Murder in the Family (Cara Hunter)

Dedication
Formyagent,AnnaPower,forherwisdom,patience,humourandunfailinginsight.Icouldn’thavedoneanyofthiswithouther.Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
NewspaperArticle
TenMonthsEarlier
EpisodeOne:Filming
EpisodeOne:Broadcast
EpisodeTwo:Filming
EpisodeTwo:Broadcast
EpisodeThree:Filming
EpisodeThree:Broadcast
EpisodeFour:Filming
EpisodeFour:Broadcast
EpisodeFive:Filming
EpisodeFive:Broadcast
EpisodeSix:Filming
EpisodeSix:Broadcast
EpisodeSeven:Filming
EpisodeEight:Filming
EpisodesSevenandEight:Broadcast
Acknowledgments
AbouttheAuthor
AlsobyCaraHunter
Copyright
AboutthePublisherNewspaperArticle
TheTimes,8November2023
TenMonthsEarlierShowrunner
January9,2023
NewSeasonof‘Infamous’seesBritishFilm-makerRevisitingHisStepfather’sMurder,Unsolvedfor20Years
FilmingOn-LocationinLondon,‘WhoKilledLukeRyder?’WillIncludeNever-Before-SeenHomeVideoFootage,InterviewswithFamilyMembers,andExclusiveAccesstotheCrimeScene
‘Infamous:WhoKilledLukeRyder?’SettoDebutTuesdayOctober3(9:00p.m.–11:00p.m.EST)onShowrunner
InSeason7oftheglobalhit‘Infamous’,film-makerGuyHowardwilltakeviewersthroughthecasethattraumatizedhimasachild,andhashauntedhisfamilyfortwodecades.InOctober2003,whenHowardwas10,hisstepfather,LukeRyder,wasfounddeadinthegardenofthefamilyhomeinanupscaledistrictofLondon.Despitealengthyandhigh-profileinvestigationbyBritishlawenforcement,nochargeswereeverbrought,andthecaseremainsunsolved.
Inanewformatforthe‘Infamous’franchise,producerNickVincentofDryRiserFilmshasbroughttogetherkeyplayersintheoriginalcase,alongwithacknowledgedexpertsinthefieldsofCrimeSceneInvestigation,forensicpsychology,policeinvestigation,andthelaw,torevisitthecrimeandattempttoidentifytheperpetrator,whostillremainsatlarge.Participantsinclude:
AlanCanning
DetectiveInspector,MetropolitanPolice(Ret.)
MitchellClarke
Journalist,coveredthecasefortheLondonpressin2003
HugoFraserKC
LeadingUKcriminalprosecutor
DrLailaFurness
Forensicpsychologist
JJNorton
CrimeSceneInvestigator,SouthWalesPolice
WilliamR.Serafini
Detective,NYPD(Ret.)
Aftermonthsindevelopment,theseven-partserieswillfollowtheworkofthisteam,astheyre-examineoriginaltestimony,re-interviewwitnesses,andinterrogatethe2003evidenceinthelightofsubsequentdevelopmentsinforensicscience.Theywillalsointerviewfamilymemberswhohaveneverbeforespokenoncameraabouttheeventsofthatnight.
ShowrunnerHeadOfFactual,GarrettHolbeck,said,‘Weareallexcitedaboutthepaceandtensionthisnewformatbringstotheshow,andmyhopeisthatwewillnotonlyofferviewersafirst-handinsightintothisimportantcase,butperhapsfindsomelong-overdueclosureforthefamily.’
Thefirstepisodeof‘Infamous:WhoKilledLukeRyder?’issettoaironthetwentiethanniversaryofthemurder,Tuesday,October3(9:00p.m.–11:00p.m.EST)onShowrunner.Subsequentepisodeswillappearininstalments.
‘Infamous’isanaward-winningseriesproducedbyDryRiserFilmsforShowrunnerTVInc,whichfirstairedin2014.Anacknowledgedleaderinthefieldoftruecrime,‘Infamous’haspreviouslycoverednotoriousandunsolvedcrimessuchasthedeathofJonBenétRamsay,thedisappearanceofLaurenSpierer,themurderofPeterFalconioinAustraliain2001,andtheCamillaRowan‘ChameleonGirl’caseintheUK.Theseriesisrenownedforitsincisivereporting,in-depthanalysis,andexclusiveaccesstothoseclosesttothecrime.
NickVincent’sDryRiserFilmsisaninnovativeandleading-edgecreatorofentertainmentanddocumentaryprogramming.Previousprojectsinclude‘TheRedLanterns:JourneysinChina’(2016),producedanddirectedbyDominicCipriani;‘TheRealHomeland:InsidetheCIA’(2018),producedbyRudyAssad;and‘CatchingColombia’sDrugLords’(2019),producedbyBethMcVeigh.‘Infamous’isproducedbyNickVincent,editedbyFabioBarry,withresearchbyTarekOsman.CinematographyonS7willbebyZachKellermanandMary-AnnBallinger,withgraphicsbyMediumRareCreative,andmusicbyPangolinSoundStudios.
GuyHowardstudiedFilmandMediaStudiesattheUniversityofThanetintheUKandhasworkedonanumberofBritishTVprojects.Thisishisfirstmajorfeature.
Mediaenquiries
XantheMalthouse
DryRiserFilmsLtd
xanthe@dryriserfilms.com
Notestoeditors:
Furtherinformationaboutparticipantsisgivenbelow.Interviewsand/orbackgrounderscanbearrangedwithanyoftheparticipantsonrequest.PleasecontactXantheMalthousefordetails.
Professionalresumésofparticipantstofollow:
–endofpressrelease–Kick-offemailfromNickVincent,31stMarch2023
Date:Fri31/03/2023,14.05Importance:High
From:NickVincent
To:GuyHoward,HugoFraser,AlanCanning,MitchClarke,LailaFurness,BillSerafini,JJNorton
CC:TarekOsman,FabioBarry,DryRiserproductionteam
Subject:Infamous:WhoKilledLukeRyder?Shootingschedule
Greattofinallymeetyouallinpersonlastweek.It’salwaysusefultogetasenseofeachotherbeforefilming,thoughasIsaid,we’llplaytheopeningepwithintroductions,sowecangiveviewersyourbackgroundswithoutmakingittoomuchofaninfodump(unlikethepress,theaudiencewon’thaveseenyourresumés!).
Feelfreetoquestioneachotheratthatstage(experience,expertiseetc)asyourinteractions–bothpositiveandnegative–willbeakeypartoftheongoingon-screendynamic.It’salsoagoodwaytomakesuretheviewersunderstandthedifferencesbetweenUKandUScriminalandlegalprocedure(?Alan/Bill/Hugo).
AsIexplained,thefirstepwillrequiresomere-hashingofinformationyouclearlyalreadyknow,togettheaudienceuptospeed,butthereafteritwillbemuchmorefree-flowing.Theresearchteamarestillworkingoncertainspecificelementsoftheinvestigationwhichwedeliberatelyaren’tgoingtobriefanyofyouabout–it’scrucialthisdoesn’tlook’rehearsed’.Wewantyoutolookgenuinelysurprisedif–aswehope–wegetsignificantnewevidencealongtheway.Andofcoursethisisverymuchanactiveinvestigation–wemayendupsomewhereverydifferentevenfromwhatwecurrentlyenvisage.
We’vehadtotweakafewlogisticalthingsfornextweeksoI’veattachedanupdatedschedule.Anyquestions,justpingmeorTarekanemail/WhatsApp.
SeeyouMonday.
Nick
TextmessagesbetweenAmelieandMauraHoward,1stApril2023,9.56p.m.
Ishereallygoingthroughwiththis?
Lookslikeit.Look,Iknowhowyoufeelbutit’sabigdealforhim
Hemaynevergetachanceasbigasthisagain
Sohesays
Youdon’thavetodoitAm.InfactIreallydon’tthinkyoushould
Idon’tthink*any*ofusshoulddoit
MumwouldHATEit
Yeahwellshe’snotexactlygoingtonoticeisshe
That’snotthepointandyouknowit
Guy’sgoingtodoitwhateversothere’snopointustwoarguing
OK.JustkeepmepostedOK?
Iftheyfindanything?
Howlikelyisthat?
Youneverknowwiththosefuckers
Crashinginaboutinotherpeople’slivesnotcaringhowmuchdamagetheydo
LookI’vegotitOK?Trustme–Iwon’tletanythingbadhappen
Promise?
Promisex
VoicemailleftforPeterLascelles,2ndApril2023,10.03a.m.
EpisodeOne
Filming
TITLESEQUENCE:ARTHOUSE-STYLEB/WMONTAGEOFIMAGESANDSHORTCLIPS:CRIMESCENE,CONTEMPORARYNEWSCOVERAGE,FAMILYPHOTOS
THEMESONG–‘IT’SALRIGHT,MA(I’MONLYBLEEDING)’[BOBDYLAN]FROMTHESOUNDTRACKTO‘EASYRIDER’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–Narrator(female)
OntheeveningofFridayOctober3,2003,policewerecalledtoanaffluentaddressinWestLondon.
Thecallerwasachild,whowasinsomuchdistressthefirstrespondersweren’tsurewhattoexpect.
Anaccident?Domesticviolence?Maybeaburglary?
Whattheyfoundwasabody.
Inthegarden,atthebottomofaflightofsteps,thefaceandheadbrutallybeaten.
Therewasno-oneelseinthehouse.Justtwotraumatisedteenagegirlsandtheirlittlebrother,asleepupstairs.
FADEOUT
CUTTO:GuyinsittingroomatDorneyPlace.Frenchwindows,slightlyold-fashionedfurniture,viewofgardenbeyond.Guyisslightlybuilt,witharrestinglight-blueeyesandlongishdark-blondhair.Hehasasingleearring,asilverwristchain,andaheavyaviator-stylewatchwithachromestrap.He’swearingawhiteshirtandjeans.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Andyouwerethatlittleboy.
GUYHOWARD
YesIwas.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Andthegirlswereyoursisters?
GUYHOWARD
(nods)
Maurawas15,Ameliewas13,andIwas10.ItwasMaurawhocalled999.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Shefoundthebody?
GUYHOWARD
Yes.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Andwhowasit?
GUYHOWARD
LukeRyder.Mystepfather.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofcontemporarynewspaperheadlinesundervoxpops/newsbroadcasts/clipsasfollows:
NEWSITEM1
Morethantwoweeksafterthebodyof26-year-oldLukeRyderwasfoundsavagelybeateninthegardenofhiswife’shouseinCampdenHill,theMetropolitanPoliceseemnoclosertofindingoutwhodidit.MrsRyderwasatapartythatnight,andtheonlyotherpersoninthehousewasher10-year-oldson.Itwasonlywhenherdaughtersreturnedfromthecinemaataroundtenthirtythatthehorrificdiscoverywasmade.
VOICE1(womanonstreet)
It’sbeenabsolutelyghastly.Ghastly.Ihavefriendswhoarestillafraidtogooutontheirown,nevermindatnight.Acrimelikethat–itjustdoesn’thappenroundhere.
VOICE2(manonphone-in)
Ofcourseitwasthewife–whoelsecouldithavebeen?Whoelseevenhadamotive?Andasforgettingintothathousewithoutanyonenoticing,nochance.Ifyouaskme,hewasplayingawayandshecaught’imatit.Wouldn’tbethefirsttime,nowwouldit.
NEWSITEM2
Asifabrutalandapparentlysenselesskillingweren’tenough,theMetropolitanPolicearenowcomingunderfirefromcampaignerswhosaythatCarolineRyderisbeingunfairlytargetedbecauseshe’sanolderwomaninarelationshipwithamuchyoungerman.
DetectiveInspectorPeterLascelles,whoisleadingtheinvestigation,saidyesterdaythat‘wheneveramurdertakesplaceinadomesticcontextourfirstpriorityisalwaystoquestionthoseclosesttothevictimandeliminatethemfromourenquiries,andthatiswhatwearedoingnow’.
VOICE3(friendofCaroline)
I’veknownCarolineRyderfortenyearsandshewouldneverdosomethinglikethis.Shejustdoesn’thaveitinher.AnddespitewhatthepapersareinsinuatingsheandLukewereveryhappy.Iknow,becauseIsawthemtogetheronlyafewdaysbeforehediedandtherewasabsolutelynotensionatall.
AndasfortheideathatshewouldkillLukeandleaveherownchildrentofindthebody,well,anyonewhoknewherwouldtellyouit’sjustinconceivable.Absolutelyinconceivable.
NEWSITEM3
It’scometobeknownasthe‘CougarKilling’though,andmorethanadecadeon,thereisstillnoevidencetosuggestthatCarolineRydermurderedhermuchyoungerhusband,andshehascertainlyneverbeencharged.Nor,indeed,hasanyoneelse.
CUTTO:Interiorasbefore,Guy.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Sonowits2023andit’sbeennearlytwentyyearssinceallthishappened.Whyareyourevisitingitnow?
GUYHOWARD
BecauseIwanttoknowthetruth.Becausethat’swhatIdo,asafilm-maker.
Andbecausemyfamilyhaslivedwiththisthinghangingoverourheadsforalmosttwodecadesanduntilsomeonefindsoutwhodiditandputshimawaynoneofuswilleverhaveanypeace.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Ibelieveyourmotherisalsounwell?
GUYHOWARD
(nods)
She’sbeendiagnosedwithearlyonsetdementia.She’sonly60.Thiscase–Luke’smurder–it’sdestroyedthewholefamily,butmymothermostofall.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Sothisfilm–youwanttovindicateher?Isthatwhyyou’redoingit?
GUYHOWARD
Iwanttofindthetruth.
(pause)
Whateverthattruthturnsouttobe.
MONTAGE:shotsoftheCampdenHillarea.Four-storeybrickandstuccofrontageswithrailingsalongthepavement,tallwindowswithwrought-ironbalconies,trees,wisteria.Expensivecarsparkedinthestreet,motherspushingbuggies,dogs.
VOICEOVER–narrator
Andthesearchforthetruthstartshere.
It’sprobablythemostexpensivepartofLondonyou’veneverheardof.Thisisn’tMayfair,orBelgravia,orSouthKensington.Itisn’tevenChelsea.It’sCampdenHill,LondonW8.Thesmash-hit’90sfilmstarringHughGrantandJuliaRobertscatapultedneighbouringNottingHilltointernationalfame,butCampdenHillanditselegant,leafysurroundingsstillremainedlargelyanonymous,muchtothereliefofitssuper-richandsuper-privateresidents.
Thesedays,$10millionwillbarelybuyyouanapartmentinW8,andoneoftheseVictorianvillascouldeasilyhitdoublethat.Butthishouse–thishouseisinaleagueofitsown.
CuttodroneFOOTAGEoverDorneyPlaceshowingthesizeoftheplotandextentofthegarden.
WhenDorneyPlacewasbuilt,waybackinthe1760s,thisareawasn’tevenpartofLondon.Infact,itwasbarelyevenpartofavillage.TherewasanoldJacobeanmansion,CampdenHouse,whichgaveitsnametotheareabeforegoingupinsmokein1862,andascatterofsmallerbuildingsaroundit,butthatwasaboutit.
VoiceovercontinuesoverIMAGEofoldCampdenHouse,followedbycamerapanningover1810mapofLondonshowingKensingtonandKnightsbridgeasvillages.
IfyouwalkedupCampdenHillbackthenyou’dbesurroundedbygreenfields,andthechimneysandsteeplesof‘London’wouldbejustadistantblur.
IMAGEofDorneyPlaceintheearly1900s.
DorneyPlacedidn’tstartoutwiththatname;itdidn’tevenstartoutasonehouse.
Sometimeinthemid1850stwoadjoiningcottageswereknockedtogetherintoonemuchlargerhouse,andthenewownerstarted‘developing’it,addingnewwings,anorangeryandastableblock,andbytheendofthecenturyithadbecomeaverydesirablegentleman’sresidence.
MONTAGE:SequenceofVictorian-eraphotographsofthehouse:peopleinsummerclotheshavingtea,playingtennis;exteriorshotsoffrontelevation,courtyard,variousinteriorshotsincludingdrawing-room,entrancehall,morningroom
AndallthisatatimewhenastheLondonweknownow–theLondonofrailwaystationsandshoppingstreets–wasjuststartingtoemerge.
By1900,thegreenfieldsaroundDorneyPlacehadlongsincedisappeared.Roadshadreplacedthelanes,andshinynewterraceshadsurroundedthegardenonallsides.Somuchso,thatyoucouldn’tevenseethehousefromthestreet.
Andthesameisstilltruetoday.
CameratracksupthestreettotheDorneyPlaceentrancethenzoomsin.NBNosecuritycameraisvisible.
There’sthisdiscreetgatewayontoLarbertRoad,butevenwhenthegatesareopenyoucan’tseemorethanafewyardsdownthedrive.There’snoname,justthenumber2,andanentrykeypad.Ifyoudidn’tknowthehousewasthere,you’dalmostcertainlymissit.
Withsomuchhousingspringinguparounditinthelate1800s,it’ssomesortofmiraclethatDorneyPlacesurvivedatall.Evenbackthen,developerswouldhavebeenknockingthedoordown–alwaysassumingtheycouldfindit–andyoucanimaginewhatasitethissizewouldbeworthtoday.Butsurviveitdid,andbytheFirstWorldWarownershiphadpassedtotheHowardfamily.
CamerapansroundtoGuy,standingbytheentrance.
GUYHOWARD
Myfamily.
CuttoMONTAGEofhomevideosshowingGuyasachild:onaswing,withapuppy,playingwithotherchildreninapaddlingpool.Variousadultsarevisibleinthebackground,includingCarolineandAndrewHoward.
VOICEOVER–GUYHOWARD
IwasborninDorneyPlace.Soweremyoldersisters.Itwasafabulousplacetogrowup.Thehousewasabitofarabbitwarreninside,atleastupstairs–loadsofstaircasesandpassagewaysandatticsandoddcornerswherethehousehadbeenextendedovertheyears.Forakidlikemeitseemedlikeanenchantedcastle–therewasevenabasementwepretendedwasadungeon,thoughitwasactuallyDad’swinecellar.
Inthesummer,whenthetreeswereout,youcouldn’tevenseeanyotherhouses,soitwaslikewehadasecretgardenwhereyoucouldalmostforgetyouwereinLondonatall.Thegroundsweresobigmysistersevenhadapony.OK,itwasjustoneofthoselittleShetlandthings,butitwasstillapony.InLondon.Alltheirfriendswouldcomeroundandtaketurnsridingit.Madethemsuper-popularatschool,Icantellyou.
IMAGESoftheHowards’sweddingwithtextbelow‘AndrewandCarolineHoward’,thenvariousfamilyportraitswiththechildrenasbabies,toddlers,inschooluniform,andasafamily.
Myparentsmarriedin1987,itwasDad’ssecondmarriage.Hewas39,Mumwas24.
CUTTO:Howardfamilytree
Maurawasbornayearorsoaftertheymarried,Ameliein1990,andmein1993.Wehadanolderhalf-brothertoo,thoughhewasatschoolmostofthetime.Eton.
Iremembermyparentsentertainingalot–therewerealwayspeopleinthehouseintheevenings.We’dgetsentupstairs.Thegirlsusedtosneakoutsometimestolook,butIjustfounditallcompletelyboring.
RECONSTRUCTION:Twosmallgirlslookingthroughbanistersatagroupofadultsdrinkinginalargehallbelow.‘Caroline’animatedandlaughingatoneendoftheroom,‘Andrew’reservedandsilentattheother.
Thefollowingdaytheplacewouldstinkofsmoke,there’dbeastackofemptybottlesbythebins,andMumwould‘haveaheadache’.Idon’tknowifsheactuallyenjoyedallthathostessing–mostofthepeoplewhocameweren’twhatyou’dcall‘friends’.Theydidn’treallyhaveanyfriends,atleastnotanyjointfriends.Dadwouldplaygolfwithmenwhonevergotinvitedin,andMumwouldgooutduringthedayandtellusshewasseeingher’ladieswholunched’.Weneversawthematthehouseeither.
ThepeoplewhocameforthedinnerpartieswerebusinesscontactsofDad’s.Bankers,lawyers,financepeople.Hewas‘somethingintheCity’.Atleastthat’swhatMumusedtosaywheneveritcameup.Ihadnoideawhatthatmeant,ofcourse–itwasyearsbeforeIdiscoveredwhathewasreallydoing.AllIknew,asachild,wasthathewashardlyeverhome,exceptonweekends,andnotalwaysthen.
Butwhenhewasaroundhewasalwayspreparedtomaketimeforus.ThoughIobviouslydidn’tthinkaboutitinthosetermsthen.Ijustrememberhimplayingwithme.
CLIPofGuyplayingcricketwithhisfatherintheDorneyPlacegarden.GuybowlstohisfatherandAndrewdeliberatelyskiestheballsoGuycaneasilycatchit.GuyrunsaroundcheeringandAndrewsweepshimupandgiveshimahug.Carolineandthegirlsarewatching,thegirlsonarugandCarolineinagardenchair.Carolineiswearingalargehatthatshadesherfaceandhasaglassinherhand.Shelooksdistracted.
That’sthesummerof1999.TheMillenniumDomehadjustbeenopened,BillClinton’simpeachmenttrialhadfailed,andtherewasawarinKosovo.Butthat’snothowIknowitwas1999.It’sbecausewedidn’thaveanothersummer.Notasafamily.BythatChristmasDadwasdead.
RECONSTRUCTION:B/wFOOTAGEofsmallboysittingonasofaasadultsswirlabouthim.PoVissuchthatonlythebottomhalfoftheadultsisvisible.Lowlightingsothefigurescastlongshadows
Itwaslikeanasteroidhit–completelyoutoftheblue.YearslaterMumtoldmehe’dbeenillforawhilebutnoonehadeversaidanythingtousatthetime.Itactuallyhappenedwhenhe’dtakenmetoHollandParkoneweekend,justthetwoofus.Hehadamassiveheartattackandthatwasit.Atleastthat’swhattheytoldmelater–tobehonest,Idon’trememberanythingaboutit.ImeanImusthaveseenit,butIhavenomemoryofit.ButIdoremembereveryonekeptaskingmeifIwasOK.
Anyway,afterhediedthehousefilledupwithpeople–hissisterandherkidswhowehardlyeversaw.Meninsuitswe’dneverseenatall.AndRupert.Ourhalf-brother.That’sthefirstrealmemoryIhaveofhim.
CUTTO:MauraHoward,sittingroomatDorneyPlace.She’s35now,slender,well-groomedinashabbychicsortofway.She’swearingapaleturquoiseshirt,longsilverearringsandamatchingpendant.Shehastheconfidentmannerofherclassbutseemsfragileallthesame;therearedarkcirclesunderhereyesandshefidgetswithhernecklaceas
MAURAHOWARD
Rupertwouldhavebeen19then.Stillatschool,technically,butonlybecausehewas‘doingOxbridge’—
GUYHOWARD–off
ForourAmericanviewers,that’ssittingtheentranceexamsforOxfordandCambridge,sostayingonanextraterm.
MAURAHOWARD
Right.Anyway,hewasstillwayoutofourleagueandpatronizingthearseoffus,fornootherreasonthanbecausehecould.NotthatIrealizedthatatthetime.Ijustthoughthewas‘sophisticated’.Mumonlyeverusedthatwordaboutpeoplesheapprovedof.
(laughs)
Butmaybeitwasjustthetie.
IdorememberenvyingRup–thathewasgoingtouniversityandnothavingtoliveathomeandgettoldwhattodoallthetime.He’dpassedthatmagiclinethatseparateskidsfromgrown-ups.
(takesabreath)
Andofcoursehewasapall-bearer.ForDad.Sonandheir,andallthat.
(looksdirectlyatGuythenturnsaway)
CUTTO:Guy,sameroom,differentangle
GUYHOWARD
Noonereallyexplainedtousaboutthefuneral.IremembertherewasahugerowthedaybeforebetweenMumandDad’ssister,Alice.IfoundoutlaterthatAlicedidn’tthinkweshouldgo.Thatweweretooyoung.Andlookingback,shewasright.
Thegirlswere11and9,butIwasonly6.Oldenoughtoknowsomethingreallybadhadhappenedbutwaytooyoungtoprocessitproperly.Allthosepeopleinblack,thatweirdcartheytookhimawayin,theholeintheground.Itwaslikeoneofmykids’bookscometolife.TheHobbitorsomething.Butnotinagoodway.
Idon’trememberRuperttalkingtomemuch.Ididn’texpecthimto–Imighthavebeenmiserableandlostandconfused,butIwasjustakid.Ididn’tmatter.Whywouldhebotherwithme?
ItwasonlyyearslaterthatIrealizedheknewexactlywhatIwasgoingthrough,becauseithadhappenedtohim.Hewasthesameageasmewhenhismotherdied.Andthathappenedoutoftheblue,too,justlikeDad.Andyethenevertalkedtomeaboutit.Iwashisbrother,butheneversatmedownandaskedifIwasOK,neverevengavemeahug.
(looksdown)
CUTTO:Maura.
MAURAHOWARD
Thingswenttoshitabitafterthat.Thehouseemptiedoutuntiltherewasonlyus.UsandMum.She’dhave‘meetings’withsomeofthesuits,andshestillwentouttoherlunches.Buttherewerenomoreparties.
Shesmokedalot,hadmoreofher‘headaches’.Thestafflookedafterus.Thehousekeeper–Ican’trememberhername,sheleftsoonafter–andthewomanwhocametocleananddothelaundry.Mumhateddoingthatsoshealwaysgotsomeonein.Beatriz,thatwashername.Welikedher.Iguessshespoiledusabit.EspeciallyGuy.
Andthen,ofcourse,therewasRup.OnewayoranotherwestartedseeingalotofRup.
CUTTO:MONTAGE:RupertHowardasachild–atDorneyPlace,withhisparents,atEton,asayoungmanatCambridge.
VOICEOVER–narrator
RupertHowardwasbornin1980,Andrew’sonlychildwithhisfirstwife,Amanda.Hewasbarely6whenhismotherdiedinacarcrash.Therewererumoursshe’dbeendrinking,buttheofficialverdictwasanaccidentcausedbyicyroads.
CarolinehadbeentheHowards’saupair,andtherewasquiteascandalwhenAndrewHowardmarriedherwithinweeksofhiswife’sdeath.
CUTTO:IMAGEofdiarypageoftheDailyMail.
VOICEOVER–narrator
Manypeople–perhapsunsurprisingly–concludedthatAndrewmusthavebeenhavinganaffairwithCarolinelongbeforeAmandadied,somethinghealwaysdenied.
Someevensuggestedthatthecaraccidentmaynothavebeenan‘accident’atall.Notthattheysaidsoinpublic,ofcourse.That’snothowthingsaredoneinLondonW8.
Whateverthetruthofit,thenewly-wedshadonlybeenmarriedafewmonthswhenrumoursbegantocirculatethatallwasnotwellatDorneyPlace.
CarolinetoldfriendsthatRupertwas‘actingout’and‘sullen’,andwhileAndrewseemstohavemadeeveryefforttosmooththingsover,Rupertstartedspendingmoreandmoretimewithhismother’ssideofthefamily,andwhenheturned13hewaspackedofftoEtonandonlymadeoccasionalvisitshomeintheholidays.
CUTTO:RupertHoward,inaCityoffice.He’swearingasuitandglasses,andabrightorangeandredMCCtie.Helooksverylikehisfather.
RUPERTHOWARD
Ifyou’reaskingmeifIlikedher,thenno,ofcourseIdidn’tlikeher.Ihatedher.IwasveryclosetomymotherandIresentedCaroline,asfiercelyandirrationallyasany6-year-oldinthatsituationwould.
Didshedeserveit?Probablynot.ButIneverwarmedtoher,andInevertrustedher.AndtheolderIgotthemoreconvincedIbecamethatIwasrightnotto.
CUTTO:GuywatchingFOOTAGEofRupert’slastcommentsonalaptop.Hesmilesdryly.
GUYHOWARD
Itdoesn’tsurprisemethathesaidthat.He’salwaysmadeitprettyobviouswhathethinks.
(shrugs)
IguessImightfeelthatwaytoo,ifIwasinhisposition.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Howarethingsbetweenyoutwo,thesedays?
GUYHOWARD
Wedon’tseeeachothermuch.HewantstostandforParliamentatthenextelectionsohespendsallhistimeoutinthewildsofShropshireschmoozingthelocalTories.
Buttoansweryourquestion,wegeton.Weagreetodisagree.Mainlybyavoidingtheelephanttraps.
LikeanythingtodowiththeF-word.
FasinFamily.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Isthatwhyyoudecidednottointerviewhimoncamerayourself?Whyyouwantedsomeoneelsetodothat?
GUYHOWARD
(shiftsinhischair)
Thisfilmisaboutgettingtothetruth.Andthatmeanssomeaspectsofitarebetterdonebyotherpeople.Notme.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Butgivenwhatyousaidjustnowaboutthefamilybeinganelephanttrap,somepeoplemightbesurprisedthatRupertagreedtotakepartinthisatall.
GUYHOWARD
You’dhavetoaskhim.ButIsuspecthe’dtellyouhehasnothingtohide.
CUTTO:Rupert.
RUPERTHOWARD
(smilesandspreadshishands)
Me?Ihavenothingtohide.Nothingwhatsoever.Iwasn’teveninLondonthedayLukedied.Andbeforeyouask,Idon’tfeelguiltyaboutCaroline.
(pause)
Luke,though.That’sanothermatter.IdofeelguiltyaboutLuke.Youcouldsaythewholethingwasallmyfault.
CUTTO:CrimescenePHOTO,thefaceblurredout.Thebodyissprawledonitsbackonaflightofsteps;therearecracksinsomeoftheslabs,andaspadeandseveralotherworkman’stoolsvisibleatthetopleft.It’sobviouslybeenrainingbutthere’sstillalargebloodstainaroundthehead.
NARRATOR
LukeRyderhadbeenmarriedtoCarolineHowardforjustoverayearwhenhedied.Hewas26,andanativeofKalgoorlie,WesternAustralia.Theonlypaidworkhe’deverdonethatweknowofwasasabarman,firstinSydneyandtheninGreece.
TheoddsofsomeonelikehimevencrossingpathswithCarolineHowardwerevanishinglysmall.Andyethedid,andtwoyearslaterhewasdead.
NoonehaseverbeenchargedwiththekillingofLukeRyder.Thecasethatgrippedthepublic,baffledthepolice,andchangedthelivesofhisthreeyoungstepchildrenforeverremainsunsolved.
Butwiththetwentiethanniversaryofthemurdernowapproaching,andwithsomanyrecentadvancesinDNAandforensics,perhapsit’stimetotakeanotherlook.
Perhapsit’stimetobringLukeRyder’skillertojustice,andgivetheHowardfamilysomeclosure.
CUTTO:Dining-roomatDorneyPlace.Theteamareseatedaroundthetable,alongwithNickandGuy.Nickisunshaven,withshoulder-lengthdarkhairgoinggrey.He’swearingabluecottonshirt,andhasvariousbeadedandplasticbraceletsonhisleftwrist.GuyisinablackT-shirt.
Therearepapersandphotosonthetable,glassesofwater,acafetièreofcoffee,laptops.There’salsoawhiteboardandpinboardproppedoneasels;thelatterhassomeoftheimageswe’vealreadyseen(exteriorofthehouse,entrancegate,familytree,etc).
CLOSE-UPascamerapansoverthepictures,finishingwithaseriesofshotsofthefamily.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(lookingroundatthoseseatedatthetable)
Andthat’swhereyouguyscomein.Ifwe’regoingtosolvethiscaseweneedanA-team,andthat’swhatwe’vegot–Idon’tthinkthere’sanyaspectofthecriminaljusticesystemwedon’thavecoveredroundthistable.
Therearesmiles,somemutedlaughter.
Andasyoucansee,we’rehereatDorneyPlace,wherethemurdertookplace.It’sthefirsttimeanyonebutthepoliceorthefamilyhashadaccesstothehouse,whichwillgiveusauniqueopportunitytowalkthesceneandmaybe–afterallthistime–workoutwhatactuallyhappenedthatnight.
(gesturingatthecafetière)
Thecoffee’sbetterthanatthestudio,too.
(Morelaughter.)
Andamazinglyenoughthisisactuallythefirsttimewe’veallmettogetherinthesameroom.Sowe’regoingtodothatcringe-makingthingeveryonedoesandgoroundthetableintroducingourselves.Perhapsyoucanstart,Alan?
InnextSEQUENCEcameramovestoeachteammemberastheyspeak,nameandtitleappearingonscreen.
FirstCLOSE-UPisonAlan.He’sinadarkjacketandtie,glassesandaslightlycreasedwhiteshirt;hehasshortsalt-and-pepperhairandathinface.Hetalksinaratherstaccatowayandseemsill-at-ease.
Ashespeakstherearevideo-onlyCLIPSofnewsitemsfromsomeofhiscases,withAlanspeakingtocamera,beingquestionedbythepress,etc.
ALANCANNING
I’mAlanCanning,aretireddetectiveinspectorfromtheMetropolitanPolice,specializinginhomicide.Ihaveoverthirtyyears’experienceincriminalinvestigations,andIwasworkingattheMetwhenthiscaseoccurred,thoughIneverworkedonthatteam.
CameramovestoHugo.He’sinhisearlyfiftiesbutdoesn’tlookit.He’swearingasuitwithwidepinstripes,apinkshirtandaspottednavyandwhitetie.There’saredsilkmoiréliningvisibleinsidehissuitjacket.He’ssmooth,confident,perhapsalittlesuperior.
HUGOFRASER
I’mHugoFraserKC,whichforthoseoutsidetheUKstandsforKing’sCounsel.ItbasicallymeansI’maseniormemberoftheCriminalBarinEnglandandWales,andI’vebeenbothdefendingandprosecutingoffendersofallvarietiessince1997.
CameramovestoMitchell.He’sinhisforties,withashavenhead,glassesandashortbeardwhichisgoinggrey.He’sinadenimshirtwithapatternedsilkscarf.
MITCHELLCLARKE
MynameisMitchClarkeandI’majournalist.I’vecontributedarticlestothenationalandLondonpressfornearlytwentyyears.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Thoughthat’snotquitethewholestory,isit?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(picksupapenandstartsplayingwithit)
No.IwasalsothefirstreporteronthesceneonthenightoftheRydermurder.Infact,Iwasthereevenbeforethepolice.
GUYHOWARD
Andhowthatcametobethecaseissomethingwe’regoingtolookintoinalotmoredetailaswegetintotheinvestigation.
Laila?
CameramovestoLaila.She’sinherlatefortieswitholiveskin,impeccablebutunderstatedmake-up,andshortgreyhair;she’swearingagreensatinblouse,asilkscarfandaclutchofgoldbracelets.Sheclearlytakesalotofcareoverherappearance.
LAILAFURNESS
I’mLailaFurnessandI’maforensicpsychologist.I’veworkedalongsidetheMet,andatvariousUKprisonsincludingBroadmoor.Myspecialityisserialkillers.
GUYHOWARD
Tobeclear,there’sneverbeenanysuggestionthatLukewasthevictimofaserialkiller.
LAILAFURNESS
(nods)
You’reright,therehasn’t.Butasthepoliceofficersamonguswillknow,youhavetoassessallpotentialtheoriesofacrimebeforeyoufocusononesinglelineofenquiry.
BILLSERAFINI
I’dagreewiththat.
CAMERAMOVEStoBill.He’sabigman,ineveryrespect.Imposingphysically,andwithconsiderablepresence.Hehasagenialdemeanourbuthe’sclearlynotsomeoneyou’dwanttocross.Hissuitisalittletoosmallforhim.Hehasastars-and-stripespininhislapel.
BILLSERAFINI
MynameisBillSerafini,andI’maretiredNYPDdetective.
MONTAGEofoldphotosofBill.Inuniform,receivingamedal,inplainclotheswithabadge.
Murder,rape,arson,childabduction,gangcrime,younameit,I’veinvestigatedit.
(smiles)
Notpersonallyofcourse.Ihadthirty-plusyearsontheforceandnowIworkasaprivateeye.Privateinvestigator,asyouBritishfolkswouldsay.Anythingelseyouwanttoknow,feelfreetoask.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Thankyou,Bill.Andfinally,JJ.
CAMERAMOVEStoJJNorton.He’sinhisforties,withshortdarkhairandglasses;he’swearingablackshirtwithornatesilvertipsonthecollarpoints.There’satattooontheinsideofhisleftforearm.Itlookslikeabarcodebutit’sactuallyhisDNAprofile.Hehasastainlesssteelwaterbottleinfrontofhim.
JJNORTON
I’mJJNorton.Andno,I’mnotgoingtotellyouwhatJJstandsfor.Asfortheboringstuff,IdigaboutatcrimescenesforSouthWalesPolice,whichI’vebeendoingforthelastfiveyears.Beforethat,basicallymoreofthesame.
GUYHOWARD
(addressingtheteam)
Youallknowwhythiscaseissoimportanttome,butthisisthepointwhereitstopsbeing‘my’caseandstartsbeingyours.
I’mmakingthisfilm,butI’mnot‘directing’it.Wherethisstorygoesnextisdowntoyou,andwhereyourinvestigationstakeyou.Whateverplacethatprovestobe.
Fromnowon,theonlytimeI’llbeinfrontofthatcamera—
(points)
—isasawitness.Orifthere’ssomeother,verygoodreason.AndthesamegoesforNick,too.It’syourgignow.
CAMERAPANSroundtheteam,andbythetimeitpansoutagainGuyandNickhavegone.
BILLSERAFINI
(looksroundthetable)
So–arewegoingtogetstarted?
Peopleshiftintheirchairs,reachfortheirpapers.Thereareoneortwoglancesbetweenthem.EvidentlyBillhasmadeanassumptionofauthority.
Inmyexperience,it’salwaysbesttostartacoldcasereviewwithasummaryofthefacts—
ALANCANNING
I’mhappytodothat—
BILLSERAFINI
(interrupting)
Withrespect,Alan,Ithinkatthisstageweneedafreshpairofeyes.Yourinputisgoingtobeinvaluable,clearly,givenyourknowledgeofMetprocedures,butrightnowweneedacleanslate.Nopreconceptions.
So,howaboutyou,JJ?Thiscasehingesontheforensics,afterall.
JJNORTON
(wryly)
Don’ttheyalways.Buthappytooblige
(pullshispaperstowardshim)
OK,sowhatdoweknow?
WeknowthatLukeRyderwasmarriedtoCarolineHoward.Thattheyhadn’tknowneachotherverylong,andthemarriagehadbeen,shallwesay,‘controversial’,notleastinherownfamily.
WeknowthatLukewasaloneinthehousethenighthedied,babysittingGuy.CarolinewasatapartyandthetwogirlswereatthecinemainNottingHillGate.
Weknowthatitwasrainingheavilybythetimethepolicegotthere,buttherewerestillsomedrypatchesofpavingunderthebody,suggestingtherainstartedafterhefell.
ContinuestospeakoverRECONSTRUCTION.B/w,videoonly.It’sdarkasthecamerapansthegardenuptothehouse.Nowindowsarelitupstairs,onlyoneortwodownstairs.Itstartstorain,thedropletscatchingthelight.
CUTTO:Team.Thereisnowatimelineonthepinboard.
Timeline–03/10/03
PM8.15Carolinedropsoffgirlsatcinema9.05Carolineleavesforparty10.20approxStartstorain10.30Girlsarrivehome,gointokitchen10.45Maurafindsbodyingarden10.47999call10.52Mauraattemptstocallhermother10.56Policeandambulanceattend
JJNORTON
Weknowthatthecalltotheemergencyserviceswasmadeat10.47,byMauraHoward,andfirstrespondersattendedat10.56.
Weknow,fromMetOfficerecords,thatitbegantorainatapproximately10.20thatnight,andthepathologistestimatedthatLukeRyderhadbeendeadforaroundanhourbythetimetheparamedicsarrived,givingawindowfortimeofdeathatbetweenroughly9.20and10.20
Weknowthathehadaninjurytothebackofhisheadthatcouldhavebeentheresultofafall.Buttheactualcauseofdeathwasextensiveblunt-forcetraumatohisfaceandthefrontofhisskull,andthatwasdefinitelynottheresultofafall.
Asidefromthat,weknowtherewerenosignsofabreak-in,andthatthemainentrancetothepropertyhadanentrykeypad,whichmeantthegatewouldonlyopenifthevisitorknewthecode,orifsomeoneinsidethehouseletthemin.Therewerenosecuritycamerasonthestreetoutside,however,sowedon’tknowwhocameorwentthatevening.
Sowhatwe’releftwith,asIseeit,andwithduedeferencetothelawenforcementprofessionalsatthistable,isawholelotofquestions.
CAMERAPANSoutashegetsupandgoesovertothewhiteboardandpicksupthepen.Theboardrocksslightlyashewrites.
Startingwithjustthemostobvious:
One:Means.Thepoliceneverconclusivelyidentifiedthemurderweapon.Didthekillerbringitwiththem,orwasitjustsomethingseizedinthegardenintheheatofthemoment?
Two:Opportunity.Whocouldhavegotintothegardenthatnight?WasitsomeoneRyderknew–someoneheletin?Orsomeonewhoalreadyknewtheentrycode?
It’sworthnotingthattherewasnomudinsidethehouseandgiventheweatherthepreviousfewdaysandthestateofthedrive,anyonecominginfromoutsidewouldhavehadverymuddyshoes.Whichmakesitveryunlikelythatthekillerwentintothehouse.Butforsomereasonwecanonlyguessat,Lukewentoutside,despitethecoldweather.Andthat’swherehedied.
AndfinallythefactorIpersonallythinkisthemostsignificant—
Three:Motive.WhohadareasontokillLukeRyder,andwhy?
LAILAFURNESS
Iagree.Motiveiskey.ButwhatI’mmissinginallthepaperswe’vehadonthecaseisanyrealsenseofwhoLukeRyderactuallywas.Ithinkweneedamuchclearerpictureofthevictimbeforewecanevenstartassessingwhomighthavewantedtoharmhim.
BILLSERAFINI
(lookingroundtheroom)
Well,Ithinkwecanallagreeonthat.
SwitchtoNARRATIVEmode.
MONTAGEoflibraryFOOTAGEofAustraliainthemid’70s,theopeningoftheSydneyOperaHouse,peopleonbeachesetc.
VOICEOVER–narrator
LukeRyderwasborninKalgoorlie,WesternAustralia,inJune1977.HisparentswereBrianandMaureenRyder,whoemigratedtoAustraliafromthesouthofEnglandintheearly1970s–bynomeansthefirstBritstogolookingforsun,sea,andanewlifeDownUnder,thenornow.
ButwhereasmostsuchfamiliesendupsettlinginthebigcoastalcitiesofSydney,Melbourne,AdelaideandBrisbane,theRydersfoundthemselvesinasmalltowninthemiddleoftheAustralianoutback,aday’sdrivefromanywhere.
MAPofAustralia,slowzoomtoKalgoorlie
LibrarypicturesofthetownofKalgoorlieinthe’70s.Fadedcolour.Sparsedevelopment,old-fashionedcars,menwithlongsideburnsandmoustachesdrinkinginbars.
VOICEOVER–narrator
BrianRyder’sparentswereVictorandFlorenceRyder,whoweretheownersofathrivingfamilybusinessontheoutskirtsofGuildford.Butthereseemstohavebeenafalling-outbeforeBrianleftEngland,possiblyassociatedwithhismarriage.
BrianappearstohavecutalltieswithhisfamilyafterheleftEngland,andevenifhe’dwantedtostayintouch,long-distancetelephonecallswerehugelyexpensiveatthetime,socommunicationswouldhavebeenconfinedtotheoddletterthattookweekstoarrive.
Brianhadtrainedtobeaminingengineer,whichwouldaccountforthefamily’schoiceofthethrivingminingtownofKalgoorlieastheirnewhome.
Butthehoped-forfreshstartturnedtotragedy:whenLukewaseleven,MaureenRydersuccumbedtobreastcanceronlysixmonthsafterthediseasewasfirstdiagnosed.BrianRyderdiedfiveyearslaterfromcirrhosisoftheliver,probablybroughtonbyheavydrinking.Lukeseemstohavebeenparticularlyclosetohismother,andtheonlyphotofoundinhiswalletafterhediedwasthisimageofherwithLukewhenhewasalittleboy.
Black-and-whitePHOTOofLukeRyderasaboywithawomanoutsideaone-storeyhousewithnetcurtainsatthewindows,ahangingbasketofratherwitheredflowers,andamilkcaddyonthedoorstep.There’saconcretewatertowerinthebackground.
Thewomanhasshortwavyhair,apleatedskirtandapalecardigandrapedoverhershoulders.Herarmisaroundasmallboyinashort-sleevedwhiteshirtandshorttrousers.
VOICEOVER–narrator
At17,Lukewasleftallaloneintheworld,withnofamilynearby,andnoprospects:thedisruptiontohisschoolingbroughtonbyhismother’sillnesshadlefthimwithoutanyformalqualifications.Allhewasinterestedinwasmotorbikes,andwhenthefamilyhomewassoldafterhisfather’sdeath,hetookthemoney,boughtaDucati,andran.
StraighttoSydney.Itwas1994andthecitywasjustgettingintoitsstride.
LibraryFOOTAGEofSydneyatthetime.Bars,beaches,bikinis,andsurfing;lotsofsurfing.
SydneyandKalgoorliewerelikenightandday.Thecountry’slargestcitywasthefuncapitalofAustralia,bright,colourfulandbuzzing–ameltingpotofpeoplefromallovertheworldwho’dbroughttheirfood,music,andculturewiththem.Ithadalivelyandgrowingravescene,alaidbackeasy-goingapproachtolife,and–asLukesoondiscovered–someofthebestwavesintheworld.
Lukehadneversurfedbeforebuthedidn’tletthatstophim.Withinafewweekshewasspendingasmuchtimeashecouldonthebeach.
LibraryFOOTAGEofsurfers.
Itwasaboutthistimehepickedupthenickname‘Easy’.Givenhissurname,youmighthaveexpectedthatwouldhavehappenedalotsooner,butlifehadneverbeenexactly‘easy’forLukeinKalgoorlie.
Butnow,thingsweredifferent.Hehadajobatalocalbar,hewasfit,hewastanned,andhewasmeetingmoregirlsinasingleweekthanhe’ddonehiswholetimeinKalgoorlie.Lifewasgood;lifewas‘easy’.
Anditmighthavecarriedonthatway,ifhe’dstayed.
Buthedidn’t.
Afteracoupleofyearshewasonthemoveagain.FirsttoBali,thenCambodiaandtheLebanon,andafterthatGreece,wherehepickedupbarworkwhileisland-hoppingin1999.
Andthat’swherehemetRupertHoward.
CUTTO:Rupert,sameinterior/set-upasbefore.
RUPERTHOWARD
Itwasthesummeraftermy‘A’levels,andDadhadstumpedupsomecashformetogointerrailinginEuropeforacoupleofmonths.ItwasaThingbackthen.Cheapandcheerfulanditfeltlikeanadventureeventhoughyouwererarelyinanysortofrealdanger.Youmetalotofrandompeople,livedonbadcarbsandnevergotenoughsleep.Ihadmyfirstshag,myfirstjoint,andmyfirstpass-outdrunkhangover,soitwasprettymemorableallround.I’dtoldDadI’dgotoItalyandlookat‘Art’—
(makesairquotemarks)
–butsomehowthatneverhappenedandIfoundmyselfinGreece,inCephaloniatobeprecise.AtinyfishingvillagecalledAssos.AndthefirstbarIwalkinto,thereheis.Bigsmile,‘Hello,mate,fancyabeer?’andthatwasit.Friends.
Forlife.
(pause)
Asitturnedout.
MONTAGEofphotosfromthatsummer:RupertandLukeatthebar,onaboat,drinking,smoking,laughing.Therearegirlsineverypicture,butneverthesameonestwice.
IwentbacktoEtoninSeptembertositmyCambridgeentranceandLukestayedoninAssos.Idon’trememberhimsayingwhathisplanswere,butthingswerealwaysabitfluidwherehewasconcerned.Ididn’thearfromhimandIdidn’texpectto.Hewasn’ttheletter-writingtypeandyouhavetoremembertherewasnoFacebookbackthen.Infact,IdoubttherewasasinglepersoninAssoswhoevenhadaninternetconnection
ThenexttimeIsawhimwasinLondonthreemonthslater.NewYear’sDay.Thefirstdayofanewmillennium.That’snotadateyou’relikelytoforget.ThoughI’dhardlybeencelebrating–itwasonlyaweekortwobeforethatmyfatherhaddied.
IthinkifLukehadturnedupatanyothertimeI’dhavebeenprettycoolwithhim.Imean,we’veallhadholidayfriendships,haven’twe:theydon’ttendtotravelwell.Abitlikeretsina.
ButwhatwithDaddyingandtheweatherbeingcrap,andeveryoneelsehavingagreattimeexceptme,seeinghimwasjustareminderthatlifewasn’talwaysthatshitty.
WewentoutandgotpissedandIpaidbecausehedidn’thaveanymoney,andthenhekippedonthefloorbecausehedidn’thaveanymoney,andwhatstartedoutasjustacoupleofnightsturnedintoacoupleofweeks.Iwasn’tlivingatDorneyPlacebythen–I’dneverfeltthatcomfortablethere,tobehonest,anditwasevenworseafterDaddied.Hashtag‘awkward’asthekidswouldsaynow.
Anyway,afterIfoundoutI’dgotintoCambridgeafterall(which,frankly,wasasgobsmackingtomeasitwastomyteachers)Iwentofftravellingagain.Andthistime,Lukecamewithme.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
SowhendidhemeetCaroline?
RUPERTHOWARD
(shiftsinhisseat)
Thatwasn’ttillmyfirstChristmasvac.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
SothatwouldhavebeenDecember2000.
RUPERTHOWARD
Right.ShehadadrinksthingonChristmasEvesheinvitedmeto–Idoubtshereallywantedmetherebutshedidn’texactlyhaveachoice,notwhenallherfriendsweregoingtobethere.Appearances,don’tyouknow.
LukewasstayingwithmeinEarl’sCourtsohecamealongtoo.Iwassurprisedhewantedto,tobehonest–itreallywasn’thissortofthing,butthenagainhewasneveronetoturndownfreebooze.
Ithoughtwe’draidthebarandbeinandoutinanhour,butwhenIwentlookingforhimaroundnineishIfoundthetwooftheminthekitchen.HimandCaroline.Andno,beforeyouask,nothingwashappening,theywerejusttalking.
Imeanreallytalking.I’dneverseenhimlikethataroundgirlsbefore.
(laughs)
ThoughyoucouldhardlycallCarolinea‘girl’.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Hadheevershownanyinterestinwomenlikethatbefore?
RUPERTHOWARD
(raisinganeyebrow)
Bywhichyoumeanolderwomen,Ipresume?Andno,never.Tobefair,youdidn’ttendtoseewomenCaroline’sageinthesortofplaceswe’dhangout,andeventhoughthere’dbeenolderwomencustomersatthebarinAssoshe’dnevermademucheffortwiththem.Politebutperfunctory,ifyougetmydrift.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Sowhatmadethissodifferent?
RUPERTHOWARD
(spreadshishands)
Yourguessisasgoodasmine.WhenhefinallygotroundtotellingmethattheywereseeingeachotherIactuallylaughed.Ithoughthewaspullingmychain.
Imean,yes,shewasanattractivewoman.Forherage.Icouldevenhaveseenhimhavingaquickfuckjustbecauseitwasrightthereonaplate,but—
(hooksfingersintheairagain)
—a‘relationship’?Actualmarriage?Noway.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Howdoyouexplainitthen?
RUPERTHOWARD
(raiseshiseyebrows)
Searchme.Idon’tknow,maybehehadMummyissues?Afterall,hismotherhaddiedwhenhewasn’tmuchmorethanakid.
Maybeitreallywaslurve,butIdon’tbuyit.Ineverdid.Andofcourseeveryonethoughtitwasthemoney.Thathewasjustagold-digger.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Andyouagreed?
RUPERTHOWARD
(laughsdisdainfully)
Whatdoyouthink?
CUTTO:MONTAGEofimagesofLukeRyder’sweddingtoCarolineHoward.They’reartisticshots,mostlyblackandwhite,clearlydonebyatop-classphotographer.TheceremonyisintheDorneyPlacegarden,withchairssetinasemi-circlearoundaflower-coveredpergola.Carolinewearsasilkdressjustbelowthekneeandcarrieswhiteroses.Lukeisinapalesuitandopen-neckshirtwithawhiteroseinthebuttonhole.Hehasshortblondhairandhe’ssmilingineverypicture.Rupertisarathertight-lippedbestman,andCaroline’sdaughtersappearinseveralshots,wearingidenticalbridesmaids’dresses.Theirexpressionsarehardtoread.Guyonlyappearsinthebackgroundofoneshot,kickingatastoneurn,hisheadturnedaway.
NARRATOR
LukeRyderandCarolineHowardweremarriedinthegardenofherhouseinthesummerof2002,infrontofasmallgroupoffamilyandclosefriends.ThehoneymoonwasintheMaldives,andwhentheyreturnedthreeweekslatertherewasnothingtosuggestthatthenewcoupleweren’tasblissfullyhappyastheyappearedonthesurface.
Butthatdidn’tstopthegossip.
CUTTO:MadeleineDowning,sub-captioned‘FriendofCarolineHoward’.She’slatesixties,withwell-styledgreyhairandagreycashmeresweaterafewshadesdarker.She’ssittinginacountry-stylekitchenwitharackofcopperpansanddriedherbshangingoveracentralwoodentable;thereareginghamtableclothsdryingonaredAga,andasleepingblackLabrador.
MADELEINEDOWNING
Yes,peopledidtalk.Isupposeitwasinevitable.Iknowit’sbecomequitefashionablesince,butwomendatingmuchyoungermenwasn’tquitethethingbackthen.ThoughifyouaskmemostofthewomenwhobitchedaboutCarolinebehindherbackwerejustplainenvious:Lukewasverygood-looking,andreallyfit–inbothsensesoftheword.Allthatworkingouthedid.
Andhewasn’tatallfullofhimself,either–hewasverysweet,andveryattentive.Whowouldn’twantapartnerlikethat?Andasfortheagedifference,IjustkeptremindingpeoplewhatJoanCollinssaidwhenshewasaskedabouttheyoungguyshemarriedaboutthesametime–‘ifhedies,hedies’.
(laughs)
Andinhercasetheagegapwasthirtyyearsorsomething.WithCarolineitwasonlyfourteen.That’snotallthatmuch,notthesedays.AndinanycaseLukealwaysstruckmeasverymatureforhisage.Carolineusedtocallhiman‘oldsoul’.
GUYHOWARD–off
Therewasspeculationinthepressatthetimeofhismurderthathemighthavebeencheatingonher–thatinfidelitymighthavegivenheramotivetokillhim.Didyoueverseeanysuggestionofthat?
MADELEINEDOWNING
Absolutelynot.Shecertainlyneversaidanythingtome.
GUYHOWARD–off
Butshedidtalktoyouabouttheirrelationship?
MADELEINEDOWNING
Sometimes.Imean,theyhadtheoddrow,ofcoursetheydid.Allcouplesrow.Butshecertainlynevergavemeanyreasontobelievetherewasanythingseriouslywrong.
GUYHOWARD–off
Alotofpeoplethoughthewasagold-digger.Didyou?
MADELEINEDOWNING
(looksuncomfortable)
No,Ididn’t.Idon’tthinkmoneymatteredthatmuchtohim.Imean–lookatthewayhe’dbeenlivingthepreviousfewyears.Surfing,barwork–they’rehardlythecareerchoicesofsomeonewhoaspirestoafive-starlifestyle,nowarethey?
AndinanycaseCarolinewasn’tinterestedinswankyhotelsorexpensiverestaurants.Thatsortofthingwasn’timportanttoher.
CUTTO:AbigailParker,sub-captioned‘FriendofCarolineRyder’.She’sinadarksuit,glasses,andawhiteblouse.She’sevidentlyinherworkplace:adesk,filingcabinets,acomputer.
ABIGAILPARKER
Ithinkmoneywasincrediblyimportanttoher.Itwasallaboutstatus.Beingthe‘chatelaine’ofDorneyPlace.Evenifshedidonlyinherititbymarriage.Andquiteapartfromthat,anybuildingthatoldisalwaysneedingworkdoneonit–roof,plumbing,justgeneralmaintenance.Thathousepositivelyatecash.
GUYHOWARD–off
Butmyfatherleftherwell-off,didn’the?
ABIGAILPARKER
Well,yesandno.Imean,yes,comparedtomostpeople.Butshehadsignificantoutgoings,likeIsaid.Andtherewereschoolfeestoo.ThoughtherewasnoquestionofsendingyoutoEton;shesimplycouldn’taffordit.ThoughLukewasn’texactlyapauper.Hemighthavebeenlivinglikeabeachbumbuthehadabiginheritancecominghiswayfromhisgrandparents.
GUYHOWARD–off
Didhereally?Hadn’ttherebeenabigfalling-outyearsbefore?That’swhatLukeledpeopletobelieve.
ABIGAILPARKER
You’reright,therehad.ButLukereachedouttothemsoonafterhegotmarried.Itturnedouthisgrandfatherhaddiedafewyearsearlier,buthisgrandmotherwasstillaliveandverysprybyallaccounts.AndgivenLukewastheonlygrandchildhecouldreasonablyexpecttoinheritthelot.
Ithinkhekeptitquietthathe’dcontactedherbecausehedidn’twantpeopletothinkhe’dgoneuptherewithabeggingbowl.Scroungerisneveragoodlook.
GUYHOWARD–off
ButMumknew?
ABIGAILPARKER
Ofcoursesheknew.Shewastheonewhoencouragedhimtodoitinthefirstplace.
(laughs)
Infact,youcouldsaythatifanyonewasagold-diggerinthatmarriage,itwasCaroline,notLuke.
GUYHOWARD–off
Butthatcouldn’thavebeenamotiveformymothertokillhim,couldit?Ifhediedbeforehisgrandmotherthecashwouldn’tgotoMum.Shewouldn’tgetanything.Shehadavestedinterestinkeepinghimalive,atleastuntiltheoldladypeggedit.
ABIGAILPARKER
(suppressinganexpressionofdistaste)
Well,that’sonewayofputtingit.Butyes:theinheritancecouldn’thavebeenamotive.Andthatwasnodoubtwhatthepoliceconcluded,too.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofpicturesofLukeandCaroline:atthewedding,onhoneymoononthebeach,inthegardenatDorneyPlace,withGuyandhissisters.Noneofthechildrenissmiling.Camerazoomsoutandwerealizethesephotosarescatteredacrossthetableinfrontoftheteam.
BILLSERAFINI
So,Ithinkwecanallagreethepicture’smorecomplexthanwethought?
LAILAFURNESS
AndLukeisafarmorecomplexpersonality,too.Havinglosthismothersoyoungandhisfathersoonafter,Isuspecthewasstrugglingwithalotofunresolvedissuesaroundgriefandabandonment.Butonthesurfaceheappearstohavebeenremarkablycare-freeandeasy-going.
BILLSERAFINI
Aswellasremarkablygoodatfallingonhisfeet.Soundstomelikehehadatalentforreadingpeople.Workingoutwhotogravitateto.
HUGOFRASER
Whotouse,youmean.Whatyou’redescribingisaself-centredmanipulator,andaprettyblatantoneatthat.Andhewasallthemoreeffectiveatitforthebabyfaceandlookinglikehedidn’tcare.
ALANCANNING
Hecertainlyseemstohave‘managed’Rupertintofootingmostofhisbills.
JJNORTON
Somaybetherewereotherpeoplehe’dcomeacrosswhoweren’tsoaccommodating.Peoplewhothoughtthey’dbeen,inHugo’sword,‘used’?
ALANCANNING
Neverunderestimatethepowerofmoneyasamotiveformurder.Ifthirtyyears’experienceofpolicinghavetaughtmeanything,it’sthat.
Andofcourse,ifhewaskilledbysomeoneheknew–someonehe’dpissedoff–itwouldexplainhowtheygotaccesstoDorneyPlacethatnight.
HUGOFRASER
WhatmoredoweknowaboutRyder’sassociates?Presumablywe’donlybelookingatpeopleheencounteredinLondon.Thatcan’tbeaverybigcohort.
LAILAFURNESS
(siftingthroughhercopyofthecasefile)
There’sverylittleherethatIcansee.Threeorfourpeoplecameforwardinresponsetothepoliceappeal,allofwhomwerecleared.Thepolicedon’tseemtohaveunearthedanyoneelseofanysignificance.
HUGOFRASER
Well,ifyou’dbeenswindledbyamurdervictimyou’dhardlycomeforwardtotheboysinblue,now,wouldyou?You’dbeofferingyourselfupasasuspect.
BILLSERAFINI
Butit’ssomethingweneedtolookinto,forsure.Ayoungguyhisagemusthavehadmoreacquaintancesthanjustthislist–drinkingbuddiesifnothingelse.
Weneedtofindthosepeople.
JJNORTON
Idon’tdisagree,butinmyopinion,ourfirstpriorityshouldbetheforensicevidence.Talkingmyownbook,Iknow,butweneedtoknowmoreabouttheinjuries,whatthattellsusabouttheweapon,andwhatwemightbeabletodeducefromthatabouttheassailant.
Didheknowhiskiller,asseemslikelygivenwherethemurdertookplace?Andifhedid,wasitapremeditatedattackoramomentofimpulsiveviolence?Andeitherway,whatlaybehindit–anger,passion,jealousy,revenge,what?
Generalnodsandmurmursofagreementroundthetable.
BILLSERAFINI
OK,Isuggestwestartbyexpandingonthetimelineforthatday–whowasatDorneyPlaceandwhen,justtogetthatallstraightinourminds.Andthengetyoutotakeusthroughtheforensics,JJ–doesthatworkforyou?
JJNORTON
Soundsgood.
CAMERATRACKSBillashegetsupandpinsupamapandasecondsheetofpapernexttotheexistingtimeline.
BILLSERAFINI
OK,sothisiswhattheearlierpartofthatdaylookedlikeinDorneyPlace.
Timeline–03/10/03
AM8.35CarolineleavestodriveGuytoschool;girlsgoonfoot9.00Cleanerarrives(BeatrizAlves)9.15Carolinereturnstothehouse11.15CarolineleavesforlunchPM2.00Alvesleaves2.45Carolinereturnsfromlunch3.30Carolineleavestocollectdry-cleaning,pickupGuy4.15Girlsreturnfromschool4.45Girlsleaveforparty7.00Girlsleavepartyandreturnby7.15,havepizza
BILLSERAFINI
OctoberthirdwasaFriday,soallthreekidswereatschool.CarolinedroveGuytoHollandParkPrimary,whilethegirlswalkedtotheirownschool,whichwasthreeblocksawayinBicesterStreet—
ALANCANNING
It’spronounced‘Bister’.
BILLSERAFINI
Really?InevercangetmyheadroundthewayyoufolksmesswiththeEnglishlanguage.
(realizeswhathe’sjustsaidandsmiles)
Iguessthat’swhatyouBritscallirony,huh?
Anyway,theyallleftDorneyPlacearound8.35a.m.,leavingLukealoneinthehouse.
JJNORTON
Doweknowifanyonecameroundorcalledduringthattime?
BILLSERAFINI
Thecleaningwoman,BeatrizAlves,arrivedatjustgonenine,butshetoldthepoliceshedidn’tseeanyonecometothehousebetweenthenandwhensheleftattwo.
Shealsodidn’tnoticeanythingoutoftheordinaryinLuke’smanner–shesaidhewaspolitebutnotparticularlychatty,whichwasapparentlyparforthecourse.Hecertainlydidn’tseemupsetoragitated.Notaccordingtoher,atleast.
HUGOFRASER
Whichsuggeststomeheeitherwasn’texpectinganyonetocometothehousethatevening,orifhewas,hecertainlywasn’texpectingittoturnnasty.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.AndofcoursethepolicecheckedtheLUDsforthehouse—
LAILAFURNESS
Sorry–LUDs–what’sthat?
BILLSERAFINI
Apologies–it’sjustshorthandforphonerecords.IntheUS,atleast.Thoughjudgingbythelooksonyourfaces,evidentlynothere.
ALANCANNING
Sowhatcallsweremadetothehousethatday?
BILLSERAFINI
Two.
Picksupamarkerpenandaddshandwrittennotestothetimeline.
Onewasat9.46a.m.,andlastedoneminutetwentyseconds;thenumberwaslistedtoalocaldry-cleaningfirm,wholaterconfirmedthatthey’dcalledtosayCaroline’scleaningwasreadytocollect.Lukeansweredthephone,andagain,heapparentlyseemedperfectlynormal.
Thesecondcallwasat2.37p.m.,andlastedtwominutesthirty-threeseconds,andwasfromapayphone.ThepoliceestablishedthatthephoneinquestionwasontheKing’sCrossstationconcourse,butwereneverabletoidentifythecaller.
HUGOFRASER
That’stoolongforawrongnumber.
BILLSERAFINI
Iagree.
LAILAFURNESS
WasLukealoneinthehouseatthetime?
BILLSERAFINI
Goodquestion,holdthatthought.
Meanwhile,backtothetimeline:CarolinecomesbackfromdroppingoffGuyatschoolat9.15,thenisinthehouseuntil11.15,whenshegoesouttorunsomeerrandsandthengoforlunch.SheconfirmedthatLukewasinthehousethatwholetime,and,again,seemedperfectlynormal.NordidBeatrizAlvesnoticeanytensionbetweenthem,butsheprobablywasn’tinthesameroomverymuch,sinceshewascleaninganddoinglaundry.
(turnstothetimelineagain)
Carolinegetsbackfromlunchataround2.45;again,Lukeseemedfine,andcertainlydoesn’tmentionthemysterycallfromKing’sCrossstation.Shegoesoutagainat3.30,firsttocollectherdrycleaning,whichwasconfirmedbythepolice,andthenpickupGuyfromschool.
InthemeantimeMauraandAmeliegetbackhomearound4.15,andgetchangedbeforeheadingouttoapartythingatoneoftheirfriend’s.
LAILAFURNESS
(smiling)
‘Partything’?Icantellyoudon’thavekids.
BILLSERAFINI
(grinningback)
Isitthatobvious?Anyway,therewereadozenorsogirlsatthiswhatever-you-call-it,andMauraandAmeliewerethereuntilaround7.
CAMERATRACKSBillasheturnsandpinsupaseriesofPHOTOSnexttothetimeline;MauraandAmelieareshownwithseveralotherteenagegirlsinabedroom:fairy-lightsaroundamirror,adressing-tablestackedwithmake-upandnailvarnish,adreamcatcheronthewall,ascatterofbrightlycolouredcushionsjustvisibleonthebed.
Thegirlsaremakingfacesatthecamera,strikingposes,andtakingturnswearingapinkStetson,alime-greenfeatherboa,andvariouspairsofhigh-heeledshoeswhiletheyexperimentwithdifferentmake-upandhairstyles.They’reobviouslyhavingawhaleofatime.
ThegirlsgetbacktoDorneyPlacearound7.15,andhavepizzainthekitchenwithLukeandGuy.
HUGOFRASER
Whohavepresumablybeenathomethatwholetime.
BILLSERAFINI
Yeah,eitherinthegardenorwatchingTVinside.There’dbeenheavyrainthatmorningbutitwassunnyintheafternoon,andLukeplayedcricketinthegardenwithGuyforanhourorso.Atleastuntilitgotdark.
LAILAFURNESS
SoundslikeCarolinewantedthetwoofthemoutfromunderherfeet.Especiallyifshewasgoingoutthatevening.
BILLSERAFINI
Maybe.ApparentlyLukehadbeenintendingtogotothepartywithher,butchangedhismindatthelastminute.WeknowthatfromCaroline’sstatementtothepolice,anditwasalsoconfirmedbyBeatrizAlves,whowassupposedtobabysitbutgotacallfromCaroline’scellat8.30thatnighttellinghernottocomeafterall.
HUGOFRASER
Soit’spossibleLukechangedhismindaboutgoingoutasaresultofthatmysterycallfromKing’sCross?
BILLSERAFINI
Yup.
(gesturingatthetimelinefortheevening)
LikeIsaid,CarolinetookthegirlstothemoviesinNottingHillataround8.15,thencamebacktofindherhusbandinthesittingroomwatchingTV,atwhichpointhetellsherhe’snotgoingtothepartyafterall.
LAILAFURNESS
AndthatwasOKwithher?
BILLSERAFINI
(shrugs)
Evidently.Shegetschanged,comesdownjustafter9,atwhichpointhe’sstillwatchingTVandhavingabeer.Andthat’sthelasttimesheseesherhusbandalive—
JJNORTON
Accordingtoher.
BILLSERAFINI
(noddingmeaningfully)
Accordingtoher.
LAILAFURNESS
AndwhatdoesGuyrememberaboutthatevening?Imean,I’vereadthetranscriptoftheinterviewthepolicedidatthetimebutIjustwonderedifhe’srememberedanythingelsesince–givenhewastheonlyotherpersoninthehousewhenLukewaskilled.
BILLSERAFINI
(lookingpastthecamera)
Youwanttopickthatoneup,Guy?
CAMERATRACKSGuywhocomesroundintoshotandtakesaseat.Heleansforward,elbowsonhisthighs.
GUYHOWARD
Toansweryourquestion,Laila,no,Ihaven’trememberedanythingelse.IknowIplayedcricketwithLukeinthegardenthatafternoon.Hewasrubbish,incidentally,especiallyforanAussie,whichalwayspissedmeoffbecauseitmeantheneverwantedtoplayforverylong.
Andthenwehadthepizza.Itwasn’taschoolnightsoMum’dsaidIcouldstayupuntiltenbecausetherewassomethingIwantedtowatchonTV,butLukesentmetobedat9.30.
(givesawrysmile)
Ididn’tevengettoseetheendofmyprogramme.
HUGOFRASER
Didhesayifhewasexpectingsomeone?Isthatwhyhewantedyououtoftheway?
GUYHOWARD
No,andIdon’tknow,inthatorder.
JJNORTON
Didyouhearanythingafterthat?Thedoorbell?Voices?
GUYHOWARD
No,nothing.ThenextthingIrememberwasbeingwokenupbyMumandthehousebeingfullofpeople.
BILLSERAFINI
(checkingthefile)
Whichaccordingtothepolice,wouldhavebeenjustaftermidnight.
HUGOFRASER
(studyingthetwotimelines)
Sobasedonwhatwe’vejustheard,thetimeofdeathnarrowstobetween9.35,afterGuywentuptobed,and10.20,whenitstartedraining.
BILLSERAFINI
Exactly.
JJNORTON
Sowhathappenedwhenthegirlsgothome?
BILLSERAFINI
Whydon’tweaskthem?
CUTTO:MauraHoward,asbefore,inthesittingroomofDorneyPlace.
MAURAHOWARD
Wegotbackaround10.30.Thelightswereallonandnothingseemedweirdoranything.
GUYHOWARD–off
Themaingatewasshut?
MAURAHOWARD
Yes.
GUYHOWARD–off
Andthefrontdoorwasdefinitelylocked?
MAURAHOWARD
Ofcourseitwas–there’snowaywewouldn’thavenoticedthat.ButIhadakeysowedidn’tringthebell,justwentin.
GUYHOWARD–off
Again,therewasnosignofanythingbeingwrong?
MAURAHOWARD
No,notatall.WewenttothekitchentogetaCoke,andthenIheadedouttomyroom—
GUYHOWARD–off
Theoneabovetheoldstableblock–theoneMumhadwhenshestartedworkingforDad.
MAURAHOWARD
Right.
GUYHOWARD–off
Sowhathappenednext?
MAURAHOWARD
(takingadeepbreath)
Ifoundhim.Imean,Iknewsomethingwaswrong,assoonasIwentoutside.Icouldsee–it.
(swallowsandlooksaway)
Iknewitwasabody.Itwasrainingreallyhardanditwasn’teasytosee,butIstillknew.
GUYHOWARD–off
Whatdidyouthinkhadhappened?
MAURAHOWARD
I’mnotsureIwasthinkingmuch,rightthen.
(shrugs)
IguessifIwasthinkinganythingitwasthatsomeonehadfallenonthesteps.Mumwasalwaysgoingonabouthowtheyweredangerousandwhatwithitraining—
GUYHOWARD–off
Didyourecognizehim?DidyouknowitwasLuke?
MAURAHOWARD
(shakingherhead)
No.Nottostartwith.Itjustlookedlikeabloke.Ablokeinblack.Itwasn’ttillIgotcloserthatIrealizeditwashim.
GUYHOWARD–off
Youcouldtell,eveninthedarkandinthestatethebodywasin?
MAURAHOWARD
Itwasn’tthat—
Shestopsandlooksdown;she’svisiblydistressedandbreathinghard,tryingtocomposeherself.Afterafewmomentsshestartstospeakagain,butdoesn’tlookup.
Itwastheclothes.Irecognizedthejacket.Theblackdenimone.Ithadasilverlogothingonthecollar.ItwastheoneMumboughtforhim.
GUYHOWARD–off
Sowhathappenednext?
MAURAHOWARD
Iran.OratleastIwantedtobutmylegswereallnumbandIkeptslippinginthemud.AssoonasIgotinsideIcalledoutforAmelieandtoldhertocheckonyou.Iwasworriedsomethingmighthavehappenedtoyouaswell.
GUYHOWARD–off
Andthenyoucalled999?
MAURAHOWARD
(hesitatesthennods)
Right.Andshutthedoors.Incasewhoeveritwashadattackedhimwasstilloutside.
GUYHOWARD–off
YoucalledMumaswell?
MAURAHOWARD
Iranghermobilebutshedidn’tpickup.Andthenthepolicearrivedandeverythingwenttoshit.
For,like,forever
(looksaway)
CUTTO:Team.
LAILAFURNESS
Poorkid.Shewasonly15atthetime.That’snoagetohaveyourlifeturnedupsidedown.
HUGOFRASER
ThatmentionofCaroline’smobilestartedmethinking–IassumeLukemusthavehadonetoo.Werethereanyoddcallseithertoorfromeitherofthemthatday?
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghishead)
Nothingthepolicecouldn’taccountfor.
(looksroundtheroom)
So,anyotherquestionsatthisstage?No?InwhichcaseIthinkit’sovertoyou,JJ.
CAMERASWITCHEStoJJwhoopenshisfileandstartslayingoutPHOTOSfromthecrimesceneonthetable.Someofthepictureshavealreadybeenshown:close-upsaroundthebodyshowingbloodspill(theclothesareclearlyvisiblebutthefacialfeatureshavebeenblurredforcamera);newwider-angleviewsshowthebodyinrelationtothehouse.
JJNORTON
Soaswecansee,RyderwaswearingtheblackdenimjacketMaurajustreferredto.Alsojeans,aT-shirt,apairofblackloafers,andaBreitlingAvengerwatchthatCarolinehadgivenhimasaweddingpresent.
HUGOFRASER
(appreciatively)
Nicepiece.
JJNORTON
Andifitlooksfamiliarthat’sbecauseCarolinegaveexactlythesamemodeltoGuyasatwenty-firstbirthdaypresent.
Hetapshiskeyboardandabodymapappearsonthescreen.
JJNORTON
OK,sotorecap,thebodywasfoundatapproximately22.45,andatthatpointRyderhadbeendeadforaroundanhour.We’regoingtogooutsideshortlyandseeforourselves,butifyoulookatthisdiagramhere—
(turnstositeplan)
—youcangetasenseofthelieoftheland.
JJNORTON
There’satenniscourthere,apaddockhere,andthesebuildingsalongherearetheoldstableblock,whichtheHowardsconvertedintoaworkshopandstorage.That’swhereRyderkepthismotorbike.Theloftsabovehadbeenknockedtogetherintoaself-containedapartmentforCarolinewhenshefirststartedworkfortheHowardsastheiraupair,andaswe’vejustheard,bythetimeofthemurderMauraHowardhadmovedintothoserooms.
There’sactuallyquiteasteepslopeawayfromthehousetowardsthestableblockwhichyouobviouslycan’ttellfromthis,butthat’swhytherearethoseflightsofsteps–thegardenisbasicallylaidoutinterraces.
(putsdowntheplanandlooksround)
AsIsaidearlier,therewasnoevidencethattheassailantwaseverinsidethehouse,andthedoorswerealllockedwhenthegirlsgothome.Norwereanyidentifiablefootprintsfoundinthegarden–theweathersawtothat.
ALANCANNING
Andinanycase,itwasOctober,theweatherwasbadanditwasonly5°–anyonecomingtothehousecouldquiteeasilyhavebeenwearingglovesandamack,andthatwouldhaveallbuteliminatedanyDNAtransfer,evenwithouttherain.Andbeingdressedlikethatwouldn’thavearousedanysuspicioneither,notgiventheweather.
JJNORTON
SoeitherRyderrealizedtherewasanintruderinthegardenandwentoutsidetoinvestigate,whichseemsratherunlikely,orthepersonwassomeoneRyderknew—
MITCHELLCLARKE
LikethecrypticKing’sCrossman.Orwoman—
JJNORTON
—andforsomereasonLukedidn’twanttolettheminthehouseandelectedtotalktothemoutside,despitetheweather.
LAILAFURNESS
That’snotsoodd,though,isit?Theabsoluteearliesthecouldhavebeenkilledwasjustafterninethirty,andbythattimehemusthaveknownMauraandAmeliecouldbebackanyminute.Ifhewasmeetingsomeoneevenremotelysuspect,Icaneasilyseehimwantingtokeepthatfactfromthegirls.
BILLSERAFINI
(noddingmeaningfully)
Especiallyifhedidn’twantCarolinetofindout.Thegirlswouldn’tkeepanythingshadyfromher–especiallyiftheycoulduseittogetbackatLuke.
LAILAFURNESS
Exactly.
HUGOFRASER
Butontheotherhand,Lukekeptthemotorbikeintheworkshop,whichwouldhavebeenreasonenoughonitsownforhimtobeinthegarden,whetherhewasexpectingsomeoneornot.
JJNORTON
Intheory,yes,buthekeptthatworkshoppadlockedandwhentheyfoundhimhedidn’thavethekeyonhim–itwasstillinthehouse.Whichprettymucheliminatesanypossibilitythathewasambushedonhiswayouttoworkonthebike.
Andjustfortherecord,noneofthetoolsfromtheworkshopweremissing,andnoneboreanytraceofbloodorbiologicalmaterial.
LAILAFURNESS
Whichbringsustothepossibleweapon.
JJNORTON
Right.
Hestartstohandouttheautopsyimages;thedetailsareblurredtocamera.
Thesearen’tforthefaint-hearted,that’sforsure.Asyoucansee,there’saninjurytothebackoftheheadwhichwasdefinitelyseriousenoughtohaveknockedhimout,andalsosomeminorabrasionstothehandsconsistentwithafalldownstonesteps.Butthedamagetothefaceandthefrontoftheskullcouldnotpossiblyhavebeenaccidental.
BILLSERAFINI
(scanningtheimages)
Thiswassustainedanditwasbrutal.
JJNORTON
(goinguptothebodymapandpointing)
Therewereeightseparateanddistinctblowstotheface,whichwereunquestionablythecauseofdeath.Brainmatterwasclearlyvisibleatautopsy.
LAILAFURNESS
Classicoverkill.That’snotrandom.It’spersonal.Verypersonal.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AllthemoresoifLukewasalreadyoutcold–thatrulesoutanyelementofself-defence.Thekillermusthavereallywantedhimdead.
HUGOFRASER
Soiftheweaponwasn’toneofLuke’stools,whatdidthepolicethinkitwas?
JJNORTON
Theyweren’tabletoidentifyitconclusively.Eithersomethingsimilartoahammerthathebroughtwithhim,orsomethingrandomlikealumpofrockorbrokenpavingfromthegarden.
Andasyoucanseefromthephotos,therepairworkbeingdoneonthestepsmeanttherewasindeedquitealotofbrokenpavingtochoosefromatthetime.
MITCHELLCLARKE
It’squitetoughtowalkroundLondonwithahammerunderyourjacketwithoutanyonenoticing.Justsaying.
JJNORTON
Right.AndIthinkthat’swhythepolicetendedmoretowardstherocktheory.Butifthat’swhatitwas,therainputpaidtoanychanceofidentifyingit
BILLSERAFINI
(workingthroughthecrimescenephotos)
Whatyousaidabouttherepairs–Iassumeeverythingbeingusedforthatworkwastested?Shovelsandthelike?
JJNORTON
Absolutely.
HUGOFRASER
(lookingattheplan)
There’salargepondonlyafewyardsaway,whichtomymindhas‘disposalsite’writtenalloverit.Especiallyiftheweaponwasjustrandomgardendetritus.
JJNORTON
Right,andyes,thepondwasdrainedatthetime.Thebottomwaslinedwithchunksofrubbleandbrokenslabs,soanotherrandomchunkwouldhavebeennexttoimpossibletoidentify,evenatthebestoftimes.Butwithallthatwateritwasabsolutelyanon-starter,inevidentiaryterms.
LAILAFURNESS
Wasthereanydebrisinthewoundsorhairthatwouldtallywiththerocktheory?
JJNORTON
Goodquestion.Theanswerisyes,butnotenoughtobedefinitive.Giventhevictimwasoutsideandhadfallendownseveralstepstherewasalwaysgoingtobeadegreeofcontamination.
ALANCANNING
Thepointabouttherocktheory,surely,isthatawomancouldwieldsomethinglikethatjustaseasilyasaman.
BILLSERAFINI
(noddingmeaningfully)
AndCarolinewasonlytwentyminutes’walkaway.
LAILAFURNESS
Didthefriendsshewaswithsaywhethersheslippedoutatanypoint?
BILLSERAFINI
‘Notthattheynoticed’.
Butitwasdrinks,notdinner,sopeopleweren’tseated.Therewerealsoatleastthirtyorfortyguests,soitwouldn’tnecessarilyhavebeenobviousifshe’ddisappearedforashorttime.
LAILAFURNESS
Butbythetimeshegotbacktothepartyitwouldhavebeenpouringdown–she’dhavebeenprettywet.Nottomentioncoveredinblood.Surelysomeonewouldhavenoticedthat.
BILLSERAFINI
Whichispreciselywhatherlawyerssaidtothedetectivesonthecase.Butwe’regoingtotrytorundownsomeofthepeoplewhoweretherethatnight,toseeiftheymightbewillingtotalktous.
HUGOFRASER
(makingnotesonayellowlegalpad)
Soasatnow,ourlistofsuspectslookslikethis.
Caroline–themostobvious,giventhatmurdersofthisnatureareinvariablytheworkofanintimatepartner.Butshehadafairlydecentalibi,aswellasnoapparentmotive.None,atleast,thathasyetbeenuncovered.
Rupert–likewisehasnoobviousmotive,andalsoinsistshewasn’tinLondon,thoughIthinkwe’dbeadvisedtodouble-checkthat.
AndlastbutnotleastourmysteryKing’sCrosscaller,whowasneveridentified,farlessfound.
ButiftherereallywassomeoneouttherewhohadabigenoughgrudgetowanttokillRyder,we’regoingtohavetolookdamnhard,becausethepolicedon’tseemtohavefoundthem.
(looksroundthetable)
Imean,frankly,whoelseisthere?
(silence)
MITCHELLCLARKE
(lookingup)
Me.
FADEOUT
–endcredits–
Wrap-upemailfromNickVincent,6thApril2023,10.11a.m.
Date:Thu6/04/2023,10.11
From:NickVincent
To:GuyHoward,HugoFraser,AlanCanning,MitchClarke,LailaFurness,BillSerafini,JJNorton
CC:TarekOsman,FabioBarry,DryRiserproductionteam
Subject:Ep1wrap-upandnextsteps
JusttosaythanksagainformanagingtokeepthebigrevealaboutMitchunderyourhatsuntilthelastframe.Nothinglikeacliff-hangertokeep’emwatching.Butfromnowon,ifsomethingcomesupduringfilmingyoudidn’talreadyknowabout,justcomerightoutandsayso.Alladdstothedrama!
Wefilmagainonthe17th,andobviouslythemainfocusthistimewillbeonMitch,andhowhefoundhimselfintheframe.Inthemeantimewe’vesetupani/vforAlanandBillwithPeterLascelles,theoriginalleadinvestigator.He’slongretiredbutbyallaccountsstillsharp.Hewasintwomindsaboutdoingitwhenwelastspoke,butlookslikehe’sagreednow.HelivesinDevonnow,soitwillprobablyinvolveajauntdownsouth.
Asever,anyquestions,justgivemeashout.
Nick
Date:Fri7/04/2023,14.05Importance:High
From:TarekOsman
To:FabioBarry,Mel@MediumRare.com
Subject:VisualsforEp2
Asdiscussed,I’veattachedsomestillsMitchhasgivenusfromaround2003.AspredictedtheMetarerefusingtoreleasefootage/transcriptofanyofhispoliceinterviews,sowe’regoingwithplanBandfilmingreconstructions.
I’vealsotrackeddownsomemorenewsfootageoftheoriginalinvestigationthoughofcoursenoneofthatfeaturesMitch.
Best,
Tarek
TextmessagesbetweenAmelieandMauraHoward,7thApril2023,7.33p.m.
How’sitbeen?
LikeIexpected,Iguess.Weirdgoingbackinthehousetho
??You’vebeenthereformonths
Inmyownroom,yes.Notthehouse.It’slikeafuckingtimewarpinthere.Seriously
Yourroomisjustlikeitwasthedayyouleft.Guy’sisthesame
It’sfreakingmeout
Whatabouttheinterviews?
They’vebeenrehashingalotofthatstuffaboutMumandAmanda.Thecrash
What’sthatgottodowithanything?
Guysaysit’s‘context’
ButIguessitwasalwaysgoingtobepartofit.Andwhobloodycaresnowanyway,afterallthistime?
Easyforyoutosay
Look,IknowthatI’mdoingOK?It’llbefineIpromise
Idon’tthinkRup’sexactlycoveringhimselfinglorybtw
Coveringhisarsemorelike
Twat
Yup.Asper.SoyoujustchillOK?Everything’sundercontrolEpisodeOne
Broadcast
October3
TheTimes,4October2023
EpisodeTwo
Filming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–narrator(female)
October3,2003:LukeRyder’sbadlybeatenbodyisfoundbyhis15-year-oldstepdaughterinthegardenofhiswife’shome,inanupscaledistrictofwestLondon.
Therewasnooneelseinthehouse,nosignsofabreak-in,nothinghadbeenstolenandtherewasnoapparentmotiveforthebrutalattack.
Asfarasthepublicwereconcerned,thepoliceweremakinglittleprogress.
Whattheydidn’tknowwasthatamanhadbeentakeninforquestioningwithinhoursofthebodybeingfound.
Thatman’snamewasMitchellClarke.
FADEOUT
CUTTO:teamstandingoutsidethegateofDorneyPlace.TheweatheriscloudybutclearandobviouslycoldforApril,asthey’reallincoatsandscarves.
BILLSERAFINI
So,Mitch,theendofthelastepisodewasprobablyarealshockforourviewers.Whywasthisnevermadepublicatthetime,doyouknow?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,Iwasneveractuallyarrestedforthemurder,andIguessthepolicewerewaryofbeingseentotargetablackguy.Especiallyinthatpartoftown.Youhavetorememberthatin2003theMacphersoninquirywasstillprettyfreshinpeople’sminds.
BILLSERAFINI
(tocamera)
ForourUSviewers,thiswasaninvestigationintohowtheMetropolitanPolicehandledthemurderin1993ofayoungblackmancalledStephenLawrence.
Thefindingswerepublishedin1998,andaccusedtheMetofbeing‘institutionallyracist’.Thatwasprettyexplosiveatthetime,right?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Absolutely.
BILLSERAFINI
Sotalkusthroughwhathappenedtoyou–howdidyouendupinvolved?Youwerealreadyajournalist,right,eventhoughyouwereonlyinyourearlytwenties?
CUTTO:MONTAGEofstorieswithClarke’sby-line,interspersedwithimagesofhimaroundthetimeofthemurder.ImagescontinueunderMitch’snextspeech,thencutbacktoBill.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Iwas21in2003.AndIwasfreelance–Iwasn’tattachedtoaparticularpaperuntilalotlater.IwaslivinginLadbrokeGroveandthat’swheremostofmystorieswerecomingfrom.
BILLSERAFINI
LadbrokeGrove’srightnextdoortoCampdenHill,butineveryotherrespectit’sverydifferent,right?
HUGOFRASER
Aworldaway,andevenmoresobackthen.Aboutaspolesapartastwoplacescouldbethatarebarelyamilefromeachother.You’retalkingdrugs,violence,gunandknifecrime.Notaprettypicture.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(lookingathim)
Andalmostallofthatwas–andis–thedirectresultofdeprivation,poorhousing,evenpoorereducation,andyes–sorry,butIhavetosayit–endemicand‘institutional’racism.Thosestoriesneedtelling.
HUGOFRASER
(holdinguphishands;he’swearingdesignerleathergloves)
Hey,I’mnotdisagreeing.Lookatme.I’mhardlyyouraverageWASP.
BILLSERAFINI
SohowdidyoufindoutabouttheRydercase,Mitch?Doesn’tsoundlikeyourusualbeat.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Itwasn’t.ButlikemanylocaljournosIkeptawatchingbriefonpoliceradiotraffic—
CUTTO:LibraryFOOTAGEofpolicescanner;CLOSE-UPasusertunesin,pickingupsnatchesofpolicedialogue.
BILLSERAFINI
Youlistenedin,right?Togettheinsidetrackonwhatwasgoingdown?
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndIheardthemcallingacartothataddressandIjusthadahunch.Badshitjustdoesn’thappenroundhere.
(gesturesroundatthestreet)
Imean,lookatthisplace.
Anyway,Ihadnothingelseon,Iwascloseby,soIcameoveronspec.
BILLSERAFINI
Andwhatdidyoufindwhenyougothere?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,asyoucansee,thehouseisn’tevenvisiblefromtheroad–ittookmeaboutfiveminutesjusttofindthisbloodygate.Iparkedupoverthere,ontheothersideoftheroad,andwhenthesquadcararrivedandgotbuzzedin,Igotoutandfollowedthemupthedriveonfoot.
ALANCANNING
Which,of,coursewasunlawful—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Technically,yes.
ALANCANNING
Notjusttechnically.Actually.That’swhyyouendedup—
BILLSERAFINI
(interrupting)
Whoa,we’regettingaheadofourselves.Gobacktowhenyoufirstwentupthedrive.Thepolicedidn’trealizeyouwerefollowingthem?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Iguessnot.Itwasprettydark.Andpissingdown.Theirwindowshadprobablysteamedupasmuchasminehad.
BILLSERAFINI
Whathappenednext?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,whydon’tIshowyou?
CAMERAPANStoshowthegates.Theystarttoopen,andtheteamfollowBillandMitchupagraveldrivelinedwithtallhedges.Itbendstotheright,andafterafewmomentsthehousebecomesvisible.Eventhoughwe’veseennumerouspicturesofitbefore,it’sstillimpressive.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(stoppingandpointing)
Thecopsparkedupoverthere,ontheleft,thenwentuptothedoorandrangthebell.Iwaitedabouthere,wheretheycouldn’tseeme.Iknewtherewasnowayanyonewasgoingtoletmein,butIfiguredImightstillbeabletoseesomethingthroughthewindows—
BILLSERAFINI
Sothecurtainswereopen?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.Soaftertheywentin,Istartedoffroundtheback.
Theystartmovingagain,crossingthedrivetoapathroundtherightsideofthehouseandemergingontotheterraceattherear.Someonecanbeheardtosay‘wow’.Thegardensstretchawaybeforethem;theoldstableblockandthestepswhereLuke’sbodywasfoundareclearlyvisible.There’snosignoflife,however,apartfromtwopigeonssquabblingonthelawn.
LAILAFURNESS
Isthereanyonelivinghereatthemoment?
BILLSERAFINI
Carolinewas,untilherthirdhusbanddiedlastyear.She’slivinginSomersetnow.Mauramovedbackintoheroldroomacoupleofmonthsago,tokeepaneyeonthehouse.Butotherwise,no.There’snoonehere.
(heturnstoMitch)
Sobackto2003.Whathappenedwhenyougothere?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,itwasprettydark–theonlylightwasfromthewindowsanditwaspouringwithrain.ButIcoulddefinitelyseesomethingatthefootofthestepsoverthere.ButIcouldn’tseewhat,justadarkshadow.Likeapileofoldclothes.
BILLSERAFINI
WhichisprettymuchwhatMaurasaw,too.Let’stakeacloserlook,shallwe?
THECAMERAFOLLOWSastheywalkacrossthelawntothestonesteps.ThePoVislow,catchingthecrunchoftheirfeetastheyleaveatrailoffootprintsinthefrostygrass.
BILLSERAFINI
Youmusthaverealizedprettyquicklythatitwasn’tjustapileofoldclothes.
THECAMERAZOOMSinonwherethebodywasfound,thenmorphsslowlyintoaRECONSTRUCTIONofthenightofthemurder,withthebodylyinginthedarkandtherain,beforemorphingbackouttodaylightandthepresentday.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.Itwaslikesomethingoutofahorrormovie.Thestateofhisface,bloodeverywhere.Theraincomingdown.
BILLSERAFINI
Whathappenednext?
MITCHELLCLARKE
IthinkIjustlostitforaminute,tobehonest.NextthingIknewtherearetwocopperscomingatmefromthehouseshoutingandIjustturnedandran.
Someoftheothersexchangeglances.
Iknow,you’dallhavestoodyourground,right?Toldthemwhatyouweredoingthere?Butyouweren’tme–apoorblackkidfromLadbrokeGrovewho’dhadhisfillofStopandSearch—
(stopshimselfandtakesadeepbreath)
ThirtysecondslaterI’monmybackinthemud,andthey’rearrestingmeformurder.
HUGOFRASER
Theyarrestedyouthereandthen?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.Thendraggedmeroundthefrontandshovedmeinapolicecar.Meanwhilethewholebloodycircusispitchingup.Ambulance,forensics,threemorecopcars,theworks.Theyjustleftmethere,stewing,whileitallwentdown.Ididn’tgetprocessedatNottingHillnickuntilgoneone.
CUTTO:MauraHoward,sameset-upasEp1.
MAURAHOWARD
Idoremembersomethinghappeningoutside.Therewassuddenlyalotofshouting,andthesoundofsomesortofscuffleinthegardenandthepolicewomanwho’dbeenlefttolookafterusdidn’twantusgoingouttolook.Idon’trememberseeingaman.Ameliemayhavedone–shewasatthewindow–butIcan’trememberthat.
CUTTO:RECONSTRUCTION,videoonly,noaudio.High-angledownon‘Mitchell’asheisledintoapoliceinterviewroombytwoplain-clothesofficers.Theyshowhimtoaseatthensitdownopposite,theirbackstothecamera.Theystarttoquestionhimandthingsclearlygetheatedveryquickly.Footagecontinuesunderfollowing.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Theykeptmethereforsixsoddinghours.Askingthesamequestionsoverandoveragain.WhatwasIdoingthere,howdidIgetin.ItoldthemIwasahack,toldthemtocheckoutmystuff,buttheyweren’tbuyingit.Andthenhearrived.PeterLascelles.DIPeterLascelles.
Onthescreenthetwoofficersgetupandleave,and‘Mitchell’isleftaloneforafewmoments.Hesitsunmovingthenleansbackinhischairandlooksstraightupintothecamera.Thedooropensandanothermancomesin.He’stall,slightlybaldingontop.Hesitsdownandthequestioningbeginsagain.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andwewentoveritallagain.Samequestions,samefuckinganswers.Heseemedtohavesomesortofmentalblockthatablackmancouldevenbeajournalist.StartedaskingifIhadgearonme–ifIsoldgear,ifIsoldgeartoRyder,ifthatwaswhatIwasdoingthere—
CUTBACKTO:Teamingarden.
LAILAFURNESS
Idon’trememberanythingaboutdrugsinrelationtoRyder–therewasdefinitelynothinginthepostmortem.
JJNORTON
No,therewasnomentionofdrugsanywhere.
LAILAFURNESS
(toMitchell)
SowhydidLascellesfocussomuchonthat,asidefromtheobviousracialbias?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Searchme.
ALANCANNING
WhichIassumetheydid?Searchyou?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shiftingalittleuneasily)
Yes,theydid.
ALANCANNING
Andyourcar?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Look,itwasjustabitofweed.Forpersonaluse.
HUGOFRASER
Sothat’swhytheylatchedontothedrugsangle.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.TheyseemedtothinkI’dgonetheretomeetRyder–sellhimsomegear–thatthere’dbeenarowandthingshadturnednasty—
LAILAFURNESS
Youdidn’thaveanalibiforearlierintheevening?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Unfortunatelynot.
LAILAFURNESS
Butiftherehadbeena‘row’andhe’dendedupdead,whyonearthwouldyouhavehungroundafterwards?Itmakesnosense.
JJNORTON
Andwhywasthemarijuanainthecarandnotonyou,ifyouwereplanningtosellittohim?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Thereyouhaveit.Inanutshell.
ALANCANNING
Justfortherecord,sowe’reallclear.Youdidn’tknowLukeRyder?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(turningtolookathim)
No,Ididn’tknowhim.
ALANCANNING
You’dnevermethimbefore?
MITCHELLCLARKE
No.
ALANCANNING
Neverevenseenhim?
MITCHELLCLARKE
No.
ALANCANNING
Butthepolicedidn’tbelieveyou,didthey?
MITCHELLCLARKE
No.Theydidnot.
ALANCANNING
Doyouknowwhy?
MITCHELLCLARKE
No,Idon’t.You’dhavetoaskthem.
BILLSERAFINI
(lookingroundattheteam)
Well,Iguesswe’regoingtohavetodojustthat.
CUTTO:BillandAlaninacar,enroutetoseePeterLascelles.Billisdriving,he’swearingsunglassesandhasthedriver’swindowwounddownwithhiselbowrestingontheledge.Alanisinaheavycoatandscarf.
BILLSERAFINI
DidyouknowPeterLascelleswhenyouwereonthejob?
ALANCANNING
Weworkedacoupleofcasestogether,buttheyweremajorinvestigationsinvolvingahugenumberofpeople.Ididn’t‘know’him.Notinthatsense.
BILLSERAFINI
(glancingacross)
Heevertalktoyouaboutthiscase?
ALANCANNING
(lookingoutofthewindow)
Iwasneverinvolvedinthiscase.
BILLSERAFINI
Butthat’snotwhatIasked,isit?
ALANCANNING
Ineverspoketohimaboutitatthetime.
BILLSERAFINI
Andsincethen?
ALANCANNING
(notlookingathim)
Wespokeawhileback.WhenheheardIwasdoingthisshow.
BILLSERAFINI
(brakinghard)
Doesn’tmatterhowoftenIdriveinthiscountryIcannevergetthehangofthesetrafficcirclethings—
ALANCANNING
Roundabouts.
BILLSERAFINI
BestbitofadviceaBritevergaveme–hesaidonceyou’reon’em,youown’em.Youjusthavetorememberwhichwayroundtogo.
(soundofhorns)
CUTTO:BillandAlanatthedoorofPeterLascelles’shouse.Abungalowwithapathacrossaneatpavedgarden.It’swindyandthere’sthesoundofgulls.ThedooropensandLascellesappearsonthestep.He’srecognizablefromthepressphotosseenearlier,butstoopingnow,andwearingglasses.
BILLSERAFINI
(takingoffhisshadesandholdingouthishand)
MrLascelles,BillSerafini,formerlyoneofNewYork’sfinest.It’sanhonourtomeetyou,sir.
PETERLASCELLES
(shakinghishand,lookingsomewhatdumbfounded)
Likewise,likewise.
(noddingtoCanning)
Alan.
ALANCANNING
Nicetoseeyou,Peter.
PETERLASCELLES
(standingtooneside)
Comein,comein.
CUTTO:Bill,AlanandPeterhavingteainPeter’ssittingroom,overlookingthebackgarden.Mostofitispatio.There’saslightlyrustedbarbecueinonecornerandachild’sswing.Theteaisincups,andonatraywithajugandsugarbowl.
BILLSERAFINI
Sowe’vebeentalkingtoMitchellClarke.
PETERLASCELLES
Iratherthoughtyoumight.
BILLSERAFINI
Andhe’sconvincedthathewastargetedforpurelyracialreasons.
(holdinguphishands)
Idon’tmeantodisrespectyouoryourprocedures–we’vehadissuesofourownintheNYPD,asI’msureyouknow–butit’ssomethingwejusthavetocoveroff.
PETERLASCELLES
I’mwellawarethat’swhathethinks,andI’mnotgoingtosithereandclaimthattheMethadanimpeccablerecordbackthen.ButinClarke’scase,it’snotquiteasblackandwhiteasitmightseem.Inanysenseoftheword.
BILLSERAFINI
Explainthattome.
PETERLASCELLES
Clarketoldushewasajournalist,andthat’sright,hewas.Buthehadafingerinawholelotofotherpiestoo.Ifyoulookatthesortofstorieshewaswritingmostofthemwereallofapiece:crime,drugs,gangs.Heknewthatworldandhehadconnectionsinit,andhedidn’tjustusethoseconnectionstogatherrawmaterial.
Weknewfullwellhewasasmall-timedrugdealer,butatthatpointwenevercaughthimwithenoughofthestuffonhimtobringaprosecution.
BILLSERAFINI
HedeniessupplyingLukeRyder,andasfaraswecandetermineLukewasn’tevenauser.
PETERLASCELLES
Ryderdidn’thaveaserioushabit,no,butwedidfindevidencetosuggesthe’ddabblerecreationally.Cocainemostly.
BILLSERAFINI
SoyouthoughtMitchellwastheretosellRydersomegear.Eventhoughhewasn’tcarryinganycokeatthetime?
PETERLASCELLES
Wedid,yes.
BILLSERAFINI
ButRyderhadnomoneyonhimwhenhewasfound,right?
PETERLASCELLES
No,hedidn’t.OurtheorywasClarketookit,afterthekilling.Hehad￡300onhim.Infifties.Notacommoncombinationofnotes.
BILLSERAFINI
WereRyder’sprintsonthosenotes?
PETERLASCELLES
No,unfortunately,backin2003thebanknotesoverherewerestillmadeofpaper.Wewerenevergoingtogetanythingfromthem.
BILLSERAFINI
Butevenifyou’rerightaboutthesupposeddrugdeal,thesequenceofeventsdoesn’taddup,doesit?Ifthey’darrangedtomeet,butitendedupinsomesortofdisagreementthatledtoRyder’sdeath,whywouldClarkestickarounduntilthepolicegotthere?
PETERLASCELLES
OurworkinghypothesiswasthatClarkewasgoingthroughRyder’spocketsforthecashwhenhesawtheHowardgirlsarrive–they’dhavebeenclearlyvisiblethroughthedrawing-roomwindows.Hehidinthebushes,thensawMauraHowardcomeoutanddiscoverthebody,thenrunbackinside.He’dknowthefirstthingshe’ddowascallthepolice,andtherewasnowayhecouldgetoffthepropertywithoutgoingbackdownthedriveandscalingthegate,andthat’dbefartoorisky:hecouldeasilyhavebeenseen.
Webelievehedecidedtohideinthegarden,hopingtoslipoutwhentheofficers’attentionwaselsewhere.
BILLSERAFINI
Buttheyfoundhimrightbythebody,didn’tthey?
PETERLASCELLES
(givinghimawrylook)
Isthatwhathetoldyou?
BILLSERAFINI
Hesaystheuniformofficerssawhim,heran–outofinstinct–andtheycaughtupwithhimontheothersideofthehouse.
PETERLASCELLES
(shakinghishead)
Didn’thappen.ItwasoneofmyDCswhosawhimskulkinginthebushesandgavechase.
BILLSERAFINI
Soyou’resayinghe’slying?
PETERLASCELLES
(smilesdryly)
Let’sjustsay‘recollectionsmayvary’.Andwhenwedidthehouse-to-houselaterthatnightoneoftheneighboursreportedseeingamanmatchingClarke’sdescriptioninacaralongthestreetaroundfortyminutesbeforehesayshegotthere.Butitwasdark,andshedidn’tgetagoodenoughlookateitherClarkeorthevehicletoidentifyhiminaline-up.
BILLSERAFINI
DidyoufindanyproofthatheandLukekneweachother?ThatRyderwasexpectinghimthatnight?
PETERLASCELLES
No.Therewerenophonerecordstolinkthem,noemails,nothing.
BILLSERAFINI
ButitcouldhavebeenClarkecallingfromthatpayphoneatKing’sCross?
PETERLASCELLES
Precisely.Hewasunabletoprovewherehewasatthetimethatcallwasmade.
ALANCANNING
Sothat’swhyheonlygotacautionforbeing‘foundonenclosedpremises’?
PETERLASCELLES
Exactly.Weneverhadenoughevidenceforanythingelse.
(looksfromonetotheotherandpicksuphistea)
Butmaybeyou’llhavemoreluck.
FREEZEFRAME,thentheCAMERAPANSbackandweseethatthewholeteamhasbeenwatchingthisfootage.They’renowinastudioenvironmentwiththepinboard,whiteboard,andscreensetupinahigh-ceilingedroomwithbigwindowsandexposedbrickworkpaintedwhite.ItlookslikeaVictorianschoolbuilding.
BILLSERAFINI
(turnstoMitchell)
Sowhatdoyousaytowhatwejustheard?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shrugs)
IstandbywhatIsaidbefore.Everywordofit.Ididn’tknowRyder,Inevercalledhimfromthatpayphoneoratanyothertime,andIwasn’tinthestreetanhourbeforehedied.Ijustwenttherelookingforastory.AndIwasn’t–fortherecord–dealingdrugs.
Thereasonthepolicefoundnoproofofanythingelsewasbecausetherewasnothingelse.Period.Andthat’stheGod’shonesttruth.
JJNORTON
Yougotyourownback,though,didn’tyou?Imean,youputtheMetthroughtheabsolutewringeronthatcase.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofarticleswrittenbyMitchell,somelocals,somenationals.
JJNORTON
(raisinganeyebrow)
Bestservedcold,eh,Mitch?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shrugs)
Someonehastoholdthepolicetoaccount.
LAILAFURNESS
Sowhatdoyouthinknow,Mitch?Afterwritingaboutthiscaseforsolong,youmusthaveatheoryaboutwhathappened.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Idon’tknowwhokilledhim,butIdoknowthepolicedidn’tlookhardenoughatwhysomeonemighthavewantedto.
BILLSERAFINI
Theydidn’tdoenoughonthevictimology?
MITCHELLCLARKE
IdoubttheMetevenknewwhatthatwordmeantbackthen.
LAILAFURNESS
I’mnotsurethat’sfair—
JJNORTON
(toMitch)
JustsoI’mclear–youthinktheperpissomeas-yet-unknownthirdparty?i.e.,notCaroline,andnotRupertHoward?We’relookingfortheKing’sCrossKiller?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Almostcertainly,yes.Inmyopinion.
LAILAFURNESS
(sceptically)
Really?Carolinewasbyfarthemostobvioussuspect.
JJNORTON
Buttherewasneverenoughevidencetochargeher,wasthere?Letaloneconvict.I’mnotnecessarilydisagreeingwithyou,Laila,I’mjustsayingthatMitchcouldberightaboutthemotive–thattherewassomethinggoingoninLuke’slifethepoliceneverfound.
LAILAFURNESS
IjustthinkwehavetoeliminateCaroline–and,indeed,Rupert–beforewegocareeringaboutlookingforsomemysterious‘UnSub’thepoliceneveridentifiedatthetimeandwillbeevenhardertotrackdownnow.
ALANCANNING
Mythoughtsentirely.
BILLSERAFINI
Laila’sright.Thathastobewherewegonext.
(lookingroundthetable)
Agreed?
(generalnoddingandmurmursofassent)
So,let’sstartwithCaroline.
JJ–perhapsyoucouldrecapwhatweknow?
JJNORTON
Withpleasure.
(openinghisfile)
CarolinewasbornCarolineFarrowinasuburbofHullin1963,theonlychildofAlanandJaneFarrow.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofphotosofCarolineasachild,withherparents,onthebeach,inschooluniform,inaballetclass,withagroupoffriendsatherbirthdaytea,wearingapartyhat.She’saveryprettychild,withbrownhairandabrightconfidentsmile.Allherclothesareverygirly.
ThefamilywascomfortablyoffandCarolinewassenttoprivateschool,butjudgingbyher‘O’levelsshewasn’tanespeciallydiligentstudent.Andbythetimeshewas16she’dstartedseeinganoldermanherparentsdidn’tapproveof,sotheypackedherofftospendthesummerwithheruncleinEdgbastontogetitoutofhersystem.
ShecamebackinSeptember,refusedtoreturntoschool,andenrolledonacoursetotrainasachildren’snanny.Bythetimeshewas20shewaslivingandworkingintheKensingtonareaofLondon.Thisistheearly’80sofcourse,andgiventhelapseoftimewe’vestruggledtotrackdownanyonewhoknewherbackthen,apartfromonewomansheworkedforbrieflyin1984.
CUTTO:RuthCameron,sub-captioned‘FormerEmployerofCarolineHoward’.Anelderlyladyinachintzysittingroom.Knick-knacks,pottedplants,abrownBurmesecatblinkingonthesofa.ShehasaslightAmericanaccent.
RUTHCAMERON
Wealwaysgotonverywell.Notthebestnannyweeverhad–shewastooeasilydistracted,whichisaproblematicqualityinachildminder.ButIlikedher.Shewasgoodcompany.Quitethetalker.
Wedidn’tkeepintouchaftersheleftbutIremembertheweddingbeingannouncedinthepapers.Iwasn’tatallsurprisedshewasgettingmarried.Ialwaysassumedthenannyingwasjustastopgapuntilshefoundsomeonewho’dprovideforher.
CUTTO:Studio.JJisatthewhiteboardinfrontofanarrayofimages.
JJNORTON
ItwaswhenCarolinelefttheCameronsthatshetookthejobatDorneyPlace,workingforAndrewHowardandhiswife.Thiswas1985andRuperthadjustturnedfive.
CAMERAPANSoverthepicturesontheboard:DorneyPlaceinthe’80s:AndrewandAmandawithfriendsinthegarden;Rupertasatoddlersittingonhismother’slap,andbeingcarriedonhisfather’sshoulders,smilingandwaving.ThenpolicephotosofthewreckageofAmandaHoward’sGolfGTi,upsidedownonthehardshoulderoftheA3,andfinallyseveralofAndrewwithCarolineonthestepsofChelseaTownHallonthedayoftheirwedding.She’sblondenow,inapalebluetwo-piecewithaJackieOfeeltoit,he’sratherdapperinagreysuitandsilvertie.Rupertisinoneshot,holdingtighttohisfather’sleg,asfarawayfromCarolineashecanget.He’snotsmiling.
Aswediscussedbefore,itwasonlyafewmonthsafterCarolinestartedworkingatDorneyPlacethatAmandaHowarddied,andlessthanayearlaterCarolineandAndrewgotmarriedinarelativelylow-keyceremonyattheirlocalregistryoffice.IfyoucancallChelseaOldTownHall‘lowkey’.
Theyalwaysdeniedthey’dbeenhavinganaffairbeforeAmanda’sdeath,andclearlythere’snowayofprovingiteitherwaynow.
LAILAFURNESS
WhataboutAmanda’scarcrash–wastherereallyanyreasontothinkitwassuspicious,orwasthatjustmoremaliciousgossip?
ALANCANNING
Iwentthroughtheaccidentreportandtherewasnothingwrongwiththecar.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(lookingthroughhispapers)
Wasn’titputdowntoicyroads?
JJNORTON
Yesitwas,butaccordingtothePMAmandahadabloodalcohollevelonlyjustbelowthelegallimit.
Whichsurprisedalotofpeople,asitwasonlyeleveno’clockinthemorning.Andthepoliceneverdidestablishwhatshewasdoingonthatroadinthefirstplace.TheA3goesfromLondontoSurreyandHampshireandshedidn’thaveanyfriendsorfamilyinthatpartofthecountry.
LAILAFURNESS
DidAmandahaveaproblemwithalcohol?
JJNORTON
No,shedidn’t.Infact,sherarelydrankatall,whichwasanotherthingthatfuelledtherumours.
LAILAFURNESS
(sighs)
Humannature.Don’tyoujustloveit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Sowhatexactlydidpeoplethinkhadhappened?ThatCarolinehadspikedhercappuccinotogetheroutoftheway?
ALANCANNING
Prettymuch.
LAILAFURNESS
Butthat’sludicrous—
ALANCANNING
(shrugs)
Iknow,butthat’swhatpeoplethought
LAILAFURNESS
Iassumethoseallegationswereinvestigatedatthetime?
ALANCANNING
Yes,therewasafullpoliceinquiry.Amanda’sfamilysawtothat.
LAILAFURNESS
And?
ALANCANNING
Itwas–almostinevitably–inconclusive.Andrewhadleftearlyfortheofficethatday,Rupertwasbarely6,andtheonlyotherpersoninthehousewasCaroline.Sheclaimedshedidn’tknowwhereAmandawasgoing,shehadn’tseenherdrinkingthatmorning,andcertainlyhadn’tgivenheranything.Buthowdoyouproveanegative?
LAILAFURNESS
SpeakingofRupert,muchofwhatIsaidearlieraboutLukewouldalsoapplytohim:losinghismothersosuddenly,andthenseeingherreplacedalmostimmediatelybysomeoneheclearlydidn’tlikewouldhavebeenprofoundlyunsettlingforachildof6.Andwhileresearchsuggeststhatveryyoungchildrendooftenacceptanewstep-parent,thiscertainlydoesn’tseemtohavebeenthecasehere.
BILLSERAFINI
IfAndrewandCarolinewerehavinganaffair,maybethekidpickeduponit–wouldn’tbethefirsttime
CUTTO:FelicityGrainger,sub-captioned‘SisterofAmandaHoward’.She’sinabigkitchenwithbifolddoorsontoalargegarden;thekitchenhasblackunits,awhitetiledfloor,andalargespikymodernchandelier.
FELICITYGRAINGER
ItwaspatentlyobvioustomethatCarolinesethersightsonAndrewrightfromthestart.Youcouldtellthewayshelookedathim,thewayshebattedthoseeyelashesofhers.
ItoldAmanda–‘thatone’strouble,getridofher’,butshejustlaugheditoff.AndIjustknowmysisterwouldn’thavedriventhatcarifshe’dbeendrinking,especiallyonicyroads.Thewholethingstanktohighheaven.
ItwasRupertIfeltmostsorryfor,ofcourse–poorlittlemite,losinghismumatthatage.AndCarolinecompletelylostinterestinhimaftershe’dgotaringonherfinger.Keptcomplainingthathewasbeing‘difficult’and‘morose’.Itwasjustaswellhestillhadushecouldturnto.
CUTTO:Studio.
HUGOFRASER
Butwheredoesthisgetus–apartfromtheinferencethatCarolinewasn’texactlyonthesister-in-law’sBFFlist?
JJNORTON
IthinkitindicatesCarolinecouldberuthlessiftherewassomethingshewanted.Let’sfaceit,evenifshehadabsolutelynothingtodowithAmanda’sdeathshemovedinonAndrewprettysharpishafterwards.
BILLSERAFINI
Thatdoesn’tgiveheramotiveformurderingLuke,though,doesit?Itmightexplainwhyshewentaheadandmarriedhiminthefirstplace:shewantedhimsoshewasdamnwellgoingtohavehim,whateveranyoneelsesaid.
Butitdoesn’texplainwhyshe’dwanthimdead.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Maybehewashavinganaffair.That’stheoldestmotiveinthebook.
BillSERAFINI
ActuallyweraisedthatpossibilitywithPeterLascelleswhenwewenttoseehim.Here’swhathetoldus.
CUTTO:PeterLascellesINTERVIEWwithBillandAlan.
PETERLASCELLES
Welookedintothat,naturally.Eventhemeresuggestionofinfidelitycanthrowabombintoarelationship,especiallyonewherethereisasignificantagedifference.AndCarolineneverstruckmeasthesortofwomanwho’dtoleratebeingscorned.
BILLSERAFINI
Soyouquestionedherexplicitlyaboutit?
PETERLASCELLES
Absolutely.Andsheflat-outdeniedLukewashavinganaffair.Shesaidshe‘wouldhaveknown’.Thatshe‘couldalwaystellwhenhewasn’ttellingthetruth’.
Andeveryoneelsewespoketosaidprettymuchthesamething:they’dneverseenanythingtosuggestLukewasplayingaway.Iftherewasanotherrelationshipgoingonhewaskeepingitextraordinarilyquiet.
BILLSERAFINI
AndyoubelievedCaroline?
PETERLASCELLES
Idid.Idon’tthinkshewaslyingtome.
CUTTO:Studio.Guyisnowsittingatthetablewiththeteam.
GUYHOWARD
Ipromisedyouallthatyou’donlyseemeinfrontofthecamerainthisseriesiftherewasaverygoodreason.Thisisoneofthosetimes.BecauseitturnsoutPeterLascelleswaswrong:mymotherwaslyingtohim.Thoughmorebyomission,thancommission.
Havealookatthis.
CUTTO:INTERVIEWwithMauraHoward.Thistimeshe’ssittinginthekitchenatDorneyPlace,wearinganoversizedcowl-neckjumper,palebluejeansandapairofUggboots.She’spulledthesleevesofthejumperdownoverherhands,asifshe’scold.Theroomdoesn’tlookverylivedin.
GUYHOWARD–off
HowwerethingsbetweenLukeandMumthatautumn–intheweeksbeforehedied?
MAURAHOWARD
(shrugs)
Youweretheretoo–you’dhaveseenjustasmuchasme.
GUYHOWARD–off
Idon’tthinkIwould.Iwasonly10,andtobehonestIdon’tthinkIwasveryobservant.
MAURAHOWARD
(sighsandlooksaway)
Mumwas–distracted.Shewasgoingoutmoreduringthedayandgettingbacklate.Therewerephonecallstoo–phonecallsshe’dtakeupstairsandclosethedoor.
GUYHOWARD–off
Couldshehavebeenhavinganaffair?
MAURAHOWARD
(lookingbackathim)
Ineverthoughtsoatthetime.Iguessitwouldn’thaveoccurredtome.
GUYHOWARD–off
Seriously?Youwere15.Youhadaboyfriendyourselfbythefollowingsummer.
MAURAHOWARD
Look,Itoldyou,Ididn’tthinkaboutit.
GUYHOWARD–off
WhataboutAmelie?
MAURAHOWARD
(startingtofiddlewithhersleeves)
You’dhavetoaskherthat,notme.
GUYHOWARD–off
Shedoesn’twanttotalkaboutit–youknowthat.Shedoesn’tthinkweshouldbe‘rakingupthepast’.That’swhyshe’srefusingtobeinterviewedoncamera.
MAURAHOWARD
(takesadeepbreath)
Look,ifyou’reaskingifAmeliethoughtsomethinghadbeengoingonwithMumthatsummerthentheanswerisYes.
Shehadtogohomeatlunchtimeonedaybecauseshe’dforgottenherswimmingkit,andassoonassheopenedthedoorshecouldhearpeopleupstairs.Grunts,moans.Sexnoises,basically.Whichwas,ofcourse,excruciatinglyembarrassing,soshejustwentandgotherstuffasquicklyasshecouldandtriedtopretendshehadn’theardanything,butwhenshegotbackdownstairsMumwasinthekitchen.Apparentlyshelookedabitflushedandherblousewasbuttonedupallwrong.
GUYHOWARD–off
Amtoldyouthisatthetime?
MAURAHOWARD
No,nottillyearslater.Shesaidshehadn’twantedtofreakmeout.
GUYHOWARD–off
Howdidsheknowitwasn’tLuke?
MAURAHOWARD
He’dgoneupnorththatday.AndinanycaseAmheardthebloke’svoice.Itwastoomuffledtomakeoutwhathewassayingbutshesaidhesounded‘posh’.SodefinitelynotLuke.
AndtherewasanoldMGBparkedoutontheroadthatday.Abrightredone.She’dnoticeditafewtimesbeforeaswell.Justhadn’tputtwoandtwotogethertillthen.
GUYHOWARD–off
Butcouldn’titjusthavebeenoneoftheneighbours’cars?Oravisitor?
MAURAHOWARD
That’swhatIsaid.AllIknowisthatneitherofuseversawitagain.ThoughapparentlytherewasagymbagonthepassengerseatwithsomeT-shirtsandtrainersinit.Ifyou’re‘lookingforclues’.
(raisesaneyebrow)
Goodluckwiththat.
CUTTO:Studio.
GUYHOWARD
(lookingroundthetable)
She’snotwrong,ofcourse.Theresearchteamhavebeenlookingintoitbutit’salmosttwodecadesagoandagymbagandaredsportscarisn’talottogoon.
BILLSERAFINI
Justtobeclear,Amelienevertoldthepoliceanyofthisatthetime?
GUYHOWARD
No.IguessshewastryingtoprotectMum–stopthefamilynamebeingtrashedinthepapers.Again.Wewerehavingabadenoughtimewithoutthat.
Andremember,thisincidentwouldhavebeenatleastthreemonthsbeforethemurder,somaybeAmeliedidn’tthinkitwasrelevant.
JJNORTON
I’mnotsosureaboutthat.WhatifCarolinehaddecidedtofinishitwiththismanandhewasn’tacceptingit?MaybehecameroundtoconfrontherthatnightandfoundLuke.Theycouldhaveargued.
ALANCANNING
It’saplausiblescenario.OneI’dcertainlyhaveinvestigated.AndI’msurePeterandhisteamwouldhavedonethesameifthey’dbeengiventheinformation.Itcouldhavebeenaverysignificantlead.
BILLSERAFINI
(turningtoMitchell)
DoyoubyanychancerememberseeinganMGBoutsideDorneyPlacethenightofthemurder?Youwerethere.
MITCHELLCLARKE
No,butinthatneckofthewoodssportscarsaren’texactlyuncommon.
ALANCANNING
Evenavintageonelikethat?Inbrightred?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,a)itwasdarksoitcouldhavebeensky-bluepinkforallI’dhaveknown,andb)it’stwentyyearsago,mate.Yes,itcouldhavebeenthere,butIdon’trememberseeingit,OK?
LAILAFURNESS
Sowhatcanwedoaboutitnow,allthistimelater?
GUYHOWARD
LikeIsaid,Tarekandtheresearchteamarecontinuingtodig,sosomethingmaycomeup.Andinthemeantime—
BILLSERAFINI
—Inthemeantime,IsuggestwefocusonCaroline’salibi.Ifthismandidgotothehousetoseeherthatnightithadtohavebeenasurprise–shewouldn’thavegoneoutforadrinkifshe’dknownhewascoming.
JJNORTON
Ontheotherhand,hecouldhavecalledherwhenshewasatthepartysayinghewasgoingroundtothehouse,maybeeventhreateningtoconfrontLuke?Maybeshepanics,rushesbackhome,butit’stoolate—
LAILAFURNESS
(frowning)
—Andfacedwithherhusband’sbloodycorpseshejustshrugshershouldersandleavesitatthat?Doesn’tcallthepolice,doesn’tcallanambulance,justsashaysonbackforanotherstrawberrydaiquiri?
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
Andnooneatthepartynoticesanythingiswrongeither.I’mnotbuyingthat
ALANCANNING
You’reallforgettingonething.Ifthismysteriousloverhadcalledherwhenshewasattheparty,there’dbesomethinginherphonerecords.
(gesturesatthefile)
Butthere’snothingthere.Nocallsmadeorreceivedonherphonethatnightthatweren’tthoroughlycheckedanddouble-checkedduringtheoriginalinvestigation.IncludingthemissedcallfromMauraat10.52.
LAILAFURNESS
Texts?
ALANCANNING
(shakinghishead)
No.None.
LAILAFURNESS
Shehitthedeletekey?
ALANCANNING
Yes,clearlyshecouldhavedonethat,butdigitalforensicswouldhavebeenabletoretrievethem.It’sgotalotmoresophisticatedsincethen,butthey’dstillhavefoundadeletedtext,evenin2003.
JJNORTON
AndnoWhatsApporSnapchatbackthen,ofcourse.Justsaying.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Thereisoneobviousexplanation.
(Theteamlookathim.)
JJNORTON
Goon.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Thismanwasattheparty.
LAILAFURNESS
So–whatareyousaying?Theyspeakatthedo,arrangetomeetbackatthehouseandhegoesonaheadofher?That’sprettyriskyonherpart,isn’tit?KnowingLuke’sthere?
JJNORTON
(goesovertothesiteplanandpoints)
Butthere’stheapartmenthere,right?Theoneovertheworkshop,whereCarolinelivedwhenshewastheaupair?Maybetheyarrangedtomeetthere?
LAILAFURNESS
ButthatwasMaura’sroombythen.
JJNORTON
Yes,butMaurawasatthecinemathatnight,wasn’tshe–Carolinehaddroppedheroffherself.Thecoastwouldhavebeenclear.Oratleastshe’dhavethoughtso.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
Onlythey’renotcarefulenough.Lukeseessomething–maybelightsgoingon.Hegoesovertoinvestigateandallhellbreaksloose.
LAILAFURNESS
ThatscenariowouldmakeCarolinemuchmorecomplicit,though.Ifthat’swhatreallyhappened,shewastherethroughout.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(grimly)
Andthenpromptlyscarpered,leavingherteenagedaughtertofindthathorrorshow.
JJNORTON
(goingbacktothetableandpickingupthepaperwork)
Doweknowexactlywhowasatthatdrinkspartyshewentto?
ALANCANNING
Thepolicecompiledalist,buttheysuspecteditwasn’tcomplete.Itwasabitofan‘opendoors’thing,byallaccounts.
BILLSERAFINI
Dowehavethatlist?Guy?
GUYHOWARD
Notassuch.ButTarek’sfixedforoneoftheteamtotalktoPhyllisFranks.Thepartywasforherhusband’sbirthday,ataSpanishrestaurantcalledPenedès,abouthalfamilefromDorneyPlace.It’slonggone,beforeyouask.
BILLSERAFINI
Soyouknewthiswoman?
GUYHOWARD
Phyllis?Notreally.Herhusbandwasoneofmydad’sCitycontacts.Somebig-shotbankerorother.JackandPhyllisusedtocometomyparents’dinnerparties,butIdon’tthinktheysocializedoutsidethat.
Andjusttoclarify,I’veneverspokentoPhyllisaboutthis–obviouslynotbackthen,givenIwasonly10,butnotsincewestartedworkingonthisshoweither.SoIhavenoideawhatshemighttellus.
(looksroundthetable)
Sowhowantstotakethisone?
MITCHELLCLARKE
IvoteLaila.Womantowoman.
LAILAFURNESS
Isthereawhiffofeverydaysexismintherebyanychance,Mitch?
ALANCANNING
LailahasnointerrogationexperienceI’mawareof—
MITCHELLCLARKE
That’smywholepoint–wedon’twantthiswomanfeelinglikeshe’sbeingcross-examined.
LAILAFURNESS
(toAlan)
Iinterviewpeopleallthetime.I’mapsychologist.It’swhatIdo.
ALANCANNING
Thisisn’tquitethesame—
BILLSERAFINI
—Hugo,JJ–youhaveaview?
JJNORTON
MaybeLailagoeswithHugo,tobalanceitout?
(turningtohim)
Youquestionpeopleonthestand,right?
HUGOFRASER
(laughs)
Well,yes,buttoMitch’spoint,Ifindtheletters‘KC’tendtoturnthemaninthestreetintoarabbitintheheadlights.
(glancingatLaila)
Orwomaninthestreet,inthiscase.Obviously.
BILLSERAFINI
(grinning)
Noonewassuggestingyoushowupinoneofthosecrazylawyerwigs,Hugo.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,Iseemtospendmostofmylifeinterviewingpeople,onewayoranother–happytotagalong?
BILLSERAFINI
Great–MitchandLailaitis.
FurnessandClarke–soundslikeacopshow.
(Mitchsmiles,Lailadoesn’t.)
CUTTO:ThepavementoutsidetheFranks’shouseinBelgravia.Fourstoreys,whitestucco,withalargeandveryoldwisteriacoveringthetwolowerfloors.Sunlightandbirdsong.MitchandLailastopatthewrought-irongate.
LAILAFURNESS
Well,PhyllisFranksishardly‘thewomaninthestreet’,isshe?Whicheverwayyoulookatit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Theyweren’tlivingherein2003,though.
LAILAFURNESS
(smilingdryly)
Sothisisthe‘downsized’version.Allrightforsome.
CAMERAFOLLOWSastheygoupthepath;thedoorisopenedbyanAsianwomaninadarkgreydress.Sheshowsthemthroughtoafrontsittingroomoverlookingthesquare.Paletealwalls,heavybrocadecurtains,ahugerococomirror,Aubussonrugs.PhyllisFranksgetstoherfeettowelcomethem.She’sverypetiteandappearsquitefrail,buthermanneriscrispandanimated.
PHYLLISFRANKS
(shakingtheirhands)
DrFurness,MrClarke.Please,dositdown.
LAILAFURNESS
Thankyouforagreeingtoseeus,MrsFranks.
PHYLLISFRANKS
Oh,Phil,please.EveryonecallsmePhil.So,youwanttotalktomeaboutCarolineandLuke.
LAILAFURNESS
Youmusthavebeenaskedaboutthatnightmanytimes.
PHYLLISFRANKS
(shakingherheadandsighing)
Many,manytimes.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Doyoumindtalkingusthroughit?Ifthat’sOK?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Ofcourse.Itwasmyhusband’sbirthday.Hissixtieth.Buthedidn’twantabigsit-downthing–Jackwasneveroneforfuss.Justdrinkswithfriends.A‘comeasyouare’sortofthing.HelikedthatPenedèsplaceanditwasjustdowntheroad,soitmadesense.
Wehiredthewholethingandwehadcanapés.Theydidthemostwonderfulseafood,itwassuchashamewhenitclosed.Irememberoneterriblyniceyoungchapcomplimentingmeonthecava.
(laughs)
ItwasactuallyDomPérignon.
LAILAFURNESS
Iknowtherewerealotofpeoplecomingandgoingbutyoumusthavehadsomesortofguestlist,mustn’tyou?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Ohyes,atleasttostartwith.Thepolicehadacopyofthatrightfromthestart.ButI’dmadeapointofsayingpeoplecouldbringfriendsandcolleagues.Itwasallveryrelaxed.AndJackhadsuchawidecircle–businessassociates,peoplefromthegolfclub,oldschoolfriends,hispeersatCambridge.Soitwasaverymixedbunch–alotoftheguestswouldn’thaveknownthatmanypeopleoutsidetheirowngroup.
MITCHELLCLARKE
ButCarolineHowardwasdefinitelythere?
PHYLLISFRANKS
CarolineRyder,bythen,ofcourse.Andyes,Idefinitelyspoketoheratonepoint.Shewasverybubbly–verydifferentfromwhenshewasmarriedtoAndrew.IremembersayingtosomeonethatifthatwaswhatamuchyoungerhusbanddidforyouthenIwasgoingtoputmynamedownforone.
(smiles)
Iwasonlyjoking,ofcourse.
MITCHELLCLARKE
DoyourememberCarolinetalkingaboutanythinginparticular?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Notreally.Itwasjustpartychit-chat.IdorecallhersayingLukewasundertheweatherandthatwaswhyshewastherealone,butIsuspecttherealreasonwasthathecouldn’tbebotheredwithabunchofoldfogeyslikeus.Ican’tsayIblamedhim—
(laughs)
—Jackwasoldenoughtobehisgrandfather.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Doyouhaveanyideaatwhatstageoftheeveningthatconversationtookplace?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Thepoliceaskedmethesamething.ItoldthematthetimethatIthoughtitwasaroundninethirty.Ihaven’trememberedanythingsincethenthatwouldleadmetochangethat.
LAILAFURNESS
Sothat’srelativelyearlyon.Couldshehaveslippedoutandcomebacklaterwithoutanyonenoticing?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Ohabsolutely.Therewasacrowdinthepergolaroundthebacksmoking,forastart.Peopleweregoinginandoutallthetime.
LAILAFURNESS
Andshewasdefinitelythereattheendoftheevening?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Yes,I’mverysureaboutthat,becausethepolicecamelookingforher.Itmusthavebeenaroundeleventhirty.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Butyouhadn’tspokentoheryourselfsinceninethirty–youdon’tknowifhermoodhadchanged?
PHYLLISFRANKS
No.ThoughIthinksomeonetoldmelatershe’dbeenlookingratherpale.Beforethepolicearrived,Imean.Clearlyshewaslookingverydistressedwhensheleft.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Youdon’tknowwhoitwaswhosaidthat?Aboutherlookingpale?
PHYLLISFRANKS
I’mafraidnot.AsItoldthepolice.
LAILAFURNESS
Andnoonementionedseeingherlookinglikeshe’dbeenoutintherain?Itwasrainingbytheendoftheevening,wasn’tit?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Godyes,absolutelypouringdown.Butno,Ididn’t.Ididnoticeshehadmudandlittlebitsofgrassonhershoeswhensheleft.Shewaswearingveryhighheels–cream,theywere,positivelybridal,soIsupposethedirtstoodout
LAILAFURNESS
Wouldn’tthatsuggestshe’dbeenoutside?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Well,therewasthatgrassareaatthebackIjustmentioned,soifshe’dgoneoutthereforaciggiethatmightaccountforit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andwedoknowshesmoked.
LAILAFURNESS
Thinkingaboutitnow,arethereanynamesthathavecomebacktoyouthatweren’tonthelistthepoliceworkedfrom?
PHYLLISFRANKS
I’mafraidnot–I’dhavetoldthemiftherewere.
LAILAFURNESS
Yousaidhershoeswerecream–whatelsewasshewearing,doyouremember?
PHYLLISFRANKS
Thedresswasnavy,somesortofpleatedthing.Andbeforeyouask,yes,itdefinitelywasdarkenoughtoconcealbloodstains.Atleasttoadegree.Thepolicespecificallyaskedmeaboutthat.
MITCHELLCLARKE
DoesaredMGBmeananythingtoyou?
PHYLLISFRANKS
(looksalittletakenaback)
Nowwhyonearthshouldyoumentionthat?
MITCHELLCLARKE
YouknowwhattypeofcarImean?
PHYLLISFRANKS
OfcourseIdo–Jackhadonewhenwefirstkneweachother.BritishRacingGreen.Thatwassuchalovelylittlecar—
LAILAFURNESS
Doyoubyanychancerememberonebeingparkedneartherestaurantthatnight?Iknowitwasalongtimeago—
PHYLLISFRANKS
Doyouknow,IthinkIdo.I’mprettysureJackpointeditouttome.Afterall,youdidn’tseemanyofthemaroundbythen–evenfewernow,ofcourse—
MITCHELLCLARKE
DidJackknowwhoseitwas?
PHYLLISFRANKS
(shakingherhead)
No,I’msurehedidn’t.Orifhedid,hedidn’tsay.I’dhaverememberedthat.Ifonlyhewasstillhere–youcouldhaveaskedhim.
LAILAFURNESS
I’msosorry,MrsFr-Phil–Ididn’tknowyourhusbandhaddied.
PHYLLISFRANKS
(smilingsadly)
Noneedtoapologize,mydear.Jackisn’tdead,he’sjustgone.Alzheimer’s.I’mafraidthesedaysmyhusbanddoesn’tevenknowwhoIam.
Now–tea?
CUTTO:Studio.Timehasclearlypassed,astheteamareindifferentclothes.Guyisagainatthetable.
LAILAFURNESS
(lookinground)
Andthat’sasfaraswegot.Sorry.
BILLSERAFINI
Notyourfault.Youdidwhatyoucould.Butwehitabrickwall.
(turnstoGuy)
Iguessyou’vealreadyspokentoyourmotheraboutallthis?
GUYHOWARD
Yes,whentheideaforthisprojectfirstcameup.Butitwasn’tmuchuse.I’mafraidshe’snotinagoodway–she’sveryconfusedalotofthetimeandgetsdistressedveryeasily.AndevenifsheappearstohaverememberedsomethingIdon’tthinkit’snecessarilyreliable.
(lookinground)
Butwheneverwe’vetalkedaboutthis–Imean,inthepast,beforeshewasill–she’salwaysmaintainedexactlythesamestory.Thesameoneshetoldthepolice.Shewasatthepartyallnight,shehadnoreasontokillLukeorhavehimkilled,andshedidn’tknowanyoneelsewhodideither.
ALANCANNING
(flickingthroughthepapers)
There’snomentionofthedirtonhershoesinthepolicefile.
GUYHOWARD
Ididn’tknowaboutthat,nottillIheardwhatPhyllissaid.Iguessherbeingoutinthesmokingareaisthesimplestexplanation.
ALANCANNING
Butnottheonlyone.
GUYHOWARD
Allthesame,Occam’srazorandallthat—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Occam’swhat?
HUGOFRASER
‘Thesimplestexplanationisnearlyalwaysright’.
ALANCANNING
‘Nearlyalways’.Notalways.Let’swaitandsee,shallwe?
BILLSERAFINI
(toAlan)
Youthinkthepolicemissedit–theshoes?Seemsaprettybigthingtooverlook.Underthecircumstances.
ALANCANNING
Clearlysomeoneshouldhavenotedthestateofherfootwearwhentheywenttoinformherattheparty.
Butonethingweknowtheydefinitelydiddowastestthedressforblood,aswellasthecoatshetooktotheparty.I’vecheckedwithPeterLascellesandheconfirmedtherewasnothingoneitherofthem.
AndIpersonallycan’tseeanyonecarryingoutthatsortofattackandnotgettingbodymatteralloverthem.
JJNORTON
Andallthemoresobecausetheinitialblowtothebackoftheheadwasn’tfatal.Deadpeopledon’tbleed,butunconsciousonesmostcertainlydo.Thosefacialblowswouldhavebledprofusely.
MITCHELLCLARKE
OK,sowheredoesallthisleaveus?Dowethinkthismysterymanofhersexistsornot?
LAILAFURNESS
Ifyouaskme,yes.Ameliehadnoreasontomakeupastorylikethataboutherownmother.Butastohowweidentifyhim,that’sadifferentmatter.
JJNORTON
Seemstomewe’vereachedthepointwherethisenquirycangoinseveraldifferentdirections.
CAMERAFOLLOWSashegetsup,goestothewhiteboard,andstartstowrite.
Numberone:Caroline’spossiblelover,whomayormaynothavebeentheownerofaredMGBandagymbag.
Numbertwo:Luke’sbackground.Istillthinkthere’smoretohimthanmeetstheeye.Maybethere’saperson–orincident–inhispastthatcamebacktohaunthim.WhichcouldwellexplainthatcallfromKing’sCross,too.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ifitwassomethingfromthepastitwouldhavetobesomethingprettybig.Anattacklikethat–that’sacrimeofrage.
LAILAFURNESS
Iagree.
JJNORTON
Andthenthere’snumberthree:Rupert.He’salwaysclaimedhewasoutoftownthatnight,butIthinkthatbearsacloserlook.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Butwhere’sthemotive?HeandLukeweremates–hewastheonewhointroducedLuketoCarolineinthefirstplace—
LAILAFURNESS
(dryly)
Quite.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Youthinkthatmighthavebeenenough?
LAILAFURNESS
Notonitsown,no,ofcoursenot.Buttakingyourmatetoyourstepmother’sdrinksdoisonething,havinghimactuallymarryherisquiteanother.Andwhenyouaddinthecashfactor—
HUGOFRASER
Iagree–halfmycriminalworkisdowntopreciselythat.Trustme:youshouldneverunderestimatehowquicklymoneycandetonateevensupposedlyhappyfamilies.AndasfarasIcansee,thisonewashardlythat.
(glancesacrossatGuy)
Nooffence.
GUYHOWARD
(holdinguphishands)
Notaproblem.
LAILAFURNESS
Wasthereafinancialangle,though,inRupert’scase?Frommemory,Andrew’swillgaveCarolinealifeinterestinDorneyPlace,whichshestillhas,eventhoughshemarriedagain—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(drily)
Twice.
LAILAFURNESS
—butit’sRupertwhoinheritsitwhenshedies.HowdidhermarryingLukechangeanyofthat?IcanseeitmightgiveRupertamotivetokillher,togethishandsonthehouse–butnotLuke—
GUYHOWARD
(laughingsardonically)
AndifRupertdiesbeforemeI’mnextinlineforthehouse,whichwouldgivemeabigfatmotivetokillhim
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingalittleembarrassed)
Well,yes,Isupposeso.ButlikeIsaid,howdidLuke’sdeathbenefitRupert?
HUGOFRASER
IthinkweneedtodoadeepdiveintotheHowardfamilyfinances.TheremaybesomethingburiedinAndrew’swill,forexample,orinthewordingofthetrustfunds–IthinkI’mrightinsayinghesetupseparatetrustsforallhischildren.Assumingthat’sOKwithyou,ofcourse,Guy?
GUYHOWARD
Absolutely.LikeIsaid,Ionlywantthetruth.Icanputyouintouchwithourlawyer.
JJNORTON
Sowe’reagreed?WetakeacloserlookatRupert?
There’sgeneralagreementaroundthetable.
Soshallwedivvyup?Alan–couldyoupickuponthemysterylover?IreckonyourMetconnectionsmightserveuswellthere,especiallyifwe’retryingtorundownthatcar.Nopunintended.
HUGOFRASER
I’dbehappytopitchinonthataspecttoo.
JJNORTON
WhichleavesRupert,andLuke’spossiblymurkypast.I’mhappytotakeRupert–Bill,Laila,Mitchwhataboutyou?
BILLSERAFINI
I’llstepupforLuke.Shouldberightupmyalley.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Actually,I’dliketotakeacloserlookatthattoo.
JJNORTON
Lookslikeit’syouandmethen,Laila
FADEOUT
–endcredits–
TextmessagesbetweenMauraandAmelieHoward,18thApril2023,2.35p.m.
HeyAm
Theyinterviewedmeagain
So…?
Lookyou’reprobablynotgoingtobevhappyaboutthisbutImentionedaboutthatincidentthatsummer
ThatthingwithMum?
Yeahthat
LikeWTF?
Why?
Whatdifferencedoesitmakenow?No-onecaresaboutthatsortofshitanymore
WellIdo.IjusthatetheideaofGuyusingwhathappenedtomakefucking*money*
Youknowthatbetterthananyone
LookMum’snevergoingtoseeanyofthissoshewon’tbeupsetbyit.Andinanycaseisn’titbettertheyallrunaroundlookingforthismysteryblokeandleaveusalone?
Isupposeso
YouknowI’mrightAm
I’llhandleit.JustlikeIalwayshave.That’swhatbigsistersarefor,right?
Loveyoux
Loveyoumore
Youknowthat
Date:Fri21/04/2023,16.35
From:LailaFurness
To:MitchClarke
Subject:DownUnder
HiMitch,
Iwasjustwonderingifyou’dlikeanyhelpontheAussieendofthings–Ihaveanoldfriendwho’sajournalistdownthere,andhemighthavesomeusefulcontacts.Entirelyuptoyouofcourse.
Laila
Date:Sat22/04/2023,17.07
From:MitchClarke
To:LailaFurness
Subject:Re:DownUnder
Soundsgood.
M
Date:Sat22/04/2023,17.15
From:LailaFurness
To:BarryBonnett
Subject:Favour?
HiBarry,
SawyoucamesecondinthenationalchampionshipsagainStillimpressedyoucanfindthetimeforallthattrainingwhenyouhavethejobandeverythingelse.ButIguesscyclingisnohardshipinSydneyweather.Anyway,I’msureyouremembermementioningI’dbedoingthisShowrunnerthing.Turnsoutthere’sanAussieangleandoneofmycolleagueswouldappreciatesomehelpfromsomeoneontheground.Ifyouhavetime,I’dreallyappreciateit.I’msureyouknowwhatI’mgettingat.
Laila
Date:Sun23/04/2023,23.42
From:BarryBonnett
To:LailaFurness
Subject:Re:Favour?
HiLaila,
Yeah,prettyhappywithcomingsecond,Ihavetosay–apodiumplacing’salwaysgood.Notbadforanoldguy,eh?I’vegottheboyshookedaswellnow–Stephen’sshapingupprettywellandyes,stillbreakingtheheartsofhalfthefemalepopulationofUNSW.
(I’mimaginingyoushakingyourheadatthispointandsayingsomethingaboutchipsandoldblocks)
HesayshellobtwandabelatedthanksforhisChrimbopresent.
Andyes,noworries,sendyourmatemyway.Happytogivehimahand,anddon’tworry,I’llmakesurehedoesn’tgopokingroundwhereheisn’twanted.
I’llkeepyouposted.
Baz
EpisodeTwo
Broadcast
October6
TheTimes,7October2023
EpisodeThree
Filming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–narrator(female)
Twentyyearsago,onOctober3,2003,LukeRyderwasfoundsavagelybeateninthegardenofhiswife’shome.
Theyhadonlybeenmarriedayearbutit’spossiblethatCarolineRyderwasalreadycheatingonhim.
Couldthatsimplefacthavetriggeredafatalseriesofevents,orcouldsomethinginLuke’spasthavecomebacktohaunthim?
Ormaybetheanswer–thenasnow–liesfarclosertohome..
FADEOUT
CUTTO:Teaminstudio.Evenmorepicturesanddiagramsontheboardsnow.
BILLSERAFINI
So,toupdateeveryone,it’sbeentwoweekssincewelastmetandalotofwaterunderthebridgeinthattime.Oneortwoofushavehadahaircut,forastart—
Severaloftheteamsmile,Billrubshishandoverthebackofhishead.
—andyes,thatdoesincludeme.
Anyway,we’rebacktogethernow,todebrief.Torecap,we’vebeenpursuingthreelinesofenquiry.
(gesturestowardsthewhiteboard)
One,themanCarolineHowardRydermayhavebeenseeingatthetimeofthekilling.
Two,Luke’sownpast.
Andthree,whetherRupertHoward,Caroline’sstepson,hadanymotive–oropportunity–tokillLuke.
So,whowantstogofirst?
JJNORTON
Happytodothat,Bill.
BilltakeshisseatandJJreplaceshimatthewhiteboard.
IwaslookingintoRupertHoward,andanyreasonhemighthavehadtokillLuke.Solet’sdothistheold-fashionedway.
Hepicksupthemarkerpenandstartswriting;someoftheothersexchangesmiles:JJdoeslovehislists.
MEANS:That’stheeasyone.Anyonewhogotaccesstothatgardencouldhavepickeduparockoraslabofpavingfromtheflowerbeds.Allourpotentialperpetratorshadthemeans.
HeputsatickagainstMeans;theboardwobblesalittleandhemovesitarounduntilit’smorestable.
OPPORTUNITY:Rupertisfairlyuniqueamongthesuspectcohortinthathedidn’tneedanyonetolethimin:hehadhisownkey.Sointhatrespecthe’srightupthere.Thequestion,however,iswhetherhewasactuallyinthevicinityatthetime.
HemovesovertothepinboardandgesturesatamapofEnglandandWales.LondonandCambridgearebothmarked.
Ruperthasalwaysclaimedthathewasathisoldcollegeforadinnerthatnight.Andasyoucanseefromthemap,we’retalkingaboutadistanceof60-oddmiles.Atleastacoupleofhoursbycar,notmuchlessbytrain,ifyoufactorinthetimeitwouldtaketotravelacrossLondontoDorneyPlaceaswell.Andthat’sjustthetimetogetthere–it’dbeanothertwohoursgettingback.
Sogiventhemurdertookplacebetweenaround9.30and10.20,RupertwouldhavehadtoleaveCambridgeateightattheabsolutelatest,whichwouldhavebeenrightinthemiddleofthedinner.Andhewouldn’thavegotbacktoCambridgetillwellaftermidnight.
(turningtofacetheteam)
SowasRupertreallyinCambridgethatnight,andifhewas,washethereallnight?TheonlywayIwasgoingtogetanswerstoeitherofthosequestionswasbytalkingtosomeonewhowasthere.
Thankfullythecollegekeepsprettygoodrecords,andtheyputmeontoMalcolmSevern,whowasafriendandcontemporaryofRupert’s.Andnow–conveniently–aprofessoratthesamecollege.
CUTTO:JJandamiddle-agedmansittinginaCambridgecollegehall.Panelledwalls,periodportraits,longtableswithsilvercandlesticks.Severnisheavilybuilt,withthickwhitehairandafloridcomplexion.
JJNORTON
Thankyouformeetingme,ProfessorSevern.
MALCOLMSEVERN
Noproblematall.
JJNORTON
So,doyourememberthedinneronOctoberthird,2003?
MALCOLMSEVERN
Icertainlydo.NotleastbecauseIwasquestionedbytheMetropolitanPoliceaboutitveryshortlyafterwards.Iandmostoftherestofmyyeargroup.
JJNORTON
AnddoyourememberRupertbeingtherethatnight?
MALCOLMSEVERN
Ido.Wewereactuallysittingfairlyclosetogether–wewereallpartofthesamegroupoffriends.
Andhardasitmightbetoimaginelookingatusnow,wewereaprettyfastlotbackthen.
(laughs)
IremembertheDeanhadtosendamessagefromHighTableaskingustopipedown.
JJNORTON
Sothere’snowayRupertcouldhaveabsentedhimselfwithoutyouknowing?
MALCOLMSEVERN
CertainlynotforthetimeitwouldhavetakenforhimtogettoLondonandback.
(hesitates)
ThoughIdorememberhimleavingthetableatonestage—
JJNORTON
Ohyes?Whenwasthat?
MALCOLMSEVERN
They’djuststartedservingtheentréesoitmusthavebeenaround8.30.Hewasonlygoneabouthalfanhour.
JJNORTON
Andwhenhegotbackwheredidhesayhe’dbeen?
MALCOLMSEVERN
(lookingslightlyflustered)
Hesaidhehadtomakeacall.SomethingaboutaminoremergencyandneedingsomethingsortedoutreDP.
JJNORTON
DP?
MALCOLMSEVERN
DorneyPlace.He’dalwayscalleditthat,eversinceIfirstknewhim.
JJNORTON
I’mconfused–hesaiditwasanemergency,whichimpliessomethingthat’ssuddenlyhappened,sohowdidheknowaboutit?Hadsomeonecalledormessagedhimduringthedinnertosaytherewasaproblem?
MALCOLMSEVERN
Ithinkhemayhavegotatext.Youweren’tsupposedtohavemobilephonesinHall,butRupertneverthoughtruleslikethatappliedtohim.
JJNORTON
Soheleftthedinnertomakeacall?
MALCOLMSEVERN
Whichwasabigthing,bytheway.Hegotasevereticking-offfordoingthat–you’renotsupposedtoleaveuntiltheMastergivespermission.
JJNORTON
Andhenevertoldyouwhatthe‘emergency’was?
MALCOLMSEVERN
No.
JJNORTON
Wasn’tthatratherodd?
MALCOLMSEVERN
(hesitates)
Isupposeso.Ididn’tthinksoatthetime,butnowyoumentionit,yes.Itwasabitodd.
CUTTO:Studio,asbefore.JJisstillbythepinboard.
HUGOFRASER
Well,onethingweknowisthatwhoeverRupertcalledthatnightitwasn’tthelandlineatDorneyPlace–there’snorecordofanysuchincomingcall.AndnothingonCaroline’smobileeither.
JJNORTON
Thoughthetimingisinteresting–barelyanhourafterRupertmakesthatmysterycall,Lukeisdead.Ratheracoincidence,wouldn’tyousay?Whoknows,hecouldhavebeensettingthewholethingup—
LAILAFURNESS
(sceptical)
Ohcomeon,you’renotreallysuggestingRupertputahitoutonLuke?It’sCampdenHillwe’retalkingabout,nottheCosaNostra.
JJNORTON
Iagree.Butit’sstrangeallthesame
BILLSERAFINI
DidyouaskRupertaboutit?
JJNORTON
(givinghimadrylook)
Imostcertainlydid.
CUTTO:INTERVIEWwithRupert.He’sathisflatthistime.Aleatherarmchair,pilesofnewspapers,alogburner.He’swearingacheckshirt,awoollenwaistcoat,andaknittedtie.
JJNORTON–off
ThenightLukediedyouwereatadinnerinCambridge,right?
RUPERTHOWARD
Correct.WhatourOxfordcounterpartswouldcalla‘gaudy’.
(rathercondescendingly)
That’sareuniondinner.Formyyear.
JJNORTON–off
Idoknowwhatagaudyis.Oneofyourfellowalumnisaysyouwentouttomakeacallduringthedinner.
RUPERTHOWARD
Idon’treallyrecall.
JJNORTON–off
Thispersonalsotoldusthatyousaidtherewasan‘emergency’reDPthatneeded‘sortingout’.
RUPERTHOWARD
(frowning)
Ihavenorecollectionofthat.
JJNORTON–off
That’sanoddformofwordsforhimtouseifitdidn’thappen.Hesaysyoualwaysreferredtohomeas‘DP’.
RUPERTHOWARD
(dismissive)
Look,Carolinewasabsolutelyhopelessaboutthehouse.Thingswerealwaysgoingwrongorneedingtobefixed.Washingmachines,plumbing,thatsortofstuff.Andthegardenwasinacompletestate—
JJNORTON–off
Andshecalledyouwhenthingslikethatwentwrong?Eventhoughbyallaccountsyouweren’tthatclose?
RUPERTHOWARD
(hiseyesnarrowing)
Onoccasion.
JJNORTON–off
You’readabhandatplumbing,areyou?Spotofdecorating?DIY?
Rupertgivesawitheringlookinhisdirectionbutsaysnothing.
JJNORTON–off
Inanycase,weknowyoudidn’tcallherthatparticularevening.Therewerenocallsfromyourmobiletohersthatnight.Andnonetothehouseeither.Wechecked.
RUPERTHOWARD
(gettingtetchy)
Idon’tevenremembermakinganydamncall—
JJNORTON–off
Yourfriendwasprettycertain.
RUPERTHOWARD
Whoisthis‘friend’?
JJNORTON–off
MalcolmSevern.
RUPERTHOWARD
(laughingoutloud)
Christalmighty,SevernBore?Hewasalwaystaggingalongwherehewasn’twanted.Jesus,Ihaven’tspokentohiminyears.
JJNORTON–off
Hismemoryofthatnightseemsprettyclear.You’resureyoudon’trememberthatcall?
RUPERTHOWARD
Itoldyou—
JJNORTON–off
BecauseMalcolmseemstothinkyouweretoldoffforleavingtheHallduringdinnerwithoutpermission.Thatstrikesmeassomethingyouwouldn’tforget.
RUPERTHOWARD
LikeIsaid—
JJNORTON–off
Anditisodd,whenyouthinkaboutit–I’dhavethoughteverythingaboutthatnightwouldbeetchedinyourmind.
RUPERTHOWARD
Look,whatareyougettingat?
JJNORTON–off
I’mtryingto‘getat’thetruth—
RUPERTHOWARD
Thepoliceweren’tinterestedinmyfuckingphonecallsatthetime—
JJNORTON–off
Maybetheyshouldhavebeen—
RUPERTHOWARD
(tearingoffhismicandgettingup)
I’vehadenoughofthis–we’redone.I’dlikeyoutoleave.
Filmcutsouttostatic.
CUTTO:Studio,asbefore.
JJNORTON
That’snotexactlythedemeanourofaninnocentman.Notinmybook.Butasatnow,that’sallwehaveonhim.
LAILAFURNESS
Maybe‘DP’didn’tmeanDorneyPlace.Hejustuseditasanexcuse.Asmokescreen.
HUGOFRASER
Hewasonly23–whatdoesakidthatageneedasmokescreenfor?Hewashardlysomebig-timecrimeboss—
LAILAFURNESS
No,buthecouldhavebeendabblingindrugs–somethinglikethat—
HUGOFRASER
(smiling)
Igetit–‘DP’reallystoodforDrugPusher—
LAILAFURNESS
Thanksfortheman-descension,Hugo,butyouknowaswellasIdothathecouldeasilyhavebeendoingabitofdealingontheside.Itwouldaccountforwhyhe’ssotouchyaboutit,notjustthenbutespeciallynow–it’shardlyagoodlookforanaspiringToryMP.
BILLSERAFINI
Forwhatit’sworth,Iagree.Buteitherwayhedoesseemtohaveanalibiforthatnight.Andtobehonest,Istillcan’tseewhatmotivehecouldhavehad.
Thatsaid,theremaybesomethinginthefamilyfinancesthatcouldhavegivenhimone.JJ–whatdidyoufindoutaboutthat?
JJNORTON
Laila’stheonewho’sbeenonthecasethere.
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingup)
Ah,yes.Torecap,thiswasallaboutestablishingwhetherRuperthadareasontokillLuke,hisone-timefriend,let’snotforget.
Givenwe’venowconfirmedthatRupertwasdefinitelyinCambridgethatnight,itcouldn’thavebeenanargument-gone-badmurder:someoneelsemusthavecarrieditoutonhisbehalf.Ifnotaprofessionalhitmanthenafriendorassociate.Inotherwords,ithadtohavebeenpremeditated.
SodidRuperthaveamotivethatwasstrongenoughforhimtoarrangetohaveLukeRyderkilled?
Theshortansweris,Idon’tthinkso.
ItookalookatAndrewHoward’swill—
CuttolibraryFOOTAGEofdocumentsheaded‘LastWillandTestament’,etc.
—andCarolinedidprettywelloutofit.Notjustthelifeinterestinthehousebutaratherhandsomeportfolioofcashandfinancialinvestments,whichareherstouseduringherlifetime.
Whateverremainsatthetimeofherdeathistobedividedequallyamongthefourchildren:Rupert,andCaroline’sownthree,Maura,AmelieandGuy.Thehouse,asweknow,passestoRupertonherdeath,asAndrewHoward’seldestson
BILLSERAFINI
SoCaroline’skidsarerelyingonhernotburningthroughthatentirestackofcash,becauseifshedoesthey’llgetnothing?
LAILAFURNESS
Thatwasmyreadingofittoo.Thoughofcourse,I’mnotalawyer—
HUGOFRASER
Well,Iam,andIagree.TheobviousnextquestionbeingwhatwasthelegalpositionatthepointofLuke’smurder?
LAILAFURNESS
Ah,that’swhereitgetsinteresting–asfarasIcouldmakeoutCarolinedefinitelywasburningthroughthecash,andatarateofknots.ItlookslikethevalueoftheportfoliodroppedbyaboutthirtypercentbetweenAndrew’sdeathinDecember1999,andLuke’sdeathinOctober2003.Someofthatwasdowntomarketfluctuations,butevensoshewasclearlydrainingfundsatquitealick.
ALANCANNING
AndyouthinkthatlevelofexpenditurewasdowntoLuke?
LAILAFURNESS
Notdirectly–hehadnoaccesstothemoney,asitwasallinhername.Butitseemsshewasspendingmoneybothonhimandwithhim.SheboughthimaHarley,forastart,andtheywentonseveralexpensiveholidays.
ALANCANNING
SoyourtheoryisthatRupertmighthavehadLukekilledtoslowdownherspending?Seemsprettytenuoustome.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
Ifhewasgoingtogotoallthattrouble–andtakethatbigarisk–itwouldhavebeenfarmoreefficienttogetridofher
Thatwayhe’dcashoutstraightaway.Andgetthehouse.
LAILAFURNESS
WhichispreciselywhyIthinkthisone’sbasicallyanon-starter.ThephonecallatCambridgeisodd,andRupertiswaytoodefensive,butthatcouldbedowntosomethingcompletelyunconnected
Andinanycase,asBill’salreadysaid,itmakesnosense.KillingLukewasn’tgoingtosolveRupert’sproblems.Infact,itcouldevenhavemadethemworse:Carolinecouldhavesimplygotmarriedyetagain–tosomeoneevenmoreunsuitable.
BILLSERAFINI
Whichbringsustothemysterymanshemayormaynothavebeenhavinganaffairwith.
Hugo,Alan–wheredidyougetonthat?
ALANCANNING
Well,IcalledinafewfavoursandgotaccesstotheDVLAdatabase.
(pullingasheetofpaperfromhisfile)
TherewerejustoverthirtythousandMGBslistedasstillbeingontheroadinOctober2003.Ifyourefinethatdownjusttoredmodelsthenobviouslyitreducesfairlydrastically,butyou’restilllookingatseveralthousand.Youcouldthenrefineitgeographically,butweclearlyhavenowayofknowingwherethismanwasactuallyliving—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Surelyit’sareasonableassumptionhewasinLondon?
LAILAFURNESS
I’dagreewiththat.
ALANCANNING
—whichisexactlywhatIwasabouttosay,ifyou’dallowedmetofinish.IagreethatsomeoneCarolinewasseeingregularlywouldprobablyhavebeenlivingfairlycloseby.InLondon,atleast,ormaybetheHomeCounties.
IfyouapplythatfiltertotheDVLAlistontopofthepaintcolouryouendupwithjustunderahundredvehicles.Eighty-six,tobeprecise.
LAILAFURNESS
That’snottoobad.ActuallyfewerthanI’dhaveexpected.
ALANCANNING
Ifyouthenapplyanageandgenderfilterontopofthatandlookonlyatmaleownersover25,itcomesdownabitmore–toforty-two.
HegoestothepinboardandputsupamapofGreaterLondonwithascatterofreddotsacrossit.
Andthisiswherethoseforty-twowere.
BILLSERAFINI
That’sstillabigtask.Andthedata’stwentyyearsold.Halfthoseguyscouldbedeadbynow.
LAILAFURNESS
(agreeing)
Orhavemovedaway.
ALANCANNING
(turningtofacethem)
WhichisexactlywhatI’mfinding.IstartedwiththoselivingclosesttoDorneyPlace,ontheassumptionthatCaroline’slover,ifhedidexist,wasprobablyofasimilarsocio-economicclass.Andyes,Idoknowthatmaybeafalseassumption—
LAILAFURNESS
(inanundertone)
Thenagain,Ican’tseeCarolinegoingforaHackneyplumber—
ALANCANNING
(raisinghisvoiceslightly)
AsatnowI’vespokentosixteenpeoplewhoownedaredMGBatthattime,andlivedinthesamegeneralareaofLondonasDorneyPlace.Butthusfar,therearenoobvioushits.
BILLSERAFINI
IguessitalwayswasabitofaHailMary.
HUGOFRASER
(turningtohim)
Youknow,I’veneverunderstoodwhatAmericansmeanbythat.
BILLSERAFINI
(grinning)
It’salongpassrightattheendofafootballgame.Basicallyalast-ditchlongshot.
Anyway,whathaveyoubeendoingallthistimewhileAlan’sbeenrackinguphisphonebill?
HUGOFRASER
I,mygoodsir,havebeentalkingtoCaroline’sfriends,thoseofthemwecouldfind,toseewhethertheymighthaveacluewhoMrXwas.
BILLSERAFINI
Nowthatsoundslikeaplan.
CUTTO:MadeleineDowning,sub-captionedasbefore‘FriendofCarolineHoward’.Inhersittingroomthistime.
MADELEINEDOWNING
You’reaskingthewrongperson.Ineversawtheslightestsuggestionshewashavinganaffair.
(laughs)
Whywouldsheneedto,withayoungfithusbandontap?WhatwasthatthingPaulNewmansaid?‘Whygooutforaburgerwhenyoucanhavesteakathome?’
CUTTO:JENNIFERDENNISON,sub-captioned‘FriendofCarolineHoward’.DarkhairinaFrenchpleat,apatternedsilkshirt.She’sinablue-and-whitetiledkitchenwithaviewofagardenbeyond.
JENNIFERDENNISON
Sheneversaidanythingtome,andI’mprettysureshewouldhave,ifsomethingreallywasgoingon.
HUGOFRASER–off
Soshewouldconfideinyou?Youhadthatsortofrelationship?
JENNIFERDENNISON
Icertainlyconfidedinher,ifthat’swhatyoumean.
(flushesslightly)
Look,ifyoumustknow,Iwasgoingthroughsomethinglikethatmyself,backthen,OK?Iendedupleavingmyhusband.SoIthinkshe’dhavesaidifshewasinthesameposition.
HUGOFRASER–off
WeresheandLukehappy?
JENNIFERDENNISON
AsfarasIknow.Sheneversaidotherwise.Nottome,anyway.
CUTTO:CARMELPIPER,sub-captioned‘FriendofCarolineHoward’.Awell-builtwomanwithalongash-blondebobandaquiltedleathergilet.She’satatableinacafé.There’sabstractartinpastelcoloursonthewalls,freshflowersonthetable,andthecoffeeisinabluecupwithasaucer;it’sclearlyanindependent,notoneofthebigchains
CARMELPIPER
Weweren’tthatclose,tobehonest.Iwasjustoneofher‘ladieswholunched’.We’dgettogethereverysixweeksorso–itwasjustlight-heartedstuff.Gossip,one-upmanshipaboutholidays,thatsortofthing;youknowwhatit’slikeroundhere.Allveryharmless,inthebigschemeofthings.
HUGOFRASER–off
Didyoueverseehergetacallortextthatmighthavesuggestedshehadalover?
CARMELPIPER
(laughing)
I’mnotsurehowyoucouldtell!Buttheanswerisno.Ineversawherrushofftoanswerherphone,orsuddenlysayshehadtobesomewhereelse,oranythinglikethat.
Tobehonest,Igottheimpressionshekeptherlifeprettycompartmentalized.Aplaceforeveryone,andeveryoneintheirplace.IfyouknowwhatImean.
CUTTO:Studio,asbefore.
BILLSERAFINI
Whataboutthesportsbagangle?Anybetterluckwiththat?Thoughit’sanotherlongshot,Iknow.
HUGOFRASER
’Fraidnot.Therewereandstillareanynumberofgymsinthatpartoftown,nottomentionthetenniscourtsatQueen’s,andthreesquashclubstomycertainknowledge.
JJNORTON
Isitworthcross-referencingthemembersofthoseclubswiththeownersofredMGBs?
ALANCANNING
Idoubtmanyofthemstillhavetheirrecordsfor2003.Imean,yes,clearlywecanask,buteveniftheinformationstillexiststheyalmostcertainlywon’tgiveittous.
MITCHELLCLARKE
DataProtection.Baneofmybloodylife
LAILAFURNESS
Andthismanmaynothavebelongedtoaclubanyway.Hecouldjusthavebeen,youknow–ajogger.Doesanyonestilljogthesedays?Isitstillathing?
JJNORTON
(laughing)
Ithinkyouhaveto‘run’tobetakenseriouslynow.
ALANCANNING
(notlaughing)
Sotosummarize,basedonMauraHoward’snewevidence,ItendtoagreethatCarolineRyderdidhavesomesortofextra-maritalrelationship,butasatnow,wedon’thaveanyliveleadsonwhothemaninquestionmighthavebeen.
LAILAFURNESS
Butyou’llkeeplooking?Atthecars,Imean?
ALANCANNING
(wearily)
Yes,Icankeeplooking.
HUGOFRASER
SoallthatleavesuswithnowisBillandMitch,andwhatthey’vemanagedtodigupaboutLuke.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(toBill)
YouOKifIstart?
BILLSERAFINI
Knockyourselfout.
Mitchgetsupandgoestothepinboard,tothemapofAustralia.
MITCHELLCLARKE
SobacktoKalgoorlie.WhichisclearlysomethingLukehimselfneverplannedondoing.
Icontactedthelocalprimaryschooltoseewhatrecordstheyhadfrombackthen,andtobehonesttherewasn’tmuch.Nophotos,sadly,buttheydohaveaFacebookgroupforoldpupils,sotheschoolpostedsomethingonthatforme,andIgotfourorfivemessagesback,andwedidagroupZoomcall.
CUTTO:VIDEOofMitchathisdesk,withsixpeopleonaZoomscreen.
SoyouwereallinthesameclassasLukeRyderbackintheday?
CUTTO:Close-upofTracyRyan,sub-captioned‘SchoolmateofLukeRyder’.Pretty,withredhairinaponytail,andastripedtop.ShehasUluruasherscreenbackground.
TRACYRYAN
Godyeah,IrememberLuke.Rightgeekylittlekid.Alwaysgettingsandkickedinhisface.Notliterally,ofcourse,butyouknowwhatImean.
CUTTO:ScottGrant,sub-captionedasabove.He’sblondbutthinningontop.AMotorheadT-shirtandanearring.
SCOTTGRANT
Shityou’reright,that’sexactlyhowIrememberhim.Couldhaveknockedmedownwithafeatherwhenitcameoutabouthimgettingkilled.Imean,himbeinginLondonatall,tobehonest,nevermindmarriedtosomefoxyolderwomanwithatonofcash.
(laughs)
Neverthoughthehaditinhim.
CUTTO:DonnaGilchrist,sub-captionedasabove.Darkhairinapixiecut.Thesoundofchildreninthebackground.
DONNAGILCHRIST
Alwaysstruckmeasabitfishy,thatwholething.Andthey’veneversolvedit,havethey?
CAMERAPANSbacktocapturethewholegroup.
MITCHELLCLARKE
That’swhatwe’retryingtodonow.Butafteralltheseyears,it’snoteasy.
SCOTTGRANT
Idon’tenvyyouyourjob,mate.
TRACYRYAN
Sowhatdoyouneedfromus?Imean,IneversawtheguyagainafterheleftforSydney.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andwhydoyouthinkheleft?
TRACYRYAN
Youarejoking,right?Imean,hisparentsdie,heinheritsthecash,whatelseishegoingtodo?I’dhavegonemyself,givenhalfachance.
CUTTO:Studio,asbefore.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Asyoucansee,Idrewaprettypredictableblankthere.SothenextstopwasSydney.Unfortunately,thebarLukeworkedinhaslongsincegone,butthankstoanoldfriendofLaila’swhonowlivesthereIdidmanagetotrackdownthemanwhoowneditbackthen.
CUTTO:Mitchathisdesk,thistimeonspeakerphone.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(intophone)
Hello,isthisDon?
DONWYNDHAM
DonWyndham,that’sright.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndyouusedtoowntheBoardRoom,isthatright?Thebar?
DONWYNDHAM
Suredid,mate.OwnedittillIretired.Fifteenyearsagonow.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndI’mguessingfromthenamethatitwaspopularwiththesurfingcrowd?
DONWYNDHAM
(laughs)
Couldn’tmovefor’em.SpeciallyonaFridaynight.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndLukeRyderworkedforyou?ThiswouldhavebeensoonafterhearrivedinSydneyin1994.
DONWYNDHAM
Young‘Easy’–absolutely,workedformeacoupleyears.Nicekid.Abitshytostartwith,buthesooncameoutofhisshell,especiallyoncehegotthesurfingbug.Andhegotaseriouscaseofit,too–firsttheboard,thenthebirds.
Shit,sorry–probablyshouldn’tusethatword,shouldI,notthesedays.#MeTooandallthatmalarkey—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Sohewaspopularwiththegirls?
DONWYNDHAM
Nottostartwith.LikeIsaid,hewasshyandabitweedy,ifI’mhonest,abitonthesmallside.Andtherewasonehellofalotofcompetition,too,withalltheotherlads.Butoncehebulkedupabititwasallsystemsgo.Thoughayearorsolaterhemetthisonegirlandsuddenlyitwasallabouther.Didn’thaveeyesforanyoneelse.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Doyouknowhername?
DONWYNDHAM
Nah,sorry.It’salongtimeago.Ireckonshewassweetonhim,though.Youcouldtellthewaytheyweretogether.Itwassoonafterthatheleft.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Heleft?Doyouknowwhy?
DONWYNDHAM
Tobehonest,itwasallabitofamystery.Oneminutehe’stryingtofindaplaceforhimandthisgirltomoveintogether,andthenallofasuddenhe’shandinginhisnoticeandgonewithintheweek.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Buthenevergaveyouareason?
DONWYNDHAM
No,heneversaidanythingtome.Helookedprettybloodystressedaboutit,though,whateveritwas.Someoftheotherguysthoughthegotthatgirluptheduffandwaslookingfortheescapehatch.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Doyouthinkthat’swhathappened?
DONWYNDHAM
Searchme.Idoknowshedidn’tgooffwithhim,becauseIsawheronceortwiceacoupleofweeksafterthat.Lookedrightupset,shedid,poorlittlecow.Butifyou’reabouttoaskmewhereEasywentoffto,don’tbother.Idon’thaveabloodyclue.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andwhenwasthis?
DONWYNDHAM
Nowyou’reasking.Summer’95,Ithink.MaybelateNovember?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Doyoubyanychancehaveanypicturesofhimbackthen?
DONWYNDHAM
(laughs)
Idoubtit,mate!It’stwentybloodyyearsago!ButI’llhaveashuftaroundandseewhatIcanfind.
CUTTO:Studio,asbefore.Mitchisstillbythepinboard.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Thoughasitturnedout,wewereinluck.Dondidfindacoupleofoldsnaps,butasyoucansee—
(gesturingattheboard)
—theydon’texactlytellusmuch.
CAMERAZOOMSinonPHOTOS.Oneshowsacrowdedbar–atleastfifteenpeopleinshot,mostlyyoungmen.They’reallholdingupbeerbottlesandsmiling;theylookquitedrunk.There’sacircledrawninredmarkerpenaroundafigureinthebackrow,buthe’smorethanhalfobscuredbythepersoninfront.Inthesecondpictureabunchofyoungguysarerunningtowardsthewavescarryingsurfboards.Thesunisonlyjustcomingupandslantslowacrossthesand.Lukeisagainmarkedinred,buthe’sonlyvisiblefrombehind.
HUGOFRASER
Ohwell,itwasagoodtry—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Actually,Ihaven’tquitefinished.Donstillhadhistaxrecordsfromthebar,sohewasabletotellmeexactlywhenitwasthatLukeleft–itwasthetwenty-ninthofNovember1995.SoIdidawebsearchforanythingthathappenedinSydneyroundthenthatmightexplainwhyhesuddenlyuppedandleft.
JJNORTON
Youdon’tbuythatitwasjustaboutthegirl?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Idon’tknow,maybeitwas,butIthoughtitwasworthcheckingoutotherpossibilitiesaswell.EspeciallygiventhatDonhadn’tseenanyevidenceofaproblemwiththegirlfriend.
JJNORTON
And?
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndIfoundsomething.
HeturnstotheboardandpinsupaprintoutoftwocuttingsfromtheSydneypress.
Theteamexchangeglances;thelevelofenergyintheroomhasdefinitelygoneup.MitchputsupamapofcentralSydney,picksupthemarkerpenandstartsannotatingthemap.
TheBoardRoombarwashere,theaddressDonhasonfileforLukeatthetimewashere,andtheaccidenttookplacehere
JJNORTON
(nodding)
Sotheaccidentwasinadirectlinebetweenwherehelivedandwhereheworked.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.Andfivedaysafterithappened,justasthepoliceareturninguptheheat,Lukeresigns.
BILLSERAFINI
(lettingoutalongbreath)
Jeez.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndthatsortoftimeinthemorningispreciselywhenLukewouldhavebeenonhiswayhomefromwork.Andit’safairbethecouldhavebeendrinking.
JJNORTON
Whichasthatarticlesays,wouldhavegivenhimaverygoodreasonnottohavestopped.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Exactly.
JJNORTON
DidyouspeaktotheSydneypolice?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Idid.Theytoldmethedriverresponsiblewasneverfound.AndtherewasnothingatthescenetohelpIDthevehicle–nopaintfragmentsoranythinglikethat.Butonelocalresidentdidhearaveryloudenginenoiseataroundthattime.
ALANCANNING
Didthepoliceeversuspectitcouldhavebeenamotorbike?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Apparentlynot.Andit’stoolatetofollowuponthatnow,ofcourse.Andnowayoftrackingdownthebikeeither,toseeifithadanydamage—
JJNORTON
Thatmightnothavebeenconclusiveanyway.Ifitwasjustaglancingblowthebikemighthavecomeoffcompletelyunscathed.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Soasatnowthisavenuelookslikeadeadend.Butevenso,itmayofferusonepossible–andIthinkcompelling–explanationforwhyLukeRydersuddenlydecidedtoleavethecountry.
HUGOFRASER
Andwhysomeonemighthavewantedtokillhim.Oneofthevictim’srelativeswouldberightupthereasapotentialsuspect.AlwaysassumingtheyknewwhereLukehadabscondedto,ofcourse.
ALANCANNING
Yes,butthatwouldn’thavebeeneasy.Andthey’dhavetobecarryingonehellofagrudgetostillbeonhiscasesevenyearslater,ontheoppositesideoftheworld.
JJNORTON
Whatdoweknowaboutthevictim?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(sighs)
Notmuch,I’mafraid.Thepolicewereabitcageyaboutthewholething.Igottheimpressionthefamilyputalotofpressureonthemnottoreleasetheman’sname.Therewere‘personalreasons’apparently.
BILLSERAFINI
(knowingly)
Someonewhowaswherehewasn’tsupposedtobe.
JJNORTON
Thatwouldbemyguesstoo–maybeamarriedmancaughtgoingovertheside—
HUGOFRASER
Doweknowwhathappenedtohim?Didhesurvive?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Rightnow,yourguessisasgoodasmine.ButI’vestartedgoingthroughdeathrecordsfortheweeksaftertheaccident,toseeifIcanfindanything.ThoughwehavenowayofknowingwhetheranyofthishasanythingtodowithLukeRyder,ofcourse.
LAILAFURNESS
True.Thehit-and-runmighthavebeencausedbysomeoneelseentirely.Thiscouldjustbeatotalwildgoosechase.
BILLSERAFINI
Goodwork,though,Mitch.Verygoodwork.
JJNORTON
Agreed.Andit’salsosomethingtheMetdon’tseemtohavediscoveredatthetime,sopropsforthat.
ALANCANNING
Onlyifitturnsouttoberelevant.AsLailasays,itcouldhaveabsolutelynothingtodowithit.
HUGOFRASER
(ignoringhim)
Howdoyoutopthat,then,Bill?
BILLSERAFINI
(smilingandgettingtohisfeetasMitchsitsdown)
I’lldomybest,Hugo.I’lldomybest.
(turningtofacethem)
So,whileMitch’sbeenchasingLukeacrosstheOutback,I’vebeenlookingatwherehepitchedupnext.Backin2003,theUKpoliceestablishedthatwhenheleftSydneyhewentfirsttoBali,andthentoCambodia.
HepinsupmapsofbothcountrieswithmarkersonKutaandKampotrespectively
Inbothplaceshejustdidcasualwork,oratleastasfarasIcandetermine.Iftherewereotheruntoward‘incidents’Ihaven’tfoundthem.ThoughinthelightofwhatMitchhasjusttoldus,thefactthathedoesn’tseemtohavegoneinforbarworkineitherlocationmaybesignificant.Alongwiththefactthathedidn’tstaylongineitherplace.HisnextstopafterCambodiawasBeirut—
(Hepinsupanothermap.)
–wherehearrivedinJanuary1997.Wedon’tknowquitewhathewasdoingthereorwhyhechoseit,butLebanonwashardlytheobviouschoiceforaholidayinthesun.Thecountrywasstillrecoveringfromasavagecivilwar,thegovernmentwasweaktonon-existentinsomepartsofthecountry,andtherewereareaswhereterroristgroupslikeHezbollahandHAMASoperatedprettymuchwithimpunity.AsLukewastofindout.
HeturnsandputsupapresscuttingfromtheNewYorkTimes.
NewYorkTimes
August5,1997
CUTTO:CNNFOOTAGEoftheaftermathoftheattack.Bodieslyinginthestreet,thetangledwreckageofthebus,debrisandbrokenglassstrewnacrosstheground,thenatrackingshotinacrowdedandchaotichospital,peopleonmakeshiftbeds,onemissingaleg,severalwithbandagesaroundtheirheadsandfaces.
LAILAFURNESS
(clearlyshocked)
Irememberthathappening.Justdreadful.Andyou’resayingRyderwasmixedupinit?
BILLSERAFINI
(nods)
Hewasoneoftheinjured.Hehadsuperficialcutsandabrokenarm,spentthreedaysinaBeiruthospital,andthen–notsurprisingly–decidedtoleavethecountry.
ThenexttimewecatchupwithhimisinAssos,where,twoyearslater,hewouldmeetRupertHowardandthelastchapterofhislifewouldstarttoplayout.Notthatheknewthatthen,ofcourse
HUGOFRASER
Horriblethingtohappen,ofcourse,butIcan’tseehowRyderbeingcaughtupinabusbombinBeirutcouldpossiblyleadtosomeonetrackinghimdownandkillinghiminLondonsixyearslater.
Mitch’slead,ontheotherhand—
There’sageneralagreementandnoddingofheads.
BILLSERAFINI
Notsofast,folks.Thatwasn’ttheonlythingIfoundout.
Heturnsandputsupaphotoonthepinboard.It’sawell-builtyoungmanwithdark-blondhairandaconfidentsmile
HUGOFRASER
Whothehell’sthat?
BILLSERAFINI
It’sLukeRyder.
Peoplestareatoneanother,andthenatBill,clearlyconfused.
HUGOFRASER
Noit’snot.
BILLSERAFINI
Yesitis.ThisisthemanwholeftSydneyinNovember1995,andwasinjuredinabusbombinginBeirutinAugust1997.
Onlyhewasn’tinjuredthatday.
Hewaskilled.
Themanwe’vebeenchasing–themanwhometRupertHowardinGreece,themanwhomarriedCarolineHowardandendedupbeatentodeathinhergarden–thatwasn’tLukeRyder.
Itwasanimposter.
FADEOUT
–endcredits–
Wrap-upemailfromNickVincent,5thMay2023
Date:Fri5/05/2023,9.15Importance:High
From:NickVincent
To:GuyHoward,HugoFraser,AlanCanning,MitchClarke,LailaFurness,BillSerafini,JJNorton
CC:TarekOsman
Subject:HUM-dinger
Ithinkwecanallagreethatwasonehellofashowstopper!MassivemassivecredstoBillforpullingthatoutofhishatanddoingitwithsuchaplomb.Andapologiesagainforinsistingonstoppingfilmingatthatpoint.Iknowyouallhaveatonofquestions–Idotoo–butweneedyoutoaskthoseoncamera,tokeeptheenergyandmomentumof
Cheers,
Nick
Date:Sat6/05/2023,9.55
From:AlanCanning
To:GuyHoward
Subject:Bill
Guy,
CouldIjustconfirmwhetherornotyouwereprivytoBill’srevelationbeforeithappened?I’mfranklyastonishedthathe’smanagedtomakesuchanextraordinarydiscoveryintheshorttimehe’sbeenonthecase:heonlystartedinvestigatingLuke’spastlessthanamonthago.
Moreover,it’squitecleartheMethad,andstillhave,noideawhatsoeveraboutthisalleged‘imposture’.ButmaybeyouandNickhavebeensittingonthisfromthestart?Itwouldbegoodtoknow,ifso.
Best,
Alan
Date:Sat6/05/2023,10.03
From:GuyHoward
To:AlanCanning
Subject:Re:Bill
Ihadnofuckingidea.
TextmessagesbetweenAmelieandMauraHoward,6thMay2023,11.49a.m.
Didyougetmyvoicemail?AboutLuke,andhimbeingafucking*fake*
LikeWTF?
That’sprettymuchwhatIsaid
WhatdidGuysay?Didheknow?
NoI’msurehedidn’t
Helookedlikecraptbh
SaidNickhadgonebehindhisback
Yeahwellwhatdidheexpect
Istillcan’tbelievethatfuckerLukehadusfooledandgotawaywithit.AndwhataboutMum?Doyouthinksheknew?
TobeginwithIthoughtthere’snofuckingwaysheknew
Andnow?
Idon’tknow,Am.Ijustdon’tknow
Itmightexplainalotofthings
ALOTofthings
Ohfuck
VoicemailleftforGuyHowardbyNickVincent,6thMay2023,11.05p.m.
EpisodeThree
Broadcast
October9
TheTimes,10October2023
EpisodeFour
Filming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–narrator(female)
OnthenightofOctober3,2003,thebrutallybeatenbodyofayoungmanwasfoundinthegardenofhiswife’sLondontownhouse.
Forthepasttwentyyears,everyone–includinghisfamilyandlawenforcement–thoughttheman’snamewasLukeRyder.
Butthankstoourinvestigations,we’venowproved,conclusively,thatthiswasnothisrealname.
‘LukeRyder’waslivingalie.
FADEOUT
CUTTO:Studio.Theteamaresittingroundthetable.They’redresseddifferentlyfromlasttime:timehaspassed.
HUGOFRASER
Well,Ithinkwecanallagreethatwasonehellofarevelationlasttime,Bill.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Yeah,youcertainlykeptthatoneunderyourhat.
BILLSERAFINI
(laughing)
Sorry,guys.
ALANCANNING
Soareyougoingtotelluswho‘LukeRyder’actuallywas?
BILLSERAFINI
(turningtotheboardandstartingtopinupmugshots)
TherewerefiveWesternersonthatbusthatday,threeofwhomdied.ThosefivepeopleweretherealLukeRyder,aBritcalledJoeMcGrath,twoDutchgirlscalledFamkeMeijerandMaritReitsema,andourguy—
(tappingthefirstphoto)
AnAmerican,amanbythenameofEricDwightFulton.AnativeofNorthBirmingham,Alabama,bornon11thMarch1966.
(Ittakesamomentforthistosinkin.)
LAILAFURNESS
ButthatwouldhavemadehimatleasttenyearsolderthantherealLuke—
BILLSERAFINI
Eleven,actually,butyes.
JJNORTON
Hangon,soyou’resayingtheblokewhomarriedCarolineHowardwasn’tLukeRyderatall,butsomeoneelevenyearsolder?
(sitsback)
I’mamazedhecouldpullthatoff.Andthatnoonearoundhimeversuspected.
BILLSERAFINI
Youandmeboth,JJ–andIdon’tthinkGuywillmindmesayingthathewasjustasstunnedastherestofus.
CUTTO:GuyatDorneyPlace,thechairisinthemiddleoftheroom,he’sinshirtsleevesandjeansthistime.
GUYHOWARD
TobehonestI’mstilltryingtogetmyheadroundthis.Ihadnoidea–honestly.IknowIwasonlyakidatthetime,butchildrencanbesurprisinglygoodatsensingwhetherpeoplearen’tgenuine.Inevergotthatvibeoffhim.Notonce.
CUTTO:Maura,sittingonthesamechair.She’snowwearingablacklong-sleevedT-shirtwithascoopneck.Hernailsarepaintedblacktoo.
GUYHOWARD–off
YouknowItoldyouLukewasn’twhohesaidhewas?Turnsouthewasn’tevenAustralian.HewasfromAlabama.
MAURAHOWARD
(staring)
Alabama?Seriously?Whatthefuck?
GUYHOWARD–off
Didyoueversuspectanything?
MAURAHOWARD
Me?Ofcoursenot–whywouldI?Iwas,like,thirteenwhenMummethim,howthefuckwouldIknow?Hedidn’tsoundAmerican.
GUYHOWARD–off
(withaquicklaugh)
Atleastitexplainswhyhewassocrapatcricket.Butseriously,youdon’trememberMumeversayinganything–abouthisaccentoranythinglikethat?Orhowoldhelooked?Evenasajoke?
MAURAHOWARD
(frowning)
I’mnotwithyou—
GUYHOWARD–off
Itwasn’tjustthathisnamewasfake,Maurie–hewaslivingonsomeoneelse’sidentity.Someoneawholelotyoungerthanhewas.
Whentheyfirstmet,hewasn’t23likehetoldMum.Hewas34.
MAURAHOWARD
(hereyeswidening)
Youhavegottobekiddingme.Thirty-four?Alltheshitshewentthroughabouttheagedifferenceandallthetimethey’rebasicallythesamefuckingage?
GUYHOWARD–off
Yup.
MAURAHOWARD
Buthowthefuckdidhegetawaywithit?Howdidnobodyevennotice?Notus–notthekids–buttheadults?LikebloodyRupert,forastart?
CUTTO:RupertHoward,inhisstudythistime.He’sinanopen-neckedshirtandacable-knitcardigan.
RUPERTHOWARD
You’resayingthatwhenImethiminAssoshewasreally32?Trustme,thereisnowayonearththatthatguy,whateverhisnamewas,wasasoldasthat.
Noway.
No.Fucking.Way.Theremusthavebeensomesortofmistake.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Itdoesn’tlooklikeit.
RUPERTHOWARD
Ohcomeon,hewasbehavinglikeabloodystudent–gettingpissed,sleepingonotherpeople’sfloors,generallymakinganarseofhimself.Whywouldanyoneintheirthirtiesevenwanttogothroughallthatshitagain?Ibloodywouldn’t.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Hewaslivingonsomeoneelse’spassport–hedidn’thaveachoice.
RUPERTHOWARD
Yeah,buttrustme,hewasenjoyingit.Ifwhatyousayistrue,thisblokewasn’tjustfakingit,hewasbloodycertifiable.
CUTTO:DianaMoran,sub-captioned‘Consultantpsychiatrist’.She’spale-skinned,withdarkshoulder-lengthhairandglassesthatareslightlytooheavyforherface.She’ssittinginalowsetteeinwhatisclearlyaclinicenvironment:mutedcolourschemes,functionalfurniture,banalinoffensiveartwork.CamerapansbacktoshowGuysittingalongsideher.
DIANAMORAN
Whatwecouldbetalkingabouthereisaconditionknownas‘PeterPanSyndrome’,butIneedtostressthatit’snotarecognizedmentaldisorder,thoughthetermisinfairlywideuseintherapeuticcircles.Asthenamesuggests,peoplewhoexhibitthispatternofbehaviourbasicallydon’twanttogrowup.
It’samuchmorecommonphenomenoninmen,andshowsitselfin‘adolescent’characteristicssuchasarefusaltotakeonresponsibility,areluctancetobetieddowntospecificplansorgoals,andthetendencytousedrugsoralcoholasameansofescape.Suchmenareoftenhopelesswithmoneyandleaveastringofbankruptciesintheirwake,whileblamingeveryonebutthemselvesforthefactthatthingshavegonewrong.
Theflipsideofallthisisthattheyareoftenverycharming–their‘childishness’cancomeoverasplayfulnessandemotionalaccessibility,whichwomencanfindveryattractive.Abreathoffreshair,youcouldsay.Until,thatis,itbecomesobviousthattheseappealingqualitiesarealmostalwaysaccompaniedbyaninabilitytocommitinthelongterm.Likechildren,thesemenareveryeasilybored.
GUYHOWARD
Isthissomethingyou’rebornwith,orisittheresultofyourupbringingorsomesortoftraumaorwhat?
DIANAMORAN
AsIsay,itisnotaformallyrecognizedcondition,butsomedocumentedcasesdoseemtohavesprungfromaparticularlystrictchildhood.Afatherwithamilitarybackground,forexample,mayfindithardtoexpresshisfeelings,makingthechildfeelnooneis‘lookingafterhim’,whichleadshimtoseekthatkindofattentionandnurturingfromotherpeoplelaterinlife.
GUYHOWARD
Soyouthink‘LukeRyder’wassufferingfromthissyndrome?
DIANAMORAN
Ididn’tsaythat–it’salwaysverydangeroustoofferadiagnosiswithoutseeingthepatient.ButtherearesomecharacteristicsyoudescribeinhimwhichIthinkcouldbesuggestive.
Butothersyou’vementionedseemtodivergequitemarkedlyfromtypicalPeterPanbehaviour.Forexample,fromwhatyousay,thismanfunctionedperfectlyadequatelyasanadult,atleastafterhebegantherelationshipwithyourmother–somuchsothatherfriendscommentedonhisapparentmaturity.Likewisehehadnoproblemmakingalong-termcommitmenttoher,thoughagain,asyouyourselfpointedout,therecouldhavebeenasignificantelementofself-interestatplaythere.
It’salsounusualforPeterPanstogoforwomenolderorthesameageastheyare–theytendtotargetmuchyoungerwomen–inparttoprovetothemselvesandothersthatthey’restill‘young’.So‘Luke’definitelydidnotfitthatparticularpattern.
Ontheotherhand,insomeofthesecasesthedesiretobe‘takencareof’issostrongitcanleadmenlikethistogravitatetowardsolderwomen,especiallythosewithsignificantmeansorstatus.There’squiteafamouscasefromtheStateswhereaprominentNevadapoliticiangotinvolvedwithherhusband’scritical-carenurse,whowasabouttenyearsyoungerthanher.
GUYHOWARD
Whathappenedtoher?
DIANAMORAN
I’mafraidsheendedupdead.Hekilledher.Butclearlywe’renotlookingatanythinglikethathere.Thoughit’sinteresting,inthatcontext,tolooknotonlyatLukebutatyourmother’spersonalitytypetoo:somepsychologistsbelievethatcertainindividuals–inthiscase,mostlywomen–willactivelyseekoutpartnerswhowillbereliantonthem,partnerstheycan‘mother’.
Itwon’tsurpriseyoutolearnthatthisisknownas‘WendySyndrome’:it’softenfoundasaco-dependencywiththe‘PeterPan’personalitytype.
Doyouthinkthatcouldhavebeenrelevantinyourownmother’scase?
GUYHOWARD
(shakinghishead)
Myimmediateresponsewouldbeno.Lukewastheexception,nottherule,inmymother’slife.BothbeforeandafterLukeshewasinrelationshipswithmenconsiderablyolderthanshewas.Menwhoforthemostpartlookedafterher
DIANAMORAN
Interesting.
GUYHOWARD
YousaidtherewereotheraspectsofLuke’sbehaviourthatdidappeartohavefollowedthePeterPanpattern.Whatsortofthingdidyoumean?
DIANAMORAN
Thefactthathewaseasilybored,hislackofambition,hisreluctancetogetajob—
GUYHOWARD
Thoughyoucouldjustputthatdowntolaziness–becausehedidn’tactuallyneedtowork—
DIANAMORAN
Absolutely.Whichiswhyit’ssoperiloustodrawconclusionsfromsecond-handaccounts.
IbelieveyousaidLukewasextremelyinterestedinphysicalfitness?
GUYHOWARD
(withawrysmile)
Yeah,hegotMumtoputagyminthebasement.
DIANAMORAN
Whichisalsointeresting,becausethese‘PeterPans’areoftenobsessedwiththeirlooksandphysique:anotherwayofprovingthatthey’re‘stillyoung’.Insomeextremecasesthesemenevendressandbehavelikeadolescents.
ThereareexamplesfromtheUSofpeopleintheirthirtiestakingonfakeidentitiesandallowingthemselvestobetakenintofostercare.Orenrollinginaseriesofdifferenthighschoolsusingfakeadolescentpersonae.Basicallyjustaboutanythingtoavoidtakingontheresponsibilitiesofadulthood.
GUYHOWARD
Butdidn’t‘Luke’doaversionofexactlythat,livingoffthepassportofsomeonemuchyoungerthanhim?
DIANAMORAN
Yes,buthedidn’tactivelychoosetodothat,didhe?Heacquiredthatpassportbyafreakaccident.Thatsaid,hesawnoprobleminbecomingthatmuchyoungerpersonwhenfatethrustituponhim.
SoIthinkthekeyquestionhereiswhetherLukewasforcedtoplaytheroleofamuchyoungerman,simplybecausethatwastheonlypassportavailabletohim,orwhetherthatpassportmerelyallowedhimtoliveinawaythathewasalreadynaturallydrawnto.
I’mnotsurewe’lleverknowtherealanswertothat.
CUTTO:Studio.
JJNORTON
IguessitdoesatleastexplainallthatstuffCaroline’sfriendstoldusabouthersayingLukewasan‘oldsoul’—
ALANCANNING
Hangonaminute–we’regettingwayaheadofourselves.HowcometheMetneverdiscoveredallthisbackin2003?
BILLSERAFINI
(shrugs)
Maybetheyjustdidn’tlook.Tobefair,onthefaceofittherewasnoreasonto.AsfarastheywereconcernedamancalledLukeRyderhadenteredtheUKonavalidAustralianpassport.Itwouldn’thaveraisedanyredflags.
ALANCANNING
Oh,Igetwhytheydidn’tfindit.WhatIdon’tgetishowyoudid.
BILLSERAFINI
Whatdoesthatmean?
ALANCANNING
Yousaidyourself,therewasnoreasonforanyonetodoubt‘LukeRyder’wasn’texactlywhohesaidhewas.
Butyoudid.
Ijustwanttoknowwhy.
BILLSERAFINI
Easy.
Hegivesawrysmilewhenherealizeswhathe’ssaid.
ButyouwantedtoknowhowIworkeditout?
HeturnstothearrayofpicturesonthepinboardandtapstheonewiththegroupofsurfersonthebeachinAustralia.
Itwasthis.
LAILAFURNESS
I’mstillnotwithyou.
BILLSERAFINI
Takeacloserlook.
Shehesitates,thengetsupandgoesovertotheboard.Billturnstotherestoftheteam.
AsLaila’sabouttodiscover,therealLukeRyderhadatattonthebackofhisleftshoulder.It’shardtomakeoutexactlywhatitis,butmyguessisaversionoftheHokusaiwave.It’sprettypopularwithsurfers.
Lailaturnstotherestofthem.
LAILAFURNESS
He’sright.Onceyouknowwhatyou’relookingforyouseeitstraightaway.
JJNORTON
Don’ttellme–the‘LukeRyder’whomarriedCarolinehadnotattoos.
BILLSERAFINI
Yougotit.
Hegesturestothebodymapthat’sbeenpinnedontheboardsincethefirstEp.
Asconfirmedbytheautopsy:EricFulton,AKA‘LukeRyder’hadnotatts.
LAILAFURNESS
ButhecouldeasilyhavehadonelikethatdoneifhewantedtopasshimselfoffasLuke—
JJNORTON
(shakinghishead–he’salreadyonestepahead)
Hedidn’tgetonedonebecausehedidn’tknowheneededto—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
—becausetheydidn’tknoweachother.HehadnoideatherealLukeRyderhadthatink.Onhisshoulderoranywhereelseforthatmatter.
BILLSERAFINI
Yup.Itwasjustarandomtrickoffatethatputthetwoofthemonthesamebusatexactlythewrongmoment.They’dnevermetbefore.
HUGOFRASER
Sowhatdoyouthinkhappened?ThisEricFultonstoletherealLukeRyder’spassport?
BILLSERAFINI
Ithinkso.ByallaccountstherealLukewasrightnexttothebombwhenitwentoff.Therewouldn’thavebeenmuchofhimlefttoidentify.
JJNORTON
AndinallthesmokeandconfusionimmediatelyafterwardsFultonswitchespassportswithadeadguy?
BILLSERAFINI
Right.
HeturnsandpinsupapictureoftherealLukealongsidethefakeone.
LAILAFURNESS
There’sasuperficialresemblance,certainly,butenoughtogetawaywithusinghispassport?
BILLSERAFINI
Thinkaboutit–thatpassportmusthavebeeninquiteamessbythetimeFultongothishandsonit.Itmaynotevenhavebeeninonepiece.AllhehadtodowassendwhatwaslefttotheAustralianauthoritiesandgetthemtoissuehimwithanewone—
HUGOFRASER
—supplyingapictureofhimselfthistime.Heypresto,aspankingnewidentity,withanofficialpassportattached.TheonlyotherthingheneededwasapassableAussieaccent.Hardlyinsurmountable,assuchchallengesgo.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.Andit’squitepossiblehedidn’tonlytakethepassport–maybehestoletherealLuke’sbagaswell.Whoknowswhatelsetherewasinthere–photos,letters–enoughtofakeawholenewlife.
ALANCANNING
You’reforgettingaboutFulton’sfamily–aboutRyder’sfamily.
BILLSERAFINI
Well,Fultonwaslistedaskilledinthebombing,sonoonewasabouttostartlookingforhim.AsforRyder’sfamily,Iguessthatmusthavebeenariskworthtaking.
JJNORTON
(nods)
Andhewasprobablyright:peopledon’tendupinwarzonesunlessthey’retryingtogetlost.Orontherun.Which,asweknowfromMitch,therealLukeRydermightwellhavebeen.
LAILAFURNESS
ButFultoncouldn’thaveknownthat.
JJNORTON
(shrugs)
Takesonetoknowone.
LAILAFURNESS
YouthinkFultonwasontheruntoo?
JJNORTON
Hastobeapossibility.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
Iagree.Abomb’sgoneoff,there’sbodiesandscreamingandcompletemayhemonallsidesandwhat’sthefirstthingthisguydoes?Hegoesferretingaboutinadeadman’sbaggagetostealhispassport.That’snot‘normal’behaviour,notbyanydefinitionoftheterm.
ButI’mnotapsychologist.Whatdoyouthink,Laila?
LAILAFURNESS
Well,IagreewithDianaMoranthatit’salwaysperiloustoattemptanysortofdiagnosisatsecondorthirdhand.Butwiththatproviso,theswitchingofthepassportsdoessuggesttomethatchanginghisidentitywasanurgent,maybeevenadesperate,priorityforFultonatthattime.
Somuchso,thatimmediatelythebombwentoff,andeventhoughhehimselfwasinjured,hesawitnotasadisaster,butagoldenopportunity.
JJNORTON
Whichmakesitevenmorelikelyhewasrunningfromsomething.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(toBill)
WhatdoweknowaboutthisFultonguy?ApartfromthefactthathecamefromAlabama.Doweknowwhyhewassokeentoleavehisrealnamebehind?
BILLSERAFINI
I’monit,butrightnow,wedon’tknowmuch.
ALANCANNING
Onthecontrary,youseemtohavediscoveredavastamountinaremarkablyshortspaceoftime.
JJNORTON
Youcertainlyhave.I,forone,amimpressed.
Theyallagree.
HUGOFRASER
Ofcourse,youknowwhatthismeans,don’tyou?
There’sasilence;they’reallstaringathim.
ThismanFulton–heendedupbeingmurdered,sixyearsandthreethousandmilesfromthatbombblast,becausehewas,orsomeonethoughthewas,‘LukeRyder’.
Fultonwenttoallthattroubletolosewhatwecanonlyassumewasadangerousrealidentity,onlytofindhimselfwithanevenmoredangerousfakeone.
Outofthefryingpan,andallthat.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ormaybeitwashisownpastthatcaughtupwithhim?Someoneworkedouthewasn’t‘LukeRyder’atall,butEricFulton?
There’sanothersilence,astheytakeinthefullimplicationsofthis.
JJNORTON
(takingadeepbreath)
Sowheredoesthatleaveus?Wheredowegonow?
HUGOFRASER
(laughs)
It’slikethatoldIrishjoke:‘Iwouldn’tstartfromhere’.
LAILAFURNESS
(turningtohim)
Butwehavetogosomewhere,don’twe?Isitthereal,pre-BeirutLukeRyderweshouldbefocusingon,orthefakeoneafterit?
JJNORTON
Idon’tthinkit’seither/or.Ithinkit’sboth.
BILLSERAFINI
Agreed.
LAILAFURNESS
Butdon’twehavetore-evaluateallourpreviouslinesofenquiryinthelightofthis?Reconsideralltheexistingsuspects,eventhosewethoughtwe’deliminated?
ALANCANNING
Firstandmostnotably,Caroline.Didsheknowaboutthisbogusidentity?
Maybeshefoundout–maybethat’swhatallthiswasabout.Becauseifthatisn’tamotive,Idon’tknowwhatis.
JJNORTON
Todivorcehim,yes,buttohavehimmurdered?
BILLSERAFINI
Adeceptionlikethat?I’veseenplentyofpeoplekilledforless.
HUGOFRASER
(shakinghishead)
I’mnotbuyingit.Ifyouaskme,weshouldfollowthemoney.
LAILAFURNESS
Inthesensethat—?
HUGOFRASER
InthesensethatwhenFultonstoletherealLukeRyder’spassporthecouldn’tpossiblyhaveknowntherewasafamilyfortunejustwaitingtobeclaimed.
There’sapausewhiletheytakethisin.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Actually,Ithinkyoucouldbeontosomethingthere.Forsomeonelikehim,thatwouldhavebeenlikewinningthebloodylottery.Allhehadtodowasrockupandschmoozetheoldladyandbingo–ker-ching.
JJNORTON
YoureallythinkhecouldhavefooledFlorenceRyder?
HUGOFRASER
Quitepossibly,ifyouaskme.Remember,she’dnevermethim–neverevenseenaphotoasfarasIcanworkout.AndifFultonreallyhadstolentherealLuke’spersonaleffectsI’msureapractisedconmanlikehimcouldhavepiecedtogethermorethanenoughtofoolher.
Butthepointis,moneyisazero-sumgame,especiallywhenitcomestoinheritance:‘Luke’s’gainwouldhavebeensomeoneelse’sloss.
JJNORTON
(nodding)
Whoeverstoodtogettheoldlady’scashbeforethelong-lostgrandsonturnedup.
ALANCANNING
Couldhavebeenthecats’home.
BILLSERAFINI
Still—
LAILAFURNESS
Sohowdowefindthatout?
HUGOFRASER
Willsarepublicinformation.Ifwecanfindoutwhereandwhenshediedwecanfindoutprettyeasilywhothemoneywentto.
LAILAFURNESS
Butbydefinitionthatwillwasmade–oratleastupdated–after‘Luke’died.Itwon’ttelluswhattheoriginalonesaid.
HUGOFRASER
Clearlynot,butitstandstoreasonthatsheprobablyreinstatedtheoriginalrecipients.
BILLSERAFINI
Canyoupickuponthat,Hugo?Trackdowntheoldlady’swill?IfanyoneknowstheirwayroundtheBritishlegalsystem,youdo.
ALANCANNING
Ifindithardtobelievethepolicedidn’testablishthatin2003.Lukedidn’tneedtobeanimposterforthewilltobeafactor.
HUGOFRASER
True,butIdon’trememberanythinginthepaperworkweweregiven.
LAILAFURNESS
NeitherdoI.
BILLSERAFINI
MaybeyoucouldtalktosomeofyouroldpalsintheMetaswell,Alan?Seeifanythingcomesup?
ALANCANNING
Icantry.ThoughIstillhaveapileofthoseoldredMGBstocheck.
BILLSERAFINI
Thatsortofworkistedious,butitcanpayoffintheend.Sothankyou–forwhatit’sworth.
LAILAFURNESS
OK,sowhatabouttheothersuspects–doesthefactthat‘Luke’wasanimpostermakeanydifferencewherethey’reconcerned?
Rupert,forexample–ifheknewCaroline’snewhusbandwasafakewouldthatgivehimamotive?
HUGOFRASER
Judgingbythatvideowejustsaw,allthiscameasacompleterevelationasfarasRupertwasconcerned.Ifheknewallalong,he’safarbetteractorthanI’minclinedtogivehimcreditfor.
Andevenifhehadfoundout,Ireckonhe’dhavebeenfarmorelikelytoshop‘Luke’toCarolineandgetridofhimthatway,ratherthanresortingtoamessyandhigh-riskmurder
Andlikewesaidbefore,whicheverwayyoucutit,Ruperthadafarmoreplausiblemotiveforwantingheroutoftheway,ratherthanLuke.
JJNORTON
I’dagreewiththat.
LAILAFURNESS
Andthemysterylover,assumingheexists?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ithinkit’sthesameaswithRupert:surelyhe’dhavejustusedtheinformationtoturnCarolineagainst‘Luke’.Hedidn’thavetoactuallykillhimtogethimoutoftheway.
JJNORTON
True,butinmybook,he’sstillintheframe.
BILLSERAFINI
Iagree.
HUGOFRASER
Onethingthatjustoccurredtomewhenweweretalkingaboutmobilephones.Evenallowingforthestateoftechnologyatthetime,mightitbeworthhavinganotherlookattheonline/socialmediasideinthelightofwhatwenowknow?
ALANCANNING
Butit’sthesameissue–Facebookonlylaunchedin2003–therewon’tbeanythingtofind.
LAILAFURNESS
Twitter?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
2006.
LAILAFURNESS
(sighing)
Backtosquareone.
JJNORTON
It’sarelevantpointthough,Hugo–it’snotjustwebtechnologythat’scomealongwayinthelasttwentyyears.I’mnowwonderingifit’sworthrevisitingtheforensics.Theremightbesomethingfromthescenethatdidn’tyieldresultsoriginallybutcouldnow.Ontheclothingsay,ortheshoes.
HUGOFRASER
Doweknowifanyoftheevidencehasbeenre-testedsince2003?
BILLSERAFINI
I’veseennothingalongthoselines.
LAILAFURNESS
Inthatcaseit’sdefinitelysomethingweshouldpursue.
JJNORTON
I’mhappytopickuponthat.Busman’sholidayandallthat.
MITCHELLCLARKE
IcancarryondigginginAustralia–seeifIcanfindoutanymoreaboutthehit-and-runvictim.
LAILAFURNESS
Icouldhelpyouthere?
BILLSERAFINI
Actually,Laila,whatifyoupickuponCaroline’smysteryman?Youmighthavemoreluckwithgettingherfriendstoopenup.
LAILAFURNESS
(slightlyhesitating)
OK,ifthat’swhatyouwant.
BILLSERAFINI
WhichleavesmewithourfriendMrFulton.
JJNORTON
(laughing)
It’snotallbad,Bill.YoumightgetajollytoAlabamaoutofit.
BILLSERAFINI
(laughinginturn)
YoueveractuallybeentoBirmingham,JJ?
JJNORTON
(winking)
Notthatone,no,butwhenitcomestoitsbigUKbrotherI’manexpert–bornandbredaBrummie.
(puttingonanexaggeratedBirminghamaccent)
Seeingasyou’vegotsuchabobony’self,bigtyma,let’smeandyouhoponabuzzandfindsomewherewecanchobblesomebostinfettleandacoupleorthreetots.Whatd’yasay?
Billstaresathim,evidentlydumbfounded,thensmilesandshakeshisheadandthetwoofthemstartlaughing.
FADEOUT
FADEIN
TEAMINSTUDIO.Billisnowinshirtsleeveswithanopencollar.Hehasatan.It’srainingoutside.
JJNORTON
Betyou’rethrilledtobebackinLondon,Bill.
BILLSERAFINI
Justdelighted,JJ,justdelighted.
(shakinghishead)
OnethingIdoknowisI’mgettingwaytoooldfortheredeye.Usedtotakebouncebackquickenoughbackintheday,butnotnow.Notnow.Anyway,enoughaboutme—
(lookingroundthetable)
How’sitbeenhere–muchtoreport?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Oh,we’veallbeenbeaveringawayatourhomework.Teacherwillbeimpressed.
BILLSERAFINI
(laughing)
I’msureyou’llgetagoldstar,Mitch.
Sowhowantstokickoff?
LAILAFURNESS
Well,sinceI’mprettycertainIwon’tbegettingagoldstar,IthinkIshouldstart.
BILLSERAFINI
Ithinkyou’resellingyourselfshort,Laila.
LAILAFURNESS
Idoubtit.AndI’mnotsureanyofuswillbeabletocompetewithyourlittleshowstopperaboutEricFulton.
(takesadeepbreath)
Butheregoesanyway.LasttimewemetweheardfromJenniferDennisonandCarmelPiper,whowerepartofCaroline’s‘ladieswholunch’set.Neitherofthemthoughtshewashavinganaffair,butitwasn’tclearwhethertheyknewherwellenoughtoreallyknow.Iwasn’tconvinced,anyway,Idon’tknowaboutanyoneelse.
So,withGuy’shelp,Idugalittledeeper,andwefoundShirleyBooker.
CUTTO:INTERVIEW.Hotelfoyer.Plushcarpet,abarinthebackground,peoplemillingabout,mostofthemmeninbusinesssuits.Thewomanseatedinthearmchairintheforegroundisinhersixties,shortgreycurls,adarkjacket,ablousewithatieneck,andagoldbroochintheshapeofacloverleaf
LAILAFURNESS–off
Sojustfortherecord,canyoutelluswhoyouareandhowyouknewCaroline?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
MynameisShirleyBookerandIwasCarolineFarrow’sflatmatewhenshefirstcametoLondon.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Whenshewasfirstworkingasananny?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
That’sright.IwasatLawSchoolandhadaspareroom.AndlikemoststudentsIneededthemoney.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Didyouknowherbeforeordidyouadvertise,orwhat?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Acousinofminewasatschoolwithher.ShetoldmeshehadafriendwhowaslookingforsomewhereinLondonsoIsuggestedwemeet.Wehititoffstraightaway.
(smiles)
IthinkitwasoursharedobsessionwithBryanFerrythatsealedthedeal.Shemovedinlaterthatweek.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Whatwasshelikeasaflatmate?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Whateveryonehopesforreally.Tidy,alwaysdidhershareofthecleaning,neverstolemymilk.IhadalotofexamsthatyearandIneededpeaceandquiettoworkandCarolinenevergavemeanytroubleonthatfront.Shedidn’tgooutmuch,butshenevermadethatmuchnoise.Unlikenextdoorandtheirbloodypiano.YoubarelyknewCarolinewasthere.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Thatdoesn’tsoundlikethepersonotherpeoplehavedescribedtous.Oneofheremployersaroundthetimeyou’retalkingaboutsaidshewaschattyand‘easilydistracted’.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Thatwasprobablyabitlater.Shedidseemtocomeoutofhershellrathermoretowardstheendofourtimesharing.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Howlongdidshestaywithyou?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Justoverayear,frommemory.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Butyoukeptintouchafterthat?Evenaftershegotmarried?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Oh,Iwenttoallthreeofherweddings.Theygotglitziereverytime.Buttoansweryourquestion,yes,wekeptintouch.Threeorfourtimesayear,somethinglikethat.Inevermetanyofherotherfriendsapartfromattheweddings,butIthinkshelikeditthatway–ourrelationshipwassomething‘apart’fromtherestofherlife.Shecouldtellmethingsshewouldnevertellotherpeople.
IthinkthefactthatIwasalawyerhelpedtoo–sheknewshe’dalwaysgetastraightanswer,evenifshedidn’tlikewhatitwas.
LAILAFURNESS–off
WhatdidyouthinkofherrelationshipwithLukeRyder?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
AsarelationshipIthoughtitwasaterrificidea.Hewasfun,hetookheroutofherself,theydidthingstogether.Andrewhadneverbeeninterestedindoingthat.Lukespoiledher,inemotionalterms.Andshemadenobonesaboutthefactthatitwasthebestsexshe’deverhad.
LAILAFURNESS–off
But?BecauseIthinkIcanhearabutcoming.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Butasamarriage?No,absolutelynot.Ithoughtitwouldbeacompletedisaster.Hewastooyoung,tooerratic.Sheshouldhavekepthimseparate–ratherlikeshedidwithme,actually.I’veneverthoughtofitthatwaybefore.
Butanyway,sheshouldhavejustenjoyeditwhileitlastedandthenmovedon.Noonewouldhaveblamedherforthat.Butmarryinghim–makingitofficial–justabouteveryoneblamedherforthat
TheHowards,becauseofthemoney–especiallyRupert,ofcourse.
Herso-called‘friends’,evenifmostofthemweremotivatedbyenvy.
Herchildren—
LAILAFURNESS–off
Herchildrendidn’tlikehim?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Theycouldn’tstandhim,noneofthem.EspeciallyAmelie.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Noone’sraisedthatbefore.Guycertainlyhasn’t.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Well,that’shardlysurprising,isit?You’reapsychologist–Guyishardlygoingtocomestraightoutandtellyouthethreeofthemloathedthesightofamanwhoendedupdead,now,ishe?
LAILAFURNESS–off
ButGuywasonlyachildatthetime–barely10—
SHIRLEYBOOKER
That’spreciselymypoint.HismotherwasreplacingthefatherheadoredwithsomeJohnny-come-latelywithafunnyaccentwhocouldn’tbebotheredtoplaywithhim.Therecan’tbemanymoreunsettlingexperiencesfora10-year-oldthanthat.Butyou’rethepsychologist,youtellme.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Itendtoagree.Thoughitmusthaveputsomedampenersontheweddedbliss.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Theweddingblissaswell–Guyfamouslypushedthecakeoffitsstandonthemorningoftheceremony.Itwasacompletewrite-off–creamandspongealloverthefloor.Carolinekeptonandoninsistingitwasonlyanaccident–thatGuywasjust‘overexcited’.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Youobviouslydidn’tagree.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Let’sjustsaythathecertainlydidn’tlook‘excited’tome.Justabsolutelyfurious.Andofcoursetherewasthemosttremendouspanicbecausetheyhadtosendoutforanothercakeatthelastminute.
(makesawryface)
ThankfullyFortnum’swerehappytooblige.AdmittedlyGuyhadalwaysbeenadifficultchildbutafterLukearrivedhebecamealmostunmanageable.Andnotjustathome.Theschoolreallystruggledwithhim–disruptiveoneminute,daydreamingthenext.ThesortofbehaviourthatwouldgetyouanassessmentforADHDthesedays.AnditactuallygotworseafterLukedied.Youmighthavethoughtitwouldhavehelped,havinghismotheralltohimselfagain,butitwasquitetheopposite.IsuspectCarolinewasjusttoodistractedtodevoteenoughtimetohim.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofshotsofGuy,Amelie,andMauraHowardinthemid2000s.Thegirlsaregrowingupfast–make-up,shorterskirts,higherheels.Guy,bycontrast,stillseemslikealittleboy.Inoneshothe’sonthewindowseatinhisbedroomwithAmelie.She’sreadinghimastoryandhe’sclutchingateddybear;acloserlookrevealstearsonhischeeks.Theterraceandgardenscanbeseenthroughthewindowdirectlybelow;it’sraining.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Asforthegirls,theyalwayswereincrediblytight,andtheyjustshutLukeout.Asfortheirmother,theyjustwentfull-onpassive-aggressive–stoppedcooperatingwithanythingsheaskedthemtodo.Shesaiditwasacompletenightmare.
AndofcoursetherewasallthattroublewithMaurathatsummer.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Maura?That’sthefirsttimeanyone’smentionedanyproblemswithher.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Well,IdoubtitwassomethingCarolinewantedpeopletoknow.Inthecircumstances.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Asin—?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Itdoesn’ttakealotofguessing.Maurawas15.Averyprecociousandrebellious15.SheknewexactlyhowtopushCaroline’sbuttons,andwhatbetterwaythantogetinvolvedwithsomecompletelyinappropriatepeople.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Inappropriateinwhatway?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Peoplealotolderthanher,forastart–muchtoooldtobehangingaroundwithsomeoneMaura’sage.Andregardlessofage,theywereabsolutelynotthesortofpeopleCarolinewantedherteenagedaughterassociatingwith.
LAILAFURNESS–off
I’msurprisedMauracameintocontactwithanyonelikethatinthefirstplace.IgottheimpressiontheHowardchildrenlivedratherashelteredlife.Andit’snotasiftheycouldhavemetanyoneonline.Notbackthen.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Ithinkshemetoneofthematacharityeventatherschool.Ratheranunfortunatecaseofthelawofunintendedconsequences.AndbythetimeCarolinefoundoutwhatwasgoingonitwas,ofcourse,fartoolate.Ithinktherewassomesuspicionofdruguseaswell.Nothinghard-core,butweallknowhoweasilythingscanescalatewheredrugsareconcerned.
LAILAFURNESS–off
IcanseewhyCarolinewouldhavebeenanxious.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
ShewasoutofhermindwithworrythatwholesummerbeforeLukedied.Nothingshedidhadanyeffect–shetriedtalkingtoMaura,groundingher,stoppingherallowance,butitmadenodifference.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Yettotheoutsideworldeverythingseemedfine.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Ofcourseitdid.That’showpeoplelikeCarolinedealwithsituationslikethat.Whatgoesonbehindcloseddoorsisonething;lettingtheworldandhiswifefindoutisquiteanother.
Itwasthesameafterthemurder–shejustbatteneddownthehatches,shuttheworldout.Eventotheextentofnotactingquicklyenoughtogetherchildrencounselling,eventhoughitwasobvioustoanyonewitheyesintheirheadthattheywerestruggling.ThesedaysallthreewouldprobablyhavebeendiagnosedwithsomeformofPTSD.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Iwasn’tawareanyofthekidshadhadtherapy.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Allofthem,infact.ButlikeIsaid,Carolinekeptthatsortofthingveryprivate.Iseemtoremembertherewasanincidentatthegirls’school–somesortofdamage,Idon’tthinkIeverknewwhat,exactly.IdoknowCarolinehadtopullalotofstringstokeepitoutofthepress.Ican’trememberwhichofthegirlswasinvolved,butI’mprettysureitwasthatincidentwhichforcedCaroline’shandonthetherapyissue:itwasmadecleartoherthatshenolongerhadachoice.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Bywhom?Thepolice?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Theschool,asaconditionoffurtherattendance.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Isee.
There’sapause;ifLailawashopingBookermightsaymore,she’sdisappointed.
LAILAFURNESS–off
So,goingbacktothesummerbeforethemurder,whateffectdidtheantipathyofthechildrentowardsLukehaveonthedomesticdynamic?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Well,itcanhardlyhavehelped.IknowLukedidoffertotrytalkingtoMauraaboutherbehaviour,butCarolinethoughtitwouldonlymakemattersworse.Mauradislikedhimsomuchshe’dhavepositivelyenjoyedstickingtwofingersupathim.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Andtheotherchildren?Howwerethingsonthatscore?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
AccordingtoCaroline,Lukewasabsolutelyconvinceditwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeallthreeofthemcameround.Apparentlyhewasalwayslikethat–youknow,the‘somethingwillturnup’type.Veryeasy-going.
Thegirlstookadvantageofthat,ofcourse.Treatedhimliketheirpersonalchauffeur.ButifitkeptthepeaceIsuspectthatwasallCarolinecaredabout
LAILAFURNESS–off
Thatsummer–therehavebeensuggestionsshemighthavestartedanaffair.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Ohyes,shedefinitelyhad.There’snoquestionaboutthat.
LAILAFURNESS–off
(evidentlysurprised)
Shetoldyouaboutit?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Notwhoitwas,no,butthatshewasseeingsomeone,yes,absolutely.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Whatdidshesayabouthim?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Thatshehadn’tgonelookingforit–ithadjusthappened.An‘instantattraction’,andsomethingabout‘forbiddenfruit’.Idefinitelyrememberthatbecauseitsoundedsocorny,evenbackthen.AndIknowshefeltbadaboutLuke,butshesaidnoonewouldgethurtiftheyneverfoundout.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Thatsuggeststwothingstome.One,thatinhereyes,justafling;andtwo,thatthisothermanwasmarriedaswell.It’stheuseoftheword‘they’I’mreferringtothere.Theplural.ImplyingLukewasn’ttheonlypersonwho’dgethurtifitallcameout.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Isthatapsychologicalanalysis?
LAILAFURNESS–off
Ifyoulike.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Actually,Ithinkyou’rerightonbothcounts.IdoknowshehadnointentionofdivorcingLuke–notatthatstage,atanyrate.
Infact,I’mprettysureshewasonthepointoffinishingitwiththisothermanatthetimeLukedied.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Doyouthinkshemightalreadyhavedoneso–ortriedto?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Quitepossibly.Wehadalunchbookedforthefollowingweek–whichofcourseneverhappened–soIwasn’tabsolutelyuptospeedastowhethershe’dspokentohim.Idoknowshewasapprehensiveaboutit.Abouthowhemightreact.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Tothepointofbeingactuallyafraidofhim?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
(considersforamoment)
Notactivelyafraid,no.Butdefinitelyuneasy.Irememberhersayingshe’d‘doneitagain’–gotinvolvedwithsomeonecompletelyunsuitable.
LAILAFURNESS–off
AreferencetoLuke?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
No,I’mprettysurenot.Ithinkshewastalkingaboutthemanshegotmixedupwithwhenshewasstillatschool.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Iremembernow–themanherparentsdisapprovedof?Thereasontheysentherofftoheruncle’sinEdgbaston?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
That’sright.Ithinkittookherquiteawhiletogetoverit–Isuspectthat’swhyshewassosubduedwhenshefirstmovedinwithme.
Andofcourse,itmadeherdoublyconcernedaboutMaura–shedidn’twanthermakingthesamemistakes.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Onelastquestion.WhatwouldyousayifItoldyouthatwe’veuncoveredevidencethatLukewasn’twhohesaidhewas.
Thathewas,infact,anAmericanof37,notanAustralianof26.
Shirleylooksstaggeredandthenstartslaughing.
LAILAFURNESS–off
What’ssofunny?It’saseriousmatter,surely.
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Ofcourseitis.It’sjustthatIsaidprettymuchexactlythattoCarolinemyself.
Mysonwasjustgettingintosurfingbackthen–wehaveaplaceinCornwall–andhesaiditwasclearasdayfromwhatI’dtoldhimthatLukedidn’tknowthefirstthingaboutit.
AndontopofthathisAussieaccentwasexecrable.ItoldCarolinesheshouldcheckhispassport.Imean,itwasajoke,ofcourse,butafteralltheseyearsyou’renowtellingme—
LAILAFURNESS–off
Whenwasthis–whendidyouhavethatconversation?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Itmusthavebeenafewweeksafterthewedding.Ionlymethimforthefirsttimeattheceremony—
LAILAFURNESS–off
Andhowdidshereactwhenyousaidthat?Imean,she’dalreadymarriedhimbythen—
SHIRLEYBOOKER
Shelaughed.Saidshe’dseenhispassport,thankyouverymuch,whentheywentonhoneymoon,andinanycaseshedidn’tcare.Shedidn’tgiveafigwherehecamefromorwhohewas.Itdidn’tmatter.
LAILAFURNESS–off
Soifshe’dfoundoutheactuallywasanimposter,itwouldn’thaveparticularlyupsether?
SHIRLEYBOOKER
(raisesaneyebrow)
Ifwhatyou’rereallygettingatiswhethershe’dhavebeenaffrontedenoughtokillhim,thenno.Absolutelynot.
I’msorry,DrFurness,butI’mafraidyou’llneedtofindanothertreetobarkuponthatone.
CUTTO:Studio.
LAILAFURNESS
Soasyoucansee,myweekendedupbeingratheracaseoftwostepsforward,threestepsback.
Onthepositivesidetheredefinitelywasamysteryman,evenifwestilldon’tknowhisname.
Butontheotherhand,itlookslikeCarolinewouldhavebeensupremelyunbotheredtodiscoverthatherhusbandwasn’tquitewhohesaidhewas.
JJNORTON
Thosewerequitesomerevelationsaboutthegirls,though–thetherapy,theincidentattheschool.Whatdidyoumakeofit?Withyourprofessionalhaton?
LAILAFURNESS
Well,asI’vesaidbefore,onehastobeverycautiousaboutattemptinganysortofanalysisatthird-hand,especiallywhenwedon’tevenknowexactlywhatoccurred.Imean,obviouslysomethinghappenedanditwasseriousenoughfortheschooltoinsistoncounselling,butitcouldhavebeenagenuineaccident,orjustasillyprankthatgotoutofhand.
Let’sfaceitwe’veallfoundourselvesinsituationslikethatwhenwewerethatage,it’spartofgrowingup—
BILLSERAFINI
(smiling)
Icanattesttothat—
LAILAFURNESS
Sointheabsenceofanyotherinformation,I’dbewaryofmakingtoomuchofit.
JJNORTON
IguesswecouldaskMaura?
LAILAFURNESS
Wecould,thoughIgathershe’snotverykeentotalktousagain.Butyes,wecouldcertainlytry.
BILLSERAFINI
Andinthemeantimeourquestforthemysterylovergoeson.Alan,what’veyougotonthat?
(smiling)
HowmanyMGBswereyoudowntolasttime,remindme?
ALANCANNING
(notsmiling)
Therewereforty-twoownersintheLondonareaandI’dspokentosixteenofthem.Asatnow,I’vespokentoanotherfifteen.
(getsupandputsalistonthepinboard)
Ialsostartedcontactingsomeofthewomenlistedasowners,asIfiguredthismancouldhavebeendrivingsomeoneelse’scar.Asister,awife—
JJNORTON
Prettybrutal,usingyourwife’scarforleg-overswithyourbitontheside—
ALANCANNING
Maybehisowncarwouldhavestoodouttoomuch.
JJNORTON
AbrightredMGBishardlyshyandretiring.
LAILAFURNESS
ButaBentleywouldhavebeenworse–or,Idon’tknow,aLamborghini—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Notroundthere!Youcan’tmoveforthem—
ALANCANNING
(ignoringthem)
AndtherearestillalotmoremaleownersIhaven’tyetspokento.
BILLSERAFINI
Butnoone’sstoodoutsofar?
ALANCANNING
Notsofar.
BILLSERAFINI
OK.Whataboutyou,Hugo,whatdidyoufindoutaboutoldMrsRyder’swill?
Hugogetstohisfeetandgoesovertoatableatthesidewheretherearestacksofpaperandfiles.Ashepassesthepinboardhestopsbrieflyandtakesalook,thenturnstotheteam.
HUGOFRASER
Well,I’vebeenabletoestablishthatFlorenceRyderwaslivinginacarehomeinAmblesidewhenshedied,whichwasinMay2005.Thewillwentthroughprobateearlythefollowingyear.
(passingroundsheetsofpaper)
Asyoucansee,it’sprettystraightforwardasthesedocumentsgo.Thereareseveralrelativelysmallbequeststocharities–theusualstuff,MarieCurie,theRSPCA,thatsortofthing–andaspecificgiftofjewellerytoawomancalledSylviaCarroll.Shetookabitoffinding,butitturnsoutshewasoneofthestaffatthecarehome.I’llcomebacktoherinamoment.
Theremainderoftheestate–whichamountedtooverfourmillionpounds,bytheway–wenttoacousinofherlatehusband.AwomanbythenameofMargaretWilson.
LAILAFURNESS
Andwhatdoweknowabouther?
HUGOFRASER
WhenFlorencediedMargaretwaslivinginCornwall,atalittleplacecalledPoltreath,abouttenmilesfromStIves.Shediedeighteenmonthslater,butbythattimeshewaslivinginStIves,inahouseoverlookingtheharbour—
JJNORTON
Amazingwhatfourmillionquidcando—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Quite.
HUGOFRASER
She’dbeenawidowsince1998andhadonechild,Ian,bornin1977.We’retryingtotrackhimdownbutWilsonisatiresomelycommonname.
LAILAFURNESS
Andattheriskofstatingtheobvious,backinOctober2003bothmotherandsonhadfourmillionfabulousreasonsforwantingLukeRyderoutoftheway.
HUGOFRASER
Idon’tdisagree.Thoughthereareacoupleofimportantcaveats.
Firstlywedon’tknowforcertainwhethertheoriginalwill–theonethatwaschangedinfavourofLuke–hadthesametermsastheoneinforceatthetimeFlorenceRyderdied.
TheonepersonwhocouldtellusthatwouldbeFlorence’slawyer,butofcoursehe’dbeboundbyclientconfidentiality.
LAILAFURNESS
Isheevenstillaround?
HUGOFRASER
Yes.Longretired,butyes.
Thesecondcaveat–assumingtheoriginalwillwasindeedthesame–iswhetherMargaretWilsonand/orhersonactuallyknewhowmuchtheystoodtogainfromFlorence’sdeath.Andbyextensionhowmuchtheylostatthestrokeofapenwhenthelong-lost‘grandson’appearedonthescene.
LAILAFURNESS
That’sgoingtobehardtoprove.
HUGOFRASER
Withoutthelawyer’scooperation,yes.Buttherearesomethingswemaybeabletoascertainwithoutneedinghisintervention.
OneofthosebeingwhetherornotFlorencewasinregulartouchwiththeWilsonswhileshewasstillalive,whichwouldincreasethelikelihoodofthemknowingaboutthecontentsofthewill.
Andthat’swhereSylviaCarrollcomesin.
CUTTO:INTERVIEW.SylviaCarrollisseatedintheloungeareaofacarehome.Therearechairswithplasticseatcoversarrangedaroundtheedgeofalargeopenspace,andaTVoninthecornershowingacookingprogramme.Sylviaisalargemiddle-agedwomanwithdyedauburnhairinaponytailandaturquoiseoverall.Shehasanoseringandseveralpiercingsinbothears.
SYLVIACARROLL
FlowasoneofthenicestresidentsI’veeverhadtolookafter.Alwayseasytogetonwith,nevermadeafuss.Notlikesomeof’em.
HUGOFRASER–off
Howlongdidyouknowher?
SYLVIACARROLL
Musthavebeenaboutsevenyears.Yeah,fromwhenIstartedatLakesidetowhenshediedin2006.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofphotosofFlorenceRydertakingpartinactivitiesatthecarehome.Bingo,seatedkeep-fit,aChristmaspartywithpaperhatsandcrackers.ThereareseveralimagesofherwithayoungerandthinnerSylvia.They’rebothsmiling,andSylviahasherarmroundher.
HUGOFRASER–off
Sheleftyouaverynicegiftinherwill.Thatjewellery?Thebroochesandbracelets?
SYLVIACARROLL
Yeah,that’swhatImean–shewassuchalovelylady.Shewantedmetohavethem.
HUGOFRASER–off
Quitevaluable,too.Diamonds–emeralds—
SYLVIACARROLL
(flushingslightly)
LikeIsaid,shewantedmetohavethem.Shesaidshedidn’thaveanydaughtersorgranddaughtersandIwasthenearestthing.Itwasallaboveboard.Thelawyerdiditinthewill.Look,Ihopeyou’renotsuggesting—
HUGOFRASER–off
No,no,I’mnotsuggestinganything.I’msureyouwerelikeagranddaughtertoher.
SYLVIACARROLL
(stilllookingwary)
Iwas,actually.Ilookedoutforher.Nooneelsewas,that’sforsure.
HUGOFRASER–off
Sonooneelsevisited,then?Nooneelseinthefamily?
SYLVIACARROLL
WhenIfirststartedatLakesideshetoldmethatshedidn’thaveanyfamily.ThatwaswhyitwassuchabigsurprisewhenthatLuketurnedup.
HUGOFRASER–off
Luke?
SYLVIACARROLL
Youknow,thegrandson.Theonethatgotkilled.Youmustrememberhim.Itwasinallthepapers.
HUGOFRASER–off
Youmethim?
SYLVIACARROLL
(smiling)
OfcourseImethim.Iwastherethefirsttimehecame.He’dwrittenbeforehandsayinghewantedtocomeandwasthatOK,butthemanagerwasdeffoabitwaryatfirst.Youknow,peopleturningupoutoftheblueandclaimingtobelong-lostrellies,itisn’talwayslegit.Buthewas.Thelawyercheckedhimout.
HUGOFRASER–off
MrsRyder’slawyer?
SYLVIACARROLL
MrHepworth,yes.HewantedhertomakeLuketakeaDNAtestaswellbutsherefused.Saidthepassportandstuffwasenough.ThatdemandingaDNAtestwouldmakeLukethinkshedidn’tbelievehim.Thathe’dbeinsulted.
HUGOFRASER–off
Interesting.AndI’mguessingitcameasquiteashock.ForMrsRyder,Imean–himturninguplikethatafterallthoseyears.
SYLVIACARROLL
Iknow.Irememberoverhearinghimsayingasmuchtothemanager.Howhe’dwonderedinitiallywhetheritwastherightthingtodo,andthelastthinghewantedwastocauseFloanydistress.Thatwassolikehim–alwaysworryingaboutotherpeople.
HUGOFRASER–off
Soyoulikedhim?
SYLVIACARROLL
(smilingagain)
Hewasarightlittlecharmer.
(quickly)
Oh,notinabadway,Ididn’tmeanthat.Ijustmeanthewasreallynice.Alltheoldladiesfellinlovewithhim.Heknewexactlyhowtotalktothem.Flatteredthem,teasedthemabit,youknow.Hehadthemeatingoutofhishand.Andofcoursehewasverygood-looking.Madeanicechangeroundhere,Icantellyou.Wealllookedforwardtohimcoming.
HUGOFRASER–off
AndMrsRyderlikedhimtoo?
SYLVIACARROLL
Sheadoredhim.Hewasherblue-eyedboy.Shewasalwaysteasinghimabouthisaccent.Irememberhertellinghimoncethatshecouldn’tbelieveherBriancouldhaveproducedagorgeousboylikehim.
HUGOFRASER–off
Thatmakesitsoundlikeshesawhimalot.
SYLVIACARROLL
Ohyes,heusedtocomeupacoupleoftimesamonth.Onthatflashymotorbikeofhis.
HUGOFRASER–off
Really?Imean,evenwithamotorbikeit’salongway–LondontoAmbleside.
SYLVIACARROLL
Iknow.Buthedidn’tseemtomind.Ithinkhegenuinelyenjoyedhercompany.Theymadeeachotherlaugh.
HUGOFRASER–off
Didheeverbringhiswife?
SYLVIACARROLL
No,neversawheronce.Henevertalkedmuchabouther,notthatIheard,anyway.Orabouthisparents.
HUGOFRASER–off
Didn’tthatstrikeyouasstrange?
SYLVIACARROLL
(shrugs)
Notreally.Iknowthere’dbeensomesortoffamilytiffbeforehisparentsleftforAustralia,thoughIdon’tknowwhatitwasabout,becauseFlonevertalkedaboutit.AndafterLukereappearedshejustwantedtomoveon,letbygonesbebygones.
Anditwasn’tanythingtodowithLuke,anyway,wasit–thatrow?Hewasn’tevenborn.Shewasjustpleasedhe’dpluckedupthecouragetotryandcontacther.Youknow,beforeitwastoolate.Shewasinhereighties,remember.Sheknewshedidn’thavethatlongleft.
HUGOFRASER–off
Butgiventhat,doyouknowifshe’devertriedtocontacthersonherself,beforeLuketurnedup?Trytoburythehatchet?
SYLVIACARROLL
Idon’tknow.Ifshehad,ithadn’tworked.ButIreckonshewouldn’thaveknownwheretostarttofindthem.Notwiththembeingsofaraway.
HUGOFRASER–off
InfactBrianhaddiedin1993.
SYLVIACARROLL
Thereyouarethen.
HUGOFRASER–off
HowdidshereactwhenLukewaskilled?
SYLVIACARROLL
Devastated.Inconsolable.Shewantedtogotothefuneralbutitwastoofar.Shesentthemostbeautifulwreath.Dahlias.Isorteditoutforher.
HUGOFRASER–off
Didthepolicecomeandseeher?
SYLVIACARROLL
Ohyes.Morethanonce.Thattallbloke,Petersomething—
HUGOFRASER–off
PeterLascelles.
SYLVIACARROLL
That’sit.Quiteanicebloke.HedidhisbestbutthepooroldgirlwasinsuchastateIdon’tthinkhegotmuchoutofher.Andwhatcouldshetellhim,anyway?LikeIsaid,shedidn’tknowanythingaboutLuke’slifeinLondon.
HUGOFRASER–off
Iimaginehewasaskingheraboutherwill.WhowouldgetthemoneynowthatLukewasdead.
SYLVIACARROLL
Maybe.
HUGOFRASER–off
YounevermetMargaretWilson?Orherson?
SYLVIACARROLL
(herfacehardening)
No,butIknewallaboutthem.
HUGOFRASER–off
And?
SYLVIACARROLL
TheyturnedupatthehomeafterFlo’sfuneral.Withabloodylawyer,wouldyoubelieve.Wantedtogothroughherstuff.Makean‘inventory’.Accusedmeofexerting‘undueinfluence’ona‘vulnerableelderlyperson’becauseofmegettingthejewellery.Theyobviouslythoughtthatshouldhavegonetothemaswell,thegreedybastards.Throwingroundaccusationslikethat,Icouldhavelostmyjob—
HUGOFRASER–off
Thatmusthavebeenveryupsetting.I’mguessing,though,fromwhatyoujustsaid,thatyouhadn’tcomeacrossthemwhileMrsRyderwasstillalive?Theynevervisited?
SYLVIACARROLL
Neversawhidenorhairofeitherof’em.AndthankfullyIwasn’tondutywhentheycamepokingaroundorthere’dhavebeenructions—
HUGOFRASER–off
Didsheevertalktoyouaboutherwill?Aboutwhoshe’dplannedtogivehermoneytobeforeLukegotintouch?
SYLVIACARROLL
Notreally.ButshenevermentionedthebloodyWilsons,thatIdoknow.Notonce.
CUTTO:Studio.
JJNORTON
RoundofapplauseforHugo,Ithink.Thatwasanimpressivepieceofinterviewing.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(laughing)
Yeah–anyonewouldthinkhe’ddonethissortofthingbefore.
LAILAFURNESS
Itcertainlyputpaidtoanydoubtswemighthavehadaboutwhether‘Luke’couldfoolFlorence.Shewasobviouslydeeplyregrettingthebreachwithherson,butallthoseyearslatershehadnowayofdoinganythingaboutit.
Sowhensomeoneturnsupsayinghe’shergrandson,sheacceptshimatonce.Psychologicallyspeaking,shewasprimedtobelieve.NowondersherefusedaDNAtest.
BILLSERAFINI
Iagree,Laila.Thoughmyprincipaltake-outwasIanWilson.Heclearlyhadonehellofamotiveanddefinitelydoesn’tsoundlikesomeonewho’dhavetakenthelossofthatsortofcashlyingdown.
Generalagreementroundthetable.
HUGOFRASER
Speakingofwhich,IhadthatchatwithPeterLascellesabouthowfartheWilsonswereintheframeatthetime.
CUTTO:Hugoatadesk,withaphoneonspeakerinfrontofhim.
HUGOFRASER
(intophone)
Peter?It’sHugoFraser.I’mworkingontheShowrunnerserieswithAlanCanningandBillSerafini.
PETERLASCELLES
Yes,theymentionedyouwereontheteam.AndI’mawareofyou,ofcourse.
HUGOFRASER
We’vebeenlookingattheissueofFlorenceRyder’swill,andwhetherthatgaverisetoanyviablelinesofenquiry
PETERLASCELLES
Ah,theWilsons.
HUGOFRASER
TheWilsons,exactly.
PETERLASCELLES
Well,asyouwillappreciatemorethanmost,theinvestigationremainsopen–officially,atanyrate–soI’mlimitedastowhatIcansaypublicly.
HUGOFRASER
Understood.
PETERLASCELLES
Butspeakinghypothetically,inacasewherecertainpartiescouldhaveasubstantialfinancialinterestinthedeathofavictim,wewouldalwayscarryoutathoroughinvestigationastowhethera)theywereawareofthisfinancialinterest,andb)iftheywereindeedaware,whethertheyalsohadthemeansandopportunitytocarryoutthecrime.
HUGOFRASER
Ourworkingassumptionona)isyes.
PETERLASCELLES
Youmaythinkso,Icouldn’tpossiblycomment.Asthesayinggoes.
HUGOFRASER
DidyouestablishiftheWilsonshadsolidalibisforthenightofthethirdofOctober2003?
PETERLASCELLES
Let’sjustsaythatneitherMrsWilsonnorhersonwereevercharged.Thatis,ofcourse,amatterofpublicknowledgeasnochargeshaveyetbeenbroughtagainstanyoneinthiscase.
HUGOFRASER
DoyouknowwhereIanWilson’snowliving?
PETERLASCELLES
Hemovedabroad,Ibelieve,infairlyshortorderafterthemurder.Butastowhere,I’mafraidIhavenoidea.
(pause)
Sorry,Ihaven’tbeenmuchhelp,haveI?
CUTTO:Studio.
HUGOFRASER
Sothat’swhereweare.IfwetakeLascelles’swordforit,neitheroftheWilsonswereintheframeforthemurderbackthen.Andtobehonest,I’mnotsureawomancouldevencarryoutanattacklikethat,especiallyoneasoldasMargaretwouldhavebeenbythen.
ALANCANNING
I’veseencaseswherewomenwerecapableofthatdegreeofviolence,thoughtheywerealmostalwaysunderacutementaloremotionalpressureatthetime.
JJNORTON
Domesticabusevictims,youmean?
ALANCANNING
Primarily,yes.Butnoneofthosecrimescameoutofabluesky.Theywerethelastactinalongdrama
LAILAFURNESS
Iagree.Forawomantoattacksomeoneshe’dnevermet,anddoitthatsavagely,justformoney,withoutanypersonalgrievanceatall,you’dbelookingatsomeoneonthepsychopathyspectrum.
Which,ofcourse,isnotimpossible,buttheoddsareverymuchagainst.
JJNORTON
ThatstillleavesIan.Howoldwashethen–28?He’dhavebeenmorethancapable—
LAILAFURNESS
Andhe’ssomeoneLukemighthaveopenedthedoorto,evenifthey’dnevermet:‘Luke’wouldhaveknownabouttheWilsonsfromFlorence,sohewouldn’tseethemasathreat.Iancouldhavespunalineaboutherbeingunwell,thenassoonashegetsinside—
ALANCANNING
(nodding)
Wedefinitelyneedtotryandfindhim.Andinvestigatethatalibiofhistoo.
BILLSERAFINI
Agreed.
(turningtoHugo)
Whydon’tIhaveawordwithPeterLascelles,offtherecord.Coptocop.Seeifhemightbepreparedtogivememoreofasteer.
HUGOFRASER
(ratheracidly)
Bemyguest.
BILLSERAFINI
So,nextupisthehit-and-runtherealLukeRydermayhavebeeninvolvedinbeforeheleftAustralia.Anynewsonthat,Mitch?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(looksup)
Actually,yes,somethingthatcouldbequitesignificant,Ithink.
Aswediscussedlasttime,thepresscoveragesaidthevictimwasinacomaimmediatelyaftertheaccident,sowehadnowayofknowingwhen–orevenwhether–heactuallydied.
SoIstartedbydoingatrawlofdeathrecordsfortheSydneyareaforthetwomonthsafterthedateoftheaccident,toseeifanythingstoodout.Thatgavemefivefatalitieswherethecauseofdeathwaslistedasmultipleblunt-forcetraumainjuriesresultingfromaroadtrafficaccident,butobviouslynodetailsofwhereandwhenthoseaccidentshappened.
SoIthencross-referencedthosenameswiththelistingsforthecoroner’scourtofNewSouthWales.Butagain,I’mafraid,noluck.Nothingatallreferencinganincidentforthatday,inthatarea.Whichsuggeststomethateitherthevictimdidn’tactuallydiefromhisinjuries,orifhediditwassomewhereelse,orsomeconsiderabletimelater.
JJNORTON
Well,welldoneforpersevering–I’mgettingaheadachejustlisteningtoit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Itwaserringonthethanklesssidebythen,I’lladmit,whichmaybewhymyhelpfulpolicecontactdecidedtotakepityonme.Hewouldn’tgivemeanyactualdetails,buthediddropafairlyheavyhintthatthevictimwasastudent,andmaybethatcouldbeausefulangletopursue.
Tobehonest,whenhesaidthatmyfirstthoughtwas‘bloodyhell,howmanystudentsarethereinSydney?’,butthenIthought,withanaccidentthatserious,maybethere’dbesomethingaboutitinastudentnewspaper.MyjournocontactthoughtIwaswastingmytimebutI’vealwaysbeenabelligerentsod—
BILLSERAFINI
Well,itclearlypaiddividendsthistime.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(smiling)
Certainlydid.Thoughitstilltookbloodyagesbecausetherewasnothingonlinebackthen.ButIdideventuallydigupsomethingontheSydneyTechnologyCollegewebsite–theiralumnisectionhasPDFsofthestudentraggoingbacktothe1980s.
Hetapshiskeyboard.Animageappearsonthescreen.
AndthisiswhatIfound.
HUGOFRASER
(underhisbreath)
JesusChrist,deathbyComicSans.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(goingovertothescreenandpointingtothe‘Tribute’article)
Asyoucanseethedate’saboutright,andthedetailsoftheaccidenttallyasfarastheygo.
Andifyouremember,whenIfirstspoketotheSydneypolicetheymadeitprettyclearthatthevictim’sfamilyhadmovedheavenandearthtokeephisnameoutofthepress,whichmadeusthinkthatthepersoninquestionwaseithersomewhereorwithsomeonetheyshouldn’thavebeen.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AndgiventhisladMohammedKhanhadbeenoutwithhisfriendsbeforethishappened,it’safairbetthey’dbeendrinking.IcaneasilyseewhyadevoutMuslimfamilywouldwanttokeepthatoutofthepress.
BILLSERAFINI
Wereyouabletofindoutanythingaboutthefamily?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
’Fraidnot.Nothing,really,beyondwhatyoucandeducefromthisarticle–thekeypointforusbeingthattheywerefromtheUK.ButKhanissuchacommonnameintheMuslimcommunitythatevenifweknewwhichcitytheywerefromitwouldn’tbealotofhelp.
ALANCANNING
Andwecan’tbeonehundredpercentsurethisistherightguy,either–Imean,Iassumeyourpoliceofficercontactwasn’tpreparedtogoasfarastoconfirmit?
MITCHELLCLARKE
No,hewasn’t,soyou’reright,wecan’tbeabsolutelysure.Thisisjustaninformedguess.
LAILAFURNESS
Andaswe’vesaidbefore,Lukemayhavehadnothingtodowithanyofit.Itcouldalljustbeacoincidence.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.AllwehaveistheproximityoftheaccidenttowhereLukewasworking,andthefactthatheuppedandleftthecountrylessthanaweeklater.
ALANCANNING
Policeofficersdon’tlikecoincidences.Ifitwasmycase,I’dstillwanttoinvestigate.
BILLSERAFINI
Likewise.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,I’mnotsurehowmuchmorewe’llbeabletofind,butTarekisonthecasenow.Let’sseewhatheandtheteamcanfind.
JJNORTON
(looksroundthetable)
IthinkI’mupnext?
(clearshisthroatandopenshisfile)
Asweagreedlasttime,Itookanotherlookattheforensicevidence,toseeiftherewasanychancefurthertestingmightyieldanyresults,specificallyontheclothing.Andguesswhat.Theyneveractuallytestedit.
LAILAFURNESS
Theynevertestedtheclothesatall?Seriously?
JJNORTON
Iknowitsoundslikesomeonedroppedtheball,butyouneedtorememberthiswas2003.DNAtestingwasmuchmorerudimentarybackthenanditwasalsowaymoreexpensiveandtookweekstodo.Andlet’snotforgetthebodyhadbeeninadownpour,soallthingsconsidered,IguesstheSIOdidn’tthinkitwasworthhisbudgetontheoff-chancesomethingsurvivedtherain.
BILLSERAFINI
SIO?
JJNORTON
Sorry–SeniorInvestigatingOfficer.
Butonthepositiveside,whatitdoesmeanisthatwecannowgettheclothingtestedourselves,andwhoknowswhatwemightfind.
LAILAFURNESS
Sohowdowegoaboutdoingthat?
ALANCANNING
I’llcalltheofficerwho’shandlingthefile.It’llbesomeoneinthecoldcaseunit.
LAILAFURNESS
Notsomuchcoldaspermafrost,ifyouaskme.Atleastasfarasactiveenquiriesareconcerned.
BILLSERAFINI
Well,that’swhywe’rehere,isn’tit,Laila?
(lookinground)
Doweneednext-of-kinpermissionorsomethinglikethat?I’mnotuptospeedonallyourBritishprocedures.
ALANCANNING
Thepolicecanapplyforfurthertesting,theydon’tneedagreementfromthefamily.Let’sjusthopetheMetplayball.
JJNORTON
Theymight–givenwhatelseIfound.Asweknowfromthefile,threehairswerefoundcaughtinthezipofRyder’sjacketduringtheoriginalinvestigation,buttheyweren’ttestedin2003becausenoneofthemhadroots.
Butassomeofyoumaybeaware,wecannowextractDNAfromhairsampleslikethat.It’sfiddlyandpricey,butitcanbedone.
LAILAFURNESS
Remindme,whatcolourwerethehairs?
JJNORTON
Midbrown,andundyed.WhichruledoutLukehimself,ashewasblond,andalsoCaroline,becauseherhairwasbleached.Butthat’sasfarastheycouldgetatthetime.
BILLSERAFINI
AllthesameitpresumablyreinforcedtheMet’sworkinghypothesisthatCarolinewasnottheperp.Butfromwhatyousay,JJ,Ithinkweshoulddefinitelyputpressureonthepolicetogofortestingnow.
ALANCANNING
Icanpickuponthat.Thoughweneedtorememberthateveniftheydogetsomethingthey’renotgoingtogiveusfullaccess.Themostwecouldhopeforwouldbeasteer.
LAILAFURNESS
Well,a‘steer’isalotmorethannothingatall,whichisallwehaverightnow.
BILLSERAFINI
Thanks,Alan.Appreciateit.
Andinthemeantime,thissoundslikemycue.
Hegetstohisfeet,goesuptotheboard,andstartspinningupphotos:abandonedindustrialsitesbehindwirefencing,derelictone-storeyhomes,wideroads,telegraphpoles.
This,myfriends,isNorthBirmingham,Alabama.Population1,273,ahighproportionofwhomareAfricanAmerican.Onceathrivingindustrialdistrictit’snowarust-belttown–drugs,streetcrime,andprostitutionarerife,andhouseholdincomesarewellbelowthenationalaverage.
Soit’shardlyatthetopofatourist’sbucketlist.Thoughthereisonethingthat’sonourside:evenifit’sasuburbofabigcity,inotherrespectsit’sjustlikeasmalltown,meaningthateveryoneknowseveryoneelse’sbusiness,andpeopleliketotalk.
JJNORTON
Whichdefinitelymakesyourjobeasier.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.Thoughthisonetooksomediplomatichandling,Icantellyou.Remember,asfaraseveryoneinNorthBirminghamwasconcerned,‘EricFulton’diedinabusbombinBeirutmorethantwodecadesago.
AndhereIcome,parachutinginoutofnowhere,tellingthemthatnotonlydidhenotdiethen,heactuallystoletheidentityofaguywhodid.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Iseewhatyoumean.
JJNORTON
Sohowdidyouplayit?
BILLSERAFINI
(smiles)
Very,verycarefully.
CUTTO:Bill,inshort-sleevedshirtandsunglasses,byahighchicken-wirefence.Thebuildingbehindlookslikeaschool,withaconcretebasketballcourtandastars-and-stripesflaghanginglimplyfromapole.Thelightisverybright.Bill’sstandingwithamaninhisseventies,who’swearingacheckshirtandbaseballcap.Sub-captioned‘FrankTappin,FormerLittleLeaguecoach’.
FRANKTAPPIN
Jeez,Ihaven’theardthenameEricFultoninovertwentyyears.
BILLSERAFINI
Youtaughthimball,backintheday?
FRANKTAPPIN
Yes,sir.Ericwasagoodkid.Quiet.Nevergavemeanytrouble.Eventhoughitwasobvioushehatedeverygoddamnminute.Mainlybecausehewasnogoodatit.Itwashisdadmadehimplay.
BILLSERAFINI
Whatdidyouknowaboutthefamily?
FRANKTAPPIN
Notsomuch,totellyouthetruth.Therewerethreebrothers.Ericwastheyoungest.Hismomworkedinasupermarketandhisdadworkedtwojobs.Ericwasalwaysinhand-me-downsthatweretoobigforhim.Bothhisbrotherswerewaytallerthanhewas.
BILLSERAFINI
Doyourememberthebrothers’names?
FRANKTAPPIN
Can’tsayIdo.Ineverhadnodealingswith’em.JustwithEric.
BILLSERAFINI
Doesthefamilystilllivearoundhere?
FRANKTAPPIN
No,sir,notforawhile.MrandMrsFultonbothpassedawayandIdon’tknowwhathappenedtotheotherboys.Thoughthey’renotlivinghere,thatIdoknow.
BILLSERAFINI
DiditsurprisepeoplewhentheyfoundoutthatErichadbeeninBeirut?
FRANKTAPPIN
Could’aknockedmedownwithafeather,totellyouthetruth.Erichadneverseemedliketheadventuroustype.Iwassurprisedheevenhadapassport.Mostfolksheredon’t.
BILLSERAFINI
WasEriclivingherebeforeheleftforLebanonorhadhealreadymovedaway?
FRANKTAPPIN
Nah,hehadn’tlivedhereforafewyears.Toosmall,Ireckon.Andnotjustthetown.
BILLSERAFINI
Howdoyoumean?
FRANKTAPPIN
Smalltown,smallminds.IthinkErichadgottentiredofthat.MovedtoNewYorkIbelieve.Ican’tvouchforthetruthofthat,butthat’swhatpeoplesaid.
CUTTO:Bar,interior.Wood-panelledwalls,beerpostersandprintedmirrors,acoupleofgoodoldboysatthecounter.ThewomanatthetablewithBillhaswhitehair,deeplywrinkledtannedskinandwitheredhands,butshehasatwinkleinhereye,allthesame.Sub-captioned‘NancyKozlowski,Formerteacher,NorthBirminghamHigh’.
BILLSERAFINI
So,Nancy,whydon’tyoutellushowyoufitintothisstory?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
IwasEric’s11thGradeteacher.Classof’82.
BILLSERAFINI
Butyoutookmorethanjustateacher’sinterestinhim,right?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Iwasfondofhim,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Poorboyneededsomemotherin’.Don’tgetmewrong,hismomwasarealniceladybutshewasalittleditsy.Sortaabsent,shallwesay.Andasforhisdaddy,well,Jimwasahardnut.Adecent,hardworkingman,yes–noarguin’withthat,buthehatedweakness,especiallyinhisboys.Theothertwo,heapprovedof,butEricwasdifferent.
BILLSERAFINI
Howso?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Youhavetorememberthiswasthe1980s,anditwas–andis–theSouth.Attitudestaketheirtimetochangehere,andsomeneverdo.Ericwasn’tliketheotherkids,andIcantellyounow,itfrightenedhim.Childrenhatetostandout,whetherit’sredhair,orbeingthetallest,ortheonlyonewithnodad.Andthiswasa-waysmorethanthat.
BILLSERAFINI
Bywhichyoumean—?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Ericknewfromayoungagethathedidn’tlikegirls.Buthealsoknew,withoutneedin’notellin’,thatthiswasnotsomethin’hecouldgoroundtalkin’about.Andespeciallynottohisfather.
BILLSERAFINI
Soheconfidedinyou?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Well,hedidn’tcomerightoutandsayit,no,itwasn’tnothin’likethat.Icouldjustsense,thatlastyear,thatsomethin’waseatin’awayathimandIcouldmakeaprettygoodguessatwhatitmightbe.Buthehadtocometoitinhisowngoodtime.ButthenonedayIfoundhimcryin’outback.Someoftheotherboyshadbeencallin’himafaggotandIdon’tknowwhatelse.Kidscanbesocruel.
BILLSERAFINI
Whatdidyousaytohim?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
LikeIsaidbefore,ItoldhimmaybeNorthBirminghamwasn’tthebestplaceforhim.Thathecouldn’tchangewhathewasandshouldn’ttry,eventhoughsomefolksroundheremight-adisagreedwithme.Thathedidn’thavetobeashamedofwhohewasbecauseGodmadehimthatwayandlovedhimregardless.HejustneededtosurroundhimselfwithotherfolkswhowouldthinkthewayIdid
Hedroppedouttheendofthatyearandlefttownsoonafter.Ifhismotherhadknownitwasmydoin’she’dneverhaveforgivenme.ButIdon’tregretit,Bill,Idon’tregretitatall.
BILLSERAFINI
WhenIspoketoFrankTappin,hesaidhewassurprisedEricendedupinBeirut.Whatdidyouthinkwhenyouheardaboutthat?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Ididn’tbelieveitatfirst,Idon’tmindtellin’you.I’dhadacardortwofromhiminNewYorkandheseemedrealhappy.Realateasewithhimself.Ijustdon’tseewhatcould-amadehimdecidetoleave.Especiallyforsomeplacelikethat.
BILLSERAFINI
Doyoustillhaveanyofthecardshesent?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
No,they’relonggone.Idohavethosephotoswetalkedabout,though.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofpicturesofEricFultonatschool:invariousclassline-ups,receivingaprize,attemptingtoplaybaseball.He’sclearlysmallforhisage,withsoftblondhairandashy,timidsmile.
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Thatprizewasforbesthandwritin’intheclass.Kindafits,somehow.Hewassuchanice,politelittlekid.
CUTTO:Studio,Billisonhisfeetattheboard.Thephotoswejustsawarenowpinnedupalongsidetherest.
BILLSERAFINI
(lookingroundattheteam)
Thisfeelslikeoneofthose‘areyouthinkingwhatI’mthinking’moments.
LAILAFURNESS
Well,whatI’mthinkingisthatthisEricFultondoesn’tsoundanythingliketheEricFultonwhoimpersonatedLuke.
BILLSERAFINI
That’swhatI’mthinkingtoo.
HUGOFRASER
(dryly)
Thehomosexualityisabitofagiveaway.
LAILAFURNESS
It’snotjustthat,though,isit?Therearesomesimilarities,yes:haircolour,eyes,thatsortofthing.ButthisEricissmallforhisage,whereas‘Luke’wastall.‘Luke’wasathletic,thisEricwasn’t;‘Luke’wasoutgoing,Ericwasshy.
TakingitalltogetherIthinkwehavetoconcludethat—
JJNORTON
—theEricFultonwhodiedinthebusbombwasnottheEricFultonfromNorthBirmingham,butsomeoneelseentirely.
MITCHELLCLARKE
YouthinkwehavethewrongEricFulton?Well,Isupposeit’snotthatunusualaname—
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghishead)
No–I’vecheckedanddouble-checked.Thisistherightguy.Orrather,thisistherightpassport
There’sasilence;they’reallprocessing.
JJNORTON
Shit,areyousaying—?
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
ThattheguywhomarriedCarolineHowardwasn’t‘EricFulton’anymorethanhewas‘LukeRyder’?
That’sexactlywhatI’msaying.
We’redealingwithaserialimposter.
ALANCANNING
Holdon,holdon,onestepatatime.TherealEricFulton,fromAlabama–theoneyouwerejusttalkingtothosepeopleabout–hemovedtoNewYorkwhen?
BILLSERAFINI
1982.Hewas17.
ALANCANNING
Sohestartsabrand-newlifeoutandproudintheBigApple,untilatsomepoint,yearslater,thefuture‘LukeRyder’stealshispassport?
BILLSERAFINI
No,Idon’treckonithappenedquitethatway.RememberwhatFrankjustsaidaboutEricbeingahomebody?No,Idon’treckonitwasEric’spassportthatwasstolen,forthesimplereasonthatIdoubtheeverhadone.Justlikeninety-sixpercentofmyfellowAmericans.
ALANCANNING
Soyou’resayingourmanusedEric’snameanddetailstogetapassportissuedinthatname?WithouttherealEricknowing?
BILLSERAFINI
Right.
ALANCANNING
(sitsbackandfoldshisarms)
Bitrisky,wasn’tit?WhatiftherealErichadsuddenlydecidedtotakeaholidaytoTorremolinos?
BILLSERAFINI
Idon’tthinkthatwasverylikely.Deadmendon’tgoonvacation.
ALANCANNING
Youthinkhewasalreadydead?Yousureaboutthat?
BILLSERAFINI
AssureasIcanbe.
ALANCANNING
Doyouhaveanyevidence?
BILLSERAFINI
Notactualevidence,no—
HUGOFRASER
Thenhowcanyoubesocertain?
BILLSERAFINI
Instinct.Plusthirtyyears’experience.Andthefactthatit’stheonlyworkabletheory.
LAILAFURNESS
Sowhatdoyouthinkhappened?
BILLSERAFINI
IthinktherealEricFultondiedinNewYork.Died,ormaybegotkilled.Remember,thecitywasstilldealingwiththeAIDScrisisaslateasthemid’90s,andhewoulddefinitelyhavebeeninahigh-riskgroup.
AddtothatthefactthatNYCwasinthemiddleofacrackepidemicandfatalshootingswereadailyoccurrence.Trustme,youdidn’thavetobeadrugdealertogetcaughtupinthat,justinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.
JJNORTON
Itcouldhavebeenahatecrime.IfEricwasopenlygay.
BILLSERAFINI
’Fraidso.Sadly.
LAILAFURNESS
SoourserialimposterfindsoutsomewayorotherthattherealEricFultonhasdied,andknowsenoughbasicinfoabouthimtoapplyforapassportinhisname?
BILLSERAFINI
That’smyassumption,yes.Andourthiefwasinluck–noonebackinNorthBirminghamknewforcertainwhereEricwas.TherewasnoFacebooktofallbackon,aswe’vesaidbefore,andthey’dhavefounditdamnhardtrackinghimdownanyotherway.AsfarasthefolksbackhomewereconcernedErichadgonecompletelyoffgrid.
HUGOFRASER
Andthenexttheyhearis1997,whenheturnsupdeadinaBeirutbusbombing.
Onlylittledotheyknowbutthedeadmanisn’thimatall,it’ssomesurferdudefromKalgoorliecalledLukeRyder,andourmysterymanhasnowwalkedoffwithhisidentityinstead.Whatthehellwasthisguyuptothathehadtokeepchanginghisname?
BILLSERAFINI
That,Hugo,iswhatweneedtofindout
LAILAFURNESS
Doyouhaveatheory,Bill?
BILLSERAFINI
Well,yes,Ido,asamatteroffact.
ALANCANNING
(underhisbreath)
WhyamInotsurprised.
BILLSERAFINI
(ignoringhim)
Ithinkwe’redealingwithaconman.Averycleverconman,whoalwaysmanagedtostayonestepaheadoflawenforcement.
LAILAFURNESS
Whatsortofconsarewetalkingabout?
BILLSERAFINI
Theworstkind,atleastinmybook,i.e.,upcloseandverypersonal.
Ithinkhechosepeoplewho’dbeeithertooashamedortoohumiliatedtocomeforwardtothepolice.Peoplewhowouldblamethemselvesforbeingduped.
JJNORTON
Butevenso,they’dstillhavefriendsandfamilywho’dwanttheperpcaught.Caughtandlockedup.
BILLSERAFINI
Precisely.WhichisexactlywhyIthinkourmankepthavingtodisappear.Andwhatbetterwaytodisappearthanfakingyourowndeath?
ALANCANNING
Justaboutplausible,Isuppose.ThewholeideaisrathertooSunday-night-dramaifyouaskme,butIsupposestrangerthingshavehappened.
LAILAFURNESS
(toBill)
I’mguessingyouthinkmostofhisvictimswerewomen?
BILLSERAFINI
Yes,Ido.AndIsuspecttheywereolderthanhim,too,maybeevensignificantlyolder.RememberwhatSylviaCarrollsaidabouthimbeingacharmer?Thatheknewjusthowtosweet-talktheoldladiesinthecarehome?
Don’tgetmewrong–I’mnotsayingallhisvictimswerequitethatelderly,butallthesameitspeakstoatalentforgainingtrust,forbreakingdownreserve.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Toppedoffwithatruck-loadofgoodold-fashionedlayingitonthick.Thatfamous‘charm’ofhis.
BILLSERAFINI
(smilingdryly)
Yes,thattoo.
HUGOFRASER
IbuyitthatsomeonecouldintheoryhavebeensopissedoffwiththisguythattheypursuedhimallthewaytoLondon—
ALANCANNING
(turningtohim)
ButhowdoyouthinkyouraverageJoewouldhavemanagedthat?Inpractice,Imean.TrackedhimfromNewYorktoCampdenHill,viaGreece,BaliandwhoknowswhereelseincludingbloodyBeirut?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shrugs)
Anyjournoworththenamecouldhavehadago.AndBillmanageditinacoupleofdays.
ALANCANNING
Billhasaccesstoateamofprofessionalresearchers,nottomentioncontactsinlawenforcement—
BILLSERAFINI
(withaself-deprecatingsmile)
Well,thatsurehelps.
LAILAFURNESS
SoyouthinkthisconmanwasactiveinNewYorkinthemid’90s?Weren’tyouinNYPDyourselfthen?
BILLSERAFINI
Iwas.
LAILAFURNESS
Butyoudon’trememberanythinglikethisatthetime?
BILLSERAFINI
(smiling)
It’salotofyearsago,Laila,andit’sabigcity.Butlet’sseewhattheguysbackhomecomeupwith.
JJNORTON
Sonocliff-hangertoendwith,Bill?You’relosingyourtouch.
BILLSERAFINI
(breaksintoalaugh)
Well,I’lltryhardernexttime,JJ.
FADEOUT
–endcredits–
TextmessagesbetweenAmelieandMauraHoward,18thMay2023,8.49a.m.
I’msorryAm.IjusthadacallfromGuy.Something’scomeup
IfuckingKNEWthiswouldhappen
Sowhatisit
They’regoingtobringupthetherapything
LikeWTF?
Thatstuffis*private*
Hesaidtosaysorry.Sayshetriedtocallyoubutyoudidn’tpickup
SorryAm
HehasNORIGHTtoputprivatestufflikethatonfuckingShowrunner
There’ssomethingelse
It’sgoingtocomeout
Aboutthatfire.Atschool
FFSit’slikeamillionyearsago
AnditwasafuckingACCIDENT
Iknow.I’msorryAm
Stopapologising.Noneofthisisdowntoyou.
It’sGuyI’mpissedoffwith,notyou
Iknowwhatyoumean
Howaboutwestartairing*his*shitinpublic–howwouldhelikethat?
Bestnotgothere
Date:Sat20/05/2023,10.54
From:AlanCanning
To:Gordon.Evans@Met.Police.uk
Subject:Hello
Gordon,
Ican’trememberifIrepliedabouttheSports&SocialdobutIthinkIshoulddefinitelybeabletomakeit.Notsureaboutthegolfdayyet,asitwilldependonmyfilmingcommitments.
Onwhichsubject,theshowisprovinginterestingand–asyourightlysuspected–notasstraightforwardasitinitiallyappeared.Onwhichsubject,IseemtorememberyouusedtohaveacontactatNYPD?AmIrememberingthatright?Ifso,I’dappreciateadiscreetword.
Kathsendsherregards,
Allbest,
Alan
Date:Sat20/05/2023,15.30
From:HugoFraser
To:serena.f.hamilton@hhllp.com
Subject:Dad’sbirthday
Haveyougivenanymorethoughttowhereyou’dliketogoforlunch?IwaswonderingaboutOzymandias–youknow,thatplacebyHollandParktube?He’salwaysloveditthere.
Andthanksforyourunderstandingabouttheotherthing.LikeIsaid,it’snobigdeal.Ijustwanttokeepthingssimple.
H
VoicemailleftforBillSerafinibyDavidShulman,20thMay2023,3.41p.m.
Date:Sun21/05/2023,16.50
From:MitchellClarke
To:LailaFurness
Subject:Justchecking
HiLaila,
SorrytobotheryouattheweekendbuttherewasjustsomethingIwantedtocheckwithyou.It’saboutMohammedKhan,thatstudentinSydney.Ijuststumbledoverapaperyougaveataconferencebackin2002,beforeyougotmarried.YourmaidennamewasKhan,right?
Irealizeit’sacommonnamesoIassumeit’sjustacoincidence?Hopeyoudon’tmindmeasking.
M
Date:Sun21/05/2023,16.58
From:LailaFurness
To:MitchClarke
Subject:Re:Justchecking
Ha–wellspotted!Andyes,it’sjustacoincidence.KhansarealmostascommonasSmiths.
Bytheway,Ithinkyou’rehandlingthiswholethingreallywell–you’retheonlyoneofusoutsidethefamilywho’sbeentouchedbythispersonallyandIknowitcan’tbeeasyhavingtorakeitallupagainaftersuchalongtime.Let’sjusthopewecangivebothyouandtheHowardssomeclosure.
Seeyounextweek,
L
VoicemailleftbyLailaFurnessforhermother,21stMay2023,5.23p.m.
EpisodeFourBroadcast
October12
TheTimes,13October2023
EpisodeFiveFilming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
titleover
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–narrator(female)
OnthenightofOctober3,2003,LukeRyder’sbodywasfoundinagardenintheupscaledistrictofLondonWest-8.
Hewas26,andanativeofKalgoorlie,WesternAustralia.
Oratleastthat’swhohesaidhewas.
Butwenowknowthatthemanpassinghimselfoffas‘Luke’hadusedatleastoneotheridentity,andmayhavebeenaserialconman.
DidsomethingintherealLukeRyder’spastcomebacktohauntthemanwhostolehisname?
Ordidsomeonehehadwrongedtrackthisimposterdown,intentonexactingaterriblerevenge?
FADEOUT
CUTTO:Guy,inthestudio,sittingwithNick.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Yousaidatthebeginningthatyoudidn’twanttoplayanactiveroleinthisfilm–thateventhoughyou’rethedirector,youwantedtheteamtobefreetofollowtheinvestigationwhereveritled.
Whyhaveyoudecidedtogoinfrontofthecameraagainnow?
GUYHOWARD
Somuchhascomeoutsincewestartedthisprocess–andevensinceIlastsaidanythingmyselfonscreen–thatit’sprobablytimethatviewersheardthefamilytakeonallthis.
InparticularhowfartheLukeweknewtallieswith–orischangedby–whattheteam’snowdiscovered.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Andwheredoyouallstand?
GUYHOWARD
Well,asyouheardinanearlierepisode,Iwasfindingithardtobelievethat‘Luke’wasactuallyamancalledEricFultonwhowaselevenyearsolderthanheclaimed.
Butiftheteam’sright,‘EricFulton’wasjustonemoreinwhatcouldbeanynumberofstolenidentities.Iguesswemayneverknowwhohereallywas,orhowoldhewasforthatmatter.
ThoughIwon’tdenyit’sunsettling,evenalltheseyearslater,tofindwehadacompletestrangerinthehouseallthattime,someonewenowdiscoverweknewabsolutelynothingabout,notevenhisname.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Thepicturethatseemstobeemergingisofsomeonewhomayhavedefraudedawholeseriesofwomen.
Clearlywehaveyettogatheranyactualevidencetobackthatup,butitseemsareasonablehypothesis.What’syourreactiontothat–doyouthinkyourmotherwasgoingtobehisnextvictim?
GUYHOWARD
IhavetoadmitI’mstrugglingwiththatonetoo.RightupuntilshegotillMumwasalwaysareallystrongcharacter.Ijustdon’tseeherasavictim.
And‘Luke’didn’tbehavelikethatsortofpredator–notthatIcanremember.Imean,yes,shedidbuyhimthings,mostnotablythatHarley,butshenevergavehimlargesumsofmoney.Andasherfriendshavetoldtheteam,asfarasMumknew,hestoodtoinheritapileofcashofhisown.Hedidn’tneedhermoney.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Thoughthatsortofset-upisastandardMOforcertaintypesoffraudster–lookatthatwholeAnnaDelveystoryafewyearsback,orthosesupposedlyrichmenwho’vetrickedwomenondatingappslikeTinder.
Thefraudsterposesasfilthyrichbutclaimsthey’retemporarilyunabletoaccessanyofthemoney.Soit’stheold‘Ijustneedyourhelpwiththisminorcash-flowissue’story.
GUYHOWARD
True,butlikeIsaid,Idon’tthinkLukeeveraskedmymotherformoneyinthatsortofway–I’mprettysuretherewerenobigpaymentstohimatallwhiletheyweremarried.Shegavehimstuff,notcash.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
TheotherissueIwantedtoraisewithyouiswhatShirleyBookersaid,especiallyabouthowyouthreechildrenfeltaboutLuke.Shesaidyou‘loathed’him.
GUYHOWARD
ShewastalkingaboutAmelie—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Yes,you’reright,shesaidAmeliedislikedhimthemost,butshesaidyouloathedhimtoo.Youevenwreckedtheweddingcake—
GUYHOWARD
(roaringwithlaughter)
Ihaveabsolutelynomemoryofdoingthat—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Allthesame,Ihavetoaskyou–whyhaven’tyousaidanyofthisbefore?
GUYHOWARD
Tobefair,IthinkIhave.IsaidIdidn’tlikehim.Idon’tthinkitwaseverloathing,assuch—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
ShirleysaidthataccordingtoCarolineyoubecame‘unmanageable’.SodisruptivethatthesedaysyouwouldbediagnosedwithADHD.
GUYHOWARD
(laughsagain)
Mumalwayswasabitofadramaqueen.SeeaboveunderCake.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Shirleyalsotoldusallthreeofyoukidswentintotherapy.Isthattrue?
GUYHOWARD
(hisfaceclosing)
That’snotsomethingI’mpreparedtotalkaboutonscreen.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
OK,fairenough.Sowhataboutyoursisters’relationshipswithLuke?Westillhaven’tbeenabletotalktoAmeliedirectly–didshereallyhatehimasmuchasShirleyBookerclaimed?
GUYHOWARD
(afterapause)
Isupposeofthethreeofusshedislikedhimthemost.Iguessthatmuchisaccurate.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Doyouknowwhy?
GUYHOWARD
(shrugs)
Searchme.AsfarasIremembershetookaninstantdisliketohimanditonlygotworse.Butdon’tforget,Iwasonly10atthetime.TherecouldhavebeensubtletiesIwasmissing.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
WhataboutMaura?
GUYHOWARD
Ithinkshemainlyjuststayedoutofhisway.Shewasatthatage–alladultswereapaininthearse,whoevertheywere.Butwhydon’tyouaskher?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Infactwedid.Shewasn’tthatkeentotalktousagain,butshedideventuallyagree.
CUTTO:Maura,inherroomintheoldstableblockatDorneyPlace.Wecanseethegardenandthemainhousethroughthewindowbehindher.Herhairisupinamessybun;she’swearinganavylong-sleevedtopunderanavygilet,withawoolscarfaroundherneck.She’ssittingslightlyturnedaway,botharmswrappedaroundher.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Sincewelastspokewe’veinterviewedShirleyBooker—
MAURAHOWARD
(flashinghimalook)
Notthatoldbag.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
—andshesaysthatofthethreeofyou,AmeliehatedLukethemost.Doyourememberitthatway?
MAURAHOWARD
(looksdismissive)
ShenevercametothehousesoIdon’tknowhowcomeshe’ssofuckingknowledgeableallofasudden.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Shegotitfromyourmother.
MAURAHOWARD
Soshesays.Mum’snotexactlyinanystatetocontradicther,now,isshe?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
You’resayingshe’swrong?Ameliedidn’thatehim?
MAURAHOWARD
(shrugs)
I’mnotsayingshelikedhim,butwewerejustkids,noneofitreallymeantanything.AndweallreallylovedDad.Wewerebrokenupwhenhedied,sotobehonestwe’dprobablyhavehatedanyoneMummarried.Especiallysosoonafter.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Theteamnowthink‘Luke’mayhavebeenaconman.Thathemayhavedefraudedseveralotherwomen.
MAURAHOWARD
Ifyousayso.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Youseemsurprisinglyunfazedaboutit.
MAURAHOWARD
(shrugs)
Ididn’tlikehim,butheprobablydidn’tdeservetheshithegotfromuskids.HewasalwaysreallynicetoMum—
(shecatchesherbreath,suddenlyemotional)
OKsobackthenIdidn’twanthimaround,butlookingbackatitnow,itwouldhavebeensomuchbetterifhehadn’tdied.Mumwasneverreallyhappyagainafterthat.
(looksaway,hereyesfillingwithtears)
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Ialsowantedtoaskyouaboutthetherapy—
MAURAHOWARD
(gettingtoherfeetandpullingoffthemic)
Iamabsolutelynotgoingtotalktoyoupeopleaboutthat.
Shethrowsdownthemicandwalksaway.
CUTTO:Studio,teamnowaroundthetable.
LAILAFURNESS
IfindtheHowardfamilydynamicsendlesslyfascinating.
(lookingslightlyembarrassed)
Sorry,Iknowthatsoundsratherinsensitive.Andratheroffthepoint.
BILLSERAFINI
Ithinkit’sthewholepoint.
HUGOFRASER
Statingtheobvious,Iknow,butitdoesn’tlooklikewe’regoingtogetanywherepushingthefamilyonthetherapyissue.
LAILAFURNESS
Whichisonlytobeexpected.
(givinganarchlookatNickbeyondthecamera)
ThoughitmighthavehelpedifMrVincenthadbeenatadmoresensitive.
JJNORTON
Thethingthatfascinatesmeisthepsychologyofthis‘Luke’person,whateverhisrealnamewas.
IsitjustmeorisanyoneelsewonderingwhethertherelationshipwithCarolinemighthavebeenratherdifferentfrompreviousones?
ALANCANNING
Inthesensethat—?
JJNORTON
Inthesensethathewasn’tjust‘reallynice’toher,heactuallymarriedher.
Conmenlikethattendtofleecewomenandmoveon,don’tthey?Youdon’tneedtobotherwiththelegalstoachievethat.Indeed,I’dargueitjustmakesthingsawholelotmorecomplicated.Andfarmorelikelytoattractunwelcomeattentionfromthepowersthatbe.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Wedon’tknowhedidn’tmarryanyoftheothers.
BILLSERAFINI
JJ’sright,though:marriageleavesapapertrail.He’dbemucheasiertotrackdown.
ALANCANNING
Onlyifyouknewthenamehewasgoingunderatthetime.
BILLSERAFINI
True.
HUGOFRASER
Inmyexperience,swindlerswhoactuallymarrythewomenthey’reconningdoitpreciselybecauseof‘thelegals’.I.e.,toputthemselvesinlinetoinherittheirproperty,includinganylifeinsurance.Whichthey’veoftentakenoutwithoutthewife’sknowledge.Iprosecutedacaseexactlylikethatonlylastyear.
JJNORTON
You’retalkingaboutadifferentsortofconmanthere,though,areyou?Aconmanwhowantstoinheritisaconmanwhointendstokill.Likethemanwhomurderedthatnovelist–Helensomething—
MITCHELLCLARKE
HelenBailey.Nowhewasanastypieceofwork—
LAILAFURNESS
Justtointerject–psychologicallyspeaking,aconmanofthatkindwouldbeaverydifferentpersonalitytype.
AndlikeMitchjustsaid,wedon’tknow‘Luke’didn’tmarryotherwomen.Infact,howdoweknowhedidn’tmurderthem?
Imean,hecouldhave,right?HecouldevenhavebeenplanningtokillCaroline,forallweknow.
HUGOFRASER
(looksroundthetable)
DoweknowifCaroline–orindeedLuke–tookoutanynewlifeinsurancepoliciesafterthemarriage?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
I’vealreadyaskedGuythatandhesaysnot.
HUGOFRASER
InthatcaseIthinkit’sunlikelyhewasplanningtomurderher.They’dbeenmarriedmorethanayear.He’dhavehadplentyoftimetogetthefinancialsideofthingsinplace,ifhereallydidintendtokillher.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Perhapshehadachangeofheart.HemayhaveconnedwomeninthepastbutthistimeitwasTheRealThing.Hemarriedherbecauseheactuallylovedher.
LAILAFURNESS
(smilingathim)
Youoldromantic,you.
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghishead)
Nicetry,Mitch,butIdon’tbuyit.
HUGOFRASER
Thereisoneotherpossibility:maybeherealizedhestoodtogainmorebyplayingalonggame?Imean,allhehadtodowassitonhishandsandwaitforFlorenceRydertodieandhe’dbequidsin.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ithinkyoucouldbeontosomethingthere.Maybethat’swhatmadeitdifferentthistime.
LAILAFURNESS
Butwe’rejustspinningonnothingwithoutsomeactualfactsaboutthisman.
ALANCANNING
Precisely.So,Bill–haveyoudiscoveredanythingmoresincewelastgottogether?DidNewYork’sfinestcomeupwiththegoods?
BILLSERAFINI
Iwasjustcomingtothat.
(getsupandgoestotheboard)
Igotlucky.OneofthedetectivesinManhattanPDisaguyItrainedbackwhenhewasjustarookie,soIcalledinafavour.
(turnsandpinsupaphoto)
GiventhatourcurrenttheoryisthattherealEricFultondiedsometimeinthemidtolate’90sinNewYork,IgotmyguytorunFulton’spictureagainstdeceasedJohnDoesinthecityforthatperiod.Andwehitpaydirt.
Hegesturestothepicture;it’sanautopsyshot,theeyesareclosedandthefaceisbadlybruisedononeside.
RememberIsaidIthoughttherealEricFultonmighthavebeenthevictimofsomesortofviolence?Well,thismandiedasaresultofastreetmugginginBrooklyninDecember1994.Therewerenowitnesses–atleastnonewhowerepreparedtomakeaformalstatement–buttherewasdefinitelysomesuggestionthatitcouldhavebeenahatecrime.Theattacktookplaceintheearlyhoursofthemorningonlyafewhundredyardsfromaknowngaybar.
ThevichadnoIDorwalletonhimwhenhewasfoundacoupleofhourslater,anddespiterepeatedpoliceappealsnoonecameforward.Asofnow,heremainsofficiallyunidentified.
JJNORTON
YouthinkitcouldbetherealEricFulton?AndourmysterymanstoletheIDoffthebody?
BILLSERAFINI
Hastobepossible.Therewasmorethanenoughtimeforsomeonetofindhimandgothroughhispocketsbeforethecopsshowedup.Andweknowourmanwasnothingifnotopportunistic.LookatwhathappenedinBeirut.
JJNORTON
DidyouaskNYPDtorunthisJohnDoe’sDNAagainstFulton’sfamily?
BILLSERAFINI
Idid.Nonewsasyetthough.
LAILAFURNESS
(stillstaringatthephoto)
He’dbeenlivinginNewYorkforyearsandyetnooneappearstohavenoticedhewasmissing?
BILLSERAFINI
Evidentlynot.
LAILAFURNESS
Thatstrikesmeasverysad.
BILLSERAFINI
Theymayhavehadtheirreasons.ButIguesswe’llneverknow.
HUGOFRASER
SoyouthinkthatasatDecember1994ourmysterymanstartedawholenewlifeas‘EricFulton’?
BILLSERAFINI
Idon’tthink;Iknow.BecausewithinsixmonthsofthatJohnDoe’sdeath,thehithertogayEricFultonbeganasexualrelationshipwithawoman.
Thiswoman.
Heputsupanotherpicture–it’saclippingfromaglossymagazine.Thewomanislatemiddle-aged,inafloor-lengthgoldsequinnedgown,smilingandholdingaglassofchampagne.
BILLSERAFINI
ThisisRoseShulmanattheMetGalainMay1994.Shewas56atthetime.
Andbythetimethegalacameroundagain,shehadanescort.
Hepinsupanotherphoto;Shulmanagain,inanotherlonggown,accompaniedthistimebyatallandmuchyoungermanineveningclothes.He’sturnedawayfromthecamera.
LAILAFURNESS
Well,basedpurelyonheightandphysiquethatdefinitelyisn’tEricFultonofNorthBirmingham,Alabama.
JJNORTON
Butyoucan’treallyseehisface,canyou?Isthatdeliberate,doyouthink?
BILLSERAFINI
Wellobserved,JJ.Andyes,Ithinkitis.IdidatrawlofotherimagesofRoseataroundthistimeand‘Eric’isnotablebyhisabsence.Andwhenheispicturedhe’sclearlydoinghisbestnottobeinshot.
Andaswe’vediscussedmanytimesbefore,therewasnosocialmediabackthen,soifyouwerecarefulyouhadaprettygoodchanceofkeepingyourfaceoutofthepubliceye.
(raisesaneyebrow)
Alwaysassumingyouhadgoodreasontowantto.
ALANCANNING
Iagreehe’saboutthesameheightandbuildas‘Luke’,butthehairisdefinitelydarker.Andshorter.
LAILAFURNESS
Butthosethingsareeasytochange,aren’tthey.Likewearingglasses.Ornot.
ALANCANNING
Isupposeso.
HUGOFRASER
SowhathappenedwithRose?Iassumesomethingdidoryouwouldn’tbetellingusallthis.
BILLSERAFINI
(looksgrim)
Inthespaceoffivemonthsherelievedherofsomethingintheneighbourhoodofeighthundredthousanddollars.Alongwithseveralpiecesofheirloomjewellerysheneversawagain.
JJNORTON
(sardonically)
Niceguy.
Doweknowhowtheymet?Mightgiveusaclueabouthowheoperated.
BILLSERAFINI
Heseemstohaveweaselledhiswayintosomegalleryopeningshewasat.Toldherhewasanartist—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,that’sactuallytrue–hewasabloodyconartist.
BILLSERAFINI
—andhe’dclearlydonehisresearch,becausetheShulmanfamilyarenotedpatronsofthearts,andsupportanumberofcharitiesbenefitingyoungpainters
HUGOFRASER
Youjustsaid‘sheneversawherjewelleryagain’.Pasttense.
BILLSERAFINI
(takesadeepbreath)
Rosewasdiagnosedwithbreastcancerin1996anddiedninemonthslater.Herfamilyfirmlybelievethatthestressoflosingthemoneywasamajorcontributingfactor.Shefelthumiliated.NotleastbecauseshethoughtFultonactuallycaredabouther.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Idon’tsupposeanyoftheShulmanfamilywereinLondononOctoberthird2003byanychance?
BILLSERAFINI
(laughsdryly)
No,sadlynot.Andyes,wehavechecked
LAILAFURNESS
(sighs)
Anotherdeadend.
HUGOFRASER
DidyourcolleagueatNYPDhaveanyideawhichnameourmanmighthavebeengoingunderbeforehebecameEricFulton?
BILLSERAFINI
Afraidnot.Butsafetosaythey’reonthecase.
Talkingofbeingonthecase,didyouspeaktotheMetaboutgettingthosehairstested,Alan?
ALANCANNING
Ihadawordwiththecoldcaseunitandthey’veagreedtodotestingonthehairandafullDNAanalysisoftheclothes.
Butdon’tholdyourbreath:we’llbeatthebackofthequeuecomparedtoliveinvestigations.
BILLSERAFINI
(lookinground)
Whatelsedidwehaveoutstandingfromlasttime?
Hegetsupandgoesovertothewhiteboard,whichwenowseehasalistinBill’shandwriting.
CameraZOOMSin.
IANWILSON
AUSTRALIANINCIDENT/HIT-AND-RUN
CAROLINE’SMYSTERYLOVER
BILLSERAFINI
So,firstup,ourcurrentnameintheframe:IanWilson.AndthenewshereisthatTarekhastrackeddownsomefootageofhim.It’sfromthe’90ssonotdirectlyrelevant,butitmighthelpgiveusapictureoftheguy.
Henodstowardsthecameraandthescreenonthewallcomestolife.It’saclipfromBBCSouthNews.Asolidlybuiltyoungmanwithblondhairandbraces,wearingagreenandnavy-stripedrugbyshirtisbeinginterviewedbyajournalistholdingahugegreymicrophone.Therearetwoolderpeoplestandingathisside,andbehindthemanothergroupofadults.Thecoloursarefadedandyellowishandthereareafewjumpsonthefilm.
JOURNALIST
(tocamera)
I’mherewithIanWilson,ofSirWilliamPenroseSchoolinGuildford,who’sjustbeenselectedtoplayfortheEnglandUnder-16srugbyside.
(turningtoIan)
Quiteaday,Ian.Youmustbeveryexcited.
IANWILSON
(grinning)
Yeah,I’mprettychuffed.
JOURNALIST
Ibelieveyou’vebeenplayingrugbyeversinceyouwereatprimaryschool?
IANWILSON
(runningahandthroughhishair)
Yeah,IusedtoplaywithmydadinthegardenandIsupposeitjustwentfromthere.
JOURNALIST
Thisisyourmumanddadwithyouhere,amIright?Theymustbeveryproud.
MRWILSON
Veryproud,veryproud.Ian’sdoneterrificallywell.
Wilsonsmilesindulgently.He’sanolder,morefloridversionofhisson;hiswifeisamuchlesssubstantialfigure,clutchingherhandbagandsmilingnervously.Ianpullshishandthroughhishairagain;he’sstartingtolookratherlikeBorisJohnson.
JOURNALIST
AndIthinkyouhaveyourspecialnewshirtwithyoutoo?
IangrinsandholdsupawhiteEnglandshirtwitharedroseonthechest.Itclearlyhasn’tbeenwornyet.
JOURNALIST
AndyourfirstgameislaterthismonthIbelieve?
IANWILSON
(grinningagain)
Yeah,we’replayingScotlandonthetwenty-first.
(heleansforwardintothecameralens,holdsupafistandroars)
StufftheJocks–YEAH!
JOURNALIST
(lookingalarmedandturningquicklyawaytocamera)
Well,I’msureweallwishtheteameverysuccess.Backtoyouinthestudio.
FREEZEFRAME.
LAILAFURNESS
Forsuchashortclip,thatwasextraordinarilyrevealing.
HUGOFRASER
IanWilsonisaboorishoverprivilegedlittletosser,forastart.
Alanshootshimaquickglanceandseemsabouttosaysomething,butchangeshismind.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ohcomeon,hewasonlyakidbackthen—
HUGOFRASER
Hewas16.Peopledon’tchangemuchafterthat.Aren’tIright,Laila?
LAILAFURNESS
Well,Iwouldagreethatyourarelyseeprofoundpersonalityshiftsafterthatage–notwithoutsomesignificanttriggeringevent—
HUGOFRASER
Thereyouarethen.
JJNORTON
Eitherway,basedonwhatwejustsaw,Ireckonthegrown-upIanwould’vebeenmorethancapableofdoingLukesomeseriousdamage.Hewasarugbyplayer,forChrist’ssake.
LAILAFURNESS
Itendtoagree.Andifthisisanythingtogoby,Icanalsoseewhyhemadesuchapoorimpressionwhenheturnedupatthatcarehome—
HUGOFRASER
(nodding)
AndthentriedtobullySylviaCarroll.
ALANCANNING
(ratherimpatiently)
Noneofthatmakesanydifference:PeterLascellesspecificallytoldusthatWilsonhadanalibi.He’soutofthepicture.ThisisadeadhorseandIcan’tforthelifeofmeunderstandwhywe’restillfloggingit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Weweretoldhehadanalibi,butwestilldon’tknowwhatitwas,dowe?MaybeLascellesdidn’tcheckitoutthathard—
LAILAFURNESS
WhatdidPetersayaboutthat,Bill?Youweregoingtospeaktohim,weren’tyou?
BILLSERAFINI
Iwas,andIdid.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andwhatdidhesay?
BILLSERAFINI
Let’stakealook,shallwe.
CUTTO:INTERVIEWsequence.BillissittinginapubwithPeterLascelles.Hehasapintofbitterinajugglass,Billhasabourbonontherocks.
BILLSERAFINI
Istilldon’tgettheBritthingwithwarmbeer.
PETERLASCELLES
(smiling)
It’sallpartofthepackage:goesalongwiththestiffupperlipandthebadteeth.
(Billlaughs)
So,youwantedtoaskmeaboutIanWilson’salibi.Ofcoursethere’sonlysomuchI’matlibertytosay,givenit’sstillanopencase—
BILLSERAFINI
Understood.
PETERLASCELLES
—butthismuchIcantellyou.Aswediscussedbefore,wedidinvestigateMargaretandIanWilsonin2003,asbothclearlyhadaprimafaciemotiveforwantingLukeRyderdead.TherealLukeRyder,needlesstosay.
(takesadeepbreath)
Takingtheminturn,I’msureyou’llunderstandmeifIsaythat–theoreticallyspeaking,ofcourse–amiddle-agedwomanwhowassufferingfromseverearthritiswouldbeanunlikelysuspectforthemurderofaveryfit26-year-oldmale.
BILLSERAFINI
Wedon’tknowhowoldheactuallywas,ofcourse,butpointtaken.
However–andlikewise,purelyhypothetically–there’dbenothingtostopsomeoneinthatstateofhealthfromgettinganotherpersontocommitthecrimeonherbehalf.Especiallysomeoneclosetoher,whoalsostoodtogainfinancially.Likeherownkid.
PETERLASCELLES
Ofcourse.Andanycompetentpoliceofficerwouldconducttheirenquiriesaccordingly.Suchachildwouldbeinvestigatedandhis–orher–alibiverified.
BILLSERAFINI
And?
PETERLASCELLES
Well,asyouwellknow,Bill,somealibisarehardertoverifythanothers.Especiallyifbythetimeyouspeaktothepersoninquestionthey’renolongerinthecountry.
BILLSERAFINI
AndIguessinthosecircumstancesyou’dwanttoestablishexactlywhentheyleft.Asin,didtheyleavebeforeorafterthedateofthecrime.
PETERLASCELLES
Precisely.Andinourhypotheticalcaseitwasthreedaysafterthemurder.
BILLSERAFINI
Andwouldn’tthattimingstrikeyouassuspicious?Mightitmakeyouthinktheywerefleeingthejurisdiction?
PETERLASCELLES
Clearlythatwouldhavebeenanimportantconsideration.Andevenifthepersonconcernedhadinsistedthatthey’dbeenplanningthatparticulartripforsometime,thatwouldhavebeenhardtoverify.Twentyyearsago,traveldocumentationwasn’tdigitizedlikeitisnow.
BILLSERAFINI
Andinanycasehe’dstillneedanalibiforthenightinquestion.
PETERLASCELLES
Right.Butagain,therewasalotlesstechnicalevidencetodrawonbackintheday–thereweren’tmanyCCTVcameras,evenincitycentres,andonlyaveryfewmobilephoneshadGPStracking.Soalmostallalibisreliedonhumanbeings,notdigitaldata.
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
Andunlikemachines,peoplecanlie.Andeveniftheythinkthey’retellingthetruththeirmemoriescanstilldeceivethem.Eyewitnesstestimonyisnotoriouslyunreliable.
PETERLASCELLES
Iagree,thoughwhenasuspectoffersanalibiwitnesswhoallegedlyspentseveralhourswiththemontheeveningofthecrime,thentheevidenceprovidedshouldintheorybealotmoresolid.
Alwaysassuming,ofcourse,thatthewitnesshasn’tmistakentheday.Eitheraccidentallyor,ofcourse,deliberately.
BILLSERAFINI
Soarewetalkingaone-offencounteronthatparticularday,oranongoingrelationshipofsomekind?
PETERLASCELLES
Forthepurposesofourhypotheticalcase,let’sassumeitwasawomanthepersoninquestionmetinabar,andthenspentthenightwith.
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
OK.AndIseewhythatmightbehardtosubstantiateintermsofanexactdate.Unlesstheypaidbycreditcard,orwenttoahotel—
PETERLASCELLES
Ithinkyoushouldassumetheydidn’t.
BILLSERAFINI
CanIaskhowoldthishypotheticalwomanwas?
PETERLASCELLES
Let’ssayinherforties.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.OK,let’sparkourhypotheticalcaseforamomentandfocusontherealone.Wilson’sinhistwenties,right?Good-lookingguy,too.Soifhe’dgothotandheavywithaladyofacertainageIcaneasilyseehimcharmingherintoslippinghimafakealibi.
HecontinuestospeakoverRECONSTRUCTION.Videoonly,noaudio:‘Ian’isinbedwithanolderwoman.Theytalk,shesmiles,thennodsherhead.
Heasksher,casually,whilethey’restillinthesack,ifshecandohimafavour–it’snobiggie,justaspotofbotherhecan’tbebothereddealingwith,soifanyonecomesaskingcanshetellthemtheirnightofpassionwasactuallythedaybefore.She’sjusthadthebestbangshecanremembersincewaybackwhen,somaybeshethinks,‘Whythehellnot?’
Andbythetimesherealizesshe’sgoneandgotherselftangledupinamurderinquiryMrSmoothislonggoneandshe’swaytooterrifiedtochangeherstoryandtellthetruth.
PETERLASCELLES
(reachesforhisbeer)
Youcertainlytellagoodtale,Bill.Everthoughtofwritinganovel?YoucouldgivethatIanRankinblokearunforhismoney.
BILLSERAFINI
(smiling)
Thanks.Butdoyouthinkit’splausible,asascenario?
PETERLASCELLES
Onlytooplausible.And–hypotheticallyspeaking–wewouldcertainlyhaveputexactlythatversionofeventstothewitness.
BILLSERAFINI
Butshewouldn’tbudge.Andneverhassince,orwewouldn’tbehavingthisconversation.
PETERLASCELLES
Youmightthinkso;Icouldn’tpossiblycomment.
BILLSERAFINI
AndI’mguessingthisnightofpassionwastoofarfromLondonforourmantobeintwoplacesatthesametime?
PETERLASCELLES
Farenough,Iimagine.
BILLSERAFINI
AndI’mlikewiseguessingyouneverhadprobablecausetocompelhimtosupplyDNAorprints?
PETERLASCELLES
Again,youmightverywellthinkso.
(pause)
Youplanningondoinganysightseeingwhileyou’reoverhere,Bill?
BILLSERAFINI
Well—
PETERLASCELLES
Therearesomegreatplacestovisit.AndnottoofarfromLondon.Farenough,though,ifyoucatchmydrift.LikeSalisbury,forexample.
BILLSERAFINI
(frownsamomentthenrealizationdawns)
Oh,youmeanthatplacewherethosetwoRusskiestriedtooffthatdefector–Sergeisomething?
PETERLASCELLES
Skripal.Andthenclaimedtheywereonlythereto‘lookatthecathedral’.Yeah,right,asmygrandchildrenwouldsay.
BILLSERAFINI
I’mstillnotsurewhy—
PETERLASCELLES
There’sanicelittleB&BIwoulddefinitelyrecommendyoutry.Thewomanwhoownsit–Imether,oh,itmustbeverynearlytwentyyearsagonow.
BILLSERAFINI
(slowly)
Right.
Igetyou.
Soundslikeit’sdefinitelyworthmytime.
PETERLASCELLES
I’msureyouwon’tregretit.
(smiling)
Andthecathedralreallyisquitesomething.
CUTTO:Studio.
HUGOFRASER
Iassumeyoutookthehint,Bill?Imean,hewasclearlymarkingyourcard.
BILLSERAFINI
Icertainlydid,Hugo,andhecertainlywas.
(grins)
Andhewasrightaboutthatoldchurch,too.
CUTTO:FOOTAGEofBillsittingatacafétablewithaviewacrossanexpanseofgrasstoSalisburycathedral.Thesunisshiningbutit’sobviouslycoldashe’swearingaleathercoataswellasthetrademarksunglasses.There’sawomansittingoppositehimwhohasherbacktothecamera.Wecanseeshe’sslim,withwell-cutshorthairwhichhasbeenprofessionallyhighlighted.She’swearingachocolate-colouredfaux-furjacket.Sub-caption:‘Christine’.
BILLSERAFINI
IguessIshouldstartoutbysayingthatyou’veagreedtospeaktousaslongasweprotectyouridentity,whichiswhywe’recallingyouChristine.
AndthereasonwhywewanttotalktoyouisbecauseyouwerethewomanwhogaveanalibiforthenightofOctoberthird,2003,toIanWilson.
‘CHRISTINE’
Yes,Idid.
BILLSERAFINI
Canyoutakeusthroughthatevening?
‘CHRISTINE’
(laughing–ahuskysmoker’slaugh)
Well,I’mnotsurequitehowmuchdetailyouwantmetogointo—
BILLSERAFINI
(withawrysmile)
Let’skeepitfamily-friendly.
‘CHRISTINE’
OK.So,Iwasworkinginabarintownbackthen.It’slonggonenowbutitwasquiteahipplacebackintheday.IwasthemanagersoIwasn’tfrontofhousethewholetime,butIwasobviouslyinandoutthroughouttheevening.
BILLSERAFINI
Andthat’showyoumetIan?
‘CHRISTINE’
Right.Hestoodout,tobehonest.Youdon’tgetmanyguysturningupalone.They’remostlywithgirlfriendsorwithmates,notalone.Acoupleofgirlshadagoatgettinghisattention,astheeveningworeon,buthedidn’tseeminterested.
(laughs)
Infact,Iwasbeginningtowonderifhewasgay.ThoughIdidn’tknowwhathewasdoinginourgaffifhewas,notwithagaybaronlyfiftyyardsdownthestreet.
BILLSERAFINI
Sowhathappened?
‘CHRISTINE’
AroundmidnightIwentoutsideforafag.Itwasbloodyfreezingbutwedidn’tallowsmokinginsidesoIdidn’thaveachoice.Acoupleofminuteslater,therehewas.
BILLSERAFINI
Hewashavingasmoketoo?
‘CHRISTINE’
No.Iofferedhimonebuthesaidhedidn’t.Saidhejustwantedsomefreshair.
BILLSERAFINI
Whatnamedidhegiveyou?
‘CHRISTINE’
Ian.
BILLSERAFINI
That’sall?
‘CHRISTINE’
JustIan.Ineverknewhissurname.
BILLSERAFINI
Sowhathappenednext?
‘CHRISTINE’
Wegottalking,andIletslipitwasabitofabummerworkingonmybirthdayandheinsistedonbuyingmeaglassofchampagne.Weweren’tsupposedtodrinkwhenwewereworkingbutwhatthehell,IreckonIdeservedit.
BILLSERAFINI
Soyougobackinside?
‘CHRISTINE’
Right.Andhegetsthefizz—
BILLSERAFINI
Don’ttellme–payingcash?
‘CHRISTINE’
Yup.Andthenwesitdownatthebarandallofasuddenthishenpartyarrives.WholebunchofgirlswithflickyhairandtiarasandskirtsupovertheirknickersandIthought,ohwell,itwasnicewhileitlasted.
Butitdid.Last,Imean.Hedidn’tseeminterestedinthem.Wemovedovertoatable,andonethingledtoanotherandweendedupbackinmyflat.
BILLSERAFINI
Andyou’resurehewaswithyouallnight?
‘CHRISTINE’
(laughsagain)
Ohyes.Idon’tthinkeitherofusgotmuchsleep.
BILLSERAFINI
AndIguessthefactthatitwasyourbirthdaymeantyouwereprettycertainofthedate,whenthepolicecamecalling?
‘CHRISTINE’
Doyourememberyourfortieth?
BILLSERAFINI
Certainlydo—
‘CHRISTINE’
Right.AndIbetminewaswaymorememorablethanyours.Nooffence.
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghisheadandgrinning)
Nonetaken.
‘CHRISTINE’
Soyeah,Ididn’thaveanyproblemremembering.Anddon’tforget–itwasonlyacoupleofweekslaterthatthecopperscamecalling.
BILLSERAFINI
Wouldn’totherbarstaffhaverememberedhimaswell?
‘CHRISTINE’
Theydefinitelyrecognizedhimbuttheycouldn’tbesureifitwastheFridayortheSaturday,justthatitwasthatweekend.
BILLSERAFINI
Isee.Sowhenyouspoketothepolice,howwastheidentityconfirmed?
‘CHRISTINE’
Petershowedmeaphoto.Lookedlikesomethingoffapassport.
BILLSERAFINI
PeterLascelles–theSeniorInvestigatingOfficer?
‘CHRISTINE’
Right.
BILLSERAFINI
Andyouwereonehundredpercentsureitwasthesamemanyouspentthateveningwith?
‘CHRISTINE’
Absolutely.
CUTTO:Studio.Billisstillatthewhiteboard.
JJNORTON
Soifwebelievethis‘Christine’,IanWilsoncouldn’thavebeenthekiller
BILLSERAFINI
Right.
LAILAFURNESS
Anddidyou?Believeher?
BILLSERAFINI
Actually,Idid.Shekepteyecontactwithmethewholetime,norapidblinking–noneoftheusualbodilyindicatorsforlying.
Sotosumup,IthinkweneedtoparktheIanthingfornow.Pendinganyfurtherevidence,atanyrate.
ALANCANNING
(underhisbreath)
ThankChristforthat.
BILLSERAFINI
Sonextup,DownUnder.Mitch?AnythingmoreontheSydneyangle?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Nothingnew,I’mafraid.ThoughwhatIdiddowasdoatrawloftheUKpressfromaroundthetimeCarolineand‘Luke’gotmarried.Basicallytoseehoweasyitmighthavebeenforthefamilyofthehit-and-runvictimtotrackhimdown.AndthisiswhatIfound.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofpresscoverage.
MITCHELLCLARKE
TherewasalsocoveragewhentheyattendedacharitygalaatHollandParkwhichwasonlysixweeksbeforethemurder.ThoughIcouldn’tfindverymuchbywayofpictures,eitheroftheweddingorlater,andwhatIdidfindweremostlyofher,nothim.
LAILAFURNESS
Ourmanavoidingbeingphotographedagain?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Couldbe.Butitdoesshowusthataslongasyouhadaname,therewereenoughmentionsofRyderinthepressforsomeonetotrackhimdown.ThereareevenreferencestohimbeinganAustralian.
BILLSERAFINI
OK,noted.Thankyou.Sonextup,Caroline’snot-so-mysterylover.Alan?
ALANCANNING
Actually,IthinkI’vefinallymadesomeprogress.I’vetrackeddowntheownerofaredMGBwhichmightfitthebill–I’veonlyspokentothemonthephonebutitsoundspromising.
BILLSERAFINI
I’mimpressed!Sowhoisthisguy?
ALANCANNING
It’snotaman,it’sawoman.ShewaslivingintheW8areaatthetimeandoftenlenthercartoherbrother.
HUGOFRASER
What’shername?
ALANCANNING
(withoutlookingathim)
I’drathernotsayrightnow–nottillI’vedonesomemorelegwork.
HUGOFRASER
(frowning)
Soundsabitflakytome.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(laughing)
Easy,tiger,anyonewouldthinkyouhadsomethingtohide—
HUGOFRASER
(quickly)
Well,youshouldknow—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Whatthehell’sthatsupposedtomean?
BILLSERAFINI
(intervening)
Hey,I’msureHugowasjustreferringtothefactthatyouwereinthecrosshairsyourselfonthiscase,forawhile,weren’tyou,Mitch.Right,Hugo?
Neithermansaysanything;there’sanawkwardpause.Thensuddenly,thesoundofmovementfrombehindthecamera.
NICKVINCENTAPPEARSINSHOT.He’stannedandwearinganopen-neckwhiteshirt.Amomentlaterhe’sfollowedbysomeoneelse.Anewcomer.He’sslight,withlongishdarkhair,glasses,andagreymarlT-shirtwithaUCLAlogoonthefront.He’sclutchingalaptopandapileofpapers.Helooksalittleuncomfortable.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
OK,guys,IthinkthismightbeagoodtimetobringyoualluptospeedonsomethingTarek’sbeenworkingon.We’veheardhisnamementionedmorethanonceoverthecourseoftheseriesbutuptillnowhe’salwaysbeenontheothersideofthecamera.Butthistimehegetstobeonscreen,becausehe’scomeupwithsomeprettyexcitingstuff.
TAREKOSMAN
(pushinghisglassesuphisnose)
Nopressure,eh,Nick.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Don’tdoyourselfdown,kid.Anyway,I’llleaveittoyoutoexplain.
Nickgoesroundthetabletoperchagainstthewindowsill,tappingTareklightlyonthearmashepasses.
CLOSE-UPonTarekashepullsoutachairandsitsdown.
TAREKOSMAN
(fiddlingwiththelaptopandpapers)
OK,someandtheteamhavedonesomemorediggingon‘LukeRyder’toseewhetherwecouldfindoutanythingmoreabouthispast.Andwemanagedtoturnupsomething–aboutwhenhewasonAssos.
FOOTAGEofTarekonlocationinGreece.Panoramaacrosstheharbour:fishingboats,quaysidetavernas,brightlycolouredhousesandbluehillsbeyond.
CUTTO:Tarekwalkingupastreet–floweringcreeperupthewalls,acatblinkinginthesun,tablesandchairsoutsideabar.Hestopsoutsideandturnstocamera.He’snotwearingsunglassesandissquintingslightly.
TAREKOSMAN
YouprobablyrememberthatRupertHowarddidn’thaveanypicturesofhimselfandLukefromthesummertheymethere,andweweren’tabletofindanythingusefulonlineeither.Sowedecideditmightbeworthcomingoverandactuallytalkingtopeople.
CUTTO:Interiorofbar.Tarekiswithamaninhisforties.Thewallsarepaintedtealblue,withawhitewashedfloorandwhitewoodenfurniture.
TAREKOSMAN
I’mherewithGeorgeNicolaides,whotookoverthebarfromhisfathertenyearsago.IthinkI’mrightinsayingyouweren’tinAssosthesummerLukeRyderwasworkinghere?
GEORGENICOLAIDES
(speakingperfectEnglishwithaslightAmericanaccent)
No,Iwasatuniversitythenandtookthesummerofftogotravelling.
TAREKOSMAN
Andlookingroundyou’veclearlyhadthebarrefurbedsince1998?
GEORGENICOLAIDES
Right.WecompletelyremodelleditwhenItookover.Ithadamuchmoretraditionallookundermypaps.
TAREKOSMAN
Almostunrecognizablefromwhatitisnow,right?
GEORGENICOLAIDES
(laughing)
Youcouldsaythat.Papswasaterriblehoarder–hewouldn’tthrowanythingawayuntilitfellapart.Bytheendnoneofthefurniturematchedandhehadpostersupthatwereolderthanme.Butthatturnedouttobehelpfulintheend.Foryou,Imean.
TAREKOSMAN
Yes,talkusthroughthat.
GEORGENICOLAIDES
Thisiswhattheplacelookedlikebeforewestartedtherefurbishments.
Hepassesoveraphoto.CAMERAZOOMSintoshowthebarwithacorkboardbehindit,pinnedwithlayersofbeermats,taxiflyers,Post-itsandphotos,manyofthemcurlingattheedges.
Asyoucanseealotofthatstuffwasyearsold.
TAREKOSMAN
Butyoudidn’tthrowitaway?Whenyoudidtherefurb,Imean?
GEORGENICOLAIDES
No,weboxeditallupandgaveittoPaps.He’dneverhaveforgivenmeifI’ddumpedit.
TAREKOSMAN
Whichiswhywehavehimtothankforthese—
CUTTO:Sequenceofthreestills.Thefirstisof‘Luke’andRupertHoward,theirarmsaroundeachother’sshoulders,clearlyquitedrunk.Someonehasscrawled‘AssosAmigos’inbiroacrossthebottom.Thesecondphotoisofthebar.It’slateintheeveningandthelightingislow.Rupertcanbeseenatoneofthetableswithagroupofladshisage,glassinhand,slightlyred-faced.Furtherback,andnotsovisible,‘Luke’issittingatatablewithawoman;she’sinherfortieswithshortdarkhair.Onlypartofherfaceisvisible.
Inthethirdpicturesheand‘Luke’arestandinginsunlightinthestreetoutsidethebar;she’swearingsunglassesandahat,hehashisarmroundher,pullingherquiteclose.She’ssmilingupathim,onehandtouchinghishair.Thepictureappearstohavebeentakenfrominsidethebar,withouteitherofthembeingawareofit.There’snooneelsevisibleinthepicture.
CAMERAPANSouttothetwomenlookingatthephotosonthetable.
TAREKOSMAN
Doyouhaveanyideawhothiswomanis?
GEORGENICOLAIDES
I’mafraidnot.LikeIsaid,Iwasawaythatsummer.IdidspeaktoPapsaboutitandherememberedherfacebutnothername.HesaidhewasprettysureshewasEnglishandwasrentingaflatinthetownsomewhere,butthat’sallI’vemanagedtofindout.
CUTTO:Studio.Theteamshiftslightlyintheirseats.Thisisalotofnewinformationtodigestonthefly.
TAREKOSMAN
WealsospoketosomeoftheolderresidentswhilewewereinAssos,andoneoldladythoughtthewomanmighthavebeencalledIrene.ButsomeoneelsecameupwithCarrie,soyourguessisasgoodasmine.
LAILAFURNESS
Butifshewasrentingaplacetheremusthavebeensomesortofpaperwork—
TAREKOSMAN
Probably,butit’ssolongagoit’dbeamiracleifanyonestillhadit.AndinanycaserentalslikethatcanbeprettyinformalinGreece.
HUGOFRASER
Forwhichread‘toavoidtax’.
BILLSERAFINI
Butitdoesgiveusanotherpotentialvictimof‘Luke’s’scams,andanothersetofsuspectswhomighthavewantedtotrackhimdown.
LAILAFURNESS
(toTarek)
WhataboutRupert–didherememberthiswoman?
TAREKOSMAN
(sighsandshakeshishead)
You’dhavethoughthemight,wouldn’tyou?Orthatthephotomighthavetriggeredsomething,butsadlynot.HesaidhehadavaguememoryofseeingheraroundbutabsolutelynosensetherewasanythinggoingonbetweenherandLuke.
LAILAFURNESS
Thoughlikeyousaid,it’saverylongtimeago.Ifshewasinherfortiesthenshe’dbeoversixtynow.
ALANCANNING
Andnearnighimpossibletotrackdown.It’dbeyetanothercompletewasteofbloodytime.Andthat’sassumingtherewassomesortofrelationshipbetweenthem,whichI’mveryfarfromconvincedwasactuallythecase.Notonthebasisofonebloodyphoto
BILLSERAFINI
I’mnotsosure–Imean,Idon’tknowaboutyou,Alan—
Hegesturesatthethirdphotowhereit’spinnedontheboard.
—butIdon’tbehavelikethatwithrandomwomenImeetinbars.
ALANCANNING
(gettingtetchy)
Maybeyoudon’t,butsomemendo–especiallyselfishbastardslikethis‘Luke’blokeclearlywas.
LAILAFURNESS
(underherbreath)
Wow,thatescalatedquickly—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
OKguys,let’snotgettoohunguponitatthisstage–there’splentyofotherleadswestillhaven’tfullyrundown.
BILLSERAFINI
Fairenough.You’reincharge.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Infactthere’sonemorethingweneedtosharewithyou.
Theteamexchangeglances:nowwhat?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(withratherforcedjocularity)
Sowhatelsehaveyoubeenholdingouton?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Not‘holdingout’,exactly,Mitch.It’ssomethingFabiofound.
JJNORTON
(frowning)
Fabioasinthefilmeditor?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Exactly.
Tarekopenshislaptop.Thescreenonthefarwallpingsintolife.
TAREKOSMAN
OK,so,awhilebackGuygaveussomeoldfamilycinefilmstouseforfillers.Wedigitizedthemallbuttobehonestwedidn’tthinkthey’dtellusmuch–usefulbackgroundfootage,obviously,butitwasmoreaproductionjobthanaresearchone,henceitbeingFabiowhofounditratherthanme.
Hetapsthekeyboard,andashedoessoNickcomesforwardandstandstotherightofthescreen.
TheFOOTAGEstartstoplay.It’sofCarolineandAndrewHoward’swedding.Slightlyjumpy,thecolourfaded,andthere’snosound.They’repicturedonthestepsofChelseaOldTownHall,thensittingtogetheratthereception,drinkingatoastandcuttingthecake.Theylookself-consciousanditfeelsalittlestaged.
Thenthesceneshiftstothehoneymoon.Whitesandandpalmtrees.Thecamerapansacross,alittleunsteadily,toshowcouplesonthebeachandinthesea,andthenCaroline,sittingonatowel,applyingsunlotion.She’swearinglargemirroredsunglassesandaratherold-fashioned-lookingone-pieceswimsuit.
GUYHOWARD(off)
(laughing)
AsusualMum’stheonlyonenotinabikini.Shehatedthethings–thegirlsboughtoneforherbirthdayoncebutsherefusedtowearit.
TAREKOSMAN
(pushinghisglassesuphisnose)
Actually,Ithinkwemaybeabouttofindoutwhy.
ThescreennowshowsCarolineinahotelbedroom.Themoodisverydifferent–moreintimate,moreplayful.She’ssittingonthebedwithherbacktous,dryingherhair,dressedonlyinherunderwear,butshe’sholdingamirrorandwecanseeAndrew’sreflectionashefilmsher.Afteramomentortwosheturnslaughingandputsherhandoutandpushesthecameraaway;thelensdips,turnsupsidedownandthenthescreengoesblank.Thewholesequencetakesonlyafewseconds.TarekpressesPause,thenlooksroundthetable.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Istheresupposedtobesomethingthere,becauseIcan’tseeit.
Tarekrewindsandplaysthelastsceneagain,freezingitafewframesbeforetheend,thenzoominginonCaroline.
LAILAFURNESS
(starting)
OhmyGod–isthatwhatIthinkitis?
JJNORTON
(noddingslowly)
Itmostcertainlyis.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Caretoshare?BecauseI’mstillblanking.
JJNORTON
(gettingupandgoingovertothescreen)
Tobefair,it’snotthateasytosee,notunlessyouknowwhatyou’relookingfor.Thislinehere,justaboveherknickerline?That’sapostoperativescar.
MITCHELLCLARKE
What,shehadanappendectomy,somethinglikethat?
ALANCANNING
(shakinghishead)
No,it’snotthat.I’veseenthosebeforeinPMs.It’sfromaCaesarean.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(asrealizationdawns)
Shit–shehadababy.AndbeforeshemarriedAndrewHoward.
TAREKOSMAN
That’stheobviousconclusion,yes.Ofcourse,wehaven’thadaccesstohermedicalrecordsandwe’renotlikelytogetit—
There’sasuddencommotion,thecameraswingsroundandthere’sabriefslightlyout-of-focusimageofGuy.Helookshorror-struck.Thenheturnsawayandthecameralosessightofhim.There’sthesoundoffootstepsandadoorslamming.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Sorry,everyone,IthinkthishascomeasratheraboltfromtheblueforGuy.
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingatNick,clearlyshocked)
OhmyGod,hedidn’tknow?
HUGOFRASER
(sardonically,underhisbreath)
Evidentlynot.
LAILAFURNESS
(toNick)
Andyoudidn’tthinkyoushouldhavetalkedtohim?Warnhimwhatyou’dfoundandwhatitimplied?Imean,leavingasidethesmallfactthathe’ssupposedtobethedirectorofthisthing,tospringsomethinglikethatonhim,oncamera—
HUGOFRASER
Exactly.
(staringatNick)
Howwouldyouliketobeambushedlikethat?Theguyhasabrotherorsisterheneverevenknewhehad.
BILLSERAFINI
OK,Ithinkwecanallagreetherevealwasatouchcrass,buttheinfo’sstillagame-changer,right?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(smiling,notverypleasantly)
Certainlyis,Bill.Certainlyis.
FADEOUT
–endcredits–
Date:Fri9/06/2023,9.14Importance:High
From:AlanCanning
To:NickVincent
CC:GuyHoward,HugoFraser,MitchClarke,LailaFurness,BillSerafini,JJNorton
Subject:Yourapproach
Nick,
I’mwritingtoexpressmyfrustrationand–frankly–irritation–atthewaythelastepisodewashandled.
I’msureweallunderstandtheneedtocreate‘cliff-hangers’fortheaudience,andIacceptthatyoudidraisethisexplicitlyattheoutset,butyoudon’thavetokeepusallcompletelyinthedarkinordertoachievethat.Itmakesusfeel–andprobablylook–likeidiots.Ican’tbelieveanyonewouldfinditacceptabletobeambushedlikethatonTV.Especiallyinacontextwherethey’rebeingpresentedasan‘expertwitness’.Weareentitledtoadegreeofrespect.
IhopeIspeakforallofuswhenIsaythatIwouldlikeyourassurancethatthiswillnothappenagain.
Alan
Date:Sat10/06/2023,11.17Importance:High
From:LailaFurness
To:BillSerafini
Subject:Alan’semail
HiBill,
Whatareyourthoughtsonthis?Alanclearlyhasapointevenifheexpressesitratherponderously(nowthere’sasurprise).IdoagreeNickispushingitnow,butnothavingdoneanyTVworkbeforeI’mreluctanttoweighinifthisisjustparforthecourse.
Anythoughts?
L
Date:Sun11/06/2023,12.45
From:BillSerafini
To:LailaFurness
Subject:Re:Alan’semail
Laila,
IMOAlan’sjustdoinghisusualblowhardshtick.I’mstayingwelloutofit.
B
Date:Sun11/06/2023,16.39Importance:High
From:AlanCanning
To:NickVincent
CC:GuyHoward,HugoFraser,MitchClarke,LailaFurness,BillSerafini,JJNorton
Subject:Fwd:Yourapproach
Justcheckingyougotthis?
TextmessagesbetweenMauraandAmelieHoward,7thJune2023,5.49p.m.
Wellthatwasshit
Whathappened
FuckingShirleyBooker,that’swhathappened
Thatoldcow–what’sshegottodowithanything?
ShetoldthemthatwehatedLuke.Orwhateverthefuckhisrealnamewas
Oh
I’mafraidIgotabitteary
Hey,youOK?
IguessitwasthefirsttimeI’dreallythroughtabouthimandhowhewaswithmum
IknowhowyoufeltabouthimbackthenbuthedidmakeherhappyAm
Iknow
Andwhenyoulookathernow
I’msosorryMaurie
IwishtherewassomethingIcoulddo
Noyou’rebestoutofit
IjusthopeGuyknowswhathe’sputtingusthroughforthesakeofhisbloody‘career’
Yeahright
VoicemailleftforTarekOsmanbyBillSerafini,8thJune2023,9.45a.m.
VoicemailleftforTarekOsmanbyNickVincent,9thJune2023,8.03p.m.
EpisodeFiveBroadcast
October15
TheTimes,16October2023
EpisodeSixFilming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–narrator(female)
October3,2003:thehusbandofaBritishsocialiteisfoundbeatentodeathinanupscaledistrictoftheBritishcapital.
Twentyyearsonandthekillerhasstillnotbeenbroughttojustice
ButthankstotheworkoftheInfamousteam,newlighthasnowbeenshoneonthisbafflingcase.
In2003,theLondonpolicedidnotevenknowwhothevictimreallywas.HewasnotAustralian,or26,asheclaimed,and‘LukeRyder’wasnothisrealname.
Wasthatthereasonhehadtodie?
FADEOUT
CUTTO:Studio.Theatmosphereappearstohavechanged;moreuneasy,moreuncertain.Theteamareroundthetable,alongwithTarek.Nickisstandingatthewindow.Sunlightisstreamingin,andthey’reallinsummerclothes.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Well,Nick,youdiditagain.Ledusalltowaterandthentippedusstraightin.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(smiling)
Well,everyonelovesacliff-hanger,don’tthey.
ALANCANNING
(sarcastically)
Andhere’sallofusthinkingboltsfromthebluewereexclusivelyBill’sdepartment.
(Billgrinsbutdoesn’trisetoit.)
LAILAFURNESS
(toTarek)
WhatmorecanyoutellusaboutCaroline’sbaby?Doweknowwhenitwasborn?
TAREKOSMAN
Well,noneofherfriendsthatwe’vespokentoseemstohaveknownanythingaboutit–noonebroughtitup,that’sforsure.
Andintermsofadateofbirth,there’sreallyonlyoneperiodbeforeshemarriedAndrewHowardwhereCarolinegoesofftheradarforanylengthoftime.
ALANCANNING
(noddingslowly)
Thatsummeraftersheleftschool–whenshewasattheuncle’sinBirmingham.
TAREKOSMAN
Edgbaston,right—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Sothat’swhyshewas‘sentaway’.Itwasn’ttogetoveranunsuitablebloke,itwastogetridofhisevenmoreunsuitablebaby—
BILLSERAFINI
Itcertainlylooksthatway.
LAILAFURNESS
Butshewasonly16attheendofthatsummer,whichmeansshemusthavebeenunderagewhenthechildwasconceived.
BILLSERAFINI
Allthemorereasonforthefamilytowanttocoveritup.
ALANCANNING
Haveyoubeenabletofindanyrecordofthebirth?
TAREKOSMAN
I’mafraidnot.It’sareasonablebetitwasataBirminghamhospital,butwedon’thaveanywayofnarrowingdownthedate,andifshehadthebabyadoptedwewon’tbeabletoaccesstheoriginalbirthcertificateanyway–onlythekidthemselvescoulddothat.Theoriginalwouldhavebeenreplacedbyanewoneaftertheadoptionwasfinalized
MITCHELLCLARKE
Wedon’tknowshehaditadopted—
JJNORTON
Well,shecertainlydidn’tkeepit,didshe—
TAREKOSMAN
(pushinghisglassesuphisnose)
No,obviouslynot.ButasI’msureyouknow,adoptionrecordsaresealed,soit’sbasicallyimpossibletofindoutwherethechildendedup.ThoughitwouldprobablyhavebeenplacedwithalocalMidlandsfamily,giventhatitwouldhavebeenaBirminghamlocalauthoritydealingwithit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andasfarasweknowshenevertoldanyone?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Well,AndrewHowardmusthaveknown:he’dhaveseenthescarjustlikewejustdid.Buthe’stheonlyone,asfaraswecantell.
LAILAFURNESS
Ihaven’tseenGuytoday–isheOK?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(shrugs)
AsfarasIknow.
LAILAFURNESS
(evidentlynotimpressedbythisasananswer)
I’mnotsurprisedhe’sdistraught–everythinghethoughtheknewhasbeenthrownintodoubt—
JJNORTON
Iknowwhatthat’slike.Andtheolderyouarethemoretraumaticthatis.
HUGOFRASER
I’msurewe’reallextremelysympathetic.ButwhatI’mlesssureaboutiswhetherthisgivesusaviablenewlineofenquiryinthemurderinvestigation.
MITCHELLCLARKE
True.Imean,howeverresentfultheabandonedchildmighthavebeen,heorshewouldhavenobeefwithanyonebutCaroline.Andcertainlynotwithahusbandshedidn’tmeettillmorethantwentyyearslater.
BILLSERAFINI
Butweknowsomeonecametothehousethatnight–ithastobepossibleitwasCaroline’slong-lostkid.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(doingthemath)
Ifthekidwasbornin1979it’dbe44now.
LAILAFURNESS
Moretothepoint,heorshewouldhavebeen18in1997andentitledtoseetheirrecordsatthatstage,butthere’snosuggestiontheymadecontactwithCarolinethen.Whyleaveittill2003?
JJNORTON
Notalladoptedkidswantto.Someneverdo.And18isjusttheearliestyoucandoit–lotsofpeopleleaveitalotlaterthanthat.Justsaying.
MITCHELLCLARKE
ButiftheydidtrackCarolinedownitmighthavebeenaprettydifficultencounter.Whatifthekidhadquiteadisadvantagedupbringing–ithastobepossibleifitwasinner-cityBirmingham,right?
ThenallthoseyearslatertheysuddenlyfindouttheirrealmotherandherotherkidshavebeensittingprettyonapilelikeDorneyPlace,whiletheywereunceremoniouslydumpedandleftoutinthecold—
JJNORTON
Quite.
LAILAFURNESS
Ithinkthat’salittleunfair–forallweknowCarolinemayhavewantedtokeepthebaby,butherparentsputastoptoit.Andremember,shewasincrediblyyoung–stillachildherself—
MITCHELLCLARKE
I’mjustsayingthekidmaywellnothaveseenitthatway.Whatiftheyturnedupthatnight,lookingforCaroline?NoGoogleEarthbackthen–they’dhavejusthadanaddress.Theyprobablyhadabsolutelynoideaquitewhatafuck-offhouseitwas.Theygetangry,demandtobeletin,‘Luke’triestocalmthemdownbutthingstakeanastyturn–andifthekidwasaboy—
HUGOFRASER
Actually,that’snotsuchaludicrousscenario,Mitch.
LAILAFURNESS
Andofcoursethepolicenevertrackhimdownbecausetheydon’tevenknowheexists.
HUGOFRASER
(toTarek)
Weknowthatforcertain,dowe?
TAREKOSMAN
Well,there’snothinganywhereinthecasefilestosuggesttheyknew.
LAILAFURNESS
Butiftheadoptionrecordsaresealedthere’snothingwecando,apartfromyetmorespeculation.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Nothingwecando,no,butwe’vepassedeverythingwe’vefoundtotheMet.It’suptothemnow.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Butwheredoesthatleaveus?Whathavewegotleft?
(tellingthemoffonhisfingers)
Rupert’sout,Caroline’sout,wecan’tpursuetheadoptedchild,IanWilsonhasanalibi.We’vebasicallyrunoutofroad.
JJisabouttosaysomethingbutAlancutsacrosshim.
ALANCANNING
Oh,I’mnotsosureaboutthat.
LAILAFURNESS
(withasmile)
Don’ttellmewe’vefinallyfoundtheowneroftheinfamousredMGB—
ALANCANNING
Funnyyoushouldmentionthat.AsithappensthewomanIwasfollowingupwithhassuddenlygotcoldfeet.Completelyrefusestospeaktome.
JJNORTON
Youthinksomeonegottoher?Toldhertokeepshtum?
HUGOFRASER
OhforGod’ssake,it’snotthebloodySopranos—
LAILAFURNESS
Couldjustbeacoincidence?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(withaknowingnodtoher)
ButAlandoesn’tbelieveincoincidences,doeshe?
ALANCANNING
(steadily)
No,Idon’t.
LAILAFURNESS
(toNick)
Doyouknowaboutthis?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(notansweringher)
Whatisityouhave,Alan?
ALANCANNING
(sittingback)
ItstruckmeforthefirsttimewhenBillwasinterviewingthepeopleinAlabamawhoknewtherealEricFultonasachild.
CUTTO:CLIPpreviouslyshownofBillinterviewingNancyKozlowski(edited):
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Icouldjustsense,thatlastyear,thatsomethin’waseatin’awayathimandIcouldmakeaprettygoodguessatwhatitmightbe.ButthenonedayIfoundhimcryin’outback.Someoftheotherboyshadbeencallin’himafaggotandIdon’tknowwhatelse.Kidscanbesocruel.
BILLSERAFINI
Whatdidyousaytohim?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
LikeIsaidbefore,ItoldhimmaybeNorthBirminghamwasn’tthebestplaceforhim.Thathecouldn’tchangewhathewasandshouldn’ttry.HejustneededtosurroundhimselfwithotherfolkswhowouldthinkthewayIdid.
Hedroppedouttheendofthatyearandlefttownsoonafter.Ifhismotherhadknownitwasmydoin’she’dneverhaveforgivenme.ButIdon’tregretit,Bill,Idon’tregretitatall.
BILLSERAFINI
WhenIspoketoFrankTappin,hesaidhewassurprisedEricendedupinBeirut.Whatdidyouthinkwhenyouheardaboutthat?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
Ididn’tbelieveitatfirst,Idon’tmindtellin’you.I’dhadacardortwofromhiminNewYorkandheseemedrealhappy.Realateasewithhimself.Ijustdon’tseewhatcould-amadehimdecidetoleave.Especiallyforsomeplacelikethat.
BILLSERAFINI
Doyoustillhaveanyofthecardshesent?
NANCYKOZLOWSKI
No,they’relonggone.Idohavethosephotoswetalkedabout,though.
CUTTO:Studio.Peoplearelookingconfused.
LAILAFURNESS
I’mnotsurewhatyou’regettingat,Alan—
ALANCANNING
It’sonlywhenyou’veseenitafewtimesthatitjumpsoutatyou.
MITCHELLCLARKE
I’llhavetotakeyourwordforit,because,trustme,nothing’sjumpingoutatmeatall—
ALANCANNING
Itwasstilljustahunchatthatpoint,soIgaveTarekacallandaskedifIcouldspeaktooneofthefilmcrew.
LAILAFURNESS
(frowning)
ThefilmcrewfortheAlabamashoot?Butwhatonearthcouldtheypossibly—
ALANCANNING
Andheputmethroughtooneofthewomenonthecamerateam.She’saskedmenottogivehername,butsheconfirmedexactlywhatI’dsuspected:thiswasveryfarfrombeingthefirsttimeBillandNancyKozlowskihadmet.
Silence;Billshiftsalittleinhischairbutsaysnothing.
JJNORTON
I’mnotsurewhereyou’regoingwiththis,butthefirstquestionthatcomestomindishowcouldshebesosure?
ALANCANNING
Forstarters,theirbodylanguage,alsothefactthattheyarrivedattheshoottogether—
HUGOFRASER
I’dhardlycallthatconclusive.
ALANCANNING
Andontopofthat,whatNancysaysinthatclip:‘LikeIsaidbefore’,‘thosephotoswetalkedabout’,thefactshecallshimBill—
HUGOFRASER
Attheriskofrepeatingmyself,Idon’tthinkthatprovesanything.
ALANCANNING
(glancingathim)
No?OK,thentrythisforsize.
Heopenshislaptopandconnectsittothemainscreen.Ascanofadocumentappears,headed‘DetectiveBureau,InvestigationCard’.
MITCHELLCLARKE
WhatamIlookingat?
ALANCANNING
ThisisanNYPDI-Card.Itis,ineffect,arequesttopatrolofficerstoapprehendanamedindividual,eitherbecausethey’rebelievedtobeawitnesstoacrime,becausetherearegroundsforarrest,orbecauseinsomeotherwaythey’reaPersonofInterest.
This—
(gesturing)
—istheI-CardforEricDwightFulton.
JJNORTON
(scanningit)
OK,sothiswasobviouslyissuedafterhemadeoffwithRoseShulman’sstackofcash—
ALANCANNING
Infact,afterherdeath.Itwasonlythenthattheofficialcomplaintwasmade.
JJNORTON
—eitherwayI’mnotsurewhereitgetsus,givenwealreadyknewaboutthat.
ALANCANNING
You’reright.Wedid.
(tapshiskeyboard)
Butwedidn’tknowaboutthis
JJNORTON
(turnstoBill,clearlyshocked)
Itwasyourcase?Whydidn’tyousayanything?
BILLSERAFINI
(shiftingslightly)
Idon’tthinkIeverexplicitlydeniedit.
LAILAFURNESS
Ohcomeon,Bill,I’msureyouneversaidanythingaboutbeingthe–whatdoesitsaythere?–‘AssignedInvestigator’.
BILLSERAFINI
Look,ifIomittedtomention—
ALANCANNING
(quietly)
Itwasrathermorethanan‘omission’
Hetapshiskeyboardagain;thescreenchangestoFOOTAGEfromthepreviousepisode.
LAILAFURNESS
SoyouthinkthisconmanwasactiveinNewYorkinthemid’90s?Weren’tyouinNYPDyourselfthen?
BILLSERAFINI
Iwas.
LAILAFURNESS
Butyoudon’trememberanythinglikethisatthetime?
BILLSERAFINI
It’salotofyearsago,Laila,andit’sabigcity.Butlet’sseewhattheguysbackhomecomeupwith.
CUTTO:Wideshotofwholeteam;nooneismakingeyecontact.
HUGOFRASER
Withthebenefitofhindsight,thatlastresponsewasaclassiclawyer’sanswer–notstrictlyspeakingalie,butnotthewholetrutheither.Notbyaverylongway.
LAILAFURNESS
(staringatBill)
Soyou’veknownaboutEricFultonallalong.
BILLSERAFINI
It’snotassimpleasthat—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Whythehelldidn’tyousay?OK,maybeatthebeginningofallthisyoudidn’tknowheandLukeRyderwereoneandthesameperson,butassoonasthatwasobvious—
ALANCANNING
Ithinkyou’llfindthatonlybecameobviousinthefirstplacebecauseBillwasalreadythreestepsaheadoftherestofus.
LAILAFURNESS
(toNick,who’sstillstandingbythewindow)Didyouknow?
JJNORTON
(toBill)
You’vebeenonFulton’strailrightfromthestart,haven’tyou?I’mright,aren’tI?
YouknewaboutRoseShulman.Youknew‘EricFulton’hadstolenatleastoneidentityalready,andyouknewtherealEricFultonwasinallprobabilitydead—
BILLSERAFINI
Whoa–holdonaminutethere—
JJNORTON
(gesturingatthescreen)
Thatthing’sdatedSeptember1997.You’vebeenonthiscasetwenty-fiveyears.
ALANCANNING
Ispoketothatcolleagueofyours–theoneyoutrainedup.HesaidyouwereobsessedwithFulton–youjustwouldn’tletitgo,evenwhenyourcaptaintoldyoutodropit.Hesaidyouworkedevenings,weekends—
BILLSERAFINI
(dismissively)
He’sexaggerating—
ALANCANNING
Healsotoldmeyou’vebeenworkingfortheShulmanseversinceyouretired–youwenttoAlabama,youevenwenttobloodyBeirut—
CAMERAPANSroundtable;theyareliterallyopen-mouthed.
JJNORTON
(lookingatBillandthenatAlan)
Fuckme–seriously?
ALANCANNING
Seriously.
That’showheknewitwasLukeRyderwhoreallydiedinthatbombing.Andthat’showheknew‘EricFulton’wasinthewind.
(turningtoBill)
YougoingtotellmeI’mwrong?
BILLSERAFINI
No.ButlikeIsaid,it’snotthatsimple—
JJNORTON
(slowly,asifputtingitalltogether)
Sothat’sreallywhat’sbeengoingonhere:you’vebeenusingourinvestigationtosolveyours
Youknewwe’dworkouteventuallythatRyderwasn’twhohesaidhewas,andifweweretoothicktomanagethatonourown,youwererightthere,readytogiveusanudgeintherightdirection—
ALANCANNING
(pointingathim)
That’sabsolutelyit,JJ.Spoton.
Canningtapshiskeyboardagain;morepreviousFOOTAGEappearsonthescreen,thistimeaneditedversionofBillputtingaphotoof‘EricFulton’onthepinboard.
BILLSERAFINI
Yesitis.ThisisthemanwholeftSydneyinNovember1995,andwasinjuredinabusbombinginBeirutinAugust1997.
Onlyhewasn’tinjuredthatday.
Hewaskilled.
Themanwe’vebeenchasing–themanwhometRupertHowardinGreece,themanwhomarriedCarolineHowardandendedupbeatentodeathinhergarden–thatwasn’tLukeRyder.
Itwasanimposter.
CUTTO:Team.
HUGOFRASER
(dryly)
Lookslikehewasn’ttheonlyone.You’renotexactlywhoyousaidyouwereeither,Bill.
BILLSERAFINI
Ohcomeon—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Nowweknowwhereallthosecliff-hangersofyourscamefrom.Nothardtodropabombshellifyou’veawholearsenalofthemprimedandreadytogo.
LAILAFURNESS
(turnsbacktoNick,hereyesnarrowing)
Youdidn’tanswermyquestion:didyouknow?Youdidn’tpickhimforthisseriespreciselybecausehewasalreadyhalfwaythere?
Becauseitstrikesmeasaprettydamnbigcoincidencethatyoualightedontheoneex-copfromthewholeoftheNYPDwhowasalreadyonthecase—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(holdinguphishands)
Laila,-I-
HUGOFRASER
(sarcastically)
AndofcourseitwouldmakesuchgreatTV,wouldn’tit,Nick?Youcouldchoreographthewholedamnthing,allthoseso-calleddiscoveries,thebigreveals—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
Theperfectstoryarc.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Bill–comeon,helpmeouthere.
There’sasilence;they’reallnowlookingatBill.
HUGOFRASER
Well?We’rewaiting.
BILLSERAFINI
(takesadeepbreath)
Look,Iheardabouttheseriesthroughthegrapevine–thatsomeBritishTVcompanywaslookingatmakingaseriesabouttheLukeRydercase.Andyes,ofcourseIwasinterested,I’mnotgoingtoapologizeforthat.
JJNORTON
Soyou’readmittingyouknewthatEricFultonandLukeRyderwereoneandthesame,evenbackthen.
BILLSERAFINI
Yes,Idid.
Theteamreactwithvaryingdegreesofangerandindignation.Billholdsuphishands.
Andyes,forthatIapologize.ButI’mnotapologizingforwantingtobeinvolved.IknewitmightbemybestchancetogetsomeclosurefortheShulmansonceandforall.
LAILAFURNESS
Butyousaidyou’veknownaboutEricforyears.Isn’tthatenough‘closure’?WhyaretheShulmansstillpayingyouafterallthistime?Whatcantheypossiblyhopetofind?
BILLSERAFINI
Simple.Theirmoney.Ifwecannailthisman’srealidentitythenthere’sachancewecanfindthemissingcashtoo
Therecouldbebankaccountsoutthereinhisrealname.NottomentionRoseShulman’sCartierdiamonds—
HUGOFRASER
Andnodoubtyou’reonapercentageofvaluerecovered.Niceworkifyoucangetit—
BILLSERAFINI
(ignoringhim)
That’swhythefamilyarepayingme,andthat’swhyIgotintouchwithNickwhenIheardabouttheshow.
HUGOFRASER
Anddidyoutellhimwhatyoujusttoldus?
BILLSERAFINI
Someofit.ItoldhimthatI’destablished–tomyownsatisfactionatleast–that‘EricFulton’hadstolentheidentityofLukeRyderinBeirut.
WhenIfirstgotthecase,onthejobbackin’97,Fultonwaslonggoneandnooneknewwhere.Andforalongtime,that’showitstayed.
ButafterIretiredtheShulmansaskedmetotakeanotherlookatthecase,andthat’swhenImadethelinktoLebanon.AndwhenIsawthatoldCNNfootageoftheblasttherewasonefacethatsuddenlylookedveryfamiliar…
ThereelofBeirutnewsFOOTAGEisplayedagain:thecarnageonthestreet,theinjuredinhospital.FREEZEFRAMEonamaninabedwithabandageacrossoneeye.It’s‘EricFulton’.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Shit–he’sbeenrightunderournosesthewholebloodytime.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.SothenextthingIdidwasgotoBeirutmyselftotrytofindoutwhichnamehe’dgivenwhentheytookhimtothehospital.
JJNORTON
Don’ttellme:LukeRyder.
BILLSERAFINI
Right.SoIstartedlookingforamanwiththatname.AndIfoundhim.FirstinAssos,andafterthat–finally–inLondon.Therestyouknow.
ALANCANNING
That’snotthewholestory,though,isit?Notbyalongway.
Youdidn’tjustfailtotellusanyofthis,youdidn’ttelltheMetteameither.
Youkepteverythingyouknewabout‘Luke’toyourself,eventhoughthefactthathewasanimposterwouldhavebeensignificantnewevidenceinthemurderinvestigation—
BILLSERAFINI
(interrupting)
IwasonthevergeofdoingthatwhenIheardabouttheseries.AndIfiguredafewweeks’delaywouldn’tmakethatmuchdifference–notaftertwentyyears.
JJNORTON
Youwantedachancetoworkitoutyourselfbeforeyouhandeditovertothem.Youwantedtobetheherowhosolvedthecase—
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghishead)
Itwasn’tlikethat,honestly—
HUGOFRASER
Youare–orwere–alawenforcementofficer,forGod’ssake.YouhadadutytoinformtheMet.
BILLSERAFINI
(shrugs)
Fairenough.Mybad.Buttheysureashellknownow,don’tthey?
LAILAFURNESS
Isthereanythingelseyouhaven’ttoldus?Anyotherunexplodedbombs?
BILLSERAFINI
Absolutelynot.
LAILAFURNESS
Areyousure?
BILLSERAFINI
Scout’shonour.
Hesmiles;nooneelsedoes.
ALANCANNING
(quietly)
WherewereyouonthenightofOctoberthird,2003?
BILLSERAFINI
(staresathim)
Seriously?
ALANCANNING
Seriously.
Billisclearlyabouttosaysomethinghemightregretbutrestrainshimselfjustintime.
HUGOFRASER
Tobefair,it’snotanunreasonablequestion.
ALANCANNING
It’stheobviousquestion.
(turningtoBill)
You,ofallpeople,couldhavetrackedRyderdown.Youdemandthemoney,thejewellery–herefuses,itgetsugly—
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghishead)
Didn’thappen.Backin’03Ididn’tevenknowthat‘EricFulton’and‘LukeRyder’werethesameperson.Thatcamemuchlater–afterIleftthejob.
ALANCANNING
Soyousay—
BILLSERAFINI
Andifthat’snotenoughforyou,IwasintheUSthewholeofthatOctober.
ALANCANNING
Howconvenient.I’massumingyoucanprovethat?
BILLSERAFINI
(staringhimout)
IfIhaveto.
ALANCANNING
That’sveryinteresting.Becausesomething’sbeenbuggingmeeversinceIsawyoulistedonNick’skick-offemail.
‘Serafini’.It’saprettydistinctivename,isn’tit?IknewI’dhearditsomewherebefore.AndthenIremembered.ItwasonadelegatelistforajointMet/NYPDconferenceIwentto,yearsback.
(holdsupasheetofA4)
‘UrbanPolicinginthe21stCentury’,TheEdenParkHotel,Windsor,1st-4thOctober—
(hepauses)
2003.
BILLSERAFINI
Inevermadeit.
ALANCANNING
Oh,really?
BILLSERAFINI
(visiblystrugglingtokeephistemper)
Really.Therewasalast-minutecrisisatwork.Ihadtopullout.Feelfreetocheckifyouwant.
ALANCANNING
IthinkI’lldothat.
They’restaringateachother,openlyhostile.There’sanawkwardsilence,thenLailaclearsherthroatandlooksroundthetable.
LAILAFURNESS
Sointhemeantime,wheredoesthatleavetherestofus,apartfrommajorlypissedoffatBill?
JJNORTON
(lookingup)
Actually,Imighthavesomethingtoadd
Hegetsup,goesovertothepinboardandpointstooneofthephotos.
Rememberthis?Thepicture‘Luke’hadinhiswalletthatweallthoughtwastakeninAustralia?
CamerazoomsinonthePHOTOofawomanandasmallblondboystandingstifflyoutsideaone-storeyhousewithaconcretewatertowerinthebackground.
I’vebeenwonderingaboutthisforawhile.Obviouslyintheorythispicturecouldbeexactlywhatweassumeditwastostartwith:i.e.,animageoftherealLukeRyder,whichhehadinhisbackpackwhenthatbusbombwentoff.
HUGOFRASER
Which‘Eric’foundandkeptbecauseheknewitmighthelpcorroboratehisidentity?WithFlorenceRyder,forexample.
JJNORTON
Precisely.AndIcanseewhyhe’dkeepit,onthatbasis–itcouldbedamnuseful.Butkeepingitisonething;keepingitinhiswalletisquiteanother.
Remember,itwastheonlyphotohehadinthere.Tomymind,thatarguessomethingmuchmorepersonal.
LAILAFURNESS
Iagree.That’sabout‘identity’inamuchmoreintimatesense.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Sorry–I’mnotwithyou–areyousayingthisisactuallyapictureofEricFulton,sonottakeninKalgoorlie,likewethought,butinAlabama?
HUGOFRASER
(shakinghishead)
No,JJ’slogicwouldstillapply.Weknowthismanwasn’treallyEricFulton,anymorethanhewasreallyLukeRyder.AnimageoftherealEricwouldhavenopersonalsignificanceforhim,sohe’dhavenoreasontocarryitaround.
JJNORTON
(nodding)
Exactly.Idon’tthinkthisphotoisofanyofthisman’saliases.Ithinkit’sactuallyhim.Theonethingfromhisrealpastthatheallowedhimselftokeep.Forwhateverreason.Inwhichcase—
HUGOFRASER
—ifwecanworkoutwherethiswastaken,wemightjustbeabletoworkoutwhohewas.
JJNORTON
(pointingtowardshim)
Inone.
BILLSERAFINI
(underhisbreath,frowning)
Whythehelldidn’tIthinkofthat?
ALANCANNING
Iagreewiththelogic,thoughactuallydoingthatwillbemucheasiersaidthandone
(gesturingatthepicture)
Imeanlookatit–itcouldbeanywhere.
HUGOFRASER
(toJJ)
You’rethinkingthatthewatertowercouldbeidentifiable?
JJNORTON
(smiling)
Notcouldbe.
Is.
Hegoesbacktohisseatandtapshiskeyboard;aclose-upofthewatertowerappearsonthescreen.Theimagehasbeendigitallyenhanced,andasaresultit’snowpossibletoseeafragmentofletteringontheleft-handside:theendofaword.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(sittingforward)
Whatisthat?GH?
JJNORTON
UGH.
LAILAFURNESS
SothenameofthetownendsinUGH?Likesomething-borough?
JJNORTON
Thatwasourworkingassumption,yes.
ALANCANNING
Goodlucknarrowingthatdown.Mustbehundredsofplaceswithnameslikethat
JJNORTON
(evenly)
Ifyou’rethinkingoftheUK,thenyes,obviously.Butthereareveryfewwatertowersoverhere,soaUKlocationisprettyunlikely.TowerslikethatarefarmorecommonintheUS–youonlyneedtowatchafewoldmoviestoknowthat.Ontheotherhand,thevastmajorityofAmericantownswiththatsortofnameactuallyend‘B-O-R-O’not‘B-O-R-O-U-G-H’.
BILLSERAFINI
Icanattesttothat.
Nooneacknowledgeshim.
JJNORTON
Thoughthereisoneothercountrywherethatsuffixisfairlycommon,forobvioushistoricalreasons.
Canada.
LAILAFURNESS
Canada?
JJNORTON
Absolutely.Andifyoucross-referencetownswithanameendingin–UGHwiththosewithwatertowers,andthendoanimagesearchofthosetowers,thisiswhatyoufind.
HetapshiskeyboardandaMONTAGEofGoogleimagesappears.Itonlytakestheteamafewsecondstorecognizeaphotoonthesecondrow.
LAILAFURNESS
(pointing)
Whereisthat?
JJNORTON
That,Laila,isFlamborough,NewBrunswick.
LAILAFURNESS
IconfessmyCanadiangeographyisaweebitsketchy—
JJNORTON
(smiling)
Don’tworry,sowasmine.
HetapshiskeyboardandaMAPofCanadaappearswithFlamboroughmarked.
ThisisfollowedbyaMONTAGEofimagesofFlamboroughinthe’70sand’80s.It’sclearlythesameplaceasintheoriginalphoto.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Thatlookstomelikeaclassicone-horsetown—
HUGOFRASER
(underhisbreath)
One-moosetown,morelike.
JJNORTON
(smiling)
Notfaroff,certainly.Evennowthepopulationisbarelymorethanathousand
LAILAFURNESS
Soweshouldbeabletotrackdownourmanprettyeasily?
JJNORTON
Well,intheory,yes,butdon’tgettooexcited:wedon’tknowhisage,sowecan’tnarrowitdownthatway,andthereisn’tmuchonlinefromthelocalhighschool.
LAILAFURNESS
Butyoumustbeabletoworkoutwhichhouseitwas–GoogleMaps,maybe?
JJNORTON
Wedidtrythatbutitdidn’tgetusanywhere–there’snoStreetViewinthatlocation.Butclearlythere’snothingtostopusgoingoverandhavingalookforourselves.
WhichiswhyTarekandIarebookedonaflightouttoNewBrunswickthistimetomorrow.
LAILAFURNESS
Atlast,someprogress.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Certainlylooksthatway.Welldone,JJ.Chapeau.
JJNORTON
(grinning)
Putitdowntomynot-too-deeply-buriedinnergeek.Andaboutofvindaloo-inducedinsomnialastweekendthatleftmegoogling‘watertowers’mostofSaturdaynight.
BILLSERAFINI
I’velostcountofthenumberoftimescasesofmineturnedonsomethingjustlikethat–sometinydetailthatseemedinsignificantbutendedupbreakingthewholethingwideopen.
Butyes,IagreewithMitch:darngoodwork,JJ.
Theothersexchangeglances;noonerespondstoBill.
FADEOUT
CUTTO:DorneyPlace.Timehasclearlypassed.Theteamarebackinthedrawing-room,whichhasbeensetupwiththewhiteboard,photos,andascreen.Theroomisdark–it’srainingheavilyoutside.
BILLSERAFINI
(withslightlyfalsecheeriness)
GreattoseetheBritishsummerlivinguptoexpectations.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Yougetusedtoit.Eventually.
HUGOFRASER
(impatiently)
So,whatnews,JJ?Didyou,liketheMounties,‘getyourman’?
JJNORTON
(grinning)
Sawwhatyoudidthere,Hugo.Andyes,I’mpleasedtosaythatTarekandIhavenotreturnedfromthefrozennorthempty-handed.
CUTTO:FOOTAGE.JJandTarekarestandinginthemainstreetofFlamborough,NewBrunswick.There’sasoftfurnishingsstoreononesideofthestreet,aSubwayandarealestateagencyvisibleontheother.Carsareparkedandpeopleareonthesidewalksandsittingoutsideacaféinthesunshine;everywherelooksalotmoreprosperousthanitdidinthehistoricalphotosshownpreviously.Intheforeground,Tarekislookingathisphone,andJJhasamapfoldedopenonthebonnetofacar.
JJNORTON
Thewatertowerisnorth-eastofhere,soIreckonthehousemustbe—
(lookingupandpointing)
—inthatdirection.
TAREKOSMAN
(staringathisphone)
Yup,thatlooksaboutright.
CUTTO:JJandTarekoutsidewhatisclearlythehouseshownintheoriginalphotograph:thecameraanglehasbeenexactlyreplicatedtoallowthepresent-dayimagetomorphslowlyintothephotoandthenbackagaintothepresent.
Thebuildinghasbeenextendedandthefrontyardconcretedovertogivemorespaceforcars.AlargeSUVhasbeenreversedontothedrive.Thewatertowerisbarelyvisiblethroughmuchheaviertreegrowth.JJturnstocamera.
JJNORTON
Asyoucansee,we’reprettysurewehavetherighthouseandthankstoTarek,we’veestablishedwholivesherenow.Butobviouslywehavenowayofknowingwhetherthey’rerelatedtothemanwe’relookingfor.
Onthatbasisweneedtobecarefulhowweplaythisone,soI’mgoingtogooverthereonmyownfirst,withoutthecameras,togetthelieoftheland.
TheCAMERATRACKShimashegoesuptothehouse,ringsthebellandwaitsforananswer.Thedoorisopenedbyawomanholdingababyonherhip.Bothherfaceandthebaby’shavebeenblurredout.JJintroduceshimself,andshowsheracopyofthephoto.Shepointsatit,nods,andtheytalkforafewmoments.HethenthanksherandcomesbackbrisklytowardsTarekandthefilmcrew.
JJNORTON
(brandishingthepicture)
We’reinluck.Sheknowswhothewomaninthephotois.Noneofthefamilyliveroundhereanymore,butthere’saretiredministerwhoknewthemwellandhe’sstillintown.
CUTTO:INTERVIEW,indoorsinacleanbutslightlyshabbyandold-fashionedhouse.Athinelderlymaninaplaidshirtandslacksissittinginawoodenarmchair.Hehasreadingglassesonaleathercordroundhisneck.There’sapastelpictureofasmilingJesussurroundedbyangelsandlittlechildrenonthewallbehind.Themanmustbewellintohiseightiesbuthestillhasconsiderablepresence;hemusthavebeenacharismaticfigureinhisyouth.Sub-captioned‘PaulCormier,Minister,StLaurenceChurch,Flamborough(Retd)’.
JJNORTON
So,ReverendCormier,we’vebeentoldyouknewthefamilywholivedinthehouseonGreenallRoadinthe1960s.Ibelievetheywereinyourcongregation,isthatright?
REVERENDCORMIER
Certainlyis.TheMcKennafamily.LawrenceandhiswifeMarie.Verynicepeople.Veryobservant.Inthereligioussense,Imean.
JJNORTON
Andtheyhadchildren?
REVERENDCORMIER
Two.RebeccaandJonah.RebeccawastheirfirstanditwasagoodnumberofyearsafterthatbeforeJonahcamealong.IreckontheMcKennashadallbutgivenup.Mariecalledhimtheirmiraclebaby.
JJNORTON
Hewasabitspoiltthen,maybe?
REVERENDCORMIER
I’mafraidtherewasverylittlemoneyaroundforspoilingeitherofthechildren.Larrydidn’tbringinmuchofawageanditmusthavebeentoughforthekids,nothavingallthematerialthingstheirfriendsandschoolmatesdid.
JJNORTON
Well,Iknowwhatthat’slike.Butwhatabout‘spoiling’theminotherways–weretheyanaffectionatefamily?
REVERENDCORMIER
Iwouldn’texactlysaythat.Larrywasaprettystrictfather,ifyouwantanhonestopinion.ButIguessMariedidcossetJonahalittle.Tendedtooverreactifhehadasniffleoragrazedknee.Isupposeshe’dwaitedsolongtohavehimshewasterrifiedhe’dbetakenaway.
JJNORTON
(sittingforward)
Ithinkyousaidyouhavesomepicturesyoucouldshowus?
Cormierreachestoasidetableandhaulsanold-fashionedphotoalbumontohislap.Hereachesforhisglassesandopensthepages.They’resodrythepapercrackles.
REVERENDCORMIER
MywifeusedtorunJuniorChurchonSundaymornings.BothRebeccaandJonahwouldcome.ThoughbythetimeJonahwasoldenoughRebeccahadgraduatedtoorganizingalotoftheactivities.Shealwaysdidlovekids.
HegesturestoJJ,whopullshischairabitcloser.CameraangleoverCormier’sshoulderzoomsintoCLOSE-UP,trackingacrossaseriesofimages:kidsofsixorsevensittingdemurelylisteningtoawomanwithgreyhairreadingfromabookofBiblestories;asportsday;aNativityplaywithadark-hairedgirlasMaryandalittleblondboyinabushygingerbeardasJoseph.
Thecameracomestorestonagroupphotowithallthechildrenlinedupinrows,theolderwomanisstandingononesideofthegroupandatallred-hairedyoungwomaninglassesisontheother.Someonehaswrittenallthenamesneatlyalongthebottomofthepage.Thered-hairedyoungwomanis‘Rebecca’,MaryfromtheNativityis‘Julie-Ann’,andJosephis‘Jonah’.He’swearingaT-shirtwithawhaleonthefrontandisstandingnexttoRebecca;shehasonehandonhisshoulder.
REVERENDCORMIER
(gesturing)
That’sRebecca’shandwriting.
JJNORTON
IassumethewhalethingontheT-shirtwasdeliberate?
REVERENDCORMIER
(smiling)
ItwashisfavouriteBiblestory.Forobviousreasons.
JJNORTON
LookslikeRebeccawasquiteprotectiveofhim.
REVERENDCORMIER
Ohyes,mostdefinitely.Therewasthisonetime–Jonahwasaroundnine–whenoneofhisclassmatesstolesomethingfromanotherboyandclaimeditwasJonahwho’ddoneit.
ItwasRebecca,notLarryorMarie,whowentroundtotheguiltyboy’sparentsandinsistedheconfesshislie.Itwasinhernature:shecouldn’trestuntilthesituationhadbeensettorightsandtheboyresponsiblewaspunished.
JJNORTON
Whereisshenow?
REVERENDCORMIER
Movedaway.Wentintonursing.LastIheardshewasworkingforoneofthosecharitieswhohelppeopleinneedoverseas.MSF,Ithink.
(sighsandshakeshishead)
ShetookJonah’sdeathveryhard.Theyalldid.Mariewasneverthesameafterthat.
JJNORTON
(clearlytakenaback)
Jonahdied?
REVERENDCORMIER
Whenhewas17.He’dgottenasummerjoboverinNovaScotia,justupfromHalifax.Oneofhisteachersputinagoodwordforhim–sheknewsomeoneatoneofthosehigh-endmarinas.Youknowthesortofthing–allshinygin-palacesandNewYorkersupforthesummer.
Jonahknewnothingaboutboats,ofcourse–there’snowatertospeakofroundhere.Buthewascharmingandhappytopitchinandhegothiredonthespot.
JJNORTON
Sowhathappened?
REVERENDCORMIER
(sighing)
Maybehewasabittoocharming,ifyoucatchmymeaning.Therewastalkafterwardsthathe’dgottentangledupwiththewifeofoneoftheyachtpeople.Thatshe’dlenthimmoney,orhe’dwheedleditoutofher,andthehusbandfoundout—
JJNORTON
Somethingtellsmethisisn’tgoingtoendwell—
REVERENDCORMIER
(shakinghishead)
Noindeed.TherewasabadaltercationbetweenthismanandJonahandthemanendedupinhospital.
WhenthepolicewentlookingforJonahafewhourslaterhewasnowheretobefound.Theythoughtinitiallythathe’djustskippedtownandwouldbebackassoonasthingsdieddown.Butthentheydiscoveredthathe’dlefthispossessionsbehind.Wallet,passport,everything.
Aboutaweeklatersomeclotheswashedupalongthecoast,andthepoliceidentifiedthemasJonah’s.Butthat’salltheyeverfound.Madeitdoublyhardforthefamily,withnobodytolaytorest.Mariearrangedforamemorialinthechurchyard.It’sstillthere.JustJonah’snameandthedatesandacarvingofawhale.Shegotalocalstonemasontomakeitforher.
(shakinghishead)
Verysad.
(silence)
JJNORTON
Withoutwishingtosoundinsensitive,wasthereanypossibilitythatJonahcouldhavestagedthedrowning?Didthepolicelookintothat,doyouknow?Imean,ifhewasintrouble—
REVERENDCORMIER
Ithinkthepolicedidlookintoitbutnevercameupwithanything.Therewasneveranytraceofhimanywhereelse.ThoughRebeccaclungtothatforyears–shealwaysinsistedshe’dfindhimoneday.
(shrugs)
I’mnotafool,MrNorton–Iknowtherearepeoplewho’vewalkedawayfromtheirlivesandstartedover,butittakesapowerfullotofplanningtogetawaywithit.Jonahwasonly17atthetime,andfrankly,evenifhe’dbeenolderheneverstruckmeasresourcefulenoughtopullsomethinglikethatoff.
AndIfinditveryhardtobelievehewouldhavewalkedoutonhisfamilyandneverlookedback.He’dhaveknownthepainitwouldcause,especiallytohismotherandsister.
JJNORTON
Yousaidbeforethatbothhisparentsaredead.IsRebeccastillintouchwithanyoneroundhere,doyouknow?
REVERENDCORMIER
(shakinghishead)
NotthatI’maware.Therearen’tmanyofhergenerationleftaroundhere.Mostoftheyoungpeoplemoveawaythefirstchancetheyhave.
JJNORTON
(reachingtoshakehishand)
Thankyou,Reverend,you’vebeenveryhelpful.
CUTTO:Studio.Teamaresittingroundthetable.
BILLSERAFINI
Hatsofftoyou,JJ.InlessthanaweekyouachievedsomethingIhaven’tmanagedinovertwentyyears.
HUGOFRASER
Andwe’recertainthisJonahMcKennaisthemanwe’relookingfor,arewe?
JJNORTON
Well,we’dneedDNAfromafamilymembertobesure,soasitstandseverythinghingesonfindingRebecca.WecouldthendoacomparisonwithwhattheMethaveonfilefor‘Luke’.
MITCHELLCLARKE
DidyoutryMSF?
JJNORTON
Wedid,butwehaven’tturnedupanythingsofar.Tarek’salsogettingintouchwiththeRedCrossandMédecinsduMonde,andsomeofthereligiousorganizationslikeChristianAid.Butthusfar,noluck.
(lookingroundthetable)
Butwedostillhavethephotoofthehouse‘Luke’hadinhiswallet,andasfarasIcansee,theonlywayhecouldhaveevengotholdofthat,nevermindkeptit,wasbecausehewas,infact,JonahMcKenna—
ALANCANNING
(dismissively)
Thatwouldneverstandupincourt—
JJNORTON
(ignoringhim)
—andwealsohavethis.
HenodstoTarekwhotapshiskeyboard.TwoIMAGESappearsidebysideonthemainscreen.Ontheleft,aclose-upofJonahfromtheJuniorChurchphotoofhimwiththeotherchildren.Ontheright,oneoftheweddingpicturestakenof‘Luke’atDorneyPlace.Thefaceshavebeenlineduptobeexactlylevel.Tarektapsthekeyboardagainandtheleft-handimageoftheboybeginstochange.
JJNORTON
Asyoucansee,Tarekmanagedtogetholdofsomerathercoolage-progressionsoftware.
Jonah’sfacegraduallyevolvesfromchild,toyouth,toyoungman.Thefinalimageisannotatedas‘Age25’.Theresemblanceto‘Luke’isstartling.
Andincaseanyone’swondering,wedidn’trigthisprocessinanyway.WesimplyputJonah’sphotothroughtheprogramme,andthisiswhatcameout.
MITCHELLCLARKE
That’sincredible.
LAILAFURNESS
Iagree–itlookslikeyoureallydid‘getyourman’,JJ.
HUGOFRASER
Sowhathappensnext?
JJNORTON
Well,I’vereachedouttotheCanadianpoliceandthey’regoingtoliaisewithNYPDtoseeifwecanlinktheJonahMcKennawhowentmissinginNovaScotiain1991tothe‘EricFulton’whostoleRoseShulman’smoneyin1995.
BILLSERAFINI
(frowning)
YouloopedinNYPDandyoudidn’ttellme?
JJNORTON
Nicksaidnotto.Sorry.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(underhisbreath,toLaila)
SoundslikeabitofaSorryNotSorrytome…
Lailatriesandfailstosuppressasmile.
HUGOFRASER
(waspishly)
Potorkettle,Bill?
Billopenshismouthtosaysomething,thenclearlythinksbetterofit.
HUGOFRASER
(lookingroundthetable)
Sounlesssomeoneelsehassomething,Ithinkthat’sit?
BILLSERAFINI
(turningtohim)
Oh,Idon’tthinkwe’requitedoneyet.
Theothersexchangeslightlyweary–andinsomecaseswary–glances:judgingfromhisface,Billevidentlyhassomethingjuicyuphissleeve.
HUGOFRASER
OK,Bill,I’llbite.Whathaveyougot?
BillsmilesandnodstoNickbehindthecamera.ThescreenchangestoaSTILLofBill,onceagaininhistrademarkshadesandshort-sleevedshirt,sittingatatableinthesunwithabeerinfrontofhim.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
HowcomeInevergetanyofthegoodgigs?
LAILAFURNESS
(waspishly,underherbreath)
Ithoughthewaslookingsuspiciouslytanned—
HUGOFRASER
Holdon–Irecognizethatbar.Isn’tthattheplaceTarekwentto—
BILLSERAFINI
(smiling)
InAssos.Right.
LAILAFURNESS
YouwenttoAssos?ButIthought—
BILLSERAFINI
—thatwe’drunintoadeadendonthatone?Thatevenif‘Luke’didconanotherolderwomanovertherewe’dneverbeabletotrackherdown?
Yeah,that’swhatweallthought,Laila.ButItookapageoutofAlan’sbookanddecidedtogobackmyselfandtakeacloserlook.
Alanflasheshimaglancebutsaysnothing.ThestillonthescreenchangestoFOOTAGEshowingBilltalkingtoaseriesofelderlyGreekladies.Mostshaketheirheadsandlookblank,butonenodsandstartstalkinganimatedlyinGreek.
LAILAFURNESS
Don’ttellme–someonerememberedthatwomanafterall?
BILLSERAFINI
Ah,it’snotthatstraightforward.
HUGOFRASER
You’velostme.
LAILAFURNESS
Ditto.
BILLSERAFINI
Sorry,guys.Rewind.SolikeIsaid,IstartedwonderingwhetherwemighthavemissedatrickonthewholeAssosthing.Thatmaybeweneededtoapproachitfromadifferentangle.
LAILAFURNESS
Inthesensethat—?
BILLSERAFINI
Inthesensethatifourtheorywasrightand‘Luke’reallydidswindleanotherwomanoverthere–andswindledhersobaditmighthavegivensomeoneamotivetotrackhimdownandkillhim–thenwherewouldthat‘someone’havestartedtolookforhim?
LAILAFURNESS
Ah,IthinkIseewhatyou’regettingat.You’dstartinAssos,ofcourse.ThenSydney,maybe,given‘Luke’wassupposedtobeAustralian.
CertainlynotLondon.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
Makessense.AndIagree–Assoswouldhavetobethefirstplaceyou’dgo.
HUGOFRASER
(frowning)
Butwithoutknowingthiswoman’snameIdon’tseehowthathelps—
BILLSERAFINI
Bearwith.SothefirstthingIdidwascontactGeorgeNicolaidestocheckifanyonecamelookingfor‘Luke’afterhelefttheisland.
LAILAFURNESS
I’msurprisedTarekhadn’taskedhimthatalready.
BILLSERAFINI
Hehad–butneitherGeorgeorhisfatherrememberedanything.ButwhenIcaughtupwithGeorgethistimeItriedadifferenttack:Iaskedifhecouldthinkofanyoneelsewhowasworkingatthebararoundthattime.Andheputmeontothisguy—
ASTILLappearsonthescreen;amaninhisforties,heavystubble,salt-and-pepperhair;averyMediterraneanface.
ThisisVasilisMourelatos.HelivesinAthensnowbutworkedatGeorge’sbarforseveralmonthstheyearafter‘Luke’left.Hetoldmehewasprettysureamancamelookingforhimthatsummer.Whichwaswhattheoldladyalsotoldme.
CUTTO:INTERVIEW.BillandVasilisMourelatostalkingonZoom.Bill’satanoutdoorrestauranttable,clearlystillonAssos.
BILLSERAFINI
Sowhatdoyourememberaboutthisguy,Vasilis?
VASILISMOURELATOS
I’mafraidIwasn’ttherethedayhecame,hespoketooneoftheotherbarmen.ButIrememberthemmentioningaboutittome.ItwasaBritishguy.HewaslookingforLukeRyderandwantedtoknowifanyofushadinformationabouthim.Hetoldmycolleagueitwasimportant–thatweshouldcallhimifweknewwhereLukewas.
BILLSERAFINI
Buthedidn’tsaywhyhewantedtoknow?
VASILISMOURELATOS
(shrugging)
Ineverknew.Sorry.
BILLSERAFINI
Butifhewantedyoutocallhimhemusthaveleftanumber,right?
VASILISMOURELATOS
Yes,therewasapieceofpaper.Someonepinneditupontheboard.Idon’tknowwhathappenedtoit.
CUTTO:Studio.Billlooksroundattheteam.
BILLSERAFINI
ButIthinkwedo,don’twe?ItendedupinthatcrateofstuffGeorgeboxedupforhispaps,justlikealltherestofthejunk.
LAILAFURNESS
(clearlyimpressed)
Youactuallyfoundit?
BILLSERAFINI
Well,Ican’tbeonehundredpercentsurebecausetherewasahellofalotofbitsofpaperwithnothingbutanameandanumber,andnowayoftellinghowlongmostofthemhadbeenthere.
ButIreckonthesefourarethemostlikely–mainlybecausethey’reallUKnumbers,andtheonethingoldMrNicolaidesrememberedaboutthatwomaninthephotowithLukewasthatshewasaBrit.
Tapshislaptopandthescreenshowsanimageoffourcrumpledbitsofpaper.
HUGOFRASER
I’massumingyoutriedallthesenumbers?
BILLSERAFINI
Suredid.
LAILAFURNESS
‘Luke’lookslikethemostpromising–assumingthat’sareferencetothepersonthismanwaslookingfor,ratherthanhisownname.
BILLSERAFINI
Thatwasmyassumption,too.ThebadnewsisthattheLukenumberisoutofservice.AsistheTonyone.Steveisjustringingout,andasforMick,heturnedouttobeaguywhowastryingtostartaboat-rentalbusinessinAssosthatsummer.Seemedlegit.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Soareyougoingtotrytorundownwhoownedtheotherthreenumbersbackin1998?
BILLSERAFINI
SafetosayI’monit.
ALANCANNING
(shakinghishead)
Thephonecompanieswillnevergiveoutthatsortofinformation.AndtheLukenumberisclearlyamobile.Whatifitwasaburnerphone?Therewouldn’tevenbearecord.
BILLSERAFINI
Inmyexperience,regularpeopledon’tuseburnerphones,Alan.Onlypeoplewhodon’twanttoleaveatrail.
LAILAFURNESS
ButifsomeonedidwanttotrackLukeRyderdowntoexactrevenge,wouldn’ttheydoeverythingtheycouldtoremainanonymous?Thatsoundslikeaverygoodreasontouseaburnerphone.
BILLSERAFINI
Agreed.
MITCHELLCLARKE
OK,butonthatbasiswhatcanyoudo?It’sjustanotherdeadend.
BILLSERAFINI
Notquitedead,Mitch.Becausemyprofessionalinstinctstellmethatsomeonewho’spreparedtogoallthewaytoAssostofindLukewouldalmostcertainlytryothermethodstoo.
LAILAFURNESS
Asin—?
BILLSERAFINI
Asinpersonalads,forexample.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(dryly)
Thatlongago?Goodluckwiththat—
BILLSERAFINI
Actuallyit’snotasimpossibleasitseems.Wehavethosephonenumbers,remember,whichmeanswecandoadigitalsearchforamatch.Andthat’sexactlywhatTarekandtheteamhavebeendoing.
(tapshislaptopagain)
Andthisiswhattheyfound.
LAILAFURNESS
OK,sothisprovessomeonewasdefinitelytryingtotrackLukedown,andwelldone,that’saprettybigstepforward.
Butallthesame,there’snothinghere—
(gesturingatthescreen)
—thatwillhelpusidentifywhowaslookingforhim,isthere?ApartfromaPOboxnumberthat’sovertwentyyearsold?
BILLSERAFINI
Notsofast,Laila.Ifyou’vebeeninthistradeaslongasIhave,yougettorecognizeacertainwayofdoingthings.Or,inthiscase,acertainwayofsayingthings.Theuseofcertainterms,forexample,orparticularformsofwords.
There’sabriefsilenceastheyallreadtheadagain.
HUGOFRASER
(takingadeepbreath)
OK,soIsuspectthatyou’regoingtosaythatthisisexactlythesortoflanguagepoliceofficerstendtouse.Anyonewhoworkswithlawenforcementonaregularbasiswouldrecognizethat.
Soisthatwhatyou’regettingat?Youthinkthisadwaspostedbysomeonewithabackgroundinpolicing?
BILLSERAFINI
Notactingintheirofficialcapacity,ofcourse.Butsomeonewiththattraining,yes,Ithinkthat’sadistinctpossibility.
ALANCANNING
(shakinghisheaddespairingly)
Onceagain,you’rebuildingamassivenumberof–frankly–tenuousassumptionsonabsolutelynoactualevidence—
BILLSERAFINI
Hearmeout,please.AsIsaidbefore,it’slittlethingslikethis,thatareeasytooverlookthatoftenbreakacase.
LAILAFURNESS
OK,but—
BILLSERAFINI
(cuttingacrossher)
RememberhowAlanwentpokingaboutinmyAlabamainterviews?Ithought,hell,maybeIshouldtakealeafoutofhisbook.
Henodstothecameraman;thescreenchangestoeditedFOOTAGEfromEp5.
TAREKOSMAN
WealsospoketosomeoftheolderresidentswhilewewereinAssos,andoneoldladythoughtthewomanmighthavebeencalledIrene.ButsomeoneelsecameupwithCarrie,soyourguessisasgoodasmine.
LAILAFURNESS
AndwhataboutRupert–didherememberthiswoman?
TAREKOSMAN
You’dhavethoughthemight,wouldn’tyou,orthatthephotomighthavetriggeredsomething,butsadlynot.
LAILAFURNESS
Thoughlikeyousaid,it’saverylongtimeago.Ifshewasinherfortiesthenshe’dbeover60now—
ALANCANNING
Andnearnighimpossibletotrackdown.It’dbeyetanothercompletewasteofbloodytime.Andthat’sassumingtherewassomesortofrelationshipbetweenthemwhichI’mveryfarfromconvincedwasactuallythecase.Notonthebasisofonebloodyphoto
BILLSERAFINI
I’mnotsosure–Imean,Idon’tknowaboutyou,Alan,butIdon’tbehavelikethatwithrandomwomenImeetinbars—
ALANCANNING
Maybeyoudon’t,butsomemendo–especiallyselfishbastardslikethis‘Luke’blokeclearlywas.
LAILAFURNESS
Wow,thatescalatedquickly—
FREEZEFRAMEonAlan.Hisfaceisthunderous.
CUTTO:Studio.
BILLSERAFINI
(turningtotheteam)
I’mwithLaila–thatdidescalatequickly.Toodarnquickly,infact.Whichmademewonder,whatcouldpossiblyhavegotAlansoexercised?Imean,hehasnodoginthisfight,right?
HeturnstoAlan,buthesaysnothing.
Catgotyourtongue,buddy?Ohwell,IthinkIcandothenextpartonmyown.
Hetapshiskeyboardagain.MONTAGEofphotosappearsonthescreen.Aschoolphotoofsmallboyssatinrows;afamilysnapoftwoparents,agirl,aboyandayoungerboy;amuchlaterpictureofafamilygathering,clearlyscreen-grabbedfromFacebook.
ALANCANNING
Wherethehelldidyougetallthat?
BILLSERAFINI
(smilingandshrugging)
Allontheweb,myfriend,ifyouknowwhere–andhow–tolook.AsmyfriendTarekmostcertainlydoes.
Heturnstotheteamagain;someofthemarelookingdistinctlyuneasy.
So,toresume,ourfriendAlanherewasborninCroydonin1967.Hehadanolderbrother,Graham,bornin1962,andasister,Eileen,bornin1958.I’llsaveyouthetroubleofdoingthemath:Eileen’s65now.Andshewouldhavebeen40in1998.
LAILAFURNESS
Don’ttellmeyouthinkEileenwasthewomanLukemetinAssos?
BILLSERAFINI
IrenewouldbeaneasymistakeforEileen,wouldn’tit?AndsomeoneelsethoughtshewascalledCarrie.
Hegivesthemameaningfullook.
MITCHELLCLARKE
OK–soyouthinkCarriecouldbeanequallyeasymistakeforCanning
BILLSERAFINI
Right—
ALANCANNING
(pointingatBill)
Howdareyou–howfuckingdareyougopokingaboutinmyfamily’sbusiness—
BILLSERAFINI
You’resayingI’mwrong?Thatthiswomanwasn’tyoursister?—
LAILAFURNESS
(intervening)
Holdonaminute,beforeweallgetcarriedaway.Bill,whenyouandTarekwerepokingaboutinthewilderreachesoftheinternetdidyouhappentofindapictureofEileeninthelate’90s?Maybethatwouldhelpestablishifshe’sthewomaninthephotowith‘Luke’in1998.
BILLSERAFINI
Greatminds,Laila.Andyes,wedid.
ThescreenchangestoaPHOTO.It’sanofficeenvironment:desksandcomputers,peoplewearinglanyards;severalareholdingfiles.There’saredcirclearoundEileenCanning.TheimageislinedupnexttothetwophotospreviouslyshownofLukeandthemysterywomanonAssos.
JJNORTON
Well,thehairissimilar,buthundredsofwomenthatageweartheirhairlikethat.
LAILAFURNESS
(frowning)
There’sadegreeofresemblance,butthat’sasfarasI’dbepreparedtogo
HUGOFRASER
Iagree.Youcan’tseenearlyenoughoftheAssoswoman’sfacetomakeanysortofdefinitiveidentification.
MITCHELLCLARKE
ButlikeLailasays,thereisaresemblance.AndIcanseehowthenamethingmightbackthatup.
HecatchesAlanlookingdaggersathimandholdsuphishands.
Hey,man,justsaying.
LAILAFURNESS
Isthisallyouhave,Bill?BecauseIdon’tseehowyoucanmakeaconnectionbacktoAlanbasedsolelyonthis.Isthereanythingelse?
BILLSERAFINI
Theresureis.InNovember1997,EileenCanningdivorcedherhusband–theownerofasuccessfulconstructioncompany,bytheway–andresumedusinghermaidenname.Sixmonthslaterawomanofaboutthesameagewaspicturedwith‘Luke’onAssos.
Ican’tprovethatwasEileen,orthatsheeverevenvacationedthere,butthelogicwouldmakesense.She’sjustgottendivorced,she’shitforty–whywouldn’tshewanttoenjoyherfreedom–findalastchanceatlove?
HUGOFRASER
(dryly)
Basedonhisprevioustrackrecord,Idoubtlurvewaswhat‘Luke’hadinmind.
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
Right.AndEileenCanningwasdeclaredbankruptin1999.Shemusthavegottenadecentsettlementfromthehusband,butshemanagedtorunthroughthewholelotintwoyears.That’ssomegoing,underanynormalcircumstances.
LAILAFURNESS
Butontheotherhand,ifshewasbeingscammedbysomeonelike‘Luke’—
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
AndIthinkwe’dallagreethatanyonewholovedhermightwellwanttofindthepersonresponsibleforthatscamandmakehimpay–ineverysenseoftheword.
Abrother,forinstance.EspeciallyabrotherwithaccesstoalltheresourcesoftheMetropolitanPolice.
LAILAFURNESS
(toAlan)
Isthistrue?WasityouwhowentlookingforLukeinAssosin1999?
HUGOFRASER
(dryly)
Moretothepoint,didyoutrackhimdowntoDorneyPlacefouryearslater?
Alangetsup,goesovertothewindow,andstaresout.
BILLSERAFINI
We’rewaiting.
ALANCANNING
(turnstofacethem)
You’reaskingifIhadareasontohuntthatmandown?IfIhadareasontoloathetheverysightofhim?
TheanswerisYes.
Idid.
FADEOUT
–endcredits–
Date:Mon17/07/2023,11.09Importance:High
From:TarekOsman
To:NickVincent
Subject:[empty]
JusttoconfirmI’vesentthestillstothelab.Theythinkit’salongshotbutI’llletyouknowassoonasIhear.
T
EpisodeSixBroadcast
October18
TheTimes,19October2023
EpisodeSevenFilming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
BLACKFRAME,TEXTAPPEARS,withVOICEOVER–narrator(female)
FortwentyyearsthedeathofLukeRyderhasbeenanunsolvedmystery.ThetruthhaseludednotonlytheMetropolitanPolice,butthethousandsofamateursleuthswho’veporedoverthecaseonline.
Butnoweverythingwethoughtweknewaboutthecasehasbeencalledintoquestion.
Notonlywhothevictimreallywas,butwhysomeonemighthavewantedhimdead.Andwhohiskillercouldhavebeen.
Butistherealtruthabouttoberevealed?
FADEOUT
CUTTO:DorneyPlace.Theteamarearoundthetable,alongsideGuyandTarek.SunlightisstreaminginthroughtheFrenchwindows,they’reallinsummerclothes,buttheatmosphereisugly.Darkandugly.
BILLSERAFINI
So,Alan.Nowwe’reallhere,Ithinkyouoweusanexplanation.
ALANCANNING
Idon’tthinkIoweyouanything,mate.You’vehardlybeenplayingitexactlystraight,nowhaveyou—
LAILAFURNESS
Therestofus,then.Ithinkwedeservetoknow,don’tyou?Whydidn’tyoutellanyoneaboutthisbefore?
ALANCANNING
Idid.
LAILAFURNESS
No,youabsolutelydidnot.
Theothersstartchippingintoagree,butthenthere’sthesoundofNick’svoice.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Actually,hedid.
There’sasilenceastheotherswatchNickwalkroundintoshot,andtakeuphisfavouritepositionbythewindow.
Hetoldme.
GUYHOWARD
(gapingathim)
Hetoldyou?Whythehelldidn’tyousaysomething?I’mthebloodydirector—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(shrugs,evidentlyunabashed)
ThismakesbetterTV.
BILLSERAFINI
When,exactly?Whenexactlydidhetellyou?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(holdinghisgaze)
Well,thatmusthavebeenrightaboutthetimeyouemailedmeaskingtobeontheshow.
GUYHOWARD
What–theybothcontactedyou?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Absolutely.Andthat’swhenIrealizedwecouldreallybeontosomething.
There’sastunnedsilence.
LAILAFURNESS
Idon’tbelieveit–bothAlanandBillhavebeenonestepaheadofus,thewholetime?
JJNORTON
(dryly)
Notjustonestep,I’dsay.Morelikesixorseven.
GUYHOWARD
Youplayedusallforbloodyfools—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Oh,comeon,Guy.YouknowaswellasIdowhatpeoplewantfromtheseshows.Theywantanswers–theywantthedamnthingsolved–notjustyetmorepissingaboutchurningoveroldground—
HUGOFRASER
(coolly)
Soyouthoughtyou’dstackthecardsinyourfavour,isthatit?Bringinacoupleofpeoplewhoappearedtobeobjectiveexpertsliketherestofus,butinrealitynotonlyhadagreatdealofpriorknowledge,butactualskininthegame.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ifyoulike.Tobefairitdidn’tstartoutthatway–itwasonlyafterwordgotoutthatweweretakinganotherlookatthiscasethatBillandAlangotintouch.
GUYHOWARD
Butratherthantellus–tellme–youaskedthemtokeepquiet.Tokeepitfromtherestoftheteam.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Right.Tospicethingsup.Addsomedramatoproceedings.
(lookingroundthetable)
Anditworked,didn’tit?Imean,lookwherewearenow.
LAILAFURNESS
It’sunderhand,andyouknowit.
HUGOFRASER
Iagree.Youshouldhavebeencompletelyopenwithus,rightfromthestart.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(raisinganeyebrow)
Ohreally?‘Completelyopen’?Justliketherestofyouhavebeen?
HUGOFRASER
Precisely.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Oh,Idon’tthinkit’squiteassimpleasthat,isit,Hugo?
Yousee,whileI’msureyouexpectedustocheckoutyourprofessionalcredentials,Idoubtyourealizedquitehowmuchresearchweweregoingtodoonyou—
LAILAFURNESS
(realizingwhathe’ssaying)
Youdugaboutinourpersonallives?Withoutasking,oreventellingus?That’scompletelyunethical.
JJNORTON
ThisisstartingtosoundwaytooBigBrotherishformyliking.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(spreadinghishands)
Weonlyfoundwhatwasouttheretobefound.
GUYHOWARD
Hangonaminute–areyouactuallysayingthatallthepeopleyouslatedforthisteamturnedouttohavealinktothiscase?That’saninsanecoincidence—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(shakinghishead)
No,itwasn’tlikethat.ItwasonlyafterbothBillandAlancameforwardthatwethought,hangonaminute,maybeweshouldlookatthisinadifferentway?
Maybe,insteadofchoosingateamonthebasisoftheirexpertise,weflipittheotherwayround:doourownresearchonthecaseandseeifwecomeacrossanyonewhomighthaveapossibleconnectiontoeitherLukeRyderortheHowards—
GUYHOWARD
That’smyfamily–youhadnoright–it’sexploitation—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ohreally?MayIremindyouthatifyouweren’taHowardyou’dneverhavebeenaskedtodothisshowatall?Barelyoutofsomealso-rancollegewithnotasinglebloodycredtoyourname?Smallwonderyouabsolutelybloodyjumpedatthechancewhenitcameyourway.Youpracticallybitmyarmoff.
Sodon’tcometheoutragedvirginwithme,matey.You’reabsolutelyfinewith‘exploitingyourfamily’,justaslongasyou’retheonewho’sdoingit.
Guyopenshismouthtosaysomething,thenchangeshismindandturnsaway.He’sbreathingheavilyandbitinghislip.Theothersaretryingnottonotice.
HUGOFRASER
(sittingbackandlookingNickupanddown)
Veryadroit.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Whythankyou.Thoughsomethingtellsmethatwasn’texactlymeantasacompliment.
HUGOFRASER
Andhavinggotthatfar,youmusthaverealizedthatifyouapproachedsomeonefortheshowwhoreallywasimplicatedinthecasethey’dbeboundtoaccept.Guiltyornot.Ifonlytofindoutwhatyou’duncovered.
MITCHELLCLARK
Nowonderyoufounditsoeasytogetthisthingfinanced.Itmusthavelookedlikeaproperlittlegoldmine.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(smiling)
Let’sjustsaythatourbackerswerequicktoseethepotentialofthisgenuinelyuniqueandinnovativeapproach.
JJNORTON
(underhisbreath)
Ibetthat’sstraightoutofthepitchdeck.Wordforbloodyword.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(turningtoJJ)
Actually,whenwestartedout,allwewerehopingforwastofindsomethingnewtosayaboutthecase–that’sthewholepointofdoingthissortofshow,afterall.
Butassoonaswechangedtheapproachwerealizedthatifwedidmanagetodothat–ifwedidactuallyidentifytherealkiller—
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
—thatpersoncouldbesittingthererightinfrontofyou.Actuallyatthisfuckingtable.It’dbefriggingpriceless.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(laughs)
Nofliesonyou,Bill.
JJNORTON
(sardonically)
Andyou’dgettoouttheguiltyparty,liveoncamera,likesomesortofsmughipsterHerculePoirot.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ithink‘smug’isabitharsh,JJ,butinprinciple,yes.
ThoughGuywasrightaboutonething–theideathatwecouldfindfourmoreexpertsincriminalinvestigationallofwhomhadaconnectiontothiscasewasmorethanevenwecoulddaretohope
Helaughsagain–he’sclearlyenjoyinghimselfhugely.
Buthell,we’dalreadyfoundtwowithouteventrying,sowhatdidwehavetolose?
LAILAFURNESS
Letmegetthisstraight–you’resayingyouchosesomeofuspreciselybecauseyouthoughtwehadsomelinktotheRydercase?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Had,orcouldhave,yes.
LAILAFURNESS
Soallofthose‘discoveries’Tarekherehassupposedlybeenmaking,thatwasallasham?Youknewallthatalready,beforeweevenstarted?TheWilsons,Alan’ssisterinAssos,Caroline’sbaby?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Again,someofit,butnotallofit—
GUYHOWARD
(gapingathim)
Youknewaboutthat?Allthistime?Youareunbelievable
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ohcomeon–yougavemethatfuckinghoneymoonfootageyourself.It’snotmyfaultifyoucan’tseewhat’srightinfrontofyourbloodyface.Somefuckingfilm-makeryoumake—
Guypusheshischairbackwithdeliberateviolence,getsupandwalksawayoutofshot.Nickcanbeheardtomutter‘ohdear,tearsbeforebedtime’.
HUGOFRASER
Youjustwoundusupandwatchedusgo–likeabunchofsoddingwoodentops.Thiswholebloodythinghasbeenbogusrightfromthestart.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Inmyworldthat’scalled‘dramaticlicence’,Hugo.Maybeyou’veheardofit?
HUGOFRASER
Inmyworldit’scalledfraud,Nick,maybeyou’veheardofthat?
BILLSERAFINI
(interrupting)
Yousaid‘some’ofushaveconnectionstothecase.So,justtobeabsolutelyclear,you’renotjusttalkingmeandAlan?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
No,definitelynot.ButIdidonlysaypossibleconnections.
BILLSERAFINI
Nothingyoucanactuallyprove?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Let’sjustsaysomeofwhatwe’vefoundouthasdefinitelybeenverified,butagoodpartisstilleithersuppositionoreducatedguesswork.
AndIshouldalsoaddthatsomeofwhatwethoughtwe’dfoundturnedouttobemerecoincidence.
(heraisesaneyebrowasheglancesatAlan)
Despitewhatsomeroundthistablemightthinkaboutthat.
BILLSERAFINI
(refusingtotakethebait)
Sosomeofusaredefinitelyoffthehook?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ohyes,absolutely.
BILLSERAFINI
Who,exactly?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(smiling)
Ah,that’sformetoknow,andyoutofindout.
HUGOFRASER
Youbastard—
LAILAFURNESS
You’resettingusup.Pitchingusoneagainsttheother.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ifyoulike.
ButIdon’tseewhyyou’resofarupyourselfallofasudden,Laila.Youhaven’texactlybeen‘completelyopen’,haveyou,forallyourbloodysanctimony.
LAILAFURNESS
(suddenlydefensive)
Idon’tknowwhatyoumean—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Oh,Ithinkyoudo.
JJNORTON
Laila?What’shegettingat?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(slowly)
Actually,IthinkIknow—
LAILAFURNESS
Mitch–wediscussedthis–Itoldyou—
JJNORTON
Cansomeonepleasetellmewhatthehell’sgoingon?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(turningslightlyfromLailaandlookingroundattheothers)
Itwasawhileback,whenIwasresearchingthathit-and-runinSydney.Icameupwithanameforthevictim,remember?Inthatstudentmagazine?
JJNORTON
MohammedKhan,right?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.Well,acoupleofdayslaterIstumbledoveranarticlebyLailafromyearsago–somethingaboutcopingstrategiesforsuddenbereavement.
JJNORTON
(frowning)
So?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Thepointis,thatarticlewaswrittenbeforeLailagotmarried.Shewroteitinhermaidenname.
LailaKhan.
HUGOFRASER
Ohfuck.
MITCHELLCLARKE
SoIemailedheraboutit–justtomakesure,youknow?BecauselikeIsaidwhenwewerefilming,KhanisareallyreallycommonMuslimname—
JJNORTON
Andwhatdidshesay?
LAILAFURNESS
(intervening)
Isaidthatitwasacoincidence—
(roundingonAlan)
Anddon’teventhinkaboutcomingoutwithyourusualmealy-mouthedcrapaboutnotbelievingincoincidences—
ALANCANNING
(holdinguphishands)
Hey,I’msayingnothing.
BILLSERAFINI
Tobefair,Nickdidjustsaythatsomeofwhattheydugupturnedouttobejustacoincidence.Andlikeyousay,it’saprettycommonname—
MITCHELLCLARKE
It’snotjustthat,Bill.ThearticleIfound–itdrewonherownexperienceoflosingaclosefamilymember.Inhercase,abrother.
(turningtoher)
Youtalkedabouthim,remember?Abouthowhediedwhenhewasonlynineteen.Andhowmuchharderitwasbecausehewasontheothersideoftheworldandyoucouldn’tbewithhim—
LAILAFURNESS
(absolutelyfuriouswithhim)
Whatonearthgivesyoutherighttopokeaboutinmyprivatelife?
BILLSERAFINI
(steadily)
It’shardlythat‘private’,Laila,notifyouwroteaboutitinaprofessionaljournal.
HUGOFRASER
(toLaila)
Andifitreallyisjustacoincidence,whydon’tyoujustclearitupforus,hereandnow?
Silence.
BILLSERAFINI
Laila?
LAILAFURNESS
(icily)
OK.
Fine.Ifthat’sthewayyouwantit.
Yes,Ididhaveabrother,andyes,hewascalledMohammed.HedidgotouniinSydney,andhediddieasaresultofahit-and-runin1995—
JJNORTON
Holyshit—
LAILAFURNESS
—butitwasnot,repeatnot,LukeRyderwhowasresponsible.ConsequentlyIhadnoreasontobearagrudgeagainsthim,farlesstrackhimdownandbludgeonhimtodeath.
ALANCANNING
(quietly)
Howdoyouknowitwasn’tRyder?Nooneelsewaseverprosecuted.
LAILAFURNESS
No,nobodywascharged,butweendedupbeingfairlysurewhothedriverwas.
ALANCANNING
‘Endedup’?Whatdoesthatmean?
LAILAFURNESS
(alittlestiffly)
Themanconcernedmadeadeathbedconfession,apparently.Wantedtogetitoffhischest.Hiswidowgotintouchwithmyfathertolethimknow.
ALANCANNING
TheSydneypolicedon’tseemtobeawareofthat.
LAILAFURNESS
(reddeningalittle)
Ididn’tknowthatuntilMitchstartedlookingatwhathappened.Ithoughtmyfatherhadtoldthepoliceyearsago,butwhenIcheckedwithmymothershesaidheneverdid.Hetriedcallingthemafewtimesbuttheyneverrangbackanditjustfellthroughthecracks.
ALANCANNING
Sowhenexactlywasthis‘confession’?
LAILAFURNESS
(hesitatesamoment)
Ithinkitwas2006.
Theyallrealizeatoncewhatthismeans.
ALANCANNING
Tenyearsafteryourbrotherdied?Andallthattime,youcouldwellhavethoughtitreallywasRyder.IncludinginOctober2003—
JJNORTON
HowmanytimeshaveIsathereandheardyouinsistthatawomancouldn’tcommitanattacklikethat?Wasthattheobjectivepsychtalking,oraveryinterestedparty?
LAILAFURNESS
(exasperatednow)
That’sutterlyridiculous,andyouknowit.
(turningtoCanning)
Andasforyou,Alan,intheory,IsupposeIcouldhavethoughttheculpritwasLukeRyderin2003,butinfactIdidn’t–Ididn’tevenknowheexisted—
JJNORTON
Canyouprovethat?
LAILAFURNESS
OfcourseIcan’tproveit–howdoyouproveanegative?
ALANCANNING
YouwerelivinginLondonby2003—
LAILAFURNESS
(quickly)
Sowerealotofusroundthistable–sowereyou,forthatmatter.Andwe’vealreadyestablishedthatyouhadonehellofamotiveofyourownforwantingRyderdead.
(leaningtowardshimandpointing)
Sowhydon’tyoutellus,DetectiveInspectorCanning?WherewereyouonthenightofOctoberthird,2003?
ALANCANNING
Youarejoking,right?Youcan’tseriouslythink—
BILLSERAFINI
Actually,IagreewithLaila.Afterall,‘It’stheobviousquestion’.
(raisinganeyebrow)
Isn’tthatwhatyousaidwhenIwasaskedthatexactsamething?
ALANCANNING
Indeeditwas.AndIalsorememberthatyounevergaveusananswer.
BILLSERAFINI
IwasinNewYorkthatnight–Itoldyouthat.
ALANCANNING
AndItoldyouthatyouwerelistedasadelegateatthesameconferenceIwasatinBerkshire.YoucouldeasilyhavegotintoLondon—
BILLSERAFINI
NotfromBrooklyn,Icouldn’t.
ButIagreewithyouaboutonething:anyonewhowasatthatconferencecouldquiteeasilyhavemadeittoDorneyPlaceandbacktothehotelthatnight.
(givinghimaheavylook)
Soisthatwhatyoudid?Driveupthereafterthelastsessionwasfinishedandeveryonewasinthebar?FlashyourbadgeatRyder,tellinghimsomecock-and-bullstorytopersuadehimtoletyouin?Andonceyouarein,bam—
ALANCANNING
That’scompletebollocks–you’rejusttryingtodistractusfromfocusingonyou—
JJNORTON
(toAlan)
Actually,speakingasadispassionateobserver,IhavetosayyourmotivedoesseemrathermorecompellingthanBill’s.
ALANCANNING
(turningonhim)
Oh,you’redispassionatenow,areyou?Andwhataboutyou,eh,JJ?Whathaveyoubeenhiding,becausetherehastobesomething.
JJNORTON
Justbecauseyoudidn’ttellthewholetruth,doesn’tmeantherestofusweredoingthesame—
ALANCANNING
Whydon’tweaskNickaboutthat?BecauseIbethehassomethingreallyjuicyonyou.
Let’sfaceit,hecould’vehadhispickofCSIexpertsforthisshow,couldn’the–HenryLee,WernerSpitz,anyone.Andyethechoosesyou?Somewashed-uploserwithtattsfromfuckingSouthWales?
(brutallysarcastic)
Oh,sorry,Iforgotaboutyoubeingagenius–Mensa,myarse.
HUGOFRASER
Ouch.
BILLSERAFINI
Ihavetoadmit,Ihavewonderedaboutthatmyself.JJ’scredentials,Imean.
JJNORTON
Fuckyou,Bill.Fuckyou
LAILAFURNESS
Nick?Isthistrue?IsJJanothersuspect?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(clearlyamusedhislittleployisworkingsowell)
LikeIsaid,I’msayingnothing.
BILLSERAFINI
Butspeakingasadetective,JJdoesn’thaveanyconnectiontoLondonthatI’mawareof,soI’mstrugglingtoseehowhecouldhaveevenmettheHowardsorLukeRyder,muchlesshaveamotive—
JJNORTON
I’veneverlivedinLondon,neverstudiedthere,Ibloodyhatetheplace—
LAILAFURNESS
(realizationdawning)
It’snotLondon,it’sBirminghamThat’sthelink.That’swhereyouwerebroughtup.
JJNORTON
(flushingslightly)
Yeah,so?
HUGOFRASER
Iremembernow–didn’tyouboastaboutbeing‘bornandbredaBrummie’?
JJNORTON
I’mnotsosureitwasboasting,morelikejoking—
HUGOFRASER
No,thepointis,yousaidyoudidn’tjustlivethere,youwerebornthere.
LAILAFURNESS
Exactly.JustlikethebabyCarolineHowardhadwhenshewas16.Theonethatwasadoptedbyanotherfamily,andinalllikelihoodintheMidlandsarea.
JJNORTON
Ohcomeon—
BILLSERAFINI
Actually,Ithinkyoumayhavesomethingthere,Laila.Anddidn’tJJtalkawhilebackabouthowadoptedkidsfeelaboutgoinglookingfortheirbirthparents?Wasn’titwhenwefirstfoundoutaboutCaroline’sbaby?Iseemtorecallitsoundedprettypersonal.
(turningtoNick)
AmIrememberingthatright?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(nodding)
Ievenhavethecliptoproveit.
(Nodstothecameraman.)
FOOTAGEappearsonthescreen.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ifthekidwasbornin1979it’dbe44now.
LAILAFURNESS
Moretothepoint,heorshewouldhavebeen18in1997andentitledtoseetheirrecordsatthatstage,butthere’snosuggestiontheymadecontactwithCarolinethen.Whyleaveittill2003?
JJNORTON
Notalladoptedkidswantto.Someneverdo.And18isjusttheearliestyoucandoit–lotsofpeopleleaveitalotlaterthanthat.Justsaying.
MITCHELLCLARKE
ButiftheydidtrackCarolinedownitmighthavebeenaprettydifficultencounter.Whatifthekidhadquiteadisadvantagedupbringing–ithastobepossibleifitwasinner-cityBirmingham,right?
ThenallthoseyearslatertheysuddenlyfindouttheirrealmotherandherotherkidshavebeensittingprettyonapilelikeDorneyPlace,whiletheywereunceremoniouslydumpedandleftoutinthecold—
JJNORTON
Quite.
CUTTO:Studio.
ALANCANNING
Soundsevenmorepersonalnow,JJ.
It’syou,isn’tit?Thelong-lostkid?Sohowdiditgodown?YoufoundoutCarolinewasyourmotherandcamelookingforher—
(gesturingroundattheroom)
—onlytofindoutthatallthistimeshe’dbeenlivinginahouselikethis?BecauseI’msurenowthatyoualsosaidsomethingprettybittertothatvicarinNewBrunswickaboutbeingbroughtuponthepovertyline.
JJNORTON
You’redelusional,thelotofyou–Nick’sgotusallcompletelyparanoid.Ihadnothingtodowithit.
ALANCANNING
That’snotwhatIasked,though,isit?
WherewereyouonthenightofOctoberthird,2003?
JJNORTON
(sarcastic)
Nobloodyidea,askmeanother.
HUGOFRASER
Youwerebornin1979,though–thatpart’scorrect?
JJNORTON
(turningtohim)
Yes.Likehundredsofthousandsofotherpeople.
BILLSERAFINI
Andadopted?
JJNORTON
(afterapause)
Yes.Notthatit’sanyofyourbusiness.Oranyoneelse’s,frankly.
BILLSERAFINI
Iagree.Unless,ofcourse,youreallyareCarolineHoward’slong-lostson.Thenitmostcertainlyisourbusiness.
JJNORTON
Well,I’mnot.Happynow?
ALANCANNING
Canyouproveit?
JJNORTON
Ifnecessary.ButfranklyIdon’tseewhythehellIshouldhaveto—
LAILAFURNESS
(intervening)
I’msorry,butI’mveryuncomfortablewiththis–it’sgettingperilouslyclosetobullying.Nickdidsaysomeofusappearedtohaveconnectionstothecaseonlyitturnedouttobepurecoincidence.MaybethatappliestoJJ—
ALANCANNING
Ijustdon’tknowwhyhe’ssoreluctanttoproveit.
LAILAFURNESS
Butitmightnotbethateasy.
He’dneedtoshowushisoriginalbirthcertificatewithhisbiologicalmother’sname,whichisadocumenthemaynotevenhave,andcertainlymaynotwanttoshareinpublic.It’ssuchaprivatething.
ALANCANNING
(tetchily)
I’mnotaskingtoseeanyofthat:allheneedstodoisprovideaDNAsample,whichwecanrunagainstGuy’s.Ifthey’rerelated,we’llfindoutsoonenough.
JJNORTON
Forfuck’ssake–you’rewastingyourbloodytime.It’snotme.And,no,Iamfuckingwellnotgivingyouabloodysample–it’sagrossinvasionofprivacyandyouknowit.
Ashespeakshesitsbackandpullsdownhissleeves.Alanwatcheshimforamoment.
ALANCANNING
(thoughtfully)
I’dforgottenaboutthattattoo.That’syourDNAprofile,isn’tit?
JJflushesbutsaysnothing.
Maybewecanusethat.Imean,youdon’texactlytreatthatthingas‘private’,doyou?It’srightthereforanyTom,DickorHarrytosee.
(turnstoNick)
Youmusthavefootageyoucouldliftanimagefrom.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(givingaquicklaugh)
Greatminds,Alan.Andyou’reright,wedo.Troubleistheresultswereinconclusive–noneoftheimageswerequitegoodenough.
JJNORTON
(gapingathim,furious)
You’vealreadydoneit?YouranmyfuckingDNA?Withouteventellingme?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(shrugging,clearlyunfazed)
LikeAlansaid,ifyouthoughtitwasthatbloodyprivateyouwouldn’thaveputitonyoursoddingarm.
There’sanawkwardsilence;JJisseething.
BILLSERAFINI
(withaslightlyforcedlaugh,tryingtolightentheatmosphere)
HellI’mbeginningtothinkweshouldputthewholeteamthroughapolygraph–that’dtellusonceandforallwhat’sgenuineandwhat’sjust‘coincidence’.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(withawrysmile)
Funnyyoushouldmentionthat.
LAILAFURNESS
Apolygraph?You’renotserious.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Whynot?Billhasapoint.Andlet’sfaceit,itwouldmake—
HUGOFRASER
(darkly)
—don’ttellme,‘greatTV’.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(laughing)
You’refinallygettingthehangofthis,Hugo.
Butseriously,whynot?Ifyou’reallsosureyouhavenothingtohide.
LAILAFURNESS
(firmly)
There’sareasonpolygraphsaren’tadmissibleincourt,Nick.Andnotjusthere,intheUSaswell.Thesciencesimplyisn’trobustenough–somepeoplefinditrelativelyeasytobeatthemachine,whileothersreactsobadlytothestressitcanleadtodangerousfalsepositives.
TAREKOSMAN
(alittlehesitantly)
Thoughthey’reusedonsexoffendershere,aren’tthey?Ifthey’vebeenletoutonlicence–tocheckifthey’recomplyingwiththeirreleaseconditions?
HUGOFRASER
Yes,that’strue,butit’saverylimitedandstrictlycontrolledexceptiontotherule.TheOffenderManagementAct2007explicitlyprohibitstheuseofanysuchpolygraphtestresultsincriminalproceedings.ForallthereasonsLailamentions.
BILLSERAFINI
Understood.ThoughI’veseeninnocentpeopleeliminatedfromenquiriesthankstopolygraphs.Butyou’reright:theydohavetobeadministeredbyatrainedpractitioner,notsomeTVbum.
Nooffence,Nick.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(smiling)
I’mnotthateasilyoffended,Bill.Probablyjustaswell.
AndIagreewithyou,bytheway–Idefinitelythinkpolygraphshavearoletoplay.
JJNORTON
(stillclearlyfurious)
Noone’streatingmelikeabloodylabrat,andthat’sfinal.
HUGOFRASER
Iagree.Nickjustwantstotryandcatchusout–goaroundgrubbingunderstonesjusttoseewhat’sunderneath.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(raisinganeyebrow)
‘Theladydothprotesttoomuch’?
HUGOFRASER
(turningtohim)
Whatthehelldoesthatmean?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ohcomeon,youhaven’texactlybeen‘completelyopen’either,haveyou?
LAILAFURNESS
Whatareyoutalkingabout,Mitch?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(pointingatHugo)
Heknewher–backintheday.
CarolineHoward.
Heneverthoughttomentionthat,didhe?
LAILAFURNESS
(hereyeswidening)
Hugoknewher?Areyousure?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Certainlyam.TheywereallpartofthesametightlittleW8coterie.Sameclubs,samedinnerparties,kidsatthesameschools.Allverycosy.
HUGOFRASER
(lookinguncomfortable)
Itwasn’tlikethat—
JJNORTON
Really?Thenwhatwasit‘like’?
HUGOFRASER
OK,yes,wedidmoveinsomeofthesamecircles,butthat’snotthatuncommoninthatpartoftown.
BILLSERAFINI
Sohowclosewereyou,exactly?Passingacquaintances?Friends?Closefriends?
JJNORTON
(grimly)
Maybeevenfriendswithbenefits?That‘unsuitable’manshewasseeing–wasthatyou?
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingfromonetotheother)
Youmean,hewasn’tunsuitablebecausehewasmarried,butbecausehewasblack?OhmyGod—
There’sasilence;Hugoisn’tmeetinganyone’seye.
ALANCANNING
(clearinghisthroat)
Ithinkthismaybethemomenttomentionthecar—
LAILAFURNESS
Ohshit.
ALANCANNING
ThatwomanItoldyouaboutwhoownedaredMGBbackin2003?TheoneIcouldn’tpersuadetotalktomeoncamera?Hername’sSerenaHamilton.Butbackthen,beforeshegotmarried,shewasSerenaFraser.Hugoisherbrother.
Andfortheavoidanceofdoubt,heusedtoborrowhercar.Apparentlyhediditallthetime
LAILAFURNESS
(staringatHugo)
MyGod,itwasyouYou’retheoneshewashavinganaffairwith.
HUGOFRASER
(shakinghishead)
It’snotwhatitlookslike.
JJNORTON
Whatitlookslikeisthatyouhadaslam-dunkmotivetokillLukeRyder.Carolinewantedtofinishitwithyouandyouweren’ttakingnoforananswer—
HUGOFRASER
Thatwouldbelaughableifthiswholethingwasn’tsuchabloodyshit-show—
JJNORTON
Youdecidedtohaveitoutwithher–makeherchangehermind–onlywhenyouwentoverthereshewasoutatthatparty,andtheonlypersoninthehousewasLuke—
HUGOFRASER
(shakinghishead)
No,absolutelynot–thatdidnothappen–andinanycaseitwasjustacasualthing–afling.
MITCHELLCLARKE
AsJJwouldsay,‘yeah,right’.
HUGOFRASER
(roundingonhim)
Andwhataboutyou?Whydon’tyoutelluswhatyouwerereallydoingtherethatnight?Becauseitsureasfuckwasn’tthatcrapyoucameoutwithabout‘hearingareportonthepoliceradio’—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Andhowthehellwouldyouknow?
HUGOFRASER
BecauseCarolineandIwerefriends–becauseshetalkedtome.
Hetakesabreath;theothersarestaringathim,andheholdsuphishands.
Look,Icouldn’tsayanythingbeforebecauseIknewhowitwouldlook—
Arippleroundthetable,someonemutters‘yeah,right’.
—butrememberthose‘inappropriate’friendsMauraHowardwasseeingthatsummer?Oneofthemwasn’tjustamate,shewassleepingwithhim.ThatwaswhyCarolinewassoworried—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(icily)
Shecalledhim‘inappropriate’,didshe?Andwhyexactlywasthat?Becausehewasblack,likeyou?No,yougotafreepassbecauseyou’reafuckingcoconutandarichbastard,butMaura’sbloke,hewasjustpoorblacktrash?TheshitunderyourfuckingPradashoes?Isthatwhatyou’resaying?
HUGOFRASER
Youknowthat’snotwhatImean.Maurawas15,forGod’ssake.Itwasstatutoryrape—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
Youhavenowaytoproveitwasme—
HUGOFRASER
(holdinghisgaze)
Shemethimataneventatherschool.Hewasajournalist–youwereajournalist,andyoucoveredeventsinthatarea,includingatthatschool.
(takesadeepbreath)
Andyes,themaninquestionwasblack.Itnarrowsthefieldprettyfast—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(stillshakinghishead)
That’snotproof.
HUGOFRASER
Anditwouldexplainwhyyouweretherethatnight.Sneakingintoseeherwhenyouknewhermotherwouldbeout?Thatapartmentoverthegarage,wasn’tthatwhyMaurawassokeentomoveoverthere?Sothetwoofyoucouldfuckinpeace?That’scertainlywhatCarolinethought.
Youdidn’tknowLukewasgoingtobailonthatdrinksparty,didyou?Asfarasyouknew,itwasBeatrizwho’dbebabysittingthatnight–Beatrizwhowasinherseventiesanddeafasapost.ButLukewasn’t–hishearingwasjustfine.Heheardsomething,hecameoutandhecaughtyouatit—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Youarenotpinningthisonme.Nofuckingway.IfI’dkilledhimthere’dbeevidence,there’dbeDNA,andletmeremindyoutheyfoundnothinglinkingmetoanyofit
(pointingatHugo)
Canyousaythesame?HowaboutyougiveusaDNAsampleandwe’llseeiftheMetcanfindamatchonthatjacket?
HUGOFRASER
Bringiton–Ihavenothingtohide.BecauseIwasn’tthere.
Unlikeyou.
LAILAFURNESS
Butyouwereattheparty,right?Thatcar–itwasoutside,PhyllisFrankssawit—
HUGOFRASER
(hesitates)
OK,yes,you’reright,Iwasthere–but—
JJNORTON
(intervening)
Hangon,hangon.Hugo–whatyoujustsaidaboutMitch,itdoesn’ttallywiththetimeline.
Mitchcouldn’thavebeensneakingintoseeMaurathatnightbecausethegirlswereatthecinemathewholeevening.Carolineboughttheirtickets,remember,andthefilmdidn’tfinishtill10.15—
HUGOFRASER
Justbecauseshesawthegirlsgoin,doesn’tmeantheyactuallystayed
BILLSERAFINI
Youthinktheyslippedoutearly?
HUGOFRASER
IthinkMauramaywellhavedone–Iknowforafactshe’ddonethatbefore.Anditwasonlyatwenty-minutewalkbacktothehouse.
BILLSERAFINI
SoyourtheoryissheandMitchhadalreadyarrangedtomeetinherroomovertheworkshop?OnlyneitherofthemrealizedthatLukewouldbeinthehousebecauseheonlydecidedtobailonthepartyafterCarolinehaddroppedthegirlsoff?
HUGOFRASER
Precisely.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Forfuck’ssake,thisisallbollocks—
ALANCANNING
(quietly)
Sowhydon’tyoutelluswhatreallyhappened?WereyouinarelationshipwithMauraHowardornot?
Orwouldyoupreferwegetherinhereandaskher?MaybeweshouldaskGuywhathethinksofthat?
Heturnsandlookstowardstheothersideoftheroom.TheCAMERAFOLLOWShisgaze,swingingroundslowlytoawide-angleshotandweseenotjusttheteambutGuy,wherehe’sbeensittingthiswholetime.He’sonachaironthefarside,hisheadinhishands.Afteramomenthelooksup.Helooksangry.
GUYHOWARD
YouleaveMauraoutofthis,youhearme?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
BitlatetobecomingtheBigMan,mate—
GUYHOWARD
(gettingupandcomingtowardshim)
Fuckoff,Nick–justfuckrightoff—
BILLSERAFINI
(holdinguphishands)
OK,OK,let’stakeatime-outhere,shallwe?
Mitch–Ithinkyoureallyneedtolevelwithus.ForMaura’ssake,ifnooneelse’s.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(takingadeepbreath)
OK,OK.
Yes.
ALANCANNING
Yes,asinyouwereseeingher?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(swallows,thennods)
Yes.Iwasseeingher.
Thecameraisstillonwideangle.Guystaresathimthendropshisheadandturnsaway.Mitchlooksroundattherestoftheteam.
Look,I’mnotproudofit,butyouhavetorememberIwasbarely21myselfbackthen.AndshewasalotmoresophisticatedthanIwas—
(seeingtheirfaces)
Ididn’tmeanbythat–shit,thisiscomingoutallwrong–I’mnotblamingher,seriously–it’sallonme,Iknowthat.Ijustmeantshecamefromacompletelydifferentbackground–Iwasthekidbythesideofher.
Butyes,IdidknowshewasunderageandI’mnottryingtoexcusethat,butasforrape—
(turningtoHugo)
—that’snotwhathappened.Ilovedher.I’dneverhaveforcedhertodoanythingshedidn’twanttodo.Ifanything,shewastheonethatpushedthatsideofit.
Hugodoesn’tlookconvinced;theothersclearlydon’tknowwhattobelieve.Guygoesovertothewindow,onehandontheglass,hisbacktotherestoftheroom.
LAILAFURNESS
(gently)
Didsheloveyou?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shrugs)
Ithoughtso.
HUGOFRASER
Justusedyoutogetbackathermother,morelike.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(turningtohim,angrynow)
Look,shesaidshelovedme,OK?AndIdon’tknowwhatgivesyoutherighttogetonyourfuckinghighhorse–youwerebanginghermotherandcheatingonyourwife—
HUGOFRASER
(gettingangryhimself)
Hermotherwasanadult,notanunderagechild—
BILLSERAFINI
Whoa,guys.LikeIsaid,timeout—
There’sanawkwardsilence;Hugogetsupandgoestopourhimselfaglassofwater.Cameraremainsonwideangle.
BILLSERAFINI
Mitch,muchasIhatetoagreewithAlanonanything,Ithinkyoudoneedtotelluswhatreallywentdownthatnight
BecauseHugo’sright–itclearlydidn’thappenthewayyousaiditdidbackwhenwestartedallthis.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ididn’tkillhim–Ihadnothingtodowithit—
BILLSERAFINI
(placatory)
I’mnotsayingyoudid.Butwedowantthetruth.
MITCHELLCLARKE
OK,OK.
(takesadeepbreath)
You’rerightaboutthefilm–Maura’dfixeditwithAmeliethatshe’dleaveearlyandAmeliewouldcoverforher.IpickedheruponNottingHillGateandwewentbacktomyflat.
JJNORTON
MusthavebeenabitofacomedownafterDorneyPlace—
HUGOFRASER
(sardonically)
Well,wealreadyknowshelikedroughingit—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Pissoff,Hugo.
BILLSERAFINI
Ignorehim.Whathappenednext?
MITCHELLCLARKE
IdroppedMauraoffonthecorneroftheirroadataroundten.ShewassupposedtomeetAmeliethereattenfifteensotheycouldwalkhometogether.
ALANCANNING
(nodding)
Whichaccountsforamanansweringyourdescriptionbeingseeninthestreet—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.Anyway,IstoppedforpetrolonthewaybackandIwasatthetillwhenIgotthisweirdcallfromMaura’smobile.Icouldn’tmakeitout–ittookmeafewminutestorealizeshe’dcalledmebymistake.Abutt-dial,basically.
BILLSERAFINI
Sowhattimewasthat?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ididn’tlookatmywatch,butI’mguessingabout10.35.
BILLSERAFINI
Couldyouhearwhatwasgoingon?Anythingshewassaying?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(sighingandshakinghishead)
Notreally,tobehonest.Itwasmorelikeheavybreathing,moaningalmost–Itriedtotalktoherbutsheobviouslycouldn’thearme—
BILLSERAFINI
Soyouturnedroundandwentback?
MITCHELLCLARKE
OfcourseIdid–wouldn’tyou?
BILLSERAFINI
Thenwhathappened?
MITCHELLCLARKE
AfterthatitwasprettymuchlikeItoldyou–bythetimeIgottherethecopshadalreadyarrived.
BILLSERAFINI
Youfollowedthepolicecardownthedriveandwentroundtothebackofthehouse?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Right.IwaslookingforMaura.
ALANCANNING
Butwhatyoufoundwasacorpse.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(swallows)
Right.
BILLSERAFINI
HadyoumetLukebefore?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
No.I’dseenhim,atadistance,butthat’sall.
HUGOFRASER
WhenyouwereskulkingaboutshaggingMaurainthatstableblock,nodoubt.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(ignoringhim)
I’dneverspokentohim.Andinanycase,thestateofthebody–youwouldn’thaverecognizedwhoitwas–noonewould—
BILLSERAFINI
Sothenwhat?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shrugs)
ItwaslikeIsaidbefore.IsawthecopscomingformeandIjustran.
LAILAFURNESS
Whydidn’tyoutellthepoliceyouknewMaura?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Youreallyneedtoask?
HUGOFRASER
Becausehedidn’twanttogetslappedwithabloodyrapecharge,that’swhy.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Iwasjustakid–ablackkidwho’dgrownuponacouncilestateinLadbrokeGrove.Ididn’tneedanymoretroublefromthelaw.AndIdidn’twanttocauseashitloadofhassleforMauraeither.
LAILAFURNESS
(sighing)
IsupposeIcanunderstandthat.
ALANCANNING
Andthat’sit?There’snothingmoreyou’renottellingus?
MITCHELLCLARKE
That’sit.LikeIsaid,Ihadnothingtodowithit.BythetimeIgottherehewasalreadydead.That’stheGod’shonesttruth.
JJNORTON
(underhisbreath)
That’swhatyousaidthefirsttime.Wordforword.
There’sabriefsilence.
ALANCANNING
SowhataboutMaura?
Theystareathim.Guyturnsfromthewindowandstandsthere,hiseyesfixedonAlan.
LAILAFURNESS
Whatdoyoumean–whataboutMaura?
ALANCANNING
Thepoliceweretoldthegirlsgothomeat10.30,andnoone’severquestionedthat.It’srightthereonourtimeline.
ButifMitchistellingthetruth,Mauracouldhavegotbackasearlyasjustafterten,assumingshewentstraighthomeanddidn’tbotherwaitingforAmelie.Andthatwouldhavebeenslap-banginthemiddleofthewindowduringwhichweknowLukewaskilled.
Andifthatbutt-callreallywasat10.35,it’sagoodtenminutesbeforeMauraclaimedtohavefoundthebody.
Andthere’ssomethingelsetoo:shehasbrownhair.
Peoplestarttolookuneasy:it’sobviouswherethisisgoing.Alansitsbackandlooksround.
So.
WhatifitwasMaura?Whatifshekilledhim?
Silence.Atthewindow,Guyhasgoneverypale,hisfistsareclenchedsohardtheknucklesarewhite.
BILLSERAFINI
(shiftingslightlyinhisseat)
Well,uncomfortablethoughitundoubtedlyistotalkaboutthis–forallofus–wedohavetotrytolookatthiswholethingobjectively—
LAILAFURNESS
(glancinguneasilyatGuy)
That’seasytosaywhenit’snotoneofyourownfamilyintheframe—
BILLSERAFINI
Iknow,believeme,Iknow–butwhat’sthepointofdoingthisatallifwearen’tgoingtolookatallthepossiblesuspects?
ALANCANNING
Exactly.
So.Maura.
(gesturingagainatthetimeline)
Because,accordingtothat,ifshewashomebyten,therewasdefinitelyenoughtime—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Youseriouslythinka15-year-oldgirlcouldhavedonethat–that–bloodbath?Nottomentionthesmallmatterofmotive–whyonearthwouldshedoit?
ALANCANNING
(givinghimaheavylook)
Ican’tbelieveyou,ofallpeople,needtoaskthat.‘Luke’wasabouttoexposeyourlittlelovefesttohermother,wasn’the?Whichwouldhaveputpaidtoyourshagshenanigansonceandforall.Motiveenough,ifyouaskme,foranimpetuousteenager.Andwealreadyknowshehatedhim.
BILLSERAFINI
(agreeing)
Speakingprofessionally,Ineverceasetobestaggeredatwhatteensarecapableof–andespeciallygirls.
ALANCANNING
(lookingroundattheteam,thoughnotatGuy)
Andthetimelineworks:Mitchdropsheroffandsherealizesit’sabouttorainsoinsteadofwaitingforAmelieshedecidestogostraighthome.
Ashespeaks,cuttoRECONSTRUCTION.‘Maura’getsoutofapaleFordcarwhichimmediatelypullsaway.Wecanseethemaninsideisblack.Camerafollows‘Maura’asshewalksalongthewell-litstreettoDorneyPlace.There’snooneelseabout.Atthegate,shetapsintheentrycodeandstartsdownthedrive.ThegirlplayingthepartlooksverylikethephotosofMauraatthatage
ALANCANNING
Shegoesroundthesideofthehousetowardsherroom,butdoesn’tmakeanyefforttostayoutofsightbecausesheassumesit’sBeatrizwho’sbabysittingandshewon’tevennotice.
Onlyit’snotBeatrizinthehouse,it’sLuke.
As‘Maura’reachestheterrace‘Luke’appearsattheFrenchwindows.Hethrowsopenthedoor,clearlyfurious.‘Maura’turnsandtriestogetawaybuthefollowsher,grabbingherbythearm.There’satussle,andthecamerazoomsintoshowherhaircatchinginhisjacketzip.Shepusheshimawayandheslips,fallingheavilyonthestonestepsandthenliesthereunmoving.
Maybeshethinksshe’skilledhim;maybeshe’sactuallygladhe’sdead.
Andmaybe–justmaybe–shedoesn’tknoweitherwayanddecidesshe’dbettermakesure.
TheFOOTAGEstartstoslowdownasshe’sstandingoverhim,arockinherhand,slowlyliftingitaboveherhead.
FREEZEFRAME.
CUTTO:Team.Alansitsbackandlooksaround.
Eitherway,shebeatshisfacetoobliteration.
Silence.Atthewindow,Guyhasturnedaway.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
I’mstillnotbuyingit.Evenifhermotherhadfoundout,what’stheworstthatwouldhavehappened?She’dhavebeengroundedorhadherallowancedockedorsomeshitlikethat.Comeon,thatisnotareasontokilltheguy—
BILLSERAFINI
Laila–you’reveryquiet.Asapsychologist,what’syourread?
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingconcerned)
I’mjusthopingthisisn’tgoingtobeyetanotherinstanceofanall-toohorriblyfamiliarpattern.
Abriefsilence;JJgetstherefirst.
JJNORTON
Shit,youthinkhemayhavebeenabusingher?Thatthatwaswhyshereactedthewayshedid?
LAILAFURNESS
(withasigh)
Ihopenot,Ireallydo.Butitmightexplainwhytheybothdislikedhimsomuch—
TheCAMERASWINGSroundquicklytocaptureGuyashepushesthroughthefurnitureanddisappearsbehindthecamera.Lailalooksdistraught.
OhGod,Guy,I’msosorry–Ishouldn’thaveraisedthis—
ALANCANNING
(quietly)
We’reheretoestablishthetruth,Laila,‘whateverthattruthturnsouttobe’.ItwasGuyhimselfwhosaidthat.
(spreadshishands)
Ifthat’swhatheclaimstobedoing,hecan’tpickandchoosewhich‘truth’wefind,justbecausehedoesn’tlikeit.
BILLSERAFINI
(toLaila)
Couldithavegonedownthatway?CouldMaurahavekilledhim?
LAILAFURNESS
(herfaceset)
Maybe.Ifhereallywasabusingher.
(takingadeepbreath)
They’dbeenlivinginthesamehouseformonths–ifithadbeengoingonforthatlong,Icaneasilyseehowthepressuremighthavebecomeintolerable.
Andwedoneedtorememberthattheprefrontalcortexisn’tyetfullydevelopedintheteenagebrain,whichmeanstheyhavesignificantlypoorerimpulsecontrolthanmatureadults.
Soyes,maybe,ifshewasalreadyunderthatdegreeofmentalpressureandthensuddenlyfoundherselfinanangryconfrontationwithhim,Isupposeit’spossible.ShemighthavelashedoutinthewayAlanjustdescribed.
HUGOFRASER
Ormaybeshewasalotcannierthanyougivehercreditfor.Maybetherealreasonshecavedhisfaceinwastomakeitlookliketheworkofsomerandompsycho.Toputthepoliceoffthescent.
BILLSERAFINI
Mitch,youwereseeingheratthetime–didsheeversayanythingtoyouaboutwhatreallyhappenedthatnight?I’massumingsheneversaidanythingaboutabuseoryou’dalreadyhavetoldus.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shakinghishead)
ThatnightwasthelasttimeIeverspoketoher.Shesentmeatextbreakingupwithmethefollowingmorning.Itriedtotalktoherforweeksafterbutsherefusedtotakemycalls.
HUGOFRASER
Whichtomymindisrevealinginandofitself.
BILLSERAFINI
(toMitch)
Youdidn’tthinkthatwasodd?
MITCHELLCLARKE
(shrugging)
Notatthetime.Notwithallthecrapthatwasgoingdown.Andlet’sfaceit,21-year-oldblokesaren’texactlyrenownedfortheiremotionalintelligence.Ijustthoughtshehadenoughshitwithoutmebeinginthemix.
Andyeah,maybe,beingtotallyhonest,IthoughtIwaswelloutofit.I’dalreadydodgedonebulletthatnight.
(lookingtowardsBill)
Andfortherecord,you’reright:sheneversaidawordtomeaboutanythinginappropriategoingonwithLuke.Notoneword.
ALANCANNING
(sittingback)
SoifitwasMaura,dowethinkCarolineknew?
Ittakesamomenttosinkin.Billgivesalowwhistle.
BILLSERAFINI
Jeez—
ALANCANNING
Ithastobetheobviousconclusion,doesn’tit?Maybenotthatnight,butsoonafter.
RememberwhatShirleyBookersaidaboutthekidshavingtherapy?IfMaurareallydidkill‘Luke’Icaneasilyseewhyshe’dhaveneededashrink.She’dhavebeenapsychologicalbasketcase.
LAILAFURNESS
(clearlyannoyedathischoiceoflanguage)
Shefoundhim.Doyounotthinkthatalone—
(gesturingatthecrimescenephotos)
—wouldbeenoughtomesswithyourtypical15-year-oldpsyche?
ALANCANNING
Ofcourse.Butthereisanotherexplanation,andlikeIsaidbefore,wecan’tjustignoreitbecausewedon’thappentolikeit.
BILLSERAFINI
(alsolookingattheboards)
Butwhataboutherclothes?IfMaurahadbeatenLuketodeathshe’dhavebeencoveredwithblood,nottomentionbodymatter.There’snowaythecopswouldhavemissedthat.
HUGOFRASER
Thesimplestexplanationwouldbethatshegotchanged.Shewasathome–she’dhavehadaccesstoplentyofcleanclothes.
LAILAFURNESS
(glancingatthetimeline)
Butwasthereenoughtimetodothat?
HUGOFRASER
(considering)
Justabout,Ithink–assumingshewashomebyjustgoneten.The999callwasn’tuntil10.47.
JJgetsupandwalksovertotheboardandstopsinfrontofagroupofstillstakenfromvideosshownearlier.
Camerazoomsin.
JJNORTON
(gesturingatoneimage)
Well,weknowwhatshehadonearlierthatevening,attheirmate’sparty.Thequestioniswhethershewasstillwearingthesamestuffwhenthepolicearrivedatthehouseafterthe999call.
TAREKOSMAN
(lookingup)
Idon’thaveanyfilm,I’mafraid–themediaweren’tallowedtoshowanyfootageofthekidsthatnight.
HUGOFRASER
(toAlan)
SurelytheMetwouldhavebaggedupMaura’sclothesifshewastheonewhofoundthebody?Inwhichcase,theremustbesomethinginthefiletosaywhatshewaswearing.
Theystarttogobackthroughthepaperwork.Billfindsitfirst.
BILLSERAFINI
Hereweare–greyhoodie,whiteT-shirt,jeans.
(looksupatJJ,stillbytheboard)
Doesthatstackup?
JJNORTON
(lookingbackathim)
Yup,asfarasitgoes.ButhowmanywhiteT-shirtsandpairsofjeansdoesyouraverageteenagerhave?I’mnotsureit’swhatyoucouldcallconclusive.Shecouldeasilyhavechangedbeforethepolicegotthere.
LAILAFURNESS
Whataboutthehoodie?
JJNORTON
She’snotwearingthatintheseearliershots.Buttobefair,thatcouldbebecauseshe’sindoorsanddidn’tneedit.
HUGOFRASER
Hangonaminute–thisnewversionofeventsofyours,Alan:explainhow‘Luke’endsupwearingajacket?
Acoupleofpeoplelookathimblankly,butBill’squicker.
BILLSERAFINI
Iseewhereyou’regoing.Ifhe’ssupposedtohavebeenwatchingTVwhenhesawMauraoutthewindow,whydoeshetakethetimetoputonajacketbeforegoingouttoconfronther?Youjustwouldn’t,wouldyou?Evenifitwasraining,whichweknowitwasn’t–notbythen.
ALANCANNING
(shrugs)
It’snobigdeal.Maybehewasn’twatchingTV.Maybehewasabouttogooutandworkonthemotorbike.
CutagaintoRECONSTRUCTION.Camera‘rewinds’tothepointwhere‘Maura’appearsontheterraceandstartsagain.Thistime‘Luke’isstandinginthedrawing-roominhisblackdenimjacketwhenheseesher.Therestofthesequenceplaysasbefore.
CUTTO:Team.
LAILAFURNESS
Thoughhedidn’thavetheworkshopkeysonhimwhenhedied,didhe?Wetalkedaboutthatalready.
ALANCANNING
(unperturbed)
PerhapsMauraturnedupattheverymomenthewaslookingforthem.
HUGOFRASER
I’mnotconvinced.Ithinktheknownfactsfitanotherscenariomuchbetter:i.e.,thatsomeoneelseturnedupthatnight,unexpectedlyorotherwise,andLukedecidedtotalktothemoutsidethehouse.Hencethejacket.
Ifyouaskme,Mauradidn’thaveanythingtodowithit.
(apause)
ThoughIdoacceptthatwhatMitchtoldusraisessomesignificantquestions,mostnotablythefactthatit’spossibleshegothomeearlyenougheithertocommitthemurderherself,asAlan’ssuggesting,ortoknowrathermoreaboutitthanshe’severadmitted.
Thetroubleis,that’saquestiononlyshecananswer.
There’sasuddennoiseandthecamerapansroundtoseethedoorstotheadjoiningroomswingingopen.EveryoneturnstoseeMaurastandingthere,ahandoneachdoor.
MAURAHOWARD
Youwanttoknowwhathappened?
Fine.
Justaskme.
I’lltellyouwhatfuckinghappened.
SlowFADEOUT
CUTTO:NickVincent,plainblackbackground,close-upanddirecttocamera.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Bythispointintheseries,you’veheardalotabouttherathercontroversialwaywe’vegoneaboutmakingit.We’vebeenaccusedofunderhandedness,exploitation,evenfraud.
ButImakenoapologyforanyofit.
Why?
Becauseinafewshortmonthswe’vemanagedtocrackacasethathaddefeatedtheMetropolitanPolicefortwodecades.
That’sright,afteralltheseyears,wefinallyknowthetruth.WeknowwhokilledLukeRyder.
Holdontoyourhats–Icanpromiseyou,thisisgoingtobeonehellofaride.
FADEOUT
CUTTO:DORNEYPLACE.MauraisstillattheinterconnectingdoorsandGuyisnowstandingafewfeetaway.Theteamareintheforegroundroundthetable,allturnedtowardsMaura.
GUYHOWARD
(takingasteptowardshissister)
Maurie–youdon’thavetodothis—
MAURAHOWARD
Oh,youthink?Iheardeverybloodywordtheysaid.Andthatbastard—
(pointingatAlan,herhandshaking)
—justaccusedmeofmurder.
GUYHOWARD
(movingcloser)
Hedidn’t–notreally.They’rejusttryingtoeliminatepossibilities.Noonereallybelievesyoudidanything.
MAURAHOWARD
Really?Well,that’snothowIheardit.
ShepushespasthimintotheroomandcomestoastopinfrontofAlan.
Youwanttoknowwhathappened?Thenaskmetomyfuckingface,whydon’tyou
Shedragsoutachairwithdeliberatevehemenceandslamsitdownafewfeetfromhim,thensitsback,openlyhostile
ALANCANNING
(calmly)
OKifthat’sthewayyouwantit,let’shearit.Tellusyourversionofwhathappenedthatnight.
MAURAHOWARD
It’snotaversion—
ALANCANNING
(shrugs)
Version,account,‘yourtruth’,whatever.Noneedtogethunguponsemantics.
Let’sstartwiththefilm.YourmothertookyouandAmelietotheGateinNottingHillandboughtyouyourtickets.ItwasIntolerableCruelty,right?
MAURAHOWARD
(mutteringunderherbreath)
Howfuckingaptwasthat.
ALANCANNING
(evidentlyintriguedbutnotallowinghimselftogetside-tracked)
Theprogrammebeganateightandwasduetofinisharound10.15,soallowingforthetimetowalkbackyouandAmelieshouldhavebeenhomeby10.30.
(waitsforhertoreplybutshedoesn’tbother)
Thoughevidentlyyouhadotherideas.Youleftthecinemaalmostimmediately,andwerepickedupbyMitch.
AlangesturesatMitchand,almostdespiteherself,Mauralooksacrossathim.Thetwolockeyesjustforamoment;there’sbeenalotofwaterunderthebridgesincetheywerelastinthesameroom.Mauralooksawayagain.Herlipistremblingslightly.Mitchhashisbacktothecamera,butweseeLailagivehimananxiousglance.
MAURAHOWARD
Right.
ALANCANNING
Youspentthenexttwohoursathisplace,afterwhichhedroppedyoubackonLarbertRoadatjustbeforeten.You’darrangedtomeetAmelietheresoyoucouldwalkbacktogether?
Mauranods;she’sstillnotmakingeyecontact.
ButAmeliewasn’ttherewhenMitchdroppedyouoff,wasshe?
Maurahesitatesforatinymomentthenshakesherhead.
Whendidshegetthere?
MAURAHOWARD
Aboutfiveminuteslater.Shewaspissedoffwithme.She’dwantedtogotohermate’sratherthanthefilmbutIneededhertobetheretocoverforme.
ALANCANNING
WhattimedidthetwoofyougetbacktoDorneyPlace?
MAURAHOWARD
About10.30.Youknowthat.
ALANCANNING
Butyoudidn’tcall999till10.47.Whythedelay?
MAURAHOWARD
(rollinghereyes)
Howmanymoretimes?WewenttothekitchentogetaCokeandsomethingtoeat.TherewasnosignofLuke—
ALANCANNING
Don’tyoumeanBeatriz?Surelyyouwereexpectinghertobebabysitting,notLuke?
MAURAHOWARD
(flushingslightly)
Ofcourse–whatImeantwastherewasnoonearound.
ALANCANNING
Didn’tthatworryyou?Imean,Beatrizwassupposedtobethere,wasn’tshe?Yourmotherwouldn’thaveleftyourbrotheralone.
MAURAHOWARD
(staringathimforthefirsttime)
WhenBeatrizbabysatsheusuallyspentthewholetimeironing.IsupposeIassumedthat’swhereshewas.
ALANCANNING
Shedidn’tironinthekitchen?
MAURAHOWARD
(sarcastically)
Wehavealaundryroom.Theclue’sinthename,genius.
ALANCANNING
(refusingtobepatronized)
OK.Sowhataboutthedoorstotheterrace–weretheyopenorshut?
MAURAHOWARD
Look,youknowallthis—
ALANCANNING
(withadrysmile)
Humourme.
MAURAHOWARD
Theywereclosed,OK?
ALANCANNING
Andwhathappenednext?
MAURAHOWARD
MeandAmelietalkedforabit,hadourCoke,thenshewentupstairsandIheadedouttomyroom.
(apause)
That’swhenIfoundhim.
Andno,Iamnotgoingtogothroughallthatagain.
ALANCANNING
Sotorecap:youdidn’tgostraighthomeafterMitchdroppedyouoff,youwaitedforyoursister.
MAURAHOWARD
Right.
Hemovesintoquick-firequestioningnow.
ALANCANNING
Youdidn’tseeanyoneleavingthehousewhenyougothome.
MAURAHOWARD
No.
ALANCANNING
Youdidn’targuewithLuke,becauseheaccusedyouofbeingwithMitch,ratherthanatthecinema.
MAURAHOWARD
No.
ALANCANNING
Itwasn’tyourhaircaughtinhisjacketzip.
MAURAHOWARD
(hereyeswidening)
No—
ALANCANNING
Washeabusingyou?
Shegaspsalittle;there’saheartbeat’spausebeforesheanswers.
MAURAHOWARD
No.
ALANCANNING
WhataboutAmelie?Shewasyounger–moreeasilymanipulated.Wasshetheonehetargeted?Wasthatwhyyoubothhatedhimsomuch?
MAURAHOWARD
(acidly)
Look,wejustdidn’tlikehim,OK?Endof.Noteverythingissoddingchildabuse,youknow.Notthatyou’dknowitfromalltheTVcrimeshit.
ALANCANNING
Whatdidyouweartothecinema?
MAURAHOWARD
(slightlystrugglingtokeepupwithallhischangesofdirection)
Thesameasattheparty–jeans,aT-shirt,trainers—
ALANCANNING
Andajacket,surely?Imean,itwascold,it’drainedearlierinthedayandwasforecasttodosoagain—
MAURAHOWARD
Right,sorry,IhadthathoodiethingMumgotmeaswell.
ALANCANNING
Justthat?Ican’tseethatbeingmuchuseinadownpour.
MAURAHOWARD
(smilingdespiteherself)
Yeah,that’sexactlywhatMumsaid.ButIdidn’thaveacoatIliked.JustmyschoolthingwhichIwouldn’thavebeenseendeadinonaFridaynight.
ALANCANNING
Andthathoodiewasthesameonethepolicecollectedlaterthatnight?Alongwiththerestofyourclothes?
MAURAHOWARD
Right.
ALANCANNING
Allofwhichtestednegativeforblood.
MAURAHOWARD
(frowningagain)
Yeah,so?Whywouldn’tthey?
ALANCANNING
Youfoundthebody–itwouldn’tbesoveryoddfortheretobeatleastsomebloodonyou.Especiallythehoodie.
MAURAHOWARD
(shakingherhead)
Inevergotthatclose–Itoldyou–Iran,assoonasIsawwhatitwas—
ALANCANNING
Soyoudidn’tswapthehoodieforanotherone?Acleanone?
MAURAHOWARD
WhatwouldIdothatfor?
ALANCANNING
Maybeitdidhavebloodonit.Toomuchbloodtobeexplainedbyyoumerelyfindingthebody.
MAURAHOWARD
Incaseyou’veforgotten,InspectorsoddingCanning,yourlotsearchedthewholebloodyhouse.
Imean,Iknowthey’reallfuckingincompetent,buteventhatbunchofKeystoneCopswouldprobablyhavemanagedtofindahoodiewithabucketloadofbloodalloverit.
ALANCANNING
Notifyou’dstuckitinthewashingmachinebeforeyoucalledthem—
MAURAHOWARD
(sarcastic)
Ohyeah?AndhowexactlywasIsupposedtodothat,Einstein?Thebloodymachinewasalreadyon—
Shestops–suddenlyandhorriblyawareofwhatshe’sjustsaid.Hercheeksburnredandsheturnsaway.
ALANCANNING
Sosomebodyelsehadputthewashingmachineon.Beforeyougothome.
Who?
MAURAHOWARD
(notmeetinghisgaze)
Don’taskme—
ALANCANNING
Iamaskingyou.
MAURAHOWARD
HowamIsupposedtofuckingknow?Mum,Isuppose—
ALANCANNING
Butdidn’tyoutellus,rightatthestartofallthis,thatyourmotherneverdidthelaundry–thatshehateddoingit?Isn’tthatwhyshehiredBeatrizinthefirstplace?
MAURAHOWARD
(shrugging)
Soitmust’vebeenBeatrizwhoputonthemachine–what’sthebigdeal,forfuck’ssake—
Shestopsandbitesherlip.
ALANCANNING
(quietly)
It’sabigdealbecauseBeatrizwasn’ttherethatevening.She’dleftthehouseby2p.m.Thereisn’tawashingmachineontheplanetthathasacyclelastingeighthours
(There’sasilence.)
ItwasAmelie,wasn’tit?
Itisn’taquestion.Shedoesn’treply.
DoyouknowwhatIthinkhappened?
Sheturnsaway;sheseemsonthevergeoftears.
Idon’tthinkyouwalkedhomewithAmelieafterMitchdroppedyouoffatall.Ithinkyoustoodaroundwaitingforherforquiteawhilebeforeyourealizedshemusthaveleftthefilmearly,justlikeyoudid.Soyouheadedhome,assumingshe’dalreadybethere,andyouwereright,shewas.
Butnothingcouldhavepreparedyouforwhatyoufound.
CUTTO:RECONSTRUCTION.Aspreviouslyshown,‘Maura’getsoutoftheFord,butthistimeshewaitsthereonthestreet,checkingherwatch.ShehangsaroundforawhilethenstartstowardsDorneyPlace,whereshetapsintheentrycodeatthegateandgoesdownthedrive
Sheletsherselfintothehousebutthere’snoonearound.Lookingslightlyconfusedshegoesintothekitchen.Shecanhearanoise,andwhensheopensthedoortotheutilityroom,sheseesthatthewashingmachineison.Shelooksperplexed,butthensomethingmakesherturnround:it’sAmelie,bloodonherface,aswhiteasasheet.Somethingterriblehashappened.
ALANCANNING
Shewasdesperate–panicking–halfoutofhermind.Shesaysshedidn’trealizeitwouldbeLukebabysittingorshe’dneverhavecomehomeearly.Shesaystheyhadagodawfulrow–maybeshe’dthreatenedtotellhermotherwhathe’dbeendoingtoher,whoknows.
HecontinuestospeakoverRECONSTRUCTION.
Whateverthetrigger,therewasastruggleandatsomepointherhairgotcaughtinthezipofhisjacket.
Shemanagedtogetawayandtriedtoescapeacrossthegarden.Buthefollowedher,ranherdownatthesteps,theystruggledagain,maybeshepushedhim,maybeheslipped—
CUTBACKTO:DorneyPlace.Maurahasherhandtohermouth,sobbingnoiselessly.Guystepsforwardandputshishandonhershoulder.
ALANCANNING
Shedoesn’tknowwhattodo.Shebegsyoutohelpher,andyousayyouwill.
She’syoursisterandyouloveher,andyouagreetohelphercoveritup—
MAURAHOWARD
(shakingherhead)
No–itwasn’tlikethat—
LAILAFURNESS
(gently)
Whatwasitlikethen,Maura?
MAURAHOWARD
(hervoicebreaking)
Sheneveraskedmetohelpher.Shedidn’tevenknowIwasthere—
BILLSERAFINI
Holdon–whatdidyoujustsay?
MAURAHOWARD
(takingadeepbreath;Guytightenshisgriponhershoulder)
WhenIgotback,Iwentintothekitchenandsawherintheutilityroom–shelookedlikeshewasrinsingsomething.Icouldn’tseewhatitwas,butitlookedliketherewasbloodonit.Thensheopenedthemachineandputwhateveritwasinsideandturnediton.ItwasabitweirdbecauseIknewtherewerealreadycleanclothesintherefromearlierandshedidn’tbothertakingthemout,justputitonagain.
BILLSERAFINI
Youdidn’taskheraboutit?
MAURAHOWARD
(shakingherhead)
No.Ididn’twanttoembarrassher.Look,Ithoughtshemusthavehadanaccidentwithherperiod.She’donlyjuststartedbackthenandIjustassumeditwasthat.
BILLSERAFINI
Soyoujustbackedoff?Didn’tletonyouwerethere?
Maurahesitatesthennods.
Thenwhathappened?
MAURAHOWARD
Iwentstraightouttowardsmyroom—
Shefalters,andputsherhandtohermouthagain.
BILLSERAFINI
Atwhichpointyourealizedwherethebloodhadreallycomefrom.
Sheglancesupathim,thennodsagain.
Andyoudecidethatyou’regoingtoprotecther.You’renotgoingtoletyour13-year-oldsisterspendtherestofherlifeinjail.Whateverittakes.
MaurareachesupblindlyandgraspsGuy’shand.
Sothenwhat?
MAURAHOWARD
Iwentbackinsideandshewasthere,inthekitchen–shelookedawfulbutshedidn’tsayanything.ItoldherLukewasdeadandshetriedtolooksurprisedbutIknewshewasn’t.Notreally.
ItoldherIwasgoingtocallthepoliceandthatwhentheygotthereweshouldsaywe’dbeenatthecinemaallnightandhadonlyjustgotback.Thatotherwisepeoplemightthinkwehadsomethingtodowithit.
LAILAFURNESS
Andwhatdidshesaytothat?
MAURAHOWARD
Shedidn’treallysayanything.JustthatshewasgoingtogoupandcheckonGuy.
Shelooksup;therearetearsrunningdownherface.
That’swhenIknew.
Iknewshe’ddoneit.
FREEZEFRAMEandslowfade.
–endcredits–
VoicemailsleftforAmelieHowardbyMauraHowardbetween5.40and11.05p.m.,14thJuly2023
EpisodeEightFilming
TITLESEQUENCE:arthouse-styleb/wmontageofimagesandshortclips:crimescene,contemporarynewscoverage,familyphotos
THEMESONG–‘It’sAlright,Ma(I’mOnlyBleeding)’[BobDylan]fromthesoundtrackto‘EasyRider’[1969]
TITLEOVER
INFAMOUS
FADEIN
WHOKILLEDLUKERYDER?
FADEOUT
Cutto:NickVincent,blackbackground,directtocamera.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Weendedthelastepisodewithatrulyastonishingmomentoftelevision.
Atwenty-year-oldcase,solved,liveoncamera.
Amurderernoonehadeverevensuspected
Forafilm-maker,itwaslikeTheJinxalloveragain.Rememberthat?RobertDurst,aserialkillerwho’dmanagedtoevadejusticefordecades,finallyagreeingtospeakontherecord?
Andifthatwasn’tcoupenough,thatincrediblelastscene,whenheretreatedtothebathroom,thinkinghewashomeanddry.
Onlytherewasonethinghe’dforgotten:hismicwasstillon.
‘WhatthehelldidIdo?’hesaysquietly,staringintothemirror.
‘Killedthemall,ofcourse.’
Boom.
Noonethoughtthatwouldeverbebettered,notinourindustry.
AndintheeightyearssinceTheJinxwasmade,itneverhasbeen.
Never,thatis,untilnow.
ThemakersofTheJinxnaturallypassedwhatthey’ddiscoveredtotheauthorities,andthenightbeforethefinalepisodeaired,RobertDurstwasarrestedforfirst-degreemurder
Anincredibleclimax,butitcametoolatetofeatureintheseries.
Wepassedwhatwe’dfoundouttotheauthoritiestoo,andoverthecourseofthissummertheMetconductedtheirowninvestigation,includingcutting-edgeDNAtestingonthehairfoundonthejacket.
ByOctobertheyhadenoughevidencetomakeanarrest,andwehadenoughtimetopressPauseontheseries.
Whichmeanswe’renowabletoshowyouthis.
HecontinuestotalkoverFOOTAGEofAmelieHowardcomingoutofablockofflats,wearinghandcuffs.She’sfollowedbytwouniformedpoliceofficers;thecameratracksthemastheywalkhertoapolicecar,openthebackdoorandputherinside.Shemakesnoeyecontactwithanyone.
Wethoughtwe’dbrokenthecase–wethoughtthat,thankstous,alinecouldbedrawnunderthiscaseonceandforall.
Onlywewerewrong.Thatwasn’ttheendofit.
Notbyalongway.
CUTTO:MONTAGEofnewscoverageofthearrest.
CUTTO:FOOTAGEofGuy,crowdedbycamerasandmicrophones.He’sunshavenandlookspalebuthe’scalm,andincontrol.
REPORTER#1
What’syourreactiontothisnews,Guy?Itmusthavecomeasquiteashock.
GUYHOWARD
Well,yes,Imean–noneofusexpectedthis.It’stheworstnewswecouldpossiblyhave—
REPORTER#1
Thoughit’sdowntoyou,isn’tit–ifyouhadn’telectedtomakethatdocumentarynoneofthiswouldhavecomeout.Yoursisterwouldhavegotawaywithit—
GUYHOWARD
It’snotaquestionof‘gettingawaywithit’–shewasachild,achildunderintolerableemotionalpressure—
REPORTER#1
Soyoucanconfirm,canyou,thatshewasbeingabusedbythemanyouknewasLukeRyder?Youhaveactualevidenceofthat?
GUYHOWARD
No,but—
REPORTER#1
Thisnewevidencethepolicehave–thosenewDNAteststheyran–itprovedthehaircaughtinthedeadman’sjacketwasfromyoursister,right?
GUYHOWARD
SoI’vebeentold—
REPORTER#2
AndhisrealnamewasJonahMcKenna?ACanadianwhofakedhisowndeathin1991?
GUYHOWARD
Apparentlyso—
REPORTER#2
Whatcanyoutellusabouthim?
GUYHOWARD
Nothing–Idon’tknowanymorethanyoudo.Ithinkthepolicearetryingtotrackdownhisfamily—
REPORTER#3
Whataboutyourfamily?Whatdotheythinkaboutallthis?Dotheyblameyouforyoursisterbeingarrested?
GUYHOWARD
(bridlingslightly)
It’snotmyfault–howwasItoknowwhatwewouldfind?
REPORTER#4
Whataboutyourmother?Maura?Howdotheyfeelaboutthis?
GUYHOWARD
MymotherhasbeendiagnosedwithAlzheimer’s–she’snotreallyinanystateto—
REPORTER#4
Shemusthaveknown,though,surely?Ican’tseetwoteenagegirlskeepingasecretlikethat.
GUYHOWARD
Thereisnosuggestionmymotherknewanything.
REPORTER#4
Maybenotthatnight,butwhataboutlater?Didn’tyoursistersgointotherapy?Didn’tyou?Howcouldanymothernothaveknown?
GUYHOWARD
That’sprivate—
REPORTER#4
It’sinyourseries,mate.Thatmakesitpublicinmybook.Youcan’thaveitbothways—
GUYHOWARD
(startingtobackaway)
Idon’thaveanythingmoretosay.Ifyouhaveanyfurtherquestions,youcandirectthemtomylawyer.InthemeantimeI’dbegratefulifyoucouldgivemeandmyfamilysomeprivacy—
REPORTER#4
—‘atthisdifficulttime’.Yeah,right.
(underhisbreath)
Andmeanwhileyoumilkitforallit’sbloodyworth.
REPORTER#3
(quietlyagreeing)
Ratingsupbytwentypercent.Ataconservativeestimate.
CUTTO:Studio.Therearedarkcloudsoutsideandrainspatteringagainstthewindows.Nickisatthetable,asisTarek.TherearenowtwoTVscreensonthewall.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
So,Ithoughtthatwithsomuchhavinghappenedweshouldallgetroundthetableonelasttime.
AndI’mpleasedtosayGuyisjoiningusbyZoomfromSomerset,wherehe’sbeenstayingwithhismother.
OneoftheTVscreenscomestolife.Guyisinasittingroomwithalargegardenvisiblebeyond.Thetreesarebareandthere’smistclingingtothehollows.Guylooksthinnerthanlasttime,subdued,untidy.Heneedsahaircutandhisclotheshavenotbeenironed.He’sonMute.
LAILAFURNESS
CanIjustsay,Guy,onbehalfofallofus,howsorryweareabouthoweverything’sturnedout.Itmustbeaterribletimeforyouandyourfamily.Ihopeyou’regettingthehelpyouneed.
AndAmelietoo–somuchofwhatwe’velearnedofherhistorymakessensenow.Ifonlysomeonecouldhaveseenthatandintervenedatthetime.It’stragic,Guy,trulytragic.
Guyraisesahandinbriefacknowledgement,buthedoesn’tUnmute.
JJNORTON
(lookingroundattherestoftheteam)
Idon’tknowaboutanyoneelsebutitseemslikeyearssincewestartedallthis.OrmaybeI’vejustagedthatmuchasaresult—
BILLSERAFINI
(dryly,toNick)
Well,youmustbepleasedwithhowit’sgone–you’realloverthepress.I’vehadcallsfrompeopleIhaven’tspokentointhirtyyears.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Wearealloverthepress,Bill.Itwasateameffort.
HUGOFRASER
Itdidn’talwaysfeelthatway,Nick.Nottous.
JJNORTON
ThoughI’mstillstrugglingtoseehowthepolicedidn’tsolvethiscaseatthetime.Itseemssoobviousnow.Didn’ttheynoticethewashingmachinewasonthatnight,forastart?
LAILAFURNESS
(shrugs)
It’sabighouse.IfAmelieputthemachineonashortprogrammeitcouldeasilyhaveendedbythetimethepolicegotroundtolookinginthelaundryroom
JJNORTON
Andinanycase,hindsightisawonderfulthing,blah,blah.Noneofussawitcomingeither,didwe?Andwewentoverthiscasewithafine-toothcombforweeks.It’sabitrichtoblametheMetonthatbasis.
(glancingtowardsGuy)
Let’sfaceit,thosegirlsdidonehellofagoodcover-upjob.
HUGOFRASER
(underhisbreath)
Maybeabittoogood—
JJNORTON
(apparentlynothearinghim)
Well,atleastwe’realloffthehooknow.Allthose‘coincidences’thatNickkeptwantingpeopletobelieveweren’tcoincidencesatall.
Hey,guesswhat,Nick?TheyreallyareaThing.
Nicklaughsbutsaysnothing.
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingtowardsGuyandthenatNick)
How’sMauradoing,doweknow?Thismusthavecomeasanawfulshocktoher.
OntheTVscreen,Guyislookingoffleft.Hedoesn’tappeartohaveheard.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
OK,Ithink.
LAILAFURNESS
AndAmelie?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
AsfarasIknow.Thepolicearen’tsayingmuch.
JJNORTON
(sardonically)
Well,theymustbeabsolutelydelightedwithyou,Nick:solvingtheircaseforthemwithoutitcostingthemapenny,allthelooseendstiedupwithanicebigshinybow—
HUGOFRASER
Thoughthat’snotquitetrue,isit?
Severalpeopleturntowardshimwithquestioninglooks.Onthescreen,Guyglancesupandfrowns.
MITCHELLCLARKE
(frowning)
Whatareyougettingat,Hugo?
HUGOFRASER
(sittingback)
Well,therearestillsomelooseends,aren’tthere?Whataboutthejacket–theblackdenimjacket‘Luke’waswearing?
Abriefsilence.
LAILAFURNESS
(makinganefforttoremember)
Yes,wediddiscussthat,didn’twe–youmean,asin,whydidhehavethejacketonwhenhedied?
HUGOFRASER
Right.AccordingtoNick’slatestreconstruction–whichIassumethepolicemustthinkisaprettyfairapproximationofwhatactuallyhappened–Ameliegothome,found‘Luke’there,thetwoofthemgotintoaviolentrowandshetriedtogetawayacrossthegarden—
BILLSERAFINI
(nodding)
Inwhichcase,whywashewearingajacket?Hewasindoorswhenshegotback.
HUGOFRASER
Precisely.
LAILAFURNESS
Hangon,didn’twetalkaboutexactlythatpointwhenwewerewonderingwhetheritcouldhavebeenMaura?
MITCHELLCLARKE
Wedid,andweconcludedhecouldhavebeenonthepointofgoingovertotheworkshop—
HUGOFRASER
AndIobservedthatafarsimplerexplanationwouldbethathe’deitherjustmet,orwasabouttomeet,someoneelse,whohewasplanningtotalktooutinthegarden.
HismysterycallerfromKing’sCross,forexample.
JJNORTON
(halfinjest,butonlyhalf)
OhChrist,don’tstartallthatupagain–it’lljustgiveNickanotherexcusetostartpointingfingersatallofus—
HUGOFRASER
(cuttingacrosshim)
AndwhataboutAmelie’sinjuries?Asin,thelackthereof?
Ifthestrugglewith‘Luke’wassoviolentherhairgotcaughtinhiszip,howcometherewasn’tamarkonher?Therewasn’tevenascratch.
LAILAFURNESS
(frowning)
Weknowthatforcertain,dowe?
ALANCANNING
There’snothingaboutanyinjuriesinthefile.AndIcan’tseethepolicemissingthat.
JJNORTON
Actually,Hugo’sjustmadeaverygoodpoint.Whatdoyouthink,Nick?Canwefindoutifanyone’severaskedAmelieaboutthat?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(smiling)
Oh,Ithinkwecandoabitbetterthanthat,JJ.
HenodstowardTarek,whotapshiskeyboardandwebegintohearanAUDIOrecording.
Thesoundqualityisn’tverygood–it’sslightlymuffledandittakestheteamafewminutestorecognizethevoices.It’stwowomen–youngwomen.Oneisaskingtheotherhowsheis–ifthey’retreatingherOK.
HUGOFRASER
Holdon–that’sMaura—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(quietly)
AndAmelie.Right.
HUGOFRASER
(turningtohim)
Howthefuckdidyougetholdofthis?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Justlisten,Hugo.Justlisten.
AUDIOcontinues.
MAURAHOWARD
Therewassomethingelse–don’tjumpdownmythroat,OK,butNick–theproducer–hewantedmetoaskyousomething—
AMELIEHOWARD
Thatwanker–ifithadn’tbeenforhimnoneofthiswouldhavehappened.Guywassuchatwat,agreeingtodothatshit—
MAURAHOWARD
Look,Iknow,butNickwasreallybloodyinsistent,soIsaidI’dask,OK?
Youcantellhimtofuckoffifyoulikebuthewantedtoknowwhyyoudidn’thaveanyscratchesoranything.Thatnight,Imean.Ifyou’dhadafightwithLuke.
AMELIEHOWARD
Right.Yeah,tellhimtofuckoff.
MAURAHOWARD
Comeon,Am—
asilence
Thehairinthezipwasdefinitelyyours–theyprovedthat–thelawyertoldme—
AMELIEHOWARD
Yeah,butthatdidn’thappenthen,didit.Look,Itriedthebloodythingon,OK?Thejacket.Acoupleofdaysbefore.IalwayslikeditandItriediton.Thatmusthavebeenwhenithappened.Endof.
MAURAHOWARD
Soyoudidn’thaveafightwithhimthatnight?
AMELIEHOWARD
(loweringhervoice)
Comeon–youknowIdidn’t.
MAURAHOWARD
No,Idon’t–Idon’tknowanything—
AMELIEHOWARD
Ohforfuck’ssake—
MAURAHOWARD
(quietly)
Washeabusingyou?Youcantellme–ifhewas—
AMELIEHOWARD
Ofcoursehewasn’t.
MAURAHOWARD
Butyou’relettingeveryonebelievethat–thepolice,thelawyer—
AMELIEHOWARD
Like,duh?OfcourseIam.It’swhattheyallwanttohear–they’repracticallygaggingforit—
MAURAHOWARD
ButifLukewasn’tabusingyouthenwhy?Whydidyou–youknow—
AMELIEHOWARD
Bludgeonhimtodeath?Beathisfacetillhisbrainexploded?
MAURAHOWARD
Shit,Am–really?
AMELIEHOWARD
Ohcomeon–youknowaswellasIdoIhadnothingtodowithit—
MAURAHOWARD
Idon’tknowthat–Idon’tknowthatatall—
AMELIEHOWARD
You’reshittingme,right?
MAURAHOWARD
OfcourseI’mnot–alltheseyears–Ithought–IthoughtIwasprotectingyou.
AMELIEHOWARD
(barelyaudiblenow)
Youthoughtyouwereprotectingme?
MAURAHOWARD
(whispering,almosthissing)
WhatthefuckelsedidyouthinkIwasdoing?Isawyou–thebloodinthesink,thatthingwiththewashingmachine.AndthenwhenIwentoutandfoundhimIjust–Ijust–assumed—
AMELIEHOWARD
Jesus,Maurie,whythehelldidn’tyousaysomething?
MAURAHOWARD
WhatthefuckwasIsupposedtosay?WhenItoldyouLukewasdeadyoudidn’tlooksurprisedatall,andwhenIsaidwehadtotellthepolicewe’dbeenatthecinemaallnightyoujustbloodyagreed.Youdidn’tevenaskwhy.
Whythefuckwouldyoudothatifitwasn’tyou?
AMELIEHOWARD
Ohfuck.
Fuckfuckfuckfuck—
NicknodstoTarek,whopausestheAUDIO.Nicklooksroundattheteam,mostofwhomareinvariousstagesofshockanddisbelief.
HUGOFRASER
Soeveryonegotitwrong.Thepolice,us–everybody.
Itwasn’tAmelie.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Soitwouldseem.
LAILAFURNESS
(toNick)
Maurarecordedthisforyou?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(nods)
AtHMPHeathside,whereAmelie’sonremand.
JJNORTON
SoMaurathoughtAmelie’ddoneit,andAmeliethoughtMaurahad,butneitherofthemsaidanythingsotheyneverfoundoutthey’dbothgotitwrong.It’slikesomethingoutofbloodyThomasHardy—
ALANCANNING
(turningtohim)
That’snotquitewhattheysaidthough,isit?
You’reright,MauradefinitelythoughtAmeliewasthekiller,butAmeliedidn’tsaythataboutMaura,didshe?
LAILAFURNESS
Areyousure?I’mnotsurethat’showIheardit.
BILLSERAFINI
Actually,IagreewithAlanonthisone—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(lookingconfused)
ButifnotAmelie,thenwho?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(withawrysmile)
ItseemsHugowasrightaboutwhathesaidearlier:therewassomeoneelsetherethatnight.
Helooksaroundthetableandraisesaneyebrow.Thefullimplicationsofwhathe’sjustsaidgraduallysinkin.
LAILAFURNESS
Ohshit,herewegoagain—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Well?
HUGOFRASER
Seriously?Youstillthinkitcouldhavebeenoneofus?Evenaftereverythingwe’vesaidtoproveotherwise?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(shrugs)
Ifthecapfits,Hugo.
Andinanycase,I’mnotsurehowmuchactual‘proof’anyofyouhaveoffered.Ashedloadofoutragedprotestationsofinnocence,yes,butthat’snot‘proof’.Notinmybook.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Ohcomeon–thatwasalljustforeffect,right?Togettheviewingfiguresup?Youneveractuallythoughtitwasoneofus—
BILLSERAFINI
(agreeing)
Itwasallbullshitandheknowsit.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
DoI?Ourviewersdon’tappeartoagreewithyou.AndIknowthatforafactbecauseweactuallyaskedthem.
Afterepisodesixaired,beforeeitherofthegirlswereintheframe,weranapollonTwitteraskingouraudiencewhotheythoughtwasmostlikelytobeinvolvedinthemurder,andthisiswhattheysaid.
Andasyoucansee,prettymuchnoneofyouhavebeenentirelyconvincing.
Thescreenshowsthepollresults.
LAILAFURNESS
Ohwell,Iguessitcouldbeworse—
HUGOFRASER
(mock-disappointed)
ButasforAlan,ohdearohdear—
ALANCANNING
Touseyourownphrase,potorkettle,Hugo?
JJNORTON
(staringatthescreenthenturningtoNick)
Thesearepercentages,right?Inwhichcaseyou’remissingsomeone–thisonlygetsustoseventy-one.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Wellspotted.Alwayssousefultohaveascientistintheroom.
You’reright.Wearemissingsomeone.
Thescreenupdatestothefulllist.
HUGOFRASER
Ah,theelusiveMrWilson.Isupposethatwasonlytobeexpected.
JJNORTON
ThoughI’mnotsurewhereitgetsus,givenhe’sstilldoingaverypassableimpersonationofthebloodyScarletPimpernel—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Notsofastthere,JJ.Turnsoutourviewersaren’ttheonlypeoplewho’vebeenintouchsincethelasttimewewereallroundthistable.
Theystareathim.
LAILAFURNESS
(lookingfromNicktoTarek)
YoufoundWilson?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
MuchasI’dlovetotakethecredit,hefoundus
He’sbeenwatchingtheseries–withimmenseinterest,mayIsay—
ALANCANNING
(underhisbreath)
Ibethehas.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Andgivenwhathesaw,hefelthonour-boundtocomeforward.
HUGOFRASER
(sardonically)
Ohreally?Afterallthistimehesuddenlygetsabadcaseoflate-onsetmoralresponsibility?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Bearwith,Hugo,bearwith—
LAILAFURNESS
(impatiently)
Forheaven’ssake,whatdidhesay?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Let’stakealook,shallwe?
ScreenchangestoINTERVIEWwithIanWilson.He’ssittingatamarble-toppedtableinabeachsidebar.Therearepalmtrees,low-risehouseswithagabledDutchfeel,andinthedistanceshimmeringorangedunes.He’stanned,inacreamlinenshirt,withsunglassesproppedonhishead,anegronionthetableandacigarettesmokinginanashtray.Hisblondhairisthinningandhe’sgotevenheavier,buttheconfidenceandself-assuranceremain.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Whereisthat?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(glancingacross)
Swakopmund.OnthecoastofNamibia.That’swherehe’sbeenliving.I’dneverbeenbeforebutIcanseewhyhechoseit–greatclimate,nicepeople—
HUGOFRASER
(caustically)
I’msure.AndtheabsenceofanextraditiontreatywiththeUKnodoubtonlyaddedtotheattraction.
CUTTO:INTERVIEW,shownonthescreenintheroom,soweseethereactionoftheteamthroughout.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
So,Ian,whyareyoubreakingyoursilencenow,afteralltheseyears?Youmusthaveknownthepolicehavebeenwantingtotalktoyoufornigh-ontwodecades.
IANWILSON
Ofcourse–but‘ontheadviceofmylawyersIdeclinedtocomply’.AstheysayinAmericancopshows.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Untilnow.
IANWILSON
Right.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Sowhatchangedyourmind?
IANWILSON
I’vebeenwatchingyourseries,justlikeeveryoneelse.Seeingallyourlittletheoriesabouthowitwentdown.Andthenwhenyouannouncedtherewasgoingtobesomesortofshit-hotbigrevealandthefinalewasdelayedIputoutsomefeelersandfoundouttheMetwereonthepointofarrestingthatgirl.Amelie.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Andyouthinkthey’vegotthewrongperson,isthatit?
IANWILSON
Ibloodyknowtheyhave.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
OKthen,let’shearit–whatreallyhappenedthatnight?
IANWILSON
(pickinguphisdrink)
Youwererightaboutonething.Iwasthere.IdidcallRyderfromKing’sCrossthatday.
Thereareafewgaspsroundthetable;Hugomutters‘Ibloodyknewit’.Nicksurveysthemwithasmugsmile,clearlyenjoyingtheirreaction.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Youarrangedtogoroundthere?Totalktohim?
IANWILSON
Right.Iwantedtodiscussthewill.Florence’swill.Ryderwasgoingtogetthewholeshit-show,andIdidn’tthinkthatwasfair.Mumwasgettingon,forastart.Shewasn’twell,couldn’tgetaboutlikesheusedto.Thatmoneywouldhavemadeamassivedifference.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Butyouweren’texactlyclosetoFlorence,wereyou?Norwasyourmother.
IANWILSON
No,butmydadwasclosetoherhusband–heandVictorRyderweremassivemates,backintheday.AndIknowVicwoulddeffohavewantedustogetsomething,atleast.HeneverevenmetbloodyLuke.
(knocksbackaswigofhisdrink)
Ofcourse,Ididn’tknowthenthat‘Luke’wasn’tevenLukeatall,sohadfuckallclaimtoanyofit,theself-righteousbastard.
(makesaface)
ProbablyjustaswellIdidn’tknow,allthingsconsidered.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
SoyouwenttoDorneyPlacetotalkaboutthewill.
Butbeforewegoanyfurther,sinceIknowpeoplearegoingtoask,you’readmitting,areyou,thatyouralibiwasafabrication?
IANWILSON
(leaningforwardforhiscigarette)
Ofcourseitwas.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Yougot‘Christine’tolieforyou?
IANWILSON
(smilingratherunpleasantly)
Actually,sheoffered.Ineededafavourandshewasonlytoohappytohelp.We’dbeenfriendsforyears.AstheMetwouldhavediscoveredifthey’dactuallybotheredlooking.
(blowingsmokeinNick’sdirection)
Infact,shewastheonewhotippedmeoffaboutallthisinthefirstplace.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Shewastakingquitearisk,givingyouthatalibi.Shecouldhavebeenprosecuted.
IANWILSON
(givesashortdrysnort)
Don’tmakemefuckinglaugh–backthentheMetcouldn’tfindtheirarseswithbothhandsandamap.Sheranringsroundthosestupidtossers.
Andinanycase,lateron,afterMumdied,Imadeit‘worthherwhile’.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(noddingslowly)
IdidwonderhowshemanagedtoaffordthatB&B…
Wilsonraisesaneyebrowandtakesanotherdragbutsaysnothing.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
So,let’sgetbacktowhatactuallyhappenedthatnight.
Youarrangetogoroundthere.Buthedidn’tletyouin,didhe?
IANWILSON
(pickinguphiscigaretteandtakingalongdrag)
Hesaidhewantedtotalkinthegarden.Itwasjustafuckingpowerplay,ofcourse.Treatingmelikesomehairy-arsedprole.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Whathappenedthen?
IANWILSON
Itriedtomakehimseereason.Obviously.
(pause)
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
And?
IANWILSON
Evidentlyhewasn’t‘inthemood’fordiscussion.
(heleansforwardandflicksashintothedish)
Thingsgotalittleheated.Therewassomeratherundignifiedpushingandshovingand,well,hesortofslipped.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Slipped?
IANWILSON
(inhalingagain)
Right.Onthosesteps.Bloodydeathtraptheywere,ifyouaskme.Frankly,Iwassurprisednoonehadbrokentheirnecklongbefore.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Youdidn’tpushhim,byanychance?
IANWILSON
No,Ididn’t.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Notevenatinylittlenudge?
IANWILSON
Nope.SorrytospoilyourbigTVclimax,mate,buthemanageditallonhislittlelonesome.
OK,yes,hemighthavebeenslightlyoffbalance,butthat’sbecausehewaspushingme.That’shisfault,notmine.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Butweknowfromthepostmortemthattheblowhesustainedtothebackofhisheadwasprettyserious–certainlyenoughtoknockhimout.Youdidn’ttrytohelphim?
IANWILSON
I’mnotabloodymedic—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Butyoucouldhavecalled999—
IANWILSON
(takesanotherdrag,clearlybuyingtime)
IsupposeIcould.ButbythattimeIwasmoreintentongettingthehelloutofthere.MainlybecauseIdidn’twanttobedraggedintoalltheattendantshit.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
‘Mainly’?Sothatwasn’ttheonlyreason?
IANWILSON
(hesitates)
Ifyoureallywanttoknow,Isawalightgooninthehouse—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Alight?Where?
IANWILSON
Upstairs–abovetheterrace.Musthavebeenoneofthebedrooms.IthoughtIsawsomeoneatthewindow—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Soyouleggedit?
IANWILSON
(hiseyesnarrowing)
Imademyselfscarce,yes.Trippedoverandnearlybrokemyownbloodyneckintheprocess,butyes,Iremovedmyselffromthepremisesforthwith.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Sofortheavoidanceofdoubt,thelasttimeyousaw‘Luke’hewasunconscious,butbroadlyunharmed.
IANWILSON
(reachingforhisglass)
Right.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Youdidn’tbeathimup–didn’tharmhiminanyway.
IANWILSON
Nope.Nevertouchedthebloke.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Well,weknowsomeonedid.Didyouseewho?
IANWILSON
(slowly)
Notassuch,no.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Whatdoesthatmean?
IANWILSON
Look,Ididn’tseeanythingactuallyhappen–itwasn’ttillthenextdaythatIknewtheblokewasevendead,nevermindwhat’dbeendonetohim.
(hereachestoflickashagain)
Thewholethingwascompletelyscrewedup.Thepolicewouldneverhavebelievedme.They’dhavethoughtI’ddoneitandfranklyIwouldhavetoo,intheirposition–ifsomeonetoldmeamind-fuckedstorylikethat.
Iwasn’tpreparedtotakethatrisk.Notwithamurderchargeatstake.Nobodywouldhave.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Sowhatexactlydidyousee?
IANWILSON
(takinganotherdrag)
Ileggeditlikeyousaid,butwhenIgottothecornerofthehouseIturnedandlookedback,justforasec.
Itwasjuststartingtorain,buttherewaslightstreamingoutfromthehouse.Thedoortotheterracewasopen—
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Ithadn’tbeenbefore?
IANWILSON
(shakinghishead)
Definitelynot.Remember,heneverletmein.Wewentroundthesideofthehouseandthebackdoorwasdefinitelyclosedthen.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Sowhatdidyouseewhenyoulookedback?
IANWILSON
LikeIsaid,itwasacompletefuckingfreak-show.
Therewassomeonethere,standingoverhim–just,like,staringathim.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Youdidn’tseethispersonactuallyhithim?
IANWILSON
No.ButIsawwhattheyhadintheirhand.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Youcouldseewhatitwas,eveninthedark?
IANWILSON
I’djusttrippedoverthefuckingthingnotfiveminutesbefore.OfcourseIknewwhatitwas.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Andyousawwhoitwas?
IANWILSON
Yes,Isawwhoitwas.
(takesanotherdrag)
ButlikeIsaid,noonewouldhavebelievedme.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Because—?
IANWILSON
Becauseitwasafuckingkid
Hecouldn’thavebeenmorethan10.Juststandingtherelikeafuckingzombieorsomething,withthatbloodythinginhishand.
ItwaslikesomethingoutofthefuckingOmen–scaredthelivingcrapoutofmeifyoureallywanttoknow.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Youdidn’tgoback–didn’ttrytotalktohim?
IANWILSON
Areyoufuckingkiddingme?
Igotthehelloutofthere,andIneverlookedback.
FREEZEFRAME.
InthesilencethatfollowsNickreachesdownbesidehischair,andputssomethinginaplasticevidencebagonthetable.It’sachild’scricketbat.Thecameraswingsslowlyroundsothatwecanseethestrickenfacesofeachoftheteam.WecannotseeGuy.
LAILAFURNESS
(herhandtohermouth)
OhmyGod—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Wherethehelldidyoufindthat?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Upstairs.Twodaysago,whenweweresettingupforfilming.Ofcourse,weknewbythenwhatwewerelookingfor.
ALANCANNING
Iassumeyoudon’tneedmetotellyouthatwasanillegalsearch–Ican’tbelieveanyonegaveyoupermission.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
(evenly)
No,theydidn’t.
HUGOFRASER
(gesturingattheevidencebag)
You’vehadittested?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Byaprivatelab,yes.
JJNORTON
And?
NICKVINCENT(Producer)
Someone’sclearlywipeditdown,buttherearestillminutetracesofbloodembeddedinthewood.Clearlywehaven’tyetbeenabletoestablishwhose—
LAILAFURNESS
(quietly)
Amelie–itwasAmeliewhocleanedit.ThebloodMaurasaw,intheutilityroom.Itwasfromthis—
Shemusthaveseenwhathappened—
She’sknownthetruththiswholetime—
Hercheeksareflushed.SomeofthemareglancingtowardsGuy,butthescreenisoff-camera.Wecan’tseehim.
BILLSERAFINI
(shakinghishead)
Nowondersheneededtherapy–Jeez–thatpoorkid—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(frowning)
Sowhatwasinthewashingmachine?
JJNORTON
(turningtohim)
Myguesswouldbehispyjamas–they’dhavebeensoakedinit—
LAILAFURNESS
OhmyGod,shemusthavewashedhim,changedhim,puthimbacktobed—
JJNORTON
(nodding)
AndthenletMaurathinkthatshewasresponsible–thatshewasthekiller.She’sbeenprotectingherlittlebrotherfornigh-ontwentyyears—
MITCHELLCLARKE
Butshecouldn’treallyhavethoughthe’dbelockedup,surely?Hewasonly10yearsold,forChrist’ssake—
HUGOFRASER
(quietly)
SoweretheboyswhokilledJamieBulger.Theyweresenttoprison,andtheywerestillthere,tenyearslater,when‘Luke’waskilled.Itwasalloverthepapers.AndAmeliewas13–easilyoldenoughtohaveknownallaboutthecase.
MITCHELLCLARKE
ButtheBulgerkillerswerepsychopaths–we’retalkingaboutGuy.Whatthefuckcouldleadanormal10-year-oldkidtodosomethinglikethat?
LAILAFURNESS
But10-year-oldsaren’t‘normal’,Mitch–atleastnotinthewayadultsare.
LikeI’vesaidbefore,childrendon’tthinklikeadults–youcan’ttalkaboutmotivewithachildthatage,justimpulse.
Andthat‘impulse’couldhavebeeneverythingfromavisceraldislikeofthemanwhotookhisfather’splace,tobeingangryaboutmissingaTVprogrammeornotgettingtoplaycricket—
JJNORTON
(toLaila)
DoyouthinkGuyevenrememberswhathappened?Hedoesn’tseemto–infact,thewayWilsondescribedithecouldevenhavebeensleepwalking.
LAILAFURNESS
Idon’tthinkhehasanyrecollectionatall–hecan’tdo–hewouldn’tbeinvolvedinthisifhedid—
HUGOFRASER
(intervening)
Butwearetalkingaboutsomeonewithachroniccaseofselectivememory.Whataboutthatbloodyweddingcake?Heclaimshedoesn’trememberdoingthateither—
LAILAFURNESS
No,Idon’tthinkit’sselectivememory–oratleastnotinthewayyoumean.
Rememberbackatthestart,whenhesaidhewastheonlyonepresentwhenhisfathercollapsedanddied?Hewas6yearsold.Imaginetheimpactofsomethingassuddenandviolentasthatonachildthatage—
MITCHELLCLARKE
(nodding)
Andyetheseemstohaveblockeditoutentirely.
LAILAFURNESS
That’spreciselymypoint.Childrenwhoexperienceserioustraumathatyoungcan’tprocessitproperly,sothememoryis,ineffect,jammed.I’veseenitagainandagaininchildrenwho’veexperiencedabuse.Theyretreatintodissociationasasurvivalmechanism.
MITCHELLCLARKE
I’mnotsureIknowwhatyoumeanbydissociation.Whatsortofbehaviourarewetalkingabout?
LAILAFURNESS
Thechildcangointoafuguestate,‘zoneout’—
(shetakesadeepbreath)
Theycanalsoexhibitviolentandapparentlyrandomfitsofanger.Fitstheyalmostneverrememberanythingaboutafterwards.
ThefollowingdialoguecontinuesoverRECONSTRUCTION.AhighcameraangleabovethegardenofDorneyPlace.It’sdark,raining,lightstreamingfromthewide-openbackdoorofthehouse.Thecameragraduallydropstogroundlevel;‘Luke’islyingfaceuponthesteps.‘Guy’isstandingoverhim,acricketbatinhishand.‘Luke’appearstobecomingto,butashestartstomove‘Guy’raisesthebatabovehisheadandletsitfall,heavily,once,twice.Thebodyjerksthenliesstillbuttheblowsstillraindown.Thecameraclosesinslowlyonthefaceofthelittleboy.Bloodisrunningdownhisforehead,hischeeks,hishair.Theclose-upcontinuesuntilallwecanseearethechild’seyes.Theyarecompletelyblank.
MITCHELLCLARKE
Sowhatmightinduceaviolentreactionlikethat?
LAILAFURNESS
Itvaries.Aparticularnoiseorsmellmightbeenoughtoevoketheoriginaltrauma,buttherecanbevisualtriggerstoo—
HUGOFRASER
(nodding)
Likeseeingsomeonecollapseinfrontofthem,exactlythesamewaytheirfatherdid.
LAILAFURNESS
Andthepointisthat,atasubconsciouslevel,Guyassociatedthateventwiththefatherheloved‘goingaway’andnevercomingback.
Thisisalittleboywhowasexperiencingprofoundgriefoverthelossofhisfather.Andnotonlyhadnooneapparentlynoticedthatfact,butthetraumahe’dexperiencedatthetimeofthatdeathhadpreventedhisgrieffrombeingexpressedinanyremotelyhealthyway.
Hewasangryandbereftandconfused.Nothinginhisworldmadesensetohimanymore.TheonlythingthatdidmakesensewasthatitwasallfineuntilLukecamealong;inhisyoungmind,itwasallLuke’sfault
Andthatnight,deepinadissociativestate,hedidsomethingaboutit.HemadeLuke‘goaway’too.
Cutbackto:STUDIO.
Lailasitsbackandshakesherhead;shelooksdeeplytroubled.
LAILAFURNESS
Iblamemyself–Ishouldhaveputallthistogetherlongbefore.Allthesignswerethere–allthosephotosofhimlookinglostandunhappy,thedisruptivebehaviour,the‘daydreaming’,eventhedamncake—
Shetakesadeepbreathandturnstowardsthescreen.
Guy–trustme,youneedtodealwiththis.Properly,thistime.Youneedtotalktosomeone—
Shestops.
Thecameraswingsslowlyroundpasttheteamsothatwecanseethescreen;there’snoonethere.
ThechairGuywassittingonisempty.
CUTTO:FOOTAGEfromEp1.GuyinthesittingroomofDorneyPlace,wearingacrispwhiteshirtandjeans,theexpensiveBreitlingwatchhismothergavehim,thesilverwristchain.Helookshappyandrelaxed,onthebrinkofalife-changingopportunity.
NICKVINCENT(Producer)–off
Sonowits2023andit’sbeennearlytwentyyearssinceallthishappened.Whyareyourevisitingitnow?
GUYHOWARD
BecauseIwanttoknowthetruth.Becausethat’swhatIdo,asafilm-maker.Andbecausemyfamilyhaslivedwiththisthinghangingoverourheadsforalmosttwodecadesanduntilsomeonefindsoutwhodiditandputshimawaynoneofuswilleverhaveanypeace.
Iwanttofindthetruth.
Whateverthattruthturnsouttobe.
FADEOUT
–endcredits-EpisodesSevenandEightBroadcast
November7
Date:Sun26/11/2023,9.18Importance:High
From:BillSerafini
To:DavidShulman
Subject:Update
David,
ThanksforyourtimeMonday.Asagreed,nowweknowourcon’srealnamewasJonahMcKennaI’llstepupmyeffortsonthedormantoffshoreandSwissbankaccounts,andengageaspecialtyconsultancywithexpertiseinthatarea.
Myimmediateprioritywillbetofindthesister,sinceRebeccaMcKennaisalmostcertainlyherbrother’snextofkin,andwithouther,ourabilitytoengagemeaningfullywithanyfinancialinstitutionstillholdingassetsinJonahMcKenna’snamewillbeseverelylimited
Thatsaid,MsMcKennacontinuestoproveelusive–notleastbecausewecan’tbesureifsheisstillgoingbythatname.TarekOsmantellsmehisteamhavemadenodiscernibleprogresswiththeinternationalmedicalandnursingorganizations,andI’mafraidlawenforcementisunlikelytobemuchhelpeither:eveniftheBritsdecidetopursueaprosecutionagainstGuy(whichpersonallyIdoubt,giventhelapseoftime,hisagewhenthecrimewascommitted,andthementalhealthissueshewasclearlylaboringunderatthetime)IquerywhethertheMetwillthinkit’svalueformoneyspendingtaxpayerdollarsrunningthesisterdown.TheyalreadyhavesufficientcircumstantialevidenceconfirmingMcKenna’sidentity.
Buttherearestillotheroptions:I’mreachingouttomycontactsatInterpolandinthespecialistMissPerssector,toseeiftheymightbeabletoassist.Withthatinmind,I’mintheprocessoforganizingarangeofhigh-qualityage-progressionimages(i.e.withandwithouttheglasses,withheroriginalredhaircolorandwithotherdyesand
Inthemeantime,enjoyJacksonHole.Theweatherforecastoverthenextfewdaysislookinggood,snow-wise.
Bestwishesandhappyholidaystothefamily,
Bill
TheTimes,30November2023
TheFlamboroughGazette,27June2024
Acknowledgments
AftersixAdamFawleybooks,MurderintheFamilyhasbeenafirstformeinlotsofways.Mostobviouslymyfirststandalone,butalsomyfirstbookwithHarperCollins,mynewpublishers.Iabsolutelylovedtheideaofthis,rightfromthestart,andifmyreadersenjoyreadingitevenhalfasmuchasIenjoyedwritingit,I’llbeaveryhappyperson.
Somethingshaveremainedthesame,ofcourse.Mywonderfulagent,AnnaPower,continuestobeanoutstandingsupportineveryway,andIalsooweagreatdealofgratitudetomyteamatJohnson&Alcock,especiallyHélèneButler,AnnaDawson,SaliannStClair,andKroumValtchkov.
My‘proteam’ofadvisershaveonceagainbeeninvaluable,soahugethank-youtoDIAndyThompson,JoeyGiddings,andNicholasSyfretKCandalsotoJulieStokesforherhelponthepsychologicalaspectsofthestory.
Manyofmyfriendscontinuetobemy‘firstreaders’,andthistimeroundsomeofthemhavealsobeenkindenoughtoletmeusetheirphotos,eitherasthe‘faces’ofsomeoftheInfamousteamorelsewhereinthebook:Stuart,Ben,Joey,Fabio,Rachel,andHamish,Idefinitelyoweyouone!Thankyoualso–andalways–toSimon,Sarah,Elizabeth,andStephen.
Ihaveanewpublishingteamthistimeround,andI’dliketothankmyneweditorsintheUKandUS,JuliaWisdomandRachelKahan,SusannaPedenandtheUKPRteam,OliviaFrenchandRoisinO’Sheaformarketing,andespeciallythefabulousproofdesign,mycopyeditorJanetteCurrie,AndyO’NeillandeveryoneatPalimpsestBookProduction,andthebrilliantElizabethBurrellandAngelBelseyfortheirworkonthetext.Andfinally,abigthankyoutothelovelyPhoebeMorgan,whowastheonewhomadethemovetoHarperCollinsareality,andKimberleyYoung,theExecutivePublisher,forwelcomingmetotheHarperfamily.AbouttheAuthor
CARAHUNTERistheauthoroftheSundayTimesbestsellingcrimenovelsfeaturingDIAdamFawleyandhisOxford-basedpoliceteam.HerbookshavesoldoveramillioncopiesintheUKalone,andhavebeentranslatedinto27languagessofar.Herthirdnovel,NoWayOut,wasselectedbytheSundayTimesasoneofthe100bestcrimenovelssince1945.Herfirstnovel,ClosetoHome,soldoverhalfamillioncopies,wasaRichardandJudyBookClubpickandwasshortlistedforCrimeBookoftheYearintheBritishBookAwards2019.Thefifthbook,TheWholeTruth,wasaRichardandJudysummerpickfor2021.TheseriesisnowinscriptdevelopmentforTV,andthescreenrightstoMurderintheFamilyhavebeenacquiredbyNealStreetProductions.
Discovergreatauthors,exclusiveoffers,andmoreathc.comAlsobyCaraHunter
ClosetoHome
IntheDark
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AlltheRage
TheWholeTruth
HopetoDieCopyright
Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiouslyandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,organizations,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
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