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forensicated · 2 months

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04x31 - Spook Stuff

Viv and Tony are called to a supermarket for a shoplifter that the shelf stacker claims was behaving like she wanted to be caught. The stolen goods came up to £3.20 and the woman has more than enough money in her purse to pay for them.

A meeting between Charles, Christine, Derek and Frank reveals that the clear-up rate has increased by 6 percent but he warns them not to let it go to their heads. As the others leave the room, Charles reports to Frank that he's had a phone call from Ted's bank manager and they're about to slap a court order against him.

(Above: a different view to Sun Hill CID. The television is showing the news.)

Jim and Tosh are working on a case where an American hotel guest left his room and returned to find valuables had been stolen. Ted says the security staff at that hotel are known to be dodgy. He answers the telephone and fixes up a meeting with a snout called Sinbad.

Frank takes Ted into his office and tells him about the court order threatened by his bank. Ted insists it's just a few weeks but it's really three months. Ted says he'll sort it out "like the last time when we sat here and worked out a sensible repayment plan?" Frank scowls. "You still cocked it up!" Ted says he'll phone the manager and fix a meeting and sort it out. Frank says he'll let it go - if Ted keeps him up to date.

Derek and Christine patrol the nearby market. They're teased by Dolly who remarks Christine is a vast improvement on Kite! Derek is known by all the traders and has a warm relationship with them.

The American man, Mr Gary, tells Burnside he is insured, he's already canceled his cards and he was only out of his room for 10 minutes. Burnside tells him that American Express will give him an immediate replacement so he should continue with his holiday. Mr Gary says he can't wait to leave England. His wife has gone shopping and should be back soon.

Tosh reports the hotel security didn't see or hear anything but he suspects that they've been paid off and that there's something more Mr Gary isn't saying. Frank suspects from the speed that the thieves are fellow hotel guests. Stolen was a briefcase containing business papers, some jewellery, a camera, a wallet and approx £120 in cash. The estimated value is $5K but thankfully their passports are being held in the safe at reception. When Mr Gary realised his room had been turned over, he charged downstairs to reception and mouthed off until the manager picked up the phone to call the police. Suddenly he wanted things to wind back and didn't want it reporting. He's also very worried for someone who says they're very well insured. Something stinks.

Christine is updated by Viv and Tony as they sit in the canteen. The shoplifter is American and keeps asking for her husband to be contacted at a nearby hotel. Of course, it's Mrs Gary. She had over £300 in her bag and over $1k in dollars. She doesn't seem the type and insists that it's a genuine mistake on her part but seems pleased she was arrested. (Side mention to a silent Suzanne Ford who is handing out birthday cake during this!)

Frank has a drink in the hotel bar and isn't happy to spot a Secret Service Agent approaching. "You're about as subtle as a dose of diarrhea." The SS agent tells him to take his boys and leave, it's a political case and has nothing to do with the local divisional Bobby. The CIA is involved and Frank agrees for one of his DC's to tell him what they know because he's too busy. "Just to make your day, the Yanks holding back on us. He's lost something he's not telling us about. "Oh no, I didn't want to hear that..." "Have a nice day...." Frank mutters at another 'secret' secret service agent as he passes!

Christine joins Viv to interview Mrs Gary. She keeps saying it's a mistake on her part and she has a lot on her mind. She asks if they've contacted her husband at his hotel but Viv says she's having a problem getting hold of him. Mrs Gary is distressed and asks them to keep trying. Christine asks why she went shopping when they were leaving the next day. Mrs Gary says she needed hand cream and aspirin but all the items she placed in her bag were food and not the snack type that you eat in a hotel. She asks again for them to contact her husband. Christine asks what her husband does and, reluctantly, Mrs Gary says he works with the government but won't answer any more questions. Christine says she can charge her by that afternoon if she needs to but Mrs Gary insists that her husband be called. As it's her first offence she can give her a stern warning. Mrs Gary asks again for her husband, insisting she must tell him she's being held at the police station.

Ted meets Sinbad at the Greyhound tracks. Sinbad tells him that he should have some connections 'with the secret squirrel brigade' as he's going to need them as he has top secret paperwork that the CIA would be interested in. It's currently safe and Ted says that he has to sort a few things out before asking what stops him from nicking him and turning his house over. Sinbad claims that it's not at his house and that if he does that he'll never get them. Instead, he hands over an American Express card and tells him to show it to his bosses and watch the wheels turn. He'll ring him at CID in an hour. By then he should have the answer he needs.

Back at the station, Frank is cock of the walk because he got the 'tasty receptionists phone number'. "As it happens so did I." Jim grins.

Christine tells Derek that Mrs Gary's husband is in the hotel but they can't find him. She now wants him to tell Mrs Gary that because she'll 'take it better from a higher rank. And that's you.' Derek tells Mrs Gary that he's letting her go but she'll be arrested if she does it again. In desperation, she slaps Derek and stamps on his foot. "Now will you contact my husband?" Unluckily for Derek it's the foot that has a corn on it. Christine checks him over and tells him it's not broken but it is bruised. Charles pops his head in and Derek tells him that Mrs Gary's husband works for the government. Suddenly Charles' ears prick up. "In what capacity?" he asks but neither Inspector knows. Charles rings Marion and asks her to get Frank to come and meet him.

As Frank leaves CID to speak to Brownlow, Ted tries to talk to him as he's getting a telephone call in 45 minutes and needs to speak to him before it. Frank tells him to come and get him in 15 minutes if he's not out.

Alec has been dispatched to the hotel to track down Mr Gary himself. He's approached by the Secret Service officer who spoke to Frank. Alec tells him that they have Mr Gary's wife in custody.

In the meeting with Frank is also Christine and Derek. Frank explains to them and Brownlow that he suspects that Mr 'Government Worker' has been trying to contact the other side to sell official secrets and paperwork. Frank suspects the CIA is onto him and is giving him enough rope to hang himself. The burglary made things hit the fan. Charles thinks he's right and Christine believes that Mrs Gary has gotten wind of that and has been trying to stop the deal by getting the police to tell her husband that she's being held by the police. A Special Branch Chief Inspector arrives at Sun Hill wanting to see Charles so Frank escapes back to CID for 5 minutes and speaks to Ted.

Ted explains to Frank about his snout having 'secret squirrel' paperwork that has something to do with the ' Spooks Department'. He shows Frank the American Express Card in the name of Thomas Gary. Sinbad wants 5K in expenses and to be removed from suspicion of a burglary case in Sussex. Frank tells him to set it up and Ted warns him he promised him a straight deal. He then asks Frank to speak to the financial company for him. "You're learning, Ted. You're learning."

The Secret Service Chief Inspector admits that they were hoping to trap the American for selling secret documents and when they were stolen they were still trying to find out who the buyer was but the police presence at the hotel is jepordising that. Charles points out they should have told them and that they'll help out now they know the truth. Mrs Gary has been sent back to the hotel with 'smacked legs' and heads will roll for the stolen documents. Brownlow leaves the room and the SS man that Burnside spoke to asks why he looks so smug. "Be nice to me, Benj... I can make your day!"

Frank sets up an obbo with the proviso that the SS man 'whispers in the right ear' for him as he claims he'll be ready to join the SS in a few years himself. He's also spoken to the finance company for him and tells Frank that they'll give Ted no more aggro as long as he remains on the ball and pays up on time each month going forward.

Sinbad approaches Ted in an underpass. Ted hands him 5K in used tenners and promises him he's been dropped out as a suspect from the Sussex job. They swap the documentation over for the cash and Sinbad spots officers coming for him. Ted is shocked himself and urges Sinbad to run for it. He spots Frank approaching and goes to punch him but Frank tells him not to be stupid and he hands over the paperwork with a promise to nick Sinbad in a week as he managed to get away. Ted threatens Frank again and Frank warns him not to be a plonker and warns him to have it on his toes before insinuating if he doesn't he'll be arrested as part of the dealing in the documentation. "Stroppy git but a good copper." Frank says, watching Ted storm off. "Aye... you'll do." The Secret Service agent smirks at Frank.

At the pub, Ted mutters that Frank always manages to come up smelling of roses and one day he'll do for him. Bob tells him to book him a ringside seat. "It'll never happen..." Frank smirks from behind them. Bob makes his excuses and leaves the two together. Frank tells Ted he's far too emotional. Ted tells him he doesn't work like Frank does or snitch his snouts up. Frank tells him that he wants results and makes sure that 'me and mine come out at the end covered in glory. That's why I'm DI' and any brownie points are a perk of the job.

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