Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996): Season 7, Episode 20 - Murder, Plain and Simple - full transcript

You may be holding a
vital piece of evidence.

What I am holding, is the
pitchfork that killed Jacob Beiler.

FEMALE NARRATOR:
Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.

Have you finally mastered
the violence that shamed you?

Want to step outside and see?

When I left the barn last night, I
thought I heard someone outside.

You'll arrest me? On what
charge? I didn't kill Jacob.

Then you've got
nothing to worry about.

Papa! Papa!

It's not the baby.

Something terrible is happening. An
offence against God's most holy law.



(URGING HORSE)

JESSICA: It's
beautiful, isn't it?

It's like stepping back in time.

I imagine these farms haven't
changed much in 100 years.

Neither have the
people who work them.

Oh, sorry, I forgot
you don't smoke.

Well, fortunately it's a
habit that I never acquired.

Although my husband, Frank,
used to smoke a pipe now and then.

So did my father.

He carved it himself,
out of some cherry wood.

Oh, Frank would have envied him.

He had a real appreciation
for handmade things.

REUBEN: Must run in the family.

Traveling 50
miles to buy a quilt?



Well, not just a quilt. A handmade
Amish quilt, for my nephew's anniversary.

You know, but honesty, Reuben...

you didn't have to spend your
Sunday driving me out here.

I mean, you're my publisher's
liaison man, not my chauffeur.

It's really above
the call of duty.

Not if I can get you
to take a quick look at

those contracts our
New York office faxed.

Besides, as long as
you're in Philadelphia,

(HORSE NEIGHING) your comfort
and convenience are my top priorities.

Reuben!

Mrs. Fletcher,
are you all right?

Well, I'll survive.
What about you?

Fine.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

Soon as I chew out
the kid who did this.

REUBEN: Hey!

(URGING HORSE)

Hey, hey!

Stupid Amish kid.

I just hope he didn't
break the front axle.

Otherwise, we're in for a walk.

(GROANS)

Reuben, what is it? What is it?

My back, muscle spasm...

Is there something
that I can do?

You don't have a muscle
relaxer on you, do...

I'm going to go and get help.
I'll be back as soon as I can.

Before we ask the Lord

to end the drought
that plagues our land,

let us offer up a silent
prayer to reaffirm our faith

in His judgment and mercy.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Oh, I'm so sorry
to disturb you...

We are at worship.

Any souvenirs you want
you'll have to purchase in town.

Oh, I don't want
souvenirs, I need help.

What is it, Jacob?

Oh, forgive me, but
there's been an accident.

A young man driving a buggy
forced our car off the road,

and my friend has been injured.

Hitch up your wagon, Jacob.

Please, please, come in.

Thank you.

There has been an accident.

A buggy and car.

Jacob is getting his wagon,
but we may need help.

Excuse me, please.

This accident. You said a
young man was driving the buggy?

Yes. He's hurt?

No. At least he didn't seem
to be when he drove away.

He was not hurt, and
he did not stay to help?

Well, I think that he was
more shaken than we were.

Danke.

If you would ride with me,
please, we can lead the way.

Oh, yes, of course. Thank you.

Bishop Burkhart, I
thought this might be of use.

Oh, ja, gut, Mrs. Beiler.

Bring it, and come with us.

Reuben, it's Jessica.

I've brought help.

The wagon's ready.

Hello, Jacob.

Perhaps if you could get him
to the house, and call a doctor.

We are Amish.

I'm afraid the nearest
phone is halfway into town.

Well, there must be
something that we can do.

There are some
herbs that might help.

Bring him to the
house. I'll gather some.

No, Rebecca.

This man is shunned.

Take him to the house.

He'll be better once
he gets some rest.

Oh, no, please, let me do this.

Oh, only if I can help.

You know, I really
appreciate this, Mrs. Beiler.

You know, not many people would bother
to help someone they didn't even know.

Although I do take it that, uh, Reuben
Stoltz is hardly a stranger around here.

Well, he was born
and raised in the faith.

We grew up together.

Reuben is Amish?

Not anymore.

When a man turns his face
from God, he must be shunned.

But the Bishop lifted his
shunning until he's able to leave.

Well, I imagine that will partially
depend on the condition of Reuben's car.

Were you able to tell how
badly it was damaged?

Work is verboten on the Sabbath.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

I was just telling your wife
how very kind people have been.

So if you will point me
in the direction of town,

I will find a garage
to send a tow truck.

The only garage in town
is closed on Sundays.

Oh?

Really? Well, uh...

You and Reuben are welcome to stay until
Jacob can take you to town in the morning.

Rebecca.

Oh, that's awfully kind, but
really, we... We can't impose.

Oh, it's no imposition.

Christ bade us put
charity above all else.

Isn't that so?

My wife is right.

Christian charity
demands our hospitality.

You know, I don't think I've ever
tasted an apple dumpling quite like this.

What do you call it?

Schnitz un knepp.

Well, it's delicious.

Well, it's plain but nourishing.

It reminds me of that joke
we played on Daniel Shuler.

Joke?

I was pitching a softball game.

When Daniel came up to bat, I
switched the ball for a white-washed apple.

I'll never forget the
look on Daniel's face

when he whacked that ball,
and it splattered all over the place.

It's a sin, wasting an apple
God intended us to eat.

Well, I'm sure the Lord wouldn't
begrudge a harmless joke.

No, but Jacob would.

Wouldn't you?

Seems like some
things never change.

You being, perhaps,
the best example?

Or have you finally mastered
the violence that shamed you?

Want to step outside and see?

Reuben, please.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Franz, Ethan. Please, come in.

Guten Abend, Rebecca.

Guten Abend.

Mrs. Fletcher, this
is our neighbor,

Franz Kaufmann,
and his son, Ethan.

Ethan?

You've grown.

I didn't recognize you when
you nearly ran us down.

You're still free with your
accusations, Reuben?

Mrs. Fletcher, you saw him, too.

Yes, I'm sorry to say, I did.

We wouldn't come at supper,
but Ethan has something to say.

I didn't mean to.

Honest, Reuben.

I didn't see you
till it was too late.

It was just so...

Anyhow, I'm sorry.

And whatever the cost
to fix the car, I'll pay.

Thank you, Ethan.

Seems fair to me.

JACOB: Ethan!

You haven't heard from me yet.

Sorry for leaving worship.

But I'd heard all that before.

I spoke for your benefit.

I'm tired of hearing that all
young people aren't worthy.

Ethan.

You should discipline the boy.

A two-month curfew will
give him time to repent.

Two months!

Two months is too long, Jacob.

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

All I have since
Esther died is that child.

I tell you plain.

Whatever it takes, I will
not let you drive him away.

(DOOR CLOSING)

We go.

You go, Papa. I'm going to walk.

Ethan.

You've done wrong.

It is God's will that
you do this thing.

No, Papa.

It is Jacob Beiler's will.

He speaks for God.

Then he speaks for a
God I want no part of.

Do not blaspheme.

Papa, can't you see what he is?

He's cold, self-righteous,
mean-spirited.

Reuben was right to get away.

Is that what you
will do? Run away?

Then you are no son of mine.

Papa, please.

He doesn't leave me any choice.

The old ways, Papa,
they're fine for you.

But I'm not going to live my
whole life with someone like Jacob

telling me what I
can and cannot do!

Franz, did I just see Ethan
running into the woods?

Ja.

Bishop, you and
me, we have to talk.

What is the problem, Franz?

Jacob Beiler is the problem.

He just gave my son
a two-month curfew.

Two months?

Ah, I will talk to Jacob.

And will you talk to
him one month from now

and six months from
now, and a year from now?

He does not speak
for God, Bishop.

He speaks only for himself.

Something must
be done about him.

That will not be easy.

He is an elder.

For now, ja.

But maybe not for long.

The towels are by the basin,
and fresh soap and water.

Oh, I'll be fine,
Rebecca, really.

I wonder what
happened to Reuben.

Well, what do you mean?

Well, he said he needed to walk off
his dinner, but that was over an hour ago.

Oh. Well, I... I wouldn't
worry about Reuben.

He has always liked to walk.

He knows the land
around for miles.

Well, if you're
settled, I'm to bed.

Thank you.

Uh, if you do need anything
else Jacob will be up another hour.

Mrs. Fletcher.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I didn't mean to disturb you, but I
left my bag somewhere down here.

Ah, there it is.

Well, good night, then.

I'll be honest, Mrs. Fletcher.
I've never seen anything like it.

But I can tell you one thing.
Whoever hung Jacob up on that pole

had to be strong, and
he had to be an outsider.

An outsider?

Well, the Amish don't
believe in violence.

It goes against their religion.

Murder goes against
everyone's religion, Sheriff.

Please, trust me, ma'am.

These Amish fellows are supposed
to let themselves get beaten to a pulp

rather than put up a fight.

Now, I can't see any of them
stabbing somebody with a pitchfork.

Jacob was killed
with a pitchfork?

I'm sorry.

I probably shouldn't
have mentioned it.

I'd be grateful if
you wouldn't also,

at least until the
coroner confirms it.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

WOMAN: Ah! Welcome, Bishop.

Rebecca, I came
as soon as I heard.

Jacob was a good man.

You can be sure
he walks with God.

Thank you, Bishop.

Mrs. Beiler... Rebecca,

I'm sorry. I truly am.

I know it's been
a terrible shock,

but I was hoping you might be
able to answer a couple of questions.

For God's sake, you
see how upset she is.

Can't this wait?

If it could, I
would. But it can't.

Rebecca, can you tell me

when it was that you
last saw Jacob alive?

Last night.

He stayed down here to count the collection
when I took Mrs. Fletcher up to her room.

I was tired, so I
went straight to bed.

That must have been
after you went to the barn.

To the barn?

I'm sorry, but I
happened to see you

as I was pulling down
the shades in my bedroom.

Oh, yes, I... I remember.

I went to check on Annie.

Annie?

Who is Annie?

My cat.

Her first litter is
due any time now.

But she was well,
and I came up to bed.

You turn in, too?

Not right away.

I took a walk after dinner.

Got back about 10:00.

Nobody was up, so I went to bed.

Uh-huh.

So it seems Mrs. Fletcher
was the last one to see Jacob,

when she came to get her
purse about... About 9:00.

And you didn't see or hear
anything unusual last night?

Don't you think we would
have told you if we had?

Take it easy, Mr. Stoltz.

A temper like yours
can lead to trouble.

But then I guess
you know about that.

The Sheriff is only doing
his job as he sees fit, Reuben.

Yeah, well, I've got a job, too,

and that's seeing Mrs. Fletcher
gets back to Philadelphia.

Oh, please, I'm sure that
we can work something out.

No problem.

We've got a bus that leaves for
Philadelphia every day at 2:00.

I'll have one of my boys
run you into town for a ticket.

Thank you, Sheriff.
That's very kind of you.

Thanks anyway, Sheriff,
but as soon as my car's

fixed, I'll be driving
Mrs. Fletcher back.

You want to get your car
fixed, that's fine with me.

About leaving town,

don't even think about it.

Or what? You'll arrest me?

On what charge?
I didn't kill Jacob.

Then you've got
nothing to worry about.

I'm sorry about all
this, Mrs. Fletcher.

Here I drive you 50 miles to
get a quilt, and look what you get.

Please, don't worry.

I'll be fine.

Well, the least I can
do is pay for the ticket.

Nonsense. I would have
taken the bus anyway

if you hadn't
offered to drive me.

I guess I thought coming home a big
shot would prove something. I don't know.

At least let me
pay for the ticket.

Don't be silly.

Now, check with the garage and
find out when they can pick up the car

and then I'll join you
when I'm finished.

Okay?

Okay.

Oh, hello, Ethan.

May I help you?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

Oh, didn't I see you at the
prayer meeting yesterday

sitting way off in the back?

Uh, ja, that was me.

Uh, would you like
one of the quilts?

Well, I'd love to bring one to my nephew
and his wife for their wedding anniversary.

But they're all so beautiful,
I can't make up my mind.

But I think that I
like this one best.

Mm, ja, that's my favorite, too.

Mmm-hmm.

It seems very reasonable.

May I give you a check for it?

Ja.

I don't want to carry it
around with me all day.

Uh, would you mind

holding it for me until my
bus leaves this afternoon?

I'll wrap it and put
your name on it.

Thanks.

I'll give you a hand.

Thank you.

Tell me, when is your baby due?

Oh, are you all right?

Oh, yes, well.

Why don't we have a little sit
down over here for a minute?

I'm sorry.

Oh, please, don't apologize.

I've been told that having a baby can
be like an emotional roller coaster, right?

It's not the baby.

Something terrible has happened.

An offense against
God's most holy law.

It's about Jacob
Beiler, isn't it?

Do the police know who did it?

Well, not yet, but
they're working on it.

Sheriff Haynor says he can
find a needle in a haystack

so it won't take him
long to search the barn.

Yes, well, I can't
help but think that

Sheriff Haynor is
exaggerating a little bit.

But, uh, I'm sure
they're doing their best.

(DOOR OPENING)

I'll put your
package in the back.

Now, if you folks will
just keep the car in

line with my truck,
everything will be okay.

Thanks. I don't think it
could be done without you.

I feel useless, not
being able to help.

Glad to be of help.

You just favor a while
that back, Reuben.

Well, these mailboxes didn't
seem to do your car any good.

Or vice versa.

Got a smoke?

Thanks.

Got a light?

You got a problem, Mr. Stoltz?

I thought you might have,

seeing as how
we found this out in

Jacob Beiler's barn.

We also found some hay

stained with what I'm willing
to bet was Jacob's blood.

The only thing we haven't found
is the pitchfork that killed him

but I sure found
the man that used it.

Reuben Stoltz,
you're under arrest

for the murder of Jacob Beiler.

REUBEN: I've got a lawyer friend
who'll tear this case to shreds.

Yes, well I think that you
may have to try to reach him.

He's out of town until tomorrow.

But once he hears, he'll come
down on this with both feet.

Well, from the looks of
it, he's going to have to.

I know how it looks.

I hated Jacob.
Everybody knew that.

But I'm telling you, Mrs.
Fletcher, I didn't kill him.

Look, Reuben, I have
to admit that I found

the open hostility between
you and Jacob very puzzling.

Jacob is the man
who had me shunned.

Violence is contrary to the
Amish laws, Mrs. Fletcher.

Five years ago,
Jacob and I had a fight.

Not just words,
a physical fight.

And when I couldn't
repent my actions

he had me shunned.

And is that why you went away?

You know what it's
like being shunned?

It's like being dead.

People you've
known all your life,

people you love

can't look at you,

or talk to you,

or even sit near you.

It's like you died.

Only the body doesn't know it.
It keeps on eating, and sleeping

and working,

until one day you wonder why.

What's the point?

That's why I left.

About your quarrel with Jacob,

it takes two to fight.

Did he defend himself?

Yes, yes.

But I nearly killed him.

But why?

I mean, what was it about?

He said some things
I still can't repeat.

But I've never
touched him since.

Well, unfortunately, Sheriff
Haynor doesn't seem to agree.

And then finding
your cigarette lighter in

the barn didn't help
him to change his mind.

Well, I already told him I had a cigarette
in the barn last night, after my walk.

I must have forgotten my
lighter on my way to bed.

Well, in that case, since
no one else smokes,

I'm sure that the police will
find the cigarette butt to prove it.

Uh, no.

I mean, I tossed the cigarette
outside on my way back to the house,

and with all the comings
and goings this morning

I doubt the police are
ever going to find it.

You may be right.

But I can't help thinking that
you know more than you're saying.

Are you accusing me, too?

No, no.

I want to help you, Reuben.

But to do that, you're going to
have to trust me with the truth.

You want the truth?

I didn't kill him!

That's the truth!

Reuben's in jail?

That's why I came back.

I thought if there's anything else that
you could remember about last night,

anything at all,
it might help him.

But I told the police everything
I know. You heard me.

I heard you tell the Sheriff that you
went to the barn to check on your cat.

But the way you
crossed the yard,

the frightened way you
looked back at the house,

I sensed there was more
to it than just tending a pet.

I'm only asking for
the truth, Rebecca.

It's the only thing
that will help.

But it won't, don't you see?

It's just going to make
everything worse.

Please, Rebecca.

Last night, what
happened in the barn?

It was all my fault.

Reuben.

No, Reuben, please.

Things are different now.

You left, and I married Jacob.

When I heard, I
couldn't believe it.

I knew you'd be
married someday, but...

But Jacob?

It seems strange, I know.

But Jacob was kind when
I needed kindness most.

It tore me apart,
your being shunned.

But when you left,
Reuben, it nearly killed me.

Jacob was there to
pick up the pieces.

Jacob was always there.

If you asked me here to
listen to you sing his praises, I...

No.

I asked you to meet me because I know
the truth about what happened between you.

He told you?

Not until after we were married.

Then he actually
bragged to me one night

about how he deliberately
goaded you into that fight with him.

Uh, I don't understand.

Telling you I was a tramp

that I betrayed you with him the night
you missed the Krueller's barn dance.

Terrible lies,
Reuben, and he knew

you'd do anything to stop
him from spreading them.

He wanted me to fight him?

Jacob knew you'd never repeat the things
he said, for fear of hurting my reputation.

And without a full confession,
you could never repent

so the Bishop would be
forced to have you shunned.

Reuben, don't you see?

Jacob wanted you shunned.

He wanted me himself.

My God.

What kind of man is he?

Reuben, that's
not for us to judge.

Listen, the
important thing is that

you must confess the provocation
you were under, and repent.

Reuben, you can come home.

How?

How can I repent something
I've never been sorry I did?

Rebecca, I fought to
save you from exactly

what happened to me,
and I would do it again.

But I can't lie to God, Bec.

Not...

Not even to be...
To be near you.

So, this is what you
do behind my back.

Jacob, it's not what you think.

No, of course not.

It's simple
Christian charity, ja?

Tell me,

does my wife's hospitality
extend to our bed?

No, Reuben, no, not again!

Please, not for me.

You wrong me, Jacob.

Get back to the house.

But you don't understand.

Go!

I must think on this.

The clock was chiming
9:30 when I came in.

Mrs. Fletcher, I would never
have left Jacob alone if I had known.

Of course not.

But why did he go to
the barn in the first place?

Well, he must have come to
bed early, and saw I wasn't there

and came looking for me.

But when I left
the barn last night

I thought I heard
someone outside.

Now, I never saw
who it was, but...

I mean, who else could it
have been, except Reuben?

I mean, he must have
pretended to leave

and then waited
until I was gone, and...

I'm not so sure.

When I came downstairs
to find my purse last night

Jacob was reading a note.

It may not mean anything but

I couldn't help but notice him trying
to hide the note in the collection box.

It might be wise
to have a look at it.

But I don't have
the collection box.

Franz Kaufmann offered to
take charge of it this morning.

Ethan?

I'm sorry, I didn't
mean to startle you.

Actually, I was hoping
to talk to your father.

He's not here.

From the looks of things

you're not planning on staying
around here much longer yourself.

I'm not going back on my
promise, if that's what you think.

I said I'd pay for
the car, and I will.

Whatever the cost, I'll send it.

I'm not worried about
the money, Ethan.

But if your leaving has anything
to do with Jacob's death...

Jacob's dead?

You were thinking
maybe of running away?

I'm not running away, Papa.

I'm leaving.

Running away,
leaving, it's all the same.

A guilty man can never
escape the eyes of God.

What are you talking about?

Oh, Mr. Kaufmann, please.

You may be holding a
vital piece of evidence

that the police may
want to examine.

What I'm holding is the
pitchfork that killed Jacob.

Where did you find it?

The cave by the river,
where it was put by my son.

No!

"Thou shalt not
kill," sayeth the Lord.

Do violence to no man.

Yet you have raised your
hand, and killed Jacob Beiler.

Now, God help me.

I must take you in.

I don't know anything
about that pitchfork.

I didn't do it! Papa,
make them believe me!

Papa, Papa, Papa!

Papa!

You're a lucky
guy, you know that?

Most men would have let you fry

than have to see their own
son convicted of murder.

Something on your
mind, Mr. Stoltz?

No. Where do I sign?

Bottom line.

Once I stop to get my briefcase,
we'll be back in Philadelphia in no time.

Well, there's really no rush.

I mean, to be honest,
I'd rather we arrive

in one piece than set
any new world records.

Sorry.

Guess my mind's somewhere else.

Ever since the Sheriff released
you, you've seemed preoccupied.

Have I?

Of course, it's terrible
for the Kaufmanns, but

I should think you'd feel relieved now
that Ethan's been arrested for the murder.

He's just a dumb Amish kid.

What does he know about murder?

Well, a great deal, according
to the way the Sheriff sees it.

Haynor couldn't see the
floor if he fell on his face.

Well, unfortunately, I'm afraid young
Ethan's the one who's in for the fall.

But that's crazy.

Why, Reuben?

How can you be so
sure that he's not guilty?

I just am, that's all.

No, that's not all.

The way you've acted ever since they
locked up Ethan. What is it, Reuben?

Why are you so
sure they're wrong?

Because

he's telling the truth.

Ethan didn't hide
that pitchfork.

I did.

You hid the pitchfork, Reuben?

Please don't ask me to explain.

I can't say any more.

Rebecca already has.

(STUTTERING)
What did she tell you?

Everything.

Up till the time that she came
back to the house, about 9:30.

Including the fact that she heard somebody
outside the barn, as she was leaving it.

Well, it couldn't have been me.

Why not?

Reuben, innocent
people are being hurt.

If you know something,
please, you've got to tell me.

I wouldn't have gone back at all if
I hadn't seen the lantern burning.

I went to check.

I got to the barn and went in.

That's when I saw Jacob.

I tried to help him,
but it was too late.

As I stared down at him

I knew Sheriff Haynor
would think I killed him

because of what had
happened between us before.

That's when I knew I
had to hide his body

someplace where it couldn't
be found till after I'd left.

The scarecrow idea
had come in a flash.

I figured, what better place
than to hide his body in plain sight,

then clean my
prints off the pitchfork

and chuck it in a cave I
used to play in as a kid.

I didn't count on your early
morning walks, or your sharp eyes.

Still, there's something
that puzzles me.

I mean, if you were trying to
protect yourself from suspicion,

why dispose of Jacob in a way
that demanded such strength?

I mean, the Sheriff was bound to
think that only a man could have done it.

Uh, I don't follow.

I believe that you moved the
body to protect someone, all right.

The same person you
protected five years ago.

Rebecca.

Do honestly believe Rebecca
could kill her own husband?

No.

But you do.

Reuben! Oh, Reuben, God
be praised, you're out of jail!

Yes. Just long enough to get
Mrs. Fletcher back to Philadelphia.

Then I'll be back to make
sure Ethan is released.

Ethan Kaufmann?

His father found the pitchfork in
a cave that Ethan often went to.

Pitchfork? What...
What pitchfork?

Jacob was killed
with a pitchfork?

Bec, I thought you knew.

The Sheriff wanted
to keep it quiet a while.

In fact, no one knew that Jacob
had been killed in the barn like that

until Sheriff Haynor
arrested you.

Oh, my goodness.

Is something wrong?

Yes, with me

for not having
realized it sooner.

Oh, Mrs. Fletcher.

I'll get your quilt.

It's not about the quilt, Sarah.

But I think you know that.

I don't understand.

Well, neither do I completely.

But with your help,
I'll do my best to try.

Try to what?

Understand why you
killed Jacob Beiler.

I'm sorry, Sarah.

I can only try to guess at the
circumstances behind it, but

it was you, wasn't it?

I knew the police would find
me out. All I had to do was wait.

The police know
nothing about this.

Then how did...
How did you know?

I didn't,

until I remembered something
that you said this morning.

Sheriff Haynor says he can
find a needle in a haystack,

so it won't take him
long to search the barn.

Until Sheriff Haynor arrested
Reuben, after our talk,

no one knew that Jacob
had been killed in the barn

except the person
who killed him.

When I sent Jacob a
note to meet me there

all I wanted to
do was talk to him.

What happened, Sarah?

I got to the barn a little early, but
Rebecca and Reuben where there.

Then Jacob came out,
and there was nearly a fight.

But Reuben left, and Jacob
sent Rebecca into the house.

I thought she might have heard
me, but she didn't look to see,

so I went into the
barn to talk to him.

He was furious about the note

said Rebecca would have
seen it, if he hadn't found it first

and then he burned it.

Oh, so that's what
happened to the note.

Mmm, up in smoke.

Just like his promise to have
the Bishop lift my shunning.

Please, Jacob, I know
what we had together

was wrong, but you
said that if I kept quiet.

I know what I said, but
things have changed.

I couldn't believe it.

How could I raise my
baby alone, an outcast?

Then I told him I was going to
repent, and tell the Bishop everything.

And that's when it happened.

You go to the Bishop,
and I'll deny every word.

And who do you think he'll
believe? Me, a deacon of the faith

or a common adulteress?

We'll see who he believes when
I'm holding your child in my arms!

We'll see who everyone believes!

You think I'll allow
you to shame me?

You think I'll be ruined by you?

Let me go!

I won't let you do
this to me, Sarah...

Please, stop!

Stay away from me.

Stay back! Stay away!

Stay away, stay away!

Oh, God!

Oh, no!

(THUDDING)

I didn't mean to kill him.

It was an accident.

I know I should have gone to the police,
but I didn't think anyone would believe me.

I do, Sarah.

And I believe the
Sheriff will, too.

So, what do you think
will happen to her?

Well, I'm no lawyer,

but the Sheriff seems to think that it's
a case of self-defense, pure and simple.

And I have a feeling
that the jury will agree.

Still, it'll be hard on Sarah,
going through all this alone.

Oh, she won't be alone.

No one with faith
is every really alone.

Faith like Jacob's
I could do without.

Jacob was a weak man.

His faith was not a refuge

but a weapon he
used to hide his sins.

And God alone
will judge him for it.

As for Sarah, I've already
called off her shunning.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Yes, it's a miracle how now the
truth is out, everyone is all forgiveness.

I'll get the car.

Reuben is still shunned.

Tell me, Bishop, why
haven't you forgiven him?

I would gladly, if
he asked me to.

But he's not yet ready for that.

When will he be ready?

Surely that's a
puzzle you can solve.

After he forgives himself.

(CHUCKLING)

Amen.