Brokenwood Mysteries

Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh O'er them fields we go Laughing all the way (siren wails) Bells on bobtails ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells - How are you doing?

Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh Oh, giddy-up now - Hey, I'm home!

It's just me.

Evan?

- [Answering Machine] Hello.

This is Mayor Evan Whitestone.

Please leave a message.

(machine beeps) - Dad, hi.

It's me.

I've just got back from the beach.

Where are you?

Maybe you didn't take your car.

Anyway, um, look forward to catching up.

Hope the parade went well.

Dad.

Dad, are you asleep?

Dad.

(tense music) Oh, my God.

Dad!

Somebody!

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!

He's dead!

(dire tones) (calm bluegrass music) - A Christmas wonderland.

- Fake snow... Santa climbing down the chimney, reindeer, sleighs.

Wouldn't it be nice if just once it did actually snow?

You know?

Like in the picture books.

- You're dreaming of a white Christmas?

- Yeah, I know.

- I thought you looked very handsome in the parade today, Mike.

- Thank you, Gina.

- Perhaps next year you could be Santa.

Brokenwood will be needing a new one.

- Let's see what we've got here first, eh?

- Mayor Whitestone.

- He's held office for a long time, right?

- As long as I've been here.

Brokenwood's most popular mayor.

I remember his wife died several years ago, so, there is no Mrs. Claus.

- Smell that?

- What?

Smoke?

No evidence of a recent fire.

- Evan was on the Christmas float less than 90 minutes ago.

Whoever did this can't have got far.

We need SSG and ESR plus the dog team to see if they can pick up anything fresh.

Your worship, we'll get you out of here and cleaned up.

You were great in the parade, by the way.

- That must've been difficult.

- What?

- Whether to refer to him as the mayor or Santa Claus.

- Not at all.

Bring in pathology.

(introspective music) (introspective music continues) (introspective music continues) - It looks like the carotid artery was severed.

Judging by the volume of blood, it was sudden and explosive.

- The type of instrument used?

- Something sharp.

Not serrated.

- You're not usually so forthcoming.

- I already had a backlog, Mike.

Then I took time off for the parade.

I love Christmas so much.

But now, I must pay the price.

- I've been speaking with Hayley Whitestone, Evan's daughter, and only next of kin.

She arrived back from a holiday up north at The Family Bach.

She walks in and finds this.

She's seriously shaken up.

- Well, I am glad to see that you dressed appropriately for the occasion.

- Don't knock it.

He won best dressed elf.

- Oh, congratulations.

- It was a hollow victory.

Jared didn't show up, and I know for a fact that Mrs. Marlowe had something amazing made for him.

He's got that sewing circle wrapped around his little finger.

- [Kristin] Roxy did alright.

- I feel like a stalk of rhubarb.

- Alright, what can we assume?

- Evan finishes the parade.

He comes home, drinks some champagne to celebrate something.

- With someone, hence the two glasses.

- That person kills him, then leaves.

- Do you think they ate the pie before, during or after the murder?

(introspective music) - Or Evan's a very sloppy eater.

- The rest of the house is immaculate.

- Or he was eating it when he was killed?

- Cold, not congealed.

The king of pies.

- Mince and cheese?

- [Mike] Steak and cheese.

- I think you'll find the king of pies is mince and cheese.

- Not when a truly great steak and cheese can be life-changing.

- As in giving you a heart attack?

- Mince all the way.

- Boys!

It doesn't matter.

- Oh, whatever.

It sure looks good.

- You want to eat that?

- Yeah, Roxy's gone vegetarian.

I'm not seeing a lot of meat these days.

- Bag it.

I want to know what it is, where it came from, okay?

- Ten bucks says steak and onion.

- Done.

Anything else?

- What do you call it when you find a dead Father Christmas inside your house?

In-Santa-cide.

(Kristin chuckles) - Oh, that's quite good.

- The deceased isn't Santa Claus.

He's just a man in a Santa suit.

(light music) - Am I missing something?

- You should really get changed.

- We have a mayor with his throat cut.

Who was dressed up as Santa.

- And a half-eaten meat pie... - Of an indeterminate flavor.

- The local body elections aren't far off.

We can't discount that being a possible motive.

- Probable, even.

He was the most popular mayor ever.

Five straight terms in office.

- If he's so popular, then why kill him?

- A frustrated opponent?

– The parade started at 10: 00 AM and finished at 12:00 PM.

– The 111 call comes in at 1: 19 PM.

- Trace Evan's movements from leaving the parade and getting home.

And who was he drinking champagne with last night?

- Last night?

You mean this afternoon?

- That ice bucket was warm.

That champagne was drunk last night.

- Or possibly this morning.

Perhaps he and whoever necked a bottle before the parade?

Dutch courage?

For all we know, he could have been completely trolleyed up there.

- Yeah, or maybe that's how he gets through it every year.

Then he gets home, slightly hung over.

Someone is lying in wait and slits his throat.

- Then best we find out who has a bone to pick with Evan.

- I say we start with those challenging for mayor.

Pete London, Jed Charmers, Neil Bloom.

- [Mike] The chemist?

- Pharmacist.

And Victoria Speigleman.

- Senior, Kylie from Victim Support and Hayley Whitestone are here.

- Thanks for coming in.

Usually we could do this at your house, but obviously, it's off limits until the scene examination is finished.

- God, I never want to go back there.

It's like a house of horrors.

- Your father was a great figure in the community, and he will always be remembered that way.

- I mean, he was popular.

How does this happen?

- Well, that's what we're working on.

- He had his throat cut!

- Was there anyone that your father talked about in a way that might suggest he had an enemy?

- God no.

I mean, he had rivals, but enemies, no.

- By rivals you mean other candidates for the mayoralty?

Pete London, Jed Charmers, Neil Bloom?

- Pete's an awesome guy.

It wouldn't be him.

No way.

- You seem certain about that.

- Well, I worked for him as his PA when he was expanding his businesses.

I mean, Pete has a big personality, you know.

He's in your face even, but he's a teddy bear.

I mean, he might be a butcher, but he wouldn't hurt a fly.

- And what about Jed Charmers and Victoria Speigleman?

- I don't know Jed.

And Victoria, well, she's um... - Eccentric?

- That's putting it politely.

- Any idea who Evan might have been drinking champagne with?

- Um... Maureen Moffatt maybe.

- Maureen is...?

- Evan's campaign manager.

- Yeah, she's been at the council forever, right?

- She'll be absolutely devastated.

- Was your father partial to a meat pie?

- What?

- Did he like pies?

- Pies?

- Yes, you know, with steak and cheese, mince and cheese, that sort of thing.

- I'm sorry, how is that important?

- We're not sure yet.

- Uh, yeah.

Yeah, he used to, but he was on a diet.

Goji berries.

Kale.

- The doctor gave me the hard word.

High cholesterol.

No more pies.

Ha, I said it's not the pies that are to blame, it's the idiot who puts them in his mouth.

So, yes, it's spirulina quiche from here on in.

- So, he was off the pies?

- Kylie has organized a motel and we'll keep you informed of any developments.

- Thank you.

- You were up north?

- Summers Bay.

- [Mike] Family place?

- Yeah.

- Holiday?

- Uh, a writer's retreat.

I'm trying to finish my first novel.

(Hayley sighs) Seems so trivial now.

- Still sounds impressive.

- What genre?

- Romance.

It's Mills and Boon.

- They can be lucrative, I hear.

- Yeah, only if you get them right.

It's harder than it might seem.

- That's always been my feeling with romance.

- That was Wally Seymour, the curator of the float parade.

He reckons Evan left the warehouse where the floats park up around 12:30, after doing some photos with the kids.

Saw him drive off in his Captiva.

- [Mike] Was he with Maureen Moffatt, his campaign manager?

- Didn't mention it.

- Find out what time she left.

Did she leave with him, et cetera?

- Right, I'm off to see Crazy Pete.

- And I'm on to Jed Charmers.

- Oh, look out.

You'll come back a hipster.

- Is that good?

- Some might say you already are.

(upbeat music) - You looked very smart in the parade this morning, Detective Shepherd.

- Mrs. Marlowe, thank you.

- Oh, Jean, please.

You know, next year I'd be happy to whip you up a senior elf suit.

- Well... - Santa's helpers come in all ages, you know.

- I'll bear that in mind.

- And the young ones can be a bit unreliable.

- Jared.

- We put such a lot of work into that costume.

- I'm sure there was a good reason.

- I suppose so.

He does have his fingers in a lot of pies.

- Mm.

- It's true, isn't it?

About Evan Whitestone?

- That...?

- He was found naked and bound in his mayoral chains!

- That is not the case.

- Still, he was a very good mayor.

- So it seems.

Well, I must- - Are you going in to see Jed?

He'll get my vote now that Evan's gone.

He's a hipster, you know.

- Thank you for letting me know.

Yeah, we'll talk soon.

- Jed Charmers?

- I am he.

What can I do for you?

Haircut, wet shave?

Coffee?

- They all sound good.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd.

- Ah.

I've just been told about Evan.

Not good.

- Not for Evan, no.

(mobile ringing) Oh!

Excuse me.

Breen.

- Maureen Moffatt is not answering her phone and not answering her door, but her car is in the driveway.

She's either gone to ground, or done a runner.

- Where are you?

- 49 Tyre Connell Place.

- Stand by.

I'll be back later.

- Do that.

I could give you a look to match that classic car of yours.

- Maybe.

(tense music) (text message sent sound) - There you go, Diane.

One pound of my best pork sausage, hot and spicy, just the way you like it.

(Pete laughs) Mighty Meats, can't be beat!

(light music plays on the radio) Evan was a good man.

Cut down in his prime.

- So to speak.

- What?

Oh, I didn't mean it like that.

Why don't we get a coffee?

(door knocking) - I called her work, her mobile, her after hours, nothing.

The neighbors don't recall seeing her this morning.

- Engine is cold.

- Maybe she's a jogger?

- Or into marathons.

- Were you at the parade?

- A good opportunity to press the flesh.

- Did you see Evan Whitestone?

- Well, of course.

Everyone saw him.

He's bloody Santa.

- Did you speak to him?

- Afterwards.

Well, sort of.

(upbeat music plays on the radio) Hey, thanks Evan, for gathering my voters for me.

- Evan, we've got 10 or so kids for photos.

- [Children] Santa, Santa, Santa!

- Did you feel snubbed by Evan?

- No.

I didn't take it personally, if that's what you mean.

You see, like Evan, I'm a people's man with our affairs here in public interest.

Mine from people interested in the issues and, well, his are mainly from five-year-olds wanting a picture with Santa.

- Do you need to be somewhere?

- Oh, it can wait.

- I won't hold you up.

- Okay.

Well, uh, good luck.

- Where do you need to be?

- Oh, I have a commercial to make for local TV.

Don't forget to take a bit bitey off my meat - Well, I'm glad to see my marketing is reaching its target.

- It's hard to ignore.

- Well, that's the power of the jingle.

- Oh, I'll take your word for it.

Although, I'm not your target.

- You're not a bloody vego, are you?

- No.

- Anyway, it's not one of those, those ads for my mayoral campaign.

- Today?

- Well, it was scheduled.

It's too expensive to cancel.

And besides, this town needs a new mayor more than ever.

These are on me.

- Still nothing.

- Well, Pete London is wasting no time in capitalizing on Evan's death.

- His mayoral ambitions have never been a secret.

- Oh, Jed Charmers obviously didn't give you that makeover then.

- False start.

- We can't locate Maureen Moffatt.

- And we still have to cover off Victoria Speigleman and Neil Bloom.

- Kristin, come with me.

Breen, you take Speigleman.

- Are you too busy to tackle Speigleman?

- Why?

- It's just, you know, I heard she's quite intense in that way only crazy vegans can be.

- No, no.

Don't worry.

Those claims that she poisoned her first husband were never substantiated.

(light music) - Wally?

DSS Mike Shepherd and Detective Sims.

- Good to meet you.

Hell of a shock about Evan.

- You're curator of the floats?

- Yeah, curator, wrangler, the photographer, chief bottle washer, general dogsbody.

There she is.

- This was the one that Evan was riding?

- Yeah, she hasn't changed in 20-odd years.

Some things are best kept the same, don't you think?

- Do you mind?

- Go ahead.

- Did you notice anything odd about Evan after the parade?

- No.

- He wasn't anxious or hurried at all?

- Actually, now you come to mention it, he was a little absent-minded.

Evan, we've got 10 or so kids for photos.

- [Children] Santa, Santa!

- Yeah, yeah, you could say he was in a bit of a hurry.

- H>, ho, ho!

- Look this way.

Smile!

- And then Evan headed off?

Do you remember what time?

- No, I told your other guy maybe 12:30.

- And what about Maureen Moffatt?

Was she with him?

- Maureen?

Of course!

- And they left together?

- Actually, now you come to mention it, no, that's right.

She wasn't with him.

Usually, she stuck by his side minding his p's and q's and making sure he's shaking the right hands, but not this year.

- So you didn't see her at all?

- Now you come to mention it, no.

- You look quite the part up there.

Gina was right, with a white beard and a red hat, you could be next year's Brokenwood Santa.

- No, I couldn't.

I could only be a man in a Santa suit.

Thanks, Wally.

Most helpful.

(bright country music) - Look, Mike, this whole 'man in a Santa suit' thing... - Our job is to find out who killed a man in that suit.

We can't refer to him as Santa because then, potentially, people might start fearing that Santa Claus is actually dead.

That would be a very sad day.

- You okay?

- To many of us, Santa is very real.

- Well, it's good to be clear on that.

- More importantly, why didn't Maureen Moffatt show?

Wally implied that she came every year with Evan.

- Perhaps they drank the champagne earlier, celebrating poll results, but had an argument.

She refused to go to the parade and by the time Evan got back, she was fuming and... - Cut his throat?

What would she have done if the poll results were bad?

- She's gone to ground, right?

Disappeared in a puff of smoke.

If it was a disagreement, it must've been big.

Were they lovers?

Although, Hayley would've mentioned that.

(tires screech) Whoa!

What?

- Where there's smoke, there's always fire.

We smelt smoke in the living room, but who lights a fire in the middle of December?

- Yeah, when it's the height of summer.

- If there was a fire, it's been reset.

- You don't light a fire in the day.

- Then he had one last night and then cleaned it out this morning.

- While drinking champagne?

- The rubbish bin's empty, that's been cleaned too.

- You think someone was burning evidence?

- Trying to.

But then got smoked out.

- Which is why they cleaned the grate.

- Or they didn't want us thinking about the fireplace.

Find a ladder.

(introspective music) - Mike!

- After you.

- No wonder they got smoked out, it's completely blocking the chimney.

(ominous music) - Two dead Santas in one day.

It's a freakish omen.

I think Christmas will be unusual.

- Hopefully that means snow.

On the other hand, two dead Santas has to be some sort of a record.

- Not in Russia.

In the lead-up to Christmas, they fall like flies.

Usually from accidents involving roofs, ice, and too much Vodka.

- Remember, the deceased is not Santa.

Just a man in a Santa suit.

- Or not.

This is a woman in a Santa suit.

- Well, clearly this Santa was intent on delivering a certain kind of present.

- Maybe a Santa stripper-gram?

- Senior, I have Hayley Whitestone.

- Follow me.

Hayley, thank you for coming.

I'm sorry to ask this, but do you by any chance recognize this person?

- Oh, God!

That's Maureen.

- Maureen Moffatt?

Evan's campaign manager?

- What the hell is she doing dressed as Santa?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I feel sick.

- Get a PM on Evan Whitestone.

I need a time of death.

- Our busy day just got busier, but he is next in line.

- Can we rule out death by misadventure?

- I think so.

- This is looking more and more like a campaign against a campaign.

Someone or some people didn't want Evan to be mayor again.

- I still have Victoria Speigleman to see.

Should I stick with her?

- Definitely.

- Yeah.

(active music) - Watch your step!

- Interesting.

Victoria Speigleman?

- Yes?

- DC Breen.

Brokenwood CIB.

- Oh, yes.

- I have a few questions.

- [Victoria] It's to keep the dogs away.

- What?

- The lines.

They crap everywhere, nobody picks it up.

- Right.

- So I trip them up.

I hope they break their necks.

It works for cats too.

Lines are all different heights.

It plays havoc with their whiskers.

- Right.

Look, I'm here about Evan.

- Evan Whitestone.

What does he want?

- You haven't heard?

- Heard what?

- He's been found dead.

- You'll be needing a drink.

(pensive music) Well, they're full of advice that I won't ever need Then I'll know that I can't see the woods for the trees - This'll put hairs on your chest.

- So, when did you last see Evan?

- Today, at the parade.

- Hey, thanks Evan, for gathering my voters for me.

- Vote Speigleman to ban Christmas!

- Give it a rest, Victoria.

- Christmas is a retail conspiracy!

We can end this together!

People unite!

- Not really a huge vote-winner that policy though, is it?

Really.

- Who cares?

It's the truth, and true politics is about truth.

Truth and power.

- However, if you can't get into power, you can't effect any change.

- Fidel Castro wasn't voted in and look at the change he made to Cuba.

- That was a bloody coup.

- Protest plus revolution equals change.

- Are you saying Brokenwood needs a revolution?

- It needs a change, but democracy favors those in power.

Drink!

Please.

(Breen coughs) - Wow.

Okay.

- Kawakawa, ginger, lemon, bitters, and arsenic.

(tense music) - It was never proven, you know.

The nonsense said about me.

It's iodine.

Tastes worse than arsenic but better for you.

Held my grandfather's bowels intact in the trenches in the Great War.

- Can I have a drink of water?

- Help yourself.

If you'll excuse me, my prunes for breakfast are calling.

- Neil, if you weren't at the parade, where were you?

- I was at the pharmacy holding the fort so my staff could get to enjoy it.

- You're a generous boss.

- Well, the Santa Parade is all about family.

My kind of family have their own parade in the city.

- If you become mayor, you could look at bringing it here.

- Very progressive, Detective.

Is Brokenwood ready for its first gay mayor?

I hope so.

Is it ready for a gay pride parade?

That may be a bridge too far.

- Many customers this morning?

- None.

Very quiet.

Well, they were all at the parade.

- So, between 9:30 and say, 12:30, you had no customers?

- But I caught up on a lot of paper work.

- Fun.

- Necessary evil.

- I may have more questions.

- Oh, just call me.

Anytime.

- You spoke of a campaign against a campaign?

Now, there is a campaigner.

Passionate, principled.

Some of those types are prepared to fight the big fight.

And here's the thing, she has a placard inside her house that speaks out against Evan.

- Saying what?

- What was your problem with Evan Whitestone?

- Who said I had a problem?

- Your placard.

It says, "Whitestone is a whitewash."

When did you take the sign down?

Why did you take the sign down?

- There was no room on the lawn.

- [Breen] Why was he a whitewash?

- He was a spineless puppet.

- For who?

- [Victoria] The oil exploration companies.

- There's no oil in Brokenwood.

- Yet, but once the fracking starts, who knows?

And whether there is or not, the damage is done.

Do you know what fracking does?

- I've heard.

- Your taps catch fire.

Brokenwood will become a toxic wasteland.

- Are you saying Evan Whitestone green-lit fracking in Brokenwood?

- Not yet, but he would've caved.

They all do.

- Oh, so she's delusional.

- Which can mean dangerous.

- And what about Maureen Moffatt?

- No love lost there.

And Maureen Moffatt, when was the last time you saw her?

- Don't know.

Don't care.

A mouse in wolf's clothing, or little clothing at all.

- She's been found dead at Evan Whitestone's place.

- She always was a coat-tailer.

- So Speigleman didn't like Evan or Maureen.

She doesn't like anyone.

It's hardly proof.

- Well, at least we have proof of one thing.

- That being?

- Well, Mrs. Claus being real, it takes all the burden off Santa.

I always wondered how he managed to cover the whole globe in one night.

Oh, and now we know what they did for a little R and R afterwards.

- Both deceased are just people in a Santa suit.

They're not the real thing!

- Okay, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I think Mike actually believes in Santa.

- Come on.

That's really not possible.

Is it?

Don't sit down before the cooking's done You've gotta give it half a chance Before you cut and run When your new love needs working at And the working ain't that fun - Back so soon?

Just as well.

I want to lay a complaint.

- Of?

- Burglary.

It was like that when I arrived.

- And you're sure nothing is missing?

- We don't keep cash on the premises.

There's valuable memorabilia, but none of that is out of place.

- I'll pass this on to the uniform branch.

- Probably kids looking for booze.

- None taken?

- None consumed.

I'm teetotal.

I don't need that stuff in my life.

Do you want that new look to go with your car?

- Maybe another time.

I do have a couple of questions though.

- Okay.

- You're running for mayor?

- Are you implying I might have offed my opposition?

- No.

Did you?

- No.

Is that it then?

- What are you offering that your opponents aren't?

- I believe in business and culture.

I want Brokenwood to be a cultural destination.

A new art gallery, a new museum.

This town needs some vision and style.

- I like the sound of that.

- A vote for me is a vote for change.

- [Mike] Don't they all say that?

- Neil Bloom isn't.

He's running for the pink vote which is a statement, not a realistic manifesto.

- Pete London.

- In my opinion, he's only running for mayor to expedite his own business interests.

- Mighty Meats.

- That doesn't require expediting.

- What does?

- Pete has a property development on the outskirts.

A massive 100-hectare residential development.

Well, a white elephant really.

- Because?

- Evan wouldn't bend the rules to push it through council.

- So Pete decided to become the council?

- In my opinion.

- I'll file that report.

(ominous music) - Wake up, Mr. Elf!

Wake up!

- [Children] Mum!

- Thank you.

Thanks.

Dr. Carlton says the gash in Jared's thigh missed the femoral artery by millimeters.

Severe concussion, blood loss.

- So it's a waiting game?

- Mike, he was found with this in his hand and his car located nearby.

It reeks of it.

- He drove in that state?

- Even more worrying is this.

It was found in his pocket.

It has to be what caused the cut to his thigh.

Take a look at the handle.

(ominous music) - Could this have caused the cut to the throat?

- Yes, but so too a box cutter, a scalpel, many things.

- But this would fit the profile?

- Mike, I will know more as soon as you let me get started.

- Breen, remain with Gina.

I need to see Jed Charmers.

- Five minutes.

I'm waiting for my associate.

(active music) - Background on Maureen Moffatt, lived alone for a long time, always a strong advocate for Evan and his mayoralty aspirations, worked like a Trojan but liked to party.

She had a penchant for fancy dress.

So, Santa costume makes sense?

- Does it?

Every time I think of you, you get a little smaller - Recognize this?

- I wondered where that got to.

- You knew it was missing?

- Misplaced.

But since you have it, it must've been stolen in the break-in.

- You said nothing was taken.

- Didn't notice.

- You didn't notice a missing cut-throat razor?

- No.

They live in the sterilizer, and it's called a straight razor.

- How many do you have?

- Five.

It was a busy day.

It wasn't until this morning when I was setting up, I saw there were only four.

So is that the murder weapon?

- Why would you assume that?

- You're a detective holding a potentially lethal weapon in a specimen bag, investigating a suspicious death.

- The cause of which hasn't been released to the public.

- Oh, it's a small town.

You hear things.

- From who?

- Mrs. Marlowe popped in with her inside knowledge, or speculation.

- This is not exactly her sort of haunt.

- On the contrary.

She's my best word of mouth.

- Soon your elfin chin will be as smooth as a baby's bottom.

- Now, I need you to stay very still.

He was pretty nervous.

All first-timers are.

- When was this?

- The day before the Santa parade.

(introspective music) (mobile ringing) - Mike.

- Jared was at Jed's the night before the parade.

- So he had opportunity to take the razor.

- [Mike] But then so did whoever broke in.

- If they're not one and the same.

- Mm.

Any developments at your end?

- Evan Whitestone's Santa sack was full of boxes, big, small, tiny, but all of them empty.

It's a good thing no kids were actually expecting presents.

It was all a ruse.

- Any luck with Crazy Pete's property venture?

- Uh, yeah.

I've arranged to meet him later.

- Okay.

I went out to Calgary, hoping to make it big Got a two-bit job in a motorcycle store I'm opening doors, I'm opening doors Boy, I'm so alone I hurt myself and nearly lost it all Yeah, I left you to your own devices (mobile ringing) - Breen.

- You should get down here.

- My initial belief was correct.

He was killed by a razor-sharp slice to the carotid artery.

That would have occurred within two minutes.

And now, Maureen Moffatt.

- Head wound.

- [Gina] Likely from the edge of the chimney.

- But that didn't kill her?

- No.

It may have stunned her long enough to die from smoke inhalation.

- Intoxication.

- Two and a half times what would be considered sober for her body weight.

- Engagement?

- From that finger, yes.

- But wait, there's more.

- Neither stomach contents suggests consumption of a meat pie.

- And... - Time of death for both, 12-18 hours before discovery of Evan Whitestone.

- Which means... - That Evan was dead before he went to the parade?

(introspective music) (light music) - When we find the person on the float, we find the killer.

- Or at the very least an accomplice.

- Okay.

Thanks, Eddie.

- What?

- That was Eddie Young from Monsoon Pies.

- Hm.

Best in town.

- That wasn't one of his.

The pastry is generic.

No flake.

Poor crust.

- And?

- And it was a steak and cheese.

- And?

- And he believes they are the king of pies.

- So find out who bought that flavor on Saturday morning.

- On the bright side, we can eliminate Crazy Pete and Victoria Speigleman though.

- Why?

- Well, firstly, Speigleman would never touch a meat pie, and secondly, we can corroborate both of them as being present when Evan, or whoever was pretending to be Evan, dismounted the float.

- No, that's the perfect alibi.

I'm a vegan.

I leave a meat pie at the scene of a crime and get someone else to be on the float.

Place yourself where you can be seen.

It doesn't mean that they didn't organize it or even do it.

- This was the work of two people?

- Yeah.

Why not?

- Hayley.

It's Mike Shepherd.

Yeah, I've got a couple of more questions.

- Of course, that would require Victoria Speigleman to have a friend, which is hard to imagine.

- Well, for whatever reason, whoever was on that float, it wasn't Evan Whitestone.

- Of course, it could have been the real Santa.

- Focus on any Santa Claus lookalikes, wannabes, fantasists.

- Right.

Okay.

How, exactly?

- Initiative, Breen.

Far as the eye can see tonight The coast is clear - If Evan was killed the night before the parade, why was he wearing a Santa suit?

- The bigger question being, why was Maureen Moffatt wearing a Santa suit and trying to climb down the chimney?

And that's alright by me - Hayley, thanks for seeing us.

It's a busy time, we know.

- I presume you have some news?

- We've learnt that your father was killed the night before the parade.

- But he was at the parade.

- Well, someone was.

An imposter.

- What?

- Which means that your father was wearing his Santa suit the night before the parade.

Does that seem odd?

- Yeah.

Of course.

But then, Evan loved being Father Christmas, I suppose.

- What about Maureen Moffatt?

Was there anything more there than purely professional?

- Not that I was aware of.

Why would you say that?

- Well, it's the matching Santa suit thing.

We're just trying to understand what was going on.

- Well, I know Maureen had a reputation for dress-ups.

I mean, any chance to turn a function into fancy dress, she'd do it.

But Evan hated it.

- Despite his Santa costume for the parade?

- Well, that was different.

That was for the kids, for his community.

- Thanks, Hayley.

We'll keep you abreast of any further developments.

So Evan and Maureen were nothing more than colleagues.

- Who liked to dress up after hours.

(introspective music) - Excuse me.

- Oh, buckle yourself up.

- Kia ora, Tina.

- Kia ora.

Detectives Shepherd, Sims.

- Little progress I hear.

- Well, that's what happens when you make a good Christian boy dress up as an elf.

- Neither Detective Sims nor I wanted- - Show me in the Scriptures where Santa Claus is mentioned, hmm?

Never.

That's where.

Santa isn't mentioned in the Bible because he is the Devil's instrument designed to make people buy things with money that they don't have!

- I couldn't agree more.

- You see.

Here is a woman who understands.

- Aroha mai, Tina.

I'm so sorry to hear about your nephew's predicament.

- I... You know the detectives?

- DSS Shepherd and Detective Sims.

- Victoria Speigleman.

But I'm sure you know that.

One of your comrades came by.

- DC Breen.

- You were at the parade, weren't you?

- As I mentioned to DC Breen, yes.

- And, uh, the night before?

Where were you?

- At home.

- Was anyone with you?

- Some of us don't have the resources of other people.

We need to rely on the cut-through of our policies.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I came here to support a whanau under duress, not suffer further unnecessary interrogation!

- We'll leave you to it then.

- And to a campaign on the back of very vulnerable people.

Do all mayoral candidates have to be gross opportunists?

- Politics is a ruthless business.

- Tell that to Evan Whitestone and Maureen Moffatt.

I am a drunk woman in lingerie climbing on top of a roof dressed as Santa.

- Why would you do that?

- What?

Wear lingerie?

- Climb up here.

And dressed as Santa.

- To fulfill a fantasy?

- Yours or someone else's?

- Evan's, we presume.

- There's no known attachment between them.

Plus, she was engaged.

- But to whom?

- Don't know.

- Maybe she was cheating on the fiance with Evan.

- One of the guys at work?

- Well, Hayley was away, Evan had the place to himself.

Maureen turns up to see Evan.

It's a pre-parade campaign debrief.

They drink champagne to celebrate progress.

They light a fire to make things Christmas cozy.

But the room fills up with smoke.

- I forgot about Santa in the flue!

(Evan laughs) - I'll go do it.

- Maureen climbs the ladder.

(Maureen grunts) She gets a face full of smoke.

(Maureen coughs) She coughs, splutters, passes out, collapses into the flue, and dies.

- And whilst dying, manages to upend herself into the chimney?

- True.

- Plus, her reflexes would make her recoil.

- So someone held her down?

We have to accept that someone else was on the roof.

- Most likely the same person that killed Evan?

- The jealous fiance?

- Possibly.

But the question is, who is that?

(mobile ringing) Breen.

Uh-huh.

Right.

Thanks.

The lab have found traces of Evan's blood on the straight razor.

- That links Jared directly.

- So it seems.

After you.

- I hope you have an update on the break-in.

- Nothing as yet.

This is Detective Sims.

- Hello.

- As you can see, my hands are rather full.

- Well, we don't want to hold you up.

We're just piecing together people's movements.

Were you at the parade?

(Jared sighs) - Sir, I'll be right with you.

No, I wasn't.

It's not really my thing.

I took the opportunity to keep the shop closed and headed down to Brokenwood beach for a surf.

- Were there many other surfers out there?

- As it happens, it was just me.

I guess they were all at the parade.

- And the night before, you were...?

- Meeting.

- With?

- My campaign manager, Simon Petrovic.

- Where?

- Here.

- And this was before the break-in?

- [Jed] Well, of course.

- Can we get Simon's number to verify?

- Good luck with that.

He's on a plane.

- Which will land at some point.

- In Croatia.

It's a 28-hour flight.

- Why?

- To visit his sick aunt.

I'm not sure this will work overseas.

- It's bad timing with your campaign.

- Life happens.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

Fine.

- Thanks.

- I'll put a call into Hughes.

Get Interpol onto this Petrovic guy.

- Jed Charmers is a wannabe mayor, yet he doesn't attend the one event that would guarantee him a large audience to mix and mingle with.

- Instead, he's in a place that no-one can verify him being.

- Plus, he has a break-in where nothing was stolen except for a cut-throat razor with the victim's blood on it.

Convenient?

- Do you think it's a set up?

- It could be, by him to deflect suspicion.

- It's suspicious, yes.

But motivation?

- The mayoralty?

Although if he wants it that bad, why wasn't he at the parade?

- Perhaps he was.

- Dressed up as Santa?

But that wouldn't really work.

- No.

What about his missing mate, Petrovic?

- Goodbye.

Yep, thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Yes, thank you.

Goodbye!

That was Mrs. Marlowe.

Get this, she once made a bespoke Santa suit for Pete London of Mighty Meats.

(introspective music) (light music) - Well, this is it.

Big Vista.

- Meetville.

- Yeah, I came up with that.

It's a big vision.

- So what's the hold up?

- [Pete] Zoning.

- They're changing it from rural to residential?

- Everyone can see it's a progressive and good idea.

Brokenwood has to grow.

- Everyone except Evan Whitestone.

- Oh, he had the power of veto.

He used it.

- Do you think it was personal?

- Short-sighted.

- Not anymore.

- I'm sure the council will reconsider.

- After the elections when you are voted in as mayor, since you have little opposition now.

- Brokenwood needs to expand or get left behind.

The last thing it needs is a new bloody art gallery or museum.

People can't live in art.

They need houses.

- In much the same way that developers need permits.

- Do you think I'd be that obvious?

- We have to consider all the angles.

- Well, then, consider this.

I had nothing to do with Evan Whitestone's demise, or his puppy dog, Maureen Moffatt.

If you want motive, look a little harder at that crazy vegan, Victoria Speigleman.

- Victoria Speigleman.

Why?

- Why?

Are you serious?

I'm a butcher.

I deal in meat.

She'll do anything to discredit me.

- No.

Why would she kill Evan?

You had a Santa suit made for you.

- What?

- A Santa Claus suit.

- Oh, some years ago, yeah, for a promotional campaign.

So what?

- Have you, or a colleague, or a friend worn it lately?

- No.

Why?

- So you still have the suit?

- It'll be somewhere in storage.

- I'd like to take a look at it.

- Oh, please, Detective!

I'm a busy man!

- And likely to become a lot busier once you're mayor.

- So, shall we?

(restless music) - I'm at the Frog and Cheetah.

- Ha, long wet lunch?

- No, I wish.

I'm trying to co-opt likely Santas for a photo shoot.

- A photo shoot?

- I'll explain later.

Ray Neilson is a bit weary, but he did mention Jared was seen drinking with Evan here the night before the parade.

- Right.

(light music) - Yeah, I served Evan and Jared.

Evan was full of joie de vivre.

I'm not sure why.

Christmas cheer maybe.

- As I was saying to Jared, we must let bygones be bygones.

You'd agree, wouldn't you, Ray?

- If I could change the past, I'd have to change my ways.

Not sure who said that.

Probably me.

Another dirty bastard for the road?

- Dirty bastard?

- His favorite rum cocktail.

He was fond of his rum, old Evan.

Probably a sailor in another life, or the one he's going to now if you believe in all that.

- Who did he call?

- I'm not an eavesdropper.

- But Jared would have overheard?

- Perhaps it may have pertained to what they were discussing.

- Which was?

- As I say, I'm not an eavesdropper.

How is Jared?

- It's a waiting game.

- It's bloody terrible.

- Was he drinking dirty bastards too?

- Another beer, Jared?

- No, all good.

I'm driving his worship home.

Big day tomorrow.

Channeling the elf within.

- Nah, he's a beer man with a nose for a good red, as you know.

- I do.

Thanks.

(tense music) - Ah, it's purely coincidence.

The suit will be in here.

Along with all the other costumes we've used over the years for promotional purposes.

After you.

- Uh, you go.

You'll know where best to find it.

- Oh, okay.

(tense music) - So where is it?

- I'm sure... Look, it's not here.

But, uh... - Right!

Can you explain that?

- If the public gets wind of this, it'll jeopardize my electoral chances.

- For the record, you are simply helping us with our inquiries.

- Everybody knows that's a euphemism for being a bloody suspect.

If this gets out, I will sue.

Are you prepared for that?

- This is a witness statement, Mr. London.

We just need to fill in the blanks.

So you attended the parade... - Yes!

I told you.

There were witnesses.

Ask Wally Seymour, even that witch Speigleman saw me.

- Yeah, but the night before.

You can't account for where you were.

- How is it relevant?

- Is there someone who could attest to where you were?

What about your wife?

- She's in Sydney on a bloody yoga retreat.

- Anyone else?

- You're fishing for an alibi.

- For want of a better term.

- I don't need one.

- And the sooner you can explain your movements that night, the sooner we can be sure of that.

- I'm not under arrest, am I?

- No, you're not.

- So I don't have to stay here.

- Yeah, but all I'm after is an explanation of your whereabouts and the whereabouts of that Santa suit.

- I can do that when I return with my lawyer.

(restless music) - Mr. London.

Just the man I wanted to see.

Would you be willing to don a Santa suit for a photo shoot?

- I'll do no bloody such thing!

- Shame.

It would've helped eliminate him as a suspect.

- Yeah, he gets a little tetchy over the word suspect.

What photo shoot?

- All in good time.

Hey!

I've been thinking.

Perhaps Mike does believe in Santa, like as an imaginary friend, you know?

Because he's got no-one else.

He's that alone guy on Christmas Day.

Why else would he volunteer to be on duty on the 25th?

- Yeah, well, at least I get to go to my parents' place and have it all laid on.

That strange antipodean tradition of a mighty roast on a sweltering summer's day.

- Yeah, good for you.

It's just me and Roxy this year.

I'll be lucky to get tofu and lettuce.

- End of day two, and we know what?

- Uh, Pete London is obfuscating on his whereabouts on the night of the murders, and we are still waiting to hear back from Jed Charmers' campaign manager, Simon Petrovic, to verify his story.

- We know Jared Morahu, he was the last to see Evan alive.

- If he dropped him off.

- Which we will only know when Jared wakes up and answers a few questions.

- Yeah, though we have to be prepared for the possibility that he may not wake up.

- Oh, well, he's a fighter.

He'll pull through.

- In the meantime, I have a photo shoot set for first thing tomorrow.

- Right.

What is this?

- Mrs. Marlowe and her sewing circle have created a replica suit to the one of Evan's.

Ray Neilson, Neil Bloom and two others of similar height and build.

Plus, I'll approach Jed Charmers.

- Well, it can't be Jed.

- Why not?

- Because, you know.

- [Breen] What?

- He's Maori.

He'd be brown Santa.

We at least know he's not Maori and he's got blue eyes.

- But we're dealing with a guy who went to extraordinary lengths to disguise himself.

I mean, who knows how far he went?

- You mean like white make-up?

- [Breen] And contact lenses.

Why not?

- Because it's implausible.

- Ugh!

Come on!

Look!

Here it is.

We're dealing with a tiny fraction of the human face to identify our culprit.

By getting them to become Santas, we could at least eliminate.

And anyone who doesn't want to do it, well, what are they hiding?

You wanted initiative.

- Right now, all I want to do is swing by the hospital and check on Jared.

Followed by a glass of red.

Good luck with that.

- 'Night.

(upbeat music) Try and look kind of jolly.

- He-he.

- Yeah, that's good.

Slight tilt.

- I feel stereotyped that my jovial attitude to life leads me to being in some weird suspect lineup.

- That's funny.

I don't think of you as jovial.

- Really?

- Grumpy, cantankerous and surly are words that spring to mind.

Here, vote Bloom for equality and honesty.

- Sam, we're ready.

- Alright, hold that, mate.

Hold that.

- Oh, don't they look lovely?

- Smile.

(bright music) Uh-huh, yeah.

Very good.

Smile!

Next.

(camera clicks) Say, "Merry Christmas!"

- So, as you can see, white wig, white beard, spectacles, gloves...

It's a little hard to tell anything at all, really.

- So, all you've proved is what we already knew, that it could've been anybody.

- Well, you've seen one Santa, you've seen them all.

- Except Pete London refused to participate, and Jed Charmers wouldn't co-operate.

- Yeah.

That sounded awkward.

- Do I look like a traditional Santa?

- It's part of an elimination process.

- I don't think so.

- It doesn't exonerate him.

I mean, two people could have been involved in this.

Someone on the float, to provide our other likely suspects an alibi, or...

I don't know.

Are we really discounting this guy because it's unlikely?

It doesn't mean he didn't do it.

And we still don't know it wasn't this guy.

Was he actually in Croatia?

- And we can't forget about Jared.

- Jed fakes a break-in to throw us off the scene.

But how did Jared end up with a straight razor in his pocket?

- No, he nicks it when he's getting the shave.

- Which means the break-in was legitimate.

- But nothing was taken.

Unlikely.

- Ta.

137 steak and cheese pies were sold in Brokenwood on Saturday morning from five different bakeries, six dairies and three service stations.

- A hundred and thirty-seven.

Hmm.

We're in the wrong business.

Oh, I need a coffee.

Anyone else?

- I'll follow up on Crazy Pete's resistance to play Santa.

He may have had a change of heart.

- Well, thank you.

And remember a vote for me is a vote for equality and honesty.

Aha!

There you go.

And... - No, no.

- Too much, do you think?

- Well, it gets the message across.

(Neil laughs) Did you know Maureen Moffatt?

- Of course.

Tragic business.

- I understand she liked to party.

- Oh, yes.

Maureen was never shy of a good time.

A bit more than that.

She was a tenacious council employee.

Devoted to her job, and to Evan.

- How devoted?

- Very.

Hello, there.

A vote for me is a vote for equality and honesty.

Enjoy your breakfast.

- They were having an affair.

- Why would they do that?

It's not like either were in a relationship.

- But Maureen was engaged.

- To whom?

- You don't know?

- If that were true, I'm sure word would've got out.

And she only had eyes for Evan, but they never declared themselves as a couple.

Excuse me.

Hi, there.

A vote for me is a vote for equality and honesty.

Okay?

Thank you.

- Why?

- Well, Evan could never bring himself to accept that he'd moved on from his dead wife.

- Are you sure about this?

- Yes!

- How did you know if Hayley Whitestone didn't?

- Out of respect for Hayley.

Evan was a kind man.

Pompous, but kind.

And given the grim circumstances of Patsy's death, it's hardly surprising.

- When Pete gets back, can you get him to give me a call?

- Oh!

- I've got this.

- Say no to fracking!

- Hey!

(tense music) (restless music) - Has Victoria stopped ranting?

- No.

But she's in the cell, so it doesn't matter.

- Why was she accusing Pete London of fracking?

- You can wait here until a duty solicitor arrives.

- I have the right to free speech.

Therefore, I've done nothing wrong!

- Apart from wilful damage, disorderly behavior and assault of a police officer?

- Read this!

- Minutes from a closed council meeting.

Pete London wasn't after residential consent.

- Oh, my God!

- Everyone can see it's a progressive and good idea.

Brokenwood has to grow.

- Mining consent.

- Evan vetoed it.

It went away, but Victoria believed he would've been bought off eventually.

- So, she killed him?

- [Breen] Maybe.

- But that would've assured that Pete got elected.

Then he'd be free to run riot.

- She is so deluded, she probably thought she might win.

- Any tips on removing motor oil from a polyester suit?

- Setting fire to it?

- Senior.

- Thanks so much for popping back in.

How are the arrangements going?

- Everyone's been amazing.

- Hmm.

The big day is tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'm sure it takes all your energy just putting one foot in front of the other.

It feels like you're wading through molasses, I know.

- You've been there?

- I have.

Although with your mother and now your father, that is a terrible loss.

- Mm.

- Look, I won't hold you up.

We're trying to fill in a few blanks.

Trying to eliminate several scenarios.

Can you remember what time you arrived back in Brokenwood?

- You mean when I found Evan?

- [Mike] Yes.

- (sighs) Uh, I rang 111.

- Of course.

Um... At 1:19 PM.

As a matter of interest, is it a long trip down from The Bach?

- About an hour forty-five.

Give or take.

- So, you would've left Smiths Bay at around say, 11:30?

- That sounds right.

Why?

- This may or may not have anything to do with anything, but do you think your father and Maureen Moffatt might have been anything more than just colleagues?

- How do you mean?

- [Mike] Romantically.

- No.

- Well, let's say it was true.

Can you think of a reason he might not tell you?

- But he would.

I would be the first person he would tell.

Is there, is there something I don't know about?

- Nothing concrete.

- Then why would you ask that?

- Following lines of inquiry.

Most lead over a bridge to nowhere, but all must be explored.

- The man in the station wagon.

- Sorry?

- When I pulled into town, I had a small accident.

I'm so sorry!

It doesn't look that bad.

- When exactly?

- I exchanged numbers with him.

He might remember when.

Look, I'll write down my details for you.

I'm really sorry about that.

Ah, I have his details here somewhere.

- That would be helpful.

(door knocking) - Sorry to interrupt.

Hi, Hayley.

- Hi.

- A quick word?

- Excuse me.

- Jared's woken up.

- Uh, some good news at last.

- Well, the last thing I remember is getting one of those crazy shaves at Jed's.

Yeah, it was Mrs. Marlowe's idea.

- That's right.

- [Jared] Yeah.

Not my idea of a good time, you know.

- Do you remember how you got the bump on the head?

- No idea.

- What about drinking with Evan Whitestone at the Frog and Cheetah?

- No.

Sorry.

- And what about necking a bottle of rum?

- Rum?

No.

No chance.

I can't stand the stuff.

I blew that pleasure on my 16th birthday.

Never again, Mike.

- I think that'll do for now, please.

- Jared, the king of pies?

- Yeah.

Steak and cheese, all the way.

You know that, Mike.

- Rest up.

- His symptoms are consistent with partial amnesia.

- How long will it take for his memory to return?

- A day.

A week.

Year.

Possibly never.

- So, recent events could be permanently eradicated?

- Yes.

- What could that be, the concussion or an alcohol-related blackout?

- Well, for a man who supposedly drank a bottle of rum, his blood alcohol is surprisingly low.

Negligible, in fact.

It's probably the reason he didn't die out there.

- So, he wasn't drunk.

- Hmm.

- Senior.

- Ta.

(upbeat music) Well, put it down a notch, you know I'm South Island bound Had enough of these cities, going home to my little town Tired of all these choking, stinking, ugly roads Want to find a place in the mountains A place nobody knows Well, maybe I'll write a poem Maybe a history or two But it's hard to leave you You look like someone I once knew But it's alright tonight I'm getting gone But it's alright tonight I'm getting gone Just keep them glasses coming Until just the afternoon When the evening twists I'll be looking out there Howling at the moon - Uh, Evan Whitestone's phone records, and the tech boys managed to hack into his voicemail.

There's a recording of Hayley.

She was leaving a message when she discovered his body.

It's rather chilling.

- Thanks.

- Mike... did you keep mentioning that many people believe in Santa?

- They do.

- I assume you mean people of about age eight or younger?

- Or have a mental age of eight.

- Which is not you.

- Right now, I'm not so sure.

My sister, her son, Aaron has Down syndrome.

- Right.

Sorry.

- Don't be.

He's probably the most positive, happiest fella you could ever meet.

When he talks about Santa Claus, well, you realize that Santa is, of course without a doubt, 100% real.

Why would we want to do anything to spoil that?

- What are you doing for Christmas?

- Uh, mum and dad are flying back from a holiday in the UK in time to shove a roast in the oven.

You?

- Working.

- Right.

Well, good night.

- 'Night.

(door closes) (uneasy music) (uneasy music continues) (voicemail beeps) - [Hayley] Dad, hi.

It's me.

I've just got back from the beach.

Where are you?

Maybe you didn't take your car.

Anyway, um, look forward to catching up.

Hope the parade went well.

Dad... Dad, are you asleep?

Dad.

(Hayley gasps) Oh!

Oh, my God!

Dad!

Somebody!

(tense music) (tense music continues) (faint beeping) (ominous music) (ominous music continues) (indistinct radio chatter) - Someone tried to finish Jared off, but the machines that go 'beep' started going crazy, and two nurses scared the assailant off.

- Security?

- He made it out before they could apprehend him.

- Description.

- Should we be surprised?

Or not?

It's only a matter of seconds later when...

If I had to place a bet, I'd say that that physicality most resembles Pete London.

- So his suit had gone missing?

- That's his story.

- Mm.

Rewind.

Interesting.

- We know two things.

One, that Jared has been stabilized.

And, two, whoever is on this CCTV footage is not the real Santa, just a man in his suit.

- Hmm.

(introspective music) Thanks again for coming in.

- No worries.

- Who was that?

- Steven Lipton.

He and Hayley had a nose-to-tail on her way back into town.

- Where's Breen?

- He's on an errand.

So that places Hayley back in town just after the parade.

- Hm.

No luck there then.

- I'm not sure luck has got anything to do with it.

Apart from bad luck perhaps for Evan and Maureen.

(mobile ringing) - Kristin Sims.

- Detective Sims.

This is Dennis Buchanan.

My client, Pete London and I have something we would like to show you.

Thank you for coming by.

I believe you were interested in the whereabouts of this.

- Indeed.

- Well, here it is.

- I swear I have no idea how it got there.

Someone's been playing silly buggers.

Most likely, Jed Charmers.

Or Victoria Speigleman.

- Peter, that is the concern of the police.

Yours is simply to help them wherever possible with their inquiries, which you have done.

- It'll be bloody Charmers.

- We have no proof of that.

We do, however, have proof of Peter's whereabouts the night of Evan's death.

My client was in the city attending a gentleman's club.

There will be receipts to prove it, and no doubt security footage should you wish to delve further.

- The name of the venue?

- Stallions.

He stayed over at a hotel.

He may or may not have had company and arrived back in time for the parade and will sign an affidavit if required.

But the point is, my client wasn't in Brokenwood that night.

And the nature of his activities are private, and in no way illegal, and therefore not something the public ever need to know about.

- Like fracking.

(pensive music) Thank you for your candor.

I hope it doesn't have to go any further, like the idea of oil exploration in Meetville.

For the record, that's a terrible name.

- Oh, God!

Look, we've got happy hour coming up.

Can't this wait?

- This won't take a moment.

- Why?

You want to dress me up as Humpty Dumpty now?

Your lot still trying to figure out if he fell, or was pushed?

- Evan Whitestone.

You said he was in a lively mood.

- Lively is another word for quite pissed, but yes.

- But happy.

"Joie de vivre", you said.

- Yes.

- About what?

- I don't know.

He was raving, to be fair.

When punters get the rave on, I tend to switch off.

It's part of the skillset of hospitality.

Nod, smile and think about something else entirely while the punter waffles on.

- It's time to come out of the closet.

Tomorrow.

The town can know.

And you know what, Ray?

That's okay.

- Maybe he was going to announce that he was gay.

That would've taken the wind out of Neil Bloom's sails.

- Is that it?

- Well, Jared was being vulgar of course.

(Jared mouths) Mm.

- Vulgar?

- You know.

The old sign for a bit of the old... (Ray whistles) - Of course.

The old... - Then Jared offered him a ride.

- So, Santa.

Since Hayley is away, do you want me to be your chauffeur in the morning?

- As long as you have room for two.

(both laugh) - I'll leave you to your happy hour.

(mobile ringing) Hughes.

- This Simon Petrovic fella.

He is in Croatia.

Do you know why?

- We were told he had a sick aunt.

- Well, that may be the case.

She's probably sick with worry because he's also secreting away his nephew, Vinnie Petrovic.

Vinnie slipped his home detention bracelet on Friday night.

He flew out on the red eye.

So thanks for the heads-up.

- Happy to help.

- [Hughes] How are you getting on with the Whitestone case?

- Small steps.

- Shame.

Nice bloke.

I met him once at a charity do with a stepdaughter, Hannah.

- Hayley?

- Hayley.

That's it.

A bit of a honey.

Probably shouldn't say that.

Anyway, let me know if you need anything else.

And the international boys owe you one.

- Cheers.

Your campaign manager, Simon Petrovic.

He is in Croatia.

- Right, like I said.

- With his nephew.

But then I think you already knew that.

I presume he was with Simon at your meeting on Friday night?

- You can leave that.

Call it a day.

- Sure.

- Look, Simon didn't ask for the trouble.

Vinnie came to him.

- And Simon came to you?

- He's a good friend.

He's like a brother.

You can't bring him in here, bro!

He was in a jam.

I lent him some money.

That is all.

(Jed sighs) I mean, what would you do?

- I'd probably take that down.

(light music) (light music continues) - Crazy Pete was at a strip club in the city.

- He could've saved himself a lot of pain if he explained that at the beginning.

- But his Santa suit has miraculously reappeared.

- Overnight?

- Neil, someone put it back there.

Or he did.

- Back in his office?

Actually, that makes perfect sense.

- It does?

- We don't need to push him any further.

And Jed Charmers too.

His alibi is complicated, but true.

- Senior, all set.

- Thanks.

- So, Pete London, Jed, Victoria, Neil Bloom, all of our suspects are off the table?

- Not all.

Join me when Breen calls.

He's up at Smiths Bay, hopefully verifying a couple of things.

- So you're focusing on Evan's daughter?

- Step-daughter actually.

(introspective music) - You know the funeral is in less than an hour?

- This shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.

I just want to talk about your mother's passing.

- Why?

I still find it hard to talk about.

- Trust me, I understand.

I know it creates great pain for those of us left behind.

- Your mother?

- Someone very close.

Your mother suffered clinical depression.

One day she decides that the only way out involved the bathtub and a razor blade.

It was you who heard the terrible misfortune- - Do we have to talk about this?

- How did Evan handle the depression she suffered?

- He did what he could.

Stayed so busy he didn't really have time to deal with it.

- Breen is on the phone.

- Excuse me.

Talk to me.

- It checks out, Mike.

Hayley was definitely here.

There's fresh food still in the fridge.

Bed is unmade.

There's a laptop on the table.

Some sort of manuscript.

There's only a handful of houses.

It might be hard to find anyone to verify when she left.

- What is the title of the manuscript?

- "Blood Letting".

Mike, there's only a title page.

- We need to be gentle.

It seems she has writer's block.

- Look, I need to get to the funeral.

- Of course.

Uh, one more thing.

On the night before the parade, Evan called you at um...

Uh... 9:03 PM.

- I can't remember the time, but he called me, yes.

- To say?

- Just to check when I was coming home.

- [Mike] That's all?

- Yes.

- He didn't have any other news?

- That's all I recall.

- Oh, strange.

Because in the seconds before he called you from the pub, he was waxing lyrical about "letting bygones be bygones," about "coming out of the closet," and in the morning, "the whole town would know."

Oh, and you did mention that if Evan had any news that you'd be the first to know.

- Look, I don't know what you're getting at.

- Evan was busting with excitement because, as he told you, he was on his way home to meet Maureen Moffatt to pop the question.

- And I wanted you to be the first to know.

Tomorrow, for the first time in many years, since your mum died, at the Santa Parade there will be a Mrs. Claus riding on the float.

- I'm so happy for you.

- But you weren't happy, were you?

Up until then, you were the sole beneficiary to Evan's will.

But if he gets remarried, it starts getting shared around.

And Maureen's only 39.

If she decides to get pregnant... - You're forgetting that I was at Smiths Bay.

- Well, it's only an hour and three-quarters away.

The night was still young.

Plenty of time to formulate a plan.

A plan that had probably been brewing for years... since your mother's demise.

To point the blame at those with likely motives, and lethal means.

(Evan laughs) H>, ho, ho!

- Hayley!

We didn't hear you come in.

- Well, I couldn't wait to congratulate you.

("Silent Night" plays on the stereo) Expensive.

Is that the Santa suit that my mother used to wear?

- I'll go get another glass.

- It is.

It's about time it got used again, don't you think?

- We should light a fire.

- [Maureen] A fire?

- Yeah, make it more Christmassy.

- Marvelous!

(couple laughs) - This is stupid and the funeral is about to start.

- Sit down, Hayley, or you'll miss the best part.

(Hayley coughs) - Santa must be coming down the chimney.

- Oh, the bloody dummy!

- Oh, Evan, don't be silly.

You're half drunk.

I'll hold the ladder.

- Oh.

Okay.

Oh!

Stupid bloody things.

- Is it clear?

- What?

- The flue.

Check it's clear.

(Maureen grunts and screams) (Maureen groans) (tense music) (Hayley grunts) (Hayley panting) Oh, Christmas tree Oh, Christmas tree - Any luck?

- That Santa is well and truly wedged in there.

- Oh, well.

Where's Maureen?

- She had soot on her face.

- More champagne?

- I'll be back.

- You never really liked Evan, did you?

You thought he was a pompous old bastard.

And him not being your biological father, you could be dispassionate.

For that moment in time.

(slicing sound) (Evan grunts) (Evan gurgling) To get the job done.

- You should write novels, Detective.

That is quite a story.

- I haven't finished yet.

On that key ring will be a key to Pete London's office.

You used to work for him.

You still have the key, am I right?

- If it is, I wasn't aware of it.

It was a long time ago.

- [Mike] What better place to find a freshly padded Santa outfit fit for a parade.

- Why didn't you stage it as a suicide pact?

- I didn't stage anything!

- Suicide wouldn't ring true.

There were too many witnesses to Evan's happiness.

Ray Neilson, Jared Morahu.

Better to point the finger at one or several of Evan's rivals.

It was a good plan.

Except... - Yo!

Santa and Mrs. Santa, your sleigh awaits!

Oh, hi.

I thought you was up north.

Where's um... Oh, Evan.

- He's asleep.

- What?

Evan.

Whoa!

(loud clang) - It must've taken a while to decide on the plan.

Was leaving the pie a good or bad idea?

It certainly tied Jared to the scene, and you could make it look like he did it and he was dead.

Well... - The makings of a perfect crime.

- Mm.

(uneasy music) (uneasy music continues) That was your second mistake.

Jared hates rum.

- And what was my first?

- Committing murder.

- Nice try.

- [Mike] You don't accept that you did?

- If this was true, why would I partake in the parade?

- Initially, you needed time to get back from The Bach.

If Evan was at the parade, no-one would think anything was amiss.

- You're cutting it fine, Evan.

(children cheering) - [Mike] But now with Jared in the mix, that seemed less important.

Having driven Evan's car to the parade, you dropped it home.

From there, you drove to town as if just arriving.

Being sure to have a little accident on the way to put you in time and place.

- I'm so sorry.

It doesn't look that bad.

Look, I'll write down my details for you.

I am so sorry.

- Make sure.

- [Mike] Calling Evan as you walked in thereby leaving evidence of your own shocked discovery.

- Dad, hi.

It's me.

I've just got back from the beach.

Where are you?

- Nice touch.

That was your third mistake.

- Why would you say that?

- You tried too hard.

In all our dealings with you, you never once referred to him as Dad.

Only Evan.

(tense music) - Dad.

Dad, are you asleep?

Dad... (Hayley gasps) Oh!

Oh, my God!

Dad!

Somebody!

- You thought you'd killed Jared, didn't you?

But then when you heard that... - Sorry to interrupt.

Jared's woken up.

- Oh, some good news at last.

It was time to don the suit again.

(machine beeps) (Jared groans) - He should've bled to death.

(tense music) - Hayley Whitestone...

I'm charging you with the murders of Evan Whitestone and Maureen Moffatt and the attempted murder of Jared Morahu.

Love you too.

Bye.

My parents' plane has been grounded at Heathrow due to snow.

They're not going to make it back in time for Christmas Day.

- Shame.

- Yeah, I'm really jealous.

They get to have a white Christmas.

- Oh, I can't promise you snow, but you're welcome to join me.

- Thanks.

When did you zero in on Hayley Whitestone?

- When I looked at her bookshelf.

For a romance writer, there wasn't one of that genre.

They're all about... - Scandinavian serial killers?

- Pretty much.

- How did you know that the figure running down the hospital corridor in Pete London's Santa suit wasn't Pete London?

- That's not important.

- No, it is.

That's how I get better at my job.

- I'd rather not say.

- Please!

- Okay.

But you're not going to like it.

- Oh, that Santa ran like a girl.

- For the record, I never said that.

You did.

(Kristin chuckles) Joy to the world, the Lord is come - God, that looks good.

Not a word to Roxy.

Promise?

- Merry Christmas.

- Whoa!

(Mike laughs) Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

Let heaven and nature sing - All right.

Defy me, Breen.

Oh!

(Kristin laughs) Oh!

Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh O'er them fields we go Laughing all the way Bells on bobtails ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to laugh and sing A sleighing song tonight Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh (gliding sound) (earnest tones)