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00:01And the carpet's all wet in here!
00:04I think we've sprung a leak, or...
00:16Right.
00:17I think the most important thing
00:20is to not panic.
00:23You need to think logically.
00:30Does the engine work?
00:33Engine. Brilliant.
00:40Humphrey? Are you all right?
00:43Fine.
00:55Uh...
01:02What's that?
01:03I'm not entirely sure.
01:05It's dripping oil.
01:13Have we got life jackets?
01:15Well, I didn't think we'd need them.
01:17You know, being parked up.
01:20Wood!
01:21We could make a raft.
01:26Humphrey?
01:27I need two pencils and a pair of underpants, please.
01:38Morning!
01:52Good morning!
01:56Good morning.
02:04Dad?
02:12Dad?
02:15Dad?
02:22Dad?
02:33One morning in the month of June
02:35Down by a rolling river
02:37There a weary child
02:39A chance to stay
02:40And he beheld his lover
02:42Her cheeks were red
02:43Her eyes were brown
02:45Her hair and ringlets
02:46Hanging down
02:47She had a lovely face
02:48Without a frown
02:49Just as the tide was flowing
03:12If you get out on the ocean
03:14If you sail out on the sea
03:17If you get up in the mountains
03:19If you go climbing on trees
03:21Go through every emotion
03:24When you know that they don't care
03:26Darling, that's when I want to find
03:28Or I'll go with you
03:43What happened?
03:44We were really worried?
03:45Yes, the mooring rope snapped
03:47And the current dragged us out to sea, Carby
03:50Thank heavens for the RNLI
03:51Yes
03:52Oh, Anne said to phone her
03:54The second you get back
03:59Uh, you all right, sir?
04:02Yes
04:04Oh, yeah, it's, uh, it's, uh, just a bump
04:07Um, I, only, you're needed
04:11Esther's gone on ahead
04:12Where?
04:13Kenneth Linder's house
04:19Oops, sir, sir
04:20Oh, yes, I'm so sorry
04:21Yes, there we go
04:22There we go
04:23I do apologise
04:24Yes, sir
04:34Up here, sir
04:42Are you okay?
04:44How's Martha?
04:45We're both fine
04:46Thank you
04:49Oh, Kenneth
04:51You know I only spoke to him last night
04:53Oh, of course
04:54You went to the book signing
05:01Yes, here we are
05:06I'm still not sure this qualifies as a date
05:09In my defence, I was coerced into your Mamma Mia karaoke night
05:13Coerced?
05:14Well, maybe not coerced
05:15But if those photos ever get into the wrong hands
05:19Here we are
05:22So consider this payback
05:37This week sees the launch of the new Kenneth Linder novel
05:42The Final Breath
05:44Now, since he's moved to Shipton Abbot
05:46We are brazenly claiming him as one of our own
05:50So, as your new local counsellor and treasurer of the Devon Literary Group
05:54I would like you all to give a huge welcome to our guest, Kenneth Linder
06:03His daughter Helen found him in the bath
06:06The electric fan in the water at his feet
06:09It looks like he's been here all night
06:11Looks like the power tripped eventually
06:13But not quick enough to save him
06:16Well, this is something of a conundrum
06:20Why?
06:21Because in his latest novel
06:22Serial killer Jeremy Cook is walking to the electric chair
06:26Which is where the last book left him
06:28But it turns out he bribed the guard to short-circuit the prison power
06:32Therefore delaying his execution until the next day
06:35But that night he murdered the guard that helped him
06:39And stole his uniform to escape
06:41Nice
06:42Then he found the judge that sentenced him
06:45And like his nine previous victims, killed him
06:49By dropping an electrical appliance into his bath
06:59He'd be of Georgia
07:00He would just want to try and route one
07:13That was in his home
07:13Of course
07:13It would just be pretty
07:14To the police
07:15He would still pay for his deputy
07:15He would still pay through
07:15Andrei a harrow
07:15Andrei a harrowına
07:15just move like To the
07:23anditi
07:23Shout
07:28Thank you, sergeant.
07:38Hi, yes.
07:55We've got some outside, too.
08:03Trampled flowerbed by an open rear door.
08:06We did a quick check, and the footprints are probably male,
08:10judging by size and weight,
08:12but they're not an obvious match for any of the footwear found in the house.
08:16We've taken moulds, but there's a difference in indent depth,
08:20so we're pretty sure whoever made them had a distinct limp.
08:24Limp?
08:25Yeah. Much less weight put on his left leg.
08:29The main road runs across the back of the garden,
08:31so someone could have got over the fence and along this path.
08:34Cameras?
08:35Nothing this side. Doorbell camera at the front.
08:38We've got him being dropped off last night by his daughter, Helen,
08:40and then her coming back this morning.
08:45I know you, don't I?
08:47From the book signing last night, you were with your father?
08:51That's right. D.I. Goodman.
08:56Oh, Humphrey Goodman.
08:58Oh, huge fan.
09:00Yeah.
09:01This is my fianc...
09:03My wife, Martha.
09:05Hi.
09:06So, Humphrey, do you have a favourite case?
09:10Oh, yes.
09:10The first of the bathtub trilogy,
09:12Death by Design.
09:13The bottletop MacGuffin.
09:15Genius.
09:15Oh, thank you.
09:19Wait.
09:22You're not Detective Humphrey Goodman?
09:26Yes.
09:28How do you know that?
09:29Well, I'm something of a fan of yours, too.
09:32I read the newspaper report about the case you solved.
09:36The poor chap murdered by his partner.
09:38Made to look like a car crash.
09:41Brilliant.
09:49Well, a pleasure to meet you, Humphrey.
09:51And you, Martha.
09:56This must be difficult for you.
09:58Is the family we can call?
09:59No.
10:00It's just me and Dad.
10:03Are you up to a few questions, Helen?
10:06I'll try.
10:07When was the last time you saw your father?
10:10Before this morning?
10:12Last night.
10:13I dropped him home after the book signing.
10:26Promise me you'll have an early night.
10:28Oh.
10:28A nightcap first, I think.
10:30One.
10:31At least.
10:34Love you.
10:36Love you, too.
10:44And how did he seem in himself?
10:48Quiet?
10:50But I know he was tired.
10:52Can I ask, was your dad a particularly tidy man?
10:55Tidy?
10:56God, no.
10:58He was bloody-minded.
11:00Intelligent.
11:01Playful.
11:03And a rather wonderful father.
11:06But Tidy, no.
11:12There's something else you need to know.
11:16He was dying.
11:18He had end-stage amyloidosis, an abnormal build-up of proteins.
11:24Stops his organs working properly.
11:27Said he refused to die until he'd finished his damn book.
11:31But he'd been going downhill pretty rapidly these past few weeks.
11:36But he'd been going downhill pretty rapidly these past few weeks.
11:36We knew it wouldn't be long.
11:38But this?
11:42Do you think he took his own life?
11:44Do you?
11:48I know he was in a lot of pain.
11:50But he refused the palliative care he was offered.
12:00People are coming in?
12:06Are you sure you're up to this, Dad?
12:08Stop fussing.
12:10I'm strong as an ox.
12:17We need to take care of your dad.
12:20So, you might be better at home.
12:23They'll take him to the chapel of rest.
12:25And I promise I'll call and let you know when he's there.
12:36Do you think that's it?
12:38He did this himself.
12:40There was a towel.
12:41Neatly folded by the side of the bath.
12:44Dressing gown and slippers ready.
12:45So, why go to all that trouble if you know you'll never be getting out of the bath?
12:49Exactly.
12:50So, it has to be an accident?
12:52Possibly.
12:54Wait.
12:56You're thinking it's murder?
12:57We should consider it.
12:59Why?
12:59Because the victim wrote murder mystery novels?
13:02No, Sergeant.
13:03Because there are some things that don't make sense.
13:05Such as?
13:06Well, it's all rather neat, don't you think?
13:07Too neat, perhaps, for a man not known for his tidiness.
13:11That's it.
13:12It was too neat.
13:14So, what if someone put those things in place to make it look like an accident?
13:19And what about the fact that he died in exactly the way described in his own book?
13:24Can we really accept that's just a coincidence?
13:29No.
13:29So, if we can rule out suicide, accident and coincidence, which we can because there's no such thing, then what
13:37happened to Kenneth Linder must be by design.
13:42Let's confirm cause of death.
13:44Let forensics finish up.
13:45And I want an electrical report.
13:47Why didn't the power trip out immediately?
13:49Oh, and have his clothes checked, too.
13:53See if this belongs to any of them.
13:55Please.
13:56OK.
13:59And we should talk to his agent.
14:01Yes.
14:04Huh.
14:23PM.
14:37Pothole Pete was on the RNLI boat.
14:40He said if they overslept, they could have ended up in Guernsey.
14:46Pothole Pete?
14:47Oh, they call him that because people try to avoid him.
14:51He goes on a bit.
14:52Pothole Pete was on the RNLI boat.
14:54Shipped an ABBOT.
14:56No, that's not here.
14:58The press office is at the hub, darling.
15:01Do you need the number?
15:02No problem.
15:04Bye.
15:05OK.
15:06I got a criminal damage and also an assault on a shopkeeper in town.
15:13I'll be a couple hours.
15:15OK.
15:17Pothole Pete was on the RNLI boat.
15:20Well, as his agent, you knew he was ill.
15:22Of course.
15:23But it wasn't public knowledge.
15:25It's the way Kenny wanted it.
15:27He's a very...
15:29He was a very proud man.
15:32He didn't want people fawning over him.
15:34I saw you at the book signing last night.
15:38How did he seem to you?
15:41Oh, sweetheart.
15:43You were wonderful.
15:44Calm.
15:46Considering this was his last roll of the dice.
15:49Why do you say that?
15:51His last book was a decade ago, and that did appallingly.
15:57Obviously, he couldn't get a publishing deal, so started borrowing against the house so that
16:04he could write this one.
16:05He was in financial difficulty.
16:07This book was his last chance of avoiding bankruptcy.
16:12He kept his money problems from Helen, of course.
16:15He didn't want her to worry about that on top of everything else.
16:18They seem very close.
16:20They lost Helen's mum when she was seven, so it's only ever really been the two of them.
16:27Everything Kenny ever did, he did for her.
16:30But Mr. Linda confided in you about his financial difficulty.
16:35I'm his agent.
16:36Goes with the territory.
16:39Can I ask?
16:48Do the initials PM mean anything to you?
16:53No.
16:54Should they?
16:55No.
16:59Look, there was another man at the book signing last night.
17:03He didn't look like a fan, but I saw you speaking to him.
17:06That would be Ken's publisher, Anthony Westley.
17:11Nice to see you pushed the boat out, Anthony.
17:16I think your client's Oxford Street soirees were over a long time ago.
17:21Don't you?
17:22He's made you a lot of money.
17:24He's made us all a lot of money, dear heart.
17:26But I'm slightly surprised that as a literary agent, you don't understand the use of the past tense.
17:33Your loyalty is staggering.
17:36Jump off your high horse, will you?
17:37He's washed up.
17:39We're both just hovering, waiting for him to die, so we can revive his back catalogue.
17:47Not the nicest man.
17:49His time was over.
17:52Metaphorically speaking, people are just not buying his books anymore.
17:56And yet you still publish this latest novel.
17:59True, but on very, very different terms.
18:02No advance, and on the condition that he brought back the Bathtub Murders trilogy.
18:07They were his most successful book, so I thought they will guarantee our best chance of a return.
18:13But with no advance, would that mean that he was writing for free, essentially?
18:17Yes, but he would get the lion's share if the book sold well.
18:23But you don't expect it to?
18:26No.
18:28So a much better deal for you than him, then?
18:32What can I say?
18:34Business is business.
18:37Plus, I tend to come out in a rash when I lose money.
18:45Do you know how Mr. Linder died?
18:48He was electrocuted in his bath.
18:52Who?
18:53Exactly the same way as the first murder in his new book.
18:57To be honest, I haven't read it.
18:59But it does sound a tad ironic.
19:02You haven't read a book you've just published?
19:04I have people.
19:07Do the initials P.M. mean anything to you?
19:13No, I don't think they do.
19:16If it is murder, can we make him a suspect, please?
19:20I'm not sure that's quite how it works, Sergeant.
19:23Pity.
19:25This P.M. thing, could it be something else rather than initials?
19:30Such as?
19:31I don't know.
19:33Afternoon?
19:35No, P.M. only really works as a suffix, doesn't it?
19:39And why have it in your hand unless you're trying to tell us something?
19:44The name of his killer?
19:45Why not?
19:47We don't believe it was an accident.
19:49Agreed.
19:50And why take your own life if you're dying?
19:52Life insurance.
19:54His daughter would benefit.
19:56But you get that when he died anyway.
19:59If the prognosis was right, he may have only had weeks left.
20:03A day's perhaps.
20:04Which brings us right back to the question.
20:06Who could possibly benefit from the death of a dying man on the verge of bankruptcy?
20:29They threw this.
20:33But you didn't see anyone?
20:34Nothing.
20:35Just a bang and the whole window caved in.
20:38Lucky no one was hurt.
20:39And this was what time?
20:40Nine, yeah.
20:42Just after we opened.
20:51Financials are on your desk.
20:53Makes for pretty grim reading.
20:55What?
20:55And he had no life insurance.
20:57Cancelled his policy two years ago and never renewed.
21:00And the phone's been ringing off the hook.
21:04Journalists all wanting to know how Kenneth Linder died.
21:06And if it's true, he was in the bath.
21:08I didn't think we'd released anything yet.
21:11No, we haven't.
21:12Well, I passed them all on to the Hub's press office.
21:15Well done, Margot.
21:16Was there anything on Kenneth Linder's social media?
21:19That was easy.
21:21He's on my Facebook friends.
21:23You knew him?
21:23Well, back in the day, when he was an angry young writer and I was a redcoat of Pert and
21:29Sands.
21:30What?
21:32You were a redcoat?
21:33Well, only for eight months.
21:35I got sacked.
21:36Why?
21:37They said I rigged the over-70s fancy dress competition just because Grandad won.
21:44And Kenneth Linder?
21:46Oh, we met at a Mary Hopkin concert.
21:50Turned into a weekend of debauchery in Norwich.
21:53We mostly lost touch after that.
21:56Although people do say he based one of his characters on me.
22:00Which one?
22:02Melody Alcott.
22:04She was the waitress in the first bathtub murders.
22:07Yes, she was, yes.
22:08I mean, she was the killer's ex-girlfriend.
22:10She was the one who helped unlock the whole case.
22:13She was the one who eventually led Horace Bishop to Jeremy Cook at the third book.
22:17Yeah.
22:18And that was you?
22:19Supposedly.
22:20But I never saw it myself.
22:22She was a bit, well, strange.
22:27Can you give me a description of the man who hit you, Mr Bevin?
22:31He was a lot taller than me, like.
22:33He had on a tracksuit, one of them with a hood.
22:36Did you see his face?
22:38No.
22:38He had a scarf over his face.
22:41I came out on my way to the bank.
22:43I only took three steps.
22:45He stood right in front of me, just like you are now.
22:47And he hit me with a rolled-up newspaper.
22:51So he just came up to you and hit you on the head with a rolled-up newspaper?
22:54I'm telling you, Kelly, this area's gone to the dogs.
22:57Oh, it's, um...
22:58Yesterday, a similar thing happened.
23:00A man came up to me, tried to punch me in the face.
23:03A different man?
23:05Yeah.
23:06Dressed the same, like.
23:07He was taller than me, too.
23:09And he tried to punch you?
23:10Yeah.
23:11But he missed.
23:12Then he started crying and ran off.
23:16Crying?
23:17It's these kids, Kelly.
23:18Kelly.
23:18They're all sniffing glue and smoking something.
23:22Day before, one of them stole my dog poo.
23:27Dog poo?
23:28Honeybutcher, my dog, got into the shop from upstairs.
23:32Left a little presence here.
23:34So I bagged it up, went outside to the bin.
23:37And this lunatic ran up, snatched it and ran off.
23:42Wait, can you describe him?
23:44He's a border terrier.
23:46No, no, no, the man who stole your poo.
23:48Oh, uh, dressed the same, like.
23:49Um, tracksuit and face covered.
23:52Um, was he taller than you?
23:53What do you mean?
23:55Well, you said the others were...
23:58I'm just trying to get a description.
24:00Oh.
24:01Well, yeah.
24:02Now you mention it, Kelly.
24:03Kelby.
24:04And he was wearing a tracksuit.
24:06With his backside hanging out.
24:08Oh, but that's kids for you these days, though, isn't it?
24:11I know you've got all these face recognition cameras these days.
24:15You'd be better off with arse recognition.
24:19OK.
24:20Um, well, leave it with me, Mr. Bevin.
24:24I'll talk to the other shopkeepers,
24:26see if anyone's seen anything,
24:28but I'll be in touch.
24:29Right on, Kelly.
24:32Hey, Kelly!
24:34Bloody good idea!
24:35That's what they need!
24:38Stop calling me Kelly.
24:40Hello, boy.
24:42See anything happen down there at the box?
24:44No.
24:46Silver?
24:49No problem.
24:53Hello.
24:59That was the boat, Howard.
25:01The lily bond might be out of the water for months.
25:03It needs a complete overhaul.
25:06I can't say I'm surprised.
25:08It had bits falling off when I was staying on it.
25:11Well, you know you're always welcome at mine.
25:13Humphrey'll be mortified.
25:15Thanks very much.
25:16No, not about staying with you.
25:18About the boat.
25:19Really loves that boat, doesn't he?
25:20Yeah, but...
25:21There's only ever supposed to be a stopgap
25:23until we found somewhere more permanent.
25:26So...
25:27Maybe it's time we did just that.
25:30Find a house.
25:32Good for you, Mottie.
25:35It won't be easy.
25:37There's always loads of places up for sale.
25:39No, I don't mean finding a house.
25:41I mean, telling Humphrey.
25:59So you've heard, then...
26:01Heard what?
26:02About Archie.
26:04What about him?
26:05I heard he was dating.
26:07Good for him.
26:08Don't you want to know who he is?
26:10No.
26:15Who?
26:17No idea.
26:18But very pretty by all accounts.
26:21They were seen coming out of Kitty J's arm-in-arm.
26:26Hi, Nick.
26:28OK, thank you.
26:30The button doesn't match any of the clothes
26:32found in the wardrobe.
26:34Right.
26:35And the RCD switch was disabled,
26:37which meant the power didn't cut off instantly.
26:40So, if it was murder,
26:43then it was premeditated.
26:45What were those initials you found?
26:47PM.
26:48Why?
26:49I might have something.
26:50On Kenneth Linda's page.
26:53Someone's posted a death threat.
26:55Saying he's a fraud,
26:56that he's sold out doing a new book,
26:58that he's ruined the trilogy by having a force book.
27:01Some of the messages are pretty vile.
27:04But the last one, look.
27:06Be careful you don't end up like one of your own victims.
27:10That fits, doesn't it?
27:11A deranged fan?
27:13Who better to copy a murder from the book?
27:14Paul Mecker.
27:15M-E-C-A.
27:16Paul Mecker.
27:17Right, so what do we know about him?
27:18Nothing.
27:19Just a name.
27:20Not much history.
27:21Looks like the account's only been open a few weeks.
27:24I can put in a request for some more information,
27:26but you know what these social media companies are like?
27:29Hmm.
27:30I wouldn't hold your breath.
27:31Okay.
27:31If he's a fan,
27:32then maybe he was at the book signing last night.
27:35And if he's not local,
27:36then he must have stayed somewhere.
27:38So let's check local hotels,
27:40guest houses,
27:40all of that.
27:42Right.
27:47Shipman Abbot.
27:51Psst.
27:52You're wanted.
27:54What?
27:55I'm not up.
27:57No, no, no.
27:57They'll just have to wait, okay?
27:59I need to speak to Alan and Linda first.
28:02Sergeant?
28:07I can't ever remember Dad mentioning a Paul Mecker.
28:11It seems he disapproved of the new book,
28:14accusing your dad of selling out.
28:16Oh, we had lots of that.
28:19The thing is,
28:20Dad didn't necessarily disagree with him either.
28:22Hmm.
28:23But going back to the bathtub murders
28:25was the only way he could get published.
28:28I think he needed the money.
28:31Oh, he never said anything,
28:33but he hated Anthony Wesley.
28:36I know he'd never have gone back there unless he had to.
28:41Sorry.
28:42Excuse me.
28:46Hello?
28:57D.I.
28:59Goodman, I presume.
29:01James Smith.
29:02Please.
29:13Please.
29:16Sorry.
29:18I was expecting Chief Superintendent Woods.
29:21No longer with us, I'm afraid.
29:23Oh.
29:24Oh, not deceased.
29:26In Dartmouth.
29:28Look, though some might argue they're much the same thing.
29:32Yeah, but I digress.
29:34Look, there's been a small restructure.
29:38Not trying to boil the ocean,
29:40just a realignment.
29:42Bringing all the remaining substations under our control.
29:45Our?
29:46Administrative planning.
29:48Which in turn reports to the local police and crime panel.
29:50In your case, that would be shipped to an Abbott, of course.
29:54Non-invasive.
29:56Just building a loop.
29:58Everyone's in it and we all open our kimono.
30:02Kimono?
30:02Share what we have.
30:04Get all our ducks in a row.
30:06That's how we move the needle.
30:08You follow?
30:09Yes.
30:10No, not really.
30:12Now, the first carriage on the train to Efficiency Harbour
30:16is streamlining.
30:18Trimming the fat.
30:20Cutbacks.
30:23Unclogging the pipes.
30:24There's only four of us.
30:26Which is rather the point.
30:28In what way?
30:29There should only be three.
30:32Your staff-to-square-footage ratio is...
30:35off-message.
30:38Oh, but it's not all bad news.
30:41No, the decision about who to lose...
30:44all yours.
30:51Hey, Sam.
30:52It's Martha Goodman.
30:55There's, um, one of your properties.
30:57I'd like to see if it's still available.
30:59On Polkett Hill?
31:01Cheer up.
31:03It might never happen.
31:04That's the point.
31:06What?
31:07Everyone seems to have things going on.
31:09Martha's looking to buy a new house.
31:11Anne's just been made a new counsellor,
31:12going off on fancy lunches all the time.
31:15Archie's dating again.
31:17And here's me.
31:18Exactly the same as I was last week, last month,
31:22pretty much the whole of last year.
31:24Literally nothing is happening in my life right now.
31:28One morning, I'm just going to wake up
31:30and find out I'm old.
31:33Still on my own.
31:34And still living in Shipton Abbot.
31:37Can't think of anything worse.
31:39I know, right?
31:41So who's actually dating, then?
31:43Not that I'm bothered, just interested.
31:45No idea.
31:48Supposed to be really pretty, though.
32:07No one seems to have seen anything.
32:10If it's the town centre,
32:11the CCTV should have picked them up.
32:13Hi, sir.
32:15So, the name Mecca,
32:18I ran a quick trace.
32:20We have 34 families with that last name
32:22in Devon and Cornwall.
32:23But, with nothing to cross-check it with,
32:26it's tough to narrow down.
32:27Right.
32:29So what do we know about him?
32:31He's a Kenneth Lindner fan,
32:33he's got a limp,
32:35and he's got a button missing.
32:37Not much.
32:38All right.
32:40See if there's a Kenneth Lindner fan club
32:43or a book-reading group.
32:44They'll have a list of members.
32:46Why didn't I think of that?
32:47Yes, and maybe we could take a punt on the limp, too?
32:50Check for local hospital admissions
32:51in the last six months.
32:52Injuries to his left, um...
32:54Left leg?
32:54I'm on it.
32:55Yes.
32:57So, the hub.
33:00Anything to report?
33:02Uh, yes.
33:04Yes, seems we're under new management, everyone.
33:07The chief super's moved on,
33:09and we are now being overseen
33:11by the planning team
33:13and the local police and crime panel.
33:17So where's Charlie Woods gone?
33:19Dartmouth, I think he said.
33:20Oh, no.
33:21She was lovely.
33:22I really liked her.
33:24Yeah.
33:24She was definitely one of the better ones.
33:27Is that it, though?
33:28Now Charlie's gone?
33:29No new directives or anything?
33:30Er, er, no.
33:34Oh.
33:44Er, er, er, er...
34:15Lab have confirmed Kenneth Linder as death by electrocution,
34:20although they have listed his amyloidosis as a secondary cause.
34:24His body was so weak, he was unlikely to survive the initial shock.
34:28Mm-hm.
34:29This is madness.
34:31What's that, Kelby?
34:32The local bookmaker, David Bevan, assaulted three times in three days.
34:38Got the town centre CCTV footage, but not one of them makes any sense.
34:43Look, here, this is the first one.
34:46His dog makes a mess in his shop.
34:48He bagged it up and was taking it to an outside bin.
34:52Then someone snatches it off him.
34:54That's weird.
34:55Then the next one, same time, next day, near enough.
35:00A different bloke runs up and tries to punch him, misses,
35:05and then Mr Bevan said that he started crying and then ran off.
35:09Great.
35:09And then, this morning, a third bloke came out of nowhere,
35:14whacks him on the head with a rolled-up newspaper for no reason,
35:18and then just runs off as well.
35:19That's all very odd.
35:21We'll send someone away now.
35:21Just kids messing about.
35:23I think I found your poor mecca.
35:29Yeah, he arrived two nights ago.
35:32I said he was here on business.
35:34Kept himself to himself.
35:41Would you know him if you saw him again?
35:44No doubt it.
35:46Don't pay much attention to overnighters.
35:49Can I ask how he paid?
35:52Er, cash.
35:53Cash.
35:56Has anyone else stayed in this room?
35:58No.
36:00Er, the cleaner's supposed to check for things like this.
36:04Er, did he give any personal details when he checked in?
36:07Address, phone number?
36:08He filled a registration card out.
36:11Can we see it?
36:12It's downstairs, in the office.
36:14Esther.
36:19Do you have any security cameras?
36:22We have a doorbell camera.
36:24Excellent.
36:25Hmm.
36:26Can't see him arriving.
36:28Oh, but he might have come in through the side door.
36:31Let's look at when he left.
36:34OK.
36:35Thanks, Margot.
36:37Address and phone number are false.
36:40There he is.
36:42He's got a limp.
36:49That's him.
36:55Come on.
36:56You should have gone an hour ago.
36:58Nearly done.
37:00Boy, your age should be rushing home, getting ready to go out.
37:04Haven't you got a date or anything?
37:05Nah, I've given up on all them dating apps.
37:08Oh.
37:09Last one I met up with must have used a photo that was older than me.
37:14Oh.
37:16She keeps sending me photos of her lasagna.
37:24Well, don't be long.
37:26I won't.
37:27I won't.
37:40Hi.
37:42Hi.
37:48Bad day.
37:50You're not as bad as Selwyn.
37:52Look, he's homeless.
37:54Oh, your author's been all over the news.
37:56They're saying it was murder.
37:58I think so, yeah.
38:00Any idea who it was?
38:01Well, we've got a good suspect.
38:03A disgruntled fan who's sending threatening messages and we can place them at the seams, so...
38:09I'm sorry.
38:10I know you liked him.
38:12I did, yeah.
38:15But it's not that.
38:19I got called into the hub.
38:21Oh.
38:23You've been told off again.
38:24Not this time.
38:28They're saying I've got to lose someone at the station.
38:32What?
38:33Yeah.
38:34Apparently there should only be three of us at the station,
38:37so I need to lose one of either Esther, Kelby or Margot.
38:43That's awful.
38:44Yeah.
38:45What will you do?
38:45I have no idea.
38:53So, I've got something that might cheer you up
38:57or make you feel ten times worse.
39:00Right.
39:02If it's bad timing and you don't want to talk about it, then just say so.
39:06It's bad timing.
39:10But the Lily Bond will be out of the water for weeks, maybe months.
39:15And although we can stay at Mum's again,
39:20I was thinking that maybe it was time to move on
39:24and went back to our original plan when we first moved down.
39:27and...
39:28and...
39:30and...
39:30and...
39:33or to house.
39:36Are you serious?
39:39Look.
39:54Hello, Peter.
39:55Where have you been?
39:57Oh, Arthur's still not bare that leg.
40:00Aw.
40:00Hello, lovey.
40:01See you Friday.
40:11Ha!
40:12Ha!
40:12Ha!
40:13You're in early.
40:14What's up with you?
40:15What's up with you?
40:15What's up with you, Ben?
40:16No.
40:17So, I had a brainwave.
40:20Oooh.
40:20I was sitting in the bath listening to Billie Eilish when I realised that all those things that
40:28happened to Mr. Bevan, outside the bookmakers, all happened at the same time, between five
40:34to nine, and ten past nine, three days in a row.
40:38So, what if they're there again today, I can get there first, and wait for them to show up.
40:44So, what's Billie Eilish got to do with it?
40:48Oh, nothing.
40:49I just like her.
41:08The fan club hasn't got a Paul Mecca listed.
41:12I'm still waiting on hospital reports.
41:14OK.
41:16That's sad.
41:17What is?
41:18It's an interview with Kenneth Linder.
41:20They asked him where the title of his book came from.
41:23When his wife was dying, she made him promise to look after their daughter, Helen.
41:27He said to her that he would.
41:30To his final breath.
41:33Hmm.
41:33I think he kept his promise.
41:35They were very close.
41:36Yes.
41:37I only wish we had more answers for her.
41:43Right.
41:45Let's run through what we've got again.
41:57Hey!
41:59Stop!
42:02Oi!
42:03Stop!
42:09Go get him, Kelly!
42:27Let's go!
42:29Let's go!
42:35Let's go!
42:47Let's go!
42:51Let's go!
42:59Let's go!
43:04Let's go!
43:18Fuck out!
43:20We're gonna go!
43:21Let's go!
43:22Let's go!
43:24Let's go!
43:25Let's go!
43:26Let's go!
43:28Oh man, shit!
43:41You lived here as a teenager, didn't you?
43:43Yes, I did.
43:44Didn't you find it weird seeing the same people every day and them always looking the same?
43:51Kelby!
43:54Hello. Can I use your bathroom, please?
44:03No, neither can we all have done.
44:05Kelby?
44:06Kelby?
44:07Mum's washing my uniform.
44:09I was chasing one of the kids that assaulted Mr Bevan.
44:12Caught one of them and he dobbed the other two in.
44:15They're in the hub at the moment being questioned.
44:18Well done, Kelby.
44:19Yes, indeed. Well done, Kelby.
44:21So, what was it all about?
44:23Okay, so Mr Bevan keeps the cash from the tills and the slot machines in a safe overnight, then banks
44:31it at the same time every morning.
44:34They obviously found out about it and decided to rob him.
44:39But they weren't very bright.
44:43The first one thought Mr Bevan was on his way to bank his takings, but he wasn't.
44:48He was disposing a bag of dog poo.
44:54The next day, they had a different plan.
44:57The second one was going to throw Pepper into Mr Bevan's face and steal the bag of money.
45:02But he didn't account for the window issue.
45:12The third one had another plan.
45:14He had put a big chisel in a rolled up newspaper to caution.
45:18But he hadn't wrapped it tightly enough.
45:21So when he pulled his arm back...
45:31Sir.
45:33That's what happened to the barbers' window.
45:36And luckily it did.
45:37It could have killed someone.
45:41Oh, what have you done?
45:43I turned my ankle when I was getting pulled out of the mud.
45:52Esther, have we got the doorbell footage of Paul Mecker?
45:56Er, yes. Hang on.
45:59Oh, they're talking about us.
46:01Chet and Abbott police have no comment on the theories that the author was murdered in the same way as
46:05the victims in his latest thriller.
46:07The new book is flying off the shelves, with fans saying his death is something he could have written himself.
46:14Yes, it could!
46:26Oh, that's exactly what it is.
46:31The final bread.
46:34Kim.
46:34But why Paul Mecker?
46:39Who is he?
46:41Oh, an accomplice perhaps.
46:56Oh, that's very clever.
46:58Do you know what happened?
47:02I think I do.
47:04So was it murder?
47:07Not exactly.
47:09He took his own life?
47:11Strictly speaking, both.
47:15The button, the memo pad, the footprints in the garden, the mysterious Paul Mecker, the jacket he just happened to
47:23leave behind.
47:23All very convenient and easy to find, all ultimately leading nowhere.
47:31Why?
47:33Because they weren't clues at all.
47:36They were simply the pen strokes of a master storyteller.
47:40Well, Kenneth Ender's books were no longer attracting the following they once did.
47:46And, facing financial ruin, he was then very literally dealt a killer blow.
47:58He was dying.
48:00But his thoughts were not for himself.
48:02They were for his daughter, Helen.
48:04Having kept his financial woes from her, he knew that when he was gone, she'd be left with nothing.
48:10So I think, when he was told he was dying, he concocted a plan.
48:15First, he had to get a publishing deal.
48:18He did so by agreeing to return to his most successful trilogy, The Bathtub Murders.
48:25But, more importantly, I think he's the one who suggested he write it without an advance.
48:30Instead, taking the lion's share of profits from book sales.
48:37But, why would he do that if he was broke?
48:41Because, he intended to make sure the book was a runaway success.
48:46And I think he did so, by murdering himself.
48:50Knowing he only had weeks, perhaps days left to live.
48:54Kenneth Linder said goodbye to his daughter.
48:57But, as he wasn't insured, he knew he had to find a way to secure her future.
49:02Promise you'll have an early night.
49:04A nightcap first, I think.
49:07One.
49:07At least.
49:09I love you.
49:11Love you too.
49:12To fulfill the promise he made to her mother.
49:15All those years ago.
49:19I doubt that any right-minded person would consider such a thing.
49:22But, once he made his plan, his course was set.
49:26First thing he did was plant his clues.
49:29First, the footprint.
49:30Adding a limp for dramatic effect.
49:33Then, the mysterious note.
49:43And the button.
49:49And then, with everything in place,
49:54he carried out his plan.
50:00A few days before, he booked into Sandal's guesthouse
50:04in the name of the character he'd created.
50:06Making sure that he left the jacket with a missing button behind
50:09and to get caught on the doorbell camera.
50:13Allowing us to see the supposed limp he'd orchestrated in the flower bed
50:18to confirm his identity.
50:21I also think he sent himself the death threats.
50:24The account used by Paul Mecker had only been operating a few weeks.
50:28So he did it all himself?
50:31Yes, Kelby.
50:33I think he did.
50:35As news spread of the fictional matter that became real life,
50:39he ensured that his new book became a bestseller.
50:45Remember the words that he spoke to his dying wife
50:47all those years ago when she begged him to look after their daughter?
50:51That he'd look after her until his final breath.
50:57And that's exactly what he did.
50:59So what gave him away?
51:01But who's Paul Mecker?
51:03Wow, yucky.
51:04Two things were his undoing.
51:07Footprint casts from the garden
51:10show that the weak leg was on the left.
51:13Yet, walking away from the guesthouse,
51:16the limp was clearly on his right leg.
51:21And the other thing?
51:22Or the hubris?
51:23Yeah.
51:41It's an anagram.
51:43Paul Mecker
51:45Mea
51:46Culpa.
51:48Latin?
51:49An admission of guilt.
51:51Quite literally.
51:53It was me who did it.
52:07Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
52:10We thought you'd want to know.
52:12Though I doubt it's much comfort.
52:15No.
52:16None at all, to be honest.
52:19The truth is, I'd swap every penny
52:21of the fortune he worked so hard
52:23to leave me for
52:25one more day with him.
52:36Yeah.
52:37Yeah, well, lots of, you know,
52:38like, filing and stuff.
52:40Here we go.
52:41Don't think I've forgot anything.
52:42Well, take it.
52:43Well, don't kill me.
52:45Want some good news?
52:46Yes, always.
52:48Kenneth Linder's publisher, Anthony Westley, just got sacked.
52:52Why?
52:54For signing a contract that gives most of the money from the booksellers to the Linder estate.
52:59Yes, the book is bigger than ever.
53:00It's a bestseller.
53:02Losing all that money.
53:03You must have a nasty rash.
53:07Well, I think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that our daughter lost her father, but, uh, well done,
53:14everyone.
53:14And well done, you, to our amazing inspector, Martha, who saved him from a watery grave,
53:22our brilliant Kelby, who cracked his own case and waded through mud to bring his prisoner in,
53:28and Margot, who is the font of all knowledge, and Esther, the voice of reason and the glue that holds
53:35us all together.
53:36Oh, and not forgetting our new counsellor.
53:39Oh!
53:40Cheers!
53:41Cheers!
53:41Cheers!
53:49OK.
53:50So, the pictures I showed you are a bit old.
53:54And no-one's lived here for a while.
53:56Really?
53:57Close your eyes.
54:04Oh, God.
54:06I can't see anything.
54:08This way.
54:09And, uh, there's the step.
54:12OK, yeah.
54:14Do we have a key?
54:15Don't need one.
54:16There's no front door.
54:19Up, up, up.
54:20Yeah.
54:20Give me everything, and...
54:22What?
54:23Oh, I'm sorry.
54:25Oh, seriously.
54:28Oh, what's that smell?
54:30Let's not ask.
54:32Right, not ask.
54:34OK.
54:37Are you ready?
54:39I am not sure.
54:41Open your eyes.
54:45OK, two questions.
54:47One, are you sure we're in the right house?
54:49And, two, if we are, what on earth possessed you?
54:53I'm glad you asked.
55:02Isn't it amazing?
55:06Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
55:09oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
55:10oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
55:10oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
55:21oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
55:22oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
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