- Detective Constable Ben Jones: Sounds good, sir; a trip to the seaside. Should we toss for it?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: I already did. I won.
- Ruby Wilmott: [to Barnaby] About Martin? You ready? Martin Barrett was a mean, vicious, ugly sot, and I'm glad he cocked it!
- Jack Fothergill: Come on, Ruby, a spot of Christian charity surely.
- Ruby Wilmott: Why? Is it Sunday?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Mr. Florian, you arrived just in time, sir. We won't have to break your door down now.
- Richard Florian: Inspector, I'm, uh, I'm trying very hard to see a funny side to this, but it's eluding me.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: That's because there isn't one.
- Detective Constable Ben Jones: Why does this place make me feel uncomfortable, sir?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: [Sarcastically] Oh, sensitive lad like you. Must be the body in the kitchen.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: [Viewing the murder scene] Nothing out of place - not even a mark on his blotter.
- Detective Constable Ben Jones: Yeah, well, who writes letters these days, sir?
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Who knows how to?
- Dr. George Bullard: The report on Martin Barrett is done, being typed up as we speak, and I can tell you something about his murderer.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Oh, make it his name and address, will you?
- Detective Constable Ben Jones: Truth is, and I'm using the word experimentally in their case, each thinks the other may have killed Martin Barrett.
- [first lines]
- Martin Barrett: Mrs Redfern?
- Hayley Redfern: Yes.
- Martin Barrett: How nice to meet you.
- Hayley Redfern: You mean you're Martin Barrett?
- Martin Barrett: Yes. I think we both expected someone a little different.
- DCI Tom Barnaby: Our board at home is absolutely covered with stuff: messages, telephone numbers, lists Hundreds of years old, some of 'em. But Martin Barrett has but one, solitary item. Does that make it significant or just lonely?