Pie in the Sky

- Season 3

(1996)

Henry is leading a stake-out of a pizza parlour, whose delivery drivers are suspected of robbing customers though Fisher doubts its cost effectiveness. Money problems hit the restaurant too. John and Steve have moved on and the account is in the red. Things look up with the knowledge that old bone of contention Hooperman has died, Henry's wooing the bank manager with his culinary skills and the arrival of new chef Gary, an ex-con and reformed drunk who nonetheless helps Henry catch the pizza gang. Unfortunately this success makes Henry so valuable an officer that his ...

Henry supplies the catering at his friend Alistair's pheasant shoot, where Fisher is among the guests. Another member of the party is shot and killed and it looks as if Fisher accidentally shot him but Henry's investigation reveals a crime of passion involving a love triangle, a jealous husband - and a cover-up.

The large family of much-married Irishwoman Kit Kelly book the restaurant for a wedding banquet for her and her new husband, American television writer Byron De Goris. Byron's briefcase is stolen from his hotel and Henry is suspicious of his reaction and even more so when Margaret tells him that the groom is not Byron De Goris but his friend James Jackson. Margaret had known them both thirty years earlier and discovers that Byron killed himself and James assumed his identity. Henry has to find out why.

Charles Rider, a wine-loving regular at Pie in the Sky, is being threatened. It turns out he is really Joseph Webb, an ex-burglar turned supergrass, and now in witness protection. His collection includes many valuable bottles of wine, some of them stolen property and formerly owned by a bent policeman. His cronies have tracked Webb down and want the most priceless bottle back. So Rider comes to Henry Crabbe for help. Can Crabbe restore justice while keeping his friend safe?

Whilst investigating thefts of valuable plants from gardens,which are always replaced by the Gardens of Eden landscaping firm, Henry has to team up with the incompetent National Horticultural Division to stake out likely targets. By coincidence Margaret employs Gardens of Eden to create an alfresco eating area though the identity of the real thief is rather a surprise.

Henry is drafted into Operation Grabbitback with bossy woman superintendent Chalmers, recovering stolen cars. Thanks to Henry, Chalmers catches the small fry and closes the case but Henry, with Fisher's help, apprehends a larger smuggling ring headed by two Russians, seeing off both Chalmers and an equally officious health inspector.