Brokenwood Mysteries

(up-tempo country music) (keys jingling) - Hey, I'm just saying country music isn't really my thing, eh?

- Yeah, that's what everyone says until they take that first step.

- Towards depressing songs about divorce and pain?

Whoo.

- [Mike] The more painful the divorce, the better the song.

- [Jared] And this Holly Collins is the best, you reckon?

- [Mike] Best of the best.

- [Jared] Well, she must be qualify.

- "Killing Me with Too Much Kindness" is the biggest country hit in 15 years.

- Does that means she's been divorced more times than you?

(both laughing) - Think of her as the Bob Marley of country music.

- Yeah, I can do that.

Apart from the fact that she's not Black, male, dead, or a reggae singer.

- In all other respects, she is incredibly similar.

- Yeah, sure.

- (whistles) You'll be wanting one of these after the show.

- Ha ha ha.

Can you do me one in red and yellow and green?

- Sure.

Why not?

All converts are welcome to the Church of Holly Collins.

I can get her to sign it too.

- It'll look great on your hunting trip.

- Yeah, no, I'm good with my beanie, thanks.

- I'll take one.

- Pick it up after the show?

- Jared.

Mike!

- Ah, Gloria!

Thought I might see you here.

- Oh!

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.

So, what do you think?

- Hot off the press.

Keen?

- Yeah, not sure about the pink.

- Come on, it's Holly's favorite color.

Are you a true fan or not?

- Oh, he's her number-one fan.

- Uh, I don't think that is true 'cause I am her number-one fan.

- I'm number two.

Join the queue, folks.

- Oh, my God!

Oh, I love it!

Ritchie, what the hell?

- [Rayleen] Yeah, Rich.

Why weren't we the first?

- I'll put two aside.

- And damn well signed.

- Of course, Celia.

- I'm sorry to interrupt.

I'm Celia Lazenby.

- Mike.

- I'm her bestie, Rayleen Hogg.

- Gloria.

Jared.

(Jared imitating bomb exploding) - So excited!

- [Rayleen] So excited, Ceels.

- We never miss a show.

Ain't that the truth, Ritchie?

- Never.

- Got to go.

Come on, Rayls.

See ya.

- So that's two shirts for you men?

- Just the hat, thanks.

- Shall we?

- [Gloria] Let's.

- So excited.

(up-tempo country music) Take that little ring off my finger March me back up the aisle Don't want to be your little lady or your honey baby All you ever do is lie, lie, lie (crowd cheering and applauding) - Thank you so much.

You've been so kind.

And speaking of kindness, we're gonna finish up with my current single, "Killing Me with Too Much Kindness."

(crowd cheering) One, two, three.

Oh, wait.

There's one more thing to say.

And it's kind of big.

Uh, with certain things going on in my private life, change is in the wind.

Time to spread my wings on a more permanent basis.

So tonight is the last time the Hole in the Wall Gang will play together.

(crowd gasps and murmurs) - Ohh!

- Brokenwood, you have given me the pleasure of being a great audience for the last time.

And, uh, it's been a great ride.

But it's time for me to move to Nashville!

- Whoo-hoo!

Yeah, Holly girl!

(crowd cheering) - [Holly] All right.

- Yeah!

Go, Holly!

- Yeah, I'm pretty sure Bob Marley never went to Nashville, eh?

- All right, then.

Let's go.

One, two, three, four.

There's a rose beside the note On my pillow - Sleep well, fellas.

Candlelight and wine when I come home - Do you think they get it?

- You're breaking up the band.

End of story.

- With no warning.

- Yeah.

They'll get used to it.

- Even Lucy?

- I'll handle her.

She's not your problem.

- But I'm her problem.

Ever since you woke up in my bed, I became a very big problem to Lucy Choo.

- Yeah.

Well, that ends tonight.

Drink.

Numbs the pain, baby.

I could murder a ciggy.

(Holly exhales slowly) Why can't this broken heart of mine Do what it's told But despite how hard (hand knocking on door) - Hello?

I tried - Room service.

Hello?

Every tear that you've kissed dry The ashes of his love Have left me cold - [Maid] Hello?

Cleaner.

You're killing me You're killing me (electricity humming) (tense music) (maid gasps) (maid screaming) (soft guitar music) (door clicking) - Mike, I'm sorry for your loss.

- I didn't actually know her, Gina.

- But her music spoke to you.

- Mike, I'm all good to handle this one if you'd rather.

- I'm fine.

- The current from the amp was still arcing when she was found.

"Goodbye Holly C." As far as suicide notes go, it's on the shorter side.

- Same shade?

- Maybe.

- Close?

- Darker?

- "Pink Panther."

- Oh, God.

Tried that once.

Clashed with everything.

- Huh.

(Mike exhales slowly) You don't want your usual chat with- - Whatever it was Holly had to say was probably best said through her songs.

– The cleaner came in at 7: 30 after complaints that a song had been heard playing over and over again on the stereo.

- Which song?

- Uh, "Killing Me with Too Much Kindness."

- Hmm.

That is not pizza sauce, is it?

- Mm.

Someone's bleeding.

(door clicking) Over to you, Gina.

- Suspicious?

- Oh, God.

Brokenwood Courier, 11 o'clock.

- [Cushla] Would you like me to shoot some stills?

- [Sam] Hey!

- We have our own photographer.

- Right.

But it is Holly Collins in there, isn't it?

- Cushla, there's been no formal identification.

But as soon as there has, you'll be the first to know.

- Okay.

- Okay, this is feeling a little weird, but there's no sign of Jessica James, the drummer, or the bass player, whose name, believe it or not, is Slim Fingers.

Also there's no sign of Lucy Choo, fiddle player.

And there's no sign of Waylon Strings, that can't be his real name, nor the two roadies, Dan and Kev, or their tour manager, Ritchie Mathis.

- [Mike] Yeah, I met him last night.

- I tried his room.

Number 203.

No answer.

But the tour truck and roadies' van are still here.

- So we have a dead country-music star and every member of her band is AWOL?

- Heard she broke up the band last night.

- It's true.

- Or did she wipe them off the face of the earth?

- Start rounding them up.

They can't have got far.

(soft music) Jessica James?

- Jesse.

What's going on?

- D.S.S.

Mike Shepherd.

- What is it?

- Holly Collins has been found dead.

- No way.

- Did you stay here last night?

- Yeah.

I went to get breakfast.

Hangover.

Did she top herself?

- Why would you say that?

- Why else would she be dead?

- Have you seen the other band members this morning?

- No.

- What time did you leave?

- 7:30?

I don't know.

Couldn't sleep.

- That's a long time to get Twisties.

- I had to walk 'cause Ritchie's God knows where with the keys to the van.

How's Waylon taking it?

- I haven't seen Waylon yet.

- Must've gone for a drive.

His car's not there.

- Was it there this morning when you left?

- I don't know.

Could barely open my eyes.

Can I go back to my room now?

I need a drink.

Hair of the dog and all that.

- We'll need to talk further.

- Sure.

(soft country music) - Waylon may best be tracked down via his distinctive car.

A silver-blue Mercedes Benz 1983 sedan.

Jesse James reckons he's probably out driving.

He may not even know about Holly's demise.

- Depending on when he left, before Holly electrocuted herself- - Or after he'd done the deed.

Then again, could've been an accident.

She's in the bath, get's an idea for a song, grabs the guitar and (grunting).

- You finished?

- Yep.

- The country-music world lost a shining star today.

A little bit of empathy might not go amiss.

- Sorry.

I'm just saying that it's very common for musos to, you know, get struck by inspiration and- - Electrocute themselves in the bath.

- Okay, not all of them, obviously.

But they get carried away.

There was a bottle of bourbon.

There'd been a party.

Maybe it was just a drunken mistake.

- Yeah, what about the message?

- [Sam] Could've been for the cleaners.

- Well, lipstick on a mirror is not gonna make a cleaner very happy.

- Let's just say the message is ambiguous at best.

Put out a 10-1 on the Mercedes.

- [Sam] Roger.

- Talk some more to Jesse James.

- Right after you finish questioning Billy the Kid.

- Breen.

- Sorry.

- Find out more about where Waylon and Holly were at as a couple.

- So we're discounting suicide?

- I'm not feeling it.

Until we've got a time of death.

- Accident, murder, suicide.

- It's all up for grabs.

(soft music) - The rigor mortis is accentuated by the muscle spasm.

The electrical current caused the muscles to contract.

Normally because the current ran through her for perhaps many hours, she would have become burned like toast.

But the presence of the bathwater has meant she's only lightly poached.

- Time of death?

- Given the damage to her internal organs through the cooking process, it is hard to be specific.

Between one a.m. and six a.m. - Do you think that this matches that?

- The discoloration makes it hard to say.

Pink Panther.

Every cheap hooker from Moscow to Irkutsk was wearing this five years ago.

It clashes with everything.

- Thank you, Gina.

- When will we able to open again?

I'm paying cleaners to stand around.

- As soon as forensics are done, I'll let you know.

- Bloody musos.

Loving you is damage With any heart on the line I try not to blame you But it keeps coming back to mind - Did you find what you were looking for in my room?

- We thought you weren't near.

- Well, now I am.

- Were you at the party last night?

- Yeah.

- What time did you leave?

- Same time as Ritchie.

- And that was?

- 12:30 maybe.

Don't know.

I'm just the drummer.

- Any idea where Ritchie is?

- Guess he's with Slim.

- [Kristin] And where might that be?

- I'm just the drummer.

- So you didn't notice anything unusual in Holly's demeanor last night?

- She broke up the band without any notice on stage in front of 500 people.

Apart from that, no, nothing unusual.

- So Holly breaks up the band, and yet you all come back here and party like one big, happy family?

- Well, I wouldn't say that.

- Just like that?

After three years, you decide to bugger off to Nashville without a word?

- [Holly] I'm sorry, Ritch.

- Like hell you are!

- Ritchie, be cool.

- And you, you put her up to it.

- You're bummed, dude.

Drink more.

It's over.

- I worked my butt off for you, and you're just gonna cut and run.

- You've got to change to grow.

- What are you, a chrysalis?

- Okay.

You're heading for a smack in the head.

- Come on, Ritchie.

- You're gonna crash and burn, baby.

(door opens) - [Kristin] So this was around 12:30 a.m.?

Give or take.

Lucy Choo.

She wasn't there.

- Already left.

- And Slim Fingers?

- Unconscious.

Slim likes to mix and match his party consumables.

Slim.

Time to rock 'n' roll.

Let's go.

- [Kristin] After you left, what happened?

- I went to bed.

- With Ritchie Mathis?

- Yeah.

- How long have you two been an item?

- Whenever we're on the road.

- Okay.

Thanks, Jessica.

- Jesse.

(soft country music) - Slim Fingers was passed out in Holly's room at 12:30 a.m. - No one saw him leave?

- No one of the one band member we've managed to locate.

- [Mike] And still no sign of him.

- [Kristin] Or Ritchie.

Yet Jesse's still here.

- No Lucy Choo?

Strange.

- Well, it's the world of country music, Mike.

Need I say more?

Is that I want you too much Ahhh-ah-ah-ahh Hey, brother with the bleeding heart You know I won't bite hard You said I won't bite hard, no You remind me of a horrible dream with a recurring theme It just occurred to me, oh You're out walking by the railroad tracks I come and hack off your head And then I jump on your back And the only thing keeping me from cutting you up Is that I want you too much - [Constable] Senior.

I want you too much - Oh, hello.

Celia, wasn't it?

- And Rayleen.

- Can we put this here?

- We need to do something before we leave town.

- Perhaps to the side.

- We've attended every concert in the last five years.

Every one.

- And now nothing.

(lighter clicking) Oh, damn it.

- It's okay, Ceels.

It's okay.

- Oh, God.

I'm, I'm sorry.

I'm just blubbering away, and you were obviously a fan.

I'm making it all about me.

- [Mike] Holly was something special.

- Yeah.

Suicide?

Really?

- Whatever way you look at it, it's a tragedy.

- It just doesn't make any sense.

I mean, she was going on to greater things, so why would she just- - You've obviously followed Holly's life closely.

- Probably knew her better than she knew herself.

That first album, eh, Ceels?

- "Hung, Drawn and Divorced" was the soundtrack of my life.

Losing my husband, Alvin- - [Mike] I'm sorry to hear that.

- No, not at all.

Holly got me through.

- She mentioned last night on stage personal issues contributing to her move to Nashville.

What do you think she was referring to?

- Perhaps you should ask Lucy Choo.

- Why is that?

- Holly's biggest personal issue was that when she got involved with Waylon- - Lucy was none too happy.

No siree.

- Not that Waylon's a saint.

- Meaning?

- Lucy was not the only one.

- Jesse James too.

Then Holly.

- A busy man.

- Moving to Nashville would have been a way to shake Lucy Choo off and then just get on with doing what she did best.

But now it's not to be.

- I appreciate your insight.

Tell me, you weren't at the party last night, were you?

- Oh, no.

We're not in the inner sanctum.

- We're fans, not groupies.

(soft country music) - So we have a dead body, two missing roadies.

- [Kristin] A missing bass player.

- [Sam] A missing guitar player.

- A missing tour manager.

- [Sam] Missing fiddle player.

- Yeah, but at least we have a drummer.

Although according to her, drummers aren't meant to know much, and she seems intent on maintaining that standard.

- And she has no idea where he is?

- Or Slim.

And the room that she shares with Ritchie was a mess, like they'd had a fight or- - Or they're into trashing motel rooms.

- Don't you think it's rather convenient that the lead singer of a band is found dead and yet only one of the others can be found?

- Well, according to the fans, Lucy Choo has an ax to grind with Waylon.

Jilted-lover stuff.

Holly was taking him offshore.

Eliminate the problem.

- If it's not an accident or suicide.

- It's not either.

- Based on?

- A hunch.

- [Woman] Breen.

- Hi.

- Hello.

My name is Lucy Choo.

You left your card under my door.

- We've been trying to find you.

- Sorry.

Heavy sleeper.

- [Sam] Right.

- I heard the news about Holly.

- Hence the card.

- Have you talked to Waylon yet?

- He's on our list.

- Oh.

(soft music) I texted Waylon, "Where are you?"

He replies, "Beach."

- What time was this?

- Uh, about an hour ago.

Then I said I wanted him to bring back Choosie.

And he said- - Sorry, Choosie?

- My daughter.

Our daughter.

- Your daughter's name is Choosie?

- Choosie Choo.

Yeah, I know.

It was Waylon's idea.

About the only contribution he's ever made.

Anyway, he says that they're having fun.

So then I call him to tell him why he needs to come back and he doesn't answer.

- May I?

- [Sam] Maybe his phone's gone down.

- No, it rings.

He doesn't answer.

- Could be on silent.

- [Mike] So Choosie stayed with Waylon last night?

- No, she was with me.

She woke early, as usual.

- Mummy, wake up.

- [Lucy] No.

- [Choosie] I want to give Daddy a cuddle.

- No.

Oh, go.

Go, then.

You know his room?

102.

It's a one, an oh, and a two, okay?

Go straight there and jump on his head.

I, I wanted a sleep-in.

(door opens and closes) Plus the thought of Choosie waking her hung-over father at some ungodly hour, well, who am I to stand in the way of quality father-daughter time?

- Maybe he'll answer a different number.

(line ringing) - [Waylon] Hey, Waylon here.

You know what to do.

- You think they're at the beach?

- That's what he said.

- With no idea about what's happened.

- He has my daughter with him.

(tense music) - You're a heavy sleeper, huh?

- Why?

- Well, it's 12:30.

You've only just woken up.

I suppose it's a musician thing.

- I take pills.

Touring, it messes with your sleep patterns.

Plus having a young kid.

It's not easy.

- Especially touring with a kid.

- She wouldn't see her father otherwise.

- How did you feel about Holly moving to Nashville?

- A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do.

(soft country music) (cellphone ringing) - [Mike] Shepherd.

- Famous country singer found dead on your patch.

Sorry for your loss.

- I didn't actually know her.

- I know I felt the same way about Whitney Houston.

She spoke to me in song.

Do you need Wilmott up there to manage the impending media storm?

- No.

- Oh, go on.

You know want to.

- Look, I really don't.

I've got everything under control so far.

I hear you've grown a beard.

- I'm doing the Goat Trail, an iron-man thing, over the Riverstone Range.

It's my mountain-man look.

Cummings here says I look like a hipster.

- Can you be a hipster at your age?

- You're only as old as you feel, Mike.

Well, when you change your mind about Wilmott, you let me know.

- [Mike] Actually, could you do me a background on a Waylon Strings?

(soft guitar music) (soft guitar music continues) - That bloke's been here since dawn.

Doesn't remember seeing anyone that matches Waylon and Choosie's description.

- Is there another beach?

- Riverstone Heads.

Tahuna Point.

But I reckon I'll get you back to the motel.

Chances are he'll show up there.

- No.

The other beaches first.

(horn honks) - [Mike] Miss Marlowe, ladies.

- Detective.

That was Cushla from the Brokenwood Courier.

- Yes.

- We had our photos taken for the paper.

We're not in the way, are we?

- Uh, not at the moment.

- Such a tragedy.

And so young.

- [Mike] You were fans?

- Oh, well, we'd been known to sing along with Holly on the radio at sewing circle.

Of course, she was 27, so I'm thinking hard drugs.

Choked on her own vomit, did she?

- This is an ongoing- - Investigation.

Of course.

This is lovely, though.

- Well, uh- - So thoughtful.

How far fans will go to show their love.

I was saying to Cushla it reminds me of the time my husband and I went to the Pre Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

- Is that where people keep vigil- - Jim Morrison's grave, for one.

Oh, we spent a lovely summer there in '75, my husband and I.

There was such a nice group of young people.

- Mrs. Marlowe, ladies.

- Ah, Detective Sims.

- Jean was just telling me about Paris in the '70s.

- Oh, that sounds nice.

- It was.

Cheese roll?

- Oh, not for me.

Thank you.

- Ooh... (clears throat) Probably should get on.

Holly decides to end it.

For whatever reason, her personal issues have got the better of her.

So she grabs her lipstick and writes a farewell.

"Goodbye", full stop, "Holly C." But is that a dot or a dash?

- A dot?

Full stop.

Period.

- Sure.

If it's deliberate, then yes, it's a sign-off.

"Goodbye."

But what if that's a lazy dash off the end of the "e"?

- Then it becomes a different statement altogether.

"Goodbye, Holly C." - And where is the lipstick that was used?

None of the ones that we found in here are a match.

Whatever the shade was on her lips and the mirror, it's not here.

So if she did write the message, what did she do with the lipstick?

(Mike clearing throat) And then there's the matter of the guitar.

So she wants to make a statement, go out playing her song, except she plays left-handed guitar, not right.

Even as a drunken mistake, this position makes no sense.

- It wasn't a suicide.

- Or an accident.

She wasn't playing guitar.

She was shielding herself from whoever it was that wanted her dead.

(cellphone rings) - Sims.

Roger that.

Whereabouts?

Yeah.

On my way.

- You look like you're in a very bad music video.

(door opens and closes) - [Sam] We should head back to the motel.

- [Lucy] You said there was another beach.

- Thing is, with New Zealand being three large islands, when someone says "at the beach," the options are quite comprehensive.

Okay, look.

When my dad would take me out on the holidays, it was about making up for lost time, right?

We would go to the movies, the beach, play golf.

- Golf?

She's five.

- Mini golf.

- No, Waylon hates golf.

- The point is, maybe they've moved on to other stuff.

- Why isn't he answering his phone, then?

- Try calling him again.

- There's no coverage.

(soft guitar music) - [Kristin] You'd be Slim Fingers, then?

- Is this really necessary?

I was just after a prescription.

- Yeah.

Hold that thought.

- [Pharmacist] He would have been given takeaways.

- [Kristin] Takeaways?

- When a methadone addict leaves town, they're given their exact dose to get them through their daily requirements.

These are termed "takeaways."

But the rules are strict.

Otherwise you'd get people hopping from pharmacy to pharmacy with their sob stories.

- Like Slim.

- He's obviously abused his supply.

Sold it, perhaps.

- If he doesn't get any, what would the prognosis be?

- He'll feel like an elephant gave birth in his head.

- Right.

(soft country music) Oh, Slim Fingers has been found.

I'm talking to him now.

- Good.

Forensics have found traces of blood on the guitar that was on the floor.

(door clicking) (keys jingling) - Oh, okay.

That tastes weird.

- Well, you did ask for five sugars.

- Yeah, but the coffee, is it burned?

- I don't think so.

- Maybe the milk's off.

- Nope.

- You don't have Red Bull or a nip of something stronger?

- Slim, are you high?

- Eh?

Nah.

No way.

No, if anything, I'm feeling pretty low.

Bad news and all that.

She was a good girl, that Holly.

Actually, I could really go a cigarette.

- Yeah, well, there's no smoking in here, sorry.

- Sure.

- Okay, officially, I'm gonna need you to consent to a blood test.

Eh?

- Why?

- There is blood residue in Holly's unit on a guitar- - Guitarists nick their fingers all the time.

It's no big deal.

- You have a wound on your face.

If it's your blood, that might explain something at least.

Plus you have blood on your cuff.

So can you hand the shirt over?

Or I could get a court order.

(soft music) - She's really dead, then?

Holly.

- Yeah.

Sorry.

- Waylon will be gutted.

- Yeah, we don't know where he is.

Do you?

He wasn't with you last night?

- Actually, if I don't have that cigarette, I think I'm gonna throw up.

- The adjoining bedroom has no duvet.

Should it match this one?

- They get nicked all the time.

- Your people wouldn't have moved it?

- As soon as you jokers turned up, we were told to down tools.

- And bath towels, Holly's room's got three unused.

- It's a double unit.

Should have been four.

- Thanks.

- Tell ya, last time we have musos through here.

(soft guitar music) - [Constable] Senior.

(door closes) (objects clattering) Hello?

(tense music) (objects clattering) Hello?

I think you might have the wrong room.

(soft music) - Oh, that's better.

A little of what you like, eh?

No harm done.

- If you say so.

- No, I've been clean for a lot a years now.

Ask any of the band.

Totally clean.

- Clean as in only using methadone?

- Okay, now I'm feeling judged.

- Just trying to get some straight answers.

- About last night?

- About your movements in the last 12 hours.

Witnesses say you were crashed out in Holly's spare room.

- Yeah, that'll be right.

But I left.

- What time?

- Ah, can't remember.

- One a.mm, two a.m.m, three a.m.?

- I woke up when my phone rang.

(cellphone rings) (Slim grunting) - Yeah, one of the roadies invited me to some pub.

It was an awesome night.

- Which pub?

Brokenwood Arms?

- Yeah.

Yeah, I reckon.

- [Kristin] So this was after midnight?

- Two a.m.?

- There are no pubs in Brokenwood licensed beyond one a.m. - You calling me a liar?

- I'm just trying to get your story to make sense.

So if the roadies rang you from this so-called pub, then they'd obviously already left the motel.

- Yeah, definitely.

I just don't remember when.

- You received a call.

Why not check your phone?

- Oh, yeah.

Brilliant.

Nice one.

You know, if we were to go back to the chemist and you were to help me with the, you know, then things would be a whole lot sweeter and I could help you a whole lot better.

- Why don't you just check your phone?

- Right.

Flat.

Bummer.

- Why don't you sleep things off while I go find a charger for your phone?

- Yeah, I can work with that.

- Okay.

I know just the place.

- I was looking for some memorabilia to add to the shrine.

- [Mike] You were hiding in the wardrobe.

- Holly had borrowed a dress of mine.

- It's a crime scene.

Added to that, climbing through the back window is breaking and entering.

- I was looking for money.

- Hard to repay a loan when the person you borrow off is dead.

- I've been ripped off enough by Holly Collins.

- Ripped off how?

Did you take anything?

- I was only in there two minutes before you turned up.

- That isn't a no.

- (sighs) It wasn't there.

- What?

- What, you wouldn't understand.

- Jesse, I recommend you consult with a lawyer.

In the meantime, I have somewhere you can wait.

- Are you arresting me?

- For breaking and entering a crime scene, no less.

- A suicide isn't a crime.

- No.

But murder is.

- I thought it was a suicide.

- Do you have a lawyer back in the city?

I'll get you a list of duty solicitors.

(somber music) - [Lucy] They're not here.

- We'll put out an alert on Waylon's car to all units.

We'll follow up with another for Waylon and Choosie if they're not back by six.

Is there someone- - I'm okay.

I'll just wait.

(soft guitar music) - Yeah.

(door clicking) Yeah, thanks.

- I've just put Jesse James from the Hole in the Wall Gang in the cells.

- Right next to Slim Fingers.

I feel like I've been teleported to the Wild West.

(cellphone chimes) Bugger.

Oi!

Slim.

I need your passcode.

- I think a trip to the chemist is in order first.

- I don't think so.

Passcode.

- You don't have to say anything, Slim.

- Slim can speak for himself.

- I'm all good, thanks, Jesse.

- You can't hold him without a lawyer.

- I don't need a lawyer 'cause I haven't done anything wrong.

What I need is my medication.

- Yeah, well, what I need is the truth.

- [Slim] I've told you everything I know.

- The Brokenwood Arms don't remember a country musician helping them contravene licensing laws last night.

- Well, it might have been the Riverside Bar and Grill.

- No such place.

- Yeah, well, it's more of a private club.

- Were you even at a club?

- Yeah.

It was a big night.

- Your passcode.

You remember that much, surely.

- Oh, that's the thing.

I'm damned if I can remember numbers when I'm not feeling top of my game.

(soft country music) - The paperwork is gonna be horrendous.

- I'll supply whatever is required to ease the bureaucratic pain.

Unh-unh.

Password first.

(phone clicking) One-two-three-four.

- I'll forget it otherwise.

- Kev?

- Let's see.

Yeah, it was Kev.

- 1:37 a.m. - The Lying Toad.

- What?

- I reckon that's what the bar was called.

- Mike, Slim Fingers most likely left Holly's unit by 1:45 a.m. - Got it.

Ta.

- Yeah, nice one, Muz.

Detective.

What can I do you for?

- A musician by the name of Slim Fingers was drinking here late last night.

- Did he say what time?

- After two a.m. - Whoa!

Okay.

This was an after-hours event.

In no way was I contravening my license.

- Yeah, I'm not interested in that.

- All right.

Well, we did have a bit of a private party.

After closing.

Great night, actually.

- So Slim was here?

- Yeah, and a couple of fellas by the names of- - Dan and Kev?

- Roadies.

My God, they can handle their grog.

I've had the likes of Pink Floyd and the Beatles through here, but those country fellas, they redefine the laws of physics when it comes to drinking.

- Pink Floyd?

- All right, tribute bands.

But they were dead ringers, the lot of them.

- So, what time did Dan and Kev leave?

- As a matter of fact, they didn't.

Truth be told, it feels like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have ridden through my head.

There's always a price to pay for golden memories.

We didn't wind up till about five a.m., so the fellas dossed here.

The other bloke left.

- Slim?

- Yeah, with Slim.

Rick, I think his name was.

- Ritchie.

- That'll be it.

(switch clicks) Afternoon, fellas.

- [Kristin] Dan and Kev?

There's something you should know.

(line ringing) - [Waylon] Hey, Waylon here.

You know what to do.

(line beeps) (car horn honking) - Hey.

Long-planned hunting trip?

- Yeah, I want to make it to Redman's Hut before dark.

Hey, sorry to hear about Holly Collins.

Yeah, I felt the same when Bob Marley died.

- Were you even born when Marley died?

- Nah.

But I felt it in a cosmic sense.

- Be careful out there.

- Yeah, you too.

(tires screeching) (Rayleen sighs) - You sure you're okay?

You kind of just stepped out there.

- Don't worry about it.

It was my fault.

My mind was on other things.

- Your mind was nearly all over the road with your coffee.

- Thought you were leaving town?

- Oh, we were, but Winnie got a temperature.

- Winnie is your- - Our motor home.

Well, Celia's.

She overheats sometimes.

Cracked hosepipe.

Just picked up a new one.

Must get back and stick it in before dark.

- Well, bon voyage.

Actually, Rayleen, tell me, since you're here.

There seems to have been tension between Jesse James and Holly Collins.

Do you know what that was about?

- The song, "Killing Me with Too Much Kindness."

- Yeah, got to be my favorite.

- Jesse reckons Holly stole it off her.

- That she came up with the song?

- Sour grapes, if you ask me.

She's just the drummer.

- Oh, a very good one.

- Now Holly's dead, well, she can say anything she likes, can't she?

- Can I buy you a coffee?

- Why don't I make you one?

Since yours is icing the tarseal.

Our campsite's just out of town.

Celia's the true expert.

Anything you want to know, ask Ceels.

- I'll follow you.

- Okay.

(soft country music) Heavy heart - (chuckling) Ah.

Here's Holly when she won the Silver Scroll Award.

And this is us waiting to see her at the Gold Guitar Awards.

We waited in line for an hour, but she gave me and Rayls a lovely selfie.

- [Mike] You really did follow her everywhere.

- Five years this spring.

Cost me my marriage.

To-ing and fro-ing from San Fran every time Holly was touring.

But I just couldn't not come.

When Holly sang, it was like being spoken to by an angel.

And just quietly, the alimony from Alvin in the States funds my travels, so, Well, as Holly said in "Divorced Heart"- There's pain in love and no love without pain You broke my heart, but hope remains And where there's hope There'll be love again - (laughing) Very good!

- You think there's hope for you and Alvin, then?

(kettle whistling) - No!

Well, he likes brass bands.

You know, you say "jazz," I say "country," let's call the whole thing off.

Ah, sorry.

I'm just babbling, aren't I?

- No, not at all.

Tell me, that shade of lipstick in that photo of Holly.

- Blood Pink.

- Well, you're good.

- I read about it in the latest issue of Country Singer.

Here you go.

She did this interview and, uh, yep.

Right there.

"Blood Pink."

Very hard to get.

Made by some exclusive boutique outfit in New York.

Fervent.

That's it.

Oh, God.

What a waste.

(cellphone plays guitar lick) Is that your phone, Rayls?

- [Rayleen] Oh, bloody Mum.

- What, did you change your ringtone?

- What?

Oh, yeah.

Changed it so I'd know it was her and not have to answer it.

Mothers.

Can't live with them, can't be born without them.

(chuckles) Oops.

Milk.

Hang on.

- Oh.

Rayleen's mom is a bit high-maintenance.

Total burden, actually.

When we go on the road, she has to go into care.

- So, where were we?

Did you show him my ticket-stub collection?

- Yes.

Very impressive.

- And Ceels has got an autograph from every gig.

Ritchie usually organizes that for us.

- How well do you know Ritchie?

- Well enough to get what we want.

(both laugh) - More coffee?

- Actually, I need to go.

You'll be off tomorrow, then?

- Yep.

Fix the hosepipe, hit the road.

Got to get back to Mum.

She's a bit needy.

- I'm gonna give you my phone number just in case you have any more questions.

Here you go.

- Thank you.

It was a pleasure meeting you both.

- A country fan in need- - Is a country friend indeed.

(both laugh) (soft music) - Jesse James is speaking with her lawyer.

- Is it Latham?

- Oh, God, no, she didn't.

- The legal oil slick that is Dennis Buchanan.

- [Mike] Fun times ahead.

- Ritchie Mathis was drinking at the Frog and Cheetah until five a.m.

It seems that Jesse James' comment about them going to bed at 12:30 was misinformed.

- I think the word you're looking for is "misleading."

Jesse, there's something you're not telling us.

- My client has disclosed her reasons.

- For entering a crime scene?

No, she hasn't.

- You don't have to answer that.

- [Mike] Dennis, I haven't asked her a question.

- You were going to.

- It's an interview room.

- You're not obliged to answer any question not relating to the charge.

- (sighing) Can we start with why you were in the room?

- You don't have to answer that.

- Jesus, Dennis, it was the crime scene.

- You didn't make that clear.

- I might have been looking for something I'd misplaced.

- What was that?

- My client may have simply been disorientated and thought she was looking for something in her own room.

- Dennis, do you actually listen to what comes out of your mouth?

- Sound professional advice, Detective Shepherd.

That's what I hear.

- Does it have anything to do with the fact that you believe Holly stole your song?

- No.

No.

- Could my client and I have a few moments, please?

- Where did you hear about that?

- [Mike] That odd couple of country music fans.

They're a mine of gossip and innuendo.

- So, what would she have been looking for?

- Proof, I'm guessing.

I don't know, but it makes sense.

She's got this issue with Holly.

Then she finds out Holly plans to skip the country.

She's angry, frustrated, - And decides to knock her off.

How does that help her cause?

- Well, if Holly's dead, she can't defend herself.

Jesse stakes her claim on what she believes is rightfully hers.

But only with proof.

- [Kristin] So you believe her?

(hand knocking on door) - We're about to find out.

- There's a demo I made of the song.

I played it for Holly.

She dismissed it.

Said it was unformed.

- Was it unformed?

- It was a demo.

A work in progress, right?

That's how these things work.

But it was an actual song.

- Next thing, she's recorded "Killing Me with Too Much Kindness," it's a hit, and I'm thinking, "That's not fair.

That's my song."

- Is that what your song was called?

(soft music) - "Filling Me with Love's Blindness"?

It's not exactly catchy, is it?

- The title is irrelevant.

It's about the music.

Without the demo, I can't prove the song's mine.

No one will believe me.

I figured Holly had taken it.

I wanted it back.

- But you didn't find it?

- Jesse, do you know where Ritchie Mathis is?

- No.

- You told me that you and Ritchie left the party around 12:30 a.m. and you went back to your room.

- Yeah.

- Yet witnesses have Ritchie drinking at the Frog and Cheetah until five a.m. - Oh.

Okay.

- It's not my client's concern to where Ritchie Mathis chooses to drink.

- Actually, Dennis, it is.

- Which means he wasn't in your room all night.

- He was stumbling around, and then he left.

- To go where?

- He didn't say.

- My client's answered the question.

- But he wasn't with you?

- So he wasn't there.

So what?

- It means no one can verify where you were all night.

- (exhales slowly) Okay.

Okay.

He came back drunk.

I mean really hammered.

- Hey!

Jesse!

No, no!

Wake up!

- Get off!

You reek.

- I've figured it out.

- [Mike] Figured out what?

- [Jesse] I don't know.

- [Mike] What was he looking for?

- The cash takings, I guess.

They're gone.

- Then what happened?

- I kicked him out.

Sleep it off.

- I love you, Jesse.

I'm gonna teach them a big, fat lesson.

- [Mike] "Them" being?

- He didn't say.

- Why didn't you mention this before?

- He was drunk.

It didn't mean anything.

- Okay, I think that's enough.

- Ritchie is a good guy, truly.

He was upset.

We were all upset.

- To a degree.

It's all about context.

- No, we were.

Totally gutted.

Holly Collins stuck a knife through the heart of the band.

People were upset.

Christ, it's only human, isn't it?

- I think my client's helped you more than enough.

So unless you want to press further charges, she'll be leaving now with me.

Miss James, I strongly advise you to leave now.

- Don't go too far.

(soft music) - He's still not answering his phone.

(soft music) - [Ritchie] Hey, it's Ritchie Mathis from the Hole in the Wall Gang.

Leave it.

(phone beeps) (maid gasps and screams) (soft country music) - [Sam] We'll be in touch.

(bag zipping) - Oh, I hate it when that happens.

- There you are.

The missing towel.

- Finding your daughter is our top priority.

- Now do you get it?

Do you?

- This is heavy stuff, fella.

You cops, I mean.

What's going on?

- Kylie.

Lucy, this is Kylie.

from victim support.

I need you to go with her.

I'll be there as soon as I can with an update.

- Let's go somewhere warm.

- No car, no cellphone.

No daughter.

- Just a pack of cigarettes, three guitar picks, and a bank card.

- Waylon was never at the beach.

I doubt he was ever with Choosie at all.

- Which means she's been missing for over 12 hours.

- Whoever knows about Waylon's demise has his cellphone.

- [Sam] And sent misleading texts.

- They're still out there, and they still might be running interference.

Anything from Ritchie Mathis?

- No.

- Gina.

Time-of-death estimate?

- Mike.

- Off the record.

- I can tell that he has been dead maybe 12 hours, maybe.

- Maybe more?

- Mike, you have to wait.

- Go with Gina.

Phone through the rest.

Round up everyone we've got.

(soft music) - Cause of death?

- It's not rocket science, is it?

- How quickly can you zero in on the time of death?

- This is not a fast-food joint.

It takes time.

- Gina, we have a missing child.

- I'm aware of that.

But in Russia there is a saying.

A meal cooked in haste will never have the taste.

Have you ever tried undercooked borscht?

- What is borscht?

- Beetroot and cabbage stewed in sour milk.

- Mm.

No.

- Made in a hurry, it is not nice.

When Mike attends these, he doesn't talk so much.

(saw whirring) - You're seeking this five-year-old girl.

Her name is Choosie Choo.

She was last seen leaving Room 206 at 5: 30 a.m. this morning.

- She's wearing a brown onesie similar to this and possibly carrying a teddy bear that she calls Freddy.

And also any sightings of a 1983 silver-blue Mercedes.

- And this man.

Ritchie Mathis, 38, last seen around a similar time.

Let's go.

(cellphone rings) Kristin.

- Yeah, Gina's reckons possibly even 18 hours.

So he could have been killed between one and six a.m. - Okay, thanks.

(siren wailing) (soft country music) (singers vocalizing) If Waylon was dead before six a.m., then when Choosie came down to the unit, who let her in?

(computer chimes) Holly was dead in the bath.

And Waylon was wrapped in a duvet in the laundry.

- Okay, Waylon's blood has been matched to that on Slim's clothing.

- Bring him back in.

(soft music) - Oh, come on.

Why am I here?

It must be nearly midnight.

- The blood on the electric guitar, it matches Waylon's.

- So?

It's his guitar.

He has like eight.

- And there was blood on the bench in Holly's unit.

It matches Waylon's.

- Okay.

- And the blood on your cuff matches Waylon's.

How do you explain that?

- Nah, I can't.

I have no idea.

- How did you get the graze on your forehead?

- I must've banged my head.

- Any idea how?

- No wonder I can't remember anything.

I've probably got a concussion.

I should probably head to the chemist.

- So you can get something for it?

I don't think so, Slim.

- [Mike] Were you in a fight?

- Look, I've just lost a really good buddy and a lead singer.

I'm not feeling that good about that.

- Were you in a fight?

- I should be with Lucy.

She needs me.

- Lucy is with victim support.

She's being looked after.

Were you in a fight with Waylon?

- No!

Only his car.

- His car?

- Yeah.

After I got the call from Kev.

Just try and stop me.

(soft music) I remember thinking it was bloody funny, actually.

Wah!

Yeah, all right, next time you won't be so lucky!

Whoo-hoo!

Yeah.

That's what happened.

So, what time does that chemist open?

(cellphone rings) - [Mike] Talk to me.

- 24-hour-service-station guy recalls seeing a car matching Waylon's here last night.

I've got CCTV.

No sign of a child in there.

- And according to Lucy, Choosie was in her room till 5:30 a.m. - We still only have Lucy's word on that.

- Waylon's demeanor suggests a man buying cigarettes.

- [Sam] The night-shift guy didn't remember any cuts on his cheek.

- [Kristin] He doesn't look spooked.

- Hardly like a guy that's just killed his girlfriend.

What does a man who buys cigarettes at one a.m. in the morning most want?

- To smoke them.

- Mm.

Sims, the cigarettes in the jacket, How many were smoked?

- Only one.

- And it's, what, a three-minute drive back to the motel?

Just long enough for that one smoke.

- Yeah, and we know he went back there because Slim tripped over the Mercedes, having just received a call at 1:37.

- But he never smoked another one.

Can we then assume that he went back to the unit and he was killed between one a.m. and 1:37?

- By the same person who killed Holly?

- All while Slim was asleep.

- If Slim is telling the truth.

- Mmm.

And where was Ritchie Mathis in all this?

- [Kristin] Well, he's already at the Frog and Cheetah.

- Well, according to Jesse James.

- And Ray Neilson.

- Nothing on Choosie?

- The I-cars are maintaining search patrols.

but Gibb called off the door-to-door at midnight.

Back into it at first light.

(soft music) (soft music continues) - [Woman] Choosie!

(dog barking) (door beeps) - Good luck.

(Slim coughs) Morning, Slim.

- Do we really have to go through this again?

- Let's go through it again.

You say you were asleep between one and 5: 30 a.m., at which point Ritchie returned and woke you up?

- Yes.

- [Kristin] So, what time did Ritchie leave again?

- I've told you.

About quarter to one, I saw him get in a taxi.

We've been through this.

- Really, Detective, the taxi records show that.

What's your point?

- I want to know what Jesse was doing between one and 1:45 a.m. - I passed out.

It happens when you- - When you take drugs?

(Slim exhales sharply) "I was passed out on a cocktail of methadone, alcohol, and cannabis and don't remember anything, Your Honor."

It's not the best alibi, Slim.

- I don't need an alibi.

- You had a relationship with Waylon Strings?

- [Jesse] That's no secret.

- How did you feel when it ended?

- Not great.

Who does?

- But you stayed in the band?

- Ever heard of Fleetwood Mac?

I'm a musician.

I play in a band.

Or did.

- Then he moved on to Holly.

That must have grated.

- Detective, this is bordering on a personal attack.

My client is dealing with very distressing news.

Two of her band members have just been found dead.

- [Kristin] Both of whom your client was unhappy with.

- What about Lucy?

- What about her?

- [Jesse] She used to go out with Waylon.

- I am aware of that.

- Are you aware of how mad she was with him?

- Were you actually planning on telling me?

- I told you.

- On stage!

In front of 500 people!

- So now you know.

- And what about Choosie, huh?

Is she part of your new plan?

- [Waylon] She can come too.

- And how does Holly feel about that, hmm?

I didn't think so.

- Look, we've always made things work.

- I've made things work!

Christ, Waylon, she starts school next week.

- Holidays.

She can fly over.

- To Nashville?

It might as well be the moon!

- Choosie saw all this?

- What do you expect, Luce?

Holly's on the verge of cracking the big time, and I'm a part of that.

She needs me.

- And me?

Where do I fit in?

I thought so.

It's always been about her.

Or whoever it is you're waking up to in the morning with.

I'm done with you, Waylon.

- Hey.

You want another Coke?

(country music) Yesterday I loved you But today I just don't care (soft music) (cellphone rings) - Breen.

- We've got something.

And it might not be good.

(tense music) (soft music) I'm gonna show you something.

And take your time to be sure.

But is this familiar?

- It's not Freddy.

- [Sam] That's not Choosie's bear?

- It's similar, but no.

Where did you find it?

- [Sam] A stormwater drain.

- That's good news, then, I suppose?

- [Sam] I'll have Kylie to take you back to the motel.

- Screw that.

You think I'm gonna sit around waiting?

I want to be looking.

- We have 40 personnel on the ground and another 30 on their way from other districts.

- [Mike] We will find Choosie.

- Is that a promise?

- We will find her.

- [Lucy] You can't promise me, can you?

- We're doing everything we can.

- I'm heading out to check progress on station line.

Come with me.

(Mike sighs) - Lucy, is there any reason Ritchie Mathis would hold a grudge against you?

- No.

Why?

Did he kill Waylon and Holly?

- There's nothing to suggest he did.

In fact, as far as we can make out, he wasn't even at the motel when the deaths occurred.

But he was angry at both of them.

- You think he took Choosie?

- I can't discount it.

But I can't think why.

- Neither can I.

- He wasn't the only one angry with them though, was he?

- No.

We all were.

(tense music) - [Sam] Let's go.

- [Mike] Where were you going with that?

- Jesse James told me about an argument between Waylon and Lucy.

- I'm done with you, Waylon.

No more.

- [Mike] Choosie watched this?

- Yeah.

And she's only five years old.

God knows what's going through her head after hearing that.

You asked me a question before.

When Choosie arrived at the unit, who answered the door?

(footsteps thudding) (hand knocking on door) What if it was no one?

- That you, babe?

- You're suggesting Choosie put the guitar in the bath?

- Well, in her mind, Holly's the person taking her father away from her.

- She's five.

Would she even know about the lethal danger of doing that?

- She grew up around musicians.

- Could she lift it, let alone heft it into the bath?

And if it's 5:30 a.m., Holly's already dead.

- [Kristin] Well, Gina said between one a.m. and 6:00 a.m. - [Mike] Why would she take a bath at 5:30 in the morning?

- Well, she's a country singer.

They do weird things.

- Or it's as you suggest, she enters.

(electricity humming) She sees something frightening.

(tense music) - Then she's either running from something she did or running from something she saw.

The point is, are we looking for a lost child or a child in hiding?

- Which leaves us with, who killed Holly- - [Kristin] Who killed Waylon?

- [Mike] And where is Waylon's car?

- [Kristin] And where is Ritchie Mathis?

(telephone rings) - Hello?

- Now two dead musos and a missing child.

You should move back to the big smoke.

It's a doddle down here.

- [Mike] I'll pass, thanks.

- Of course.

Too many ex-wives to contend with.

Probably safer in Brokenwood.

Right.

We did that background on Waylon Strings.

Real name, Warren Sanders.

No bad debts, drug charges, addictions, or convictions.

Not very rock 'n' roll at all.

- Country.

- And Ritchie Mathis- - Yes?

- The guy is clean.

No flags of any kind.

Particularly no issues with kids.

Plus the team have run those checks for you on the toll-road cameras and traffic cams.

That Mercedes hasn't come this way.

He may not have left town at all.

Have you thought about that?

- Mm, thanks.

Mmgh!

Where the hell is Ritchie Mathis?

- Coffee?

(Mike sighs) (soft music) - Okay.

One more time.

- Okay, the Mercedes was there at 1:37 a.m. Ritchie returned to Jesse's unit sometime after five a.m. - [Ritchie] Wake up!

- Therefore Ritchie probably took the Mercedes.

- After he'd killed Waylon and Holly?

- But he was at the Frog and Cheetah between the hours of time of death.

- Well, not all of them.

There's a window on both bodies between five and six a.m. - And our time line has him mooching about the motel around 5:45, after Jesse kicked him out.

- Yeah, and we know that Choosie left Lucy's unit after 5:30 a.m., which means that Ritchie could've taken her.

- But why?

- Well he said he wanted to teach them a lesson.

- Really?

Kidnapping?

That's a hell of a lesson.

- Yeah.

And why would you kidnap a child after you'd killed the parent?

- Was there was something else going on in the Hole in the Wall Gang that we didn't know about?

(tense music) (cellphone rings) - Hello.

- Celia?

Detective Shepherd.

Look, I know you're probably down the line.

- No, as a matter of fact, we haven't left.

Hosepipe was the wrong size, so Rayleen's fitting the new one.

- Do you mind if pick your brains about something else?

- Yeah, sure.

You want me to come in?

- No, I can pop up there.

- Great.

I'll put the coffee on.

(mid-tempo country music) Hey, hey, I need these days All silver and blue Yeah, I need our ways Just to see I'm true Stand in the light of the sky Travel by the way of the stars Meet me down at the end of the road I'll see you down at the end Well, if I get too close, I'll warn you (tires screeching) - Oi, boys.

That bike is a menace.

Hey, what's the story here?

- It's not our fault.

- It was just here.

- Hey, mister, Money really does grow on trees!

(tense music) (tense music continues) - Ritchie.

- [Ritchie] Huh?

- Ritchie Mathis.

- Hey.

How's the Stetson?

- No, Ritchie, no.

Stay with me, fella.

Don't go to sleep.

Choosie.

Was Choosie with you?

- What?

- Did you take Choosie?

Talk to me, Ritchie.

- Don't know what you're talking about.

- Ambulance.

(siren wailing) (police radio chattering) (metal clacking) Under no circumstances is he to talk to anyone till I do.

(soft music) Breen.

Get ready to go bush.

Please take a seat.

How are you bearing up?

Sorry.

Dumb question.

I found this at the scene.

Do you think it could be from Choosie's bear?

- I don't know.

- Well, if it is, it means that Choosie was in the car.

So you can see how it's important?

- But what does Ritchie say?

- He says she wasn't.

- [Lucy] And do you believe him?

- Ritchie's in a bad way.

Until we talk to him more thoroughly, I'm tempted to believe this.

- You're asking me to remember the eye color of my daughter's teddy bear?

- [Mike] Yes.

- I want to say yes, but if I say yes, you might keep looking in the wrong place, and then, it's been over 24 hours.

- When was the last time that Choosie would have ridden in Waylon's car?

- A few days ago maybe.

She liked that stupid car.

- And what about the last time you saw Choosie.

Did Freddy have two eyes?

- If I hadn't let her go on her own.

(monitor beeping) - [Doctor] Five minutes only, please.

- Ritchie, this is Detective Sims.

- [Kristin] Hi, Ritchie.

- Looks like I screwed up.

- Ritchie, I need to ask you again, and I can't stress enough how important this is, but did you have Choosie in the car with you?

- No.

I told you no.

Why?

- Why did you take Waylon's car?

- I was drunk.

I, I can't remember much.

Can I see Jesse?

- Not right now.

A few more questions.

I found this in your jacket.

Does that jog your memory?

- They killed the band.

- And you wanted to kill their careers.

- Something like that.

- Is that what you meant when you told Jesse, "I'm going to teach them a lesson"?

- Holly ripped that song off Jesse.

(tense music) (keys jingling) I know some breakfast deejays in the city.

I was on my way to give them the scoop, but I didn't make it.

(tires screeching) - [Kristin] Why didn't you take the tour van?

- What better way than in Waylon's precious bloody car.

He's gonna kill me.

- [Mike] Who?

- Waylon, of course.

And Holly.

I swear I'll pay the money back.

- When you went down to Holly's room to get Waylon's car, did you see Choosie?

- No.

I swear I didn't see her.

Is she missing?

(monitor beeping intensifies) (Ritchie coughs) - Detectives, please.

(Ritchie coughs) - Do you reckon he was telling the truth?

- Unfortunately I do.

- Well, if that's the case, we're none the wiser.

(engine revving) (tires screeching) - Oh, Rayls.

(exhales sharply) It really hurts.

It hurts.

- Hang on.

Hold on.

(Celia groans) Can I have some help, please?

- Oh, God, I'm such an idiot.

So sorry.

- Hello, Detective.

Sorry, can't stop.

- What happened?

- Hooking up the Toyota.

(metal thuds) - Oh!

Oh!

Rayls!

- Reckon it's clean broken.

- [Mike] I hope she's okay.

- But you didn't make it for coffee.

Can I help?

- No, no.

Go to Celia.

- That's your odd couple of country music fans, I take it?

- There's nothing those fans don't know.

(soft music) - Ritchie entered the unit at 5:45 a.m. and took the keys.

Holly was already dead, but he was too drunk to notice.

The sound of the CD playing would have covered the noise of the electricity arcing.

- So Waylon was already in the laundry.

- Which means Ritchie didn't kill Holly or Waylon.

- And he didn't see Choosie.

- But if Ritchie's story is to be believed, the door to the unit was unlocked.

So are we back to the theory that Choosie entered, saw Holly, freaked out, and ran away?

- Why wouldn't she just go back to her mum and get help?

- [Kristin] Why?

- Same reason as Ritchie.

She wants Holly alive to suffer the humiliation of being unmasked as a plagiarist.

But Slim?

Who says the phone woke him up?

There's a window there where he could have dealt to both Holly and Waylon.

- Before he went on a bender.

Or Lucy Choo.

It's only her word of where she was and what Choosie was up to.

- Senior.

- Thanks.

Any word from Breen?

- No.

- The E.S.R.

have come up with a match on the lipstick that was on Holly and the mirror.

Blood Pink, like I thought.

- Oh, so you're a lippie-shade expert now?

- Like I said, there's nothing those Holly Collins fans don't know.

Very hard to come by, apparently.

(dog barking) (tense music) (tense music continues) (tense music continues) (tense music continues) (tense music continues) (Jared exhales slowly) (soft music) (gun firing) - I found her at Redman's Hollow.

She won't tell me her name.

- It's Choosie, isn't it?

Boy, are we glad to see you.

This must be Freddy.

You know what?

I reckon I know where his eye is.

(slow country music) (bird chirping) You're the rock when I just can't find the rock 'n' roll You're the calm in a rough sea of rock 'n' roll - Now I wish I could say that I sewed it back on.

But if I did, it would probably fall off again.

And we wouldn't want that, would we?

- No.

Wrapping up a cold day - How's she doing?

- She's warmed up and smiling again.

- So are you.

- Thank you.

For everything.

- We're very happy to have your little girl back.

Do you think she's up to a couple of questions?

- Yeah.

Choosie, this is Mr. Shepherd.

- Hello, Choosie.

My name's Mike.

And like Sam here, I'm a detective.

Do you know what that is?

- Someone who catches baddies.

- Well, yes.

That's part of my job.

But I also have to figure out mysterious things sometimes.

And something that is a bit of a mystery to me is how you ended up lost in the bush.

- I fell out of my dad's car.

- Is that how you got the bump on your head?

Do you know who was driving the car?

- [Choosie] I thought it was Dad.

- But it wasn't.

- It was Ritchie.

- Did he speak to you?

So how did you end up in the car?

(tense guitar music) - [Choosie] I wanted him to take me to Nashville.

- [Mike] And you thought he might leave without you?

So you were hiding.

- Am I in trouble?

- No.

Not at all.

Your mum is just happy to have you home.

One more thing, Choosie.

Can you lift this guitar from that bed to that bed for me?

(Choosie grunts) - It's okay.

You can stop now, Choosie.

Do you know what you've just done?

You've helped me solve part of a mystery.

(women laughing) - Ah, painkillers finally kicking in.

- Excuse me.

You're finally off?

- Oh!

This time hopefully.

Back to the big smoke.

You know what they say, Bad luck comes in threes.

- Don't say that, Ceels.

God!

- Nice flowers.

- From Rayls.

Although I probably should have gotten her some.

Saved my butt yesterday.

- You've bounced back.

The lipstick, Pink Panther?

- Very good, Detective.

(laughs) - Safer travels.

- It's been a real pleasure meeting you.

- Pink Panther.

Wasn't that Holly's favorite lipstick, as well?

- Yes.

That's why I gave it to Ceels.

Make her feel a bit spesh.

Time to get her home.

Time to rebuild our lives after all the excitement.

- And back to your mum.

- Always.

- Come on, Rayls.

Enough gossip.

- Goodbye, Detective.

- [Celia] Where'd you park the car, Rayls?

- [Rayleen] Oh, just over here.

(tense music) - I haven't told her about Waylon yet.

- I don't envy that.

- It's so ironic.

She loved him to pieces, but he never really cared about her that much.

One sniff of success, and he was ready to jump on a plane and forget about her forever.

- So thoughtful.

How far fans will go to show their love.

(cellphone plays guitar lick) - Is that your phone, Rayls?

- [Rayleen] Oh, bloody Mum.

- What, did you change your ringtone?

- Mothers.

Can't live with them, can't be born without them.

- Was it something I said?

- No, you get used to it.

Excuse me.

- It's all yours.

What you choose to do with it is up to you.

(tense music) - Stop!

- Mike?

- Stop!

(engine revving) - Rayleen, what the hell?

(Mike grunting) Christ in a sidecar, Rayleen!

(tires screeching) - You all right, boss?

(tires screeching) - Let's go.

- Rayleen, I don't know what the hell's going on in your head, but I want you to let me out.

Rayleen?

- Comms from BDC 1.

In pursuit of blue Toyota.

Heading south on State Highway 17.

(sirens wailing) - Mike, we'll cover off Mackie's Pass.

- Roger that.

(tense music) Have the Riverstone team organize a reception party at Greenwood Junction.

- [Sam] Copy that, BD 1.

- Oh, God.

(tense music) I want you to stop!

You hear me?

(tires screeching) (siren wailing) (tires screeching) Oh, my God!

(tires screeching) (tense music continues) - Jeez.

- Oh, my God.

(tires popping) - Aah!

(siren wailing) - [Celia] Get that madwoman away from me!

(Rayleen panting) - [Mike] Rayleen, enough!

- How did you know?

- An obsessive fan like you would know that their idol's favorite lipstick was Blood Pink, not Pink Panther.

- I love her.

- We all loved Holly.

But we didn't want to kill her.

- No.

Celia.

More than anything.

When Holly said she was leaving New Zealand, I knew Ceels would follow.

- It's time for me to move to Nashville!

- Whoo-hoo!

Yeah!

- Go, Holly!

Couldn't have that.

Can't leave Mum, see?

Couldn't let Holly take my Ceels away, so... (tense music) - The water's still hot, babe.

(electricity hums) (door thuds) What the hell?

No!

(electricity crackling) (lipstick thuds) (wind blowing) - Do you want to hand it over?

(tense music) Anything else?

(phone clicking) (line ringing) We're calling Waylon.

(cellphone plays guitar lick) (phone beeping) Why?

You're killing me You're killing me (door unlocks) - Hey, I got the ciggies.

With kindness - Aah!

You're killing me You're killing me You're killing me - [Waylon] No!

Don't!

With kindness - Oh, my God.

We were friends.

That's all.

(soft country music) (soft country music continues) - So she did it for love.

- Killed everything.

Too much misguided kindness.

- Well, once again, I blame country music.

(soft country music) (door clicking) (soft country music) No umbrella Can keep you dry when that rain starts pouring down Babe, you just can't wet your feet 'Cause everything is gonna be all right, you'll see Don't throw it away So don't throw it away Everything is looking up for you and me It's just one bad day It's just one bad day (wind whooshing)