Murdoch Mysteries

You're being very quiet this morning.

Oh? I don't mean to be.

Sometimes the things we don't mean to communicate speak loudest.

I'm not sure what else there is to say about the situation.

William, I am sorry I walked out on you the way I did.

I was angry.

But it wasn't my intention to end the conversation permanently.

It was an emotional moment.

Why do I feel as though you're shutting me out?

No one will ever come between us, William.

I have to get to work.

I just never imagined how many disturbance calls

could come through in a single day.

Yes, well as you've seen,

what some people consider a disturbance can vary greatly.

For example, the woman who thought

her fur coat was conspiring against her.

How do you stay so patient with people?

I try to remind myself that

everybody needs help, in their own way.

I don't always succeed, mind you.

Right then. Neighbours reported hearing shouting and strange noises.

- This is the Quincannon home. - Quincannon?

- I've never heard of them. - Nathan Quincannon. Founder of Quincannon Rye?

- No. What's rye? - What's rye?

Rye's like Bourbon. Only good.

Spend any amount of time in this town

or with Inspector Brackenreid,

you'll surely be introduced to it.

Toronto Constabulary.

George!

Oh my God.

Watch your step.

- Who's there? - No, please!

It's all right, lad,

it's all right, we're the police. Are you hurt?

I don't know...

What happened here?

I don't...

I can't remember.

I know this is difficult,

but any details you could provide would

aid greatly in catching the people who did this.

We...

We came home, and then,

I don't remember.

I'm sorry.

That's all right, Jacob.

There'll be plenty of time for questions.

Our constables will take you to the Station House

and see that you're made comfortable.

Poor lad's lost his entire family.

What have you, Miss Hart?

All three victims were shot multiple times.

At this stage, it's difficult to know

how many gunmen were involved,

but I found this under Nathan Quincannon's body.

Two spent rounds, recently fired.

It doesn't look like a robbery.

Not a successful one, anyway.

The wounds are from different caliber weapons,

I won't know for certain until I examine them further.

I'll have results shortly.

Thank you, Miss Hart.

Sirs, we have something.

- What is it? - A blood trail.

Seems to lead out back.

Sir.

Must have staunched the bleeding.

Perhaps we should call in more men to scour the area.

I don't think that will be necessary, George.

I take it his story about being a wounded police officer wasn't true?

He's been through an awful trauma,

I'm not surprised he doesn't want to talk about it.

Of course.

But we know he was in the room when the murders occurred,

and likely witnessed at least some of what happened.

Is there anything I should know about the case before I speak to him?

Just that there was more than one killer.

And if he's able to recall anything specific,

it may aid us identifying the others.

And the man you have in custody?

Leon Bronson. I'll be questioning him shortly,

but I wanted you to ascertain Mr Quincannon's condition

before we ask him to identify anyone.

I'll do my best.

Can you tell me what you remember about yesterday?

Anything at all.

I can't, I just,

I can't remember.

Why can't I remember?

Sometimes you just need to discuss things out loud.

Let's start at the beginning.

When the police arrived, you were in formal attire.

Do you remember why?

I was at a party

with my mother and sister.

My father stayed home.

He doesn't like crowds.

It's very good, Jacob.

Do you remember who was hosting the party?

It was some kind of fundraiser.

Were there many people in attendance?

Yes, there was a fair number of people there.

Good. Now, do you remember leaving the party?

It's all right, there's no rush.

You're safe now.

I was able to retrieve three different bullet types from the victim.

So there was probably two more shooters.

And what of Mr Quincannon's gun?

The bullet that the veterinarian pulled from Mr Bronson was a match.

So the men pushed their way in and Quincannon began firing.

It's a possibility.

But there were no signs of a break in,

and nothing appears to have been stolen.

Though perhaps they didn't have time.

Or he surprised them by being home.

There is something else. Mr Quincannon was shot

in both the front and back of his torso, multiple times.

He attempted to run away?

Or he was shielding his loved ones.

I was able to confirm that Elizabeth, Sarah,

and Jacob Quincannon were all at the Rouge Valley Auction.

And you and Mr Parker found them approximately

- one hour after the auction, correct? - That's right.

Allowing for travel,

the family couldn't have been home long before they were killed.

Seems a tragic bit of timing, sir.

But still, the most likely scenario.

If the killers were lying in wait for the family,

why not finish the job?

Perhaps they scattered when Nathan began firing.

But it would have been more prudent of them

to shoot the others as they approached the house,

why wait until they are inside?

So Quincannon was likely the sole target.

One last thing, sirs, we have nothing on file for Leon Bronson.

Either he's never committed a crime, or he's not from Toronto.

Mr Bronson,

you are facing execution for the murders of Elizabeth,

Sarah, and Nathan Quincannon.

Well that can't be right.

Because I wasn't even there.

You were apprehended a block away from their home

with one of Nathan's bullets in your arm.

What a weird coincidence.

Coincidence?

Your guilt is not in question, sir.

Then why are we talking?

We're giving you a chance to save your neck.

We can have a word with the judge,

spare you the noose.

Who are your friends?

I don't know what friends you mean.

I'm new to this city, I

haven't had the chance to make any new acquaintances.

It is a lovely city, but the people are a mite unfriendly.

Where is it that you are from, Mr Bronson?

Everywhere and nowhere.

A hobo?

I go where the wild wind blows.

And where the blood flows.

Mr Bronson, we will find out what happened.

And the longer you make us wait,

the less likely you will be shown any mercy.

Is that what you want?

What I want is to lead a quiet life,

and for you to find the people that killed that poor family.

What a terrible tragedy.

We'll get nothing from him. The man's a total monster.

Sometimes there's simply no humanity to be found, sir.

Can't say I'm upset having to visit this place, though.

Distilling spirits is quite the process.

It's an art form in the purest sense, Murdoch.

I take it you are familiar with Quincannon Rye?

It's the only thing worth drinking in this country.

Angela Dempsey? Toronto Constabulary.

Yes, I was told you'd be coming by.

Thank you for meeting with us.

We just have a few questions.

Such an unbelievable tragedy. We are all quite shaken.

How long have you worked here at the distillery?

Since the beginning, really. Almost twenty years.

But I became master distiller about five years ago.

Do you have any idea who could have committed

this heinous crime?

Do you suspect anyone?

I've been asking myself the same question.

Nathan could be mercurial, and

he wasn't afraid to show his temper, but I just

can't imagine anybody who might be capable of this.

How's business, generally?

There has been a steady drop in sales in the last few years.

Really? I must say, I'm surprised by that.

A fan of our product?

Well, it's been a good friend to me over the years.

Then you know that Quincannon is a premium rye.

We never shortchange quality.

The result is that our price rarely fluctuates,

unlike people's wages.