The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango

*

Woman: Housekeeping.

*

*

- (chattering) - (phones ringing)

Oh...

Next time, I'm giving you a ticket, Ralph.

You wanted to see me, Captain?

Bailey, take a seat.

Great.

Nice job on the Collymore case.

Ah. Thank you, sir.

Heaven knows what made you sift through 1600 personnel files

to find the only two employees who both studied botany.

I was just being thorough.

Well, that's one word for it.

"Obsessive" might be another.

I'm not obsessive.

The devil is in the details, sir.

You know, you could've asked Sergeant Beaumont

to help you with that.

Oh, he was busy with other aspects of the case.

What other aspects?

Beaumont tells me you barely let him make coffee.

I let him do things.

Bailey, you're a great detective and you get results,

but you've got to learn how to work well with other people.

I do work well with other people.

Not according to Beaumont or Reynolds or Whittaker.

You've been through three partners in three years

and all because you insist on doing everything yourself.

Right, because I just like things done correctly.

Bailey, have you ever wondered

why you haven't had a promotion in five years?

If you want to get ahead, you gotta... loosen the reins,

you gotta learn how to be a little flexible.

I can be flexible.

Well, we'll see.

Have you heard of Mark Aston?

Any relation to Senator Aston?

Yeah, his brother, and he's dead.

Possibly suspicious, yesterday.

Wait. Why are we just hearing about this?

It happened in Malta.

Oh.

Yeah, quite the jet-setters, the Astons,

proper global socialites.

Anyway, the Senator is insisting that we send our best detective.

Really? Interesting.

It's being coordinated through Interpol.

But, uh, I don't know, Bailey,

could you work with someone in Malta?

Sir, I can work with anyone.

Well, they might do things a little different there.

You might have to go with the flow a little bit.

Oh, I can go with the flow. I can totally go with the flow.

Absolutely.

I mean, we don't even know for sure if Aston was murdered.

I mean, he ran some kind of... ballroom dance company,

for heaven's sake.

But if there was foul play, this could be big for you,

career-wise, what with Interpol watching.

I get it.

I get it, and I can-- I can absolutely do this.

Okay, Bailey, I'll take a chance.

But you've got to tread lightly, and remember, collaborate.

I can collaborate with anyone.

Thank you.

*

Thank you, sir.

Detective Constance Bailey?

Yes, Bailey is fine; it's what everyone calls me.

Sergeant Spiteri?

Ana. Interpol asked me to be your liaison.

Okay. Very nice to meet you, Ana.

So, what's the plan?

Well, before you check into the hotel,

I thought I'd share with you some case details

and introduce you to your partner.

Okay, great. Is there any way my--

my jet lag could meet some coffee along the way?

Sure. My car's just over there.

Okay, good.

Man: Careful, love.

Enjoy your stay!

Can you believe that guy?

Sorry. We drive on the left here.

I should have told you to look the other way.

He was still going way too fast, but I think I got the plate.

*

Ah, that's better.

All right, let's walk and talk. Less ears that way.

So, two days ago, Mark Aston, the CEO of Aston International,

is found dead at the Iniala Hotel.

It's a resort overlooking the Grand Harbor.

And his death is suspicious?

Well, he's a wealthy American with no health issues.

He was found lying on the floor of his room.

There was a glass by his hand

with a few indications of possible poisoning.

Do you have a toxicology report?

No, not yet. It may take a few days,

but that may be too late.

What do you mean "too late"?

Aston was about to host his team-building event,

where senior executives get to compete in a dance competition.

A dance competition?

Yes, that is what Aston International does.

They have ballroom dance schools all over the world

and they hold annual dance competitions around the world.

Have you not seen them before? Sometimes they're on TV.

It's really not my thing.

Well, Aston believed

that his executives would understand the business better

if they had the opportunity to compete.

So, him and his wife hold an annual dance competition.

The event is this weekend. Then, everybody flies home.

But if it is murder, our potential suspects could be gone

by the time we get confirmation of foul play.

Yes, which is why we need someone now

to compete and investigate.

Wait. Hang on. Did you say compete?

Interpol said you have done undercover work.

Well, sure, undercover -

a lab technician, an accountant -

normal things, but not ballroom dancer.

Oh, these are not professional dancers.

They're just executives and their partners,

not real dancers.

I've never danced a day in my life.

Look, I really--

I really want to go with the flow,

but I do not see how I credibly enter a dance competition.

Oh, you don't need to worry about that.

We have taken care of everything.

- How? - We found you a dance partner.

He'll also play your husband.

What?

I...

Great.

This is Sebastian.

Oh. He looks kind of familiar.

Oh, you like musicals, then?

I do not.

Wait. Where have I seen him?

Ana: In the magazines maybe?

I think he's what you call "a bad boy".

He has dated many famous women.

No, no, no, that's not it.

But wait, if he's famous won't-- won't he blow my cover?

People might recognize him.

Famous? Oh, no, no, no, not so much.

These posters are old.

He's more of a star in his own mind.

Leslie! Oh, yes.

Love it, Leslie.

Winifred, attitude - love it.

And yes, yes, yes.

Yes. Come on!

Are you sure this guy can help?

Oh, yes. He has already agreed.

Sebastian: Oh, let me in, let me in, let me in.

Woman: Oh!

You two are just too gorgeous. Come on. There we go.

Away!

You've told him about the case?

Oh, well, I had to find you someone who could teach you

to dance and pretend to be your husband,

and was already in Malta.

Sebastian: That's right, smile!

He's perfect.

Here we go!

Okay, everyone.

He can teach you to dance and he will make a good undercover.

I just can't have him interfering with my case.

No, no, no.

I'm sure he will just help with the dancing.

Ann! Up and down!

Up and down! Up and down!

Why does he have to be my husband?

That is your cover. We had to set it up quickly.

Interpol got an inside contact at Aston's head office

through his brother, the Senator.

They made papers for you that you are a new employee

hired directly by Mr. Aston,

and invited here... with your husband.

Mm. Great. Okay.

Okay, everyone, you lovely people,

you look amazing.

- Go with the flow. - Sebastian: Shimmy!

Big finale, Gladys. Come on, Florie!

Ah, ladies. I'll be right with you.

Right.

Okay, everybody, nice work.

Good place to stop, I think.

But remember, I'm supposed to be teaching you,

not the other way around.

Okay.

Ah. Well, well, well...

My wife.