Jack Taylor (2013) s01e01 Episode Script
The Guards
1 'It's almost impossible to get thrown out of the Guards.
Unless you become a public disgrace, they'll tolerate most anything.
' Suit yourself.
(TYRES SCREECH) - Hey, it's a Government Merc.
- Is that so? Leave it, Jack.
Jack! Jack, it's the Minister.
Jesus, Jack.
Back off! - Where's the fire? - Get out.
Have you any idea who you are talking to? Yeah, you're the gobshite that screwed the nurses.
Brazen pup! I'll have your job.
You know what's going to happen now? Yeah.
I know exactly what's gonna happen now.
'The only thing I was ever good at in my life was finding things.
Now as an ex-cop, I had to use this skill to make a living.
' Jack, hey, what are you doing? Payola.
I found your burglar.
But that was last month and you said Call it a finder's fee.
I don't come cheap.
- Sarge, I thought you were - Gone? Yep.
The Super had me write a letter.
- He wants that coat back.
- Does he now? Too bad.
Once a guard, always a guard.
'To be a finder requires patience and pig-stubbornness.
The latter is my strongest point.
' Ah, Jack, I know your father, Paddy.
Paddy Taylor.
A man of subtlety and taste.
- Is he not? - He had his moments.
One deduces from the use of the past tense that he's no longer with us.
Or worse, in England.
Dead.
He's dead.
(COUGHS) (SPLUTTERS) I am indebted to you, young Taylor.
It has been many the mile since I was offered a fellow pilgrim's hanky.
A touch of biddy perhaps? No, no.
No, you keep it.
There's no need to get notions, just because you're famous.
Jack, for The Times.
Thank you.
Sutton.
'My old drinking buddy back in town.
High jinx coming, no doubt.
' Jack! Jack Taylor.
Amigo.
Sutton, you bollocks.
Stealing my image, you bad bastard.
Steal my soul, why don't you? Some of us have to make a living.
I'm an artist.
- Piss artist, more like! - Yeah! Shall we? (DISTANT SIREN WAILS) They're coming to take you away, ha ha.
OFFICER: Down here, fellas.
Sorry.
Official personnel only.
This way, lads.
Face it, Jack, they don't want you any more.
- That's the same spot, isn't it? - Yeah.
Right here, the last girl was found.
Shocking what the kids are getting up to.
It's the drugs.
Come on, clear the way now.
So what is it with Galway, something in the water? That's four girls in the river in as many months.
No doubt Clancy's on the case.
Move these people back.
Everybody, back, please.
Everybody, back.
Come on, nothing to see here.
'They say that Galway is the graveyard of ambition but these girls hadn't lived long enough to realise they had any.
' Do you miss it, Jack? - What? - The guards.
- I dunno.
- Do you miss the paratroopers? - I miss the killing.
As an entrepreneur and a collector, let me stress that we should not forget the symbiotic relationship between the business community and the art world.
Creativity needs feeding.
Business needs inspiration.
I declare this superb exhibition open.
Hooray! Cheers.
Kind people of Galway, thank you for your support and more particularly for purchasing some of my work! You may have noticed that one of the paintings, the one in the window there, is not for sale.
I could never sell that painting because it's of my very precious friend - Jack Taylor.
I'd also like to thank my good friend and patron for his great taste in promoting my work our local tycoon, Trevor Lanpert.
(APPLAUSE) Lanpert? Why are you dipping your toes in his dirty water? Come on, I'm an impoverished artist.
Michelangelo had the Pope and I've got him.
So you're painting his ceiling too, huh? Impoverished? Yeah.
Poverty's relative.
- WOMAN: Please would you sign? - I most certainly will.
Tell me you're gonna take your coat off for the dance.
Maybe.
How would I dance otherwise? Jesus, Jack.
We're here to drink.
- Let's go back to the pub, then.
- No, no.
And miss the ambience? Anyway, you're more predictable when you're drunk.
'Sutton, at his worst, is better than most people at their best.
And now, typical.
All over you intense and then gone into the night, sometimes for years.
' WOMAN: Argh! Let go, you prick! Get off me! He wanted me to give him a blowjob for 20 Euro.
So not a killer.
Just a regular slime ball, then! Sarge.
You're Sergeant Taylor.
Yeah, and you're the new guard.
Kate, isn't it? You were on the way in when I was on the way out.
- I can't swim! - Neither can I! - Shouldn't we er? - No.
No, you're off duty.
Just ask them to rescue the drowning rat.
MAN: Get some help! I can't swim! Hey.
Garda Kate Noonan.
There's a man gone in the river.
I need urgent assistance.
OK.
OK, thanks.
They're on their way.
- Sarge? - Jack.
It's Jack.
Look, I'm not chicken or anything .
.
but would you mind walking me home? Hey, come on.
Ah, thanks.
Where are you going?! (SIRENS APPROACH) - Drink? - Yeah.
See, I volunteered for the night patrol.
Well, volunteered.
- I did it off my own bat.
- Stubborn.
That's admirable in a guard.
Couldn't bear to see any more girls being pulled out of the river.
Suicide city, eh? So tell me, what's going on here? All the girls were drunk.
And the postmortems found drugs - speed, ecstasy, the usual stuff.
But the girls died from drowning.
Fatal attraction of water.
Four girls is quite a number.
Bit of a coincidence they all ended up at Nimmo's Pier, no? You think it's some psycho? I dunno.
What if they were suicides? They must have been in hell to jump.
"Life is sad, life is a bust, all you can do is do what you must.
" Dylan.
Blood on the Tracks.
1974.
Hey, you're good.
(CHUCKLES) (CHURCH BELL RINGS) (KNOCK AT DOOR) Fame at last.
Look.
"Once a Guard".
Infamous, more like.
Terrible about that poor girl.
Have they identified her yet? Don't ask me, I was once a guard, remember? Don't get lippy with me.
Come on, Jack, everyone's talking about it.
You can tell me.
Tell a woman.
Isn't that it, Mrs Bailey? 'Old School of Galway charm my landlady its best example.
Took me in when I'd nowhere to go.
She and Sean, the only ones to make a man feel he might still have a chance.
' Hey, Sean, how are you keeping? Ah, Jack, a mhac.
I'm an ol' crock.
You need a seaweed bath.
I need a miracle, son.
(HORN TOOTS) Will you ever retire? Will you ever stop drinking? What are they doing here? This is my office.
They have their own keys.
Hair of the dog? Jeez, I want the whole dog.
Have you seen this? This arrived yesterday.
Hand delivered.
What does it say? "In pursuance of our recent communication" and in regards to Item 8234 regulation government-issue all-weather coat.
"We trust in the speedy return of said item.
" Sensible shoes, but not overly so.
Pretty, well-manicured but not overly so.
Only one conclusion.
Out of your zone, son.
- Do I know you? - I know you.
Not somebody else I need to apologise to? - Jack Taylor.
- Anne Hennessy.
I need someone to help me.
How did you find me? - You're famous.
- Yeah.
Come and have a seat.
I'm looking for my daughter Sarah.
She said she was on her way to Galway and at first she used to call me every few days.
And then the calls dried up.
Sounds like a teenager.
If you're worried, go to the guards, why don't you? If you want help, go to the guards? I was thinking of someone searching her out privately.
A private eye.
She's my only daughter.
I'm worried.
I just want to know that she's all right, you know? Can you help me? An address? She was travelling.
- A job? - Bars, restaurants.
She's only 18.
This is the edge of Europe.
There's nowhere left to go.
Some of them put down roots.
Some of them disappear.
It happens.
They've made up their mind and nothing we do will stop them.
We were saving to go to America this summer.
I can't promise anything.
Why are you a drunk? Why do you want a drunk to help you? They say you're good because you've nothing else in your life.
I've left my number.
'There are no private eyes in Ireland.
It's too close to being an informer, a dodgy concept.
Maybe Anne Hennessy was out of my zone but it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
She got my juices going.
' Take one of these? Keep your eyes open.
- Take one of these.
- Thanks.
Take one of these.
- Padraic.
- Jack.
I got lucky.
- God bless you, sir.
- Move on.
Come on, move.
Jumped up gobshite.
There's a pugnacious streak in you.
I used to be one.
A gobshite? Hello, can you help me? Have you seen this girl? Who's asking? Excuse me, can you help me? I'm looking for this girl.
I haven't seen her, sorry.
- I'm not a cop.
- Right! And I suppose she's not missing either? Sarah? Sarah? I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else.
Here's your bag.
I'm sorry.
- You still drinking? - You're still smoking.
Me and Bette Davis.
- She's dead.
- My point exactly.
Been to Mass? Your mother would have liked that.
My mother has nothing to do with it, thanks be to Jesus.
Now, now, son, she does worry about you.
And mind your lip, God wouldn't like that.
God has nothing to do with it either.
You never had a bit of reverence.
Oh, I do, I just don't revere the things that you do.
- Don't tell me they've taken you back on? - No.
I'm helping a friend.
Not one of our lost sheep, I'm sure of it.
Where's the Church on suicide these days? Thinking of leaving us, are you, Jack? Is it still the "can't be buried in hallowed ground" stance? Ah, you're very much out of touch.
- Is that an answer? - No.
That's a sad fact.
So what's your favourite poison? Slimline G & T or Sex on the Rocks? You know it's illegal Grandad.
We're underage.
Yeah, pull the other one.
This is Galway, drinking capital of Ireland.
- Show me your ID.
- What are you, a cop or something? - Do you recognise her? - BOTH: No.
No? Tell me, where do you underage girls earn the cash to keep you in the style to which you're accustomed? Planters? Support your local economy.
They take everyone.
Even if you're not 16.
What's that? That's Lucy.
She died.
We're making the scrapbook for her memorial.
- It's awful what she did.
- Shut up, Sheona.
She didn't kill herself, she just fell in.
You know, if you are a cop and you were any good at your job, you'd do something about it.
May I? Thanks.
Blondie, if I were you, I'd save on the bottle of bleach.
You'd be better looking as a brunette.
(LAUGHTER) Get off, you big perv! - How dare you? - The eyebrows are a giveaway.
Adios.
Hey! What do you want? I want to see Mr Planter.
There was me thinking that was some mythical creature like Ronald McDonald.
The owner? Mr Ford is the manager.
But they're not hiring right now.
It takes one to know one.
I need the work.
Go on, then.
'Because of my previous career, it was believed I had an inside track.
No.
I hit lucky and found resolutions.
But a minor reputation began to build.
Most important of all I was cheap.
' Thanks for seeing me.
I'm Jack Taylor.
You say that name as if it means something.
It means zero to me.
I'm investigating a missing person.
Sarah Hennessy.
- Are you a policeman? - No.
- Any official standing? - Zero.
So I have no obligation to talk to you, then? Save common decency.
Ah, now I have it.
I saw you in the paper.
Once a guard, right? So there's no good reason not to kick your sorry arse out of here.
- Do you know this girl? - Sarah Hennessy? I very much doubt it.
John, get in here now.
That's impressive.
- What, an intercom? - No, that you remembered her name.
Perhaps you're more familiar with this one? Take him out of here, John before I call the guards.
Thanks, pal.
Nice one! The guards? 'In Ireland, they say, "If you want help, go to the guards.
If you don't want help, go to the guards.
"' There's a school of thought that says you should never go back.
Well, you must have failed the exam.
You were always so polite when I was your superior.
I want to see Clancy.
Yeah, but does the Superintendent want to see you? - Superintendent? - Promotion.
Jack Taylor here to see you.
OK.
Interview room C.
(BUZZER) Taylor, Taylor, Taylor.
Sergeant Inspector Super! See your Minister got sacked.
And there's Lanpert, Galway's finest.
Friends in high places.
Demotion, promotion.
You get promoted and I get sacked.
You're a hothead, Jack.
A good cop, a bit flaky, unpredictable.
I prefer to call it risk-taking.
And I don't lick arse.
So what can I do you for? Her name's Sarah Hennessy.
I was wondering if you might tell me whether she's on any of your files.
- And why might that be? - I'm looking for her, for her mother.
Oh, don't tell me you've turned into some half-arsed gumshoe? What? Leeching off some poor mother's grief.
To fill the hole in your own miserable existence.
- Has this young woman committed any crime? - Not that I know of.
Any reason to believe she disappeared in mysterious circumstances? That's what I'm trying to find out.
Then there's no reason we should be interested, is there? You could maybe just run her name through the system.
- What? - For old time's sake? Oh, I forgot, I owe you one for the Minister, don't I? At least you did the right thing handing in your notice.
I'm sorry to have bothered you, Superintendent.
Oh, Jack? By any chance is that a regulation Garda issue all-weather coat? Hey, Kate.
Can you help me out? Run those suicides through the computer.
See if they worked at Planters.
Not here, Jack.
OK, I'll be in the Roisin Dubh Pub tomorrow night.
Don't fret, I won't take the canal path.
Well, they say if you fall off a horse, you should get right back on.
'The fatal attraction of water.
In all my time in the guards, I'd never known two suicides to finish up in exactly the same place.
' (GROANS) Get his hand.
Aargh! (MAN CHUCKLES) Keep your nose out of other peoples' business.
(GROANS) Buy your own chips next time.
Sutton! (GROANS) Sutton! Jackie? Jesus Christ, what happened to you? Can't take my eyes off you for a second.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Is this my fault? - Because of Sarah? - Maybe.
I've been asking around.
(DIDGERIDOO DRONES) Don't encourage her.
I was paying her to stop.
I have to tell you things are not looking good.
I read that there have been four suicides in Galway in the past few months, Jack.
I'm so afraid.
I'm sorry, Anne, but all my efforts to date have drawn a blank.
Is it possible that Sarah used another name? Her father's? Impossible.
Her father walked out on us before she was born.
Look, I don't want to worry you unduly but something's going on in one of the factories in town.
I need to get at their employment files and I need you to help me.
- Sarah's diaries, notebooks, anything, OK? - Of course.
She just wanted to get away.
When she left the boarding school, she couldn't settle.
She took everything from her last known address.
You must have pissed off someone big time.
- It's what I do.
- Did anyone call the guards? - They were the guards.
- You're coddlin'? No, I saw their shoes at closer range than I wanted.
(PHONE RINGS) Hi, Anne.
No.
No news.
Sure.
Where? Yeah, that sounds good.
Hey, Jack! Your round, I think.
- Hey? - His usual.
Double, Sean.
Sometime before Lent.
This dump must be even more miserable when you're not drinking.
Why'd you patronise the sour bastard? Sean? He's my Father confessor.
- What about me, amigo? - You're the reason I need one.
I'm always there for you, my friend.
SEAN: It's here if you want it.
Well, if that's the case, you can do me a favour.
- I need a lift.
- Get a taxi.
I need your help to frighten those heavies.
- Tomorrow, OK? - That's different, then.
Will there be a chance for some Bruce Lee? Some high kicks? (CHUCKLES) 'The G Hotel.
The last temple built before the bubble burst.
I wonder why the feckers called it G.
G for Galway, grandiose, greedy or gay?' Good evening, sir! Will you be staying with us tonight, then? If I get lucky.
Jack.
- Have a nice evening.
- See you later, then.
So you kick with the other foot, Jack? Guard Taylor.
Certainly captures your spirit.
Who's the artist? A friend of yours? Ah, my nemesis.
Don't ask.
- Did you pose for him? - I'm not a poser.
Me and him, we go back a long way.
Really? You must know him very well.
Sometimes I think I do, sometimes not.
Painting's not my thing.
Now, books - What would you like? - G & T, please.
Or light a penny candle from a star And if there's gonna be a life hereafter And somehow I'm sure there's gonna be I will ask my God to let me make my heaven Super voice.
In that dear old land Across the Irish Sea (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Thank you.
I'll hand you over to the Sumbrellas.
I'll be back in a moment.
Kate.
You were mighty, young one.
You're wasted in the guards! You were mighty, young one.
You're wasted in the guards! You have to think about dumping that coat.
Yeah.
New friend? Work, actually.
She's the mother of the missing girl.
She must have had her awful young.
Come on.
Gonna hit the town I'm gonna make some hay I got my blue shoes on, don't know what to do Gonna do it anyhow In this crazy world Your hunch was right.
Three of the girls in the last few months worked part-time at Planters.
- After school, just a few hours.
- Ford, the little shit.
And I've run Sarah Hennessy through the employment databases.
There's nobody from Dublin of that name showing any tax or insurance contributions.
Maybe working under a false name or off the books? Did you try the education lists? Will do, Sarge.
If she did jump in the river, she'd have been swept out to sea.
Very unlikely they'd have all ended up at Nimmo's Pier.
- RADIO: Golf Alpha 792.
- I'm on standby.
Garda Noonan, come in, please.
- You're a devil for punishment.
Garda Kate Noonan.
- Go ahead.
We have a ID on the dead girl.
Her parents are due back tonight.
Please inform them.
I'll be right there.
That girl's been missing for two weeks.
No, Jack, she's not Sarah Hennessy.
They've found her parents and I have to break the news.
Miss being in the guards, Sarge? Ask if she ever worked at Planters.
Typical.
I get you to hold my hand and guess what? No feeling.
Anne, you seem far too nice to have your daughter run away on you.
Why did she? I don't know, I'm trying to understand her.
Didn't we all want to get away at that age? Leave Ireland.
Even now.
How do you think I ended up in Kosovo? Kosovo? Doing what? Running an orphanage.
- Orphanage? - Displaced kids.
Did I not say that was my job? When Sarah went to boarding school in Dublin at 15, it was my time.
Working in the orphanage and giving all that attention to those kids.
And leaving Sarah like that.
God, I feel so guilty.
We'll find her, I promise.
Thanks, Jack.
Have you a family? My mother's alive.
Father's dead, younger brother died too.
- How? - Drink.
We try to keep it in the family.
Did you ever love someone? There was a woman, when I was in the Guards.
She made me feel .
.
I was more than I was.
It was a good feeling.
I screwed it up, though.
Why? It's what I do best.
That's no answer.
I could say it was the booze, but that's not true.
There's a self-destruct button in me.
I keep returning to it.
I got the green cab you ordered.
- So what's with you, then? - Me? - You've got a shit-eating grin going on there.
- Do I? Like the cat who got the cream.
I get it.
You got laid, didn't you, you dirty dog? You did, didn't you? - I got lucky.
- Good man, Taylor! - Who was it, the rock chick, what's her face? - No.
Come on.
Don't make me do the 100 guesses trip.
- Or did you just get a hooker? - The missing girl's mother.
Well, that wasn't very bright, Jack.
- Probably a three-bed semi with kids upstairs.
- No.
Lap of luxury.
The G Hotel.
Oh, wow! Fair play to you, Jack.
Fair play to you.
Early closing.
There he is.
We're on our way.
- But to where? - Your call.
Now then, Mr Ford.
What do you want, Taylor? We heard you'd vacancies for security staff.
And you love to employ Gardai.
Ooh.
Brenda.
Just in time for the show.
What the fuck's this? What's this all about, Ford? It's no secret.
- I want to watch workers working.
- And then what? You pick out the ones you want to play with? They're not children.
And when you're through, some of them go for a long, deep swim in the ocean.
- Don't they, Ford? - What? - Don't fuckin' lie to us, pimp! - Leave him, Sutton.
Argh! - Ha-ha! - Sutton! Run, rabbit, run! Jack, try upstairs.
(DOOR CREAKS) There he is! - Got him.
- Go easy, Sutton! (WHOOPS) SUTTON: Run.
Come on! JACK: Sutton, where are you? Sutton? (Panting) (GROANS) What? Fucker's gone.
Hey, don't look at me.
It was an accident.
My arse! If you hadn't run him like that.
Fuck.
I need this like a hole in the head.
They'll string us from a height.
Jesus, Jesus.
Fuck you, Sutton.
Clean up.
Jack, listen.
It was an accident.
Plus, how big a loss is he? The guy was garbage, the world's better off without him.
Yeah, see you.
(PHONE RINGS) (RINGING) You're in here without a warrant.
Jesus, Jack.
Since when did a Super need a warrant card these days? You could be a subversive or a drug dealer or a drug-dealing subversive.
What are you looking for? This, for a start.
Always one for the films, Jack.
The old classics.
I'm looking for a few films myself.
Surveillance films, Jack.
Might be instrumental in proving a death was a tragic accident or maybe a murder.
Very concerned, aren't we? Friend of yours? On the golf course, perhaps? Mr Ford went, it seems, for a jog.
Very upsetting.
One of those "do it yourself" deaths.
Just like those girls you have Garda Kate Noonan checking on the computer.
Kate's a good cop.
She is Jack.
A good cop.
An officer for the future.
Not like us old hands.
I don't want her involved in anything that would be detrimental to her career.
(DOOR SLAMS) Sarah Hennessy.
Apparently she's never passed an exam here.
But she did her Leaving Cert at that posh boarding school, in Dublin? I checked the whole country.
She never registered in any school.
So either Sarah Hennessy's been wiped out of existence or Are we saying she never existed in the first place? No.
You must have hit the wrong button.
Keep trying.
Planters.
Lan L-A-N Lanpert? - He is Planters.
- Jack! Sutton? Ford was getting those girls for someone else.
We've got to meet.
What are you doing? Why are you following me? Just worried.
You wouldn't take any of my calls.
I was worried about you.
Look, Anne, about the investigation You need money.
- I have more.
- I don't need money.
But if it happens that Sarah can't be found That she turns up in the water? I'm prepared for that.
'How could a mother be prepared for that?' (HORN TOOTS) It's about the root, not the weed.
Planter - Lanpert.
So simple.
You watch Countdown, do you? SUTTON: The gates are open.
You shouldn't be involved.
What about Ford? I'm hardly not involved.
Feckin' exactly! So why would Ford have the keys to Lanpert's house? If they are.
Bingo.
Three of your paintings and all.
Well, at least he's got good taste.
Check there's no-one here.
- What about upstairs? - This is upstairs.
- You've been here before? - Delivering paintings.
Sutton.
Looks like the same as Ford had.
Ssh.
- There's no DVD player.
- There's a computer.
Try this one.
The writing's different.
SUTTON: What if he comes back now? You can serve the popcorn.
(Girl coughs and splutters) MALE VOICE: No.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
(GIRL CHOKES) MAN: Just lie still.
There now.
That's better.
I'd love to get hold of this sick shit and rip him to pieces, bit by bit.
Jack, we've found the weed and the root.
But you hand this in .
.
they'll arrest you or even worse.
No, we leave the place as we found it.
So will you call the guards? No, not yet.
The fucker's too well connected.
I need to stay below the radar till I find out what he's done to Sarah.
(CAR APPROACHES) Take the back door.
I'll handle it.
Sutton.
Careful.
Oh, there you are! I was trying the back.
- What are you doing here? - Have we not got a deal? You want more money? You're at it again, aren't you? I know what you're doing, you bastard.
- About bloody time! - That was easy.
What did you say to him? Sold him a painting.
2,000 Euros! Quit the fucking jokes, Sutton.
- If he does a runner - You're too paranoid, man.
Chill out.
I need time to think.
You wouldn't be thinking of selling me out now, would you, Jack? - What? - Cos that wouldn't make me very happy.
Me and you, we're tied together, yeah? You might not be able to keep quiet about Ford.
That's mad talk.
- Get some sleep.
- I will, Jack.
And you get some focus.
What do you think of Sutton? He wants locking up.
Thanks, Sean.
An unbiased opinion is more than I could have dreamed of.
That fella's going straight to hell, and he'll bring as many as he can with him.
Would you say I'd be capable of selling out a friend? Well, you used to be a guard.
Well, now, time, gentlemen, please.
Time for my constitutional.
You can let yourselves out.
Evening, fine sir.
Ah, Padraic, me old friend.
Lovely full moon.
Give me the other hand.
Some days they go for you, Padraic, and sometimes Here we are.
Give us a hand over.
There we go.
- Good night.
Good evening.
- Good luck.
Good night to you.
(CAR ENGINE STARTS) Where's Sean? Sean Grogan? Hey, I don't think that's a good idea.
- Do I know you? - No.
Then how the hell would you know? - Are you Jack? - Uh-huh.
He asked for you.
We couldn't save him.
Looks like it was a hit and run.
Probably a drunk driver.
Prepare yourself.
I gave you this sweater for Christmas.
I'll find the bastards that did this to you.
(WOMEN LAUGHING) (DISTORTED BABBLE OF VOICES AND LAUGHTER) (HORN BLARES) (WOMAN SCREAMS) Relax, Jack, you're safe.
Father Malachy.
What, where? - You're at your mother's.
- Oh, Jesus.
Don't take the Lord's name in vain.
(GROANS) - How long was I out? - It's Sunday.
Another lost weekend, is it, Jack? - You living here? - What? Don't be an idiot.
Your mother called me.
Oh, shit.
Mind that tongue, laddie, I won't abide by cursing.
So sue me.
Jesus, these are my father's.
May he rest in peace.
Though I fear he'd turn in his grave at your antics.
You'll come to nothing, like your father.
With that vote of confidence, Ma, it's no wonder I drink.
How the mighty have fallen.
You're still working as a private det-I am.
- And you're looking into some girl's suicide? - How do you know? Oh Father Malachy.
The whole town knows about it.
Though God knows how you find the time between drinking.
Well Thanks for uh .
.
you know.
Well, it'd be a queer thing if you couldn't come to your own home.
This was never home.
'How come, no matter how long since you've seen the family, or how much distance you put between you, they can always push your buttons? Answer - because they installed them.
My father used to say, "Your mother means well.
" She didn't.
Not then.
Not ever.
' (PHONE RINGS) KATE: Hi, Jack.
Where have you been? I've been out of action for a few days.
Did they get the bastard who killed Sean? No.
There were no witnesses.
And, Jack, you missed the funeral.
Jack? Jack, you still there? Yeah.
The Grogan case is closed.
We've better things to be doing than chasing a hit and run.
Yeah, sure, like paedophiles.
Face it, there's no more missing girls, no more suicides.
Stop sticking your nose in, Taylor, you're not wanted.
And what's with the grieving mother? Has she left you too? You loser.
'Most likely Lanpert, fearing we were on to him, had flown the coop.
Had he taken Sarah? Had he dumped her? Had Anne heard anything? What else had I missed on my lost weekend? How could a mother be prepared for that?' Henderson? - Are you following me? - You betcha! You're looking rough, Jackie.
Under the weather? - It'll help with the shock.
- Ah, go on, get in.
You really loved the old codger, didn't you? - I got a surprise for you.
- I'm not in the mood, Sutton.
Trust me, you're gonna like this.
Welcome to my kingdom.
If a man cries out in the forest and nobody hears him, is he really crying out? Does anybody know your sacrifice, Jack, only yourself? Tell me when I was drunk, did I understand you and your fucking philosophy? My art is my philosophy.
Hence my latest exhibit is something of a departure.
In fact it's an installation.
What's the point of having a secret if you can't tell anyone? Hello, Lanpert? Bastard's gone and died on me.
Took the easy way out.
You call that easy? I was keeping him alive for you, Jackie.
I thought you might want to finish the fucker off.
I was gonna crucify him but it's been done.
He's admitted it all - put the girls in a bath, the works, drowned them.
Did he mention Sarah Hennessy? No.
No, he didn't.
What do you prefer - Justice Recorded or Hung In Conamara? He begged me to kill him but I was saving him for you.
Me? You promised to tear him to pieces.
I didn't mean it literally, you sick bastard! We've gotta get rid of the body! Are you out of your mind? I'm a fucking g Guard? No, you're not.
'Because I'd been fascinated by Sutton's darkness, I'd let a whole series of signposts fly by me.
' Jack.
So you are going to join him, then? Who? Sutton.
You and Sutton.
There's no such person as Anne Hennessy.
Ding.
There's no daughter.
Ding.
Am I getting a tune here? I'm sorry, Jack, but I had to flush him out.
You what? When I saw this, I knew he was somewhere in the West.
I recognised his style, then I saw his picture of you.
Anne, the truth.
He was a UN paratrooper in charge of our sector and he brokered a deal to move my children from the bombing zone to a place of safety.
And Sarah? Just a lie? My assistant was called Sarah.
Young, beautiful, the whole of life in front of her.
Like the daughter I never had.
He would not let me go with the children, said it was too dangerous, so Sarah went in my place.
And I never saw them again.
And I didn't know if the rebel They were in my care and I trusted him.
And then nothing.
I heard rumours .
.
infertile couples in America $10,000 for a child.
Then I saw the pictures on television Sarah dead along the road.
I didn't know if he'd been killed too or if he had sold them.
'I felt so gutted.
I wanted to drink so ferociously I could taste the whisky in my mouth.
' Oi, is this your vehicle? Hey! - Not now, Clancy.
- I might owe you an apology.
- Might? - The suicides.
Seems you were on to something.
And, you, Super, are you on to something like the whereabouts of Lanpert? He's long gone.
Bit of money buys you a lot of clout.
But not for a barman.
A cowardly hit and run merits no attention.
Don't become a nuisance, Jack.
And make you sure you hand in that coat! You have a rare gift, my friend.
Do I? The thing I always liked about you, you were never one to pry into another man's affairs .
.
even when you were in the guards.
Always respected a man's privacy.
Like Sean.
He always made sure I was right for the day, he did.
A saint among publicans.
Sean.
I used to meet him most mornings, some evenings.
I always look out for my people.
The Good People.
He's gone now.
I knew that as soon as the van hit him.
- Van? - Aye.
This is for our brother, Sean Grogan.
And that's for the bastard who murdered him.
- What are you talking about, Padraic? - Murder.
That Conamara van ploughed straight through him like the very scythe of the Grim Reaper.
- Conamara? - From the bogs of Conamara! Tell me, Padraic.
I saw the muck of the mountains of my own childhood, man.
I'm a pisshead, I know.
But I'm not blind.
I saw it all.
Green was it green? Aye.
(LOW ARGUMENT) Anne? - Where is she? - She went off with some other fella.
He seemed to be in an awful hurry, just like yourself.
Whoa! Put that down or I'll call the guards! Yeah, you do that.
Tell Superintendent Clancy to meet Jack Taylor down at the docks.
Tell him I've found the killer.
Where is she, Sutton? I know what happened in Kosovo.
Ah! The poor little children.
You believe all that shit? Yes, I do.
That's how the world is.
It's a damned shame some kids went astray but how many others do you think I saved? - I don't care.
- Yeah, you do.
You care about justice and balance right and wrong.
You're a cop.
- Just let Anne off the boat.
- She's where she wants to be, man.
And you're not gonna hurt me, my friend.
OK, I got that wrong.
Open the hatch or the next one's in your heart.
He wants you out.
Get off the boat.
Both of you.
Stay away now, Anne.
I'm a soldier.
I don't kill children.
How long have you known Lanpert? We met in Kosovo.
He was an arms dealer.
I knew he was into little girls.
Quite simple.
Blackmail.
We had an understanding.
I painted, kept my mouth shut.
He bought my work.
But then he started killing in Galway.
And now he's dead.
He went too far.
But you milked him.
(SIRENS APPROACHING) What else did you do? Have you called the cavalry on me? I never killed a child or anyone who didn't deserve it.
Sean? You killed Sean.
You're a better detective than I thought.
I had to kill your confessor for both of our sakes.
I told him nothing.
But I did.
I was pissed.
I was trying to get a rise out of him.
- I told him about Ford.
- Sean wouldn't have said anything.
He hated me.
One day, he'd have made that call.
Adios, my good, good friend.
Give me the gun now.
Now, why don't you just do that? - It's not how it looks, Clancy.
- It never is with you, Jack.
CLANCY: You were never here.
Go on, get out of my sight! Anne Anne.
I'm sorry, Jack.
'In reality, time doesn't pass, we pass.
I think that's one of the saddest things I ever learned.
And God knows, anything I have learned has been the hard way.
' TV: Former Garda Jack Taylor has come forward to allege that Mr Trevor Lanpert, a prominent Irish businessman, is linked with the deaths of Fame at last.
I like having you here.
You're a good man.
Oh, I don't know about that.
Of course you don't, that's part of your goodness.
I'd say you were a fine thing when you were young.
Ah, Jack.
Great news.
I gave up smoking.
And I gave up drinking.
For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way Scorned us just for being what we are Well, they might as well go chasing after moonbeams Or light a penny candle from a star Unless you become a public disgrace, they'll tolerate most anything.
'
Unless you become a public disgrace, they'll tolerate most anything.
' Suit yourself.
(TYRES SCREECH) - Hey, it's a Government Merc.
- Is that so? Leave it, Jack.
Jack! Jack, it's the Minister.
Jesus, Jack.
Back off! - Where's the fire? - Get out.
Have you any idea who you are talking to? Yeah, you're the gobshite that screwed the nurses.
Brazen pup! I'll have your job.
You know what's going to happen now? Yeah.
I know exactly what's gonna happen now.
'The only thing I was ever good at in my life was finding things.
Now as an ex-cop, I had to use this skill to make a living.
' Jack, hey, what are you doing? Payola.
I found your burglar.
But that was last month and you said Call it a finder's fee.
I don't come cheap.
- Sarge, I thought you were - Gone? Yep.
The Super had me write a letter.
- He wants that coat back.
- Does he now? Too bad.
Once a guard, always a guard.
'To be a finder requires patience and pig-stubbornness.
The latter is my strongest point.
' Ah, Jack, I know your father, Paddy.
Paddy Taylor.
A man of subtlety and taste.
- Is he not? - He had his moments.
One deduces from the use of the past tense that he's no longer with us.
Or worse, in England.
Dead.
He's dead.
(COUGHS) (SPLUTTERS) I am indebted to you, young Taylor.
It has been many the mile since I was offered a fellow pilgrim's hanky.
A touch of biddy perhaps? No, no.
No, you keep it.
There's no need to get notions, just because you're famous.
Jack, for The Times.
Thank you.
Sutton.
'My old drinking buddy back in town.
High jinx coming, no doubt.
' Jack! Jack Taylor.
Amigo.
Sutton, you bollocks.
Stealing my image, you bad bastard.
Steal my soul, why don't you? Some of us have to make a living.
I'm an artist.
- Piss artist, more like! - Yeah! Shall we? (DISTANT SIREN WAILS) They're coming to take you away, ha ha.
OFFICER: Down here, fellas.
Sorry.
Official personnel only.
This way, lads.
Face it, Jack, they don't want you any more.
- That's the same spot, isn't it? - Yeah.
Right here, the last girl was found.
Shocking what the kids are getting up to.
It's the drugs.
Come on, clear the way now.
So what is it with Galway, something in the water? That's four girls in the river in as many months.
No doubt Clancy's on the case.
Move these people back.
Everybody, back, please.
Everybody, back.
Come on, nothing to see here.
'They say that Galway is the graveyard of ambition but these girls hadn't lived long enough to realise they had any.
' Do you miss it, Jack? - What? - The guards.
- I dunno.
- Do you miss the paratroopers? - I miss the killing.
As an entrepreneur and a collector, let me stress that we should not forget the symbiotic relationship between the business community and the art world.
Creativity needs feeding.
Business needs inspiration.
I declare this superb exhibition open.
Hooray! Cheers.
Kind people of Galway, thank you for your support and more particularly for purchasing some of my work! You may have noticed that one of the paintings, the one in the window there, is not for sale.
I could never sell that painting because it's of my very precious friend - Jack Taylor.
I'd also like to thank my good friend and patron for his great taste in promoting my work our local tycoon, Trevor Lanpert.
(APPLAUSE) Lanpert? Why are you dipping your toes in his dirty water? Come on, I'm an impoverished artist.
Michelangelo had the Pope and I've got him.
So you're painting his ceiling too, huh? Impoverished? Yeah.
Poverty's relative.
- WOMAN: Please would you sign? - I most certainly will.
Tell me you're gonna take your coat off for the dance.
Maybe.
How would I dance otherwise? Jesus, Jack.
We're here to drink.
- Let's go back to the pub, then.
- No, no.
And miss the ambience? Anyway, you're more predictable when you're drunk.
'Sutton, at his worst, is better than most people at their best.
And now, typical.
All over you intense and then gone into the night, sometimes for years.
' WOMAN: Argh! Let go, you prick! Get off me! He wanted me to give him a blowjob for 20 Euro.
So not a killer.
Just a regular slime ball, then! Sarge.
You're Sergeant Taylor.
Yeah, and you're the new guard.
Kate, isn't it? You were on the way in when I was on the way out.
- I can't swim! - Neither can I! - Shouldn't we er? - No.
No, you're off duty.
Just ask them to rescue the drowning rat.
MAN: Get some help! I can't swim! Hey.
Garda Kate Noonan.
There's a man gone in the river.
I need urgent assistance.
OK.
OK, thanks.
They're on their way.
- Sarge? - Jack.
It's Jack.
Look, I'm not chicken or anything .
.
but would you mind walking me home? Hey, come on.
Ah, thanks.
Where are you going?! (SIRENS APPROACH) - Drink? - Yeah.
See, I volunteered for the night patrol.
Well, volunteered.
- I did it off my own bat.
- Stubborn.
That's admirable in a guard.
Couldn't bear to see any more girls being pulled out of the river.
Suicide city, eh? So tell me, what's going on here? All the girls were drunk.
And the postmortems found drugs - speed, ecstasy, the usual stuff.
But the girls died from drowning.
Fatal attraction of water.
Four girls is quite a number.
Bit of a coincidence they all ended up at Nimmo's Pier, no? You think it's some psycho? I dunno.
What if they were suicides? They must have been in hell to jump.
"Life is sad, life is a bust, all you can do is do what you must.
" Dylan.
Blood on the Tracks.
1974.
Hey, you're good.
(CHUCKLES) (CHURCH BELL RINGS) (KNOCK AT DOOR) Fame at last.
Look.
"Once a Guard".
Infamous, more like.
Terrible about that poor girl.
Have they identified her yet? Don't ask me, I was once a guard, remember? Don't get lippy with me.
Come on, Jack, everyone's talking about it.
You can tell me.
Tell a woman.
Isn't that it, Mrs Bailey? 'Old School of Galway charm my landlady its best example.
Took me in when I'd nowhere to go.
She and Sean, the only ones to make a man feel he might still have a chance.
' Hey, Sean, how are you keeping? Ah, Jack, a mhac.
I'm an ol' crock.
You need a seaweed bath.
I need a miracle, son.
(HORN TOOTS) Will you ever retire? Will you ever stop drinking? What are they doing here? This is my office.
They have their own keys.
Hair of the dog? Jeez, I want the whole dog.
Have you seen this? This arrived yesterday.
Hand delivered.
What does it say? "In pursuance of our recent communication" and in regards to Item 8234 regulation government-issue all-weather coat.
"We trust in the speedy return of said item.
" Sensible shoes, but not overly so.
Pretty, well-manicured but not overly so.
Only one conclusion.
Out of your zone, son.
- Do I know you? - I know you.
Not somebody else I need to apologise to? - Jack Taylor.
- Anne Hennessy.
I need someone to help me.
How did you find me? - You're famous.
- Yeah.
Come and have a seat.
I'm looking for my daughter Sarah.
She said she was on her way to Galway and at first she used to call me every few days.
And then the calls dried up.
Sounds like a teenager.
If you're worried, go to the guards, why don't you? If you want help, go to the guards? I was thinking of someone searching her out privately.
A private eye.
She's my only daughter.
I'm worried.
I just want to know that she's all right, you know? Can you help me? An address? She was travelling.
- A job? - Bars, restaurants.
She's only 18.
This is the edge of Europe.
There's nowhere left to go.
Some of them put down roots.
Some of them disappear.
It happens.
They've made up their mind and nothing we do will stop them.
We were saving to go to America this summer.
I can't promise anything.
Why are you a drunk? Why do you want a drunk to help you? They say you're good because you've nothing else in your life.
I've left my number.
'There are no private eyes in Ireland.
It's too close to being an informer, a dodgy concept.
Maybe Anne Hennessy was out of my zone but it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
She got my juices going.
' Take one of these? Keep your eyes open.
- Take one of these.
- Thanks.
Take one of these.
- Padraic.
- Jack.
I got lucky.
- God bless you, sir.
- Move on.
Come on, move.
Jumped up gobshite.
There's a pugnacious streak in you.
I used to be one.
A gobshite? Hello, can you help me? Have you seen this girl? Who's asking? Excuse me, can you help me? I'm looking for this girl.
I haven't seen her, sorry.
- I'm not a cop.
- Right! And I suppose she's not missing either? Sarah? Sarah? I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else.
Here's your bag.
I'm sorry.
- You still drinking? - You're still smoking.
Me and Bette Davis.
- She's dead.
- My point exactly.
Been to Mass? Your mother would have liked that.
My mother has nothing to do with it, thanks be to Jesus.
Now, now, son, she does worry about you.
And mind your lip, God wouldn't like that.
God has nothing to do with it either.
You never had a bit of reverence.
Oh, I do, I just don't revere the things that you do.
- Don't tell me they've taken you back on? - No.
I'm helping a friend.
Not one of our lost sheep, I'm sure of it.
Where's the Church on suicide these days? Thinking of leaving us, are you, Jack? Is it still the "can't be buried in hallowed ground" stance? Ah, you're very much out of touch.
- Is that an answer? - No.
That's a sad fact.
So what's your favourite poison? Slimline G & T or Sex on the Rocks? You know it's illegal Grandad.
We're underage.
Yeah, pull the other one.
This is Galway, drinking capital of Ireland.
- Show me your ID.
- What are you, a cop or something? - Do you recognise her? - BOTH: No.
No? Tell me, where do you underage girls earn the cash to keep you in the style to which you're accustomed? Planters? Support your local economy.
They take everyone.
Even if you're not 16.
What's that? That's Lucy.
She died.
We're making the scrapbook for her memorial.
- It's awful what she did.
- Shut up, Sheona.
She didn't kill herself, she just fell in.
You know, if you are a cop and you were any good at your job, you'd do something about it.
May I? Thanks.
Blondie, if I were you, I'd save on the bottle of bleach.
You'd be better looking as a brunette.
(LAUGHTER) Get off, you big perv! - How dare you? - The eyebrows are a giveaway.
Adios.
Hey! What do you want? I want to see Mr Planter.
There was me thinking that was some mythical creature like Ronald McDonald.
The owner? Mr Ford is the manager.
But they're not hiring right now.
It takes one to know one.
I need the work.
Go on, then.
'Because of my previous career, it was believed I had an inside track.
No.
I hit lucky and found resolutions.
But a minor reputation began to build.
Most important of all I was cheap.
' Thanks for seeing me.
I'm Jack Taylor.
You say that name as if it means something.
It means zero to me.
I'm investigating a missing person.
Sarah Hennessy.
- Are you a policeman? - No.
- Any official standing? - Zero.
So I have no obligation to talk to you, then? Save common decency.
Ah, now I have it.
I saw you in the paper.
Once a guard, right? So there's no good reason not to kick your sorry arse out of here.
- Do you know this girl? - Sarah Hennessy? I very much doubt it.
John, get in here now.
That's impressive.
- What, an intercom? - No, that you remembered her name.
Perhaps you're more familiar with this one? Take him out of here, John before I call the guards.
Thanks, pal.
Nice one! The guards? 'In Ireland, they say, "If you want help, go to the guards.
If you don't want help, go to the guards.
"' There's a school of thought that says you should never go back.
Well, you must have failed the exam.
You were always so polite when I was your superior.
I want to see Clancy.
Yeah, but does the Superintendent want to see you? - Superintendent? - Promotion.
Jack Taylor here to see you.
OK.
Interview room C.
(BUZZER) Taylor, Taylor, Taylor.
Sergeant Inspector Super! See your Minister got sacked.
And there's Lanpert, Galway's finest.
Friends in high places.
Demotion, promotion.
You get promoted and I get sacked.
You're a hothead, Jack.
A good cop, a bit flaky, unpredictable.
I prefer to call it risk-taking.
And I don't lick arse.
So what can I do you for? Her name's Sarah Hennessy.
I was wondering if you might tell me whether she's on any of your files.
- And why might that be? - I'm looking for her, for her mother.
Oh, don't tell me you've turned into some half-arsed gumshoe? What? Leeching off some poor mother's grief.
To fill the hole in your own miserable existence.
- Has this young woman committed any crime? - Not that I know of.
Any reason to believe she disappeared in mysterious circumstances? That's what I'm trying to find out.
Then there's no reason we should be interested, is there? You could maybe just run her name through the system.
- What? - For old time's sake? Oh, I forgot, I owe you one for the Minister, don't I? At least you did the right thing handing in your notice.
I'm sorry to have bothered you, Superintendent.
Oh, Jack? By any chance is that a regulation Garda issue all-weather coat? Hey, Kate.
Can you help me out? Run those suicides through the computer.
See if they worked at Planters.
Not here, Jack.
OK, I'll be in the Roisin Dubh Pub tomorrow night.
Don't fret, I won't take the canal path.
Well, they say if you fall off a horse, you should get right back on.
'The fatal attraction of water.
In all my time in the guards, I'd never known two suicides to finish up in exactly the same place.
' (GROANS) Get his hand.
Aargh! (MAN CHUCKLES) Keep your nose out of other peoples' business.
(GROANS) Buy your own chips next time.
Sutton! (GROANS) Sutton! Jackie? Jesus Christ, what happened to you? Can't take my eyes off you for a second.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Is this my fault? - Because of Sarah? - Maybe.
I've been asking around.
(DIDGERIDOO DRONES) Don't encourage her.
I was paying her to stop.
I have to tell you things are not looking good.
I read that there have been four suicides in Galway in the past few months, Jack.
I'm so afraid.
I'm sorry, Anne, but all my efforts to date have drawn a blank.
Is it possible that Sarah used another name? Her father's? Impossible.
Her father walked out on us before she was born.
Look, I don't want to worry you unduly but something's going on in one of the factories in town.
I need to get at their employment files and I need you to help me.
- Sarah's diaries, notebooks, anything, OK? - Of course.
She just wanted to get away.
When she left the boarding school, she couldn't settle.
She took everything from her last known address.
You must have pissed off someone big time.
- It's what I do.
- Did anyone call the guards? - They were the guards.
- You're coddlin'? No, I saw their shoes at closer range than I wanted.
(PHONE RINGS) Hi, Anne.
No.
No news.
Sure.
Where? Yeah, that sounds good.
Hey, Jack! Your round, I think.
- Hey? - His usual.
Double, Sean.
Sometime before Lent.
This dump must be even more miserable when you're not drinking.
Why'd you patronise the sour bastard? Sean? He's my Father confessor.
- What about me, amigo? - You're the reason I need one.
I'm always there for you, my friend.
SEAN: It's here if you want it.
Well, if that's the case, you can do me a favour.
- I need a lift.
- Get a taxi.
I need your help to frighten those heavies.
- Tomorrow, OK? - That's different, then.
Will there be a chance for some Bruce Lee? Some high kicks? (CHUCKLES) 'The G Hotel.
The last temple built before the bubble burst.
I wonder why the feckers called it G.
G for Galway, grandiose, greedy or gay?' Good evening, sir! Will you be staying with us tonight, then? If I get lucky.
Jack.
- Have a nice evening.
- See you later, then.
So you kick with the other foot, Jack? Guard Taylor.
Certainly captures your spirit.
Who's the artist? A friend of yours? Ah, my nemesis.
Don't ask.
- Did you pose for him? - I'm not a poser.
Me and him, we go back a long way.
Really? You must know him very well.
Sometimes I think I do, sometimes not.
Painting's not my thing.
Now, books - What would you like? - G & T, please.
Or light a penny candle from a star And if there's gonna be a life hereafter And somehow I'm sure there's gonna be I will ask my God to let me make my heaven Super voice.
In that dear old land Across the Irish Sea (CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Thank you.
I'll hand you over to the Sumbrellas.
I'll be back in a moment.
Kate.
You were mighty, young one.
You're wasted in the guards! You were mighty, young one.
You're wasted in the guards! You have to think about dumping that coat.
Yeah.
New friend? Work, actually.
She's the mother of the missing girl.
She must have had her awful young.
Come on.
Gonna hit the town I'm gonna make some hay I got my blue shoes on, don't know what to do Gonna do it anyhow In this crazy world Your hunch was right.
Three of the girls in the last few months worked part-time at Planters.
- After school, just a few hours.
- Ford, the little shit.
And I've run Sarah Hennessy through the employment databases.
There's nobody from Dublin of that name showing any tax or insurance contributions.
Maybe working under a false name or off the books? Did you try the education lists? Will do, Sarge.
If she did jump in the river, she'd have been swept out to sea.
Very unlikely they'd have all ended up at Nimmo's Pier.
- RADIO: Golf Alpha 792.
- I'm on standby.
Garda Noonan, come in, please.
- You're a devil for punishment.
Garda Kate Noonan.
- Go ahead.
We have a ID on the dead girl.
Her parents are due back tonight.
Please inform them.
I'll be right there.
That girl's been missing for two weeks.
No, Jack, she's not Sarah Hennessy.
They've found her parents and I have to break the news.
Miss being in the guards, Sarge? Ask if she ever worked at Planters.
Typical.
I get you to hold my hand and guess what? No feeling.
Anne, you seem far too nice to have your daughter run away on you.
Why did she? I don't know, I'm trying to understand her.
Didn't we all want to get away at that age? Leave Ireland.
Even now.
How do you think I ended up in Kosovo? Kosovo? Doing what? Running an orphanage.
- Orphanage? - Displaced kids.
Did I not say that was my job? When Sarah went to boarding school in Dublin at 15, it was my time.
Working in the orphanage and giving all that attention to those kids.
And leaving Sarah like that.
God, I feel so guilty.
We'll find her, I promise.
Thanks, Jack.
Have you a family? My mother's alive.
Father's dead, younger brother died too.
- How? - Drink.
We try to keep it in the family.
Did you ever love someone? There was a woman, when I was in the Guards.
She made me feel .
.
I was more than I was.
It was a good feeling.
I screwed it up, though.
Why? It's what I do best.
That's no answer.
I could say it was the booze, but that's not true.
There's a self-destruct button in me.
I keep returning to it.
I got the green cab you ordered.
- So what's with you, then? - Me? - You've got a shit-eating grin going on there.
- Do I? Like the cat who got the cream.
I get it.
You got laid, didn't you, you dirty dog? You did, didn't you? - I got lucky.
- Good man, Taylor! - Who was it, the rock chick, what's her face? - No.
Come on.
Don't make me do the 100 guesses trip.
- Or did you just get a hooker? - The missing girl's mother.
Well, that wasn't very bright, Jack.
- Probably a three-bed semi with kids upstairs.
- No.
Lap of luxury.
The G Hotel.
Oh, wow! Fair play to you, Jack.
Fair play to you.
Early closing.
There he is.
We're on our way.
- But to where? - Your call.
Now then, Mr Ford.
What do you want, Taylor? We heard you'd vacancies for security staff.
And you love to employ Gardai.
Ooh.
Brenda.
Just in time for the show.
What the fuck's this? What's this all about, Ford? It's no secret.
- I want to watch workers working.
- And then what? You pick out the ones you want to play with? They're not children.
And when you're through, some of them go for a long, deep swim in the ocean.
- Don't they, Ford? - What? - Don't fuckin' lie to us, pimp! - Leave him, Sutton.
Argh! - Ha-ha! - Sutton! Run, rabbit, run! Jack, try upstairs.
(DOOR CREAKS) There he is! - Got him.
- Go easy, Sutton! (WHOOPS) SUTTON: Run.
Come on! JACK: Sutton, where are you? Sutton? (Panting) (GROANS) What? Fucker's gone.
Hey, don't look at me.
It was an accident.
My arse! If you hadn't run him like that.
Fuck.
I need this like a hole in the head.
They'll string us from a height.
Jesus, Jesus.
Fuck you, Sutton.
Clean up.
Jack, listen.
It was an accident.
Plus, how big a loss is he? The guy was garbage, the world's better off without him.
Yeah, see you.
(PHONE RINGS) (RINGING) You're in here without a warrant.
Jesus, Jack.
Since when did a Super need a warrant card these days? You could be a subversive or a drug dealer or a drug-dealing subversive.
What are you looking for? This, for a start.
Always one for the films, Jack.
The old classics.
I'm looking for a few films myself.
Surveillance films, Jack.
Might be instrumental in proving a death was a tragic accident or maybe a murder.
Very concerned, aren't we? Friend of yours? On the golf course, perhaps? Mr Ford went, it seems, for a jog.
Very upsetting.
One of those "do it yourself" deaths.
Just like those girls you have Garda Kate Noonan checking on the computer.
Kate's a good cop.
She is Jack.
A good cop.
An officer for the future.
Not like us old hands.
I don't want her involved in anything that would be detrimental to her career.
(DOOR SLAMS) Sarah Hennessy.
Apparently she's never passed an exam here.
But she did her Leaving Cert at that posh boarding school, in Dublin? I checked the whole country.
She never registered in any school.
So either Sarah Hennessy's been wiped out of existence or Are we saying she never existed in the first place? No.
You must have hit the wrong button.
Keep trying.
Planters.
Lan L-A-N Lanpert? - He is Planters.
- Jack! Sutton? Ford was getting those girls for someone else.
We've got to meet.
What are you doing? Why are you following me? Just worried.
You wouldn't take any of my calls.
I was worried about you.
Look, Anne, about the investigation You need money.
- I have more.
- I don't need money.
But if it happens that Sarah can't be found That she turns up in the water? I'm prepared for that.
'How could a mother be prepared for that?' (HORN TOOTS) It's about the root, not the weed.
Planter - Lanpert.
So simple.
You watch Countdown, do you? SUTTON: The gates are open.
You shouldn't be involved.
What about Ford? I'm hardly not involved.
Feckin' exactly! So why would Ford have the keys to Lanpert's house? If they are.
Bingo.
Three of your paintings and all.
Well, at least he's got good taste.
Check there's no-one here.
- What about upstairs? - This is upstairs.
- You've been here before? - Delivering paintings.
Sutton.
Looks like the same as Ford had.
Ssh.
- There's no DVD player.
- There's a computer.
Try this one.
The writing's different.
SUTTON: What if he comes back now? You can serve the popcorn.
(Girl coughs and splutters) MALE VOICE: No.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
(GIRL CHOKES) MAN: Just lie still.
There now.
That's better.
I'd love to get hold of this sick shit and rip him to pieces, bit by bit.
Jack, we've found the weed and the root.
But you hand this in .
.
they'll arrest you or even worse.
No, we leave the place as we found it.
So will you call the guards? No, not yet.
The fucker's too well connected.
I need to stay below the radar till I find out what he's done to Sarah.
(CAR APPROACHES) Take the back door.
I'll handle it.
Sutton.
Careful.
Oh, there you are! I was trying the back.
- What are you doing here? - Have we not got a deal? You want more money? You're at it again, aren't you? I know what you're doing, you bastard.
- About bloody time! - That was easy.
What did you say to him? Sold him a painting.
2,000 Euros! Quit the fucking jokes, Sutton.
- If he does a runner - You're too paranoid, man.
Chill out.
I need time to think.
You wouldn't be thinking of selling me out now, would you, Jack? - What? - Cos that wouldn't make me very happy.
Me and you, we're tied together, yeah? You might not be able to keep quiet about Ford.
That's mad talk.
- Get some sleep.
- I will, Jack.
And you get some focus.
What do you think of Sutton? He wants locking up.
Thanks, Sean.
An unbiased opinion is more than I could have dreamed of.
That fella's going straight to hell, and he'll bring as many as he can with him.
Would you say I'd be capable of selling out a friend? Well, you used to be a guard.
Well, now, time, gentlemen, please.
Time for my constitutional.
You can let yourselves out.
Evening, fine sir.
Ah, Padraic, me old friend.
Lovely full moon.
Give me the other hand.
Some days they go for you, Padraic, and sometimes Here we are.
Give us a hand over.
There we go.
- Good night.
Good evening.
- Good luck.
Good night to you.
(CAR ENGINE STARTS) Where's Sean? Sean Grogan? Hey, I don't think that's a good idea.
- Do I know you? - No.
Then how the hell would you know? - Are you Jack? - Uh-huh.
He asked for you.
We couldn't save him.
Looks like it was a hit and run.
Probably a drunk driver.
Prepare yourself.
I gave you this sweater for Christmas.
I'll find the bastards that did this to you.
(WOMEN LAUGHING) (DISTORTED BABBLE OF VOICES AND LAUGHTER) (HORN BLARES) (WOMAN SCREAMS) Relax, Jack, you're safe.
Father Malachy.
What, where? - You're at your mother's.
- Oh, Jesus.
Don't take the Lord's name in vain.
(GROANS) - How long was I out? - It's Sunday.
Another lost weekend, is it, Jack? - You living here? - What? Don't be an idiot.
Your mother called me.
Oh, shit.
Mind that tongue, laddie, I won't abide by cursing.
So sue me.
Jesus, these are my father's.
May he rest in peace.
Though I fear he'd turn in his grave at your antics.
You'll come to nothing, like your father.
With that vote of confidence, Ma, it's no wonder I drink.
How the mighty have fallen.
You're still working as a private det-I am.
- And you're looking into some girl's suicide? - How do you know? Oh Father Malachy.
The whole town knows about it.
Though God knows how you find the time between drinking.
Well Thanks for uh .
.
you know.
Well, it'd be a queer thing if you couldn't come to your own home.
This was never home.
'How come, no matter how long since you've seen the family, or how much distance you put between you, they can always push your buttons? Answer - because they installed them.
My father used to say, "Your mother means well.
" She didn't.
Not then.
Not ever.
' (PHONE RINGS) KATE: Hi, Jack.
Where have you been? I've been out of action for a few days.
Did they get the bastard who killed Sean? No.
There were no witnesses.
And, Jack, you missed the funeral.
Jack? Jack, you still there? Yeah.
The Grogan case is closed.
We've better things to be doing than chasing a hit and run.
Yeah, sure, like paedophiles.
Face it, there's no more missing girls, no more suicides.
Stop sticking your nose in, Taylor, you're not wanted.
And what's with the grieving mother? Has she left you too? You loser.
'Most likely Lanpert, fearing we were on to him, had flown the coop.
Had he taken Sarah? Had he dumped her? Had Anne heard anything? What else had I missed on my lost weekend? How could a mother be prepared for that?' Henderson? - Are you following me? - You betcha! You're looking rough, Jackie.
Under the weather? - It'll help with the shock.
- Ah, go on, get in.
You really loved the old codger, didn't you? - I got a surprise for you.
- I'm not in the mood, Sutton.
Trust me, you're gonna like this.
Welcome to my kingdom.
If a man cries out in the forest and nobody hears him, is he really crying out? Does anybody know your sacrifice, Jack, only yourself? Tell me when I was drunk, did I understand you and your fucking philosophy? My art is my philosophy.
Hence my latest exhibit is something of a departure.
In fact it's an installation.
What's the point of having a secret if you can't tell anyone? Hello, Lanpert? Bastard's gone and died on me.
Took the easy way out.
You call that easy? I was keeping him alive for you, Jackie.
I thought you might want to finish the fucker off.
I was gonna crucify him but it's been done.
He's admitted it all - put the girls in a bath, the works, drowned them.
Did he mention Sarah Hennessy? No.
No, he didn't.
What do you prefer - Justice Recorded or Hung In Conamara? He begged me to kill him but I was saving him for you.
Me? You promised to tear him to pieces.
I didn't mean it literally, you sick bastard! We've gotta get rid of the body! Are you out of your mind? I'm a fucking g Guard? No, you're not.
'Because I'd been fascinated by Sutton's darkness, I'd let a whole series of signposts fly by me.
' Jack.
So you are going to join him, then? Who? Sutton.
You and Sutton.
There's no such person as Anne Hennessy.
Ding.
There's no daughter.
Ding.
Am I getting a tune here? I'm sorry, Jack, but I had to flush him out.
You what? When I saw this, I knew he was somewhere in the West.
I recognised his style, then I saw his picture of you.
Anne, the truth.
He was a UN paratrooper in charge of our sector and he brokered a deal to move my children from the bombing zone to a place of safety.
And Sarah? Just a lie? My assistant was called Sarah.
Young, beautiful, the whole of life in front of her.
Like the daughter I never had.
He would not let me go with the children, said it was too dangerous, so Sarah went in my place.
And I never saw them again.
And I didn't know if the rebel They were in my care and I trusted him.
And then nothing.
I heard rumours .
.
infertile couples in America $10,000 for a child.
Then I saw the pictures on television Sarah dead along the road.
I didn't know if he'd been killed too or if he had sold them.
'I felt so gutted.
I wanted to drink so ferociously I could taste the whisky in my mouth.
' Oi, is this your vehicle? Hey! - Not now, Clancy.
- I might owe you an apology.
- Might? - The suicides.
Seems you were on to something.
And, you, Super, are you on to something like the whereabouts of Lanpert? He's long gone.
Bit of money buys you a lot of clout.
But not for a barman.
A cowardly hit and run merits no attention.
Don't become a nuisance, Jack.
And make you sure you hand in that coat! You have a rare gift, my friend.
Do I? The thing I always liked about you, you were never one to pry into another man's affairs .
.
even when you were in the guards.
Always respected a man's privacy.
Like Sean.
He always made sure I was right for the day, he did.
A saint among publicans.
Sean.
I used to meet him most mornings, some evenings.
I always look out for my people.
The Good People.
He's gone now.
I knew that as soon as the van hit him.
- Van? - Aye.
This is for our brother, Sean Grogan.
And that's for the bastard who murdered him.
- What are you talking about, Padraic? - Murder.
That Conamara van ploughed straight through him like the very scythe of the Grim Reaper.
- Conamara? - From the bogs of Conamara! Tell me, Padraic.
I saw the muck of the mountains of my own childhood, man.
I'm a pisshead, I know.
But I'm not blind.
I saw it all.
Green was it green? Aye.
(LOW ARGUMENT) Anne? - Where is she? - She went off with some other fella.
He seemed to be in an awful hurry, just like yourself.
Whoa! Put that down or I'll call the guards! Yeah, you do that.
Tell Superintendent Clancy to meet Jack Taylor down at the docks.
Tell him I've found the killer.
Where is she, Sutton? I know what happened in Kosovo.
Ah! The poor little children.
You believe all that shit? Yes, I do.
That's how the world is.
It's a damned shame some kids went astray but how many others do you think I saved? - I don't care.
- Yeah, you do.
You care about justice and balance right and wrong.
You're a cop.
- Just let Anne off the boat.
- She's where she wants to be, man.
And you're not gonna hurt me, my friend.
OK, I got that wrong.
Open the hatch or the next one's in your heart.
He wants you out.
Get off the boat.
Both of you.
Stay away now, Anne.
I'm a soldier.
I don't kill children.
How long have you known Lanpert? We met in Kosovo.
He was an arms dealer.
I knew he was into little girls.
Quite simple.
Blackmail.
We had an understanding.
I painted, kept my mouth shut.
He bought my work.
But then he started killing in Galway.
And now he's dead.
He went too far.
But you milked him.
(SIRENS APPROACHING) What else did you do? Have you called the cavalry on me? I never killed a child or anyone who didn't deserve it.
Sean? You killed Sean.
You're a better detective than I thought.
I had to kill your confessor for both of our sakes.
I told him nothing.
But I did.
I was pissed.
I was trying to get a rise out of him.
- I told him about Ford.
- Sean wouldn't have said anything.
He hated me.
One day, he'd have made that call.
Adios, my good, good friend.
Give me the gun now.
Now, why don't you just do that? - It's not how it looks, Clancy.
- It never is with you, Jack.
CLANCY: You were never here.
Go on, get out of my sight! Anne Anne.
I'm sorry, Jack.
'In reality, time doesn't pass, we pass.
I think that's one of the saddest things I ever learned.
And God knows, anything I have learned has been the hard way.
' TV: Former Garda Jack Taylor has come forward to allege that Mr Trevor Lanpert, a prominent Irish businessman, is linked with the deaths of Fame at last.
I like having you here.
You're a good man.
Oh, I don't know about that.
Of course you don't, that's part of your goodness.
I'd say you were a fine thing when you were young.
Ah, Jack.
Great news.
I gave up smoking.
And I gave up drinking.
For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way Scorned us just for being what we are Well, they might as well go chasing after moonbeams Or light a penny candle from a star Unless you become a public disgrace, they'll tolerate most anything.
'