All language subtitles for Father Brown S13E08 The Oath of Silence1

Here on the left. We're going
to park up.

Oh, Brenda, slow down!

Stop yelling, you're making me
nervous!

Almost dying makes me nervous.

You flew past two stop signs!

Well...

..I didn't want you to be
late on your first day.

Well, I appreciate that,
but this was a bad idea.

I'm afraid I'll have to
postpone your lessons

while I do jury service.

Well, how long will that be for?

I can't say for sure.

And I'm afraid I can't speak about
the case once it starts.

I'm more than happy for you and
Father Brown to observe,

but there'll be no discussions
of any kind about the case.

Understood.

We will withhold our opinions until
the case is concluded.

Good luck, Mrs Sullivan.

Thank you, Father.

How am I supposed to improve
if I can't practise?

You may be resuming your lessons
sooner than you think.

This is likely to be a short trial.

Well, how do you know that?

According to the paper, the accused
has already confessed.

Oh.

I've never been to a murder
trial before.

Sorry, Father, I know you
knew the victim.

Who was he again?

His name was Arthur Goddard.

He was a good man.

I met him through his daughter,
Josie,

who attended catechism as a child.

That's her there,

on the end in the green dress.

All rise for His Honour,
Judge Carmichael.

Will the accused please rise?

Please state your full
name for the Court.

Ahem, David Thomas Ensley.

You are indicted on one count of
murder,

namely that, on the ninth May, 1955,
you did murder

Arthur Goddard,

contrary to Common Law.

Do you understand the charge
against you?

Yes.

How do you plead?

Not guilty.

What's the blimmin' hold up?

I'm not sure.

Members of the jury,

I must inform you that the defendant
has excused his counsel

and wishes to represent himself,

something I will allow.

He's fired his barrister?

Is that a good idea, Father?

Not usually, no.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Arthur Goddard lived and worked
peacefully

as a potter on his small plot
of land all his life,

until he was brutally stabbed in his
workshop in the dead of night.

Why would this happen?

Because five years ago,

he gave David Ensley a job...

..after he was released from prison
for manslaughter.

By all accounts, Mr Goddard
offered him his friendship.

But on the day of the murder,

employees overheard a heated
exchange between them,

and Mr Ensley was given his
marching orders.

Police later received a telephone
call from Mr Goddard

as he lay dying.

They caught Mr Ensley
attempting to flee.

He had his employer's blood
on his coat,

and cash in his pocket

taken from the safety deposit box.

Mr Ensley gave a full confession
to police after his arrest,

a confession he now wishes
to retract.

But I believe we will prove
beyond a shadow of doubt

that he is guilty of this crime.

Ahem.

I know how it looks, but I never
killed Arthur.

He gave me that money -
I never took it.

And...

..I only went back to check on him

and saw someone else
had stabbed him.

I know I shouldn't have run.

But I swear, it wasn't me.

Thank you.

Do you think he's telling
the truth, Father?

I intend to find out.

I'm not a man of faith, Father.

That's not why I'm here.

I knew Arthur.

And I would like to know the truth.

Were you lying when you confessed
to his murder?

Or did you lie in court when
you pleaded innocent?

I didn't kill him.

That's the truth.

Then why wait till now
to defend yourself?

'Cause I knew the police

would take one look at me...

..the blood, the money.

They'd assume I was guilty.

Most men would have protested
nonetheless.

I learned a long time ago.

If you can't win, don't fight.

But you have decided to fight.

So perhaps you have faith after all.

No.

I'm sure I'll be hanged.

And I had made my peace with that.

But then my solicitor said

pleading guilty might mean being
locked up

for the rest of my life.

I'd rather die.

And your previous conviction
for manslaughter?

Were you falsely accused
of that, too?

No.

I used to want to pick a fight
with the whole world.

Until I hit a man so hard

he never got up again.

I deserved what came to me.

I know how wrong it is
to take a life.

Especially a man like Arthur's.

No.

You didn't kill Arthur.

But you are already in the dock,

so I do not have much time to find
the real culprit.

You will have to assist me.

I'd like to, Father.

But how?
Time's up.

By recounting to me, meticulously,
everything I ask you to.

Sometimes the clue's in
the smallest detail.

Can you believe they're not even
paying us properly for this?

I can just about afford the
weekly shop as it is.

This blimmin' trial better not
drag on for too long.

Well, in that case, perhaps we
should get started.

So,

what does everyone make of what
they've heard so far?

Well, it's obvious, isn't it?

Ensley's guilty as sin.

Oh, it's a bit early to assume that.

No, it's not, he confessed.

There could be a number of reasons
why a person might confess

to a crime they didn't commit.

How would you know?
I...

I take an interest in murder cases.

Also, my husband's a police
Detective Inspector.

That doesn't make you
cleverer than us.

If a man's killed before, nine times
out of ten he'll kill again.

It's not fair to judge someone
just because of their past.

Look, I'm not saying
Ensley's innocent,

but we need to consider he might be.

I still think I could've
driven here.

Brenda, what's the urgency?

I'm sure the verdict will come soon
enough, and then I'm all yours.

I must go.

Oh, good morning, Sergeant.

Morning.

Morning, Father. Miss Palmer.

What are the pair of you doing here?

We are observing a murder trial,
Sergeant.

You? I'm testifying in one
of the smaller courts.

Not nearly as interesting as
a murder trial, mind.

Good day.

Hmm.

I shall now read a statement

given by Police Sergeant
Alistair Flynn

of Cirencester Police Station,

who is unable to attend in person.

"The station telephone rang
at approximately 1:30am.

"When I answered, I heard a man
in considerable pain.

"He gave his name as Arthur Goddard,
of Goddard's Pottery.

"He told me he'd been stabbed and
asked for immediate assistance.

"I then heard Mr Goddard gasp
and cry out in fear."

He said:

"David, no."

After that, the line went dead.

Father, are you sure you're
not wrong about David?

Why would Arthur have called
out his name like that?

I am undoubtedly fallible,
Miss Palmer,

but I think that Arthur's
words were misleading.

Pardon me for interrupting.

Do you remember me?

Father Brown, of course.

My goodness, it's been
so many years.

It has indeed.

A pity to meet again under
such sad circumstances.

I'm sorry about your father.

This is Miss Palmer, my housekeeper.

And this is my husband.

Royce Holland. It's a pleasure
to meet you both.

Poor thing. She's...

She's exhausted.

I'm all right.

It's just hard watching that brute
defending himself.

You believe David Ensley's guilty?

Of course he is. He took advantage
of my father for years.

He even forced us to leave my own
mother's funeral.

He struck my husband.
Don't...

Don't upset yourself.
It's all in the past.

Let me take you home.

I'd rather be at the cottage.

All right.

I'll wait in the car.

I've been putting my father's
affairs in order. Mm.

Would it comfort you if I paid you
a visit later?

Thank you, Father. I'd like that.

Did I imagine it, or could you smell
alcohol on her breath?

No, you didn't imagine it.

A way of coping with recent events,
no doubt.

I suppose you don't believe me
any more, Father.

No, my belief is unchanged.

But I need an explanation.

I met Arthur's daughter.

She said you ejected her from her
mother's funeral.

Arthur wanted her there -
just not her husband.

But he wouldn't go.

I shouldn't have hit him one,
but Arthur was upset.

They both left, but...

..I'll never forget the look Josie
gave her father.

When was this?

Just a few months back.

So Josie's anger would still have
been palpable

the night her father died?

There were a man in a big, fancy car
who wanted to buy

the pottery, Father.

I never got his name,

but I saw him in court today.

Yes, I noticed him.

Tell me more.

Arthur weren't interested
in selling,

but the man kept coming back -

with cigars and bottles of whisky,
that sort of thing.

When that didn't work,

he sent two men to try and
lean on Arthur.

But I put an end to that.

So Arthur came to depend on you?

Why did he sack you?

Arthur weren't himself that day.

He said I'd made a mistake
with some tiles

in the kiln and it cost us
a day's takings.

I said it weren't me,
but he...

He called me a liar.

He paid me off and told me to go.

But I knew something were wrong,

so I went back later that night...

Send someone, quickly!

David! No!

Arthur, what happened?

Who did this?
No time...

Police coming...

You'll be blamed.

I don't care about that.
Tell me who did it!

Use that money I gave you.

Get away.

I'm not leaving you.
Please, David!

Run! Promise me!

He fired you to protect you.

I think he knew he was going to die.

I could've sworn I'd bought
some biscuits,

but there were none in the cupboard.

It's these pills I take
for my nerves.

They make me forgetful.

Tea is ample, Mrs Holland.

Please, call me Josie - like before.

I'm sorry things had become
difficult with your father, Josie.

Hmm.

Well, he never forgave me
for eloping

with Royce when I was 16.

Though I must say, you were
rather young.

I was old enough to know my mind.

My father always blamed Royce.

Daddy always thought he knew best.

You still seem angry with him.

Can you blame me?

I was his child, and he loved some
stranger more than me.

I'm sure that's not true.

Isn't it?

Well, he left everything to David.

I mean, I get mother's personal
things, of course.

But David gets the house,
the factory.

Now do you see why I think
he's guilty, Father?

I agree an inheritance can be
a strong motive.

Of course, if David Ensley
is hanged,

it will all revert to you.

And you think I'd want it now?

After what's happened here?

Do you recall where you were the
night your father died?

I think Royce was having a sing-song
in the pub.

I must confess, I'd had a few gins,

which doesn't mix well
with my pills.

So I went upstairs to bed.

You live above a pub?

Royce owns the Raven Tavern.

It's a family business.

You know, I used to help my dad
in the workshop.

He taught me everything I needed to
know to run this place someday.

I suppose it just wasn't
meant to be.

Mr Holland, would you describe
for the jury

the events that took place at your
mother-in-law's funeral?

What do you think motivated
Mr Ensley's

aggression that day?

Well, I believe that
a reconciliation

between Josie and her father
was possible.

But Mr Ensley was determined to
prevent that from happening.

So Arthur would keep him
in the will.

But I didn't know about any
inheritance till a week ago!

Mr Ensley! Some solicitor told me!
He's making Josie contest it!

He just wants that land his-self!

Mr Ensley, any further outbursts

and I'll have you removed
to the cells!

I'd like to answer that, if I may?

Yeah?

My wife deserved better
from her father.

And if we have to fight to get back
what's rightfully hers,

well,

I make no apology.

Oh, hello again.

What can I do for you?

I was hoping for a favour,
actually,

if you wouldn't mind?

But it'd need to be kept between us.

Go on. Mrs S has been teaching us
how to drive,

but she's been really busy
with the trial.

And between you and me, she shouts
a lot.

So I thought maybe you could
do it?

I've got a test booked, but I have
not told anyone in case I fail.

I finish work at six.

Oh!

Thanks, Sergeant!

Hello, Kembleford police?

Where was this exactly?

Sir, someone's reported
an abandoned car.

And?
And there was blood in it.

Lots of blood, sir.

Right.

Here you are, gents.

Hello, Father.

It's good to see you.

What can I get you?
Nothing for me, thank you.

Just a moment of your time, please,
Mr Holland?

Of course.

I heard your testimony this morning.

And I must admit, it puzzled me.

Why contest Arthur's will?

If David Ensley's condemned,

there will be no need
for litigation.

We were told that the estate could
be tied up for months that way.

Perhaps.

But what's the hurry?

Oh...

For the sake of transparency,

I've run up a few debts -

on the horses.

Easily done.
Yeah.

So you know?

As it happens, somebody wants
to buy the pottery -

and says he's willing to pay
more for a quick sale.

His name's Blakeley.

Of Blakeley Manufacturing?
Yes.

I was surprised to see him
at the trial,

but I suppose the outcome
is of interest to him.

And I meant what I said.

Josie has a right to the sale
of that land.

And it will more than cover
my debts.

Though, of course, I'll come clean
once it's all settled.

You haven't told her yet?

No.

She's barely coping as it is.

Mm. She does seem very fragile.

She said she took sedatives

the night her father died,
and went to bed.

Where were you?

I was here, working.

And then I went upstairs
and joined her.

Look, Father, I can see why
you're suspicious.

Josie, she was young when we met.

But we couldn't help
falling in love.

It's just a shame that her father
never respected that.

I always found Arthur
to be a fair man.

Hmm! Well, you can't always see
the signs from the outside.

Believe me, he controlled Josie -

until I helped her escape
from that house.

Looks like it's been here
for several weeks.

Do you think whoever owns it
was murdered, sir?

This was found empty at the scene
of Mr Goddard's murder.

Mr Ensley's fingerprints were on it,

and, according to the log book,
the exact amount

of missing cash was later found
on his person.

I put it to you...

..that Mr Ensley returned after dark

and was caught stealing
from Mr Goddard,

which is why he attacked him...
That's not who I am!

Mr Ensley, I will not
warn you again.

You must not interrupt.

Your honour, throw me in the cells,
but please let me say this.

I know what I was, but Arthur
showed me a better way.

Your Honour, Mr Ensley is not
in the witness box!

I loved him like a father!

And no punishment can be worse
than knowing

I'll never see him again!

Apart from Bonnie,

can anyone here genuinely say

the prosecution's proven their case
beyond a reasonable doubt?

Mr Sharpe claims the inheritance
was Ensley's motive.

So why would he steal the petty cash
and make a run for it?

It makes no sense.

You're the only one who thinks
he could be innocent.

The verdict has to be unanimous,

so when the time comes,

you'd better vote with us!

I will not be bullied.

Not if a man's life hangs
in the balance.

Can I tempt you, Father?

They're imported.

Exceptional quality.

No.

No, thank you.

Not one of my vices.

So, what's this visit in aid of?

Well, I come out of concern
for Mrs Holland.

I know you tried to buy her father's
pottery before he died.

And I would hate for her to be
taken advantage of

in her present distress.

Mm, that's why I'm dealing
with the husband.

Yes, but some might say that
your recent offer

was a little premature.

Mm.

I'm a businessman.

Why wait to be beaten to it?

Besides, it's a generous offer.

But why buy it at all, if I may ask?

You already own a successful
pottery business?

It's called capitalism, Father.

The Goddard's land has a higher
quality of clay,

but the old man was selling it
for less.

I was sick of being undercut.

So you attempted to persuade him
to sell?

Once or twice.

Sent my men round to negotiate,

but that thug of his came at them
with a pickaxe.

How disturbing.

I presume you reported this incident
to the police at the time?

Hmm. We let it lie.

Suggesting David Ensley acted
in Arthur's defence.

You can suggest what you like,
Father.

Ensley is the one in the dock.

And from what I can see, it's not
going very well for him,

hmm, is it?

The number plate's registered
to a Lester Helms

from Warwickshire, sir.

His wife reported him missing
a couple of months back.

She gave me this to help us
find him.

If we ever do find him.

Goodnight, Sergeant.

Goodnight, sir.

Ready?

Yeah. Yeah, all right.

You'll know it's her.

I've got to go.

Bonnie, about before, I'm sorry
for my tone.

I hope we can...
I'm sorry, too.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Right, then, you don't mind us
using this, do you?

No.

As long as you don't lock me
in the back

like you did the first time we met.

Ha!

Well, Mrs Sullivan's taught you
all the basics, I expect?

Yeah.

I know how to start and stop.

It's just everything in between.

All right. Let's see how you do.

That's it.

Handbrake. No, you're doing well.

Whoa!

Oh!

I'll never pass that test, will I?

Of course you will.

You just need to believe
in yourself.

That, and slow down.

It's not a rocket ship, you know?
Hmm.

Let's try again tomorrow, 6am.

OK.

Oh!

Thanks for giving me a lift,
Sergeant.

No problem.

Mrs S, are you all right?

Father, I think there's
something's wrong.

Mrs Sullivan?

I'm fine. I'm just nervous about
the verdict tomorrow.

What am I doing here?
I should go home.

Goodnight.

Murder trial ends today!

Bonnie, can I talk to you?

Why? We talk all blimmin' day.
Someone came at me last night.

He seemed to know that I've been
speaking up for Ensley.

Was that you? That telephone call
you made?

Don't know what you're
talking about.

He's bribing you, isn't he?

You've got no proof.

He threatened to kill my husband.

You'd better do what he says, then,
hadn't you, love?

How can I?

He wants me to make sure Ensley's
found guilty,

which means he must be innocent.

So what?

You're going to risk your husband's
life for some jailbird?

Just keep your mouth shut.

The Inspector will be back
in a minute, Father.

Who is Lester Helms?

A notorious smuggler,
as it turns out.

Known for knocking off items
of luxury

shipped into Bristol Port.

He's been missing for two months.

Murdered, presumably.

That would be our guess.

Although his operation hasn't ended.

If anything, it's increased
recently.

Suggesting the killer's stepped
into the dead man's shoes?

Exactly.

But with no body found,
we are out of leads.

Ah, Father.

To what do we owe the pleasure?

I'm here about Mrs Sullivan.

Oh, really? What about her?

I saw her yesterday evening.

She seemed unsettled.

Something about the verdict.

Has she spoken to you at all?

No. About the trial? No, never.

She went to bed, left early
this morning.

Is there something I should
be worried about?

Well, it's probably nothing.

Passing judgment is bound to
weigh heavily on anyone.

That jury's got it in for me,
Father.

I know it.

Take courage, Mr Ensley.

There is still time.

Now, tell me more about
the businessman

who tried to bribe Arthur
with cigars and whisky.

I ask because it's possible
he's a smuggler.

I wouldn't know about that, Father.

But I can believe he's a crook.

The two men he sent smashed up
a batch of tiles.

We lost a week's work.

The day Arthur sacked you,

he said you had cost him takings

because of a mistake in the kiln.

What mistake?

A batch of tiles had been
fired twice.

Twice?

Odd.

The works are locked up.

How can I get in?

There's a key hidden behind a loose
brick in the factory wall.

Good.

What are you looking for, Father?

Something that shouldn't be
in a pottery kiln.

Ah!

There we are.

No time to explain.

We need to hurry, Miss Palmer.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I urge you
to come

to the only natural conclusion -

that David Ensley murdered
his employer

on that fateful night, and must face
the full consequence of the law.

The Crown rests, Your Honour.

Mr Ensley, you may begin
your closing statement.

Why the cellar, Father?

Because there is something I need
to investigate....

If there's any trouble,

go to the telephone box
on the corner

and call Inspector Sullivan.

I will.
Ah!

Be careful, Father.

You can't be in here, Father!

Josie,

I expected you to be in court,
to hear the verdict.

I'm not feeling well today.

Or perhaps you don't have
the stomach

to see an innocent man condemned?

Why would you say that?

Because...

..I found this in your
father's kiln.

It's a gold tooth.

It belongs to the rival smuggler
your husband killed.

I don't know what you're
talking about.

I think you do.

Your husband persuaded you...

..to help him get rid of
the evidence

by incinerating the body.

Which would've been the
perfect crime,

if your father hadn't caught both
of you in the act.

You're sure you know how
to work this thing?

Josie?

Dad, I...

I thought you'd be asleep.

I saw the light on in here.

Is this what you've become?

No. No, Daddy, it's not what
you think.

That man, he tried to kill Royce -
he had to defend himself.

Please don't tell the police.

Please.

Just let us leave, and you'll never
hear from us again.

I won't tell anyone.

Thank you.

Arthur would've kept his word.

He loved you too much
to turn you in.

But your husband couldn't risk that,
so he murdered him.

No.

No, when we left, my father
was still alive.

It was David - he killed him
to get the inheritance.

The very next night?

After your father had witnessed
the cremation?

How fortuitous for Mr Holland.

Perhaps you cling to this fantasy

because the truth is too much
to bear?

A truth your father tried in vain
to make you see.

That your husband is
capable of evil.

You're wrong. He's a good man.

Look, Josie.

Contraband.

Royce didn't kill Lester
in self-defence -

he killed him because he got
in his way.

As did your father.

Royce would never do that to me.

He loves me.

He only loves himself.

Which is why he starved you
of your family's love.

Josie?

Josie? Are you down there?

Time to make a choice, Josie.

The choice your father longed
for you to make.

Otherwise the guilt which
torments you will deepen.

Josie?

Please, Father, you have to go!

I am not leaving without you.

Come with me now,

and tell the court and the police
of your husband's guilt.

I can't.

You must.

God will not absolve you
of your sins

unless you face them.

Huh!

Did you break in here?

What kind of a priest are you,
Father Brown?

A curious one.

Didn't you hear me calling you,
Josie?

What's he said to you?

You're trembling.

My poor darling.

Here, it's time to take your pills.

He's trying to keep you weak, Josie.

You need to find your strength.

Take them, and go upstairs.

They will announce the verdict soon.

David's fate is in your hands.

Now.

Inspector Sullivan's on his way.

Is there still time to
get to the court?

That's Royce's, but I can't drive.

I can!

Josie! Open the door or you'll
regret it

for the rest of your life!

Arthur gave me that money
earlier in the day.

I think he wanted me to leave 'cause
he was scared...

..of someone.

I only wanted to help him.

That's why I went back that night...

..and found him dying.

That's all I have to say.

Thank you, Mr Ensley -
you may be seated.

I shall now sum up the case.

Miss Palmer, could we possibly go
a little faster?

Safety first, Father.

The jury may now retire, to start
your deliberations.

Come on.
I can't.

Your Honour?

I have something to say.

Don't be stupid.

I can't be a part of this!

Is something wrong?
Yes, Your Honour!

Very!

Last night, I...

Stop the trial!
What's the meaning of this?

Forgive us, Your Honour, we have
crucial information.

We've already concluded our
closing statements.

Any evidence you have may be
submitted on appeal -

if indeed, one is granted.

Please let me testify, Your Honour.

Arthur was my father, and I know
who killed him.

It was my husband.

If we hadn't gone to the
factory that night,

my father would still be alive.

Mrs Holland, are you saying that
you knew all this time

that your husband later returned
to kill your father?

No, Your Honour. I...

I think I just didn't want
to believe it.

I'm so sorry.

I've let so many people down.

I've let my parents down.

I know I broke my father's heart.

Arthur loved you.

To the end.

In light of this testimony,

I hereby declare a mistrial.

Mr Ensley will remain in custody

while the police make urgent
enquiries.

And Mrs Holland will be detained
for further questioning.

Oh, Mrs Sullivan.

Why didn't you tell us, Isabel?

He threatened to kill you if I did.

It's all right. We're safe now.

I'm sorry you had to face
that alone.

Is that her?

You sure?

Mrs Baldridge?

Wait there, please.

Why, what's this about?

I need to ask you a few questions.

I haven't done anything wrong!

Come this way, please.

Oh! Thank you for coming, Sergeant.

It was parked right there.

I mean, who would steal a car
from outside a presbytery?!

Are you sure it wasn't borrowed,
Mrs Sullivan?

Borrowed? Well, who would...?

Brenda Palmer!

What makes you think you can borrow
Hercules without my permission?

Not to mention driving
without a licence!

I'm sorry I didn't ask.

I just thought it would spoil
the surprise.

I just passed my driving test!

That is stupendous news!

Congratulations!

But how? Last time we practised,
you were...

I guess you're a better teacher
than you thought, Mrs S.

Subtitles corrected by DB