The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014–…): Season 3, Episode 3 - The Killing Machine - full transcript

(SPARKS CRACKLE)

(LIQUID SLOSHES)

(DOOR LOCK RATTLES)

(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)

(LIQUID SLOSHES)

(SPARKS CRACKLE)

(BIRDS CALL, CHIRP)

(THE WARRATAHS' 'BIG SKY')

# With this whole town...

Oh, bloody show off.
I thought that was the point.

Olson can't win it again.



That's what you said before last
year's Beach Hop.

And the year
before.

Yeah, well I'd back my Cadillac over
that Thunderbird

of his any day of
the week.

You'd back anything
any day of the week.

# Under the big sky. #

What the... hell's happened here?

Don't! Don't touch anything.

Call the cops.

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.

He hasn't been moved?
Nah. He's exactly as we found him.

Nah, just walked in,
saw him. Called you guys.

Do you know him?

Nah, never clapped eyes on him.
Nah.



I know his type, though.

Young punk petrolhead trying to take
what he hasn't earned.

Beautiful. Lot of
work gone into that.

Yep. A 1969 Cadillac Eldorado.

Temperamental prima donna, but
worth it.

His injuries look consistent
with falling through the skylight.

There would have been
massive internal trauma,

plus the angle of the head hitting
the concrete

has forced the neck
back, snapped it.

No ID?
No wallet, no cards, no phone.

He's conveniently a
man of no identity.

As if he knew he might not make it.

Not your most optimistic burglar.
(CHUCKLES)

(CAMERA SNAPS)
Who are you, and who sent you?

You think someone sent him?
He's a kid. He's someone's minion.

Or acting on his own initiative P
sees a flash car, wants it.

You might be underestimating the
drive

and ambition of the younger
generation, Mike.

Maybe underestimating
their sense of entitlement?Mm.

Why are cars like catnip
to men, young or old?

Big engines. They often
compensate for other things.

Go you P Mr Feminist.

No, that's Roxy's theory, actually.

OK, how did he know that the
Eldorado was here?

If indeed
that's what he was after.

And can we assume that he's local?
I'll get started on some enquiries.

(INTRIGUING MUSIC)

Is that yours?
Mm.

Ooh, good bones. I could
do something with that.

I kinda like it the way it is.

Yeah, but there's a difference
between original and mint.

Tell you what, why don't you bring
it along, meet some kindred spirits?

I might just do that.

(ENGINE RUMBLES)

Those mongrel hot-rodders,
the scourge of the sport.

I thought you car people were one
big happy, slightly mad, family?

Like hell.

(UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC)

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

Good to see you, girl!
(CHUCKLES) You too.

Greg.
Ah!

How are ya? Good to see you, man.
How long's it been?

Oh, not long enough, brother!

Ooh!
Some things never change.

Coffee?

Yeah, we'll grab the bags.
Yeah, you do that.

See the bleed at the back of
the head? From something blunt.

Is that what killed him?
Maybe. But how did he get it?

It's not consistent with
the impact from the fall.

Kristin, could you check the

arc of the fall before you go?
Sure.

Could he have hit something
on his way down?

Uh, there's maybe a sprinkler pipe.
I'd have to take a closer look.

You looking for something?

Why the screen?

Cuts the light from the MIG welder.
Health and Safety thing.

Right. Yeah, that'll work, unlike
the safety bars over the skylight.

What safety bars?
Exactly.

Sam. Safety protocol time.

All checked. It's safe and secure.
Thanks, Sam.

Good. I don't really want anyone
else falling through the roof.

Ah, would you mind just
sticking to the nail lines?

(INTRIGUING MUSIC)

(ROOF CREAKS)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

From here it's a sheer drop.

No one's going to touch the
sides on the way down from there.

How was he planning on getting down?

Eh?
Did he have any rope on him?

You're right. It was never going
to be a happy ending without rope.

(TEXT MESSAGE BEEPS)

The soles look like a
match with your print.

KRISTIN: Thanks, just checking.

I thought the weekend was all about
the Beach Hop P the big parade.

Yeah, yeah, but tonight's
a little private street action

for the hot-rodders.
Cheers, brother.

Street action?
Yeah, all the cars are street legal.

And what you're doing on
the street P is that legal?

We've found a little road outside
town.

There won't be any traffic
that time of night.

You'd be up for a little
quarter mile, wouldn't you?

A drag race? Nah, mate, I'm good.

We're all friends here, aren't we?

And I need a crew tonight.

Where do you keep it?

The ladder? Just inside
with the rest of the gear.

Was the garage locked last night?

Well, if it wasn't,
why'd he use the skylight?

Point taken.

There's nothing missing
from what I can see.

Right.

For an accident, there are
too many unexplained elements.

There's not even a drainpipe
he could've shimmied up.

So how did he get on the roof,

given that the ladder was locked
inside last night?

Maybe he had an accomplice or a
friend

who scarpered with their
own ladder when things went wrong.

Some friend.

Even so, why no rope?

How was he planning on lowering
himself through the skylight?

Well, he was climbing on the roof
in work boots,

hardly designed for
stealth.

A total novice, perhaps?

Holy...
Frodo?

What're you doing here?
Work here. You?

What happened to the Tyre Centre?
Too many heavy memories, y'know?

Charlie and Keith offered me an
apprenticeship here, so... Yeah.

Where were you this morning?

Got a call from Keith saying there'd
been an accident,

take the morning
off.

Nice wheels for an apprentice.

Thanks. I'm competing tomorrow.

Got a bit to do.

You better get on with it, then.

35 grand, 40 grand at least,
I'd say.

How'd he come by that
sort of cash?

Hey, uh, Frodo's heard something
on the grapevine

you might be
interested in.

(UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC)

(CARS REV)

(CAR HONKS)

He totally loves it!

(ENGINES CONTINUES REVVING)

What the hell d'you
think you're doing, huh?

Who do you think you are, mate?

Easy, friend.

You know, it's criminal what
you bastards do.

That is a
'56 Customline.

It's a classic. Look at it now P
it's desecrated!

Well, we make 'em go.
You ponces just make em show!

Ponces?

Yeah, get back in your Tonka toy
and head for the hills.

And if the cops turn up tonight,

I'll know exactly who tipped them
off.

You surely will. Now why don't you
head home

and tuck yourself in with
a cup of cocoa, eh? (LAUGHS)

Hey, Morehu! What are
you doing out here?

Just hanging, Charlie.

Get back in your car.

Oh, look who called the cops, eh?
Him and his boyfriend.

OK. This is a public road,
and you need to get off it.

Good. Yeah, you tell the bastards!

They're killing the sport, giving
genuine enthusiasts a bad name.

What?
It goes for you too, Charlie.

What?
Get!

Come on, hombre.

See ya later, Charlie.

YELLS AGGRESSIVELY:
Yeah, goodnight, mate!

# Well, I'm six months' married,
and I'm on the road

# Singing round the Southland
in a country show.

# Leaving my man
home all alone, yeah.

# I'm six months' married,
and I'm on the road.

(TYRES SQUEAL)

# Yeah, we're six months' married,
and we're paying the rent.

# Trying to earn it faster
than we can spend...

How sweet is this, eh?
(SONG CONTINUES PLAYING ON RADIO)

Hey, Frodes, isn't
that your boss's car?

# Six months' married,
and I'm payin' the rent. #

Yo, boss?
Is it him?

I guess so.

Charlie? Need a hand?

You can't just leave him.
Nah, he's busy.

Can we help?

Bit late, I reckon. (SCOFFS)

Wait.

(TENSE MUSIC)

(SCREAMS)

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

OLD WOMAN: Carry on, detectives P
don't mind us!

Was that a film?
What?

Carry on, Detectives.

They made a lot of those
Carry Ons P Barbara Windsor.

Blonde, huge bosoms?

Yes, that's the one.

Petrolhead dies ingesting petrol.

Some would call it irony, others
might say natural selection.

Ingestion. What makes you so sure?
The scenario before us, Gina?

All we know at this stage is that

he has a plastic pipe sticking out
of his mouth.

A plastic siphon tube running
back into the petrol tank.

The keys are still in here.
Tank is half full.

So he was... taking gas out of
his own tank for someone else's.

Charlie would've had to park up
close to access that tube.

So the other car
must've been... here?

Maybe it slid into the side
as it ran out of gas.

But there are no obvious tyre marks.

So much for the Good Samaritan.

But if it was an accident,

why didn't the other party
report it?

Cold.
As is he.

So, yesterday morning you discover
a dead man in your garage,

and the
next morning you end up dead.

Is this a coincidence, Charlie?

You can get back to me on that.

Speaking of coincidence,
do you remember him?

Frodo, isn't it?

We've already told him everything.

Can we go now?
She's pretty freaked.

That's understandable.

Kinda put a downer on the day,

but we were hoping to get to
the Beach Hop prelims.

You've just found your boss lying
dead in the road.

You're still in
the mood?

Hey, Charlie was a good guy,

and the Beach Hop was the highlight
of his year.

He wouldn't want the show to stop
just because he had an accident.

What if it wasn't an accident?
What?

Would that make you
feel any different?

Did Charlie have a wife?

Yeah, they live just up the hill
outside town, off Connemara.

Gotta go, eh?

Could, uh, you take their statement?

I thought you wanted me
to get to the Beach Hop?

Yeah, but...

Besides I think she'd
prefer you more than me.

(ENGINE REVS)

Detective Shepherd!
We saw nothing.

Speak for yourself.

Well, apart from
the green Cadillac P

Bronze.

The bronze Cadillac.

It was partially obscured
by the brown Mustang.

Uh, red.
Red Mustang.

(UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC)

Wow.

So much panel, paint and
testosterone, all in one place.

You've gotta love it.
Mm, no, you don't.

So, how should we do this?

More coverage and quicker
if we split up.

Valerie Baxter?

Val. Yes?

Uh, Detective Senior
Sergeant Mike Shepherd.

This is bad news, isn't it?

It is, I'm afraid. Is there
somewhere we can sit down?

Sorry, I don't want to
sit down. What's he done?

Mrs Baxter, your husband,
Charlie, has been found dead.

# Well, I'm on the road
for weeks at a time.

# But when I get home to you,
yes, I need your lovin', baby.

# I want your lovin', baby. #

Sorry. Got to check my make-up
in the mirror. What do ya think?

Yeah, good.

You a fan of the ol' T Bird, eh?
Best car ever made.

Mr Siola...

Olson, please.

You're a mate of Charlie Baxter's,
aren't you?

Charlie's the president of
the Car Restoration Society,

I'm the Treasurer.

Yeah, we work very closely together.

He's been found P an accident.

What? Serious?
Fatal, I'm afraid.

Oh dear.

Greg! Coffee, bro?
Yeah, bro.

Ta.

Mm.

You remembered.

No sugar P sweet enough
without, you used to say.

I did?

(ENGINE REVS REPEATEDLY)

God, I hate that noise!

I'll give him another call.
Wait.

Remember these? I scanned them.

That was us. Lovebirds.
(CHUCKLES) Yeah. Wow. Long time ago.

There's more.
Just like old times, eh?

Dude, your coffee.

Thanks, brother.
What's that P 10 years ago?

Where was I? Oh, that's right P

Afghanistan, fighting the good
fight.

The reconstruction force
in Bamyan Province.

Yeah, whatever that means.

Flag the coffee P

the Killing Machine is tuned and
ready for action.

Let's get over to the Beach Hop!

(WISTFUL MUSIC)

So after the confrontation with
the hot-rodders, you drove where?

To Charlie's garage, where I'd left
my car.

Uh, I left Charlie there and
drove home.

Did Charlie go straight home?

Nah, Charlie went in the garage.

He said he wanted to do one more
cut and polish.

Really? That Cadillac
looks spotless.

Nah, not the bodywork, the engine.

He was going to cut
and polish the engine?

Yeah, chrome-plated, like mine.

Charlie was a true devotee, just
backed the wrong horse.

What horse?

General Motors.
Should have got a Ford.

(CHUCKLES) Right. Look, I'm going
to need to take a statement P

Yeah, yeah I'm happy to oblige,
yeah?

But, uh, the kids come first.
You know, I can't let them down.

(TOOTS HORN)

Well, a couple of punters saw
the Eldorado earlier this morning,

as early as first light, but no one
stopped,

so Charlie could have been
there for hours.

Anything from Olson?

Not yet. What makes a grown man
want to dress up like that?

To make kids happy?
Freak them out, more like.

Charlie didn't come home
last night at any stage?

No.

Was that unusual?
Not in the lead-up to a big show.

Like this weekend's
Beach Hop parade?

He was obsessed
with that bloody car!

That car restoration stuff P
it's like a drug, an addiction.

I hated it.

I told him more than once,
'There'll come a day, Charlie,

it'll be that car or me!'

The irony is it was him.

You wouldn't understand, of course.

Sorry?
You're one of them.

One of what?
I saw your car.

I'll admit I have a soft spot
for the old Kingswood.

But it's
not what you'd call an obsession.

You keep it that way, detective.
Obsession can end up killing you.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Thanks for coming in.

Two victims on consecutive nights.
But what is the connection?

Thanks.

Charlie's car? Balaclava guy's
trying to steal it,

Charlie was
trying to protect it?

Any ID on Balaclava Guy?

Fingerprints are working on a match.

The forensics have gone
over Charlie's Cadillac.

There's nothing unusual about it.

Other than being a priceless
piece of Automotive bling.

Beauty is in the eye
of the beholder.

Oh, are you saying
you're feeling the love?

I'm saying I really don't care.

Val Baxter hates cars
with a passion.

Does that make her a
suspect or just sane?

She didn't seem very upset.

Oh, she's definitely upset,
but it's more anger than grief.

She may know more
than she's letting on.

I'll see what she stands
to make from Charlie's death.

Last night P that altercation out on
Boundary Rd with Charlie.

Who was on the other side of that?

Out of towners.
And Jared Morehu.

Jared?
And Olson Siola with Charlie.

They are P were P chairman and
treasurer

of the Car Restoration
Society, and rivals.

Well, they looked like mates.
Up to a point.

But Charlie's pride and joy was a
Cadillac Eldorado

while Olson's is a Ford Thunderbird.

So, different cars?

It's tribal. You're either
Ford or General Motors.

(SIGHS) Boys and their toys.
I'll never get it.

OK, let's get back over to the
Beach Hop,

do a bit of mix and
mingle before the big parade, hm?

I'm not sure how much more
fawning over cars I can take.

Deep down, I reckon there's a
petrolhead in you

just waiting
to come out.

Not even a tiny bit.

(TAMI NEILSON'S 'COME OVER')

# Come over and take me out.

# Take me someplace we
can jump and shout.

# I wanna put on lipstick,
do my hair up high.

# Tight dress, make
you lose your mind.

# Come over and take me out.

# Take me where the
music is good and loud.

# Get over here now.
Come over and take me out. #

(CAR ENGINES RUMBLE)

Impressive beast.

Yeah, beast is right P
500 horsepower.

What does that actually mean?
Goes fast, I think.

(CHUCKLES)

Quarter of a mile in less than
12 seconds, that's what that means.

I call her the Killing Machine.

Uh, Mike, Kristin, this
is Greg and Carly McQueen.

Yeah, we've met. Not
formally introduced, but...

That's what was going to happen
last night out on Boundary Rd.

A drag race?

A gentle quarter mile, mate,
nothing to be alarmed about.

But then those idiots turned up
and shut the party down.

Which idiots?

Charlie and his mate. But you guys
already knew that,

so what's this
harassment really about?

Greg, they're just trying
to do their job, bro.

Nothing happened last night.

That nutter made sure of it
by calling you guys.

But something did happen.
Yeah?

Last night. Charlie Baxter
died in suspicious circumstances.

No way.

Suspicious? In what way?

What was said out at
Boundary Rd before we arrived?

What was suspicious?

That's what we're trying to clarify.

By talking to me?
Mm.

We're talking to everyone.

Mate, if you think you've got
something on me, go on,

arrest
me right here.

But otherwise, you and blondie
here should back off.

We've got
a Beach Hop to get to.

As have we. Enjoy.

Since when did you get all
friendly with the cops, huh, bud?

Finished clowning?

Until later, yeah.

It's time for
the serious business.

The Prix de la
Concourse Cup.

You're the defending champion,
right?

Well, actually she is.

A quick question.

If Charlie cut and polished his
engine, how long would that take?

Two, maybe three hours.
But Charlie was a perfectionist, eh.

But it wouldn't have
been an all-nighter?

Not even by Charlie's standards.

(AIR HORN TOOTS)

We're on, my beautiful!

(ROCK MUSIC)

If we believe that the
first victim

was trying to
steal the second victim's car,

then one gets the feeling that
these murders are all about cars.

Which means the killer could
be right here amongst us.

I doubt they'd miss
an event like this.

Well that narrows it down a bit.

You think they're laughing at us
right now?

Laughing or lining up
their next target.

(PETROLHEADS CHATTER, CHEER)

Bit touchy, that bloke.
Just a bit (!)

(CHEERING)

(CELL PHONE RINGS)

Breen.

Senior, Olson dropped Charlie
at the garage at about 10:30pm.

Charlie cuts and polishes his
engine, which, according to Olson,

would take him a max three hours,

so that brings us to 1:30am latest.

Kristin says one of the early
arrivals saw Charlie's Eldorado

at about 7:30 this morning,

so Charlie died
between 1:30 and 7:30.

Thanks.

Y'know, I think I'm starting
to get all this P the colour,

the enthusiasm for their hobby...

Those people that told you they saw
the Cadillac, why didn't they stop?

Just thought it was some guy
tinkering with his engine,

taking a leak.

(CHEERING)

Whereas Frodo stopped because he
recognised his boss' car, he says.

Do we know what he was
up to last night?

(CELL PHONE RINGS)

Gina.

Yeah, on my way.

Uh, back soon.

What's up?

Uh, Gina's got a cause of death.

Tell me what you see.

He died from superficial
cuts and grazes?

How would that be possible?

OK, he died from
swallowing petrol, then.

If he had swallowed it,
he would probably still be alive.

Our digestive systems
can deal with petrol?

In Russia, some of the vodka
is much the same as gasoline.

But for normal mortals
like Charlie Baxter...?

What killed Charlie Baxter would
kill any Russian too.

So...?

It was the petrol getting into his
lungs.

Even a tiny drop there can be
very dangerous

because it spreads out rapidly,
coating and damaging the tissue

and making it very hard to breathe.

So the actual cause
of death would be...?

Asphyxiation.

By the petrol coating his lungs.

But how would it get in there?
By inhalation or...

But why would he
start inhaling petrol?

If his breathing was suddenly
disrupted, if he began coughing...

Like someone attacking him while
he was attempting to siphon,

forcing him violently forward
on to his hands and knees.

Exactly.

So it wasn't a coincidence,
was it, Charlie?

Olson Siola!
(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)

Thanks a lot.

I'd like to dedicate this year's
Prix de la Concourse

to my dear
friend, Charlie Baxter.

Excuse me, Sam.

A moment of your time.

We've just recalled what could be a
material fact.

'We'?

Well, Mrs Marlowe recalled P

How can I help?

That young man...
...in the red shirt...

Brown.
The brown.

He was the first at
the scene of the crime.

If indeed it was a crime.

One of the young girls got out
of his car

and discovered poor
old Charlie Baxter.

Yes.

And the interesting thing is, Sam,

I'm no criminal investigator, as you
know, but...

When we pulled up and
Edward asked Frodo...

Can we help?

Bit late, I reckon.

'He said, "Too late"...'

GIRL: Wait.

(SCREAMS)

..before the young lady screamed.

Meaning?

That young man seemed to already

know what the young lady was about
to discover,

and it was too late to
help poor Charlie Baxter.

You can confirm that, Edward?

Well, let me see now,
how can I put this?

Um, (CLEARS THROAT) If Mrs Marlowe
says that the young man told her...

I don't really care
(CONTINUES ARGUING)

..that it was too late before

the young lady screamed, then
that is exactly what happened.

Got it. Thank you. Excuse me.

ANNOUNCER: Frodo!
(CHEERING, APPLAUSE)

(APPLAUSE CONTINUES)

Whoo!

Very Thelma and Louise.

Nah, I'm Kimberly, and she's Toni.

You must be proud.
Whoo! Go, you good thing.

So, you and Frodo P you're an item?

(SCOFFS) No way.

Oh, sorry. So you are?

Well, we both sort of are. Kind of.

OK... So you were both
with Frodo last night?

CHUCKLES: Oh, no.
It's not like that.

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS FRUSTRATEDLY)

Congratulations.

Seems a bit hollow without
Charlie being around.

Still, on to more important things,
like making little kids laugh.

Do kids actually laugh?

Yeah, of course.

Yeah, but is it, like, joyous
laughter or a bit, y'know, nervous?

When I was a kid, I always
thought clowns were pretty scary.

Did you actually want something?

Val Baxter. She didn't look
like she was congratulating you.

She's upset.

About...?
Need I explain?

It would be helpful.

Have you no compassion?
She's just lost her husband.

Of course. Thanks for your time.

So, Charlie fell forward on to
his hands and knees,

choked on the siphon and ended up
getting petrol in his lungs.

Question is, did he fall or
was he pushed?

Well, if it was an accident,

how come whoever Charlie was trying
to help hasn't come forward?

If someone forced him to swallow
that petrol,

it's manslaughter at
the very least.

We need motive, then.
What is it and who might have it?

Um, well, Greg McQueen seemed
pretty fired up

going head to head
with Charlie last night.

We were too late to hear
exactly what was said.

I'll have a yarn with Jared,

away from McQueen, try and
confirm what was said.

Olson Siola was having heated words
with Val,

Charlie's widow, after the
prize-giving.

She says she hates cars.
What was she doing there?

Crying on Olson's
shoulder, apparently.

You think that's all?

I'll keep digging.

Minor point, but neither of the
two girls

in Frodo's car is his
girlfriend.

What, like rent-a-date?
Pretty much.

But meaning neither of them can

verify Frodo's whereabouts last
night.

Oh, and Mrs Marlowe and Edward

reckon Frodo told them it was
too late to help Charlie

before Kimberly discovered his body.

Tomorrow morning bring
Frodo in for a chat.

Yes, boss.

(DELANEY DAVIDSON'S
'STILL HER HEART')

He seems different
since Afghanistan.

Maybe.

I guess he saw some
pretty hard out things.

He's a pretty hard out guy.

Always has been.

You wanna go? You wanna go, huh?

Yo, it's cool. Yo, back up!
He doesn't mean no harm.

Don't bother to get up.
It's cool.

Ooh, big man eh?

Bro, you're wasted.

Yeah.

Just like old times.

Watch out for that.

(GRUNTS)

You're a good mate, bro.
You're a good mate.

He'll appreciate you bringing him
in.

I usually have to leave him in
the car.

Is he like that a lot?
Fair bit.

Are you guys OK?

Yeah. Why? Do we seem...?

Nah, just...

That's good. I'm glad
you're happy, you know.

Do you sometimes wish things
had worked out differently?

What?

Between us.

Y...You can't just
say stuff like that.

Tell me you don't think about it.

I don't.

Really? Have you ever had
anything else like we had?

Look, Carly, I pretty much keep to
myself these days.

And... that's how
I like it.

Night.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

Bit early in the morning
for the mailman, Mike?

Maybe.

And I take it you're not keen
on taking up running again.

Yeah, not really dressed for it.

OK. What?

Out on Boundary Rd, before
Kristin and Breen arrived,

there were strong words said between
Greg McQueen and Charlie Baxter.

What was said?

Is this on the record? Or is this
just the bit where I'm Mr Anonymous,

helping you with your enquiries?

Mr Anonymous works for me.
We're just talking at this stage.

OK, talking and walking.
Walking, not running.

Greg was pissed off, alright.

And if the cops turn up tonight,

I'll know exactly who tipped them
off.

So Greg made a direct threat
against Charlie Baxter?

Was it a threat?

Look, Mike, Greg's a decent guy
deep down.

He served in Afghanistan
and something happened, I dunno...

Aid reconstruction fatigue?
(CHUCKLES)

He's dropping hints there was more
to it than that.

Maybe he's got some
post-traumatic stress.

So you and Greg and Carly came
straight back home after that?

We did, yeah.

And Greg was at
your place all night?

Yeah, must have been.

I would've heard that bloody machine
of his if he'd tried to go out.

You're sure?

Yeah. I mean, no way P that
monster would wake the dead.

The Killing Machine.
Why would he call it that?

It kills the competition.
Metaphorically.

(TENSE MUSIC)

It's just a stupid name, Mike.

Right.

Where were you night before last?

The night Charlie died?
Am I in the gun for that?

It's not the most helpful turn
of phrase, Frodo.

Do you mind
just answering the question?

Working late on my car,
getting it ready for the show.

So you were at the garage when
Charlie came back with Olson?

Nah. When did they turn up?

When did you leave?

Before they turned up.
Care to put a time on it?

About 10:30?

That's when Charlie
came back with Olson.

10, then. Maybe it was earlier,
because I didn't see them.

Why did you pretend that
Kimberly was your girlfriend?

She's a girl. She's a friend.

OK, she loves my car.
OK, I get that.

But you stand a better chance of
winning

with a hot chick in your car.
So it works both ways.

Right. At Charlie's Cadillac,

Mrs Marlowe and Edward arrived
just after you.

Yep.

When Edward asked if they could
help, you said,

'It's a bit late
for that.'

Uh, yep. Yeah, I think I did.

You said that before Kimberly
discovered the body.

So?

As if you already knew
Charlie's body would be there.

How could I have known that?

Why did you say
'It's a bit late for that'?

Because we were already there P
already taken care of.

What was taken care of?

Whatever was the problem with
Charlie's car.

Look, you know
Mrs Marlowe and Edward?

Yes.

Well, what help could
they possibly be?

(SIGHS)

Boots.
What?

Your boots.

So what?

What brand are they?

Be on the label.

Stein-mans.

Your own boots and you
don't know what they are?

I was given them by Charlie.
Standard issue work kit.

1969 Cadillac Eldorado.

Temperamental prima donna,
but worth it.

Standard issue.
Are you sure about that?

Yeah.

What size?

12.

You're a size 12?

(SNAP!)

(TEXT MESSAGE BEEPS)

The soles look like
a match with your print.

So they're a bit big.
I like them that way.

Particularly if they're free, eh?
An extra pair of socks, sweet as.

(CHUCKLES)

(TENSE MUSIC)

Do you want one?
Nah.

Hey, look, Carly, Greg's gotta
pull his head in and be careful.

The cops know he threatened
Charlie Baxter the night he died,

and I had to reassure them
he was here all night.

OK.

Jared, what I said last night...

Oh, it's no big deal,
you'd had a few P

No. I meant every word of it.

Jeez, Carly. What am I
supposed to do with that?

That coffee coming?

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

You were seen arguing with Olson
Siola

at the Beach Hop prize-giving
yesterday.

What was that about?

Nothing important.

I thought you had an aversion
to that whole car culture thing.

I do. What better place to find
a buyer for Charlie's Cadillac?

I thought Olson might buy it,
given he's got all the money.

I don't really care
what I let it go for.

I'm sorry, Val.

I'm sorry for your loss, but I've no
desire to own that car.

It'd be like walking in a dead man's
shoes while he's still wearing them.

I need the money.

Can't you take it and flick it on to
some other car nut?

Well, maybe if it was a Ford.

'Why do you need the money?'

The bank made a friendly call just
over a week ago.

This place is under
water, virtually.

You talk to Charlie about that?
No.

Why not?
I tried to. He got angry.

Before the bank rang, you had no
idea how much the mortgage was?

The mortgage secures whatever's owed
to the bank,

including any business
debt.

I had no idea how much that was.

Was Charlie a violent man?
Not to me.

Who to?

You just wouldn't want
to cross him, that's all.

So you never did.
Until the night he died.

You said it was an accident!

We believe that Charlie stopped
for someone on the side of the road,

that they'd run out of petrol and he
went to help them out. Was that you?

What? No!

We're working through several
theories.

For instance, it's dark;
the wee small hours.

Who's the one person in the world

that Charlie would be certain to
stop for?

His own wife, if you'd
run out of gas...

No, that never happened.

OK. Like I said, it's only a theory.
I never left the house!

Mm. Can anyone confirm that?
No.

I know how this looks. I knew
something was wrong.

He was away
a lot.

Away?
Overnighters.

He said it was the Cadillac, but
there was something else going on.

There must have been!

I kept asking him what was wrong,
and he'd just P

he'd say it was
business and not to worry about it.

Did you ever think
there was someone else?

Of course. I even asked him if there
was another woman.

At least he was
honest.

There was?

Yes. He said her name was Eldorado.
He could be such a smart arse.

(CELL PHONE RINGS)

Breen.

Thanks.

We have a fingerprint match for the
guy who fell through the skylight.

Sonny Smith, long list of previous,

a bit of breaking and entering,
lots of car conversion.

Another car enthusiast. Maybe
he was after Charlie's Cadillac.

Or maybe there was something else
in that garage he was interested in.

Local?

Up North until recently. Patchy
employment history up there P

possum
trapper, forestry release cutter,

local farm hand, arrived down
here six weeks ago,

and got a
job cleaning cars.

Who for?

A local clown. Olson Siola
of T Bird Cars.

You really don't like him?
Why would anyone want to be a clown?

To bring a little
joy into the world.

Nah. There's something
dodgy about clowns.

Anyway, getting back to the facts...

Olson Siola employed
the deceased, Sonny Smith?

One of the deceased.

Maybe Sonny was stealing
to order for Olson.

A Cadillac. General Motors?
Olson wouldn't sully himself.

What was that kid doing there?
And who sent him?

And I still want to know
how he got on the roof.

What do we know about the
business, Baxter and Balance?

They advertise themselves as
a one-stop car shop P

repairs,
panel and paint,

and they do compliance
work for imports.

What, so they take the cars
off the wharf as they arrive?

No, the dealer or
importer does that,

then the dealer takes the cars

to an authorised compliance agent
like Baxter and Balance.

They check them out, make
sure they can be issued

with a
Warrant of Fitness for our roads,

and then the cars go back
to the dealer to be sold.

Sounds lucrative.

Baxter and Balance is the only
authorised

compliance agent in
the area. Ka-ching!

So how come the Baxter house
is so heavily mortgaged?

Breen, get an address or phone
number for Sonny out of Olson,

then go there, find someone to
ID him at the mortuary

and pick up
whatever background you can on him.

There must be some connection
to Charlie Baxter.

Ah, the clown whisperer.

Mr Siola. Do you have any contact
details

for a kid you employed here
as a cleaner? Sonny Smith?

Who?

How many cleaners do you have?

They're called car valet.
What's the name again?

Smith.
Smith. Such an unusual name (!)

It's a wonder I can't
remember it (!)

Sonny?

Sonny. Wait there.

I think I've got something for you.

He came in looking for a car valet
job,

so I gave him a couple of
tries.

Had to give up on the boy.
Stoned most of the time.

Can't say I'm surprised
he's in trouble.

I never said he was.

Then why's a detective
enquiring after him?

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

Hold the fort.

Keith Balance about?

Just missed him.
(TYRES SCREECH)

Urgent call out?

Delivery. He's just finished
compliance on that ute.

What happens behind here?

That's where the compliance
work are done for the imports.

Why's it screened?
Regulations.

You've got to be accredited to do
that stuff. Separate business.

I can't go in there.

Uh, nor should you!
That's the rules.

It's OK.

Nah, you'll cost me my job.
You've gotta be accredited!

Will this do?

No car.

Keith was driving it.

Where to?
Making a delivery, I guess.

Delivering the car?

Yeah.
Who to?

Don't think it's a secret.

I mean, most of that work's for T
Bird Cars, far as I can make out.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Hey! Stop. Police!

(THUD!)
Ah, come on!

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(GRUNTS)

Oh hell!

D...Don't run, OK? When a police
officer says 'stop', you stop.

I didn't know I was being chased.
Why were you running?

Exercise.

It's for my own use!
What's your name?

Tai.
Tai.

Do you know Sonny Smith?

You gonna bust me
for the dope or what?

Yes or no. Do you know him?

He's my cousin.

Where is he?

Bastards! (SOBS)

Who?

He wouldn't hurt anyone.
How did this happen?

He fell through a skylight.
Possibly accidental.

Yeah, right.

(LIVELY MUSIC)

# Why don't you come
and talk to me any more?

# When you get home, first thing
you should have done... #

Are we interrupting something?

Not at all. Just delivered
an import,

and I'm about to
pick up a new one.

Takes a day or three
to clear Customs.

Is there a problem, officer?

Why did you take off when
we pulled up at the garage?

Didn't see you.

Oh, we had a little chat to Frodo.

Yeah, Frodo's got an IQ
in the margin for error.

(LAUGHS)

Why did you give him
an apprenticeship, then?

That was Charlie.
Charlie did a lot of things.

Please, Detectives,
can't you see thisP?

What did Charlie do, Keith?

There's many stages to
grief.

There's anger P
I'm talking to him.

Charlie was just a bit, uh,
headstrong at times, that's all.

Frodo's not a bad guy. Look,
I've got, uh P I've got work to do.

Gotta get that new ute back
to the garage. Time is money.

That's what I wanted
to talk to you about.

Money?

You seem upset about Charlie.
I'm the one left holding the baby!

Is there something you wanna share?

Perhaps down at the station while
making a statement?

Why? Am I a suspect?

Well, that would suggest that you
believe Charlie was murdered. Why?

You can put whatever words you want
in my mouth. I'm saying nothing.

My cuz wouldn't fall.
He was like a cat.

As in burglar?

Was Sonny on a job when he fell?
Who was he working for, Tai?

Somebody sent him
to Baxter's garage.

(SIGHS) He got a call that night.

Who from?

He wouldn't say. He never did.
It was his way of protecting me.

Sonny took a call, what, on
the home line? He had a mobile?

Who doesn't?

What do you think happened
to Charlie, then?

Charlie owed a
container-load of money.

We know his house was mortgaged to
the hilt.

Val said that was because
the business was in trouble.

The business wasn't the problem.
Charlie was the problem.

Why?

You've got his phone?
Take a look at the apps.

What's up?

Baxter's mobile?
Something about apps.

(BEEP!)

Jeez.

Gaming Club, Jackpot City,
Royal Vegas.

Charlie had
a gambling problem?

It wasn't a problem.
It was catastrophic.

Who'd he owe money to?
Oh, who didn't he owe?

He owed me for taking the money
out of the business,

he owed Val
for leaving her nothing!

Well, that gives you and Val motive.
Oh, like hell!

I've had enough of this!

I don't
have to stay here, you know.

That's right. You don't.

Yeah, good enough for me.

Does he ever stop?

Fiddling with the car or drinking?

Jared, babe P

Please. You can't
call me that anymore.

Sorry.

What if Greg walked in
and overheard?

Is that the only reason?

Nah. But what happened between us,
it was P it was a long time ago.

I know that.
OK.

There's still something
I need to tell you.

Oh, Carly, we can't go there.
It's not about that.

What?

The night before last P the night of
the stand-off

between Greg and that
guy Charlie Baxter, Greg went out.

Nah, nah, nah, couldn't have.
I would have heard him!

He didn't take the Customline.
He took your car.

No way.

Greg's got problems,
but he's no murderer.

Greg did that?

He hits me where no one will see.

Never my face.
Sometimes round the head.

Nah, not Greg.

You guys can't see what's in front
of your eyes

when it comes to your
mates.

What happened to him?

He was always exactly like this.
Afghanistan just made it worse.

Sonny's cousin Tai confirms that
on the night he died,

someone phoned him on his mobile,
which seems to have disappeared.

He went out to meet someone and
never came back.

So he was on a mission
at Baxter's garage.

Tai also said Sonny was as agile
as a cat,

and she doesn't believe
he would fall.

Unless the agile cat was
wearing oversized boots...

..completely the wrong footwear
for creeping across roofs.

By the look of it,

he and his cousin didn't have two
cents to rub together.

Maybe those boots were all he had.

Or someone's trying
to cover their tracks.

Also a big doper, according to
Olson, who cannot be trusted.

Because...?
He's a clown.

Is that it?

At this stage.

Wasn't Olson's opinion that
Sonny was a stoner

backed up by the
bag of dope you found on his cousin?

Maybe he was so stoned
he put on the wrong shoes?

Size 12 were way too big for him,
but they're Charlie's size exactly.

Yeah, and size 12 is the
same size that Frodo wears.

So, instead of a middle-aged success
story, own house, own business,

we are now getting a picture of
a very different Charlie Baxter P

a desperate gaming addict who
was causing his wife

and business
partner financial distress.

Which might provide
motive for both of them.

But motive enough for murder?

Well, it'd certainly put a lid on
all the debts he was running up.

Maybe Val and Keith
were in it together.

Conspiring lovers?

Valerie Baxter is living proof
of what my mother used to say P

when debt comes in the door,
love flies out the window.

Get hold of the Baxter and Balance
company records, balance sheet,

cash flow, who owes what where.

And then we get in
a forensic accountant?

Let's see what we
can make of it first.

You.
Mm.

What're you doing here?

(SIGHS) I can't be seen.
I can see you.

Can we go somewhere,
you know, without windows?

(TENSE MUSIC)

What time was this?

Well, Carly reckons the bedside
digital was reading 2:23am.

You saw and heard nothing?
Sound asleep.

So Greg leaves the marital bed,
takes your car and goes... where?

Well, Carly has no idea.

She went back to sleep,
didn't hear him come in,

but when she woke just after 6,
Greg was in bed beside her.

Between 2:30 and 6 certainly fits
the time frame

for Charlie Baxter's
death.

I thought it might.

There's no avoiding it.

We have to interview Greg,
try and get a statement.

If Greg gets a whiff of where this
is coming from,

Carly might be the
next body you find.

You think he's that bad?

What you don't know
about your mates...

He's been giving Carly the bash,
and she showed me the bruises.

She's terrified of him.

We could arrest him for that.
I doubt she'll testify against him.

OK. We can sort this so it doesn't
come back on her.

We don't have to
disclose who our witness is.

Thanks.

Your mate's hiding in the kitchen.
We're actually here to see you.

Listen, I've already told you.

If you want to talk to me, you're
going to have to arrest me.

If you insist. Caution him, Sims.

What? Based on what?

Morning, Jared.
Mike.

What the hell is this? What do
you think you've got on me? Huh?

They can't have anything
on you, babe. Just relax.

Good idea. Relax.

You've got something
to say, say it here.

We'd like to. But it's
confidential. To you.

Like what?

It's to do with a witness
that's come forward.

A witness, babe?

It'll be nothing.
A witness to what?

Your movements the night
you were out on Boundary Rd.

OK, well, let me grab my stuff, and
I'll meet you down at the station.

Much appreciated.

Better hope he turns up.

Well, with a car like his, he won't
be hard to find.

Your mate's straight out of the
bloody Gestapo!

What the hell's
he trying to prove?

They're just doing their job, Greg,
you know, ticking the boxes.

That better be all it is.
See you guys soon.

Frodo.
(THUD!)

Oh, gosh!

What?

Where's the boss?

Uh, he was here.
But isn't?

Might be.

Hey! What the hell do
you think you're doing?

I was going to ask politely if
I could have access

to your firm's
financial records P

bank accounts, securities,
budgets, cash flow charts.

Get outta here! You need
a warrant to do that.

That's Plan B. Either way,
it's going to happen.

Look, we just want to familiarise
ourselves with your position.

My position, what, vis-a-vis Charlie
Baxter,

was bent over a table with
my pants around my ankles.

Right. Because of
Charlie's gambling.

Pretty much.

That must've been hard to take.

Look, he dipped his fingers in
the till

and put the squeeze on
the business. That's all.

Infuriating.
But you get on with it.

Or you take matters into your
own hands get back control.

Bugger this. I've had a gutsful!

Here! And here!

That's this year's!

There's only seven more years to go
once you've finished those!

And this! Oh, and this!
Fill your bloody boots!

Keith Balance is keen to help...

sort of.

Looks like it.

Greg McQueen's on his way in.
How'd you manage that?

He wants to find out what we know.
The theory being?

Charlie's driving home in the dark.
He stops to help someone he knows.

He recognises Jared's car,
assumes it's him.

That makes sense.

There's no way he would have stopped
for Greg's hot rod.

There's more.

You do the interview, given that
Greg knows I'm friendly with Jared.

OK.

Remember...

Before confirming Carly's
assertion, get him to deny it.

You're on to it. And?
Their names will not leave my lips.

of 1:30am and 6:30am that morning?

I didn't.

Well we have information

that you were out and about in Jared
Morehu's car.

(SCOFFS) And this would be
the witness that you mentioned?

That's right.

Who is...?

So, this witness that you won't
name reckons that he? She? It?

They.
They.

That they saw me in Jared's dunger

in the early hours of the morning
that Charlie died? Is that it?

Yes.

Mm. So how can this witness be
sure it wasn't Jared in his car?

Our witness says it was you.
Well, how can they be sure?

He, she, it or them.
Would've been dark.

And how many people round here
know me?

The witness saw you
at the Beach Hop.

The Beach Hop didn't
start until the next day.

Well, that car of yours
attracts a lot of attention.

Not before the Beach Hop began.

Unless he/she was at the drag race
that wasn't out on Boundary Rd?

Look, we just need to know whether

you can account for your movements
that night?

But there were no movements.
I was in bed asleep.

And I have two alibis to support me
on that.

Unless Jared was out in his
car.

But I wouldn't know. I was asleep.
Have you spoken to Jared?

We will speak to Jared P

If you haven't spoken to Jared,
how do you know it was his car?

Our witness knows his car.

And he knows it wasn't Jared
driving, it was you.

He?

Which is weird because, as I said,
I was tucked up in bed all night,

and you can easily find two
witnesses to verify that.

Well, you could have slipped out
unbeknownst to either of them.

Which is why you took Jared's car,
so they wouldn't hear anything.

Ah, so they heard nothing?

Well, I don't know.
I'm just guessing.

You've talked to
Jared and Carly already.

No, I didn't say thatP
You've got nothing. You're fishing.

I don't know who put you up to this,

but someone is hanging me out to
dry!

You got him to deny
he was out and about?

But Jared can't actually confirm

that he left the property at that
time in his car.

No. It's down to Carly.
We have to get her statement.

Well, can we pull both
Carly and Jared in now?

I mean, they can just tell Greg that
they're providing him with an alibi.

In fact, if we don't do that,

Greg will get suspicious.

You've got the makings.

Of what?

A forensic accountant.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Expect Jared'll be showing
up any minute now.

Wouldn't wanna miss a chance to
share lunch with his old flame.

Babe...
Mm.

What's with the paranoia?

Just because you're paranoid doesn't
mean they're not out to get you.

What are you talking about?

The cops reckon they have a witness

who saw me driving Jared's car the
night that that guy was killed.

No way! You were in
bed with me all night.

Mm. Did you tell them that?

(DANGEROUS MUSIC)

Hm?
I will.

But you haven't spoken
to them already?

No. I swear!

(CAR PULLS UP)

Ah, speak of the devil.

What'd I tell you?
He can't stay away from you.

(DOOR THUDS)

Hey.

Hey, brother.

Cleaning your rifle?
Yeah, old Army habits die hard, eh.

See, in the desert, your life
depends on having a clean rifle.

Just like I thought
I could depend on you.

Eh?

I thought we were mates.
What do you mean?

I didn't expect you to go
to the cops behind my back.

What? Nah P

You're trying to stitch me up.
Come on, Greg P

You've been speaking
to your detective mate.

The cops reckon they have a
witness who saw me driving your car

the night that Charlie was killed.

I thought you were here asleep P
Is that what you told them?

Who?
The cops! Who else?

What are you saying?
It was your car.

They'd need to talk to you first to
make sure you weren't driving it.

Not if they'd seen P
I know how the cops work!

(CAR PULLS UP)

Ah, who do we have here?

(TENSE MUSIC)

Didn't hear you knock.

Is Carly about?

That depends. I'll get back to you.

(COCKS RIFLE)

OK, lovebirds, which one of
you put the cops up to this?

Comms, this is DSS Shepherd.

Someone better start
talking real quick!

Is everything OK in there, Greg?
You tell me!

If there's an issue, we should
just keep calm and talk it through.

Listen to your mate. He's giving
you a chance to tell the truth.

OK, OK. It was me.

You were right to be suspicious.

I wanted to be with Carly and saw
a chance to get you out of the way.

She knew nothing about it.

Is that true?
I knew nothing. Honest, babe.

I should put a bullet
through your head.

Don't, babe. He's not worth it!

You tell them what
you just told me.

Tell them!

(GUN CLICKS)

I made the story up. Greg never
took my car. He was here all night.

I tried to set him up so me and
Carly could get back together.

OK.

You got that?

We've got that.
You can lower the rifle.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Lower the rifle.

(BULLETS CLINK ON GROUND)

Good. Now put it down.

Now, step back inside.

Put your hands on your head.

Now!

That was such a brave
thing to do. Thank you.

It's OK. It's over.

They'll lock Greg up and you'll
be able to make a statement.

Hey, hey, hey. Greg will
never bash you again.

Maybe I won't have
to make a statement.

How do you mean?

Well, Greg'll go to prison
for what he did today.

Maybe. But he's still got to stand
trial for murdering Charlie Baxter.

Except he couldn't
possibly have done that.

He was here all night.

He never went out, didn't take your
car.

I wanted him out of the way so
we could be together again.

It was all a lie?

A white lie. A fib. In a good cause.

Do you know what you've done?

You told Greg the truth, that
you really want to be with me.

And I want that too, babe,
back the way it was.

Get in the car.

I didn't know what else to do.
Get in the car, Carly.

Charge him with reckless
use of a firearm.

I'll get a statement from Carly,
we'll go from there.

She's got something to tell you.

(EXHALES) Unbelievable.

I know you wanna charge her with
something,

but all she's actually
done is lie to Jared.

I feel like we're going round and
round in circles, getting nowhere.

Doughnuts. Doing doughnuts.

Going round and round in circles, and
getting nowhere. Petrolhead term.

(CHUCKLES) I know what a doughnut
is. I'm just surprised that you do.

Actually, I can see you popping some
wheelies in your youth. Did you?

Pull a few doughnuts.

Let's just say I prefer
mine with jam and cream.

(CHUCKLES)

Hey, you should see the money
trail here! So much money!

Huge amounts going out on
Baxter's online gaming accounts P

Indian sports betting, TAB, online
poker.

You name it, Charlie was up
to his eyeballs in it.

So he was a gambling addict.
Does that help us?

No, the mystery's not how he lost
all this dough,

it's where the hell
he got it from.

The business is doing well P the
panel and paint,

the car repairs,
the compliance work on imports.

It's all here, all
going through the books.

So he blew it all?

And much more besides.

According to Val, he borrowed
against the business

and against
their house?

Yeah, that would cover some of it.

But Charlie's online gaming accounts
show so much more going out.

There's no trace of it on the books

so he must have had a huge stream of
income

that wasn't going
anywhere near the books.

From where? From his winnings?

No way. None of those
accounts were ever in credit.

So Baxter's gambling and gaming went
far beyond

what he was making from
the business?

Way beyond.

And despite all this money coming
in,

the business itself is mortgaged
to the hilt P

the land the garage sits on to,
uh, an outfit called Taurus Inc,

and then there's also a debenture
on the remaining company assets to

something called Edsel Inc.

Who are they?

Well, I'm still trying to find out.
They were shelf companies,

but now with an accountant holding
the shares

in trust for the real
owners.

Which means we're looking for a
cash source,

some kind of black
market money stream?

Has to be.

Keith Balance must know
where the cash is coming from.

How could he not? And how could he
not stop Baxter from blowing it all?

(EMAIL ALERT)

Ah, OK. An email from Val and
Charlie's insurance company.

Charlie's life policy was increased
10 days ago.

Sole beneficiary P wife
Valerie Baxter.

We note that you increased Charlie's
life cover P

doubled it to $500,000
P just over a week before he died.

I did. It was a five-yearly review.

I know the timing looks bad, but
it was just a coincidence, I swear.

And when exactly did you hear
from the bank about the size

of the mortgage on this place?

Before or after you
increased the life insurance?

Before.

Right, so increasing the life
insurance

wasn't entirely coincidental.

No. I called them. Can you blame me?

The point is, you doubled the cover
on your husband's life insurance

just days before he was killed.

That was coincidental, I swear.
Oh, you'll have to.

If there's this half mill in the
pipeline, why were you so anxious

about selling Charlie's Cadillac?

Because I very quickly realised
after he died that half a million

wasn't nearly enough.

You know what I would
have done if I'd known?

I'd have put it up to 2 million
and killed the bastard myself!

I'm sorry, babe.

Sorry doesn't do it.

It didn't work out exactly
as I thought it would, but hey P

Carly.

I don't blame you.

You did what you did to try and get
out of a toxic relationship,

and I get that.

But I'm not the answer.

You've got Greg out of the
picture for a while,

and you
should take advantage of that.

Go see your family. Let them help.

I'm still your friend, OK?

OK.

Olson says that after the
altercation out on Boundary Rd,

Charlie drove him back to
the Baxter and Balance garage.

It's not too late to get a Ford.
(LAUGHS) Goodnight.

Good night.

Olson drives home, and Charlie
works on the Eldorado.

Next morning, Charlie is found dead
beside his Eldorado,

halfway between
the garage and his home.

Yet when I showed up here that
morning to give Val the bad news,

his ute is sitting in
the driveway there.

How did Charlie's ute
get home that night?

Either Charlie drove it or
you drove it.

Either way, you're
not telling us the truth, Val.

He did come home.

(DOOR SLAMS)

Those bloody hot-rodders
spoil it for everyone!

'He wanted me to drive him back
to the garage,

because he still
had more work to do on the car.

'He said he'd bring it home when
he'd finished,

so he could
go straight to the beach hop'

in the Eldorado in the morning.

This was about half-past 10,
quarter to 11.

He never came back to the house
that night in the Eldorado?

No. It wasn't the first time he'd
promised

to come home and not shown
up.

After you dropped him at the
garage, you came straight home?

And you never left the
house again that evening?

No.

Why do you think I never mentioned
it?

I was the last one to see him
alive.

I knew that and the insurance
would make me a suspect.

Plus lying to the police.
That doesn't help.

No one's touched this since
Charlie parked it here?

No. I ran him back
to the garage in my car.

Key?

No idea where.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Sonny Smith.

I swear I've never seen any of
this stuff before.

What the hell
was Charlie up to?

I'd say he was up to no good.
If the shoe fits,...

And I suspect it will...

on Sonny's foot.

Tai verified that these belong to
Sonny,

and they fitted his feet
perfectly.

They're not the
only things that fit...

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

From something blunt.

It's not consistent with the impact
from the fall.

That'll have traces of
Sonny's blood and hair.

Tai also said Sonny took a call
earlier

in the evening before going
out. She was telling the truth.

Trace it. The jerry can
will need to be tested too.

I'm picking it will have Sonny's
prints on it, as well as Charlie's.

Sonny was sent to the Baxter and
Balance garage,

not to steal the
1969 Cadillac Eldorado,

but to burn the garage down. Why?

Insurance, we can only assume.

But Charlie was working late.
(SPARKS CRACKLE)

Charlie heard or saw something and
sprang Sonny about to commit arson.

Charlie whacks him.'

(THWACK! THUD!)

Charlie needs to make it look like
an accident.

He's got too much to
hide.

So he gets the ladder
from the garage

and drops Sonny
through the skylight...

(CRASH!)

..to make it look like
the burglary had gone wrong.

Which is why there's only one
set of footprints on the roof,

and a burglar's not going to care
about keeping to the nail lines.

But Charlie did care about
those prints up there,

and he saw a great way
to tie those to Sonny.

So it's clear that
Charlie killed Sonny.

But who killed Charlie?

Was it revenge for Sonny?

Whoever ordered Sonny to torch
the garage

would have been angry
that Charlie screwed the plan.

We'll only know that when we find
out who sent Sonny on his mission.

It's got to be an inside job.
Keith Balance or Val.

Maybe. And where is
Frodo in all of this?

Where's the boss?

Hey, you can't just barge in there P
(ENGINE RUMBLES)

Frodo! Get in here now!

Stand back!

(MACHINERY WHIRRS)

He's alive.

Right. Stay with him until he's up
to talking about

the secrets he was
so keen on taking to the grave.

Too many loose ends around you,
Frodo.

Your brand new boots the day
after the burglar was found dead

in the garage wearing the
same brand and size.

Charlie flicked me those.

What am I supposed to do, turn 'em
down so I can fork out for my own?

How much did you
fork out for that car?

It'd be worth about 30K or 40K.

And how does an apprentice mechanic
get that sort of cash?

It's not actually mine.

Meaning?
It's the company's.

Which company's?

Charlie and Keith jacked it up
for me, so I assume it was them.

We'll check who it's registered to.

I'm allowed to drive
it as if it's mine.

Generous bosses.
Nothing wrong with that.

What was the quid pro quo?
What, what?

What did you have to do in return?
Nothing! Not much.

Drive it
over to Olson's yard for a valet.

How often?
Once a week, regular.

Well, couldn't you just
clean it yourself?

I wasn't to touch it.
That was the deal.

Once a week? Isn't
that a bit excessive?

Maybe. I wasn't going to argue, was
I?

I get free use of a mint Mustang,
and I don't even have to clean it!

How choice is that? And I won
the Piston trophy at the Beach Hop!

Yep, Kimberly and Toni
were very impressed.

Yeah. Yeah, they were.

Uh, do you mind not telling
Kimberly?

She...She doesn't need
to know it's not my car, right?

Don't get it.

Frodo appears to be a pawn
in a very strange game.

He's not up to this, I'm sorry.
Just one question. OK?

You had a stream of black cash.
Huge. Where did it come from?

Take a look at the ute on the hoist.

I've seen it.
(SCOFFS)

Do your job. Take a real look.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

Bingo!

Pseudoephedrine, precursor to P.

They come in through the utes,
the Asian ones. We had it made.

How did you launder the money?

All Charlie had to do was go into
the casino,

buy some chips, not bet
them all,

get a good proportion cashed up,

and we'd be home free with clean
money.

But Charlie got a taste for the
gaming tables and couldn't stop.

So you two put Sonny Smith
up to torch the garage

for the fire insurance money.

Fat use that'd be. The mortgagee
would collect, not me or Charlie.

So who's the mortgagee? Who's
standing behind those companies P

..Taurus Incorporated
and Edsel Incorporated?

Who did you deliver the bags to?

(COUGHS) They went back
where they came from.

Well, where did they come from?
That's enough!

How far back down the line?
Please. I'm asking you to leave.

(GASPS)

(CELL PHONE RINGS) Kristen.

Sonny's mobile is prepay,
predictably. Untraceable.

I think we know whose phone
that'll turn out to be.

Oh, and Frodo's Mustang

is registered to one of
those companies P Edsel Inc.

Thanks.

Edsel Inc owns the Mustang.

Oh! How did I miss that?

What?

Taurus and Edsel,

the companies that hold the mortgage
on Baxter and Balance.

It has to be P Ford!
Ford what? Ford who?

Taurus and Edsel are the model names

of the least successful Ford cars
ever made.

The mystery shareholder has to be
Olson Siola,

the biggest Ford freak
in town.

So Frodo was the unwitting mule,

driving his precious Mustang back
and forth to Olson for a valet.

If it was ever stopped,
Frodo would have to take the fall.

Nice work.

Mr Siola!

A word, please.

What's he doing?

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(TYRES SCREECH)

(UPBEAT MUSIC CONTINUES)

Olson, you idiot. Pull over!

Can I help you, Officer?

Yes, you can accompanying
us down to the station.

Hm, I must admit it's a lovely
evening for a cruise,

but why would
I want to do that?

To help us with our enquiries.
Need help, do you?

From you, yes.

And what if I find
that inconvenient?

We could arrest you,
if that would help?

On what grounds?

Failure to stop, for starters.

Were you pursuing me?

If I'd known you were going to get
all OJ Simpson about it,

I would have driven my white Bronco.
It's your choice, Olson.

Can I bring a friend?
Miranda Temple. My lawyer.

Please do.

Charlie Baxter had become a loose
cannon

who was jeopardising your
lucrative scheme.

A lucrative scheme?
Olson. Please.

Ms Temple cautioned her
client to say nothing.

I certainly did not.

By gesture.

Burning the garage was a way to put
Charlie out of business

and to cash up at the same time,
by collecting the fire insurance.

Charlie caught Sonny in the act and
killed him,

hence Plan B for ending your
partnership with Charlie.

You knew Charlie's plans to cut and
polish the Eldorado

and exactly how
long that would take,

and you knew he'd
then drive it home.

You parked the T Bird where you knew
Charlie would see it

on his way home.

(TENSE MUSIC)

'You knew he'd pull over...'

(SINISTER MUSIC)

It's coming.

(GRUNTS)

(GURGLES, COUGHS)

As much as my client and I enjoy
a good story,

we're still unaware
of what lucrative scheme

you're referring to.

These were found in the last
ute that your client imported.

The one Keith Balance rendered
unsaleable

due to carbon monoxide
toxicity?

Keith dobbed your client in.
Well, he would, wouldn't he?

Although my client is unaware of
what

he and Charlie Baxter were up
to,

clearly the stress has taken a
terrible psychological toll

on the man, and he's trying to
deflect culpability.

Keith will be ready
and able to testify.

Which is more than can
be said for Charlie Baxter.

But is that it?

One psychologically unstable
witness

who's clearly implicated
in some sort of drug importation

and will lie to save his own skin?

If that is it, Detective, my
client and I will take our leave.

Damn.

Then there's Frodo.

Frodo?

As in Bilbo Baggins' nephew?

Frodo, aka Frankie Oades, the
apprentice at Baxter and Balance P

What does he have
to do with my client?

He made deliveries directly to your
client

weekly in the borrowed
Mustang,

still registered in
Olson's company's name.

Frodo knows nothing!

Olson, you're not required to speak.

Hobbits driving Mustangs?

Until you can give us something less
fictional to go on,

Detective, we'll
bid you goodnight.

I tried to tell you.
Never trust a clown.

The murderer of a murderer.
Should we even care?

And I hate to say it, but it
seems you've dropped Frodo in it.

We better try and warn him.

Poor Frodo. At the mercy of that
crazy clown.

And not likely to die
laughing.

(SIGHS) Straight to voicemail.
What do we do?

(TENSE MUSIC)

(SPARKS CRACKLE)

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Frodo, my friend.

I go out of my way to help you, give
you a Mustang to play with,

and you repay me by
talking to the cops?

You weren't supposed to know about
the P import side of the business,

but as with most things,
Charlie and Keith were loose.

Unfortunately, my friend,

you're going to have to pay
for their mistakes

with another little accident,
just as Charlie had to.

These
workplaces can be so unsafe.

(GRUNTS)
Drop the weapon! Drop the weapon!

(STICK CLATTERS)

Quite a performance,

Olson P drug imports, Charlie's
murder, all on tape,

and attempted murder on camera.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(HANDCUFFS CLICK)

Olson Siola you're under arrest
for the murder of Charlie Baxter.

You have the right to remain
silent.

Anything you say...
You OK?

Never better.

That was so awesome!
(CHUCKLES)

Thanks for helping out.

Nah, like I said, that was
totally wicked! Any time.

Well, let's hope there
isn't another time.

Take care, Frodo.

Hey, um, since he's nicked,
will I lose the car?

Proceeds of a crime.
I'd make the most of it.

Hey, um, want to take
it for a spin, then?

Hell yeah. As long as I can drive.
Hard out.

(THE EASTERN'S 'MISTY AND JIMMY')

(ENGINE RUMBLES)

# Well, Misty and Jimmy found
themselves out in the middle...

The petrolhead within.
It's a beautiful thing.

Yee-hah!

Well, Misty said to Jimmy,
'I never read the sky.'

# And Jimmy said,
'Well, me neither.'

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.