Chemistry of Death (2023) s01e05 Episode Script

1
That's likely our victim.
Hello, Kelly-Anne.
I think I've seen that girl before.
You said that padlock
was for the crime scene
at the old cottage, not
for the community hall.
FRASER: Storm blew down the cottage.
There was evidence that
Dr. Hunter had gathered
that needed somewhere to be stored.
KINROSS: Why the
sudden need for secrecy?
Cos it's a murder enquiry.
Congratulations. I
hope that was good news.
- I'm having it.
- Oh, come here.
You know I'm with the Lewis Herald?
Well, I was hoping I might
do a piece about the clinic.
Someone was clearly curious
about what you were up to.
They were watching you for a while.
If I were you, I'd lay
low until CSI appear.
- We've no power.
- Or mainland support.
Hello! Anybody there?
David
ANDREW: Folk round here, David
Help!
don't take kindly to
strangers asking questions.
(GLASS SHATTERS)
Come on, son. Here we go.
You all right? Come on.
Is there anyone else inside?
(COUGHING)
Keep it coming, guys!
You're all right, son. You're safe now.
Keep it moving, come on!
Faster at the front!
Take it easy. Come on.
(SHOUTING)
How How did it start?
I don't know.
It wasn't an accident.
Right, I'll leave you, son, all right?
Come on, let's keep these buckets going!
Fucking move it, guys!
Keep them coming!
Come on!
Here, take that!
Are you okay? Are you all right?
Kinross reckons it was
started deliberately.
- What?
- (COUGHING)
Someone was trying to
destroy the evidence.
Either that, or kill you.
Whoever left the body in the
cottage hasn't left the island.
Oh, Christ. Duncan!
We've got to go.
Right, stay here, see if
you can find anything out.
Keep it coming!
Duncan!
Duncan!
No!
Fuck!
(SOBBING)
Fuck!
(CRYING)
Afraid of my light now ♪
Got no time for the dark in me ♪
Now I breathe ♪
Now I breathe ♪
I'm calm but I talk like a waterfall ♪
Taking more and more until I burst ♪
And then I can't live
with the aftermath ♪
I'm cursed ♪
And then I can't live
with the aftermath ♪
I'm cursed ♪
(WIND HOWLS)
RADIO: Recent reports suggest that
Storm Marley is far from over.
Here you go. There's more tea coming.
Official weather
warnings are in place
Police say they've
been storing evidence.
I reckon someone didn't fancy that.
Which means the police are
going to have eyes on all of us.
- Hey.
- Hey.
There's no reason to think
this was about the clinic.
We can rebuild.
Let's just leave.
Today.
I know things seem bad now,
but we can't just walk away.
Would you like a roll?
- No, thanks, I'm not stopping.
- Ta.
RADIO: All transport services
to and from the island
remain suspended
until the storm
When the storm has passed,
they'll be everywhere.
We need to move them.
I'll keep everyone's
attention here, go on.
All right, listen up!
I don't know what else the
police are holding back,
but according to Sergeant Fraser,
that body that was
found up at the cottage
was a murder victim!
(GASPING, CHATTER)
ANDREW: Oh, dear God
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I won't ask if you're okay.
Thank you.
Just tell me. I don't wanna look.
Significant impact to
the base of the skull.
Like Kelly-Anne?
Did he feel any pain?
There's nothing to
suggest he fought back.
ANDREW: Probably taken by surprise.
Yeah
Or the attacker was someone he knew.
Someone he trusted.
How short does that make the list?
Not as short as you would hope.
ANDREW: He spent his summers
working on the boats here.
Duncan recognised
Kelly-Anne. That's motive.
So, who else knew his connection to her?
(HEAVY BREATHING AND COUGHING)
Let's go. Come on!
DAVID: Detachment is
considered so essential
to working effectively with the dead
that examining someone you
once knew is strictly taboo.
The haunting pressure
that familiarity brings
can only obscure the truth.
ANDREW: David!
Do you have an evidence bag?
(CAMERA SNAPS)
(SNIFFS)
Petrol.
Somewhere on this island
there's a fuel container with
a broken strap and no lid.
Unless it's already gone over a cliff.
We need urgent police support.
How do we make contact?
The only thing I can think
of is that the fishing fleet
have marine VHF radios.
Okay.
- No
- What?
Look, I'm not saying it's
one of the harbour boys,
but they're a law unto themselves.
How do you mean?
Well, not everyone
who has a fishing boat
goes fishing these days.
FRASER: Yeah, and we don't
really want them to know
we don't have a radio and are helpless.
We're on our own.
There's a killer on the island.
We don't have a choice.
Come on.
Wait. Wait!
What about Duncan?
ANDREW: I have some words.
I will raise up mine eyes unto the hills
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made Heaven and Earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.
He that comfort thee will not slumber.
The Lord is thy keeper.
The Lord is thy shade
upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve
thee from all evil.
He shall preserve thy soul.
But there's two things
we need to remember.
Firstly, there's nothing
that can't be rebuilt.
And, secondly, it's times like these
the community needs to
be stronger than ever.
And although the clinic's
gone, we're still here to help.
On that note, Ellen,
another round of drinks.
(BACKGROUND BAR CHATTER)
Excuse me.
Here comes the cavalry.
We need to borrow your radio.
And we all need you to
tell us what's going on.
Well, it's an ongoing
police investigation.
You mean a murder inquiry?
Yes.
So it's an official police request.
Sounds more like a favour to me.
So, answer me this.
When we were all fighting that
inferno with our bare hands,
where the fuck did you
bugger off to, Sergeant?
You'll be thinking that
yours was the only fire
on the island, yeah?
Well, I really wish that was the case,
'cause then I wouldn't have to tell you
that last night
a young police officer
was burnt to death
while on duty up at the cottage.
- (SHOCKED MURMURS)
- Yeah.
PC Duncan McKinney.
A bright lad, 24.
Used to work here on
the boats in the summers.
That's where we buggered off to.
DAVID: So, are your
radios working or not?
No. No, I'm afraid not.
The storm.
But, erm
Of course, you're welcome to try.
We're all neighbours here.
Well, so Mr Strachan says.
Okay. Let's go.
We've got to move them!
- I did already.
- No, from there!
What the fuck are you talking about?
The police are coming.
I just put them there.
They want to use the radio.
Come on, move, move!
Police. Police.
(COUGHING)
Any of you thirsty?
FRASER: We're good.
The radio?
Through here.
(RADIO STATIC)
Where are you trying?
Coastguard station.
They have the tallest mast on Lewis.
If anyone gets us, they will.
This is Captain Kinross from
the Runa-Stornoway ferry. Over.
Thank you.
KINROSS: This is Captain Kinross
from the Runa-Stornoway ferry.
So, what's for lunch?
Rice.
Just rice?
Yeah. Something wrong with that?
No.
There's just quite a lot of it.
Oh, yes. For all of us.
- This is Captain Kinross
- Right.
from the Runa-Stornoway ferry.
This is Captain Kinross from
the Runa-Stornoway ferry.
This looks like quite a project.
Will this go out on
the sea again, or ?
She's good as new.
Right.
Like I said, dead.
What about the radios on
the boats? They're VHF.
Aye, but you need line of sight.
We can't transmit from the harbour
because of the cliffs.
And no responsible skipper's
gonna put out in this.
Who sleeps there? Hmm?
Well, that'll be Sean.
When he's had a skinful, his
wife won't let him in the house.
There's a sofa through there.
Aye, but the draught's fearsome.
You sure you don't want another tea?
I'm all right.
If there's nothing else you need
KINROSS: Looks like we're on our own.
Have you ever come across
the name Kelly-Anne?
No. Who's she?
David, have you the photo?
ANDREW: Do you recognise her?
Is that the girl from the cottage?
Have you seen her before?
Aye.
- On the ferry.
- When?
Oh, I can't be certain.
Lots of folk come and go.
Not many that come here don't live here.
Would've been about five weeks ago.
Is that so?
No one's accusing you of anything.
Is that right, Sergeant?
You're not accusing me of anything?
Nothing at all.
Trust's important on these islands.
Once it's lost, you never get it back.
DAVID: Trust and respect.
You all saved my life last night.
I haven't said thank you.
Good tea.
(LOUD COUGHING)
Where the hell do you
get off doing my job?
I'm senior here, Sergeant.
No, you're not even police.
Nor was I ever suspended
for professional misconduct.
All right, okay.
I found the jerry can the lid came from.
Plastic snapped, same colour.
That bastard. He's
Duncan and the site need watching.
I've got more work to do up there.
Buggered if I'll leave that
lad up there by himself.
I'll go back.
On your own?
Don't tell me you're starting to care.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
Stop.
Look, I need you here
at the hotel, okay?
I do not want you up at
that cottage all alone.
- So, it's true?
- What?
Killer's on the island.
Just make sure that your door is locked
and you only answer to Ellen or I.
What about you?
I can't be here, pet, but
you'll be safe, I promise.
- Well, where will you be?
- I'll be working, okay?
But I'll pop back in the morning.
I can take care of myself.
Not as well as you think.
DAVID: The Victorians believed
that the retina acted
like a photographic plate
and that the final
image seen before death
would leave a lasting imprint.
They reasoned
that if the eyes of a murder victim
could be correctly examined,
they would therefore reveal
the identity of the killer.
(CHILD'S LAUGHTER ECHOING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
ELLEN: David!
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
David, hello?
Mmm
David, it's Ellen.
Hello?
Michael Strachan's downstairs.
He's in a terrible state.
The phone's are still down.
I can't get hold of Josie.
Can you come and speak to him?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'm coming.
Grace is missing.
- Fuck.
- I need your help.
Okay. Erm
- Have you got your car?
- It's outside.
Let's go. Keep the doors locked.
It'll be okay.
MICHAEL: Grace?
Grace?
- You've checked the house?
- Yes, yes, of course.
- Does anyone else have a key?
- No.
Does she drink often?
No, not to excess.
- Drugs?
- No, never.
Please tell me that's not blood.
I'm, erm
I'm sorry I have to ask this,
but did something happen
between you two last night?
An argument?
Did we have an argument? No,
we did not have an argument!
You stay here in case she comes back.
I'll do a loop of the island
and check down by the hotel.
Keys.
Don't touch anything.
Thank you.
RADIO: Storm Marley has now passed.
It has left in its wake
significant damage to property,
with thousands of residents
having to vacate their homes
due to flooding.
With ferry services still suspended
and communication infrastructure down,
the Hebrides remain cut
off from the mainland.
(TENSE MUSIC)
Grace!
Grace!
Grace!
DAVID: Grace.
Are you hurt?
I sometimes wonder, what is it
that insists we keep on living?
Stubbornness, pride?
Or does God just enjoy watching us
drag ourselves round
these sorry little lives?
Do you ever tire of living?
Sometimes.
Just
Just not of life.
Yet you choose to spend
your life with the dead.
That's not a choice.
An obsession, then.
And if you let go?
Tried that.
But the dead wouldn't leave you alone?
That sounds very sad.
Can I have a look at that hand, Grace?
What was it?
What?
That caused you all this pain.
Take Take a step away
from the edge, Grace.
Tell me.
Can you take a step towards me, Grace?
- Tell me.
- Grace, please.
- Take a step towards me.
- Tell me!
- Please, Grace!
- Tell me!
I lost
I lost my wife.
(SOBS)
And I lost my daughter.
I'm sorry.
I can only imagine the
pain you must be in.
I'm sorry.
He's risking our marriage.
Some silly woman.
I'm sorry.
What saddens me is he
doesn't seem to understand
how much he stands to lose.
(DOOR SLAMS)
(COUGHING)
Here you go.
(COUGHING)
Not long now, okay?
I'll get you some help.
You'll be all right.
He's getting worse.
- You a doctor now?
- You need to take a look at him.
What exactly do you expect me to do?
The storm will pass and
they'll be away to the mainland.
If he needs a doctor,
there'll be plenty there.
What if he doesn't make it?
Craig won't be happy.
He's not gonna bloody die.
You don't know that.
One more word from you and
you'll be on the first boat
back to that bloody mother of yours.
DAVID: Hopefully we'll get
you to the mainland soon enough
and we can take a look at this properly.
Did, erm
Did anything happen last night?
Between you two?
Did you have an argument?
Whatever he told you is true.
That's how it is with Michael.
Thanks, David.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Hi. I was hoping to speak to Grace.
Sorry, now's not a good time.
Right.
It's just we talked about adding
a few quotes to the interview.
Obviously it's a tragedy
to have lost the clinic.
Well, like I said,
now's not a good time.
- She's not feeling very well.
- Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.
So, when do you think
is a good time, then?
Maybe when there's not a murderer
running around the island.
Yeah, it does seem like
someone's got something to hide.
I just hope the police catch him.
Aye, that's the worry, isn't it?
I mean, I just read the other day
that over 25% of murders go unsolved.
I have every faith in the local police.
What about the Shropshire Police?
Excuse me?
It's just that I came
across this unsolved case.
A Siobhan Williams.
Grace!
Maggie.
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well.
Oh, it's nothing really.
I just popped by to see
when we could find time
to finish our interview.
But no rush.
Right, I should be heading back.
Maggie, any chance of a lift?
Sure.
You know what I'm about to advise.
- Rest.
- And plenty of it.
Thanks, David.
- No problem.
- Nice to talk to you, Michael.
DAVID: What were you doing up there?
MAGGIE: My job.
You should be careful.
Out on your own.
You should be careful.
Michael Strachan is not who he seems.
Who is he?
Who's the body at the cottage?
- I can't tell you that.
- Oh, so you know?
I didn't say that.
Who's Siobhan Williams?
An ex of Michael's.
She went missing
and I think he might've
had something to do with it.
Do you know something?
Well, not something I'm gonna tell you.
This is my story.
It's not a story, it's
a murder investigation.
I thought you were forensics.
Anything you know, you have to
talk to Sergeant Fraser about.
Aye.
If I can set up a meeting
tonight, I'll know more.
Thanks for the lift.
Kelly-Anne Donaldson, right?
I sure hope you're a
better forensics expert
than you are at hiding the truth.
I mean, that that
jerry can at the boatyard,
that says either Kinross
or one of the others.
Aye, and if the DNA
testing gives us a link
to the boathouse, it's a start.
But if he realises it
can be used as evidence
Oh, it'll be halfway to Iceland
before we get our hands on it.
What about Michael Strachan?
Hard to see how he'd be
connected to Kelly-Anne.
Maggie mentioned Siobhan Williams.
Mean anything?
No, it'll just be more
of Maggie's usual shite.
She said that she's
meeting someone later.
All right, pet?
Yeah. Stuff to do.
Aye, all right, okay.
So, either we continue to sit tight,
or we wait out the storm.
Or we go and find it.
Ah
No, you
You're out of your tiny fucking minds.
DAVID: We need that jerry can.
And I want to look around the boatyard.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- All right, lads?
- All right.
So I came to see
if you do indeed remember
PC Duncan McKinney. Mm?
(THUD)
Oh, I forgot to ask.
The hotel gennie's running low.
Do you think we could
borrow some petrol?
Sure, I guess.
So
PC McKinney.
Duncan.
His breathing's up.
His fever's getting worse.
(COUGHING)
MAN: There's lads that clean the decks.
FRASER: Uh-huh.
Pocket money, really.
- They don't last long.
- Right.
I don't recognise the name, though.
Hmm. Well, this was
taken three months ago.
Hmm?
Recognise him?
We worked a season together.
Mm-hmm. On what boat?
- Maybe the Freya.
- Yeah? And who owns that?
I do.
Yeah? You sure he
didn't work on your boat?
I can name every lad worked
for me the past twenty years.
(COUGHING)
Who did you buy her from?
Iain Kinross.
We need to go. Now.
(COUGHING)
(SHOUTS)
(COUGHING)
Help!
Help!
Help!
Help!
(BRAKES SQUEAL)
I'm in here! I'm in here! Help!
- Maggie?
- Help!
(GLASS SMASHES)
- Maggie! Get out!
- Get me out!
- Maggie!
- What have we got in the car?
Help!
We're gonna get you
out, Maggie! Come on!
(SMALL EXPLOSION)
Hang in there! Keep
your head down, Maggie!
- Maggie!
- It's too dangerous!
- No!
- Maggie!
No! No!
(GLASS SHATTERS)
No!
(MAGGIE SCREAMS)
(GLASS SHATTERS)
FRASER: Maggie!
No!
(LARGE EXPLOSION)