The Silver Swan Quirke

-Did you invite Quirke by the way?

-I did.

He'd rather be propping up the bar in McGonagle's

than celebrating his father's honour.

Some people are not meant to have children.

And who decides that, Garret?

I've been awake half the night, worrying about Phoebe.

You're not thinking of running away again, are you?

Maybe I'll elope with you.

You have to tell her she's your child, Quirke.

What do you mean, Delia died?

She died having you, Phoebe.

You gave me away.

I'm sorry.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Morning, Dr Quirke.

Ready when you are.

Yes.

DOOR CLOSES

HE SIGHS

The deceased... Mrs Millican.

Mrs Millican.

Do you want me to call the morgue to collect?

No, put her in the cold room until we find out what killed her.

I've got to go out tonight

so I'll leave you with the paperwork, all right?

Sarah!

I can't find my dress shoes, what have you done with them?

Do you mean have I hidden them?

Oh, don't be ridiculous!

Try the bottom of the wardrobe.

Damn things take on a life of their own.

Phoebe!

Yes?

You know your father doesn't like to see you drinking.

Well, he won't have to worry about that much longer.

I'm going to find a place of my own.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Ah, could I have another?

Hello, Mal, Sarah.

Would you like a drink?

I'm not leaning on the bar like some...farmer.

Oh.

-Let's sit down over there, shall we?

-Mal, I'm all right here.

It's Phoebe.

This is all your bloody doing, of course.

If you'd left things be, she'd be back at the College of Surgeons now

instead of working in a damned hat shop!

But YOU just had to tell her the truth.

Don't blame Sarah.

It was my fault.

No, don't give me that.

The pair of you are in it together

and neither of you thought EVER to consult me...

-Oh, so that's what all this is about.

-We're all to blame.

The thing is, what are we going to do about it?

We don't have to do anything.

We just have to show that we support her.

I mean, she's 20 years old, she's not a child.

She wants to live her life

and why the hell shouldn't she?

Oh, yes, do nothing. Always your favourite option.

Quirke!

Dr Quirke.

Do you not remember me?

I was a student of yours 20 years ago, remember?

-I-I'm afraid I-I don't...

-Ah, come on now, Dr Quirke!

Billy Hunt?

You used to say it sounded like rhyming slang.

Billy Hunt. Yes, of course I remember. How are you?

Good to meet you again.

-You used to play rugby, didn't you?

-I still do, for my sins.

Touch old for it now, but I can still work up a bit of a trot.

And this is, er, your brother, I take it?

How do you do?

-Um, this is my wife Sarah.

-How do you do, Doctor Hunt?

Ah, no. Just plain old Mr.

I dropped out of medicine, I didn't have the stomach for it.

I'm in pharmaceuticals now.

Bloss Kugelman. Plenty of travelling, all over Europe

and good money too, you'd be surprised.

You have to excuse us.

Very nice to meet you.

-Anyway, thought I'd come to this and look up some of the old crowd.

-Yes.

-Well, I have to...

-Ah, don't go yet, Quirke.

You've got to meet the wife.

Deirdre!

This...is the great Dr Quirke, Deirdre.

-City Pathologist he is now!

-Hello.

Hello.

I can see what you're thinking.

Where would an ugly old skin like me find a beauty like this one?

He found me in the chemist shop.

I did! I did.

And she's not just a pretty face!

There's a good little head on her.

She has her own business, beauty parlour down on Anne Street.

Silver Swan we call it.

-Doing very well there, too.

-Perhaps your wife would like to come in?

Well, actually I... I don't have a wife.

Well, we do manicures for men.

Well, thank you but...

I don't think I'm that kind of man.

I didn't really think you were.

Look. It's Tommy Marsh!

It's great to see you, Quirke. We'll have a drink one day soon.

Yes, we will, Billy.

Tommy!

Goodbye.

SEAGULLS CRY

All set?

Will I give you a lift to the salon?

No, I'm not ready.

Ah, well.

I best hit the road then, so.

-Do you have your passport?

-I have.

-Did you tell them I want to look at the books when I get back?

-I did.

There's nothing to worry about, Billy.

-We're doing fine.

-Did I say I was worried?

Come on, now.

My little angel.

I wish I didn't have to go at all.

You'll be back soon enough.

Can't be too soon for me.

Mrs Griffin.

That's fine, take a seat.

Sarah.

Hello.

Wh-what are you doing here?

I just didn't want Mal to know.

He takes everything so seriously.

He gets so worried.

Wh-what's wrong?

Oh...headaches...

A really bad one.

Sometimes so bad that I...

Well, whole days go by and I...

Who have you been seeing?

-Fitzgerald.

-And?

He's running ECGs and, um...

..X-rays and...

..he says he can't find anything wrong.

I think...what you need...

is a good holiday.

Yes.

I think we both need a good holiday.

Where would we go?

-Rome, Florence?

-Mm.

Verona.

-What would I say to Mal?

-You can tell him you're going to Verona with me.

Sarah...

..you know where I am if you ever need to talk to me about anything.

I know.

I'm sorry, Mrs Cuffe-Wilkes.

Punctuality is the politeness of princes, Miss Griffin.

Yes, Mrs Cuffe-Wilkes.

But now that you are here, you can do me a message.

I've run out of rose-water for the tissue paper.

Kiehl's rose-water, I'd better write that down.

-Would be a tragedy if I got it wrong, wouldn't it?

-Hardly that.

Oh, I don't know.

Little things mean a lot. That's a song, isn't it?

# Blow me a kiss from across the room

# Say I look nice when I'm not

# Touch my hair as you pass my chair

# Little things mean a lot. #

Kiehl's rose-water. And your name is?

-Um, Griffin.

-Griffin.

-Miss or Mrs?

-Miss.

Splendid. Telephone number?

147-749.

-And is that a daytime number?

-Yes, it's the hat shop.

Maison de Chapeaux.

Maison de Chapeaux!

Tell me, how is Mrs Cuffe-Wilkes?

She's all right.

I could tell you a thing or two about that one.

Right, well, we'll give you a ring very soon.

I'm sure we'll be able to help you one way or another.

Thank you.

-Goodbye.

-Au revoir.

Who was that?

A Miss Griffin, very nice young lady, works in the hat shop.

You don't want a nice, young lady, Leslie, you want me.

Come on.

Let's take the afternoon off.

KNOCKS ON GLASS

Dr Quirke.

Dr Sinclair.

I used to be afraid of those things when I was a little lad.

My auntie had one and she'd pretend to give me a nip with it.

I always thought she'd take off the end of my nose.

So, any joy?

Ah, carbromal and bromvaletone in quantities

that suggest she took an overdose of sleeping medication.

And...diamorphine, which I can't really account for.

-That's heroin.

-Thank you, Dr Sinclair.

See, there's no underlying pathology,

so I'd say that she wasn't taking it for pain relief.

We were just looking for needle marks.

I wouldn't have thought she was the type.

I don't think there's any particular type.

See, there's no nasal inflammation,

which means she was taking it orally.

Suicide or accident, would you say?

Hard to tell.

I mean, with that combination of drugs, it could be a mistake.

She was a long way from home.

Well, if it was me...

I'd lose myself in the mountains, do it there.

You've thought about it, then?

Haven't we all?

Not me, Dr Quirke.

So, you don't suspect foul play?

It's too early to tell.

I'd like to find out what it is that she took, though.

Any bottles or pills found in the car?

If there were, they'd be impounded as evidence. Let me look into it.

KEYS JANGLE

Bloody hell!

Do you need a hand with that?

Hello again!

Yes, thank you. Bloody door slammed shut

and Mrs Hunter's gone home. Would you mind?

Keys are in my jacket pocket just there.

Thank you.

That's the ticket.

Now don't run away.

Dr Quirke!

Just on my way home.

Where'd you find it?

In the car. I didn't give it to you, all right?

-It's not proper procedure.

-So, why are you?

If I followed proper procedure in every case,

I'd never get anything done.

It's got no label on it.

But there's some residue left at the bottom.

This will be very helpful. Thanks.

-Let me know what you find.

-I will.

I won't take up any more of your evening, Dr Quirke.

Oh, Inspector, um...

I was going to go for a drink, if, er...

-Well, we've reached a respectable hour.

-Right.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

So, what's it to be?

Gin and tonic.

Gin and tonic, that's my girl.

Make that two, please.

More tonic than gin, Miss Griffin?

All the vices.

I approve, Miss Griffin.

Phoebe.

Phoebe.

Tell me, Phoebe,

any relation to the illustrious Judge Griffin?

His granddaughter.

Ah! Oh, well.

So, what are you doing working in a shop?

You're not one of nature's shop girls, I can tell.

Slumming it, are we?

I was studying to be a doctor, but then...

It's a long story.

Good, I like long stories.

The hat shop suits me fine.

Phoebe.

Hello, Quirke.

Leslie White, proprietor of the Silver Swan around the corner.

And you are?

Quirke.

What's this?

Miss Griffin was kind enough to give me a helping hand

and I'm repaying her with a drink. Is that all right with you?

-Let me buy you one.

-No, thanks.

Sarah says that you're leaving home.

What if I am?

She's worried about you.

She has no need to be. I can look after myself.

Now, if you don't mind, Quirke?

Another time, then.

-Golly, who was that?

-No-one.

A man I used to know.

Leaving home, eh?

Yes.

And where are you off to?

I don't really know.

-I haven't found a place yet.

-Well, this might just be your lucky day.

I happen to know of a place that might suit you,

it's just around the corner as well.

Let me write the address down for you.

Friends of yours?

Er, family.

Uh..

It's my, er...

-my niece.

-Ah.

Thank you for coming in, Mr Millican.

Just through here. I'm very sorry for your loss.

DOOR BANGS

Now, Mr Millican...

..Dr Quirke's postmortem examination

seems to suggest your wife had been taking

sleeping pills and painkillers for some time.

Did she have trouble sleeping?

Mm, sometimes.

She had, um...problems with her nerves.

And why would she have needed to take the painkillers?

I don't know.

She didn't tell me about anything like that.

Mr Millican, as things stand,

Dr Quirke can't tell whether your wife committed suicide

or died from an accidental overdose.

Anything you can tell us will help us determine which it was.

Will we be able to avoid an inquest?

I doubt that.

I can't have the coroner putting it on record

that Geraldine killed herself.

Ta-da!

Where did you get them?

She gave them to me.

They're disgusting.

Yes, they are, aren't they?

Who is she?

Just a woman I used to know.

I better not tell you her name, you'd be shocked.

Awfully good sport, though, wouldn't you say?

Why did she give them to you, how could she?

Well, I suppose she's a bit of an exhibitionist

and she thought I might like them.

Of course, she didn't think I'd show them to you.

Which you shouldn't have.

No, I suppose not.

-But you're glad I did, aren't you?

-I am not!

You're terrible, what you've turned me into.

I used to be a good girl, you know?

I don't believe you've ever been a VERY good girl, Deirdre.

Billy thinks I'm a good girl.

Thinks I'm his angel.

If only he knew.

-Give us one of your pills, will you?

-Don't you think you're getting

a little too keen on those pills, Deirdre?

Well, if I am, we know whose fault that is.

Come on, Leslie.

Don't tease me.

I don't have any.

You keep taking them all.

(I'm sorry. I just...

(I...)

I hate the feeling in my hands that starts coming to me when I get...

For Christ's sake!

I can't stay here all afternoon.

All right.

Go down to Harcourt Street, number 24, ground floor flat.

Chap called Hakim Kreutz will sort you out with a little something.

-I don't like until I see.

-Don't be silly.

You needn't be afraid of Hakim. He's an absolute sweetie.

He'd adore you.

He does spiritual healing as well and I think in your case

he'll absolutely insist on it.

CHILDREN SHOUT

Good afternoon.

-Dr Kreutz.

-Yes?

Leslie sent me.

Ah, yes.

Come in. Come in, please. Come in.

Sit down, relax.

-This is most...most pleasant.

-LOCKS DOOR

And how may I help you today?

I was hoping that...

Do you have any of that relaxant that you give to Leslie?

-I-I can pay for it.

-No!

No, my dear, I-I'm not a drug dealer.

I keep only a small supply for the purpose of relaxation.

But, um, if you like, we might come to an arrangement?

What sort of an arrangement?

Oh, no, no. Nothing to alarm.

There is perhaps a small favour you might grant me.

What?

I would like to take your photograph.

You see, this is my work, on the wall, yes?

I'm a serious photographer.

And you are a most beautiful woman.

-You mean, nudie pictures?

-Yes, of course.

The body is nothing to be ashamed of, especially one so beautiful.

And the photographs would be tasteful, and not for display,

or sale.

Just for my private collection.

And you wouldn't want anything else?

No.

No. I'm a professional man.

And a most serious artist.

So, um...perhaps today?

A little something to relax you.

Hmm, yes?

Yes?

All right.

Yes.

And a little water.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING

STAMPS FOOT

I don't want to interrupt you, Quirke.

I was a bit short with you the other night.

Meant to catch up with you later, but you'd gone.

It was all a mess. What can I say?

Phoebe's taken a room on Harcourt Street.

Moving in today.

On Harcourt Street?

-I worry she has a taste for the low life...

-Inherited from me, no doubt.

I didn't say that.

What do you want from me, Mal?

We thought you might keep an eye on her. She's...

Well, she's not talking to us.

I'll do my best, but...she's not really talking to me either.

Right.

She's the only child I've ever had, Quirke.

And I worry about the Judge.

-You need to forgive him.

-Forgive him?

He's not getting any younger.

And he's...

he's ALWAYS asking about you.

Well, he knows where I am if he wants to find me.

I've invited him round for some dinner tonight.

-Will you do that?

-No, I won't do that. No, no.

Do it for me, then.

Will you do it for me?

I never ask you for anything, do I?

-Do I?

-All right. I'll do it.

Great.

We eat at eight, see you then.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

CHILDREN PLAYING

-Thank you.

-Thank you, Miss.

Hello.

Hello.

-Um, I'm Phoebe Griffin, I'll be living upstairs.

-Ah!

My name is Doctor Hakim Kreutz.

You're most...most welcome, Miss Griffin.

-Good to see you, Quirke.

-Mm.

-I hope you're keeping well.

-Oh, I'm keeping well.

-Still knocking back the old grog anyway?

-Yeah.

Phoebe sends her love, by the way.

She couldn't join us, unfortunately.

Yes, it's extremely disappointing.

Where is she?

In a flat, on Harcourt Street.

-A what?

-A flat.

A flat?!

That's put me right off my mackerel.

What do you make of that, Quirke?

I don't know.

You don't know.

Good answer.

Well, in my opinion, you've all driven her out

-because of your shenanigans.

-Oh, yeah.

I suppose you're going to sit there

with a pus on you all night, are you?

Because if you think I care what your opinion is about me,

-what happened in Boston...

-Oh, yeah, well, let's...

..we'll just have to agree to differ.

Isn't that right, Maggie?

What's that, Judge?

Families have to agree to differ.

A family would fall apart if they couldn't agree to differ.

Well, let's... Let's agree what it is that we differ about.

-I don't argue with hypocrites.

-Oh, I'm not the hypocrite here.

This mackerel is excellent.

-Try cleaning up your own mess before you muck about with mine.

-Yeah.

I know you went to the Guards about me.

-Did you think I wouldn't find out?

-I wanted you to find out.

And what happened? Exactly nothing, just as I predicted.

Well, they closed that laundry, didn't they?

That's the church's decision.

They're perfectly within their right to.

Well, do you think it's right to be

stealing babies from their mothers? Do you?

-Do you think that's right or legal?

-Ah, legal!

You think I sat in a courtroom for half a century

and didn't know what the law is for?

Well, maybe a little law would have

protected that little girl that you chucked out.

Maybe it would've protected her from being murdered by that toerag!

You know what? I'm worse to sit here and let you speak to me like that.

You're half sozzled, look at you, I can tell!

-What time was your first one today?

-What's that got to do with anything?

You are guests in my house.

If you can't be civil to each other, go somewhere else!

Ah, Sarah...

BANGS TABLE

-I suggest we'll just have to agree to differ.

-Agree to differ.

Let's all agree to differ.

We'll agree to differ.

-You said that.

-Agree to differ!

How many more times are you going to say "agree to differ"?

I have to go to work in the morning.

PATTERING OF RAINDROPS

THUNDER RUMBLES

I'm so sorry, Sarah.

It's all right.

I think I'll sleep in the spare room.

Aren't you feeling well?

No.

Compared to other spats when we were growing up,

that was pretty mild.

Well...

..I just feel like everything's gone wrong.

Oh, don't be silly.

Phoebe'll come back...

..when her temper cools down.

You'll see.

Why would she want to come back?

What do you mean?

Just to keep us together?

What?!

Don't let's pretend, Mal.

I'm not pretending anything.

I never thought there was any point in telling her.

You and Quirke!

No wonder she's annoyed at you.

At me?

Well, what did I do?

Apart from giving her a home and loving her?

So did I, Mal.

Don't sleep in the spare room, Sarah.

You have the big bed.

I'll go.

We're closed!

-Billy!

-There she is.

Oh, I missed you so much, my little angel.

I thought you weren't back until Monday?

I finished early.

And...I'm Salesman of the Month again.

Well done, you.

Ah, like I give a bollocks about that.

Here we are.

I got you some of those Swiss chocs you like.

-You're very sweet to remember.

-And...this.

Well, go on.

Open it. It's a dainty gold watch.

You shouldn't have.

What else would I spend my money on?

Oh, I bless the day I found you in Plunkett's Pharmacy.

I do.

I do.

I do, I do, I do.

RAPID KNOCKING ON DOOR

Hakim!

Come on, Kreutzy boy, I know you're in there.

(Jesus!)

You gave me a fright.

Why didn't you answer the door when I knocked?

I didn't know it was you.

Well, who did you think it was then?

Come on.

Come on, you know why I'm here, and don't palm me off with

any old rubbish - that last lot wasn't up to snuff.

Ah, Kreutzy boy, what have you done now?

W-what do you mean? I don't understand.

You've done a very bad thing there, Kreutzy boy.

Did I say you were to do that?

She seemed ready.

I thought you would be pleased.

I don't believe you.

I think you are trying to cut me out.

No, no, I assure you... No! No!

WHIMPERS IN PAIN

GLASS SHATTERS

You burnt my hand! My hands are my living.

Yes, well, it will teach you to keep them to yourself.

Perhaps I should go to the police?

You wouldn't dare.

I'm taking these and I want the negatives before I REALLY hurt you.

Fine.

Let's get your name on them, shall we?

Credit where credit's due and all that.

Hakim Kreutz Studios.

Very nice.

Now we won't go to the cops, will we?

On the road again.

At least it's only Belfast this time.

Not bloody Bern.

This is grand.

Are you not going to have any yourself?

I'm not really that hungry, Billy.

I-I think I've a bit of an upset tummy.

Well, you can sit down with me for a couple of minutes at least.

Come on.

Well, you don't look yourself.

Shall I call the doctor before I go?

No, really, really, it'll pass.

Are you sure now?

Is there something you're not telling me?

It's just an upset tummy, Billy.

You're so sweet to me, I don't deserve you.

Ah, look at the time.

I've got to go.

My little angel.

You take care.

How did you get these?

What have you done?!

Where did you get them from?

Hakim Kreutz Studios.

That's nothing to do with me, darling.

You've got to admit, old Kreutz has got flair.

It was YOU!

I know it was.

How much do you think Billy would pay Kreutz to keep it quiet, hmm?

You bastard!

Did I ask you to go around there and show him all you've got? No.

You did that all by yourself!

And I must say, I don't care much for him,

I don't care much for these pictures either!

Funnily enough, they don't do a thing for me, not one thing.

It's all a question of timing, really.

I think we've had our time.

It was nice while it lasted, but it's over.

Sorry and all that.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

-Mr Hunt, how's it going?

-Not so bad.

-Yourself?

-Not too bad, not too bad.

OK.

All right, if you just step inside

and bring your samples case with you. The kettle's on.

-Lovely.

-Back on Wednesday?

-I am.

-Good.

-It's a beautiful day.

-Isn't it lovely?

So, what did he say?

He said,

"Well, I stopped playing pocket billiards when I was 15 years old."

And she said, "I don't care, I'm still not shaking your hand."

SHE LAUGHS

Oh, God, that is so...

Oh, Quirke...

isn't it nice?

I mean, aren't you glad we're past all that mooning at each other

across crowded rooms like two teenagers?

Oh, yes. And besides, it's unbecoming of a woman of your age!

SHE LAUGHS

I should brain you.

HE LAUGHS

All that pain and havoc you caused me.

Have I?

Once upon a time, yes.

But not any more?

No.

Well, thank God for that.

Yes, thank God.

Phoebe's still mad about you.

You do know that?

Mad about or...mad at?

Always watch out for her, won't you?

Yeah.

Yes, of course I will.

Thank you.

-Oh, I'll get this.

-No, no, let me get this, please?

This was my idea.

-You can get the next one.

-All right.

-I like your hat, by the way.

-Thank you!

It's new.

You're very dear to me...

..you know?

To all of us.

In a minute.

Ah!

-There you go.

-Well, this is...nice.

-Madam.

-Thank you.

And sir.

Here we are.

Kiehl's rose-water.

-I could have just come into the shop to collect it.

-No.

It's nice to make an occasion of it.

Now, tell me...

..do you always wear black?

I suppose I do.

It's required at the shop and I seem to have got into the habit.

-Hmm, yes, habit's about right.

-Do I look like a nun to you?

No.

You look like a convent girl.

Were you?

Yes.

I adore convent girls.

-Why?

-They have such a well-developed sense of sin.

-Hmm.

And you're what the nuns would have called "a bad companion",

and having coffee with you would have been an occasion of sin.

Yes.

That's just the sort of thing I like.

So, Phoebe, what's next?

Well, I don't have to go back to the shop, it's early closing.

We could go for a walk?

CHILDREN SHOUT

Whaaaagghh!

CHILDREN SCREAM

-Well, here we are.

-Are you going to ask me in?

Yes, all right.

-Phew!

-It's a bit of a climb.

I'm used to it now.

Ah, the vigour of youth, eh?

I'm not at all sure I should be doing this.

DOOR CLOSES

# I never cared much for diamonds and pearls

# Cos honestly, honey

# They just cost money. #

It's nice.

It's a trifle spartan but... it's nice.

How about a drink?

I only have gin.

No tonic, no ice.

I haven't a fridge.

Gin will be fine.

HE HUMS

Mum and dad?

Yes.

What do they think about you living down on Harcourt Street on your own?

Ah. Chin-chin.

GLASSES CLINK

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

That's, ah...strong when it comes straight like this, isn't it?

Oh, here. Have one of mine.

Oh, quite Balkan.

Very chic.

So, Phoebe...

..are you going to go to bed with me?

HE HUMS

I can't believe this is happening.

I know.

Yes, the nuns would definitely have something to say.

# Give me your hand when I've lost the way

# Give me your shoulder to cry on. #

HE HUMS

Mm!

Scrumptious!

SHE PANTS

You'll have to...

I'm afraid I don't have much experience in this sort of thing.

Well, you won't be surprised to hear that I have rather a lot.

Don't worry, we'll go nice and slow.

Now, then.

Is this...?

INDISTINCT

Probably.

What about this?

SHE GASPS

A mortal sin?

SEAGULLS CRY

All right?

HE YELLS

I need you to confirm, Mr Hunt, that this is your wife.

HE SOBS

HE SOBS

Mr Hunt, you left home on Monday morning.

Yes.

At what time, do you recall?

About half past eight.

And you arrived in Belfast at?

Around half 12.

That's four hours.

I was delayed at the border, it's the drugs.

I have to go through the paperwork with them every time.

Of course, of course.

And where did you stay in Belfast?

The McKinley Inn, it's the one I always use.

And they'll confirm that?

Well, of course they will!

Inspector, why are asking me all this?

I'm very sorry, Mr Hunt. I have to do this.

You have our deepest sympathy.

Yes, of course.

I understand.

-BILLY'S VOICE ECHOES:

-"I can see what you're thinking.

"Where would an ugly old skin like me find a beauty like this?"

-Found me in the chemist shop.

-I did. I did.

I thought she was happy with me.

I thought I made her happy.

How can you really know what they're thinking?

Any reason she might have felt under pressure?

-Is there anyone who she...?

-Anyone what?

I don't know, she... She was an attractive woman.

What, men?

HE SCOFFS

Yeah, she had her fair share of admirers but

-she was a good girl, Doctor Quirke.

-Yeah.

Although I never liked your man she got in to help her manage the shop.

There were times I was sure he was robbing her blind.

-But I could never get a look at the books.

-Mm.

-Was this Leslie White?

-Yeah. You know him?

I bumped into him...

..with my niece.

She works in the hat shop down the street.

Hmm, sounds about right.

Apparently, all the women love him.

"Good for business," Deirdre said.

But I never liked him.

DOOR BELL TINKLES

DOOR CLOSES

-Good afternoon, sir.

-Good afternoon.

How may we help you? We don't very often see gentlemen in here.

I was wondering if I could take my daughter away a little early today?

Just for the last half hour or so.

Your daughter, really?

What a pleasure it is to meet you, Mr Griffin.

-Actually, it's Quirke. Dr Quirke.

-Oh.

I'm so sorry, how do you do, Dr Quirke?

Now, we are rather busy at the moment,

but in the circumstances, I think it's a charming idea.

Phoebe, get your coat.

And don't worry. I'll hold the fort.

I would never stand between a girl and her father.

I've always said, her father is a girl's first love.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Phoebe, you can tell me to mind my own business but

-there's something I wanted to talk to you about.

-What?

That chap that I met you with, the Englishman, Leslie White...

-..how well do you know him?

-Why?

It's just that I've heard he's not the best company in the world.

-From who?

-Oh, from around.

Well, you can tell "from around"

that Leslie is a very kind and gentle person

and you're right, it's none of your business.

You have no rights over me, Quirke.

Whatever right you might have had,

-you forfeited years ago.

-I'm your father!

Are you?

You hid that from me for so long and you expect me to accept it?

You're not my father, Quirke.

I have no father.

Please, Phoebe!

Phoebe!

Thank you, Maggie.

Thank you.

They're thinking of making me Dean.

Oh?

Moriarty mentioned it to me at the management meeting on Tuesday.

That's nice.

It's a lot of extra work.

SHE SIGHS

What would it involve?

Well, principally, of course,

I'd be responsible for the pastoral care of the medical faculty.

Moriarty says I have an affinity with the young.

SHE LAUGHS

What?

SHE LAUGHS HEARTILY

Sarah!

Oh, for goodness' sake!

Don't be such a child!

Sorry, Mal.

SEAGULLS CRY

-Dr Quirke, can I have a second?

-What is it?

Deirdre Hunt's toxicology is exactly the same as the Millican case.

No puncture wounds, but there was still

small amounts of tablets dissolved in the stomach.

-Same compound as we found in Geraldine Millican?

-Not exactly.

-No heroin?

-No, there was heroin all right.

-Not exactly the same compound but so similar it must be...

-What?

We've been looking for two pills,

but what if it was combined in the same pill?

-Backstreet pharmacist.

-Exactly.

Well done, Sinclair.

Can you watch the shop for me

-while I'm out for a couple of hours?

-Of course.

Well done.

It's not a secret,

Geraldine had gone off the rails, I suppose.

Sure all of Dublin was talking about it.

Who was she getting her drugs from?

Mr Millican, I have no clear-cut way

of knowing whether Geraldine killed herself

or whether the stuff she was taking would have killed her anyway.

I can't tell what was going on in her mind the day she died.

But now another woman has died with the same stuff in her system.

You have to tell the police whatever it is that you know.

A few months ago, I received a photograph through the post.

A photograph?

A photograph...

..of my wife.

-And what kind of photograph?

-Come on, Dr Quirke,

don't make me spell it out for you.

Blackmail?

I have a position in this city.

I couldn't allow that photograph to reach the newspapers,

not that they could print such a thing,

but they could be very clear what sort of a photograph it was.

Who sent you the photograph?

INDISTINCT CHATTER

INDISTINCT

Are you meddling again?

Possibly.

You should leave all this kind of thing to the police.

I would except that this chap, White,

he's been involved with Geraldine Millican and Deirdre Hunt

and I know that he's got something to do with their deaths.

But if he did, it'll probably come out in time.

No need for you to be sniffing around it.

Well, the thing is that he's started a sort of...

-acquaintance with Phoebe.

-Has he?

Well, you tell her she's not to see him.

You know what she's like, I tell her something

and she'll go in the opposite direction.

No.

I was hoping you might have a word with her. Or...

Or maybe a...

Maybe what?

You remember that fella, Costigan?

Get Costigan's ruffians to deliver a warning, you mean?

You want to go over to the dark side, now?

Well, well, I'm surprised at you.

Well, I say this... If I do it,

you may never, ever judge me again!

THUNDER RUMBLES

Is there somebody there?

Who's there?

Who is it?

FAINTLY: Phoebe!

Leslie!

Leslie! Oh, my God! What happened?

Please, just...get me inside.

HE GROANS

DOOR OPENS

What shall I do?

-Shall I call for an ambulance?

-No, no!

-A doctor?

-Agh! No.

Gin, give me some gin, please?

Who did this to you?

I have no idea.

-Were you robbed?

-No.

Listen. The man who lives downstairs,

he is a doctor, he'll give you something for me. All right?

-Dr Kreutz?

-Yes. Just tell him that the medicine is for Leslie,

it's very important that you say that, that it's for Leslie.

-I don't like to leave you.

-It's fine. It's fine, just go! Please?

Please, just...get the medicine.

DOOR CLOSES

HE GROANS

SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR

Dr Kreutz?

SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR

Dr Kreutz?

-Did you get it?

-I'm sorry, Leslie.

I knocked and I called and there was no answer.

Bastard. No, he's in there.

He's in there, all right.

-If you need a job doing, you do it yourself.

-Don't...

You don't understand, Phoebe, I need it!

HE GROANS

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

Come on, Kreutzy boy, I know you're in there!

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

Right, then...

Right.

Come on, come on.

DOOR CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Are you all right? Did you get your medicine?

Just, um... Just let me think for a minute.

Phoebe, can anyone know I'm here?

No.

I don't think so. Why?

Nothing.

It's fine.

Aagh!

HE GROANS

Phoebe.

Don't go.

Will you lie with me?

CHURCH ORGAN MUSIC PLAYS

DOOR CLOSES

DOOR BELL RINGS

Sarah.

Hello, Quirke.

We were so young.

SHE SIGHS

So foolish then.

I won't leave Mal, you know?

And if you can live with that, those are my terms.

I'm...yours.

What is it?

SHE SIGHS

Nothing.

Just, I'm so happy.

Of course, we'll probably both go to hell.

There's no such place.

Oh, but there is.

PHONE RINGS

RINGING TONE

RINGING STOPS

HE DIALS

Dr Quirke isn't in the office.

I tried telephoning but he's not answering. He must...

I thought you should know,

I did a haemolysis test on the blood from Mrs Hunt's heart

and the blood from the left ventricle

is more diluted than blood from the right.

You're going to have to spell it out for me, Dr Sinclair.

Right.

Thank you.

PHONE CLATTERS

DOOR OPENS

-Leslie?

-Phoebe?

Phoebe, where have you been?!

Nowhere, I went to the shops.

-Well, you should have asked me!

-What?!

You didn't tell anybody I was here?

No, I just went to the shops, Leslie.

I bought some eggs, you need to eat.

Listen, Phoebe, listen to me.

I'm in a spot of bother, all right?

And, er... It's temporary, but I need to leave town for a bit.

I wonder if I could borrow some money?

-Of course you can, I haven't much, though.

-OK.

Just, um... No... This is...

No, this is no use, Phoebe!

I could get some from the bank.

Really, how much?

-I don't know. About 20,000.

-Phoebe, I'm not JOKING!

SHE SCREAMS

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sh, please, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, I'm just a little overwrought, that's all.

Let's start again, yeah?

-How much money do you have in the bank?

-I told you.

My grandfather died last November, he left it to me.

I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, Phoebe.

I'm in such a terrible state and I don't know what came over me.

Can you forgive me?

Good.

-Now, which bank?

-The one around the corner.

Perfect.

Perfect.

Now let's sod 'em all, shall we?

We can head off to Egypt and show them all that we don't give a damn.

I don't think I can do that, Leslie.

Of course you can, Phoebe, of course you can, why ever not?

My family are here.

Family!

Right, well, go to the bank, get the money, there's a good girl.

There you go.

Dr Quirke.

I've been trying to get a hold of you but I couldn't find you,

so I went to Inspector Hackett, I hope that's all right?

-What are you talking about?

-I went back to the toxicology.

There was something about the results that didn't sit right

-and I did a haemolysis test on Deirdre Hunt.

-Yeah?

-She drowned in fresh water, Doctor Quirke.

-What?

She was murdered.

-Quirke.

-TREMBLING:

-Quirke!

I don't know what to do!

SHE SOBS

I've got myself in a terrible mess.

Who's in the flat?

All right, stay exactly where you are, don't move, you hear me?

I'm coming over.

PHONE CLATTERS

SHE GASPS

-Give me the keys. Stay there.

-I'll go with you.

-I said stay there!

Agh!

Phoebe! What are you doing?

Did you get it?

THUD

Quirke! What have you done?

Leslie!

SHE SOBS

Quirke!

SHE CRIES

Leslie!

Was that her?

Your niece?

Well, she'll be safe now.

You saw what he did to my Deirdre.

Your lovely girl would have been next.

I couldn't let that happen.

HE SIGHS

All right then, Mr Hunt crosses the border at 11 on Monday morning.

Thanks very much.

This is him crossing back into the Republic...

..at quarter past two on Wednesday afternoon.

And he couldn't have slipped back past you on the Tuesday?

Now obviously this would never happen,

but if I wanted to move a couple of head of cattle,

or a parcel of guns, late at night,

how would I be able to do that?

Of course, allowing that this could never happen.

CAR HORN TOOTS

BRAKES SCREECH

CAR HORN TOOTS

How are you?

Beautiful day, thank God!

DOG BARKS

-Do you want it filled?

-No, just a gallon will see me right.

Quiet enough about here?

Not a lot of passing trade, I'm guessing?

PETROL PUMP WHIRS

Local folk, farmers, the main?

Aye.

Mostly.

I was thinking you might notice a strange car going past,

especially at night.

A Dublin car,

week or so ago.

Come here till I show you.

You see that log down there?

-I do.

-That's the border.

OK.

You're the wrong side of it.

I'm under no obligation

to tell an Inspector of the Garda anything, at all.

BIRDSONG

Even so...

Mal is coming to take you home.

This IS my home.

Phoebe...

..I have to ask you this.

Did Leslie ever give you anything to take?

Drugs, I mean.

Leslie took things. I don't know what.

But he never offered me any.

Were they pills?

He said it was his medicine.

-He got it from the man who lives in there.

-What man?

SHE SNIFFS

Dr Kreutz.

DOOR OPENS

Phoebe!

Thank God you're all right.

Come on. I'll take you home.

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

DOOR CREAKS OPEN

Sir.

-Who found him?

-I did.

-He's taken a hell of a beating.

-He was probably asking for it.

Pervert.

-What do you mean?

-Show him the pictures.

Found a whole pile of dirty pictures in his desk drawers.

There's Deirdre Hunt.

-And Geraldine Millican.

-Drugs too. All sorts of stuff.

Here's your heroin.

Billy Hunt's company.

Do you recognise this, Mr Hunt?

Of course.

It's diamorphine.

Where'd you get it?

Does the name Hakim Kreutz mean anything to you?

Yes, he's a doctor.

He lives in that building, the flat below your niece.

Used to.

How do you mean?

He's dead, Mr Hunt, beaten to death.

Did White kill him?

How did you know him?

I told you, he's a doctor.

He's on my list.

And did you know he was struck off in 1952 for self-prescribing?

How much did he pay you for your samples?

Enough to keep Deirdre in style, I suppose.

Did you know what he was doing with them?

He was a backstreet pharmacist, Billy.

He cut your diamorphine into sleeping pills

and gave them to wealthy women in exchange for

pornographic pictures of themselves.

But you know that, don't you, Mr Hunt?

Let me suggest something to you, and correct me if I'm wrong.

Leslie White sent you photographs of Mrs Hunt

the morning you went to Belfast,

but I'm guessing you didn't see them until after you arrived at the hotel.

And you were outraged, of course you were.

You got straight back in the car and headed for home,

but the customs post in Killeen is closed at night, isn't it, Billy?

So you were trapped in the North until morning,

unless you crossed the border by the unapproved roads.

When did you realise you had a nice little alibi?

After you beat Kreutz?

Or when you got home?

Was Deirdre already in the bath? Was she conscious, Billy?

Did she look at you?

Was it easy to drown her?

She drowned herself.

WATER BUBBLES POP

-She was found in the sea!

-Yes, she was.

But who was it that put her there?

She was drowned in FRESH water, Billy...

..not sea water.

And the irony of the thing is,

that if you had simply left her in her bath, Billy,

we'd not have been any the wiser.

The hell with it.

She got what she deserved.

She was always my little angel.

I thought the world of her.

I could never believe my luck that she'd settle down with me.

Then I saw the photographs.

-Photographs of YOUR wife.

-Yes.

Of my wife. OF MY WIFE!

I couldn't get them out of my head.

This world of filth!

This other side to her I knew nothing about.

I suppose they'll be sending Mr Pierrepoint to Mountjoy

to see me off then, Mr Hackett?

Strange to think I've been on this path

since I first laid eyes on that woman.

It's the women. Isn't it?

It's always the women.

What they do to us.

What we do to them.

BIRDSONG

BELL TOLLS

PHONE RINGS

PHONE RINGS

Quirke.

MAL: 'It's Sarah.'

What about her, Mal?

'She's gone.'

Mal, I just want to say that I...

'She's dead.

'Quirke.

'She died.

'She just collapsed.

'She said she had a pain in her head. She fell down and died.

'I got her to the hospital but...

'it was no good.

'She's gone.

'It must...must have been a cerebral haemorrhage.

'I'm, er... I'm at the hospital now.'

HE HANGS UP PHONE

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

LIVELY CHATTER

How are things, Mr Quirke?

STOPPER POPS

You're hellbent on killing yourself with liquor.

Help me.

I just know something terrible has happened to April.

-Get off me, Jimmy.

-Watch your step!

You think I don't know you were carrying on

with your own brother's wife?

-What would you say that is?

-Maybe I should marry you.

I don't need your forgiveness and I don't need anybody else's.