Search the rooms further along. Check every nook and cranny!
In here! I think I've found something!
The murder weapon.
Anything the matter, Inspector?
Valerie and the kids came down with something over
the weekend. No doubt they've given it to me,
but some of us have to work regardless. Excuse me, Padre.
COCKEREL CROWS
Good morning, Sergeant.
A "bae do" from Mrs McCarthy.
The hymns for Thursday night's choir practice have changed.
We're missing "O Bread of Heaven", Father?
That's a shame, but I suppose... PHONE RINGS
Good morning. Kembleford Police.
When was this?
We're on our way.
There's been a murder, sir, at the Darlington Estate.
Lawrence? Arabella?
Mr Darlington.
Phillip?
Get the men, Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
I need to comfort the family.
It's quite a long way.
Might I cadge a lift?
Offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi. Amen.
I found him like that when I woke up this morning.
I tried to revive him but he was already gone.
Looks like a single puncture wound to the heart,
probably with a knife.
Were you and your father alone in the house last night?
Yes.
Arabella's away, and the servants don't lodge with us.
But I didn't see father,
I just came in from the pub and went to bed.
From the advancement of rigor mortis,
looks as though he's been dead at least ten hours.
Thank you, but I think I'll wait for the pathologist's assessment.
Are those the clothes you slept in?
I'm afraid I was rather drunk.
God, to think this awful thing happened while we both slept.
Someone must have broken in.
With a guard dog in the house?
Crumpet was with me.
He always sleeps in my room.
Sir.
There's some residue just there.
A single black fibre.
Neither Lawrence nor Phillip are wearing black.
SHOUTS: Could I please, for once, hear from an actual expert,
instead of the opinions of a pontificating priest?
I apologise, Inspector. I'm just offering my assistance.
DOG BARKS
It's Arabella.
Hello? Anybody home?
Laurie?
What's happened?
Father Brown?
What is this? Why are the police here?
Miss Darlington?
Actually, it's Mrs Huxston now.
Mrs Huxston,
I'm sorry to inform you your father's been murdered.
Search the rest of the house, inside and out.
My deepest condolences, Arabella.
I see you've been away.
How long have you been gone?
Just the weekend, in Oxford.
I suppose you could say it was our honeymoon.
I'm sorry, Father, you haven't met Charles, have you?
I know it was rather impulsive of us
but we got swept away with the romance, didn't we, darling?
Daddy would've been furious.
I was dreading telling him, but now...
SHE SOBS
What have the police said? Do they know who's responsible for this?
In here! I think I've found something.
CONTINUES SOBBING
The murder weapon.
This is Lawrence Darlington's bedroom, is it not?
I didn't put that there.
I didn't.
Sergeant, arrest him and take him down to the car.
Lawrence Darlington, I'm arresting you on suspicion of
the murder of Phillip Darlington. You are not obliged
to say anything, but anything you say...
Inspector,
these scratches on the door suggest the dog was frantically trying
to escape. Perhaps it heard an intruder.
Or perhaps it heard one master killing another.
But if Lawrence is guilty, why hide the knife in his own room?
No doubt to dispose of it later. Now, if you don't mind,
I have a suspect to question.
There was no evidence of a break-in,
and your sister confirms nothing was stolen.
You were found this morning covered in your father's blood.
You killed him, didn't you?
No.
As his only son, you can't deny that you stand to inherit his fortune.
And that's why you're concocting this ridiculous story
about an intruder. It's not a story!
The knife was found in your room!
Sorry to interrupt sir,
but could I have a word, please? It's important.
Well? There were no fingerprints found on the knife, sir.
You've brought me out here to tell me that?
No, sir. I saw you. In the suspect's bedroom.
Excuse me?
The knife, Sir.
It was in your jacket. You planted it.
How dare you?
How dare you make such an accusation against me?
An inspector with over 20 years' exemplary service...
I can't believe you'd even think such a thing.
Sir...Whatever trick your imagination's been playing on you,
I strongly advise you to keep it to yourself.
Unless you want a career stacking shelves in Woolworths!
Do I make myself clear, Sergeant Goodfellow?
Yes, sir.
What do you recall about last night before you returned home?
I was playing cards at The Red Lion.
There was beer.
And then I suppose I walked home.
I remember the sunset as I crossed the fields.
So, no later than nine o'clock?
Like I said, I felt terribly squiffy and went straight to bed.
Look, things weren't always easy
between me and father, but I didn't kill him.
I don't know how the knife got in my room. You have to believe me!
I do. Something is afoot, Lawrence,
and I need to get to the bottom of it.
You say things were strained between you.
Yeah, there was no pleasing him, Father.
I stopped trying years ago.
I wish Arabella had done the same.
She always tried so hard.
And yet she eloped to Oxford without his permission.
Well, that would've been Charles.
You disapprove of the match?
HE SIGHS
I should.
They've only known each other for three months.
But I've got to admit he's been good for her.
He even encouraged me to stand up to father.
I regret it now, of course.
Regret what, exactly?
A public row, in a restaurant.
Lawrence confronted his father, demanding access to his trust fund.
That'll hurt Lawrence if it goes to trial.
Indeed.
But I wonder if that was the intention.
But whose intention?
The dark, handsome stranger that has ensconced himself
in the family within three months.
Whatever's going on, Lawrence ain't the type to stab anyone.
He's a happy drunk! And I'll tell you what else,
he never, never, leaves The Red Lion before closing.
And yet he was so thoroughly inebriated by nine o'clock
that he went straight to bed and slept through without rousing.
Do you reckon his beer was tampered with?
By whom?
Oh, this Charles person?
Charles was with Arabella in Oxford.
He has a solid alibi for the murder.
Suspicious in itself, if you ask me.
Well, I reckon our best bet is The Red Lion.
Just pop in there, ask about.
I'd be happy to do it, Father.
I think maybe someone's a little too happy to volunteer!
Hello, Shelly.
Hello, Sid. Have you got something in your eye?
Cos it'll be my finger if you're not careful.
Not a fan of winking, got it.
I'll go wild and have a mild.
Here, Lawrence Darlington wasn't in here last night, was he?
Course he was. Is it true he's been arrested?
Laurie wouldn't hurt a fly.
I know. So if you can remember anything...
Only that he left early.
Usual crowd kept playing till late.
Wait - one of them wasn't from around here.
Big bloke, doesn't say much.
And he was definitely playing cards with Lawrence?
All right. If you see him again,
call the presbytery as soon as you can.
PHONE RINGS
Inspector Mallory speaking.
Yeah.
I don't know who called him, Father, but the photographs of the
fibre and sand residue are missing from the evidence room.
And I don't think he ever sent those samples to the lab.
I followed him home and saw smoke coming out of the chimney.
I know he's not the best copper in the world, but destroying evidence?
Unless he's taking bribes.
Oh, even Inspector Mallory wouldn't sink that low.
Well, there's one way to find out.
KNOCK ON DOOR
Good morning, Inspector.
What are you doing here?
We are very concerned about you. May we come in?
No, you may not!
SID WHISTLES
Where are Valerie and the children?
I told you, they're unwell.
They're upstairs, sleeping.
You have no right to go up there. I said stop!
Father.
Nobody's up there.
I think it's time you told us what's going on, Inspector.
Valerie and the children.
They've been taken.
It was late on Saturday.
I'd been out for a few ales to get away from...
Valerie and the children had been bickering all day.
When I finally returned home,
I saw a strange car parked outside.
Valerie? Were we expecting company?
MAN: Don't do anything stupid.
What is this?
Any noise and Daddy here gets a bullet.
Who are you?
What do you want?
You... You stay put
until I tell you otherwise.
You say a word to anyone, and they all die.
VEHICLE LEAVES
The next day, Sunday, I couldn't just sit on my hands,
so I went to the station to find out what I could
about the car - see, I'd memorised the number plate.
It had been reported missing from Oxford the day before.
Oxford.
That's where Charles and Arabella spent the weekend.
I soon learned not to break the rules again.
You went to the police station earlier.
Who did you speak to?
I had a weekend shift.
If I hadn't gone in, it would've looked suspicious.
Please, don't hurt my family.
Don't worry.
Your lot are fine...for now.
Look.
You killed someone? That's right,
and you're going to use that to pin on the dead man's son.
Who? Shut up.
Anything that points to me, you destroy it.
Be waiting in the phone box, Queen Street, Tuesday 9am.
And you remember, I'm always watching you.
So now you understand.
I have no choice but to cooperate.
But how can I prosecute an innocent man?
You are in a terrible predicament,
which we will not allow you to endure alone.
We will do all we can to unmask these men.
But in the meantime, Inspector, do nothing to antagonise them.
What can I get you?
I'll have a pint of mild.
Sixpence, please.
Charles has been so attentive.
Otherwise I don't know what I would have done.
How did you two meet?
On a train, on the way home from London.
I'd been to the museums for the day,
and Charles just happened to be in my carriage.
Oh.
DOG BARKS
Crumpet. Crumpet, stop it.
Sorry, darling. I don't know why he always does that.
That's quite all right.
I'll leave you two to talk. Good day, Father.
Good day.
You have a charming husband.
And I'm sure your visit to Oxford was very special.
But may I ask, was Charles with you at all times?
Of course. Why?
I'm trying to piece together everyone's whereabouts
when your father died.
Everyone's?
Or just Charles'?
I don't wish to give offence.
I only wish to help your brother.
By accusing my husband?
He's a good man, Father, and I won't have you casting aspersions
just because you don't know him.
UNDER HER BREATH: Come on, Sid.
PHONE RINGS
Why hasn't he been charged yet? I...I intend to.
Maybe you need reminding of the mess you're in.
Gerry... Gerry, please!Valerie!
Just do as he says, whatever he wants!
Please! Just do it!
Look I've done everything you asked of me.
I've arrested Lawrence Darlington. I planted the knife.
I burnt evidence from the murder scene.
What more do you want?!
"I've arrested Lawrence Darlington. I planted the knife.
"I burnt evidence from the murder scene.
"What more do you want?!"
Why are you doing this to me?
Because you had it coming.
No more stalling on Darlington.
I want him charged in front of a magistrate.
You've got 24 hours...or I start cutting off fingers.
LINE GOES DEAD
So a mate of mine knows someone who's done
a recent stretch at Durham.
Says he remembers a hard nut by the name of Bill.
Same scar, same tattoo.
He was doing ten years for manslaughter.
Got released three months back.
Scars and tattoos are ten a penny in prison.
How can your friend be sure it's the same man?
I'm coming to that!
This Bill, he had a cell mate called Damien.
Posh, good looking. Out of place in prison.
Apparently, Bill protected him.
But get this - Damien,
he has a talent for swindling rich women.
Are you saying this Damien and Charles
might be one and the same?
It would fit. You said there was a second masked man didn't you, sir?
Slim build?
If Charles is indeed an accomplice,
he's been reporting to Bill all the time.
But what do they want?
Why target me and my family?
If it is Damien, he's doing it for the money.
A rich bloke gets knocked off, his son gets framed for the murder
and Arabella inherits the lot.
Hence the hasty marriage.
But what about the other one? What does he get out of it?
It'll be for a share of the fortune.
MALLORY: No. This is personal.
Bill, if that's his name,
he wants me to suffer.
I don't know why.
Retribution.
What am I going to do?
The only thing you can do.
Give Bill precisely what he wants.
FATHER BROWN CLEARS HIS THROAT
Father Brown, I'm so glad you're back.
I was afraid that I'd upset you with my rudeness this morning.
On the contrary. I upset you.
No, you had Laurie's best interests at heart.
I hope you know I would do anything in the world to help him.
You still can.
You said Charles was with you at all times on your trip to Oxford.
Can you be sure that he never left your side?
Of course I'm sure. We got married.
We barely set foot outside the hotel. Why does it matter?
Because you were less than an hour's drive away from here,
and a car which we know is connected with the murder
was stolen from Oxford on Saturday night.
I think that is more than a coincidence.
Well, I'm sorry, Father, but Charles and I...
Saturday evening?
I wanted to dine in the restaurant, but Charles ordered room service.
We had champagne.
It went straight to my head. I went to bed early.
How early?
About eight? I slept through till morning.
But Charles was there when I woke up. He'd ordered breakfast.
Arabella...
..I suspect that your champagne was laced
with sleeping pills,
as was your brother's beer in The Red Lion,
to ensure that he slept through your father's murder.
Ow!
Charles would never do that. And, besides,
Daddy died on Sunday.
I was with Charles that night in the piano bar.
Are you suggesting he was in two places at once?
He may be working with an accomplice.
No. Charles loves me. We danced together until dawn.
He even paid the pianist to keep...playing.
He wanted to be seen. An alibi.
You're wrong.
Arabella,
Lawrence needs your help. And not just him.
An innocent family's lives are also at stake.
What family?
Damien?
Quickly, my dear, we should try to get seats near the front. It is you!
Charles, do you know this man?
No. Let me just... Darling,
I'll meet you inside, all right? Two ticks.
Do you mind?
I haven't the foggiest idea who you are.
Oh, that's hurtful, cos I know who you are.
Never forget a face, me, especially one as pretty as yours.
Apparently, you're too lofty for the likes of us now, are you?
Listen, I really don't have time to chat. I need to be with my wife.
Oh, that's your wife?
I'll come in with you. You can introduce us.
What do you want?
Are you sure it's wise
to entrust such a task to Sidney Carter, Padre?
He can, as I believe the saying goes,
talk the hind legs off a donkey. You need to go.
Not that way.
What happened to that bruiser of a bloke you used
to knock around with? Bill something?
We didn't stay in touch. Oh.
Pity. Handy friend to have on the inside.
But I guess you're the type to make new friends, ain't ya?
What's the matter? You're not thirsty?
Look, if it's money you want, I don't have any.
Oh. Well, that is disappointing.
Here was me thinking you were going to make my day.
Still, you've got to give me something
as compensation for forgetting me altogether.
I like your watch. You know what?
I reckon wearing something nice
and shiny like that might just restore my self-esteem.
I can't.
It was a gift from my wife. She'd notice if it was gone. Mm.
Well, I guess you're just going to have to make up
a really good story, ain't ya? But you're good at that,
aren't you, Damien?
Bother me again and you'll regret it, understand?
I'm so sorry, darling.
Where on earth have you been? Poor Arabella has been distraught!
You didn't say which courtroom it was in.
And then I thought perhaps you'd already left.
Well, never mind that. What happened with Lawrence?
He's been refused bail,
and the committal proceedings are set for next week.
They're taking him to some pitiless prison in Wynchurch.
Come on. Let's...
Let's get you home.
Would you get away from that window? Someone might see you!
Sit! And I'll make you a nice cup of tea.
Inspector Mallory said I was free to go.
I don't see why I need to sit in a presbytery all day.
I know you have endured a lot, Mr Darlington.
We just need you to stay hidden for another few hours.
Mallory got a call. Face-to-face with Bill, 4pm.
At the junction of Bruern and North Road.
He's agreed to hand over the family?
He's agreed to take Mallory to 'em, apparently.
And Mallory can make the arrests.
Goodfellow got a nice juicy thumbprint off the watch.
Not even a drop of alcohol!
What about the communion wine, Father?
Oh, come on! There must be some in the church.
I thought I told you to park yourself on that seat!
He might see the car from the road.
We're well hidden here, Inspector.
You shouldn't be here at all.
It could be a trap, sir.
I promise we'll follow at a safe distance.
Well, make sure you do.
Any mistakes and my family pays the price.
He's been in the lav a long time.
Oh, stupid man! Where do you think he's got to?
Come on! All right. Can't I finish my pint at least?
I'll buy you ten pints if that's what you want, just not right now.
No, no, no, no!
You, get back to the presbytery. I'll try and stop him.
What? Oh, no, you don't.
Sid! Don't even think about driving.
Sid!
Come on, and we're away.
Get in.
You still don't know who I am, do you?
Just another criminal you put away.
Ten years, for someone else's crime.
But you wouldn't remember a little thing like that, would you?
If I made a mistake, I'm sorry.
Sorry?
You will be.
You see, if you cross me, you, your wife, or your kids
tell anyone about what's happened here,
I'll come for you. One by one.
We've been set up.
Get out.So what about my family?
I said, get out.
Go!
CAR BELLS RING
Sid, I swear, if anything happens to this beer,
I'll strangle you with my bare hands.
Your bare hands, eh?
Oh, hello.
CAR BELLS RING
That's Bill.Then block him.
What?Just brake!
WHEELS SCREECH
CAR BELLS RING
GUNSHOT
SHE SCREAMS
GUNSHOT
Sid!
GUNSHOTS
DOG BARKS
Looking for these?
Perhaps they can drug the next poor woman on her honeymoon.
Darling, whatever that priest told you,
he's wrong.
I'd never do anything to hurt you.
I packed your things because I want you to come with me.
I love you.
You don't love anyone.
And the police are already on their way.
Mr Devlin...
..please.
Just tell me where they are.
I remember your case now.
Yeah, now you've had a chance to look into it.
An old man died.
He fell down the stairs during a burglary.
And I didn't touch him.
You had a history of burgling houses in the area.
Your tool box had a crowbar in it.
I told you that I had gone straight.
And I had an alibi,
which you ignored.
He was a petty criminal.
SHOUTING: That is not good enough!
SHOUTING: You took my life!
I had a wife too, once.
A new baby on the way.
And now, they don't even want to know me.
I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Because now I have something you want.
Something you care about.
How many other people's lives have you ruined, Inspector?
I don't.
I should have been more thorough.
And if I could go back and undo it, I would.
Please, I'm begging you.
Don't make my family suffer for my...
..mistakes.
HE SIGHS
Three days.
What? That's how long you can live without water.
So I would say that gives them about...
..one day left.
Tick tock, Inspector.
Still nothing.
Damien Tarrow is the same.
All he'll say is, "No comment, old chap."
That's the best you'll get out of a slippery git like him.
It's no use, Padre.
I tried to tell him I'm sorry. He won't listen.
And are you?
Sorry?
Sergeant Goodfellow showed me the file.
You convicted an innocent man, didn't you?
He blames me for losing his family,
and now he wants to take mine. Oh, God, forgive me.
Would you like me to hear your confession?
Bless me, Father, for...
..I have sinned.
It has been many years since my last confession.
I failed an innocent man.
I assumed he was guilty and I didn't try hard enough...
..to find the truth.
He's right about me. This is who I am.
I cut corners. I'm lazy, I'm selfish, and I let people down.
You are fallible, Inspector, as are we all.
No. All I've cared about is myself.
Always myself.
Even more than my own wife and children.
And now they're going to die because of me.
And they don't even know.
They don't even know how much...
..I love them.
They will know, Inspector.
Wherever they are, they will know.
Oh! Please, Father.
Tell God to spare them.
I'll do anything.
I need a priest already, do I?
Quick march to the gallows, I suppose.
I'm hoping that justice will treat you fairly this time,
Mr Devlin.
And you are a man that believes in justice...
..are you not?
Then why frame Lawrence Darlington?
An innocent man.
Which is just what you were.
An innocent man.
Just as Inspector Mallory's family are blameless.
He sent me to a deep, dark hole...
..and left me there to rot.
So now Inspector Mallory's precious family...
..will get to know exactly what that feels like.
Mr Devlin.
You must tell us where they are.
I'll make him swing for this, if it's the last thing I do!
That's fair enough. And I hate to be the one to say it,
but if Valerie and the kids aren't found,
there's nothing to prove that Bill even took 'em.
With respect sir, you destroyed all the evidence
to prove he killed Phillip Darlington too.
Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to destroy evidence?
Well, this is the fibre and the sand residue from the rug.
But I could've sworn... I was being watched, Sergeant!
I had to make it look convincing.
Also Devlin had this in his possession.
The Darlingtons' front door key,
duplicated at a locksmith in Kembleford,
identified as one Damien Tarrow.
So now, we have a solid case against both of them.
But what good is that if my family are going to die?
May I?
This sandy residue from Bill's boot has been used
to mop up a spillage.
HE SNIFFS
It's aviation fuel, I swear it.
The airfields used to wreak of this in the war.
Coldrock airfield.
Where?
Valerie!
Janet, John, can you hear me?
They're not here.
We were wrong.
No, they're here somewhere.
Mr Devlin said that Valerie
and the children would know what it was like to be in
a deep, dark hole.
Perhaps they're underground.
What about an old air raid shelter?
Valerie?
This way. There it is.
There.
Move it.Move it. Children!
Children!
Daddy! Daddy!
Gerry! Daddy.
Children.
Oh, my family, my family.
I'm sure it was a very touching scene.
But you still owe me the price of two beer barrels.
Put it on the Inspector's tab.
He's paying. First time for everything.
You can't blame him for celebrating.
You did a good thing, Sid Carter.
Well, I had a good helper.
Well, that went well.
Oh, Sidney, Maybe it's time you took the hint.
I think she likes you.
Perhaps it is time to move on. Then again,
I'm not the best judge of romance.
I just wanted to say...
..my family have been through quite an ordeal,
but they're recovering well and wished me to send their thanks.
As for me...
..I know my recent professional conduct
may have fallen below the high standards
that you have all come to expect from me.
But you'll be pleased to hear
that I have charged Bill Devlin with murder,
kidnapping, possession of a firearm,
and Damien Tarrow with accessory to murder,
kidnapping, stealing a car, drugging his wife...
Perhaps we could move on, Inspector.
Of course.
HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
Suffice to say...
..thanks to my quick thinking
in preserving crucial evidence,
I was able to prove their guilt.
So you can rest assured
that justice will be served.
Did he just thank himself?
Remarkable.
To you all...
..my friends.
---oOo---