This summary is in no way intended as a substitute for viewing this fabulous episode.
Spoilers Ahead!
April 1944
In a church confessional in Hastings, a young airman (Henry Scott) confesses to murder.
***
Scott watches with great concern a newsreel entitled "Great US Air Assault" showing recent air raids on aircraft factories in Marienberg, East Prussia, and Posen, Poland. The commentary reports German losses mounting.
***
In Beverley Lodge, a large country house being used by the RAF, a young woman in uniform (Jane Hudson) hurries to the map room and asks airman Adam Everitt for something he's been working on that the Wing Commander is waiting for. Everitt gives her a large envelope, which she takes to W/Co Foster, who is exasperated when told who had it. He orders that it be taken to a dispatch rider. Henry Scott attempts to talk to Jane, but she asks him to wait. He walks away looking troubled.
***
Later, Scott's landlady finds him out for the count on his bed, an open pill bottle on his bedside table. Images of a bombing raid run through the airman's mind.
***
In Hastings police station, Sgt Brooke tells DCS Meredith that Sgt Milner is in the interrogation room, explaining that he got Burton "the lorries man". Meredith instructs Brooke to tell Milner he wants a word. When Brooke does so, he adds "Another of his balls-ups he wants you to sort out." Milner replies curtly that he'll pretend not to have heard the comment, and goes to the DCS's office. Brooke remarks to a constable that it wasn't like that a year ago, and refers to "the good old days".
Milner reports to Meredith that Bill Burton has a haulage operation and has been falsifying transport accounts with regard to lorry trips from barracks at Brighton and Eastbourne that were never made.
***
In his home, Christopher Foyle is dictating very slowly to Sam Stewart, who struggles to keep pace on her typewriter. When Foyle asks wearily if he is talking too quickly, Sam assures him he's not. "It's not me, it's the typewriter. It keeps jamming." Foyle remarks dryly, "Doesn't when I use it." He queries why Sam isn't using her shorthand, and is bemused when she replies that she can write it but can't read it.
Sam suggests that he might think of a better title for the book, saying "The History of the Hastings Constabulary in the Wartime Years" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Foyle tells her it's not intended for the public at large. He says there'll be many stories about the war, and the police on the south coast are part of the story. Sam asks if he misses police work. Foyle is quick to reply no. She says she doesn't either, but she sighs thoughtfully before she resumes typing.
***
In the station, Burton warns Milner to watch his step, as his friends won't take kindly to the arrest.
***
In the map room in Beverley Lodge, Scott and a civilian called Richard Waterlow examine an aerial photograph. Waterlow tells Scott that he was transferred from the War Agricultural Executive Committee because he wanted to make maps. Jane enters to speak with Scott. Two leave the room, and have an uneasy conversation. Jane asks if they can go back to the way they were. Scott replies that it isn't possible. As he walks away, Everitt approaches Jane and asks what they were talking about. She tells him it's none of his business.
***
In the W/Co's office, Foster tells Everitt that Bomber Command aren't happy with the maps. Everitt's manner is casual. He says there are always unavoidable errors. Foster remarks that it's happened too often and people are wondering why the airman is still there. Everitt leans forward and says, "We'd neither of us want that, would we?"
***
Jane, Scott and Waterlow are present at a choir practice at St Jude's Church. At the close, Jane waits for Scott, who is talking to the priest.
Fr Martin Keppler asks Scott if he is fully recovered, and expresses the hope that he hasn't had any further temptation. Scott replies that he hasn't, and says it was stupid. He says that by his work he's killing people and he doesn't know how the other man can want him to stay there, being both a priest and a German. Fr Keppler replies that he wants to go home but it can never happen until Hitler is finished. He asks Scott if things are stepping up, and is told that raids are increasing, and that they want to have a crack at Hitler himself and think they can hit Berchtesgaden. The priest expresses delight, but Scott says it's still murder. Keppler says the airman should attend a conference at which Bishop Francis Wood, who also believes in moral absolutes, will be speaking.
As Scott leaves the church, Jane speaks with him. Scott says he thought he knew her but he doesn't, but that he does know Everitt very well. He suggests she ask Everitt about his Uncle Bill and the arrangement they've got, and says she can tell him he might talk about what he knows.
***
Over beer in the Plume of Feathers public house, Milner tells Foyle that things have been going down hill since he left. He asks if Foyle has heard the station is to be closed, and the ex-DCS replies he has. Milner says he's thinking of leaving.
***
Meredith is home having supper with his wife. Joyce is reluctant to talk, and goes to bed, saying she has a headache. Meredith, who has already had two whiskies, downs another.
***
After parting company with Foyle outside the pub, Milner narrowly escapes being hit by a truck that is driven straight at him.
***
Next day, Sam calls at Foyle's home to explain that her uncle the Revd Aubrey Stewart is coming to Hastings for the church conference, and ask if Foyle can put him up for two nights, as his hotel has let him down. Foyle agrees. Before she leaves, Sam asks about the book. Foyle comments on the chapter about horseracing and illegal rambling. Sam looks puzzled. "Don't you mean gambling?" "I do. Not quite what you typed."
***
In Meredith's office, Milner tells the DCS he thinks whoever drove at him wasn't actually trying to kill him, but he's sure they were working for Burton. Meredith is going to the conference at Cranville College, and suggests Milner go with him. He disapproves of Bishop Wood wanting everyone to forgive and forget, and says the man is trouble.
***
Outside Beverley Lodge, Jane approaches Everitt in angry mood, saying there's something he's not telling her. The airman claims to be in love with her, and Jane says he's talking tommyrot. She asks who Uncle Bill is. Everitt wants to know if Scott gave her the name and what else he has told her.
***
In the map room in Beverley Lodge, Scott studies with concern two aerial photographs under a stereoscope. He sends Waterlow to the library to get information about the area around Stuttgart, saying that the 1931 map can't be right. As Waterlow leaves, Everitt comes to the desk. Scott, extremely agitated, tells him to go to hell, and then leaves the room, taking one of the photographs with him.
Jane sees Scott as he's rushing out of the building, and asks what's wrong. Scott replies distractedly, "It's not there!" Jane asks "What's not there? Where are you going?" He replies, "The church."
***
Uncle Aubrey has arrived in Hastings. While drinking tea in Foyle's home, he speaks of the war, questioning the ultimatum of total and unconditional surrender, and wondering how many more innocent people have to die before it is accepted. He says that he stands with Bishop Wood, who is preaching reconciliation and forgiveness. Foyle queries if it is the right time and is told that Wood won't worry about that.
The clergyman tells Foyle he has something for him, and puts a bottle of his homemade wine on the table. Looking at the green liquid, Foyle struggles to find words for a few seconds, then says "Very kind of you. Thank you."
***
As people arrive for the conference at Cranville College, Meredith and Milner speak with Bishop Wood. The bishop considers a police presence unnecessary. Meredith says his public speaking in London caused a riot, and states that sedition is an offence. Wood is indignant at the use of the word. The DCS says he's read the bishop's address, and sternly warns him not to say those things in Hastings.
***
Scott is at home, becoming increasingly agitated. He suddenly rushes out and calls someone from a public telephone box, saying that he needs to meet them. He has to insist that it can't wait.
***
In Beverley Lodge, Waterlow reports to the W/Co that Scott has gone and has taken a photograph with him.
***
Two land girls walking in the woods, discover a body hanging from a tree. It's Henry Scott.
***
In Meredith's office, Milner reports that Burton must have contacts in organisations that include the Army, Air Force, RASC and NFS. Brooke reports the discovery of the body, and says an aerial photograph of a German town called Hoch Feldhausen was found in the man's pocket.
***
At the scene of the death, Brooke says that the name on the man's ID card is Scott. On examination of the rope, and the deep groove it has made in the tree branch, Milner deduces that it was dragged over the branch with something heavy on the end of it. He has also noted extensive bruising at the back of Scott's head.
***
That night in the Plume of Feathers, Foyle, Sam and Uncle Aubrey sit drinking at the bar. The clergyman mentions the conference, and comments on there being a German priest in Hastings. When Sam remarks that he's probably a spy, her uncle says no, he is a friend of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who spoke out against Hitler. When Foyle remarks that Bonhoeffer did just that in England in 1933, Uncle Aubrey says he's now in prison in Germany. The clergyman suggests Foyle attends one of the public forums at the conference where he'll meet Fr Keppler. He asks Sam what she's been doing since leaving the police. Sam replies that she is doing something vital to the war effort.
***
At Scott's billet, Milner learns that Scott tried suicide twice before, and that he was a devout Roman Catholic and worked for the Air Ministry. He is advised to visit Fr Keppler.
***
Foyle arrives at the college to attend a public forum. He is introduced to Fr Keppler, who tells him that he came to Hastings two years before the war because he could see the direction his country was taking and the Gestapo were searching for him because he had spoken out in public.
***
W/Co Foster calls at Hastings police station. He tells Meredith and Milner that a police investigation is a waste of time, as Scott was a mess, hated his job and the war, and had tried suicide twice before. He says the suicide attempts weren't reported because the man was superb at his work. Milner asks what Scott's work was, but Foster won't say. Meredith says they'll enquire at the Air Ministry.
***
At Beverley Lodge, Jane and Everitt have a conversation on the stairs about Scott. As Jane remarks that Everitt is glad Scott is dead because he wanted him out of the way, Everitt spots Sam at the top of the stairs. Sam denies that she's been eavesdropping, saying she's just been to get some maps. As Jane walks up the stairs, Sam passes Everitt on her way down. He stops her, introduces himself and then lets her go on her way.
***
Milner interrupts the conference to speak to Fr Keppler. The priest tells him that he knows Scott well but hadn't seen him the day before, as he was at the college for most of it and then went home. Milner tells him the man is dead, and that it looks like suicide. Keppler says Scott was a very troubled man who felt responsible for his part in the war. Milner asks what he did, but Keppler claims confidentiality. The priest asks why there should be an investigation if it was suicide. Milner replies that it only appears that way. He asks Keppler if he has heard of a place called Hoch Feldhausen. The priest says he hasn't. On being asked, he tells Milner that he came to England in 1937 and, before that, was in Munich.
***
At the end of her day's shift, Sam collects her bicycle outside Beverley Lodge. Everitt approaches, telling her it is not good to eavesdrop, and warning her not to repeat things. Sam says she'd forgotten all about it, but since Everitt is so worried that he is attempting to bully her, she's going to mention it to everyone she can. With that, she rides off.
***
As Meredith and Milner are leaving the police station, the DCS suddenly realises he's left something behind. As he turns to go back into the building, a rifle shot is heard and he falls to the ground. Milner bends over him, and Meredith says "Charlie!" The DCS's dying words are "I've missed you, Charlie … I'm glad you're here."
***
Next day, Foyle accompanies Uncle Aubrey on his walk to the conference. On the college path, the clergyman says the morning debate is to be about how to get the message across: "The English Church, the German Church, one family looking beyond the war to the future, coming together again." Foyle says that would happen in time, but Uncle Aubrey says emphatically that it has to happen now.
A police car pulls up and Assistant Commissioner Henry Parkins climbs out. Uncle Aubrey goes on his way. The AC ignores Foyle's wry observation that he's a little over-dressed for a church conference, and asks to speak to him privately. Inside the college, Parkins tells Foyle about Meredith's murder. He says Milner wasn't hurt but was more likely the target, as there had been an attempt on his life a few days before.
Foyle says flatly that he knows why the AC has come and the answer is no. Parkins says he understands, but that the shooting of a senior police officer in the street is completely unprecedented. He says he was new to the job of AC and trying to find his feet at the time Foyle resigned. He admits to being unreasonable and says Foyle was right to resign. He begs him to return if only to discover who killed Meredith. "There's been a certain lack of leadership in Hastings since you left. There is no one else."
***
When Foyle walks into Hastings police station, Brooke beams with delight. "Sir! Don't tell me …" Foyle puts up a hand to stop him and says it's only until they find out what happened to Mr Meredith. When Brooke remarks that someone at the top has finally shown a bit of sanity, Foyle sternly rebukes him for questioning the judgement of a senior officer. As the DCS goes to his office, the sergeant grins and says to a constable, "Nice to have 'im back."
***
Foyle and Milner speak with Joyce Meredith at her home. She says she's not the grieving widow they expected to find. She shows a photograph of her two sons, explaining that Teddy was killed in Africa two years ago, and Charlie in Sicily last year. She says that John didn't want Foyle's job, he was made to take it, but he didn't care about it or anything else by then, because he was dead inside. She says they both were and she still is; she can't grieve, as she has no feelings left.
***
Outside Beverley Lodge, Sam finds Jane on a garden seat, weeping. They talk about Henry Scott.
***
In the DCS's office, Milner tells Foyle of his conversation with Fr Keppler, and says that because of Air Ministry restrictions they're unlikely to get anything out of the Wing Commander. Foyle says he'll ask the AC to obtain clearance to get information from Foster.
Foyle interviews Burton, who protests that he only warned Milner and was in police custody when Meredith was killed. Foyle states firmly that Burton made threats that were then carried out, and is refusing to say who it was. "It's enough to hang you." He heads for the door, but Burton calls him back.
***
Everitt goes to the W/Co's office, where Foster informs him that the police want to see him again. Everitt warns him to stop the police finding their way to him, because if that happens they will both go down.
***
Alone in the map room, Waterlow photographs some maps. Later, he makes a call from a public telephone box and tells the person he's called: "Dortmund, two weeks from now, but they've got the factories half a mile to the south … It'll be a miracle if they hit anything." He gives an assurance that he'll "send them in the usual way".
***
Sam calls at Hastings police station to recount what she's learned, and is surprised to find Foyle there. She tells him that she's been working in the library at Beverley Lodge for six months and she thinks she knows who killed Henry Scott. She reports that Jane Hudson believes Scott's previous suicide attempts were only cries for help, and that Scott knew something about an airman called Adam Everitt. She remarks that Everitt is a nasty piece of work and she doesn't think he would hesitate for a second if he thought Scott had anything on him. She says that according to Jane, Scott was on his way to his church to tell the priest something.
***
In the college cloister, Foyle and Milner ask to speak again with Fr Keppler. Bishop Wood objects to members of an ecumenical conference being "dragged into some squalid investigation", particularly Fr Keppler, whom he believes is being singled out because he is German. Foyle states firmly that, considering that a policeman has been murdered and another man found dead, he'd have hoped the Church might have a little more understanding of their position. Wood apologises and leaves the men to talk.
Keppler says again that he didn't see Scott on the day he died, and that he was at the conference until about three o'clock. He says that they often discussed the airman's doubts about his work, but he has no idea why Scott would have taken a photograph, and he hasn't seen it.
***
Foyle goes to Beverley Lodge, the AC having obtained clearance from the air Ministry. W/Co Foster tells him that Scott was an Aircraftsman 2nd Class, who had done an apprenticeship as lithograph maps and plan draughtsman. He takes Foyle into the map room, explaining that Hitler ensured that no maps of Germany left the country after 1933, so the old ones had to be adapted. He shows Foyle the stereoscope through which two aerial photographs taken at different angles gave a three-dimensional effect, allowing the judging of height and distance.
Foyle meets Waterlow, who says he knew Scott but they weren't good friends. As Foster takes the policeman into another room, Waterlow looks thoughtful.
Foyle learns from Foster that he came to Beverley Lodge in 1942 and before that was with Bomber Command at Laverton. The W/Co tells Foyle that Scott hated the war and was unhappy with his work, and that no one was surprised when he killed himself.
After Foyle leaves, Foster tells Everitt to relax, because the policeman isn't interested in him.
***
Uncle Aubrey visits Joyce Meredith, explaining that Foyle had asked him to look in because he is concerned about her. Joyce is very bitter about the war, saying that the Germans deserve to suffer and that she hopes they are wiped off the face of the earth.
***
Jane meets with Foyle and Sam in the Plume of Feathers. She tells Foyle about her relationship with Scott and says that he was very close friends with the priest at St Jude's. Foyle hears again that Scott was deeply religious, hated his work and felt responsible for the bombings. Jane speaks of Adam Everitt, saying that she doesn't know how he was chosen for the work, as he wasn't good at it. She admits to having spent a weekend away with him, but that it was madness and when Scott found out about it he wouldn't talk to her afterwards. She is adamant that Scott would not have committed suicide. About Everitt, she says that Scott was threatening him about something he knew about an uncle of his called Bill. Tearfully, she says that she last saw Scott at about three o'clock, and she recounts their last conversation.
***
In the station, Burton hands Milner a list of his contacts going back four years. When asked about the truck that drove at Milner, he says it was just a warning, and that the driver's name is on the list. Milner examines the list and then asks Burton what he can tell him about Beverley Lodge.
***
Foyle accompanies Uncle Aubrey to the bus stop for his journey home. The clergyman says talking to Joyce Meredith has made him realise that Foyle is right: repentance and reconciliation are all very well, but perhaps what is really needed is a little more humility; the Church will be there at the end of the war and people will find them. He adds that he's unsure that they can drag people to places they're not willing to go.
Sam arrives to say goodbye. Her uncle says he supposes she will be going back to the police now that Foyle is in charge again. Sam replies hesitantly that they haven't discussed it yet. Foyle turns his head away with the shadow of a smile. As the bus moves off, Sam asks her old boss if he's thought of having her back. Foyle responds, "Well, I've thought about little else."
***
In the W/Co's office in Beverley Lodge, Foster tells Foyle that he met Burton two-and-a-half years ago when he was at Laverton. He admits to being paid to put his signature on documents authorising the use of lorries that didn't exist. He tells about Burton having a nephew called Adam Everitt, who was a gunner in the Army but was scared and wanted out, so Burton made him arrange it, and Scott found out about it. When Foyle remarks that Scott's death was quite convenient, Foster denies murder and asks if he is to be arrested. Foyle states that the W/Co has allowed an unqualified man to endanger the lives of pilots and crew, and stolen money that could have been used otherwise for the war effort. He says that the Air Ministry will deal with him.
As Everitt and Foster are taken to waiting police cars, Waterlow asks to have a word with Foyle. In the map room, he tells him that he was sent to Beverley Lodge by Air Intelligence and has been told to co-operate fully with the DCS. He reports concerns about leakages of information from Beverley Lodge. His first suspect is Everitt, but Foyle says he'd be surprise if he was involved, and suggests Henry Scott. Waterlow says they looked at the man and his relationship with Fr Keppler, but the German had been checked and cleared at every level. Handed a file on the priest, Foyle looks through it. He shows Waterlow the aerial photograph of Hoch Feldhausen, noting that according to the file Keppler was in the place for five years. He examines the photograph with it's counterpart under the stereoscope, and notices something.
***
Foyle enters St Jude's Church alone. Keppler says he doesn't see how he can help the policeman any further, but Foyle assures him that he can, and tells him that he is arresting him for the murders of Meredith and Scott, and the attempted murder of Milner. When Keppler protests, Foyle says that when he shot Meredith his intention had been to kill Milner to prevent the uncovering of the lies he'd told about being in Munich and never having heard of Hoch Feldhausen. He'd killed Scott because he'd told him that he'd been in Hoch Feldhausen for five years, but when the airman had looked at the photograph, he'd discovered that there was no church in that place.
Keppler tells Foyle that he studied in a seminary before the war but was never ordained. He admits working for the Abwehr, reporting on troop movements along the coast. He says Scott telephoned him at the college and they arranged to meet, but that he wouldn't have harmed him if he could have persuaded him that he was mistaken. As it was, there was no other way, and he'd thought with the man's history no one would have doubted suicide.
Foyle indicates that they should go, but Keppler produces a Luger and points it directly at him. When Foyle says there are policemen outside, Keppler says he has nothing to lose, as he will be executed. Foyle suggests the man make his peace, and says he'll wait outside. He turns and walks towards the door. When he is half-way down the aisle, a shot rings out. The German has taken his own life.
***
As they walk down a corridor in Hastings police station, Milner asks Foyle if he is intending to stay. Foyle replies that he might as well see the war out, and asks Milner what he is going to do. Milner, smiling, says he might have second thoughts about leaving. Sgt Brooke calls to Foyle and tells him that there is someone to see him. Sam, wearing her MTC uniform and a beaming smile, comes around the corner and announces "Here I am, sir. All present and correct!" She explains that she's resigned from her Air Ministry job, and when Foyle says that she's being presumptuous, she replies, "Absolutely, sir - I presumed that you couldn't manage without me." Foyle appears perplexed, and heaves a heavy sigh, but then says, "Get the car. I'll be out in five minutes." He walks on. Milner and Sam grin happily. Sam heads for the exit and Milner goes down the corridor.
The door of the senior officer's room has been left standing open. Sgt Brooke closes it. Taking a moment to look at the replaced nameplate reading "DCS Foyle", he says "That's better!" and then goes about his business.
With many thanks to Lynne for the write-up.