♪ ♪ Barnabus has got his new job.

You're always up to something different.

But me, every day's the same.

♪ ♪ I thought you'd hired me to work on an actual case.

This is the job I'll hire you to do.

Do it or don't do it.

I'm trying my best to do as he asks, forge a working relationship.

On behalf of Scotland Yard, I would like to welcome you all to our new clerical office.

I look forward to working with you.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (thunder claps) (whimpering) (click) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (bell ringing) (footsteps approaching) I'll do that.

Last time you did the laundry, you flooded the kitchen.

I'll do it after work.

You're going to be late.

I know, I know.

You look nice.

Thank you!

How are things at Scotland Yard?

Wonderful.

Inspector Blake is such a gentleman and so considerate.

Quite the nicest person I've worked for.

Thank you for that.

You don't count.

Again, thank you.

Oh, I'll do them.

And yes, I'll do them properly.

Now, get your things and go.

But...

Coat, hat, bag-- now.

Good morning, my dear.

Oh, Barnabus, I'm so sorry, I don't have time for breakfast.

I need to be in early today-- so much to do.

This is the third time this week we will miss breakfast together.

And it is the cornerstone of our day.

There's tea in the pot, bread and jam on the table.

Lizzie will keep you company.

Mm!

♪ ♪ Miss Scarlet.

Mr. Potts.

(sighs) I've never seen Ivy this happy, Mr. Potts.

So we will have to make adjustments.

I am aware of that.

(sighs) I do not wish to be seen as a stick-in-the-mud, but I am a man of routine.

Because without routine, Miss Scarlet, there is anarchy.

Well, I have a very busy day ahead of me.

Clarence is visiting his mother for a few days, and I'll be alone in the office.

So perhaps I can trouble you for one more break in your routine?

To assist me with the dishes.

Miss Scarlet, I am yet to take my morning tea, let alone peruse the latest headlines.

Mr. Potts, if we work together, then Ivy will be free this evening to give you time and attention, rather than doing the washing up.

♪ ♪ Very well.

But I have a specific method when it comes to the cleaning of dishes, which I must insist we adhere to.

Right.

(exhales): Right, indeed.

Uh, I do confess, it's been difficult to tear myself away from this morning's news.

The front-page stories are grimly compelling.

Are you aware of the Thames Reaper?

I am, indeed.

I've been following the story with great interest.

Four murders in three short months, and then nothing.

Hm.

Until now.

He has written a letter to "The Morning Herald" advising he plans to kill again.

Goodness.

It sent a chill down my spine when I read that the Thames Reaper is back.

We will not be safe in our beds until he is caught.

It pains me to say this.

There are times when I truly believe there is something rotten at the heart of this great nation.

Intriguing.

I... You don't mind if I take this, do you, Mr. Potts?

What?

Uh, no, no, Miss Scarlet!

Miss Scarlet!

(footsteps retreating) Anarchy!

(water splashes) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ MAN: Thames Reaper returns!

Get your "Morning Herald"!

Read all about it!

(people talking in background, phones ringing) (typewriters clacking) (people talking in background, phones ringing) (knocks softly) BARNES: I think you need to refer back to what you've said already, indeed.

Mr. Barnes.

(quickly): What?

My name's Eliza Scarlet.

I, I wondered if I might have a moment of your time.

Uh... 1,200 words by 4:00.

1,200?

Yes.

Sir.

That'll do, Bailey, thank you.

Thank you.

If you're looking for work, I already have a secretary.

I'm a private detective, Mr. Barnes, and I would very much like to help your newspaper solve the mystery of the Thames Reaper.

You have some information?

I have a number of theories and insights.

As well as leads that... Madam, I am the editor of a national newspaper.

I have no shortage of people to chase up leads.

They are called journalists.

And this building is full of them.

It's been almost a year since the first murder, and no one-- not the police, not your newspaper, nor any of your competitors-- has the slightest idea who this Thames Reaper is.

This case needs fresh insight, and I will work around the clock, seven days a week, to bring you answers.

And you would want to be paid for that, I presume.

Well, that is customary when someone provides a service, yes.

Hm.

Mm... You bring me something new, something I don't already know, and then perhaps I will hire you.

♪ ♪ (people talking in background, phones ringing) Mr. Bailey, my name's...

I, I know exactly who you are.

There are not many lady detectives in London.

(chuckles) Pleasure to meet you, Miss Scarlet.

I hear it was you who broke the story of the Thames Reaper.

Guilty as charged.

In fact, these are my notes.

1,200 words by 4:00.

(chuckles) Exactly.

So, um, what brings you here?

Well, I also have an interest in the Reaper case.

And now that he's returned, I asked that your editor hire me to do my own investigation.

Well, best of luck.

The man has short arms and very long pockets when it comes to paying even his own staff.

Well, we've agreed that if I do find any new information, he will indeed pay me a fee.

And it occurred to me that, um, well, perhaps it might benefit us both if we share any insight that we might have on the case.

The Reaper story has transformed the fortunes of "The Morning Herald."

We were on the verge of closing due to poor sales.

Dreadful thing to say, but these murders have kept us all in a job.

How did the story come to your attention?

In November of last year, a body was found on the banks of the Thames near London Bridge.

A young man in his early 20s.

It appeared he had drowned.

There was little other information, not even his name.

Normally, I would have ignored it, but it was a slow news day, so, I wrote a couple of hundred words that ended up hidden away on page six.

No other newspaper reported it, and I gave it no more thought.

Then, the next day, a letter arrived.

♪ ♪ (envelope tears) It was typed on plain paper and written all in lower case.

It simply read, "Edward sleeps by London Bridge."

I had no idea what it meant, but the mention of London Bridge made me think of the drowning the day before.

I spoke to a police contact and managed to get the name of the dead man.

As the letter said, it was indeed Edward.

Edward Turnbull.

Had his name been released to the public?

No.

And the letter was posted the day before my story was published.

Compelling evidence that whoever wrote the letter murdered the victim.

What happened then?

Our source?

Our source... BAILEY: I wrote a bigger story, mentioning the mysterious letter.

It was a full-page article, this time on page two.

(snapping): Our source... BAILEY: Word began to spread, sales went up.

Press, now, now, now!

BAILEY: Mr. Barnes, our editor, requested follow-up articles, poring over every detail.

By the end of the week, it was front-page news.

Three weeks later, another body was found.

In a different part of the river.

And another letter arrived.

Again, the location and name correct.

Again, it was lower case, anonymous, and formatted in the same precise fashion.

It became our front-page story for days, if not weeks, on end.

Circulation began to rise.

I've never seen Mr. Barnes so happy.

And keep it up.

I shall do.

Won't you?

Thank you.

Good lad.

(chuckles) And the next victim was a month later, found up the river near Richmond.

It was around this time someone in our office, I can't remember who, began to use the moniker "the Thames Reaper."

I didn't like the name, but Mr. Barnes insisted we used it.

There is something of a circus ringmaster about him.

And the fourth victim followed the same pattern?

Exactly the same, but that was six months ago.

And I believed that to be an end to the killings.

Until yesterday, when he wrote again, this time simply saying, "I have returned."

(people talking in background) WOMAN (in distance): Get your hands off me!

Don't you dare touch me!

Morning, Bob.

Good morning, Ivy-- for filing.

Ah.

OFFICER: Get a move on!

(woman exclaims) OFFICER: You, come on!

Come on!

(people talking and shouting in background) IVY: Morning.

OFFICER: Morning, Ivy.

(breathes deeply) Morning.

BLAKE: Come.

Morning, Inspector.

Miss Woods-- how are you today?

Very well, thank you.

If you carry on like this, you'll be stronger than any man here.

(laughs) I've managed to find those records from Clerkenwell.

That's the original.

These are the copies.

Most efficient-- thank you.

And how is Miss Scarlet coping without you?

Well, she's been very accommodating.

So, there'll be a hot dinner waiting for you when you return home this evening.

I wouldn't go that far.

(both chuckle) Was there anything else you needed?

Uh, yes, but I think you have quite enough to deal with already.

Nonsense-- what is it you need?

The new desk sergeant-- what's his name?

Bernard.

He has written up a duty log for last night, but his handwriting is illegible.

Leave it with me-- I'll type it up and you'll have it in an hour.

Which is exactly what I hoped you would say.

Thank you.

(chuckles) Oh, and these need to be copied and filed.

Ooh!

They're urgent, so... You would rather they didn't go in the general filing tray.

You read my mind.

I'll see to it myself.

Miss Woods?

You're a credit to this department.

♪ ♪ Whoo!

Thank you.

(horses passing) What are the postmarks on the letters?

From all over the city, each one from a different borough.

And where are the letters now?

With the police.

Which is rather vexing, since each body was found in the river at a different location.

The case spans several jurisdictions.

The City of London Police, the Surrey Police, the Bow Street Division.

You really think you can find something new?

(inhales) I can certainly try.

And you've no idea why he's resurfaced.

Not a clue.

Mr. Bailey?

(snaps fingers): Yes.

Telegram for you, sir.

Thank you.

(door closes) I'm being called back to the office.

Another letter's arrived.

♪ ♪ (gulls squawking) BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Stevens.

I would estimate he's been in the water for a day.

Perhaps a little longer.

There's minimal discoloration of the soft tissue with only slight bloating.

There's an open wound to the back of the head, possible blunt trauma injury.

Were you here when he was pulled out?

Yes, sir.

Was he lifted or dragged?

Sir?

Did his feet touch the ground?

No, sir.

ELIZA: Inspector Blake?

Inspector Blake.

Miss Scarlet.

Your business is to see me or him?

Well, both.

May I introduce Mr. Bailey from "The Morning Herald"?

He's the journalist covering the Thames Reaper story.

You believe this is connected?

I do, yes.

Another letter arrived at our office not one hour ago.

"Caleb sleeps by Limehouse docks."

You're working with his newspaper?

Oh, in a manner of speaking.

I'll need you to give a statement.

Gladly, yes.

I was talking to Mr. Bailey.

I do not need a statement from you, Miss Scarlet.

Unless there's something you can tell me that he cannot.

Well, I've just begun my investigation, so not at present, no.

Then I bid you good day.

Escort Miss Scarlet back to her carriage.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (knocks) Ah, Mr. Potts.

I'm in urgent need of background information for a case.

Hm.

May I remind you of our agreement regarding your access to these premises?

You need to state in writing the nature of your business, the name of your client, and the duration of your stay.

With one day's notice.

Is this about the washing up?

No.

Well, not just that...

I give you my word, you will not have to clean another dish for the next week.

Month.

And I want a cooked breakfast or dinner on the days when Ivy is otherwise engaged.

Very well-- I accept.

Hm.

Uh, I take it you can cook.

I'm as good as they come.

Hm.

We must make haste.

I have a staffing shortage at Aldgate Mortuary which requires my attention.

Understood.

You might be interested to know, Mr. Potts, that it's the Thames Reaper that I'm investigating.

He's killed again?

Indeed.

Well, we've received no cadavers today, so the body's most likely still at the scene or in transit.

It's just background information that I require on his previous victims.

I assume that even though the bodies were found in different parts of the river, that the records will be kept here?

Oh, that is correct, yes.

We are the central office for all such documents.

Indeed, we have a designated section for all the bodies pulled from the Thames.

Yeah, drunks, careless boatmen, suicides.

We receive four or five bodies from the river each month.

More in February.

Why February?

It's Valentine's Day.

Many young men propose to their sweethearts and are rejected.

I may throw myself in if Ivy doesn't marry me soon.

This job of Ivy's is new and exciting at the moment, but things will settle down.

She used to think that I was new and exciting once.

♪ ♪ ELIZA: Details of the coroner's reports on the other victims.

You got access to the coroner's reports after one day?

I wrote to them for months and didn't get a thing!

I have a friend at the city mortuary.

Well, he's not exactly a friend.

It's a long story.

As you know, um, the cause of death for the previous four victims was drowning.

There was no obvious defense wounds, which, well, would suggest that their killer was someone with physical strength, capable of holding their victims underwater.

My theory has always been that he's some kind of manual worker.

A docker, perhaps.

That was my thinking, too.

The victims were all men in their 20s and 30s, perfectly capable of fighting back.

And certainly the, um, third victim, Aleksander Sochnev.

The Russian, yes-- he was well built and over six feet tall.

I noticed there were very few details on his file.

Just the basics-- not even a next of kin.

Any idea where I can get more information on him?

Well, as I said, each body was found in the river at a different location.

Our main frustration with this case is that the information is spread out across a variety of different police jurisdictions.

There is someone I could perhaps ask for help.

♪ ♪ Absolutely not.

It's just a small favor.

(softly): A small favor that could cost me my job.

I'm not getting you confidential police files, Lizzie.

If you want them so badly, ask Inspector Blake.

He's a very nice man.

So you keep saying.

You won't change my mind, Lizzie.

You shouldn't ask such things of me.

You're right.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.

Apology accepted-- just.

ELIZA: Fine, I'll ask Inspector Blake.

What time will you finish?

Oh, not for another couple of hours.

Some things to finish up.

First in, last out?

Don't overdo it-- you need your rest, too.

I'll be fine-- now go on, off you pop.

I'm not five!

You are to me.

♪ ♪ (sighs) (sighs) How many times, Miss Scarlet?

The door was open.

And I knocked.

I'm here to propose a deal.

One that I believe is mutually beneficial.

The Thames Reaper killings began before you took up your post at Scotland Yard.

The case notes and evidence are spread across London in different police divisions, and it would take you days, if not longer, to gather the information.

What you need is a concise summary of all the key leads and clues to date.

Names, dates, maps, coroner reports, together with condensed notes and working theories from the last year to the present day.

I've been taking a keen interest in the case.

So I can see.

The latest killing falls under your jurisdiction, but the others don't.

But, given that Scotland Yard is now investigating the case, I'm sure that a request could be sent to gather all the evidence here.

I'm surprised you didn't ask Ivy.

I'd never put her in that position.

So, what do you say?

Hire me and I'll help you catch him?

How much are you being paid by "The Morning Herald"?

And don't lie-- remember, I can tell.

No, you can't.

And my fee's yet to be negotiated.

But given that the editor would sell his own grandmother for a story, I can't imagine getting money from him will be much of a problem.

If you solve this, he'll pay you more than I can.

It's not just about the money.

Nor is it about the glory of catching him.

Well, maybe just a little.

It's, um...

It's an itch that I just have to scratch.

It's a puzzle to solve, and that puzzle's more likely to be solved working with you.

Working for me.

Semantics.

So, was that an offer?

It was-- on one condition.

♪ ♪ I cannot work for both your newspaper and the police.

I'm sure you understand that it's a conflict of interest.

I do, absolutely.

You've been very accommodating, thank you.

You've quite restored my faith in your profession.

I haven't had the best experience with journalists.

Neither have I.

In truth, I'm not sure how much longer I'll continue in my present career.

I come from a family of doctors.

My father and three older brothers.

Are you something of a black sheep, Mr. Bailey?

Apparently so.

Do you have any siblings?

No, there was just me.

My, my parents have both passed away.

I'm sure they would be proud if they could see you now.

♪ ♪ I assume you won't be able to share any working theories Scotland Yard might have.

(laughs): No, I won't.

Well...

The conversation is closed, and all that is left to say is best of luck, Miss Scarlet.

(bell ringing) (yelling) Good morning, Miss Scarlet.

Inspector Blake.

Have you severed your dealings with the newspaper?

I have.

Is that true?

I thought you could tell when I was lying.

Very well, come along.

Where are we going?

We have an identification for the latest victim.

POTTS: I could not believe my eyes when I saw who it was.

Caleb Hunt, junior clerk at Aldgate Mortuary.

One of my colleagues took delivery of his body yesterday afternoon.

I was out visiting some of the other mortuaries which now fall under my jurisdiction.

Perhaps Miss Scarlet has mentioned that I've recently been promoted?

BLAKE: She did not.

But congratulations, Mr. Potts.

Hm, thank you.

As you know, there was no identification with the body, so my colleague, Mr. Wormsley, having never met Caleb, failed to recognize him.

I, on the other hand, made Caleb's acquaintance several times at Aldgate.

What can you tell us about him?

(breathes deeply): A rather odd fellow.

Withdrawn.

Few if, if any friends.

And as for his timekeeping, well, I do not exaggerate when I say it was most unsatisfactory.

So, when he did not turn up for work yesterday afternoon, it rang no alarm bells.

Has the postmortem been completed?

Ah, last night.

Fracture of the skull just above the nape of the neck.

Most likely the cause of death.

Not drowning, like the others?

Oh, no, no, the lungs of a drowned cadaver would be filled with water, due to involuntary inhalation.

His lungs were empty.

So he was dead before he entered the water.

There were scuff marks on the heels of his boots.

I would wager he was dragged to the river, having been killed somewhere else.

Where did he live?

Limehouse-- not far from where his body was found.

Do you have the address?

(people talking in background) (meows) There's something else about this latest murder that's different from the others.

The letter sent by the Reaper arrived the same day that the body was found.

And with the others, it was a day later.

What do you think caused this change in behavior?

Perhaps something forced him to panic.

Or someone.

Caleb's lodging room must be up here.

(people talking in background) (hinges creak) Good God.

♪ ♪ The man was obsessed.

Caleb Hunt's murder was no random killing.

BLAKE: Go to Scotland Yard and get some men to help with the search.

(footsteps approaching) BLAKE: I've sent message to the Yard.

Uniform will be here shortly to help with the search.

We're perfectly capable of searching the room ourselves.

It's called following procedure, Miss Scarlet.

You should try it sometime.

Besides, we may miss something.

I make it my business not to miss a thing.

Cheerful fellow, wasn't he?

Still, everyone needs a hobby, I suppose.

He worked in the mortuary and saw firsthand the victims.

Perhaps he was carrying out his own investigation.

Perhaps.

Or he got too close to the killer's identity and became the next victim.

There's also the possibility that he himself was the killer.

Perhaps the last victim fought back and killed him in self-defense.

Ah.

What do we have here?

(metal clinking) Now, I would wager this was a key to a safe deposit box.

I've seen similar before.

Does it not seem odd that a man who lived in such squalor would have need for a safe deposit box?

It's not only valuables people wish to hide.

It's secrets, too.

We need to find out how many banks in London have safe deposit boxes.

I would guess it's between 20 to 30.

I will then need to apply for multiple warrants for multiple banks.

That will take time.

So I doubt we'll be able to proceed with this lead for at least a few days.

Or we could just go here.

Bank of Switzerland, Threadneedle Street, Box 17?

♪ ♪ (exhales heavily) This is most irregular.

Nevertheless, I think you'll find everything covered in the search warrant.

Hm.

So if you would be kind enough to open Box 17?

If you insist.

Uh, may I ask, is the box in question registered to a Mr. Caleb Hunt?

The bank does not hold lists of client names here.

No names, no questions-- absolute privacy.

I would have thought that was obvious.

Inspector, can you please sign here?

And here.

♪ ♪ And here.

(pen scratching) Thank you.

(clears throat) Nothing.

Might you be able to give us a description of the account holder?

There are many boxes and many clients at this bank.

I merely give them access to the room.

I don't sit here to see which client opens which box.

What a ridiculous suggestion.

Herr Klinsmann, I shall take you straight down to Scotland Yard, waste many hours of your time, for no other reason than I find your rudeness extremely irksome.

(exhales) But what I can tell you is that there are two clients registered to this particular box.

Each has their own key.

And the account holder information is not kept here, you say?

It is kept in our head office in Switzerland.

Then please send a telegram and request the information.

Does your warrant cover Switzerland, Inspector?

No.

But it will.

Thank you.

♪ ♪ (door closes) Pompous, jumped-up little clerk.

I can't abide any kind of rudeness.

I seem to remember you were rather rude to me when we first met.

Getting the warrant will take some time.

Given that it's another country, I'll need to speak to the Foreign Office.

Let's meet again when I have what we need.

Well, in the meantime, I'll go through the case notes and see if there's anything I missed.

I thought you made it your business not to miss a thing, Miss Scarlet.

(exhales) (clears throat) (horse neighs) ♪ ♪ BLAKE: Back to the station.

(door closes) (Blake pounds ceiling) ♪ ♪ (knocks) Good day, Miss Scarlet.

(door closes) Oh, uh, Mr. Bailey.

I apologize for interrupting.

I won't keep you.

No, uh, please.

I have come to make you an offer, to which you will say no.

The whole thing should take no longer than a minute, and then I will let you get on with your day.

I'm listening.

Now that you're working for Scotland Yard, our editor has become far more interested in you.

Mr. Barnes wishes to offer you a fee to pass on any information that you glean from working with Scotland Yard.

All in the strictest confidence, of course.

Does he now?

He wishes me to offer a fee of ten pounds.

However, he confided I have the leeway to go to £20, if you are a tough negotiator, which I assume you are.

Well, you assume correctly, but I'm afraid the answer is no.

Which is what I told my editor you would say, but he threatened to dismiss me if I didn't at least try.

And that was me trying.

(chuckles) Well, I shall leave you to your business.

Uh, however, our paths may not cross again, so there is something else.

I wondered, might you be free tomorrow evening, to dine?

Uh, not to discuss the case, you understand, just as... Well, as two people who wish to go out to dinner.

Oh!

Uh...

I shall give you some time to think on it.

You know where to contact me.

Good day, Miss Scarlet.

Good day, Mr. Bailey.

(door closes) ♪ ♪ (chuckles softly) ♪ ♪ (horse neighs) (blows softly) Ugh!

Ugh, good Lord!

Good evening, Miss Scarlet.

Mr. Potts.

Ivy's not home yet, I'm afraid.

But it's nigh on 8:00!

(spoon clatters) (sighs) (blows through lips, sighs) (blows softly) Ugh!

Ugh!

(sighs) Why do I bother?

What's troubling you, Miss Scarlet?

(sighs): I'm tired, I'm hungry, and I neither have the skill or the patience to cook anything edible.

I thought you said you could cook!

Well, I lied.

Sorry-- that was uncalled for.

(sighs): Cooking is a mystery to me, and one that I cannot seem to fathom.

Cooking is no mystery.

It's science, plain and simple.

Chemistry, to be precise.

(sighs) Up you get.

(grunts) What?

Why?

I am going to teach you how to cook.

What, you can cook, Mr. Potts?

How do you think I survived on my own all these years?

In fact, my plum pudding is really rather delicious!

(chuckles softly) See, cooking is all about preparation.

We do not try to improvise, or, God forbid, see it as some sort of artistic endeavor.

Instead, we plan, plan, and plan again!

(quietly): If you say so.

I do indeed!

Now, let's clear this little lot up, and start afresh, shall we?

♪ ♪ So, that's the potatoes done.

In the bowl.

And we put the bowl at the top of the line, because...

Uh, we want all our ingredients in order of usage.

Very good!

(chuckles) (sighs, exclaims) (sighs) I'm feeling strangely serene.

It's a feeling quite alien to me when it comes to cooking.

I like this approach.

Well, I, too, find cooking a relaxing pursuit.

However, I must admit, I prefer it when Ivy cooks for me.

She's, after all, a wonderful cook.

And a wonderful woman.

Ivy thinks a great deal of you, Mr. Potts.

A great deal, indeed.

(murmurs) Right!

(clears throat) On to the next stage, the cooking.

Ah!

The water is now at boiling point, at an exact temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Potatoes, if you please?

Um...

I really must congratulate you, Miss Scarlet.

You have proved to be an excellent student.

Diligent, willing to learn.

Thank you, Mr. Potts.

(sighs): I wish I could say the same for some of my students at work.

In particular, and I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, poor Caleb.

Try as I might to teach him, he was not a good student.

I had to correct his administrative errors on more than one occasion.

Including on a cadaver involved in the very case you're working on at the moment.

Oh, the, um, the Thames Reaper?

Yeah.

Caleb made a woeful mistake.

However, I'm a man of detail and duly corrected it, so no harm done.

What mistake?

(people talking in background, ship horn blaring) ♪ ♪ Thank you, Mr. Stevens.

Yes, sir.

Take it down, lads.

OFFICER: Sir.

I want everything carefully itemized.

Yes, sir.

BLAKE: So, gentle does it.

It needs to remain intact.

Inspector Blake, can I have a moment?

Miss Scarlet.

Last night, I had a conversation with Mr. Potts about Caleb Hunt.

Obviously, I didn't go into details about what we found here, but what I did learn was that, as a junior clerk, one of his responsibilities was to log the possessions found on the corpses that were brought into the mortuary.

According to Mr. Potts, he was rather slapdash.

Sometimes he'd miss things out, sometimes he'd make spelling mistakes, and this was exactly the case with the third victim, a Russian named Aleksander Sochnev.

Caleb misspelt the Russian's name.

He spelt Aleksander with an X and Sochnev with an F. Mr. Potts noticed a few days later and corrected it, but by that time, the Reaper had already sent the letter to the newspaper with the exact same spelling mistakes.

So Caleb passed on the identities of the dead to whoever wrote the letters, probably in return for money.

And that's why the letters to the newspaper took a couple of days after each body was found.

The Reaper had to wait for Caleb to send the information.

OFFICER: Sir?

(object shifts) ♪ ♪ Now, what have you been up to, Caleb?

It's a blackmail letter.

Caleb Hunt requesting more money, since his last demand was ignored, and if he doesn't receive the money, he'll expose the truth about the Thames Reaper.

Then he names the recipient of the letter.

Mr. Sydney Barnes, editor, "The Morning Herald."

♪ ♪ This is ludicrous!

I am no murderer!

I am the editor of a national newspaper!

There is no Thames Reaper, Mr. Barnes, you made him up.

The bodies were just some poor souls found in the Thames: accidental deaths, suicides.

And with the help of Caleb Hunt providing identities, you were able to claim the deaths were the work of some figment of your imagination.

And why on Earth would I want to do that?

Perhaps to increase circulation because your newspaper was failing.

I have never even met this Caleb Hunt!

Really?

He was blackmailing someone to give him money in return for his silence regarding the Reaper's identity, and according to his letter, that someone was you, Mr. Barnes.

And I believe this is what accounts for Caleb's murder.

(gasping) I've had no dealings with this man.

(knock at door) Hmm-- come!

Sir.

(footsteps retreating) (door closes) The Bank of Switzerland have confirmed your name as the registered account holder for a safe deposit box used by Mr. Hunt.

I believe this was a drop-off point for money between the two of you to pay for his services.

I will not say one more word before speaking with my lawyer.

BLAKE: Barnes is denying it, of course, but there's enough evidence to charge him.

Perhaps in the future you might ask before opening my new bottle of whisky.

Well, I was waiting for a rather long time.

Perhaps if you'd allowed me to attend the questioning... Are you negotiating with me, Miss Scarlet?

Um...

Yes.

Perhaps in the future, you may attend.

I will think on it.

I will need a full report of the case on my desk first thing.

First thing?

That's what I expect from my men.

I'll not make exception for you.

Of course.

Is that a problem?

Are you otherwise engaged this evening?

Well...

It was a possibility, yes.

♪ ♪ Good day, Inspector Blake.

Hm.

(people talking in background, typewriters clacking) I may not be home for dinner.

At this rate, neither will I.

Are you dining out?

Um...

Possibly.

With Inspector Blake?

No, not Inspector Blake.

Why would you assume that?

Well, you've been spending much time together recently...

It's someone else.

Someone you haven't met.

Who?

I just said it was someone you haven't met.

He seems like a nice enough man.

But...

I'm, I'm not sure I will go.

I, I don't know him well.

That's the point in spending time together, Lizzie.

Like me and Barnabus.

It wasn't love at first sight.

It was for him.

But... Once we spent more time together, we got closer.

Speaking of Mr. Potts... (murmurs) I'll let you get on.

Miss Scarlet.

Mr. Potts.

(people talking in background) (murmuring) (whispering): Barnabus, what are you doing here?

I have some exciting news.

Reverend Harvey has had a cancellation, next month!

So he wondered if we'd like to book it for our wedding day.

I'm at work, Barnabus, and very busy!

Inspector Blake is waiting on some notes, not to mention my other duties that I'm neglecting.

But your shift ends soon-- I was hoping to escort you home.

I will be working late this evening.

Again?

I really must get on.

Very well, my dear.

Very well.

♪ ♪ (people talking in background) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) (door opens) BAILEY: I got your note.

I booked a table at Baron's.

Oh, lovely.

♪ ♪ You heard about your editor, Mr. Barnes.

The whole office has.

I never warmed to the man, but I did not think him capable of such deceit.

I don't know the full story, of course.

But we have all evening for you to enlighten me.

(lock turns) Do not worry, Miss Scarlet, I merely tease.

I shall not be trying to coax any information out of you.

I'm very much off duty.

Shall we?

(people talking in background) (knock at door) Come!

(door opens) I've got those files ready for you, Inspector.

Miss Woods.

Why are you still here?

Oh, well, I had to finish those reports, and then there was the filing to do, and the log books to transcribe, but another hour or so, and I'll be done.

You cannot work this amount of hours.

(exhales) You'll make yourself ill.

I'm fine.

Please.

You do not look fine.

♪ ♪ Perhaps I've bitten off more than I can chew.

The truth is, between your needs and the rest of my duties, the volume of work is great, indeed.

But I so want to do my very best for you, Inspector.

For everyone.

(exhales) Miss Woods, you're clearly not coping.

So I believe we need to rethink your position.

♪ ♪ (people talking in background) BAILEY: It's beyond comprehension that a man could behave such a way.

Not to mention how humiliating it is personally for me.

The paper will be a laughingstock when the news breaks, and so will I. I've just spent the last year writing about a killer who doesn't actually exist.

(breathes deeply) Perhaps I'll make a career change.

How's the private detective business these days?

(inhales) Um, I apologize, I...

Promised not to talk about the case, and that is all I've done.

(breathes deeply) Let us talk about something else entirely.

Like how elegant you look.

I'm only sorry I did not have time to change, I... ...do you an injustice, Miss Scarlet.

You're too kind, Mr. Bailey.

(chuckles) As for the case, I'm more than happy to discuss it.

And the crucial piece of evidence against Mr. Barnes.

There was a safe deposit box in a bank on Threadneedle Street.

It's a place where money was deposited between your editor and the mortuary clerk Caleb Hunt.

We found the clerk's key to the box, but as yet, no luck with the key that belonged to Mr. Barnes.

Intriguing.

And now I know why.

Because you have it on your keyring, Mr. Bailey.

♪ ♪ When we left your office, it wasn't you talking about the case that unsettled me so.

It was watching you lock up your desk.

And when we arrived at the restaurant, contrary to what I told you, I didn't go to the powder room.

I went to the cloakroom to search your coat.

♪ ♪ You invented the Thames Reaper story.

♪ ♪ You tried to cover your tracks by posing as your editor when you hired Caleb, and did the same when you secured the safe deposit box, but when Caleb blackmailed you with the threat of exposing what you'd done, you killed him.

I'll not sit here and be insulted by this nonsense.

Well, you yourself said the paper was on the verge of closing.

This was your way to improve circulation, wasn't it?

(people talking in background) I sent a message to Scotland Yard the moment I found the key.

Lads.

♪ ♪ (guests gasping, murmuring) ♪ ♪ BLAKE: Mr. Bailey was in pieces just being cuffed.

I doubt it'll take much to get a full confession.

(door closes) I take it you would like to attend the questioning.

(stammers): Yes.

Very much so, thank you.

But perhaps next time, you might wish to wear something a little less eye-catching.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (keys jangling, lock turns) IVY: Barnabus!

Ivy?

You should not be out alone at this time of night!

I have some news.

Some very exciting news.

Inspector Blake has asked me to dedicate myself to his work only, like his assistant.

Oh!

(giggles) Oh, my, I'm... Bursting with pride, my dear!

(laughs) I've missed you.

I've missed you!

Well, you'll miss me no longer.

From now on, my hours will be more civilized.

(exhales) What say we have a nice glass of sherry by the fireside to celebrate?

I wholly endorse that idea!

(laughing) Perhaps while we sip the sherry, we can discuss the wedding date that Reverend Harvey has offered.

Let's just enjoy the evening together, Barnabus.

We'll, we'll talk about it another time.

Of course, my dear.

Of course.

(chuckles) Another time.

(click) CAMPBELL: You were released early because I pulled some strings.

You're a man who can get things done.

No questions asked.

I will cause you no problems, Eliza.

Found us a little house.

But we haven't even set a date for the wedding.

Why haven't you?

Is this because you're worried about leaving me?

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