Vera (2011–…): Season 12, Episode 2 - For the Grace of God - full transcript

BIRDSONG

GUNSHOTS AND
SIRENS ECHO IN HEAD

LIVELY CHATTER

No.

You all right, mate?

CHUCKLING

LIVELY CHATTER

Nah, mate, sorry. Got nothing.

CLATTERING

HE CHUCKLES

Calm down, will you?
Mate... Just messing.



GROUP SING: ♪ Here
comes the bride

♪ 50 inches wide

♪ La, la-da-da... ♪

Hold on, hold on. Hold on.
OTHERS CONTINUE SINGING

THEY LAUGH AND WHOOP

PHONE RINGS

Aiden?

What's happened?

I'll be there as soon as.

SHEEP BAA Oh, for...

Come on!

DOG BARKS

LIVELY CHATTER

HORN HONKS



What now?

Hey! MAN CHUCKLES

Worse than bloody sheep!

AIDEN: I'll get my officer just
to go over your statement again

once you've sobered up

and we'll make sure that
everything's in order, OK?

OK. They'll probably
be over quite soon.

I've got to steal him
from you, love. All right.

Morning, Ma'am. It's not
what you need on a Sunday.

Any ID? I'm afraid not.

Oh, they must be frozen!

Ma'am, I'm with the
girl who found him.

She's not making much
sense - a hen party.

Right, get her details.

And tell them to go home
and sober up. Ma'am.

Right, blues. There you go.

Aw, it's the lass's
wedding tomorrow.

Today.

Make sure you get some samples.

Perfect. Yep, and
capture under the cheek.

SHUTTER CLICKS

Great. Thank you.

Oh, you must be the new girl.

Welcome aboard.

And you are?

No, don't tell me -
Vera Stanhope. No, love.

I'm Detective Chief
Inspector Vera Stanhope,

I'm leading this investigation.
I've heard a lot about you.

Well, then, you have the
advantage of me, love,

cos I've heard
nothing about you.

Now, what are we looking at?

Beaten to death? When
I know, you'll know.

Are you gonna give me anything?

His tooth has been broken,
presumably during the attack.

The tooth pulp is still soft.

I can't find any
tooth fragments.

I'm guessing they're in
his stomach contents.

I'll find out later.

I can smell significant alcohol.
I'll run the normal tests.

Could be homeless.

That's what I was thinking.

There's a tattoo on the
right side of the neck.

First Northumberland Regiment.

Oh, in the army. Or was.

That's got to help with
his ID. Also, this.

Bailey.

That could be his
wife. Or daughter.

Any idea time of death?

For now, I'd say he died no earlier
than 11pm, no later than 3am.

I'll have more news when
I get him on the table.

That's the best bit.

Right, well, let me know if
you find anything useful.

Of course. That's
literally my job.

No, the fella's got no belongings
but could have been robbed.

But we need to get an ID,
so start asking around

and check the hostels

and any agencies that
help the homeless.

See if they can give
us a name. Ma'am.

And, Jac, CCTV - see
what you can find.

On it, Ma'am. So, what
do you want to do now?

Well, I know what I want
YOU to do. I'm parched.

Here.

TRAIN HORN BLARES

Have you taken witness...

Oh, hang on.

Excuse me, love.

Excuse me, sir.

Er, do you know
anything about this?

What's going on?

Well, a fella died.

He'd been attacked, and we're
trying to find out his name.

Any ideas?

Well, how would I know?
I haven't been down.

I just seen all this...

Well, he's got a couple
of tattoos on his neck.

A cannon and lion and "Bailey".

I don't know him. Ah.

But I've seen him
at The Civvy Centre.

You should ask the bloke
that runs it - Steve.

Come on, Gary. JAC: Ma'am.

Look up The Civvy Centre.

Ma'am, this is Finlay, doorman
at Chez Lounge. Possible ID.

Er, I think his name
was Conn something.

The homeless guy? Mm.

Aye, he used to hang around up
there a couple of nights a week

watching the club.
He's nee bother, like.

And was he up there last night?

Well, I don't think so.

Do you ever see him
with anyone else?

PHONE BLEEPS No. Look,
sorry. I've got to go.

No, you're all right, love.

Just give your details
to my officer here.

So, Conn - that's something.

Just need to find a surname.

Anything on there? Yeah,
Civvy Centre's nearby.

It's a support centre
for the no-fixed-abode.

Is it new?

Started 18 months ago, by
ex-soldier Steve Wilson.

Right. Well, come on,
let's get over there.

So, imagine, you serve your
country and then die like that.

That doesn't seem fair.

No, you're right, it doesn't.

It's all right, love,
we're not pushing in.

Can you let us in,
love? Official business.

Oh.

Excuse me, love. We're
looking for Steve Wilson.

This is our busy time.
Steve's cooking breakfast.

You'll have to come
back later. VERA HUFFS

Or you can talk to
me. And you are...?

His cousin, Mandy.
How can I help?

Well, we need to talk to
you AND your cousin, love.

Police to see you, Steve.

You'll have to wait. I've got
people to feed. I can't stop.

Do you have a client
called Conn, ex-army?

Conn Burns? Yes.

Well, I'm afraid
he's been found dead.

How?

Well, I can't say yet, love.

Anything else, or is that it?

Would you happen to
have his next of kin?

Date of birth?

I can get you
that. Come with me.

BANGING Argh! Bloody hell.

Sorry about Steve.

It was our fundraiser
last night. We're tired.

When was Conn last here?

Yesterday. Late afternoon.

How well did you know him?

He was here most days,
volunteering for Steve.

Doing what?

Anything Steve needed.

He just wanted to help.

He said we saved his
life, gave him stability.

I can't believe
this has happened.

He was such a good man.

Mm. Well...

sorry, pet.

Wait.

Ah, thanks, love.

Run our victim through
the system, Kenny.

Here's his details.
Yes, Ma'am.

So, what are we up to?

Well, I called the agencies
helping people with no fixed abode,

but they said he either
never engaged with them

or didn't fit their demographic.

And the hostels didn't know him.

SHE SIGHS Jac, CCTV?

It's a blind spot. No coverage.

What?! The closest
camera's 100 metres away.

Well, see if you can pick
him up anywhere else.

And put together a timeline.

Ma'am?

Connail Burns.

He was admitted to Newcastle General
with pneumonia three years ago

and he's named as his next
of kin a Teresa Burns.

Right.

Aiden?

BELL RINGS

This brings back memories
I'd rather forget.

Bible classes as a bairn
at our local convent.

It was great, they
gave us sweets.

But it was the chapped knees,

waiting in the cold for me
dad to come and pick me up.

We're here to see Teresa
Burns, Sister Michael?

Sister.

You wanted to see me?

DS Healy, this is DCI Stanhope,
from Northumberland and City Police.

Um... we're here about
your brother, Connail.

I'm afraid he was
found dead, love.

Connail?

What happened?

He was the victim of an assault.

Are you saying
someone killed him?

Well, that's the theory
we're working on.

When?

Last night, in Newcastle.

Were you still in touch?

He came start of every month.

SHE PANTS AND SNIFFLES

Now, I'm going to
have to ask you...

..does the name Bailey
mean anything to you?

Sh-She was his daughter.

You haven't told Kate?

PHONE RINGS Sorry.

DC Healy.

Who's Kate? His wife.

Bailey's mum.

Do you mean his ex-wife? Cos
we have you as next of kin.

No. They were still married.

Ma'am? It's Paula.

I'm... I'm afraid we're going
to have to go now, love,

but if you'd like to
give us Kate's address,

we'll make sure she's told.

Oh, he's been through
it, has Connail.

What's this?

That looks like an old bullet wound.
Correct. From a few years ago.

It's not important right now.

More recently, I'd like to
draw your attention to these.

It looks very likely

that there were at least
two involved in the assault.

One held his arms from behind,

you can see the
bruises here and here,

whilst the other
beat him. Excuse me.

There's severe
bruising to the groin.

And then someone
dislocated his left knee

and stamped on his
back so hard...

they left a shoe print.

He was an ex-drinker.

His liver showed
significant cirrhosis,

but even though he smelt of alcohol,
there was barely any in his system.

I'd say what was
there was forced.

Hence the broken tooth.

As suspected, I found
his tooth in his stomach.

Now, after this attack,
he was left unconscious.

What do you mean, THIS attack?

He was attacked twice.

Twice? This was
the first time.

You can see that the
bruising started developing,

which indicates
that he was alive

for probably around
two hours afterwards.

He was first attacked about five
metres from where we found him.

So he was moved?

More likely he was crawling
away from something,

or towards something,

then was attacked
again, two hours later.

It was very different.

His scarf was held over
his mouth and nose.

I found fibres inside both.
He was suffocated with it.

Did he put up a
fight? I doubt it, no.

He was already
considerably weakened.

So whoever did this...

came back to finish
what they started.

We won't know that until we
get the DNA results back.

But we do know when it happened,

the first attack was
between nine and 11.

The second, two hours
later, between 11pm and 1am.

So you're saying we've got
two cases on our hands?

Mm. Finding out
who attacked him...

..then finding out
who killed him.

So, we have two
investigations, two attacks.

The first involves two or
more people, who beat him up.

The second attack,
approximately two hours later...

I mean, most likely it was the same
people returning to finish the job.

Or it could have been anyone.

He was so severely weakened...

a child could have done it.

But make no mistake,
this was murder.

So, what do we know
about Connail Burns?

He was 38, born in Newcastle.

Been in care since
the age of seven.

I called social services.

They said he was kicked out of
a succession of kids' homes.

He enlisted in the
army when he turned 17

and he left in 2016.

So a bit of a troublemaker?

Well, he had an expired ASBO
from 2018 on his record,

but that was it. An
ASBO. What was that for?

To keep his distance from
his wife, Kate Burns.

Apart from that, he's clean.

He's never even been charged
under the Vagrancy Act.

When did they get
married? Twenty years ago.

Bailey arrived, er, four
years later. She's 15.

So, why was he still married?

More to the point...

..why was she?

AIDEN: It's hard to
believe he lived here.

VERA: When did he
move out? 2018?

What a difference four
years can make, eh?

Kate Burns? Yeah. Er, Kate?

Could we come inside, pet?

What's all this about?

I'm sorry, love. It's about
your husband, Connail.

He's dead, isn't
he? I'm afraid so.

I've been waiting for
this since we met,

that knock at the door.

Do you need me to identify
him? If that's something

you're comfortable doing. I
should, I'm his next of kin.

Well, we've got his sister
down as next of kin.

Teresa? Oh, she's useless.

No, course I'll do it.

How did he die?

He was fatally attacked.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

What's happened to Dad?

Bailey... What's
happened to him?

Oh. Whoa.

BAILEY SOBS OK.

I was surprised you
were still married.

I didn't exactly have an
address for the divorce papers.

I... I need some air.

Hey.

She needs you.

WOMAN SIGHS Poor Conn.

AIDEN: So, you knew him?

No. Erm...

I met Kate the
year after he left.

Pretty much picked
up the pieces.

Well, come on, love.
Help us out here.

SHE SIGHS

OK. So, you know
he was in the army?

Well, when he came out, he
got himself a job. And...

he lost it, so he
lied about it...

..and he built up a mountain
of debt and lied about that.

I mean... he was punching
holes in every wall.

So he was violent?

He really blew up. I mean...

kicked the hell
out of this place.

Bailey saw it and
she was terrified.

So he walked out.

He left her. Any
communication since?

No.

BAILEY: I would like to know!

KATE: I've told you
everything I can!

Look, I'm gonna have
to go up. Sorry.

Oh, right, love. We'll
let ourselves out.

And tell Kate we'll be in
touch about IDing the body.

Yeah.

OK.

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

MUSIC STOPS

Hey, sorry, love. We're
looking for Steve.

Yeah, he's, er... he's
fixing the lights outside.

Right. You one of the
volunteers here, are you?

Yeah.

He's, er, helping me get into
college. Gonna be a chef.

What's your name? Tony.

Tony what?

Tony Castillo.

Who are you? Like,
Christians or something?

Er, no, this is DCI
Stanhope and I'm DS Healy,

Northumberland and City Police.

Er, do you know a fella
called Connail Burns?

Had a couple of
tattoos on his neck.

No. Sorry. Don't know him.

Hey, you crack on.

Next stop, the Ritz.

SHE CHUCKLES SOFTLY
Thanks, love.

Oof!

Jack of all trades.

You have to when it's only you.

Half our clients didn't
show up yesterday.

Oh? Why's that?

Because they knew we'd had
police in the building.

Well, I'm sorry, love.
Nothing we can do about that

cos this is now a
murder investigation.

Murder? I didn't realise.

How long's he been
coming here? Six months.

First for food, then
classes, then volunteering.

What was he like?

Good man to have around. Solid.

Well, had been.

He was an alcoholic but
he'd been sober for months.

"Had" been solid?

So, what happened?

He... kicked off at
the start of the week.

He was meant to talk

at the fundraiser on
Saturday, but pulled out.

Did he give a reason why?

Didn't say. It
really cocked it up.

He was gonna speak, talk
about how we'd helped him.

Star guest.

Ah, your cousin said you didn't
make your fundraising target.

Barely even covered the costs.

So, why'd he kick off?

I dunno. He'd spent months
getting a flat with another client

and pulled of that,
too, on Monday.

OK, right. Now, can you give us
the name of this other client?

Tony Castillo.

He's done a runner.

Now, why would he do a
daft thing like that?

You're police.

So did he have something
to do with Connail's death?

No! Tony hero-worshipped him.

So why didn't Conn
want to live with him?

You'll have to ask Tony.
Where's your cousin?

Where's Tony?

Tony? He left a
couple of minutes ago.

Oh.

Now, he told us he
didn't know Conn.

Well, that's rubbish. They
were due to move in together.

Yeah. So, why did
he pull out of that?

Don't know. Tony was gutted.

It's a two-bed flat. It
fell through without Conn.

Yeah, and when
was this? Monday.

Already had a bad start
to the week. Why's that?

Someone nicked a donation tin.

Happens a lot, does it, theft?

Not really. Too scared of Steve.

Wouldn't want to disappoint him.

Who else was Conn mates with?

He got on with Benny,
looked out for him.

Benny. Have you got a photo?

Doubt it. Erm... might have
one of his little mate.

What?

The fella with the dog. Mm.

Now, why would he say
he didn't know Conn?

He's scared.

Most of their encounters
with the police

end up with them arrested.

They operate from
a place of fear.

Can you get the footage from
when Conn was last here?

Who's he shouting at?
No idea. I was upstairs.

Where was Steve?

At the hotel for the fundraiser.

Is it possible Conn could
have stolen that donation tin?

He wasn't around the
weekend before last.

But it could have gone
missing on the Friday.

Maybe he did.

Right.

I want this Tony Castillo
found, top priority.

Kenny, run Tony through the
system. And while you're at it,

do a background check on that
fella who runs The Civvy Centre,

Steve Wilson. I mean, why did
Connail not go to that fundraiser?

He told Mandy the place saved
his life, so what changed?

And, Mark, do some checks
into his missus, Kate Burns.

There's something not
right there. Ma'am.

Yeah, I don't understand
why she didn't divorce him

if she's got an ASBO
on him. Yeah, exactly.

So, where are we on
his timeline, Jac?

He stayed in the city
centre until late afternoon,

when he disappeared
for three hours.

There's a couple of things
I'd like to show you.

This was yesterday lunchtime.

Hm. Now, would you look at
that? He's chasing a mugger.

Good lad!

And this was some time later.
What's that, an estate agent's?

Yeah, Hawthorn and Son.

Now, what was he doing in there?

So I'm obviously gonna
make sure that next time,

I'm not gonna be in
that situation, am I?

Yeah, OK, whatever. But
it's not what I was saying.

Rae...

Whoa!

Huh! Unhappy customer?

Well, if you don't pay for your
flat, you can't live in it, can you?

How can I help you?

Er, DCI Stanhope, DS Healy.

Oh. Not looking for a three-bed

with a river view,
then? HE CHUCKLES

Now, we're wondering if
anyone knew this fella, love.

Believe he came in here about
5pm, day before yesterday.

Yeah, he, er...

he wanted me to give him some
money to not sit outside.

Extortion. Why?

Well, cos he's been
murdered, love.

Found yesterday morning.

So, did you see him again
after he came in here?

No. That was the only
time that I saw him.

Oh, the only time? Yeah.

Apart from him sitting in
your doorway, you mean?

Well, er...

Sorry, didn't catch your name.

Oh, it's Alexander Hawthorn.
This is my dad's agency.

Ah, course it is.

Well, if you think
of anything, love...

Will do.

Don't believe a word he said.

I'm going with Kate Burns
to ID her husband's body,

so I'll be quick.

I want to know everything about
this fella, Alexander Hawthorn.

If he blows his nose, I want
the tissue, and I'm not joking.

Backtrack his movements on CCTV.

Let's see if he crossed
paths with Connail Burns.

And where are we with The Civvy
Centre fella, Steve Wilson?

He left the forces in 2012,
decorated multiple times.

Ended up no fixed abode, 2013.

But according to this,

he turned his life round and
opened up The Civvy Centre.

And it's all above board? Legit?

Far as I know. Where'd
he get the money?

He set it up with an inheritance
from his grandmother.

Got charitable status last year.

And what's his reputation like?

Local agencies were impressed.
Said he's a one-man machine.

Looks like the only help
he's got is his cousin.

I followed up on what Conn's
wife's partner said to you.

He went to work at a local
fulfilment centre but got sacked.

What? More troublemaking?

Well, the manager said he was
sacked for being drunk at work.

Well, we've all been
there. Haven't we, Kenny?

I looked into his finances.

He ran up £18,000 of
debt, plus interest.

Did he? Kate took it on.

Now, why would she do that and
then land him with an ASBO?

Well, backs up what
the partner said.

And how are we doing with
the elusive Tony and Benny?

Any sightings? Nah,
they're both lying low.

All right, well, crack
on. Impress me, eh?

VERA: Ready?

That's Connail Burns.

No, not just yet, please.

Are you OK, pet?

I thought I wouldn't
recognise him, but...

..he looks the same.

I loved you.

Conn had been in the army
two years when we met.

He was handsome. Sexy.
Always did the right thing.

And what was he like
when he left the army?

He couldn't cope.

He wouldn't talk
about it. Just drank.

Said that's what he'd been
told to do if he felt too much.

Drink.

And he ran up some
debts, is that right?

That's what we argued
about the night he left.

He didn't want me to
know he'd lost his job.

Cos he was ashamed.

He saw how scared we
were and walked out.

Ah, well, that can't
have been easy.

I couldn't do it without Liv.

She and Bailey seem close.

Yeah.

I think Bailey likes her
more than she likes me.

Well, I can't believe that.

I should just be grateful...

..Liv signed up to
the whole package.

So, where were you
on Saturday night?

Home. Waiting to pick Bailey up.

She called about midnight.

And what about your partner?

We ask everyone, love.

She was at work, in
Sunderland. What does she do?

Head of security for a
local firm. Night work.

And where are you? Dayton
Hospice. Care assistant.

PHONE RINGS Well, that
must be rewarding.

Excuse me, love.

Yep?

And where is he?

Hello, Tony.

What are you doing?

Oh, a bit of a disappearing
act you played on us earlier.

You said you didn't know Conn.

I meant he wasn't my mate.

Yeah? Well, Steve Wilson told us

you and Conn were
getting a flat together.

So you must've been close once.

I thought we were, yeah.
So, why'd he pull out, hmm?

Don't know. He was on one.

He went away the weekend before
last and come back different.

What d'you mean, "different"?

He was normally all
over Steve like a rash,

but he was angry at him.

Said you couldn't trust
anyone in the army.

They nearly had a
fight. When was this?

Last Monday.

What do you think of Steve?

I wouldn't wanna argue with him.
Took some balls to do what Conn did.

He wasn't... He wasn't scared...

You all right, mate?
Sorry, I-I need the bogs.

Yeah, you go. We'll
wait here for you.

Don't you... Go with him!
What? He's gonna be sick on me!

Well, he's gonna leg it again!
He's left his stuff here.

Excuse me, they belong
to somebody else.

Donations. Oh. Where
are the toilets?

Up there. Brilliant (!) Tony!

Well, shall I get Steve Wilson
in? Oh, what do you think?

Yes, Ma'am.

I've dug deeper into The
Civvy Centre accounts.

They've got cashflow problems.

The whole place could
close in two months.

So it's on shaky ground?

I'm surprised it hasn't
fallen over already.

Thanks, Jac.

Do I need a solicitor with
me? We haven't charged you.

Yeah. Should we?

Oh, we found Tony.

Now, he told us you and Conn
nearly had a fight last week.

That was Conn kicking off, not me.
I just wanted him to calm down.

Why?

Ah, c'mon, Steve.
Throw us a bone.

I don't know. He was paranoid.

He said he didn't trust
anyone in the army.

He pulled out of the flat. He
pulled out of the fundraiser.

He was on self-destruct.

I think he was scared
about being normal again.

Wasn't that what he wanted? I'm
not saying it makes any sense.

I've seen it a few
times. I did it.

I just didn't think
Conn would do it.

I hear you've only got funding
for another couple of months?

What's that got to
do with anything?

I met some entrepreneurs who
wanna invest. Tax reasons.

We'll be fine.

Why'd you do it, Steve?
Run that Civvy Centre?

It's exhausting, takes
up all your time,

your clients kicking off.

Because I know what it's like.

When I left the forces,
I started drinking.

I had no-one to tell me to stop.

If me nana hadn't dragged me
off the streets, I'd be dead.

I wanna be that person
for other people.

I thought that's
what he wanted, too.

He said he wanted to help at
the centre. Share the load.

Do you think he'd ever
extort money out of anyone?

No way. No... Who said that?

Ah. Someone said he wanted paying
not to sleep in their doorway.

Conn wouldn't do that. He
didn't sleep in town, anyway.

Didn't he? Where'd he sleep?

I don't know, but he
didn't sleep in hostels.

He didn't like the aggro.

Right, you can go.

Interview terminated 17:02.

Mark, can you check
Steve Wilson's alibi?

That fundraiser he was holding?

Ma'am. Aiden.

Both he and Tony mentioned Conn
kicking off about the army.

Have we got an army contact?

Yeah, I've got one. I'll
see if they can help.

Ma'am. Benny's been spotted.

Where?

Benny?

Just want a chat, love.

Benny?

Benny?

DOG WHIMPERING

Oh, hello, pet.

Thought you might be
hungry. Brought you a snack.

Cup of tea?

What's your dog's name? Gary.

Would Gary like a treat?

He is a bit hungry, aye.

There's a good boy.

Here. Here.

We're here about Connail Burns,
but you've already guessed that.

Now, why didn't you
tell us you knew him?

Would've saved us a lot of time.

How long you been on the
streets? Sixteen year.

Do you know how Conn died?

Yeah.

Two blokes beat him up.

How d'you know that?

That place where
he was attacked.

Was that a regular haunt of his?

Me and Conn used to go there
when we needed a bit of shuteye.

So that's what you were doing,

going for a bit of shuteye,
when you saw something?

And that's why
you're hiding here.

We can protect you, Benny.

Stop them from doing it
again to someone else.

I didn't see anything!

Well, if you change your mind...

Oh, just one question and
we'll leave you in peace.

Conn went away somewhere
weekend before last.

Do you know where he went?
Ask Rae. She'll know.

Rae? Some young thing.

Spiky on the outside,
soft in the middle.

Conn used to look out for her.

Here, d'you know
where we can find her?

If I give you her address, you'd
better not tell her it was me.

My mate says that
Conn's ex-staff sergeant

is recruiting at the university.

Great, let's doorstep him.

Hi, we're looking for
Warrant Officer Sharpe?

How can I help you?

He was on the streets?

Conn was one of the best
soldiers I've served with.

I can't believe it.

When did you serve together?

His first two tours
of Afghanistan.

2003 to 2010.

I was staff sergeant, and
he was lance corporal.

So you knew him well?

He was a diamond. Solid.
Totally trustworthy.

You knew he'd always
have your back.

And he loved it. He
loved being a soldier.

So it was important to him?

I always thought he'd
become a sergeant.

He had great potential.
So, what changed?

Once I left, I lost contact.

But we saw horrific
things out there.

Just before I left,
we had an incident...

What?

A bus full of Afghans,
civilian staff and their kids,

heading into base.

Only they had a suicide
bomber on board.

They blew it up just before
it got inside the gates.

I worked with Conn's section
to evacuate everyone.

We had to deal with
what was... left behind.

It was the worst day of my life.

It affected all of
us, especially Conn.

He had to pick up the
pieces of this girl,

same age as his daughter.

Tell me about the
others in his section.

Called themselves "the ten".

Very tight. Proper band of
brothers. Have you talked to them?

No, we haven't
got their details.

We're getting push
back from the regiment.

They're not being helpful.

Should go in person.
Bit harder to ignore.

Yeah?

Conn was very close
to Sam Gastrell.

Had similar backgrounds.

PHONE VIBRATING

Sorry, our next talk
is due to start.

Ah, right. Well, thanks.
Thanks for your help.

Ma'am, CCTV on the night Conn
died shows a man following him.

It's Alexander Hawthorn,
the estate agent. And?

He was joined by another bloke,

and they tailed him
around the city centre.

Right.

Hey, hey, hey! Alexander
Hawthorn, what have you got?

Erm, he was reported for harassment
a couple of months ago, Ma'am.

But the claimant
dropped the accusation.

So we've got no prints
or DNA? No, Ma'am. Great.

Yeah, I've been through
his social media, Ma'am.

He was out Saturday
night with a mate.

Now, he posted these
around seven thirty...

and then these ones
were later, around 2am.

Who's that fella with him?

Shaun Kerny, works for
him at the estate agent's.

Bit of a tough nut by all
accounts, but nothing on file.

Now, why would they both
have changed their shirts

at that time of night?

Alexander Hawthorn, I'm
arresting you on suspicion

of the murder of Connail Burns...
Shaun Kerny, I'm arresting you...

I told you, he wanted money.

And I don't believe
you, love. Try again.

How did you know Connail Burns?

I don't know what type of people
you think I associate with

but they're not off the streets.
Oh, so, why were you following him?

Well, that's just a coincidence.

Well, it's a bit of a stretch
to call it a coincidence, love,

when you and your mate are still
following him 30 minutes later.

Where were you on Saturday,
between 11pm and 1am?

I went back to my
flat, to freshen up.

And why was that? Er, someone
spilt beer on my t-shirt.

Mm, they spill it on
your mate's t-shirt, too?

Can anyone verify you
went back to your flat,

besides your mate,
who we've arrested?

Well, the concierge on the
front desk of my building.

What you thinking?

What's the connection between
that poncy estate agent

and Connail Burns?

They're from different worlds.

But I'd lay money it was him
and his mate who beat him up.

And went back a second
time to make sure.

Why? Mark's still
checking Hawthorn's alibi.

Kenny said there was an accusation
against him dropped. When was that?

Well, I'll be blowed.

Look who it was accused
him of harassment.

Rae Jenson? Could that be the
same Rae that Benny mentioned?

I don't know. But it's
witnessed by "Connell" Burns.

His name's spelt
wrong. Well, who cares!

There's our connection. Come on.

Good work, Kenny!

How much would one of
these set you back a month?

At least a couple of grand.
How can the lass afford that?

KNOCKING ON DOOR

Thanks for letting us up, love.

We're here about your
mate, Connail Burns.

I don't know where he is,
sorry. Why are you asking?

Well, that's not a conversation
to have like this, love.

Can we come inside?

Ah, now, we're sorry to be
the bearers of bad news, love.

What, about Conn? Mm.

I'm afraid he was found dead.

He'd been fatally attacked,

and we're trying to find
out who is responsible.

I'm sorry.

SNIFFLES

Can you think of anyone
who'd want to hurt Conn?

No.

When did you last see him?

Saturday. Around four.

I wouldn't let him in. And
did he give you the black eye?

What, Conn? No!

But he'd have seen it. Did
he ask you who did that?

I walked into a door.

Or was it the fella you
reported once before who did it?

We saw you with him yesterday
in the estate agent's.

Why were you arguing?

He's my landlord. He says
my lease has expired.

And what's your
relationship with him?

My landlord. Mm.

Did he know Conn?

No, of course not. No.

Mark, I need you
to persuade Benny

to come in and identify
Hawthorn and his mate.

Take Kenny with you. But
tell him to be gentle. Ma'am.

Oh, just stroll in, why don't you?
So, you don't want your DNA results?

Thought I'd deliver them
personally. Oh, and...?

There are two clear DNA profiles

that correspond to
where he was attacked,

which match your
suspects. Great!

But, and that's why I'm here,

there's a third DNA
profile unidentified.

And it's the only DNA
apart from the victim's

on the murder
weapon. His scarf?

This third person is
not on our system.

I want to be clear, if you try to
prosecute either of the two men

you are currently
holding for murder,

I won't back you in court.

What I mean to say is, you
can't say it's job done.

Well, why would I? Cos you've just
told us there's a third person.

I'm not a corner cutter.
Good, cos neither am I.

Good. Great.

This was a brutal attack...

and yours and your mate's DNA
are all over the deceased.

Anything to say?

Well, let me put it this way...

Did you force a bottle
into his mouth so hard,

you broke a tooth? No comment.

Why were you following
him? No comment.

Ah, come on, love. We
know you beat him up.

I just want to know why.

OK, let me tell
you what I think.

I think Conn found out you'd
given your girlfriend a shiner

and he came in to tell
you to leave her alone.

That's not my
girlfriend. Or was.

Put her up in one of your
flats. Rae didn't tell you that.

So Conn comes in to
warn you off Rae,

and you call in some muscle.

Listen, sunshine, we've got your
DNA all over a murder victim!

Oof, the jury'll love that.

What, a murder case,
all that evidence?

Only take them an hour!
Look, I didn't kill him.

He was alive when we left him.

Oh, so you just beat him
unconscious, did you?

I need to hear you say it.

Yes.

Hawthorn's admitted to assault.
His mate's admitted it, too.

Oh, hello, Gary! Good boy.
Ma'am. Benny ID'd both of 'em.

He said they left the
scene at ten thirty.

Alibis? They entered Hawthorn's
flat at ten forty-five

and went back out
clubbing at ten to one.

They could still have done it.

It'd be tight but a
jury could buy it.

Do you know, I hate to say it,

but I don't think it was
them who suffocated him.

You heard what Paula said,
their DNA is all over the body,

but NOT on that scarf.

So we've solved who
it was beat him up...

..but we haven't got a
clue who finished him off.

Look, we've had two people now

who said he turned
against the army, right?

Now, how are we doing with
his section's contact details?

It's like getting
blood out of a stone.

Quoting the Official
Secrets Act.

D'you know, well...

Do what that warrant
officer suggested.

Get over to the
regiment in person.

Make some noise. Get
him to go with you.

And don't come back
without those addresses.

Why don't you come with me?

Because I'm going to find out
where he went last weekend.

Is that all right
with you? Ma'am.

Yeah, I know you
and Conn were close.

How did you meet?

I stayed in a women's hostel
when I first came here.

Only one of the women there
said that I was a threat.

Erm... "not a real woman".

VERA TUTS I had to
go to a men's hostel.

And things got a bit ugly.

Conn stepped in.

Well, you shouldn't
have been there, love.

A men's hostel's no
place for a lass.

Conn was like a dad to me.

You're just about the same
age as Conn's daughter.

It broke his heart
he couldn't see her.

I was a stand-in.

He was such a good man.

Now you listen to me.

You think you're in love with
this fella, this Alexander?

I am. He loves me,
too, in his way.

No, he doesn't.

I've heard him talk.

Yeah, well, he's just scared what
his friends would think, I get it.

He's admitted he beat up Conn.

He smashed his teeth
in, he broke his knee,

and he punched him
black and blue.

Now then.

Benny, fella with the dog,

he told me you might know where
Conn went the weekend before last?

He, erm, he had to go away,

and he came here to
get washed and changed.

And he wore this posh
suit from a charity shop.

Where did he have to go?

The funeral of an army mate.

There's only seven of them left.
He said they were like family.

I think his name was... Jack?

Afternoon. Thanks for
meeting at short notice.

You're welcome. Let's go.

Are you with them yet?

We're just waiting for Lieutenant
Colonel Hillier to arrive.

He went to the funeral
of one of his section

the weekend before he died.

Find out who it was.

'Jack somebody.' Will do.

You do realise we're getting
ready to leave on manoeuvres?

You do realise this is
a murder investigation?

Gentlemen, let's not waste time.

So, Lance Corporal
Connail Burns.

He left in 2016,

following an accident
with his firearm.

And that's the left
shoulder injury? Correct.

Do you have the details for
Private Sam Gastrell, Ma'am?

They were close.

Private Gastrell killed himself
shortly before the unit came home.

Sam did? Why?

He stole a pair of sunglasses
from one of our dead soldiers.

He was facing
disciplinary procedure,

a possible sentence.

He killed himself
over sunglasses?

If you can't trust a fellow
soldier with your belongings,

how can you trust them
to have your back?

With all due respect, Ma'am,

that doesn't sound like
something Sam would do.

It was witnessed by
Corporal Dominic Charlton,

Private Jack Swanson and
Lance Corporal Connail Burns.

Private Gastrell had
claimed he was innocent,

been restricted to barracks
whilst his section were on patrol.

Then he killed himself.
That's horrific.

Petty theft may
sound trivial to you,

but loyalty is everything to us.

Now, I understand that
Lance Corporal Burns

didn't have an exit interview?

So no PTSD counselling? After
everything he'd been through?

He didn't request one.
Doesn't affect everyone.

It affects them and everyone
they come into contact with.

It's why he was living rough
after three tours of Afghanistan.

It's why he left his family.
We know it's an issue,

but we can't make people
go to counselling.

He wasn't even offered it.

I'll take his section's details.

I think we're done here.

Warrant Officer Sharpe,
if you would wait.

Aiden, the lass just
told me where Conn lived.

'And I've found the Jack
whose funeral Conn went to.'

Great. Now meet me on the
south side of Laskey Bridge.

I'll be there as
soon as I can, Ma'am.

Get in trouble? I'm a
subordinate, and so are you.

Well, I'm not in the army,
and she needed to hear it.

She did. The contact
details she gave us

are five years out
of date for a start.

Let me get the information for
Dom Charlton and Jack Swanson.

OK.

Thank you. You're welcome.

SHE GASPS

What the hell?!

HE PANTS

Are you OK? Never mind
me, get after him!

Tony!

Tony!

THEY GROAN

Gotcha.

RADIO CHATTER

SIREN BLARES

Well, go on. Let's
see what he was after.

Ah, look.

All he wanted was
home and family.

What's in that bag?

RATTLING What's that rattle?

Oh. So that's what
Tony was after.

Unless he was hiding it.

This went missing
from The Civvy Centre.

We found it in
Conn's belongings.

He must have stolen it, then.

Look, we're not daft, pet.
Your prints are all over it.

We know it was you who stole it.

I couldn't open it.

I asked him to help,
but it backfired.

And that's why he changed his mind
about living with you, isn't it?

Must've upset you
when he said that.

He knew I needed it.

He knew that if I
could get the flat,

I could go college,
train to be a chef,

and see my son again.
That's all I wanted.

But he took it
all away for this?

And what did Conn want?

Wanted to see his kid again,
too. They weren't in touch.

No, but he wrote to
Bailey's mum, didn't he?

His sister sent it for him.

Did he? Look...

I had nothing to do with
what happened to Conn.

He was a good bloke,
he was my mate.

I want you to get whoever it
was just as much as you do.

So, who do you think it was?

He fell out with Steve at
The Civvy Centre before me.

Mark, I need you to check
Tony Castillo's alibi.

He says he was at the
Banner Avenue Hostel

on Saturday night. Ma'am.

And double check
Steve Wilson's alibi,

cos Tony's just told us Conn
had a pop at Steve last week,

something he failed to mention.

So, any news on Dominic Charlton
or Jack Swanson's widow?

Nothing. I've left voicemails
on all the numbers they gave us.

It really threw Dylan, the fact
that Sam had been stealing.

Well, I was gonna do a
catch-up, but it's got a bit...

Sorry. Can I help you, love?

Erm...

Er, Ma'am. He's been
waiting for you.

This is PC Billington
from reception.

Stand up in the presence
of a senior officer.

Now tell the DCI just
what you told me.

Erm...

I saw the flyer for
the man who died.

The homeless man.

And?

Erm...

He came into reception
Saturday evening.

He wanted to make a statement.
Well, what did he say?

He said... someone
had stolen something.

Stolen what? I dunno.

Did he mention any names? Tony?

He wasn't making any sense.
He said it was a while ago.

And he was agitated, and
there was a queue, so...

So you what?

I said he was wasting my
time, and then he left.

You said what?

Well, let me tell you
what happened to him.

He was murdered a couple
of hours after that, love.

And we've no idea if that's
why he came in here or not.

I'm so sorry. Now go
back to your desk.

Yes, Ma'am.

Well, you lot better go
home. Fresh eyes tomorrow.

Now, about Kate.

Did you forward on
a letter to her?

From Conn?

He didn't think he was
allowed to write to her.

I sent it just before Christmas,
but she never replied.

Well, you can hardly
blame her, love.

He left her in loads of debt.

And he was putting that right.
That's what the letter was about.

He was giving her the payout.

What payout?

For his accident in the army.

When his gun went
off and he got shot.

He had the money sent to Kate.

That's why he wrote to her.

He was hoping that,
with that and the flat,

she'd agree to him
seeing Bailey again.

Are you sure about this?

Of course.

He got £25,000 from the army.

And she didn't
reply to the letter?

Morning, Aiden.
Sorry to wake you up.

'Morning, Ma'am.'
Listen, I'm on my way in.

I need you to get hold of that
warrant officer, Dylan, is it?

Apparently, Connail Burns
got a payout from the army

for that gun accident,

and I need you to get him to
chase it up, hmm? Look into it.

Yeah, well, Lieutenant
Colonel Hillier

never mentioned that
when we saw her.

'Well, maybe she didn't know.'

Or maybe that's why she
was being obstructive.

Anyway, get onto it.

HE SIGHS

Before you ask, I'm
still on it, Ma'am.

Oh, Kenny, what are those?

Er, these are
bacon rolls, Ma'am.

Oh, the answer to
my prayers. Er...

Oh, thanks, love.

Now, Mark, did you check
out Tony Castillo's alibi?

Yeah. He entered the hostel at
10.15pm and didn't leave until 8am.

And what about Steve Wilson?

He was at the
fundraiser all night.

Er, he left the
venue at 1am, Ma'am.

Ma'am, I checked up on
Kate Burns' finances.

She was made redundant
two months ago.

Was she? Well, that's
not what she told me.

The amount of debt she's got,
she's gonna be in trouble

if she doesn't find
another job soon.

Hmm...

As an ex-soldier's wife, would
she get anything when he dies?

Er, theoretically, she's
entitled to part of his pension,

unless she remarries.

Right.

Aiden, get your coat.

Oh, thanks, love.

HE CHUCKLES

Spoke to Teresa last night.

Conn's sister?

And she told us he received a
payout for that accident he had,

the gun injury, and the
money was paid to you.

Well, I haven't had a
penny since he left.

Check my bank records.

And she also told us she forwarded
on a letter to you from him.

When? I've never had a letter.
I swear on Bailey's life.

We know that you've
lied to us once. When?

You said that you worked
at Dayton Hospice.

That's not true, is it?
You've been made redundant.

Well, I...

I haven't told Liv yet. I'm
hoping to get another job.

Why didn't you get a divorce?

What's that got to
do with anything?

For his pension.

He said to stay married
so I could get it.

He wrote a will before
going to Afghanistan.

Oh, so you'll be getting
that now, of course?

Along with his accident payout.

I didn't get
anything. I told you!

Conn broke my heart, and
you're talking about money?

Do you think I'd
kill him for that?

Mark, I need you to run a
check on Conn Burns' wife.

Phone, ANPR on her car.

And check out the
girlfriend, too.

Ma'am.

Now where are we with
this army payout?

I followed it up.

Conn went through a
no-win-no-fee type company.

I got in contact with them,
and they confirmed it.

The army paid out
£25,000 last month.

Well, put in an urgent
request for paperwork.

Will do. We need
to find that money.

Boss. I've got the address
for Jack Swanson's widow,

Lindsay Swanson.

Sounds like they were
a very tight unit,

so Jack Swanson dying of cancer
must have really affected Conn.

And as for Afghanistan,

well, Sam Gastrell's suicide
must have affected them all.

DOORBELL RINGS

'Did you talk to
Conn at the funeral?'

I was too numb. Still am.

He spent all his time with Dom.

Dom? Dominic
Charlton. Corporal.

They were having a
good time, and then...

they started arguing. Conn
left. Dom said he was drunk.

No, Conn was dry.

Now, we know that something at
the funeral badly affected Conn.

Came back a different man.

Now, have you got
any idea at all

what that argument
with Dom was about?

I think it was the same thing

that went on with
my husband and Dom.

There was a section member who
killed himself in Afghanistan.

Private Sam Gastrell,
stole some sunglasses.

Jack didn't think
Sam stole them.

He never saw it.
Neither did Conn.

Well, if he didn't see him steal
them, why did he say he did?

Because Dom told them to.

He said he'd seen it.

But here's the thing,
on his social media...

..Dom was wearing the
exact same sunglasses

Sam allegedly stole.

It brought it all back for Jack.

He... He never felt right about
pointing the finger at Sam.

Sam was the youngest
in the squad.

Grew up in care like Conn.

He looked up to them all.

Poor Sam was devastated
people thought he'd done it.

And that's why he
killed himself?

After Jack saw that photo,
he said it made sense.

Of course it was Dom
who stole them, not Sam.

Sam would never steal
off a dead soldier.

So, this Dominic
steals the sunglasses,

blames it on Sam Gastrell
and convinces Jack and Conn

that this is the truth.

What a piece of work.

Conn? Mm.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Did you see him often?

Now and then. I didn't
always talk to him.

When I heard about Jack, I
knew he'd wanna be there.

Must be strange.

I mean, him being on the
streets and you being up here.

Well, that's life, isn't it?
You didn't try and help him?

You can't help anyone who won't
help themselves. Number one rule.

Oh, ain't that the truth?

Now, Lindsay says that you and
Conn were arguing at the funeral.

What about?

He was just upset about
Jack. Felt sorry for Lindsay.

Ah.

And someone mentioned
Sam Gastrell.

Does that name ring any bells?

Yeah.

Conn was upset about him.
We all were, of course.

Killed himself.

After being accused of
stealing some sunglasses?

Hm. Terrible business.

Well, course, it was you
who caught him in the act.

Between us, it was Jack
Swanson who caught him,

but he was just a private,
so he asked me to report it.

Did Conn know that?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's... that's
why he was upset.

I let slip I thought it was
Jack who'd actually stolen them.

So Sam was innocent?

Well, that wouldn't
have sat well with Conn.

He was appalled.

He'd backed a lie.

As had you.

Did you tell Lindsay
this at the funeral?

Jack's dead. It was years ago.

Why take away from
what he's achieved?

They didn't have each other's
backs, they were stabbing them!

What did you do with
them? I booked them.

PC Billington. Ma'am.

Now, that theft Connail
Burns wanted to report...

..did he mention a Dominic?

Yes. That was it. Dominic.

I knew it.

Bring him in.

Well done, pet.

SIRENS OUTSIDE

Ma'am, Dominic's ready for you.

Right. Now, Mark, did
you do some digging?

Yeah, according to ANPR,

Dominic left Newcastle soon
after Conn's time of death.

Right, and what did that
warrant officer say about him?

At the time of the theft,
he was on thin ice.

If he'd been caught, he could've
done time in Colchester.

Well, he wouldn't want
that coming out, would he?

Cost him his fancy job.

But that's a strong
motivation to shut him up.

Now, Kenny, anything
on that army payout?

It was paid into a bank account
recently set up in Conn's name.

We're still waiting on
the third party address.

But there was a withdrawal from
the account on the evening he died.

Was there? Yes,
there was £200 taken.

Well, chase that up, Kenny.

And see if there was a
camera in that machine.

Yes, Ma'am.

Right, let's go
and make him sweat.

We've got your car on ANPR.

So we know that you were in
Newcastle when Conn was murdered.

Why on Earth would I kill him?

Well, to protect yourself.

To stop it coming out that
you'd lied to the army.

Sorry, I don't know what
you're talking about.

You signed an official document

stating that you saw
Private Sam Gastrell

steal those sunglasses, correct?

Yes, but I explained it was
really Jack who stole them.

Yeah, well, newsflash,
love. That's still lying.

So, you're saying that a
private persuaded a corporal

and a lance corporal
to lie for him?

Now, I find that hard to
believe. You were their superior.

So if you told them it was Sam,
why would they question that?

But you slipped up recently,

bragging about your
swanky holiday in Dubai.

Posting your photos
all over your socials.

Cos it didn't go unnoticed...

that you were wearing
those same sunglasses.

Cos it was you who stole
them, wasn't it? Not Sam.

And I think that's what Conn
got wind of at that funeral.

Show him your holiday snaps,
did you? No wonder he lost it.

I didn't kill him.

If I'd wanted to do that,

I would've given him
two bottles of whisky.

How can you sleep at night?

Cos you think you're in
the clear, don't you?

Hmm? Sam gone because
of you. Jack gone.

And now Connail Burns.

Some people float, some sink.

I have an alibi
for Saturday night.

I was doing close protection.

Who for? Our local MP.

Ask her.

OK, thank you.

Alibi's rock solid, Ma'am.

They were together from 6.30pm
till 2am Sunday morning.

We're getting nowhere fast here.

Ma'am, I double checked.

Steve was at the fundraiser,
but it wasn't far.

He could've gone out, killed
Conn and been back in minutes.

Ma'am, Mandy's sent
the CCTV through.

At last!

There...

Jac, can you zoom in
on that bit. Yeah.

Look, there's Gary. Benny's dog.

Benny was there.

There you are. What a
good boy. What a good boy.

Hello, love.

I'm not in trouble, am I?
No, pet, no, you're not.

Now, I just want to
show you something.

Now, this is a still from
the CCTV at The Civvy Centre.

Now, here's Conn. Right.

And look here. There's
a reflection of Gary.

So you must've been
there, at the same time.

Now, who was Conn shouting at?

Well, me. He was shouting at me.

He wanted someone to hear, but
I thought he was just rambling.

What was he saying?

Well... He said they
were stealing from him,

but, I mean, what
did he have to steal?

Ma'am, the address has come through
for Conn's new bank account.

It's The Civvy
Centre. Kenny...

..is The Civvy Centre account
at the same bank as Conn's?

Aye, it is. It turns out cash has
been going out of it for weeks.

Well, it's unlikely to be
Conn, he's been on the streets.

So who was it drawing money
from it on the night he died?

Ma'am, that's who.

We're in the middle of a meeting.
We're not here for you, pet.

Amanda Wilson, I'm
arresting you on suspicion

of defrauding Connail Burns.

You do not have to say anything,
but it may harm your defence...

It's no use denying it, pet.

You took £200 from his
account on the day he died.

You helped him fill out the
compensation forms for his accident.

You set up his new
bank account with him.

You wanted to control his money,

and you've been helping
yourself ever since.

And that fundraiser wasn't
far from where he died,

and you left early.

You think I killed him? Please!

Now, we know he was weak.
It wouldn't have taken much.

He'd found out that money
hadn't gone to his wife.

He realised it had been stolen,

and we've got a
witness who can testify

that's why he was
upset on the Saturday.

"They stole from me."
That's what he's saying.

So, what were you
spending it on?

Whatever I wanted.

Do you know where my
nana's money went?

To Steve. To The Civvy Centre.

Every penny.

Why would I kill him? He's
worth more to me alive.

She's a thief, but
she's not a killer.

Someone closer to Conn is
responsible for his death.

Now, I need you all to
bear with me on this.

Connail Burns found out his
wife hadn't got that money.

How? How'd he find out?

Now, apart from when he lost
his job cos he was drunk,

he's always tried to do the right
thing. Tell the truth, right?

We've already seen
him chasing a mugger.

It's been cause and effect.

He found out Tony had stolen.
He didn't want to live with him.

He found out this fella had
given his girlfriend a shiner,

and he confronted him.

And at that funeral, he
found out Dominic had lied

about Sam stealing
those sunglasses,

and he came here to
try and report him.

So, let's look at the family.

Now, we've discounted
Kate and Bailey,

and Liv says she was working.

Ma'am? I double
checked Liv's alibi.

Now, the place she gave for hers
was closed. The club was flooded.

Also, I don't know
if it's relevant,

but one of the clubs she looked
after was the Chez Lounge.

Ah, now, this is too
much of a coincidence.

Mark, I need you to
get over to that club,

talk to the bouncer who
gave us Conn's name.

But keep it low-key, mm?

Now, I want everything there
is to know about Liv Masters.

Yes!

Liv's ANPR's in.

She was in Newcastle.

Parked round the corner from
Chez Lounge at half eleven.

There. About 300m away
from the crime scene.

Now, could she have got from
there without being seen?

Yeah, if she knows
where the cameras are.

Well, course she does,
she's in security.

Liv's clean. She's
not in the system.

Not even a parking ticket.

Ma'am, I spoke to Finlay,
the helpful bouncer.

He didn't see her.

She'd told him she'd gone
to the club in Sunderland.

He didn't know about the flood.

He said she was at Chez
Lounge the night before.

She was there on Friday night?

Well, that's when Conn
would've spoken to her,

found out his missus
hadn't got that payout.

Anything on camera?

No, CCTV at the club's
worse than useless.

Finlay said it's faulty.

Run this Finlay through
the system, Mark.

Shall I bring her in, Ma'am?

Er... No, no. I reckon
she can be tricky.

We need to be clever.

Ma'am. Finlay's got
previous for dealing.

I knew it! Right, this
is gonna be a late one.

Come on, we're going clubbing.

DISTANT SIRENS

Hello again, Finlay.

What is it? We open in an hour.

Ah, well, it's about the
night that fella died. Conn.

Just got a few questions.

Oh, aye?

Sure. Ah, well,
before I ask you,

would you mind
emptying your pockets?

You missed one,
pet, on the inside.

Your boss all right
with you dealing?

Now, I'm not interested
in that, love.

What I am interested in
is your boss, Liv Masters.

Look, I already told your
officer, she wasn't in that night.

She was in Sunderland.

Oh, I'm sorry. I meant
the night before,

when she was here.

Aye? And?

Did she leave the
club that night?

Look, I wouldn't be
asking these questions,

except your CCTV doesn't
work because of that...

Look, Liv met some girl. Got
off with her outside. That's it.

Did you have eyes on
her the whole time?

No. I mean, that's
Liv's business.

What, so, are we done? Ah. You
must be joking, pet. Bag it.

All good? MAN: Great, thanks.

WOMAN: There you go,
Liv. Thanks, babe.

Good to see you taking
the initiative, Finlay.

KEYPAD BLEEPS

DOOR BUZZES

VERA CLEARS HER THROAT

I'm feeling very
refreshed this morning.

So I'm going to give
you a chance, Olivia,

to tell us your
side of the story.

I haven't done anything.

Oh, well, let's
put it another way.

Do you admit to the
murder of Connail Burns?

No, absolutely not.

Only you told my officer

that you were working in a club
in Sunderland on Saturday night,

only that club was
shut, it was flooded.

Yeah. And I was there with a mop.
That's not what the manager said.

No. He told us you
asked him to lie.

And did you intercept a letter
to Kate sent by Conn's sister?

The nun? Don't think so.

She sent it just
before Christmas.

Kate told us that she and Bailey
went away just before Christmas,

and you stayed behind to work.

Look, I did that for Kate, OK?

Conn's sister had been in touch
before, wanted Kate to forgive Conn.

It upset her for weeks.

Why was she upset?

Because she felt guilty. Or
maybe she still loved him.

LIV SCOFFS He was useless.

He was weak.

Left her in debt and then ran
off when things got tough.

Did you give her the letter?

Course I didn't give her the
letter. It was a fairy tale.

Said he was gonna give
Kate thousands of pounds

and be her knight
in shining armour.

He was messing her around.

Look, you were seen talking to Conn
the night before he was murdered,

and did you tell him to
his face on Friday night

that you thought it
was all a fairy tale?

Cos it wasn't. He
got that payout.

£25,000.

And that conversation with you

was the first he'd heard
that she didn't receive it.

So, what? You think I took
it? Oh, no, no, love, I don't.

No, he knew that was someone
else taking advantage.

But when precisely
did you tell him, hmm?

Was it before or after he
caught you kissing someone else?

Your bouncer with initiative
has told us everything.

Sang like a canary.

How long's this been going on?

It was one night.

Look, I love Kate and Bailey.

They're everything to
me. They're my family.

And they were his too, love!

KNOCK AT DOOR, DOOR OPENS

For the benefit of the tape,

DCI Stanhope is receiving
a telephone call.

Thanks, Jac.

Oh, the wonders of science!

You can hide from cameras, love,
but you can't hide from DNA,

and your DNA was
all over the scarf

that suffocated Connail Burns.

You must have thought all your
Christmases had come at once

when you found him lying there.

I thought he was dead...

..and I felt relieved
that it was finally over,

and he wasn't gonna
be around any more.

No-one really cared about him...

..and Kate and Bailey would be
so much better off without him.

They needed a fresh start.

And then he opened his eyes...

..and I needed to
feel relieved again.

So you killed him?

QUIETLY: Took less
than a minute.

Can you speak up, love, for
the benefit of the tape.

I said it took
less than a minute.

You know, I was quite
surprised, actually.

I thought he'd put up
a bit more of a fight,

you know, being a
soldier and all...

I guess he was just
glad it was over.

Oh!

You think he was grateful
to you for killing him?

That man had nothing
left to live for.

He had everything to live for,

and you were just jealous.

A chaotic and drunk Conn? Oh,
he was no threat to you, was he?

But a Conn who'd
turned his life around?

Oh, now, that's a
different matter.

No wonder you tore
up that letter.

You wouldn't have
stood a chance.

Interview terminated, 19:06.

Thanks.

How you doing, Steve?

I'm... I'm so sorry.
I had no idea.

It wasn't your fault.
You do great work here.

And we know what your cousin
did had nothing to do with you.

So we've, erm...

..had a bit of a whip-round.

There's nearly
500 quid in there.

Don't give up, pet.

Thanks.

ORGAN MUSIC PLAYS

You all right, pet?

Is that Bailey?

Aye, and that's her
mam sitting with her.

Why don't you tell
Bailey you knew her dad?

Bailey? Hi.

I'm Rae...

ORGAN MUSIC FADES

PLAYS THE LAST POST

GARY WHIMPERS

LAST POST ENDS