Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s19e11 Episode Script

1
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
Pray tell?
Oh. Ah, when Harry
visits on the weekends,
all he does is eat.
Sandwiches, in particular.
I'm sure you can relate, Watts.
I don't visit you on weekends.
Right. Uh, well, Harry
dislikes sandwiches
that are untoasted.
So, I've made this.
The modern toaster is
terribly inefficient,
uh, requires constant
monitoring, turning
Oh, I'm well aware.
I've set more than my share of fires.
Then you'll appreciate this.
- I've installed a timer here
- Mm.
and coils on both sides of the device,
so that both sides of the bread
are toasted at once,
without fear.
Oh, it's delicious.
(PHONE RINGING)
Detective Murdoch's office.
Mm.
(CRUNCHING)
Yes.
We'll be right out.
- Spring is far too strong.
- (ZAPPING)
I'm afraid you'll want to see this.
Ooh
(DOOR CLOSES)
Jasper Weems. His neighbour
was walking her dog
and noticed the door was open.
- Strangled.
- And a rather nasty black eye.
There's overlapping ligature marks here.
I wouldn't say a rope,
but a cord of some sort.
There's also white residue here.
All manner of devices and machines.
Why would Mr. Weems have all this?
Ah, there are no signs of forced entry.
Am I too late? I brought the money.
Sir, we are investigating a murder here.
Oh. Oh, my!
What are you doing here?
Well, I came to buy something.
Did you know Mr. Weems?
I don't know him from a can of paint.
I just called the number in the paper.
Man said come get it.
Get what, exactly?
A pressure compensator.
Little gauge with a
rubber hose attached.
Watts.
The white powder on these marks,
it's rubber bloom,
a synthetic residue left
behind on rubber products.
Like the hose on the compensator.
Precisely.
I believe whatever
this man is here to buy
is what was used to kill Mr. Weems.
So it's no longer for sale?
(THEME MUSIC)
Your suspicions regarding the
ligature marks seem sound, Detective.
Mr. Weems was likely strangled
with the item for sale.
It's not here. The
killer may have taken it.
Rigor mortis has set in,
so he was killed at least 24 hours ago.
And his black eye?
The edges of the bruise are yellow.
I'd say they're about a week old.
- So not part of this altercation?
- Indeed.
Take a look at this.
It's made out to Mr. Weems from
Liminus Research Laboratories.
Right. Uh, Watts,
look into Mr. Weems' family and friends
and see if anyone wished him harm.
You're off to the laboratory?
You don't think I'd pass
up that opportunity, do you?
Oh, there must be ten or
fifteen cigarettes here.
- Mm-hmm.
- Do you think Mr. Weems
- was waiting for someone?
- Possibly.
Manheims.
Thank you, Miss Hart.
Ah
(HUMMING)
Louise, we can't be late
for a reservation at Tomeo's.
They keep detailed
records of such offences.
(SIGHS) Mavis!
- Ma'am.
- Why wasn't Miss Newsome told
that our lunch date
had to be rescheduled?
Because, well,
I wasn't told either, ma'am.
- Sorry, Miss Newsome.
- No, it's not a bother, Mavis.
Well, I am bothered, Mavis.
My second date with Sidney
has been on the books for days.
A second date? With Sidney? Who's this?
Sidney Ballard, the man of my dreams.
He loves poetry, he's
tall, sweet, sensitive.
He's perfect.
He sounds fetching, ma'am.
The windows aren't going
to wash themselves, Mavis.
Hop to it!
So, where did we meet this
sweet, sensitive Sidney?
- Oh, you know.
- (VEHICLE HORN HONKING)
No, I don't know. That's why I'm asking.
Well
I met him here.
- In the newspaper?
- Mm.
You went on a date with
a complete stranger?
No, no, not a stranger.
He's written a short biography.
His interests, his likes, his dislikes.
I felt like I knew
him before we even met.
Well, this all feels awfully sudden.
Surely it takes more
than a 50-word biography
to truly get to know a person.
This is the way of the future, Effie.
All those contrived courtships,
friends of friends, those silly set-ups
that only lead to disappointment.
(SCOFFS) It's all so terribly gauche.
Besides being generally unsafe,
what are the chances
you actually hit it off
with someone you don't even know?
He could be a washout,
or-or a drunk, or worse.
If I don't do something like this,
I could end up single forever.
Or twice divorced.
- Like yourself.
- (PLAYFUL MUSIC)
Hello?
Detective Murdoch, Toronto Constabulary.
I'm looking for anyone
who knew Jasper Weems.
Dr. Ralph Pipkin, but, uh,
I wouldn't say I know him.
I assume Mr. Weems was a
scientist here of some sort?
Oh, hardly. He was a janitor.
Fired a few days ago.
Fired? For what reason?
Stealing's what I heard.
We found a number of
machines at Mr. Weem's home.
I could arrange to have them returned.
It doesn't matter now.
The laboratory's funding has been cut.
We have to stop our research.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Um, do you know of anyone
who disliked Mr. Weems?
No.
Although, Dr. Noble
over there was very upset
when he discovered Jasper stealing.
He punched Jasper in the face and
promised he'd wring his neck
if he ever saw him again.
- Thank you, Dr. Pipkin.
- Mm-hmm.
Dr. Noble?
I understand you were
familiar with Jasper Weems.
Familiar?
How well does anyone
really know the janitor?
Especially one who constantly says hello
every time you run into
him. Maddening habit.
Apparently you were familiar
enough to assault him.
Not my finest moment.
But it was earned. He
stole from this laboratory.
Doctor, are you aware that Jasper Weems
was found dead in his home?
Then I suppose he stole
from the wrong person.
Where were you last night, Doctor?
I was here, getting as
much work done as possible
before the doors are shuttered.
Can anyone confirm this?
No, I was alone.
This lab is on the verge of a cure
for staphylococcus aureus.
I'm committed to that
even if I have to
work every waking hour.
(LOUD CLATTERING)
You oaf!
Fragile! That's what it says on the box!
Just-just leave it,
leave it. I'll get it.
Angel Eyes cigarettes?
Your cigarettes, Doctor?
- I'm not familiar with this brand.
- They're new.
They're the ones my doctor recommends.
Your ?
Good day.
Now, I've spoken to the tailor,
and your tailcoat will be ready
in time for the dinner party.
And what exactly is wrong
with the one I already have?
Nothing. But this is a party
at the McPherson's of Rathnelly.
You must look your absolute best
if we're to gain membership to
the Castle Heights Country Club.
Prostrating oneself and auditioning
for a bunch of society types.
It's just bloody embarrassing, Margaret!
What else have you got in there?
Need I remind you that your
lack of friends in high places
nearly derailed your career?
(SIGHS) What are you
talking about, woman?
I've got plenty of friends who like me
regardless of what I'm wearing
and when I'm wearing it.
If you had had the right friends,
then Chadwick Vaughan would have
never been able to jostle you about.
(MARGARET CLEARS THROAT)
And you can't get much more influential
than the McPherson's guest
of honour, Kimbal Vanderwell.
- Vander-who?
- Kimbal Vanderwell.
He's a businessman
from the Belgian Congo
and he just bought a
home here in Toronto.
- Oh, so what?
- So,
he could become a powerful friend.
The McPhersons say he's a visionary.
He advocates for smaller
government, less oversight.
Well, based on the character
of our esteemed ex-mayor
and his flunkies,
I'd go along with that stance.
But really, all this
just to lounge around
with a bunch of supercilious prats.
The Castle lounge has over
70 different types of scotch.
- How many?
- Seventy.
At least.
New tails it is, then.
(TENSE MUSIC)
Livor mortis indicates
Mr. Weems was face down
on the ground for about
two hours after death.
Blood had pooled in the
abdomen and between his eyes.
So someone took the time and care
to turn the body over
and position Mr. Weems
with his arms crossed.
Why would someone do that?
Oftentimes people will
pose their loved ones
in a more dignified manner
after murdering them.
- So the killer knew him well.
- Possibly.
And the killer was a smoker.
Why do you say that?
Well, if Mr. Weems was a heavy smoker,
as the quantity of the cigarette
ends at the scene suggests,
his lungs would be discoloured.
But his lungs were clear as a baby's.
Well, don't keep me waiting.
Are you and Sidney engaged yet?
He never showed up on our date.
Perhaps he fell ill.
Something must have befallen him.
Yes, maybe he's sick.
That would explain it.
Louise, have you considered that
Sidney may have stood you up?
Absolutely not!
We made plans to journey abroad.
I've never been to Italy
and he was going to take me.
All this on a first meeting?
He said our souls had already mated.
A repulsive metaphor.
This isn't like my Sidney at all.
What kind of a person
makes a date and doesn't show up?
(SCOFFS) No courtesy call, nothing!
Just vanishes like some sort of ghost.
Besides vacation planning,
did you two speak about anything else?
His place of work, perhaps?
He works at a firm on Yonge.
Well, if you're so
concerned with his wellbeing,
- perhaps you could visit his office.
- Will you come with me?
Of course.
Uh, as far as I can tell, Jasper Weems
had no outstanding debts. In fact,
Weems had no close
relations of any kind.
Not one living relative,
no love interests.
His milkman didn't even know his name.
- Really?
- Mm.
(WOMAN): Why aren't you
out there chasing him?
- (CONSTABLE): Please, calm down.
- He should hang for this!
Or do you police do nothing?
What's going on here, Miss ?
Martha. Martha Stockton.
My father was attacked.
- It's all right. I'll live.
- That's not the point.
Papa was pushed over by some goon
applying to fix our irrigation system.
Irrigation system?
We grow some of the city's
finest tomatoes in our backyard.
You can't get the leaves wet.
Or they'll grow mould. Yes!
But you must give them
a good soak before
- Before the sun gets too hot.
- Right.
You know it. See, that's why
- this irrigation system is so important
- We're not here
to talk about tomatoes.
My Lord, this city is
going straight to hell.
Hm. Uh, you said this man
was applying for a job.
How did he know your irrigation
system required repair?
He was solicited.
Papa said the job was a tricky one,
so I wrote up an advertisement
in the Community Coin.
- Ah. The same one used by Mr. Weems.
- Mm.
Who's Mr. Weems and why does he matter?
The man who attacked my father,
he stole something from us. A ?
A pulsating meter. It measures
- Water distribution.
- Yeah.
What did this man look like?
I can't remember.
My memory's not what it used to be.
You think this is the
work of the same person?
Could be. And he's using
this to find his victims.
Two robberies and one murder
all committed with the aid of
the Community Coin newspaper.
Any other connection?
Well, we know that the items
that were stolen from both
Mr. Weems and Mr. Stockton
were both mechanical in nature.
And you're saying all
these advertisements
are tied to other
robberies and assaults?
I had Constable Roberts
check, and both Station Houses
number Two and number Six
have had similar cases.
All anonymous and all seemingly
random mechanical items.
So, we're after a thief
who smokes Manheims
and is a bit of a tinkerer.
We know that he likes to
steal bits of machinery.
We just don't know why.
Could he be reselling them?
Doesn't seem likely.
Perhaps he's building something.
An evil genius?
Wouldn't be the first
one I've come across.
(LOUISE SCOFFS)
Well, now what?
You heard her! He
doesn't even work there!
No one named Sidney Ballard
has ever worked there.
Who knows what else he's lying about.
Maybe Sidney's not even his real name!
There will be other Sidneys.
Uh, there might be another
one in the newspaper, even.
It's not about that!
(SIGHS) He
What?
Louise, what is going on?
What is so important
about finding this man?
Sidney, he
he swindled me out of some money.
He did? How much?
That doesn't matter.
I thought I'd found the man of my
dreams, not some common criminal.
Well, you need to
tell Detective Murdoch.
I can't. You know how
they see me down there.
They'll get a good laugh
knowing that Louise Cherry
fell victim to some simple grift.
All right. Let's speak to
the publisher of the Coin.
He might know where to find Sidney.
I'd rather just let it go.
Well, I wouldn't!
Hm.
Chief Constable.
Oh. I've always known
you to be a Scotch man.
Ah, yes. But the McPhersons aren't.
And they are charter members
at the Castle Heights Country Club,
and we need to get in with them.
So, if they're three sheets to the wind,
we've got a better chance.
So, which one do you think?
Is social status that important to you?
Oh, don't be ridiculous!
I just want to taste quality whiskey
in the Castle Heights lounge
and then spank Greg Gleaton's
ass on the bowling green.
- (CHOI LAUGHS)
- These won't do.
They cost a bloody fortune!
Ah, the climate has been most
uncooperative for Merlot grapes.
Unseasonably warm weather
begets over-ripened grapes,
resulting in an unctuous, jammy wine.
What you need, Chief Constable,
is a dry Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
with a strong goût de terroir.
- Taste of dirt?
- Dirt?
Why would anyone want
their wine to taste of dirt?
Not dirt, Inspector. Terrain.
A taste of the terrain,
a sense of the region it was grown in.
- Watts.
- Terrain?
- With me.
- Un autre vol ?
Same method.
- Pardonnez-moi.
- Hm.
- Oh!
- Hm.
Well, it's about time you all got here!
Someone better find this grifter!
Calm down, Mr. Moncrief.
Uh, please, tell us what happened.
Some hoodlum just tried to rob me.
I placed an advertisement
in the Community Coin a week ago,
and this man called about it.
And then I caught him
sneakin' around back later
trying to break in and steal it.
How do you know it was
the man who called you
who tried to steal it?
Had to have been him. He's the
only one who called after it.
What are you trying to sell?
Auxiliary tank valve.
Oh. So, you were able to stop the thief?
Shouted after the scrawny
bugger, and he took off.
You better find him before I do!
What did he look like?
Regular-type guy.
Tall. Slim, smoking a cigarette.
Another fruitless meeting.
That publisher was as
useful as a hog in heels!
And very rude.
What type of man tells a
woman she's past her prime?
Well, you're not getting any
younger. Just look at you.
Two pretzels and a bag of peanuts.
- She's buying.
- I am?
You have to.
After the Sidney incident, I'm busted.
How much did he take from you?
- (LOUISE CLEARS THROAT)
- Louise?
- He-he
- How much?
He told me this heartbreaking story
about moving his mother from England
and the cost of transatlantic travel
- has skyrocketed these days.
- Jeez! Louise, you didn't.
And we'd just had such a lovely dinner
and I didn't think anything of it.
So I lent him $20
and I was sure I would see him again.
Twenty dollars? Are you mad?
She was to be my mother-in-law.
I couldn't have her
slumming it in third class.
Louise, I hate to say it,
but I doubt you'll ever
see that money again.
(SIGHS)
You plan on luring him out?
We've placed an advertisement
for a sale of used mechanical equipment.
It may bring him to us.
And who's conducting the sale?
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
(ROBERTS): If there's
anything else you need,
we'll be right here.
- Welcome. Would you be interested in
- Excuse me.
How much for this copper piping?
Uh, the price is listed right there.
Fifty cents a foot
for ten feet of copper?
You're joking.
I assure you I am not.
Hello.
I'll give you 25.
Sounds like you didn't
hear me the first time.
Uh, do you think I'm
having this sale to haggle?
The price is the price.
Henry, what are you doing?
What does it look like I'm doing?
I'm trying to turn a profit.
These aren't even your belongings.
Teddy, I am playing the
part of a factory owner.
If I'm to be convincing,
I have to stand firm on my prices.
Otherwise, the patrons
will grow suspicious.
Twenty cents, and
that is my final offer.
- Sir, I have already told you
- You've got a deal.
Thank you.
Why did you do that?
I just made you two dollars.
Wait. Where's the thing?
- Where's what?
- The
valve thingie that was here.
Oh.
That man. He was lingering near it.
Sir, excuse me! I'd like a
Hey! Stop! Sir!
He's got the thing!
Don't touch
Don't touch anything!
Stop! Stop!
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
(BRAKES SQUEAL)
Where is the man you picked up?
He jumped out and took
off running that way.
You are under suspicion of
aiding and abetting a murderer.
If you know anything about him
or where he may be,
you should tell us now.
- Nah, I don't know anything.
- We're police officers.
I advise you tell the truth.
You won't get any fares
sitting in our cells.
He told me to take him
to a flat on Palmerston.
(WATTS): Are you sure this
is the address Henry provided?
(TENSE MUSIC)
(SIZZLING)
It's still warm. We may
have just missed him.
The man raced all the way back
here just to heat up lunch?
Not lunch.
- To dispose of evidence.
- Oh.
Take a look at this.
What am I looking at?
Oh, plans of some sort?
That looks like the pressure compensator
that was taken from Jasper Weems.
This a recipe for a
mushroom tonic, perhaps?
Take a look at this side.
"The real dangers are the
ones invisible to the eye.
Soon these dangers will be in plain view
for all, and then they'll be sorry.
The whole city will "
Rest is burned.
Some kind of manifesto.
Watts, I believe he's
building something.
Perhaps the Inspector was right.
Right about what?
Perhaps we are after an evil genius.
I'm still unsure what these burned
bits of paper have to offer us.
All of these items tell us that
whoever we are dealing with,
he's building something.
Do you know what?
Not as yet.
But I am familiar with some of these
pieces of equipment that he's acquiring.
And we do have a partial plan.
So, a puzzle without a picture.
The best kind.
Well, how does it look?
(BRACKENREID): Hold your horses, woman.
Does it fit? Oh! It's
too snug, isn't it?
No, it fits! I think.
Oh, Thomas. It's perfect.
Well, the clothes don't maketh the man,
but, even if I say so
myself, it feels good.
- And you have the wine?
- I do.
Okay. Well, if this doesn't
impress the McPhersons,
- I don't know what will.
- Hm.
Mm.
What is it?
Oh, nothing.
- Spit it out, Margaret.
- Oh, it's just that,
even after all these years,
you're still the most handsome man.
Oh.
You sure your staff has
left for the evening?
Myrtle? Anybody?
Well,
you better get that off.
You wouldn't want to wrinkle it.
- Why would it get wrinkled?
- Hm.
These are all of the pieces that
we've been able to assemble thus far.
And I was hoping to get
your assistance with this one
that was found at Mr. Weems' home.
Oh, yes, a-a pressure compensator.
It maintains a consistent
flow rate in hydraulic systems
regardless of fluctuations in pressure.
Mm. Your theory seems correct.
Whatever the madman is
building is to do with water.
Plumbing, construction,
commercial agriculture
or water treatment.
(CURIOUS MUSIC)
Thank you so much.
The killer is building something to do
with the city's water filtration system.
And this gives you an idea
- as to what you're trying to assemble?
- It does.
Would you like to assist me?
I thought you'd never ask.
- All right.
- Hm.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC)
So, are you finally finished?
- It appears so.
- Oh!
What is it?
There are likely still pieces missing,
but we believe it to be
a water treatment device.
Many cities have begun to input chlorine
in order to eliminate
waterborne diseases.
That doesn't sound like
something a killer would build.
When I was in New York,
there were a few violent protests
against the addition of
chlorine to the water.
Typhoid fever and cholera
have largely been
eliminated from large cities
that have begun to
use sanitation systems.
Why would anyone
protest such innovation?
Is it possible the killer
wants to poison the water
rather than disinfect it?
(CHOI SIGHS)
(LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC)
Tom, Marge.
Charmed that you can make
it. Come, come, come in.
Uh, excuse me. Uh, do
you remember my husband,
Augustine, chairman of the board
of admissions at Castle Heights?
- Mm.
- Nice to meet ya.
We have many, many members
to introduce you to.
See that man over there?
That's Alfred Bunting.
City officials are being
real sticks in the mud
about his proposal to stop
sidewalks from being put in.
Why would he do that?
Where would people walk?
(LAUGHING)
Top drawer, Tom.
Oh. You're serious, aren't you?
I am.
Why would you make people
walk in the streets?
Surely, they could get hit
by speeding automobiles.
Uh, sidewalks encourage
vagabonds and railyard ghouls
to loiter about our homes
and gawk at what we have.
Tom, it's an invitation to be assaulted
with a sock full of
sand in one's own yard.
- Mm.
- Who walks in Rathnelly, Augie?
I can't think of a
single soul that does.
Or would. (CHUCKLING)
Well, Margaret and I just walked here.
Right. Of course you did.
Uh, in fact, I'm sure
it's a joy to walk.
- Fresh air!
- Exercise.
I've forgotten about the fresh air.
- Spot on, Elizabeth.
- (CHUCKLING AWKWARDLY)
- Well, uh, do walk about.
- Ah!
- And make sure you try the oysters.
- Yes.
Shall we, Augie?
Well, Thomas, well done.
Not two minutes in, and we've
already isolated ourselves.
Kiss the lounge goodbye.
Have a walkabout.
(LOUISE SIGHS)
Ooh! Sale on Tango shoes.
I'd buy a pair if I had
someone to dress up for.
Well, it might lift your spirits.
You know what'd lift my spirits?
Finding Sidney.
Are you sure?
Well, that, and getting my money back.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
Louise
Take a look at this.
Sidney's advertisement.
I know it. His biography.
"Young professional
seeking a modern woman
who understands a man's true strength
is in his ability to love and be loved."
I fell for that the first time.
Louise, that's not a biography!
It doesn't tell you anything about him!
Not-not his foibles, nor his faults.
Nobody would ever tell
you who they truly are
in a little blurb like that.
Effie,
we should respond to the advertisement.
Louise, he'd never
agree to meet with you.
No, but he would agree to meet with you!
Yes! You can arrange a date with Sidney.
Oh, ah I could. I
don't I don't know.
You'll go on a date with Sidney.
I'll confront him and get my money back.
Ah, Louise, perhaps it's best
if we just put this to rest.
I cannot. So, will you help me?
(CROWD LAUGHING)
I fear Toronto suffers
the same affliction
plaguing many cities
in the Western world.
The government and the medical industry
have climbed into bed together
and birthed a bastard system.
- Oh, dear.
- Who's the gobshite?
Language, Thomas!
That's Kimbal Vanderwell.
- Well, he's delusional.
- They collude
to make us think we're sick to
sell us medicine we don't need.
They subsist on the fear of
the gullible and the stupid.
Well, he would know.
And look at this lot. Gullible, indeed.
- Hush!
- important,
unbiased research,
thanks in part to the
benevolence of donors
like the McPhersons.
So he's milking the rich?
I'll be talking to the
Board of Control tomorrow.
And I am going to change
this city for the good.
(APPLAUSE)
There's arsenic in this.
- Arsenic?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, he's had two bottles. I
mean, how deadly could it be?
Margaret, I've investigated
enough murders caused by arsenic.
Surely you're not willing to
die just to join this club?
(LAUGHING)
(GASPING)
(MARGARET): That is a unique taste.
Who brought this wine?
I did. Uh, we did.
Well done, man.
(CHUCKLING)
- Kimbal.
- Thomas.
- Kimbal Vanderwell.
- Of course we know
- exactly who you are.
- Oh, then you're aware of my affinity
for a quality bottle of wine.
Well, that wine is dry and complex.
With a taste of di With
a hint of terrain.
It looks like we have
some wine aficionados here.
Jenkins, let's have
some glasses for a toast.
- Ah.
- To the, uh ?
Oh, Brackenreids. Thomas
- To the Backenreds!
- Oh!
(ALL): To the Backenreds!
- To the Backenreds
- Cheers. (CHUCKLING NERVOUSLY)
What is this, Murdoch?
I believe it's a device someone built
in order to tamper with
the city's water supply.
And this someone killed
a person to build it?
Possibly.
- Bloody hell.
- What is it, Chief Constable?
I met someone last night
who thinks our water
supply is already poisoned.
Who might that be?
- Kimbal Vanderwell.
- Oh!
- He's in town?
- You know him?
I know of him. I've read
about his divisive thoughts
on inoculation in Science
for Tomorrow Quarterly.
I-I was so disappointed that
they printed such drivel.
Well, you'll hate this.
Have a look for yourself.
Arsenic?!
He's putting arsenic in his
own brand of bottled water.
- Really?
- Yes.
And he's with City Council right now
trying to convince them
to go along with him.
Oh.
Oh
Devices like these
are tools of subversion,
instruments of trickery
in order to make a dollar
off of you and the public.
Our ancestors drank water
from streams and rivers,
and they were fine.
Now, if you listen to the
pandering medical experts
your government employs,
you can't even drink
the tap water unless they
douse it with mystery chemicals.
I am proposing
we use this device
to return the water
to its original state,
the way God intended it.
A careful application of arsenic
will make for a stronger populace.
- (APPLAUSE)
- Thank you.
(LIGHT INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Kimbal Vanderwell.
Detectives Murdoch, Detective Watts,
- Toronto Constabulary.
- Ah, what can I do for you?
We have questions.
Oh, happy to answer them.
Down at our station house.
(LAUGHING)
Am I under arrest for something?
That will depend on your answers.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
(CHUCKLING)
Listen to yourselves. These
are absurd allegations.
We know that whoever killed Mr. Weems
was building a device similar to the one
that you were holding today,
only with the intent to
poison the city's water supply.
And why would I kill a
man to create a device
anyone in my company could
provide for me in minutes?
Where were you four days ago?
I wasn't in the city then.
Any one of my aides can confirm this.
Yes, we'll be speaking with them.
Uh, you said the city's
water supply is unsafe.
Well, perhaps not unsafe,
but certainly unhealthy.
And yet you promote a
product that contains arsenic.
Please.
Kings and queens have
consumed arsenic for centuries.
In small doses, it makes for an even,
milky complexion, and
acts as a stimulant.
It occurs naturally in
many bodies of water.
It's hardly an additive.
We also know the killer
to be an avid smoker.
Healthy habit in the proper doses.
Mm. What brand of
cigarettes do you smoke?
I smoke Bensons. What of it?
So, check with my aides.
They will confirm I
was nowhere near Toronto
when this poor Weems fellow
was killed. May I leave?
(BRACKENREID): So, you've
released the Vanderwell fella?
(MURDOCH): There is no
compelling reason to hold him.
He is a confidence man.
Currently doing nothing illegal.
Besides, I very much doubt he had
anything to do with Mr. Weems' murder.
Hm.
But he may be responsible
for some in the near future.
Hm?
Well, he's been mobilizing
most of the city's la-di-das.
He wants to cease implementation
of chlorine into the drinking water.
Half the residents of Rathnelly
have signed up to him already.
- Could they sway the council?
- Yeah, of course.
The McPhersons leading the charge,
Augustine and Elizabeth.
They've pulled considerable funding
from every research facility in Toronto
to jump on the Vanderwell bandwagon.
Was Liminus Laboratories one
of the research facilities
affected by the pulled funding?
The first one shut down.
Never thought I'd be lucky
enough to meet a woman like you.
And so risky to do so,
taking out notices in a newspaper.
No one ever finds
love without some risk.
Have you ever been
in love, Miss Newsome?
I'm sorry. That was much
too forward a question.
No. No, um
how does one ever get to know someone
without asking some questions?
I suppose my approach to finding
love changed after my divorce.
You're divorced?
Yes. It's been but a year.
I was devastated. She
was the love of my life.
But we grew to want
very different things.
I had to let her go.
Neither of us would have been
whole if we'd stayed together.
Do you understand?
I do.
- Have you met many women since?
- A couple.
But none like you.
And what am I like?
Confident. Self-assured.
But those are just first impressions.
I really do hope I get
a chance at a second.
- Bread, madam.
- You very well may.
Sidney Ballard.
- (PEOPLE MURMURING)
- Miss Cherry, I didn't expect
Oh, I bet you didn't! How dare you?
You don't show up? You don't call?
You're hardly the gentleman
I thought you were.
I'm sorry, Miss Newsome.
Miss Cherry was one of the women
I met through my previous advertisement.
Oh, she knows very well who I am.
You two know each other?
- Just what is this?
- I'm sorry, Mr. Ballard.
Sorry? Don't be sorry.
This cheat took $20 off me.
- What $20?
- The $20 you stole from me.
There must be a mistake.
I had that money sent to
your office the other day.
- Enough lies, Sidney.
- I'm not a liar!
I sent you the money.
But if you misplaced it, here it is.
Good evening, Miss Newsome.
No chance of a second impression?
Oh, I believe you and Miss
Cherry provided enough of one.
Could you believe it?
Flirting with you like that. (SCOFFS)
Thank you for showing
me what a cad he was.
Of course.
Losing your funding must
have been devastating.
We were on the verge of a possible cure
for staphylococcus aureus.
It would have saved countless lives.
And then the McPhersons fall
prey to a dangerous quack
and it was all for naught.
Did you confront them?
Confronted. Prostrated myself. Begged!
None of it made any difference.
And now everything we worked on is gone.
So why are you still here?
Laboratory or not,
I intend to continue my research.
They may have stripped
us of our funding,
but they didn't get the
most important thing.
What is it?
- It's gone!
- What's gone?
We were storing samples of the bacteria.
We were going to find a way
to continue our research.
We?
(SIGHS) Dr. Pipkin and myself.
He must've taken it.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(WATTS): What is this? What is this?
(MURDOCH): These are the
city's water filtration plants.
And the one you've circled?
It supplies water to the
Republic of Rathnelly.
Well, that's where the McPhersons live.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(MURDOCH): Stop right there.
I will not.
You're under arrest for
the murder of Jasper Weems.
I didn't mean to hurt Jasper.
I liked him.
When I responded to the advertisement,
I-I was surprised to find him.
But I wasn't prepared to buy
it and he wouldn't give it up.
So you killed him?
Don't do that.
- Why not?
- You'll be infecting innocent people.
- Innocent? No, no.
They are hardly that.
They are aiding a man who
will make everyone sick.
A taste of their own medicine.
City Council won't listen to Vanderwell.
They'll listen to science.
Politicians don't listen to science.
They listen only to money.
Think. Think for a moment.
You're a man of science.
You've dedicated your
life to helping people.
If you do this, hundreds
of people will become ill,
and many of them will die.
Is that how you'd want to be remembered?
These charts reflect
the dramatic reduction
of cholera and typhoid
fever in two cities,
Maidstone, England and
Jersey City, New Jersey.
Medical officials in both cities
have seen a drastic reduction
of all waterborne ailments
since the introduction
of chlorine treatment
to their main water supplies.
(VANDERWELL LAUGHS)
Those are just numbers, and numbers lie.
Numbers can also tell the truth.
Our ancestors survived
and thrived on pure, untreated water.
Our ancestors existed
in very tiny villages.
They also lived much shorter
lives than we currently enjoy.
I'm not sure the water that they drank
had anything to do with that.
And I'm not sure it didn't.
Mr. Vanderwell,
are you doing all of this
out of the goodness of your heart?
I would be charging a fee.
But I do believe in my findings.
And I believe in my findings.
I also believe in the findings
of public health officials
on two continents.
But I will let City Council
decide for themselves.
(MARGARET SIGHS) I met with
the board of admissions.
- How did it go?
- We were rejected.
Ah! Just like Vanderwell was.
What a complete waste of time.
Well, not a complete waste.
I thought you might like to try it.
The bartender at the lounge
said it was their very best.
- This is the good stuff.
- Mm-hmm.
Did you nick this from the club?
Of course not, Thomas.
I purchased it honestly
with my sewing savings.
(BRACKENREID LAUGHS)
So much for the temperance
league, Mrs. Brackenreid.
Oh, well, it's only
for special occasions.
And, pray tell, what are we celebrating?
Us.
- To us.
- (CHUCKLING)
Sidney's cheque was in the mail pile.
(SIGHS) Damn that Mavis.
She was supposed to go
through it in a timely manner.
Louise, you can't blame her.
I suppose I can't.
Though I'd very much like to.
I fear this is my lot in life,
lurching from prospect to prospect,
each more disappointing than the last.
Well, you made $20.
Well, there is that.
And I'm done with this.
(DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS)
(SOFT MYSTICAL MUSIC)
Single career woman
seeks intelligent companionship.
Childless and happy.
(THEME MUSIC)