[birds chirping] - People think starlings are ordinary because they see them every day.

They're not.

- Hmm.

I've never noticed those patterns they make.

- Murmuration.

- [chuckles] I love that you know that.

- They speak in dialects.

- What do you mean?

- They mimic speech patterns.

Academics study starlings to learn how language first evolved.

- That can't be true.

[laughs] Mm.

[kisses] Okay, it's true.

It's true.

Mm.

If I was a bird, I think I'd be a cuckoo.

I think we'd both be cuckoos.

[suspenseful music] ♪ [pensive music] ♪ [shutter clicking] - All done.

- She hasn't been dead longer than three to four hours.

So approximately 4:00 p.m.

The cut would have produced enough blood to write the graffiti.

It's the left to right slash to her jugular which killed her.

Regina versus Beale?

- Venetia Aldridge.

She successfully defended Anthony Beale.

He went on to murder Janet Carpenter's granddaughter.

Why is there blood on the ceiling?

- She was standing when her throat was cut.

If she did it herself, she would have written on the wall first, which begs the question, why crouch down so low?

- She was left-handed, Miles.

I saw her drink a cup of tea yesterday.

She turned the handle around.

- She's standing here.

Her throat's cut, most probably, from behind.

She falls here.

The killer sits her up against the wall, cuts the wrist, dips her finger in her own blood, writes, then places the knife.

Pending the PM, this is murder disguised as suicide.

- Agreed.

[somber music] ♪ - No one really knew her, except to smile at.

- She withdrew 15,000 pounds three weeks ago.

I want to talk through everything we know to be true.

We know that after her daughter and granddaughter died, Carpenter moved to London and took the cleaning job to get closer to Venetia.

- And attended all her court cases.

She's got to have held Venetia responsible.

- We know she recently withdrew 15,000 pounds from her savings account-- a quarter of her savings.

- To pay an accomplice?

A contract killing?

- Possibly, yes.

- Maybe that's why she was killed.

Maybe her accomplice was scared she wasn't solid, that she might come to us.

- It might be nothing, sir.

It's in my report.

She went to Temple Church yesterday.

- Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

[soft music] ♪ I'm afraid I don't really know her.

I'd never seen her until yesterday.

But, yes, she was here.

She seemed extremely troubled.

I spoke to her, and she asked if I'd hear her confession.

- Her name was Janet Carpenter.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that she died yesterday evening.

- How?

- She was almost certainly murdered.

We were hoping you might be able to give us some information, which-- - Everything we spoke about was under the seal of confession.

I'm sorry.

- I understand.

Rather what I expected you to say.

- A female QC was murdered in chambers on Monday.

I assume you know that.

- Yes, I do.

- Could you at least tell us whether we're right in thinking these deaths are connected?

- I can't break the seal of confession.

- I think Janet Carpenter would want us to know the truth.

Forgive me, but I don't think she's going to care if you break faith with her now.

- It isn't Janet Carpenter I'd be breaking faith with.

- [sighs] [church bell ringing] - Are we going to get a statement from Garry Ashe?

- Yes, I sent Tarrant.

Ashe likes to goad you, and he likes to goad me.

It's a distraction.

Tarrant deals with him and with Octavia.

[tense music] - Where were you yesterday afternoon between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00?

- Wanstead Flats with my fiancée.

- Can anyone else vouch for that?

Did you speak to anyone?

Buy an ice lolly?

[sighs] Does the name Janet Carpenter mean anything to you?

- Yes.

She's a singer.

- [chuckles] You grew up in care, didn't you?

Is that why you feel the need to pretend to be so clever?

- Did Kate tell you that?

- You know, that seems creepy, the Kate thing.

Just like it seems creepy you've shacked up with Venetia Aldridge's daughter.

- Janet Carpenter-- dead, is she?

Murdered?

You need to pull your finger out.

- We're watching you, Mr.

Ashe.

- Clearly not, or you'd know where I was yesterday afternoon.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to reacquaint myself with the laws concerning police harassment.

- [scoffs] [tense music] ♪ - Was she murdered?

- We aren't certain yet.

- Well, if it was suicide, surely that suggests that she was also responsible for Ms.

Aldridge's death.

- Because we're awaiting the results of the PM.

But we think it's highly likely that Mrs.

Carpenter was murdered.

- Oh, it's a disaster.

This is a disaster!

And if the press get hold of this-- - No, they can't.

And we need you to see to that, Dalgliesh.

And who wants to hire defense counsel from a chambers where the staff are dropping down dead?

- We'll need to take witness statements from you all.

[suspenseful music] ♪ Your diary, in case you wish to refer to it.

Where were you yesterday afternoon between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00?

- Well, if you've looked in my diary-- - I'd like you to tell me, please.

- Yes, I had a meeting with the solicitor.

And we met at his offices in Hatton Garden.

The meeting was at 3:00.

And I left at 3:45 and returned here.

- So you arrived here at around... - A quarter past 4:00.

- I was here until the usual time, 6:00.

- Who else was here?

- Actually, not many yesterday afternoon.

It was quiet.

- Any of the partners?

- Um, they were in and out, I suppose.

- Did Venetia's daughter ever come here on her own or with anyone else?

- No, at least not since I've worked here.

I've never met her daughter.

- How about clients she defended?

Would they ever come here?

- Yes, sometimes, but only if they're not on remand, of course.

[door opening] - I'd like to ask you about the evening Ms.

Aldridge died.

You told me you arrived home at half past 7:00.

But your housekeeper has since told us that you didn't arrive home until 9:00, which leaves an hour and a half unaccounted for.

- She's mistaken.

I--I took the newspaper to Venetia.

- You told me you didn't take her the paper.

- No, I did not.

- I'm aware this must be challenging and difficult for you.

- It wouldn't be difficult if you didn't keep doubting my word!

- You establish that he lied to the police when he was first arrested.

- But he owned up to that.

- Look, it doesn't matter.

Remind the court that he is a liar, and sit down.

Never give unnecessary detail.

- May I speak to you now, please?

- Uh, this is an exceptionally important day for Matthew.

- It's all right, Dad.

I'm sure it won't take long.

[tense music] ♪ I was with my dad all afternoon.

We went to the Law Society Library and did some prep.

- You seem close, you and your father.

- We are.

My mother died when I was 12.

And it's been Dad and me ever since.

- You don't live with him?

- No, I'm married.

Two kids.

People always think I'm younger than I am.

- What did you think of Ms.

Aldridge?

- I thought this was about the cleaning lady.

I didn't like her much.

She didn't exactly encourage me.

In fact, she tried to make me feel stupid.

- It was in the drawer of her desk.

I managed to sign it off.

I thought you should have it.

- In the drawer, not on the desk.

God forbid anyone should see it.

- Are you at school then?

- Boarding school.

She couldn't wait to pack me off.

When can I have a funeral?

- It might be a while yet.

I'm so sorry.

New camera?

- It's Ashe's.

I bought it for him.

Make he's always wanted.

We're going bird watching.

- Where are you going to do that?

- I don't know.

Ashe knows lots of places around where he grew up.

- Essex.

- How do you know that?

- You have to learn a lot about someone when you arrest them for murder.

- Can you go?

He'll be back soon.

- Are you scared of him?

- [scoffs] No.

- Look, I'm gonna say my piece, Octavia.

I think it's really strange that he picked you up in a bar just after your mum defended him.

- Think what you like.

- And then your mum gets murdered.

And then another woman gets murdered.

Janet Carpenter-- have you heard of her?

- No.

- Has Garry ever spoken about her?

- You're so wrong about him.

Look, look.

That's where he sleeps!

He doesn't even try it on.

He said we should wait until we're married.

- Well, I think that's pretty strange as well.

- But he had nothing to do with Mum's death.

It was probably one of those wankers she works with or one of those married men she's messed around with.

Maybe one of them needed to shut her up!

- I was with my son, Matthew Ulrich, in the Library of the Law Society, researching facts pertaining to the case he's about to lead.

- And what time did you leave the library?

- 5:00 p.m., and then I went home.

I believe you have my address.

I didn't set eyes on Mrs.

Carpenter all day yesterday, nor did my son.

- Are these members of your family?

- There have been Ulricks at the bar since George II.

- It must be a relief, knowing that Venetia isn't going to be head of chambers.

From what I've heard, she seemed to have a low opinion of your son.

- You know, I find this rather disgraceful that you're treating us as suspects.

- Sign here, please.

- Sir.

Look, Venetia was having an affair with Drysdale Laud.

- What?

- It was certainly happening a couple of years ago.

I don't know if it still was.

- How did you learn this?

- I went to see Octavia.

- Give us a moment, please.

- Look, I know I shouldn't have without telling you.

And I'm sorry.

- You disobeyed a direct order.

What's going on, Sergeant?

- I just really feel in my gut that Ashe's got something to do with these killings.

I know it might seem irrational, and I'm really, really worried about Octavia.

I can't believe we're just letting that situation continue.

- It's not unlawful.

- I know.

[sighs] I wanted to find a link between Ashe and Carpenter.

- And did you?

- No.

It won't happen again.

- At least you've told me now.

- Yes, Venetia and I had a brief relationship.

It finished last autumn.

- Who finished it?

- It was a mutual decision.

It was only ever an interlude.

We both knew that.

We'd been friends for 20 years.

- You're married, aren't you?

- Full marks.

- Weren't you worried your wife would find out?

- No, actually.

We were extremely discreet, apart from-- who told you?

Matthew Ulrick, I suppose?

- Why would you suppose that?

- Because he walked in on us once in Venetia's room.

- Were you aware of any other members of chambers knowing about the affair?

- Well, I assumed he probably told his father.

The boy can't sneeze without asking permission.

- You didn't think to tell us?

- I am not in the habit of volunteering unnecessary information to the police.

What theory are you working on here?

That Venetia threatened to tell?

She wasn't that vindictive.

The affair was over.

As for head of chambers, I would have enjoyed the fight.

- Mr.

Froggart.

Thank you for the loan of your scrapbooks.

- I, um-- I hope they were of assistance.

- They were.

- Although I prefer the term "chronicle" with its implications of the passage of time and recording of days.

- Can you tell me why you left the employment of Venetia's father's school in 1943?

Venetia would have been 16 in that year.

- Your implication is not lost on me, Chief Inspector.

I admit that I loved Venetia, but not in an improper way.

I am, uh-- I'm not a sexual person.

I loved her mind.

And I loved nurturing it.

- So why did you leave?

- Everybody left.

Venetia's father was a sadist.

He used any excuse to beat the boys, thrash them, bully them.

One boy, Marcus Campbell, he took his own life.

He hanged himself with the cord of his dressing gown.

He was scheduled for a beating the following morning in front of the whole school.

There was an inquiry.

All the parents finally understood what Aldridge was.

The school shut down.

[somber music] ♪ [classical music] ♪ [door bell chimes] - Uh, Chief Inspector.

- Good evening.

May I come in?

- I--not convenient, I'm afraid.

I'm expecting Matthew, a little celebration.

- Your signature, Desmond Campbell Ulrick-- is Campbell a family name?

- It's my mother's maiden name.

We adopted it for a while.

No one wanted to grow up with a name like Ulrick during the Second World War.

- We?

Would that be you and your brother, Marcus Campbell?

[music stops] Were you also a pupil at Aldridge's school?

- Uh, no, I was older than Marcus.

I was at Cambridge when he died.

He was 12 years old.

Daily anticipation of humiliation and pain.

He couldn't take it anymore.

- Did you know that Venetia was Clarence Aldridge's daughter?

- Yes.

I asked her what part of the country she was from shortly after meeting her.

And there it was.

We spoke about it briefly, agreed there was nothing else to be said.

But she had no illusion about what her father was.

I pitied her that day.

I wonder what her own childhood was like.

- Oh, hey.

- Where did this come from?

- She brought it 'round, the woman policeman.

It was in Mummy's desk.

- [scoffs] What have I told you about that?

- What?

- "Mummy."

- Sorry.

- You didn't tell me she was here.

- I was going to.

- When was she here?

- A couple of hours ago.

She asked if you knew some woman.

I said you didn't.

I told her you were gorgeous, and I love you.

I told her what a gentleman you are.

She couldn't believe it.

- You wouldn't lie to me, would you?

- No.

- Because you know how I hate liars.

- I've never lied to you about anything.

- Have you packed?

- Not yet.

- You won't need much.

And bring money.

- Thank you both for coming.

The lady you spoke to me about, Janet Carpenter, she was extremely distressed in the confessional.

She says she believed evil took different forms, that it drove down country lanes in a van, looking for little girls to steal from their mothers, and that it also stood up in court and defended the indefensible.

I didn't fully understand what she was saying, and she left before I did.

But this arrived today by second post.

She was planning to confess to you, so... - Thank you.

- I'll leave you in peace.

[suspenseful music] ♪ - Did she kill Venetia?

- No, she discovered the body, then defiled it with the wig and blood.

- What is it, sir?

- Garry Ashe.

Carpenter had watched Ashe's trial.

She saw something I saw, too, that look he gave Venetia at the end.

- But Venetia got him acquitted.

- She dismissed him like he didn't matter to her, which she didn't.

Carpenter approached Ashe and hired him to seduce Octavia, her revenge on Venetia.

- So he could have killed Carpenter for money or-- - Yes, I think he did.

- Oh, god.

They're going away.

He's taking her to the country or Essex.

That's what he told her.

- Get back to the yard and put out an immediate APB on Ashe.

He's to be considered dangerous.

Then get on to the children's homes and find out what sort of parks or country he used to go to.

- Yes, sir.

Where are you going?

- Back to the house, in case they're still there.

- Be careful.

- You used to live here?

- Home sweet home.

- Is this where she was murdered, your aunt?

- Wait here.

[footsteps] [tense music] ♪ [ominous music] ♪ [footsteps approaching] - [gasps] - Never go to the woods without a knife.

[pensive music] ♪ [phone ringing] - Miskin.

- They're not here.

The housekeeper says they left over an hour ago.

- The manager of the home said he used to take Ashe to some woods just east of Harlow.

I've got them here on a map.

He said Ashe used to go on his own sometimes, watching the birds.

- Good work.

Alert traffic teams in that area.

I'm on my way.

- What's happening?

I just heard the call out about Ashe.

[phone ringing] - Yes, Miskin.

- I think he killed his aunt.

There's a photo.

- Where are you?

- Petrol station.

I have to go.

I don't want to be here.

Help me.

He's got a knife.

- Play the game.

Don't let him know that you know.

I'm going to come and find you.

Where are you?

- I think he's coming.

Help me.

- Play the game.

[bell jingling] - [sighs] [tense music] ♪ [birds chirping] How long will we stay here?

- Not long.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

- Monte Carlo.

- Good taste.

We'll sleep here tonight.

Tomorrow we'll go.

We'll get married there.

Would you like that?

- Yes, I'd love that.

- You're trembling.

- All units mobilized.

We're looking for a red Honda motorcycle.

Registration golf-golf-echo-7-9-2-November.

Second unit moving into the southwestern corner of the forest.

First unit, advance northwest.

[suspenseful music] ♪ - Sierra 2-3 to control, we have sighted the suspect vehicle.

[birds chirping] [tense music] ♪ - Oh, I--I thought I heard something.

- How did they know?

- Who?

- What did you tell the woman?

- I-- - You lied to me.

- I didn't.

- Garry, it's Chief Inspector Dalgliesh.

Come out slowly, please, so we can talk.

Garry, come out alone, please, and leave Octavia in there.

We can talk together.

You're an intelligent man.

Let's find a way to resolve this.

- I didn't lie to you.

I--I swear, I didn't.

I promise.

- Shh!

- I'm here with armed officers, Garry.

Leave Octavia, come out quietly, and drop your weapon.

- [grunting, panting] - You make one sound.

Just one sound.

- Let's talk about possibilities, resolve this together.

- [panting] - When I say go, we go.

- Leave me.

I'll tell them you didn't hurt me.

- Go!

- [gasping] [dramatic music] - Back door!

Back door!

- Okay, let's go.

- Armed police!

Stop!

- Armed police!

Stay where you are!

- Stay where you are!

- Armed police!

- [crying] [sobbing] - I know this place.

I know this place.

- You killed my mum!

Why did you kill my mum?

- I didn't kill your mummy.

I really wish I had.

- [panting] [tense music] ♪ - [whimpering] [radio chatter] Help!

- [grunts] - [screams] - Armed police!

Stop or I'll shoot!

[birds cawing] - [crying] - Come on.

- [groaning] - Officer down!

- [crying] [panting] [whimpering] [gasping] - It's over.

Let her go.

- It's over when I say it's over, Kate.

- Drop the knife.

- You bitches are all the same.

- Drop your weapon.

- This is on you.

- Ashe!

[dramatic music] [thud] [high-pitched ringing] [somber music] - [breathing heavily] - [muffled] You're okay.

You're okay.

You had to take the shot, okay?

You had to take the shot.

You're okay.

You're okay.

- [crying] - You're okay.

You're okay, Sergeant.

Okay?

- Yeah.

Thanks.

[bell tolling] - I've just been speaking to Valerie Caldwell.

She tells me that your attentions to her are unwanted.

And she wishes them to stop.

- What?

- I've told her to call me if you ever make her feel uncomfortable again or if you make trouble for her in any way.

She also told me that on Monday night, the night Venetia died, you were in the church, watching her rehearse with the choir.

- Yes.

Yes, I--I remember now.

- She said you stayed until almost the end, 20 past 8:00.

Venetia was dead by then.

- I didn't kill Venetia.

Oh, thank god.

Thank god.

These great expanses of time that I just lose.

- I'm sorry.

It must be frightening.

You would have been walking through here at around the time the killer left chambers.

I want to ask you, did you see anyone coming out of chambers, locking the door, walking hurriedly towards the gates?

- Well, yes.

- Good Lord.

I thought we'd seen the back of you.

- Mrs.

Carpenter wrote a confession before she died.

She said she found Venetia dead in her room at 8:00.

She thought she'd died from natural causes.

She couldn't bear it.

She felt cheated out of her vengeance.

And just at the very moment when Garry Ashe was putting into place her plan to make Venetia suffer, it was then that she put the wig on Venetia's head and threw the blood over her--your blood.

- Vengeance-- a very powerful emotion.

- After which, she regretted it.

She tried to stop Ashe from moving forwards with the plan, and that's when he killed her.

- You believe that, do you, that she didn't actually kill Venetia?

Because it seems perfectly obvious to me that she did.

- She didn't kill Venetia.

You did.

- Why would I want to do that?

- As you said, the desire for vengeance is a powerful thing.

[sighs] It can be held in check, suppressed by a determined mind.

But it's hard, a fight, a battle which must be fought every day.

Every day, you were confronted by Venetia, the flesh and blood of the man who drove your little brother to his death.

You fight to remain civilized.

You have to.

But then--then the cycle starts all over again, right in front of your eyes, an Aldridge bullying your son.

And you know it'll only get worse.

She'll become head of chambers.

You'll be outnumbered.

Laud won't be able to stop her.

She has power over him.

The affair, you knew about.

She'll push your son out, ruin his career.

And so you go to her rooms, and you ask her to give him a chance.

[sighs] I imagine she didn't listen.

She was already overwrought after hearing about Ashe and her daughter.

She says harsh things, dismisses Matthew as a fool.

And the paper knife was right there, next to your hand, and suddenly it's done.

- An interesting theory, but one which you'll never be able to prove.

- I have a witness.

Langton said he saw you leaving chambers at 20 past 8:00 that night.

- An old man with dementia.

Really?

He would be destroyed in court.

- And then there's the discrepancy in your son's witness statement.

He states that you both arrived at the restaurant on time, 8:00.

- Which we did.

- But then, further down, you'll see that he talks about putting his children to bed before he left the house.

He goes into some detail about how they don't like to go to bed before it gets dark, about how they insisted on watching a certain television program before he took them upstairs.

We checked.

The program didn't even start until 8:00 that night, so the earliest he could have been at the restaurant was half past 8:00.

- Well, he--he made a simple mistake.

- [chuckles] Not one we're prepared to overlook.

Perverting the course of justice, remind me, what tariff does that carry?

[dramatic music] - You know, the world is better off without her.

And there is a certain justice to it all.

- I don't agree.

[pensive music] ♪ [soft music] [singing in Latin] ♪ [somber music] ♪ [choral singing] ♪