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Spoilers Ahead!
August 1942
Down the coast from Hastings, a small flock of sheep trot across a grassy field, herded by a sheepdog. An armed British soldier follows.
In the army base nearby, Mark Wilcox, a civilian, walks down a corridor into a sick bay and stands beside the only bed. The patient, Simon Higgins, is sitting up in the bed. He has a bandage across his eyes and his skin is blemished. He cannot see but assumes his visitor to be Wilcox and tells him that the doctor has just told him that there's no change.
Wilcox asks if he's going to be all right and Higgins asks if he means apart from being blind. Wilcox tells him that he shouldn't have done what he did but the other man assures him that the effect is only temporary and he'll be fine. When Higgins is told that the new test is going ahead, he warns Wilcox to be careful, saying that Halliday has no idea what he's doing and he should keep an eye on him.
***
On the edge of the coast, Captain Halliday watches through binoculars as men wearing protective clothing and gas masks place a large yellow canister at the top of a tower constructed from scaffolding. He satisfies himself as to the wind direction and says to Wilcox, who is nearby, "Let's get on with it." Wilcox begins to advise caution, but Halliday cuts him short, saying that he has his orders. He strides off and Wilcox, with reluctance, signals to the soldiers, who then pull back from the area.
Halliday and Wilcox retire to a concrete bunker and Wilcox attaches a wire to a detonator. The two men don gas masks before Wilcox pushes down the plunger on the detonator, causing an explosion at the top of the tower, which releases the contents of the canister. A cloud of gas sweeps across the area, enveloping sheep that are penned so that they cannot escape it.
***
Some time later that day, a covered army lorry rounds a bend in a country road sharply, causing part of its load to fall from the rear onto the road. It is a dead sheep and the loss of it from the lorry goes unnoticed by the driver.
***
On the beach at Hastings, fishermen are gutting and boxing their catch, and Sam and her American boyfriend Private Joe Farnetti are taking a stroll.
Farnetti tells Sam that his new billet is better than the old one. He remarks about the amount of rain there's been and says he can't wait to get back to California and that the war won't last much longer and then he'll be on the first boat out. After a moment's silence, he adds "Provided, that is, that you come with me." He says that she knows how he feels about her, but Sam gives a little shake of her head and says that he's only known her for a short while. He replies that it's been the best while of his life and says he's grateful to the Germans because without them he would never have met her.
Sam is uncomfortable and glances about her to avoid his eyes. He takes both of her hands in his and says he wants her to marry him and that he never wants to let her go. Sam is very hesitant and asks him if it is a proposal. He laughs and says that he supposes it is. He assumes that she wants him to do it properly and, despite Sam's protest, gets down on one knee in the sand. "Will you marry me, Sam?"
Before she can answer, he tells her to wait a moment as they need a ring. He reaches for a seashell and says it will have to do. Sam laughs nervously. Telling her that she is the most beautiful girl he has ever met, Farnetti again proposes. Sam orders him to get up, but he says he won't until she gives him an answer.When she doesn't reply, he asks her if it's a yes or a no. Sam looks at the sea, saying nothing.
***
Shortly before 9am, DCS Foyle arrives at Hastings police station and finds Sergeant Brooke up a ladder in the lobby, removing a bulb from a light fitting. Brooke explains that he's following the Assistant Commissioner's orders and says that it's to do with new fuel targets. Foyle says, "I see", to which Brooke replies, "Well, you won't for much longer. I'm meant to be taking out half the lights in the building."
Foyle asks about simply not turning them on, but Brooke explains that the bulbs are needed. He says he hasn't been into the DCS's office without his say-so and asks if his boss can help with the bulbs in there.As Foyle goes to his office, Brooke tells him that there's something else: the canteen will now only be serving hot food three times a week, so they can look forward to spam sandwiches all round. Foyle replies ironically, "Wonderful."
***
When Milner arrives at the station he is surprised and pleased to find waiting for him a young woman called Edith Ashford, who is an old friend he has not seen for ten years. When he asks if she is still Miss, she says that she is. She says that she was unsure about coming to see him but didn't have anyone else to turn to. She has come about her brother Martin, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
***
In Foyle's office, Edith tells the DCS that her brother is a Quaker, who refuses to fight because he is a conscientious objector, but has done fire-watching and ambulance driving, and is now working at Foxhall Farm. The murdered man is Tom Jenkins, a British sailor. Edith says she is sure that her brother did not commit the murder, but he will not talk to her. She begs for help, saying that he might talk to them because "he knew Paul". She explains to Foyle that she and Milner had once been close.
When Milner tells her that Ashford was arrested in Hythe, another jurisdiction further along the coast, Edith pleads, saying that they must know people there, and mentions a detective chief superintendent named Fielding.
***
In the kitchen of his home, Leonard Cartwright makes a cup of tea. The young man has a long vertical scar on the right side of his face, running from his brow to part-way down his cheek. His father, a veterinary surgeon, tells him that he's going to Foxhall Farm because Brian Jones says his cattle are sick. He opens a surgical bag, revealing a variety of surgical instruments, and adds a small brown bottle of liquid to its contents.
***
At Foxhall Farm, Cartwright tells Jones that he doesn't know what's wrong with the small herd of six cows but it looks like 'flu. Jones states adamantly that it's not 'flu and tells the vet that his cattle all became ill within the same period of twenty-four hours.
***
As Sam drives Foyle and Milner to see DCS Fielding, her boss remarks that she's unusually quiet. When all she replies is "Yes, sir", he asks if that means she's thinking. She smiles and says again, "Yes, sir." Foyle grins and asks if she needs any help with it. She says no, she just has to make her mind up about something and it's rather awkward. She describes it as feeling as though she's come to a crossroads and says she's afraid of making the wrong turn. Foyle notices that Sam has driven past the turning to Hythe and says, "Well, we just have!"
***
A while later, Foyle and Milner make their way through a wood to where DCS Fielding is standing with a number of uniformed police around a shallow grave containing the body of a young prostitute.
Fielding is very displeased when he learns that someone in his station told Foyle where to find him, which has resulted in his walking into the middle of a murder investigation without so much as a by-your-leave. As Fielding walks with Foyle and Milner, Foyle tells him why he is there, explaining that Milner knows the arrested man's sister.
Fielding makes the assumption that the two men want to reinvestigate the case. Foyle says that is far from it, he just wanted Fielding's opinion and wondered if Milner's connection could be useful, but if the DCS doesn't want them under his feet, he quite understands. Fielding coughs and says it's getting nippy and that the wind gets on his chest. Looking over at a police vehicle, he asks Foyle if he would mind if they talked inside. As he walks off to the car, he adds sternly, "Just the two of us!"
In the car, Fielding asks Foyle what the hell he thinks he's doing after not having seen him in two years walking in and showing him up in front of his own men. Foyle protests that he hasn't done any such thing, but Fielding interrupts, saying he didn't believe Edith Ashford when she gave him all that stuff about her brother's innocence and he's surprised Foyle does. He runs through the facts.
Jenkins and Ashford had argued publicly and violently, and had arranged to meet on the beach that same evening to settle their differences. Jenkins was killed on the beach and they know that Ashford was there. Ashford claims he found Jenkins after he had been attacked with some sort of knife. The murder weapon, wiped clean of fingerprints, was found in woodland not two hundred yards from Ashford's home; the MO (medical officer) hasn't identified what it is yet. Jenkins's blood was found on Ashford's clothing.
Fielding says that Ashford hasn't confessed but neither has he denied, which he believes adds up to the same thing and he asks Foyle angrily what gives him the right to come and question his judgement. Foyle replies firmly that such was not his intention. He says that he had come to ask if Fielding, as a friend, would mind him speaking to Ashford if only to put Edith's mind at rest. He adds that Ashford hasn't confessed, so at the same time, it's possible that he could help.
***
In an interview room in Hythe police station, Milner speaks with Ashford while Foyle stands off to one side. Ashford says he doesn't remember Milner and that he can't be helped by him. The sergeant asks him point blank if he killed Jenkins. He receives an immediate denial, but he can get nothing more out of the man except that he doesn't care what his sister thinks.
Foyle asks Ashford if he's protecting someone but the man doesn't reply. Foyle asks what the argument with Jenkins was about and Ashford says, "The war." Foyle asks if he is a pacifist. Ashford replies that it's not what Jenkins called him. When Foyle gets no reply on asking what Jenkins did call him, he states flatly that whatever it was, as far as he's concerned it was no good reason to kill him, which prompts an immediate strong denial. Foyle asks if he knows who did kill Jenkins, but again meets with silence. He then seeks confirmation that the young man is working on a farm and Ashford replies that it's all in the report. He says firmly that he just wants to be left alone.
***
At Foxhall Farm, Brian Jones goes to his cowshed and finds it empty.
Continue on...
Down the coast from Hastings, a small flock of sheep trot across a grassy field, herded by a sheepdog. An armed British soldier follows.
In the army base nearby, Mark Wilcox, a civilian, walks down a corridor into a sick bay and stands beside the only bed.
The patient, Simon Higgins, is sitting up in the bed. He has a bandage across his eyes and his skin is blemished. He cannot see but assumes his visitor to be Wilcox and tells him that the doctor has just told him that there's no change.
Wilcox asks if he's going to be all right and Higgins asks if he means apart from being blind. Wilcox tells him that he shouldn't have done what he did but the other man assures him that the effect is only temporary and he'll be fine. When Higgins is told that the new test is going ahead, he warns Wilcox to be careful, saying that Halliday has no idea what he's doing and he should keep an eye on him.
***
On the edge of the coast, Captain Halliday watches through binoculars as men wearing protective clothing and gas masks place a large yellow canister at the top of a tower constructed from scaffolding. He satisfies himself as to the wind direction and says to Wilcox, who is nearby, "Let's get on with it." Wilcox begins to advise caution, but Halliday cuts him short, saying that he has his orders. He strides off and Wilcox, with reluctance, signals to the soldiers, who then pull back from the area.
Halliday and Wilcox retire to a concrete bunker and Wilcox attaches a wire to a detonator. The two men don gas masks before Wilcox pushes down the plunger on the detonator, causing an explosion at the top of the tower, which releases the contents of the canister. A cloud of gas sweeps across the area, enveloping sheep that are penned so that they cannot escape it.
***
Some time later that day, a covered army lorry rounds a bend in a country road sharply, causing part of its load to fall from the rear onto the road. It is a dead sheep and the loss of it from the lorry goes unnoticed by the driver.
***
On the beach at Hastings, fishermen are gutting and boxing their catch, and Sam and her American boyfriend Private Joe Farnetti are taking a stroll.
Farnetti tells Sam that his new billet is better than the old one. He remarks about the amount of rain there's been and says he can't wait to get back to California and that the war won't last much longer and then he'll be on the first boat out. After a moment's silence, he adds "Provided, that is, that you come with me." He says that she knows how he feels about her, but Sam gives a little shake of her head and says that he's only known her for a short while. He replies that it's been the best while of his life and says he's grateful to the Germans because without them he would never have met her.
Sam is uncomfortable and glances about her to avoid his eyes. He takes both of her hands in his and says he wants her to marry him and that he never wants to let her go. Sam is very hesitant and asks him if it is a proposal. He laughs and says that he supposes it is. He assumes that she wants him to do it properly and, despite Sam's protest, gets down on one knee in the sand. "Will you marry me, Sam?"
Before she can answer, he tells her to wait a moment as they need a ring. He reaches for a seashell and says it will have to do. Sam laughs nervously. Telling her that she is the most beautiful girl he has ever met, Farnetti again proposes. Sam orders him to get up, but he says he won't until she gives him an answer.
When she doesn't reply, he asks her if it's a yes or a no. Sam looks at the sea, saying nothing.
***
Shortly before 9am, DCS Foyle arrives at Hastings police station and finds Sergeant Brooke up a ladder in the lobby, removing a bulb from a light fitting. Brooke explains that he's following the Assistant Commissioner's orders and says that it's to do with new fuel targets. Foyle says, "I see", to which Brooke replies, "Well, you won't for much longer. I'm meant to be taking out half the lights in the building."
Foyle asks about simply not turning them on, but Brooke explains that the bulbs are needed. He says he hasn't been into the DCS's office without his say-so and asks if his boss can help with the bulbs in there.
As Foyle goes to his office, Brooke tells him that there's something else: the canteen will now only be serving hot food three times a week, so they can look forward to spam sandwiches all round. Foyle replies ironically, "Wonderful."
***
When Milner arrives at the station he is surprised and pleased to find waiting for him a young woman called Edith Ashford, who is an old friend he has not seen for ten years. When he asks if she is still Miss, she says that she is. She says that she was unsure about coming to see him but didn't have anyone else to turn to. She has come about her brother Martin, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
***
In Foyle's office, Edith tells the DCS that her brother is a Quaker, who refuses to fight because he is a conscientious objector, but has done fire-watching and ambulance driving, and is now working at Foxhall Farm. The murdered man is Tom Jenkins, a British sailor. Edith says she is sure that her brother did not commit the murder, but he will not talk to her. She begs for help, saying that he might talk to them because "he knew Paul". She explains to Foyle that she and Milner had once been close.
When Milner tells her that Ashford was arrested in Hythe, another jurisdiction further along the coast, Edith pleads, saying that they must know people there, and mentions a detective chief superintendent named Fielding.
***
In the kitchen of his home, Leonard Cartwright makes a cup of tea. The young man has a long vertical scar on the right side of his face, running from his brow to part-way down his cheek. His father, a veterinary surgeon, tells him that he's going to Foxhall Farm because Brian Jones says his cattle are sick. He opens a surgical bag, revealing a variety of surgical instruments, and adds a small brown bottle of liquid to its contents.
***
At Foxhall Farm, Cartwright tells Jones that he doesn't know what's wrong with the small herd of six cows but it looks like 'flu. Jones states adamantly that it's not 'flu and tells the vet that his cattle all became ill within the same period of twenty-four hours.
***
As Sam drives Foyle and Milner to see DCS Fielding, her boss remarks that she's unusually quiet. When all she replies is "Yes, sir", he asks if that means she's thinking. She smiles and says again, "Yes, sir." Foyle grins and asks if she needs any help with it. She says no, she just has to make her mind up about something and it's rather awkward. She describes it as feeling as though she's come to a crossroads and says she's afraid of making the wrong turn. Foyle notices that Sam has driven past the turning to Hythe and says, "Well, we just have!"
***
A while later, Foyle and Milner make their way through a wood to where DCS Fielding is standing with a number of uniformed police around a shallow grave containing the body of a young prostitute.
Fielding is very displeased when he learns that someone in his station told Foyle where to find him, which has resulted in his walking into the middle of a murder investigation without so much as a by-your-leave. As Fielding walks with Foyle and Milner, Foyle tells him why he is there, explaining that Milner knows the arrested man's sister.
Fielding makes the assumption that the two men want to reinvestigate the case. Foyle says that is far from it, he just wanted Fielding's opinion and wondered if Milner's connection could be useful, but if the DCS doesn't want them under his feet, he quite understands. Fielding coughs and says it's getting nippy and that the wind gets on his chest. Looking over at a police vehicle, he asks Foyle if he would mind if they talked inside. As he walks off to the car, he adds sternly, "Just the two of us!"
In the car, Fielding asks Foyle what the hell he thinks he's doing after not having seen him in two years walking in and showing him up in front of his own men. Foyle protests that he hasn't done any such thing, but Fielding interrupts, saying he didn't believe Edith Ashford when she gave him all that stuff about her brother's innocence and he's surprised Foyle does. He runs through the facts.
Jenkins and Ashford had argued publicly and violently, and had arranged to meet on the beach that same evening to settle their differences. Jenkins was killed on the beach and they know that Ashford was there. Ashford claims he found Jenkins after he had been attacked with some sort of knife. The murder weapon, wiped clean of fingerprints, was found in woodland not two hundred yards from Ashford's home; the MO (medical officer) hasn't identified what it is yet. Jenkins's blood was found on Ashford's clothing.
Fielding says that Ashford hasn't confessed but neither has he denied, which he believes adds up to the same thing and he asks Foyle angrily what gives him the right to come and question his judgement. Foyle replies firmly that such was not his intention. He says that he had come to ask if Fielding, as a friend, would mind him speaking to Ashford if only to put Edith's mind at rest. He adds that Ashford hasn't confessed, so at the same time, it's possible that he could help.
***
In an interview room in Hythe police station, Milner speaks with Ashford while Foyle stands off to one side. Ashford says he doesn't remember Milner and that he can't be helped by him. The sergeant asks him point blank if he killed Jenkins. He receives an immediate denial, but he can get nothing more out of the man except that he doesn't care what his sister thinks.
Foyle asks Ashford if he's protecting someone but the man doesn't reply. Foyle asks what the argument with Jenkins was about and Ashford says, "The war." Foyle asks if he is a pacifist. Ashford replies that it's not what Jenkins called him. When Foyle gets no reply on asking what Jenkins did call him, he states flatly that whatever it was, as far as he's concerned it was no good reason to kill him, which prompts an immediate strong denial. Foyle asks if he knows who did kill Jenkins, but again meets with silence. He then seeks confirmation that the young man is working on a farm and Ashford replies that it's all in the report. He says firmly that he just wants to be left alone.
***
At Foxhall Farm, Brian Jones goes to his cowshed and finds it empty.
Continue on...