The Murdoch Mysteries (2004) s07e09 Episode Script

A Midnight Train to Kingston

It's gonna a good day tomorrow, Murdoch.
Sir? This piece of lowlife scum gets what he deserves.
Isn't that right? This isn't about vengeance, sir.
Sometimes that's all it's about.
I can't believe we're taking him out of Toronto.
We can handle him though, right, George? - George? - Yes, of course we can, Henry.
Right, we're here.
All right, it's time to go.
Now.
Has anyone boarded at this station? - No, sir.
- Good.
Sir.
- Slight change in plans.
- What is it, Jackson? They didn't assign a private car to this train.
- We're to take over the bar car.
- That wasn't the arrangement.
- I know, sir.
- I was told that we were to Sir, the bar car is fine.
Uh, the bar car is locked from the inside.
Another change in plans, it would seem.
- And no one boards, Crabtree.
Remember that.
- Sir.
Ladies and gentlemen, there's no cause for alarm.
We'll be continuing our journey shortly.
Sorry, ma'am.
Who's the man, Mother? Never you mind.
Sorry, gentlemen.
Service has been suspended for the evening.
- Uh, I just ordered.
- Bar's closed.
Return to your seats, please.
I don't like this.
Neither do I.
I'd just as soon finish it here.
You can't hang a man before his time, and I'm not due to be hanged until tomorrow.
Thank you.
There's been a change of plan, Gillies.
You'll be hanged on schedule, just not where you were expecting.
Oh, good.
I do love train rides.
Don't you, Detective? I want two men in this car at all times.
No exceptions.
Oh, and let's have a constable outside the door.
I don't want anybody coming in.
- Yes, sir.
- Gentlemen, James Gillies has escaped custody twice.
Let's make sure he doesn't make it a hat trick.
Keep your eyes and ears open.
Report anything out of the ordinary.
Sir.
I still think you shouldn't be here.
I intend to bear witness, Inspector.
It's my right.
- Bloody hell.
- What is it? Some bugger's trying to get on the train.
Hodge! Don't let him out of your sight.
It seems already things aren't turning out as planned.
Oy! You with the beard.
Stop right there! Toronto Constabulary.
What's your name? Aaron Rauls.
Where you headed? Montreal.
Montreal? This train's going to Kingston.
And then on to Montreal, sir.
Why did you not board at Union Station? I knew I'd be too late.
I hired a hansom to get here.
Since when was being late for the train a crime? Don't get bloody smart with me, sunshine.
Let's have a look at your ticket.
Yeah.
Everything appears to be in order, sir.
Do you know a James Gillies? You do.
Of course I do.
You could hardly pick up a newspaper without reading about that fiend.
All right.
But don't be late for the train in the future.
Trust me, I won't.
May I? - It's closed.
- Please take a seat, sir.
Jackson.
Take note of where he sits.
Check in on him.
Yes, sir.
Keep an eye on him, Jackson.
A constant eye, sir? Constant eye it is.
Name, please? - Nathaniel Henry.
- Destination? Kingston.
What's all this about? Routine prisoner transfer.
Nothing to worry about.
Tickets, please.
- Certainly.
- And your names? - Sadie Hopkins, and this - And I'm Finn.
Hey, who's the man in back of the train? - It's just a man who's to be hanged.
- Is it James Gillies? Higgins! I didn't tell him; he guessed.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Ladies and gentlemen, please, it's nothing but a routine prisoner transfer.
There is nothing to be concerned about.
Ticket, please.
I should throw you off this bloody train right now! I'm sorry, sir.
Henry, what were you thinking? Apparently not very much, sir.
You two relieve Hodge.
Yes, sir.
Where are you going? For as much of a walk as this train allows.
You look worried.
Sir, we're transporting James Gillies.
He's a man, Murdoch, not a magician.
The only people who know he's aboard are the Crown attorney, Judge Reynolds, and the railway commissioner.
And now all of this train, apparently.
Henry bloody Higgins.
I could throttle him! I just had to get away for a minute.
Being close to that man makes my skin crawl.
Perfectly understandable.
I know it seems uncharitable, but I'll be happy when he's hanged.
It's not uncharitable.
He killed your husband, tried to kill you And me.
I almost rather he rotted in jail forever.
It seems crueller.
I take it you must be on important business.
- Would you care for a - Yes, I would.
Thank you.
At least one of yous doesn't mind a bit of fun.
After tonight, this will all be over.
Everyone seems particularly edgy.
Maybe it's because the devil's on their train.
Detective, you flatter me! The devil.
Tied up like this, what could I possibly do? Seems you're the cock that rules this roost.
In eight hours, you'll be dead, Gillies.
Everybody dies, and those left behind will get over it.
I mean, how long did it take your fair lady to get over the death of her beloved husband? I trust you were there to provide some comfort? Your kind are allowed to marry widows, aren't they? You should be thanking me.
I cleared a path for you.
Sir.
You're the one who shot me, aren't you? Didn't do much of a job of it, did you? I need to relieve myself.
May I? Henry.
Get up.
Julia.
I thought I might see you here.
- Looking forward to tomorrow? - Very much so.
Well, I hope I don't disappoint you.
You should be asleep.
It's very late.
- I'm not tired.
- Don't speak to him.
Move along.
Well? Which of you is going to do the honours? - We're both right - Handed, George.
- It would be easier for you.
- Oh, you're the clever one.
You knew this was going to happen, so you stood on that side.
I don't know why he winked at me.
I saw it plain as day.
So did I, but I have no idea why.
You know he's James Gillies? Well, the whole train knows he's James Gillies, sir, but on my word, I have nothing to do with him.
You're free to go.
It's just Gillies trying to keep us all on edge.
Just a few more hours now.
At least the inspector thinks all is well in hand.
Rauls.
You Oh, uh, sorry.
Return to your seat.
Jesus.
The body's still warm.
I don't believe he's been dead long.
Any idea who he is? He isn't carrying any identification.
I spoke with him earlier.
He said his name was Thomas Cole.
Why are all you lot here? And who the bloody hell is watching Gillies? Constable Hodge, sir.
Hodge? Alone? I said I want two men watching him at all times, and one guarding the door.
Gentlemen, need I remind you who we are transporting? - No, sir.
- Get back to your posts.
Oh, and, Higgins, try and remember to keep this little bit of information under your hat this time, will ya? Sir.
- Coincidence? - I don't know.
Let's find out what we can.
Have you seen my little boy? Constable? - Yes? - Have you seen my son? - Ma'am? - He's gone.
What's going on back there? Sir, I assure you there is nothing to worry about.
- I'm not sure I believe you.
- Sir, please, if you could just go back to your seat.
Ma'am, we'll have someone look for your son presently.
Hodge! What in the blazes are you doing, man? You let a child in here? He's in cuffs.
- Lad, you go back to your seat and stay there! - Yes.
Very, very sorry.
- Go! - George, that's a little hard on the lad, don't you think? You think James Gillies is the type to grant any special mercy to a child? I take it we're not concerned about jurisdictional issues.
I believe we're technically in the municipality of Port Hope.
We'll let that one pass.
It appears the blade was at least two inches wide.
- Three punctures.
- All around the heart.
Bugger wasn't messing around.
Looks like we've got more than James Gillies to worry about.
Where are you going, Murdoch? To keep an eye on things.
- I imagine you thought you'd left your old job behind.
- So had I.
Are you all right, Doctor? I've seen plenty of dead bodies in my time.
What's another one? A matter of significance, if it's the right person.
Everyone's the right person to someone.
Not a monster.
But the man we're taking to hang is definitely that.
No one is more aware of that than I, Inspector.
James Gillies gets none of my sympathy.
I'll leave you to your work.
Of course.
But what is it going to tell me that I don't already know? This man wasn't supposed to be here, but he left his seat.
And he died because of greed, or revenge, or just plain stupidity.
You think this a coincidence? I don't know, sir.
It has to be.
He couldn't have orchestrated this.
Sir, remember why we changed plans at the last minute.
Gillies was going to bribe the hangman $20,000.
How did we know that? - There were rumours.
- Which the hangman denied.
Well, of course he did.
But Gillies' solicitor withdrew $20,000 from Gillies' account just yesterday.
What did he need that for except as a bribe? Exactly.
Sir, what if the attempted bribe was a ruse? What if Gillies intended on being on this train the entire time? You think he pulled our strings without us being aware of it? It's possible.
You're letting paranoia get the better of you, Murdoch.
Perhaps.
Sirs.
Everybody's accounted for.
So, the killer is still on the train.
Sir, I have a feeling it might be the latecomer.
- Mr.
Rauls? - He was missing from his seat.
That's how I found the body I was looking for him.
I never left the passenger car.
Then why were you not in your seat? I moved.
The man beside was snoring to beat the band.
What time was this? Ten-thirty, thereabouts.
Is this true? Yeah.
He woke me up.
I'm a light sleeper, especially on trains.
- Gentlemen.
- Doctor.
I thought this may be of interest.
I've seen that before.
Is that a prison tattoo? And who else on this train has recently been in prison? He may be connected to Gillies.
There's only one way to find out.
This train stops at the next station.
Sir, that may be what's expected of us.
We need to know, Murdoch.
William.
Be careful.
Crabtree, you and Jackson keep an eye on the train, front, back, and sides.
- No one gets on, no one gets off.
- Sir.
- Don't be long, Murdoch.
- I won't.
Why have we stopped? I have a very important appointment to get to.
We've decided to change it.
We're gonna hang you right here.
I doubt that.
Is Detective Murdoch sending a telegram? Why would you think that? Well, it must be something important.
Was a crime committed? One was, wasn't it? Just keep your mouth shut, Gillies.
It must be a serious one too.
Why else would we stop? Was it murder? All these men, all these officers of the law, they're all under your highly competent command, aren't they? And yet a murder was committed right before their eyes.
- I said shut it, Gillies! - Sir.
The dead man's real name was Dennis Bolton.
He was released from the Don Jail less than a week ago.
Bolton? A member of the Rover Gang.
Was he connected to Gillies? No, but they were in the Don Jail at the same time.
- But Gillies was in solitary.
- So was Bolton.
Oh, not Bolton.
That's terrible.
You knew him? You never really get to know anyone in solitary, William.
You just see them as they're taken back and forth from their cells.
But you can talk through the walls.
And Bolton was such a chatterbox.
What an interesting coincidence that he should be on this very train.
Isn't it? If you're up to something, Gillies, I'll find out what it is.
I am just getting ready to make peace with my maker, Detective.
But what a shame about Bolton.
Any luck locating the murder weapon? Sir, we searched the entire train.
Nothing.
He could have disposed of it anywhere.
Unless the assailant isn't finished yet.
Search the passengers? Sir, do you think Gillies planned all of this? He and the dead man crossed paths in prison.
So, this murder may have been prearranged.
With Gillies involved, nothing can be put down to coincidence.
Where's Dr.
Ogden? She left here just a couple of minutes ago.
All right.
Julia.
To what do I owe the pleasure? I just wanted to let you know that I've made a request to the Kingston coroner to have your brain removed.
My Your brain, Mr.
Gillies.
After you're executed, of course.
Well, I'm flattered.
Something made you, Mr.
Gillies.
I believe you may have some physical abnormality that caused you to become what you are.
- And what am I? - A monster.
A monster? - You confessed to killing six people.
- One of which was your late husband.
You still haven't thanked me for that.
- He was an innocent man.
- Who was getting in the way of you and the good detective's happiness.
I helped you.
Now there's nothing between you and the man of your dreams.
Aren't you happy now? Or do you feel guilty? Why should I feel guilty? You killed him.
Yes, but you caused that.
He'd still be alive if he hadn't met you.
You know when I'll be happy, Mr.
Gillies? When I pronounce you dead.
Well, you'll just have to wait, because that won't be happening for some time.
You think you can escape? I knew I would be on this train.
There's nothing that's happened that I haven't arranged.
Everything's going according to plan, and deep down, you know that.
Ask me why I want to live so badly.
Why? Because I'm not done with you yet.
Oh! Julia! Hodge, what on earth? Get away from him.
Are you all right? I let him get to me.
It was stupid.
I I know better.
He's trying to tie us in knots.
He's a master manipulator, and he relishes in the exercise of his ability.
I agree.
This is sport to him.
I'd like to introduce him to the Marquess of Queensbury, but without the rules.
Do you think he's planning his escape? It was though he was bragging.
That's just a feeling, of course.
I could be wrong.
Hm.
But if you're not Then he's behind this.
He knew he was going to be on this train, and he has a plan.
- But how could this murder enable his escape? - Who knows? But he's using the whole bloody orchestra, and if there is a plan, I want to know it right now.
So, it looks like things are going to get a little bit sporting after all.
Sir, a confrontation is what he wants.
He won't tell you a thing.
I have a better idea for uncovering such a plan, if one does exist.
- What's that, then? - Solving the murder of Dennis Bolton.
Any progress on your investigation, Detective? Oh, I'd love an old fashioned.
Thank you.
And in row three, we have - a Mr.
Stevens.
- Awake? Asleep, or so he claims.
So, only one person in passenger car three admits to being awake.
That's right.
That would be Mr.
Taylor here.
He claims that he saw Mr.
Bolton walk past him into the baggage car, and about 15 minutes later, he saw Constable Jackson walk past him into the baggage car, and, of course, Jackson quickly re-emerged.
Perhaps the killer was waiting in the baggage car.
Then where did he go? He didn't jump off at full steam.
George, did Mr.
Taylor see anyone else come out of the baggage car after seeing Mr.
Bolton go in? - Not that he recalls.
- So, how did the killer get back to his seat without anybody seeing him? He went outside the train.
Sir, he walked along the top of all of the cars and re-entered the train here at the front.
This person could have come and gone and not been seen by anyone else in the compartment.
That's Rauls.
Gentlemen, this is a third time tonight.
Questions just keep popping up.
Where were you tonight at 8:30? Outside the Don Jail, perhaps? I was finishing business - with a client.
- Where? The Wheat Sheaf tavern.
King and Bathurst.
That's nearer to Union Station than where you actually boarded.
Why would you travel a greater distance to a station that wasn't meant to be open? Why don't you tell me? You're working with James Gillies.
Gillies knew about this transfer.
You were to board the train and execute a plan of action.
Gentlemen, - I have never met James Gillies.
- Perhaps not, but I bet you've met some men who have.
Take off your jacket.
- I beg your pardon? - Do it! And roll up your sleeves! I am on a public coach.
You have no right.
What's this for? That's for minding my own business.
Where did you get this? Come with us.
Well, if he was executing a plan, that's the end of it.
Not necessarily, sir.
It could be part of the plan.
Sirs, it occurs to me that Mr.
Rauls was seated across from Mr.
Henry.
- What of it, George? - Well, Mr.
Henry claims that he was asleep at the time of the murder.
But he also said that when Mr.
Rauls first took his seat across from him, he was awoken abruptly.
In fact, he made a point of telling us what a light sleeper he is.
- Get to the point, Crabtree.
- Well, sir.
If he's such a light sleeper, how was he not awoken when Mr.
Rauls both left and came back again? You think they're working together? I think it's possible.
I've done my time.
- What was your crime? - I'm a safe cracker.
- I was a safe cracker.
- Oh, that's right.
Don't sell yourself short.
You've moved up to murder now.
No.
No, I had nothing to do with that.
I'm just Just what? The safecracker? Shame that someone who's just a safecracker is about to hang for a murder that he had nothing to do with.
I didn't know anything about a murder.
I am just here to do a job.
What's the job? What's in the safe, Mr.
Henry? Twenty thousand dollars.
What has this got to do with James Gillies? - I don't know.
- Right.
Jackson! Sir? Escort Mr.
Henry into the bar section.
Let's go.
Sir.
I have an idea.
You partner, Mr.
Henry here, has told us everything about the murder, the $20,000, all of it.
Do you have anything you'd care to add, Mr.
Rauls? - You bastard.
- Now, Mr.
Henry, your partner is likely to want to escape, but if you try to escape with him, he'll probably kill you.
Isn't that right, Mr.
Rauls? I'd suggest, Mr.
Henry, it would be in your best interests to stay put.
Jackson, keep an eye on them.
Constantly.
Yes, sir.
This is your fault.
- Well, what do you think? - I find it curious that the amount of money to be stolen exactly matches the amount of money withdrawn from Gillies' stock account.
Nothing curious about it.
That's Gillies' money in that safe.
I'm sure of it.
Let's find out.
I'm afraid there's not much more we can do.
That's all right.
I'll take a closer look at the body, see if there's any trace evidence I can find that might suggest the killer.
- Thank you.
- Come on, man.
- Any luck, sir? - I have half a mind to blast the damned thing open myself.
Ah.
It's empty.
So, where's the 20,000? There's nothing to suggest that it was ever here.
Gillies could have told the two of them about it and never followed through.
He baited the trap.
Told enough people like Rauls about it.
So, this train could be filled with the types you wouldn't want to invite around for Sunday lunch.
Ugh! What was that? I don't know sir.
There are no scheduled, stops.
Did that feel like a scheduled stop to you? I told you not to stop this train under any circumstances! But sir, he had no choice! The beast was lying across the tracks like this.
Strange place for an animal to drop dead.
It didn't just drop dead, sir.
Someone shot a moose? - Higgins.
- It's an ambush.
What are you two doing standing around? Secure this bloody train! Sir! And remember, no one on, no one off! - Right away, sir! - Get this train moving.
No, wait! Sir, it'll take three of us to move it.
Right.
Give us a hand.
Inspector.
Glad to see we're finally back on track.
What do you know about this? Sirs.
We checked the baggage car and all three passenger cars.
We don't see anybody new.
- Did you conduct a head count? - Forty-six.
- Forty-six? We had 48 before.
- Two are in the bar car, sir.
Oh, right.
So, no one got on and no one got off.
What was all that business with the moose, then? Perhaps the plan was to ambush us, - but then they changed their mind.
- Why would they do that? What if they were waiting for a signal from Mr.
Henry or Mr.
Rauls? One that never came.
Is that footsteps? On the roof? It's not just one.
- Several of them.
- They're heading for the baggage car.
- Julia.
- Bollocks.
What are you doing? Open the safe.
Open the damn safe! - Oh! - Don't move! Step away from the safe, and then don't move a muscle.
Ah! That's gunfire.
Hodge, keep an eye on these two.
They said two men here at all times.
They're handcuffed together, he's got his hands cuffed behind his back, and you've got your truncheon.
Use it! Stay in your seat.
Next man to move gets a gut full.
You all right? George? Henry, Jackson, tie them up.
Ma'am, you're not allowed back here! - What have you done?! - Excuse me? - What have you done to him? - Ma'am! My son is sick.
He's poisoned him! Ma'am, that's not possible.
We've been with him the entire time! - That monster is gonna kill him! - Please get back to your seat! What's the matter, old man? You can't handle a woman? Just let me past.
Just let me talk to him! Ma'am, just get back to your seat, please! Ugh! Oh! Help me! Help me! Help me! I want to see the conductor.
I want the see the conductor now.
Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! George.
Hodge, - how did this happen? - She attacked him, sir.
She thought he had done something to her son.
What did you think he did to your son? - He poisoned him.
- Why would you think that? Enough talking.
Everybody move back.
Conductor, hi! Instruct the engineer to decouple the engine from the train.
- Not a chance.
- It can't be done.
The catch won't release.
It's pulling the whole train.
Well, tell the engineer to apply enough brake to work slack into the coupling.
And, conductor No.
No! Never play me the fool again.
Do it.
Mr.
Gillies, how did you get your cuffed hands around to the front? Oh, I'm so glad you asked.
I've been practicing for over three months.
I got it down to less than two seconds.
So, that was your plan all along.
Start a rumour inside the jailhouse that there was $20,000 up for grabs.
And then sit back and watch the bloody fur fly.
And at the moment of maximum distraction, - you make your move.
- It's rather brilliant in its simplicity, don't you think? Your plan may have been a bit too simple, Gillies.
To make good your escape, you would need a hostage.
And what are the odds that just such a person would happen along at the exact right time? You're working with him.
- What did he promise you? - It doesn't matter now.
We're ready to decouple the engine.
- Don't.
- I will kill her.
Gillies, you and I both know that you'll kill her anyway.
No! Stop the train! Stop the train! You all right, ma'am? Can you take a deep breath? You'll be all right.
You lungs aren't punctured.
He promised me a new life.
Me and my son.
It's best if you don't speak.
- Let's get after them, Hodge.
- We're still moving, sir.
Not bloody fast enough.
Let's go.
All right! All right! You got me.
Stop hitting me.
You won.
For the last time.
This is it for us.
Doesn't that make you just a little bit sad? No.
Not even a a teensy bit? Come now, Detective.
You and I share something.
Something special.
I'll miss you.
You know that.
Stop! The water is too shallow.
You'll be killed.
Very possibly.
But then I've got nothing to lose.
No! Sir! No! Sir.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Are you ready for the shoulder? You all right? You're damn lucky that branch hung you up, Murdoch.
- You were unconscious when we found you.
- Why did you jump? He was getting away.
What would you have done? - Any sign of him? - Sir, the river gets fast and deep down there.
If he was still handcuffed, - there's no way - You didn't see him? - No, sir.
- George! Sir, we'll keep looking.
We'll keep looking.
We'll find him.
William, let's get you back and warmed up.
It's over, William.
We have to believe that.

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