Agatha Raisin (2016) s01e03 Episode Script

(Scream) (Birdsong) (Tyres screech) The spring rises in my aunt's garden - In her garden.
- And she has the legal right to sell the rights to that spring water It's all about the rights.
To whichever company she chooses.
But, Angela, she does not have the right to grant access to the water company's tankers - That's right.
- You're wrong! She's not wrong, she's right! Angela, they've started moving in as if they own the place.
Earlier I was almost run over by one of their trucks! You can't block my aunt's commercial rights! It seems to me if I can interject here Get on with it! As a parish council we are still split on whether to grant access through the village to the water company's tankers.
Oh, and once again we're being chaired by Robert Struthers, from the Institute for Stating the Bleeding Obvious.
We are only split, Robert, because you haven't voted yet.
- You've got the casting vote.
- Indeed I do.
So what decision have you come to'? I will consider overnight.
And I will inform you all in the morning.
(Wind whistles) (Siren) Are you the gentleman that called 999'? Yes.
What happened, Mr Allen? I got up early to walk the dog, I found him lying here.
Well, who is he'? He's Robert Struthers, the chairman cf the parish council.
His head's been smashed in.
(Mobile phone rings) AGGIE: Roy, my darling, I 'm just off to the pub.
How are you? We've had a call, Aggie, from your neck of the woods.
A firm called Ancombe Water need some local PR to deal with a bit of negative publicity.
So'? Well, we're a bit snowed under at the moment.
L thought you might like a little freelance job'? - No.
- It'll be a week, well paid, and I'll get lots of brownie points for bringing you in.
No, Roy.
The only points I'm interested in tonight are at the pub quiz.
James has asked me personally to be on his team.
Will you at least think about the PR job'? I already have.
The answer is no.
Evesham Police are investigating the suspicious death of Robert Struthers.
- In a macabre twist - Sorry I'm late! - Ssh.
- Here it is.
on the day he was due to rule on whether to grant access to Ancombe Water Company to bottle the water.
Ancombe Water Company'? - Ssh.
- Ssh yourself.
Ron Allen.
It was a total shock.
I've had personal relations with the corpse for the past 60 years.
He's going to regret that phrase when he hears it back.
This is Sean Ferguson It sounds like murder to me.
Large glass of Pinot Grigio, please.
You should get your detective hat on, Agatha.
There's been bad blood between Ron Allen and Robert Struthers fer years.
They hated each other.
I've had enough of getting involved with murders, thank you very much.
What time does the quiz start? - Any minute now.
- Good! Do you fancy another, Gene'? So the parish council broke up at about 9:30.
What time was the body discovered? - 6:30 in the morning.
- Oh.
Are you quizzing tonight as well, Mary'? Oh, I'm sorry, Agatha, but I'm afraid you're gonna have to be in a team on your own.
James has press-ganged me into doing some detecting about the murder.
Oh, you don't mind, do you'? Struthers was an acquaintance of sons.
Seems only right I should try and get to the bottom of this.
I think he just wants a secretary, actually.
How do you know it was murder'? How do you know he didn't fall over and bang his head on a large rock'? Well, that's what we're going to try and find out.
Good luck with the quiz.
(Tapping on microphone) Listen up, everybody.
Round one is microwaved meals you can buy in the village shop.
Which brand of lasagne contains only 5% meat and can be found in the left-hand side of the freezer'? Roy'? About that job in Ancombe.
I forgot you were always late for pitch meetings.
Rule Number One: always make the client think you're far too important for them.
It's how Sun Tzu said you should command armies in The An Of War.
Or you could just try being on time and being nice to people.
Hello, Agatha Raisin and Roy Silver here to see Guy Freemont.
Oh, right.
This way.
Sorry for the mess.
We only got possession of the offices yesterday.
That's a natty little jacket, Mrs Raisin.
My grandmother's got one of those.
Mr Freemont is in here.
Why aren't the police saying? Well, of course murder affects us.
I'm trying to launch a health product.
Guy.
Agatha Raisin and Roy Silver.
PR.
OK.
Thanks, Portia.
I've got to go.
I'll speak to you later.
Cheers.
Was Robert Struthers murdered? Not even my local press contacts can find out.
Get me DC Bill Wong.
Well, you have got one big problem, Mr Freemont.
I've got more than one.
With the parish council unable to decide, there's going to be a public meeting tonight on whether to grant access to your trucks.
Yeah, I know.
So I have arranged for us to speak at this meeting.
If you don't win this vote, nothing else matters.
Hi, Bill.
Bear with.
Aggie.
One sec.
Was it murder at Ancombe'? Well We're not releasing that information yet, Agatha.
Oh.
Just tell me, Bill! Yes.
Forensics can prove that he was killed elsewhere and his body dumped by the spring.
But And if you do win the vote, you've got to cope with marketing a product from a spring with a murdered body in it.
This is a disaster.
No, this is an opportunity, Guy.
We need to capitalise on the media attention around this murder and launch as quickly as possible.
Well, we've had an idea of how to launch, haven't we, Portia'? A party on a boat on the Thames.
(Agatha laughs) Well, that's a terrible idea.
Was it yours? We need to emphasize wholesomeness, everything that is desirable about the Cotswolds and we need to have a perfect village fete in Ancombe itself.
You won't get London journalists up for that.
We will if we get The Rosy Girls to play a gig at the fete.
You can get The Rosy Girls? Two of them are from the Cotswolds.
They've got a very wholesome image, perfect for you.
We need to move quickly, we need to launch while Ancombe is still in the news and we need to have a huge celebrity party just to get all the locals on side.
Great.
When do we start? 7:30.
Tonight.
At the village meeting.
I shall see you there.
WOW! Thank you, everyone.
Robert, we will miss you.
Er, now, please Hello, everyone.
- I moved here from London - Why don't you go back there? Leave her alone, you shrew.
I moved here from London last year to get away from choking traffic and erm, flight paths.
The point is, heavy goods vehicles aggravate asthma, emphysema, and cancer.
Now I appeal to you, democratically, to vote against these vehicles, and for the Cotswolds'' way of life.
Bravo.
Well said, girl.
(Applause) - Come on, love.
- You must say something.
Robina Toynbee.
Julia, the thing is, it's not a democracy, love.
It just isn't.
The water is mine to sell.
(Murmurs of agreement) Agatha Raisin, Ancombe Water Company.
(M uttered scoffing) Thank you.
I've got a question for everyone.
Would it make a difference if the water was taken from the well by 7:00 every morning'? Why would that make a difference'? So as not to disturb village life.
So that from 7:00 every morning the spring and the roads are there for everyone.
Because that's what Guy Freemont's offering.
- Guy.
- Thanks.
Hi.
Guy Freemont also aims to launch Ancombe Water at a village fete showcasing all that is good and healthy about this beautiful place.
Your crafts, your farm foods, a fete that will attract the attention of the entire country and bring money flooding into your pockets.
And also featuring a performance by The Rosy Girls.
((321809) Oh, we like them, don't we'? So come along, everyone.
Let us vote to put this petty bickering behind us and shine a light on all that is good.
So all those in favour of granting access to the water company'? Let's have a show of hands.
ALL: Aye! (Overlapping conversations) What are you doing here, Mrs Raisin? Working for the water company, Mr Wilkes.
As long as that's all it is.
And what are they doing here'? Asking nosy questions about the murder.
Who said it was murder'? No-one.
He's got this new strategy he saw on an episode of Morse.
He's not declaring it's murder and he's keeping the forensic evidence quiet hoping to catch the killer out.
What forensic evidence'? Well, we think someone ran a vacuum cleaner over Robert Struthers after he died.
- A vacuum cleaner? - Yeah.
He was spotless.
Apart from a white Persian cat hair.
(Overlapping voices) Can I steal you'? You were amazing, Agatha! You were fantastic.
You were fantastic! I cannot tell you how many months I have been trying to get a decision out of them and you walked up there, looking gorgeous - Did I'? - Yeah, you looked gorgeous! And you got it through! You're awesome! Sorry.
Oh, that's OK.
Erno-one minded.
One more'? Here, what if we solved this murder'? Together, you and me.
The publicity it would get would be astronomical for the firm.
And free.
No, Agatha.
This murder's really shaken me up.
If there wasn't so much of my brothers' money invested, I'd walk away.
I'm beginning to wish I'd never got involved in the first place.
Your brother? I've got three older brothers out in Hong Kong.
They run this firm of traders out there.
Really successful.
They're funding the water company for me.
So, as my heartless PR, I appreciate what you're saying, but let's leave it to the police.
Oh, OK.
Erm, do you Erm, I'm just going to say it.
Would you like to come in for a drink'? Yes.
But I'm not going to.
Cos I'll probably want to come in a little bit too much.
OK.
Bye.
(Dance music plays) (Exhales) - (Mobile phone rings) - (TV on) What'? We need to investigate this murder, Gem.
Oh.
That's Mrs Jakes, that is.
My great-great-great No, hang on, my great-great-great-great great-great ancestor, who first channelled the spring through the wall fer the benefit of the village peer.
- How many greats? - Six.
Now, of course, every family in the village is poor unless you come from London.
(Laughs) That's why Angela and Andy wanted to find a buyer for the water.
- Was it their idea'? - Oh, yes.
And I don't even like them both very much.
Now I hear there was an argument at the parish council the night Robert died.
Oh, there was always a ding-dong at the council.
Robert could never make a decision.
Did you know which way he was going to vote'? Robert was going to vote for us, wasn't he, love? He had told you as much after the meeting.
Why are you asking, Mrs Raisin? Just trying to workout if there's any truth to the rumour that Ron and Robert hated each other.
Is there any truth in the rumour around the village this morning that Robert was murdered? Yeah, that's what we heard, yeah.
Listen, we don't for a second think that Ron murdered him, but he'd hated him ever since they were kids.
They both fell in love with the same girl.
- Who married Robert - Because he had more money.
Does Ron have a Persian cat'? You're the second person who's asked about Persian cats this morning.
- Who's the other one'? - Oh, that Mary Fortune.
(All groan) (Cow lowing) Mr Allen'? What's that'? That is a visual impression of an individual we believe played a pivotal role in the murder of Robert Struthers.
- Murder'? - Yes.
- Are you sure'? - Are you all right, Mr Allen'? - I'll have to sit down.
- Careful now.
Just try and breathe slowly.
I just can't believe it.
Do you know this individual'? No.
Ron, can you tell us of your movements after the parish council broke up'? Well, I came back here.
Went to bed.
Got up at 6:00 to walk the dog.
Like I always do.
Is that it'? Yes.
Izzy's the reason I moved out here.
Why'? She had chronic asthma when we were in London.
Oh, cos of the traffic? She's certainly net as bad out here.
So is that why you spoke up against the trucks'? Businesses don't care who they walk over.
They just want to make money.
My husband and I live apart during the week, all so Izzy can grow up in the fresh air, and now we're going to have to move again.
How do you think Struthers would have voted if he hadn't died'? He told me straight after the meeting that he was going to vote against the trucks.
- Did you talk for long'? - Five minutes.
I had to be back by 10:00 for the babysitter.
One of these groups must be lying.
Robert wouldn't have told both he was going to vote with them.
Yes, I thought of that yesterday.
And the Buckleys' is the only alibi that's solid because Rock solid.
They had to get back and lock up the pub.
Just what I was going to say.
(Laughter) Why don't we ask those girls who the babysitters are in the village? Then we can find out If Julia got back at 10:00 like she said she did.
Gosh, I am good at this! Come on, Watson.
Why am I Watson? Why can't I be Holmes? So we've got 37 journalists and TV crews all confirmed, 32 of them from entertainment.
For The Rosy Girls? Yes, but they will be performing in front of the company's logo, so the product will get plenty of attention.
I've also sent complimentary supplies to top London hotels, and local pubs within 50 miles.
L think you'll get international coverage, so when you expand into those markets you're already going to be way ahead of the game Are you even listening to me'? No.
I was thinking about our kiss.
(Letterbox opens and shuts) ((321809) (Central locking) What are you doing'? Er, putting the bin bag out.
I've got some fresh coffee on.
Come on.
Oh.
Did you see Guy Freemont stayed the night? UM he'? Oh, just imagine the pillow talk between those two.
"God, I was good.
" "Yeah, so was l.
" "Ancombe Water - as fresh and natural as The Rosy Girls.
Bottled the same day as it is sourced from a spring deep beneath the Cotswold Hills.
" Er, are you going to put in a science bit? Yes.
I am going to put in a science bit.
"Full of minerals" Oh! - Yay! - What? What do you mean, what'? What'? Gem, I'm working.
The whole village is talking about how Mr Handsome stayed over last night.
How does the whole village know'? Cos I think they stayed up all night to see what time he left.
Mrs Josephs says congrats.
Erm, Reverend Bloxby said, "Oh, maybe she'll relax a bit now.
Nothing like a bit of sex to set you right.
" ls there no privacy any more'? Don't worry about that.
I mean, he's gorgeous, isn't he'? I know.
He is.
He's gorgeous.
No.
No.
He's gorgeous! I know! He's absolutely gorgeous! I'm still here, you know.
(Church bell rings) OK, now, everybody listening? 1:00 we'll get the journos out of the pub and we'll lead with your speech in the marquee.
- OK, Guy'? - Yeah, OK.
And then outside, into the sun, where The Rosy Girls will perform two songs.
Through the stalls of local wares Where Ancombe Water will feature prominently And accompanied by a jolly band of Morris dancers who will parade to the Wellspring where Mrs Toynbee will give a short speech - on the history of the spring.
- That won't go on, will it'? If it's more than two minutes, I'll turn off her microphone.
Mr Freemont, can we have a word'? Would you like to come and see how we've decked out our pub'? Do I have to'? Yes, and nicely.
Local relations matter now.
Portia, you come with me.
Aggie, you know the pub is in a huge amount of debt'? The brewery were going to foreclose on the Buckleys but they've given them some extra time to see if business picks up with the water deal.
- Roy, I should be with Guy.
- Aggie I can't think about murder at the moment, Roy.
I just want this to go well.
You know who had the most to lose from Robert voting against access? Yes, er, the Buckleys.
Guy Freemont.
Who I reckon could be a bit dodgy.
Don't you think jealousy clouds the judgment of a detective'? Whywhy would I be jealous? Huh.
(Gasps) Here's our number one suspect.
Mrs Owen! Mrs Owen.
Mrs Owen, Mrs Owen Stop! Stop! Why have you lied about your alibi on the night of Robert Struthers' death? - I haven't.
- Don't you lie to me, girl! Your babysitter, erm, Gail Brewer, said you'd gone home four hours later than you told the police.
What does it matter to you'? What are you accusing me of'? - Well - What gives you the right to come to my house and accuse me of, what, murder'? - Mm.
- ls that right'? - Yeah.
- In front of my daughter? Come on, Mary.
I'll give this evidence to the police.
They'll want to know where you were! Thank you for supper.
My pleasure.
I can't cook anything English, but having grown up in Hong Kong I'm your "go to" man for Chinese.
I thought about you all day.
You haven't.
You thought about the launch, whether it's going to go well.
Well, yeah.
The launch and then you and then the launch and then you.
Now I know nothings going to go wrong with the launch, it's all you.
Come to bed.
(Mobile phone rings) Leave it.
Come to bed.
(Thunder) Aggie, open the door! Disaster! ((321809) When did this story break'? Late last night.
I did try calling you but you weren't picking up.
Have they pulled out of the launch? BOTH: Of course they've pulled out.
As have all of our London and entertainment journalists.
How many are coming'? Oh, er, one, two, three, fournone! Can we get another act'? (Piano accompaniment) (Thunder) A-ha! (Scattered applause) Thank you! Thank you, local Cotswold talent.
Erand now Guy Freemont.
(Scattered applause) Thank you.
Thanks.
Erm, Ancombe Water is a new company built on solid foundations.
(Laughter) Pick it up.
For goodness' sake Pick it up at your end.
I'm going to keep this short Guy, Guy, just dodo it all.
It's all right.
I'd like to say we are very proud to be the official sellers of water from the Ancombe Spring.
(Wind howls outside) Thank you.
(Scattered applause) (Yelling) Why is this happening'? It's just a shower.
No, it's not! Aggie, I think it's stopping.
LS it'? Right, come on, everybody.
Time for the parade to the spring.
Morris men, get jolly! (Bells jangling) Mrs Raisin, you need to call off the parade.
Why'? A group of hunt saboteurs are planning to block the street.
Hunt saboteurs'? Well, that's what they usually do, but they're a rent-a-mob for anyone who wants to stop commercialisation of the countryside.
No, what they are, Mrs Raisin, is a vicious bunch of ne'er-do-wells, so in the interests of public safety No! No amount of unwashed scumbags is going to stop the climax of this launch! I have promised Robina that I will be there at the well to hear her speech.
Socome on, everyone, get up! And have some more water! (Morris dancing music) (Bells jangling and wood clacking) Ancombe Water is bottled within 14 hours of being drawn from the earth itself.
(Jeering from crowd) Fact three Why have the Morris men stopped prancing'? No! No! No! No! No! No! Get out of the way! This is a legitimate product launch! You're not getting through.
We're here to protest against commercialisation of the countryside.
Oh, grow up, go home and have a wash! Just get out of the way.
You're not coming through, love.
- Get your hands off her! - Stop! Stop jostling Agatha! What are you going to do about it'? (Shocked gasps) That's enough! Everyone calm down.
Look, everyone Whoa, whoa! - Stop it now! - Aggie! Aggie! Right, police business now.
This is the police! Stop now! Stop! Stop right now! Journalists, this way.
Ignore that.
Come on, journalists, this way.
(Yelling and shouting continues) (Shouting) As I was saying, the rights to the water have been held in the family of Robina Toynbee for the last four centuries.
Aggie.
Oh, God! Oh, God How many of these did she receive? We found three.
She must have been incredibly brave to have wanted to go through with her speech.
Were all four parish councillors at your launch this afternoon? Yes, you saw them.
They were there from 1:00.
And none of them left? No, I banned them from leaving until I was finished.
Agatha, this seems to be a copy of the speech Mrs Toynbee was going to make.
It was found on her desk.
Can I have a look at that first, please, Constable! It says she's talking to her solicitor about withdrawing the water rights.
Is she'? Because she was scared by the hate mail'? Yes.
But more importantly, who knew that she'd changed her mind? There's no doubt now, Robert was murdered.
I can't believe Aunties dead.
L feel like we caused all this, Andy.
Why don't you spare us the crocodile tears, Angela'? What'? Mary, now is not the time.
I think your aunt was about to change her mind about selling the water, wasn't she'? And you killed her because you're about to lose the pub.
- You're desperate for money.
- I don't care about the money! This is terrible what's happened! Who cares if we lose the pub now'? That's enough, Mary.
You and Andy murdered those people in cold blood! - Now, hang on - I didn't! You're about to go to prison for a long time.
Enough! Do you not know people, lady'? This isn't some murder parlour game you're in the middle of, this is real! People might argue at the parish council - but we are not murderers.
- That's enough, Ron.
You can take your stupid notebook and get out of here.
Both of you! And don't come back! (Baby crying) You all right'? I feel as if I took my eye eff the ball.
If l had investigated the first murder properly, instead of getting distracted by the launch Robina might still be alive.
It's not your fault, darling.
But I'm good at investigating, Guy.
Better than I am at PR now anyway.
The launch wasn't your fault either.
Will I see you tonight? Yes, please.
(Laughs) Oh, dear.
- What have you hum'? - Only my pride.
I'm never going to live down being beaten up by a Morris Dancer.
(Laughing) Oh, I'm glad you find it funny.
- Sorry - Why were you lot here'? Your charge sheet is all about preventing cruelty to animals, foxes, lab rats.
Why demonstrate against a water company'? We were paid to spoil the launch, weren't we'? Who by'? Mrs Owen.
Mrs Owen! Mrs Owen, may we have a word'? It's past Isabel's bedtime.
I really must be getting inside.
Mrs Owen, the hunt saboteurs told us that you'd paid them to disrupt the launch.
Is that true'? I didn't want it to be easy for the water company.
I thought if the launch ended in chaos, no-one would want to buy the water.
Is that why you sent Robina those threatening letters? We don't know that for sure.
- It's a hunch.
- Yes.
I just wanted to scare her.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry she's died.
Why didn't you get home before 2:00 am on the night Robert died'? Good question.
After the meeting I drove to London.
I'd been suspecting my husband had a girlfriend.
And I was right.
I found them together.
You can ask them.
He's never going to join me and Isobel in Ancombe.
I don't think he ever intended to.
(Knocks) Oh.
Come in.
Funny little place.
I'm glad you like it.
Oh, make yourself at home.
Can I talk frankly to you'? I don't know.
Can you'? I want you to stop seeing Guy.
(Laughs) And since when does who I spend the night with have anything to do with you'? Since you've spent the night with my boyfriend of the last two years.
Ldidn't know.
We've been together since Hong Kong.
Occasionally he strays, often with an older woman, because he has a thing for them.
But if I'm honest, I thought I was quite safe with you.
Maybe his standards are dropping.
Hey, listen, sister, I do not go around stealing other people's men.
He doesn't behave like he's with you.
So how would I have known'? And if you have got any respect for your own skinny little arse, you do not stick with a man who "occasionally strays".
Now what on earth is a woman like you doing in a relationship like that'? Cos he's rich.
Don't go near him again, old lady.
(Sighs) Persian cat.
Portia.
John'? James Lacey.
Listen, a bit of a strange one.
When you were in Hong Kong, did you have any dealings with the Freemont brothers? Oh, good.
Erm, it was actually the youngest one that I'm interested in.
Did you know him'? What'? This is Guy we're talking about? Good evening.
Portia was here half an hour ago.
Ah.
Guess you won't be wanting these then.
We'll talk about it later.
She marched in here, she sat down on my sofa and look what she left.
Is she going grey or something? Well, that's a cat hair.
Does Portia have a Persian cat? Portia'? No.
- Well, she must have.
- No, she doesn't Yeah, hang on a bit.
A month or so ago she looked after a cat for an old college friend.
It was a big white thing.
It moulted all over the apartment.
So Robert Struthers must have been in her flat the night that he died.
Why would Portia kill him? Well, maybe she knew that Robert Struthers was going to vote against the trucks.
And because she loves you.
She wants you to succeed.
Maybe she knew that Robina had been scared into changing her mind about selling the rights.
Well, we should call the police.
Yes, we should.
If you knew she'd had a Persian cat in her flat, why didn't you tell the (Gasps) One word and I will kill you.
- (Panicked breathing) - Ssh, ssh Struthers came to Bristol that night because he wanted to explain his decision to me like a gentleman.
We met in Portia's flat.
She wasn't there.
When he told me he was going to vote against, I struck him.
And then I had to dispose of him.
- (Shrieks) - Ssh, ssh.
Then that old cow called me last night.
She said she'd changed her mind and was going to try and withdraw the rights.
So I had to dispose of her, too.
Ssh, ssh, ssh! - (Panicked breathing) - Ssh, ssh, ssh And now I have to dispose of you.
- (Muffled screaming) - Ssh, ssh, ssh, ssh (Muffled yelling) Ssh, ssh Mr Freemont'? I'm in a bit of a rush, I'm afraid.
Can I just ask you a few questions about why you left Hong Kong'? Sure.
Another time? No.
How about now'? I spoke to a friend this afternoon, who said there was a rumour that a woman you were seeing was found dead in your apartment.
Yes.
Yeah, there was a terrible burglary.
What's the name of your friend? He said the story was that there wasn't a burglary but that your brothers bribed police to look the other way, so they could get you out - before you could be charged.
- (Banging) - (Central locking) - Who's your friend? - What's that banging'? - (Muffled scream) (Car alarm goes off) (Grunts) (Panting) (Central locking) Argh! Agatha? (Muffled crying) Thank you.
I missed everything.
It all happened right under my nose, andl was just so flattered by his attention It was not your fault.
And you're all right.
That's all that matters.
If it's any consolation, you're a better detective than Mary.
She's accused almost everyone in Ancombe by now.
Are you happy with her'? Sometimes I am.
Maybe We'll see how it goes.
Give it some time.
You gonna be all right tonight? Yeah.
Er, Gemma's coming round with Kyra.
I don't really want to be alone.
Who does, Agatha?