Eileen and Ted are sitting down

Eileen - So how long has it been going on?

Ted - Look, are you sure I can't get you a drink first? You look like you could use one

Eileen struggles to keep her cool

Eileen - Damn the drink! I want answers and I want them right now!

Ted - Yeah well I need a drink ok!

Ted gets up to pour himself a whisky

Eileen glares at him as if she wants to kill him

A swarm of police and forensics are at the sight where Joan's body was dumped

Grace is there puffing on a cigarette and muttering miserably to a nearby colleague

Grace - I had just got home for the evening when I got the damn call to come out here!

Colleague - A police detectives work is never done eh Sir

Grace nods his head grimly as another colleague approaches

Grace - So, what do we have then?

The colleague looks grim

Colleague - Suspected female, possibly middle-aged. Doesn't appear to have been there for very long, a couple of days at most

Grace - Killed here or elsewhere?

Colleague - Hard to say. But I suspect she was killed elsewhere and dumped here later

Grace - Any clues to help us identify the poor bitch?

Colleague - Yes as a matter of fact there is Inspector. We found this by the body

He hands over a purse

Grace - Lovely, this sort of thing usually helps us out a lot... let's see if it can help us today

Grace opens it and looks through it. He finds something and takes it out, has a good look at it

He gasps in shock

Grace - Ferguson...it's Joan bloody Ferguson

Colleague - You know her?

Grace - Oh I know Joan alright. This woman was trouble, big trouble and she had more lives than a bloody cat, she kept bouncing back time and time again when most people would fall. It seems that this time her luck finally ran out for good

Grace looks almost sad

Ted sits down and drinks his whisky

Ted - Good stuff this, sure helps steady the nerves when needed

Eileen - Please stop wasting time and tell me about you and Janice

Ted - There is not much to tell really, we had a little fling, it didn't mean much

Eileen - Really?

Ted - Yes really, it's over now for good

Eileen - And you expect me to believe that do you?

Ted - Well why not, its the truth. Janice is marrying Richard and I am marrying you so the right thing to do is end it. We had our fun and now its time to settle down with the ones we both love and who we will marry

Eileen - Admirable I'm sure

Ted - So what do you say Eileen, just forget the whole damn thing, and let's concentrate on getting married

Eileen lets out a cruel chuckle

Eileen - You don't seriously think I am going to marry you now after this do you?

Ted - Why not? I told you it is over between Jan and i

Eileen - SO what? That doesn't alter the fact that it happened in the first place

Ted - You weren't even supposed to know about this, damn Lucy and her big mouth!

Eileen - Oh yes, I realize I wasn't supposed to know but I am glad I know the truth. About the only decent thing, Lucy has done!

Ted -Eileen please, I do love you I swear it. Please forgive me, I will never do this again I promise

Eileen - Oh you're right, you won't! That much I can promise you

Ted - Are you going to give me another chance?

Eileen - No way, never in a million years...and I will make you pay for this, you and that bitch

Ted looks fretful

Ted - What are you going to do?

Eileen - I don't know yet, I will need to think it over. But when I do eventually decide on something you will be the first to know I assure you, you, and Janice that is

Ted - Now look Eileen please, be reasonable about this

Eileen snaps

Eileen - REASONABLE? REASONABLE!.... I FIND OUT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SLEEPING WITH MY DAUGHTER BEHIND MY BACK AND YOU ASK ME TO BE REASONABLE! WELL YOU HAVE SOME NERVE TED, I'LL GIVE YOU THAT

Ted - Please don't do anything ghastly to us, Eileen, we are both truly sorry

Eileen - Yes, you will be! Now I must get out of here and away from you

Eileen gets up and begins to march out as Ted runs out after her

Ted - Eileen, please! I am begging you, my sweetheart, forgive us both, please!

Eileen - NEVER!

Eileen opens the front door and Inspector Grace is standing there

Grace - Good evening, what excellent timing. I was about to knock!

Ted - Oh good evening Inspector! What a lovely surprise!

Grace - Did I call at a bad time? You both seem a little upset?

Ted - No it's fine really. What can I do for you?

Grace - Well it would be better if I can come in so we can discuss this inside

Ted - Ok, do come on in then

Eileen - I will leave you both to it

Grace - No actually Mrs Raymond it would be better if you stayed

Eileen sighs

Eileen - Oh very well if you insist

They go inside and into the lounge

Ted - Take a seat inspector

Grace sits down

Ted - Can I offer you a drink? Brandy? Whisky?

Grace - No thank you, I don't drink on duty

Ted- Tea or coffee then?

Grace- No I am fine thank you

Eileen looks at her watch

Eileen - Awfully late for a police visit isn't it?

Grace - Well this isn't a social call Mrs Raymond, it's police business...and police business has to be taken care of any time of the day

Ted - Actually I am glad you're here inspector, I was going to ring you soon about my sister

Grace looks interested

Grace - Oh and what about her?

Ted - Well she is missing see, no one knows where she is. She has been gone several days and I am worried sick

Grace - Worried why?

Ted - Well it's just not like Joan to vanish like that without telling anyone. With all the enemies she has I just can't help but be concerned

Eileen - Not to mention it is damn irresponsible of her to leave her role as governor without a word! Luckily I had reliable Vern to step in!

Grace - Yes well Mr Ferguson it is Joan I am here about and I am afraid to say that you had good reason to be concerned

Ted - Why? Whats happened? Oh I knew something had happened, I had a bad feeling

Grace - We've found a body

Ted - Oh no! No please tell me it's not Joan!

Grace - We believe it is sorry Mr Ferguson. We found her purse by the body

Ted looks devastated

Ted - Oh god no!

Grace - I must ask you please to come and formally identify the body Mr Ferguson

Ted looks horrified

Ted - You want me to identify her? Oh I don't think I could do that Inspector, look at her laying there like that

Grace - I'm afraid it has to be done and we like it to be by a family member

Ted - I can't do it, I just can't

Grace - Then perhaps Lucy would do it?

Ted - No, Lucy is not here

Grace - Then I'm sorry but it will have to be you

Ted turns to Eileen with tears in his eyes

Ted - Come with me love please, I need your support

Eileen - Oh forget it, Ted! You and I are finished and you will get no more favours from me

Ted - But please Eileen! Can't you see that I need you? My sister might be dead and I have to look at a body. I know you're upset with me but can't you see that this is serious and I need support. I can't do this alone Eileen please, I'm begging

Eileen looks at Ted and looks genuinely upset and concerned for once

Eileen - Ok Ted, ok I'll come with you. I can see how upset you are and I'll come and support you during this dreadful ordeal

Ted - Oh thank you so much, it means a lot

Eileen - Yes, well this does not mean that everything is ok between us

Ted - Yes I realize that

Grace seems impatient

Grace - Mr Ferguson, if we could perhaps make a move now, please?

Ted - Yes, of course, I'm sorry. I'll just get my coat

Ted leaves the room for a moment, leaving Eileen and Grace alone

Grace - Good of you to come along Mrs Raymond, it doesn't look like Mr Ferguson would cope with this by himself

Eileen - I know, poor man. There is a small chance that this person isn't Joan isn't there?

Grace - Yes, there is always a chance that this person stole Joan's purse, that is a possibility

Eileen - let's hope and pray that that is what happened and that Joan is still alive and well

Grace - Between you and I, I wouldn't be too hopeful about it. Joan has been skating on thin ice for years. Her luck was bound to run out eventually and I have a feeling that now is finally that time

Eileen - Yes, maybe you are right. Well, at least I know I can trust Mr Schofield to look after Blackmoor as the new governor!

Ted returns to the room

Ted - Ok well I am ready to go now

Grace - Very good, we will go in my car

They begin to leave

Ted - I feel sick, absolutely sick. I really hope this isn't Joan but instead some case of mistaken identity

Eileen makes a half-hearted attempt to comfort Ted

Eileen - Oh you poor man!

They arrive at Grace's car

Grace opens the door for Ted and Eileen

Eileen - Thank you, Inspector

Eileen get into the car

Ted stands staring blankly

Grace - When you're ready Mr Ferguson

Ted - I don't think I can do this, I really don't

Grace - Please hurry, we haven't got all night to waste!

Eileen extends an arm out

Eileen - Come on my dear let's get it over with. Come inside the car and I will give you a nice hug while we drive to the morgue

Ted gets in the car next to Eileen and she hugs him

Eileen - There you go dear, it will be ok. I am with you

Some time has passed and the three of them are standing next to a body, which is laying covered up on a slab

Grace - Are you ready Mr Ferguson?

Ted takes a deep breath and nods his head

Ted - Yes, I'm ready

Grace pulls the covers back to reveal the face

Ted looks and then nods his head, tears prick his eyes

Ted - Yes that's her, that's my sister

Grace - So you are confirming to me that the person you see lying there is Joan Ferguson?

Ted - Yes I am.....

Grace - Take a good look please, just to be sure

Ted looks again and looks ready to throw up

Ted - Yes it's her. I need to get out of here! I NEED TO GET OUT NOW!

Ted runs out of the room

Eileen - TED WAIT!

Eileen runs after him

Ted runs down a corridor and out through a set of double doors, into the darkness of the night

He runs over to some bushes and throws up violently

Eileen runs out and rushes over

Eileen - Are you alright?

Ted shakes his head and fights back tears

Ted - My sister is dead if course I'm not alright

Eileen - But you weren't really all that close to her were you, be honest

Ted - I wanted to be closer, I really did. We were just starting to get to know each other again after all those years

Ted wails with despair and collapses on the floor in tears

Ted - All those years we were apart, we missed out on a relationship as brother and sister and now she's dead!

Eileen kneels beside him to comfort him

Eileen - I am so sorry, I really am

Grace arrives

Grace - I'm sorry, I know it's a bad time for you, but there are a few things we need to go over. I'll give you a few minutes to get yourself together Mr Ferguson

Eileen looks annoyed

Eileen - Must there be any more tonight? Can't you see the state he is in?

Grace - It's important that we go over a few things I'm sorry

Eileen - And it can't wait until the morning?

Grace shakes his head with sorrow

Grace - Not when we are dealing with a murder, time is of the essence

Ted looks up with tears running down his face and looks at Grace

Ted - Murdered? She was murdered?

Grace - Oh definitely there is little doubt about that

Ted - What did they do to her?

Grace - It appears that she took a blow to the head, possibly caused by a fight. It looks like she may have fallen. Whoever killed her probably didn't intend to and they panicked and dumped her in the woods

Ted - Mongrel! Whoever it was I will kill them when I get my hands on them

Eileen - Try to calm down hey!

Ted - How am I supposed to calm down when my sister has been murdered?

Grace - You would like us to catch the killer right?

Ted -Yes damn right!

Grace - Then it's important that we talk, right now tonight

Ted stands up and wipes the tears off his face

Ted - Yes you're right. Anything you want to know I'll tell you

Grace - We'll go to the station where its more comfortable

Exterior shot of Wentworth police station

Ted is sitting in a room as Grace walks in with two mugs of tea

Grace - You look like you need this Mr Ferguson

Ted takes his tea and takes a sip

Ted - Yes thank you

Grace sits beside him

Grace - I need your help here if we are to find the killer

Ted - I'll help in any way I can

Grace - Good..so start by telling me how was Joan in the days leading up to her disappearance? Did she seem more worried than usual? Did anything unusual happen?

Ted looks thoughtful and then shakes his head

Ted - I really didn't notice anything inspector. Joan is....was....a very private person. If there was a problem she wouldn't tell me about it, she would keep it to herself

Grace - I see.....and any ideas who would have done this? Did she have any enemies?

Ted gives the Inspector a look

Ted - Come on Grace, you already know the answer to that. Of course, she had enemies

Grace - Tell me who they were? Names?

Ted - I'm sure you know already...

Grace - But I would like to hear it from you nevertheless

Ted sighs with anger

Ted - Well there was Mr Morris, she hated Joan

Grace - Yes, but I hardly see Morris as the killer type

Ted - Well then there was Marina Donovan she wasn't too fond of Joan either

Grace - Really? Why not?

Ted - She blamed Joan for her fiance's death...

Grace - Oh yes, I remember now. The siege when officer Sean got killed

Ted - and she wanted her job too...Then you have to consider Vern Schofield. He is now acting governor and maybe he killed her to get the job

Grace - Yes true, we always look at whoever gains the most from the death

Ted - Finally there are a list of prisoners and ex-prisoners who could have done it

Grace - Yes, god help us. The list is very long. This could take a long time! Can you think of anyone else who might want Joan dead?

Ted shakes his head

Ted - No not really

Grace - Not really? What does not really mean? Does it mean there is someone else?

Ted hesitates

Grace - Come on if there is anyone else, tell me, it's important

Ted - Well there is my daughter Lucy, she had a reason too. But I'm sure my little princess wouldn't do anything like this!

Grace looks interested

Grace - Tell me more Mr Ferguson, why would Lucy have a reason to kill Miss Ferguson?

GATESLAM

PART 2

Blackmoor in daylight

A grim-looking Eileen and Ted have the Blackmoor staff gathered around, Including Janice, Marina, and Vern

Ted - We called you all together to make an important announcement...it's about my sister, Joan...she's,.....

Ted pauses and fights back tears

Eileen - I can do this if you want?

Ted - No it's fine, I want to do it

Ted takes a deep breath and pulls himself together

Ted - She's dead, she was found in woodlands last night. It seems she was murdered

They all look stunned, including Janice

Vern and Marina exchange a look of quiet concern

The room is silent for a moment until Janice finally breaks the silence

Janice - Ted, I am so sorry. I truly am

Ted - Thank you, Janice

Marina - What will happen now?

Eileen - Inspector Grace will be in later to conduct an investigation and interview you all. It is advised that you give him your full cooperation with this

Janice - Oh yes, of course

Eileen - As for the governorship, I now promote Vern to governor and Marina to the deputy governor

Vern - Yes thank you

Ted suddenly flies at Vern in a rage and pins him to a wall

Ted - DID YOU KILL MY SISTER SO YOU COULD BE GOVERNOR YOU BASTARD!

Vern - OF COURSE NOT, YOU'RE MAD!

Ted - IF I FIND OUT YOU DID I'LL KILL YOU VERN!

They scrap

The others run in to pull them apart

Eileen - TED STOP IT!

They are separated

Eileen - Look, Ted, I realize you are upset but if you can't control yourself then I suggest you go home

Ted - No way I am staying here today

Eileen - That's fine, but just try and behave yourself. Leave the investigations to Grace

Ted continues to stare at Vern

Wentworth

Bob is sat at his desk as the phone rings and he answers

Bob - Good morning, Wentworth detention center, the governor speaking. How may I help you?..... Inspector Grace? Good morning, what can I do for you?...... Miss Ferguson?.......

Lucy Ferguson arrives at Blackmoor in her uniform

At Wentworth Bob has Meg in his office

Bob - Take a seat, Meg

Meg sits down with a cheerful smile

Bob - I have some news and I wanted to see you alone first before I tell the others about it

Meg - This sounds intriguing

Bob - It's about Joan

Meg rolls her eyes

Meg - That bitch! What has she done this time then?

Lucy arrives at the staff room where Ted is sat drinking coffee and looking deeply upset

Lucy - Morning father!

Ted looks at Lucy

Eileen is in the office with Vern and Marina

Vern - I don't know what he thinks he is playing at attacking me like that. If he wasn't so upset I would have landed him one

Eileen - I know, my advice is to keep out of his way today. Grace will be here soon to talk to everyone

Marina- Thank you for making Vern governor and me deputy

Eileen - Well you two were the most suitable for the job. I just hope neither of you is in any way involved in what happened to Joan

Marina fakes shock

Marina - Of course, we're not, how can you even say that?

Eileen - Well let's face it, you do both have a good motive for it

Marina - Yes but we didn't do it! Tell her Vern!

Vern - Of course, we didn't, what a ludicrous suggestion!

Eileen - I'm afraid to say that Grace is likely to consider you both suspects

Marina - If he does then he will be barking up the wrong tree. If you ask me its most likely that a prisoner or ex-prisoner put out a contract on her

Vern - Yes or Mrs Morris, she had the best motive out of anyone. Joan had her blue-eyed little boy killed remember

Eileen - I'm sure Grace will take all of this into account while carrying out his investigation

Marina - Or he might try and pin it on the first person he fancies. I have heard things about him, he is a lazy bastard