(gentle music) - [Narrator] Although Matilda had the most Fun, with a capital F, at her Aunt Cat's, the letter G for grief was never far behind.

On this occasion, the grief caused by a gradual fading from memory of her vanished mother's face.

It fell to Cat, who daily felt the absence of her own daughter, Annie, to explain to our young heroine that although life is often messy, it's how you deal with it that counts.

(suspenseful music) (car engine revving) (suspenseful music continues) (machinery whirring) (suspenseful music continues) (machinery clanking) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (raven cawing) (suspenseful music continues) (gentle music) - Watch the road.

(van rattling) - For goodness sake.

- Sorry, Cat.

I think I just saw a streaker.

- In Wildemarsh, surely not.

(van rattling) - It would be great if me and my artwork could get to the gallery in one piece.

(quirky music) - [Narrator] Though Wildemarsh had always been known for books, this edgy, modern newcomer intended to change that perception.

And Cat, the only local artist whose work had any edge to it, was a small part of their grand plan.

(suspenseful music) (van doors closing) - They've spelled edge wrongly.

- It's back to front, it's intentional.

- How do you say it, Eg De?

The letters don't work, it's not a word.

- [Beth] Look at this place now, don't pretend you're not even a little bit excited to be invited.

- More excited about the free booze.

- [George] Dear Matilda, loving my time working with Health Across the Globe Foundation.

Thinking of home, and you.

- Matilda.

- Daniel.

- [George] Love George.

- Hi.

- [Matilda] Hi.

- Ah, Stone, had multiple reports of a streaker in the area, I would send in PC Foster but he's off this morning.

And I'm late for the Interdistrict Golf Cup.

- Don't worry, sir, I've seen a naked man before.

- Yes, well, of course you have, you're a grown woman, of course you've seen a naked man before.

Unless that's not your thing, which is fine, obviously, but not entirely obvious.

What I'm saying is, I'm sure you can handle him... it... handle it.

- Better be off.

- Yes, good luck.

(footsteps receding) - [Cat] Careful just, oh... (canvas thudding) (suspenseful music) - Cat Stone, am I right?

- [Cat] Yeah.

- Una Lowe, I run a commercial space in London, The Lowdown Gallery.

- Oh, hi.

- My pal, Vanessa's been banging on about a fab local artist she'd found for the opening of Egde.

- Oh, that's how you say it.

- [Beth] We'll take this in for you.

- So you deal in contemporary art?

- 20th century onwards.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] Despite being, perhaps, the richest artist in Britain, working class agitator, Keith Kane still got a kick from waggling his... placards.

- What about this?

- [Will] Yeah...

Lift...

Lift the sign a bit, Keith, lift the sign.

- [Keith] Here?

- [Will] Yes, there... Nice.

(car horn honking) - Won't be long, bruv.

- I know.

Detective Sergeant Stone, Marsh Valley Police.

Now, get outta the road and put some clothes on.

- This is state censorship, keep filming, Will.

- Camera down please, sir.

- [Narrator] When their eyes met, Matilda momentarily forgot about the naked man five feet and two inches away.

And was swept up in a feeling she had not experienced since her first encounter with Dr. Daniel Lynch.

- Too much?

- [Will] It's safe to look again now, officer.

- I take it, this is a publicity stunt for the opening of the new E-G-D-E gallery.

- A (indistinct) who's into art, quirky.

- My aunt's painting's a part of it.

- Well, I'm sure she'd agree, it's our job to challenge through our work.

- Maybe, it's my job to enforce Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

- Sorry, officer, we didn't mean to break any laws.

I'll take my boss back to Egde and I'll keep him outta trouble.

- [Narrator] As Keith Kane was forced to cover up, Vanessa Mills was rather anxious about exposing her new venture to the art world.

- No, Gallery 2.

Uh, excuse me, the private view doesn't start 'til two o'clock.

- Oh, we're Cat Stone's sisters, here helping to get her work in situ.

- Ah, yes, I have three Stones on the list: Annie, Beth, Jane.

- We're Beth and Jane.

- Oh, welcome, have a listing.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- You must excuse me...

The final touches.

- Cat invited Annie, did you know?

- No.

- [Narrator] And that wasn't the only secret being discussed in Wildemarsh.

Two men, both bound for Egde were also privately plotting.

- I'm expecting the money to be paid in two tranches as agreed, yes.

- Yeah, 80% to your new Swiss bank account.

And I have a check for the rest.

- Good and make sure my... my soon to be ex-wife, make sure she sees that check today, okay?

- Are asking for trouble, Fenton.

- And so, was Vanessa when she filed for divorce.

(Fenton chuckling) (mobile phone beeping) (suspenseful music) (car engine humming) (dramatic music) (glass breaking) - That looks therapeutic.

- It does rather.

Here's the flyer for my upcoming show.

You should check it out, my number's on the back.

- I will.

(glass breaking continues) - Robert Cox, major connector and one of my best clients.

- Robert.

- [Narrator] Money, money and more money ruled the world of modern art.

And it just so happened Robert Cox was made of it.

- I am thrilled that you could make it.

You are a fab friend.

- [Narrator] Though the provenance of his great wealth had thus far remained a mystery.

- I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

How's rural life treating you?

- Oh, it's been brilliant and a welcome distraction from this hideous divorce.

- 10,000 likes already, baby!

(audience applauding) (quirky music) - Oh Stone, what happened with the streaker?

- Publicity stunt for that new art gallery, sir.

I issued a warning.

Looks like you've had a successful morning.

- This, no second prize, I'm afraid.

- Well, a prize is a prize, sir.

All your practice paid off, that's the result.

- Well, if you think it appropriate, we could display it, thank you Sergeant.

(footsteps receding) - He's handsome.

- Yes.

But he's far too young for you.

He's closer to Matilda's age... Oh.

(quirky music continues) - Shifting art's hard work.

- Tell me about it, I am William.

I'm Keith Kane's assistant.

- Beth - And Jane Stone.

- Oh, I think I met another of your relatives earlier, a police sergeant.

- Oh, Mattie, our niece, I hope you weren't in trouble.

- Me, no, but trouble is kinda Kane's thing.

She dealt with him better than most, though.

- She has a knack with difficult people, no idea why.

- Oh, there you are, we should go back and change.

I don't wanna be late for the preview.

- Bye - Bye.

(suspenseful music) - [Narrator] As the Stone Sisters headed home to dress up, Fenton Boyle was preparing to give his soon to be ex-wife a financial dressing down.

(suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) - Ah, that train journey down here lasted longer than the bloody relations.

- This is a private viewing Fenton and you, most definitely, were not invited.

- As if I'm here to see you, or your sad, little cow shit of a gallery.

Now, where did I put that brochure?

Oh yes.

FYI, my deal with Cox means that work by my best students will be exhibited for my lifetime.

- [Narrator] Although Fenton Boyle had saved the nation from some deeply subpar art, Kane and Yetao, as former students, still bore the scars of his brutal teaching methods.

- Hmm, impressive, it's very you.

Devoid of style, meaning, or wit.

Robert?

(quirky music) - Fenton.

- The terms of our divorce mean that half of the proceeds are mine.

(Fenton clearing throat) Is this some sort of a joke?

Those artworks are worth 10 times that.

- Hmm true, but see a man's legacy, it's far more important.

- Don't think I wouldn't fight this.

I'm about to phone my lawyer.

- Oh, be my guest.

- Vanessa?

- Was that necessary Fenton?

- [Fenton] Hmm?

- On the day of her gallery launch?

- Oh, I thought so, yes.

Oh and Una, you seem to have developed quite the knack for uncovering lost masterpieces.

Really, must take me to this magic yard sale you've found sometime.

- Well, I've been very lucky.

- Yes, very lucky.

Oh, shame that wasn't lost as well.

Not that it's a masterpiece.

Ducks, mm, looking awfully infantile now Keith, eh?

(dramatic music) - Maybe you should learn to duck?

That's for the endless torment you put me and all the other students through not to mention Vanessa you bullying little (indistinct).

- You'd be a second rate painter and decorator if it weren't for me.

- Keith, Keith, he's not worth it.

- [Narrator] Whilst Keith Kane and Fenton Boyle practiced radical honesty at Egde.

Back at Wildemarsh Police Station, Matilda was inadvertently catching Mrs. Edith Bryant in a lie.

It appeared she had, in fact, known Inspector Bryant quite well.

- I've never been married, I'm sorry I have to go.

(door slamming) - Big trouble in the art world.

(suspenseful music) - Keith, apparently, the police are on their way, call me back.

(mobile phone beeping) - You seen this?

You should, you're in it, you and nine other men.

(pages flipping) (dramatic music) Congratulations.

- Don't let Boyle get in your head Yetao.

You're a star, enjoy it.

- Oh, I intend to.

(suspenseful music) - [Narrator] While Yetao knew instantly how to concoct her revenge, had she known of the imminent arrival of Wildemarsh's finest, she might have reconsidered the timing of her retribution.

(suspenseful music) (Fenton groaning) - Oh, your turn to attack me now, huh?

Revenge of the Ex-students Part Deux, is it?

- Just thought you could use a drink.

- Huh.

(Fenton slurping) - Mm, typical, cheap plug.

- All, there was, I'm afraid.

- Mm, oh it's disgusting.

(suspenseful music continues) - I am Vanessa Mills, owner of Egde.

- DS Stone and PC Foster, we've had reports of an assault.

- Assault's a strong word, Keith was entirely provoked.

- Keith Kane?

- Yes.

- Second time today I've had to deal with Mr. Kane, where is he now?

- He seems to have gone walkies.

- Geez this bargain basement champagne she just handed to me tastes like a chemical toilet.

How can you serve it to your guests, Vanessa, pathetic.

- [Narrator] It took remarkably little detection on Matilda's part to see why someone might want to punch Fenton Boyle.

- Mr. Boyle, I'm DS Stone.

- [Yetao] I'll leave you to it - Yeah.

- He's barely hurt, Detective.

Is this really a police matter?

- I want Kane in chains.

(suspenseful music) (electrical humming) (suspenseful music continues) - [Matilda] Pretty sure, you were gonna keep him out of trouble.

- I kind of dropped the ball on that one.

Sorry Sergeant Stone, he won't have gone far.

There's no way he'll miss the unveiling of his new work.

- When is that?

- The doors open in an hour and a half.

- Then we'll wait.

Terry, keep watch at the main entrance.

- On it Sarge.

- I guess, this is the paint drying part of your job.

- Yeah, guess it is.

Let me know when you hear from him.

- Yes ma'am.

(gentle romantic music) (Cat groaning) (gentle music) - You look great.

- Yeah?

I think there's some important people coming so I just wanna get it right.

(gentle music continues) Okay, I'll see you there.

(gentle music continues) - Oh, I do hope Annie turns up.

- You and me, both.

(Fenton gasping) (dramatic music) (gentle music) (zipper opening) - You reckon he'll be pleased, Mr. Cox?

(ethereal music) - 10 grand, cash.

- [Fenton] What's happening, what's happening?!

(dramatic music) (Fenton screaming) - Glad I found out about you, Will.

Now, how would you feel about doing me an O'Keeffe?

(dramatic music) What's he doing?

(Fenton panting) - Everything's gonna be okay, everything's gonna be okay.

- [Disembodied Voices] Fenton, Fenton.

(footsteps approaching) - Have you told you new best mate Boyle about our business?

- Why in the hell would I?

- Well he knows.

- Relax, if he does, I'll deal with him.

(Fenton panting) [Disembodied Voice] Why so troubled Fenton?

- Everything's... - I'd be more relaxed if we weren't doing this with the police here.

- They wouldn't know which way to hang it up, let alone if it's real.

(footsteps receding) - [Disembodied Voice] Fenton, Fenton, you're going cuckoo.

(Fenton gasping and screaming) (upbeat gentle music) - Moonlighting as a doorman, Terry?

- Police business.

- Oh?

- Matilda's inside.

(upbeat gentle music continues) - [Narrator] Surveying the guests, who ranged from the obscenely fashionable to the fashionably rich, Cat ascertained that the one VIP she wanted to see had not yet arrived.

- Whiskey, no ice, please, thank you.

And her daughter, Annie, wasn't the only no show.

Keith Kane also remained inconveniently unaccounted for.

- Where is he?

I need Keith here in the flesh - I'll call him again.

- [Attendee] Vanessa oh wow, you look fantastic.

(loud smacking) - Hello.

- [Attendee] It's amazing.

(upbeat gentle music) (suspenseful music) - How many steps today... Only 9,000.

Eat that and then it's steamed veg for a week.

(upbeat gentle music continues) - [Vanessa] Oh no.

- Is Mr. Kane back?

- No, but he will be here.

He loves to make a dramatic entrance.

Look, I hope this isn't weird, but would you go out to dinner with me tonight?

- Uh...

Yes, I'd like that.

- Greetings fellow culture vultures.

Welcome to this first preview of my Egde.

(audience applauding) Thank you, so without further ado, I would like to unveil an extraordinary new work by Keith Kane in Gallery 1.

(footsteps receding) (ethereal sounds) (audience gasping and screaming) (dramatic music) - So what you do all think?

I reckon I ducking killed it.

(ethereal music continues) - [Narrator] After a lifetime spent demanding originality to become a part in death of such a blatant rehash of old work by his most famous student would've enraged the late Fenton Boyle.

- Some bruising to the face, bloodshot eyes.

Seems likely the victim was asphyxiated using this duck.

- Time of death?

- He's been dead a couple of hours, I'd say.

- I first spoke to Fenton Boyle at 11:15 and the preview guests started arriving at 2:00 PM.

So our suspects are the people at Egde between those times.

- What about your aunts?

- They were at Murder Ink getting changed.

- All this happened right under your nose?

- It would seem so sir.

When I cautioned Kane in town, that's what was written on his placard.

- [Inspector Thorne] "Am I Art," hmm.

(suspenseful music) - [Reporter] Fenton Boyle had been a professor.

- You both need to see this.

- [Reporter] Academy of Art for nearly 25 years.

Amongst his top students were Keith Kane.

- [Narrator] Meanwhile, 66 miles, 81 feet and a smidgen short of 10 inches away, Tanya Shaw was about to visit her local library to return some long overdue adventure novels when suddenly, her plans changed.

(suspenseful music) - Never had to worry about a crime scene going viral when I first joined the force, madness.

- I've been meaning to ask you, sir, did you know Inspector Bryant back then?

- [Narrator] What Inspector Thorne wanted to say next was... - I've always known that one day, this question would come from you.

And the truth is, I worshiped that man and therein lies they rub for how can you really know those that you placed so high upon a pedestal.

- [Narrator] But what he chose to say was... - You've got a murder to investigate, Stone.

This is not the appropriate time for a stroll down memory lane.

- You're right, sorry sir, I'll get on with the interviews.

Vanessa Mills has volunteered her office.

(suspenseful music) Please remove your sunglasses.

(Keith sighs) Thank you.

Where did you go after you assaulted Fenton Boyle?

- Walking... around the cemetery.

- Anyone witness you on that walk?

- Other than the dead?

If they did, I didn't see 'em.

- Let's discuss your relationship with the deceased.

- Yeah, I can see where this is going.

Look, it's one thing to chuck a punch, murder's not my style and I haven't forgotten what Fenton did for me, gave me my career.

- How's that exactly?

- I was a student of his at Penny Smith Academy of Art.

End of the course he convinced the London art world I was the next big thing, launched me.

- And yet, you clapped when you saw his corpse.

- I couldn't see him, there were people in the way, I wouldn't have otherwise.

I mean, the old me might have done, stir things up a bit.

Yeah, I'm not like that anymore.

- Did you know Fenton Boyle was coming?

- [Keith] No, that was a nasty surprise.

- Why do you think he did?

- For the sport of it.

To get back at Vanessa for finally leaving him.

Shortly before he... walked into my fist, he told her he was selling a bunch of their art off on the cheap.

She's owed half in the divorce and... - Is that why you punched him?

- Word to the wise, Detective, this is Fenton Boyle we're talking about you won't have to go far to find people who wanted to quack him.

If you'll forgive the pun.

(gentle music) - So Fenton, this is for you.

(slurping) (gentle music continues) - Would an artist as world famous as Keith Kane usually exhibit somewhere like Wildemarsh?

- Maybe he's here for something else, like to murder someone.

- Bet Robert Cox is keen to get far from the maddening crowd.

(gentle music continues) - So what are your thoughts on the offer?

Yeah, I know it sounds pricey, but the man was murdered today.

And I mean, people like a macabre narrative.

(quirky music) (raven cawing) Oh, I can do 5, 5 only 'cause it's you otherwise I'll have to call Princess Eloie.

You got yourself a deal, Miss Marino.

(Robert chuckling) - You should go and tell Matilda, you're the people person.

- No Cat should, it's your exhibition.

- No, it should be Jane, Inspector Thorne likes her way more than us.

- That's true.

Go on sis, you're up.

- If Boyle was a gate crasher, that'd suggest his murder wasn't premeditated.

- I'm so sorry to interrupt, but it seems that Robert Cox is selling the Boyle Collection and for rather a lot of money.

- And you know this how?

- Well, it's really not my fault, if some people speak too loudly on their phones.

- Could be a motive.

- I'll talk to him next.

(suspenseful music) (dramatic music) Tell me about the Boyle Collection.

- It's art by all his top students, he got it cheap or free.

- And what's your involvement?

- I bought the 10 best pieces.

- To put on display at Penny Smith's Academy of Art, for how long?

- His lifetime.

- So now that he's dead, you can sell those artworks?

- Yeah, you know, it's called business.

I see a chance to make money, I take it.

- What's your profit margin, millions?

(Robert chuckling) This is a bad time to lie to me.

- Okay, look, Fenton may be paying twice, by check for Vanessa to see and a separate transfer of 2 million to his Swiss bank account.

- To stop her getting her fair share of that money in the divorce?

- Well, as far as I know, I haven't broken any laws.

- I'll need those bank transfer details, your fingerprints, and DNA.

(Robert chuckling) - I think I want the advice of my uber expensive lawyers before I give you a damn thing.

(footsteps receding) - Two glasses of water please, Terry.

(suspenseful music) How long have you known Mr. Boyle?

- That's a pretty rubbish attempt to get my prints and DNA on the glass.

(suspenseful music continues) Ah, are we done with this charade, love?

(suspenseful music continues) (door opening) (footsteps receding) - [Beth] What are we looking for?

- A way Keith Kane could have snuck back to murder Fenton Boyle without coming up the path and being seen by Terry.

- Odd.

- Odd?

- Don't look now, but I think someone over there is watching the gallery.

(car engine starting) (suspenseful music) - Oh, she's coming over.

(Cat clearing her throat) Yeah, there's definitely something odd about her.

(suspenseful music continues) (footsteps approaching) (suspenseful music continues) (camera lens clicking) - The graffiti by the body, it's the same as on Kane's streaking sign.

- Yeah, but anybody could have seen that.

We posted the photos on social.

We got about 20,000 likes for the gallery already.

- Keith's very supportive of Vanessa.

- [Will] Yeah they go way back - Romantically involved?

- He does have a soft spot for her or he wouldn't have done the show.

But that's it as far as I know, is he a suspect?

- We're looking at everyone who was here at the time.

- So I guess this means we'll have to take a rain check on that dinner then?

- Yes, for as long as the investigation's ongoing.

(sultry saxophone music) (Matilda clearing throat) We'll book you all rooms in town 'til you've been cleared to leave.

- You were in there with that detective a long time.

- Don't worry, she was asking about the Boyle Collection.

And so... - What's up there?

Something wrong.

- I've gotta go... now.

(quick footsteps receding) - Someone's left the gas on.

(car engine roaring) - He's making a run for it, more like.

(thrilling music) (motorcycle engine revving) (thrilling music continues) (suspenseful music) - Sorry Madam, Madam, this is a crime scene.

You really can't be here.

- But I've come to see the exhibition.

- I'm afraid it's been canceled.

- Thing is...

The thing is I've driven a very long way.

Can't I just go in and see the art?

I won't touch nothing.

- I'm afraid that's not possible.

- Hmm, okay, looks like I'll have to come back another day then.

- Mm-hmm.

(mobile phone ringing) Terry?

- Robert Cox's fingerprints that you got from the door handle, I ran them through the database.

- [Matilda] We got a hit.

- Yep.

(imitating drum roll) Cox's prints were flagged in connection to the 2005 Boyling's Private Bank raid.

30 million in cash was taken and never recovered.

- Well, that explains why he refused to give us them.

- [Terry] And how he got so rich.

- Mattie?

- Not now Aunt Beth.

- Robert Cox has just sped off in his sports car and Cat's gone herring after him on her motorbike.

- Hello, Matilda?

- I knew this tracker app would come in handy eventually.

- [Matilda] Where are they going?

- [Jane] Oh, she's headed for Larkin Airfield (Matilda sighing) (footsteps receding) (motorcycle engine humming) (thrilling music) (brakes screeching) (thrilling music continues) (brakes screeching) (thrilling music continues) - [Narrator] As Cat made the universally accepted sign for, "Please don't run me over," a seemingly small moment from her vastly eventful life flashed before her eyes.

(baby laughing) (plane propellers whirring) (thrilling music continues) - Get... get outta the way.

- Detective Sergeant Stone, out now.

(Robert sighing) See you back at the station.

- Be warned, Inspector Thorne's super excited about the whole bank heist thing.

- I bet.

You scared me half to death running out in front of that plane.

- [Cat] Bet you're glad I did kid.

- No, I'd much rather he got away than you got hurt.

(somber music) What's wrong?

- Nothing.

I'm fine, you better get back to the station before your governor takes all the glory.

(car engine starting) (somber music continues) (car door opening and closing) (motor humming) (dramatic music) (brakes screeching) (dramatic music continues) (muffled screaming) - Can you hear that?

(muffled screaming continues) It's locked... Terry, are you in there?

Just... just hang on.

(car door closing) (muffled screaming continues) - It's okay, Terry, we're here, you're safe, oh, Terry.

- Here's your governor.

- PC Foster, all right?

- Yes sir, mild concussion.

They'll keep him in overnight just to be safe.

- Good, did he say what happened?

- The last thing he remembers is Cox tried to bribe him to let him go.

- [Narrator] Having spent six months of his police probation in Marsh Valley's elite traffic division, Inspector Thorne saw this as his opportunity to shine.

- Faint whiff of burnt rubber, these tire tracks are recent.

Acceleration scuffs, the vehicle deliberately sped up to ram Foster's car, this tire pattern is most common in a larger vehicle, SUV or a van.

- So the question is, did Cox get away or was he taken?

- You know, there was some dodgy looking woman watching the gallery and Cox scarpered the minute she went inside, Beth got her number plate.

- Hi, so I couldn't help noticing that Cat left in a bit of a hurry earlier, is she all right?

- I'm sure she's fine, Robert Cox, on the other hand, could be in all sorts of trouble.

(quick footsteps receding) - Funny, she didn't ask what for.

(mobile phone ringing) Mattie, hi, did you catch up with him?

- Yes and no, the woman who was watching the gallery earlier, Cat says you got her number plate.

- Yeah, hold on, I wrote it down, it's LF13UCR, it's a big 4x4.

- Thanks Aunt Beth.

- Before Our Young Lives End.

- Huh?

(footsteps receding) (skull shattering) - Before Our Young Lives End.

- Yetao's artwork, it's an acronym.

B-O-Y-L-E, that's Fenton Boyle's skull she's smashing.

- [Yetao] Before Our Young Lives End.

- Aunt Beth said the woman was driving a 4x4.

- [Inspector Thorne] That's not a 4x4.

- Number plates must be stolen.

- We find her, we find Robert Cox.

- [Cat] Hey Liv.

- Hey Kat, what's up?

- I'm looking for a van or an SUV that's been rammed by a car, I need you to call me if one comes in.

- Yeah, I can do that.

- Cheers.

- [Live] All right see you Kat (gentle music) (water splashing) (suspenseful music) - Well, I don't have much fancy wading about in there.

- Me neither, but she's definitely up to something.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] And the artist known as Yetao wasn't the only one who was up to something.

Una Lowe had waited until dark to take care of some rather urgent... recycling.

(canvas clattering) (suspenseful music) Even as Matilda decided to save her energy for the day ahead, little did she know that it would be a day with not one, but two murders to solve.

(raven cawing) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music) (suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues)