Vera s08e02 Episode Script
Black Ice
Stay on this side.
Let's get this one turned round quickly, please.
Get the brace on.
As quick as possible.
Nobody else touch the car.
Steady.
Collision up Hawling Cross.
Someone's done a runner on a body.
Yeah, the victim is They say she's hanging in there, but - Likely to prove fatal.
- Mm.
- I've got you.
- Why aren't you up there already? - I had to drop the little 'un off.
I'm sorry.
I got here as quick as I could.
- Kenny's up there.
- Mm.
I know that road.
It's all bloody boy racers bombing it along at 80mph.
- Was she conscious when they found her? - No.
- Can't feel a pulse.
She's in cardiac arrest.
- All right.
Clear.
- So it was before dawn, they reckon? - We don't know.
We haven't got a name either.
Paramedics took her bag.
We're on it.
And there's no passenger.
Is the cab firm aware -- Everitt's? It's answerphone.
Jac's up there waiting now.
- What? She volunteered.
- She's good, Aiden.
Don't waste her.
Anyway, she was definitely hit by another vehicle.
She didn't just skid off the road.
What a mess.
Now, there's two types of paint.
Two sets of tyre tracks.
I think they both came this way.
Clipped her and off she went.
But it's not like it's a blind bend or anything, is it? - Even in the night.
- High speed wouldn't make a difference.
Right, well, there's culpability right there.
These tyre tracks say speeding to you? Well, could've been drunk.
Yeah.
It's likely, isn't it? Drink or drugs.
But there's plenty room to swerve, isn't there? Loads of room.
So, was this deliberate? What have you got for us? That could be it, right there.
Can you work your magic on that, Ken, see if she was texting? Well, I know a man who can, yes.
- Have you clocked the diesel? - Aye.
Well, she's in the ditch, so it's not from her vehicle, is it? No, agricultural.
More than likely some sort of farm vehicle.
Well, see how far this diesel goes, Ken.
- You never know.
It might take us right to her front door.
- Hm.
Was there any alcohol in the blood? I don't know.
I hope not.
She was 16 weeks pregnant.
No, no, there's no foetal heartbeat.
How long do you keep her like that? Till all the relatives have been informed.
Faye, she's called.
We found this on the cab firm's website.
Thanks.
Has she ever been in before? Yes.
But 'next of kin' was blank.
- Oh, so do you know who the baby's dad is? - We don't have antenatal records.
So, what was she in for before? I don't think I can tell you that, can I? Isn't your deputy talking to legal? Ethics fella says they need a court order before anything's disclosed.
Oh, very helpful.
What happened to 999 solidarity? Hey, Kenny, you got a relative for me? No, but we've found an address marked 'home'.
- It was stored in the sat-nav.
- Ah, right.
- Now, why didn't you think of that? - Why didn't you? Well, make sure you pass anything useful on to these medics, update their records.
- Yeah? - DCI Vera Stanhope, Northumberland and City police.
And this is DS Healey.
- OK.
- We're here about a Faye Wakeland? - Yeah, but she's not in.
- Ah, we know that, pet.
But this is her address, right? Yeah, she rents with my brother.
Well, can we come in, love? I'm afraid we've got some bad news.
Noel! It's the police.
And who's Noel? He the landlord? - Yeah.
- Mm.
I'm er I'm sorry.
I just got in from work.
Er, DCI Stanhope.
It's regarding your tenant -- Faye Wakeland.
Well, that doesn't sound good.
Mm.
Can we - There's no chance? Not even like - No, the medics think not.
I'm sorry.
Well, what about the baby? Is the baby alive? It won't be, love.
Think about it.
How long's she been a tenant here? Oh, about 18 months.
Yeah, about 18 months.
- Do her family know? - We were hoping you could help us contact them.
We didn't meet 'em.
They don't get on, I think.
No, they don't get on.
So do they go under the name of Wakeland? Again, I I don't really know.
Is there anything you can think of that might help us to contact them? They live in, like, a stately home.
- Well, that's what she told me.
- No, they don't.
You could try her room.
She might have an address book or something.
It's er just up there on the left.
She was at the funeral.
She was definitely there.
I mean, she was fine.
- I mean, she wasn't fine considering there was a funeral, like.
- Mm.
- Was that the last time you spoke to her? - Yeah.
She didn't come home.
Did she meet someone? Don't know, love.
Did she? Would that be in character? Well, not really, no.
- Whose funeral was it? - It was er our cousin.
Roddy.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Coming so soon after.
It beggars belief.
So, was she close to the deceased? - Roddy? - Maplin.
Ah, no, she only knew him through us.
She was my rock.
- That's what I called her.
- Simone, would you shut up a bit? - Sorry.
Do you know who the baby's father was? - I didn't ask.
- She didn't know.
Ah, it's all right, pet.
I don't judge.
Funny question, but can you think of anyone who might want to harm her? What, like, deliberately? - No.
- Not round here, no.
What about the fellas she used to hang out with in town and stuff? Maybe.
I don't know.
She said she hung around with some rough fellas in the past, but nothing that we were aware of.
Hm.
She had a couple of photo albums in the lounge.
Would they help? Aye.
If anything occurs to you .
.
you call this number.
Can we see her on the ward? Er, probably not, until her next of kin have been informed.
So, unless you're family or a partner Right, well, um, we'll head down there and we'll see what they say.
Her landlord, my arse.
Do a background check on the pair of them.
Well, to be fair, could be any reason he's lying.
- Like what? - Benefit fraud for one.
Be out of pocket if they say they're a couple.
Get on to Work and Pensions, see what flags up.
You all right? Any progress? Nope.
I've tried the mobiles, the landlines.
I've instant messaged.
- It's fine.
I'll just wait.
- Are you sure? - At least you've got the weather for it.
- Oh, yeah.
This job's like a holiday.
- Anyone reported her missing or the vehicle? - Doesn't look like it.
Likely to prove fatal.
And by likely they're saying definite, so no-one gets their hopes up.
- Shame.
Did she have kids? - Nah.
But she was pregnant.
- Wish I hadn't asked.
- Aye.
Now, it's unclear the sequence of events leading up to the collision, but the other vehicle left the scene.
Why? - Under the influence? - Probably.
So follow up any road-rage incidents in the area.
Did she have a run-in up the road? Did anyone else? Was it random or was someone going after her? That was my next question, Mark.
- Where are we with the diesel? - Half a mile down the road.
- The CSOs reckon there was a gap between the tread.
- So a 4X4.
Off-roader? That or a van, yeah.
Tractor, maybe.
Hm.
Have you got something on that landlord? Nope.
Him and his sister drew a blank.
But the victim herself, she was on the system -- as a timewaster.
She presented at Moresby about two years ago asking for a restraining order.
Said her stepmum, Susan Wakeland, was trying to kill her.
- You sure about that? - Absolutely.
She said she tried to run her over.
How long's this been a nursing home? Oh, 30-odd years.
Brian, Faye's dad, he's been here for about five.
His wife, Susan, looks after him.
Right.
I'll go in and break the news.
You check her movements, the day of the crash.
Hello? Ah, looking for a Susan Wakeland, love? - She runs the place, doesn't she? - She's supervising lunch.
Here we go.
Ah.
Her car was hit by another vehicle.
And I'm afraid she's not expected to survive her injuries.
So, what, she's put someone in a coma? No.
No, I'm sorry if I've not made myself clear, Mrs Wakeland.
No, it's Faye who's been injured.
She's the one on life support.
We always tried our best with Faye.
- When did you last see her? - June, maybe? She was working a lot.
I can't say we've had much contact recently.
I can't do this.
Well, I'll do it, if you like.
No.
He He's not good with strangers Bri? Brian, love? Who who's that? She's a policewoman, love.
Faye's been in an accident, sweetheart.
She's not going to wake up.
D did I Did did you make your peace? You did.
You did, love.
That is important to you to be at peace, isn't it? - What was the falling out? - Oh, stupid stuff over power of attorney.
- Money? - What money? Faye got bad advice from some solicitor she was going out with.
He told her to come after Brian's estate cos I couldn't be trusted.
Mm.
But that was resolved? - More or less.
- Hm.
Now, a tricky one, this.
Faye reported to the police that you tried to run her over.
Do you wanna tell me about that? I've absolutely no idea.
An incident in Grey Market about two years ago.
Well, we had a row, yeah, but I didn't She practically threw herself on the bonnet.
Effing and blinding at me.
She told lies.
- Like? - Oh, like she was always the victim and someone was out to get her.
- And was someone out to get her? - No.
So, what were the other lies? Obviously there was stuff that she said about Brian.
And with the stroke, he could barely answer back.
So, what did she say exactly? That he was cruel and that we made her teenage years a misery.
Well, no, she made her life a misery.
I'm sorry to say it, but she did.
Um, so how did it happen? - Was she on her phone or - Don't know, love.
The other driver didn't stop.
Poor Sue.
Poor Brian.
This is gonna set him back, no doubt.
Was she on duty two days ago? - How do you mean? - Can you say where she was? As in, are you checking up on her? It's just a routine part of our investigation.
Between say, 6pm and 6am? Yeah.
Yeah.
There was a fire drill about 8pm.
I'm the marshal.
I remember ticking her off.
Look, the hospital will need to talk to next of kin.
Formalities, organ donations, what have you.
I've got no idea of her wishes.
I What do you expect me to do, ask her dad? The nurse reckons she was here.
Well, I don't think she's going to visit.
- Wow.
- I know.
Well, the hospital are going to want witnesses when they switch her off.
Yeah.
They've turned up.
Someone from the workshop next door told them first thing yesterday and they closed in respect.
All right, thanks.
We're on our way over.
Popular.
Went out of her way to help people, especially elderly clients.
I had to have a chat about the number of free lifts she was giving.
How long was she with you? - Oh, under a year.
I can check.
- Hm.
Had she had any trouble on the road or with clients? No.
Why? It was an accident, wasn't it? Well, we're keeping an open mind for now, love.
Was she on duty when she died or was she using the car for a private No, she was on duty.
Friday night's our best night.
Someone had to be on.
She'd agreed because she wasn't drinking.
- So I could have a drink at Roddy's do.
- Because of the pregnancy? - Probably.
What pregnancy? What? I only heard on the grapevine.
- Do you know who the baby's father was? - No idea.
I didn't even know she had a bloke.
She was always banging on about that solicitor.
The one with all the money.
So, just to clarify .
.
was she working when she crashed or was she on her way to work? I'm guessing, given where she was found, - she was driving to the address I gave her.
- Ah.
Have you um It's a landline.
Usually means a pensioner.
I can't remember if it was a man or a lady.
And did they call back to say she hadn't turned up? Now you ask, I don't think they did.
Well, thanks, love.
Jac.
Apparently she had a boyfriend who was a solicitor.
See if it's the same one the stepmother was banging on about.
Went after the father's estate.
- Jac, Mark'll have it on the system.
- It's all right.
I know.
Kenny.
Trace that caller.
See if they saw or heard from her.
- Will do, ma'am.
- We'll check out the CCTV.
Well, it is a funeral.
So crying's to be expected.
She's not storming out or anything, is she? No, just leaving to start her shift, I'd say.
- Packed do though, weren't it? - We ran out of lager, I remember that.
Popular fella then.
Yeah.
That or the free bar.
I think the shock upset a lot of people.
- How'd he die? - I thought you investigated.
Roddy took his own life.
I want everything on Roddy Maplin's background.
His wife, the officers who found his body, inquest reports, the lot.
- Probably still interim.
- Yeah, well, interim'll do.
And I want everything on that funeral and how this place all fits together.
Could it be some satellite interfering with the GPS? No.
This is what she typed into the car as well.
No landline for at least a mile and half.
So, who called her out here? Do you reckon it was a trap? Could be premeditated.
Kenny, trace that phone call.
Top priority.
Yes.
Right.
That was the hospital.
They're ready for us.
- This doesn't feel right.
- I know.
It's all right, you can stand down.
One of our A&E nurses has agreed to witness.
Ah.
Did you meet her whilst you were on duty? Ah, so that's why you concealed your relationship.
I could have lost my job.
I loved her.
I loved her so much.
Can you tell everyone I'm next of kin? Aye.
At the time, I was working in mental health.
She was admitted, said she'd had an overdose.
When the bloods came back, they were clear.
She told 'em she'd made it up.
They just told me to inform her GP and um give her a leaflet on mindfulness.
So let me get this straight.
Rather than see her discharged with nowhere to go, you said she could come to yours.
Aye.
Well, she was a fine-looking lass.
No, it wasn't like that.
No.
- She was in a state.
- But you were living as a couple.
It wasn't official.
With the three of us at home, it was like a little family with Simone as our kid.
We never said we were, like, in a relationship.
Noel, was the baby yours? I just don't know.
So, did that cause ructions? Was there a fall-out at the funeral? - Is that where this is heading? - Not at all.
Not at all.
It was a mess, yes.
But I loved her.
So, who else was she close to, other than you and Simone? Everyone.
She had friends all over.
Hm.
She sounds like a nice girl.
Her dad was a nasty piece of work.
And her stepmum.
Hang on.
You said you hadn't met them.
I haven't, but the stories she told me That's why she was vulnerable.
- Get them dropped off and have someone keep an eye on them.
- What? So we can check his alibi with the neighbour before he gives them the heads-up.
- Do you reckon he's lying? - I think he was trying to tell me something.
Now this crash was premeditated.
Mm.
Heat of the moment, I could buy they had some kind of row.
But he really loved her.
It's just I don't know.
- Forensics say it was a white van that hit her.
- (Right.
) You're police, aren't you? Aye, we are, love.
Sorry for the intrusion, Mrs Maplin.
We know you've been recently bereaved.
How does this happen? You know, it's only three weeks since Roddy.
Well, can we come in, love? I was out the back of the Walnut with Noel for most of it.
Couldn't face that lot.
Rat-arsed blokes coming up, shaking my hand.
- Can anyone else confirm that? - The manager maybe.
He was in and out.
And Simone.
She kept bringing us drinks.
Why do you need my movements? Love, think about it.
They're double-checking what Noel told them.
It just doesn't seem real.
- I don't know why I'm upset.
My dad's just gone but - No, she was a nice lady.
She did a lot for Noel and Simone.
Hm? In what way? Getting Simone on a college course for her reading and that.
I thought they were in it for the long haul -- her and Noel and the baby.
- Poor bugger had no luck.
- Was the baby Noel's then? Well, whose else would it be? I know she played hard to get, but she doted on him.
Now this solicitor, Adil Dohni, he's a former boyfriend and he represented her in court.
- Fancy offices.
- Mm.
My dad always said, 'You ever need a lawyer, get one who's made a bob or two.
' - This particular one's been sued twice for professional negligence.
- Right, so he's a shyster.
- They were together at least five years, I'd say.
- Mm.
Did we get anything on the legal case? Looks like it went in her favour.
Faye ended up with the family home.
Hang on.
If she's got a house, what's she doing living with Noel? It was sold two years ago.
And six months later she's in A&E saying she's homeless? So where'd the money go? Hm? I just wish I'd seen her.
I tried, but she kept saying to me that she was snowed under.
So, when was the last time? 18 months? When we split up, I guess.
Can I ask why did you split up? Just the normal.
Just stopped getting along.
Mm.
Ah, we know you were helping her out in a case.
- I mean, did you fall out over that? - No.
It wasn't money.
I got frustrated.
Getting the house could've sorted her out financially.
Cut a long story short, she sold up and, well, blew the lot.
What, like, two hundred grand? Nearly, yeah.
It was all a bit manic, really.
Kind of like a a meltdown.
Mm.
So was it that drove you apart? Kids.
She didn't want them and, well, I did.
Ah, well, yeah, well, that can be difficult.
Basically her dad and stepmum were horrible to her.
Did she ever talk about violence in her childhood? Some.
But more psychological.
Nasty stuff like no birthday presents, - locking her in her room - Yeah, but did she tell you that? It was obvious from the moment you met them.
Brian was a nasty piece of work.
If we'd not gone after the house, Sue would've left her with nothing.
Did she ever speak of anyone maybe wanting to harm her? Oh, yeah.
Susan was always making threats.
Now, did she tell you that or did you witness it? Oh, I witnessed it.
Susan was like a stalker whenever she got angry.
She waited outside my flat once.
When we arrived there was a big row.
Tried to run Faye over.
I told the other bloke.
There was a fire drill.
She was here.
Did you see her in the early evening? - I'm sure I must have.
- So you didn't.
Did you mislead my sergeant? No, I just I know she was here.
- Did she ask you to lie for her? - I'm not lying.
I just I know she wasn't involved.
- How do you know that? - Faye was always getting into trouble.
Slagging her off, playing the victim.
It was completely unfair.
- I'm just trying to stop you wasting your time.
- Where is she, love? She went on respite leave to her sister's, just after she heard the news.
She left just after we came to see her.
But there's a sister, apparently.
She reckons she's gone there.
Now we need to find her.
I'll get upstairs to throw tactical at it, if necessary.
- Upstairs have just agreed to the sniffer dogs for the fuel.
- Finally! Now, get uniform to bring in Mrs Minibreak, while we track down this van.
Follow the tree line all the way along.
Will do, sarge.
Nothing yet.
- He's lost that spot already.
- Nothing? The dogs have lost the scent of the diesel.
We're searching that copse over there.
Aiden.
Forget the dogs.
Bring in the divers.
They're pulling it out now.
We'll run a trace.
As soon as we've had a proper look.
I'll get back to you, yeah.
- Any markings? - Nothing.
No reg plates either.
Ma'am, they traced the landline that made the call.
- It was a phone box outside the pub in Metherington.
- In here, please.
So madam here waited outside the funeral and lured her into a trap.
Now that fits with what that solicitor told us about stalking.
Why are you even listening to this? Everything that came out of Faye's mouth was a lie.
So I'd be right in thinking there was a lot of animosity between you? It was very complicated.
Look, look I wasn't perfect.
And, God bless her, she lost her mam at 14 and I know it didn't help me turning up.
But Faye was not an easy person.
She brought it on herself, is that what you're saying? She caused trouble for people.
She went after people's husbands.
She was a class-A blackmailer! Nevertheless, we have a witness who says you tried to run her over.
Yes, and he's completely crooked too.
Ask anyone from the legal profession.
Listen to me.
This will be her doing some nasty bloke and ruining someone's life.
Well, she won't be doing it any more will she, pet, now someone's ruined hers? Excuse me, ma'am.
Can I run something by you? What? It's a tricky one.
Not sure what to make of it.
Ah, well, come on, spit it out.
I've got Faye's phone history.
And about three weeks ago she searched online for 'How to accuse someone of rape'.
How to accuse someone or how to report someone? I know.
Funny wording, isn't it? Hm.
I've done a bit of digging.
None of our sexual violence team have any record of her.
- What about assault referral centres? - I'll do that next.
What do you make of it? It suggests she was thinking of making an allegation.
What, as in reporting it or as in making something up? Well, I suppose more likely the former.
Er it may not be relevant.
Well, of course it's relevant.
We can't ignore this if she's been assaulted, not by a long chalk.
But then she has been accused of being economical with the truth.
But calling her a liar over something like this That'd be terrible if we got that wrong.
Hm? - Then I'll work on the assumption she suffered some kind of attack.
- Right.
Oh, there you are.
We traced the chassis number of the van.
- Brace yourself.
- I've been braced since the '80s, pet.
The van belonged to Roddy Maplin, recently deceased.
Ma'am.
Loads of these in plastic boxes in the back of the van.
Some of them never even got wet.
Oh, my life.
Reckon he was about 15 grand in the red.
Turned down by the banks.
Went to these guys.
Even they were saying no in the end.
Well, that's enough to make anyone desperate, isn't it? Poor sod.
So what's he been spending money on? Not clear.
Er, could be snowballing interest rates.
But, on the other hand, he was transferring money into Faye's bank account.
- Regular as clockwork, the last eight months or so.
- Well, follow that up, Ken.
And have a good look at her accounts too.
Now, why was Roddy giving her money? Well, Jac's got a theory about blackmail.
Aye, but is that plausible? She accuses him of rape and he pays up straightaway? - Nah.
- Could be a piece of work from what people have said.
And could be a saint from what others have said.
Er, manipulative, ripped off her dad.
But then she gives free lifts to old biddies.
'The love of our life.
' 'Our rock.
' This doesn't add up.
- But if we think she had a habit of extracting money -- - I know, I know.
But it's all a bit much, isn't it? Blackmail.
Extortion.
It'll be something else tomorrow.
I could kick myself.
We've been wasting time, faffing about with her past and her family.
It was someone in her immediate circle who killed her, wasn't it? It seems unlikely Susan would have nicked Roddy's van.
Didn't know him.
- Shall I bail her? - Yeah, we're gonna have to.
I mean, all this business of childhood cruelty.
- I mean, is that fact or fiction? - Who knows? But what we do know is that the killer's now had a few days to get their story straight.
I wanna know who her mates were locally.
All the ins and outs.
- And that CCTV.
Has that given us anything? - No-one followed her out.
So the killer arrived in the area after she did and never went inside.
Hm.
Bail Susan.
Are you Josh? - DCI Stanhope? - Yeah.
You got the paperwork? Great.
- So, you were the attending officer, hm? - Yeah.
- This your first hanging? - Second.
Not a pleasant experience, is it? You'll not get used to it.
- No phone records.
- No, we didn't have the resources.
But the afternoon he died, he was texted an address by someone called Faye.
How do you know he was texted an address? - I I went on his phone.
- Without a warrant? I was looking for his emergency contact.
I just saw it.
You'll get yourself in hot water, lad.
In front of a barrister, he'll tear you to shreds.
Yeah, I I know.
Did he reply? 'I can't do this any more.
' Didn't leave a note? We didn't find one.
Why's she texting him this address? - Have you been there? - It's just been me doing the whole thing.
Hm.
Busy beat, is it? The usual.
Fighting.
In and out of A&E.
- No-one pressing charges.
- I remember it well.
Hopefully, now it's linked to a murder, we might get some answers.
You know, for his wife and Liam.
- What do you make of them? - Smashing people.
And how they're coping, you know, considering.
You local boys do a good job.
You don't get many pats on the back, do you? Not really.
If this goes well, Josh, I'll make sure you get some credit.
This place is full of students.
What was Faye doing here? - Any intelligence? - A few noise complaints -- parties -- a couple of years back.
And nothing connects her to here? - It's not a previous address? - Nope.
Right.
- It's not illegal, is it? - Well, technically, it could be fraud on your landlord.
We were just trying to make some extra cash.
We're broke.
So's the taxman.
How often did she come over? - You'd know.
- Mate.
I'm just saying you were the one speaking with her.
Basically, we were looking for a new housemate, you know, to put in the lounge.
- She got in touch, said - If we cleared out every Saturday, - she'd give us the same money as one day a week.
- So you handed over the keys and went off to the seaside for the day? What was she using the place for? - She paid in cash, so - We thought she was a hooker.
Hooker? Do you mean a sex worker? - Is that why you're here? - It's just part of an ongoing inquiry.
Oh, my God.
She's dead.
- What? - Is that why? Does this fella Does he ring a bell? - Did he kill her? - Just answer her question.
We just cleared out.
We didn't see anyone.
I swear, I haven't seen him.
I'll get on to the exploitation unit, - see if there's any intelligence of this being a pop-up.
- A what? A brothel being used by transient sex workers.
- Well, you never know.
- Aye.
Maybe.
What are you thinking? Well, it's just not sitting right, is it? Sex worker I can buy.
But she wasn't desperate, there's no drug history.
Yeah, but she was broke.
- Mm.
- I don't know.
Maybe it could be .
.
massages with a few extras thrown in.
Got someone's back up Yeah, maybe.
Maybe.
Well, it's similar, yeah, but it can't be his.
- Why not? - Cos his is in the garage.
- You drove it back, didn't you? - Yeah, before the ceremony.
Right.
- Well, can I see it? - If you must.
Garage isn't locked.
- What, it's never locked? - No.
Well, that's a bit dodgy, isn't it? Anyone could have access to it.
I suppose.
Look, I'm sorry, love, I've got a difficult question to ask you.
Is it more difficult than asking me to identify my husband's body? Do you have any sense at all .
.
of why your husband took his own life? Well, he'd always been depressed, on and off.
I know he tried in his teens.
- The psychiatrist said he fitted a pattern.
- He lost his job.
He went downhill after that.
Got paranoid.
A bit, yeah.
You know, like people were out to get him.
- How? - He always thought people were cheating him or whatever.
- Oh, look, I hate to get personal, but -- - I know, I know.
Just doing your job.
Is there any chance at all .
.
your husband and Faye - were in any kind of relationship? - No way! - Next question.
- Well, you both seem very sure of that.
- He loved Mum.
- It's not just cos of that.
Roddy and Noel were like brothers.
No way he'd have gone after Faye.
- 'And then we drove it back to his garage.
' - 'When was this?' It was before the funeral.
Us and Liam.
We had to transport, like, a massive photo of him.
What did you do with the keys? Roddy leaves them in the glove box.
What was the nature of Roddy and Faye's relationship? Well, er, they were friends, I suppose.
Is there a chance anything else could've gone on between them? What, like an affair? No.
No, he was too under the thumb.
- What? You always said he's under the thumb.
- I said he was loyal.
Well, she wasn't loyal to him, though, was she? Right.
There's a bit of a secret hanging about.
Carolyn and me, we messed about a bit .
.
when she first got together with Roddy.
I'm Liam's dad.
I'm not proud about it, but I love that kid and I loved Roddy, so I I backed off for both their sakes.
Did Roddy know? No.
I think he might have suspected, I think.
In truth, I think I had a part to play in er .
.
what he did to himself.
As we thought, no van.
Well, Noel reckons he returned it.
Does he indeed? - What was his alibi again? - Out the back with Liam.
- Oh.
- Apparently, Liam's his son not Roddy's.
Well, she never mentioned that.
But there again, maybe the lad doesn't know.
Could have found out.
That could be relevant.
Could that lad have done something like this? Possibly.
Bit smart, but you never know.
Roddy texted Faye shortly before he dies, 'Can't do this any more.
' If it's not an affair, what is it? I mean, what are they doing at that address? Remind me why she left the funeral early.
- On duty, they're saying.
- Yeah, but - No, that's odd, isn't it? - Is it? Well, why would you choose to be on duty if the bloke you've been texting on the quiet is being laid to rest? - Because you didn't want to be there.
- Why? Because you can't face it or because you drove them to it? None of the assault referral centres have any record of her.
Right.
So she didn't report it or .
.
or there was nothing to report? - Kenny, have you got her bank stuff? - On its way.
- Right.
Sums in, sums out - and tally it against the days she was at that house.
- Ma'am.
And for what it's worth, one of the drivers at the cab firm - was convinced the killing would be the result of a sex feud.
- 'Sex feud'? - That a technical term? - I'm just recounting what he told me.
- What's this fella's name? - Um Don't just sit there, get it up on the board.
- What? - Thought we were going to be nice to her.
I want her to do well, but she's got to be on top of the basics.
Give her a few pointers.
You might be the blue-eyed boy now, but you weren't so quick off the mark when you first came here.
- Is that a compliment? - Aye.
Make the most of it.
Thanks, love.
Ah.
No coffee for me then? Er, sorry, Marcus.
I can never remember what you like.
Just just a latte.
See? In one ear and out the other.
Cause of death: Traumatic injuries following a high-speed collision.
I'm sorry I don't have anything new for you.
Well, I'm glad I came all this way.
- No drink, drugs? - Not that I could find.
Nor any signs of assault, thankfully.
Report on the foetus: Survived the impact because of the amniotic sac, but died from a lack of oxygen when Mum when into cardiac arrest.
There's one thing that might be useful.
It's her GP notes.
She had a termination booked.
So there should be some sort of confirmation letter at home.
Well, that is useful.
Thanks.
Also, I was packing these up for the funeral director and I found this in her pocket.
Paternity result.
Well, well, well.
We should've listened to the stepmother.
Pregnant by her married boss.
Paternity results.
Now then these results were found in her clothing the day she died.
So it's safe to assume she'd taken 'em to the funeral.
A bit of an odd thing to do, but emotions are running high, so it's not out of the question.
Also her GP confirmed that she'd booked a termination.
So, what are we to make of that? If she has got a history of extracting cash from blokes, was there a confrontation about these results with Tony? Hang on, I saw something on the CCTV.
So, is this the DNA results? I think you're right.
Get on to that clinic who did the testing and see what else they can tell us.
- I'll go and question him.
- Hang on.
Let's dig for as much as we can first and then bring him in.
Mark, find me someone who saw Tony leave that funeral.
Were you having a sexual relationship? No.
I love my wife.
Look, I swear on my life, I wasn't.
She might've had a thing for me, but I never did anything about it.
Oh, now we're getting somewhere.
So what sort of thing? Like, she used to tell me she fancied me or whatever.
- I used to just ignore it.
- Really? - Were you not flattered? - No.
- Hm? - It was scary.
I was paranoid she'd turn up in fishnets and a mac.
Oh, so now she's Loopy Lou.
That's easy to say, now she's not here to say different.
So, what happened? Hm? You fall out when she threatened to tell your missus? - No, because we never -- - If you never, how come you fathered her child? I didn't.
- Well, who's told you that? - DNA test.
What DNA test? Look, you can't just DNA test me.
Why, because the truth will out? No, because this is the first I've heard of any DNA test.
Oh, is that right? Well, what's she showing you here, pet? Hm? Caught on CCTV.
Well, I don't know.
I can't remember.
I think she showed you these results and then you followed her out and you killed her to shut her up.
- And why would I do that? - You tell me, love.
As you say, you love your wife.
- Are you charging him? - No, not yet.
- Why, what have you got? - Well, Tony Everitt's been making cash deposits in Faye's account.
- The lass at the branch recognised him.
- Well, that's it then -- hush money.
Faye goes after him about the affair, then ups the ante with the DNA.
- That fits the pattern, doesn't it? - Hold your horses.
- We can't link him to the crash.
- Remind me why not? He's all over the CCTV.
Getting rounds in.
Makes a big speech at the end.
- Well, maybe he'd slipped out.
- I thought that.
- But we found six people said they'd vouch that he was there.
- Six?! - I know.
Popular fella by all accounts.
- Are they genuine or are they covering for him? - Hard to say.
- Well, is there a window of opportunity? Max probably a half hour.
Well, that won't stick then, will it? Getting that van into the lake.
That's, what, a couple of hours at least.
OK, well, if it's not him then who? Somebody who was linked to him? There's the person who gave her the details in the car.
The missus.
- Are you sure this is the right address? - It's the one they gave us.
Huh! How can a cabbie afford this? He owns the business.
What? It's ten foot by ten foot and a bit of gravel.
Well, he has got a few drivers.
There's only him and Faye on the website.
So what are the other drivers doing with themselves all day? What can I do for you guys? Yes, I gave her the fare details.
I already told you that.
Hm.
Did you make them up? Why on earth would I? I don't know.
Lay a trap - cos you found out about the affair with your husband? - Oh, no.
No way.
He didn't even fancy her.
- Are you sure about that? - We talked about it.
It was like a joke how much she fancied him.
I thought it was sweet.
And did you think it was sweet he was taking money from your business - and putting it into her bank account? - I did, actually, yes.
We felt sorry for her.
She was broke.
We wanted to help her out.
And did you know she was pregnant by your husband? If she said that, it's wishful thinking.
- I'm sorry, love, we've got proof.
- I don't believe this.
You're not gonna get me to say I hated her.
I didn't.
I felt sorry for her.
The things she's gone through, I wouldn't wish on anyone.
And neither would my husband.
So I think you better send him home.
Well, she's either lying or she's completely stupid.
- Stand by your man? - Aye.
Or vice versa.
But then why would she log it on the system? I mean, if she was laying a trap she'd phone Faye direct, wouldn't she? Oh, this is daft.
It doesn't make any sense.
We're missing something.
Probably something staring us right in the face.
She certainly got people to feel sorry for her, didn't she? I think she said whatever came into her head to get attention.
- Well, that doesn't make her a bad person.
- No.
But if someone pretending to be all tragic suddenly meets a tragic death .
.
what are we to make of that? Ma'am.
The DNA clinic says that the doctor that sent this report has been off sick for at least eight months.
So, how did she get them then? Maybe she didn't.
Well, could she have made them? - Copied it off the Internet? - Is that possible? Er, that's not just a cut-and-paste job, but it's possible.
You know what? Tony swore blind he wasn't having a sexual relationship with her.
And now I'm inclined to believe him.
But he claimed he didn't know what was on that piece of paper.
And that I don't believe.
Get that CCTV up.
Look, freeze it there.
Now, it was me insisting that was the DNA results.
So, why didn't Tony put me right? Hm? Clear himself? Because whatever it was they were discussing - was something worse.
- Ma'am.
I've been through the till roll from the bar.
Looks like Tony paid the whole tab for the wake.
The whole tab?! Oh, St Anthony of the Minicabs! - Nothing to see here.
- See I knew he sounded dodgy.
- Everyone vouching for him.
- Aiden, get over and wear one of those witnesses down.
If you can do it while he's still in custody, chances are someone might buckle.
Now then, alternative theories connecting Tony and Faye.
If it's not some sort of paternity or mistress set-up, what is it they're doing means money's rattling between them? Something lucrative, judging by the house.
Good money.
But off the radar.
So small, but lots of it.
Ah, so what are we saying? Weed? We got any intelligence on that? Nothing's coming up.
I can push the neighbourhood team.
- Right.
Dodgy trainers.
Dodgy fags.
- Designer gear works.
It draws less attention to itself.
- Where was the money supposedly coming from? - Rental properties, but that could be rubbish.
Maybe he's a dodgy landlord.
Owns half the area and his tenants are protecting him.
All these properties are in town.
Let to students, mainly.
- You said Faye came round.
- Yeah, um, she used to come round either like a Saturday or a Sunday.
So long as we cleared off, we got paid for the day.
It weren't even me, it was Owen.
- Really? He reckons you started it.
- He was the one that put up the ad.
What, and your landlord found it? That what happened? Then what? What did Tony Everitt draw you into? Nothing.
Everything else I told you was true.
He told us to give Faye the house for one day a week and he'd turn a blind eye.
You'd turn a blind eye, more like.
Now, listen, son, you're from a nice family.
Did you really sit back and let some bloke run a criminal enterprise from your front room? - Hm? - It really didn't seem that bad.
Just people coming in and out.
I think people were pleased to see 'em.
It's not as if they were thugs.
Well, I don't believe he didn't buy your silence.
All right, he waived the rent.
Look, I'm about to graduate 30 grand down.
I needed the money.
- I think I've got it.
- OK.
What do I need to do? No, just listen.
We've got a broke community that has Tony's back.
We've got him putting large amounts of cash into Faye's bank account.
There's poor old Roddy, who's run out of credit with the payday loans people, meeting Faye on the quiet.
What if Tony's a loan shark and Faye was working for him? - That would explain why people are defending him, they're scared.
- Exactly.
They're all in hock.
Get on to the Citizens Advice and see if there's any sniff of it.
Aiden, I'm on to something.
What have you got? I think I've unpicked what they were up to.
- Yeah, loan sharks, right? - I've found a witness who's prepared to talk.
She turned me down the first time I asked her.
Told me to cut back on my spending.
There's only so much you can cut out, so I lied a bit about how I'd make the repayments and she set us up with this meeting.
She had this, like, studenty house .
.
where she did the handover.
I think it started as a grand.
But then, by the time you've paid it back, it's more like two grand and I just I just didn't think it through.
Anyway, I soon found out they weren't all as nice as she was.
She tried her best but he Tony? He set the dogs on me.
And then there was nothing she could do.
Who are the dogs, love? They the others drivers? They the muscle? First they take your stuff.
Then when all that's gone .
.
they try to scare you.
And you had not even the slightest inkling - there were organised criminals working in the area? - None.
Disorganised criminals maybe.
People getting themselves in messes.
Ah.
The ones you take to A&E.
The ones who've been fighting and don't press charges.
Well, they've been fighting cos they're poor, aren't they? Not cos some fella's been pushing 'em about.
Not Community's finest hour.
Was there anything else? There's hundreds of them.
How do you silence hundreds of people? Well, make them think they're the only one.
- Shame.
- Yeah.
Definitely not the 'back of a fag packet' operation.
- Big fan of spreadsheets.
- Ah, they're professional.
Jac, please tell me Citizens Advice has evidence of loan shark activity.
I can do better than that.
They've got evidence pertaining to motive for murder.
'People have been driven to topping themselves.
It's not right.
Can I ask how you became aware of it? I just know about it.
Right.
You do realise that what you're telling me isn't confidential? - OK.
- Can you give me your name? Faye.
Just Faye.
- That's it.
- And this was, what, three days before she died? Well, that explains someone's lack of memory at the funeral, doesn't it? - Did she tell you she was going to report you? - No.
- So did you try to shut her up? - No.
Mm.
Now, you went to the funeral.
Why? Ah, to see how it was panning out with the community, now that Roddy had gone and done what he'd done.
See if anyone was blaming you.
- Anyone going to spill the beans.
- No.
Do you admit you've been lending money illegally? I offered loans to friends, yes.
But I didn't kill anyone or beat anyone up or anything else people might be saying.
So, why do you think they're saying that? Cos if I get put away they don't have to pay me back, do they? Oh! Now, well, there is that.
Look, you've got this all wrong.
I was just the bank.
- She was the one making the connections.
- That's right, blame the dead person.
She liked the money, I'm telling you.
Heart of stone.
You should see her handbag collection.
Ooh.
Is it as impressive as your great big house with the gravel drive? Mm? Don't give me this businessman tripe.
You prey on the vulnerable, the depressed - Well, a lot of people with depression pay up on time.
- Yeah? Well, what about Roddy, hm? He was depressed.
Did Faye ask you to let him off? Not really.
Nah.
Cos she never stood up to a bully, did she? Well, I can't let off every Tom, Dick and Harry she felt sorry for.
No, so instead you killed her to shut her up.
- You've got no evidence of that.
- No, cos you've got everyone covering for you.
Nope, because I know I didn't do it.
So you won't find any proof.
- You all right, boss? - Mm.
All on Faye.
Heart of stone, apparently.
Well, that fits, doesn't it? Hang on.
Is that the list of people who owes him money? I should've thought of that.
Simone.
- Sorry - See you later.
- Can we have a talk, pet? - Have I done something? - Now, why do you say that? - Sometimes I do things that I don't realise.
No.
No, no, no.
No, I just wanted to ask you something private.
Were you ever in debt to Tony Everitt? Well, yeah, but Faye sorted it for me.
I just got in a muddle cos of my maths.
- That's why I'm here, to get my GCSE and that.
- Ah.
But before Faye sorted it, did anyone try to get payment from you in another way? One of the dogs did, yeah.
Said I owed him.
You should've come to us, pet.
Sexual assault.
We'd have believed you.
- Yeah, Faye said that.
- Aye.
But, like, what if they found out and then did something worse? I I can't say it.
Well just just try.
I can't say it.
You look like my mam.
OK, love.
Now, I'm going to arrange for you to talk to an officer - who specialises -- - I was still, like .
.
wearing my clothes.
He didn't take my clothes off.
You know, that is still rape.
Yeah, that's what Faye said.
Did she take you to a referral centre? Yeah, they did like er forensic stuff.
But, at the end of the day, I just thought - .
.
I don't want the hassle.
- Now, look, if there's forensic evidence on file, that puts you in a great position prosecution-wise.
Yeah, Faye said that.
Listen, we'd be with you every step of the way this time.
Yeah, maybe.
Well, I'm not gonna force you.
You know, if she was here .
.
she'd know exactly what to do.
She helped you a lot, didn't she? Said we'd win in the end.
(Ah.
) Violence, extracting money with threats, - and using rape to enforce -- - Rape?! - Who's saying they've been raped? - I'm not going to disclose that.
Oh, there's a lot been done in your name, pet.
We're just getting started.
Illegal loans, inciting sexual violence.
Well, a good brief might be able to whittle that down to a few years.
But murder Nah, that'd be a life sentence.
You fancy that? - I didn't -- - Faye had had enough.
She sat at Roddy's funeral, watching you glad-handing and she told you she wasn't standing for it any more, didn't she? - She told you the game was up.
- No.
And you made a call.
You got your wife to lure her out to the car, you followed her and you killed her.
No wonder it took you a while to open up shop.
- The pair of you were getting your story straight.
- No, we were trying to work out the best way to help.
We're as upset about what happened to Faye as anyone.
Do you admit you lied? It was to deflect attention from my financial activities.
Now we're getting somewhere.
But I didn't set a trap for her and nor did my wife.
Faye came to me.
She wanted to leave, but she didn't wanna just walk out.
So I gave her a piece of paper where I'd written down a job that'd just come in.
Someone had phoned it through to Louise.
And they'd asked for me by name.
- .
.
that you've used physical intimidation.
- No comment.
Aiden.
The target wasn't Faye.
It was Tony.
He was sent the address.
Inadvertently passed it on to Faye.
Now, taking that at face value .
.
who wanted him dead? A fair few of this lot'd be pleased to see him gone.
But of all of 'em, who'd he wronged the most? Like, if you wanted to hurt Tony, why kill Faye? Why not kill Louise? He loves Louise.
It doesn't make sense.
See, I think they did want to kill Tony.
So, can you think of a reason why someone would want to do that? Er, to get out of paying him back? Now, I think they did want to pay him back.
Pay him back for what they'd done to people like you, people like Roddy.
Who knew what'd happened to him? We all did, but no-one was narked with Faye about it.
No, because Faye looked out for people, didn't she? Now, can you look out for her .
.
and go back over the night she died? What about Liam? Well, you said he was out the back with Noel.
Was that the truth? I don't know.
Noel told me to say he was with him, but .
.
I didn't see it myself.
So Noel lied about his alibi? Yeah, but only to protect his boy, like.
Right, well, go work on Liam.
But go through his mam.
Oh, she won't want him wrapped up in this.
Will do.
We've got your prints on the van that killed her.
I told you I drove it.
But we've also got Liam saying you weren't out the back of the pub like you said you were.
- Did you tell him to lie? - He offered to lie - .
.
cos I told him I drove the van after a drink.
- Oh.
Course, he knew you'd never have killed Faye cos you loved her.
Yeah.
Didn't tell him you were out to get Tony though, did you? Ah, you didn't plan it, I don't think.
I imagine the emotions of the day took over.
But what was it set you off, hm? Did Faye show you some DNA results at the funeral? Yeah.
I thought she had those to prove to someone they were the father of her baby, but now I see.
They were to prove to you that you wasn't.
So, she tells you the baby's Tony's .
.
to soften the blow.
Was it not Tony's then? I think she was trying to make you feel better.
After all, she knew that you'd missed out with your son, Liam.
So, do you want to tell me what happened at the wake? We were both upset.
So, did you confront Tony with it? No, I just watched him.
I hated what he'd done to Faye, to Roddy, to the village.
To me, my future.
I don't know what came over me.
I went outside for a breath of fresh air.
Saw the phone, called the cab firm.
I knew he was on duty.
I knew it'd bring him out.
Got in the van.
Watched the car pull away.
I just found myself following.
I'd like to think I I was only going to scare him.
But the truth is I don't know.
I'm not sure.
I went home.
Faye wasn't back.
I I didn't think anything of it.
I went to work.
And there she was.
I'm stood there and she's fighting for her life and I I'd killed the woman I loved more than life itself.
You know I'm going to have to arrest you now, don't you? It'll be for manslaughter though, won't it? I never wanted to kill her.
Never.
You laid a trap, pet.
That makes it premeditated.
And you killed a woman.
That makes it murder.
[The next of kin asked if the deceased could wear that.
.]
I'm dropping these back.
- I don't think any of them are really suitable.
- What's that? Oh, funeral poems.
Well, the Internet's good for that sort of thing.
Oh, I know.
I go to a lot of funerals, don't I? Occupational hazard.
I suppose you think I'm very hard-hearted not visiting her in hospital.
- That's not my business, love.
- She was a difficult girl.
And a lot of people loved her.
I think Brian probably was a little cruel.
I was a girl.
I didn't know any better.
But we were probably not as kind to her as we could have been.
He's paying for it now though.
Not as much as his daughter paid, love.
They've taken him in for processing.
This was someone's idea of the future.
New towns.
New hope.
Look, there's somewhere I need to be, pet.
- Can you get yourself home? - Will do.
Make sure social services keep an eye.
Next couple of months are going to be really hard on all of them.
Let's get this one turned round quickly, please.
Get the brace on.
As quick as possible.
Nobody else touch the car.
Steady.
Collision up Hawling Cross.
Someone's done a runner on a body.
Yeah, the victim is They say she's hanging in there, but - Likely to prove fatal.
- Mm.
- I've got you.
- Why aren't you up there already? - I had to drop the little 'un off.
I'm sorry.
I got here as quick as I could.
- Kenny's up there.
- Mm.
I know that road.
It's all bloody boy racers bombing it along at 80mph.
- Was she conscious when they found her? - No.
- Can't feel a pulse.
She's in cardiac arrest.
- All right.
Clear.
- So it was before dawn, they reckon? - We don't know.
We haven't got a name either.
Paramedics took her bag.
We're on it.
And there's no passenger.
Is the cab firm aware -- Everitt's? It's answerphone.
Jac's up there waiting now.
- What? She volunteered.
- She's good, Aiden.
Don't waste her.
Anyway, she was definitely hit by another vehicle.
She didn't just skid off the road.
What a mess.
Now, there's two types of paint.
Two sets of tyre tracks.
I think they both came this way.
Clipped her and off she went.
But it's not like it's a blind bend or anything, is it? - Even in the night.
- High speed wouldn't make a difference.
Right, well, there's culpability right there.
These tyre tracks say speeding to you? Well, could've been drunk.
Yeah.
It's likely, isn't it? Drink or drugs.
But there's plenty room to swerve, isn't there? Loads of room.
So, was this deliberate? What have you got for us? That could be it, right there.
Can you work your magic on that, Ken, see if she was texting? Well, I know a man who can, yes.
- Have you clocked the diesel? - Aye.
Well, she's in the ditch, so it's not from her vehicle, is it? No, agricultural.
More than likely some sort of farm vehicle.
Well, see how far this diesel goes, Ken.
- You never know.
It might take us right to her front door.
- Hm.
Was there any alcohol in the blood? I don't know.
I hope not.
She was 16 weeks pregnant.
No, no, there's no foetal heartbeat.
How long do you keep her like that? Till all the relatives have been informed.
Faye, she's called.
We found this on the cab firm's website.
Thanks.
Has she ever been in before? Yes.
But 'next of kin' was blank.
- Oh, so do you know who the baby's dad is? - We don't have antenatal records.
So, what was she in for before? I don't think I can tell you that, can I? Isn't your deputy talking to legal? Ethics fella says they need a court order before anything's disclosed.
Oh, very helpful.
What happened to 999 solidarity? Hey, Kenny, you got a relative for me? No, but we've found an address marked 'home'.
- It was stored in the sat-nav.
- Ah, right.
- Now, why didn't you think of that? - Why didn't you? Well, make sure you pass anything useful on to these medics, update their records.
- Yeah? - DCI Vera Stanhope, Northumberland and City police.
And this is DS Healey.
- OK.
- We're here about a Faye Wakeland? - Yeah, but she's not in.
- Ah, we know that, pet.
But this is her address, right? Yeah, she rents with my brother.
Well, can we come in, love? I'm afraid we've got some bad news.
Noel! It's the police.
And who's Noel? He the landlord? - Yeah.
- Mm.
I'm er I'm sorry.
I just got in from work.
Er, DCI Stanhope.
It's regarding your tenant -- Faye Wakeland.
Well, that doesn't sound good.
Mm.
Can we - There's no chance? Not even like - No, the medics think not.
I'm sorry.
Well, what about the baby? Is the baby alive? It won't be, love.
Think about it.
How long's she been a tenant here? Oh, about 18 months.
Yeah, about 18 months.
- Do her family know? - We were hoping you could help us contact them.
We didn't meet 'em.
They don't get on, I think.
No, they don't get on.
So do they go under the name of Wakeland? Again, I I don't really know.
Is there anything you can think of that might help us to contact them? They live in, like, a stately home.
- Well, that's what she told me.
- No, they don't.
You could try her room.
She might have an address book or something.
It's er just up there on the left.
She was at the funeral.
She was definitely there.
I mean, she was fine.
- I mean, she wasn't fine considering there was a funeral, like.
- Mm.
- Was that the last time you spoke to her? - Yeah.
She didn't come home.
Did she meet someone? Don't know, love.
Did she? Would that be in character? Well, not really, no.
- Whose funeral was it? - It was er our cousin.
Roddy.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Coming so soon after.
It beggars belief.
So, was she close to the deceased? - Roddy? - Maplin.
Ah, no, she only knew him through us.
She was my rock.
- That's what I called her.
- Simone, would you shut up a bit? - Sorry.
Do you know who the baby's father was? - I didn't ask.
- She didn't know.
Ah, it's all right, pet.
I don't judge.
Funny question, but can you think of anyone who might want to harm her? What, like, deliberately? - No.
- Not round here, no.
What about the fellas she used to hang out with in town and stuff? Maybe.
I don't know.
She said she hung around with some rough fellas in the past, but nothing that we were aware of.
Hm.
She had a couple of photo albums in the lounge.
Would they help? Aye.
If anything occurs to you .
.
you call this number.
Can we see her on the ward? Er, probably not, until her next of kin have been informed.
So, unless you're family or a partner Right, well, um, we'll head down there and we'll see what they say.
Her landlord, my arse.
Do a background check on the pair of them.
Well, to be fair, could be any reason he's lying.
- Like what? - Benefit fraud for one.
Be out of pocket if they say they're a couple.
Get on to Work and Pensions, see what flags up.
You all right? Any progress? Nope.
I've tried the mobiles, the landlines.
I've instant messaged.
- It's fine.
I'll just wait.
- Are you sure? - At least you've got the weather for it.
- Oh, yeah.
This job's like a holiday.
- Anyone reported her missing or the vehicle? - Doesn't look like it.
Likely to prove fatal.
And by likely they're saying definite, so no-one gets their hopes up.
- Shame.
Did she have kids? - Nah.
But she was pregnant.
- Wish I hadn't asked.
- Aye.
Now, it's unclear the sequence of events leading up to the collision, but the other vehicle left the scene.
Why? - Under the influence? - Probably.
So follow up any road-rage incidents in the area.
Did she have a run-in up the road? Did anyone else? Was it random or was someone going after her? That was my next question, Mark.
- Where are we with the diesel? - Half a mile down the road.
- The CSOs reckon there was a gap between the tread.
- So a 4X4.
Off-roader? That or a van, yeah.
Tractor, maybe.
Hm.
Have you got something on that landlord? Nope.
Him and his sister drew a blank.
But the victim herself, she was on the system -- as a timewaster.
She presented at Moresby about two years ago asking for a restraining order.
Said her stepmum, Susan Wakeland, was trying to kill her.
- You sure about that? - Absolutely.
She said she tried to run her over.
How long's this been a nursing home? Oh, 30-odd years.
Brian, Faye's dad, he's been here for about five.
His wife, Susan, looks after him.
Right.
I'll go in and break the news.
You check her movements, the day of the crash.
Hello? Ah, looking for a Susan Wakeland, love? - She runs the place, doesn't she? - She's supervising lunch.
Here we go.
Ah.
Her car was hit by another vehicle.
And I'm afraid she's not expected to survive her injuries.
So, what, she's put someone in a coma? No.
No, I'm sorry if I've not made myself clear, Mrs Wakeland.
No, it's Faye who's been injured.
She's the one on life support.
We always tried our best with Faye.
- When did you last see her? - June, maybe? She was working a lot.
I can't say we've had much contact recently.
I can't do this.
Well, I'll do it, if you like.
No.
He He's not good with strangers Bri? Brian, love? Who who's that? She's a policewoman, love.
Faye's been in an accident, sweetheart.
She's not going to wake up.
D did I Did did you make your peace? You did.
You did, love.
That is important to you to be at peace, isn't it? - What was the falling out? - Oh, stupid stuff over power of attorney.
- Money? - What money? Faye got bad advice from some solicitor she was going out with.
He told her to come after Brian's estate cos I couldn't be trusted.
Mm.
But that was resolved? - More or less.
- Hm.
Now, a tricky one, this.
Faye reported to the police that you tried to run her over.
Do you wanna tell me about that? I've absolutely no idea.
An incident in Grey Market about two years ago.
Well, we had a row, yeah, but I didn't She practically threw herself on the bonnet.
Effing and blinding at me.
She told lies.
- Like? - Oh, like she was always the victim and someone was out to get her.
- And was someone out to get her? - No.
So, what were the other lies? Obviously there was stuff that she said about Brian.
And with the stroke, he could barely answer back.
So, what did she say exactly? That he was cruel and that we made her teenage years a misery.
Well, no, she made her life a misery.
I'm sorry to say it, but she did.
Um, so how did it happen? - Was she on her phone or - Don't know, love.
The other driver didn't stop.
Poor Sue.
Poor Brian.
This is gonna set him back, no doubt.
Was she on duty two days ago? - How do you mean? - Can you say where she was? As in, are you checking up on her? It's just a routine part of our investigation.
Between say, 6pm and 6am? Yeah.
Yeah.
There was a fire drill about 8pm.
I'm the marshal.
I remember ticking her off.
Look, the hospital will need to talk to next of kin.
Formalities, organ donations, what have you.
I've got no idea of her wishes.
I What do you expect me to do, ask her dad? The nurse reckons she was here.
Well, I don't think she's going to visit.
- Wow.
- I know.
Well, the hospital are going to want witnesses when they switch her off.
Yeah.
They've turned up.
Someone from the workshop next door told them first thing yesterday and they closed in respect.
All right, thanks.
We're on our way over.
Popular.
Went out of her way to help people, especially elderly clients.
I had to have a chat about the number of free lifts she was giving.
How long was she with you? - Oh, under a year.
I can check.
- Hm.
Had she had any trouble on the road or with clients? No.
Why? It was an accident, wasn't it? Well, we're keeping an open mind for now, love.
Was she on duty when she died or was she using the car for a private No, she was on duty.
Friday night's our best night.
Someone had to be on.
She'd agreed because she wasn't drinking.
- So I could have a drink at Roddy's do.
- Because of the pregnancy? - Probably.
What pregnancy? What? I only heard on the grapevine.
- Do you know who the baby's father was? - No idea.
I didn't even know she had a bloke.
She was always banging on about that solicitor.
The one with all the money.
So, just to clarify .
.
was she working when she crashed or was she on her way to work? I'm guessing, given where she was found, - she was driving to the address I gave her.
- Ah.
Have you um It's a landline.
Usually means a pensioner.
I can't remember if it was a man or a lady.
And did they call back to say she hadn't turned up? Now you ask, I don't think they did.
Well, thanks, love.
Jac.
Apparently she had a boyfriend who was a solicitor.
See if it's the same one the stepmother was banging on about.
Went after the father's estate.
- Jac, Mark'll have it on the system.
- It's all right.
I know.
Kenny.
Trace that caller.
See if they saw or heard from her.
- Will do, ma'am.
- We'll check out the CCTV.
Well, it is a funeral.
So crying's to be expected.
She's not storming out or anything, is she? No, just leaving to start her shift, I'd say.
- Packed do though, weren't it? - We ran out of lager, I remember that.
Popular fella then.
Yeah.
That or the free bar.
I think the shock upset a lot of people.
- How'd he die? - I thought you investigated.
Roddy took his own life.
I want everything on Roddy Maplin's background.
His wife, the officers who found his body, inquest reports, the lot.
- Probably still interim.
- Yeah, well, interim'll do.
And I want everything on that funeral and how this place all fits together.
Could it be some satellite interfering with the GPS? No.
This is what she typed into the car as well.
No landline for at least a mile and half.
So, who called her out here? Do you reckon it was a trap? Could be premeditated.
Kenny, trace that phone call.
Top priority.
Yes.
Right.
That was the hospital.
They're ready for us.
- This doesn't feel right.
- I know.
It's all right, you can stand down.
One of our A&E nurses has agreed to witness.
Ah.
Did you meet her whilst you were on duty? Ah, so that's why you concealed your relationship.
I could have lost my job.
I loved her.
I loved her so much.
Can you tell everyone I'm next of kin? Aye.
At the time, I was working in mental health.
She was admitted, said she'd had an overdose.
When the bloods came back, they were clear.
She told 'em she'd made it up.
They just told me to inform her GP and um give her a leaflet on mindfulness.
So let me get this straight.
Rather than see her discharged with nowhere to go, you said she could come to yours.
Aye.
Well, she was a fine-looking lass.
No, it wasn't like that.
No.
- She was in a state.
- But you were living as a couple.
It wasn't official.
With the three of us at home, it was like a little family with Simone as our kid.
We never said we were, like, in a relationship.
Noel, was the baby yours? I just don't know.
So, did that cause ructions? Was there a fall-out at the funeral? - Is that where this is heading? - Not at all.
Not at all.
It was a mess, yes.
But I loved her.
So, who else was she close to, other than you and Simone? Everyone.
She had friends all over.
Hm.
She sounds like a nice girl.
Her dad was a nasty piece of work.
And her stepmum.
Hang on.
You said you hadn't met them.
I haven't, but the stories she told me That's why she was vulnerable.
- Get them dropped off and have someone keep an eye on them.
- What? So we can check his alibi with the neighbour before he gives them the heads-up.
- Do you reckon he's lying? - I think he was trying to tell me something.
Now this crash was premeditated.
Mm.
Heat of the moment, I could buy they had some kind of row.
But he really loved her.
It's just I don't know.
- Forensics say it was a white van that hit her.
- (Right.
) You're police, aren't you? Aye, we are, love.
Sorry for the intrusion, Mrs Maplin.
We know you've been recently bereaved.
How does this happen? You know, it's only three weeks since Roddy.
Well, can we come in, love? I was out the back of the Walnut with Noel for most of it.
Couldn't face that lot.
Rat-arsed blokes coming up, shaking my hand.
- Can anyone else confirm that? - The manager maybe.
He was in and out.
And Simone.
She kept bringing us drinks.
Why do you need my movements? Love, think about it.
They're double-checking what Noel told them.
It just doesn't seem real.
- I don't know why I'm upset.
My dad's just gone but - No, she was a nice lady.
She did a lot for Noel and Simone.
Hm? In what way? Getting Simone on a college course for her reading and that.
I thought they were in it for the long haul -- her and Noel and the baby.
- Poor bugger had no luck.
- Was the baby Noel's then? Well, whose else would it be? I know she played hard to get, but she doted on him.
Now this solicitor, Adil Dohni, he's a former boyfriend and he represented her in court.
- Fancy offices.
- Mm.
My dad always said, 'You ever need a lawyer, get one who's made a bob or two.
' - This particular one's been sued twice for professional negligence.
- Right, so he's a shyster.
- They were together at least five years, I'd say.
- Mm.
Did we get anything on the legal case? Looks like it went in her favour.
Faye ended up with the family home.
Hang on.
If she's got a house, what's she doing living with Noel? It was sold two years ago.
And six months later she's in A&E saying she's homeless? So where'd the money go? Hm? I just wish I'd seen her.
I tried, but she kept saying to me that she was snowed under.
So, when was the last time? 18 months? When we split up, I guess.
Can I ask why did you split up? Just the normal.
Just stopped getting along.
Mm.
Ah, we know you were helping her out in a case.
- I mean, did you fall out over that? - No.
It wasn't money.
I got frustrated.
Getting the house could've sorted her out financially.
Cut a long story short, she sold up and, well, blew the lot.
What, like, two hundred grand? Nearly, yeah.
It was all a bit manic, really.
Kind of like a a meltdown.
Mm.
So was it that drove you apart? Kids.
She didn't want them and, well, I did.
Ah, well, yeah, well, that can be difficult.
Basically her dad and stepmum were horrible to her.
Did she ever talk about violence in her childhood? Some.
But more psychological.
Nasty stuff like no birthday presents, - locking her in her room - Yeah, but did she tell you that? It was obvious from the moment you met them.
Brian was a nasty piece of work.
If we'd not gone after the house, Sue would've left her with nothing.
Did she ever speak of anyone maybe wanting to harm her? Oh, yeah.
Susan was always making threats.
Now, did she tell you that or did you witness it? Oh, I witnessed it.
Susan was like a stalker whenever she got angry.
She waited outside my flat once.
When we arrived there was a big row.
Tried to run Faye over.
I told the other bloke.
There was a fire drill.
She was here.
Did you see her in the early evening? - I'm sure I must have.
- So you didn't.
Did you mislead my sergeant? No, I just I know she was here.
- Did she ask you to lie for her? - I'm not lying.
I just I know she wasn't involved.
- How do you know that? - Faye was always getting into trouble.
Slagging her off, playing the victim.
It was completely unfair.
- I'm just trying to stop you wasting your time.
- Where is she, love? She went on respite leave to her sister's, just after she heard the news.
She left just after we came to see her.
But there's a sister, apparently.
She reckons she's gone there.
Now we need to find her.
I'll get upstairs to throw tactical at it, if necessary.
- Upstairs have just agreed to the sniffer dogs for the fuel.
- Finally! Now, get uniform to bring in Mrs Minibreak, while we track down this van.
Follow the tree line all the way along.
Will do, sarge.
Nothing yet.
- He's lost that spot already.
- Nothing? The dogs have lost the scent of the diesel.
We're searching that copse over there.
Aiden.
Forget the dogs.
Bring in the divers.
They're pulling it out now.
We'll run a trace.
As soon as we've had a proper look.
I'll get back to you, yeah.
- Any markings? - Nothing.
No reg plates either.
Ma'am, they traced the landline that made the call.
- It was a phone box outside the pub in Metherington.
- In here, please.
So madam here waited outside the funeral and lured her into a trap.
Now that fits with what that solicitor told us about stalking.
Why are you even listening to this? Everything that came out of Faye's mouth was a lie.
So I'd be right in thinking there was a lot of animosity between you? It was very complicated.
Look, look I wasn't perfect.
And, God bless her, she lost her mam at 14 and I know it didn't help me turning up.
But Faye was not an easy person.
She brought it on herself, is that what you're saying? She caused trouble for people.
She went after people's husbands.
She was a class-A blackmailer! Nevertheless, we have a witness who says you tried to run her over.
Yes, and he's completely crooked too.
Ask anyone from the legal profession.
Listen to me.
This will be her doing some nasty bloke and ruining someone's life.
Well, she won't be doing it any more will she, pet, now someone's ruined hers? Excuse me, ma'am.
Can I run something by you? What? It's a tricky one.
Not sure what to make of it.
Ah, well, come on, spit it out.
I've got Faye's phone history.
And about three weeks ago she searched online for 'How to accuse someone of rape'.
How to accuse someone or how to report someone? I know.
Funny wording, isn't it? Hm.
I've done a bit of digging.
None of our sexual violence team have any record of her.
- What about assault referral centres? - I'll do that next.
What do you make of it? It suggests she was thinking of making an allegation.
What, as in reporting it or as in making something up? Well, I suppose more likely the former.
Er it may not be relevant.
Well, of course it's relevant.
We can't ignore this if she's been assaulted, not by a long chalk.
But then she has been accused of being economical with the truth.
But calling her a liar over something like this That'd be terrible if we got that wrong.
Hm? - Then I'll work on the assumption she suffered some kind of attack.
- Right.
Oh, there you are.
We traced the chassis number of the van.
- Brace yourself.
- I've been braced since the '80s, pet.
The van belonged to Roddy Maplin, recently deceased.
Ma'am.
Loads of these in plastic boxes in the back of the van.
Some of them never even got wet.
Oh, my life.
Reckon he was about 15 grand in the red.
Turned down by the banks.
Went to these guys.
Even they were saying no in the end.
Well, that's enough to make anyone desperate, isn't it? Poor sod.
So what's he been spending money on? Not clear.
Er, could be snowballing interest rates.
But, on the other hand, he was transferring money into Faye's bank account.
- Regular as clockwork, the last eight months or so.
- Well, follow that up, Ken.
And have a good look at her accounts too.
Now, why was Roddy giving her money? Well, Jac's got a theory about blackmail.
Aye, but is that plausible? She accuses him of rape and he pays up straightaway? - Nah.
- Could be a piece of work from what people have said.
And could be a saint from what others have said.
Er, manipulative, ripped off her dad.
But then she gives free lifts to old biddies.
'The love of our life.
' 'Our rock.
' This doesn't add up.
- But if we think she had a habit of extracting money -- - I know, I know.
But it's all a bit much, isn't it? Blackmail.
Extortion.
It'll be something else tomorrow.
I could kick myself.
We've been wasting time, faffing about with her past and her family.
It was someone in her immediate circle who killed her, wasn't it? It seems unlikely Susan would have nicked Roddy's van.
Didn't know him.
- Shall I bail her? - Yeah, we're gonna have to.
I mean, all this business of childhood cruelty.
- I mean, is that fact or fiction? - Who knows? But what we do know is that the killer's now had a few days to get their story straight.
I wanna know who her mates were locally.
All the ins and outs.
- And that CCTV.
Has that given us anything? - No-one followed her out.
So the killer arrived in the area after she did and never went inside.
Hm.
Bail Susan.
Are you Josh? - DCI Stanhope? - Yeah.
You got the paperwork? Great.
- So, you were the attending officer, hm? - Yeah.
- This your first hanging? - Second.
Not a pleasant experience, is it? You'll not get used to it.
- No phone records.
- No, we didn't have the resources.
But the afternoon he died, he was texted an address by someone called Faye.
How do you know he was texted an address? - I I went on his phone.
- Without a warrant? I was looking for his emergency contact.
I just saw it.
You'll get yourself in hot water, lad.
In front of a barrister, he'll tear you to shreds.
Yeah, I I know.
Did he reply? 'I can't do this any more.
' Didn't leave a note? We didn't find one.
Why's she texting him this address? - Have you been there? - It's just been me doing the whole thing.
Hm.
Busy beat, is it? The usual.
Fighting.
In and out of A&E.
- No-one pressing charges.
- I remember it well.
Hopefully, now it's linked to a murder, we might get some answers.
You know, for his wife and Liam.
- What do you make of them? - Smashing people.
And how they're coping, you know, considering.
You local boys do a good job.
You don't get many pats on the back, do you? Not really.
If this goes well, Josh, I'll make sure you get some credit.
This place is full of students.
What was Faye doing here? - Any intelligence? - A few noise complaints -- parties -- a couple of years back.
And nothing connects her to here? - It's not a previous address? - Nope.
Right.
- It's not illegal, is it? - Well, technically, it could be fraud on your landlord.
We were just trying to make some extra cash.
We're broke.
So's the taxman.
How often did she come over? - You'd know.
- Mate.
I'm just saying you were the one speaking with her.
Basically, we were looking for a new housemate, you know, to put in the lounge.
- She got in touch, said - If we cleared out every Saturday, - she'd give us the same money as one day a week.
- So you handed over the keys and went off to the seaside for the day? What was she using the place for? - She paid in cash, so - We thought she was a hooker.
Hooker? Do you mean a sex worker? - Is that why you're here? - It's just part of an ongoing inquiry.
Oh, my God.
She's dead.
- What? - Is that why? Does this fella Does he ring a bell? - Did he kill her? - Just answer her question.
We just cleared out.
We didn't see anyone.
I swear, I haven't seen him.
I'll get on to the exploitation unit, - see if there's any intelligence of this being a pop-up.
- A what? A brothel being used by transient sex workers.
- Well, you never know.
- Aye.
Maybe.
What are you thinking? Well, it's just not sitting right, is it? Sex worker I can buy.
But she wasn't desperate, there's no drug history.
Yeah, but she was broke.
- Mm.
- I don't know.
Maybe it could be .
.
massages with a few extras thrown in.
Got someone's back up Yeah, maybe.
Maybe.
Well, it's similar, yeah, but it can't be his.
- Why not? - Cos his is in the garage.
- You drove it back, didn't you? - Yeah, before the ceremony.
Right.
- Well, can I see it? - If you must.
Garage isn't locked.
- What, it's never locked? - No.
Well, that's a bit dodgy, isn't it? Anyone could have access to it.
I suppose.
Look, I'm sorry, love, I've got a difficult question to ask you.
Is it more difficult than asking me to identify my husband's body? Do you have any sense at all .
.
of why your husband took his own life? Well, he'd always been depressed, on and off.
I know he tried in his teens.
- The psychiatrist said he fitted a pattern.
- He lost his job.
He went downhill after that.
Got paranoid.
A bit, yeah.
You know, like people were out to get him.
- How? - He always thought people were cheating him or whatever.
- Oh, look, I hate to get personal, but -- - I know, I know.
Just doing your job.
Is there any chance at all .
.
your husband and Faye - were in any kind of relationship? - No way! - Next question.
- Well, you both seem very sure of that.
- He loved Mum.
- It's not just cos of that.
Roddy and Noel were like brothers.
No way he'd have gone after Faye.
- 'And then we drove it back to his garage.
' - 'When was this?' It was before the funeral.
Us and Liam.
We had to transport, like, a massive photo of him.
What did you do with the keys? Roddy leaves them in the glove box.
What was the nature of Roddy and Faye's relationship? Well, er, they were friends, I suppose.
Is there a chance anything else could've gone on between them? What, like an affair? No.
No, he was too under the thumb.
- What? You always said he's under the thumb.
- I said he was loyal.
Well, she wasn't loyal to him, though, was she? Right.
There's a bit of a secret hanging about.
Carolyn and me, we messed about a bit .
.
when she first got together with Roddy.
I'm Liam's dad.
I'm not proud about it, but I love that kid and I loved Roddy, so I I backed off for both their sakes.
Did Roddy know? No.
I think he might have suspected, I think.
In truth, I think I had a part to play in er .
.
what he did to himself.
As we thought, no van.
Well, Noel reckons he returned it.
Does he indeed? - What was his alibi again? - Out the back with Liam.
- Oh.
- Apparently, Liam's his son not Roddy's.
Well, she never mentioned that.
But there again, maybe the lad doesn't know.
Could have found out.
That could be relevant.
Could that lad have done something like this? Possibly.
Bit smart, but you never know.
Roddy texted Faye shortly before he dies, 'Can't do this any more.
' If it's not an affair, what is it? I mean, what are they doing at that address? Remind me why she left the funeral early.
- On duty, they're saying.
- Yeah, but - No, that's odd, isn't it? - Is it? Well, why would you choose to be on duty if the bloke you've been texting on the quiet is being laid to rest? - Because you didn't want to be there.
- Why? Because you can't face it or because you drove them to it? None of the assault referral centres have any record of her.
Right.
So she didn't report it or .
.
or there was nothing to report? - Kenny, have you got her bank stuff? - On its way.
- Right.
Sums in, sums out - and tally it against the days she was at that house.
- Ma'am.
And for what it's worth, one of the drivers at the cab firm - was convinced the killing would be the result of a sex feud.
- 'Sex feud'? - That a technical term? - I'm just recounting what he told me.
- What's this fella's name? - Um Don't just sit there, get it up on the board.
- What? - Thought we were going to be nice to her.
I want her to do well, but she's got to be on top of the basics.
Give her a few pointers.
You might be the blue-eyed boy now, but you weren't so quick off the mark when you first came here.
- Is that a compliment? - Aye.
Make the most of it.
Thanks, love.
Ah.
No coffee for me then? Er, sorry, Marcus.
I can never remember what you like.
Just just a latte.
See? In one ear and out the other.
Cause of death: Traumatic injuries following a high-speed collision.
I'm sorry I don't have anything new for you.
Well, I'm glad I came all this way.
- No drink, drugs? - Not that I could find.
Nor any signs of assault, thankfully.
Report on the foetus: Survived the impact because of the amniotic sac, but died from a lack of oxygen when Mum when into cardiac arrest.
There's one thing that might be useful.
It's her GP notes.
She had a termination booked.
So there should be some sort of confirmation letter at home.
Well, that is useful.
Thanks.
Also, I was packing these up for the funeral director and I found this in her pocket.
Paternity result.
Well, well, well.
We should've listened to the stepmother.
Pregnant by her married boss.
Paternity results.
Now then these results were found in her clothing the day she died.
So it's safe to assume she'd taken 'em to the funeral.
A bit of an odd thing to do, but emotions are running high, so it's not out of the question.
Also her GP confirmed that she'd booked a termination.
So, what are we to make of that? If she has got a history of extracting cash from blokes, was there a confrontation about these results with Tony? Hang on, I saw something on the CCTV.
So, is this the DNA results? I think you're right.
Get on to that clinic who did the testing and see what else they can tell us.
- I'll go and question him.
- Hang on.
Let's dig for as much as we can first and then bring him in.
Mark, find me someone who saw Tony leave that funeral.
Were you having a sexual relationship? No.
I love my wife.
Look, I swear on my life, I wasn't.
She might've had a thing for me, but I never did anything about it.
Oh, now we're getting somewhere.
So what sort of thing? Like, she used to tell me she fancied me or whatever.
- I used to just ignore it.
- Really? - Were you not flattered? - No.
- Hm? - It was scary.
I was paranoid she'd turn up in fishnets and a mac.
Oh, so now she's Loopy Lou.
That's easy to say, now she's not here to say different.
So, what happened? Hm? You fall out when she threatened to tell your missus? - No, because we never -- - If you never, how come you fathered her child? I didn't.
- Well, who's told you that? - DNA test.
What DNA test? Look, you can't just DNA test me.
Why, because the truth will out? No, because this is the first I've heard of any DNA test.
Oh, is that right? Well, what's she showing you here, pet? Hm? Caught on CCTV.
Well, I don't know.
I can't remember.
I think she showed you these results and then you followed her out and you killed her to shut her up.
- And why would I do that? - You tell me, love.
As you say, you love your wife.
- Are you charging him? - No, not yet.
- Why, what have you got? - Well, Tony Everitt's been making cash deposits in Faye's account.
- The lass at the branch recognised him.
- Well, that's it then -- hush money.
Faye goes after him about the affair, then ups the ante with the DNA.
- That fits the pattern, doesn't it? - Hold your horses.
- We can't link him to the crash.
- Remind me why not? He's all over the CCTV.
Getting rounds in.
Makes a big speech at the end.
- Well, maybe he'd slipped out.
- I thought that.
- But we found six people said they'd vouch that he was there.
- Six?! - I know.
Popular fella by all accounts.
- Are they genuine or are they covering for him? - Hard to say.
- Well, is there a window of opportunity? Max probably a half hour.
Well, that won't stick then, will it? Getting that van into the lake.
That's, what, a couple of hours at least.
OK, well, if it's not him then who? Somebody who was linked to him? There's the person who gave her the details in the car.
The missus.
- Are you sure this is the right address? - It's the one they gave us.
Huh! How can a cabbie afford this? He owns the business.
What? It's ten foot by ten foot and a bit of gravel.
Well, he has got a few drivers.
There's only him and Faye on the website.
So what are the other drivers doing with themselves all day? What can I do for you guys? Yes, I gave her the fare details.
I already told you that.
Hm.
Did you make them up? Why on earth would I? I don't know.
Lay a trap - cos you found out about the affair with your husband? - Oh, no.
No way.
He didn't even fancy her.
- Are you sure about that? - We talked about it.
It was like a joke how much she fancied him.
I thought it was sweet.
And did you think it was sweet he was taking money from your business - and putting it into her bank account? - I did, actually, yes.
We felt sorry for her.
She was broke.
We wanted to help her out.
And did you know she was pregnant by your husband? If she said that, it's wishful thinking.
- I'm sorry, love, we've got proof.
- I don't believe this.
You're not gonna get me to say I hated her.
I didn't.
I felt sorry for her.
The things she's gone through, I wouldn't wish on anyone.
And neither would my husband.
So I think you better send him home.
Well, she's either lying or she's completely stupid.
- Stand by your man? - Aye.
Or vice versa.
But then why would she log it on the system? I mean, if she was laying a trap she'd phone Faye direct, wouldn't she? Oh, this is daft.
It doesn't make any sense.
We're missing something.
Probably something staring us right in the face.
She certainly got people to feel sorry for her, didn't she? I think she said whatever came into her head to get attention.
- Well, that doesn't make her a bad person.
- No.
But if someone pretending to be all tragic suddenly meets a tragic death .
.
what are we to make of that? Ma'am.
The DNA clinic says that the doctor that sent this report has been off sick for at least eight months.
So, how did she get them then? Maybe she didn't.
Well, could she have made them? - Copied it off the Internet? - Is that possible? Er, that's not just a cut-and-paste job, but it's possible.
You know what? Tony swore blind he wasn't having a sexual relationship with her.
And now I'm inclined to believe him.
But he claimed he didn't know what was on that piece of paper.
And that I don't believe.
Get that CCTV up.
Look, freeze it there.
Now, it was me insisting that was the DNA results.
So, why didn't Tony put me right? Hm? Clear himself? Because whatever it was they were discussing - was something worse.
- Ma'am.
I've been through the till roll from the bar.
Looks like Tony paid the whole tab for the wake.
The whole tab?! Oh, St Anthony of the Minicabs! - Nothing to see here.
- See I knew he sounded dodgy.
- Everyone vouching for him.
- Aiden, get over and wear one of those witnesses down.
If you can do it while he's still in custody, chances are someone might buckle.
Now then, alternative theories connecting Tony and Faye.
If it's not some sort of paternity or mistress set-up, what is it they're doing means money's rattling between them? Something lucrative, judging by the house.
Good money.
But off the radar.
So small, but lots of it.
Ah, so what are we saying? Weed? We got any intelligence on that? Nothing's coming up.
I can push the neighbourhood team.
- Right.
Dodgy trainers.
Dodgy fags.
- Designer gear works.
It draws less attention to itself.
- Where was the money supposedly coming from? - Rental properties, but that could be rubbish.
Maybe he's a dodgy landlord.
Owns half the area and his tenants are protecting him.
All these properties are in town.
Let to students, mainly.
- You said Faye came round.
- Yeah, um, she used to come round either like a Saturday or a Sunday.
So long as we cleared off, we got paid for the day.
It weren't even me, it was Owen.
- Really? He reckons you started it.
- He was the one that put up the ad.
What, and your landlord found it? That what happened? Then what? What did Tony Everitt draw you into? Nothing.
Everything else I told you was true.
He told us to give Faye the house for one day a week and he'd turn a blind eye.
You'd turn a blind eye, more like.
Now, listen, son, you're from a nice family.
Did you really sit back and let some bloke run a criminal enterprise from your front room? - Hm? - It really didn't seem that bad.
Just people coming in and out.
I think people were pleased to see 'em.
It's not as if they were thugs.
Well, I don't believe he didn't buy your silence.
All right, he waived the rent.
Look, I'm about to graduate 30 grand down.
I needed the money.
- I think I've got it.
- OK.
What do I need to do? No, just listen.
We've got a broke community that has Tony's back.
We've got him putting large amounts of cash into Faye's bank account.
There's poor old Roddy, who's run out of credit with the payday loans people, meeting Faye on the quiet.
What if Tony's a loan shark and Faye was working for him? - That would explain why people are defending him, they're scared.
- Exactly.
They're all in hock.
Get on to the Citizens Advice and see if there's any sniff of it.
Aiden, I'm on to something.
What have you got? I think I've unpicked what they were up to.
- Yeah, loan sharks, right? - I've found a witness who's prepared to talk.
She turned me down the first time I asked her.
Told me to cut back on my spending.
There's only so much you can cut out, so I lied a bit about how I'd make the repayments and she set us up with this meeting.
She had this, like, studenty house .
.
where she did the handover.
I think it started as a grand.
But then, by the time you've paid it back, it's more like two grand and I just I just didn't think it through.
Anyway, I soon found out they weren't all as nice as she was.
She tried her best but he Tony? He set the dogs on me.
And then there was nothing she could do.
Who are the dogs, love? They the others drivers? They the muscle? First they take your stuff.
Then when all that's gone .
.
they try to scare you.
And you had not even the slightest inkling - there were organised criminals working in the area? - None.
Disorganised criminals maybe.
People getting themselves in messes.
Ah.
The ones you take to A&E.
The ones who've been fighting and don't press charges.
Well, they've been fighting cos they're poor, aren't they? Not cos some fella's been pushing 'em about.
Not Community's finest hour.
Was there anything else? There's hundreds of them.
How do you silence hundreds of people? Well, make them think they're the only one.
- Shame.
- Yeah.
Definitely not the 'back of a fag packet' operation.
- Big fan of spreadsheets.
- Ah, they're professional.
Jac, please tell me Citizens Advice has evidence of loan shark activity.
I can do better than that.
They've got evidence pertaining to motive for murder.
'People have been driven to topping themselves.
It's not right.
Can I ask how you became aware of it? I just know about it.
Right.
You do realise that what you're telling me isn't confidential? - OK.
- Can you give me your name? Faye.
Just Faye.
- That's it.
- And this was, what, three days before she died? Well, that explains someone's lack of memory at the funeral, doesn't it? - Did she tell you she was going to report you? - No.
- So did you try to shut her up? - No.
Mm.
Now, you went to the funeral.
Why? Ah, to see how it was panning out with the community, now that Roddy had gone and done what he'd done.
See if anyone was blaming you.
- Anyone going to spill the beans.
- No.
Do you admit you've been lending money illegally? I offered loans to friends, yes.
But I didn't kill anyone or beat anyone up or anything else people might be saying.
So, why do you think they're saying that? Cos if I get put away they don't have to pay me back, do they? Oh! Now, well, there is that.
Look, you've got this all wrong.
I was just the bank.
- She was the one making the connections.
- That's right, blame the dead person.
She liked the money, I'm telling you.
Heart of stone.
You should see her handbag collection.
Ooh.
Is it as impressive as your great big house with the gravel drive? Mm? Don't give me this businessman tripe.
You prey on the vulnerable, the depressed - Well, a lot of people with depression pay up on time.
- Yeah? Well, what about Roddy, hm? He was depressed.
Did Faye ask you to let him off? Not really.
Nah.
Cos she never stood up to a bully, did she? Well, I can't let off every Tom, Dick and Harry she felt sorry for.
No, so instead you killed her to shut her up.
- You've got no evidence of that.
- No, cos you've got everyone covering for you.
Nope, because I know I didn't do it.
So you won't find any proof.
- You all right, boss? - Mm.
All on Faye.
Heart of stone, apparently.
Well, that fits, doesn't it? Hang on.
Is that the list of people who owes him money? I should've thought of that.
Simone.
- Sorry - See you later.
- Can we have a talk, pet? - Have I done something? - Now, why do you say that? - Sometimes I do things that I don't realise.
No.
No, no, no.
No, I just wanted to ask you something private.
Were you ever in debt to Tony Everitt? Well, yeah, but Faye sorted it for me.
I just got in a muddle cos of my maths.
- That's why I'm here, to get my GCSE and that.
- Ah.
But before Faye sorted it, did anyone try to get payment from you in another way? One of the dogs did, yeah.
Said I owed him.
You should've come to us, pet.
Sexual assault.
We'd have believed you.
- Yeah, Faye said that.
- Aye.
But, like, what if they found out and then did something worse? I I can't say it.
Well just just try.
I can't say it.
You look like my mam.
OK, love.
Now, I'm going to arrange for you to talk to an officer - who specialises -- - I was still, like .
.
wearing my clothes.
He didn't take my clothes off.
You know, that is still rape.
Yeah, that's what Faye said.
Did she take you to a referral centre? Yeah, they did like er forensic stuff.
But, at the end of the day, I just thought - .
.
I don't want the hassle.
- Now, look, if there's forensic evidence on file, that puts you in a great position prosecution-wise.
Yeah, Faye said that.
Listen, we'd be with you every step of the way this time.
Yeah, maybe.
Well, I'm not gonna force you.
You know, if she was here .
.
she'd know exactly what to do.
She helped you a lot, didn't she? Said we'd win in the end.
(Ah.
) Violence, extracting money with threats, - and using rape to enforce -- - Rape?! - Who's saying they've been raped? - I'm not going to disclose that.
Oh, there's a lot been done in your name, pet.
We're just getting started.
Illegal loans, inciting sexual violence.
Well, a good brief might be able to whittle that down to a few years.
But murder Nah, that'd be a life sentence.
You fancy that? - I didn't -- - Faye had had enough.
She sat at Roddy's funeral, watching you glad-handing and she told you she wasn't standing for it any more, didn't she? - She told you the game was up.
- No.
And you made a call.
You got your wife to lure her out to the car, you followed her and you killed her.
No wonder it took you a while to open up shop.
- The pair of you were getting your story straight.
- No, we were trying to work out the best way to help.
We're as upset about what happened to Faye as anyone.
Do you admit you lied? It was to deflect attention from my financial activities.
Now we're getting somewhere.
But I didn't set a trap for her and nor did my wife.
Faye came to me.
She wanted to leave, but she didn't wanna just walk out.
So I gave her a piece of paper where I'd written down a job that'd just come in.
Someone had phoned it through to Louise.
And they'd asked for me by name.
- .
.
that you've used physical intimidation.
- No comment.
Aiden.
The target wasn't Faye.
It was Tony.
He was sent the address.
Inadvertently passed it on to Faye.
Now, taking that at face value .
.
who wanted him dead? A fair few of this lot'd be pleased to see him gone.
But of all of 'em, who'd he wronged the most? Like, if you wanted to hurt Tony, why kill Faye? Why not kill Louise? He loves Louise.
It doesn't make sense.
See, I think they did want to kill Tony.
So, can you think of a reason why someone would want to do that? Er, to get out of paying him back? Now, I think they did want to pay him back.
Pay him back for what they'd done to people like you, people like Roddy.
Who knew what'd happened to him? We all did, but no-one was narked with Faye about it.
No, because Faye looked out for people, didn't she? Now, can you look out for her .
.
and go back over the night she died? What about Liam? Well, you said he was out the back with Noel.
Was that the truth? I don't know.
Noel told me to say he was with him, but .
.
I didn't see it myself.
So Noel lied about his alibi? Yeah, but only to protect his boy, like.
Right, well, go work on Liam.
But go through his mam.
Oh, she won't want him wrapped up in this.
Will do.
We've got your prints on the van that killed her.
I told you I drove it.
But we've also got Liam saying you weren't out the back of the pub like you said you were.
- Did you tell him to lie? - He offered to lie - .
.
cos I told him I drove the van after a drink.
- Oh.
Course, he knew you'd never have killed Faye cos you loved her.
Yeah.
Didn't tell him you were out to get Tony though, did you? Ah, you didn't plan it, I don't think.
I imagine the emotions of the day took over.
But what was it set you off, hm? Did Faye show you some DNA results at the funeral? Yeah.
I thought she had those to prove to someone they were the father of her baby, but now I see.
They were to prove to you that you wasn't.
So, she tells you the baby's Tony's .
.
to soften the blow.
Was it not Tony's then? I think she was trying to make you feel better.
After all, she knew that you'd missed out with your son, Liam.
So, do you want to tell me what happened at the wake? We were both upset.
So, did you confront Tony with it? No, I just watched him.
I hated what he'd done to Faye, to Roddy, to the village.
To me, my future.
I don't know what came over me.
I went outside for a breath of fresh air.
Saw the phone, called the cab firm.
I knew he was on duty.
I knew it'd bring him out.
Got in the van.
Watched the car pull away.
I just found myself following.
I'd like to think I I was only going to scare him.
But the truth is I don't know.
I'm not sure.
I went home.
Faye wasn't back.
I I didn't think anything of it.
I went to work.
And there she was.
I'm stood there and she's fighting for her life and I I'd killed the woman I loved more than life itself.
You know I'm going to have to arrest you now, don't you? It'll be for manslaughter though, won't it? I never wanted to kill her.
Never.
You laid a trap, pet.
That makes it premeditated.
And you killed a woman.
That makes it murder.
[The next of kin asked if the deceased could wear that.
.]
I'm dropping these back.
- I don't think any of them are really suitable.
- What's that? Oh, funeral poems.
Well, the Internet's good for that sort of thing.
Oh, I know.
I go to a lot of funerals, don't I? Occupational hazard.
I suppose you think I'm very hard-hearted not visiting her in hospital.
- That's not my business, love.
- She was a difficult girl.
And a lot of people loved her.
I think Brian probably was a little cruel.
I was a girl.
I didn't know any better.
But we were probably not as kind to her as we could have been.
He's paying for it now though.
Not as much as his daughter paid, love.
They've taken him in for processing.
This was someone's idea of the future.
New towns.
New hope.
Look, there's somewhere I need to be, pet.
- Can you get yourself home? - Will do.
Make sure social services keep an eye.
Next couple of months are going to be really hard on all of them.