Original subtitles

(birds squawking)

(solemn music)

(mysterious music)

(solemn music)

(engine roaring)

(Tony whistles)

- Get a move on, Linda.

(camera snapping)

- Okay, that'll do.

- Did you bring the strongroom receipt?

Okay.

(music)

(Linda gasps)

- You better get back.

- Hmm.

- Now, Tony.

Go.

(tense music)

(engine roaring)

(Linda gasping)

Get off it!

(dog barking)

- Hey, hey, stop that!

Stop! - Come on!

Let go!

- Stop that, I say!

(dog barking)

Now be careful, my dear.

Now, come and sit down while I ring for the ambulance.

I'll look after you.

You've got nothing--

- Get off me, you old fool!

(dog barking)

(engine rumbling)

- Magnificent

(solemn music)

- What are you looking for, Joyce?

- My brushes.

- Well, isn't that them there? - What?

Where?

- Behind you.

- Where?

- In your bag.

- Oh.

Oh, yes.

- You all right?

- Well, it's my first day.

I'm a bit nervous.

- Joyce, it's only the Costen Watercolour Society.

What have you got to be nervous about?

- Thanks.

- Well, you know what I mean.

Anyway, you're going to spend a lovely day

in picturesque midsummer glory.

- I suppose you're going to tell me there's been

some grisly murder there.

- No, I'm not.

As far as I know Midsomer Floryis a haven of tranquillity.

(light music)

- Now then everybody, this lovely lady is Joyce,

our new member.

So let's do all we canto make her feel welcome.

And this is Midsomer Flory.

Now, you're probably thinking,

what is old Barrett Filby up to now?

Hmm?

This gorgeous place has been painted

and photographed to death.

How on Earth can we find afresh way of looking at it?

Well, that is the challenge, my lovelies,

coming up with your own unique interpretation.

Mr. Pigmy.

Now, find yourselves a spot, and I'll be around

to have a word before you start.

- But surely you can see my position.

Ah, Barnaby, isn't it?

Oh, thank God.

Perhaps now I can get some sense out of you.

Major Teal.

The golf club.

You were a guest at the jubilee dinner.

- Oh, yes.

I remember that well.

So Major Teal, what can I do for you?

- Thank you.

Thank you.

- Barrett, I thought I'd concentrate

on one small area today, like over there, where my house is.

- You follow your instincts, Ann, my darling.

- Are we supposed to do a pencil sketch first?

- If that's what turns you on, Alan, old mate.

- Would a 2B pencil be suitable?

- We've decided to work in brush today.

- Jolly good show, Mrs. B.

Hmm.

- Hello, I'm Tessa Hawksley.

- Oh, Joyce Barnaby.

- Coming here was all Ann Carter's idea,

I bet, so she could show off her house.

And it's not going to be in my painting,

I can tell you that.

- [Joyce] Do you live here?

- God, no.

We couldn't afford it.

- So naturally, I went to the woman's aid.

What did she do to?

Hurled me to the ground, called me all the names

under the sun, and ran me over.

- She ran you over?

- Well, she came very close.

Was a damn near thing.

Poor woman, she was probably in shock.

She was extraordinarily handsome, as it happens.

- Yeah, well there seems to have been a spate

of these bag snatchers in the Midsomer village, Major Teal.

In fact, we set up a special operation

to deal with it, Operation Pond Life.

In you go.

And this is Sergeant Troy, who's in charge

of Operation Pond Life.

Major Teal, Sergeant Troy.

Major Teal witnessed a bag snatching yesterday.

- Sir, I've got lots of paperwork.

- Take a statement from him please.

- But-- - A detailed statement.

Now, if you'll excuse me, Major Teal,

I've got a business meeting to attend.

- Of course.

Surely you're too young to be a Sergeant.

- They're making my husband take early retirement, you see.

- Well, what does he do?

- Colin's the manager of the local bank.

- Oh.

- They're closing it down, of course.

It's going to be a wine bar.

Quite appropriate, really, seeing as Colin's taken to drink.

- Oh, oh dear.

- Does yours?

- Does my what?

- Does your husband drink?

- Well, no, he--

- Most of them do, you know?

It's the only pleasure left to men of a certain age.

Well, I'm gonna park myself here.

Nice talking to you, Joyce.

(Tony whistling)

- You can't go there.

- Oh, you made me jump.

- That's my place.

- Sorry?

- I've been working in this exact spot for six months.

- Well, I'll find somewhere else.

- Make sure it's well away from me.

I don't want you breathing down my neck.

Amateurs.

- [Tom] What did Major Teal have to say, then?

- Sounds like it was the same as the others.

The scooter was stolen in Costen.

One hour later, they grabbed this woman's bag

in Midsomer Flory, according to Teal, anyway.

- What do you mean "according to Teal?"

- Well, the woman, whoever she was,

hasn't reported the theft, which seems pretty odd,

considering she was also assaulted, according to Teal.

- You stop saying that.

Did you get the woman's registration number?

- No.

He was too busy lying in the middle of the road,

admiring her ankles.

- Troy, I hope you are taking Operation Pond Life seriously.

- Sir, kids snatching handbags isn't really our job, is it?

- Well, yes it is.

Street crime of this kind erodes

people's confidence in us, so it is important.

- Sir.

(light music)

(Tony whistling)

- Now then, Joyce, let's see what you've been up to.

- I can't get the proportions right.

- Never mind that, my lovely.

You've got to loosen up your drawing.

Look.

Hold the pencil near the end like this.

Now relax your wrist.

That's it.

Let the pencil guide you, not the other way around.

(Tony whistling)

(door opens, closes)

- Tony!

Where are you going, darling?

- For a walk.

- A walk, darling?

Where?

- Oh, nowhere in particular, sweetheart.

I'm just gonna stretch my legs.

- We'll be having lunch in the pub, Tony.

Why not join us?

- Super, can't wait.

And what is that supposed to be?

- [Ann] It's the house, darling.

What do you think?

- What house?

- Try to be a bit more supportive, darling.

- I think Ann's making real progress.

- You think so, do ya?

- Well, tell him, Barrett.

- Yes.

Well, I think she's definitely improving.

- He's a little ray of sunshine, isn't he?

I'll see you in the pub.

- Yeah.

- Have a Nice walk, darling.

- I will, sweetheart.

Don't you worry.

(light music)

What?

- Your passport photos were in that bag.

- So?

Look, the local police are thick as two short planks.

They're not worried about the photos.

What else was in that bag?

- The camera and the binoculars and the strongroom receipt.

- Well, the muggers, they're not gonna worry

about the receipt.

They're gonna keep the camera and the binoculars,

then just chuck the bag away.

Look, it might already have been handed in.

You have got to report it.

- Are you sure?

- Yeah.

Yes, I'm sure.

Have you had that looked at?

- You better get back to domestic bliss

before Ann sends out a search party.

- Just get the bloody receipt back, Linda.

- I'm doing this for us, Tony.

I hope that hasn't slipped your mind.

- Everything's gonna be fine, trust me.

I love you, don't I?

(light music)

- Good morning, Tony.

Lovely day.

- If you say so.

- We're breaking for lunch now, Joyce.

Perhaps you'll join us in the Cork and Rabbit.

- I'll be along in a minute.

- They do a very fair plowman's lunch.

- Lovely.

(Tony whistling)

- Oh my god.

Oh my god.

(solemn music)

- Sure you'll be all right? - Yes, of course I am.

- Sir, can I have a word?

Sorry, Mrs. Barnaby.

- Oh, go.

You both have got work to do.

I'll be fine.

- Don't worry, I'll look after her.

- [Tom] Thank you.

- Already turned up someone with a record, sir.

- Who?

- Barrett Filby, the artist chap.

Did eight months.

He told me himself.

He's terrified it'll get out and ruin his reputation.

- What offence?

- Knocking out Constables.

- Sorry, Troy?

- John Constable, the painter.

Filby was turning out 10 a day in his garden shed.

Her, sir.

- [Tom] Ta.

- Tom.

Only just noticed it.

- Looks like one of her brushes.

Must've had it in her hand when she was attacked.

- Nylon, number nine.

And George?

- Stab wound in the back, by the look of it, Tom.

Shan't know anymore til I get her on the slab.

- Well, let me know when you find anything.

Will do.

- You got anything on her?

- Her name's Ruth Fairfax, sir, bit of a mystery woman.

She moved into a village about six months ago,

rented a flat.

Kept herself to herself.

No family or friends that anyone knows about.

She came down here everyday to paint, rain or shine.

- Well, let's go look at the flat.

See if we can discover something more about Miss Fairfax.

(Tony whistling)

- Poor old Ruth Fairfax, eh?

Who'd want to harm a nice old lady like that?

- What's going on, Tony?

- Well, some nutter on the loose, I suppose.

- I mean with you.

You're up to something, Tony, and I want to...

- There's something I want to show you in the garden, dear.

Don't ever, ever discuss our private affairs in the house.

- You know what I think, Tony?

I think you made it up about the house being bugged

so you don't have to tell me anything.

- Of course it's bugged!

The police are watching us all the time.

- It's for our own safety, Tony,

in case any of your old friends find out where we are.

(Tony sighs)

- I've had four years of looking over my shoulder

every minute of the day.

It's just starting to get to me, that's all.

- Is there something you're not telling me?

- Like what?

- The past few weeks, you've been like a caged animal.

You better not be planning to run out on me, Tony Carter.

- Well, why would I do that?

I love you, don't I?

Everything's gonna be fine.

You just trust me, hmm?

(doorbell ringing)

- Mrs. Metcalfe?

- Yes?

- Afternoon to you.

I'm Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

This is Detective Sergeant Troy.

- I suppose this is about poor Ruth Fairfax.

- Did she talk about her family?

- No, she never wanted to chat.

Thank God.

I've got enough to do without standing around

gossiping all day.

- Did she have any friends in the village?

- Not that I know of.

Kept herself to herself.

Very polite, mind you, most of the time.

- Most of the time?

- Well, it was a bit of a to do last week.

- What kind of a to do?

- A pipe under her bedroom basin was leaking.

So I had Mike Weatherby in to sort it out.

- Mike Weatherby?

- He's a local handyman.

Anyway, Miss Fairfax came back early from her painting,

found Mike in her bedroom, and fairly let fly at him.

- What?

- She accused him of going through her things or something.

- Well, thank you, Mrs. Metcalfe.

You can leave us to it now, if you'd be so kind.

(door closes)

No address book by the phone.

No mail, no happy family snapshots.

Just a lot of pictures.

All exactly the same.

Not very good either, are they?

- Maybe the murder was an art lover, sir.

- Check her bedroom.

- Sir.

(solemn music)

(clinking)

Sir?

- Yep.

- Funny looking makeup.

- It's theatrical makeup, that's why, stuff actors use.

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

Yeah, he's here.

George Bullard, sir.

- George, what can I do for you?

- [George] Get over here right away, Tom.

There's something I want to show you.

- George.

- Ah good.

- What is it?

- Once you know, it's obvious.

- What do you mean once you know?

- Observe.

- Oh god.

- And observe this.

I believe that's what's known as a fat suit

in theatrical circles.

- [Tom] And that's theatrical makeup, isn't it?

- Yes.

Damn good, isn't it?

And plain glass in the specs, I think.

So the deceased isn't a short, dumpy old lady

who needs support socks.

She's a fit, attractive 30-something

with a flair for disguise.

- How about cause of death?

- As I said, there appears tobe a stab wound in the back.

I haven't had a proper look at it.

I wanted you to see her with the disguise first.

Come back tomorrow and I'll have a better idea.

(light music)

- Troy.

- I think we found the murder weapon, sir.

A carpenter chisel, covered in blood.

Sharp, too, by the look of it.

- Where did you find it?

- About 30 yards away in the bushes.

- That's good work.

You get it down forensics right away.

Anyone see anything?

- No, we're drawing a blank so far.

One minute, she was sitting at her easel, painting away.

The next, Mrs. Barnaby found her in the bushes.

- Where is Mrs. Barnaby?

- She's been taken home by one of

the Water Colour Society people, a Mrs. Hawksley.

- Hey, listen to this.

It seems that Ruth Fairfax was more of a mystery lady

than we realised.

- How do you mean, sir?

- She was a young woman of 30,

expertly disguised as someone twice her age.

- What?

- I'll get back to the mortuary first thing

tomorrow morning, see what George Boulard

can tell us about that chisel.

And you, you go back to Ruth Fairfax's flat.

Take another look around.

See if you can find something, anything

that will tell us what she was up to.

- Sir.

- What about the handyman, Mike Weatherby?

- Oh, I'm gonna talk to him now.

He's in the pub.

Apparently, it's his second home.

- Now, tomorrow, I want all the witnesses

back here on the green.

We'll reconstruct all their movements

down to the last detail.

- Sir.

- Somebody must have seen something.

- Then Colin was moved to the branch in Midsomer Flory.

Being sent to a backwater like that

was a terrible blow to his pride.

That's when the drinking started.

By that time, the marriage was pretty well over already,

well, the more intimate side of it, if you get my meaning.

Men of a certain age, well, alcohol just kills that off.

- Oh good.

There's Tom.

- Joyce, Joyce, you all right?

- I'm fine.

Mrs. Hawksley's been marvellous.

There's some tea in the pot if you'd like some.

- Oh good god, no.

I need a drink.

Anyone join me?

- It's far too early for me.

- Tess's husband is the manager

of the Shire's bank at Midsomer Flory.

- Really?

- Not for much longer.

It's being turned into a wine bar called the Overdraft.

I suppose that passes for humour in the catering business.

- They're asking you back to the scene

of the crime tomorrow, Mrs. Hawksley,

just to double check the sequence of events.

- Oh, that's all right.

We'll be back there anyway, painting away.

We're doing it for charity, so Barrett Filby

wants us to soldier on.

- Well, we'll try to take up not much of your time.

- Oh.

Colin's volunteered to do the auction.

I'm dreading it.

He'll get tight and make an ass of himself, as usual.

Well, nice to have met you, Chief Inspector,

despite the circumstances.

- And you.

Thank you for looking after Joyce.

- Oh.

I'll see you tomorrow. - Thanks again.

(door closes)

I thought she'd never go.

Are you sure you want another drink?

- Yes.

Why?

George.

- Good morning, Tom.

What can I do for you?

- Good morning to you.

You were going to give me some more on Ruth Fairfax?

- She's gone.

- What do you mean she's gone?

- She was moved first thing.

Didn't you know?

- No, no, I did not know.

Who moved her?

- The investigating officer is, let me see.

Detective Inspector Mark Gudgeon.

- I'm the investigating officer.

- Not according to this.

The paperwork was all in order,

and I had a call from on high.

Very on high, Tom.

- Who is Mark Gudgeon?

I've never heard of the fellow.

(phone ringing)

Where, where have they taken her?

- I have no idea.

It was all very hush-hush.

(phone ringing)

Boulard.

Yes, I'll tell him.

That was Sergeant Troy, wants you to go round

to Ruth Fairfax's flat.

Says it's urgent.

(doorbell ringing)

- Sir, you're not gonna believe this.

- And the bedroom?

- The same, sir.

Not a trace of Ruth Fairfax left.

- I didn't knew what to do.

- It's okay, Mrs. Metcalfe.

It's not your fault.

- Who was it?

- DS Noland and DC Backley, acting on the orders

of Detective Inspector Mark--

- Gudgeon?

- Yes, sir.

Gudgeon.

- I think we better go back to the station, Troy.

Find out exactly what is going on here.

- Stop worrying about getting every flipping detail right,

because you're going to load up your brushes

with tonnes of gorgeous colour and start laying down

big, bold washes.

- Good morning.

I'm Detective Sergeant Noland.

This is Detective Constable Backley.

May we have your attention, please?

(phone ringing)

- Troy.

Yes, sir.

He's here, sir.

Thank you, sir.

- Barnaby speaking.

Yes, sir.

But...

Very well, sir.

- What did he say?

- I'm no longer in charge of the investigation

into Ruth Fairfax's murder, Troy.

- Why not?

- The fact that my wife is a possible witness

might compromise me.

- Well, he's got a point there.

Not that you would allow it to, of course.

- I'm being replaced by a Detective Inspector Mark Gudgeon.

- Gudgeon, he's the bloke who--

- Yes, he is.

He's head of a special team from

the national intelligence squad.

- The national intelligence squad?

Really?

- Yes.

Really.

- So what do we do now?

- Well, you, you're still on the case, Troy.

You have to report to a Detective Sergeant Noland

at Midsomer Flory.

- You mean I'm working with the NIS?

- Liaising with them, yeah.

- Of course, I'd much rather be working with you, sir.

- Don't worry, Troy.

It's a great opportunity.

Make the most of it.

- Thank you.

(knocking at door)

- Come in.

- Oh hello, I'm looking for Sergeant Troy.

- [Gavin] Oh, that's me.

- I'd like to report a bag snatching.

- Ah, well, the thing is, I suppose I ought to be

getting back to Midsomer Flory, sir, to liaise.

- Yes, you should, Troy.

You can go and liaise.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Please.

Sit down.

- Yes!

- [Linda] And then one of them hit me in the face,

so I let go of the bag.

- There was a witness to that, wasn't there?

- Was there?

- Yes, an elderly gentleman.

He says he tried to help you, but you just

pushed him out of the way and drove off.

- I don't remember.

I was frightened and dizzy from the attack.

- That probably explains why you didn't

report the robbery sooner, yeah?

- Yes.

I was in a terrible state.

I thought I might be concussed.

- See the doctor?

- No, not straight away.

I went home.

I was in shock, I just wanted to lie down.

- Then did you see the doctor?

- No, I felt a bit better after a rest,

so in the end, I didn't bother.

- Of course, I understand.

What was in the bag, Mrs. Tyrell?

- There was some papers from my bank, which are important.

- Paperwork from bank.

What sort of paperwork was that?

- Oh, the usual.

I have some statements and letters and a strongroom receipt.

- Strongroom receipt.

Anything else?

- No, not really.

Oh, a camera.

- What sort of camera?

- A Polaroid, and some binoculars.

- Polaroid camera and binoculars.

- I'm house hunting, they come in very useful.

- Oh, I see.

That's what you were doing out by the wood, was it?

Hunting for houses?

- Yes, well, (laughs) well, not exactly, no.

I stopped to get a map out of the boot, and...

Look, I don't care about the camera and the binoculars,

but the papers are important.

Maybe someone's found a bag and handed it in.

- It won't take long to find out, will it, Mrs. Tyrell?

It's a lovely part of the world.

- Where?

- Midsomer Flory.

- I wouldn't know.

- Stolen property, please.

I assume that's why you were house hunting in the area.

(light music)

(clock chiming)

- Colin, are you going to get out of the car?

- It's this damn flu.

I can't seem to shake it off.

- I'm sure you've got some nice medicine

hidden away in the bank.

(light music)

(buzzer buzzing)

- [Both] Good morning, Mr. Hawksley.

- Good morning.

Mrs. Partridge, I shall be working downstairs

in the strongroom this morning.

Do not disturb me unless absolutely necessary.

- Yes, Mr. Hawksley.

- Thank you.

(keypad beeping)

- Now then, how's my favourite student getting on?

- Well, I'm quite pleased with some of my washes, Barrett.

- I'm not surprised.

Look at all this gorgeous, gorgeous brush work.

I could eat it up.

(Ann giggling)

- Could you, Barrett?

- So tell me, what's this DI Mark Gudgeon like?

- He didn't show up.

We were interviewed by a DS and a DC.

- Did they stage a reconstruction?

- No.

He just asked a lot of questions.

The person they were most interested in

was this handyman chap.

- Mike Weatherby?

- Yes.

He's a bit of a boozer, according to the locals.

- That's what Troy said, yeah.

- The irony is that he's the one person

whose movements I can be pretty sure of.

- Why's that?

- Because of my drawing.

Here.

That's Mike Weatherby working on the Carters' house.

- Was he there all morning?

- [Joyce] Yes.

- And you were doing this right at the time

you found Ruth Fairfax.

- Yeah.

The last thing I did was draw the hands on the clock.

Look, it says 20 to one, and I checked with my watch.

- That's hardly enough time for Mike Weatherby

to get across the green, kill her,

and then get back up his ladder, is it?

You told them this?

- Yes.

But I'd left the drawing here.

- Well, you take it in tomorrow, show them.

And Joyce, you keep your eyes open.

Tell me what's going on.

- I hope you're not going to interfere, Tom.

- Interfere?

I'm not going to interfere.

(solemn music)

Morning, Troy.

How's it going?

- Great, sir.

- You doing a house to house?

- Deep background, actually.

- Deep background.

And what might that be?

- Sorry, sir, I'm not supposed to discuss the investigation

with anyone outside the team.

- Oh, I see.

What's this DI Mark Gudgen like, then?

- I haven't met him yet.

The boss has got a lot on his plate at the moment.

- The boss, Troy?

- So what are you doing in Midsomer Flory, sir?

- Operation Pond Life, Troy.

Got to do something about these bag snatchings, haven't we?

Just wanted to make sure we hadn't missed anything,

you know.

What was Mike Weatherby working on here?

- A leaking pipe, there, under the basin.

He had to take out one of the panels at the back.

- Antibiotics, belonging to Angela Browning.

Does that name mean anything to you?

- No, not a thing.

- These were prescribed 10 days ago.

Did Ruth Fairfax have any visitors recently?

- No, not recently.

Not ever, in fact.

- You sure?

- Quite sure.

If she'd had visitors, I would have known about it.

Believe me.

(solemn music)

- Oh Barnaby.

- Major Teal.

The very man.

Could you spare me a minute, please?

- Of course, anything to help clear up this horrible murder.

- It's about the mugging you witnessed, actually.

The victim reported it yesterday.

- Ah, blonde, good looking, rather fine ankles.

- Could you tell me, please, exactly where

did the mugging take place?

- Oh, she was parked in Leveret's Lane up, behind the wood.

Drive through the village and turn right,

or take the footpath across the green.

It's a pleasant walk.

(solemn music)

(Linda gasps)

- God, you made me jump.

- What happened?

- The bag hasn't been handed in.

- Are you sure, Linda?

- Yes.

Now let go, you're hurting me.

What is the matter with you?

- Nothing.

It's just this police crawling all over the village.

- Yes, well that's nothing to do with us.

- How do you know?

That old girl that was knocked off,

there was something funny about her.

- What do you mean, funny?

- She has been sitting down there on the village green

for six months staring at my house.

- Tony, Tony, stop it.

I hate it when you're like this.

- Somebody is after me, Linda.

It could be one of our lot, could be the police,

I don't know which shoulder to look over anymore.

- Yes, well, our lot are all safely

tucked up in prison, okay?

(solemn music)

That's him.

That's the copper I reported the mugging to.

- That's Barnaby.

You told him about the bag.

- So what if I did?

(tense music)

Tony, Tony, what are you doing?

- I'm going to sort him out.

(tense music)

(siren wailing)

- Are you out of your mind?

This is no time to go bashing policemen on the head.

- Did you tell him about the strongroom receipt?

- Of course I did.

You told me to report it.

- Not to him.

He is a Chief Inspector.

And now you've got him sniffing around us.

- Tony, that receipt belongs to my husband.

Someone hands it in, the police have got to give it to me.

- Well, it better turn up soon, because I am that close,

that close to losing it.

(people chattering)

- Oh yes, they charged him with murder, all right.

I heard them caution him.

- But why Weatherby?

- [Mr. Teal] Stabbed her in the back with a chisel.

- Well, I'm very surprised.

- So am I.

(solemn music) (siren wailing)

Hello.

You missed all the excitement.

They've arrested Mike Weatherby.

- Yeah, I know.

Saw him being driven away.

You shown anyone your drawing?

- Yes, first thing this morning, the Detective Constable.

- What did he say?

- He said he'd get back tome when he had a window.

- A window. - Whatever that means.

- Means he's not interested.

Troy here?

- I think I saw him go into the pub?

- [Mr. Teal] Same old story every day.

Barnaby, hey.

(people chattering)

- 17 days, it was.

17 days it was.

(all talking at once)

- Afternoon, gentlemen.

- Hello, sir.

This is James Nolan, Simon Buckley.

Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

- Heard a lot about you, sir.

- Perhaps I could buy you a drink, sir.

- No thanks, not at the minute.

Can I have a word, please, Troy?

- Oh sir, how is it going on operation,

what's it called, Pond Life?

- Yeah, that's it.

Fine, thank you.

- Good show, sir.

It's very important for the community,

that sort of policing.

- Yes.

Yes it is.

But Joyce was watching Weatherby all the morning.

She's even got a drawing of him working on

the Carters' house with the clock showing 20 to one.

- Sir, the murder weapon belongs to Weatherby.

He admitted it.

And his prints are all over it.

- Well, they would be if it's his, wouldn't they?

Troy, someone could have stolen the chisel from his van.

- He's a binge drinker who goes

looking for trouble when he's drunk.

He spent so many nights in Costen,

Nick, they named a cell after him.

- Yes, drunken scuffles outside the pub at closing time

is a bit different from killing someone

with a chisel in broad daylight, isn't it?

- And he had that big bust up with Ruth Fairfax.

Apparently, he's been sounding off

in the pub about getting even with her.

- In the pub, that's pub gossip, isn't it?

- Please, sir, I'm not supposed to discuss it with anyone.

- All right, all right.

I've said my piece.

Joyce, show Troy your drawing.

- Oh, that's funny.

- What's wrong?

- It's gone.

Look.

- Are you sure the drawing was in this sketch book?

- Yes, of course.

- I'm sorry.

I've got a dash.

Thank you anyway, Mrs. Barnaby.

- Did you tell anyone else about the drawing

apart from the police?

- I might have told the others.

- What others?

- The Watercolour Society.

(tense music)

(keyboard clacking)

(computer beeping)

(eerie music)

(knocking on door)

- Come.

Oh, Troy, how's it going?

- Making good progress.

Noland and Backley are interviewing Mike Weatherby.

They're gonna let me sit in later.

- Lucky you.

How about Detective Inspector Mark Gudgeon?

You met him yet?

- Oh, not yet, sir.

He's sort of overseeing the whole operation.

It's very complex.

- Oh, it must be.

- Oh, this is just in, sir.

Some kids stole a scooter in Causton this morning,

and crashed it.

One of them got away, but the other one's

in hospital with a broken leg.

Could be your bag snatchers.

- Yes, it could, Troy.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

This could be the breakthrough I've been looking for.

Oh, almost forgot.

You better take these.

- [Gavin] What are they, sir?

- Those are Angela Browning's antibiotics.

Found them in the flat.

- Sorry?

- Angela Browning.

That's Ruth Fairfax's real name.

Detective Constable Angela Browning, to be exact,

30 years old, and at the time of her death,

attached to the national intelligence squad.

Didn't your new colleagues tell you that?

That's odd, isn't it?

- Well, I'm off to the hospital.

Thank you for this.

- Where were you off to this morning?

Another about your mysterious walks?

- I had to get out.

The police were all over the shop.

- That's nothing to do with us.

They're after Mike Weatherby.

- Good job, too.

Had enough of him hanging about the house every day.

- Don't start that nonsense again.

- It's this bloody village.

- It's not the village, it's you, Tony.

You're paranoid.

- What if we could get out of here, Ann?

Find somewhere in the sun, nobody watching us,

and live even better?

- And how are we going to do that?

- Just answer the question.

- Oh, Tony.

You haven't found it.

You haven't found the money?

- Keep it down, for crying out loud.

- I knew you were up to something.

- Well, it's not done and dusted yet.

We've got to keep our heads down, be very very careful.

- This is fantastic.

- What did I tell you?

(light music)

- Hold that thought.

Great.

Now, I'm all for a bit of adventure.

You know I am.

But you're getting a teensy bit slapdash, my lovely.

- Oh, I'm sorry, Barrett.

It's because I'm so excited.

- And what's got you so hot and bothered, I wonder.

- I think he's found it.

- What?

You sure?

- Well, he hasn't got it yet, but he knows where it is.

What is it you're always saying to me, Barrett?

- Hmm?

Carpe diem, my lovely.

Seize the day.

- Right.

So we better be ready.

- Yes.

Might I suggest the South of France?

We can follow in the footsteps of Matisse and Picasso.

- To hell with art, Barrett.

I want you all for myself.

And I don't just mean for painting lessons.

(muffled rock music)

- Who are you?

- I'm Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby, Jason.

- I didn't know the bike was stolen.

- Oh come on, Jason.

I'm not here about a stolen scooter.

- You're not?

- No, I'm not.

When you snatched that bag from that woman in that lane,

you made a big mistake, Jason, because you hit her,

and that puts you in a different league.

That is robbery with violence.

You've never been to prison, have you, Jason?

- Richie hit her, not me.

She wouldn't let go of the bag, so he whacked her.

- Thank you, Jason.

That's very helpful.

- I didn't hit her.

- There's one more thing you can do for me.

That bag you stole, what did you do with it?

- WPC Smith, leaves the room, interview recommences 16:51.

Mr. Weatherby, tell us about the argument you had

with Ruth Fairfax.

- Shouldn't my solicitor be here?

- He's on his way.

You don't have to answer any questions if you don't want to.

- Look, Mrs. Metcalfe let me in the flat

to repair a pipe in the bedroom.

Then Ruth Fairfax turns upand starts shouting the odds.

- What did she say exactly?

- She accused me of being a thief.

Bloody cheek of the woman.

She upset you.

- Too right she did.

- You were drinking in the Cock and Rabbit that night.

Witnesses heard you talking about how you were

going to put Ruth Fairfax right.

What did you mean by that?

- Well, I reckon she owed me an apology.

That's what I meant.

I've been called lots of things, but I'm not a thief,

and I'm not bloody murderer neither.

- [Gavin] Mike, how long have you been working

at the Carters' house?

- 10 days or so.

- And you always parked your van outside the house?

- Yeah.

- Ever leave it unlocked, Mike?

- Probably, yeah.

- Interview terminated by DC Buckley at 16:53 hours.

- What are you playing at?

- I'm worried about the chisel.

He left the van unlocked.

Somebody could have just--

- You're here as an observer, Sergeant.

I will not have you undermining

a carefully planned interview.

Now get out.

Please.

(solemn music)

- Looking for clues, Barnaby?

(tense music)

(light music)

- This document has the name of this branch on it,

Mr. Hawksley.

I was wondering if you're able to tell me what it is.

- This is a receipt for an item

deposited in our strong room.

Funnily enough, I've been trying to contact Mr. Tyrell.

- Why is that?

- This branch is closing down, Inspector.

Mrs. Partridge, Mr. Miller, and myself,

we find ourselves surplus to requirements.

Yes, Midsomer Flory will no longer have its own bank.

Instead, it will have a wine bar,

serving cocktails and an eclectic Pacific cuisine.

- Now then, Mr. Hawksley, deep breaths.

(breathes deeply)

- Thank you, Mrs. Partridge.

Thank you.

(clears throat)

So, we've been notifying depositors

that they must remove their possessions

from our strongroom by the end of the week.

- And Mr. Tyrell hasn't responded.

- No, he hasn't.

Well, perhaps he's moved or forgotten.

You'd be surprised how many people do.

Though I am rather baffled in this case.

- [Tom] Why?

Why is that?

- The item in question is rather large.

There it is, rather Victorian.

I'm not very good at furniture.

- It's locked, presumably.

- Oh yes.

- You got a key?

- No, that would remain with the owner.

- Well Mr. Hawksley, thank you.

Thank you very much for your time.

- Yes.

Would you mind letting yourself out?

I've got some work to finish off down here.

- No, not at all.

Thank you again.

- Pleasure.

(tense music)

(computer mouse clicking)

(knocking on door)

- [Linda] Inspector Barnaby.

- Come in.

Mrs. Tyrell, thank you for dropping by.

Take a seat.

I think we've recovered your bag.

- [Linda] Thank God.

- The camera and the binoculars, I'm afraid,

were gone, but this was in it.

- Yes, that's the paperwork I was worried about.

What a relief.

- And there were these.

- They were in my bag?

- Yes, they were, Mrs. Tyrell.

- Well, they're not mine.

- Are you sure?

After all, you did have a Polaroid camera.

(Linda laughs)

- I've never seen that man before in my life.

- Well, his name is Tony Carter.

It's quite a coincidence, really.

- What is?

- Well, Tony Carter lives in Midsomer Flory,

where you were mugged, and where your husband

keeps property stored in the strongroom of the local bank.

- Are you making some sort of insinuation?

- No, no, no, no.

I'm merely pointing out an expected connection.

- Well, there is no connection.

So forget it.

Can I have my things back now, please?

- Not quite yet, Mrs. Tyrell.

You see, this is evidence.

Strictly speaking, this document belongs to your husband.

Would he be able, you think, to come in and identify it?

- No.

He's out of the country.

- He's out of the country.

Oh, damn.

Still, there's no need to worry.

I've contacted the bank manager.

- Why did you do that?

- Well, to make sure your husband's property is safe.

The thieves might have tried to claim it with this.

And we wouldn't want that to happen, would we, Mrs. Tyrell?

- No.

We wouldn't.

- Mm.

So I said to Barnaby, "Barnaby," I said,

"if I was you, I'd have a look in the woods near the layby."

Sure enough, that's where he found the bag.

- Should have been a detective, Godfrey.

- Exactly what Barnaby says.

- I just overheard Barnaby's found the bag.

Two guys at the bar.

Not now, Troy.

- This won't take a minute.

- Look, if this is about Mike Weatherby's chisel--

- No, it's about Angela Browning.

- What did you say?

- That was Ruth Fairfax's real name, wasn't it?

She was a DC in the national intelligence squad.

- How the hell did you find that out?

- All right, Simon.

Listen to me, Troy, if you repeat that to anyone,

you're out of a job.

- As far as you're concerned, the victim was

a 60-year-old woman called Ruth Fairfax.

- We deal with these things in our own way, no outsiders.

That's the way DI Gudgeon likes it.

- In other words, you don't trust me.

(James laughs)

- Is there any way I can put this kindly, Simon?

- No, James, there isn't.

- Mr. Gudgeon would not jeopardise

a long and complex operation by spilling the beans

to a flat-footed country copper.

- Harsh, but true.

- So here's what I want you to do, Gavin.

Keep your mouth shut and go back to chasing purse snatchers.

I don't think you're cut out for the NIS.

- You're right.

I'm not.

(solemn music)

- Troy.

- Sorry to bother you, sir.

Have you got a moment?

- Of course I have.

Come in.

- Thanks.

They didn't question Mike Weatherby about the chisel.

And then I find out, his solicitor

had been there all the time.

They sent him to the wrong interview room.

I couldn't let it go.

I had to say something.

- Good for you, Troy.

Good for you.

This face ring a bell?

- That's Tony Carter.

- Actually, it used to be Tony Mayhew.

- Used to be?

- Yeah, before he entered the witness protection scheme.

Do you remember the Ruckley Edge job?

Massive robbery, Heathrow, five years ago.

- Yeah, they got away with over 20 million in cash.

- Yeah.

That was Carter and his friends.

Carter was arrested.

But he made a deal.

He gave evidence against his accomplices, and in return,

he got himself a new name and a new life.

- In Midsomer Flory?

- In Midsomer Flory, which brings us very neatly

into the bag snatching in Leverage Lane.

- What's that got to do with it?

- Carter's right hand man, partner in crime,

and longtime friend was one Keith Tyrell.

- The woman who was robbed, her name is Linda Tyrell.

- It's Keith Tyrell's wife.

- And these photos were in her bag?

- Passport photographs, I'd guess.

So while her husbands serves 15 years for armed robbery,

Linda's helping the man who put him away

to get a new passport.

Now, why?

Why is that, I wonder?

- Wait a minute.

Not all the money was recovered, was it?

- Five million pounds unaccounted for, Troy.

Keith Tyrell's share, rumour has it.

And Keith Tyrell stored a rather large piece of furniture

in the strongroom of the local bank,

and the receipt for that was in Linda Tyrell's holdall

when it was snatched.

- Angela Browning must have found out about the money.

So Tony Carter killed her.

- Well, that would be very convenient, wouldn't it?

Unfortunately, Godfrey Teal saw Tony Carter

in the woods half a mile away at the time

Ruth Fairfax was being murdered.

- [Joyce] Tom?

I'm home.

- [Tom] How did it go?

- Marvellous, actually.

Everything just sort of clicked.

Look.

- It's very atmospheric.

- Who's this?

- Oh, Alan Pinkney.

- Why has he got huge whiskers growing out of his ears?

- They're paint brushes.

He's always got brushes behind his ears.

- These trees are very good, Mrs. Barnaby.

- They're clouds, Gavin.

- Can I see your brushes please, Joyce?

Artist brush, number eight, pure sable.

The brush found under the body,

that had a brown shaft, didn't it?

- Yeah, and the brush bit was made of nylon.

- Most people use sable.

- You see, we assumed the brush was Ruth Fairfax's,

but maybe it wasn't.

Maybe it was the murderer's.

- If you were creeping up on someone

with the intention of stabbing them with a chisel,

you wouldn't take a paint brush with you.

- Well, you got it stuck behind the ear,

you'd forgotten it was there.

Joyce, was Alan Pinkney, was he sitting

in front of you all the week?

- No.

Only today.

Before that, he was--

- Where?

Where was he?

- I'm trying to remember.

- [Tom] You had to move from the first spot you chose

because Ruth Fairfax appeared from nowhere, yeah?

- You can't go there.

- Oh, you made me jump.

- That's my place.

- I'm sorry?

- So you moved a few yards away,

to the North end of the green.

- Yes.

Yes, I had a good view.

I could see the others, and I could see Ruth Fairfax

in the other direction.

Alan Pinkney was near her.

But I couldn't really see him,

because there was a tree in the way.

- You couldn't see him at all?

- Only if I leant back in my chair.

Oh, I'd forgotten that.

I'm sorry, Tom.

- There's no need to be, Joyce.

You've been a great help.

What do we know about Alan Pinkney?

- Not much.

Unemployed, no criminal record, lives in Causton.

- See, the brush found under the body,

I want to be absolutely sure it isn't Ruth Fairfax's.

- Gudgeon won't like us poking around his evidence.

- We can make an early start.

He'd never know.

(tense music)

- Ann, over here.

(Alan laughing)

- What about the money?

- The money is going nowhere as long as

I've got the strongroom receipt.

- It's good to be back to normal, sir.

Sorry about the last few days.

- You've got nothing to be sorry for, Troy.

See you first thing.

- See you.

(solemn music)

- Barnaby knows who you are by now, and me, for that matter,

which means, yes, that he has guessed what's in the bank.

- Yeah, all right.

I'm sorry, Tony.

- We're better off without the receipt.

As long as Barnaby's got it, he'll think the money's safe.

- So how do we get it?

- We make a withdrawal, the old-fashioned way.

(vacuum cleaner whirring)

(solemn music)

(keypad beeping)

- Here are her paintings, sir.

The paintbrushes must be around here somewhere.

- It looks like Tony Carter was signalling

to Linda Tyrell over there in the woods.

Looks like it was based on whether the curtains

were open or closed.

Angela Browning must have worked it out.

- Here they are, black shafts, pure sable, except this one.

Just shoved in with the rest of them.

It's typical of the way this investigation is being run.

The NIS, they're supposed to be the elite.

It's just a shambles.

- Well, that's what you get when your boss

is never about it, isn't it?

- Yes, famous DI Gudgeon.

I still haven't met the bloke.

He's always in a meeting.

I'll take this to forensics, see if I can get

Alan Pinkney's fingerprints.

Sir?

- Yeah, you give it to forensics.

I'll go and have a chat with Alan Pinkney.

(tense music)

- Now then, lovely people, this is our last day

in gorgeous Midsomer Flory, so let's make the most of it.

Don't forget the charity auction.

We want people falling over themselves

to buy your masterpieces.

So let's see your very, very best work.

(tense music)

- We must get down there as soon as we can.

- Linda Tyrell, Troy, name ring a bell?

- [Gavin] Linda Tyrell.

- Come on, Troy.

Her bag was snatched near Midsomer Flory.

We believe the bag's been found.

- Linda Tyrell is ring fenced, Troy.

- Ring fenced.

- Meaning she is the subject of an NIS investigation.

Anything to do with her comes straight back to us.

- There was a document found in that bag.

I'm asking you to hand it over.

- A document.

You mean like a piece of paper?

- Don't annoy me, Troy!

- Sorry, but you have to spell these things out

for us country coppers.

- Let him have it, Troy.

- [Gavin] Really sir?

- That's more like it.

- I don't believe I invited you to sit in my seat, Sergeant.

- Thank you, sir.

Excuse me.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Thank you, sir.

(siren wailing)

- I thought you were going after Alan Pinkney, sir.

- I heard those two were looking for me.

I guess they wanted the strongroom receipt.

- Why?

- Remember you were saying earlier

that this investigation is a shambles?

- Well, it is.

- But maybe that's the way Gudgeon wants it.

- Not with you, sir.

- Policemen like money, too, Troy.

And the bank opens in half an hour.

I'll go straight there.

You take that brush to the lab, and track down Pinkney.

- [Gavin] Shall I arrest him, sir?

- No, no, not yet.

Try and get a look at his brushes.

See if they're like that one.

Then just have to wait for the lab results.

Got to get this right, Troy.

We'll end up directing traffic.

(tense music)

(gun clicking)

- That's interesting.

- You think so?

- Yeah.

Good isn't the word.

- Very kind of you to say so.

- I don't understand.

He should have left ages ago.

He's up to something.

I could have a look.

- For heaven's sake, don't do anything to annoy him.

(tense music)

(knocking on door)

- [Mrs. Partridge] Mr. Hawksley?

It's Chief Inspector Barnaby to see you.

- One minute.

(tense music)

- Ann, wait!

Ann!

Wait!

- Can I help you, sir?

- I hope so, for your sake.

(Mrs. Partridge screams)

- We have reason to believe it contains

a large quantity of stolen money.

- No.

Are you sure?

- Oh yes.

(knocking on door)

- [Mrs. Partridge] Mr. Hawksley.

Could you open the door?

It's rather urgent.

- Excuse me.

- In, in you go.

Shh.

- Sorry, Mr. Hawksley.

- Nobody talks except me.

Right, there is the key.

Open it up.

Bin bags in there.

You take them out, take the money, and fill up the bin bags.

Couldn't be easier.

Oh, you help them out, Barnaby,

and I might decide not to kill you.

(tense music)

(tapping on window)

- Morning, dear lady.

I thought the car looked familiar,

even though I last saw it from a prone position.

- What do you want?

- [Mr. Teal] Don't you recognise me.

(fire alarm ringing

- What's that?

- The fire alarm.

The fire brigade will come if we don't turn it off.

- Shall I do it for you?

The switch is just outside the door.

- Stay where you are.

I'll do it.

Keep working.

(Tony grunting) (suspenseful music)

(gunshot bangs)

- Troy, arrest and caution Mr. Carter,

or Mr. Mayhew, or whatever his name is.

Mr. Hawksley, I'd be grateful if you get the bank

back to some semblance of normality

as soon as possible, okay?

- Certainly.

- To tell you the truth, I'm fatally drawn

to the dark side, where women are concerned.

Perhaps you'd join me in a glass of sherry

in the Cock and Rabbit?

- Will you please just go away?

- No, I know you don't really mean that.

Ah, dear Mrs. Carter, what a lovely surprise.

Midsomer Flory is crawling with beautiful women today.

- Godfrey, have you seen my husband?

- I believe I saw him popping into the bank.

It's too late for him to open an account, you know.

The bank's closing.

- Linda Tyrell.

Now I understand.

You couldn't leave him alone, could you?

(knocking on window)

He was just using you, Linda, to get at the money.

Just you wait and see.

I'm the one that's going to be spending it.

- Ah, so you two know each other.

Oh, that's marvellous.

Why don't we all go for a little tincture?

- Just for once, Godfrey, mind your own damn business.

(siren wailing)

(engine revving)

- Magnificent.

(tyres squealing)

(light music)

(tense music)

- Good morning.

I'd like to withdraw some property from your strongroom.

(door buzzing)

- Thank you, Mrs. Partridge.

I'll deal with this.

There it is.

- Thank you, Mr. Hawksley.

We'll take it from here.

Thank you, sir.

- Sorry.

- Five mil, James.

(both laughing)

- Key.

- Oh, sod it, Hawksley must have it.

- Oh, thank God you're here.

- What the hell do you want?

- There's five million pounds in that thing.

- The unrecovered proceeds of an armed robbery in there.

- We are aware of that.

That's why we're here, to recover it.

- Well, that's a terrific relief.

As you can imagine, we're not used to dealing

with such vast sums hereabouts.

- Yes, I can imagine.

- Well, there's no need to get stressed, sir.

This is an NIS matter now.

We'll take care of it.

- Then you better have the keys.

There you go.

- Oh thank you, kindly, sir.

- Well, let's get cracking.

Oh, thank you, Inspector.

We shan't be needing you.

- There is one thing.

- What's that?

- Well, as I say, this is slightly out of our league.

So if we could have some sort of authorization

from DI Gudgeon before you remove all that money,

just in case.

- He's very busy.

- In a meeting, is he?

- What was that?

- Oh, I asked Mr. Hawksley to secure the strongroom.

- Just in case.

Someone tried to steal the money

at gun point a half an hour ago.

- You mean we're locked in?

- Oh, don't worry.

There's enough oxygen to last 24 hours.

Mr. Hawksley will unlock the door

when your DI Gudgeon shows up.

(solemn music)

(phone beeping)

(dog barking)

(keys jingling)

- Detective Inspector Gudgeon.

- What's the problem?

- He's not Gudgeon.

- Oh yes he is.

- Barnaby, how dare you obstruct NIS officers?

- Let's not talk about the NIS.

Let's talk about paint brushes.

Forget it was there, did you?

That's an easy mistake to make.

- I think you should know, Barnaby, that I have

a very good working relationship with your Chief Constable.

- Not for much longer, sir.

- You see, this brush is identical

to the one found under Angela Browning's body.

Your brush, Gudgeon, which you dislodged

from behind your ear when you stabbed her

with Mike Weatherby's chisel.

- Simon, James, this is all nonsense.

Get on with packing the money.

- We'll be getting the prints back from the lab in an hour.

- There was a brown brush in with the others.

I thought it was Angela's.

- Detective Constable Angela Browning, she did a good job.

She found out about Tony Carter and Linda Tyrell,

and the strongroom receipt.

The only problem was she was straight,

which meant she had to go, didn't she, Gudgeon?

- No violence.

You said no violence!

- Now, just wait a minute.

- You killed one of your own, you bastard!

- All right, all right!

- Troy, gets some backup and caution them.

(solemn music)

- [James] All right, all right.

- How did you know Pinkney was Gudgeon, sir?

- Well, I'd assumed that Pinkneywas working with Gudgeon.

But then why would Gudgeon trust

a civilian non-entity like Pinkney, eh?

It only made sense if they were one and the same person.

- Flat-footed country coppers indeed.

I wish every arrest was as enjoyable as this, sir.

- Hello, Colin?

Ah.

- Hello, Barrett.

I was wondering, do you know where Ann Carter is?

- Went off to the police station with her husband.

- Oh.

- Turns out he was a bank robber called Tony Mayhew.

Did you know that?

- No.

No, I didn't.

Thanks.

- Five million pounds in cash.

I've been sitting inches away from five million pounds

in cash for four years.

You have no idea what it's like

to be so close to so much money.

- Actually, I have.

Whose is that?

- Why?

- Good God.

- What?

- It's a linen press, 19th century,

made, if I'm not mistaken, by Joseph Wilkinson.

I read up on furniture while I was inside,

while I was at art school.

- You think it's worth something?

(Alan laughs)

- A small fortune, old chum, a small fortune.

(Alan laughs)

(light music)

- I bid 20 pounds for this delightful, delightful study

of the Hen Cottage.

Come on, ladies and gentlemen, it's all a good cause.

Who'll go to 25, 25 pounds?

Let's hear for 25 pounds.

Anybody good for 25 pounds?

- So, Alan Pinkney, oh, sorry,

Mark Gudgeon was the murderer.

- So he was.

His prints were on the brush.

- And you recovered all that money.

- I did.

- Well done, Tom.

- Ah, Barnaby.

No news of Linda Tyrell, I suppose?

- I'm afraid not, Major.

She seems to have disappeared without trace.

- She's probably sounding her magnificent ankles

in foreign climes.

Such is life.

- On your wall, 40 pounds, do I hear 40 pounds?

- [Tessa] Hello, Joyce.

- Tessa, how lovely to see you.

You look marvellous.

- Thanks.

Things have turned out rather well, actually.

- Oh, I'm so glad.

- Colin inherited a family heirloom.

Turned out to be surprisingly valuable.

- How marvellous.

- Good.

Yes, Barrett.

- My two favourite lovely ladies.

Will you excuse me, Joyce, if I steal Tessa away?

We have to discuss the society's plans for next year.

- Sold to you, Vicar.

Right.

Now then, lot 17.

- Oh, the next painting's mine.

- By Joyce Barnaby.

- What if new one makes a bid?

- Who'll start me on 20 pounds?

20 pounds?

Come on, 20 pounds.

Well, 10 pounds.

Come on, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you, Inspector Barnaby.

Right, who'll go to 15?

15 pounds.

- 100 pounds.

(crowd gasping)

- 100 pounds I'm bid.

Well done, Major Teal.

That's more like it.

Now, who'll go to 150 pounds?

Someone surely.

Come on, 150 pounds, someone.

(light music)

(eerie music)