The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001) s02e03 Episode Script
A Suitable Vengeance
Eve, it's suicidal pushing this through.
You have no support.
You'll destroy your career.
The Asylum Centre poses no threat to your constituents or anybody else.
A few families maybe.
But 3,000 people? There's no way it can happen! Since when did you start making speeches for the Opposition? Home Office.
Can I ask who's calling? One moment, please.
It's Dennis Luxford.
He must want more on the asylum story.
Publish what you like.
I've issued my statement and will make no further comment.
Helen Clyde.
Dennis.
How's the heady world of newspapers? I er I need your help.
Helen, I don't know what to do.
As long as there is the smallest danger to her, tell the police.
On the tape, Charlotte says he'll hurt her if we do.
She says if I don't publish in three days' time Kidnappers always threaten damage.
The police are experienced at this.
This is not a normal kidnapping.
He doesn't want money.
Look, he's given us three days, right? Please, just help me work out who would do this.
Who knows that Charlotte is your daughter? Nobody.
I agreed from the start.
That's the point.
I was pretty surprised.
You and a radical left-winger.
"Surprised?" Or horrified? Surprised.
But I can't speak for your readers.
Are you prepared to publish the story? Whatever it takes to get her back.
Eve.
Thank God.
Where is Charlotte? Who the hell is this? This is Helen Clyde, a profiler.
Works for the Met.
We agreed, no police.
She's a friend.
She's going to help us privately.
This is a trap, isn't it? You set it up to ruin me.
What? It won't work.
Give her back to me.
Why would Dennis kidnap your daughter? Have you seen the papers? They've been after me for weeks.
If this love-child story breaks, me consorting with the enemy, I can see the papers.
I'd be levered out of the party.
He could publish the story any time.
You have got to go to the police.
What if she's killed? You find her and bring her back to me, please.
I'll work on it overnight.
But you go to the police in the morning.
It was handwritten, so no ink check.
And no stamps, so we can't do a DNA trace.
They knew what to avoid.
Yeah.
Thanks for your help.
OK.
Since I'm taking my life in my hands and may not survive dinner, why not have real coffee in the morning? I'm so sorry, Tommy.
Normally, the chef would apologise after the meal, not before.
I meant to call.
I didn't realise it was late.
Good news.
You're not cooking.
I can't.
I know but you can experiment on me.
I don't mean that.
I've got this case on and And I think it's going to be an all-nighter.
I'm sorry.
That's OK.
I'll cook and you can tell me about it.
We've done it before.
That would be great, my love, but I have to power through on my own.
Try me.
I might grasp it.
I just can't.
OK.
Well, you'd better get on.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Thanks.
I'll make it up to you, I promise.
We've tried to talk to you about this a thousand times.
It's OK, Mummy.
No, it's not OK, darling.
It's not your decision to make! It's not your life we're talking about.
It's Leo's! We won't discuss this any more.
He goes to Barristoke.
I'll die before he goes to boarding school.
I know you think all he needs is his mother.
He needs children his own age.
It's time he was more independent.
It's time you both were.
That's OK.
I'll go.
Are you listening, Dennis? .
.
mixed-race parentage.
TV: Police believe the girl is not local, and appeal for anyone to come forward who may have seen her or can help identify her.
The incident has shocked the community, deep in the heart of an affluent rural area.
The vicar of Wootton Cross expressed the sadness of the whole community.
Police.
I'd like a number 14, please.
And what's your Yeah.
22.
Thanks.
Lynley.
Right.
Where was the body found? I'll be there.
Sorry, I've got to cancel the order.
Sorry.
Hey, it's me.
Are you busy? Hang on, Havers! Oi, you little Don't sound so surprised.
I have got a life, you know.
It's the Nile.
That's the longest? Are you sure? Yeah.
Yeah, I suppose I can change my plans.
I'll be forgiven in the end.
OK, bye.
I'll take you home to your dad and stop him sending you to school.
Hi.
Know what this is about? Nope.
Hot date? Very.
You? Actually, no.
She stood me up.
For work.
I was very understanding.
Ah, you're such a great boyfriend, sir.
Are you ready to make a statement? Our deepest sympathies.
Do you have any leads as to the suspects? Back off and leave us alone! Eve Bowen is a government minister.
How could she be so stupid? Why didn't she report her daughter being kidnapped? People don't think straight.
Emotions get in the way.
How long before forensics? Tomorrow.
Lunchtime at best.
Let's see what the ransom notes tell us.
Anything else? Yeah.
Get some sleep.
Yes, sir.
I've never met a government minister before.
It'll be tea with the queen next.
Right, ergood night, sir.
Good night, Havers.
Hi.
Five-star dinner, I see.
You know me.
Only the best.
Good to see you.
News from elsewhere.
I'm not stalking you.
Hillier called me in on a case.
And now I need to see a sane and friendly face.
I can't guarantee sane.
You'll do.
This case Hillier's put me on I thought I'd heard everything.
I know what you mean.
Just when you think nothing can surprise you, bam, up pops another horrible facet of humanity.
Quite.
Am I allowed to ask how yours is going? Oh.
You know.
All right.
Actually, no, not very well at all.
But I'm glad we're still talking.
Does that mean you've forgiven me? What for? Helping me escape the fear of having a meal cooked by you? Actually, come to think of it, you should be thanking me.
If you were in the public eye, and you had a young daughter who went missing, and then you received a ransom note telling you not to contact the police, would you risk her life by not reporting it? And then hire some pseudo private investigator to go and find the kidnapper? What kind of person would? I don't know.
And now the girl is dead and we mop up the mess.
She's dead? Helen, don't tell me.
II don't understand.
They said three days.
How could you? Dennis has been my brother's best friend since school.
One of the family.
I've known him all my life.
I've never seen him in such a state.
I had to do something! They were terrified and wouldn't go to the police.
There is no excuse! I said I'd work on it overnight.
And you didn't tell me? If you can't trust me, what does that say about us? It's not about us.
Are you hiding any other secrets? Don't do this.
Please don't.
So, find anything out? It's almost certainly an intimate of either his or Eve's.
With no demand for money, it's obviously some kind of grudge.
This has taken you all night? Both parents insist nobody knew Dennis was Charlotte's father.
Not even Charlotte herself.
It's somebody who knew their secret.
Thanks for filling me in.
Tommy.
I er I don't trust anybody, Inspector.
I've learned the hard way.
There's no such thing as loyalty.
The kidnapping would have been made public and I was sure that it was a trap set for me.
You must have been.
I was.
Do you think I would have risked Charlotte's life for a minute? It must be terrible for you.
I'm so sorry.
The press had been gunning for me for weeks and I was exhausted.
And when the news came about Charlotte, I couldn't think straight.
I guess you must get out of the habit of having personal feelings.
Being a politician.
Scotland Yard? About time.
Are you OK? Did you take a pill? The doctor said it would help.
My husband, Alex Stone.
I've never taken tranquillisers.
I'm not starting now.
Come on.
What do you need to know? Let's get on with it.
We need to know Charlotte's last movements before she disappeared on Monday afternoon.
Yes, um She left school and went to her flute lesson as usual.
She left there at the usual time.
But she didn't Who took her to the lesson? ALEX: She went on her own.
She was a sensible girl.
It was all within easy walking distance.
What time did you realise she was missing? Dennis called me.
When I came home in the evening, I found that awful note.
I wanted to go to the police, but I only run a restaurant, not the country.
And Eve was very clear about how you lot are tight with the press.
ANSWER PHONE: Hi, it's John Evans from the Post.
I was wondering if you'd decided about that article.
They've half killed her, you know.
It's been a living hell! Why can't they leave us alone? I'm sorry.
We need to have the note.
And samples of both your handwriting.
Yes.
One last thing.
Who else knew, or could have found out, Dennis Luxford was Charlotte's biological father? I knew.
"If you want to know about Charlotte, ask her father.
" Or her music teacher.
Or her stepfather.
Very edgy.
We should make sure he was at the restaurant.
He was close to Charlotte.
The question is, how close? If it wasn't for your "important" career and self-obsession, Charlotte would be alive! How can you say that? She'd be OK, if you weren't an MP.
But I am! That is who I am! - If we'd called the police - He said he'd kill her.
Dennis and I agreed not to go to the police.
Is this the same Dennis that never saw his daughter once? - Alex, please.
- You're unbelievable! DOOR SLAMS Here.
Sorry.
I haven't got much room and I don't entertain much.
That's fine.
I feel terrible.
Charlotte's a great girl.
So, do you know what happened to her? No.
Look, she was my friend.
We had fun.
I looked forward to our lessons, actually.
You didn't do much music.
What else did you do? Talking.
Don't get me wrong.
We did the flute as well.
Though her parents wouldn't have noticed.
Did she mind about that? I don't think so.
She adored them both.
She was really clever.
She could make me laugh more than anyone.
Did she talk about her friends? She didn't have many.
There was Brita.
She waited for Charlotte sometimes.
Brita? Do you have a surname? What was she like? She never came up.
A bit of a wild one.
Anything unusual about Monday? No.
Any odd activity in the street? Did you see people hanging around? I keep myself to myself.
I'd just like to have a look around.
I'd rather you didn't.
Well, I can get a search warrant.
It's just a mess everywhere.
I wouldn't worry.
However bad it is, DS Havers has seen worse.
I won't be long.
Find anything interesting? No, not really.
Though he had lots of designer suits.
Excuse me.
Now I come to think of it, there was something.
There was an old guy walking the street.
I thought he was looking in the bins, but every time I looked, he was still there.
Thanks.
We'll send someone to take your statement.
No problem.
Do you believe that? No, not really.
Still, we'd better get an e-fit.
See if anyone else around here knows him.
Homeless people are usually quite territorial.
If he does exist, he may have seen something.
We could use a witness on anything.
She left here, if she left here, at about four o'clock.
She'd have gone that way.
Whether she was heading to Alex's or her mum's surgery.
If I wanted to keep an eye on the street and not be noticed, I might just start there.
A footprint, sir.
Boots, by the look of it.
They could be quite recent.
You're right, Havers.
Look at this.
A clear view of Damien Chambers' flat.
I think we need to get SOCO over here.
Get the papers.
See if Eve Bowen was right and they are out to get her.
Maybe Eve wasn't so paranoid after all.
Pretty heartless dragging her politics into this.
No wonder she didn't have time to be a mum.
She's too busy fighting for the underdogs.
That is tough competition for a kid.
You can't complain when your mum's being a saint.
Do you think she resented it? Wouldn't you? Don't forget to check out the friend, Brita.
The success of politicians clocks up a few enemies.
The asylum centre proposal gets coverage in all of them.
This MP, Alistair Harvie I've got him.
Particularly vitriolic.
According to this, her proposal threatens his political survival.
Eve's secret love child would be a godsend to him.
How can you play God with my daughter's life? You're upset.
It's understandable.
"Understandable?" You, my friend, don't understand! This is the great Dennis Luxford's kingdom.
Careful or you'll get in the gossip columns.
You make me sick! All that pious crap about family values? You've ruined mine! Mr Stone, that's enough.
Get off me! Tell him to get off.
Are you all right, sir? Get off! Back to your work places.
ALEX: I'm leaving! I'm DI Lynley.
We spoke earlier.
I've come for the ransom tape.
ALEX: Get off me! I bet this livened up the office day.
Yes.
The only surprise is, it doesn't happen more often.
Really? Not a popular bloke, then, is your boss? You don't get to the top without making enemies.
It must be a buzz, having all that power.
He strolls in here reeking of dinners with the great and the good.
The chairman thinks the sun shines out of his backside.
You been here long yourself? 20 years, man and boy.
What's this all about, then? There's dirt under his shiny fingernails? Would you be surprised? What do you think? CHARLOTTE ON TAPE: He says you know what story to tell.
It's dark here.
Even when it's light.
And there's birds.
And no-one else has touched this? No.
What will you do with it? Analysis may help pinpoint the location.
Excuse me.
Why kill her before I could possibly publish? The ransom demand could be a cover for something else.
A smoke screen of some sort.
We don't really have any answers yet.
Anything's possible.
And we will need a set of your prints, and a sample of your handwriting.
How did they meet? At a party conference.
Who else was at that conference? Who noticed what went on between them and didn't like it? Who bears a grudge against them? There's no shortage of grudges.
I found one in the office.
Luxford's deputy, Rodney Aronson.
He hates him.
Check him out, then.
I need to talk to Luxford at home.
See what really went on between him and Eve.
I'll take a close look at Helen's file.
See what else there is.
Have you spoken to her since? I want you to go to Buckinghamshire.
Kick 'em into life.
What? Just me? The autopsy's not till tomorrow.
Still, should tell us something.
Get the incident room running.
I get to be in charge of more than choosing sandwiches? Do you think you can cope? Yeah.
See.
Tea with us isn't that terrible after all.
Maybe you could come home early more often.
What do you think? Yes, what is it? I'm sorry to disturb you, sir.
I had a brief affair with Eve Bowen.
And I mean brief.
It lasted the length of a conference.
She was a delegate.
I was a columnist.
Political differences didn't keep you apart? Look, conferences are hotbeds of sexual tension.
Call it the attraction of opposites.
When she got pregnant, I offered to do the decent thing.
You asked her to marry you? I offered to pay for a termination.
I was already seeing Fiona, my wife.
Not that I thought she'd be my wife.
Too beautiful.
Too young.
Sorry.
Leo just wanted to say goodbye.
He's off to art class.
Goodbye, Daddy.
See you later.
Be good.
Who are the newspapers savaging tomorrow? Fiona! It's all right.
I know my place.
Eve made it clear she intended to keep the baby.
She wanted me to have no contact at all.
And have you? No.
I've only seen her in the happy family photos released by the Labour Party.
And I pay a monthly amount into an account for her.
Eve's never been near it.
Blood money, she'd call it.
It sounds ridiculous, but the fact of it has always made me feel better.
Rather like the medieval Church letting people buy redemption.
An indulgence.
Something like that.
Who else knew that you were Charlotte's father? Absolutely nobody.
How about your wife? Especially not my wife.
Helen.
Helen.
Hi.
Are you all right? Can I get you anything? I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have been so hard on you.
I know you're feeling terrible about it.
Don't give me "I'm the nicest bloke in the world".
It's more than I can bear.
It wasn't your fault.
I appreciate you coming over.
Thanks for the effort, but I think I want to be on my own just now.
Right.
Sorry.
No, I'm sorry.
Sorry about everything.
DOOR BELL RINGS Police! Don't move! I said, "Don't move!" My ID, in my pocket.
Yeah, right? Police.
What? Can I get up? What the hell were you doing? Seeing whose car it was.
You stay down! Now turn around slowly.
Did you hear what I said? I'm Detective Constable Robin Payne.
You're standing on my hand.
Sorry.
It explains why you're in the Met and I'm not.
How long have you been there? About six years.
You don't look old enough.
I only made DC nine months ago.
I was in computers before.
Nine months? So, this is pretty much your first case? First murder, for sure.
It's not murder yet.
Suspicious death.
Right, yes.
Sorry.
Sergeant Stanley's put out that you've been sent to head things.
Well, let's just get started, then.
Any clothing with the body? Not a stitch.
She wore a school uniform and had a flute.
Prior to her death, she was near heavy machinery.
How's that? There's grease embedded under her fingernails.
She might have been held on a farm.
Sergeant Stanley thinks so.
You don't agree? Not really, sir.
Sorry.
Ma'am.
Guv.
"Barbara" will do.
Right.
We've got sewage works, we've got reservoir pumps, corn mills, sawmills.
You think the sergeant has rushed to conclusions.
Maybe.
OK.
Thanks.
I'll bear it in mind.
Anything else? If not, I'll get to my digs.
Ah.
Your digs.
The thing is, we thought you'd be older.
It doesn't look like an old folks' home.
No, it's mine.
Yours? Don't get me wrong.
It's not just mine.
It's my mum's.
It's a proper bed and breakfast.
There's no real hotel in Wootton Cross, but if you mind No.
Here's fine.
I said to Sam, it's shocking the hours they make you keep.
What happened? It's OK.
ROBIN: It's nothing.
Mum, this is Detective Sergeant Havers.
A woman.
Nice to meet you.
Don't bother yourself, Mum.
I'll see her up to her room.
Welcome to Lark's Haven, Miss Havers.
It is "Miss", is it? Mum.
It's all right.
.
.
Yeah.
But, actually, I prefer "sergeant".
Hi.
Everything all right? Er It's lovely.
Thanks.
I can't stand it myself.
Mum's just finished redecorating with Sam her fiance, God help us.
You don't like him? He's OK, as far as he goes.
Which isn't very.
But it's great for Mum, so Anyway, I won't have to look out for her so much.
She's asthmatic.
Fragile.
That's why I've stayed at home.
She never had anyone else.
I know how it looks.
All very Norman Bates.
No, I understand.
It's a huge responsibility having a sick parent.
Anyway, erthanks.
Oh, and I hope your er heals OK.
Remind me not to upset you in the future.
PHONE RINGS Lynley.
Helen.
You can't sneak out on me.
No? Well, it's your flat.
Ah, yes.
What's the matter? Nothing.
Pretty intense "nothing".
Do you think this makes it all better? No.
But it helps.
Then why do I feel so sad? POLICEMAN: Morning, sir.
I guess whoever it was wasn't interested in us finding his prints.
They were wearing gloves.
Bag it.
Anything else? Oh, yeah.
This.
Is this from the music teacher's description? It's not much to go on.
I want it seen by everyone, businesses and residents, between Bowen's house and Chambers' flat.
Officer.
That man with Chambers? Look familiar? I dunno.
Maybe.
Big politician.
Find out who it is.
See if there's any connection at all between him and Luxford or Bowen.
Yes, sir.
Why aren't we doing follow-ups? Because we're not.
It's a dream.
We couldn't have invented it better.
Someone will find who the father is and it'll be the story of the year.
It won't be us, because in your wisdom, we haven't got a single person on it.
Get out! Washer-woman change to feet and hands.
A healing abrasion on the left knee.
No obvious sign of trauma.
Sorry.
That's all right.
You gave me a fright.
I'm stalking you, ma'am.
The pathologist might have something.
Oh, decided to join us? London's waiting to hear from me.
So, if you don't mind.
No sign of foam in the airways.
Or petechial haemorrhages.
No diatoms in the bone marrow.
She didn't have an active circulation when she went into the water.
She didn't drown.
So, how did she die? There's no sign of trauma.
Suffocation? Could he have smothered her? Nothing to indicate asphyxia.
No injury to the mouth.
Drugs then? That's what toxicology's for.
Fast-track the results, then.
We're checking every farm outbuilding and any industrial outlets with heavy machinery.
No, it was DC Payne's idea, actually.
Any joy with Alistair Harvie? Just a second, sir.
Sorry to interrupt, and it may not be of any use, but he's the local MP, right? The canal runs through his farmland.
Did you get that, sir? Yeah, that's DC Payne.
Yeah, he's been very helpful, yeah.
That gives Alistair Harvie opportunity and motive.
And possibly access to Eve's secret.
Yeah.
I'll follow it up this end.
OK.
Bye.
Would you mind taking me through the current thinking? ErOK.
At first we were checking the background on the music teacher.
His story on the homeless man in the street.
Moved on by an officer? According to a shopkeeper.
He's worth finding.
He might have seen something.
There's Luxford's deputy, Rodney Aronson.
He's clever.
And very resentful.
You think he's capable of Yeah, maybe.
There's the mum and stepfather.
We hope to get more out of Alex Stone.
Family members are often the thing.
Yeah.
At a push, even Luxford's wife has a motive.
She might have found out about Charlotte.
Thanks for this, Barbara.
This is such an opportunity for me.
Alistair Harvie.
DI Lynley.
Could I have a word? Absolutely not.
It's about the death of Eve Bowen's daughter.
It's hardly convenient.
Her body was found in a canal on your property in Buckinghamshire.
Obviously, what's happened to her is a tragedy.
But? But it's no secret I don't like her brand of bleeding-heart politics.
You made some poisonous comments.
I object to her turning lost causes into career opportunities.
Like her plans for a new asylum centre.
Damn right.
It's in the middle of my constituency.
You might lose your small majority at the election.
I wouldn't expect you to understand.
But I love my constituency.
It's not just a political demarcation to me.
It's my home.
I grew up and went to school there.
Own land there.
What's your point? Were you at the conference ten years ago? There's suddenly a lot of interest in that conference.
Hello! He's done all right for himself, Alistair Harvie.
Posh schooling, posh life.
It's quiet, isn't it? They're pecking at me.
Give me gang warfare any time.
Come on.
I've got stuff to do later.
Inspector, any new information? Try and get a shot, Charlie.
Any fresh leads, sir? I wanted your husband.
They told me at the restaurant he wouldn't be in.
That's hardly surprising.
No.
Alex is in the kitchen.
I'm upstairs in the office.
We don't seem to be able to We're both used to being so busy.
I can imagine.
I don't suppose relationships are compatible with your job, either.
What can I do? I can work.
What else is there? Alex.
Mr Stone, I need to know more about Charlotte's friends.
Well, she never had very many.
That's not true.
They were hard to keep track of.
You know how it is, one day on, the next day off.
Keep track? Can you even name one? OK.
So, I wasn't there every day when she came home and maybe I didn't know about every tiny detail of her life but she understood why and she wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
And what makes you so sure? She told me, Alex.
She told me.
She knew that I loved her.
I loved her and she understood that we have a responsibility beyond ourselves.
She felt it as strongly as I do.
- Those who have a voice - Owe it to those who have not.
There was a girl called Brita.
I hope you haven't been looking for her.
If this is the best the Met can do, then you haven't a hope of finding the killer.
Brita was Lottie's imaginary friend.
She doesn't exist.
Excuse me.
You know what attracted me to Eve? This will make you laugh.
Her self-control.
Was Charlotte a complication? A complication! She was the big bonus.
You have no children of your own.
It just didn't happen.
Our careers took off and Look I'm proud of bringing Charlotte up.
I loved her to bits.
Let's hope you're onto something with Harvie.
The music teacher's clean.
We can't connect Eve or Dennis to him or his boyfriend.
That's who the other man was.
The nervousness? Protection.
His boyfriend runs some big fund in the city.
Got to go.
Any connection with Buckinghamshire? In what way? Personal or professional? A story you may have written that upset someone? Well, I did go to school there.
Barristoke.
I'm all over the place.
Leo and Fiona should be home.
And I had a few battles at the office PHONE RINGS Luxford.
Leo, where are you? Just tell me where you Are you all right? God damn it, Leo, I Mr Luxford? He said, "You're to run the story on page one, Daddy, then he'll let me go.
" I'm so glad you're here.
I can't find Leo.
What is it? What's going on? I need an observation team, a complete search of the area and technical surveillance.
Sorry, sir.
If I'd have found the kidnapper, this would never have happened.
I'm sorry.
We've all messed up.
Oh, I got you a tea.
I don't know how warm it is, but it's wet.
Thank you.
So, what have we got, then? They fast-tracked the toxicology.
She was drugged, riddled with diazepam.
Valium? So, whoever killed Charlotte has got Leo.
Leo's being taken means Luxford is the target.
What I don't understand is, why was she killed before the deadline, before he could publish the story? Maybe it was a mistake.
Maybe he didn't mean to kill her so soon and he's taken Leo as a back-up plan.
It's entirely possible.
I've got someone on Luxford's deputy, checking his alibi.
What about Luxford's wife? I think we can rule her out.
We should go to Barristoke School.
It's Luxford's only connection.
What about Alistair Harvie? Where are we with that? MOBILE RINGS Hello? Yeah.
Be right there.
Wootton Cross.
They've got someone.
I'll follow.
Howard Short, a mechanic, had Charlotte's uniform.
DC Payne.
DS Stanley's on his way.
DI Lynley.
Are you the arresting officer? No, I didn't get back till now.
Anything else? Classic.
A loner.
Not too bright.
Works from a lock-up.
The important thing is, the grease from the garage matches that under her nails.
Do yourself a favour.
Tell us what you did with her.
I didn't do anything.
I'm not a patient man, Howard, but we'll talk to everyone and find out everything.
Why did you take her? I didn't.
Did you keep her in the garage? What have you got against Luxford? Why did you kill Charlotte before we could publish? I never seen her.
I saw it on telly but I never seen her.
I only got her uniform.
Is that the best you can do? Talk to us, Howard.
It will be better for you if you do.
You don't want two dead kids on your hands.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Sergeant.
He's messing us around.
Just a few minutes, please, sir.
DS Havers is concerned for you.
Personally, I only care about finding the boy.
I thought it was a girl.
OK.
OK, Howard.
Tell us where you got the uniform.
At the jumble stall.
I've been trying to tell them.
I'm listening.
Church fete.
They were selling bags of rags, £1.
50 each.
Who was? Celia.
Celia Matheson.
Well, I don't think it was him.
Me, neither.
He's not exactly well-connected in the media world.
This Celia from the rag stall, she works in the high street.
We could find her.
At 7.
30? Nothing's open.
What if he's hidden nearby? Right behind one of these doors.
You look at all this and Well, it seems impossible that such a horrible thing What if we can't get to him, sir? We will.
You need some sleep.
It's been a long night.
No, thanks, I'm all right.
Where to? Barristoke School will be open.
How close is it? Well, back on home ground, sir.
Forrester! See me in my office after assembly.
KNOCKING I'm not dealing with anything till 9.
00! Sorry to interrupt.
I wonder if you could help us.
You're too early, the tour for parents starts at 9.
30.
Come back in an hour.
I'm DI Lynley, this is DS Havers.
We are I'm getting her a cup of tea.
You look like you could do with one.
Don't they stretch to a cuppa in the force? She's all yours.
I'm going to look round the grounds.
I've seen them come and go over the years.
All you can be sure of is, you can never tell who'll come out on top.
Not so different from the real world.
I think it is.
This lot has everything on a plate.
Do you want a biscuit? Er No thanks.
Course, that doesn't stop them behaving like animals.
Far from it.
The scandals we've had here, Barbara.
They'd fill a few newspapers.
We're here about that little girl in the canal.
Oh, yes.
Poor lamb.
Yeah.
She was the daughter of one of your old boys.
Dennis Luxford.
He was here over 30 years ago.
I know him.
He was here a month ago.
Did the tour for his son.
KNOCKING Well, um Thank you very much.
You've been most helpful.
And a nice cup of tea, too.
Talking of scandals, one of the biggest was while he was at the school, Luxford.
A group of lads were caught enjoying the company of a local girl for a couple of quid a throw.
I thought I'd never get out.
Get the POLSA team as a matter of priority.
These grounds are full of possible hiding places.
Ah, here we are.
Look.
Dennis Luxford.
He hasn't changed much.
Look who's next to him.
Alistair Harvie.
Exactly how well do Luxford and Harvie know each other? I have to go to London to find out.
Get out there and talk to people about that rag stall.
Robbie, at last.
Oh, it's you.
Keeping Robbie out is not good for him.
I don't think This is Celia, Robin's fiancee.
I'm Barbara Havers.
Right.
Barbara, I think I've found something.
Hi, Mum, Celia.
Coming? Yeah.
Look.
There.
I drove around all night.
I was thinking where I'd stash someone, and then I saw it.
I think someone's been here recently.
A kid's pencil.
So, what did he say, the boss of bosses? He was kind enough, but I'm a liability.
They'll keep me for a while, so's not to look callous.
But they'll announce my being dropped from the Cabinet after the conference.
It's all over for me.
They're for Charlotte.
For the funeral.
Dungarees were her favourites.
She's the reason you stayed, isn't she? She was easy to love, Eve, and she was there.
Anyway, who else would have helped her with her homework? It's definitely the windmill from the photograph.
I'm pretty sure it's where she was held.
There's no sign of Leo.
Oh! Sorry, sir.
Yeah, SOCO are on their way.
Inspector, the substance from the squat has been identified as Valium.
Valium? Here's a report.
Also, the man from the e-fit has been questioned.
So, Chambers' story checks out.
The bloke WAS in the street.
It's a regular spot of his.
He noticed nothing unusual.
But he's so out of it he wouldn't notice Armageddon.
There's no report of him being moved on.
That's a bit odd.
Why would the policeman have not reported it? Find out who it is.
I want to talk to him.
Mr Aronson.
Bringing comfort? Papers for Mr Luxford to sign.
The news stops for no man, or child, come to that.
Thoughtful of you to bring it.
Well, you've got to, haven't you? It's a terrible thing.
Tell me, how does a newspaper function without its editor? An interim editor takes over.
That wouldn't be you, would it? As a matter of fact, it would.
Please, go and get some rest.
Keep your strength up for both of us.
Leo will be released straightaway? Now the story's been published.
Darling, you'll only be upstairs.
Please.
This is destroying her.
How did she react to Charlotte being your daughter? It was a blow, obviously, the idea that I'd kept secrets from her.
I just hope she'll forgive me in time.
PHONE RINGS Hello? Leo, are you all right? What? I don't understand.
I did publish the story, on the front page.
Get a trace? No, it's probably a mobile.
Unregistered, I'm sure.
Get a lock on a transmitter.
I heard the phone ring.
Is he all right? It was in the paper! Sure there isn't some detail you overlooked? As sure as I can be.
Then it can't be the right story.
Recognise him? Howard? I was at school with him.
You ran the rag stall at the jumble sale.
Did you see him there? Yes, he came with his gran.
He always does.
Did he buy or bring anything? No idea.
Stuff arrives from all over, mostly bagged up.
I can't keep track of where each bag came from.
Was he hanging around? Howard may be a misfit, but he's not a murderer.
You know, I wondered about it at first, but I've worked it out.
What? When Robin came back, I couldn't work out why things were different between us.
We were everything to each other.
Then all of a sudden we were nothing.
CID's tough.
Don't take it to heart if he's preoccupied.
It goes with the job.
When you turned up, that's when things started, isn't it? Things? You think that Rob and I Forget it, Celia, there is nothing between me and Robbie.
He didn't notice me at first.
He was busy working.
Looking after Corinne.
But I waited.
And then he saw me.
You've got it wrong.
But I'm sorry, I haven't time for this.
I want to make you understand.
I don't want to lose him now.
The story in the papers wasn't what the kidnapper wanted.
There's another story.
He said I'd got it wrong.
I have to write it correctly tomorrow or he'll kill Leo.
I don't know what he means.
The story about your first-born.
That's what you wrote.
What else can I do? I'm so sorry, Dennis.
Yes.
Me, too.
Charlotte wasn't the first-born at all.
There's another child.
No.
Impossible.
You have another child.
That is the explanation.
Someone knows who it is.
I know what's going on, Barbara.
I'm not stupid.
I know exactly what you're getting up to with Robin.
You've got it wrong, whatever Celia thinks.
She thinks you're stealing him but I'm not going to let you.
I am sorry you're upset.
I only came back for my things.
It's not a good idea that I stay.
If you think that by moving out SHE WHEEZES Mrs Payne? Mrs Payne, are you all right? Have you got an inhaler? The kitchen.
Mum! How long has she been like this? It just happened.
It's all right, Mum, I'm here now.
No trace of the policeman who cleared the vagrant.
Someone dressed up? One from a different beat? Then why would he be in uniform? I don't know! But every question is worth asking or we'll have another dead child.
What are you waiting for? You look tired.
You're on your way out.
Yeah.
Look, I won't keep you.
Can I ask you to let me know if you get any news? OK? Helen.
Can we talk? I'll just be a minute.
Bear with me.
Don't, Helen.
Even if you'd done everything by the book, Charlotte still wouldn't have survived.
She was dead before you even started.
What is it? Look at that writing.
I'm right, aren't I? So who would have written on the back of the photo? Whoever's on the case locally.
Normally the DC Payne.
Robin Payne.
What are you doing? Oh, I couldn't find her inhaler.
It's OK, I'll do that.
How is she? These attacks take it out of her.
I've given her pills.
She'll be fine.
What brought it on? Well, she was upset when I came in.
She seems to have got the wrong idea about She thinks something's going on between you and me.
Ridiculous, I know, but I think it's best if I clear out.
You can't go.
It's not ridiculous.
Robin, it's It's your boss.
Hello? Yes, sir, I'm fine.
Of course, but I see.
Well, that is news, isn't it? Have you checked every angle? OK.
Yep.
Yeah, of course.
That's fine.
Yeah, will do.
Bye.
Got something? Yeah, they think so, anyway.
What about your mum? She'll be out for hours.
Those pills really do the trick.
Look, can we just um .
.
slow things down a bit? I haven't slept in two days.
Yeah, of course.
Take a couple of Mum's pills.
You'll sleep like a log.
Sergeant Havers is there.
I'm on my way.
Get the local force.
I want some back-up out there.
There you go.
This will sort you out.
Sweet dreams.
You're telling me they're how far away? I don't want any excuses.
Look, just get a patrol car to DC Payne's house now.
Barbara.
Barbara? Are you asleep? I still can't get through to her.
No answer, sir.
How long have you tried? Since we got here.
Stand back.
Hello.
Hello.
Helen.
Valium.
Mrs Payne, we need to talk to you.
Where's your son, Mrs Payne? Robbie's so good to me.
My little man Mrs Payne! She's completely out of it.
I'll look around.
You look in there.
Mrs Payne.
Mrs Payne, who is this? Is this Robin's father? Tell me.
A boy's life is at stake.
I don't know.
It could be.
I was very popular.
The boys liked me a lot, especially the posh boys.
Then I got pregnant with Robbie.
Then he kept asking me, "Who's my dad?" Never stopped asking me.
I thought it was very nice for Robbie to think his dad was someone really big.
Someone successful.
Will you stay with her? Yeah.
Where are you going? I can't just sit and wait.
I want every man out there searching.
No, I don't want to.
I don't want to.
I don't like it.
Come on, be a good boy.
Barbara! Drop it, Robin.
Leave him alone.
Run, Leo! RUN! I'm arresting you for the kidnap of Argh! It was easy taking her.
Both of them.
If they can't trust a copper, who can they trust? Why are you doing this? He never gave my mum anything.
Not anything! What kind of a man abandons a young girl and her baby? He's not fit to be a father! Who the hell does he think he is? So much better than everyone else! But why Charlotte? She never did anything to you.
I only gave her Valium to keep her calm, to make her less scared.
I didn't mean to kill her.
Luxford couldn't acknowledge you.
He didn't know about you, that's why.
Is that what he told you? Of course he knew.
My mum and he were together.
She told me.
Why should that kid get everything? Why should he? Robbie, listen to me.
You were such a nice guy.
You had everything going for you.
I know it's been tough for you and your mum.
I know that you're angry at it all, but .
.
you must know that this is going to end badly for you.
It's such a waste.
You liked me, didn't you? Yeah.
I did.
And you do understand, don't you? No, I don't.
Urgh! Run, Leo, run! I used all my spare time going to London.
It wasn't difficult finding stuff out.
I knew everything about him from the Net.
I hacked into his accounts.
Saw the money go to the little girl.
Why should she get all that and me and my mum get nothing? You wanted your daddy to show you that he loved you.
Is that why Charlotte Bowen died? Luxford's got a big showy life.
In your face, all the time.
It was weird when I first saw him.
I waited for him at work and followed him.
That's my dad, I thought.
If you were so keen to find him, why not just introduce yourself? I don't know.
At first I thought I would.
Then I saw how he lived.
His house, his car.
His life.
And then I didn't want to meet him.
I wanted him to be sorry for how he treated us, me and my mum.
Charlotte.
How did you find her? I got myself a little fiancee.
Have you got one? If you're so clever, find out for yourself.
She works in a bank, mine.
Handy, that.
All those computers.
Now, Barbarashe thought she was on for a moment, didn't she? She even tried to tell me Luxford didn't know I existed.
She was right.
He didn't.
In fact, according to your mum, he was one of any number of men who could've been your father.
Alex! Alex.
Sure you don't want the doctor? You did good today.
It really will be tea with the Queen next.
If it's all the same, I'd rather not.
She'll be disappointed.
I've got friends of my own.
The interrupted date? Oh, yeah.
His mother will never understand how dangerous that lie about Luxford was.
It's not easy, facing up to your mistakes.
Helen, you do know you're not responsible for what happened.
Charlotte might have been found in time.
If I'd been in your position I don't know what I'd have done.
The right thing.
Why do you say that? I can't win.
It's not a competition.
I know that.
What are we doing, Tommy? One minute I think I understand what's going on I've been clear from the beginning.
Of course YOU have.
Stupid me doesn't get it.
It's obvious.
Not to me! Life would be a lot simpler if you just let it happen.
Look, Helen, you worry too much.
You can't second-guess life.
You just have to live it.
I know that! Then why don't you? Loving you makes me happier than I've ever been.
It's not about loving each other.
I know we do.
I'm terrified of finding it.
Believing in it, and losing it again.
There are no guarantees.
Just stay as close as you can to what makes you happy.
But it's so painful, Tommy, being so close.
Then let's just get closer.
What are you doing this weekend? II don't know.
If you're free, I think we should get married.
What do you think? Life without you seems pointless.
You don't have to say anything straightaway.
If you're not free, what about next weekend? DOOR OPENS
You have no support.
You'll destroy your career.
The Asylum Centre poses no threat to your constituents or anybody else.
A few families maybe.
But 3,000 people? There's no way it can happen! Since when did you start making speeches for the Opposition? Home Office.
Can I ask who's calling? One moment, please.
It's Dennis Luxford.
He must want more on the asylum story.
Publish what you like.
I've issued my statement and will make no further comment.
Helen Clyde.
Dennis.
How's the heady world of newspapers? I er I need your help.
Helen, I don't know what to do.
As long as there is the smallest danger to her, tell the police.
On the tape, Charlotte says he'll hurt her if we do.
She says if I don't publish in three days' time Kidnappers always threaten damage.
The police are experienced at this.
This is not a normal kidnapping.
He doesn't want money.
Look, he's given us three days, right? Please, just help me work out who would do this.
Who knows that Charlotte is your daughter? Nobody.
I agreed from the start.
That's the point.
I was pretty surprised.
You and a radical left-winger.
"Surprised?" Or horrified? Surprised.
But I can't speak for your readers.
Are you prepared to publish the story? Whatever it takes to get her back.
Eve.
Thank God.
Where is Charlotte? Who the hell is this? This is Helen Clyde, a profiler.
Works for the Met.
We agreed, no police.
She's a friend.
She's going to help us privately.
This is a trap, isn't it? You set it up to ruin me.
What? It won't work.
Give her back to me.
Why would Dennis kidnap your daughter? Have you seen the papers? They've been after me for weeks.
If this love-child story breaks, me consorting with the enemy, I can see the papers.
I'd be levered out of the party.
He could publish the story any time.
You have got to go to the police.
What if she's killed? You find her and bring her back to me, please.
I'll work on it overnight.
But you go to the police in the morning.
It was handwritten, so no ink check.
And no stamps, so we can't do a DNA trace.
They knew what to avoid.
Yeah.
Thanks for your help.
OK.
Since I'm taking my life in my hands and may not survive dinner, why not have real coffee in the morning? I'm so sorry, Tommy.
Normally, the chef would apologise after the meal, not before.
I meant to call.
I didn't realise it was late.
Good news.
You're not cooking.
I can't.
I know but you can experiment on me.
I don't mean that.
I've got this case on and And I think it's going to be an all-nighter.
I'm sorry.
That's OK.
I'll cook and you can tell me about it.
We've done it before.
That would be great, my love, but I have to power through on my own.
Try me.
I might grasp it.
I just can't.
OK.
Well, you'd better get on.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Thanks.
I'll make it up to you, I promise.
We've tried to talk to you about this a thousand times.
It's OK, Mummy.
No, it's not OK, darling.
It's not your decision to make! It's not your life we're talking about.
It's Leo's! We won't discuss this any more.
He goes to Barristoke.
I'll die before he goes to boarding school.
I know you think all he needs is his mother.
He needs children his own age.
It's time he was more independent.
It's time you both were.
That's OK.
I'll go.
Are you listening, Dennis? .
.
mixed-race parentage.
TV: Police believe the girl is not local, and appeal for anyone to come forward who may have seen her or can help identify her.
The incident has shocked the community, deep in the heart of an affluent rural area.
The vicar of Wootton Cross expressed the sadness of the whole community.
Police.
I'd like a number 14, please.
And what's your Yeah.
22.
Thanks.
Lynley.
Right.
Where was the body found? I'll be there.
Sorry, I've got to cancel the order.
Sorry.
Hey, it's me.
Are you busy? Hang on, Havers! Oi, you little Don't sound so surprised.
I have got a life, you know.
It's the Nile.
That's the longest? Are you sure? Yeah.
Yeah, I suppose I can change my plans.
I'll be forgiven in the end.
OK, bye.
I'll take you home to your dad and stop him sending you to school.
Hi.
Know what this is about? Nope.
Hot date? Very.
You? Actually, no.
She stood me up.
For work.
I was very understanding.
Ah, you're such a great boyfriend, sir.
Are you ready to make a statement? Our deepest sympathies.
Do you have any leads as to the suspects? Back off and leave us alone! Eve Bowen is a government minister.
How could she be so stupid? Why didn't she report her daughter being kidnapped? People don't think straight.
Emotions get in the way.
How long before forensics? Tomorrow.
Lunchtime at best.
Let's see what the ransom notes tell us.
Anything else? Yeah.
Get some sleep.
Yes, sir.
I've never met a government minister before.
It'll be tea with the queen next.
Right, ergood night, sir.
Good night, Havers.
Hi.
Five-star dinner, I see.
You know me.
Only the best.
Good to see you.
News from elsewhere.
I'm not stalking you.
Hillier called me in on a case.
And now I need to see a sane and friendly face.
I can't guarantee sane.
You'll do.
This case Hillier's put me on I thought I'd heard everything.
I know what you mean.
Just when you think nothing can surprise you, bam, up pops another horrible facet of humanity.
Quite.
Am I allowed to ask how yours is going? Oh.
You know.
All right.
Actually, no, not very well at all.
But I'm glad we're still talking.
Does that mean you've forgiven me? What for? Helping me escape the fear of having a meal cooked by you? Actually, come to think of it, you should be thanking me.
If you were in the public eye, and you had a young daughter who went missing, and then you received a ransom note telling you not to contact the police, would you risk her life by not reporting it? And then hire some pseudo private investigator to go and find the kidnapper? What kind of person would? I don't know.
And now the girl is dead and we mop up the mess.
She's dead? Helen, don't tell me.
II don't understand.
They said three days.
How could you? Dennis has been my brother's best friend since school.
One of the family.
I've known him all my life.
I've never seen him in such a state.
I had to do something! They were terrified and wouldn't go to the police.
There is no excuse! I said I'd work on it overnight.
And you didn't tell me? If you can't trust me, what does that say about us? It's not about us.
Are you hiding any other secrets? Don't do this.
Please don't.
So, find anything out? It's almost certainly an intimate of either his or Eve's.
With no demand for money, it's obviously some kind of grudge.
This has taken you all night? Both parents insist nobody knew Dennis was Charlotte's father.
Not even Charlotte herself.
It's somebody who knew their secret.
Thanks for filling me in.
Tommy.
I er I don't trust anybody, Inspector.
I've learned the hard way.
There's no such thing as loyalty.
The kidnapping would have been made public and I was sure that it was a trap set for me.
You must have been.
I was.
Do you think I would have risked Charlotte's life for a minute? It must be terrible for you.
I'm so sorry.
The press had been gunning for me for weeks and I was exhausted.
And when the news came about Charlotte, I couldn't think straight.
I guess you must get out of the habit of having personal feelings.
Being a politician.
Scotland Yard? About time.
Are you OK? Did you take a pill? The doctor said it would help.
My husband, Alex Stone.
I've never taken tranquillisers.
I'm not starting now.
Come on.
What do you need to know? Let's get on with it.
We need to know Charlotte's last movements before she disappeared on Monday afternoon.
Yes, um She left school and went to her flute lesson as usual.
She left there at the usual time.
But she didn't Who took her to the lesson? ALEX: She went on her own.
She was a sensible girl.
It was all within easy walking distance.
What time did you realise she was missing? Dennis called me.
When I came home in the evening, I found that awful note.
I wanted to go to the police, but I only run a restaurant, not the country.
And Eve was very clear about how you lot are tight with the press.
ANSWER PHONE: Hi, it's John Evans from the Post.
I was wondering if you'd decided about that article.
They've half killed her, you know.
It's been a living hell! Why can't they leave us alone? I'm sorry.
We need to have the note.
And samples of both your handwriting.
Yes.
One last thing.
Who else knew, or could have found out, Dennis Luxford was Charlotte's biological father? I knew.
"If you want to know about Charlotte, ask her father.
" Or her music teacher.
Or her stepfather.
Very edgy.
We should make sure he was at the restaurant.
He was close to Charlotte.
The question is, how close? If it wasn't for your "important" career and self-obsession, Charlotte would be alive! How can you say that? She'd be OK, if you weren't an MP.
But I am! That is who I am! - If we'd called the police - He said he'd kill her.
Dennis and I agreed not to go to the police.
Is this the same Dennis that never saw his daughter once? - Alex, please.
- You're unbelievable! DOOR SLAMS Here.
Sorry.
I haven't got much room and I don't entertain much.
That's fine.
I feel terrible.
Charlotte's a great girl.
So, do you know what happened to her? No.
Look, she was my friend.
We had fun.
I looked forward to our lessons, actually.
You didn't do much music.
What else did you do? Talking.
Don't get me wrong.
We did the flute as well.
Though her parents wouldn't have noticed.
Did she mind about that? I don't think so.
She adored them both.
She was really clever.
She could make me laugh more than anyone.
Did she talk about her friends? She didn't have many.
There was Brita.
She waited for Charlotte sometimes.
Brita? Do you have a surname? What was she like? She never came up.
A bit of a wild one.
Anything unusual about Monday? No.
Any odd activity in the street? Did you see people hanging around? I keep myself to myself.
I'd just like to have a look around.
I'd rather you didn't.
Well, I can get a search warrant.
It's just a mess everywhere.
I wouldn't worry.
However bad it is, DS Havers has seen worse.
I won't be long.
Find anything interesting? No, not really.
Though he had lots of designer suits.
Excuse me.
Now I come to think of it, there was something.
There was an old guy walking the street.
I thought he was looking in the bins, but every time I looked, he was still there.
Thanks.
We'll send someone to take your statement.
No problem.
Do you believe that? No, not really.
Still, we'd better get an e-fit.
See if anyone else around here knows him.
Homeless people are usually quite territorial.
If he does exist, he may have seen something.
We could use a witness on anything.
She left here, if she left here, at about four o'clock.
She'd have gone that way.
Whether she was heading to Alex's or her mum's surgery.
If I wanted to keep an eye on the street and not be noticed, I might just start there.
A footprint, sir.
Boots, by the look of it.
They could be quite recent.
You're right, Havers.
Look at this.
A clear view of Damien Chambers' flat.
I think we need to get SOCO over here.
Get the papers.
See if Eve Bowen was right and they are out to get her.
Maybe Eve wasn't so paranoid after all.
Pretty heartless dragging her politics into this.
No wonder she didn't have time to be a mum.
She's too busy fighting for the underdogs.
That is tough competition for a kid.
You can't complain when your mum's being a saint.
Do you think she resented it? Wouldn't you? Don't forget to check out the friend, Brita.
The success of politicians clocks up a few enemies.
The asylum centre proposal gets coverage in all of them.
This MP, Alistair Harvie I've got him.
Particularly vitriolic.
According to this, her proposal threatens his political survival.
Eve's secret love child would be a godsend to him.
How can you play God with my daughter's life? You're upset.
It's understandable.
"Understandable?" You, my friend, don't understand! This is the great Dennis Luxford's kingdom.
Careful or you'll get in the gossip columns.
You make me sick! All that pious crap about family values? You've ruined mine! Mr Stone, that's enough.
Get off me! Tell him to get off.
Are you all right, sir? Get off! Back to your work places.
ALEX: I'm leaving! I'm DI Lynley.
We spoke earlier.
I've come for the ransom tape.
ALEX: Get off me! I bet this livened up the office day.
Yes.
The only surprise is, it doesn't happen more often.
Really? Not a popular bloke, then, is your boss? You don't get to the top without making enemies.
It must be a buzz, having all that power.
He strolls in here reeking of dinners with the great and the good.
The chairman thinks the sun shines out of his backside.
You been here long yourself? 20 years, man and boy.
What's this all about, then? There's dirt under his shiny fingernails? Would you be surprised? What do you think? CHARLOTTE ON TAPE: He says you know what story to tell.
It's dark here.
Even when it's light.
And there's birds.
And no-one else has touched this? No.
What will you do with it? Analysis may help pinpoint the location.
Excuse me.
Why kill her before I could possibly publish? The ransom demand could be a cover for something else.
A smoke screen of some sort.
We don't really have any answers yet.
Anything's possible.
And we will need a set of your prints, and a sample of your handwriting.
How did they meet? At a party conference.
Who else was at that conference? Who noticed what went on between them and didn't like it? Who bears a grudge against them? There's no shortage of grudges.
I found one in the office.
Luxford's deputy, Rodney Aronson.
He hates him.
Check him out, then.
I need to talk to Luxford at home.
See what really went on between him and Eve.
I'll take a close look at Helen's file.
See what else there is.
Have you spoken to her since? I want you to go to Buckinghamshire.
Kick 'em into life.
What? Just me? The autopsy's not till tomorrow.
Still, should tell us something.
Get the incident room running.
I get to be in charge of more than choosing sandwiches? Do you think you can cope? Yeah.
See.
Tea with us isn't that terrible after all.
Maybe you could come home early more often.
What do you think? Yes, what is it? I'm sorry to disturb you, sir.
I had a brief affair with Eve Bowen.
And I mean brief.
It lasted the length of a conference.
She was a delegate.
I was a columnist.
Political differences didn't keep you apart? Look, conferences are hotbeds of sexual tension.
Call it the attraction of opposites.
When she got pregnant, I offered to do the decent thing.
You asked her to marry you? I offered to pay for a termination.
I was already seeing Fiona, my wife.
Not that I thought she'd be my wife.
Too beautiful.
Too young.
Sorry.
Leo just wanted to say goodbye.
He's off to art class.
Goodbye, Daddy.
See you later.
Be good.
Who are the newspapers savaging tomorrow? Fiona! It's all right.
I know my place.
Eve made it clear she intended to keep the baby.
She wanted me to have no contact at all.
And have you? No.
I've only seen her in the happy family photos released by the Labour Party.
And I pay a monthly amount into an account for her.
Eve's never been near it.
Blood money, she'd call it.
It sounds ridiculous, but the fact of it has always made me feel better.
Rather like the medieval Church letting people buy redemption.
An indulgence.
Something like that.
Who else knew that you were Charlotte's father? Absolutely nobody.
How about your wife? Especially not my wife.
Helen.
Helen.
Hi.
Are you all right? Can I get you anything? I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have been so hard on you.
I know you're feeling terrible about it.
Don't give me "I'm the nicest bloke in the world".
It's more than I can bear.
It wasn't your fault.
I appreciate you coming over.
Thanks for the effort, but I think I want to be on my own just now.
Right.
Sorry.
No, I'm sorry.
Sorry about everything.
DOOR BELL RINGS Police! Don't move! I said, "Don't move!" My ID, in my pocket.
Yeah, right? Police.
What? Can I get up? What the hell were you doing? Seeing whose car it was.
You stay down! Now turn around slowly.
Did you hear what I said? I'm Detective Constable Robin Payne.
You're standing on my hand.
Sorry.
It explains why you're in the Met and I'm not.
How long have you been there? About six years.
You don't look old enough.
I only made DC nine months ago.
I was in computers before.
Nine months? So, this is pretty much your first case? First murder, for sure.
It's not murder yet.
Suspicious death.
Right, yes.
Sorry.
Sergeant Stanley's put out that you've been sent to head things.
Well, let's just get started, then.
Any clothing with the body? Not a stitch.
She wore a school uniform and had a flute.
Prior to her death, she was near heavy machinery.
How's that? There's grease embedded under her fingernails.
She might have been held on a farm.
Sergeant Stanley thinks so.
You don't agree? Not really, sir.
Sorry.
Ma'am.
Guv.
"Barbara" will do.
Right.
We've got sewage works, we've got reservoir pumps, corn mills, sawmills.
You think the sergeant has rushed to conclusions.
Maybe.
OK.
Thanks.
I'll bear it in mind.
Anything else? If not, I'll get to my digs.
Ah.
Your digs.
The thing is, we thought you'd be older.
It doesn't look like an old folks' home.
No, it's mine.
Yours? Don't get me wrong.
It's not just mine.
It's my mum's.
It's a proper bed and breakfast.
There's no real hotel in Wootton Cross, but if you mind No.
Here's fine.
I said to Sam, it's shocking the hours they make you keep.
What happened? It's OK.
ROBIN: It's nothing.
Mum, this is Detective Sergeant Havers.
A woman.
Nice to meet you.
Don't bother yourself, Mum.
I'll see her up to her room.
Welcome to Lark's Haven, Miss Havers.
It is "Miss", is it? Mum.
It's all right.
.
.
Yeah.
But, actually, I prefer "sergeant".
Hi.
Everything all right? Er It's lovely.
Thanks.
I can't stand it myself.
Mum's just finished redecorating with Sam her fiance, God help us.
You don't like him? He's OK, as far as he goes.
Which isn't very.
But it's great for Mum, so Anyway, I won't have to look out for her so much.
She's asthmatic.
Fragile.
That's why I've stayed at home.
She never had anyone else.
I know how it looks.
All very Norman Bates.
No, I understand.
It's a huge responsibility having a sick parent.
Anyway, erthanks.
Oh, and I hope your er heals OK.
Remind me not to upset you in the future.
PHONE RINGS Lynley.
Helen.
You can't sneak out on me.
No? Well, it's your flat.
Ah, yes.
What's the matter? Nothing.
Pretty intense "nothing".
Do you think this makes it all better? No.
But it helps.
Then why do I feel so sad? POLICEMAN: Morning, sir.
I guess whoever it was wasn't interested in us finding his prints.
They were wearing gloves.
Bag it.
Anything else? Oh, yeah.
This.
Is this from the music teacher's description? It's not much to go on.
I want it seen by everyone, businesses and residents, between Bowen's house and Chambers' flat.
Officer.
That man with Chambers? Look familiar? I dunno.
Maybe.
Big politician.
Find out who it is.
See if there's any connection at all between him and Luxford or Bowen.
Yes, sir.
Why aren't we doing follow-ups? Because we're not.
It's a dream.
We couldn't have invented it better.
Someone will find who the father is and it'll be the story of the year.
It won't be us, because in your wisdom, we haven't got a single person on it.
Get out! Washer-woman change to feet and hands.
A healing abrasion on the left knee.
No obvious sign of trauma.
Sorry.
That's all right.
You gave me a fright.
I'm stalking you, ma'am.
The pathologist might have something.
Oh, decided to join us? London's waiting to hear from me.
So, if you don't mind.
No sign of foam in the airways.
Or petechial haemorrhages.
No diatoms in the bone marrow.
She didn't have an active circulation when she went into the water.
She didn't drown.
So, how did she die? There's no sign of trauma.
Suffocation? Could he have smothered her? Nothing to indicate asphyxia.
No injury to the mouth.
Drugs then? That's what toxicology's for.
Fast-track the results, then.
We're checking every farm outbuilding and any industrial outlets with heavy machinery.
No, it was DC Payne's idea, actually.
Any joy with Alistair Harvie? Just a second, sir.
Sorry to interrupt, and it may not be of any use, but he's the local MP, right? The canal runs through his farmland.
Did you get that, sir? Yeah, that's DC Payne.
Yeah, he's been very helpful, yeah.
That gives Alistair Harvie opportunity and motive.
And possibly access to Eve's secret.
Yeah.
I'll follow it up this end.
OK.
Bye.
Would you mind taking me through the current thinking? ErOK.
At first we were checking the background on the music teacher.
His story on the homeless man in the street.
Moved on by an officer? According to a shopkeeper.
He's worth finding.
He might have seen something.
There's Luxford's deputy, Rodney Aronson.
He's clever.
And very resentful.
You think he's capable of Yeah, maybe.
There's the mum and stepfather.
We hope to get more out of Alex Stone.
Family members are often the thing.
Yeah.
At a push, even Luxford's wife has a motive.
She might have found out about Charlotte.
Thanks for this, Barbara.
This is such an opportunity for me.
Alistair Harvie.
DI Lynley.
Could I have a word? Absolutely not.
It's about the death of Eve Bowen's daughter.
It's hardly convenient.
Her body was found in a canal on your property in Buckinghamshire.
Obviously, what's happened to her is a tragedy.
But? But it's no secret I don't like her brand of bleeding-heart politics.
You made some poisonous comments.
I object to her turning lost causes into career opportunities.
Like her plans for a new asylum centre.
Damn right.
It's in the middle of my constituency.
You might lose your small majority at the election.
I wouldn't expect you to understand.
But I love my constituency.
It's not just a political demarcation to me.
It's my home.
I grew up and went to school there.
Own land there.
What's your point? Were you at the conference ten years ago? There's suddenly a lot of interest in that conference.
Hello! He's done all right for himself, Alistair Harvie.
Posh schooling, posh life.
It's quiet, isn't it? They're pecking at me.
Give me gang warfare any time.
Come on.
I've got stuff to do later.
Inspector, any new information? Try and get a shot, Charlie.
Any fresh leads, sir? I wanted your husband.
They told me at the restaurant he wouldn't be in.
That's hardly surprising.
No.
Alex is in the kitchen.
I'm upstairs in the office.
We don't seem to be able to We're both used to being so busy.
I can imagine.
I don't suppose relationships are compatible with your job, either.
What can I do? I can work.
What else is there? Alex.
Mr Stone, I need to know more about Charlotte's friends.
Well, she never had very many.
That's not true.
They were hard to keep track of.
You know how it is, one day on, the next day off.
Keep track? Can you even name one? OK.
So, I wasn't there every day when she came home and maybe I didn't know about every tiny detail of her life but she understood why and she wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
And what makes you so sure? She told me, Alex.
She told me.
She knew that I loved her.
I loved her and she understood that we have a responsibility beyond ourselves.
She felt it as strongly as I do.
- Those who have a voice - Owe it to those who have not.
There was a girl called Brita.
I hope you haven't been looking for her.
If this is the best the Met can do, then you haven't a hope of finding the killer.
Brita was Lottie's imaginary friend.
She doesn't exist.
Excuse me.
You know what attracted me to Eve? This will make you laugh.
Her self-control.
Was Charlotte a complication? A complication! She was the big bonus.
You have no children of your own.
It just didn't happen.
Our careers took off and Look I'm proud of bringing Charlotte up.
I loved her to bits.
Let's hope you're onto something with Harvie.
The music teacher's clean.
We can't connect Eve or Dennis to him or his boyfriend.
That's who the other man was.
The nervousness? Protection.
His boyfriend runs some big fund in the city.
Got to go.
Any connection with Buckinghamshire? In what way? Personal or professional? A story you may have written that upset someone? Well, I did go to school there.
Barristoke.
I'm all over the place.
Leo and Fiona should be home.
And I had a few battles at the office PHONE RINGS Luxford.
Leo, where are you? Just tell me where you Are you all right? God damn it, Leo, I Mr Luxford? He said, "You're to run the story on page one, Daddy, then he'll let me go.
" I'm so glad you're here.
I can't find Leo.
What is it? What's going on? I need an observation team, a complete search of the area and technical surveillance.
Sorry, sir.
If I'd have found the kidnapper, this would never have happened.
I'm sorry.
We've all messed up.
Oh, I got you a tea.
I don't know how warm it is, but it's wet.
Thank you.
So, what have we got, then? They fast-tracked the toxicology.
She was drugged, riddled with diazepam.
Valium? So, whoever killed Charlotte has got Leo.
Leo's being taken means Luxford is the target.
What I don't understand is, why was she killed before the deadline, before he could publish the story? Maybe it was a mistake.
Maybe he didn't mean to kill her so soon and he's taken Leo as a back-up plan.
It's entirely possible.
I've got someone on Luxford's deputy, checking his alibi.
What about Luxford's wife? I think we can rule her out.
We should go to Barristoke School.
It's Luxford's only connection.
What about Alistair Harvie? Where are we with that? MOBILE RINGS Hello? Yeah.
Be right there.
Wootton Cross.
They've got someone.
I'll follow.
Howard Short, a mechanic, had Charlotte's uniform.
DC Payne.
DS Stanley's on his way.
DI Lynley.
Are you the arresting officer? No, I didn't get back till now.
Anything else? Classic.
A loner.
Not too bright.
Works from a lock-up.
The important thing is, the grease from the garage matches that under her nails.
Do yourself a favour.
Tell us what you did with her.
I didn't do anything.
I'm not a patient man, Howard, but we'll talk to everyone and find out everything.
Why did you take her? I didn't.
Did you keep her in the garage? What have you got against Luxford? Why did you kill Charlotte before we could publish? I never seen her.
I saw it on telly but I never seen her.
I only got her uniform.
Is that the best you can do? Talk to us, Howard.
It will be better for you if you do.
You don't want two dead kids on your hands.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Sergeant.
He's messing us around.
Just a few minutes, please, sir.
DS Havers is concerned for you.
Personally, I only care about finding the boy.
I thought it was a girl.
OK.
OK, Howard.
Tell us where you got the uniform.
At the jumble stall.
I've been trying to tell them.
I'm listening.
Church fete.
They were selling bags of rags, £1.
50 each.
Who was? Celia.
Celia Matheson.
Well, I don't think it was him.
Me, neither.
He's not exactly well-connected in the media world.
This Celia from the rag stall, she works in the high street.
We could find her.
At 7.
30? Nothing's open.
What if he's hidden nearby? Right behind one of these doors.
You look at all this and Well, it seems impossible that such a horrible thing What if we can't get to him, sir? We will.
You need some sleep.
It's been a long night.
No, thanks, I'm all right.
Where to? Barristoke School will be open.
How close is it? Well, back on home ground, sir.
Forrester! See me in my office after assembly.
KNOCKING I'm not dealing with anything till 9.
00! Sorry to interrupt.
I wonder if you could help us.
You're too early, the tour for parents starts at 9.
30.
Come back in an hour.
I'm DI Lynley, this is DS Havers.
We are I'm getting her a cup of tea.
You look like you could do with one.
Don't they stretch to a cuppa in the force? She's all yours.
I'm going to look round the grounds.
I've seen them come and go over the years.
All you can be sure of is, you can never tell who'll come out on top.
Not so different from the real world.
I think it is.
This lot has everything on a plate.
Do you want a biscuit? Er No thanks.
Course, that doesn't stop them behaving like animals.
Far from it.
The scandals we've had here, Barbara.
They'd fill a few newspapers.
We're here about that little girl in the canal.
Oh, yes.
Poor lamb.
Yeah.
She was the daughter of one of your old boys.
Dennis Luxford.
He was here over 30 years ago.
I know him.
He was here a month ago.
Did the tour for his son.
KNOCKING Well, um Thank you very much.
You've been most helpful.
And a nice cup of tea, too.
Talking of scandals, one of the biggest was while he was at the school, Luxford.
A group of lads were caught enjoying the company of a local girl for a couple of quid a throw.
I thought I'd never get out.
Get the POLSA team as a matter of priority.
These grounds are full of possible hiding places.
Ah, here we are.
Look.
Dennis Luxford.
He hasn't changed much.
Look who's next to him.
Alistair Harvie.
Exactly how well do Luxford and Harvie know each other? I have to go to London to find out.
Get out there and talk to people about that rag stall.
Robbie, at last.
Oh, it's you.
Keeping Robbie out is not good for him.
I don't think This is Celia, Robin's fiancee.
I'm Barbara Havers.
Right.
Barbara, I think I've found something.
Hi, Mum, Celia.
Coming? Yeah.
Look.
There.
I drove around all night.
I was thinking where I'd stash someone, and then I saw it.
I think someone's been here recently.
A kid's pencil.
So, what did he say, the boss of bosses? He was kind enough, but I'm a liability.
They'll keep me for a while, so's not to look callous.
But they'll announce my being dropped from the Cabinet after the conference.
It's all over for me.
They're for Charlotte.
For the funeral.
Dungarees were her favourites.
She's the reason you stayed, isn't she? She was easy to love, Eve, and she was there.
Anyway, who else would have helped her with her homework? It's definitely the windmill from the photograph.
I'm pretty sure it's where she was held.
There's no sign of Leo.
Oh! Sorry, sir.
Yeah, SOCO are on their way.
Inspector, the substance from the squat has been identified as Valium.
Valium? Here's a report.
Also, the man from the e-fit has been questioned.
So, Chambers' story checks out.
The bloke WAS in the street.
It's a regular spot of his.
He noticed nothing unusual.
But he's so out of it he wouldn't notice Armageddon.
There's no report of him being moved on.
That's a bit odd.
Why would the policeman have not reported it? Find out who it is.
I want to talk to him.
Mr Aronson.
Bringing comfort? Papers for Mr Luxford to sign.
The news stops for no man, or child, come to that.
Thoughtful of you to bring it.
Well, you've got to, haven't you? It's a terrible thing.
Tell me, how does a newspaper function without its editor? An interim editor takes over.
That wouldn't be you, would it? As a matter of fact, it would.
Please, go and get some rest.
Keep your strength up for both of us.
Leo will be released straightaway? Now the story's been published.
Darling, you'll only be upstairs.
Please.
This is destroying her.
How did she react to Charlotte being your daughter? It was a blow, obviously, the idea that I'd kept secrets from her.
I just hope she'll forgive me in time.
PHONE RINGS Hello? Leo, are you all right? What? I don't understand.
I did publish the story, on the front page.
Get a trace? No, it's probably a mobile.
Unregistered, I'm sure.
Get a lock on a transmitter.
I heard the phone ring.
Is he all right? It was in the paper! Sure there isn't some detail you overlooked? As sure as I can be.
Then it can't be the right story.
Recognise him? Howard? I was at school with him.
You ran the rag stall at the jumble sale.
Did you see him there? Yes, he came with his gran.
He always does.
Did he buy or bring anything? No idea.
Stuff arrives from all over, mostly bagged up.
I can't keep track of where each bag came from.
Was he hanging around? Howard may be a misfit, but he's not a murderer.
You know, I wondered about it at first, but I've worked it out.
What? When Robin came back, I couldn't work out why things were different between us.
We were everything to each other.
Then all of a sudden we were nothing.
CID's tough.
Don't take it to heart if he's preoccupied.
It goes with the job.
When you turned up, that's when things started, isn't it? Things? You think that Rob and I Forget it, Celia, there is nothing between me and Robbie.
He didn't notice me at first.
He was busy working.
Looking after Corinne.
But I waited.
And then he saw me.
You've got it wrong.
But I'm sorry, I haven't time for this.
I want to make you understand.
I don't want to lose him now.
The story in the papers wasn't what the kidnapper wanted.
There's another story.
He said I'd got it wrong.
I have to write it correctly tomorrow or he'll kill Leo.
I don't know what he means.
The story about your first-born.
That's what you wrote.
What else can I do? I'm so sorry, Dennis.
Yes.
Me, too.
Charlotte wasn't the first-born at all.
There's another child.
No.
Impossible.
You have another child.
That is the explanation.
Someone knows who it is.
I know what's going on, Barbara.
I'm not stupid.
I know exactly what you're getting up to with Robin.
You've got it wrong, whatever Celia thinks.
She thinks you're stealing him but I'm not going to let you.
I am sorry you're upset.
I only came back for my things.
It's not a good idea that I stay.
If you think that by moving out SHE WHEEZES Mrs Payne? Mrs Payne, are you all right? Have you got an inhaler? The kitchen.
Mum! How long has she been like this? It just happened.
It's all right, Mum, I'm here now.
No trace of the policeman who cleared the vagrant.
Someone dressed up? One from a different beat? Then why would he be in uniform? I don't know! But every question is worth asking or we'll have another dead child.
What are you waiting for? You look tired.
You're on your way out.
Yeah.
Look, I won't keep you.
Can I ask you to let me know if you get any news? OK? Helen.
Can we talk? I'll just be a minute.
Bear with me.
Don't, Helen.
Even if you'd done everything by the book, Charlotte still wouldn't have survived.
She was dead before you even started.
What is it? Look at that writing.
I'm right, aren't I? So who would have written on the back of the photo? Whoever's on the case locally.
Normally the DC Payne.
Robin Payne.
What are you doing? Oh, I couldn't find her inhaler.
It's OK, I'll do that.
How is she? These attacks take it out of her.
I've given her pills.
She'll be fine.
What brought it on? Well, she was upset when I came in.
She seems to have got the wrong idea about She thinks something's going on between you and me.
Ridiculous, I know, but I think it's best if I clear out.
You can't go.
It's not ridiculous.
Robin, it's It's your boss.
Hello? Yes, sir, I'm fine.
Of course, but I see.
Well, that is news, isn't it? Have you checked every angle? OK.
Yep.
Yeah, of course.
That's fine.
Yeah, will do.
Bye.
Got something? Yeah, they think so, anyway.
What about your mum? She'll be out for hours.
Those pills really do the trick.
Look, can we just um .
.
slow things down a bit? I haven't slept in two days.
Yeah, of course.
Take a couple of Mum's pills.
You'll sleep like a log.
Sergeant Havers is there.
I'm on my way.
Get the local force.
I want some back-up out there.
There you go.
This will sort you out.
Sweet dreams.
You're telling me they're how far away? I don't want any excuses.
Look, just get a patrol car to DC Payne's house now.
Barbara.
Barbara? Are you asleep? I still can't get through to her.
No answer, sir.
How long have you tried? Since we got here.
Stand back.
Hello.
Hello.
Helen.
Valium.
Mrs Payne, we need to talk to you.
Where's your son, Mrs Payne? Robbie's so good to me.
My little man Mrs Payne! She's completely out of it.
I'll look around.
You look in there.
Mrs Payne.
Mrs Payne, who is this? Is this Robin's father? Tell me.
A boy's life is at stake.
I don't know.
It could be.
I was very popular.
The boys liked me a lot, especially the posh boys.
Then I got pregnant with Robbie.
Then he kept asking me, "Who's my dad?" Never stopped asking me.
I thought it was very nice for Robbie to think his dad was someone really big.
Someone successful.
Will you stay with her? Yeah.
Where are you going? I can't just sit and wait.
I want every man out there searching.
No, I don't want to.
I don't want to.
I don't like it.
Come on, be a good boy.
Barbara! Drop it, Robin.
Leave him alone.
Run, Leo! RUN! I'm arresting you for the kidnap of Argh! It was easy taking her.
Both of them.
If they can't trust a copper, who can they trust? Why are you doing this? He never gave my mum anything.
Not anything! What kind of a man abandons a young girl and her baby? He's not fit to be a father! Who the hell does he think he is? So much better than everyone else! But why Charlotte? She never did anything to you.
I only gave her Valium to keep her calm, to make her less scared.
I didn't mean to kill her.
Luxford couldn't acknowledge you.
He didn't know about you, that's why.
Is that what he told you? Of course he knew.
My mum and he were together.
She told me.
Why should that kid get everything? Why should he? Robbie, listen to me.
You were such a nice guy.
You had everything going for you.
I know it's been tough for you and your mum.
I know that you're angry at it all, but .
.
you must know that this is going to end badly for you.
It's such a waste.
You liked me, didn't you? Yeah.
I did.
And you do understand, don't you? No, I don't.
Urgh! Run, Leo, run! I used all my spare time going to London.
It wasn't difficult finding stuff out.
I knew everything about him from the Net.
I hacked into his accounts.
Saw the money go to the little girl.
Why should she get all that and me and my mum get nothing? You wanted your daddy to show you that he loved you.
Is that why Charlotte Bowen died? Luxford's got a big showy life.
In your face, all the time.
It was weird when I first saw him.
I waited for him at work and followed him.
That's my dad, I thought.
If you were so keen to find him, why not just introduce yourself? I don't know.
At first I thought I would.
Then I saw how he lived.
His house, his car.
His life.
And then I didn't want to meet him.
I wanted him to be sorry for how he treated us, me and my mum.
Charlotte.
How did you find her? I got myself a little fiancee.
Have you got one? If you're so clever, find out for yourself.
She works in a bank, mine.
Handy, that.
All those computers.
Now, Barbarashe thought she was on for a moment, didn't she? She even tried to tell me Luxford didn't know I existed.
She was right.
He didn't.
In fact, according to your mum, he was one of any number of men who could've been your father.
Alex! Alex.
Sure you don't want the doctor? You did good today.
It really will be tea with the Queen next.
If it's all the same, I'd rather not.
She'll be disappointed.
I've got friends of my own.
The interrupted date? Oh, yeah.
His mother will never understand how dangerous that lie about Luxford was.
It's not easy, facing up to your mistakes.
Helen, you do know you're not responsible for what happened.
Charlotte might have been found in time.
If I'd been in your position I don't know what I'd have done.
The right thing.
Why do you say that? I can't win.
It's not a competition.
I know that.
What are we doing, Tommy? One minute I think I understand what's going on I've been clear from the beginning.
Of course YOU have.
Stupid me doesn't get it.
It's obvious.
Not to me! Life would be a lot simpler if you just let it happen.
Look, Helen, you worry too much.
You can't second-guess life.
You just have to live it.
I know that! Then why don't you? Loving you makes me happier than I've ever been.
It's not about loving each other.
I know we do.
I'm terrified of finding it.
Believing in it, and losing it again.
There are no guarantees.
Just stay as close as you can to what makes you happy.
But it's so painful, Tommy, being so close.
Then let's just get closer.
What are you doing this weekend? II don't know.
If you're free, I think we should get married.
What do you think? Life without you seems pointless.
You don't have to say anything straightaway.
If you're not free, what about next weekend? DOOR OPENS