Wycliffe (1994–…): Season 4, Episode 8 - Old Crimes, New Times - full transcript

[theme music]

JUDGE: I must ask the jury to leave

the courtroom while we examine the admissibility

of this evidence.

[door closes]

As soon as you're ready, Mr. Owens.

Detective Sup--

[door creaking]

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Detective Superintendent Wycliffe,

did you examine acting Sergeant Noble's pocketbook



prior to interviewing my client?

To the best of my knowledge, I would have, sir.

Uh, would you please give this to the superintendent?

Thank you.

And turn, if you will, to the entry for the 11th of November.

Did he sign it?

OWENS: Take your time.

Be sure to get it right.

Take it from, "as we were en route to the police station."

"As we were going to the police station,

the accused, Tully, seemed high and talkative."

OWENS: "High," now what do you suppose

he meant by that-- drugs, alcohol, emotion?

I don't know, sir.



No, you're not an expert, and you weren't there.

Carry on, please.

Um, "Bragging almost, he said, 'Fat boy, is he

squashed?' and began laughing.

'Anybody crosses us, that's what they get, pal, a body bag.'

[crowd murmuring]

I reminded him he was under caution,

and he said, 'Stuff you.'

I said, 'Are you saying you pushed him

under the bus intentionally?'

He replied, 'What do you think?'

[crowd murmuring]

I continued and said, 'Did you intend to kill him?'

Tully laughed inanely."

"Inanely."

An eloquent man, your Acting Sergeant Noble.

"I told him I would record the interview as soon as we got

to the station, and he would be asked to sign it,

to which Tulley put his face right up to mine and said,

'I only sign death warrants, pal.'"

[crowd gasping] - Mary.

Mary, sit, sit.

Come on.

Come on.

Damning words, would you say?

Yes.

OWENS: Because the truth of the matter

is that your acting sergeant has employed

the oldest and dirtiest trick in the book--

a car conversation, a verbal, a stitch-up.

I object to that.

My officer acted correctly in recording what was said.

[clears throat]

No, I'm in full tune with all this, Mr. Armstrong.

ARMSTRONG: I'm obliged, My Lord.

MARY: He killed my son.

What's all this talking about?

He killed him!

JUDGE: Quiet!

I recognize this is traumatic.

But if there are any further outbursts,

I will have you removed.

Mr. Owens, your client stands indicted for murder.

If he continues to offend the dignity of this court,

I'll put him down for the remainder of this trial.

Do you understand?

Clearly, M'Lord.

He apologizes to the court, M'Lord.

All right, I will change tack.

You are cognizant of the rules of PACE--

the Police And Criminal Evidence Act?

A working practical knowledge, yes.

What do you understand of the rules

pertaining to pocketbook entries,

in particular, car conversations?

"'Come into the garden,' said the spider to the fly."

Yeah.

Anything a suspect says should be recorded

in an officer's notebook immediately

or as soon as practicable afterwards.

And that person should be given an opportunity to sign it.

So on this occasion, did my client?

No.

[crowd murmuring]

Go on.

If he declines, this fact and the reason for his declining

should then be entered.

And he should then be invited to sign that,

followed in due course by the signature of the officer

himself.

OWENS: 10 out of 10 so far, Superintendent.

So are those notes signed by Noble?

No.

[crowd murmuring]

But PACE goes further in relation

to conversations between an arrested person

and a police officer prior to arrival at the police station.

Yes.

OWENS: Now, you have rightly covered

comments volunteered by a suspect being

put into the officer's book.

But what about the situation regarding

questions asked at that time?

At this stage, questions should only

be asked to clear up ambiguities and to prevent

loss, damage, or injury.

OWENS: Anything else?

No.

And why is that?

Because any other kind of questioning

can be considered an interview.

And where should such interviews

take place, Superintendent?

At a designated custody center,

under caution, in the presence of a solicitor, and on tape.

[crowd murmuring]

OWENS: Now, Noble asked two questions of the accused

in the police car, did he not?

Yes.

Uh, would you remind us, please?

[pages rustling]

"Are you saying you pushed him under the bus intentionally?

Do you intend to kill him?"

And do either of those clear up ambiguity,

prevent harm, damage, or loss?

It's a question of interpretation.

OWENS: Superintendent, your officer was conducting

an interview, was he not?

And if he did, it was in contravention of the codes

and practice of PACE, specifically

section 78 of that act, making the replies inadmissible.

Possibly.

But that's for the court to decide,

not a detective under pressure, in a split second,

trying to get to the truth.

Ah, yes, the truth.

I think we have heard enough, Superintendent.

Thank you very much.

We are all aware of your practical but unlawful

position.

No more questions, M'Lord.

Mr. Armstrong?

[clears throat]

Uh, given the situation, My Lord,

regrettably, I have no submission to make.

[crowd murmuring]

Thank you.

Thank you, Superintendent.

Please remain in court.

Mr. Owens.

Thank you, M'Lord.

From the lips of the superintendent himself,

he has told us the law.

Now, I have no argument that he conducted

a taped interview with my client strictly within the rules.

I have no criticism of that.

But I submit, however, that the jury should not

hear the content of that conversation,

because it is based solely on alleged admissions made

to Noble in the police car en route to the station.

Oh, great.

Buck stops with me, eh?

Have you just worked that one out?

OWENS: The evidence is tainted beyond redemption.

There is no case to answer.

And I would ask you to dismiss the charge against my client.

[crowd murmuring]

JUDGE: Thank you.

[exhales]

JUDGE: 15 minutes adjournment, then the jury back, please.

[chattering]

[register beeping]

[register clicking]

[register dings]

[change rattling]

[chattering]

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Uh, two teas, love, please.

JUDGE: So you must accept what I say in this matter.

Defense counsel have introduced a point of law concerning

admissibility of evidence.

Without hearing that evidence, you are unable to make

a reasoned decision.

I, therefore, have no alternative

but to discharge the accused.

TULLY: Yes!

[crowd shouting]

FATHER: This is not justice!

He's a murderer!

He killed my son!

Where's the justice in that?

Tell me.

Where's the justice in that?

[thud]

No more like that, please, Crimmens.

Ah.

Not so glum, Wycliffe.

It's only a blood sport.

So what's it to be, Hilary, Italian or Thai?

We did our best, Charlie.

It wasn't good enough.

We had to disclose the car conversation.

It was the nail in our coffin.

Maybe.

It would've been nice if Armstrong

had made the effort to fight instead

of sitting on his hands.

You do realize that I must submit a report

to your chief constable?

I'm certainly not proud of what happened in there.

But those papers sign you off as the [inaudible]..

Neither you nor any of your staff spotted the flaws.

So do what you must, Mr. Crimmens.

Our son's killer walks free, and you're

asking us how we feel?

[shutters clicking]

So you really feel the justice system has let you down?

- Yeah. - Excuse me.

Excuse me a moment.

Superintendent Wycliffe. MALE REPORTER: Mr. Wycliffe.

[reporters chattering]

Superintendent Wycliffe, a few words

with us about why this case has so dramatically collapsed.

There are no comment, except to say

that, uh, we're bound by law and have to accept the judgment.

Is it true the reason the case is thrown out

is because of police neglect and fabrication?

Is it also-- is it also true there's going

to be an internal inquiry?

Yes, I believe an inquiry is to be instituted.

But it would be wrong of me to release the date on that.

This case has been called a travesty of justice

and a complete waste of public money.

What do you say about that?

I'm sorry, but I don't intend walking down these paths

that you're laying down for me.

I will, however, tell you that I feel

extremely sorry for the victim's parents and family.

They're the ones uppermost in my mind at this moment,

so if you'll excuse me.

FEMALE REPORTER: Do you intend to resign over this?

[reporters chattering] MALE REPORTER: Excuse me, sir.

Are you prepared to say anything?

FEMALE REPORTER: Can I just have a quick word with you?

So we live in increasingly violent times.

Just a minute, you.

Mr. Black, what can I say?

Nothing, because you got no right.

My boy was only 14 years old.

You promised me.

You gave me your word.

Yes, I did, and I'm sorry.

And you wonder why people hate you.

Well, I hope you suffer like us with a rat in your head.

But I tell you one thing, if I ever get my chance with him,

you'll know all about justice.

[shutters clicking]

[car approaching]

[waves crashing]

[birds calling]

[children chattering]

[knocking at door]

[knocking at door]

[latch rattling]

Mrs. Patterson?

Yeah.

Detective Inspector Lane.

Do you think it'd be possible to have a chat?

[phone ringing]

Are you decent?

Good.

Uh, message, sir.

Boiler Tinnion popped his clogs yesterday.

Oh, dear.

It's a heart attack.

They reckon he had two.

It was the second one that killed him.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

Boiler would've appreciated it.

Yes, he would.

Good copper.

Ta.

Went as he lived apparently.

Bang, flat out on the snooker table going for the black.

When's the funeral?

Wednesday.

Some retirement, eh?

Six months.

Doesn't bear thinking about, does it?

No.

[sighs]

Oh, um, I was thinking of making

a personal call to his widow, you

know, on behalf of the boys.

Yeah, good idea.

If there's anything she needs.

OK.

WYCLIFFE: Did you know, um, there's

gonna be an internal investigation

into today's fiasco?

[sighs]

Pin the tail on the copper if you can't find a donkey, eh?

Oi, sir, come on.

I mean, a good bollocking all round, yes.

But there's no way that that merits an inquiry.

You know that.

I know that.

But when the judge shouts--

--Stevens jumps on the shovel.

Who's the IO?

Chief Superintendent Crow, no less.

[chuckles]

"Trust me, I'm one of the boys" Crow.

Couldn't worry a soft peach.

Maybe, but he's a wily old fox,

so make sure Noble's card is well and truly marked.

Will do.

[playing piano]

FEMALE REPORTER (ON TV): Superintendent Wycliffe!

Superintendent Wycliffe, a few words about why this case

has so dramatically collapsed.

WYCLIFFE (ON TV): Uh, no comment,

except to say that they we're bound by law

and have to accept the judgement.

FEMALE REPORTER (ON TV): This case

has been called a travesty of justice

and a complete waste of public money.

Hello, Son.

FEMALE REPORTER (ON TV): How do you feel about that?

[chuckles]

He'll be signing autographs next.

WYCLIFFE (ON TV): I will, however, tell you

that I feel extremely sorry-- - Successful?

WYCLIFFE (ON TV): --for the victim's parents and family.

They're the ones uppermost in my mind at this moment,

so if you'll excuse me.

FEMALE REPORTER (ON TV): Do you intend resigning over this?

MALE REPORTER (ON TV): Mr. Wycliffe.

[playing piano]

DAVID: Ta-da!

David!

How many are there?

There's 12 plump, gorgeous rainbows.

12?

Could you not have put some back?

It's a trout farm, Mum.

You have to take them away.

Oh, oh.

Oh, David, it's cruel.

[chuckles]

And they're not cleaned.

Oh, no. No.

- Aw, Mom. - No!

You sorted them.

You do the dirty work.

And don't take all night about it.

I need to get on with the supper.

[playing piano]

RUTH: Well, what do you think?

You look fab.

[chuckles]

But it is not me you should be asking.

Mum, everyone's wearing these.

In one of his moods, is he?

I thought piano-playing was a bad sign.

There are times when he's best left alone.

Where are you going?

Gringo's.

Ah.

Oh, Mom, I'll be fine.

I haven't let you down yet, have I?

No.

But be careful. You know I worry.

[chuckles]

Do I recognize that perfume?

Bye.

[playing piano]

[bell ringing]

Spare change?

MAN: Moochers.

Spare change, sir?

Spare change, sir?

Bless you, sir.

WYCLIFFE: Oi, Cyril.

[horns honking] Jump in!

MAN 1: Move it!

MAN 2: Yeah, move!

[horn honking]

WYCLIFFE: You shouldn't be walking the streets.

FRANKS: Hospital lecture, a nice little fee, and I'll

rack up some overnights.

WYCLIFFE: Snout well and truly in the trough, hey?

FRANKS: You fancy some breakfast?

[steaming and whirring]

[chattering]

WYCLIFFE: I thought that was bad for you.

Well, of course it is.

Too many of those give you cancer of the brain.

[child coughs]

Terrific.

You know, when I first started this job,

after my first full postmortem, I was taken out by this old

[inaudible],, who plonked a big, greasy fry-up down and then

told me it was a supreme test.

Do you wanna know the hardest bit?

Hm?

The liver and kidneys.

[chuckles]

Don't you ever get sick of doing them?

Oh, yeah, most of the time.

My office is all just a-- a front, a shellac finish

so everybody else is comfortable and confident.

That's one paid for.

So I look to my pension, and I do it.

[laughter]

Yeah, um, my speech notes.

I hope this'll be high on presentation value.

FRANKS: Well, I'm not going for a job, Charles.

I've already got that sewn up.

"Always expect the expected, but be

ready for the unexpected.

Remember each and every cadaver demands respect and dignity.

[laughing]

Pathology is the meat and potatoes of modern medicine.

It sets as above the animals."

You heard about Tully walking?

Oh, yes, but he'll come again, Charles.

They always do.

Internal inquiry?

Oh, well, the they can't put you in the family way.

It used to be if you weren't getting complaints,

you weren't working.

But now they put more energy into nailing a police officer

than they do a serial killer.

Progress.

Oh.

Morning, Mr. Wycliffe.

Sorry.

I'm Trudy.

How do you do?

I've been allocated to you as a PA.

Sorry?

On a temporary basis.

There must be some mistake.

No, I'm with the command block for a month,

working directly under Mr. Stevens.

Now, there's quite a bit in the overnight bag.

But the bulk of it is four strategy

meetings and staff appraisals.

No major crime.

And then there's your [inaudible] with Mr. Stevens

tomorrow, there, in the diary.

Oh, the Press Office have been on about the Tully case.

I told them you were leaving it to them

for any released statements.

Coffee, sir?

No.

No, thank you.

There is one thing you can do for me.

Could you find the main Criminal Injuries Compensation file?

Go back two years.

I'm looking for a Kathleen Knox.

Pleasure, sir.

[door closes]

Chief Superintendent Crow, sir?

That's me, lad.

Acting Sergeant Noble.

I believe you wanted to see me.

Ah, The author of Grimm's Fairy tales, eh?

It's all right, son.

I'm not here to hang you.

That's someone else's job.

[door opening]

Sorry to interrupt.

Chief Superintendent Crow's in the station.

Says, could he see you when he's finished with Noble?

It's not convenient, I'm afraid.

TRUDIE: Right.

The file you asked for, sir.

I've, um, marked the appropriate page.

Thank you.

Who's that?

WYCLIFFE: It's my new PA.

Stevens feels I should be organized.

[laughing]

Right.

Talking of which, um, Mr. Stevens

has asked me to look into this.

Michael Stringer, doing life for raping and murdering

a 12-year-old girl in Lincoln.

What's the relevance to us?

Crime Pattern Analysis have thrown up his profile.

And he's a lorry driver.

Mr. Stevens thinks there might be some tie-up between him

and, uh-- our undetected Patterson case.

Does he know?

Well, there are similarities between the two cases.

[clears throat]

I know it was 11 years ago, but, um, you were investigating

officer, weren't you?

It's a waste of time.

Olivia Patterson's stepfather did it, and he's dead.

So forget it.

I can't.

Can't?

I'm under orders from Mr. Stevens.

And I've already arranged for us to interview

Stringer in prison.

[copier clicking]

Right.

Let the dog see the rabbit.

[clears throat]

Now then, you know the drill, son.

I have cautioned you.

There's your notification form.

Read it, say whatever you want, and you'll get a copy.

Happy?

Not the word that springs to mind, sir.

Problem, son?

Mm.

You got me down here as PC Noble,

but I'm acting detective sergeant.

Oh, technicality, son.

Belt and braces.

KERSEY: Sir?

Sir?

Hi.

Uh, Trudie said where you were.

Crow's been looking for you.

Has he?

Yeah.

I don't trust him--

smiles too much.

[birds chirping]

Perhaps we should've poached them.

They're fine.

Now, why am I not convinced by that, Dad?

Well, they're not like river fish, are they?

Well, what can you expect when all they're fed is sweet corn?

[exhales]

Where are you going, David?

For a pizza.

RUTH: Mum, Dad, I like to introduce you to Andy.

Hi.

Hello.

We're going bowling.

Don't worry.

I'll look after her.

I've no doubt.

I won't be home late, Mum.

OK, love, enjoy yourself.

(QUIETLY) Stop looking at me like that.

Cheers. HELEN: Bye.

[giggling]

Did you know about this?

I thought there might be somebody.

He's gotta be 20 at least.

Charlie.

How long has she been going out looking like that?

That's asking for trouble.

Don't use your interview technique on me.

Yeah, but she's only 16. [engine revving]

[tires squealing]

What's she doing going around with someone his age?

Hopefully, enjoying herself.

WYCLIFFE: Yeah, but she's just a kid.

No, she's not.

[silverware clanking]

We've got to let them go, Charlie.

[sighs]

Seems the only time I ever get to see them

these days is from the back and looking away.

I know.

But that's the way it is.

Not pleasant getting old, is it?

HELEN: You're not old, Charlie.

Fancy an early night?

Are you responsible for this?

No, Mr. Stevens thought it might be a good idea in case

the press got wind.

So without consulting me, the Patterson family

have been informed?

Yes, I'm afraid they have.

Sorry.

Which way do you wanna play this?

It's your show, Lucy.

We can only draw a blank, sir.

And we've got nothing to lose.

Only our credibility.

Come on.

Let's get on with it.

[car approaching]

LANE: Look, I know you're a lorry driver.

Are you saying you're not?

When you were arrested last year for this offense,

you were driving a white Volvo articulated lorry, correct?

A similar vehicle was seen on the hard shoulder

of the main arterial road into Truro 11 years ago,

when a young girl named Olivia Patterson was found

raped and murdered under a pile of salt

and sand behind that lay-by.

[chattering]

[door slams]

I had that interview completely under control.

Have you read the file?

Only your covering DPP report.

I'm waiting for the rest from archives.

So you interviewed him without reading

the statements, the pathologist's report,

or the family background?

OK, tell me why you're so convinced.

He fits the profile.

And I've got a feeling about him.

I'd be failing in my duty if I didn't follow this through.

His DNA's on file.

It could match up.

And if it doesn't?

Are you gonna tell the Paterson family

we've got it wrong again?

[birds calling]

Yes, you're right.

It's AstroTurf.

There was only one kind of grass Boiler was interested in,

and it certainly wasn't in the garden.

[clock ticking]

[door closes]

Come in, Doug.

KERSEY: Thank you.

Magnolia, stripped pine, every room the same.

If it didn't have to be done, Boiler wouldn't do it.

[chuckles]

He said I could throw him on the tip when he went.

[chuckles]

But my family have always been buried in that graveyard.

Yes, he was a funny fellow.

But I loved him.

You know, I've got a box room full of trousers, jackets,

and shoes, but never get rid of anything

unless it had a hole in it.

Nothing wasted.

But I sometimes wonder whether he wasted his life.

Try not to upset yourself, Ivy.

He was a good chap.

Yes.

But do you realize, six months, that's all I had him.

The job, the lads had him 30 years.

And you'd thought, if there was a God in heaven,

he'd have given me more than the blink of an eye.

KERSEY: I haven't got an answer to that one, I'm afraid.

I'll say one thing, though, when he left the police,

he never looked backwards.

And you know what?

It was a different person.

He turned back into a human being.

Don't get me wrong.

But all he thought about before was catching villains.

Me and the kids might never have existed.

When he first became a detective,

he used to practice interrogating us.

Job can do that.

I'm not bitter cause I know that other people have

better lives because of it.

And it gave us security, I suppose.

Um, Mr. Wycliffe says, if there's anything you need,

you know.

Can you bring him back?

No, Doug.

Nothing personal, but I don't need anything from the police

force, except to be left alone.

No, there is one thing. And it's important.

It was to him.

Promise me there will be no uniforms at the funeral.

OK, Ivy, I promise.

How did the lecture go?

I managed to get a couple of them to throw up.

The rest were quite calm.

It's really disappointing.

Always expect the expected, Cyril.

Let's see. '86, '86, '86.

Matheson, Merch, Norman, Ollie Yeah, here we go.

Pattersons, Margaret. Pattersons, Lily.

Ha, who needs a computer?

Seven years.

See how steady my hand was then.

11 years, where's it gone, eh.

FRANKS: Best not to dwell, Charles.

I'm on my second menopausal reentry.

Ugh.

That's a lovely girl.

So sad.

Well, I've typed AO positive as hers.

Well, as I remember, it tied in with the stepfather, didn't it?

Unfortunately.

FRANKS: Well, nothing earth-shattering

there, Charles. - What does this mean?

FRANKS: Hm?

Oh, um.

Well, yes, that's, um-- that's my own little code.

Don't you remember?

We took a swab from inside the trousers, thought

it might be vaginal fluid.

Well, that drew a blank as well.

Nothing conclusive.

Yes, perhaps, but perhaps not.

It's a long shot, but it might pay

you to check whether the sample was refrigerated.

DNA has advanced tenfold since then.

So what's all this in aid of?

Stevens.

I've got him on my back.

FRANKS: Mm, I wondered what the hump was.

Yeah, well, he's gonna find out

I'm not laid out and ready for gutting, not yet.

I have to say, I resent being given a fait

accompli by a junior officer.

STEVENS: She was only passing on my orders.

Lane is an excellent officer, clearly earmarked

for accelerated promotion.

Into some obscure department.

Plodding along in CID isn't gonna enhance her chances.

Write her up in line with her career development indicators.

Anyway, I thought this staff appraisal

was to assess my performance, not Lane's career prospects.

Exactly.

Shall we get on?

You never made the Strategic Command Course.

Haven't been recommended.

Ever told why?

Never had that luxury.

Well, I'm gonna tell you, because staff appraisal

is all about honesty, Charles.

And the blunt fact is you're so busy leading from the front,

looking at personal satisfaction that you don't notice the needs

of those you supervise.

That business with Kersey was a typical example.

This force could have been protected

from much embarrassment if you'd adopted

a more dispassionate approach.

In my view, the man should have been dismissed.

I think the record speaks for itself, sir.

Can I suggest you don't mention your prejudice

outside this office.

This force, the public deserves the best.

And that is what I intend to provide.

Well, at least we're agreed on some things.

What you and several others entrenched

in myth fail to realize is the-- the roles are changing.

Detective superintendents can no longer be lone rangers.

In the cold light of day, you really haven't moved on.

One murder is very much like another.

Not to the victims.

9 out of 10 are iffy domestics gone wrong.

Domestic!

The luxury of an open budget is going.

Murders will be graded and, wherever possible,

dealt with by the lower ranks.

It's no good you shaking your head, man.

The job is undergoing a massive sea change.

You are now a manager, just as I'm an enabler.

There's a lot to be said, sir, for the tried and trusted ways.

Adapt, Charles, or go under.

Well, you can tell them upstairs,

I'm staying till I'm 60, I'm not changing my style,

and my judgment's never been an issue.

If we ignore the Patterson case and Monday's debacle.

I wondered when that was coming up.

The chief is extremely concerned it

could damage public relations.

Some you win, some you lose when

you're in the line of fire!

Maybe this Tully case is telling us all something.

After all, staff appraisal is also a tool

for management enlightenment.

Clear out the cobwebs, indicate the cracks.

If at the end, we know where we stand, it's done its job.

Anything you wish to bring to my attention?

Yes, sir.

This PA that's been foisted on me, I don't need her.

I don't want her.

Sorry, Charles.

It's not up for discussion.

Policy, you understand?

Is that it then, sir?

Yes, I'll be writing something up,

and I'll see you later to sign it.

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Stevens.

KERSEY (ON PHONE): It's DI Kersey, sir.

Sorry to interrupt.

Uh, is Mr. Wycliffe still with you?

No.

What is it?

KERSEY (ON PHONE): Uh, it's all right.

I'll-- I'll get him.

If it's a CID matter, you can tell me.

Uh, a possible body has been reported in a graveyard.

Isn't that where bodies go?

KERSEY (ON PHONE): Sir?

So it's a murder?

KERSEY (ON PHONE): Well, I couldn't

say as the report was brief and we're in the process

of following it up.

It's just that the boss likes to be on these things on the off.

I'll turn out.

Send me a car, and put everyone on standby in case

it's a major incident.

[sighs] Right.

OK, sir.

[chattering on police radio]

OFFICER 1: Yeah?

What is it, sir?

A baby's body in a vault over here.

Looks as if it's been disturbed.

WYCLIFFE: You examined it?

STEVENS: No, the scene's sterile.

Forensic's on its way.

Kersey will brief you.

DCC Stevens to control.

CONTROL (ON RADIO): Go ahead.

STEVENS: Superintendent Wycliffe has arrived,

but I will be retaining overall command of the incident.

What have we got?

Social services received a call from a distressed female

two hours ago.

She said she'd buried her baby in the graveyard.

So, uh, process of elimination, we tracked it here.

Woman traced?

Yeah, she's a total headbanger.

She's at hospital.

We've got a policewoman also.

WYCLIFFE: Good, right.

Have you had a look?

Yeah.

Yeah, it's, uh-- there's, uh, definitely

been an attempt to bury something

behind the gravestone.

Looks as if it's a plastic bag.

He's set up a major incident.

Yep.

Sir?

STEVENS: You're in the picture?

Yes.

Uh, can I suggest we examine the scene more closely, sir?

Of course.

[chattering on police radios]

OFFICER (ON RADIO): Yeah, stand by, Warden 92.

[chattering on police radios]

STEVENS: Here.

WYCLIFFE: It always pays to play safe, sir.

After all, a major incident requires

a large contingent of staff.

Come on.

Let's be cognizant of the overtime.

If you don't mind, sir, I'll leave you to do the debrief

and have the carcass destroyed.

[sheep baaing]

What's so funny?

NOBLE: Nothing, sir.

Good, because you and I have got unfinished business, Noble.

My office, pocketbook and all ongoing inquiries, one hour.

Doug, a job for you.

LANE: What about DNA?

We can do Stringer's.

But the blood from the dead girl may have deteriorated.

It would help to have some comparison

material from the natural mother or father.

Is that a problem?

It's awkward.

Patterson family aren't exactly what you call pro-police.

They blame us for the stepfather killing himself.

Without it, I'm snookered.

[knocking at door]

Hi.

Hi.

I'm DI Kersey.

Do you want me?

Sorry.

I thought you might need some help.

Um, any chance of this being still in the deep-freeze?

[sighs]

Same case.

What is it?

KERSEY: It's a section of the stepfather's trousers.

The boss unearthed it in Franks's notes.

There's some sort of stain on it.

And the way that DNA was then, the lab

could do nothing with it.

He thought, if it had been kept, well, something

might be done about it now.

I'll say this for your boss.

He's a supreme optimist.

Even if we've got it, there's no guarantee

it won't have degraded.

Leave it with me.

Give me your number.

This is my mobile.

It's not good enough.

Oh, yes, you make the right noises.

But you're not ready yet.

Mr. Crow was right in removing your acting up-rank,

because if he hadn't, I would.

So I'm being made a scapegoat, am I?

No, I don't operate that way.

As acting detective-sergeant, your job

is to supervise others.

But from the standard of your work,

you seem incapable of supervising yourself.

Therefore, I am recommending your return

to uniform duties forthwith.

Uniform?

But, sir--

Uniform, yes.

But not for Monday's court case, Noble.

For this-- Criminal Injuries Compensation

form for a Mrs. Knox.

Do you remember it?

Uh, sir, I can explain that.

See--

WYCLIFFE: Before you do, let me remind you--

a 73-year-old woman beaten and robbed in her own home.

NOBLE: Yeah, it was a cracking case, sir.

Richards is halfway through doing five years for that.

The poor woman has had to write to me, Noble--

the victim, who you should be breaking your neck

to get compensation for.

And she's had to wait two years for you

to get off your backside and submit her claim form.

Sir, the original form got misplaced.

The copy only arrived last week.

I submitted it immediately.

You can check with admin.

And in that case, how do you explain that this

was attached to the copy?

Now, don't compound anything.

This is the original memo attached

to the original application form by staple.

You never dealt with it, did you?

Just think yourself fortunate I'm

not putting you down on paper.

All right.

On your way.

[engine revving]

[engine dying]

Now then.

RUTH: I wanted to ask you something.

Ask away, love.

Well, Mum's been giving me this woman-to-woman talk.

Now, Dad, I know what you're thinking,

but it's not like that.

I wouldn't do anything to hurt you or Mum.

You know that.

I wouldn't.

I understand what you see at work.

Everything's bad, so it's gotta rub off.

But the world is actually full of nice people, you know?

So trust me, eh?

So what's this favor?

Well, it's about Andy.

It's OK.

He's just a friend.

How old is he?

Oh, Dad, don't spoil it.

He wanted to speak to you for advice.

He's in his final year at college.

And he quite fancied joining the police

and wanted to know if you could help him prepare

for his entrance interview.

[laughing]

Yes, why not?

Oh, thanks, Dad.

It's for you.

Lucy.

Thank you.

Hello?

[birds chirping]

[sea birds calling]

You all right?

No, not really.

So?

You've got my undivided attention.

You were right.

I was wrong.

About what?

Stringer.

Oh.

Had a call from the lab tonight.

That piece of trouser material had been retained.

Good.

And?

Well, they've done a quick analysis.

It's vaginal fluid from the murdered girl.

DNA is conclusive.

So it was the stepfather after all.

[sighs]

I've also read the file.

I see what you mean now.

Patterson family knew all along, didn't they?

Yes, I think they did.

They lost a daughter and then a stepfather,

so you can't blame them for not admitting it.

I'm sorry.

I-- I still think Stevens had a point.

Stevens is a deputy chief constable.

He sings from a different hymn sheet.

Now, maybe I'm cynical.

But if it had been Stringer, who do you think

would have been claiming all the glory?

You can't believe he's that devious.

No?

Well, now it's failed, ask yourself

whose door it's lying at?

She wasn't mine.

So think carefully about it, Lucy.

These are shark-infested waters towards which you are swimming.

Now then, the Patterson family have gotta be told.

[sighs]

Yeah.

What are we waiting for, eh? Come on.

Let's do it.

Mrs. Patterson, perhaps if I could just explain--

And you can shut up because you've done enough damage.

Have you any idea what it's like to cry and cry till your empty?

Every day, I look at her and wonder.

So don't tell me you can explain,

cause you can't explain nothing.

Nothing.

Now you come back and start the nightmare all over again.

How can you be so cruel?

We were wrong to build up your hopes, Mrs. Patterson.

And for that, I'm truly sorry.

Are you?

I wonder.

Mrs. Patterson I can't begin to understand how you feel.

No.

But I can promise you, as far as I'm concerned,

the case is closed.

And a murderer is running free.

I have to be honest.

And I think you know what I mean,

without going over that difficult ground yet again.

You still think it was him, don't you?

But I do believe the man responsible is now dead.

Get out.

Please, just go and leave me to my own private misery

before I say or do something I'll regret.

MINISTER: A man of his time who stood for all that is good.

Our colleague, affectionately known as "Boiler,"

will be missed, yes.

Will be mourned, yes.

But we are joyful that he enriched all our lives.

[bell ringing]

Oh, Lord, we commend the soul of Bradley Paul Tinnion

to your safekeeping in the sure and certain hope

of the Resurrection to eternal life.

Amen.

MINISTER: Amen.

[shouting]

Come on!

Yeah.

[laughter]

TULLY: Did you enjoy that?

BOY 1: Woo!

TULLY: Did you enjoy that, eh?

[engine revving]

[tires squealing] - Look out!

Tully, watch out!

[tires squealing]

I wonder, can we have a quick word in private, Charles?

Sure.

STEVENS: There's a couple of things, actually.

That, um, Tully complaint, Crow is very anxious

to speak to you formally so that we shouldn't be

seen to be dragging our heels.

Public perception, you know.

Strictly between you and I, the chief

is prepared to settle out of court.

2K would probably see the hooligan right.

[sighs]

Crow knows where to find me.

Good.

Right.

Well, I-- I know this isn't the--

the ideal venue, but I've--

I've written your appraisal up.

These are my observations.

"Superintendent Wycliffe represents the backbone

of the police service.

His administration is solid, and he stands as an example

to others.

Settled in his present role, he harbors no ambitions

for further advancement.

I have spoken to him about aspects of his leadership style

and recommend that, in order to keep abreast of current trends,

he should attend the next carousel course

at the police college.

A team player, he has no desire to retire until age debars him.

And I make no recommendations as to any career

move in the foreseeable future.

Fair?

[takes deep breath]

You should be an illusionist, sir.

[phone ringing]

Excuse me, sir.

[beep]

Wycliffe.

Yep.

Yeah?

Where?

[sighs]

I see. Right.

No, no, all right.

Uh, leave it with me.

Yeah.

Bye.

Serious?

Yeah.

Our friend Tully is in intensive care with severe head injuries.

Seems he was mown down by Mr. Black 20 minutes ago.

Is he in custody?

WYCLIFFE: Yep.

He's admitting it, was cooperative

That's a relief.

Well, don't worry, sir.

I'll grade it as a domestic gone iffy.

You can tell the chief he's probably saved him 2K.

[car starts]

[theme music]