The Gone (2023) s01e06 Episode Script

1
(MONITOR BEEPING STEADILY)
(MUSIC FADING IN)
SINEAD: It's gonna be OK.
I just want to see you
When you're all alone
I just want to catch you
If I can
- # I just want to be there
- (STRAINING)
When the morning light explodes
On your face, it radiates
I can't escape,
I love you till the end ♪
'Someone had to be with my dad
at all times, no matter what.
'By the time I would have been
about ten at that stage
'I was making dinners for my dad,
I was making his tea,
'I was cleaning up after him.
'I actually learned
how to shave by'
(CRYING)
(INCANTATION)
'I'm scheduling this to send
to you this time tomorrow,
'and by now, you'll know that I'
Well,
you'll know.
You know, you said something
to me today. You said that I'm the
the best man you know, and I try
to fly as high as your dreams.
If there is some kind of
pay-out for my contract,
Harriet doesn't have long
and it would be nice if her last days
were in some way comfortable.
I can't watch her die, Tamati.
'And I can't fix what I did.
'And I'm not a good man.'
And I'm not a brave man, but you are.
Please, my friend.
Undo what I've done.
(BEEP)
FUCK!
(SHOUT ECHOES AND FADES)
Captions were made with
the support of NZ On Air.
Able 2023
TANNOY: Reminder, everyone, our cycle
trail grand opening is today.
(TURNS OFF MOTOR)
(CYCLE BELL RINGS)
(HUMMING)
(CHILD SINGING)
Always on my mind,
this is what you do to me
Girl, you got me singing
in some harmony ♪
Mum! Mama! Guess what
happened at sports day!
The 100 metres, I had a stink start.
My foot slipped, Val took off.
She was 20 metres ahead before
I even got going.
I just put my head down, Mum,
and went for it. Right on the
line I passed her.
- Junior girls champ?
- Diana May Huia.
Baby!
Everyone!
Forget the board, OK?
Let's focus on the facts.
Colin Friends was in possession
of physical evidence,
including the bird bones,
linking him to the Mountain Murders.
But we know for a fact
that he didn't kill Ronan.
- So, we're back to the copycat?
- Yeah, maybe. Although
If it is a copycat, how
did they know about the bones?
BRUCE: Only two people in
town knew - me, and I didn't
tell anyone, which leaves
Samuel.
Samuel was in a care home
with advanced dementia.
What if he told someone?
OK, a full list of staff, please,
Bruce, and his visitors.
GWENDA: A copycat copies exactly.
With Ronan, there's
so many anomalies.
The weapon, storing the body,
means of disposal.
- They all break the pattern.
- RICHTER: Exactly.
If they were copying past killings,
Sinead would be long dead.
Yeah.
OK, alternative theory.
Ronan was the target.
And Sinead just got in the way.
And either the Mountain Murderer
came out of retirement again,
or it's just a diversion.
And if so, we need to know why,
before someone else gets killed.
So, we're back to Ronan,
and Ronan's burner phone.
This is our last lead.
There's only one person alive
who might know the PIN.
- Do you recognise this?
- Never seen this before.
It was hidden behind a panel
in the Houkura car you used.
Lots of people use that car.
DIANA: Do you know
what PIN code Ronan used?
SINEAD: No.
Did Ronan use it to sell drugs?
- He wasn't just some dealer.
- Who are you afraid of?
We found the draft
email on your laptop.
You said you were scared,
everything was going wrong.
Sinead, this is a murder investigation.
RICHTER: Look, I get that
you used your parents' credit
card to pay off the cook.
I understand that,
but why did you sell the car?
To start paying back the credit
card before they noticed.
Couldn't let them down again.
What could I say? Could you
pay off my boyfriend's dealer?
I was writing the email to you, Mum.
Ro needed help,
but I didn't want you to have to
clean up another one of my messes.
So, I didn't send it.
I didn't do anything.
DIANA: Sinead, we really
need Ronan's PIN code.
The day we met.
9th August 2019.
Any of this mean anything to you?
Oh, no.
What?
A couple of weeks ago, I needed
some processing data from Colin.
He was tied up in
a meeting with investors,
but there was this data key
on his desk and I thought
it might have what I needed.
But when I uploaded it onto
my computer, it was just nuts.
- Colin!
- 'The data was all over the place.'
Houkura's processes are failing.
'The system is releasing more
contaminants than it's extracting.
I went to Colin and we had a fight.
We saw you arguing
on the security camera.
Did you tell Ronan about this?
I mentioned it,
but I didn't show him the data.
DIANA: Could Ronan have accessed
this material without you knowing?
Is all of this because of Houkura?
Christ, Richter, one text sent. Look.
"50k by tomorrow or the world
finds out. Keep your phone on."
You'd think he'd delete the text.
So, Ronan stumbles across
evidence that Houkura's in
trouble on Sinead's laptop.
Figures he can turn
it into hard cash.
Who has the most to lose
if Houkura goes under?
(PHONE RINGS)
- Bruce.
- 'Diana, Tamati Davidson's here.
- 'He wants to talk to you.'
- We'll meet you there.
(PHONE BUZZING)
VAL: I really don't want to intrude.
JOSEPH: She'd be delighted to see
you. She'd want to say hello.
Sinead, love, this is
Valerie Armstrong. She led
the Search and Rescue team.
We are so grateful.
Thank you so much.
I really didn't mean to intrude.
I was just visiting one of our team.
- He did his ankle in on the maunga.
- You found his body.
He wanted to go home.
He was so lost here.
I made him stay.
You can't blame yourself, Sinead.
You couldn't have changed anything.
You have to remember that.
I'm really glad you're safe.
Thank you.
- JOSEPH: Now, one oat flat white.
- Thank you.
Darling, would you like some food?
VOICES RECEDING:
There's a croissant here.
JOSEPH: One coconut milk cappuccino,
just the way you like it.
(VOICES FADE AWAY)
TAMATI: Colin lied to me.
We were producing ten times
more waste than what I believed.
DIANA: And on a bad day,
it looks like a whole lot more.
Colin knew that I would pull
the plug, so he hid the truth.
I mean, he was channelling the waste
through these storm water pipes
that run underneath Houkura
and output at the mill.
And that's why Colin wanted
the land around the urupa,
because he needs to maintain
those pipes in order
to get rid of the waste.
Mr Davidson, could you take
a look at this for me, please?
"50k by tomorrow,
or the world finds out."
- What is this?
- Do you know anything about that?
What?
This is not my number.
Could have been sent
to a burner phone.
Do you think I'm being extorted?
I didn't know anything about any
of this until I got Colin's video.
OK, then the text could have
been sent to Colin Friends.
Could he have got someone else
to deal with the problem?
I don't even know
who Colin was any more, OK?
And I certainly don't know
who that text was for.
OK. You were giving
a TED Talk the day Ronan died.
You were back by 5pm.
Can you prove where you were
for the rest of the night?
I had an investor come into town.
5pm or 6pm I took her
for dinner and drinks.
I dropped her off at her
accommodation around 10pm.
Call her and see.
Wait here.
- JOSEPH: She'll be
all right on her own?
- HANNAH: Let her sleep.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Tamati's alibi checks out.
The staff from the Samuel's
rest home and his visitors
in the last few months.
- Popular man.
- Half the town's on this list.
He could have talked to
anyone about the bird bones.
Someone on this list
was out there that night.
On their way to
Sinead and Ronan's house.
Driving down this road.
And no one saw a damn thing.
DIANA: Richter!
- (HORN BLARES)
- Richter!
What the fuck are you doing, man?
- Is that camera recording?
- Eh?
What the fuck's it to ya?
There's only one CCTV camera
permanently in Mount Affinity,
but there's dozens of them
rolling through this town
every day and every night.
WIKI: Yeah, could be up the maunga.
Could be halfway round the world
but, yeah, no, I've never seen it.
Who would send a photo
without identifying it?
- Somebody trying to waste your time.
- Mm.
- Would Buster know?
- Why don't you ask him yourself?
If you can find him.
- When are you expecting him back?
- I'm not.
Oh.
I went to see Frank Pastors.
- Why?
- Because there's
something about him.
Wiki, I thought he might
have been playing with me
but then somebody sends me a message
linking him to this lodge.
- You don't want to mess
with that prick.
- I'm on a plane tomorrow.
I'm just following my gut.
- You're just nuts!
- (LAUGHS)
If there's anybody
who knows about Pastors,
it's his ex, Linda -
here's her number.
OK.
Well, it's been
so lovely knowing you.
You live in heaven.
Life's not meant to be perfect, but
what you've got comes pretty close.
(CHORUS OF BIRDSONG)
- Come here.
- Safe journey.
(CAR DRIVES OFF)
I'm just standing here remembering a
gangly, pimply-faced high-school kid
trying to buy a six pack,
walking out the bottle store door,
- straight into me.
- Shit, eh? What happened to him?
- He became Mayor.
- (LAUGHS)
Today's a day this town's
gonna remember.
Proud of you, mate.
The whole town is.
- Thanks, mate.
- No problem.
TANNOY: Attention, everybody.
The ceremony will start shortly.
SINEAD: Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
(GUNSHOT)
(GUNSHOT)
You call me out of the blue,
a total stranger?
The day after I bury my boy.
Linda, I'm so sorry about your son.
But this is about his father, Frank.
Right, all you want
is some story about Jarred,
about his father abusing him
and how he ended up on drugs,
how the low-lifes live and die.
Thanks for the cheap gin.
You can fuck off! You're not using
my dead son to sell your papers.
Linda! Please
Sorry.
I suspect that Frank Pastors
has done some terrible things.
Yeah. He has fucked up
the lives of everyone he's
had anything to do with.
Yeah, but I think
that he's involved in a murder.
Maybe more than one.
Linda, if he is
I will find out.
And he will answer for it. All of it.
It's Frank's Uncle Jeff's place.
It's been empty for years,
ever since Jeff got drunk one night
and decided to go possum hunting,
tripped over and blew a hole in his chest.
Do you know where that is?
Yeah, it's up by the source
of the Kaikakariki.
About as far into the middle
of nowhere that you can get.
OK, so, how long will it
take me to drive up there?
Oh, you'll need a four-wheel drive -
unless you want to walk for three days.
Right.
Making new friends?
Oh, just tying up some loose
ends before leaving tomorrow.
Sinead's found.
Happy ending.
You were being a bit of a dick.
But I get it now.
Surprised you didn't
knock me out, to be honest.
I had no idea it
was anything like this.
I was angry, I'm sorry.
Are you ever coming home?
I don't know what I'm doing.
When you told me
Yeah, it changes everything, but
not how I feel about you.
And, er
You've made up your mind.
But whether I stayed or left
I wish that choice
could have been mine.
Don't be a fucking coward, Richter.
Don't use this
as an excuse to be alone.
Puha.
For the immunity,
strengthen the blood?
Actually, I was gonna make
a wee bottle of puha vodka
for the Irishman.
(WIKI CHUCKLES)
Hey, last night, leading
the karakia for Ronan and Sinead?
Together.
And one hour later,
she walks into town?
So, you know that
bomb scare at Houkura?
- (CHUCKLES)
- You must know that was me, eh?
Think after 30 years
I don't know you, girl?
You're gonna have to make
a full confession.
Yeah, well, you're pretty big
on confessions.
You reckon they'll lock me up?
I'll vouch for your good character.
Well, that's got to account
for something, you old prick.
Buster.
No more secrets, eh?
You'd better come home, then.
Everyone, the dashcam drives
from the trucks are here.
We're looking for a Houkura car
around 8pm travelling from
Ronan and Sinead's house.
DIANA: We find this car,
we find the killer.
Hey.
Um, sorry about my meltdown earlier.
I wanted to thank you properly
for finding Ronan.
I was just doing what I'm
trained to do, but thanks.
I'm supposed to be at
the opening of the trail
Can I come in? Just for a minute.
I'd kill for a cuppa.
Yeah.
Thanks.
TANNOY: 'Attention, everyone.
The ceremony is about to begin.'
- 'Hi, this is Val. Leave a message.'
- Where are you?
I want to say a few words to you
and your team for all your work.
(AMPLIFIED) Get your arse
Ooh! Sorry, about that everyone.
(FEEDBACK)
- BRUCE: Anything?
- DIANA: Nothing yet.
Same here.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(SPEAKING IN TE REO)
SINEAD: After the first day,
I knew Ronan was
- gone.
- (STIRRING CUP)
Didn't know if I'd ever
see Mum and Dad again.
VAL: Here you go.
Thanks.
My family is not of those that
have lived here for a millennium.
But my blood, too,
is in the soil of this place.
And I am humbled
and proud to stand
on this stage today.
Oh, shit!
I've got it.
Sinead
PTSD, it's not like a virus, it's
There's not necessarily
physical symptoms, but that
doesn't mean it's not there.
I really think you need
to talk to someone.
- I'm talking to you.
- No, I mean a professional.
Did you need me to call your parents?
I'm pretty sure I don't
have PTSD, Valerie.
Why are you here, Sinead?
I'm just fucking angry.
SINEAD: Those scars.
Why did you kill Ronan?
I know how to use this thing.
Slow it down, see who's driving.
Pause. Zoom in.
No fucking way.
He visited Samuel all the time.
Everybody move!
The Mount Affinity trail
will bring in tens of thousands
of visitors and tourists
to our town every year.
This trail will put Mount Affinity
back on the map!
RICHTER: Who has the most
to lose if Houkura fails?
DIANA: If the town loses everything,
Ken loses everything.
RICHTER: Ronan was blackmailing Ken.
Today is a day
our proud town will
will talk about for, er
So, er
Before you cut the ribbon!
The council held an out-of-session
meeting three weeks ago.
And by unanimous resolution
of Mount Affinity town council
this trail is officially named
the Armstrong Family Trail!
(CROWD CHEERS, BAND STRIKES UP)
(BUZZING)
- Sinead, please put down the gun.
- Shut up!
Shut up, I know you did it.
The first night, when you took
me to the hut, I grabbed at you.
(SCREAMING)
I felt those scars.
And this morning
You can't blame yourself, Sinead.
Shooting me doesn't bring back Ronan.
It'll only destroy your own life.
I'm not here to shoot you.
I'm here for a confession.
Sinead
Sit down!
- Give me the gun.
- Just admit it! You killed him!
- Sinead, please
- Shut up! Just shut up!
You stabbed my boyfriend
and you threw him over
a waterfall like he was nothing!
- Why?
- Please don't do this.
Just fucking tell me why!
Just admit it! Tell me
Hey.
She knows?
- Of course, blood
is thicker than water.
- Give me the gun.
She fucking knows.
(SIRENS APPROACHING)
- (BANGING ON DOOR)
- Police are here.
(BANGING CONTINUING)
Val?
- VAL: Ken, no.
- DIANA: Ken, put it down.
Stay down, Sinead.
She killed Ronan.
That's not what happened, is it?
VAL: Ken Ken, just
It wasn't Val. It was you.
She just figured out
how to clean up your mess.
- Shut up!
- You fucking idiot,
put the gun down.
- We both go to jail?
- Please just give me the gun.
- Put it down.
- The safety's off.
Ken, please give me the fucking gun!
- Fuck!
- Val!
Hey.
KEN: Say something.
DIANA: Val, stay with me, Val.
I'm OK.
I'm all right?
VAL: He's not a killer.
Di, you know he's not.
Tell them, Ken. Make them understand.
I just wanted to give Ronan a fucking
warning, make him back off,
let him know he wasn't
going to destroy everything
we'd worked for, but
It just It just all went wrong.
(HAMMERS ON DOOR)
- We need to have
a little fucking chat.
- Fuck off, man, honestly.
Think you can blackmail me?
Fuck!
KEN: He grabbed a knife.
I got him down on the deck.
I don't know how it happened, but
(KNIFE WHIPS)
(STRAINING)
Oh, fuck!
Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck!
I called Val. She got there before
Sinead. I knew she'd know what to do.
Ronan?
Ronan? Oh, Jesus Christ! Ronan!
(SHRIEKS)
It was my It was my plan.
I took Sinead,
told Ken what to do with Ronan.
I found a place to hide Sinead,
how to make it look
like a Mountain Murder.
Samuel told you about the bird bones.
DIANA: She needs
an ambulance, Richter.
- Val, get up. We're leaving.
- You move her, she dies.
Stop waving that thing around.
You don't want to hurt anybody
else, I know that.
You don't know me.
- Well, fucking shoot me, then.
- Richter.
Come on, Ken. Fucking shoot Diana.
Shoot Sinead.
Drag your sister out of here,
see how far you get.
- Come on!
- Richter!
- I'm not going to jail.
- Ken, no!
No!
Yes, you are.
(SPADE CLATTERS)
Val. Come on, Val.
Come on, I need Val. Val.
(CRYING) Richter!
Thank you.
BUSTER: What a day, eh?
(WATER FLOWING)
So, um, I haven't seen
you with your little stick
and ball the last few days.
I read a book of Irish legends once,
when I was a boy.
I remember one young fellow.
Koo Cherlane?
Cu Chulainn.
Seven years old,
and he slayed a deadly wolfhound.
With nothing but the hurley
and the sliotar.
Even in all those legends,
the hero eventually meets his end.
As we all do.
Hm.
Cu Chulainn was set on standing
tall when he met his death.
Tied himself to a high stone.
His enemies were still afraid until
the raven landed on his shoulder.
Only then did they know he was dead.
Hm.
Maori and Irish, eh?
Can't get enough of
our blood-and-guts stories.
(BIRDSONG)
("Slippin' Away"
by Max Merritt & The Meteors)
I thought you hated this song!
Uh, yeah.
I heard it was your mum's favourite.
I guess it's grown on me.
You gonna be all right?
Define "all right".
Are you gonna be all right?
Define "all right".
(SHE LAUGHS)
Did you want him to pull the trigger?
I mean, standing there with
a gun pointed at me, I wasn't
really thinking anything.
I definitely didn't want to die.
Good enough for you?
For now.
Mauri ora.
Slainte.
Well, that's just fucking great.
(ENGINE STOPS)
Right.
(CACOPHONY OF BIRDSONG,
CREATURES CALLING)
(FLIES BUZZING)
(HUM OF INSECTS)
(CLATTER)
You.
(PLANE LANDING)
'The gate is now closing.
'Calling last remaining passengers,
Theo Richter, Aileen Ryan,
- 'gate is now closing.
- (RINGING OUT)
'Theo Richter, Aileen Ryan.'
(PHONE RINGING)
(MUSIC RISING)
I just want to catch you in my hand
I just want to be there
when the morning light explodes
On your face it radiates
I can't escape
I love you till the end
I just want to tell you nothing
you don't want to hear
All I want is for you to say ♪