Midsomer Murders (1997) s01e03 Episode Script
Faithful unto Death
Faithful unto Death (LAUGHS) I think every one of them's mad.
Hello.
Do you make these yourself, Miss Lawton? Yes.
Do you like it? She does.
I can tell.
I love that one.
It's really nice.
Why don't you get a set? Six of those, do you think? This is a moving moment, George.
It's the first time I've ever won anything.
It'll be rotten inside.
Just because I've got a coconut and you haven't.
Hello, George.
Simone! Who is that? Simone Hollingsworth and that bloke's her husband, Alan.
What's he got we haven't, George? Good question.
He's bought the mill.
Going to turn it into a craft centre.
Potters, painters, glassblowers You don't sound overjoyed.
Prithee, sweet maid, dost thou wish to partake of a beefburger? Um actually - Perchance a veggie burger is more to thy taste? And you, kind sir, a dog of the hot variety? Yonder, at the barbecue.
Two sovereigns apiece.
Dad, that mutton dressed as lamb.
Do you know her? That's a terrible thing to say even though it's true.
No, I don't.
She's that actress.
Freda somebody.
You know Come on What's her name? Bad luck.
Care to have another go? Hello there.
Hello.
Skittles.
20p a go.
Don't be silly, the young lady's come to talk to me.
I saw you asking your father, "Isn't she that actress?" "She was in what was the name of that film?" He knows exactly who you are.
And so do I.
Elfrida Molfrey.
I am flattered.
I know why you left it till now - you think I won't make a fuss in front of a crowd.
I don't care who sees me beat you to a pulp.
Just leave this till later.
Who's the lad who fancies himself, Cath? He's called Gray Patterson.
Where are the Andersons? Nigel! Didn't you leave money in Morton Mill? A trifling sum.
Did you know the company is on its last legs? What! Sorry.
I wanted to tell people privately.
Felicity, where's your other half? Reg, do you know anything about this? I'm sorry.
It's news to me.
He's the company secretary.
Why should he know? We've invested money too, you know.
Yeah.
And bang goes my 20 grand.
Sarah.
Sarah.
This old fool has lost us all money.
Now.
Show of hands.
Who wants me to kill him? Is there a policeman in the house? Get off! Mr Patterson.
Who are you? I am a policeman.
We keep the peace, you know? If you have a complaint you should make it to the proper authority, which is me.
Do you have a complaint? -No.
I haven't.
What was that shindig in the tea tent about? -Something or nothing, Tom.
Hardly nothing.
At the best it was a damn cheek.
And at the worst? Criminal.
You know I'm chair of the planning committee? The craft centre at the mill needed permission.
So? Gray Patterson offered me money to approve it.
How much? -ã3,000.
It's a funny sum, isn't it? Not peanuts, but hardly worth the risk.
The money isn't a problem.
He threatened her as well.
Bunny! -Reg! Fetch Elfrida.
Free pint if you helped with the fete.
Jolly good.
How much did we make, Reg? Getting on for ã2,000, I think.
Not a bad day's work.
Not going to the pub, then? I've had enough of the village for today.
Will Gray be there? I expect so.
You know why he had a go, don't you? -Because he fancies me like mad.
He can't imagine why you married me.
Tell me the truth.
Have you really cheated those people out of that money? Oh, I'm sorry.
Mrs Anderson, isn't it? It's all right.
I keep an eye on Gray.
Bit of laundry, shopping, clearing up.
You know what single young men are like.
-From personal experience.
Good afternoon, Inspector.
Doreen, thanks.
You really are a sweetheart.
Pleasure.
See you tomorrow.
She enjoys cooking for me.
It would be churlish to refuse.
What does she get out of it? I suppose I make her feel needed.
And young.
Now, what can I do for you? I'd like a bit of your self-esteem, if you can spare any.
Excuse me.
What are you doing? Looking round.
Yeah.
Well, I'd rather you didn't.
Why are you here, Inspector? Alan Hollingsworth.
Yesterday you threatened to kill him.
It's just words.
Heat of the moment.
That's when most murders occur.
Nevertheless, we can forget it all happened.
For a price.
You what? More than you offered Cath Bullard to push your plans.
I never did any such thing! She's my friend.
You're not.
I believe her.
Or perhaps it was one of those heat of the moment things again.
Now you come to mention it - Unlike the threat you made, which to me sounded very prepared.
"If people don't get what's due to them, others get hurt.
"You have such a lovely face.
I'm sure you want to keep it.
" Any man who says that to a woman is either desperate, or downright evil.
Which are you? Look, I knew things were going pear-shaped at the mill, because Alan had dithered.
On purpose, I reckon.
The bank began to call in its loan.
Your partner was working a scam, you think? Not that it will look that way.
It was me who was persuading people to invest.
Did you put anything into it? -20,000.
I hate blokes like that.
Silver spoon in his gob, Gregorio Falloni under his armpits.
What? Deodorant.
80 quid a bottle.
What did you think of that room? Poncey.
No school photos, no pictures with Mum and Dad, none of himself.
That is a man trying to lose his past.
And he's no more of a toff than you.
Hello.
-Grew up on the streets, did he? Where else did he learn to separate people from their money? Or women from their husbands.
Yeah Mr Hollingsworth! Hello! Anyone? Mrs Hollingsworth? Is he dead? No.
I don't think so.
How can you tell? -You did the first aid course.
Prove it.
DCI Barnaby.
He doesn't need an ambulance.
He needs a bucket of cold water.
Rat-arsed.
Why are you here? People have lost money, I'm told, in the mill project.
Mr Hollingsworth Why don't you drop into the police station tomorrow morning and we'll talk it through then? PHONE RINGS Troy.
No, you stay where you are.
Hello? He can't come to the phone at the moment.
I can take a message.
Who was that? Didn't say.
A man's voice.
He didn't want to be traced.
Mr Hollingsworth? Yes.
Where's your wife? Bell-ringing practice.
Hello, Mrs Anderson.
You're having a busy day.
George, I'm looking for Simone Hollingsworth.
She hasn't turned up.
Have you heard from her? No, Mr Barnaby.
Simone isn't one for the common courtesies.
Inspector.
Thank you for stepping in yesterday.
In the tea-tent.
My pleasure, Mrs? Buckley.
Felicity Buckley.
Well, thank you.
Hold your horses! The loss of our hard-earned cash.
You will be looking into it, won't you? Please take this as an official request.
Two blokes go into business together.
One threatens Cath and screws money from neighbours.
The other runs the whole shebang onto the rocks legs it with the loot.
Meantime, his wife has disappeared.
That phone call, sir.
Oh, you're at it too now.
"Hollingsworth," he said.
Not "Mr," not "Alan," not even "Hi, how are you?" Just "Hollingsworth.
" You're not Hollingsworth, so he slams the phone down.
Who was he? What does he want? Excuse me.
Excuse me.
I'm looking for Alan Hollingsworth.
Alan Yes Alan? Why do you want to see him? I rather think that's my business.
Yes? It's that one.
Thank you.
Your very good health, young man.
My own, I imagine, is beyond the power of any toast.
What can I do for you, Mr Vellacott? Gray Patterson, your partner.
Ex, to be precise.
I understand he's been telling people that the money he invested in the mill project is his own.
That's a slip of the tongue.
It's mine.
All 20 grand of it.
Do you know where Simone is? At her mother's, I thought.
You'll have to make do with me.
I wouldn't call that making do.
You may not be as good at darts, but you've got a brain.
So that's what you're after! Good conversation.
I thought you just wanted - I know what you thought.
I think you're wrong.
Simone's as sharp as a razor.
That's what Alan can't bear.
Can't bear? The man dotes on her.
You know he knocks her about? That's just gossip, surely.
I've seen the bruises.
Well hidden.
Never on the face.
You don't think he'd do something out of the ordinary? Like what? Like hitting her too hard.
Who is it? It's only me, Alan.
Oh Brenda.
I'm sorry.
I was miles away.
What can I do for you? I know I know Simone's at her mother's, so I made you this.
It's a shepherd's pie.
Pop it in the oven to warm it.
Thank you.
That was kind of you.
Is there anything else? No.
Ah! The daily bake.
Known far and wide as the Bunny cakes.
They look delicious.
But appearances can be deceptive.
Some proof might be needed.
Oh, please do help yourselves.
What did you want to tell us? Oh, yes.
Itit's about next door.
Alan and Simone.
The Bunny Boy was just turning in last night when he heard a "chrook chrook".
And there was Alan, digging a hole - using my spade, I might add, which he borrowed last week.
How big a hole? Ah! You agree with us! He's killed her! Big enough to hide a body? Folded in half, yes.
Or chopped up! Odd thing followed.
Brenda Buckley came on the scene, carrying a shepherd's pie.
And she handed it to him saying, "Thingy," - Simone - "is away with her mother" The point is, Simone hasn't got a mother.
She died three years ago.
How have they been getting on lately, Alan and Simone? Inspector, we don't listen at keyholes.
Oh, come on.
Of course you do! Oh! .
.
a hell of a ding dong the other night.
I don't care how you earn a living, Alan, as long as you do.
So I work my guts out and Gray Patterson gets the attention? Don't be so old-fashioned.
I'll take that as an admission! What about you and Miss Droopy Drawers? "And with that she slammed out of the house.
" Simone and Gray Patterson.
Is there anything in that? If I were 50 years younger, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
You know, 10 minutes in your company and I feel .
.
better.
That's the only way to describe it - better.
That spade he borrowed Did he return it? Yes.
Would you mind Would you mind if my sergeant borrowed it? Not at all.
Yes? The other day, I asked you to drop in to the station.
Are you all right, sir? Yes.
I'm all right.
You tell him.
To talk about the mill project.
You didn't show up.
I've been preoccupied, trying to save the business.
We asked you where Simone was.
Bell-ringing, you said.
She wasn't.
You'll have to take it up with her.
Where will you find her? She's at her mother's.
Her mother is dead.
Who will I take that up with? If you must know, she's left me.
Walked out.
This is Sergeant Troy and this is a spade.
Between them they'll dig a hole in your garden, with your permission.
-Which I don't give.
-Thank you.
They've gone round the back.
You won't find anything, you know.
Morning.
You're missing a trick here, Reg.
Why don't you invite the whole village? Flog 'em tickets.
Sir! I've found something.
You'd better use upstairs.
The bathroom's right above us.
(SINGS) Shepherd's pie at midnight.
Look, that speaks to me, Mr Hollingsworth,of true love.
So you admit that you buried the shepherd's pie? And that's what you put down the hole.
What did you dig up? A dead body.
Is that what you think? No, no, no.
I think it was money.
Which I stole from my neighbours? Wherever you got it from, you used it to pay a ransom demand.
What? Your wife hasn't left you.
Someone has her.
My sergeant spoke to him on the phone.
She's left me! Wait, wait, wait.
We have highly trained negotiators for kidnappings.
The best in the world.
Just think about it.
Your sergeant's taking his time.
He's a very fastidious man.
Everything all right, sir? Get out of here! Both of you! Well? Wardrobe full of clothes.
Jewellery box empty.
Classic! Plenty of clothes, no jewellery.
Classic.
Are you sure you're all right, sir? There you go, George.
Thanks very much.
May I ask why you're here? Believe it or not, for a drink.
We'd like two pints .
.
of that.
Good afternoon, Mrs Anderson.
Not on duty, then, Mr Barnaby.
No, but I could be at the drop of a clanger.
Only we had a meeting arranged.
Private.
And we might cramp your style? Bunny, would you mind? Between us in this village, we've lost ã90,000 to the mill project.
It's no surprise that Alan isn't here to face the charges, nor is Reg Buckley, the so-called company secretary.
I've asked the police to investigate and we await their response.
Good.
Darling? The latest is I invited Alan here today.
He referred me to his solicitor.
He referred me to the official receiver.
In other words, the man's gone bankrupt.
Do you mean our hard-earned money will be stashed away in some Caribbean Fleshpot? In Simone's name, probably.
We could ask Felicity about it.
Ask Reg by all means, but leave her out of it.
Now, I'm not saying we do anything illegal, but why don't we stroll round to Alan's house en masse? I second that.
Hold it! Right there.
Sit down.
I won't be told what to do in my own hostelry.
If you want your licence renewed, you will sit down.
I believe something very serious has happened in Morton Fendle.
Yes.
When will you do something? I don't mean the mill project or you losing money.
What else, then? Have you lot been asleep for the last three days? Simone Hollingsworth has disappeared.
Come off it.
She's left him.
Or he kicked her out for playing away.
Yeah.
Boyfriends galore, you know.
Why hasn't she taken her clothes? And also her jewels have gone.
That's a classic combination.
No time to pack the suitcase.
The husband sells the jewellery to pay the ransom.
You mean she's been kidnapped? I believe so, Miss Lawton.
I'm on dicey ground saying so, but better you know, than you try to lynch her husband.
Who's done this dreadful thing? Someone with an axe to grind, Mrs Buckley.
Someone who wants their money back.
As you all do.
Inspector! May I speak with you? Of course.
Yes.
It sounds odd, but I wonder if you would have a word with my husband.
Yes.
Jump in.
He's obviously heard us coming and rushed up to his den.
What sort of woman is Simone? Far too exotic for a village like this.
And for a man like Alan.
When did you last see her? Er the night of the fete.
She was underdressed, as usual, and flirting with everyone in sight.
She left early.
With Gray.
And apart from Gray, who are her friends? She and Sarah Lawton seem pretty close.
Sarah moved in here soon after Simone.
Simone was getting over Vince, her last boyfriend.
And she was already married to Alan? Women do make stupid mistakes, Inspector.
There you are, Mr Buckley.
Tell me, what happened at the mill? I'm not really sure.
Alan kept everything to himself.
Never shared And to be honest, I wasn't really up to the job.
I was in accounts at Tesco's, made redundant.
You were fired.
Discrepancies, they say.
Become a sort of habit, has it, skimming the perks off the top? Will you be pressing charges? This room overlooks the other cottages.
I'd like to put a man in here, if I may.
See who comes and goes.
Meantime, I'd like a list of everyone who invested in the mill, please.
Why would a woman grass on a bundle of fun like Reg? She wants him out of the way.
He was just the sort of man Hollingsworth needed, though.
A petty thief.
To point the finger at, you mean, if we came along? God, he puts it about, that lad, doesn't he? Trashy good looks.
Women go for them.
Here's a funny thing.
Sarah went to the meeting, but she's not on the list of investors.
Felicity, it's Alan.
Alan Hollingsworth's on the phone.
He said he'll tell you everything about Simone.
He's waiting for you.
Hello? "I don't know how to put this, sir.
" "Very carefully, Troy.
I think I know what you're going to say.
" "I've lost him.
" Alan, I know you're in trouble.
Please let me help you.
Sorry.
So sorry.
Hello, Daddy, it's me.
Yes, I'm fine.
I've just been to Finchmere market.
Listen.
Go upstairs and tell that policeman something.
It's urgent.
Hello? Daddy? Oh! BEEPING It's Brenda Buckley all right.
You don't want to look at that.
Right, you'd better run some checks on the brakes.
Looks as if she's been shunted.
Her father said she was panicking when she phoned.
Then she was cut off.
Yes, well, it's this valley.
It's a dead spot.
She didn't ask for any policeman, did she? She asked for you.
You get the car.
We'll do that.
Mrs Buckley, we do need one of you to identify the body.
I'll do that, Inspector.
I I don't know how he's going to cope without her.
-How about you? She was always more his daughter than mine.
Does that sound awful? You can't legislate for feelings.
No No tears, your friend Felicity.
What do you mean, my friend? I thought you liked her.
Where was she when Brenda died? Shopping, she says.
Her old man was gardening.
No, women don't kill their own daughters, do they? You mean, you wish they didn't.
Yeah.
She did grass on her husband.
Off-loading them both.
Well, I'll be damned.
Look at this.
Fresh flowers every week.
She would never talk about him.
Somebody at work, we thought.
Where was work? Causton.
Midsomer Building Society.
Diary, sir.
Pretty full.
Oh, that's good.
We'll take these with us, Mrs Buckley.
Andthank you.
Come on, Troy.
That'll do for today.
Taken late evening.
Alan's house.
Who is he? No idea.
This is a warrant to search your house, Mr Hollingsworth.
Excuse me.
Just a second This man Who is he? I've no idea.
He called.
You didn't open the door.
I didn't hear him knock! What are you doing? If I called and there was no reply, the next thing I'd do is phone.
'Alan, it's Nigel Anderson.
' 'I think it's time we sorted this out.
' Tell me about you and Brenda.
There's nothing to tell.
Then explain this.
"To Brenda, with love - Alan.
" Every week, fresh flowers.
'It's Harry Vellacott.
' 'Called on you earlier.
You weren't in.
' I can't - I really can't make it out.
'Or were you?' 'Anyway, it's about Gray's money.
' 'The ã20,000.
' 'I'm afraid to say my patience is running out.
' ã20,000.
What does he mean - Gray's money? Upstairs.
Bedside table.
So there she is in some godforsaken hole, with a face like a butcher's counter, and you play hide and seek.
No police, they said.
Who said? Man's voice.
You heard him.
He told me to leave the money at Finchmere Market.
So you gave me the slip and went.
Did Brenda see you hand the money over? Is that why you killed her? No - no! What else did they say? Simone would be returned.
So where is she? You've got to get her back.
Look at these photos.
Look at them! The room she's in.
Do you recognise it? No That chicken should be ready by now, Gray.
Hello, Mr Patterson.
You know, I do admire you.
If I'd lost ã20,000, I'd be climbing the walls with my teeth.
Yet here you are throwing a party.
Well, it's only money, Inspector.
Hello, Mrs Anderson.
It's a lot of food for three people.
And one of them's a vegetarian.
Right, Sarah? Do help yourself, Mr Barnaby.
Not for me, thank you.
If it's going spare I'd like you to look at some photos.
Of Simone.
I must warn you, they're not easy to cope with.
Ah, Mr Anderson.
Nice to see you.
My God! They've beaten her up! Do you recognise the place? No.
No, I don't.
Miss Lawton? Sorry, no.
Oh, Nigel! Oh, how clever of you to invite Mr Barnaby, just in case we overstep the mark.
If I were a cynical man, I'd say this wasn't a lunch party at all.
It's a gathering of the mill investors.
What makes you say that? It's the only thing you six have in common.
I hope there's no plotting or planning afoot.
Licence? Renewal? Maybe Harry Vellacott could help with these.
Who? Harry Vellacott.
No, I don't think I know him.
Really? He knows you.
So try again.
Got a pen? The address Patterson gave us, Peter Lane.
It's a mobile home site.
Not yet.
Where's Sarah Lawton's cottage from here? Now, that answers about a dozen questions.
If only I knew what they were.
Couple of old dykes, eh? You don't have a soft pedal when it comes to English, do you? Spade's a spade, sir.
Shhh.
It's Sarah.
I thought you were going to see this Harry Vellacott, Inspector.
He's next on the list.
But you thought you'd do a little snooping first.
Why didn't you invest in the mill? No spare money.
Potters are like that, I'm afraid.
But you are also a photographer.
Oh, I see.
And if Simone means that much to you, why are you so cool about her disappearance? You think I could show my true feelings in a village like this? When you showed me those photos But they prove one thing, Miss Lawton.
Simone is still alive.
Where did you meet? In London.
Greenwich.
I lived above her and Vince, her boyfriend.
And you moved to Morton Fendle to be near her? Yes.
How does Gray Patterson come into all of this? As a cover? If you mean are we truly, madly, deeply, the answer is no.
He's just a friend.
Does Alan know about you and Simone? We've been careful.
He's a jealous, volatile man.
How jealous? Please don't, Inspector.
I I couldn't bear it.
Does it change things, Simone and Sarah being an item? Apart from your perception of women, you mean? Yes.
He might have killed her.
Or had her killed.
Hence the payments.
To a hitman.
Maybe that hole in the back garden was for her.
Brenda turns up on the scene, forces a change of plan.
No.
I don't like that.
Why not? Turn left here, will you? Those photos.
They say kidnap to me, loud and clear.
Tell you what frightens me.
What's that? Your driving's improved.
You looked in the mirror.
Mr Vellacott? Mr Harry Vellacott? Don't tell me, don't tell me.
Good old country coppers, come to chew the fat.
Why did you visit Alan Hollingsworth on Monday night? Because he made off with ã20,000 of mine.
And I was emotionally attached to it.
A man called Gray Patterson says it's his.
Well, let that suffice.
What are you staring at? Do I detect a family resemblance? Gray and you.
Father and son? He is my son and he hates my guts.
So I flung him the ã20,000 hoping to buy him back.
Where did you get money like that? Pension.
'.
.
over to our Causton reporter, with the officer heading the case.
' 'We're looking for a black Saab 900, no registration as yet, seen in the Wheatley Road at 2:30 yesterday afternoon, travelling at high speed.
' 'This car forced Brenda Buckley off the road?' 'Almost certainly.
' 'If you have information on the whereabouts of a damaged black Saab, get in touch with your local police station.
' If you weren't the guvnor's daughter Oh, Cully, dear! What a lovely surprise.
No, let's not go into the house.
Stuffy old house.
All right, then.
I came to invite you to the first night at the Barnhouse.
The 27th.
I must break out the Bunny Boy's tuxedo.
Strange as it may seem, he does have one.
Oh! Fresh air! We're devils for it.
What do you want? You must be freezing.
No, only on the surface.
Elfrida, it's all right.
Your secret is safe with me.
Whatwhat secret is that? I have so many! Midsomer Building Society, what do they say? Brenda was a mouse.
Quiet.
Kept to herself.
And the flower shop? Owner said a girl came, dead ringer for Brenda, every Friday.
Bought flowers for her boss.
Name of Alan.
She was sending flowers to herself? Oh! I don't think he's in, Mr Barnaby.
And you do have a most charming daughter.
Where is Alan, Miss Molfrey? No idea.
The Boy Bunny tried rousing him earlier.
No dice.
What did you want him for, Mr Dawlish? They nominated me to try and get their money back for them.
They ganged up on me at the barbecue.
Sir, he's in there.
Rat-arsed again, spark out on the sofa.
You wouldn't have a key, would you? Afraid not.
I'm going to nip over to the shed.
I know you're under pressure, but this won't help you, will it? Mr Hollingsworth.
Oh, for God Troy.
Come on, you boozy sot.
Make an effort.
He's dead, sir.
Tom.
- George.
Now, for once, tell me something I want to hear.
Don't shoot the messenger.
Alan was murdered.
Oh, for God's sake.
Stomach contents: whisky and haloperidol.
It's a sleeping capsule, which is significant.
Is it? Why? Capsules are gelatin.
There's none in his stomach.
None was found in the house, was it? No.
I reckon someone opened each one, took out the powder And mixed it with the whisky to hide the taste.
Anything on the whisky bottle? A fingerprint, but short of doing the village Mr Anderson! Can I have a word, please? Did you visit Alan Hollingsworth last night? Pray tell me why I should want to.
Yes or no? None of your business.
But you were seen.
Elfrida Molfrey is the best watchdog I've got.
Is it a crime to visit neighbours? That depends, Mrs Anderson, what you do when you get Go on, then Mr Anderson, Miss Molfrey saw you leave Alan's at ten past midnight.
We had a drink.
A chat.
What did you drink? Scotch.
At what point did you kill him? What? Oh, I'm sorry, didn't I say? Alan is dead.
Poisoned.
Haloperidol in the whisky, and your fingerprints will be on a glass, maybe even the bottle.
He was alive when I left him.
I swear it! Convince me.
I did call on him last night, yes.
With a proposition No, no, no.
The money Doreen and I put into the project, ã2,000.
I'm listening What say you return ã1,500 and I keep the other investors off your back? "He agreed to that?" "Yes, he must have thought I really held sway over the neighbours.
" "He went into the bathroom.
" "In the cistern, there was a tin with money in it.
" "How much?" "Wads of it.
" Sounds like he'd had another demand.
Did he mention anything? No.
And by the time I left, he was spark out in a chair - but alive.
Danny! Upstairs, spare room, behind the cistern.
A tin box.
Right.
Well, hang on to it.
They've already found it.
Empty.
Then he's paid up.
Either that, or you took the money after you killed him.
No, no, no.
I only wanted ã1,500.
My job was on the line.
The money wasborrowed, you see.
Borrowed? -From the brewery.
Oh, Nigel, you nicked it from the till.
Oh, good God! From pompous ass to petty thief, just like that.
Who made him brave enough to steal in the first place, Mrs Anderson? She had nothing to do with it.
That's rubbish! Anyone can see you two are joined at the hip! Did he come home from Alan's and tell her about the money? Well, yes And did you persuade him to go back for it? Perhaps you went back yourself? If I had done, Inspector, wouldn't Miss Molfrey have seen me? The black Saab 900.
We've found it.
Where? A garage in Compton Dando.
The panel beater saw you on telly.
Owner? Vince Perry.
7, The Green, Burwood Mantle.
Good work.
Vince! That was the name of Simone's boyfriend.
So where have you been hiding her, if not at home? No idea what you're talking about.
Then I'll make it crystal clear for you.
Messy break-up, you and Simone.
Being greedy and resentful, you abducted her.
You kept her here, slapped her around a bit, and then demanded money from her husband.
Who's been murdered.
We're looking for someone to blame.
Ten days ago, Finchmere Market Never been there.
Ten days ago, Finchmere Market.
You picked up the money Alan dropped.
The only trouble was, Brenda Buckley saw you do it.
She's the woman you killed.
No! You were driving the car! No! You were a passenger, beside whoever ran her off the road.
I wasn't in the car or the market.
I'm sorry, of course, you had your car nicked.
At last you're hearing me! And then, as if by magic, it turned up again three days later.
I expect they called off the nationwide search for it.
Whatever.
You did all that to cover yourself.
You were in the car that killed Brenda Buckley.
No.
Oh, Inspector, come in.
Er, it's not easy to say this.
But Alan's death means that whoever abducted Simone, they've lost their source of income overnight.
They may decide to do one of two things.
Don't.
They'll either let her go.
Or kill her.
Do you have a suspect? Well, any one of those investors could be responsible.
Good job I had no money at the time.
Milk, Inspector? Yes, please.
Where is it? In the fridge? I'll get it.
Yes, Daddy.
What's it going to be about? It's about how life dashes our hopes and dreams to the ground.
What are you going to call it? Hollow Moonlight, I thought.
Yes.
Yes I like that.
Cully, dear, you were wonderful.
It was a real eye-opener.
Far and away the best thing in it.
Oh! Oh, you dear, dear people! Oh, you shouldn't have! Oh, Bunny, do pour, there's a good boy Just a second-Oh, Inspector, you do the honours, then.
Oh, there's a card.
Bunny, dear, read it to me.
"Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when you're 84?" "Happy birthday, Joyce.
Love, Tom.
" Ah! A faux pas.
Oh, good grief! Oh, dear.
Now she's upset.
You thought I'd forgotten.
Dad! Gregorio Falloni! You've won the lottery? We can't afford that, Tom.
They do a range for men.
But that is classy.
(WAILS) Elfrida, whatever's wrong? Whatever's the matter? What must you think of me? Oh, you know, it's moments like this I do miss dear Simone.
She was so good at make-up, Hello? 'Hello, Troy.
It's me' The old copper's nose is on the twitch.
'Where are you?' I'm at the office.
Meet me at Buckley's place.
I want to cross her off the list.
All right.
Inspector, you do realise what time it is? I do, thank you, Mrs Buckley.
Is Reg in? No, he's spending a few days with his brother.
He's still finding things difficult.
When Brenda died, Reg was gardening.
Elfrida confirms that.
So she was here, Reg was here, Bunny was here.
Where were you? You were shopping.
Stuff you bought, you'll have a note in your cheque book I don't use cheques.
Credit card slips? Actually, I don't think I bought anything on that day.
Did you see or speak to anyone when you were shopping? You know, I am finding this rather offensive I'm not accusing you of killing Brenda.
I just need to be sure that you didn't.
She she couldn't have done.
She was with me, Inspector.
Is Cully in, sir? Yes, she is.
In fact, when I said I'd cook you breakfast, I meant me as in her.
Simone! Cup of tea.
Plenty of sugar in.
They've told you what happened, the people who were holding you? To be honest I think it's one reason they let me go.
You don't think they killed him? Who knows? I'm sorry.
This is not going to be an easy time for you, is it? Look I know all about you and Sarah Lawton.
I'm sure she'd like to help, wouldn't she? Good news.
The best.
Simone has turned up, alive and well.
Just a few bruises.
When can I see her? Now.
She's at the station.
Hop in the car.
Yes! I was waiting for the Causton bus when a black Saab drew up.
To be honest, I thought it was my ex-boyfriend, but then two people got out, stocking masks, one of them punched me in the face and bundled me in the back.
We think it was Vince's car.
Isn't it too much of a coincidence? We think they chose his car, to implicate him.
And it worked.
What do you mean? We're holding him for questioning.
Why did they beat you twice? Did you provoke them? It was for the photographs.
To scare Alan.
Something else that worked too.
We estimate that they made about ã300,000.
Split three ways, that's quite a payout.
You think there were three of them? I know there are three.
So he paid the money and then they killed him.
Poor Brenda, too.
Lucky they didn't kill you.
That's what puzzles me.
Why are you still alive? Ah, Sergeant Troy.
Come in.
Everything all right? Fine, sir.
Mrs Hollingsworth, nice to see you safe and well.
Thank you.
I was about to ask Simone where she was held captive.
I'm not really sure.
They put a hood over me in the car.
I had to go up steps, concrete steps.
Block of flats, I thought.
And I think I know where it was.
Really? Yes.
Why didn't you come get me? Because I wasn't sure until Sergeant Troy walked in just now.
You were held .
.
in the attic .
.
of Miss Lawton's cottage.
I'm surprised you didn't recognise it.
I'm sure I would have done I thought you might be there when I saw the chicken leg in Sarah's fridge.
"Hello, Mrs Anderson.
That's a lot of food for three.
" One of them's a vegetarian.
Right, Sarah? So the chicken leg was probably your supper, Simone.
Are you certain about this room? Mrs Hollingsworth I've just been there.
You've broken into my house again! That is outrageous, Inspector.
You've got staying power, I grant you.
But your story ran out of steam.
The three people I am looking for are Simone, her ex-boyfriend and you.
You for the murder of Alan Hollingsworth.
Uh What? That's good.
Surprise and indignation rolled into one word.
But I've been at this so long, I can hear something else too.
Guilt.
"You took a bottle of sleeping pills, in their casings.
Haloperidol.
" "You waited till Miss Molfrey was asleep and went into Alan's.
" "He was spark out in the living room, drunk.
" "You brought him round and you mixed a cocktail.
" "Haliperidol and whisky, one to hide the taste of the other.
" Alan.
There's a drink here.
"He was half conscious.
" "He had no idea you were killing him.
" "All he could see when you offered him the glass was another whisky.
" There's a rogue print, just one, on the whisky bottle we found beside Alan's body.
Are you saying that print won't match up to those on the teacup you've just been using? It's upstairs with a fingerprint officer.
Well? Simone, what do you want to say to her? Nothing.
Oh, come on! This is the woman that killed your husband for you.
How about thank you? I'm not sure what game you're playing, Inspector.
You wanted her to kill him.
You wound her up to do it.
That, in itself, is a crime.
All I know is, the world's rid of a complete bastard.
You believed her because of her bruises.
Let me tell you something.
Alan Hollingsworth never, never laid a finger on his wife.
That isn't true.
The bruises Alan's supposed to have given her are as fake as the ones she's wearing now.
Oh, you know, it's moments like this that I do miss dear Simone.
She was so good at make-up.
You'd worked for a cosmetic firm, hadn't you? Show 'em what I'm talking about.
Wipe off your bruises.
Wipe them off, or I'll do it for you.
Go on.
The bruises she said Alan gave her were just like that.
You fell for it.
She's good at details.
You had better start helping me unless you fancy 12 years in jail.
Help you? How? I know she was driving the car that forced Brenda Buckley off the road.
I know it, but I can't prove it.
I know she set Alan up.
I know it, but I can't prove it.
I know she pressured you to kill him.
That is incitement and you could get clean away with it, if you testify against her.
Never! Let's see if Vince has any more sense.
Good luck.
How did you divide the money, Vince? ã100,000 to you, same to Sarah? I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.
I have a witness that saw you in the car.
So you say.
Only not very clearly, going by that photofit.
So it was you, then.
I told you the other day, my car was stolen.
Vince, she killed someone.
It wasn't you, you were a passenger.
Sarah doesn't drive.
So it was Simone So you say, but I still haven't any idea what you're talking about.
Shut up, Troy! I didn't say anything.
You were going to say, "Never mind.
We had a crack.
" She is going to leave with ã300,000 and murder on her CV.
Why? Because Sarah Lawton sacrificed herself for love, and Vince kept quiet for money.
There must be something we can use.
Oh, yes.
She wasted police time.
Shall we do her for that instead of Brenda's murder? PHONE RINGS What? I'll clean up that cesspit known as Morton Fendle.
It seems the only honest people there are Bunny and Elfrida.
Apart from the draw, that is.
You what? The marijuana.
He grows it in the greenhouse.
What they don't smoke, he puts in the Bunny cakes.
I thought you knew and were turning a blind eye.
Please, help yourselves.
What was it you wanted to say? (GIGGLES) Are you all right, sir? You know, 10 minutes in your company and I feel better.
That's the only way to describe it.
Better.
Oh, the Bunny cakes! Oh, how nice.
You do know they've already gone, don't you? Simone and Vince? Yes.
One of the Greek islands for a month.
To get away from it all.
You must be so disappointed that you couldn't nail her.
Well, one case closes, another opens.
It's a drugs case.
They grow it in greenhouses, in between tomato plants.
It can look like them, you see.
BUT .
.
we are on top of it.
What is that? That is weedkiller, Mr Dawlish.
One capful to a gallon of water and the Cannabis sativa keel over like ninepins.
I'm supposed to check every greenhouse in the area.
So, um Shall we? Greenfly.
Greenfly? I've sprayed it all.
For greenfly.
Oh, dear.
Well, some other time, then.
Very soon.
Thanks, you can go now.
How are you coping? Will you come straight to the point, Sergeant? Fair enough.
You've been sidelined.
By Simone.
Ever wondered why she doesn't visit? She's moved away.
To Cumbria.
She writes.
Did she tell you she and Vince were married? If I'd been betrayed like that, by somebody I was doing time for, I wouldn't keep quiet.
Why not check it out? Then get back to us when you're ready.
Hello? Just a sec.
Sir? What? Sarah Lawton.
She wants to talk to you.
Hello? CAROLINE THOMPSON
Hello.
Do you make these yourself, Miss Lawton? Yes.
Do you like it? She does.
I can tell.
I love that one.
It's really nice.
Why don't you get a set? Six of those, do you think? This is a moving moment, George.
It's the first time I've ever won anything.
It'll be rotten inside.
Just because I've got a coconut and you haven't.
Hello, George.
Simone! Who is that? Simone Hollingsworth and that bloke's her husband, Alan.
What's he got we haven't, George? Good question.
He's bought the mill.
Going to turn it into a craft centre.
Potters, painters, glassblowers You don't sound overjoyed.
Prithee, sweet maid, dost thou wish to partake of a beefburger? Um actually - Perchance a veggie burger is more to thy taste? And you, kind sir, a dog of the hot variety? Yonder, at the barbecue.
Two sovereigns apiece.
Dad, that mutton dressed as lamb.
Do you know her? That's a terrible thing to say even though it's true.
No, I don't.
She's that actress.
Freda somebody.
You know Come on What's her name? Bad luck.
Care to have another go? Hello there.
Hello.
Skittles.
20p a go.
Don't be silly, the young lady's come to talk to me.
I saw you asking your father, "Isn't she that actress?" "She was in what was the name of that film?" He knows exactly who you are.
And so do I.
Elfrida Molfrey.
I am flattered.
I know why you left it till now - you think I won't make a fuss in front of a crowd.
I don't care who sees me beat you to a pulp.
Just leave this till later.
Who's the lad who fancies himself, Cath? He's called Gray Patterson.
Where are the Andersons? Nigel! Didn't you leave money in Morton Mill? A trifling sum.
Did you know the company is on its last legs? What! Sorry.
I wanted to tell people privately.
Felicity, where's your other half? Reg, do you know anything about this? I'm sorry.
It's news to me.
He's the company secretary.
Why should he know? We've invested money too, you know.
Yeah.
And bang goes my 20 grand.
Sarah.
Sarah.
This old fool has lost us all money.
Now.
Show of hands.
Who wants me to kill him? Is there a policeman in the house? Get off! Mr Patterson.
Who are you? I am a policeman.
We keep the peace, you know? If you have a complaint you should make it to the proper authority, which is me.
Do you have a complaint? -No.
I haven't.
What was that shindig in the tea tent about? -Something or nothing, Tom.
Hardly nothing.
At the best it was a damn cheek.
And at the worst? Criminal.
You know I'm chair of the planning committee? The craft centre at the mill needed permission.
So? Gray Patterson offered me money to approve it.
How much? -ã3,000.
It's a funny sum, isn't it? Not peanuts, but hardly worth the risk.
The money isn't a problem.
He threatened her as well.
Bunny! -Reg! Fetch Elfrida.
Free pint if you helped with the fete.
Jolly good.
How much did we make, Reg? Getting on for ã2,000, I think.
Not a bad day's work.
Not going to the pub, then? I've had enough of the village for today.
Will Gray be there? I expect so.
You know why he had a go, don't you? -Because he fancies me like mad.
He can't imagine why you married me.
Tell me the truth.
Have you really cheated those people out of that money? Oh, I'm sorry.
Mrs Anderson, isn't it? It's all right.
I keep an eye on Gray.
Bit of laundry, shopping, clearing up.
You know what single young men are like.
-From personal experience.
Good afternoon, Inspector.
Doreen, thanks.
You really are a sweetheart.
Pleasure.
See you tomorrow.
She enjoys cooking for me.
It would be churlish to refuse.
What does she get out of it? I suppose I make her feel needed.
And young.
Now, what can I do for you? I'd like a bit of your self-esteem, if you can spare any.
Excuse me.
What are you doing? Looking round.
Yeah.
Well, I'd rather you didn't.
Why are you here, Inspector? Alan Hollingsworth.
Yesterday you threatened to kill him.
It's just words.
Heat of the moment.
That's when most murders occur.
Nevertheless, we can forget it all happened.
For a price.
You what? More than you offered Cath Bullard to push your plans.
I never did any such thing! She's my friend.
You're not.
I believe her.
Or perhaps it was one of those heat of the moment things again.
Now you come to mention it - Unlike the threat you made, which to me sounded very prepared.
"If people don't get what's due to them, others get hurt.
"You have such a lovely face.
I'm sure you want to keep it.
" Any man who says that to a woman is either desperate, or downright evil.
Which are you? Look, I knew things were going pear-shaped at the mill, because Alan had dithered.
On purpose, I reckon.
The bank began to call in its loan.
Your partner was working a scam, you think? Not that it will look that way.
It was me who was persuading people to invest.
Did you put anything into it? -20,000.
I hate blokes like that.
Silver spoon in his gob, Gregorio Falloni under his armpits.
What? Deodorant.
80 quid a bottle.
What did you think of that room? Poncey.
No school photos, no pictures with Mum and Dad, none of himself.
That is a man trying to lose his past.
And he's no more of a toff than you.
Hello.
-Grew up on the streets, did he? Where else did he learn to separate people from their money? Or women from their husbands.
Yeah Mr Hollingsworth! Hello! Anyone? Mrs Hollingsworth? Is he dead? No.
I don't think so.
How can you tell? -You did the first aid course.
Prove it.
DCI Barnaby.
He doesn't need an ambulance.
He needs a bucket of cold water.
Rat-arsed.
Why are you here? People have lost money, I'm told, in the mill project.
Mr Hollingsworth Why don't you drop into the police station tomorrow morning and we'll talk it through then? PHONE RINGS Troy.
No, you stay where you are.
Hello? He can't come to the phone at the moment.
I can take a message.
Who was that? Didn't say.
A man's voice.
He didn't want to be traced.
Mr Hollingsworth? Yes.
Where's your wife? Bell-ringing practice.
Hello, Mrs Anderson.
You're having a busy day.
George, I'm looking for Simone Hollingsworth.
She hasn't turned up.
Have you heard from her? No, Mr Barnaby.
Simone isn't one for the common courtesies.
Inspector.
Thank you for stepping in yesterday.
In the tea-tent.
My pleasure, Mrs? Buckley.
Felicity Buckley.
Well, thank you.
Hold your horses! The loss of our hard-earned cash.
You will be looking into it, won't you? Please take this as an official request.
Two blokes go into business together.
One threatens Cath and screws money from neighbours.
The other runs the whole shebang onto the rocks legs it with the loot.
Meantime, his wife has disappeared.
That phone call, sir.
Oh, you're at it too now.
"Hollingsworth," he said.
Not "Mr," not "Alan," not even "Hi, how are you?" Just "Hollingsworth.
" You're not Hollingsworth, so he slams the phone down.
Who was he? What does he want? Excuse me.
Excuse me.
I'm looking for Alan Hollingsworth.
Alan Yes Alan? Why do you want to see him? I rather think that's my business.
Yes? It's that one.
Thank you.
Your very good health, young man.
My own, I imagine, is beyond the power of any toast.
What can I do for you, Mr Vellacott? Gray Patterson, your partner.
Ex, to be precise.
I understand he's been telling people that the money he invested in the mill project is his own.
That's a slip of the tongue.
It's mine.
All 20 grand of it.
Do you know where Simone is? At her mother's, I thought.
You'll have to make do with me.
I wouldn't call that making do.
You may not be as good at darts, but you've got a brain.
So that's what you're after! Good conversation.
I thought you just wanted - I know what you thought.
I think you're wrong.
Simone's as sharp as a razor.
That's what Alan can't bear.
Can't bear? The man dotes on her.
You know he knocks her about? That's just gossip, surely.
I've seen the bruises.
Well hidden.
Never on the face.
You don't think he'd do something out of the ordinary? Like what? Like hitting her too hard.
Who is it? It's only me, Alan.
Oh Brenda.
I'm sorry.
I was miles away.
What can I do for you? I know I know Simone's at her mother's, so I made you this.
It's a shepherd's pie.
Pop it in the oven to warm it.
Thank you.
That was kind of you.
Is there anything else? No.
Ah! The daily bake.
Known far and wide as the Bunny cakes.
They look delicious.
But appearances can be deceptive.
Some proof might be needed.
Oh, please do help yourselves.
What did you want to tell us? Oh, yes.
Itit's about next door.
Alan and Simone.
The Bunny Boy was just turning in last night when he heard a "chrook chrook".
And there was Alan, digging a hole - using my spade, I might add, which he borrowed last week.
How big a hole? Ah! You agree with us! He's killed her! Big enough to hide a body? Folded in half, yes.
Or chopped up! Odd thing followed.
Brenda Buckley came on the scene, carrying a shepherd's pie.
And she handed it to him saying, "Thingy," - Simone - "is away with her mother" The point is, Simone hasn't got a mother.
She died three years ago.
How have they been getting on lately, Alan and Simone? Inspector, we don't listen at keyholes.
Oh, come on.
Of course you do! Oh! .
.
a hell of a ding dong the other night.
I don't care how you earn a living, Alan, as long as you do.
So I work my guts out and Gray Patterson gets the attention? Don't be so old-fashioned.
I'll take that as an admission! What about you and Miss Droopy Drawers? "And with that she slammed out of the house.
" Simone and Gray Patterson.
Is there anything in that? If I were 50 years younger, she wouldn't have stood a chance.
You know, 10 minutes in your company and I feel .
.
better.
That's the only way to describe it - better.
That spade he borrowed Did he return it? Yes.
Would you mind Would you mind if my sergeant borrowed it? Not at all.
Yes? The other day, I asked you to drop in to the station.
Are you all right, sir? Yes.
I'm all right.
You tell him.
To talk about the mill project.
You didn't show up.
I've been preoccupied, trying to save the business.
We asked you where Simone was.
Bell-ringing, you said.
She wasn't.
You'll have to take it up with her.
Where will you find her? She's at her mother's.
Her mother is dead.
Who will I take that up with? If you must know, she's left me.
Walked out.
This is Sergeant Troy and this is a spade.
Between them they'll dig a hole in your garden, with your permission.
-Which I don't give.
-Thank you.
They've gone round the back.
You won't find anything, you know.
Morning.
You're missing a trick here, Reg.
Why don't you invite the whole village? Flog 'em tickets.
Sir! I've found something.
You'd better use upstairs.
The bathroom's right above us.
(SINGS) Shepherd's pie at midnight.
Look, that speaks to me, Mr Hollingsworth,of true love.
So you admit that you buried the shepherd's pie? And that's what you put down the hole.
What did you dig up? A dead body.
Is that what you think? No, no, no.
I think it was money.
Which I stole from my neighbours? Wherever you got it from, you used it to pay a ransom demand.
What? Your wife hasn't left you.
Someone has her.
My sergeant spoke to him on the phone.
She's left me! Wait, wait, wait.
We have highly trained negotiators for kidnappings.
The best in the world.
Just think about it.
Your sergeant's taking his time.
He's a very fastidious man.
Everything all right, sir? Get out of here! Both of you! Well? Wardrobe full of clothes.
Jewellery box empty.
Classic! Plenty of clothes, no jewellery.
Classic.
Are you sure you're all right, sir? There you go, George.
Thanks very much.
May I ask why you're here? Believe it or not, for a drink.
We'd like two pints .
.
of that.
Good afternoon, Mrs Anderson.
Not on duty, then, Mr Barnaby.
No, but I could be at the drop of a clanger.
Only we had a meeting arranged.
Private.
And we might cramp your style? Bunny, would you mind? Between us in this village, we've lost ã90,000 to the mill project.
It's no surprise that Alan isn't here to face the charges, nor is Reg Buckley, the so-called company secretary.
I've asked the police to investigate and we await their response.
Good.
Darling? The latest is I invited Alan here today.
He referred me to his solicitor.
He referred me to the official receiver.
In other words, the man's gone bankrupt.
Do you mean our hard-earned money will be stashed away in some Caribbean Fleshpot? In Simone's name, probably.
We could ask Felicity about it.
Ask Reg by all means, but leave her out of it.
Now, I'm not saying we do anything illegal, but why don't we stroll round to Alan's house en masse? I second that.
Hold it! Right there.
Sit down.
I won't be told what to do in my own hostelry.
If you want your licence renewed, you will sit down.
I believe something very serious has happened in Morton Fendle.
Yes.
When will you do something? I don't mean the mill project or you losing money.
What else, then? Have you lot been asleep for the last three days? Simone Hollingsworth has disappeared.
Come off it.
She's left him.
Or he kicked her out for playing away.
Yeah.
Boyfriends galore, you know.
Why hasn't she taken her clothes? And also her jewels have gone.
That's a classic combination.
No time to pack the suitcase.
The husband sells the jewellery to pay the ransom.
You mean she's been kidnapped? I believe so, Miss Lawton.
I'm on dicey ground saying so, but better you know, than you try to lynch her husband.
Who's done this dreadful thing? Someone with an axe to grind, Mrs Buckley.
Someone who wants their money back.
As you all do.
Inspector! May I speak with you? Of course.
Yes.
It sounds odd, but I wonder if you would have a word with my husband.
Yes.
Jump in.
He's obviously heard us coming and rushed up to his den.
What sort of woman is Simone? Far too exotic for a village like this.
And for a man like Alan.
When did you last see her? Er the night of the fete.
She was underdressed, as usual, and flirting with everyone in sight.
She left early.
With Gray.
And apart from Gray, who are her friends? She and Sarah Lawton seem pretty close.
Sarah moved in here soon after Simone.
Simone was getting over Vince, her last boyfriend.
And she was already married to Alan? Women do make stupid mistakes, Inspector.
There you are, Mr Buckley.
Tell me, what happened at the mill? I'm not really sure.
Alan kept everything to himself.
Never shared And to be honest, I wasn't really up to the job.
I was in accounts at Tesco's, made redundant.
You were fired.
Discrepancies, they say.
Become a sort of habit, has it, skimming the perks off the top? Will you be pressing charges? This room overlooks the other cottages.
I'd like to put a man in here, if I may.
See who comes and goes.
Meantime, I'd like a list of everyone who invested in the mill, please.
Why would a woman grass on a bundle of fun like Reg? She wants him out of the way.
He was just the sort of man Hollingsworth needed, though.
A petty thief.
To point the finger at, you mean, if we came along? God, he puts it about, that lad, doesn't he? Trashy good looks.
Women go for them.
Here's a funny thing.
Sarah went to the meeting, but she's not on the list of investors.
Felicity, it's Alan.
Alan Hollingsworth's on the phone.
He said he'll tell you everything about Simone.
He's waiting for you.
Hello? "I don't know how to put this, sir.
" "Very carefully, Troy.
I think I know what you're going to say.
" "I've lost him.
" Alan, I know you're in trouble.
Please let me help you.
Sorry.
So sorry.
Hello, Daddy, it's me.
Yes, I'm fine.
I've just been to Finchmere market.
Listen.
Go upstairs and tell that policeman something.
It's urgent.
Hello? Daddy? Oh! BEEPING It's Brenda Buckley all right.
You don't want to look at that.
Right, you'd better run some checks on the brakes.
Looks as if she's been shunted.
Her father said she was panicking when she phoned.
Then she was cut off.
Yes, well, it's this valley.
It's a dead spot.
She didn't ask for any policeman, did she? She asked for you.
You get the car.
We'll do that.
Mrs Buckley, we do need one of you to identify the body.
I'll do that, Inspector.
I I don't know how he's going to cope without her.
-How about you? She was always more his daughter than mine.
Does that sound awful? You can't legislate for feelings.
No No tears, your friend Felicity.
What do you mean, my friend? I thought you liked her.
Where was she when Brenda died? Shopping, she says.
Her old man was gardening.
No, women don't kill their own daughters, do they? You mean, you wish they didn't.
Yeah.
She did grass on her husband.
Off-loading them both.
Well, I'll be damned.
Look at this.
Fresh flowers every week.
She would never talk about him.
Somebody at work, we thought.
Where was work? Causton.
Midsomer Building Society.
Diary, sir.
Pretty full.
Oh, that's good.
We'll take these with us, Mrs Buckley.
Andthank you.
Come on, Troy.
That'll do for today.
Taken late evening.
Alan's house.
Who is he? No idea.
This is a warrant to search your house, Mr Hollingsworth.
Excuse me.
Just a second This man Who is he? I've no idea.
He called.
You didn't open the door.
I didn't hear him knock! What are you doing? If I called and there was no reply, the next thing I'd do is phone.
'Alan, it's Nigel Anderson.
' 'I think it's time we sorted this out.
' Tell me about you and Brenda.
There's nothing to tell.
Then explain this.
"To Brenda, with love - Alan.
" Every week, fresh flowers.
'It's Harry Vellacott.
' 'Called on you earlier.
You weren't in.
' I can't - I really can't make it out.
'Or were you?' 'Anyway, it's about Gray's money.
' 'The ã20,000.
' 'I'm afraid to say my patience is running out.
' ã20,000.
What does he mean - Gray's money? Upstairs.
Bedside table.
So there she is in some godforsaken hole, with a face like a butcher's counter, and you play hide and seek.
No police, they said.
Who said? Man's voice.
You heard him.
He told me to leave the money at Finchmere Market.
So you gave me the slip and went.
Did Brenda see you hand the money over? Is that why you killed her? No - no! What else did they say? Simone would be returned.
So where is she? You've got to get her back.
Look at these photos.
Look at them! The room she's in.
Do you recognise it? No That chicken should be ready by now, Gray.
Hello, Mr Patterson.
You know, I do admire you.
If I'd lost ã20,000, I'd be climbing the walls with my teeth.
Yet here you are throwing a party.
Well, it's only money, Inspector.
Hello, Mrs Anderson.
It's a lot of food for three people.
And one of them's a vegetarian.
Right, Sarah? Do help yourself, Mr Barnaby.
Not for me, thank you.
If it's going spare I'd like you to look at some photos.
Of Simone.
I must warn you, they're not easy to cope with.
Ah, Mr Anderson.
Nice to see you.
My God! They've beaten her up! Do you recognise the place? No.
No, I don't.
Miss Lawton? Sorry, no.
Oh, Nigel! Oh, how clever of you to invite Mr Barnaby, just in case we overstep the mark.
If I were a cynical man, I'd say this wasn't a lunch party at all.
It's a gathering of the mill investors.
What makes you say that? It's the only thing you six have in common.
I hope there's no plotting or planning afoot.
Licence? Renewal? Maybe Harry Vellacott could help with these.
Who? Harry Vellacott.
No, I don't think I know him.
Really? He knows you.
So try again.
Got a pen? The address Patterson gave us, Peter Lane.
It's a mobile home site.
Not yet.
Where's Sarah Lawton's cottage from here? Now, that answers about a dozen questions.
If only I knew what they were.
Couple of old dykes, eh? You don't have a soft pedal when it comes to English, do you? Spade's a spade, sir.
Shhh.
It's Sarah.
I thought you were going to see this Harry Vellacott, Inspector.
He's next on the list.
But you thought you'd do a little snooping first.
Why didn't you invest in the mill? No spare money.
Potters are like that, I'm afraid.
But you are also a photographer.
Oh, I see.
And if Simone means that much to you, why are you so cool about her disappearance? You think I could show my true feelings in a village like this? When you showed me those photos But they prove one thing, Miss Lawton.
Simone is still alive.
Where did you meet? In London.
Greenwich.
I lived above her and Vince, her boyfriend.
And you moved to Morton Fendle to be near her? Yes.
How does Gray Patterson come into all of this? As a cover? If you mean are we truly, madly, deeply, the answer is no.
He's just a friend.
Does Alan know about you and Simone? We've been careful.
He's a jealous, volatile man.
How jealous? Please don't, Inspector.
I I couldn't bear it.
Does it change things, Simone and Sarah being an item? Apart from your perception of women, you mean? Yes.
He might have killed her.
Or had her killed.
Hence the payments.
To a hitman.
Maybe that hole in the back garden was for her.
Brenda turns up on the scene, forces a change of plan.
No.
I don't like that.
Why not? Turn left here, will you? Those photos.
They say kidnap to me, loud and clear.
Tell you what frightens me.
What's that? Your driving's improved.
You looked in the mirror.
Mr Vellacott? Mr Harry Vellacott? Don't tell me, don't tell me.
Good old country coppers, come to chew the fat.
Why did you visit Alan Hollingsworth on Monday night? Because he made off with ã20,000 of mine.
And I was emotionally attached to it.
A man called Gray Patterson says it's his.
Well, let that suffice.
What are you staring at? Do I detect a family resemblance? Gray and you.
Father and son? He is my son and he hates my guts.
So I flung him the ã20,000 hoping to buy him back.
Where did you get money like that? Pension.
'.
.
over to our Causton reporter, with the officer heading the case.
' 'We're looking for a black Saab 900, no registration as yet, seen in the Wheatley Road at 2:30 yesterday afternoon, travelling at high speed.
' 'This car forced Brenda Buckley off the road?' 'Almost certainly.
' 'If you have information on the whereabouts of a damaged black Saab, get in touch with your local police station.
' If you weren't the guvnor's daughter Oh, Cully, dear! What a lovely surprise.
No, let's not go into the house.
Stuffy old house.
All right, then.
I came to invite you to the first night at the Barnhouse.
The 27th.
I must break out the Bunny Boy's tuxedo.
Strange as it may seem, he does have one.
Oh! Fresh air! We're devils for it.
What do you want? You must be freezing.
No, only on the surface.
Elfrida, it's all right.
Your secret is safe with me.
Whatwhat secret is that? I have so many! Midsomer Building Society, what do they say? Brenda was a mouse.
Quiet.
Kept to herself.
And the flower shop? Owner said a girl came, dead ringer for Brenda, every Friday.
Bought flowers for her boss.
Name of Alan.
She was sending flowers to herself? Oh! I don't think he's in, Mr Barnaby.
And you do have a most charming daughter.
Where is Alan, Miss Molfrey? No idea.
The Boy Bunny tried rousing him earlier.
No dice.
What did you want him for, Mr Dawlish? They nominated me to try and get their money back for them.
They ganged up on me at the barbecue.
Sir, he's in there.
Rat-arsed again, spark out on the sofa.
You wouldn't have a key, would you? Afraid not.
I'm going to nip over to the shed.
I know you're under pressure, but this won't help you, will it? Mr Hollingsworth.
Oh, for God Troy.
Come on, you boozy sot.
Make an effort.
He's dead, sir.
Tom.
- George.
Now, for once, tell me something I want to hear.
Don't shoot the messenger.
Alan was murdered.
Oh, for God's sake.
Stomach contents: whisky and haloperidol.
It's a sleeping capsule, which is significant.
Is it? Why? Capsules are gelatin.
There's none in his stomach.
None was found in the house, was it? No.
I reckon someone opened each one, took out the powder And mixed it with the whisky to hide the taste.
Anything on the whisky bottle? A fingerprint, but short of doing the village Mr Anderson! Can I have a word, please? Did you visit Alan Hollingsworth last night? Pray tell me why I should want to.
Yes or no? None of your business.
But you were seen.
Elfrida Molfrey is the best watchdog I've got.
Is it a crime to visit neighbours? That depends, Mrs Anderson, what you do when you get Go on, then Mr Anderson, Miss Molfrey saw you leave Alan's at ten past midnight.
We had a drink.
A chat.
What did you drink? Scotch.
At what point did you kill him? What? Oh, I'm sorry, didn't I say? Alan is dead.
Poisoned.
Haloperidol in the whisky, and your fingerprints will be on a glass, maybe even the bottle.
He was alive when I left him.
I swear it! Convince me.
I did call on him last night, yes.
With a proposition No, no, no.
The money Doreen and I put into the project, ã2,000.
I'm listening What say you return ã1,500 and I keep the other investors off your back? "He agreed to that?" "Yes, he must have thought I really held sway over the neighbours.
" "He went into the bathroom.
" "In the cistern, there was a tin with money in it.
" "How much?" "Wads of it.
" Sounds like he'd had another demand.
Did he mention anything? No.
And by the time I left, he was spark out in a chair - but alive.
Danny! Upstairs, spare room, behind the cistern.
A tin box.
Right.
Well, hang on to it.
They've already found it.
Empty.
Then he's paid up.
Either that, or you took the money after you killed him.
No, no, no.
I only wanted ã1,500.
My job was on the line.
The money wasborrowed, you see.
Borrowed? -From the brewery.
Oh, Nigel, you nicked it from the till.
Oh, good God! From pompous ass to petty thief, just like that.
Who made him brave enough to steal in the first place, Mrs Anderson? She had nothing to do with it.
That's rubbish! Anyone can see you two are joined at the hip! Did he come home from Alan's and tell her about the money? Well, yes And did you persuade him to go back for it? Perhaps you went back yourself? If I had done, Inspector, wouldn't Miss Molfrey have seen me? The black Saab 900.
We've found it.
Where? A garage in Compton Dando.
The panel beater saw you on telly.
Owner? Vince Perry.
7, The Green, Burwood Mantle.
Good work.
Vince! That was the name of Simone's boyfriend.
So where have you been hiding her, if not at home? No idea what you're talking about.
Then I'll make it crystal clear for you.
Messy break-up, you and Simone.
Being greedy and resentful, you abducted her.
You kept her here, slapped her around a bit, and then demanded money from her husband.
Who's been murdered.
We're looking for someone to blame.
Ten days ago, Finchmere Market Never been there.
Ten days ago, Finchmere Market.
You picked up the money Alan dropped.
The only trouble was, Brenda Buckley saw you do it.
She's the woman you killed.
No! You were driving the car! No! You were a passenger, beside whoever ran her off the road.
I wasn't in the car or the market.
I'm sorry, of course, you had your car nicked.
At last you're hearing me! And then, as if by magic, it turned up again three days later.
I expect they called off the nationwide search for it.
Whatever.
You did all that to cover yourself.
You were in the car that killed Brenda Buckley.
No.
Oh, Inspector, come in.
Er, it's not easy to say this.
But Alan's death means that whoever abducted Simone, they've lost their source of income overnight.
They may decide to do one of two things.
Don't.
They'll either let her go.
Or kill her.
Do you have a suspect? Well, any one of those investors could be responsible.
Good job I had no money at the time.
Milk, Inspector? Yes, please.
Where is it? In the fridge? I'll get it.
Yes, Daddy.
What's it going to be about? It's about how life dashes our hopes and dreams to the ground.
What are you going to call it? Hollow Moonlight, I thought.
Yes.
Yes I like that.
Cully, dear, you were wonderful.
It was a real eye-opener.
Far and away the best thing in it.
Oh! Oh, you dear, dear people! Oh, you shouldn't have! Oh, Bunny, do pour, there's a good boy Just a second-Oh, Inspector, you do the honours, then.
Oh, there's a card.
Bunny, dear, read it to me.
"Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when you're 84?" "Happy birthday, Joyce.
Love, Tom.
" Ah! A faux pas.
Oh, good grief! Oh, dear.
Now she's upset.
You thought I'd forgotten.
Dad! Gregorio Falloni! You've won the lottery? We can't afford that, Tom.
They do a range for men.
But that is classy.
(WAILS) Elfrida, whatever's wrong? Whatever's the matter? What must you think of me? Oh, you know, it's moments like this I do miss dear Simone.
She was so good at make-up, Hello? 'Hello, Troy.
It's me' The old copper's nose is on the twitch.
'Where are you?' I'm at the office.
Meet me at Buckley's place.
I want to cross her off the list.
All right.
Inspector, you do realise what time it is? I do, thank you, Mrs Buckley.
Is Reg in? No, he's spending a few days with his brother.
He's still finding things difficult.
When Brenda died, Reg was gardening.
Elfrida confirms that.
So she was here, Reg was here, Bunny was here.
Where were you? You were shopping.
Stuff you bought, you'll have a note in your cheque book I don't use cheques.
Credit card slips? Actually, I don't think I bought anything on that day.
Did you see or speak to anyone when you were shopping? You know, I am finding this rather offensive I'm not accusing you of killing Brenda.
I just need to be sure that you didn't.
She she couldn't have done.
She was with me, Inspector.
Is Cully in, sir? Yes, she is.
In fact, when I said I'd cook you breakfast, I meant me as in her.
Simone! Cup of tea.
Plenty of sugar in.
They've told you what happened, the people who were holding you? To be honest I think it's one reason they let me go.
You don't think they killed him? Who knows? I'm sorry.
This is not going to be an easy time for you, is it? Look I know all about you and Sarah Lawton.
I'm sure she'd like to help, wouldn't she? Good news.
The best.
Simone has turned up, alive and well.
Just a few bruises.
When can I see her? Now.
She's at the station.
Hop in the car.
Yes! I was waiting for the Causton bus when a black Saab drew up.
To be honest, I thought it was my ex-boyfriend, but then two people got out, stocking masks, one of them punched me in the face and bundled me in the back.
We think it was Vince's car.
Isn't it too much of a coincidence? We think they chose his car, to implicate him.
And it worked.
What do you mean? We're holding him for questioning.
Why did they beat you twice? Did you provoke them? It was for the photographs.
To scare Alan.
Something else that worked too.
We estimate that they made about ã300,000.
Split three ways, that's quite a payout.
You think there were three of them? I know there are three.
So he paid the money and then they killed him.
Poor Brenda, too.
Lucky they didn't kill you.
That's what puzzles me.
Why are you still alive? Ah, Sergeant Troy.
Come in.
Everything all right? Fine, sir.
Mrs Hollingsworth, nice to see you safe and well.
Thank you.
I was about to ask Simone where she was held captive.
I'm not really sure.
They put a hood over me in the car.
I had to go up steps, concrete steps.
Block of flats, I thought.
And I think I know where it was.
Really? Yes.
Why didn't you come get me? Because I wasn't sure until Sergeant Troy walked in just now.
You were held .
.
in the attic .
.
of Miss Lawton's cottage.
I'm surprised you didn't recognise it.
I'm sure I would have done I thought you might be there when I saw the chicken leg in Sarah's fridge.
"Hello, Mrs Anderson.
That's a lot of food for three.
" One of them's a vegetarian.
Right, Sarah? So the chicken leg was probably your supper, Simone.
Are you certain about this room? Mrs Hollingsworth I've just been there.
You've broken into my house again! That is outrageous, Inspector.
You've got staying power, I grant you.
But your story ran out of steam.
The three people I am looking for are Simone, her ex-boyfriend and you.
You for the murder of Alan Hollingsworth.
Uh What? That's good.
Surprise and indignation rolled into one word.
But I've been at this so long, I can hear something else too.
Guilt.
"You took a bottle of sleeping pills, in their casings.
Haloperidol.
" "You waited till Miss Molfrey was asleep and went into Alan's.
" "He was spark out in the living room, drunk.
" "You brought him round and you mixed a cocktail.
" "Haliperidol and whisky, one to hide the taste of the other.
" Alan.
There's a drink here.
"He was half conscious.
" "He had no idea you were killing him.
" "All he could see when you offered him the glass was another whisky.
" There's a rogue print, just one, on the whisky bottle we found beside Alan's body.
Are you saying that print won't match up to those on the teacup you've just been using? It's upstairs with a fingerprint officer.
Well? Simone, what do you want to say to her? Nothing.
Oh, come on! This is the woman that killed your husband for you.
How about thank you? I'm not sure what game you're playing, Inspector.
You wanted her to kill him.
You wound her up to do it.
That, in itself, is a crime.
All I know is, the world's rid of a complete bastard.
You believed her because of her bruises.
Let me tell you something.
Alan Hollingsworth never, never laid a finger on his wife.
That isn't true.
The bruises Alan's supposed to have given her are as fake as the ones she's wearing now.
Oh, you know, it's moments like this that I do miss dear Simone.
She was so good at make-up.
You'd worked for a cosmetic firm, hadn't you? Show 'em what I'm talking about.
Wipe off your bruises.
Wipe them off, or I'll do it for you.
Go on.
The bruises she said Alan gave her were just like that.
You fell for it.
She's good at details.
You had better start helping me unless you fancy 12 years in jail.
Help you? How? I know she was driving the car that forced Brenda Buckley off the road.
I know it, but I can't prove it.
I know she set Alan up.
I know it, but I can't prove it.
I know she pressured you to kill him.
That is incitement and you could get clean away with it, if you testify against her.
Never! Let's see if Vince has any more sense.
Good luck.
How did you divide the money, Vince? ã100,000 to you, same to Sarah? I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.
I have a witness that saw you in the car.
So you say.
Only not very clearly, going by that photofit.
So it was you, then.
I told you the other day, my car was stolen.
Vince, she killed someone.
It wasn't you, you were a passenger.
Sarah doesn't drive.
So it was Simone So you say, but I still haven't any idea what you're talking about.
Shut up, Troy! I didn't say anything.
You were going to say, "Never mind.
We had a crack.
" She is going to leave with ã300,000 and murder on her CV.
Why? Because Sarah Lawton sacrificed herself for love, and Vince kept quiet for money.
There must be something we can use.
Oh, yes.
She wasted police time.
Shall we do her for that instead of Brenda's murder? PHONE RINGS What? I'll clean up that cesspit known as Morton Fendle.
It seems the only honest people there are Bunny and Elfrida.
Apart from the draw, that is.
You what? The marijuana.
He grows it in the greenhouse.
What they don't smoke, he puts in the Bunny cakes.
I thought you knew and were turning a blind eye.
Please, help yourselves.
What was it you wanted to say? (GIGGLES) Are you all right, sir? You know, 10 minutes in your company and I feel better.
That's the only way to describe it.
Better.
Oh, the Bunny cakes! Oh, how nice.
You do know they've already gone, don't you? Simone and Vince? Yes.
One of the Greek islands for a month.
To get away from it all.
You must be so disappointed that you couldn't nail her.
Well, one case closes, another opens.
It's a drugs case.
They grow it in greenhouses, in between tomato plants.
It can look like them, you see.
BUT .
.
we are on top of it.
What is that? That is weedkiller, Mr Dawlish.
One capful to a gallon of water and the Cannabis sativa keel over like ninepins.
I'm supposed to check every greenhouse in the area.
So, um Shall we? Greenfly.
Greenfly? I've sprayed it all.
For greenfly.
Oh, dear.
Well, some other time, then.
Very soon.
Thanks, you can go now.
How are you coping? Will you come straight to the point, Sergeant? Fair enough.
You've been sidelined.
By Simone.
Ever wondered why she doesn't visit? She's moved away.
To Cumbria.
She writes.
Did she tell you she and Vince were married? If I'd been betrayed like that, by somebody I was doing time for, I wouldn't keep quiet.
Why not check it out? Then get back to us when you're ready.
Hello? Just a sec.
Sir? What? Sarah Lawton.
She wants to talk to you.
Hello? CAROLINE THOMPSON