Father Brown (2013) s10e10 Episode Script

The Serpent Within

They're 20 minutes late,
sir.
George Kavanagh is a
burglar, Sergeant, not a timekeeper.
He and his merry
men will be along here in a minute.
Was he really called
Ten years behind bars should have
taken the edge
off Kavanagh's boyish charms.
Though not his appetite
for crime, it seems.
You all right, Davs?
You seem tense.
I'm fine.
Are you sure your source can be
trusted, sir?
Davenport?
He's one of the best
informants I've ever had.
Your inspector exams, Sergeant,
when do you get the results?
Any day now, sir.
Why?
Well, an inspector post may be about
to open up here
in Kembleford, Sergeant.
How's that, sir?
Top brass have finally agreed to
hear the evidence
against my venal boss.
I'm meeting them at Scotland Yard in
two days' time.
As soon as I get that human toxin
purged from the force,
I'll be back at my desk in a
heartbeat,
leaving you in charge here,
hopefully.
Can you hear that?
I can, sir.
Let's go!
We've been set up, sir.
Davenport
This is Oakley Manor, right?
No. Westfield House.
What?
Boys.
Boss?
We should get out of here.
Don't worry, Davs.
I've just been at Oakley Manor.
All the cops are staked out
up there.
Anyone know why?
Davs?
Silly boy.
There's some there.
There's lots there!
Come on.
Good morning, ladies.
Hello, Father!
Sra. D's teaching me
With some success, it would seem.
Is that wild garlic?
It's sent from heaven,
just in time for tonight's repast.
It was very thoughtful of you to
invite the Chief Inspector
to dinner at the Presbytery.
The idea of him
spending his birthday alone
Why don't you just invite him
to your house?
What would people say?
Well, the truth.
That you two clearly have the
hots for each other.
Brenda, please
What? It's not against the law
Odd.
The Stevensons are away in Devon
this week seeing their daughter.
Those tyre marks were
definitely fresh.
Looks like they've had
unwelcome visitors.
In nomine Patris et Filii,
et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
Burglar kills burglar.
But why kill one of your own?
Was it a quarrel?
Or an execution?
And why leave the body here when
they knew that you would find it?
How puzzling.
Or was it, perhaps,
a warning?
Not that it's any of your business,
Father,
but the victim was known to us.
His name was Davenport.
He was a crook.
But he was also extremely brave.
This is the work of George Kavanagh
and I will not rest
until that man swings.
Sergeant.
A pathetic lowlife, yes.
But I never had
you down as a killer, Kavanagh.
Shows how ten years can
change a man.
I'm as harmless as I ever was,
Sullivan.
Try again.
Harry Davenport.
He gave us chapter and verse
about the Highcliffe raid last week.
Told us how you had blown the entire
proceeds at a poker table
the following night,
so some things never change.
This Harry must have quite
the imagination,
cos I've never heard of him.
He also told us about the raid you
were planning last night.
But you must have got
suspicious about Davenport,
so you fed him the wrong property
name.
Once you found out about his
betrayal,
you finished him off, didn't you?
Last night I was tucked up early
with my Eagle comic and a cocoa.
Though I have to say,
if this bloke really is a snake in
the grass,
well, some might say
he got what he deserved.
Well?
We've searched his house.
We've searched his car.
We've searched his lock-up.
All clean, sir.
So we've got nothing?
No, sir.
Well, I've had better birthdays,
Goodfellow.
I'm starving.
Can't we just eat?
One more minute.
But why?
He's clearly not coming.
The Chief Inspector has had a
difficult day.
I know.
Coppers, eh?
Ruin things when they're there,
ruin things when they're not there.
It's nine o'clock.
We should eat.
Inspector Goodfellow,
Kembleford Police.
Hello, Superintendent.
Yes, sir. Yeah, I have a black
tie
and I'd be delighted to attend,
sir.
Yeah.
Bye.
Sorry to interrupt, Sergeant.
Sorry, sir.
I didn't hear you come in, sir.
Allow me to introduce
Sergeant Francis.
Very pleased to meet you,
Sergeant Goodfellow.
Likewise. Sergeant Francis has been
sent from London
ahead of my impending return.
That's very prompt, sir.
Very sensible, Sergeant,
given the hearing is such
and Sergeant Francis here is
somewhat of a rising star,
by all accounts.
I don't know about that, sir.
I hear you'll be taking
over from the Chief Inspector
when he's gone, Sergeant.
If I pass my exams.
Another safe bet.
Which is why he's making himself
so comfortable.
At ease, Sergeant.
Now, I have a contact to meet,
so while I'm gone,
if you could bring
Sergeant Francis up to speed?
Yes, sir.
Very good.
It's my great-grandfather's watch.
The logbook. I don't suppose I could
get a glass of water, Sergeant?
Yeah, of course.
I'll leave that there.
Where did you get that?
This drawer. I was just looking for
blotting paper.
Do you recognise it?
A ring matching that description was
stolen last week by a local gang.
So, how did it end
up in the Chief Inspector's desk?
Don't tell me you two have
fallen out already?
This was in your drawer, sir.
Part of the Highcliffe haul.
Someone must have planted it.
Probably one of Kavanagh's men.
Well, yes, I can't see
any other explanation for it.
Forgive my forwardness, sir,
I know I've only just arrived,
but I assume you won't mind
if we search your property.
That will not be necessary.
No, it's all right, Goodfellow.
I've nothing to hide.
Be my guest.
My birthday yesterday.
I treated myself.
Here, let me help you with that.
If you don't mind, sir.
Just personal stuff -
passport, birth certificate
That
None of that is mine.
Do you recognise any of this,
Sergeant Goodfellow?
I believe they may be items taken
from recent robberies in the area.
George Kavanagh clearly planted all
of this
and the ring in my desk.
He's out for revenge.
Could I ask you to turn out your
pockets, Chief Inspector?
Yes, sir.
Will do, sir.
Thank you.
Well?
London are sending over a senior
officer
to take over the investigation
into the Chief Inspector.
That is completely unnecessary
Meantime, Chief Inspector Sullivan,
I have been instructed to arrest you
goods.
What? You are not obliged to say
anything.
Anything you do say may be
given in evidence.
Father.
The world turned upside down.
Yes.
I updated Father Brown, sir.
I hope you don't mind.
For once I'm quite happy to see him.
I found a couple of fingerprints
on that chest in your bedroom.
George Kavanagh's? No, sir.
And I couldn't put a name to them.
Thank you for trying, Sergeant.
Sir. Father.
About last night
No need to apologise.
We quite understand.
I do not, for a moment,
believe these charges against you.
However, I am curious to understand
your apparent need for cash.
I happened to be passing
the pawnbroker's earlier today.
There is an innocent explanation,
albeit an unhappy one.
A month ago,
my parents returned from the pub,
their house in Woolwich was on fire.
Faulty wiring, according
to my Met colleagues.
And they lost everything.
So you've been helping them
get back on their feet?
I've been pawning practically
everything I own of value
and sending them the money.
You are certain that it is
George Kavanagh that is framing you?
Positive.
I just need to prove it.
Like I also need to prove that he
murdered Davenport
and I need to be in London to
testify against my boss,
all of which I can't do
while I'm stuck in here.
I cannot promise a solution,
however, we can make a start.
Why don't you tell me everything
you know about George Kavanagh?
The Chief Inspector is
clearly innocent.
I don't know.
You spend that long around bent
coppers
All right, I'm joking.
Sullivan will be fine.
He'll do what people like him
always do.
Pull a few strings and walk away.
I didn't see any optimism
when I visited him.
Poor man.
He needs our help.
I'm going to prove he's been framed.
How?
I have no idea.
Fingerprints!
The fingerprints
in the Chief Inspector's bedroom.
If they're not George Kavanagh's,
I bet they're one of his gang's.
And if we can prove that,
then it would show that the
Chief Inspector had been framed.
All right, so all we've got to do
is go and find this gang and get
their fingerprints from them.
Chief Inspector says that George
Kavanagh is a poker aficionado.
He plays most nights
and he brings his friends
with him.
There can't be many places that
you can play poker every night.
Well, at Borstal, there was
rumours of this secret gambling den.
They'd move around the area to
evade the police.
We'd need friends in pretty low
places to be able to find that.
I understand the Floating Casino
is in Hambleston this week.
You look splendid, Srta. Palmer.
I don't get why we have to dress up.
It's not like anyone in there is
actually going to recognise us.
We can't take any chances.
We need to be totally
unrecognisable.
I'm reviving my Adelaide
from Guys And Dolls.
She's funny, outspoken.
Stubborn.
Early 30s.
It's too much?
So, are you both happy with the
plan?
You betcha!
Maybe lose the accent.
You think?
I will be there with my eyes peeled,
but I must ask you both to
be careful.
Gorgeous George Kavanagh is
an extremely dangerous man.
Something we can say to let
the others know we're in danger.
All right
Hercules it is.
This is going to be so much fun!
It can't be here. It looks empty.
Which is perfect for an illicit
residency.
Shall we?
Slightly quieter than usual.
See any gorgeous men?
Nothing special.
At least think about it, boss.
Don't beg, Kavanagh.
It's demeaning.
Good luck.
Sr. Kavanagh?
Yes? My, my.
Even more handsome in real life
than in the papers.
I'm Adelaide.
Nice to meet you, Adelaide.
I'm Bess. Hello, Bess.
So, you two ladies looking to
have some fun?
Actually, we're
looking for some help.
Boys.
This is Bess
and this is Adelaide.
Hi. They'd like a poker lesson.
We really want to learn.
Yeah. We even brought our own cards.
Make them a drink, then, Crafty.
Why don't you have a seat, ladies?
Thank you.
Have we met before?
I don't think so, honey.
Sorry, I don't drink.
Yes, you do, Bess.
Shall we play?
Cheers.
OK, ladies. Let's see what you've
got.
A pair of kings for Bess.
And a full house for Adelaide.
She would've cleared us
out again, boys!
My mom always told me,
Are you sure you don't
want to join in?
Gambling is against my religion.
Kembleford Players!
That's where I've seen you before.
She was in Guys And Dolls! I think
you got the wrong person, honey.
No, you were dressed just like that.
You sounded like that.
Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure
you were called Adelaide.
Maybe we should go
and check on Hercules.
I think Hercules is fine, Bess.
I am just going to go
powder my nose.
My gosh. I'm sorry.
Not a problem.
What's happened?
One of them recognised Sra. Devine.
They're getting suspicious.
We need to get her out of there.
Hercules!
Hercules!
We haven't got the key!
Yeah, I know
A friend taught me that in Borstal.
Can't believe it actually worked.
I don't suppose
they taught you how to start the?
Shame they didn't teach you
how to drive.
Sergeant Goodfellow has had
a search party out since last night.
They may find her.
Ugh, this is all my fault!
There's no way she would have
exposed herself to such a risk
if I wasn't cooped up in here.
Have you any idea where George
Kavanagh's hideaway could be?
That man, he's turned identifying
empty properties into an art form.
He'll be camped out in some basement
while the owners are away,
but where is anyone's guess.
I established last night that
Kavanagh answers to a boss.
Did you get a name? No.
But he uses a stick.
Sorry to interrupt, sir.
The senior officer from London,
he's arrived.
You
That's no way to address
your superior officer,
Chief Inspector.
Asking God for miracles already,
I see.
Leave us, Father.
Of course.
Now, then,
what a sorry turn of events this is.
Which all of a sudden makes
complete sense.
Meaning? George Kavanagh fitted me
up, with your help.
All to stop me
giving evidence against you.
One night in a cell
and madness has already set in.
We found these in your desk at home.
in cash in the past two weeks.
To my parents.
Every penny my own.
Stolen jewellery and cash?
We both know how bad this looks,
don't we, Sullivan?
Why don't you just come clean?
That's rich coming from you.
Don't you think this pathetic
vendetta has gone on long enough?
Let Sergeant Francis know
when you're ready to confess.
You listen here.
Last night your little chum Kavanagh
kidnapped a woman
named Isabel Devine.
I demand that you tell him
to let her go.
She doesn't deserve to be caught
up in any of this.
Mad.
All right, let's try this again,
Who are you working for?
Right, Sergeant,
as I have just agreed with
Sergeant Francis,
you have only one priority today
and that is to get Chief Inspector
Sullivan to confess his sins.
With respect, sir,
we still have Sra. Devine's kidnap
and the murder of Harry Davenport
to investigate.
With respect, Sergeant,
if this woman really has been
kidnapped,
then where's the ransom note?
I think it's more likely that she's
evading the attentions
of Chief Inspector Sullivan,
who appears rather soft on her.
Criminal scum
disposing of criminal scum.
What we refer to in the Met as a
We have witnesses who can confirm
Sra. Devine's abduction.
And Harry Davenport was bravely
assisting us when he lost his life.
Your name again, please, Sergeant?
Goodfellow, sir.
I suggest, Goodfellow,
that you try and live up to your
name
and do as you're told.
Good morning.
I saw you.
Thick as thieves, the two of you!
Following orders from
a senior officer isn't a crime, Sergeant.
If you're stitching up the Chief Inspector
then I'm sorry, but it is.
I'm not stitching anyone up.
The Chief Inspector is a decent,
honest man,
and nothing you two can do
or say will persuade me otherwise.
I thought you were really
good, by the way.
In Guys And Dolls.
West End material,
and I wouldn't say that lightly.
Yeah, I'm a very tough critic.
It's Jackson, isn't it?
That's right.
Well, Jackson,
you're clearly a man of taste.
Don't judge a book by its cover,
that's what I say.
Absolutely.
Can I ask you a favour?
Depends.
It's about Chief Inspector Sullivan.
What about him? Chief Inspector
Sullivan is an honest, decent man.
And he doesn't deserve
what your boss has done to him,
so I'm asking you to find
and tell the police he's
been framed.
You're in love with him, aren't you?
I am not!
He just doesn't deserve to have his
life ruined for something
he didn't do.
You're definitely in love with him.
Boss is here.
He wants to see the girl.
I was expecting something a bit
more conventional.
Well, I didn't expect
a corrupt policeman.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
I just found out she's totally
smitten with the Chief Inspector.
Well, that seals it, then.
This is Sra. Isabel Devine.
And this, gentlemen,
is Sullivan's Achilles heel.
Worth her bloody weight in gold to
you, then, eh, sir?
So, about that new deal.
High-quality baby-sitting doesn't
come cheap these days.
Isn't that right, chaps?
Not now, George.
So, when?
You're pretty exposed
here, Superintendent.
We could make life very difficult.
Anyone else had
enough of baby-sitting?
Where is she?!
If you or anyone lays
a finger on that woman
Why don't you find her yourself,
Chief Inspector?
I'm giving you bail.
What do you want?
Superintendent Alford told me
there were rumours
that the Chief Inspector was
corrupt.
He got me assigned here to
look for evidence.
Which I found.
You probably planted
the evidence yourself.
No, Sergeant. I would never do that,
because I want to make
the Police Force cleaner.
Forgive me if I find that a little
bit hard to believe
Look, I looked up to the
Superintendent.
Trusted him.
But when he told us both not to
investigate the kidnap
or the murder, well,
it didn't feel right.
So I made some inquiries.
The fire at the Chief Inspector's
parents' house
was investigated by a PC named
Martha Boston.
So? I know WPC Boston.
She was accused of doctoring
evidence a year ago,
but she was let off with a caution
by a certain senior officer.
Superintendent Alford.
So the copper who was investigating
that fire owed Alford a favour.
What a surprise. Shut up.
Listen, you've got 30 minutes to
confess.
Or what?
It's the last time you see her
alive
We can give you a few extra minutes
for this.
Chief Inspector!
What's happened?
One of Kavanagh's goons.
I've got till one o'clock to confess
to receiving stolen goods
or they'll kill Isabel.
They drove her by in a car.
She made the sign of a cross.
She must be petrified.
At least we know she is still alive.
Please tell me you've made some
headway finding the hideout.
Where are you going?
To the station.
To confess.
Do you really believe Alford
will let her go?
That man needs to be stopped.
Justice must be done.
Yeah, and also, for a copper,
you're not the worst of 'em, so
don't hand yourself in.
What's that?
Gangster's dandruff.
That's not dandruff.
It's flour.
What? The Jenkins mill.
And they're away.
You think that's where they're
keeping Sra. Devine?
She told you as much.
It's called Whitecross Mill.
Ten minutes for lover boy to
fall on his sword.
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
If you two let me go,
how do you know I'm not going to
report what I've seen here?
I'm pretty confident you won't
breathe a word.
Well, come on, then,
you might as well tell me.
Which of you shot Davenport?
Come on.
A dead woman can tell no tale.
It was George.
But he was following orders.
One bad apple
spoils the whole barrel.
Now what?
We break in.
Don't make a sound.
No, nothing's open.
Let's go around the other side.
Well done, Brenda.
If you two let me go, how do
you know I'm not going to report
what I've seen here?
Nicely done, Father.
Isabel?
Is this the cavalry, Sullivan?
I'm so sorry.
It's my fault, not yours.
All right,
this is what's going to happen.
I'm going to walk out of here,
I'm going to get in my car
and drive away
and when I'm five miles away
I'm going to let your sweetheart go.
It's not true, he's going to kill
me.
You're going to have to shoot
all three of us, Alford,
before you go anywhere.
And Sergeant Goodfellow's armed
flying squad is moments away.
It's the wrong way round.
Nice try.
But I played the lead in
Annie Get Your Gun.
Give it to me, Isabel.
I want to rid the world of this
poison.
No, Edgar. That's not who you are!
Alan Alford,
I'm arresting
you for the following offences.
For the murders of George Kavanagh
and Harry Davenport
conspiracy to commit burglary
throughout England
and conspiracy to pervert
the course of justice.
You are not obliged to say anything,
but anything you do say may be
given in evidence.
Goodbye, sir.
They've just picked up Jackson
and Crafty, sir.
They were driving at 60
through Stroud.
Good. Good.
Excellent.
Everything all right, Sergeant?
My inspector's exams.
I passed, with distinction.
Well, well
I never doubted it for a moment.
Well done, Goodfellow.
Thank you, sir.
I also have news.
London called.
They want me back at my desk
tomorrow.
Congratulations, sir.
Which also means an inspector's
post here is vacant.
My glowing reference will
get you the job.
Thank you, sir. I don't know what to
say.
You'll make a great inspector,
Sergeant Goodfellow.
You must be relieved you're going
back to London, Chief Inspector.
Yes, of course.
It's what I've been waiting for
since I got here.
Father.
How is Sra. Devine?
Tired, shaken, but mostly relieved.
Glad to hear it.
And you'll all be relieved to hear
that Kembleford
will be finally shot of me tomorrow.
The Chief Inspector's got his old
job back, Father.
Kembleford's loss will be London's
gain.
Chief Inspector, may I invite you to
spend your last evening
in Kembleford
at St Mary's Presbytery?
Sra. Devine will be very keen to tell
you all her adventures
and you cannot leave Kembleford
without sampling her
marvellous cooking.
I'd be delighted, Father.
That was truly delicious, Sra.
Devine.
It could have used a bit more
garlic, but
No. It was perfect. Thank you.
In fact, I'd like to thank all of
you.
Father, for never questioning my
innocence
and being so dogged in proving it.
Brenda, for, well,
putting the past to one side.
And of course, Sra. Devine,
for showing such incredible bravery
and selflessness.
May I, Father?
Of course.
Well, it's wonderful news,
obviously,
that your path to London has
finally been cleared,
but it's fair to say you will leave
quite a gap here in Kembleford.
We will all miss you
desperately.
To good friends.
Good friends.
Chief Inspector,
what are you most looking forward
to about being back in London?
Well
Can I get back to you on that,
Father?
Settling in nicely, I see.
I am, sir.
Goodfellow,
could I possibly have a word?
Chief Inspector?
Aren't you supposed to be
halfway to London?
Yes.
But I wanted to thank
you for last night's dinner.
It was most convivial.
It was our pleasure.
And I'd like to return the favour by
inviting you all for dinner
at my house.
Next weekend,
here in Kembleford?
You're staying?
Yes. Yes, I am.
Why?
Well, Brenda,
I find the prospect of returning to
chase down corrupt police officers
in the city grime somehow less
appealing.
And besides, Kembleford has,
well, some positives.
We'd be delighted to
accept your invitation.
Good.
Wonderful.
Good day.
My goodness.
He's staying cos of you!
Don't be daft, Brenda.
What?!
Tell her, Father.
Well, I can't
speak for the Chief Inspector,
but why on earth would anyone want
to leave Kembleford?
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