Above Suspicion (2009) s02e03 Episode Script

The Red Dahlia - Part 3

If he says he wants to meet me, well, I haven't got the right clothes.
What's been done to her? What's the matter with her face? The victim is missing a number of lower internal organs.
With this and the blood draining, it's likely your killer has surgical experience.
It was called the Black Dahlia Case.
She was murdered in Los Angeles in 1947.
Her killer was never found.
We've got a copycat.
We've got to find him.
It's Sharon Bilkin.
The third time she's called.
She said she knows who the killer is.
Charles Henry Wickenham.
Did your father ever entertain young girls like these? Daddy is always having weekend parties, but I don't go.
We don't like each other.
They look the type.
Daddy likes them young and tarty.
COMMANDER LEIGH: It is imperative that you have enough evidence to arrest him.
He has some very influential friends.
So perhaps the best solution would be if you agreed to come to an identity parade.
Thank you very much for coming in, Mr Wickenham.
I knew this identity parade would be a waste of time.
I apologise for not getting back to you sooner with the addresses for you to check out.
The perils of no longer having a secretary.
Would later today be acceptable? As soon as possible, please.
And we'll need to have your fingerprints taken.
We'll also need your ex-wife's details.
What on earth for? Just procedure.
If you'd care to accompany me back to the incident room, we can make it as fast as possible.
I'll do it now.
Don't have time to waste here.
(MOBILE KEYS BEEP) Is DCI Langton in? Yes, ma'am.
He's in his office.
Coffee, please.
Have these two.
I'll get a refill.
Thanks.
Pushy, isn't she? Mm-hm.
He's got an alibi for Louise Pennel's murder.
Not one of your eyewitnesses could identify him.
I know he's the killer, Jane.
And we'll get him.
You need evidence.
Barbara, there's the Commander and Langton.
You know? You'd be surprised what he'd do for a phone tap, never mind round-the-clock surveillance and six extra officers.
Look, this is a bit unethical.
Yeah, well, we can work round it.
I meantgiving you this.
It's Wickenham's ex-wife and her early career.
I love you.
Of course you do.
(KNOCK ON DOOR) Put the coffee on.
There's been a development.
Emily rang Justine late last night.
First they talked about contacting their mother, maybe worried she'd arrive suddenly from Milan.
And Justine asked Emily if she told us anything, and Emily got hysterical.
I'll have some toast.
You want anything on your toast? No.
So Emily was getting more and more distressed.
Oh, Marmite - I'll have some of that.
And then she goes on to say that she wished she'd gone through with it and made him pay for what he did to her.
And Justine, she's still trying to calm her sister down, says that's why she protected her because he constantly tried to do the same to her.
Do what to her? Best bit.
Emily starts yelling, saying it was her he did the abortion to.
What? He operated on his own daughter? Wait - unless it was the brother.
The father's the surgeon, Travis.
The Black Dahlia suspect was taken to court by his own daughter .
.
accusing him of rape.
Yes.
That's why I want you privy to all of this.
His ex-wife stood by him and all charges were dropped.
And as we're about to meet the ex-Mrs Wickenham, it could be useful.
Soumgo and get dressed.
We leave in ten minutes.
It's not even eight.
(ELECTRIC RAZOR HUMS) Did you not get home last night? Do you know how much it is for ten ruddy minutes? (DISTANT SIREN WAILS) Travis.
(FRENCH ACCENT) Mrs Wickenham will be with you shortly.
She was not expecting you until later on this morning.
May I offer you coffee? No, thanks.
Hey! You're not allowed into my flat.
I'm afraid you have no option, Miss Wickenham.
Get out of my way! Good morning.
I hope this is important.
It is.
Yes.
Travis Would you please take a look at these photographs? Do you recognise either of these girls? No.
This is a sketch of a man who's suspected in the murder of those girls.
But that is my husband.
Yes, there's a remarkably close resemblance.
It was compiled by witnesses who saw the man with both victims.
Your husband was a surgeon.
Is that right? Ex-husband.
We're divorced.
Can you confirm that Justine was in Milan on June 15th? Yes, she was.
They come and stay with me as often as possible.
They don't stay at the Hall with their father? No.
No, they don't get along.
He can be verystrict.
And you know, girls will be girls.
What about your step-son? Edward? He's a very sweet boy.
Very much under his father's thumb.
Can you tell me about his wife? She committed suicide.
Yes.
It was very sad.
She suffered from depression.
Were you ever questioned during a police enquiry regarding your youngest daughter? I'm sorry? Emily made an allegation against her father, your ex-husband, for alleged rape.
No.
No, that was very wretched and not true.
There were never any charges.
Emily is highly strung and she has a very vivid imagination.
So the operation? What operation? The abortion.
She's making up stories.
Is it possible that your ex-husband could have terminated Emily's pregnancy without your knowledge? There was no pregnancy.
We received a phone call that named your ex-husband as the killer of those two women, and it's possible that the call came from your daughter Emily.
I think that perhaps you should speak to me through a solicitor.
Excuse me.
May I use your bathroom? Yes, on the left down the hall.
Excuse me.
I know you were listening.
I know why you are here.
Is Emily ill again? Poor child.
What's that? If she sees me give you anything, she will kill me.
Don't let her see it.
Please.
Wait until you go.
I promise.
Thank you.
So your ex-husband, how much is he paying you? My divorce settlement is my business.
Now I insist you leave.
Both of you! You expect to be paid a lot for being such an admirable and caring ex-wife.
That's enough.
One more thing.
Before you were married, what did you do for a living? What does that have to do with anything? It's just that you lie so beautifully I wanted to hear what you'd say.
First insinuations about my family and then you call me a liar.
You were an exotic dancer! Not only that, but you have a police record in Marseilles.
Did Charles hire you? I know he has a predilection for prostitutes.
I also suspect he couldn't keep his hands off his own daughter! Get out! Get out! Exotic dancer? Whose your source? Oh, you'd be surprised what Commander Leigh can do.
What are you doing? You'd be surprised at what I can do.
It's from the maid.
Jesus Christ! Pull over.
Edward and Dominique.
Happy families (!) Justine .
.
and Daddy too.
I said there was something wrong last time I had him out! Why can't you do a simple thing like get the vet to him? He's lame now, much worse than he was, and that's down to your stupidity.
Why can't you just do as I tell you? I have to go and collect Gail.
Why can't she get a car to get herself home? She's a bloody liability.
What she needs is therapy, not a few weeks in a health spa.
You keep her in line, Edward.
You give her too much rope.
Mind you, if you gave her any more, she'd probably hang herself.
Stupid bitch! She wants me to marry her.
She's very nervous and I'm '.
.
I'm worried.
I think perhaps I should go ahead with it.
' 'You do whatever you have to do.
' She has to be controlled.
(CRACKLING ON LINE) (BEEP) We've been listening in to Wickenham's calls, but I think he's on to us.
This just came in.
'I need to talk to you, Charles.
The police were asking me a lot of questions.
' 'Give me a minute.
I'll call you back.
Not on the landline.
' 'Why not?' 'I can't talk to you at the house.
' That's it.
Didn't take her long, did it? Barbara, can you get me a chicken-and-cheese toastie? No tomatoes, and some coffee.
Right.
I want you to go back to Emily Wickenham.
Listen to this.
It's pretty obvious she's flying close to the edge.
Sosee what you can get out of her.
All right, well, I'll listen to it on the way.
What happened to you? I got in the way of Justine's riding crop.
JUSTINE: 'Refuse to speak to them from now on.
Otherwise terrible things will happen.
' EMILY: 'After what he did to me, there's nothing anyone can do that would be worse.
Hey, you are not seeing my sister, do you hear? Stop there! Argh! (STRAINS) Emily! Emily! Emily! Oh, God, no, no! Oh, no! Help me! What do I do? What do I do? It's Emily.
I've had Justine on the phone.
What's the silly cow done now? Tried to kill herself.
Get her back in the clinic.
Stupid bitch, making up stories about me! Dad, I don't know how much more of this I can take.
Justine said they were searching the stables.
So what? Look, they have nothing.
Do you hear, nothing! But Don't make me angry, son.
Please don't.
Edward.
Tell Emily I love her.
What happened to you? It's fine.
It's Justine.
She didn't want me to see her.
She's in with Emily.
I hope you're satisfied.
You know what he'll do to her now? He'll have her sectioned again.
Who? Your father? Who do you think? And I forbid allowing anyone in to see her.
Especially you.
OFFICER 1: It is a difficult situation.
OFFICER 2: I'll get it on the spreadsheet.
This call's just come in from Edward to his girlfriend Gail Harrington.
'Darling, there's a change of plan.
I've something to do for my father.
' 'You knew what time I was leaving.
I'm all packed and waiting.
' Wait.
That's That's the woman that called the station.
'.
.
your father to do whatever he needs doing.
' Joan, isn't that her? You should have taped that first bloody call, Joan.
'I have to go.
The car's on its way.
' What can I do for you? We want a few words with you and your girlfriend.
She's upstairs resting.
I'd prefer it if you came back, actually.
Gail's not been well.
She's very frail.
DC Travis will go and talk to her and save her the trouble of coming down.
But you were here before.
My father talked to you.
And now I want to talk to you.
You have a close relationship with your step-mother.
I would say it was a lot closer than could be considered normal.
Gail? Hello.
I'm DC Travis.
Why do you want to see me? I think you know.
No.
I don't.
Are you a model? Mm.
Yes.
Just sorting out the best pictures for my portfolio.
May I? Please.
Can I have a look? Of course.
They're very beautiful.
Thank you.
That was the cover of a magazine.
You see, Ium I recognise your voice.
I'm the officer you spoke to when you called the incident room.
You must be mistaken.
I've never spoken to you.
Gail, what's happened to your face? Nothing.
It's not what you think.
I fell over.
Do you recognise either of these girls? No.
I mix things up.
My doctor will tell you.
Look at the photograph of this young woman.
Her name is Sharon Bilkin.
She was a model too.
She was murdered, Gail.
I don't know her.
I don't know anything.
This is Sharon in the photograph with you, Gail.
This is Sharon Bilkin, the girl that was murdered.
This is her.
You're lying to me.
You know her.
(SOBS) OK.
(SOBS DESPERATELY) You can't force me to implicate myself.
Don't protect him.
If he killed these two girls You want to see how we found them? I think someone should be with me.
In case you implicate yourself? No.
In case you implicate your father? No.
We know about your step-sister.
About Emily's termination.
Was it your child or your father's that was aborted? (TEARFULLY) I can't take any more of this.
Then stop it.
Tell us what you know.
Please.
Please.
You don't know what he's capable of.
But you do? Don't you? Capable of slicing a girl's body in two? Draining her blood.
Subjecting her to hours of torture.
Look at the photograph.
(TEARFULLY) Please.
Let's go.
Travis! Detective Travis would like to talk to your housekeeper, if that's all right.
Why? Just to corroborate a few things.
No, thank you.
I remember the way.
Mind if we sit down? Do you mind if I stand? Mrs Hedges? Mrs Hedges! So sorry, dear.
I didn't hear you.
I'm a bit deaf in this ear.
Oh.
Would you like a cup of tea? Oh, no.
Thank you.
May I? Don't usually wear gloves, but newsprint Comes off on my hands.
Hard to wash off.
Tricks of the trade.
(I don't use silver polish.
) Just water, a drop of vinegar.
Amazing the shine you get.
It looks lovely.
Does Mr Wickenham entertain a lot? Well, he used to.
When Mrs W was around.
The second one.
She was a right party creature.
Did you meet a lot of the guests? (Oh, no, no.
) (No, they brought staff in.
Chefs and all that.
) Used to stay in my room.
I've been here a long while.
Ever since Edward was a toddler.
The girls Well I miss them when they're not here.
They keep in touch.
(Emily calls me Nana.
) Emily just attempted suicide.
She has done so before, apparently.
(I used to hear her crying.
) (I should have gone to her.
) When I knew what was going on! Do you recognise anyone in these photographs? I believe they were taken here.
(CHUCKLES) Yes, we do have fun here sometimes.
But what happens in the privacy of one's own home is exactly that.
Private.
Your son and your ex-wife also enjoyed some fun.
Why not? They're consenting adults.
Your daughter, Justine? She's over 18.
No-one ever forced her into anything.
We have a witness who says Louise Pennel was here the weekend before her murder.
And Sharon Bilkin knew your son's fiancee.
Her body was found in a field nearby.
Not one of mine, I hope.
(LAUGHS) (MOBILE RINGS) Excuse me.
(RINGING CONTINUES) Yes? One minute.
(MOBILE OFF) A private matter needs my urgent attention.
So if there's nothing else Have you ever heard of the case of the Black Dahlia? The Black Dahlia? No, I don't think I've heard of her.
Should I have? (DOOR SHUTTER CLICKS) What's he doing? It's pretty obvious, isn't it? Where the hell's Barolli? Don't know.
Probably taking a slash in the bushes.
You make any headway? She was being very protective over the family until I pushed the right button - Emily Wickenham.
I've been over at the stables.
What for? To see the bloody horses? No.
A stable boy, who wasn't here when we interviewed the other lads, he reckons he did see Louise Pennel here on June 13th.
The day after she disappeared.
Missing for three days.
Found on the Monday.
I could kiss you, Paul.
That's all I need! Check out the barn, the cottage, the stables, the paddock and the chapel and also check the surrounding gardens and the outhouses.
Get moving.
Charles Henry Wickenham .
.
I'm arresting you on suspicion of the murders of Louise Pennel and Sharon Bilkin.
I'm sorry.
Edward, Edward! Get a uniform to sit in here with him, Mike.
We're going to start in the bedrooms.
I've had a look at the plans for this place.
So part 16th century, extended in the late 19th century.
There are four priest holes - one in the fireplace.
There's another one by the window in my study.
Thanks for your cooperation.
This is all rather costly, isn't it? In more ways than one.
When you eventually realise that I have nothing to do with these pitiful murders, you will face a serious situation with regard to your career.
I have some very influential contacts.
And we have verification that Louise Pennel was here.
You're a sick bastard.
I'll enjoy watching you being put away for the rest of your life.
Really? Will you pass me that pencil so I can get on with my crossword? The one with the eraser on the end.
I should also like to speak to my son.
He's being held at the station, helping with our enquiry.
Tell Mrs Hedges to prepare my lunch on your way out! Keep an eye on him.
Hello, dear.
How's Emily? She's in a private hospital.
Justine is with her.
Mrs Hedges, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to search your room.
Oh! Oh, that's all right, dear.
He had her locked up again, didn't he? We've come up empty handed at the cottage.
It's not looking good, and that bastard knows it, asking about lunch! We've organised lunch at the pub for everyone.
Just keep going, Paul! Or some sandwiches.
Forensics have just confirmed they found fibres in the back of the Land Rover.
They're matching them with Louise's coat.
Sir, better come and have a look round the back of the chapel.
They're opening up a manhole there.
(CREAKING) (SAWING) Guv! Think we've got something.
Better come and look at this.
It's dark.
It's very dark.
Can we get some torches here? Maybe we just got lucky.
Take this, will you? (DISTORTED FEMALE VOICE) (WOMAN'S SCREAMS ECHO) (THUD) He's gone.
Wickenham's gone.
Well, he can't have got far.
We've got the bloody place surrounded.
How the hell did he get to do this to you? They found blood, hair, skin clogging the drains.
A lot of blood traces down there.
We've still got no trace of Wickenham.
How could he just disappear with all those officers out there? We've checked by the gates, the stables, the paddock.
Nobody's seen him.
Unless, he was wearing one of these.
How could he get it on, Paul? He was bloody handcuffed? Still front page and in every paper.
(PHONES RING) (TEARFULLY) I was having my hair done.
I honestly didn't recognise her.
She came up to me as I was paying.
She asked who I was.
I told her I was engaged.
She looked at my ring and we walked out together.
Charles was waiting for me.
She seemed to know him.
Did Sharon return to the Hall with you? But I never saw her again.
So you never saw her again, but what? You drove all the way back to Mayerling Hall with him and? She sat in the front seat beside him.
Such a coincidence, me meeting up with Gail and then Louise.
I remember you.
You used to call for her, didn't you? I'm right, aren't I? It was you.
I met her when I was looking for a secretary.
I needed someone willing to travel abroad.
I have a house in the south of France, an apartment in Milan.
At first, I thought she would be suitable.
Obviously, there was all the social side.
I can type.
Can you? She wasn't really sophisticated enough.
It was very disappointing.
I hope she wasn't too upset.
She's dead.
She was murdered.
(SIGHS) Oh, God.
The police were asking me about the man she was seeing, which was you, but I'd never really met you, so But now you have, you can see why poor Louise didn't get the post.
Tell me about her murder.
My client will answer your questions.
However, he wishes to make it clear that he played no part in the murder of these two young women.
And we know he's lying through his teeth.
We found fibres from Louise Pennel's coat in your car, Mr Wickenham.
The same coat that was found covering Sharon Bilkin's body.
Edward? My father asked if I would help.
He said he'd been having sex with her and she'd suffocated.
He said it was an accident.
He wanted me to move the body, leave it somewhere.
I wouldn't look at her.
She was wrapped in the coat.
So you just agreed? Agreed to move the body? You denied ever seeing Sharon Bilkin.
I never saw her face.
He said if I didn't do what he wanted, he'd force me and Gail to leave the estate.
You have no idea how powerful he is.
We drove up to the field.
He wanted to move further away from the Hall, but we got bogged down in the mud.
I was backing the car, turning it around.
(ENGINE REVS) Get this car valeted tomorrow, Edward.
Do you hear me? What did you do to her? She won't be missed.
Now, get back to the Hall.
Forget everything you've seen, Edward.
Do you hear me? Dear God! Yes, 'Dear God'.
As much Dear God as I felt when they cut your wife down from the rafters.
You were both so into that little sex game, she ended up hanging herself.
You know, he screwed with my wife until she was so crazed.
Fed her drugs.
She was so terrified of him, and he made me part of it all too.
Since I was 12, he's tormented me and fucked with my mind! Sit down, Mr Wickenham! Sit down.
My father .
.
is a sick man hell-bent on hurting anyone close to him.
He destroyed his own daughters.
And I know if I hadn't done what he wanted .
.
he would have destroyed me too.
Can you tell us anything about your father's obsession with the Black Dahlia? It was the fact the killer was never caught.
That was his obsession.
Proving he would never be caught.
And he hasn't been, has he? You will be charged with murder, Mr Wickenham.
And if - IF - you have any idea where or who is hiding your father, I would give it up if I were you.
(DISTORTED SINGING) RADIO: The mystery of the Red Dahlia investigation continues.
A spokesperson today admitted no progress in establishing the whereabouts of the murder suspect, Colonel Charles Wickenham, who slipped through the fingers of police whilst being held in custody on his estate.
Wickenham was facing charges of brutally murdering Louise Pennel and Sharon Bilkin.
How long has it been - a week? Mm.
If we haven't found him by now, perhaps we never will.
It's just so hard to believe.
It's like bloody Houdini.
When it comes to trial, we're going to look like complete arseholes.
Maybe he never left.
Where is he? He can't have got outside.
We had every inch of this place covered.
We'd have picked him up.
Nobody saw him.
(MUFFLED LAUGHTER) (GIGGLING) (MURMURS) (SILENCE) When did the girls return to live here, Mrs Hedges? When I heard he'd been arrested, I got in touch with Justine.
But you must also have heard that he'd disappeared.
I think 'escaped' is the word you're looking for.
What are you trying to do? Cover your tracks because you can't find him? No, it just seems odd that you came back here and brought your sister.
Because the less time she spent in that mental institution the better.
Then why didn't you take her to your flat? I have to look after the horses.
What if your father were to return? He's not bloody likely to, is he? You've had the place swarming with police.
He's not coming back.
He's an intelligent man.
Right.
So you know where he is? No.
I don't.
Mrs Hedges you were in your bedroom throughout the search.
Is that correct? Yes.
Apart for when I went to make a cup of tea.
What do you think she did - hide him under her skirt? Would you take Detective Travis up to your room, please, Mrs Hedges? Excuse me.
This is the oldest part of the house.
Is that right? Mm.
You said you had savings.
You keep your money in here? No.
No, it's in a savings account.
It's a lot.
70,000.
You ever give any money to Mr Wickenham? No.
I wouldn't give anything to him.
(HISSES) Leave them alone! They're blameless.
I'll be here to look after them.
And he won't come back! How can you be so sure? Because I'll be here to protect them.
How do you mean? Like I tried to when they were children.
But you failed! You knew what he did to these two girls.
You know what he did to Emily.
Yes.
Yes! He took away her insides! (CREAKING) Travis? Oh, shit! Oh, a splinter.
Was is it? There's an air vent.
There's something.
Give me a hand.
Down here.
Maybe some kind of tunnel.
It's quite heavy, isn't it? (RATTLING) It stinks.
(HORRIFIED GASP) There we are.
Oh, shepherd's pie.
Can you all please stay here in the kitchen? (SIGHS) (They've found him.
) (You did nothing.
) Oh, no, no, no.
That's enough! Excuse me, gentlemen.
I think the mechanism must have accidentally locked and that's why he couldn't get out.
Accidentally? Is this your father, Charles Henry Wickenham? Why is his mouth open like that? Is this Charles Henry Wickenham? Yes.
Yes, that's him, the bastard! He must have known about the cellar.
Maybe not the priest hole.
You don't understand, do you? Hear see speak nothing.
(MURMURS) From the size .
.
we knew there was a cellar in the chapel.
A house this old, it's obvious.
That was where he took me.
Enough, enough.
Oh, my dear.
You're safe.
You're safe.
I'm with you.
I'm here.
Mrs Hedges had to have closed up the air vents.
Yeah, I know.
She must have heard him scrabbling around in there.
The sound will probably haunt her for the rest of her life.
They need her, the girls.
I can live with it.
What? We keep itjust between us.
Better get back.
CHARLES: Help me.

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