Original subtitles

Why? Why, Shepard?

Tony, isn't it? Tony Canetti. You got it.

Canetti's the name.

Cars are my game.

You moved away from... Guns? No, never.

Still love a good firearm, but cars are my true love.

Let's face it.

Guns and cars mean what else makes a man.

So you're finally ready for an upgrade, eh?

I'm making some big changes.

I've been having a few issues lately.

Expensive? Yeah, I know.

That's the good thing with buying new.

Nothing ever goes wrong. And what are you thinking? One for you and for the

missus? Ah, there is no miss.

Because of the car.

Once we get you behind the wheel of a sexy new sedan or a sporty little

you have a guaranteed harem of women hanging off every fender. So many, in

you might have to scale up to a ranger.

More room to keep them in the back. Or wearing the bikinis, of course. And that

is what a new car from Kennedy's will get you.

That's your sales pitch, is it?

New car and semi -naked woman.

Too much.

Hmm. Have a great day, Tony.

Wait, Mike, we haven't talked finance.

Not even a test drive?

Free roadside assistance?

Not that you need it.

Good luck, Tony.

Good luck.

Come on, Mike!

I haven't had a sale in six months!

Hello?

You okay in there?

You're parked in a disabled spot, but you have no sticker.

And you have no idea who he is?

No.

At least I've never seen him in the congregation.

I wouldn't want to draw any conclusions, but you should know we hire out this

hall to various groups, including hot women's yoga.

But last night it was a ukulele group.

Good to know.

Thank you, Reverend. If we need anything else, we'll come back to you.

Odd choice of murder weapon. Indeed.

You know, this is usually where Mike talks to the deceased.

Yeah, I know.

Pass? Yeah, that's a Mike thing.

Lena, good morning.

Unidentified white male. Roscoe Flynn.

Sorry? That's Roscoe's car.

Oh, okay.

Um, if it is him, he's our victim, you know.

I may have been the last person to see him alive after rehearsal.

Good night, Roscoe.

No, Gina. I love your suggestion about doing that original song.

Next week we'll make it happen.

I'm so happy.

We're both in the ukulele orchestra.

You're writing songs now?

Just one. But I think it's quite good.

Well, a woman of many talents. Yes, so many.

Tina, given you knew the victim, you okay to do what you came to do? Of

There will be no problem with me performing my duties.

Right. Well, we will need your statement after you... What?

Do what you do, you know, at the mortuary.

I'm having real trouble putting the words Gina and ukulele together.

Yes, I said ukulele. That is not your standard murder weapon.

Oh.

Or anything that I would ever associate with Gina.

Yet, she is our star witness.

Or suspect, or something. What do you want to do about that? Have you done a

welfare check with her?

Yeah, she said she's fine to continue.

Then I wouldn't argue.

How's the big house move going?

I'll get back to you.

Lad.

Mike is still on leave?

Moving day.

Afresh. And you start for him.

So you want to tell us about last night.

When I arrived, Selina Dean, our teacher, and her niece, Julie Jones,

there first, as usual.

Gina, that song you suggested about lions and leopards, I love it. It's not

finished yet. Oh, no, I know, but it will be. And you will absolutely shine.

And, of course, Annabella was already there, as always.

Ross got ex -wife. Sort of.

Oh, definitely his ex -wife now that he is dead.

Amicable? Who knows with divorce what go on under the surface.

Why am I in this room?

You're giving a statement.

I prefer somewhere more comfortable.

Gina, I don't think... Since Mike is not here, I'm sure he would like me to keep

his seat warm for him.

Um...

Better. So, where were we?

People arriving for last night's practice.

Next was Frodo.

Your oat milk latte, my lady?

Frodo, you are such a darling, as usual. Thank you very much. He's enthusiastic,

but lacks discipline.

Becky? Those cat videos you sent me.

Becky and Josefa were next.

Hello,

my friend.

How are you doing? You know.

Joseph, I was depressed.

But then, he's always depressed.

Okay, let's not wait any longer.

We'll warm things up with a little stroll down Dominion Road.

One, two, three, four.

And then, Roscoe arrives. In the way that Roscoe always arrives.

He's swept into a room like he owned it.

And everyone in it.

I know, late as usual.

Traffic was surrendered.

At 7pm on a Monday in Brokenwood.

Hey, trophy.

Sorry. Trophy. As in trophy wife.

Charming. Behind his back, she's calling him her participation certificate.

Okay. They had a complex relationship. A lot of hate on the surface.

But definitely a lot still going on underneath.

Like... When he joined the orchestra, he just walked in, sat down next to her,

and started playing.

Selena, our teacher, hated Roscoe from day one. And if Annabella had had a word

in her ear, Selena would have kicked him out in a heartbeat.

But she never said a word.

But if Selena hated Roscoe, why didn't she just kick him out herself?

Because there was a reason to keep him in.

So, Dominion Mary, was it?

It's hard to tell because all I could hear was Sefer playing some random

Oh, it's hilarious, Roscoe. We all have a dinger. Yes.

Dominion Road.

Aye.

One, two, three, four.

Dominion Road is bending under its own weight

Shining like a threat Cut from a tree, middle

place, cause it's just been raining.

Say whatever you want about Roscoe Flynn.

He's playing with excellence.

And then, last low ride.

Halfway down, halfway down, halfway down Dominion Road.

Bravo!

Another Kiwi classic slaughtered at your altar.

Go away, Leslo. You know you're not welcome here.

Laszlo Carson.

He used to be part of the BUO until he and Selena fell out. Sorry, the BUO? The

Brokenwood Ukulele Orchestra.

Now he's the leader of Brokenwood's other ukulele group.

Brokenwood had two ukulele groups.

Ukulele Armageddon.

How have I never seen either of them advertised anywhere?

Because neither of them ever played live, yet.

It is a race to be ready first.

Very much like getting a man into space.

Russia took that one.

But the US landed on the moon.

But did they?

Really? The B .U .O. was well in the lead, mainly because Nukulele Armageddon

was still a group of one.

How can one person be a group?

When you are Laszlo Carson.

You are already one of many.

Go.

You need to know, no one liked Laszlo.

Look, Laszlo, no one wants to join your stupid group. You say stupid, I say the

future.

I don't want any of you as part of Nuclele Armageddon.

Except, um... Come on, Roscoe. You and me together?

What beautiful music we could make.

Laszlo was there to steal Roscoe Flynn from the orchestra.

Why? To go off and be like in Nuclele Wham? Oh, Laszlo's vision is much darker

than ours. Or once.

You have a vision.

Sorry? Darkness.

It's not what I think with a B -U -L.

Can I finish my story? I have work to attend to. Please, carry on.

So, yes, Laszlo was trying to uplift Roscoe from our orchestra.

Laszlo, mate, I've told you time and time again, I'm not into that metal

uke mash -up thing you want to do.

I just play because I want to have fun.

Isn't that right, my sweet?

Oh, yeah, fun, fun, fun.

You owe me.

No, mate.

You and me are a long time done. So, ta -ta.

I'm not giving up.

Laszlo departed the building.

We rehearsed as usual for two hours.

Right.

Moving on to Slice of Heaven, I think. No more disruptions. Just like -minded

people and their ukuleles.

Now, I must go.

An autopsy, Roscoe Flynn.

Regina, just one last thing.

What is it you seek, playing the ukulele?

That's the word you used?

Seek? What has this got to do with the death of Roscoe Flynn?

No, nothing. I'm just curious.

Then it's nothing to do with you.

I mean, I'm not wrong, am I?

The ukulele is so not Gina. The ways of Gina perplex us all.

Hang on. Could you be very careful?

I know Roscoe Flynn.

Oh, well, I've never actually met him, but I know who he is.

A property developer.

Oh, okay. Well, then the suspect list just got a whole lot longer.

Rakesby something.

I took a look at the size at the thought of buying off the plans. It's not

really me.

Oh, hang on.

It's okay. I can take those.

So, yeah, call me if you need me. Will do.

Tell you what, you said Yosefa Knight was part of the group.

Yeah, you know him? I do. In fact, he's just bought and sold houses for me.

Why don't I talk to him?

Especially seeing as he's just walked through my door.

Yeah, OK, that sounds sensible.

Back to you soon.

Yosefa. Mike!

How's the big move going?

Pretty good. Nothing too damaged that can't be fixed.

Nah, they're good boys, these ones. The best in town. My research led me to

believe they're the only ones in town. Mate, just because they're the only

doesn't mean they can't also be the best.

I guess that's true.

Now, I have a little tradition on every moving in day that I'm involved in. A

little housewarming gift.

That's very nice.

Why don't you and I share a drop after we've had a wee chat?

What do we have left to chat about? Are not our chatting days done?

This is about Roscoe Flynn.

What about Roscoe? And the fact that last night, he died.

Here. To help deal with the news.

Is this your stuff?

My humble offering to the gods of wine.

We alone?

Yeah.

Sorry about the bottle before.

I'll get you another.

Not to worry.

So, you're a member of the Brokenwood Ukulele Orchestra? Yes.

I wouldn't have picked that.

Not my idea.

Whose was it?

Annabella's. She was worried I was depressed, thought getting a bit of pus

figure into my life might cheer me up.

I tried to explain I'm always depressed, but once Annabella makes a decision,

that stays decided.

I'm a terrible player, but strumming away, you know, does have a certain

effect. And you worked with Roscoe? I wouldn't say with.

Well, I saw your name on a sign up at the Ragsby development.

Ragsby Gardens.

Yeah, I had the exclusive listing rights, but I'm not actively working on

project. In fact, Roscoe and I, we rarely spoke.

But you were in the orchestra together.

I was doing the ukulele thing for a while.

Roscoe arrived on the scene much later.

Hmm.

Before or after he and Annabella got divorced?

They're not divorced.

Yet. They're going through the process.

But yes, after proceedings began, then he started coming along.

So you're getting divorced, then you join your wife's music group. You have

talk to Annabella about that.

The ukulele, that was a them thing.

Hmm.

How were they last night?

Do you think she killed him?

I don't think anything at the moment.

I just want to know if anything was out of the ordinary.

Well, apart from that Norwegian death ukulele freak show, Laszlo turning up

trying to steal Roscoe from the group.

No, it was very much a normal session.

And then Roscoe flew and he ended up dead?

Yeah.

Okay, that was a little different.

I used to play the ukulele.

Your secret is safe with me.

That's cool.

Wasn't half bad.

Anything leaping off the screen?

Yosefa Knight has a whole heap of speeding tickets against his name.

It's not exactly homicide, is it?

Julie Jones, meanwhile, has many convictions, including assault and, in

not long out of prison.

That's more like it. Conditions of her parole include residing with her aunt,

Felina Dean.

Do I have Roscoe Flynn's address?

Yep. There first, then swing by Miss Jones for a quick word. I reckon.

Who says there's no honesty in advertising?

And this is definitely Roscoe Flynn's given address.

I'm guessing that.

Counts, is it?

I thought this guy was rich.

I mean, it's quite a knife caravan.

I'm guessing she ended up with a marital property.

Ragsby Gardens, where divorce men come to die.

Let's get out of here.

They're cool.

Julie Jones?

Should we chase after her?

Why?

It's pretty suspicious behaviour.

Tell me about it.

I want to know why someone runs before I chase after them.

Yeah, I can work with that.

Helena Dean?

Yes?

Detective Christensen, this is DC Chalmers.

Was that person there working on the Jeep, Julie Jones?

She was here, yeah.

What did you want to talk to her about?

The same thing we'd like to speak to you about.

The death of Roscoe Flynn.

Roscoe?

And you were the last to leave the hall?

I set the alarm, locked up, as per usual.

And Roscoe was still in the car park?

Yes. Uh -huh.

Whatever you say.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Night, Roscoe.

Okay, yeah.

Yeah. All right.

Maybe... Any other cards, Gillian?

No, just Roscoe's.

Anything out of the ordinary in the session?

Rehearsal.

Night. Not even Laszlo's little visit was a first.

He was trying to poach Roscoe, is that right?

Among other things.

Such as?

Laszlo's still not thrilled I kicked him out of the orchestra.

Why did you kick him out?

Have you met Laszlo yet?

No. You'll figure it out.

So Roscoe replaced him in the group. No, there was an overlap. Which is why

Laszlo wanted Roscoe for his little art.

Project and whatever he's calling it. Nuka Lele Armageddon.

Stupidest name ever.

Roscoe is your best player.

By some margin, unfortunately.

And how was he last night?

Same as usual. Last to arrive, first out the door at the end. He left first.

From memory, he, Annabella and Yosef are left together.

Good night, Deba.

Great rehearsal tonight, Selena.

I really feel we're getting close.

Close to what?

Performing in public.

Opinion is divided on whether we're ready.

In what way?

Well, they all want to, but I don't think we're anywhere near it yet.

Is that a bone of contention?

Yeah. Mainly with Roscoe, who'd just like to show off.

How did Annabella take it when he joined the orchestra and started throwing his

weight around?

In her stride.

The way she does everything.

She's a friggin' saint.

That's high praise.

She's worth it. Like, when Julie came to live with me...

I'm sure you know the circumstances.

We do.

Annabella was the only one around here that gave her the time of day. She even

gave her a job doing gardening and stuff, which is a hell of a lot better

doing break -ins, I'm sure you'd agree.

Undoubtedly. Well, tell Julie we'd like a word when she comes back from wherever

she needed to be in such a hurry.

You know, I get the appeal of the ukulele.

If it's playing in the background when you're in Hawaii, laying on the beach,

sipping Mai Tais. Well, I am more partial to a daiquiri myself.

Okay, Roscoe Flynn's phone records tell the story.

So who did he talk to live before he died?

The ex -wife. In fact, Roscoe and Annabella talked to each other a lot for

couple going through a divorce.

They had some stuff to sort out.

Some might say that's why God gave us lawyers.

Most divorced couples I know, the last thing they want to do is talk to each

other. You know a lot of divorced couples do.

More than I would like.

Another frequent caller, usually unanswered, a number belonging to Laszlo

Carlson. Hmm.

Roscoe wasn't keen on talking to Laszlo then.

I need to talk to Mike. Why'd you call me then?

He didn't pick up my call.

That's because, as I explained, Mike's on the sidelines for this one.

Then you need to know that Roscoe Flynn was killed by ukulele.

Yeah, I think that was quite obvious, Gina. But this ukulele was engineered to

kill.

For Roscoe Flynn, death had four strings.

Yeah, I know those moving guys.

They come here quite a bit. They reckon when you're fully caffeinated, you move

stuff faster. Just safer is all I'm after.

Yeah, well, you don't want to believe everything you're hearing.

But is the news true about Roscoe Flynn?

Word gets around.

Not a word, Frodo.

Reverend Green has sworn me to secrecy, so I cannot share what I know.

But... Roscoe Flynn was found dead this morning.

No way.

How? Frodo, I cannot say.

Strangled to death with a broken ukulele.

Far out.

Why would somebody want to kill Roscoe?

He was a bit of a dick at times, but he was always okay with me.

When exactly did you last see Roscoe Flynn?

Um, when me and Mrs. Baker were leaving rehearsal.

Nailed it tonight, Frodo.

Hey, thanks, man.

Yeah, where have I heard that before?

Didn't my guys play well tonight, Roscoe?

Oh, no. Yeah, totally. You were killing it.

Not. Did I mean Mrs. Baker Kildall?

Well, I'm sure she didn't. That'd be weird.

It would.

Have you met Annabella yet?

Not yet.

She's like the coolest and nicest person on the planet.

Positive, full of encouragement.

Like with Gina and her song.

What song is this?

Nothing, just the way she plays. Like songs and stuff.

Frodo, why is Gina in the ukulele? I have customers.

Tina. Oh, you're making out calls. I would like to demonstrate something to

Cause of death for Roscoe Flynn, ligature strangulation.

Ligature meaning a device was used as opposed to manual strangulation by the

hands. Yeah.

Thanks, you know, we... It was done with enough force to fracture the hyoid

bone.

Injury to its hands consistent with trying to fight the ligature.

But it would have been over very quickly. So, obviously, the assailant

enough and strong enough... No, no, not obviously.

Sit.

Why don't you use DC Chalmers to demonstrate, and I can take notes? I was

thinking the same thing about being the one taking notes. But I was thinking it

as your senior officer.

Roscoe Flynn sits in the front seat.

Has no idea someone is behind him.

See?

Exactly as Roscoe Flynn did.

I think anyone would. But too late. The ligature is already biting into the

neck. All the person behind him needs to do is lean back.

And if necessary, put their knee in the back of the seat. Okay, good. Relax.

I'm not actually going to kill you. Just showing that the offender doesn't need

to be big and strong.

Because physics.

It's doing the work.

Now, with the head trapped against the headrest, they cannot rush around.

Snap. Higher with the bone.

Quick and clean.

Physics got it.

So, why the unusual choice of murder weapon?

The ukulele.

It's an instrument of love.

Men and women serenading each other to its gentle, soothing sounds.

But this ukulele was re -engineered for one purpose only, to kill.

The strings were superglued into the bridge and tied off to the tuning pegs,

just to make sure they didn't come loose during the act.

Turning a ukulele into an instrument of death, that's definitely sending a

message.

Especially this ukulele. What's so special about it?

This is an inoa, made in Hawaii from the wood of koa tree.

As such, it can only be purchased in Hawaii.

This is a very expensive, very special ukulele. How expensive?

In the thousands.

This was found in the footwell of the victim's car. Is it the same?

This is Roscoe's ukulele.

This is a twin of this one.

As I said, message.

Thanks, Gina. I must go now. In my excitement, I forgot to put him in the

fridge.

Start of a 10.

Who does Gina want to serenade with her ukulele of love?

Hmm, I couldn't possibly say.

The thing is that when I came here, seems like a lifetime ago, the plan was

ease into retirement making wine.

Well, the retirement thing never quite happened.

And the wine?

Well,

it is what it is. My dad says it is what it is, means it is what it shouldn't

be.

Sure.

Merlot.

Yes, but I'm moving on now. And there's only two cases left, and I'm thinking,

what better place for them to end up than... Than here.

Keep it local.

No charge.

I'd be happy knowing they found a good home.

Trudy will get back to you.

Maybe it's a cultural thing with Gina.

Being in a ukulele orchestra.

Instruments with less than six strings.

Brokenwood doesn't have a balalaika orchestra, so she went for the next best

thing to express her love.

Laszlo Carlson, not his birth name.

He changed it.

From?

Liam Ragsby.

Or a strange coincidence.

Heads up.

Oh, the track star returns.

So, Roscoe Flynn is dead.

He is.

How did I?

That's currently under investigation.

Oh, you don't know.

No, we do.

Do you?

Okay, can we cut the crap?

Roscoe was a douchebag, yeah? But I didn't kill him.

Why was he a douchebag?

For what he did to Auntie Selina.

They'd all got sorted out. Yeah, thanks to Annabella.

A couple of years back, I was thinking about selling my place.

I liked the look of what Roscoe was proposing at Kegans Bay, and so I put a

deposit down.

Off to plans.

The ones he had no intention of ever building.

No. I sincerely believe he had the best of intentions. It's just, you know, the

economy.

Besides, the money got paid back eventually. So Annabella Flynn paid off

husband's debts on that project?

Just me.

I think she felt partially responsible because she put me in contact with him.

And now she's given you a job.

She's a good person.

What else can I say?

Last night, you arrived first, yeah?

Yep. With Auntie Selina.

You didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, apart from Laszlo Carlson's

visit during the rehearsal?

Roscoe was as obnoxious and know -it -all as usual, so... No, same old, same

old. And then you were the last to leave, along with Selina.

Uh, no.

Nope. I left earlier.

I decided to walk on.

You didn't mention that.

You never asked.

It didn't occur to me.

Julie often walks home. It's not that far.

Helps me calm down after... Roscoe.

I like to walk.

Night, Julie.

Pleasure as always.

Actually... There was one thing that was kind of odd.

Like, just down the road, your stepper had pulled over.

He was talking, like, on the phone, maybe, or maybe to himself, I don't

Whatever it was, he did not seem happy.

Then I got home, and Auntie Selena was already there.

We said goodnight.

I went to sleep.

That end.

Once upon a time, according to your records, these...

Late night walks sometimes ended up in other people's houses.

None of that here, I hope.

That was the old me.

I don't have any desire to go back there.

One steak and cheese.

Thanks, Lena.

My dad says they're the king of pies.

Your dad sounds like an interesting man.

Thanks. Yeah.

He takes after me.

Lena.

Did he do shepherd?

Mrs Baker, can I offer you a wine?

Is that Merlot?

Yes, the king of wines.

Oh, God.

Well, I don't drink red.

Truly love.

A saffron when you have the time.

Moving day, I hear.

Yes. Using the local mob?

Didn't have much choice.

Oh, you've heard the story about how they once delivered everything to the

address.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Oh.

Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?

About Roscoe Flynn.

Terrible. Terrible. I mean, I know he wasn't the most lovable human on the

planet, but still, it happened after rehearsal, right, in the car park? There

are things that I can neither confirm nor deny.

You know about Julie, right?

That girl has a past. Yes, we're aware of that.

She's troubled, that one. You can tell just by looking at her. Oh, thanks,

And Laszlo.

I mean, he started things in the group. And then Roscoe, George, they got even

darker. And then Selena had to ask him to leave because we all agreed that he

was creepy, except for Annabella, of course, because she always sees the best

everyone. And now, it's like he just drags this big, dark cloud around him

wherever he goes.

And Yousefa, I mean, he is weirdly...

devoted to Annabella. He's like a lovestruck puppy around her. But maybe

found out about them and the two men got into a fight.

Then? Well, she's a single woman now.

That is a scenario worth looking into.

I'll get back to you about that. And I will get back to you about that.

Cheers. And that Mike's wine.

I've heard it's not great, even for a Merlot.

Certainly like a talent to mess up a mellow.

My dad says that's why he sold his place, because he failed as a winemaker.

Children.

Hello? Laszlo Carlson?

Brokenwood CIB, we just want a quick word.

Pretty sure I had this nightmare once.

Check this out.

Okay.

The artworks will be available for sale after the performance.

These are artworks.

Can I help you?

DC Chalmers.

Detective Sims.

I say again, can I help you?

We're investigating the death of Roscoe Flynn.

He's dead?

Very much so.

And do you have a reaction to that?

I have mixed feelings.

He was a great player and I've made no secret about wanting him to join me.

Ukulele Armageddon.

The show I am devising, yes.

You're trying to recruit him.

As I said.

But no other members of the Brokenwood Ukulele Orchestra.

Amateurs. They are the inspiration behind my show.

What is your show?

It's about the comfortable middle class who adopted the instrument of the

worker. for their new book club.

Not a fan of the comfortable middle class?

No, not a big fan.

You said you had mixed feelings about Roscoe Flynn's death.

Well, he was the one that cheated my parents out of their land, but then

he was a property developer, and a cockroach does what a cockroach does.

Even cockroaches deserve a second chance.

How did he trick them out of their land?

He took advantage of their age and fragile mental state to swindle them out

their life savings.

And did you try to stop them?

At the time, we were, shall we say, estranged.

Do you know who killed him, Laszlo?

Oh, did somebody kill him?

You never said?

Yes.

I imagine there was quite a queue for that privilege.

But no.

I can't help you.

You paid the Broken Wood Ukulele Orchestra a visit last night.

Then I came back here.

Were you alone?

Look around, Detective.

Of course I was.

And unless you have a warrant to be in here, I'd quite like to be left alone

once more.

Okay, well, it was nice chatting.

Wasn't it?

For a man on leave, Mike is exhibiting signs of separation anxiety.

I need a coffee.

I'm guessing you're back in the office now.

You defaced the board.

Well, I wouldn't call it a defacement.

More a logical rethinking.

How was Laszlo Carlson?

Disturbing. You're meant to be on leave, which means we notify you.

When stuff happens.

If half of what I hear is true, then my worldly possessions are in Riverstone.

I need something to take my mind off it.

By thinking about the things you're not meant to be thinking about.

Occupational hazard.

Well, whoever did it, it's all about Annabella Flynn.

It seems so.

We'll get up there to talk to her ASAP.

Don't bother. I'm already here.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Luke Flynn.

DSS Mike Sheppard, Brokenwood CRP.

Annabella, please.

And I was wondering when the police would get to me.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Yeah, I'm still trying to process it, really.

To be honest, in a way, Roscoe died for me some time ago, but it's

still awful. No one deserves to be taken before their time.

I can't argue with that.

Do you mind me asking why you got divorced?

No, not at all.

Roscoe got through my defences, really.

He was charming and he was funny.

And he had an energy that I sort of needed in my life at the time that we

We loved music.

We had fun.

But then I realised that his part, it was all an act.

In what way?

I've been lucky around money and wise with it, but Roscoe was born poor, which

created a hunger in him to be rich.

And yeah, sometimes he was rich, but he was not good with money, and so then

he'd just lose it all over again. So he married you for your money?

No, we married because we were in love, but it's hard to keep loving someone who

is... shouting at you, demanding that you give him money just because he's

husband and he needs it.

But you never bailed him out?

No. From time to time I'd make reparations in either money or

nice people who suffered because of Roscoe.

But no, I never gave him a cent.

And inevitably that became an issue too big for the marriage to survive.

So I began divorce proceedings.

And Roscoe fought those proceedings?

Oh, yeah.

Of course.

I mean, half of mine was his, according to him. Never mind the document that he

freely signed before we got married.

Like I said, I'm sensible when it comes to money.

I can see that.

Oh, my goodness.

I am probably making myself sound like your prime suspect, aren't I?

Well, luckily, I have made sandwiches.

Mmm. Lovely.

I'd get a good sandwich, even if I do so so myself.

Could we talk about the events of last night? Yeah, of course.

When did you last see Roscoe?

When I left after rehearsal, Yosefa, Roscoe and I all walked out together.

Night, mate.

So you're good for the meeting on Friday?

Of course.

Because spending time and money I don't have on lawyers, I can't live for.

If two of you were at war, why did he join your ukulele group?

Because he knew his presence would drive me crazy.

He wanted to rub my nose in his talent.

He loved stirring for the sake of stirring because it was a completely

thing to do.

Why didn't you get him kicked out?

He joined after you, didn't he?

It's because Roscoe was good.

We're not a great bunch of players and having him in there made us better.

There was one weird thing about last night.

As I was driving out of the car park, I thought I saw someone.

Honestly, I saw whoever it was just out of the corner of my eye, and even as I

say it now, I wonder if I imagined it, but, well, given events, it may or may

not be important. And you came straight home?

I did, and I even have a witness to back that up. Josefa was here when I got

back.

Josefa? Mm -hmm.

Okay, because...

He was upset, so we sat up drinking whiskey and talking.

What was he upset about?

About Roscoe.

You asked if having Roscoe in the group was hard on me. Well, it was just as

bad, if not worse, for you, Cesar, given how Roscoe had dragged him down again

in the Ragsby Gardens debacle.

And what time did he leave?

Sometime in the morning, I presume. When I got up, he was gone.

Mind out of the gutter, detective.

Yosefa and I have stayed up drinking whiskey and talking into the night a few

times, and I always insist that he sleeps in one of the spare rooms.

Hmm.

Are we done? It's just I have a lawyer to talk to for my sins.

Yeah, we're done here.

And please do sing out if you need anything else.

Oh, and congratulations, by the way.

On what? Your new home.

Yosefa was very proud that he had sold both the old and new dwellings to

Brokenwood's top cop. It's quite the pinnacle in his game, apparently.

I just hope that my stuff ends up at the right address, unscathed. Are you using

the local crews? Didn't have much choice.

You'll be fine. They look a bit rough, but they're good boys.

Do you know everyone and everything in Brokenwood? Well, let's just say I'm

connected to my community.

I really love your car.

I was thinking of getting something a little like yours.

Oh, no, no. I mean, it gets the job done, but this... This has soul.

True.

But soul hasn't exactly been reliable lately.

Well, you never know what you've got till it's gone.

Unless you want a swap.

Probably just needs a service.

Yours is the same model as Roscoe's car. Yeah, we bought them together. One of

those grand gestures you think is romantic, but...

Really, it's just an attempt to save a dying marriage. I can get that.

A classic.

I have faith.

Ah, there you go.

Hey, did I ever tell you the story about a friend of mine and how the movers

took her stuff to the wrong house and there was no one there so they just left

it all out on the front lawn? No.

Please don't.

You have a friend.

What did you learn about Annabella Flynn?

Pleasance.

Helpful. Forthcoming.

And as public opinion would have it, saint -like.

Do saints kill ex -husbands?

Especially when she was already free of him.

Well, not quite. I mean, he was still...

sniffing around, trying to get his half of everything.

It's a way to head that off at the pass.

I get the feeling that in a battle of lawyers, she would win hands down.

So Roscoe infiltrates her ukulele group and then Annabella kills him.

It's not a strong motive, though, is it?

Music does strange things to people.

Food of love and all that.

Hmm.

Maybe that's why Gina is in this band of happy players.

She's, um, taken up.

Songwriting, apparently.

Frodo mentioned something about that. That sounds... Concerning.

Jarvis. Why did Roscoe join the Broken Wood Ukulele Orchestra?

Because he likes the ukulele that much? Or to muscle in on Annabella's gig and

show off his talent?

Or to woo her back?

Oh, no way.

Incident at Ragsby Gardens.

You want to ride along? I have other things to attend to.

Okay, that's definitely mounted.

Thanks for your heads up.

You must be Josefa Knight.

Detective Christensen, this is DC Chalmers.

Didn't quite nail the getaway, Josefa.

Yes, I confess.

I did it. Bloody front -end loader ran out of diesel. Yeah, we know it was you.

Got a bunch of calls about a Maori or Pacific Islander driving a loader,

smashing into a sign.

Why can't they never tell us apart?

All right, go on. Arrest me.

Make my day.

All good. I know my rights.

No? That's fine. You can just walk.

I was sitting in my office.

In the cruel silence.

Staring at the wall.

Then I just kind of snapped.

When you decided to kill Roscoe. Oh, Roscoe, the sign.

I wanted it gone, like it would erase the memories.

Of Roscoe?

Being a fool and listening to Roscoe twice.

Is this because of the Ragsby Gardens development?

And Keegan's Bay.

Keegan's Bay, beachside paradise where promises are made and dreams are washed

away like the outgoing tide.

It didn't work out, I take it.

Year of my life. Wasted.

trying to sell something that barely broke ground before he ran out of money.

Why did you get involved with him again?

Because Roscoe always talked a good game.

Because Roscoe felt apologetic about the Keegan's Bay fiasco and swore it

wouldn't happen again. Swore he had the financing in place this time.

Because he offered me the exclusive listing rights. I was greedy for the

he'd dangled in front of me like the temptress that he was.

Man, I'm so stupid.

Should have seen that coming when I laid eyes on the ad. What ad?

Ragsby Gardens, where you can be you for as far as the eye can see.

Ragsby Gardens, bespoke sections, blank canvases of which you can paint the

house of your dreams. Ragsby Gardens, where peace and serenity are the

to adventure and excitement.

Ragsby Gardens, fertile and thickened.

We can plant your dreams and watch them grow.

Ragsby Gardens, where steam is believing.

Get in now before all this is gone.

I know.

Leaves you speechless.

Okay, um... I have so many questions, like...

Why the ukulele?

I asked Roscoe that.

He said it was his point of difference.

Point of difference from reality?

Yeah, well, needless to say, the uptake on the offerings wasn't great.

Non -existent, really.

OK, um, I'm so sorry that happened to you.

So you left the hall and went straight to Annabella's place, Ed?

I paused to call her, but I went straight to voicemail, so I left a

it's more of an outpouring, really.

Vaguely saw Julie walking past during my rent. Figured I must look like a

lunatic, so might as well head over there and say what I wanted to say over

very nice whiskey. It's a thing we do sometimes.

And did you see or notice anything out of the ordinary?

Not really.

I saw a flag.

That made me sad.

A what kind of flag?

A chopper flag.

Would have been attached to an awesome bike, probably.

It's a banana seat, sissy bars, ape hangers, I imagine.

I always wanted one when I was little, but Mum would never let me.

She got me a rally 20.

Dumbest bike in the world.

Am I a suspect to you?

The good news, Mr Knight, is that you are not under arrest for the sign, given

that it was Ross Goughlin's property and, well...

He's not here to file a complaint, is he?

Thanks, Lucifer.

Oh, gosh.

I'm your sheep to your shepherd.

You always know what I like.

My name is Gina and your name, your

name.

It is polite to announce your arrival.

I'm here.

I can see that.

Was that an original tune?

Yes. Oh.

Cool.

What's it about?

It's private.

Why are you here?

Does anyone in the Broken Wood Ukulele Orchestra get to rehearsal by bike? No.

You're sure?

Yes. And afterwards when you left, there was no bike in the car park?

There was. I didn't see it when I left.

But then again, it was dark, and I was choosing a podcast on my phone about the

massacre of Novgorod under Ivan the Terrible.

I like to listen to something relaxing during my evening walks.

Of course you do.

Is Mike coming back soon?

I will definitely let you know.

Sheep to your shepherd.

Who could that be?

Well, at least now we know what she seeks.

Something not right about that woman.

Well, we've known that for quite some time with Gina.

No, Annabella Flynn.

There is almost nothing to be found anywhere about her. I mean, she's such a

saint. Where are the outward signs of her sainthood? Rich, white woman in a

small town.

Usually they're on a committee somewhere, out and about, doing their

for all to see, posting it for the world and their dog, but...

Annabella Flynn?

Nothing. Well, hubby more than makes up for that. Any photos of Annabella

alongside him in this world?

No, nothing.

Probably didn't want to be tainted by his failures.

Was he saving the lost souls he left in his wake? Yeah, but just the ones he

likes.

Although... He found her secret double life?

Not exactly.

A month ago, Annabella reported a break -in at her home.

Guess what was taken? Can we not play that game?

One thing.

A very expensive Nainoa ukulele.

A month ago, you reported a burglary at your house.

Ah, yes, my Nainoa. The insurance company said I had to file a complaint

they'd pay out. Standard procedure.

Would this, by any chance, be that ukulele?

Um...

Yeah, it could be, or one exactly like it.

Or Roscoe's one.

You and Roscoe had matching ukuleles? Yeah, we bought them together on holiday

in Hawaii.

Is this one damaged because of what happened to Roscoe?

There is a connection, but this is not Roscoe's ukulele.

His one was in its bag in his car.

Right, so... Is it my one?

It would seem so.

Sorry, I, um... I just don't understand what the connection... This is the

murder weapon.

Yes.

Wow. Um... Someone, like, hit him with it.

The ukulele was...

deliberately broken and then modified so the strings could be used as a

ligature.

He was strangled with it.

Oh, God.

Are you all right, Miss Flynn?

Um... Yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry. I'm just... That's just, like, so grotesque.

So, obviously, the circumstances regarding the burglary become important.

to our investigation.

You can see that. Yeah, no, I can.

I just... I don't really know if there's anything I can say that will be of any

use.

It was there in the house, in the music room where it always lived.

It's sounding good.

No, it's not. But it is sounding better, so I will take it. I've finished

replanting the succulents. Want to come take a look?

Oh, yes, I would love to.

And so Julie and I went outside into the garden and then when we came back

inside a door that had previously been closed was open and then I know it was

gone.

Was Julie Jones with you the whole time you were out of the room?

I know where you're going with that and you're wrong.

Julie was definitely with me when this was stolen and yeah.

She has a record of which I was well aware when I hired her, but she has been

nothing but hardworking since that day.

You called Roscoe not long after you'd left the rehearsal?

I did, yeah.

Well, why didn't you just talk to him while you were there? Because sometimes

it's not until you walk away from someone that you think of what you want

say.

So the phone call that night was an argument?

It ended up that way. It started with me saying...

Don't you dare duck the lawyer meeting again. Try manning up and actually

showing this time.

It then swerved through to, and while you're at it, why don't you bugger off

join Laszlo in his free code mail therapy session.

And then it ended with me saying, I'm so looking forward to not having you in my

life anymore.

I'm not very proud of that last one, considering it was the last thing I ever

said to Rothko.

But yeah, apart from that, it was very much one of our standard arguments.

Can I go now, please?

By all means.

So Annabella Flynn had motive.

It doesn't seem that way.

We may have a new contender for motive.

Laszlo's parents died on the Gold Coast.

Murder -suicide, it was ruled.

That would explain the darkness in young Laszlo.

Here we go.

I searched Nuclele Armageddon.

Can I go back a minute?

Up there in the mirror.

Well, hello, Julie.

Hi, Julie.

Quick word, if you don't mind.

Yeah, I know Laszlo.

It's kind of hard to miss.

But how well do you know him?

Well enough to be shooting videos at his place, obviously.

Which one?

Shot a bunch of videos with him.

You never mentioned this to me.

Yeah, because I knew you'd freak.

No, not at all.

All right, then.

So did you meet Laszlo through the ukulele orchestra?

No, he'd been kicked out by the time I joined.

Well, where did you meet him then?

Up at Annabella's when I started working there.

What was he doing at Annabella's?

Sometimes he's giving her ukulele lessons. Sometimes they're just sitting

talking.

I really think for you and... Why did she go to him for lessons?

I don't know. Ask her. What's wrong with me?

Maybe she's bored of all the lame music choices you make.

I thought you liked the songs we did. I like the singing. I like the playing.

I'm not so keen on the songs.

They're classic. Yeah.

So, last century. When you were with Laszlo, did he ever talk about Roscoe

at all?

Julie?

Julie, it is in your best interest to answer the question.

Yeah, of course he talked about Roscoe.

I mean, this is the guy that ripped off his parents, right? Which led to them

killing themselves. So, yeah, he talked about him.

Doesn't mean he killed him, though.

Detective. Annabella.

Hi. I was just in the neighborhood, so... Yeah, look, I'm sorry.

I feel like I have cooperated fully with you all, and yet these questions, they

just keep on coming.

Well, unfortunately, that is the nature of a homicide investigation.

Liam Ragsby or Laszlo Carlson as you know him probably?

No, I know him as both. What about him?

You were in the orchestra with him?

Yeah, I was.

And Rothko did the land deal with his parents?

Yes, but the two are not connected.

So after he was booted out of the orchestra, why was he such a frequent

here?

Well, I don't know if I'd say frequent, but he was a visitor.

I asked him to give me ukulele lessons, and I paid him for his time. For all his

shortcomings as a human, he was actually a very good teacher.

Did Laszlo ever talk about Roscoe while he was here with you?

Do you mean did he tell me that he wanted to kill Roscoe?

Well, I'm sure he didn't go that far. Look, we talked about a lot of things,

we bonded in a way over the fact that we both lost our parents in tragic

circumstances.

Is he in love with you?

Well, if he is, he definitely kept that to himself.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Uh, nope. Okay, that's it. Bye then.

Nope, that's all.

Come on girl.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Bugger.

Bugger.

Got trouble, Mike?

Indeed. I know the feeling.

Lucky you're not trying to use a front end loader as a getaway vehicle.

I have no idea what that means.

You will. Okay.

You're heading to your new place, right?

Yes. Me too.

Bringing this over as promised.

I'll trade you that for a lift to where I can call a tow truck.

Michael,

we can do better than that.

Give me the thumbs up when you feel me take the strain and...

And then leave the driving to me? Are you sure about this?

That's my thought.

How hard can it be?

No,

no, no.

No, no, no.

No,

no,

no. No, no,

no. No, no, no.

No, no, no.

No, no, no.

There you go.

Safe and sound.

Hey, Mike, why is your car bleeding out?

Oh, that's not good.

It may be a mercy killing.

You're welcome.

Also... I probably should have warned you about this as your real estate

but a fair few ratbags live around here, so best not leave your car unlocked at

night. Hooray!

One dimensional fantasy.

Here the curse of life.

A damsel in a dress.

Or just a devil in a dress.

Mike, I was just thinking about you.

I mean, I was thinking about your moving house. How is it going?

Oh, you want me?

In the garage?

It will be my pleasure.

Show me where the offender was in relation to Roscoe.

Good. Now, Gherotmy?

I have nothing to go at you with.

Well, just pretend.

Use your hands.

Yeah, good.

Now get out.

What? Get out. Shut the door.

So, I'm Roscoe. I've just come out of ukulele practice.

I've climbed into my car, and you come out of the dark about to murder me.

What the hell? What are you doing?

I'm doing what you told me.

No, sorry, I'm being Roscoe, reacting to the person climbing in behind.

Yet, when the body was discovered, the position of it indicated he was unaware

that someone was behind him, attacking him.

Yes, that's what I'm thinking.

Therefore, the killer was waiting for him.

Hmm.

Now, get up.

Shut the door.

Now, get inside and wait for me.

I can't. The car is locked.

Exactly.

So how did they get in?

The car was unlocked.

In a dark car park at night. Would someone really leave their car unlocked?

Or whoever killed Roscoe had a spare set of keys.

Unlocked the vehicle, climbed in, locked it, then waited.

Yes, indeed, Gina.

Yes, indeed.

Figured out.

Laszlo?

Brokenwood CIB, got time for a chat?

Why doesn't he just answer the door like normal people?

Laszlo?

You here?

Do we have to?

Laszlo, turn off the music. We need to talk to you.

I am done talking to the likes of you.

Representatives of a world that let Roscoe Flynn steal my parents' land and

condemn them to die.

Is that why you killed him, Laszlo?

You are not welcome here.

Then let's take this back to the station.

What if I don't want to go?

Then we'll ask you again nicely and hope that you reconsider.

Not going to happen.

Suck on this!

Put it down, Lazlo. Never.

Put down the ukulele.

Lazlo Carlton, you are under arrest for assault on a police officer.

We've brought in Lazlo Carlson on assault with Anukulele.

You guys all right?

We might have to add his taste in music to his list of charges.

He's in interview one.

He's waived his right to a lawyer.

I'll join you.

All right, Lazlo.

What can you tell us about the death of Roscoe Flynn?

I strangled him.

Didn't take half as long as I thought it would.

Did you use a weapon in this act?

A very nice Nainoa ukulele.

Such a waste, but needs must.

And where did you get that ukulele?

I stole it from Annabella Flynn's house a month ago.

Did someone help you with this?

If you mean, did Julie help me?

No.

She doesn't know anything about any of this.

But she distracted Danabella, giving you the opportunity.

But she didn't know that was happening.

I saw the opportunity.

I took it.

And this was quite a while before you went through with it.

I needed time to prepare and to practice.

On the night in question, can you run us through your actions?

Well, I turned up, obviously.

And then I waited.

Then I decided I wanted to look Roscoe in the eye.

One last time.

And I put on a little show for them all.

Well, hello. Another Kiwi classic slaughtered at your altar.

Then I went back outside.

Hi,

Julie.

Pleasure's always.

Oh, no, yeah, totally. You were killing it. Good night, Roscoe. Good night,

Gina.

Yeah, you were saying?

Good night, Roscoe. Okay, yeah. Yeah. All right.

I was on autopilot.

I can't pretend it didn't feel good.

It was almost dawn when I got to bed.

After burning the bag, gloves, clothes, everything.

Hard work committing a homicide.

At least justice was served.

That's a very compelling story, Laszlo.

Thanks for that.

If you excuse us for a bit, then we'll make everything efficient.

Is there something we're missing here? We've got our confession. It is what it

is.

Sometimes it is what it is means it is what it shouldn't be.

We should still write it up, though.

Just give me a minute.

Mind if I ask you a couple of quick questions?

Why did you go into the hall at the start of the evening?

Like I said, I wanted to look Roscoe in the eye.

It did kind of advertise you as a suspect.

I mean, if you'd just waited in the bushes, you might have got away with it.

OK, we'll put that one down to hubris.

And a rookie mistake.

But unless there was somebody already there who needed to know that you'd be

outside and ready to go. I told you.

Julie had nothing to do with this.

You did.

My second question.

How did you manage to get into the back of Roscoe's car so quickly and

stealthily? I mean, you've got this uke thing in two hands. You open the door,

climb inside, and then you get the strings over his head.

See, if I was you, I would have gotten hold of Roscoe's spare car keys.

climbed in the back while he was inside, locked the door, laid down, and then

when he got inside, just popped out. That's not how it happened.

My last question.

How did you know that Roscoe would be the last one left in the car park?

I mean, he was one of the first ones out.

If he hadn't have gotten the phone call, he would have shot through, and you

would have had to have done it as witnesses were pouring forth from the

Are you protecting someone, Leslie?

He killed my parent.

And I wanted him to die for that.

So I did it.

I did it all by myself.

Of course you did.

Just let me know if the songs are too boring for you.

Give it a rest, Andy.

I said I'm sorry.

You've got such a great voice.

Cheer up.

Okay? I'll take the lead on the first one.

So I sing my song after the first one?

Yes, you must.

Why does everyone have ukuleles?

We wandered into a cult.

Here you go.

You and one for you.

What's this for?

You didn't think it was just us, did you?

Do you think anyone would notice if we flee?

No, I'm into it.

Dust off past blues.

Mikey's coming?

Yep, he should be here soon. Just tying it from loose ends.

He must come.

Detective. Miss Flynn. You've still got your car, I'm pleased to see.

It was touch and go there for a while, but I guess I'm stuck in my ways.

Is that one of those fancy ukuleles? Yes, it's a Nainoa. I treated myself to

trip to Hawaii.

To pick up another one just like the murder weapon? Ah, well, that was a

and this is a concert.

Makes all the difference.

Have you spoken to Laszlo?

The man who killed my ex -husband?

No, I'm not sure why I would do that.

Did you actually have to ask him to kill Roscoe? Or did you let the thought seep

in and then let devotion be the rest?

Okay, look, a young man did a terrible thing for some misguided reason, but

what's done is done.

There's no denying that.

And if you don't mind, I have a gig to get to.

I'm aware of that.

Oh, well, you should come. What have you got to do?

I might just do that. Okay, see you there.

Your spare key. How do you have that?

A search warrant executed while you were treating yourself.

Searching for what?

The spare remote to Roscoe's car.

Well, why... I don't have that.

No, you don't.

But you did.

Sorry, I'm... I'm very confused.

At first I thought it was the matching car thing, that your key could open his

car and vice versa.

But I was told otherwise.

These things are coded separately.

You'd have identical cars, same make, model, colour, but the keys are unique,

even though they look the same.

Thanks, Tony. So?

So? Have you made a decision, the sexy sedan or the manute?

Yes, I have made a decision.

In the same way that your ukuleles looked identical and your cars are

the same, so two of your remotes.

The spare key we found at Roscoe's was not a match for his car.

Someone swapped his remote for yours.

The one I'm holding now.

Okay, so I guess they got mixed up in the split.

How much mixed up?

Unless it was intentionally passed on to someone else.

Mr. Carlson.

One more question.

You're quite the storyteller, Mr. Carlson.

There's only one problem.

What's that?

I don't believe you.

Your loss.

No.

The loss is all yours, Laszlo.

You may be enamored with Annabella Flynn.

In love, even.

And yes, she will visit you in prison, initially to keep you sweet in your lie.

But eventually, she will know that no one will believe you, even if you decide

to tell all.

As the strange and lonely Laszlo Carlson dwindles away into the interminable

boredom that is prison.

I didn't lie.

I killed Roscoe Flynn.

I know you did.

But you had help.

And if you explain that help, who and how, I'm sure a judge will look more

kindly on your sentence.

Share the load a little.

Never.

Never?

Never.

Even if it means the difference between 17 and 35 years?

35 long?

Long years.

I have nothing to say.

Okay.

I won't hold you up any longer.

Wait.

He explained that when you left your door unlocked, so that he could steal

nana, he was gifted something else.

Roscoe's spare key you had switched gave him access to the critical element of

surprise.

And he offered up one little extra detail.

You've already left and you're still busting my balls.

Don't you dare try and get out of the meeting again. Just man up and show up.

Can you do this?

No more lawyers, Annabella. I just want what's rightfully mine.

Well, bugger off then and join Leslo.

What the hell are you doing?

sign of annabella and no sign of mike can we get a

glass of salve please sorted good

not on your life hello welcome to the first ever and hopefully

not last ever public performance of the broken wood ukulele orchestra no mucking

around this one starts in the ever -loving

Take it away, Julie.

Okay.

One, two, three, four.

Thank

you.

We're taking on a gamble.

And now I would like to dedicate this next song to a very special person. It's

called You Are My Step.