Murder, She Wrote

Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

Mr. Li, call the police.

Welcome to the inscrutable Orient, Mrs. Fletcher.

I know that the goods you reported lost in the fire

have been showing up on the black market.

Is there any way to trace the cyanide?

- In Hong Kong? - I want that merger.

I'll not be coerced by your threats,

no matter how you choose to deliver them.

I will accept no more of your insults.

- Your dad will kill me. - Stay away from her.

Oh, it's fascinating.

- What? - Everything.

The color, the energy.

It's so unique, and yet, it's still British.

It reminds me of that wonderful weekend.

- We spent together in London. - Mmm.

I'm sorry I took so long to accept your invitation.

- Every time I made plans, I... - I know.

I was just beginning to worry

that the Chinese communists were going to get here before you.

Confidentially, so was I.

On to more important things.

There is something that you absolutely have to see.

Oh, how exciting.

- Hello. - Mr. Li.

- This is Mrs. Fletcher. - Hi. My pleasure, Mrs. Fletcher.

Your first visit to our city?

Yes, it is, Mr. Li.

I just couldn't let her miss

the finest jade in Hong Kong.

I saw mention in the newspaper

of your lecturing at the university.

I have something that I just acquired

that I know you will appreciate.

It's a necklace in the deepest imperial green.

Jessica, remember, you're in the Orient.

You're expected to bargain.

- Watch me. - Excuse me, ma'am.

There's a phone call from Mr. Dunbar's office.

They say it's important; It's on the car phone.

- Thank you, chin. I'll be right back. - All right.

Right over here, Mrs. Fletcher.

It happens that you're in Hong Kong

at just the right time. I received a...

flawlessly crafted in the finest Burmese jade.

Mr. Li, call the police!

On your demand for two additional board members,

I must categorically refuse.

Refuse...

is about all you seem to do, Mr. Dunbar.

You are a very stubborn man.

House of Dunbar has survived for over a century, Mr. Kaun.

I'm not gonna give it away now.

We're trying to negotiate a merger, not a takeover.

I told you no calls.

It's for you.

- Jessica Fletcher. - Hello.

Brian? Look, I'm sorry. This is an emergency.

I don't know how to tell you this,

but it appears that Emma has been kidnapped.

Please go on.

When?

How did it happen?

Jessica, if you haven't already called the police...

Well, of course we've called them.

I don't know how to say this,

but the fact is,

it could cost Emma her life.

But, Brian, I don't understand.

I'm sorry, Jessica.

You don't know Hong Kong.

Well, they're already here. I don't know what to say.

It's all right, Jessica.

Need I keep reminding you,

it was House of Dunbar that initiated these negotiations.

Hoping they'd be of mutual benefit.

They can be,

but only if you are realistic.

Yes.

Yes.

We have your wife.

If you want her back alive, listen carefully,

and don't interrupt.

I understand.

I'm sorry, I'll have to break this up.

An emergency.

A final word, Mr. Dunbar.

A reminder... time is running out.

The takeover of Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China

is fast approaching.

The political and economic climate in this city

is more dangerous every day.

You need our connection in Beijing

far more than we need the House of Dunbar.

Good day... gentlemen.

Brian Dunbar becomes more difficult every day.

What is it, Brian?

I need $200,000 in small bills, and quickly.

How long have you known Emma Dunbar?

Oh, about eight years.

We met at a UNESCO art festival in Paris.

And do you paint plates, too, Mrs. Fletcher?

Paint plates?

Inspector, Mrs. Dunbar is one of the finest

ceramic artists in the world.

I meant no disrespect, ma'am.

Inspector, I don't think that's true.

How about partially true?

I mean, your attitude.

Is it, like Brian Dunbar,

you'd rather that I hadn't called the police?

Quite the opposite, Mrs. Fletcher.

The trouble is, we hardly ever get called in

on these cases. - These cases?

You mean this sort of thing is commonplace?

Kidnapping members of the privileged class

has become something of a cottage industry in Hong Kong,

and most ritualistic.

You see, as far as certain elements

in this part of the world are concerned, life comes kind of cheap,

and as money doesn't seem to matter very much

to the victims' families or associates...

they keep the police out of it,

they pay the ransom, they get their people back alive and well.

It's a bit of a game both sides agree to play.

The kidnappers usually keep their ransom demands

pretty much within what their victims can afford.

But doesn't that just encourage more kidnapping?

Welcome to the inscrutable Orient, Mrs. Fletcher.

No need to worry, ma'am.

Chances are, even as we speak,

the ransom money's being paid,

and Mrs. Dunbar is safely on her way home.

Mark delivered the ransom

according to instructions, Sir.

Sure, Inspector, they'll give you statements,

but neither Chang nor Emma saw anything

that will help.

Look, as far as I'm concerned, it's over.

Emma!

I'm so relieved you're safe.

Not as relieved as I.

I am fine, Jessica.

Would you like some tea and sandwiches?

What is it?

You'll have to forgive me.

It's gonna take me a little time

to get used to the way things work around here.

I mean, you're all behaving as if

she'd just taken a little walk in the park.

Inspector McLaughlin told me he'd explained

the routine to you.

Again, Jessica, I apologize

for the way I spoke on the phone.

Oh, it's quite understandable, under the circumstances.

I'm just relieved that I didn't make things any worse.

You mentioned that the merger talks

with this... this Kaun fellow

were going very badly.

Jessica, if you're suggesting Kaun has anything to do.

- With my kidnapping... - What I'm suggesting is,

that it's very hard to get to the facts

without a police investigation.

Emma, I've thought from the start

that this could be Kaun's way of escalating the pressure.

I know he's got a reputation as a tough businessman,

but "Thug" might be a more apt description,

and that goes for his son, as well.

That could explain our mysterious warehouse fires.

I just cannot accept that.

Why not, Emma?

Because I think I understand Kaun.

He may be a ruthless businessman, but a criminal?

No.

When is your next meeting with him?

Nothing's been scheduled as far as I'm concerned.

Brian, dear.

All right, darling.

Set another meeting for tomorrow at 2:00.

Right.

Well, I am for taking a little nap

before we start dressing for tonight.

Oh, you must need it, Emma.

And I'm so looking forward to seeing April before tonight.

We're very proud of our little daughter, Jessica.

I'm sure you are.

- See you later. - Yes.

Have a good rest, Emma.

Excuse me, Brian.

The Kauns can't meet with us until 3:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Good enough.

Mark, if I were you, I wouldn't call attention

to those warehouse fires.

After all, we know it wasn't Kaun who was responsible.

You have some other theories?

I have friends in Shanghai.

I know that the goods you reported lost in the fire

have been showing up on the black market.

I also know that you've been paying off gambling debts in Macao.