"Sergeant! Get me those crime scene photos. I want them on my desk! Now!" Valentine shouted down orders at his officer in charge. Elodie was still with Mrs. M and he knew the clock was ticking on his plan.

He called Father Brown and filled him in on his new discovery. This was delicate. Things were in motion and if he wasn't careful they could unravel. And then, he'd be hurt. Worse...Elodie would be forced to go through further pain.

He closed his eyes tight and pinched the bridge of his nose. Okay, think clearly, he told himself. A few silent moments passed before his sergeant knocked on his door and delivered the crime scene notes and photos. Valentine took them without a word.

It was about that time that Father Brown walked in.

"How can I help?"

"Here," Valentine passed him the photos. "These are graphic, but have a look. I want you to compare these two photos."

He pointed out the two in question.

The priest's eyebrows raised. "I don't believe it."

"So, you see what I see?"

"Indeed I do,"

"I don't know how they've pulled it off though. Thats's why I need your help."

"Let's start at the beginning."

They worked into the evening. Father Brown managed to piece Valentine's mystery together, and for the first time he didn't care that the meddling priest saved the day.

"Thank you, Father."

Valentine put on his hat, grabbed his firearm and assembled his officers.

Then, he said a prayer.

Minutes later, as they pulled up to Mr. Francis's address Valentine saw his car parked out front. So, he was home. Valentine flicked his cigarette out the window and threw his car in park. His officers surrounded the house as he knocked on the door. He was met by Mr. Francis and the woman who answered the door earlier.

"How can we help you?" Francis asked.

"I've got a warrant to search your home," Valentine thrusted the paper against he other man's chest.

"I'm not sure it's entirely appropriate that you're even here." he said with enough snark to make Valentine smirk.

"I assure you, it is perfectly appropriate. Even legal. Now, my officers are going to tear this place apart." he said slowly.

"And in the meantime..." He turned his attention to the woman, "You and I will be going for a trip to the station, Mrs. Greene."

Her face paled, and Francis turned to her frantically.

Valentine smiled. "Ah yes. I know all about your little scheme. So, you and I are going to the station in my car, and Mr. Francis...you will be escorted by my sergeant here." Valentine lead Mrs. Greene by the arm out of the house. Behind them Francis was lead by the sergeant.

Officers executed the warrant, and Valentine hoped they would find proof of the murders of Mr. Greene, and whoever the poor woman was that they placed as Elodie's mother.

At the station Father Brown sat in the corner of the interrogation room. Valentine laid out the crime scene photos in front of his suspect.

"Let's start by you telling me who the dead woman is,"

She sat silently.

"Okay. Whose idea was it to kill your husband?"

She drew a calm breath. For a moment Valentine thought she might confess something. Anything.

"I would like to speak to my solicitor."

Valentine exhaled sharply. "This doesn't end good for you. You know that. At the very least you've faked your own death and were, in some way, party to a homocide. Prison is certain for you, and no solicitor can change that."

He stood from the table and walked out leaving Father Brown in the room.

Valentine was angry. He was shaking from head to toe. Francis was in a cell, and it took everything the inspector had not to go in there and close the door behind him. He decided the best thing for him to do was take a break.

A few minutes later he and Elodie were having an ice-cream on Mrs. M's front stoop.

"Elodie, I have a question for you?"

"Hmm?"

"Well, I've been thinking...have you liked staying with me?"

The little girl looked up at him. "Yes, of course."

A few moments ticked by before she looked up at him again, ice-cream covering her face, "Why?"

All her hopes seemed to hinge on what his answer would be.

"I was only just wondering. I've loved having you stay with me." He gave her a squeeze.

When they'd finished their cones Valentine said goodbye to Elodie and returned her to the care of Mrs. McCarthy.

Time to get back to work.