Father Brown

I die at peace, knowing I am innocent of my husband's murder...

.. and that the Lord will wait for me on the other side.

I have only one request...

Tell Father Brown I forgive him.

We thought you might require some sustenance.

Most kind.

You mustn't let this get to you.

Katherine Corven's execution is a result of my actions.

Oh, poppycock! She's the one who killed her husband.

- That evil witch is getting what she deserves! - Penelope!

Oh, don't "Penelope" me! You know you feel exactly the same.

Well, it's true... The world will be a safer place without her.

If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone.

I would like to pray for her.

For all the good that'll do.

Hello, St Mary's Presbytery.

Yes, it is.

I see.

Thank you for telling me.

Goodbye.

They're letting her go.

Miss Hamsley!

A good, clean shot of Mrs Corven for the front page,

and a few quotes if possible.

Yes, Mr Gladwell.

Calm!

Thank you all for welcoming me back into civilisation.

I never abandoned hope that the truth would come out.

How did it come out, Mrs Corven?

Hearing of my imminent execution,

my husband's murderer finally decided to confess.

And do you have anything to say to those who locked you up

for a crime you didn't commit?

God saved me to do His good work.

Those that wronged me shall answer to Him.

This way, please.

Mrs Corven, one more thing!

It was the Corvens' cleaner, Vivienne Hubb.

Apparently Katherine's husband, Bertrand,

sacked Mrs Hubb over some petty grievance.

She was left destitute and murdered Mr Corven in revenge.

Why confess now?

Mrs Hubb is old and sick.

She didn't want to die with it on her conscience.

Or she went doolally.

We all know Katherine killed her husband.

Mrs Hubb gave a detailed description of the crime,

beyond anything in the public domain.

Perhaps Mrs Corven coerced her into taking responsibility.

From her prison cell?! More likely you made a mistake!

You can't just let that evil woman wander the streets unchecked!

What if she goes after Father Brown?

The-powers-that-be have deemed Katherine Corven

fit to re-enter society, at least until her appeal.

Anyway, I doubt she'll bother you if she's locked away in a convent.

Sorry, I thought you said "convent"!

Haven't you heard?

Our numbers have dwindled, but we march on.

We lead simple lives here.

It's exactly what I wish for.

Is this really what you want?

After all you've been through, why not take some time...

I've had plenty of time.

As a postulant, you would be expected to obey all our rules.

You'd have to leave the sins of the past behind.

I want to leave the past behind.

I've made so many mistakes, I've done such foolish things...

Ah, none of us are without blemish.

You ask if I'm certain?

Like Ruth, I know the answer.

"Be not against me, to desire that I should leave thee and depart,

"for whithersoever thou shalt go, I will go,

"and where thou shalt dwell, I also will dwell.

"Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

In that case... Welcome to Saint Augustine's!

Mr Slow.

No, thank you.

Thought you might need it.

Heard about that bad one being let out.

I've known Viv Hubb For donkey's years.

Fierce tongue, but a murderer? Don't be daft.

You want to watch your back now that Corven woman's out.

Hell hath no fury, and all that.

It's not MY back I'm worried about.

Knowing Katherine Corven, she will want to torment me.

All those I care about are possible targets.

You care about everyone, Father.

That's your problem.

And some may be in greater danger than others.

Oh, here you are, Father!

You're late for parish council.

Ah, I confess it completely slipped my mind.

Mr Slow. You're looking...

well.

And you are shimmering like

the sunshine on a duck pond, Mrs McCarthy.

Sorry, Father, there's someone here to see you.

Eddie Hamsley, Kembleford Gazette.

Hoping to get an interview about your role

in the miscarriage of justice involving Katherine Corven.

What?!

The only "miscarriage of justice" is that evil woman being released.

Evil? Katherine's the innocent victim of a flawed legal system.

Yet she shows no bitterness. She's quite extraordinary.

Extraordinary, indeed.

Mrs Corven has a particular talent

for manipulating how she is perceived by others.

Katherine was wronged, Father, by you especially.

It's my duty to tell the world how it happened.

Father Brown's already late for an appointment.

I'm starting to wonder what you have to hide, Father!

Mrs McCarthy, please make my apologies to the Parish Council.

I'm going to find out what Katherine is plotting

before she does any damage.

And how exactly will you manage that?!

Do you remember that wardress?

Frances Whittaker. She spent more time with Katherine

than anybody over the last year or so.

I'll start with her.

At least let me come with you.

About what happened when we went for a walk by the canal...

Mr Slow, I've told you, I would prefer if that was never,

ever mentioned again.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Perhaps she's at work?

She resigned from the prison.

I can't see anything. Something's in front of the door.

We're too late.

Police surgeon reckons she's been dead since late last night.

The front door was barricaded from the inside.

Back door locked, key in situ.

Windows bolted. No other exit.

In short, she hanged herself.

Are you sure?

Then there's the empty bottle of Scotch

and the note in which she confesses her "overwhelming guilt"

at Katherine Corven's unjust incarceration.

And you said she left her job?

She fell in love with another warder. George something...

She left her husband

and resigned from the prison service to be with him.

I'm guessing the happy-ever-after didn't last long?

I believe George went back to his wife.

Nevertheless, to die so soon after Katherine Corven's release...

Please tell me you're not sullying Katherine's name again, Father?

No reporters! This is a closed crime scene!

Then what are they doing here?

Excellent point. All three of you, sling your hooks!

What'll it take to convince you that Katherine's innocent?

Not possible. We know her too well.

Out of interest, what convinced you?

Someone else confessed!

And I know how men like you love to subjugate strong-minded women.

You don't know anything about Father Brown!

Not yet, but I intend to.

Maybe you should know what it's like

to have your name dragged through the mud!

Well, she doesn't seem to like priests much.

So what now?

I stop postponing the inevitable.

- Katherine. - There's no need to apologise, Father. - Apologise?

Without my tribulations, I would never have found my true vocation.

You're not fooling anyone!

When did you last see your wardress, Frances Whittaker?

Ah, a few months ago. The day she left the prison.

Why? Have you been looking for her?

She died. Last night.

Oh, how terrible. Please offer my condolences to her family.

God is watching you, every moment.

I pray for it.

So, you have no knowledge of Frances's death?

I said, Katherine's been at the convent since her release.

Yes.

I know you bore her a grudge.

I was upset by her cruel treatment of me.

And her language was terribly coarse, but...

You murdered her, admit it!

I've heard enough of your baseless accusations. Please leave.

Not until she tells the truth!

We'll see ourselves out.

How is dear old Mrs McCarthy?

I do hope she's in good health.

Forgive me, I should...

It's all right. He made up his mind about me long ago.

There is something I must tell you about Father Brown.

Something I've never told anyone.

Frances Whittaker was found dead this morning.

Good morning. Frances Whittaker?

Used to be a wardress at Sonning Prison. Suicide.

I could spice it up by linking it to the Katherine Corven case.

A woman is dead.

That isn't something to be "spiced up".

I'll put together a short obituary.

Yes, Mr Gladwell.

What do you know about Father Brown?

That he's a better investigator than both of us put together. Why?

He's blaming Katherine Corven for Frances Whittaker's death

even though she couldn't possibly have been involved.

It's like he's pursuing some personal vendetta.

Hear me out.