Original subtitles

THIS STORY IS NOT BASED ON ANY REAL-LIFE CASES

SEAN LAU

MICHAEL SHEK

Last November,

Hong Kong experienced the worst typhoon ever,

Typhoon Coral.

It brought over 200mm of rainfall to Hong Kong.

Wake up, Man. Thieves!

Wake up, Man. Thieves!

Shut up!

You should have answered your phone.

Van 71 calling.

Van 71, go ahead.

We're at Container Port Road South in Kwai Chung, near street light CC0381.

- There's a TADO... - Hey, mister. Stand still!

Someone's hurt,

- but he's conscious. - Mister, you're hurt.

Do you need an ambulance?

I can't understand Chinese. Go away!

You are suspected of drunk driving...

Hey, watch your tongue. Quit the foul language.

Show me your ID.

What ID? No way!

Do I need to carry an ID?

If you don't have an ID, we'll take you

- to the police station right now. - Do you know who I am?

Sit down!

Calm down. Sit still there.

You! Answer the call.

Hello?

This is MY Shum from the Emergency Unit.

He's suspected of drunk driving.

What's his relationship to you?

- Can I go now? - Hello?

A man crashed his car and he is suspected of drunk driving.

- He claims that his uncle is a judge. - I must go now.

Hello?

Arrest him!

Joe!

We're cops, not mad dogs.

If you assault cops, I could beat you to death!

Vincent, these are the documents you wanted.

Mr. Lau.

Commissioner Tsang's plane has landed,

but his mobile phone is still off.

Headquarters Command Control Center said,

apart from them and the Public Relations Branch,

at least three G4 tactical teams took action 15 minutes ago.

- Is it that serious? - There's more.

Twenty minutes ago, Deputy Police Commissioner Lee

announced a Tier One Response.

Something's up.

- Sir. - Sir.

Mr. Lau.

What happened tonight was obviously directed towards you. Be careful.

Save the formalities. We're running out of time.

Albert, let's start.

We called you all back so late

because of two things.

First, an hour and a half ago,

an explosive went off at Mong Kok.

So far, no casualties have been reported.

Second, last night at 23:00,

an Emergency Unit van in New Territories South

hadn't reported to the Command Center for 30 minutes.

But at 23:19,

we received an anonymous phone call.

Leanne.

An Emergency Unit van with five cops

and all the equipment in the van, how much is it worth?

Michael.

The Emergency Unit Control Center

confirmed that Van 71 still cannot be contacted.

Regional Command records show that Van 71 was mid-shift.

At 22:44, it had just dealt with a drunkard who had caused trouble.

They resumed work and then went missing.

Aside from the missing van,

the phones of all the five officers went dead.

We all know that GPS isn't free from error.

Besides radio records,

we have also activated the Major Incident Investigation

and Disaster Support System,

and locked down a 20km radius.

New Territories South sent out two Emergency Units

and a Police Tactical Unit to follow up. Up to now...

Mr. Lau, given this information, what do you think?

Michael's decision was right.

But I would call in everyone related to cases handled by Van 71

to assist in our investigation.

We have already done what you have just said.

Listen, from the onset,

the Mong Kok bombing and the hijacked van

can't be random incidents

because they happened at around the same time.

Twenty-three minutes ago, I activated the Emergency Response System.

This is the Provisional Command Center.

To, you're the director of Information Technology.

I want you to explain why this happened.

Sir, the heads of the Supervisory Board and Information Technology aren't here.

Let me answer for them.

I'm asking about the technicalities.

Can you give me an answer?

To!

Given today's technology and resources,

the hijackers can only block a channel.

Aside from our department, no one knows what frequency we use.

It's simple.

We'll check with the Kwun Tung Police Station to see where

in New Territories South had TV and radio signal interference.

We can then locate where the hijacking took place.

Our budget was cut,

and 540 million dollars was spent over six years

for the so-called state-of-the-art technology.

The commissioner is in Copenhagen right now,

boasting about how safe Hong Kong is

and how professional the police are.

How could we imagine that this ridiculous system

would let a whole team and a police van vanish without a trace?

I could draw conclusions now.

There are only two possibilities.

First, there's a mole in the force.

Second, there's a serious vulnerability in our communications system.

It's your department's responsibility, To.

Albert, carry on.

According to the armory's records,

Van 71 was fully loaded.

Five officers were on board.

Driver Johnny Wong, 6911.

Undercover Detective Kelvin Chang, 60625.

Sergeant MY Shum, 48457.

Communicator CM Leung, 38543.

And in the rear seat, 78633,

Joe Lee.

I'm treating this as a terrorist attack.

Considering the gravity of the situation, I've decided to take charge.

This is operation "Cold War."

Listen up, taking police officers hostage is never tolerated in Hong Kong.

Never!

Mr. Lau, my team is ready.

Watch To closely.

In order to make an EU van disappear,

one not only has to block the GPS in the van,

and cut all uploads and downloads,

but kill its radio as well.

In Hong Kong, 80% of highways are equipped with cameras.

It doesn't matter if they all fail.

The best part about the third-generation communication system is this.

Every officer's radio has GPS.

Even if it's turned off, we can turn it on via the central computer.

How come I didn't know that?

It's the Category 2 setup.

Not even the legislature's Finance Committee knows.

You're an admin executive, so, of course, you wouldn't know.

In other words, every policeman is wearing a bug?

It's not a bug. It's a secret weapon.

Listen! The data shows that the abducted officers

are held at the shipyard at Tam Kon Shan Road in Tsing Yi.

Until now, our EU van

and its weapons are still missing.

We have to speed up.

Because of his son, Lee has made this whole mess.

Yes.

We're short on time and Criminal Intelligence isn't involved.

Is he trying to kill us all?

Mr. Lau.

Do you think there's a mole in the force?

No, I don't.

Maybe there's something wrong with our communications system.

With this operation.

Mr. Lau.

Mr. Lee, you can get ready to open the window.

Mr. Lee, can we talk?

I understand Joe is on the hostage list,

but shouldn't you let Albert take charge?

I saw that the floor plans they're using are three years old

and don't have the Building Department's approval.

Since we've found the location,

shouldn't we plan before storming in?

Mr. Lau, it's dangerous outside.

Albert.

Don't worry.

Everyone, this is MB Lee speaking.

Listen to my orders.

I'm fine. How are you there?

Who are you? Why are you here?

Cops!

Get up!

What do you want?

Put down your gun.

What do you want...

Freeze!

Stand still. Don't move.

Don't move.

Stand still! Don't move!

Police! Don't move.

Team C, insert the optical fibers now.

Team C, approaching the hostages' suspected location.

Sir, we've found lots of mannequins with radios and bombs.

I'm very confident

that Hong Kong will remain the safest Asian city.

Its reputation...

Mr. Lau.

Open the door.

Open the door.

I'm afraid we can't, sir.

If Albert is with Lee,

tell Albert that I want to see him.

How dare he?

What can I help you with?

I believe intelligence is the key to a successful operation.

If you can't acquire certain information because of your rank, just let me know.

I suspect this hijacking case

is somehow linked to MB Lee and his son.

I want to see Lee's conduct report at the executive council meeting

and do a background check on him.

I'll send you a copy in an hour.

Thank you.

Trust your own judgment.

Extreme measures are required in extreme times.

I understand.

Come in.

Looking for me?

Come in.

Coffee.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Did you get any leads from the interrogation?

I passed by the room

but I wasn't allowed in, even with my rank.

Those South Asians were just used.

Secretary Luk just came by.

If you had finished the interrogation earlier, you would have run into him.

Cut to the chase.

I understand how Mr. Lee feels,

but we're the top management of disciplined forces.

His role as a father

can't override his role as a policeman when he makes decisions.

I know Secretary Luk thinks highly of you.

He must have made a deal with you.

Yes, he did.

Can you tell me about it?

But not now.

Okay.

What you've just said,

I can't pass it on for you.

Please tell my boss directly.

Just disregard this visit.

I prefer lattes.

An Emergency Unit van with five cops

and all the equipment in the van,

how much is it worth?

I'll contact you again before 3 p.m. today.

Ignore him. Don't save us. Don't...

Has the commissioner been informed?

Have you checked the file's properties?

We tried,

but they've been overwritten.

It's almost nine o'clock. We'll issue a press release as usual.

Lau, if I were you,

I would inform Mr. Lee about this video right away.

Mr. Lau, 20 minutes ago

a hijacker called 999 with an unregistered mobile phone.

He asked if we had finished the calculation.

I've set up another system in the conference room to help you.

We got the video from the hijacker.

Yes, tell IT and Forensics to go to the CT room.

Now!

An Emergency Unit van with five cops

and all the equipment in the van,

how much is it worth?

I'll contact you again before 3 p.m. today.

Ignore him. Don't save us. Don't...

Mr. Lau, the total based on your estimation is on the last page.

The riddle is about an EU van, five cops, and all the equipment.

It's easy to calculate.

It's probably not more than 45 million dollars.

No, it can't be that simple.

There must be something left out.

When it comes to money, everyone wants more.

If we give them this answer, it will be our doom.

Who are these people? Why do you have such a big reaction?

The former commissioner told me

that the biggest enemy of the police force is always its own people.

Vincent, I want a list of all the staff that were dismissed since the handover.

I can think of no more than five people

who are capable of taking down the Hong Kong Police.

What a coincidence. The five cops are part of the riddle.

May, call the Administration Bureau.

Find out the death compensation given to an officer's family.

Why would it cost so much for five policemen?

Just preparing for the worst.

It's assuming all five of them die.

Mr. Lau, the identity of the man has been confirmed.

He's the driver, Johnny Wong. The hijackers are animals!

How is he?

He was found unconscious.

Accident and Emergency suspected a heart attack.

The CCTV captured the van that dropped him off,

but the van's plates are fake.

They're obviously testing our limits,

especially Mr. Lee's.

Attention.

It's been more than ten hours

since our EU van disappeared last night.

A while ago, the hijackers left a seriously wounded officer

at the Accident and Emergency entrance of a hospital.

This was done to provoke the police.

I'll inform the Security Bureau later

and sign the executive directive.

Due to the increasing gravity of the case,

I'm now activating a Tier Two Response.

All districts' morning duties will be extended for two hours.

All front-line staff must cancel their leave.

Inform the Marine Police, the airport, and public transport.

I need two-thirds of the police force.

I want to dismiss Lee from duty.

It's impossible.

Why?

If you want to take over from Lee, according to the structure,

you need to dismiss him as Acting Commissioner.

You need to prove his dereliction of duty

or dismiss him due to health reasons.

The whole procedure takes at least two weeks.

Right, in normal circumstances, not like this one.

Don't you remember what you told me last night

when I came back to Headquarters?

Lee activated a Tier One Response 20 minutes ago

as Acting Commissioner.

As the head of the police force since last night,

he has announced a Tier One Response without consulting Management.

He did it simply to ease the deployment of the force.

He had already done the most difficult part for us.

To announce a state of emergency,

you need at least five votes from Management.

Currently, half of its members are in Copenhagen.

You won't have five votes.

Albert.

Albert Kwong?

He's always been on Lee's side,

but still, he has the highest rank among the team.

Also, in six months, he will have a PhD in law.

He understands

the rule of law better than any of us.

I just talked to him. He's hesitating.

I made the decision solely based on legal-system considerations.

If I discover that you have plans of tricking my boss,

I'll do even worse to you in return.

I won't let you down.

When should we take action?

In three minutes.

Why?

Give Phoenix some time. She has two votes in hand.

Morning, Mr. Lee.

Any news that I should follow up?

Take a look at the headlines. If there's no problem, I'll send them out.

Article 8B isn't right. Operation "Cold War" is still going on.

I don't want to announce the emergency status to the public.

I don't get it.

I said it clearly. Do you need me to repeat it?

You just asked me to censor the news.

Mr. Lee, I don't think this is under the commissioner's authority.

Wrong. I know the Police Ordinance better than you.

I absolutely have this authority.

I've served two commissioners before.

Neither of them has ever made

such a request from our department.

That's because they didn't know how to!

Listen to my orders.

Don't release Article 8 to 10 without my approval.

The operation is still going on. I will cooperate with you.

But I won't keep the state of emergency a secret

because every Hong Kong citizen has the right to know about their safety.

If you don't retract your request, I won't leave.

Which is more important? The public's right to know

or the safety of our police officers?

News and safety are separate things.

If you want me to ignore established procedures

and follow your orders,

that is a rule of an individual, not a rule of law, sir.

Phoenix, are you implying that I'm abusing my power?

I didn't mean that.

Do you know that I can suspend you immediately?

I know.

The Commissioner and Acting Commissioner have the same authority, too.

Why are you here?

I want to discuss something with you.

Tell all detectives ranked Inspector and above to come over.

Have them bring their pistols. All of them.

What's it about?

Mr. Lee.

I think it's too much.

That's why you called up so many constables to suppress me?

I don't mean that.

You don't mean that?

You two match each other.

I heard that you used to date.

No wonder the both of you speak the same way.

Mr. Lee.

The EU van is bound to New Territories South.

The head should take charge.

This is Headquarters.

You and I have our duties. Normally, the deputy commissioners

and assistant commissioners shouldn't be directly involved.

In other words, you also think I'm abusing my power?

I understand how you feel, but I worry

that you're being irrational.

- I'm asking you, yes or no? - Yes!

Sir, without a doubt, this case is serious.

But objectively speaking, your reaction is over the top.

Sean Lau, you should know

that I don't need a reason

to suspend you from duty immediately.

I know.

But I have that power, too.

With what you just said and these people you brought with you,

it's enough for me to charge you.

Albert, go out with Lau.

Albert!

Take them away.

- Pulling out a gun? - What are you doing?

Put down your gun. Stand at the back.

This has never happened before, not since I became a cop.

If this happened at the front lines, it would be a war.

I'm now the acting commissioner.

At 09:06, Sean Lau,

I officially suspend you from duty.

Mr. Lee, there are rules.

If a case involves a relative, one should make a declaration.

- I took charge not because of my son. - You obviously failed to do so.

- It proves our judgment was in question. - It's irrelevant, I question your ability.

You should hand over your position.

- It will be best for us. - They're aiming the police force.

- If you disagree, then I'm sorry. - It's a terrorist attack.

- I will temporarily suspend you. - Don't try to break up the force.

I'm not scared even if it's against the Security Bureau.

Are you trying to seize power?

Do you have enough votes?

What is it?

It's the commissioner.

He's asking for the chief commander of "Cold War."

Was this the commissioner's idea?

Commissioner Tsang.

Lau, are you in charge of "Cold War" now?

Yes.

Is MB around?

He's right here.

Vincent and Albert are around too.

Attention, please.

The acting commissioner, MB Lee, just handed over his authority

in operation "Cold War" for personal and health reasons.

In accordance with Police Ordinance Chapter 232, Section 16,

gazette police officers and at least two deputy commissioners

have concurred, that, from now on,

starting at 09:12,

Deputy Commissioner Sean Lau will be the Acting Commissioner

and Chief Commander of operation "Cold War."

Listen,

you should all know that we are now

short on time and in a disadvantageous situation.

We have to strike a balance between maintaining citizens' safety

and rescuing the hostages.

First, remove all emergency status warnings.

All departments, including PTU,

G4 and SDU,

should resume normal duties. We can't let the hijackers know

we made such a huge deployment because of them.

Second, considering this could be a long fight,

I now assign Senior Superintendents Vincent Tsui and Albert Kwong

as deputy commanders of operation "Cold War."

Members of the Provisional Command Center need to set up a duty roster.

Two shifts for the Command Center and three for other departments,

to be enforced until the case is closed or Commissioner Tsang returns.

Get to work.

Hello? Who are you?

Why is my colleague's mobile phone with you?

Who are you?

My surname is Lau, Sean Lau.

There are three people in the police force with the same name.

One is a constable, one is in the Marine Police,

and the other one is the deputy commissioner.

I'm the deputy commissioner.

I'll ask again.

Why is our colleague's phone with you?

Mind your tone.

How will you release the hostages?

Don't talk to me before you're ready.

Remember, your cops are in my hands.

And you're not Sean Lau.

Tell Sean Lau to answer my call in three minutes.

The phone signal started from Ting Kau Bridge northbound

and ended at Castle Peak Road. The total duration is 28 seconds.

The suspect should be in a vehicle.

Get video footage.

I want his psychoanalysis and risk assessment.

What SIM card is he using? What kind of phone?

I want it done immediately.

Johnny Wong just died.

May, inform Phoenix

and the Welfare Department.

Tell them to send people to the hospital.

How much more time?

Forty-five seconds.

Hello?

Commissioner Lau.

How should I greet you?

Commissioner, are you well-prepared?

I have 93.2 million dollars.

I can only prepare it in Hong Kong dollars.

Get it ready before 3:30 p.m.

I'll tell you how to hand it over.

Albert.

Yes?

We shouldn't stay and waste our energy here.

Go home first.

Mr. Lau.

Let me go to the vault.

Mr. Luk sent this to me and asked me to hand it to you personally.

He said you know what it is.

Mr. Tsui.

I have a few words for you.

Mr. Lau.

Hello?

Do you have the cash with you, Commissioner?

Yes.

Let me tell you. Your calculation is wrong.

I can't wait any longer.

I want 33.33 million dollars in cash.

You have half an hour to prepare it.

Also, don't bother tracing this call.

I'm at Chung On Street in Tsuen Wan.

Hurry.

After deducting 33 million dollars, around 60 million dollars remain.

Mr. Lau, just a few words.

The vault's director William Ngai reminded me before I left.

In case we didn't use the whole sum,

we should return the remainder to the vault right away.

He doesn't want to get in trouble.

Use a dog van.

Got it.

Deliver the remaining sum back to the vault in a dog van.

Be careful.

What do we do with this Lee guy?

His life is more valuable than all these people together. Don't let him die.

Change the location now.

The cash is ready.

How do we hand it over?

Come alone. Do you drive?

Yes, I do.

Mr. Lau.

I have deployed three teams to back you up.

What's your plate number?

KM 1605, black car.

Where are you now?

I had just left the car park.

Go to Arsenal Street, turn left onto Harcourt Road.

Cross the harbor via the Western Harbor Tunnel.

Copy. Car 1 will wait at the tunnel.

Sorry, I've changed my mind.

Get out of the car now.

Take the escalator on the left and go up the footbridge.

Take the ferry to the other side.

The IFC is on Lau's left.

The Four Seasons Hotel is in front of him. The Star Ferry Pier is on his right.

Vincent, I'm counting on you.

Car 2 and Car 3, go to the Star Ferry Pier.

Stand by on either side.

At your pace, you should almost be there.

Tell me your location.

Pier 7 is in front of me.

Pier 2 to 6 to outlying islands are on my left.

Turn left to Pier 6.

Take the ferry to Mui Wo.

Turn around.

Take the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Run!

Lau turned around.

We're exposed.

A counter-tailing tactic?

Let's take the Western Harbor Tunnel.

Car 1.

Slow down at the Kowloon exit and wait for me.

When did you last take a ferry, Commissioner Lau?

You keep talking to me.

Aren't you worried that we'll trace you?

Then I'll call you back in five minutes.

Before I go, a reminder for you.

Don't keep looking around.

And your shoelaces have come untied.

Mr. Kwong, the phone signal is very close to Mr. Lau's location.

The team across the harbor is on standby.

Are you Mr. Lau?

Yes.

Hello?

Mr. Lau. We're four minutes behind schedule.

Get in a taxi and go to the airport.

Don't line up for a taxi.

Mister, my shift is over. Take another one.

Police. Start the car.

Received Mr. Lau's SMS.

The taxi is a Mother Alpha, plate number 8714.

License number 6618, Leo Hui.

Hey, wait a while. I'm coming soon.

I picked up a difficult customer. What can I do?

Set up the mahjong table and wait for me. Talk to you later.

CAR PLATE AND TAXI DRIVER HAVE A CLEAN RECORD

Where are you now?

Route 5, West Kowloon Corridor.

Don't go to the airport. Take the flyover to Tai Kok Tsui.

Wait, driver. Turn right. Take the flyover to Tai Kok Tsui.

First, you said the airport, and now it's Tai Kok Tsui.

Are you kidding me? Can you make up your mind, sir?

I guess both you and the money bag are equipped

with tracking devices, right?

Have you ever been with the police?

If you had, you would have had a bright future.

I joined in 1988, have we met before?

I have absolutely no interest in the job.

How are my colleagues?

Stop the car.

I said stop the car!

Stop the car.

- Sir, my license may be revoked... - Stop the car!

What can I do? We can't stop here.

What do you want?

Throw the money from the flyover.

You've been following me.

Aren't you concerned about your people?

Don't you want to save them?

I'll count down from three, and you'll throw the money down.

Three, two, one!

Police! Freeze!

Put down the money.

Vincent! Come up and help me.

How about my taxi, sir?

You just keep silent. What should I do?

Run!

My car!

It hurts!

Vincent.

I lack practice. I'm not as nimble now.

Albert, call an ambulance.

Mr. Lau, we're trapped.

The money in the dog van was taken.

Call an ambulance!

Vincent.

Locate Mr. Lau. Send an ambulance.

Yes?

You've worked so hard. Get some rest.

Lee.

How is it?

The Organized Crime team is taking statements.

Calm them down first. It has been a tough day for everyone.

Make a statement after dealing with your wound.

Get some rest. Where is Mr. Lau?

Over there.

Where is Vincent?

Where is Vincent?

- Tell me! - Mrs. Tsui.

Where's Vincent?

Vincent!

Vincent!

Oh, no.

Give Vincent back to me!

Mr. Lau.

The commissioner's flight has been delayed until tomorrow morning.

Before he got on board, he only knew that there was one commander

of operation "Cold War", which is you.

You better hand the position over to him tomorrow.

Today was a strange day.

Everyone apologized to me once I arrived at the hospital.

I can accept their apologies.

But not yours.

Luckily, the four missing officers are back.

What happened to Vincent was unfortunate.

But we're not totally defeated.

If I was in charge,

I wouldn't know what would happen either.

Mr. Lau.

Mr. Lau.

The vault's director, William Ngai, has taken annual leaves

without saying where he'll go.

I'll check with Immigration tomorrow.

It's already one o'clock. Let me drive you home.

Mr. Lau, we've arrived.

Go home. Get some sleep. I'll pick you up tomorrow.

Vincent.

Excuse me, sir.

I have something confidential to report.

We received a document this morning from a sender signed "Informer."

It's a complaint against the current deputy commissioner, Sean Lau,

for allegedly accepting bribes and perverting the course of justice.

The complaint refers to the incident that occurred at Tai Kok Tsui a week ago.

The trickiest thing about it

is that one of those officers in the EU van,

is the son of Deputy Commissioner MB Lee.

Police ranked Superintendent and above must all pass integrity checking.

Billy, are you sure?

About a month ago until yesterday,

at all the registered banks in Hong Kong,

all the counters received marked banknotes,

319,500 dollars in total.

I don't understand what you're trying to say,

Mr. Chan.

What I'm saying is that we, as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority,

don't think that tracing paper would be of any use.

You make it sound like the money was lost because of us, Mr. Chan.

Wait. Let me say something.

Tracing paper, so-called traceable banknotes,

hasn't worked well in tracking down criminals at all.

Whether there's a need for the Monetary Authority

to prepare such money for us in the future,

we would need to do further re-assessment.

Sir, ICAC...

Mr. Sean Lau,

I'm ICAC Principal Investigation Officer, Billy Cheung.

We suspect you of violating the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Please come with us.

What's wrong with you?

You're making an arrest at Police Headquarters,

and it's the deputy commissioner?

Mr. Lau, please cooperate with us.

Don't you know any rules?

Those who are here

are the top management executives who are maintaining Hong Kong's safety.

If you want to invite Mr. Lau to your office,

you must give at least half an hour's notice.

Also, with such a big issue, have you informed your boss?

Half an hour, is it? No problem.

It's okay.

Mr. Lee, I'll go with them.

Mr. Lau, sorry to have kept you waiting so long.

This is my assistant, Kwok Wai Meng.

Let's be direct and cut to the chase.

Sure.

We received a complaint against you.

That's why we invited you here to get more information

on an operation named "Cold War."

Judging by your experience and instinct,

how hard would it be

to hijack an EU van?

Didn't you just say to be direct?

Frankly, given today's advanced technology,

making an EU van vanish is almost impossible.

Unless it was an inside job.

Do you think there's a mole in the police force, Mr. Lau?

After the "Cold War" operation,

Internal Affairs opened a file

in order to do integrity checking on each person in the van.

Until the report is completed, I have no comment.

Before operation "Cold War," because the commissioner was out of town,

MB Lee was initially the acting commissioner.

But when "Cold War" went into action,

you took over from him.

That means you weren't originally

the chief commander of operation "Cold War," right?

Yes.

So may I know what criteria the police force uses

in assigning the chief commander of an operation?

And what the criteria for changing a chief commander are?

Of course, the role of Acting Commissioner is very important.

What's the mechanism for assigning it?

The answers are all in the Police Force Ordinance.

You can download it online and find out yourself.

This operation's report is very different from the previous reports.

That's why we asked you to come here, Mr. Lau.

Given that there is no record about changing the operation commander,

it's already a big issue!

Do you know the difference between a report and a log sheet?

As the hijackers requested, the police took the ransom from the vault.

The hijackers requested a new number and not all the money was spent.

Under legal principles, the remaining money should've been tendered

as evidence and stored in the evidence room.

But why was it sent back to the vault on the same day

with minimum security instead?

After Mr. Lee handed over his position,

you wrote a check for 93.2 million dollars

as Acting Police Commissioner.

Mr. Lau, on December 8th,

for two hours that afternoon,

you were actually the most powerful person in Hong Kong, you know that?

Every decision that you made could have directly affected

Hong Kong's security.

Whatever my position is, I always make the security of citizens

my top priority in every decision.

We're both in law enforcement.

Do you remember the lesson in the Criminology course

which covered Stockholm Syndrome?

Since you said we're both working for law enforcement,

why do you keep beating around the bush?

Just tell me what I've done wrong.

Mr. Lau, have you seen this document?

No.

We had checked with the Security Bureau,

but they asked us how we got it in return.

We found your fingerprints on this document.

I need legal advice.

We got permission

from the Secretary for Justice to follow all your phone calls.

We have sufficient criminal evidence on you.

You better tell me where the public money

amounting to 59 million dollars is right now.

Mr. Lau.

Do you have a computer in your office?

You said you have all the evidence in a pen drive.

Show it to me now!

If not, I'll give you time to buy a computer.

Also, can I call my lawyer?

- Yes? - If you can talk now, cough once.

May, go downstairs and ask Phoenix.

Ask if the person I told her to check on the other day is back.

Don't do it right now. You know what I mean, right?

Yes.

- Mr. Ngai. - Mr. Lau.

Have a seat.

Sorry to call you over on such short notice.

I followed the Hong Kong news in Australia, too.

I never thought such a big incident could happen.

Can you do me a favor?

On December 8th,

did you ask my colleague Mr. Tsui...

Mr. Tsui?

...to return the money to the vault?

No, I didn't.

Mr. Ngai, if you don't mind, can my colleague go to your office

and take a statement from you tomorrow at noon?

No problem.

Thank you.

Billy, the Kowloon Bay vault's director died in an accident.

It was a car bomb.

Looking for me?

Our colleagues are dealing with Vincent's funeral.

For me?

He lost a lot of money in the past half year.

His apartment was mortgaged to the bank three months ago.

Have you eaten?

Let me cook noodles for you.

I went to see Janet this afternoon.

How is she?

Vincent's wife still has a lot of things to settle.

I should go there and help her these days.

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend?

Billy, can you tell me how you got hold of this CD-ROM?

I can't at the moment.

The contents are top-secret

and should be kept with the strictest confidentiality.

This "Informer"

has this top-secret file

with the highest confidentiality.

If the contents inside are true,

it may be beyond our power to investigate further.

But the "Informer" seems familiar with the police, the ICAC, and the law.

We are now the only people who can find out

the mastermind behind "Cold War."

We are in the same boat now.

There's no turning back.

I know you think about going back to the Accountability Bureau. Right?

Frankly, I've thought of it. But this case is too complicated.

This is our only chance.

It could be the Watergate Scandal of our times.

I'll give you three days. Just three days.

ROUTE TO PAY RANSOM SHOOTOUT ON THE BRIDGE

According to sources,

Deputy Police Commissioner Sean Lau

was arrested by the ICAC yesterday morning.

Hello, I...

Sorry, if you keep throwing in questions like this, we won't answer any of it.

The Chinese media may ask first.

Mr. Luk, is Mr. Lau suspended now?

He took leave for personal reasons.

The reputation of the police force is very low this year.

Even the deputy police commissioner got arrested.

Should anyone take the responsibility?

Please let me give you the answer...

Mr. Luk, you haven't said that you support Sean Lau

in becoming the next police commissioner.

Did the ICAC operation mess up your deployment?

- I... - Secretary Luk, what do you think about

the arrest of the deputy commissioner?

Do you think Sean Lau is guilty of bribery?

Do you think you've picked the wrong person?

Would you take the blame and resign?

Mr. Luk, before taking action, did the ICAC inform the Security Bureau?

I said it clearly, one question at a time.

Thank you.

Let me answer your questions altogether.

Deputy Commissioner Sean Lau wasn't arrested by the ICAC.

He has taken leave for personal reasons.

I personally recognize his integrity and capability.

Another thing I want to clarify is that,

Hong Kong is an advanced city under common law jurisdiction.

The ICAC doesn't need to report to me before taking action.

I understand.

I understand that citizens are free to ask questions.

But before asking, could you please familiarize yourself

with Hong Kong law and the spirit of the rule of law?

Because this is the core value that made Hong Kong

an international financial center

and Asia's safest city.

MB Lee was a constable.

Sean Lau rose from the admin.

Mr. Lau, at 44 years old,

is the youngest deputy commissioner since the handover.

Mr. Lee will be turning 51 next week.

Commissioner Tsang will retire in two and a half years.

But so far, no one knows who will be the successor,

even within the force.

Lee is hawkish

and has always been popular among front-line officers,

especially the Criminal Investigation Department.

He would be the successor under normal circumstances.

But we were told by senior government sources

that their ideal choice is actually Sean Lau.

Because in the four years of his management,

the force has been transformed.

If no critical mistakes happen in the Force Management

in the next few months,

MB Lee would probably be urged to stay

as Operations Deputy Police Commissioner and then retire.

By then, Sean Lau might become

Hong Kong's youngest police commissioner ever.

Mr. Cheung, are you assuming that Mr. Lee wanted to strike out Mr. Lau

in case Mr. Lau would threaten his prospects?

If you're making assumptions, you may as well be bold.

Nicole, call the government laboratory.

I received critical information from the "Informer" three days ago.

Mr. Mac has contacted the police commissioner

and they initially believed that the information was reliable.

Tomorrow, we'll invite Deputy Police Commissioner MB Lee here.

We heard that Mr. Lee is far more sophisticated than Mr. Lau.

Please stay alert, everyone.

Mr. Lee, we brought you here so early.

I hope we didn't scare you and your family.

Can you recall the names in this document?

No.

Excluding the minor players in the EU van case,

there would be a mole who knows the details of the operation,

an IT person who set up the whole system,

your contact person,

and, of course, a member in the EU van.

At least four people were needed

to extort the Hong Kong Police Force.

Even if you had an IT person as the scapegoat

and had the lost guns returned,

the mole and the member in the EU van would remain unknown.

I don't know what you mean.

In 1995, a perfect undercover plan

successfully broke up a triad gang.

The head of the Organized Crime Bureau back then was you, MB Lee.

After the job, due to safety reasons,

you vouched for the officers to join

the Rehabilitated Offender Program offered by the colonial government.

They were even allowed to change names legally

and they obtained right of abode in South Africa.

The file number of the program is ND157.

You sound more like a cop than an ICAC officer.

Even the vault's director was killed by you.

Your current and old subordinates

worked together to kill Vincent Tsui for you.

You brought me here so early

just to listen to a story you made up?

If there's nothing more, I have to go.

Mr. Lee, your ability to plan is amazing.

Sean Lau has an impeccable resume and is supported by many people,

but everything was wiped out by the operation called "Cold War."

According to records, your father, Lee Shu Tang,

was the highest-ranking Chinese Police Superintendent.

Your son Joe Lee, with a high IQ of 192, graduated with the Silver Whistle Award.

The Lee family has three honorable generations.

Congratulations, Mr. Lee.

You must be the next police commissioner.

You have a great imagination.

It has nothing to do with imagination.

Your old colleague, Yeung Chi On, is sitting in the next room.

Do you want me to bring him in here for a reunion?

Kid, don't try to trick me.

I can bet on my life

that there's no one except your boss in the next room.

Just based on such a biased analysis,

without any logical reasoning,

you dare to bring in the two deputy commissioners

and waste their valuable time. Isn't it exciting?

Seize the hidden mastermind and solve a huge conspiracy.

You must be thinking that you're very capable.

When you've reached my position, you would understand.

Even the commissioner would be amazed by my connections.

I don't know what information you can get from questioning me.

You assumed that one of the deputy commissioners is the mole.

Either Mr. Lau wanted to take the ransom money,

or I framed him to get a promotion.

I've been in the force for 30 years.

I have many friends and I have enemies too.

In these 30 years, I learned one thing,

no matter what organization,

department, or position you're in,

you first need to learn the rules of the game,

whether they're written or unwritten.

But many people failed and died before learning to do so.

Do you know why?

Because they tried to act smart.

Next,

you find the limits of the game.

Don't overstep them. Play by the rules.

Only then can you manage to survive.

Can a city be run without the ICAC

or without the police?

Also, you two still lack experience.

Learn to protect yourselves.

Your boss is not a kind person.

Mr. Lee.

Mr. Mac.

This is the first time you've visited us after our relocation.

Why didn't you tell me you would drop by?

I was invited by the ICAC today to help in an investigation.

According to Hong Kong law,

the ICAC can detain me for 48 hours without complete evidence.

I decided to stay here for a night.

I'll give you two days

and hope you can find sufficient evidence that will allow you to question me again.

Don't be angry.

You're the deputy police commissioner.

We just want to help the force to clean up the black spots.

Let's go to my office.

You now know how to play the game, right?

Let's go. I'll walk with you.

Mr. Lee, Mr. Lau wants to see you.

Looking for me?

Winston Churchill once said "All wars are unnecessary."

What do you mean?

The report from the government laboratory came in.

It has confirmed that the bomb in William Ngai's car

was made with black powder.

Sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate?

Those are the main ingredients for black powder.

Excuse me.

What is black powder?

Black powder is a low-level explosive

that is used mainly in fireworks.

But don't take it lightly.

If fired within 4,000 square feet, it can still kill people.

They wanted to put the blame to Vincent and Ngai,

given their deaths.

The hijacking mastermind is obviously from inside the force.

It doesn't matter if any of us continue investigating under "Cold War,"

they would know about it immediately.

If they don't do anything more or simply hide away,

we'll never crack the case.

Mr. Mac, the ICAC is the only law enforcement body

that reports directly to the Chief Executive,

not even the Security Bureau have authority.

The ICAC doesn't need to report to me before taking action.

Trust your own judgment.

Extreme measures are required in extreme times.

I think the "Informer" wants to use the ICAC to dig out the criminals.

Hello?

Are you the "Informer"?

If Mr. Lau didn't ask us to help,

he could have been the one kicked out.

There are 44 buildings in Hong Kong which are permitted to release fireworks.

But only 20 people hold black powder licenses.

They're responsible for the firework shows.

We checked all the fireworks technicians

and we have targeted three of them.

If we can find the bomber,

we can find the hijackers.

The Johnny Wong's autopsy report stated

that his whole body, including hair and nails,

showed ferric oxide residue, plus soil from the environment.

According to statements from the other four EU van members,

they had been kept at a scrap yard.

This matched with the report.

But I still have some reservations.

Three days ago, I asked the government laboratory

to conduct further comparisons for the other four officers' clothing.

Among the four van officers,

three of them had one type of environmental debris,

but one of them had more than one.

The only explanation is that

this person had been to the same place more than once.

Do you remember the typhoon in Hong Kong last month?

Wind and rain diluted the soil.

Nature became our time witness.

The more careful a person is, the more preparations he would make.

The hijacking video needed to be recorded in advance

to give it enough time and make sure that all the background information

could be cleared.

Although he has been very careful,

the facts are always the most precise.

According to sources, when a firework is assembled on a roof,

it's as dangerous as an explosives depot.

Be careful, everybody.

Killing the vault's director and leaving traces of black powder,

this is too obvious.

The only logical explanation is that the mole who hijacked the EU van

started to eliminate witnesses with outside help.

He would rather betray the outsiders who helped him,

- not his colleagues inside the force. - Bun.

See you on the gondola.

It's Team B. We've arrived at the south roof.

- Are you Albert Kwong? - Speaking.

I'm Chan Bun, an ex-Organized Crime and Triad Bureau officer.

I have some important information, I want to be a tainted witness.

See me on the roof now.

Okay.

Wait for me.

Michael.

Michael.

Get Michael and tell him to answer me.

I'm Albert.

Long time no see. You've been doing very well, Mr. Kwong.

How long have you been back?

I only want to know who else is involved.

I'll only tell you when the policemen downstairs back off.

Calm down and put down the gun.

Many of our people are injured and you want me to put the gun down?

Michael!

Give me some time.

I'll be able to settle it.

I can ensure your safety.

Why did you betray me?

Why did you betray me?

Michael, why did you betray me?

Dad.

It's so late. Why aren't you asleep yet?

Mr. Lau has something for you.

What an oversight!

Why?

Actually, many seniors are on your side.

Not only me. You can't imagine the number of people who support you.

They've been helping me all along.

How about Vincent? Johnny Wong?

They're policemen too. They have families.

During my first day at the academy, the instructor helped clear my mind.

He said my work would add a degree of danger to my life.

This is part of the cost of fighting for our rights and interests.

I don't see any problem with it.

Have you forgotten what I've been teaching you all along?

I haven't forgotten what you taught me,

but times have changed.

No one acknowledges you for helping people.

If you let other people get promoted, even God won't help you.

I never knew you had already gone so far.

Let me ask you. If you were me, what would you do?

I...

I wouldn't turn myself in.

I wouldn't go to jail.

If I were you,

I would let your son go!

Why are you so confident?

Because I'm your only son.

Since Sean Lau became in charge, all he did was reduce expenses

and make the accounts meet to please the higher-ups.

Do you know how low the morale is at the front line?

The present commissioner is disappointing.

I won't let people like Lau become the commissioner.

Dad,

many colleagues support you.

We'll only have hope if you take the position.

How many are with you?

Much more than you could imagine.

We've decided that, if anything goes wrong,

we'll sacrifice a few colleagues first.

In a few days, I'll let the lost guns and the ransom surface,

and you'll be the one who solves the case. Dad, just one step left.

We did so much. All you need to do is the final step.

Joe, you better answer my earlier question first.

If I were you, I wouldn't find so many excuses

to do so many wrong things.

I wanted to see how much he had changed

and how much of the old him is left.

If he hadn't picked up the gun, he would still have hope.

But if he picked up the gun, then he is no longer my son.

His future, whether he lives or dies, has nothing to do with me.

I've been misinformed all along.

How could others say Mr. Lee is far more sophisticated than you?

Mr. Lau, you're incredible!

Mr. Cheung, have you ever thought of joining me in the force?

Call me.

Have a seat.

Sir, I have a question.

I know what you're going to ask.

It's because both Mr. Lee and I have applied for early retirement.

Lau, I can't do much more.

The future of the police force depends on you.

Mr. Lee.

Sir.

As a boss, you should never run out to look for your subordinates.

They should be the ones running after you.

I should be the one who says that.

You have no practical operations experience,

but this became your advantage.

You can look at a case from a wider perspective.

Without violating the law or abusing power,

every department in the force,

the ICAC, and even the Security Bureau

became your tools in solving the case.

I doubted your capability. I was too subjective.

But you were wrong on something.

In World War II, when US President Roosevelt

asked UK Prime Minister Churchill to describe the war,

Churchill said,

"It was an unnecessary war that could have been avoided."

He never said that all wars were unnecessary.

It's stated in The Gathering Storm,

the last paragraph on the first page.

I shouldn't have shown off in front of you.

Operation "Cold War" was identified in government internal review records.

The records said management could remain neutral

and officers could remain in their positions

during a crisis that threatens Hong Kong law and order.

They could uphold the law. It is an excellent model for cities.

The review document was raised.

However, after an internal assessment, all records became confidential

due to public safety considerations.

May I know who wants to speak to Mr. Lau?

Please hold.

Mr. Lau.

Hello?

Commissioner Lau, do you still remember me?

Yes, I remember.

Your wife is Michelle Chan,

the person in charge at Sunflower Florist.

Your daughter is five years old.

A third-grader at Sunshine Flower Kindergarten.

Josie Lau.

What do you want?

I want you to release someone.