A Touch of Frost (1992) s07e01 Episode Script
Line of Fire: Part One
(Warning buzzer) Arrgh! (Phone rings) Control room.
I see.
What sort of accident? How bad? OK.
Yeah.
She's here.
I'll bring her down.
(Siren) Tracy! Dad! Dad! Cor blimey Trigg, look at this.
Look.
96 quid.
I never use the phone.
Do you think someone's tapping my line? They do it with electricity.
The bloke next door's draining the national grid with his Christmas lights.
Maybe I could nick his power.
Have you got Christmas lights up? I might change the kitchen bulb from a 60 to a 1 00 watt.
What are you doing over Christmas? My sister-in-law in Canada always invites me over but I never go.
You should one year.
Why not? Because she knows that if she asks, I'll never go.
Have you read that report on the burglary at Kimmington? Oh, yeah.
Dorridge reckons there's a pattern.
The time detectives take finding patterns, it's a wonder they don't take up knitting.
Well? Hm? What? Oh.
I wouldn't bother with the vet, sir.
This cat has been shot.
Not another one.
You new, are you, Constable? Yes, sir.
Oh.
Get a transfer.
I won't say that we've exactly been forgotten by HQ, but the Red Cross still drops food parcels by parachute.
I'm just here on attachment, sir.
Very sensible.
If you go in there, you'll find Sergeant Brady at the front desk.
You can't miss him.
He's the one with the dead cat.
(Rings bell) (Knocks) - Hello? Hello? - Oh.
Mrs Cockcroft? - I'm her neighbour.
She's out.
Um I'm Detective Inspector Frost, Denton CID.
I'm looking for my sergeant.
He came about the burglary.
It was the fish that upset him most.
Tracy told me that.
They smashed the tank, killed all his fish.
Yes.
Sorry.
Do you know if my sergeant Your sergeant was here.
He took Mrs Cockcroft in his car.
Mr Cockcroft There's been an accident at the power station.
He's dead.
(Sobs) It's all right.
All right, what happened? He was up there.
Skived off for a fag.
Looks as if a rail gave way.
He might have survived the fall, but not the hundred tons of coal that landed on him.
I doubt if the Cockcrofts'll be that worried about a burglary.
It's a tough break, Sammy.
Tough break.
# Christmas music I think it's a lovely one to stand next to.
It will certainly do.
So, how's it going? You allset for Christmas? Going away? - Mm.
Marbella.
- Barbados.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I sort of assumed you two Strictly business, Mr Davidson.
I am the brains and the beauty.
What is it you do, Dick? (All laugh) Have you got it? And a prosperous New Year.
CAR RADIO: That was some gorgeous late-night Christmas music.
But I'll tell you, I think that's enough of that.
Don't you? Tim Fox.
Detective Constable, Regional Crime Squad.
One shot.
Close range.
Time? Doctor's estimate: between nine and midnight.
Found this morning by a Mrs Hardy, about eight o'clock.
She was walking her dog.
Looks as if he was standing by the lake eating a burger.
Any sign of another vehicle? Nothing yet.
There is something you should see.
- (Whistles) - Close on £1 ,000.
(Sirens approach) He wasn't mugged, then, was he? Hello, here comes the cavalry.
Jack.
Sir.
DI Mark Newcombe.
Jack Frost.
What happened? So far, all we know is he's been shot.
Thanks for getting things started, Jack.
Much appreciated.
- Getting started? - Tim's one of mine.
Besides, we know the people who did it.
I can't walk away from the scene of crime without my senior officer Superintendent Mullett has handed it over to me.
Well, there's a large sum of money in your DC's car.
I doubt it was his Christmas bonus.
What are you doing here? - We've got a problem.
- Couldn't it wait? No.
It seems I've been kicked off my investigation by Detective Superintendent Finlay on your orders.
This tragic murder is clearly related to the Regional Crime Squad's investigation.
They have all the evidence for some quick arrests.
They've got answers before anyone asks questions.
I can't have my CID officers duplicating the work of others.
But you should have told me, sir.
Sorry, Jack.
It's Finlay's case.
That's the end of it.
Sir.
ls that the Chief Constable? - He's the guest of honour.
- Ah.
Oh, sir.
Hi.
Hello, Jack.
Long time.
Yes.
Nice to see you again, sir.
It's not your sort of do.
Not mine, really.
No, I'm just gatecrashing, sir.
I've just popped in to see Mr Mullett.
We've got a problem, a serious one, but Mr Mullett is sorting it out.
Well, it's not really a problem.
No.
It's about DC Fox's murder, sir.
Mr Well, Mr Mullett is concerned, quite rightly too, sir, that the investigation is being run by the Regional Crime Squad.
Thank you.
That's very nice of you.
See, there may be a very good reason why DC Fox had £1 ,000 in cash in the glove compartment of the car.
But it won't look very good for the press, when they find out that the enquiry is being held by his own governor, and all his old mates.
I didn't know.
You're quite right, Mullett.
We must be beyond reproach in these matters.
Put Jack back in.
I'll leave you to talk to Finlay.
If he's got a problem with it, you tell him it was my decision.
- Have a good Christmas, Jack.
- Thank you.
And you, sir.
Very good.
Thank you, Jack.
Excuse me.
Before you go to lunch, would you make the call to Finlay? Yes.
Could you do it now, sir? I know how these lunches tend to drag on.
There's a phone at reception.
Through Through there.
Everyone knows smoking's banned on site.
It's a dangerous spot.
The safety rails are rusty as hell.
And he was breaking the rules.
You wouldn't reckon on compensation.
The Cockcrofts won't worry about that now.
If they hit the bosses with the bad publicity, they could score a lot of money.
ls that all you can say? I've got to go.
Listen, I want to pay my respects.
Can you drop in, give Mrs Cockcroft my condolences? If I go, she'll feel she's got to ask me in.
She can do without the fuss.
Still keeping up appearances, Dad.
Why not just say you can't be bothered? Try looking where you're bloody well going! I'm DI Frost, Denton CID.
Got an appointment with your governor.
Where is he? In there.
Perhaps you'd be kind enough to show me.
And it's: 'Mind where you're bloody well going, sir.
' All right? It's not about keeping information back.
It is about what Frost needs to know and what he doesn't.
We already know who shot Tim Fox.
They'll go down for so long, they'll be lucky to come out on Zimmer frames.
But we don't want Denton CID to frighten off our villains before we move in.
Tim wouldn't thank us if we let a bunch of plods screw this up.
One more thing.
You bastards will all retire without being half the detective Jack Frost is.
Remember that.
Whatever he wants, you haven't got the answer.
Even if it's only the way to the bog, you send him to me.
OK? Oh.
Let's just call it a backhanded compliment, Jack.
I very rarely get compliments from senior officers, backhanded or otherwise.
Still, beggars can't be choosers.
Right.
Let's get to it.
(Dance music plays) (Knock on door) Right, are we drinking? No, we're going out carol singing.
Course we're drinking.
I want to call in at the Cockcrofts' later.
What for? Offer our condolences.
Got anything else gross lined up? Tracy won't think it's gross.
There's nothing women go for like a bit of compassion.
You know, a shoulder to cry on.
You still fancy her, don't you? Yeah, right.
You know, Sammy, it's a well-known fact that when women experience death of those close to them, they have a deep-seated need to screw.
Call it an affirmation of life and all that.
You're the one who fancied Tracy.
I see.
You don't want my cast-offs.
ls that what you're saying? Are you rewriting history already? She chucked you when her old man told you to steer clear.
''And that pillock of a mate who follows you around.
'' I think those were his words.
Oi.
I don't follow anyone.
Oh.
So, basically, it's about stolen cars.
Top of the line stuff.
Mercs, Jags, BMW, Lexus.
It's thieving on a grand scale.
In a year, they'll shift maybe a thousand motors.
What's this place? ls this where you give them a service and an MO and send them back to the owners? They're being cloned with identities of other vehicles we want nicked.
After they're stolen, they'll be shipped out of Europe.
At the moment, it's West and South Africa.
Like drugs.
No point in closing down the dealer if the network's intact.
We need vehicles that can be followed through the chain to the other end by police in Cape Town, Lagos, wherever.
So you plant your own? We use a satellite tracking system.
Oh, yeah.
Have we reached the limit of what you intend to let me know, yet, sir? Jack After 1 8 months, we're close to a result.
When we go in, it will be with other auto-theft squads in Europe and Africa.
I meant it when I said Tim wouldn't want your murder investigation to blow all our work apart.
These are foot soldiers, mostly.
Drivers, thieves, forgers, heavies.
Body shops who'll do work on the side.
Car salesmen who pass on names and addresses of their customers, freight companies who provide forged manifests.
Over here.
Now, here we have Dick Rycroft, Miriam Madikane.
He's English, she's South African.
They run the British end.
And they're the ones responsible for Tim's death.
Pull them now, in 1 2 hours, the whole network will vanish.
So you reckon he was shot by this mob? I don't reckon.
I know.
- Why? - He was a copper on their backs.
You're here to do the spadework.
Get it right.
We need those murder charges to stick.
Well, call me old-fashioned if you like, but I've never been too comfortable with deciding who did what before I've seen the evidence.
What about this £1 ,000 found in DC Fox's car? No-one throws accusations of corruption at my unit.
Tim Fox was not on the take.
Never.
Under any circumstances.
All right.
Spadework is dirty business.
I'll see if I can dig up some evidence, but I can't guarantee that you will like it.
Single shot, fired when the victim was close, facing the killer.
38-calibre entered the pericardial cavity directly, resulting in cardiovascular failure - the cause of death.
Have you found the bullet? Any sign of a struggle? No bruising, no defence wounds.
From the angle of entry, he hadn't even turned away.
Not for me to draw conclusions about his state of mind, but ervery close.
Facing the assailant, as I said, and erfairly relaxed.
Really? What makes you say that? Relaxed enough to be eating.
The remains of a burger.
Meat, bun, lettuce, mayonnaise were in his mouth as well as his stomach.
Perhaps it was someone that he knew.
Certainly not someone he expected to kill him.
Mrs Fox.
I'm Detective Inspector Frost.
I phoned earlier.
Oh, yes.
Please come in.
Don't I know you? We met, didn't we, when I was temping at Denton? - Oh, of course.
- Please, sit down.
I um I'm sorry about the mess.
I was just doing the tree when Mr Finlay came round.
Tim bought it from the garden centre yesterday afternoon.
I can't finish it.
(Sighs) I still believe he's going to walk through that door.
I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you some questions.
Are you on your own? I'd rather be, Mr Frost.
People keep saying they'll come round, but Right.
Fine.
When did you last see Tim? He bought the tree about two.
Then he had to get back to work.
Did he tell you where he was going, who he was seeing? No.
Did he talk to you much about his work? About the cars? He never said much.
He liked to forget about it at home.
I see.
And if he came back late, what did that mean? Anything.
1 0, 1 2, 1 .
I'd go to bed and he'd turn up whenever.
So he could stay out all night? Not often, butnow and then.
You see, I didn't worry.
It goes with the job.
When we found Tim there was a sum of money.
Do you know if he'd been drawing out his savings from a building society or bank? He had Christmas shopping to do.
This was £1 ,000.
In cash.
Of course you'll come in.
I mean, the busier it is, the less time It's good of your dad to think of us.
I'll put the kettle on.
Tracy? It's Ray English, and er Sam.
Hi.
Ray, Sam.
Thanks, Mrs Cockcroft.
Hiya.
Oh, you know Anne.
Hello.
In Accounts? Well, we just thought if there's anything we could do Yeah, thanks.
They certainly left you a mess.
They should be locked up for this.
Let's give you a hand with that.
It's all right, Ray.
No.
Sam? Dustpan.
- Oh, right.
- Honestly, you don't need to Let them.
It's good to see a manager getting his hands dirty.
We'll give your mum a hand.
This is bloody stupid.
It's just a game, Sam.
Just a game.
(Car approaches) What about these tyre marks, then? Mountain bike of some kind.
Tracks start back there in the bushes.
Clear in places even on hard ground.
No footprints.
But we've got enough to get an ID on the make of tyre.
Good.
Well, where do they go? There are more tracks by the fence near the supermarket car park.
There's no immediate connection to the murder.
Have you followed 'em? One of the SOCOS did with a dog handler.
Ah.
Well, there you are.
Ha.
Little walk will do you good.
But if Regional Crime Squad know who did it Remember, as someone once said, we may be lacking in the sophisticated techniques of detection, but we more than make up for it with the rigour and dedication of our spadework.
Go on.
Off you go.
By using various filters to compare and separate information, in the light of surveillance material, statements and forensic, complex data can be simplified analytically by using these filters to single out individuals.
We call these Centre of the Universe charts.
(Laughter) We can organise more efficiently and save time and money.
Extraordinary, Constable.
What is all this? Cartoon time? Constable Kavanagh is explaining HQ's latest software.
We haven't got time.
Listen up.
I asked for you to arrange for CID officers to have time for this.
Unfortunately, DC Fox's killer didn't get that memo, sir.
All right.
Now, Daley's Supermarket.
We're looking for sightings of a mountain bike.
Right? So I want you to talk to the staff, the shoppers, anyone.
Then move on to local house-to-house.
Sergeant Dorridge will fill you in with the details.
OK? Come on.
Let's go.
Chop chop.
Well, maybe ernow is not such a good time, Constable.
If you There's some work in the collator's office.
Ask for Trigg.
He's in.
He'll um I'll find him, sir.
Good.
Yes.
What time did Tim leave the warehouse? Around one.
Said he had some Christmas shopping to do.
I see.
What time did he get back? I saw him at three.
He was down the workshop.
We're planting cars.
I know.
I've had the guided tour.
The only name I can find in Tim's diary is a Peter Davidson, someone he was supposed to be meeting the day he died.
Mean anything to you? I'm not exactly sure.
You're not exactly sure you know the name or you're not exactly sure you intend to tell me? I'd have to clear it with Detective Superintendent Finlay.
I'm trying to put together the last few hours of a cop's life.
It's about informants, sir.
The governor wants them protected.
Yeah, well.
Tim Fox could have done with some protection, couldn't he? OK, listen up.
From now on, this desk is part of my investigation.
That means nothing in it or on it is to be touched.
And that goes for this computer.
All right? Finished playing games, have we, Detective Inspector Newcombe? (Clears throat) We could do with a drink, Jack.
All right.
Peter Davidson.
None of your mob seem to know what I'm talking about.
Not very good liars, are they? Davidson's a car salesman giving Rycroft the goods on his customers.
Where they live, that kind of thing.
Tim made first contact.
The plan was for us to use Davidson to plant information about cars we wanted the gang to nick.
Was Tim Fox meeting Davidson the day he was killed? He was at the showroom where Davidson worked.
A customer do.
As far as Davidson was concerned, Tim was a car dealer.
That's all he knew.
That's all you think he knew.
Well, I can't guarantee he didn't smell something, didn't tip off Rycroft or Madikane.
I can't risk you pulling him in before we make our move.
Any particular Christmas you've got in mind for that, sir? I talked to the SAPS in Cape Town.
They're liaising with Brussels and Amsterdam.
We go in tomorrow.
Oh.
Do you mind if I join you? You're welcome.
When it comes to the interrogation about Tim's murder, I'm sure you won't mind if I join you.
There'll be norank pulled.
No, I'm sorry.
The course my enquiry is taking, I can't risk you being party to the questions that I shall be asking.
For God's sake, Jack I saw Helen Fox yesterday.
Was that really necessary? Look at this.
This is a building society account opened by Tim Fox a month before he was killed.
Two large entries in cash.
£1 ,000 a time.
Now, I don't know who Fox was meeting in that park, but £1 ,000 in cash found in his car? That could be a third instalment.
What do you think? That's Dick Rycroft.
The big guy.
Fraud, protection, vice.
Five years in Brixton for GBH.
Known to carry a gun.
And to use it.
Ah.
Madikane's just moving over behind the container.
South African police had her for a bullion raid in Durban.
They got the gang, but she walked out of court.
They say the money walked with her.
You do know I'm going to have to question them before you, don't you? I know Tim Fox's killers are down there.
This is Finlay.
Go.
Repeat.
Go.
Armed police! Go down there.
Let her slow.
Let her slow.
Stay where you are! Good morning.
I'm Detective Superintendent Finlay.
And this is Detective Inspector Frost.
Luck of the draw.
He gets to go first.
Good.
Keep it coming.
Excellent.
Word's in from Cape Town, Lagos and Düsseldorf so far.
Full house.
Guv, I've got something.
- What? What is it? - Shooters.
Where? Found something? 9mm.
.
38, short barrel.
.
38 recently fired.
Doesn't look like we're going to leave you much to do after all.
So? What? DC Fox, Regional Crime Squad.
I'm very happy for him.
He was shot and killed last Tuesday night whilst investigating your car export business, Mr Rycroft.
Hey.
Whoa.
I don't know what Finlay thinks he'll achieve with rubbish like this.
You tell him from me where he can stick it.
Are we waiting for a solicitor, Miss Madikane? I decide what I say and what I don't.
It always amazes me what people pay solicitors just to be told to sit there and keep your mouth shut.
It's not about money.
When I need a lawyer, I won't require legal aid.
No.
Same with shoes, you know.
Look after your feet and they'll last you a lifetime.
They say you should always buy the most expensive shoes you can afford.
A bit like lawyers.
If you can afford an expensive lawyer, chances are he comes out of the same lodge as the judge.
Look at these shoes.
These have been the most uncomfortable shoes ever.
Bought 'em last year in a sale.
False economy.
Did you shoot and kill DC Fox last Tuesday night? A simple yes or no will do.
Further questions when we get the ballistics results on the revolver.
This is crazy.
I haven't shot anyone.
I'd call that solicitor now if I were you.
But with a murder charge hanging over you, don't wait too long.
All the best ones'll be on their Christmas jollies.
- Ah.
All done, Jack? - What do you mean, all done? I've got questions to ask.
And people waiting for answers.
They'll just have to wait.
You've got the gun.
What else do you need to know? I need to know where that £1 ,000 came from.
In the meantime, none of your squad can talk to the suspects.
I hardly think that applies to us.
The Chief Constable wants this done right.
Corruption leaves a nasty taste, doesn't it? You never know where it starts or where it stops.
Ah, yes.
Very nice.
Like the instruments.
Seating's nice.
Bit like a flight deck on a jumbo.
The upholstery on a jumbo wouldn't come anywhere near this.
No price tag.
If you've got to ask the price, you can't afford it.
Style and status don't come cheaply.
Are you erlooking for one of these? Or am I just wasting your time and making the place look untidy? It is Mr Peter Davidson, isn't it? Yes.
Yes, it is.
Were you er Were you recommended? No, no.
I recognise you from the Regional Crime Squad surveillance photographs.
Where did DC Tim Fox, the man you knew as Jim Thomas, come into this? Er He was selling second-hand cars ofquality.
He had the names of a lot of buyers and sellers.
I thought I could up the money from Dick Rycroft and split it with him.
It's easy cash.
And if a few cars disappeared, people got the insurance.
No-one was really hurt.
No.
DC Tim Fox was shot.
And he's dead.
Now, did you talk about him to this Rycroft or this Miss Madikane? No, no.
No.
l I never mentioned him to either of them.
Believe me, I didn't know he was a policeman.
I didn't talk to anyone.
I didn't know.
All right, come on.
- Got a moment, sir? - Yes, what is it? I'm telling the truth.
Please.
Yeah, all right.
Had a call from Forensic.
Got the ballistics on the Smith and Wesson.
It is the gun that killed Tim Fox.
If Rycroft or Madikane didn't pull the trigger, they know who did.
Mrs Fox.
Sorry to bother you again.
Oh, that's all right.
I know what you've got to do.
Um This is Dennis, a friend of Tim's.
Inspector Frost is investigating.
I was just taking Dennis to catch his train.
Oh, I can come back later.
I can walk.
I'd rather walk.
I just had to come.
You knew about this account? Oh, yeah.
He opened it about a month ago.
I was doing some temping.
We were trying to save up for a holiday.
But he put in £65, that's all.
This is over £2,000.
Both amounts were paid in on different occasions.
This one last week in Manchester.
That one the end of November in Birmingham.
Are you saying Tim's done something? No.
I'm just trying to fit the pieces together, that's all.
Was your husband in Manchester or Birmingham on these dates? Oh, yeah.
If they're Saturdays.
Why? It's football.
He's followed Swindon since he was a boy.
He got to as many matches as he could.
He'd meet up with an old friend.
Dennis - you saw him.
They've known each other since school.
There we go.
Now, on the last two Swindon away matches, Manchester and Birmingham, on both occasions Timothy Fox went to a Wessex Building Society branch and deposited a considerable amount of money.
- Were you with him? - No.
So you have no idea about any money paid in in Birmingham or Manchester? He could have in Manchester, but not Birmingham.
- Really? Why not? - He wasn't there.
What? The night before, Tim rang.
He didn't want to go to the match, could we meet up just to talk? Talk? What about, Mr Tanner? Him and Helen.
He er He thought that she was seeing another man.
He'd been suspicious for a while and erhe didn't know what to do.
What was the name of this man? (Clears throat) No name er but he knew he was in the job.
The what? He's another copper.
Your husband didn't go to a football match in Birmingham in November.
He did.
He was with Dennis.
No.
He was with Dennis in Swindon.
But someone else was in Birmingham paying money into the new building society account.
I don't understand.
Your husband met Dennis to ask his advice because there were problems between you both.
You were involved with another man.
A policeman.
Now, who was it? It was Mark.
Mark Newcombe.
Detective Inspector Newcombe? I'm not making any excuses.
I started it as much as he did, but whatever went wrong between Tim and me, I wanted to get back to how we were.
So I told Mark we had to finish it.
That was when I realised I'd never known him at all.
You see, we'd had fun, and I knew he was in deeper than I was.
You changed your mind.
Yeah, but Mark wouldn't leave me alone.
I kept on seeing him, sleeping with him.
Trying to let him down gently.
When I told him I still loved my husband, he went off the deep end.
He said he'd destroy our marriage, he'd screw up Tim's career.
He started hitting me.
And you didn't tell your husband? Mark was obsessed.
I believe he was capable of doing the things he said.
Like what? Tim's career.
Go on.
The building society accounts.
The books went missing.
Mark must have taken them when he was here.
So you think that Detective Inspector Newcombe put £2,000 of his own money into Tim's account? He told me.
Last week.
Well, why would he do that? He said he was going to fit Tim up for taking bribes.
He had a car thief who'd swear he'd gave Tim the money for information.
Whatever I said, he wouldn't listen.
He'd convinced himself the reason I wouldn't leave my husband was I was just too scared, scared of Tim.
He kept saying the same thing.
If Tim didn't let me go, he'd get him thrown out of the force.
Even put in prison.
And he was doing it, Mr Frost.
He'd paid in the money.
I realised he wouldn't take no for an answer.
He was out of control, dangerous like some stalker.
Wasn't it about time you told your husband? Yeah, I did.
The night he was killed.
I needn't have worried about him and me.
He understood.
I knew how hurt he was.
But he understood.
He understood I still loved him, too.
But his anger for Mark You know, I'd never seen him like that.
Did he go and see him? I don't know.
He went back to work.
I didn't think he'd take Mark on.
I thought he'd go to Mr Finlay and get him suspended.
And the night that he didn't come back home? I took a couple of sleeping pills.
I was in such a state.
I went to bed and I didn't wake up till eight.
So since your husband's death, you haven't said any of this to anyone in the Regional Crime Squad? Mr Finlay's decided who the killers are.
You think there may be another explanation? Of course.
I thought it could have been because of Tim's work.
And I also thought it could have been Mark Newcombe.
I'm not proud of being a coward.
I believed if Mark could kill Tim, he could do the same to me.
# See them lying on a bed of straw # A draughty stable with an open door # Mary cradling the babe she bore # The Prince of Glory is his name # Oh, now, carry me to Bethlehem # To see the Lord appear to men # Just as poor as was the stable then # The Prince of Glory when he came # Star of silver sweep across the skies Jack.
Jack, your hat.
The general idea is you take it off.
# To see the saviour of the world # Oh, now, carry me to Bethlehem # To see the Lord appear to men All right, George? Long time no see.
How's things? Same as ever.
How's your kid? Finished university, has he? It didn't suit him.
First time I've seen you at a police carol service.
Have you found faith? Hoping to get something from Father Christmas.
Can I have a word, sir? The fact that Inspector Newcombe and Mrs Fox were Well, these things happen.
She kept quiet because she was afraid of him.
She thought he might be the one that killed her husband.
But the gun was found in the car thieves' office.
Only after a raid where Inspector Newcombe was present.
I mean, it has to be Newcombe.
He's the one that put the money into DC Fox's account twice.
Extraordinary lengths to go to.
Yes, well, if this is true, we are dealing with a vicious and obsessive man.
Yes.
Well, obviously, it can't wait.
Thank you very much, sir.
Oh.
If I do have to arrest Newcombe, I'm going to have Finlay down on me like a ton of bricks.
If you could just phone him to clear the way, it would be very helpful.
Don't worry.
Lisa's really only a few hours late home.
She's what, 1 6? It's not just that she's late.
She said she was spending the day at her friend's.
We phoned Jane's parents.
Lisa hasn't been there.
We don't know where she is.
She was supposed to be singing at church tonight.
She's just disappeared.
Has she got a boyfriend? No-one very serious.
If there wasn't reason for concern, we wouldn't be here.
Something's happened.
You must find her! Jack? What are you doing here? Oh Just a couple of things, you know, just nagging me.
Sure.
Come in.
We'll have a drink.
Do you want water in that? Eryes.
Same again.
Yeah.
Christmas is always a problem after a divorce.
Sandra's got a bloke now.
If it wasn't for the kids, I'd go away.
Oh, yeah? Here you go.
Hm? Oh.
Cheers.
They asked me, but they don't really want me there.
Yeah.
It's a long time since anyone asked me round for Christmas dinner, I can tell you.
You must have been good at this lark Shooting.
Years ago.
More a social thing, really.
I never found anything social about guns, I must say.
So, no real breakthrough? Why didn't you tell me about you and Helen Fox? What's she said? No, no, no, no, no, no.
Come on.
Come on, Mark.
You know that we don't do it like that.
We met at a Regional Crime Squad do in Denton.
I fancied her and we ended up having a drink.
Then lbumped into her again, onlyit wasn't an accident.
And her husband didn't know? I wanted her to leave him.
That's what she wanted, but she was frightened of what he'd do.
He could be violent with her.
And when he found out it was you? I don't know he ever did.
I wanted to take her out of it.
But she knew him.
She said he'd calm down and he'd accept it in the end.
She was trying to protect me too.
You're saying Helen Fox was going to leave her husband to live with you and he was going to send her to you with his blessing.
She thought she could handle him.
The point is, could she handle you? Helen Fox says the man she was frightened of was you.
She'd broken off your affair, butyou wouldn't have it.
You pestered her, followed her and threatened her.
And you said if she didn't leave her husband, you would get a grass What are you trying to put on me? Murder.
Someoneshould do youso hard.
Those car thieves never killed DC Fox.
It was self-defence.
He would have killed her.
Her? Suddenly, Tim started being reasonable.
He said if things weren't working out, he wouldn't stop her leaving.
He wanted to go for a drink and talk about it.
Money, the house.
Helen went with him.
He drove her into Oak Park and started shouting at her, hitting her.
Trying to beat it out of her who I was.
In the end, she told him.
That's when he produced the gun.
She was fighting for her life.
The gunwent off.
It could have been hers as easily as She ran.
She got home.
She called me.
And you said, ''Don't worry, I've got a couple of car thieves that I can fit up quite nicely.
'' All right.
Come on.
Get your coat.
You're going to spend Christmas in a cell.
You might think about telling the truth.
That is the truth, Jack.
Helen Fox wasn't in Oak Park that night.
And the gun used to kill DC Fox was the one that you planted on the car thieves.
Excuse me, please.
Thank you.
If you're looking for a drink, you've got the wrong pub.
I was told your governor was here.
Office.
He had a few phone calls to make.
Probably about yousir.
(All laugh) Thank you.
Mark didn't kill anyone.
If you were any kind of detective, you'd know that.
I didn't say he did.
You've got him in a cell, for God's sake.
Larry, you run a cowboy outfit.
If one of your cowboys has finally cut loose, I will find out about it.
You know what Mr Mullett always says, don't you? He says there's no such thing as bad coppers, only bad senior officers.
You've got a strange way of asking for my cooperation Inspector.
Yes, well, I'm not asking any moresir.
You want to be more careful where you park.
Comes to something when Denton isn't safe for coppers.
I know kids who can trash a car better than you lot.
Allegations against police officers seems to be your speciality.
Leave it, Simon.
I hope you're not thinking of moving this vehicle.
If you get done for drink driving, you'll be out the force so quick your feet won't touch the ground.
Have a nice evening.
- Mr Frost? - Yes.
If you can take your jacket off.
Still getting into trouble, Jack? Well You know me.
Why change the habit of a lifetime, eh? Well, well.
What a surprise.
(Chuckles) Ah Ooh.
I'll stand down the theatre.
I think we can save it without amputating.
Oh, right.
Thank you.
It was er They done up my car.
Smashed the windscreen and dumped a load of rubbish on the bonnet.
I was just trying to clear it away so I coulddrive off.
I see.
And where were the police? They were on handimmediately.
l I thought you were in Scotland.
I was.
For nearly two years.
But it was a mistake.
Not the first one.
Anyway, I came back to Denton in the summer.
It doesn't sound as though it was the last one, either.
Oh, I'm quite glad to be back.
There's no dirt in it.
I don't think it needs stitches.
Up to date with your anti-tetanus? Oh, come on, Shirley.
What do you think? I was going to ring you.
But I wasn't sure.
Well, you should have done.
Why not? Er Drop your trousers.
Bend over.
You You are joking.
Do I look as if I'm joking? No.
And as I've got a syringe in my hand, could you do me a favour? (Cries) SHIRLEY: I think she's lying about her age.
She can't be more than 16.
She's made sure she had nothing to identify her.
She doesn't want anybody to know who she is.
And I've got a feeling she might do a runner.
I can't believe a young girl can come in here and give birth just like that without anybody knowing anything about it.
She must have a family.
I mean, where was she living? Everything says she's living at home.
She was hardly carrying any weight.
I didn't know she was pregnant.
Oh, well.
If she was living at home and no-one knew anything about it, she must have been putting on a bloody good performance.
All it takes is enough fear.
Yeah.
I'll get on to Uniform.
They can check out Missing Persons.
We had no choice, Lisa.
They were worried about you.
You must realise that.
Do they know? - They won't react the way you think.
- My father will! When they see what you went through, all they'll want to do is get you both safely home.
I thought, when I was strong enough, I'd just leave when no-one was around.
I thought I could leave him here.
He'd be looked after.
No-one would ever know who I was.
I did know what you were thinking.
I just couldn't.
Woooooh! Get off! Give me the gun.
Ah, Shirley.
Mr and Mrs Harper.
She is expecting you, but she's still very frightened and upset.
The sooner you let her know there's nothing to worry about, the better.
First on your left.
Jack.
If I don't see you No, no, you will.
I know.
The Kings Arms.
The Kings Arms.
You go in.
I don't know what to say.
Then you'd better find something.
Well, thank you for finding her, Inspector.
If I haven't got much to say, it's because I'm still taking it in.
You hear it about other people's daughters, but your own? I'm still too shocked.
I'm shocked too, Mr Harper.
So far, all I've heard is how it affects you.
I can't begin to understand what your daughter must have felt like when she found she was pregnant.
Nine months and no-one to speak to? No-one at home that she could turn to for help? My God, you're lucky she's alive.
If you want to do something for Lisa, Mr Harper, for Christmas, you'd better start now.
Lisa, I'm Please forgive me.
(Sobs) (Door is unlocked) Ding dong merrily, Mr Rycroft.
There.
Think of all the money you're saving on that holiday in Marbella.
Ooh.
No charge for Christmas dinner here, sir.
That's not to say there won't be any charges.
Room service.
Sorry, it's not quite Barbados.
Thank you, Inspector.
If you're thinking of using the food as evidence of police brutality, I'm eating it as well.
Happy Christmas.
And Barbados has not been cancelled.
Just postponed.
Oh.
I won't be eating.
Oh, well.
Please yourself.
The kids'll think I've forgotten them.
Christmas Day.
I think you've got more to worry about than what your kids are doing.
I can't explain that to them.
Here you are.
Just about get a signal.
Two minutes.
I'm outside the door.
Hello.
Jamie? Yeah.
I'm sorry I couldn't get I'm working.
Yeah, it's a secret job.
Very secret.
Get your sister and tell me what you got for Christmas.
FROST: What's that? It's chestnut stuffing.
Have you got any baked beans? Oh, Jack.
Chef's worked hard at this.
Yeah, I can see that.
Give me some baked beans.
I won't tell if you don't.
Good girl.
Thank you.
Hello.
What are you doing in? Sergeant Brady couldn't fill the roster.
I volunteered.
Didn't you learn anything as a cadet? Never volunteer for anything.
Come on.
Come and sit down.
I was looking at the update on the murder of Detective Constable Fox.
Strictly speaking, that's CID.
I am attached to CID, sir.
Welleveryone says there aren't enough detectives.
I want to be useful.
See, eventually, I want to get into CID, sir.
You want to be a detective? Oh, dear.
Take my advice.
Stick to your flow charts and your filters.
I didn't join to sit behind a desk, sir.
If you've got a desk, hang on to it.
Once you get the smell of what humans do to each other in your nostrils, you'll never get rid of it.
(Laughter and whooping) (Running footsteps) Oh, hello, Jack.
Good Christmas? Bad news: the Indian was closed Christmas Day.
The good news: the launderette was open Boxing Day.
I'm still trying to recover from what passed as turkey in the canteen.
Apart from that, I have clean socks.
Ah, well, that's good news for all of us.
Jack? Yes? - About these cats.
- Oh, yeah.
What cats? They're dead.
Oh, those cats.
Three killed over the holidays.
Another shot last night, along with several headless garden gnomes.
Yeah.
And I've had the RSPCA in this morning.
Oh, they do gnomes now, do they? Listen, I'm investigating a murder, I have an officer in a cell, international car thieves either side, I've got the Regional Crime Squad trying to fit me up, and you want me to solve the mystery of the headless gnomes? Don't hold your breath.
Constable, do you have a cat? No, sir.
Then you have something in common with this lot.
They had cats until recently.
See what your software can make of that.
Thank you.
Good morning.
Ah.
Any news on that mountain bike? Yes.
The tracks did go into the park and out the same way.
Forensic can't say if it was the same day Tim Fox was killed.
What about erNewcombe's bike? It's an exact match for the tyre tracks in the park, but there's no forensic.
Newcombe's bike's brand new.
Never been on the street.
Oh.
Coincidence, though, isn't it? We'll talk to him about that.
Anyway, I'm off.
I've got a few things to do.
Have a good time, sir.
- , please.
Thank you very much.
- Cheers, thanks a lot.
Hello, Mr Frost.
Good Christmas? I see.
The difficult questions first? I'd like to have some cash, please, if you've got any left.
And how would you like your cash? Oh, you know.
I don't mind.
As it comes.
- There we go.
- Thanks.
Fill this up.
Fill it, now.
Fill it! Now! No, don't.
Do what he wants.
(Engine revs) Oi! Hit the alarm now.
Double yellow.
Shift it! Double yellow.
Shift it!
I see.
What sort of accident? How bad? OK.
Yeah.
She's here.
I'll bring her down.
(Siren) Tracy! Dad! Dad! Cor blimey Trigg, look at this.
Look.
96 quid.
I never use the phone.
Do you think someone's tapping my line? They do it with electricity.
The bloke next door's draining the national grid with his Christmas lights.
Maybe I could nick his power.
Have you got Christmas lights up? I might change the kitchen bulb from a 60 to a 1 00 watt.
What are you doing over Christmas? My sister-in-law in Canada always invites me over but I never go.
You should one year.
Why not? Because she knows that if she asks, I'll never go.
Have you read that report on the burglary at Kimmington? Oh, yeah.
Dorridge reckons there's a pattern.
The time detectives take finding patterns, it's a wonder they don't take up knitting.
Well? Hm? What? Oh.
I wouldn't bother with the vet, sir.
This cat has been shot.
Not another one.
You new, are you, Constable? Yes, sir.
Oh.
Get a transfer.
I won't say that we've exactly been forgotten by HQ, but the Red Cross still drops food parcels by parachute.
I'm just here on attachment, sir.
Very sensible.
If you go in there, you'll find Sergeant Brady at the front desk.
You can't miss him.
He's the one with the dead cat.
(Rings bell) (Knocks) - Hello? Hello? - Oh.
Mrs Cockcroft? - I'm her neighbour.
She's out.
Um I'm Detective Inspector Frost, Denton CID.
I'm looking for my sergeant.
He came about the burglary.
It was the fish that upset him most.
Tracy told me that.
They smashed the tank, killed all his fish.
Yes.
Sorry.
Do you know if my sergeant Your sergeant was here.
He took Mrs Cockcroft in his car.
Mr Cockcroft There's been an accident at the power station.
He's dead.
(Sobs) It's all right.
All right, what happened? He was up there.
Skived off for a fag.
Looks as if a rail gave way.
He might have survived the fall, but not the hundred tons of coal that landed on him.
I doubt if the Cockcrofts'll be that worried about a burglary.
It's a tough break, Sammy.
Tough break.
# Christmas music I think it's a lovely one to stand next to.
It will certainly do.
So, how's it going? You allset for Christmas? Going away? - Mm.
Marbella.
- Barbados.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I sort of assumed you two Strictly business, Mr Davidson.
I am the brains and the beauty.
What is it you do, Dick? (All laugh) Have you got it? And a prosperous New Year.
CAR RADIO: That was some gorgeous late-night Christmas music.
But I'll tell you, I think that's enough of that.
Don't you? Tim Fox.
Detective Constable, Regional Crime Squad.
One shot.
Close range.
Time? Doctor's estimate: between nine and midnight.
Found this morning by a Mrs Hardy, about eight o'clock.
She was walking her dog.
Looks as if he was standing by the lake eating a burger.
Any sign of another vehicle? Nothing yet.
There is something you should see.
- (Whistles) - Close on £1 ,000.
(Sirens approach) He wasn't mugged, then, was he? Hello, here comes the cavalry.
Jack.
Sir.
DI Mark Newcombe.
Jack Frost.
What happened? So far, all we know is he's been shot.
Thanks for getting things started, Jack.
Much appreciated.
- Getting started? - Tim's one of mine.
Besides, we know the people who did it.
I can't walk away from the scene of crime without my senior officer Superintendent Mullett has handed it over to me.
Well, there's a large sum of money in your DC's car.
I doubt it was his Christmas bonus.
What are you doing here? - We've got a problem.
- Couldn't it wait? No.
It seems I've been kicked off my investigation by Detective Superintendent Finlay on your orders.
This tragic murder is clearly related to the Regional Crime Squad's investigation.
They have all the evidence for some quick arrests.
They've got answers before anyone asks questions.
I can't have my CID officers duplicating the work of others.
But you should have told me, sir.
Sorry, Jack.
It's Finlay's case.
That's the end of it.
Sir.
ls that the Chief Constable? - He's the guest of honour.
- Ah.
Oh, sir.
Hi.
Hello, Jack.
Long time.
Yes.
Nice to see you again, sir.
It's not your sort of do.
Not mine, really.
No, I'm just gatecrashing, sir.
I've just popped in to see Mr Mullett.
We've got a problem, a serious one, but Mr Mullett is sorting it out.
Well, it's not really a problem.
No.
It's about DC Fox's murder, sir.
Mr Well, Mr Mullett is concerned, quite rightly too, sir, that the investigation is being run by the Regional Crime Squad.
Thank you.
That's very nice of you.
See, there may be a very good reason why DC Fox had £1 ,000 in cash in the glove compartment of the car.
But it won't look very good for the press, when they find out that the enquiry is being held by his own governor, and all his old mates.
I didn't know.
You're quite right, Mullett.
We must be beyond reproach in these matters.
Put Jack back in.
I'll leave you to talk to Finlay.
If he's got a problem with it, you tell him it was my decision.
- Have a good Christmas, Jack.
- Thank you.
And you, sir.
Very good.
Thank you, Jack.
Excuse me.
Before you go to lunch, would you make the call to Finlay? Yes.
Could you do it now, sir? I know how these lunches tend to drag on.
There's a phone at reception.
Through Through there.
Everyone knows smoking's banned on site.
It's a dangerous spot.
The safety rails are rusty as hell.
And he was breaking the rules.
You wouldn't reckon on compensation.
The Cockcrofts won't worry about that now.
If they hit the bosses with the bad publicity, they could score a lot of money.
ls that all you can say? I've got to go.
Listen, I want to pay my respects.
Can you drop in, give Mrs Cockcroft my condolences? If I go, she'll feel she's got to ask me in.
She can do without the fuss.
Still keeping up appearances, Dad.
Why not just say you can't be bothered? Try looking where you're bloody well going! I'm DI Frost, Denton CID.
Got an appointment with your governor.
Where is he? In there.
Perhaps you'd be kind enough to show me.
And it's: 'Mind where you're bloody well going, sir.
' All right? It's not about keeping information back.
It is about what Frost needs to know and what he doesn't.
We already know who shot Tim Fox.
They'll go down for so long, they'll be lucky to come out on Zimmer frames.
But we don't want Denton CID to frighten off our villains before we move in.
Tim wouldn't thank us if we let a bunch of plods screw this up.
One more thing.
You bastards will all retire without being half the detective Jack Frost is.
Remember that.
Whatever he wants, you haven't got the answer.
Even if it's only the way to the bog, you send him to me.
OK? Oh.
Let's just call it a backhanded compliment, Jack.
I very rarely get compliments from senior officers, backhanded or otherwise.
Still, beggars can't be choosers.
Right.
Let's get to it.
(Dance music plays) (Knock on door) Right, are we drinking? No, we're going out carol singing.
Course we're drinking.
I want to call in at the Cockcrofts' later.
What for? Offer our condolences.
Got anything else gross lined up? Tracy won't think it's gross.
There's nothing women go for like a bit of compassion.
You know, a shoulder to cry on.
You still fancy her, don't you? Yeah, right.
You know, Sammy, it's a well-known fact that when women experience death of those close to them, they have a deep-seated need to screw.
Call it an affirmation of life and all that.
You're the one who fancied Tracy.
I see.
You don't want my cast-offs.
ls that what you're saying? Are you rewriting history already? She chucked you when her old man told you to steer clear.
''And that pillock of a mate who follows you around.
'' I think those were his words.
Oi.
I don't follow anyone.
Oh.
So, basically, it's about stolen cars.
Top of the line stuff.
Mercs, Jags, BMW, Lexus.
It's thieving on a grand scale.
In a year, they'll shift maybe a thousand motors.
What's this place? ls this where you give them a service and an MO and send them back to the owners? They're being cloned with identities of other vehicles we want nicked.
After they're stolen, they'll be shipped out of Europe.
At the moment, it's West and South Africa.
Like drugs.
No point in closing down the dealer if the network's intact.
We need vehicles that can be followed through the chain to the other end by police in Cape Town, Lagos, wherever.
So you plant your own? We use a satellite tracking system.
Oh, yeah.
Have we reached the limit of what you intend to let me know, yet, sir? Jack After 1 8 months, we're close to a result.
When we go in, it will be with other auto-theft squads in Europe and Africa.
I meant it when I said Tim wouldn't want your murder investigation to blow all our work apart.
These are foot soldiers, mostly.
Drivers, thieves, forgers, heavies.
Body shops who'll do work on the side.
Car salesmen who pass on names and addresses of their customers, freight companies who provide forged manifests.
Over here.
Now, here we have Dick Rycroft, Miriam Madikane.
He's English, she's South African.
They run the British end.
And they're the ones responsible for Tim's death.
Pull them now, in 1 2 hours, the whole network will vanish.
So you reckon he was shot by this mob? I don't reckon.
I know.
- Why? - He was a copper on their backs.
You're here to do the spadework.
Get it right.
We need those murder charges to stick.
Well, call me old-fashioned if you like, but I've never been too comfortable with deciding who did what before I've seen the evidence.
What about this £1 ,000 found in DC Fox's car? No-one throws accusations of corruption at my unit.
Tim Fox was not on the take.
Never.
Under any circumstances.
All right.
Spadework is dirty business.
I'll see if I can dig up some evidence, but I can't guarantee that you will like it.
Single shot, fired when the victim was close, facing the killer.
38-calibre entered the pericardial cavity directly, resulting in cardiovascular failure - the cause of death.
Have you found the bullet? Any sign of a struggle? No bruising, no defence wounds.
From the angle of entry, he hadn't even turned away.
Not for me to draw conclusions about his state of mind, but ervery close.
Facing the assailant, as I said, and erfairly relaxed.
Really? What makes you say that? Relaxed enough to be eating.
The remains of a burger.
Meat, bun, lettuce, mayonnaise were in his mouth as well as his stomach.
Perhaps it was someone that he knew.
Certainly not someone he expected to kill him.
Mrs Fox.
I'm Detective Inspector Frost.
I phoned earlier.
Oh, yes.
Please come in.
Don't I know you? We met, didn't we, when I was temping at Denton? - Oh, of course.
- Please, sit down.
I um I'm sorry about the mess.
I was just doing the tree when Mr Finlay came round.
Tim bought it from the garden centre yesterday afternoon.
I can't finish it.
(Sighs) I still believe he's going to walk through that door.
I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you some questions.
Are you on your own? I'd rather be, Mr Frost.
People keep saying they'll come round, but Right.
Fine.
When did you last see Tim? He bought the tree about two.
Then he had to get back to work.
Did he tell you where he was going, who he was seeing? No.
Did he talk to you much about his work? About the cars? He never said much.
He liked to forget about it at home.
I see.
And if he came back late, what did that mean? Anything.
1 0, 1 2, 1 .
I'd go to bed and he'd turn up whenever.
So he could stay out all night? Not often, butnow and then.
You see, I didn't worry.
It goes with the job.
When we found Tim there was a sum of money.
Do you know if he'd been drawing out his savings from a building society or bank? He had Christmas shopping to do.
This was £1 ,000.
In cash.
Of course you'll come in.
I mean, the busier it is, the less time It's good of your dad to think of us.
I'll put the kettle on.
Tracy? It's Ray English, and er Sam.
Hi.
Ray, Sam.
Thanks, Mrs Cockcroft.
Hiya.
Oh, you know Anne.
Hello.
In Accounts? Well, we just thought if there's anything we could do Yeah, thanks.
They certainly left you a mess.
They should be locked up for this.
Let's give you a hand with that.
It's all right, Ray.
No.
Sam? Dustpan.
- Oh, right.
- Honestly, you don't need to Let them.
It's good to see a manager getting his hands dirty.
We'll give your mum a hand.
This is bloody stupid.
It's just a game, Sam.
Just a game.
(Car approaches) What about these tyre marks, then? Mountain bike of some kind.
Tracks start back there in the bushes.
Clear in places even on hard ground.
No footprints.
But we've got enough to get an ID on the make of tyre.
Good.
Well, where do they go? There are more tracks by the fence near the supermarket car park.
There's no immediate connection to the murder.
Have you followed 'em? One of the SOCOS did with a dog handler.
Ah.
Well, there you are.
Ha.
Little walk will do you good.
But if Regional Crime Squad know who did it Remember, as someone once said, we may be lacking in the sophisticated techniques of detection, but we more than make up for it with the rigour and dedication of our spadework.
Go on.
Off you go.
By using various filters to compare and separate information, in the light of surveillance material, statements and forensic, complex data can be simplified analytically by using these filters to single out individuals.
We call these Centre of the Universe charts.
(Laughter) We can organise more efficiently and save time and money.
Extraordinary, Constable.
What is all this? Cartoon time? Constable Kavanagh is explaining HQ's latest software.
We haven't got time.
Listen up.
I asked for you to arrange for CID officers to have time for this.
Unfortunately, DC Fox's killer didn't get that memo, sir.
All right.
Now, Daley's Supermarket.
We're looking for sightings of a mountain bike.
Right? So I want you to talk to the staff, the shoppers, anyone.
Then move on to local house-to-house.
Sergeant Dorridge will fill you in with the details.
OK? Come on.
Let's go.
Chop chop.
Well, maybe ernow is not such a good time, Constable.
If you There's some work in the collator's office.
Ask for Trigg.
He's in.
He'll um I'll find him, sir.
Good.
Yes.
What time did Tim leave the warehouse? Around one.
Said he had some Christmas shopping to do.
I see.
What time did he get back? I saw him at three.
He was down the workshop.
We're planting cars.
I know.
I've had the guided tour.
The only name I can find in Tim's diary is a Peter Davidson, someone he was supposed to be meeting the day he died.
Mean anything to you? I'm not exactly sure.
You're not exactly sure you know the name or you're not exactly sure you intend to tell me? I'd have to clear it with Detective Superintendent Finlay.
I'm trying to put together the last few hours of a cop's life.
It's about informants, sir.
The governor wants them protected.
Yeah, well.
Tim Fox could have done with some protection, couldn't he? OK, listen up.
From now on, this desk is part of my investigation.
That means nothing in it or on it is to be touched.
And that goes for this computer.
All right? Finished playing games, have we, Detective Inspector Newcombe? (Clears throat) We could do with a drink, Jack.
All right.
Peter Davidson.
None of your mob seem to know what I'm talking about.
Not very good liars, are they? Davidson's a car salesman giving Rycroft the goods on his customers.
Where they live, that kind of thing.
Tim made first contact.
The plan was for us to use Davidson to plant information about cars we wanted the gang to nick.
Was Tim Fox meeting Davidson the day he was killed? He was at the showroom where Davidson worked.
A customer do.
As far as Davidson was concerned, Tim was a car dealer.
That's all he knew.
That's all you think he knew.
Well, I can't guarantee he didn't smell something, didn't tip off Rycroft or Madikane.
I can't risk you pulling him in before we make our move.
Any particular Christmas you've got in mind for that, sir? I talked to the SAPS in Cape Town.
They're liaising with Brussels and Amsterdam.
We go in tomorrow.
Oh.
Do you mind if I join you? You're welcome.
When it comes to the interrogation about Tim's murder, I'm sure you won't mind if I join you.
There'll be norank pulled.
No, I'm sorry.
The course my enquiry is taking, I can't risk you being party to the questions that I shall be asking.
For God's sake, Jack I saw Helen Fox yesterday.
Was that really necessary? Look at this.
This is a building society account opened by Tim Fox a month before he was killed.
Two large entries in cash.
£1 ,000 a time.
Now, I don't know who Fox was meeting in that park, but £1 ,000 in cash found in his car? That could be a third instalment.
What do you think? That's Dick Rycroft.
The big guy.
Fraud, protection, vice.
Five years in Brixton for GBH.
Known to carry a gun.
And to use it.
Ah.
Madikane's just moving over behind the container.
South African police had her for a bullion raid in Durban.
They got the gang, but she walked out of court.
They say the money walked with her.
You do know I'm going to have to question them before you, don't you? I know Tim Fox's killers are down there.
This is Finlay.
Go.
Repeat.
Go.
Armed police! Go down there.
Let her slow.
Let her slow.
Stay where you are! Good morning.
I'm Detective Superintendent Finlay.
And this is Detective Inspector Frost.
Luck of the draw.
He gets to go first.
Good.
Keep it coming.
Excellent.
Word's in from Cape Town, Lagos and Düsseldorf so far.
Full house.
Guv, I've got something.
- What? What is it? - Shooters.
Where? Found something? 9mm.
.
38, short barrel.
.
38 recently fired.
Doesn't look like we're going to leave you much to do after all.
So? What? DC Fox, Regional Crime Squad.
I'm very happy for him.
He was shot and killed last Tuesday night whilst investigating your car export business, Mr Rycroft.
Hey.
Whoa.
I don't know what Finlay thinks he'll achieve with rubbish like this.
You tell him from me where he can stick it.
Are we waiting for a solicitor, Miss Madikane? I decide what I say and what I don't.
It always amazes me what people pay solicitors just to be told to sit there and keep your mouth shut.
It's not about money.
When I need a lawyer, I won't require legal aid.
No.
Same with shoes, you know.
Look after your feet and they'll last you a lifetime.
They say you should always buy the most expensive shoes you can afford.
A bit like lawyers.
If you can afford an expensive lawyer, chances are he comes out of the same lodge as the judge.
Look at these shoes.
These have been the most uncomfortable shoes ever.
Bought 'em last year in a sale.
False economy.
Did you shoot and kill DC Fox last Tuesday night? A simple yes or no will do.
Further questions when we get the ballistics results on the revolver.
This is crazy.
I haven't shot anyone.
I'd call that solicitor now if I were you.
But with a murder charge hanging over you, don't wait too long.
All the best ones'll be on their Christmas jollies.
- Ah.
All done, Jack? - What do you mean, all done? I've got questions to ask.
And people waiting for answers.
They'll just have to wait.
You've got the gun.
What else do you need to know? I need to know where that £1 ,000 came from.
In the meantime, none of your squad can talk to the suspects.
I hardly think that applies to us.
The Chief Constable wants this done right.
Corruption leaves a nasty taste, doesn't it? You never know where it starts or where it stops.
Ah, yes.
Very nice.
Like the instruments.
Seating's nice.
Bit like a flight deck on a jumbo.
The upholstery on a jumbo wouldn't come anywhere near this.
No price tag.
If you've got to ask the price, you can't afford it.
Style and status don't come cheaply.
Are you erlooking for one of these? Or am I just wasting your time and making the place look untidy? It is Mr Peter Davidson, isn't it? Yes.
Yes, it is.
Were you er Were you recommended? No, no.
I recognise you from the Regional Crime Squad surveillance photographs.
Where did DC Tim Fox, the man you knew as Jim Thomas, come into this? Er He was selling second-hand cars ofquality.
He had the names of a lot of buyers and sellers.
I thought I could up the money from Dick Rycroft and split it with him.
It's easy cash.
And if a few cars disappeared, people got the insurance.
No-one was really hurt.
No.
DC Tim Fox was shot.
And he's dead.
Now, did you talk about him to this Rycroft or this Miss Madikane? No, no.
No.
l I never mentioned him to either of them.
Believe me, I didn't know he was a policeman.
I didn't talk to anyone.
I didn't know.
All right, come on.
- Got a moment, sir? - Yes, what is it? I'm telling the truth.
Please.
Yeah, all right.
Had a call from Forensic.
Got the ballistics on the Smith and Wesson.
It is the gun that killed Tim Fox.
If Rycroft or Madikane didn't pull the trigger, they know who did.
Mrs Fox.
Sorry to bother you again.
Oh, that's all right.
I know what you've got to do.
Um This is Dennis, a friend of Tim's.
Inspector Frost is investigating.
I was just taking Dennis to catch his train.
Oh, I can come back later.
I can walk.
I'd rather walk.
I just had to come.
You knew about this account? Oh, yeah.
He opened it about a month ago.
I was doing some temping.
We were trying to save up for a holiday.
But he put in £65, that's all.
This is over £2,000.
Both amounts were paid in on different occasions.
This one last week in Manchester.
That one the end of November in Birmingham.
Are you saying Tim's done something? No.
I'm just trying to fit the pieces together, that's all.
Was your husband in Manchester or Birmingham on these dates? Oh, yeah.
If they're Saturdays.
Why? It's football.
He's followed Swindon since he was a boy.
He got to as many matches as he could.
He'd meet up with an old friend.
Dennis - you saw him.
They've known each other since school.
There we go.
Now, on the last two Swindon away matches, Manchester and Birmingham, on both occasions Timothy Fox went to a Wessex Building Society branch and deposited a considerable amount of money.
- Were you with him? - No.
So you have no idea about any money paid in in Birmingham or Manchester? He could have in Manchester, but not Birmingham.
- Really? Why not? - He wasn't there.
What? The night before, Tim rang.
He didn't want to go to the match, could we meet up just to talk? Talk? What about, Mr Tanner? Him and Helen.
He er He thought that she was seeing another man.
He'd been suspicious for a while and erhe didn't know what to do.
What was the name of this man? (Clears throat) No name er but he knew he was in the job.
The what? He's another copper.
Your husband didn't go to a football match in Birmingham in November.
He did.
He was with Dennis.
No.
He was with Dennis in Swindon.
But someone else was in Birmingham paying money into the new building society account.
I don't understand.
Your husband met Dennis to ask his advice because there were problems between you both.
You were involved with another man.
A policeman.
Now, who was it? It was Mark.
Mark Newcombe.
Detective Inspector Newcombe? I'm not making any excuses.
I started it as much as he did, but whatever went wrong between Tim and me, I wanted to get back to how we were.
So I told Mark we had to finish it.
That was when I realised I'd never known him at all.
You see, we'd had fun, and I knew he was in deeper than I was.
You changed your mind.
Yeah, but Mark wouldn't leave me alone.
I kept on seeing him, sleeping with him.
Trying to let him down gently.
When I told him I still loved my husband, he went off the deep end.
He said he'd destroy our marriage, he'd screw up Tim's career.
He started hitting me.
And you didn't tell your husband? Mark was obsessed.
I believe he was capable of doing the things he said.
Like what? Tim's career.
Go on.
The building society accounts.
The books went missing.
Mark must have taken them when he was here.
So you think that Detective Inspector Newcombe put £2,000 of his own money into Tim's account? He told me.
Last week.
Well, why would he do that? He said he was going to fit Tim up for taking bribes.
He had a car thief who'd swear he'd gave Tim the money for information.
Whatever I said, he wouldn't listen.
He'd convinced himself the reason I wouldn't leave my husband was I was just too scared, scared of Tim.
He kept saying the same thing.
If Tim didn't let me go, he'd get him thrown out of the force.
Even put in prison.
And he was doing it, Mr Frost.
He'd paid in the money.
I realised he wouldn't take no for an answer.
He was out of control, dangerous like some stalker.
Wasn't it about time you told your husband? Yeah, I did.
The night he was killed.
I needn't have worried about him and me.
He understood.
I knew how hurt he was.
But he understood.
He understood I still loved him, too.
But his anger for Mark You know, I'd never seen him like that.
Did he go and see him? I don't know.
He went back to work.
I didn't think he'd take Mark on.
I thought he'd go to Mr Finlay and get him suspended.
And the night that he didn't come back home? I took a couple of sleeping pills.
I was in such a state.
I went to bed and I didn't wake up till eight.
So since your husband's death, you haven't said any of this to anyone in the Regional Crime Squad? Mr Finlay's decided who the killers are.
You think there may be another explanation? Of course.
I thought it could have been because of Tim's work.
And I also thought it could have been Mark Newcombe.
I'm not proud of being a coward.
I believed if Mark could kill Tim, he could do the same to me.
# See them lying on a bed of straw # A draughty stable with an open door # Mary cradling the babe she bore # The Prince of Glory is his name # Oh, now, carry me to Bethlehem # To see the Lord appear to men # Just as poor as was the stable then # The Prince of Glory when he came # Star of silver sweep across the skies Jack.
Jack, your hat.
The general idea is you take it off.
# To see the saviour of the world # Oh, now, carry me to Bethlehem # To see the Lord appear to men All right, George? Long time no see.
How's things? Same as ever.
How's your kid? Finished university, has he? It didn't suit him.
First time I've seen you at a police carol service.
Have you found faith? Hoping to get something from Father Christmas.
Can I have a word, sir? The fact that Inspector Newcombe and Mrs Fox were Well, these things happen.
She kept quiet because she was afraid of him.
She thought he might be the one that killed her husband.
But the gun was found in the car thieves' office.
Only after a raid where Inspector Newcombe was present.
I mean, it has to be Newcombe.
He's the one that put the money into DC Fox's account twice.
Extraordinary lengths to go to.
Yes, well, if this is true, we are dealing with a vicious and obsessive man.
Yes.
Well, obviously, it can't wait.
Thank you very much, sir.
Oh.
If I do have to arrest Newcombe, I'm going to have Finlay down on me like a ton of bricks.
If you could just phone him to clear the way, it would be very helpful.
Don't worry.
Lisa's really only a few hours late home.
She's what, 1 6? It's not just that she's late.
She said she was spending the day at her friend's.
We phoned Jane's parents.
Lisa hasn't been there.
We don't know where she is.
She was supposed to be singing at church tonight.
She's just disappeared.
Has she got a boyfriend? No-one very serious.
If there wasn't reason for concern, we wouldn't be here.
Something's happened.
You must find her! Jack? What are you doing here? Oh Just a couple of things, you know, just nagging me.
Sure.
Come in.
We'll have a drink.
Do you want water in that? Eryes.
Same again.
Yeah.
Christmas is always a problem after a divorce.
Sandra's got a bloke now.
If it wasn't for the kids, I'd go away.
Oh, yeah? Here you go.
Hm? Oh.
Cheers.
They asked me, but they don't really want me there.
Yeah.
It's a long time since anyone asked me round for Christmas dinner, I can tell you.
You must have been good at this lark Shooting.
Years ago.
More a social thing, really.
I never found anything social about guns, I must say.
So, no real breakthrough? Why didn't you tell me about you and Helen Fox? What's she said? No, no, no, no, no, no.
Come on.
Come on, Mark.
You know that we don't do it like that.
We met at a Regional Crime Squad do in Denton.
I fancied her and we ended up having a drink.
Then lbumped into her again, onlyit wasn't an accident.
And her husband didn't know? I wanted her to leave him.
That's what she wanted, but she was frightened of what he'd do.
He could be violent with her.
And when he found out it was you? I don't know he ever did.
I wanted to take her out of it.
But she knew him.
She said he'd calm down and he'd accept it in the end.
She was trying to protect me too.
You're saying Helen Fox was going to leave her husband to live with you and he was going to send her to you with his blessing.
She thought she could handle him.
The point is, could she handle you? Helen Fox says the man she was frightened of was you.
She'd broken off your affair, butyou wouldn't have it.
You pestered her, followed her and threatened her.
And you said if she didn't leave her husband, you would get a grass What are you trying to put on me? Murder.
Someoneshould do youso hard.
Those car thieves never killed DC Fox.
It was self-defence.
He would have killed her.
Her? Suddenly, Tim started being reasonable.
He said if things weren't working out, he wouldn't stop her leaving.
He wanted to go for a drink and talk about it.
Money, the house.
Helen went with him.
He drove her into Oak Park and started shouting at her, hitting her.
Trying to beat it out of her who I was.
In the end, she told him.
That's when he produced the gun.
She was fighting for her life.
The gunwent off.
It could have been hers as easily as She ran.
She got home.
She called me.
And you said, ''Don't worry, I've got a couple of car thieves that I can fit up quite nicely.
'' All right.
Come on.
Get your coat.
You're going to spend Christmas in a cell.
You might think about telling the truth.
That is the truth, Jack.
Helen Fox wasn't in Oak Park that night.
And the gun used to kill DC Fox was the one that you planted on the car thieves.
Excuse me, please.
Thank you.
If you're looking for a drink, you've got the wrong pub.
I was told your governor was here.
Office.
He had a few phone calls to make.
Probably about yousir.
(All laugh) Thank you.
Mark didn't kill anyone.
If you were any kind of detective, you'd know that.
I didn't say he did.
You've got him in a cell, for God's sake.
Larry, you run a cowboy outfit.
If one of your cowboys has finally cut loose, I will find out about it.
You know what Mr Mullett always says, don't you? He says there's no such thing as bad coppers, only bad senior officers.
You've got a strange way of asking for my cooperation Inspector.
Yes, well, I'm not asking any moresir.
You want to be more careful where you park.
Comes to something when Denton isn't safe for coppers.
I know kids who can trash a car better than you lot.
Allegations against police officers seems to be your speciality.
Leave it, Simon.
I hope you're not thinking of moving this vehicle.
If you get done for drink driving, you'll be out the force so quick your feet won't touch the ground.
Have a nice evening.
- Mr Frost? - Yes.
If you can take your jacket off.
Still getting into trouble, Jack? Well You know me.
Why change the habit of a lifetime, eh? Well, well.
What a surprise.
(Chuckles) Ah Ooh.
I'll stand down the theatre.
I think we can save it without amputating.
Oh, right.
Thank you.
It was er They done up my car.
Smashed the windscreen and dumped a load of rubbish on the bonnet.
I was just trying to clear it away so I coulddrive off.
I see.
And where were the police? They were on handimmediately.
l I thought you were in Scotland.
I was.
For nearly two years.
But it was a mistake.
Not the first one.
Anyway, I came back to Denton in the summer.
It doesn't sound as though it was the last one, either.
Oh, I'm quite glad to be back.
There's no dirt in it.
I don't think it needs stitches.
Up to date with your anti-tetanus? Oh, come on, Shirley.
What do you think? I was going to ring you.
But I wasn't sure.
Well, you should have done.
Why not? Er Drop your trousers.
Bend over.
You You are joking.
Do I look as if I'm joking? No.
And as I've got a syringe in my hand, could you do me a favour? (Cries) SHIRLEY: I think she's lying about her age.
She can't be more than 16.
She's made sure she had nothing to identify her.
She doesn't want anybody to know who she is.
And I've got a feeling she might do a runner.
I can't believe a young girl can come in here and give birth just like that without anybody knowing anything about it.
She must have a family.
I mean, where was she living? Everything says she's living at home.
She was hardly carrying any weight.
I didn't know she was pregnant.
Oh, well.
If she was living at home and no-one knew anything about it, she must have been putting on a bloody good performance.
All it takes is enough fear.
Yeah.
I'll get on to Uniform.
They can check out Missing Persons.
We had no choice, Lisa.
They were worried about you.
You must realise that.
Do they know? - They won't react the way you think.
- My father will! When they see what you went through, all they'll want to do is get you both safely home.
I thought, when I was strong enough, I'd just leave when no-one was around.
I thought I could leave him here.
He'd be looked after.
No-one would ever know who I was.
I did know what you were thinking.
I just couldn't.
Woooooh! Get off! Give me the gun.
Ah, Shirley.
Mr and Mrs Harper.
She is expecting you, but she's still very frightened and upset.
The sooner you let her know there's nothing to worry about, the better.
First on your left.
Jack.
If I don't see you No, no, you will.
I know.
The Kings Arms.
The Kings Arms.
You go in.
I don't know what to say.
Then you'd better find something.
Well, thank you for finding her, Inspector.
If I haven't got much to say, it's because I'm still taking it in.
You hear it about other people's daughters, but your own? I'm still too shocked.
I'm shocked too, Mr Harper.
So far, all I've heard is how it affects you.
I can't begin to understand what your daughter must have felt like when she found she was pregnant.
Nine months and no-one to speak to? No-one at home that she could turn to for help? My God, you're lucky she's alive.
If you want to do something for Lisa, Mr Harper, for Christmas, you'd better start now.
Lisa, I'm Please forgive me.
(Sobs) (Door is unlocked) Ding dong merrily, Mr Rycroft.
There.
Think of all the money you're saving on that holiday in Marbella.
Ooh.
No charge for Christmas dinner here, sir.
That's not to say there won't be any charges.
Room service.
Sorry, it's not quite Barbados.
Thank you, Inspector.
If you're thinking of using the food as evidence of police brutality, I'm eating it as well.
Happy Christmas.
And Barbados has not been cancelled.
Just postponed.
Oh.
I won't be eating.
Oh, well.
Please yourself.
The kids'll think I've forgotten them.
Christmas Day.
I think you've got more to worry about than what your kids are doing.
I can't explain that to them.
Here you are.
Just about get a signal.
Two minutes.
I'm outside the door.
Hello.
Jamie? Yeah.
I'm sorry I couldn't get I'm working.
Yeah, it's a secret job.
Very secret.
Get your sister and tell me what you got for Christmas.
FROST: What's that? It's chestnut stuffing.
Have you got any baked beans? Oh, Jack.
Chef's worked hard at this.
Yeah, I can see that.
Give me some baked beans.
I won't tell if you don't.
Good girl.
Thank you.
Hello.
What are you doing in? Sergeant Brady couldn't fill the roster.
I volunteered.
Didn't you learn anything as a cadet? Never volunteer for anything.
Come on.
Come and sit down.
I was looking at the update on the murder of Detective Constable Fox.
Strictly speaking, that's CID.
I am attached to CID, sir.
Welleveryone says there aren't enough detectives.
I want to be useful.
See, eventually, I want to get into CID, sir.
You want to be a detective? Oh, dear.
Take my advice.
Stick to your flow charts and your filters.
I didn't join to sit behind a desk, sir.
If you've got a desk, hang on to it.
Once you get the smell of what humans do to each other in your nostrils, you'll never get rid of it.
(Laughter and whooping) (Running footsteps) Oh, hello, Jack.
Good Christmas? Bad news: the Indian was closed Christmas Day.
The good news: the launderette was open Boxing Day.
I'm still trying to recover from what passed as turkey in the canteen.
Apart from that, I have clean socks.
Ah, well, that's good news for all of us.
Jack? Yes? - About these cats.
- Oh, yeah.
What cats? They're dead.
Oh, those cats.
Three killed over the holidays.
Another shot last night, along with several headless garden gnomes.
Yeah.
And I've had the RSPCA in this morning.
Oh, they do gnomes now, do they? Listen, I'm investigating a murder, I have an officer in a cell, international car thieves either side, I've got the Regional Crime Squad trying to fit me up, and you want me to solve the mystery of the headless gnomes? Don't hold your breath.
Constable, do you have a cat? No, sir.
Then you have something in common with this lot.
They had cats until recently.
See what your software can make of that.
Thank you.
Good morning.
Ah.
Any news on that mountain bike? Yes.
The tracks did go into the park and out the same way.
Forensic can't say if it was the same day Tim Fox was killed.
What about erNewcombe's bike? It's an exact match for the tyre tracks in the park, but there's no forensic.
Newcombe's bike's brand new.
Never been on the street.
Oh.
Coincidence, though, isn't it? We'll talk to him about that.
Anyway, I'm off.
I've got a few things to do.
Have a good time, sir.
- , please.
Thank you very much.
- Cheers, thanks a lot.
Hello, Mr Frost.
Good Christmas? I see.
The difficult questions first? I'd like to have some cash, please, if you've got any left.
And how would you like your cash? Oh, you know.
I don't mind.
As it comes.
- There we go.
- Thanks.
Fill this up.
Fill it, now.
Fill it! Now! No, don't.
Do what he wants.
(Engine revs) Oi! Hit the alarm now.
Double yellow.
Shift it! Double yellow.
Shift it!