Silent Witness (1996) s03e05 Episode Script

You were quick.
Shall I wait outside(?) Oh, I think we can make an exception.
Your client's in the living room.
Did the neighbours report this? They only call the police if they need target practice.
The local station got a tip-off.
Uniforms checked it out, found this.
Do I need a degree to figure this one out? .
.
Sorry.
Took her by surprise.
Bad batch? Or too pure - can be worse.
Was the whole flat searched? Richard searched it, I think.
You think? Shall I ask him? He's not feeling too hot.
What's the problem? This is the problem.
Testator Sile-ens Costestes e Spiritu-um Si-ilentiu-um.
Dr Ryan? Court one, please.
'I found no sign' of disease or physical trauma - cause of death was by dehydration.
So, the mother having perished of an overdose, she left her child to die of thirst? Yes, that would be consistent with my findings.
How long would the infant have survived? Um Well, it's difficult to say.
Three, perhaps four, days.
Would the child have been conscious, crying for help? Before lapsing into a coma, yes.
Thank you, Dr Ryan.
You've been most helpful.
The GP? ".
.
The evidence I shall give shall be the truth, "the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
" You were the deceased's GP? Both Miss Collins and her son were on my list.
You mean, her daughter? Her daughteryes.
Sorry.
Were you aware the deceased was a drug-user? She was on a course of methadone.
She'd given up using heroin? So she claimed.
But on her last visit she asked me to increase her dosage.
I suspected she might be abusing the prescription.
Did you increase her dosage? No.
I suggested she visit a rehabilitation agency.
And did she? I have no idea.
.
.
I presumed, when she made no further appointments, that she had.
Judging by the manner of her death, however, it would seem unlikely.
Yes, it would.
Thank you, Dr Newman.
That will be all.
I sincerely hope the dealers who sold this woman drugs will show some scrap of remorse for the tragedy they've caused, though I somehow doubt it.
The verdict in both cases is death by misadventure.
Andy! Try down there - it's a car crash.
What are you doing here? Delivering.
Some lawyers like a bit of sparkle.
Put it away! Do you some wholesale? It's a courthouse! Last place the filth would look! Dr Newman Yes? Dr Ryan - forensic pathologist on the Collins case.
Oh, hello.
I was thinking about Frances Collins - the little girl.
What about her? Did you consider her as being at risk? We're no longer obliged to report these cases.
Obliged?! You thought her mother was back on heroin.
I have a very busy practice - 3,000 patients all demanding my attention.
That girl was your patient.
She relied on you.
If the responsibility's too much to bear, maybe you're in the wrong job.
What I find hard to bear are "experts" with 20:20 hindsight! Good day, Dr Ryan.
'It's five to six and here's the shipping forecast.
'There are warnings of gales in Forties, Fisher, German Bight' SWITCHES RADIO OFF Coffee? Got some.
I'd better make some more, then(!) None left? So what's happening? Chelsea lost again.
What d'you reckon the motor's worth? 20,000, cash.
Three weeks selling skag! We're in the wrong sodding job, mate.
Is Jackson still in bed? No, he's taken his horse out for a canter(!) Smartarse! CAR ALARMS GO OFF Christ Almighty! Yes, of course.
I appreciate that.
I'm sure Dr Ryan didn't mean to cast aspersions on If that's how you perceived it, I I'll take it up with her at the earliest opportunity.
Dr Newman, a little distraught.
See how distraught he is when I report him for professional negligence.
That's the appropriate course of action? A child is dead.
Her mother is dead.
No relatives have been traced.
Who else will stand up for her? The Collins baby? You're implying that because a baby is involved, I've lost objectivity? Sam! It hadn't even occurred to me.
But? Why are you reacting this way? Because Frances Collins' death could have been prevented.
It was so futile.
So needlessly cruel.
But was it Newman's fault? Our job is to find out the cause of death, not to assign blame.
It's hard.
Sometimes there is no-one to blame.
It's just Death, going about his business.
You think I should go easy on Dr Newman.
To hell with Newman! I think you should go easy on yourself.
Good morning.
Hi.
Gas leak? Either that or a hell of a party.
Fire brigade have finished, sir.
A ring on the cooker left on.
Gas central heating set it off.
How many victims? One - in the sitting room.
Looks like he lit up and passed out.
Maybe.
Send drug samples to Toxicology.
Blood and tissue I can do at the postmortem.
Sir.
It's a regular chemist's shop.
I think that's heroin.
This is definitely cocaine.
Well, that's why he didn't smell anything.
Probably worn his nose out.
I wonder what he was cooking.
I can give you a clue.
Mr Jackson wasn't exactly a cordon bleu chef.
Morning, Jo.
I thought you were the Murder Squad, Mike, not British Gas.
DCI Hoskins, Drug Squad.
This is Dr Sam Ryan, forensic pathologist.
Hi.
I thought I could help out with some background.
You knew the victim? Small-time dealer.
His idea of haute cuisine was rock cocaine - crack.
Must have fallen asleep with the recipe.
I bet you're gutted(!) Less filing to worry about.
If it's OK with you, I'd rather base my conclusions on evidence, not speculation and guesswork.
Sorry, Mike.
For a minute there, I thought you were in charge.
Thanks.
So, what's the verdict? I can't say until I've done a postmortem.
If it WAS an accident, there's no point keeping this lot on.
Whose verdict do you want? Mine or DCI Hoskins'? It's not up to her, it's up to me.
But I'd appreciate your opinion.
As I said, I don't have one yet.
We confirmed the victim's ID.
Steven Jackson, 28 years old.
Plenty of form - possession with intent to supply, mainly.
Says here he drives a BMW.
Yeah.
Well, where is it? I didn't see it parked outside.
I'll get Traffic on to it.
Any luck with eyewitnesses? No.
Not even a milkman? Not there - not without an armoured float.
OK - known associates? Rollie Stewart, Jackson's partner.
We're looking for him.
The other one calls himself Andy Fox.
Another small-time dealer seen hanging out with Jackson.
Don't know much about him.
Find them.
The body's been identified as one Steven Jackson, aged 28 years.
He shows severe lacerations to the front of his body, with numerous fragments of glass peppering the skin.
Smoke blackening to the exposed areas, consistent with the body being in the close vicinity of an explosion.
What appears to be an injection site inside the right elbow.
Some bruising, indicating the wound is recent.
So he wasn't smoking it, he was shooting up.
DOGS BARK LOUD MUSIC PLAYS THEY WHISPER Mr Fox? Would you like a lift down the station? Not right now, no.
Fine.
We'll do the strip-search here.
DI Connor, CID.
Get in.
You've been busy.
Yeah, yeah.
Life's too short.
Cut the crap if you're going to nick me.
I'm talking about this murder.
Murder? What you on about? Your mate Jackson.
Said something to offend you, did he? Right, I want a brief.
Suit yourself.
That was easy, wasn't it? Why would I want to kill him? Why would anyone? We're not big time.
So, it's more of a hobby, is it? We just meet a demand.
Like you - everyone hates us till they need us.
So who just hates you? Oh, come on! The vicars, the council, that wanker from the rehab centre All those caped crusaders wanting to clean the streets up.
We are just providing a service.
Very public-spirited of you(!) Pull over, Bradley.
Oh, don't leave us here.
They're only going to think I'm a grass.
Thank you for your assistance, Mr Fox.
How's it going? Great(!) I've spent the day sticking my head down every toilet in town.
I want to discuss my conclusions on Jackson's postmortem.
Hi.
Do you mind if Jo sits in on this? Might help save you a lot of grief.
One or two anomalies have arisen.
The heroin in his blood was enough to kill him.
In another half-hour, he'd have overdosed.
But he was a user.
His tolerance would have been higher.
I did find a recent injection site in his right arm.
I couldn't find any others.
No(?) The body WAS cut to ribbons.
There was only one injection site, and muscular distribution suggests he was right-handed.
So? So why was the injection in his right arm? Users will put the needle where they can find a vein.
You must know that.
I got a toxicological examination of the drugs he injected.
As you know, street heroin can be cut with a variety of substances talc, glucose, rat poison.
The combination can create a distinctive chemical profile.
This sample was taken from Jackson, this one from Maggie Collins, the mother who overdosed.
The chemical profile is practically identical.
So Jackson's stuff was from the batch that killed Collins.
I want to apply for Collins to be exhumed.
Exhumed? I'm not satisfied Jackson's death was accidental.
I want to compare the bodies for common features.
You want to dig her up because she was using the same smack? We haven't even agreed Jackson's death was suspicious.
You know you have to ask the Home Office? I am aware of that.
They'll refer back to the officer in charge.
I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but I'd be nervous about approving it on this evidence.
The point of it is to find more evidence.
Which you overlooked? Yes.
What's to stop you overlooking it again? You have my findings.
If you'll excuse me? Thanks, Sam.
Yes, thank you.
She would have loved those.
I didn't bring them, I'm afraid.
Have we met? I was her brother.
I'm sorry.
I didn't know they'd traced any relatives.
They haven't.
I saw you at the inquest.
Why didn't you step forward? Cos they were dead.
Besides, I've made too many court appearances.
Having a record wouldn't matter.
No? Unless it was to do with drugs.
I see what you're getting at.
Listen, I was as cut up as anyone about this.
Last time I saw her, she'd kicked the gear, she had a kid - I was really happy for her.
Then I heard her and Frances was dead.
There's something wrong there.
What do you mean? This is someone's fault.
You think so too.
That's why you're here.
There's no proof either way.
If you find any, will you let me know? Down the Red Knight pub most nights.
Do you know it? Who should I ask for? Mr Collins? Andy.
KNOCK AT DOOR Come in.
This your report? Up until 6.
30 this morning, when the place went up.
Then we thought we should clear out.
Nice work.
We did an extra set for CID.
Magic.
You two got enough to keep you busy? Yes, Guv.
Why are you still hanging round here, then? 'Heroin is the greatest buzz on God's Earth - you're gorgeous, ' you're witty, you're invincible.
You can leap tall buildings in a single bound, brain bursting with ideas, heart singing the Hallelujah Chorus.
And it's so cheap, you know? One ripped-off car radio and you're smacked up all night.
.
.
So, come on - why not? Cos it's stupid.
Bloody right, it's stupid.
Jumping out of a plane's a buzz till you find you don't have a parachute.
Then what? Splat.
You're bored.
You know? Nothing on the telly.
Your maw's on your back, the school's crap and all your mates are saying, "Come on, try this.
" And soon you're not bored any more.
You're waking up with your guts full of razor blades, wondering if anyone will notice you flogged the video.
.
.
OK, you lot.
I'll be back in a minute.
I need to talk to some people.
Martin Greaves? Yeah.
What can I do for you? DI Connor, DS Bradley, CID.
We're making inquiries about the explosion in Holly Street.
People have been making threats against the tenant, Steven Jackson.
People - meaning me? Did you threaten him? I told him what I thought of him.
Parasite! So you knew him? I know all the pushers.
It's my business.
"Know thine enemy.
" Aren't you a sort of poacher-turned-gamekeeper? I used to have a habit.
That's one reason I'd like to wipe out the whole stinking trade.
Starting with the dealers? Aw, look, guys! Pegasus runs projects for kids.
We rehouse addicts, find them new lives.
We're a registered charity, not a guerilla army.
Do you have an alibi for last night? No.
Will I need one? Thank you, Mr Greaves.
We'll be in touch.
Why waste your time with Jackson? He was cooking crack and blew himself up.
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
You know a lot about it.
It's all over the street.
Just like him.
It sounds like good news to me.
Too bloody good! Do a PNC for us.
Yes! PHONE RINGS Jo Hoskins.
Where the hell have you been? .
.
Look, we can discuss all that when you come in.
.
.
It's too hot out there! What if Jackson was murdered? .
.
You know you could be next? I want you in.
.
.
Yes, it is an ord! Shit! INTERCOM BUZZES What? Send her in.
Is this a good time? As good as any.
I hope you don't mind me carrying on.
Another charity boxing tournament(!) I wanted to discuss the Collins case with you.
You're familiar with it? We try to keep track of drug-related deaths.
It's one way of keeping the score.
I don't quite understand why you're so opposed to exhumation.
Well, the next of kin can find it distressing.
Not knowing how a loved one died can be just as distressing.
But you know how she died - you were the pathologist.
And I might have missed something.
Oh, I doubt it! Michael Connor speaks highly of you.
You seem to think I'm asking because I'm emotionally involved.
We're all involved.
We wouldn't be any good at our jobs otherwise.
Look, Collins gave up on methadone and went back to smack.
It killed her, her baby died - end of story.
But why? Same reason she took it in the first place - it's the best high there is.
How can you be sure that's all there is to it? Because I have people on the ground people who know what's going on.
Collins and her baby are dead and buried, and we really should leave them that way.
Now, I'm sorry, but I have to go.
How do I look? Knockout.
Kelly, make sure everything's locked up, OK? OK.
Sergeant.
Guv! Hi, Sarge.
Didn't recognise you.
Who are you supposed to be? Still a sergeant.
.
.
Sometimes it's hard to be a woman Givin' all your love to just one man What you after, then? Bit of rough? Don't come much rougher than me, love.
Excuse me.
Some powder for that cute little nose? Looking for me? Piss off.
I was here first.
Leave off, Rollie.
Bit up-market for you.
Where do you think you're going? Listen, Rollie.
How are you going to wipe your arse when I've ripped your arms off and fed 'em to Baz's dog? Through there.
Friend? Business acquaintance.
What have you got? Not going to offer me a drink? Sure.
What do you want? Is the water safe? Never touch the stuff.
Baz - glass of cold water with bubbles, please.
I didn't think you'd show up.
Why not? "Professional confidence.
" Even if you knew nothing, you wouldn't say.
Even if you were her brother? .
.
Cheers, mate.
Keep the change.
Barry's saving up for some new teeth.
Last time, I was sure I'd seen you somewhere before.
Yeah - in court.
No, it was in another court.
Three years ago? You were giving evidence in a murder trial.
You're thinking of someone else.
We met that evening, at a charity ball.
I've still got the photographs.
That was a long time ago.
You're not a policeman any more, then? .
.
No.
And they all know, do they? So, if I was to mention it to Barry, he wouldn't want to stick a glass in your face? Can we take this outside? What are you after, eh? Want to stir up the pond life, then sod off? I'm after the truth! You ain't got a clue, have you? Two weeks ago, some plain-clothes moron was asking questions.
He's still up in the hospital! Did you help him? I held his coat.
I'm not going to give you away.
You know that.
What have you found out about Collins? Jackson sold her the heroin.
Why did you say you're her brother? Why were you at the graveyard? Why were you there? Paying my respects! I knew her, OK.
I even sold her smack once before she gave it up.
It was me that found the bodies.
The kid had only been dead a few hours.
There was nothing I could do but call it in.
I'm applying for the body to be exhumed.
No, don't bother.
I went through the flat.
You didn't miss anything.
She shot up, she died.
But why did she ask that doctor for more methadone? She wasn't a dealer.
Why don't you ask him? I can't.
But you can.
It's no problem.
You're not walking home alone.
Be careful, darling! You wouldn't be the first girl he's had in the club.
Hang on.
Planning a party? I can do you some refreshments.
Stay away from my place! No-one wants your crap around here, so just piss off! That's not quite true, is it, Martin? What would your fans think if they find out how you get your kicks? Yeah, sure.
Go ahead.
Ignore him.
Jump in.
I might tell a few people.
You just don't get it, do you? No-one's going to listen to a smacked-up street rat like you.
'Dr Ryan?' BABIES CRY AND PHONES RING Thanks for agreeing to see me.
You're very busy.
Yes, I am.
Is this about the Collins case? Yes and no.
I wanted to apologise for the other day at the coroner's court.
It was unfair and unprofessional of me to attack you like that.
It was a painful episode for everybody.
I don't suppose we'll ever know why she wanted a bigger prescription.
Probably to sell it on.
Methadone abuse is a growing problem.
Some people think it's as bad as heroin.
What do you think? They're missing the point.
Alcohol abuse does more damage, but it's taken for granted.
If they legalised heroin, it would cause fewer social problems.
It's an unusual position - for a GP.
You'd be surprised.
I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
What did you do when she asked for more methadone? I refused.
But you kept her on the same prescription? I withdrew it.
When a doctor-patient relationship goes, you must consider the implications.
Wouldn't she have no choice but to use heroin? She had a choice - I suggested visiting Martin Greaves.
Martin Greaves? For rehabilitation.
I said this at the inquest.
No, you said you had no idea where she went after leaving you.
I don't.
I have patients to see.
Of course.
Thanks for your time, Dr Newman.
You're welcome.
DCI Hoskins, please.
.
.
No, never mind.
It's personal.
Thank you.
CAR ALARM BLEEPS You're jumpy, man.
Gotta learn to relax.
How'd you get on with the Ice Queen, then? Defrost her, or what? Ain't you been nicked yet? Filth don't bother me.
Busy? Yeah! Thinking of standing for parliament.
You're not bent enough.
.
.
I could use a runner, though.
Stevie left a big gap in the market.
Piss off.
You don't want to talk to me like that.
It's not good for your health.
Neither is standing close to you.
Yeah, keep it up.
You'll end up like Stevie.
Thing is, he started to annoy me, stealing my punters.
So I paid him a visit and the next morning the filth are picking him up with the Hoover.
Lighten up! I like you, man.
You can handle yourself.
You can make me a lot of money.
I'll think about it.
Dr Ryan? Hello.
Sure you're not with the police? No, I'm not.
Good.
They seem to think I'm some sort of ninja assassin.
Apparently I blew up that wanker Jackson(!) I'm here about a woman called Collins.
Maggie Collins? You knew her? Well, she came here a few times, but she was never really that bothered.
What do you mean? She was a smackhead - dyed-in-the-wool.
How do you know? In this business, believe me - we know.
So you sent her away? We don't send anybody away.
We offered to sort her out, get her a job, find her a new place to live, break the cycle of dependency - it's what we do for everyone.
But she wasn't interested? No.
Now she's dead.
Shame about the wean, though, eh? So why did she come at all? Newman sent her.
I told him he was wasting his time.
You told him? Oh, yeah.
He's always sending us his write-offs.
He said he didn't know if she came.
Not always on the ball, is he - Dr Newman? I'm sure he's a nice guy, and all.
I'm just glad he's not my doctor.
Messages? A Dr Newman called.
Three times.
Newman? .
.
What did he want? He wouldn't say.
Personal, apparently.
Fine.
.
.
While you're here, Kelly, I'd like you to dig out some files downstairs.
All fatalities in the last year where the investigating pathologist was Dr Sam Ryan.
The last YEAR? Yes.
.
.
An hour with the card index should sort it.
Couldn't I get it from her office? If that's what I wanted you to do, that's what I would have asked you to do.
Sort us out some teas, would you? White, no sugar.
I'll have the usual.
After you.
You stayed in the pub till closing time? Anyone see you? I dunno.
Where did you go afterwards? Bed.
You went home? No, I went to bed.
Then home, about one o'clock.
You live round the corner from Steven Jackson.
You used to be mates.
We used to do business together, yeah.
Selling drugs? Did you drop in on your way home? Let me think No.
I would have remembered, what with the place exploding.
What do you know about that? It made a hell of a mess.
Why were you picked up in his car? It's not his car.
Jackson's the registered keeper.
I paid for it.
That what the argument was about? The police were called and you were charged with threatening behaviour.
It was my car.
He stole it from me.
And that's why you killed him.
Says who? Says you, according to our witnesses.
And they'll stand up in court? You told everyone else, why not tell us? You offered Jackson some smack.
When he passed out, you left the gas on.
My mind's gone blank.
Know what I think? I think we owe Mr Stewart an apology.
You fell out over the car.
When you heard the explosion, you took it before anyone noticed.
Since then, you've been going round telling everybody how hard you are, how you sorted Jackson out because he nicked your customers.
What are you talking about? Interview terminated at 1.
13pm.
Aren't you going to take a statement? If you want to tell fairy stories, go work in a nursery.
Now piss off out of my nick! Having fun? Just wasted an hour on a bullshit merchant called Rollie Stewart.
Twitchy little runt.
Fancies himself as a drugs baron.
Thanks for letting us know, ma'am(!) You only have to ask.
You know where my office is.
LOUD MUSIC PLAYS AND DOGS BARK Agh! Agh! 'Hello?' Mike, it's Jo.
Sorry to bother you so late, but we have to talk.
KNOCKING KNOCKING So who did this? Same ones who did Jackson, probably.
Is someone trying to wipe out dealers? Collins wasn't a dealer.
Newman thought so.
That's why he stopped her methadone.
He stopped it? Are we talking about vigilantes? Well-connected vigilantes.
The guys who did this were cops.
The police are involved? Why not? You spend ages making a case against some scumbag, who walks with a fine.
This way, you don't have to bother with paperwork.
Sounds right up your street.
I'm not that kind of policeman.
You break the rules every day.
Yeah, and I report it in.
Are you reporting this to Hoskins? I'm reporting it to you.
So watch yourself, OK? Whoever's behind this must know you've been asking questions.
They won't like it.
That needs a stitch and I have no anaesthetic.
I have.
But I don't use it.
TOOTS HORN For God's sake! Hi.
Have you been making inquiries about Maggie Collins? I'm interested in the case.
It's closed.
The Jackson case isn't.
I think the Collins case has a bearing on it.
We discussed this.
And you decided not to take it further, so I did.
It's not your place to follow it up.
I've had a complaint about witnesses being harassed.
Who's complaining? I'm asking you not to interfere.
I'm not interfering.
That's not how some people see it.
You or DCI Hoskins? It doesn't matter who, Sam.
You are well out of order.
If we're discussing complaints, call me Dr Ryan.
If you don't like the way I work, see the coroner! It needn't come to that.
It already has.
You don't know what you're getting into.
And you do? PHONE BUZZES Connor.
Bradley, I am not interested in burnt-out cars.
You will be in this one, sir.
It's Jackson's car, the one Stewart took.
Where is it? I'll be there in 15 minutes.
We can finish this later.
As far as I'm concerned, we already have.
So you'll stay clear of the Jackson case? Christ! Might have been joyriders torching the evidence.
Those two found it.
Memorised the numberplate before it melted.
Sir? This door was closed when the fire started, or it wouldn't be so badly damaged.
Someone was in here and nearly didn't get out.
Where's Stewart? Not seen since yesterday.
Hasn't reported it stolen.
Here's why.