Death in Paradise

REGGAE MUSIC PLAYS.

Hey guys, what are you doing?

MUSIC CONTINUES.

It's just not the way it's meant to be, JP.

I understand, Ruby, but we're police officers.

Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices, you know.

But it's New Year's Eve, and we're working.

I mean, I've never missed a New Year's in my life. Ever.

I mean, I should be out with the people, enjoying myself.

Hey, evening, sweetness.

Eyes off the prize, if you please, and it's, "Evening, Officer."

SHE CHUCKLES.

Ruby. Hello?

Ruby! We're still on duty.

Oh, sorry, JP. Momentary distraction.

I'm totally back on the job now.

Oh, my goodness, look who it isn't! Cantrice! Sharonda! Yes! My girls!

Hi! JP, I'm taking five and no arguments.

Oh, my goodness! I could really use a drink right now.

Vanessa?

They'll be wondering where we are.

I thought it was the boss's prerogative to arrive late.

My prerogative, darling,

is for us to get there before the damn thing's over.

Well, you go on ahead. I won't be long.

I'll see you there.

DOOR CLOSES.

Henry. Hello. Good to see you. Good evening, everyone.

Lovely to see you. Hi.

Scotch and soda, please, for me.

Mr McCormack! You made it. I wouldn't miss this for the world.

Is Mrs McCormack not coming?

She's still at home deciding which dress to wear.

Never one for punctuality, my wife.

Well, I'm sure it's worth it. She always looks stunning.

Can I get you a plate of food from the buffet?

I think there's still some lobster left.

No, I'm good, thank you. You enjoy yourself.

Wha-What do you want?

No, no, no, no!

SLICING THUD.

BAND PLAYS.

Are you sure this is a good idea? Not in the slightest, Madeleine.

Sometimes, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Bien sur.

Be gentle with me, Aubrey. Hi, Sarge.

Evening, Sarge. Hi.

So, how did we get here?

Well, the Inspector never calypsoed before.

Then he heard Aubrey won a championship in Trinidad and...

Right. Something tells me this isn't going to end so well.

ALL GASP Oh!

I told you. Jamar, same again, please, for the lads.

I had a feeling that might happen.

My backside's to blame. Totally got a mind of its own.

Aubrey here runs a calypso class. Maybe I should sign up.

New year, new challenge.

I'll need a dance partner, though.

Madeleine, fancy coming along?

PHONE RINGS Well... Commissioner! Enjoying the celebrations?

Right.

OK, sir, on my way. What is it, sir?

We have a murder.

I was at the yacht club New Year's Eve dinner

when I got the call.

It's quite the dashing figure you cut, sir, if I may say so.

I'd rather you didn't. So, what do we know so far, Commissioner?

Aaron McCormack arrives home about an hour ago

to find his wife Vanessa dead on the kitchen floor.

And the cause of death? She was stabbed through the chest.

So, this Mr McCormack, is he an acquaintance of yours, Commissioner?

Aaron is a prominent figure in Saint Marie business circles.

He owns Cariba Airways.

That explains the swanky villa, then.

Looks like lipstick. Same colour as the one she's wearing.

That's quite a bold shade of red. Not many women could carry that off,

but I think Mrs McCormack definitely has the right undertones

in her skin to make it work.

Excellent level of detail, Officer Patterson.

Thank you, Commissioner Patterson.

Inspector, you will have to excuse me.

I should go and check on Aaron.

The victim's pocket mirror was left open,

suggesting she was doing her make-up

when she was interrupted by our killer.

As we have no sign of the lipstick, we can only assume that...

The killer must have taken it. Yes, sir.

Something's bothering you, sir? It's these three little dots here.

Whoever did this could have just put a single full stop, but they didn't.

They chose to put three little dots, which implies...

there's more to follow.

So, what time was it you left your wife

to go to the party, Mr McCormack?

Half-eight, thereabouts.

And how long was it before you came back here?

Well, it had gone ten before I realised Vanessa hadn't arrived,

and so I called her mobile and left a message,

and when she didn't phone me back, I started to worry.

And that's when I decided to come...

to come and check on her.

And, Aaron, can you think of anyone who might have done this?

No-one. No-one you've fallen out with recently

or threatened you in any way?

Aaron?

The only argument I've had is...

It couldn't have been him. It can't be who?

My brother. I've got something.

This is from 9.32, earlier this evening.

Looks like a man, by the shape and the build.

He's wearing a mask.

It's le Diable. Sorry, sir?

The mask is of le Diable.

It's a Saint Marie tradition on New Year's Eve to dress up

as a character from the island's folklore,

including le Diable.

And who or what exactly is he?

He's the Devil, Inspector.

My brother and I haven't spoken for...

Well, it must be 15 years now.

This is us with our father.

That's Donald.

We were in our 20s when that was taken.

Selwyn, I'm sure you're familiar with my family's chequered history.

Not many on this island who aren't.

I know, when he passed, your father left the family business,

the rum distillery, to Donald.

He was the oldest son. He was always going to get it.

But when he refused to let me have a role in running the place,

that's when we really fell out.

And why did he do that? HE SIGHS.

Well, we never got along. We were always fighting.

Donald was a shy kid, never really comfortable in his own skin.

I think he resented that I was.

So, when he inherited the family business,

it gave him a chance to... really lash out.

FIREWORKS EXPLODE.

Some start to the year, this is.

Aaron, I still don't understand.

If Donald spurned you, what was it, 15-odd years ago

and you haven't spoken since,

why would he murder your wife all this time later?

Because he came to see me at my work this morning to ask for my help.

Help? In what way? Money.

The distillery's about to go into receivership and that place is...

Well, it's the only thing my brother has ever cared about.

So, he swallowed his pride and came to me.

Let me guess - you turned him down?

And I enjoyed the moment more than I should have.

I'm begging you, please!

I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.

And that's why you think he came here tonight, stabbed Vanessa.

Revenge? Donald's last words to me...

You'll suffer for this. You'll see.

Donald! Wait up!

Please, let's just talk this through.

Talk? What is there to talk about?

My own brother, in my hour of need!

He as good as laughed in my face. What more is there to say?

You all right, old boy? I'm... I'm a bit worried about you.

DOOR CLOSES.

Help! Charlie! Donald!

Help me!

Charlie! Donald!

Help! Donald!

Charlie!

Donald! Help me. Donald, what...?

DONALD CRIES OUT.

Donald? My God, are you...? DONALD GROANS.

Ambulance. I need an ambulance.

DONALD GROANS.

LINE RINGS Ambulance!

He's lucky it wasn't worse. We should arrange some protection.

Nothing to say our killer won't try and get him again, finish the job off.

I'll speak to the local security companies.

PHONE CHIMES.

Ruby, focus on the job at hand.

Sorry, JP. It's only Raymond. Who's Raymond?

The cute guy from the street last night.

Oh, him? But you hardly spoke. How did he get your number?

Oh, us girls have our ways and means,

and I'm telling you, he's proving himself to be quite a catch.

PHONE CHIMES Most guys I meet

are only interested in themselves, but when it comes to Raymond,

it's all about me. SHE CHUCKLES.

Oh, that's great, but we have a murder to solve, remember?

Oh, you-you're right, JP.

Murder-solving time it is. DOOR OPENS.

So, what did they say, sir?

Well, the paramedics were keen to get Donald off to hospital,

so not much.

But I did get one thing - the assailant was a man.

He was wearing jeans, a light-grey hoodie

and - wait for it - a Devil's mask.

So, it IS the same guy that killed Vanessa McCormack.

Le Diable strikes again. You were right, sir.

You said you thought there was more to follow.

Which makes sense of this. "La vengeance... est complete."

"The revenge is complete."

A message delivered in two parts for a crime committed in two parts.

First, Vanessa's murder. Second, Donald.

Which leaves us with two questions we need to answer.