As the curtains rise on this installment of "The Chelsea Detective," Benny Chaban (portrayed by Felicien Juttner) confides in his partner, a hint of levity in his voice, that he might just keel over on the cobblestones, necessitating Roy's hasty escort back home. Rebekah Chaban (Rahcael Stirling), his ever-pragmatic sidekick, gently reminds him of his earlier pledge, prompting Benny to vow to behave himself.
Inside the posh gallery, Greg Milton-Elwes (Tomiwa Edun) attempts to engage Toby Hansard (Jack Ashton) in conversation about the captivating Friedrich Gustav painting that commands their attention, but Toby remains indifferent, a wall of disinterest. Greg then turns to Chris Milton-Elwes (Samuel Holmes), remarking on the exclusive, almost cliquish nature of the guest list. Upon Rebekah's entrance, she is greeted with the moniker "Queen of Chelsea," her presence commanding the room as she moves among the attendees, while Roy Colin (Kevin Eldon) stands vigilant by the car outside.
Rebekah approaches Cassie Lyall (Emma Cunniffe), her voice tinged with urgency, pleading for salvation and inquiring about Gulliver's latest endeavors, wondering if the crowd is growing younger. Meanwhile, Astrid Fischer (Anamaria Marinca) catches wind of the gallery exhibition and snapshots the promotional poster on her smartphone, promptly forwarding it to Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) with a query if he's seen it. Flashes of a dark event unfold, culminating in a grim tableau of death.
The next morning, Max catches up with Less Lombard (Lucy Phelps), who breaks the news: a man lies dead within the gallery walls, and another, none other than the gallery owner's husband, Benoit Chaban, has been detained. Stepping inside, Max bids good morning to Ashley Wilton (Sophie Stone) and inquires about her new DS, Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme). He learns that the deceased is Christopher Milton-Elwes, his fingers smeared with dried blood from a facial wound. Ashley posits manual strangulation as the cause of death, and tickets for a 12:15 Eurostar departure are discovered in his pocket.
As Layla joins Max in documenting the scene, he shares tidbits of the gallery's past—a former restaurant owned by the Zintilis couple, whose name escapes him. Layla elaborates that a uniformed officer arrived at 23:18, responding to a silent alarm. The likely point of entry appears to be the jimmied rear door. Multiple paintings have vanished, and DC Connor Pollock (Peter Bankole) notes a malfunctioning camera at the gallery's backside. Mr. Chaban insists he arrived mere moments before the officers, discovering the grim scene. The victim's phone yields no clues, but a PNC record reveals a Chris Elwes with a prior shoplifting arrest at 12.
Max instructed them to scrutinize the guest list meticulously, cross-referencing it with their extensive files. Layla disclosed a disturbing revelation: three canvases had been viciously sliced from their frames and absconded with, while another, being of a manageable size, had been taken whole. One frame bore traces of blood, potentially tying it to the victim. The stolen artworks commanded an astronomical value exceeding two million pounds. Among them, Friedrich Gustav's "Im Blauen Zimmer" held the highest monetary worth, while two canvases by Christian Fessel and Konrad Mueller's "Louisa" were also victims of the theft.
During Benoit's interrogation, he narrated that he and his wife had exited the gallery by 10 PM but returned at 11:15 PM to verify if the alarm had been armed. Layla inquired about the police discovering him exiting through the rear door. Benoit rationalized that he had heard a car door slam outside and feared it could be the perpetrator. Max sharply noted that Benoit had neglected to dial 999 for assistance. Benoit conceded that he hadn't checked for a pulse either, yet he steadfastly maintained his innocence, claiming he merely found Chris slumped on the floor.
Jess and Connor delved into Benoit and Rebekah's wedding in Monaco, learning about Benoit Chaban's substantial wealth estimated at around $400 million by Forbes. Jess stumbled upon a photograph of Gulliver Bauer, a high-profile art dealer with a conviction for tax evasion under his belt.
Max and Layla paid a visit to Greg Milton-Elwes, who recounted leaving the gallery event around 10 PM and returning approximately twenty minutes past eleven. Chris had stayed behind to tidy up and prepare for the gallery's public opening the next day. Greg recounted the presence of a hostile individual at the gallery and dismissed the notion of Chris being implicated as absurd. When Chris failed to appear in the morning, Greg assumed he had pulled an all-nighter, a not uncommon occurrence for Chris, who often worked tirelessly through the night. Greg feigned ignorance regarding the tickets, despite one being issued in his name, reminiscing about an incident last year where he awoke to find plane tickets mysteriously placed on his kitchen table, ultimately jetting off to Venice with Chris that very day, which Greg speculated was Chris's gesture to commemorate the occasion. As they departed, Greg was visibly upset.
Connor and Jess engaged Gulliver concerning the stolen paintings and Christopher. Gulliver, portrayed by Jonny Phillips, emphatically insisted he was unaware of any theft. He and his fiancée had visited The Connaught post-gallery and remained there till midnight. Gulliver suggested searching public toilets and shared insights about the Whitworth Gallery heist.
Layla and Max then visited Cassie, who revealed she had catered the event and was a close friend of Chris. She asserted she was at home at 11 PM. Rebekah Chaban joined the conversation, stating she arrived around 10:15 PM and had asked her husband to return to check the alarms. Rebekah assisted in identifying Toby Hansard and provided insights into Cassie's background. Layla emphasized that "Im Blauen Zimmer" was valued at approximately 1.2 million pounds but was insured for an astronomical three million pounds.
That would constitute a tidy little profit indeed. Rebekah jokes about orchestrating the entire affair with masterful precision. Max notices a hint of tamarind in his coffee, prompting Rebekah to reveal the existence of tamarind trees on their reserve. When Max draws attention to the prints of the missing artwork, Benoit mentions that Rebekah strategically places them there as a constant reminder that her true passion lies in art. Max expresses curiosity about their art collection, but Rebekah firmly declines, asserting that her paintings are safeguarded in a highly secure, climate-controlled vault.
Stepping outside, Max confides in Layla that a mere pound of that exquisite coffee fetches an astonishing price of around a thousand British pounds. He ponders whether this was a calculated maneuver to convey the illusion of limitless wealth. Layla catches sight of Roy Colin nearby and learns that he now works as a taxi driver. Roy affirms that he ferried the Chaban couple to the gallery the previous night and dropped them off around 10 PM. However, he didn't transport Benoit back later as he was already asleep.
In the car, Layla informs Max that Roy was nicknamed "Cookie Jar Colin" due to rumors about him siphoning money from a money-laundering operation. When questioned by the higher-ups, Layla was the sole dissenter who didn't support him. Roy took the blame to spare himself from being forced into it. Layla regrets not standing by him, considering the potential repercussions, for they are supposed to have each other's back.
Max engages with Astrid, who shares that Chris was an enthusiast about East German history. She explains her absence from the opening and doubts Chris's involvement in the theft, believing he wouldn't jeopardize the paintings. Astrid speculates that the value of "Im Blauen Zimmer" would skyrocket due to collectors' fascination with notoriety. She wonders why Rebekah would display it with minimal security. Max inquiries about her well-being, to which Astrid responds that she's alright, albeit she will miss Chris.
Later that evening, Rebekah retreats to her private chamber and carefully removes a small painting from a package. Meanwhile, Greg Milton-Elwes sneaks into the gallery on a clandestine mission, scanning the premises for something specific. At one juncture, he suspects the presence of another intruder.
The following day, Jess visits Toby Hansard to inquire about his presence at the gallery opening. Toby, keen to avoid sounding homophobic, jokes that he thought Greg was making advances towards him. He reveals that he attended the gallery hoping to attract new clients for his establishment. Toby presents CCTV footage from 10:45 PM, confirming his presence at the gym. He further verifies that he is Rebekah's personal trainer. Ashley shows Max flecks of blue paint found on the victim's clothing, matching the color of standard household emulsion. She confirms that the cause of death was manual asphyxiation, exacerbated by blows to the face.
Ashley unveils a heart-wrenching revelation: the victim harbored a brain tumor, a condition so severe that even with medical intervention, his life expectancy would have scarcely exceeded a year. Layla and Max confront Greg, seeking clarification about the tumor, to which Greg responds with ignorance, asserting that he hadn't detected any telltale signs in Chris. He inquiries whether this newfound knowledge alters the situation, only to receive a resolute no from Layla. Greg speculates that Chris himself was unaware of his condition.
As Cassie prepares to depart, she confronts Rebekah about a hurtful remark, inquiring why she labeled her a charity case. Rebekah clarifies, her voice tinged with sincerity, that her actions stem from friendship, before bombshell-dropping her resignation. Rebekah retreats into her fortified sanctuary, while Max ponders over his records. Unbeknownst to her, the vault seals shut, trapping Rebekah inside. She frantically calls out for Benoit, her voice echoing through the steel walls, only to discover that the security system has been intentionally deactivated.
Come dawn, Max crosses paths with Layla, who informs him that Rebekah remains ensnared within the vault. Roy arrives on the scene, his expertise in security systems invaluable in this predicament. Benoit claims an alibi, asserting he was ensconced in his office until the wee hours of the morning. In a hushed conversation, Max reveals to Layla his startling discovery: multiple phone exchanges between Benoit and Gregory. They gain entry to the secure room, finding Rebekah slumped on the floor, and rush her to the hospital without delay.
Confronted by Max about potentially imprisoning his wife, Benoit denies any wrongdoing, scapegoating a technical malfunction. He remains tight-lipped when pressed about his communications with Greg. Roy, whose handiwork the security system is, claims ignorance, stating that Benoit could have slipped out unnoticed. Layla attempts to extract information from Roy, but he remains steadfastly uncooperative. Max asserts their right to search the premises, citing the house as a crime scene.
Among Rebekah's possessions, they uncover an array of paintings, puzzled by her reluctance to display them proudly. Max doubts the authenticity of their provenance. As Benoit checks on Rebekah, she implores him for honesty. He confesses to being consumed by jealousy, suspicion生火ing her fidelity during his absences. She demands to know if he considered any other explanations. Benoit contritely seeks forgiveness and a chance at redemption, only to be met with Rebekah's firm dismissal.
Astrid scours through images of the paintings, her eyes lighting up upon discovering a piece that was stolen from a Madrid exhibition in 1998. With a list of stolen masterpieces in hand, they confront Rebekah. She reveals her noble mission: to thwart the paintings' descent into the black market, ensuring they remain visible. Jess calls Max with urgent news: Gulliver Bauer has received a call from Benoit, who, spurred by an anonymous tip, plans to exchange the stolen artworks for $100,000 tonight.
Layla accuses Rebekah of orchestrating this elaborate scheme to inflate the value of "Im Blauen Zimmer," hoping to secure funds for legal representation to leave her husband. The narrative twists and turns, each revelation deepening the intrigue and highlighting the intricate web of deceit and desire that entwines the characters.
Rebekah firmly refuses the accusation that Benoit attempted to confine her. Informing her of a development, Max reveals that her husband has retained the services of a solicitor by the name of Gregory Milton-Elwes. Rebekah then recounts how she amassed her fortune at the tender age of 22. When she crossed paths with Benoit, his business was on the brink of collapse; today, it bears her name. As they depart, Max fills Layla in on Benoit’s plan to reclaim the painting. Later that evening, they keep Benoit under surveillance. Connor alerts them that a text message, originating from an unidentified number, has been dispatched to their target. The message instructs the recipient to leave the money, promising the paintings’ return the following day.
Max and Layla witness a man approaching the designated spot, yet he fails to retrieve the bag Benoit had left behind. Subsequently, a woman concludes her phone conversation, snatches the bag, and makes a swift exit. She flees from their pursuit, evading capture despite their best efforts.
During an interrogation, Benoit swears ignorance regarding the sender of the texts. They review a video footage showing Toby visiting Rebekah, prompting Benoit to speculate about their affair. Benoit’s solicitor portrays him as an innocent victim. Connor and Jess seek Toby’s clarification on his visit. Toby clarifies that he is in a relationship with Cassie and Rebekah merely granted him permission to visit. He reveals that he has a girlfriend named Sarah, who coincidentally, is Cassie’s roommate.
Back at the station, Max and Layla deliberate over the evidence. Layla proposes querying Astrid if she recognizes the woman who seized the bag. Meanwhile, Layla receives a package containing camping supplies, as she prepares for an impending tent-based adventure. Max jokes about the lack of subtitles, sparking an idea in Layla. She takes the video to Ashley, hoping she might decipher the conversation. Upon reviewing the footage, Ashley suggests that the woman is uttering an address, which Layla promptly notes.
They bring in Kitty Colin, alias Ella Gilling, the woman spotted in the parking garage. Kitty eventually confesses that her father instructed her to retrieve and hold the bag for a few days. Roy is ushered into an interview room, where Layla inquires why his daughter picked up a bag filled with cash. Roy insists his daughter was unaware of its contents, and he denies possessing the stolen paintings. He rambles about his nickname and how one individual alone could bring him down.
Layla instructs Tim to escort Roy to the custody desk. Later that night, Max appears to uncover something significant. Layla and Max head to St. Pancras, where Max reveals that Astrid captured a photo five minutes prior to Benoit’s claimed arrival at the gallery. The photo features Benoit and Roy but excludes the Chaban Rolls. Instead, another car catches Max’s attention in the backdrop. He identifies a man who had rented a locker the day preceding Chris’s murder.
Layla is astounded by their locker’s contents. They confront Greg with one of the paintings, explaining that the locker was registered under his name. Max shows him a snapshot of his car, captured three minutes after the gallery’s alarm was triggered.
Greg asserts that Chris, fully aware of his impending demise, harbored a poignant desire to rescue Louisa from the clutches of collectors and restore it to its rightful home in Germany, amidst his ancestors. Konrad Mueller, a celebrated figure from his lineage, loomed large in his thoughts. Chris, determined, planned to orchestrate a daring heist, while Greg would play his part by meeting him at the gallery and transporting Louisa to St. Pancras Station. Subsequently, Chris intended to make an anonymous call, facilitating the return of the remaining paintings once the chaos subsided. Greg inquiries about the recovery of Chris's bag, which crucially held a duplicate key to the locker. He confirms that Chris had personally supervised the building's renovations, a detail that might hold significance.
Max's mind drifts back to the restaurant's former layout, recalling a serving counter that now stands as a storeroom. Back at the gallery, Max and Layla stumble upon a concealed bloodstain cleverly camouflaged with blue paint, leading them downstairs to an undisclosed sanctuary where one could conceal themselves for days on end. There, they uncover the paintings alongside Chris's bag, which contains a gray jacket marred by a crimson stain on its collar. Suspicion falls upon Toby, who sports a similar jacket. He produces surveillance footage of his workout session, but Max notices an anomaly—the timestamp's positioning differs. When they spy Chris in the video, alongside Toby, he abruptly flees from their gaze, though not for long. Toby insists on his ignorance of Chris's intentions, narrating how upon his return, Chris was feverishly slicing canvases from their frames. Toby, albeit initially finding logic in Chris's actions, soon found himself entangled in a fierce altercation sparked by Chris's derisive laughter at Toby's presumption to intertwine with his world. Toby's arrogance is swiftly extinguished, leading to his arrest.
Cassie rejoins her duties under Rebekah, who extends an olive branch, expressing remorse and a wish for a fresh start. Meanwhile, Astrid reaches out to Max, informed of the apprehension of Chris's killer. She ponders a trip to Richmond, where the Zintilis family has embarked on a new venture. They ultimately agree to embark on this journey together, hearts aligned by shared experiences and unspoken bonds.
