This summary is in no way intended as a substitute for viewing this fabulous episode.
Continued...
Next day
In the Hastings police station, Milner tells Foyle about a man called Gordon Drake, an Aircraftsman who has a billet on the 'drome, but lives with his wife in a rented cottage on the Digby Manor estate. He has done time for assault and demanding money with menaces. The two policemen consider it possible that Waterford might have employed Drake to get Jamieson out of the manor.
***
Foyle and Milner visit Waterford and learn that Drake's father was his batman during WWI. When Waterford got a bullet in the leg, his batman got him out of the trench. He died in a car accident after the war. When his son turned up at Digby Manor needing somewhere to live, Waterford thought letting him have a cottage was the least he could do. Foyle asks if he lives there for nothing and Waterford replies, "He pays his rent… sometimes."
***
The policemen's next call is on Beryl Drake. When she answers the door, Foyle is concerned to see bruises on her face, but she gives a fall as an explanation. She tells them that her husband isn't home, that he's there only when on leave and then she has to wait until the pubs are shut.
***
Andrew drives to Digby Manor by motorbike. Sam is waiting by the Wolseley for her boss, but Andrew walks past her, indicating that he hasn't time to talk.
Inside, he asks Matron Petrie if he may see Greville Woods, but she says it is not possible at present. She explains that the pilot has severe burns to his face and hands;
he cannot see and the condition might prove permanent. Andrew pleads and the Matron consents to a very short visit. She takes him to the treatment room where Jamieson is bathing Woods' burns in a saline solution and Andrew is hit hard by the sight. The surgeon realises he is there and instructs the Matron to take him out. His friend does not know he has been.
Outside the manor, Andrew, in sombre mood, tells Sam that Woods might lose his sight. He says the man was in his plane
and the cockpit wouldn't open. Sam begins to tell him that his father is there, but Andrew's mind is elsewhere. He abruptly announces that he is going to find Drake and climbs onto his motorbike. He tells Sam to get Anne and explain to her that she needs to come to the manor, and then drives off.
***
Foyle and Milner look around Digby Manor. On checking the only staircase leading to the roof, the DCS notes the covering and comments that he must remember to get his attic stairs carpeted.
The two men run into Jamieson in the downstairs hall, who tells them that Smythe is writing his report. He believes it will be unfavourable and having the police doesn't help. He mocks, "The police investigating the RAF - not the done thing, old bean!"
Foyle asks if he'd rather they left, but Jamieson says no, as a matter of fact they're having their first concert party that night and he wants them to be there. Foyle is about to decline the invitation, but Jamieson pre-empts him, saying refusals aren't allowed. "And you can bring that pretty driver of yours. Attractive women in uniform - that's what makes the war worth fighting, eh?" He chuckles.
***
Sam goes to the aircraft factory and breaks the news about Woods to Anne. When she explains that he was so badly burnt because his canopy wouldn't open, Anne immediately blames Drake for it. She refuses a lift to Digby Manor because she can't bear to see her fiancé in that state, not yet. Sam says, "But you love him."
Anne replies tearfully that she loved him the way he was, but she doesn't want to see him the way he is now. She breaks down.
***
Foyle, Sam and Milner attend the concert party. The three enjoy a skit sending up Jamieson and Foyle.
During the applause after one of the sketches, Wrenn leaves the hall after telling his wife he'll be right back.
Drake is cycling home through the grounds of the estate, while his unhappy wife sits in the cottage, thinking about her situation.
As the review continues, Foyle looks around and notices Wrenn's empty chair.
Anne Bolton walks to Digby House and hears the sounds of the concert coming from the building.
As Drake nears home, he dismounts from the bike and pushes it the rest of the way. Beryl hears his approach.
Drake pauses at the bottom of the path leading from the road to his garden gate and listens to a rustling in the bushes. He calls out, asking if anyone is there. Seconds later, someone uses a rock to deal him a hefty blow to the side of the head and he collapses to the ground.
Wrenn retakes his seat at the concert party and his wife comments that he is muddy.
Bridges' duet with the Matron ends and the audience offer hearty applause.
***
Next day
Beryl Drake has reported finding the body of her husband on the grass verge outside their home. Foyle and Milner investigate. They note that Drake's left shoe is only partly on his foot and wonder if this is significant. Foyle asks if Beryl was upset and Milner replies that she wasn't very upset "but you've seen her bruises." He thinks it possible that Beryl killed her husband, and Foyle says, in that case, they should speak with her again. Milner informs his boss that there is one peculiarity with regard to the death - the medical officer thinks Drake may have drowned.
Beryl is shaken, but admits that she feels no sadness at her husband's death and that he had caused her bruises. She says he was all smiles when they first met, but that was when she still had the money her father left her. When asked if she knows of anyone who might have wanted to kill Drake, her face hardens and she replies half the husbands in Hastings. She also says that Foyle should talk to Sir Michael because her husband was always getting money from him and they got the house for nothing.
Foyle looks closely at a framed photograph and asks Beryl if it is her father. She replies that it is, taken the year before he died. With regard to the house, she says she never knew why they got it for nothing, but it was to do with her husband's father, who had served with Sir Michael in the war.
Foyle gently enquires if she has someone to look after her and she says she supposes she'll telephone Pip. When Foyle queries the name, Beryl becomes somewhat nervous. She explains that he is her brother and lives in London. She says she hasn't seen him for a while, but maybe he'll come down.
As Foyle and Milner leave the cottage, they agree that they are of the same mind - Beryl did not kill her husband.
When they reach the Wolseley, Sam volunteers some information, but does it nervously. She tells her boss that she believes Drake worked at the same airfield as Andrew. She says she has a friend, Anne Bolton, who is walking out with a pilot by the name of Greville Woods. Foyle says he knows Woods to be a friend of his son's. Sam then tells him that Woods is at the manor because he's been hurt and what happened to him may have been partly Drake's fault.
***
Foyle goes to see Jamieson in his office and opens with an apology for disturbing him again, but the surgeon angrily cuts him short, saying that he should get the investigation over as soon as possible and then get out of the manor. Foyle tells him quietly that there are still one or two questions to be asked.
Jamieson continues to be angry. "I have a patient waiting through there, a young pilot. He has burns to his hands and face and he may well lose the use of his eyes. Now do you want me to stand here answering your questions or to go through there and get on with his treatment?"
Foyle gives as good as he gets. "Well the young pilot you are talking about is a very close friend of my son, who is also a young pilot. I'm fully aware that the work you're doing here is considerably more important than Drake's murder or who did it and, quite bloody frankly, I'd much rather not be here either, but should Drake's life not matter because he was less of a man than the men you're treating?"
Jamieson is brought up short and apologises, saying that he'll answer the DCS' questions.
Foyle's tone softens again. "Thank you. Well there aren't any - not for you.
I had one or two more for Dr Wrenn, who is speaking with my sergeant now. I thought it only a courtesy just to let you know that was happening. My apologies for keeping you from Greville Woods' treatment."
Jamieson is shocked to learn that his colleague is a suspect and says that he was at the concert party the night before. Foyle replies, "Er… not all the time." He leaves.
Continue on...
Next day
In the Hastings police station, Milner tells Foyle about a man called Gordon Drake, an Aircraftsman who has a billet on the 'drome, but lives with his wife in a rented cottage on the Digby Manor estate. He has done time for assault and demanding money with menaces. The two policemen consider it possible that Waterford might have employed Drake to get Jamieson out of the manor.
***
Foyle and Milner visit Waterford and learn that Drake's father was his batman during WWI. When Waterford got a bullet in the leg, his batman got him out of the trench. He died in a car accident after the war. When his son turned up at Digby Manor needing somewhere to live, Waterford thought letting him have a cottage was the least he could do. Foyle asks if he lives there for nothing and Waterford replies, "He pays his rent… sometimes."***The policemen's next call is on Beryl Drake. When she answers the door, Foyle is concerned to see bruises on her face, but she gives a fall as an explanation. She tells them that her husband isn't home, that he's there only when on leave and then she has to wait until the pubs are shut.
***
Andrew drives to Digby Manor by motorbike. Sam is waiting by the Wolseley for her boss, but Andrew walks past her, indicating that he hasn't time to talk.
Inside, he asks Matron Petrie if he may see Greville Woods, but she says it is not possible at present. She explains that the pilot has severe burns to his face and hands;
he cannot see and the condition might prove permanent. Andrew pleads and the Matron consents to a very short visit. She takes him to the treatment room where Jamieson is bathing Woods' burns in a saline solution and Andrew is hit hard by the sight. The surgeon realises he is there and instructs the Matron to take him out. His friend does not know he has been.Outside the manor, Andrew, in sombre mood, tells Sam that Woods might lose his sight. He says the man was in his plane
and the cockpit wouldn't open. Sam begins to tell him that his father is there, but Andrew's mind is elsewhere. He abruptly announces that he is going to find Drake and climbs onto his motorbike. He tells Sam to get Anne and explain to her that she needs to come to the manor, and then drives off.***
Foyle and Milner look around Digby Manor. On checking the only staircase leading to the roof, the DCS notes the covering and comments that he must remember to get his attic stairs carpeted.
The two men run into Jamieson in the downstairs hall, who tells them that Smythe is writing his report. He believes it will be unfavourable and having the police doesn't help. He mocks, "The police investigating the RAF - not the done thing, old bean!"Foyle asks if he'd rather they left, but Jamieson says no, as a matter of fact they're having their first concert party that night and he wants them to be there. Foyle is about to decline the invitation, but Jamieson pre-empts him, saying refusals aren't allowed. "And you can bring that pretty driver of yours. Attractive women in uniform - that's what makes the war worth fighting, eh?" He chuckles.
***
Sam goes to the aircraft factory and breaks the news about Woods to Anne. When she explains that he was so badly burnt because his canopy wouldn't open, Anne immediately blames Drake for it. She refuses a lift to Digby Manor because she can't bear to see her fiancé in that state, not yet. Sam says, "But you love him."Anne replies tearfully that she loved him the way he was, but she doesn't want to see him the way he is now. She breaks down.
***
Foyle, Sam and Milner attend the concert party. The three enjoy a skit sending up Jamieson and Foyle.During the applause after one of the sketches, Wrenn leaves the hall after telling his wife he'll be right back.
Drake is cycling home through the grounds of the estate, while his unhappy wife sits in the cottage, thinking about her situation.
As the review continues, Foyle looks around and notices Wrenn's empty chair.Anne Bolton walks to Digby House and hears the sounds of the concert coming from the building.
As Drake nears home, he dismounts from the bike and pushes it the rest of the way. Beryl hears his approach.
Drake pauses at the bottom of the path leading from the road to his garden gate and listens to a rustling in the bushes. He calls out, asking if anyone is there. Seconds later, someone uses a rock to deal him a hefty blow to the side of the head and he collapses to the ground.Wrenn retakes his seat at the concert party and his wife comments that he is muddy.
Bridges' duet with the Matron ends and the audience offer hearty applause.
***
Next day
Beryl Drake has reported finding the body of her husband on the grass verge outside their home. Foyle and Milner investigate. They note that Drake's left shoe is only partly on his foot and wonder if this is significant. Foyle asks if Beryl was upset and Milner replies that she wasn't very upset "but you've seen her bruises." He thinks it possible that Beryl killed her husband, and Foyle says, in that case, they should speak with her again. Milner informs his boss that there is one peculiarity with regard to the death - the medical officer thinks Drake may have drowned.Beryl is shaken, but admits that she feels no sadness at her husband's death and that he had caused her bruises. She says he was all smiles when they first met, but that was when she still had the money her father left her. When asked if she knows of anyone who might have wanted to kill Drake, her face hardens and she replies half the husbands in Hastings. She also says that Foyle should talk to Sir Michael because her husband was always getting money from him and they got the house for nothing. Foyle looks closely at a framed photograph and asks Beryl if it is her father. She replies that it is, taken the year before he died. With regard to the house, she says she never knew why they got it for nothing, but it was to do with her husband's father, who had served with Sir Michael in the war.
Foyle gently enquires if she has someone to look after her and she says she supposes she'll telephone Pip. When Foyle queries the name, Beryl becomes somewhat nervous. She explains that he is her brother and lives in London. She says she hasn't seen him for a while, but maybe he'll come down.As Foyle and Milner leave the cottage, they agree that they are of the same mind - Beryl did not kill her husband.
When they reach the Wolseley, Sam volunteers some information, but does it nervously. She tells her boss that she believes Drake worked at the same airfield as Andrew. She says she has a friend, Anne Bolton, who is walking out with a pilot by the name of Greville Woods. Foyle says he knows Woods to be a friend of his son's. Sam then tells him that Woods is at the manor because he's been hurt and what happened to him may have been partly Drake's fault.***
Foyle goes to see Jamieson in his office and opens with an apology for disturbing him again, but the surgeon angrily cuts him short, saying that he should get the investigation over as soon as possible and then get out of the manor. Foyle tells him quietly that there are still one or two questions to be asked.Jamieson continues to be angry. "I have a patient waiting through there, a young pilot. He has burns to his hands and face and he may well lose the use of his eyes. Now do you want me to stand here answering your questions or to go through there and get on with his treatment?"
Foyle gives as good as he gets. "Well the young pilot you are talking about is a very close friend of my son, who is also a young pilot. I'm fully aware that the work you're doing here is considerably more important than Drake's murder or who did it and, quite bloody frankly, I'd much rather not be here either, but should Drake's life not matter because he was less of a man than the men you're treating?"Jamieson is brought up short and apologises, saying that he'll answer the DCS' questions.
Foyle's tone softens again. "Thank you. Well there aren't any - not for you.
I had one or two more for Dr Wrenn, who is speaking with my sergeant now. I thought it only a courtesy just to let you know that was happening. My apologies for keeping you from Greville Woods' treatment."Jamieson is shocked to learn that his colleague is a suspect and says that he was at the concert party the night before. Foyle replies, "Er… not all the time." He leaves.
Continue on...