A Touch of Frost (1992) s12e01 Episode Script

Near Death Experience

(Sirens) Now, come on, Larry.
What is this, eh? Is it the fifth time this year, is it? It's the sixth.
- The sixth, yeah, well.
- No-one's listening to me.
Look, Larry, put some pants on at least.
There's some little old ladies down there.
- You're putting them off their tea.
- It's not funny! George, take your time.
Any time between now and Christmas.
Keep him talking, Jack.
I'm almost there.
Well, Larry What is it, then? - Is it the old National Health Service again? - Bloody NHS.
It's a joke.
They cancelled my appointment again.
- Again! I can'tl just can't take it any more.
- No, Larry.
No, no, no.
Larry, now.
Now, listen.
Oh, dear.
Look, Larry, I can't stand heights.
I'm not very good at all.
You see? So if I get a nose bleed, you're gonna have to rescue me.
That's a turn-up.
There is nothing that we can't fix.
I'm sorry, Mr Frost.
- No, no.
- I've really had enough this time.
It's all right Oh, no! No! Larry, you scared the hell out of me.
Anyway, don't you worry, son.
- We'll soon have you sorted.
- Sir! - Yeah? - Sergeant Toolan's been hurt.
What? Oh, blimey.
Look at you.
I leave you alone for five minutes and look what happens.
- I'm just getting old.
- And clumsy.
Mullett's out there clucking like a mother hen.
Oh, God.
Don't let him in.
Tell him I've died and gone to heaven.
Heaven is not going to be an option for the likes of you and l, George.
Anyway, talking about angels, Mary's on her way here.
For Pete's sake, Jack.
She'll just make a fuss and worry herself to death.
Mullett told her, did he? Well, it wasn't me, was it? I suppose he had to.
You were out cold in the ambulance.
Well, you better make yourself scarce.
- And get me out of here, will you? - You just do as the medics tell you.
I'll go back and get the bacon sarnies organised.
Hmm.
In that case, my wallet's in my jacket.
Oh, all right.
Hello, Mary.
- George is asking for you.
- Hello, Jack.
I might have known he was with you when he got hurt.
We need to talk.
George Toolan could have been seriously injured and the fire officer's report says that you released your safety harness to try to reach the man on the ledge.
- Have you no sense? - I didn't realise they'd put up a jump mattress.
Anyway, I thought that I was the only chance he had.
Well, you could have been killed.
Yeah, well, I wasn't, was l? Anyway, George was just unlucky.
He'll be all right.
He's a tough old boy, isn't he? Jack, you have broken half a dozen guidelines again.
Me and the Chief Constable can be taken to court for breach of health and safety.
Oh, health and s Look, he It's what we do.
It's the job.
I want a full report on my desk before the end of the day.
Yes, sir.
You've missed some dry rot in there.
I think I can deal with things now and I just want you to know that.
All right.
That's good.
I'll bear that in mind.
Hiya, Steve.
Lucy, how's things going? I'm supposed to sleep over at a friend's tonight but Mum's car's broken down so she won't let me go.
MOTHER: We can talk about this later.
Helen, look, if it's any help, I could take Lucy.
That would be cool.
I'm not sure that's a good idea, Lucy, honestly.
No, no.
Your mum's right.
- Not really appropriate.
My fault.
Sorry.
- Another time, perhaps? Mum, this is pathetic, honestly.
I erml thought you were told to keep clear of Helen and Lucy.
Mind your own business.
They They don't need your kind hanging around them, Markham.
You may think you're some kind of do-gooder, but to me you're just a pious bastard who thinks he's better than everybody else.
I will do what Helen wants me to do.
You stay out of it.
I thought he was yesterday's news.
He might get himself sorted.
Maybe we'll give it another try after that.
He's never been good enough for you, Helen.
None of them ever are, are they? Ah, Trigg, there you are.
Just the man.
Where does George Toolan keep the monthly swag figures? - I don't know.
- Where shall I look? - I don't know.
- Well, if you were me, where would you look? - I've no idea.
- Well, thank you very much.
You've been very helpful, Trigg, I'm sure.
- How is George, by the way? - He's fine.
I really need them That was some fall.
He could have been killed.
Yeah, thank heavens for all that rubbish that broke his fall.
- Look, I need - None of us are getting any younger.
No, not standing here, we're not.
Come on.
Chop chop! (Footsteps) Are you out tonight, love? I told you.
Sheila Brackley can't do the flowers for the church festival, - so I said I'd go down tonight and make a start.
- Right.
No, I'd forgotten.
I'll probably be finishing late, so don't wait up when you get back.
No, all right.
I erm I saw Steve Markham today.
He was chatting to Helen.
Oh, yes? I thought it was all done and dusted between those two.
Helen says she still fancies him.
You didn't say anything, did you? Well, she's your sister.
What am I supposed to say? He's trouble.
That's all I know.
It's her life, Bill.
You should talk to her.
Huh? Helen can be a difficult woman when she wants to be.
We can't interfere.
She can look after herself.
Bye.
The Lord lead me to the path of righteousness (Breaks into sobs) Show me the way.
I cannot help myself.
I cannot.
I'm sorry.
God forgive me.
(Clattering) (Bells toll) (Bells ring out) (Distant thunder) - About what? - That a boy I fancy is screwing around.
She's supposed to be my friend.
How could she say those things? Maybe the boy isn't what you think he is.
So what? It's my decision if I wanna go out with him or not.
You should know how that feels with you and Mum.
Steve, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean it like that.
Thanks for coming to get me.
- Your friend's probably jealous, that's all.
(Car horn) - Careful.
- Sorry.
- Are you all right? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'm fine.
I just had a couple of beers, that's all.
Steve, I shouldn't have called you.
No, no, no.
Don't be silly.
It's fine, really.
I'm really glad you phoned.
I'm pleased I could help.
Thanks again, Steve.
You had no right to phone Steve.
Well, I needed to get home in a hurry and I couldn't get a taxi, so what was I supposed to do? Come on, Mum.
Give me a break.
You're making things really difficult.
Anyway, you're home.
That's the important thing.
If she thinks I'm just gonna forget what she said, she's got another thing coming.
It'll blow over.
You'll see.
THE THREE DEGREES: Everybody Gets To Go To The Moon LUCY: There's no point in discussing it.
I'm not having her as a friend.
Go round tomorrow and talk it through with her.
You can talk to her, can't you? She's supposed to be your best friend.
Lucy? I said, go round and talk to her tomorrow.
(Screams) (Screaming continues) - What's happening, Bennett? - Evening, guv.
It's a mother and her daughter.
Mrs Helen Croft, white female, age approximately mid-40s, and her daughter Lucille, aged about 15.
Killer broke in through the back door.
We found several boxes of antique jewellery but nothing seems to have been disturbed.
Mm-hm.
- Who's he? - That's Father David Rose.
He's a local priest.
He found the victims.
Right.
He stayed up there with them until we got here, so That's from the killer.
Just follow the blood trails, Inspector.
What have we got, then, Doctor? The daughter was found in here.
So she's alive, then? Alive but unconscious.
She's in hospital.
Her mother was killed in here.
(Tuts) That's savage, that is.
- There's blood on the dressing table here.
- Yes.
The initial assault was here.
So she must have crawled to here.
She'd have been on her hands and knees.
There's half a dozen stab wounds in her back.
Her hands and feet were bound before she was killed.
Was her daughter knifed? No.
Her head was smashed against the bathroom wall and she was left there.
- What time did this happen? - Between 8:30 and 11.
All right.
Thanks, doc.
I couldn't stop the bleeding.
I held herbut I couldn't do anything.
Helpless.
Did you move the body, Father? Yes.
I tried to cradle her, to hold her.
What position was she in when you found her? She was on her knees.
What? Facing the dressing table? Yes.
Did she say anything? About what time was this? Erabout erm11.
Your emergency call was logged at 17 minutes past 11.
Was it? Erm Well, I tried to save her.
Il could have been there ten or 15 minutes.
I see.
Why were you here? Father, why were you here at that hour? Well, I was passing on my way home and I'd been to see one of my parishioners who was ill.
I heard the alarm.
Poor Helen.
I couldn't save her.
I tried but I couldn't.
You knew her, then? Yes.
When I was upstairs, I couldn't help noticing that she was a Catholic.
Did you give her the last rites? - Yes, of course.
- Why did you hesitate? She'd been excommunicated.
Oh.
Why was that? I'm sorry, I can't tell you.
That's privileged information.
(Lift bell pings) Ah, Jack, I saw the incident log this morning.
Burglary gone wrong, was it? No.
No signs of anything being stolen.
Oi! Oi! Just a minute.
Where are you going? That's my filing cabinet.
- Just carry on, will you? - Wait a minute.
What's happening? - Have they found a bomb or what? - The building inspector has found asbestos.
We need to move to temporary accommodation immediately.
I need an incident room.
Where are we going? The old brewery warehouse.
That hasn't been used for years.
It's the most secure place we can find! Emergency phone lines are going in and we'll use a mobile communications truck as a comms centre.
You need to find a replacement for Toolan.
All that needs to happen before midday so that we're fully operational.
- Just be careful with that.
- Is the canteen closed? - What? - Well, I haven't had any breakfast.
Mobile canteen facilities will be available in a few hours.
A few hours? (Mobile rings) Hello.
Yes, one moment.
Jack, Jack! Your sergeant's still in theatre.
It's a brain aneurysm, a haemorrhage.
It was from the fall, I'm afraid.
It can develop after an accident.
That's why we kept him in.
- Is his wife here? - She's in the relatives' room.
I'll let you know how he gets on.
Yes, all right.
Thank you very much.
- I'd better have a word with her.
- No, you leave her, Jack.
I'll keep you posted.
You get back.
There's plenty to do.
Well, go on.
I don't think now is a good time for you to talk to her.
- Do you? - No.
No, perhaps you're right.
He will be all right, won't he? What are you doing here? Bill.
I wanted to see Lucy.
For God's sake, you've got to let me see her! - You caused my sister unhappiness.
- That's not true.
- I don't want to see you here.
- Look, you can't just cut me out like this.
- I don't know what to do.
- You leave this family alone.
BILL: You have to leave.
Come on.
I have to know if Lucy will be OK.
Has she said anything yet? Have we any idea who might have done this? What's wrong with you people? (Beeping) - Any news? - Not since I left the hospital, no.
(Door lock buzzes) - So, are we managing here? - Yes, just about.
I feel as though my right hand's missing, though.
Yes.
Yes, of course.
Now, Jack, the Chief Constable has requested the National Crime Faculty to recommend a forensic psychologist to work with you.
- A profiler? - Yes.
Look, I don't need someone juggling smoke who's going to try and tell me who the killer is.
If you wanna spend money, get me some more coppers.
You know, I need to put a team in place.
It's been decided.
Who's replacing George? Razor.
Razor Sharpe.
DS Sharpe? of the Surrey force? Well, isn't he a bit of a Plodder? Yeah.
He double-checks everything.
That's just the sort of person that I need.
Besides that, he's had a similar investigation on his patch a couple of years ago.
Well, very well.
Jack, please remember the forensic psychologist is here at the Chief Constable's behest.
So don't forget your table manners.
Ah, Bennett, there you are.
Right, put the kettle on.
If I don't get a cup of tea soon, the whole day will be unbearable.
Yes, guv.
Let me help you with that.
Oh, right.
Thanks.
If I drop more of these, do you stay around to help pick them up? If it's in a good cause.
Actually, maybe you could help me.
- It depends what you're after.
- Inspector Frost.
Now there's a coincidence.
MULLETT: See if you can find my fish, would you? Ah, right, no.
That goes in the basement.
(Clears throat) Ah, there you are, Razor.
What kept you? I only got word this morning.
Then I had to dig out these files on the old murder case.
- I'm not a miracle worker.
- You'll need to be around here this morning.
- Nice to have you in on this one.
- Good to see you again.
What about George? Well, he's not so good.
Well, let's open those files, see what we're up against, shall we? Hi.
DC Bennett.
Who are you and what are you doing in here? Guv, it's Pathology.
They've done the postmortem.
Right.
Thank you.
That's where we'll be.
Inspector, I'm Martine Phillips.
Yes? - National Crime Faculty.
- And? Oh, you're the psychologist.
Yes.
Ah, well.
This morning is full of surprises, isn't it? So, what do we call you? Do we call you Doctor or Martine? - Marti is fine.
- Right.
OK.
Well, that is DC Bennett.
That is DS Sharpe.
I am DI Frost.
DC Bennett will brief you.
I will talk to you when I get back from looking at the nasty bits, all right? Come along, Razor.
Right.
Bloody hell, Bennett, can't you sort out a better way of getting in and out of this place? Ah, there you go.
He's been up half the night.
We've got no canteen so he's had no breakfast.
Things are worse than I thought.
See you later.
Come on, Razor! Look sharp! MARTINE: Inspector? - What? I am used to cynical, occasionally antagonistic police officers but I am here at the request of the National Crime Faculty and your Chief Constable, so don't treat me like a first-year probationary officer.
Then we will afford you the professional courtesy of consulting with you the moment we return from the mortuary.
Come on.
- I need to see the victim.
- You what? It might help me understand the killer.
All right.
Have you had your breakfast this morning? - Yes.
- You're lucky.
Don't lose it.
She'd had a pregnancy terminated.
- When? - About 12 weeks ago.
And as for this attack, there are defensive cuts on the victim's hands.
Maybe she was trying to get past him to get to her daughter.
- He could have been tormenting her.
- Yes, it could have been a tormenting action.
Stab wounds indicate a single-edged knife about 12 centimetres long.
How much is that in old money? About five inches.
Five inches.
Thank you.
There are no signs of violence to her face which means he probably ordered her onto her knees.
He didn't knock her down.
DOCTOR: But there are marks on her forehead possibly from the killer covering her face.
And there are burn marks from the carpet on her knees and on her forearms up to her elbows.
- No sign of any sexual assault? DOCTOR: No obvious sign.
- How many times did he stab her? - Seven wounds in the back.
Savage blows.
And rapid? You think it could have been done in a frenzy? - Yeah.
- Almost climactic.
- What? You mean, like he was having - Having an orgasm, yes.
This was a sexual attack.
Where did that come from? You don't know that.
Yes, I do, Inspector.
Excuse me.
Are you all right? It's about Helen.
They said you were with her when she died.
You're a friend of hers, aren't you? I remember you now.
I'd like to talk about her.
About what happened to her.
Sure you don't want a sausage or a bacon sarnie or something? No, thanks.
Oh, by the way, it is tradition in this neck of the woods for the visitor to buy the first round.
- Oh! SHARPE: No, you're allright.
I've got it.
I tell you what, knives scare the hell out of me.
I think in this case, the knifing is down to pure repressed male anger and rage.
Your killer's living an emotionally shut-down life.
That could apply to half the male population in the country.
I agree.
Mostly men of a certain age.
That murder you were involved in a couple of years ago, is it the same MO? I'd say so.
Killer broke into the house, tied the victim, stabbed her repeatedly.
No sexual attack in the real sense of the word.
Same ritualistic pattern? Hands tied? Taped.
And she was on her hands and knees.
But her wrists were taped to the foot of the bed.
But was the victim the same sort of age as this one? Mm.
Well, that's a good enough connection to me.
What I don't understand is, why the murderer didn't do in the daughter as well.
She wasn't the object of his attack.
How can we be sure of that? The victim's age and background helps define the killer's profile and motivation.
The ritual he performs is psycho-sexual.
There'll be similarities to this and other killings.
Killings? You think there's been others besides this one and the one in Surrey? Yes, absolutely.
You can bet your career on it.
Did she mention my name before she died? No.
She was unconscious when I found her.
She didn't say anything.
I'm sorry I can't be of any more comfort.
She killed my child.
I know what she did.
I expect you know everyone's secrets.
It was impossible to tell her how I felt.
I had no-one to turn to.
You could have turned to me.
You, Father? She hated you.
What? For what you did to her.
She hurt me, but what you did to her was far worse.
I don't know how God could ever forgive you.
I know she didn't.
(Monitor beeps) We don't have any children of our own.
Which is why Lucy is so important to us.
Yes, I understand.
Your sister brought up Lucy on her own, didn't she? Yes.
Her husband died ten years ago.
She was an incredibly strong woman emotionally.
She lived for Lucy.
They were more like sisters than mother and daughter.
I don't know whether this is any comfort to you, but the local priest, Father Rose, told me that he gave her the last rites.
Yes, that is a comfort, thank you.
We already knew.
Father Rose, he came in.
Did you know that your sister had been excommunicated from the Church? The dead woman's body was tied in a manner of supplication.
He wanted to degrade her.
I think it highly likely this man has killed in a similar manner to this before.
So, if he's the same man who committed the Surrey murder two years ago, he's had a free hand to ply his trade elsewhere.
And it wasn't around here.
He's been playing an away game.
So, any killings similar to this and unsolved from any division in the country, we need to know about.
Here, listen.
Justjust a minute.
According to the priest's statement, he said that he went into Helen Croft's house cos he heard the alarm going off.
Right? Now, is there anything wrong with that statement? No, we checked.
Attending officers turned the alarm off.
All right.
Well, let's just get our brains in gear, shall we? Supposing it wasn't that way around.
Hmm? What would happen if it was the other way around? If the alarm didn't go off when the killer went into the house? - Only when he came out? - Mmm.
Cos had the alarm gone off on the way in, he wouldn't have had the time to assault the daughter, tie up and murder her mother.
- He deliberately tripped the alarm? - Mmm.
He called you to the murder scene.
He wanted to show you his handiwork.
Hello, Father.
Doing your rounds? Yes, I thought I'd put my head round the door, see how Lucy is.
- Is that all right? - Of course.
(Monitor beeps) - Hello, Father.
- Sylvia.
Any progress? No.
Not yet.
I thought perhapsyou'd like to pray with me.
Father in heaven, in the darkness of our despair let nothing disturb thee, let nothing dismay thee The police saidyou excommunicated her.
They told you that? Do you know what that must have done to her? Do you think I didn't feel her pain and her sorrow? To be cast adrift without the comfort of the Holy Mother Church.
Do you know why I did it? - She was my sister.
- Then you know I had no choice.
- You went to the bishop.
- What else was I supposed to do? She trusted you.
You betrayed her.
I did what I was obliged to do.
Was I supposed to fail in my duty? You hypocrite.
We both are.
Why do you get involved in cases like this? It's my professional life, Inspector.
What? Getting inside the head of a vicious killer? I suppose it's a bit like going down a dark alley without a torch.
Oh! So you get a bit of a thrill out of it, do you? No, Inspector.
I'm going warily into uncharted territory.
That's what attracts me to forensic psychology.
The jigsaw pieces of a killer's mind are not neatly defined, although their behaviour sometimes can be predicted.
A case like this presents me with opportunities I don't intend to miss.
Hmm.
I'll see if I can help DS Sharpe.
Yeah, I would.
Needs all the help he can get, he does.
- Knock-knock! - Who's there? - Arthur.
- Arthur who? Arthur any more at home like you? Jack, if you want something done, go through the proper channels.
I can't help you.
Look at this mess! What do you mean? I am going through the proper channels, aren't l? You and me.
Now, tell me.
What do you know about this Dr Martine Phillips? - Martine? Not a lot.
- Well, neither do I.
But I'd like to.
I heard she was very effective.
Yes, she is.
In more ways than one.
I don't know.
She's too interested.
My psychological assessment doesn't suss out enough professional distance from her.
You what? - She's too keen.
- Oh, we can't have that around here, can we? - No.
- Allright, Jack.
- I'll see what I can find out.
- Ah! Good.
That's erwhat I like to hear.
And by way of thanks, I shall make sure you get a nice new feather duster.
(Monitor beeps) Oi! This Marti Phillips, the good doctor sent to smooth psychological balm on our troubled brows - What about her? - She's a bit young, isn't she? Full of herself? No, not really.
She's got a lot of qualifications.
Yeah, I bet she has.
- Fancy her, do you? - Blimey, I'd be daft not to! - Yeah.
- I tell you, guv, I reckon sometimes being a bit older isn't a bad thing.
Really? Only, I was wondering whether it was your moody, enigmatic personality with its scintillating wit that she fancied, or whether it was something more basic, like, you know, sex.
Sex, I hope.
Well, yeah, we all live in hope.
Listen, if you do manage to hit the jackpot on the psychologist's couch, as it were, try and do it outside of working hours.
She is the hired help, after all.
If I'm right about the killer tripping the alarm on the way out, he must have had a clever way of getting in.
So we missed something.
Yeah, well, it stands to reason.
If he smashed the pane in the door, the glass would have spread across the carpet and right across to the kitchen floor.
Which it was.
Yes.
But according to the report, there was no trace of any glass being walked through the rest of the house.
So he broke the glass on the way out - .
.
to make it look like he broke in.
- Exactly.
So either he was invited in or he had a key.
Now, who would have a key? Well, what exactly is this place? The church set it up as a skill centre for youngsters.
It's all voluntary, you know.
We try teaching the basics.
I'm rather glad of it myself right now.
"Ward off grief from your heart.
Put away trouble from your presence.
" It's Ecclesiastes.
Right.
Er, have you got a key to your sister-in-law's house? A key? No.
It's one of those things you keep meaning to organise and don't.
What about the alarm? Oh, I think she gave up on that months ago, cos it was going off all times of the day and night.
When you were interviewed by DC Bennett, you said that your sister-in-law was seeing a man called Steve Markham.
Yes.
Is he the man that was making all the fuss at the hospital? - That's right.
Excuse me.
- Oh, sorry.
So you disapprove of him, then, do you? I don't like him.
He's unreliable.
And he caused Helen a great deal of unhappiness.
They split up aboutoh, three months ago.
Everyone gives up on him sooner or later.
Meaning what? He has no control over his life.
He's lost his business - well, such as it is - a couple of times.
I gave him a job.
Well, he couldn't manage.
- You're a manager for a building company? - Yes.
Markham was at the antiques market - the day that Helen was murdered, is that right? - That's right.
- And they spoke? - I didn't hear too much.
But um Lucy was going to sleep over at a friend's that night.
She needed a lift and Markham offered to take her.
Helen definitely said no to that.
So Lucy wasn't supposed to be at home the night that Helen was murdered? Well, I suppose not, no.
Did Markham have a key? Well, probably.
But you know she had other relationships? - Other than Markham? - Over the years, yes.
She was an attractive woman.
Was Markham jealous? Well, perhaps.
He was fairly abusive at one stage, I do know that.
Right.
Thank you very much.
SHARPE: Why did Helen Croft chuck you? Um It just didn't work out.
Friction, was there? No.
We were working things out.
You got on all right with Lucy, though? - We got on well, yes.
- You fancied her, did you? What? Could your attraction to Mrs Croft's daughter be a reason for the friction between you? Oh, for God's sake! Is that why you split up? Cos you were coming onto the daughter? No! Well, when you were at the hospital, you were trying to get in to see her.
It was a bit pushy.
No, don't deny it.
I saw you.
I was there.
Bloody hell! You people! I knew you were going to try and implicate me in this! - Why would we want to do that? - Because it's what you do! You've no idea what this is doing to me! Yes, I liked Lucy very much.
She's a great kid.
But I would never dream of harming her, or Helen! We never asked you if you did.
It's what you're implying, isn't it? Hmm.
The family didn't want you hanging about either.
There was a chance that Helen and I might get back together.
The family didn't want that.
I don't care about that! All I want now is to see that Lucy gets through this! Did you have a key to her house? No.
We respected each other's privacy.
Were you the father of the child that Helen Croft had terminated? Yes.
But I knew that she couldn't.
It wastoo dangerous.
Medically speaking, I mean.
- But you were upset? - Of course.
Angry? No.
Just sad.
Thank you.
Well? What do you think? Well, it wasn't cough mixture I could smell on his breath.
No.
Ask around the boozers.
I'm gonna go down and see how George is.
(Monitor beeps) Come on, George.
Keep fighting.
I've got to have someone staying on top of things around the office.
(Footsteps) I've been a copper's wife long enough to be tired of it all, Jack.
I can understand that.
My George isn't an ambitious man, is he? But he's a decent one.
And he does the boring, everyday slog a copper has to do.
The bit people don't see.
Yes, I know.
You're the one who cuts corners.
Is that what happened up there, then? Is that why he's here? He was doing his job.
The doctors have told me there might be a risk of infection.
They said I should know that he could die.
It may sound spiteful, but if that happened .
.
l would blame you.
I've been going through the statements to see if there's anything that doesn't sound right.
You know, what I can't understand is that if Helen Croft was dying, she must have known that her daughter was in the other room, badly injured.
So, why wasn't she crawling to get to her? It's the most natural thing in the world to do, isn't it? Obviously she was trying to tell us something.
Well, obviously! What was so important about that dressing table? I'm going back to the statements.
Yeah, go on, you do that.
Oi! Razor! What have you got? That's new, isn't it? I thought it was about time I er brightened things up a bit.
You look like a Belisha beacon.
You've got to give yourself the best chance you can, I reckon.
- I'm having dinner with her tonight.
- You what? She's paying.
Wants to get the feel of the Surrey investigation.
Well, as long as she doesn't get the feel of something else, because she'll be the one that needs psychological help.
All right, come on, what have you got? The restaurant says Markham was there when he said he was, but one of the waiters is off today, so I've got to check that later on.
All right, go on.
What else? Lucy Croft left her friend's house some time after nine.
She couldn't walk home from there.
We're gonna check if she had a mobile, chase it down.
Mm-hm.
- What about our Father Rose? - What about him? Well, he was the first man on the crime scene, covered in the victim's blood.
He's holding something back.
I don't know what yet.
But I know he's telling porkies.
And priests shouldn't do that, should they? Are you saying Father Rose is in the frame for this? Yeah.
Why not? Oh.
Right.
Thank you.
Ah! Forensics found black cloth fibres caught against Helen Croft's skin.
Well, Father Rose says he moved her and tried to comfort her.
Yes, but how do you account for the fibres being on her skin under her nightdress? So, was our dear Father compromising our crime scene by comforting the victim, or was he giving a completely different meaning to er giving her the last rites? Lucy! Uncle Bill? Oh, sweetheart! Hello, love.
Oh, you're all right.
Oh, thank God.
Where am l? What happened? Where's Mum? BENNETT: We'll have the table and chairs in the middle of the room and we'll have the incident boards in front of that wall, the three of them.
MULLETT: Bring those over here.
Oi! What's going on? What's going on? Your request for a national search for similar murders established other killings in three different police authorities.
- Three? - Over a six-year period.
How many murders? Five.
Five? My God, she's right.
We've got a serial killer on our hands.
BENNETT: Sir! - Yes? - Lucy Croft has regained consciousness.
- Right, thank you.
Did she say anything? She just asked for her mum.
I asked the erthe doctor to tell her.
I couldn't.
Right.
I need to talk to her for a minute.
It won't help you, Inspector.
She has traumatic amnesia.
- She can't remember anything.
- Is that permanent? Not necessarily.
But it might not be a bad thing for her if it was.
It's all right, I'd like you to stay, please, Mrs Ford.
Lucy, I'm a policeman.
And I need to ask you if you saw or remember anything that could help us.
No.
Sorry.
This man that attacked you I mean, could you sense anything about him? I mean, was he a big man, or was he slightly built? Was he wearing gloves? Maybe you could remember the smell of his aftershave? No, I'm sorry.
I can't remember anything.
Inspector, please.
Can we? Yes, all right, all right.
It's all right.
Don't worry.
You're safe now.
No-one can hurt you.
Whoever did this, I will get them.
I promise you.
Let's face it, Inspector, people who do this just disappear into the night until they kill again, and the odds are on their side.
How many killers are out there? How many will ever be caught? This one will be.
"Then let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works.
" I don't think I know that one.
Matthew, Chapter Five, Verse 16.
"And if we all look to our faith, It will be lit, and you will see.
" Well, I'd better get off home, make sure I've paid the light bill.
We've been praying for your sergeant.
We heard he'd been injured.
God willing, he will be safely delivered.
Yes.
Thank you.
Inspector.
I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in.
Quiet as a church mouse, me.
It's rather late.
Mmm.
But still, priests and policemen work 24 hours a day, don't they? For their sins.
It's just that I need to ask a few more questions, that's all.
You see, we found fibres from your clothes on Helen Croft's skin.
Like I told you, I put her on her side.
Her nightdress was above her waist.
I turned her over, I held her.
I just wanted to give her some dignity.
So you pulled her nightdress back down? Yes.
I'm sorry, have I caused any problems because of that? No, it's just that we need to know who did what, that's all.
You see, I've had a chat with Helen Croft's sister, and she told me that she and Helen shared a medical condition that made it very dangerous for either of them to have children.
- I didn't know that.
- Didn't you? It seems that Lucy was conceived at some considerable risk.
She must have been a very brave woman.
Mmm, yes, she was.
Helen had a few boyfriends after her husband died but she couldn't risk another pregnancy.
Not at her age and in her medical condition.
I'm sorry, what is this to do with me? It's the reason you had her excommunicated, isn't it? I'm sorry, I can't comment on that.
Well, you know what I think? I think she told you in confessional that she'd had an abortion and you used it against her.
You broke her confidentiality.
Our faith is very clear on this issue.
I had no choice, I had to recommend excommunication.
Oh, rules are rules, are they? Well, I've got a few of my own and if she told you anything that will help me catch her murderer, I want to hear about it and you're obliged by law to tell me.
She said nothing.
You've already abused her trust.
Are you sure there isn't anything? Nothing.
You know what, Father, if it had been anybody else other than a priest who messed up my murder scene, covered themselves with blood and marched it all over the place, I would have had him charged by now.
You can't think I would commit murder, you can't! That's all a matter of belief.
Isn't it? Oh, and evidence.
There's something you're not telling me.
So, if ever you feel the need to unburden your own soul, my confessional is open 24 hours.
Every day, including Sundays.
(Door slams) Right, someone give me some good news for a change.
- Good morning, Razor.
- Morning, sir.
Doctor Martine, you said that you were going through everyone's statements.
Well, from what I can see, Steve Markham's remarks seem to indicate a desperately lonely man, high on anxiety and prone to sudden acts of anger.
Blimey, I'm going to have to be careful what I say to you in the future, aren't l? Yes, I think you should.
Yeah, all right, come on, what else? The priest is frightened, guilty of something.
Everything he says about not being able to save her.
He's taking the blame on for something.
It's almost him projecting his own fears that he can't save himself.
So, there's nothing definite to pinpoint either Markham or the priest.
This man's planning is meticulous.
It's part of his control over his victims.
And he's getting better.
The more women he kills, he's gaining experience.
But But what? His killing pattern's altered.
This is his sixth kill in six years, but with Helen Croft he's two months early.
He usually kills in the autumn.
Yeah.
Meaning what? Well, either he's getting more ambitious or this was an unplanned murder.
Something extra.
Are you trying to tell me that he could kill again fairly soon? Yes.
I must see you.
It's important.
I'm worried.
You can't expect me to forgive you for what you've done.
We have to talk this through.
I can't see you now.
How can l? I'm looking after Lucy.
- Sylvia - No, I can't! For heaven's sake, you don't know what will happen to us if they keep on digging.
Now, please, we have to know what to say.
These are the areas where the other killings took place - over the past five years.
- That's right.
Right, so what aren't we looking at, here, here, here and here? - Pubs.
- No, not pubs! - Look there, there, there, there - Churches.
Churches, yes! Symbols of light and hope for many a poor soul.
- I'd opt for the pubs.
- Yeah, I know you would.
But is there any chance that our Father Rose had visited these areas? No, his parish is around here.
You don't know anything about going to church, do you? Weddings and funerals, mostly.
I've had the one, I'm waiting for the other.
Yes.
No, you see, look, priests are like doctors.
Well, they're like locums.
So, if our Father Rose had been moving from parish to parish, it would be interesting to know where and when, wouldn't it? (Mobile rings) - You don't want to get Mr Mullett all steamed up cos you're snapping at the heels of a priest.
Sharpe, CID Never mind snapping at his heels.
I'm the Witchfinder-General, me.
Transgressors are my speciality.
Guv, Bennett followed Markham to Helen Croft's house.
Markham tried to get inside.
Come on, Markham, give it up.
This was found in the boot of your car.
You were doing a runner.
- Yes! - Sadly for you, there's nothing in the house.
We removed it all for evidence.
- I didn't know that! - Of course you didn't.
There you are.
Bennett, come here.
Bring that over here.
Put it on there.
Right, Markham, this is all of the late Helen Croft's jewellery.
I want you to look in there and find the ring that you said that you gave her.
Before you start, I think I ought to mention we put a few pieces of our own in there, just to help you focus your attention.
All right? Off you go.
Take your time.
(Rummaging) I don't see it.
No.
it all sounds rather lame, doesn't it? I'm having money problems.
That ring was valuable.
Your alibi is still dodgy, Markham.
What else were you up to the night of the murder? I went to the restaurant, then I went to the cinema.
You didn't pitch up for your weekly AA meeting.
No, we've checked, and we're not talking about your usual roadside services, either.
You lied.
Yes.
Yes! I was frightened, I'd had a few drinks.
Well, more than a few drinks.
ll don't remember anything.
No, Lucy Croft doesn't remember either, but that's for a very different reason.
You know what I think, Markham? I think you went round Helen Croft's house to nick the jewellery you knew she kept there.
That's not true! No? You're up to your eyes in debt, you're doing a runner.
And you know what? The telephone company told me the last call Lucy Croft made was to your number.
You were the one who took her home! No, no, I didn't! It's like I say.
I had a few drinks.
Yes, she did phone, but I didn't go and get her.
Oh, come off it! Bennett, take him down the nick.
- Look, I didn't do anything! - Come on.
He had the time and the motive.
She'd fallen pregnant, she'd dumped him.
He's unstable.
Yeah, I know, but what have we got? Circumstantial, at best.
- Can I take this now, guv? - Yeah, go on, off you go.
Hey, just a minute, hang about.
Where have I seen that before? It's a locket.
Picture of Lucy in it.
- It was on her dressing table.
- Yeah.
Helen Croft wouldn't have crawled across the floor to get this, though, would she? Not when she knew her daughter was a few feet away in the next room.
All right, off you go.
Still, desperate moments, eh? There's insufficient evidence against him, Jack.
Well, I'll arrest him for burglary if I've no choice.
Any brief would have him out of custody in seconds on what we've got.
We just can't hold him.
Unless you think otherwise, Doctor Phillips.
He's not your killer.
You don't know that.
He never gives me a straight answer.
MARTINE: You drink as heavily as he does, you live a devious life.
He thinks differently.
His reality is not ours.
Lying is a way of life.
Look, he was the one who picked up Lucy Croft on the night of the murder.
He might just as well have followed her into the house.
I don't need a degree in psychology to work that one out.
That's enough, Jack.
Well, for heaven's sake! Someone like Markham would leave calling cards, let alone traces of DNA, at a murder scene.
He's not in sufficient control to be that methodical.
You cannot guarantee that! No, but I won't put my reputation on the line to give you something you don't have.
Thank you, Doctor Phillips.
He stays in the area, we take his passport.
It's the best we can do.
All right, so he walks.
- What about round-the-clock surveillance? - That would take six teams of officers.
I just don't have the budget, Jack.
No, we never do, do we? Anyway, have you heard anything about George? No.
Oh.
A bit of divine intervention wouldn't go amiss for any of us, would it? (Siren) (Knock at door) - Knock, knock.
Who's there? Information received.
D'you what? Oh.
Doctor Martine Phillips worked on two rape cases for the Met and a murder enquiry for Kent.
Mm-hm.
And? And so far, three books and four television appearances, and a very healthy private practice building up.
So she's feathering her nest on the back of police investigations.
Yeah, seems she's building a media career for herself.
Apparently, this psychological profiling is a cut-throat business.
Yeah, well, she's in the right game, then, isn't she? Oh, yeah.
How did you come by this information so quick? Apparently, she had a fling with one of the CID blokes in Kent.
He says she used him and then dumped him.
Oh.
Really? Footprints were found at three of the murder scenes but they didn't match.
No, well, he's too organised to be careless.
You know what I think? I think the killer goes in, murders his victims, and then destroys his clothing, so he's got fresh gear every time.
And Forensic now say there were different types of fibres found on Helen Croft's body, not just those from the priest.
I don't know, I've got three murder teams, 60 police officers working on this, and all we come up with is more and more ifs, buts and maybes.
Anyway, have a Oi! (Clicks fingers) Have a look at this, will you? What am I looking for? Her hair has been snipped.
Look at the ridge.
- So she had a haircut.
- No, no.
Look at one of the other victims.
Look, there.
Look, apiece is missing.
It's been cut from behind the ear.
And the other one.
Another one there, look.
Eh? Right.
Doctor Phillips, could we have a moment of your time, please? - It's like a trophy.
- Exactly.
Would you look at this? He's been cutting their hair.
What does that mean to you? Well, he'll remember the fragrance long after it's left the hair.
He'll look at that lock of hair and have total recall of the killing.
- And the thrill it gave him.
- There you are.
Find the trophy and you find the killer.
Easy, eh? BENNETT: Guv! - Hm? There's been another murder.
No, no, no, no.
- This isn't the place for you.
- I need to see the body.
Not now.
You get inside when everyone else is finished, not before.
Frost, CID.
- Looks like the same killer to me.
- It's him, all right.
You can bet on it.
There are similar wounds to the last murder.
Same sort of knife.
12-13cmfive inches long.
Single-edged blade.
Could you just check the hair for me? Yeah.
What am I looking for? I want to see if the hair has been cut behind the ear.
Er Oh, yeah, this little bit looks as if it's just been snipped.
Significant? Yes.
- Shall I carry on? - Yes, carry on, please.
Come on.
- I told you to wait.
- Inspector, is it the same killer? Yes, I think it is.
Then whatever timetable he's working to, he's torn it up.
- Why would he do that? - Because you're getting close to him.
I think it's someone you've already interviewed and he knows you're closing in on him.
I have an idea I think might help.
I want to talk to the priest.
We all agree he's hiding something.
I'll go to confession, I'll prompt him and I'll listen.
That's policewomen's work.
Um, that could be seen as entrapment, couldn't it, sir? Whereas if I do it, it's just a professional analysis of a suspect's responses.
I won't have any investigation against the church that can't be supported by reasonable suspicion.
A priest! You can't seriously suspect him? I'm not prejudiced.
I'll suspect anyone.
Anyway, you know what the old saying is, sir, don't you? The stronger the faith, the closer the devil.
You're not going to let her do this? It wasn't my idea, it was hers.
You're putting her in danger.
Nobody knows who she is.
It's just a one-off idea to see if she can find out anything that we can't.
She's a professional.
She's been building her career on this sort of stuff.
She's helping us with a series of murders.
You know what I think? I think she's doing it for this - for the dosh, for the fame, for the glory.
You just be careful you don't end up as a chapter in her life.
- You don't have to worry about me.
- Yeah, well, I do.
We need decent coppers.
Worry about yourself.
Anything happens to her, you're responsible.
Trouble is, there'll be another casualty.
What do you mean, George Toolan? For all I know.
- Don't you blame me for that, as well.
- You blame yourself.
Yes, well wouldn't you? NEWS REPORT: .
.
the dead woman, Adele Metcalfe, was discovered bound and gagged with multiple stab wounds - All right? - Jack! Come here a moment.
.
.
requested that the National Crime Facility recommend a forensic psychologist to help with the Helen Croft enquiry - Yes? - Take a look at that.
.
.
that the second murder is the work of the same person.
Doctor Martine Phillips has helped different police forces to profile murderers The press want confirmation that she's working for us.
FROST: Not much point in denying it now, is there? Oh, bloody hell.
Phone her hotel and tell her to stay where she is.
(Mobile rings) (Rasping) Do not think you know me.
I know what you do.
I know where you live.
You're too late.
(Sirens) Why do you think he didn't kill you? I don't know for sure but I think it's because I don't fit the victims' profiles.
I mean, he chooses when and how they die.
He's in control of that.
So he was warning you off? Yeah, I'm a threat, I'm interfering.
Look, it's down to you now but I'm concerned that you're running out of time.
Thank you, Doctor Phillips.
Thank you.
I had to tell the media this morning she is assisting us.
Well, the harm's done now, anyway.
I don't think we can pin her attack on the priest.
He said he was stuck in a traffic jam on his way from doing his rounds at the hospital.
- And you believe him, I hope? - Well, there are road works.
I'm getting the CCTV cameras checked to see if we can spot him.
I mean, I still think he's hiding something.
Anyway, we found out the parishioner that he said he saw on the night of the murder works the night shift at the supermarket.
- There's a discrepancy in the time of his alibi? - Yes, about half an hour's worth.
Which means he could have been at the murder scene - earlier than he said he was.
- But that's not definite? No, because the parishioner has got a bad time-keeping record.
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe I'm getting it all wrong.
Maybe the priest is shielding somebody.
Jack, I don't want to hear on the news that you're harassing a priest.
- I've already had the bishop on the phone.
- All right, I'll tread lightly.
As lightly as I can.
I told you it was too risky.
She's become a victim of her own media profile.
Anyway, where are you off to? One of the dead women worked in an office in town a couple of years ago.
Oh, yeah? Which means what? Is there a connection, then, somewhere? No, not much to go on, but the office block's opposite an old folk's home.
- Yeah, which means what, exactly? - I don't know.
Father Rose does a regular visit there.
Worth checking out, just in case.
Anyway, can't do any harm.
No stone unturned, and all that.
Allright, fair enough.
Listen, I'm going to look in on George.
Then I'm going to make a nuisance of myself with Father Rose.
Oi! Marti is playing for high stakes.
You know that as well as I do.
I've got two murdered women who are closely linked to five others over the last five years.
I've got two suspects.
One is a dodgy priest.
So, I'll have the hell to pay for hounding him, and the other is an alcoholic ex-boyfriend who doesn't know what time of the day it is.
The murders are spread over three counties.
And the killer hasn't left any DNA.
On top of that, Razor has got the hots for the forensic psychologist that's been sent to help us, and she's been attacked and threatened last night.
Oh, I don't know.
I'm getting nowhere fast.
I really need a breakthrough in this case.
I don't care.
Why are you telling me all this? George! Welcome back to the land of the living.
- Jack.
- Mm-hm? I'm I'm dying No, you're not, you're not.
I promise you, you're on the mend now.
I'm dying for a drink of water.
Oh! Right, OK, yeah.
Don't go away.
(Pours water) Here you are.
Here.
There you go, there you go, George.
Careful now.
(Coughs) All right.
Oi, don't you choke to death, cos they'll blame me for that as well.
Thank you, nurse.
A touch more brandy next time.
Next time, I'm keeping you on terra firma.
(Chuckles) Go on.
Clear off.
I need my beauty sleep.
Well, they should have done some plastic surgery while they were doing that.
Yeah.
I'm really glad you're on the mend, George.
All right, then, I'll be off.
Some of us have got some work to do.
Good result on George, then.
A bit of help at my end would be appreciated.
(Whispering) WOMAN: Discuss what? We have to.
There's nothing else we can do.
Helen wouldn't have done a thing like this.
I hated the way she lived.
I was jealous of it.
God I'm just stricken every day of my life.
It's not for us to condemn anyone, least of all ourselves.
What we did was right.
Now she's dead, I can't live like this any more.
I've betrayed everything and everyone.
No, you haven't.
Caring for the flock, Father? Or just this one lost sheep? Oh.
This is more than it seems.
That's what I was thinking.
Sylvia and I love each other, deeply.
And you excommunicated her sister? You hypocrite! Were you involved with her as well? - Of course not! - You could have been, as far as anyone was concerned.
She could have been threatening to tell everyone, tell the bishop.
Was that it? - No! - I don't understand why you're saying this.
Well, I'll tell you what, if I asked your boss, and I don't mean him up there, I'll find out that you've been involved with female parishioners before.
- This time it's different.
- There have been other women? Sylvia, please, don't listen to him.
It seems to me that you and the padre have been revisiting the Seventh Commandment: "Thou shalt not commit adultery.
" Maybe you got your Commandments mixed up.
You know, the Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill.
" You had the time.
Was it the pair of you? Hmm? Was it? Can I have a look at that locket, please? Sir! Thank you.
Sir.
- Your phone was off.
- Hmm? Yes, I know that.
Your vocational calling won't survive this scandal, I can promise you that.
Now, what is it? The empty offices opposite the retirement home belong to this double-glazing company.
- The last victim worked in the same building.
- The connection is what? Well, it's a bit circumstantial, but 12 months ago, Bill Ford worked as a product manager for the same double-glazing company.
You can't get a better place for copies of house keys than that.
Mrs Ford, will you come here a moment, please? Whose hair is that? Erit's Lucy's.
From when she was a baby.
That is not a baby's hair.
- What? - Where did you get this locket? My husband bought one for me and one for Helen .
.
from Steve Markham, as a celebration of Lucy's birth.
Markham sold these lockets to your husband? Yes.
Some time ago, your husband gave Markham a job.
Was that when he was working for the double-glazing company? Yes.
Find Markham.
Dig him out from whatever hole he's hiding in.
Right.
Bennett, here.
Would you like to sit down, please? Before your sister died, she was reaching for something.
And I believe it was the locket that your husband gave her.
Butwhy? She was trying to tell us who killed her.
Oh, God.
I'm afraid either your husband or Steven Markham has killed seven women .
.
including your sister.
Right.
Now, we've got it down to four possible victims.
Here, here, here and here.
These four women have all had double-glazing done on their houses over the past year or so.
If he's staying on our patch, it's certainly one of these.
Right.
Which one do we concentrate on? This one.
That's his next victim.
BENNETT: What do you reckon, sarge? I don't see how he would know which house to go for.
I think it's a hell of a risk.
(Sirens) (Creaking) Argh! Bastard! Guv! - Are you OK? (Sirens) (Truck horn) (Horn) All right.
Come on, give it up.
Give it up! (Coughs) (Chokes) (Gasps for breath) (Strangled scream) (Scream echoes) You should be dead.
God was on your side, Inspector.
Mmm.
Yeah, that .
.
and the stab vest.
You spend your whole life being decent, being gentle.
But it's not what they want.
They walk all over you.
They drown you in contempt and she She rejected me, Frost.
The bitch rejected me and she went with the likes of Markham.
So you know you're not good enough, and you teach them.
Yeah.
You show those bitches what a man can do.
Do you understand? No, not in a million years.
Frost! Yes? How did you know? About tonight.
How did you know where I'd be? The house is next to this storage yard.
It was lit up like a football stadium.
"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works.
" Your ego.
You couldn't resist telling me, could you? Are you staying in bed on your sickie? With the good doctor? No, but I'm taking her for a night out in the West End.
- It's a surprise.
- Nice one.
Sir.
Right, are we all clear in here? Well, just about, sir.
Good result, Jack.
Thank you.
Just good old-fashioned police work.
Well, as important as behavioural profiling can be, and as vital as forensic science is, it comes down to the copper on the ground to collate and refine all the evidence.
Yes.
Thank you, sir.
That's a fine time to find that.
We're moving out! I thought everything was going OK between us.
There never was anything between us.
How could you think that? Well, I thought You're a sweet man but Did you honestly think there was an attraction? Come on! Of course not.
Stupid of me.
Maybe we could go for a drink sometime if we work on another investigation.
Sure.
Look at us lot.
The Three Musketeers.
Thankfully, you adhered to regulations for once and wore a stab vest.
Yes, good job I did.
I think they ought to be made compulsory.
Especially in the canteen, they should.
Your hand, it's really bad, is it? Yeah, well, it's one of those things.
When it happens, you don't feel a thing and then afterwards, it's just incessant pain.
Like working for you, then.
Right, well, I think we'd better leave George to get some rest.
Come along.
You're skiving.
I know you are.
I'll be back.
Looks as though he's coming through with flying colours.

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