The episode kicks off with Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips), her eyes sharp with determination, approaching Barnabus Potts (Simon Ludders) in search of insights about a deceased individual. Potts, steadfast, informs her that such confidential details are solely reserved for Detective William “The Duke” Wellington. She persists, arguing that this information could expedite the assailant's incarceration. However, Potts remains unyielding. Attempting to leverage their connection, she mentions their ties through Ivy (Cathy Belton), almost like family. This endeavor earns her a stern rebuke for daring to haggle with their bond.
Just then, the duo stands transfixed in front of Turner’s Funeral Parlour, witnessing a ghastly sight – Theobald Turner’s blood-streaked hand sliding down the grimy windowpane. Potts, panic-stricken, fumbles with the door handle, only to find it ominously jammed. Scarlet, undeterred, delivers a forceful kick, hoping to breach the entrance.
Detective Charlie Phelps (Tim Chipping) arrives on the scene, inquiring if anyone had been spotted departing the premises. Scarlet, quick-witted, suggests the perpetrator might have slipped away through the rear exit. Phelps’s sardonic remark, intended for Potts, falls flat. Detective Black (Vukasin Randelovic) confesses to feeling faint at the gory spectacle, prompting Scarlet to assert that Theobald had likely expired before impacting the ground. her transition from detective to makeshift physician, to which she retorts by criticism his investigation’s inefficiency, later revealing the likely murder spot. Potts postulates that Theobald had crawled to seek help, while Scarlet conjectures blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of death. She also draws attention to an empty cash drawer and missing brass coffin handles, yet discounts robbery as the motive.
Black, seeking solace, opens the window to alleviate his nausea, much to Scarlet’s consternation over the potential loss of crucial evidence due to the breeze. Phelps sharply reprimands Black for his carelessness.
Upon returning to her office adorned with a bouquet of flowers, Scarlet is met with Clarence’s (Paul Bazely) advice to economize. She reassuringly states that The Duke will soon present them with a case. Clarence, however, breaks the disheartening news of the authorities’ cost-cutting measure to halt the hiring of private investigators. Disheartened, she slings the bouquet onto her desk as Clarence exits. Days stretch on without a single case, finding Scarlet engrossed in tidying her office, the once vibrant bouquet now a wilting, discarded remnant of hope.
With anxiety etched across his face, Potts vents his frustration regarding the police's handling of Theobald's case. The Duke, seeking to clarify, informs him that Black has taken charge of the investigation, as Phelps had to travel north on official police duties. Potts, unconvinced, scoffs that Black is hardly suitable to lead any inquiry. Ivy, concerned for his well-being, insists that Potts' hypertension shouldn't claim him before their wedding day.
Subsequently, they turn to Scarlet, enlisting his expertise to delve into Theobald's mysterious demise. Scarlet expresses skepticism about Turner's Funeral Parlour being involved, given its recent financial woes, yet reassuringly affirms Theobald's prowess as an undertaker. Ivy jogs his memory about Theobald's estranged sister, Francesca Turner (Katherine Manners) of Bristol. Potts, surprised, reveals his recent discovery that Francesca stands to inherit the funeral parlour.
At Theobald's solemn funeral, Francesca confides in Scarlet her plans to sell the funeral parlour, revealing a will clause that prohibits her from selling it to Hardcastle's Funeral Home. Scarlet, puzzled, inquiries the reasoning behind such a clause. Francesca asserts that John Hardcastle (Jonathan Rhodes) was a long-standing family rival.
In a state of intoxication, Clarence boasts about manipulating the clerk of the Funeral Directors’ Guild into spilling the beans that Hardcastle's Funeral Home is entangled in malpractice allegations. He mentions Albert Edmunds as the latest complainant. Albert Edmunds (Theo Cowan), filled with resentment, claims to have witnessed Hardcastle's exorbitant pricing, his collusion with lenders to trap customers, and his thugs intimidating those unable to pay. He urges Scarlet to delve deeper, revealing that despite the Guild's bias towards Hardcastle, his dismissal was unjust. He passionately urges her to consider Hardcastle as a potential suspect in Theobald's murder.
Francesca stumbles upon two invoices for window replacements in Theobald's office, prompting Scarlet to reveal a startling revelation: the very same window had undergone duplicate replacements within a span of three weeks. She further confides in Francesca about Albert's intimidation allegations. Soon after, an ominous bouquet adorned with a card inscribed, "Eliza Scarlet RIP," finds its way to her.
Detective Fitzroy, portrayed by Evan McCabe, informs everyone of Black's resignation, while Phelps takes charge of the Haymarket inquiry in Leeds. Frustrated by the turn of events, The Duke vows to take on Theobald's case personally. Fitzroy, contemplating a move to the New York Police Department, seeks reassurance, to which The Duke generously offers his endorsement.
Disguised as someone in need of funeral services for a deceased great-aunt, Scarlet visits Hardcastle’s Funeral Home. She persuades Hardcastle with tales of abundant funds, securing his services. As she peruses the caskets, her eyes catch a glimpse of a card eerily similar to the one she had received. The Duke's unexpected entrance into the room leaves her scrambling for an excuse, introducing herself as Miss Manners, only to be exposed by Fitzroy.
Together, The Duke and Scarlet grill Hardcastle about Albert's claims, to which he dismisses Albert as "useless." The Duke inquiries about his whereabouts on the morning of Theobald's demise, and Hardcastle claims to have been returning from Eastbourne with his family. Scarlet presents him with the threatening card she received, but he steadfastly insists on being framed.
The Duke alerts Scarlet to a witness's account of a heavyset man fleeing the scene shortly after Theobald's windows were vandalized, expressing concern for her safety amidst these threats. She brushes it off, claiming such threats are a regular occurrence for her. Potts, relieved to learn of The Duke's involvement, informs Scarlet that her services are no longer required, prompting her to remind him of their contractual obligations. Potts reveals that Theobald had confided in him about Hardcastle's threats, blaming Hardcastle for his business's downfall.
While sifting through Theobald's files, Scarlet and Ivy stumbled upon a photo depicting shattered windows, alongside bricks bearing the initials 'S. P.' Intrigued, Scarlet paid a visit to Sergel Petrov's brick-making enterprise. The factory foreman, Jovan Jovanovic, revealed that Petrov was currently attending to his daughter following the tragic loss of his wife. Scarlet inquired about a customer with a distinctive scar adorning his cheek, but the foreman remained tight-lipped until she threatened to involve the authorities.
Upon Scarlet's insistence, the foreman identified the scarred man as Thomasz Mazelli, alias Ivan Tomic, who allegedly claimed debts from Petrov for his wife's funeral expenses. Mazelli had the habit of collecting payments by helping himself to boxes of bricks. Determined to confront Mazelli, Scarlet persuaded The Duke to accompany her to Long Acre. Reluctantly, The Duke agreed but stressed that Theobald's case would have to take a backseat. Assuring him of her safety, Scarlet insisted that visiting Mazelli, who might have posed a threat to her life, was imperative.
Upon arriving at Mazelli & Co., they witnessed Mazelli brutalizing Albert. The Duke swiftly intervened, arresting Mazelli on the spot. Albert, however, declined to press charges. Meanwhile, Scarlet received a message from Potts via a constable. Later, she visited Potts' office, where he was visibly distressed over Francesca's decision to sell Theobald's funeral parlour to Hardcastle.
When questioned about Theobald, Mazelli feigned ignorance, claiming to have been indulging in drinks at the Broad Street Hotel during the time of Theobald's demise. The Duke, reminding Mazelli of the severe penalty for tax evasion, ordered the freezing of his accounts. Mazelli, now cornered, confessed that Hardcastle had sent him to deal with a woman with whom Hardcastle had an affair, residing in room 402.
Scarlet, eager to uncover more, headed to the hotel to question the clerk about Francesca's whereabouts. Before she could do so, the clerk revealed that Francesca had checked out earlier. Armed with this new information, Scarlet and The Duke confronted Hardcastle. Hardcastle admitted that Francesca had threatened to expose their 20-year-old affair to his wife unless he provided her with money. He further acknowledged sending Mazelli to deal with her.
Fitzroy imparts to Scarlet the sorrowful news of Francesca's husband, Peter Edmunds, having passed away earlier in the year. Amidst the solemn ambiance of Turner's Funeral Parlour, she confides in Francesca, unveiling that she and Hardcastle are Albert's biological parents. Scarlet speculates that, following an unintended pregnancy with her father's rival, she fled London's clamor. Francesca, grappling with guilt, confesses to having physically confronted Theobald during a heated exchange, insisting that his demise was an unforeseen tragedy. Determined to clear her name, Francesca insists on visiting Scotland Yard, but Scarlet, sensing another path, searches the funeral parlour meticulously. Albert, in a panic, attempts to escape but is halted mere steps from freedom as the Duke swiftly orders constables to apprehend him.
Albert, with a mixture of relief and sorrow, acknowledges his fatherhood doubts alleviated by the revelation that Peter was not his biological sire, marred by alcoholism and Francesca's disdain. He further reveals that Hardcastle disowned him upon confession. He too admits to having shoved Theobald in a fit of argument.
The Duke extends an invitation to Scarlet for dinner, to which she gently reminds him of their recently concluded monthly dining engagement. He gracefully agrees to overlook the recentness, and she, touched by his gesture, accepts. Potts, gratitude evident, reimburses Scarlet for her diligent work in solving Theobald's case. He praises her competence, only to be interrupted by Ivy's intense gaze, urging him to grant Scarlet unfettered access to his mortuary, albeit under police supervision. Reluctantly, he concedes.
As the Duke prepares to make an arrest in an unrelated case, news of a daring diamond heist disrupts his plans. Phelps, aware of their limited resources, urges him to proceed with the raid solo. Fitzroy, cautious, cautions against it, but the Duke remains undeterred. With resolve, Fitzroy and the Duke storm through the door, only to be met with a hail of bullets in a fierce shootout.
Fitzroy solemnly breaks the news to Scarlet of the Duke being gravely wounded, the prognosis grim. They fear he may not survive the impending surgery. Scarlet's face contorts with shock, the episode cliffhanging on this heart-wrenching revelation.
