Up there.
- In the hold. - Are you sure it's him?
Ripped By mstoll
(Gulls cry)
Why isn't the coastguard dealing with this?
Harbour master wanted you down here.
Crew were out fishing. Found the body tangled up in a trawler net.
So where is the harbour master?
Frank McAffee. Says he can ID the body.
Well, that saves us a job at least.
DCI Vera Stanhope. Now, this is your patch.
That's right. The skipper called in the office before he came into port.
It's this way.
You told DS Healy you know who this fella is.
Aye. Tommy Stonnall.
His family owns one of the trawlers here.
They've got two lads - Steve and Lee. They're out at sea now.
And was this Tommy out with them?
No.
No, he's been missing for a few weeks.
Your lot have been looking for him.
That's why I thought you should be here.
I'll get on to Missing Persons.
The boys have been informed. The boat's heading back in.
- (Low conversation) - Right.
- OK, we'll take it from here. - Right.
The skipper isn't happy, ma'am. He wants to unload the catch.
Tell him they'll just have to wait.
Listen, they get paid for their share of the catch
which, at the moment, is rotting in that hold.
Six days at sea. Tired, hungry, stinking of fish.
All right.
- Kenny. - Ma'am.
Just get statements and we'll let you go home as soon as we can. All right?
KENNY: Right. - (Low conversation)
- Marcus? MARCUS: Come in.
(Camera shutter clicks)
- Morning. - Morning.
Will you be done before this catch turns?
They're worried they'll lose out.
I don't intend on staying down here for long, let's put it that way.
- I hate the smell of fish. - Was he found like this?
No, they cut him out from the nets and wrapped him in this tarpaulin.
We know he's local. A fisherman.
Fell overboard?
Ah, someone would have called it in.
- How long's he been dead? - The epidermis is still tight.
Got rigor mortis in the jaw, in the neck.
I'd guess around 24 hours before he was pulled out of the sea.
So, what? Saturday night into Sunday.
Cause of death?
Well, I'm thinking... drowning, hypothermia.
Only the harbour master thinks there might be something suspicious.
Maybe suicide. He isn't wearing shoes.
They could have come off in the current.
- What's this head wound? - The sea's been pretty rough.
Torso could have been bashed on the rocks, dragged along the seabed.
There's no broken bones from what I can see but the PM will tell us more.
He'll degrade quickly now he's out of the water.
Well, you'd better get him bagged up then.
The sooner the better.
Get yourself a shower.
- So, what do we know? - Disappeared six weeks ago.
The family gave a statement. Said he had a bit of a breakdown.
The missing person's case is ongoing but there's no leads to speak of.
So, missing six weeks, dead 24 hours.
Where was he in the meantime?
Your dad was officially missing.
You filed a report, what, six weeks ago?
We'd been out at sea for four days over Dogger Bank.
Just came back to find out he'd disappeared.
No warning. Not a word to anyone.
It was Frank who told us he was missing.
What, the harbour master?
We left it a couple of days then called the police.
And how was your dad, you know, in himself before he went missing?
- We'd barely seen him. - And why was that, love?
(Sighs heavily)
We lost our mam three years ago.
Cancer.
Things just got on top of him, you know. Drinking a fair bit.
The house was repossessed. Got behind on the payments.
He wasn't working then?
He hadn't been out on the boat this past year.
So where was your dad living if the house had been repossessed?
He'd stayed at my aunt's for a bit.
Then he'd been dossing down here. They offer you a bed if you need it.
I'll talk to the chaplain. See what he's got to say.
So, er...
why did neither of you put him up?
He said he didn't want to be a burden.
He was proud, you know.
Where were the pair of you on Saturday night into Sunday morning?
At home.
Lee and I had a few beers. I did the accounts.
I wanted the bills paid before we went back to sea.
Only we think your dad could have been dead for 24 hours when they found him.
- Where had he been all this time? - That's what I'm going to find out.
Jack told me.
I'm Anna Marshbrook. I'm family.
- Do you know how it happened? - No. There'll be a postmortem.
Just can't believe he's...
Frank's suggesting a book of condolence...
...so people can pay their respects.
It's a bit late for that.
Are we done here?
For now.
(Door opens and closes)
Tommy was my brother-in-law. Married to my sister.
Him and my husband used to run the trawler together.
And where will we find your husband?
Well, you wouldn't. We lost him in '93.
Ah. What happened to him?
The sea took him.
Tommy tried to save him but...
Well, he couldn't reach him. The swell was too strong.
Well, that's a brave thing to have done.
Yes, well...
...he was a different man back then. - I'm sorry you're having to see this, pet.
No, it's... it's all right.
I think it was losing my sister that did for him.
She was the rock.
After she died, well, we all did what we could but...
...the lads were shattered.
Where's the justice in this, eh?
Losing a mam and dad in three years.
All right, Mam?
This is my son Jack.
Didn't I see you on the trawler?
Yeah, first mate.
He's out every hour God sends.
They're at sea more than at home, this lot.
- And where's home? - St Mary's Island.
Oh, very nice.
VERA: Quiet. JACK: That's how she likes it.
And Tommy stayed with you for a while, is that right?
For a while, yeah. But... then he upped sticks.
I don't know where he went.
Do you think Tommy could have been suicidal?
If you'd asked me that a year ago I'd have given you a no.
You know, he was a fighter. He got knocked, he got back up again.
I think what might have tipped him over is the fire.
What fire's that?
Well, there was a blaze at Connocks. Fish market.
18 months back. It was the October. The police never pressed charges.
Yeah, but what's the fire got to do with Tommy?
There were these rumours that he'd started it.
It was the gossip that got to him the most.
People he'd known all his life believing he could do a thing like that.
There's no proof he did it. Nothing.
The Connocks were just looking for someone to blame.
He was just an easy target.
Mm. Who are these Connocks?
ANNA: Brother and sister. Ellie and Jay.
52, 54. Don't be shy other there. Come over here.
56, 58, 60.
60 again. 62, 64, 65.
65 in the right corner here. Rob Fisheries. That'll do.
Are you still in, Gary, or are you out?
I would say cause of death was a fractured skull
but no fractures to the arms or legs.
Mm. Didn't fall from any height then?
No, nothing that tells us how he ended up in the water.
Early signs of decomposition around the fingers and the toes.
Eugh.
They found food in his stomach and small intestine,
partially digested so confirms time of death.
- Saturday night? - Early Sunday morning.
What about his tox screen?
Minimal traces of alcohol in his blood.
Well, not enough to say he was drunk anyway.
Although his tolerance for the booze would have been pretty high.
Cirrhosis of the liver and thread veins.
Seasoned drinker.
A troubled soul, by all accounts.
Key thing is, no water in the lungs and no salt in the blood.
So dead before he hit the water.
Yes. And I'd say it's a suspicious death.
- Don't look so pleased. - (Chuckles)
Tommy Stonnall. Pulled out of the North Sea.
He died of a cracked head -
we think the result of an assault sometime over the weekend.
Now, Aiden, what do we know about him?
Trawlerman for the last 30 years.
Currently not working due to some kind of breakdown.
Was reported missing six weeks ago. Whereabouts still unknown.
His oldest son, Steve Stonnall, he runs the business.
Decent skipper, by all accounts.
What about the other son? Lee, was it?
Bit of a jack the lad is the impression I get.
Helps on the boat when he feels like it.
There's also a cousin - first mate Jack Marshbrook.
Are we treating the family as potential suspects?
No-one's ruled in, no-one's ruled out.
Now, what do we know about this fire at the fish market?
Suspected arson. October 2014.
One fatality.
- There was a fatality? - Market owner Joe Connock.
Tommy was questioned at the time but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Why was he in the frame?
From reading the report I'd say it's inconclusive.
This bloke who died in the fire,
his son, Jay, was convinced that Tommy was responsible.
Bad blood between the families going back donkey's years.
But nothing substantial?
No DNA? Trace of accelerant?
- No. - So just gossip, hm?
Well, it could be relevant... might not be.
But it still doesn't explain where he's been for the last six weeks.
Is there anything else we need to know, hm?
Kenny, anything special at the weekend?
Not as far as we can see, ma'am.
There was a benefit on the Friday night.
A fishermen's fundraiser down on the quay.
So a lot of fishing folk would have been there.
Yeah, but nobody seems to have seen him.
Now, if this was an assault someone came across him.
Right, mobile phones, bank statements, vehicle checks.
And number one question - where's been his hidey hole?
And just because Missing Persons drew a blank doesn't mean we have to.
Now, Hicham, I want you to get down to the harbour first thing.
Routine questions. And now, listen.
It's an unexplained death. Have you got that?
- Ma'am. - In a place full of gossipmongers,
we don't want to stoke it, not when it's one of their own.
(Low conversation)
Appreciate your time. Thanks a lot. That's great.
- Why are you talking to these lot? - We're asking everyone. That's how we work.
But they're from abroad. They won't know nothing.
You never know what people notice. It spreads the net.
- Are you taking the piss? - No.
No, I'm just saying we know what we're doing. Trust us.
Have you done a whatsit then? An... autopsy?
- Yeah, course. - What's it say?
- I can't tell you. - What do you mean? It's my dad.
Yeah, but I'm afraid I can't comment, just for now.
What did you find? What are you covering up?
- There's no cover-up. - Did someone kill him?
Is that it?
We're keeping all possibilities open.
Aye, that's it though, isn't it?
And you've not even bothered to tell us.
(Engine off)
- Are you all right? - I've only had two hours' kip.
- Colic. - A fizzy drink will shift that.
- Not me, the baby. - Oh.
Kept me up all night.
Well, talk to the fishermen, movements on Saturday night.
Then meet me in the fish market.
Get yourself a coffee.
You're the detective in charge, aren't you?
I am, yes.
Are the Stonnalls going out this week?
- Are you a skipper? - Aye.
- Which is your boat then? - The Sunbeam.
The big one. Michael Quinn.
Was Tommy a friend of yours?
No, I wouldn't say that.
We worked the same route for 20 years, but not together.
I know him from round here.
So, what was your impression of him?
He's been down on his luck for the past few years.
Then again, show me a fisherman that hasn't been at some point.
It's getting cut-throat out there, Detective.
Blame Brussels or the ozone layer, what have you.
Survival of the fittest, eh?
- Is that the feeling? - Afraid so.
To be honest, I think he lost his bottle... after his wife died.
He kind of lost his edge. It's understandable.
What about this accusation of arson? Do you know about that?
Aye. It's total bull.
I wouldn't believe any of the rumours you hear around here.
You want to get that lot delivered, pet, while it's still fresh.
Mr Connock?
- Oh, right. My turn, is it? - (Chuckles)
I hear Tommy wasn't exactly on your Christmas card list.
Yeah, I won't be shedding any tears, put it that way.
Why do you think Tommy started the fire?
I just know he did it, sure as you're stood there.
Yeah, but why? What do you know that we didn't find? Hm?
All I know is he got away with murder and that's enough.
Look, I've said my piece.
Actually, I'm glad he's gone. Is that what you came for?
Mr Connock, can I ask you...
...where were you on Saturday?
Afternoon - here.
Evening - we had a fundraising benefit. Why?
Jay!
Oh, no. I'm having none of that.
- Get out of my way. - I'm not going anywhere, son.
It's between me and him.
- This had nothing to do with us. - Yeah, right.
Put down the knife.
Make you feel better, will it, after a long spell inside?
That's where you'll be going if you so much as touch him with that knife.
You didn't even tell us he'd been murdered.
I don't know how your dad died.
- What are you talking to him for, then? - But this isn't the answer, is it?
This won't bring him back.
But I will find you the answer...
if you just give me the space I need to do my job.
OK?
And that's a promise.
This isn't your fight, son.
Put the knife down.
Come on. Just put it on the floor.
That's it.
Let me take him home. Please.
I'm sorry. I can't overlook an incident with a weapon.
I promise I'll keep an eye on him.
He's not himself.
He's not slept for 24 hours.
All right. I'll put this down to mitigating circumstances.
Now, get him out of my sight before I change my mind.
Go and wait in the car. Just leave it, Lee!
- Is he right though? - What?
- Was Dad murdered? - We don't know.
So why are you talking to Connock?
Because clearly he's a person of interest.
Now, please, take your brother home and leave this to us.
I won't ask you again.
It's my fault. He got me into a corner.
Oh, outwitted by a bereaved relative.
That's very impressive.
Now, can I trust you to take care of that?
Ma'am.
That could have got nasty.
Well, let's keep a uniformed presence down here.
Mr Connock says he wants to press charges.
Oh, fantastic.
That's all we need.
(Muffled conversation)
I'll tell you later.
- I understand you want to press charges? - Yeah.
- Are you sure about that? - Yeah.
- You see what we've had to deal with? - Listen, the lad's just lost his dad.
- He's angry. - We lost our dad.
We're not running around waving knives.
Mm. Do you want to tell me a little bit more about that?
Well, two sudden deaths in two years, small locality.
What do you want to know?
Just start at the beginning, eh?
A phone call, middle of the night. Police saying get down the harbour.
I reckon you could have seen the smoke a mile out at sea.
Flames through the roof.
There was nothing doing, was there?
All we could do was stand there and watch it burn.
It didn't even cross our minds that he could be in there.
Don't know if he tried to tackle it...
They didn't find his body for three days.
Still, just look at this place.
You've done good to pick up the pieces.
(Chuckles) She's the one who's done it.
It's always the women sort things out round here.
What makes you so sure Tommy started it?
Him and Dad had a huge fallout just before.
Vicious, it was.
Tommy said my dad had been fixing prices.
- And was he? ELLIE: No.
Tommy let the business slide after his wife died.
Blamed everybody but himself for his problems.
He spent most of his time getting pissed in the pub.
They all fell in line with it though, didn't they?
We just wanted to put it all behind us.
Can anybody vouch for you at the benefit on Saturday night?
Every trawlerman that wasn't out at sea.
We had a lock-in till two. She was there an' all.
I left around eleven. Went home. Early start.
OK.
Now, if Lee Stonnall shows his face again...
He won't. He's all talk, that one.
Seems as though they were all on their uppers.
They were fighting to survive.
Start turning on each other.
Right, now what about Tommy's phone logs?
- Anything? - Nothing so far.
Get on to the station. Give them a kick up the arse.
(Low conversation)
- I heard about the fight. - Ah, it never came to that.
When I saw Tommy's body I knew there would be trouble.
- Was it foul play? - You know better than to ask me that.
Did Tommy ever confide in you about his troubles?
Well, I knew he was ashamed of where he'd ended up.
His heart was out at sea. A champion skipper.
- Mm? - Yeah.
A very decent dad too... once.
Not the bad lot that some people made him out to be.
Was there anyone else out to get him apart from Jay Connock?
(Sighs) I can't think of anybody who wanted him dead.
OK, thanks. Ma'am?
Tommy's mobile was a pay-as-you-go number. Hadn't used it in a while.
- Well, has anyone called it? - It just rings out.
Um...
You wouldn't happen to know where Tommy went those missing weeks?
I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
Do you know where they hauled him in?
Well, yes. All the trawlers have got GPS,
so you can pinpoint the exact position of the boat.
Oh, right.
So how far would the body have drifted?
Well, he... he'd been dead, what, 24 hours?
Give or take.
The current would have taken him down the coast say...
...a couple of miles.
So if we work backwards, could you show me on your chart?
Oh, I could do better than that.
If you fancy a boat trip you can see for yourself.
You know you're contravening health and safety?
Aye, probably.
Here.
I'll keep you informed.
(Beeping)
Ah. Now, this is where they found him.
- Do you feel it? Huh? - Aye.
The tide. How strong it is.
- The rip current. - Aye.
It comes straight off the coast.
Catch you by surprise if you're not careful.
You lose your engine and you're swept out to sea.
Where's the nearest headland?
Blythe Point. It's pretty secluded.
It has a stretch of beach at low tide.
Can you get us up close there, drop me off?
- Aye. - Yeah?
(Horn toots)
I've gone through four seasons waiting for you.
- What took you so long? - Ooh, I don't know.
Maybe it's the old banger that I'm driving.
Get some officers down here for a search.
Owners of these boats, permits, mooring rights, the lot.
- Got it? - Got it.
(Ringing tone)
DS Healy. Yeah, I need Uniform down here.
Anything, ma'am?
There's a wallet.
T Stonnall.
Tommy.
Did Tommy own a van?
- Is that blood? - Looks like it.
Get Forensics down here.
I think we're looking at our crime scene.
- Ta. - We'll need a few more officers.
Ma'am. We've cordoned off the slipway and we're just waiting for Forensics.
It might take a while to identify who owns these huts.
Right, well, give them that wallet.
And, meanwhile, take a stroll down this road, see if you meet anyone.
Talk to hikers, dog walkers. Did they see anything on Saturday night?
- Will do. - Aiden.
Get your Google working.
Birtley Lane Café.
Found a load of till receipts and the latest one is dated Saturday.
- Everything OK? - Yeah.
Table for two?
Northumberland and City Police.
This man came in for a bite to eat. Four days ago. About 2:30pm.
- Do you recognise him? - Sorry, no.
I don't remember. We were busy Saturday.
Zahra.
- If you like you can talk to the boss. - (Mobile rings)
Yeah, see if he knows anything.
Kenny, what have you got?
There's still no leads on the hut owners yet.
Well, have you got any good news for me?
Oh, er... the blood found in the van is definitely Tommy's.
We're just waiting on DNA checks.
- Ma'am, are you still there? - Yes, yes, I'm here.
Well, tell them to fast-track it and get back to me.
I need to know if there was anyone else in that van.
Will do.
I'm sorry I can't be more help, mate. I don't recognise him.
Do you have any CCTV?
No need for it. What's he wanted for anyway?
Oh, nothing. Disappeared a few days ago. Just making inquiries.
And it's possible he was murdered.
So it's important you think long and hard.
Do you want to have another look at that, pet?
You know what? I do recognise him.
I think he's been talking to Zahra.
Yeah, I think he's been in a few times.
Aiden, she's legging it.
Zahra! I just want to ask you some questions.
(Horn blares)
(Horns blare)
She took off like the clappers. There must be a reason.
- Well, I can't enlighten you. - Can't you?
How long's she worked here?
About six months. We're short-staffed. Tommy brought her in.
Well, you even know his name.
Yeah. Now I come to think of it, yeah.
Yeah, I do. He was just another regular face around here.
Ran across the dual carriageway. Nearly got herself killed.
She must have been desperate.
He ever come in here with anyone else?
- Always on his own. - Did you speak to him on Saturday?
I gave him a wave and that was it.
He hadn't been in for a few weeks.
Now, has she left a handbag or anything? Personal belongings?
(Sighs) Her phone's locked.
(Tuts)
Well, this isn't much to go on.
I gave her a lift home one night.
Fairdale B&B. It's over in Seaham.
(Chatter)
(Chatter continues)
Hello, love. We're looking for one of your guests.
- Zahra Suleiman. - Zahra Suleiman? What's she done?
I just need to talk to her. Is she in?
She went out this morning as usual.
- How long's she been here? - Been here a few months.
- Is she claiming benefits? - Most of them are in this place.
Looks like you're doing all right on it an' all.
My rooms are full, everyone's happy.
Zahra was working in a café, did a runner when we questioned her.
On the fiddle, is she?
Oh, we've got bigger things to worry about.
Like I said, playing the system. If they take their chances, that's their lookout.
Here, hold on.
- Do you know this fella? - That's Tommy.
Got a room at the back, first floor.
- He lives here? - Moved in about six weeks ago.
There's just old clothes. Nothing we can work with.
Foreign fags?
Get that bagged up.
(Chatter)
Find what you needed?
Do you think Zahra Suleiman will show her face now she knows we're on to her?
I bloody hope so. That kid of hers will be wanting his tea.
Police station called. They're releasing his body.
We need to register the death, organise the wake.
I cannae do it all on my own, Lee.
Hello, baby.
What's this?
Hello, love.
When I saw you at the café, I panicked.
If they found out I was working they would take away my benefits.
Oh, that's a bit of a risk.
I needed the money.
Tommy Stonnall. You told me you didn't know him.
- I don't, not really. - He lives here in this hostel.
He got you that job at the café.
- One of the girls said he could help. - That's good of him.
He knew the manager. They were looking for staff.
I don't know.
I saw him once in a while in the café.
I tried my best to avoid him.
Why's that then?
Not in front of my son.
Can he play whilst we talk? Please.
You were saying?
He liked to drink. Plenty of them do in here.
It isn't good for Ahmanuel.
Do you know if Tommy was working?
- We know he drove a van. - Who knows what he was involved in?
What, you didn't ask about his work, background, family?
You don't ask those kinds of questions.
Like I said, I barely knew him.
Do you know if he had any visitors?
I heard him arguing with someone. One night last week.
Who was he arguing with?
I just heard raised voices.
I was walking past his room.
A man. He was angry.
What were they arguing about?
It's none of my business.
We keep to ourselves in this place. It's easier that way.
Are you going to report me?
(Ahmanuel laughs)
That's not my department, love.
But you have a care.
Not everyone is quite so understanding.
Oh, Hicham. Have you got no home to go to?
I'm just off. I've got some information on that van.
It was bought, second-hand, from a dealer in Sunderland.
Sold to a business. Michael Quinn's Fisheries.
- Seems it was never registered. - Michael Quinn?
Yes. Questioned him yesterday.
He's one of the skippers. He's got the big trawler.
Yeah, I know who he is. Bit mouthy, thinks he's the big man.
- Is it enough to bring him in? - Well, let's see.
He's taken an interest in the case, knows the coastline like the back of his hand.
His van has our victim's blood on it.
What do you think? Yes, get him in!
Well done!
Hicham, on second thoughts...
...get Kenny and Aiden back in.
I think there's a better way to tackle our Mr Quinn.
VERA: Would you call yourself...
a sweet man or a savoury man?
AIDEN: Sweet. Well, I am tonight, anyway.
Kenny, anything?
Nothing to report yet, ma'am.
If Tommy was bringing in contraband...
he could have got involved with the wrong people.
Well, if he was, he's already involved with the wrong people.
Might explain why he disappeared.
Mm. But why come back?
Wants to see his kids?
Yeah, but he didn't try to contact them.
Maybe he didn't get the chance.
(Knocks softly)
Ma'am. I think our boat's just come in.
Trawler approaching the harbour.
KENNY: We've got a van on the quay, ma'am.
We can see it.
(Siren wails)
Hello.
Didn't expect to see you here.
- Moonlighting, are we? - I'm just picking up a catch.
Ah.
Ah, Mr Quinn. I have here a warrant to search your vessel.
On what grounds?
What's all this about?
This is ridiculous. I've got to get this stuff up top.
Yeah, we'll try not to keep you too long, Mr Quinn. Check down there.
- Anything? - Nothing.
- Anything? OFFICER: Nothing, ma'am.
Are we done here?
Lift this up.
Lift that up.
Please.
Fags.
- Hm. - You got me.
Take him up.
What's down there?
It's the engine room.
Put the ladder down.
(Metallic clanging)
Aiden.
Where'd you pick them up from?
We'll find out soon enough.
I didn't even know they were on the boat.
Oh, slipped aboard while your back was turned, did they?
You must have had contacts.
Hm? Slick operation.
- I don't know what you're talking about. - Human trafficking.
- Does that spell it out for you? - Look, I brought in some dodgy fags.
But smuggling people? Not in a million years.
Well, let's see what Lee has to say.
- Recognise this vehicle? - No, can't say I do.
- We think Tommy Stonnall was driving it. - It's got nothing to do with me.
Oh, that's funny.
It was bought by your company.
I sold the van to Tommy a couple of months ago. He said he needed wheels.
Now, that's a lie. Tommy was skint.
- It's not even worth the money for scrap. - I think Tommy was driving it for you.
These night-time cruises you've been running.
I think he was taking those poor buggers to wherever it was you wanted them left.
You can think whatever you like.
(Chuckles) Ooh, we found the van yesterday, by the way.
Up at Blythe Point.
It's got Tommy's blood on it.
So we do have a connection to you.
- Where were you Saturday night? - At home with the missus. She'll tell you.
That's another lie.
GPS record of your trawler's movements. You were at sea.
You hadn't logged the trip, so I'm guessing you weren't fishing.
I was at sea.
We picked up in Holland.
But I wasn't dumping a body.
You told me you thought Tommy had lost his bottle.
- What did you mean by that? - Aye, he'd lost the plot recently.
Everybody knew it.
Did he know you were bringing in this consignment?
I haven't seen or heard from Tommy for weeks.
He used to drive for us but then he packed it in. Said he'd had enough.
- Why would I kill him? - If he threatened to spill the beans,
that might ruin a nice little earner.
I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of in my life.
But I'm not a killer.
What's he been telling you?
Enough.
- We never harmed anyone. - Aye, that's what he said, an' all.
Worth the risk, was it?
14 years inside.
How long you been doing it?
A few months. I just pick them up, that's all. I drop them where I'm told to.
By who?
- Who tells you where to take 'em? - Quinn. I don't know who runs it.
I just dealt with Quinn.
- And what about your dad? - Quit, out of the blue.
Quinn asked me to jump in a few weeks later.
I didn't see the harm. Look, what am I charged with?
That van your dad drives belongs to Quinn. He said he sold it to him.
So?
We found your dad's blood on the vehicle, up at Blythe Point.
We're questioning Quinn as a murder suspect.
(Softly) No.
- He couldn't have. - Uh-huh?
He was with me best part of the night.
You were both together?
Oh, you don't think...
I wouldn't harm me dad!
The night your dad died, take me through your movements,
from the time you got in, and I know you got back in in the early hours.
I drove the van to the drop-off point, a warehouse near Rotham Colliery
I came back home.
To?
Steve's. Been staying at his a while, keeping him company since he split from his wife.
- And what time was that? - Early hours. Four-ish.
Can he vouch for you?
He was in bed.
Did you see him? Did you check?
Why would I?
So when did you last see your brother that day?
Round lunch time. What is this about?
Only he told us, he was with you on Saturday night.
(Sighs)
(Groans)
(Sighs)
Forensics have checked Quinn's trawler. No evidence to place Tommy there.
It's got to be connected to the smuggling, hasn't it? I mean... if it's not Quinn,
it must be somebody higher up the chain.
Ma'am, you'll want to see this.
Steve Stonnall's car.
It flagged up when you asked us to run the plates.
Taken at a car park in the city centre, 7:23pm the night his dad died.
Right side of the screen.
- Well, who is that fella? - We're still trying to track him down.
Ooh, not happy.
Can you play that again?
Right, stop! Stop.
Now zoom in.
Let me brighten it up.
Well, whoever he is, he's certainly got it in for Steve Stonnall, hasn't he?
Now, the question is, who is this fella?
Is he an angry fisherman? One of Quinn's drivers, middle man, what?
I followed the footage down a street.
He goes into a hairdresser's on River Street.
- And where did Steve go next? - Car goes round to Faith Street.
No photos, but I think it stays parked until the ticket's paid later that night.
Do we see him come out of the car park?
No.
So is he in the car all that time?
Hiding from this fella maybe?
Hang on, hang on. This could just be a random punch-up over a parking spot.
Doesn't mean it's related to the dad's death.
Yeah, but he told us he was home all night doing the accounts with his brother.
I mean, this is a funny thing to slip your mind, isn't it?
(Music playing, dryers whirring)
You'll be seeing Sam today. Take a seat, she'll be with you in a second.
- Hello! - Hello, love.
DCI Vera Stanhope.
Now, I'm looking for this fella.
- Do you know him? - Just a second.
- Can I help? - I think possibly you can.
We're investigating an incident on Saturday night.
Can you confirm that that is you?
- Hang on, this isn't fair. He was protecting me. - So this is you in the photograph?
- Yes, but we're the victims here. - Steve's the one you should be going after.
- So you know Steve Stonnall? - Course I do.
I'm Karen, I'm his wife.
(Doorbell)
- We're just going to eat. - Yeah, I'm sorry, it's important.
VERA: Ooh, smells lovely.
- Down the end. - Fish and chips.
Making me feel hungry.
You're not allowed to speak to us without me brief.
Hey, it's not you I want.
No, it's Steve.
I need to talk to you again about the night your dad died.
- Why? - Well, the fight.
AIDEN: In town. - What fight in town?
I've been talking to your ex-wife Karen.
Can we do this outside?
I wasn't stalking. I just wanted to be, like... near her.
But you've seen him, he's a waste of space.
I think you're best off just leaving her alone, mate.
What happened after the altercation?
Drove off.
(Sighs) I went out on the ale.
- With anyone? - No one.
So we've only got your word for it.
I got chucked out of The Feathers on Marshall Street. They'll vouch for us.
Now, you must have known about the trafficking. Why didn't you tell us?
It's my kid brother. I did warn him.
We don't need the money that badly.
Well, that's why your dad did it, isn't it?
I suppose. I don't know.
So what changed, hm?
What happened to make him want to chuck it all in, vanish, the way he did?
(Sighs) In the weeks leading up to him disappearing...
...he became obsessed about how messed up the world was.
You know, like, reading the papers, watching the news all the time, going on about it.
I tried to ask him about the boat but...
...he just seemed to care more about that than any of us.
(Chatter)
Will you take Ahmanuel for me?
You go ahead, OK?
Please, I've told you everything I know about Tommy already.
That's nice.
But with the greatest respect, love,
I think you're spinning me a load of absolute claptrap.
I think you met Tommy in an entirely different way and unless you start telling me the truth,
my blind eye to your circumstances might become a little less forgiving.
We know Quinn was bringing people into the country.
And I think you met Tommy when he drove you from wherever you landed.
I'm from Paris. I'm an EU citizen.
Oh, well, that's good, because you'll understand obstructing a police inquiry is a criminal offence.
OK.
He drove us in.
What with, 5,000 packets of fags?
No, fish.
Frozen dead, they didn't care.
Well, that's why they make it a crime, love, to stop people being carted like cattle.
If you had a claim, there are legitimate ways in.
They are the criminals, not me.
They are the ones making money.
Our clothes were wet, they were shouting at us,
pushing us like animals and I had to pay for that.
- And was Tommy part of this? - Yes. No.
Yes.
But he was different.
He had a jacket. They are not supposed to help in case they are asked.
He gave us the jacket, made sure we were safe.
And came back to visit us. That's how he ended up at the hostel.
- Did he give you money? - No.
We had no money.
Was he in love with you, pet?
He said so but he didn't mean it.
You said you heard raised voices coming from Tommy's room. Was that the truth?
Tommy never had visitors.
When did you last see him?
That Saturday at the café.
Did he ever mention he might be moving on from the hostel?
No. I said I was leaving. I can't afford the rent.
Everything I earn is to pay for that debt.
And how did Tommy react to that?
He said he was going to put everything right at home, then come back.
- What did he mean by that? - I don't know.
He just seemed like there was a relief.
You know?
On the brink of sorting his life out, someone decides to kill him.
Sad, that, isn't it? Just when he was getting his act together.
She said he was going to sort things out.
At home. What's that mean, hm?
Coming up to your stop.
- Get yourself some kip. - Start my next shift, more like.
Oh, that reminds me. Hold on.
For the bairn. Go on.
How long's it been back there?
- How old's the baby? - He's two months.
Well, two months, then. Go on.
Thanks.
Enjoy your night shift.
I'll drink your health, shall I?
(Ship's horn)
Not exactly ladies' night, is it?
Nah.
- Would like you like a crisp? - Yeah.
We've arrested Michael Quinn.
Aye, I heard.
Did you know what he was up to?
- I had my suspicions. - Mm.
But you kept your suspicions to yourself.
I've known most of these lads round here since they were kids.
I suppose I just turned a blind eye.
Ah, well, you wouldn't be the first.
I wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Am I going to be investigated? - Hard to say.
You given anyone else the benefit of the doubt, regarding Tommy, I mean?
I don't want to get people into trouble.
Look, I sometimes receive information that gets people out of trouble.
- Do you? - Mm.
So why don't you tell me what you know, and let me decide what to make of it.
On the night of the benefit, I saw Ellie Connock on a slip road,
and let's put it this way, she was not pointing in the direction of her home.
Well, where was she heading?
You know that place I took you out to the other day?
- Blythe Point? - Blythe Point.
OK. That's useful. Thanks.
I just... don't want to make it worse for the Connocks.
- No... - They've had a harder time than most.
It's just that, desperate people...
...they do desperate things.
(Sighs)
Kenny.
Ma'am.
Did you find anything on Ellie's car?
Yeah, she passed through a camera near Blythe Point around ten
on the night that Tommy died.
She didn't pass back again until nearly a day later.
Great. So she might have seen our Tommy before he went off on his late-night trip.
What's going on here?
- Bailiffs? Clearly not raking it in, then. - No.
Mr Connock, I need to speak to your sister. She around?
- I don't know. I can't get hold of her anywhere. - Well, I do need to talk to her.
Ellie? Right, call me as soon as you can, right? It's urgent.
- When did this all kick off? - Last week sometime.
- When last week? - (Phone rings)
- Before Tommy Stonnall was found? - Aye, before.
- Now, what time did your sister go out? - About an hour ago.
Look, we've... we've got nothing to do with his death!
Yeah, she's here now.
Kenny, looks like she's done a disappearing act, so let's get her photo through to Uniform.
I will do, ma'am. There's been a fire on a coble at Blythe Point.
Belongs to Jack Marshbrook.
What?
Jack?
He's got a boat moored at Blythe Point?
Apparently so.
Well, none of the family mentioned that little nugget.
No.
- Right, Kenny, photos. - Ma'am.
How long have you had it?
- About eight or nine years. - Yours, is it?
No, it's not mine, it's my mum's.
- And where is she? - She went swimming first thing.
- She wouldn't have come past this way. - Where does she swim?
Don't know. Whitley, probably.
I left her a message.
Er... Now, you've had a bit of a shock to the system.
Now, my officer here, she'll take you back up home.
Now, if there's anything to update you on, I'll do it myself, all right?
OK.
- Any sign of any bodies? - Nah, nothing.
What happened? Did the fuel go up?
No. It's unclear. There are traces of blood on the keel.
Well, quick as you can with Forensics on that.
- Who else has access to it? - No-one, as far as I know.
Just Jack and his mum.
Where are the keys to the boat stored?
In that hut with the yellow windows, so potentially anybody could walk in and get them.
That's theirs an' all, is it?
(Tinkling)
Let's go inside.
(Sniffs) Mm.
- What have you found out? - There's no update as such, I'm afraid.
Can we come in, love?
Oh, are we disturbing you?
- You got company? - It's just a mate.
Oh!
Ellie!
Aiden.
Come on in, pet.
That beach hut, ooh, it's a right little love shack, isn't it?
Look, I'm sorry, it's just our families.
Oh, I know. Romeo and Juliet of the fishing world.
- We're seeing each other, so what? - So what?
Well, Ellie here was caught driving on the road to Blythe Point,
10pm, the night that Tommy was killed.
And?
And Blythe Point is where we believe his body entered the water.
- Uniform have located the mother. - Oh, how'd she take it?
- In shock, apparently. - Not surprised, that water's 15 degrees.
Right. So, do you admit you lied about your whereabouts this weekend?
- Yes, but that was because I was with Jack. - Oh.
The Stonnalls don't approve of outsiders, eh?
Something like that. It doesn't mean I've got anything to do with Tommy, though.
Ah, but you lied about your alibi.
- You've connections with the scene. - But I've no reason to kill him.
Oh, I thought you blamed Tommy for your dad's death.
So it could have been revenge.
Or, you don't blame Tommy because you know the truth.
Well, it looks like the fish market was in financial trouble
long before Tommy started kicking off.
Payday loans. Credit cards maxed out.
Remortgaged to the ears.
So did you or your brother burn the place down?
(Scoffs) No!
See, I think you did.
And I think Tommy found out that you'd implicated him.
I didn't implicate Tommy. People got wind of the feud between him and Dad and that was that.
But you didn't enlighten them, did you?
You allowed him to be implicated and that, love, destroyed his life.
It was a difficult time. I'd just lost me dad.
Did you burn down the fish market?
No.
Then who did? Who should I be looking at?
Hm?
Two deaths in 18 months. You've connections to both victims.
It was Dad's idea.
Dad burned it down.
I couldn't stop him.
Right.
So, I'm presuming his death was not part of the plan.
Of course not!
He wanted it to look like he'd had a go at tackling it.
And I begged him not to.
But he was desperate, hm?
Lost a fortune. Heavily in debt.
I know it was wrong.
Ah, but not so wrong as you told the truth.
Believe me, I've paid.
Did Jack know it was your dad?
No. Oh, please don't tell him.
Now, see, I think he did know.
But because of your secret... romance, he kept it to himself.
"Let people think it was Tommy."
Was Tommy going to blow the whistle?
Is that why you had to get rid of him, hm?
- Burn the boat to cover what you'd done? - No! He loved Tommy.
So, it's just a coincidence, is it, that Tommy's blood was found on the boat...
moored by your love nest.
But... Yes!
I don't know! Maybe someone's trying to implicate me.
Well, how would they do that, love... when you say no-one knew about you?
I could have been on that.
I could have slept through the whole thing.
Where's my son? - He's giving a witness statement.
- Is Jack wi' you? - No.
No, he's still helping us with our inquiries.
Why do you think your boat was targeted?
I've no idea.
Have you had any fallings-out lately?
No.
You've had a bit of a time of it, though, haven't you?
What with Tommy dying, now this.
- Aye. Comes in threes, I suppose. - Yes, well, given what I'm about to tell you...
We believe your boat was used to dispose of Tommy's body.
Right.
By who?
We think your son helped Ellie Connock.
What?
He can't stand the lass.
He's been having a relationship with her for the last two years.
You didn't know?
Well, I knew he was seeing someone on the sly.
I knew he was bringing someone to the hut, but I didn't...
Well, you know what lads are like.
Well, we know Ellie Connock framed Tommy for the fish market fire.
- And we think your Jack went along with it. - No...
No, you're off your head, no.
Anyway, we believe they used your boat to dispose of Tommy's body
and then torched it to cover their tracks.
Which gives me a reason to charge your son as an accessory to murder.
Well, I've got news for you.
I set fire to the boat.
- It was nothing to do with him. - Well, thanks for clarifying that for me, pet.
But now I'm wondering what it is you've got to hide.
Hm?
Now, why would you torch a perfectly serviceable coble? Hm?
Not going to be an insurance jobby, is it?
Didn't even try to make it look like an accident.
It was just heat of the moment.
Ah, a little impulse arson.
We found Tommy's blood on the boat and I suggest it was you who killed him.
Or, at the very least, helped dispose of his body.
And that's why you torched the boat, to destroy any evidence.
All right, so you really think I could kill a man?
Oh, believe me, pet, women kill men.
- I didn't kill Tommy. - No?
Even though I felt like it.
He was trying to sell the trawler.
Said he wanted to pay off a debt or something.
He said... He said he was going to keep his share
and I could split the rest with the boys.
And you didn't think to mention it?
Well, it never happened. Why would I tell you about something that never happened?
He was supposed to go to the broker's but he never turned up.
Yeah, all right, all right.
- So, which broker? - One in town.
- Where? - On River Street.
On River Street?
Where Steve's wife works?
When was this?
When was it?
Saturday.
So you knew, when Steve was caught stalking his missus,
he was on River Street the night his father died.
And that there was every chance he'd bump into his old man
on his way to sell off the family business.
And that's why you torched the boat, to protect Steve.
I promised my sister I'd look after them.
What, even though it makes you an accessory to murder?
(Tuts)
Did you tell Lee his dad was selling the boat?
We need a pick-up on a Lee Stonnall.
Did you do it?
- Did you do it? - He was going to sell everything.
Argh! Urgh!
AIDEN: Lee! No!
Lee, no!
- Get off me! Get off, get off! - Calm down. Calm down.
Calm down. Just... calm down.
STEVE: Leave him, please.
No, it's you we want, pet.
I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
I'm sorry.
Pick him up.
I wasn't meself.
It was Karen and that fella.
I just knew I'd lost her.
- He trashed my car and then... - And then you saw your dad.
OK, I see, yeah. Well, that makes sense.
Me dad offered me a lift back here.
I thought he was pleased to see us.
I thought maybe he was...
you know, he was coming home.
And then what?
We had a good chat. It was the first time he'd seemed himself in God knows how long.
Then he just announces he's selling.
I know he'd gone a bit crackers, but to give it all up...
for a waitress he barely knew?
He said he loved her.
Stupid old man.
He said she'd stood by him when his family hadn't.
How he just wanted to be happy.
Anyhow, we rowed.
So I got out of the van.
If he hadn't have followed us...
I had no intention of... I just...
What, an unlucky punch?
You pushed him?
And his head hit the road.
Hm?
- What road was that? - Coast road.
About half a mile inland.
Believe me, pet, you won't be the first with an angry left hook that goes too far.
I remember the first time he took us out.
Three days sailing to the cod banks.
We heard there was a gale blowing, force 9.
We'd barely caught anything. Most of the fleet had headed back.
But my dad wanted to see right by the lads.
"We can't go home with nothing", he said.
He pointed the boat towards the storm.
Sailed right into it.
Trawler nets out behind us.
He tied me to the ballast so I wouldn't go overboard.
- (Chuckles) - I stayed there all night.
Heaving and shaking, retching.
Wind was so loud you couldn't hear yourself think.
But my dad...
...he never waivered.
Dawn came, sun with it.
We hauled the nets in.
Hundreds of turbot.
We were kings.
Me dad split the money between the rest of the crew.
I said I couldn't take my share.
"You've earned it, lad.
You're a man now."
So you're on the coast road, your dad's on the ground.
What happens next?
I managed to get him in the van.
Sat with him a while. Don't know how long.
Then I drove.
Ended up in Blythe Point.
Where Anna's boat is conveniently moored.
What were you thinking, son?
Go out to sea, dump his body and it would all wash away?
(Steve groans)
I just said my goodbyes. I didn't think anything.
- And then, as cool as you like... - (Police siren wails)
...you took the boat back to its mooring.
If you'd have just come to us in the beginning,
you'd be looking at manslaughter with mitigation.
Two years.
But you didn't.
You took your dad's body out to sea...
and you dumped him.
I won't say any more.
- I want a solicitor. - You're going to need a solicitor, pet.
Gamblers, eh?
Nothing but pain and trouble.
Why don't you get off home to that lovely bairn, hm?
You've done all right for someone with no kip.
Is that a compliment?
Here's the contact you wanted.
He shredded me once in the courtroom but he said he'll give us some hours.
Oh, brilliant. Thanks.
Right. I'll get onto that first thing.
Hang on a minute. You've had a good result. You've earned your day off in lieu - take it.
Listen to the man! You put your feet up.
The thing is, unlike the rest of you lot, I don't have to answer to anyone.
I can do what I like, when I like.
Good night.
Now, this fella is an immigration lawyer.
He's the best in the area and he's agreed to do you a favour.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
I know you don't have to help me.
Look, none of us own any of this.
When me mam's dad came over from Ireland in the '30s,
he walked 40 miles before anyone gave him a job.
So, you make what you can of it.
Thank you.
Ripped By mstoll