(♪ Minnie the Moocher)
- Good night, Reg.
- Drive safely, Miss Haynes.
Where's the fun in that?
♪ Folks, here's a story
'bout Minnie the Moocher ♪
♪ She was a red-hot
hoochie coocher ♪
♪ She was the roughest,
toughest frail ♪
♪ But Minnie had a heart
as big as a whale ♪
♪ She had a million dollars'
worth of nickels and dimes ♪
♪ She sat around and counted
them all a million times ♪
That is sheer
surgical precision.
I call that luck.
And you're not a surgeon, Mac.
It's nice for other people
to win sometimes, you know.
Is it?
Ailsa Wilton, your brilliance
in the game of billiards
is matched only by your
deft touch with a car engine.
The ladies' team
is in great hands.
WOMAN: She's up to something.
A contribution
to Saturday's rally.
This is... This is very
generous. I can't accept this.
Why? It's sponsorship.
But the Adventuress Club
has already made
a substantial contribution
to our rally entry.
So? Now we're giving you more.
What could be
more adventurous than that?
- Mum!
- Millie?
- What is it?
- Millie, what is it?
Mum, there's been an accident.
It's Gerty.
Sir, I hope I've done
the right thing calling you in.
I know motor vehicle accidents
aren't your department, but...
I just want to see her.
She's still in the vehicle, sir.
Who is this?
Gertrude Haynes,
though she preferred Gerty.
Miss Fisher arrived when
I was awaiting the coroner, sir.
She knew the deceased
and requested your attendance.
- I relayed a message...
- Just passing by, were you?
You know better than that, Jack.
My Adventuress Club
was sponsoring Gerty's entry
into the road rally race
this Saturday.
- Your Adventuress Club.
- For like-minded women.
- I'm Madame President.
- Of course you are.
This was no accident, Jack.
Apart from myself,
there is no one I trust more
behind the wheel
than Gerty Haynes.
She flew down the roads
like Boadicea in her chariot.
Even a Celtic queen
has the odd accident.
This is an impeccably maintained
rally racer.
Wheels don't simply fall off.
Depends how recklessly
you drive the car.
Look at this. Look at her scarf.
If Gerty had been driving along
with this scarf through
the door, it would be filthy.
Look at it. It's spotless.
If she was driving at speed,
the scarf would fly out
behind her.
Why are you not willing to
entertain the idea of foul play?
Why ask my opinion if you're not
willing to listen to it?
Cos that usually
doesn't bother you.
Who's her next of kin?
Her brother Claude.
Ah! Jack, you needn't have
driven separately.
There's room for two
in the Hispano.
On police business
I drive the police motorcar.
Well, you could have been here
much faster.
Well done, Wal.
She sings like a charm.
MAN: You can come and sort
mine out now, Sir Walter.
Ah, Phryne Fisher.
Come to sneak a peek at the
competition like Mr Rose here?
- I'm afraid not, Claude.
- Good.
Can't give that sister of mine
an unfair advantage.
Claude, this is
Detective Inspector Robinson.
Ah.
Afraid I won't shake your hand.
Caught it under the bonnet.
You'll be checking paperwork,
I suppose.
It's all here somewhere.
I'm not here about licenses,
Mr Haynes.
I'm afraid I have some bad news.
Unbelievable.
Completely unbelievable.
What was it?
A pothole? A blown tire?
One of the wheels detached,
causing Miss Haynes
to veer from the road.
No offense, my friend,
but that's complete rubbish.
Gerty's motor was top of
the line, European engineering.
Our police mechanic
will examine the motorcar.
Claude, my God.
I just heard about your sister.
Shocking business.
Lachlan Pepper, VAA President.
I sponsor this chap.
Detective Inspector
Jack Robinson.
I believe
we're on your property.
Yes, I'm allowing them to
tear up my grounds for the week.
I need some air.
No doubt the ladies will pull
out of the race altogether now.
And Claude too, I imagine,
grief-stricken.
No, I doubt he'll let
the emotion get in his way.
- This rally's too important.
- It was important to Gerty too.
Well, yes, Miss Haynes was
a very dedicated driver.
But even the most committed
woman driver must bow to nature.
Women are biologically
unsuited to driving.
Which part of our biology
gets in the way exactly?
Well, you're too easily
distracted.
A bird flies across
and you end up in the gutter.
I seem to be able to handle
my Hispano-Suiza
without any trouble,
don't I, Inspector?
I doubt a police officer
is the right person to ask.
Well, don't worry, Inspector.
I have many political supporters
lobbying for me
to stand for parliament,
and when I'm elected,
I shall make it my personal duty
to regulate
that women may only drive
in the company
of a licensed male companion.
That sounds like
it could be fun,
provided you add "attractive"
and you provide the men.
But perhaps if the women
win the rally on Saturday,
ladies can become full members
of the Victorian
Automobile Association.
My dear girl,
that will never happen.
But, look, I tell you what,
if by some divine intervention
the ladies do win this race,
I'll let you.
That sounds like
a most excellent wager.
As you are our witness,
Inspector.
MILLIE:
Why is he taking so long?
The wheel came off
and that's why she crashed.
The police mechanic
has to be thorough.
Engines are complex things.
That's why at the moment
he's working on the...
un... underneath... of bits.
You mean the gearbox?
The drive shaft?
Differentials,
front or rear axles?
- Maybe even the brake drums.
- Yes, yes.
I'm glad you don't drive,
Dottie.
Well, Miss Fisher has offered
to teach me.
She says it gives a woman
a glorious sense of freedom.
But all it really gives me
is a bad feeling
in the pit of my stomach.
Yes, and it's
a complicated business.
It's a lot harder than operating
your sewing machine, Dottie.
I'd like to see you manage
my sewing machine, Hugh Collins.
Any idea where Gerty
was headed last night?
Well, I assume
she went to her usual haunt.
The VAA on Graeme Street.
Could she have been
meeting someone?
Well, if she did,
she left in too much of a hurry
to tell me.
Did something happen last night,
before Gerty drove off?
- We'd had a few words.
- What about?
We'd just ordered
a twin carburetor
from America for the rally
and Gerty forgot to pick it up,
and by the time she got to
the docks, it had disappeared.
Stolen?
That, or one of the other teams
got wind of our delivery and
decided to help themselves.
If Gerty had just gone
when she said she would...
Anyway, it doesn't matter.
If we work all night
and all tomorrow,
we might get it fixed in time.
Even if we can fix it,
we haven't got a driver.
We can't drop out.
I mean, Miss Fisher said
that Pepper had pledged
to let women become members
of the VAA if we win.
At least we'd stand a chance
of fighting this idiotic idea
that we need men
to escort us everywhere.
I can't imagine Gerty would
want us to give up, can you?
We'll fix the car just in case.
Was Miss Haynes accompanied
by anyone last night?
Not that I saw.
- Who'd you say you work for?
- Ladies Monthly.
We're doing a feature
on lady race drivers.
That'll be a short feature.
So she left by motorcar?
Parked just over there.
Perhaps you could show me.
Pardon me, madam. I'm afraid
you can't go in there.
- Oh, I'll just be a moment.
- No, club rules.
Ladies require
the invitation of a member.
Oh, really?
Then perhaps you could tell me
who invited Miss Haynes.
That's private information,
miss,
and I won't be telling it
to no magazine.
The truth is,
our friend Gerty died in
a motorcar accident last night.
I think she was murdered,
but the police don't believe me.
That's... That's very sad.
Miss Haynes always tipped me
a shilling.
There was a motorcar that left
shortly after her.
- What kind?
- Too dark to see, I'm afraid.
Broken tail light, though.
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
Ladies Monthly? Really, Dot?
You don't think he believed me?
Oh.
This is where Gerty's car
was parked, yes?
Yes.
(metallic clink)
It's definitely
a racing wheel nut.
Same as the ones on Gerty's car.
So somebody tried
to sabotage Gerty's car
while she was in the club.
She should have known,
parking there.
She should have
checked her wheels.
What do you mean?
The other racers, the men,
they pull stuff like this
all the time.
- Millie.
- Well, it's true.
Pulling pranks,
putting holes in petrol tanks.
That doesn't sound
very sporting.
They don't like it when we win.
And they'll like it even less
when you win again.
You can't let that stop you.
I'm not driving in that race,
Phryne. Sorry.
MILLIE: I'll do it.
I can drive better
than any of those idiots
in the VAA.
Don't be silly. You haven't got
your license yet.
- Because you won't let me.
- For good reason, my girl.
If you really can't bear
to drive, I can step in.
I'm not Gerty, but at least
then we're on the field.
(sighs) If we can get the car
fixed in time.
A gentleman had to sign Gerty in
at the VAA Lounge.
- Any thoughts on who?
- Too many.
Always one on the boil
and three more simmering?
Could have been Antony Rose.
That was Gerty's latest toy.
Last week he proposed.
- Do you know her answer?
- They say she turned him down.
He might be rich and handsome,
but you know Gerty.
She never let anyone
tie her down.
If you're after Claude,
he hasn't reappeared
since lunchtime.
Too much toasting
to his dear sister.
Mr Rose.
I had a wager with a friend
who said I wouldn't be able
to tell one end of a motorcar
from the other.
I think you know your way
round a car, Miss Fisher.
Gerty told me
about your Hispano.
You may as well see it.
We all have.
Claude gets himself
a twin carburetor.
Very hush-hush.
Then he has a few
down the VAA Lounge
and lets us all know
about his secret weapon.
That's Claude all right.
I hear that you and Gerty
were... close.
It was a fling.
We had fun,
but Gerty was a free spirit.
So why did you propose to her?
In jest, Miss Fisher.
A joke. Between friends.
Did you see her last night
at the VAA Lounge?
I wasn't there.
I wish I had been.
This race won't be the same
without her.
I'm sure.
But as her replacement driver,
I'll do my best
to make up for her absence.
PEPPER: No. Absolutely not.
I'm licensed, I'm the sponsor
of the ladies' team
and frankly I can't see
that you have
reasonable grounds to deny me.
I've been doing some research
on you, Miss Fisher.
- Really?
- Mm.
You have a large number
of speeding offenses.
I should have thought
that more than qualified me
for a car race.
No, all drivers must have
a pristine driving record.
So I'm sorry, Miss Fisher,
you can't drive in this rally.
But ladies are most welcome
to spectate.
I've been doing
some research too.
I'm sure the other
board members of the VAA
would not be impressed to learn
that Team Pepper
resorted to sabotage
to put the ladies
out of the race.
If Claude's done something
silly, that's on his head.
I certainly had no part in it.
That may be so,
but it wouldn't look good for
your political career, would it?
Guilt by association.
You women are all the same.
I'm quite sure we aren't.
No, your threats
are wasted on me, Miss Fisher.
Your driving offenses are on
the record. My hands are tied.
Claude Haynes stole a vital
car part from his sister
in order to sabotage her chances
in Saturday's rally.
Good evening to you too,
Miss Fisher.
And somebody took that
from Gerty's motorcar
while she was inside
the VAA Lounge.
- Witnesses?
- Apparently not.
But it's a racing roadster
wheel nut, Jack.
How much more evidence
do you need?
Somebody wanted Gerty dead.
I know, but we can't blame it
all on the wheel nut.
Coroner's report.
Gerty Haynes was strangled
and the scarf used
to cover it up.
So, I didn't jump the gun
after all.
Can we be friends again?
In spite of my cavalier approach
to driving?
It's true. You drive too fast.
Too fast for what? A milk cart?
And you're needlessly reckless.
That is an opinion, not fact.
I would suggest
you could apologize to me
by offering me a drink, but...
...given your lack of supplies
and your new penchant
for drinking alone,
I'll settle for sitting in
on your interview with Claude.
As it happens,
my shift finished an hour ago.
Good night, Miss Fisher.
JACK: You and your sister
were competitors.
Gerty regularly beat you.
That must have been humiliating.
It wouldn't impress
your sponsor, Lachlan Pepper.
I don't know what you mean.
- How'd you hurt your hand?
- I shut it in the door.
Collins, how did Mr Haynes
injure his hand?
My record from yesterday,
if you will.
He said,
"I caught it in a bonnet," sir.
You injured your hand
installing a twin carburetor
stolen from your sister,
didn't you?
No.
So that carburetor is not
sitting in your engine
right now?
Yes. All right, yes,
it's in my car.
But I did not steal it.
Gerty and I had a deal.
She was gonna throw the race.
Now, why would she do that?
Father had cut her off,
said it was time she married,
settled down.
So I tossed some money her way,
enough to keep her afloat.
But I'll be damned
if I'll pay her to beat me.
So if Gerty
was going to let you win,
why'd you need
the twin carburetor?
Gerty loved winning.
I couldn't trust her
to throw the race
if the checkered flag
was in her sights,
so I made her give it to me.
Here.
Collection details.
Believe me, there was no bad
feeling between Gerty and me.
But if you think my sister's
death was deliberate,
then you should know, Gerty said
that Ailsa would kill her
if she found out
about the carby.
So, I spoke with Lachlan Pepper.
Ah. He won't let you race,
will he?
Technically, but I've never let
a technicality stop me.
- Ailsa Wilton?
- Yeah, that's me.
Inspector Robinson. You need
to come down to the station.
We have some questions for you.
- What's going on, Jack?
- What? Why?
- She hasn't done anything.
- It's all right, Millie.
- It's only questions.
- What kind of questions?
Certain information
has come to light
with our interview
with Mr Haynes.
Is Mum under arrest?
Just stay here with Phryne
and I'll be back
before you know it.
Gerty was a witch,
but Mum wouldn't kill her!
There's no way
she would make that car crash.
Someone deliberately removed
that wheel nut.
It wasn't Mum.
Would you like
to set us straight?
I heard Mum and Gerty arguing.
Mum was... Mum was really upset
and Gerty just kept
screaming at her.
What were they fighting about?
Gerty said she was going
and Mum couldn't stop her.
- Going where?
- To the VAA Lounge.
Mum hated it
when Gerty took the car,
especially before big races.
- So what'd you do?
- I went there.
I saw her car parked out front.
I... I thought she'd check her
wheels and see the missing nut
and it would scare her enough
to come back.
I didn't think
it would kill her.
Well, that's incredibly foolish
of you, Millie,
but... you didn't kill her.
Gerty passed away after
the crash from something else.
So it wasn't my fault?
It wasn't
because of your actions.
Even though those actions
were delinquent, malicious
and with utter disregard
for Miss Haynes' wellbeing,
let alone anyone else
on the road!
I'm so sorry!
I didn't like Gerty,
but I didn't want her to die!
Did you see anyone else
at the Lounge?
Do you know
who Gerty was meeting?
They were all there. I saw...
I saw Antony's car and
Mr Pepper's and all the others'.
I'm sorry,
I don't remember anything else.
PHRYNE: Antony Rose claims
that he wasn't at the Lounge,
but his car indicates otherwise.
- Crown me.
- If Millie is to be believed.
If Mr Rose did it,
what was his motive?
Gerty turned down his proposal.
He could have followed her
from the Lounge,
intending to have it out with
her, witnessed the crash...
And taken the opportunity
to strangle her?
- It's a theory.
- A good theory.
I wouldn't go that far.
I won again.
You're usually much better
at this game.
You come here, you drink
my whisky, you accept my help
and you won't even do me the
courtesy of trying to beat me.
You're right.
You're right, I'm off my game.
When I heard about
the motorcar accident...
Hugh sent you a message.
...all I heard was
"Miss Fisher"...
...and "a crashed motorcar".
Jack.
You thought it was me.
Well, I'm still here.
No thanks to your driving.
Thank you for the nightcap.
I must be getting home.
MAN: Miss Fisher'll be pleased
with this.
MAN 2: Very steady
penmanship there, Mr B.
Thank you, Cecil.
Is your friend
from the Communist Party
sure this is a Russian
driver's license?
It's either that
or a fishing permit.
I reckon we're safe. Not too
many Russians at the VAA.
Now all we have to do
is cook up a false name.
I've got one, and it's a beauty.
MAN: Will this thing go?
Look out! Coming through!
- I feel awfully odd, miss.
- You look spectacular.
And you only have to play the
part up until the race begins.
Mr Pepper!
May I present to you,
all the way from St Petersburg,
twice champion of
the Siberia to Shanghai Classic
and now official driver
for the ladies' team,
Miss Valentina Runnemallova.
Never heard of her.
Luckily for you, Miss Valentina
speaks very little English.
(sighs) Well, I'll need to see
her credentials.
(in Russian)
They're in Russian,
but you'll be able
to vouch for them, of course,
to the other board members
of the VAA.
Excellent. Lady drivers
of the free world thank you.
What was that?
She's very shy.
Miss Valentina insists
on inspecting the track.
I explained to her
that you're a very busy man,
but she wants you to be the one
to show her.
Oh.
Da.
PHRYNE:
Mr Rose! Mr Rose, are you here?
Naughty, naughty, Miss Fisher.
Claude may not have secrets...
but I might.
Such as what happened
to your tail light.
Well, some idiot smashed it.
They're lucky
I didn't catch them.
That's what happens
when you park on the street.
In front of the VAA Lounge.
- Why did you lie?
- I didn't. I wasn't there.
But your car was.
Did it drive itself?
I was going to go in,
but a young lady came up to me,
asked me for my autograph.
I didn't wanna disappoint.
We went to a nearby hotel.
How did Gerty's purse
end up in your car?
I've no idea.
Perhaps you put it there.
I just found it
behind your seat.
There's only your word for that.
The police take my word
quite seriously usually.
Maybe I should ask them to
search your car more thoroughly.
Nobody touches my car.
Who knows what they might find?
It's like I told her,
I have no idea how that purse
ended up in my car.
Or why the doorman at the VAA
Lounge identified your car
as the one which followed Gerty
away from the club.
Obviously someone
helped themselves to my car.
Then put it back?
Why would I follow Gerty?
This note may help us with that.
"Gerty, we must discuss this."
"I demand that you do not act
in haste."
"If you do not hear me out,
I promise you will regret it."
Look, I did not write that.
Look.
That's mine.
That's my handwriting.
You see?
It's nothing like the note.
If you didn't write this,
who did?
Some other poor sap.
All right.
Gerty turned me down because
somebody better came along.
We'd practically set a date
before she told me
she had a golden ticket.
She was going overseas.
Plenty of other women
to choose from.
And I knew I could beat her
on the track.
CLAUDE: My sister was thrilling
to see on the track.
Left most men for dust.
Father never forgave her
for not being a first-born son.
And he never forgave me
for not being Gerty.
Ah, Miss Fisher.
I've been keeping
our Russian visitor entertained
with tales
of Gerty's derring-do.
She'll be so pleased
that you're stepping in for her
and that her spirit lives on.
And I'm sure your father is
very proud of you too, Claude.
Nice of you to say.
But I'm afraid Father's
made his feelings known.
He realized
that between a rebel daughter
and a confirmed bachelor son
that neither of us would be
contributing to the dynasty.
He said he'd rather give it
to the lost dogs' home.
I was wondering
if you could show Miss Valentina
over the grounds,
seeing as
you're getting on so well.
It would be my pleasure.
She may not say much, but she
understands more than you think.
Here we go.
Only one problem, miss.
You think it will be tricky
to remove the twin carburetor?
- I think so, miss.
- Especially cos it's not here.
What? That's curious.
It was there yesterday.
We need it for the ladies' team.
Perhaps Claude's mechanics
removed it for some adjustments.
Don't deny it. You were seen
skulking around my marquee.
You and two
rough-looking laborers.
I never skulk.
And Cec and Bert are cabbies.
Hah! Thieves, more like.
I would appreciate it if you
would return my team's property.
I'm sorry,
I really don't follow you.
The twin carburetor.
- Oh.
- Mm-hm.
- Well?
- I'm afraid we don't have it.
And as to its whereabouts,
I'm as baffled as you are.
Enough with the games.
The race is tomorrow.
- It's time to be serious.
- Really?
I heard these sort of high jinks
go on all the time
in racing circles.
- Not in my circles, my girl.
- Oh. Why not?
The parties, the drinking,
the fraternizing.
You're a very eligible bachelor,
Mr Pepper.
What's the harm
in having a little fun?
Miss Fisher,
I am a very busy man.
I have a business,
I have political concerns,
not to mention
my presidency of the VAA.
I don't have time for parties.
Oh. I'm sorry. What a shame.
But I'm also somewhat confused
because this letter
that you wrote to Gerty Haynes
suggests quite the opposite.
It's a forgery. It's a blatant
attempt to blacken my name.
It's a very good forgery,
considering it matches
your hand exactly.
So you're behind this.
Behind what?
Blackmail is a dangerous game,
my girl.
Yes, Gerty and I had a fling.
So what?
It was years ago.
It meant nothing.
It must have meant something.
Gerty kept your letter.
I was a gentleman.
I would have done
what was necessary,
but she'd already left
for London.
(knocking)
So I'll tell you
what I told Gerty.
You'll get no money from me.
And this proves nothing
but Gerty's loose morals.
- Is everything all right, miss?
- Yes, thank you, Mr Butler.
So, how did you discover
Pepper was the author
of the secret letter?
I went to the VAA Lounge.
Pepper was the one
who invited Gerty in.
That's not fair. I could
only get as far as the gate.
The bartender saw Gerty
and Pepper in a private booth,
said they appeared to be
having an argument.
If Gerty was attempting to
squeeze money out of Mr Pepper
by threatening to expose
their past romantic history...
It gives him motive.
But... Pepper has
his own motorcar.
Why follow her in Antony's car?
To avoid detection?
Did you follow up
on Antony's story?
The girl can't be found,
but the manager
of the York Street Hotel
thinks Mr Rose checked in.
Hardly watertight.
I can't question him again
without further evidence.
But you could question
our friend Pepper,
see what comes to light.
I intend to.
I'll see myself out.
Of course.
The fact that you're using that
and not a key
suggests to me
that this is not as official
as you led me to believe.
The late hour
didn't tip you off?
"Head injury consistent
with impact of steering wheel."
"Bruising on the neck,
crushed windpipe,
consistent with strangulation."
That finally convinced Jack
it wasn't an accident.
Anything else mentioned
in there?
Such as?
Gerty's general health,
past illnesses, operations?
Why don't you tell me
what you're looking for
and I will tell you
if it's here?
I can't make it too easy
for you.
The coroner makes reference
to this, a lower abdominal scar,
which he surmises
could be a hysterectomy...
...but he didn't check.
Mac, are you questioning
the coroner's judgment?
Well, rumor has it
he's less than effective
before his morning tipple,
but I'm not one to gossip.
Heaven forbid.
I can see why he thought
it was a hysterectomy,
but it could also be...
that she had a cesarean.
You see the stretch marks
around here?
Pregnancy will do that
to a woman.
So, in your opinion,
Gerty has carried a child?
Did I pass?
I haven't long.
The rally starts in one hour
and I missed breakfast.
Have you interviewed
Lachlan Pepper?
He admitted meeting Gerty
at the VAA Lounge.
Nothing we didn't already know.
Good.
Why would Gerty blackmail him
over having an affair?
It was years ago.
Neither of them were married.
There was nothing shameful
about a small dalliance.
- Not in some people's eyes.
- Then take a look at this.
The Adventuress Club
keeps meticulous records
of all our members'
achievements.
Gerty took a six-month hiatus
from racing in 1913.
What if the result
of that dalliance was a child?
A living child.
That would bring the past
into the present.
And really would be something
to threaten Pepper with.
"Local political candidate
has illegitimate offspring."
He might win my vote but,
safe to say, not many others.
Anyway, you've made me late.
I'll fill you in
on the rest later.
- Miss Fisher...
- See you after the race.
Yes, hello.
Put me through to the Registry
of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Everybody ready? Victory awaits!
Ready, miss.
Then let's go!
Can I give you a lift
in the Hispano?
- (engine revs)
- You nervous?
We should be off.
We can't be late.
Pepper will use any excuse
to disqualify us.
Ailsa, you and Gerty were a team
for a very long time.
This is the first race in years
where Gerty
hasn't been your driver.
You'll be fine.
Come on, we've gotta get moving.
16 years to be exact.
That's when Gerty made
her triumphant comeback.
It must have been difficult...
for both of you.
Millie's Gerty's daughter,
isn't she?
She's been my daughter
since the day she was born.
Gerty had a choice.
She chose to race.
And you took on Millie.
Well, I didn't think twice.
At the time I was engaged.
We could give her a home.
Then came the war
and... and John was killed.
Raising her alone was hard,
but that was my choice.
I couldn't have loved her any
more than if she were my own.
Why did you argue with Gerty
the night she died?
Was it because
she was going overseas?
Gerty told me
that Millie was her daughter
and she could do
what she wanted with her.
Her father
might have cut her off,
but when he saw his grandchild,
he'd change his mind.
She was using Millie
to get to his money.
I raised that child
for 16 years,
but to Gerty it was just
a convenient arrangement.
I love Millie as my own.
So you stood up to her.
Gerty would never let me
adopt Millie
and I was too afraid to push it
in case...
...in case she took her away.
I can't see Millie going
without a fight.
Once Gerty got something
in her head, she...
no one else mattered.
But I tried
to reason with her and...
Millie overheard.
She thought you were arguing
with Gerty about taking the car.
That's why she undid
the wheel nut.
But Gerty...
- Millie didn't kill Gerty.
- I know.
The thought of her being taken
away from you was too much.
I was furious.
And I knew Gerty would end up
at the VAA Lounge,
so I went round there
to... to just have my say
and maybe
I could change her mind.
By the time she came out,
she was gone
before I could catch her and...
Why did you take Antony's car?
Well, because it was there
and I knew how to start it.
And I wasn't thinking.
I just did it.
PHRYNE: You strangled her.
And you draped the scarf
through the door
to make it look like
an accident.
And you took her purse.
And I... I took out
the birth certificate.
And I destroyed it.
And then you drove the car
back to the Lounge.
Gerty always did
exactly what she wanted
and to hell with everyone else.
But I had to protect
my daughter.
All cars to the assembling area!
Just breathe.
All the best, Valentina.
I'm sure Gerty's cheering us on.
Miss Runnemallova my foot.
If you're Russian,
I'm Queen Mary.
You won't tell anyone?
No, your secret's safe
with Wal, missy.
Whatever you got planned,
you'd better do it soon.
Why?
You don't look like you know
where the motor is,
let alone how to use it.
Flick the ignition, hold down
the clutch, take off the brake
and give the throttle
a good squeeze.
My sewing machine's
harder than that.
PEPPER: Motorcars at the ready,
please, members!
I just wanna say goodbye
to Millie
and explain to her
why I did what I did.
Please. You can take me to the
police station after that.
(banging on door)
Miss Wilton! Inspector Robinson.
- Phryne.
- (banging on door)
Miss Wilton, if you're in there,
please open the door.
Go. I'll take care
of the inspector.
Coming, Jack!
- Miss Fisher?
- Yes.
Is Ailsa in there with you?
- Phryne!
- Yes?
Yes, Ailsa's in there or...?
Oh, yes. No!
Well... she was.
Can you open the door, please?
- Of course.
- Now, Miss Fisher.
I've made inquiries. Ailsa
Wilton is not Millie's mother.
Well, I suspect Ailsa and Millie
would beg to disagree.
Where is she, Miss Fisher?
I do believe
that she stepped out the back.
Two minutes till race time.
Two minutes, gentlemen.
And lady.
Miss Valentina, your goggles!
You forgot your goggles!
(Russian accent)
Oh, I did forget my goggles.
Don't forget your lipstick too.
Millie, where's Phryne?
Is she all right?
I don't know,
but someone has to race.
Well, you'll need this.
PEPPER: Motorcars at the ready,
please, members!
Now we got a race on our hands.
Miss Fisher?
Miss Fisher!
- Sorry. Got caught up.
- Miss, it's too late.
We had to have a new plan.
Millie's driving.
Oh, well, in that case,
let's go watch the race.
- Phryne!
- Claude, are you all right?
I'm so sorry.
It's all gone wrong.
- What is it?
- The twin carby.
Wal's just seen it
in Antony's engine
and you've got this lovely
Russian girl driving for Gerty.
PEPPER: All drivers
start their engines!
How much advantage
will the carby give him?
She might catch him
on the corners,
but as soon as Antony
hits the straights,
he'll leave her for dead.
I have an idea.
Go to the tent
and find Claude because...
What on earth is she doing?
You...
(bugle call)
PHRYNE: See you
at the finish line, Mr Rose!
ALL: Go, go, go, go, go, go!
Oh, dear. I believe I'm stuck.
I must have water on my points.
I am so sorry.
I'll keep the garage running.
I'll work hard every day.
Oh, I know you will.
I'll make sure
she's looked after.
I'd like to lodge a complaint.
Are you sure
you're in the right place?
Unlicensed driving and
driving under false pretences.
The women's team
is disqualified.
And I'm afraid, Miss Fisher,
you lose your little wager.
Oh. That's one way
of looking at it.
Or you could take
this glorious opportunity
to admit your long-lost daughter
as the first female member
of the VAA.
Wh... You?
Don't expect
to get a discount on repairs.
(knocking)
- Oh, good evening, Inspector.
- JACK: Evening.
Ah, Jack, I was beginning
to give up hope.
Whisky?
Uh, no, thank you.
You're not indulging tonight?
I came to return something
of yours you left in my car.
- You didn't wash it.
- I didn't see much point.
The exhaust pipe
burnt right through it.
It was only a small delay.
Engineered by you once again
to your own advantage.
I know we have some minor points
of contention, Jack,
but we enjoy uncovering
the truth together, don't we?
Therein lies the problem.
What do you mean?
When I thought it was you
in that wreckage...
...I found it unbearable.
Sounds serious.
It is.
I am who I am, Jack.
I can't give that up.
I'm not asking you
to give it up.
I would never ask you
to do that.
So you're giving up me instead?
What we do best, us, together,
you'd sacrifice that?
If you did that, Jack,
I would feel..
I would feel like it was you
lying in that wreckage.
Please can you think about that?
I will.