Magpie Murders

Kate!

It is Kate Williams, isn't it? It's me, Alan.

- Alan...? - Alan Conway.

Yes. It's been a while...

Oh, of course.

Well, congratulations on your success.

I saw your last book. It's number one.

Yes. For ten weeks.

And of course, I owe it all to you.

Well, not really.

Well, you introduced me to your sister back in the day.

- How are Daisy and John? - Jack. They're fine.

Look, I don't suppose you fancy getting a cup of coffee,

would you? It would be lovely to catch up.

Well, well... thank you!

Yeah, there's a place just around the corner.

I can't believe you didn't recognise me.

Oh, it does seem such a long time since Woodbridge School.

I never really thanked you for what you did for me.

- Oh, it was nothing. - Well, it was everything to me.

I couldn't wait to get out.

Really? I thought you enjoyed teaching there.

Oh, some of the children. Yours.

But all I ever wanted to do was write.

- Well, I love your books. - Hmm.

- Susan always sends them to me. - How is Susan?

Have you not spoken to her?

- We email. - Oh.

I don't see her half as often as I'd like.

- Are there just the two of you? - Yeah.

But she never married?

Oh, I think she's married to her job.

Well, she's very good at it.

- Really? Do you think so? - I think she's brilliant.

Well, maybe you should tell her.

You're absolutely right.

I wish I knew her better,

but she never really talks about herself.

That's just how she is.

Did the two of you grow up around here?

No, we were brought up in Kent.

- Whereabouts? - Near Whitstable.

Ah, that's a nice part of the world.

Should we have another coffee?

OK.

- We can't do this. - What?

I hate arguing with you.

We're not arguing.

Yeah, only because you're not talking to me!

Might as well have been on my own last night.

I got more chat out of a pillow.

I can't think about Crete right now.

Not with all this on my plate.

If you come to Crete, you won't have this on your plate.

I haven't decided, OK?

I'm thinking about it.

Do you really have the money for a hotel?

- Yes. - How?

Oh, your cousin Yannis...

He has vizma.

I don't even know what that means.

It means connections.

How long are you gonna be away?

The funeral's this afternoon, so I'll stay at Katie's tonight.

We can talk tomorrow.

Yes.

Ready?

I've got an email from Phillip Jones.

Publisher's Weekly.

They want to know about Cityworld Media. Word's got out.

- What are you gonna tell them? - I don't know. You tell me.

Uh...

I haven't decided yet.

Oh, it's not like you to be so indecisive.

I know, but it's not exactly been an ordinary week.

True.

So... are you all set for the funeral?

Mm. I was wondering if I should've worn

something a little more cheerful.

Oh, God. I hate to do this, but I... I need an answer.

I know.

I don't want to put pressure on you, but, look, I'll be honest.

I've spent half a lifetime building up this company,

and this sale...

you know, it's not about the money.

It's about knowing that everything I've ever done

is in safe hands.

Your hands.

Otherwise, what's the alternative?

We get swallowed up by one of the big players

just like every other independent publishing company.

And in the end, you know as well as I do, we just disappear.

No pressure.

I'm just trying to be honest with you.

Look, this is about you, Susan.

I need a decision.

Can you give me a few more days?

A few. No more.

Ah! Good morning, Pund.

- Did you have a good sleep? - Ugh! No, no.

I did not sleep well.

Ah, thinking about the case, eh?

Well, a full English will put you back on your feet.

I was thinking about Brent.

Not a pleasant way to pass the night.

No. That's exactly my point.

Something about him just smells a bit off.

Are you all right?

I have a headache.

Maybe I should get you something.

A glass of water perhaps? Sir!

Actually, James, I think I'll just go back to my room.

Just...

S... Someone help me, please!

Someone call a doctor!

I need some help!

- Are you feeling any better? - Mm.

Yes. Thank you.

I'm Dr Kamal.

You know my receptionist, I think. Joy Sanderling?

Oh, yes, indeed.

They were going to call an ambulance,

but the nearest hospital is twelve miles away.

I decided it would be easier to treat you here.

I can have you taken to the hospital now, if you like.

Oh, no, no, no. That'll not be necessary, thank you.

- Numbness? - A little.

Any other symptoms? Headaches?

Well, the truth is, I have a condition

that was explained to me by my doctor in London.

What happened just now was not unexpected.

I understand.

You're talking about a tumour, I would imagine.

I assume it's inoperable?

You see things that others do not.

In the world of medicine, it's you who are the detective.

I'm sorry I cannot help you.

Well, perhaps you can, Dr Kamal.

You were the first person

to examine the body of Mary Blakiston.

You want to talk about that, even now?

- Well, if you do not object. - Not at all.

I admire your fortitude, Mr Pund.

Yes, I examined Mary Blakiston.

It was Brent who called me.

This is a matter for the police, I'm afraid, Brent.

Mrs Blakiston is dead.

That's what I thought. That's what it looked like.

What made you look in the window?

I heard the phone ringing.

It rang three times and she didn't answer it,

but it was her job to take any calls.

I wondered what was wrong.

There was no sign of what you might call foul play?

No.

It was my view that she tripped and fell down the stairs.

I noticed a vacuum cleaner on the first landing.

It occurred to me that if her foot got caught in the flex...

How did you gain access to the house?

Brent let us in through the back door.

He had a key?

Yes. I think he did.

Mm.

One last question, if I may, Dr Kamal.

Would you say that Mary Blakiston

had many enemies in the village?

Well, she was a bit of a nosy parker, to tell the truth.

Always taking an interest in other people's affairs.

But I don't think that would be enough

for anyone to want to kill her.

That would depend, I imagine, on what she had found.

Next patient please, Miss Sanderling.

- Very good, Doctor. - Mr Pund, are you all right?

Oh, I'm feeling much better. Thank you, James.

What did the doctor say?

- He said a great deal. - About your health?

- About the case. - Excuse me, Mr Pund.

- Miss Sanderling. - Before you go...

There's something Robert and I didn't tell you.

It's always unwise to hold back information

- on a case such as this. - I know.

But it was something that happened a long time ago.

We weren't sure if it was relevant.

You're talking, I think, about the younger brother who died.

Sam.

You did not tell me how he died.

I... I couldn't. This is Robert's story.

He has to be the one.

- You have spoken to him? - Yes.

We're closing early because of the funeral.

Robert is coming with me, of course.

Perhaps we could all meet after that?

If you're feeling well enough.

Goodbye.

So, who do you think killed him?

Alan Conway?

I'm still not persuaded that was murder.

No, I'm thinking of Sir Magnus Pye.

Do you really care?

I care about finishing the book.