Original subtitles

(solemn music)

(foreboding music playing)

(camera clicks)

(camera clicks repeatedly)

(theme music)

Who else had access to the time capsule?

Kalana Baker read out the murder letter,

then Mick asked Lynn Walcott

to put everything back in the time capsule.

Who's Mick?

Compton. He's a local elder.

Ah, but he's a lawyer

and he thought the letter might be important.

So I locked everything back up in the evidence room.

So you were the only person alone with it?

Yes, sir.

(elastic band snapping)

Thanks.

I'm sorry you saw that.

My parents are going to... Ah!

Hazel, I'm going to have to ask you

not to tell your parents yet.

The fewer people that know at this stage the better.

It's my sister's hair.

I believe you.

But we need proof. Everything has to be forensically tested.

And how long will that take?

Unfortunately probably a couple of weeks.

Look, I'm not asking you to lie, okay?

I'm just asking you to wait before you tell anyone.

That's bullshit.

That's just word play.

Could you lie to your mother about this?

I don't know.

Now I know in some...

...some cultures,

hair has, um, power.

I was wondering if cutting Isabel's hair,

could have had specific cultural meaning maybe?

That's the first place you go?

Black magic killed my sister?

That is not what I'm saying.

You know what?

Keep your tea.

(solemn music)

Ah, fuck!

(insects chirp)

(elastic band snapping)

(crying)

(elastic band continues snapping)

(footsteps)

Fuck!

I'm sending it off to forensic in Brisbane,

and I thought you, um, might want to check it out first.

(Quinn) It's wild.

Hey boss. What do you reckon it all means?

I reckon you oughta get me a coffee.

This was not a crime of opportunity.

I mean how would the stranger know about the time capsule?

That's personal.

I mean there's no sexual assault.

The body was moved and then dumped outside the cemetery

and the hair was cut post-mortem.

And why put it in here to be discovered 25 years later?

Come on.

You want me to take a squiz at the video?

I probably know everyone in it.

Um, actually I'm sending it to Brisbane to get digitised.

It'll be back next week.

You can check it out then, hey?

This is all pointing to Isabel Baker

being murdered by somebody she knew.

There's never been any evidence to support that theory.

There is now.

(solemn music)

What time are you leaving tomorrow?

I'm going to stay a little longer.

-Really? -Mm-hm.

Just until we sort out what's going on with Aunty Izzy's case.

Right.

What's the new detective like?

Not local, so that's a good start.

Can I put a Black Lives Matter slogan on the mural?

I don't think Nan would be too happy changing it.

But Aunty Izzy was an activist.

She was a teenager. You've got time.

Growing up here with kin, it's a gift.

She never would have wanted to cast a shadow over you.

Sarge, I put those songs on a playlist on your phone,

like you asked.

Thank you.

It's under 'Time Capsule Mixtape'.

(soft music plays from phone)

Good work.

(music playing)

(loud music playing)

(music continues)

She's such a slut.

Just ignore them.

Hector! Stop filming.

Oi, fuck off Tampon.

Got your favourite, Yum Yum tart.

Aunty Rosa, thank you.

Who's this?

Ah, Hector Ford. Pleased to meet you.

Hector's filming our documentary for the time capsule project.

Hope you're including our community.

(Hector) Definitely.

Could I come and interview you?

I got time now. Hop in.

We'll show you the real Ashford.

Let's show him the workers' camp at the mill.

Have fun.

Hey.

(background chatter)

Hey, Dad. I picked up the mail.

Ta, love. Tell Mum I might be late.

Yep.

(couple talking indistinctly)

Hector!

-Hey Steve. -Izzy.

What are you doing?

Who is that?

Chloe's Dad.

He was coming on to that girl.

I'm serious, I saw the girl...

Hector! We're not a tourist attraction.

(solemn music) (cane rustling)

(car tires on dirt road)

(car doors slamming)

It is totally gothic out here.

What does that mean?

Poor.

No, atmospheric.

You know what this means, Butch?

You've gotta take it easy for a few weeks.

-Can't. -Why?

I need the harvest.

I gotta work.

Butch, you've gotta to listen to your body.

You've gotta get off the farm.

You're not a young fella anymore.

Sis, it's all I know how to do.

That's what I've been telling Izzy.

You need to get that education.

Make something of your life.

Take them chances that we didn't get.

You got big responsibilities.

Yes, Aunty.

Our great great grandfather,

he was a chief, a leader of his people,

and then one morning he went down to the beach,

and never came back.

He was taken.

All our strong young men from Vanuatu... taken.

All their blood, their strength.

Gone from us into this dirt.

What do you mean "taken"?

Kidnapped. Brought over here to slave in these fields,

just so your great great grandparents

can have sugar in their tea. -Yeah.

All this...

This is built on the backs of our people.

(Indigenous music playing)

You don't have to make me coffees.

I just wanted a sticky beak.

Time capsule inventory.

It's written the morning before Isabel was killed.

You notice anything?

No.

The purple glitter pen.

It's the same as in the one with her letter.

Well done. And at the start of the letter she's -

in love with Ashford, but by the end

it's full of "predators disguised as friends".

And The Ankou.

Reaper of souls. I looked it up.

Get a grip, Constable.

As hot and bothered as a virgin on his wedding night.

Why don't you carry a firearm?

Tends to make people anxious.

Why Cold Case? Homicide too stressful for you?

I guess I enjoy cleaning up after people.

Smug bastard!

(whistling)

Sorry to keep you waiting, Detective.

-Lynn Walcott. -James.

Walcott, huh?

Any relation to the mill?

-We own it. -Wow!

You're wondering why I'm not lying on a beach

drinking mint juleps?

Yes, I am actually.

(laughs)

Would you like to come through?

Ah, no, I won't take up too much of your time.

What do you remember about Isabel Baker?

She was lovely, kind, thoughtful.

A little bit of a drama queen?

No. (laughs)

No, not at all, the opposite.

What do you think she was trying to say in her letter?

It was pretty extreme.

Honestly, I have no idea.

It didn't sound like her.

You're taking it seriously though?

Well, she was murdered.

(sound of water bubbling)

Tell me about the time capsule.

It was a project for the detention kids.

Creative punishment, it was... meant to be fun.

And when was it locked?

On the morning of the formal,

we all got together to do an inventory of the contents.

It wasn't actually locked though.

Well, how long was it unlocked before it was interred?

Oh, about a week.

Okay.

I'm glad that you're... looking into this.

But I did want to say - Troy Turner did his job.

Well, me being here is not a reflection of his investigation.

No, you're here because Mick Compton made a fuss.

He thinks more would have been done if Izzy was white.

He might be right.

No, he's wrong.

Every soul in Ashford wanted that monster caught.

Except for whoever killed her.

(shells rustle in the wind)

Hey, we've got a visitor.

This is the new fella, Detective Cormack.

-Hey. -Hi. James.

-Nice to meet you. -You too.

Yeah, we've met.

I, um - I wanted to introduce myself.

I will be conducting interviews over the next while.

Now, I appreciate that it may be difficult for you guys.

We're a strong family.

And God protects us.

You're a believer?

I have my beliefs.

-Please. -Thank you.

Okay.

In Isabel's letter, she talks about The Ankou.

That letter's bad business.

The truth is Jesus' way, not the dark way.

Did Isabel have any interest in that dark way?

I'm just trying to understand the language that she used.

You don't think we are too?

Kids go through phases.

Not our Isabel.

She sounded so scared, Joe.

When was our girl ever scared?

God has a plan.

Sometimes it's not enough.

Sometimes it's no comfort.

Can I talk to you for a second?

Yeah, you need to slow down.

That was way too much today.

No one is going to talk to you unless they trust you.

They'll trust me...

...if you trust me.

Yeah well, I've known you for five minutes.

You've already got me lying to my whole family.

Thank you for not telling them about the hair.

Very nice to meet you.

What was that all about?

What do you mean?

Secrets.

You got too many, girl.

(phone rings)

Come on!

(woman on phone) Mick Compton's office.

Hi. It's Detective James Cormack.

I was wondering if I could speak to Mick, please.

(woman on phone) He's at a meeting, can I take a message?

Um... did my number come up on your caller ID?

(woman on phone) Yep.

Okay, great.

Have him call me on that, please, when he's free.

It's regarding the Isabel Baker murder.

Ho, ho ho. Yes.

(video recording playing)

(Isabel on video) ...and the primary industry is sugar.

(laughing)

(Hector on video) Tash just did like the maddest kick flip,

you should get that on film, Tampon.

Go on, do another one.

(Tash on video) No, I don't perform on command.

(Chloe voiceover) Dear 2019. My name is Chloe Walcott,

and in 1994 my life is pretty sweet.

I just bought my first car

and in a few weeks I'll be road tripping my head off.

(loud machinery noises)

This is one big set-up.

Well the mill operates around the clock

in crushing season.

We process 1.4 million tonnes of cane

from farms across the entire valley.

It's a lot of sugar.

The local dentist must be rich.

I know, um, you and Isabel were best friends, so...

I'm sorry.

She's been dead longer than she was alive.

This, is Millie.

We were going to drive her to Sydney,

party for the summer and then come back and, start uni.

I'm guessing Isabel never told her parents about your plan.

She was terrified of Pastor Joe.

He was very strict.

Really? You never witnessed any abuse from Joe, did you?

No. God, no. Joe loved Isabel.

He was just a protective father.

What about her mood the weeks leading up to it?

Is this really because of the letter?

I don't believe she wrote it. It's probably Hector's idea.

Was he really into the occult?

Wouldn't surprise me.

I'm not saying that he was...

It's just he enjoyed provoking people.

(bell rings)

You know it's not just about the letter.

We've got some new evidence now.

Are you sure you didn't notice any mood changes?

No.

What about the night she died?

Well, she finally dumped Anton.

Do you know why?

(laughs)

Because he's a prick.

He was screwing Tasha behind Izzy's back.

What do you remember about the blue car?

I - I only saw it for a moment.

I didn't see the driver.

I'm sorry. I wish I'd paid more attention.

Yeah.

The last time you saw her, what time was that?

I walked her to the intersection.

Ah it was - it was around 12.30.

First day of the rest of our lives.

She turned and blew me a kiss.

(loud machinery sounds)

(phone ringing)

(Turner on phone) Hey Chloe, how's things?

What new evidence, Troy?

What the fuck is going on?

(man sighing)

Hm-Mmm.

Sneaking out? You getting us coffees?

So what was last night then?

I don't know.

Relapse.

You prick.

We were drunk. It shouldn't have happened.

Why not? You're not married anymore...

It could be fun.

Tash, I'm just not - um...

It's a bad time.

Because of that letter?

You're not still pining after Isabel, are you?

I've got work.

You fucking are.

She's been dead 25 years, you loser.

What's wrong with you?

(video recording on TV)

This is my family's mill, the heart of Ashford.

We drive the economy of this great region.

The mill has given countless jobs to people far and wide,

and our sugar is exported all over the world.

Basically we put Ashford on the map,

which is why it should really be called "Walcottsville".

"Walcottsville"?

None of you would be here if it wasn't for the mill.

Hector, you can edit this out, right?

(Hector) Yeah I can, but it's pretty funny.

"It's Wallcottsville".

(solemn music)

(Hector voiceover) Hello class of 1994. This is Hector Ford.

This is what life was like back in the '90s in Ashford.

Quit it.

Seriously, quit it.

(Hector) I can see up your nose.

Turn it off.

Hector Ford is a stalker.

(Hector) Whahh!

Do you think in the future

they'll still be using brooms?

(Hector) No. Robots for sure.

I can't wait for that day.

(suspenseful music)

(keys jangling)

(suspenseful music)

(car engine starts)

(car driving then stopping)

God understands our suffering.

The white bird on the water, turned into a blackbird.

God has seen, and He has said,

"I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself".

(congregation shouting) Hallelujah!

Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers,

sold into Egypt.

But God was with him.

And though men meant it for evil, God meant it for good.

(congregation) Praise Jesus.

We are blessed to welcome our new friends

to our congregation today.

(clapping)

Thank you Pastor Joe,

for welcoming us and helping us find our feet here in Ashford.

(singing a traditional Tanna Island hymn)

(indistinct chattering)

Hector, what are you doing here?

I wanted to see you,

and I thought I could film the church

for the time capsule video,

because your Aunty said we should include your community.

(laughs)

You're going to have to ask Dad for permission

for any of that.

Oh, okay.

Is Hector your new boyfriend?

No. He's just as annoying as you are.

(indistinct chattering)

Why's Chloe here?

What are you doing?

Millie's fixed. Come on.

I can't.

Oh, my God, Hector's stalking you.

Come on. No one's gonna know that you're even gone.

Okay.

No one's gonna know it's your car,

and I'm going to distract Hazel. Let's go.

Okay.

(van starting and driving off)

So, jack and tire is underneath.

Yeah.

Do you know how to change it?

Yeah. Yep.

Yeah. Righto.

When are you telling your Dad you're going to Sydney anyway?

When I get my exam results, if they're good enough.

It's for your valuables.

Don't leave anything in the glove box.

It will get ripped off, okay?

Do you think Dad'll ever forgive me?

-Probably not. -So I shouldn't go?

Nuh, gammin, gammin.

But Pastor Joe is a proud man.

You're his pride, so just don't disrespect him.

Hey.

Anton said he wants to meet you later.

What should I tell him?

Tell him to piss off.

Tell him I'll be where we arranged.

Okay. See ya, Tampon.

(giggling)

You should start soon.

Izz, Izz, I need to show you that video of Chloe's Dad.

You will believe me when you see it.

Not now. I don't have long till Mum and Dad get home.

I need to meet Anton.

I could come with you.

I'll see you at school tomorrow.

Anton?

(suspenseful music)

(heavy breathing)

Jisas plis helpem mi!

(loud motorbike sounds)

(motorbike roars)

(loud crashing noise)

(suspenseful music)

(foreboding music)

(intense music)

(dreamlike music)

They found something else in the time capsule.

It was wrapped in an Ashford high T-shirt.

It was Izzy's hair.

But...

...it was also plaited.

He plaited it?

I'm sorry.

I don't understand.

I do.

It's someone from here.

It's someone we trust, took her from us.

Dad can't carry this alone.

You have to step up.

I know, but how?

Am I supposed to help this white bully man now?

Yes. If that's what it takes.

Izzy's speaking to us from beyond.

Hazel, you've got to let her back in.

(cane cutter)

(birds chirping)

(Anton voiceover) Dear 2019. My name is Anton Bianci.

In 2019, I predict I'll be

hopefully running the Mars colony,

but probably just running the farm.

Either way I expect Izzy and I

will have about three kids by then.

-Coffee, Kath? -Yes, thanks love.

Okay.

What was your relationship like with Isabel?

You've read the file. She was my first love.

Most people get to remember that fondly.

Yeah. In your statement you said you were with Natasha Hopkins

on the night of the murder.

Had you been seeing her for long?

No, Tash was just sex.

What would you say the difference between sex,

and say an affair is?

Well, if it's serious, you know, you cook, you eat...

Before you fuck 'em.

(Kath laughs)

Tasha didn't mean anything?

Is that how Isabel felt?

She was pretty angry the night of the formal.

Hormones. They were teenagers.

Hormones make teenagers crazy.

I'm not proud about what happened with Tasha,

but it didn't mean anything.

It wasn't real.

I loved Izzy, and she knew that.

Hector just - got her wound up that night, that's all.

Yeah, in what way?

I don't know, you're the Detective.

Maybe he wasn't a pillow biter back then.

So Isabel wasn't angry with you?

We argued about a road trip.

That's in my statement.

So she broke up with you so she could go on a road trip?

No, no, no, we had our own plans.

Okay.

And she changed her mind?

No, she didn't change her - look,

she was never going away on that trip with Chloe.

Her Dad would have stopped her.

I'm not the one who fucked up our future.

The man who killed her did.

Police should have found that blue car.

Exactly.

And what sort of crazy person takes the hair off a dead girl?

A crazy man, that's who.

What do you make of her letter?

It's bullshit, it's not her.

And The Ankou? What is that?

Just some Islander mumbo jumbo.

Actually it's Celtic. It means Death's Shepherd.

All right, guys, I'm sorry for interrupting.

Maybe we should do this another day.

We own the farm supply store in town.

I'll be doing the books there later tonight.

Perfect.

(waves rippling)

It's beautiful. Calming.

Usually.

I told my parents about Izzy's hair.

It's okay.

They won't saying anything,

but they gotta know it was someone from here.

Do you ever think it could have been someone local?

No, we had no reason to.

Hear any gossip at the time?

A bikie enforcer.

Because there was a bunch of bikies that rode through town

the day of her funeral.

And satanic ritual gone wrong.

And that last one really hurt Dad.

Are you a believer?

I have my moments.

But life's pretty confusing either way.

You know, I always envied people who had faith.

It felt like they were plugged into this big battery,

just never run out of energy.

So where do you get your energy from?

Anger.

You?

Guilt.

Maybe knowing what happened will help.

They say that darkness gives birth to monsters.

Turn on the light, they're gone.

Are they though?

I hope so. Otherwise my job's pretty fucking pointless.

You know your tattoo...

...it's the same day Izzy died.

What's the go with that?

It's also the day my brother Ritchie went missing.

It's a long story.

Maybe one day I'll...

...I'll be able to tell it.

Just a coincidence.

I'm Kalana Baker, niece of Isabel Baker,

who was murdered here in Ashford by someone she knew.

Like her, I'm a proud Australian South Sea Islander.

I love my country. But every day I have to walk past this.

The founder of my home town. A brave pioneer.

And the man who kidnapped and enslaved my ancestors

to work in his cane fields.

Australia needs to admit its built on black bodies.

Come on, arrest me.

(brushing sounds)

Aunty Izzy would never have apologised.

She never would have done any of this.

She was too busy chasing boys.

Now, scrub it properly.

You heard the rumour?

What rumour?

About Izzy's hair. Is it true?

Keeping secrets for the bully man now?

I don't have to explain myself to you, Mick.

You're not the only one who lost her.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because the new fella asked me not to for the investigation.

So he matters more than me?

Hey, you show some respect to your mother.

And what's this on your Insta?

Vandalising a public statue?

I was correcting a public lie.

Is Kalana Baker so weak, that when trouble comes,

you're going to give in to your bad angel.

That statue's the bad angel.

You need to stay out of trouble

and stop throwing away your opportunities

before you've even earnt them.

Oh, my God, listen to yourself.

You sound like a white social worker.

Aunty Izzy would be ashamed of you.

(slapping sound)

I've gotta go lay down.

(car driving, then stopping)

(solemn music)

Hello.

Anton?

(bumping sound)

Ah, Jesus.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

What happened mate?

Don't know.

Come on. I'll help you up.

(Anton groans)

Oooh!

That's a nasty one.

Yeah.

Maybe we should get you to a doctor.

Nuh, nuh, nuh, I'm fine.

Fair enough.

Come on.

Who did it?

I don't know, he came from behind.

-He just came from behind? -Yep.

What about when you were on the ground, hey,

and he's kicking ya?

Maybe you recognised his shoes.

Nuh, cause I had my eyes closed.

Must be a concussion then, huh?

Messing with your memory.

Yeah, must be.

Well, you can't drive home.

What, why not?

Concussion.

You got someone to call?

Okay.

I'll get you a towel. We'll get you cleaned up.

(phone chiming)

Hello.

No, you can't say anything.

I'm not going back yet. I'm staying in Ashford.

I can meet you wherever you want. Please.

(Car driving and then stopping)

A bit melodramatic, isn't it, mate?

You seriously can't drive?

I'm fine.

It's his idea.

Big hero from Brisbane?

I got it from here, mate, thanks.

Maybe you shouldn't be driving either.

Mate, I'm fine, I've only had one.

I'll blow in a breathalyser for you if you want.

(sighs)

Just take it easy.

Let's get you home, boy.

We're not done talking about who did this to you.

What about you? Do you know who might have done it?

Someone's boyfriend? Someone's husband?

He loves it.

(car starting and taking off)

(laughing on video recording)

(suspenseful music)

(phone rings)

Hey boss. You're up late.

The world doesn't stop just 'cause you're not here, James.

So we tracked down the rego on that car.

It hadn't been renewed since 94.

Your victim's from Vanuatu, is that right?

Mm-hm.

Well so is the car's owner.

He's a Pastor of a church in regional NSW.

Two Pastors from Vanuatu walked into a bar.

Have you heard this one?

Are you having a stroke?

The victim's father was also a Pastor.

Maybe there's some kind of connection there.

How about I interview the car owner in person then?

Yeah. Yeah, please, that'd be great.

I'll send you some details that I need from the interview.

-Great. -Okay, thanks boss.

(suspenseful music)

(Isabel voiceover) In 2019, I predict that Ashford will be...

...still full of predators disguised as friends.

I've seen The Ankou here, sharpening its scythe,

waiting to reap our souls.

There are people here I trusted.

But now I know they feed on suffering.

(suspenseful music)

One day, when I'm safe from their clutches,

I'll expose them, and their cruelty.

You promised.

We agreed we'd take it to our graves.

That's if they don't kill me first.