The Field of Blood (2011) s02e02 Episode Script
Episode 2
1 That woman has blood on her face.
She's a lawyer.
She wants us to leave it.
She had her teeth pulled out and her skull caved in with a hammer.
That guy killed her, McVie, and we took money from him.
The new editor-in-chief is on his way up the stairs.
You need to start attracting some new readers.
The bad news is that not all of you will be embarking on this exciting new journey.
Mark Thillingly.
Law Society.
Amnesty International? There's a link between the death of Vhari Burnett and Thillingly's suicide.
Her sister's missing and we think that might tie in, as well.
McVie! HEART MONITOR BEEPS It's just some personal things for Mr McVie.
I just want George to have everything he needs.
Thanks very much.
Meehantrouble seems to follow you around.
Good job he got out the car when he did.
I think your surveillance techniques need a wee bit of work, though, eh? How did you get Lafferty's address anyway? Couldn't have been DS Burns now, by any chance, could it? I hear you two are quite chummy these days.
My personal life is MY business.
Not when it involves one of my officers it's not.
Lafferty's alibi checks out, by the way.
He's no longer a suspect.
So, you were wasting your time.
Mark Thillingly killed Vhari, we're sure of it.
And the petrol bomb? What exactly was that? Well, what did you expect, raking around in his bins? Ohstay away from DS Burns.
He can be a charmerbut he can be plenty of other things, as well.
MUSIC: "Perfect Skin" by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions I choose my friends Only far too well I'm up on the pavement And they're all down in the cellar With their government grants and my IQ They brought me down to size Academia blues HE GROANS Up eight flights of stairs to her basement flat Pretty confused, huh? Being shipped around like that Seems we climbed so high Now we're down so low Strikes me the moral of this song must be There never has been one.
HE EXHALES DEEPLY Hey, you.
What's up with your face? I'm fine.
I'm not feeling anything.
They've got me doped up to the gunnels.
When that car went up, I thought you were a goner.
You should change your name to Harry Houdini.
Who was your friend? What? A nice man came in and dropped off some stuff for you.
Colin.
Is that your brother? No.
Just a friend? Did I say that? You're not saying anything.
He's my partner, Paddy.
In what? Life.
Your boyfriend?! You kept that a secret.
Can you imagine what it would have been like working in there with that lot, if they knew? They would have made my life a misery.
They're not exactly in touch with their feminine side, are they? Neither were you.
Well, that was an act.
Why am I telling you this? The drugs, probably.
Mmm.
Yeah, that's it.
Just forget I said it.
I'm delusional.
I'm so drugged up I've woke up gay.
THEY LAUGH Ooh, I'm away with it.
Is Colin away with it, as well? Seeing how they've given you this truth drug, anything else you'd like to tell me? No.
I think, er, that's probably enough.
And if you tell anybody else, I will gouge your eyeballs out with a soup spoon.
You don't need to worry about me.
I hate people that can't keep secrets.
HE GROANS Oh, jeez.
Get the nurse, will you? I think I could do with another wee dash of that morphine.
You wishing you could turn back time? Yeah.
Spot on.
In a good way or a bad way? Let's just forget this happened, shall we? Can we do that? Yeah, It's already forgotten.
You know, all I wanted was a welcome drink.
You really didn't have to take it that far.
Dick! Dan, actually.
You have got a big gob.
Aye, thanks very much, it has been mentioned.
Give the funnies a rest.
You told Gallagher about us! And how exactly did Lafferty know we were going to check him out? Innocent on both charges.
See thanks to you, McVie's lying in a hospital bed.
And now Gallagher thinks I'll shag anyone with a cheesy line in jokes.
Cheesy? Oh, piss off, Burns! 'All right, listen up.
' I want everything we've got on Lafferty.
All right, everything.
If he thinks he can attack one of us and get away with it, he can think again.
Thinking's not his strongpoint.
The cops don't even know if it was him.
Course it was him, the toerag.
I want as much muck as we can find thrown at him and his family, all right? They're robbing scumbags and I want the whole city to know it.
Sounds good to me.
Get on with it.
OK, talk fast, I'm on hold.
I took a bribe.
The night we were at Vhari Burnett's house.
50 quid.
McVie said it was OK, I thought you should know.
Took a bribe from who? The guy at the door.
The guy that might have murdered her.
He said it could harm her career if her drinking got into the paper.
What, you work for him now, do you? I needed the money.
DEVLIN SIGHS DEEPLY Our 'lecky was gonnae get cut off.
I don't pay you enough? Not enough to support a whole family.
And you took the money and you walked away? And now you're putting yourself in danger, trying to make it right.
Or putting others in danger, to be precise.
I handed it over to the cops.
I thought it might have had the killer's fingerprints on it.
Look, I know it was stupid to take it in the first place.
I couldn't hate myself any more.
It's not the reason that I became a journalist.
Yeah, well, you know what? You're not the first journalist to get a sore arse from sitting on their scruples.
Thing is, Maloney knew about it - the 50 quid.
She must have a contact in the cop shop.
It's Gallagher.
I saw them, together.
She's a fast mover, eh? The thing is, you and I are going to have to cover our backs when it comes to Miss Maloney.
OK? Is that a deal? If you say so.
Get some rest, you look knackered.
Hey, and no more backhanders, you understand? That can never happen again.
Yeah.
How's McVie? He's OK.
Whose idea was it to stake out the biggest psycho in the city, anyway? No, wait, don't tell me - you.
See, if you ask me, I think you'd be better sticking to the knitting supplement.
Well, nobody did ask you, because nobody gives a toss what you think.
Hey, get off.
I'm impressed by the loyalty that Devlin shows his staff.
This McVie incident, he's taken it personally, hasn't he? The press can't be intimidated by thugs.
Not unless they own the paper.
Keep that up and you're out the door.
I can't keep pulling it out of the bag.
It's always on my shoulders, in the end.
I mean, what choice do you have? Well we're no starving yet, are we? Aye, well, we're not far from it.
What's up? You sure you want to keep these cords? They've seen better days.
They're looking for scabs to break the strike.
Want to bus folk into Fife.
Your mother thinks I should go.
A scab? Are you serious? Don't start getting all romantic about the working class.
Leave that to the posh folk.
The union doesn't make the rules.
I can't do it.
It goes against everything I believe.
And what's that, exactly? No.
No, no.
No, tell me, I'm fascinated.
What do you believe in, Conor Meehan? Letting other people suffer because of your principles? Well, I believe in having a roof over me head and I believe in making sure that there's food on the table for me children! I'd rather beg.
Well, I've never accepted charity and I'm not going to start now.
You can't ask him to do this.
He'll be despised.
Well, there's worse things.
Don't do it, Dad.
Please.
Why did you say that to him? It is none of your business.
If we don't stick together, then we're nothing.
Oh, is that right, Comrade Paddy? Well, I don't see you doing much to help others.
Stay out of this.
No.
When you're in my house, my rules.
Well, maybe I shouldn't be in your house.
Meaning? Meaning, maybe it's time I got my own flat.
Well, if that's the way you feel, maybe you should.
HEAVY BREATHING SHE GROANS SHE BREATHES HEAVILY No! Come here.
You're going nowhere.
Please.
You don't have to do this.
Please.
Pain and hatred and misery And each time I feel like this inside There's one thing I want to know What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? So, did you have any other valuables taken? I did, yeah.
I had a watch, my wallet OK, well, if you do notice anything Don't touch anything.
Place was broken into last night.
Cops are checking for prints.
Junkies, probably.
What was the night editor doing? Sleeping, naturally.
That the cop you were shagging? You fell for the mad wife in the attic routine, then? Aye, apparently he's famous for it.
Of course.
the violin lessons are completely banjoed.
Not the only thing you'll not be able to do.
Meehan'll help you out.
LAUGHTER What are you doing here? Er, well I didnae want to lie in a hospital bed when we had a story to finish.
Hey, I'm absolutely fine.
Totally compos mentis.
Just don't expect me to clap along to anything.
Listen, er, thanks very much for not mentioning Colin to that lot.
And I won't, but you can't live a double life.
Well that's easy for you to say, you don't come from Barlanark.
Right, what have we got? The cops believe that Thillingly killed Vhari Burnett, then topped himself.
Why do we think different? He's not the type.
We need more on Thillingly, just in case he did it.
That's a double-page spread, easy.
Are you missing something? Somebody sent me a key.
I wanted to check it out, but it's definitely gone.
A key? Do you mind if I ask why CID are investigating a break-in? Aye, I do.
Is it true, about your wife? On you go.
See, I've heard it's just a line you spin, to justify why it's OK for you to sleep with other women.
Oh, women like you, you mean? Stones.
People.
Glasshouses.
Put those words in the right order, Paddy.
Is it true? You're right.
She didn't attack me with a bottle opener.
She is just an everyday housewife.
It was a lie.
I knew it and you knew it, but it oils the wheels of deceit, doesn't it? So don't dump your guilt on me.
Just tell us what we need to know! And we can bring all this madness to an end.
You've got to let me out of here.
Well, I'll certainly give it serious consideration.
The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.
Now, you know what I did to your sister.
Well, that would pale into insignificance, compared to what I would do to you.
Now, who did you pass the information to? We don't do criminal cases here.
Small stuff - people with rent problems, debt, expense claims for prison visits.
Was Mark at work on Tuesday? He was, aye.
And did he do or say anything out of the ordinary? Do you mean did I think he was suicidal? No.
You say that like he didn't kill himself.
I don't think he did.
Er, Mark's wife said that he was mugged that night.
What? Outside in the car park.
That didn't happen.
I waved to him as he drove away.
It wasn't even dark when he left.
I do remember one thing, though.
There was a red Mercedes in the car park.
It left at the same time.
I only noticed it cos you don't get many of them in Easterhouse.
Listen, I really have to go.
Thank you for your time.
What are you thinking? We should check out that old building that Karen's brother mentioned.
Never know your luck.
McVie, look.
Karen? Karen? What's that? You see anything? It looks like she was here.
There was a Mercedes following Thillingly.
Same Merc at Vhari's the night she died.
And what else have you got, apart from a bad case of sunburn? We know Karen Burnett had information on Red Willie.
What if she gave it to Vhari? You're assuming this info came from the GCHQ where she worked, right? Could be.
And this information was enough to lead to her death? Karen Burnett obviously thinks so.
Does she? There's a lot of could be's and what if's.
Well, why were the guys who knocked lumps out of her half brother looking for her? Maybe they were blackmailing Red Willie.
And what if he paid someone to kill her? Now that would be a good story.
But why would Willie McDade be getting mixed up with someone like Lafferty? It comes back to the guy with the braces.
I think he's the guy that's driving the red Merc.
Yeah, well, we need to talk to Willie McDade, don't we? Get a quote.
No problem.
I know some of his team.
I'll make a few calls.
Well, tell him we'll meet whenever and wherever he wants.
You can't go.
Look at the state of you.
We want him to take us seriously.
Don't we need someone with a bit more experience on this? No, I don't.
It's their story.
I'm not doing this without McVie.
Well, both of you go, then.
Go on.
Come on.
HE CLAPS No problem.
PADDY KNOCKS ON THE DOOR I thought we were supposed to stick together.
Did I say that? Look, it's just I really want to get out of the call car and into features.
This story, it's my big chance.
Meehan, you took a bribe.
You screwed a cop for information.
You're a liability to this newspaper.
The only reason you're still here is cos of Devlin.
It was YOU who told Gallagher about Burns and me, wasn't it? Listenwhen you get to where I am, you pull that ladder up behind you as fast as you can.
Otherwise, some bushy-tailed little idealist, like you, with some bizarre idea about sisterhood will be hanging on to the hem of your skirt like a Biafran orphan.
Hey.
Did you really think I was on your side? Hmm.
Is there something we can do for you? We're here to see Willie McDade.
Is that the fourth estate banging at the door? Let them in.
Thanks for agreeing to speak to us, Mr McDade.
Er, can I get you a drink? A wee Bells.
Do you want anything in it? Another wee Bells.
We were hoping you could tell us what work Vhari Burnett was doing for the union.
MCDADE CHUCKLES So you can taint the poor woman? This is a serious story we're doing.
Not some anti-union muck raking.
Really? That makes a big change, yeah.
Cos all you press boys have done up to now is print a pack of lies about how the NUM are supported by Soviet trust funds.
We think Vhari Burnett was killed because she had information about you.
Sensitive information.
You don't want this story to spiral, Mr McDade.
It doesn't look good.
So, you smell a wee scandal, do you, pet? Well, let me tell you, this Red stays in his own bed.
You can be sure of that.
If you tell us what you know, I promise we'll put your side of the story out there as best we can.
Oh, do you? MCDADE LAUGHS Ah, well, that sounds good, coming from the likes of you.
Thanks, Robert.
Right, I will tell yous this much.
Vhari was working really hard to stop our bank accounts being frozen.
Then a few days ago, Vhari tells me that she had proof there's a dirty tricks campaign against us, organised from the highest level.
What sort of dirty tricks? They were using British and American intelligence networks, to keep track of us.
Covert counter-subversion, I think they call it.
It's got a nice ring to it, eh? They were trying to implicate union leaders in the theft of phoney cash deposits.
So, does that sound like a story you'd like to print, eh? That would mean the government using GCHQ for political reasons.
Oh, away(!) Thatcher? The bubonic blonde.
She wouldnae do that, would she? Proof? She said she'd memos and files she'd give us next week.
Do you think she was killed because of this? There are people in the security services that would do anything to destroy us.
Anything.
Now does that sound like a wee story you'd like to print? I would.
Well, excuse my cynicism, pet.
I don't think I'm gonnae be reading it any time soon.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a picket line to get to.
Wait, just out of interest, why didn't you hold a ballot before the strike? Nae man should vote another man out a job.
I'm not sure I buy that.
I'm no' selling it, hen.
Holy shit.
This is a story and a half.
If it's true.
It is true.
I feel it in my bones.
We just need to prove it.
They've got nothing.
Hearsay.
Not interested.
The government can't use the intelligence services against the unions.
It's a gross misuse of power.
Look, this is a strike.
It's not a revolution.
I don't think you understand this.
This is war.
And this paper has already I'm gonnae go check out the cop shop.
Er, yeah, I'll stay here.
Find out exactly what she's saying in there.
Aye.
Somebody coming in from Pitt Street to pick this up.
It was, er, Sullivan I wanted to talk to.
Sorry, no can do.
By the way, if you're hoping for that 50 quid back, it's disappeared.
What do you mean? Well, we do have the odd tea leaf round here.
You mean somebody stole it? I'm joking.
It's probably been misplaced.
It happens.
It'll turn up in a cupboard or something.
But to be honest with you, it wasnae much use to us, anyway.
Got to go.
I've got an appointment to see Detective Sergeant Mulroy.
OK, take a seat and I'll get him for you.
I wanted to say sorry about before.
I know you didn't tell anyone about us.
I got the wrong end of the stick.
Usually, you'd say something funny now.
Not that I want to throw any more cold water on your story, but this is a copy of a bank statement, in the name of Willie McDade.
Serious sums of cash in it.
He's using this dirty tricks thing to try and deflect us from finding the real crime - using the miners' hardship fund to line his own pocket.
You just found this in the street? I can't divulge my sources.
I need to know where you got this.
A senior police officer, that's all you need to know.
No, I'm going to need more than that, if you want us to print it.
What more do you need? Anyone could have opened this account in his name.
Now, I'm going to need proof that money from this account goes into his pockets.
You've got everything you need right there.
And I want to see it in the evening edition.
The cops have lost that 50-quid note.
Eh? They're trying to protect someone.
You know, somebody sent me that key for a reason, with this article.
I think it's linked to Karen Burnett.
Mmm.
What did the key look like? A small silver one.
Had RGS on it and a number.
Mmm.
RGS is a self-storage company.
Mmm-hmm.
I bet Maloney saw me open the envelope.
Keep her busy a minute.
Er, could I have a word in your, er, shell-like? Not really.
It's, er, we're having a whip round for Big Malky.
Who? Big Malky on reception.
You know, with the sticky-out ears.
It's actually a terrible story.
He was lucky, because his mother had been a seamstress and, er, he took his ears home in fish and chip bag and she sewed them back on.
What? What was it her mother had now? Er, elephantitis.
Yes, aye, big fat fingers and that's why the ears were What the hell are you talking about? I was just admiring your computer.
Can't wait to start using one.
Any joy? Oh.
Let's go.
Well, whatever was in there, Maloney must have it.
What is she playing at? She wants the story for herself.
Nice girls finish last, Paddy.
What, you think this came from Karen Burnett? She might have seen my by-line.
Why else would Maloney use it, then not say what was inside? The files.
Dunno, maybe.
Yeah, well, you leave it with me.
I'll see what she's holding back.
Can I buy you a drink? Eryeah.
I'll meet you down there.
COMPUTER BEEPS You've got everything - train tickets, ferry tickets? Stop worrying.
You'll call Aunt Jean when you get to Paris.
She'll let us know, right.
I said I would.
I'm gonnae be fine.
Here's a sandwich for the train.
You're not paying their prices.
Thanks.
I should go with her.
Father Michael's meeting her off the train.
She's in God's hands now.
I better watch my time.
God bless.
Thanks.
Oh, I thought I'd missed you.
Mmm, nearly.
Are you sure about this? I'm not wasting my life, Paddy.
I know you think I am, but I'm not.
I'll write.
I promise.
I take it you've read these documents? I have.
These prove that the intelligence services are running a dirty tricks campaign against the NUM.
They suggest, among other things, planting drugs on union leaders, paying for hookers to turn up at their hotel.
We'd never be so underhand(!) What were you planning on doing with this? Nothing.
It's not the story the owners want.
Nothing? What type of journalist are you, eh? This could only be sanctioned from the very top - covert counter-subversion against the trade union movement.
We have got to use this.
It could be faked.
It's not just the government that lies.
This could be a very clever stunt by the NUM.
You don't believe that.
Listen, I believe that people are capable of anything, especially self-righteous bleeding hearts.
They're willing to screw anybody to get what they want.
How was it for you, by the way? I did forget to ask.
It's that button there.
You do know you can't print any of that, don't you? It comes under the Official Secrets Act.
And just so you know, the other night, it wasn't just about work.
Not for me, anyway.
Well, it was for me.
HE SCREAMS Stay where you are.
Shit.
Hey! HE GRIMACES Hey! PADDY COUGHS You were sick yesterday morning, as well.
I'm fine.
I'm just really stressed at work.
They're firing people left, right and centre.
There isn't another reason, is there? Don't be daft.
It's not just Mary Ann who's been living like a nun.
I hope so, because that's all we'd need.
Do you mean another mouth to feed or the shame and scandal of a single mother? Oh, single mother.
Is that what they call them these days? Oh, no, we'd a different name.
If you could do it for me.
Shug, shut up.
Hey, listen up.
I want everything we can find on this, er, Mr Braces, the man you saw at Vhari Burnett's house, all right? And I want his name.
.
now.
Sorry, can I phone you back? Shug, have you got anything? Try the Amnesty office or the Register of Lawyers.
He must be connected to the Burnett sisters in some way.
Red Merc.
Anybody got a contact at the DVLC? How about your copper buddy? Can he help us here? No chance.
OK, then.
Check all the car rental firms, dealerships, garages, insurance companies.
Compile a list of all cars bought and all cars sold.
I mean, how many red Mercs can there be in this city? That'll probably only take about two weeks, eh? A list of Mercedes owners.
And that's the last favour I'm doing you.
Any idea who broke into the paper yet? Do you not hear what I just said? I think it might have been security services.
I'm sorry.
You were right.
I knew what I was getting myself into.
Maybe we could start again.
Start what again? Look, the thing is, Paddy, you're never gonnae trust me because you know I'm already lying to my wife.
And if I can lie to her, I can lie to you.
Right? Hey, it's my own fault.
I wish I hadn't spun the same old line with you, but I did and I can't change that.
And now it's Yeah, it's poisoned.
Us, I mean.
See, it'll always be there.
The mistrust and sooner or later it'll rear its ugly head.
I wish I'd treated you with more respect.
See I bet even now you're thinking "Oh, "is this just the same old Burns line?" I might need your help soon.
Not with this.
About something else.
No.
Sorry.
We need to call it a day.
Or we're both gonnae get hurt here.
I've got a red Mercedes rented by somebody called Mr Paul Neilson and we've checked him out.
Um, gave a London address.
Apart from that, we can't even find a video membership.
Aye, this guy lives under the radar.
What, he's got no visible means of support? He's living in Kensington.
What is he, an undercover cop? A spook? What? Whoever he is, my guess is he hired Lafferty to do his dirty work.
He doesn't want any of this traced back to him.
Right, these are the questions we need answered, all right? Did Neilson kill Vhari to shut her up and, if so, who's he working for? We need to make a connection between Vhari and Lafferty, Lafferty and Neilson, Neilson and the security services.
And you, you find Karen Burnett.
If she can confirm that Lafferty killed her sister then we've got a source, all right? But come on, we haven't got much time.
Spike this Burnett story.
No can do.
It's out of the box.
Put it back in the box.
Look, right now, we've got a scoop, haven't we? But we won't have in a couple of days' time.
You are never going to prove that this guy, Neilson, is part of the security services or that he killed Vhari Burnett.
Come on, spike it.
It's a good story, Maloney.
It'll sell newspapers.
From the man whose circulation's plummeting! You know what? I bet you bang on about equality of the sexes all the time.
Oh, I'm sure you've spent many a long night listening sympathetically to some girl droning on about The Female Eunuch, when really, you were just trying to get into her knickers.
You see, I know your type.
Oh, you'll say all the right things to get what you want, but really, in your heart of hearts, you hate being told what to do by a woman.
HE SIGHS You spike this, now, or you are sacked.
And so is everyone else in this newsroom.
You're the boss.
I thought he had more balls than that.
Me, too.
Never heard you saying anything.
I'm not the news editor.
Neither is Devlin, it would appear.
Well, come on, off your arses, we've got a story to write.
What about Maloney? Let me worry about her.
You, get down to that scrap yard.
Follow Lafferty.
Don't let him out of your sight.
Well, come on.
Pronto Tonto.
Where is this clown going? Come on, don't lose him.
Don't wannae get too close.
OK? There he is.
It was never like this for Gregory Peck in The Guns Of Navarone.
Let's see.
You think he's gonnae put a body in there, don't you? Don't you? I think we should call the cops.
No, we can't trust the cops.
She'll be dead before they do anything.
She could be dead now.
Suit yourself, I'll do it on my own.
Paddy, will you look at my hands? I'd be useless in a scrap.
Right, look, there's a gate over there.
Why don't you go try distract them and I'll see if I can find a way in.
Come on.
Now we've got rid of these, I don't want there to be anything left of her.
I get it.
No, no.
She's got to disappear without a trace.
Do you understand? Aye.
You've got a visitor.
Do it now.
This is private property.
Do you not remember me? George McVie, Daily News.
I wanted a wee chat about Karen Burnett.
I don't know anyone called Karen Burnett.
But you know her sister, Vhari.
We met at her house.
I've never seen you before in my life.
That's what's known in the newspaper business as a blatant, bastardin' lie.
You have got five seconds to leave or I'm going to start making balloon animals out of your intestines.
PADDY GASPS Oh, my God, get up.
Oh, my God, get up! Move, move! We know about the dirty tricks campaign.
We know who you work for.
And we know you tortured Vhari Burnett to death.
Read about it in the Daily News tomorrow.
You are so out of your depth here.
You are just a hack nobody'll miss.
My mother will.
No, she won't.
Cos I'll bury her with you.
Well, if that's gonnae be your attitude, this interview's at an end.
It's OK.
It's OK.
Come on, McVie, hurry up! Shh.
You're OK.
You're OK.
Phone a doctor.
Mark and Vhari were working for the NUM.
I gave them the information I had .
.
because I thought the union should know the government were using GCHQ and its outstations to gather information for a covert campaign against them.
Why did Mark Thillingly kill himself? He told the police about the files.
He thought they could be trusted.
It was after that he was attacked.
He was scared.
He, er .
.
he, he told his attackers Vhari had the files.
He couldn't live with himself after that.
You understand that if we print this interview, it's your word against the government and they'll come after you with everything they've got.
I mean, they'll destroy your reputation.
And also, you've admitted handing over classified information.
It's a violation of The Official Secrets Act.
You could go to prison.
I don't care.
I want the man who killed my sister named.
I want the people who paid him named.
If I don't do anything, Mark and Vhari died for nothing.
Maybe Karen could go on a holiday.
What? Maybe somebody could pay for her to take a trip.
Some place quiet, till this all blows over.
This isn't going to blow over.
People need to know.
OK, let's get her out of the country, eh? Meehan, you start writing, OK? Sure thing, boss.
What's this? That's our front page.
Well, it looks like you did a really good job with that story, Paddy.
It's just a pity it's the wrong story.
You see, we're going with my angle.
Red Willie's slush fund.
Er, no, we're not, because this has been planted by the security services.
You print that and they'll shut this paper down.
You willing to sacrifice all these people just for your principles, are you? It's proofed.
Print it.
Thank you.
So, what do we want to do? Go with Maloney's story or Meehan's? ALL: Meehan's It's not worth working for those bastards, anyway.
Might as well go out with a bang.
File your copy, Meehan.
We go to print in 20 minutes.
Meehan.
We're running a story tomorrow and you two play a leading part.
We do? Fame at last, eh? Oh, I don't think this is the type you had in mind.
I wondered if you'd like to give me a quote.
A quote about what, exactly? On how officers from this station helped security services cover up the murder of Vhari Burnett.
And how did we do that? Her murder wasn't investigated properly.
Witnesses ignored.
You're a better cop than that, Gallagher.
Somebody told you to back off.
I need to speak to Meehan alone, for a minute.
You're pointing the finger at the wrong person.
I've already had a chat with the editor-in-chief of your paper about this.
Maloney? Why didn't you talk to me? Why talk to the monkey when I can have a drink with the organ grinder? Well, she buried whatever information you gave her.
You're gonnae have to give it to me now.
You're right.
It wasn't our idea to concentrate on Thillingly.
DCI Sullivan's orders.
So if you wannae accuse anybody of corruptionaccuse him.
And that, Paddy, is not a quote.
I've got a mate on the Evening Times.
He'll get me in the door.
And that's as far as you'll get.
Let's face it, Meehan's the only one with a future.
We're washed up.
Hear, hear.
We could have been a great team, if you'd just listened to me.
You had no intention of working with me.
That's where you're wrong.
RADIO: And here are the late-night headlines from Radio Scotland.
The government has been rocked by claims in tomorrow's Glasgow Daily News that the murder of Vhari Burnett, a well-known lawyer in the city, is linked to a dirty tricks campaign by the security services against the NUM.
HE BANGS ON THE DOOR HE BANGS AGAIN Who is it? We need to talk - about our contract.
What contract? The one I'm terminating.
PADDY COUGHS All right? Why didn't you pass on the information Gallagher gave you? He was trying to help.
It seemed to me that he was trying to cover his own incompetence.
Oh, you lying cow.
Hardly an acute observation.
Well enjoy the taste of victory, Meehan, cos if you do have a career left after this, getting yourself up the duff will surely kill it.
What? Sorry, darling, but you're either bulimic or you're pregnant.
No, it's too soon, isn't it? Depends when you ovulate.
I'm gay.
What have you got to be gay about? No, I'm gay.
I've got a partner called Colin.
We've been together for 12 years.
It's a red letter day, right enough.
It certainly is.
Cheers, big guy.
MCVIE LAUGHS RADIO: In an interview with the newspaper, Karen Burnett alleges her sister was murdered by Glasgow gangster Robert Lafferty, who she claims was murdered Where do you think you're going? McCallum International want you to stay.
You doubled the circulation with that front page.
And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters to them.
Integrity sells.
So what, no more, er, interference? Within reason.
RADIO: Government spokesperson has stated that the claims are absurd and there is no proof whatsoever that the security services would be involved.
Scottish miners' leader, Willie McDade, has said he will be releasing a statement later this morning.
More reaction to this explosive story later in the programme.
Some of these are older than you.
SONG: "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Perry Como All right? Look like you lost a pound and found a penny.
I'm pregnant.
Want to give me a hand with these?
She's a lawyer.
She wants us to leave it.
She had her teeth pulled out and her skull caved in with a hammer.
That guy killed her, McVie, and we took money from him.
The new editor-in-chief is on his way up the stairs.
You need to start attracting some new readers.
The bad news is that not all of you will be embarking on this exciting new journey.
Mark Thillingly.
Law Society.
Amnesty International? There's a link between the death of Vhari Burnett and Thillingly's suicide.
Her sister's missing and we think that might tie in, as well.
McVie! HEART MONITOR BEEPS It's just some personal things for Mr McVie.
I just want George to have everything he needs.
Thanks very much.
Meehantrouble seems to follow you around.
Good job he got out the car when he did.
I think your surveillance techniques need a wee bit of work, though, eh? How did you get Lafferty's address anyway? Couldn't have been DS Burns now, by any chance, could it? I hear you two are quite chummy these days.
My personal life is MY business.
Not when it involves one of my officers it's not.
Lafferty's alibi checks out, by the way.
He's no longer a suspect.
So, you were wasting your time.
Mark Thillingly killed Vhari, we're sure of it.
And the petrol bomb? What exactly was that? Well, what did you expect, raking around in his bins? Ohstay away from DS Burns.
He can be a charmerbut he can be plenty of other things, as well.
MUSIC: "Perfect Skin" by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions I choose my friends Only far too well I'm up on the pavement And they're all down in the cellar With their government grants and my IQ They brought me down to size Academia blues HE GROANS Up eight flights of stairs to her basement flat Pretty confused, huh? Being shipped around like that Seems we climbed so high Now we're down so low Strikes me the moral of this song must be There never has been one.
HE EXHALES DEEPLY Hey, you.
What's up with your face? I'm fine.
I'm not feeling anything.
They've got me doped up to the gunnels.
When that car went up, I thought you were a goner.
You should change your name to Harry Houdini.
Who was your friend? What? A nice man came in and dropped off some stuff for you.
Colin.
Is that your brother? No.
Just a friend? Did I say that? You're not saying anything.
He's my partner, Paddy.
In what? Life.
Your boyfriend?! You kept that a secret.
Can you imagine what it would have been like working in there with that lot, if they knew? They would have made my life a misery.
They're not exactly in touch with their feminine side, are they? Neither were you.
Well, that was an act.
Why am I telling you this? The drugs, probably.
Mmm.
Yeah, that's it.
Just forget I said it.
I'm delusional.
I'm so drugged up I've woke up gay.
THEY LAUGH Ooh, I'm away with it.
Is Colin away with it, as well? Seeing how they've given you this truth drug, anything else you'd like to tell me? No.
I think, er, that's probably enough.
And if you tell anybody else, I will gouge your eyeballs out with a soup spoon.
You don't need to worry about me.
I hate people that can't keep secrets.
HE GROANS Oh, jeez.
Get the nurse, will you? I think I could do with another wee dash of that morphine.
You wishing you could turn back time? Yeah.
Spot on.
In a good way or a bad way? Let's just forget this happened, shall we? Can we do that? Yeah, It's already forgotten.
You know, all I wanted was a welcome drink.
You really didn't have to take it that far.
Dick! Dan, actually.
You have got a big gob.
Aye, thanks very much, it has been mentioned.
Give the funnies a rest.
You told Gallagher about us! And how exactly did Lafferty know we were going to check him out? Innocent on both charges.
See thanks to you, McVie's lying in a hospital bed.
And now Gallagher thinks I'll shag anyone with a cheesy line in jokes.
Cheesy? Oh, piss off, Burns! 'All right, listen up.
' I want everything we've got on Lafferty.
All right, everything.
If he thinks he can attack one of us and get away with it, he can think again.
Thinking's not his strongpoint.
The cops don't even know if it was him.
Course it was him, the toerag.
I want as much muck as we can find thrown at him and his family, all right? They're robbing scumbags and I want the whole city to know it.
Sounds good to me.
Get on with it.
OK, talk fast, I'm on hold.
I took a bribe.
The night we were at Vhari Burnett's house.
50 quid.
McVie said it was OK, I thought you should know.
Took a bribe from who? The guy at the door.
The guy that might have murdered her.
He said it could harm her career if her drinking got into the paper.
What, you work for him now, do you? I needed the money.
DEVLIN SIGHS DEEPLY Our 'lecky was gonnae get cut off.
I don't pay you enough? Not enough to support a whole family.
And you took the money and you walked away? And now you're putting yourself in danger, trying to make it right.
Or putting others in danger, to be precise.
I handed it over to the cops.
I thought it might have had the killer's fingerprints on it.
Look, I know it was stupid to take it in the first place.
I couldn't hate myself any more.
It's not the reason that I became a journalist.
Yeah, well, you know what? You're not the first journalist to get a sore arse from sitting on their scruples.
Thing is, Maloney knew about it - the 50 quid.
She must have a contact in the cop shop.
It's Gallagher.
I saw them, together.
She's a fast mover, eh? The thing is, you and I are going to have to cover our backs when it comes to Miss Maloney.
OK? Is that a deal? If you say so.
Get some rest, you look knackered.
Hey, and no more backhanders, you understand? That can never happen again.
Yeah.
How's McVie? He's OK.
Whose idea was it to stake out the biggest psycho in the city, anyway? No, wait, don't tell me - you.
See, if you ask me, I think you'd be better sticking to the knitting supplement.
Well, nobody did ask you, because nobody gives a toss what you think.
Hey, get off.
I'm impressed by the loyalty that Devlin shows his staff.
This McVie incident, he's taken it personally, hasn't he? The press can't be intimidated by thugs.
Not unless they own the paper.
Keep that up and you're out the door.
I can't keep pulling it out of the bag.
It's always on my shoulders, in the end.
I mean, what choice do you have? Well we're no starving yet, are we? Aye, well, we're not far from it.
What's up? You sure you want to keep these cords? They've seen better days.
They're looking for scabs to break the strike.
Want to bus folk into Fife.
Your mother thinks I should go.
A scab? Are you serious? Don't start getting all romantic about the working class.
Leave that to the posh folk.
The union doesn't make the rules.
I can't do it.
It goes against everything I believe.
And what's that, exactly? No.
No, no.
No, tell me, I'm fascinated.
What do you believe in, Conor Meehan? Letting other people suffer because of your principles? Well, I believe in having a roof over me head and I believe in making sure that there's food on the table for me children! I'd rather beg.
Well, I've never accepted charity and I'm not going to start now.
You can't ask him to do this.
He'll be despised.
Well, there's worse things.
Don't do it, Dad.
Please.
Why did you say that to him? It is none of your business.
If we don't stick together, then we're nothing.
Oh, is that right, Comrade Paddy? Well, I don't see you doing much to help others.
Stay out of this.
No.
When you're in my house, my rules.
Well, maybe I shouldn't be in your house.
Meaning? Meaning, maybe it's time I got my own flat.
Well, if that's the way you feel, maybe you should.
HEAVY BREATHING SHE GROANS SHE BREATHES HEAVILY No! Come here.
You're going nowhere.
Please.
You don't have to do this.
Please.
Pain and hatred and misery And each time I feel like this inside There's one thing I want to know What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? So, did you have any other valuables taken? I did, yeah.
I had a watch, my wallet OK, well, if you do notice anything Don't touch anything.
Place was broken into last night.
Cops are checking for prints.
Junkies, probably.
What was the night editor doing? Sleeping, naturally.
That the cop you were shagging? You fell for the mad wife in the attic routine, then? Aye, apparently he's famous for it.
Of course.
the violin lessons are completely banjoed.
Not the only thing you'll not be able to do.
Meehan'll help you out.
LAUGHTER What are you doing here? Er, well I didnae want to lie in a hospital bed when we had a story to finish.
Hey, I'm absolutely fine.
Totally compos mentis.
Just don't expect me to clap along to anything.
Listen, er, thanks very much for not mentioning Colin to that lot.
And I won't, but you can't live a double life.
Well that's easy for you to say, you don't come from Barlanark.
Right, what have we got? The cops believe that Thillingly killed Vhari Burnett, then topped himself.
Why do we think different? He's not the type.
We need more on Thillingly, just in case he did it.
That's a double-page spread, easy.
Are you missing something? Somebody sent me a key.
I wanted to check it out, but it's definitely gone.
A key? Do you mind if I ask why CID are investigating a break-in? Aye, I do.
Is it true, about your wife? On you go.
See, I've heard it's just a line you spin, to justify why it's OK for you to sleep with other women.
Oh, women like you, you mean? Stones.
People.
Glasshouses.
Put those words in the right order, Paddy.
Is it true? You're right.
She didn't attack me with a bottle opener.
She is just an everyday housewife.
It was a lie.
I knew it and you knew it, but it oils the wheels of deceit, doesn't it? So don't dump your guilt on me.
Just tell us what we need to know! And we can bring all this madness to an end.
You've got to let me out of here.
Well, I'll certainly give it serious consideration.
The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.
Now, you know what I did to your sister.
Well, that would pale into insignificance, compared to what I would do to you.
Now, who did you pass the information to? We don't do criminal cases here.
Small stuff - people with rent problems, debt, expense claims for prison visits.
Was Mark at work on Tuesday? He was, aye.
And did he do or say anything out of the ordinary? Do you mean did I think he was suicidal? No.
You say that like he didn't kill himself.
I don't think he did.
Er, Mark's wife said that he was mugged that night.
What? Outside in the car park.
That didn't happen.
I waved to him as he drove away.
It wasn't even dark when he left.
I do remember one thing, though.
There was a red Mercedes in the car park.
It left at the same time.
I only noticed it cos you don't get many of them in Easterhouse.
Listen, I really have to go.
Thank you for your time.
What are you thinking? We should check out that old building that Karen's brother mentioned.
Never know your luck.
McVie, look.
Karen? Karen? What's that? You see anything? It looks like she was here.
There was a Mercedes following Thillingly.
Same Merc at Vhari's the night she died.
And what else have you got, apart from a bad case of sunburn? We know Karen Burnett had information on Red Willie.
What if she gave it to Vhari? You're assuming this info came from the GCHQ where she worked, right? Could be.
And this information was enough to lead to her death? Karen Burnett obviously thinks so.
Does she? There's a lot of could be's and what if's.
Well, why were the guys who knocked lumps out of her half brother looking for her? Maybe they were blackmailing Red Willie.
And what if he paid someone to kill her? Now that would be a good story.
But why would Willie McDade be getting mixed up with someone like Lafferty? It comes back to the guy with the braces.
I think he's the guy that's driving the red Merc.
Yeah, well, we need to talk to Willie McDade, don't we? Get a quote.
No problem.
I know some of his team.
I'll make a few calls.
Well, tell him we'll meet whenever and wherever he wants.
You can't go.
Look at the state of you.
We want him to take us seriously.
Don't we need someone with a bit more experience on this? No, I don't.
It's their story.
I'm not doing this without McVie.
Well, both of you go, then.
Go on.
Come on.
HE CLAPS No problem.
PADDY KNOCKS ON THE DOOR I thought we were supposed to stick together.
Did I say that? Look, it's just I really want to get out of the call car and into features.
This story, it's my big chance.
Meehan, you took a bribe.
You screwed a cop for information.
You're a liability to this newspaper.
The only reason you're still here is cos of Devlin.
It was YOU who told Gallagher about Burns and me, wasn't it? Listenwhen you get to where I am, you pull that ladder up behind you as fast as you can.
Otherwise, some bushy-tailed little idealist, like you, with some bizarre idea about sisterhood will be hanging on to the hem of your skirt like a Biafran orphan.
Hey.
Did you really think I was on your side? Hmm.
Is there something we can do for you? We're here to see Willie McDade.
Is that the fourth estate banging at the door? Let them in.
Thanks for agreeing to speak to us, Mr McDade.
Er, can I get you a drink? A wee Bells.
Do you want anything in it? Another wee Bells.
We were hoping you could tell us what work Vhari Burnett was doing for the union.
MCDADE CHUCKLES So you can taint the poor woman? This is a serious story we're doing.
Not some anti-union muck raking.
Really? That makes a big change, yeah.
Cos all you press boys have done up to now is print a pack of lies about how the NUM are supported by Soviet trust funds.
We think Vhari Burnett was killed because she had information about you.
Sensitive information.
You don't want this story to spiral, Mr McDade.
It doesn't look good.
So, you smell a wee scandal, do you, pet? Well, let me tell you, this Red stays in his own bed.
You can be sure of that.
If you tell us what you know, I promise we'll put your side of the story out there as best we can.
Oh, do you? MCDADE LAUGHS Ah, well, that sounds good, coming from the likes of you.
Thanks, Robert.
Right, I will tell yous this much.
Vhari was working really hard to stop our bank accounts being frozen.
Then a few days ago, Vhari tells me that she had proof there's a dirty tricks campaign against us, organised from the highest level.
What sort of dirty tricks? They were using British and American intelligence networks, to keep track of us.
Covert counter-subversion, I think they call it.
It's got a nice ring to it, eh? They were trying to implicate union leaders in the theft of phoney cash deposits.
So, does that sound like a story you'd like to print, eh? That would mean the government using GCHQ for political reasons.
Oh, away(!) Thatcher? The bubonic blonde.
She wouldnae do that, would she? Proof? She said she'd memos and files she'd give us next week.
Do you think she was killed because of this? There are people in the security services that would do anything to destroy us.
Anything.
Now does that sound like a wee story you'd like to print? I would.
Well, excuse my cynicism, pet.
I don't think I'm gonnae be reading it any time soon.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a picket line to get to.
Wait, just out of interest, why didn't you hold a ballot before the strike? Nae man should vote another man out a job.
I'm not sure I buy that.
I'm no' selling it, hen.
Holy shit.
This is a story and a half.
If it's true.
It is true.
I feel it in my bones.
We just need to prove it.
They've got nothing.
Hearsay.
Not interested.
The government can't use the intelligence services against the unions.
It's a gross misuse of power.
Look, this is a strike.
It's not a revolution.
I don't think you understand this.
This is war.
And this paper has already I'm gonnae go check out the cop shop.
Er, yeah, I'll stay here.
Find out exactly what she's saying in there.
Aye.
Somebody coming in from Pitt Street to pick this up.
It was, er, Sullivan I wanted to talk to.
Sorry, no can do.
By the way, if you're hoping for that 50 quid back, it's disappeared.
What do you mean? Well, we do have the odd tea leaf round here.
You mean somebody stole it? I'm joking.
It's probably been misplaced.
It happens.
It'll turn up in a cupboard or something.
But to be honest with you, it wasnae much use to us, anyway.
Got to go.
I've got an appointment to see Detective Sergeant Mulroy.
OK, take a seat and I'll get him for you.
I wanted to say sorry about before.
I know you didn't tell anyone about us.
I got the wrong end of the stick.
Usually, you'd say something funny now.
Not that I want to throw any more cold water on your story, but this is a copy of a bank statement, in the name of Willie McDade.
Serious sums of cash in it.
He's using this dirty tricks thing to try and deflect us from finding the real crime - using the miners' hardship fund to line his own pocket.
You just found this in the street? I can't divulge my sources.
I need to know where you got this.
A senior police officer, that's all you need to know.
No, I'm going to need more than that, if you want us to print it.
What more do you need? Anyone could have opened this account in his name.
Now, I'm going to need proof that money from this account goes into his pockets.
You've got everything you need right there.
And I want to see it in the evening edition.
The cops have lost that 50-quid note.
Eh? They're trying to protect someone.
You know, somebody sent me that key for a reason, with this article.
I think it's linked to Karen Burnett.
Mmm.
What did the key look like? A small silver one.
Had RGS on it and a number.
Mmm.
RGS is a self-storage company.
Mmm-hmm.
I bet Maloney saw me open the envelope.
Keep her busy a minute.
Er, could I have a word in your, er, shell-like? Not really.
It's, er, we're having a whip round for Big Malky.
Who? Big Malky on reception.
You know, with the sticky-out ears.
It's actually a terrible story.
He was lucky, because his mother had been a seamstress and, er, he took his ears home in fish and chip bag and she sewed them back on.
What? What was it her mother had now? Er, elephantitis.
Yes, aye, big fat fingers and that's why the ears were What the hell are you talking about? I was just admiring your computer.
Can't wait to start using one.
Any joy? Oh.
Let's go.
Well, whatever was in there, Maloney must have it.
What is she playing at? She wants the story for herself.
Nice girls finish last, Paddy.
What, you think this came from Karen Burnett? She might have seen my by-line.
Why else would Maloney use it, then not say what was inside? The files.
Dunno, maybe.
Yeah, well, you leave it with me.
I'll see what she's holding back.
Can I buy you a drink? Eryeah.
I'll meet you down there.
COMPUTER BEEPS You've got everything - train tickets, ferry tickets? Stop worrying.
You'll call Aunt Jean when you get to Paris.
She'll let us know, right.
I said I would.
I'm gonnae be fine.
Here's a sandwich for the train.
You're not paying their prices.
Thanks.
I should go with her.
Father Michael's meeting her off the train.
She's in God's hands now.
I better watch my time.
God bless.
Thanks.
Oh, I thought I'd missed you.
Mmm, nearly.
Are you sure about this? I'm not wasting my life, Paddy.
I know you think I am, but I'm not.
I'll write.
I promise.
I take it you've read these documents? I have.
These prove that the intelligence services are running a dirty tricks campaign against the NUM.
They suggest, among other things, planting drugs on union leaders, paying for hookers to turn up at their hotel.
We'd never be so underhand(!) What were you planning on doing with this? Nothing.
It's not the story the owners want.
Nothing? What type of journalist are you, eh? This could only be sanctioned from the very top - covert counter-subversion against the trade union movement.
We have got to use this.
It could be faked.
It's not just the government that lies.
This could be a very clever stunt by the NUM.
You don't believe that.
Listen, I believe that people are capable of anything, especially self-righteous bleeding hearts.
They're willing to screw anybody to get what they want.
How was it for you, by the way? I did forget to ask.
It's that button there.
You do know you can't print any of that, don't you? It comes under the Official Secrets Act.
And just so you know, the other night, it wasn't just about work.
Not for me, anyway.
Well, it was for me.
HE SCREAMS Stay where you are.
Shit.
Hey! HE GRIMACES Hey! PADDY COUGHS You were sick yesterday morning, as well.
I'm fine.
I'm just really stressed at work.
They're firing people left, right and centre.
There isn't another reason, is there? Don't be daft.
It's not just Mary Ann who's been living like a nun.
I hope so, because that's all we'd need.
Do you mean another mouth to feed or the shame and scandal of a single mother? Oh, single mother.
Is that what they call them these days? Oh, no, we'd a different name.
If you could do it for me.
Shug, shut up.
Hey, listen up.
I want everything we can find on this, er, Mr Braces, the man you saw at Vhari Burnett's house, all right? And I want his name.
.
now.
Sorry, can I phone you back? Shug, have you got anything? Try the Amnesty office or the Register of Lawyers.
He must be connected to the Burnett sisters in some way.
Red Merc.
Anybody got a contact at the DVLC? How about your copper buddy? Can he help us here? No chance.
OK, then.
Check all the car rental firms, dealerships, garages, insurance companies.
Compile a list of all cars bought and all cars sold.
I mean, how many red Mercs can there be in this city? That'll probably only take about two weeks, eh? A list of Mercedes owners.
And that's the last favour I'm doing you.
Any idea who broke into the paper yet? Do you not hear what I just said? I think it might have been security services.
I'm sorry.
You were right.
I knew what I was getting myself into.
Maybe we could start again.
Start what again? Look, the thing is, Paddy, you're never gonnae trust me because you know I'm already lying to my wife.
And if I can lie to her, I can lie to you.
Right? Hey, it's my own fault.
I wish I hadn't spun the same old line with you, but I did and I can't change that.
And now it's Yeah, it's poisoned.
Us, I mean.
See, it'll always be there.
The mistrust and sooner or later it'll rear its ugly head.
I wish I'd treated you with more respect.
See I bet even now you're thinking "Oh, "is this just the same old Burns line?" I might need your help soon.
Not with this.
About something else.
No.
Sorry.
We need to call it a day.
Or we're both gonnae get hurt here.
I've got a red Mercedes rented by somebody called Mr Paul Neilson and we've checked him out.
Um, gave a London address.
Apart from that, we can't even find a video membership.
Aye, this guy lives under the radar.
What, he's got no visible means of support? He's living in Kensington.
What is he, an undercover cop? A spook? What? Whoever he is, my guess is he hired Lafferty to do his dirty work.
He doesn't want any of this traced back to him.
Right, these are the questions we need answered, all right? Did Neilson kill Vhari to shut her up and, if so, who's he working for? We need to make a connection between Vhari and Lafferty, Lafferty and Neilson, Neilson and the security services.
And you, you find Karen Burnett.
If she can confirm that Lafferty killed her sister then we've got a source, all right? But come on, we haven't got much time.
Spike this Burnett story.
No can do.
It's out of the box.
Put it back in the box.
Look, right now, we've got a scoop, haven't we? But we won't have in a couple of days' time.
You are never going to prove that this guy, Neilson, is part of the security services or that he killed Vhari Burnett.
Come on, spike it.
It's a good story, Maloney.
It'll sell newspapers.
From the man whose circulation's plummeting! You know what? I bet you bang on about equality of the sexes all the time.
Oh, I'm sure you've spent many a long night listening sympathetically to some girl droning on about The Female Eunuch, when really, you were just trying to get into her knickers.
You see, I know your type.
Oh, you'll say all the right things to get what you want, but really, in your heart of hearts, you hate being told what to do by a woman.
HE SIGHS You spike this, now, or you are sacked.
And so is everyone else in this newsroom.
You're the boss.
I thought he had more balls than that.
Me, too.
Never heard you saying anything.
I'm not the news editor.
Neither is Devlin, it would appear.
Well, come on, off your arses, we've got a story to write.
What about Maloney? Let me worry about her.
You, get down to that scrap yard.
Follow Lafferty.
Don't let him out of your sight.
Well, come on.
Pronto Tonto.
Where is this clown going? Come on, don't lose him.
Don't wannae get too close.
OK? There he is.
It was never like this for Gregory Peck in The Guns Of Navarone.
Let's see.
You think he's gonnae put a body in there, don't you? Don't you? I think we should call the cops.
No, we can't trust the cops.
She'll be dead before they do anything.
She could be dead now.
Suit yourself, I'll do it on my own.
Paddy, will you look at my hands? I'd be useless in a scrap.
Right, look, there's a gate over there.
Why don't you go try distract them and I'll see if I can find a way in.
Come on.
Now we've got rid of these, I don't want there to be anything left of her.
I get it.
No, no.
She's got to disappear without a trace.
Do you understand? Aye.
You've got a visitor.
Do it now.
This is private property.
Do you not remember me? George McVie, Daily News.
I wanted a wee chat about Karen Burnett.
I don't know anyone called Karen Burnett.
But you know her sister, Vhari.
We met at her house.
I've never seen you before in my life.
That's what's known in the newspaper business as a blatant, bastardin' lie.
You have got five seconds to leave or I'm going to start making balloon animals out of your intestines.
PADDY GASPS Oh, my God, get up.
Oh, my God, get up! Move, move! We know about the dirty tricks campaign.
We know who you work for.
And we know you tortured Vhari Burnett to death.
Read about it in the Daily News tomorrow.
You are so out of your depth here.
You are just a hack nobody'll miss.
My mother will.
No, she won't.
Cos I'll bury her with you.
Well, if that's gonnae be your attitude, this interview's at an end.
It's OK.
It's OK.
Come on, McVie, hurry up! Shh.
You're OK.
You're OK.
Phone a doctor.
Mark and Vhari were working for the NUM.
I gave them the information I had .
.
because I thought the union should know the government were using GCHQ and its outstations to gather information for a covert campaign against them.
Why did Mark Thillingly kill himself? He told the police about the files.
He thought they could be trusted.
It was after that he was attacked.
He was scared.
He, er .
.
he, he told his attackers Vhari had the files.
He couldn't live with himself after that.
You understand that if we print this interview, it's your word against the government and they'll come after you with everything they've got.
I mean, they'll destroy your reputation.
And also, you've admitted handing over classified information.
It's a violation of The Official Secrets Act.
You could go to prison.
I don't care.
I want the man who killed my sister named.
I want the people who paid him named.
If I don't do anything, Mark and Vhari died for nothing.
Maybe Karen could go on a holiday.
What? Maybe somebody could pay for her to take a trip.
Some place quiet, till this all blows over.
This isn't going to blow over.
People need to know.
OK, let's get her out of the country, eh? Meehan, you start writing, OK? Sure thing, boss.
What's this? That's our front page.
Well, it looks like you did a really good job with that story, Paddy.
It's just a pity it's the wrong story.
You see, we're going with my angle.
Red Willie's slush fund.
Er, no, we're not, because this has been planted by the security services.
You print that and they'll shut this paper down.
You willing to sacrifice all these people just for your principles, are you? It's proofed.
Print it.
Thank you.
So, what do we want to do? Go with Maloney's story or Meehan's? ALL: Meehan's It's not worth working for those bastards, anyway.
Might as well go out with a bang.
File your copy, Meehan.
We go to print in 20 minutes.
Meehan.
We're running a story tomorrow and you two play a leading part.
We do? Fame at last, eh? Oh, I don't think this is the type you had in mind.
I wondered if you'd like to give me a quote.
A quote about what, exactly? On how officers from this station helped security services cover up the murder of Vhari Burnett.
And how did we do that? Her murder wasn't investigated properly.
Witnesses ignored.
You're a better cop than that, Gallagher.
Somebody told you to back off.
I need to speak to Meehan alone, for a minute.
You're pointing the finger at the wrong person.
I've already had a chat with the editor-in-chief of your paper about this.
Maloney? Why didn't you talk to me? Why talk to the monkey when I can have a drink with the organ grinder? Well, she buried whatever information you gave her.
You're gonnae have to give it to me now.
You're right.
It wasn't our idea to concentrate on Thillingly.
DCI Sullivan's orders.
So if you wannae accuse anybody of corruptionaccuse him.
And that, Paddy, is not a quote.
I've got a mate on the Evening Times.
He'll get me in the door.
And that's as far as you'll get.
Let's face it, Meehan's the only one with a future.
We're washed up.
Hear, hear.
We could have been a great team, if you'd just listened to me.
You had no intention of working with me.
That's where you're wrong.
RADIO: And here are the late-night headlines from Radio Scotland.
The government has been rocked by claims in tomorrow's Glasgow Daily News that the murder of Vhari Burnett, a well-known lawyer in the city, is linked to a dirty tricks campaign by the security services against the NUM.
HE BANGS ON THE DOOR HE BANGS AGAIN Who is it? We need to talk - about our contract.
What contract? The one I'm terminating.
PADDY COUGHS All right? Why didn't you pass on the information Gallagher gave you? He was trying to help.
It seemed to me that he was trying to cover his own incompetence.
Oh, you lying cow.
Hardly an acute observation.
Well enjoy the taste of victory, Meehan, cos if you do have a career left after this, getting yourself up the duff will surely kill it.
What? Sorry, darling, but you're either bulimic or you're pregnant.
No, it's too soon, isn't it? Depends when you ovulate.
I'm gay.
What have you got to be gay about? No, I'm gay.
I've got a partner called Colin.
We've been together for 12 years.
It's a red letter day, right enough.
It certainly is.
Cheers, big guy.
MCVIE LAUGHS RADIO: In an interview with the newspaper, Karen Burnett alleges her sister was murdered by Glasgow gangster Robert Lafferty, who she claims was murdered Where do you think you're going? McCallum International want you to stay.
You doubled the circulation with that front page.
And at the end of the day, that's all that really matters to them.
Integrity sells.
So what, no more, er, interference? Within reason.
RADIO: Government spokesperson has stated that the claims are absurd and there is no proof whatsoever that the security services would be involved.
Scottish miners' leader, Willie McDade, has said he will be releasing a statement later this morning.
More reaction to this explosive story later in the programme.
Some of these are older than you.
SONG: "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Perry Como All right? Look like you lost a pound and found a penny.
I'm pregnant.
Want to give me a hand with these?