- Sgt. Gavin Troy: [looks at the front page of The Sun] Strangler's Wood.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Actually, it's Ravenswood. It was rechristened by The Sun.
- Cully Barnaby: Dad, I was going to say, why don't we go out for dinner tonight? We could try that new place in Causton, the one you've been going on about.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Yeah. Why don't we meet there?
- Cully Barnaby: Eight o'clock. Table for two.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: I wasn't planning to invite Troy.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Still haven't had your full report on Carla Constanza.
- Dan Peterson: She was strangled in Strangler's Wood with a tie. What else do you want to know?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Everything.
- Cully Barnaby: Gavin? Oh, I don't believe it.
- Sgt. Gavin Troy: Look, it wasn't his fault. Something came up. He asked me to give you these.
- Cully Barnaby: You know, sometimes he is completely impossible.
- Sgt. Gavin Troy: Most of the time, yeah.
- Cully Barnaby: I don't suppose you're completely free this evening?
- Sgt. Gavin Troy: I did Pinter for GCSE. Didn't understand it much, though.
- Cully Barnaby: I'll explain in the interval. Drinks on me?
- Sgt. Gavin Troy: Whatever you say. Thank you.
- Ticket Seller: No, I'm sorry. We're sold out.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Are you sure there's nothing left?
- Ticket Seller: Of course I'm sure. I just told you.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: I don't think you quite understand. I am Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby from Causton CID.
- Ticket Seller: Oh, yes?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: And I have to see this play as part of an investigation.
- Ticket Seller: Detective Chief Inspe- It was you that investigated that man who got his throat cut in the Peter Schaefer play.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: That's right.
- Ticket Seller: You don't think it'll happen again, do you?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: [outside the theater] You know, Troy, that's the first time I've ever done that.
- Sgt. Gavin Troy: What?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Pulled rank.
- Joyce Barnaby: So, how was the father-daughter bonding?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: That didn't quite happen.
- Joyce Barnaby: Yes, I heard. I'm afraid you're not Cully's favorite person.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Where is she?
- Joyce Barnaby: She's out. She's got a new boyfriend. Actually, I think he's a policeman, too.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: You're not serious.
- Joyce Barnaby: Yes. And so is she, I think.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh no. No. It can't be.
- Joyce Barnaby: Oh, it's good to be home.
- Cully Barnaby: I thought we ought to celebrate. Mom rang. She said she's coming back tomorrow
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh, that's marvelous. Her mother's...
- Cully Barnaby: Granny decided she was getting better on her own. Anyway, she's on the two o'clock train.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh, that's great. I was missing her.
- Cully Barnaby: You didn't even think about her.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: I certainly did. Several times.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Peterson. Your report on Carla Constanza.
- Dan Peterson: It's just come off the photocopier. I was going to send it over.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: You're too late. She was sick, wasn't she? She had some sort of illness.
- Dan Peterson: How did you know?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Just tell me what it was.
- Dan Peterson: Pulmonary emphysema.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: And the cause?
- Dan Peterson: Smoking. A few more months and she'd have been breathing out of an oxygen bag. A couple of years, she'd be dead. Whoever strangled her did her a favor.
- Joyce Barnaby: I hate leaving you like this. Are you sure you're going to be all right?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Only a couple of weeks. And with Cully out of work...
- Cully Barnaby: They call it resting, Dad.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: It still means you can look after me.
- Cully Barnaby: I hoped you'd be looking after me.
- Joyce Barnaby: You can look after each other.
- Joyce Barnaby: Seriously, Cully. You will call me if there's any problem.
- Cully Barnaby: I don't know what you're so worried about, Mom.
- Joyce Barnaby: You don't know your father. If a case comes up...
- Cully Barnaby: I've been at home when he's working.
- Joyce Barnaby: Yes, but I've always been there to take the brunt of it.
- Cully Barnaby: You make him sound like an ogre. Actually, I'm really looking forward to it. I could do with a bit of father-daughter bonding. Anyway, he isn't even on a case.
- Cully Barnaby: So what is it this time?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: It's a South American girl, actress or a model by the look of it.
- [shows Cully the newspaper]
- DCI Tom Barnaby: There she is. Strangled in Ravenswood.
- Cully Barnaby: Wasn't that the...
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Yes, it was. Three cases in 18 months. But that was nine years ago.
- Cully Barnaby: So why has he started again?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: That's one question, certainly. But I have another - why did he stop?
- Leonard Pike: Yes, that's when it started. One of the girls that was killed, Joan Chaplain. She actually worked here.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: So I understand.
- Leonard Pike: She was very close to my mother. That's why I don't want her to know anything about this. She was very upset. Very, very upset.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Well, I'm afraid we may have to speak to her.
- Leonard Pike: No, that's not possible. She's ill, she's dying. She has cancer of the pancreas, the stomach, just about everywhere. She's upstairs.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh, I'm sorry.
- Leonard Pike: She's been dying for about six years now. We're getting used to it.
- Cully Barnaby: It's all right, Dad. You've already explained.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: I'm sorry.
- Cully Barnaby: It's not the end of the world. I got two free margaritas and a proposal from the head waiter.
- [pause]
- Cully Barnaby: Are you going to eat this, or should I just throw it away now?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: You sound like your mother.
- [pause]
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Actually I do have a surprise for you to make up for last night.
- Cully Barnaby: Yes?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Remember that play you wanted to see in Causton?
- Cully Barnaby: The Pinter? I thought it was sold out.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh, it is, but I have two tickets.
- Cully Barnaby: When?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Tonight, if you're still talking to me.
- Cully Barnaby: Dad.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Tonight at 7:30. I'll meet you there.
- Cully Barnaby: I'll call you to make sure.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: I promise I will not forget.
- Cully Barnaby: Two free tickets. Can't think how you managed to get them.