Toil and Trouble Shakespeare & Hathaway - Private Investigators

LAUGHTER Let's have a peek, then!

We've got work to do!

SLOW PIANO MUSIC PLAYS

ANXIOUS KNOCKS ON DOOR

GUNSHOT

Try this, Frank.

Cheers, Will.

-What is that?

-Hell Broth.

It's, er, The Mucky Mallard's infamous hangover cure.

Works a charm for those brave enough to drink it.

Still taking good care of yourself, then, Frank?

Hey, you're the one who requested the hot date.

-I need to pick your brains.

-Tough.

William Porters.

-AKA Billy The Brick.

-What about him?

The Mayor of Arden was found this morning,

whacked over the head with a blunt object.

Looks like a burglary gone wrong.

SIGHS: Billy's not the violent type.

It's going to take Forensics a day or two to confirm

whether a brick WAS the murder weapon.

But Billy missed his appointment with his parole officer

this morning and his landlady hasn't seen him since yesterday.

This is a high-profile murder, Frank. Just be straight.

Where would Billy go if he wanted to lie low?

I have no clue, sorry.

You'd be doing him a favour.

The victim had a shotgun in his hand

and judging by the pellets lodged in the wall,

he managed to get one off clear, so Billy could be injured.

I've not seen him since I left the force.

Scout's honour.

Fine! Have fun playing with your hangover fairies.

But call me if you think of anything.

PHONE RINGS

Brad Pitt's body-double, how can I help?

-WHISPERS:

-Where've you been? I've got a client waiting for you.

Can't you deal with them?

They'll only speak to you.

Obviously a man of impeccable taste. I'll be there in a minute.

Right, well, be quick cos I get the impression he's a few jewels

short of a treasure chest.

-SWEETLY:

-Frank's on his way.

Can we get you anything? Tea? Coffee?

Grog?

HE CLICKS TONGUE

I'll have to call you back later, sweetheart.

It's all kicking off here, I've...

All right.

Bye.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in!

Mrs Cathness.

I've told you, call me Victoria.

I just wanted to make sure everything's in place for later.

Under the circumstances...

Duncan understood the importance of creating more affordable housing.

Consider it his legacy.

I'll make the necessary arrangements.

Excellent! See you later.

And congratulations.

-Congratulations?

-Well, you know what they say,

"The mayor is dead, long live the mayor!"

Your costume's hardly inconspicuous, is it, Billy?

Well, I had to do something! Cops are looking for me.

I tried to get back to my flat this morning,

-but they're all over the estate.

-I can't protect you.

You're lucky I haven't called Marlowe already.

-My advice? Hand yourself in.

-But I didn't do it!

Funny, I remember you saying that the first time we met,

as you climbed out of a bathroom window with a rucksack full

of someone else's belongings.

I mean it this time!

Well, all the more reason to go to the police.

-Tell them it wasn't you.

-They won't care if I did it or not!

They'll pin it on me anyway, bang me up for life.

I need you to clear my name.

I can't do it, Billy. You're a wanted man.

I could get into serious trouble just talking to you!

You owe me, Frank. Remember?

WHISPERS: There's no evidence that Billy did it.

-If Marlowe finds out, she'll...

-No. I owe Billy. Big-time.

Now he's here to collect his pound of flesh.

If you don't want to get involved, that's fine. I'll do it on me own.

-And let you have all the fun?

-Right.

First things first, we need to find a place to hide him.

Right. Your place?

Nah, neighbour's too nosy.

-What about yours?

-No. My mum's staying.

I can't leave her alone with a suspected murderer.

He wouldn't last five minutes!

No... Oh, come on. Just for a couple of days.

Yeah, Gloria won't mind.

We'll pay you double-rates. Call it a baby-sitting bonus.

No! No, no, no, no, no, no!

I'm not having some tattooed lowlife sleeping on my sofa!

-No offence.

-None taken.

Haven't you got that audition coming up?

-Streetcar Named Desire?

-So?

-So...

This... This is the perfect opportunity

to do an intensive character study on a...

..uncivilised brutish thug.

-No offence.

-It's fine, really.

The part of Stanley is practically yours!

I am perfect for the role...

Do you think Sebastian will be all right?

He's tougher than he looks.

Anyway, they're under strict instructions to stay put.

What's the worst that could happen?

I'm trying not to think about that.

So, what're we doing here?

I want to speak to someone who knew the victim.

Duncan Rexler lived on his own,

but he shared an office with his deputy.

Which one's that?

Ladies and gentlemen.

This morning we received the devastating news

that our beloved mayor, Duncan Rexler,

passed away last night.

He was a friend and mentor

and he shall be missed by all.

It was our first instinct to postpone,

but I know that Duncan would have wanted us to go ahead.

This is a project that he cared deeply about.

So it is in his name that I welcome you

to the launch of the Hilbury Woods Housing Development.

Let me introduce Victoria Cathness, of Cathness Homes,

who will tell you more about the plans.

Thank you!

At Cathness, we believe every family deserves a quality home.

Hilbury Woods will provide these homes,

-it'll bring much-needed new jobs to the area and...

-Excuse me!

In light of recent protests,

may I ask you about the environmental impact?

And you are?

Freya Elstob, Stratford Star.

In fact, we've already ear-marked another plot of land to plant

an equivalent number of new trees.

So really it's more of a woodland relocation.

-The trees are simply moving!

-But that's not...

Now, I'm sure you're all keen to see what this will look like.

CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK REPORTERS MURMUR

SHE CHUCKLES

CHANTING: Save Hilbury Woods! Save our newts!

Save Hilbury Woods! Save our newts!

"The woods are an important breeding-ground

"for this endangered species."

Sorry, I can't bring myself to care about a load of slimy lizards.

Newts aren't lizards!

They're amphibians.

Well, technically, semi-aquatic salamanders.

Aren't you full of surprises? It's just at the end here.

Save our newts! Save Hilbury Woods!

Save our newts!

Like I said, full of surprises!

We have to go another way.

What do you mean "another way"? That's where I live.

The shop?!

The flat above it, to be precise.

I have some standards.

I can't go in there!

We'll wait until the police leave, then we'll go.

But that's where I got this costume.

You've lost me, love.

I didn't exactly pay for it.

Oh...

Save our newts! Save Hilbury Woods! Save our newts!

Save Hilbury Woods! Save our newts!

Oh! It's only me!

Sebastian, darling, you won't believe the morning I've had!

I was robbed. This man came in...

Stop there, Gloria.

I know all about it.

-In fact, it was my fault.

-Oh, don't be daft!

-You weren't even here...

-Hear me out.

I was offered a tantalizing nugget of R-and-D work

for a delicious new family touring show -

Treasure Island with a twist sort of thing -

and turned up to discover that one of my fellow thesps

had left his costume on the train.

So, natch, I told him to pick up whatever he needed from here

and I'd give you a call to make sure it was all tickety-boo,

only it totally slipped my mind!

What? So the man who stole my costume...?

Marlon. Marlon!

I'm sorry about the misunderstanding.

Marlon, Gloria. Gloria, Marlon.

I am so sorry, Gloria.

Will you ever forgive me?

-But...

-I will cover the hire cost,

and we will make sure it is returned in immaculate condition.

What a relief! I feel silly for calling the police now.

Oh, I'd have done the same.

Oh, one more thing.

We're still sorting Marlon's digs.

All right if he crashes on my sofa for a day or two?

Absolutely fine, darling.

You boys have fun!

HE LAUGHS

The police called this morning.

I was devastated.

Duncan was about to retire from public service...

-Was Mr Rexler popular?

-What do you mean?

Well, people don't always think too highly of their local council.

Right, well, the police said that he interrupted a burglary.

Our client just wants to make sure all bases are covered.

Who's your client?

That's confidential, isn't it?

It is, yes, but our aim is to ensure that justice is served.

Do you know who found the body?

A local journalist, Freya Elstob.

She turned up to interview him, found him dead on the floor.

She's here somewhere if you want to talk to her...

Look, I can't imagine anyone wanting to harm Duncan.

He was a true gentleman.

The actions of these vandals are not representative

of wider public opinion.

And that will be made clear at the public consultation next week.

Sort it.

I will not having this project derailed by a bunch

of out-of-control octogenarians!

Excuse me. My wife's waiting.

-What's an...

-80-year-old people.

Oh!

Freya Elstob? I'm Luella Shakespeare,

-and this is...

-Frank Hathaway!

Do we know each other?

I covered the Ross case.

You saved an honest man from a life sentence.

Yeah, the ungrateful git still owes me north of a grand.

You found Duncan Rexler's body, is that right?

Must've been horrible for you.

I knocked on his door.

There was no answer, so I checked the garden.

The back door was open, glass everywhere.

I went inside and...

..well...

There was a lot of blood.

What were you going to interview him about?

He phoned yesterday, asked me to pop over.

Probably wanted a puff piece on this development

to get the public on board.

Anything to stop the HAGS gaining more support.

The hags?

Hilbury Action Group.

They've been kicking up a fuss because the development

would destroy a breeding ground for rare newts.

Oh, so it's probably them who...

It would explain why they didn't show their faces here today.

They must REALLY like newts.

RAIN PATTERS

You distract him. I'll go round the back.

-Me distract him?

-Yeah.

Tell him your car's broken down

-and you need a push or something.

-Why me?

Why? Because you, you've got the...

-..feminine charms.

-Hang on a minute.

I'm not the token pair of boobs here! We're partners, remember?

How about you tell him you need a push and I'll go round the back?

You're the designated driver.

Yeah. Look, fair enough. Yeah.

-MACHINE:

-You have one saved message, received yesterday at 20:09.

It's Moses. I got the message about your change of heart. Call me back.

I'm at this charity thing later, but I'll have my mobile.

MACHINE BEEPS

PHONE RINGS

Christina. How can I help?

We found a van abandoned in Hilbury Woods,

about a quarter of a mile from Duncan Rexler's cottage.

Got Billy's prints all over it.

-What are you telling me for?

-I thought it might jog your memory.

We've got to bring him in, Frank.

Like I said, I haven't seen him in ages.

-But I'll keep my eyes peeled.

-Yeah, you do that.

HE SIGHS Oh, Billy...

DI Marlowe?

-Victoria Cathness, we met at the Rotary ball.

-Yeah, sorry, I...

The Hilbury Action Group caused criminal damage to Cathness property

last night, yet nobody seems keen to arrest them.

It's really not my...

-The Chief Inspector's an old friend.

-Well, that may be, but...

He suggested that YOU make contact with the group,

persuade them to desist from their illegal activities.

For all our sakes.

SIRENS IN DISTANCE

What were you thinking?

I only said I'd help because I... BILLY SLURPS

What are you drinking?

Seb made it for me. It's pretty good.

-Want one?

-No! I'm not stopping.

I managed to persuade Lu to wait in the car.

If she found out what a mess you're in,

she'd want me to call the police!

Billy, why are your fingerprints in the van?

A mate paid me 50 quid to dump it, no questions asked.

SIGHS: This mate's name?

-HE SCOFFS

-Do I look like a grass?

You worked for me as an informant for three years, Billy.

A grass is literally what you are!

I can't remember his name.

He's more of an acquaintance.

-See him down the pub sometimes.

-Yeah.

So have you found out who killed the old bloke or what?

Cheers.

Well, they're getting on like a house on fire.

Billy's even drinking something with fruit in it.

-So what's all this about?

-Huh?

-You and Billy.

-Ah, ancient history.

Oh, come on, Frank, we're partners.

Or do I have to ring DI Marlowe, get her to enlighten me?

SIGHS: All right...

A few years back, I was chasing this gang.

They were doing over post offices.

My DS let something slip to the wrong person.

The gang found out Billy was passing me information.

Beat him to within an inch of his life.

Still, that's not your fault.

My informant, my responsibility.

Like he says, I owe him.

Do you think he's telling the truth?

Billy's never told the truth in his life.

If he tried, he'd go into anaphylactic shock.

Doesn't mean he killed Duncan Rexler, though.

-Talking of which, did you find those contact details?

-Oh, yeah.

So, according to a recent newspaper report, the leader of the HAGS

is called Edie Grimes and she lives by the woods.

-No wonder she didn't want them chopped down.

-Go on, then.

Jump in, let's go

and see how far she's willing to take this protest campaign.

Actually, you go.

I'm going to go and see the new mayor, find out what Duncan's

"change of heart" was really all about.

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

-Sorry, I can wait if you're...

-Actually, we were just finished.

Mr Abiola kindly offered to help with Mr Rexler's obituary.

I'll get those quotes over to you ASAP.

Thanks for your time.

Er, just a quick question...

-Shouldn't you be leaving this to the police?

-Oh, no.

They're under a lot of pressure, aren't they? Under-resourced.

Listen.

All I want to do is find Mr Rexler's murderer.

Very well.

Now you...

You...

You... You left a message on Mr Rexler's answer-phone last night.

-How do you know that?

-Official channels.

I...

What was, erm... What was his "change of heart"?

I can't tell you.

He never called me back.

Do you think he changed his mind about supporting

-the Hilbury Wood development, or...?

-Possible, I suppose.

He never mentioned any doubts to me.

It would be a brave man to go up against Victoria Cathness.

Why do you say that?

You've met her. She's, erm...

She's not exactly overflowing with the milk of human kindness.

So why are you supporting the development?

We need houses.

And...being mayor is just a stepping stone.

Next general election, I intend to stand as a parliamentary candidate.

-Wow.

-If I'm going to become an MP,

I'm going to need the support of people like Victoria.

Actually, one second, I just need to catch my colleague

before he goes to lunch.

KNOCK ON DOOR

-Ready?

-That's him. Mike!

-Liar, liar, pants on fire.

-Hm.

What do you mean, "we're out"?

There's nothing left.

Not even any of those weird jelly shots?

-Not even the jeered welly shots. The...

-I'll pop to the shops.

-No! Mm... Mm-nm. Too dangerous.

-Well, you go, then.

I'm not leaving you alone in my flat! You're a...

..felonious vagabond.

I need something to settle my nerves.

I hate being cooped up. Reminds me of prison.

I get...tense.

I could teach you some breathing techniques.

Or we could go down the pub!

The constabulary are looking for you.

Unless...

What?

There's one place we could go.

Somewhere the police definitely wouldn't look for you.

But you can't go dressed like that.

-EDIE:

-Nah... You won't change me mind.

We'll keep on fighting while there is a single newt left.

I'm not trying to change your mind.

I'm...I'm just trying to learn a bit more about your campaign.

-DOG BARKS

-Out, Spot! Out I say!

Out!

Stupid dog.

Did you ever meet Duncan Rexler?

Many times, not that he'd listen.

Too busy prancing around in that silly bloody hat!

Oh, we've protested, we've petitioned, we've done everything.

Ever considered any more direct action?

We've got to be smart.

Cathness was asked to commission an ecological report,

but the council so far have refused to publish it!

If we get our hands on that, we'd have the public on our side.

Maybe the council'll change their mind, now Mr Rexler's gone.

What do you mean, gone?

Oh...? Oh, he was found dead this morning.

Sorry, I thought you knew.

No, I don't know anything about that.

Oh, no, I'm not suggesting you know anything.

-ANGRILY:

-I don't know anything...

-DISTRACTED:

-..about that...

I should get back.

-No wait! I...

-Spot, come!

-Big night out?

-We'll see.

Just the two of you?

It's not like that.

If you say so, sweetheart.

-Tell Marlon I'll do his washing for him.

-Hm?

The clothes he left when he took the pirate's costume.

It's no bother.

I've got a load to do for Malcolm's show at the Windmill anyway.

Come on!

Give us a twirl!

Is this Mick Jagger I see before me?

Don't you scrub up well?

-You sure this is necessary?

-Absolutely!

Watch out, Stratford, something wicked this way comes!

Oh, darling...

Ask him where he gets his Kensington Gore from, will you?

It's terribly realistic, look.

Scared me witless when I first saw him.

Edie Grimes knows something.

She went as white as a ghost

the minute I mentioned Duncan was dead.

Our new mayor lied.

Duncan phoned him back last night.

According to his call-log, they spoke for over five minutes.

Never trust a man who wears a big gold necklace.

Don't we need some kind of actual evidence, maybe a motive?

OK, so...

So, Duncan tells Moses he's withdrawing support

for the housing development.

Moses sees an opportunity to become the new mayor

and get the support of Victoria Cathness.

No, Duncan was stepping down anyway.

PHONE RINGS

Everything all right with our guest?

No, it's not. It's not all right at all!

All right, keep your codpiece on. What's happened?

-Billy killed the mayor, that's what's happened!

-What do you mean?

All I know is that he walked into Gloria's shop this morning

-covered in blood!

-Stay there.

-We're coming to the flat.

-Er, we're not at the flat.

Well, where are you?

We're in the bar on Angus Road.

Look, we're on the way.

Try and act normal and don't let him out of your sight.

I swear, it wasn't me!

Yes, I got it.

But I can't! Not at the moment.

-Hey.

-You all right?

-Yes! I'm fine.

I thought Frank said not to use your phone.

Can't the police track it?

It's a burner. The only person with the number is my mum,

-and she's not going to tell anyone.

-Even so...

Let's just have a drink, shall we?

So, boys, what do we fancy?

Beer. Two beers.

Nice.

What is this place?

This is...Illyria.

You'll have to get these.

Well, can't find me wallet.

You all right, love?

-We should call Marlowe.

-Not yet.

Oh, just accept it, Frank. Billy did it!

I want to look him in the eyes first.

There might be an explanation.

Well, it better be a good one or I'm making the call.

At last!

Where is he?

He went to powder his nose. You...

Next time you need a crash-pad for your pet murderer,

use your own place! He could have stabbed me to death on my own sofa!

Would have been just my luck.

"So wise so young, they say, do never live long..."

How long's he been in there?

I don't know. Five minutes?

Oh, you....

Men's.

-He's gone.

-Oh.

Never mind.

I told you not to let him out of your sight!

What should I have done? Followed him into the toilets?

Offer to hold Little Billy for him?!

I don't know how to answer that.

-Look, we need to find him.

-And then we will what?

Persuade him to hand himself in.

Right. Did he mention any names, any places?

Not that I remember.

Oh, wait... He phoned his mum.

Right, get on the computer. Get her details.

I'll put an ear to the police scanner, see if his name pops up.

-What about Marlowe?

-Let's find him first.

If he doesn't play ball, I'll call her myself.

Hiya! Did Sebastian mention where he...?

Oh, he's just gone upstairs.

Oh, I thought he was going... Oh, never mind.

Er, he's a bit busy at the moment, got a big case on.

Could you give him this, then?

His boyfriend left it in my shop.

Oh, I'll make sure he gets it.

Oh, have you met him?

Not our Sebastian's usual type, but it's nice he's met someone.

Toodly-pip.

Do you think she meant...?

Driving licence, credit card...

Oh, look! Loyalty card for Freddy's Fried Chicken.

-Receipts, rubbish...

-Oh, what's that?

Must be his mum.

I know that woman.

Hiya, Mum.

I'm on my way to talk to the leader of the HAGs now, sir.

Yes, I'm aware Mrs Cathness is an acquaintance of yours...

..but I've been rather busy on the Duncan Rexler case.

Yes, sir.

Absolutely. I'll take care of it.

-MUMBLES:

-Like I've got nothing better to do.

-Call me when you find something!

-Yes, ma'am.

KNOCKING

-Where is he?

-Who?

Billy. We've been doing some digging, Edie.

We know he's your foster son.

So? I haven't seen him for months.

-THUNDER RUMBLES

-Who's bag is that?

We're trying to help him.

I think I've heard that one before!

-He needs to hand himself in, Edie.

-Why?

If he confesses, says the old man threatened him with a gun

-and he panicked...

-It's not what happened!

I told you to keep out of sight!

-So what did happen, Billy?

-And no more lies.

OK...

I broke into his house.

Except I didn't have to break in.

Look, when I got there, the back door was open

and the glass was smashed.

I went into the study and my feet went from under me...

Ah!

And that's when I saw him, lying on the floor.

But he was already dead!

So what did you do?

I just grabbed what I came for and left. Only then my van

wouldn't start, so I had to leave it in the woods and leg it on foot.

Hang on, you said you grabbed what you came for?

Does that mean you were in there to steal something specific?

The ecological report into the Hilbury Wood Development?

It confirms that it is a breeding ground

for the great crested newt.

This goes public, they'll have to pull the plug.

-KNOCKING MARLOWE:

-Mrs Grimes?

Mrs Grimes, are you in there? It's DI Marlowe

from Arden Constabulary, we need to talk.

I can hide you!

No, Mum. I don't want you getting into trouble.

Please, Frank.

They'll lock me up for the rest of my life.

I've done some stupid things, but I don't deserve that.

-KNOCKING

-Open the door, please, Mrs Grimes!

Please!

I'll try.

Thank you.

-Do you know? I was just going to give you a call.

-He was just...

I mean, look who we found.

Oh, good morning!

Is it?

How did it go at the station?

They've charged Billy with murder and Marlowe's furious with me.

She has got a point. So are we done?

No.

Look, Billy's a lying toe-rag, but I believe him about this.

More likely, Duncan Rexler was murdered to make sure

the Hilbury Wood development went ahead.

We need to use the report.

-What do you mean? What? Go public?

-Not exactly.

I got your message. Thanks so much for this.

You are very welcome.

When we found out that council property had been stolen

from Mr Rexler's house, we wanted to return it as soon as possible.

You have our gratitude.

Certainly... It certainly made for very interesting reading.

-You read it?

-Yeah.

Yeah, so I suppose that means

-the whole development's going to be shelved now.

-Not necessarily.

There are lots of factors to take into account.

-This is a box-ticking exercise, really.

-Oh, right! Oh.

Oh, that's not how it came across to me, but then what do I know?

I'm sure it will all be sorted at the public consultation next week,

won't it?

Oh! Don't worry about circulating the report beforehand

cos I've made copies, so I'll just bring them with me, shall I?

Great!

-Anything yet?

-Sh!

-What if he finds the bug?

-Sh!

DIAL TONE, DIALLING

I think it's working.

Victoria, it's Moses.

We might have a problem.

-It doesn't matter, you have to deal with it.

-Look,

-it was nothing...

-If they discover my plans, cos I tell you what,

you will pay the price...

Even if we can prove that they're working together,

how will we prove that they murdered Duncan?

Well, if they killed once, who knows? Maybe they'll kill again.

Mm... But who?

What? Hang on a minute!

Did you...? Did you send me in there as bait?

Well, bait is a strong word.

Frank! Do you think they're going to try and bump me off

before the public consultation?

Oh, thanks a lot, Frank!

Look, you're going to be completely safe.

I will make sure I know where those two are at all times.

Oh, really? Right, so where's Victoria Cathness right now?

Well, she's on the...

Ah! Well, yes, I...

I'll find her, and in the meantime,

-you've absolutely nothing to worry about.

-Right.

Argh!

Do you make a habit of spying on people?

Yes, actually. It's my job.

Well, then, I suggest you get better at it.

If this is about Duncan Rexler's murder,

I was at a charity ball all night,

as can be confirmed by DI Marlowe.

Talking of whom, if I catch you following me around again,

-I'm calling the police.

-You won't, cos we're leaving. Sorry.

See? She's not the type to get her hands dirty.

I reckon she'd get him to do it.

Oh, wait! Wait!

Ooh!

She's keen to butter up the new mayor.

Ah, is that what you call it?

It was nothing.

A silly fling.

-It's over now.

-We saw.

What do you want from me? Money?

We want to be illuminated.

You lied about speaking to Duncan again the night he died. Why?

It wasn't a lie.

We'd be happy to show these pictures to your wife...and kids.

-I'm telling the truth! I didn't speak to him.

-OK, let's go.

Wait!

You've got the wrong end of the stick.

Duncan still supported the housing development.

Well, so why say he had a change of heart?

The change of heart wasn't about that.

He found out about Freya and me.

And I take it he didn't approve?

He left a message that night to say that he was planning

to stay on until he was confident that there was a

"successor of suitable moral calibre."

The whole thing was ridiculous.

We'd already given him his engraved bloody clock!

There was a call from his mobile to yours

25 to nine the night he died.

Lasted for several minutes, but you told Frank...

I didn't even have my phone on me.

I was at the charity ball by then.

I got dressed in the office and I must've left it behind.

Yeah, but the call wouldn't have registered

unless somebody had answered.

Ah!

So when you say "got dressed in the office", I take it you had company?

A certain reporter, perhaps?

Er, Freya? Yeah, it's Frank Hathaway.

I've... I've got a tip-off for you.

Well, it's to say thanks for helping us out yesterday.

The police have got a new suspect in the Duncan Rexler case.

Mm-hm.

Female, mid-to-late 20s.

They reckon she bashed him over the head with a carriage clock.

Er, well, they didn't say.

They're on their way to pick her up now.

You're welcome.

Glad to be of service.

What was all that about a carriage clock?

-Where do you keep a carriage clock?

-I dunno.

-Mantelpiece, usually.

-Mm.

Wasn't one there.

But I did find this clock key in the fireplace by the body.

And Moses said Duncan got a clock for his retirement present.

You really think this is going to work?

SHE GASPS

You're good. You're very good.

Oh, there'll be no talking to you now.

I wouldn't bother, love.

We'll only fish it out again.

Moses told us what happened between you that night.

Does it suit me?

THEY GIGGLE

Take it off.

I'm going to be late for the stupid charity dinner.

-Can I see you afterwards?

-No, Rachel will be there.

Tomorrow, then?

Look, Freya, I don't know if I can keep doing this.

What do you mean?

Duncan knows.

He's threatening to stay on another term.

I've got to do everything I can to prove to him

-that I'm a safe pair of hands.

-But I love you, you told me that...

Unless I stop seeing you,

he's going to do everything he can to prevent me from becoming mayor.

-What choice do I have?

-Maybe I could talk to him, I could explain...

He won't listen. I don't have time for this now.

I'll call you.

Lock up behind you, yeah?

DOOR CLOSES

PHONE RINGS

It was you that answered the call, wasn't it?

And then terrified of losing Moses, you tried to get

Mr Rexler to change his mind about standing for re-election.

When he refused, you went to his house and you murdered him.

That's ridiculous!

But then you staged a burglary, didn't you?

Just fired off a shot from the gun

so that it would look like Mr Rexler had disturbed an intruder.

And you made up a story about him arranging a meeting with you,

so you had an excuse to find the body.

It wouldn't matter that your DNA was all over the place.

It wasn't me!

You're holding the murder weapon.

No! You're wrong!

Look at your hands, Freya.

CLOCK SHATTERS

Moses is very ambitious, very driven.

I've always loved that about him. He needed to become mayor.

So, yes, I went to Mr Rexler's house, but just to talk.

He loves me, I love him. It's not just some stupid fling.

-Let me...

-But you are ruining two people's lives.

-Please...

But he wouldn't listen to you, would he?

He said that Moses would never leave his wife.

That...I shouldn't have been so naive.

Then he ordered me to get out.

Go!

Is that why you killed him?

-Cos he told you a truth you just couldn't bear to hear?

-No!

I don't know.

All I could think was this stupid, judgmental old man was forcing Moses

to throw away what we have together and I couldn't let that happen.

And now Moses has dumped you anyway.

Maybe I should've broken his skull instead.

It's his fault.

His promises, his lies.

He's turned me into...

I'm better than this!

Yeah, Christina, it's me.

Frank.

Listen, I've got somebody here you're going to want to talk to.

You are better than him.

Men, eh?

Ah! So Marlowe let you out, then?

On bail.

Oh, the CPS are still deciding

whether they're going to charge him for the break-in.

I'd ask our new mayor to put in a good word for you,

but I'm not sure how long he'll be in the role.

He might not have known about the murder, but having an affair

with your predecessor's killer won't look good in the polls.

I'll be all right. I'm sorry I abandoned you in that bar, mate.

Me mum was nagging me to get that report to her.

Nice place, though, that Illyria.

I think that barmaid fancied me.

Who could resist?

I think you owe us all a pint, don't you, Billy?

Sorry, Frank. Can't find my wallet.

No such luck.

THEY LAUGH

Same again?

A strawberry cider, please.

-EDIE:

-He's a good boy, really.

And at least he broke in this time for a good cause!

I take back everything bad I've ever said about him.

Here's to Billy, saviour of the newts!

To Billy. And to a debt paid.