The Marlow Murder Club

Thank you.

MUSIC BLARES FROM EARPHONES

SHE SIGHS I don't believe it.

OK, Luna, this stops now.

DOOR OPENS

Geoffrey.

Cup of tea?

You're right. You're always right.

I shouldn't have... Don't worry. Did you bring any biscuits?

As it happens, I did.

Chocolate bourbons. The king of biscuits.

Lovely!

I mean, I know I bring them every time, but they really are the best.

Quite right. Couldn't agree with you more.

Afternoon, gents.

So, what's on the agenda?

Bin collections? Pot holes? Or dog mess in Higginson Park?

If we're really lucky, all three.

What a ray of sunshine you are, Terrence.

Oh, chocolate bourbons.

You can't beat the velvety chocolate of a bourbon biscuit.

DOOR OPENS

Ah, Debbie. Perfect timing. Can I make you a coffee, darling?

I can get my own, thank you, darling.

I just need to distribute these agendas... Oh, here, let me help.

Thank you.

There you are.

Marcus said he had a viewing in an hour,

so how about we just crack on?

Thank you. Sadly, that won't be possible.

We can't start the meeting without Sophia. We're not quorate.

Terrence... Can't you just overrule him, chairman?

He's not the chairman. He is. He isn't!

Are you really saying the Mayor of Marlow doesn't chair our meetings?

Authority is only invested in the chair

when the meeting has been convened, and we're not quorate.

FOOTSTEPS

I'm sorry I'm late. Just in time.

Come in, Sophia. Come in.

I was in my studio and completely lost track of the time.

Oh!

Have I missed anything?

Right, then, that's the last of it. Well done, everyone.

We're going to have to get on the road if we're to make

the campsite by nightfall. The great outdoors awaits. Help me!

Sure you don't want to come with us, instead of staying here

with the whole house to yourself? Text me when you get there.

We are going to have so much fun, aren't we, Sam?

And have a total digital detox. These are going in the glove box.

What?! Hurry up and get in. You're getting in the back.

No, I'm not. I'm always in the back!

Just leave each other alone! One of you get in.

We'll swap halfway through. Just get in.

We're not swapping halfway through.

See you in four days. Good luck.

Please wear sunscreen, both of you.

SHE EXHALES JOYFULLY

Item three, Gastronomy - the restaurant run by Ferdy Blake.

It's applying for a temporary late license.

Something to do with a book launch, I think.

Sorry... Sorry to interrupt. You're not interrupting.

We always want to hear from members of the public.

Ah, thanks. It's just that bridge at Temple.

PANTING

It's still all locked up. For safety. But it's been months.

And the kids on the other side, they can't walk to school.

GASPING

Their parents have to drive them the long way round into Marlow.

It's not right. Unfortunately, bridges fall under the purview

of DEFRA, not the town council. There must be something you can do.

Perhaps, Geoffrey, you could have a quiet word with the landowner?

GASPING Geoffrey?

Geoffrey?

HE GASPS FOR BREATH

Geoffrey! Oh, my God!

Geoffrey!

He's dead.

BLUES MUSIC PLAYS

You paid last week. It's only fair that I pay this week.

Judith. Fair? Please. Well, you can do next week.

On my card, please. No, no, my card. I invited you to brunch.

It would be ungallant if I let you pay.

Besides, who knows if there's even going to be a next week?

Indeed. Who knows? MOBILE PHONE BEEPS.

Oh, excuse me. I need to get this.

Suzie?

I'll be there in five.

No, I've got it.

I have to go.

POLICE SIREN

Am I glad to see you. What happened? I don't know. It was fast.

One minute he was sitting there, the next minute, boof,

the man was on the floor. Did he say anything? No.

But he did look at his coffee cup before he went over.

There might have been something in it.

I told the witnesses to wait for you over there. Thank you.

Jason, Alice, initial statements. Guv.

Suzie, are you going to be OK?

You're going to be OK.

I still can't believe it. Is it even possible?

Was he unwell? Had he mentioned anything wrong?

No. It must have been a heart attack.

And you are? Sorry.

Marcus Percival. Marcus Percival Estates.

This is Terrence Clarkson.

He runs a local architect's practice.

I take jobs nationally.

And this is... Debbie Smith.

Accountant and council secretary.

Mm?

Sorry. Sophia Hollingbry. I make a podcast.

A very successful podcast.

Do you know anyone who may have had any grievance towards Mr Truman?

I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you there

because that is quite simply impossible. I'm sorry?

Oh, Terrence is right. Geoffrey was the best of us.

It's how he ended up being Mayor.

Everyone loved Geoffrey.

Did Tanika tell you when the toxicology report was coming in?

No.

Did either of you know him? Geoffrey?

I met him a few times at Church events and Remembrance Sunday.

I only met him for 30 seconds, then he died.

Yes. What were you doing at that meeting?

Oh, you know the bridge at Temple? It's been closed for months.

The landowner refuses to repair it.

MOBILE PHONE BEEPS Excuse me.

Apparently it's not a council matter.

Oh. OK, here we go.

What? It's not Tanika.

Oh!

What? That's your "going for brunch with Darius" face.

Actually, you couldn't be more wrong.

That's not what this is about at all. So, what is it about?

Erm...

I invited him for afternoon tea.

Knew it!

It's just afternoon tea. Sure.

But it starts with brunch, moves on to afternoon tea,

and, before you know it, you'll be inviting him in for a "nightcap".

I think it's wonderful.

Stop it, the pair of you! There's a book

on the Avebury Standing Stones I want to lend him, that's all.

Yeah, standing stones. Sure.

MOBILE PHONE BUZZES

Oh, he's keen. I'll give him that much.

It's Tanika.

Tanika, have you got the toxicology report?

Afternoon, Judith.

And, yes, the labs have run preliminary tests

on the coffee in Mr Truman's cup.

They found traces of a poison called aconite.

He was poisoned! The full report in the morning will tell us more,

but, yeah, it's how it's looking.

Got to go, but thanks for the tip-off, Suzie. It really helped.

So, what's aconite when it's at home?

Oh, it's monkshood, isn't it? Or wolfsbane.

I think it's got another name as well. OK. Impressive.

There's this gardening podcast I always listen to,

Notes From A Marlow Garden, and the host is always talking about

poisonous plants and which ones she grows at home.

She didn't know Geoffrey, by any chance?! Oh.

She was with him when he died.

It's Sophia Hollingbry.

Hang on. She did an entire episode on aconite earlier this year.

The garden is in Little Marlow.

Whoa. Not a bad manor for someone who makes podcasts.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Wow.

Come on.

This way.

This is it, isn't it?

Don't touch a thing. It could be dangerous.

What, everything?

Everything.

GATE OPENS Can I help you?

Hello, Sophia. I'm Becks. I'm a big fan of your podcast.

And these are my friends, Judith, and you've met Suzie.

We're civilian advisers to the police. Oh.

I'm so sorry to have to tell you that Geoffrey was poisoned.

They found traces of aconite in his coffee. No?!

Do you grow aconite? Well, I do, yes, but...

Well, you can't possibly think it came from here?

Lots of gardens have aconite.

It's such a beautiful flower.

It's very popular. It could have come from anywhere.

Ew! Is...

Is that human hair?

I take it from my hairbrush every morning. It keeps the slugs away.

I've found over the years that the old ways are often the best ways.

And so much better for the environment.

Oh, you really do listen.

How did you get on with Geoffrey? I adored him.

He helped me. How?

It was a long time ago.

I was on the Works and Buildings Committee,

which included looking after the graveyards in various parishes.

I, erm...

I messed up.

Could have got into a lot of trouble, but Geoffrey,