Phoenix (1992) s02e08 Episode Script

In on the Joke

MAN ON RADIO: As I've always said, a healthy body gives you a healthy mind, so I for one applaud the fact that the toecutters have launched a get fit campaign.
But you can always hit a hurdle, no matter how hard you try.
Take the case of the senior IID officer who stopped off at the gym on his way home last night.
Now, the poor chap couldn't be expected to stuff his service gun down the front of his lycra tights so he left it in the glove box of his car.
Imagine his embarrassment when he returned to the vehicle to find that he was a victim of crime, and the gun had been knocked off.
Now, it wasn't that long ago that another copper lost his gun in similar circumstances, and he was put through the wringer, so I wonder what lays in store for our fitness fanatic from the toecutters.
A message from the Shadow.
Keep jogging, fellas.
(RACING COMMENTARY ON TV) So senior member of the CIB, you reckon? The Shadow's father-in-law? Yeah, used to be.
Hush-hush - you're not supposed to know.
Oh.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Good crew, is it? Noddy's? Yeah.
Yeah, took a while to work out but a good bunch of blokes, yeah.
I can't say I'm not glad to be out of it.
Getting too old for all that cut and fuss.
What, at Fraud? (LAUGHS) Come on.
Calculator running red-hot, was it? Yeah.
And you know what's the real plus working at a bank? Cheap home loans, nice little unit at Moonee Ponds Mate, you're getting soft.
Maybe.
Saw Davo the other day.
Says he's got a vacancy coming up soon at Robbers.
Should try and pull some strings with that mate of yours, see if he can get you in.
When the shit hits the fan, it doesn't care who it sticks to, Russell.
If I were you, I'd get out of sight.
ISU's been down the bank, been checking out accounts.
Bloke in your crew's got $20,000 unexplained for, and they've got him fitted.
Oh, it's boring old clay.
GOOSE: What did you expect - Japanese raku? Very droll.
Got that list of stolen jewellery you were after.
Don't they train you blokes in the ritual formalities? Morning, Mr Cochrane.
Dying art, politeness, like letter writing.
When they have to advertise for people to write letters, you know the world's come to a sorry state.
Don't touch anything.
Any chance of getting a pair of legs? I need somebody to run around the jewellers and get approximate matches on all that stuff - gold weight estimates, type of gold, carat, that kind of thing.
Mm-hm.
Got the Dealers Squad onto it.
God, you're going for promotion.
He has absolutely no influence, he's just a public servant.
I know, I just thought I'd get some things going Oh, my God.
Lan, he thinks.
So is it possible to tell if this is the gold from the jewellery? Well, where's your weight estimate on the final tally? 2.
8 kilos, plus or minus.
OK.
Well, the bar weighs 2.
2 so it's in the vicinity, so maybe.
Who knows? Whoever made it would have failed ashtrays in pottery class.
My God, have a look at this.
You know how you always say, "Very little forensic evidence is as good as a fingerprint?" Well, I've got one.
That's unlikely - the solvent would have Not that kind of print.
It's in the gold - it's been cast.
What do you mean it's not identifiable? Oh, mate, yeah, but surely there's enough there to get some idea SAUNDERS: Digit in the bloody clay there.
No-one's that bloody stupid, Fluff.
It's ele-bloody-mentary, mate.
I heard that.
How else do you explain it? His print wasn't in the clay mould.
How else did it get in the gold bar? Of course it was in the clay mould.
DARBY: But it could've been anyone.
OK, thanks, mate.
Prints reckon it's not identifiable.
All that means is they know who it is but they won't go to court on it.
Who'd you speak to? Some bloke named McKell.
Is Doyd there? Bunch of pocket Hitlers, mate.
Yeah, g'day.
Listen, that print that McKell was looking at for Grumpy.
Look, I need a favour.
It was on a bar in a safe in a safe house.
Yeah, I know it's not identifiable, mate, but it's all we got.
Nah, nah, nah, I don't wanna go to court on it.
It's just a starting point.
You got a name? Great.
Stanley Brian Cutler, 3-12-38.
Anyone know him? Who? Stanley Brian Cutler.
Isn't he dead yet? You do know him? Yeah.
He's the shorter 'Oxford Dictionary' on legs, real sliver tongue.
That shitbag somersaulted me in court once.
You reckon the print's his? Well, there's not enough to go to court on but If Stan Cutler's doing ag burgs, like, I could be in 'Cleo'.
This bloke passes dodgy cheques for a living.
Passes dodgy gold too, looks like it.
Oh, come on, gold is way out of his league.
Far be it for me to say you're wasting your time.
Going to have to take a look inside.
If it's nonhomogeneous, it hasn't been melted down properly.
What's the bet you're gonna have to slice it up sooner or later? (LAUGHS) Yeah, well, melting down was crude, so who knows, there might actually be something identifiable fused inside somewhere.
Maybe.
What's the melting temp of gold? Thousand and something? Give or take.
You looking at domestic sources? Oxy gear.
Pottery kiln.
Not this size.
Wrought iron manufactures - they use blast furnaces.
Is that our bloke's docket? Yeah.
Reads like 'War and Peace', only the plot's a bit repetitive.
Couldn't do me a photocopy, could you, mate? Ta.
(SIGHS) Doesn't anybody ever check that in-tray? Obviously not.
So, basically, you want me to give you permission to destroy the evidence? Just to drill a few holes in it.
Which basically means destroy it.
I've gotta have something I can show the court at the end of the day.
HOWIE: Stanley Brian Cutler, 3 December '38.
Sentenced November 5, '91.
You still got him there? OK, so what date was he paroled on? 25th? You haven't got the name of his parole officer, have you? No? What about an address on release? 16 Murdoch.
Hey, Grumpy.
Good on you, mate.
Thanks.
Grumpy, mate, what's gold worth an ounce these days? The bar's worth about 37,000 bucks, if that's what you're after.
Careful when you pull out the big diamond tip, darling.
All the filings have got to be accounted for, you know.
Party pooper.
(LAUGHS) There you go, Docket.
Get into it.
Thanks.
Ta, mate.
Mmm, known associates too? You are a good boy, Grumpy.
Mate, I reckon you're a born copper.
No-one's trained that badly.
Can't you take a compliment, mate? 15 counts of deception? He was out He got 18 months.
You take off the 2 months he did in remand, make it 10 months all up, it means he would've been out 5 months ago, which is pretty well what he was.
Yeah, g'day.
Howie, senior detective, Major Crime.
I've just been on to Ballarat and they said you blokes might be able to help me out.
DARBS: Has anyone read today's arrest sheets? What? You looking for Stanley Brian Cutler by any chance? Well, he's been decorating airspace in remand all day.
If you boys did what you were supposed to do and read these things might save yourselves an awful lot of heartache.
Do I hear a "thank you"? Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you! Excuse me.
We got the bastard.
Good.
I've got a score to settle with Stan Cutler.
You mind if I have the pleasure? Be my guest.
(DOOR BUZZES) G'day, Stan.
Haven't seen you in a long time.
Sergeant Moon.
Wasn't expecting you.
Senior Sergeant now, Major Crime Squad.
Is that a fact? Done alright for yourself.
Senior Detective Saunders.
How you going? I don't think much of your choice of motel, Stan.
Still, I suppose that it's better than out at the college.
You know, I don't reckon you're gonna snow these blokes the same way you snowed me.
My legal eagle, Terry Miller.
Paid him a lot of money over the years.
Be stupid if I didn't take his advice.
But you're right, Mr Moon.
Something like that you only do once.
Getting to be a habit of yours, isn't it, getting caught? Run of bad luck.
(CHUCKLES) Bad luck.
More like bad bloody management, mate.
You've got one of the biggest dockets I've ever seen in me bloody life.
So what can you tell us about these ag burgs on the oldies? I don't know anything about those.
Them's bad news.
Read about them in the papers.
Did you read how the pricks flogged the old bloke and raped his missus in front of him? That ain't my game, Mr Saunders.
We can tie you in on the stolen goods.
So at this stage we've got assisting in the disposal of stolen goods, and accessory after the fact.
You'd never try and con a con man, would you, Mr Moon? I'm caught dealing with you, my life's not worth living.
Listen, mate, you tip in for us and we'll look after ya.
Are you prepared to deal? I'm prepared to listen.
But not in here.
These walls have got ears.
You get me out of here for a day or two, and we'll talk.
You wouldn't want to catch a bone and miss the carcass, hey, Mr Moon? (ELEVATOR DINGS) MAN: Oi! Bloody Hey.
Grumpy.
Thought you'd gone.
No.
I had to go upstairs.
(CLEARS THROAT) So are you gonna tell me or do I have to guess? What? Why are you acting like I trod in some dog shit? Alright.
I saw Boyd Ryan the other night.
Ex-fraudie? Yep.
Didn't he go to bank security or something? Yep.
He reckons ISU have been down there and they're going through accounts.
Whose accounts? Well, it took some checking, mate, but it's yours.
Mate.
ELEVATOR: Level Three.
You got $20,000 unexplained for that went through your cheque account three years ago.
And, what, you reckon I was in on the take? Hmm? It's nothing.
Right, I can explain that in about 5 seconds.
They've stuffed up.
So you can tell them where to shove it, OK? Oh, um, Boyd tell you for your own good, did he? (PEOPLE SINGING) # Nobody loves a fairy when she's 60 Nobody loves a fairy when she's old (LAUGHTER) She still might have magic powers but that is not enough They want their bit of magic from a younger bit of stuff If you can't cast a spell without it spilling Have a go.
And your tinsel looks like rust instead of gold They're very good.
Your fairy days are ending when your wand has started bending Nobody loves a fairy when she's old.
MAN: Well done! Happy birthday, Mumsie.
Oh, darling.
Happy birthday, Mum.
Oh, you're a bad boy.
Happy birthday, Mumsie.
My cake! (LAUGHTER AND CHATTER) Oh, dear.
Song a bit much, was it? MAN: Listen, you ready for a drink? Is Peter a cop? So is Chris.
Why didn't you tell me? Thought I did.
They're not gonna bust you.
Hey, Chris, do you think Roz is safe? She's got some dope on her.
Oh.
My lips are sealed.
She knows all the top dealers.
If you want contacts So how did you meet this wanker? Work.
Have you put the chips out, Peter? No, they're still in the box.
I'll get them.
I'll leave you two guys to it.
Victorian Police were involved in 21 shooting incidents last year.
A top-up? Ooh, need you ask? (LAUGHS) What's she like? Another social worker type, I reckon.
You know, this really is a very nice room.
It's VERY good for entertaining.
Cost e-bloody-nough.
There you go.
They don't look too happy.
ROZ: They had the whole family on the floor, even the kids.
It was on TV.
They interviewed one of them.
They held guns at their heads.
Hey? If a cop hadn't heard them speak.
Roz, just shut up.
Guys, please, come on.
They got the wrong bloody house.
They were after Turks.
But did they interview any cops? Did they show the cops' side of it? No.
The program's biased.
Everything they do is anti-cops.
"Cops are bent.
" They weren't saying they were bent.
They were saying they were stupid and ill-trained.
Who was saying? Some scumbag who got a hard time for a couple of cops.
I'm not talking crap TV.
This is well-researched current affairs.
They win awards.
I'm sorry, but the more controls there are over police the better, as far as I'm concerned.
Guy, I'd appreciate it if next time you checked your girlfriend's political views before inflicting them on the family.
Chris.
Roz.
Roz.
See ya.
The sex must be good.
Haven't got much else in common.
ELEVATOR: Level Five.
Cop a load of that.
Fraud Squad.
If I could change my handwriting, those blokes would never catch me.
One of them even loaned me 20 bucks once.
Not like youse blokes.
They never talk to old Stan.
We're looking for information on the ag burgs.
Now, I know you're involved in the property side of it, so give us some information, we'll look after you.
What's in it for me, Mr Moon? Well, until I know the extent of your involvement, I can't promise anything but (LAUGHS) You've got bugger all on me, haven't you? SAUNDERS: You wanna take a bit of a walk, Moony? See if this prick likes a bit of bloody pain.
What do you reckon, shithead? Detective Saunders is part of the old school.
He likes to find a bloke's weak points.
Fair go, Mr Moon, I'm a sick man.
It isn't just the diabetes, me arteries are shot.
Well, stop beating around the bush.
Have you got any information to sell us? These men are killers, Mr Moon.
You put me on the Witness Protection Program and get me an indemnity and I'll help you.
The Department of Public Prosecutions deals with indemnities.
I'll run the program past my super.
But you somersault me, you bastard, I'll square it with you once and for all.
We only pay on results.
He knows something alright.
He could sell petrol to a camel.
(PAGER BEEPS) I don't have to remind you the cost of witness protection.
Sir, he's the only lead that we've got.
Now, I believe if we get one name from him, it's worthwhile.
If he comes across with something in writing and it checks out, he's got a deal.
Good.
But only then.
Spoke to the super.
We're talking the same language.
So if your information is good enough and you're prepared to jump the witness box, then, yeah, we've got a deal.
I never said nothing about giving evidence.
But the only deal we make is with a signed statement.
Now, I need a signature for the super and the DPP.
That's the only way we deal.
You know that.
So, it's D-Day.
Put up or shut up, or it's back to remand.
George Antoniadis is the bloke you want.
Convince me.
He set up the burgs.
He's the one you should be after.
How do you know? Oh, mate, we're getting into deep water here.
Are you positive you can get me protection? Christ, Stan, you are involved.
Now, I don't have enough to charge you with now or I bloody well would.
But it's all or nothing.
Right, anything less, anything smart, and I'll be waiting at the gates on the day of your release and you will get a hamburger with the lot.
I seen George melt down the jewellery.
Where? Panel shop.
Whereabouts? Fitzroy somewhere.
It was a Friday night, I'd been on the piss, I can't remember that much.
Whereabouts? Which pub? Darby, mate, everything you can get on this bloke, will you? Stanley's just fingered him as a middle man.
OK? Oh, right, good.
Jenny something.
She blonde? Brunette.
And she was very nice.
Right.
Well, let's start going over it again, start to get a few things down on paper.
Shit! Jesus.
Bit bloody crook, mate.
He's still breathing.
Somebody get a doctor! DARBS: George Antoniadis.
Top crook.
History of ag burgs.
He's got experience organising this sort of thing.
Fits the bill.
He's come up with the goods.
Good.
Where's Noddy? You just run it past me again.
Yes, sir.
FAITHFUL: It explains that whacky bank account.
But you're not making sense.
Just taking him out the back for a cuppa, mate.
Alright.
What's the story, doc? Diabetic turn.
I prescribed more insulin.
God, is that all? (LAUGHS) If I was you, I wouldn't be quite so blase.
It's a sick man you've got on your hands.
Should have been dead years ago by rights.
Classic uncontrolled diabetic.
Neuritis, angina, diabetic retinopathy.
What's all that mean? His arteries are shot to buggery, he's got a whopping great ulcer on his leg and his eyesight's not too hot.
He's a witness, not an offender.
All I want is a statement and a signature.
Yeah, well, he's under some pressure.
Keep this up and you're up in front of the coroner.
Boss, if we don't look after Stan, maybe the next victim dies.
He hasn't given us anything we can use in evidence.
Stan's all we've got, boss.
If the media find we had someone and threw him away, they're gonna dump it back in our lap.
Just a couple of days in a safe house.
And if he doesn't tip in, OK, it's back to remand.
I haven't much choice.
Just make sure he delivers.
1800, Spinery's mob take over.
No beer? It's not a bloody party.
Jesus, it's a joke, mate.
I mean, this is a real beaut place.
I've got no complaints.
SOG-ie's got 2 men on the perimeter on an 8-hour rotation.
How come we always get the 24-hour shift, that's what I wanna know.
Bunch of wankers, those SOG-ies, if you ask me.
Yeah? Well, no-one's asking you.
All that black suit stuff, think they're bloody Rambos.
SOG-ie's got the training.
Just more of the same as youse blokes, isn't it? You keep it quiet, I'll get you a couple of cans of light, OK? Anything you say may be given in evidence.
You understand? FAITHFUL: Yes.
Do you know Kevin Westbrook? No.
Have you ever received any money from Kevin Westbrook? Well, I don't know him.
How can I receive money from him? No, I don't know any Kevin Westbrook.
Can you explain to me how a personal cheque in the name of Kevin Westbrook made out for the sum of $20,000 came to be deposited into your cheque account? Your bank records state that on the day after the deposit was made, the sum of $20,000 was withdrawn by you from this account.
Well, they must have stuffed up.
I don't know any Kevin Westbrook.
You deny withdrawing $20,000? I don't deny anything, OK? They just must have stuffed up their records.
A trace was made on the Kevin Westbrook account which was discovered to be registered to a nonexistent address.
Well, I know what you're getting at, and I'll tell you right now if you charge me without double-checking your information, I'll take you and the bank to the cleaners.
And you can take that any way you like.
MAN: I use the name for cash jobs.
Every printer I know does it.
I mean, the client saves 25% sales tax, and you get your cash up front.
Let me tell you, that's a bloody bonus in this day and age.
Yeah.
You're lucky to get paid 120 days, that's if you get paid at all.
If I didn't do cash jobs, how do you think we'd survive? So what am I meant to tell him - my father-in-law's running a tax scam? Why the bloody hell didn't you tell me? Oh.
Well, you weren't so picky when I offered it.
Yeah, you're right.
But what was I meant to do, run a credit check on you? I just wanted you to have the house nice, you know.
I know.
Give me a couple of days.
To do what? Speak to the accountant, see what he says.
(MUSIC AND LAUGHTER) I'll get them, knowing youse alright to keep an eye on things.
I didn't think diabetics were supposed to drink.
It's the diet that's the problem.
Keep off the refined sugars, tuck into a good steak every now and again.
Just run up a tab.
We'll pay when we leave.
Much appreciated, boys.
I don't like this.
The boss said keep him happy, OK, so we're keeping him happy.
Couple of jugs, mate, and one for me friend.
Oh, no, thanks.
What's your name? Lucy.
Make that four pots.
What'll you have, Lucy? Yeah, no, it'll be my pleasure.
Bacardi and coke? Bacardi and coke.
SAUNDERS: So, there's two Indians, right? There's a black feather and a white feather.
MOON: And black feather lies and white feather tells the truth? Yeah.
So what's Stan, then - a black feather or white bloody feather? Next question.
God, you're a pain in the arse, Moony.
No wonder your missus pissed off from you.
Probably never got a straight answer in 20 years of bloody marriage.
MAN ON RADIO: Car approaching main road entrance.
Light blue Ford.
Echo Yankee X-ray 335.
Get Stan out the back.
The occupants look to be male.
MAN ON RADIO: In position.
Give it a rest - it's Moony and Fluff, me mates.
Out! Heading for the house.
SAUNDERS: Mate, put the bloody gun away, will you? MAN: Show me your ID.
Oh, Jesus.
There.
Say hello to Freddy.
Alright? Fucking wanker.
Detectives Moon and Saunders here, as expected.
Stand down.
Stanley! Stanley! G'day, sunshine.
How you going? Arsehole copper giving me a hard time.
I tell you, Mr Moon, you're stressing me out that much.
(INDECIPHERABLE CHATTER) DARBY: This is not looking good, guys.
SAUNDERS: No.
No, no, it isn't.
It is not looking good.
How's it going? Dog poo looks prettier, boss.
There's been no trace of this bloody Antoniadis either.
I just spoke to PSG.
They reckon it's unsafe you going to the house.
If you wanna talk to him, they'll bring him in.
Former cell mates with Stan Cutler.
How far back? 15 years or so.
What, only Pentridge? I've isolated everyone that's done time for burgs.
Do you realise how long this took? Alright, don't get bloody touchy.
If I got touchy do you think I'd choose to work with you? I'm insensitive, Andrew.
I'm kidding.
Flannagan, Victor Flannagan.
Have you heard of a Vic Flannagan? Yeah, one conviction, armed robbery, about 15 years ago.
Suspect for one other major job but they couldn't prove anything.
Seems to be clean the last 10 years or so.
I thought maybe Albie Doyle might be worth a try.
HOWIE: Peter, if I was with Fraud, this is what I'd be thinking.
I'd be thinking you were laundering, that you'd set up a false account to take care of money received from bribes or whatever, and then you use that account to clean the money up.
You write a personal cheque from it so it looks ridgy-didge when you pay it into a genuine account.
It's easy.
Who put ISU onto it, mate, that's what I wanna know.
It could have been anyone.
If they think someone's on the take, they're gonna check it out.
That's their job.
I really don't think they expected to find anything.
It's just the fact it was in there for 24 hours makes it look a bit smelly.
Right.
Why did you take it out all in one lump sum? Look, I got a 10% discount from the builder if I paid in one hit.
That's it.
Yeah? Why, you thinking about renovating? Me? No, no.
I'd need a house first.
Listen, mate, if I was you, I wouldn't let that father-in-law of yours hang back too long.
If he takes too long to front, it looks like a set-up.
Right.
Thanks.
They just think they're some sort of elite, all that black tie stuff they go on about.
And Friday the 13th lunches.
(LAUGHS) The way they can barge into a safe house like that.
They could have been followed or anything.
Bloody cowboys.
No, no, I'll get it.
Easier for youse to keep an eye on me this way.
Another jug, mate.
Hey.
G'day.
Oh, hey, how are you? Who the hell's the girl? Oh, OK.
Thanks, mate.
Who the hell's the girl, Stan? Lucy? Didn't they tell you about her? She's me de facto's niece.
Top sort.
Real beaut kid.
Break my heart I couldn't have kids.
Diabetes, you know.
That's what turned me, I reckon.
If I'd had had kids Have you got kids? We found a tiny fragment of diamond.
And a stainless steel pin from an earring.
That's been it so far.
Well, Stan mentioned a panel shop.
He reckons that's where they did the meltdown.
Mm, makes sense.
Is there anything you guys can give me to give me a fix on the place? If I know where it was, I can run prints through, then I can tie Stan in.
This desperation is very unbecoming.
We found a range of different gold alloys, everything from 9 to 22 carat, red, white, yellow gold.
So we know it was an uneven meltdown.
What's an uneven meltdown? (LAUGHS) It melted and set at different rates, which means that it was unevenly heated.
They probably used a single heat source.
Oxy-acetylene torch, maybe.
Take a look at this.
These are iron impurities that adhered to the outside of the gold bar.
My guess is it wasn't a professional furnace.
Something with a flaky surface, maybe an inch-thick pot, probably rusting.
It looks to me what they've done is dump all the jewellery in a big pot and then blast the shite out of it with a blowtorch.
Guys, do you know how many panel shops have got oxy gear? Well, what can I tell you? I'm here to advise, the rest is up to you.
Yeah.
Well, if the earth moves, can you tell me? Er, look, Peter.
When you find the place, let us know.
From the shape of the bar, I'd say the mould was full to the brim, so 10 to 1 there'll be a speck or two of gold on the floor.
Handover complete.
Stand down.
You can come out now, Stan.
It's alright, mate.
There's been no word on George Antoniadis.
What did I tell you - he's gone to ground, like I said.
Oh, cut the crap.
There's been nothing, not even a whisper.
George is a smart operator, Mr Moon.
I tell you he's gone to ground while he's done the job so people don't know what he's up to.
I wouldn't lie to you, honest, not after what you've done for me.
You're my mate.
I'm not your fucking mate! Now, you snowed me once but you won't do it again and live to tell the tale.
Any more of this shit and you are straight back to remand.
And I will personally pass the word that you spilled your guts about the ag burgs.
An overdose of insulin to a diabetic is an untraceable death.
You know what I'm saying, Stan? You know what I'm saying? I'm with you, Mr Moon.
I'm not mucking about, Stan.
You've had your couple of days off.
Now, you know this prick, you know what rock he hides under I don't know him that well.
Alright, I'll put it another way.
If you were in his shoes, where would you go? I saw Brownie the other day.
Brownie? Oh, right.
Old Robbers.
Yeah, yeah.
He's got his private agency inquiry licence.
He's working for Regional Security.
Oh.
He said it's pretty good.
Bit tedious, though.
Are you trying to say something? No.
I just thought it was interesting, that's all.
How are we doing? Is he doing any good? Well, Moony just spat the old dummy.
Very bloody educational, that was.
Did Cutler mention drugs or importation? Nah, nothing like that, mate.
Or not yet, anyway.
DOCKET: Grumpy! About bloody time.
Hey, Grumpy, how go you on George Antoniadis? I go not too bloody good, mate.
I go to airlines and Customs next.
That's how I go.
How go you? He hasn't made a call in two months.
Telecom disconnected him a week ago.
The little shitpot's done a runner.
Who's that? Your witness.
Stan? Shit.
When? Crew looking after him went to his bedroom this morning and found he'd hit the toe.
When's this? They don't know.
I'll get onto his contacts.
They're supposed to check him every bloody hour.
He complained them coming in and out disturbed his sleep.
Fair enough.
Dealing with Sleeping Beauty here.
That's the only lead we had.
You don't do deals with shitpots like that.
You don't deal with shitpots and druggies.
You tell me what should we be doing.
That's it, I've had it with this job.
Find Moon.
Christ.
Well, get on your bikes! Negligently permitting the prisoner to escape.
They're in deep, deep shit.
(COWS MOO) Well, the insulin's still here, mate.
Get onto Darbs, get her to do a ring around of the chemists in the area.
Yeah, got it.
Whose beer? I said whose bloody beer, Constable? It's not ours, it's Stan's.
And you let him drink.
I don't care who stuffed up.
Nobody stuffed up.
Standard procedure was followed.
All I'm trying to do is find out what happened.
He had outside help, that's what happened.
You got evidence of that? Any ideas for alternative career plans? (CHUCKLES) The old boss is looking a bit dark, isn't he? He's got what you'd call a naturally swarthy complexion.
Mate, you want me to whack a bit of a good word in for you? What do you reckon? See, if we don't know much, mate, there's not a whole lot we can do.
You know what I mean? OK.
You might start with his de facto's niece.
Who the bloody hell's she? He said you knew about her.
(LAUGHS) I bet he bloody did.
Jesus! Who chose this dump anyway? The house? Him, over there.
MOON: Fluff.
Oh, yeah.
Mate, there's no sign of the lock being forced.
Must have had a key.
Apparently there never was a key.
Hey? My old mate, Johnny boy, there, reckons they just left the thing on the snib.
That's bloody brilliant, guys.
Not hurt, is he? Hurt? No.
He came by last night, about 10:00, said his car had broken down up the road so I gave him a lift into town.
Said he'd ring a taxi but there wasn't much on so There hasn't been an accident, has there? Did he say which way he was headed? I wouldn't know.
When I left, he was drinking at the pub.
Said he was running a clinic for stressed out businessmen.
For what? Stressed out businessmen.
What is all this about? Is Brian in some kind of trouble? Brian? Yeah.
Tell me, did Brian approach you last night? No, he just come in to pick up his chequebook like he said he would.
A chequebook? Yeah.
He said he'd run out so I got the bank to order him a new one.
A new chequebook? Yeah.
You didn't think this was a strange request after knowing him for such a short time? No.
He said he had a lot of trouble getting away from the clinic.
You're not his niece, are you? (LAUGHS) Hey? Yes, anyone who'd been after insulin, got a prescription filled out.
No, I'm only after anyone you served today.
Yeah, that's right.
He's just a regular, is he? Never mind.
Thanks, anyway.
Any luck on aliases yet? Not yet.
Antoniadis - A-N-T-O-N-l-A-D-l-S.
Antoniadis.
Yes, I'll wait.
Can I speak to whoever's in charge of prescriptions, please? Not just aliases, any name that sounds familiar.
Is there? Pete! Pete! Wife, husband, dog, anything.
I don't care, mate.
Do whatever you gotta do, alright.
I want you to hold him there, search all of his bags, spray him for foot and mouth, just keep him! George Antoniadis is at the airport.
Let's go.
We'll be there in half an hour.
He just flew in from Bangkok.
You reckon it could be drug importation? Well, let's hope so.
I'm only interested in someone who's been actually in today to fill out a prescription.
Yeah, came by a few hours ago.
Offered us $500 to anyone to drive him up north.
Up north.
SAUNDERS: Chequebook and a car.
We may as well bloody go home.
You ever read Norman Vincent Peale? Who? 'The Power of Positive Thinking'.
(GROANS) So what, Nagambie, you reckon? Well, as long as it's got a bloody pub.
Shit! Jeez, I love bloody nature.
You big wuss.
(LAUGHS) Can't handle them, mate.
He's a big bugger, isn't he? Yeah.
First stake-out I was on, I was laying flat on me gut and a bloody big goanna crawls over me.
Can't handle reptiles.
Yeah? Hey! Hang on.
Hang on, Moony.
(CHUCKLES) I told you, I was out of the country! I was in Thailand! Three months.
What were you doing there for three months? None of your bloody business! Where's my beak? The minute your lawyer arrives, you will be informed.
You've infringed my civil liberties.
You have no right to arrest me.
We don't have civil liberties in Australia, we have constitutional rights.
Have we infringed this man's constitutional rights, Senior Detective? Not to my knowledge, sir, no.
I believe our actions are fully covered by Section 459 of the Victorian Crimes Act.
"A member of the police force may at any time, without warrant, "apprehend any person he believes on reasonable grounds "has committed an indictable offence.
" He's a bit of a stickler for fine detail.
Darbs, can you get on to Moony.
Tell him that shithead they're chasing around the countryside has been lying to him - it's not George Antoniadis.
Well, if it helps make your day, I've just been talking to Customs.
They have no record whatsoever of Antoniadis ever leaving the country.
We picked him up at the airport.
He must've left on a false passport.
Least we've got something to stick up the prick's nose.
Can you let AFP know? Yeah, no worries.
Name of Stan Cutler's lawyer, you remember it? Yeah, Miller something.
Terrence Miller? Yep, you beauty! You couldn't give me a description of this bloke, could you? Uh-huh.
Yep, brown corduroy jacket.
Passed through Wodonga about an hour ago, using his bloody lawyer's name now.
Senior Sergeant Moon again.
Could you arrange a patch through to Victoria? MAN ON RADIO: Yeah, boss.
Mate, I get my hands on this ferret, it's gonna be justifiable homicide.
Where's Fluff? He's inside talking to some betting mate.
Not Danny Gaunt who does the ring around on Friday? Yep, that's the bloke.
Boss, I won 500 off one of his tips.
14 to 1.
It came in a beauty.
Buy him a drink for us, will you? Anyone mentions a drink, I'm gonna spit in their face.
What I'm looking for is a good night's kip.
(LAUGHS) What happened to PR? Sorry we haven't seen your bloke, mate.
Got the photo so if I see anything, I'll let you know.
Good on ya.
Stick around a minute, mate.
Moony.
Listen, we've got time for a couple of cleansing ales, haven't we, mate? Mate, it's good PR.
Now, come on.
Come on, you big wuss.
G'day, Fish.
What's the John Dory, mate? Fish.
Fluff.
G'day, Bill.
How you going? You here to see Chris, are you? He made me feel like a criminal.
He asked me if you put me up to it.
What, put you up to the story? Yeah.
Hang on.
Go on.
So what what did you say to him.
I indicated he was an arrogant sonofabitch.
Yeah, I was too smart for my own good, though.
They've gotta report it to the taxation department.
They should treat you with respect, Peter.
There was no respect.
Sorry, Pete.
But you'd better get in here, mate.
Right.
I gotta go, mate.
Speak to you soon? Yeah.
Thanks.
One Stanley Cutler was apprehended late last night Grabbed Stan last night in Guilford, pissed as a newt, pranged his car next to a pub.
A cop who lived next door picked him up.
There was a cop lived next door? Yeah, there is a god.
resume the acquaintance has more to do with his history of priors in NSW than it does with a budding friendship.
He's jumped bail on them before so he knows they won't be keen on giving him bail again.
Another day, and the old bag of fruit is gonna walk on me, boss.
An hour one way or the other is not gonna make any difference.
For more than one reason, we do not want to attract publicity.
Protective Security Group already have enough explaining to do.
So word slips out, we'll just end up with a bunch of righteous hotheads demanding public inquiries, which I stress again, we do not want.
Besides, it would blow our witness's cover, for what it's worth.
What I'm telling you is be careful who you talk to and what you say.
If you can arrange bail, I'm sure he'll agree to a quick trip across the border.
Sir, how are we gonna arrange bail? Use your mouth.
Talk to him.
(SIGHS) Any State you're not wanted in? Tassie, I reckon.
I reckon that's the only honest thing you ever told me.
You'll get us out of here, won't you? They do me here, I'll end up in Grafton.
It's a hard place.
If I had my way, you'd be smashing rocks in Sing Sing.
There you go, Stanley, me old flower - change of skirt for you, mate.
Much appreciated, Fluff.
How much do I owe you? Don't worry about it.
Tell him $1,000.
He'll never pay you.
I honour my debts.
Stealing a car, driving under the influence, causing damage to the car and to property.
I'm not prepared to grant him bail.
Bail refused.
Mate, didn't you have a word with the prosecutor? Yes, I did.
But it's the magistrate that's the bloody problem.
I can't very well go and explain it to him with the press sitting there.
Can you ask if I can give evidence? I'll try.
Your Worship, we have a Detective Senior Sergeant Moon from the Victorian Major Crime Squad present.
He would like to give evidence on behalf of the applicant.
I've already considered the information relating to the application, Sergeant.
Unless the detective can add something relevant to the NSW charges, I can't see any sense in hearing any additional information that relates to Victorian offences.
Your Honour.
The applicant is in possession of information relating to major offences in Victoria.
Any arrangements he makes in relation to Victorian crimes have no bearing on this application.
Bail refused.
Your Worship, can I be permitted to make a statement on my own behalf? You may.
I know there are reporters present so it would be wrong for me to say anything other than this is a very vital case, Your Worship.
If Your Worship has any worries about me failing to return to NSW, then you'd also be aware that this could be arranged through the Interstate Prisoners Transfer Act.
I know I've done the wrong thing in the past but I'm a changed man.
I want to do all I can to help resolve these horrendous crimes in Victoria.
Justice must not only be done, Your Worship, it must be seen to be done.
A shame you didn't join the legal profession instead of wasting your life in crime, Mr Cutler.
Buy youse both a drink, eh? Get in the car.
Well, you're not short of a bit of dash, mate, I'll give you that.
(CHUCKLES) Shit.
(HUMS) How are we doing? Oh, mate.
Moony reckons he knows something.
I reckon he's pissing against the wind, if you ask me.
Yeah.
(MUTTERS) Hey, mate, check this out.
Hey, Grump.
Grump, do us a favour, will you, mate? Top drawer, yellow file, I need it for the interview room.
Got me hands full.
Watch for the big Neville.
Yellow one? Yellow, mate, yeah.
Is that it? Good on yer.
How's it going with our friend? Oh, you know, mate.
Yeah.
Slowly, bloody slowly.
Ah, shit! (LAUGHTER) Ah, bloody funny, bloody funny.
It bloody bit me.
MOON: Where's Saunders? FAITHFUL: He's been detained.
So This is the infamous Stan Cutler, the one who's been giving me so much trouble.
Do you realise how much time we've wasted chasing you? Do you realise what that cost us? I've got one old lady raped, and her husband, he topped himself because of what those bastards did to her.
And the other oldies, well, they were just bashed senseless then robbed.
And we've been wasting our time chasing around the bloody countryside after you.
Well, this is my case and I don't give a rat's arse what happens to you.
If some clown at Pentridge wants to kick your head in, well, good luck to him.
Could you at least see about Beechworth? The prison farm there is OK this time of year Mate, you are back in stir.
Mr Moon Come on, Stan.
I didn't do nothing, Mr Moon.
All I did was go and get this bloke some clay he was wanting, you know, the sort of stuff kids use in art class at school.
He told me where to get it and said for me to meet him at this panel shop where he keeps his car.
One of them Flash Harry numbers, you know, old Cadillac he was doing up.
The shop was shut because it was a Saturday.
Musta had keys, I suppose.
Anyway, I saw him make this mould.
Well, I guess I knew what it was for.
I mean, I done a bit of fine metals in my time so I got a certain expertise.
I said to him he was doing a bodgie job, showed him how he should water it down more, get the joints better.
Gotta do the job proper, well, I reckon.
He went right off - told me to mind my own fucking business.
That's all I saw.
Honest.
What's his name? Flannagan.
Victor Flannagan.
You'd be willing to sign a statement to that effect? He finds out I've lagged, my life ain't worth shit.
He's got that many connections.
I want that statement, Stan.
DARBY: Map 67.
J2.
Got that, Grumpy? Got that? Oh, big boy, what a wuss.
Does baby hurt, does he? Up your arses.
(LAUGHTER) Now, I'm deadset keen on getting some corroboration on this Stan Cutler statement, for obvious reasons.
I've been in touch with SMVS.
They've agreed on a raid for tonight.
Shouldn't be too much of a surprise for the owner.
He's been had up for dealing in stolen motor vehicle parts before, so we're pretty much OK on that score.
Now, the prime objective is to get evidence of the meltdown and to link in Flannagan.
Any questions? Yeah.
I'd like to hear Fluff admit that the Fraudie got one up on him.
(LAUGHTER) Very bloody funny.
(POLICE RADIO CHATTER) Here he is! Go get him, Docket.
Go on, mate.
Oh, jeez, I hope you realise these are protected animals, mate.
MAN ON RADIO: Tell Noddy there's a '59 Cadillac in here.
Shit, he's under my legs.
What about Goose? No, boss.
Ask him anything, he just says, "Piss off, I'm working.
" He's still beavering away with that hoover of his.
Alright, keep us updated.
I know they've gotta do what they've gotta do, but Bill's right, they've got no respect.
I mean, the crooks really have got more recourse than us.
Who have we got to go to if we've got complaints? What, the Ombudsman? If you feel like that, why stay on then? I'd feel like I was letting my mates down if I left.
Noddy! Alright, alright.
GOOSE ON RADIO: Come in, come in, wherever you are.
Mate, tell this wanker to stop buggerising around, will you? Go ahead.
I am at this minute staring at two of the most beautiful specks of gold I've ever seen in my life.
I hope the earth moved for you because it moved for me.
OK.
Noddy.
Yeah, here, Darbs.
That Cadillac belongs to a Victor Flannagan.
Does the name ring a bell by any chance? THE SHADOW: Boys, boys, boys.
When will you coppers ever learn to protect your backs? I know for a fact that the Major Crime Squad is on very thin ice at the moment and could sink without trace.
There's a secret police report floating about that brands them all as out-of-control cowboys, and urges that the squad should be sacked.
The word from above is that if they don't pull their heads in soon, then it's nightie-night to the Majors.
So I reckon you should rush off and buy some Major Crime Squad ties and bottles of port because from what I hear, they'll soon be collectors' items.
A message from the Shadow.
(KNOCK AT DOOR) Excuse me, boss, I think we're ready for the presentation.
Alright, guys, listen up.
Now, Russell, Andrew's got something for you.
Listen, mate, I'm sorry, you know, but you were bloody asking for it.
Mate, you are so bloody touchy.
Yeah, of course I'm bloody because you bloody pick on me all the time! Righto, righto, righto.
Just give him the bloody thing, OK? Grab a hold of that, mate.
Whooo! Listen, mate Numbered and everything, mate.
Well done, mate, you earned it.
Yep.
You're now a fully fledged member of a Major bloody Crime Squad, mate.
Ohh! Yay! (APPLAUSE) Yay! Speech! Speech! ALL: Speech! Speech!
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