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Da Vinci's Inquest Season 2 Episodes
Season 2 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 1999 - 2000
Episode 1
A Cinderella Story: Part 1
44 mins
A conference on prostitution is taking place in Vancouver. Flynn is upset with Da Vinci for making a public statement endorsing a red light district. Da Vinci thinks this is a solution to protect street workers, 28 of whom have recently been gone missing from the streets of Vancouver. He pushes the idea at City Hall. Thomas Bigler, a councilor from Amsterdam, is attending the conference as a delegate. He runs into problems when a man is found dead is his hotel room bathtub. Da Vinci, Leary and Kosmo, the investigators, are angry that Bigler seems more interested in protecting his own homosexuality from the public through obvious lies than the fact that someone he was with died. And a new "girl" has arrived on the streets of Vancouver. From the United States, she has come to Vancouver to look for her sister. She has also struck a romantic friendship with a Vancouver police officer. In reality, she is Gwen Marquetti, a schoolteacher from Portland. The girl she is looking for is her daughter Madeline, who she believes is working the streets in Vancouver. Madeline is indeed in Vancouver in the trade, but she is in an exclusive and somewhat confined situation with a pimp. Gwen ends up being victim 29, although her body is found and as such authorities don't believe her murder is related to the missing women's case. Madeline identifies her mother as the victim. Her death is similar to those committed by convicted killer Vincent Marx, and Homicide believes Marx has a colleague on the outside that knows of his M.O. Marx still denies he had anything to do with the murders for which he was convicted and as such denies any knowledge of Gwen's murder. A hooker provides eyewitness information about the murder, she implicating a wealthy businessman.
Episode 2
A Cinderella Story: Part 2
44 mins
Patricia rules that the initial cause of Thomas Bigler's prostitute's death was an allergic reaction to penicillin, which in turn led to the unusual positioning of his body and the actual result of asphyxiation. Leary and Kosmo pursue the angle that the person who gave him the penicillin could be charged in his death. They learn through Bigler that the prostitute, named Errol, worked for the same agency as Madeline Marquetti. Madeline's pimp, Gerry Towne, has beat her up for secretly running off. After Leary and Kosmo initially question Gerry about Errol, Madeline informs Gerry's doctor of the discussion. The doctor, who likes Madeline and doesn't like that Gerry beat her up, decides that he will set it up so that Gerry takes the fall for Errol's death, a move which would release Madeline from her prison with Gerry and close the escort agency. Meanwhile, Vincent Marx has hired a new lawyer, Sid Samuels. As Marx still denies killing Suzanne Meyers - the prostitute he was convicted of killing - and denies any knowledge of the copycat killing of Gwen Marquetti, Samuels requests that Meyers' body be disinterred to match forensic evidence on the two bodies, which Samuels hopes will prove Marx's innocence. A reluctant Da Vinci does disinter the body, and the pathologists do find evidence that the two bodies were dismembered by the same instrument, which does at least infer Marx's innocence since he was in jail when Gwen was killed. Marx was convicted primarily on the testimony of his one time cell mate, Pete Kowalski. Kowalski's quick release from prison following Marx's conviction indicates that he may have been bribed to provide false testimony. The only other person who spoke to both Marx and Kowalski at that time was the lead investigator of Meyers' case, that being the now Staff Sergeant Regan. Shannon, handling the investigation of Gwen's death, pieces together the evidence and thinks he may have found at least the occupational identity of Gwen and Meyers' killer. And Vice Det. Bob Marlowe, Gwen's boyfriend, finally does what Gwen wanted so desperately to do, and that is find and speak to Madeline. Meanwhile, Leary and Sunny try to find some time to pursue their relationship.
Episode 3
The Hanged Man
44 mins
Morris Winston, in his first case in the Coroner's office, investigates the death of elderly Georgina Martin. It looks like there was an attempted break-in of her house, but whoever was trying to break in could not have killed her since she was found dead in her locked bedroom. Or could the person breaking in have killed her? Patricia, the pathologist on the case thinks so as in her finding, she rules that Georgina was literally scared to death. Meanwhile, Vincent Marx is found dead in his cell by strangulation. It may be suicide by hanging or someone could have killed him. Everyone in his cell block is questioned, including Pete Kowalski, the man whose testimony originally convicted Marx. Further evidence indicates possible involvement by Staff Sergeant Regan, which unnerves the investigating team of Shannon, Leary and Da Vinci. Da Vinci decides to be the point man with Regan. The news that Da Vinci decides to go to inquest in turn unnerves Regan. Behind closed doors, Da Vinci also accuses Regan of bribing Kowalski to provide false evidence against Marx. Chick determines that the bed sheet from a neighboring cell mate, Billy Mitchell, was that used to strangle Marx. To Shannon and Leary, Mitchell denies involvement. But knowing Kowalski's relationship with Regan, Mitchell confides to Regan that Kowalski killed Marx, which in turn Regan is supposed to help Mitchell out of his situation. Evidence points to Mitchell being the killer, but everyone on the investigating team knows that Kowalski is the common link to Marx's conviction and Marx's death. Everyone except Kowalski feels painted into a corner. Regan, still denying any wrongdoing in Marx's conviction even with additional evidence from Da Vinci that Marx was innocent, decides to take the only way out he knows. His actions only muddy the waters as Marx's death goes unsolved for the time being.
Episode 4
Tommy's on the Corner
44 mins
During the robbery of a bank machine, a balaclava wearing man - Thomas Stark - running away from the scene, is shot dead with an illegal gun wielded by security guard, Shane Vickerly. Stark's unknown accomplice escapes. Vickerly and his two partners learn Stark was unarmed. Lee, Leary and Shannon are the investigating detectives and beyond an initial intuition that the robbery was an inside job, they decide to take a divide and conquer approach with the guards. The investigators learn that Stark was shot twice by two different guns, and that he was in a gay relationship with a fellow by the name of Fred Beamish, who denies any knowledge or involvement. Meanwhile, a high speed police chase at about the same time leads to two fatalities - the driver being pursued and an innocent pedestrian bystander - and Police Constable Ridley, previously with a clean record, in hospital with serious injuries. In addition to Da Vinci, McNab and Kosmo are the investigating team, the latter to ensure that Ridley followed proper police procedure in the chase. Even before the investigation begins, some believe Ridley did something wrong in his procedure. Ridley is of no assistance as after he regains consciousness, he remembers nothing about the chase. Back with the robbery investigation, the authorities eventually find Stark's accomplice's dead body in what was probably the getaway vehicle. The vehicle more so than the dead body uncovers the missing piece in the investigation, not only with this crime but also the high speed chase. And Sergeant Sheila Kurtz takes over the reigns of the Homicide Division following the suicide of Staff Sergeant Regan. The transition is not a totally smooth one.
Episode 5
His Wife
44 mins
Da Vinci investigates two deaths. The first death is that of Marjorie Diggens, found at the bottom of her basement stairwell by her husband, Louis. Da Vinci believes the death to be an accidental fall down the stairs, but Patricia thinks it may be an from a fight between husband and wife. Leary and Kosmo, the Homicide investigators, discover the Diggens had a history of reported domestic problems. And because the determination of possible homicide was delayed, the accident scene has been contaminated, therefore there is no usable forensic evidence. When Chick discovers a blood stained hockey stick which could be the murder weapon, Leary and Kosmo uncover what happened, but it's not quite what they originally think. The second death is that of Alan Bush, a federal cabinet minister. He is reported and found dead in his bedroom, but Da Vinci, upon first look, knows that the body was moved there after death. Shannon, the homicide investigator, discovers that Bush may have died in a hotel room, the room registered to a Rita Morgan. Those who obviously know what happened aren't cooperating, those people being Rita Morgan, Bush's wife, his ministerial assistant and someone working in the hotel. It isn't until Rita Morgan decides to cooperate that the full story is revealed. Meanwhile, Leary receives an unexpected and unwanted visit from his estranged wife, Kim, a fact which he hides from Sunny. And Da Vinci receives some sad personal news.
Episode 6
Sister's Light
44 mins
While dealing with his own grief, Da Vinci investigates a boating accident in which three experienced fishermen drown. Da Vinci must wade through the difficulties of a divided family, a belligerent corporate lawyer, and his own sympathies to discover the truth.
Episode 7
A Nice Home in the Country
44 mins
The Coroner's Office and Homicide investigate the finding of dead body - Robert Magus - buried in the yard of a private home. Beyond the fact that the body was obviously buried, the initial findings do not seem to indicate foul play. When a second body is found on site, the investigation points to the previous owner of the home, Viola McKnight, who ran a bordering house for pensioners there and where Magus was living when it is assumed he dies. An elderly woman, Viola, with her mentally challenged adult son Bert, has run a series of boarding houses catering to pensioners with mental issues. She currently is doing so at another site. In reality, Viola, has been taking charge of her tenants' finances, systematically poisoning and burying them, and then committing fraud by taking on that identity and collecting on their personal incomes such as pension checks. With each move, she has taken on that as an assumed name, her current alias being Elizabeth Grass. When the authorities catch up with Viola/Elizabeth, they know that she is guilty, but she plays her caring but doddering little old lady routine to a T. Homicide admits they don't have enough concrete evidence for a conviction. Viola's son, Bert, may be of some assistance, especially after his dog, Plato, is found dead after a tenant feeds him her poisoned food. The balance the authorities face is placing all the guilt on Viola without implicating an obviously innocent Bert.
Episode 8
Blues in A-Minor
44 mins
Adolescent Byron Mizlowski is found dead on the shores of Burrard Inlet. It looks as if he either jumped or was pushed off the Ironworker's Memorial Bridge. Byron was a bright and responsible child and his parents gave him much leeway. They think that his biological father may have something to do with the death as Byron was physically abused by him in the past. However Patricia discovers in the autopsy that Byron was also sexually abused, as recent as the night of his death. Det. Bobby Marlowe from Sex Crimes thinks this case is linked to his case involving alleged sexual molestation of children by Byron's band teacher, Richard Zeto. Marlowe has a victim, Ryner Paget, who is remembering the sexual molestation incidents after the fact. To appease the territorial issue between Homicide and Sex Crimes, Da Vinci suggests he seize Zeto's property under the Coroner's Act to share between the investigators. After formally talking to Zeto, the authorities have much evidence against him but not enough to convict on any of the supposed charges. Once news spreads within the community of the investigation against Zeto, other evidence surfaces. Tragic consequences occur before the authorities discover who killed Byron. Meanwhile, Leary investigates a blood spattered apartment but no body. And Winston has a hit and run dead body. They don't yet know that they two are related.
Episode 9
The Looking Glass
Wed, Dec 1, 199944 mins
Simon Sloan, wielding a knife, is fatally shot by Constable Lyle Rook in what looks to be on the surface an attempted robbery at a retail store. The Coroner's Office decides to take the case to inquest to determine if there was any police misconduct in the shooting. Flynn wants Da Vinci to take a particularly hard stance against the police department as the inquest is heavily populated by individuals representing the police. In the words of one police officer on the scene, Sloan wanted to die. Most testify that the police took adequate and appropriate measures under the circumstances, except for the fact that a police dog was on the scene and although Constable Rook asked for the dog to be released, the dog master didn't do so. The inquest also brings to light that Sloan had a history of mental and violent issues. Who Da Vinci really wants on the stand is a Louis Holly, who was a former roommate of Sloan's. Da Vinci wants Holly's testimony to shed some light on Sloan as a human being and not just an anonymous knife wielding man. Da Vinci does eventually speak to Holly who provides important information, but it is ultimately Constable Rook who provides the most important piece of information while on the stand. A letter written by Sloan to Holly received after the inquest conclusion corroborates the inquest findings.
Episode 10
The Lottery
44 mins
The dead body of Clarence O'Malley is found by his long time best friend, George. It looks like Clarence died of natural causes. What Da Vinci and Shannon also find in O'Malley's apartment is a series of lottery tickets. Although drunk at the time the winning numbers are announced, Shannon is lucid enough to know that Clarence owns a ticket worth $2 million. Da Vinci and Shannon contemplate what to do with this knowledge. They go through a series of options, including keeping the ticket for themselves, especially if Clarence had no living relatives. Their resolve to "do the right thing" strengthens when they meet who looks to be Clarence's only surviving relative, an opportunistic Rick O'Malley. Da Vinci and Shannon definitely do not want Rick, who cared nothing for Clarence, to get the money. Da Vinci and Shannon finally decide on an option they feel is equitable and humanistic. Meanwhile, Leary is involved in a high stakes poker game at a private gambling club on what looks to be his off time. The players are all pretty intense on the game except for chatty Greg Prentice. Prentice's chattiness gets Leary talking, which suits the two men's purposes just fine. But Leary gets the final say in the conversation.
Episode 11
Bang Like That
44 mins
Three year old Terrence Ellison is found dead by his eight year old sister, Julie, in their backyard from what looks to be a head injury sustained from a fall from the swing. Based on the autopsy, Patricia and Sunny surmise he died from being shaken. On first glance, neither the parents, Ben and Claire, or Julie are capable of committing such a violent act, but the authorities cannot see how it could not have been one of the three that caused the death. Upon a site visit, Family Services is unconcerned about Julie being also physically abused if it was one of the parents. After hearing the news of how Terrence died, Ben is in denial, while Claire questions every move in her childrearing. After Da Vinci takes drastic measures with Julie, the steadfast resolve of the collective Ellison family crumbles when one member admits to what happened. Meanwhile, Shannon and Winston investigate the death of Bobby Symes, who was shot twice in the head. The first leads they have are missed telephone calls on his cell phone from Ed, a photo of his girlfriend Ruby in his wallet, and small amount of dope stashed in his wallet. Both Ed and Ruby don't seem totally forthright in their statements. In fact, both provide misleading and intentionally wrong information. Called on their individual lies by Shannon, both Ed and Ruby tell conflicting stories of what really happened. It isn't until Ruby and Ed get face to face that the truth comes out.
Episode 12
Fantasy
44 mins
Larry Williams is a mild mannered accountant by day and a psychopathic prostitute torturer by night. The police bring him into custody when they discover a bound and gagged prostitute by the name of Ginger Smith in the trunk of his truck, Ginger who feared for her life. Kurtz places her entire division on the case as it's the closest the authorities have come to solving the case of the missing prostitutes. Williams, using the "her word against mine" defense, admits she got what he paid for and thus the act with Ginger was consensual. Williams' wife, Jean, defends her husband in public, but really does suspect some misdeed on her husband's part. Williams makes bail, and his lawyer, as part of the defense, sends him to a psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Kinnison. Initially, Williams is coy with Kinnison, but ultimately is totally forthright about his violent sexual fantasies, not really realizing the implications of his information. Although initially reluctant to speak to the authorities, Kinnison is compelled to speak to Da Vinci about the disturbing information he thinks he's gleaned from Williams. Meanwhile, David Krieger, a handyman, is found dead behind the wheel of his car, the death from electrocution. When Shannon and Winston search properties where Krieger worked that day, they find at least the cause of the electrocution and an uncooperative intruder, Robbie, who can provide the complete story.
Episode 13
Reality
44 mins
The authorities feel like they are closing in on Williams. In reviewing the bad trick list, Kosmo finds a one-year old report of a bad trick much like Williams. The prostitute in question cannot be sure however that Williams was the one who picked her up. Leary is canvassing the girls on the stroll. And Marlowe is on surveillance duty. He ultimately manages to pick Williams up for breaking parole conditions - Williams was in the company of a prostitute - which gives the authorities time to gather more evidence. Another lead is a skeleton found in a secluded mountainous area where Marlowe earlier spotted Williams. Back at the Williams house, his wife Jean is still trying to support her husband despite an obviously dysfunctional sex life. But she knows something is wrong when she notices something familiar in one of the publicly posted photographs of the missing prostitutes. The case breaks open when Jean comes forward with her information and when more dead bodies in obvious graves are found near Williams' mountainside hangout.
