- 8 hours ago
Smokescreen (1964) Full Movie ｜ Peter Vaughan, Yvonne Romain, John Carson [Full Movie] [Watch Free Online]Full EP - Full
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:17Oh, what is it?
00:00:29Oh, what is it?
00:01:00Oh, what is it?
00:01:48Yes, Mr. Player?
00:01:50Oh, Miss Breen, who have we got available for this Australian life business?
00:01:53Mr. Roper is due back today, sir.
00:01:55Rupee? I thought he was in Italy.
00:01:57Oh, he finished that assignment yesterday, sir.
00:02:00We'll have the telegram.
00:02:01Oh, here, on your desk.
00:02:03Oh, yes.
00:02:04He says here he's catching the night flight back.
00:02:06Yes, sir.
00:02:07Then why isn't he here?
00:02:08He phoned to say he might be a trifle late.
00:02:10He mentioned something about working on his expenses.
00:02:14Oh, expenses.
00:02:15You'll be sure to check those most carefully, Miss Breen.
00:02:17Of course.
00:02:18Roper's an excellent man at his job, but you must vet his expenses very thoroughly.
00:02:22Tell him I want to speak to him the moment he arrives.
00:02:23Yes, sir.
00:02:44Miss Breen?
00:02:45Yes, sir?
00:02:45I've just seen Roper arrive.
00:02:47Yes, sir.
00:02:49And a bus.
00:02:50Make sure he doesn't book a taxi.
00:02:52Yes, sir.
00:02:56Good morning.
00:03:02Morning.
00:03:04Did you have a nice time in Laples?
00:03:06I'm not fond of those trips abroad.
00:03:08The food, you know.
00:03:10With my stomach the way it is.
00:03:11I rather thought you would send us a picture postcard.
00:03:14They do cheer the office up.
00:03:17I'm sorry.
00:03:18I'll try and remember that next time.
00:03:19You can always put the cost down to postage, you know.
00:03:23That's true.
00:03:25Oh, by the way, that reminds me.
00:03:27My expenses.
00:03:31You'll find I've...
00:03:32I'm sure I will.
00:03:34But before that, you ought to go in and see Mr Player.
00:03:36He wishes to speak to you urgently.
00:03:38You'll find I've booked some of my laundry.
00:03:40I washed my own shirt, you see.
00:03:41It's stripped dry.
00:03:42So I thought it'd only fair to book what it will cost.
00:03:45We'll see about your laundry problems later, Mr Roper.
00:03:53Mr Roper, sir?
00:03:55Come in, Roper.
00:03:56Come in.
00:03:57I'll see you about the expenses later.
00:04:00You'll put them somewhere safe, won't you?
00:04:06Sit down, Roper.
00:04:07Roper.
00:04:08Hello.
00:04:10Have a good trip.
00:04:11Glad to be back, sir.
00:04:13There's no place like home, as they say, sir.
00:04:15No.
00:04:16No, I suppose not.
00:04:18I must say, though, you settled up that marine assurance affair very quickly.
00:04:22What was it about?
00:04:23A damaged cargo claim, sir.
00:04:25Oh, yes.
00:04:26And they were on the fiddle, saucy beggars.
00:04:27And you found them out, good man.
00:04:29No, sir.
00:04:30It was a legitimate claim.
00:04:33Was it?
00:04:34Didn't you get my telegram?
00:04:37Oh, yes.
00:04:38Legitimate claim.
00:04:40Hmm.
00:04:40Pity.
00:04:41You wanted to see me about something, sir?
00:04:44Did I?
00:04:46Oh, yes, yes.
00:04:47Take a look at this letter from Australian Life Assurance.
00:04:51They have a potential claim they want us to investigate.
00:04:55As you will see, a man has been reported killed
00:04:57who had a personal policy with them for £100,000.
00:05:01Furthermore, you will note there are several things about the affair
00:05:03that make them unhappy.
00:05:05What are they, sir?
00:05:06Well, read the letter.
00:05:07You'll find it.
00:05:08Oh, I'm so sorry.
00:05:09I thought you'd given it to you.
00:05:14Blazing car goes over cliff.
00:05:16Read on, Rupert.
00:05:17Read on.
00:05:17It gets worse.
00:05:19No body's been found.
00:05:20Yeah.
00:05:20And all this two months after taking out the policy.
00:05:23Oh, dearie me.
00:05:24This could be the most blatant insurance fraud I've ever known, Rupert.
00:05:30We mustn't prejudge the matter, sir.
00:05:32It's quite possible.
00:05:33Rubbish, Rupert.
00:05:34Rubbish, I've not been an insurance assetter for 30 years for nothing.
00:05:37I smell a fiddle.
00:05:38I don't believe this man, what's his name?
00:05:41Dexter, sir.
00:05:42Dexter.
00:05:42I don't believe this man, Dexter, was in the car when he went over that cliff.
00:05:46No, sir.
00:05:47No, sir.
00:05:48And I don't think he's dead.
00:05:50I think this man, Dexter, is holed up somewhere.
00:05:53I think he's waiting for his wife to draw the insurance money and then join him.
00:05:58I think this is a fiddle, Rupert.
00:06:00That's what I think.
00:06:02It's been tried before, sir.
00:06:04Well, it's not going to happen here.
00:06:06Do you want me to look into it, sir?
00:06:08Yes.
00:06:09Go and find out if this is a fraud, Rupert.
00:06:11And if it is, stop it.
00:06:12That's what we're here for.
00:06:13That's our job.
00:06:14I'll get on to it right away, sir.
00:06:16Yes.
00:06:16And if you get any news, you could phone me.
00:06:19At home, sir.
00:06:20At home?
00:06:21Whatever it's for.
00:06:22At the office.
00:06:22Why phone me at home?
00:06:24I just thought it would be more economic to ring you on the cheap evening rates.
00:06:27Phone me at the office, Rupert.
00:06:30Yes, sir.
00:06:33You can always reverse the charges.
00:06:35Thank you, sir.
00:06:48There are trains to Brighton every hour on the hour.
00:06:53Have you the hotel guide?
00:06:54I've reserved a room for you at the Grand Hotel for two nights.
00:06:57You have to stay longer.
00:06:58You can always extend it.
00:07:00They're very efficient.
00:07:01Here are the details of the policy that the insurance company sent round.
00:07:05Your student asked him to meet you at your hotel at three o'clock this afternoon.
00:07:11Um, there are?
00:07:12For a start, you booked a taxi to the office this morning.
00:07:15And then there's the money for the refund on your ticket for night flight.
00:07:21I just rang to tell you that we've put our Mr. Rupert.
00:07:24Oh, yes.
00:07:25You can rely on him to ferret out the truth.
00:07:29Yes.
00:07:30You could depend on us.
00:07:32We always scrutinise his expenses most carefully.
00:07:41Can you tell me how far it is to the Grand Hotel?
00:07:43Oh, it's on the front, sir.
00:07:45I'll have you there in a chiffy.
00:07:46How much is it?
00:07:47Oh, about three bucks, sir.
00:07:49I see.
00:07:50Well, thank you.
00:07:51It should be a pleasant walk.
00:08:22It's quite all right, thank you.
00:08:23I can manage.
00:08:36My name's Rupert.
00:08:38You have a room reserved for me.
00:08:39Oh, yes, sir.
00:08:4375.
00:08:46Oh, it's quite all right, thank you.
00:08:48I can manage.
00:08:48It's no trouble, sir.
00:08:55Oh, I nearly forgot, sir.
00:08:57There's a gentleman waiting to see you.
00:09:02Oh, I'd better see him.
00:09:05I'll see you later.
00:09:12You wanted to see me?
00:09:14Mr. Rupert, my name's Trevor Bayliss.
00:09:17Your Miss Breen rang me and asked me to meet you here.
00:09:19Oh, that's early.
00:09:21I thought I'd better see you as soon as possible.
00:09:23Quite honestly, I couldn't get down to working at the office, not with this terrible business
00:09:27hanging over my head.
00:09:28Well, you mustn't take it personally every time your company looks like paying out.
00:09:32Well, this is an exceptional case, Mr. Rupert.
00:09:35I hope I'm not going to get the blame for this.
00:09:37Blame?
00:09:38Why should you?
00:09:38I sold the policy.
00:09:40If there turns out to be any funny business here, head office will be down with me like
00:09:44a ton of bricks.
00:09:45Yes, I suppose they will.
00:09:47And I was so chuffed when I sold those two policies.
00:09:50200,000 pounds worth of insurance.
00:09:52Had a letter of commendation from the board.
00:09:55Now this.
00:09:56What's this about two policies?
00:09:58Didn't you know?
00:09:59No, tell me.
00:10:02Well, Dexter was a partner in a firm of electronics with a man named Turner.
00:10:05Graham Turner.
00:10:06They called me in one day and they told me they wanted to take out identical policies
00:10:09for 100,000 each.
00:10:11Their companies would pay the premiums.
00:10:12Common enough practice?
00:10:14Yes.
00:10:14They said they might just as well do that as pay the money away in tax.
00:10:18And does this man Turner benefit from the policy on Dexter?
00:10:20Oh, no, no, no.
00:10:21All goes to the wife.
00:10:24I'll have to speak to her about it and this man Turner.
00:10:27Would you like me to fix it for you?
00:10:28Oh, I'd be glad to.
00:10:29Glad to.
00:10:30Quite honestly, I'd like to work with you as much as I can.
00:10:33After all, I do feel as though I have a personal interest in this.
00:10:37If you want to, then.
00:10:40In the meantime, I think I'll go around and speak to the police.
00:10:43Ask to see Inspector Wright.
00:10:45Be glad.
00:10:46Do you know anything I can to help, Mr. Wright?
00:10:47I want to make it absolutely clear that the police would not want to be involved
00:10:50in any dispute which might arise between the insurance company
00:10:53and the beneficiary of the policy.
00:10:55Naturally, not Inspector.
00:10:56My company's just been asked to find out the facts and report on them.
00:10:59In the light of the insurance that was taken, I must say,
00:11:02doubted it by the Fisher, eh?
00:11:03Decidedly.
00:11:04The smoke?
00:11:04No, thank you.
00:11:05Well, isn't that our instinct?
00:11:06Sway our judgment of the facts.
00:11:08Which are?
00:11:115.15 yesterday, John Dexter left his office here in town to drive home.
00:11:15He lives about ten miles along the coast.
00:11:17At about 5.30, he stopped at a pub called Three Pigeons for a drink.
00:11:21Was that normal?
00:11:23Yes, he did it every night.
00:11:25Had three large scotches.
00:11:26Chapped with the usual crowd that get in there at that time.
00:11:28Then at about 6.15, he left and drove off.
00:11:33Well, that was the last time he was seen alive.
00:11:35Mm-hmm.
00:11:356.35, his car went over the cliff.
00:11:38A spot about two miles away, about halfway between the pub and his home.
00:11:42I'm not going too fast, am I?
00:11:43No.
00:11:4520 minutes seems a long time to drive two miles.
00:11:48Mm.
00:11:49Could have stopped for some reason either, of course.
00:11:51Might have felt ill, rested for a while.
00:11:53Started off again and fainted over the wheel.
00:11:55Mm.
00:11:56Pity you couldn't find somebody who saw him after he left the pub.
00:11:59I've met up making inquiries.
00:12:01It's a very quiet part of the coast this time of year.
00:12:03How could you set the time he went over the cliff so exactly?
00:12:05A young couple out for a quiet snogging session, saw it.
00:12:08I'd like to meet them.
00:12:09I'll take you, if you're right.
00:12:10Oh, that's very kind of you.
00:12:12Glad he got out of the office.
00:12:13He's a smudger on the pier.
00:12:15Smudger?
00:12:16What on earth's a smudger?
00:12:19Lovely pick for a dollar, sir.
00:12:23So anyway, then we heard this car all blaring, didn't we, Jim?
00:12:26Then this car comes built across the grass towards the cliff, didn't it, Jim?
00:12:30Massive flames it was, wasn't it?
00:12:32And then, over it went.
00:12:34Did you hear anything?
00:12:35Made a great big splash on it, the water.
00:12:37No, I mean before you saw the car.
00:12:39What a car, horn was making all the racket.
00:12:41No, I mean before that.
00:12:43Oh, before we heard the horn, you mean?
00:12:45Yeah.
00:12:46Oh, no.
00:12:47No, we didn't hear anything before that, did we, Jim?
00:12:49Straight.
00:12:50What is?
00:12:51For a car to get out of control and catch fire, surely it must have hit something.
00:12:56Didn't you find anything?
00:12:56No skid marks, no damaged tree, anything like that?
00:13:00No.
00:13:02You sure you didn't see the driver?
00:13:05Oh, we thought he must have been dead already.
00:13:07There was a lot of smoke about, you know, but no, we didn't see him.
00:13:10But June and I were talking, and we thought he'd been dead already, and then he strumped down below the
00:13:14window.
00:13:15Yes, I suppose he could have.
00:13:18There was one noise.
00:13:20What was that, my dear?
00:13:21Well, I think I heard something, a moment or so before.
00:13:24I hardly noticed it, really.
00:13:26I mean, it was the seagulls, you see, squawking.
00:13:29Seagulls?
00:13:31Squawking?
00:13:32Well, they all flew up at once, you see, like they do when they hear a bang.
00:13:36And did you hear a bang?
00:13:39Don't think so.
00:13:40Just the seagulls squawking.
00:13:43Thanks.
00:13:47Seagulls?
00:13:48I didn't see any seagulls.
00:13:49Well, you had your mind on other things, that's why.
00:13:51If you didn't have a one-trap mind, you'd notice what went on around you.
00:13:54What are you talking about?
00:13:55That's not a game, isn't it?
00:13:56Bird watching.
00:13:57Oh, dear.
00:13:59Well, I'd like to go up to the accident site now.
00:14:01We're hauling up the car a little time.
00:14:03Want to come?
00:14:04Yes, please.
00:14:05Very much.
00:14:06Come on.
00:14:31All right, Sergeant.
00:14:32Well, it's all right, sir.
00:14:34Okay.
00:14:39Right!
00:14:40Right, haul away!
00:14:42Right.
00:14:45No sign of a body yet.
00:14:47No, sir.
00:14:47We searched all the rocks, but nothing.
00:14:50Do you think divers might...
00:14:52I've had four naval frogmen down there since dawn.
00:14:55Sorry, Inspector.
00:14:56I didn't mean to question your efficiency.
00:14:58You'd better not.
00:15:02If only there was a body.
00:15:04Not so surprising.
00:15:05It could easily have been thrown out of the car,
00:15:07and the ebb tide would have carried it out to sea.
00:15:08There's a very strong current out there.
00:15:10Not much chance of ever finding it, then.
00:15:12Don't despair.
00:15:13Give it a week or two, and then pop up, it'll come.
00:15:15That's right, sir.
00:15:15The streets have some funny things with dead bodies.
00:15:17They usually finish up on the shore somewhere.
00:15:19I hope so.
00:15:21It'll make things very difficult if there's no body.
00:15:24Ah, here he comes.
00:16:12Why do you think he caught fire?
00:16:14You ever can tell what'll happen in a car accident?
00:16:18If it was an accident?
00:16:21Get it to the station and hand it over to the experts.
00:16:23That's right, sir.
00:16:25All right, guard, get the lorry over.
00:16:28You don't think Dexter was in that car, do you?
00:16:31No, I don't, Inspector.
00:16:33And I'll tell you something else.
00:16:35I don't think you do, either.
00:16:37Well, I'm keeping my opinions to myself, and he'll have some more facts.
00:16:41And what are you going to do about trying to find out those facts?
00:16:43What do you mean?
00:16:44Look at it from my angle.
00:16:46If this is a plot to defraud the insurance company,
00:16:48then Dexter's alive and hiding somewhere.
00:16:50He may even be abroad by now.
00:16:51What are you going to do about trying to find him?
00:16:53Nothing.
00:16:54Nothing?
00:16:56What do you expect me to do?
00:16:57There's no crime here.
00:16:58No crime?
00:16:59Don't you call stealing £100,000 off an insurance company a crime?
00:17:03Nobody has cheated them of anything so far, have they?
00:17:06Has Mrs. Dexter made an insurance claim yet?
00:17:08Well, has she?
00:17:09No, not yet.
00:17:10When she does, and if she does,
00:17:12there might, there just might be a case for us to investigate.
00:17:15In the meantime, all the police will do, and can do, is to wait.
00:17:19Until then, we'll keep an open file on the matter.
00:17:21It could be weeks before Mrs. Dexter makes a move.
00:17:24That is, unless there's a body washed up.
00:17:27Well, the police never mind waiting.
00:17:30It's something they're rather good at, waiting.
00:17:49I'm afraid you may be right, sir.
00:17:51It all looks very fishy.
00:17:53I told you so.
00:17:55Well, what are you going to do about it?
00:17:56It won't be easy.
00:17:57The police won't help much at the moment.
00:17:59I'll have to go it alone.
00:18:00Oh, worry them all, Rupert.
00:18:02Worry them.
00:18:02Make a nuisance of yourself.
00:18:03Ferret about.
00:18:04Let them know you're suspicious.
00:18:05Worry them.
00:18:06Yes, sir.
00:18:07I'd like you to make some inquiries into Dexter's financial status,
00:18:11and his partners while you're about it.
00:18:13His name's Turner.
00:18:15I'll get someone onto that in the morning.
00:18:16Anything else?
00:18:18No, sir.
00:18:19I'll let you know if...
00:18:20Time's up now, sir.
00:18:21I'll phone again tomorrow.
00:18:24Rupert.
00:18:24Rupert, Rupert, don't hang up.
00:18:26Rupert.
00:18:29Why on earth is that man so terrified of spending money?
00:18:32I just wanted to ask him something about the Naples affair.
00:18:35He flew the moment the pips went.
00:18:37What if he would think he had to pay for the calls himself?
00:18:39Force of habit, sir.
00:18:41He thinks the best way of spending money is to save it.
00:18:43He's consistent, though.
00:18:45He's as mean with the company's money as he is with his own.
00:18:48I can't stand meanness.
00:18:50Thrift is a virtue.
00:18:52When they get as mean as Rupert...
00:18:54Huh, I don't know.
00:18:57Would you care for some tea, sir?
00:18:59No, thanks.
00:19:01A waiter?
00:19:01Yes, sir.
00:19:02How much is the septi?
00:19:0375, shall we, sir?
00:19:10Tea, six shillings plus tip.
00:19:15Hello?
00:19:16How'd it get on?
00:19:19Taxi from station to hotel, four shillings plus tip.
00:19:25So, sir?
00:19:26What do you think?
00:19:28Too early to form any opinions.
00:19:30I've arranged for you to see Turner at ten tomorrow and Mrs. Dexter afterwards.
00:19:35I say, Rupert.
00:19:37Yes?
00:19:38I thought I ought to let you know the policy on Dexter has the standard self-destruction clause in it.
00:19:42I can read you now and I have seen the policy.
00:19:45Oh, that's just what I'd mention.
00:19:46And after all, if the poor chap did commit suicide...
00:19:48The policy would be invalid.
00:19:51Taxi three and six.
00:19:53But you can rule out all thoughts of them.
00:19:56How can you be so sure?
00:19:57If Dexter had committed suicide, he would hardly have set the car on fire before getting back into it and
00:20:03driving it over the cliff.
00:20:05Oh.
00:20:06No, I suppose not.
00:20:07You can rest assured if Dexter was in that car, it was either an accident or...
00:20:13Or what?
00:20:15Murder.
00:20:17Murder?
00:20:20You are joking, aren't you?
00:20:22No other alternative.
00:20:24Highly unlikely, of course.
00:20:26Well, I say it is.
00:20:27I've never heard of anything so ridiculous.
00:20:29You want to be careful what you're saying, Rupert.
00:20:31You know, need to get so excited, Bayliss.
00:20:33There's a bit much having people going around saying things like that.
00:20:35Hardly shouting it from the rooftops, you know.
00:20:39Have you got some better ideas?
00:20:41Think of a dozen things.
00:20:42Such as?
00:20:46He might have fainted at the wheel while he was driving.
00:20:48Might have.
00:20:50And what would have caused this healthy man of 35 to swoon away?
00:20:53I don't know.
00:20:55Heart attack.
00:20:56Might have had a dodgy ticker.
00:20:58I suppose he was given a medical by your insurance doctor?
00:21:02Yes, of course he was.
00:21:02I believe the heart is always the first thing that's examined.
00:21:06Could have come on since the medical.
00:21:07In two months.
00:21:10Well, in spite of what you said just now, I don't think you can rule out suicide.
00:21:15Why on earth should he commit suicide?
00:21:17I don't know.
00:21:19I just think it's a possibility.
00:21:23You might have thought he was ill of some incurable disease.
00:21:26Come on then.
00:21:27Where to?
00:21:29You won't be satisfied until you get the suicide angle cleared up, will you?
00:21:33We'll go and see the man who'll tell us whether Dexter was suffering from some recently acquired red disease.
00:21:39His doctor?
00:21:40His doctor.
00:21:53Just ask the gardener if he's in.
00:21:56I say there, a man.
00:21:58Is the doctor in?
00:21:59I am, Dr. Burnett.
00:22:09Oh, dear.
00:22:11Oh, dear.
00:22:11Oh, no, mind.
00:22:11I only troll on one.
00:22:13My name's Trevor Bayliss, doctor, and this is Mr. Romer.
00:22:15We were wondering if you could help us.
00:22:18How?
00:22:19I'm, I was a friend of John Dexter.
00:22:22Oh, yes.
00:22:24Tragic business, then.
00:22:25Tragic.
00:22:26John was a patient of mine for many years, you know.
00:22:28Charming fellow, charming.
00:22:31Well, how can I help you, actually?
00:22:33Well, we are making some inquiries about his death, you see.
00:22:36Inquiries?
00:22:36Why should you make inquiries?
00:22:38About the insurance.
00:22:40Oh, I see.
00:22:42You're worried in case the insurance people try to wriggle out of paying you, is it?
00:22:46Oh, very decent of you to try and help Dexter's wife like this.
00:22:49It's not quite like that.
00:22:51I think you've got it wrong.
00:22:52We represent the insurance company.
00:22:54How dare you tell me lies?
00:22:57You said that you were a friend of Dexter's.
00:22:58Well, I am.
00:22:59But, sir, I also work for the insurance company.
00:23:02You ought to make up your mind.
00:23:04Did you come here as a friend or not?
00:23:06Well, now, come on, I want the truth.
00:23:07Well, you see, I am a friend of Dexter's, but I...
00:23:09Can't stand a man who pretends he's something he's not.
00:23:12I just wanted to ask him.
00:23:13You'd better call up my surgery.
00:23:16Better still put it in writing.
00:23:19Good day to you.
00:23:28Testy old beggar.
00:23:31Sorry to have troubled you, doctor.
00:23:35By the way, do you know you've got mildew on this betty up, Richard?
00:23:38What?
00:23:40Where?
00:23:43Where?
00:23:46There.
00:23:49Great shame.
00:23:50One of the finest betty up, Richard's I've ever seen.
00:23:54Won a first at the county show last year, yeah?
00:23:57I'll try a sulfuric acid wash, one to 1500.
00:24:01Do you think that'll work?
00:24:02Curried up in no time.
00:24:04Oh, I'll give it a try, then.
00:24:06Grow roses yourself, do you?
00:24:07On a much smaller scale, of course.
00:24:10You must be very proud of these.
00:24:12Glorious, glorious.
00:24:13Well, very nice of you to say so, old man.
00:24:15Not at all.
00:24:17Well, we'll be getting along now.
00:24:19Cheerio.
00:24:20Oh, I say, Mr. Roper, wasn't it?
00:24:25Yes.
00:24:27I'm sorry, I got shirty just now.
00:24:30What was it you wanted to know?
00:24:31Well, it's very kind of you.
00:24:32It would be a big help.
00:24:34Provided it's not privileged information.
00:24:36No, we just wanted to know whether Dexter's had any health worries lately.
00:24:40Well, as a matter of fact, he came to see me last week.
00:24:43Really?
00:24:44He was in great pain.
00:24:45Serious?
00:24:46He was a very nasty one.
00:24:48A nasty what?
00:24:49In-growing toenail.
00:24:52Anything else wrong with him?
00:24:55Not a thing.
00:24:57I gave him a check over, then and there is it happened.
00:25:00Thank you very much, Doctor.
00:25:07By the way, where do I send the bill?
00:25:17Hardly worth paying five pounds for that.
00:25:20Told you that myself for nothing, didn't I?
00:25:22Guineas.
00:25:23Makes me cross, it really does.
00:25:24Five guineas for that?
00:25:26How can a man be so mean?
00:25:41You could do it more like him, Charlie.
00:25:43The last of the big spenders.
00:25:46The last of the big spenders.
00:26:14Mr. Bayless and Mr. Roper to see you, sir.
00:26:16Thank you, Helen. Show them in, will you?
00:26:20Morning, Turner. Morning.
00:26:21Good morning. Sit down, please.
00:26:24Now then, Dennis, what's all this about?
00:26:26As I told you on the phone yesterday, Mr Roper here is an assessor appointed by the Australian Life.
00:26:30Assessor?
00:26:31Well, other chaps who work out how much to pay on a claim, aren't they?
00:26:33That's right, or if to pay at all.
00:26:35And what are you assessing now?
00:26:37In view of the large potential claim on Mr Dexter's life insurance, sir,
00:26:40I've been asked to make some inquiries into his unfortunate accident.
00:26:44Inquiries? Why should you be making inquiries at all?
00:26:47No one's made a claim yet on the policy, have they?
00:26:49It is our custom.
00:26:50I've never heard such a thing.
00:26:52Within a day of the poor swine getting killed, you come in here club hopping about, I...
00:26:56I sincerely hope you're not going to start worrying Janet Dexter at a time like this.
00:27:00You must appreciate a very large sum of monies involved here, £100,000.
00:27:04So what? You are happy enough to take the premiums, you must expect to pay out occasionally.
00:27:08Certainly, and in the vast majority of cases this is done without any fuss.
00:27:12There are certain aspects of this case, however, that made us think we'd better ask a few questions.
00:27:17It would be better for all concerned, particularly Janet Dexter, if you helped us on this, Tanner.
00:27:23Oh, very well.
00:27:26What is it you want to know?
00:27:29Had Mr Dexter's behaviour been quite normal lately?
00:27:32No.
00:27:33Have there been any signs of nervousness, worry, anything like that?
00:27:36No.
00:27:38He might have been a bit preoccupied at times, come to think of it.
00:27:41But that could have been business worries.
00:27:43Business worries? This company's not doing so well, then?
00:27:45We're doing quite well, actually.
00:27:47But even the biggest concerns have their worries at times.
00:27:50John and I would never have been tycoons, but we're doing all right.
00:27:53I see.
00:27:54We've had a couple of the bigger companies sniffing around, actually.
00:27:58Hmm.
00:27:59Can you remember whose idea it was to take out the insurance?
00:28:02Yes.
00:28:03It was Bayliss's here.
00:28:05He'd been worrying us for months.
00:28:07I see.
00:28:08And you both finally decided to do it.
00:28:11Well, I suppose Dexter did, really.
00:28:13He handled the financial matters for the firm.
00:28:15I looked out to the technical side.
00:28:17If he wanted to do something, I let him do it.
00:28:19I expected the same courtesy from him, but it was something within my own sphere.
00:28:23Did he have any money troubles?
00:28:25Not that I know of.
00:28:27He lived up to his income, but who doesn't?
00:28:29Yes, indeed.
00:28:31Was his marriage a happy one?
00:28:33Very.
00:28:35But I'm sure you'll be able to find people a better place to answer things like that.
00:28:40Bayliss here, for instance.
00:28:43Now, was there anything else?
00:28:45No.
00:28:46No, I don't think so.
00:28:48I'd be glad if you'd excuse me.
00:28:49You can imagine John's death has thrown us for a loop.
00:28:51You'd be most helpful.
00:28:52Good day.
00:29:04I'm sorry about that.
00:29:06What did Turner mean?
00:29:07I should have told you.
00:29:08I was a friend of the Dexters.
00:29:09That's how I got their insurance business.
00:29:11I've known Janet Dexter for years, since before she was married.
00:29:15You should have told me.
00:29:16But to be honest, I didn't want to have to answer the questions you've just asked Turner.
00:29:20And I couldn't have told you anything that he didn't.
00:29:23Let's go to Mrs. Dexter's.
00:29:25If you'd rather go and see her on your own, I quite understand.
00:29:28But you could easily get a taxi from here.
00:29:30Not at all.
00:29:32Not at all, little man.
00:29:33You'd be glad to be company.
00:29:34Oh, good.
00:29:36Well, I suppose we'd better be off.
00:29:55Mr. Roper and Mr. Bailey, yes, ma'am.
00:29:59Janet, I can't tell you how sorry I am about this terrible accident.
00:30:01Thank you, Trevor.
00:30:04I wish we didn't have to wire you at a time like this.
00:30:07You have your jobs to do.
00:30:09Won't you sit down?
00:30:17What do you want to know, Mr. Roper?
00:30:20Did your husband have any other insurance besides that with the company I represent?
00:30:24No.
00:30:26He hated insurance companies.
00:30:28Oh?
00:30:28He had an unfortunate experience with one just after he left university.
00:30:33He thought they were a load of crooks.
00:30:35Trevor and he used to have some fine old arguments about it, didn't you, Trevor?
00:30:39Oh, dearie me, you should have told me that, Bayliss.
00:30:42Why, then, did he suddenly decide to take out two insurance policies?
00:30:45You'd understand that better if you'd known John.
00:30:48He wasn't the sort of chap who would let his personal views interfere with business.
00:30:52I see.
00:30:54Did your husband have any financial worries, Mrs. Dexter?
00:30:57No.
00:30:58None at all.
00:31:00You sound very confident.
00:31:01It may be that you...
00:31:03I have some money of my own.
00:31:04If John had a financial problem, he only had to ask me.
00:31:08I can take it that your marriage was a happy one.
00:31:13Extremely.
00:31:14Where were you on Tuesday when the accident occurred?
00:31:18I went to London to do some shopping and see my sister in the morning.
00:31:22I looked in at our flat and...
00:31:24Oh, you have a flat in London, then?
00:31:25Yes.
00:31:27John had to conduct a lot of business in town.
00:31:30He rented the flat for when he was too late for the last train.
00:31:34Whereabouts is it?
00:31:35Kensington.
00:31:37Knight's Court.
00:31:40I...
00:31:44I don't think we need trouble you any further, Mrs. Dexter.
00:31:51Oh, er...
00:31:52Here's one more thing.
00:31:55Could you tell me what your husband was wearing on Tuesday?
00:31:59Wearing?
00:32:00If you wouldn't mind.
00:32:03A dark grey suit.
00:32:07Grey check raincoat.
00:32:10Dog's tooth check, actually.
00:32:13A dark brown shall be had.
00:32:17Sorry to have put you through all this.
00:32:23I'll, er, be back to see you later.
00:32:38She's a nice woman.
00:32:39Very attractive.
00:32:52As a matter of fact, I was very keen on Janice at one time.
00:32:55It was before she met Dexter, of course.
00:32:58Did you want to marry her?
00:33:02Well, don't give up hope.
00:33:04Rich widows are hard to find.
00:33:07I'd like to have a look at the cliff road on the way back.
00:33:09I swear to God, dear.
00:33:36Come on.
00:33:37Mr. Grant?
00:33:38about there. What's this, a railway? Yes, it's a small branch line that runs along
00:33:44the coast between Brighton and Eastbourne. Probably see it from over here.
00:34:00What's the name of that railway station? Where? Over there, beyond the sandpits.
00:34:06Hilling lie. Why the interest? I was just putting myself in Dexter's shoes. If he did put that car
00:34:13over the cliff, he must have made plans to leave the district. He couldn't run the risk of being
00:34:17seen. What about a car? I don't think so. He'd have either had to hire or buy one and that
00:34:24could be
00:34:25traced. Also, he'd have had to leave it here all day. You think he would have walked down to the
00:34:30station? Too far. He could have had a bicycle. A bicycle? He could have walked back to the
00:34:37crossroads and caught the bus. Too much danger of being seen. No, my money's on the railway.
00:34:42Won't cost us anything to find out, though.
00:35:09Well, could you tell me where the stationmaster's office is, please?
00:35:14Shall we go there, sir? Thank you. He isn't there, though. Oh, well, what time are you expecting
00:35:20him back, then? He hasn't gone anywhere. I'm him. Here, wait a minute. You're not from the railway
00:35:27head office, are you? No, I work for an insurance company. Oh, that's all right, then. I thought
00:35:32you might be a couple of brass hats down from London. They've got to close the station down,
00:35:35you see. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, it's the whole line's going. Crying shame it is, you know. See,
00:35:41it doesn't make a profit. It's losing money. I see. Yeah, well, it's not for what they pay me.
00:35:48Eh, what can I do for you, though? I wondered if you could give me some information. Yeah. What trains
00:35:54leave here between, say, 6.30 and 8 o'clock? Well, in the evening. Hmm. Well, there's the 6.35
00:36:02to Brighton.
00:36:02That's too early. Too early. Well, then there's the 6.55 to Hurling. The next one's the 8 o'clock
00:36:10to Brighton. Oh, thank you very much. That's too late. Do you see all the trains in and out?
00:36:15Well, in my capacity as ticket inspector, sir, I see them all. The 6.55 the night before last
00:36:21Tuesday. Were there many people caught that train? Ah, well, now you'll have to speak to
00:36:25the clerk and the ticket office is above that, sir. Oh, where is he? Don't tell me. Let me guess.
00:36:32You're him. Well, did you sell many tickets, then? I, er, don't wish to appear rude, sir,
00:36:39but, er, a porter's supposed to make up his money in tips, you know. Tips.
00:37:00Are you sure you can spare it, sir? Well, there was only, er, an old lady and a man caught
00:37:07the train that night, sir.
00:37:08Do you know what the man looked like? Oh, I couldn't say, really. Funny, though, you know, he dived
00:37:13onto the train just as he was leaving. Just sort of rushed onto the platform and
00:37:16then straight onto the train. You wouldn't be able to see what he was
00:37:19wearing, then? Well, I caught a glimpse of him in the carriage as he went by, yeah.
00:37:23Well, he had his head turned away, you know. He was wearing a sort of a dark felt hat and
00:37:28a,
00:37:28and a raincoat. Check one. What kind of check? Well, you know, the sort of thing, er, tiny
00:37:33and little checks, you know. Dog's tooth? Not at all.
00:37:41Well, that about's always one thing. Oh, what's the problem? It's about
00:38:15your work. And that's always one thing. And it's just sort of, you know, the
00:38:16thing that's what, you know, you've got to see a couple of things.
00:38:26I really need to know that I've got to read the book.
00:38:26I've got to read the book. So I've got to read the book.
00:38:29So I've been reading the book and it's about the book.
Comments