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01x04 - Episode 4

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "m*rder Before Evensong". Aired: September 29, 2025.*
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Canon Daniel Clement, a rector, finds himself entangled in a m*rder investigation after a cousin of the church's patron is discovered with a fatal stab wound inflicted by secateurs, leading him to unravel the mystery.

01x04 - Episode 4

Post by bunniefuu »

- Now, I've asked you once.

Don't make me ask you again.

- What can I do for you?

- Let's start with you forging
your father's paintings,

and we'll go from there,
shall we?

- You mean my mum could
have been originally from here

and went to the Rutland estate
to have me?

- A Reverso?
- Yeah, that's right.

It was a wedding gift
from Jane.

- These men, nicknamed the
scallywags, were a secret army.

- There's going to be
a demonstration

outside the hospital later.

- It's just going to make
trouble.

- He is all alone,

and the one person
that he wants

in his corner has...

- Abandoned him.













- Not easily.
He was in the water a while.



- Right.

- Do you want to tell me
again what happened?

- Uh, I was out early,
checking the traps.

Rabbits and such.

I saw something in the water.

I realized,
so I dragged him out.

- Right.

Um, if you'd like
to go with the officer,

we'll need to take a swab
and your clothes for testing.





- Picking up another lens.

- Someone cut his throat.

- Like Anthony?
- Similar.

No sign of a fight.

Single wound like before.

More slash, though.
Less stab.

- That's awful.

Do you think it was
the same person?

- Chances are.
Don't you think?

Whoever it was, they're quite
the artist with a knife.

- Any idea when?
- Oh, it's hard to tell,

what with the body being
in the water.

But at the moment,
they're saying

sometime yesterday evening.

- And Nathan found the body?

- Mm.

Of course,
it gave him a good excuse

for any blood found
on his clothes.

Look, he wouldn't be the
first k*ller to find the body.

They think it makes them
appear less guilty.

- Do you ever look for
the good in people?

- [Scoffs]

I'll leave that to you.



[Camera shutter clicking]





- Have you seen this?

- Blimey.

- Painted during the w*r,
I'd have thought.

- How can you tell?

- Crosses of Lorraine.

They were the symbol
of the Free French.

Remember, they trained here
during the w*r.

- So what?

All hell breaks loose,
and these two don't care?

They just dance while
the rest of the world burns?

- Look at the way
he's holding her.

I think it's about
the possibility of love

in the midst of despair.

- My version is more realistic.

Oh, I'm going to talk
to Jane Thwaite.

Can you be there?
- She's a suspect?

- A person of interest, certainly.

- But--
- She links both men.

She kept her involvement
with Anthony a secret,

and we only have her word that
they weren't in a relationship.

Maybe Ned did k*ll Anthony,

and then she k*lled Ned.

- Why? Revenge?
- Why not?

- Well, she said
she'd forgiven Ned.

She wanted them to try again.
- Right.

- And she has an alibi,
of sorts.

She was with me
yesterday evening.

- How long for?
- An hour-- more.

She called Ned from the rectory,
left him a message.

- Okay.

- Listen, you might want to
look a bit closer at Alex, too.

He was Anthony's forger.

- Was he?
- Apparently, he wanted out,

and Anthony threatened
to tell his father

if Alex didn't carry on.

- Does anyone around here
not have a secret?



- Neil.

Ned's watch-- the Reverso.



Where is it?



[Knock on door]

- Come.

- Pa.

Honor said the police are coming
to interview everyone later.

- Yeah. That's right.

- Only they might
want to talk to you

about something else as well.

- What do you mean?

- About Anthony forging
and selling those paintings.



- How do you know about that?



- 'Cause I was the one
that forged them.





I'm sorry, Pa.

I wasn't thinking.



It-- It got out of hand.

I never meant to...

- Go.

- Pa?
- Just go, Alexander.

- Pa.
- I swear to...







[Door closes]

[Beep]

- I am not going to throw away

But mostly...

...it's because I love you,
Ned.

[Beep]

- Okay, um, just so I'm clear,

you went from here to
the rectory to speak to Daniel,

and you talked, and then you
made that phone call.

- That's right.
- And afterwards?

- I came straight home.

But he still wasn't here, so
I waited for him to come back.

When he didn't,
I got more and more worried,

and... I didn't know what to do.

Any minute,

I expected him
to walk through the door,

and we'd talk
and we'd sort things out, and...

...everything would be...

Sorry.

- It's alright.

When you last saw him,

was Ned wearing his watch?

- Uh, yeah. Yeah, I think so.
He always wore it.

- And it's not here?

- No.

Why?

- He wasn't wearing it
when he was found.

- And you think
whoever did this, they--

they took it?

- It's possible. Yeah.

- Ned told us
that he was researching a story

about a man called Curling.

- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
That's right.

It's-- It's all in there.

- Do you mind if I take a look?

- If you like.

- Alright?
- Yeah.

- Well, it must have been a bit
of a shock finding him, like.

- Yeah.

- Well, keep busy,
that's the thing.

Get your mind off it.

That hedge down behind
the stables needs trimming.

Where were you last night?

- Ah,
out with a couple of mates.

- Oh, yeah. Who?

- No one you know.



- What do you want
all that for?

- Well, Anthony and Ned
were both researching

Champton during the w*r,

so Jane isn't the only link
between them.

- Still a bit of a stretch.

- Perhaps.

- You know,
if the murders are connected,

that's you off the hook.

I don't think anyone's out
to k*ll you.

- Mm.
That's something, I suppose.

- Still, keep digging up
other people's dirt,

that might change.







- What, so the police
are just going to give up?

- Well, since no one thinks
that I was

the intended m*rder victim,

the letters aren't part
of the investigation anymore.

- We've been the victims
of a vicious

and sustained as*ault
with vile threats.

- We?
- Enormous dead rodents

hanging willy-nilly
from the rafters.

Another man in charge
suddenly turns around

and says, "Sorry, not my aisle."

Well, I'll be having a few words
to say to that DS Vanloo

when I next see him.
- And what happened to "Neil"?

- So, what do we do now?

- Well, I've got Ernie Cobb's
funeral to get ready for.

Harry's dad?

Died the day you arrived.

- You make it sound like
the two events are connected.

- You should be there, too.
- I don't see why.

I didn't know him
from a hole in the ground.

If you see what I mean.

- Well, you are my mother.

I think you should acknowledge

that you have a certain standing
in the community,

wouldn't you say?

- Well,
when you put it like that.

- Mm.

[Bells ringing]



- We have entrusted our brother
Ernest to God's mercy,

and we now commit his body
to the ground.



Earth to earth.



Ashes to ashes.

Dust to dust.



In sure and certain hope
of the resurrection

to eternal life
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.
- Amen.

- It was a lovely send-off.

Just a shame
there weren't a few more people.

- Oh, Audrey,
so nice of you to attend.

- It's the least I can do.

- I'm sure Harry and Katrina
are very grateful.

Even though Ernie
wouldn't have known

who on earth you were.

- As mother of the vicar,

I have a certain standing
in the community.

It's important to acknowledge
that, don't you think?

- I've never been
in the boathouse before.

- Alex and I used to play there
as kids.

- Do you know anything
about the mural?

- Mm, it was painted by one
of the French soldiers

who came over to train.

I think he was an artist
before the w*r.

Hervé something.

Pa will know.

He told me once that Hervé had
been kind to him and Anthony.

I think he tried teaching
them French.

Needless to say,
it didn't stick.

[Both chuckle]

- Alright, I'm heading off.

If you want to stay--
- Excuse me.

Rector, do you have a moment?
- Of course.

- I wanted to ask if I could have
a look at the parish records.

- If you like. Why?

- I'm beginning to think my mum

might have originally
been from here

and went to Rutland
to have me.

Thought there might be something
in the records.

- You could just ask around.

It's in living memory for a lot
of people around here, isn't it?

Anecdotal evidence.
That's what you're looking for.

- Do you think
someone might remember?

- In a small community like this?

In my experience,

if some silly little tart
gets herself into trouble,

someone always remembers.

- Make you think, don't they?
Funerals.

What's that bit?
Something about shadows fleeing.

- "We have but a short time
to live.

Like a flower,
we blossom and then wither.

Like a shadow,
we flee and never stay."

- That's the one.

And poor Jane Thwaite knows that

better than anyone
at the moment.

- I imagine she does.

- You know, Honor De Floures
was telling me

she was out riding
yesterday evening,

and she saw Jane
on the path by the lake.

- By the lake?

- Imagine-- one minute
you're enjoying a walk--

hello--

the next, the police
are knocking at your door.

Talk about shadows fleeing.

What is it?
Not another note?

- That's from
the diocesan registrar.

I'm facing an allegation
of misconduct--

bringing the church
into disrepute.

I've been summoned to explain
myself to Bishop Cregan.

- For getting arrested
at that protest.

I told you not to cross him.

So, what are you going to do?

- Well, the only thing I can do.

- Accept it.
- Fight it!

- How?
- It's a ridiculous charge.

- Really? 'Cause it's not
like you didn't get arrested.

- I'm aware of that.

- And now you think
you can just waltz in

and take on the Bishop
of all people?

- Don't worry about it.

- Is that meant
to make me feel better?

- I will think of something.

- Well, think fast,

because I don't want you
making me homeless

for a second time.

























- Crypt.



No crypt.



- Pa?
- Yep.

- It's a bit rough, but I...

I thought I'd put my skills
to better use.

- Right.

- I thought perhaps
when it's done

and varnished and everything,

we could put it somewhere.

Anyway.

- So, look, um,

I've decided it's not good
for you

to be messing around all day
doing whatever it is you do,

but you're clearly bored
and aimless,

and I can't go on.

So, uh...

[Clears throat]
you need to get a job.

- A job?
- Yep, yep.

Earn your keep.
See how you like it.

- And if I don't?

- Alexander, I've had enough
of you showing utter contempt

for your birthright
whilst enjoying the comfort

luxury that that birthright
affords you.

Get a job,

or find somewhere else to live.



Christ.

- Mother said you'd be here.

- I needed to get out of
the house.

- "Sulking in the sacristy"
was how she described it.

- How alliterative.

- She also gave me a hard time
over your threatening letters.

She seemed to take it
quite personally.

- Mm. I noticed.

- I told him we'd done
all we could,

but it's a dead end.

Anyway, here they are.

- Okay.
Well, thanks for trying.

- What are those?

- Oh, floor plans.

- And you're looking at them
because...

- Well, look, 1726 shows there
used to be a crypt under there,

but during the w*r in 1943,
it's disappeared.

Now, why would anyone hide
the existence

of something like that?

- [Scoffs] I'm guessing
you've got an idea.

- Well, I told you
about the scallywags, didn't I?

- Yeah,
some sort of guerrilla army

in case the Germans invaded, right?

- Right.

Well, Anthony had been
looking for their secret bunker.

I-I wonder if that's what he was
doing when he died.

- And you think it's in here
because of those plans?

A bit farfetched,
don't you think?

[Chuckles]

- I thought maybe
a hidden entrance of some sort.

- Right.

Do you fancy a drink?

- You make it sound
so medieval.

Right now it's just the bishop
who decides.

I make my case,
and he either dismisses it

or recommends a tribunal.

- Let me get this straight.

The bloke you were
protesting against

now gets to be
your judge and jury?

- Okay, that does sound
a bit medieval.

- Hard to see it
ending well for you.

- You sound like my mother.

- Is that why you
had to get out of the house?

Because you had a row?

- We don't row, as such.

We exchange a few broadsides
and then retreat,

wounded, to a safe harbor.

Until the next time.

Oh, by the way,

you might have been right
about Jane Thwaite.

- How do you mean?

- Well, it's probably nothing,
and I only heard it thirdhand.

But according to my mother,

Honor saw Jane on the path
by the lake yesterday evening

before she came to me.

- What was she doing there?
- I have no idea.

But given the window you've got
for the time of death,

she could have k*lled Ned first

and then used me as her alibi.

- [Chuckles]

Look at you.

We'll make
a detective of you yet.

- [Sighs]

- I'm afraid there's
nothing more we can do to help.

- Alright. Thank you.
- Goodbye.

- What is it?

- That was
the insurance company.

They say we aren't covered.

- What?

- We don't have accidental damage
or something.

We have to pay for everything
ourselves.

- If we do that, how the hell
can we afford to go to France?

Okay, and you still think

the w*r has something
to do with this?

- Yes.

- You reckon there's a connection
between the murders

and something
that happened 40 years ago?

- Yes, I do.
- I don't see it.

- Well, it doesn't mean
it's not there.

- Okay, you find the connection,

and then we'll talk again.

Do you want a lift home?
- No, no.

There's someone I need to see.

- Oh.

- Hi, Kath.
Have you got a minute?

I wanted a quick chat.

- Of course.

What about?

- Harry Cobb.

- Oh.

- I may be wrong and if that is
the case, I do apologize, but...

Well, earlier today,
you reacted...

- Oh, it's alright.

Whatever it is,
you can say it in front of Dora.

- No secrets here.

- Well, it was something
my mother said,

in her usual warm
and understanding way.

She-- She disparaged girls
who fell pregnant.

I saw your expression,
and it looked like it hurt,

like she was talking about you.

Don't you think it's time
Harry knew?

- What if he blames me?

- For giving him up?

- And for lying
this whole time.

What if he... doesn't want...

We say hello.

It's nice.

I can see him and the baby...

and nobody knows.

It all works.

I'm not sure I'm ready
to risk that.

- There you are.

- Yeah, I went
for a drink with Neil.

- Good.

As long as you weren't stewing
on your own.

- No.

- Have you eaten?
- Had some crisps.

- I-I could do you a soup.
Sandwich?

- I'm fine.
- It's no bother.

- Then thank you.
I'd like that.

- Crisps.













- Jane, we have a witness

who saw you
on the path by the lake

the evening your husband died.

- So?

- So, I'm wondering
why you didn't mention it.

- I was looking for Ned.

It's one of his favorite
places to go.

He loved taking photos there.

Something about the light.

I thought perhaps
I might find him.

But then, to be honest,
I had second thoughts.

- Why?

- Because I realized
I was actually afraid.

- Of your husband?

- Oh, yeah.

And I thought
if I'm afraid of him,

what does that say
about our marriage?

- And that's when you went to see
Canon Clement?

- Yes.

- Why didn't you tell me
this yesterday?

- I don't know.

I wasn't really thinking
straight.

- Okay.

For the time being,
I think it's best

if you don't leave the area.

I'll show myself out.





- You've been out here
for hours.

- Mm.

- I didn't know better.
I'd say you're avoiding me.

Harry's going to start
asking questions.

You can't stop him.

- I know.

- And Audrey's right.

Somebody always remembers.

Ernie and Jane are both gone.

You kept your side
of the bargain.

And if Harry's asking,

it's because he's ready
to hear the truth.

























- Kath?



- Will you come with me?

I think I'm ready.



- Sir.

I've been going over
Anthony Bowness' bank records.

- Right.
- I noticed

he made withdrawals
once a month

on or about the same date.

Always the same branch.

- So, over a period
of six months,

he withdrew £3,000?
- In cash.

Regular as clockwork.

Why would he do that?

- Blackmail?







- Hi, Kath.

- You said you were looking
for your real mum and dad.

- Yeah, that's right.

- I can help you with that.



I'm afraid your father died
in the w*r.



- I see.

- But your mum...

is very much alive.



When I found out I was pregnant,

Lord De Floures sent me
to Rutland to have you.

Ernie and Jean worked
at the big house there,

and Jean couldn't have babies.

It was the obvious solution.

They were desperate,

so, you know,

it worked out well for them.

Mm.

After a week or so,

I came back here.

- That must have been hard.

- That was the deal.

I went back to work
and did my best to forget.

But then a few years later,

there was a vacancy
at Champton House,

and Ernie was sent to fill it.

So, Harry ended up here...

under your nose.

And you didn't say a thing.

- No, I promised Ernie and Jane.

- I don't think
I could have done that.

- It was for the best.

And I got to watch
my baby grow up.

How many girls like me
got to do that?

[Indistinct conversations]

- "D.O.Y."

"D.O.Y."

Corinne,
have we got the items

that were in Anthony Bowness'
pockets when he died?



- Are you looking for something
in particular?



- This ticket.

Find out
where this bus route goes.





Public house.





- Yeah, I remember him.

- Are you sure?

- How many people
do you think we get in here,

want Angostura bitters
and tonic?

- Was he in here recently?
- Yeah.

He'd come in, I don't know,
every few weeks.

Always sat over there.

- Did he meet anyone?

- Always the same bloke.
- Right.

Can you describe him for me?

- About 60. Beard.
Rough looking.

Big old gray coat.

And he smelt a bit as well.

You know, animals and earth
and that.



- Quite a day.



- Thank you.

- For what?

- Pushing me.

I was so worried
what would happen,

but... it was lovely.

- I'm glad.

You know...

there was another reason
why I wanted you to tell him.

I needed to know
when the time comes that you...



...would have someone,

that you wouldn't be...



I don't like the idea
of you being on your own.



You know,
with no one to boss around.

- Well, I don't
boss people around.

- Much.

- [Chuckles]



- Peas in a pod?



- Peas in a pod.



- Patrick Liversidge.

Open up! Police!



Open the door!



- Noisy bugger, aren't you?



- What are you doing?

- Dusting for fingerprints.

I saw it on "Juliet Bravo."

- Yardley talcum powder?

- Better than that
imperial leather muck you use.

- [Coughs]

- It's a bit heavy on the scent,
but still.

- First of all,
the police have already looked.

There aren't any prints.

Secondly, and I think the facts
will back me up on this,

they don't use Yardley's
English lavender.

- At least I'm doing something.

Feel free to jump in
at any time.

- You're right. I'm sorry.

First, I'm going to fix a drink.

Would you like one?

- A Noilly. Splendid idea.

- I don't know
what you're talking about.

- The barman says
that he saw you meeting

with Anthony Bowness.

Why would that be?

- He must be confused.

- He says he saw
Anthony give you a package

on more than one occasion.

- What can I say?
Not me.

- Sir.

This was in an old tire
around the back.

And, um,
this was under the sink.



- Patrick Liversidge,

I am arresting you
on suspicion of the murders

of Anthony Bowness
and Ned Thwaite.

You don't have to say anything
unless you wish to do so.

Anything you say may be put into
writing and given in evidence.

Do you understand?



Come on.
- Alright.



- That lavender is
quite strong.

- Well,
if you will use half a tin.

Mm. Perhaps you ought to give
some to Kath and Dora.

- Because?

- Well, they were going to visit
the lavender fields in France.

But since Dora flooded
the house, they can't afford to.

- Aren't they insured?
- Apparently not.

- We had a flood once
when you were little.

Do you remember?
- Vaguely.

- The tap broke
on the kitchen sink.

Water poured out.
We couldn't stop it.

Your father was useless,
of course.

So, I had to go out
into the street

to find the main stop tap

in my dressing gown.

Can you imagine?
In front of the whole street.

I was mortified.

- On the street?
- What?

- The main stop tap.
It was on the street?

- Of course, so you
can get to it in an emergency.

It wouldn't be much good
anywhere else, would it?

- I have to go.





























































Gerd Breutner?

Born in Hamburg.





- I was right.