(theme music)
(classical music)
(indistinct chatter)
(♪♪♪)
- Thank you.
There you are.
- This is so exciting, william.
Toronto has entered a new era of sophistication.
- Is that so?
- With the creation of the toronto symphony orchestra,
We're no longer an uncivilized city.
- Oh, I don't know! I think we're plenty civilized.
Have you seen the number of churches lately?
- Well, for some people, the symphony is the true place of worship.
(brackenreid): This is the life, margaret.
Mingling with the toffs,
Quaffing bloody good champagne.
- Language, thomas. We're not in the station house.
- Margaret! - Oh!
(laughter)
- Who's that?
- You've met her! Mrs. Serrano.
- Oh! - The music director is her husband.
Oh, hello! - I'm so happy you could make it.
- We wouldn't have missed it for the world.
- Mm-hm. - Oh!
How wonderful you're an aficionado, inspector.
- Truth be told, I much prefer the opera.
- Uh! - Huh...
(forced laugh)
- Have you seen victor? - Mr. Serrano?
- Yes. He was here.
I've been looking for him. He's supposed to give a speech.
- Oh.
- Looks as though I'll have to do it.
(light laughter)
- Thomas. - What?
- Honestly...
- Victor serrano is the author of a travesty.
- You have made your opinion known numerous times, mr. Block.
- We are the symphony orchestra.
Our artists are the pinnacle of musical achievement.
- That is true. - Then why?
Why are we bringing in a pianist from germany?
- Kriegoff is wonderful.
And, honestly, he'll put our orchestra on the map.
- Something we are well and able to do ourselves.
- Excuse me!
Thank you all for coming.
My husband, victor, and I are so pleased
That you are all here tonight.
And as he is still making final arrangements,
The pleasure falls to me of announcing
That tonight's performance of the toronto symphony
Will include a performance of tchaikovsky's piano concerto no. 1
Conducted by maestro de leon
And performed with the great pianist, gregory kriegoff.
(applause)
- He played that concerto in new york last year.
- Julia. (julia): I'm telling you it was fabulous.
- I've never heard of him. - Oh. I forgot.
He's not a scientist.
Or a criminal. - Or a criminal, yes.
- Julia.
Julia ogden?
- Oh! Uh, herbert.
Are you here with the symphony?
- Uh, yes, yes.
That's the very reason I returned to toronto.
- Oh.
- I never thought that I'd see you again.
It must be destiny.
(chuckles)
- May I present my husband, william murdoch.
- Pleased to make your acquaintance.
- Your husband.
(dry chuckle)
Will the obstacles to our love never cease?
(uncomfortable chuckle)
- Who was that?
- An old flame, long extinguished, I assure you.
- Hania ahmad.
Violinist. - Charmed.
Are you in the orchestra? - No.
There are no women in this orchestra.
- Oh, is that so?
- I keep asking mr. Serrano, but he won't budge.
Perhaps you could petition him for me?
(chuckles)
- Oh! What?
- Honestly. (brackenreid sighs)
- No.
It's simply not possible.
The money isn't there!
(sighs) imbecile.
(door opens)
Just a minute.
(man, from afar): Stop!
Get away from me! - Margaret, hold that.
- Yes. - Help me!
Stop!
(indistinct chatter)
(suspenseful music)
- Put me through to station house four, please.
(dramatic music)
- Well, well, sirs!
It appears I'm underdressed for the occasion.
Although, given the circumstances, I suppose it's appropriate.
- Clearly, he was garroted,
But there seems to be no other see signs of trauma.
- No murder weapon left behind.
Oh, my. - What is it?
(julia exclaims admiringly)
- They look like they're worth a fortune.
(murdoch): "for all the good times. V."
- Well, we know what that means, don't we?
- An affair.
- Oh!
- Sir, have a look!
- Pipe and cigarette ash.
- Two people in the room, perhaps.
- These look quite unique.
- Cigarettes from cairo.
- Was there anyone else near this office at the time of the murder?
- Sir, yes, the stage manager,
Donald joseph, has an office just next to here.
I have him waiting for you in the lobby.
- Mr. Joseph, I understand you were in your office
At the time mr. Serrano was killed?
(sighs)
- Mr. Joseph?
- That's where I told everyone I would be.
But I was sleeping in the piano storage room.
Please don't tell anyone.
- That's not my concern.
Are you certain you didn't see anyone?
- I told you I was asleep.
I don't care much for parties.
- We'll let you know if we have any further questions.
(mysterious music)
It's as you said. He was strangled.
- Any other injuries?
- Oh, there were scratches on his neck
And cuts on his finger where he tried to get the wire off his neck.
- Do you have any idea what kind of wire was used?
- I'm afraid not.
All I know at this point was the wire was about an eighth of an inch thick.
I also found this.
- Wood fragments?
From the garrote.
- I'll let you know if I find anything else.
- Thank you, miss hart.
(light music)
(scoffs)
Julia, have I missed something?
- Oh, only how fabulous I am, apparently.
(laughs)
- From herbert block.
- Yes. They're all from him.
- Your old flame.
Perhaps not as extinguished as you'd thought.
Should I be concerned?
- Oh! Don't be silly, william.
Oh, by the way, I spoke to mrs. Serrano last night, at her home.
- How is she?
- Do you mean... Do I think she's guilty of something?
- You know me so well.
- I know that she's going to be at symphony hall.
She's going ahead with this concert, no matter what.
- Curious.
Certainly didn't grieve long.
(laughs)
(indistinct voices in the background)
Mrs. Serrano.
- Detective.
- You're proceeding with the concert?
- Of course.
The symphony wasn't just my husband's dream.
It was a dream we shared.
- Mr. Joseph was seen near your husband's office.
Do you think it's possible...?
- No, of course not. They were great friends.
- Do you know of anyone else who may have wished him harm?
- No. Never. He was a man of culture and breeding.
- We found these diamond earrings
In your husband's pocket,
Along with this note.
- Oh! (chuckles)
He must have bought them for our anniversary.
He was such a romantic.
Is there anything else?
- Um...
Mrs. Serrano, did your husband smoke?
- Victor? Yes, he smoked a pipe.
- Anything else?
- No. Never.
Now if you'll excuse me.
- So, you're julia ogden's husband?
- Yes, I am.
- Hm.
- Is there something I can help you with?
- Oh, I'm just observing.
Trying to imagine what it is she sees in you.
- Well, she obviously saw enough in me to become my wife.
And in the future, I would prefer you stopped sending her unwanted gifts.
- Are you threatening me?
- Hardly.
- I would keep my distance
If I thought the better man had won, but, uh...
That just doesn't seem to be the case.
- I don't know how I can help you.
I'm simply an accountant.
- Have a seat, mr. Cleavy. (door closing)
In a murder investigation, it's often quite helpful to follow the money.
- I did warn him that his involvement with a bunch of musicians
Might be a losing proposition.
- Was mr. Serrano involved in any other ventures that would cause him to lose money?
Now's the time to be truthful, mr. Cleavy.
- I wouldn't call it a venture, per se.
He was also... (sighs)
Passionate about women.
One in particular.
- I have a feeling you're not talking about his wife.
- Mr. Serrano was...
Paying for a lady's apartment.
- Do you know who the lady was?
- Mrs. Serrano came to me just last week
Demanding that I tell her and I said the same.
- So victor serrano's wife knew of the affair?
(laughs dryly) - she most certainly did.
- Sir? - What is it, crabtree?
- I spoke to mr. Serrano's bank manager.
The diamond earrings we found in his possession...
Mrs. Serrano assumed they were a gift for her.
But they already belonged to her.
He didn't just buy them.
He collected them from their safety deposit box.
- She lied to us.
- Also, he withdrew one thousand dollars.
- One thousand?!
The fool.
- This mystery lady must have cast quite the spell.
(tuning instruments)
Mrs. Serrano lied to us.
She knew that mr. Serrano was having an affair.
- She's admitted this?
- Serrano's accountant told me.
It seems like a good reason for murder.
(mrs. Serrano): I want it done within the hour. Do you understand me?
- And she appears to have a temper.
- Within the hour!
(sighs)
- Mrs. Serrano. - Yes?
- We'd like a few words. - I'm quite busy right now.
- Mrs. Serrano, how long had you known that your husband
Was having an affair with another woman? - Sir!
- Mr. Serrano withdrew a substantial amount of money
Just before he was killed.
We believe it was for his mistress.
- Mistress?
- He had diamond earrings in his pocket
And a note that they were for her.
- You knew your husband was unfaithful.
And the earrings and the money were the last straw.
- You were furious with him. You killed him.
- Have you two lost your minds?
My husband was killed and instead of being out there finding his killer,
You're standing here accusing me? (exhales angrily)
- Perhaps we could speak somewhere private? (scoffs)
- Would you rather the station house?
(mysterious music)
- Yes, I knew my husband was having an affair.
- Then why lie?
- 'cause I wanted to protect his name. He was a good man.
Even though he was unfaithful.
- And even though he was going to give your diamond earrings to someone else?
- And I didn't know about that.
Truly.
And if I had killed him,
Wouldn't I have taken them with me instead of leaving them with him?
- Who was your husband having an affair with?
- I don't know.
- I asked him.
(trembling breath)
I don't know who it was.
He told me he was going to end the affair
And have nothing more to do with that woman.
I believed him.
(sniffling) I loved him.
Am I under arrest?
- Not at this time.
(mrs. Serrano sighs)
If mrs. Serrano is to be believed,
The mistress was about to be let go the night of the murder.
- So he tried to rid himself of her.
She took exception and strangled him.
- Perhaps. - But she didn't take the earrings.
- It's possible she didn't know about them, or simply took the money and ran.
- Back to the love nest. - Possibly.
- Cleavy, the accountant, paid the bills. He'll know where it is.
(metallic banging, indistinct voices)
- What the hell is that?
(notes on the piano, man shouting in german)
(he sighs) (mrs. Serrano): Ahem!
(murdoch): May we be of assistance?
- Who are you?
- Detective william murdoch, inspector brackenreid.
Toronto constabulary.
- Did you call the police on me, barbara?
- Absolutely not!
They've been here since victor's death.
- Oh, ja. Ja, ja, ja, ja.
Gentlemen,
I am gregory kriegoff.
Have you had any luck finding my dear friend's killer?
- Not as of yet.
But rest assured that we will.
Now, what appears to be the problem?
- Ha-ha! Everything.
I can understand that the dressing room is not so good, barbara.
I can understand that there is no tailor in toronto who can alter a suit jacket!
But what I cannot understand, barbara, is a--
(false notes on the piano) faulty piano!
How am I to play tchaikovsky on this, huh?
- I-I don't know how it happened.
The piano was in the storage room until this morning.
- Well, happen it did!
And now you must fix it!
- May I take a look?
- Huh.
- What do you know about pianos?
(in a low voice): I don't. Well, I don't.
(notes)
(gregory): The wire is gone!
- Now we know where the garrote came from.
(indistinct chatter)
- Oh. We met at university.
- Was it a serious affair?
- More for him than me.
We only stepped out a couple of times,
But he became obsessed with me.
At first it was rather flattering,
But then most disconcerting, so I broke it off.
- Are you worried now?
- Well, of course not.
- Well, julia, some men don't know how to take no for an answer.
- It was a long time ago.
- Years only intensify those desires.
(violin music)
(music stops)
- Be with me, julia,
And your life will be filled with music and flowers.
(patrons exclaiming)
- The only name I have for that apartment is mr. Serrano.
- There was a woman who lived there.
Or at least frequented the building.
- Oh. I don't know what you're implying.
- Did you see a lady go in and out of the building?
- Oh, no.
And it's been quiet as the grave the last few days.
Oh, what a blessed relief.
- What, there was noise coming out of there?
- Was there!
The same tune, over and over again,
On a violin.
Sometimes I could hear a woman curse when she played the wrong note.
- So you never saw the woman,
But you heard her playing? - Oh, late at night.
I'd hear...
(hums)
- You're humming the tchaikovsky tune.
- Oh. If you say so.
Now, if you don't mind.
(classical music, indistinct chatter)
- Miss ahmad, may we have a word?
- Of course.
To what do I owe the pleasure?
- This is not a pleasant visit, I'm afraid.
- I see.
- Miss ahmad, what was the nature of your relationship with victor serrano?
- I suppose if you are asking, you are well aware of it.
Victor loved me.
And I loved him.
- But not enough to leave his wife for you.
- Men are cowards.
- He was breaking it off with you, wasn't he?
- Miss ahmad, did victor serrano pay you money the night that he was killed?
- I am not a harlot, sir.
And you will not speak to me as if I was one.
- My interest is simply in finding out who killed mr. Serrano.
- Something I had nothing to do with.
- You smoke, miss ahmad?
- On occasion.
Why?
- May I see your cigarettes?
- Egyptian cigarettes. Interesting.
- And very expensive.
Mr. Kriegoff gave me the whole package.
- The pianist.
- Hand rolled especially for him in cairo.
Would you care for one?
- For the purposes of evidence. Thank you.
It's my belief that smoking reduces your lung capacity.
Can't possibly be good for you.
- Many things that aren't good for you bring you pleasure, sir.
- Ain't that the truth.
Good day.
(aria playing)
- Mr. Kriegoff?
Detective murdoch, toronto constabulary.
(loud music continues)
(clicking)
(dramatic music)
- Ah, detective murdoch. Mm.
Please, accept my apologies.
- Do you always carry a gun when you bathe?
- On occasion.
I'm a little on edge lately.
- Mm.
Mr. Kriegoff, I know you lied.
You didn't just arrive in toronto today, did you?
- I may not have.
But this is hardly a crime, is it?
- These are your brand?
- Hm. Indeed.
- We found this packet in mr. Serrano's office
The night that he was killed.
- Oh, but they are not unique to me.
- Miss ahmad says that they are.
- Ah, yes.
She's a delightful creature, is she not?
Perhaps not.
Did she kill victor?
- Mr. Kriegoff, what were you doing with mr. Serrano before he died?
If you prefer, I can take you down to the station house
And throw you in our cells.
- You wouldn't.
Prison would ruin my reputation! Hmm...
Turn around.
- So you can raise your weapon at me again?
- So I can get out of the tub.
I will explain everything. Please, mm?
I was with victor before he died.
I wired him from new york, ahem, desperate.
You see, some very bad men had told me
That if I did not give them money,
That they...
Were going to cut off my fingers.
- Who were these men?
- Uh, I would rather not say, but they wanted a thousand dollars.
- Why?
(sighs) - well...
I might have owed it to them, but victor,
He's an old friend and he said that he would give me the money, so.
- How do I know you weren't extorting him?
- I would never!
I love victor.
Victor saved my life.
He wanted to just give me the money,
But I promised him I would pay him back every penny
And I still will, just...
To his widow.
- Did mr. Serrano say anything to you about his life?
Was anyone threatening him?
- Not him.
But...
Someone was threatening his mistress.
Apparently, a former acquaintance of hers
Was getting a little pushy.
- She told him someone was threatening her life?
- I suppose so.
But then victor did also say that she was one of those people
Who was just prone to these flights of fancy, so.
Ah!
Poor victor.
He just did not know what to believe.
(orchestral, dramatic music)
- Sir. (knocks on door)
Who do you think did it?
- Could be any one of them, george.
We have four viable suspects;
No murder weapon.
- But we know it was piano wire.
Is that right, sir? - It was.
- Didn't mr. Joseph tell us he was sleeping in the storage room where they kept pianos?
- He certainly did.
Henry?
- Sir?
- See what you can find out about a herbert block.
He's a member of the orchestra. - Of course, sir.
- Herbert block, sir.
I don't see him on your board there.
- He isn't. It's an unrelated matter, george.
(birdsong)
(rattling in the distance)
- Hello?
Oh...
(rattling continues)
Hello?
(ominous music)
Oh, herbert.
What are you doing here?
- I'm here for you.
- Did... Did you just walk into my house?
- When we were courting, you didn't mind a surprise visit.
- That was a very long time ago.
- This is for you.
M'lady.
- Oh, for goodness' sake!
Herbert, get up!
I'm married, herbert. And very happily!
- Run away with me.
- Leave at once.
Or I'll see to it that my husband puts you behind bars!
- Julia. - Get out!
Out!
- Yeah. - Out!
(sighs)
(exhales nervously)
(♪♪♪)
- Sir, you've attended symphony performances in the past, have you not?
- I have.
- What instrument does the conductor play?
(scoffs) - none at all, george.
- Well, then what exactly does he do?
- He... Leads the orchestra.
- How exactly does he do that?
- This must be the storage room.
So this is where mr. Joseph was sleeping.
- Sir, a letter from him to miss ahmad.
- "why won't you answer me, my love? You are killing me."
- It's odd he didn't send it. He sounds quite lovesick.
Sir, can I ask another question if you don't mind?
- Yes, of course, george.
- Do you think it's time I start thinking about having children?
- Oh!
I don't think I'm the person--
- I just don't want to do it at too advanced an age.
- Oh. I hardly think that you're that. You--
- I mean, effie and I wonder how you manage sometimes.
Well, just as where you and dr. Ogden are... Oh, my!
What do we have here?
- Oh!
If I'm not mistaken, that is the murder weapon.
- What are you doing here?
- Mr. Joseph, we'd like to have a word--
Stop!
Ooh!
(george panting)
(♪♪♪)
(panting)
- William?
(panting)
- Stop!
- Sweet mother...
Doctor?
(♪♪♪)
(murdoch grunts)
(grunting)
- Oh, william!
Good. I need to talk to you.
Now you're married.
- I did make that clear, yes.
- I'll have a word with him. - Thank you.
His visit was a troubling intrusion
And usually I wouldn't worry, but with susannah...
- Of course. - Thank you.
- ...High standard that we maintain.
- But if you-- - mr. Carli,
You are a pleasure to watch perform, but you are undisciplined.
Please shape up.
- Hm.
- Mrs. Serrano, if I might have a word?
- I heard that mr. Joseph ran off.
Did you catch him?
- No, mr. Joseph hasn't returned to his former lodgings
And constables haven't seen him anywhere.
- I don't know why he would run.
There must be some misunderstanding.
- You stated earlier that mr. Joseph and your husband were quite close.
Is it possible there was some animosity?
- Never.
Donald and victor were friends.
They both loved the symphony.
They lived for the music.
Now, if you'll excuse me. - Of course.
(grunts lightly)
- Ah, excuse me, sir, a word?
- Of course.
- That chap is the conductor, isn't it?
- Indeed. Do not disturb him.
He's very busy. - No, of course.
I-I'm just curious as to...
What does a conductor do?
- Excuse me?
- Well, all you musicians read music, do you not?
- Of course.
- And you all rehearse and practise together?
- Regularly.
- So, the musicians all know their parts?
- I should hope so.
- Then, presumably, you could all play those parts, together,
Even if he were, say, not there?
- Is there a point to your inquiries?
- I'm just curious as to what does a conductor do?
- He is the maestro.
He's the lord and master of the music.
- George! - Sir!
Ah!
I'm sure the role of conductor is very necessary!
Necessary in ways I can't fathom.
Sir, I have your hat.
- I need you to go to miss ahmad's rooms.
Now, if mr. Joseph is in love with her, as the note suggests,
Then that's likely the next place he'll go.
- Sir.
- Are you sure you don't want some?
- Ah, thank you, no.
- Please sit.
Do you really think mr. Joseph will come here?
- Well, it's a hunch of the detective's.
- We have reason to believe that mr. Joseph is in love with you.
- It wouldn't surprise me.
I know it sounds scandalous,
But mr. Serrano was going to leave his wife for me.
- Was he now? - Yes.
And that is likely why mr. Joseph killed him.
- Do you know that?
- I don't know it, but it does stand to reason, doesn't it?
(sighs)
- Love's labour is never easy.
- What do you mean? - Oh! This symphony.
I have no stage manager,
An angry soloist and now my principal second violinist has just quit!
- Herbert block? Why? - Yeah.
- Oh, he said his heart was broken.
- Where is he now? - I have no idea.
- So, you think this was the murder weapon?
- I believe so, yes.
- And you say you found it among mr. Joseph's possessions?
- Yes. - Why didn't he get rid of it?
- Perhaps he didn't have time?
That fact is troubling me, as well.
Sir, look at this.
It's a letter from miss ahmad
Begging mr. Serrano to let her play violin in the orchestra.
- She's definitely persistent. She even told me that.
No, there's something...
Look at this, sir.
We found this letter in the storage room
Supposedly written by mr. Joseph.
- They're written in the same hand.
She wrote them both. But why?
- To make mr. Joseph appear guilty of murder.
- We're dealing with a very devious woman, murdoch.
- One who george is currently with.
- It was going to be perfect.
Mr. Serrano was going to help me truly begin my career as a soloist.
My life was going to be a wonderful adventure.
But now it is in ruins.
Donald!
Get out! - You told me you loved me!
- I don't want to see you! Constable, arrest him!
- Mr. Joseph, you're coming to the station house with me.
You're under arrest for murder.
- Murder? I did no such thing.
- You had motive.
We found your love letter to miss ahmad.
She was having an affair with serrano.
Did you kill him so you could have her to yourself?
- I didn't! Hania, how could you?
(gunshot, painful groan)
- Bloody hell!
- Hand me that!
- Hania, you betrayed me.
(panting)
- Sirs.
Better late than never.
- I want to go home.
- I'm afraid that is not in your future.
We found your fingermarks on the weapon that killed mr. Serrano.
- I don't know how they got-- - please, stop lying.
Mr. Serrano wasn't going to leave his wife for you, was he?
And he also wasn't going to let you play in the orchestra, either.
So, in a fit of rage...
You killed him.
- You found the weapon in mr. Joseph's office.
- Because you put it there,
Along with a desperate love letter
To make him appear as though he would be willing to kill for love.
- I stopped him from killing me.
I am a gifted violinist and a woman worth killing for.
Can't you see that?
Why won't you believe me?
I'm a star! (door closing)
- My husband may have had a wandering eye,
But he did not deserve his fate.
Thank you for catching his killer.
- You're most welcome. - My condolences, mrs. Serrano.
- Victor would have been so pleased with this evening.
Ah, well, the show must go on.
- And I am sure it will go without a hitch.
- Well, I wish I had your confidence, sir.
- Well, at least she got her violinist back.
I saw that herbert fellow about half an hour ago.
- Is that so?
- Ah, sir. - Yes?
- Uh, the other sir. Uh.
- What is it, henry?
- Well, I found out some news about mr. Block.
He could be a dangerous fellow, sir.
- How so?
- He was suspected of killing a man who had stolen his previous lady friend,
But nothing could ever be proven.
(bell ringing in hall)
- Good gracious! Is there a fire?
- They're simply telling us to take our seats.
- William?
- I'll be along in just a moment.
- Margaret. - What?
- We're sat here. This aisle. - But--
- What? Why do they get the better seats?
- These seats are fine.
- You're the inspector.
We should get the better seats.
- Margaret, we'll still be able to hear the music.
- But I'll hardly be able to see the handsome conductor.
- Barely get the water in my dressing room hot enough to soak my arms!
- I'm sure you'll be wonderful.
- Pardon me. I'm looking for herbert block.
- I saw him in the wings earlier but he's not onstage.
I don't know where he is and the maestro is furious.
- Oh, I see.
- I do love tchaikovsky.
Do you know he was a child prodigy on the piano?
- I assume most of these composer types were.
- Perhaps if we have a child, they'll take up the piano?
- I don't know. Lessons would be awfully expensive.
I'm just joking.
Only the best for george junior. (audience applauds)
(soft classical music)
(uptempo classical music)
- Prepare to be thrilled.
I am on in one minute.
- Well, perhaps I should join my wife.
- Mmph. If only to keep her from swooning.
- Good lord.
(applause)
(gun cocking)
(quiet whispering in the audience)
(music starts)
Stop!
(grunts)
No!
(panting)
No! Stop!
(crowd exclaiming)
Give me your hand. (groaning)
(screams)
(crashing)
(exclaiming)
- Thomas!
Do something!
- Oh! Bloody hell. - Oh!
(coughs)
(crowd exclaims)
(grunts)
(applause)
- Well, it seems...
Our victim wasn't the only one caught in a love triangle.
- What do you mean?
- You, me,
Your old paramour.
- William...
There was never a triangle.
There was only a straight line from my heart to yours.
- Is that so, doctor?
(chuckles)
- You dance beautifully to tchaikovsky.
- You're not so bad yourself.
(♪♪♪)
Subtitling: Difuze