Inspector Morse

Hey! Hey!

Come in here.

You'll never believe this, sir.

We have to visit a brewery.

Trevor Radford. Managing director of Radford & Sons.

One of the brewers

found him at the bottom of a vat.

Just like poor old Clarence.

Sounds like a pretty good way to go.

Chief Inspector?

I'm Dr Halliday.

Your first case, Doctor?

Yes.

They've thrown me in at the deep end.

Like the deceased.

So, he didn't drown?

It's too early to say.

There's a depressed fracture front left of skull with a circular point of impact.

Some heavy blunt instrument, perhaps.

- Time? - That's a difficuIt one.

They say the temperature is 55º. It would have speeded things up.

Approximately.

Well, the body's cold, so it must have been at least eight hours ago.

Probably nearer ten. Assuming he was pushed in immediately after he was hit on the head.

Around ten yesterday evening? What would he have been doing here at that time of night?

I think I can help you there. Norman Weekes, marketing director.

Yes, Mr Weekes.

Trevor had been burning the midnight oil quite a lot lately.

Ever since Farmer's announced their offer.

Farmer's? Of Banbury?

They're trying to take us over.

Trevor was preparing what he called a ''defense document''.

To be circulated to the shareholders.

Well, that would explain why he was on the premises.

It doesn't explain what he was doing in here.

No.

Where's his office?

Some petty thief, probably. Wandered into the yard, found the door open.

Anything missing?

Gail.

- Anything missing? - No. I don't think so.

This is Gail, our secretary.

- She was the last person to see Trevor alive. - Except for the murderer.

Well, yes. Naturally.

You say he was preparing a defense document.

- Where is it? - Tell me where everything is.

Could be in the safe, but I don't have keys.

..and private things in the other drawer.

1841...

The brewery's been in the Radford family all that time?

Nearly 150 years.

No wonder they don't want to sell.

What time did you leave, last night?

Just after six. I offered to stay on, but Mr Radford said he didn't need me.

Excuse me, sir.

Who's Mr John Wheatley?

The company surveyor.

Why would Mr Radford be writing a letter to him, dated 10th June 1986?

I haven't the slightest idea.

He seems to have made a copy.

I suppose that could be in the safe, too.

How many work here?

10 in the brewing area and about 50 in the other departments.

I want every employee interviewed, Lewis.

And get a search organized.

Tell the lads they're looking for a heavy blunt instrument.

Right, sir.

Take this back to the office. Get them to make a transcript.

Now, what do we know about the late Mr Radford? Married?

Mrs Radford, please.

- She's not up yet! - Wake her, will you? It's important.

You'd better come in.

Shut the door behind you.

Mrs Radford!

Yes. I can hear you!

There's a policeman to see you.

You're a policeman?

Yes.

If it's about that parking ticket,

- I paid it yesterday. - It's not about a parking ticket.

Someone's dead.

Yes.

Who is it? Isobel? Charles?

I'm afraid it's your husband.

Oh, my God!

I wonder if you'd make us both some coffee?

Please.

Mrs Radford's just had a very nasty shock.

All right.

I'll take mine black. No sugar.

A car accident.

No. He was murdered.

Murdered?

Last night.

At the brewery.

The brewery...

Look, Mrs Radford, there are a few questions I have to ask,

but...I can come back.

I...

I went to bed early, you see. I...

..took a sleeping pill.

Mrs Radford...

All the time I was asleep, he...

he was...

I never thought to look.

I just assumed he'd come and gone again.

I don't think you ought to be alone.

ls there anyone you'd like me to call?

How was he...?

He was um...

..hit on the head and...

pushed into a vat.

Stephen.

Could you call Stephen?

My brother-in-law.

The number?

It's in the book by the phone, under Radford Futuretech.

Ask him to tell his parents. I'll meet him there in an hour.

Would you like me to drive you?

Who else knew Mr Radford was working late last night?

Oh, everyone.

I mean, we all knew about Farmer's offer.

And about the guv'nor trying to fight it off.

You were all behind him?

Of course.

We produce some of the finest real ale in the country.

So, everyone's against Farmer's bid, right?

Well, everyone at the brewery.

But what about the family?

Oh, well, families...

there's no accounting for them, is there?

Take the brother, for one.

Mr Stephen.

He and Mr Trevor never did see eye to eye.

Always arguing about this and that.

Well, only last week...

Well, we all heard them.

Mr Trevor saying as how he needed more time to pull the brewery round.

And Mr Stephen...

I don't think he thought Mr Trevor could organize a proverbial.

Even in his own brewery.

Alpha Sierra 1, are you receiving?

Morse.

Go ahead, Alpha Sierra 3.

It's Lewis, sir.

Where are you?

I'm driving Mrs Radford to her in-laws'.

There's something you should know.

According to one of the employees, Radford had a big bust-up with his brother last week.

Not now, Lewis. I told you, I'm with Mrs Radford.

Oh... Right, sir.

I'll call you back.

What's he suggesting?

Mrs Trevor, on behalf of the staff, may I say how sorry I am.

- Thank you, Jessop. - They're waiting for you.

Er, there's a policeman outside. Show him where to go, will you?

Stephen wants to sell it. That's what the bust-up was about.

Any sign of the murder weapon? Not yet.

Tell them to keep looking.

I'll meet you at the pub later.

May I have your name, sir?

- Morse. - Rank?

That's important, is it?

I have to announce you, sir.

Chief Inspector.

Please come in.

This way, sir.

Chief Inspector Morse, madam.

Ah. The good Samaritan.

Not entirely. I was coming anyway.

You're in charge of the investigations?

Yes.

Come over here.

I'm Isobel Radford.

This is my husband.

And my son Stephen.

I didn't catch the name.

Morse. - Oh.

You'll have to speak up. He's rather deaf.

And er...what's he doing here?

He's a policeman. He's come to ask some questions.

You're looming, Inspector.

Do sit down. I can't bear people looming at me.

Helen, come and sit next to me.

Chin up, dear.

We must all be very brave.

Well?

Who stands to benefit from your son's death?

Benefit? From his will, you mean?

Not necessarily. I was thinking of the brewery.

Who'll take over as managing director?

Um...what?

What?

The brewery, Mr Radford.

Who'll be the new manager?

- That has yet to be decided by the board. - No, dear. It’ll be Farmer's decision.

- If the deal goes through. - It will.

You're not being much help, Mother.

Mr Morse wants to know who'd have been next in line if Farmer's hadn't intervened.

I've no idea.