At the station house. In the interrogation room.
Murdoch: Tell me Miss Rochestor, does your room by any chance connect to the hidden passageway on the second floor?
Patricia: Yes it does but so do all the bedrooms.
Murdoch: Thank you for being truthful. (clasps hands together) I have recently determined that Mycroft could not have been the killer.
Patricia: (shocked) But..but he's already been proven to be one.
Murdoch: That's true but in this regard he is innocent. Someone else killed your father.
Patricia: (disdainfully) What and you think it was me? Is that why I'm in here?
Murdoch: You had just as much to lose as Mycroft did if you forfeited your inheritance. Out of the two of you, you were much more accustomed to a certain lifestyle and would have had a harder time adjusting to a state of poverty. I'd say that was a strong motive to commit this crime.
Patricia: (angry) You don't know anything about me! I hate high society! You always have to act a certain way or you're shunned and ignored for all eternity! It's an intolerable way to live!
Murdoch: So that's why you took such an interest in Mycroft? You thought you had found your way out? Did you actually care for him or were you using him to get what you wanted?
Patricia: (stares at him defiantly) Yes I did care for him, very dearly...that is until I found out he was a lying sociopathic killer!
Murdoch: But you never loved him, did you?
Patricia: (looks away) No, I never loved him. Thank God for that!
In Brackenreid's office.
Brackenreid: So you don't think it was either of the two love birds, eh? (Murdoch nods) Did any of his business deals go sour?
Murdoch: Not that I can determine. He hasn't taken part in such things in a long time.
Brackenreid: Hmm, so you followed the money and it led nowhere. I'd wager this was a revenge killing then, Murdoch. Mr. Rochestor must have had another dirty secret up his sleeve.
Murdoch: I have come to the same conclusion as well.
Brackenreid: Any ideas as to who it could have been?
Murdoch: No. I'll need to do some more digging before I can come to any concrete conclusions.
In Murdoch's office.
Butler: What can I do for you detective?
Murdoch: How long have you worked for Mr. Rochestor?
Butler: It's been just about fourteen years now.
Murdoch: So you knew him quite well?
Butler: Yes, you could say that.
Murdoch: Did Mr. Rochestor have any additional secrets? Other than his heroin use?
Butler: Yes. (smiles) He cheated at cards.
Murdoch: Mr. Milton, I know that you feel you have a certain duty to your former employer but I need you to set that aside and tell me truly. I cannot hope to catch the killer if you do not do so.
Butler: (seriously) Fine, detective. There were times when he would terrorize the household. Some say he went a little mad after his wife's death.
Murdoch: How did she die?
Butler: Consumption.
Murdoch: How terrible. (brief silence) When you say terrorize, what exactly do you mean?
Butler: He would yell at everyone and everything without provocation. His children in particular were terrified of him when he got like that.
Murdoch: Did he ever strike them?
Butler: Not that I recall. But Lord knows he came very close many times.
Murdoch: Why did you continue to stay in such a place?
Butler: I felt badly for the man. Besides, I didn't consider it any worse than my former employment.
Murdoch: Once again, thank you sir.
In the park, sitting on one of the benches eating a late lunch.
Murdoch: (sighs) I still have no idea who could have killed Mr. Rochestor. It seems like anyone could have done it.
Julia: (smirks) Except for Mycroft of course.
Murdoch: Yes, except for him. How strange to be so certain of his innocence once again. I hope I have not been taken for a fool once more.
Julia: William, the last thing you are is a fool. We were all mislead just as much as you were the last time we encountered him. Don't be so hard on yourself. (Murdoch mopes and there's silence for awhile) It is curious though.
Murdoch: What Julia?
Julia: That Mycroft should have the misfortune to be caught up in such a scandal. He either has abominable luck or he really was being framed.
Murdoch: (happily) Julia, you've just helped me solve this case!