot convenient, I'm afraid.

I-I'm expecting Matthew.\NA little celebration.

Your signature --\NDesmond Campbell Ulrick.

Is Campbell a family name?

It was my mother's maiden name.\NWe adopted it for a while.

No one wants to grow up\Nwith a name like Ulrick

during the Second World War.

We? Would that be you and\Nyour brother, Marcus Campbell?

[ Music stops ]

Were you also a pupil\Nat Aldridge's school?

No, I was older than Marcus.

I was at Cambridge when he died.\NHe was 12 years old.

Daily anticipation\Nof humiliation and pain.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Did you know that Venetia

was Clarence Aldridge's\Ndaughter?

Yes. I asked her\Nwhat part of the country

she was from shortly\Nafter meeting her,

and there it was.

We spoke about it briefly,

agreed there was nothing else\Nto be said.

She had no illusion\Nabout what her father was.

I pitied her that day.

I wonder what her own childhood\Nwas like.

Oh, hey.

ASHE: Where did this come from?

She brought it round.

The woman policeman.

It was in mummy's desk.

What have I told you\Nabout that?

- OCTAVIA: What?\N- Mummy.

Sorry.

You didn't tell me\Nshe was here.

- I was going to.\N- ASHE: When was she here?

A couple of hours ago.

She asked if you knew\Nsome woman.

I said you didn't.

I told her you were gorgeous\Nand I love you.

I told her\Nwhat a gentleman you are.

She couldn't believe it.

You wouldn't lie to me,\Nwould you?

No.

Because you know\Nhow I hate liars.

I'd never lie to you\Nabout anything.

Have you packed?

Not yet.

You won't need much.\NAnd bring money.

PRESTEIGN: Thank you\Nboth for coming.

The lady who spoke to me\Nabout, Janet Carpenter,

she was extremely distressed\Nin the confessional.

She said she believed\Nevil took different forms.

That it drove down\Ncountry lanes in a van

looking for little girls\Nto steal from their mothers,

and that it also\Nstood up in court

and defended the indefensible.

I didn't fully understand\Nwhat she was saying,

and she left before I did.

But this arrived today\Nby second post.

She was planning\Nto confess to you, so...

DALGLIESH: Thank you.

I'll leave you in peace.

[ Mysterious music plays ]

Did she kill Venetia?

No. She discovered the body,

then defiled it\Nwith the wig and blood.

MISKIN: What is it, sir?

Garry Ashe.

Carpenter had watched\NAshe's trial.

She saw something\NI saw, too.

That look he gave Venetia\Nat the end.

MISKIN: But Venetia\Ngot him acquitted.

DALGLIESH: She dismissed him\Nlike he didn't matter to her,

which he didn't.

Carpenter approached Ashe\Nand hired him to seduce Octavia.

Her revenge on Venetia.

So he could have killed\NCarpenter for money or...

Yes.

I think he did.

Oh, God. They're going away.

He's taking her\Nto the country or Essex.

That's what he told her.

Get back to the yard\Nand put out an immediate APB

on Ashe -- he's to be\Nconsidered dangerous.

Then get on\Nto the children's homes

and find out what sort of parks\Nor country he used to go to.

Yes, sir.\NWhere are you going?

Back to the house in case\Nthey're still there.

Be careful.

[ Dog barking distantly ]

You used to live here?

Home sweet home.

Is this where\Nshe was murdered?

Your aunt?

Wait here.

[ Footsteps climbing stairs ]

[ Eerie music plays ]

[ Footsteps overhead ]

[ Gasps lightly ]

[ Footsteps descending stairs ]

Never go to the woods\Nwithout a knife.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ]

[ Telephone rings ]

- Miskin.\N- DALGLIESH: They're not here.

Housekeeper says they left\Nover an hour ago.

The manager of the home\Nsaid he used to take Ashe

to some woods\Njust east of Harlow.

I've got 'em here on a map.

He said Ashe used to go on his\Nown sometimes,

- watching the birds.\N- Good work.

Alert two traffic teams\Nin that area. I'm on my way.

What's happening?

I just heard\Nthe call out about Ashe.

[ Telephone rings ]\NYes, Miskin.

I think he killed his aunt.\NThere's a photo.

MISKIN: Where are you?

Petrol station.

I have to go.

I don't want to be here.

Help me. He's got a knife.

Play the game. Don't let him\Nknow that you know.

I'm going to come and find you.\NWhere are you?

I think he's coming.\NHelp me.

Play the game.\N[ Receiver clicks ]

[ Door chimes jingle ]

[ Panting ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Ominous music plays ]

- How long will we stay here?\N- Not long.

If you could live anywhere in\Nthe world, where would you live?

Monte Carlo.

Good taste.

We'll sleep here tonight.

Tomorrow we'll go.

We'll get married there.

Would you like that?

Yes, I'd love that.

You're trembling.

MAN: All units mobilized.

We're looking for a red\NHonda motorcycle.

Registration\NGolf-Golf-Echo-7-9-2-November.

Second unit

moving into the southwestern\Ncorner of the forest.

First unit advanced northwest.

[ Dramatic music plays ]

MAN #2: Sierra-2-3 to control.

We have sighted\Nthe suspect vehicle.

[ Birds chirping ]

[ Ominous music plays ]

[ Click ]

I-I-I thought I heard something.

- How did they know?\N- Who?

- What did you tell the woman?\N- I --

- You lied to me.\N- I didn't.

DALGLIESH: Garry,\Nit's Chief Inspector Dalgliesh.

Come out slowly, please,\Nso we can talk.

Garry, come out alone, please,\Nand leave Octavia in there.

We can talk together.\NYou're an intelligent man.

Let's find a way\Nto resolve this.

I didn't lie to you.\NI-I swear I didn't.

[ Breathing heavily ]

- I promise.\N- Shh!

I'm here with armed officers,\NGarry.

Leave Octavia, come out quietly,\Nand drop your weapon.

[ Grunts, panting ]

You make one sound,\Njust one sound...

Let's talk\Nabout possibilities,

resolve this together.

[ Breathing heavily ]

When I say go, we go.

Leave me.

I'll tell them\Nyou didn't hurt me.

ASHE: Go!

MISKIN: Back door! Back door!

Okay, let's go.

MAN: Armed police! Stop!

MAN #2: Armed police!\NStay where you are!

MAN #1: Stay where you are!

MAN #3: Armed police!

[ Officers shouting\Nindistinctly ]

I know this place.\NI know this place.

You killed my mum!\NWhy did you kill my mum?!

I didn't kill your mummy.\NI really wish I had.

[ Police radio chatter ]

[ Panting ]

[ Dramatic music plays ]

[ Muffled whimpering ]

Help!

Aah!

[ Groans ]

Armed police!\NStop, or I'll shoot!

[ Birds squawking ]

- Come on.\N- [ Groans ]

Officer down!

[ Dramatic music continues ]

No.\N[ Muffled whimpering ]

[ Whimpering ]

It's over. Let her go.

It's over when I say\Nit's over, Kate.

MISKIN: Drop the knife.

You bitches are all the same.

- Drop your weapon!\N- This is on you.

Ashe!

[ Reverberation ringing ]

[ Octavia sobbing ]

[ Somber music plays ]

You're okay. You're okay.

You had to take\Nthe shot, okay?

You had to take the shot.

You're okay. You're okay.

[ Octavia sobbing ]

You're okay.

You're okay, Sergeant.

[ Sobs ]

Okay?

Uh...

Yeah. Thanks.

[ Bell tolling ]

I've just been speaking\Nto Valerie Caldwell.

She tells me that your\Nattentions to her are unwanted

and she wishes them to stop.

- What?\N- I've told her to call me

if you ever make her feel\Nuncomfortable again.

Or if you make trouble\Nfor her in any way.

She also told me that,\Non Monday night,

the night Venetia died,

you were in the church watching\Nher rehearse with the choir.

Yes.

Yes, I -- I remember now.

She said you stayed\Nuntil almost the end.

20 past 8:00.

Venetia was dead by then.

I didn't kill Venetia?

Oh, thank God.

Thank God.

These great expanses\Nof time that I just...lose.

I'm sorry.

It must be frightening.

You would have been\Nwalking through here

at around the time\Nthe killer left chambers.

I want to ask you, did you see\Nanyone coming out of chambers,

locking the door, walking\Nhurriedly towards the gates?

Well, yes.

Good Lord.

Thought we'd seen\Nthe back of you.

Mrs. Carpenter wrote\Na confession before she died.

She said she found Venetia\Ndead in her room at 8:00.

She thought she'd died\Nfrom natural causes.

She couldn't bear it.

She felt cheated out\Nof her vengeance.

And just at the very moment\Nwhen Garry Ashe

was putting into place her plan\Nto make Venetia suffer,

it was then that she put the wig\Non Venetia's head

and threw the blood over her --\Nyour blood.

Vengeance.

A very powerful emotion.

After which, she regretted it.

She tried to stop Ashe from\Nmoving forwards with the plan,

and that's when he killed her.

You believe that, do you?

That she didn't actually\Nkill Venetia?

Because it seems perfectly\Nobvious to me that she did.

She didn't kill Venetia.

You did.

Why would I want to do that?

As you said,

the desire for vengeance\Nis a powerful thing.

[ Breathes deeply ]

It can be held in check,\Nsuppressed by a determined mind,

but it's hard.

A fight, a battle\Nwhich must be fought every day.

[ Somber music plays ]

Every day,\Nyou were confronted by Venetia.

The flesh and blood of the man

who drove your little brother\Nto his death.

You fight to remain civilized,\Nyou have to.

But then...

Then the cycle starts\Nall over again

right in front of your eyes.

An Aldridge bullying your son.

And you know\Nit'll only get worse.

She'll become Head of Chambers.\NYou'll be outnumbered.

Laud won't be able to stop her.

She has power over him.

The affair you knew about.

She'll push your son out,\Nruin his career.

And, so, you go to her rooms\Nand you ask her

to give him a chance.

I imagine she didn't listen.\NShe was already overwrought

after hearing about Ashe\Nand her daughter.

She says harsh things,

dismisses Matthew as a fool.

And the paper knife was right\Nthere next to your hand,

and suddenly, it's done.

An interesting theory.

But one which you'll never\Nbe able to prove.

I have a witness.

Langton said he saw you\Nleaving chambers

at 20 past 8:00 that night.

An old man with dementia.\NReally?

He would be destroyed in court.

And then, there's\Na discrepancy

in your son's witness statement.

He states that you both arrived\Nat the restaurant on time, 8:00.

- Which we did.\N- But then,

further down, you will see\Nthat he talks about

putting his children to bed\Nbefore he left the house.

He goes into some detail about\Nhow they don't like to go to bed

before it gets dark,\Nabout how they insisted

on watching\Na certain television program

before he took them upstairs.

We checked.

The program didn't even start\Nuntil 8:00 that night, so...

The earliest he could have been\Nat the restaurant

was half past 8:00.

Well, he --

He made a simple mistake.

[ Scoffs ] Not one we're\Nprepared to overlook.

Perverting the course\Nof justice.

Remind me, what tariff\Ndoes that carry?

You know, the world\Nis better off without her.

And there is a certain justice\Nto it all.

I don't agree.

[ Soft music plays ]

[ Requiem in D minor, Op. 48\Nplays ]

♪ In paradisum♪

♪ Deducant te angeli♪

♪ In tuo adventu♪

[ Sobbing ]

♪ Suscipiant te martyres♪

♪ Et perducant te♪

♪ In civitatem sanctam♪

♪ Jerusalem♪

♪ Jerusalem♪

♪ Jerusalem♪

[ Melancholy music plays ]

[ Choir continues indistinctly ]