Father Brown

INDISTINCT MURMURS - GAVEL KNOCKS

Silence in the court!

Mr Foreman, have you reached a verdict in relation to this indictment

upon which you are all agreed?

We have, My Lord.

Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty

of the murder of Theodore Neville-Crowley?

Guilty, My Lord.

ROOSTER CROWS

What do you mean she just wandered in, in the dead of night?

I feared it was an intruder, probably driven in by the rain.

Well, you should have called the police.

Perhaps.

Luckily, turned out to be a benign, rather damp house guest

fast asleep on my couch.

Morning, Father. Hello, Mrs M.

Good morning, Bunty. I trust you had a good time at the party?

Far too good by the look of her.

It was smashing, thank you.

And I'm sorry to drop in unannounced

I just thought it best to drive home in the daylight.

You drove here? I didn't see your car.

Oh, it's just parked down the lane.

Er, anyway, thank you so much for the blanket.

That's so sweet of you. I really must fly.

What's the hurry? Have some toast.

And maybe a glass of water.

Oh no, it's quite alright, really. Toodle-oo!

I must say, Bunty... that's not very well parked.

I just, erm... really wanted to get home.

Did anything happen?

No.

Nothing I couldn't handle.

Ah.

Miss Windermere, at last.

We've been looking for you all morning.

We're here to place you under arrest.

Arrest? What for, damaging a hedgerow?

For the suspected murder of Theodore Neville-Crowley.

What?

Teddy's dead?

His body was found in his gardens in the early hours of this morning.

He'd been bludgeoned to death.

How does this involve Bunty?

A feather stole that she was wearing was found on the very spot that he died.

And several witnesses say that she was the last person seen with him alive.

I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for all that.

Bunty...

is that blood?

Oh...

No.

I must...

I can explain all of this.

Then I suggest you do just that, at the police station.

Goodfellow.

You're not obliged to say anything

but anything you do say may be put into writing and given in evidence.

You can't seriously think I killed him, can you?

What I think is irrelevant. I'm only interested in the facts.

Which I will gladly give you, just as soon as I've had my telephone call.

I know my rights, Inspector.

Mayfair 6291, please.

Hello, Roderick, it's me.

Is Daddy home? It's important.

Ah.

The Atlas mountains of Morocco, of course. How long will he be there?

Can't you get them a message?

No um, that's quite alright, um... Thank you.

I just need one more call. - Sorry.

That's your lot, I'm afraid. Right this way, Miss Windermere.

A change of clothes for Bunty.

I assume her party dress will be examined for evidence.

It will. Thank you, Father.

When can I see her?

Uh, she's still being questioned.

And they've been here over an hour.

Mr Neville-Crowley.

Father Brown. We've met before, a few years ago.

Of course, at Mother's funeral. And Father's before that.

You won't have met my wife, Margot.

Hello.

My condolences to you both.

How awful to lose your brother in such distressing circumstances.

Thank you.

Inspector Mallory spoke with us this morning, but we were still in shock.

He said we should come in if we remembered anything that might be important.

Care to share it with me?

I'm here as a friend of Miss Penelope Windermere

and I have no doubt that she has been falsely accused.

Yes. Well, it does seem rather fanciful to think that a woman killed him.

SHE SCOFFS

Women are quite capable of violence, Max, when provoked.

And we all know Teddy was quite the provocateur.

The last time Teddy and I spoke, we almost came to blows.

It seems trivial now, but it was about a car.

It wasn't trivial. The Jag rightly belonged to you.

Anyway, that's not the important bit.

As I told the Sergeant, after the party, the Jag was driven off by one of Teddy's

so-called friends, Charlie something.

Suspicious character.

We think he should be found and questioned.

About your brother's murder? Or theft?

Well... both, I should think.

Bunty...

Take her to the cells, she can change there. And stay with her.

That doesn't sound awfully private.

I'll turn around, Miss Windermere.

She's been formerly charged with murder.

On what grounds, Inspector?

A confession.

SHE SIGHS

How are you? - Oh...

you know me, Father, I've been in worse scrapes than this before.

Inspector Mallory tells me you confessed.

To what exactly?

To hitting Teddy...

with a tree branch.

Begin at the beginning.

Well, it all started so well.

The party really was good fun...

JAZZ PLAYS

Welcome to Gatsby's mansion!

GUESTS CHEER

We have champagne, we have cocktails

so drink to your heart's desire!

Oh, Max!

Good of you to come. - Oh, is there going to be a skit?

You said the theme was "a teddy bear's picnic".

So sorry, I forgot to say that I'd changed it.

Oh, and I see Margot decided to come as herself - how imaginative.

And I see you're dressed as a spoiled millionaire.

Not much imagination needed for that.

She's right, you know.

I'm frightfully spoiled. You should stay away from me.

Oh, I'm a little spoiled myself.

Jolly good. - SHE GIGGLES

JAZZ PLAYS

GUESTS LAUGH AND CHATTER

INAUDIBLE CONVERSATION

How long have you known Teddy?

Oh, barely a week. We met at a charity do.

Ah. Yes, he likes to make new friends.

But he rarely keeps them long.

Except Charlie over there. He's become quite the fixture.

Oh, yes, I noticed him. Who is he?

Nobody knows. Seems a bit rough round the edges for Teddy.

I rather like him.

BUNTY NO): It was a Great Gatsby theme

so naturally Teddy had cast himself in the starring role.

GLASS RINGS

GUESTS HUSH

What kind of playboy millionaire would Gatsby be if he didn't offer his guests

the chance of a prize?

Ooh!

Take a look through that window.

Somewhere, ladies and gentlemen, hidden in the gardens...

are the keys to that car.

Finders keepers!

Losers weepers.

GUESTS CHATTER

Go, go, go!

BUNTY NO): Then we searched the gardens for an age.

The longer it took, the more determined we all became...

It started to get late and I was on my own.

Ah.

Oh.

I bring some disappointing news. - Oh!

Somebody's already found the keys. - Oh, well...

Good for them...

Um, I was getting chilly anyway.

No, no, no. Don't go in just yet.

We finally have the garden to ourselves.

Now, all I want...

is one little kiss.

Oh! Mm!

Teddy“.Teddy!

You're quite the wildcat. I like that.

SHE CRIES

HE YELLS

Stay away from me!

It was just a bit of fun!

After that, it all gets so muddled.

I'm sure I only hit Teddy once.

I could swear that I saw him walking away.

But then I barely remember the drive back to the Presbytery.

So... what if I'm wrong, Father?

What if I killed him?

Bunty, I'm convinced you are innocent of this crime.

Which means someone else is guilty, and I intend to find out who.

Thank you, Father.

In the meantime, I've asked Sergeant Goodfellow to get in contact

with a family friend for me.

I only hope Daddy doesn't mind the enormous bill when he gets home.

LOCK RATTLES

Ah, Bunty. - Bertie!

Thank you so much for coming so quickly. This is my friend, Father Brown.

Bertrum Quinton. No time for niceties, I'm afraid.

Bunty and I have much ground to cover.

I'll take my leave.

Well, the bad news is you've admitted to far more than I would've advised.