The Murder in Angel Lane

Remember what I told you?

Get it for free first.

I know, I will ask him, I'll ask him.

Just be polite.

We'll see, we'll see. Just remember what I told you. Get in there.

Excuse me, may I ask you a question?

My niece,

have you seen her?

And you?

I'd remember someone like that. Thank you.

Excuse me, I'm sorry, I'm looking for my niece. She's 16.

A bit fancy, isn't she?

She's got dark hair. (GASPS) Oh!

Get off me! What do you think you're doing?! Get off! Give that back to its rightful owner!

I haven't eaten in three days. Can you let me go?!

Shall I find a constable? No. Are you sure? Yes, please let him go.

Well, it's your lucky day, boy. Off you go.

That's very generous,

but I don't think you should be in a place like this.

I have no choice. Why? I'm looking for my niece.

She's only 16, she knows nothing of this city.

Why would she come here? It's a private family matter.

If I can be of any help to you...

Who are you? My name's Whicher.

I think we should continue this conversation outside.

Is Chief Inspector Williamson about?

He's a busy man. He doesn't generally deal with the public.

He's not the public, son. Mr Whicher.

How are you? Very good. Follow me.

How've you been keeping, sir?

Fighting fit, Sergeant.

And "Sir" no more. So the commissioner decreed.

Some of us beg to differ. Ah.

Come in.

A visitor for you, sir.

And... a letter for signature.

Jack? Dolly. George. Jack.

Well, it's good to see you.

I've been meaning to look you up. What have you been up to?

Oh, this and that. Really? Which this, which that?

I do a lot of walking, gardening.

Good Lord, really? What do you grow?

Anacamptis, calanthe.

Species of turnip? Orchid.

Not missing the job, then? No, no, the job's history to me, George.

So what brings you here? I came across a lady earlier in Angel Lane.

Oh, you wanna be careful of them.

Spencer her name was.

She was looking for her niece, a 16-year-old girl called Mary Drew.

She'd come to town in search of a young lad called Stephen Gann.

The aunt seemed to think she was in some real trouble, only when

she reported it at Leman Street, they didn't seem that interested.

I didn't think that was right. Unless she's been the victim of a serious crime,

it's not a matter for the Detective Branch. I understand,

but you could at least follow it up. I will, I will.

Well, we should... er... catch up over a brandy sometime.

You know where I am.

I'll see you out, Mr Whicher. George. Jack.

The lady's name again, sir? Mary Drew.

I'll make sure the men are told. Ah, good man. Thank you.

Are you expecting anyone?

No.

Mr Whicher? Yes. A note for yer.

Who gave you this? A police sergeant?

All right, don't answer that, son.

Thank you, sir. All right.

Uncle Jack? What's happened?

Oh, probably nothing. At this hour?

I won't be long.

Keep the change.

Thank you, guv'nor.

Thank you.

I believe you have a lady by the name of Susan Spencer staying here.

It's very late. I realise it's late, but it's important I speak to her.

Very well. Come in. Thank you.

I'm very sorry to disturb you at this hour. What is it?

A young woman's been found, in Angel Lane where we met earlier.

She's been a victim of an assault. She gave her name as Mary.

Oh, no. It might not be her.

If you can describe her, tell me what she was wearing, I could go - Where is she?

In the care of a doctor. I must go to her now. Can you take me?

Please - I don't - I must see her!

Yes, of course.

Whoa!

Walk on!

Hello, Jack? This is Inspector Lock.

This is the lady I mentioned, Miss Spencer.

I'm afraid the girl's injuries were

much more serious than we first thought. What injury?

A knife wound. Dr Beattie did his best, but...

She's dead? I'm afraid so.

These were wrapped around her wrist. May I see them?

Are they hers? I don't think so. Let me see her.

This is not Mary.

How do you know? I simply do.

Poor girl, whatever happened to her.

Thank you anyway. I'd like to return to my hotel.

Miss Spencer, please, if you would...

To eliminate all possible doubt.

Miss Spencer?

It is your niece, then?

Oh, my darling girl,

what happened to you?

And your baby?

Would you like to sit down? Come and sit down. All right.

I'd hazard she gave birth a day or two ago.

The baby could still be alive? Yes, but how long it'd survive without its mother's milk...

Who was the father of the child?

His name's Stephen Gann.

He comes from the same village as us. Oakwell.

What does he look like?

He's 19. Tall, dark hair.

We'll do our best to find him.

And, of course, we'll search for the child.

As urgently as you did for Mary?

We'll spare no effort, you have my word.

May I have a moment, Mr Whicher, please? Yes, of course.

I'll be waiting just outside.

You have connections with the police? Yes.

Yet you are not a police officer yourself? I used to be.

Tell me why I should have any faith in them after this?

They're good men. Mary was all I had left in the world.

There's a child. I know, but what could have happened to it?

I will do everything I can to help you.

Thank you, Mr Whicher.

.

.

Yes? I'm making enquiries about a young lady called Mary Drew?

No, I'm sorry. She was recently with child. No.

Yes? Hello, I'm enquiring about a young lady called Mary Drew?

No, can't help you with that. Nobody of that name staying here?

Morning. I wonder if you could help me?

Men aren't allowed on these premises without Rev Marlow's permission.

Can you tell him I'd like a word? He's out.

When will he be back? Sorry, I don't know.

I'm seeking information about a young woman and her child. And you are?

My name's Whicher. Reverend Marlow. Which young woman?

Mary Drew her name is. She was found murdered last night.

Murdered? Oh, how dreadful.

Sister Anne came across her in the street the day before yesterday.

She was in an abject state. I had no hesitation in taking her in.

But then, that same afternoon, she went into labour.

A midwife was called and the child, a little boy, safely delivered.

Then, when we found Mary was missing, we put him into the care of another resident.

She was a common prostitute until I took her in.

But she has a child of her own and milk enough for two.

Oh, thank God.

I was in here. I didn't even know she'd left the building.

Why did she go out? I don't know.

Sister, do you?

She wanted to see someone,

so I let her out. See who?

The father of her child, Stephen.

That was foolish, Sister.

She was desperate. He'd threatened to break off all contact with her,

even flee the country.

When I saw them, this was before she had the baby,

she was following him down the street, pleading with him.

He was drunk, angry, trying to get away from her.

Where was this?

Near the Factor's Inn. She knew he'd been sleeping near there.

He pushed her to the ground and ran.

I went to help her, and I could see at once

the shock had brought her labour on. After she had the child,

she was convinced that if only she could persuade Stephen to see it...

But to allow her out in such a condition, so late at night.

You knew the young man was dangerous.

She kept saying...

She kept saying there was another side to him.

Gentle,

loving.

She believed,

she believed she could save him from his darker self.

I knew it was a risk.

I gave her a rosary for protection.

This one?

Thank you.

Inspector Lock and his team are doing everything they can.

He's a most able detective, and he has asked me

to assure you this murderer will be found.

I was just explaining to Miss Spencer that Inspector Lock and

his officers are doing everything conceivable to find the murderer.

I'm afraid there's no news of the baby yet. The baby's been found.

Oh, thank God! Yeah.

At a refuge for women where Mary'd been taken in. He's well.

A little boy? Yes.

Mr Whicher, you don't know...

I hardly dared hope. Thank you.

Yes, well done, Jack.

It seems that shortly after giving birth,

Mary went out to find Stephen and... er... she never came back.

I knew it. You have to find him.

We intend to. His description's been circulated.

Now, Miss Spencer, may I ask, would Mary have had any valuables on her?

This is not a robbery, Chief Inspector.

We have to look at all possibilities.

The only jewellery she wore was a gold locket that I gave her.

Can you describe it for me? Oval shaped, encrusted with emeralds and pearls. It has her initials on it.

So quite valuable then? I tell you, this is not a robbery.

Well, she wasn't wearing it when she was found.