Father Brown

HE GRUNTS

Sorry, Sarge. Couldn't find my shoes!

Constable! Come here.

PHONE RINGS

What does this say?

"Using... un-Christian language in the presence of a police officer."

You see, what it was, Sarge

I was up at Piper's Lake at the weekend, and this bloke--

What have I told you? You write the exact of fence according to the law!

Yeah, but I didn't know which one to put, Sarge.

Might I suggest, if you don't know what crime someone's committed

maybe you shouldn't be arresting them?

Yes, Sarge.

Goodfellow, you're coming with me.

Where's that, sir?

Jefferty's Cottage.

Down past the spinney? I thought it was abandoned.

A man's been spotted breaking in.

Matches the description of Alan Tylett

the fugitive wanted for brutally murdering a police officer.

The Press are calling him "the Butcher of Bordesley Green".

And you want us to go and arrest him, sir?

Precisely!

We bring him in and I'll be the toast of the force.

Constable Blaisen, round up all available officers, tell them to follow us.

But first, call HQ, let them know what's happening.

What exactly is happening, sir?

What's keeping them?

Goodfellow.

While I've got you here, sir

I was hoping to have a word about young Colin.

Let me stop you there, Sergeant.

Constable Blaisen's father is the Divisional Chief Superintendent.

I know, sir.

Colin seems a nice lad, but...

Ours is not to reason why.

Ours is to help the boy commence his inevitable rise through the ranks.

Mark my words, he might not know his truncheon from his elbow

but that boy will outrank us both by Christmas.

I see movement.

Let's go. - Well, shouldn't we wait?

I hear that Tylett killed that officer in cold blood.

That's exactly why we can't let him escape.

I'll take the front.

You nip round the back, head him off.

And keep low.

That's easier for some.

Tylett?

This is Inspector Mallory of Kembleford Police!

We have the place surrounded.

May as well give yourself up.

Look out, sir! - GUNSHOT

DOOR SLAMS - He's getting away...

MALLORY RASPS

HE CRIES OUT - I think you broke my collar-bone.

Goodfellow?

Goodfellow!

Goodfellow...

Seal off the area. Nobody touches anything!

Any news on Goodfellow, sir?

Bullet went into his back.

They've taken him straight to hospital but it's not looking good.

What were you thinking?

Hoped we could apprehend the suspect before--

Hoped? The intelligence suggested that Tylett was armed.

You put a fellow officer's life at risk and you let a dangerous criminal escape!

Sir.

At least tell me you got a good look at the man.

Took quite a whack on the head, sir. It's all a bit hazy...

I was reading something. A notebook.

I can't remember what was in it...

We'll find it.

Concentrate on getting better.

Yes, sir.

We need you fit for that disciplinary board.

I've found something!

Where are your gloves? - Oh!

Sorry, Inspector!

There go the fingerprints.

Don't be too hard on him. This is your mess.

Good work, lad!

Can I help?

We're looking for Sergeant Daniel Goodfellow.

He was brought in earlier this morning.

The policeman? - Yes.

He's in surgery.

Oh. Can you tell us how he is?

You family? - We're friends.

He's lost a lot of blood.

The surgeon's trying to fix the damage, but...

It's touch and go. Sorry.

Crumbs.

Don't get your hopes up. No need for the last rites just yet.

Might I offer a prayer for your swift recovery?

Save your prayers for Goodfellow. I don't deserve them.

Is there anything we can do to help you?

Has your wife been informed?

No, and don't even think about telling her!

I'll face that trial-by-fire when I'm good and ready.

Then I will leave you to recuperate.

Padre, wait...

There is something.

I found a notebook in the cottage. I think it might be important.

Could you ask Constable Blaisen to bring it to me?

I wouldn't ask but I'm stuck here... - I would be happy to do so.

And as for Sergeant Goodfellow...

God is with him.

Not the best introduction to life in the force.

No.

The Sergeant, he's... he's been so good to me.

If I'd just got the other officers there sooner...

Not your fault.

Now...

Inspector Mallory has asked if you would take him the notebook

retrieved from the cottage.

Dad!

I mean... sir.

Uh...

We've had a call from Scotland Yard.

They've sent in an officer to take charge of the manhunt.

typical.

They give a name?

Inspector Trueman, sir.

Inform me the moment he arrives. I'll be using Inspector Mallory's office.

The notebook's probably in the evidence room. I'll check the log.

I'm sorry, Father.

I've searched all through the evidence. There's no notebook.

Inspector Trueman. You should be expecting me.

Yes, sir! I'll just go and...

Trueman?

Hello, Father.

Long time no see.

Here he is now.

The surgeon reckons the operation was a success

but Sergeant Goodfellow is still very weak.

Where are his family? Haven't they been informed?

Well, apparently Mrs Goodfellow and the children are in Birmingham

visiting relatives.

We've not been able to reach them.

I'll stay with him until his family arrives, however long it takes.

Me too.

Sergeant Goodfellow apprehended the ruffian

who tried to steal my favourite handbag last week.

If that won't win a girl's loyalty, I don't know what will.

Alright. But, please, he needs rest.

We'll be as quiet as the grave.

Sorry. It just slipped out...

Inspector Mallory.

And you are? - You can call me Inspector Trueman.

Although I suspect some of your officers will know him by another name.

You've lost me.

I used to be based here in Kembleford.

I'm trying to avoid drawing too much attention to my presence.

Is that so? Well, you can't be any worse than the last man to keep my seat warm.

Mulligan, wasn't it? Bit of a jobsworth from what I heard.

I hear you had a run-in with Alan Tylett?

I didn't set eyes on the man.

My sergeant saw his gun and jumped on me.

So you've no idea where Tylett was heading?

I've been asked to take charge of the investigation

while you're recuperating.

Well...

Yes, thank you, Father, for your assistance.

Right.

Yes.

I'll go and see how Sergeant Goodfellow is getting along.

There's a good Father.

There was a notebook

with Tylett's belongings.

I think it contained a list of names.

Recognise any of them?

I don't remember...

but I've got it in my head that they were police.

Now, what if Tylett's got a grudge against coppers?

And those names were his targets?

Exactly.

I've asked one of my constables to...

Fetch the notebook. I heard.

Unfortunately, it appears to have vanished.

Vanished?

Never made it to evidence.

Fear not, I'll catch Tylett before he can do any more damage.

Inspector!

Much as I'd relish the opportunity to catch up, Father

I've a cold-blooded killer to apprehend.

Do you really?

HE SIGHS

The gun at the scene of the crime was loaded?

Yes.

Well, a "cold-blooded killer" would be unlikely to flee

while he still had ammunition.

Leaving Inspector Mallory and Sergeant Goodfellow alive to identify him.

And why dispose of the weapon when he'd know that every single policeman

within miles would be hunting him down?

No, it seems like the desperate act of a frightened man.

Father... - I'll go back to St Mary's

work on my homily.

I was about to ask if you'd like to accompany me to the crime-scene?

I've learned a lot since leaving Kembleford.

Specifically, the importance of using all resources at my disposal.