The Voice of Merrill

The convicted blackmailer is discovered murdered in her flat, triggering a police inquiry. Three men—Hugh Allen, Ronald Parker, and Jonathan Roach—emerge as primary suspects with plausible motives. Inspector Thornton resolves to shadow them to see who betrays the truth.

Thornton launches a careful watch on the three suspects, following their movements and scrutinizing alibis for signs of deception. He hopes that slips or inconsistencies will expose the killer. The investigation tightens as each man navigates the fragile web of motives and opportunity.

Allen and Alycia begin an affair as Alycia grows tired of her loveless marriage to Roach. Their relationship complicates the case, giving Allen a new motive and a personal stake in the outcome. Thornton's suspicions deepen as romantic entanglements surface.

Roach writes the radio play 'The Voice of Merrill' and wants it presented anonymously. He agrees to have Allen narrate the broadcasts, which could elevate Allen's career. Alycia urges Allen to present the work as his own, steering the plot toward a convenient literary ascent.

Under Alycia's pressure, Allen agrees to claim Merrill's authorship, hoping it will boost his career. The deception risks exposing the relationship and points the investigation toward him. The plan foreshadows danger if the lie is uncovered.

Alycia poisons Roach with his medications, hoping the autopsy will attribute his death to his heart condition. The betrayal happens behind Roach's back as his health deteriorates. She believes the plan will secure both her freedom and Allen's rise.

When Roach dies, Thornton's suspicions rise further due to Allen and Alycia's affair. He informs Alycia that an autopsy will be carried out, threatening disclosure of the murder plot. Alycia is horrified at the possibility of exposure.

Allen tells Alycia that he will confess to the murder to spare her from charges, but she tries to dissuade him from taking the fall. Their negotiation underscores the precariousness of their positions. Thornton continues to connect the dots between personal entanglements and criminal responsibility.

Autopsy results conclude Roach died of natural causes, clearing the immediate suspicion from Allen and Alycia. The couple believe they have avoided punishment and a reckoning seems unlikely. Thornton remains wary but lacks a definitive verdict.

Before his death, Roach learned Allen was Merrill and crafts a posthumous revenge scheme. He arranges that the final episodes of Merrill will reveal the truth about the killer. The intended twist weaponizes the broadcast to trap the murderer by association.

As Merrill's last episode airs, Thornton witnesses a narrative that mirrors real events and points toward the blackmailer as the killer. The broadcast acts as a dramatic clue that helps the police track down the perpetrator. The tension peaks as the twist unfolds on air.

Following the televised revelation, Thornton arrives at the killer's identity largely through the narrative clues embedded in Merrill. The detective's deduction ties together the personal motives and the staged revenge. The case resolves with the killer exposed and justice pursued.