That Woman Opposite 1957

Night murder witnessed by Lawes

Maurice Lawes, a local English antiques dealer, witnesses a gendarme's murder in the town at night. He spots the killer looking up at his window and realises he has been seen. The killer realises Lawes could identify him, setting the stage for a tense pursuit.

Janice discovers her father are murdered

The following evening, Janice Lawes, Maurice's daughter, discovers her father dead in his home. The shocking discovery shifts the situation from an observed crime to a direct murder case. The family is thrown into a formal investigation.

Formal investigation begins

Local police join forces with Dermot Kinross, a private insurance investigator, to launch an official inquiry. They begin collecting statements, examining possible motives connected to Lawes, and tracing anyone who could profit from his death. The case expands beyond a simple burglary.

Early theory about motive

Initial theory suggests Lawes was killed to prevent identification of the gendarme's killer. The investigators treat the case as a potential cover-up rather than a straightforward burglary. This doubt opens the door to multiple possible suspects.

Toby's embezzlement uncovered

Toby Lawes, Maurice's son, is found to have been embezzling funds from his father to pay off a blackmailing ex-mistress. The financial wrongdoing provides a plausible motive for harming Lawes. The family dynamics become a focal point of the inquiry.

Eve's bloodstained clothing

Toby's fiancée Eve, living directly opposite the murder scene, is found in possession of bloodstained clothing she cannot satisfactorily explain. Her possession places her under intense scrutiny as a possible accomplice. The evidence elevates her role in the emerging theory of the crime.

Ned's snuffbox connection

Ned, Eve's ex-husband, is revealed to have a particular interest in a rare snuffbox from Lawes' collection that is missing. This missing item links Ned to a burglary and raises questions about his possible involvement in the murder. The snuffbox becomes a key clue in the case.

Eve under further scrutiny

As the investigation deepens, Eve is scrutinized as a potential accomplice of either Toby or Ned. Kinross weighs multiple angles to determine her true role in the crime. The case broadens to include relationships and possible collusion.

Snuffbox clue tightens the case

The missing snuffbox becomes a key clue, tightening the motive and tying together several threads of the case. Files and testimonies begin to form a more coherent picture rather than the initial burglary theory. The investigation moves toward a focused narrative.

Kinross pieces together the chain

Kinross methodically threads together the sequence of events, tracing how the crimes unfolded. He evaluates alibis, opportunities, and links between Lawes' associates to identify the actual perpetrator. The puzzle starts to resolve into a single, plausible chain of actions.

The true culprit emerges

The investigation identifies the true culprit and explains the motive behind the murders. This revelation challenges the initial assumption and clarifies how the chain of events led to the tragedy. The investigation moves from ambiguity to a clear explanation.