Original subtitles

- Let us start with a prayer.

Great spirit, we welcome you.

Place a pyramid of protection over this building

and around every home represented here this evening.

We ask our guides and doorkeepers and helpers

to be with us during this meeting.

We speak to you in love and light and truth,

and leave ourselves in your loving hands.

Eternity was yesterday, and is today,

and continues forward, forever.

(dramatic instrumental music)

Charlotte?

Are you there, Charlotte?

Will you speak to us?

(dramatic instrumental music)

Charlotte.

Charlotte?

(dramatic instrumental music)

(door closing)

(feet pattering)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(curtain sliding)

There you are.

(dramatic instrumental music)

(hinges squeaking)

(dramatic instrumental music)

I see a child.

No, no, a girl, younger than me.

Yes, younger.

And a gate, a wooden gate, a five-barred gate.

(gasping)

- Patrick?

(Rosetta gasping)

Patrick?

- Sorrow, sorrow.

- Patrick?

(dramatic instrumental music)

Patrick?

- There will be sorrow for someone this evening.

A great deal of sorrow.

- Where are you?

(dramatic instrumental music)

(Janet screaming)

(eerie instrumental music)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(coins jingling)

- I had the feeling we were well visited this evening.

- Not so bad.

- Such an energy,

I could almost touch it.

(coins jingling)

(bells chiming)

(eerie instrumental music)

(keys rattling)

(eerie instrumental music)

(door shutting)

- Hello Dad.

- Hello, Cully.

- Do you need a hand? - No, thank you.

- Where's Mum?

- Your mother is dining out in a restaurant with a friend.

- What friend?

- I don't know.

Someone called Elizabeth she met at the library.

- The medium's name is Rosetta.

She goes into these trances.

- Rosetta?

- Mm, bet she wasn't born with that name.

(Joyce laughing)

What's happened to that salad?

Anyway, when she's in one of her trances,

(water pouring)

she makes contact with the dear departed.

The people in the audience love it.

I mean, sometimes it scares them, but they really love it.

- But Elizabeth, why do you bother going to such places?

- It's an experience.

- Watching lonely people trying

to make contact with the dead?

- Right now, it's a lot easier than trying

to make contact with the living.

(Joyce chuckling)

- Who found him?

- His wife, sir.

She's upstairs, very upset.

One of her neighbours is with her, Miss Anne Marr.

- Miss Marr?

- Yes, just making her a hot drink.

She's over there.

(tea pouring)

(Janet sobbing)

- Mrs. Janet Pennyman?

(Janet exhaling)

I'm Detective Chief Inspector Tom from Causton CID.

I'm very sorry to have to ask you questions

at a time like this but afraid it's got to be done.

I understand you were the one who found your husband's body?

- Yes.

- Sorry, would you like a cup?

- Eh, no, no, thank you.

- Why would he have wanted to do such a thing?

- Mrs. Pennyman, when did you last see your husband alive?

- Um, this afternoon.

He came up here for a cup of tea.

It was about, um, two o'clock.

- Was he working alone?

- Oh, yes.

There are no funerals booked at the moment.

- And after he'd had his cup of tea?

- Um, well, he, he went to the local church.

He said he had to see something there.

- Do you know if there was anything troubling him?

(Janet sobbing)

- He was the kind of man who didn't show his feelings.

- I have some cheerful news for you.

- Ah, well, you've chosen the right place for it.

- He didn't kill himself.

- Didn't kill himself?

- Unless he managed to come back from the dead

and hide the knife that was used to slash his wrists.

I also think he was struck from behind

by something fairly heavy.

(Tom sighing)

(door opening)

- Miss Marr, I'm told that you were outside

in the street, around about the same time

that Mr. Pennyman's body was found.

Is that correct?

- Yes, that's right.

- Did you see anyone leaving the premises?

- I wasn't really looking.

- What is it?

Tell me.

- We don't think your husband took his own life.

(Janet panting)

I'm sorry.

(Janet gasping)

Mrs Pennyman, did your husband have any enemies?

- No, no.

No, he was well respected.

Well, some people might have found him difficult

to get on with.

- Why, why would they do that?

- He was a no-nonsense sort of man.

He didn't suffer fools.

(Janet weeping)

Poor Patrick!

(thunder rumbling)

(bells ringing)

- Thomas?

Thomas?

I've got news for you.

You've lost your part-time job.

(Anne panting)

- Aye?

- Patrick Pennyman.

He's dead.

- What do you mean, he's dead?

- Somebody killed him.

Left him to bleed to death in his own chapel of rest.

(eerie instrumental music)

(dog barking)

- Elizabeth dropped me off yesterday evening

and I asked her in.

I wanted you to meet her. - Well I'm sorry about that.

- We had a lovely time.

She's great to be with.

She was telling me about some spiritualist meeting

she went to just for the fun of it.

- Hm, the fun of it?

- It's the way she is.

- She from these parts?

- Yes, she grew up in Midsomer but moved away

and she's only recently come back to the area.

Are you going to eat this toast?

- No.

What's her second name?

- Key.

- Key.

Must go.

(Tom kissing)

(Eve sighing)

- Not on here.

- I don't have to help your boss, you know.

I do this for you.

If I didn't, she'd have you running around.

You do enough for her as it is.

Oh, I shan't be home till late.

Too much work on, love.

Shame about old Pennyman.

(chuckling)

I bet them spirits of hers are having a laugh

because the dead'll have to die elsewhere now, won't they?

(John laughing)

- John.

- [John] Yeah?

- You shouldn't make fun of Rosetta or what she does.

I believe in her.

- I know you do.

(gurney rattling)

- His name was Patrick Pennyman.

He owned this place.

He was killed early yesterday evening.

(gurney rattling)

- Well, for an undertaker,

he's not exactly travelling in style, is he?

- No.

(hatch slamming)

- His wife was just upstairs.

She heard nothing.

So were neighbours outside.

They saw nothing.

So, I suppose it is a fairly busy village street.

People come and go, don't they?

This is where he was.

Didn't lock a door after he came in.

- Could be robbery, sir.

- Apparently not, which means we've got to find out

a little more about this man.

Ah, Scott, you can make a start

by introducing yourself to his next of kin, Mrs. Pennyman.

Now, it's a difficult time for her, all right?

But we need to have a list of all

the recent funerals handled by her husband.

- All right.

(Tom grunting)

(birds singing)

(organ playing)

(birds singing)

- Are you looking for a particular gravestone?

- Ah, no.

No, I'm not.

- I see.

Just browsing, is that it?

- Ah, Causton CID. I'm Detective Chief Inspector Tom.

And you are?

- Sylvia Burgess.

I do voluntary work here.

Someone has to.

The rector has to spread himself around three parishes

and he's not a well man.

Would you believe that Fletcher's Cross

once had a church and two chapels?

- Eh, no, I didn't know that.

(organ playing)

- By the way, my husband's choirmaster,

only you wouldn't think so from the racket he's making.

- I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

Patrick never wanted me to get involved in the business.

But now there's so much for me to do.

- Is there no one else to help you, Mrs. Pennyman?

- Oh, my sister and her husband

are coming down from Yorkshire next week.

They're a very efficient couple.

They'll know what to do.

- But your husband, he didn't employ any full time staff?

- Well, Thomas used to work for him on a part time basis.

- I'm sorry, who was that?

- Thomas Marr.

He owns the crystal shop in Market Street.

Um,

- Crystal shop.

But uh, nobody, nobody else?

- Well, a couple of the local lads used to get hired

as pallbearers from time to time.

Mind you, they had to provide their own suits.

Patrick wasn't silly with money.

- Yeah.

(paper rustling)

- He did have a partner once.

- Did he?

Who was that?

- Jimmy.

James Griss.

Mind you, they didn't got on.

They were always arguing.

- They even almost came to blows

once during a funeral service.

It was very embarrassing for the mourners.

- I bet.

Have you got any idea where this James Griss is now?

- No, I expect he's still around.

I haven't seen him since the partnership ended

and that was a couple of years ago.

- Thank you.

- And was Patrick Pennyman responsible

for most of the recent burials here?

- Since my time here, he's been responsible for all of them.

- Can you think of anyone,

anyone who'd want to harm him?

- For what reason?

- Well, I don't know, providing a poor service,

(organ playing)

burying someone in the wrong grave?

(organ playing)

- Ronald?

That's enough for now.

- No, I can't think of anyone.

Of course, Patrick Pennyman was a skinflint.

Would that be reason enough?

- That depends.

- This is Mr. Barnaby from Causton CID.

- Good morning.

- I was about to tell him why this village

is going even further into decline.

There are now wicked things here.

- Sylvia, please.

- It's true.

There's another form of worship here in Fletcher's Cross

and it's one that doesn't allow souls to rest in peace.

- Are we talking about the spiritualists?

- Yes, The Spirit of Friendship group.

- Rector's too ill and too busy to see it,

but some of us are not happy.

We believe that the dead should stay dead.

- Sorry about that, Mr. Barnaby.

Sylvia gets a bit overexcited at times.

The spiritualist lot have never bothered me personally.

The thing is, Fletcher's Cross is a close community,

too close sometimes.

Most of them wouldn't want people getting in touch

with their dead relatives.

Too many secrets.

Bye.

(dramatic instrumental music)

(gravel crunching)

(paper rustling)

- I just thought I'd drop by to offer my condolences.

- Thank you, Thomas.

- It must be a very sad time for you.

- Yes, it is.

- Um, there's just one small problem.

Um, I haven't been paid up to date,

not since we buried Mrs. Caldecot.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

Um, look, um, don't worry about it.

I'll see to it as soon as I've got somebody

to go through the accounts.

- Um, just as a matter of interest,

who's arranging Patrick's funeral?

- I really haven't had time to think about that yet.

- Well, I mean, if you need somebody to,

- Goodbye, Thomas.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Scott.

- Sir.

It's closed.

- [Tom] Uh-huh.

- I managed to go through Patrick Pennyman's paperwork, sir.

- Yes?

- Yeah.

Now, the business is sound.

There were, well, there were a few outstanding bills

with local tradesmen.

- Got a list?

- Yep.

(rustling paper)

And there were two recent funerals

in the last six weeks

and the details are right there.

And Patrick Pennyman had a business partner.

- Did he?

- Yeah, they didn't like each other.

- Oh, good.

- [Thomas] Sorry.

- Excuse me, we're looking for a Mr. Thomas Marr.

- That's me.

- Detective Sergeant Scott and this is DCI Barnaby.

(lock rattling)

(bells ringing)

I've been told that you once worked for Patrick Pennyman.

- I did, yeah, on and off.

- Was he good to work for?

- Not really, no.

He was too tightfisted.

- So, tell me, Mr Marr, did you dislike him for that reason?

- No.

- Or for any other reason?

- Well, let's just say I put up with him as a boss

but I wouldn't have had him as a friend.

- Where were you yesterday evening, sir?

- He was at the spiritualist church.

- Is that right, Mr. Marr?

- Yes.

- Were you there all evening?

- No, I left a bit early.

- Why?

- I just wanted to come home, that's all.

- My brother wouldn't harm anyone, Mr. Barnaby.

Patrick Pennyman cut a lot of corners

in his business dealings.

He could have upset quite a few people.

- Are you a member of the spiritualist church, Miss Marr?

- Me, no.

- Anne is a healer.

- Oh.

- Well, that woman thinks she can heal people too,

in her own way, but she can't.

Lighting candles and sitting in the dark.

No one does that anymore.

- I'm sorry, who are we talking about?

- Rosetta Price.

She's a, she's the medium.

- The Fletcher's Cross Spirit of Friendship group

is good for one thing only, scaring people.

(dramatic instrumental music)

(engine revving)

- A blunt force injury to the back of the skull

with a full thickness laceration

of the inner aspect of the scalp.

- No defensive wounds?

- Nope, he didn't see it coming.

The shape of the striking object matches the laceration

and this was definitely the object.

- What about the wrists?

- Slashed with a thin blade.

Kitchen knife maybe, packing knife.

- And that could have been done coolly and methodically.

- Oh, yes.

- So, what kind of person are we looking for?

- Don't know yet but here's a bit of a puzzle.

In our game nothing surprises us any more, right Tom?

(Tom scoffing) I would have thought that would have applied

to undertakers as well.

But this fella was given a hell of a shock before he died.

Do you reckon he saw a ghost?

(dramatic instrumental music)

- The cottage belonged to the railway

back in Victorian times.

The old line is just beyond those trees there.

- You mean you get trains thundering past?

- No, not any more.

- Huh.

- You get the odd steam train.

I quite like those.

- I'm told that line's been extended to Midsomer Mallow.

- Yep, they're all set to celebrate it.

Some enthusiasts are hoping to link up

with the main line again some day.

Put Fletcher's Cross back on the map.

- I love this cottage.

Has it always been in your family?

- Yes, ever since they were sold off by the railways.

Shall we ask Tom to come with us tonight?

(Joyce laughing)

- There's a Spirit of Friendship group meeting this evening.

Elizabeth has asked me to go with her.

- I'll tell you something, I've heard a lot

about the Spirit of Friendship Group lately.

I'll pass if you don't mind, but you go, Joyce, you go.

(Tom knocking)

- Mr. John Whittle?

- Yeah?

- Afternoon to you, sir.

I'm Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

This is Detective Sergeant Scott.

- We believe you did quite a few jobs for Patrick Pennyman.

- That's right.

- You got any complaints?

- Well if I have, they're not going

to do me much good now, are they?

(chuckling)

- What sort of jobs did you do for him?

- Anything cheap and cheerful

that you could cover with a bit of cloth and a few flowers.

Uh, coffin trestles, mostly.

And a few coffins made of hardboard.

- Hardboard?

- Well, he said they were temporary jobs

but I have heard they've been used

during the odd cremation ceremony.

- In what way?

- Well, you know how it is.

Organ still playing, loved ones still weeping,

a bit of a switch is made, isn't it?

- When?

- Once the expensive mahogany number

has passed through that curtain, that's when.

Well, you bung the right people a tenner or two,

who's to know?

(chuckling)

Oh, I don't miss much that goes on in this village.

- Mr Whittle, what can you tell us about James Griss?

- Not a lot.

Don't see much of him these days.

Ooh, Pennyman and Griss.

That was a partnership made in hell.

James in trouble?

- Why should he be?

- Because he had a short fuse, that's why.

- Have you got any idea where we can find him?

(quiet instrumental music)

- Obviously, our Mr. Pennyman upset someone in particular.

- Yeah, I'd say so, sir.

- [Tom] Dissatisfied customer?

- Well, by the sounds of things,

there must have been a few of them.

- But how would they know they were being cheated?

He was an undertaker, not a grocer.

(lively instrumental music)

- [Dan] Where does this railway go to these days?

- Oh, not very far,

just a couple of villages.

It used to link up to the main line

in the days before Beeching,

but now, like most of Olde England,

it's just a heritage site.

- Can I help you?

- Hello, Tom.

(lock rattling)

Police been to see you yet?

- Yeah, why?

- Just wondered.

Told 'em all I know, which isn't much.

And I was also wondering why you left

the meeting early last night.

- I had things to do.

Anyway, that's my business.

- Did you tell the police why you left early?

(bells ringing)

- They didn't ask.

(door slamming)

(James chuckling)

- Patrick Pennyman was enough

to drive any sane man 'round the bend.

If I'd worked with him any longer, I'd have done him harm.

- Why?

- I wanted to expand the business, improve the service,

but he'd have none of it.

He didn't like spending money.

By the way, who's doing the funeral?

- I have no idea.

- We've been told you almost came to blows on one occasion.

- On more than one occasion.

(train whistling)

(steam hissing)

- Did you kill him, Mr. Griss?

- No.

- Can you tell us where you were early yesterday evening?

- What time?

- Say, between 6:30 and 8:30?

- I'd have been having a bath and then supper.

- Can anyone corroborate that?

- No.

(train chugging)

So what are you gonna do, arrest me?

(train whistling)

Okay, you want to stand back here.

(Train chugging)

(train squealing)

- So, apart from yourself,

who else would want to harm Patrick Pennyman?

- Plenty but nobody I can put a name to.

You see, the man was the next best thing to a criminal.

- How do you mean?

- Well, let's just say he didn't see the point

in people being buried along with their valuables

or anything that would fetch a bob or two.

I once saw him help himself to a new suit

and a fine pair of brogues.

- What did he do with them?

- Sold them on, of course.

- Would anyone else have known about this?

- It's possible.

- Could I ask you, please, as an ex-undertaker,

what do you think of the local spiritualist church?

- Well, they're a daft lot but they've never bothered me.

- Did they ever bother Patrick Pennyman?

- I heard him call 'em a few names from time to time

but then again, I'd have thought something

like reincarnation was more his style.

He could've buried 'em twice.

(eerie instrumental music)

(stones rattling)

(eerie instrumental music)

(crowd chatting)

- Hi!

(Joyce sighing)

- Elizabeth.

- Just couldn't keep away, could you?

(Joyce chuckling)

Come on.

(match striking)

(women whispering)

- That's Rosetta.

She often uses a spirit guide.

She was a young Victorian servant-girl called Charlotte.

She was putting coals on a fire

when her dress caught alight.

No one was there to save her.

- As usual, let us start with a prayer.

- Great spirit, we welcome you.

Place a pyramid of protection over this building

and around every home represented here this evening.

(eerie instrumental music)

- This is bornite or peacock ore.

Look at its colours.

- It's beautiful.

- Well, you must try to find a friend within it

because peacock ore is a great healer for grief.

- Take a deep breath.

(eerie instrumental music)

There is an energy source that flows through the cosmos.

Let the energy flow.

- Do you know what the problem was with Patrick and me?

- No, what?

- It was our sex life.

You see, it had been a failure for years.

I could never really stand him putting his hands on me

after he'd been touching the dead.

- Just try to relax.

Let the energy flow.

Let the energy heal.

- I have a message from someone now, a resident in spirit.

Is it Michael or Martin, hmm?

Recently, a heart condition took him over

to spirit quite recently.

- It's Martin, my husband Martin.

He died three weeks ago.

- Well, even though Martin

has now left the physical, he is coming to you

from spirit with a great deal of love.

- Charlotte.

(gasping)

Charlotte.

(gasping)

There is someone here tonight

whose loved one is an avenging angel

and that avenging angel is here in the village,

investigating death, searching for those who have sinned.

(eerie instrumental music)

(eerie instrumental music)

(stones clinking)

(bells ringing)

(door shutting)

- It happened again at the meeting.

There was another warning.

- I don't want to hear it.

Why do you insist on going to that place?

You know you're wasting your time going there, don't you?

Mum isn't coming back.

- She could be dead.

She could be trying to send us a message.

- Joyce, it is a con trick, isn't it?

It's got to be.

- But how could she come by information like that?

- Well, I don't know.

But she's getting information, that's for sure.

And I bet it's from this side of the great divide

or might just be an inspired guess.

- Well, it was a damn good guess.

- And remember Joyce, it is a little village.

People pick things up

and they know that I'm there, conducting an investigation.

Mind you, I've been called many things in my time

but never, never an avenging angel.

(laughing)

- It's not funny, Tom.

I was really scared.

I'll never go there again.

- Rosetta, do you think we could manage

a clairvoyant demonstration

at Midsomer Worthy Memorial Hall?

- When?

- Thursday the eighteenth.

Three pound a head, tea and biscuits included.

- [Rosetta] I should think so.

- Rosetta, last night it was a warning about sorrow

and tonight it was another warning.

Well, we don't want to upset the people

that have come to us for help, now do we?

That's not what we're here for.

- Eve, I'm not a fraud.

- No, of course not.

- Occasionally, I make it happy for them.

I tell them I see flowers and birds

and loved ones walking in lush fields

but when I'm in a state of trance,

I've no control over the proceedings.

You must know that.

- Oh, I do.

- Good.

So, how did we do?

- Those recent funerals, sir.

I spoke to a Mrs. Ferguson and her husband.

Pennyman directed a service for the lady's sister.

- When was that?

- A month ago.

They were very happy with the way he handled things.

Same with the Coterell family, um,

(organ playing)

(tuning fork ringing)

(Ronald humming)

(choir singing)

- Jenny, that was just a little bit sharp, hmm?

(hand patting)

(church bells ringing)

And I think we all need to work harder on our annunciation,

so let's try that bit again, shall we?

(tuning fork ringing)

(Ronald humming)

(choir singing) - Mrs. Burgess.

- I remember David and Rosemary Key.

Although I didn't know them that well,

they seemed to be devoted to each other.

- Did you know their daughter?

- No, I knew they had a child

but I believe she left the area.

It's a shared grave.

David Key died first then his wife sometime later.

Patrick Pennyman was in charge of both funeral services.

(birds chirping)

(horns playing)

(people chatting)

(women laughing)

(horns playing)

- I think if I could get you to make a,

(coins rattling)

No?

Not today, okay.

(woman laughing)

(horns playing)

- Cully, this is my friend Elizabeth.

- Hello, Cully.

- Hi.

- Hello, Mr. Marr.

- Can I give you a reading, Mr. Barnaby?

- Can you give me what?

- From the stones.

I can tell you all about yourself.

- Perhaps there are certain things I shouldn't know.

(Anne chuckling)

- [Anne] Well, that's the whole point.

- Thank you, but no thank you.

How's Mrs. Pennyman?

- Still in a bit of a state.

I've asked her to come here later today.

Might cheer her up a bit.

- Good.

(dramatic instrumental music)

(horns playing)

- That's not another church roof fund, is it?

(coins jingling)

- No, no, no.

Not this time, no.

This is for our railway.

Much more important.

- There you go.

(coins jingling)

- You're very kind.

- This is great.

I didn't know Fletcher's Cross had its own station.

- This is Mr. Griss's pride and joy.

- Who?

- The chap in the uniform.

Elizabeth here?

- Yes, um, she's at the book stall.

- Has she ever talked to you about her family?

No, I don't think so.

Why?

Does she have to?

- No, no, I suppose not.

(coins jingling)

I must mingle.

(horns playing)

(coins jingling)

- Oh, I've got such a bad back, Anne.

- Have you now?

- Hmm, perhaps, perhpas I could try some of your healing.

(Anne sighs)

I've heard a lot about it.

Is it hands on?

- No, it isn't.

- Oh, that's a shame.

- Ronald, get your hands off me.

Do you want me to tell Sylvia?

- She'd never believe you.

(Anne sighing)

(coins jingling)

(horns playing)

- So, a couple more miles of track

and we can reconnect with Causton,

which means that one of these days,

we can rejoin the main line.

- Don't listen to him.

It will never happen.

(laughing)

- You just want to come this way, I can show you the sheds.

(Whittle chuckling)

(coins jingling)

(horns playing)

- Hello, Elizabeth.

- Hello, Tom.

- What've you bought?

- Oh, historical novels.

- Escapism.

- Hmm, I prefer the past.

(horns playing)

(coins jingling)

- Ladies,

(coins jingling)

would you, would you care

to make a small contribution? (Rosetta sighing)

- Ronald, never, ever shake your tin at those people.

We don't need their money.

(horns playing)

(stones clinking)

- Four?

- Four.

- Elizabeth.

- Ah, I've just been talking to Tom.

- Oh!

- Erm, I'm gonna go now.

Would you come and see me this evening?

I'd like to talk to you about something.

- Is anything wrong?

- No, everything's fine.

(horns playing)

- You've chosen well.

This is herkimer, the ultimate attunement stone.

- Right.

- It's often given as a keepsake

to people who are travelling or moving away.

(train whistling)

(train chugging)

(train whistling)

- Stand well back please, ladies and gentleman.

Thank you.

If you wouldn't mind taking a few paces back.

It's for your own safety.

Thank you.

Just take a few paces back.

Everyone can see.

(train hissing)

- Who is that woman?

- That's Rosetta.

She's from the spiritualist church.

She's the medium.

(steam hissing) (dramatic instrumental music)

(brakes squealing)

(car door slamming)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(person panting)

(Joyce knocking)

- Even though I'd moved away, we were still very close.

This was their home.

I loved them both dearly.

My father died just over a year ago

and my mother died of a heart attack a few months later.

- I'm so sorry.

- Sit.

She used to ring me almost every day after Dad's death.

She was very excited with her bits of news.

You see, she'd joined

the Fletcher's Cross Spiritualist group.

They killed her.

- What?

- She went to them for comfort, Joyce,

and they frightened her.

They told her things about my father

that not even I knew.

That scared her.

It made her ill.

She told me that just before she died.

- But Tom thinks whatever it is Rosetta Price is up to,

it's a big con trick.

- Yeah, I expect it is.

- So, that's the real reason you're going to these meetings?

- Yes, I want to expose them.

And that's not the only thing

that's going on in this godforsaken village.

My mother used to wear this, always.

She was hardly ever seen without it.

It belonged to her mother.

- It's lovely.

- I asked for her to be buried with that brooch.

I wanted her never to be separated from it.

- But she was?

- Yes.

A few weeks later, I was here sorting out the probate.

I saw this.

It was for sale in an antique shop.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Why don't we meet up in Causton tomorrow?

Have some lunch.

- Oh, yes, let's do that.

- [Joyce] 'Night.

- Take care now.

(engine starting)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(person panting)

(gate creaking)

(animals calling)

(mournful music)

(board thudding)

(body falling)

(birds chirping)

- I'll talk with you about it later, yeah.

The postman found the body early this morning, sir.

Front door's open, lights are still on in the house.

- Anybody else inside, Julie?

- No, Sarge, we took a look.

The postman said the occupier's name is Elizabeth Key

but there's no ID on the body.

- We don't need any.

This is Elizabeth Key.

I knew her.

- When you said that you knew her, sir,

- She was Joyce's friend and I believe she was

conducting her own kind of investigation.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Well, nothing's been disturbed

but it looks like she had a visitor.

- Hmm, at least one and I know who that was.

Did you see anyone when you left the cottage last night?

Was Elizabeth expecting anyone else?

- She didn't say.

- Joyce, we've got to find the person responsible for this.

- I know.

- Before it happens again.

Now, Elizabeth told you she wanted revenge.

- No, not revenge.

She wanted some answers.

- Justice from who in particular?

- She said she'd been asking questions.

- Around the village?

- Yes.

- Did she give any names?

- She mentioned the spiritualist church.

- Same method of killing as the last time.

Hit from behind, then her wrists were slashed

but we may find the striking weapon.

Could have been thrown away somewhere.

A brick, maybe, piece of piping.

- What about the knife? - Didn't find it last time,

don't suppose we'll find it this.

It's odd though.

- What's odd?

- Well, the attempt at making

the death look like suicide is pathetic.

There's no knife by the body,

blows to the back of the head in both cases.

- What do you mean,

as if somebody's just playing at being the murderer?

- Yeah, possibly enjoying themselves.

(bird squawking)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(door creaking)

- I'm Rosetta's assistant and her secretary.

- Is she here?

- She's just completing her meditation.

Follow me.

(bird singing)

I'll get her.

(bird singing)

- Where do all the spirits go to in the daytime, I wonder?

(Tom chuckling)

- This place and the funeral parlour.

There's got to be a connection, hasn't there?

Elizabeth Key obviously thought there was one.

- Rosetta, this is Chief Inspector Barnaby

and Sergeant Scott, was it?

Sergeant Scott.

- Good morning.

We are making inquiries into the death of Elizabeth Key.

Did you know her?

- I don't think so, no.

- [Dan] We're told she attended some of your meetings.

- I can't be expected to know the name

of everyone who comes to me for help and guidance.

How did she die?

- She was murdered.

- Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that but how can I help?

- Elizabeth Key's mother also came to your meetings

after the death of her husband, Mr. David Key.

- So, what's wrong with that?

A lot of bereaved people come to us.

- Oh, I'm sure they do.

But you see, Mrs. Key died of heart failure shortly

after attending one of your sessions.

- So, what do you expect me to do,

run a health check on everyone who comes here?

- Rosetta tries to help people feel better, Chief Inspector.

- Does that include vulnerable people?

(Rosetta scoffing)

Does that include suggestible people?

I believe that Elizabeth Key came here to confront you.

- Well, you're wrong.

- Because she was convinced

that something seen, said or heard here

in this place precipitated the death of her mother.

- Oh yes, I do seem to remember some woman shouting

the odds after one of our meetings.

- And was that woman Elizabeth Key?

- I wouldn't know.

I was coming out of my trance at the time.

- We still have further inquiries to make, Miss Price.

So, I'd rather you didn't leave the village

for the time being.

- I am sorry about that.

She's not been at her best lately.

A lot of strange things have been happening.

- Really?

What kind of things?

- Her spirit guide has become very angry.

It just won't behave itself.

Whether or not it could actually harm anyone, I'm not sure.

- When's the next meeting?

- This evening.

(bird squawking)

- Unfortunately sir, we can't arrest a ghost

for scaring an old lady to death.

(Tom scoffing)

- No.

Hey Scott, you go back to the office, will you?

Run some checks on Rosetta Price.

I'm going to take a little stroll around the village.

- Yes, sir.

- How can I possibly express myself under these conditions?

(door shutting)

People asking endless questions.

I feel like I'm being pushed into a corner.

I can't operate like that.

- Of course you can't.

I'm worried about the Midsomer Worthy booking.

(glass thudding) If you're not allowed to leave the village,

- Oh, to hell with Midsomer Worthy!

(liquid pouring)

(bottle thudding)

(cash register beeping)

- Ronald, I've just heard.

- Heard what?

- There's been another murder, here in the village.

- Surely not.

Who?

- A woman in Shilling Lane.

She was found in a pool of blood in her own garden.

- Thanks.

(cash register beeping)

- Ah, John.

There's a job going if you want to give

the heritage office a quote.

- What is it?

- Signal box steps by the old holding yard.

They need replacing.

- All right, I'll take a look.

- Eh, I'm there most days.

- Still busy with that little railway of yours?

(cash register beeping)

Missing out then, aren't you?

Surprised you not hanging around your old place of work.

- What are you talking about?

- Janet Pennyman.

Up for grabs now, isn't she?

- That poor woman's in mourning.

- What difference does that make?

- Now, you just shut your mouth, John,

or I'll take my trade elsewhere.

- Me?

Why, what have I said?

- And don't act the innocent with me.

You're the biggest troublemaker in this village.

- At least I'm not a grown man playing with toy trains.

(paper rustling)

Oy!

- Don't you think there's been enough violence

in this village already?

(dog barking)

- Hello again, Mr. Whittle.

- Oh, hello.

- I take it that Eve Whittle is your wife, yeah?

- Yes, why?

- I've just paid a visit to the spiritualist church.

You're not one of that set, are you?

I took you for a more down to earth sort of man.

- Yeah, I am, I just do a few odd jobs for them.

- Yeah, so you don't build disappearing cabinets

and trapdoors then?

- No, nothing like that.

- Hey, how do they do it?

- Do what?

- Well, you must have sat through a few of those sessions.

How do they manage to tell people

certain very private things about their lost loved ones?

- Don't know, ask them.

(car engine starting)

(car door shutting)

- So, whoever did it was waiting here?

- Yeah.

- Watching us.

- Yes.

Joyce, if you didn't see anyone,

did you hear anything at all?

- Like what?

- Like footsteps or the sound of a vehicle?

(birds chirping)

- No.

- No?

We'll go in around the back, come on.

Rosetta Price's assistant seems to think

that some sort of spirit guide

had something to do with this.

- That's ridiculous.

- Of course it is.

Was the spirit guide there

at the meeting when you were there?

- Yes, it's the spirit of a young girl.

- So, what was it really?

Somebody dressed up?

- No, it wasn't.

It's just a voice, it's a different voice.

It comes from Rosetta.

- Joyce, do you see anything different

about this room from when you were here with Elizabeth?

Anything moved, anything changed?

- I don't think so.

We were sitting here.

Um, she talked about her parents.

We were having lunch today, I can't believe this.

- Yeah, yeah.

- Oh, there's that brooch.

- Brooch?

- Yes, Elizabeth wanted it to be buried with her mother

but then later she saw it for sale in a shop.

- Did she now?

Joyce, I imagine you've had enough

of spiritualist meetings haven't you?

- Yes.

- But what if I went with you?

- No, Tom, I won't do it.

- For Elizabeth's sake?

(Joyce sighing)

- [Tom] I was wondering if you'd ever seen that before?

- No, why?

Where would I have seen it?

- Well, I don't now.

Maybe here, in your husband's office?

- I don't understand.

- That is a personal effect

of someone your husband laid to rest.

- Oh, then I would never have been allowed to see it.

Patrick kept things like that to himself.

- Did he?

- Yes.

- Okay, thank you.

Hey, it was good to see you

at the railway celebration the other day.

- Yeah, well, friends said it would do me good

to get out and about a bit.

- Well, your friends are right.

- Take my mind of things.

- Yeah.

(van engine revving)

(brake clicking)

(seatbelt clicking)

- Eve, that copper called by at the workshop.

- Mr. Barnaby?

- Um.

- What did he want?

- He was asking something about a brooch.

- So many things seem to be going wrong at the moment.

Rosetta's been told not to leave the village.

- (chuckling) Bet that made her happy.

- Do you know something that I don't know?

- No.

- But you know everything that goes on in Fletcher's Cross.

- Not this time, love.

- Are you telling me the truth?

- Yes, love.

Look, I'm sorry, you're gonna have to start

without me tonight but I've got things to do.

I'll catch up with you later.

- All right.

- Hey.

(kissing cheek)

- Um, where?

Well, uh, well, I don't know whether I can.

Yeah, yeah, I'll be there.

Okay, bye.

(phone beeping)

- Are you going to the meeting?

- No.

- You always go.

- Not tonight.

I've gotta go meet somebody.

(bells chiming)

(people chatting)

(train whistling)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(hammering rails)

- John's going to be late, he's got things to do.

- All right.

- And that policeman's back.

Chief Inspector Barnaby.

He's sitting in the audience.

(metal clunking)

(birds chirping)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(metal clunking)

- L?

L word?

Is it a name beginning with L?

Oh Charlotte, won't you help me?

Where are you, Charlotte?

Is, is it the name Laura?

Is there a Laura this side of life?

- Yes, yes!

- A loved one is telling me something,

a loved one is showing me something.

Someone who passed over.

Ah, ah, a tattoo?

Yes, a tattoo on the forearm.

Help me, Charlotte.

(tapping finger)

Help me, help me.

(gasping)

(screaming)

- Light.

Lights please!

(Rosetta screaming)

(Rosetta panting)

- I do apologise but Rosetta must rest now

and so we must end the meeting.

Let us close with a prayer.

- They should give people their money back.

- I wonder why the meeting was stopped?

- Well, it's obvious, Joyce.

Rosetta was doing a number,

probably because we were in the audience.

Didn't want to commit herself.

- But that sound?

That was frightening.

- Hidden speakers?

(car door shutting)

A tattoo.

Yeah, or a birthmark, that'd do just as well

and the odd name or two.

- What are you talking about?

- I'm talking, Joyce, about acquired knowledge

and where it comes from.

(engine starting)

(train chugging)

(steam hissing)

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Tim, stop!

(brakes squealing)

(steam hissing)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(siren wailing)

- Morning, Scott.

- Sir.

Oh, I checked out Rosetta Price.

She's got no convictions, however,

there is some information about her online.

- Thank you

- Says she's highly respected amongst spiritualist groups.

Eh, she often gets a favourable mention

among the psychic news.

- Does she?

- Eh, oh and this is the information

you asked for from Pennyman's office.

(plastic rustling) (phone ringing)

Makes interesting reading.

(phone beeping)

DS Scott.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Same M.O., but this time

the blow from behind could have killed him.

It's quite a wound.

- Any idea how long he's been here?

- Can't say yet.

Probably overnight.

- Right, Scott.

Will you find out where Mr. James Griss is working, please?

- Yes, sir.

(camera clicking)

- Oh, John, John.

You stupid, stupid man.

He's always so kind to me but he annoyed a lot of people.

- Annoyed someone enough to do that to him?

- I suppose so.

That's the kind of world

we're living in these days, isn't it?

Everyone gets angry so quickly over nothing at all.

- Can you think of someone, anyone,

who would want to harm him?

- Um, Emily here can stay with you

but have you got any family, a friend, who can be with you?

- Rosetta will be here soon.

- Ah.

- I believe in her, you know.

John didn't but I do.

Always have.

- But surely it's just trickery.

- Trickery?

No.

Sometimes she gets a bit of help,

otherwise it wouldn't be much of a show, would it?

- Yeah, what sort of help?

- Just help but most of it's real.

Strange things do happen.

I've felt it, I've felt the energy

and I've seen the aura.

It's like a warm, bright light.

(steam hissing)

(metal clinking)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(metal clanking)

- Mr. Griss, can we have a word?

- About what?

- We're investigating a death on the tracks.

- The dead man is John Whittle.

- John Whittle, you say?

- [Dan] Afraid so.

(metal clanking)

- Well, I never liked the man

but I wouldn't wish that on him.

- Why didn't you like him? - He was a troublemaker.

What was he doing down here?

- That's what we'd like to know.

- Was he hit by the engine, what?

- No, he was murdered.

- Murdered?

- Where were you last night, Mr. Griss?

- Home, of course.

- And what about during the evening?

- I was here till late, working on the track.

Packed it in when it got too dark.

- Was anybody else working with you?

- No.

Now, wait a minute.

I didn't kill him.

- [Tom] You've admitted you didn't like the man.

Yesterday, you were arguing with him in the street

and now he's dead.

- But I wouldn't kill the man.

I couldn't do that.

- [Dan] Did you see anybody else yesterday evening?

- I told you. I was working alone.

- [Dan] Yeah, but did you see anybody?

- Yeah, yeah, I did.

I saw Thomas Marr.

He was down on the track.

He seemed like he was looking for someone

and then he just walked off.

- What time was that?

- About half seven, something like that.

(bells chiming)

- Miss Marr, good afternoon to you.

Is your brother in?

- Yes.

- Could you get him for me?

- Thomas.

- Mr. Marr, uh, can I have a word with you, please?

Should you lock the front door?

(bells chiming)

(door shutting)

(lock clicking)

Thank you, um,

- He is my brother, I would like to stay.

- Yes, all right.

Mr. Marr, Thomas, I'd like to take you back

to the evening when Patrick Pennyman was killed.

You told us that you'd left the spiritualist meeting early.

- Yeah, yeah, that's right, to come home.

- Sure you didn't go to the funeral parlour?

- Course not.

- Thomas, you obviously think a lot of your sister.

- Yeah, yeah, I do.

- But if she's so against the spiritualist church,

why do you go?

(eerie instrumental music)

- We never knew our father

and our mother walked out on us when we were kids.

We don't know whether she's dead or alive.

That's why Thomas goes to those meetings.

He's hoping for some sort of message.

- But you didn't go to

the spiritualist meeting last night, did you?

Though we do know where you did go.

You went to the old railway line, didn't you?

That right?

Is that right?

- Tell him.

- Uh, I had this, I had this phone call asking me

to go down to the level crossing at Ram's Lane.

I was told that if I did,

I might hear something to my advantage

but there was no one there.

- Who made the phone call?

(eerie instrumental music)

Who was it, Mr. Marr?

- But that's ridiculous.

Why would I want to meet Thomas Marr

in the middle of nowhere?

- Because you had some good news for him.

- What good news?

Sorry, I didn't ring him.

Perhaps you should check where the call came from.

- We have, it was from the phone box in the square,

just a short walk from here.

- I can assure you, it wasn't me.

Thomas must have made a mistake.

He's like that.

He often got things wrong when he worked for my husband.

- Eh, Sergeant Scott here tells me

that your husband never wanted you involved

with the business.

- That's right.

- Yet you still had access

to his business files and records.

- If I wished, yes, but they were of no interest to me.

- Oh, of course not.

- Mr. Barnaby, I think these questions are a little unfair.

I'm still mourning the death of my husband.

- Yes, oh, I'm sorry.

(person knocking)

(hinges squeaking)

(cellophane rustling)

- Mr. Burgess.

(bird squawking)

- Just a, just a little something for you, Janet,

in your hour of need.

(hinges squeaking)

(door shutting)

- I feel quite moved.

The neighbours have been so kind and thoughtful.

(bottle scraping)

(bird squawking)

- Mrs. Burgess,

(bird squawking)

is your husband at home?

- No.

- Where is he?

- He's in the church.

(bird squawking)

Why?

(birds chirping)

(church bells ringing)

- Mr. Burgess.

- Yes?

Mr. Barnaby.

- We were wondering if you had anything to tell us.

- About what?

- About Patrick Pennyman?

- No.

- Or about a little something or other

for Janet Pennyman in her hour of need?

- Now what's wrong with that?

- How many other little somethings

have you two been enjoying since Mr. Pennyman died?

- You've no right to talk to me in that way.

- Or had it been going on before then?

- I'm a married man.

- Yes, indeed you are, Mr. Burgess

but not a very happy one, I'd say.

And Janet Pennyman, she didn't have much

of a domestic life, did she? Not with that husband of hers,

so I reckon you'd make a fine pair.

- Well, your wife's not here, Mr. Burgess

but we can go and fetch her if you'd like.

- Did Janet Pennyman lead you on?

- No, no, of course she didn't.

- Then why was John Whittle killed?

- Huh, how would I know?

- Well, John Whittle used to work

from time to time for Patrick Pennyman,

which means he'd have gone to the funeral parlour

on various occasions.

Now, did he see something he shouldn't have seen?

Did he catch you at it?

(tools rattling)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(metal rattling)

(Janet panting)

- Knowing John Whittle,

he wouldn't have let that rest, would he?

So, what did he want, something in exchange?

A little sexual favour or two from Janet, was that it?

And of course, you couldn't let that happen, could you?

- Has Janet told you this?

- As good as.

So, what did she do?

Lure him to the railway line

in the same way Thomas Marr was asked to go there?

- Thomas Marr, James Griss,

they made perfect suspects, didn't they?

What did you hit the man with?

Hmm, did you find something suitable by the railway line?

(dog howling)

(gravel crunching)

(mournful instrumental music)

(hammer thudding)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(gravel crunching)

(mournful instrumental music)

(blade sliding)

- Before I say anything, how much has Janet told you?

- Just about everything.

(Ronald sighing)

- You know, she was great to be with.

Now, you still don't know he's dead,

so you go about your business, hmm?

- Why?

- Because when the police start asking questions,

you'll have the answers.

- Right.

- So, you get his supper ready,

then you go back downstairs, you call out to him.

- Patrick!

(Ronald and Janet laughing)

- You make sure there's people outside

in the street when the time comes,

people who will come and help you.

- Then I cry on their shoulders.

- You pour your heart out.

(Ronald and Janet laughing)

We had such fun together.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- It appears that your husband

was a very thorough man, Mrs. Pennyman.

He left very detailed accounts

of all those he'd laid to rest and of their next of kin.

Do you, do you recognise this?

- Yes.

- Is that your handwriting?

- Yes.

- Hmm, we found this in your writing desk.

It's a list of all the distinguishing marks

on those your husband laid to rest.

Would you like me to read it to you?

- No.

- Well, it mentions things like tattoos, scars, birthmarks,

all dated and set against the names,

the ages, sex, of the deceased.

Do you know Rosetta Price?

- I've heard of her.

- Have you ever helped her?

- How could I have helped her?

- By selling her information like this.

I'm sure it was very useful to her.

It meant she could give absolutely accurate descriptions

of those who had crossed over.

There's one name in particular, David Key.

It mentions a small white birthmark on his body,

almost in the shape of a dove.

Now, apart from, say, his doctor,

only his loved ones would have known about this.

His wife's name was Rosemary Key and this information,

given out at one of those spiritualist meetings,

made her ill, made her very ill. In fact, it killed her.

- That's got nothing to do with me.

- Oh, but it has because someone decided

to do some investigating

and that someone was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Key

and Rosetta Price wasn't the only person she went to see.

(door opening)

(hinges creaking)

- I've one or two things to talk to you about, Mr. Pennyman.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- She must have been a hell of a nuisance to you,

going on and on about some missing brooch

and still asking questions, even after your husband died.

Couldn't have her forever on your doorstep, could you?

So, she had to be got rid of.

(mournful instrumental music)

(Janet panting)

(board thumping)

(mournful instrumental music)

(Janet laughing)

- How much has Ronald told you?

- Quite a lot.

- What does that mean?

- All right then, he's prepared to take the blame.

- Dear Ronald.

That man made such a difference to my life.

(laughing)

- What's funny?

- The look on Patrick's face when he caught us together.

I don't think I'll ever forget that.

(curtains sliding)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(hinges creaking)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(urn thudding)

(body falling)

(Janet laughing)

- I'm not a hundred percent certain

about your interviewing technique, Scott,

but it certainly gets results.

- Thank you, sir.

- That something you picked up at the Met, is it?

- Could be.

- Do you want to go back there?

- No, I quite like it here.

- Good.

- I think I might change my job though.

- Hmm?

- Well, there's a shortage of funeral directors in the area.

I could make a fortune.

- I suppose we'll have to close down

the Friendship Group now

- Yes.

- Charlotte won't like it.

(woman screaming)

(fire burning)

(woman screaming)

(fire burning)

(dramatic instrumental music)

(blankets rustling)

(clock ticking)

(dramatic instrumental music)