Bat Out of Hell (1966) s01e05 Episode Script

Geoffrey Stewart was shot;
He was murdered.
Yes, we know that.
And I want to make sure,
quite sure, sir -
that the same thing doesn't
happen to Miss Valesco.
Why should anyone want
to murder Miss Valesco?
I didn't say anyone did
want to murder her, sir.
But you inferred that they might.
You say you came
here to negotiate
with Miss Valesco on
behalf of Mrs. Stewart?
Yes.
What happens if
you don't succeed?
Well, that's it.
Mrs. Stewart's had it.
Well, I wish you
the best of luck, sir.
Look, Inspector - forgive me,
but I think you're
just a little bit confused.
-Confused, sir?
-Yes. About me, I mean.
I couldn't care less
whether Mrs. Stewart
does a deal with
Miss Valesco or not.
I've got no axe to grind.
I'm working for Mrs. Stewart.
A glorified messenger boy.
Oh. Oh, I see.
Well, in that case,
you're quite right.
I am confused.
I'm just leaving, Miss Valesco.
You have my telephone number
in case you need me.
Yes, of course. Thank you.
If you're worried,
or puzzled about anything,
don't hesitate to ring.
You're very kind, Inspector.
Diana, can you hear me?
It's Geoffrey.
Listen - listen to what I'm saying.
You've got to identify the body.
They've got to think it's me.
Do you understand?
I'll phone you again tomorrow
morning at twelve o'clock.
Now we know why
Mrs. Stewart thought
it was her husband on the phone.
Yes, but how can you
get a recording like that, sir?
A good recording engineer
can take sentences,
even single words,
from half a dozen tapes
and string them together.
I see
I'm afraid there's still
one or two points, sir.
Let me put you in the picture, Booth.
As you know, this tape recorder
and these spools
were found at Kitty Tracey's.
Every single spool is a recording
of a private conversation.
Geoffrey Stewart with his wife,
Mark Paxton with Mrs. Stewart,
and so on.
Someone - and it obviously
wasn't just Miss Tracey,
went to great lengths to
get these recordings.
And I'm sure I don't
have to tell you why.
-Blackmail?
-Exactly.
Now in my opinion,
Kitty Tracey and her unknown partner -
let's give him a name for the time being.
Ned Tallboy
Yes, alright, Sergeant.
Ned Tallboy.
Kitty Tracey and
Tallboy discovered
that Mark Paxton and
Mrs. Stewart were having an affair
and planned to murder
Geoffrey Stewart.
They let the plan go through
for the simple reason
that at a later date they
They intended to
blackmail Mrs. Stewart.
Right.
Unfortunately for Ned Tallboy,
at this point,
a friend of Kitty Tracey's -
Ken Harding came into the picture.
Harding knew what they were up to
and threatened to go to the police
unless he was cut in on the deal.
Ned agreed to this
but later on, he became suspicious -
he thought that Miss Tracey and
Harding were ganging up on him.
So he decided that
the only thing to do
was to get rid of Harding.
He murdered him, dressed him up
in Geoffrey Stewart's clothes
and dumped the body
out to Benchley Wood.
Then, by means of this so
called telephone conversation,
he persuaded Mrs. Stewart
to identify the body
as her husband's.
-Why should he do that?
-If you committed a murder,
what would be your
number one problem?
-Getting rid of the body.
-Exactly.
And as soon as Diana Stewart
had identified
the dead man as her husband,
Ned Tallboy had, in fact,
solved this problem.
I see what you mean.
He was banking on the fact
that it might be months,
even years before
Geoffrey Stewart was found.
Yes, and he didn't murder
Stewart, remember.
He'd nothing to worry about so far as
this murder was concerned.
Yes, of course.
Well, we certainly seem to have
pinned it on poor old Tallboy.
But tell me sir,
when did you first realise
that Mark Paxton and
Mrs. Stewart were having an affair?
Oh, I had a hunch about
that quite early on.
Then one afternoon
I dropped in on Paxton.
Apart from seeing a cigarette
she'd been smoking,
I noticed her handbag
on the settee.
What is it, Miller?
There's a Mr. Walter Bowen
outside, sir.
He'd like to have a word with you.
Yes, alright. Then show him in.
It's very good of you
to see me, Inspector.
Oh good morning, Sergeant.
Good morning, sir.
-Do sit down, Mr. Bowen.
-Thank you.
What can I do for you, sir?
Well, frankly, I don't know
that you can do anything, Inspector.
It's just that I'm rather
worried about my wife.
In what way, sir?
She was a friend - or rather
an acquaintance - of
Look, Inspector, I think I'd better
come straight to the point.
It might be a good idea, sir.
Miss Tracey was
blackmailing my wife.
Thelma used to go there - to
Miss Tracey's, I mean, once a month.
She went there the night
Miss Tracey was murdered.
Go on, sir.
Well, that's it, that's what
I came to see you about.
It's very interesting
information, sir.
But I would have preferred
to have had it at first hand.
What do you mean?
Why didn't Mrs. Bowen
tell me about this?
Well, she's frightened,
and besides
Yes
My wife and I have had a row,
as a matter of fact we've split up
for the time being, at any rate.
I'm sorry to hear that.
It's just one or those things.
It was inevitable, I suppose.
Does your wife know you've
come here this morning, Mr. Bowen?
No, no, she doesn't.
That's what our row was about.
I told her you'd find out about
her visit to Miss Tracey's
and unless she came
here straight away,
she'd probably be suspected
of the murder.
She just wouldn't listen to me.
What was Miss Tracey blackmailing
your wife about, do you know?
No. No, I'm afraid I don't.
And you say that
you went to Miss Tracey's
on Wednesday night -
the night of the murder?
Yes. She had an appointment
at seven o'clock.
Tell me what happened.
Well, Thelma left the house
by quarter to seven
and about an hour later,
she returned.
She was in a dreadful state;
she was both frightened and
distressed about something.
When I asked her
what had happened
she refused to talk.
And the next morning,
when I questioned her again,
she said that when she'd
arrived at Miss Tracey's
the murder had already happened.
You mean she saw the body?
I don't know whether she
actually saw the body or not;
she flew into a panic
and rushed home.
I see. Well;
thank you, Mr. Bowen,
you've been very helpful.
Inspector, if you talk
to my wife about this
I'd be awfully grateful if you'd
We'll be discreet, sir.
Don't worry.
There's no reason why Mrs. Bowen
should know that
you've been here.
Thank you.
Where can we get in touch
with you, Mr. Bowen,
if we want to have another chat?
Oh, I've taken a job.
A temporary job, anyway.
Do you know Clayton's,
the book shop at Oakfield?
Yes.
I guess, I shall be there for
the next two or three weeks.
Thank you, sir.
Mrs. Stewart's been trying
to get hold of you, sir.
She telephoned your
office three times.
Yes, I know. I've been out
all morning.
Are you taking your afternoon
off, Mrs. Houston?
Yes. I'm just popping
over to Oakfield
to see my married sister.
They've just moved
into a new house
and I've promised to
lend them a hand.
I should take an umbrella if were you,
it looks as if it's going to rain.
Well, Mrs. Houston,
I thought you'd gone.
No; I'm just off.
Give my regards to your sister.
I hope she likes the new house.
Yes, I will.
You look tired.
I didn't have a very
good night, I'm afraid.
I've been trying to
get you on the phone;
I've been trying whole morning.
Yes I know. I'm sorry, darling.
I had two important appointments.
Well, I've got quite a lot to tell you.
I saw this girl - Diana Valesco.
I had quite a long chat with her and
What's she like?
Do you want me to be frank?
Of course I want you to be frank;
if I didn't want you to be frank,
I wouldn't have asked you.
Diana, what is it?
What's the matter?
Tell me about this girl.
She's Italian; very good looking
and Geoffrey was obviously
in love with her.
How do you know?
How do you know Geoffrey
was in love with her?
Diana, what is
the matter with you?
Do you want the truth?
Do you want to know what
happened last night, or don't you?
Go on.
It appears Geoffrey met her
about six months ago.
They bumped into
each other in Chelsea.
I mean, literally bumped
into each other.
She was running for a taxi;
Geoffrey was crossing
the road, and wham!
She hurt her foot pretty badly
so he put her in the cab
and took her home.
That's how it all started.
"Who came like a bat out of hell!"
Yes, he used the phrase
when she bumped into him
she didn't understand it.
Later, when they got
to know each other,
she asked him what it meant.
He tried to explain -
he even tried to translate it
into Italian, but it was impossible.
It became a sort of
little joke between them.
A rather costly little joke
I imagine,
as far as Geoffrey was concerned.
I don't think so.
It's my impression this girl's
had very little out of him.
She didn't even know about
the will until I told her.
I find that hard to believe.
It's true.
What happened when
you did tell her?
She's worried.
She's frightened you're
going to contest the will
I am going to!
Diana, listen.
I've had a talk to this girl.
She's not what you think she is.
At the moment
she's very hard up
What do you mean - hard up?
Diana, if you contest
that will it'll be months,
maybe years, before anybody
gets anything out of it.
That's not what
you said yesterday.
Yes, I know.
I know what I said yesterday
but that was before
I met this girl.
She's prepared to do
a deal with you.
She's told me, quite frankly,
that if you can let her
have ten thousand pounds -
now straight away
You want me to give you
ten thousand pounds?
No, no, not me!
This girl Don't you understand
what I'm talking about?
Read this letter.
It came this morning.
-What is it?
-Read it!
What the hell does this mean?
Don't you know what it means?
Diana, don't be an idiot.
Put that thing away!
Good God, do you
think I'd walk out
-on you at a time like this?
-Yes, I do!
You are walking out on me!
That's why you want
the ten thousand pounds,
not because that girl
asked you to
Diana, for heaven's sake!
Some little bastard sends you
an anonymous letter
and the moment
you get it you think
I'm walking out on you!
It's no use, Mark.
What do you mean?
I checked with B.O.A.C.
the moment I got the letter.
Yes, well I can explain
I can explain about B.O.A.C.
Someone at the office asked me
-to make a reservation
-You're lying! You're lying!
I'm not. Honestly darling
[Gun shot]
Sorry to bother you, sir!
Can I use your phone?
Inspector, hello!
Yes, of course! Come along in.
I was getting some petrol and
suddenly remembered
a call I ought to make.
I see you've read
the paper, sir.
What a terrible business!
My God, you can say that again!
When I saw the paper
this morning
I just couldn't believe it.
-Inspector
-Yes, sir?
I probably oughtn't to ask you this,
but - did you know about
Mrs. Stewart and Mark Paxton?
Well, I suspected they were
more than just friends,
if that's what you mean, sir.
Do you know, it never
crossed my mind,
not for a minute?
And now you come
to think about it,
he was a good looking chap
and they were always together.
I'm beginning to think
I'm a bit of a dim wit.
I wouldn't say that; sir.
You just haven't
got a suspicious nature.
But that's just it - I have!
As a rule, I'd suspect
my own grandmother.
Inspector, how did the row start?
I mean, what triggered it off?
-A letter, sir.
-A letter?
Yes, Mrs. Stewart received
an anonymous letter
saying that Paxton
intended to ditch her.
Is this the actual letter?
Yes.
As soon as she received it
she checked with B. 0. A. C.
And he had made the booking?
Yes, he'd made
a booking alright.
He was flying to Sydney
on Monday afternoon.
The little rat walking
out on her like that.
May I, sir?
Yes, yes of course.
Go ahead, Inspector.
I'm only ringing the office,
sir - it's not private.
Yes, it's about time I did
some work myself this morning.
Inspector Clay's office.
Miller, put Sergeant Booth on,
I want a word with him.
I'm afraid he's not here, sir.
He went over to Oakfield
about an hour ago, sir.
Oh, alright Miller,
doesn't matter.
Inspector, there's a
Mrs. Bowen here, sir.
She wants to see you, sir.
She says it's urgent.
Mrs. Bowen?
Alright, tell her to wait.
I'll be there in
about fifteen minutes.
I just didn't believe it.
I refused to believe it.
Even when Mrs. Houston,
the housekeeper,
told me that it was Diana herself
who telephoned for the police,
I just couldn't
Mrs. Bowen, I appreciate the fact
that Diana Stewart's
a friend of yours -
but I'm sure you didn't
come along here
just to talk about her.
No - no I didn't.
Well, what did you
come to tell me?
-Well, I
-Go on.
I want to talk to you
about Kitty Tracey,
about what happened the night
she was murdered.
I was hoping you'd say that.
Go ahead, Mrs. Bowen
About two years ago
I bought some jewellery
from a man called Ken Harding.
It was stolen.
I knew it was stolen at the time
like a fool, I sold it
to a customer of mine.
Six months later
I did the same thing again
and then well, we did
several deals together.
Then one night Kitty Tracey
rang me up.
She didn't say what she wanted
but she mentioned
Ken Harding by name
and she hinted she knew
what was going on.
That was her technique,
I'm afraid.
First to make you curious,
whether she made sense or not -
then to scare the
hell out of you.
About a fortnight after
her phone call
she asked me to call round
and see her.
I've been calling round
to see her ever since.
How much did she get out of you?
Two hundred pounds,
in cash, every month!
You see, she had
some papers I'd signed -
papers I'd given to
Ken Harding when I
Tell me about Wednesday
night, Mrs. Bowen.
Well, I got there at
about quarter to seven.
I used to go into the shop and
then go straight up the staircase.
She was usually sitting
there waiting for me.
But on Wednesday when I got
to the top of the staircase,
I realised that she wasn't there
and that the place
had been ransacked.
I was just looking round the room
when suddenly someone
rushed out of the bedroom
and hit me on the back of the head.
Well, I managed to get as far as
the landing, and then I passed out.
Did you recognize who hit you?
Sorry Inspector, I didn't -
they came up behind me.
What happened then?
Well, I must have been unconscious
for about ten minutes.
When I came round and
remembered what had happened
I just ran out of the shop
and went home.
Didn't you look for Miss Tracey?
Didn't you go into the bedroom?
No, no I didn't.
I knew something had happened -
something dreadful;
and well, I just didn't want
to get involved in it.
Mrs. Bowen, you say that
Kitty Tracey was blackmailing you
and that you paid her
two hundred pounds a month?
Yes.
Was it only just a
question of money?
Didn't she sometimes ask you
to do things for her?
Yes, she did.
She made me lie to Diana
about that phone call,
the one that was supposed
to be from Geoffrey.
There wasn't a phone call,
of course,
Geoffrey was already dead.
She wanted Mrs. Stewart to go
to the motel to identify the body.
Yes - but why? I never
understood - why?
Mrs. Bowen, I'm going to tell you
something about Kitty Tracey,
something you don't know.
Although she was
blackmailing you,
Miss Tracey actually
worked for a man called -
well, let's call him Smith
for the time being,
Smith was the real blackmailer,
he really ran the racket.
Then one day Miss Tracey
and your friend Ken Harding
decided to start up on their own.
It's my guess you were
their first victim.
Smith found out, lost his
temper, and murdered Harding.
He then tried to
cover up the murder.
By passing off Ken Harding
as Geoffrey Stewart?
Right. But Miss Tracey had
been fond of Ken Harding,
and she decided not to
let Smith get away with it.
She knew that once
we found Geoffrey Stewart,
we'd be curious about
the other body,
the one at Benchley Wood.
And was it Smith who
murdered Kitty Tracey?
Yes; he was obviously
searching for something
when you disturbed him.
And I think I know
what he was searching for.
I don't want to frighten you
Mrs. Bowen,
but I think you'll be
hearing from Mr. Smith.
What are you doing here?
I should have thought it was obvious,
I'm waiting for you.
Look, Walter,
I told you yesterday
-I haven't the slightest
-Thelma, listen, I've got to talk to you
Walter, it's no use! I'm not lending
you another bob!
Thelma, listen to me!
This is important.
I've got a message for you -
it's about Kitty Tracey.
What do you mean
about Kitty Tracey?
Someone telephoned me
at the book shop.
I don't know who, it was, but
Look, for God's sake,
come on, get in the car.
Now tell me again - tell me
exactly what happened.
-But I've already told you.
-Walter, please!
It was lunch time. I was alone.
Clayton had gone to the bank
and I was sorting out some paperbacks.
The phone rang and
a man's voice said,
'I want to speak to
Walter Bowen?'
When I said that was me,
he said, 'I've got a message
for your wife, Mr. Bowen.
Tell her I've got the papers
that Kitty Tracey had.
Tell her I'm prepared
to do a deal -
four thousand pounds, in cash.
I'll telephone you
this time tomorrow'.
-That's all?
-Yes, that's all he said.
And you didn't
recognize the voice?
No. I didn't.
Thelma, what was
he talking about?
Walter, I want you
to do something for me.
When he phones tomorrow,
tell him I'll meet him
at Paddock Grange.
Paddock Grange?
The Stewart place?
Yes.
But - why Paddock Grange?
I'll be there at two o'clock.
I'll have the money with me.
Four thousand pounds in cash.
Yes, alright.
I hope to God you know
what you're doing.
Here's the key.
Did you see Mrs. Stewart?
Yes, I saw her.
Just for a few minutes.
How is she?
She's upset, of course.
But she's bearing up
pretty well.
You know, it's a funny thing,
but I almost feel sorry
for that woman.
Then remind me to keep
you off the jury, Booth.
Oh, I know, strictly speaking
she's a bad lot.
Strictly speaking
you're a sucker
And if you'd been married to her
you'd have been a
dead sucker by now.
Clay.
Mrs. Bowen is on the
line for you, sir.
Alright, put her on.
-Inspector?
-Yes?
This is Thelma Bowen.
I've heard from our friend.
He wants four thousand pounds.
I've told him to meet me
tomorrow at two o'clock.
Good. Now we've
got the door key,
one of my men will drop it
in on you later.
Now don't worry, Mrs. Bowen,
everything's going to be alright.
What about Mrs. Houston,
the housekeeper?
She'll be out of Paddock Grange
by the time you get there.
Don't you worry about that.
Oh Mrs. Bowen, how did you
get this message?
He telephoned my husband.
-When?
-At lunchtime, today.
I see. Thank you, Mrs. Bowen.
What's happened?
It looks as if it's fixed.
Tomorrow afternoon -
two o'clock.
-At Paddock Grange?
-Yes.
Why Paddock Grange, sir?
Where would you have
the showdown, Booth?
Well, at the shop,
at Mrs. Bowen's.
In the middle of Alunbury?
Yes, I got the point.
I'll take care of that, Thelma.
Excuse me, sir.
My husband was here
when I arrived.
Inspector, how would I let
my wife come here alone like this?
Didn't you realise
what he was doing?
Something might have
happened to her.
-You handed the money over, sir?
-Yes.
-And our friend is still in the house?
-Yes.
Mr. Tallboy hated Mark Paxton,
he was jealous of him,
that's why he sent
Mrs. Stewart the note.
About the B. O. A. C. booking?
Yes. I made a copy of the note
and showed it to Tallboy.
He fell for it.
He said; "Is that the actual
note, Inspector?"
Thus giving away the fact that
he knew damn well it wasn't?
Exactly!
If he hadn't seen
the original note,
he wouldn't have questioned.
Here he is!
Mr. Tallboy, I know you've
dealt with a hundred cars,
but even you can't start one
without the rotor arm!
I've replaced
the rotor arm, sir.
Thank you, Sloane.
Leave this with me, sir.
I'll take it back to
Tallboy's place.
Thank you, Sergeant.
But, I'll take care of this
if you don't mind.
It may interest you
to know, Booth,
but this isn't the first time
I've handled one of these.
Yes, well - take it easy, sir.
They can go like a bat out of hell!