Original subtitles

He's a complete boss!

It is not going to be all right.

I said I'm just trying to help. Yes, well, it's the kind of help I can do

without.

She just left.

No.

Look, relax.

I'm sure she doesn't suspect.

I don't have any Christmas to go to.

We'll be miles away.

Once again, as in olden days.

Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow.

Ms Price, who was released from custody on the instructions of the Crown Office

several weeks ago, was subsequently indicted for trial when police allegedly

found new evidence against her.

The fact that she has since remained at liberty is seen here as a significant

break with tradition in a murder case.

Maura Campbell for Scotland Today.

Peter!

You're looking fit.

Kind of you to say so, Robert. You know Tessa Ennis from the fiscal's office?

Indeed. Detective Sergeant Reed.

Robert Sterling, QC.

Good afternoon.

Well, I think I can guarantee you'll not be bored.

Oh, you're never boring, Robert.

Well,

see you in the trenches then.

He looks confident.

He'd look confident if he was defending Jack the Ripper on a public mission.

Where is Jordan, by the way?

Eh... Well, I'm sure he'll be here any minute.

Keep me informed, OK?

Michael?

Things are looking up, sir.

We may have a line in the Springburn post office, John.

Aren't you supposed to be in court?

On my way.

In fact, D .C. Fraser has just volunteered to take me there in his new

haven't you, Stuart?

Right.

I know you and Ross are not seeing exactly eye to eye, but we don't want

more complaints from the P .F.'s office on this one, if you see what I mean.

Sir?

Michael?

Let's not be complacent.

There's no such thing as an easy conviction in the murder trial.

No, sir.

I'll bear that in mind.

Very fancy.

Do you know how many theft reports we get on these things every week?

Listen, I've got a job for you.

I want you to go and have another word with Sarah Price's drink.

Dr Argyle?

I thought the PF's office decided.

I know what they decided.

Just go and have a word, eh?

Try and get him to change his mind about testifying.

Should we not check with the Procurator Fiscal first, sir?

No.

You leave that to me.

And try finding Fort in this thing.

I'd like to get there before dark.

Hmm. And did you notice anything unusual about the gunshot wounds, Doctor?

Yes.

It was a particularly brutal and determined killing.

I'd also judged that at least three of the nine shots were fired, but it must

have been obvious that Hancock was already dead.

And, uh...

What did you conclude from that?

To my mind, it indicates an element of rage.

Objection, M 'London.

The witness is not a qualified psychologist.

I take your point, Mr. Sally.

Try not to speculate beyond the medical facts, Doctor, if you would.

Yes, my Lord.

I stand corrected.

Yes, but when did he leave?

Oh, no.

Forget it.

He's here.

Cutting it about fine, aren't we?

Don't you start.

You need to watch yourself in there, Michael.

That Sterling's a real snake in the grass.

Lloyd Price.

I know I'm late. Witness for the prosecution.

Hey, mister.

How much do you mind your car?

What? See if anything's happened to it.

Beat it.

Inspector, you told us when you questioned the accused that she admitted

she and Mr. Hancock had been lovers and that recently he told her he wished to

end the relationship.

That's right.

But she denied killing?

Yes. She claimed she went to his office simply to try and talk him out of it.

I didn't believe her, of course.

And what possible motive could she have had?

I believe she was enraged and infuriated by his rejection of her.

In other words, This was a straightforward crime of passion.

Yes. Thank you. That's all for now.

Mr. Stirling.

Well, it seems that congratulations are in order.

You didn't waste much time deciding on your prime suspect, did you?

It happens that way sometimes. No doubt.

But in this case, you had outside help, I believe.

You mean the phone call?

I do indeed.

I mean the anonymous phone call that you received the very night of Mr.

Hancock's death, casting suspicion upon my client. We'd have got into her soon

enough. That's hardly the point, is it?

The point is there was someone else there at the scene that night whose

remains unknown.

Look, people don't like getting involved with the police.

It could have been anyone who just happened to be passing.

Precisely.

It could have been anyone.

Even the murderer.

For all we know.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Having been arrested and charged by you, my client was held in custody and then

later released.

Wasn't she?

Yes.

Why was that?

The procurator fiscal's office decided that there was insufficient ground to

proceed at that time.

Indeed. But we received new information later on from her husband. Yes.

Thank you.

We'll deal with that in due course.

But what interests me now is that despite the fiscal's advice, you

persisted in your belief that my client was guilty.

Why?

I thought the evidence was against her.

Ah, yes.

The evidence.

Tony.

Did you ever find the murder weapon?

No. You did look for it?

Of course.

But in all the wrong places, apparently.

You searched my client's flat, her studio, her car. It's very easy to get

a gun. You also carried out tests for gunshot residue on her hands and

Yes. With what result?

The tests were negative.

The truth is, there was no evidence against her, apart from the fact that

and Hancock had been lovers, a fact that she had readily admitted from the

start.

I'm all right in thinking you didn't like Mrs. Price very much.

Mrs. Price, like a lot of highly talented people, is egocentric,

and emotionally volatile.

Violent?

Potentially, yes.

Very much so.

Then why wouldn't you testify?

It wouldn't be ethical.

Whatever my personal feelings.

Do you think she's guilty, Doctor?

I'm sorry.

I really couldn't comment.

Well, thanks for your time.

Sarah Price was originally referred to me by the courts when she attacked her

husband with a knife.

Well, surely when the jury hears that, I don't see the problem.

But they won't.

Previous convictions are inadmissible.

Unfortunately, judges have rules about these things too.

Have you ever heard the term police persecution?

Yes. And have you ever known an officer become so obsessed with a person's

apparent guilt that he is willing to go to any length to try and prove it?

That happens, I suppose.

Not often.

And in this case, you'd say your attitude was calm, detached, and

throughout. Yes.

Absolutely.

Would you call yourself a religious man?

Well, uh... You sing in a church choir, I believe.

Yes. You don't drink?

or smoke. No, but... In fact, you have the reputation among your colleagues as

something of a Puritan. Oh, it's the first I've heard of it.

Well, could you tell us your feelings about adultery, then?

I have no particular feelings.

You're not saying you approve?

The Lord was possible bearing... It has every bearing, my lad.

I intend to show that this officer did in fact persecute my client out of a

Puritanical disapproval of her morals.

He convinced himself that she was guilty, not because of anything that she

have done, but because of what she was, an adulteress.

My client was an adulteress, wasn't she?

Yes, I suppose she was.

And are you really asking us to believe that you have no feelings about this at

all? That's irrelevant.

I would never let my personal feelings get... Ah!

So you admit to having personal feelings about this case?

No, I didn't say that.

Of course, you're not married yourself, are you?

What's that got to do with it? Just answer the question, please!

Are you married?

No. Have you ever been married?

No. Do you have a current girlfriend, then? No, the Lord.

Do you have some kind of problem with women, would you say? Now, listen,

Yes, Inspector?

Mr. Sterling, that is quite enough.

Quiet.

Well, I do apologize, my lad.

If I have said anything...

to upset the calm, detached, professional attitude

of this officer?

Oh, I have no further questions, my lord.

No re -examination, my lord.

Thank you, Inspector.

You're excused.

Well, now, what would you like to have?

I'll have a gin and tonic, please. Coming up. Do you think I've got a

as a purity?

Not particularly.

Well, our gal said nothing.

Professional ethics.

So if you could have a word in the appropriate ear.

Leave it with me, Robert.

Portman 20, please.

Peter, how are you doing?

Okay, sir, what can I get?

Do you have any champagne?

Sir, coming right up.

Hang on.

Two gin and tonic.

Some mineral water.

No ice.

Mr.

Sterling says his client thinks she's under police surveillance.

I trust she's mistaken.

Michael?

It's only one car, sir.

You people.

It is an unusual situation, sir. I mean, a murder suspect walking around freely

and with her record of violence. For God's sake, we can't afford to look as

we're hounding a woman. I want her stopped immediately, understood?

Can I listen to you? Margot.

Yes, sir.

Understood.

I'd be on court.

What is his problem?

I mean, if you boys had done your job in the first place, she wouldn't be at

liberty. And if you hadn't been in such a tearing hurry to get a conviction...

Children, children.

We're all supposed to be on the same side.

You, you little idiot.

You just couldn't keep away, could you?

She stole my mother, Dad.

I don't care what she's done.

He's looking pretty smug.

Well, tomorrow that really counts, and he knows it.

The husband's evidence?

Well, yeah.

I'd say the key's really Isla McLennan.

I mean, her testimony goes directly to evil intent.

Even Sterling will have trouble talking his way out of that.

Well, I just hope so.

My shout.

No, thanks, Michael. I'm for an early night.

Do you want a lift?

Oh, thanks very much.

Good night.

Night.

Well, I hate to see anyone drinking alone.

Even mineral water.

Same again, please.

Oh, very nice, Stuart.

Did it come like that?

Darling, I'm so sorry.

Go in and keep them happy. I'll see about the food.

Sorry, everybody.

Time to.

Fifteen bucks a quid for a Le Blanc, t'man.

You're robbing me blind.

All right, then.

The fiscal's office is just a stepping stone.

Well, I've never made any secret of that.

A couple of years, I'll move across into private practice.

Or maybe to the bar.

And become a QC, like Sterling.

Well, why not?

You don't plan to be a detective inspector all your life, do you?

Oh, I don't know.

I'm not ashamed of being ambitious, Michael.

Life's too short.

Well, here's to ambition, then.

This is beautiful, Abigail.

Now, Sterling, what's this I hear about you joining us on the bench?

Oh, that's hardly for me to say, my lad.

Just a wicked rumour, sir. Got up to demoralise the breaking and entering

classes.

Excuse me, sir, that's a phone call for you.

Oh, Jonathan.

Wonderful, thanks.

Now, Jonathan, can I get you something else? Come on, promise, please.

Thank you, Mary.

Hello?

Yes, speaking Yes

Yes, I'd be very interested

Oh, God, Albert.

Are you trying to give me a heart attack or what?

Mr. Price, you are, I believe, a keen pistol shot and have a collection of

firearms, both modern and antique.

I have a modest collection, that's right. And among that collection, you

pistol of the type which tests show killed Mr. Hancock.

A Beretta 92F semi -automatic serial number 3478 -842 -106?

That's right. Thank you.

Now, could you tell the court what happened on the afternoon of Thursday,

22nd of December last year?

Sarah rang to say that she wanted to come round to pick up the rest of her

things.

We'd recently separated, you see.

And you agreed?

I told her I was going out.

She could let herself in and take whatever she liked.

And subsequent to her visit?

Did you notice anything unusual?

I did.

My Beretta pistol and a box of 9mm ammunition were missing.

Quiet!

Mr.

Ross.

But what could have happened to it?

Well, I mean, my guns and ammunition are kept in a locked cabinet.

She knew exactly where I kept the key.

I see.

And just to make everything clear, these events took place two days before

Hancock's death?

That's right.

Thank you, my lord.

Mr. Sterling?

Mr. Price, would I be correct in thinking that on October the 2nd last...

You told your wife you wanted a divorce, and she refused.

That's right.

And how did she react?

She went bloody mad.

Came at me with a kitchen knife. I've still got the scars to prove it.

Quiet!

A moment, please, Mr. Sterling.

As you well know, if the Crown attempted to introduce evidence of this previous

attack, I should most definitely rule it inadmissible.

I must ask, are you quite sure that you wish to proceed with this line of

questioning?

Oh, I do hope I know what I'm doing, Malak.

The point is, you asked your wife for a divorce and she refused.

That's right.

Thank you.

No further questions.

Mr. Ross? No re -examination, my lord.

Thank you. You are made tender.

Mr. Ross?

The crown calls Miss Isla McLennan.

Doctor, your three o 'clock's here.

And I'm going to kill him.

Those were her exact words?

I believe so, yes.

I've got a gun, and I'm going to kill him.

Curious.

Is there a question, Mr. Sterling?

Yes. Well, I mean, those were the last words she said to you before leaving the

wine bar, and yet you did nothing to try and stop her.

Why was that?

I suppose I didn't take her too seriously at the time.

Oh, did you not?

Well, I mean, she often says things like that.

I mean, exaggerates. But I'm sorry, didn't you say earlier that you were

disturbed and frightened by this?

Yes, but that was after I heard Mr. Hancock was dead.

When I realized she'd really meant it.

But you still didn't go to the police.

Not until after she'd been released.

She is my best friend, Mr. Sterling.

Ah! Ah, so you're wrestling with your conscience then, is that it?

Yes. But you eventually decided that it was your duty to come forward.

Yes.

Most commendable.

I suppose.

Mr. Sterling.

Oh, yes, my lord, I do apologize.

I know I have it here somewhere.

Ah, here it is.

Now then, just one last question, Miss McLennan, if you wouldn't mind.

How long have you and Mr. Price been lovers?

Did you not understand the question?

Yes. Then let me rephrase it for you.

Is it not true that you and Mr. Price have been carrying on a secret affair at

least since October last when he asked his wife for a divorce and she refused?

Well, I can easily bring a witness into court to confirm it.

Do I have to do that?

Then tell us.

Is it true?

Or is it not?

Yes.

Miss McLennan?

Yes.

God save us.

Quiet! Quiet!

I've got a gun, and I'm going to kill him.

She never said that, did she?

No.

Her entire story is a pack of lies, in fact.

Yes. You and your lover just wanted to get rid of her.

Yes.

My lad.

Pathetic bitch.

Quiet!

Witnesses excused.

Mr. Ross.

My lord, at this time, the crown wishes to withdraw the case.

Thank you.

Quiet! Quiet!

Members of the jury, in view of what we have heard, I must instruct you that it

is now your duty to bring in a verdict of not guilty.

Do you understand?

Yes, my lord.

Very well.

Mr. Foreman, what is your verdict?

Not guilty, my lord.

Quiet! Quiet!

Sarah Price, you have been found not guilty and are free to go.

Mum?

Fake, Michael?

She was a good prospect, sir, even without their evidence.

Try telling that to the press.

Sir, we can't give every prospective witness a third degree. You know that.

All right.

All right.

I accept you weren't altogether to blame, but the fact remains that the

will have a field day with this, and we still have an unsolved murder on our

hands. So we make it top priority, right?

Beginning with Price and McLennan. Yes, sir, it'll be a pleasure.

Those two made a monkey out of us in there.

And I don't like it.

Darling!

They said it's caught your case finished early.

Indeed it did.

A famous victory, I'm glad to see, Mrs. Phillips.

Now let me introduce you to the heroine of the hour.

Hello, Abby.

I'm sorry, do you two know each other? Oh, yes.

We're old friends, aren't we?

Of course. I didn't quite recognize you. It's the name, isn't it? Well, I can

see we're going to need some more bubbly.

And you're Mrs. Roberts' darling now.

Well... There's a turn up to the books.

Hello, Abby. Good to see you.

Congratulations. Well done. Thank you.

It was in the basement car park of this office in central Glasgow that Jane

Pantock met his death... See me?

I know who done that.

I've seen him with my own eye.

Aye, that'll be a 120.

...centred on the theory that this was a crime of passion.

There were the police on the wrong track from the outset.

Defence advocate Robert Sterling QC certainly thinks so.

In the course of cross -examination, he accused Detective Inspector Michael

Jardine of conducting a personal vendetta against his client.

Ora Campbell for Scotland Today.

And there will be more on the Fairprice case on Scotland Today at 6 .30.

And now here's Gillian with a sports roundup.

Who is it? It's me.

Sorry, I forgot my key.

Leave it there if you would, but it'll get covered with shite.

Oh, go on, then.

Look at the advice.

I've been expecting you.

Are you here to arrest me?

What for?

I don't know.

Perjury? Isn't that what it's called?

We're rather more interested in murder at the moment, Miss McLennan.

Where were you last Christmas Eve, Mr Price?

Take it yourself.

I was in a meeting with a quantity purveyor till five o 'clock, and then

little celebratory drink with the developers.

Mm -hmm.

And after that?

Ruth stayed over at her gran's, and I spent the night with Isla on the

houseboat.

Sure she'll confirm that if you ask her?

Oh, we will.

Boss, you said you wanted to check that company.

I'll be right there.

Well, gentlemen, if that's all...

So? Didn't know you worked with James Hancock.

Sure.

How do you think Sarah met him?

Well, the last contact they had was about a year, 18 months ago.

Something like that.

And you haven't seen him since?

I'm not in the habit of socialising with my wife's boyfriends.

Oh, and next time you feel like a little chat, give me some proper notice so

that I can arrange to have my solicitor present.

Okay.

Look, I don't know if you can understand this, but when I heard Sarah had been

arrested, I was horrified.

It was just so awful.

But then...

You realised it could solve all your problems.

Dreadful thing to admit, I know.

Why didn't you just tell her that you were having the affair, Miss McLennan?

I couldn't do that.

She's my closest friend.

It just seems such a betrayal of her trust.

But you were willing to lie in court to help put her away for murder.

I'm sorry that doesn't make sense. Because you don't know her. What she's

capable of.

Look.

I was too scared to tell her.

After what she did to Lloyd, we both were.

And besides, I honestly believe she was guilty.

Didn't you?

Is Mrs. Price on the phone again?

Tell her I'm with a patient, Christine, would you please?

No, listen.

Better still.

Tell her I've left already.

So, Lloyd Price and the McLennan woman are alibi -ing each other?

That's about it, yeah.

And assuming they're lying about this as they are apparently lying about

everything else, either or both have the opportunity.

Motive?

It's hard to believe they'd kill a total stranger just to get shot of an

inconvenient wife.

There is a possible business connection, but it's pretty tenuous at the moment.

Good God.

Why didn't we get on to this before?

They weren't suspects before, sir.

Well, they are now. That's for damn sure.

Oh, no.

Stephen!

Welcome.

Thank you.

It's about time we had a talk.

It's just a print, isn't it?

You've still got the nags. You can make another one.

I still say we should go to the police.

No, Mark.

We're not involving the police.

You're not making any sense. Look, leave it, all right?

Please, Mark, just leave it alone.

I have to get to work.

Go on, put it up.

Brilliant.

Have you lot got nothing better to do?

Reza? Sir?

I've got a thrilling little job for you.

I generally see her first thing.

Right.

So you've no idea when she might be back?

No.

Didn't I see you yesterday?

You're a friend of hers?

Eh... Well, it's just that I've got a key, like, if you want to wait.

Ruthie sweetheart, we really need to talk.

Talk Dad?

When did we ever do that?

Michael. Hate to tell you, but Isla MacLennan's been a runner.

Oh, great.

That's all we need.

Just fine. I get on to the press office, George. Tell them I'm free on Friday.

Don't let MacVitie know.

He's driving me nuts with this.

Do you mind?

I got off my bloody car.

Right, thanks.

As far as I can make out, the company's not been doing too well for a while now.

I mean, they're still solving, but the point is, Sarah Price is listed as a co

-director. She owns 50 % of the company.

And I was thinking, if things aren't too clever on the home front... That might

leave hubby with a problem if he had to buy her out.

Yeah, you could have something there.

Michael.

Isla McLennan was booked on 11 .37 sleeper to Euston last night.

She paid the credit card.

She also phoned the gallery where she's been working for the last few years.

Said that she wouldn't be available for the indefinite future.

Damn. Have you checked the price?

Claims he hasn't seen or spoken to her since the trial.

We should have pulled her in when we had the chance.

This sort of thing happens all the time, Willie.

Good.

Storm in a teat.

You sort it out. Right, sir.

It went okay, then?

The interview?

I think so.

I think you'll like my pictures.

Well, that's great.

Of course, they must have seen loads of people who've already done the job.

Sorry? I said, do you think my lack of experience would be a problem?

No.

No problem at all.

I still can't see Isla McLennan as a killer, Michael.

Maybe not.

It's starting to look as though Lloyd Price could be a win.

And remember, cheese is alibi for Christmas Eve. Sir.

Evening, all.

Quite heavy, eh?

You must be very proud, Mrs. Stirling.

Youngest High Court judge of this century and all that.

Well, yes, of course.

Your father was a judge too, wasn't he?

That's right.

But you trained as a painter, I believe.

No, I'll go.

Excuse me for a moment, would you?

I've been thinking. We really should arrange that little reunion.

Don't you think?

You've called at a bad time. We've got some journalist here.

Ah, well then.

I mustn't keep you.

Public image is so important in your husband's line of work.

Isn't it?

Look, Vera, I'll call you.

Do that.

And we'll have a nice long natter about old times.

Okay.

See, Lloyd Price is in trouble.

He hasn't got the cash to buy Sarah out, and Hancock's holding this fraud thing

over. Well, there's your motive.

By killing Hancock and setting up Sarah as chief suspect, he gets both of them

off his back at the same time.

It's all a bit vague, though, isn't it?

And how much do we know about this alleged fraud?

Remember, Hancock was talking to Price two days before he died.

And that Price lied about it.

And we're still assuming that Hancock was killed with Price's gun?

All the same, you're a long way from proving anything, Michael.

Especially without Isla McLennan.

She'll turn up, sir.

It's just a matter of time.

What? What is it?

Thought I saw something.

You're a right nutter, you.

Hey! Hey! That's my car!

You think that was a yes?

Me too. Oh, quite, that's a convention.

You've got the wrong car, by the way. No, listen, no, listen, listen, I can do

you the trade.

I've already got a CD player, thanks. No, listen, I mean it. I've been a

mother, right?

I've got some information.

Well, good morning, Doctor.

You've not been answering my calls.

And that's the best you can do.

A middle -aged man in an anorak.

What about the car?

Um, nothing special.

Some club to a date.

Didn't get much of a look.

That'll be some kind of flirt.

Alvy, this isn't exactly supergraph material.

Look, I didn't think it was going to be important, did I?

Yeah, yeah, all right.

So?

Is that it then? Can I go? Sit down.

Get him to do a knee fit.

And then dick him back in the cells.

Do you believe him?

No, I think he's telling the truth.

As far as it goes.

He killed someone while I was playing around to the office that evening.

Could it be our anonymous con?

According to voice lab analysis, he's disguising both his voice and accent.

How could he tell that?

The cleaner said she had her hood up.

How could he see her hair?

Unless he knew, you mean.

Yeah.

The E -fit, sir.

Oh.

Could be Lloyd Price, I suppose.

Let's face it.

Could be Donny Osmond.

Yeah, but Lloyd Price doesn't know that, does he?

I say we have him in.

Why don't you go and have a word with Sarah?

Whoever that is, if he did know her, she might recognise him.

Right.

Hey. Can't hear myself think around here.

No need to take it out on me, just because your precious Isla's done a

What do you know? You're just a kid.

Oh, I know more than you think, Dad.

About a lot of things.

You.

It was you, wasn't it?

You told that bloody lawyer.

Ruth?

Ruth?

Ruth?

Come back here!

Called at a bad time?

Are you quite sure?

Sorry.

Did your husband know you were having an affair with Mr Hancock?

Well, I imagine so.

He's not entirely stupid, contrary to all appearances.

You know, it's quite fun, this. I can say anything I like now, and you can't

touch me, right?

I wouldn't count on it, Mrs Price.

If you're withholding information about a killer, that makes you an accessory.

I'm surprised at you, Sergeant.

After all we've been through together.

I thought you'd have learned by now not to make accusations that you can't

possibly prove, but then.

Some people are just gluttons for punishment, I suppose.

Now.

If there's anything else, Sergeant, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Don't worry, Mrs Price.

We'll be in touch. I'll look forward to it.

Switch that machine off a minute, will you?

OK.

The last job we did for Hancock and McKenzie was just over a year ago.

At the time, I had a foreman on the site who was working a fiddle, signing in

subspecification materials and splitting the difference with his mate at the

suppliers. And Hancock found out?

God knows how.

Even I didn't know until Hancock told me.

But you just wouldn't believe it, even after a factor blow.

And that wouldn't have done your reputation much good once the story had

out. Oh, come on.

Sweetie money stuff. Goes on all the time.

And hardly a credible motive for murder, Inspector.

Maybe.

Well, I'll have to get that clear.

Just a moment.

There's one more thing your client can help us with.

When he's of a mind to be so cooperative.

Ruth!

Look,

I'm telling you.

That's him, all right.

Number four.

Are you sure about that?

Yeah.

Look, I'm definite.

Look at him, he's a vicious little bastard.

He certainly is.

He also happens to be a fingerprint technician, you little... Satisfied,

Inspector.

You tell your client to keep himself available.

We may need to speak to him again.

So, is that it then? Can I go now?

Charge him. What?

Death in a motor vehicle.

Right, sir.

No, wait a minute!

Hey, no, we had a deal!

We had a deal!

Is that him?

New boyfriend?

What makes you think there is one?

You said you were seeing someone tonight.

That doesn't mean it has to be a boyfriend, does it?

Why won't Dad let me see you?

You see me.

No, I mean... Well, Michelle's parents are divorced, and she sees both of them

in turn.

Sweetheart.

You know I love you very much.

It just wouldn't be a good idea, that's all.

Can't stay tonight, though, can't I?

You're not going to make me go back?

Will they make the formal announcement tonight?

Probably. You know the president can never resist a chance to make a speech.

I'm very proud of you. You know that, don't you?

You sure you won't change your mind?

I think I've got one of my headaches coming on.

Poor darling.

Okay, I'll tell her. Thanks.

Jackie, Isla McLennan's car's turned up.

Oh, great. Where? The airport.

The airport?

Why the airport, Michael?

I mean, we know Isla booked a rail ticket.

Why did her car get left at the airport?

Maybe she just missed her train.

OK, but there was no record of her on any flight out that night. I checked.

She could have been using a false name.

You sure you don't want some of this?

And, you know, that's another thing.

I'm sure Cedar recognised him.

It's like she's playing some weird sort of game.

You know... What?

No. No, no.

Go on.

What?

Maybe she did kill Hancock.

Jackie. Come on, admit it.

You've been thinking the same thing all along.

If her psychiatric history hadn't been inadmissible, and Isla hadn't told that

stupid lie in court, she'd probably be starting 15 years, maybe life by now.

Jordan.

How's Strathclyde's sinus?

Stuck.

Hang on a minute.

Take a sentence.

What did you have in mind?

Well...

Don't

touch that.

Prying is a very unattractive habit.

So, how do I look?

You look gorgeous.

Don't wait up. I might be late.

Dr. Andrews.

I didn't know you were a member of the Bar Association.

As a matter of fact, I'm here as the personal guest of the present.

How very splendid.

Well, I trust you have a pleasant evening.

Thank you.

Ruthie.

Ruth, open the door.

Ruth?

Ruth?

I know you're in there.

Abby? Abby Clark?

Come on, sweetheart.

Come on.

You'll be beauty.

Damn. Where are you?

Come here.

Ah.

There you are.

So what's the meaning of this?

Huh?

Fed up with all this? What? No.

But it was a little late, don't you think?

Shut up. I'm fed up with all this hiding around and sneaking about. Bloody

people. I am perfectly calm. I'm absolutely in full command of all...

God.

God, oh, bloody mighty.

But you said the pay was terrible at the P .F. Suffolk.

Oh, it is?

I take bribes.

Didn't I mention that?

No, I don't think you did.

Oh, yes, but only big ones.

And only from the very smartest crooks.

Well,

that's a relief.

Rules are made to be broken.

No?

Thanks all the same.

You know, I see you as a bit of a challenge, Inspector.

Did he get the wrong end of the stick about you?

Who's that?

Mr. Sterling, of course.

You're bleeping, Inspector.

Can I use your phone?

It's Sarah Price, Michael.

Where is she?

Evening. Evening.

Annual Bar Association dinner.

I've been hobnobbing with our colleagues in the legal profession.

You're not the only one.

Shot nine times in all.

Medium calibre, low velocity rounds.

Shot from quite close range, but the grouping's all over the place.

This sounding familiar at all?

Same as a Hancock kind.

Almost identical, I would say.

Any chance of an approximate time of death?

Well, judging by the skin temperature, lividity and the progress of rigor, I'd

say about... Ten past midnight.

Sorry, Doctor.

We had a witness.

If you can call him that.

Dad?

Do you know what time it is?

Where the hell do you think you've been, eh?

Michelle's working on her biology project, all right.

Lying little... Ruth.

Ruth.

I'm sorry.

So, we've got a probable male, height and build uncertain, age uncertain,

of hair uncertain, possibly wearing a dark -coloured overcoat.

Mind you...

I couldn't swear to the overcoat.

You think the car was some kind of a state?

One of those long things.

Lots of windows, aye.

The thing is, I was concentrating on the tie to Alba.

Yes, so you said, sir.

Beautiful bird. Just beautiful.

Pure white plumage in the belly, a blaze of colour in the back, big jet black

eyes and the tiniest of wedge -shaped tails.

Unique. Quite unique.

Well, it's a pity the bird's not our suspect, isn't it?

There's no keys to be found.

You think the killer might have taken them?

Nicholls!

All in.

Get a car round to Sarah Price's house.

Tell him to be alert for an intruder. Right, sir.

Any joy? Well, if he did any filming the camera.

Inspector!

Looks like a murder weapon, sir.

Here.

Beretta semi -automatic.

Serial number 3478.

842106. Ring any bells?

My gun, you say?

Yes, sir.

I did love her once, believe it or not.

Mr Price?

I'm sorry to have to ask you this.

Actually, I called round to Sarah's place last night.

Looking for Ruth.

But there was nobody there.

When was this?

11. 11 .30.

Can anyone confirm that?

Actually, there was someone there.

A girl I haven't seen for ages.

Abby Clark.

Used to share a flat with Sarah when they were students at art school.

But when I spoke to her, she just ran off.

Any idea how we can get in contact with her?

No.

Like I say, it must be 14... 16 years since I've seen her.

I presume your daughter returned home eventually.

Oh, yeah.

I got back around midnight and she was already in bed.

She'd been working on some school project round at a friend's place and

hadn't bothered telling me.

Well, you know what kids are like.

Well, if we could just have a quick word with her.

No.

Please.

I'd just like to spend some time with her alone first.

I should be the one to break it to her.

Sure. To be honest, I can't say I'm entirely surprised.

She never struck me the type who'd have any problem making enemies.

Did she ever mention anyone in particular?

Hi.

This is Malcolm.

DC Fraser.

Do you want some coffee?

Okay, thanks.

You know the old joke?

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

It doesn't matter.

The important thing is that the light bulb wants to change.

Well, that was Sarah.

She didn't want to change.

She was a control freak.

And whenever she felt that control was starting to slip, it terrified her.

And she laughed down.

Hence the attack on her husband when he asked her for a divorce.

Well, obviously someone doesn't want us to know what she was working on.

But assuming the killer and the person in the painting are one and the same, it

kind of rules out Lloyd, doesn't it? I mean, why would she be painting him?

Look...

Try and see if you can track down this clat woman that Price was on about.

If she did go to the Glasgow School of Arts, she should be on record there.

Right.

We found this on the floor of the bedroom, sir.

And you said you thought she might have been having an affair.

Well, that was my impression, yes.

She liked to drop little hints, you know.

But then again, she never mentioned anyone specific.

I know.

No, sorry.

I can't help you there.

Ruth? Leave me alone!

Stick this together for me, would you? Oh, sir.

Get a big board, some glue, and stick it together.

Yes, sir.

Don't look so miserable, Stuart.

It's just like a big jigsaw.

I hate jigsaws.

I'm off then, Doctor. Good night.

Good night, Christine.

Razor. Okay, hold on, Jackie.

It's for you, sir. D .S. Reid.

I think we've got something, Michael.

Abby Clark got married in June 1983.

And you're not going to believe this.

The groom was a young advocate called Robert Sterling.

Sterling?

Abby!

Probable cause of death, multiple gunshot wounds.

Secondary injuries indicating the subject has been carried a considerable

distance downstream.

Glorious morning, Michael.

Evening. Well, look at what you could do with a breath of sea air.

Tyler McLennan.

No wonder she didn't make her train.

Christine? No.

Call in, will you? We'll need a forensics team to check out Isla

houseboat. Oh, and when you're finished here, get in touch with your pal, Dr

Argyle. I want Sarah Price's case, and it's all right. Right, sir. Oh, and, uh,

Fraser, if he gives you any more of this bullshit about patient confidentiality,

you just remind him that his patient's dead, all right?

So, who'd want to kill Isla MacLennan?

If you'd asked me 24 hours ago, I'd have put my money on Sarah Price.

But now... We're running out of suspects, Jackie.

I think it's time we gave Mrs Abigail Sterling a visit.

Don't you?

Oh, well, it's about time. You do realise we called you nearly two hours

Sorry. It's all right, Christine.

I'll look after this.

Of course, I knew Isla MacLennan only vaguely. She was always Sarah's friend.

And you haven't seen her since art school?

No, why should I have?

Thank you, Mary, that'll be all.

Help yourself to cream and sugar, would you?

I presume I can rely on you to be discreet.

This is a murder inquiry, Mrs. Sterling.

I'm afraid we can't give you any guarantees.

It was a car accident.

The winter of 1978.

A family friend had a cottage up in the Chossacks. A group of us would go out

there for the occasional weekend.

Well, you can imagine.

Students.

A certain amount of drink was taken and so forth.

And one night on the way back, the car went off the road and the owner, a boy

called Jeremy Stewart, was killed.

But it was just an accident?

Oh, yes.

But you see, Jeremy wasn't driving that night. I was.

And because I wasn't covered by the insurance, we lied.

Well, I dare say the police had their suspicions, but as a judge, my father

not without influence.

And the whole sad little affair was covered up.

Stupid.

A stupid, stupid mistake.

Because Sarah was also in the car.

Well, yes.

It wasn't the accident, you see, it was... If the press had got on to it,

scandal... The faintest hint of judicial corruption would have destroyed my

father.

You think that Cedar was blackmailing you?

There was never anything blatant about it.

She was always far too clever for that.

But just occasionally she'd ask me for a loan.

A hundred, two hundred. I don't think it was the money that interested her.

What she really wanted was the power.

It was just an awful polite sort of sadism, if you see what I mean.

And then, after all these years, to have the same nightmare starting up again,

the little hints about Robert's career, it was quite unbearable.

That night you went to the studio, Mrs Stirling, what did you intend to do?

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure.

Pay her, I suppose.

I thought if I could just keep her quiet until Robert's appointment was

confirmed.

Oh, well.

I don't deny it. I'm glad she's dead.

But I didn't kill her.

In the event, it was all rather an anticlimax.

She wasn't there, so I simply came straight home.

And you believe her?

Yes, I think I do.

I mean, she didn't even know Hancock.

And unless she and Price are both lying, well, it's hard to see how either of

them could have got to that picnic site by midnight.

Anyhow, Ballistic's report says that the same gun was used in all three murders.

The thing is, sir, Vera was a blackmailer.

It's possible Mrs Stirling wasn't her only victim.

So maybe we should be looking for the others.

Gab?

Sorry, sir.

Dr. Andrews says the PM results are ready.

Tell him I'll be right over.

So what are you proposing?

I want to go through Sarah Price's finances with a fine -tooth comb.

Trace every payment that could be blackmail.

All right.

I'd, uh... I'd also like to interview Robert Sterling.

Maisel. Look, he worked in the Hancock case for two months.

Now, if she was holding something back, I think he would have known about it.

Very well, then. Tread carefully.

He's to be elevated to the High Court bench tomorrow, and we don't want

there, do we?

Have you got a minute?

Sure, what's the problem?

It's Dr Argyle.

His office was done over this morning.

How do you mean, done over?

Graffiti on the walls and this sort of hanging effigy. You know, really weird.

Have they reported it?

You know who did it, apparently.

According to Argyle, it was the father of an ex -patient with a grudge.

The kid was a depressor. Killed himself.

But I don't know. The more I think about it... Check it out.

Do you think I should?

Rule number 43, Stuart, never ignore a hunch.

How's the portrait coming, by the way? I got Constable Pierce to take care of

that. She's got a degree in art history.

Would you like to do jigsaw?

Ah, the gentle art of delegation.

You're learning.

You're definitely learning.

Of course, there's no way to be absolutely precise about the time of

I'd say she's been in the water about 72 hours.

I would make her a fool two days before Sarah Price.

Hmm.

By the way...

I've been going through my notes on the Price case, and it strikes me there's a

head wound with one or two interesting features.

Fired from much closer range than the others, you see.

Notice the slight blackening around the entry point.

No more than 10 or 12 centimeters, and angled quite sharply upwards.

So? Well, if you'd shown me that in isolation, I'd say it was more

characteristic of a close -quarter struggle, or suicide, even.

You're not trying to tell me she's sure herself.

Hardly.

Are you saying there could be a different killer?

Deduction's your job.

What I'm telling you is that it seems to break the pattern, that's all.

Andrews? Ah, Jackie.

Yes, he's here.

Yeah? It's forensics, Michael.

They think they've got something.

I'm going to go down to London.

There's something I've got to do later on. I don't want my dad knowing.

Will you cover for me?

Well, is it?

I swear you won't tell.

No, I swear.

It's a bullet.

And this probably just nicked the edge of the door.

It's a 9mm, probably fired from a Beretta.

You can tell all that just by looking.

Afraid not, Inspector.

We found a couple of ejected cartridge cases wedged between those four boards

there. So that'd be where the shots were fired from, yeah? Right.

If she was killed here, shouldn't there be blood?

Oh, there is, aye.

Scattered throughout the area here, but only minute droplets.

It's interesting, that. I reckon she went straight over the edge.

How do you mean?

OK, she's inside, right? Packing by the looks of it.

Someone turns up. So she brings them in.

There's no sign of a struggle.

Maybe they have a chat.

Anyway, your shooter is standing just where you are now.

Bang, bang.

Your victim runs to the door.

Another half a dozen quick shots. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. The impact of

that would be terrific.

Very good.

You just chose that last bit again.

This is Ruth Price.

Yeah.

I want to meet you.

Listen, I know who killed my mother.

And I know why.

So, unless you want me to go straight to the police, it's going to cost you,

right?

Mr McCrae?

Back away to hell!

I know about your son, Mr. McCrae.

I'm very sorry.

What am I doing sitting here, then?

Breaking and entering, criminal damage, threatening behaviour.

They're serious charges.

You must realise that.

Listen, do I know you?

Tessa?

Hi.

I'll be with you in a second.

Sorry, are we interrupting something?

No, no.

How are you?

Fine. You?

And the case?

Oh, well, you know, we're proceeding with our inquiries.

I'm glad to hear it, Inspector.

Tessa?

Well, look, give me a call, OK?

So I told the old buff we should have done that in the first place.

Mr. Stirling.

Inspector, it isn't a surprise.

And Sergeant Reed, isn't it?

Sir?

Well, I do hope I'm not parked on a yellow line or something.

No, sir.

We were hoping we could have a word about Sarah Price.

Aye.

Yes, I read about it, of course.

Tragic business.

Quite tragic.

As I understand it, Terry was referred to Dr Argyle by the social services.

Is that right?

Aye, well... Suffering from severe depression?

There was nothing wrong with the boy.

He just got a bit down sometimes.

His mother's the same.

He tried to kill himself once before, though.

Who told you that?

Did Argyle tell you that?

Well, I'll tell you something about so -called Dr Bloody Argyle. He's a

He's got a boy in that house of his.

They're living together. I've seen them. I would have thought his personal

life's his own affair. Why, you would.

Well, I'm telling you there was nothing wrong with the boy till that pervert got

a hold on him. What exactly do you claim he did to Terry?

What's the matter? Are you not listening?

He perverted him.

He got him believing he was one of them.

You mean gay?

Beds. Aye.

Well, I soon put a stop to that.

What did that mean?

I stopped him going there.

tried to knock a bit of sense into the boy.

I see.

Well, any decent father would have done the same.

And it was after that that he killed himself.

What are you trying to say?

Thanks. I think I've got the picture.

You tried to say it was my fault.

I'm not responsible.

You just get that straight.

It's that filthy bastard or girl who should be sitting in here, not me.

Let me be quite clear about this.

What you're saying is that Mrs. Price might have knowingly withheld

about the killer in the hope of extorting money from him after the

Is that correct?

We have to consider that possibility.

Yes.

You must have got to know her pretty well, sir.

You never suspected she might be involved in blackmail? Good heavens, no.

And I hope you're prepared to substantiate that allegation,

Because if you're pursuing some kind of grudge... Oh, no, sir.

Our informant on this one is 100 % reliable.

Well, nevertheless, the idea's absurd.

She was facing a murder charge, for heaven's sake.

She'd have to be quite insane.

Or just confident you'd get her off, anyhow.

I'm flattered.

I think.

I can only say she never gave any hint of such knowledge during our preparation

for trial.

Abetting the concealment of a crime has never been part of the advocate's job

description, Inspector.

Police opinion to the contrary.

Now then, if you'll excuse me, I have a little celebration planned.

Of course.

Thanks for your time.

Congratulations on your appointment, by the way.

Yes, thank you.

He's lying.

Michael.

She was up to something.

He knew about it.

Are you sure you aren't still just the tiniest bit miffed about what happened

court?

I'm failing.

Where's Ruth?

I thought she was with you.

Where is she?

So you got landed with it, did you?

Sir?

Very good.

Right, thanks very much.

Sarah Price's bank statement.

We traced about half the cheque so far.

Mainly commission and gallery advances.

This might be a bit hopeful, though.

Their cash payment.

Presumably made in person. Fairly regular.

Okay.

Check them against their girl's case notes.

See if Sarah mentioned meeting anyone on those dates.

Right.

What about the other thing, by the way?

Waste of time.

McCrae's a bit of a monster.

Probably drove the kid to it.

Just a bad case of guilty conscience.

Michael?

Thank you.

Airport security are sending over their videotape from their surveillance camera

for Thursday night.

I thought it might be worthwhile taking a look for some familiar faces.

A word, please, Inspector.

What happened with you and Sterling?

Nothing, as far as I know. That is not the way I heard it.

I am told that you barged in and practically accused him of complicity in

blackmail. A senior QC, a High Court judge as of tomorrow.

Quite apart from the fact, which you appear to have overlooked, that Sarah

is no longer a suspect in this case, but a victim.

Wait a minute.

You're telling me you got this from Sterling?

No, Michael.

I got it from the assistant chief constable.

But it doesn't take a genius to know where he got his information.

As far as I'm concerned, I just asked the man a couple of simple questions,

that's all.

Oh, my God.

Hang on.

What?

This.

Right, what is it, Stuart?

Good evening. How can I help you?

No, I'm sorry. Dr. Argyle's already left.

Well, look, the thing is, I'm supposed to be having dinner with David tonight,

but I appear to have missed Lady's address.

Hang on a second. I'll just get it for you. Oh, would you?

I'd be most grateful.

Right, Michael, just look at the dates.

Every one of these payments was made the day after one of Sarah's sessions with

Argyle.

You're saying she was blackmailing a guy?

Well, I thought... No, forget it. Tell me in a bit.

Where is he?

Last chance.

Where is she?

I don't know. I'm going to count to three.

One, two,

three.

Where is she?

Malcolm, calm down.

He's got my daughter and I'm not leaving here without her. I don't even know his

daughter. He's lying.

Lloyd, Lloyd, calm down.

He killed Sarah.

Ruth told Michelle that she was going to meet her mother's killer.

She's got one of my pistols. She's here. She's not here. He's lying.

Look. Look!

She has dozens of them.

Sarah was blackmailing him.

That's why he killed her. No, he couldn't have.

He was here that night with me. Shut up!

He's lying.

I will get the truth out.

You can count on it.

But your daughter's obviously not here.

Is she?

Why don't you just give me that?

And we'll get this whole thing sorted out.

I don't know how she found out.

She must have overheard me talking to Terry on the phone and followed us.

Why didn't you tell me about this?

I didn't know you then. That's not the point.

It was your patient, David, for God's sake.

Jackie.

at the infirmary.

Looks like a deliberate hit and run.

Oh, God.

What's happening?

It's Ruth, isn't it?

Mr Price, I'm afraid there's been an accident.

Accident? What do you mean, accident? Where is she? She's alive.

That's all we know.

Right, come on. I'll take you to the hospital.

You're going to have to come down to the station.

Give us a formal statement.

It's all right.

I'm not going anywhere.

Just tell them the bloody truth this time, okay?

I started following Sarah.

In the same way that she must have followed Terry and me.

I don't know why.

I had some vague idea of getting something on her, I suppose.

I saw her going into Hancock's office that night.

And when I heard about the murder, I...

Just assumed.

So it was you that made that anonymous telephone call?

What else could I do?

If I'd come forward openly, she'd have sent the pictures to the medical

and that would have been it.

Will I be charged with something?

I doubt it.

Unless there's more that you haven't been telling us about, of course.

No. I swear.

So what happens now?

You can go home.

How is she?

Critical. And unlikely to regain consciousness for a while yet, if at

What was she playing at, for heaven's sake?

All we know is what she told her friend.

That she'd seen her mother's killer at the studio and she wanted to make him

pay. Blackberry, you mean?

No, sir.

I imagine that's what the killer was meant to think.

I think she wanted revenge.

You still think Stirling's hiding something?

Well, if he isn't, why has he been so defensive?

You know, that's been our problem all along, hasn't it?

People lying to protect their precious careers.

The legal mafia being the worst of the lot.

How are relations with the legal mafia?

Tess Ernest, you mean?

I have no idea.

Oh, Michael.

Listen, I hope it's not too late, but I was passing, you know.

Actually, I kind of wanted a bit of an early night.

Well, it was a bad time.

So that's what you meant when you said you were ambitious, hmm?

Sleeping with the boss.

Now, listen, Michael.

So what was the other night about, eh?

You just g 'ing him up, letting him see the competition?

You really are a bit of a Puritan, aren't you?

You're going to make a great advocate, Tessa.

I'll see you around, OK?

Michael!

at the High Court in Glasgow later today, a record of a different kind is

be broken when members of the Faculty of Advocates gather for the investiture of

the latest addition to the ranks of the judiciary.

Robert Stirling, QC, will become the youngest man this century to be

to the Scottish High Court bench.

Oh, yes, hello. I'd like a taxi, please.

thank you

and

that's it that's all we've got Afraid so, sir. A man in a suit.

I think whoever must have done this started out just trying to rip it to

realized that was harder than it looked, and ended up cutting out the central

section altogether.

Sir.

As his logic heads this morning.

Oh.

Look, sir. Eileen McLennan's car.

And watch this.

Fair price.

So it was, Sarah.

But if she killed Alan McLennan... God almighty.

Yes. Get me Dr. Andrews.

Sterling. That's Robert Sterling. Look, there's his handkerchief.

So Sarah and Sterling were lovers?

Yeah.

Sir.

Hello, Stephen.

Yes, Michael Jardine here.

I need to know what time you left the Bar Association due on Thursday night.

And Robert Sterling?

You're sure about that? It could be vital.

Right, thanks very much.

Take Pierce, get over to Sterling's house. Come on, you're coming with me.

What are we looking for?

A car, Jackie.

The car he ran down Ruth Price with last night.

What time is this damn ceremony anyway?

Does it really matter?

Well, I don't know about you, Fraser, but I don't fancy being the first cop in

Scottish history to arrest a High Court judge for murder.

Can't lock it up.

Sorry, sir. Pack it, will you?

Mr Stirling! What the hell do you think... Can we have a word, please?

In private, sir.

Oh. I thought you were the taxi.

Something wrong with the Volvo, Mr. Stirling?

You seem to be forgetting that I was at the Bar Association dinner in Edinburgh

the night that Mrs. Price died.

Yes, but according to Dr.

Andrews, you left before 11 o 'clock.

Now, that would have given you plenty of time to get to the picnic site by

midnight.

Now, that's hardly evidence, is it?

It seems to me you've got no proof of this at all.

Oh, I think we have, with the statement that Ruth gave us earlier.

Sorry?

Ruth Price.

The girl you knocked down last night. Surely you can't have forgotten that.

She's going to be fine, by the way.

She's still in shock.

Concussion. A couple of cracked ribs.

She told us everything.

About seeing you at the studio.

And then phoning you at home to arrange to meet.

Studio?

Robert.

Sorry to butt in, but people are starting to wonder. Not now, sir. No,

right.

You'd better hear this, Jonathan.

I'm going to need you.

You're right, of course.

Sarah and I were lovers.

Briefly.

But I didn't get a call from any girl.

And I wasn't capable of driving myself home, let alone running anyone down.

It was madness, of course.

The portrait.

I should never have let her talk me into it.

And the whole thing was sheer bloody madness from the start.

There was something about the woman.

Something dangerous.

I can be so attractive.

Don't you find?

Mrs. Sterling!

She called me a few days after the trial.

Insisted that we met.

Well, I was planning to finish it anyway.

But when I told her, she started screaming and she pulled out a gun.

I realized that she'd been guilty all along and I was standing there with a

woman.

I panicked. I just panicked.

I made a grab for the gun and it went off.

Well, it was self -defense.

Surely you see that.

Mrs. Sterling?

Mrs. Sterling?

So, it was Abigail who took the girl's phone call, is that right?

Yes, sir.

It was just too much for her, I think.

The thought of the blackmail starting up again.

She spent her whole life protecting some man's glittering career.

Oh, by the way, I had a call from the hospital.

Young Ruth is going to be all right.

Well thank God for that.

Come on.

I've had enough of the professional classes.

Let's go and catch an honest criminal for a change.

Take your share of...

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