What Would Murdoch Do?

by DoctorH

Murdoch is out of the country, and it is up to Inspector Brackenreid to try to solve a case involving murder of a loan shark, in addition to all of his other duties. The murder case has its twists; and Brackenreid (who is in every scene!) finds himself wondering what Murdoch would do. This is a teleplay, just like watching a TV episode, and a solution to the mystery is included.

1. ACT 1

"What Would Murdoch Do?"

ACT I

(FADE IN. ESTABLISHING SHOT OF STATION HOUSE NUMBER FOUR, mid-morning [Tuesday]. CUT TO: INT. STATION HOUSE NUMBER FOUR, BRACKENREID'S OFFICE. BRACKENREID is sitting at his desk, with his jacket off, talking on the telephone.)

BRACKENREID
Freddie, I'm just saying that I don't have any active detectives here at Station House Number Four. One of them is out of town and one is sick with influenza. (pause) Well, right now, we're getting by, but I have some of my boys chasing down suspects in that riot on Saturday night, and others are investigating that suspicious fire on Dundas. (pause) Yes, that's the one. Anyway, I'm concerned that if another big case comes in, I might not have the people to handle it. If that happens, could I count on you to lend me one of your— (pause, mildly surprised) Oh. Oh, I see. Well, I just thought I'd ask. (pause, becoming offended) Oh, I might have to investigate a case MYSELF, eh? Do a little WORK for a change, eh? (pause) That's not funny.

(BRACKENREID purses his lips and hangs up.)

BRACKENREID
(to himself) Not funny at all.

(While BRACKENREID pouts, HIGGINS knocks on the door and pokes his head in.)

HIGGINS
Sir, we've just received a report of a homicide.

(BRACKENREID rolls his eyes and makes a "Why me, God?" gesture.)

HIGGINS
Jackson knows the address and is on his way there, now. I've told Dr. Ogden and a photographer that their services will be needed.

BRACKENREID
And we have no detectives! (harrumphing, rising) Let me get my coat, Higgins, and then we'll go join Jackson. You have the address?

HIGGINS
Yes, sir.

BRACKENREID
Notify the desk sergeant that we will be at that address.

HIGGINS
Yes, sir.

(HIGGINS leaves to talk to the Desk Sergeant, while BRACKENREID puts on his coat. CUT TO: ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DOWNTOWN TORONTO, still morning. CUT TO: EXT. OF A PUB. The sign on the establishment reads "Angel's Public House"; the sign includes a picture of an angel. BRACKENREID and HIGGINS approach the door of the pub, and stop. BRACKENREID turns to HIGGINS.)

BRACKENREID
This is it, is it, Higgins?

(HIGGINS checks an address on a slip of paper in his hand.)

HIGGINS
Yes, sir, it is.

(HIGGINS steps past BRACKENREID to grab the handle of the door. HIGGINS opens the door so that BRACKENREID can enter. BRACKENREID enters the pub, followed by HIGGINS. CUT TO: INT. MAIN ROOM OF PUB. The establishment has several tables and a bar. A bartender, ALEC, is on duty and is cleaning glasses, but there are no patrons. BRACKENREID looks at ALEC, and ALEC points in the direction of another room, the door to which is half-open. As BRACKENREID and HIGGINS head for the other room, BRACKENREID notices that all of the tables are unoccupied, except for one, at which sits ANGEL Sutton, a red-haired middle-aged woman. ANGEL has a beverage in a small glass in front of her, but she is just sitting there. BRACKENREID proceeds to the half-open door and pushes it open. CUT TO: THE OTHER ROOM [DINING ROOM], which has some nicer tables and chairs and is apparently a dining area separate from the pub area. The tables have tablecloths and cloth napkins laid out. On one far wall is a closed door. BRACKENREID and HIGGINS enter this dining room. JACKSON is standing near a table, making some notes in a notebook. JACKSON looks up as BRACKENREID approaches. As BRACKENREID gets closer to JACKSON, BRACKENREID can see on the floor the body of a dead man, face down. There is a knife handle sticking out of the dead man's back, the knife being buried so deeply that the blade is not visible. There is a great deal of blood on the dead man's back, and not just where the knife protrudes. A closer look reveals multiple gashes in the dead man's clothing. There is a crumpled cloth napkin on the floor next to the body. This dining room is not especially well-lit by the bulbs hanging overhead, and there are a few windows on one wall but there is very little light coming through the windows. BRACKENREID turns to HIGGINS.)

BRACKENREID
Higgins, stand by the front door and keep everyone out of the pub. When Dr. Ogden and the photographer arrive, show them in and direct them to this room.

HIGGINS
I will do so, sir.

(HIGGINS leaves. BRACKENREID looks at the body. The face cannot be seen.)

BRACKENREID
Well, what've we got here, Jackson?

JACKSON
He was found like this, sir, by the owner of the establishment, at about ten-thirty. She said she telephoned the Constabulary immediately.

BRACKENREID
(looking around) Where is the owner of the establishment?

JACKSON
She was highly upset, sir, and felt she could not remain at the scene. Her name is Mrs. Angel Sutton. I've asked her to wait elsewhere, sir.

BRACKENREID
Did Mrs. Sutton know this man?

JACKSON
She said his name was "Doc"; that's all she said.

(BRACKENREID scowls.)

BRACKENREID
Has the scene been disturbed?

JACKSON
No, sir. I checked the body for a pulse at the neck, and found none. Other than that, the body has not been touched.

BRACKENREID
Right. (muttering) First that little riot, then that suspicious fire, now this stabbing. This is becoming a busy week. Hell of a time for Murdoch to be in Boston.

JACKSON
(uncomfortably) Y— Yes, sir. And with Detective Watts being at home with influenza—

BRACKENREID
We may need some help with this one. Station House Two has its own troubles; but Station House Three owes us a favour. Maybe I can get some assistance from them. If we need it. Hmm. Have you searched the area, Jackson?

JACKSON
Yes, I have, sir. I found nothing of interest.

BRACKENREID
(pointing to the closed door) Is that exit locked?

JACKSON
Uh, that is not an exit, sir. That door is to a small storage room with linens and restaurant supplies, and it is unlocked. The only exit is the door you came in through.

BRACKENREID
(looking around) No obvious footprints. You're sure no one's touched the handle of that knife?

JACKSON
I most certainly have not touched it, sir.

BRACKENREID
How about Mrs. Sutton, did she touch it?

JACKSON
(sheepish) I didn't ask, sir.

(BRACKENREID purses his lips but is not angry; he quickly stoops down to look a the crumpled napkin and the handle of the knife, then stands again. OGDEN and the PHOTOGRAPHER walk up to the scene. BRACKENREID does not notice.)

BRACKENREID
Finger marks on the handle. (indicating the napkin) The killer might've tried to wipe them off. Maybe he missed some. If there are any finger marks, they might tell us who did this.

JACKSON
Yes, sir.

OGDEN
Good morning, Inspector.

(BRACKENREID is slightly startled, and turns, and smiles a little.)

BRACKENREID
Ah, Doctor! (pointing at the body) Not a good morning for this poor bloke, I'm afraid. How are you?

OGDEN
I'm fine, thank you. (to PHOTOGRAPHER) Get some photographs from this angle, and from there.

PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes, Doctor.

(The PHOTOGRAPHER begins to set up his equipment.)

BRACKENREID
How's your husband? Have you heard from him lately?

OGDEN
(more interested in the body than in small talk) Yes, I received a wire this morning. He is enjoying Boston, and he said yesterday's presentations on crime scene analysis were especially enlightening.

BRACKENREID
When you wire him, let him know I wish he were here.

OGDEN
(stooping to examine the body) I will.

BRACKENREID
He returns on Friday, does he?

OGDEN
(focusing on the body) I believe so, yes. He said he might try to be back by Thursday evening.

(BRACKENREID feels like he is uncomfortably in the way, so he moves away from the body; so does JACKSON.)

BRACKENREID
(to JACKSON) I'm going to go talk to the woman who found the body. You said she's waiting somewhere? Where is she, again?

JACKSON
Mrs. Sutton is in the part of the pub where the bar is, sir. She has reddish hair—

(BRACKENREID has a brief FLASHBACK, recalling the red-haired woman he saw in the pub, with a beverage in front of her. FLASHBACK ENDS.)

BRACKENREID
I saw her! She was drinking! (scolding) She's an important witness, Jackson! We want her sober when she gives her evidence, not soused! What's the matter with you?!

JACKSON
She swore to me she wouldn't drink, sir!

BRACKENREID
Bloody h—! I'd better speak with her before she imbibes too much!

(BRACKENREID quickly heads back to the main room of the pub, taking one last look at OGDEN as she examines the body. CUT TO: INT. MAIN ROOM OF PUB, moments later. ANGEL is still sitting at a table, with a beverage in front of her. BRACKENREID notices that the beverage appears to be clear liquid. BRACKENREID also notices that ANGEL's hands seem to be shaking of their own accord, but the shaking is not very pronounced. BRACKENREID approaches ANGEL. ANGEL pays no attention to BRACKENREID as he approaches her and stands next to her.)

BRACKENREID
I beg your pardon, Madam. Are you Angel Sutton?

(ANGEL looks at BRACKENREID but says nothing. ALEC watches from behind the bar and leans forward, as if trying to listen.)

BRACKENREID
(showing his badge) I'm Inspector Thomas Brackenreid, Toronto Constabulary. (sympathetically, professionally) You found the body in the next room, yes?

(ANGEL nods.)

BRACKENREID
May I sit down?

(ANGEL nods. BRACKENREID sits, and as he does so, he casually moves the glass on the table, taking a sniff of the contents before placing the glass on the table.)

BRACKENREID
You haven't been drinking anything alcoholic, have you?

(ANGEL nods slightly in the direction of the glass.)

ANGEL
Water.

BRACKENREID
(a little relieved) Good. You knew the man you found as "Doc," yes?

ANGEL
(with a little nod) "Doc."

BRACKENREID
Did you see who did it? Did you see who stabbed "Doc?"

(ANGEL stares for a moment, then nods. BRACKENREID's eyes widen in modest surprise.)

BRACKENREID
You did? (slowly, professionally) I want know everything you saw. First: was the attacker someone you know?

(ANGEL nods.)

BRACKENREID
Who did it?

ANGEL
(pointing to herself with a shaking finger) Me.

(BRACKENREID is stunned. FADE OUT.)