As the curtain rises on this thrilling installment of "Beyond Paradise," Father Michael (played by Joe Barnes) gently urges the children to retreat to their beds, while specifically tasking Roddy (portrayed by David Olaniregun) with extinguishing the television, despite Roddy's fervent plea that only a fleeting minute remained. Reluctantly complying, Roddy switches off the screen as Father Michael exits the school premises under the shroud of night. His footsteps lead him towards the waters' edge, where the misty figure emerging from the fog fills him with apprehension.
Meanwhile, Humphrey (embodied by Kris Marshall) and Martha (brought to life by Sally Bretton) hustle to prepare themselves, eager to avoid tardiness for their pivotal interview. At the station, Kelby (Dylan Llewellyn) discovers that Margo (Felicity Montagu) has installed an electric smart meter in a bid to rein in their energy consumption. Margo elucidates that a crucial aspect of HQ's review focuses on operational costs, hinting at the dire consequences of shutdown if they fail to comply. She cautions Kelby about potential redundancies and stricter electricity usage regulations.
Humphrey and Martha exchange anxieties about their interview, with Martha confessing they haven't adequately pondered whether they're truly ready for the commitment, querying if they possess the time necessary for the children. Margo's urgent call interrupts their discourse, informing Humphrey that a teacher from St. Barnabas School for Boys has inexplicably vanished, a development that eerily coincides with the coastal town of Cannons Cove, where dark forces are rumored to lurk. With a cryptic warning to beware the devil on the rocks, Margo abruptly ends the call.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Martha and Humphrey are met with a scene of chaos – the establishment has been ransacked. Humphrey entrusts Kelby with overseeing matters before departing. Zoe (played by Melina Sinadinou) arrives timely to lend a hand to Martha in restoring order.
Back at the school, Esther (Zahra Ahmadi) enlightens Humphrey on Father Michael's role as a housemaster. Their conversation with Marion unveils a collective concern; she recalls Father Michael as a kind-hearted and well-liked individual, his car still parked at the boarding house's rear. The Chaplin, Father Brian (nicely portrayed by Nicholas Woodeson), cuts in with surveillance footage revealing Father Michael traversing the east lawn just past midnight, his path leading inexorably towards the coastal trail. Brian reveals that Michael had been making such nocturnal excursions for the past five weeks, insisting that such behavior was uncharacteristic without a compelling rationale.
Elsewhere, Richard (Peter Davison) assists Anne (Barbara Flynn) in relocating her belongings, adding another layer of depth to the unfolding narrative.
They jest about the possibility of Richard relocating to the boat as well, weaving lighthearted banter amidst the tension. Humphrey interrogates the students, his eyes probing for truth. Marion Goddard (Emma Fielding) reprimands Roddy, her voice stern as he fails to heed her words. Subsequently, Marion guides Humphrey and Esther to Michael's quarters, confessing that she refrained from calling the police, fearing a media frenzy would descend upon their front lawn.
In private, Esther recounts the reasons she harbors a dislike for Marion, her emotions layered with resentment. As Humphrey reminisces about his days at St. Agnes with Esther, he flips through a page from Michael's book, his thoughts drifting. He catches sight of Roddy wandering outside the gate through the window's frame, a figure lost in contemplation. Sending Esther to converse with Father Brian, Humphrey embarks on a solitary stroll, seeking solace in the fresh air.
Martha confides in Anne about the workplace break-in, her voice tinged with concern. Richard, ever the gentleman, volunteers to oversee the move, allowing Martha to resume her duties. Once Martha departs, Richard extends an invitation to Anne for an art gallery event in Calstock the following evening. Anne's face clouds, remembering that tomorrow would have marked Anthony's birthday.
Esther seeks Father Brian's insight into Michael's demeanor prior to his disappearance. Brian unveils that Michael had approached him, hoping for an advance on his salary, mentioning a need to assist an aunt in Yorkshire. Though Brian attempted to comply, school policy thwarted his efforts. He urged Michael to seek confession, but Michael never showed.
Humphrey engages Roddy in conversation, assuring him that he's not a tattletale and is solely focused on locating the missing housemaster. Roddy claims innocence, saying he and his friend were merely horsing around earlier. He reveals seeing Michael near the spot a few nights prior, hurrying along the path. soldier, his demeanor otherworldly. Roddy shows Humphrey a video of Michael's eerie march on Cannons Cove.
Zoe and Martha discover Kelby's unwavering dedication to the case. Martha expresses discomfort at her mother's dating scene, questioning Richard's sincerity. Zoe offers wisdom before stepping aside, her path crossing Kelby's. Martha notices something amiss but assures Kelby all is well, dismissing the case. She decides to discuss the matter with Humphrey instead.
Roddy opens up to Humphrey about his hatred for the school, unveiling a scandal where governors faced repercussions for accepting bribes for admissions. Humphrey nods in understanding, his own boarding school experiences resonating. He was fortunate, thriving through sports. As they reach Cannons Cove, Humphrey announces his intention to copy Roddy's video from his phone, inquiring about the local legend of "the devil on the rocks." Roddy dismisses it as a ghost story told to new students, recounting the tale of an old fisherman battled by a tempestuous sea. Desperate, the fisherman vowed anything to return to land. Enter the devil, who made him an offer: calm seas in exchange for his catch. The fisherman agreed, and the storm subsided, replaced by an eerie fog that led him safely ashore.
Thus, the fog became synonymous with the devil's deal, casting a haunting shadow over Cannons Cove.
Amidst the encroaching fog, Humphrey stumbled upon some money washed ashore on the beach. Meanwhile, a fisherman, disoriented by the mist, rowed aimlessly until sheer exhaustion took over. Rescue came in the form of another boat, but by then, the fisherman was furious with his plight. Margo recounted this tale to Humphrey and the gathered crowd, yet Esther remained unconvinced by the narrative. In Michael's notebook, Humphrey discovered a name and a number. Kelby revealed that the phone company had traced Michael's phone to Cannons Cove on the fateful night. An heated debate ensued between Margo and Esther, with the latter pondering the involvement of supernatural forces.
Humphrey delved into a scandal that had once rocked St. Barnabas School. Martha sent a text, inquiring about his return. In the dead of night, Humphrey arrived home, startling Anne aboard their boat. He dashed inside, only to brief Martha on the morning's developments. Despite Martha's concerns about resources being scarce, Humphrey insisted they would make room and find the time for what truly mattered.
Father Brian confided in Humphrey and Esther that over 10,000 pounds were unaccounted for. Marion explained that a fundraising event had boosted their finances temporarily, and any contraband found in the boys' quarters was secured in a safe. Brian sought guidance on the search for Father Michael. Humphrey showed him a video, while Kelby called the number in Michael's notebook, learning it belonged to an estate agent in Leeds. Marion assured the investigators of her concern for Michael but emphasized the school's paramount importance. Esther vacillated between finding Michael and safeguarding the school's reputation, leaning towards revisiting the cove.
Anne purchased flowers for Martha, sensing a semblance of progress in her life rather than regression. She shared news of an art event, encouraging Martha to attend. Their embrace was witnessed by Zoe. Humphrey and Esther pondered various theories on the beach, noticing a nearby house and deciding to investigate. They encountered a man tinkering with his vehicle. He revealed himself as the current Old Harry, Malcolm Storry, a widower since his daughter's passing. Harry had no recollection of seeing Father Michael and hinted that tales of the devil on the rocks might seem plausible after prolonged exposure to these hills.
Inside the house, Henry peered upstairs at someone lying in bed. Humphrey interrogated Father Michael, who was in a state of amnesia. Kelby informed Humphrey and Esther that paramedics suspected Michael had sustained blunt-force trauma to the head. His pockets were filled with sand, yet his phone was tucked safely in his coat. Texts exchanged with someone named "M" suggested a planned meeting. The Leeds estate agent confirmed Michael's interest in a property but noted his need for more time to raise a deposit. An inadvertent CC in one of Michael's emails led to the discovery of MT97@cellchat.com, the only clue being the name Marie Trevellan. Intriguingly, the boat was also named Marie. On the night Michael vanished, this mysterious "M" had urgently summoned him.
Esther and Humphrey eagerly share the joyful news with Father Brian, who reveals that Marie, once a diligent worker at the library, departed several months prior. They surmise that Michael might have planned to cohabit with her. Brian concedes that Michael wouldn't be the first clergyman to be ensnared by love but doubts his capability to commit theft. Marie bid farewell in September of the previous year. In solidarity, Martha decides to shut down Ten Mile Kitchen for the day. Zoe confides in Martha about a heartfelt tune her father crooned when he first cradled her, leading Zoe to an emotional outpouring. She admits bringing additional guests to the restaurant, driven by her desire to impress a certain boy. Martha, having noticed Zoe's hoodie hanging the previous day, understands her motives but wishes to prevent any discord. She decides against informing Esther, already burdened with numerous responsibilities.
Esther and Humphrey delve into the dynamics of Marie and Michael's relationship, pondering the purpose behind their meeting. Humphrey believes he has cracked the code – Marie exited the school's premises only to reconnect with Michael months later, potentially disclosing his paternity to him. Michael would meet Marie and their child on the beach every evening. Margo phones in with Marie's whereabouts – Old Harry's Farm, where she resides with Harry Trevellan, her grandfather.
Humphrey is eager to rush back to Harry's farm, hypothesizing that Harry, who raised Marie as his own, didn't want the secret uncovered. He further suggests that Harry, fearing solitude, might have attacked Michael. Perhaps Harry was the initial texter, tricking Michael to the beach. They witness Marie marching on the beach similarly to Michael, yet she hadn't texted him as they had agreed against it.
Harry arrives, denying any involvement in Michael's attack. He intended only to ask Michael to leave them in peace. According to Harry, Michael stumbled and struck his head. Humphrey knows Harry visited the school, evidenced by the oil leak from his car. He suspects Marion attempted to silence Harry with money when he threatened to expose Michael. Marie condones Harry's acceptance of the money but doesn't fathom why he assaulted Michael. Harry elaborates on the loneliness he faced, confessing he tried to bribe Michael with cash, throwing the bag at him, causing him to fall and hit his head. Subsequently, he placed Michael in the boat and pushed it into the sea. Humphrey arrests Marion on suspicion of theft and obstruction of justice, presenting incriminating evidence. He expresses gratitude to Roddy, assuring him that Marion will pose no further hindrance.
Anne attends the event gallery accompanied by Richard, striking up a conversation with another woman who reveals that Richard is her husband, albeit posing as Peter. Anne decides against exposing him before her departure. Richard hastily exits to confront Anne, unaware of her presence. She inquiries about the authenticity of their relationship. Richard admits it was intricate and intended to address it with her. Martha informs Humphrey that the fostering panel has approved their application, confessing her earnest desire for this, despite their hectic schedules. Anne interrupts, acknowledging her mistake.
