The Long Shadow (2023) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Well, The Beatles are getting
back together again, then
WOMEN CHANTING, RADIO TUNING
We're just 90 seconds away
from our breakfast sequence.
Radio Leeds AM.
The British people, in
clear and unmistakeable terms,
have made their historic decision
that Britain shall remain a
member of the European Community.
You see, since 1972, world prices
of commodities and raw materials
have more than doubled.
We are suffering as
we haven't in 25 years
from a rise in the cost of living.
REPORTER: How are you
managing for money?
Well, we're desperate now.
We're on I'm on me last
£5 now, and then that's it.
I've spent all our savings now,
so it's these next few
weeks that we'll really feel.
Ever since the end of the
disastrous seven-week strike here
earlier this year
Have called for strike
action from Monday.
The standard of living of
the humblest and the poorest
being attacked and eaten away.
I think this is the
closest we've ever been
to a revolution in
this country for years.
CHILDREN GIGGLING
WHISPERS: Go back to sleep.
WHISPERS: Richard.
Richard!
She's not come home.
VEHICLE RUMBLES
DRIVER: There you go.
- Thank you, love.
- Ta, love.
- She'll be on the next one.
- Stop saying that.
Sonia and Richard, yeah?
So, Mummy said she weren't going out,
but you think she might've done?
Had she done that before,
love? Left you on your own?
And did Mummy ever say
where she were going?
Or who she were seeing?
What about Daddy?
Are Mummy and Daddy still friends?
She'd been slipping out
at night, apparently.
But not through front
door, through here.
So neighbours wouldn't
see her leaving kids.
- Who told you that?
- Neighbours.
Four kids between seven and three.
We're calling the children's
home, see if they can't take 'em.
Least till we can work
out where the dad is.
Explain to them what's gone on.
What you thinking?
I'm thinking them little
ones went to bus stop to wait,
they only just missed her.
Cheers, mate.
Sir.
Only when I fly alone ♪
Was all I could reply ♪
And all ♪
MUSIC FADES, BRAKES SQUEAK
MUFFLED MUSIC CONTINUES
Oh, that reminds me,
we're off out tomorrow
night, me and your mam.
You'll need to look after
your brother and sister.
No, we're not.
- Painting town red.
- Eh?
- No, we are not.
- It's Eric Owen's 40th.
- How long has that been on t'cards?
- 40 years, presumably.
- Oh.
- HE CHUCKLES
SHE INHALES, CLEARS THROA
I don't do reading.
I know, but you can
see what colour it is,
and that's third we've had this week.
You'll have to tell Eric we can't
go 'cos we can't bloody afford it.
He's my oldest mate.
I've said that we're
going and we are.
CAR DOOR SLAMS
At 7:41 this morning,
the body of a 28-year-old
woman, Wilma McCann,
was found in the Prince
Philip playing fields
behind Scott Hall Avenue in Chapeltown.
Wilma had been stabbed 15 times.
Two further lacerations were
found on t'back of her head.
Impact wounds from some kind
of tool. Hammer, spanner, maybe.
I'm telling you this not to shock you
because I want you all to appreciate
what one person did to another
person in our city last night.
And it's our job, it's your job
to find out who they are
and why this happened.
SOFTLY: I think 'cos she was an whore.
Little louder, John,
so all t'class can hear.
I said she died, sir,
because she was a prostitute.
- Vice have never heard of her.
- Don't mean she wasn't one.
She'd already been done
for drunk and disorderly.
She might've been a prostitute
she might not. Might've
liked a drink, might not.
But nobody, whoever they are,
deserves to die like
Wilma died last night.
It starts now. 4pm October 30th,
and it don't end till one
of us catches the bastard.
MUTTERING
Right, priorities now
- Get Dugdale from t'post.
- Wilma's movements on the night.
Door-to-door, and a fingertip search of
the home and the surrounding area.
Any questions?
No? Good. On you get.
CHATTER
- Problem.
- Go on.
Perception.
You saw for yourself
how it was out there.
PHONE RINGS
- Aye.
- I've got Mike Duffield.
Go on.
Hello, mate.
- Mike.
- Yes.
I might have something for
one of your photographers
on this Chapeltown
job. Have you got a pen?
Dennis, we're a newspaper,
we've got stationary.
Afternoon.
LADY: Hello there.
Afternoon.
Oh.
- What's that?
- TOY BELL RINGS
This your favourite?
What about you lot?
- What's your favourite toys?
- Is Mummy coming soon?
Mummy's not coming, love.
- Mummy's had an accident.
- Was she hurt?
- She was. That's right.
- So where is she now?
Well
She's up in heaven.
She says, "You're not to worry."
She's in heaven and
she's waiting for you.
All right?
Now
Why don't we take a
photograph of you
with your absolute
number one favourite toys?
How about it?
- SHUTTER CLICKS
- OK, everyone, looking here.
Perfect. OK. And
- SHUTTER CLICKS
- That's it.
If we're to get any
help from the public
- Just a couple more.
- that's the message.
Look here, that's right.
She were a mother of four kids.
Prostitute don't come into it.
Straight at the camera.
- SHUTTER CLICKS
- Thank you.
SHUTTER CLICKS
MAN: Right, off you go!
INAUDIBLE
- Well?
- Right.
Last sighting of her is right
the way back down Meanwood Road
just after last orders and then
nothing between there and here.
A bloody field next to a car park.
There you go. That's your first clue.
That's why no-one sees her on t'bus
or walking all the way up t'hill.
And that's why he brings her here.
Not to some field
next to a car park
to a car park next to a
field. The killer was driving.
He could've been on foot.
He could have followed her
home after seeing her in t'club.
Who goes to a club wi'
a spanner and knife?
Aye, fair point.
QUIET TALKING
[MUSIC: I LOVE TO LOVE BY TINA CHARLES]
Here we go.
HE WHISTLES TO SONG
- MAN: Eh!
- Hey-hey-hey!
Where's Linda and t'rest of t'wives? Eh?
Am I just your lift home, is that it?
Yeah. Look.
Neil found that. Hm? He
said "Give that to Mam.
Tell her to put a song on
t'jukebox. Cheer her sen up."
Right! He-heyy!
Now we begin. Here we go! Fucking hell!
[MUSIC: SOLD MY ROCK 'N'
ROLL (GAVE IT FOR FUNKY SOUL)]
CHATTERING
Excuse me, love.
INDISTINC
SONG CONTINUES
NEW SONG PLAYS
- Hm?
- I've seen you before.
Hm. All right.
How does it, er, work, then? Er
You got a place where
we can go? How much?
MUSIC AND CHATTERING CONTINUES
The last confirmed sighting of
the dead woman, Wilma McCann,
was on the corner of
Meanwood Road, at 1am.
What we want now is for
anyone who was either in
or driving through the
Chapeltown area at that time
to make themselves known to us
immediately. Wilma was a mother.
Her kids were waiting for her,
but she never made it home.
Please, if you have any
information come forward
for their sake.
- Er, Chief Constable Gregory's here.
- I can see.
I saw the Mercedes parked up outside.
- Here to check up on me?
- I'm here to do nothing of the kind.
The lovely Jenny has
provided a cup of tea,
and I'm familiarising
myself with this map of yours.
This arrow here, I was
wondering, represents
Last known sighting of Wilma McCann.
- And this is where she was killed?
- Sir.
And all you've got to do is figure
out what happened in between.
So you are here to check up on me.
I'm dropping in to make sure
you've got everything you need.
Sir we have a list of 29 suspects
we found in her notebook.
We're working our way
through them as we speak.
What's interesting about this case,
it's not been motivated by sex.
He's killed her first. But it's
not purely violence, either
Dennis. You are confident, and
I have every confidence in you.
No, the reason I dropped by
was to make sure you don't try
and duck the Christmas drinks
for the third year running.
Drinks?
This new merger: chaps
I'd like you to meet.
Well, sir, I I shall certainly
see if I'm free that night.
You are free. According to
the lovely Jenny, that is.
You can give me the proper update then.
TV ON
Mum!
CAROL SINGERS SING SILENT NIGH
All is calm ♪
All is bright ♪
Round yon virgin ♪
Mother and child ♪
Shall I get money?
- Yeah.
- No.
- Yeah, in my bag.
- You don't have to!
Holy infant ♪
So tender and mild ♪
Sleep in heavenly ♪
- You've not got any change.
- There we are, then.
You've only got a note.
Sleep in heavenly peace. ♪
Thank you. Thank you so much! Very kind.
At the sight ♪
What were that? Eh?
What the fuck were that?!
What the fuck do you think it were?
You're giving me a hard time, for what?
So you can start chucking money about?!
- I am not
- We're in over our heads!
I am not having those
people - her across t'road -
I am not having her
thinking we don't have money.
- But we don't!
- And I am not
SHE WHISPERS: having
them kids suffer any more
than they already have done.
- I want our life just to be normal.
- We're in over our heads.
You're the one saying it.
So go on, then, eh? What we gonna do?
DOOR SLAMS
SHE SIGHS, PHONE RINGS
29 suspects interviewed,
29 suspects eliminated.
Ex-husband took a bit of finding,
but, nah, he's in the clear an' all.
We've handed out 10,000 leaflets,
and we've gone door
to-door on every house
- in a half-mile radius.
- Pubs?
And the pubs, aye. We've gone
round them twice. And every shop.
The only new witness is a bloke
- who sold her chips and curry sauce.
- When?
Just after one. She were
pissed. That's all he remembers.
Right. So we keep going. Door to door.
Go back to the pubs. Print more
leaflets, print more posters,
set up even more roadblocks.
You see, I think if
we end up doing that
Has to happen now, Jim else
it'll fade from people's minds.
No, you're right. You're right.
I need to tell you something.
- What?
- SHE SIGHS
There were this man at Eric's birthday,
when you were at t'bar
this good-looking man.
And when I went for a
dance, he went for a dance.
And when I went to
t'toilets so did he.
If this is what I think
it is, I'll kill you.
- You do know that, don't you?
- Just let me finish.
- I'll kill him an' all.
- Sydney.
I swear to God!
Well, I could've done. I
could've done something,
and well, why shouldn't
I? It's not like we ever do,
ever since Derek died. I'd've
been within my rights
- No, you wouldn't.
- I didn't.
- No?
- I didn't, no.
Because he offered money. He
thought he'd seen me before
at, um Spencer Place,
with the working girls.
- He thought what ?
- He even took out a £5 note.
£5, Sydney.
£5 for how long would it
have been? Five minutes?
No.
- No, you're my wife.
- They've sent a summons.
The mother of my children.
And someone has to provide for them.
- It's Christmas, Syd.
- No.
We've got your family coming.
How're we even gonna
start to pay for all that?
MAN: Just routine, sir,
regarding a murder that took place
here some five or so weeks ago now.
INAUDIBLE SPEECH
Call the incident room. Good to go.
- Evening, sir.
- You all right?
Just routine, regarding
a murder that took place
here some five weeks or so ago now.
Do you recognise this lass at all?
- Sorry, when did you say?
- October 30th, early hours.
TV ON
PHONE RINGS
TV: You've cheered up, any road.
0406?
Oh, hello, love. Let me
try him. Hang on a minute.
- Who is it?
- It's Jim. Shall I tell him to ring back?
- Why?
- Because it's Emmerdale Farm.
No, no.
- Jim?
- Now, then, Dennis, we've got a witness. Lorry driver.
- We're bringing him in now.
- On me way.
Ready?
- You look nice.
- You never say that normally.
Don't you dare say it now.
I'll wait in t'bar.
Syd?
Did you take t'tools out of t'back?
- WOMAN: All right, love?
- CAR DOOR CLOSES
MAN: I thought she were soliciting.
You can tell by the way they stand.
Especially that time of night.
I see 'em along there
all the time, you see -
it's on my way out to the M62.
But this one here
she's not on t'pavement,
she's right in front of me,
right in t'middle of t'road.
Her hair weren't like that,
though. It were darker.
So, go on, you drove past her?
- No. No. I was
- You picked her up.
- No.
- Now is this something that you do all the time, or
Let him speak, Jim.
I were thinking about
it. About picking her up.
No crime in thinking
about it. I even parked up.
But when she came over to t'window,
I could tell she were too pissed for it.
Could hardly stand still.
I'm not having her chucking up in
my cab, you see, it's only on lease.
So you just leave her there?
Drunk, in t'middle of t'road?
No.
That's how it sounds,
t'way you're describing it.
This is why I wanted to talk to you.
So, I've decided better of it,
so I'm expecting a bit of stick as
I pull away, but I don't get any
'cos she's already got another punter.
He's pulled in right behind me.
- Another lorry?
- A car. And she goes with him.
- Did you see t'driver?
- No.
But it were a Corsair. A Corsair
or a Fastback. Summat like that.
So, why has it taken you a month
to come forward with all this?
Well, I live in Rochdale. This
is t'first I've heard of it.
You're talking like this
is a well-known thing.
HE SIGHS
How much, pet?
Five.
All right.
Where?
Down 'ere.
Bye, bye, baby, baby, goodbye ♪
Bye, baby, baby, bye, bye ♪
Bye, bye, baby, don't make me cry ♪
Bye, baby, baby ♪
LAUGHTER FROM PUB
- Knickers off.
- Money first.
- I've only got four.
- I said five.
I were only joking.
Now turn round.
UNZIPS TROUSERS
UNDOES BEL
HE MOANS
MUSIC PLAYS IN PUB
CAR DOOR SLAMS
- QUIET CHATTERING
- Gents, refresh the drinks?
- Dennis.
- Sir. Good turnout.
Well, that's the merger.
Not just the city boys this year,
you've got the country lads as well.
Not enough cheese and
pineapple in West Yorkshire.
There's someone I'd
like to introduce you to.
Dennis, I'd like to introduce
you to George Oldfield.
No introduction required.
- Hello, Dennis, how are you?
- All right.
You still on this prostitute thing?
Well, we don't know if she
was a prostitute, but, er
Oh, he is. He's got half
our DCs over with him
at Millgarth, helping him.
Not quite but I know what you mean.
Here's hoping you get your man.
He will. He'll have the bugger
banged up by New Year's Eve.
- Isn't that right, Dennis?
- That's the idea.
Well, I find if you don't solve a
murder in the first couple of days,
it's an uphill struggle
after that, in't it?
Oh, maybe that's just me.
You're more involved in rural
crime. That's right, in't it?
- George covers half of Yorkshire.
- Farmland. That sort of thing.
Now, now, chaps. 'Tis
the season and all that.
Merry Christmas.
I've got a list of all
Corsairs and Fastbacks.
Only slight problem is
there's 700 Corsairs and 900 Fastbacks.
- And that's just in Leeds
- Dennis
T'killer might not live in Leeds.
Might live further afield
Dennis! It's the Christmas do.
How many men do you
know don't own a hammer?
Look, I'm being serious.
Enjoy your drink.
Take five minutes off.
You'll catch him. You always do.
[MUSIC: LONELY THIS CHRISTMAS BY MUD]
CHATTERING
- Thank you.
- You like it?
Yeah, it's nice, thank you!
It's a talking doll!
- Oh, thank you!
- It talks! Maybe as much as you!
- It's a jumper. Thank you, Mum.
- What did you get?
INAUDIBLE
Oh, it's nice. Right size?
- Yeah, it should fit. Thank you.
- Thank you!
Without you to hold ♪
It'll be lonely this Christmas ♪
Lonely and cold. ♪
- Pat's got some news.
- Oh, aye?
Well, shall you tell them or shall I?
Well, she and Ken have been
courting now for, how long is it,
- five months?
- Eight months.
Last Sunday, Ken came round
whilst Warren was washing the car.
At first, we thought
there'd been an accident
'cos Ken never comes round on his own,
but he wanted to ask
Warren's permission, you see.
- He wanted to ask for Pat's hand.
- Oh Pat!
- And Warren liked that.
- Oh, I bet he did.
Yeah, that is lovely.
Congratulations, Pat.
- Thank you.
- Both of you. Aww.
- Congratulations, Pat.
- Thank you.
Give my best to Ken.
- Will do.
- Cheers.
- Cheers, yes.
- Well, go on. Ask her.
I wanted to know if
Bubs'd be a bridesmaid.
It'd be her and Carol.
- Please!
- I think she'd quite like that.
LAUGHING
I mean, it will mean
a bridesmaid's dress,
but t'wedding in't till March,
so there's plenty of time to save,
- and you don't have to buy new.
- No.
Is Carol getting new?
- Yeah, Carol will be, but
- She will be.
- Yeah. Well, then Bubs will too.
- You mustn't feel pressurised.
- I don't.
- They do 'em second hand.
- Yeah, well, there's no need.
- Well, how much are they?
It doesn't matter how much they are.
It's Pat's day, so we're
getting it, and we'll get it new.
- DOORBELL RINGS
- I'll get that.
Oh!
MAN: Hello!
She'll look lovely.
CHATTERING IN HALLWAY
Morecambe And Wise are on tonight.
They didn't do one last year, so
PHONE RINGING
Leave it.
0406?
Oh, right.
SHE SIGHS
Right. Thanks.
Am I keeping it warm, then?
- Anything else you need?
- No.
Deal was you'd call at three,
and that's what you've done.
- Merry Christmas, then.
- Aye. Merry Christmas, love.
Hey, it's Morecambe And Wise tonight.
That's what they say.
SHE CHUCKLES
PHONE RINGS
Incident room. The Wilma
McCann case, that's right.
You did ? Erm, hang on.
Just let me get this down.
Sorry, so what time was it?
1:00AM?
Right, Meanwood Road, the big turning
And what sort of colour was it?
- Make and model.
- Green, maybe.
Yes, she was wearing flares.
White flares. That's right.
No, that's very helpful.
- Thank you, take care.
- No! Make and model!
Didn't have to, sir. She told me.
He's a Chapeltown regular, and
he drives a green Land Rover.
There aren't 965 of those, are there?
That's good.
That's very good.
- How much is the dress?
- Eight fifty.
Then there's the shoes,
jewellery. All adds up.
- Right, listen to me. Sell t'telly.
- The telly's not worth owt.
- Washing machine.
- Oh! We need t'washing machine!
Or the van! Listen to what
I'm saying to you, right?
I-I can't take it anymore!
- Ah!
- You can't take it? You can't take it?!
HE SOBS
It's three times, that's 15 quid.
I'll get it done tonight,
and then it's over with, yeah?
It's finished for good.
Hm.
Thought you'd given up.
I have.
WOMAN: Ta, love.
CHATTERING
PHONE RINGS
Sir?
RADIO: All units, be on the
lookout for any men driving a Corsair
or a dark-coloured Land
Rover in the Chapeltown area.
- May or may not be green, remember.
- Yeah.
Hang on.
He's gotta be out here.
It's your turn.
You're all right. He's a
regular. Not so keen on him.
- All right?
- How much?
It's a fiver.
You hear anything,
anything at all, call me.
- What's the latest we can ring?
- No such thing.
- Here we go. John! Go, go, go!
- All units, go, go, go!
SIREN BLARES
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Out the car! Out the
car! Get out the car.
On your knees! Knees!
Stay there, fella, stay there!
We've got him, Les,
we've bloody got him!
- MAN: How much?
- It's five.