Original subtitles

-[circus music] -[ringmaster's voice echoes]

[ringmaster] We have gathered here

for your entertainment, amazement and delectation

the finest acts

from all four corners of the globe!

[cheering]

Well, most of our lives are spent on tour,

so it's always very special coming home here

to Swynton Magna.

It's where I first fell in love with the circus.

Come and take a look inside.

And as you can see, we have an amazing troupe of performers

from all over the world.

Something for all the family!

And I believe some tickets are still available!

[church bells chime]

[screams]

[title music]

[both] Whee!

-One, two, three, whee! -[Betty squeals]

[Betty] Wow!

-Mummy, look! -[Sarah] Wow!

Well, we have to go.

Great idea. Winter says the steak there is excellent.

I meant to the circus.

Don't worry, I can take her.

No, no, it's fine, I'll come.

Oh, yeah, what's the catch?

A large rib-eye and a good bottle of claret, your treat.

Done.

Did you hear that, Betty? We are going...

-[Betty] To the circus! -Yeah!

Oh, where you been, Tel? I was gettin' worried.

No drinking before a show. How many times?

[sighs] I am a fifth-generation Bellini.

Picked out as a whiteface by Charlie Cairoli

when I was ten years old.

-I deserve better. -No, you do.

You deserve better, Tel.

Last time, I promise.

Eh?

Seventy-five...

Mum, what are the bookings like?

It's gotta be better than yesterday.

What is it?

[chuckles] I'm just watchin' you.

It took me back a minute. You're so like Elsa.

-I wish you could've known her. -She knew the risks. We all do.

But we take 'em every day cos we love what we do.

-You wanted to see me? -I need an answer.

The land is mine by right, we're entitled to be here.

Yes or no?

Curtis, please.

-Please, we're family. -[scoffs]

That your idea of a joke?

Look, are you gonna sign? Yes or no?

I've offered you a decent price.

It's not about the money.

When are you gonna wake up?

No one wants your sad little circus any more.

Yeah, all right. Here we go!

I wanted to give you one last chance to do the right thing.

That's the trouble with you, Joe.

You've never known what that is.

Curtis, please!

CCTV outside the post office in Swynton Magna.

Lay on a few foot patrols, that should deter them.

Sir.

You weren't around for the zombie invasion in Finchmere.

They soon got bored when they were barred from the local pub.

I went out with a clown once. The most miserable man

I've ever had the misfortune to date.

But it's true what they say about shoe size.

-[circus music] -[cheering]

On your feet.

Shh!

[audience] Shh!

[laughter]

[cheering]

[audience gasps]

[drumroll]

-[cymbal crash] -[cheering]

Dad, did you know about this?

We've had lean periods before, it's just a seasonal dip.

But the bank is threatening to foreclose, Dad.

We just need to work a bit harder, that's all.

Freshen up the acts.

We need to modernise and forge a new vision.

I've got some great ideas that I can...

Let's hear it for... Oucho and Groucho,

ladies and gentlemen!

Come on, Swynton Magna!

Let's hear it for our clowns!

-[cheering] -Yes!

And now, Ferabbees presents

our very own human Casanova...

and illusionist extraordinaire!

[drumroll]

Raoul... Delgado!

[samba music]

What did you whack me so hard for, Tel?

Could've broke me nose.

-Something to remember me by. -What?

Look... I've had a better offer.

Lead clown at Geronimo's.

I think it's about time I got the respect I'm due.

-We're moving on? -No. Not we. Me.

I'm doing you a favour, Les.

It's high time you hung up your clown shoes.

You're an embarrassment.

You don't mean that, Tel.

I have carried you for 25 years

and I haven't got any more time to waste.

But we're partners.

-A double act. You need me! -Not any more.

It's over.

Put some ice on that nose, by the way.

Freya! Freya.

I didn't know you were going out.

Two of the waiting staff called in sick.

I tried to get out of it but Ashley practically begged me.

I... bought that wine you really like.

Oh.

There's no one else to cover.

-I'll drive you in. -No need.

You've had a long day.

[musical box plays]

[music stops]

Pack your things, girls.

We're getting out of here.

Thank you.

-Enjoy. -[Barnaby] Thank you.

[phone beeps]

[laughs]

No mobiles front of house, you know the drill.

I'm sorry. I meant to turn it off.

Sorry about this, guys. Complimentary bottle of wine

for every table while we sort out the power.

[woman screams]

John, John.

You all right?

Stay here.

And have you seen how much they're gonna pay me?

And there's an aerialist job for Sophia.

This isn't about money, it's about loyalty.

You're my wife. How about your loyalty to me?

What the hell's going on? Sophia says you're leaving.

Can you blame us?

We haven't been paid for three months.

I'm sorry, last show. Then we're out of here.

[Joe] But... you're my star.

Your face is on all the posters.

Well, then change it. I've made up my mind.

And so have I. I'm not letting Joe down like this.

You would choose him over me?

Leaving would be a betrayal of everything he's done for us.

Look, this opportunity will never come again.

You do know that?

Then take it.

Well, it looks like it's just you and me then, Sophia.

Look, you only get one life. Don't waste it like I have.

[Ashley] As the Chair and Head of the Planning Committee

of Swynton Magna Parish Council...

-[shouting] -Look, please, please, please!

If I may! If I may!

I'm as anxious as anyone to stop the clown harassment

but we have to keep this in perspective.

You mean hush it up to protect your interests!

The well-being of this community

has always been my number-one concern, Mr Ferabbee.

-Rubbish! -Well, prove it, then.

Prove it before somebody gets hurt.

Is that what it's gonna take to get things done around here?

People are scared to go out.

I'm doing everything in my power.

I am Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

We are monitoring the situation very closely

and an increased police presence will be put in place

until this clown situation is resolved.

But Mr Denton is correct, currently there is nothing

to suggest that this is anything more serious

than a series of random ill-advised pranks.

Random? This all changed the day Ferabbees came back to town.

-[man] Well said. -And you are?

Er, M-Mostyn, I'm M-Mostyn Cartwright.

All leads are being thoroughly investigated, I can assure you.

Ah, yeah, not by Mr Denton they're not.

He doesn't care about the community

unless there's summat in it for him.

Mostyn runs the abattoir. Hasn't been my greatest fan

since the parish raised questions

about his animal husbandry.

The truth is, Mr Denton won't hear a bad word

about the circus because he's their major sponsor.

-Yes. -[shouts of agreement]

[applause and booing]

[musical box plays]

[gasps] Oh...

Oh, no!

-Which service do you require? -Police please.

Hello? Excuse me.

The Big Top's not open to members of the public.

The next show's not until five.

Don't recognise your uncle now?

What do you want?

I've got something for your father.

My lawyers have found a clause

that overturns his claim to the land.

Looks like Joe's gonna have to find somewhere else

to, er, play circuses.

Perhaps you could give that to him for me. Thank you.

[samba music]

Betty needs a wee.

I think the clowns are on next. Are you gonna be all right?

Yeah, it's fine. No problem.

[Joe] Raoul Delgado!

Ladies and gentlemen,

our handsome human illusionist star!

He can make anything disappear.

Check your wallets and your wives!

And now, Ferabbees are proud to present

our very own Ferabbees wonderful funnymen...

Groucho and Oucho!

[circus music]

[laughter]

[audience gasps]

[gunshot]

[screaming]

Sarah's taken Betty home.

Thank God she didn't see anything.

[Les] I didn't mean to kill him.

I didn't mean to kill him!

I didn't! It was an accident! I didn't mean to kill him!

I can't believe this is happening.

The circus will be closed until further notice, Mr Ferabbee.

Can you think of any reason Les would want Terry dead?

Terry told Les that he was leaving.

It was without warning, nothing.

-[officer] In the car, sir. -I didn't mean to, he's my...

-[Joe] He must've just lost it. -So Terry let you down as well?

Well, I wasn't happy... no.

What do you know about the gun?

It's just a prop, it's a toy.

Well, this one clearly wasn't.

Who's responsible for checking props?

Well, Les, erm...

In the circus, everyone has a shirt-sleeves job

and a spangles... job.

Les is our props man.

[police siren]

[Barnaby] Fleur?

He was shot once, through the heart.

Death would have been pretty much instantaneous.

A skilled shot, then. Or lucky.

Les Morrison was so drunk he could barely walk.

I thought I'd check out the serial number

before sending it off to ballistics.

It was registered as stolen two years ago.

-She's ready. -Thanks.

Mrs Bellini's ready for us now.

John?

I hear Betty's birthday's coming up.

Yes, and?

Sarah said she'd been asking for a clown party.

Then she mentioned your little coulrophobia problem.

My what?

A common and specific fear of clowns.

From the Greek prefix coulro meaning one who goes on stilts.

I do not have... whatever you said I have.

Denial is a powerful form of defence,

but until you acknowledge a problem...

I'm fine, Sigmund. Thank you.

[Barnaby] And you are?

Freya Ferabbee,

married to Curtis, Joe's brother.

-I live at the farm. -You were at the meeting.

[Barnaby] And didn't I see you at Denton's restaurant?

I work there part time.

I also teach yoga.

That's how we became friends.

Could you give us a few minutes?

I'll be outside if you need me.

I understand your husband was planning to leave Ferabbees.

But you decided to stay out of loyalty?

I thought Terry was making a mistake.

We both owed Joe a great deal.

You're a performer too?

Used to be. There was an accident.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Joe kept me on at the box office.

He didn't need to do that.

[Winter] You called the police yesterday. Why was that?

We had a break-in.

-They took all my jewellery. -Anything valuable?

Only to me.

A locket. [sobs]

One of a pair.

It was my twin sister's.

[Barnaby] "Two souls with but a single thought."

I assume the other reads "Two hearts that beat as one."

I studied Keats many moons ago.

My sister, Elsa, died.

Which is why this meant so much.

But it's got nothing to do with Terry.

-Mum. -Sweetheart.

[phone beeps]

[sighs]

Won't be long now.

[Spanish accent] I can't wait forever.

And you won't have to, trust me.

Anything new on Terry Bellini?

No, but I did find this on Daniella.

[Barnaby] So that's how her sister died.

[Winter] The safety mechanism failed

in a notoriously risky act called The Silken Noose.

They both plunged to the ground, no safety net.

Daniella was badly injured but survived.

Elsa never regained consciousness.

Have you got any further on Les Morrison?

He's still not making much sense.

He insists that he's innocent.

[Barnaby] Has he admitted being our rogue clown?

Good morning, campers.

Where on earth do you get your energy from?

Doughnuts. A couple of these and I'm unstoppable for 24 hours.

I better give it a try then.

I assume you're not here purely to raise our cholesterol levels?

Firearms came back with some interesting news.

-The handgun was firing blanks. -[Winter] What?

I went back to the scene.

Had another root through the sawdust. Found this.

Blank rounds do not have a projectile or bullet.

They have a crimped extension, like this one.

But you found a bullet in the victim's heart.

Indeed I did.

But it wasn't fired by Les.

So Terry was killed with a different gun.

But there was only one shot.

Or you heard two shots fired simultaneously,

one live, one blank.

Gold star, Winter. That doughnut is kicking in already.

According to my calculations,

given the trajectory of the bullet,

I conclude that Terry Bellini was shot from somewhere

along this line.

-Are you sure about that? -Absolutely.

The bullet is .240 calibre,

designed for a rifle only.

So we're looking for a rifle, not a handgun.

Les didn't shoot Terry.

Go through all the witness statements.

We need to know if anybody saw anything.

I want a list of every rifle registered to the area

capable of firing .240-calibre bullets.

And for that genius piece of forensic sleuthing,

I think I deserve another one.

Uniform are bringing Les in now, sir.

What on earth are you doing?

[splutters]

What does that smell like to you, sir?

Paraffin.

What do you want now? I've got nothing else to say.

We'd like you to walk us through what happened.

[sighs]

I...

I-I took out the gun... here.

Shot him... here.

But you didn't mean to kill him, did you?

No, I did not.

[Winter] Where did you get the gun?

Bloke down at Swynton Arms, ex-con.

You wanted revenge.

It was supposed to be a joke.

He said he'd given me blanks.

I just wanted... Terry to feel the humiliation

he'd made me suffer all those years.

I...

killed my best mate.

No... you didn't.

Someone else fired the shot that killed Terry.

What? No, I-I don't understand.

Is this you, Mr Morrison?

No.

What about this?

No, I swear.

Get those rags to Fleur for analysis.

We need to know if someone was planning to burn the place down.

Sir, the list of rifle owners has just come through.

.240-calibre bullets are rare,

so it narrows it down significantly.

One belongs to Curtis Ferabbee.

The Ringmaster's brother.

And there's one at the Swynton Gun Club.

Registered to Ashley Denton.

I'll talk to Curtis Ferabbee.

you see what Ashley Denton has to say.

[gunshot]

[Winter] Nice shot.

Yes, I've got guns.

Just like every other farmer in Midsomer County.

Not many fire .240-calibre bullets.

Look... I can't stand the circus.

Anyone will tell you that.

But I do draw the line at killing clowns.

I've got better things to do with my time.

Can I see the rifle in question, Mr Ferabbee?

-If it's not too much trouble. -Certainly, come this way.

I shoot for relaxation.

Not nearly as often as I'd like. Once or twice a month maybe.

Work keeps me pretty busy.

Do you ever take your gun off the premises?

No, never.

Can you tell me where you were yesterday evening?

At the restaurant, which Freya can verify.

-What is this? -Your rifle is of interest.

It fires the same calibre bullets

as the gun that killed Terry Bellini.

We're gonna need to take it away for ballistics testing.

Yeah, sure.

I keep our guns locked away in the gun cabinet, Inspector.

I inherited four rifles from my father, Billy.

He's up there holding the Purdey.

He looks very, er, commanding.

Yeah, that's one word for him.

I bet my brother put you up to this, Inspector.

Well, I can assure you, it's nothing to do with me.

-Something wrong? -Yeah, it's not there.

[Barnaby] When did you last see it?

[Curtis] Yesterday.

Do either of you remember seeing anyone or anything suspicious?

I was at work.

And you went straight to the circus when you heard the news?

What, the circus?

Daniella, she needed my support.

Anyone else have a key?

Our abattoir manager, Mostyn Cartwright.

It's just the last one on the right there.

Thank you.

Curtis Ferabbee's rifle is missing.

-Why didn't he report it? -They had no idea apparently,

neither did his wife. So either they're lying

or the killer stole it from the farm.

Ashley Denton claims he only uses his rifle

for target practice.

That it never leaves the Gun Club.

Let's see if the ballistics report gives us anything.

[pigs grunt]

[machinery whirs]

[rock music from headphones]

Mr Cartwright.

[louder] Mr Cartwright!

We need to, erm, ask you a few questions.

You look a bit queasy, mate.

Sure we're not gonna need to call you a hambulance?

[chuckles]

What can I do for ya?

One of Mr Ferabbee's rifles has gone missing.

I understand you have access to the cabinet.

I got a copy of all the farm's keys.

[Barnaby] He obviously trusts you.

He calls me the son he never had.

Everybody else wrote me off.

Baby, look at me now!

I owe Curtis everything.

-Mind if we have a look around? -Of course.

You sure he can handle it?

It's all automated.

The pigs are herded down this walkway here,

then on into the gassing chamber,

then it's night-night, piggy-wiggy.

[Winter] Sounds barbaric.

[Mostyn] No, our operation's quite humane.

Ashley Denton would disagree.

I wouldn't get sucked in by Ashley Denton, Inspector.

He's a hypocrite.

I wouldn't feed his organic steak to my pet ferret.

Anyway, come on, you've seen your lot.

More than he wanted, by the looks of it.

Same way back.

[Barnaby] Thank you for your time, Mr Cartwright.

[Mostyn] Pleasure.

Oh, and if hear anything about that gun,

I'll be sure to let you know.

[flies buzz]

[Barnaby] Anything on the missing rifle?

Uniform searched the circus, farmhouses, out buildings.

-Nothing. -Hm...

And Denton's gun?

Our clown friend broke into a small electricity substation,

cutting off power to 300 properties,

-including the Gun Club. -Interesting.

CCTV failed during the power cut and they've been struggling

to get it up and running ever since.

So it's possible that Denton's rifle

was removed from the Gun Club, unseen,

and then returned the day after the murder.

But what about statements from the audience who were there

when Terry was killed?

No one reported seeing anyone behind the bleachers,

but we do have this.

The stage manager caught it on their monitor.

They have cameras fixed up to record every performance

for insurance purposes.

That's the same area you found the rags.

Which Fleur has confirmed were soaked in paraffin.

See if the tech team can do anything to enhance the clarity.

So is this our killer?

And when were they planning to burn the place down?

We could be looking at a terror campaign.

There was a little resentment in the parish meeting, but arson?

Curtis Ferabbee said that he hated the circus,

and he's the one with the missing gun.

[Winter] Should we go and see him then?

No.

Find out when Freya Ferabbee starts work.

I'd like to talk to her without her husband

breathing down her neck.

We can still turn things around, Dad...

The police still won't let us reopen.

Everything is conspiring against us.

Just hear me out. Please, Dad?

Hear me out, OK?

We reinvent Ferabbees as a gothic extravaganza...

-[scoffs] -A cast of classic

horror story characters. Ghosts, werewolves,

escaped lunatics... -Harry!

And we tie it together with a narrative.

We give it a darker, more thrilling edge.

Light shows, rock music.

We would attract a bigger, younger audience

and we keep Ferabbees alive!

No.

We are running out of time! You have to listen to me!

The circus is a place of magic, light.

Somewhere to escape all the darkness of this world.

And that is not working any more.

You may have lost your faith, but I haven't!

[Harry] But why don't you show any faith in me?

We are supposed to be business partners, aren't we?

This is my dream, it's my vision, it's not yours!

And look at where that's got you!

[flies buzz]

[car engine runs]

[sighs]

Winter.

[Barnaby] You didn't tell your husband you were

at the circus yesterday after the murder. Why is that?

Curtis is very protective.

Sometimes it's easier not to worry him.

Why would it... worry him?

His mother left when he was very young.

He finds it difficult to trust.

Mr Ferabbee gave me the impression that his father

could be a difficult man.

You'd have to ask him.

Now if there's nothing else, I have got work to do.

Oh, just one more thing, you said that Mr Denton

was here all day yesterday.

Yes, he was here catching up on paperwork.

Is it possible that he could've left and come back

without you knowing?

It's possible, I suppose.

Thought you might want to see this, sir.

The tech team just sent it through.

Now the face is still unclear.

See there?

That's the Gun Club crest.

Now we're getting somewhere.

The CCTV image from Terry Bellini's last performance.

As a member of the Gun Club, we thought you might be able

-to help us identify... -It's me, Inspector.

What were you doing there?

I needed to talk to Joe

about a charity event we'd been organising.

We have evidence someone was intending to start a fire

at the circus.

A fire? Oh, my God.

So you know nothing about that, Mr Denton?

No. I just put my head in to see if the show was nearly over,

then it all kicked off.

[Barnaby] And you ran.

Not very community-minded of you.

I agree, it was cowardly and I regret it hugely.

So why did you... run?

I wish I had a better excuse but... I was scared.

[Curtis] Hi, Freya.

Saw you with Harry.

He's a bit young for you, isn't he?

What do you mean?

Well, heads together, hands touching.

So you're stalking me now.

You lied to me.

I said I was going to work.

That's where I've been, I've done nothing wrong.

I'm not going anywhere.

Harry just needed someone to talk to.

About what?

-[laughter] -[glass shatters]

What the...?

Uniform were on the scene in minutes.

They said there was no sign of the clown last night.

Over there, get after him! I'll call for backup.

Hey!

[Curtis] Mind if I join you?

Always wanted to get to know you better but, you know,

your dad, stubborn.

Freya was telling me you've got big plans to go on your own.

A more commercial touring enterprise.

I assume that's gonna need some investment.

Yeah, well, I shouldn't have said anything.

I'd had too much to drink.

Well, I've got no children.

You get your dad to sign the land over to me

and I'll fund your project, simple as that.

You want me to betray my father?

He's not worthy of your loyalty, believe me.

-The answer's no. -Harry, wait.

Harry!

Harry! Look...

I just want a chance to tell you my side of the story,

that's all I ask, OK?

OK.

OK.

[distant circus music]

Five-minute call, guys.

[Ashley] You said it was a sell-out.

[Joe] I-I-It was but, erm...

People are nervous.

We just need to build up the public confidence.

-I still think we should cancel. -Why?

The police have given us permission to reopen

and this is for your charity.

I have to put my reputation first.

Sponsoring the circus is already damaging business.

Someone is trying to destroy me.

I really need your support.

Please, Ashley, please?

The local press are in. Now you volunteer

for the first act and you're bound to make the front page.

Any publicity is good publicity.

I'll keep up the pretence for one more night as a favour,

then you're on your own.

The Denton Trust is a charity

that I am very proud to represent.

So thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, for coming,

and a special thank you to Ashley Denton

for his unfailing support.

Ashley Denton, ladies and gentlemen!

But first, ladies and gentlemen, our Cuban Casanova

and illusionist extraordinaire,

the cruel Raoul Delgado!

[samba music]

[Spanish accent] Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

And now for the most terrifying

and dangerous part of the show.

For those of you with a nervous disposition,

I suggest that you leave now.

I need a volunteer.

Who is brave enough?

No one?

One of you out there must have nerves of steel.

[Ashley] I'll do it.

If everyone donates what they can,

I promise to match the total.

[Raoul] How could we possibly refuse?

Mr Ashley Denton, ladies and gentlemen!

[cheering]

[audience gasps]

[drumroll]

[audience gasps]

[chuckles]

[drumroll]

[audience gasps]

[drumroll]

[audience gasps]

[drumroll]

[groans]

[audience screams]

[voices over police radio]

I don't understand.

They're the same blades I always use.

Do you keep them locked?

They're not real, they're fake knives.

So you're saying that someone tampered with them then?

How well did you know Ashley Denton?

Oh, no, no, no.

I don't know Ashley Denton.

I don't know anything about any of this.

I'm shocked like everyone else!

I got the knives from the prop table like I always do.

So there was nothing different about tonight?

No.

Except... it should have been Joe in the box.

He volunteers every time. It's never an audience member.

That was Dad's idea.

He was telling Ashley it would be good for publicity.

Why would I want Ashley dead?

He was my friend.

A friend who was about to withdraw his support

and sponsorship.

Why did you suggest that he volunteered?

Who told you that?

Your son.

Well, I-I thought Ashley would enjoy being in the spotlight.

That it might change his mind about pulling out.

But you think you were the intended victim.

What else would I think?

Any enemies who might wish you harm?

No.

What about your brother?

Well, we haven't seen eye to eye for over 30 years.

If... he'd wanted to kill me, he'd have done it years ago.

[Barnaby] Two murders at the circus,

Terry Bellini and Ashley Denton,

with Joe Ferabbee seemingly the intended victim.

Although Ashley was threatened the night before he died.

By our illusive clown who's still out there somewhere,

minus a shoe.

Denton was caught on CCTV on the afternoon

of Terry Bellini's murder in the same area

that paraffin-soaked rags were found.

Was he planning to set the place on fire,

or is Joe Ferabbee our arch-manipulator?

He was angry at Terry's betrayal and he suggested Ashley Denton

swap places with him, resulting in Ashley's death.

The rags could be down to him too.

We know the circus is in financial difficulty.

Insurance fraud would secure the circus's future.

Check whether he's made any recent changes to the policy.

We need to investigate any links between Curtis Ferabbee,

Denton and the circus.

But most of all, we need to find that missing rifle.

Hmm.

Mr Denton died from exsanguination.

As you can see,

the blade sliced straight through his abdominal aorta.

He didn't stand a chance.

Anything on the murder weapon?

Unlike the other trick knives, the mechanism was locked

to prevent retraction.

As for the blade itself, it was sharpened like a razor.

You can still see microscopic traces of stone dust

on the leading edge.

That you might find if it had been sharpened

on an industrial whetstone?

Precisely.

Ours isn't the only whetstone in Midsomer.

Why would I want Joe Ferabbee dead?

The circus is one of our regular customers.

I'm surprised Curtis agreed to supply him, given their history.

It was his way of getting his own back.

-Take some money off him. -So you're aware

of Curtis's deep-rooted animosity towards Joe.

You said you owed Curtis everything.

How far would you go to prove that?

Bumping people off isn't in the job description, Inspector.

This isn't... Sicily.

Who else has access to the whetstone?

No one.

[Barnaby] What about after hours?

The abattoir's locked and it's alarmed.

[Winter] Well, who has keys?

Curtis, Freya and... and me.

[gentle music]

[music finishes]

Bravo!

You know, for a moment I felt I was in Germany again,

watching your aunt, Elsa. She was just so graceful.

Fearless! You're just like her.

That's what Mum says.

You've got her talent.

I'm flattered, but...

You're more than capable of performing the drop

that made her famous.

The Silken Noose?

No one's done that for years.

It's in our DNA to push ourselves higher, faster.

To take those risks that no one else can.

Yeah, calculated, not suicidal. I'm nowhere near ready.

I think you are ready.

[Winter] I looked into the circus insurance

and the current policy has lapsed,

so there's no financial incentive for arson

on Joe's part.

-Anything else? -[Winter] Yeah.

I did some more digging into the Ferabbee brothers.

I found this. When their father died,

he promised to leave everything to Curtis,

but there was no will,

so the estate reverted to both sons.

Curtis wouldn't be too happy about that.

And according to this...

Curtis was in league with Ashley Denton

to get the circus evicted from the land.

What was in it for Denton?

[Winter] He'd acquired a considerable amount of land

bordering the estate.

I can't believe he bought it to protect the hedge rows

and endangered birdlife. We should talk to Joe Ferabbee.

[gentle music]

Point those fingers, let's see those shapes.

That's it. You can smile. That's it! Right...

Here it comes... and...

Yes! Perfect! You see, you can do it.

Make the audience believe you're gonna fall.

What the hell are you doing?

-Trying something new. -The Silken Noose?

You're not seriously suggesting...

You know how dangerous that is.

Daniella, she's ready, you should be proud.

It's gonna happen again.

D-D-Don't worry, it is perfectly safe.

No. Joe, you're under a lot of stress.

You're not thinking straight.

Joe, I'm begging you.

-That's me daughter. -Yeah, she's your daughter.

And you both work for me!

Where the hell have you been?

I don't have to answer to you any more.

The police think I've got something to do with all this

-because of what you told them. -I told them the truth.

This your way of getting your own back, is it?

Who do you think I am?

You want to destroy this circus like everyone else.

No, you did all that on your own,

but you just can't see it.

I did everything I can to support you.

At least my uncle is prepared to invest in my idea.

Curtis?

He told me everything, Dad, so don't try and stop me.

I really don't know how you sleep at night.

We need a word, Mr Ferabbee.

Daniella, can I help at all?

-I've just been to see Freya. -Oh, what for?

Just wanted to make sure she was OK.

And why wouldn't she be?

We used to be so close, I thought she'd want some support.

Oh, that's nice. Well, I'm here now, so...

All right. OK.

You really think that I killed Ashley Denton

because of a land dispute?

What can you tell us about that?

Well, I knew that Curtis was intent on evicting us

from the estate by any means possible,

but I had no idea he had the parish council behind him.

You believed Ashley was on your side?

Until last night, yes.

His death had nothing to do with me.

In fact, I am clearly the victim of a concerted hate campaign.

You should be investigating that.

Dad.

I just found this in my wagon.

So, er, w-when were you gonna tell me?

Found this flight reference number in your bag.

Said you'd never leave me.

I just... I needed a break.

Yeah, in San Francisco. On your own?

-Yeah. -I don't believe you.

If you leave now... you get nothing,

I'll make sure of that.

No, give me your phone.

Now.

And I'm locking all the bank accounts!

You're not gonna steal any more of my money!

[distant alarm]

[alarm stops]

[clattering]

Hello?

[clattering]

Mostyn?

[screams]

[screams]

[machinery whirs]

-[alarm] -[gas hisses]

[whimpers]

[whistles]

[gasps]

He died of CO2 poisoning.

Large exposures lead to toxicity of the nervous system and heart.

At this concentration, he'd have been unconscious

after two or three breaths...

and dead in under three minutes.

He also has severe bruising to the head and shoulder area

here and... here,

consistent with a fall from some height.

A pretty grisly end.

That's an understatement.

On a lighter note, the clown shoe.

We found deposits on the toe cap and on the sole, possibly blood,

but they were contaminated.

A specialist lab might get us more conclusive results.

Keep me updated.

-Mr Cartwright. -Sir.

You said before that the gassing system is automated.

What happens when it's complete?

Er, th-there's a door on the other side

and... the pig rolls down and a robotic arm

lifts it onto the overhead haulage system.

So once the system is set in motion,

there's no human involvement in the process?

It's the future, Inspector. Curtis was all for it.

Can you talk me through the security system?

State of the art. It's zoned, monitored.

The security firm,

they get an alert if it's been triggered.

Curtis would've disabled it on entry.

But an intruder wouldn't.

Yeah. We have a problem with vermin.

We don't set the central motion sensor

if the Ferabbees are at home.

Except in the office and the storeroom.

Get in touch with the alarm company.

See if the alarm was triggered yesterday, and if so,

why there was no response.

The number's on the box over there.

[phone clicks]

[phone clicks]

Ow!

Sir.

The alarm company received an alert yesterday at 16:58.

They called Mr Ferabbee and he said he was dealing with it.

So either this was a freak accident

or he was deliberately forced over this barrier.

Seems Mostyn's got serious form.

Youth offender for armed robbery and aggravated assault.

-But nothing since? -It doesn't look like it.

We need to know everyone who benefits from Curtis's death.

Mind that oil.

[Winter groans]

Did your mother never tell you to look where you're going?

You weren't concerned when Curtis didn't come home?

[Freya] He often worked late.

Slept in the spare room.

So this man who kept tabs on your every move

could disappear for 12 hours straight

without a call or a text to confirm where you were?

He knew I'd be home.

The alarm went off around 5:00. Didn't you hear it?

Yes. I mean, it wasn't on for long.

I just assumed that Mostyn or... Curtis turned it off.

And you were at home all day, alone?

Daniella came round to see if I was OK.

She left.

I went for a walk.

You told me things weren't always easy

between you and your husband.

We were dealing with it.

How about the last time you saw him?

Everything... Everything was fine.

And you were here all evening, after your walk?

Yes. I told you.

[Winter] Can anyone confirm that?

No.

That was the solicitor.

Freya Ferabbee inherits the house and the assets.

-Mostyn gets the abattoir. -And the land?

All farmland reverts to surviving brother.

Joe gets just what he wanted.

Think we need to go and talk to him?

No, we need to find Daniella.

Make sure Freya is telling the truth.

Who is it?

DS Winter.

Oh, I was looking for your mother.

Er... she's out.

Maybe you can help. Is it all right if I come in?

I, er... I just...

Just wanted to confirm her movements yesterday afternoon.

Er... she went to see Freya.

And then?

And then she came home, we had dinner, that's it.

Is everything all right? You seem a little...

A little on edge.

[sighs]

A couple of days ago, I found Mostyn Cartwright in our wagon.

-So why didn't you report it? -I knew he had a record.

He could lose his job.

Right.

I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt,

but... they don't always deserve it.

Mostyn's delivery schedule for the past month.

It places Mostyn at the circus on the day

that Daniella's jewellery was stolen,

the day that Harry's note was found,

and the days that Terry and Ashley were murdered.

-That's a lot of coincidences. -Hmm.

And the Land Registry confirmed that the circus land

contains all the access roads and services

that Ashley Denton needed to secure his development.

How far would somebody go to stop him?

See those bruises on his torso?

They're more consistent

with severe blunt-force trauma than a fall.

And I found metal splinters in both hands.

The trolley. We need to get back to the abattoir.

But I've got news on the clown shoe.

Unless it's got something to do with the murder,

-I don't want to know. -You'll want to know this.

The sample from the toe cap is pig's blood.

Check the sample against the blood used on the notes

to Ashley Denton and Harry Ferabbee.

I might... if you say please.

Please.

[Winter] No sign of Mostyn, sir.

We've circulated his description.

Mostyn claimed that the central abattoir alarm

wasn't usually set, only the office and storerooms off it.

An intruder would only trigger it

-if they entered those zones. -Exactly.

Which according to this, includes the office,

the storerooms and the cellar.

Mostyn didn't show us a cellar.

I think the cellar's over here, sir.

[alarm blares]

It looks like we've found our thief, at least.

Let's see what else we can find.

-[Winter] Oh, my God. -[flies buzz]

No wonder he didn't want us to see this.

It's like something out of a Hammer horror film.

Before your time.

-Everything's before your time. -[gags]

Thanks. There's no sign of him, sir.

Only two roads lead out of Swynton Magna.

What's the most fundamental skill

a training police officer has to acquire?

-Making a decent cup of tea? -Observation.

-See anything familiar? -[Winter] Oil.

It's not Hansel and Gretel, sir.

It's all we've got.

Yeah, great.

Thanks, Fleur.

There he is.

The pig's blood on the shoe is a perfect match for the notes.

OK.

-Put the gun down, Mostyn. -Back away from me!

I'll use it!

We found the cellar you didn't want us to see.

[Winter] Put it down.

[Barnaby] You lied about everything.

The truth this time.

I did it for Curtis.

He needed me to help him.

Help him with what?

Ashley wanted the circus land.

He came up with a plan to turn all the locals against them

so he could get what he wanted.

So Ashley made you dress up like a clown to scare people,

to cause trouble.

Was it you who planned to set fire to the circus?

I thought that'd nail it.

When I told Ashley I'd got it all sorted, he went mad.

So he went back there to remove the evidence.

When Terry was shot, he...

He had to make himself scarce.

Just give me the gun, Mostyn, come on.

Come on.

Is this Curtis's rifle? Did you kill Terry Bellini?

No.

That's my rifle. I use it for shooting vermin.

And your chamber of horrors?

There's a black market for fermented blood.

Air-dried pigs intestines.

For what?

Black pudding.

Old school.

There's loads of red tape around raw blood products.

I'd fail in the health and safety.

-You do surprise me. -And the thefts?

Old habits die hard.

I couldn't help myself.

Do you really think I'd kill the only man

who ever had faith in me? I loved Curtis.

More than his wife ever did anyway.

What do you mean?

She was gonna leave him.

I heard 'em arguing the day he died.

Sir...

Freya's not here but I had a quick look around. Found this,

taped to the underside of a drawer in her bedroom.

Get it checked out ASAP. And there's something else.

[Barnaby] It's definitely the missing gun.

I checked the serial number.

How did it get back here? And why would anyone return it?

[faint thud]

What's that?

[musical box plays]

[music continues]

[music stops]

I was looking for Freya. I came to pay my respects.

[Winter] Not to claim your inheritance?

[Barnaby] Your... brother's death is convenient,

given your historical dispute.

And to your advantage.

We understand all the land reverts to you now.

To my advantage? Do you really think so?

When Harry got that note,

I realised that he mattered to me more than anything else.

I got it wrong.

I was gonna sell Curtis the land,

rebuild my relationship with my brother.

And now he's gone forever.

He always said he hated the circus.

But he loved it as much as I did.

You were two boys living on a farm.

Why the circus?

One night my father went too far.

My mother couldn't take it any more.

I just ran, I had to get away.

Joe!

Joe!

-[circus music] -[cheering]

Joe!

Wow.

[Joe] And that was it, I left the farm

without a word.

I ran away to the circus.

But you never came back for Curtis.

I just wanted to pretend that that part of my life

hadn't happened, just sort of dismiss it as a nightmare.

A nightmare your brother was left to live alone.

I was gonna ask him to forgive me.

[sobs] Not that I deserve it.

And now it's too late.

[kissing]

[rattling]

[Spanish accent] Can you feel the Earth moving, my darling?

[woman chuckles]

[thud]

[metallic thud]

Quite a temper you've got there.

He deserved it. I just wish I'd hit him harder.

With the same impulsive violence

that caused your husband's death?

That wasn't me.

I'm trying to conduct an interview here, Mr Morrison.

Thank you.

Hold on, hold on.

The calls made from Freya Ferabbee's secret mobile

were all made to a number registered to a Mr Ray Dawkins

from Dalston.

That's you isn't it, Raoul?

[London accent] Used to be. We got a problem with that?

You were sick of Curtis controlling your life.

You had to kill him before he shut down your escape route.

No, I went for a walk, went home and stayed there.

We only have your word for that.

Ray Dawkins has two wives and three other women

suing him for child support.

I'm the victim here!

You're treating me like a criminal.

Polygamy is a crime, Mr Dawkins.

You made Freya think you wanted to spend

the rest of your life with her, that you were free to marry.

She didn't need much persuading.

All you were interested in was the money

that she'd been transferring from Mr Ferabbee's personal

and business accounts, which Curtis discovered

along with your plan to leave the night he died.

You win some, you lose some.

Take them both to the station.

Easy on the jacket.

Ray Dawkins is a manipulative liar,

but... I don't see him as a murderer.

Freya has motive and no alibi, but we need hard evidence.

Uniform were matching everything reported stolen

against a list of items found in Mostyn's bag.

Everything was accounted for

except Daniella's missing locket.

Why isn't the locket with everything else?

-Maybe it was pawned. -It's unlikely.

Daniella said it was only valuable to her.

We know that Sophia suspected Mostyn of being the thief.

-Did she tell her mother? -You think maybe one of them

went back to the abattoir to look for it?

Hmm...

Daniella?

[sighs]

[Winter] You again.

Come on.

[slurring] I just wanted a photo of us together.

Terry had trunk-loads of this.

I thought Daniella might've got rid of 'em all

after what I told her.

What did you tell her?

Er, something... personal.

Nothing to do with any of this.

A-Ancient history. Yeah. Let's go.

All right, mate, all right.

-[Winter] Come on. -[Les] Yeah, yeah.

[musical box plays]

"Two hearts that beat as one."

This is Elsa's.

Everything is about Elsa.

This puts Daniella at the abattoir.

She must have discovered Mostyn's bag.

We need to find her.

Check out the Big Top, I'll try the box office.

[Winter] She's not here, sir!

Go and stand in the ring where Terry was shot!

[gasps]

Daniella.

Daniella. We just want to talk to you.

Come down, Daniella, please.

Mum, what are you doing?

Daniella, come down!

Daniella, we just need to talk to you.

[whimpers]

Three people have died, Daniella. Why?

Terry didn't do the safety checks the day Elsa died.

He was too busy screwing one of his dancers.

Les told me a few days ago.

I couldn't let that go.

What does that mean?

He killed my sister.

When Les told me about his plan to shoot Terry with blanks...

I had to take it further.

[gunshot]

And Ashley? That was you too.

[Daniella] Ashley was a mistake.

That knife was meant for you.

For...

Why?

-You've always been my friend. -And I thought you were mine.

But now I know our friendship's based purely on guilt.

It's your job to supervise the safety checks,

your name on the insurance, it was your signature

on the safety log the day Elsa died,

the day I almost died,

even though you knew it hadn't been done!

How could you do that?!

You falsified the evidence to protect your star.

No, no. To protect the circus.

We'd have been ruined if it had come out.

Ferabbee's is my life, I couldn't just let it die.

There's nothing you wouldn't do to keep it going,

including risking my daughter's life!

What about my brother?

-What had he ever done to you? -Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Finally I had a chance to be the brother that Curtis deserved.

To make up for all this lost time.

And you stole that from me!

Just like you stole Elsa from me.

Hurts... doesn't it?

You took Curtis's rifle, then returned it. How?

He almost caught me.

I wish he had.

D-Daniella, can I help at all?

[Daniella] He thought I'd gone.

But I couldn't risk leaving the rifle.

I walked back to the trailer, then I heard them arguing.

[Curtis shouting]

I took my chance.

On the way home, I had to avoid Mostyn.

[car drives away]

Sophia told me she'd found Mostyn in our wagon.

He always carried that bag.

You thought he was the thief

and that the bag might contain Elsa's locket.

[alarm blares]

I knew I didn't have much time, but still, I...

I had to see if it was in there, and it was.

Hello?

-[clattering] -Mostyn?

Hello?

[screams]

[Daniella] It was an accident.

[Daniella sobs]

Mum, please don't.

Elsa lost her life this way.

She wouldn't want that for you.

For Sophia.

Mum, please come down.

[she screams]

Mum!

Sweetheart...

[police siren]

You!

[sobs]

Come on, come on.

Come on.

No! [sobs]

OK.

[Winter] All right, sir, I'll see you tomorrow.

Stay for a drink. I think we could both do with one.

-Betty, hello. -Hello, Daddy.

Fleur, I wasn't expecting to see you.

Hi.

So, you know that Betty wants clowns

for her birthday party next week.

I know you're not keen, so I was going to say no.

So I suggested you try some aversion therapy beforehand.

-[horn toots] -[man] Wahey!

[dog barks]

-Come on, guys! -There we go.

-[laughs] -[dog barks]

Paddy's more scared of clowns than I am.

Told you, should've had his balls removed.

Clowns? In my house?

They're here now. You might as well give it a go.

Go on, sir. You can do it.

[horn toots]

Only if Paddy does it with me.

Come on, good boy.

Come on.

It's kill or cure.

[doorbell]

Send in the clowns.