- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Melbourne Kennel Club where the cream of Victoria's canine crop are competing for the 1964 Best in Show title.

♪ Turn around and run about and chase her back to me ♪ ♪ Watchdog ♪ - [Announcer] We've got a wonderful day in store for you and some absolutely terrific performers like, there's Battlestar Galaxy from Birregurra.

(audience applauding) I see Silver Lining from Bendigo.

- Oh, well done!

- [Announcer] And one of my favorites, two-time champion Jimmy Jumping Jack from Canberra.

♪ If you can do what I think you can do for me ♪ ♪ I'll give you a home ♪ (upbeat music) - [Announcer] Crufts has got nothing on the Melbourne Kennel Club.

(audience applauding) (upbeat music continues) - Setters are the most people friendly, but I like pointers, too.

They're more sort of independent.

- How come I never knew you were such a dog lover?

- Never had one.

Birdie's allergic.

- Oh, poor Samuel.

♪ Watchdog ♪ ♪ Watchdog ♪ ♪ If you can do you what I think ♪ - Maybe I should get one, seeing as you're at my place most of the time.

- You'd do that for me?

- Well, for both of us.

Might be a good option now that I've sworn off men.

- Quite.

♪ Take along ♪ ♪ When my baby kisses me it knocks me on my heels ♪ - [Announcer] Oh no, I can't believe it.

- Are you okay?

♪ Watchdog ♪ - Oh, don't look at me.

Look at the puppy dogs.

Oh look.

Oh!

(audience applauding and cheering) (ominous music) - I'm sorry, baby.

I know you don't like it.

Good girl.

You stay there.

See it?

You're gonna beat all the other dogs, aren't you?

Don't worry, it won't be for long.

(Milady growling) What's wrong?

(Milady growling) What's the matter?

Hmm?

(Milady barking) (Lavinia gasping) (Milady barking) (head thuds) (water splashes) (Lavinia whimpering) ♪ Watchdog ♪ ♪ Watchdog ♪ ♪ If you can do what I think you can do for me ♪ ♪ I'll give you a home ♪ (water gurgles) (audience applauding) - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, a big round applause for our wonderful group of hounds.

(Sherri screaming) (tense music) - Come on, Samuel.

Excuse me, excuse me.

- Excuse me.

- Excuse me.

(suspenseful music) (water sloshing) (water pattering) (tense music) (tense music continues) (Sherri breathing raggedly) - It's Lavinia.

She's dead.

(upbeat music) (soft suspenseful music) - It's best if you try not to touch anything.

My name's Peregrine Fisher, and this is Samuel Birnside.

- I'm Sherri.

Sherri Gill.

- What's happened?

- [Sherri] Lavinia's dead.

- Oh my God.

- Clifford's my husband.

He's the club vet.

- [Peregrine] Hi.

- Look at those claw marks on her blouse.

You don't think... (Milady grumbles softly) Milady attacked her.

(Milady growls) - She can't have.

- But her paws are wet, and there's blood.

(Milady whining) You need to take her away for everyone else's safety.

- There must be some other explanation.

- But darling, you told me yourself she could be savage.

(Milady whining) - You're right.

I can't believe it.

You'll have to come with me.

- Oh, wait!

What is that?

- It's a grooming noose.

- Yes, I'm the club's groomer.

We all use them.

- But look, it doesn't even reach the bathtub when it's around her neck.

I think this dog has been framed.

(dramatic music) (soft suspenseful music) The victim's name is Lavinia Lethlean, and that is her champion collie.

We watched them win the Working Dogs group at 10:15, and then the Kennel Club's groomer, Sherri Gill, found Lavinia's body at 10:35.

This grooming noose would normally reach the bathtub, which must be why the murderer thought framing the dog would work, but these two knots are making it shorter than usual.

- Yes, Milady saw everything.

Poor girl.

- Sorry, the dog?

- Milady Magnolia Fotheringham.

- All right, well, thank you both.

I'll take it from here.

- But I'm already on the case.

I'm the one who worked out that this was murder.

- Yes, and thank you.

Now it's in the capable hands of the police.

Constable, I need to speak to Sherri Gill.

(soft tense music) When did you last see Miss Lethlean alive?

- It would have been soon after Milady won the Working Dogs group.

I was walking past the storeroom and I saw Lavinia take her out of the bath and slip her head through the grooming noose.

- Did you notice anything odd or unusual?

- No.

It was all perfectly normal.

I'm sorry.

I'm still in shock.

- Could I ask you why Miss Lethlean was grooming, um... - [Peregrine] Milady.

- Milady after she had just won the best in Working Dogs?

- She would have been preparing her for Best In Show.

All the dogs who won their groups are competing in front of Lord Lumley from Crufts.

- Did Miss Lethlean have any enemies inside the club?

- Well, there's Marjorie Mereweather.

- Marjorie Mereweather?

- I don't like to speak ill of anyone, but (sighs) poor Marjorie.

She was fiercely jealous of Lavinia and Milady's success.

- Mm.

(soft tense music) Thank you.

- Don't be silly.

There's no ill will, is there, darling?

This is Starbright Pollyanna Pomegranate.

- Oh, hello.

- We call you Pom Pom, don't we, darling?

- And Pom Pom was scheduled to compete against Milady in Best In Show tomorrow night, is that right?

- Yes.

It's such a tragedy.

- Miss Mereweather.

Detective James Steed of Victorian Police.

You can direct all your responses to me.

Where were you between 10:15 and 10:35 this morning?

- Doing our ablutions in a garden bed behind the clubhouse.

- Both of you?

- No, just Pom Pom, (Peregrine scoffs) but I was there.

- Did anyone else see you?

- Not that I know of.

Pom Pom, he thinks we did it.

We'd never hurt Lavinia.

We adored her.

Us girls have to stick together.

The show world is very tough on females.

- Hmm?

Why is that?

- When bitches are on heat, they can get a bit moody, and of course, they bleed, and male judges get in a flap about it.

If they dare have puppies, well, their career in the ring may as well be over.

- Why not get the bitches fixed?

- It's against the rules.

Every competitor must be intact, which is fine for male dogs.

Breeding doesn't change their bodies.

- But that's not fair.

- I know it's not fair.

- Can we get back to the issue at hand?

Is there anything else that you could offer that might be helpful?

- Yes.

Talk to Barry McBride.

- Who's Barry McBride?

- Self-appointed groundsman.

He owns Regency Rex of Ballarat.

And if Milady had won Best In Show tomorrow, she would have overtaken Rex's record.

If you ask me and Pom Pom, Barry's always had an unhealthy obsession with Milady.

- [James] Hmm.

(soft suspenseful music) (tool thuds) - That crazy sheila's barking up the wrong tree.

I couldn't give a stuff about Milady.

She's barely fit for mincemeat.

- If a dog who was barely fit for mincemeat was about to beat my dog's record, I'd be outraged.

- Bully for you, mate.

- Where were you be between 10:15 and 10:35?

- I was playing fetch with Regency Rex.

- Can anyone verify that?

- He'll nod if you ask nicely.

(Peregrine scoffs) But listen, mate, Milady was no skin off my nose.

She only beat Regency Rex 'cause Lavinia was friendly to the judges.

- And you expect me to believe that didn't infuriate you?

- I'm a red-blooded bloke.

I know how it works.

- [James] And how's that?

- Lavinia was a good-looking bird.

I even had a crack myself.

- How did that work out?

- She knocked me back, said she was in love with some other bloke, but it was top secret.

Who are you?

- No one who is relevant to this investigation.

(upbeat music) (dogs barking) (upbeat music continues) (group chattering) Peregrine, either make yourself scarce or I'll have Constable Smith escort you out.

- I think he's escorting somebody else.

(crowd gasps) - Oh no.

(crowd chattering) - Detective, can't they take her out the back?

We don't need reminding there's a killer in our midst.

- Clifford.

(mysterious music) He's stressed.

Lord Lumley's arrived from London.

Apparently, he expects the show to go on.

- Excuse me, what should I do with Milady?

I'd love to keep her, but my sister's allergic.

- Well, if the police are finished with her, I can take her.

- Oh, Clifford.

No, please.

I wouldn't feel safe with her in the house.

- But she isn't the killer.

- Well, she might not have killed anyone yet.

Poor Lavinia groomed Milady herself yet still took her to Clifford to get her nails clipped because she's aggressive.

- I can lock her up at the clinic.

- [James] I'm taking the dog.

- Bitch.

I hope you don't mind me correcting you, but she's a bitch and a herder.

- Yes, well, she's also evidence and a witness.

Now, until everyone has left their details with Constable Smith, no one is permitted to leave.

Come, come.

Except for you.

Go home.

(tense music) (mysterious music) (crowd chattering) - Wait here.

(mellow jazz music) (soft suspenseful music) (Milady panting) (door thuds) I wonder, were you and Ms. Lethlean more than friends?

- I don't think it's entirely appropriate for you to be asking me such personal questions.

- [Peregrine] Well, I have reason to believe- - Excuse us a moment.

Miss Fisher?

I won't tell you again.

- This lipstick on Clifford's handkerchief is Avon Coral Infusion, the exact same shade that Lavinia was wearing.

- That is police evidence.

- Well, you missed it.

- Goodbye, Peregrine.

(Peregrine sighs) Dr. Gill, were you having an affair with the murder victim?

- What?

- Hmm.

(soft tense music) (sighs) Is there somewhere else we can talk about this?

My wife.

- Sherri, were you really afraid of Milady, or was there another more personal reason you didn't want her inside your house?

- I don't know what you mean.

- Well, as the Kennel Club's groomer, you must have had plenty of contact with Milady.

- No, Lavinia never let me groom her.

She insisted on doing it herself.

- Huh.

Where were you between 10:15 and 10:35 this morning?

- I was helping Clifford do a dental check on a Great Dane, but I don't know why I need to tell you.

- You don't.

If I could clarify, (Peregrine sighs) this murder is a police matter, and as such, Miss Fisher is not authorized to investigate.

- Yes, all right.

(tense music) (traffic whirring) (horns honking) How dare he ban me from the investigation?

It's not like I ever get in his way.

Well, only if I need to.

(doorknob clicks) - I'm back!

(bag thuds) - Birdie!

- [Violetta] You look wonderful.

- You do.

In fact, I haven't seen you look this good since- - Just shows you what mountain air can do.

Revives the senses.

(sniffs) You've been near a dog.

- How can you tell?

I'm way over here.

- I can smell offal in your pocket.

- Liver treats.

You got me.

- (sneezes) Who was this dog anyway?

- It's a prized collie that's been framed for murder.

- A dog framed for murder?

- Yes, and even though I'm the one who worked it out, James has banned me from the investigation.

- He'll live to regret that.

- You're right.

He will.

Samuel, why don't you and I go and drop some dog food at the police station?

- Well, they won't let you in.

- No, but I'll send you in as my spy.

(suspenseful music) - What?

What would I be looking for?

- Oh, coroner's report, forensics.

- I see.

Look, it's not really my thing.

(chuckles) I wouldn't know where to start.

- Oh, well, Birdie could give you a few tips.

- Oh, God no.

I haven't been a spy in a hundred years.

- If you say so.

- I do.

(suspenseful music continues) - You'll be great!

Come on.

Let's go.

- Be safe, Samuel.

(mellow music) (typewriter clacking) (wrapper rustling) (kettle whistling) (Milady panting) (tense music) (Milady whimpers) (tongue slurps) - So, you and Miss Lethlean have been having an affair for several months.

- "Affair."

Makes it sound so shoddy.

We were in love.

- You planning to leave your wife?

- No.

I love Sherri, too.

I understand that's selfish.

- Okay.

Well, did your wife know?

- (scoffs) Good gracious, no.

I was very careful.

- Perhaps not careful enough.

If she somehow found out.

- Are you trying to say... No, Sherri wouldn't hurt a fly.

- What about you?

Perhaps you killed Lavinia to protect your marriage?

- No!

I told you I was in love with her.

- Where were you between 10:15 and 10:35?

- I was treating a Great Dane's abscessed tooth.

- Anyone with you?

- No, I was alone.

- Really?

Sherri told us that she was helping you.

(soft tense music) - Ah, yes.

Yes, of course she was.

I forgot.

(James scoffs) - Bloody mongrel!

Steed, get in here!

(blinds clatter) That bloody dog just ate my Strass and sauce sandwich.

- [James] Oh no, I'm sorry- - I want that mongrel out of my station, or I'll take it straight to an abattoir.

- No, but sir- - You heard me.

And shut the bloody door!

(door thuds) - Samuel.

- Ah!

James.

I bought you a steak.

(Milady whimpers) For Milady.

- [James] Oh, thank you.

- So how's it going here?

Any clues?

- Peregrine sent you, didn't she?

- Who?

What?

(laughs) No, no.

Don't be ridiculous.

(Milady whimpers) I'm not very good at this, am I?

- Look, it doesn't matter.

Sparrow wants that dog outta here, but she can't stay at my place 'cause my landlady won't allow pets.

So could you just take her for now?

- No, I'd love to, but Birdie's allergic.

What about Peregrine?

- No, God no.

Absolutely not.

- Well, then, who?

- Constables, hmm?

(clears throat) Tell Peregrine that she's forbidden from going anywhere near that kennel club.

(upbeat music) - I'd like to re-enter Milady for Best In Show and register as her new handler.

- But do you know anything about dog handling?

- Well, from what I can tell, you just run around in circles.

How hard can it be?

- Well, here's the competitor's guidelines and the program.

- [James] Good afternoon.

- Ah.

I'm here as Milady's new handler.

- Mrs. Gill, did you kill Miss Lethlean because she was having an affair with your husband?

- What?

An affair?

That's preposterous.

- Would you like to reconsider that answer?

- No, I would not.

Clifford would never betray me.

- Where were you between 10:15 and 10:35?

The truth, this time.

- I was helping Clifford.

- Try again.

Your husband told me that he was alone.

- Well, he must be mistaken.

- No, he's not.

Is he, Mrs. Gill?

- All right.

I knew.

I saw them together again this morning.

I was devastated, so I went out to the car and I sat there for at least an hour trying to pull myself together.

- Can anyone vouch for that?

- (scoffs) I didn't kill Lavinia to hold onto my husband.

Clifford will never leave me.

It's just that...

The way he kissed her, the way they held each other, it was like dogs on heat.

- Oh.

(mellow music) (crickets chirping) (mellow music continues) - Did Clifford kill Lavinia to hide his affair from Sherri?

Shake your head or wave your paw if I'm right, okay?

Or did Sherri do it because she'd had enough?

(Milady panting) Did Marjorie kill her so that Pom Pom would win Best in Show?

(Milady whimpers) Or did Barry do it so that you wouldn't beat Regency Rex's record?

(Milady whines) Oh.

You're the only witness.

I wish you could talk like Mr. Ed.

(Milady growling) What are you growling at?

There's nothing there.

(Milady whines) Or maybe I'm avoiding the obvious and you're a wolf in sheep's clothing.

You don't seem like a dangerous dog.

(suspenseful music) (Peregrine roars) (upbeat music) ♪ I ♪ (Peregrine meowing) ♪ Yes, I could make you mine ♪ (Peregrine hisses) ♪ Girl, but I don't want to ♪ ♪ Girl, I don't want to ♪ (Peregrine screams) ♪ (chuckles) You would ♪ (Peregrine barking) ♪ Yes, you would make me cry ♪ (Peregrine growling) ♪ Girl, but I don't want to ♪ (Peregrine howls) ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ (Peregrine coos) ♪ I don't want to, child ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah ♪ (Peregrine sighs and chuckles) - I think I'm more dangerous than you.

(Milady whimpers) But why would Sherri lie about that?

(Milady whines) (suspenseful music) (bag thuds) (suspenseful music continues) (gun and ammunition clicking) (suspenseful music continues) (door clicks) (bullet clatters) (dramatic music) - Samuel.

- Birdie.

What's going on?

Have you really been hiking?

- Well, I said so, didn't I?

- You wouldn't put yourself in danger again?

(Birdie scoffs) What's in there?

- Bras, underpants, that sorta thing.

Would you like to inspect it?

- No, no, no, no.

No, it's fine.

- Right.

Goodnight, Samuel.

- Mm.

Night, Birdie.

(door thuds) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (upbeat music) (trolley dings) (upbeat music continues) (traffic whirring) (upbeat music continues) (Milady panting) - Who's a lucky girl?

Look what Uncle Samuel has left for you.

(Milady whimpers) Not hungry?

Oh.

I don't like the look of that.

(tense music) I think somebody's trying to hurt you.

(dramatic music) (gentle music) - Violetta, what's wrong?

- Nothing.

- It's Father Neroli, isn't it?

- Oh, Samuel.

I feel like he's watching us.

- Violetta, my love, he may be a man of God, but he has no idea- (phone ringing) (phone ringing) Hello, Adventuresses' Club.

(sighs) It's Peregrine.

(Violetta sighs) Peregrine.

No, I didn't leave a steak there for Milady.

(engine whirring) (folder taps) - Steed?

Did you get rid of that dog?

- Milady?

- Yeah.

- She's with a person, a friend.

- Good-o.

- So I've been going through a couple of old reports.

Now, apparently, a nextdoor neighbor heard our victim arguing loudly with someone on her front lawn one night a few weeks back, and she accused him of breaking into her house.

- Well, who is this someone?

Maybe we should take a look at the bloke.

- We already are.

Name's Barry McBride.

He's one of our prime suspects.

- Oh, very good.

You're on fire, Steed.

No more little fish poking her nose into your investigations, eh?

Hey, you don't need her.

(phone ringing) - It's snail bait.

Metaldehyde.

Toxic to dogs and potentially fatal in a dose this large.

- Oh, I'll just go and check on her.

- Oh, thanks, Samuel.

- If Milady had ingested this steak, she'd have suffered seizures that would have raised her body temperature and led to brain damage and death over a couple of days.

Who on earth would do a thing like this?

- I think I know.

(suspenseful music) (rotary dial clicking) - A groundskeeper would have access to snail bait, wouldn't you, Barry?

You tried to kill Milady so she wouldn't beat Regency Rex's record.

- Mate, I'm dumb, but I'm not that dumb.

Why would I use a poison that'd lead straight back to me?

- Ah, well.

- As a ploy to make it look too obvious.

- I'm not that smart either.

You've got me wrong.

The last thing I want is Milady dead.

Here.

I've got proof.

- What's that?

A letter?

- It's an offer to Lavinia.

- You offered to pay her 70 pounds to mate Milady with Regency Rex?

That's a lotta money for a dog that you only consider fit for mincemeat.

- She knocked me back, but I knew the offer gave me a motive for topping Lavinia, so I had to lie.

The truth is, I wanted Milady to beat Rex's record 'cause it'd increase her value as a breeding bitch.

A trophy's just a trophy, but breeding, that's where the money is.

- Right, so that's why you broke into Lavinia's house on the night of October 16?

(Peregrine scoffs) - Lavinia locked Milady away 'cause she was on heat.

I broke in so the dogs could do the deed.

But that fussy bitch wasn't having a bar of Regency Rex.

Like herder, like owner.

- Spoken like a spurned man bitter enough to commit murder.

- Lady, if you're looking for bitter, you should be looking at Marjorie.

She hated Lavinia's guts.

- Really?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

She was always raving on about how Lavinia couldn't be trusted.

(door thuds) - I thought we agreed that you would wait outside while I interviewed Barry.

- Mm.

You told me to.

I never agreed.

- Mm.

Thank you for the poison tip-off.

- Well done on uncovering the break-in.

It's interesting, isn't it?

- [James] Hmm?

- Marjorie said that she adored Lavinia.

- Yeah, well, apparently not.

- And why would Lavinia refuse to mate Milady with Regency Rex when he's a champion, too?

- And why would someone wanna kill Milady?

Apart from keeping her out of the competition.

Just because she's dangerous?

- She's not dangerous.

I'd put money on it.

I just can't work out why Lavinia said that she was.

- What about to keep people at bay?

She seemed fiercely protective of Milady.

- To an odd degree, don't you think?

- [James] Mm-hmm.

- Well, so much for Marjorie's stories about the girls sticking together.

- It's time to have another chat with Marjorie.

- Let's do good cop, bad cop.

I'll act bad.

(somber music) James, I know things have been tricky, but we're both professionals, aren't we?

- Well, I'm not gonna get rid of you, am I?

- (chuckles) Nope.

(somber music continues) - [Sally] James?

- Oh, Sally.

- I hope this is all right.

My fittings with my dressmaker finished early, so I thought I'd drop by.

The constable said you were out here.

Can you take a break?

- Yes.

- I've got an apricot pie in here.

- Oh.

(Sally laughs) But if you two are still busy with work.

- Oh, no, no, not at all.

Nice to see you, Sally.

Enjoy your visit.

- Uh, Peregrine.

Don't talk to Marjorie without me.

- I wouldn't dream of it.

(door thuds) (mellow music) - Oh me.

This pie is delicious.

- Really?

- Yes.

- I'm glad.

(sighs) I asked your dad to pick some apricots from the Osbornes' tree.

I thought you might like a taste of home.

- You did that?

- Mm.

- Thank you.

- Well, you can keep the rest of it.

I can always find more apricots.

- It's good.

I think I will.

Thank you.

- James, I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you and Peregrine...

I mean, is it purely professional?

- Yes.

Yes, it is.

(mellow music) - Steed, how did it go with the... Hello, hello, who's this?

And what is that?

(chuckles) (soft tense music) I'm Chief Superintendent Percy Sparrow.

- Sally Whedon.

- Hello, Sally.

(soft tense music continues) (soft suspenseful music) (Birdie grunting) (spool thuds) (Samuel cries out) - Get your copper wire delivered here from now on.

Ruining the suspension on my bike.

- Yes, very well.

- Ha!

- Ooh.

- Birdie, I don't think you should go hiking anymore.

We miss you so much.

Promise me you'll stay at home from now on?

- Oh, don't be ridiculous, Samuel.

(steak squelches) Violetta?

- [Violetta] Mm-hmm?

- Have you tested the greenish tinge on this piece of meat?

- Yes, it's metaldehyde.

- [Birdie] And what about the sticky bit here?

(steak squelches) - Sorry, I've been focused on other things.

- What other thing?

- Have I compromised the investigation?

- No, no, no, of course not.

- It's not metaldehyde.

I've seen this before, and if I'm right, it's far more dangerous.

(mysterious music) - Oh.

I have to tell Peregrine.

- No, no, no, Violetta.

Violetta.

(groans) (mysterious music continues) Birdie, a word?

I know that you're spying again.

- Oh.

- No, please.

Please don't deny it.

At least show me the respect of being honest.

(ominous music) (suspenseful music) - All right, I'm spying again.

- (scoffs) We had an agreement.

Are you in danger?

- Well, you know I can't answer that.

- Yes, well, then I don't understand it, Birdie.

We're safe.

We're happy.

Why would you put your life in danger again?

- Evil just didn't disappear at the end of the war.

Still very important work to be done.

- Yes, I know, but why do you have to be the one to do it?

(somber music) You know how much I... You know how much I worry.

- Oh, Samuel.

Oh, sometimes the love of your life, it's not a person.

And there are people relying on me for justice.

And I can't let them down.

I won't.

(somber music continues) - Will you at least promise to try and be careful?

- Never.

But thank you for worrying.

(somber music fades) - Thank God Milady didn't eat that steak.

Can you let me know as soon as you've tested it?

- Of course.

I'm sorry, Peregrine.

I've failed you.

- What are you talking about?

You haven't failed me.

(doorbell rings) Oh, that'll be Marjorie Mereweather.

I asked her to give me a dog handling lesson.

- I should go.

- Thanks, Violetta.

- Thank you, Peregrine.

(switch clicks) - Come on up.

(upbeat music) - That's it.

Head up.

Back straight.

Watch your posture.

Keep moving counterclockwise, Milady on your left-hand side at a pace that shows her movement to best advantage.

- I hope I don't make a fool of myself.

I'm probably not half as good as Lavinia.

- Lavinia was overrated.

- I thought you admired her.

- Oh, no.

Pom Pom and I loathed her.

We didn't want that handsome young detective to think we murdered her.

- Still, it must have been infuriating when she kept beating you.

- Yes.

Poor Pom Pom's never won Best In Show since she had a litter because her tummy's not quite been the same.

- Oh.

That stinks.

Someone should judge the judges on their beer bellies.

- (scoffs) If only.

Now, don't forget, a good handler keeps one eye on the judge.

- And their beer bellies.

(Marjorie giggles) Do you think that's why Lavinia never let Milady have a litter?

Because it would compromise her figure?

(Milady whimpers) - Probably.

But it was strange, because Lavinia was always crying poor, and there's no money winning Best In Show.

It's all in the breeding.

- Oh.

- She's such a darling.

(Milady whimpers) (suspenseful music) - What's wrong, Marjorie?

- She is coming with me.

- What?

Stop it.

Stop.

Stop it!

What are you doing?

What's wrong with you?

(Marjorie grunts) Oh!

- That herder has gone to her last competition.

(Marjorie scoffs) (dramatic music) - What a bizarre person.

(Milady whining) - I told you not to talk to Marjorie without me.

- Well, someone needed to do some investigating while you were eating apricot pie.

Anyway, we were practicing here and everything seemed fine, and then she hugged Milady and just went berserk and tried to drag her away.

- Did she say anything?

- "That herder's gone to her last competition."

- Which was one of the murderer's primary goals.

- Exactly.

And Violetta found a second substance in Milady's bowl that could be even more lethal.

- What?

But if the snail bait was going to kill Milady, why complicate things with another toxin?

- Because whoever did it wants Milady to die fast so that she couldn't compete today.

- While still achieving the bonus of framing Barry with the snail bait.

- Seems like it.

- Huh.

- Hmm.

(phone ringing) Peregrine Fisher, private detective.

(suspenseful music) What?

(tense music) (tense music continues) (dog whining) (suspenseful music) Sherri, what's happened?

(ominous music) - Every time I come into this room, I seem to find a body.

(suspenseful music) (dramatic music) - So Marjorie passed you on her way inside.

Did she say anything to you?

- Yeah, she had this loony look in her eye and she said, "If you think Regency Rex is ever gonna breed with Milady, you're dreaming."

- I'll be right back.

Uh, Peregrine.

- Samuel.

- Hi, I just came to watch, but Sherri said I could handle Pom Pom, so.

- Oh!

- Any tips?

- Just trot around in a circle.

Mm-hmm.

- Circle.

(clears throat) Ah.

(crowd gasps) (crowd chattering) - Who is that?

(crowd chattering) - Is that another one?

(crowd gasps) - Oh no!

Oh!

- Oh God.

- That's Marjorie.

(crowd chattering) - Good God.

- Marjorie.

- Cover her up.

- Could we all just show some respect?

- Oh my goodness, yes.

- Please.

For one of our number has left us.

- And it's nearly show time.

Lord Lumley's on his way.

- Right you are.

We all have much to do.

- (sighs) Come on, Milady.

- Oh no.

Milady looks so unkempt.

- [Peregrine] Oh!

- I suppose I'll have to brush her.

- All right.

(Sherri groans) - Oh, don't look so afraid.

She's been an angel with me.

And I asked around and nobody's seen her misbehave.

- Well, maybe not, but Clifford says she's dangerous, and he's a vet.

(dramatic music) - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, this is your two-minute call for Best In Show participants.

Please make your way backstage and prepare your charges for entry.

- Oh, finally.

Where's Milady?

Is she all right?

- She's fine.

I just, I found a mark on her.

Clifford's taking a look now.

- They're about to let the audience in.

Can't it wait?

- Looks like he's done.

- [Peregrine] Oh.

- She just attacked me.

- [Peregrine] What?

- Yeah.

I know she has a history of this sort of behavior.

(Milady growls) And I've been trying to avoid... (Milady growling) - Clifford, you need to put her down.

(Milady whines) (soft ominous music) You have to.

- Yes.

Come.

(Milady whines) (Milady growls) - I know this dog.

She wouldn't bite.

- What are you two doing?

Now I'll never make dough off her puppies.

- Barry, this has got nothing to do with you.

- What's one little bite?

You always hated Milady, didn't you?

- Peregrine!

Peregrine!

- What did you expect?

- [Sherri] She's Lavinia's bitch.

- That extra residue, it was a lethal drÑg, phenobarbital, and it's only available by doctor's prescription or... - From veterinarians.

- Yes.

- Oh, thank you, Violetta.

- Oh, you should thank Birdie.

I needed help this time.

- How many dogs can you just euthanize on a whim?

- Thank you.

- How dare you?

- [James] Hey!

- Get your hands off me!

(group grunting) Get her off me!

- Jesus.

Cut it out.

- Nuts.

- Both of you.

Enough!

(dramatic music) (finger tapping) (dramatic music continues) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (Peregrine panting) - It was you.

(dramatic music) (both grunting) (Milady barks) (Peregrine cries out) (Barry grunts) (glass breaking) (suspenseful music continues) No.

- Don't.

(both grunting) (Milady barking) (suspenseful music continues) (objects clattering) (suspenseful music continues) (Peregrine panting) - You killed Lavinia and Marjorie.

(Barry grunts) Oh!

(suspenseful music) (Peregrine gasping) (Milady barks) (knee thuds) (Barry groans) (suspenseful music) (Barry grunting) - Peregrine!

You okay?

- Yes.

Thanks to Milady.

(Milady whines) - You're under arrest for murder.

(dramatic music) - The murder of Lavinia Lethlean and Marjorie Mereweather, and the attempted murder of Milady Magnolia Fotheringham.

(crowd gasping) - Mate, you're a vet.

- A vet with more than one secret.

But the clues were there right from the start.

You convinced Sherri that Milady was dangerous, despite there being no proof of that whatsoever.

(Peregrine screams) Lavinia knew Milady wasn't dangerous, but that wasn't her only secret either.

(tense music) - She was your lover.

- And that's the reason you agreed to help her find a way to hold onto glory, to keep winning Best In Show with Milady because the show world is so tough on females.

You helped her cheat.

- I knew it.

How?

- You thought you could fool everyone, but your secret was almost discovered when Barry tried to mate Milady with Regency Rex.

She wasn't on heat then, was she?

- That's why she wouldn't have a bar of him.

- But when you heard that Lord Lumley was coming to town, you knew that he'd find out.

- I begged Lavinia to withdraw Milady, but nothing would change her mind.

I thought she loved me.

- But she was just using you, and you would have lost everything if it had got out.

So when Lavinia was grooming Milady... (Lavinia gasping) (head thuds) As a jilted lover, you attacked her and you held her head under the water until she drowned.

(water gurgling) (suspenseful music) And then you framed Milady by running her claws down Lavinia's back so that you'd have an excuse to put her down and hide the evidence of what you did.

- What evidence?

- Luckily, the police interfered with that plan.

- So did Miss Fisher.

- Thank you.

So did Marjorie.

(Sherri gasps) - Such a darling.

(Milady whimpers) (ominous music) - She found the scar.

Like I did.

- I didn't want to kill the mad bat.

(Marjorie gurgling) (suspenseful music) She threatened to tell everyone.

- Tell everyone what?

- That I desexed Milady.

So she could never breed, never have a litter, never change her looks.

And so Lavinia would continue to win against the other males at any cost.

- Except the cost of your career and your broken heart.

- Oh, Cliff.

- Constable.

(somber music) (somber music continues) (door thuds) (dispatcher chattering) Great work.

- Right back at you.

Do you wanna celebrate?

After you put Clifford behind bars?

- Sorry.

I can't.

Catching up with some old friends from the country.

And Sally.

- Of course.

That's fine.

- I'll see you.

- Peregrine!

Wonderful news.

Sherri's swearing off dog shows forever, but she's going to adopt Pom Pom and Milady and let me visit whenever I want to.

- Oh, good.

- Although I do think I'll be spending most of my time (clears throat) reading up on converting to Catholicism.

- Samuel, no.

We've talked about this.

I don't want to force you to convert to something you don't believe in.

- You're not forcing me.

It's my decision.

- But, Sam- - Violetta, I love you, and this is my choice.

(gentle music) - Oh, Samuel.

(Peregrine sighs) - Oh.

Milady.

Hello.

(gentle music) (Milady whimpers) - I promise to take great care of her.

Unless you want to keep her.

- Oh.

(Milady whining) I, uh...

I just don't think I'm quite ready for a dog.

(engine rumbling) (upbeat music) ♪ Seems that it was ♪ - She's a beauty.

- Isn't she?

- Has she got a name?

- I'm going to call her Gorgeous Fishus Magnificus.

- A toast to Gorgeous Fishus Magnificus.

- Salut.

- Cheers.

- Cheers.

(Samuel chuckles) ♪ But where is the boy ♪ ♪ Where is the boy tonight ♪ - Oh yes.

(upbeat music) - [Group] Oh!

(group chattering) - [Both] Oh!

(pins clatter) - Yeah!

- Yes!

- Get on, man.

(tense music) - Hey, Chief?

Rockers and mods again.

- All right, that's enough of that.

- Stay out of it, old man.

- Hey, you and you... - [James] What did you do in that back room?

- Just reminded those louts who runs this town.

(bowler screams) - Milo's been arrested.

They're going to charge him with murder.

- Nice shirt.

- Sparrow got them made up for us here.

- "Us"?

- What are you doing here, Peregrine?

- Milo is Violetta's nephew.

(James clears throat) - Is he your boyfriend?

- Ex, and Detective Steed was just leaving.

Hmm.

- What do you want?

- What I've always wanted.

- Tell me what happened at the alley, Milo.

- I didn't kill him.

- Who did?

- Chief Super Sparrow.

- I see you've put me down as a suspect.

- [James] I mean, you were one of the last people to see the victim alive, sir.

- He did not murder that boy.

It's the police I don't trust.

(dramatic music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (no audio)