Line of Duty Page #2

CUT TO:

407

OMITTED (BECOMES SC. 424AA)

408

OMITTED (BECOMES SC. 424AB WITH CHANGED DIALOGUE)

408A INT. CAFE. LATER THAT DAY.

From a tray, Hastings lays a pot of tea and two cups and

saucers on the table in front of Roisin.

ROISIN:

Thank you.

He sits. He reaches for the pot.

ROISIN:

You know to let it brew.

He takes his hand back. Awkward beats.

HASTINGS:

I’ve had to disclose the situation.

At work.

ROISIN:

Our situation?

HASTINGS:

Only the money.

(CONTINUED)

LINE OF DUTY #2.4 Blue Revisions 19/07/13 9.

408A CONTINUED:

ROISIN:

Now the whole world knows our

business.

HASTINGS:

Just one Executive Officer, in

confidence. A top man. He’s

fighting for all the right things

for the Service.

ROISIN:

Right.

HASTINGS:

In fact, this particular officer

thinks just as highly of me. I can

see things getting better.

ROISIN:

How so?

HASTINGS:

By putting myself forward for

promotion. When this case is over.

This particular officer’s as good

as tipped me the wink.

ROISIN:

Right.

HASTINGS:

A promotion’s no small thing, love.

Pay rise. Bigger pension.

He lays a cruise brochure (fictional company) on the table.

ROISIN:

What’s this?

HASTINGS:

What’s it look like? We talked

about it often enough.

(Off her resistant look.)

Things are on the up. Have a look.

Pick one.

ROISIN:

(Admonishing but falling

for it.)

Ted.

HASTINGS:

Go on. Look at it.

ROISIN:

We need to be clear on a few things

first.

(CONTINUED)

LINE OF DUTY #2.4 Blue Revisions 19/07/13 10.

408A CONTINUED:
(2)

HASTINGS:

(Beat or two to take her

meaning.)

I’ll say again, I’m deeply sorry. I

should’ve discussed the finances

with you. All I wanted was to

surprise you, with the best

possible life for us both.

ROISIN:

(Beats. Of brochure.)

Where’s the harm in looking?

HASTINGS:

Looking’s no crime. And I should

know!

She’s given him a chink of encouragement. One tiny chink

means the world to him. She starts to flick through the

brochure. He pours the tea eagerly, a man with hope in his

heart again.

CUT TO:

409

INT. AC-12. OPEN-PLAN OFFICE/HASTINGS’ OFFICE. LATER THAT

DAY.

Steve, Kate and Cottan are at their desks. All three are

reading a document headed FINANCIAL FORENSICS REPORT.

Hastings comes out of his office, holding the same document.

They all rise.

HASTINGS:

Look alive.

They all troop into his office.

HASTINGS:

We’ve all read the report. So DS

Akers appears to have been on the

take.

STEVE:

(Supporting Kate.)

It’s only circumstantial so far.

COTTAN:

If the officer meant to be taking

care of a protected witness is

getting paid off, and that witness

ends up getting killed, it doesn’t

leave much room for circumstances

as far as I’m concerned.

(To Kate.)

Sorry, mate.

(CONTINUED)

LINE OF DUTY #2.4 Blue Revisions 19/07/13 11.

409 CONTINUED:

KATE:

Evidence is evidence.

HASTINGS:

Good. The husband -- Dot, Steve,

you reckon he was acting

suspiciously?

STEVE:

I could’ve jumped to the wrong

conclusion.

Again Steve is trying to protect Kate. It just makes them

both very uneasy.

KATE:

It’s fine, Steve. Let’s do our

jobs.

HASTINGS:

Well said, Kate. We’ll put it

beyond doubt. Bring the husband in

for questioning and make sure we

get a 32 search done on the house.

KATE:

Very good, sir.

HASTINGS:

Crack on, thanks.

Hastings moves to usher them out.

STEVE:

Sir. We haven’t discussed Deputy

Chief Constable Dryden.

Hastings pauses, but looks ill at ease.

STEVE:

Lindsay Denton’s thrown suspicion

towards him and so far it’s all

checked out. They worked together

in Crime Audit. They had contact

outside of work. He made sure she

was on duty the night of the

ambush.

HASTINGS:

That’s one hell of an accusation to

be throwing at a senior officer

with an outstanding record of

public service.

(CONTINUED)

LINE OF DUTY #2.4 Blue Revisions 19/07/13 12.

409 CONTINUED:
(2)

COTTAN:

There’s this story that was leaked

to the press, about him and his

missus swapping points for a

driving offence. With respect, sir,

it’d look like favouritism if we

didn’t take an interest.

HASTINGS:

Fair point, Dot.

While Hastings reflects, Steve jumps in.

STEVE:

Sir, I checked Dryden’s web-site.

He leaves tomorrow for a series of

speaking engagements. If we don’t

bring him in today, we lose him for

the rest of the week. We can delay

bringing in Rich Akers 24 hours.

He’s going nowhere, he’s got no

idea we’re onto him. Dryden’s

potentially more closely involved

with the ambush itself. That’s got

to be our priority. If only to rule

him out as soon as possible.

HASTINGS:

(Reflective beat. Uneasy.)

Let there be no mistake: I want

every i dotted and every t crossed

before that man sets one foot

inside this building.

COTTAN:

Sir.

STEVE + KATE

Sir.

Hastings throws open his door. Steve, Kate and Cottan troop

out.

Hastings looks very uneasy.

CUT TO:

409A OMITTED

409B OMITTED

410 INT. AC-12. 3RD FLOOR WINDOW/LOBBY. LATER THAT DAY.

Steve and Kate peer down into the lobby.

(CONTINUED)

LINE OF DUTY #2.4 Blue Revisions 19/07/13 13.

410 CONTINUED:

They watch Dryden sign in with his ACPO Rep. Two uniformed

officers accompany them.

Cottan strolls up to the window, tie loose, drinking a mug of

coffee, and glances out.

COTTAN:

Elvis has entered the building.

CUT TO:

411 INT. AC-12. LOBBY. CONTINUOUS.

Hastings makes a point of greeting Dryden personally.

HASTINGS:

Thank you for your cooperation,

sir.

DRYDEN:

Hope this won’t take long.

HASTINGS:

We’re just waiting on Chief

Constable Lightwater. Because of

the special arrangements.

DRYDEN:

Barry Lightwater’s coming up?

HASTINGS:

His Force are having a bit of a

ding-dong with the PCC. Between you

and me, he’s glad of the away-day.

Hasting tries a small chuckle, to lighten the atmosphere.

Dryden doesn’t look in the mood for laughter. Hastings gets

edgy.

HASTINGS:

As I said, sir, I’m very grateful.

CUT TO:

412 INT. AC-12. INTERVIEW ROOM. MOMENTS LATER.

Cottan just in time finishes straightening his tie as Dryden

enters with his ACPO Rep. The two uniformed officers wait

outside for him.

Steve, Kate and Cottan come to attention. Dryden studies

them, keeps them at attention deliberately for a couple of

beats. It has the effect of making them nervous, which he

wants.

(CONTINUED)

LINE OF DUTY #2.4 Blue Revisions 19/07/13 14.

412 CONTINUED:

DRYDEN:

As you were.

COTTAN:

Thank you, sir.

Cottan, Steve and Kate take their seats facing Dryden. Dryden

sits alongside his rep. He stares at Cottan, Steve and Kate

coolly for a couple of beats, making them all the more

nervous.

Enter Hastings with CHIEF CONSTABLE BARRY LIGHTWATER (late

50s).

LIGHTWATER:

Sorry, sorry. Don’t get up.

Hastings shows Lightwater to a seat off to the side of the

table.

HASTINGS:

If you wouldn’t mind, sir ...

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