The Marlow Murder Club | Season 3 | Episode 3 - PBS

A murder at a university reunion puts Becks directly in the line of fire.

A murder at a university reunion puts Becks directly in the line of fire.

When a man is killed during her university reunion, Becks finds herself landing on the wrong side of a murder investigation.

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When a man is killed during her university reunion, Becks finds herself landing on the wrong side of a murder investigation.

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TANIKA: I know you'll want to call Judith and Suzie, but... (knock at door) We're gonna find out who did this.

JUDITH: A house like this must be hiding a million secrets.

At best, she's a witness, at worst, a suspect.

BECKS (whispering): We're not alone.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (thunder claps) (whimpers) (click) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (thunder rumbling, rain falling) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (stairs creaking) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (breath trembling softly) WOMAN: You're dead.

(Becks screams) ♪ ♪ RYAN (sighs): And this is exactly why she didn't get picked for the production of "Phantom" we did in the second year.

(all laugh) You got here pretty quickly.

That's our prime suspect, right there.

(groans) I'm the absolute worst at this.

(all laughing) You were very quiet.

Right, well... Oh, I think we've got time to squeeze one more round in.

FREDDIE: Oh, God forbid we derail the organized fun schedule.

RYAN: Pick a number, get ready to hide.

Pick the Joker... (thunder rumbling) ...and you're our killer.

(Una laughs) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (thunder rumbling) (whispering): Unlucky.

It looks like you're my unfortunate victim.

I always knew you were a dark horse.

But 20 seconds, and then you shout out.

One, two... Hadn't you best get going?

Three, four, five... (footsteps approaching) (thunder rumbling) ♪ ♪ (Freddie shouts) JESSICA: Lights on!

(Una gasps) OSKAR: You're there, Ryan.

(others chuckle) We're looking for Freddie, then.

(others chuckle) Maybe it was Colonel Mustard.

(all laugh) He's not in here, either.

(Ryan and Jessica gasp) Una, don't... (gasps) Oh, my God.

(thunder rumbling) ♪ ♪ (gasps) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (Una crying softly) (siren wailing in distance) His daughter only just turned six.

It's... (exhales) I can't... (cries softly) (knock at house door) I'll get it.

(crying) (door opens) They got here quickly.

JESSICA: They always do when someone... (people talking, radios running in background) ...when something like this happens.

He was sat right there, just making us all laugh, and... And now he's just... (radios continue) BECKS: Everyone is in the sitting room.

Freddie is... He's upstairs, in the library.

There's a knife, and it's, um... (breath trembling) It's okay, we'll take it from here.

Forensics should be here any minute, but I want to get that crime scene cordoned off, then we'll start taking witness statements.

Now, I know you'll want to call Judith and Suzie, but I really think that first, we should get an idea of... (knock at door) (knock repeats) (knock repeats) (sighs): Oh, good.

Oh... (sighs) (Suzie gasps) JUDITH: Becks!

(Alice sighs) This place is proper creepy.

Well, somewhere like this has got to be haunted.

BRENDAN: If only ghosts actually existed, then you'd be in trouble.

(Alice chuckles) Just because you haven't seen one.

BRENDAN: Are you honestly telling me you believe in all that?

ALICE (laughs): He listens to a podcast, right?

Look, you said some of those stories were weird, too.

Well... (exhales) ♪ ♪ BRENDAN: That's a nasty way to go.

(tea kettle whistling, stops) (people talking in background) Here.

Do you have any idea who could have done this to Freddie?

We were playing a game of Murder in the Dark, and I was the killer in the game, and I found Freddie in the library.

He shouted 20 seconds later, like he was supposed to, and I thought it was part of the game.

(voice breaking): But it must've been real, because, when we went to find him... (exhales) ALICE: Guv.

We'd come at 3:00 in the morning if you needed us.

He's offered to come, but, I don't think he'd be allowed.

We're going to find out who did this, don't you worry.

(exhales) Well, yeah, it was, but I was already home.

A little more detail would be appreciated.

(exhales) Inspired by your blossoming relationship with the good professor... It's just a friendship.

And, you know, it was going really well for about 20 seconds.

And then this fool asked me to take my shoes off before getting into his Jag.

(chuckles) I'm so glad you're both here.

Can you come through a minute, please?

♪ ♪ BRENDAN: Nope, these are all locked up.

So, our killer must've come in from the hallway.

Our victim's got his back to the door.

They grab the nearest and easiest weapon, and get Mr.

Thatcher-Hughes in the back before he's even had time to turn around.

TANIKA: We've obviously got a lot of questions to ask you in the coming hours.

Given the distance most of you have traveled, I'd ask that you please stay in the house overnight so that we can speak to each of you... RYAN: Stay here?

If you head home, it'll make the process a lot longer and more complicated.

If you don't want to stay here, you're more than welcome to join me back at the station.

We've done a full sweep of the house, there's no one else here, and we'll ensure there's officers with you overnight.

I want to speak to each of you individually, but before we get started, has anyone else entered or left the house this evening?

Yeah, since we got back at dinnertime.

Sorry, Becks, but I'm going to need your lanyard back.

(purse unzipping) ♪ ♪ Did Freddie ever do anything that could have led to this?

I mean, Freddie was always at the center of some drama, from what I gather, but he was charming-- he got away with it.

He stole one of Oskar's girlfriends at some point.

And Freddie and Ryan always had this weird rivalry going.

I think they both saw themselves as the official leader of the group.

But uni would be a really long time to hold on to a grudge, surely.

Lest we forget, the Trojan War essentially began because Paris stole Helen from Menelaus.

Becks, we're about to start taking statements.

It'd be really useful if you could give us a bit of background on everyone.

Oh, no, we'll just go and take a look around.

(door closes) This place is creepy.

(audio distorts, animal cries) What are you looking for?

A house like this must be hiding a million secrets.

It's a good thing you're here, then, eh?

'Cause you don't miss a trick, yeah.

He runs the Top of the Hill Foundation.

He was kind of like the dad of the group at uni.

He likes to think of himself as a highflier.

But he struggled with his studies, though.

But it lit a fire under him, and he's worked his socks off since.

Have you spoken to Marie, his wife?

I, I've got her number, if you need one.

Don't worry, we're taking care of all that.

I gather you and Freddie were close?

We text all the time, we have dinner whenever we can.

We just want to get an idea of the timeline today.

She organized it and she found this place.

We were here for an hour or so, I guess, picked our rooms, then went for a walk through the woods to the Jolly Farmer for lunch.

She's probably the most distant of the group.

She does take herself a little less seriously than she used to.

I just want to clarify, this is a witness statement, not an interview, correct?

JESSICA: Right, well, after lunch, we walked back through the woods.

Ryan, a bit earlier-- he had some games to set up.

Una had arranged cocktails on the terrace.

He works for Ryan's foundation, in finance.

He's sort of hero-worshipped him since we were 18.

He was expelled from uni ahead of the final exams.

(Oskar sighs) It was a hard knock to recover from.

Well, uh, after dinner, Ryan had set one of his legendary treasure hunts.

He used to throw these incredible parties when we were at university.

He'd deck out the whole house with these, uh... Sorry.

I'm rambling, um... TANIKA: Don't worry.

Is there anything else we should know about today?

ALICE: Anything out of the ordinary?

Any arguments or frictions within the group?

(camera shutter clicking) BRENDAN: What have you got for me?

(shutter clicking) Oh, stabbed in the back.

Oh, hold on-- something's not right.

SUZIE: You cannot see a clue from here, Judith.

Oh, my father had a Greyhart jacket.

JASON: But the stitching on the trousers is all over the place.

You know, someone like Freddie, someone who owned clothes like that, surely they'd know that's not how you pair an outfit.

BRENDAN: No fingerprints on the knife.

Helen thinks cause of death is most likely to be exsanguination.

The blade completely severed the thoracic aorta, causing massive internal bleeding.

Um... We'd best, uh... SUZIE: Yeah, yeah.

Freddie Thatcher-Hughes' room a visit.

Forensics still have to sweep that room, so whatever you're scarpering off to do, just do it properly.

Can you tell me where you were when Freddie was killed?

It seemed like a good place to hide.

He was on that top corridor, just before it happened.

Oskar was on the top floor, but I'm pretty sure there was someone outside the library.

Yes, there was somebody by the library, um... Couldn't tell you who, but, um, Becks was near.

I came straight downstairs, but I didn't see anyone until I passed Jessica in the sitting room doorway.

I just assumed everyone else was upstairs, until Becks walked past.

(radios running) (sighs) What do you think?

That it's convenient everyone's got an alibi and that they're all corroborated by each other.

♪ ♪ (exclaims) He can't have been that stylish.

My grandad had a pair like this, and he used to wear clogs.

I've been trying to hire a builder for weeks.

But I've been-- I believe the term is "ghosted"-- three times.

Finally, someone who might be able to help.

Easier to find a husband in Marlow than it is a builder.

If he's any good, give him my number.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The mystery of the mismatched outfit is solved.

I've got something-- come and have a look at this!

It looks like... Somebody's burned a book.

(door opens) You all gave me detailed accounts of the day, but no mention of how Freddie got so muddy, he needed to change clothes.

It's just... There was a small incident on the way back.

OSKAR (laughing): I actually... OSKAR (voiceover): It was my fault.

I accidentally kicked some mud up at Freddie.

JUDITH: Oh, Freddie had expensive taste.

I imagine he'd have had quite a reaction to that.

It's hardly "out of the ordinary," as you phrased it earlier.

But... It was the first time I've seen one of his outbursts firsthand, but I've heard about them.

UNA (voiceover): Oskar said he offered to pay for the dry cleaning.

FREDDIE: You are infected with failure.

Look, every part of your pathetic life, right?

You have no wife, got no kids, you got barely any friends, just a dull job!

You know, one day the charm is going to run out, and everyone will see what you really are.

You're going to go too far... (hits) ...and you'll regret it.

You didn't tell me you threatened him.

Well, Becks and I were too far away, so we didn't hear the specifics.

I just wanted to get through to him without him laughing at me.

Freddie actually apologized, for the first time ever.

I'm certainly not his biggest fan, but I didn't hurt him.

Right, and none of you thought to mention this earlier?

I know how it looks, but you don't know Oskar like we do.

I mean, there's no way he could do something like this.

Because earlier, it didn't sound like you were particularly close anymore.

I mean, we've all known him since he was 18.

I've worked with Oskar for over a decade.

It wasn't meant to be a lie, it was just an omission.

I really thought I'd be able to trust your word on this one.

Anything else you're holding back, I suggest you tell us sooner rather than later.

♪ ♪ (mouthing) ♪ ♪ (radios running) (people talking in background) ♪ ♪ Anything else from the Breakfast Club?

Turns out they're not the tight unit they're purporting to be.

And their alibis aren't watertight.

Right, well, forensics is nearly done upstairs.

I've got the burnt pages from the fireplace ready for the lab.

Jason and Alice, I want you both here until uniforms come to relieve you.

I want to know everything about their relationships to each other and Freddie-- Oskar, in particular.

And double-check the cellar for any ways in or out.

You're welcome to join the briefing tomorrow morning, but I have rules.

I need you to keep your distance from Becks.

Investigate as you have to, but you are only to talk to her as you would a suspect.

She is not to help you with the case at all.

We'll see you in the morning, bright and early.

Couple of muffins wouldn't go amiss, either.

(birds cawing, wind howling) (breathing steadily) Well, no one got in or out this way.

(sighs) Why does it feel like this wasn't the first person to die in this house?

I mean, statistically, dozens have probably died in a house this age.

(exclaims) Look, when you think about it, someone has died in most houses.

Your flat is Victorian, over a century old.

It sounded like they were coming from above.

I opened it by accident earlier, and now it's locked.

You both go back to bed and we'll look into this.

You've been through a lot tonight, Mrs.

It's an old house, with warping doors and faulty locks.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.

(breath trembling) (door closes) (knob rattling) (door breaks open, Jason and Alice grunt) First rule of a horror movie: never go upstairs.

(both panting) Let's just assume it's mice, huh?

Okay, going down now-- see you in a bit.

(door closes) ♪ ♪ (reverse signal beeping) ♪ ♪ Oh, good morning!

We've thought about what you said, and obviously, we have a vested interest in this case.

But it just means we're more determined to solve it.

Uh, well, we've informed Marie Thatcher-Hughes of her husband's death.

According to reports, it sounds like your standard marriage.

I never took you for such a romantic, Brendan.

We managed to track down the owner of the house, a Hector Bly.

Currently on a whisky tour of the Highlands.

And after the trouser argument, we looked into Oskar Nilsson, but there's not even a parking ticket in his name, so, seems an unlikely culprit.

Is there any information about further comings and goings from the house?

We checked the motion sensor security lights on the front and back lawn.

The sensors were last triggered at 5:07 p.m., which matches the time the group said they returned to the house.

So, no one went in or out after that time.

Oh, um, well, we got Freddie Thatcher-Hughes's body in the library, and then Ryan Hill on the first floor, and then Oskar outside his bedroom on the second floor.

Oh, and then downstairs, in the entrance hall, you've got Jessica Rawlinson and Rebecca Starling.

And then there's the mystery figure outside the library.

Did anything interesting crop up after we left last night?

Well, it's probably nothing, but Mrs.

Weaver thought she heard footsteps in the attic.

We went to check it out, but there was nothing up there.

You should hear the racket my pipes make.

When you're scared, you hear what you want to hear.

There was no one else in the house.

All the evidence suggests it's one of the houseguests.

But why risk killing Freddie with so few suspects?

Surely the murderer would know that the investigation would focus on that small group.

That wasn't premeditated, it was opportunistic.

♪ ♪ (clock chiming hour) (others laughing) Morning.

We were just talking about when Freddie decided academia was boring and he wanted to be a TV presenter instead.

(laughing) RYAN (laughing): Such a weird couple of months.

(laughing) RYAN: Thank God he reconsidered.

He really thought those frosted tips made him look edgy.

(all laugh) Yeah, until he went swimming and the chlorine turned them bright green.

The police pulled my room apart last night.

(exhales) UNA: What do you think happened?

Someone just broke in and did that?

If it's wrong time, wrong place, that's hideous.

Well, I'd rather that than the alternative.

How long do you think they'll keep us here?

RYAN: Maybe you should check in with a colleague.

Someone who specializes in this sort of thing.

Check everything they're asking of us is aboveboard.

I'll just reveal to the people I've been working with for the last decade that I'm involved in a murder case.

I mean, that'll keep the watercooler busy.

I'm not getting any special treatment, if that's what you're suggesting.

Well, you folded about Oskar and Freddie's argument pretty quickly.

I bet you've told them who you think is capable of murder.

If we'd lied, it would've only made things worse.

I really cannot comprehend that anyone in this room could hurt Freddie.

But if anyone can get to the bottom of it, that team can.

We need to do everything we can to help them.

Unless you've got something to hide.

Well, I'm suspect number one if I refuse to play along now, aren't I?

♪ ♪ (phone vibrating) Oh, it's my builder-- excuse me.

MAN: I can't guarantee exactly when.

Oh, I see, well, hopefully, I will be.

Apparently, he's going to do his best to pop by later, but he can't guarantee a time.

Well, there'll be no marrying him now, if that's his attitude.

It must've been "Dracula" that they burned in the fireplace.

(laughing): Keanu Reeves films from the '90s.

You are a woman of many talents, Suzie Harris.

I think it might be time for us to find out why Freddie had such a strong dislike for gothic fiction.

BRENDAN: I've got the report back on Freddie's phone.

A few snippy messages to colleagues, but nothing warranting murder.

The one thing that did ring alarm bells-- ten days before the reunion, Freddie received 12 missed calls, all from the same number.

Alice, Jason-- keep looking into socials for the suspects.

The police put them all there once they'd finished searching.

Advance copies signed for each of us.

JUDITH: "Climbing to the Top of the Hill."

(whispering): It's beginning to get a bit tense.

(door opens) TANIKA: Yes, they're aware.

(Brendan talking in background) This may seem odd, but does "Dracula" mean anything to you?

Is that what you found in Freddie's fireplace?

He did his PhD in gothic literature.

(Brendan speaking softly) TANIKA: Brendan.

♪ ♪ I am not helping them at all-- I'm just doing the dishes.

(chuckles) Well... I know it doesn't sound it, after what he said to Oskar, but Freddie lit up a room.

If there was ever anything wrong, he was the first to whisk you off for drinks and dancing, or some sort of adventure.

Had you seen him much since you left uni?

We went for lunch about five years ago, when he was in Coventry for work.

Other than that, it was basically Christmas and birthday messages each year.

If that's the case, why did you repeatedly call him on the 16th?

12 missed calls, all from your number.

(whispering): That's, um... (softly): Oh, I didn't know... I didn't realize it was 12.

He hadn't replied about whether he was coming, so I thought I'd call, just to talk to him, but, uh, kept going to voicemail.

If he wasn't here, it wouldn't have been perfect.

I only moved to Windsor four months ago.

My wife Carrie's always busy at work, and we've got twin toddlers who don't sleep, and I'm trying to build a new business.

I just remembered how much fun we had, and how I missed everyone, so, I decided to throw the reunion.

I know it doesn't look good, but I just wanted Freddie here.

12 calls would certainly suggest that.

(breathes deeply) Is there anything else you want to tell us?

It's just... You found a burnt book?

Freddie came looking for matches before we went to lunch.

I didn't even think to ask him why he needed them-- I, I thought he'd started smoking again.

Things like that never seem significant until afterwards.

♪ ♪ Well, that wasn't entirely convincing, was it?

So, Freddie's copy of Ryan's book has to be in here somewhere.

♪ ♪ Times like this, I wish I could lip-read.

Yeah, Una just pulled me aside, said Jessica was lying.

She said earlier that she hadn't seen Freddie in years.

(phone buttons clicking) BECKS: But Una saw a photo of both of them at an alumni event... COLIN: Mm-hmm.

(phone chimes) (laughing) Yes, Becks!

It sounds like there might be some incriminating photos of Jessica for us to track down.

And still managing to obey Tanika to the letter.

If Jessica's been lying to the police about her relationship with Freddie, that changes everything.

Right, you keep looking for the book.

And I'm going to find these photos.

I mean, if I was taking it that seriously, I would not be booked into speed dating at the Churchill Tap this evening.

Well, if nothing else, you always get a good story.

(clock chiming hour) Jessica, may we have a word?

wants to talk again, I'll call a lawyer, and we can do this properly.

We were just trying to clear up a misunderstanding.

It seems you lied to the police, and, as a legal professional with a reputation to uphold, we thought you might want to handle it discreetly.

You said you hadn't seen Freddie for years, but we have photographs that suggest otherwise.

Any of those photos show us together?

And our names aren't on those pictures, which means the only reason you found them is because somebody told you about them.

You trying to throw me under the bus to shift the blame?

That's not what... Why did you lie about it?

Nice to know no one will do the same for me.

No one should be backing anyone up.

We're not accusing you of anything.

(sighs) (people talking in background) ALICE: You weren't there, okay?

I could walk around that place all night long.

(scoffs) Pitch black, it wouldn't bother me at all.

I guess I'm just good at keeping my cool.

Jessica lied about when she last saw Freddie, and Una knew about it and hid it from us.

Let's push, see if they're holding anything else back.

Found this picture on social media.

Now, Becks said she barely knew him.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (car door closes, engine stops) Any news on Una or Jessica?

(door closes) ♪ ♪ You didn't tell us about Freddie's argument with Oskar, and now I learn there's something else you're hiding.

Of everyone, I believed you'd tell us the truth.

I told you everything I know-- all the truth.

This all looks a bit cozy for someone who said she barely knew him.

When I came back from Italy, I met Freddie, and he asked me out.

That was more than enough for me to know that I didn't want a third.

All I learnt was that he's rude to waiters and he loves a Vesper martini.

(chuckles) It was such a long time ago.

I had no intention of withholding anything.

And there's nothing else, I promise-- I just didn't think.

Look, I know it's been a stressful day.

And I think it's clear that you didn't have anything to do with Freddie's death, but that's not going to stop me getting banned from hiring civilian advisers.

Becks, I really thought I could rely on you.

He paid for a hotel room the evening of the alumni event.

Well, maybe it was just a heavy night.

Mm, according to his file, he lives on campus with his family.

I called the hotel, and they don't have any CCTV that'll help, but they said the room was booked for two people.

(exhales) Freddie took the receipt, but a second person requested a copy for it later that week, via email.

They're going to check in with accounts and let me know.

JUDITH: It's mainly just some loose paneling, in here.

This is the main bit I want to fix.

(smacks lips) Yeah, this isn't good.

This house has been in my family for over a century.

(knocking) (knocking) Ah, see, now, that sounds hollow.

(starts) It sounds hollow because it is hollow.

(device beeping) Um... (door closes) I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me.

Well, I haven't finished measuring up yet.

(door opens) MAN: Are, are you sure, because I can... Thank you.

♪ ♪ (music playing over speakers, people talking in background) (exhales) Here we go.

(gong clangs, feedback whines) EDDIE: Right.

Men, rotate on the... (gong clangs) Oh!

(both laugh) (gong clangs) (music playing in background) I'm more of a cat person.

(gong clangs) (whines) To traveling!

(both laugh) (gong clangs) (music playing in background) So, Glasto 2004 was definitely better.

Yeah, 2011, uh, had its moments-- 2017.

Didn't think we'd even get tickets!

(music playing in background) Avocados!

(gong clangs) (music playing in background) (coughs) Hello there.

(chuckles) I wasn't expecting this.

I just came with, well, I was dragged by a mate.

(chuckles) Yes, just, just being a supportive friend.

Uh, he's just getting a drink, he's just over there... Where did he go?

(chuckling) Is this your first time?

(music playing in background) Gets easier.

Well, given we've got a murder to solve, you probably should, mate.

Freddie stayed at a hotel the night of the alumni event.

Jason's just had confirmation that Jessica requested a copy of the hotel receipt.

Um, listen, I'd better get going, but... You coming?

(feedback whines) Now, that's what I call speed dating.

(all laugh) All right, everybody, here we go again.

(gong clangs) (birds cawing) ♪ ♪ Four.

♪ ♪ (knocks softly) (softly): What are you doing here?

I have a theory-- well, currently, half a theory.

If my involvement affected the conviction of Freddie's killer, I'd never forgive myself.

To convict his killer, we have to catch them first.

♪ ♪ So, what exactly are we looking for?

There are more windows on the outside of the house than on the inside.

You think part of the house is hidden?

Yes, and somewhere, there must be a way in.

You say that as though it's the most natural thing in the world.

Well, we used to hide priests, and the Song dynasty in China were notably good at using secret tunnels to help them in battle.

And the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco had an entire Prohibition floor that was hidden in the plans.

It's more common than you might imagine.

And you think the killer might have used a hidden passage to escape?

Tanika thinks I've been deliberately holding back information, but it wasn't like that.

And the group think I'm talking to the police about them.

JUDITH: You've lost one friend, and it's possible another friend killed him.

(sighs) You're in an awful position.

You don't have to explain yourself.

Trying to prove you're innocent is much harder than you'd think.

The more you protest, the more you look guilty.

There are scratches on the floorboards.

♪ ♪ This doesn't look like an escape tunnel.

♪ ♪ (click) ♪ ♪ TANIKA: In case you've forgotten, you're all part of a murder investigation.

OSKAR: We've told you everything we know.

(softly): You're going to get me in trouble with Tanika.

TANIKA: Any of them could still be responsible.

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