22x01 - The Wolf Hunter of Little Worthy

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Midsomer Murders". Aired: March 23, 1997 to present.*
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Based on the crime-novel series by author Caroline Graham, `Midsomer Murders' follows the efforts of Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby to solve crimes that occur in the wealthy, isolated English county of Midsomer.
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22x01 - The Wolf Hunter of Little Worthy

Post by bunniefuu »

I had a friend tell me

about a friend of his,

someone he knew really well.

No word of a lie, this.

He saw The Wolf Hunter last week.

In the flesh.

Well... flesh and fur.

Half man, half wolf.

All trouble.

You see, he lures us human folks

into them woods out there,

and he slashes at your
face with his metal talons.

Then he finishes you off with
a silver b*llet to the skull.

What a load of utter cobblers.

Thank you for that, Mr Everett.

If I could just say sorry
again about the hot tubs.

I know the two of you were really
hoping to use them this afternoon,

but I am hoping to get
them up and running.

Maybe I could offer you
a glass of prosecco...

- Still no luck?
- I just don't get it, Row.

It's not an airlock, filter's
fine, temperature sensor is working.

I just can't figure the problem.

I'll tell you what's wrong with that!

It's a bleeding hot tub,
that's what's wrong with it.

As advertised, Mr Everett,
this is a glampsite now.

Been coming here decades.
Never seen the like.

What's that smell?

Sage.

- It gets rid of bad energy.
- Ronnie,

- she's doing witchcraft now.
- Is she, love?

Marvellous. Your cod in
butter sauce is ready.

Praise the Lord.

At least there are some
things you can still rely on.

Thankfully, they're
OK about the hot tubs.

They're coming around to the
idea of being off the grid.

- Good, that's something, then.
- Mm.

Turns out he's a banker.

Told them we were looking for
investors, so you never know.

- Still here, Jez?
- Looks like it.

Actually, I best be off.

I'm meeting someone.

- Am I OK to leave my tools here?
- Of course.

See you tomorrow. Yeah?

Try stopping me.

- Brandon.
- Jez.

Hello?

Is that you mucking about?

Morning, everyone.

- Hi, Mel.
- Morning, Mel.

Please tell me you're late
'cos you finally got a life.

I think the chances of me getting
a life around here are pretty slim.

That's why, first sign of an
acting job, and boom, I'm off.

Idiot! How old are you?

Old enough, sweet cheeks.

I'm heading to the woods, you coming?

Let me think about that. No.

- You loser!
- Oi, wait.

Leave it, Kel.

OK, one sec, everyone.

Right.

So I've sent off my self
tape for that audition,

and I've narrowed
down my list of agents.

So fingers crossed, I'll be out
from under your feet in no time.

- Oh, I can't wait.
- You'll miss me when I'm gone.

- Yeah, like a hole in the head.
- Yeah, yeah.

Oh, Paddy, get out. Go on.

You know I'm not the biggest
fan of trick or treating,

but can't I just help
with eating the sweets?

No, you can't. It's to
raise money for the school.

It's not till next
week, and I said we'd go.

- As what, though?
- I thought I might go as a witch.

Don't.

Real question is, who
are you gonna go as?

Well, as someone befitting
a man of my status,

so, um, distinguished,
stately, imposing.

- Little Red Riding Hood!
- Ooh, you found it!

Yes, Winter.

The victim's Jez Gladberry, in his s.

A local handyman and blacksmith.

Next-of-kin's his father,
he's been informed.

- Who confirmed the body?
- Local lad, Wade Andow.

Said he was riding his dirt bike
in the woods when he found him.

Whoa!

Stop right there, my lovelies.

Boot prints, not the victim's.

Heavy boots, by the look of it.

And...

... canine prints.

- Canine prints?
- If pressed, I'd say wolf.

Not a real one, obviously.

Unless, of course, it's
a wolf with one leg.

The impression from the
base of the cane, right?

Exactly. Claw marks across the
chest, puncture wounds to the neck,

- and a b*llet to the head.
- Silver?

Smart money says so.

Time of death, last night
between eight and ten.

I'm sorry, what are
you both talking about?

Are you saying this man was
k*lled by a wolf with a g*n?

The Wolf Hunter, actually.
It's all part of a meme.

- A meme?
- Sort of an idea

spread through social
media and the internet.

In this case, The Wolf Hunter.

Little Worthy ran a
competition, the idea was to

create a Midsomer urban myth
and The Wolf Hunter won it.

It's really taken off.

What exactly does this Wolf Hunter do?

He wears a wolf mask,

he carries a cane with
a wolf's paw at its base,

and a g*n with a silver b*llet.

His hands have metal claws, and
he lures people to their death.

It's a lot like what
we're seeing here, sir.

Who ran this competition?

The Hub. It's in internet
café in the village hall.

- How did you hear about it?
- A friend entered.

Sadly, I didn't make the shortlist.

I'm surprised to hear that.

Did the victim have a phone on him?

No, I'll contact service
providers, do a trace.

Now, I notice there's a campsite
just the other side of these words.

Actually, it's a glampsite, sir.

I'm aware of what they call it, Winter.

I'm quite happy with the vocabulary
created before the year .

Why don't you get over there
and see if anyone saw him?

I want to pay a visit to this "Nub".

It's, er, Hub.

Indeed.

I'll see if I can pick up an
urban dictionary on the way.

Good, all right, boy?

I heard about Jez, Eric.

I'm so sorry.

So am I, Annie.

- You sure now's the time?
- Yes.

More than ever.

Oh, it's top-notch
entertainment, is this.

Come and have a look, Robbie.

Better than your la-dee-da treatments.

Actually, love, I rather
like the look of this one.

Steam sauna followed
by a hot stone massage.

quid?

You can buy a lawn mower for that.

Are you familiar with a Jez Gladberry?

Of course. Terrible news, isn't it?

You already know about his death?

Everyone does. His
workshop's just down there.

Everyone's really upset.
He was just such a...

all-round lovely bloke.

I'm sorry, but how
exactly does everyone know?

It was posted on The Wolf Hunter
forum first thing this morning.

Presumably by the person who
discovered the body, Wade Andow?

Do you know where I might find him?

Yeah, he's just inside.

No, listen to him, man. Listen to him.

Got all the chat, innit, Wade?

The Wolf Hunter strikes.
I was cool about it.

I mean, it's just a body, right?
The question is, who is next?

Actually, the question is, did you
post news about the death online?

No. I left the woods
and called you guys.

- I've only just got here.
- Anyway, so, this is Josie.

She's our expert. She updates
The Wolf Hunter website.

You know, trying to
make sense of everything.

The Wolf Hunter has certainly
captured everyone's imagination.

Tell me about it. Even kids
like to dress up as him.

Well, not now.

Um, Kel, you want to take a break?

No, I'd rather just be busy. Thanks.

Your café is very popular.

That's because we give them
what they want. Connectivity.

Which is something of
a luxury around here.

Poor internet, it's a
rubbish Wi-Fi connection.

I wanted to create a nest,

a sort of haven where I
could bring everyone together.

I see from your sign
there's an exhibition.

Yes, it's just through here,
do you want to follow me?

Jez left just after eight, said
he was going to meet someone.

- Did he say who?
- No.

I thought it was odd, though.

He got a text and
headed towards the woods,

but the village is over that way.

So he had his phone with him?

He didn't when we found him.

Well, maybe he dropped it on the way.

After he left, what did you do?

Had a little Barney, didn't we?

Trouble in paradise, eh?

Pat Everett. Pleasure's all yours.

And I said to Ronnie, "Ronnie," I said,

"We've been coming here
years plus, no trouble. "

- .
- This year,

with all their newfangled
gadgets, total mess.

It drives Rowan's mum, Annie, mad.

She runs the pub.

It'll all end in tears.
Mark my words, my lad.

Let the officer speak, Pat.

- Battenberg?
- Oh, no, thank you.

Right.

Um, what were Mr and
Mrs Yarrow arguing about?

Jez, I reckon.

He'd come to fix the hot tub, again.

Ooh, good cup of tea, love.
Could trot a mouse across that.

Did you see where they went after?

Aye. They both stomped off,

didn't see hide nor hair of either
of them until late this morning.

Could either of them
have gone to the wood?

Well, I went for a walk

and I saw Rowan headed that way.

Oh, um, could you just excuse me?

Thank you.

When The Wolf Hunter went viral,

we felt obliged to stage this.

People come from miles.

- Is the g*n real?
- No, it's a dummy.

- Is this place locked at night?
- Absolutely.

This cane. In fact, all these items,

I'll need Forensics to
check them. Are there others?

Yeah, for sure. Jez made them to order.

He got himself quite a sideline
making all sorts of artefacts.

Quite a character.

He sure is.

A loner caught between worlds.

A sort of Jekyll and Hyde
werewolf with a steampunk twist.

Steampunk? Right.

Interesting images.

Tell that to the flower arranging
class that used to happen here.

They weren't happy that
we had to move them.

Steve Skelton.

- Local photographer.
- Ah, did you take these?

Why the wood?

It's the location everyone's drawn to.

And in medieval times,
home to the Worthy wolves.

And it's where he hangs out.

The kids go there all the time for
dead-of-the-night dares and dates.

- Whose idea was the competition?
- Mine, I guess.

And Steve won it.

His entry was the only
one worth its salt, really.

Why would you invent
something like this?

Well, there was a local connection

and I've always been a
fan of the werewolf stuff.

Just thought I'd give it a modern twist.

An origin story.

No idea it would take off
though. It's been nuts.

Competition was just the beginning.

Who else stands to
profit from the legend?

Someone who runs a
website or a... a café?

Clearly brings people in.

It does, but that so wasn't the idea.

The Wolf Hunter belongs to us all.

What's the idea with the red eyes?

They appear above the door of
The Wolf Hunter's next victim.

Do they appear above
Jez Gladberry's door?

I have no idea.

Strange, isn't it?

Very.

Fake lore becoming folklore.

- Shh!
- There you are.

- For you.
- Thank you.

- Ooh, it's exciting.
- After you.

Wait!

Help!

Help!

Help! Help!

What do you mean "accident"?

My Ronnie here could have been k*lled.

- But I'm fine, love.
- What happened?

The door to the sauna locked shut.
Someone sabotaged the electrics.

One of the guests was trapped inside.

You can't stay in that van any
longer, we'll put you in a lodge.

- Over my dead body.
- That can be arranged.

What did you say?

I'm DCI Barnaby, let's just
all calm down, shall we?

Calm down? These two are flipping potty.

Ronnie here nearly got cooked alive.

First they target Jez, and
now us. Who's doing this?

- Him probably. He's sabotaging us.
- Me?

Easy, Mr Everett.

There's no need for that.

One thing at a time.

Yes, starting with,

what were you doing trying
to get rid of this phone?

I told you, I panicked.

That phone might contain
important information

about who k*lled Mr Gladberry.

- We can charge you with withholding evidence.
- I'm sorry.

- I wasn't thinking.
- Why did you have anyway?

Jez left it.

I knew he was coming back.

- Well, I thought he was.
- And you didn't think to mention this

when we spoke about the phone earlier?

I thought it would seem suspicious.

Not as suspicious as trying
to throw it into a lake.

And then accusing one of your customers

- of trying to sabotage your business.
- Look, I'm sorry about the phone.

But that control unit
didn't smash itself.

First Jez, and now this?

- Someone is out to get us.
- Agreed.

I thought it was just bad karma,

- but it's much more than that.
- And it's damaging.

We need to be a percent capacity
just to keep our heads above water.

We borrowed. Heavily.

There is an angel investor in the wings,

but we are not about to hit any
targets any investor would insist on.

Apart from Mr Everett, has
anyone else opposed the campsite?

Eric Gladberry, but that was just
because he wanted to buy the land

and we b*at him to it.

- He's Jez Gladberry's father?
- Mm.

He has the windmill on
the edge of the village.

Pat Everett said you had
words about Jez after he left.

Pat Everett needs to mind his
own business. We're just stressed.

- Is that why you had Jez's phone?
- What? No.

Because you were suspicious
of Jez and your wife?

I told you, he just left it.

What happened after you
rowed? Where did you go?

I went for a walk to clear my head.

I like to channel the Chi energy
of nature to help ease my stress

- and dispel negativity.
- And did it?

As a matter of fact, it did.

And you?

- I went to The Lamb.
- We'll need to check that.

By all means.

- Bit of a tumbleweed moment.
- Mm.

- Annie Davids?
- Yes.

DCI Barnaby. DS Winter.

Did Brandon Yarrow come in last night?

Yes, he did.

Do you remember what sort
of time? How long he stayed?

No, not really.

We were busy with the
darts tournament, and...

well, me and Brandon don't talk.

- He's your son-in-law?
- In name only.

Why don't you get on?

This is a traditional pub
in a traditional village.

Or it was before that café arrived.

And before my daughter got all
doolally, New Age, trendy, lefty,

pinko, liberal, glamping mad.

- Not a fan, then?
- No.

This about Jez's death?

And that Wolf Hunter hokum?

Yes, it is. Keen on that as well?

Mel and Steve should be sh*t
for encouraging the whole thing.

sh*t? That's a bit harsh, isn't it?

She and Steve are as thick as thieves.

Some would say more than that.

Steve used to work here and...

- well, we left on bad terms.
- Pint of your best, please, Annie.

Your wife has recovered,
then, I take it, Mr Everett?

She needs a drink to steady
her nerves. We both do.

- And a pinot for Ronnie.
- Ms Davids, Mr Everett.

Any luck with your searches?

- None whatsoever.
- Aw.

Never mind. Onward.

How are we getting on with the
numbers for our Aunt Sally team?

All signed up.

Magic. We're gonna smash them.

- Aren't we, Ronnie?
- Course we are, love.

- Hey, Brandon.
- Hiya.

Why are you even bothering doing that?

Just trying to keep
on top of everything.

It's really gone through the roof now.

It's gone too far, is what it's done.

Someone k*lled Jez.

- You do realise that, don't you?
- Course I do.

But I've got to do this, I have to.

Why? What's wrong with you?

Lots of reasons, and there's
nothing wrong with me.

- Hey. What did you do that for?
- Because it's sick, that's why.

Ooh, catfight, like it.

Get lost, you waste of space.

What are you doing pretending
you can write, anyway?

- It's not exactly touch typing, is it?
- Who are you to talk?

It's not exactly Hollywood,
this place, is it?

At least I've got some
dreams. Such a loser.

Like I care what you think.
Because you know what?

You know nothing about me. Nothing!

- What's going on?
- Ask her, she's lost the plot.

I've just had enough, OK? That's all.

I've had enough of The Wolf Hunter,
I've had enough of this place,

I've had enough of everything.

Gotta get out of here for good.

- Hey, come on.
- No, I'm serious, Mel.

- This place is doing my head in.
- It won't be forever.

You've had a shock, we all have.

We're all upset about Jez.

We're confused and frightened.

But we can't let that get to us.

We've got to stick together, right?

Right?

The Yarrows' financials are back,
they are definitely struggling.

Brandon gave up his job in marketing
to follow his wife's dreams.

Strangely enough, we're not the
only ones looking into the Yarrows.

Pat Everett has been making enquiries.

- Maybe he's trying to push them out.
- Keep digging.

And also, check out Mel
Wallace and Steve Skelton.

And get a tech team over to the café.

I want to know if that post was
made from one of their computers.

Progress on the boot print, every tread.

And guess what? Brace yourselves.

Two of them.

The m*rder*r had two legs?

Not so fast, sunshine.

Different sizes. Different boots.

Apart from the victim,

there were two other
people at the m*rder scene.

An accomplice?

Or someone else came across the body

and posted about it on the website.

What about the wolf paw cane at The Hub?

- Was that the one in the woods?
- Definitely not.

The one used in woods has a chip in it.

You are looking for a wolf
cane with a broken little toe.

Ow!

Mr Gladberry?

DCI Barnaby, Carston CID.

I'm very sorry about
what happened to your son.

Lovely view.

My wife's favourite.

Till she fell ill and d*ed last year.

I'm very sorry to hear that too.

Did you do the paintings of the
Wolf Hunter at the local exhibition?

No, they're not mine.

Are you going to paint
the campsite as well?

I'll leave that to last.

Shame it's there, really.
Spoils the view, don't you think?

I've gotten used to it now.

Was Jez seeing anyone?

Yes.

I may be old, but I'm not deaf.

- Do you know who?
- No idea.

We didn't talk much.

Not since his mother d*ed.

You know. And this stuff
got a grip of me. Cheers.

Jez.

Ah, another bottle.

- And my cane, where's my... ?
- Please, allow me.

- Have you injured yourself?
- Thank you.

Hip replacement. Jez
made the cane for me.

- Do you know of any others he made?
- No, can't say I do.

Yes, Winter?

There was no mention in his
order book of Wolf Hunter items,

but check this out. It wasn't just
the photograph that was interesting.

Tech got back to me
about Jez's call history.

Yesterday, the same
number called him times

and texted to meet in
the woods last night.

- And that phone belongs to... ?
- Kelly Kirk-Lees.

Oh.

Excuse me.

We'd like to ask you
a couple of questions.

You can ask.

Where you are in a
relationship with Mr Gladberry?

A what with Mr who?

What century do you think this is?

We found this.

Oh, that. Friends with benefits.

- It's when two...
- Yes, we know what that is.

Would you say you and
Jez were close, then?

What's it to you?

You arranged to meet him
in Worthy Wood last night.

We have a record of the text.

Then you must be imagining it.

Here. Look. See?

- No text about the woods.
- You could have just deleted it.

I don't go anywhere near
the woods last night.

I hate them. Spook me out.

So where were you last night?

- At home, with Josie. Ask her.
- We will.

Sorry.

Did you have your phone
on you all day yesterday?

Of course. Although I do sometimes
leave it lying about if we're busy.

Sir.

Who lives here?

Me and Josie.

(HE BLOWS)

Cuppa, love?

You making tea?

Am I in heaven?

Nearly, thanks to this bunch.

Best sleep I have had in ages.

You were nearly fried alive,
no wonder you slept well.

You going for your walk?

Yes, I think I will.

Want me to come?

No, I'll go my own, if that's OK.

You needn't worry about a thing.

- We'll have an officer here.
- I'm not worried.

It'll just be Wade Andow mucking about.

Kelly!

- Kelly. Oh, my God, we're next.
- It's fine, Josie, don't worry about it.

- It'll just be a joke.
- But what if it's not?

- What if we're next?
- We won't be. It's OK.

Can I just ask, where
were you last night?

Here.

In watching telly with Kel.

Satisfied?

Come on, Josie.

Sir?

The post about Jez's death

was sent from one of the
computers in the café.

By someone calling
themselves "The Wolf Slasher".

I'll go there. You take
those boots back to Fleur.

Let's see if any of them match
the prints she found in the woods.

Sir.

I'm so sorry. I have no
idea who The Wolf Slasher is.

People make up names all the time.

So when the café's open,
anyone can use this computer?

- Yes.
- Do you have CCTV?

No, I'm afraid not.

This was posted at : am,
what time do you open?

Nine.

So whoever left this was
here before opening time.

Does anyone else have keys?

Um... Steve sort of does as he's
living on site at the moment.

I'm going to need a word with him.

Mr Skelton?

DCI Barnaby.

Do you have any idea where he might be?

Out taking photos, probably.

Ah, there was a cash
prize for the competition.

- Who paid for that?
- I did.

Very generous of you.

Are you and Mr Skelton involved?

No. Contrary to popular
opinion, we're just friends.

I'm not one to take chances
on the roulette wheel of love.

You're a very generous friend,

providing him with somewhere to live,

letting him win the competition.

His was the best entry.

- I spoke with the landlady at The Lamb.
- Oh, hard luck.

I gather Mr Skelton used to work there.

- He quit.
- Because... ?

Well, Annie is best friends
with Steve's ex, Rachel,

who I get wasn't happy.

But then Annie encouraged Rachel
to dump him and do a runner,

leaving him with all this
debt and Josie to look out for.

It's been a real struggle.
But he's tried his best.

And yet he still keeps her photograph.

He still sends her money.

He's crazy about her.

He even thinks that she
might come back one day.

She won't.

Especially if Annie
keeps bad-mouthing him.

We'll get our revenge, though.

Excuse me?

It's the annual Battle
Of Aunt Sally tomorrow.

Ah, I see.

Does Mr Skelton sell these photographs?

If he can.

Steve does anything to
bring in whatever he can.

So it's very much in his
interests for the myth to grow.

I suppose.

When he comes back, please
get him to contact me.

Yes, of course.

Steve Skelton, wherever he is,

seems most likely to
have posted the news.

But why target Jez?

And if you're the m*rder*r,

then why advertise the fact
by posting as The Wolf Slasher?

To create an atmosphere of
fear and paranoia, maybe.

What else?

We know that Kelly Kirk-Lees,
or someone using her phone,

lured the victim into the woods.

That could be anyone that uses The Hub,

which is pretty much everyone.

How are we doing on the boots?

Perfect match, actually.

Who do they belong to?

According to the label...

Whose writing is this?

Mine.

Kelly Kirk-Lees.

Yes, I'm on it.

Kel?

Kel?

All clear at the moment, over.

Kel?

Oi! Oi!

No! No!

Same wolf cane, with a broken toe.

And same boots.

That we haven't been
able to identify yet.

Only, these are a stronger imprint.

So let's hope these ones
were made for talking.

Indeed. And a funeral wreath.

What was in her rucksack?

Cash and clothes.

Looks like she was leaving
the village, poor thing.

Or trying to.

Kelly Kirk-Lees' family have been
informed, they live in Scotland.

Er...

Sorry.

So, what was Kelly doing at the
scene of Jez Gladberry's m*rder?

Assuming she was the
one wearing the boots.

Where's her flatmate, Josie Skelton?

She was found nearby, distressed.

She's with her father, Steve Skelton.

We need to talk to him anyway.

Not least to find out if this
camera's his. Found it on a wall.

Yes, it is my camera.
Can I have it back?

All in good time.

Someone posted from the
café yesterday morning

about Jez Gladberry's m*rder.

Under the name of The Wolf Slasher.

- Was that you?
- No.

I was out early with that camera
trying to capture the sunrise.

- Nowhere near the woods.
- Can anyone verify that?

- I was on my own.
- What about last night?

I was trying to stage some
sh*ts of The Wolf Hunter.

The camera was on a timer, I was
walking in front of it for a sh*t

when your headlights turned on me.

- It was you that I chased.
- Yes.

I ran back to the flat.

Via the churchyard and Kelly Kirk-Lees.

No!

You can see why we
might think otherwise.

Kelly Kirk-Lees was m*rder*d at a time

when you were in the vicinity,
dressed just like the man himself.

Tell us about the cuts on your hands.

I fell when he was chasing me. Look,

if I was a k*ller, why
would I take photos?

Trust me, you wouldn't be the first.

What were you hoping to achieve
with the photographs anyway?

- To keep the myth alive?
- What does it matter?

The Wolf Hunter's mine. I came
up with it, I can do I want.

- Not really, Dad.
- Yes, really.

It was my original idea, everyone
else just surfed on the back of it.

I thought that was the point.

- It is.
- Josie, please!

- No, Dad, you can't just take credit...
- Yes, I can!

I have to.

You don't understand. I did it for you.

For financial gain?

Yeah, I'm skint, OK?

I thought if I had some
sh*ts, some real ones, then...

... I could sell them.

And you knew people would pay more

if they felt they'd seen
the m*rder*r in action.

- Highly ethical
- Hey, I'm desperate, OK?

You're doing all this for money?

And to get your mum back.

You know that's never gonna happen.

Did you know Kelly was
leaving the village?

- Not really.
- Why did you follow her?

I'm not sure. I...

How serious were Jez and Kelly?

They were pretty new. But,

yeah, they were going for it.

There was talk about
them moving in together.

- How did you get on with Jez?
- Me?

Yeah, he was all right.

You and Kelly were good friends.

Did you ever share clothes?

Sometimes.

What about boots?

No.

If Jez's relationship
with Kelly was serious,

then we could just be talking
about a case of jealous lover.

Rowan Yarrow?

Possibly. I think something
else is going on, though.

The slashing, the
g*nsh*t, why use the myth?

It's like they want
some kind of vengeance.

So what do we do now?

Well, it's early and
we've been up all night,

so I'll pop home and you
can hold the fort here.

You slept in.

I never!

Don't be ridiculous.

Bloody hell.

Must be all that stress.

Or beer.

Or you like the bed.

- Pat, I've been thinking.
- Uh-oh.

We tried everything,

nothing's worked.

Everything's changing.

I think this has to be
the last year we come here.

It's over.

Oh!

Bother me.

What... ? You're gonna
give me a heart att*ck!

I don't know, gone all night?

Blame Winter. He leads me astray.

You OK?

If I could figure out what was going on.

The key is somehow buried in
the myth of The Wolf Hunter.

I just can't quite fathom what it is.

Well, what do you need to know?

I spent half the night reading
the kids' local history projects,

and The Wolf Hunter
featured pretty heavily.

Why would he appeal to kids?

This is someone who goes around
k*lling people, and wolves.

But he's conflicted.

I think the kids respond
to his vulnerability.

Vulnerability? I'm
clearly missing something.

He was abandoned as
a child by his family.

Left in the woods on the
night of the full moon.

Abandoned because... ?

The wolves were closing
in and his family fled.

Then the wolves brought him up.

So the wolf is both
predator and protector?

Exactly. The Wolf Hunter is torn between

loving and hating both of his families.

That's why even someone like
Wade Andow can relate to him.

- Do you know him?
- Yeah, he was a pupil of ours.

But we had to let him
go. He's in the paper.

Talking about finding the body.

He lashed out at a teacher he
thought was looking down on him.

He was very sensitive boy,

with a really bad attitude.

It was such a shame. He was talented.

He showed real potential as an artist.

Thanks for the call, Mark.

You've clearly heard the news.

You and Kelly were obviously close.

How long had you known her?

I've sort of always known of her.

I came here years ago, that
was the summer that she was born.

And then a few years ago,

she just swung into the
café demanding a job.

Do you have any idea why she was
leaving, or where she was going?

London. Yeah, she
always talked about it.

She dreamt of bigger
things than Little Worthy.

And why would she go
through with it now?

Because of what
happened to Jez, I guess.

She loved him to bits.

Can you think of anyone who
might have had a grudge against

either Jez or Kelly? Or both?

No. No, they got on with everyone.

Well, Kelly didn't. But...

she kind of treated
everyone with equal contempt.

What about Rowan Yarrow.

- How was Kelly about her?
- Fireworks, those two.

All that New Age-y
stuff wound Kel right up.

And she also thought
that Rowan was after Jez.

Excuse me.

Yes, Winter.

I'm in Jez Gladberry's workshop.

It's been broken into and

I think I know what's been taken.

Bolt cutters.

What are you doing?

It's black tourmaline.

Good for soaking up negative energy.

Oh, right.

Jez Gladberry.

Did you know that he was
seeing Kelly Kirk-Lees?

Yes. Yes, I did. He confided in me.

He was stressing about
his father, life, love.

I suggested I do some Reiki healing.

He told me about Kelly.

I'm so sorry to hear
about what's happened.

Did you know Miss Kirk-Lees?

A bit, from The Hub. She was...

quite a live wire.

Indeed.

And why was Mr Gladberry
stressing? You mentioned love.

I got the impression he might
have been seeing someone else,

apart from Kelly.

I'm going to need a little bit more
than that, I'm afraid, Mrs Yarrow.

Were you fond of Mr Gladberry?

Perhaps jealous of his
growing relationship

- with Kelly?
- No, of course not.

After all the things I've done for you.

- These people have done nothing to me.
- They have to me.

They have to go.

- How many more?
- Until it's over.

- And when will that be?
- Soon!

Come on, Wade.

Just one more.

That's all.

Hey.

How's business? Thriving?

- Not great, to be honest.
- I told you.

Little Worthy isn't
ready for fancy camping.

We'll see. Come on, Bran.

Way too much negativity around here.

Right, to the victor, the spoils.

And what lovely spoils they are.


Great big keg of Best Bitter.

Right, let's show this
shower who's boss round here.

Ronnie?

- Missed by a whisker!
- Whisker. By a country mile, more like.

You do know that you are supposed
to actually hit the target?

Watch it, you.

Come on, Mel, you've got this.

Pat Everett's been contacting the
property companies in the area.

You think they're trying to
drive them out and take over?

Could the murders be
something to do with that?

Not much of a motive, though, is it?

m*rder's hardly good
for business, is it?

Two deaths in the village
will be the end of Yarrow Gl...

Camping.

Let's call it by its proper name,
shall we? It's a glampsite, Winter.

You see, language is a
living, breathing thing.

That's part of the beauty of it.

What do we know about Mr Everett?

Self-made man. He's been
coming here for years.

His wife goes off for walks on her own.

I mean, you think she could
be capable of k*lling someone?

Let's find out where Ronnie
Everett goes on her walks.

Oi! You two,

stop gawping. Come here.

- Can we have him instead?
- No, you can't.

Good luck.

I might have something for you.

Can't you see we're busy detecting?

Love an Aunt Sally, me.

Well, don't just stand
there. Have my go.

The elbow's playing up.

Yes!

It's all about technique, Winter.

Wallop.

- By jingo, you've got some gumption.
- Thanks!

I think.

Bye.

Oh, thank you.

I can confirm Kelly Kirk-Lees
was sh*t with a silver b*llet.

- Fired from a real g*n?
- Very much so.

And not the one at The Hub,

confirmed as a fake yesterday.

Also, had a bit of time over a cuppa,

so I thought I'd read Josie
Skelton's blog about The Wolf Hunter.

And?

The phrasing is remarkably similar

to the phrasing used
by The Wolf Slasher.

Thank you. Well, I guess
there's always next year.

- I don't know why we bother.
- Oh, that's the spirit.

What's going on?

- What are you doing?
- I've had enough!

I hate everything about
this! Kelly was right!

- It's gone too far! And no-one cares!
- Oi!

- I put a lot of work into this!
- Yeah, just to make money.

- To get your mum back!
- No, no, no. No.

To get us all back on track.

- So we can be together again.
- Don't touch me!

You don't get it, do you?

Mum is never coming back!

She doesn't want to be here with you.

- Don't you dare say that!
- Steve, stop it. Leave it.

OK? Just let her go.

- It's OK, Josie.
- She's gone, Mel.

I'm so sorry.

Popping out.

As you wish, love.

And later...

shall we go to the pub, hey?

and maybe... Seeing
as we're off tomorrow

aren't coming back...

... this could be the last time.

Shall I join you?

Yes.

Yes, I would like that.

- Hello?
- In here.

Exhibition finished?

Well, I think we've all had enough
of The Wolf Hunter now, don't you?

Can I help you?

Actually, it's Josie I need to speak to.

In your blog about The Wolf Hunter,

you refer to his claws being
like "silver, shining talons".

The Wolf Slasher, reporting
Jez Gladberry's death,

said he was ripped by

"silver, shining talons".

Funny, that. Isn't it?

So you could have
borrowed Kelly's boots,

which potentially places you near
the scene of Jez Gladberry's m*rder,

and you were very much in
the vicinity of Kelly's.

So, were you are in the
woods the night before last?

The truth.

It was you who found Jez's
body and posted about it online.

Did you see or hear anything? No.

But I didn't arrive till later. Wade...

Wade left early next morning
because he's like that.

So you and Wade are an item. God, no.

Kind of.

I like him loads, but he's not into me.

I see.

How did you get into The Hub?

Dad gave me a set of keys
in case I ever needed them.

You said you didn't get
to the woods until late.

Was Wade already there when you arrived?

Yes. He said he'd been there
ages putting up the... tent.

Tragic.

Seeing it go to ruination.

Wade who?

Andow.

To whom you have lent easels and
paint and presumably your expertise.

Have you taken him under your wing?

Well, someone had to.

The boy has a talent.

Just needed bringing out, you know?

You know, I always thought that
Jez might pick up the brush,

but he didn't. Wasted his potential.

An odd-job man and smithy!

Each to his own, Mr Gladberry.

Customary when painting the landscape

to paint everything
that's there, isn't it?

An artist can do as he pleases.

Still, to do so many and
not to include the campsite,

what is it about that
view, Mr Gladberry?

Your wife's favourite, you say.

We used to sit outside and look at it.

And they were building that damned site.

She couldn't even die in peace?

Is that why you're sabotaging
the site? Or getting Wade to?

What is the point in
developing his talents

if you're just going to
persuade him to commit crimes?

I just wanted that place gone!

Mr Gladberry, where is Wade now?

Sir.

Wait! Don't go any further.

It's not safe. Come down.

Presumably it was you who
broke into Jez's workshop

and stole the bolt cutters?

As well as going online and posting

bad reviews of Yarrow Glamping.

- Did you also take a g*n from the workshop?
- No.

What about k*lling two people
in the manner of The Wolf Hunter?

No, of course not.

But you were in the woods
the night Jez was k*lled.

I hear you have a lot of talent.

Why would you waste it?

For money? Was Mr Gladberry paying you?

No. I just owed it to him.

He didn't mean to hurt anyone, he
just wants the campsite shutdown.

You could have said no.

I could have, but do
you know what it's like?

To have everyone think
you are a no-mark loser

who'll do nothing with their life?

Eric was good to me.

He took me under his
wing, encouraged me.

And he was broken after his wife d*ed.

How did Jez feel about your
friendship with his dad?

Jez didn't care. He had
other things on his mind.

Like what?

Women.

Plural?

Kelly Kirk-Lees and... ?

Who else?

I don't know, but he'd been
seeing someone else for ages.

Just thank God no-one
was injured, to be honest.

Thanks, Bran.

Hang on a second.

What's going on?

I don't understand.

Who fixed it?

It were just your flange
and sprocket mechanism.

And your widget needed unblocking.

- How do you know about...
- Pumps, lad. Pumps.

That's where I made my money.

You can't hammer a nail
in over the internet.

You can knock it off the bill.

Oh, tell him, love.

Tell him what?

That angel investor
you've been in touch with.

- You're looking at him.
- What?

No way.

I only invest in the best,
that's why I were testing you.

I don't understand. You hate glamping.

Aye.

But I love Ronnie,

and I love it round here.

We were going to move here permanently,

but we've changed our mind.

- Because of us.
- No.

No, no. It's just
time for us to move on.

We wish you well.

We'd better be getting on.

Got us goodbyes to do.

We'll keep in touch.

Sir. I checked the properties that
the Everetts have been looking at.

It's Daisy Cottage. It's
been empty for years.

So, did one of them
used to live there, or...

- do they want to buy it?
- It's listed to a holding company,

but we'll find out who's behind that.

The Everetts have been coming
here for decades, haven't they?

years. Ronnie Everett
was very specific about that.

The previous owners used
it as a rental property.

Maybe they stayed there once.

Your holiday snaps are back. Winter?

Thank you.

AKA Mr Skelton's film.

I think you'll like them.

- What's that?
- Here.

Thought you'd like that bit.

So I had it enlarged.

Another Wolf Hunter.

The real one.

So Steve Skelton was telling the
truth, he isn't The Wolf Hunter.

So who is?

Well, I have more on the boot prints.

They belong to someone who repeatedly
puts a lot of weight on one side.

Someone with a consistent limp.

- Thank you, Annie.
- Oh, you shouldn't have.

Well, it's only me.

We're gonna miss you so much, you know.

Thank you, you've always
been so kind to us.

Mr Gladberry.

Did you find Wade?

Yes, indeed. Just in time.

He's been charged over trying
to sabotage Yarrow Glamping,

as you will be.

But first, I'd like to ask you
about a pair of boots you own.

- Heavy tread?
- Have you found them?

- Excuse me?
- My hip's been k*lling me without them.

- They just disappeared from my house.
- Well, who took them?

I don't know.

I asked Jez about it and he
said he didn't know either.

But you know what? I figure it's...

most probably someone he's seeing.

You never met this person,
but you sometimes heard them.

When were they last there?

Three nights ago.

Did you hear anything
specific, like a row?

No. But...

I was pretty out of it at the time.

So...

- Are the Everetts leaving?
- Sadly.

Salt of the earth, those two.

I gather they were interested
in a cottage in the woods.

Any idea why?

They stayed there the first
time, the entire summer.

They're definitely gonna be missed.

You talk as if they're
never coming back.

They're not. They're leaving for good.

This photograph.

From that first summer.

We thought they'd be back
next time with a little 'un.

But they weren't.

And no mention.

We thought they'd lost the child,

didn't really like to ask.

Well, you don't, do you?

Sir.

Take Mr Gladberry to the station

and charge him over the
damage to Yarrow Glamping.

And find out when the current owner

- bought that cottage in the woods.
- Will do. Where are you going?

To see if Josie Skelton has any idea
who else Jez Gladberry was seeing.

Sorry, we're not...

Oh! Hello.

We're heading off later.

Oh, well, I'll see you next time.

Not sure you will.

All that glamping.

I thought... We thought we could
hack it, but it's not to be.

Me and that Brandon are chalk and
cheese, so we won't be coming back.

We wanted to give you
just a little present

to say thank you for all the
cups of tea over the years.

Oh, thank you.

Ronnie's read that cover-to-cover
about a million times.

We thought it were time to pass it on.

Well, it belongs here in the village.

_

Well, cheerio.

Bye.

Bye-bye, love.

_

Wow.

Kel never went near
the Gladberry's house.

She was scared of Mr Gladberry.

If she saw Jez, she saw him here.

Have you any idea who else
Jez might have been seeing?

Someone less scared of
Mr Gladberry, perhaps.

No idea.

You're really letting
The Wolf Hunter go, then?

You bet.

Tell me, the different elements
of the myth, the mask, the eyes,

being left in the woods.

Who came up with what?

The werewolf thing was my dad's.

The silver b*llet and red eyes,

the website stuff was me.

What about being left in the
woods? Whose idea was that?

Can't remember now.

Mel maybe.

Winter?

Wolf eyes on the sign at the campsite.

Did you find out about
the sale of the cottage?

It was bought years ago,

I'm still trying to track down
who's behind the holding company.

It's OK, I think I know.

What's going on?

I'm not sure. We'll need you
to account for all your guests.

- Where's your husband?
- I don't know, he took a call.

Mr Everett? Mrs Everett?

You've been coming to the
village for years, I believe.

The first time you came,
you stayed at Daisy Cottage.

- Why do you keep coming back?
- It's private.

I'm sorry, but I have to ask,

do you have any children?

No.

No, we don't.

Did you once?

We had a baby.

She was conceived at Daisy
Cottage, but we lost her,

then we couldn't have any more.

Lost her in what way?

I said, it's private.

It is all right, Pat.

We gave her up for adoption.

We were young, from strict,
Catholic backgrounds.

We'd only just met and didn't
know if we'd stay together.

We've regretted it every day since.

Did you have any way of
tracking the child down?

At that time, we didn't want that,

so we didn't give our details.

We just left a postcard.

But you've kept coming back here.

We wanted to buy the cottage, but

the trail went cold on who owned it.

It's just too upsetting.

And we've given up hope.

Have you said your goodbyes to people?

We have.

Have you given the
glampsite as the reason?

Yeah.

I mean, we wouldn't mention
the real reason, would we?

You said your husband received a call.

Do you know who from?

He just said it was a potential
investor, he's gone to meet them.

He's not meeting an investor.

He's meeting The Wolf Hunter.

And I think I know where.

I don't understand.

Nor did I at first. I thought
it was about vengeance.

But it's not.

I think it's about abandonment.

This doesn't have to happen.

You said you weren't
one for taking chances

on the roulette wheel of
love. But you did, didn't you?

You took a chance and you lost.

Why did you create a nest? A haven?

Because I never had one.

Do you know what that's like?

To be always on your own? Huh?

Until I let Jez in, and Kelly.

I get that the costume
was easy and that you

took the boots from Eric
Gladberry. But a real g*n?

Yeah, because the smithy and Jez
wanted to create the real thing,

but we couldn't have
it in the exhibition.

What about the cane?

It was the first one
he did, but it broke.

Jez was gonna leave,
and I couldn't have that.

I can't bear to be left.

We had a year.

I finally let someone
in who I could trust.

Or so I thought.

- Why The Wolf Hunter?
- Because, like him, I was left

in the wilderness.

- Abandoned.
- Not just by Jez, but by your parents.

- Did you look for them?
- Yes, of course I did.

As soon as I was .

But the records didn't exist,
just some money and a postcard

of this place, so I came here
and I secretly bought the cottage.

And you know who your
parents are now, don't you?

Abandoning me again.

Only this time, it's his
fault that they're leaving.

Why don't you see them?
Speak to them? Meet them?

Because I've done wrong!

I can't bear the thought
of them knowing that.

- Why didn't you make them stay?
- No!

Think, Mel. Put the p*stol down.

Why? Why? What's the point?

It's too late, they've gone.

They gave me a book on daisies.

Oh, great, well, that's how I knew it.

Because the postcard I had said
that Mum loves them, and this place.

So all the while, they
were here the whole time.

- They still are.
- Yes, but I can't see them, can I?

Oh, I must have been so
bad for them to leave me.

I must've been, otherwise
why would they give me up?

Because we were young.

We cared too much what
other people would think.

We didn't know any better.

- We let you down.
- No, no, no, no.

Not after what I've done, no.

- It's OK.
- No, it's not OK!

All I've ever wanted was a family,

that's all I've ever dreamed of.

Why did you leave me?

- I was a coward.
- I couldn't find you.

I tried to find you.

Why does everybody leave me?

If you want someone to blame, blame us.

Not Mr Yarrow here.

He's the one that's driven you away.

He hasn't.

We're not going.

I don't care what you've done.

You're my flesh and blood.

Whatever happens after this,
I will never leave you again.

Nor me.

Mel.

My little Melanie.

Thank you. Thank you.

Mum.

It's a little gift I made.

Thank you. It's beautiful.

- Are you gonna be OK?
- Yeah.

Pat's decided to help out, Mum
and Dad have said they'll chip in.

- Fingers crossed.
- And the Everetts, are they going to stay on?

Yeah. Yeah, in the cottage.

To be here for Mel.

Thank you.

- Thanks for coming.
- You're welcome.

Any ideas where John got to?

I can't wait for us to try some
of these treatments together.

Sit.

No, Paddy, sit. Stay.

Ah, since you all wanted
to check out the treatments,

I thought I'd see what this was like.

But I'm fine, really,
don't worry about me.

Yeah, we can see that.

Well, once your muscles have relaxed,

perhaps you'd like
to try the Shakti Mat.

- The what? What's that?
- It's a bed of nails, darling.

How about Garuda therapy?

Where they put bloodsucking
leeches all over you.

Paddy!
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