Midsomer Murders (1997) s18e04 Episode Script

A Dying Art

.
(BIRDSONG) Welcome to sheer beauty.
(WIND WHISTLES) (CLASSICAL STRING MUSIC) (LIVELY CHATTER) Canape? No, thank you.
(CLEARS THROAT) Ladies and gentlemen.
I am delighted to be sharing this moment with you.
As I'm sure the brilliant creator of our centrepiece, Lance Auden, is too.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I have had this dream for five years.
But now it's time for the art to speak for itself.
The Sculpture Park is officially open.
(CHEERING) (CHATTER) Oh! Well, you're the critic.
What do you think? Cliche is what I'd say.
I think that's the point.
Yes.
(MUFFLED GRUNT) Ssh! Ssh! Ssh! Got you.
Got you.
Brin! Brin, you can't be here.
Brandon'll have you arrested.
But, Clemmy Please, for me.
Go! Before someone sees you.
Kiss me first.
(WHISPERS) Go.
(LEAVES RUSTLING) (GASPS) (WINGS FLUTTERING) (LAUGHTER NEARBY) Ssh! (LAUGHTER FADES INTO DISTANCE) (DULL SPLAT) (SHE SCREAMS) (PHONE BUZZING) Yes, Nelson? (CLEARS THROAT) I'm missing my beauty sleep as well.
(FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS) Oh, you didn't need to get up.
Well, I was hoping for a cup of tea in bed, but this little one had different ideas.
Bit of a rush, I'm afraid.
I need to head out to Angel's Rise.
Darling, don't forget you're giving a careers talk at school, this week.
And I can't wait.
I haven't seen you making any notes.
Oh, it's all up here.
Mm.
(BIRDSONG) BARNABY: What have we got? You know how art imitates life? I've heard that rumour.
Well, this is art imitating death.
(POLICE RADIO) NELSON: Brandon Monkford, local businessman and art lover.
This was his party.
An opening for his Sculpture Park.
Are all the guests accounted for? They're up at the house, awaiting questioning.
I asked SOCO to check their clothing for gold paint.
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) What have you got so far, Kam? Well, the paint only allows for conjecture at this point but, once I get him cleaned up, I'll know a lot more.
But if you look over here there's scuff marks that suggest someone dragged him to the sculpture.
Where he was deliberately positioned like this.
(DISTANT SIREN) Anything else? This locket was found nearby.
A broken chain.
Let's see if any of the guests recognise this.
No CCTV.
(CAMERA CLICKS) Up at the house, but not in the park.
(CAMERA CLICKS) Who found the body? One of the guests.
Clementine Staples.
She's with Uniform.
I'll start with her.
Find out who created this piece.
You know what they say, Nelson.
In art, everything has a deeper meaning.
CLEMMY: I can't believe someone did that to Brandon.
How well did you know Mr Monkford? Quite well.
My brother Killion's engaged to his daughter.
He couldn't make it tonight, so I came on my own.
When you were in the woods, did you notice anything suspicious? Anyone you didn't recognise from the party? No.
I got separated and I found him.
And were you heading for that sculpture in particular? No.
I ended up there.
I was scared.
I thought someone was following me.
We've got the family in the dining room and the guests are outside by the library, including the artist who created the sculpture - Lance Auden.
I'll take the family.
You start with the artist.
I know this is difficult, but I need to ask.
Had your husband been involved in any disputes lately? Anyone who meant him harm? I don't think so.
I-I-I'd have to think.
I can name a few.
You could try half the village.
Fabian, you can't accuse everyone.
Most of the village were involved with VASP.
They were against everything Dad was doing.
VASP? Villagers Against the Sculpture Park.
There's a whole group of them.
And who runs this group? Brin Dunne.
He owns the village cafe.
Made Dad's life hell.
NELSON: How was your relationship with Mr Monkford? It was perfect.
He was a true gentleman.
This was supposed to be a great day for both of us.
Do you think there's any significance to his body being found in your sculpture? You think this could be an attack on me? We have to consider all possibilities.
No.
This whole thing is just a terrible shock.
Did you see Brandon in the woods after the opening? No.
Thank you, Mr Auden.
Erm (CLEARS THROAT) I am Simeon Rowling, also an artist.
Ah.
Erm Is your work on display here? Brandon and I were in discussions.
But you hoped to have your work featured in the park? Oh, he only used the best.
Turned a lot of artists away.
Oh.
And how would they have felt about this? One can only imagine.
(CHUCKLES) Ephemera.
Excuse me? The title of my piece.
Don't you want to write it down? Yeah.
It's all about the briefness of time.
Mm.
E-P-H You weren't at the opening last night? No.
Even though it was obviously a big day for your family? Any particular reason you weren't there? I run a climbing centre.
My fiance - Killion - he had a few things he needed me to help with.
Sorry, Mrs Monkford, would it be all right if I went home now? Yes, of course.
And you are? Summer Pitt.
Mrs Summer Pitt.
I'll need to speak to you before you go, Mrs Pitt.
Did your husband leave a will? Naturally.
Might I ask who the beneficiaries are? Well, that would be myself and the children.
Just the three of you are named in it? Yes.
Thank you.
That'll be all for now.
Oh, one last thing.
Sorry.
Erm, do any of you recognise this? No, I don't.
You were here all night, Mr Fargo? Indeed I was.
I'm an art critic.
I advised on the collection.
So you were a friend of Mr Monkford's? With the whole family.
I can't imagine what they're going through.
I heard a few artists were turned down for the park.
Would I be able to get a list of those names? I'm sure the rejection letters will be filed somewhere.
You don't think a disgruntled artist did this? Can you think of anyone who had reason to attack Mr Monkford? He had received hate mail, but Brandon just laughed it off.
Did you see any of these letters? In a manner of speaking.
How do you mean? Brandon commissioned Lance Auden to make a sculpture of them.
No.
I've never seen that before.
Sorry.
So you both work for the Monkfords.
I'm the groundsman.
Worked for Brandon for more than 20 years.
What sort of a boss was he? Tough when he had to be.
And last night, you were in charge of security.
Brandon didn't want any gate-crashers.
So no-one got in uninvited? Not as far as I know.
And erm You were in charge of the staff.
Yes.
There's a Helena Pitt here.
Yes, our daughter.
She's not here now? She was feeling ill, so we sent her home early.
She went on her own? Neither of us could get away.
(SIGHS) Perhaps one of us should have gone with her.
Where can I find her now? She'll probably be at work.
Climbing centre.
Is that the place that Rachel Monkford runs? That's right.
Hm.
Small world.
Kam! What on earth is that? Brandon commissioned Lance Auden to make it out of all the hate mail he received.
Do what you can with it, Kam.
We need to know who was so opposed to what Brandon was doing.
It'll be fun, trying to unravel all that.
And run some tests on this.
See what you can find out.
Will do.
Get over to the climbing centre.
Rachel has a fiance there, Killion.
And see if you can find Helena Pitt.
Supposedly, she was sick last night and left early.
Right.
And I'm getting a list of artists who submitted designs.
Apparently, he turned quite a few down.
Bruised a few egos.
Good work, Nelson.
Now I'm going to have a word with the head of VASP.
VASP? Villagers Against the Sculpture Park.
Seems Brandon made enemies everywhere he went.
(SQUEALS) Wooh! Oh, my God! Killion Staples? How well did you know Mr Monkford? We were close.
Very close.
He was about to become my father-in-law.
I can't take it in.
Poor Rachel, she was in such a state when she heard.
Neither of you were at the opening.
No, no.
Couldn't make it.
Had too much on here.
Working late? Doing the books.
VAT man cometh.
I notice you're practically a part of the Sculpture Park.
It was all fine.
Neighbourly.
Is this still part of the estate? Yes.
Brandon was very supportive.
Did you see or hear anything suspicious last night? No.
Not until you lot turned up.
Helena Pitt, I understand she works here.
She was ill last night, apparently.
Well, she's all right now.
That's her arriving.
How did you get on with Brandon? He was Lord of the Manor.
I never really registered on his radar.
So you didn't like him? Well, Dad's very loyal, so I smiled and said hello when required.
How long have you worked here? Since Killion and Rachel set it up.
Last night, the opening, you went home early.
Why was that? It was my mum.
She sent me home.
So you weren't ill? I didn't feel it.
But that's Mum.
She worries like you wouldn't believe.
Did anyone see you? I don't think so.
Can anyone vouch for your movements, Helena? Sorry.
I just can't believe a murder's happened here.
All right.
Thank you.
We'll be in touch.
Brin Dunne? Who's asking? DCI Barnaby, Causton CID.
Something had to be done.
What Brandon did to those woods .
.
it's appalling.
Half the village is up in arms about it, apparently.
Half? You mean the whole village.
Those woods are a public right.
They're for everyone, old and young.
It's the heart and soul of the village, Chief Inspector.
You walk in there with the weight of the world on your shoulders, and within seconds, it's all gone.
He's destroying that.
Tell me about your campaign.
Are we talking direct action? Marches? Demonstrations? It's about giving the community a voice.
Nothing confrontational? That's not us, Chief Inspector.
I'd have thought the opening was a perfect target.
I'm surprised you didn't go, at least be a presence with your leaflets.
You wouldn't find me within a mile of the place.
Can anyone account for your whereabouts last night? I was here on my own all night.
So you run this place single-handed? No, with my partner Clemmy.
Clemmy Staples? Brin.
Hey.
Hey.
NELSON: Sir? Nelson, I need you to do some digging on Brin Dunne.
It turns out the head of VASP is involved with the person who found Brandon's body.
WOMAN: You want to close the Sculpture Park? What do any of us know about art? We'd ruin his dream.
We should still try.
Some good has got to come of this.
Perhaps we should sell it off, the estate at least.
This house is enough to manage.
This was your father's dream.
He's gone now and left us with a village baying for our blood.
For goodness' sake, Fabian.
Hi.
Thank you.
How did it go with the police? Oh, a bit tense.
There's not much I could tell them.
You didn't mention me? Like I'd do that.
It's just they turned up.
Well, they didn't get your name from me.
I promise you.
Look, why don't you go up, get some rest? You've had a terrible shock.
That would be lovely.
(PHONE BEEPS AND BUZZES) It's Killion.
Well, your brother's probably worried.
I'll give him a call.
No, I'll go there now.
You look exhausted.
I probably couldn't sleep, anyway.
I won't be long.
I'll see you later, then.
Yeah.
(SIGHS) (DOOR OPENS) (CREAKING) (DOOR CLOSES) Oh, Dan You sounded upset on the phone.
I couldn't not come.
Thank you.
(SNIFFS) It's such a mess.
It's I'm here for you.
Thank you.
You'll get through this.
Mm.
Lance! Lance? Where is she? Do come in.
She went out two hours ago.
Can we rewind? Only who is "she"? I know why Clemmy went to the opening.
Now we're getting somewhere.
Where is she? Isn't it obvious? She's in the wardrobe, hiding.
You never deserved her.
(CHUCKLES) But look at how much she learned from me.
Yeah.
Go near her again I'll kill you.
(GRUNTS) (DOOR SLAMS) (SIGHS) I'm not sure about the room service here.
Oh.
Clemmy.
I shouldn't be here.
What was I thinking? Let me remind you.
Don't.
What's the rush? Give him time to cool off.
You don't have to go back to him.
Not yet.
OK.
Who have we got here? Anything come up on Brin Dunne? Plenty.
He was kicked out of the Army and he's got previous for public order offences and criminal damage.
And no alibi? There's something else.
I did some digging into the climbing centre.
Things were far from rosy there.
Brandon had served Killion and Rachel with an eviction order.
He wanted to close their business down.
BARNABY: So they get to keep their business and they get a mansion to live in.
They both have a very strong motive for wanting Brandon dead.
Oh, before I forget, I need to pick your brains.
Sarah is getting me in to do a careers talk.
Give me ten points on what's good about being a copper.
Ten? The talk's over an hour long.
Well, I suppose every day is different.
You never know what the next case is gonna bring.
Good work, Nelson.
I like that.
Just think of another nine.
Oh, I said I'd get those.
They're not heavy.
Yeah, but they're precious.
Moving day? Yes.
We're going to move into the house.
It's a big place.
Mother'll get lonely.
Tell me, erm, was Brandon happy about the climbing centre? Yes.
Yes, he was.
Absolutely.
So could you explain why he was closing you down? Mr Staples? Ms Monkford? We still got along.
Now, why don't I believe that? All right, he changed his mind about the centre, but we were still in discussions.
It wasn't cut and dry by any means.
According to Brandon's lawyer, it was exactly that, Mr Staples.
It was my fault.
The eviction order? I had a row with my father.
He wanted the land to develop his precious park.
When was the last time you and your father actually spoke? I don't know.
Weeks ago.
You have to understand, he was breaking us.
We've put so much into this place.
SUMMER: She doesn't talk to me any more.
I don't know what she's thinking.
You can't live her life for her.
Some things she has to sort out for herself.
It'll work out.
Trust me.
Oh.
Sorry to interrupt.
I wanted to reassure you, you've got nothing to worry about.
You and Summer, you'll be kept on.
I'll make sure of that.
Well, thank you.
I hadn't even thought Of course not.
I don't want you to have the slightest concern.
Enough awful things are happening.
That means a lot, Fabian.
Thank you.
I'm gonna need somebody I can rely on.
I know this was my father's dream, but those sculptures have to go.
They've caused enough damage.
Alexandra doesn't mind? She She knows how much Brandon loved them.
Mother's not really focused right now, so I'm stepping up.
It would be nice to manage the estate properly again.
There you go.
I told you things'd work out for us.
Death occurred between nine and ten o'clock.
Just after the Sculpture Park was opened.
It's daring, with so many people wandering through the park.
He was killed by a blunt trauma to the side of the head.
It caused a massive intracranial hematoma.
No external bleeding, so it wasn't immediately obvious.
Was he ambushed? I doubt it.
It's very likely he was facing his attacker.
Defence wounds to the left arm indicating a right-handed assailant.
Any thoughts on the murder weapon? Yes.
The impact radius suggests a small hammer or similar object.
I ran tests on this as well.
It hasn't given me anything solid.
No prints, apart from Brandon's.
Though, from the way the chain is broken, I'd say it had been yanked off.
We need to know who this belongs to.
I'm on it, sir.
Not so fast, Charlie.
I haven't finished.
These fibres were found in close proximity to Brandon.
They were caught on a fence nearby.
The fibres belong to a jacket.
That's the jacket? Not the exact one.
I'm not that good.
Good work, Kam.
I've seen a jacket like that before.
I think your cafe would benefit.
My paintings would look wonderful in here.
I'll take a look, but I'm not promising anything.
You will when you see what I've painted.
They'll sell themselves when you put them up.
You'll even get a small commission.
Oh.
Mr Dunne, a word, please.
Pop by my shop, have a look.
I didn't think art would be your thing.
I was humouring him.
Is Mr Rowling a part of VASP? He's a villager.
When were you last in the Sculpture Park? I don't go up there.
I told you.
We found fibres that will match your jacket close to Brandon's body.
They were left there very recently, Mr Dunne.
Shall we talk about why you lied? I was there.
On the night of the opening? Yeah.
You went to confront Brandon.
Brandon? He's the last person I wanted to see.
I was there to see Clemmy.
To persuade her to come home.
You can't have been happy that she was there.
I was .
.
trying to protect her.
Protect her from what? Lance Auden.
Why would Clemmy need protecting from him? They had something once.
When was this? It started a few years ago, maybe three.
So what happened? He did what he does to women.
He uses them and then he spits them out.
He's not to be trusted.
Got somewhere, Nelson? The locket was purchased by Daniel Fargo, nine months ago, from a jewellers in the next village.
Mr Fargo, may we come in? Of course.
I recognise it, yes.
At least one very much like it.
So this isn't the one you purchased? I presume there were more than a few made.
Not sold round here.
I'd like to know why you bought it.
I'm a purveyor of the beautiful, Chief Inspector.
You didn't buy it for yourself.
You're not married, you have no daughters.
Who's it for? I bought it on behalf of Brandon for Alexandra.
He didn't want her to get wind of it.
So it's Mrs Monkford's? Brandon wanted her to have something for the big opening and, as you know, I advised him on sculpture, so it's only natural he turned to me for advice on jewellery.
There.
Mystery solved.
Then why did Alexandra Monkford claim she didn't recognise it? You bought it for Alexandra, didn't you? Mr Fargo? Perhaps Alexandra and I have developed a .
.
close affinity over the years.
You're having an affair with her? It's not as crude as that, or as simple.
It's not a crime, what we're doing.
Did Brandon know about the affair? Not as far as I know.
We were very discreet.
Not discreet enough, Mr Fargo.
This locket was found close to where Brandon was murdered.
Did Mrs Monkford say anything about the night of the opening? No.
There was no row between them? Any tension? Not as far as I know.
Surely you don't think Alexandra killed him? If Brandon did know about the affair, Daniel Fargo would hardly be his favourite person.
Speak to Brandon's solicitor.
Find out exactly what's in his will.
I'm going to the mansion to see what Alexandra has to say for herself.
MR PITT: (WHISPERING) No, you don't understand.
I need to see them now.
I'm in Brandon's office.
No, I don't want them to know yet.
I can't see anything.
Are you sure he didn't leave them with you? Well, describe what I'm looking for.
Got it.
(BIRDSONG) It's almost as if you've been avoiding me.
If you'd like to join the family, I'll serve tea in a minute.
Did Tony pick these? I like him.
He's a good man.
Solid.
Hardworking.
Dependable, I'd imagine.
What do you want, Mr Auden? The police ask a lot of questions.
Best you say very little.
I need to get on.
I saw your daughter.
You do look very alike.
Don't go anywhere near her.
When did you say tea was coming? Daniel has already told us about your affair.
That was very noble of him.
Are you married? Happily.
Ah.
Yes, well, you see that's where I went wrong.
I mean, what do you do when your husband's more interested in still life than real life? So why lie about the locket? Why do you think? I'm not ashamed of my infidelity, Inspector.
I didn't want my children to find out like that.
Perhaps you could tell me why your husband had the locket.
I'm afraid I can't.
I need you to think, Mrs Monkford.
The locket was found at the crime scene close to your husband's body.
Did you argue on the night of the opening party? We argued, yes.
About your relationship with Mr Fargo? The way the chain is broken suggests it may have been yanked from someone's neck.
It's not as bad as you're implying.
So where did this argument take place? Were you in the Sculpture Park? No.
Then it's odd that your locket was.
(DOOR CLOSES) Sir, a moment.
NELSON: Brandon's last will and testament.
He left everything to his groundsman.
All of it goes to Tony Pitt? Lock, stock and sculpture.
BARNABY: You knew about the will, I take it? Only just now.
NELSON: That's strange, as the solicitor confirmed that you rang them to discuss it.
Tony? Can you tell us why you lied? Look at it from my point of view.
Brandon changed his will and the next thing is he's dead.
This here, this is exactly what I was scared would happen.
Did he say why he changed it? No.
You must have asked.
That's a huge estate he's handing over.
I wasn't expecting him to die.
And you didn't think to tell me, your wife? I made a promise to Brandon.
Where's your promise to me? Mr Pitt, if there's anything else you should be telling me, now is the time.
I didn't do anything.
I swear.
I don't understand.
We did nothing to deserve this.
Can you think of any reason your husband would've changed his will? I can take a guess.
Brandon put these measures in place six months ago, before Before what? What Mr Barnaby is so delicately referring to is .
.
is my relationship with Mr Fargo.
Mother! I'm sorry, darling.
You don't really know what your father was like.
Looks like I'm the only one here who didn't turn his back on him.
No, you'll do anything as long as your allowance comes through! There's no point blaming each other.
It's done now.
I'm gonna see Tony.
He'll be in shock.
He won't be able to believe this.
At least he's an honest man.
I'll take that, sir.
So, none of the family knew about the change to the will? No, and they're all blaming each other for their reversals in fortune.
(DOOR CLOSES) Is that all of Brandon's papers? There's a lot to go through.
Dig as deep as you can.
See what other surprises there are.
Tony! Fabian.
I was going to come and see you.
It's all right.
Honestly, it's fine.
It's not your fault.
It's my father's.
It's clearly something we need a solicitor to look at, but I meant what I said.
I'll make sure you're well taken care of.
Fabian I know it's asking a lot.
.
.
I won't be going to any solicitor.
But Your father explained everything to me.
Wait.
Just wait.
You knew about this? I reassured you and Summer and you let me go on like an idiot.
It was difficult.
I trusted you.
I thought you were my friend.
I know you're angry.
You're not getting away with this.
Not now, not ever.
Just because Brandon changed his will, it doesn't rule out the family.
They still have their secrets and grievances.
They still expected to inherit.
Tony gained the most, but we can't yet place him at the murder scene.
According to the VASP website, they're holding a meeting later at the village hall.
We should be there.
Let's see how the villagers are reacting to this.
(CHIMING) An email from Tech.
Oh, it's the CCTV from the day of the launch.
(VOICES INAUDIBLE) Not quite the good friends Lance made them out to be.
Are you all right? (SIGHS) I knew it was coming.
Didn't expect the Monkfords to be happy about it.
You could always turn it down.
I'm not going to do that.
Can I say something? We've got a home, a life.
You were the one worrying about Helena.
This isn't what I meant.
This is a chance for us to do something with our lives.
Now let's take it.
BARNABY: Why didn't you mention that you'd fallen out? We didn't.
Mr Auden, we have you on CCTV on the day Brandon was murdered.
It was nothing.
It was a friendly spat.
How about you qualify that and we'll decide if it was friendly or not? You've seen my sculpture.
Amazing, right? Brandon commissioned four others, but that was the only one he paid for.
So it wasn't that friendly, this "spat".
According to the CCTV, this argument took place less than an hour before Brandon was killed.
Just how angry were you? Not that angry.
I can easily find other buyers.
In a hurry, Mr Auden? Village meeting.
I thought I'd show my face.
Even though none of it concerns you? Are we done? Only you can't lock me up for arguing with someone.
No, you're right, we can't.
Let's hope we don't find something we can lock you up for.
That's all for now, Mr Auden.
BRIN: Er, thank you all for coming at such short notice.
While I know this is a time to be sensitive, it's also a time for hope.
And that hope comes in the shape of a wood.
A fabulous village-defining piece of land and Brandon naming Tony Pitt as his beneficiary.
Er Tony, are you sure about this? Yeah.
Brin, I'd er, I'd like to say a few words.
Er Of course.
Be my guest.
Er Tony.
(CLEARS THROAT) Hello.
I know what you all want to hear, so I thought I should tell you where I stand.
I've been very fortunate lately, but with that good fortune comes a legacy.
Plans, if you will.
And these are the same plans that Brandon had.
(AUDIENCE GROANS AND MUTTERS) I'm sorry, but more fences are gonna go up and extra space for new sculptures will be created.
(DISGRUNTLED MUTTERING) And as was Brandon's wish the mansion will eventually be turned into a gallery and an artist in residence appointed.
What? I'm very proud to be able to take up Brandon's mantle.
This is ridiculous.
You can't do this.
You're a man of the village.
That's all I have to say.
Tony! Don't turn your back on me! I assume you'll consider me for the residence post.
No, that decision's already been made.
What? Tony, look what you've done.
(CHATTER) Call Uniform.
Make sure Tony Pitt gets home safely.
Everyone hates us now.
Everyone.
To think we've been friends for nearly 20 years.
Mrs Monkford, I didn't know.
Of course you didn't.
Don't waste your time on her.
We need to think of a way through this and we will.
You have my word.
Come on.
I can do something about this.
I know I can.
Why on earth would he listen to you? Cos if I have to I'll make him.
Come on.
Wonderful meeting.
Don't start, Simeon.
You need to rectify this.
And if you don't, I will.
Are you OK? That was quite a mob.
Yeah, I'll be all right, thank you.
Well, if there's anything else I can do, just let me know, yeah? Oh, erm, actually, I know you must get this all the time, but could you take a look at these? They're just sketches.
Ah! But you've gotta be honest.
I'm never anything but.
Helena, get in the car.
We have to find your father.
(WHISPERS) I told you to stay away from her.
Hello.
I've been invited here to tell you all about what it's like being a policeman.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES) Are you signing Sykes up? Not sure he'd make the height requirement.
I thought it was all in your head.
Oh, these are just reminders.
You're not nervous, are you? Me? Well, don't worry.
You're not gonna be alone.
We've got other speakers.
There's gonna be a doctor, a dentist, a guitarist/singer, even an artist.
I seem to be surrounded by them at the minute.
Just concentrate on your own area of expertise.
Why don't you get Charlie and Kam to pitch in some ideas? Why didn't you think of that? (WHINES) (ELECTRICAL BUZZING) (BUZZING) (ENGINE STARTS) (MURMURS) (MACHINERY BLEEPING) BARNABY: Who found him? NELSON: Killion Staples, on his way into work.
Did you speak to the officers who took Mr Pitt home? They dropped him there and didn't see him leave.
I want to know what brought him out here.
He knew he'd upset a lot of people.
Why would he go wandering off? Check his phone records.
Kam? Key similarities to Brandon's murder.
Tony was struck on the side of the head and then dragged to a sculpture.
Must have taken some time to do this.
Time and thought.
This is much more elaborate.
The killer is going to extraordinary lengths to make some kind of statement.
Why wouldn't he listen? I said to him I said, "We have a decent life, a home.
We don't need anything else.
" I know this is a difficult time.
I'm sorry.
Do you know if your husband arranged to meet anyone? I don't think so, no.
Do you know when he left the house? I was asleep.
He was still up when I went to bed.
Helena? I was in my room, headphones on.
Has to be one of them.
The villagers hated what he was doing.
I saw the look in their eyes.
Mum.
You saw them.
We all did.
We're going to do everything we can to find your father's killer, but we will need help.
So anything you can tell us might be useful.
I tried.
I really, really tried to get him to change his mind, but he wouldn't listen.
We could find somewhere nicer.
What do you mean? Somewhere away from all this.
I know what you're going through, but I've put a lot into this place.
But it's over.
We could save ourselves a lot of time and effort by closing down and moving away.
To where exactly? And with what? We'll find a way.
We'll get married, have kids.
I'm not giving this up.
This is where I belong.
Not "we"? You know what I mean.
Yeah, I think I do.
Killion? Yeah? Where did you go last night? Sir.
You might want to hear this.
(PHONE BEEPS) BRIN: Tony, what you're doing is a mistake, so I'm telling you No, I'm warning you.
This stops now or you'll regret it.
I was angry.
You were there.
You saw it yourself.
That was a direct threat, Mr Dunne.
I really thought he was one of us.
That our prayers had been answered and he betrayed us.
(PHONE RINGS) He let the whole village down.
Nelson.
We'll have to check your story with Miss Staples.
Please have her call us, if you see her.
Very good.
Thanks.
Clemmy Staples have they found her? No, sir, but Uniform think they've found the murder weapon.
Clemmy'll have to wait for now.
(PHONE BUZZES) What were you talking to Helena about? It's more that she was talking to me.
She needs to stay away.
She's just a kid.
Listen, lovely, I'm here with you.
And I should go.
Yeah, you've got all those coffees to make.
It's a job.
It's a boring job.
(SHE GIGGLES) (PHONE BUZZES) The murder weapon, it's definitely a match.
I found traces of Tony Pitt's blood and hair on it.
SOCO found it 20 yards from Tony's body.
Fingerprints? No such luck.
So we've got two attacks, both seemingly impulsive.
But then the killer seems to have deliberately staged the bodies afterwards, turning them into pieces of sculpture.
Pull SOCO's pictures of this.
I'll bet it came from the climbing centre.
Sir.
Oh, did you get anywhere with my little challenge, Kam? Well, yeah.
One thing came to mind, really.
Every day brings up fresh challenges.
That's what I love.
Don't we all.
Thank you, Kam.
The lock's broken.
Haven't got round to fixing it yet.
So you were at the house last night.
You didn't go out and you didn't make any calls.
No.
Strange that your number is on Tony's call list.
just under a minute.
Mr Staples, let's try the truth this time.
I was hoping to make a deal with Tony.
"Stuff the house and the land, but let me keep my business.
" What did he say to that? He hung up on me.
You didn't arrange to meet with him? No.
And you stayed at home? That's not quite true, though, is it, Killion? You did slip away, for a half an hour or so.
Look .
.
I tried to meet up with him, I admit that.
We arranged it and I was there waiting.
He never showed.
I swear to you, he never turned up.
I can get away tomorrow.
Brin has a meeting with suppliers.
He should be gone most of the day.
We have to be careful.
He's got a lot of friends.
If anyone sees us I don't think we should risk it.
Don't worry.
I know how to get around without anyone noticing.
What I mean is erm I'd rather not.
Another day, then.
I'm going back to London.
I think we should leave it in this moment.
One we'll both cherish.
I didn't wanna start this again.
I know and I feel terrible.
Do you know what's out there for me? There's nothing! There's Brin.
You can't do this to me again.
(DOOR SLAMS) Full Path report on Tony Pitt.
Thank you.
How did you get on with the hate mail sculpture? Slowly.
Delaminating an adhesive hydrocarbon is proving tricky.
Brandon Monkford managed to offend just about every artist in the country.
These are the rejection letters.
There has to be a link.
You should call it a night, Charlie.
Yeah, you're probably right.
So did Barnaby ask you about his careers talk? Er, yeah.
Yeah.
He asked everyone here.
Sent round a group email this afternoon.
Did he ask you as well? Of course.
I guess your suggestions didn't quite cut it.
Well, let's just see whose ideas end up in the speech, shall we? Indeed, and whose ideas don't.
(CRUNCH) Ooh! (SIGHS) Betty did this? (CHUCKLES) Well, it wasn't me.
And I see Sykes has added his own little flourish.
So how's it going at Angel's Rise? I've told the Head of Art to cancel a trip to the Sculpture Park for now.
Very wise.
I wouldn't plan on that happening any time soon.
Is the collection at the park worthy of a school trip? It didn't feature many big names from the world of sculpture.
Well, he seems to have selected a handful of established names, but on the whole, Brandon was going for up and coming artists.
A savvy investment? Yeah.
New sculpture parks don't open very often.
The decision on whether to be included could make or break someone's career.
(CONCRETE SHATTERING) (CROWS CAWING) I told you this was about me! And why do you think that would be? It's obvious.
You heard those Philistines at the meeting.
Have we got anyone who saw or heard anything? Nothing yet, I'm afraid.
BARNABY: Brandon and Tony were both in charge of the park.
Now, this could be an aggrieved artist or someone opposed to Brandon's ideas.
(PHONE BEEPS) Either way, I'm not sure this is connected to our killer.
Kam wants to see us.
Hiya.
Quite a night with the girls? It was a great night.
Feeling a big delicate today.
What did you get up to? Just a night out on the town.
A bit of a late one, so I erm stayed on for a girly sleepover.
I expected more from you, Clemmy.
Sorry? After three years with Lance, you could've come up with something a bit more creative.
I saw you outside The Chequers.
You were putting your shoes on.
What is it with him? Brin! You seem happy, he shows up and you go haring after him.
It wasn't like that.
You can't even see it.
I was ready to give you everything.
You're the last person I want to hurt.
Then why do you do it? I'll tell you why.
Because you don't love me! Of course I do.
(DOOR SLAMS) Is it you I give the bill to? I don't know what you're talking about.
I created five sculptures and I only got paid for one.
Sorry, but that debt was with my father.
Well, I'd say it's with you now.
Let me assure you, there won't be any money coming your way.
Let me assure you, one way or another, I'm taking what's due.
KAM: "My hate for you has grown.
" Ah, you were right.
You never know what the day will bring.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you, sir.
You stole my line? No, that was my line.
(CLEARS THROAT) So I managed to dissolve adhesive Lance used to make the sculpture.
Obviously, Brandon had torn up the letters first, but the pieces inside were relatively unscathed.
And I found something.
They must have leant on this writing something else.
With the aid of a digital microscope, I managed to enhance this sample of handwriting.
It's very distinctive.
Oh, good work.
But there's no signature.
No, but there is on this.
I thought I recognised that writing.
BARNABY: Simeon Rowling, our local artist.
What exactly did Brandon do that angered you enough to send hate mail? You told my officers you were great friends.
Why the pretence, Mr Rowling? It was creative differences.
Nothing more, I promise you.
When I heard about the park, I thought I could create something for it.
So you submitted these and Brandon agreed to commission you? I waited and I waited.
Then I called him, you know, just to give him a gentle nudge.
And er (CLEARS THROAT) .
.
he He what, Simeon? He laughed.
Said he'd only been teasing and that I should've known that from the start.
Of course, I'd never feature in his park.
That must have been hard for you.
Mm.
I saw you rounding on Tony in the village hall.
Tony had turned you down, just like Brandon did.
I don't know what you're implying, Chief Inspector.
You have motive for killing both Brandon and Tony.
You sent Brandon threatening letters.
You don't have an alibi for either murder.
Where were you last night, Mr Rowling? Here.
Did you see anyone? No.
I was alone.
Did you go anywhere near the Sculpture Park? If you're asking whether I destroyed Lance Auden's overblown vanity piece, the answer's no - and I'm not crying for it either.
Lance Auden's a ruthless man.
I wouldn't put it past him doing it himself.
This place - the park, the house is the last thing I need .
.
so I want to give it back to you.
Summer, I-I don't know what to say.
I don't know what I need to sign, but all I ask is that we keep the gatehouse.
You'd honestly do that? Only if you're sure.
Just set things in motion, Fabian, and get things back to the way they were.
Of course.
(DOOR CLOSES) Didn't I tell you? It will all work out.
(KNOCKING) Oh, erm Mum's not in.
Actually, it was you I wanted to see.
I wanted to say how sorry I am about your father.
Might not be the right time, but I looked at your sketches.
You've really got something.
You think? Yeah, your work's wonderful.
You have a strong line.
It's confident.
You know what you're doing.
Obviously you've had lessons.
No.
Well, then allow me to offer my services.
You're serious? Deadly.
You have outstanding qualities and with a few gentle nudges, there's no telling what you could achieve.
What, so you would mentor me? Of course.
You're quite an astonishing girl.
(SIGHS) We still can't confirm Lance's whereabouts for either of the murders.
But what could he possibly gain from them? Is it about exposure again? The attention that these murders have got him and the park.
Yes, but Lance wouldn't destroy his own sculpture.
He wouldn't gain anything by that.
Well, then, maybe it's about revenge.
What do you mean? It seems that Brandon didn't confine his rejection letters to lesser-known sculptors.
Before making his work the centrepiece, look what Brandon had to say to Lance Auden.
(KNOCKS ON DOOR) Mr Auden? Causton CID.
Mr Auden? Nelson? NELSON: That's too close for comfort.
Put a call out to all units.
We need to find Lance Auden fast.
(BIRDSONG) Ah.
I need some charcoals and paper.
Absolutely.
What do you normally work in? Are all these yours? Indeed they are.
I expect you'll be working on a lot of new ideas, with all the attention coming your way.
That's the plan, yeah.
If you're short of inspiration, may I suggest a collaboration? What? I'll show you some of the new ideas I've been working on.
You're serious, aren't you? This is terrible.
(GIGGLES) This is my life.
Well, then, somebody should've told you long before now.
(LAUGHS) A collaboration! That's priceless.
(CHUCKLES) I've agreed to hand the estate back to the family.
Your dad might have wanted it, but we don't need it.
So where does that leave us? We get to keep our home.
I've got my job.
You've got yours.
We'll manage - somehow.
Well, maybe I've got my own plans.
And I'd love to hear them.
I'm not planning on staying around here any more.
Don't say that.
I need you now more than ever.
See, that's the whole problem.
I'm 19.
I'm not nine.
I can do what I like with who I like.
Look, there's a life here for you.
There is, I promise.
We just need to find it.
Well, maybe I already have.
And, like I say, it doesn't involve Angel's Rise.
Helena HELENA: At least someone believes in me.
Lance's car's been spotted near the Sculpture Park.
Let's get over there.
(SIREN WAILS) (RUSTLING) Hi.
(BARKING) Spread out.
I want Lance Auden found.
POLICEMAN: Let's get going.
(BARKING) Thank you.
What can you tell us, Kam? A similar story.
Again, the victim was hit hard, dragged and then posed for the sculpture.
The weapon? Hard to say, without further examination, but another blow to the head.
Again, the victim has defence wounds to his arms.
Lance Auden was probably facing his assailant.
So, just like the others, it's possible he knew his killer.
I'd say so.
Sir? We need to know who else has seen this portfolio.
Uniform found this scarf when they searched Lance's room.
It belongs to Clemmy Staples.
She knew all three victims.
She could've seen these pictures.
Lance Auden has been found dead.
Good God! Yes, I know, it's It's a terrible business.
But all the same, Lance's death is a .
.
a tragedy.
But you've no idea what it's done for us.
He can't be dead.
He can't be.
We know that you visited Lance's lodgings at the pub.
We found your scarf in his room.
Yes, I've been there before.
Did you see his art portfolio? I didn't go there to look at art, Inspector.
You were having an affair with him? Yes.
Does Brin know? Yes.
He'd seen us together.
Is he here now? I haven't seen him since this morning.
Sir? Whose clothing is that? It's Brin's.
You need to give me a list of places he might be.
Mr Dunne.
Mr Staples.
Chief Inspector.
We need to know both your whereabouts in the last 24 hours.
What's this about? Lance Auden's been murdered.
Well, I didn't touch him.
Mr Dunne, Lance's sculpture was destroyed before he was killed.
We have found gold paint from that sculpture on an item of your clothing.
You need to make a statement back at the station.
Look, I went out and smashed up his sculpture, but I'd never kill him.
Brin Dunne will be charged with criminal damage, but that won't be anything new to him.
I've checked his story.
It stands up.
So who stands to gain from Lance's death? Anyone who owns a piece of his work.
They'd be worth a fortune now.
See if anything's come up for sale recently.
Check auction houses, private sales, anything you can access.
Already on it, sir.
The killer has seen this.
If not Clemmy, then someone else.
Well, I've found a dealer.
They've put several pieces up for sale over the last 12 hours.
Asking prices are through the roof.
And the dealer is? Daniel Fargo.
Daniel Fargo introduced Brandon to Lance in the first place.
He's been buying Lance's work over a number of years.
So he stands to make a fortune now.
He's got motive.
He's involved in an affair with Alexandra Monkford.
Tony Pitt took the estate and Lance's death has made him a rich man.
Do we believe that he'd have access to Lance's portfolio? Daniel awarded Lance with the prize that made his career.
They've known each other for years.
Anything strike you as odd about these sculptures, Nelson? In what way? None of these works of Lance's being sold are in his portfolio.
Not one.
Perhaps the portfolio is for his new work.
Or perhaps the work in this portfolio isn't his.
What if another artist had created those death scenes? Who could that be? Helena has the answer.
Either she sat for them, or this is a self-portrait.
Lance's phone records show that he received a number of texts from Helena recently.
I'll deal with Daniel Fargo.
You find Helena Pitt.
(KNOCKING) (DOOR HINGES SQUEAK) Hello? Helena? BARNABY: Where's Daniel? I wouldn't know.
Mrs Monkford, three people have been murdered.
If you know where he is, you need to tell me.
Daniel has a stock pile of Lance's works.
They're not at his cottage.
If they're not here, where are they? There's an old barn.
Where? Can you show me? (GRUNTS) (SOFT RATTLING) Hello? (THUDDING) Who's there? (RATCHET CLICKING) Yeah, thank you.
That's very useful.
Thank you.
I found this.
It's Helena's.
We've got another artist.
That was the Royal College.
I'm pretty certain the death scenes are not Helena's work.
I need you to call for backup.
What's this? Please, just stay here.
Let's go.
I need backup to the Monkford house and surrounding areas.
Lance was a very average student at the art college.
He showed no sign of special promise until his final year, when he won the award.
He stole someone else's ideas then and he did it again for Brandon's Sculpture Park.
That drawing was a self-portrait, but it wasn't done by Helena.
(LIQUID SPLASHING) Summer.
Don't! Don't take another step! If it means anything, I know what Lance Auden did to you.
He stole your portfolios, your ideas.
Took them all.
You don't know what he really stole.
Some of those drawings were in honour of my mother.
She died before I started college.
He knew that and he took them anyway.
And passed them off as his own.
He took all the credit.
He was the love of my life, but he didn't want me.
He wanted my ideas.
Their prize-winning genius.
When I complained, they threw me out.
No-one would listen to me! I can only imagine what it was like seeing Lance again all those years later.
This man .
.
introduced him to Brandon for the park.
But when Brandon turned him down, Lance went back to your old portfolio, didn't he? That's where he got his centrepiece from.
SUMMER: That was my sculpture of my mother.
MY work.
I hadn't created anything in 20 years and there it was, right in front of me.
And you blamed Brandon.
Lance had no right to make it.
I went to destroy it and Brandon caught me.
I tried to tell him what Lance was like, but he didn't believe me.
He just laughed.
(ECHOING LAUGHTER) So I swung at him instead.
Tell me what happened between you and Tony.
(METAL CLANKING) He was my husband and he was supposed to protect us, but he was going to keep Lance in our lives for ever.
I begged him.
TONY: This is a chance.
Let's take it.
SUMMER: But he refused.
He turned his back on me, just like everybody else.
BARNABY: And then Lance went after your daughter and you saw history repeating itself.
SUMMER: Helena's the only one thing I have of any worth.
She's the one perfect thing there is.
Lance Auden was evil and I couldn't let him take her away from me, too.
(GROANS) What's? What's? What's going on? What are you doing? This has nothing to do with Daniel.
This man gave my prize to Lance.
My work and my life.
And Lance is gone now.
And Helena's safe.
You don't need to hurt anyone else.
Gone? He isn't gone.
Look around you.
He's in all of this.
All of this needs to be destroyed.
You're not someone who destroys, though, Summer.
You're still an artist.
What are you talking about? She's not an artist.
She's a raving lunatic.
Help me! Why else would you have arranged those bodies the way you did? I had so much to give.
If only people could have seen what I was capable of.
BARNABY: And we all saw it, Summer.
Finally, we saw your work.
Do you have any idea what it's like to look in the mirror .
.
and not see anything? This has to stop now.
Please tell Helena that I'm so sorry.
No.
I won't do that, Summer.
You said that Helena is the one perfect thing there is.
If you do this .
.
you'll destroy her.
Remember what it was like, losing your mother.
If you strike that match .
.
then you won't have protected Helena from anything.
Ah.
(SUMMER WEEPS) (SHE SOBS) About bloody time.
(SOBBING) (POLICE RADIO CHATTER) I had no idea.
I had no idea.
Mum.
Mum! A deeper meaning, sir? Every time, Nelson.
Every time.
(CHATTER OF CHILDREN) Good luck, darling.
(CLEARS THROAT) Hello.
I'm erm, Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby.
I'm a policeman (LAUGHTER) (CHATTER) .
.
and I've been asked here today to talk to you about my job.
One thing I love about it is that it's different every day.
Every day, I'm faced with a new puzzle .
.
and I keep going until I've found the answer.
(CHATTER) So how about that? (MUTTERING) (SIGHS) I'm sure you already have your dreams and ambitions.
To be a vet, or an architect, or to play football.
When I was your age, I knew exactly what I wanted to be.
A person who could go out every day and try to help people.
I couldn't be a doctor or a fireman.
But, as a policeman .
.
I can help to make the world a little bit safer.
So that people like you can go ahead and fulfil your dreams and ambitions.
And also I get to drive as fast as I like.
(LAUGHTER)
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