A Touch of Frost (1992) s07e02 Episode Script
Line of Fire: Part Two
POLICE: Please leave the area straightaway.
We've got the motorbike.
No sign of the rider.
What do we know about the hostages? Bank cashiers and some old bloke.
Manager was at lunch.
Any details on the weapon? Small calibre, maybe a revolver.
Right.
Time you made contact.
(Phone rings) - Leave it! (Phone continues to ring) I told you, stay still! I can't see them.
(Phone rings) - Answer it! Go on, just do it! Hello, yes? Good God.
Jack! ls that you? Yes, that's right, Superintendent.
I'm one of the hostages.
If they try to come in here, I'll shoot! Are you all right? What are they saying? Does he know you're a policeman? Yes, that's right.
I'm Frost.
What are they saying? Mm-hm.
What are your demands? I want a car.
I want a car and I take you with me.
Right? I heard him.
I want him to come out alone, without the gun, give himself up.
(Clears throat) Excuse me.
The Superintendent of Police would like to talk to you.
Jack A few thousand pounds, that's all.
We weren't going to hurt anybody.
Why don't you talk to them? I'm sure something could be sorted out.
It's the only way I could get it, that sort of money.
I had to! Really? Why? Why was it so important? Because I look like this! Like a piece of lard.
That's my nickname.
Lardy.
I've tried everything.
Diets, pills, exercise.
But there's this new treatment.
It's guaranteed.
I had to try.
It's bad enough with your friends.
You've got to make the jokes before they do.
And don't think about fancying a girl.
It's the biggest mistake of all.
But there's this clinic in London.
There's a chemical that destroys fat.
They said I'd lose half my weight in a month, just like that.
How much does this treatment cost? £3,000.
But I've seen photos of people.
It's changed their lives.
What's your name, son? It's Keith.
Keith.
Look, I know what you're doing! Talking, listening - I know.
But I've got to find a way out.
There's no way out, Keith.
I know what's on the other side of those doors.
Police marksmen.
And you're an expert, are you? Welll do know what's out there.
Because, you see, I'm a copper.
I'm a detective inspector.
My name is Jack Frost.
(Phone rings) That will be the superintendent.
(Phone rings) Would you like me to talk to him? What will they do? Well They'll wait until you're ready to talk.
But if you go outside, with us, and that gun, they'll shoot you.
Straight through the inspector? They're marksmen.
They'll miss me .
.
but they won't miss you.
(Phone rings) Come on, Keith.
Give it up.
Come on.
Superintendent, I have the gun.
The lad's coming out.
After all that, it's a ruddy replica.
- Armed police! - Armed police! Keep looking at me.
Do as you are told and you will not be harmed.
Walk forwards slowly toward me.
Do it now.
Keep looking at me.
Keep looking at me! Let me see your hands.
Keep walking slowly toward me.
Keep looking at me.
Face down.
Do it! Keep looking toward me.
Keep looking at me.
Keep looking at me.
Spread everything you've got, and don't move a muscle, fat boy.
Ermdo you know Jack Frost? Inspector Frost? Sure.
I arranged to meet him here for lunch.
If he comes in, could you tell him (Whispers) Wellare you Are you all right? Yes, I'm fine, sir.
Fine, thank you.
It was only a replica.
Yes, well, you weren't to know that.
Well, I suppose Detective Superintendent Finlay's been beating your ear again, has he? Well, yes, Jack.
He and l, we'd both like to know what's happening with his Detective Inspector - Newcombe.
And I need details, Jack.
Well, I believe that Newcombe planted the gun that killed DC Fox, on the car thiefs.
He says he got the gun from Mrs Fox after it went off by accident, when she struggled with her husband.
Of course, she denies it.
And what have you got from Rycroft and Madikane? I think they're in the clear.
I don't believe that they're involved in the murder.
But on balance, I think that Rycroft and Madikane didn't even know DC Fox.
So it's no good Larry Finlay jumping up and down, saying he's got to interview them about the car thefts.
They've talked to the man who tried to fit them up with murder! (Phone rings) - What will a good lawyer do with that? Yes? Who? Thank you.
Jack, you'd better look at your evidence again.
Miss Madikane is in the interview room with her solicitor.
She wants to talk to you.
She wants to confess.
I'm acting on my solicitor's advice.
I understand you wish to make a statement regarding the death of Detective Constable Fox.
No, I don't.
Then what the hell are we doing here? My client wishes to make a voluntary statement concerning her involvement in the buying and transportation of cars.
- She's prepared to admit - I'm not interested in car theft! That's down to the regional crime squad.
I'm investigating the death of a police officer, as you well know.
The only questions my client has been asked so far refer to the death of a detective constable.
Since Miss Madikane knows nothing about that, I hope you won't stop her making a statement about matters which do relate to her arrest.
She can do what she likes.
As long as it doesn't involve wasting my time.
Morning, Mr Frost.
Nice Christmas? - What's this? - He wants to make a statement.
Oh, advice from your solicitor, is it, Rycroft? I've changed solicitors.
Got the same one as Miriam.
He ain't cheap.
You could probably retire on what he charges for a week's work.
Get Finlay's mob over here, will you? And when they've taken statements from our pair of high-flyers, I want to sit them at the table and interview them, about whether scams, fit-ups and fabricated evidence is standard procedure in Larry Finlay's outfit! What are you looking at? Mark Newcombe's been my number two for six years.
I was best man at his wedding.
Did you know about Mark and Helen? I knew he was seeing a married woman.
He was happier than he'd been since he split up with Sandra.
I thought, "Good for him.
None of my business.
" I had no idea who it was.
All right.
Let's just take Tim Fox and Mark Newcombe, right? Tim Fox and Mark Newcombe.
Tim Fox knows that his wife is you know, going over the side.
He pleads with her to stay, but she's in love with this other man.
Tim Fox gets heavy.
Threatens her, knocks her about a bit.
She's frightened he'll get dangerous if she does leave him.
And she's right.
When she does say she's leaving, he tries to shoot her.
Right? Now, Mark Newcombe.
He's in love with Helen Fox.
They have an affair.
After a little while, she wants to jack it in.
But lover boy here, he can't accept that.
So he stalks her and he threatens her.
But what he realises is, the only thing stopping him and Helen from sailing away into the sunset, is her husband Tim.
Right.
So what does he do? He fits Tim up.
If Tim Fox doesn't let Helen go, he will blackmail him into letting her do it.
It doesn't workso he kills him.
Right.
So, what have we got? We've either got Tim Fox and Helen as babes in the wood and Mark Newcombe as the wicked witch, or you've got Newcombe as Sir Lancelot, rescuing Lady Helen from the dragon - her old man.
Which one do you buy? Until they stop sounding like fairy stories, I don't buy either of them.
(Bleeps) You have one message.
(Shirley) You are still the most inconsiderate bastard Oh, no! Don't bother to call me back.
(Door bell) - Oh! Yes? - Shirley, I'm so - Don't.
I just saw it on the news.
You are all right? Yes, I'm fine.
Thank you.
Now I knew you wouldn't have had a decent Christmas dinner over the holidays.
So here it is.
Turkey chestnut stuffing, all the trimmings and a Christmas pudding.
Just needs heating.
Haven't eaten, have you? Er (Clears throat) No.
Why didn't you tell me straightaway? I don't know.
I would have been all right, if I hadn't had Larry Finlay's rogan josh.
You needn't have pretended.
I've given up walking out in high dudgeon.
No-one ever came to drag me back.
When we stopped seeing each other, I said a lot of things.
They don't seem to matter very much now.
No, most of them were true.
I didn't give you very much back, did l? You gave what you gave.
You never lied to me about that.
I pretended I wasn't asking anything of you, but I was.
I didn't really want to believe that the job came first.
Yes, well The job came first, all right.
I wonder how many things I've screwed up in my life.
To start with, my marriage.
Then my wife's illness.
Come on, Jack.
I knew you did everything you could for her.
No, everything I had to.
Not quite the same thing.
Do you know, we got this erm young woman.
She's been attached to the CID A WPC.
She's come to teach us about computers.
And do you know what? She only wants to be a detective.
A reasonable ambition in a police officer.
In a police officer, yeah, but not in a human being.
So, you were going to tell her all the things you wished you'd done, instead of being a detective.
It's a very short conversation.
Inspector Frost wants to talk to you.
Has he spoken to Helen yet? Has she said anything? Upstairs, Detective Inspector Newcombe.
I only do the deliveries.
This money in his building society account We needed to get Tim into a corner so he'd back off, and Helen could leave.
Whose idea was that? Was that yours or hers? It didn't happen like that.
We had to find a way out.
Yeah? I'll tell you how it happened.
You sat up, after a harmless piece of adultery, you said, "I've got an idea.
Let's fit up your husband.
We could get him the sack.
We might even be able to get him put away.
" It wasn't going to go that far.
Oh, come on.
This wasn't a way out.
This was revenge.
What about that money that was found in Tim Fox's car, that come from you? - No! - No? Where did it come from? I don't know! All right.
Let's agree on one thing.
Helen Fox was not going to leave her husband, because she still loved him.
And she told you that.
She loved me.
She couldn't stand him.
Mr Frost, you've got to talk to Helen again.
Tell her it'll be self-defence.
When she understands that, she'll tell you.
You've just bought a mountain bike.
Yeah? Christmas present? What's that got to do with anything? I'm just about to show the interviewee some tyre tracks.
Found in Oak Park, near the scene of DC Fox's murder.
You go there quite a lot, don't you? Once.
With Superintendent Finlay.
You see, these tyres are very similar to the tyres on the bike in your garage.
So similar, I'd say they're exactly the same.
I wasn't there.
ls there any forensic to put my bike in Oak Park? You bought a bike a week before the murder.
We've got tyres that match yours, at the scene, on the same day.
It'll take you ten minutes to cycle from your flat to where these tyre tracks begin at Oak Park.
The file is getting fatter.
This doesn't make sense.
And all you can say to me is, "I was on my own.
I didn't see anyone, or speak to anyone.
" I waited for Helen.
When she came, it was after After the Helen Fox said she didn't go out that day.
I don't believe you've been back to her.
She wouldn't lie if she knew you were trying to fit me up.
What about this bike? I bought two.
Why was that? In case the first one got a puncture, was it? It was a Christmas present.
One for me, the other one for Helen.
All right.
Where is this second bike? I umgave it to her last week.
It'll be at the house.
Jack, talk to her.
If she admits she shot Tim when he was trying to kill her, no-one will put her away.
Make her understand that.
Please! Hello.
A bit early for Twelfth Night, isn't it? Oh, there's so much stuff.
I don't know.
I suppose I'm looking for things to do.
Have you got a mountain bike? That's a peculiar question.
The last time I had a bike, I was 1 3.
Mark Newcombe said that he gave you one as a gift at Christmas.
A twin to the one he bought himself.
That's mad.
Oh, look at this.
Here's one for the connoisseurs.
Swindon Town v Charlton Athletic.
I would appreciate it, Mrs Fox, if you would come down to the station with me.
I've got a few questions I want to ask you in a more formal way.
Just to clear up any remaining confusion.
Of course.
I'll get my coat.
Thank you.
- I still think you should come, Dad.
- What's the point? You knew him better than I did.
You used to go fishing with him.
I gave up fishing a long time ago.
Great.
Last week you sent me round to give your condolences to the Cockcrofts, now it's all pointless.
No-one expects you to go.
- Well, I am now.
(Car horn beeps) That'll be Sam.
I don't know why you put up with that clown.
Does he give you the illusion of having brains? He's got more about him than most of the losers round here.
You'd want that fool at your funeral, wouldn't you? It's a good job you're not going, Dad.
The shock might be too much for some people.
The number of times they see you outside this house, half of them probably think you're dead already.
The finishing touch.
- Ready, Mr Orange? - Cool, Mr Pink.
I'll see if I can get us a cup of tea.
I'd prefer coffee.
I don't think I can face the Denton canteen tea.
Of course.
You used to work here, you know what to expect.
Something happens to your body if you stay here too long.
I can't get enough of the canteen tea.
Could we have Helen! They think it was me! Sergeant, what do you think you're playing at? - I've got to interview Mrs Fox! - Sorry, sir, I was Get him back to the cells.
Go on.
You've got to tell them you did it in self-defence! You killed Tim, you bastard! - Tell them! - Leave me alone! - I love you! - Leave us both alone.
- You murdered him.
- Come along.
You love me! Just go in there, please, and erjust sit down over there.
You did that on purpose.
I hope it wasn't too distressing.
There's no-one in CID, sir.
Sergeant Reddy said I'd do.
All right.
Take a chair, sit down there.
Interview with Mrs Helen Fox.
Those present, DI Frost and Constable Kavanagh.
KAVANAGH: At 1 1 :31 on the 30th December 1 999.
Right.
I've got two versions of your husband's death.
Yours and your boyfriend's, Mr Newcombe.
What DI Newcombe says is that you and he were blackmailing Mr Fox, into letting you leave him quietly.
And if your husband Tim didn't agree, he'd be thrown out of the police for corruption.
No.
I wanted to protect my husband.
I told you that.
Mr Newcombe goes on to say you shot your husband in self-defence.
That's nonsense.
We'll skip the planting of the gun during the police operation - Mr Newcombe admits that he did that, naturally.
But he claims it's a gun you gave him the night your husband was shot.
I don't know anything about a gun! What about these his and her bikes? There were no bikes.
Oh, yes, there were.
Two.
I've seen Mr Newcombe's receipt.
I wouldn't have accepted anything from him.
We weren't even talking by then.
You know stories come with big holes and little holes, Mrs Fox.
Mark Newcombe's story's got many holes.
That's not surprising.
What is surprising is a story that has no holes at all, that's remembered perfectly.
People aren't like that.
Your story makes perfect sense, from beginning to end.
You've told it several times.
You remembered it backwards.
You never change a single word.
I know where I was the night my husband was killed.
I know I was afraid of Mark Newcombe.
Does that make me a liar? I'll have to consider it.
If you did kill your husband that night, you didn't do it in self-defence.
You did it because you'd planned it.
That's not true! Oh, yeah? Yes.
When I pulled in DI Newcombe .
.
that's when he became expendable.
Because, you see, the finger points at him putting the money in the car.
Because he planted the cash in Tim's building society account.
But the night your husband was killed, you put that £1 ,000 in the car.
I never believed the police would go this far to protect each other.
I had an affair, yeah, but I loved my husband.
Mark murdered him.
Your husband's life was well insured.
A lot of money.
That why you did it? We were both insured for the same amount.
If anything happened to either of us, we wanted to know the other one would be all right.
Or was it because he wasn't a very good copper? He failed his sergeant's exam twice.
That's not a very easy thing to do.
Wasn't very ambitious.
Why are you doing this to me? Because it's my job, Mrs Fox! All right.
You can go home now.
I'll arrange for someone to take you.
Please, don't bother.
Interview ended at 1 1 :33.
You know, Lord, the secrets of our hearts.
Shut not your merciful ears to our prayer, but spare us.
Lord most holy, God most mighty.
Most holy and merciful Saviour.
Thou most worthy judge eternal.
Suffer us not at our final hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.
Bless the Lord, my soul.
The Lord my God, thou art very great.
Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain, who layeth the beams of his chambers in the water.
Give thanks unto the Lord.
Call upon his name.
Make known his deeds among the people, sing unto him, sing psalms unto him.
Talk ye all of his wondrous words.
ls that the cold silence of disapproval, Constable? You think she did it? I don't know.
Maybe Newcombe did.
I'm floundering, all right? But what I am doing is turning up the heat, to see if I can start a fire.
It's an old CID technique.
There's no computer programme for it.
Listen She is not right.
And Newcombe is just a little bit righter.
Not a lot, but just a bit.
All right, come on, then.
What do you think? You've got no evidence against her and she knows it.
If she's guilty, she won't put her hands up because you shout at her.
- I didn't shout at her.
- Close enough.
Maybe I did.
Maybe I ought to lean on her a bit harder.
Bully her a bit more.
You see, what we deal with is unpleasant.
Sometimes, you have to take hold of what is unpleasant inside you and use it.
- Now, if you can't do that - I'm sure I could learn, sir.
I've met my fair share of unpleasant detectives.
Ah! Mr Mullett's? Thanks.
ANNE: We're all erm going to the house.
I don't know if you Ray and l, we've got to get back to work.
Oh.
Your family's not in Denton? Hertfordshire.
But they're in Scotland now.
My sister lives there.
- Are you seeing them over the holidays? - I couldn't stand all that.
Mince pies and long walks.
Longer arguments.
Babies throwing up.
- Anne, the car's going.
- Coming, Sally.
I don't know if some time over New Year, if you want a drink or Let's do that.
I'll see you.
Yeah? So, what was all that with Anne Moore? We're going to have a drink.
See? What did I tell you? That Sally Wainwright, I could do her a favour.
The way she was looking at me across that coffin Positively indecent.
She thought we were a couple of prats.
Oh, Sammy, Sammy.
When are you going to learn? She just doesn't appreciate a quality product when she sees it.
I'll just have to teach her a lesson, won't l? (Machinery thunders) Sammy! (Shrill whistle) (Mouths) RAY: So what do you reckon? - She's not interested, Ray.
- They're all interested.
We're collecting for Mrs Cockcroft.
People feel they want to do something, so Yeah, of course, Sal.
That's very generous.
- That's all I've got on me.
- Thanks, Sam.
- See you later.
- Thanks again, Ray.
- ls that all you've got to say? - Sorry? Sam's going out for a drink with Anne.
Do you want to make it a foursome? Gives us the option of swapping at half-time.
I don't want to go out with you.
You asked me once before, I said no before.
You'll want to keep an eye on Anne, though.
When wild-man Goodwin gets her in the back of his car, and that hormonal overdrive just kicks in, it could take two responsible adults to tear them off each other.
When did you turn into an adult? Was that temper, Sally? Always a good sign.
You want to stop suppressing those feelings.
I know you love me.
I don't even like you, Ray.
I like you even less after your performance at the funeral.
You couldn't see a dead man buried without your stupid joke.
If you can't grow up, at least behave with a bit of decency.
You're pathetic.
And your mate's no better.
I've talked to Anne.
She won't be going for that drink.
You might as well pass the message on.
Mr Cockcroft thought you were a nasty piece of work.
He was right.
(Coins clatter) I told you to leave it.
I said Sally didn't want to go out with you.
Sally Wainwright's a nobody.
Last year she's dishing up pigswill, then she gets a badge that says Manager.
Suddenly she's better than anyone else? She's a dumb bitch.
It wasn't Sally I was asking out.
They're mates.
Now you know Anne's a dumb bitch too.
I doubt she screws till your second date.
RAY: Think of the money I've saved you.
Who the hell does she think she is, slagging me off like that? - Forget it.
- I don't think so.
Sally Wainwright wants taking down a peg or two.
(Laughs) Who? By you? Don't make me laugh.
You don't exactly scare her, Sammy.
Well maybe she should think again.
Go on.
Don't take all night.
Trix, come on.
Trixie! Come on.
(Dog whines) - What are you doing? Trixie? Trix? (Toots horn) Where did you disappear to last night? Nowhere.
Did you have another try at persuading Little Miss Moore? You were right.
She's just another loser.
Who isn't in this place? So Sally's safe from the wrath of Sam, is she? I wouldn't say that.
Ooh! Frightening! You're an animal, Sammy! Oh! Morning.
I would like the body back.
I know it's the sort of thing you probably dump in the incinerator - Course not.
We'll get it back to you.
- Thank you.
Bye bye.
What was all that? Did I miss the memo saying not to return bodies to the nearest and dearest unless they specially request it? It's her dog.
It got shot.
Oh, yeah? Where? In her back garden.
Just outside Denton.
She works at the power station.
Would it tie in with Sergeant Brady's cats, do you reckon? It's the same area.
Another random shooting of a pet.
Does that young lady have any ideas? She assumes it's kids.
Doesn't sound like kids to me.
If they did, they didn't get the rifle from Father Christmas.
Susan Kavanagh is making a file on all this, on her computer.
Tell her to shove the dog in.
At least we'll have everything in a decent order.
You know, some people are still working with microchips and information technology.
Me, I've skipped all that.
I'm onto the chaos theory.
I like to see a man who knows how to enjoy himself.
What's the matter with you? Mullett.
He's only landed this computer woman on me.
As you know, Jack, I've got my own system.
Yes, and so has PC Kavanagh, and hers is ten times quicker.
Hm.
Eh? What's happening with Newcombe? (GROANS) I don't know.
It's not easy.
It's easier for him than Helen.
Didn't she used to work for you? Yeah.
Nothing was too much trouble.
She didn't bring in a system you need a degree to understand.
And she still got our amnesty record into the computer at HQ before any other station in the division.
She was here during the gun amnesty? Yeah.
That's why Mullett sent her to work with me.
I was running the amnesty, but we had so much in - All right, come on.
Come with me.
What about my dinner? Leave it! This is important.
Excuse me Excuse me.
We had several .
38s in.
What about this one? It looks familiar, like a short-barrel .
38.
I remember thinking one of them was.
What about the list? We'd had over 50 weapons in.
Four of them were .
38s.
No, wait a minute.
It was only three.
ls this one of them? No.
Different serial numbers.
In fact, different makes.
Two Smith and Wessons.
It's not even the same specification.
I could have sworn there were four.
Helen Fox did this, didn't she? Filled in the details on the records.
From my notes.
If a gun went missing .
.
would it be possible to wipe the details from the computer? By Helen? I don't believe it.
Oh, Inspector Frost.
About those dead cats and dogs - Never mind about that now.
I've got something else to ask you.
If information has been wiped from a computer, is there any way of getting it back? It depends what backup was being used.
This was six months ago, maybe more.
Was the information sent to HQ? Of course it was.
That was the whole idea.
But this is what went up to HQ.
ls there any way of getting back wiped information? If there are other versions of the files.
Old backups.
It's unlikely, but there are programmes.
Well, there you are.
You want to be a detective, so forget moggies for a minute and find me something that isn't there.
- There's almost no chance.
- I know.
There never is.
That's what makes the job such a pile of .
.
challenges.
It's going to be a long haul, Miss Madikane, no matter how much you pay your lawyers.
Are you a betting man, Mr Frost? No, no.
Wise.
You couldn't afford to lose.
I'll send you a postcard from Barbados.
Oh, yeah? Well, there you go.
All yours.
Remember I said I didn't want your investigation screwing up this operation? Well, something along those lines, sir, yeah.
Now there's every chance Madikane and Rycroft's statements are worthless.
They'll claim they made them under duress, where they were set up for murdering a copper, with a gun planted on them.
Well, that won't get them far, will it? Maybe, with the right lawyers.
Tainted evidence.
It could taint anything we come up with.
You could even end up being called as a witness for the defence.
Well, you always said it didn't smell right, didn't you? Yeah.
Well, now it stinks.
Thanks a bunch.
That's all right.
It wasn't me who decided that they'd kill Tim Fox.
I was only doing the spadework.
Like you asked me tosir.
Will you be working on millennium night? Well, no.
We're on standby.
We all are.
Same here.
Just in case the millennium bug strikes and causes anarchy and chaos to the streets of Denton, Superintendent Mullett and l will be there to save the day.
I guess I'm like you.
If I wasn't on standby, I'd be volunteering.
I know.
So would l.
Breaking the habit of a lifetime.
Jack, if you could, you would move into Denton police station.
Ahno.
You see, I read about this trip to India.
Watch the millennium dawn over the Taj Mahal.
£25,000.
I was going to book it, but I was a bit late.
Well, with all the usual provisos about you getting called away, New Year's Eve, as you've missed out on the Taj Mahal, how about a tikka masala at The Golden Curry? All right, you're on.
It's only about £24,995 cheaper.
But .
.
what about the dawning over Denton? Hm? Up yours, Inspector Frost.
TV: .
.
and this area of high pressure will move south, bringing icy patches to many roads in sheltered areas.
It will be a clear night with light winds and it will feel bitterly cold.
(Light music) RADIO: How was it for you? What about the pressies that you got? I got a pair of socks and two pounds from my Auntie Jean (Horn blares) (Screams) Ah.
I want that mountain bike that Helen Fox dumped.
It's the last piece.
It must be in a limited radius.
Well, come on.
Get out the maps and wellies.
Get the team moving.
You'd think this was a holiday.
Forensic want a word - they've got a suspicious traffic accident.
You go and handle it, Sergeant.
On your way back, get me a sandwich.
Chicken.
If you can't get chicken, get cheese.
If you can't get cheese, just go and buy some.
I want that mountain bike, go on.
Oi, by the way, have you seen Susan Kavanagh? Not today sir, no.
If you do, tell her I owe her a drink.
She can have a splash of lime in her lager.
Go on.
Car went out of control on Broad Street last night going down the hill.
- Woman's in a coma.
- Had she been drinking? Apparently not.
She was on her way to a party.
It's an old car, it's not well maintained.
The brakes failed.
But this is what struck me as odd.
The scratches here, and here.
On the chassis.
Has it been tampered with? It looks like something's been dragged across the cables recently.
Sharp teethhacksaw, possibly.
Now, the cut on this piece of cable, is too clean to have happened naturally.
I don't think this was an accident.
Do we know who she was? Sally Wainwright, Fairview Road.
I know her.
She came in to see me yesterday.
Somebody shot her dog.
Look what's been happening around Kimmington, the last six months.
Person or persons unknown, killing cats.
Nasty, vicious, random.
And several burglaries.
Not a lot taken, but a lot of damage done.
I reckon that's what it's all about.
Next, Sally Wainwright.
Her dog gets shot, .
22 bullet, same as the cats.
She goes out, someone's fiddled with the brakes.
Car goes out of control, she's in hospital in a coma.
Might even die.
And you think that was the intention? Yes.
Sally Wainwright was targeted.
That means there must be a motive.
I believe there was a motive for the rest, too.
The damaged furniture, the cats, the lot.
Well, you're talking about a very warped mind, Jack.
Very warped.
Yes.
In my experience, the only place with more warp factors is the Starship Enterprise.
(Distant rock music) (Knock on door) If it's that bastard complaining about the noise again They haven't called about the bloody music? You bunch of losers! Hello.
It's just a routine call, sir.
Are you Mr S Goodwin, the holder of a licence of a .
22 rifle? Come in.
It's about my gun licence.
It's here somewhere.
I saw it.
What do you use the rifle for? Rabbits.
I've got an allotment.
No-one knows why.
I've never seen a vegetable off it.
Well, I would like to see the weapon.
I need to establish it matches this serial number.
I may need to take it in, to eliminate it from the enquiries.
Like I said, I keep it in the allotment in a shed.
That doesn't sound secure.
It should be here, in a secure cabinet.
I'd like to see it.
Now would be fine.
Sam will drive down and you follow, right? You won't do him just for not keeping the rifle in the flat? Not with New Year's Eve and all that.
I'll be right behind you.
(Car horn toots) When you wipe a disc, the stuff's still actually on it, till more information's dumped on top.
I didn't know you could retrieve it, but Susan used some programme.
So this is the gun that killed Tim Fox.
Serial number's here.
It says it came with six rounds.
The gun was in the station, and Fox had access and opportunity.
Now we've got evidence that she wiped it off the records.
I trusted Helen.
Yeah, well.
So did Mark Newcombe.
So did her husband.
A .
22 rifle, she said.
They know what they're looking for.
What are they going to prove? It's on the allotment.
Anyone could get hold of it.
The most they can do you for is being a careless git.
Ray, I didn't say about Sally's dog.
What are you talking about? I wanted to take Sally down a peg.
I was going to tell you.
Like with the cats and doing over houses when people pissed us off.
You stupid, ignorant moron.
It's where Sam meditates.
The door did have a lock on.
I'll sort it out.
A child could walk in there.
- Ray, what the hell are you doing? - I'm cleaning up your mess.
If you don't want to join her, help me get rid of her.
Susan here? No.
She's in CID, isn't she? No.
Doesn't she realise that skiving is a privilege reserved for inspectors? She's working on that other job you gave her.
- What other job? - Dead cats and dogs.
There was forensic on the bullet in the dead dog.
She mapped licences for .
22 rifles, came up with some names and addresses, right area, and went to check with the licence holders.
Where is this list? It'll be on her laptop.
Get it printed, fast! If we don't stop her, she could be checking up on a murderer.
I'm at work now, so get your fat arse in gear and be here for eleven.
You do what I bloody say, Samuel, or do you want to go the same way? Not your fault, Jack.
She's done exactly what I would have done in her shoes.
She's gone out to prove that she can hack it.
I was the one that wound her up to it.
What's this? Susan's list.
Trouble is, there's too much information.
We've got every crime where a pet's been mentioned including a burglary where a fish tank got broken.
Hm What's that? Say that again.
A burglar smashed some bloke's fish tank.
Suppose the fish died, that's why it's on the list.
Cockcroft.
Hugh Cockcroft.
Yeah, that's right.
He had the accident at the power station.
There was a burglary.
Nothing much was taken.
Next thing we knew, he'd fallen into 1 00 tons of nutty slack and broken his neck.
Maybe the link isn't pets but the power station.
Think back over the last few days your father was alive.
How do you mean? Well, you work at the power station too.
Now was there anyone he had an upset with? Doesn't matter how insignificant.
Why? Do you think someone was behind it? It could be very important.
It could be it wasn't an accident.
Don't think too much.
Anything you can remember? There was a security man, Jim Spence.
He had a go at Dad for parking in the supervisor's place.
All right.
Go on.
There's Ray English and Sam Goodwin, I suppose.
I mean it wasn't Yeah? Go on.
Well, Ray was pestering me about going out with him.
Dad heard some remark, you know, the way blokes talk about girls.
Dad told Ray to stay away from me.
I didn't want him doing things like that.
You know, it was embarrassing.
OK.
Sally Wainwright, did she know this erm - English and Goodwin? - Of course.
She didn't like them.
Mr Frost, I think well, I know Sam asked me out the other day.
I was going to, but Yes, go on.
Sally said that they were trouble.
Drugs, even.
So I called it off.
But Sam got really angry.
Not with me.
With Sally.
The things he said about her, but I can't believe He wouldn't.
(Phone rings) You can't park there.
Mr Goodwin, isn't it? - Can you move? I'm going out.
- Going away, more like.
One minute.
My name is Detective Inspector Frost.
What I want from you is, where is Constable Kavanagh? - You can't just - I can just do anything I like.
I know all about Sally Wainwright.
I want to know where Susan Kavanagh is! Now! Police! Open up! It's an emergency.
I'll need some identification.
I'm Detective Inspector Frost.
Denton CID.
I've got - Look, just open up! Why don't I phone the station? Look, why don't you - oh, for Come on, which one is it? Down the end on the left.
You'd better be right.
Down the stairs! Or I'll throw you down.
(Yells) Bitch! Here, what's that? Who's that? - I don't know.
- That's your mate.
I couldn't see.
That - give us your wrist.
That wasn't the best way to go, Constable.
(Muffled scream) You pissed me off! Police! Give it up, English! Are you all right? Yes.
He knows this place like the back of his hand.
He'll find a way out! (Sirens) (Alarm rings) (Machines grind and whir) Hold on! Help me! I'm slipping! All right.
I've got you.
Argh! Give me your hand.
Give me your hand.
Hold me! Don't let me go! Just hold on! Don't let me go! Give me your hand.
Help! Don't let go! I don't want to die! Argh! Ah! I'm sorry, George.
I'm really sorry.
I tried to save him.
I just .
.
just couldn't hold on to him.
The WPC.
- ls she all right? - Yes.
You'd better tell me the rest of it.
Maybe now's not the time, George.
You said there were burglaries, that Hugh Cockcroft's death might not be an accident.
Well, it's likely that Ray went up and loosened some railings.
He knew Cockcroft went up there for a smoke.
I'm not saying he intended to kill him.
The woman in the car? She's going to pull through.
Well, that's something.
We've only .
.
got to go on what Goodwin's told us.
It seems he didn't know most of what Ray was doing.
He would say that, wouldn't he? George George, these things have happened.
And it was Ray that did them.
It's no good trying to pretend that someone else I'm pretending nothing.
My son's dead.
And that's the best thing to come out of this.
I'm not asking for an apology from you for not saving his life.
If I'd have been the one holding on to him, I'd have let him drop.
Didn't you ever get a sense that anything was wrong? You mean I should have guessed my son was barking mad? Till this happened, I was a policeman, not a bloody psychiatrist.
Anyway, it doesn't matter.
Now I don't have a son at all.
But there was something wrong, wasn't there? All the time.
I never realised, when your legs packed up, that you'd lost the use of your eyes as well.
Because, had you opened them, a number of years ago .
.
you wouldn't be sitting there telling me that you're glad your son's dead.
Get out, Jack.
I'm still sorry I didn't save him.
We found your mountain bike where you dumped it.
Where Mark dumped it.
No jury is ever going to swallow that.
You know, when something is wiped from a computer, most people think that's it - it's gone, lost for ever.
Well that ain't necessarily so.
We've got a record of the gun you took.
We also know the precise time you attempted to wipe that record from the computer.
I'm really all right, sir.
Thank you.
Good.
I hope so, because come the New Year, I'm going to learn how to capture crooks by a computer.
And you'll have to teach me all about your hardware.
Software.
See? I don't even know my hardware from my software.
Just think of it as like sex, sir.
Only the other way round.
Sex? Can't think that far back.
With computers, you put the software into the hardware.
- Oh, I see.
Yes.
- Excuse me, sir.
You still all right for that drink tomorrow? - You bet.
- Great.
Got to go, I'm on the desk.
Excuse me.
Thank you, sir.
Not at all.
Happy New Year.
You teaching her, are you? How to become a detective? Might be.
Dear, oh, dear.
Thank you very much, sir.
Jack! Jack, have another drink.
I'm on standby.
Well, I'm on duty.
Oh, well, I can't refuse a senior officer, can l? That could be the start of a promising new millennium resolution.
You never know your luck, sir.
Well, I think I do, Jack.
Cheers.
(Mobile phone rings) I think it's mine, Jack.
Yes.
Yes, you're right.
Superintendent Mullett wouldn't call me till the middle of the meal.
Hello? Yes.
Yes, I see.
I'm on my way.
There's a problem in maternity.
A difficult Caesarean.
I've got to go.
I don't believe this.
You've beaten me to it.
Well, at least I won't starve.
Happy New Year, Jack.
And to you, Shirley.
I doubt I'll get back.
I'll probably end up having a glass of cooking sherry with Superintendent Mullett.
And then I'll join the first van load of millennium drunks for Auld Lang Syne.
Auld Lang Syne.
We've got the motorbike.
No sign of the rider.
What do we know about the hostages? Bank cashiers and some old bloke.
Manager was at lunch.
Any details on the weapon? Small calibre, maybe a revolver.
Right.
Time you made contact.
(Phone rings) - Leave it! (Phone continues to ring) I told you, stay still! I can't see them.
(Phone rings) - Answer it! Go on, just do it! Hello, yes? Good God.
Jack! ls that you? Yes, that's right, Superintendent.
I'm one of the hostages.
If they try to come in here, I'll shoot! Are you all right? What are they saying? Does he know you're a policeman? Yes, that's right.
I'm Frost.
What are they saying? Mm-hm.
What are your demands? I want a car.
I want a car and I take you with me.
Right? I heard him.
I want him to come out alone, without the gun, give himself up.
(Clears throat) Excuse me.
The Superintendent of Police would like to talk to you.
Jack A few thousand pounds, that's all.
We weren't going to hurt anybody.
Why don't you talk to them? I'm sure something could be sorted out.
It's the only way I could get it, that sort of money.
I had to! Really? Why? Why was it so important? Because I look like this! Like a piece of lard.
That's my nickname.
Lardy.
I've tried everything.
Diets, pills, exercise.
But there's this new treatment.
It's guaranteed.
I had to try.
It's bad enough with your friends.
You've got to make the jokes before they do.
And don't think about fancying a girl.
It's the biggest mistake of all.
But there's this clinic in London.
There's a chemical that destroys fat.
They said I'd lose half my weight in a month, just like that.
How much does this treatment cost? £3,000.
But I've seen photos of people.
It's changed their lives.
What's your name, son? It's Keith.
Keith.
Look, I know what you're doing! Talking, listening - I know.
But I've got to find a way out.
There's no way out, Keith.
I know what's on the other side of those doors.
Police marksmen.
And you're an expert, are you? Welll do know what's out there.
Because, you see, I'm a copper.
I'm a detective inspector.
My name is Jack Frost.
(Phone rings) That will be the superintendent.
(Phone rings) Would you like me to talk to him? What will they do? Well They'll wait until you're ready to talk.
But if you go outside, with us, and that gun, they'll shoot you.
Straight through the inspector? They're marksmen.
They'll miss me .
.
but they won't miss you.
(Phone rings) Come on, Keith.
Give it up.
Come on.
Superintendent, I have the gun.
The lad's coming out.
After all that, it's a ruddy replica.
- Armed police! - Armed police! Keep looking at me.
Do as you are told and you will not be harmed.
Walk forwards slowly toward me.
Do it now.
Keep looking at me.
Keep looking at me! Let me see your hands.
Keep walking slowly toward me.
Keep looking at me.
Face down.
Do it! Keep looking toward me.
Keep looking at me.
Keep looking at me.
Spread everything you've got, and don't move a muscle, fat boy.
Ermdo you know Jack Frost? Inspector Frost? Sure.
I arranged to meet him here for lunch.
If he comes in, could you tell him (Whispers) Wellare you Are you all right? Yes, I'm fine, sir.
Fine, thank you.
It was only a replica.
Yes, well, you weren't to know that.
Well, I suppose Detective Superintendent Finlay's been beating your ear again, has he? Well, yes, Jack.
He and l, we'd both like to know what's happening with his Detective Inspector - Newcombe.
And I need details, Jack.
Well, I believe that Newcombe planted the gun that killed DC Fox, on the car thiefs.
He says he got the gun from Mrs Fox after it went off by accident, when she struggled with her husband.
Of course, she denies it.
And what have you got from Rycroft and Madikane? I think they're in the clear.
I don't believe that they're involved in the murder.
But on balance, I think that Rycroft and Madikane didn't even know DC Fox.
So it's no good Larry Finlay jumping up and down, saying he's got to interview them about the car thefts.
They've talked to the man who tried to fit them up with murder! (Phone rings) - What will a good lawyer do with that? Yes? Who? Thank you.
Jack, you'd better look at your evidence again.
Miss Madikane is in the interview room with her solicitor.
She wants to talk to you.
She wants to confess.
I'm acting on my solicitor's advice.
I understand you wish to make a statement regarding the death of Detective Constable Fox.
No, I don't.
Then what the hell are we doing here? My client wishes to make a voluntary statement concerning her involvement in the buying and transportation of cars.
- She's prepared to admit - I'm not interested in car theft! That's down to the regional crime squad.
I'm investigating the death of a police officer, as you well know.
The only questions my client has been asked so far refer to the death of a detective constable.
Since Miss Madikane knows nothing about that, I hope you won't stop her making a statement about matters which do relate to her arrest.
She can do what she likes.
As long as it doesn't involve wasting my time.
Morning, Mr Frost.
Nice Christmas? - What's this? - He wants to make a statement.
Oh, advice from your solicitor, is it, Rycroft? I've changed solicitors.
Got the same one as Miriam.
He ain't cheap.
You could probably retire on what he charges for a week's work.
Get Finlay's mob over here, will you? And when they've taken statements from our pair of high-flyers, I want to sit them at the table and interview them, about whether scams, fit-ups and fabricated evidence is standard procedure in Larry Finlay's outfit! What are you looking at? Mark Newcombe's been my number two for six years.
I was best man at his wedding.
Did you know about Mark and Helen? I knew he was seeing a married woman.
He was happier than he'd been since he split up with Sandra.
I thought, "Good for him.
None of my business.
" I had no idea who it was.
All right.
Let's just take Tim Fox and Mark Newcombe, right? Tim Fox and Mark Newcombe.
Tim Fox knows that his wife is you know, going over the side.
He pleads with her to stay, but she's in love with this other man.
Tim Fox gets heavy.
Threatens her, knocks her about a bit.
She's frightened he'll get dangerous if she does leave him.
And she's right.
When she does say she's leaving, he tries to shoot her.
Right? Now, Mark Newcombe.
He's in love with Helen Fox.
They have an affair.
After a little while, she wants to jack it in.
But lover boy here, he can't accept that.
So he stalks her and he threatens her.
But what he realises is, the only thing stopping him and Helen from sailing away into the sunset, is her husband Tim.
Right.
So what does he do? He fits Tim up.
If Tim Fox doesn't let Helen go, he will blackmail him into letting her do it.
It doesn't workso he kills him.
Right.
So, what have we got? We've either got Tim Fox and Helen as babes in the wood and Mark Newcombe as the wicked witch, or you've got Newcombe as Sir Lancelot, rescuing Lady Helen from the dragon - her old man.
Which one do you buy? Until they stop sounding like fairy stories, I don't buy either of them.
(Bleeps) You have one message.
(Shirley) You are still the most inconsiderate bastard Oh, no! Don't bother to call me back.
(Door bell) - Oh! Yes? - Shirley, I'm so - Don't.
I just saw it on the news.
You are all right? Yes, I'm fine.
Thank you.
Now I knew you wouldn't have had a decent Christmas dinner over the holidays.
So here it is.
Turkey chestnut stuffing, all the trimmings and a Christmas pudding.
Just needs heating.
Haven't eaten, have you? Er (Clears throat) No.
Why didn't you tell me straightaway? I don't know.
I would have been all right, if I hadn't had Larry Finlay's rogan josh.
You needn't have pretended.
I've given up walking out in high dudgeon.
No-one ever came to drag me back.
When we stopped seeing each other, I said a lot of things.
They don't seem to matter very much now.
No, most of them were true.
I didn't give you very much back, did l? You gave what you gave.
You never lied to me about that.
I pretended I wasn't asking anything of you, but I was.
I didn't really want to believe that the job came first.
Yes, well The job came first, all right.
I wonder how many things I've screwed up in my life.
To start with, my marriage.
Then my wife's illness.
Come on, Jack.
I knew you did everything you could for her.
No, everything I had to.
Not quite the same thing.
Do you know, we got this erm young woman.
She's been attached to the CID A WPC.
She's come to teach us about computers.
And do you know what? She only wants to be a detective.
A reasonable ambition in a police officer.
In a police officer, yeah, but not in a human being.
So, you were going to tell her all the things you wished you'd done, instead of being a detective.
It's a very short conversation.
Inspector Frost wants to talk to you.
Has he spoken to Helen yet? Has she said anything? Upstairs, Detective Inspector Newcombe.
I only do the deliveries.
This money in his building society account We needed to get Tim into a corner so he'd back off, and Helen could leave.
Whose idea was that? Was that yours or hers? It didn't happen like that.
We had to find a way out.
Yeah? I'll tell you how it happened.
You sat up, after a harmless piece of adultery, you said, "I've got an idea.
Let's fit up your husband.
We could get him the sack.
We might even be able to get him put away.
" It wasn't going to go that far.
Oh, come on.
This wasn't a way out.
This was revenge.
What about that money that was found in Tim Fox's car, that come from you? - No! - No? Where did it come from? I don't know! All right.
Let's agree on one thing.
Helen Fox was not going to leave her husband, because she still loved him.
And she told you that.
She loved me.
She couldn't stand him.
Mr Frost, you've got to talk to Helen again.
Tell her it'll be self-defence.
When she understands that, she'll tell you.
You've just bought a mountain bike.
Yeah? Christmas present? What's that got to do with anything? I'm just about to show the interviewee some tyre tracks.
Found in Oak Park, near the scene of DC Fox's murder.
You go there quite a lot, don't you? Once.
With Superintendent Finlay.
You see, these tyres are very similar to the tyres on the bike in your garage.
So similar, I'd say they're exactly the same.
I wasn't there.
ls there any forensic to put my bike in Oak Park? You bought a bike a week before the murder.
We've got tyres that match yours, at the scene, on the same day.
It'll take you ten minutes to cycle from your flat to where these tyre tracks begin at Oak Park.
The file is getting fatter.
This doesn't make sense.
And all you can say to me is, "I was on my own.
I didn't see anyone, or speak to anyone.
" I waited for Helen.
When she came, it was after After the Helen Fox said she didn't go out that day.
I don't believe you've been back to her.
She wouldn't lie if she knew you were trying to fit me up.
What about this bike? I bought two.
Why was that? In case the first one got a puncture, was it? It was a Christmas present.
One for me, the other one for Helen.
All right.
Where is this second bike? I umgave it to her last week.
It'll be at the house.
Jack, talk to her.
If she admits she shot Tim when he was trying to kill her, no-one will put her away.
Make her understand that.
Please! Hello.
A bit early for Twelfth Night, isn't it? Oh, there's so much stuff.
I don't know.
I suppose I'm looking for things to do.
Have you got a mountain bike? That's a peculiar question.
The last time I had a bike, I was 1 3.
Mark Newcombe said that he gave you one as a gift at Christmas.
A twin to the one he bought himself.
That's mad.
Oh, look at this.
Here's one for the connoisseurs.
Swindon Town v Charlton Athletic.
I would appreciate it, Mrs Fox, if you would come down to the station with me.
I've got a few questions I want to ask you in a more formal way.
Just to clear up any remaining confusion.
Of course.
I'll get my coat.
Thank you.
- I still think you should come, Dad.
- What's the point? You knew him better than I did.
You used to go fishing with him.
I gave up fishing a long time ago.
Great.
Last week you sent me round to give your condolences to the Cockcrofts, now it's all pointless.
No-one expects you to go.
- Well, I am now.
(Car horn beeps) That'll be Sam.
I don't know why you put up with that clown.
Does he give you the illusion of having brains? He's got more about him than most of the losers round here.
You'd want that fool at your funeral, wouldn't you? It's a good job you're not going, Dad.
The shock might be too much for some people.
The number of times they see you outside this house, half of them probably think you're dead already.
The finishing touch.
- Ready, Mr Orange? - Cool, Mr Pink.
I'll see if I can get us a cup of tea.
I'd prefer coffee.
I don't think I can face the Denton canteen tea.
Of course.
You used to work here, you know what to expect.
Something happens to your body if you stay here too long.
I can't get enough of the canteen tea.
Could we have Helen! They think it was me! Sergeant, what do you think you're playing at? - I've got to interview Mrs Fox! - Sorry, sir, I was Get him back to the cells.
Go on.
You've got to tell them you did it in self-defence! You killed Tim, you bastard! - Tell them! - Leave me alone! - I love you! - Leave us both alone.
- You murdered him.
- Come along.
You love me! Just go in there, please, and erjust sit down over there.
You did that on purpose.
I hope it wasn't too distressing.
There's no-one in CID, sir.
Sergeant Reddy said I'd do.
All right.
Take a chair, sit down there.
Interview with Mrs Helen Fox.
Those present, DI Frost and Constable Kavanagh.
KAVANAGH: At 1 1 :31 on the 30th December 1 999.
Right.
I've got two versions of your husband's death.
Yours and your boyfriend's, Mr Newcombe.
What DI Newcombe says is that you and he were blackmailing Mr Fox, into letting you leave him quietly.
And if your husband Tim didn't agree, he'd be thrown out of the police for corruption.
No.
I wanted to protect my husband.
I told you that.
Mr Newcombe goes on to say you shot your husband in self-defence.
That's nonsense.
We'll skip the planting of the gun during the police operation - Mr Newcombe admits that he did that, naturally.
But he claims it's a gun you gave him the night your husband was shot.
I don't know anything about a gun! What about these his and her bikes? There were no bikes.
Oh, yes, there were.
Two.
I've seen Mr Newcombe's receipt.
I wouldn't have accepted anything from him.
We weren't even talking by then.
You know stories come with big holes and little holes, Mrs Fox.
Mark Newcombe's story's got many holes.
That's not surprising.
What is surprising is a story that has no holes at all, that's remembered perfectly.
People aren't like that.
Your story makes perfect sense, from beginning to end.
You've told it several times.
You remembered it backwards.
You never change a single word.
I know where I was the night my husband was killed.
I know I was afraid of Mark Newcombe.
Does that make me a liar? I'll have to consider it.
If you did kill your husband that night, you didn't do it in self-defence.
You did it because you'd planned it.
That's not true! Oh, yeah? Yes.
When I pulled in DI Newcombe .
.
that's when he became expendable.
Because, you see, the finger points at him putting the money in the car.
Because he planted the cash in Tim's building society account.
But the night your husband was killed, you put that £1 ,000 in the car.
I never believed the police would go this far to protect each other.
I had an affair, yeah, but I loved my husband.
Mark murdered him.
Your husband's life was well insured.
A lot of money.
That why you did it? We were both insured for the same amount.
If anything happened to either of us, we wanted to know the other one would be all right.
Or was it because he wasn't a very good copper? He failed his sergeant's exam twice.
That's not a very easy thing to do.
Wasn't very ambitious.
Why are you doing this to me? Because it's my job, Mrs Fox! All right.
You can go home now.
I'll arrange for someone to take you.
Please, don't bother.
Interview ended at 1 1 :33.
You know, Lord, the secrets of our hearts.
Shut not your merciful ears to our prayer, but spare us.
Lord most holy, God most mighty.
Most holy and merciful Saviour.
Thou most worthy judge eternal.
Suffer us not at our final hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.
Bless the Lord, my soul.
The Lord my God, thou art very great.
Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain, who layeth the beams of his chambers in the water.
Give thanks unto the Lord.
Call upon his name.
Make known his deeds among the people, sing unto him, sing psalms unto him.
Talk ye all of his wondrous words.
ls that the cold silence of disapproval, Constable? You think she did it? I don't know.
Maybe Newcombe did.
I'm floundering, all right? But what I am doing is turning up the heat, to see if I can start a fire.
It's an old CID technique.
There's no computer programme for it.
Listen She is not right.
And Newcombe is just a little bit righter.
Not a lot, but just a bit.
All right, come on, then.
What do you think? You've got no evidence against her and she knows it.
If she's guilty, she won't put her hands up because you shout at her.
- I didn't shout at her.
- Close enough.
Maybe I did.
Maybe I ought to lean on her a bit harder.
Bully her a bit more.
You see, what we deal with is unpleasant.
Sometimes, you have to take hold of what is unpleasant inside you and use it.
- Now, if you can't do that - I'm sure I could learn, sir.
I've met my fair share of unpleasant detectives.
Ah! Mr Mullett's? Thanks.
ANNE: We're all erm going to the house.
I don't know if you Ray and l, we've got to get back to work.
Oh.
Your family's not in Denton? Hertfordshire.
But they're in Scotland now.
My sister lives there.
- Are you seeing them over the holidays? - I couldn't stand all that.
Mince pies and long walks.
Longer arguments.
Babies throwing up.
- Anne, the car's going.
- Coming, Sally.
I don't know if some time over New Year, if you want a drink or Let's do that.
I'll see you.
Yeah? So, what was all that with Anne Moore? We're going to have a drink.
See? What did I tell you? That Sally Wainwright, I could do her a favour.
The way she was looking at me across that coffin Positively indecent.
She thought we were a couple of prats.
Oh, Sammy, Sammy.
When are you going to learn? She just doesn't appreciate a quality product when she sees it.
I'll just have to teach her a lesson, won't l? (Machinery thunders) Sammy! (Shrill whistle) (Mouths) RAY: So what do you reckon? - She's not interested, Ray.
- They're all interested.
We're collecting for Mrs Cockcroft.
People feel they want to do something, so Yeah, of course, Sal.
That's very generous.
- That's all I've got on me.
- Thanks, Sam.
- See you later.
- Thanks again, Ray.
- ls that all you've got to say? - Sorry? Sam's going out for a drink with Anne.
Do you want to make it a foursome? Gives us the option of swapping at half-time.
I don't want to go out with you.
You asked me once before, I said no before.
You'll want to keep an eye on Anne, though.
When wild-man Goodwin gets her in the back of his car, and that hormonal overdrive just kicks in, it could take two responsible adults to tear them off each other.
When did you turn into an adult? Was that temper, Sally? Always a good sign.
You want to stop suppressing those feelings.
I know you love me.
I don't even like you, Ray.
I like you even less after your performance at the funeral.
You couldn't see a dead man buried without your stupid joke.
If you can't grow up, at least behave with a bit of decency.
You're pathetic.
And your mate's no better.
I've talked to Anne.
She won't be going for that drink.
You might as well pass the message on.
Mr Cockcroft thought you were a nasty piece of work.
He was right.
(Coins clatter) I told you to leave it.
I said Sally didn't want to go out with you.
Sally Wainwright's a nobody.
Last year she's dishing up pigswill, then she gets a badge that says Manager.
Suddenly she's better than anyone else? She's a dumb bitch.
It wasn't Sally I was asking out.
They're mates.
Now you know Anne's a dumb bitch too.
I doubt she screws till your second date.
RAY: Think of the money I've saved you.
Who the hell does she think she is, slagging me off like that? - Forget it.
- I don't think so.
Sally Wainwright wants taking down a peg or two.
(Laughs) Who? By you? Don't make me laugh.
You don't exactly scare her, Sammy.
Well maybe she should think again.
Go on.
Don't take all night.
Trix, come on.
Trixie! Come on.
(Dog whines) - What are you doing? Trixie? Trix? (Toots horn) Where did you disappear to last night? Nowhere.
Did you have another try at persuading Little Miss Moore? You were right.
She's just another loser.
Who isn't in this place? So Sally's safe from the wrath of Sam, is she? I wouldn't say that.
Ooh! Frightening! You're an animal, Sammy! Oh! Morning.
I would like the body back.
I know it's the sort of thing you probably dump in the incinerator - Course not.
We'll get it back to you.
- Thank you.
Bye bye.
What was all that? Did I miss the memo saying not to return bodies to the nearest and dearest unless they specially request it? It's her dog.
It got shot.
Oh, yeah? Where? In her back garden.
Just outside Denton.
She works at the power station.
Would it tie in with Sergeant Brady's cats, do you reckon? It's the same area.
Another random shooting of a pet.
Does that young lady have any ideas? She assumes it's kids.
Doesn't sound like kids to me.
If they did, they didn't get the rifle from Father Christmas.
Susan Kavanagh is making a file on all this, on her computer.
Tell her to shove the dog in.
At least we'll have everything in a decent order.
You know, some people are still working with microchips and information technology.
Me, I've skipped all that.
I'm onto the chaos theory.
I like to see a man who knows how to enjoy himself.
What's the matter with you? Mullett.
He's only landed this computer woman on me.
As you know, Jack, I've got my own system.
Yes, and so has PC Kavanagh, and hers is ten times quicker.
Hm.
Eh? What's happening with Newcombe? (GROANS) I don't know.
It's not easy.
It's easier for him than Helen.
Didn't she used to work for you? Yeah.
Nothing was too much trouble.
She didn't bring in a system you need a degree to understand.
And she still got our amnesty record into the computer at HQ before any other station in the division.
She was here during the gun amnesty? Yeah.
That's why Mullett sent her to work with me.
I was running the amnesty, but we had so much in - All right, come on.
Come with me.
What about my dinner? Leave it! This is important.
Excuse me Excuse me.
We had several .
38s in.
What about this one? It looks familiar, like a short-barrel .
38.
I remember thinking one of them was.
What about the list? We'd had over 50 weapons in.
Four of them were .
38s.
No, wait a minute.
It was only three.
ls this one of them? No.
Different serial numbers.
In fact, different makes.
Two Smith and Wessons.
It's not even the same specification.
I could have sworn there were four.
Helen Fox did this, didn't she? Filled in the details on the records.
From my notes.
If a gun went missing .
.
would it be possible to wipe the details from the computer? By Helen? I don't believe it.
Oh, Inspector Frost.
About those dead cats and dogs - Never mind about that now.
I've got something else to ask you.
If information has been wiped from a computer, is there any way of getting it back? It depends what backup was being used.
This was six months ago, maybe more.
Was the information sent to HQ? Of course it was.
That was the whole idea.
But this is what went up to HQ.
ls there any way of getting back wiped information? If there are other versions of the files.
Old backups.
It's unlikely, but there are programmes.
Well, there you are.
You want to be a detective, so forget moggies for a minute and find me something that isn't there.
- There's almost no chance.
- I know.
There never is.
That's what makes the job such a pile of .
.
challenges.
It's going to be a long haul, Miss Madikane, no matter how much you pay your lawyers.
Are you a betting man, Mr Frost? No, no.
Wise.
You couldn't afford to lose.
I'll send you a postcard from Barbados.
Oh, yeah? Well, there you go.
All yours.
Remember I said I didn't want your investigation screwing up this operation? Well, something along those lines, sir, yeah.
Now there's every chance Madikane and Rycroft's statements are worthless.
They'll claim they made them under duress, where they were set up for murdering a copper, with a gun planted on them.
Well, that won't get them far, will it? Maybe, with the right lawyers.
Tainted evidence.
It could taint anything we come up with.
You could even end up being called as a witness for the defence.
Well, you always said it didn't smell right, didn't you? Yeah.
Well, now it stinks.
Thanks a bunch.
That's all right.
It wasn't me who decided that they'd kill Tim Fox.
I was only doing the spadework.
Like you asked me tosir.
Will you be working on millennium night? Well, no.
We're on standby.
We all are.
Same here.
Just in case the millennium bug strikes and causes anarchy and chaos to the streets of Denton, Superintendent Mullett and l will be there to save the day.
I guess I'm like you.
If I wasn't on standby, I'd be volunteering.
I know.
So would l.
Breaking the habit of a lifetime.
Jack, if you could, you would move into Denton police station.
Ahno.
You see, I read about this trip to India.
Watch the millennium dawn over the Taj Mahal.
£25,000.
I was going to book it, but I was a bit late.
Well, with all the usual provisos about you getting called away, New Year's Eve, as you've missed out on the Taj Mahal, how about a tikka masala at The Golden Curry? All right, you're on.
It's only about £24,995 cheaper.
But .
.
what about the dawning over Denton? Hm? Up yours, Inspector Frost.
TV: .
.
and this area of high pressure will move south, bringing icy patches to many roads in sheltered areas.
It will be a clear night with light winds and it will feel bitterly cold.
(Light music) RADIO: How was it for you? What about the pressies that you got? I got a pair of socks and two pounds from my Auntie Jean (Horn blares) (Screams) Ah.
I want that mountain bike that Helen Fox dumped.
It's the last piece.
It must be in a limited radius.
Well, come on.
Get out the maps and wellies.
Get the team moving.
You'd think this was a holiday.
Forensic want a word - they've got a suspicious traffic accident.
You go and handle it, Sergeant.
On your way back, get me a sandwich.
Chicken.
If you can't get chicken, get cheese.
If you can't get cheese, just go and buy some.
I want that mountain bike, go on.
Oi, by the way, have you seen Susan Kavanagh? Not today sir, no.
If you do, tell her I owe her a drink.
She can have a splash of lime in her lager.
Go on.
Car went out of control on Broad Street last night going down the hill.
- Woman's in a coma.
- Had she been drinking? Apparently not.
She was on her way to a party.
It's an old car, it's not well maintained.
The brakes failed.
But this is what struck me as odd.
The scratches here, and here.
On the chassis.
Has it been tampered with? It looks like something's been dragged across the cables recently.
Sharp teethhacksaw, possibly.
Now, the cut on this piece of cable, is too clean to have happened naturally.
I don't think this was an accident.
Do we know who she was? Sally Wainwright, Fairview Road.
I know her.
She came in to see me yesterday.
Somebody shot her dog.
Look what's been happening around Kimmington, the last six months.
Person or persons unknown, killing cats.
Nasty, vicious, random.
And several burglaries.
Not a lot taken, but a lot of damage done.
I reckon that's what it's all about.
Next, Sally Wainwright.
Her dog gets shot, .
22 bullet, same as the cats.
She goes out, someone's fiddled with the brakes.
Car goes out of control, she's in hospital in a coma.
Might even die.
And you think that was the intention? Yes.
Sally Wainwright was targeted.
That means there must be a motive.
I believe there was a motive for the rest, too.
The damaged furniture, the cats, the lot.
Well, you're talking about a very warped mind, Jack.
Very warped.
Yes.
In my experience, the only place with more warp factors is the Starship Enterprise.
(Distant rock music) (Knock on door) If it's that bastard complaining about the noise again They haven't called about the bloody music? You bunch of losers! Hello.
It's just a routine call, sir.
Are you Mr S Goodwin, the holder of a licence of a .
22 rifle? Come in.
It's about my gun licence.
It's here somewhere.
I saw it.
What do you use the rifle for? Rabbits.
I've got an allotment.
No-one knows why.
I've never seen a vegetable off it.
Well, I would like to see the weapon.
I need to establish it matches this serial number.
I may need to take it in, to eliminate it from the enquiries.
Like I said, I keep it in the allotment in a shed.
That doesn't sound secure.
It should be here, in a secure cabinet.
I'd like to see it.
Now would be fine.
Sam will drive down and you follow, right? You won't do him just for not keeping the rifle in the flat? Not with New Year's Eve and all that.
I'll be right behind you.
(Car horn toots) When you wipe a disc, the stuff's still actually on it, till more information's dumped on top.
I didn't know you could retrieve it, but Susan used some programme.
So this is the gun that killed Tim Fox.
Serial number's here.
It says it came with six rounds.
The gun was in the station, and Fox had access and opportunity.
Now we've got evidence that she wiped it off the records.
I trusted Helen.
Yeah, well.
So did Mark Newcombe.
So did her husband.
A .
22 rifle, she said.
They know what they're looking for.
What are they going to prove? It's on the allotment.
Anyone could get hold of it.
The most they can do you for is being a careless git.
Ray, I didn't say about Sally's dog.
What are you talking about? I wanted to take Sally down a peg.
I was going to tell you.
Like with the cats and doing over houses when people pissed us off.
You stupid, ignorant moron.
It's where Sam meditates.
The door did have a lock on.
I'll sort it out.
A child could walk in there.
- Ray, what the hell are you doing? - I'm cleaning up your mess.
If you don't want to join her, help me get rid of her.
Susan here? No.
She's in CID, isn't she? No.
Doesn't she realise that skiving is a privilege reserved for inspectors? She's working on that other job you gave her.
- What other job? - Dead cats and dogs.
There was forensic on the bullet in the dead dog.
She mapped licences for .
22 rifles, came up with some names and addresses, right area, and went to check with the licence holders.
Where is this list? It'll be on her laptop.
Get it printed, fast! If we don't stop her, she could be checking up on a murderer.
I'm at work now, so get your fat arse in gear and be here for eleven.
You do what I bloody say, Samuel, or do you want to go the same way? Not your fault, Jack.
She's done exactly what I would have done in her shoes.
She's gone out to prove that she can hack it.
I was the one that wound her up to it.
What's this? Susan's list.
Trouble is, there's too much information.
We've got every crime where a pet's been mentioned including a burglary where a fish tank got broken.
Hm What's that? Say that again.
A burglar smashed some bloke's fish tank.
Suppose the fish died, that's why it's on the list.
Cockcroft.
Hugh Cockcroft.
Yeah, that's right.
He had the accident at the power station.
There was a burglary.
Nothing much was taken.
Next thing we knew, he'd fallen into 1 00 tons of nutty slack and broken his neck.
Maybe the link isn't pets but the power station.
Think back over the last few days your father was alive.
How do you mean? Well, you work at the power station too.
Now was there anyone he had an upset with? Doesn't matter how insignificant.
Why? Do you think someone was behind it? It could be very important.
It could be it wasn't an accident.
Don't think too much.
Anything you can remember? There was a security man, Jim Spence.
He had a go at Dad for parking in the supervisor's place.
All right.
Go on.
There's Ray English and Sam Goodwin, I suppose.
I mean it wasn't Yeah? Go on.
Well, Ray was pestering me about going out with him.
Dad heard some remark, you know, the way blokes talk about girls.
Dad told Ray to stay away from me.
I didn't want him doing things like that.
You know, it was embarrassing.
OK.
Sally Wainwright, did she know this erm - English and Goodwin? - Of course.
She didn't like them.
Mr Frost, I think well, I know Sam asked me out the other day.
I was going to, but Yes, go on.
Sally said that they were trouble.
Drugs, even.
So I called it off.
But Sam got really angry.
Not with me.
With Sally.
The things he said about her, but I can't believe He wouldn't.
(Phone rings) You can't park there.
Mr Goodwin, isn't it? - Can you move? I'm going out.
- Going away, more like.
One minute.
My name is Detective Inspector Frost.
What I want from you is, where is Constable Kavanagh? - You can't just - I can just do anything I like.
I know all about Sally Wainwright.
I want to know where Susan Kavanagh is! Now! Police! Open up! It's an emergency.
I'll need some identification.
I'm Detective Inspector Frost.
Denton CID.
I've got - Look, just open up! Why don't I phone the station? Look, why don't you - oh, for Come on, which one is it? Down the end on the left.
You'd better be right.
Down the stairs! Or I'll throw you down.
(Yells) Bitch! Here, what's that? Who's that? - I don't know.
- That's your mate.
I couldn't see.
That - give us your wrist.
That wasn't the best way to go, Constable.
(Muffled scream) You pissed me off! Police! Give it up, English! Are you all right? Yes.
He knows this place like the back of his hand.
He'll find a way out! (Sirens) (Alarm rings) (Machines grind and whir) Hold on! Help me! I'm slipping! All right.
I've got you.
Argh! Give me your hand.
Give me your hand.
Hold me! Don't let me go! Just hold on! Don't let me go! Give me your hand.
Help! Don't let go! I don't want to die! Argh! Ah! I'm sorry, George.
I'm really sorry.
I tried to save him.
I just .
.
just couldn't hold on to him.
The WPC.
- ls she all right? - Yes.
You'd better tell me the rest of it.
Maybe now's not the time, George.
You said there were burglaries, that Hugh Cockcroft's death might not be an accident.
Well, it's likely that Ray went up and loosened some railings.
He knew Cockcroft went up there for a smoke.
I'm not saying he intended to kill him.
The woman in the car? She's going to pull through.
Well, that's something.
We've only .
.
got to go on what Goodwin's told us.
It seems he didn't know most of what Ray was doing.
He would say that, wouldn't he? George George, these things have happened.
And it was Ray that did them.
It's no good trying to pretend that someone else I'm pretending nothing.
My son's dead.
And that's the best thing to come out of this.
I'm not asking for an apology from you for not saving his life.
If I'd have been the one holding on to him, I'd have let him drop.
Didn't you ever get a sense that anything was wrong? You mean I should have guessed my son was barking mad? Till this happened, I was a policeman, not a bloody psychiatrist.
Anyway, it doesn't matter.
Now I don't have a son at all.
But there was something wrong, wasn't there? All the time.
I never realised, when your legs packed up, that you'd lost the use of your eyes as well.
Because, had you opened them, a number of years ago .
.
you wouldn't be sitting there telling me that you're glad your son's dead.
Get out, Jack.
I'm still sorry I didn't save him.
We found your mountain bike where you dumped it.
Where Mark dumped it.
No jury is ever going to swallow that.
You know, when something is wiped from a computer, most people think that's it - it's gone, lost for ever.
Well that ain't necessarily so.
We've got a record of the gun you took.
We also know the precise time you attempted to wipe that record from the computer.
I'm really all right, sir.
Thank you.
Good.
I hope so, because come the New Year, I'm going to learn how to capture crooks by a computer.
And you'll have to teach me all about your hardware.
Software.
See? I don't even know my hardware from my software.
Just think of it as like sex, sir.
Only the other way round.
Sex? Can't think that far back.
With computers, you put the software into the hardware.
- Oh, I see.
Yes.
- Excuse me, sir.
You still all right for that drink tomorrow? - You bet.
- Great.
Got to go, I'm on the desk.
Excuse me.
Thank you, sir.
Not at all.
Happy New Year.
You teaching her, are you? How to become a detective? Might be.
Dear, oh, dear.
Thank you very much, sir.
Jack! Jack, have another drink.
I'm on standby.
Well, I'm on duty.
Oh, well, I can't refuse a senior officer, can l? That could be the start of a promising new millennium resolution.
You never know your luck, sir.
Well, I think I do, Jack.
Cheers.
(Mobile phone rings) I think it's mine, Jack.
Yes.
Yes, you're right.
Superintendent Mullett wouldn't call me till the middle of the meal.
Hello? Yes.
Yes, I see.
I'm on my way.
There's a problem in maternity.
A difficult Caesarean.
I've got to go.
I don't believe this.
You've beaten me to it.
Well, at least I won't starve.
Happy New Year, Jack.
And to you, Shirley.
I doubt I'll get back.
I'll probably end up having a glass of cooking sherry with Superintendent Mullett.
And then I'll join the first van load of millennium drunks for Auld Lang Syne.
Auld Lang Syne.