Original subtitles

Excuse me.

Kersey... Thank you.

Ah, yes, Dr Franks, yes.

Yes, I understand, but if you don't come down, we'll have to go to Exeter.

Yeah... Look, Mr Wycliffe's here. Do you want a word?

I see... OK.

Dr Franks, sir. He's enjoying himself in St Mawes.

And? He'll be here in an hour.

Good. And Lucy's on her way.

Move these cars. Looks like a circus.

Nasty, eh?

I wonder why they moved her.

Yeah.

Sir. Reverend Jordan. Superintendent Wycliffe.

Well, Reverend...tell me what you know.

She's Jessica Dobell. She cleans for us.

On a regular basis?

Yes, between 8 and 10 on Saturday evenings,...

..or any evening before there's a service.

Lately, we've -

So she was cleaning the church last night?

Yes.

Next of kin?

A sister, Katherine, married to Abe Geach.

They live in the old vicarage next to the church.

That's where Jessica Dobell lives. Lived.

Alone? No, she has tenants.

The Vinters.

They help on the farm in exchange for lodging.

I understand that is the arrangement

I see... Did she clean for you in a voluntary sense?

Oh, no. Jessica was not a supporter of the church. She needed the money.

She found it hard to make ends meet.

Chocolate biscuit? No, thank you.

My sister, Celia. This is Superintendent Wycliffe.

I'm very pleased to meet you.

Now, I see the first service this morning was 8.15.

Why were you at the church at 7?

I er,... I came to collect my sheet music.

I'd left it after Giles's lesson.

He's the son of Jessica's tenants, the Vinters.

He's a bit of a music scholar. I give him lessons.

I see.

What sort of a woman was Jessica Dobell?

Well, she was strong, independent.

Her life had not been easy and she faced adversity with courage.

And?

Well, you'll hear rumours.

But I would ask you to approach Jessica without prejudice.

A certain laxness in sexual matters doesn't mean that someone isn't, at heart, a good person.

Thank you.

Methodists.

We will be having a makeshift service at the vicarage at half-past. If any of you...

No, I think we'll be too busy. Thank you.

That's all for now.

Well?

He's got more to tell us.

So who's next then, sir?

I'd like to see Jessica's house and meet the Vinters.

What about her sister, Katherine?

No... We should leave the Geaches with their grief for a while.

I understand.

We'll let you know.

Stephanie Vinter?

She wants to know when we'll evict them.

She didn't waste much time. You can't blame her, Kath.

I can for not telling anyone Jessica didn't come home last night.

Will you tell me what happened between you and Jess?

No.

Kath. I think you should.

You can't imagine how little I care what you think!

"And hills upon whose sides the clinging farms hold bible Christians."

Betjeman.

Who else?

I should read some of his stuff.

No, it's too nostalgic for you.

Are you from the police?

Superintendent Wycliffe. Inspector Lane.

I'm Lawrence Vinter, Miss Dobell's tenant.

It's the police, dear.

Put the kettle on.

# CHORAL MUSIC

TURNS UP VOLUME

She ate with us and then went to the church.

At 7.30? Yes.

She didn't come back?

No.

Weren't you alarmed? No.

It was not unusual for her to be away all night.

Without warning you?

Absolutely. She didn't care about us.

Was the feeling mutual? Well -

Yes! Entirely.

How did you come to work for her?

I was a lecturer at Bristol University.

I, er,... well, I had a breakdown.

And then, er...

Through an ad in the paper, we stumbled on this.

We lost our house.

I see. Do you have any income?

Lawrence earns a little from translation work.

Is it OK if my colleague looks around?

Yes, I suppose so. Thanks.

Going back to the church. I'll show you her room.

This is Giles.

Hi! Nice computer!

Lawrence got the money by doing labouring work for Abe Geach.

Mrs Vinter, I wasn't - Cash in hand.

Will you arrest him now (?)

Would you like me to?

Could I see Miss Dobell's bedroom, please?

Sharp blow to the head. Hammer or something similar.

Left parietal near sagittal suture.

Death probably instantaneous. Her body removed postmortem.

Ditto dishabille. No sexual assault.

Did the blow require much strength?

Well, I have no scientific basis for this but...

But what?

There's something odd about the undressing of the body. It looks so posed.

It doesn't seem like the work of a man.

WOMAN'S LAUGHTER

Who will inherit the farm?

Her sister Katherine. They were left it jointly.

Will she let you stay?

No. She'll boot us out as soon as she can.

Bang goes our motive (!)

Did any of you go out last night?

I didn't. I had a migraine and went to bed straight after dinner.

Giles stayed in after his organ lesson.

And your husband?

He always walks round the farm after dinner.

In the dark?

He has a thing about bats.

Bats?

Bats.

Do you know about these? I knew she'd had one.

She opened it one day at breakfast.

Was she upset?

She laughed and said, "Silly cow."

You got the impression she knew who'd sent them?

Yes. I did get that impression.

'Mrs Geach to see you, sir.'

'Show her in.'

I'm Jessica Dobell's sister.

I know.

I thought you would have been to see me.

Well,...

You have come to see me.

Sit down.

The Vinters. Jessica came over last night.

She was considering evicting the Vinters. They were angry.

When did you see her?

On her way to the church. About 8 o'clock.

That was the last time you saw her? No.

I went to the church a bit later.

We'd had a run-in and I wanted to sort things out.

I see. This would have been at what time?

Oh, 8.15, something like that.

What was she doing?

Hoovering.

What was your row about?

COMMOTION

What's going on here?!

You'll be Mr Geach. Yes. But why's she here?

Don't just barge in! What's she doing here?!

Oh, be quiet!

Your wife came to talk to me.

I saw Jessica alive. After Kath left the church.

You told me you stayed at home! I came to look for you!

For heaven's sake, be quiet, the pair of you.

You can make a statement at home tomorrow.

But I got business tomorrow. Be there!

Goodnight!

Yeah, I felt sorry for Jess.

That's £4.95, thanks... She had a tough time.

And not just financially.

Because of the locals? Yeah.

(They're a pretty tight-arsed lot.)

They didn't approve of her.

I liked her. She was fun.

What didn't they approve of? Her free spirit.

She had no time for their piety.

She laughed at it.

They thought she was a Muslim fundamentalist.

Seriously?

No. They didn't like it that she didn't believe in their God.

Or that she wasn't married.

Was she promiscuous? Healthy. Attractive.

One lover a decade would have been enough to set the witches clucking.

Did she have lovers?

One or two.

Did Jess come in last night?

No, she rarely came in here.

Katherine came in though.

With her husband? No. Alone.

Was that usual?

She'd had words with Jess. She wanted a drink.

And she wanted to talk to me. What about?

Jess... She wanted to know who'd slept with her.

Did you tell her? No.

Did you know?

Her husband Abe?

Lucy... I'd like all the officers to go to bed.

This is a murder inquiry, not a wedding reception.

Sleep well?

No.

What is it, Kath?

We must tell them...

Jess had told the Vinters she was kicking them out.

I already did.

Good.

And we can tell 'em Lawrence Vinter had been sleeping with her.

What?! Oh, yeah.

Don't be ridiculous.

With Vinter?!

How do you know?

How do you know Lawrence Vinter was sleeping with Jessica?

Well, I...

Get out!

She was my sister, you bastard!

Sir. Doug.

Forensic rang.

The boot mark in the mud was male, size 10 or 11.

They reckon they'll be able to identify the actual boot.

That's good.

Doug? Sir?

What are the motives?

Well, there'll be two motives, I think.

The farm - implicating the Geaches and the Vinters.

And the victim's promiscuity - implicating all the males of Cornwall.

Not to mention their wives and girlfriends.

Where did she have her assignations?

And who were they? Abe Geach. Lawrence Vinter.

Reverend Jordan?

I'd say he swings the other way. If he swings at all.

You been busy?

Yeah, reading about us in the papers

I had a chat with the woman at the shop.

The information she dispenses, I'm surprised anyone buys a paper!

She said Jess was deeply disliked by the Christian Women's Union.

President - Celia Jordan.

Secretary - Stephanie Vinter.

Who is a "snotty cow who married beneath her",...

..and "isn't taken down and dusted enough."

The Vinter's son Giles is "an obnoxious mother's boy who needs a good walloping."

Excuse me a minute.

Reverend Jordan!

Good morning. Just a quick question.

By all means.

The sheet music - you came to collect it.

Yes.

But what you found was Jessica Dobell.

Yes.

Then you went to the phone and called us. What then?

I went back to the church and... I waited.

You never collected the music? No,... I suppose I didn't.

It isn't there. Is it not?

No.

Have you any idea who took it?

No.

All right. That's all, thank you.

Lucy. I want you to talk to Celia Jordan.

Specifically about the letters.

Do they have some bearing? Don't you?

They don't seem threatening.

What, in a village full of Christian zealots?

"A harlot is a deep pit. She lies in wait like a robber."

"A harlot may be hired for a loaf of bread." What's going on?

Shall I talk to Abe Geach?

Yes... Lucy, any word from Franks on the postmortem?

Ah, talk of the devil.

Charming.

Well?

As to the cause of death, all is as per my earlier predications.

But? Two buts - the woman was a few weeks pregnant.

Would she have known? I'd say so.

And?

And there are fingerprints - careful - on those.

There was a letter in her back pocket.

It was unopened and there are no fingerprints on the note on the inside.

"These shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked...

..and devour her flesh and burn her up like fire."

I'm afraid my brother's not here. Oh, it's you I came to see.

I hope it's not inconvenient.

Erm...well...

Fire away.

Did you know Jessica Dobell?

Extraordinary question - of course!

What did you think of her?

Another extraordinary question.

I thought she was unpleasant and inherently bad.

I didn't like her.

Any idea who sent her these?

This wasn't sent by the same person as those.

Why do you say that? Because I sent those three.

I see.

Why did you send them?

Because her conduct offended me.

That's not very Christian of you.

Young woman, your jurisdiction is exclusively legal.

Your opinion on matters moral is of absolutely no interest to me.

Have you any more questions? Yes.

Do you care that Jessica Dobell was murdered?

"As you sow, so shall you reap."

(WHISTLES 'NESSUN DORMA')

RINGS BELL

You last saw Jessica Dobell when she left here at 8 o'clock?

No... Katherine went to speak to her at the church.

When she didn't return, I went to look for her.

Did you talk to Miss Dobell?

No.

I, er... I looked in at the church door.

I saw Katherine wasn't there... and then I went home.

Did you go into the church?

No.

What time was this? Maybe... nine o'clock.

What was she doing?

I think she was polishing the altar rail.

Singing to herself.

I saw your motor caravan.

It's very nice. What do you use it for?

As an office. And I kip there when the work is far afield.

Handy for entertaining.

What do you mean? You know, nights of passion.

Who do you think you are?! An officer investigating a murder.

Sadly, a lot of dirty linen may be dragged into the open.

That's why you chose to be interviewed alone - yes?

Sorry, I...

Now, will you tell me?

Did you entertain Miss Dobell in your caravan?

It would be simple for our forensic boys to check.

Spent some nights in there, sure.

Does your wife know?

No.

Did you know Miss Dobell was pregnant?

No.

It isn't mine.

I'm 100% certain of that.

Who might the father be, then?

Lawrence Vinter.

Sir.

CRO... Vinter didn't lose his post because of a breakdown. He was fired

Some sort of impropriety with a female student.

Go over to the Vinters' and get his boots.

Right. And the boy's.

Talk of the devil.

Come in.

Giles Vinter?

Let's talk through here.

Well, this must be your old school?

No, I went to a private school in Bude.

I got a scholarship.

My mother's parents made up the difference.

I see.

Why did you come here?

I wanted to tell you something.

My parents rowed before dinner the night Jessica died.

Lawrence didn't come back all night.

Why tell me this? I thought you'd want to know.

Oh, I do.

Just tell me, you left the church when?

Just before eight.

Did you see Jessica? No.

Anything else to tell me?

I don't think so.

Oh, Giles.

Did you take the music with you after your lesson?

What do you mean?

I'm told you played some Bach.

Did you take your sheet music? No. It was Michael's.

Michael...? Michael Jordan, the vicar.

That's all, thank you.

Are we allowed back in the church? I need to practise.

(WOMAN LAUGHING)

(LAUGHTER CONTINUES)

Mrs Geach?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to startle you.

Is this a bad time?

No, no. I suppose I'm just...

Death is a hard thing to deal with, and...

murder's close to impossible.

But Mrs Geach...

If you could help us with a couple of details, we can leave the third degree until later.

Thank you.

The night your sister died, you had a row.

What was it about?

We do know she was pregnant.

Did you think it was your husband's?

My, you certainly have learned a lot in a short time.

Did she suggest that he might leave you, and move in with her?

No.

You followed her to the church straight after she left here?

Yeah, as soon as I could get my shoes on.

Was she alone when you got to the church?

No.

She was talking to the vicar.

I waited for her to finish and then went to speak to her.

I had to know who the father was.

Did she tell you?

No.

Did she say what she intended doing with the child?

Yeah.

She was going to chuck the Vinters out and bring up the child at the farm.

Had she told the Vinters? I believe so.

Did you have a physical fight with her?

Lord, no.

I was angry with her.

She was my sister.

I loved her.

It's all so confusing.

ORGAN MUSIC

Giles.

CONTINUES PLAYING

Mr Vinter, we were hoping we'd bump into you.

Could you come in to see us tomorrow morning to clarify a few points?

Certainly.

Let's get some air.

Why have we come here?

There's only two things I hate, Lucy.

One is irrational phobias and the other -

Bats.

Bats.

It's like a little chapel.

Yeah. Lawrence Vinter's home from home.

How strange! Do you think so?

If it was this or the village, I'd take this any day.

Life can be quite a struggle for some people.

No wonder they retreat.

Well?

The Geaches are in the frame.

How come? The Geaches inherit the farm.

So? Well, it's a motive. Geach is a builder.

120 acres? A few houses, a golf course...

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Maybe I should arrest them all.

They all have a motive and they all appear equally inadequate. And unpleasant.

The noose is tightening.

The murderer is feeling the pressure.

Let's let him stew.

Him? Or her.

Religious threats, sheet music - there's something there.

Has to be.

I think I've had enough for one day.

I'm going home.

Goodnight.

WOMAN'S LAUGHTER

KNOCK AT DOOR Sir?

Mm?

All right, all right.

Sorry, sir. Lawrence Vinter's disappeared.

Doug's gone to the farm.

He was out bat-watching last night.

When I woke up, I realised he wasn't back.

What was he wearing?

Overalls.

Did he take any other clothes with him?

Not as far as I can see.

But he has taken all the money from my purse.

She wanted to know who had sent the letters to Jessica.

Was it you?

And did you tell her?

Of course.

My conscience is clear.

(Oh, Celia.)

I do hope we don't have to move again.

I really feel that I have begun to do God's work here.

You think that means they can all do as they wish!

You think that means having no morals!

Celia!

Enough!

Oh, I'm terribly sorry. That's all right.

Might I have a word? Of course.

Going to the church? Yes.

Well, let's walk together.

Is there something you want to tell me?

The night she was killed...

..Giles was very upset.

There'd been ructions at home between the parents.

Some mention of them leaving.

And of a relationship between his father and Jessica.

Giles was trying to work.

It distressed him beyond belief.

He was crying.

And?

And I comforted him.

I see.

And Jessica arrived as you were comforting him?

Yes.

I had my arms around him and...

..sadly, it was a moment inviting misconstruction.

Jessica seemed delighted.

She laughed.

Made some joke.

Giles was distraught.

I sent him home and then spoke to Jessica.

What did you say?

I said it was innocent.

And that she should keep it to herself.

The pain it would cause to Giles if she spread this story round would be quite unbearable.

What did she say?

That she wouldn't tell anyone.

Did you believe her?

I don't know.

Mm. All right. Thank you.

Oh, any idea who took the organ music?

No.

None, I'm afraid.

Still nothing? No, sir.

Um, is there anything we don't know?

Like what?

I don't know, sir.

Should we talk to other suspects?

I don't think there's much point, Lucy.

No. It's a strange jigsaw.

All the pieces fit, but they don't seem to make any sort of picture.

Right, I'll tootle off again.

I've got my phone, so if anything important turns up, give me a ring.

If he's up to something, he should tell us.

Weird.

DOOR SLAMS

Sorry, I just put it out.

Calm down, calm down.

Take it easy. It's all right.

It's all right!

Give me the bag.

Tell you what, let's drink the whiskey and forget about the aspirin.

All right.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Where have you hidden the things? The hammer?

Thank you.

You didn't really want to kill yourself, did you?

I'd decided to.

That doesn't answer my question. No.

I could cope with prison, I suppose.

Peace.

Books. Food. No pressures.

No Stephanie? No Stephanie.

Why did you kill her?

You're not under caution.

Anger?

Was it to help Giles?

Or Stephanie?

In case they did something stupid? They are very religious.

Where does this wild fundamentalism come from? Reverend Jordan?

More his sister Celia.

And you thought Stephanie might do something... rash?

Yes.

Jessica had become an easy target for them.

A focus for their... frustrations.

Where's the sheet music?

'Radio Cornwall News. In Truro, a man handed himself into police custody.'

'They won't confirm that he's Lawrence Vinter who was wanted for questioning.'

'They did confirm that the man is helping with their enquiries into the murder of Jessica Dobell.'

That's good news. Yeah.

We'd better get to Truro, sir. Let's take a walk first.

ORGAN MUSIC

Ah, Giles.

The very man. Just a couple of questions.

Well? Your father's in custody. Do you care?

Or that a woman was murdered?

You've got Lawrence. Why more questions?

A policeman's work, Giles, is never done.

I've just been reading this.

"Break their teeth, O God, in their mouths."

"Smite the jawbones of the ungodly."

"The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance."

"We shall wash his feet... ..in the blood of the ungodly."

"Truly there is a god that judgeth."

Tell me about Jessica. What about her?

Things you hated. She was bad.

Evil.

Didn't believe in God and mocked me because I did.

Do.

She was a... harlot?

Oh, yes.

And did your father succumb?

He's a fool.

That may very well be your opinion.

I've no doubt it's your mother's.

But he has other qualities. Generosity of spirit. Loyalty.

You're a bright lad, Giles. Tell me this.

He hid the hammer but he also took the music.

Why would he do that?

I don't know. Well, I'll tell you.

He thought it might incriminate someone. Someone he loves.

Someone he saw standing over the body of Jessica Dobell.

The body had been dragged up to the altar...

..and then carefully placed on the steps.

He told you to go, didn't he?

Then he attempted to clear up after you.

But he made a mistake.

He thought the music was yours...

..when it actually belonged to Reverend Jordan.

He covered up for you.

When the chase got close,...

..he was willing to take the rap.

For a spoilt child that hates him.

Generosity of spirit.

I told you.

He's a fool. He's a good man!

And you...

You're under arrest. Doug, take him to Truro.

What are you doing?!

What are you doing?! Giles!

What's happening? Where are you taking him?!

A job for you, I'm afraid.

That's my son!!

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