INAUDIBLE CHATTER
God of all you survey, Father?
It is an extraordinary achievement.
Congratulations, Joe. And you, Peter.
Pete did all the hard work.
Hal You think he's joking...
HE CHUCKLES Oh!
They keep on coming.
You must be proud of your husband, Jennifer.
Not enough to forgive him for abandoning me these last three years.
No tears for my wife, please, Father. I lost her to Amateur Dramatics years ago.
FATHER BROWN: You were wonderful in The Provoked Wife last month.
Thank you, Father.
Is that St Mary's?
FATHER BROWN: Marvellous!
I'm glad you like it. - Oh!
I'd already had their models made. I hope you don't mind.
FATHER BROWN: Nice to see them again.
Have you heard from them, Father?
Mrs McCarthy wrote from Ireland last week.
She says she misses Kembleford but she's sure she made the right decision to move back.
Her wayward sister has suffered another heartbreak.
What about Bunty?
She's on safari in Aftica, having the adventure of a lifetime.
Kembleford's loss, though.
Well, you can't keep a butterfly in a jar, can you, Father?
No.
Pete!
Oh, will you excuse us?
You can take the girls, if you like.
MAN: Feeling abandoned, Father?
INSPECTOR SULLIVAN: Yes, well, Inspector Mallory's successor
has been delayed.
They asked for someone to fill in for a few days.
FATHER BROWN: I thought you'd had your fill of Kembleford?
I needed a port in a storm.
I discovered my boss has been lining his pockets
accepting bribes from an East End mob.
His hearing is tomorrow. He's clearly in for the chop.
Let's just say things have been a little tense in Special Branch.
I can imagine.
Speaking of tense...
I hear Inspector Mallory asked to be transferred
as far away from you as possible.
Inspector Mallory assured me he was moving to Scotland for the golf
and I have no reason to doubt him.
Chief Inspector.
Father.
Funny, seeing yourself like that.
Excellent likeness, Sergeant.
Really?
Harry Grover!
What are you doing here?
I paid like everyone else, Joe.
Oh! It's an ambush by the Parish Council.
Got to be honest, I prefer your two-inch versions.
PETER: You're not welcome here, Grover.
Oh, I gathered that.
You know, my houses are a darn sight prettier
than those eyesores.
What a shame you won't get a chance to build them in Kembleford.
No one wants you in this village
so why not do the dignified thing and pack your bags?
Oh...
See you tonight at the village hall.
Mrs Jones, what may I ask appeals to you most
about the position of Parish Secretary?
Well, Father, I love the smell of churches!
To be honest, I need an excuse to get out of the house.
If Mrs McCarthy did it, how difficult can it be?
You need help, Father.
I do, Mrs Burns.
I am thorough, tidy and highly organised.
With me in charge, you will be free to concentrate entirely on the Lord's work.
And as a regular member of St. Mary's congregation
I need hardly question your commitment to the Lord.
I haven't missed a Sunday Mass since I was eight.
I can recite the entire Penny Catechism off by heart.
Not even Mrs McCarthy could manage that.
I will let you know my decision by this evening, Mrs Burns.
That is acceptable.
Good day, Father.
Good day to you.
HE SIGHS
Mrs McCarthy, I think we have just found your natural successor.
DOOR OPENS
Oh! I'm so sorry, Father.
Oh... Bit of a wardrobe drama.
Mrs Devine, isn't it?
Yes! Or Isabel. Whichever, really.
Uh, please.
Oh, thank you.
SHE SIGHS SLOWLY
So... this is it!
Kembleford's very own 221B Baker Street.
It's not normally this untidy.
Oh, you should see my house.
Chaos!
SHE CHUCKLES
Mrs McCarthy and I both enjoyed your performance in The Provoked Wife.
Oh, a minor role.
Jennifer Mossop completely stole the show.
I understand you're heavily involved in the Kembleford Players.
Oh, yes.
Acting, selling tickets, mending the set. It's my great passion.
Plenty of room for God as well, of course.
As long as He doesn't clash with rehearsals.
SHE GIGGLES
Ahem.
Would I be allowed to join in your investigations?
The successful candidate could certainly get involved if they were so inclined.
Wonderful.
Uh, but that is, of course, only a small part of my work here.
Absolutely.
First and foremost, the Parish Secretary must have a tidy, efficient, and organised mind.
Oh, like to think my organised, tidy and...
Efficient? - Efficient mind is a particular strength.
Excellent.
In that case...
would you mind taking a look at this sheet of accounts from St. Mary's?
Of course.
I see. Interesting.
Very interesting, in fact.
Any observations?
Err...
INDISTINCT CLAMOURING
Please! Let Miss Streatham speak!
I love Kembleford.
I was born here. So was my late father.
The last thing I would do is threaten what makes our village so special...
This is how you show your love for Kembleford?
Two hundred houses that we don't want
built on our precious green fields?
The only people that will benefit from this travesty of a plan
are my sister here...
and that snake oil salesman over there.
Perhaps our village could benefit from new people, Brendan.
Change isn't always bad.
With respect, Scarlett, we don't want Kembleford to change.
We want it to stay exactly as itis.
THEY CHEER "HEAR!"
Hundreds more customers for your shops.
Hundreds more people putting money on your tables.
Your Parish Council insists that that doesn't matter to you.
But I wonder if that's true.
What you catch, you keep!
THEY CLAMOUR
You're a disgrace, Harry Grover!
Don't worry, after the vote tomorrow
that idiot will be gone from Kembleford for good.
Thank God.
Chief Inspector?
Isabel...
Err, Mrs Devine.
Hello.
You're back.
Just for a few days.
Um... I'l sit in the car, sir.
Yes, uh...
So, how is your husband?
Oh, Ronald passed away.
I'm very sorry. He was a good man.
Yes, he was.
Thank you.
Ah, uh, good day to you, bye-bye.
Mrs Devine.
Might I have a word?
Of course, Father.
Thank you for your enthusiastic interview.
Oh, not at all. Thank you!
I'm afraid I am giving the position to another candidate.
Oh no.
A difficult decision, I can assure you.
And I'm very much looking forward to your next performance
for the Kembleford Players.
Of course. Thank you, Father.
Well, if you'll excuse me...
Mrs Burns? - Thank you.
Ha-ha! Hello, Mrs Devine!
PETER: Father.
Peter.
You wanted to see me.
Yes. To ask a small favour, actually.
The Parish Council would like you to be the independent observer
at the Streatham Meadow vote this evening.
Having you there may help to, well, diffuse the tension.
Ah, yes, well, I would be delighted.
Marvellous, thank you.
INDISTINCT CHATTER - Oh, excuse me.
Hello again, Joe.
And what are you doing here?
What are you doing here?
HE GRUNTS
In nomine Patris et Fill...
Nothing was stolen, in case you were wondering, Father.
Ah, much obliged to you, Sergeant.
No sign of a struggle.
It would appear that poor Joe knew his assailant.
Ah, thank you, Father. I'd got that far.
Joe used to walk his dog along this path
at exactly the same time every day.
I used to see him when I was visiting.
We would obviously have found that out, too, in due course.
And there is something else you may wish to consider, Chief Inspector.
Yes?
Earlier today, when I was at the model village
I found that the miniature figurine of Joe
had been moved into this exact spot.
Someone clearly heard about the murder and moved him to his last resting place.
Except that according to Joe's daily dog-walking routine
he was murdered within the last hour.
And his statue was moved at least two hours ago.
Uh... hang on, Father.
Are you saying you saw some kind of... prediction of this murder?
Prediction...
anticipation.
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure we're ready to bring voodoo into this just yet.
Given the tensions in the village hall last night
I'd like to speak to that developer, Harry Grover.
I can show you where he's staying.
Ah.
Leaving us so soon, Mr Grover?
I'm a realist.
Meaning?
You were there last night.
Only a madman would believe the Parish Council
will vote for my development now.
Well, the vote just got a bit closer. Joe Telford is dead.
What?
He was stabbed on the footpath just two minutes away.
The poor chap. That's terrible.
We understand he walked down that path at the same time every morning.
HE SCOFFS
Why the hell would I kill Joe Telford?
I already told you.
Streatham Meadow is a lost cause.
SULLIVAN: Anger? Bitterness?
Where were you between 9 and 10 this morning?
Here. Packing.
Alone.
£150!
Quite a sum.
Well, I gave it all away last night.
What can I say? I'm a generous man.
I estimate your largess last night
to be nearer £50.
I like to carry cash.
Well... are you going to arrest me for that?
You lost a very dear friend.
I'm sorry.
He was the other half of me.
You've got a nerve!
I'm paying my respects like you are, Brendan.
I'm very sorry for your loss, Peter.
But this is nothing to do with us.
You're happy to cash in on the soil carrying our father's ashes.
What else are you capable of?
Oh, give it a rest.
You're so full of anger at what Dad did, you can't see straight anymore.
PHONE SLAMS DOWN
ANGRY SHOUTING
OBJECT SMASHES
Is everything alright, sir?
No.
My corrupt boss has just been cleared of all charges.
I thought you said you caught him red-handed?
I did. It's a stitch up.
A travesty.
So, what you gonna do now, sir?
HE SIGHS
The moment I clear this case up, I'm going straight back to London.
That snake isn't getting away with this!
Clear that up.
There you are, Father.
Mrs Burns.
Oh!
Our two o'clock meeting!
I waited at St. Mary's for over an hour.
I'm so sorry. Events have rather...
You heard about poor Joe Telford?
Oh. A good man.
Though his attendance at Mass could be erratic.
Well, I found his miniature lying here in the exact spot
where he was killed
an hour before the crime took place.
Do we suppose that the murderer put him here?
"We"? Don't ask me.
I just want to get started.
What with the choir arriving this afternoon
and more votive candles to order...
I'm afraid our tour of St. Mary's will have to wait, Mrs Burns.
Ohl - I fear a woman's life is in danger.
Oh!
FATHER BROWN: Jennifer.
She's not breathing...
You mind your head, sir.
You're claiming this murder was also "announced" at the model village?
Yes.
Do you have any explanation for this strangeness?
No.
Well, while you muse over that, I'm going to do the old fashioned thing
of charging the man found standing over the body, holding this.
The same size of knife that killed Joe.
Grover's blade of choice, it seems.
Why would Jennifer meet Harry Grover?
He was the enemy.
Everyone has their price, Father.
Found in Grover's jacket pocket.
He was trying to bribe her.
I was on my way to see Scarlett, to discuss tonight's vote.
As I drove past Streatham Meadow
I recognised Jennifer's car in the lay-by.
I stopped, looked over the stile and I saw her.
I mean, I tried to help her, I took out the knife, but, um...
Here's what really happened.
You arranged to meet Jennifer Mossop in that field to pay her a bribe.
She turned you down, didn't she?
You saw your chance of a big pay day slipping away?
The red mist descended?
Same as when Joe Telford turned down your dirty money?
No!
Look... none of that happened!
What have I done? Why is God punishing me?
Peter, I wish I could give you an easy answer.
Harry Grover will hang, I assume?
I don't believe he's the culprit.
The man's guilt is as clear as day.
FATHER BROWN: But Harry is no fool.
If he killed Jennifer and Joe, he'd have covered his tracks.
Only a fool would have thought
that Kembleford would have voted for his proposal!
I think he's been framed.
And if I'm right, and the killer is still at large
then you two need to be extremely vigilant.
Father Brown!
Oh, Father Brown!
A little faster, Hercules, there's a good boy.
Mrs Devine.
Can it wait?
Not really. You see, it's about Jennifer.
Jennifer Mo--
MRS DEVINE SCREAMS
SHE GASPS
Oh!
Oh, Hercules, I've killed Father Brown!
SHE GASPS
Oh!
Oh, thank the Lord!
Are you alright, Father?
I'm not sure yet.
Don't worry. I'm an experienced first aider.
I drove ambulances in the war.
Tell me where it hurts.
Nowhere.
Are you sure?
Yes. - HE TAPS THE GROUND
Nature's own mattress.
SHE SIGHS Oh.
Oh!
You were pedalling awfully fast.
Not fast enough to avoid you, Mrs Devine.
Now, you say you have some information?
Yes!
Harry Grover was cast to play Jennifer's lover, Constant
in The Provoked Wife.
Yes.
Well, after the first few rehearsals
Harry admitted he was only doing it to win support for his development.
Jennifer was furious
and she insisted that Mildred, the director, replace him.
Anything else?
Mrs Devine, before you dislodged me from my bicycle
I was on my way to speak to a key suspect
in the murders of Jennifer Mossop and Joe Telford.
Oh, this is just typical of me.
Diving in and messing things up.
Enthusiasm is an admirable quality, Mrs Devine.
Most of the time.
I'm so sorry, Father.
It's just... it's been two years since my Ronald died, and...
well, I suppose I was just desperate for some excitement.
And the prospect of working with the great Father Brown
solving crimes and having these marvellous adventures, well...
I just really, really wanted that job.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no. No need to apologise, Father.
I would've given it to Mrs Burns, too.
Oh.
The rehearsals
between Harry and Jennifer, how were they?
I don't know. I wasn't there.
Ah.
Well, good day, Mrs Devine.
Good day, Father.
Oh, Hercules.
What a fool I am.
SCARLETT: Peter Mossop is a good man.
He doesn't deserve this.
COCKEREL CROWS
FATHER BROWN: Are your father's ashes really scattered on Streatham Meadow?
SCARLETT: It was his favourite spot in the world.
And yet you want to build houses on it?
Yes.
Because that's the only way I can keep his beloved farm going.
I've got debts, Father, huge ones.
I promised Dad I'd keep this place going.
Turns out I'm not as good at farming as I thought.
So you need to win this vote.
I didn't kill them, though, if that's what you're thinking?
When Jennifer was murdered, I was working flat out here.
Tom will back me up.
COCKEREL CROWS
Why did you fall out with Brendan?
My brother has all these principles, his funny ideas.
No chemicals, no harming animals.
He's one of those "vegetarians".
He used to insult Dad, tell him he was a dinosaur.
They fell out, and when Dad died, he left me the farm.
Brendan's been furious with me ever since.
Does your brother know about your debts?
Hm! God, no.
I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
I can already see the smile on his face when we lose the vote tonight.
On a majority decision of two to one...
the development of Streatham Meadow has been approved.
CROWD GROANS AND BOOS
What? - That can't be!
THEY CLAMOUR
How could you? You hypocrite!
It wasn't me, Peter, as you well know!
And you got what you wanted.
As usual.
That farm's rubbish.
Disgusting. Why did you do that?
Ladies and gentlemen, please.
Thank you, Father. I can handle myself.
This is the end of Kembleford.
Who knows, Mrs Burns.
Having new people in the village might be a good idea.
Yes, but what kind of people will they be, Father?
Father Brown, if Peter or Brendan voted in favour of the development
doesn't that make them a murder suspect?
It does indeed, Mrs Devine.
SHE GASPS: You've already worked out how to prove who it was, haven't you?
I can't believe Brendan betrayed us!
Betrayed Joe and Jennifer!
If it's any comfort, no houses will be built
whilst Harry Grover is in a cell charged with murder.
Thank goodness.
Can I get you a drink, Father?
Erm, a little early for me, but perhaps a glass of water.
Of course. Ahem.
No.
CAR HORN HONKS
MRS DEVINE: Father Brown!
Father!
After the vote, I spoke to Mildred who directed The Provoked Wife.
Apparently, Jennifer's scenes with Harry were "electric".
Mildred was devastated when she had to replace Harry.
Well... that is interesting.
The rehearsals for The Provoked Wife...
were they every evening?
Lord, no. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Why?
I think I will pay Harry Grover a visit.
Get me a confession, Father.
Thank you, Sergeant.
Aren't you going to congratulate me on my stunning victory?
No. I'm not sure you ever really wanted to win that vote.
HE SIGHS
Chief Inspector Sullivan got it wrong.
You did arrange to meet Jennifer in Streatham Meadow
but not to bribe her.
What?
Kembleford Players...
meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
But Jennifer told Peter she was rehearsing
four or five evenings a week.
So?
I believe that she met you on those other evenings.
I also believe the truth will be your friend in this, Harry.
I signed up for the play to win Jennifer's vote.
I didn't plan on falling in love with her.
So why did Jennifer get you fired from the production?
Well...
it was getting quite intense between us.
She was afraid people would realise what was going on.
The packed bags. The cash withdrawal.
You were planning to run away together.
That was why you met her in Streatham Meadow?
When I got there, Jennifer, she was, err...
already, erm...
I asked her who did it, but... she couldn't speak.
When I took out the knife...
I was holding her when she went...
HE EXHALES SHARPLY
How did you arrange to meet her?
HE SIGHS
I sent her a note.
Did you know about Jennifer and Harry?
I saw her coming out of his house one evening.
When she was supposed to be at a rehearsal?
I didn't think I could hate the man more than I already did.
What did you say to Jennifer?
I said nothing... and I did nothing.
Why, Peter?
Because I knew turning a blind eye
was the best chance I had of holding onto her.
Harry would lose the vote
and leave Kembleford.
The affair would end and Jennifer would come back to me.
I'had it all worked out. Everything was going to be fine.
Still keeping up the act, I see, Brendan.
HE SCOFFS
I believe the police graphologist will identify one of these
as your handwriting.
HE CHUCKLES
Why on earth would the police be interested?
Because it would make you a suspect
in Jennifer and Joe's murder investigation.
Father.
What I'm about to tell you is in upmost confidence.
You have my word.
You're right. I did vote for the development.
Compromising your principles and gifting your sister a fortune.
Why?
Because I want to save Streatham Farm.
On my last visit to see Scarlett
I spotted a bank letter about her mountain of debt.
Suddenly everything made sense.
If she doesn't build on Streatham Meadow, she'll have to sell the farm.
But why does it matter to you?
Your father disowned you and cut you out of his will.
I disagreed with my father, but...
I never, ever wanted us to lose the farm.
If Jennifer and Joe had still been alive
you'd still have lost the vote.
Yes, but they weren't.
I saw an opportunity and I went for it.
You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I killed them.
I couldn't even wring a chicken's neck.
Oh, Father! I was seeking inspiration.
Great minds think alike.
I was putting the suspects where they say they were
when Joe was murdered.
Oh! - Oh, that's Harry.
At home, packing.
Brendan has just admitted that he voted for the development.
Why?
To save Streatham Farm.
Gosh!
He was in Hambleston talking to a farmer
about natural farming methods
when Joe was murdered.
MRS DEVINE: Right.
Joe and Jennifer's models were moved before they died.
Maybe the murderer is using the model vilage as a sort of map
to choose the best place for murder.
Did you move me, Mrs Devine?
No, Father Brown.
Brendan is not the killer.
Right. - Scarlett.
Her farm hand swears he was with her at the time of Jennifer's death
so that counts her out.
Which leaves Peter and Harry.
Peter has a motive for killing Jennifer.
But he would never have murdered Joe.
That's one thing everyone can agree on.
Yes, everyone does agree on that.
Oh.
Father?
Ora pro nobis.
I need to get to the police station.
I'l come with you.
No. Continue your search for the smaller me, and please be alert.
If I'm right...
the killer is one of the most troubled souls I have ever known.
Where are you, Father?
BICYCLE BELL RINGS
Father!
Peter.
Where are you off to?
To tell Chief Inspector Sullivan he's got the wrong person.
The Streatham Meadow controversy was just a smokescreen
for the real murder motive, wasn't it, Peter?
Which was?
Afew days ago...
you found a note from Harry to Jennifer
arranging to meet at Streatham Meadow to discuss leaving you.
I imagine that that was the first time you realised that they were having an affair.
In your anger, you decided that they both deserved
the ultimate punishment.
Peter?
Hello, darling.
Why are you here?
To tell you I love you.
CAR APPROACHES
Come here, my angel.
CAR DOOR OPENS
SHE GRUNTS
SHE WHIMPERS
Goodbye, Jennifer.
PETER: Quite the theory, Father.
However, you seem to have forgotten that the person that killed Jennifer
also killed Joe.
You knew...
that when Jennifer's affair with Harry came to light
you'd be the main murder suspect.
But you calculated that the best way to deflect suspicion
and to save yourself from the gallows...
was to murder Joe.
What are you doing here?
JOE GRUNTS
FATHER BROWN: You killed an entirely innocent man
that you loved as a brother?
Evil can take men to places...
that still surprise me.
Too clever by half, Father.
Harry Grover's in a cell.
You kill me, that will prove his innocence.
All those dangerous criminals you've helped put away?
All those grudges?
When the police find you here dead, they won't know where to start.
The first thing I did when I found that note was to show it to Joe.
He told me he already knew about the affair.
He said he'd seen Jennifer come out of Harry's house
on his dog walks.
He said he'd kept it quiet because he wanted to spare me.
But I knew the real reason.
He was worried I'd be distracted from finishing the model village.
I didn't tell him how angry I felt.
But it made the blade go in alittle easier...
CAR HORN HONKS
CAR SCREECHES
I found you, Father.
Yes.
You did.
I owe you, Father.
Five pounds in the collection box should cover it.
So...
are you ready to build Kembleford's future?
I can't stay here. Not without Jennifer.
Where will you go?
No idea, but...
I'l find some place soon, I'm sure.
People may stamp and shout, but Britain needs houses.
That isn't going to change.
Thanks again, Father.
HE SIGHS HEAVILY
I see you've lost none of your recklessness, Father.
Still, I can now get back to London.
I'd like to say it's been a pleasure.
At least it's been brief.
Uh, Chief Inspector?
A telephone call from London, sir.
Father! Where on earth have you been, Father?
Mrs Burns. What's happened?
You ordered the wrong candles.
And you forgot to mention the altar servers' practice
in the newsletter.
I... 1 think we need a discussion about your priorities, Father.
Yes, Mrs Burns. I think we probably do.
Hello, Father.
You two seem surprisingly cheerful.
Scarlett's asked me to help run the farm with her.
If we work together, we think we might just be able to save it.
No chemicals, though.
That sounds like a marvellous plan.
Excuse me.
Mrs Devine...
MRS DEVINE: Oh, Father. I was just bringing you home.
Thank you.
Mrs Devine, I suggested to Mrs Burns that she look for alternative employment.
Gosh. Why?
Most of Kembleford seems very happy to stand still
but I think it needs a change.
I think Kembleford needs somebody...
more open-minded
more tolerant of the world...
and of me.
And...
and someone who drives a car like an ambulance.
Yippee!
Quick confession, Father.
I haven't been to Mass since Christmas Day.
Yes. I know.
CAR DOOR SLAMS
Still here, Chief Inspector?
Inspector Mallory's successor has pulled out.
And my underhanded scheming boss
has me transferred here on a permanent basis.
I sense disappointment.
Disappointment? Oh...
Until I can prove his guilt, I'm stuck in this...
God-forsaken backwater for good.
It's dreadful news, Chief Inspector, really.
Why did Inspector Mallory's successor pull out?
He was put off by stories of an "interfering priest".
Mrs Devine.
You never know.
Maybe he'll get used to being back here.
Maybe he will.