Chemistry of Death (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

Sam and Neil Yates
thought they'd found an angel.
I think it was a dead body.
I think it might be Sally Palmer.
What makes you say that?
I think Sally was trying
to find something out.
Sally?
You've got quite the CV, Dr. Hunter.
And yet, here you are out here,
pretending to be a country doctor.
It was another life.
- How have you been?
- Linda Yates is missing.
I reckon she's fine.
It's just someone playing games.
Seemingly, you're not just a specialist
in human decomposition,
you are the specialist.
I need you to look at the body.
See the angle of the sutures?
He or she would have been left-handed.
Not just two different knives.
Two different people.
What you got? Talk to
us, what's happening?
They found her? Is it Linda?
Straight down, David.
Thank you gentlemen, it's time to go.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
No matter the countless hours
spent sifting through
the wreckage of the dead,
or the years piecing
together their final moments,
there's a particular
anxiety that gnaws away
as one approaches the
final resting place.
The weight of responsibility,
coupled with the fear
of failing to meet it.
Who the bloody hell is this?
This body's been here
twelve months at least.
No soft tissue. More
like four, five years.
- Why five?
- Denim jeans.
Cotton takes four or
five years to break down,
and they're on their way.
Care to hazard a cause of death?
- Blunt force cranial damage.
- Someone smashed her head in?
Not her.
See the way the jaw flares.
Zygomatic arch, large mastoid process.
Age?
Judging by the teeth, late
twenties to early thirties.
Fantastic. An unrelated
murder. Just what we need.
We got an ID on the prints.
- I'm sorry for your loss.
- Thanks.
No sightings of her since the barbecue.
Are you still confident
she died after that?
Yep. Four or five days later.
Which means someone
likely kept her alive
in that time before killing her,
potentially giving Linda Yates
the same window of survival.
If it's the same someone.
Did you learn anything from the lab?
Looking for two different knives.
Both stiff blades around six inches,
one partially serrated.
Okay.
It's enough to start
a search. What else?
Whoever cut her throat was right-handed.
Whoever stitched those wings
onto her back used their left.
So, two killers?
Jesus.
Hi, mate.
What you got there then?
I think she's hurt.
She got caught in a fishing line, yeah.
I think you're right.
She's not in a good way, mate.
Is she in pain?
I reckon so.
You remember what I taught you?
- We have to let her go, yeah?
- Yeah.
It's a kindness.
Give them back to nature.
Okay.
There you go. Come here, girl.
I got her. All right?
There you go. See?
- All over now.
- Yeah.
Not so bad, was it?
David.
- Hi.
- Hey.
I'm asking before the journalists do.
Was the body they found today Linda?
I'm sorry, I can't say.
You're the village doctor,
David. This community needs you.
And I'm doing all I can. We're
all on the same side here.
Are we?
With the police suspecting
the whole village?
I'm sorry, I can't say anything.
Right. Well, I guess
there's your answer.
And now I'll pass you over
to Manham for the report.
The dead woman discovered two days ago
is Sally Helen Palmer,
aged 28, from Manham.
We're asking anyone with information
to come forward and speak
to us in confidence.
I won't be taking any questions
at this time, thank you.
I'll be holding a prayer
service at the church tomorrow
for Sally and our missing friend, Linda.
Even if you're not a regular churchgoer,
I'm sure you'll want to be there.
I'm probably just being
overcautious, but
I know.
Thanks. I was thinking the same.
I'm just the other side of the common.
My dad brought me sailing
in Norfolk when I was little.
Sailing was our special thing together.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
This is why I applied
for the job in Manham.
- You still go sailing?
- I do, yeah, when I can.
- That's nice.
- Yeah.
This is my house.
Would it be wrong to say
this place is still beautiful?
No.
No.
Thank you.
- Have a good night.
- Night.
Hello?
We've got a DNA match
for the lad in the woods.
- From the database?
- No. Another victim.
But there is only one other victim.
Yeah, exactly.
The same DNA as Sally Palmer?
Alan Ratcliffe. Aged
31 when he disappeared.
Close blood relatives.
Probably brother and sister.
Shit.
Look, I need you to run
me through the results
from the lab in the morning.
Okay.
Okay, sure.
The knife's point of entry
in Sally's right shoulder
struck her scapula,
close to the clavicle.
The substance left behind
tested as 80 percent carbon,
10 percent hydrogen,
small amounts of sulphur,
oxygen, nitrogen, a few trace elements.
In plain language, bitumen,
on the tip of a stiff blade.
Generally, they're
sold as hunting knives.
Could Gary Yates use one
of these for gutting fish?
He could.
Along with half the
village that go fishing.
It's the combination that's important:
bitumen on the tip of a hunting knife.
Okay. While you're here,
could you look at some
of these crime scene photos for me,
see if there's anything I've missed?
Yeah.
God. Okay. So, there's no
way whoever stitched these on
was suturing for the first time.
Medically trained?
Possibly.
Or anyone who works with animals,
which round here doesn't narrow it down.
You've got farmers who
will stitch their sheep
to save vets bills, you know?
Okay, what if I suggested
a division of roles?
One killing, the other disposing.
There's nothing in the evidence
that would rule that out.
What are the chances of
brother and sister killings
not being connected?
I mean, close to zero.
But I'm not seeing
any marks of similarity
in the manner of their deaths.
Go back.
There.
What?
Stones.
So?
They've been placed in a circle.
Jesus. Same ritual disposal.
Dead brother, sister moves
here looking for his killer.
What?
Almost the last thing
that Linda said to me
was she thought Sally
had moved to Manham
looking for something.
Or rather someone.
Yes.
I remember Alan.
I treated him for Lyme disease.
An occupational hazard
when you sleep in the woods.
A free spirit, I think you'd
say, but he certainly was
a knowledgeable young man.
I think you're better off
speaking with Ben Anders.
He was an important
part of Alan's research.
Is there anything else we
can help you with today?
- No, that's all.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
Fuck do you think you're doing?
Dan! Fucking shut it off!
Shut it off!
It's Wednesday.
Do you really think that I want
the grass cut at a time like this?
I cut the grass on Wednesday.
Dan,
just get the fuck out of here.
It's okay, Mr. Yates. I've got this.
- You all right?
- Sorry.
Well, it's okay.
Mr. Yates has other things
on his mind at the moment.
- Okay.
- So, what do you want to draw tomorrow?
I want to draw a pintail.
- That's a good idea.
- Thank you.
David.
- Hi, Tina.
- Hi.
Can I have a word, please? Not
out here. It's confidential.
Sure. Do you want to make an
appointment at the surgery?
It's not medical.
Okay. Sure.
The night Lind disappeared,
Gary came to my house.
He was in a right state.
I mean, usually he'd walk
over, but some reason he drove.
He stayed all night.
You can judge me if
you want, I don't care.
So, who would've been
looking after the kids?
Not knowing Linda was running,
I took it she was, but
I think you need to be
telling this to the police.
No, I can't.
I just really love Gary.
- But they need to know.
- Yeah.
You know it's fish you're
meant to be catching?
Like you'd know.
Bit of lemon, garlic, fresh herbs.
Tracy will never know the difference.
Yeah, yeah.
You do know what a fish
looks like don't you?
Hope you're going to pick those up.
I will.
Did she know about the two of you?
He was going to tell her it was over,
that the boys were coming with us.
I can't stand the lies.
You know, I'm an honest person.
There was something else.
Gary said Linda told
Sally Palmer about us.
He hated that.
Excuse me.
Mackenzie.
Where?
We've got to go.
Entry wounds.
The throat's been cut.
- Like Sally Palmer?
- From what's visible here, yes.
She's
The body is desiccated too.
You need to check the
soil for iron levels,
but she bled to death somewhere else.
It's been moved here.
Time since death, 48 hours,
but she hasn't been here very long.
Gary Yates, I'm arresting
you on suspicion
Fuck!
Come on, Gary, don't be stupid now.
Come on then, fuck off!
Go round the back!
Jesus!
Gary!
- You
- Do yourself a favor. It's over.
Where you going to go? It's over, Gary.
- Fuck off.
- On the ground.
Don't make this any worse for yourself.
Fucking hell.
Fuck!
Cuffs, please.
Do you like it?
Yeah. Thank you.
For goodness sakes.
I'm having a drink with lunch.
A toast, to the police,
and the end of this sorry affair.
Gary. Those poor boys.
He was never a good
father, to be honest.
What about you, David? How are you?
David?
I'm sorry.
Excuse me. I have to go. Sorry.
Helen!
Shit. You look terrible.
Sorry, sorry, that sounded
Would you like to come sailing?
Come on, it's a good idea.
We'll go sailing, okay? I insist.
Now you're telling me my wife's dead,
and you bastards won't
let me see my boys.
All right, calm down.
How do you pronounce
this? Olan's? Olan's Lane?
- Ollands.
- Ollands Lane.
Okay, so according to her statement,
he was there the night
Linda went missing.
- That's right.
- Not at home, like he claimed.
Who told you that?
Tina, the woman you've
been having an affair with.
Was it because she
wasn't going to let you
take the boys with you?
When you moved in with her?
- Is that why you killed Linda?
- This is bullshit.
And then you went to Tina's
to give yourself an alibi.
Never fucking touched her.
Well, that's not what
it looks like from here.
Where's Neil and Sam?
Social will be picking
them up later today.
Put them with a nice experienced couple.
What, like they know them or something?
Fuck off.
So,
according to Tina,
Sally Palmer knew about your affair.
She was encouraging
Linda to end the marriage.
You could not be more wrong about me.
You were going to lose the boys.
You want to be out
there, looking for whoever
killed Linda and Sally
before he does it again.
It's on your head when that happens.
Not if, but fucking when.
You told us you were at work
the day Sally was abducted.
That was another lie, wasn't it?
Yeah, we checked.
We checked with your work,
you were absent all day.
Explain that.
- Okay, sit down on that side.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
- Hand on the tiller.
- Yeah.
So, can you see where
the wind comes from?
Yeah.
Okay, so keep it straight.
We want to edge close,
but not too close.
- Okay.
- That's right.
Right, now how do I turn?
So
- You do it, you do it, you do it.
- I do it?
- Swap back, yeah.
- Okay.
Okay, so I say, "Ready about."
- Yeah.
- And then we turn.
- Okay.
- Okay. Ready about.
- Yeah.
- Lee ho.
- Good, good, good, wait.
- I'm not very good at this.
Good.
Okay, put your hands on the tiller.
- Okay. You hold that.
- Yeah.
Okay.
Can I ?
Okay, go to the starboard side.
- What?
- On the right. On the right.
Starboard, right.
- I've got it, don't worry.
- Okay.
- Great.
- There we go.
Can you do a round
turn, two half-hitches?
- What?
- Just make any knot.
Okay.
Okay, great.
We've got to get that sail down.
- Okay, wait, hold it.
- I've got it.
Yeah.
- Great.
- Easy.
You did a good job.
- That was great.
- Yes.
I needed that. Thank you.
No problem.
- It was a lovely day.
- Yeah.
I'm not going anywhere.
Okay?
Yeah.
But I'm late.
What?
I'll help you out, okay?
Bye.
Dan.
- Sorry I'm late.
- That's all right.
That is beautiful.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
"Scheisse!"
No.
- That's not a good idea.
- Don't worry, Dan.
No, no.
No, no, you're wet!
No, your clothes are all
wet! Your clothes are all wet!
It's all right! It's all right!
Dan, don't worry! Dan! Dan, I'm okay!
Dan, I'm fine.
Dan.
- Dan, I'm all right.
- Here.
- You good?
- Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
- Thank you.
- It's all right.
- That's kind.
- It's okay.
Whose clothes are these?
Dan, where did you find them?
You're cross with me, yeah?
You need to tell me.
Why are you cross with me?
- Where did you find them?
- In there.
Dan. Where is Ben?
Am I in trouble?
You're not.
I don't want to be in trouble.
You're not.
I don't want to be in trouble.
I don't want to be in trouble.
Dan?
Dan? Dan! Open the door!
Dan!
Dan! Dan!
Can we settle down, please?
Everyone back in their chairs. Good.
Anyone seen Miss Krause?
Anyone?
Hello?
You can't wake up.
Dan?
Dan? Dan, you need to untie me.
He says you have to be asleep.
Who says?
Dan, Dan, who says that?
But I can help.
What?
He says
He says you're hurt, but
you can't see it. Yeah?
Dan, I'm not hurt.
- Dan, I'm not hurt.
- It's okay.
You need to help me, okay?
Dan, can you untie me please? Dan. Dan.
It's all right, yeah?
Dan, can you help me, please? Dan.
Dan. Dan! Dan!
You have to listen.
Speak to Janice, she'll
book you in, okay?
Okay, so I'll arrange it
for three weeks' time, yeah?
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
Janice mentioned we've not heard
from George Mason in a few days.
Okay. Then that's my next
call. What have we got?
Our last sighting was
late afternoon yesterday.
She left Manham Water 18:50
and cycled into the village.
Then we have her at 19:08, headed
down the track into the woods.
What about her flatmate, Tina Harper?
She said she didn't
come home last night.
Also, she's a type-one diabetic.
Does she have her insulin with her?
- Tina thinks not.
- Shit.
DC Hodges.
Triangulation.
Okay, 42, 24, 12 north. 2, 10, 26 east.
- What's this?
- That's the bird sanctuary.
Ben Anders.
I want armed response ready
to deploy within the hour.
Get the profiler and
the negotiator here.
Tactical need to be aware Anders knows
these woods inside out.
We saw what the bastard
did the last time.
Woodland, move on.
Secure the gate. Move.
- Hello, Dr. Hunter.
- How are you?
Good, yeah.
Can I
come in?
Yeah, okay.
- How's Grandad?
- He's good.
- Yeah?
- Want a cup of tea?
No, I'm fine, thank you.
Is he around?
- In the bedroom, sleeping.
- Okay.
- I'm very busy. I've got to go.
- Okay.
Received.
No sign of Jenny Krause
or Ben Anders sir.
For fuck's sake.
He's there. He's fucking there.
Armed police, don't move!
Drop the traps, Ben. Drop the traps!
George?
Hands behind your back!
I can't talk now. There's
another woman missing.
George Mason's caravan,
top end of Farnham Woods.
I've just found him dead,
decorated like the others. I
think it's all his grandson.
I think it's all Dan.
Okay, get the hell out of there now.
We're moving out. Get him in the van.
Who is it?
You said someone had gone missing.
Local schoolteacher. Jenny Krause.
Jenny. Jenny. Come on.
Where is he? Where is he?
David.
Come on, quietly. Quietly.
You shouldn't be here, Dr. Hunter.
It's okay, Dan.
It's okay.
What are you doing?
I have to look after her.
This isn't looking after her.
You can't be here.
It's not allowed!
You can't be here!
It's not allowed! You can't be here!
Mackenzie, I've got her. I've found her,
she's gone into hypo. Jenny!
Yeah, she's hypoglycemic.
I'm taking her back to the surgery.
- I'll meet you there.
- Jenny!
Jenny, listen to my voice. It's okay.
Everything's going to be
all right. Dan Mason had her.
Tied up in the workshop.
- At George Mason's?
- Yeah. Jenny.
I don't know, I left him on the floor.
Jenny, stay with me.
Yeah, I'll see you at the surgery.
Stay with me.
- Henry! Henry!
- David.
She's in hypo.
Check her pulse.
Ambulance are on the way.
We need insulin.
How's she doing?
How's her pulse?
What ?
I'm sorry, David.
Truly, I am.
You do wonder, David,
whether some people are just
doomed.