Father Brown (2013) s07e09 Episode Script

Lovely weather.
Oh, yes, it's a bit of a stunner, isn't it? How lovely, you're very lucky.
Yes.
The luckiest girl in all the county, aren't I, Daddy? Weather's held out, set fair for the wedding.
Not again.
Shooting the messenger? Misunderstanding.
Damn hawkers.
If you tell me, if you let me help.
Back to your fiancee, now.
There's a good girl.
I will ruin you.
Surely we're not travelling in that? That's what they've always used, and I can't see them changing it just for you.
WellNo, no.
We are not leaving you at home, not after that business with the Earl's son splashed all over the newspapers.
Mr Fawlter.
Morning, Father.
Ladies.
Father.
Inspector Mallory, I had no idea you were a rambler.
I'm not.
It's the birdwatching you've come for? He's behind with the Chief Super's Community Engagement Plan.
We get a point for each activity.
Community engagement, my eye.
BUNTY:How many points for traipsing across the countryside with half the village?Hello, is everyone here? Jolly good.
It's very exciting this year, our first overnighter, so as chair of the Kembleford Ramblers Association, I'd like to welcome old friends, and new, on our annual Ramblers and Twitchers outing! You'd have to feel sorry for Norman Fawlter.
Why? Because Cathy Fawlter has been thick as thieves with young Randall Jones there since he arrived in Kembleford.
Odd job man indeed.
We probably shouldn't speculate.
Just observing, Father.
There is a world of difference.
Well, this hotel had better be half-decent.
Nothing like being out in the countryside.
Absolutely nothing like it.
There's a picnic spot along the River Windrush, we'll stop there.
We should be able to cover the first four miles before lunch.
Splendid.
You sure about that short cut, Cathy?Quite sure.
Don't worry.
For goodness' sake! That's a skylark, isn't it, Mr Fawlter? Yes, that's right.
There he goes.
"Higher still and higher, from the earth thou springest", Shelley.
Ode To A Skylark.
"We look before and after ".
.
and pine for what is not.
" What did I tell you? Thick as thieves.
If we cut through, we'll avoid the road.
Hang on.
Can't you read? Come on, stragglers! Don't say I didn't warn you.
Mrs M! Keep low, everyone.
What did I tell you? Oi, you! Cut it out! Randall! He's down! Oi! Stop shooting! Oh, no.
He's bleeding.
Thankfully, the shot only grazed him.
May I ask you to put down your gun? Yes.
At once! Or I'll have you arrested.
Thought you were pheasants.
Eyesight not what it was.
You could have killed someone.
It's rock salt, you fool.
I am Inspector Mallory I don't care who you are, you're trespassing.
There's a footpath, we've got a right, look for yourself.
It is an offence to have in your possession any firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger Oh, Daddy wouldn't have intended anything, honestly.
I've warned you about this! They were off the path.
MRS McCARTHY:You saw that, all right! Bunty?Hetty? I don't believe it! Darling, is that a back pack? You poor thing, here, let me.
Hetty and I went to boarding school together.
I saw you in the papers with that Earl's son, you naughty thing.
Same old Bunty! Listen, you absolutely must stay for tea.
Stay the night.
Oh, Het, that would beImpossible, I'm afraid.
We are expected elsewhere.
Oh, shame.
Awfully dull around here since I got engaged Congrats, darling! To a perfectly dull Duke.
Oh CATHY:Well, it seems we're safe to continue.
If you can refrain from shooting, we will endeavour to keep to the marked paths.
Damn interfering priest.
We could always take the road.
We're taking the path.
There will be a pile of sandwiches waiting, if I know Mrs Kendall.
Blisters.
Blisters everywhere.
BUNTY:Youth Hostel? I've been duped.
Oh, I've been so looking forward to seeing you.
It's been how many years? You haven't changed a bit.
Oh, I think I have.
I wondered when I'd ever see you again.
Well, it's marvellous walking out here.
This is my husband, Norman.
Hello.
So good to meet you, Mrs Kendall.
Father Brown, Mrs McCarthy, Miss Windermere.
And our friend.
Randall.
Well, you're all very welcome.
All of you.
Any friend of Cathy's.
Come in, come in.
We've tea waiting and all the dorms are prepared.
Dorms? They lock the doors at nine.
I'm telling you, Hetty, it's worse than boarding school.
Why so keen to provoke Hollingworth, then? Leave it, Norman, please.
What am I supposed to do, Cathy, when you keep me on the outside? Perhaps you'd all like some cocoa now? I remember how you loved crumpets, Cathy.
Thank you, Mrs Kendall.
BIRD TWEETS Could be a sedge warbler? Yes, Sergeant.
Possibly.
Or a chaffinch, maybe? Mr Fawlter would know.
This is a prison, not a hostel.
I am quite literally being held prisoner.
SNORING Doors locked, lights out, it's not even dark yet.
Hetty! There's a party in town.
It's going to be wild.
Get a move on.
Hang on.
I can't! Have you forgotten everything you learnt at school? It'd be really awkward if I break my .
.
leg.
Are you all right? Have you brought me some clothes? What a trouper! Of course I have.
That doesn't sound like a sedge warbler.
Help! Help! Is he dead? Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine Excuse me! .
.
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
He's dead.
Requiescat in pace.
Amen.
Strangled, I'd say.
Someone hit him, too.
On the back of the head, and in the face.
Thank you, Padre, I'm not blind.
It's obviously from where he fell.
Looks like they used a rope.
What are those marks on the neck? Will you give me some room? Father, oh, excuse me, excuse me.
Father, I can't find Penelope anywhere! Oh, my goodness.
He's not? Oh, heavens above.
That means there's a killer on the loose.
We have to report her as a missing person.
I'll rouse the local constabulary.
Thank you, Sergeant.
And after your cocoa with Mrs Fawlter and Mrs Kendall? I went to read in the lounge.
Until after lights out? They have some excellent ornithology books.
And you returned to find the body at what time? It was gone 11.
30.
I couldn't sleep, a hot milk always settles me.
What on earth was Lord Hollingworth doing here? You knew him?He used to be the patron of the Skylark.
I'll ask the questions, Padre.
You weren't in the dorm at lights out.
What are you all doing up? We were worried sick about you! Keep your hair on, Mrs M, we were only at a party in Cheltenham.
You were only at a party in after everything that has happened here tonight, andWhat? I'm sorry to have to ask these questions, Miss Hollingworth.
Couldn't it wait til morning, Inspector? Did you notice anything strange when you arrived at the hostel? At - just after nine, you said? Nine? You didn't pick me up until 9:30.
Actually, there is something, Inspector.
Yes, Miss Hollingworth? When I arrived at the Skylark, I saw my father outside the hostel.
You saw Lord Hollingworth? He was heading round the back.
I waited in my car for a moment.
And then I followed him.
And why did you do that? I was worried.
He'd taken a call earlier in the evening, and he seemed agitated.
Go on, Miss Hollingworth.
He went inside.
Was the door unlocked? I don't know, he just went in.
I heard voices.
An argument.
How dare you threaten me? I think it's about time you admitted the truth.
I've had enough of your little games.
Daddy? What the hell are you doing here? I could ask you the same.
Did you follow me?Not exactly.
Go home.
This does not concern you.
I said go home.
And then I went to pick up Bunty.
And you're certain it was the two individuals here? Absolutely positive.
Thank you, Miss Hollingworth.
I'm sorry to have troubled you, under the circumstances.
What was the argument about? I've no idea.
Hetty didn't mention seeing her father.
Or that she was inside the Skylark.
You think she's covering something up?Seems like it.
Although I don't think she could possibly be involved in the murder, she adored her father.
How did she seem? Same old Hetty, really.
Perhaps a little giddy.
Are you sure that wasn't the alcohol at that party of yours? Stick close to her.
See what you can tease out.
I don't know if this is pertinent, but I saw Cathy and Norman arguing earlier.
They mentioned Hollingworth.
Darling, where are you going? I need to be at home.
No, you're in shock.
I'll drive you when it's light.
Come on.
I'm not sure I quite trust that young lady.
Mrs Fawlter! I didn't say anything because I didn't want Randall in trouble.
Why would Randall be in trouble? Everyone saw how furious he was after being shot at.
And who can blame him?What is your relationship with Randall Jones? I don't see that's relevant here.
So you were arguing about the trespassing, it got heated, and your Randall Jones launched a revenge attack.
No, he didn't, you've got it all wrong! Mrs Kendall Thought I'd tidy up a bit.
Sorry, Father, I'll leave you.
Tell me, are all the doors locked at 9pm? Yes, yes, they are.
What about the back door? I must have forgotten, with all the excitement.
It was so good to see Cathy again.
Did she come here often when she was young?Quite often.
For this to happen tonight, of all the nights.
A terrible shock, finding Lord Hollingworth.
It's not me I'm sorry for, it's Cathy, and all of you, here on your trip.
I wish you'd said something last night.
About your father.
Do you mind awfully if we don't go over all this again, Bunty? My head is splitting, I can't think straight.
Actually, I might go and freshen up.
Wait here for me, will you? Of course.
Adores her father, indeed.
I have never met a more calculating young lady in all my born days.
"Oh, yes Inspector, there was something, now I think about it".
Don't think you're being a bit hasty? She had Penelope climb out of the window! Bunty is quite capable of getting into scrapes on her own, don't you think? And she was very cagey about what time she arrived at the Skylark, you heard her yourself.
That doesn't make her a killer.
All I can say is, I hope you've done the right thing allowing Penelope to drive her home.
And as for your theory, I see no car anywhere.
Hollingworth Hall is four miles from here.
I doubt Lord Hollingworth walked here last night.
Oh, you're surely not telling me that Miss Hollingworth was telling a lie? Et voila! If this is Lord Hollingworth's car .
.
then Lord Hollingworth certainly didn't want to be seen approaching the Skylark.
Would you look at this? It's the map Randall thrust at him.
That's the Skylark?And that's the school.
And a convent.
Perhaps Randall was sending Lord Hollingworth a message? I'm going to see what I can find out about those places.
Thank you, Mrs McCarthy, and I will have a word with Randall Jones.
Hello? Who am I speaking to? I see.
Is there someone there called Dora Smith? Thanks for finding that.
Do step away from the telephone, you know what a good shot I am.
It's not your fault, Cathy.
I gave him the map, didn't I? We should tell the police.
If they know who you are It'll only make it worse.
No, Randall, please don't Oi! Head him off at the road.
As if that pair have a hope in hell of catching him! If he wants to make himself look guilty, he's going the right way about it.
He isn't guilty.
Running away will make him a suspect.
If he's innocent, the truth will only help him.
I know where he might head to.
Father Brown, would you come with me? Persuade him to give himself up? All right.
Let's think about this logically.
I don't think you're actually going to shoot me, and you can't keep me here for ever.
Well, perhaps there's a civilised way of dealing with this.
You can't pay me off! Really? That's not the Bunty I know.
He can't have got far.
Why didn't you look where I was going?Sorry, Sir.
I see something.
Come on! That inspector thinks I'm the bee's knees.
I'll simply deny it if you go to the police.
We can't afford a scandal.
And if there's no actual evidence That number was for a convent school.
This Dora Smith must have quite a story.
Sorry, old thing, you aren't thinking straight.
Now, hand me those letters.
Thank you so much.
Now, you don't happen to have any rope handy, do you? There's a twitchers' hide out here.
I brought Randall once, when he first came to the village.
Mr Jones clearly means a lot to you.
He did some odd jobs for us, he became a friend.
Why did he give Lord Hollingworth that map?I don't know.
There's the hide, by those bushes.
I don't wish to pry, but Miss Windermere said that you and your husband were heard arguing last night.
Oh, he's there! Randall! It's all right, it's all right, I've brought Father Brown! It's no good, Cathy.
Please, if we explain.
Who's going to believe me? I messed up, Father.
All my life's been the same, but you just keep Cathy out of this, all right? She's been through enough.
Stop there, lad! Mr Jones, it would.
.
Gotcha.
Randall Jones, I am arresting you on suspicion of murder.
You are not obliged to say anything, but anything you do say may be given in evidence.
Have you any connection with Lord Hollingworth? Yes, yes, that's right.
Oh, I see.
And when was that, if you don't mind my asking? Sorry to interrupt, the charabanc's arrived.
Well, thank you very much indeed, Sister.
Goodbye.
Mrs Kendall, when did Lord Hollingworth stop being patron here? About 15 years ago, I think.
Why? You're taking me to the police?Now, you know I'm not a snitch, darling.
I'm taking you to see Father Brown.
Well, this is awkward.
You'd better play along, darling, if you don't want me to hand over those letters.
Miss Hollingworth, Miss Windermere.
Inspector.
What the devil's going on? I was just trying to distract Hetty after everything she's been through.
What? By tying her up? Yeserm we were just reliving an old school game, such larks, honestly, we pretended to be kidnapped.
Weren't we, Hetty? We take it in turns to be tied, you see.
I got the short straw.
Or the long, depending on which way you look at it.
In one version, we're rescued by policemen.
Right, well, yes.
Goodfellow, what are you waiting for? Two devilishly handsome policemen.
What the hell are you playing at, man! Well, if he didn't think you were the bee's knees before Would you say you had a hot temper? You were furious, weren't you, when Lord Hollingworth shot at you? Why didn't you mention seeing Hollingworth before he was murdered? How old are you, Randall? 23? Colourful life so far, what with those convictions for larceny and housebreaking.
I was starving, that's why I broke in.
Like I say, hot temper.
So when Hollingworth saw you and Cathy together Nobody's judging, Randall, private life's your own.
But when Hollingworth let rip at your lover, you got mad, didn't you? You wanted him to suffer, his life of privilege compared to yours? No, that's not how it was, all right! I hit him, but I didn't kill him.
If he were patron of the girls' approved school As well as the convent and the Skylark.
Then why give up the patronage of all three at exactly the same time? In you go, darling.
What on earth? So much for the countryside keeping me out of trouble, Mrs M! Was your father interested in birds? Not unless he could shoot them.
So who is?Dora Smith? I was just about to get to that when I was held at gunpoint.
I couldn't see another option.
Apology accepted! Do these locations mean anything to you? Should they? What did you know about your father's charitable works? He was patron of a few organisations a while back.
And Dora Smith? I suppose you'll find out soon enough.
She worked at the convent school.
And she was blackmailing your father?Not exactly.
Look, I know my father wasn't entirely yes, he had his faults, but he didn't deserve to be murdered.
So you must want the truth to come out, Hetty! It can be hard to accept that someone we love can be capable of hurting others.
But every human being, without doubt, is worth more than the worst of their actions.
He fell after you hit him, didn't he?I can't remember.
I think so.
There was blood on the back of his skull.
Look, he was alive, I swear it! He was weakened by the blow, by hitting his head, and you couldn't stop yourself NoYou strangled him.
He deserved to die, that old hypocrite! But I didn't kill him.
Do you hear me? I didn't do it! Randall Jones, you will be formally charged for the murder of Lord Henry Hollingworth.
There was almost a scandal before Mummy died, a convent girl.
When was this?About 15 years ago.
She made these accusations, Mummy was sure it was nonsense, but the girl was threatening the press and all sorts, so she was paid off.
Is that why you needed the perfectly dull Duke? Hollingworth Hall was under threat? Oh, we've been on our uppers for years, it's frightfully expensive to maintain.
But when Daddy shot at whoever brought that book, I knew something was I found the letters, phoned Dora Smith.
She said there were others, and that she was a witness.
No wonder he wanted to marry you off.
Did you confront your father?No.
I didn't want to believe it.
We need to take this to the police.
What's the use of stirring it all up? They've got their man, haven't they? What makes you think that Randall would have killed your father? Het, did you have anything to do with this? Only it must have been devastating to find out about all of it What do you take me for? He's my father! He was?I'm sorry.
Of course.
Had to ask.
You told the police Lord Hollingworth received a telephone call earlier that evening.
Do you remember anything about it? I won't be ruined by some harlot! Then I went to pick up Bunty.
'She's been through enough.
'.
Sorry? Something young Randall said.
Het, if there's any chance that Randall is innocent, you don't want that on your conscience.
You may have more in common with Randall Jones than you think.
Excuse me.
Father? Mrs Fawlter.
What's happened? May I speak with you? Alone, if possible? What on earth happened to your car, Mrs Fawlter? Oh, um, it was the neighbour's son, catapult.
Were you and Randall Jones blackmailing Lord Hollingworth? What? Don't be absurd! You wanted Mr Jones to tell the police who he really was.
Randall's your son, isn't he? That's absolutely I told you, he's a friend.
This must be extremely difficult for you, Mrs Fawlter, you were very young when Lord Hollingworth took advantage of you.
I was 15.
We'd like to speak to Inspector Mallory, please.
If he's not tied up.
Inspector! What now? I do hope you're not easily shocked.
I wanted a better life for Randall.
So the walk over his land? Was meant as a warning.
And later you telephoned Lord Hollingworth from the Skylark? Yes, I threatened him with the police if he didn't pay up.
I had the testimony of Dora Smith, and others.
I didn't expect him to turn up at the Skylark.
No-one will believe your slander.
They'll know you're after my money.
Money for your son! I had to give him away.
What kind of a life do you think he's had? Oi! I'll ruin you, and all the others like you.
Randall was defending me.
How much does Mr Fawlter know about all this? Nothing about the blackmail.
Catherine Fawlter, I'm arresting you for the murder of Lord Hollingworth.
What?We know all about these.
You're not obliged to say anything, but anything you say may be given in evidence.
I am sure that you are mistaken.
Stay out of this, Padre.
I telephoned Dora Smith.
She soon crumbled once she realised we were onto the extortion racket.
No, you don't understand.
Randall's my son.
The perfect motive.
You and Randall Jones planned to murder Lord Hollingworth when he wouldn't pay up.
You cannot honestly think Cathy would? Best let us do our job, sir.
Goodfellow.
This way I don't blame anyone but Hollingworth, Father.
No-one! It was Hollingworth all along.
But she didn't kill anyone.
She couldn't.
It wasn't Cathy, it was me.
I did it.
How did you kill him, Mr Fawlter? I strangled him.
With what? I lost my temper and Wait, I hit him first Your desire to protect Mrs Fawlter is admirable.
But if you impede the investigation when the real suspect is still at largeI can't just stand by! Can I borrow your telephone? She insisted on coming too.
Well, if it's about my father.
Thank you, Bunty.
Het.
Going twitching? Mrs Kendall? Goodness, you gave me a fright.
Did you forget something? I checked the dorms.
The marks on Lord Hollingworth's neck.
They were from the focus wheel.
Whose are those?They belong to Mr Fawlter.
I remembered you put them back on his bedside table.
But surely you don't think Norman killed him? I wondered at first.
He almost confessed when the police arrested his wife.
They've arrested Cathy? Both her and Mr Jones are now in police custody.
So two innocent people may hang.
But if they were Norman's binoculars Mrs Kendall, you didn't forget to lock up.
Lord Hollingworth had a key.
He must have made it very hard for you to say no.
When did Mrs Fawlter first tell you she'd had a child by Hollingworth? I didn't know what he was doing, not at first.
I should have known you'd be in league with the harlots.
Cathy's not the harlot, you're the disgrace! You disgust me! If I'm disgusting, so are you.
Who gave me the key? I should thank you.
How could I ever have managed without you? We're the same, you and I.
Hollingworth told me if he went down, so would I.
I was scared.
Norman left his binoculars.
I did it for Cathy and all the others! I'm glad he's dead.
I'm glad All those girls.
You let it happen! We tried to stop him.
Mr Fawlter You helped him abuse her.
No, I cared for Cathy.
She must have known he was a monster all along.
Not all of it, I didn't, honestly, he was a good father.
She was 15.
This won't help your wife.
Your wife says she blames no-one for this.
She has already forgiven Mrs Kendall.
You were driven by self-hatred as much as hatred for Lord Hollingworth.
You can set your soul free at last.
God will forgive you.
I won't let Cathy hang.
I won't.
I won't.
You'll confess to the police? Lemonade?Thank you, Miss Hollingworth.
And what will you do once the hall is sold? Now that you've ditched your perfectly dull Duke? I don't know.
Travel? Or perhaps I'll find a nice little cottage in Kembleford and some delightful children to be a governess to.
Oh, you came! Miss Hollingworth.
Hetty, please, we are related after all.
There's a stack of scones to eat.
You sure you're all right? It's very kind of you to invite us.
But this trust for Randall and I, we couldn't accept.
You could.
It's the least I can do.
So glad you could make it, Inspector.
Ah, it's my pleasure.
You'll know plenty of faces.
There's even some you haven't arrested(!) Very good of Miss Hollingworth to help Cathy and the other women, with the proceeds from the Hall.
She has a good heart.
You don't really think she's going to settle in Kembleford? Do you worry about her influence on Penelope?No, no.
I always thought she was a good and conscientious girl, underneath.
Penelope? Where are you going? Don't wait up, Mrs M! Penelope!