Father Brown

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Oh, steady, mate!

Good evening, Polly.

Is Mr Wilson in?

Upstairs. His leg's playing up again.

Tell him to come and see me when he's up to it.

Yes, Mr Barford.

Got business with 'im, 'ave ya?

Trying to steal the coins out of another man's pocket?

Settle down now, Pat.

Sorry. - Don't fret.

I'll be on my way.

Yeah, that's right.

Go spend your dirty money somewhere else.

Ought to be taught a lesson!

What use is running your mouth off like that, eh?

You got a point there, lass.

Words mean nothing.

COCKEREL GROWS

Get up! Get up, quick!

It's my father, they're saying that he's killed a man.

Wha... - SHE SIGHS

Killed a man...?

Right, sir, er...

Workman who found the body reckons it's Roger Barford.

Owns the Barford textile factory.

A blow to the head.

He could have slipped and fell in, hit his head on something under the water.

His clothes are dry.

Huh...

It looks like a receipt.

I'm guessing someone had a debt to settle.

Yes.

I still don't understand why you have to write it down twice.

So that the accounts balance.

Well, that seems rather a waste of time.

And anyway, I thought it was unladylike to know how much is in one's bank account?

Give me strength!

Well, I'll go and put the kettle on.

Good idea. I've just found someone outside who looks like he could do with a cup of tea.

Oh, Sidney!

BUNTY GASPS - SIDNEY LAUGHS

Sid!

Uh, aren't you gonna introduce us, Sid?

Mrs M, Bunty...

This is Maeve Lochlin.

Lovely to meet you.

And it's very lovely to meet you too, Miss Lochlin.

Yes. Lovely.

I thought you were still in Rhodesia with Aunt Fliss?

Yeah, long story, it's gonna have to wait.

Father, we need your help.

The lad who used to work for us got sick

and Sid offered his labour in return for transport up the canal.

Well, I was on my way here, only Maeve invited me to the fair

at King's Norton one night and, um...

Well, one thing led to another, and...

I just mean that we hit it off.

There's something about those canals, the way of life. I mean, it's hard, but...

You found peace? - For now, at least.

And the police think your father is responsible?

Yeah, he was heard threatening Mr Barford at The Miller's Thumb.

It's a pub on the canal. - I know.

It was just talk.

Not that the police will care.

See, we're boat people.

Times like this, evidence tends to turn up whether you're guilty or not.

Where's your father now?

No one's seen him since last night. He didn't come back to the boat.

Does he have any friends around here? Anywhere he might go?

There's this one old fella he drinks with sometimes.

Do you know his name?

Sorry... He's a funny one.

He wears a big, old coat with all his war medals on.

Looks like he's not seen hot bath in many a month.

I think I know who you mean.

Come on.

COCKEREL GROWS

Who is it?

Father Brown.

Oh.

Thought you were the Constabulary for a moment.

Is Mr Lochlin in?

I'm here to help.

Oh, I s'pose you better come in.

You can come out!

MAEVE SIGHS I was so worried!

I'm sorry, love.

Pat, this is Father Brown.

It's the man I was telling you about. He's gonna sort this out.

Miracle worker, is he? - He found you, didn't he?

Mr Lochlin, pleased to meet you.

Although I wish it were under better circumstances.

I killed nobody, Father.

I'm relieved to hear it.

Although there was an altercation, I heard?

He owed me money, refused to pay up...

I wasn't born yesterday.

Pay you? I should call the police!

Roger? ls there a problem?

Everything's fine, darling. I'll be there in one moment.

I want what's due.

Then you will be sorely disappointed.

Where did you go after the pub?

I went back to Mr Barford's. Only to tell him to pay, mind!

Open up!

DOORBELL RINGS

I want my money!

HE YELLS

This isn't over...

There was no answer so I left, and that's when I met up with 'Arry.

We shared a bottle or two. Together all night.

Weren't till I headed back to boat at daybreak that I saw what happened.

So I turned round and came straight back 'ere.

Knew they'd blame me, ya see?

If you go to the police--

They'd let me swing so they could say they solved the case!

Hey. This is Father Brown.

Alright? He's gonna the real killer in no time, trust me.

Hmm.

Stay here for now, Mr Lochlin. I'll do what I can.

DOORBELL RINGS

Father Brown? It's been too long.

I heard your news. I am so sorry for your loss.

You must think terribly of us.

Roger always worked such long hours, you see, and...

It is easy for life to get in the way of our prayers.

I keep thinking I'll look over and he'll be sat there

reading his newspaper.

Is there anything I can do to help?

All I want right now is that man behind bars.

The boatman.

Forgive me, Father, but I hope he rots in hell for what he did.

You believe he is responsible for your husband's death?

I know it.

I heard them arguing.

The man was frightening!

Anybody else who might have wished your husband harm?

My Roger was a decent, kind soul.

Well respected.

There's a factory full of women who owe him their livelihood.

I understand.

However-- - After that brute came to our house

Roger told me he had business to attend to.

He left.

He never came back.

That man is guilty, Father. Believe me.

She can think what she likes. My father didn't do it.

You don't believe me?

Course I do.

Police.

Er...!

Put it with the rest. - Oi!

Give that back! We need that for the locks.

Don't worry, this boat isn't going anywhere for a while.

Who gave you permission to come on-board? This is our home!

We've got a warrant.

Maeve Lochlin, I take it?

So it's true what they say about bad pennies.

Thought you were in Africa?

Yeah, just got sick of the mosquitoes.

May I ask what you're looking for, Inspector?

Whatever was used to clobber Mr Barford around the head.

Now, where's your father?

No idea. - Hiding, is he?

Guilty conscience?

If he is hiding, it's cos he knows you lot will fit him up.

We found a receipt on the body. Callaway's jewellery shop in Birmingham.

Mean anything to you? - No.

You sure?

Inspector! I've found something.

It's a priest.

A priest?

It's a fisherman's bludgeon.

They use it to dispatch their catch after they've reeled it in.

Well, isn't that the story of my life?

I arrive at the abode of a suspected murderer and what do I find but a bloody priest!

He uses it for fishing, that's all.

So it does belong to your father.

I'll ask you one more time. Where is he?

Fine. We'll find him ourselves.

What can I get for you, gentlemen?

We're looking for Pat Lochlin, Miss.

Not been in since last night.

I take it you've heard the news?

Some of your customers say Mr Lochlin was threatening Roger Barford?

Pat didn't mean nothing by it. Friendly man, most of the time.

Friendly, eh? Any particular friends who could confirm this?

You know, like a character witness.

I dunno...

I've seen him having a drink with Blind 'Arry a few times.

'Arry would vouch for him. You know 'Arry?

Oh, yes. Harold Slow and I go way back.

We need to talk to anyone who was there last night.

Somebody must have seen the killer.

Round up the men!

I want Harold Slow's pigsty turned upside-down within the hour.

Well, they'll find him! What do we do?

Wish me luck.

Mind if I borrow this?