Chemistry of Death (2023–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - Episode #1.5 - full transcript

That's likely our victim.

Hello, Kelly-Anne.

I think I've seen
that girl before.

You said that padlock
was for the crime scene

at the old cottage, not
for the community hall.

Storm blew down the cottage.

There was evidence that
Dr. Hunter had gathered

that needed somewhere
to be stored.

Why the sudden need for secrecy?

Cos it's a murder enquiry.

Congratulations. I hope
that was good news.



- I'm having it.
- Oh, come here.

You know I'm with
the Lewis Herald?

Well, I was hoping I might
do a piece about the clinic.

Someone was clearly curious
about what you were up to.

They were watching
you for a while.

If I were you, I'd lay
low until CSI appear.

- We've no power.
- Or mainland support.

Hello! Anybody there?

David...

Folk round here, David...

Help!

Don't take kindly to
strangers asking questions.

Come on, son. Here we go.

You alright? Come on.



Is there anyone else inside?

Keep it coming, guys!

You're alright, son.
You're safe now.

Keep it moving, come on!

Faster at the front!

Take it easy. Come on.

How... How did it start?

I don't know.

It wasn't an accident.

Right, I'll leave
you, son, alright?

Come on, let's keep
these buckets going!

Fucking move it, guys!

Keep them coming!

Come on!

Here, take that!

Are you okay? Are you alright?

Kinross reckons it was
started deliberately.

What?

Someone was trying to
destroy the evidence.

Either that, or kill you.

Whoever left the body in the
cottage hasn't left the island.

Oh, Christ. Duncan!

We've got to go.

Right, stay here, see if
you can find anything out.

Keep it coming!

Duncan!

Duncan!

No!

Fuck!

Fuck!

Afraid of my light now

Got no time for the dark in me

Now I breathe

Now I breathe

I'm calm but I talk
like a waterfall

Taking more and
more until I burst

And then I can't live
with the aftermath

I'm cursed

And then I can't live
with the aftermath

I'm cursed

Recent reports suggest
that Storm Marley

is far from over.

Here you go. There's
more tea coming.

Official weather
warnings are in place...

Police say they've
been storing evidence.

I reckon someone
didn't fancy that.

Which means the police are
going to have eyes on all of us.

- Hey.
- Hey.

There's no reason to think
this was about the clinic.

We can rebuild.

Let's just leave.

Today.

I know things seem bad now,
but we can't just walk away.

Would you like a roll?

- No, thanks, I'm not stopping.
- Ta.

All transport services
to and from the island

remain suspended
until the storm...

When the storm has passed,
they'll be everywhere.

We need to move them.

I'll keep everyone's
attention here, go on.

Alright, listen up!

I don't know what else the
police are holding back,

but according to
Sergeant Fraser,

that body that was
found up at the cottage

was a murder victim!

Oh, dear God...

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I won't ask if you're okay.

Thank you.

Just tell me. I
don't wanna look.

Significant impact to
the base of the skull.

Like Kelly-Anne?

Did he feel any pain?

There's nothing to
suggest he fought back.

Probably taken by surprise.

Yeah...

Or the attacker was
someone he knew.

Someone he trusted.

How short does
that make the list?

Not as short as you would hope.

He spent his summers
working on the boats here.

Duncan recognised
Kelly-Anne. That's motive.

So, who else knew his
connection to her?

Let's go. Come on!

Detachment is
considered so essential

to working effectively
with the dead...

that examining someone you
once knew is strictly taboo.

The haunting pressure
that familiarity brings

can only obscure the truth.

David!

Do you have an evidence bag?

Petrol.

Somewhere on this island

there's a fuel container with
a broken strap and no lid.

Unless it's already
gone over a cliff.

We need urgent police support.

How do we make contact?

The only thing I can think
of is that the fishing fleet

have marine VHF radios.

Okay.

- No...
- What?

Look, I'm not saying it's
one of the harbour boys,

but they're a law
unto themselves.

How do you mean?

Well, not everyone
who has a fishing boat

goes fishing these days.

Yeah, and we don't
really want them to know

we don't have a radio
and are helpless.

We're on our own.

There's a killer on the island.

We don't have a choice.

Come on.

Wait. Wait!

What about Duncan?

I have some words.

I will raise up mine
eyes unto the hills

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord,

which made Heaven and Earth.

He will not suffer
thy foot to be moved.

He that comfort thee
will not slumber.

The Lord is thy keeper.

The Lord is thy shade
upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not
smite thee by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve
thee from all evil.

He shall preserve thy soul.

But there's two things
we need to remember.

Firstly, there's nothing
that can't be rebuilt.

And, secondly, it's
times like these

the community needs to
be stronger than ever.

And although the clinic's
gone, we're still here to help.

On that note, Ellen,
another round of drinks.

Excuse me.

Here comes the cavalry.

We need to borrow your radio.

And we all need you to
tell us what's going on.

Well, it's an ongoing
police investigation.

You mean a murder inquiry?

Yes.

So it's an official
police request.

Sounds more like a favour to me.

So, answer me this.

When we were all fighting that
inferno with our bare hands,

where the fuck did you
bugger off to, Sergeant?

You'll be thinking that
yours was the only fire

on the island, yeah?

Well, I really wish
that was the case,

'cause then I wouldn't
have to tell you

that last night

a young police officer
was burnt to death

while on duty up at the cottage.

Yeah.

PC Duncan McKinney.

A bright lad, 24.

Used to work here on the
boats in the summers.

That's where we buggered off to.

So, are your radios
working or not?

No. No, I'm afraid not.

The... storm.

But, erm...

Of course, you're
welcome to try.

We're all neighbours here.

Well, so Mr Strachan says.

Okay. Let's go.

We've got to move them!

- I did already.
- No, from there!

What the fuck are
you talking about?

The police are coming.

I just put them there.

They want to use the radio.

Come on, move, move!

Police. Police.

Any of you thirsty?

We're good.

The radio?

Through here.

Where are you trying?

Coastguard station.

They have the tallest
mast on Lewis.

If anyone gets us, they will.

This is Captain Kinross from
the Runa-Stornoway ferry. Over.

Thank you.

This is Captain Kinross from
the Runa-Stornoway ferry.

So, what's for lunch?

Rice.

Just rice?

Yeah. Something wrong with that?

No.

There's just quite a lot of it.

Oh, yes. For all of us.

- This is Captain Kinross...
- Right.

From the Runa-Stornoway ferry.

This is Captain Kinross from
the Runa-Stornoway ferry.

This looks like quite a project.

Will this go out on
the sea again, or...?

She's good as new.

Right.

Like I said, dead.

What about the radios on
the boats? They're VHF.

Aye, but you need line of sight.

We can't transmit
from the harbour

because of the cliffs.

And no responsible skipper's
gonna put out in this.

Who sleeps there? Hmm?

Well, that'll be Sean.

When he's had a skinful, his
wife won't let him in the house.

There's a sofa through there.

Aye, but the draught's fearsome.

You sure you don't
want another tea?

I'm alright.

If there's nothing
else you need...

Looks like we're on our own.

Have you ever come across
the name Kelly-Anne?

No. Who's she?

David, have you the photo?

Do you recognise her?

Is that the girl
from the cottage?

Have you seen her before?

Aye.

- On the ferry.
- When?

Oh, I can't be certain.

Lots of folk come and go.

Not many that come
here don't live here.

Would've been about
five weeks ago.

Is that so?

No one's accusing
you of anything.

Is that right, Sergeant?

You're not accusing
me of anything?

Nothing at all.

Trust's important
on these islands.

Once it's lost, you
never get it back.

Trust and respect.

You all saved my
life last night.

I haven't said thank you.

Good tea.

Where the hell do you
get off doing my job?

I'm senior here, Sergeant.

No, you're not even police.

Nor was I ever suspended
for professional misconduct.

Alright, okay.

I found the jerry can
the lid came from.

Plastic snapped, same colour.

That bastard. He's...

Duncan and the
site need watching.

I've got more work
to do up there.

Buggered if I'll leave that
lad up there by himself.

I'll go back.

On your own?

Don't tell me you're
starting to care.

Stop.

Look, I need you here
at the hotel, okay?

I do not want you up at
that cottage all alone.

- So, it's true?
- What?

Killer's on the island.

Just make sure that
your door is locked

and you only answer
to Ellen or I.

What about you?

I can't be here, pet, but
you'll be safe, I promise.

- Well, where will you be?
- I'll be working, okay?

But I'll pop back
in the morning.

I can take care of myself.

Not as well as you think.

The Victorians believed

that the retina acted
like a photographic plate

and that the final
image seen before death

would leave a lasting imprint.

They reasoned

that if the eyes
of a murder victim

could be correctly examined,

they would therefore reveal
the identity of the killer.

David!

David, hello?

Mmm...

David, it's Ellen.

Hello?

Michael Strachan's downstairs.
He's in a terrible state.

The phone's are still down.
I can't get hold of Josie.

Can you come and speak to him?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm coming.

Grace is missing.

- Fuck.
- I need your help.

Okay. Erm...

- Have you got your car?
- It's outside.

Let's go. Keep the doors locked.

It'll be okay.

Grace?

Grace?

- You've checked the house?
- Yes, yes, of course.

- Does anyone else have a key?
- No.

Does she drink often?

No, not to excess.

- Drugs?
- No, never.

Please tell me that's not blood.

I'm, erm...

I'm sorry I have to ask this,

but did something happen
between you two last night?

An argument?

Did we have an argument? No,
we did not have an argument!

You stay here in
case she comes back.

I'll do a loop of the island
and check down by the hotel.

Keys.

Don't touch anything.

Thank you.

Storm Marley has now passed.

It has left in its wake
significant damage to property,

with thousands of residents
having to vacate their homes

due to flooding.

With ferry services
still suspended

and communication
infrastructure down,

the Hebrides remain cut
off from the mainland.

Grace!

Grace!

Grace!

Grace.

Are you hurt?

I sometimes wonder, what is it
that insists we keep on living?

Stubbornness, pride?

Or does God just
enjoy watching us

drag ourselves round
these sorry little lives?

Do you ever tire of living?

Sometimes.

Just...

Just not of life.

Yet you choose to spend
your life with the dead.

That's not a choice.

An obsession, then.

And if you let go?

Tried that.

But the dead wouldn't
leave you alone?

That sounds very sad.

Can I have a look
at that hand, Grace?

What was it?

What?

That caused you all this pain.

Take... Take a step away
from the edge, Grace.

Tell me.

Can you take a step
towards me, Grace?

- Tell me.
- Grace, please.

- Take a step towards me.
- Tell me!

- Please, Grace!
- Tell me!

I lost...

I lost my wife.

And... I lost my daughter.

I'm sorry.

I can only imagine the
pain you must be in.

I'm sorry.

He's risking our marriage.

Some silly woman.

I'm sorry.

What saddens me is he
doesn't seem to understand

how much he stands to lose.

Here you go.

Not long now, okay?

I'll get you some help.

You'll be alright.

He's getting worse.

- You a doctor now?
- You need to take a look at him.

What exactly do you
expect me to do?

The storm will pass and they'll
be away to the mainland.

If he needs a doctor,
there'll be plenty there.

What if he doesn't make it?

Craig won't be happy.

He's not gonna bloody die.

You don't know that.

One more word from you and
you'll be on the first boat

back to that bloody
mother of yours.

Hopefully we'll get you to
the mainland soon enough

and we can take a
look at this properly.

Did, erm...

Did anything happen last night?

Between you two?

Did you have an argument?

Whatever he told you is true.

That's how it is with Michael.

Thanks, David.

Hi. I was hoping
to speak to Grace.

Sorry, now's not a good time.

Right.

It's just we talked about adding
a few quotes to the interview.

Obviously it's a tragedy
to have lost the clinic.

Well, like I said,
now's not a good time.

- She's not feeling very well.
- Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.

So, when do you think
is a good time, then?

Maybe when there's
not a murderer

running around the island.

Yeah, it does seem like
someone's got something to hide.

I just hope the
police catch him.

Aye, that's the worry, isn't it?

I mean, I just
read the other day

that over 25% of
murders go unsolved.

I have every faith
in the local police.

What about the
Shropshire Police?

Excuse me?

It's just that I came
across this unsolved case.

A Siobhan Williams.

Grace!

Maggie.

Sorry to hear you're
not feeling well.

Oh, it's nothing really.

I just popped by to see
when we could find time

to finish our interview.

But no rush.

Right, I should be heading back.

Maggie, any chance of a lift?

Sure.

You know what I'm
about to advise.

- Rest.
- And plenty of it.

Thanks, David.

- No problem.
- Nice to talk to you, Michael.

What were you doing up there?

My job.

You should be careful.

Out on your own.

You should be careful.

Michael Strachan is
not who he seems.

Who is he?

Who's the body at the cottage?

- I can't tell you that.
- Oh, so you know?

I didn't say that.

Who's Siobhan Williams?

An ex of Michael's.

She went missing

and I think he might've had
something to do with it.

Do you know something?

Well, not something
I'm gonna tell you.

This is my story.

It's not a story, it's
a murder investigation.

I thought you were forensics.

Anything you know, you have to
talk to Sergeant Fraser about.

Aye.

If I can set up a meeting
tonight, I'll know more.

Thanks for the lift.

Kelly-Anne Donaldson, right?

I sure hope you're a
better forensics expert

than you are at
hiding the truth.

I mean, that... that
jerry can at the boatyard,

that says either Kinross
or one of the others.

Aye, and if the DNA
testing gives us a link

to the boathouse, it's a start.

But if he realises it can
be used as evidence...

Oh, it'll be halfway to Iceland
before we get our hands on it.

What about Michael Strachan?

Hard to see how he'd be
connected to Kelly-Anne.

Maggie mentioned
Siobhan Williams.

Mean anything?

No, it'll just be more
of Maggie's usual shite.

She said that she's
meeting someone later.

Alright, pet?

Yeah. Stuff to do.

Aye, alright, okay.

So, either we
continue to sit tight,

or we wait out the storm.

Or we go and find it.

Ah...

No, you...

You're out of your
tiny fucking minds.

We need that jerry can.

And I want to look
around the boatyard.

- Alright, lads?
- Alright.

So... I came to see

if you do indeed remember

PC Duncan McKinney. Mm?

Oh, I forgot to ask.

The hotel gennie's running low.

Do you think we could
borrow some petrol?

Sure, I guess.

So...

PC McKinney.

Duncan.

His breathing's up.

His fever's getting worse.

There's lads that
clean the decks.

Uh-huh.

Pocket money, really.

- They don't last long.
- Right.

I don't recognise
the name, though.

Hmm. Well, this was
taken three months ago.

Hmm?

Recognise him?

We worked a season together.

Mm-hmm. On what boat?

- Maybe the Freya.
- Yeah? And who owns that?

I do.

Yeah? You sure he didn't
work on your boat?

I can name every lad worked
for me the past twenty years.

Who did you buy her from?

Iain Kinross.

We need to go. Now.

Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!

I'm in here! I'm in here! Help!

- Maggie?
- Help!

- Maggie! Get out!
- Get me out!

- Maggie!
- What have we got in the car?

Help!

We're gonna get you
out, Maggie! Come on!

Hang in there! Keep
your head down, Maggie!

- Maggie!
- It's too dangerous!

- No!
- Maggie!

No! No!

No!

Maggie!

No!