Professor T

For centuries, scientists have conjectured

that certain people are predisposed to criminal behaviour.

In 1876, Cesare Lombroso claimed to have found evidence

that some people were born offenders.

He believed the criminal gene could be passed on

and those that inherited it were recognisable

by their physical characteristics.

One might wonder if Lombroso had been drinking too much Lambrusco

when he developed his theory.

But what if one might recognise a culprit

by the heaviness of his brow, his receding hairline,

or maybe just his unfeasibly large ears?

In truth, criminality is much harder to discern.

Any one of us could be harbouring murderess intent,

no matter how benign our outward projection.

As long as I outrun you, you bastard!

It is only when our neighbour turns out to be a serial killer

that we realise it.

Hello.

Poison may lurk in the most innocuous of vessels.

Your task this week is to write an essay on the nature of a criminal.

Unexplained death, 50-something male,

almost instant, apparently. Anything more?

Chief librarian at the university, say his chapter's closed.

Half a dozen witnesses in the immediate vicinity.

We're taking preliminary statements.

There are more than a 100 names on this guest list.

We need contact details for all of them.

We're going as quick as we can.

You can add another 20 staff to that number.

Got this list from the head of catering.

Any chance it's just a heart attack?

Poisoning more likely.

Carbon dioxide in the Champagne makes it work much faster.

Cheap and nasty Cava by the smell of it, but the effect is the same.

He should have stuck to beer. There are two glasses.

We'll test both.

The waitress we spoke to got the glass from the service table.

If it is poison, anyone in the room could have put it in the glass.

And anyone could have drunk it.

It's going to be a long night.

Desperate Dan seems delighted by the prospect.

You're such a bitch, Martin.

You fancy him? He fancies you, obviously.

Right.

I don't blame him.

'L'appuntamento' by Ornella Vanoni.

I'm glad you finally noticed the notice board.

Is there something on it worth noticing?

It's a cliche, I know, but beneath this lacquered veneer...

Might I inquire, in your wildest dreams,

what do you think the lifetime of a refrigerator might be?

An IQ of a squillion, but he needs help to buy a fridge.

I may appear to be an ice queen, Professor,

but that doesn't make me an expert in white goods.

BTW and FYI, there are two visitors

from her majesty's constabulary in your office.

Leave it, Dan.

I really couldn't stop them.

'DS Donckers. Detective.'

You've made yourselves comfortable, I see.

We're here about the murder of Nigel Wiggins.

Detective Chief Inspector Brand

suggested the two of you were acquainted.

Yes, Mr Wiggins.

If ever there was a book one could judge by its cover.

That's our problem.

No wife, no kids, no friends, no hobbies,

definitely no scandals. Just books.

We believe that whoever poisoned him may have intended another target.

A reasonable assumption. Thank you, Miss Snares.

I'm sure the Feng Shui is fully restored by now.

There were a 115 guests and 20 staff.

We've taken preliminary statements.

The trouble is any of them could have put poison in the glass

and we have no idea who the intended victim was.

We're looking at days, maybe weeks of interviews.

If there's any psychological insight that you can offer us,

Professor, that might help us narrow the field would be...

You appear to have retained a meagre portion

of what you were taught here, Detective Sergeant,

let me refresh your memory.

Poison is infrequently used to commit murder,

it's the cause of death

in just under one half of one percent of all homicides.

Perhaps more pertinent to your inquiry,

women are seven times more likely than men to select it

as the means to affect a fatality. I hope that's of some use.

That could certainly help reduce our list a little.

Mrs Claudine Froggatt. You know her?

She works at the university, one of many superfluous jobsworths

in the property and accommodation office.

But not, in your opinion, the type to commit a murder?

Are you of the opinion there's such a thing as a murderess type?

No, I just wondered if you thought she might be capable.

Who knows what any of us are capable of in extremis.

Miss Snares, would you kindly show the detectives out?

Of course, Professor.

As you know, I'm not one to trade in tittle tattle,

but the word at the Departmental Personal Assistant's.

Lunch Club on Thursday was that Mrs Froggatt has cause

for a certain amount of righteous indignation.

With Mr Wiggins the librarian?

Goodness, no, with her husband,

the rather female-friendly Mr Froggatt.

I see.

Hell hath no fury.

This one is long overdue, you know?

Toxicology have confirmed it's cyanide.

There was a trace in only one of the glasses.

There's every chance Wiggins wasn't the intended target though.

We're working through a list of attendees.

There's nothing for it but leg work.

I've asked Lisa and Dan

to see if Professor Tempest might be able to narrow the field,

such a great help to us on the rape case.

I think it might even be an idea to put him on a retainer.

Something to think about, maybe.

Mrs Froggatt. Professor Tempest.

May I offer my commiserations.

That's terribly kind of you.

Yes, what an awful shock, poor Mr Wiggins.

I was referring to your husband,

and the reports that have reached me of his infidelity.

I beg your pardon?

Can-Can'

Perhaps I was being a little indelicate.

Perhaps.

My apologies, I was under the impression

it was the talk of the corridors.

It is?

If it has reached me, then apparently so.

Well, I don't know what business it is of yours.

Or anyone else's, for that matter.

When the officers bring you in for questioning,

may I recommend you do not conceal the unfortunate matter

of your husband and his dalliance.

Bring me in?

I imagine they will predominantly be looking at female suspects

who may have had a motivate to wish harm on someone attending the event.

'Non Dimenticar' by Flo Sandon's.

Jasper, darling.

Don't crouch there like a Cossack, it's bad for your posture.

What are you doing here, Mother?

What?

What are you doing here?

I'm visiting the studio.

Now that you've decided to move back in,

I thought I might also take up residence once again.

And what do you want with me? Sorry?

And what do you want with me?

I merely wish to ask when we can expect this charade to be over.

How long do you plan to hole yourself up in this catacomb?

Indefinitely!

Don't be ridiculous, Jasper, this place is not good for you.

Not good!

Sharper than a serpent's tooth, is to have a thankless child.

King Lear. DOG YAPS.

What's the hurry?

Mrs Froggatt's here, voluntarily.

Here you go, Mrs Froggatt. Thank you.

This my colleague, DS Donckers. Hi.

Hello. You were telling me,

your husband works long hours?

Yes, he's Chief Planning Officer for the council

and Acting Treasurer for the Museum's Board of Trustees.

Busy man. Yes.

He always has been.

But recently it's non-stop. He's

he's away evenings, weekends... I've barely seen him.

And that made you suspicious?

I-I found a credit card receipt for a hotel room.

Stansted Mountfitchet of all places.

He just left it in his pocket

like he didn't even care if he were to get caught.

Thank you.

But there's something else.

Far worse than the credit card receipt.

Good afternoon, Mr Froggatt.

Please, take a seat.

We're looking at the possibility the glass of poisoned fizz,

at the reception, was meant for you.

Whatever gives you that idea?

We received information about a man who came to your house a while ago

and made threats to your safety.

Who told you that? Your wife.

My wife?

She came to the station to tell us in person.

She also told us you're having an extra-marital affair.

Irate husband perhaps?

Hey, hey, give it a chance, love. You heard what he said.

They're discovering new treatments all the time.

Sweetheart, I'm so sorry, I've got to go.

Be back later, I promise.

Can I come in?

Please.

So, Froggatt claims he can't remember any specific threat.

According to him, you piss of a lot of people

when working in planning for the council,

but I don't understand Mrs Froggatt volunteering