Black Snow (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

Who else had access to the time capsule?
Kalana Baker read out the murder letter,
then Mick asked Lynn Walcott
to put everything back
in the time capsule.
Who's Mick?
Compton. He's a local elder.
Ah, but he's a lawyer
and he thought the
letter might be important.
So I locked everything back
up in the evidence room.
So you were the only
person alone with it?
Yes, sir.
Thanks.
I'm sorry you saw that.
My parents are going to Ah!
Hazel, I'm going to have to ask you
not to tell your parents yet.
The fewer people that know
at this stage the better.
It's my sister's hair.
I believe you.
But we need proof. Everything
has to be forensically tested.
And how long will that take?
Unfortunately probably
a couple of weeks.
Look, I'm not asking you to lie, okay?
I'm just asking you to
wait before you tell anyone.
That's bullshit.
That's just word play.
Could you lie to your mother about this?
I don't know.
Now I know in some
some cultures,
hair has, um, power.
I was wondering if
cutting Isabel's hair,
could have had specific
cultural meaning maybe?
That's the first place you go?
Black magic killed my sister?
That is not what I'm saying.
You know what?
Keep your tea.
Ah, fuck!
Fuck!
I'm sending it off to
forensic in Brisbane,
and I thought you, um, might
want to check it out first.
It's wild.
Hey boss. What do you
reckon it all means?
I reckon you oughta get me a coffee.
This was not a crime of opportunity.
I mean how would the stranger
know about the time capsule?
That's personal.
I mean there's no sexual assault.
The body was moved and then
dumped outside the cemetery
and the hair was cut post-mortem.
And why put it in here to
be discovered 25 years later?
Come on.
You want me to take
a squiz at the video?
I probably know everyone in it.
Um, actually I'm sending it
to Brisbane to get digitised.
It'll be back next week.
You can check it out then, hey?
This is all pointing to Isabel Baker
being murdered by somebody she knew.
There's never been any
evidence to support that theory.
There is now.
What time are you leaving tomorrow?
I'm going to stay a little longer.
- Really?
- Mm-hm.
Just until we sort out what's
going on with Aunty Izzy's case.
Right.
What's the new detective like?
Not local, so that's a good start.
Can I put a Black Lives
Matter slogan on the mural?
I don't think Nan would
be too happy changing it.
But Aunty Izzy was an activist.
She was a teenager. You've got time.
Growing up here with kin, it's a gift.
She never would have wanted
to cast a shadow over you.
Sarge, I put those songs
on a playlist on your phone,
like you asked.
Thank you.
It's under 'Time Capsule Mixtape'.
Good work.
She's such a slut.
Just ignore them.
Hector! Stop filming.
Oi, fuck off Tampon.
Got your favourite, Yum Yum tart.
Aunty Rosa, thank you.
- Who's this?
- Ah, Hector Ford. Pleased to meet you.
Hector's filming our documentary
for the time capsule project.
Hope you're including our community.
Definitely.
Could I come and interview you?
I got time now. Hop in.
We'll show you the real Ashford.
Let's show him the
workers' camp at the mill.
Have fun.
Hey.
Hey, Dad. I picked up the mail.
Ta, love. Tell Mum I might be late.
Yep.
Hector!
- Hey Steve.
- Izzy.
What are you doing?
Who is that?
Chloe's dad.
He was coming on to that girl.
I'm serious, I saw the girl
Hector! We're not a tourist attraction.
It is totally gothic out here.
- What does that mean?
- Poor.
No, atmospheric.
You know what this means, Butch?
You've gotta take it
easy for a few weeks.
- Can't.
- Why?
I need the harvest.
- I gotta work.
- Butch, you've gotta to listen to your body.
You've gotta get off the farm.
You're not a young fella anymore.
Sis, it's all I know how to do.
That's what I've been telling Izzy.
You need to get that education.
Make something of your life.
Take them chances that we didn't get.
You got big responsibilities.
Yes, Aunty.
Our great great grandfather,
he was a chief, a leader of his people,
and then one morning he
went down to the beach,
and never came back.
He was taken.
All our strong young men
from Vanuatu taken.
All their blood, their strength.
Gone from us into this dirt.
What do you mean "taken"?
Kidnapped. Brought over here
to slave in these fields,
just so your great great grandparents
- can have sugar in their tea.
- Yeah.
All this
This is built on the
backs of our people.
You don't have to make me coffees.
I just wanted a sticky beak.
Time capsule inventory.
It's written the morning
before Isabel was killed.
You notice anything?
No.
The purple glitter pen.
It's the same as in
the one with her letter.
Well done. And at the
start of the letter she's
in love with Ashford, but by the end
it's full of "predators
disguised as friends".
And The Ankou.
Reaper of souls. I looked it up.
Get a grip, Constable.
As hot and bothered as a
virgin on his wedding night.
Why don't you carry a firearm?
Tends to make people anxious.
Why Cold Case? Homicide
too stressful for you?
I guess I enjoy
cleaning up after people.
Smug bastard!
Sorry to keep you waiting, Detective.
- Lynn Walcott.
- James.
Walcott, huh?
Any relation to the mill?
- We own it.
- Wow!
You're wondering why
I'm not lying on a beach
drinking mint juleps?
Yes, I am actually.
Would you like to come through?
Ah, no, I won't take up
too much of your time.
What do you remember about Isabel Baker?
She was lovely, kind, thoughtful.
A little bit of a drama queen?
No.
No, not at all, the opposite.
What do you think she was
trying to say in her letter?
It was pretty extreme.
Honestly, I have no idea.
It didn't sound like her.
You're taking it seriously though?
Well, she was murdered.
Tell me about the time capsule.
It was a project for the detention kids.
Creative punishment, it
was meant to be fun.
And when was it locked?
On the morning of the formal,
we all got together to do
an inventory of the contents.
It wasn't actually locked though.
Well, how long was it unlocked
before it was interred?
Oh, about a week.
Okay.
I'm glad that you're
looking into this.
But I did want to say,
Troy Turner did his job.
Well, me being here is not a
reflection of his investigation.
No, you're here because
Mick Compton made a fuss.
He thinks more would have
been done if Izzy was white.
He might be right.
No, he's wrong.
Every soul in Ashford
wanted that monster caught.
Except for whoever killed her.
Hey, we've got a visitor.
This is the new fella,
Detective Cormack.
- Hey.
- Hi. James.
- Nice to meet you.
- You too.
Yeah, we've met.
I, um I wanted to introduce myself.
I will be conducting
interviews over the next while.
Now, I appreciate that it
may be difficult for you guys.
We're a strong family.
And God protects us.
You're a believer?
I have my beliefs.
- Please.
- Thank you.
Okay.
In Isabel's letter, she
talks about The Ankou.
That letter's bad business.
The truth is Jesus'
way, not the dark way.
Did Isabel have any
interest in that dark way?
I'm just trying to understand
the language that she used.
You don't think we are too?
Kids go through phases.
Not our Isabel.
She sounded so scared, Joe.
When was our girl ever scared?
God has a plan.
Sometimes it's not enough.
Sometimes it's no comfort.
Can I talk to you for a second?
Yeah, you need to slow down.
That was way too much today.
No one is going to talk to
you unless they trust you.
They'll trust me
if you trust me.
Yeah well, I've known
you for five minutes.
You've already got me
lying to my whole family.
Thank you for not telling
them about the hair.
Very nice to meet you.
What was that all about?
What do you mean?
Secrets.
You got too many, girl.
Come on!
Mick Compton's office.
Hi. It's Detective James Cormack.
I was wondering if I could
speak to Mick, please.
He's at a meeting, can I take a message?
Um did my number come
up on your caller ID?
- Yep.
- Okay, great.
Have him call me on that,
please, when he's free.
It's regarding the Isabel Baker murder.
Ho, ho ho. Yes.
and the primary industry is sugar.
Tash just did like
the maddest kick flip,
you should get that on film, Tampon.
Go on, do another one.
No, I don't perform on command.
Dear 2019. My name is Chloe Walcott,
and in 1994 my life is pretty sweet.
I just bought my first car
and in a few weeks I'll be
road tripping my head off.
This is one big set-up.
Well the mill operates around
the clock in crushing season.
We process 1.4 million tonnes of cane
from farms across the entire valley.
It's a lot of sugar.
The local dentist must be rich.
I know, um, you and Isabel
were best friends, so
I'm sorry.
She's been dead longer
than she was alive.
This, is Millie.
We were going to drive her to Sydney,
party for the summer and
then come back and, start uni.
I'm guessing Isabel never told
her parents about your plan.
She was terrified of Pastor Joe.
He was very strict.
Really? You never witnessed
any abuse from Joe, did you?
No. God, no. Joe loved Isabel.
He was just a protective father.
What about her mood the
weeks leading up to it?
Is this really because of the letter?
I don't believe she wrote it.
It's probably Hector's idea.
Was he really into the occult?
Wouldn't surprise me.
I'm not saying that he was
It's just he enjoyed provoking people.
You know it's not just about the letter.
We've got some new evidence now.
Are you sure you didn't
notice any mood changes?
No.
What about the night she died?
Well, she finally dumped Anton.
Do you know why?
Because he's a prick.
He was screwing Tasha
behind Izzy's back.
What do you remember about the blue car?
I I only saw it for a moment.
I didn't see the driver.
I'm sorry. I wish I'd
paid more attention.
Yeah.
The last time you saw
her, what time was that?
I walked her to the intersection.
Ah it was it was around 12.30.
First day of the rest of our lives.
She turned and blew me a kiss.
Hey Chloe, how's things?
What new evidence, Troy?
What the fuck is going on?
Hm-mmm.
Sneaking out? You getting us coffees?
So what was last night then?
I don't know.
Relapse.
You prick.
We were drunk. It
shouldn't have happened.
Why not? You're not married anymore
It could be fun.
Tash, I'm just not um
It's a bad time.
Because of that letter?
You're not still pining
after Isabel, are you?
I've got work.
You fucking are.
She's been dead 25 years, you loser.
What's wrong with you?
This is my family's mill,
the heart of Ashford.
We drive the economy
of this great region.
The mill has given countless
jobs to people far and wide,
and our sugar is exported
all over the world.
Basically we put Ashford on the map,
which is why it should really
be called "Walcottsville".
"Walcottsville"?
None of you would be here
if it wasn't for the mill.
Hector, you can edit this out, right?
Yeah I can, but it's pretty funny.
"It's Wallcottsville".
Hello class of 1994.
This is Hector Ford.
This is what life was like
back in the '90s in Ashford.
Quit it.
Seriously, quit it.
I can see up your nose.
Turn it off.
Hector Ford is a stalker.
Whahh!
Do you think in the future
they'll still be using brooms?
No. Robots for sure.
I can't wait for that day.
God understands our suffering.
The white bird on the water,
turned into a blackbird.
God has seen, and He has said,
"I carried you on eagle's wings
and brought you to myself".
Hallelujah!
Joseph was sold as a
slave by his brothers,
sold into Egypt.
But God was with him.
And though men meant it for
evil, God meant it for good.
Praise Jesus.
We are blessed to
welcome our new friends
to our congregation today.
Thank you Pastor Joe,
for welcoming us and helping us
find our feet here in Ashford.
Hector, what are you doing here?
I wanted to see you,
and I thought I could film the church
for the time capsule video,
because your Aunty said we
should include your community.
You're going to have to
ask Dad for permission
for any of that.
Oh, okay.
Is Hector your new boyfriend?
No. He's just as annoying as you are.
Why's Chloe here?
What are you doing?
Millie's fixed. Come on.
I can't.
Oh, my God, Hector's stalking you.
Come on. No one's gonna
know that you're even gone.
Okay.
No one's gonna know it's your car,
and I'm going to
distract Hazel. Let's go.
Okay.
- So, jack and tire is underneath.
- Yeah.
Do you know how to change it?
Yeah. Yep.
Yeah. Righto.
When are you telling your dad
you're going to Sydney anyway?
When I get my exam results,
if they're good enough.
It's for your valuables.
Don't leave anything in the glove box.
It will get ripped off, okay?
Do you think Dad'll ever forgive me?
- Probably not.
- So I shouldn't go?
Nuh, gammin, gammin.
But Pastor Joe is a proud man.
You're his pride, so
just don't disrespect him.
Hey.
Anton said he wants to meet you later.
What should I tell him?
Tell him to piss off.
Tell him I'll be where we arranged.
Okay. See ya, Tampon.
You should start soon.
Izz, Izz, I need to show you
that video of Chloe's dad.
You will believe me when you see it.
Not now. I don't have long
till Mum and Dad get home.
I need to meet Anton.
I could come with you.
I'll see you at school tomorrow.
Anton?
Jisas plis helpem mi!
They found something
else in the time capsule.
It was wrapped in an
Ashford high T-shirt.
It was Izzy's hair.
But
it was also plaited.
He plaited it?
I'm sorry.
I don't understand.
I do.
It's someone from here.
It's someone we trust, took her from us.
Dad can't carry this alone.
You have to step up.
I know, but how?
Am I supposed to help
this white bully man now?
Yes. If that's what it takes.
Izzy's speaking to us from beyond.
Hazel, you've got to let her back in.
Dear 2019. My name is Anton Bianci.
In 2019, I predict I'll be
hopefully running the Mars colony,
but probably just running the farm.
Either way I expect Izzy and I
will have about three kids by then.
- Coffee, Kath?
- Yes, thanks love.
Okay.
What was your relationship
like with Isabel?
You've read the file.
She was my first love.
Most people get to remember that fondly.
Yeah. In your statement you said
you were with Natasha Hopkins
on the night of the murder.
Had you been seeing her for long?
No, Tash was just sex.
What would you say the
difference between sex,
and say an affair is?
Well, if it's serious, you
know, you cook, you eat
Before you fuck 'em.
Tasha didn't mean anything?
Is that how Isabel felt?
She was pretty angry
the night of the formal.
Hormones. They were teenagers.
Hormones make teenagers crazy.
I'm not proud about
what happened with Tasha,
but it didn't mean anything.
It wasn't real.
I loved Izzy, and she knew that.
Hector just got her wound
up that night, that's all.
Yeah, in what way?
I don't know, you're the Detective.
Maybe he wasn't a
pillow biter back then.
So Isabel wasn't angry with you?
We argued about a road trip.
That's in my statement.
So she broke up with you so
she could go on a road trip?
No, no, no, we had our own plans.
Okay.
And she changed her mind?
No, she didn't change her look,
she was never going away
on that trip with Chloe.
Her dad would have stopped her.
I'm not the one who
fucked up our future.
The man who killed her did.
Police should have found that blue car.
Exactly.
And what sort of crazy person
takes the hair off a dead girl?
A crazy man, that's who.
What do you make of her letter?
It's bullshit, it's not her.
And The Ankou? What is that?
Just some Islander mumbo jumbo.
Actually it's Celtic. It
means Death's Shepherd.
All right, guys, I'm
sorry for interrupting.
Maybe we should do this another day.
We own the farm supply store in town.
I'll be doing the books
there later tonight.
Perfect.
It's beautiful. Calming.
Usually.
I told my parents about Izzy's hair.
- It's okay.
- They won't saying anything,
but they gotta know it
was someone from here.
Do you ever think it could
have been someone local?
No, we had no reason to.
Hear any gossip at the time?
A bikie enforcer.
Because there was a bunch of
bikies that rode through town
the day of her funeral.
And satanic ritual gone wrong.
And that last one really hurt Dad.
Are you a believer?
I have my moments.
But life's pretty confusing either way.
You know, I always envied
people who had faith.
It felt like they were
plugged into this big battery,
just never run out of energy.
So where do you get your energy from?
Anger.
You?
Guilt.
Maybe knowing what happened will help.
They say that darkness
gives birth to monsters.
Turn on the light, they're gone.
Are they though?
I hope so. Otherwise my job's
pretty fucking pointless.
You know your tattoo
it's the same day Izzy died.
What's the go with that?
It's also the day my
brother Ritchie went missing.
It's a long story.
Maybe one day I'll
I'll be able to tell it.
Just a coincidence.
I'm Kalana Baker, niece of Isabel Baker,
who was murdered here in
Ashford by someone she knew.
Like her, I'm a proud
Australian South Sea Islander.
I love my country. But every
day I have to walk past this.
The founder of my home
town. A brave pioneer.
And the man who kidnapped
and enslaved my ancestors
to work in his cane fields.
Australia needs to admit
its built on black bodies.
Come on, arrest me.
Aunty Izzy would never have apologised.
She never would have done any of this.
She was too busy chasing boys.
Now, scrub it properly.
You heard the rumour?
- What rumour?
- About Izzy's hair. Is it true?
Keeping secrets for the bully man now?
I don't have to explain
myself to you, Mick.
You're not the only one who lost her.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because the new fella asked me
not to for the investigation.
So he matters more than me?
Hey, you show some
respect to your mother.
And what's this on your Insta?
Vandalising a public statue?
I was correcting a public lie.
Is Kalana Baker so weak,
that when trouble comes,
you're going to give
in to your bad angel.
That statue's the bad angel.
You need to stay out of trouble
and stop throwing
away your opportunities
before you've even earnt them.
Oh, my God, listen to yourself.
You sound like a white social worker.
Aunty Izzy would be ashamed of you.
I've gotta go lay down.
Hello.
Anton?
Ah, Jesus.
Are you all right?
Yeah.
What happened mate?
Don't know.
Come on. I'll help you up.
Oooh!
That's a nasty one.
Yeah.
Maybe we should get you to a doctor.
Nuh, nuh, nuh, I'm fine.
Fair enough.
Come on.
Who did it?
I don't know, he came from behind.
- He just came from behind?
- Yep.
What about when you
were on the ground, hey,
and he's kicking ya?
Maybe you recognised his shoes.
Nuh, cause I had my eyes closed.
Must be a concussion then, huh?
Messing with your memory.
Yeah, must be.
Well, you can't drive home.
What, why not?
Concussion.
You got someone to call?
Okay.
I'll get you a towel.
We'll get you cleaned up.
Hello.
No, you can't say anything.
I'm not going back yet.
I'm staying in Ashford.
I can meet you wherever
you want. Please.
A bit melodramatic, isn't it, mate?
You seriously can't drive?
I'm fine.
It's his idea.
Big hero from Brisbane?
I got it from here, mate, thanks.
Maybe you shouldn't be driving either.
Mate, I'm fine, I've only had one.
I'll blow in a breathalyser
for you if you want.
Just take it easy.
Let's get you home, boy.
We're not done talking
about who did this to you.
What about you? Do you
know who might have done it?
Someone's boyfriend? Someone's husband?
He loves it.
Hey boss. You're up late.
The world doesn't stop just
'cause you're not here, James.
So we tracked down the rego on that car.
It hadn't been renewed since 94.
Your victim's from
Vanuatu, is that right?
Mm-hm.
Well so is the car's owner.
He's a Pastor of a
church in regional NSW.
Two Pastors from Vanuatu
walked into a bar.
Have you heard this one?
Are you having a stroke?
The victim's father was also a Pastor.
Maybe there's some kind
of connection there.
How about I interview the
car owner in person then?
Yeah. Yeah, please, that'd be great.
I'll send you some details
that I need from the interview.
- Great.
- Okay, thanks boss.
In 2019, I predict
that Ashford will be
still full of predators
disguised as friends.
I've seen The Ankou here,
sharpening its scythe,
waiting to reap our souls.
There are people here I trusted.
But now I know they feed on suffering.
One day, when I'm safe
from their clutches,
I'll expose them, and their cruelty.
You promised.
We agreed we'd take it to our graves.
That's if they don't kill me first.