The Chedworth Cyclone Father Brown

CROWD CHEERING

Keep moving! Stay on your toes!

I've always had a weakness for powerful men.

Go on, son! Get him out, take him out! Do it!

Ah, you should have been there, Father.

Seen it close up.

What a fight!

Third straight knockout.

Connor McNeive, now, he was class opposition,

and my boy laid him out in four.

Now that takes some guts.

Takes some heart.

I remember the first time I saw him box.

Oh, he was a cheeky little sod, wasn't he, eh?

Always looking for trouble.

This club has changed his life.

It's like most of the lads.

All they need is someone to believe in them.

Jeb came good.

Did us both proud.

Do you know, the phone hasn't stopped ringing?

They all want a piece of The Chedworth Cyclone.

Hey, hey, hey! I thought I told you to rest up?

Brought you this. First amateur trophy I ever won.

You can put it on the shelf, in case I get too big for my boots.

Well, er... Yeah, I might just find room for it.

The padre's here for a debrief.

I hear it was quite a fight.

Not bad for a boy with no prospects.

I thought you got lucky, Jeb.

Sorry? Something you want to say to my face?

Here he is! The man of the moment.

Just thought I'd see how you're holding up.

I'm doing good thanks, Mr Nelson.

-Good.

-I told you, didn't I?

This lad is going all the way.

What's all this? Bells of St Mary's?

Father Brown's a big supporter of the club.

The church sponsored Jeb as an amateur.

Keeping these boys on the straight and narrow, eh?

I'm here if they need me.

Mr Nelson's our London promoter.

I've been sorting out your next bout.

Well, I think what the lad needs now is some R&R.

A crack at a title. Southern Area Belt.

You will be taking on Bethnal Green's finest.

Devon Hoyle?

Seven straight wins, son. You've earned it.

Course he has.

You stick with me, boy. I'll make you bigger than Freddie Mills.

Any news on the venue?

I was thinking of Cheltenham Town Hall. Decent purse, home advantage.

Place will be a sell-out.

I doubt you'd get a licence.

Well, I'm working on that one.

Don't take it personally.

We were getting on so well.

Yeah, weren't we?

That title bout was mine, that was.

I'm still a decent prospect.

Top flight, pound for pound.

Yeah, well, I've heard you're washed up, Roy.

Bit too fond of the old grog.

Just give us a fight on the undercard then, yeah?

An opener for Jeb.

Please, Mr Nelson? I need this.

I've got my reputation to consider.

I've been your eyes and ears in that gym, I have.

Does that not count for anything at all?

Look, if you're that desperate,

I could always throw a bit more door work your way.

How does that grab you?

So, this boxer of yours must be something special.

The fight's already a sell-out.

He was a gifted amateur.

Well, good thing I've managed to bag us some front-row seats.

Boxing is a pursuit of reprobates.

Poppycock!

And why the church ever sponsored Jeb Cornish, I will never know.

You've clearly never heard of the Queensberry rules.

Builds moral fibre. Isn't that right, Father?

I've always thought boxing has a certain purity to it.

And since when has pugilism been a pastime of yours?

Well, I'm more intrigued by Dennis Nelson.

Ah, you've heard of him?

Bit of a gangster by all accounts.

Runs a string of Soho clubs.

There! What did I tell you? Reprobates.

Which is why I've agreed to keep an eye on Jeb's training.

Pastoral care.

Any chance of a lift?

Hop in.

That's it.

That's it.

Fast, straight punches.

Hey, hey, hey! Easy, easy, easy!

You bruise those knuckles, you're no use to anyone.

Come to check on Joe Palooka, have you?

How's he shaping up?

Ha!

He'll be lucky to make the weight with that big chip on his shoulder.

Now, Hoyle's defence is the best in the business, right.

He's big, he's strong, but you're quicker, right?

Stay focused. That's it.

Come on! That's it.

Ah, just give us a minute.

Hey!

This is where it's won or lost.

This is where it hurts, son.

So you keep telling me.

Right.

On that punch ball.

Come on, come on! Work those feet.

I want you dancing like Nijinsky.

He was late for training this morning.

I don't know why I bother, if his heart's not there.

Perhaps you're working him too hard?

I've less than a fortnight to lick him into shape.

What if he's not ready?

He'll have to be, won't he?

Because you don't say no to Dennis Nelson.

Just speak to him, will you, Father?

Sort this out and leave the rest to me, eh.

Teddy is hard to please.

I can't seem to do anything right.

There's a lot riding on this fight.

You think I can't handle the pressure?

He said that you were late for training this morning.

If there's anything on your mind,

you can talk to me.

There's a girl.

Someone I need to impress.

The most beautiful girl I ever laid eyes on.

Yes, well, that would be a tempting distraction.

I'm seeing her again Thursday night.

Teddy wouldn't approve. He says women and boxing don't mix.

You sound smitten.

I'm going to ask her to marry me -

as soon as I win that belt.

Hey, we'll need a priest.

Perhaps I should meet her first.

She'll be there at the fight.

Can't get enough of me.

Jab! That's right, jab.

One-two.

Keep your chin down, that's right.

Jab. Jab. One-two. Right, uppercut.

Come on. Come on, drive through with your legs! Come on!

Well done, good lad.

Right, Spence, get in and spar with the kid.

Hold on, hold on, hold on.

Let's see how he does against some real competition, shall we?

Right, this one wants to do you some damage.

I'd like to see him try.

Yeah, well, he doesn't want you fit for the fight, right.

-I can handle him.

-Right, make sure you do.

Come on, then, Cyclone. I thought you were supposed to be quick?

You're a punch out, Cornish.

You're all talk, you are.

Is that the best you've got?

You won't last five minutes in there against Hoyle.

You know that, don't you?

What's the matter, are you jealous?

You're too old for this game, pal.

I could drop you like a hot scone.

Come on, are we holding, or sparring?!

Come on, lads!

Digging holes and catching vermin,

that's all your hands are any good for.

Come on! Come on! Come on!

Hey! Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Right, what are you doing? Hey?!

You could have cracked some ribs!

Face it, Tomkins, you're a has-been.

What does that make you then, eh?

-You're a has-been waiting to happen, you are.

-Hey, hey, come on.

-Hey! Hey!

-What?

Hey, have you been drinking?

-What?

-Have you been drinking?

Right, that's it. Get yourself dressed and get out of my club.

Do you understand me? You're finished.

Now, get out!

You all right?

Yeah? You sure?

Well, get that cleaned up.

So, how's the training coming along?

He's as ready as he'll ever be.

Hm! Well, I'll take that as a resounding endorsement.

Oh, well. Suit yourself, then.

I'm off down The Crown.

One for the road?

Better not. Early start.

I'm meeting Teddy at the gym early tomorrow.

Ah, the weigh-in - how exciting!

Oi, you! Hop it!

The bookies are raking it in.

Most of the village has taken a punt.

Lots of money on Jeb to win.

Sentimental favourite.

You can't get decent odds against him.

BICYCLE BELL

Ah, perfect timing.

I'm just picking up a few things.

Listen, you haven't heard from Jeb, have you?

He seems to have gone to ground.

I expect he'll meet us there.

Well, he'd better not be late for that weigh-in.

Ah, look at this. Who left this open?

Stiff as a board. He's been lying there all night.

Broken neck, by the look of things.

Well, this bulb's gone.

Would have been dark with no light on, wouldn't it?

Get your fingers off!

You could be tampering with evidence.

You saw the deceased in The Lion last night.

Inspector.

Still suffering from the gout?

Just answer the question.

He left about seven.

Bit the worse for wear.

Fond of a drink, by all accounts.

Tripped and fell.

That wound on his head suggests he must have fallen backwards.

We can finish this outside.

You said the door was open this morning when you arrived.

Aye, that's right, and Father Brown was with me.

What time did you leave the club yesterday?

Must have been about six.

A couple of the lads were still training.

Trust these lads to lock up, do you?

Course I do. They're like family.

According to a witness,

there was an altercation at the club yesterday afternoon.

Yeah, erm...

Jeb and Roy had a little spat.

Something we should know about?

Roy was getting too fond of the booze.

I threw him out of the club.

Told him he was finished.

How did he take the bad news?

I suppose he got drunk, as usual.

Drowning his sorrows.

So, why come back to the club?

Maybe he wanted to clean out his locker?

Or maybe he was looking for trouble.

-Goodfellow?

-Yes, sir.

I want the whole scene searched thoroughly.

Righty-o, sir.

Look, if you've finished with your questions, we've got a weigh-in.

Dennis is going to be wondering where we are.

You're keeping some very dubious company, Padre.

Dennis Nelson is a piece of work.

Hopefully, I can make him see the error of his ways.

I'll need to talk to Jeb.

In the meantime, you're free to go.

All right, thanks.

We should think about postponing the fight.

What, and make Jeb a victim of circumstance?

No chance!

-You think he might have been pushed?

-I'm not ruling it out.

Murdered boxers with links to the Mob?

If the press get a hold of this, they'll have a field day.

I should never have gotten into the ring with him.

How many times have I told you, Roy was drunk, he fell.

He only had himself to blame.

Now, you forget about Roy.

You need to focus on Hoyle.

This doesn't feel right, Father.

Shouldn't we say a prayer, or something?

Never let sentiment cloud an opportunity.

Heard about the accident. Terrible business.

News travels fast.

Father Brown, still doing your bit for the team?

You knew the deceased, I believe?

I came across him a few times.

Look, maybe we should have a whip round.

You know, some kind of fitting memorial.

In the meantime, we have got a fight to win.

That's exactly what I said.

What do you reckon, eh, Rita?

Does the Chedworth Cyclone have what it takes?

He certainly looks promising.

-ANNOUNCER:

-Boxers to weigh in, please.

Oi, don't let me down, son.

Bunty Windermere.

I don't believe we've met.

I would have remembered.

I've never been to a weigh-in before.

Perhaps you could talk me through it?

Well, why don't we get closer to the action?

Seems we've both been abandoned.

Don't worry on my account.

He always comes back.

It grieves me to say,

but the padre does have a point.

Sir...

The angle of the body. Something just doesn't add up.

You might want to see this, sir.

Blood.

Devon Hoyle weighs in at 100 and 74 pounds!

APPLAUSE

They haven't seen this much excitement since the Gold Cup.

Dennis certainly knows how to make a splash.

Right, chin up and chest out. And remember, the fight starts here.

How did you meet him, if you don't mind me asking?

I was working as a croupier in one of his clubs.

The Pink Flamingo.

Jeb Cornish weighs in at 100 and 70 pounds!

You must have known Roy Tomkins, too.

Must I?

He used to work as a doorman for Mr Nelson.

Plenty of boxers do.

He doesn't go anywhere without his hired muscle.

He's giving away four pounds.

He looks in fine shape to me.

Now, what are the police doing here?

Inspector, something I can help you with?

You can call off these clowns for starters.

We're in the middle of a weigh-in.

Jeb Cornish, I'd like to question you in connection with the death

of Roy Tomkins.

What?

We can do this down at the station.

You and Roy Tomkins had a fight at the club.

We were sparring.

This was found in your locker.

-Blood stains.

-He gave me a bloody nose.

In front of all your peers.

Must have riled you.

I've been looking at your rap sheet.

Juvenile assault charge got you a stretch in a proovy school.

I've put all that behind me.

What time did you leave the club yesterday?

Six-thirty? Seven?

Last minute training?

It can make all the difference.

And where did you go when you left?

Home, to bed.

I've got a title fight tomorrow.

We went to your digs.

Had a word with your landlady.

She said she heard you come home around midnight.

Where were you,

if you weren't at the club?

No comment.

I'm arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Roy Tomkins.

I swear, I didn't do it...

You're not obliged to say anything, but anything you do say will be

taken in writing and may be given in evidence.

What makes you so sure it was murder?

We found traces of blood on the floor of the gym.

The body was moved.

It must have been heavy.

Well, the killer cleaned up, made it look like an accident.

Doesn't explain the broken neck.

We've nothing substantial to tie this to Jeb,

and although he hasn't been able to account for his whereabouts...

Find him a cell for the night.

Yes, sir.

I suppose ten minutes alone with him is out of the question?

You suppose correctly.

He's still being questioned under caution.

If that was all.

Actually...

I'm here as a witness.

I saw Roy arguing with Dennis Nelson outside the club.

What are you implying?

That perhaps Nelson had a motive for murder?

After all, we both know what he's capable of.

Extortion, prostitution, racketeering...

Quite a list.

As much as I'd like to lock him up, Dennis Nelson has an alibi.

He was with his girlfriend all evening.

Rita Simmons.

Not the dumb blonde she appears to be.

Nelson keeps his hands clean while she does all his dirty work.

She's lying.

Covering for him.

Unless you can prove it,

I'll settle for the suspect we've got.

Bit out of the way for your rounds.

I've come to ask for your help.

Look, I'm sorry your boy got arrested...

You gave Dennis Nelson an alibi.

I told the police I was with him all night.

You need to tell them the truth.

That you were with Jeb.

-I don't know what he told you, but...

-He mentioned a girl.

He saw her yesterday.

And why would you possibly think that was me?

The weigh-in.

I saw there was something between you.

Rather astute for a priest.

Practised intuition.

It was just a bit of fun. It's over.

I don't think Jeb sees it like that.

If Dennis found out, he'd kill us both.

You think he's capable of murder?

He isn't a man you'd want to cross.

Did Roy Tomkins cross him, I wonder?

-NELSON:

-Rita? Who is it?

No-one important.

Look, Dennis will see he gets out. He needs him for the fight tomorrow.

As long as this stays between us.

Get in.

You came to the guesthouse yesterday evening.

Something on your mind?

Jeb Cornish was arrested on a murder charge and we both know

he didn't do it.

So, you think I might have done it?

I know that you were at the club

the night he died.

So, I bashed his brains and left that there as evidence?

That would have been foolish, yes.

Look, I just offered to post Jeb's bail 20 minutes ago.

Released into custody of a person of good character.

So that counts me out.

I put your name down as his guarantor.

We make a good team, Father Brown.

I should use you more often.

You've met my company lawyer, then?

He said you wouldn't have a case.

I don't need to remind you that Jeb's still under caution.

You're bailed to the care of Father Brown.

Yeah, well, Cheltenham Town Hall is as far as he'll get.

I will see you later.

You'd better sign that paperwork.

I'll see you outside in a moment.

Dennis Nelson has long arms.

Phone call from a Councillor Boothby.

Pulled some strings.

This street-corner betting on the fight...

We turn a blind eye.

Bigger things to worry about.

Well, perhaps Jeb's promoter has a conflict of interests...

..bearing in mind his form for racketeering.

Funny you should say that.

There's been a late run of money on a knockout by Hoyle.

Spread betting to ward off any unwarranted attention.

Jeb might be the favourite,

but the smart money says he's going to lose.

No Teddy?

He's already at the venue.

Right, we'd better get a wiggle on.

Did Roy Tomkins know about you and Rita?

You think I killed him to keep him quiet?

She's a dangerous woman to fall in love with.

-You don't know her like I do.

-If Dennis Nelson finds out...

In case you hadn't noticed, Father, I can take care of myself.

Now if you don't mind, I've got a fight to win.

Thanks, Mr Nelson!

No more bets.

-COMMENTATOR:

-The atmosphere this evening is electric -

an impressive turnout to support the local favourite.

The inspector wants officers outside the venue,

just in case Cornish decides to skip bail. Go on.

Looking at the form book, he's certainly the underdog.

Didn't seem to bother Cornish in his last fight at Wolverhampton.

What made you change your mind?

Needs must, when the devil drives.

If Roy Tomkins was murdered by the Mob,

the Father could be next.

Just giving the lad some space.

Last few minutes, always the worst.

Why didn't you tell me the club was in trouble?

It wasn't your concern.

It is now.

I ran up some debts.

With a dubious line of credit.

No wonder Dennis Nelson takes such an interest.

How much do you owe him?

Enough.

Enough to fix a fight?

Keep your voice down, will you, Father?

Insider betting.

Dennis Nelson is set to make thousands...

..as long as Jeb loses.

He came to see me the day before the weigh-in.

The day Roy Tomkins died.

Called in the loan.

And made you an offer you couldn't refuse.

Like I said,

you don't say no to Dennis Nelson.

Is Jeb in on this?

Course he isn't.

You haven't told him, have you?

At least let him hear it from me, eh?

Jeb...

Jeb. Jeb, listen..

You set me up! The one person I trusted.

Nelson set us both up.

All you need to do is lose and everybody wins.

I don't take a dive for anyone.

You're young. There'll be other fights.

Plenty more chances.

What was it for, Teddy, eh?

All the work we've put in!

I didn't have a choice.

There's always a choice.

Look, I'm mobbed up.

If there was any other way...

You can't throw this fight...

Please, please, Father.

Just please keep out of it, eh?

You can't throw this fight because you are better than that.

I believe you're a champion.

Look, it's about survival. Simple economics.

We win the purse, we give Nelson his cut.

We're squared anyway, we're laughing.

That wasn't a punt Dennis was prepared to take.

He thinks Hoyle can beat you on the square.

And what about you, Teddy? Huh?

I know you can take him.

On your day.

But this isn't your day, son.

That's £500.

Ten times what you'd make on the fight.

And what if I go to the police?

He's already up on a murder charge.

This could finish me off for good.

I'm not going to throw the fight!

Just dropped in to wish you the best of luck.

And, er, you might want to listen to Teddy's advice.

Ain't that right, Rita?

Right then. We'll see you out there.

Ringside.

He knows.

What?

Have you been playing around with Rita?

Oh, you stupid little...!

He treats her like he owns her.

Well, maybe he does!

Maybe he owns all of us.

Do you want to end up like Roy?

All right.

I'll do it, but I'm doing this for Rita.

Oh, Jeb!

On one condition.

I don't want you in my corner.

I never want to see you again.

Councillor Boothby, I don't believe we've met.

And this must be your lovely wife.

-Of course, you know Rita.

-Oh, yes.

Quite a turnout, isn't it?

Isn't it just? This is Mrs McCarthy.

Father Brown's parish secretary.

Cor, we'll have the Bishop down here next and a couple of altar boys...

Bit of a fight fan on the quiet.

Oh, yeah?

Well, you're in good company, my dear.

Somehow, I doubt that.

That's the girl Jeb's sweet on.

She wouldn't fool me with her dubious charms.

That "mink" stole she's wearing is rabbit.

Check out the shiner.

Looks like she might be in trouble.

-RING ANNOUNCER:

-Fighting for the vacant Southern Area Belt,

with a record of 18 wins,

two defeats and seven knockouts

it's the Bethnal Green Bomber,

Devon Hoyle!

COMMENTATOR: And Hoyle heads into the arena, looking fit,

looking lean, looking mean.

In the red corner...

You need to get that money to Rita. She knows where to meet me.

You can't jump bail!

I vouched for you.

You've got me all wrong then, didn't you, Father?

..the Chedworth Cyclone, Jeb Cornish!

CROWD CHEERING

COMMENTATOR: Cornish taking the fight to Hoyle

from the opening bell.

Hoyle keeping his distance from that lethal right arm.

Oh, a punishing one-two-three!

Cornish reckless with his early efforts.

Smart jabs finding their mark.

Without O'Connell in his corner, well, right now,

Cornish is on the wrong side of this.

-35 years I've been in the fight game.

-Mm.

I tried to work with what I got.

And then, once in a lifetime,

someone special comes along.

The one person that might make it all worthwhile.

And what did I do when he needed me most?

Sold him down the river.

And for what?

30 pieces of silver.

We can still make this right.

Clean, clever boxing from Hoyle in this round.

His well-drilled combinations beginning to find their mark.

Cornish is down, one knee on the canvas.

The referee steps in,

the crowd are willing Cornish to get back on his feet.

Six, seven, eight...

You good? You good?

Desperate blocks from Cornish,

hanging on for dear life.

Oh, come on!

At least make a fight out of it.

Hoyle's running rings around him.

Why isn't Teddy in his corner?

And there's the bell and for Cornish it couldn't come fast enough.

And what in Heaven's name has happened to Father Brown?

Hoyle's well on top after these early rounds.

Sticking carefully to a game plan.

Taking the fight to his opponent.

And, so far, he hasn't looked too troubled.

I'm just going to powder my nose.

Come here!

We're going to watch him lose together.

This isn't a fight, this is a beating.

Frightened he's going to ruin his pretty face?

I know what you've been up to.

I kept him amenable, just like you asked me to.

You've played me for a fool, sweetheart.

I hope he was worth it.

Frankly, the home favourite looks outclassed.

Surely there's no way back for Cornish?

Hold on, I can see Cornish's trainer back to the red corner.

Well, this is a turn up!

Where's he been?

For once in your life, you listen to me.

You're the best bloody boxer I've ever seen

and we're going to win this fight together,

no matter what it costs us.

Hey, now, concentrate.

You can take him.

He's wide open on the left.

Wear him out, wait for an opening,

just like I showed you.

BELL RINGS

Cornish steps out for round four.

He's keen to get back into this.

What's he playing at?

Help me, please.

He's looking like a fighter transformed!

Oh, there's some thrilling boxing here from the Chedworth Cyclone.

A beauty of a left hook that sends Hoyle reeling.

Come on, Jeb!

He's not beaten yet.

Not by a long shot. You, you knock him in the ear!

You stupid woman!

-You going to hit me, too?

-And me?

Rita!

Get after her!

TEDDY: Come on, come on!

One big punch you can take him this round.

Go on! Smash his filthy face in.

COMMENTATOR: He's down! Hoyle is down!

The referee is counting him out.

Four, five, six...

I don't think he'll be getting up from this one.

..nine, ten!

That's it! It's all over!

The Cyclone wins by a fourth round knockout! What a fight!

Right, we've got to get you out of here - quick!

What about you?

Don't worry about me.

I'll deal with Dennis and whatever comes my way.

We did it, Ted.

We showed them, didn't we?

I always knew you would.

I'll see you later, champ, eh? Come on.

Jeb wanted me to pass on a message.

He's expecting to meet you later.

Running off into the sunset together?

That was never going to happen.

Black eye?

Hmm.

You were the insurance policy,

in case Jeb didn't bite.

Men only ever see what they want to.

That money isn't yours to take.

Seven years with Dennis? I've earned it.

What about Jeb?

Jeb's too good for me.

He deserves better.

Rita, you both deserve better.

He fell for a fantasy.

A cheap blonde on the make.

None of this is real.

Redemption is real, if you truly seek it.

I'm touched by your faith in me, Father,

but I really don't have time for a sermon right now.

If you leave like this,

the police will have nothing on Dennis.

I'll cut you a deal.

Here's a diary of all of Dennis' business dealings.

Dates, names, enough to secure you a conviction.

You'll still need to testify.

They'll have to find me first.

My car's outside.

I'm not leaving without Rita.

She's already gone.

Where is he?

Somewhere you won't find him.

You have made a big mistake.

I think that there has been enough violence.

Get out. I might just forget you're a priest.

Isn't that just the measure of the man?

Dennis Nelson, I'm arresting you for fraud...

Oh, don't make me laugh.

..wilful corruption of sporting officials and perpetrating

an illegal betting scam.

If Scotland Yard can't put anything on me,

I don't rate the chances of some village Bobby.

Perhaps this might narrow the odds?

I thought I might find you here this morning.

Yeah, I just needed some peace and quiet.

All that excitement.

Eventful night.

Aye.

One of those nights you'll always remember.

There's a warrant out for Jeb's arrest for violating

the conditions of his bail.

Well, Dennis is safely banged up.

They'll soon pin the murder on him.

I don't think Dennis Nelson killed Roy.

He's a piece of work.

He's a proper villain.

He came here,

but you know that.

Because you arranged to meet him here.

Is that when you set up the scam?

Roy saw me take the money.

He must have come back for a few things.

He knew you were setting up Jeb...

Roy knew Dennis had form for fixing the fights.

He wanted a cut!

Said we all owed him.

I couldn't let him walk away.

It was just the heat of the moment.

It wasn't planned.

You pushed his dead body down the stairs

to make it look like an accident.

That took some planning.

This club is my church, Father.

Where would those lads be if this closes?

Back on the street.

I did it to protect them.

You did it to protect your own self-interest.

And now, perhaps, you might like to make penance

in your church,

before you confess to Inspector Mallory.

Well, I've got a feeling that she's not coming.

She'll be here.

All right, time for a pep talk.

There are certain kinds of women - Mrs M would call them fast -

they really can't be trusted, and men like you never tend

to see them coming, so then they take advantage.

Thanks for the lift, you're a life-saver.

I thought you'd stood me up.

Can't a girl be fashionably late?

Oh, ye of little faith.

-Shall we?

-Yes.

Father, will you give us your blessing?

God be with you.

Presbytery?

Red Lion.