Original subtitles

Hey, I'm home.

It's just me.

Evan?

[ Ringing ]

EVAN: Hello.

This is Mayor Evan Whitestone.

Please leave a message.

[ Beep ]

Dad.

Hi, it's me.

I just got back from the beach.

Where are you?

Maybe you didn't take your car.

Anyway, look forward

to catching up.

Hope the parade went well.

Dad?

[ Chuckles ]

Dad, are you asleep?

Dad.

[ Gasps ]

Oh! Oh!

Dad!

Somebody!

[ Whimpering ]

- Oh, my God.

- [ Ringing ]

Oh, my God.

[ Vehicle door closes ]

A Christmas wonderland.

Fake snow,

Santa climbing down the chimney,

reindeer, sleighs,

but wouldn't it be nice if

just once it did actually snow?

You know --

like in the picture books.

You're dreaming

of a white Christmas?

Yeah, I know.

I thought

you looked very handsome

- in the parade today, Mike.

- Thank you, Gina.

Perhaps, next year,

you could be Santa.

Brokenwood will be needing

a new one.

Let's see

what we've got here first, eh?

[ Police radio chatter ]

Mayor Whitestone.

SHEPHERD: He's held office

for a long time, right?

As long as I've been here.

Brokenwood's most popular mayor.

I remember his wife died

several years ago,

so there is no Mrs. Claus.

Smell that?

[ Sniffs ]

Woodsmoke.

No evidence of a recent fire.

Evan was on the Christmas float

less than 90 minutes ago.

Whoever did this

can't have got far.

We need SSG and ESR,

plus the dog team,

to see if they can pick up

anything fresh.

Your Worship, we'll get you

out of here and cleaned up.

You were great in the parade,

by the way.

That must have been difficult.

What?

Whether to refer to him

as the mayor or Santa Claus.

Not at all.

Bring in pathology.

[ Lid closes ]

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

Looks like the carotid artery

was severed.

Judging by the volume of blood,

it was sudden and explosive.

Type of instrument used?

Something sharp.

Not serrated.

You're not usually

so forthcoming.

I already had a backlog, Mike.

Then I took time off

for the parade.

I love Christmas so much,

but now I must pay the price.

I've been speaking

with Hayley Whitestone,

Evan's daughter

and only next of kin.

She arrived back from a holiday

up north at the family bach.

She walks in and finds...this.

She's seriously shaken up.

Well, I'm glad to see

that you dressed appropriately

for the occasion.

Mm.

Don't knock it.

He won best-dressed elf.

- Oh. Congratulations.

- It was a hollow victory.

Jared didn't show up,

and I know for a fact

that Mrs. Marlowe had

something amazing made for him.

He's got that sewing circle

wrapped around

his little finger.

SIMS:

Roxy did all right.

I feel like a stalk of rhubarb.

All right.

What can we assume?

Evan finishes the parade.

He comes home.

Drinks some champagne

to celebrate something.

With someone?

Hence the two glasses.

That person kills him,

then leaves.

Do you think they ate the pie

before, during,

or after the murder?

Or Evan's a very sloppy eater?

The rest of the house

is immaculate.

Or he was eating it

when he was killed?

Cold.

But not congealed.

Hmm.

The king of pies.

- Mince and cheese?

- SHEPHERD: Steak and cheese.

I think you'll find the king

of pies is mince and cheese.

Not when a truly great steak

and cheese can be life-changing.

As in giving you a heart attack?

- Mince all the way.

- Boys.

[ Chuckles ]

Does it matter?

Well, whatever.

It sure looks good.

- You want to eat that?

- Yeah, Roxy's gone vegetarian.

I'm not seeing a lot of meat

these days.

Bag it. I want to know what it

is, where it came from, okay?

- 10 bucks says steak and onion.

- Done.

Anything else?

What do you call it when you

find a dead Father Christmas

inside your house?

- Insantacide.

- [ Chuckles ]

That's quite good.

The deceased isn't Santa Claus.

He's just a man in a Santa suit.

- Am I missing something?

- You should really get changed.

We have a mayor

with his throat cut.

Who was dressed up as Santa.

SIMS:

And a half-eaten meat pie.

Of an indeterminate flavor.

The local body elections

aren't far off.

We can't discount

that being a possible motive.

Probable even.

He was

the most popular mayor ever.

Five straight terms in office.

If he's so popular,

then why kill him?

A frustrated opponent?

The parade started at 10:00 a.m.

and finished at 12:00 p.m.

The 111 call

comes in at 1:19 p.m.

Trace Evan's movements

from leaving the parade

and getting home.

And who was he drinking

champagne with last night?

Last night?

You mean this afternoon.

That ice bucket was warm.

That champagne

was drunk last night.

Or possibly this morning.

Perhaps he and whoever necked

a bottle before the parade.

Dutch courage.

For all we know,

he could have been

completely trolleyed up there.

Yeah, well, maybe that's how

he gets through it every year.

Then he gets home

slightly hungover.

Someone is lying in wait

and slits his throat.

Then best we find out who has

a bone to pick with Evan.

I say we start with those

challenging for mayor --

Pete London,

Jed Charmers, Neil Bloom.

- SHEPHERD: The chemist?

- Pharmacist.

And Victoria Speigleman.

Senior?

Kylie from victim support

and Hayley Whitestone are here.

Thanks for coming in.

Usually we could do this

at your house,

but obviously it's off-limits

until the scene examination

is finished.

God, I never want

to go back there.

It's like a house of horrors.

Your father was a great figure

in the community,

and he will always be remembered

that way.

I mean, he was popular.

How does this happen?

Well, that's

what we're working on.

He had his throat cut.

Was there anyone

that your father talked about

in a way

that might suggest he had...

- an enemy?

- God, no.

I mean, he had rivals,

but enemies, no.

By "rivals," you mean other

candidates for the mayoralty?

Pete London?

Jed Charmers? Neil Bloom?

Pete's an awesome guy.

It wouldn't be him.

No way.

You seem certain about that.

Well, I worked for him

as his P.A.

when he was expanding

his businesses.

I mean,

Pete has a big personality.

You know,

he's in your face even.

But he's a teddy bear.

I mean, he might be a butcher,

but he wouldn't hurt a fly.

What about Jed Charmers

and Victoria Speigleman?

I don't know Jed.

And [Sighs] Victoria,

well, she's, um...

Eccentric?

That's putting it politely.

Any idea who Evan might have

been drinking champagne with?

Um, Maureen Moffat maybe?

- Maureen is?

- Evan's campaign manager.

Yeah, she's been

at the council forever, right?

[ Voice breaking ]

She'll be absolutely devastated.

Was your father

partial to a meat pie?

What?

Did he like pies?

- Pies?

- SHEPHERD: Yes.

You know -- steak and cheese,

mince and cheese,

that sort of thing.

I'm sorry.

How is that important?

We're not sure yet.

Uh, yeah.

Yeah, he used to.

But he was on a diet.

Goji berries?

Kale?

The doctor

gave me the hard word.

High cholesterol.

No more pies.

[ Chuckles ] I said, "It's not

the pies that are to blame.

It's the idiot

who puts them in his mouth."

So, yes, it's spirulina quiche

from here on in.

[ Chuckles ]

So he was off the pies?

Kylie has organized a motel,

and we'll keep you informed

of any developments.

Thank you.

- You were up north?

- Smith's Bay.

- Family place?

- Yeah.

- Holiday?

- A writer's retreat.

I'm trying to finish

my first novel.

[ Sighs ]

It seems so trivial now.

It still sounds impressive.

What genre?

Romance.

It's Mills & Boon.

They can be lucrative, I hear.

Yeah.

Only if you get them right.

It's harder than it might seem.

That's always been my feeling

with romance.

BREEN: That was Wally Seymour,

the curator of the float parade.

He reckons Evan left the

warehouse where the floats park

up around 12:30 after doing

some photos with the kids.

He saw him

drive off in his Captiva.

SHEPHERD:

Was he with Maureen Moffat,

- his campaign manager?

- Didn't mention it.

Find out what time she left, did

she leave with him, et cetera.

Right.

I'm off to see Crazy Pete.

And I'm onto Jed Charmers.

Oh. Look out.

You'll come back a hipster.

- Is that good?

- Some might say you already are.

MRS. MARLOWE:

You looked very smart

in the parade this morning,

Detective Shepherd.

- Mrs. Marlowe, thank you.

- Oh, Jean, please.

You know, next year,

I'd be happy

to whip you up

a senior elf suit.

Well...

Santa's helpers

come in all ages, you know.

I'll bear that in mind.

And the young ones

can be a bit unreliable.

- Jared?

- Oh!

We put such a lot of work

into that costume.

I'm sure

there was a good reason.

I suppose so.

He does have his fingers

in a lot of pies.

- Mm.

- It's true, isn't it?

About Evan Whitestone?

That?

He was found naked

and bound in his mayoral chains.

That is not the case.

Still, he was a very good mayor.

So it seemed.

- Well, I must...

- Are you going in to see Jed?

[ Whispering ] He'll get my vote

now that Evan's gone.

He's a hipster, you know?

[ Chuckles ]

Thank you for letting me know.

Yeah.

We'll talk soon.

- Jed Charmers?

- I am he.

What can I do for you?

Haircut?

Wet shave? Coffee?

They all sound good.

Detective Senior Sergeant

Mike Shepherd.

Ah.

I've just been told about Evan.

[ Breathes deeply ]

Not good.

Not for Evan, no.

- [ Cellphone rings ]

- Oh. Excuse me.

Breen?

Maureen Moffat

is not answering her phone

and not answering her door,

but her car's in the driveway.

She's either gone to ground

or done a runner.

Where are you?

49 Tyrconnell Place.

Stand by.

- I'll be back later.

- Do that.

I could give you a look to match

that classic car of yours.

Maybe.

[ Bells ring ]

There you go, Diane.

One pound

of my best pork sausage.

Hot and spicy,

just the way you like it.

[ Laughs ]

Mighty Meats can't be beat!

[ Bells ring ]

[ Sighs ]

Evan was a good man.

Cut down in his prime.

- So to speak.

- What?

[ Sighs ]

I didn't mean it like that.

Why don't we get a coffee?

[ Knocking ]

I've called her work,

her mobile,

her after-hours -- nothing.

The neighbors don't recall

seeing her this morning.

Engine's cold.

Maybe she's a jogger?

Or into marathons.

Were you at the parade?

A good opportunity

to press the flesh.

Did you see Evan Whitestone?

Well, of course.

Everyone saw him.

He's bloody Santa.

- Speak to him?

- Afterwards.

Well, sort of.

[ "Jingle Bells" plays ]

Hey, thanks, Evan,

for gathering my voters for me.

WALLY: Evan.

We've got 10 or so kids

for photos.

CHILDREN: Santa Claus!

Santa Claus! Santa!

Did you feel snubbed by Evan?

No.

Well,

I didn't take it personally

if that's what you mean.

See, like Evan,

I'm a people's man

with our fair share

of public interest.

Mine from people

interested in the issues

and, well,

his mainly from 5-year-olds

wanting a picture with Santa.

Do you need to be somewhere?

- Oh, it can wait.

- I won't hold you up.

Okay.

Well, good luck.

Where do you need to be?

Oh, I have a commercial to make

for local TV.

♪ Don't forget to take

a big bitey of my meat ♪

Well, I'm glad to see my

marketing's reaching its target.

It's hard to ignore.

Well, that's the power

of the jingle.

Well, I'll take your word

for it...

though I'm not your target.

You're not a bloody vego,

are you?

No.

Anyway, it's not one of those.

This ad's

for my mayoral campaign.

- Today?

- Well, it was scheduled.

It's too expensive to cancel.

Besides, this town needs

a new mayor more than ever.

These are on me.

Still nothing.

Well, Pete London

is wasting no time

in capitalizing on Evan's death.

His mayoral ambitions

have never been a secret.

SIMS: Oh.

Jed Charmers obviously didn't

give you that makeover, then?

False start.

We can't locate Maureen Moffat.

SIMS:

And we still have to cover off

Victoria Speigleman

and Neil Bloom.

Kristin, come with me.

Breen, you take Speigleman.

Are you too busy

to tackle Speigleman?

Why?

It's just, you know,

I've heard she's quite intense

in that way

only crazy vegans can be.

No, no.

Don't worry.

Those claims that she poisoned

her first husband

were never substantiated.

Wally?

D.S.S. Mike Shepherd

and Detective Sims.

WALLY:

Good to meet you.

Hell of a shock about Evan.

You're curator of the floats?

Yeah, curator,

wrangler, photographer,

chief bottle washer,

general dogsbody.

There she is.

And this was the one

that Evan was riding?

WALLY: Yeah. She hasn't changed

in 20-odd years.

Some things are best

kept the same. Don't you think?

SIMS: [ Chuckles ]

- Do you mind?

- WALLY: Go ahead.

Did you notice anything odd

about Evan after the parade?

No.

He wasn't anxious or hurried

at all?

Actually,

now you come to mention it,

he was a little absent-minded.

- [ "Jingle Bells" plays ]

- Evan.

We've got 10 or so kids

for photos.

CHILDREN: Santa Claus!

Santa Claus!

Yeah, yeah. You could say

he was in a bit of a hurry.

Ho ho ho!

WALLY:

Look this way.

- Smile!

- [ Camera shutter clicks ]

And then Evan headed off?

Do you remember what time?

No. I told your other guy

maybe 12:30.

And what about Maureen Moffat?

Was she with him?

[ Laughing ] Maureen?

Of course.

And they left together?

Well, actually,

now you come to mention it...

No, that's right.

He wasn't with her.

Usually she's stuck by his side

minding his P's and Q's,

making sure

he's shaking the right hands.

But not this year.

So you didn't see her at all?

Now you come to mention it, no.

You look quite the part

up there.

Gina was right.

With a white beard

and a red hat,

you could be

next year's Brokenwood Santa.

No, I couldn't. I could

only be a man in a Santa suit.

Thanks, Wally.

Most helpful.

Look, Mike, this whole "man

in a Santa suit" thing...

Our job is to find out

who killed a man in that suit.

We can't refer to him as Santa

because then, potentially,

people might start fearing that

Santa Claus is actually dead.

That would be a very sad day.

Yeah, okay.

Mm, to many of us,

Santa is very real.

Well, it's, um, good

to be clear on that.

More importantly,

why didn't Maureen Moffat show?

Wally implied that she came

every year -- with Evan.

Perhaps they drank

the champagne earlier...

celebrating poll results...

but had an argument.

She refused to go to the parade,

and by the time Evan got back,

she was fuming and...

Cut his throat?

What would she have done

if the poll results were bad?

Well, she's gone to ground,

right?

Disappeared in a puff of smoke.

If it was a disagreement,

it must have been big.

Were they lovers?

Although Hayley

would have mentioned that.

[ Tires screeching ]

Whoa. What?

Where there's smoke,

there's always fire.

We smelled smoke

in the living room.

But who lights a fire

in the middle of December?

Yeah, when

it's the height of summer.

If there was a fire,

it's been reset.

You don't light a fire

in the day.

Then he had one last night,

then cleaned it out

this morning.

While drinking champagne?

The rubbish bin's empty.

That's been cleaned, too.

You think

someone was burning evidence?

Trying to.

But then got smoked out.

Which is

why they cleaned the grate.

Or they didn't want us

thinking about the fireplace.

Find a ladder.

Mike!

After you.

No wonder they got smoked out.

It's completely blocking

the chimney.

Two dead Santas in one day --

It's a freakish omen.

I think

Christmas will be unusual.

- Hopefully, that means snow.

- [ Camera shutter clicking ]

On the other hand,

two dead Santas

has to be some sort of a record.

Hm!

Not in Russia.

In the lead-up to Christmas,

they fall like flies.

Usually from accidents involving

roofs, ice, and too much vodka.

Remember --

The deceased is not Santa.

Just a man in a Santa suit.

KADINSKY:

Or not.

This is a woman in a Santa suit.

SIMS: Well...clearly,

this Santa was intent

on delivering

a certain kind of present.

Maybe a Santa strip-o-gram?

Senior.

I have Hayley Whitestone.

Follow me.

Hayley.

Thank you for coming.

I'm sorry to ask this,

but do you, by any chance,

recognize this person?

Oh, God.

That's Maureen.

Maureen Moffat?

Evan's campaign manager?

What the hell

is she doing dressed as Santa?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I feel sick.

Get a PM on Evan Whitestone.

I need a time of death.

A busy day just got busier,

but he's next in line.

Can we rule out

death by misadventure?

I think so.

This is looking

more and more like a campaign

against a campaign.

Someone or some people didn't

want Evan to be mayor again.

I still have Victoria Speigleman

to see.

- Should I stick with that?

- Definitely.

Yeah.

Watch your step.

Interesting.

Victoria Speigleman?

Yes?

BREEN:

D.C. Breen, Brokenwood CIB.

- Oh, yes.

- I have a few questions.

VICTORIA:

It's to keep the dogs away.

- What?

- The lines.

They crap everywhere.

Nobody picks it up.

- Right.

- So I trip them up.

Hope they break their necks.

Works for cats, too.

The lines

are all different heights.

Plays havoc with their whiskers.

Right.

Look, I'm here about Evan.

Evan Whitestone?

What does he want?

- You haven't heard?

- Heard what?

He's been found dead.

You'll be needing a drink.

♪ Well, they're full of advice

that I won't ever need ♪

♪ And I know that I can't see

the woods for the trees ♪

This will put

hairs on your chest.

So, when did you last see Evan?

Today.

At the parade.

PETE: Hey, thanks, Evan,

for gathering my voters for me.

[ Amplified ] Vote Speigleman

to end Christmas!

Give it a rest, Victoria.

Christmas

is a retail conspiracy!

We can end this together!

People unite!

Not really a huge vote winner,

that policy, though, is it?

- Really?

- Who cares?

It's the truth.

And true politics

is about truth.

Truth and power.

However,

if you can't get into power,

you can't effect any change.

Fidel Castro wasn't voted in,

and look at the change

he made to Cuba.

That was a bloody coup.

Protest plus revolution

equals change.

Are you saying

Brokenwood needs a revolution?

VICTORIA:

It needs a change.

But democracy

favors those in power.

Drink.

Please.

[ Coughs ]

Wow. Okay.

Kawakawa, ginger, lemon,

bitters, and arsenic.

It was never proven, you know?

The nonsense said about me.

It's iodine.

Tastes worse than arsenic,

but better for you.

Held my grandfather's bowels

intact

in the trenches

in the Great War.

Could I have a drink of water?

Help yourself.

If you'll excuse me.

The prunes from breakfast

are calling.

Neil, if you weren't

at the parade, where were you?

NEIL:

I was at the pharmacy.

Holding the fort so my staff

could get to enjoy it.

SHEPHERD:

You're a generous boss.

Well, the Santa parade's

all about family.

My kind of family have

their own parade -- in the city.

If you become mayor, you could

look at bringing it here.

Mm.

Very progressive, Detective.

Is Brokenwood

ready for its first gay mayor?

I hope so.

Is it ready

for a gay-pride parade?

- That may be a bridge too far.

- Mm.

Many customers this morning?

None.

Very quiet.

Well, they were all

at the parade.

So, between 9:30 and, say,

12:30, you had no customers?

But I caught up

on a lot of paperwork.

- Fun.

- Hm. A necessary evil.

I may have more questions.

Oh, well, just call me anytime.

You spoke of a campaign

against a campaign.

Now, there is a campaigner.

Passionate.

Principled.

Some of those types are prepared

to fight the big fight.

And here's the thing -- She has

a placard inside her house

that speaks out against Evan.

Saying what?

What was your problem

with Evan Whitestone?

- Who said I had a problem?

- Your placard.

It says,

"Whitestone is a whitewash."

When did you take the sign down?

Why did you take the sign down?

- There was no room on the lawn.

- Why was he a whitewash?

He was a spineless puppet.

- For who?

- The oil exploration companies.

- There's no oil in Brokenwood.

- Yet.

But once the fracking starts,

who knows?

And whether there is or not,

the damage is done.

Do you know what fracking does?

- I've heard.

- Your taps catch fire.

Brokenwood will become

a toxic wasteland.

Are you saying Evan Whitestone

greenlit fracking in Brokenwood?

Not yet.

But he would have caved.

They all do.

Oh.

So she's delusional.

Which can mean dangerous.

- And what about Maureen Moffat?

- BREEN: No love lost there.

And Maureen Moffat -- When was

the last time you saw her?

Don't know.

Don't care.

A mouse in wolf's clothing...

or little clothing at all.

BREEN:

She's been found dead.

At Evan Whitestone's place.

She always was a coat-tailer.

So, Speigleman

didn't like Evan or Maureen.

But she doesn't like anyone.

It's hardly proof.

Well, at least we have

proof of one thing.

That being?

Well,

with Mrs. Claus being real,

it takes

all the burden off Santa.

I always wondered how he managed

to cover the whole globe

in one night.

Well, now we know what they did

for a little R and R afterwards.

Both deceased

are just people in a Santa suit.

They're not the real thing.

Okay, I can't believe

I'm about to say this,

but I think

Mike actually believes in Santa.

Come on.

That's really not possible.

Is it?

♪ Don't sit down

before the cooking's done ♪

♪ You've got to give it half a

chance before you cut and run ♪

♪ When your new love

needs working at ♪

♪ And the working

ain't that fun ♪

Back so soon?

Just as well.

I want to lay a complaint.

- Of?

- Burglary.

It was like that when I arrived.

And you're sure

nothing is missing?

JED: We don't keep cash

on the premises.

There's valuable memorabilia,

but none of that

is out of place.

I'll pass this on

to the uniform branch.

Probably kids looking for booze.

- None taken?

- None consumed.

I'm teetotal.

I don't need that stuff

in my life.

Do you want that new look

to go with your car?

Maybe another time.

I do have a couple of questions,

though.

Okay.

You're running for mayor.

Are you implying I might have

offed my opposition?

No.

Did you?

No.

Is that it, then?

What are you offering

that your opponents aren't?

I believe

in business and culture.

I want Brokenwood to be

a cultural destination.

A new art gallery.

A new museum.

This town

needs some vision and style.

I like the sound of that.

A vote for me

is a vote for change.

SHEPHERD:

Don't they all say that?

Neil Bloom isn't.

He's running

for the pink vote...

which is a statement,

not a realistic manifesto.

- Pete London?

- In my opinion,

he's only running for mayor

to expedite

his own business interests.

Mighty Meats.

That doesn't require expediting.

What does?

Pete has a property development

on the outskirts --

a massive 100-hectare

residential development.

Well, a white elephant, really.

Because?

Evan wouldn't bend the rules

to push it through council.

So Pete decided

to become the council?

In my opinion.

Hm.

I'll file that report.

Wake up, Mr. Elf!

Wake up!

- Mom!

- GIRL: Mom!

Thank you.

Thanks.

[ Sighs ]

Dr. Carlton says the gash

in Jared's thigh

missed the femoral artery

by millimeters.

Severe concussion, blood loss.

So it's a waiting game?

Mike...

he was found

with this in his hand,

and his car located nearby --

It reeks of it.

He drove in that state?

Even more worrying is this.

It was found in his pocket,

and it has to be what caused

the cut to his thigh.

Take a look at the handle.

Could this have caused

the cut to the throat?

Yes. But so too a box cutter,

a scalpel, many things.

But this would fit the profile?

Mike, I will know more as soon

as you let me get started.

[ Sighs ]

Breen, remain with Gina.

I need to see Jed Charmers.

Five minutes.

I'm waiting for my associate.

Background on Maureen Moffat.

Lived alone for a long time.

Always a strong advocate

for Evan

and his mayoralty aspirations.

Worked like a Trojan,

but liked to party.

She had a penchant

for fancy dress.

So the Santa costume

makes sense.

Does it?

♪ Every time I think of you,

you get a little smaller ♪

Recognize this?

I wondered where that got to.

- You knew it was missing?

- Misplaced.

But since you have it,

it must have been stolen

- in the break-in.

- You said nothing was taken.

Didn't notice.

You didn't notice

a missing cut-throat razor?

No.

They live in the sterilizer.

And it's called

a straight razor.

How many do you have?

Five.

It was a busy day.

It wasn't till this morning,

when I was setting up,

I saw there were only four.

So, is that the murder weapon?

Why would you assume that?

You're a detective holding

a potentially lethal weapon

in a specimen bag, investigating

a suspicious death.

The cause of which hasn't

been released to the public.

It's a small town.

You hear things.

From who?

Mrs. Marlowe popped in with her

inside knowledge or speculation.

This is

not exactly her sort of haunt.

On the contrary.

She's my best word of mouth.

Soon your elfin chin will be

as smooth as a baby's bottom.

[ Chuckles ]

Now, I need you

to stay very still.

He was pretty nervous.

All first-timers are.

When was this?

The day before the Santa parade.

[ Cellphone rings ]

- Mike?

- Jared was at Jed's

the night before the parade.

So he had opportunity

to take the razor?

SHEPHERD: But then,

so did whoever broke in.

If they're not one and the same.

Mm.

Any developments at your end?

Evan Whitestone's Santa sack

was full of boxes...

big, small, tiny,

but all of them empty.

It's a good thing no kids were

actually expecting presents.

It was all a ruse.

Any luck with Crazy Pete's

property venture?

Yeah.

I've arranged to meet him later.

Okay.

♪ I went off to Calgary,

hoping to make it big ♪

♪ Got a two-bit job

in a motorcycle store ♪

[ Volume increases ]

♪ I was so alone, and I hurt

myself and nearly lost it all ♪

♪ Yeah, I left you

to your own devices ♪

[ Cellphone rings ]

Breen.

You should get down here.

My initial belief was correct.

He was killed by a razor-sharp

slice to the carotid artery.

Death would have occurred

within two minutes.

And now Maureen Moffat.

- Head wound?

- KADINSKY: Likely from the edge

of the chimney.

- But that didn't kill her?

- No.

It may have stunned her

long enough

to die from smoke inhalation.

Intoxication.

2 1/2 times

what would be considered sober

for her body weight.

- Engagement?

- From that finger, yes.

But wait.

There's more.

Neither stomach contents suggest

consumption of a meat pie.

- And...

- Time of death for both --

12 to 18 hours before discovery

of Evan Whitestone.

Which means...

That Evan was dead

before he went to the parade.

When we find the person on

the float, we find the killer.

Or at the very least

an accomplice.

Okay.

Thanks, Eddie.

What?

That was Eddie Young

from Monsoon Pies.

Mm.

Best in town.

BREEN:

It wasn't one of his.

Pastry's generic --

no flake, poor crust.

And?

And it was a steak and cheese.

And?

And he believes

they are the king of pies.

So, find out who bought

that flavor on Saturday morning.

On the bright side,

we can eliminate

Crazy Pete

and Victoria Speigleman, though.

- Why?

- Well, firstly, Speigleman

would never touch a meat pie,

and secondly, we can corroborate

both of them as being present

when Evan, or whoever

was pretending to be Evan,

dismounted the float.

Yeah, well,

that's the perfect alibi.

I'm a vegan, I leave a meat pie

at the scene of a crime

and get someone else

to be on the float --

place yourself

where you can be seen.

Doesn't mean that they didn't

organize it or even do it.

This was the work of two people?

Yeah.

Why not?

Hayley?

It's Mike Shepherd.

Yeah, I've got

a couple more questions.

Of course, that would require

Victoria Speigleman

to have a friend,

which is hard to imagine.

Well, for whatever reason,

whoever was on that float,

it wasn't Evan Whitestone.

Of course, it could have been

the real Santa.

Focus on

any Santa Claus look-alikes,

wannabes...

- fantasists.

- BREEN: Right.

Okay, how, exactly?

Initiative, Breen.

♪ As far as the eye

can see tonight ♪

♪ The coast is clear ♪

♪ The day looks all right ♪

If Evan was killed the night

before the parade,

why was

he wearing his Santa suit?

The bigger question being,

why was Maureen Moffat

wearing a Santa suit and trying

to climb down the chimney?

♪ And that's all right by me ♪

SHEPHERD: Hayley.

Thanks for seeing us.

It's a busy time, we know.

HAYLEY:

I presume you have some news.

We've learned that your father

was killed

the night before the parade.

But he was at the parade.

Someone was.

- An imposter.

- What?

Which means that your father

was wearing his Santa suit

the night before the parade.

Does that seem odd?

Yeah.

Of course.

But then, Evan loved being

Father Christmas, I suppose.

What about Maureen Moffat?

Was there anything more there

than purely professional?

Not that I was aware of.

Why would you say that?

SIMS: Well, it's

the matching-Santa-suit thing.

We're just trying to understand

what was going on.

Well, I know Maureen

had a reputation for dress-ups.

I mean, any chance to turn

a function into fancy dress,

she'd do it.

But Evan hated it.

Despite his Santa costume

for the parade?

HAYLEY:

Well, that was different.

That was for the kids,

for his community.

Thanks, Hayley.

We'll keep you abreast

of any further developments.

So, Evan and Maureen were

nothing more than colleagues.

Who liked to dress up

after hours.

- Excuse me.

- SIMS: Oh.

Buckle yourself in.

Kia ora.

Tina.

Kia ora,

Detectives Shepherd, Sims.

SHEPHERD:

Little progress, I hear.

Well, that's what happens when

you make a good Christian boy

dress up as an elf.

- Neither Detective Sims nor I --

- Show me in the Scriptures

where Santa Claus is mentioned,

hmm?

Never.

That's where.

Santa isn't mentioned

in the Bible

because he is

a devil's instrument

designed to make

people buy things

with money that they don't have.

VICTORIA:

I couldn't agree more.

You see?

Here is a woman who understands.

Aroha, my Tina.

I'm so sorry to hear

about your nephew's predicament.

Ae.

You know the detectives?

D.S.S. Shepherd

and Detective Sims.

Victoria Speigleman.

But I'm sure you know that.

One of your comrades came by.

D.C. Breen.

You were at the parade,

weren't you?

As I mentioned to D.C. Breen,

yes.

And the night before?

Where were you?

At home.

Was anyone with you?

VICTORIA: Some of us don't have

the resources of other people.

We need to rely on

the cut-through of our policies.

Now if you'll excuse me,

I came here

to support a whanau

under duress...

not suffer further

unnecessary interrogation.

We'll leave you to it, then.

And to campaign on the back

of very vulnerable people.

Do all mayoral candidates

have to be gross opportunists?

Politics is a ruthless business.

Tell that to Evan Whitestone

and Maureen Moffat.

I am a drunk woman in lingerie

climbing on top of a roof

dressed as Santa.

Why would you do that?

- What, wear lingerie?

- Climb up here.

And dressed as Santa?

To fulfill a fantasy.

Yours or someone else's?

[ Chuckles ]

Evan's, we presume.

Yet there's no known attachment

between them.

Plus, she was engaged.

But to whom?

Don't know.

Maybe she was cheating

on the fiancé with Evan.

Under the guise of work?

Well, Hayley was away.

Evan had the place to himself.

Maureen turns up to see Evan.

It's a pre-parade

campaign debrief.

They drink champagne

to celebrate progress.

They light a fire

to make things Christmas cozy.

But the room

fills up with smoke.

I forgot about Santa

in the flue!

- [ Laughs ]

- I'll get it.

Maureen climbs the ladder.

[ Grunts ]

She gets a face full of smoke.

- MAUREEN: [ Coughing ]

- SIMS: She coughs, splutters,

passes out,

collapses into the flue...

and dies.

And, whilst dying, manages to

upend herself into the chimney?

True.

Plus, her reflexes

would make her recoil.

So someone held her down.

We have to accept that

someone else was on the roof.

Most likely the same person

that killed Evan.

- The jealous fiancé.

- Possibly.

But the question is,

who is that?

[ Cellphone rings ]

Breen.

Uh-huh.

Right.

Thanks.

The lab have found traces

of Evan's blood

on the straight razor.

That links Jared directly.

So it seems.

After you.

I hope you have

an update on the break-in.

Nothing as yet.

- This is Detective Sims.

- Hello.

As you can see,

my hands are rather full.

Oh, we don't want

to hold you up.

We're just piecing together

people's movements.

- Were you at the parade?

- [ Sighs ]

Sir, I'll be right with you.

No, I wasn't.

It's not really my thing.

I took the opportunity

to keep the shop closed

and headed down

to Brokenwood Beach for a surf.

Were there many other surfers

out there?

JED:

As it happens, it was just me.

I guess

they were all at the parade.

SIMS:

And the night before, you were?

- Meeting.

- With?

My campaign manager,

Simon Petrovich.

- SIMS: Where?

- Here.

And this was

before the break-in?

JED:

Well, of course.

Can we get Simon's number

to verify?

Good luck with that.

He's on a plane.

- Which will land at some point.

- In Croatia.

- It's a 28-hour flight.

- Why?

To visit his sick aunt.

I'm not sure

this will work overseas.

It's bad timing,

- with your campaign.

- Life happens.

You okay?

Yeah. Fine.

Thanks.

I'll put a call into Hughes

and get Interpol

onto this Petrovich guy.

SIMS:

Jed Charmers is a wannabe mayor,

yet he doesn't attend

the one event

that would guarantee him a large

audience to mix and mingle with.

Instead, he's in a place that

no one can verify him being.

Plus, he has a break-in

where nothing was stolen

except for a cut-throat razor...

with the victim's blood on it.

- Convenient.

- You think it's a setup?

Could be.

By him to deflect suspicion.

It's suspicious, yes,

but motivation?

Yep.

- The mayoralty?

- Yeah, sure.

Although if he wants it

that bad,

why wasn't he at the parade?

Perhaps he was.

Dressed up as Santa?

- That wouldn't really work.

- No.

What about his missing mate,

Petrovich?

Goodbye.

Yeah, thank you.

Yes, thank you.

Yes, thank you.

Goodbye.

That was Mrs. Marlowe.

Get this.

She once made

a bespoke Santa suit

for Pete London of Mighty Meats.

PETE:

Well, this is it.

- Big vista.

- Meetville.

Yeah, I came up with that.

[ Chuckles ]

It's a big vision.

- So, what's the holdup?

- Zoning.

They're changing it

from rural to residential?

Everyone can see it's

a progressive and good idea.

Brokenwood has to grow.

Everyone except Evan Whitestone.

He had the power of veto.

He used it.

Do you think it was personal?

Shortsighted.

Not anymore.

I'm sure

the council will reconsider.

After the elections

when you are voted in as mayor

since you have

little opposition now.

Brokenwood needs to expand

or get left behind.

The last thing it needs is a new

bloody art gallery or museum.

People can't live in art.

They need houses.

In much the same way

that developers need permits.

Do you think

I'd be that obvious?

We have to consider

all the angles.

Well, then consider this.

I had nothing to do

with Evan Whitestone's demise,

or his puppy dog Maureen Moffat.

If you want motive,

look a little harder

at that crazy vegan

Victoria Speigleman.

Victoria Speigleman.

Why?

PETE: Why?

Are you serious?

I'm a butcher.

I deal in meat.

She'll do anything

to discredit me.

No.

Why would she kill Evan?

[ Sighs ]

You had a Santa suit

made for you.

- What?

- A Santa Claus suit.

Oh, some years ago, yeah.

For a promotional campaign.

So what?

Have you or a colleague

or a friend worn it lately?

No. Why?

So, you still have the suit?

It'll be somewhere.

In storage.

- I'd like to take a look at it.

- Oh, please, Detective.

I'm a busy man.

And likely to become

a lot busier once you're mayor.

- [ Sighs ]

- So, shall we?

PETE: [ Chuckles ]

I'm at the Frog and Cheetah.

[ Chuckles ]

A long wet lunch?

No.

I wish.

I'm trying to co-opt

likely Santas for a photo shoot.

- A photo shoot?

- BREEN: I'll explain later.

Ray Neilson is a bit wary,

but he did mention

Jared was seen

drinking with Evan here

the night before the parade.

Right.

Yeah, I served Evan and Jared.

Evan was full of joie de vivre.

Not sure why.

Christmas cheer maybe.

As I was saying to Jared,

we must let bygones be bygones.

You'd agree, wouldn't you, Ray?

"If I could change the past,

I'd have to change my ways."

Not sure who said that.

Probably me.

Another Dirty Bastard

for the road?

Dirty Bastard?

His favorite rum cocktail.

He was fond of his rum,

old Evan.

Probably a sailor

in another life...

or the one he's going to now,

if you believe in all that.

Who did he call?

RAY:

I'm not an eavesdropper.

- But Jared would have overheard?

- Perhaps.

It may have pertained

to what they were discussing.

Which was?

As I say,

I'm not an eavesdropper.

- Hm.

- How is Jared?

It's a waiting game.

- It's bloody terrible.

- Mm.

Was he drinking

Dirty Bastards, too?

- Another beer, Jared?

- JARED: Nah. All good.

I'm driving His Worship home.

Big day tomorrow.

Channeling the elf within.

RAY:

Yeah, he's a beer man.

With a nose for a good red,

as you know.

I do.

Thanks.

Uh, it's purely coincidence.

The suit will be in here, along

with all the other costumes

we've used over the years

for promotional purposes.

After you.

Uh, you go.

You'll know

where best to find it.

Okay.

So, where is it?

I'm sure.

Look, it's not here, but...

Right.

Can you explain that?

[ Sighs ]

If the public gets wind of this,

it'll jeopardize

my electoral chances.

For the record, you are simply

helping us with our inquiries.

[ Chuckles ] Everybody knows

that's a euphemism

for being a bloody suspect.

[ Breathes deeply ]

If this gets out, I will sue.

Are you prepared for that?

This is a witness statement,

Mr. London.

We just need

to fill in the blanks.

So, you attended the parade.

Yes!

I told you.

There were witnesses.

Ask Wally Seymour.

Even that witch Speigleman

saw me.

Yeah, but the night before.

You can't account

for where you were?

How is it relevant?

Is there someone who could

attest to where you were?

What about your wife?

She's in Sydney

on a bloody yoga retreat.

Anyone else?

You're fishing for an alibi?

Well, for want of a better term.

I don't need one.

And the sooner you can explain

your movements that night,

the sooner

we can be sure of that.

- I'm not under arrest, am I?

- No, you're not.

So I don't have to stay here?

No, but all I'm after is an

explanation of your whereabouts

and the whereabouts

of that Santa suit.

PETE:

I can do that...

when I return...

with my lawyer.

Mr. London.

Just the man I wanted to see.

Would you be willing to don

a Santa suit for a photo shoot?

I'll do no bloody such thing!

Shame.

It would have helped

eliminate him as a suspect.

Yeah, he gets a little tetchy

over the word "suspect."

What photo shoot?

All in good time.

Hey.

I've been thinking.

Perhaps Mike does believe

in Santa,

like, as an imaginary friend.

You know?

Because he's got no one else.

He's that alone guy

on Christmas Day.

Why else would he volunteer

to be on duty on the 25th?

Yeah, well, at least

I get to go to my parents' place

and have it all laid on.

That strange

Antipodean tradition

of a mighty roast

on a sweltering summer's day.

BREEN:

Yeah, good for you.

It's just me and Roxy this year.

I'll be lucky

to get tofu and lettuce.

- [ Chuckles ]

- [ Door closes ]

End of Day 2,

and we know what, hmm?

Uh, Pete London is obfuscating

on his whereabouts

on the night of the murders.

And we are still waiting

to hear back

from Jed Charmers' campaign

manager, Simon Petrovich,

to verify his story.

We know Jared Morehu

was the last to see Evan alive.

If he dropped him off.

Which we will only know

when Jared wakes up

- and answers a few questions.

- SHEPHERD: Yeah.

Though we have to be prepared

for the possibility

that he may not wake up.

Oh, well, he's a fighter.

He'll pull through.

In the meantime,

I have a photo shoot

set for first thing tomorrow.

Right.

What is this?

Mrs. Marlowe

and her sewing circle

have created a replica suit

to the one of Evan's.

Ray Neilson, Neil Bloom,

and two others

of similar height and build.

Plus, I'll approach

Jed Charmers.

Well, it can't be Jed.

- Why not?

- Well [Chuckles] because...

- you know.

- BREEN: What?

He's Maori.

He'd be a brown Santa.

We at least know he's not Maori,

and he's got blue eyes.

[ Scoffs ]

But we're dealing with a guy

who went to extraordinary

lengths to disguise himself.

I mean,

who knows how far he went?

What, you mean

like white makeup?

BREEN: And contact lenses.

Why not?

Because it's implausible.

Aah! Come on!

Look. Here it is.

We're dealing with a tiny

fraction of the human face

to identify our culprit.

By getting them

to become Santas,

we can at least eliminate.

And anyone

who doesn't want to do it,

well, what are they hiding?

- You wanted initiative.

- Right now, all I want to do

is swing by the hospital

and check on Jared...

followed by a glass of red.

- Good luck with that.

- Night.

Try to look kind of jolly.

- [ Laughs ]

- Yeah.

That's good.

Sit tall.

RAY:

I feel stereotyped.

That my jovial attitude to life

leads me to being

in some weird suspect lineup.

NEIL:

It's funny.

I don't think of you as jovial.

- Really?

- Mnh.

"Grumpy," "cantankerous,"

and "surly"

are words that spring to mind.

Here.

Vote Bloom

for equality and honesty.

Sam.

We're ready.

Right, hold there, mate.

Hold there.

Oh, don't they look lovely?

- Smile.

- MRS. MARLOWE: [ Chuckles ]

- [ Camera shutter clicks ]

- Uh-huh. Yeah, very good.

- Smile.

- [ Camera shutter clicks ]

- Next.

- [ Camera shutter clicking ]

Say "Merry Christmas!"

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

So, as you can see, white wig,

white beard, spectacles, gloves.

It's a little hard to tell...

...anything at all, really.

So, all you've proved

is what we already knew --

that it could have been anybody.

Well, you see one Santa,

you've seen them all.

Except Pete London

refused to participate.

And Jed Charmers

wouldn't cooperate.

Yeah.

That sounded awkward.

Do I look like

a traditional Santa?

It's part

of an elimination process.

I don't think so.

It doesn't exonerate him.

I mean, two people could have

been involved in this.

Someone on the float

to provide our other

likely suspects an alibi,

Or -- I don't know.

Are we really discounting

this guy because it's unlikely?

It doesn't mean he didn't do it.

And we still don't know

it wasn't this guy.

Is he actually in Croatia?

And we can't forget about Jared.

Jed fakes a break-in

to throw us off the scent.

But how did Jared end up with

a straight razor in his pocket?

He nicks it

when he's getting the shave.

Which means

the break-in was legitimate.

But nothing was taken?

Unlikely.

Ta.

137 steak and cheese pies

were sold in Brokenwood

on Saturday morning

from five different bakeries,

six dairies,

and three service stations.

137. Hmm.

We're in the wrong business.

[ Sighs ]

I need a coffee.

Anyone else?

I'll follow up on Crazy Pete's

reticence to play Santa.

He may have had

a change of heart.

NEIL: Oh, thank you.

And remember --

A vote for me is a vote

for equality and honesty.

Aha.

There you go.

And...

- No, no.

- [ Chuckles ]

- Too much, do you think?

- It gets the message across.

NEIL: [ Laughs ]

Did you know Maureen Moffat?

Of course.

- Tragic business.

- Mm.

I understand she liked to party.

Oh, yes.

Maureen was never shy

of a good time,

but more than that, she was

a tenacious council employee...

devoted to her job and to Evan.

- How devoted?

- Very.

Hello, there.

A vote for me is a vote

for equality and honesty.

Enjoy your breakfast.

They were having an affair?

Why would they do that?

It's not like

either were in a relationship.

But Maureen was engaged.

- To whom?

- You don't know?

If that were true, I'm sure

word would have got out.

She only had eyes for Evan,

but they never declared

themselves as a couple.

Excuse me.

Hi, there.

A vote for me is a vote

for equality and honesty, okay?

- Thank you.

- Why?

Well, Evan could

never bring himself

to accept that he'd moved on

from his dead wife.

Are you sure about this?

Yes.

How did you know

if Hayley Whitestone didn't?

Out of respect for Hayley.

Evan was a kind man.

Pompous, but kind.

And given the grim circumstances

of Patsy's death,

it's hardly surprising.

When Pete gets back, could you

get him to give me a call?

- Aah!

- I've got this.

Say no to fracking!

Hey!

[ Bells ring ]

Has Victoria stopped ranting?

No. But she's in the cells,

so it doesn't matter.

Why was she accusing Pete London

of fracking?

You can wait here

until a duty solicitor arrives.

I have the right to free speech.

Therefore,

I've done nothing wrong.

Apart from willful damage,

disorderly behavior,

and assault of a police officer?

Read this.

Minutes

from a closed council meeting.

Pete London wasn't

after residential consent.

Oh, my God.

Everyone can see it's

a progressive and good idea.

Brokenwood has to grow.

Mining consent.

Evan vetoed it.

It went away.

But Victoria believed he would

have been bought off eventually.

- So she killed him?

- BREEN: Maybe.

But that would have assured

that Pete got elected.

Then he'd be free to run riot.

She is so deluded, she probably

thought she might win.

Any tips on removing motor oil

from a polyester suit?

Setting fire to it?

Senior.

Thanks so much

for popping back in.

How are the arrangements going?

- Everyone's been amazing.

- Mm.

- [ Door closes ]

- The big day is tomorrow?

In the meantime, I'm sure

it takes all your energy

just putting one foot

in front of the other.

Mm.

SHEPHERD: Feels like

you're wading through molasses.

- I know.

- You've been there?

I have.

Although with your mother

and now your father,

- that is a terrible loss.

- Hm.

Look, I won't hold you up.

We're trying to fill in

a few blanks.

Trying to eliminate

several scenarios.

Can you remember what time

you arrived back in Brokenwood?

- You mean when I found Evan?

- SHEPHERD: Yes.

[ Sighs ]

I rang 111.

Of course.

Um...

At 1:19 p.m.

As a matter of interest, is it

a long trip down from the bach?

About an 1 hour, 45,

give or take.

So you would have left Smith's

Bay at around, say, 11:30?

That's sounds right.

Why?

This may or may not have

anything to do with anything,

but do you think

your father and Maureen Moffat

might have been anything more

than just colleagues?

- How do you mean?

- SHEPHERD: Romantically.

No.

Well, let's say it was true.

Can you think of a reason

he might not tell you?

But he would. I would be

the first person he would tell.

- Huh.

- Is there...

Is there something

I don't know about?

Nothing concrete.

Then why would you ask that?

[ Sighs ]

Following lines of inquiry.

Most lead over

a bridge to nowhere,

but all must be explored.

The man in the station wagon.

Sorry?

When I pulled into town,

I-I had a small accident.

I'm so sorry.

[ Vehicle door closes ]

It doesn't look that bad.

When exactly?

I exchanged numbers with him.

He might remember when.

Look, I'll write down my details

for you.

I'm really sorry about that.

Uh, I have his details here

somewhere.

- That'd be helpful.

- [ Knock on door ]

Sorry to interrupt.

- Hi, Hayley.

- Hi.

A quick word?

Excuse me.

Jared's woken up.

[ Sighs ]

Some good news at last.

Well, the last thing I remember

is getting one

of those crazy shaves at Jed's.

Yeah, it was

Mrs. Marlowe's idea.

- That's right.

- JARED: Yeah.

Not my idea of a good time,

you know?

Do you remember how you got

the bump on the head?

No idea.

What about drinking

with Evan Whitestone

at the Frog and Cheetah?

Nah. Sorry.

And what about necking

a bottle of rum?

JARED: Rum?

Nah, no chance.

I can't stand the stuff.

I blew that pleasure

on my 16th birthday.

Never again, Mike.

I think that'll do for now.

Please.

Jared.

The king of pies?

Yeah.

Steak and cheese all the way.

- You know that, Mike.

- Rest up.

His symptoms are consistent

with partial amnesia.

How long will it take

for his memory to return?

A day, a week, a year.

Possibly never.

So recent events

could be permanently eradicated?

DR. CARLTON: Yes.

Could that be the concussion

or an alcohol-related blackout?

For a man who supposedly drank

a bottle of rum,

his blood alcohol

is surprisingly low.

Negligible, in fact.

It's probably the reason

he didn't die out there.

So he wasn't drunk?

Hmm.

Senior.

Ta.

♪ Well, put 'em down tonight ♪

♪ You know

I'm South-Island-bound ♪

♪ Had enough of these cities ♪

♪ Going home to my little town ♪

♪ Tired of all these choking,

stinking, ugly roads ♪

♪ Gonna find a place

in the mountains ♪

♪ A place nobody knows ♪

♪ Well, maybe I'll write

a poem ♪

♪ Maybe a history or two ♪

♪ But it's hard to leave you ♪

♪ You look like

someone I once knew ♪

♪ But it's all right tonight ♪

♪ I'm getting gone ♪

♪ But it's all right tonight ♪

♪ I'm getting gone ♪

♪ Just keep

them glasses coming ♪

♪ It's just the afternoon ♪

♪ When the evening twists,

I'll be looking ♪

♪ I'll be howling at the moon ♪

[ Knocking ]

Uh, Evan Whitestone's

phone records,

And the tech boys managed

to hack into his voicemail.

There's a recording of Hayley.

She was leaving a message

when she discovered his body.

It's rather chilling.

Thanks.

Mike, you keep mentioning that

many people believe in Santa.

They do.

I assume you mean people

of about age 8 or younger.

Or have a mental age of 8.

Which is not you.

Right now, I'm not so sure.

My sister.

Her son Aaron is Down syndrome.

- Right. Sorry.

- SHEPHERD: Don't be.

He's probably the most positive,

happiest fella

you could ever meet.

And when he talks

about Santa Claus...

well, you realize

that Santa is, of course,

without a doubt 100% real.

Why would we want to do anything

to spoil that?

[ Chuckles ]

What are you doing

for Christmas?

Uh, Mum and Dad are flying back

from a holiday in the U.K.

in time

to shove a roast in the oven.

- You?

- Working.

Right.

Well, good night.

Night.

[ Beep ]

HAYLEY: Dad, hi.

It's me.

I just got back from the beach.

Where are you?

Maybe you didn't take

your car.

Anyway,

look forward to catching up.

Hope the parade went well.

Dad?

[ Chuckles ]

Dad, are you asleep?

Dad.

[ Gasps ]

Oh! Oh!

Dad!

Somebody!

[ Whimpering ]

[ Monitor beeping ]

[ Police radio chatter ]

Someone tried

to finish Jared off,

but the machines that go "beep"

started going crazy.

And two nurses

scared the assailant off.

Security?

He made it out

before they could apprehend him.

Description?

Should we be surprised or not?

It's only a matter of seconds

later when...

If I had to place a bet,

I'd say that that physicality

most resembles Pete London.

So, his suit had gone missing?

[ Scoffs ]

That's his story.

Mm.

Rewind it.

Interesting.

We know two things.

One, that Jared

has been stabilized.

And, two, whoever is on the CCTV

footage is not the real Santa,

just a man in a suit.

Hmm.

- Thanks again for coming in.

- No worries.

Who was that?

SHEPHERD:

Steven Lipton.

He and Hayley had a nose to tail

on her way back into town.

- Where's Breen?

- He's on an errand.

So, that places Hayley back

in town just after the parade.

Hmm.

No luck there, then.

I'm not sure luck has got

anything to do with it.

Apart from bad luck perhaps

for Evan and Maureen.

[ Cellphone rings ]

Kristin Sims.

Detective Sims.

This is Dennis Buchanan.

My client Pete London and I have

something we'd like to show you.

Thank you for coming by.

I believe you were interested

in the whereabouts of this.

- Indeed.

- Well, here it is.

I swear

I had no idea how it got there.

Someone's been playing

silly buggers.

Most likely Jed Charmers.

Or Victoria Speigleman.

Peter, that is

the concern of the police.

Yours is simply to help them

wherever possible

with their inquiries...

- which you have done.

- It'll be bloody Charmers.

We have no proof of that.

We do, however, have proof

of Peter's whereabouts

- the night of Evan's death.

- [ Sighs ]

My client was in the city

attending a gentleman's club.

There will be receipts

to prove it

and, no doubt, security footage,

should you wish

to delve further.

The name of the venue?

Stallions.

He stayed over at a hotel.

He may or may not

have had company

and arrived back in time

for the parade

and will sign an affidavit

if required.

But the point is, my client

wasn't in Brokenwood that night,

and the nature of his activities

are private

and in no way illegal

and, therefore,

not something the public

- ever need to know about.

- Like fracking.

Thank you for your candor.

I hope it doesn't have

to go any further...

like the idea of oil exploration

in Meetville.

For the record,

that's a terrible name.

RAY: Oh, God.

Look, I've got happy hour

coming up.

Can't this wait?

- This won't take a moment.

- Why?

You want to dress me up

as Humpty-Dumpty now?

Are your lot still trying

to figure out if he fell

or was pushed?

Evan Whitestone -- You said

he was in a lively mood.

"Lively's" another word

for quite pissed, but yes.

But happy?

"Joie de vivre," you said.

Yes.

About what?

I don't know.

He was raving, to be fair.

When punters get the rave on,

I tend to switch off.

It's part of the skill set

of hospitality --

nod, smile, and think about

something else entirely

while the punter waffles on.

EVAN: It's time

to come out of the closet.

Tomorrow the town can know.

And you know what, Ray?

That's okay.

Maybe he was going

to announce that he was gay.

That would have taken the wind

out of Neil Bloom's sails.

Is that it?

Well, Jared was being vulgar,

of course.

[ Whispering ] Maureen.

Mm.

Vulgar?

You know -- the old sign for...

a bit of the old [Wolf-whistles]

Of course.

The old...

Then Jared offered him a ride.

So, Santa, since Hayley's away,

do you want me to be

your chauffeur in the morning?

As long

as you have room for two.

[ Both laugh ]

I'll leave you

to your happy hour.

[ Cellphone rings ]

- Hughes.

- This Simon Petrovich fella.

He is in Croatia.

You know why?

We were told he had a sick aunt.

HUGHES:

Oh, that may be the case.

She's probably sick with worry

because he's also secreting away

his nephew -- Vinnie Petrovich.

Vinnie slipped

his home-detention bracelet

on Friday night.

They flew out on the red-eye.

So thanks for the heads-up.

Happy to help.

HUGHES: How are you getting on

with the Whitestone case?

Small steps.

Shame.

Nice bloke.

Met him once at a charity do.

With his stepdaughter.

Hannah?

Hayley?

HUGHES: Hayley.

That's it.

Bit of a honey.

Probably shouldn't say that.

Anyway, let me know

if you need anything else.

And the international boys

owe you one.

Cheers.

Your campaign manager,

Simon Petrovich.

He is in Croatia.

Right.

Like I said.

SHEPHERD:

With his nephew.

But then,

I think you already knew that.

I presume he was with Simon

at your meeting on Friday night.

You can leave that.

- Call it a day.

- Sure.

Look, Simon didn't ask

for the trouble.

Vinnie came to him.

And Simon came to you?

He's a good friend.

He's like a brother.

You can't bring him in here,

bro!

He was in a jam.

I lent him some money.

That is all.

[ Sighs ]

I mean...

- what would you do?

- [ Sighs ]

I'd probably take that down.

Crazy Pete was at a strip club

in the city.

He could have saved himself

a lot of pain

if he'd explained that

at the beginning.

But his Santa suit

has miraculously reappeared.

Overnight?

SIMS: Yeah, well,

someone put it back there.

Or he did.

Back in his office?

Actually,

that makes perfect sense.

It does?

We don't need to push him

any further.

And Jed Charmers, too.

His alibi is complicated,

but true.

Senior.

All set.

Mm. Thanks.

So, Pete London, Jed,

Victoria, Neil Bloom --

All of our suspects

are off the table.

Not...all.

Join me when Breen calls.

He's up at Smith's Bay hopefully

verifying a couple of things.

SIMS: So, you're focusing

on Evan's daughter.

Stepdaughter, actually.

You know, the funeral's

in less than an hour.

This shouldn't take

more than a couple minutes.

I just wanted to talk

- about your mother's passing.

- Why?

I still find it hard

to talk about.

Trust me.

I understand.

I know it creates great pain

for those of us left behind.

- Your mother?

- Someone very close.

Your mother

suffered clinical depression.

One day, she decided

that the only way out

involved the bathtub

and a razor blade.

And it was you who had

the terrible misfortune --

Do we have to talk about this?

How did Evan handle

the depression she suffered?

He did what he could.

Stayed so busy he didn't really

have time to deal with it.

[ Knock on door ]

Breen is on the phone.

Excuse me.

- Talk to me.

- It checks out, Mike.

Hayley was definitely here.

There's fresh food

still in the fridge.

The bed's unmade.

There's a laptop on the table

with some sort of manuscript.

There's only a handful

of houses.

Might be hard to find anyone

to verify when she left.

What is the title

of the manuscript?

BREEN:

"Blood Letting."

Mike, there's only a title page.

We need to be gentle.

It seems she has writer's block.

Look, I need to get

to the funeral.

Of course.

One more thing.

On the night before the parade,

Evan called you at, um...

Oh.

Uh...

9:03 p.m.

I can't remember the time,

but he called me, yes.

To say?

Just to check

when I was coming home.

SHEPHERD:

That's all?

HAYLEY: Yes.

He didn't have any other news?

That's all I recall.

SHEPHERD: Mm.

Strange.

Because in the seconds before

he called you from the pub,

he was waxing lyrical about

letting bygones be bygones,

about coming out of the closet,

and in the morning,

the whole town would know. Hmm.

Oh, and you did mention

that if Evan had any news,

that you'd be the first to know.

Look, I don't know

what you're getting at.

Evan was busting with excitement

because, as he told you,

he was on his way home

to meet Maureen Moffat

to pop the question.

And I wanted you

to be the first to know.

Tomorrow, for the first time in

many years since your mum died,

at the Santa parade,

there will be a Mrs. Claus

riding on the float.

I'm so happy for you.

But you weren't happy, were you?

Up until then, you were the sole

beneficiary to Evan's will.

But he gets remarried,

it starts getting shared around,

and Maureen's only 39.

If she decides

to get pregnant...

You're forgetting

that I was at Smith's Bay.

Well, it's only

an hour and 3/4 away.

The night was still young.

Plenty of time

to formulate a plan.

A plan that had probably

been brewing for years...

...since your mother's demise...

...to point the blame

at those with likely motives...

...and lethal means.

EVAN: [ Laughing ]

Ho ho-ho ho-ho!

[ Laughs ] Oh.

Hayley.

We didn't hear you come in.

Well, I couldn't wait

to congratulate you.

♪ All is calm ♪

- Expensive.

- MAUREEN: [ Squeals ]

HAYLEY: [ Chuckles ]

Is that the Santa suit

that my mother used to wear?

I'll go get another glass.

[ Chuckles ]

MAUREEN: [ Chuckles ]

It is.

It's about time it got used

again, don't you think?

- We should light a fire.

- MAUREEN: A fire?

Yeah, make it more Christmasy.

Marvelous.

[ Laughs ]

This is stupid, and the funeral

is about to start.

Sit down, Hayley.

Or you'll miss the best part.

[ Coughing ]

Santa must be

coming down the chimney.

Oh, the bloody dummy!

Oh, Evan, don't be silly.

You're half drunk.

I'll hold the ladder.

Oh. Okay.

[ Grunts ]

Stupid bloody thing.

Is it clear?

- What?

- The flue. Check it's clear.

MAUREEN: [ Screams ]

[ Thud ]

♪ Oh, Christmas tree,

oh, Christmas tree ♪

Any luck?

That Santa is

well and truly wedged in there.

Oh, well.

Where's Maureen?

- She had soot on her face.

- Ah.

More champagne?

I'll get it.

You never really liked Evan,

did you?

You thought

he was a pompous old bastard.

And him not being

your biological father,

you could be dispassionate...

...for that moment in time...

...to get the job done.

You should write novels,

Detective.

- That is quite a story.

- I haven't finished yet.

On that key ring will be a key

to Pete London's office.

You used to work for him.

You still have the key.

Am I right?

If it is, I wasn't aware of it.

It was a long time ago.

SHEPHERD:

What better place to find

a freshly padded Santa Claus

outfit fit for a parade?

Why didn't you stage it

as a suicide pact?

- I didn't stage anything!

- Suicide wouldn't ring true.

There were too many witnesses

to Evan's happiness --

Ray Neilson, Jared Morehu.

Better to point the finger at

one or several of Evan's rivals.

That was a good plan, except...

- [ Knock on door ]

- Yo!

Santa and Mrs. Santa,

your sleigh awaits.

Oh, hi.

Uh, I thought you was up north.

Where's, um...

Oh. Evan.

He's asleep.

What?

Evan.

Whoa.

It must have taken a while

to decide on the plan.

Was leaving the pie

a good or a bad idea?

It certainly tied

Jared to the scene.

And if you could make it

look like he did it,

and he was dead, well...

- The makings of a perfect crime.

- SHEPHERD: Mm.

That was your second mistake.

Jared hates rum.

[ Scoffs ]

And what was my first?

- Committing murder.

- Nice try.

SHEPHERD:

You don't accept that you did?

If this was true, why would

I partake in the parade?

Well, initially, you needed time

to get back from the bach.

If Evan was at the parade,

no one would think

anything was amiss.

Cutting it fine, Evan.

[ Children cheering ]

SHEPHERD:

But now with Jared in the mix,

that seemed less important.

Having driven Evan's car to

the parade, you dropped it home.

From there, you drove to town

as if just arriving...

...being sure to have

a little accident on the way

to put you in time and place...

It doesn't look that bad.

Look, I'll write down my details

for you. I am so sorry.

SHEPHERD:...calling Evan

as you walked in,

thereby leaving evidence

of your own shocked discovery.

Dad, hi.

It's me.

I just got back from the beach.

Where are you?

Nice touch.

But that was your third mistake.

Why would you say that?

SHEPHERD:

You tried too hard.

In all our dealings with you,

you never once referred to him

as Dad, only Evan.

Dad?

[ Chuckles ]

Dad, are you asleep?

Dad.

[ Gasps ]

Oh! Oh!

Dad!

Somebody!

You thought you'd killed Jared,

didn't you?

But then when you heard that...

Sorry to interrupt.

Jared's woken up.

SHEPHERD: [ Sighs ]

Some good news at last.

...it was time

to don the suit again.

[ Monitor beeping ]

He should have bled to death.

Hayley Whitestone.

I'm charging you

with the murders

of Evan Whitestone

and Maureen Moffat

and the attempted murder

of Jared Morehu.

Love you, too.

Bye.

[ Sighs ]

My parents' plane

has been grounded at Heathrow

due to snow.

They're not gonna make it back

in time for Christmas Day.

Shame.

Yeah, I'm really jealous.

They get to have

a white Christmas.

I can't promise you snow,

but you're welcome to join me.

- Thanks.

- Mm.

When did you zero in

on Hayley Whitestone?

When I looked

at her bookshelf.

For a romance writer,

there wasn't one of that genre.

- They were all about...

- Scandinavian serial killers?

- Pretty much.

- Mm.

How did you know that the figure

running down

the hospital corridor

in Pete London's Santa suit

wasn't Pete London?

Oh.

That's not important.

No, it is.

That's how I get better

at my job.

I'd rather not say.

- Please.

- [ Sighs ]

Okay, but you're

not gonna like it.

[ Sighs ]

That Santa ran like a girl.

SHEPHERD: For the record,

I never said that.

You did.

♪ Joy to the world ♪

- ♪ The Lord is come ♪

- Ooh.

God, that looks good.

Not a word to Roxy.

Promise?

Merry Christmas.

- [ Cracker pops ]

- Whoa!

Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

♪ Let heaven and nature sing ♪

All right.

It's a fine tradition.

Oh!