- John Brewster: He was monstrous, Chief Inspector. Monstrous.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Was he, Mr. Brewster? Your parents and Nurse Hazlitt ruined his daughter's life. And for no other reason than to save money. You knew that and you stood by them. If Michael Steppings was monstrous, Mister Brewster, he was made monstrous.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: [Annoyed] This could take us half the night! I've been on the go since eight o'clock this morning.
- Chief Inspector Morse: So have I, Sergeant.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: Yeah, but I haven't spent the last two weeks lying on a beach in Italy, have I?
- Chief Inspector Morse: [Testily] I spent my holiday engaged in cultural pursuits, Lewis, not lying on the beach.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Why would a man admit to murder and then lie about how he did it?
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: Unless he didn't do it.