Midsomer Murders (1997) s17e04 Episode Script

A Vintage Murder

~ Mr Carnarvon.
~ Kevin.
I see a lot of empty glasses.
Would you make sure that everyone's topped up? Good lad.
~ Absolutely.
~ Thank you.
Come on, relax.
It's going perfectly.
She's late.
She always is.
Mother.
Here.
Thank you.
Hello.
~ Good turnout.
William must be over the moon.
~ Well, you'd think.
Brilliant.
I'm still struggling with the middle movement.
You just need to concentrate.
You've always been too easily distracted.
Nadia.
I was beginning to think you weren't coming.
Well, I'm here now, aren't I? Good to see you.
Good to see you.
Um, this way.
I'll do a little intro, and then we can get on with the tasting.
Ladies and gentlemen, first of all, thank you for coming to the launch of our new sparkling vintage.
Um, I hope you will be as excited by our new wine as we are.
Now, I know you've all had a chance to taste the wine but I thought I'd invite one of the most refined and respected palates in the business.
Miss Nadia Simons.
Oh, yes.
Miss Simons.
Thank you.
Good colour and effervescence.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have tasted some great English wines in my time.
Unfortunately, this is not one of them.
It's cloyingly sweet with no complexity of flavour.
I suppose I'd drink it at a wedding but I certainly wouldn't insult the bride by toasting her with it.
How can you say that? Sorry, William.
Better luck next time.
Grandma! ~ Grandma? ~ Mum? ~ Are you all right? ~ Mum.
Oh, no.
Are you all right? Everyone's a critic.
We're not investigating some dodgy catering here, are we? It's looking like there was something in the wine.
I'll know more when I get back to the lab.
William Carnarvon, the owner of the vineyard, claims that it was a deliberate attack.
Why would he claim that? Apparently it's the latest in a series of incidents.
He thinks someone's out to destroy his business.
My mother has angina and the doctors think it made her vulnerable to the effects of the poison.
I really should be at the hospital with her.
Just a few questions, then we can let you go.
How long have you been running the vineyard? We wanted to build something that we could pass on to our son.
It has perhaps been a little harder than we thought.
But our first wine was a hit and, in my opinion, this new wine is even better.
But you think someone's taken against you and your vineyard? Some people just don't like change.
And you think they're behind the poisoning? That's quite a leap.
Not for those FWA lunatics.
FWA? ~ Sounds like a terrorist organisation.
~ That's exactly what they are.
The Farmers' Wives Association.
They've been running a campaign against us for the last five years.
It started with posters, protests, letters to the local paper.
That's not my definition of terrorism.
When that didn't work they started taking down signs to the vineyard, giving visitors the wrong directions, writing nasty reviews on websites.
Then we had our tyres slashed, our windows broken.
And then there's what happened today.
They could have killed someone.
Well, they could have killed my mother.
Metaldehyde.
It's an organic compound.
Doesn't taste of a great deal and it's readily available.
~ How? ~ Slug pellets.
A small dose is very unpleasant and can be much more serious.
Hospital with nausea.
But only a Matilda Stowe needed to be admitted.
We were very lucky.
Could easily have been a death.
Are we really thinking that this was attempted mass murder? I hope not but I'm pretty sure it was deliberate.
If someone's been trying to drive the winery out of business, a sudden vomiting epidemic is a good way to do it.
How did the slug pellets get in the wine? We opened five random bottles but found no trace in the wine itself.
Five bottles? Just another week night for you, then.
But we found traces in some of the glasses from one particular box which explains why only some of the party-goers were affected.
The glasses were on loan from a local hotel.
I'll speak to the owner.
I'll get the full report to you by the end of day.
I'll put it on your desk if I can find it in my drunken stupor.
~ Adam.
~ Mr Paynton.
Oh, Mr Paynton.
Are there any more guests at the hospital? Mr and Mrs Evans from Room Have some water and fresh towels sent up to their room.
Anything else to report? I've got it under control.
Mostly.
~ Tina.
~ It's just that there's no-one to look after the bar.
Then close it.
Who the hell wants to drink after today? Who do you think? I helped myself.
I hope you don't mind.
I'll add it to the bill.
We haven't had a chance to catch up.
Drink to the old times.
Not sure they were worth drinking to.
Do you have any idea how much work Diana had put into today? Uh, of course.
Diana.
Still carrying that torch.
Maybe it's time to go back to an old favourite.
Bar's closed.
Don't bother.
Apparently this is a dry county.
Thankfully this time no-one ended up dead.
But that's probably more luck than judgement.
And I'm sorry, but we can't have this kind of thing happening on our doorstep.
So I propose that we speak to Councillor Jeffries and request that he withdraw the vineyard's alcohol licence.
All agreed? Against? This wasn't William and Diana's fault.
Sorry, Kevin, but we've heard that one before.
They're just trying to run a business.
And we're just trying to protect our community.
The Carnarvons made it clear when they came here that they didn't care about the village or the people in it.
And now there's been an actual poisoning You've got to be joking.
This wasn't carelessness.
It wasn't even an accident.
You know someone did this deliberately.
We don't know that at all! Actually, I think we do.
Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.
I wonder if I might have a word? The kitchen's usually busier but, funnily enough, most of our guests don't have much of an appetite this evening.
We also host weddings, functions.
Need a good stock of plates, glasses, cutlery.
How long have you owned the place? I inherited it as part of my family's farming estate.
Sir.
I also inherited the family debt.
I could have farmed all the hours God sends and still not have broken even.
~ Well, it seems to be paying off quite nicely.
~ It has been.
The vineyard pushes a hell of a lot of business my way.
Really? Well, Diana runs tours and wine-tasting weekends.
I provide the accommodation.
So you have a good relationship with the Carnarvons? Yeah, of course.
This is where we keep the champagne glasses.
OK.
Where would you keep your slug pellets? There they are.
~ Half full.
~ Yeah.
But a long way from where I keep the glasses.
Who has access to this greenhouse? Well, everyone who works here.
In which case I'm going to need the list.
Excuse me.
I'm not sure I understand what your objections to the vineyard actually are.
Look, when they first arrived we were happy to welcome a new business.
But we didn't realise the impact they'd have on the village.
The chemicals they use on the grapes, the extra traffic, the trees they cut down and the hedgerows they ripped up.
I mean, look what they've done to the local pond.
And what have they done? They diverted the stream that fills it without a word of consultation.
I've been monitoring the water levels and if they carry on dropping at this rate, there won't be a pond this time next year.
So the Carnarvons are bad neighbours? Jessica Tyler died because of them.
Just 10 years old.
Her whole life ahead of her.
Perhaps you could expand on that.
Perhaps you could ask the Carnarvons.
Roger? Is everything all right? That woman, she's already three sheets to the wind and she's just about to get in her car and drive.
Someone needs to call the police.
Well? Do you think she should be driving? Excuse me.
Oh.
How can I help you, Officer? By not getting behind the wheel of that car.
Of course not.
I wouldn't dream of it.
I was just putting away my shopping.
Who'd have thought you can get a decent Burgundy around here? Well, why don't I take your key just to be on the safe side? You can pick it up from Causton Police Station tomorrow morning.
If I could give your name to the desk sergeant? It's Nadia Simons.
Miss Simons.
I was actually hoping to speak with you.
I hear your latest review was rather scathing.
Could have saved my breath.
It sounded very unpleasant.
Unpleasant? It's virtually undrinkable.
May I offer you a lift somewhere? I'll call a friend.
You're late.
Have you any idea what sort of day I've had? I'm sure you coped.
You always do.
Well, you should have a quiet shift.
The bar's closed and most of the guests have gone to bed.
Mum's waiting for you.
You are going straight home, aren't you? Where else would I go, Dad? Good girl.
I'll see you in the morning.
Right.
~ I'm home, Mum.
~ Oh, good.
You're back.
I was just doing a bit of dusting.
I can see that.
How long have you been at it this time? Not long.
Honest.
All done.
I'm going to have a bath.
~ Night.
~ Good night.
~ Ready for our big night? ~ Yes.
Let's do it.
So, darling, I think a lift is the least you can offer me after today.
I'll be waiting.
Ready? Yes! Only five episodes until Detective Ostergard cracks the case.
(Help me.
) Please.
Help me.
Please.
Mr Paynton found the body when he arrived for work this morning.
I knew something wasn't right.
The vent system was off.
I thought someone from the village must have been playing silly buggers again.
You were at the public meeting yesterday, Mr Paynton.
Well, someone had to speak up for this place.
~ How long have you worked here? ~ Since I left school.
I started out picking the grapes and then William took me on as his apprentice.
Now I'm the assistant vineyard manager.
Never thought it would involve finding dead bodies.
I suppose not.
Can you tell me where you were last night? At home.
Thank you, Mr Paynton.
By the way, are you any relation to Louis Paynton? He's my father.
Why? CO2 levels were too high.
Victim was showing all the signs of hypocapnea.
Thank you.
We'll check that when we get her back to the lab.
Carbon dioxide levels are falling.
Shouldn't be long now.
All clear.
~ Safe to come in.
~ Here we go.
All clear.
You can come in.
~ Thanks, guys.
~ No worries.
Cause of death is ostensibly hypocapnea.
Carbon dioxide poisoning.
CO2 is a by-product of fermentation.
Places like these usually have pretty efficient ventilation systems.
~ Somebody turned it off.
~ Carbon dioxide is heavier than air.
Our victim was left already incapacitated on the ground.
We need to get this dusted for prints.
When you say incapacitated She wasn't bound or restrained but there is a head wound.
I'll know more when I do the PM.
Time of death? It's difficult to say.
Temperature fluctuates in here.
I'll do the maths when I get back to the lab.
I'll check with the hotel, see if we can account for her movements.
We already know she was on Midsomer Vinae high street at around seven.
Do we? That's when I suggested to Miss Simons that drunk driving wasn't a positive life choice.
She said she was going to phone someone to pick her up.
Who was the last person she called? Er, I didn't get the call at the time.
We were at the hospital.
Miss Simons had called you several times over the last few days.
We were making arrangements for yesterday.
She called you? I can't believe she had the gall to after what she said.
I had no intention of giving her a lift anywhere.
So you were both at the hospital all evening? Till what time? Late.
We went straight to bed when we got back here.
Didn't notice anything amiss? Didn't hear anything? Not until Kevin got here.
And you don't lock the outbuildings? Usually, yes, but yesterday was an unusual day.
Of course.
Thank you.
That was embarrassing.
You never tell me anything.
I thought I was protecting you.
I'll check with the hospital, see how late the bedside vigil ran.
After we visit Miss Simons' hotel room.
Then I'll need you to look into another death that was apparently connected to the vineyard.
The victim was a child.
Jessica Tyler.
Who's this coming from? Elspeth Rice, leader of the FWA.
Morning.
Grandma.
Hello.
I got to the hospital and they said you'd discharged yourself.
Hospitals are full of germs.
They're also full of doctors.
I'm a resident at this hotel for a reason.
They have everything I want.
Yes, I understand.
Ah.
Room service, Mrs Stowe.
Sorry, we're a bit understaffed at the moment.
Thanks.
You're a good boy.
You have your secrets, though.
~ Milk? ~ Mm.
Promise me you'll be careful.
Yes, of course.
I promise.
There are people who'd be very upset if they found out.
Very upset.
When did you last see Nadia Simons? Last night.
I'm still in shock.
We were told not to let Housekeeping in.
That's OK.
I've seen worse.
Did Miss Simons have any visitors, any calls to her room? Not as far as I'm aware.
This room, is it expensive? It's the best room in the hotel.
Diana Carnarvon made Nadia Simons' travel arrangements.
Did that include picking up her hotel bill? Diana Carnarvon booked the room.
The vineyard is picking up the tab.
That must be a bitter pill for them to swallow.
Or another nail in their coffin.
Are they in financial difficulties? William's tried his best but how much money do you think you make from a small vineyard? His last wine got good reviews but he only sold a few thousand bottles and that was five years ago.
Why so long between wines? He's a perfectionist.
He was waiting for the right growing season.
Wanted the perfect vintage.
But you think he waited too long.
Doesn't look good, does it? Can you open this? Certainly.
Thank you, Mr Paynton.
We can take it from here.
Sir, look at this.
Nadia Simons was supposed to fly to the south of France tomorrow.
And that's quite a lot of spending money.
I'd say we're talking a couple of thousand.
How much do wine journalists earn? I wouldn't have thought it was that much.
I'll speak to the magazine she worked for.
Do that.
And find out whether she filed any copy before she died.
You mean her review of the new vintage? Badmouthing the wine to a small gathering is one thing.
Putting it all into print is quite another.
I wonder whether someone wanted to stop that happening.
Look at you.
~ I love a girl in uniform.
~ Shut up.
It's hideous.
You make it look good.
Oh, you never change, Kevin.
Still full of it.
How's your mum doing? I should go round and see her.
I'm not sure you'd be that welcome.
Considering where you work.
Well, if I'm honest, it wouldn't really be her I was coming to see.
That's so sweet of you, Kevin, but You're not still seeing Ryan, are you? No.
No, that's ancient history.
Good, you're here.
I'll see you after.
~ In the office.
~ I'm going on my break now, Mr Paynton.
OK.
We need to have a serious conversation.
Another one.
Let me save you the effort, Dad.
I'm a massive disappointment to you.
You didn't work day and night to put a roof over my head and shoes on my feet so that I could waste my life working at the vineyard.
You want me to pack it all in and come and work for you.
Does that about cover it? Good.
See you next time.
When are you going to understand this is just a holiday job, Kevin? Well, the holiday's over.
~ You don't take my career choice seriously.
~ Career? Don't make me laugh.
I work hard.
I've learnt more from William in the past couple of years than you ever taught me.
You should be proud of me.
I'm good at what I do.
Not that good.
We all know what Nadia had to say.
I'll be doing William a favour when I buy that place.
What the hell are you talking about? ~ You're not ~ Yes, I am.
So you'll be working for me after all.
You know I won't let this happen.
Don't you? You won't be surprised to hear that there was an impressive amount of alcohol in the victim's system.
Not in the slightest.
Well, her drinking was killing her.
She had alcohol-induced sclerosis of the liver.
According to her medical notes, she'd been told she had less than a year to live.
An alcoholic wine critic.
A bit of a cliche.
It's her other injuries that I think may be of interest to you.
I believe she was hit by a car and dragged up to the vineyard.
A car? Primary injuries suggest a car moving at slow speed.
Then there's the head wound.
Secondary injuries sustained as she was knocked over.
There is also bruising consistent with her wrists being gripped and her being dragged.
There were two crime scenes Where Nadia Simons died and where she was first attacked, with a car.
I also found these in her hair .
.
and caught up in her clothes.
I don't remember seeing anything similar up at the vineyard.
I suppose driving a car at someone is a pretty effective way of incapacitating them.
It's also a good way to kill them.
Why not put your foot down, get it over and done with? Why go to all that trouble to get her up to the vineyard? Sir.
According to our records, Jessica Tyler was killed in a hit-and-run five years ago just after the vineyard's first wine launch.
OK.
Interesting coincidence.
Officers went to the Vine Hotel to question and breathalyse guests who'd been at the launch, including Nadia Simons.
Right, thank you.
Thanks.
That was Nadia's editor.
Or should I say ex-editor.
Nadia was sacked from the wine magazine three weeks ago.
~ Her drinking? ~ Accepting bribes.
She was selling her good reviews to the highest bidder.
~ The editor wanted it kept hush-hush.
~ Understandably.
If the Carnarvons were her last big pay day, they didn't get value for money.
Look into the details.
And talk to the investigating officers on the hit-and-run.
Good afternoon, Mrs Carnarvon.
Tina.
Declined.
I'm so sorry, Louis.
Come with me.
I thought I'd be at least able to cover Nadia's bill.
What's happened? The bank called and we can't service our debts again this month.
There must be something you can do.
We were banking on new orders from the new wine.
Once the bean counters take over, you'll be at the bottom of a very long list of creditors.
I don't care about the damn money.
I just care about you.
I'd do anything for you.
You do know that, don't you? I have to go.
Have a nice day, Mrs Carnarvon.
~ DS Nelson? ~ PC Florrie? Yeah.
I was told you wanted to speak to me.
Yes.
You'll have heard about the murder at the vineyard.
I understand that the victim was a suspect in a hit-and-run you investigated.
~ Nadia Simons? ~ Yeah.
I hadn't realised that she was the victim.
I'm surprised she showed her face here after what happened.
Go on.
Well, her vehicle matched the description of a car seen at the accident.
Witnesses described a black car driving like a bat out of hell.
According to the case file, there was also a red car seen in the vicinity.
We couldn't trace it but Nadia failed a breath test.
She also had a previous for drunk in charge.
You brought her in for questioning? She called her solicitor before we got her into the interview room.
He advised her to keep her trap shut and that's what she did.
SIO said unless I could prove she was driving at the time of the accident, I couldn't charge her.
Any CCTV? That's a bit of a sore point.
There were cameras at the Vine Hotel carpark but the proprietor, a ~ Louis Paynton.
~ Yeah.
He claimed that the system was broken that day.
Did you believe him? I had a strong suspicion that Paynton was trying to protect Simons.
When I arrived at the hotel, he was in her room.
I think he'd been there all night.
And without the CCTV evidence, Simons walked away.
No charges.
How did Jessica's parents react? Roger was waiting at the station when Simons was released.
It got heated.
So someone did lose their temper? He was just letting off steam.
You know, it was all bark and no bite.
Thank you.
~ DS Nelson ~ Oh, call me Charlie.
Charlie.
The Tylers have been through enough.
If you could tread carefully I'll keep that in mind.
Thank you, PC Florrie.
~ Carolyn.
~ Carolyn.
~ PM reports.
~ Thanks.
So the introductions are out of the way.
"I'm Carolyn.
" "I'm Charlie.
" I don't know what you That's ridiculous.
Oh! Quick, my dad's in today.
He'll kill me if he sees us.
Oh Oh, I see.
So you're only interested in me because I'm forbidden fruit.
Well, you really are Morning everyone.
How do I look? The picture of professionalism.
I'm just pleased not to be covered in pureed carrot.
Any first day nerves? Only lots.
You'll be fine.
Come on, then, boy.
Sykes, walkies.
It's OK.
He's already been out.
Ah, right.
Well, I'll relieve you of the mashed banana duty.
No need.
All done.
Well, then, we'll just have to have a bit of a cuddle.
Oh, actually, it's unstructured playtime.
Not cuddle time.
I'm sorry? Darling, Ida's just trying to get Betty into a good routine.
So no unscheduled cuddles? Please, Mr Barnaby, I have everything under control.
There's no need for you to even be here.
Well, I'll get off to work, then.
See if I can find something useful to do there.
Have a lovely first day.
Three nights in the Vine Hotel with room service and full use of the hotel bar.
That's what it costs to get someone like Nadia out to the middle of nowhere to come and taste your wine.
And what's included in the price? I'm not sure what you're suggesting.
I'm wondering whether you were also expecting a more glowing review from Miss Simons, considering her reputation.
Hang on.
We don't need to buy good reviews.
Our wine speaks for itself.
A first-class plane ticket and a substantial amount of cash.
But perhaps even that wasn't enough.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Maybe someone paid for a hatchet job.
That could be anyone in the village.
The only thing we gave Nadia was hospitality.
We didn't give Nadia any money.
We don't have any money to give.
If you don't believe me, you're quite welcome to look at our bank statements.
Thank you.
I was just going to ask for those.
There's plenty of water.
What's the worry? The level's getting significantly lower each week.
We've barely had any rain.
It'll chuck it down next week and be back to normal.
And what if it doesn't rain? It's England.
It always rains.
I'm glad you find this funny.
Because I certainly don't.
She seems determined.
It's just a pond.
Ah.
It's clearly still a bone of contention in the village.
Everything's a bone of contention to Elspeth and her mates.
If only they knew their history.
~ The village is called Midsomer Vinae.
~ Ah.
The Romans grew grapes here.
All William did was to turn the land to its natural use.
You're very loyal to your employer.
William taught me everything I know about wine.
I've barely scratched the surface of what I could learn but I'm good at this.
Even if I'm not good at anything else.
What about the hotel business? Any plans to take over from your father? There are plans.
It's just not me making them.
Let's send some cases to other critics.
Get second opinions, get the orders in.
It won't help.
What about your mother? She can afford to live in that damn hotel.
You were with me when I asked her last time.
She made it pretty clear that the only member of this family getting any of her money is Ryan.
If he pursues his music then the whole world can open up for him.
And if he gets a place at the Royal Academy he's going to need every penny of his trust fund.
Trust fund? Pretty funny name for it considering Matilda clearly doesn't trust us in the slightest.
~ She trusts Ryan.
~ Even he has to wait for another three months.
Look, if we could just hold on till then I'm not even sure we can make it till the end of the week.
It's over, William.
~ Hey, is everything all right? ~ Everything's fine.
I don't want you to worry.
If it's about the money I could help you.
Oh, you know what would help, Ryan, is if you spent a little more time with your piano.
You haven't touched the keys since the launch.
Well, we've all been a bit busy.
OK, OK.
Give me strength! ~ Diana, can we talk? ~ It's really not a good time.
I know, and I'm sorry.
But I saw my dad yesterday.
And he said something I just need you to know that I'd do anything to keep this place going.
Cos it's the only place that I've felt like I belonged.
Kevin, it's just a job.
Just brings it all back.
I know.
But I'm here.
You've no idea what that means to me.
Knowing that someone's on my side.
You'd be surprised how many people are on your side.
Hi, love.
Elspeth.
Hope you're not neglecting your other patients.
We do seem to take up a lot of your time.
Well, you know me.
Never really off duty.
Excuse me.
Mr Tyler? She was the light of our lives.
Always smiling.
And laughing.
And she was so clever.
All her school reports were so glowing.
Since she's been gone there's been a massive hole in my life.
I understand you work at the hotel, Mr Tyler.
Yeah.
Just a few nights a week.
The night that Nadia Simons died, you were on duty.
Did you leave the hotel at any point that evening? I wouldn't be much of a night porter if I did.
Can anyone verify that? Er, Room 5 ordered a ham sandwich at about three in the morning.
Thank you.
Apart from that, it was a quiet night.
And Mrs Tyler where were you? I was here.
I'm always here.
I'm sorry? Judy's not very well.
It's her nerves.
Roger, we've talked about this.
Judy suffers from a panic disorder, DS Nelson.
Symptoms include compulsive behaviour, acute anxiety and agoraphobia.
I see.
It started after the funeral.
I tried to go back to work but I just couldn't set foot in that place any more.
She used to do the books for the vineyard.
But we've been working hard on getting things back under control and keeping things calm.
Like when we're out in the garden.
I just can't get beyond it.
Beyond what they did to my little girl.
If they'd got whoever did it Unfortunately hit-and-runs can be quite hard to investigate.
So everyone kept saying.
It must have been quite a shock to hear that Nadia Simons was back in the village.
Some people might think the Carnarvons were being insensitive inviting her back.
I stopped caring about what the Carnarvons get up to a long time ago.
They're going over it all again.
The accident.
~ When are they going to let it go? ~ Look, listen, love, they're not.
Not unless we give them something else to talk about.
What do you mean? This place is absolutely beautiful.
How did I not know this was here? You've been inside the house for God knows how long.
See, this is what I missed.
A civilised lunch.
No need for anyone to be wearing a bib.
And when I get home, dinner's in the oven, the washing's in the machine and my daughter is in a bath.
But Well, I might be happy to be made domestically obsolete but I don't think John is.
You know why women make the best ballet dancers? Because we're always tiptoeing around the male ego.
And how is Charlie? I think I've broken him.
What? I'm perfectly happy with my life.
Work, TV, takeaways, fairly lax attitude to housekeeping.
But I didn't think it was contagious and I didn't think that Charlie would succumb.
~ You think he needs to get out more? ~ Yes! And someone's offering him the chance to do that.
On a plate.
But he's not even looking at the plate.
Well, you'll have to make him think it was his idea.
~ If you force the issue ~ I can be subtle.
I can! Ah, William.
Thanks for coming.
Why don't you take a seat? Why don't you just get on with it? As you wish.
What's this? Open it.
That's what I'm prepared to pay you for the vineyard.
It's a final offer.
I'm not interested in negotiation.
And from what I hear, you're not in a position to haggle.
The money can be in your account by the end of the week.
What do you say? I'm sure it makes you feel better to act outraged but we both know this is your best option.
It's your only option.
It's not an option, it's an insult.
I've given everything I had to that vineyard.
Shame it wasn't enough.
Says who? Who do you think? You stay away from my wife.
I've tried, but if you can't make her happy Fine.
It's your vineyard for the time being.
I'll just buy it for half the price when you finally go bankrupt.
I'll take the whole package.
Er How many times? Don't bring rubbish through the guest areas.
~ I was just ~ Where's that useless daughter of yours? I pay her to make the guests happy.
If only she paid them as much attention as she does to Ryan Carnarvon.
~ I don't know what you're talking about.
~ For God's sake.
Can't you see what's going on under your own nose? Roger Tyler had access to the glasses that the vineyard borrowed from the hotel.
The slug pellets I found there were metaldehyde-based.
He would have had time to slip away from his shift.
And he'd had an encounter with Nadia just before she died.
Her turning up in the village must have felt like a replay of his daughter's death.
And he didn't just lose his daughter, he lost his wife to the grief.
We need to know what his movements were last night.
I'll drop by the hotel and ask for any CCTV.
~ How long have we got? ~ Not long.
I hate keep having to look at my watch and over my shoulder.
Well, when we get away the only thing you'll have to look at is me.
What's wrong? Mum and Dad.
Once they realise we've gone, well, they won't understand.
Well, neither will mine.
They shouldn't have stopped us seeing each other in the first place.
What was Louis thinking of? It's barely enough to cover our debts.
Obviously he was trying to humiliate me.
Shame me into giving up on this place and And what, William? You promise me, whatever happens, whatever I decide, you'll stand by me? You don't even have to ask.
~ Where's Ryan? ~ William, please, just If we're going to save this business, we all need to make sacrifices.
That includes Ryan.
Hello.
Front desk.
Um, sorry, I'm having trouble hearing you.
No, I'm sorry.
I still can't hear you.
I'll I'll come up to your room.
Hello.
Louis Paynton here.
Manager.
Hello? Hello? Hello? I'm looking for Louis Everybody stay back, please.
Clear the area.
Stay well back.
Sir, sir, will you move back? ~ So much for the CCTV.
~ Mm.
The Tech Department might be able to salvage something from the hard drive.
Look at this.
Any witnesses? Thank you.
Louis was very kind to me when I first came here.
After my husband died.
My condolences.
Widowhood proved to be surprisingly dull.
I like company.
Kept plenty of it here.
You see all the comings and goings, then? What have you observed since you got out of hospital? Well, my son-in-law came.
This afternoon, to see Louis.
And to judge by the expression on his face, it wasn't a social call.
There is an overlap in their business interests.
It's rather more than an overlap.
Was something going on between your daughter and Mr Paynton? Well, I'm not quite sure, really.
Diana is devoted to William but he doesn't always make it easy for her.
How do you mean? Well, the vineyard was his dream, not hers.
She went along with it every step of the way but Louis was everything William is not.
Who else was around this afternoon? Er Roger.
He got caught in the crossfire with William.
Louis was rather rude about Tina.
I'm sure I saw Kevin's van at some point.
I do hope his last words to his father were civil.
No love lost there.
Let's see what Mr Tyler has to say.
Good morning.
Looks lovely.
Didn't seem a lot of point going into work, so I thought I'd come and give it a tidy.
Looks like someone beat me to it.
I have to ask, Mr Tyler, where were you last night? At home, in bed.
Can Mrs Tyler confirm that? She takes sleeping tablets.
I could come to bed playing the trumpet, she wouldn't stir.
You don't seem very upset by Louis Payton's death.
He was my boss.
We weren't close.
We hear you didn't part on good terms yesterday.
What did he say to you? Nothing that bears repeating.
Mr Tyler He was in a bad mood and he needed someone to take it out on.
I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He had a problem with William Carnarvon, not me.
The question is, whether you had a problem with Mr Paynton? Do you think he was the reason that Nadia Simons was never brought to justice? Well, that was the rumour.
But I thought that was your job to work that out.
Now, is that it? Cos I need to get home to my wife.
Thank you, Mr Tyler.
Right.
A decent Burgundy, I believe.
One, two, three, four six, seven, eight, nine One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10.
One, two, three It's me.
Promise me you'll be there this afternoon.
There's no turning back.
Don't let me down.
What did you and your father talk about yesterday? What we always talked about.
The vineyard.
Your father had a problem with you working there? Was part of that problem William? You and your father argued yesterday.
Do you have any idea what the argument may have been about? Well, it wouldn't have been about me.
He knew I was never going to come and work here.
Might it have been about Diana Carnarvon? Diana wasn't interested in Dad.
But your dad was interested in Diana.
Dad would never take no for an answer.
He always got what he wanted in the end.
Apparently so.
How's that? Well, he wanted you to take over the family business.
And I presume that you are now the owner and proprietor of the hotel.
Look, I'm not trying to deny it.
Yes, things between Louis and myself got a little heated.
I'd very much like to know why.
Well, just business.
He offered to buy the vineyard.
Er, but for half of what the place is actually worth.
Obviously, he'd heard about our recent problems and decided he could capitalise.
~ He thought you were desperate? ~ Well, we weren't that desperate.
And for the record I'd just like to say that I was just as angry as William was when I heard.
I thought Louis was a friend.
He thought a great deal of you, didn't he? Louis? I suppose so.
What are you saying? Did Mr Paynton's feelings towards you go beyond friendship? Well, if they did they weren't reciprocated, I can assure you.
I still think that Jessica's death is a factor in all this.
Roger Tyler's alibi wasn't particularly convincing.
But then neither were the Carnarvons'.
Midsomer Vinae is a village of unreliable witnesses, apparently.
The hit-and-run statements don't exactly stand up to scrutiny.
If we could rely on the public, you and I would be out of a job.
The only consistent detail seems to be a speeding black car and the untraceable red car.
And without the hotel CCTV, you can understand Roger Tyler's frustration.
Revenge is a strong motive.
But then so is wounded pride.
~ William Carnarvon? ~ Mm.
Nadia Simons damaged his reputation as a vintner.
Louis Paynton tried to kick him while he was down, possibly whilst making a play for his wife.
But where does the poisoning fit in? Would William sabotage his own wine launch? Why would he guarantee the failure of his own business? Come on.
~ William.
~ Kevin.
I didn't expect you to come in today.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad.
Were you? I know he was trying to buy the vineyard from under you.
Kevin, that was just business.
I wouldn't wish your dad I understand why you told him to stick it.
I know how hard you've worked.
And that's why I want to make you a better offer.
Listen, I can't touch Dad's money until all the legal stuff is sorted.
But once it is, I reckon I'll have enough to keep this place afloat.
What do you think? I think you're a godsend.
I promise I'll pay you back every penny with interest.
I'm not suggesting a loan.
I want to be a partner.
I want a say in how this place is run.
You do? I've learnt so much from you.
Well, why don't you buy yourself your own vineyard? This place has been my life for 15 years.
You've been here five minutes and you think you can run the place better than me.
Like father, like son, eh? Where is she? Where's Tina? She should be back by now.
I called the hotel.
~ She's not there.
~ I know.
Well, where is she? ~ Roger.
~ She's in Brighton.
On a training course.
~ What? ~ Come on, sit down.
Paynton had already paid for it, so I said she could go.
What? Well, I didn't know.
That's a really long way away.
No, I would never have let her go.
And that's why she didn't come to you, Judy.
Look, I know you can't help it.
But if you don't give her some slack, we're going to lose her.
You do see that, don't you? That'll be Elspeth.
Of course it is.
Is she here? No, she's staying away from you.
~ I don't believe you.
Tell her I'm here.
~ There's no point.
Tina! Tina, please! Go home, Ryan! There's nothing for you here.
Tina! Do you want your usual tonight? ~ What? ~ From the Silver Dragon.
It's my turn to get the Chinese.
I thought I'd do it on the way home.
So, usual? No.
OK, well, I could go to the Raj if you fancy a curry.
Chicken biryani and a naan? What about pizza? OK, great.
I'll go to Angelo's.
A medium meat feast, extra olives.
Do you not think it's a little disturbing you know our takeaway order by heart? No.
Should I? When was the last time you had a night out? ~ Er ~ Other than the pub quiz.
It's the countryside.
There's not much happening.
There's plenty happening.
Right under your nose.
I had a look at Jessica Tyler's post-mortem.
Er And? Well, obviously this is just conjecture.
Having said that, looking at the pathology report in isolation from any of the other evidence, I'd say Jessica was knocked over in a low-speed collision.
Primary injuries suggest she wasn't struck head on, wasn't thrown over the windscreen.
If so, she'd have sustained consistent secondary injuries.
~ You have been listening to what I say.
~ Every word.
There are very few secondary injuries.
No embedded gravel or glass.
Very few contusions.
Jessica died from internal injuries.
That's because you're saying it was a low-speed collision? Yes.
Witnesses saw a black vehicle being driven like a racing car.
That might not have been the vehicle that killed Jessica.
Hi, it's Tina.
I'm not here right now.
Please leave a message after the beep.
The least you can do if you're going to dump me over text is to pick up your ph Tina? Tina? We need to make sure we rule everything out.
I understand that.
I hope they don't find anything.
Who's with the Tylers? Keep breathing, long and slow.
That's it.
~ These the ones? ~ I'm going to need two.
No, I don't want them.
Not now.
~ I need to know what's going on.
~ Just do as you're told! Can't go on like this, Judy.
OK, Judy.
Just concentrate on your breathing.
Roger, why don't you go and put the kettle on? ~ Tina ~ I know.
I know.
Don't worry, I'm here for you.
I'm always here for you.
They've found something.
We spoke to the hotel in Brighton.
Tina cancelled her training course.
They weren't expecting her.
So where the hell is she? In the vast majority of cases like this, the missing person turns up as if nothing had happened.
They've usually gone somewhere to cool down after an argument.
What, with me? No.
Everything was good between us.
You need to talk to the Carnarvons.
Ryan obviously knows more about my daughter than I do.
Don't worry.
We'll be finding out what they know as well.
And I'd like to speak with Judy.
I don't want her upset.
~ I appreciate that.
~ She's been through enough this week.
They're lovely.
Oh, thank you.
They flower all summer if you look after them.
Judy finds her gardening very therapeutic.
Six months ago we couldn't even get her out here.
And she has you to thank for her progress? I do what I can.
Sir, can I have a word? Mrs Tyler, I'm going to leave PC Florrie here with you.
~ She'll let you know of any developments.
~ Hi.
They checked the CCTV at Causton Station.
~ Tina didn't get on the train.
~ Her phone? Switched off immediately after sending the text.
The company are trying to triangulate the signal to work out where she was when she sent it.
If she sent it.
~ And the car from the black lagoon? ~ No number plates.
They're trying to trace the vehicle identification number.
So we're assuming that this car is the same car that killed Jessica Tyler? I can't think of any other reason to drive it into a pond.
I don't want any details of what we found at that pond getting back to the Tylers.
~ Have you briefed PC Florrie? ~ Don't worry.
She knows what she's doing.
We were going to get on a flight to somewhere warm where we could think, talk, figure out what we were going to do next.
Ryan, you have to appreciate how this would have looked.
There've been two murders and you were just going to disappear.
We didn't have anything to do with that.
It was someone else's trouble and we were caught in the middle of it.
As usual.
~ Selfish, thoughtless ~ Oh, William, please! He's right.
That boy was going to give up his music.
~ He was going to give up on his family.
~ Tina's going to be my family! And I suppose it didn't cross your mind for a second that you might be the only one in a position to help us.
~ Help? How? ~ He's talking about my trust fund.
~ Fine, you can have it.
~ Oh, you stupid boy! Your grandfather left that money for you.
That's enough.
This can be of no interest to Inspector Barnaby.
I wouldn't say that.
A poisoning, two murders and now an abduction.
We hope.
Who would take this young woman and why? Someone wants to split her and Ryan Carnarvon up.
So both sets of parents have to be in the frame.
Would Roger Tyler kidnap his own daughter? If he caught wind of their plan.
What if the text was from Tina? Teenage love.
It's a fickle thing.
And Ryan wouldn't take no for an answer? ~ Sarge.
~ Thank you.
Well, maybe.
But do you see him as the poisoner and the killer as well? We've been thinking all this is an attack on the Carnarvons and their business.
Maybe we need to think again.
If this was an attack on the Carnarvons' business, whoever did this probably didn't know that the vineyard applied to the courts for bankruptcy a month ago.
William Carnarvon doesn't strike me as a man who wants to go out of business.
The application was turned down.
The court ruled they had enough in assets to service their debts.
What assets? The wine.
Which is now worthless thanks to Nadia Simons.
The plane ticket and the money weren't paying for a good review from Nadia.
They were to make sure she gave a terrible review.
Someone was forcing the business into insolvency.
Whose name is on that bankruptcy application? Diana Carnarvon.
Things looked grim when I made the application but then William wanted to launch the new wine.
There was a chance.
So you planned a party and called in Nadia Simons? She was one of the most respected wine critics.
No, she wasn't.
And you knew it.
You knew that she would say whatever you wanted for the price.
That's why you used Louis.
He didn't just put her up in the lap of luxury.
I think he bought the plane ticket and supplied the cash.
~ Nadia and Louis used to be close.
~ Not as close as you and Louis.
We were never lovers.
We never Was that going to be his reward after he bought the vineyard? How dare you.
I love my husband.
Louis thought that he was helping to save you from bankruptcy.
But he couldn't resist getting one over on William.
His offer on the vineyard threatened to ruin your plan.
~ You must have been ~ No, wait, wait I didn't kill him.
I didn't kill anyone.
But you did put your mother in hospital.
I never meant to hurt her.
I never meant to hurt anyone.
It was supposed to make people feel queasy, no lasting damage.
~ Only to your husband's reputation.
~ I just needed him to give up.
That vineyard has sucked us dry.
Every penny, every ounce of energy.
It was too late for us but I wasn't going to let him drag Ryan down as well.
Sir, can I have a word? We've traced where Tina's text message was sent from.
The vineyard.
DCI Barnaby.
What year was the car registered to that owner? ~ Did you know? ~ Of course not.
But if I had known I'm not so sure I would have stopped her.
She was doing it for you.
To stop you wasting your life.
Wasting my life on what? On this place.
This pipe dream.
You're a failure, William.
Everything you've done so far has been a failure.
And I'm not going to let you touch Ryan's trust fund.
Not while I'm alive.
Yeah, well, we'll see what my solicitor has to say about that.
Let's see who he thinks should be in charge of the family fortunes.
The poisoner, the senile old bat or the lovesick teenager? You call me a failure? I'm still with the family, sir.
Good.
I need you to bring Roger and Judy up to the vineyard.
Well, I'm not sure that's possible.
Judy Tyler is really fragile.
~ Is Elspeth Rice still there? ~ Yes, sir.
Ask her if she'll help, in her professional capacity.
Whatever it takes.
Mr Carnarvon, we need to search your premises.
We have reason to believe that Tina Tyler was here around the time she disappeared.
~ Do you think she's still here? ~ Search the outbuildings.
What's this? Oh, God.
It's locked.
It shouldn't be.
Nelson.
No, no! What have you done? Quiet, quiet.
What was that? For God's sake, get her out of there.
I've got you.
You're all right.
Come on, love.
It's all right.
Right.
Mind your head.
Come on, love.
Here we go.
Up.
I've got her, I've got her.
Come on.
Come on.
Are you OK? How could you? There's something wrong with your family! ~ I could have died down there.
~ It's nothing to do with my family.
Well, what am I doing here? I'd like to know that.
Outside.
Ryan Well, what a relief, getting Tina out and not a moment too soon.
Ingenious place to hide her.
Only someone who worked here would know it was there.
So the question now is whether to charge you with abduction or attempted murder? How was I supposed to know it was going to be flooded? I was just trying to help.
Did you do this on your own? It depends what you mean.
I was asked to help split them up.
~ Is she all right? ~ Where is she? This way.
~ Tina.
~ She's there.
~ Tina! ~ I'm sorry I lied.
I'll never lie to you again.
I'll never see him ever again.
Tina, please.
You You did this, you stupid I think that's enough, Mr Carnarvon.
Ryan, perhaps you should take your grandmother outside.
~ PC Florrie.
~ Come on, let's get you outside.
I had no idea.
I'm so sorry.
Well, I hope you're proud of yourself.
You've set Judy back months by demanding she come here.
Don't you understand how vulnerable she is? And the Carnarvons just tried to kill her daughter.
~ Now, hold on a minute ~ Haven't you taken enough from us? Wasn't Jessica enough? For the last time, we had nothing to do with the accident.
You were the one who invited Nadia here.
You were the one filling all the glasses with your wine.
And then you just watched everyone drive away.
Diana and I were devastated when we learned what had happened.
Why? Because you knew you were responsible for a little girl's death or because you thought it might be bad for business? You watched our family go through hell and you didn't raise a finger to help us.
Can we go now, please? We don't have to stay here another second.
The Carnarvons are terrible people, aren't they? Isn't that obvious? I certainly understand why you didn't want your daughter near them? Just like Kevin understood.
And that's why he kidnapped Tina for you.
He knew you'd do anything to ensure they split up.
What are you talking about? Kevin just told me that he came to see you to tell you Tina and Ryan were an item again.
I didn't ask him to kidnap Tina.
You didn't have to ask him.
You just had to let him see how distraught you were about the thought of Tina leaving.
You knew that Kevin would then do exactly what you wanted.
The same with the Farmers' Wives Association and their campaign.
They wanted to help.
People always do.
People love to root for the underdog.
The victim in the story.
It's not a story.
It's the truth.
I know that you believe that.
Because that's what someone needed you to believe.
That's enough.
I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't take my patient out of this stressful environment.
Mr and Mrs Tyler, you should know that whilst we were looking for your daughter we found the vehicle that killed Jessica.
Where? Where was it? In the local pond.
I'm not sure this is the right place for that sort of news.
~ I need to get Judy somewhere safe.
~ No, tell me now.
Whose car was it? I had wondered why you were so concerned about a pond.
~ Judy ~ No.
I'm so sorry.
You? You killed our daughter? ~ It was an accident.
~ No.
I'd only bought the car that day.
I was looking for the lights.
She must have stepped out in front of the car.
~ Why are you telling lies? ~ You have to believe it was an accident.
No.
No, I can't.
Because it wasn't you, it was Nadia.
~ Why are you desperate to believe that? ~ Because it has to be true.
~ Why? ~ Because if it's a lie lie Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
If it's a lie, you killed two innocent people.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Not you, Mum? Judy? It must have been devastating to hear that Nadia Simons was back in the village.
And then you saw her, sitting on your daughter's bench, drinking.
Right next to the flowers that you'd been tending so carefully.
I felt so useless.
Stuck at home.
If I could just get to the bench Just a little drive, look after the plants and then home.
And it got a bit easier every day.
And then I saw her.
Nadia.
And for the first time in years I didn't feel scared.
I felt angry.
It was like someone turned on the lights and I knew what had to be done.
So I drove straight at her.
Just like she had driven at my Jessica.
Or so you believed.
Just as you believed that Louis Payton had been a part of the cover-up.
And that's why you smashed up the CCTV system at the hotel.
After you killed him.
Why? For us.
I just wanted to protect you.
Like I should have protected Jessica.
Please.
Please tell me that you understand.
Please! ~ I do.
~ Stay away from her.
~ She needs me.
~ No.
You need her to need you, so you don't feel like a monster.
Which is what you are.
Elspeth Rice, I'm arresting you for causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.
Come with me.
You do not have to say anything but Mrs Tyler.
I'm afraid you have to come with me now.
Hey ~ Dad ~ Mm? ~ I won't if you don't want me to.
~ What? Go on.
Oh, Ryan.
Young love.
Teenage hormones.
You've got all that to look forward to.
Well, at least I've grown out of them myself.
Wow, we're all here.
~ Where's Wonder Woman? ~ If you mean Ida, I gave her the evening off.
~ How will we manage without her? ~ You're going to have to pull your weight.
Sykes needs a walk, Betty will need a bath and you know she only really likes bubbles with Daddy.
And dinner won't cook itself.
I see.
~ Are you joining us, Charlie? ~ A previous engagement.
And it's not the pub quiz.
Hey.
How are you? So? Cheers.
Oh, baby.
Oh, come on.
Look, aw
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