Midsomer Murders (1997–…): Season 22, Episode 4 - Scarecrow Murders - full transcript

NAOMI. You've reached Old Vogue
Vintage Emporium.

Feel free to leave us
a lovely message!

Naomi?

I know you're there.

Naomi? I'm home now.

But if you want me to help,
give me a call.

♪ She's my lady,
she knows how to rock ♪

♪ She's my baby,
she knows how to rock ♪

♪ She knows how to rock ♪

♪ Head straight to the top ♪

♪ She's my baby,
she knows how to rock ♪



♪ She's my baby,
she knows how to jive ♪

♪ She's my baby,
she knows how to jive ♪

♪ She knows how to rock ♪

♪ Head straight to the top ♪

♪ She's my baby,
she knows how to rock ♪

♪ She knows how to jive ♪

♪ The whole world comes alive ♪

♪ She's my baby,
she knows how to rock ♪

Hi.

- That's 4 pounds, please.
- Oh, thank you.

The, er, scarecrows
are all on the map.

You can vote for your favourite.

Great.

Oh, look, Betty!



Some of these are brilliant.

Bit corny if you ask me.

No, I'm just getting started.

You can try and stop me, but
you'd be clutching at straws.

This is gonna be
a really long day.

Reverend!
Have you seen Naomi?

She's supposed to be
filming this so she can put it

online, you know,
encourage people to come.

She said she'd open up the shop.

I am sure she's on her way.

I-Is he okay to be doing that?

I should think so.

Stephan!

I'm trying to track down
your good lady wife.

Erm, I haven't seen her.

Thea!

Hey!

Er, this is Lukesh,
Ashim, and Kali.

So you're the famous
"Thea From Bootcamp."

Samira's basically allergic
to exercise.

I don't know
what's got into her.

Ooh, guess what?

My bonus came through from work,
so I booked it.

- To the Maldives?
- Five star.

All inclusive. I can't wait!

It's good to meet you guys.

How much is Bootcamp per month?

Hello, and welcome
to the seventh

Midsomer Scarecrow Festival

in aid of
the Church Restoration Fund.

Last year's event raised...

We raised over 11,000 pounds,

and, this year, we're hoping
for even more,

so please do come on down...

Naomi?!

Oh, my God!

No!

What the...

I know.

Have you got an ID?

Naomi Ashworth, 35.

She ran this place
with her friend, Adele Paige.

But it was a sideline,
apparently.

Her main job
was some sort of PR thing.

That's Naomi's husband,
Stephan Ashworth,

and her father,
Reverend Oscar Hayden.

Forced entry.

Yes.

But if the intruder smashed
this glass to get in

and then
the table was knocked over

during the struggle,

why is the glass
on top of the table?

The door was smashed
after the murder.

And why do killers
stage forced entry?

To cover up the fact
that their victim let them in.

Exactly.
This was no random encounter.

Naomi knew her killer.

God Almighty!

- One, two, three...
- Fleur? Are you, er...

- Are you...?
- ...four, five, six, seven,

eight, nine, ten.

Good morning.

Are you okay?

Scarecrows.

The deceased I can cope with.

They're endlessly fascinating.

But I don't do straw.

Okay.

Horizontal injury to the neck,
plus petechial haemorrhage,

indicate ligature strangulation.

We've got thin, deep furrows,
so electrical cord?

Wire, maybe?

Time of death?

Rigor seems fully established,

so that's at least 12 hours.

What's that tying her in place?

It looks like the stuff
I use in my garden.

I'll, erm...

...get it to the lab.

See if you can find her mobile.

Then get the ball rolling
on bank details and IT.

I'll speak to her husband.

When did you last see your wife?

Thursday.

I had a two-day
hairdressing conference in Bath,

just got back.

Was there anything unusual
about her behaviour recently?

Not at all.

She hadn't fallen out
with anyone?

You've seen
what they've done to her.

That's not a falling out, is it?

That's a sicko preying on women!

We can't assume anything.

We'd be doing your wife
a disservice.

There's this homeless kid
her dad's been helping...

Jack Baldwin.

This gold communion cup
went missing.

Naomi accused him of taking it.

She confronted this person?

She said he was shouting
in her face.

Bryony saw it all.

Who's Bryony?

Naomi's twin sister.

Oh. Is she here?

No, Bryony doesn't really...

She's had difficulties.

What kind of difficulties?

She doesn't leave the house.

She hasn't been out in public
in years.

This was yesterday afternoon
at our company event...

Naomi, my sales manager, Thea,

a few of our customers.

And Ventuity,
that's your company?

We're an online casino.

Naomi did our PR.

Were there any problems
yesterday with Naomi?

No.

She was on good form,
funny and bubbly and...

She was brilliant.

How long had you known her?

Er, six, maybe seven years.

I worried we might be
pushing it,

setting this place up together,
but it's been great.

What time did you
leave the event yesterday?

7:00-ish.

We got back here around 8:00
to put the scarecrows up,

but then I got this text saying
my burglar alarm had gone off,

so I had to leave her to it.

Who was the text from?

I don't know.
I assumed it was a neighbour.

By the time I got home,
the alarm had stopped.

I'll need your phone,
I'm afraid,

to, er, trace the text.

- Thanks.
- Thank you.

Would you be okay
to take a look inside now,

see if anything's been taken?

Nothing's obviously missing.

Where do you find your stock?

Various places,
lots of it online.

That came from a house clearance
last week.

Cooee!

Hello?

Yoo-hoo!

Stay behind the cordon, please.

I'm Rachel Taylor,
Head of the Scarecrow Committee.

I need to know with some urgency

if the festival
can still go ahead?

It can.

But I do need you on
the other side of that cordon.

Oh, thank goodness.
Everybody has worked so hard.

Is the Reverend in there?

I don't know where he is,
Rachel!

I'll try the church.

Poor man...

Oscar's probably
hiding from her.

She has a little crush.

Sorry, just Naomi did this
amazing impression of her...

"Rachel Taylor, Cassock Chaser."

- I see.
- You had to be there.

Slightly awkward at
the committee meeting

when Rachel walked in
on her doing it.

I really should go
and rescue Oscar.

- If there's nothing else?
- That's all for now.

Thank you.

Why aren't uniform
on this cordon?!

Sorry, sir.

Excuse me!

I need to ask you
to step away from...

- Caitlin?
- Jamie!

Oh, my God, hi

Friend of yours?

Er, we were
at university together.

Same... same halls.

Same halls.

- Okay.
- What are you doing here?

Well, they had me cover
the Scarecrow Festival

and the Lotto Win Vicar

but obviously there's
a bigger story here now.

The Lotto Win Vicar?

Yeah, the victim's father,
Reverend Hayden.

He won 15 million quid
back in 2008,

lives in a mansion,
yet he still expects people

to raise money
for his church roof.

"Disgraced reverend"?
Who's that?

Fergus Rooney.

He used to be the vicar
of Midsomer Langley

until 10 years ago,
he made the mistake of crossing

- Oscar and Naomi.
- What happened?

Well, he went public about Oscar
keeping the money

instead of giving it to charity
and then, all of a sudden,

a story comes out about
Fergus visiting a brothel.

She planted the story?

According to Fergus.

But on to bigger things,
how was she killed?

We can't give out any details.

Should local women be concerned?

No matter how many
times you ask.

Oh, I'll keep asking,
don't worry!

It was good to see you.

We should catch up properly.

Yeah...

Dumped you and broke
your heart, then?

Smashed it with a brick.

I have to tell her sister.

But what can I possibly say?

You can't think of anyone at all
who might want to hurt Naomi?

Not a soul.

What about Fergus Rooney?

Fergus?

No, this is more his style.

They keep appearing
on the notice board.

Your lottery win?

He refuses to acknowledge
the good it's done

for this community.

We were all blessed that day.

The Lord moves
in mysterious ways.

Indeed He does.

How was Naomi's relationship
with Stephan?

She loved him.

Which is what matters,
I suppose.

You're not a fan?

Naomi financed his hair salon
and then this fitness thing.

I call that freeloading.

Stephan said she accused
a young man

called Jack Baldwin of theft.

I believe you know him?

He does odd jobs for me.

There's no proof
he stole anything,

but he had been in the house.

And he argued with Naomi
over this?

Jack was angry,
but he's not evil.

Whoever did this
quite clearly is.

Oh, thanks.

No luck with the CCTV.

We've got her computers
and tablets,

so the tech team can get going.

Anything come back
on her husband?

Not for him.

But look, I've found
our Jack Baldwin.

Three convictions for theft.

Last known address in Sheffield.

So what's he doing homeless
in Midsomer?

Any progress
with Naomi's mobile?

What is interesting
is at 3:05 PM,

she called Fergus Rooney.

"You cannot serve
both God and money"... Luke 16.

"For the love of money
is the root of all evil."

1st Timothy.

Can I tempt either of you
gentlemen to a rich tea biscuit?

Thank you.

So you admit putting these up
at Oscar's church?

I made no secret of the fact.
He's a hypocrite.

One cannot preach humility
with a red Jaguar in the garage.

In this article from yesterday,

you call Naomi
a "peddler of sordid lies."

You seem to have an issue
with the entire family.

Not with Bryony.
She's a sweet soul.

But Naomi...

we'd known those girls
since they were 17.

They moved here from Yorkshire
after their mother died.

But then Oscar won
all that money.

You thought he should
give it away.

Without question!
And he agreed.

But charity turned out to mean
becoming a major shareholder

in a gambling company
because it was "locally owned."

You took the story
to the press in 2010,

and that's when
Naomi got involved, isn't it?

She'd just started
her PR company then.

She knew how to attract
the attention of the tabloids.

Patricia had to see all those
headlines, "Sex Scandal Vicar."

I've never been near a brothel!

Patty knew it was
a pack of lies,

but it was so humiliating.

She passed away last summer.

I'm sorry.

It was the Alzheimer's
at the end, that was so tough.

Bryony was the only one
who even sent a card.

Are you still in contact
with Bryony?

Oscar won't allow me on the
property, but we stay in touch.

Is it true that Bryony
doesn't leave the house?

She suffers from panic attacks.

Any idea what triggered them?

It doesn't always need
something to trigger it.

That's not how
panic disorder works.

I do have an appointment
in half an hour.

We won't keep you much longer,

but I do need to understand,
why now?

Why give a new interview
about Oscar after 10 years?

The Scarecrow Festival,
the hypocrisy

of a multi-millionaire
asking for charity donations.

It's been running for years.

You didn't say anything before.

I wasn't approached
by a journalist before.

A Caitlin Dawson, she dug up
all the old stories

and asked for an interview.

I am starting to wish
I'd said no.

Phone records show that
Naomi called you

a few hours
before she was murdered.

Why was that?

She saw that article.

Was she threatening you?

How could she?

What could she possibly
take from me now

that I haven't already lost?

Where were you last night
between 8:00 PM and midnight?

This is getting silly now.

Oh!

Blast!

I was here all evening
and all night,

on my own,

as I always am.

Hi. It's Dad.

Can you at least let me know

you're getting my messages,
sweetheart?

I'm on my way home.

Don't answer the door
to anyone till I get there.

Our Father who...

Our Father...

The humble vicarage.

Hm, I know.

I-I'm very grateful,
but please, not now, Rachel!

Oh, dear.

We were hoping to
speak to Bryony?

Right. Yes.

She's doing one
of her paintings.

They calm her down.

We host Bible Study here

and Christmas lunch for seniors
in the drawing room.

That's very generous.

One small thing...

There's nothing in the calendar
app on Naomi's phone.

Do you know if she had
a paper diary or...?

I think Bryony bought one for
her for Christmas, actually.

Her rooms are through here.

Bryony?

Sweetheart...

the police.

We're both struggling
to take it all in.

The idea that something so awful
could be happening

and we were just sitting there,
watching television.

And you were both here
all night?

Yes.

They were asking
about Naomi's diary.

Mm.

She used the one
you gave her, didn't she?

Green leather.

It looks like a vintage novel
from the outside.

We'll need to have a word
with Bryony in private

if that's okay?

Of course.

But, erm, please bear in mind
it's been a terrible shock.

Mustn't upset poor
little fragile Bryony.

I'm sure he's just worried.

I loved my sister,

and I want you to find out
who did this to her.

You can ask me anything.

I'm not about to break.

Tell us about her.
Did you get on?

We were close.

I struggled a bit in my teens
and she was there for me.

She wasn't Mother Teresa,
though,

whatever Dad's been saying.

What do you mean?

If you crossed her,
you'd know about it.

Fergus Rooney?

Fergus didn't do this.

You seem very sure of that.

He's the gentlest person I know.

- What about Jack Baldwin?
- Jack?

Oh, the thing
with the communion cup?

That was... That was ridiculous.

Naomi admitted
she didn't have any proof.

But he was angry?

For about 20 seconds, yeah,
but he's a good kid.

Naomi was just being
over-protective.

Of whom?

The family. Me.

Why would you need protection
from Jack Baldwin?

I don't.

That's my point.

Well, that's him, isn't it?

Jack Baldwin?

Yeah?

I'll do this.
You find that diary.

D.C.I. Barnaby.

I'm investigating
the murder of Naomi Ashworth.

Is it true
what everyone's saying?

That they stuffed her
like a scarecrow?

I understand Naomi recently
accused you of theft?

Yeah, with zero evidence.

But something goes missing,
so it must be the homeless lad.

You sound like you're
from Yorkshire originally?

Sheffield.

I wasn't having the best time
up there,

a few issues with my dad.

I found a train ticket
to Causton on the floor.

I thought, why not?

Rachel found me sleeping
in the church and told Oscar.

He gave me handyman work.

How heated was your disagreement
with Naomi?

Very. I'm not gonna lie.

Where were you
yesterday evening?

Out.

I went out for a walk
with my hip flask

and I got lost...
had a bit too much.

On your own?

Yeah.

I did speak to a few people,
though.

I lost my wallet,
so I had to walk home

and I asked directions in a pub.

Can you remember where exactly?

The Bell?

The barman should remember me.

Where did you get that wire?

The garages over there.

Why?

Hello?

No, that's not...

Listen!
Do not call this number again!

Phone.

Phone, please.
It's what we agreed.

What the hell were you doing?

Looking for evidence,
same as you.

It's fun, isn't it?
Hey, did you see

how many champagne bottles
were in that bin?

You were going through
the bins at a crime scene?

Your chin still does that little

wrinkly thing
when you're annoyed.

- Caitlin...
- Oh, Jamie, come on!

This could be
a massive story for me.

I can't give you a comment.

Come on.

Are you looking for someone
who might strike again?

Well, it's a murder
investigation,

so there's always that fear.

But I genuinely
can't discuss it.

Right.

So if I'd, I don't know,
tracked down a mate

who used to intern for Naomi,

I guess you wouldn't want
to hear what he had to say?

Naomi specialized in something
called "dark PR,"

which is basically
about destroying people.

Her clients paid her
to discredit their rivals

with smear campaigns.

And what Fergus Rooney
accused her of.

Yeah.

Anything useful
in Naomi's diary?

She was due to have
an appointment this afternoon

with a Lukesh Mallick.

I looked him up,
he's a psychiatrist.

What's that about?

I don't know, she circled
the last Tuesday of the month,

every month, but no details.

A woman circles the same day
every month and you're confused?

Perhaps ask your wife.

Ah.
It might be that, I suppose.

Okay.

Cause of death, as suspected,

was ligature strangulation
with a thin wire.

These half-moon shaped marks
on her neck

indicate she tried
to pull the ligature away,

and we've got particles of green
plastic under her fingernails.

I found Jack Baldwin with this.

It looks like the stuff that
was used to tie her in place.

I'll get the lab
to do a comparison.

In terms of timing,
we're looking at some point

between 8:00 and 9:00 PM.

Certainly no later.

Just after Adele claims
she left Naomi at the shop.

Is that a bruise around her eye?

Yes, it was hidden under makeup.

I'd say it was inflicted several
hours before she was killed,

possibly even the day before.

If you look closely,

you can make out a pattern
in the abrasion.

She was hit by something
shaped like a star.

A ring?

That would be my guess.

I'll let you know when the lab
gets back to me about the wire.

Thank you.

Oh...

Winter.

I dug these out for you.

I've found them extremely useful
over the years.

"The New Rules of Love."

"Dating in the Digital Age."

You looked like you'd been hit
by a steamroller

when you saw Caitlin.

It was a long time ago.

She cheated on you.

No.

Well, erm, yeah.

You clearly haven't moved on.

So, now you have a choice.

Get her back or get closure.

I really don't think
I need these.

Dating is a battle.

And in battle,
you must be prepared.

I'm happy to answer
any questions you might have

when you've finished
your reading.

She was a patient, yes.

I have an office
across the hall.

What were you treating her for?

Depression.

Really?

Did Naomi mention any specific
problems, any conflicts?

No. Our sessions focused
on her internal landscape.

Self esteem, inner voice,
that sort of thing.

Sorry. I-I don't mean
to interrupt you.

My wife, Samira.

I was, er, just wondering
if Oscar's okay?

I mean, obviously he isn't,
but...

How do you know the Reverend?

She's been his book keeper
for years.

Did you know Naomi too?

Well, only just to say hello to.

She seemed nice.

And did she get involved
with his finances at all?

Why does that matter?

Look, I'm not telling you
how to do your job.

You have access to forensic
psychologists, surely?

When I need them.

So you must know that this has
got nothing to do with Naomi

or the way she lived her life

and everything to do with
the killer's emotional void.

Early behavioural problems,

progressing to anti-social
behaviour as an adult,

delusions of grandeur
and impulsivity.

The scarecrow staging
is a classic example

of psychopathic narcissism.

It won't be the first time

they've displayed
predatory behaviour,

and I promise you
it won't be the last.

"Police Admit
Serial Killer Fear." What...

"A senior source
inside the investigation says

police fear a serial killer
is on the loose."

- That's not what I said.
- The second we finish here,

I want you to track down your
girlfriend and sort this out.

- She's not my girl...
- Sort it out!

A star-shaped ring?

No.

And Naomi definitely didn't have
a bruise when I saw her.

She wasn't involved
in any kind of altercation?

If there was a punch up
at my event,

I think I would've noticed.

You mentioned that your sales
manager was there as well,

Thea Stannard?

Yes.
I'll show you to her.

My officers visited
your neighbours yesterday,

and none of them heard
your burglar alarm going off.

That text you received was from
an unregistered pay as you go.

Meaning what?

Someone sent it to lure me away?

Potentially.

We also noticed that
your mobile phone

stopped sending out
a signal at 8:07.

- It was out of battery.
- I see.

That's no problem.

And I've popped a free credit
on your account too.

Okay.

Be lucky!

Bye!

Sorry about that.

- Police.
- Yeah.

Hi.

We just can't believe it,
can we”?

And you think they're
gonna strike again?

That's not the most accurate
piece of reporting.

We believe Naomi received a blow
to her right eye

in the 24 hours before she died.

Did you witness anything?

I noticed the bruise.

She turned up with it
under a ton of makeup.

Really?

You're more observant than I am.

I feel terrible that I didn't
ask her about it now.

But I didn't actually know her
all that well.

She's got a twin sister,
though, hasn't she?

Bryony.

Yeah.

I thought she never went out,
but I saw her driving

towards the village
on Friday night.

Are you sure it was her?

Like Naomi but
with dark hair, yeah.

You couldn't miss her.

She was driving a red Jaguar.

- There you are.
- Thank you.

Hello, there.

- Well done.
- It's nothing like that.

I thought you and John were
too busy to play table tennis?

I am busy.
We're here to discuss the case.

I can see that.

Well, at least it means you
avoid the humiliation of defeat.

Ping-pong requires balls.

Thank you.

I assume you still drink red?

Of course.

You've seen it, then?

It's not what I said.
You know it isn't.

The public have a right
to be kept informed.

Then stick to the facts...

if you're capable of that.

Is there something you want
to say, Jamie?

I just don't think it's helpful
to create panic.

You do know a woman's dead,
right?

Yeah.

But you're just stirring things
up to write a story.

Like with Fergus Rooney,
dredging up an old feud

so that you could
write about it.

Fergus was the one
who approached me.

He turned up with, like,
20 files of stuff

on Oscar and Naomi.

And, for the record,
I've never been a liar.

We were already broken up.

The number of the press office
is on there.

Any media requests should go
through the official channels

from now on.

Don't be like that.

You were the one that texted me
to come for a drink.

I'd appreciate your cooperation.

Fine!

I can't explain it.

It was just this feeling
of dread,

like something terrible
was happening

and I had to get to Naomi.

You had a premonition?

This is why
I didn't say anything.

People already think I'm crazy.

If I'm going to find out
what happened to your sister,

I need you to be
completely honest with me.

I am.

I was driving to Naomi's house,

but then I turned back.

I was afraid I was going to have
a panic attack at the wheel.

Naomi had a bruise on her face
before she died.

Are you sure her argument
with Jack wasn't, erm, physical?

100% sure.

I was there.

She seemed to have
a regular appointment

on the last Tuesday
of the month.

Any idea what that was?

I can't think of anything.

I'm sorry.
I do want to help.

You've got my number if there's
anything else you think of,

okay?

- Did you speak to Caitlin?
- tried.

But listen, I just heard back
from the hotel

that Stephan Ashworth was
staying in for that conference.

They're saying that he checked
out on Friday morning.

He's lying about his alibi?

And there were two people
booked into his room,

"Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth."

It's not just a fling.

We've been together over a year.
We want to get married.

You just had to find
the right time, didn't you?

And Naomi had no idea?

It's our 10-year anniversary
in June.

She had this big party
planned and...

He was gonna get through that,
then tell her.

Where were you both
on Friday night?

Thea rents the flat
out the back.

We were there all evening.

Apart from when I popped out
to get food just before 8:00.

That's when I saw Bryony.

Oh, sorry.

I said I'd go
for a run with Thea.

- I'll come back.
- No, it's okay.

I'd like to speak to Stephan
on his own anyway.

I'll just get my water bottle.

We need to ask you about
a bruise Naomi had on her face.

I'm not perfect, okay?
We've established that.

But I do not hit women.

Are you aware that she was
seeing a psychiatrist?

A what?

No.

But I am starting to wonder
how much I did know.

I was going to bring this
to you later.

It was hidden at the back
of her wardrobe.

Why would she lie about
Jack stealing it?

She set me up.

- Why would she do that?
- I don't know.

Just wanted rid of me.

But why?
Were you a threat to her?

This is so unfair.

I haven't done anything...
everyone just assumes!

Is everything alright?

Jack.

You promised.

See?

It was actually found
at Naomi's house.

A word in private, maybe?

That's fine, Rachel.

Thank you.

It's definitely mine.

Jack believes that Naomi took it
to incriminate him.

That's absurd.

If it was in her house,
who's to say

Stephan didn't put it there?

Stephan was having an affair.

- Do you think Naomi knew that?
- An affair?

He was planning to
leave her for a woman called

Thea Stannard.

Never heard of her.

But actually,

my clever girl,
I think she did know.

And what makes you say that?

Last month, she asked me to sign
a letter saying that

the deposit I gave them
to buy their house was a loan.

She said it was a tax thing.

But now you think
there was more to it?

She was getting her ducks
in a row,

making it harder for him
to take the house.

Well, I can promise you this,

he's not getting
his hands on it now.

You own a red sports car,
is that right?

Ah, Bryony. Yes.

She did mention
after you spoke to her

that she'd been for a drive
on Friday night,

but she wasn't trying
to mislead anyone

by saying we were at home.

She just wasn't
thinking clearly.

It wasn't Bryony who said
you were both at home all night.

It was you.

I could see the light on
under her door

so I naturally assumed
that she was still in there.

Now if there's nothing else,

I'm due to give a sermon
in 15 minutes.

Er, here.

I'd hardly call it extensive.

It's just a few observations
I've collected.

Do you mind if I have a look?

The study, it's a mess.

You should see my place.

What's in here?

It's not what it looks like.

Really?
Because it looks like you

had Naomi and her father
under surveillance.

They destroyed my life.

I forgave them for years.

I let it go.

So what changed?

Patricia, she changed.

Or rather,
the Alzheimer's changed her.

She got stuck in that moment

when Naomi's lies about me
first came out,

reliving the... the shame
and the humiliation.

Only...

...this time she thought
it was all true.

Watching the person you love
dissolving in front of you...

...that's bad enough.

But my wife, in the last years
of our marriage,

thought...

...I'd betrayed her.

Naomi poisoned the end
of our time together.

So, yes, I hated her.

But I am not a murderer.

Today, I want to give thanks.

This is the darkest of times

for me and for my family

but, through your
acts of service,

you continue to spread light.

The Scarecrow Festival
raised funds for the church.

Tonight, the soup kitchen will
deliver meals to those in need.

The world...

...Is still good.

And I thank you
for showing me that.

Particular thanks are,
of course, due to Rachel.

I'm sure she will be relieved
to hear

that a permanent church warden

has now been appointed
by the Parish.

So she will finally be relieved
of some of her duties.

Er, the reading today
is from Mark's gospel...

For, from within,
out of the heart of men,

proceed evil thoughts,

adulteries, fornications,
murders,

thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit.

All these evil things
come from within...

...and defile the man.

Are you okay?

A woman's been murdered.

Your best friend, supposedly!

I just meant the new
church warden appointment.

Wonderful news, such a relief!

Excuse me.
I must just catch Mrs. Lovell.

Ah, thank you so much.

Bryony?

I'm going to check the gates
and then I'm off to bed, okay?

Goodnight then, sweetheart.

Well, thanks.
Oh, here comes the boss.

If you just hang around,
I'll call you.

Did Bryony find him?

No.
No, Jack did, actually.

He called it in just after 8:00.

There's a name for fear
of scarecrows, I looked it up.

"Formidophobia."

Shall I tell you what else
there's a name for?

No?

Wound to the chest.

There's blood soaked
through his robes,

but no other damage
to the material.

So he was killed and then
dressed up afterwards?

Exactly.

Livor mortis isn't
quite fixed yet,

so I'd work with 10:00 PM
till midnight.

It looks like the same wire.

They've not done such
a neat job, though.

They had more time with Naomi.
They were hidden in the shop.

It's pretty exposed out here.

True.

Although we can't assume
it's the same killer both times.

- A copycat?
- Could be.

But why daughter then father?

Do we know what happened
to the original scarecrow?

It was found in those bushes.

There was a dry cleaning bag
with it too.

It's on its way to the lab.

I saw Rachel Taylor yesterday

bringing Oscar's robes
back from the cleaners.

Ask her to check
if anything's missing.

Yeah, I will do.

Oh, and another thing, the wires
to the cameras on the house

and the gates have been cut.

Oscar never let me
have the keys,

so Bryony usually lets me in.

I phoned her and told her
to stay inside but...

...she wouldn't listen.

She saw him.

And she ended up...

she was pulling at...
pulling at him,

trying to get him down.

Just for the record,

where you were last night
between 10:00 and midnight?

Helping out
with the soup kitchen.

People at the church
can tell you.

You didn't hear anything at all?

I take tablets to get to sleep.

They knock me out.

And you didn't have any visitors
yesterday,

anyone who could have
stayed on the property

after the gates were locked?

Stephan came looking for Dad
while he was at church.

He was angry,
like out of his mind angry.

What about?

He said Dad changed the locks
on his house.

- Sir?
- I'll just be a moment.

His watch is missing.

He never takes it off,
but it's not on his wrist.

If you can find a photo of him
wearing it,

that would be helpful
in case they try to sell it.

Think there's one upstairs.

Sir...

I got hold of the CCTV.

Now, it's not a great picture,
but look.

We've got our killer.

Must've gained access
to the estate during the day

and then used the scarecrow
display to hide in plain sight.

Bryony said Oscar
checked the gates every night.

Whoever that is,
they knew his routine.

Hmm.

Can you shut these curtains?

The curtains?

Yeah, and, erm,
close that door too.

We need it as dark as possible.

Okay.

Are you going to tell me why?

Oscar said he assumed

Bryony was in her room
on Friday night

because he could see
the light on under her door.

But it's a perfect seal.

See?

No light.

You admit that you were angry?

I had to break into
my own house.

Can you take me through your
movements yesterday evening?

I went to his place
just after 5:00.

He wasn't there.

So I spoke to him at the church.

And was this
a heated conversation?

I was pretty restrained,
actually.

I told him to back off.

Then I came back here and
that's where I was all night.

You can ask Thea.

I could, yes.

But neither of you has a great
track record with the truth.

You needed capital
for a new life together.

Your wife's death
would provide that.

I loved Naomi.

But then her father steps in,

trying to block your claim
to this house.

You're not listening to me.

This thing with Thea,
it's just...

Look, I don't want to say
it was just a bit of fun,

because I care about Thea.

But all that talk about
getting married?

Those are her plans, not mine.

You're looking for a blade
15 centimetres or longer.

What about the wire?

The stuff holding both bodies up
has the same composition,

as does the wire you took
from Jack Baldwin,

but it's sold
all over the place.

Sorry I'm late.

Latecomers are not
guaranteed admission.

He can fill you in.

Have you seen the latest message
from Tech?

- No.
- Oscar texted Fergus a few hours

before he died
asking to meet up.

Fergus called him straight back.

I'll try and free up some
more manpower to track him down.

And you can do that on your way
over to the Mallicks.

Look, Naomi sent this e-mail
to Samira last year.

"If you don't want me to tell
my father, we need to talk."

She sent Oscar's bank statement
with it,

showing transfers to Samira.

11,000 pounds,

23,000,

148,000!

His own bookkeeper was stealing
that sort of money

and he didn't even notice?

Ashim was just a few months old

and, er, I was lonely.

Maybe a bit down.

Well, you see the adverts,
don't you?

Win a holiday, play for free.

It was just on my phone.

I-I didn't even think of it
as gambling to begin with.

By the time I found out,
our savings were gone...

the money we were
putting away for the kids.

She had credit cards, loans.

I thought I could put it right.

By stealing from your employer?

I saw it as borrowing.

I honestly thought if I could
just have one decent win

everything would be okay.

Then you lost again.

So you "borrowed" more and more
until last year

when Naomi found out.

Well, we begged.

In the end, she agreed we could
pay it back gradually.

Oscar didn't notice?

It's a drop in the ocean to him.

It's a 182,000 pounds.

How were you ever hoping
to repay that?

Well, we cut back.

I took on new private patients.

Well, that's surely not enough.

You had a debt you would
never be free of

while Naomi and Oscar
were alive.

We didn't do this!

And we can prove it.

Friday, school parents' evening
till late.

Dozens of witnesses.

And last night, our neighbour
from across the road

was here till gone 11:00.

Go over there now and ask him.

Why did Naomi let her stay on
as Oscar's bookkeeper?

It makes no sense.

Well, perhaps she liked
having Samira

in her debt for some reason.

Why though?
How was she useful to Naomi?

Unless she wasn't.

Lukesh was.

Naomi covered up
the embezzlement

because you agreed to hand over
confidential medical records.

That's laughable.

We know that she paid
for stolen information

to build her smear campaigns.

But, erm...

no, don't worry I'll speak
to the hospital

and find out whose records
you've downloaded.

There's no need for you
to do that.

You admit that she was
blackmailing you?

I'm not answering
any more questions

without a lawyer present.

Okay, thanks.

That was the school.

Lukesh was telling the truth
about Friday.

And their neighbour confirmed
their alibi for last night.

What about Jack Baldwin
and this soup kitchen?

Well, Rachel Taylor confirmed
that he was definitely

running it last night.

She was there with him.

Any progress with Fergus Rooney?

His photo's out there
and his numberplate's with ANPR.

Okay, you stay on that.

I'm gonna have a word
with Rachel Taylor.

I only found out an hour ago
when your Sergeant telephoned.

He needs some training
in breaking bad news.

Were you aware that Oscar
contacted the Bishop about you?

- Bishop Chilton?
- He was concerned

that you were becoming
too, erm, attached,

and that's why they appointed
a new church warden.

Well, that all seems
Very unnecessary.

Were you in love with Oscar?

Don't be ridiculous.

The new warden must've
felt like a rejection

after all your hard work
and after Naomi made fun of you.

What point are you
trying to make?

Did you humiliate Oscar
and Naomi as punishment

for humiliating you?

I spent last night in
a soup kitchen feeding people,

not killing them!

You're right about one thing,
though.

I am humiliated.

All I've ever tried to do
since I moved here

is be helpful and kind.

And I've had enough.

I have to request that
you don't leave the area.

Well, please notify me
as soon as I'm free to leave

because I have lived all over

and, frankly, people in Midsomer
are the absolute worst.

Hello?

SOCO spotted Fergus
at the crime scene.

He got in across the fields.

- Where is he now?
- In the house with Bryony.

I'll meet you there.

I wasn't hiding.

I took a bike ride
to clear my head,

then came to offer
support to Bryony.

And did you meet
with Oscar yesterday?

I did, yes.

He asked me to go to
the church after the service.

I assumed he wanted
to reconcile.

And you were willing to do that?

He'd just lost his daughter.

He was once a friend.

Why did Oscar want to meet you?

Did he think you killed Naomi?

No, not me!!

He was worried about Bryony.

In what way exactly?

Everything that had
happened, he was concerned.

She confides in me.

Oscar thought Bryony murdered
her own sister.

That's why he lied about her
going out in the car.

He was wrong, of course.

Bryony loved Naomi.

Why would a thought like that
even enter his head?

He must've had a reason
to suspect his own daughter.

Was it something to do
with Jack?

Are they having a relationship?

Is he controlling her
in some way?

It's okay.
You can tell them.

It's not mine to tell.

The reason we moved here
from Yorkshire

was that I had a baby.

He was 5 months old.

I'd never left him, but Dad
said I needed a night out.

By the time I got back...

...they said it was cot death.

I'm sorry.

All Dad could talk about
was how I'd miss my education.

He went on and on
about adoption,

even after he was born.

And then when he...

...they wouldn't let me
see his body.

You think your parents
gave your son away?

He'd be 20 next month.

Jack?

He has my hair, my eyes.

When he smiles,
he looks just like Dad.

You think he came here
to find you?

He doesn't know that
I've worked it out yet.

He needs to come to me
in his own time.

Who have you told about this?

Just Fergus until
a few weeks ago,

but then I told Naomi.

What happened?

She didn't listen.

She was part of it, you see.

She was there
when they said Aaron died.

So then Dad's communion cup
goes missing

and she's accusing
Jack of stealing it.

As a way to get rid of him?

Perfect excuse
to drive him away.

Was Jack the reason
you went out on the night

your sister was murdered?

He called the house phone
and Dad answered,

but I listened in.

He was drunk and he said
he was lost,

but Dad refused to go
and rescue him.

So you took the car?

Even though you're afraid
to leave the house?

He needed me.

And did you find him?

No.

I was looking for hours.

Dad could see how upset I was
when I got home,

but I just slammed
the door on him.

He knew that I'd been
arguing with Naomi

but I can't believe
he thought I'd hurt her.

I don't think he did,
not really.

He did.

He died thinking that.

We've got Jack's DNA on file.

If they were related,
it would've flagged up

a familial match
with Naomi or Oscar.

Oh, I know.
He's not her son.

She has a right to know that.

Yes, but at the right time.

She's dealt with enough today.

You think she's innocent, then?

I wouldn't go that far.

I think she genuinely believes
that Jack is her child

and that Oscar and Naomi
took him away,

but people have killed for less.

- Oh, great.
- I'm here to help you.

I very much doubt it.

You're looking for someone
wearing a star-shaped ring?

Thea Stannard?

She posted it to her private

social media accounts
back in October.

But 24 hours ago,
it was deleted.

- Who put you onto this?
- I can't say.

Caitlin, please.
You could be in danger.

Occupational hazard.

Mum? Mum?

One minutes, Kali!

Mum?

I'm sorry, it's cancelled.

It's too high risk.

Yeah, even for me.

Stephan and I were sure
Naomi didn't know about us,

but then I started
getting phone calls.

It's always men.

They've got my name and they
think I'm some sort of escort.

Then on Thursday, we found this.

I've only ever sent those photos
to Stephan.

Naomi must've found them.

You think that she set this up?

It's just her style,
playing the long game.

She was doing everything
she could to damage our future.

Then we were all at
the Ventuity event together

and she'd obviously told Adele
about the affair,

and they kept on making
all these little comments

they thought
I wouldn't pick up on.

I lost it.

Did Adele see you attack Naomi?

I hit her once.

It wasn't an attack.

But, yeah, we were
all in the toilets.

Adele started defending her,
so I let Naomi have the truth.

Adele knew about the affair
from day one.

Adele said she didn't
see anything.

No punch, no bruise.

Why did she lie for you?

I think perhaps
Stephan spoke to her.

He was worried about
how it would look.

But why would Adele care how
things look for you and Stephan?

What did Stephan have over Adele
to persuade her to lie for him?

Thea?

Adele told me
that blackjack table

came from a house clearance
last week,

but this was taken months ago...

Tuesday the 27th of October
to be precise,

the last Tuesday of the month.

What was this event, exactly?

It was just a party.

I don't think so.

All these messages at
the bottom, with dollar signs?

Sir, this is one of
the private accounts

commenting on the photo.

It's all poker content.

Hashtag LastTuesdayClub.

The whole vintage thing
is a front, isn't it?

They were running
an underground gambling club.

Not Naomi.

She and Stephan went to it,
but it was run by Adele.

High stakes,
but all off the books,

so she could hide it
from the taxman.

So we're not talking about
a friendly game of poker here?

This was big money?

Seriously big.

And Stephan knew about it.

That was his leverage, then.

He was blackmailing Adele
into lying for you?

Because he knows we were
both together

when Naomi and Oscar
were killed.

He knows neither of us
did anything!

Have you got a light, love?

Love, a light?

Okay, thanks.

There's nothing in Naomi
or Oscar's e-mails

about "Last Tuesday Club,"
but they did find an e-mail

that Oscar sent to his broker
on Friday.

Apparently,
he was planning to sell

every one of his shares
in Adele's company.

Really?

It looks like she might
be in there now.

Oi!

Am I invisible or something?

One for you, I think.

Love...

I only asked you for a light,
love.

Okay, let's just take this
down a bit, alright?

Alright, alright. Okay.

Okay, alright, we're gonna do it
like this, are we?

You're under arrest.

I was trying to help.

That's why I gave the picture
to the journalist.

I wanted you to know
that Thea hit Naomi.

Just not enough to tell me
that when I asked you?

I was afraid Stephan would
find out it came from me.

Then when Oscar was murdered
too, I had to do something.

You know Stephan turned up
at the sermon?

Just stood there,
staring him down.

Are you accusing Stephan?

I'm just saying, he put
pressure on me to lie.

By threatening to expose
the illegal gambling den

you're running here?

There's nothing illegal
about gambling

at a private members club.

There is if you're dodging taxes
and it's completely unregulated.

Why else was Stephan able
to blackmail you about it?

I just didn't want any trouble.

You're keen to point the finger
at Naomi's husband.

But there's another version
of events, isn't there?

Hours before Naomi was murdered,

she found out that you'd kept
quiet about Stephan's affair.

Because I didn't want
to destroy her marriage!

Quite a betrayal
from a best friend.

You must've known
she wouldn't let it go.

She was going to report you
to the gambling commission.

That's why Oscar
was selling his shares.

- Was he?
- I think you know he was.

You were on the brink of losing
your gaming license

- and your biggest investor.
- You've got this wrong!

You were the last person
to see Naomi alive,

and then your phone was switched
off at the crucial time.

So you've no idea
if he's here or not?

So who can help me then?

He was arrested this afternoon?

Are you waiting on Jack?

It's gonna be a while.

Then I'll wait.

Caitlin?

Caitlin!

We know that Adele
gave you the photo.

You should've told us.

I promised I'd protect
my source.

You might not believe it,
but I do have some integrity.

Okay, well,
where are you staying?

- Let me walk you home.
- No, it's okay.

I don't want you walking home
on your own.

Because of the murders?

Is that confirmation
that you're for hunting

for a serial killer, Sergeant?

It's just confirmation
that I'm decent guy.

Well, I never doubted that.

I'm staying literally
two minutes that way.

- I'm a big girl.
- Okay.

Well, text me when you get home
so I know you're safe.

I will.

None of the neighbours
heard anything.

There's no sign of a break-in
at her flat.

Good Lord.

Massive skull fracture.

I'll need a CT,
but it's the type of injury

you get with a hammer attack.

And we're talking
multiple blows.

Can you hazard a guess
about time?

I can do better than that.

She's wearing a smart watch
and it's synced to her phone.

Her heart rate spiked
then plummeted at 9:32 PM.

By 9:34, it wasn't
registering at all.

They're getting more violent
each time,

and the fact that they all knew
each other doesn't rule out

someone killing just for
the thrill of it, does it?

But serial killers tend to
become more efficient

with each kill...
they refine their technique.

We've got three completely
different murder methods here.

Yeah, but same scarecrow
staging, though.

Same wire.

Although the knots holding
Naomi's body up

were carefully tied.

It was more haphazard
with Oscar, and then this.

The wire's just wrapped around.

No straw beneath
the clothes this time, either.

Well, they're...
they're hurrying more.

They're losing control.

Perhaps.

You do the full 360 on Thea...

bank accounts,
phone records, IT.

- Yeah.
- I'll speak to him.

Can I have some help here,
please?

Where were you at 9:30
last night?

At home.

Thea was going to pack up
her flat,

then move in with me today.

Moving in?

Yesterday you implied your
relationship wasn't serious.

It wasn't...

- not serious.
- Well, which is it?

Because your feelings for Thea
and Naomi seem to keep changing

depending on what paints you
in a better light!

It was a mess, okay?

I loved them both.

And I didn't know
what to do about it.

But that doesn't mean
I killed either of them.

Anything more from forensics?

Yeah, the analysis came back

from that dry cleaning bag
found at Oscar's.

There's only one usable
set of prints...

a Lisa Jarrett.

Probably someone who works
at the dry cleaners.

Yeah.

Apparently we had her prints
on file

because she was arrested
at a climate change protest

in Bristol a few years ago.

There.

"Bristol mum campaigns
for tighter age restrictions

for online gambling
after son's suicide."

Hold on, that's Rachel Taylor!

Oh, my God.

Ventuity...

Naomi did their PR, Oscar was
a major shareholder,

and Thea was
their top saleswoman.

Look there.

That's Jack Baldwin!

Rachel didn't find him
sleeping rough at the church.

They already knew each other.

But how could they have
murdered Thea?

Jack was locked in our cells
all night,

and I saw Rachel
going into the station at 9:30.

She'll be on our CCTV.

So there's a third person...

someone whose life has been
destroyed by gambling addiction.

Samira Mallick.

We know that Thea was
Customer Relationship Manager

for Ventuity,
which is corporate speak

for encouraging people
to lose money.

Have you got that list
of her clients?

They're arranged by first name.

No Samira Mallick.

But there is an S. Kaul...

"Client requests contact by
e-mail only as family unaware."

See if Samira has
a networking profile.

There she is.

Kaul was her maiden name.

So Thea was Samira's contact
at Ventuity

with no idea
she knew her in real life.

If this is all about Ventuity,

then how is Adele Paige
still alive?

Let's hope she is.

- Sir?
- Do it.

Police!

Okay...

Lisa, we know who you are.

Drop the knife.

I know you lost your son.

But this isn't going to
bring him back.

He was 15 when he gambled away

his birthday money
on her website.

15!

By the time he was 20,
he was drowning in debt.

Please, I'm sorry...

You weren't sorry when his death
was in the papers.

All you cared about
was manipulating the story

so it wasn't your company
that was the problem,

it was him.

Naomi ran a smear campaign
against your son.

She twisted everything,

made him seem troubled,

like that explained it.

Like when I found
my beautiful boy

In the garage,

hanging there.

It's like he deserved it...

So what is this?

Some sort of murder club?

We met in a chat room
for gambling support.

We were all victims of Ventuity.

And we started joking
what we'd like to do to them.

Then at some point,
it wasn't a joke anymore.

You identified people

who were making money
out of your misery

and came up with a plan
to kill them.

I gave him a chance first.

Oscar?

He was your target?

His name was on a list
of investors,

so I phoned him at the church
and I told him about my dad...

how he'd used payday loans
to gamble on Ventuity.

How we lost the house.

He should've got help.

You can exclude yourself
from the sites.

He did!

Your lot wouldn't
leave him alone!

You wanted Oscar to use
his influence to change things?

I thought he'd want to.

He's a vicar!

But he basically
put the phone down.

That's when I told Lisa
I was in.

So the two of you
moved to Midsomer,

you worked at the church
and concocted

that homeless story as a way
to infiltrate their lives.

But you already lived here?

I couldn't believe
it was just up the road.

You'd never met
Thea face to face?

It was all by e-mail.

I'd stop myself playing
for a week

and then she'd pop up
in my inbox.

I told her that I had
a gambling problem

and you know how she replied?

With a free bet
to "cheer myself up"!

They're like drug dealers

waiting on the steps
outside rehab.

You found out who she was.

Her photo was on the website.

It said her hobby was
Bootcamp Fitness,

so I signed up, got to know her.

She liked to laugh about how
all her holidays were paid for

by "sad cases"
throwing their money away.

So the scarecrow stuff, that was
to make it look like

the work
of a single crazed killer.

The press fell for it, though,
didn't they?

That text,
pretending to be my neighbour,

that was from you?

Of course.

When I moved to Midsomer, I was
afraid Naomi might recognize me.

But I wasn't important enough
for her to remember.

She just thought I was
the village busybody.

So I made sure she knew
exactly who I was

and why it was happening.

You're a lifesaver!

I saw Adele abandoning you!

I thought you might need a hand.

What's that, Naomi?
Got nothing to say, have we?

Because you had an awful lot
to say about my son, didn't you?

And what about you, Jack?

We were all supposed to do it
on Friday

to make it look like a spree.

I called him from a phone box
and pretended I was stranded.

The call Bryony overheard.

I was going to lure him into
the woods and do it there.

He didn't even have the decency
to come and help me.

I knew he checked the gates
every night.

I hid for hours, waiting.

Rachel gave me his robes
to dress him.

And provided you with an alibi.

Why did you take his watch?

I wasn't going to, but...

when I saw it,

Samira's family
is in so much debt.

I wanted to help.

Lukesh thinks I stole it myself
from a locker at the gym.

He has no idea
about any of this.

Yours was the most
violent attack of all.

I wasn't going to go through
with it...

and then at the weekend,

Thea sent me another e-mail...

a free bet.

I lost three months'
salary in an hour.

I still had the wire Rachel
gave me and...

and the hammer...

I, er... sorry,
I hope you don't mind?

I just really need a cigarette.

I had no idea you smoked

in all the time I've known you!

And how long's that, Thea?

What do you mean?

You've known me
a lot longer than you think.

I hit her.

Only once I started,
I couldn't stop.

The hatred wasn't even for her
in the end, it was for me.

I tried to do the scarecrow
thing like we agreed but I...

I-I couldn't look
at what I'd done.

She ruined your life Samira,
your family's life.

We killed three people.

And I wish we'd killed a fourth.

One roll of the dice too many.

- You're off?
- Er, yeah.

I'm gonna be back
for the court case, but...

I owe you an apology, don't I?

For everything that happened
at uni.

- It's fine...
- No.

I do.

You were kind and sweet...

Sweet?

I didn't appreciate it enough
at the time.

Honestly, it's fine.

I mean, we were 19.

I think I'm finally over it.

Right. Well, that's good.

I'm... I'm glad.

Me too.

Yep!

You take care of yourself,
Caitlin.

- Here, let me...
- Oh, sorry...

Pub. Now. Come on.

I'm okay.

You're better than okay.

You're an adventurous,
fun-loving foodie

with a passion for the outdoors,

and a great sense of humour.

What's she talking about?

They've set up a dating profile
for you.

- You've what?!
- It's nothing to do with me.

It's only been up an hour.

You've got 15 messages already.

- Really?
- Only one of them's from me.

Bees to honey.

It must be the description
I wrote for you.

I, er, sprinkled it
with my famous charm.

What are you laughing at?

What? What?

What's so funny?

I... I... What...

Why are you laughing, darling?

Up you get.