Spooks s07e05 Episode Script
On the Brink
We recently uncovered a man we misplaced in Moscow.
Oscar is dead.
I know he's dead.
I've missed you.
I have to go.
There is someone who was working with Hugo Prince at the time.
Connie.
You and he were quite close, weren't you? Hardly knew him.
Somebody has been talking to the Russians.
The Kremlin is attempting to destabilise this country, which is a stepping stone on Russia's path towards becoming the world's first energy superpower.
'The Bank of England has today ceased to prop up the financial markets, 'sparking fears the reserves have reached a critical low.
'Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gillian Calderwood, 'defended Britain's financial prospects.
' 'I believe Britain is weathering the storm.
'The worst of the credit crunch is now behind us.
'There are no more losses to uncover, no more grounds for runs on banks.
'So my message to the British public is to have confidence in us and confidence in themselves.
'Together, we are putting Britain back on track.
' 'The spectre of rising inflation is haunting the world's leading economists.
' 'Companies that sent out a consumer consensus say that confidence is weak, 'and there have been some statistics showing that spending in the capital is now weak.
' 'Economic growth is slowing, fears of stagflation, stagnant growth 'combined with accelerating inflation' 'Inflation is now well above the Government's target of just 2%.
' Chancellor, you've met Francis Denham, Chairman of Highland Life Bank.
Chancellor.
Thanks.
The reason we've asked you here today is this man.
Alexis Meynell, one of the richest financiers in the world.
City legend is he made his first big deal with a huge bet against airline stocks, the morning of 9/11.
As the second plane ploughed into its target, Meynell made £15 billion.
Since then, he's become the world's biggest financial vulture.
If an economy is weak, he preys on it.
'Higher inflation means bigger bills.
' 'The banks have made unwise lending decisions that were taken overseas' '.
.
the downward part of that boom-bust cycle 'that we can expect to see' His method is to start runs on banks, spreading rumours that a bank's in trouble, causing depositors to withdraw their money.
He then places a bet that the value of the bank's share price will collapse.
While others lose everything, he walks away with millions.
Insider trading.
On a vast scale.
We know his target's Francis's bank, Highland Life.
But he's too clever to leave a trail of evidence.
So I've sent my section chief, undercover, to find some.
'.
.
that's leading the fall in the housing and property prices, 'which makes us all feel a lot poorer.
Minister, this man is dangerous.
Meynell's bully tactics could cause the whole economy to collapse.
Now he's here.
No mobiles, please.
'It's the end of a super pool that has lasted since the end of the Second World War.
' We need you to do exactly as we say.
You need to freeze Meynell's assets before he tries anything.
I can't, without hard evidence.
This is the worst crisis for 80 years.
If Meynell starts a run on Highland Life or any other bank, millions of people will lose everything.
I really think this is a Minister, my bank holds a million and a half mortgages, two million savings accounts.
I can't let Meynell threaten those.
We'll get you the evidence, but you'll have to freeze Meynell's assets.
Jenny Hunter.
Chandler Rouse.
Meynell is obsessively cautious.
But we were able to turn one of his managers.
Soon after that, Asset called to say that he needed to meet.
We never saw him alive again.
Your office always sends me Helen Webster.
Helen had to take personal leave, but she's passed me the file and I'm fully up to date with your tax situation.
AsaGet Miss Hunter a desk.
This belongs to us.
We see everything that goes in or out on it.
All UK tax issues are your responsibility.
Any questions, don't talk to the other managers, come straight to me or Alexis.
Glad to be on board.
Yeah He burnt out.
Asa, check Miss Hunter's credentials.
Meynell doesn't allow mobile phones in his office.
We've had to improvise a way of getting information in and out.
Take care, Francis.
Thanks, Harry.
I knew I could count on you.
We'll work this out.
It's time.
Can I get some coffee? Sure.
A double macchiato with skimmed milk and a shot of hazelnut syrup.
Ben got a coded alert from Ros.
Meynell's about to do something.
This is it.
He's released a rumour to unsettle the market.
Tell Gillian Calderwood we'll find proof it's him.
'One of the High Street's leading banks is rumoured to be on the brink of collapse.
'City workers arrived at their desks this morning to find an anonymous email' Minister, Lucas North.
I assume you've seen the latest? Yes.
And I have Francis Denham with me.
We've just issued a statement denying the rumour.
Classic Meynell.
Anonymous e-mail containing untraceable allegations against a major bank.
If you can steady the City's nerves, our officer will prove that this is sabotage.
She'd better hurry.
In 10 minutes, the market will go haywire.
We've got to freeze his assets.
Jo, I need you to get a message to Ros.
We need proof that that e-mail came from Meynell - now.
What do you mean, you've frozen all account transfers? Everything I have is with you.
You must let me! 'The chairman Sir Francis Denham joined the Treasury 'in condemning the anonymous e-mail rumours as malicious lies.
'He insisted his bank was not hiding bad debts or sub prime losses and remained in good health.
' Thanks.
OK, everybody, here we go.
- 'One of the High Street banks is on the brink of collapse.
' - Highland Life is dropping.
'City workers arrived at their desks this morning' Chancellor, my officer is working to prove that Meynell is launching these rumours, but you must deal with what's happening now.
He's right.
We know what he's trying to do.
You have to calm the market, show some confidence in Highland Life.
We need 10 billion to show the market the economy's too strong to be hurt by rumours.
The Treasury lent 150 billion to High Street banks this year.
Anything more, we'll be shutting schools.
You have to do this, Chancellor.
It'll cost 10 times as much if the bank collapses.
There's no other way, Gillian, you have to step in.
Come on.
Do something! Every penny I've saved is with Highland Life.
I'm done for.
You're doing the right thing, Gillian.
'Unexpected relief for Highland Life shareholders today with the surprise 'announcement that the Treasury is to back confidence in the troubled bank with an extra £10 billion.
'The Treasury are attempting to quell rumours that Highland Life are sitting on huge undeclared debts.
' Those bastards.
Francis Denham, you have friends in high places.
Excuse me, Alexis, I need you to sign this authorisation so I can put together the return.
I'm assuming we don't share the Government's confidence that Highland Life's troubles are rumours? We don't, and we're right.
But if they're willing to match us, we'll have to re-think.
We've already put 8 billion into this.
We didn't think they'd stretch to that.
If you're sure Highland Life's in trouble, it doesn't matter how far they go.
They can't lie to the market indefinitely.
My thought exactly.
Double our position.
We can't do that! You heard me.
They're willing to go to 10, we go to 16.
They go to 16, we go to 32.
We don't stop until they run out! If the price keeps recovering, we are destroyed! Come on, Asa, where are your balls, eh? Where are all your balls? Now, this is what we do.
We are the forces that drive this market.
This is us versus the establishment.
Our truth versus their lies! Yes? Put me through to the brokers.
Alexis would like you to double our position against Highland Life.
That's right, 16 billion.
Just do it, please.
'House prices could tumble by as much as a third.
' 'A hundred, or even two hundred billion.
' What's happening now? The price is crashing! This is him again.
This is Meynell trying to show he's big enough to move the market.
But you have to match him.
The only way to stop this is to show you're not scared.
You can't back down.
Not now we've come this far.
Gillian? I'm sorry, Francis.
There's nothing left.
You're abandoning me? I can suspend trading in Highland Life shares for 24 hours.
The whole thing will start again tomorrow.
My bank will be ruined.
There's nothing else I can do.
I simply don't have the money.
Now, we wait.
'Fresh concern for the two million homeowners with Highland Life mortgages, 'with news that the Government has suspended trading shares in the troubled bank.
' Comes to something when you leave for work in the morning after 30 years in the service and find yourself manhandled back by your own side.
If I suspect you of being part of a possible security breach Security breach?! .
.
then I have to exclude you from the grid and deny you access to communication.
Let's let them get on with their job.
I think we both know the outcome we're hoping for.
So far, everything about her seems fine.
She's got glowing references wherever she's been.
Almost too perfect.
Sowhere were you before Chandler Rouse? Different places.
I spent quite a long time in the Cayman Islands.
The Caymans? Then you must have come across Freddie Vincent - of the Equity Partnership? Oh, yeah, everybody knows Freddie.
Great, why don't I e-mail him? I think he's in town.
He's due at an event I'm holding later.
If you wanted to catch up with him, you could come too.
Alexis? Yes? Sounds lovely.
Why don't you see if his partner's around? Alexis! They've blinked! Quickly, turn it up.
'It seems that despite their wish not to be dictated to by what one insider described 'as false and malicious rumour-mongering, the Treasury decided 'it had no option except to freeze all trading on the bank's shares.
'This can only be a temporary measure.
'Pressure remains on Highland Life to open its accounts and prove that it's not hiding undisclosed losses.
'That pressure will intensify once trading resumes in its shares tomorrow morning.
' Sowe were right.
Yes.
But I didn't have to put eight billion on it.
All right, playtime's over.
Let's get back to work.
Alexis? You forgot this.
Where are you going? Guilty habit.
I'll come too.
Only be a minute.
It's these earrings.
'The Governor of the Bank of England wrote to the Chancellor, 'explaining why inflation is so high and what's being done about it.
' She's got Meynell with her, we'll have to improvise.
So what's next? We settle up, or stay in and hope the price keeps falling? I've got them in sight.
You're very inquisitive, aren't you? I am about tax, yes.
Well, what happens next is that we watch Gillian Calderwood wriggle.
Allow me.
So you don't mind if Highland Life collapses, taking half the banking system with it? Are you seriously asking me to feel sorry for a politician who'd sell us all for a thousand votes? For fat cat board members raking in enormous salaries for doing absolutely nothing? Ah! It's empty.
I never drop litter.
She's made the drop.
What's Francis Denham doing here? Jo, be quick! Jo, make the drop! Jo, get out - Denham's behind you! Are you scared? I've come to ask you to stop what you're doing.
Look at you, you pathetic, self-interested little man.
You played the market and now you've lost.
Even if I've made mistakes, millions will suffer if my bank collapses.
People who don't deserve to.
They were your responsibility, not mine.
PleaseI'll do anything.
Don't touch me! Now, I have work to do.
Shall we? Malcolm, do a search.
Anything relating to Highland Life.
I need something to shut him down.
Jo, everything all right? Fine.
We had to improvise, but Meynell didn't notice.
It's found nothing.
This can trawl incoming, sent and deleted items for keywords and related variations.
It's found nothing.
Whatever sabotage e-mails he sent, he didn't do it from this account.
Right, I think it's time I paid a visit to Meynell's office.
'Harry Pearce, please leave a message.
' Harry, it's Francis.
I need to see you.
Usual place.
The situation is worse than I admitted, a lot worse.
I'm afraid I may have destroyed everything.
No, we found nothing, sir.
Thank you.
So, is that it? Is this over now? Harry, I don't know what theory this is part of, or what you've got on your mind Do you want to know what's on my mind, Connie? You and Hugo Prince.
But then, you barely knew him, did you? If I lied to you about Hugo Prince, it was because it was private.
Then you don't deny that you had a long-standing affair with him? I know what you're implying.
But unlike you, Hugo knew when to stop.
Whatever time we had, he didn't spend it talking about work.
How sweet.
It's true.
And I might even believe it, if it weren't the case that there's no other explanation.
For what? What did he tell you, Connie, about operations he and I worked on together? Nothing, Harry, nothing.
What did he pass to you? Harry, I don't deserve to be talked to like this.
What did he pass to you? Harry Don't! Because whatever it was, I will not allow you to jeopardise the operation he and I worked on.
Fine.
Do you want to see it? Do you want to see the only thing Hugo Prince ever gave me? I was summoned to his hospital bed.
I thought it might be for some declaration of love, or a meaningful token by which I could remember what we had.
But of course, that wasn't Hugo's way.
All I got was a pat on the bum and this tacky souvenir.
Harry! I promise you, I've never seen that before in my life.
'Hello, Harry, it's Hugo.
'If you're listening to this, it's because there's been a breach.
'I think you'll know what I'm talking about.
'And if that's happened, then I know my relationship with Connie will have placed her under suspicion.
'That's why I've left you this message.
'Because I want you to be sure that at no time did I ever mention to Connie, 'or pass on to her, anything relating to the matters we worked on.
'Though I never told her, Connie was the most precious thing to me.
'Maybe the most precious thing of all.
'And I know my selfishness caused her enough harm while I was alive.
'And I couldn't bear to leave her vulnerable, now that I'm going.
'I hope you understand.
' It's all right, Harry.
I understand.
I know you had to do it.
First new message.
'Harry, it's Francis, I need to see you.
Usual place.
Message deleted.
Next new message.
'Harry, are you there? Please call me back Message deleted.
Next new message.
'Usual place.
Please, I need to speak to you Harry, please return my call.
'Harry? 'Please, Harry, please! Call me back, call me.
'I need to speak to you End of messages.
' Francis? Francis! 'Concern has been expressed today that the apparent suicide of Highland Life president Francis Denham 'may signal a tragic turning point for Britain's economic outlook.
' 'Lucas, we have a problem.
' Francis Denham is dead, suicide.
There's something he wasn't telling us.
Get to Ros, fast.
'Anxious members of the public queued for hours today 'trying to withdraw their savings 'from the troubled high street bank, Highland Life' Alexis, if she's distracting you, get rid of her.
She's not distracting me.
This is not the time.
She intrigues me.
Delivered in person.
Pete Thank you, darling.
There was nothing on the SIM card, the Treasury are going crazy.
People are trying to withdraw money.
Calderwood says that they don't have enough funds to save the bank.
We need to prove what Meynell's up to, so you'll have to get closer to him.
A lot closer.
The last person we said that to ended up face down in the Thames.
Well, that last person wasn't you.
Thanks for your concern, though I'm not sure you pitching up here as my boyfriend is going to help.
Come on, Ros, you know what men are like.
It's all in the challenge.
Alexis, this is my partner, Pete.
Fiance Pete, hi.
Sorry, I'm still not used to saying that.
Oh, you don't wear an engagement ring either.
Well, we haven't been out to choose one yet.
You know, I don't normally allow visitors into my place of work.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I just popped in because I work around the corner.
Where would that be? At what some might call a proper bank, Zurich International.
Right.
Then you'll have received my invitation to the little fundraiser later? Well, my PA doesn't always pass on social stuff.
It's not social.
I'm launching the British arm of my charitable foundation.
And I know Zurich take philanthropy very seriously.
Well, in that case, how can I refuse? Good.
Shall we? See you later.
That guy who just came in, I recognise him.
I don't think it's from the City.
Dig.
Find out everything you can.
'The close of yet another turbulent day for the market saw Highland Life share prices at an all-time low, 'amid concerns for the troubled bank's future.
'We've got less in the basket, we have to make, basic cuts.
'There are widespread reports that inflation is up' You need to countersign the return.
No problem.
City shorthand.
Basically, Meynell's switching position on Highland Life.
This morning, he was betting that the value would go down.
Now, he's taking billions to buy back in.
Where's he getting so much capital from? Who knows? What if it's a trap? Even it is, we have to walk into it to find out what's going on.
Thank you.
Now, it's hard to sell charity to the City at the moment.
Most of you probably feel we should be on the receiving end of it.
But it's easy to give during the good times.
It's now, in the uncertain ones, that we can prove that we're serious about helping others.
I set up Freshwater many years ago to help people in real need, people who aren't going to be concerned by the collapse of a bank.
They don't have bank accounts.
They don't have clean drinking water.
You have to give it to him.
He's got something.
They don't have food on the table.
They don't have roofs over their heads.
They have none of the things that we take for granted Who's that? Asa Darlek.
Meynell's right-hand man.
So, as someone once said There's something familiar about him.
.
.
sell a man a fish and he eats for the day.
Teach him how to catch it, and you ruin a great business opportunity.
But as someone else more eloquently put it, "Give me your effing moneynow!" Thank you.
Give me one minute with him.
Jenny.
Very good.
Thank you.
"Sell a man a fish.
" Hmm.
Why quote Karl Marx to a room full of bankers? Well, nobody understood capitalism as well as Marx.
Because he wanted to destroy it? Oh, no, because he knew it would destroy itself.
Pete, glad you could make it.
Oh, well, I'll go anywhere for a glass of champagne.
I love these events, the City pretending it cares.
I'm not sure everyone shares your cynicism, Pete.
Come on, this is just one big tax dodge for you, isn't it? Whatever you say, Pete.
Champagne, sir? I'm sure Jenny'll sort you out.
Allow me.
Erm, come and meet a few people.
What's going on? I'm fine.
I slipped.
OK, I'm going to Meynell's office.
I'll call you once I'm in.
I think I know what happened.
And if there is a problem, you need to talk to Harry.
I'll return it.
Hello.
'It's Ben.
I'm looking at some of the stuff on Meynell's hard drive.
' There seem to be a lot of loan agreements, but they're between Highland Life and another bank.
Can you see which? Ben, which bank? Can you see a name? Ben? Ben? Ben? 'Lucas, the bank's name is Salma.
' Salma? That's a Russian bank.
Where is he, by the way? Pete.
He had to go back to the office, he has a presentation tomorrow.
Goodness.
How industrious.
And, erm, what are your plans, for after this? Thanks for coming at such short notice.
It's OK.
Here's the FSB file you asked for on Salma.
Asa Darlek? Youngest son of Vanya Darlek, head of the Solsnetskaya crime syndicate.
So the Russian Mafia are behind Salma and Meynell? According to our information, that's where he gets his money from, to trade.
Darlek was staring at me.
He must have recognised me from Moscow.
Thank you.
Lucas, I need to talk to you.
It's important.
I'm in the middle of an operation, I can't do this now.
Don't use me, Lucas.
Unless you know you can give me everything.
'Falls in house and property prices 'Negative equity Bad times People like me, who've earned enormous amounts of money 'and should be safe in this downturn' Lucas.
It's a demand, from Salma to Highland Life for total repayment of their loans.
So Denham was lying.
Highland Life should have collapsed months ago.
The only thing keeping it afloat were loans from a Mafia bank.
My life savings gone.
Lucas? My office.
I have a confession to make.
I'm afraid that when I told you I'd never heard of "Sugar Horse," I was lying.
And I need you to remember everything that happened at the time that it was mentioned.
Why? All I can tell you is that Sugar Horse is the most important network in the history of MI5.
And now, it's been compromised.
Do you know what they were doing to me when it was mentioned? Yes, and I still need you to put yourself back there.
Who was present? Any details that might I was tortured for 17 days continuously! Lucas Was Sugar Horse the reason? I'm certain it was.
But now, you want me to just put myself back there without telling me anything about what I was tortured for? Lucas Don't you dare try any of your sanctimonious "good of the nation" crap on me! There are limits to what you can ask of people, Harry, even in our business.
I'm sorry.
And by the way, if I were you, I'd talk to Jo.
You probably haven't noticed, but she's in trouble over what happened, a lot of trouble.
'I think tomorrow could be a crucial day for Highland Life.
The banking system may collapse 'if there are any other financial scandals.
' Well, this is it, I'm afraid.
I've never really done "home.
" The only place I ever liked living was a squat I shared at the LSE.
Is that where you developed your taste for Karl Marx? Oh, no, I knew about him a long time before that.
My father's real name was Menlasch.
He's Czech.
He smuggled us out of the country when the Russian tanks moved in.
August 1968.
Now, it's your turn.
How did you become who you are, Jenny Hunter? My father was an accountant.
It seemed like a sensible option.
Hmm.
But that's not true, is it? I mean, you're not really sensible, are you? How do you know? There's a look you have.
Oh, I see it from time to time.
It's a look that tells me, you work inside a system, but you're not part of it.
Is that how you were, at the LSE? No, I was a hero, a genuine relic of the Prague spring.
The campus Trotskyites adored me.
They must have been very disappointed when you switched sides.
Yeah.
My father used to say that for five minutes, everything seemed possible.
Real freedom, real equality, the Socialists' dream within their grasp.
And then the tanks rolled in.
Yes, they did, but that's not what broke his heart.
No, that was going back, after all those years, after1989, and seeing that the famous liberation had in some ways made things worse.
McDonalds in Wenceslas Square, homeless beggars outside luxury hotels.
That's what killed him.
And that's what drives me now.
You never switched sides.
I've spent half my life .
.
with people who think I'm exactly like them, waiting for the moment when I can take them down.
How? Tomorrow morning, I'm going to release information that will either destroy the banking system, or force the British Government to admit publicly that it is bankrupt.
Either way, Capitalism will be revealed as a busted flush.
And the debt-fuelled consumer nightmare it's created will finally .
.
finally come crashing down.
So Excuse me.
Hello.
Where are you? In my hotel room.
Well, it took me 15 phone calls and a lot of sweeteners, but I found out who Jenny Hunter's boyfriend is.
His name is Lucas North.
He works for MI5.
You're working against me.
Yes, but you're right, Alexis.
The system is rotten, the system I work in, but am not a part of.
You do know what they did to the last man who went against me, don't you? You don't want to harm me, Alexis.
You need me.
You need someone on the inside, to help you to achieve the things you've been talking about.
Prove to me that I can trust you.
One of Meynell's mafia pals recognised me at his function.
How? Russia.
His name's Asa Darlek.
Son of Vanya Darlek.
Head of the biggest crime syndicate in Moscow.
Highland Life owes him and their pet bank Salma 65 billion.
Denham must have tried to trade his way out of trouble and got himself into deeper debt.
He turned to Salma for illicit funding.
Which Meynell knows about and is now using to bring down the bank.
What a mess.
Poor Francis.
How much did you know? Francis told me he'd found emergency funding.
I had no idea it was the Russian mafia.
Ten minutes ago, I had a phone call from Asa Darlek.
If we don't repay the 65 billion that Highland Life owes Salma, as soon as the markets open tomorrow he and Meynell will issue a statement revealing the extent of the bank's debts.
Highland Life's share price will go through the floor, ruining investors and destroying public confidence for ever.
Our economy will be in tatters.
Your only choice is to come clean before they do.
Admit to how much trouble Highland Life is in but say you'll guarantee every deposit and mortgage they hold.
I can't do that.
If I try anything like that, I will bankrupt the UK.
Millions of people's lives will be ruined if our banking system collapses.
Our only hope is that you can find some way to solve this without paying Salma.
Yes? Where are you? 'Meynell's hotel room.
' Are you all right? Yup.
'Can we continue with the operation?' I think so.
'Put every penny you have into Highland Life.
' And be ready with a statement saying that you will step up and back the bank.
I'll tell Meynell you're going to do the opposite and he'll be forced to switch position.
It'll ruin him.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah.
In the office.
Is she insane? No.
It's a fantastic bluff.
We catch him out and we ruin him.
And you make enough money to rescue both the bank and all its depositors.
You are suggesting insider trading to save the British economy? You've already told us you can't afford to pay Meynell or come clean and face the consequences.
So, if he trusts Ros, he's ruined.
But if he doesn't, the country's ruined.
Do you have any other suggestions? Then I think we have no choice but to put ourselves in her hands.
The risk is too big We have to wait until the markets open.
I suggest you record a public statement explaining what's happened.
This is Lucas North in Section D.
I'd like everything you've got under the code name "Palomnik" or "Pilgrim".
Eyes only.
Good morning, it's six o'clock.
"And we've got a crumbling housing market Speculators are driving up commodity prices "This is a vicious downwards spiral.
" Not long till the markets open.
Is everything set up? Ros should be with Meynell in a minute.
If he trusts what she tells him, he'll give his brokers the orders to switch their position.
Then you can release your statement.
I think I've found a way of recovering my money.
I've got some information.
Just make sure everything's ready.
I don't suppose any of you have thought about what happens if Ros can't get him to do this? She will.
I got the impression you could do with a hand.
What's she doing here? Asa, I'd like you to leave us alone for a moment.
You know who she is.
You don't need to talk to her.
Just a minute.
Alexis, she's MI5.
Please.
No, not this time.
I didn't think you'd come back.
I came to finish what we started .
.
to achieve the things you talked about last night.
What if I still don't trust you? Well, if your FSB friends gave you my name, they'll have told you how I joined the service.
How I've always had doubts.
I just thought you had an appetite for betrayal.
The system's failing, Alexis.
The change you want has to happen.
What's she talking about? Don't worry, Asa.
You'll get your money.
But I'll get what I want, too.
See, it doesn't really matter why you're here.
Because I can't lose.
If the Treasury pay out, then I bankrupt the country.
If they refuse, then I release information that destroys Highland Life, taking the British economy with it.
Look, I don't know what you're talking about.
And I don't know what she's talking about.
But I have a business deal here and I want my money.
You told me that the Treasury would never refuse, that they would have to pay out.
Whichever way it goes, I guarantee that you will get your £65 billion! No, he won't.
Not if MI5 pre-empt you.
Right now, I know you're deep inside Highland Life because you expect the Treasury to pay out.
But if they release a statement explaining what happened, then refuse to, you'll lose everything.
And they will, because they have no choice.
You have to switch position, Alexis, you have to bet against the bank and expose Highland Life's debts before they do.
Why should I believe you? I've had enough of these games.
We're going to do this my way.
Call them.
You heard him.
Call MI5.
Five minutes till the markets open.
Hello? Harry, this is Ros.
Ros, what's going on? I'm with Alexis Meynell and Asa Darlek.
I hear you're intending not to pay out and release a statement letting Highland Life go down.
I thought you might like to know I have a gun pointing at your officer's head.
If you do that, I will kill her.
Ros, are you there? You have The money's invested the way you said.
I have to release that statement! Ros? Ros, can you still hear me? 'Ros, can you hear me?' You have 15 seconds to cancel the statement and pay out, or I will kill your officer.
Ros, are you there? You have ten seconds.
'Ros, are you there?' Harry, there is no gun.
Release the statement because there is no gun.
You little bitch! Release the statement.
Release it now! Switch our position, put everything against the bank! Sell Highland Life.
The Government's abandoning Highland Life.
That's it, you're out of time.
No! Ros! "Breaking news just in.
We're going to our Westminster studio, "where the Secretary of State for the Treasury" You all right? Fine.
"The Treasury feels it has no choice but to offer the Highland Life bank "all possible financial assistance and support.
"The bank and its depositors are safe.
" Ros! "So, my message to the public "is to have confidence in us and confidence in the Highland Life bank.
" Ros! I'm fine, Harry.
The Highland Life price is rising, Meynell must have lost everything.
You know this system is rotten.
It has to change.
I have a duty to the British state.
You have a duty to make things better.
You two should work out more.
I just wanted to protect what I have.
I don't need Malcolm.
Ros.
Yup? I need to report something.
I've made a lot of money out of our operation.
It's insider trading.
I have to give it back.
You've given enough over the years, Malcolm.
Don't you think you deserve it? No, but I find dealing with reports really boring.
Well done.
Going back to Meynell's hotel room without back-up.
I'm not sure many people could have done that.
For a non-existent gun, it made quite a bang.
Has anyone spoken to Jo yet? No, I'm just about to.
I think I should do it.
That might be best.
Hey.
This just arrived for you from downstairs.
Thank you.
Oh, and Ben.
Get onto personnel, tell them that Elizabeta Starkova is no longer to be used as an asset.
Sure.
How are you, Jo? It's Boscard.
Wherever I go, Boscard's there.
That's impossible.
I need proof of where he is.
I need to know what the Service did with him.
Adam realised that your memory of events was imperfect.
He took a decision in the interests of your recovery.
Who killed him? You did.
The work you and I do is always going to be tough.
Much tougher than Harry and Lucas can ever know.
Which is why you and I have to be much tougher than them to do it.
He raped you, Jo, you killed him.
I'm assuming no-one will ever find out about this.
It's taken care of.
Thank you for telling me.
Lucas.
Come in.
Harry, I was angry last night.
That's understandable.
When I got home, I couldn't sleep.
So I wrote down a few things and it prompted a memory.
When I was meant to be out cold, I kept hearing a word repeated, "Palomnik".
It's Russian for "pilgrim".
I thought it might be the name of an operation or an asset that betrayed me.
So I checked it out and the only link seems to be to an MI5 officer.
He was quite senior but he's been retired for a while.
May I see the file? I think he runs some sort of second hand shop in South London now.
Harry, you all right? The old team.
I will expose the identity of a mole within MI5, a traitor.
I'm stuck with a terrified teenager while an MI6 renegade runs amok.
You really do live up to your reputation.
Please tell me nothing's going to happen to him.
He tried to kill me.
Everything's going to be fine.
It's the possible arrows from within I'm concerned about.
The world's watching the summit.
I don't want any surprises.
Bringing the Mitchell case in house.
They've listened to every word we've spoken.
Your choice is relatively simple.
It's me or them.
Oscar is dead.
I know he's dead.
I've missed you.
I have to go.
There is someone who was working with Hugo Prince at the time.
Connie.
You and he were quite close, weren't you? Hardly knew him.
Somebody has been talking to the Russians.
The Kremlin is attempting to destabilise this country, which is a stepping stone on Russia's path towards becoming the world's first energy superpower.
'The Bank of England has today ceased to prop up the financial markets, 'sparking fears the reserves have reached a critical low.
'Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gillian Calderwood, 'defended Britain's financial prospects.
' 'I believe Britain is weathering the storm.
'The worst of the credit crunch is now behind us.
'There are no more losses to uncover, no more grounds for runs on banks.
'So my message to the British public is to have confidence in us and confidence in themselves.
'Together, we are putting Britain back on track.
' 'The spectre of rising inflation is haunting the world's leading economists.
' 'Companies that sent out a consumer consensus say that confidence is weak, 'and there have been some statistics showing that spending in the capital is now weak.
' 'Economic growth is slowing, fears of stagflation, stagnant growth 'combined with accelerating inflation' 'Inflation is now well above the Government's target of just 2%.
' Chancellor, you've met Francis Denham, Chairman of Highland Life Bank.
Chancellor.
Thanks.
The reason we've asked you here today is this man.
Alexis Meynell, one of the richest financiers in the world.
City legend is he made his first big deal with a huge bet against airline stocks, the morning of 9/11.
As the second plane ploughed into its target, Meynell made £15 billion.
Since then, he's become the world's biggest financial vulture.
If an economy is weak, he preys on it.
'Higher inflation means bigger bills.
' 'The banks have made unwise lending decisions that were taken overseas' '.
.
the downward part of that boom-bust cycle 'that we can expect to see' His method is to start runs on banks, spreading rumours that a bank's in trouble, causing depositors to withdraw their money.
He then places a bet that the value of the bank's share price will collapse.
While others lose everything, he walks away with millions.
Insider trading.
On a vast scale.
We know his target's Francis's bank, Highland Life.
But he's too clever to leave a trail of evidence.
So I've sent my section chief, undercover, to find some.
'.
.
that's leading the fall in the housing and property prices, 'which makes us all feel a lot poorer.
Minister, this man is dangerous.
Meynell's bully tactics could cause the whole economy to collapse.
Now he's here.
No mobiles, please.
'It's the end of a super pool that has lasted since the end of the Second World War.
' We need you to do exactly as we say.
You need to freeze Meynell's assets before he tries anything.
I can't, without hard evidence.
This is the worst crisis for 80 years.
If Meynell starts a run on Highland Life or any other bank, millions of people will lose everything.
I really think this is a Minister, my bank holds a million and a half mortgages, two million savings accounts.
I can't let Meynell threaten those.
We'll get you the evidence, but you'll have to freeze Meynell's assets.
Jenny Hunter.
Chandler Rouse.
Meynell is obsessively cautious.
But we were able to turn one of his managers.
Soon after that, Asset called to say that he needed to meet.
We never saw him alive again.
Your office always sends me Helen Webster.
Helen had to take personal leave, but she's passed me the file and I'm fully up to date with your tax situation.
AsaGet Miss Hunter a desk.
This belongs to us.
We see everything that goes in or out on it.
All UK tax issues are your responsibility.
Any questions, don't talk to the other managers, come straight to me or Alexis.
Glad to be on board.
Yeah He burnt out.
Asa, check Miss Hunter's credentials.
Meynell doesn't allow mobile phones in his office.
We've had to improvise a way of getting information in and out.
Take care, Francis.
Thanks, Harry.
I knew I could count on you.
We'll work this out.
It's time.
Can I get some coffee? Sure.
A double macchiato with skimmed milk and a shot of hazelnut syrup.
Ben got a coded alert from Ros.
Meynell's about to do something.
This is it.
He's released a rumour to unsettle the market.
Tell Gillian Calderwood we'll find proof it's him.
'One of the High Street's leading banks is rumoured to be on the brink of collapse.
'City workers arrived at their desks this morning to find an anonymous email' Minister, Lucas North.
I assume you've seen the latest? Yes.
And I have Francis Denham with me.
We've just issued a statement denying the rumour.
Classic Meynell.
Anonymous e-mail containing untraceable allegations against a major bank.
If you can steady the City's nerves, our officer will prove that this is sabotage.
She'd better hurry.
In 10 minutes, the market will go haywire.
We've got to freeze his assets.
Jo, I need you to get a message to Ros.
We need proof that that e-mail came from Meynell - now.
What do you mean, you've frozen all account transfers? Everything I have is with you.
You must let me! 'The chairman Sir Francis Denham joined the Treasury 'in condemning the anonymous e-mail rumours as malicious lies.
'He insisted his bank was not hiding bad debts or sub prime losses and remained in good health.
' Thanks.
OK, everybody, here we go.
- 'One of the High Street banks is on the brink of collapse.
' - Highland Life is dropping.
'City workers arrived at their desks this morning' Chancellor, my officer is working to prove that Meynell is launching these rumours, but you must deal with what's happening now.
He's right.
We know what he's trying to do.
You have to calm the market, show some confidence in Highland Life.
We need 10 billion to show the market the economy's too strong to be hurt by rumours.
The Treasury lent 150 billion to High Street banks this year.
Anything more, we'll be shutting schools.
You have to do this, Chancellor.
It'll cost 10 times as much if the bank collapses.
There's no other way, Gillian, you have to step in.
Come on.
Do something! Every penny I've saved is with Highland Life.
I'm done for.
You're doing the right thing, Gillian.
'Unexpected relief for Highland Life shareholders today with the surprise 'announcement that the Treasury is to back confidence in the troubled bank with an extra £10 billion.
'The Treasury are attempting to quell rumours that Highland Life are sitting on huge undeclared debts.
' Those bastards.
Francis Denham, you have friends in high places.
Excuse me, Alexis, I need you to sign this authorisation so I can put together the return.
I'm assuming we don't share the Government's confidence that Highland Life's troubles are rumours? We don't, and we're right.
But if they're willing to match us, we'll have to re-think.
We've already put 8 billion into this.
We didn't think they'd stretch to that.
If you're sure Highland Life's in trouble, it doesn't matter how far they go.
They can't lie to the market indefinitely.
My thought exactly.
Double our position.
We can't do that! You heard me.
They're willing to go to 10, we go to 16.
They go to 16, we go to 32.
We don't stop until they run out! If the price keeps recovering, we are destroyed! Come on, Asa, where are your balls, eh? Where are all your balls? Now, this is what we do.
We are the forces that drive this market.
This is us versus the establishment.
Our truth versus their lies! Yes? Put me through to the brokers.
Alexis would like you to double our position against Highland Life.
That's right, 16 billion.
Just do it, please.
'House prices could tumble by as much as a third.
' 'A hundred, or even two hundred billion.
' What's happening now? The price is crashing! This is him again.
This is Meynell trying to show he's big enough to move the market.
But you have to match him.
The only way to stop this is to show you're not scared.
You can't back down.
Not now we've come this far.
Gillian? I'm sorry, Francis.
There's nothing left.
You're abandoning me? I can suspend trading in Highland Life shares for 24 hours.
The whole thing will start again tomorrow.
My bank will be ruined.
There's nothing else I can do.
I simply don't have the money.
Now, we wait.
'Fresh concern for the two million homeowners with Highland Life mortgages, 'with news that the Government has suspended trading shares in the troubled bank.
' Comes to something when you leave for work in the morning after 30 years in the service and find yourself manhandled back by your own side.
If I suspect you of being part of a possible security breach Security breach?! .
.
then I have to exclude you from the grid and deny you access to communication.
Let's let them get on with their job.
I think we both know the outcome we're hoping for.
So far, everything about her seems fine.
She's got glowing references wherever she's been.
Almost too perfect.
Sowhere were you before Chandler Rouse? Different places.
I spent quite a long time in the Cayman Islands.
The Caymans? Then you must have come across Freddie Vincent - of the Equity Partnership? Oh, yeah, everybody knows Freddie.
Great, why don't I e-mail him? I think he's in town.
He's due at an event I'm holding later.
If you wanted to catch up with him, you could come too.
Alexis? Yes? Sounds lovely.
Why don't you see if his partner's around? Alexis! They've blinked! Quickly, turn it up.
'It seems that despite their wish not to be dictated to by what one insider described 'as false and malicious rumour-mongering, the Treasury decided 'it had no option except to freeze all trading on the bank's shares.
'This can only be a temporary measure.
'Pressure remains on Highland Life to open its accounts and prove that it's not hiding undisclosed losses.
'That pressure will intensify once trading resumes in its shares tomorrow morning.
' Sowe were right.
Yes.
But I didn't have to put eight billion on it.
All right, playtime's over.
Let's get back to work.
Alexis? You forgot this.
Where are you going? Guilty habit.
I'll come too.
Only be a minute.
It's these earrings.
'The Governor of the Bank of England wrote to the Chancellor, 'explaining why inflation is so high and what's being done about it.
' She's got Meynell with her, we'll have to improvise.
So what's next? We settle up, or stay in and hope the price keeps falling? I've got them in sight.
You're very inquisitive, aren't you? I am about tax, yes.
Well, what happens next is that we watch Gillian Calderwood wriggle.
Allow me.
So you don't mind if Highland Life collapses, taking half the banking system with it? Are you seriously asking me to feel sorry for a politician who'd sell us all for a thousand votes? For fat cat board members raking in enormous salaries for doing absolutely nothing? Ah! It's empty.
I never drop litter.
She's made the drop.
What's Francis Denham doing here? Jo, be quick! Jo, make the drop! Jo, get out - Denham's behind you! Are you scared? I've come to ask you to stop what you're doing.
Look at you, you pathetic, self-interested little man.
You played the market and now you've lost.
Even if I've made mistakes, millions will suffer if my bank collapses.
People who don't deserve to.
They were your responsibility, not mine.
PleaseI'll do anything.
Don't touch me! Now, I have work to do.
Shall we? Malcolm, do a search.
Anything relating to Highland Life.
I need something to shut him down.
Jo, everything all right? Fine.
We had to improvise, but Meynell didn't notice.
It's found nothing.
This can trawl incoming, sent and deleted items for keywords and related variations.
It's found nothing.
Whatever sabotage e-mails he sent, he didn't do it from this account.
Right, I think it's time I paid a visit to Meynell's office.
'Harry Pearce, please leave a message.
' Harry, it's Francis.
I need to see you.
Usual place.
The situation is worse than I admitted, a lot worse.
I'm afraid I may have destroyed everything.
No, we found nothing, sir.
Thank you.
So, is that it? Is this over now? Harry, I don't know what theory this is part of, or what you've got on your mind Do you want to know what's on my mind, Connie? You and Hugo Prince.
But then, you barely knew him, did you? If I lied to you about Hugo Prince, it was because it was private.
Then you don't deny that you had a long-standing affair with him? I know what you're implying.
But unlike you, Hugo knew when to stop.
Whatever time we had, he didn't spend it talking about work.
How sweet.
It's true.
And I might even believe it, if it weren't the case that there's no other explanation.
For what? What did he tell you, Connie, about operations he and I worked on together? Nothing, Harry, nothing.
What did he pass to you? Harry, I don't deserve to be talked to like this.
What did he pass to you? Harry Don't! Because whatever it was, I will not allow you to jeopardise the operation he and I worked on.
Fine.
Do you want to see it? Do you want to see the only thing Hugo Prince ever gave me? I was summoned to his hospital bed.
I thought it might be for some declaration of love, or a meaningful token by which I could remember what we had.
But of course, that wasn't Hugo's way.
All I got was a pat on the bum and this tacky souvenir.
Harry! I promise you, I've never seen that before in my life.
'Hello, Harry, it's Hugo.
'If you're listening to this, it's because there's been a breach.
'I think you'll know what I'm talking about.
'And if that's happened, then I know my relationship with Connie will have placed her under suspicion.
'That's why I've left you this message.
'Because I want you to be sure that at no time did I ever mention to Connie, 'or pass on to her, anything relating to the matters we worked on.
'Though I never told her, Connie was the most precious thing to me.
'Maybe the most precious thing of all.
'And I know my selfishness caused her enough harm while I was alive.
'And I couldn't bear to leave her vulnerable, now that I'm going.
'I hope you understand.
' It's all right, Harry.
I understand.
I know you had to do it.
First new message.
'Harry, it's Francis, I need to see you.
Usual place.
Message deleted.
Next new message.
'Harry, are you there? Please call me back Message deleted.
Next new message.
'Usual place.
Please, I need to speak to you Harry, please return my call.
'Harry? 'Please, Harry, please! Call me back, call me.
'I need to speak to you End of messages.
' Francis? Francis! 'Concern has been expressed today that the apparent suicide of Highland Life president Francis Denham 'may signal a tragic turning point for Britain's economic outlook.
' 'Lucas, we have a problem.
' Francis Denham is dead, suicide.
There's something he wasn't telling us.
Get to Ros, fast.
'Anxious members of the public queued for hours today 'trying to withdraw their savings 'from the troubled high street bank, Highland Life' Alexis, if she's distracting you, get rid of her.
She's not distracting me.
This is not the time.
She intrigues me.
Delivered in person.
Pete Thank you, darling.
There was nothing on the SIM card, the Treasury are going crazy.
People are trying to withdraw money.
Calderwood says that they don't have enough funds to save the bank.
We need to prove what Meynell's up to, so you'll have to get closer to him.
A lot closer.
The last person we said that to ended up face down in the Thames.
Well, that last person wasn't you.
Thanks for your concern, though I'm not sure you pitching up here as my boyfriend is going to help.
Come on, Ros, you know what men are like.
It's all in the challenge.
Alexis, this is my partner, Pete.
Fiance Pete, hi.
Sorry, I'm still not used to saying that.
Oh, you don't wear an engagement ring either.
Well, we haven't been out to choose one yet.
You know, I don't normally allow visitors into my place of work.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I just popped in because I work around the corner.
Where would that be? At what some might call a proper bank, Zurich International.
Right.
Then you'll have received my invitation to the little fundraiser later? Well, my PA doesn't always pass on social stuff.
It's not social.
I'm launching the British arm of my charitable foundation.
And I know Zurich take philanthropy very seriously.
Well, in that case, how can I refuse? Good.
Shall we? See you later.
That guy who just came in, I recognise him.
I don't think it's from the City.
Dig.
Find out everything you can.
'The close of yet another turbulent day for the market saw Highland Life share prices at an all-time low, 'amid concerns for the troubled bank's future.
'We've got less in the basket, we have to make, basic cuts.
'There are widespread reports that inflation is up' You need to countersign the return.
No problem.
City shorthand.
Basically, Meynell's switching position on Highland Life.
This morning, he was betting that the value would go down.
Now, he's taking billions to buy back in.
Where's he getting so much capital from? Who knows? What if it's a trap? Even it is, we have to walk into it to find out what's going on.
Thank you.
Now, it's hard to sell charity to the City at the moment.
Most of you probably feel we should be on the receiving end of it.
But it's easy to give during the good times.
It's now, in the uncertain ones, that we can prove that we're serious about helping others.
I set up Freshwater many years ago to help people in real need, people who aren't going to be concerned by the collapse of a bank.
They don't have bank accounts.
They don't have clean drinking water.
You have to give it to him.
He's got something.
They don't have food on the table.
They don't have roofs over their heads.
They have none of the things that we take for granted Who's that? Asa Darlek.
Meynell's right-hand man.
So, as someone once said There's something familiar about him.
.
.
sell a man a fish and he eats for the day.
Teach him how to catch it, and you ruin a great business opportunity.
But as someone else more eloquently put it, "Give me your effing moneynow!" Thank you.
Give me one minute with him.
Jenny.
Very good.
Thank you.
"Sell a man a fish.
" Hmm.
Why quote Karl Marx to a room full of bankers? Well, nobody understood capitalism as well as Marx.
Because he wanted to destroy it? Oh, no, because he knew it would destroy itself.
Pete, glad you could make it.
Oh, well, I'll go anywhere for a glass of champagne.
I love these events, the City pretending it cares.
I'm not sure everyone shares your cynicism, Pete.
Come on, this is just one big tax dodge for you, isn't it? Whatever you say, Pete.
Champagne, sir? I'm sure Jenny'll sort you out.
Allow me.
Erm, come and meet a few people.
What's going on? I'm fine.
I slipped.
OK, I'm going to Meynell's office.
I'll call you once I'm in.
I think I know what happened.
And if there is a problem, you need to talk to Harry.
I'll return it.
Hello.
'It's Ben.
I'm looking at some of the stuff on Meynell's hard drive.
' There seem to be a lot of loan agreements, but they're between Highland Life and another bank.
Can you see which? Ben, which bank? Can you see a name? Ben? Ben? Ben? 'Lucas, the bank's name is Salma.
' Salma? That's a Russian bank.
Where is he, by the way? Pete.
He had to go back to the office, he has a presentation tomorrow.
Goodness.
How industrious.
And, erm, what are your plans, for after this? Thanks for coming at such short notice.
It's OK.
Here's the FSB file you asked for on Salma.
Asa Darlek? Youngest son of Vanya Darlek, head of the Solsnetskaya crime syndicate.
So the Russian Mafia are behind Salma and Meynell? According to our information, that's where he gets his money from, to trade.
Darlek was staring at me.
He must have recognised me from Moscow.
Thank you.
Lucas, I need to talk to you.
It's important.
I'm in the middle of an operation, I can't do this now.
Don't use me, Lucas.
Unless you know you can give me everything.
'Falls in house and property prices 'Negative equity Bad times People like me, who've earned enormous amounts of money 'and should be safe in this downturn' Lucas.
It's a demand, from Salma to Highland Life for total repayment of their loans.
So Denham was lying.
Highland Life should have collapsed months ago.
The only thing keeping it afloat were loans from a Mafia bank.
My life savings gone.
Lucas? My office.
I have a confession to make.
I'm afraid that when I told you I'd never heard of "Sugar Horse," I was lying.
And I need you to remember everything that happened at the time that it was mentioned.
Why? All I can tell you is that Sugar Horse is the most important network in the history of MI5.
And now, it's been compromised.
Do you know what they were doing to me when it was mentioned? Yes, and I still need you to put yourself back there.
Who was present? Any details that might I was tortured for 17 days continuously! Lucas Was Sugar Horse the reason? I'm certain it was.
But now, you want me to just put myself back there without telling me anything about what I was tortured for? Lucas Don't you dare try any of your sanctimonious "good of the nation" crap on me! There are limits to what you can ask of people, Harry, even in our business.
I'm sorry.
And by the way, if I were you, I'd talk to Jo.
You probably haven't noticed, but she's in trouble over what happened, a lot of trouble.
'I think tomorrow could be a crucial day for Highland Life.
The banking system may collapse 'if there are any other financial scandals.
' Well, this is it, I'm afraid.
I've never really done "home.
" The only place I ever liked living was a squat I shared at the LSE.
Is that where you developed your taste for Karl Marx? Oh, no, I knew about him a long time before that.
My father's real name was Menlasch.
He's Czech.
He smuggled us out of the country when the Russian tanks moved in.
August 1968.
Now, it's your turn.
How did you become who you are, Jenny Hunter? My father was an accountant.
It seemed like a sensible option.
Hmm.
But that's not true, is it? I mean, you're not really sensible, are you? How do you know? There's a look you have.
Oh, I see it from time to time.
It's a look that tells me, you work inside a system, but you're not part of it.
Is that how you were, at the LSE? No, I was a hero, a genuine relic of the Prague spring.
The campus Trotskyites adored me.
They must have been very disappointed when you switched sides.
Yeah.
My father used to say that for five minutes, everything seemed possible.
Real freedom, real equality, the Socialists' dream within their grasp.
And then the tanks rolled in.
Yes, they did, but that's not what broke his heart.
No, that was going back, after all those years, after1989, and seeing that the famous liberation had in some ways made things worse.
McDonalds in Wenceslas Square, homeless beggars outside luxury hotels.
That's what killed him.
And that's what drives me now.
You never switched sides.
I've spent half my life .
.
with people who think I'm exactly like them, waiting for the moment when I can take them down.
How? Tomorrow morning, I'm going to release information that will either destroy the banking system, or force the British Government to admit publicly that it is bankrupt.
Either way, Capitalism will be revealed as a busted flush.
And the debt-fuelled consumer nightmare it's created will finally .
.
finally come crashing down.
So Excuse me.
Hello.
Where are you? In my hotel room.
Well, it took me 15 phone calls and a lot of sweeteners, but I found out who Jenny Hunter's boyfriend is.
His name is Lucas North.
He works for MI5.
You're working against me.
Yes, but you're right, Alexis.
The system is rotten, the system I work in, but am not a part of.
You do know what they did to the last man who went against me, don't you? You don't want to harm me, Alexis.
You need me.
You need someone on the inside, to help you to achieve the things you've been talking about.
Prove to me that I can trust you.
One of Meynell's mafia pals recognised me at his function.
How? Russia.
His name's Asa Darlek.
Son of Vanya Darlek.
Head of the biggest crime syndicate in Moscow.
Highland Life owes him and their pet bank Salma 65 billion.
Denham must have tried to trade his way out of trouble and got himself into deeper debt.
He turned to Salma for illicit funding.
Which Meynell knows about and is now using to bring down the bank.
What a mess.
Poor Francis.
How much did you know? Francis told me he'd found emergency funding.
I had no idea it was the Russian mafia.
Ten minutes ago, I had a phone call from Asa Darlek.
If we don't repay the 65 billion that Highland Life owes Salma, as soon as the markets open tomorrow he and Meynell will issue a statement revealing the extent of the bank's debts.
Highland Life's share price will go through the floor, ruining investors and destroying public confidence for ever.
Our economy will be in tatters.
Your only choice is to come clean before they do.
Admit to how much trouble Highland Life is in but say you'll guarantee every deposit and mortgage they hold.
I can't do that.
If I try anything like that, I will bankrupt the UK.
Millions of people's lives will be ruined if our banking system collapses.
Our only hope is that you can find some way to solve this without paying Salma.
Yes? Where are you? 'Meynell's hotel room.
' Are you all right? Yup.
'Can we continue with the operation?' I think so.
'Put every penny you have into Highland Life.
' And be ready with a statement saying that you will step up and back the bank.
I'll tell Meynell you're going to do the opposite and he'll be forced to switch position.
It'll ruin him.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah.
In the office.
Is she insane? No.
It's a fantastic bluff.
We catch him out and we ruin him.
And you make enough money to rescue both the bank and all its depositors.
You are suggesting insider trading to save the British economy? You've already told us you can't afford to pay Meynell or come clean and face the consequences.
So, if he trusts Ros, he's ruined.
But if he doesn't, the country's ruined.
Do you have any other suggestions? Then I think we have no choice but to put ourselves in her hands.
The risk is too big We have to wait until the markets open.
I suggest you record a public statement explaining what's happened.
This is Lucas North in Section D.
I'd like everything you've got under the code name "Palomnik" or "Pilgrim".
Eyes only.
Good morning, it's six o'clock.
"And we've got a crumbling housing market Speculators are driving up commodity prices "This is a vicious downwards spiral.
" Not long till the markets open.
Is everything set up? Ros should be with Meynell in a minute.
If he trusts what she tells him, he'll give his brokers the orders to switch their position.
Then you can release your statement.
I think I've found a way of recovering my money.
I've got some information.
Just make sure everything's ready.
I don't suppose any of you have thought about what happens if Ros can't get him to do this? She will.
I got the impression you could do with a hand.
What's she doing here? Asa, I'd like you to leave us alone for a moment.
You know who she is.
You don't need to talk to her.
Just a minute.
Alexis, she's MI5.
Please.
No, not this time.
I didn't think you'd come back.
I came to finish what we started .
.
to achieve the things you talked about last night.
What if I still don't trust you? Well, if your FSB friends gave you my name, they'll have told you how I joined the service.
How I've always had doubts.
I just thought you had an appetite for betrayal.
The system's failing, Alexis.
The change you want has to happen.
What's she talking about? Don't worry, Asa.
You'll get your money.
But I'll get what I want, too.
See, it doesn't really matter why you're here.
Because I can't lose.
If the Treasury pay out, then I bankrupt the country.
If they refuse, then I release information that destroys Highland Life, taking the British economy with it.
Look, I don't know what you're talking about.
And I don't know what she's talking about.
But I have a business deal here and I want my money.
You told me that the Treasury would never refuse, that they would have to pay out.
Whichever way it goes, I guarantee that you will get your £65 billion! No, he won't.
Not if MI5 pre-empt you.
Right now, I know you're deep inside Highland Life because you expect the Treasury to pay out.
But if they release a statement explaining what happened, then refuse to, you'll lose everything.
And they will, because they have no choice.
You have to switch position, Alexis, you have to bet against the bank and expose Highland Life's debts before they do.
Why should I believe you? I've had enough of these games.
We're going to do this my way.
Call them.
You heard him.
Call MI5.
Five minutes till the markets open.
Hello? Harry, this is Ros.
Ros, what's going on? I'm with Alexis Meynell and Asa Darlek.
I hear you're intending not to pay out and release a statement letting Highland Life go down.
I thought you might like to know I have a gun pointing at your officer's head.
If you do that, I will kill her.
Ros, are you there? You have The money's invested the way you said.
I have to release that statement! Ros? Ros, can you still hear me? 'Ros, can you hear me?' You have 15 seconds to cancel the statement and pay out, or I will kill your officer.
Ros, are you there? You have ten seconds.
'Ros, are you there?' Harry, there is no gun.
Release the statement because there is no gun.
You little bitch! Release the statement.
Release it now! Switch our position, put everything against the bank! Sell Highland Life.
The Government's abandoning Highland Life.
That's it, you're out of time.
No! Ros! "Breaking news just in.
We're going to our Westminster studio, "where the Secretary of State for the Treasury" You all right? Fine.
"The Treasury feels it has no choice but to offer the Highland Life bank "all possible financial assistance and support.
"The bank and its depositors are safe.
" Ros! "So, my message to the public "is to have confidence in us and confidence in the Highland Life bank.
" Ros! I'm fine, Harry.
The Highland Life price is rising, Meynell must have lost everything.
You know this system is rotten.
It has to change.
I have a duty to the British state.
You have a duty to make things better.
You two should work out more.
I just wanted to protect what I have.
I don't need Malcolm.
Ros.
Yup? I need to report something.
I've made a lot of money out of our operation.
It's insider trading.
I have to give it back.
You've given enough over the years, Malcolm.
Don't you think you deserve it? No, but I find dealing with reports really boring.
Well done.
Going back to Meynell's hotel room without back-up.
I'm not sure many people could have done that.
For a non-existent gun, it made quite a bang.
Has anyone spoken to Jo yet? No, I'm just about to.
I think I should do it.
That might be best.
Hey.
This just arrived for you from downstairs.
Thank you.
Oh, and Ben.
Get onto personnel, tell them that Elizabeta Starkova is no longer to be used as an asset.
Sure.
How are you, Jo? It's Boscard.
Wherever I go, Boscard's there.
That's impossible.
I need proof of where he is.
I need to know what the Service did with him.
Adam realised that your memory of events was imperfect.
He took a decision in the interests of your recovery.
Who killed him? You did.
The work you and I do is always going to be tough.
Much tougher than Harry and Lucas can ever know.
Which is why you and I have to be much tougher than them to do it.
He raped you, Jo, you killed him.
I'm assuming no-one will ever find out about this.
It's taken care of.
Thank you for telling me.
Lucas.
Come in.
Harry, I was angry last night.
That's understandable.
When I got home, I couldn't sleep.
So I wrote down a few things and it prompted a memory.
When I was meant to be out cold, I kept hearing a word repeated, "Palomnik".
It's Russian for "pilgrim".
I thought it might be the name of an operation or an asset that betrayed me.
So I checked it out and the only link seems to be to an MI5 officer.
He was quite senior but he's been retired for a while.
May I see the file? I think he runs some sort of second hand shop in South London now.
Harry, you all right? The old team.
I will expose the identity of a mole within MI5, a traitor.
I'm stuck with a terrified teenager while an MI6 renegade runs amok.
You really do live up to your reputation.
Please tell me nothing's going to happen to him.
He tried to kill me.
Everything's going to be fine.
It's the possible arrows from within I'm concerned about.
The world's watching the summit.
I don't want any surprises.
Bringing the Mitchell case in house.
They've listened to every word we've spoken.
Your choice is relatively simple.
It's me or them.