I thought
we might go to Sorrento.
For the honeymoon.
Good fishing there, is it?
- Oh!
- Hey!
Hey, you got one!
Reel her in. Reel her in.
- Whoa. There you go.
- It's gonna break!
What is it?
Turn your back.
Dottie, I said turn your back!
Nothing in the missing persons
records, sir.
Pardon us, gentlemen.
Dot asked me to drive her here.
- Dot, I told you not to come.
- She's Catholic, Hugh.
It's the scapular, sir.
Dot wanted to see it but...
I want to help.
Dot may know
which school or parish
favors whatever motto's on it.
Alright.
"Whoever dies
wearing this scapular
shall not suffer
eternal fire."
And the back?
"Behold the sign of salvation."
Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
That's no help.
Anybody could have that one.
Those look like rope burns.
JACK: She was bound
when Collins found her.
JACK: There's something else.
It was stitched into her smock.
The name's been washed off
but there's a religious symbol.
That's the Magdalene Laundry
mark.
From the Convent of the Sisters
of the Holy Miracle.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
The Fallen and Friendless girls
do our laundry.
(church bells and chanting)
Mother Aloysius.
Inspector Robinson.
The Bishop has cleared my visit
with you, I take it.
He didn't say anything
about you bringing a companion.
The Honorable
Miss Phryne Fisher.
Miss Fisher is a lady detective.
Yes, well, unfortunately,
City South Police are
yet to appoint any policewomen.
Thankfully I am happy
to serve that function.
In that case, I'm sure
the Bishop will approve.
Policewoman?
Don't worry, Jack. You'll never
get me in that uniform.
Unless of course you cuff me.
Mother. Mother, we've confirmed.
Catherine is to be apprenticed
to a milliner.
Oh! Well...
If your needlepoint is anywhere
near as good as I think it is,
you're going to be
a great success.
Wait by the gate, Catherine.
The cab will arrive presently.
The police are here about
Bernadette's disappearance.
Perpetua, who oversees
all our programs with the girls.
- And Sister Dominica.
- Don't we do your laundry?
You do indeed.
To absolute perfection.
Do you know
Bernadette's full name?
I'm afraid we don't.
She came to us as an orphan
some years ago now
and we named her for the saint.
- You said she's gone missing?
- Yes.
She was placed in employment at
the Federal Hotel some time ago
but she returned to us
late last night in a state.
PHRYNE: About what?
She was of the opinion hotel
kitchen hand was beneath her.
Hysterical. I couldn't calm her.
- I put her to bed.
- But by morning she was gone.
Again.
Are any of you familiar
with this?
We suspect
it could be Bernadette's.
I'm afraid we fished her body
out of the river this morning.
And it appears her death
wasn't an accident.
Oh, dear God!
I'll take you
through the laundry.
(girls cough)
This is where I put her
for the night.
- Not in the dormitory?
- It was past midnight.
She would have unsettled
the other girls.
We call it the penitence room.
Back to work now. You'll take
over from Agnes on the mangle.
My favorite job.
And remember
to beg our Lord's forgiveness
for you wicked,
ungrateful attitude.
If I do that, do you think
he'll start paying us wages?
Ada, go.
My name is Mary.
You ain't fit to kiss
the Holy Mother's feet,
let alone share her name.
Do you mean to tell me
these girls aren't paid?
They're blessed to live in
the Lord's house, Miss Fisher.
No-one gets paid here.
Magdalene Laundries are exempt
from the usual labor laws.
Do you think you could make it
any less harrowing?
This place is straight out of
the pages of David Copperfield.
How did Bernadette
get out of here?
Those were hanging
from the window.
- What's on the other side?
- The river bank, as it happens.
It's quite a drop.
Perhaps she slipped and fell.
I'll need to talk to the girls
one by one.
Of course.
Though we'd prefer
your policewoman wait outside.
I would prefer her presence.
The girls are grateful for the
shelter we provide, Inspector.
We don't want
to stir up dissatisfaction
with the talk of workers' rights
and regulations.
I'm sure you don't.
We're not a factory here.
We're a family.
If Miss Fisher keeps
her opinions to herself...
It's alright, Jack.
I'd rather leave than do that.
I do have other leads to follow.
And a new launderer to find.
And... voila.
These sheets were tied
with thief knots.
They'd never bear the weight
of a young girl.
Hm.
I do know my knots.
I'm curious as to how you do.
There was this Portuguese sailor
I once knew.
Enough.
So somebody prepared the rope
to explain Bernadette's escape.
- Who would need to do that?
- Whoever let her out.
- One of the girls?
- They're hardly forthcoming.
What do you expect? They live
in fear of the penitence room.
My father locked me in
a cupboard to break my spirit.
Clearly didn't leave you there
long enough.
What about Perpetua
or one of the nuns?
I can't imagine them
doing Bernadette a favor.
Oh, you've creased it now.
Come here.
Jack. Miss Fisher.
You do indeed keep close company
these days.
I was just on my way out.
I received
a disturbing telephone call
from a very irate bishop.
We need to tread very carefully
with the Catholic Church, Jack.
- You know that.
- A little too carefully.
If that laundry was run
outside of the convent
it would be in breach
of child cruelty laws.
SANDERSON: The Church answers
to a higher law.
And we're obliged
to respect that.
Which is why you're handing
the investigation over
to Detective Inspector
O'Shaughnessy.
O'Shaughnessy's an incompetent!
O'Shaughnessy may not be
up to your standards, Jack,
but he has the distinct
advantage of being Catholic.
It is now his case by order
of the Chief Commissioner.
Well, then,
I need to speak with him.
Chief Commissioner Hall
resigned this morning.
Well, who is his replacement?
- You're looking at him.
- Congratulations.
It's my first day on the job.
Don't make it
any more difficult.
Does George Sanderson
really believe
that a man with an O
in front of his name
will bring charges against nuns?
Leave it alone, Miss Fisher.
PRUDENCE: We worked so hard
to find jobs
for those convent girls.
The Gratitude girls were not the
ones we plucked from the gutter.
Only the best behaved
were chosen.
And the rest
were doomed to slavery
amongst the suds
at that hideous laundry?
Bad girls, good sheets,
and not a penny in wages.
I would have turned to
the convent if I hadn't met you.
They have no choice.
All the more reason
not to exploit them!
As for your "good girls",
are you telling me that
two of them have gone missing?
Joan did not go missing.
She absconded.
During my Gratitude Patrons'
dinner.
She wasn't even
part of the program.
But I gave her a chance.
A plum placement
in my very own household.
Bernadette had
a plum placement too,
at the Federal Hotel.
All of our board
are well connected.
The Worthingtons,
the Countens, the Fletchers.
And we all do what we can.
Fletcher as in Sidney Fletcher?
Yes, their eldest.
He's godson of George Sanderson,
Deputy Police Commissioner.
And fiancé
to Jack's ex-wife, Rosie.
You have a very roundabout way
of looking at things, dear.
Ah.
Yes.
There's Joan.
PHRYNE: Joan? She didn't seem
the runaway type.
(sighs)
She made a wonderful flummery.
But not even
those bottle-top glasses
could save my
Royal Albert tea set from ruin.
Morning, Sister.
The Honorable Miss Fisher's
laundry, as per usual.
Today's Wednesday.
As per usual is Monday.
"Eight sets of satin sheets,
18 pairs of smalls,
twelve camisoles."
- House guests.
- That woman.
Put it round the back.
Bless you, Sister.
Keep the noise down.
They're at morning prayers.
All clear.
Taking Holy Orders would have
been the easier option.
Call that driving?
Happy to swap cars if you like.
How will you get out?
Meet you out the front
in an hour.
Give me three good reasons why I
shouldn't scream the place down.
Give me three good reasons
why you should.
Why did Perpetua
call you Ada yesterday?
They change everybody's name
when you get here.
To saints.
What was Saint Ada's
claim to fame?
She was a dedicated virgin.
Hard act to follow.
This was the factory foreman's
idea, not mine.
You know I'm not the police,
Mary.
Did you see Bernadette
the night she came back?
I was reprieved on her account.
It was the first time in a month
I got to sleep in the dorm.
She was bawling like a baby
and begging Perpetua
not to let him get her.
Who?
She said something about a man
outside the hotel.
And she was
going on about a car.
A fancy black car.
- She was talking about Joan...
- Joan?
We called her Four Eyes.
The nuns' pet.
She and Bernadette
were best friends
until they sent Joan off to work
for some rich old battle-axe
who took a shine to her cooking.
Was Bernadette prone
to hysterics?
I hardly knew her.
They kept the good girls
away from us bad eggs.
But she left a message.
I only saw it there
this morning.
"112 De Vere."
- This has been scratched in.
- With these.
Joan's?
- Morning, Collins.
- Sir.
The autopsy report
on Bernadette.
Uh... give it to O'Shaughnessy.
He's in charge of this case now.
- But--
- Immediately.
Shall I send Mr Fletcher
to O'Shaughnessy too, sir?
You telephoned, asked him to
come in. He and your wife.
- Ex-wife. Ex-wife.
- Yes, Collins.
So why were you locked in there?
This time? I put Epson salts
instead of sugar
in the sisters' tapioca pudding.
They were up all night
with the shits.
I assure you I have
personally reassigned the case.
There will be
no more aggravation.
Commissioner. Perpetua.
Excellent drying weather,
wouldn't you say?
- You broke into the convent.
- No, of course not.
I was smuggled.
I thought these dilettante
society types slept till noon.
Unlawful trespass,
break and entry.
I want this woman
brought to heel.
Would you like me to
roll over and fetch too?
You seem to have
some sway over her.
Rosie. Sidney.
What are you doing here?
We were summoned.
At least Sidney was.
We've come to see
if we can help
with that poor convent girl.
And as a member
of the Gratitude Board.
So my aunt tells me.
I forgot
to cancel the appointment.
Father, I believe
you've taken Jack off this case.
- Why?
- It's a diplomacy issue, dear.
Jack understands. It's nothing
for you to worry about.
But if you don't keep
Miss Fisher under tighter rein
you may find yourself
suspended from all duties.
Goodbye, Miss Fisher.
Jack, I'm sorry.
Please tell me your break-in
was worth all this fuss.
You tell me.
Mary found these
in the penitence room
the day after Bernadette
did her disappearing act.
Joan's.
Aunt Prudence's runaway maid.
Only according to Mary,
Joan was a good girl and never
did time in the penitence room.
- How did they get there?
- Bernadette had them with her.
And she used the glass
to scratch this into the wall.
- 112 De Vere.
- An address?
Possibly.
Of the man she referred to?
Why scratch it into a wall?
Why not tell the nuns?
According to Mary she tried.
But perhaps they didn't listen.
Collins.
I really am very sorry, Jack,
that you're in so much hot water
because of me.
Don't be remorseful.
It only confuses me.
Collins, when I told you
to send on that autopsy report
immediately, I...
Hardly had time
to get onto it, sir.
Thank you.
It is addressed to me after all.
Thank goodness. I'd hate to
think you'd disobey a directive.
So was the victim already dead
or did she drown
in the river, sir?
Jack?
Drowned, Collins.
(sighs)
Can't have been pleasant
for Hugh to fish her out.
In the water overnight,
injury found under the hair
caused by a blunt instrument.
- But not the cause of death.
- No.
There was sea water
in the lungs,
notable from an exceptionally
high saline content.
Then the body can't have come
downstream from the convent.
It must have been
washed upstream from the bay.
Much further than that.
The lungs also contain
traces of red algae,
a type that is not found
in either the River Yarra
or Port Phillip Bay.
BERT: Here's where
Hugh and Dottie found the girl.
The Warmies.
Why do they call it that?
Because the water's warm
on account of the power station.
Tide comes in, tide goes out.
Anything bobbing about
in the bay or the river
can get caught up.
How do you explain the salt
water in Bernadette's lungs?
A foreign ship was dumping
ballast near where she went in?
So after leaving the convent
she winds up at the docks,
where she's fed to the sharks
and washed up river.
- That make any sense to you?
- Not yet.
If we knew
where the ship was from...
The Red Sea. It says here it has
an exceptionally high salinity
and that the reason it looks red
is because of a special algae.
Can we find out who's in port?
Cec's niece's husband
will know.
Excuse me, Miss Fisher.
There's a young lady here
demanding to see you.
Your lock pick.
Thank you. It worked a treat.
You're a bad influence,
Miss Fisher.
And no, you can't keep her.
Her is Mary. And I'm not sending
her back to that laundry.
She is clearly unfit
for heavy duties.
All I want is a job. Any job.
But who's gonna take in
a girl in my condition?
No. Absolutely not.
But you love a challenge,
Aunt Prudence.
Your very own Pygmalion.
Passion-fruit flummery.
I should have known.
Mary made it herself.
They do say charity
begins at home.
Honestly, Phryne.
I sit on 13 boards.
I spend most of my life
raising money for worthy causes.
Don't you think I do enough?
What is it, Bert?
We struck a snag
at the harbor master's office.
Cec's niece's husband doesn't
do family favors anymore.
Getting that ship's name
is going to cost.
- Where is he?
- He's a chatty one, old Ted.
Once you loosen his tongue.
Well, I think ten pounds
has loosened it too much.
Next time I'm planting petunias,
I'll ask your advice.
Thank you. Thank you.
Sorry, sir. De Vere Crescent
is Shannon's Nursery.
Damn!
- Maybe it's a name.
- And what are the numbers?
Post office box?
Motor registration?
De Vere sounds foreign.
She's a merchant ship
called the Pandarus,
on a run between Antwerp
and Melbourne via the Red Sea.
Captain's Belgian.
One William De Vere.
PHRYNE: 112!
A fancy black car.
BERT: Looks like our captain.
Ted says she docked
three weeks ago
and she's due to sail out
in another week.
- What's she carrying?
- The manifest says sugar.
Could be a cover
for something dodgy.
We'd better find a way
to get on board and find out.
MAN: Yeah, what about bilge?
MAN: Keep that hatch closed!
- MAN: Captain De Vere!
- What now?
- The davit's jammed again.
- Well, fix it.
There's been enough delays.
I want us back on schedule.
MAN:
We've tried but it won't budge.
I think it's broken.
Can't you do anything right?
So how did a good convent girl
like Bernadette
come to be in the cabin
of this Captain De Vere?
And why did he try to abduct her
from the Federal Hotel?
If it was him.
There's no car,
big, black or otherwise,
registered
in the name of De Vere.
Well, he's Belgian.
Must belong to an accomplice.
- What kind of car was it?
- A Cadillac.
Under normal circumstances
I'd take this to George.
Well, Commissioner Sanderson.
But you're already perilously
close to being out of a job.
You don't think it's wise
to antagonize him any further?
You're much more use to me
if you remain a policeman, Jack.
A policeman
who can't bring anyone
into the station
for questioning.
No offence but my parlor
is much more comfortable.
Why would a Gratitude girl
be in the cabin
of a Belgian sea captain?
We can only speculate
at the moment.
You think she was a stowaway?
That's one possible explanation,
yes.
Off to see the world.
But that doesn't explain
why Bernadette
carved the captain's name
into the penitence room wall.
Or why her hands were bound.
Perhaps she was discovered
in the hold.
Did Bernadette say anything
to the nuns about a ship?
She knew the name
of the captain.
So their paths
must have crossed.
- Any more than that?
- We don't know.
But whatever
happened to Bernadette,
we need to consider
Joan may have gone the same way.
PRUDENCE: You think
they ran away together?
(sighs) Perhaps I was
a little too snappy with Joan.
But she needed to learn.
Do you know if
any other girls went missing
from their Gratitude placements?
Jack, don't you think
you should pass all this
information on to Father?
Do you think that's wise?
Considering he took Jack
off the case.
He didn't have a choice.
The Bishop
was breathing down his neck.
And your constant meddling
hasn't helped.
FLETCHER: Darling, Jack's right.
As the new Chief Commissioner,
George's hands are even more
tightly bound that Jack's.
I'll get you a list
of the Gratitude employers.
- My address book's in the car.
- Good.
I'll get them onto Collins.
You've really made things worse
for Jack, you know.
Unusually devoted, isn't she,
for an ex-wife.
BERT: Pandarus was due to sail
next week.
But it turns out
she's sailing tonight.
- Sudden change in itinerary.
- Well, that's suspicious.
- She could have sailed already.
- Nah.
She won't go through the heads
until slack water.
Tonight around midnight.
I'll inform the Commissioner.
He'll have to act now.
You can wait for Sanderson
to act but I'm certainly not.
No, wait. Wait.
Whether he's trading
in kidnap or murder,
that captain's
a nasty piece of work.
I don't want anyone
to go near the docks.
Please, Miss Fisher.
Do what you're told
just this once.
I'll let you know what I find.
The Inspector's right. It's far
more dangerous than I imagined.
But I am well armed
and an excellent shot.
We can't do anything, miss?
A Thermos of tea
would be lovely.
What do you reckon, Cec?
Fists of steal?
Could be risky.
If weaponry is
your only problem, gentlemen,
I may be able to assist.
And this is the Mauser
"Broomhandle" semi-automatic.
Not quite as impressive
as the MP18,
but so much more compact.
These should do the job.
Thanks, Mr B.
Happy to help.
- You said that was handed in.
- Found at the docks.
Near the Pandarus.
That is certainly enough
for a raid warrant.
Good. We've only got
a few hours before she sails.
If you organize
the paperwork and the manpower,
Collins and I
can head to the docks.
I'm afraid not, Jack.
Look, I appreciate your help.
But this is not
your investigation
and you have already
overstepped the mark.
O'Shaughnessy's an imbecile.
If that ship sails, you'll be
letting a murderer get away.
I am aware of O'Shaughnessy's
limitations, Jack.
That's why I'll be
leading this raid myself.
But I'm ordering you
to stop interfering.
If you disobey,
I won't hesitate to dismiss you.
(screaming)
The doctor says it's too late
to go to the lying-in home.
He'll get here
as soon as he can.
I don't need a doctor.
It's not my time.
- Hold on to me.
- (moans)
Oh, dear.
I'll boil up some water
and get the scissors sterilized.
And bring some towels,
Mr Butler. Loads of towels.
No, no, no, no,
don't bring anything!
- It's not my time!
- Nonsense, girl.
(cries) Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.
I have been bad and wicked
and God is going to let the nuns
take my baby away.
God will do nothing of the kind
or he'll be answerable to me.
Now pull yourself together,
girl. You've got work to do.
It's not called labor
for nothing.
(cries and moans)
No sign of the black car.
No-one on deck either.
It looks like
the coast is clear.
Keep your head down
and the doors locked, Dot.
You know what they say
about rats and sinking ships.
Maybe De Vere's been warned.
If he had been Pandarus would be
halfway out to sea by now.
Well, if they are
hiding anybody on board,
it's gonna be hard to find them.
Smugglers are a crafty lot.
How do you think we get your
Champagne into the country?
Or that Russian caviar
you're so partial to.
Here I was thinking you picked
it up from Victoria Markets.
(clanking)
Who's there?
- Joan!
- Miss Fisher!
Is that you? I can't see!
(Joan sobs)
- Joan, it's alright.
- Please, we have to leave.
- Please, they'll come back.
- Sh.
- Please.
- You're safe now.
You're safe now.
Here.
This tea should keep you warm.
Here.
What's happened to Miss Fisher?
- I hope she finds the others.
- What others?
I was locked up with the others
before they brought us water.
That's when I escaped.
Come on. We're going back.
Rightio.
Get out of the car! Come here!
Oh, you poor lambs.
(gun cocks)
I'm afraid
I'll have to tie you up.
But I'm sure you'd prefer
your own cabin anyway.
Come down.
Now.
Collins.
Any news on the raid?
No, sir,
but I managed to track down
some more details
on that black motorcar.
It's registered to a company,
sir. An SWF Exports.
SWF. Sounds familiar.
Who owns it?
What are you doing here, Jack?
I told you
everything was under control.
Doesn't look like it.
Where's your manpower?
I will handle this
any way I see fit.
You two set one foot on that
ship, your jobs are finished.
- You can go, Collins.
- No.
Thank you, sir.
You can reprimand me.
You can dismiss me if you like.
But I am searching that ship.
Where is she?
I told you not to set foot
on this ship.
George, what the hell
are you covering up?
I warned you, Jack.
Constable, handcuff him.
Handcuff him to this post.
And leave him there.
Miss Fisher!
Phryne! Miss Fisher!
- (mumbling)
- Miss Fisher! Where are you?
- Miss Fisher!
- PHRYNE: Jack!
Jack!
- Miss Fisher!
- Jack!
Jack! The girls are locked in
the front hold
and Fletcher's behind it all.
(gunfire)
We've got to get the girls
before Fletcher does!
Hey!
Dottie!
Fletcher!
Stop! Stop!
- Shall we fish him out, sir?
- Suppose we have to.
Make sure you take your time.
Dot, Bert, Cec, well done.
Fists of steal, miss.
Fists of steal.
You wouldn't let me take my vows
so I was serving the Church
however I could.
By sending those girls away?
Ten pounds a piece,
De Vere paid me.
And every penny of it went into
the good works fund, Mother.
I swear it. Ten pounds a piece!
And Fletcher made sure
all the chosen girls
were white, fair-haired,
and virtuous.
What's known in the trade
as "white gold."
You used innocent girls
to further your own cause.
Innocent? They were born
out of wedlock, most of them.
The offspring of whores.
Their souls were already lost.
It's your soul that's lost,
Perpetua.
I lost them
at the back of that car.
PHRYNE:
And Bernadette found them
when De Vere tried
to abduct her the same way.
Your spectacles
were Bernadette's warning.
To flee.
She left them for me?
PHRYNE: Along with the clue
that we needed to find you all.
But why did they kill her?
She'd already escaped once.
And she knew too much.
PHRYNE: The captain was
carrying out Fletcher's orders.
I hope he burns in hell.
JACK:
Fletcher's bargaining power.
All souvenirs
from the best clients,
the best brothels, in town.
There is nothing of mine
in that box.
I tried to close down
the brothels.
He couldn't blackmail me.
But he could bribe you.
By promising to bring down
Commissioner Hall with all this.
So you could take his place.
You'll have to prove it first.
True.
And luckily, we have a witness.
The night
of my aunt's Gratitude dinner,
her scullery maid, Joan,
overheard you and Fletcher
having a heated discussion
on the verandah.
We know you did him favors,
protected Fletcher,
turned a blind eye to his cargo.
PHRYNE: Joan wasn't meant to be
on that ship, was she.
She was abducted
because she'd heard too much.
Who's going to believe the word
of a guttersnipe?
Against that of the
Chief Commissioner of Police.
My aunt, Prudence Stanley,
happens to be very fond of Joan.
So she will come
with the highest references,
and have the best legal
representation money can buy.
I looked up to you, George.
I respected you.
I didn't know what Fletcher
was up to, Rosie, I swear.
How could you not know?
Those poor girls!
Please.
Please try to understand.
How could you?
I can't look at you.
ROSIE: Oh, God!
(sobs)
- I'm sorry.
- Ooh! Don't! Don't!
(sobs)
- Are they always this red?
- Always.
But the doctor says
this one is as strong as an ox.
Aren't you, my little man?
Wonderful. Now all we need to do
is find a placement for Mary.
She already has a placement,
with me.
Once she's completely recovered,
of course.
- Doing what?
- She can assist Cook.
I have no doubt that her soup
will come up to scratch
once she's had
a bit of practice.
And her flummery?
Quite good, actually.
It's alright, Mrs Stanley.
I can take over.
Good. Thank you, Dot.
Bye-bye.
(knocking)
How am I going to be able to
come home to you and our kids?
When my head's so full of all
these terrible things people do.
That girl wasn't much younger
than you, Dottie.
If you hadn't met Miss Fisher,
that could have been you.
But I did meet Miss Fisher.
And it wasn't me.
And there are good things
in the world too.
Look.
I thought you were with Rosie.
I was.
Is it too late?
Never.
I've never seen her
like that before.
She was in shock.
She just needed some company.
She needed you, Jack Robinson.
The man who always does
the right thing.
The noble thing.
- Not always, Miss Fisher.
- Was that the baby?
Oh. It's very late, Inspector.
Yes. Yes, it is.
But I'm glad
we cleared up that detail.
So am I, Jack. So am I.
- (baby gurgles)
- It's alright, little man.
I'm coming.
Until our next
murder investigation then.
I look forward to it.
The investigation,
not the murder.
Of course.
Jack.
Miss Fisher.