Episode 2 Strike

This programme contains some strong language some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting

-We've been sent a leg.

-Whose leg did you think it was?

It might be a girl called Brittany Brockbank.

Do you still think it's one of those three men?

Whittaker got away with murder twice.

Laing charmed everyone while he kept his wife terrified.

Brockbank was a child rapist,

who managed to convince everyone that he was the injured party.

Careful exiting the hotel. We were followed last night.

-Are you having an affair?

-Robs, please... I...

We've just found a young woman's body

in a building in Whitechapel High Street.

We found it was you that invited her there.

You've never met her? Kelsey Platt.

# You and me

# Me and you

# Somehow we made it through

# I may be gone

# I may be far away

# But I walk beside you

# Every step of the way

# When you're used

# Bruised

# Black and blue

# Don't think about it

# Never doubt it

# I'll walk beside you. #

REPORTERS ALL SPEAK AT ONCE

Let's start with the photograph.

Sent to the papers by a concerned friend, is that right?

Paedophile and murder suspect.

It's not a popular spot on the Venn diagram.

-Do you think the photo is doctored?

-No.

Excuse me. Is this seat taken?

-No.

-Thanks.

Simple as that.

If you're trying to make me look dodgy, at some point I'll look up

at the same moment you're looking at me.

The photo taken in that split second

will make it look like we're having a conversation.

You find the person who took that photograph...

..you'll have Kelsey's killer.

It's probably someone she trusted. What else?

That girl's wearing a vest top. So it was warm weather.

Probably taken at least five months ago. And she's reading a magazine.

If the papers were sent a high-res image that'll help you date it.

Anything else? Kelsey's holding a bottle of water.

Who goes to a coffee shop to sit and drink water?

I'd skew towards saying she came specifically to sit next to me,

rather than to enjoy

a freshly-prepared caffeinated beverage.

You seem annoyed.

Have you found the three men I told Wardle about?

I can't discuss that with you.

-Because it's now part of a murder investigation?

-Exactly.

-I don't care. I'll pay the fine.

-I have asthma.

Sorry.

Do we have a print out of Donald Laing's fundraising page?

Yes, somewhere. Where are you?

I just had a social down at the station.

-Right... Do they have a lead?

-Yes, me. So we better get a move on.

Just coming up now.

This is the Strata building. Elephant and Castle.

We can use this to work out what block he lived in.

-There's no guarantee he's still there.

-Great.

I called Brockbank last night.

He suggested meeting in Shoreditch, but then he hung up on me.

We know he has a history of bouncing round strip clubs.

-I thought that would be a good place to start.

-Yeah.

I think he's living with a little girl.

OK.

Head down to Elephant and Castle.

If you see Laing, keep your distance.

No working after dark. Keep on the busy routes.

Yes, I have done counter-surveillance.

If it was up to me you'd stay in Yorkshire until he's caught.

He addressed the leg to you. He followed you.

-That's the pattern we have so far.

-I know, and I will be careful.

Right, so you're checking out Laing. I'll look for Brockbank.

Do you know this guy?

No, don't think so, mate. Sorry.

-Have you been here before, darling?

-No.

-You know what this is?

Yeah, I think so.

You want to dance? Private dance with me?

-I'm looking for a friend.

-I'll be your friend.

Not that kind of friend, sadly.

Perhaps you know my friend? Niall Brockbank?

-He owes me some money.

-Des fired him.

You're no use as a bouncer if you have a fit and piss yourself.

Would anyone here have his address?

I think he lives with Alyssa.

She's got the worst taste in men.

-She's one of the dancers?

-Mm. Des fired her as well.

They're in some council flat over in Bow.

She bitches about it but she likes the nursery her kids are in, so...

Could you introduce me to Des?

Thanks for the drink, darling, but I reckon you're trouble.

Normally I like trouble.

PHONE VIBRATES

What is it? What's wrong?

Uh, nothing, I'm fine. I've found Laing's block.

It could be one of 100 flats but...

Make sure you're home before sunset.

-How are the strip clubs?

-Expensive.

Look, put yourself in a cab now, I can't...

Cormoran, you have to stop treating me like I'm part of the problem.

I'm having dinner with my mum tonight round the corner from work

-so I will be perfectly safe.

-Right.

-Matt shouldn't have called you.

-I'm glad he did.

I'm not stopping doing this job. Not for anyone.

Whatever you do, you'll always have mine and your dad's full support,

but, Robin, I do think it's time to make a decision.

The wedding day's nearly here.

Have you seen this guy, Donald Laing?

-No.

-Thank you.

-Hello.

-Hello. Do you know this guy?

No.

Would you like to come back to Masham for a bit?

-Be a bit looked after?

-No. Sorry.

I don't mean it like that. I just, um...

I worry if...

I worry I'd feel like I did before.

Like I was shutting out the world.

I want to stay in it.

Is that the famous Cormoran Strike?

-Donny Laing.

-You here to see me?

I'm not on licence or anything.

I'm a private investigator now.

Are you? Well... What're you here for, then?

I recently spoke to a woman in Corby.

-Not Lorraine, was it?

-That's right.

I never hit her, you understand?

Lesson learned first fucking time.

Did you steal her jewellery?

You've come to find...? That was years ago!

Well, it had sentimental value.

Well, tell her I'm sorry but her stuff's long gone.

It's the truth. I didn't feel good about it.

I'll pass that back to her.

-What, is that it from you?

-Yeah.

A fine private investigator you turned out!

Tracking down old bits of tat!

There's £500.

It could be the deposit on renting a flat of your own.

Or it could be a pair of really beautiful wedding shoes.

Cormoran?

-Thanks.

-I, uh...

..came back for some files and you were...

Look. I've, um, been given some money.

Oh, it's only 500 quid but if we don't pay the bills

we won't be able to work here any more.

Someone's trying to destroy me.

I think I make a fairly poor prospect for investment.

Under the circumstances you're better off putting it on a horse.

Uh, I'm better off here.

Let me do this for us.

-Shit!

-What?

Slept through a date.

Who's the lucky girl?

Swedish. Pretty. Doesn't give a fuck.

Sounds perfect.

I should go to bed.

Thanks for Donald Laing, by the way.

But it's a dead end.

Guy's even more crippled than I am.

-I really don't like you being out after dark. Take a cab.

-Sure.

Night.

Night.

What's all this?

Uh, I made that Nigel Slater salmon thing you like.

Thanks. I ate with Mum.

How is she?

-She's fine.

-Good.

Look, I've got something I need to say to you.

What I did was unforgivable.

I was 21. I was in so much pain.

I was incredibly lonely and I made a mistake.

You are the love of my life.

And I want to marry you.

More than anything that's what I want.

But that's for you to decide. So...

I'm asking you again.

And if you say no, I'll accept it,

and I'll leave the flat in the morning.

I love you, darling.

One day, you'll feel like that about somebody.

DOOR OPENS

Went for the knife. Very good.

I'm just checking the locks.

I can see your door at the back there is, um...

Well, it's not adequate.

I need to go back to Masham for a few days

for dress fittings and stuff.

I know it's not great timing but is that OK?

No, it's...

It's good.

Keeps you out of harm's way.

Good.

We'll just stick a padlock on that.

HORN TOOTS

Hi, Dad.

Where's Mum?

You've never met her...

Kelsey Platt?

Look...

Oh, my God, it's you.

I need to ask you about your sister.

-Please.

-Who is it, love?

It's...

It's Cormoran Strike.

Why's he here?

Close the door!

Wait...

-Can, can you wait?

-Yeah.

You saw those photos of him and Kelsey!

Look, I know what you're saying, but...

..the police say they think he got set up.

How's he even allowed to come here?

Look, I know, but Kelsey looked up to him...

Yeah, and look where she is now!

Look, sorry.

I know she was your sister but I cared about her, too.

Talk to him if you want, I won't.

You can come in.

Thank you.

Do you want to sit down?

-Could I...?

-Yeah.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

I suppose the police have asked you a lot of questions.

Yeah, was I working?

Signed statements from colleagues, payslips.

Ray had to print off photos of him and Ritchie fishing.

Boat receipts, the lot.

They were away that week in Wales.

And, like, we're the ones who've lost her!

SHE SOBS

-Do you mind if I...?

-No.

SHUTTER CLICKS

Do you have any idea who might have got close to Kelsey?

No.

No, she didn't have many friends.

She came and lived with us after our mum died

but there was always the age gap so...

SHUTTER CLICKS

..I don't know.

SHE SOBS

Could I use your loo?

It's upstairs.

SHUTTER CLICKS

TOILET FLUSHES

SHUTTER CLICKS

You didn't do it, did you?

No.

I didn't.

KNOCK ON DOOR

You all right?

Hmm.

You should redecorate in here.

It'll always be your room, love.

You stupid bastard.

Ray said it felt like you were attacking Hazel.

Can you imagine if he'd gone to the papers instead of us?

"Murder suspect shows up at grieving relatives' house

"and demands to check their alibis."

-That is not what I was...

-You went there. It's unbelievable!

So, what do you think I should do?

Stay out of it, work your own cases.

Nobody wants to hire a detective

who's accused of being a paedophile and a murderer.

I can't afford the rent on this place next month.

I'll have to make my partner redundant

while she's on her honeymoon.

So, what exactly do you suggest I do

while someone's cutting up little girls on my account?

We need you to trust us to do our job!

The three names I gave you.

Who have you found?

We're still making enquiries.

Right, Whittaker's in Catford,

Laing was in Corby but is now in Elephant and Castle,

and Brockbank just got fired from a strip club in Shoreditch.

And your suggestion is I just sit back

and wait for London's finest to plod along to the finish line?

By the time you figure things out,

I'll be on the street and Robin will be dead.

We're on your side, you idiot!

I'm sorry, I don't know what else to do.

-ATTEMPTED EAST LONDON ACCENT:

-"All right? It's Zahara's mum.

"Look, I haven't been getting any letters from you lot.

"I was thinking maybe you've got my address wrong?"

-HE SCOFFS

-Shh!

-SHE WHISPERS:

-Piss off.

"It's Alyssa, Zahara's mum."

"No.

"Oh, it's all right, it's all right.

"No worries. Thanks, thanks."

That was horrific.

It's work.

-AS ALYSSA:

-"Hiya, it's Alyssa, Zahara's mum.

"Look, I've not been getting letters for a while,

"I was just checking that you're not still using the old address."

"Ah, yeah, no, that's fine. That's the right one, yeah.

"Which number are you using?"

Plate for the meat.

Come on, come on!

Ooh.

You make a gravy, love.

GLASS BREAKS

RADIO BLARES

HE SINGS ALONG

Darling, Matthew's on the phone.

Is he all right?

Matt, are you OK?

A what?

Friend of Matthew's.

Here to check he's all right.

OK, you can come in.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Robin asked me to check in on you.

I'm fine, thanks!

The police have got everything covered.

Well, she's driving down now. You know that, obviously.

What would it take for you to let her go?

-What?

-She's been followed.

She's had body parts sent to her,

she's had her flat broken into by someone who butchers women.

I mean, you're just going to... like, see what happens to her next?

-I understand you're having a difficult morning...

-Oh, piss off!

Robin's good at what she does. She's very good. She manages the risks.

If she ever decides to hand in her notice, that'll be her decision

but I would try to persuade her to stay.

The police will watch the flat at night.

I don't think he'll try anything here again.

Yeah, but you don't know anything...really, though, do you?

It's proving challenging.

Hiya.

-How's Matthew?

-Oh, he's fine.

He went to work in the end.

You all right?

I spent about an hour checking the flat over and bleaching everything.

-You know the police will...

-Yeah, I know. I just...

I got an exact address for Brockbank.

I called round all the nurseries in Bow pretending to be Alyssa

until one of them finally confirmed they had my address details right.

Very clever.

Let's just find this guy.

I can't go back to Whittaker, he saw me...

..but...

The person we're looking for is careful, deliberate.

Doesn't feel like Whittaker.

But I don't know.

I'll watch Whittaker.

-Are you sure? It's a long...

-I'll watch Whittaker!

-Tea?

-Yeah.

-Ta.

-Thank you.

Gosh.

Are you all right?

Can I buy you some lunch?

What?

You look like you're having one of those days, I just thought...

Order what you want, I'll pay.

Anything I want?

Yeah, come on. Are you hungry?

Cheers.

-Sore tooth?

-Mm-hmm.

Did your boyfriend do this?

-Where is he?

-He's going away.

I didn't want him to go.

That's why he's done it.

I think he's got someone else.

He says he's only going with the band but I don't believe him.

What sort of music does he play?

Metal.

The band's called Death Cult.

He's lead guitar.

Do you go to all their gigs?

Yeah. They're good.

What's this?

What's your name?

-You made a little friend?

-No.

Actually, I was just leaving.

Really?

Seems like such a shame.

Nice to meet you, Stephanie.

Fuck off. HE LAUGHS

Obviously not such good friends after all.

You've obviously tried very hard.

Just being kind, were you?

I was just concerned.

She looked a bit beaten up.

Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about her,

she can be a clumsy little bitch at times.

Get help for that tooth.

PHONE RINGS

Is everything OK?

Are you still out? It's late.

Yeah, but I'm heading back now.

Listen, I spoke to Stephanie

and Whittaker's in a band called Death Cult.

Hang on.

Everything OK?

Yeah, I'm fine, I was just looking something up.

I've taken a wrong turn.

Where are you?

Just gone under the shopping precinct.

Have you seen something?

No. No, I'm fine. I'm just a bit jumpy.

Where exactly are you? Street name.

What...? I'm not quiet sure this has a name, actually.

Robin?

Robin!

SHE SCREAMS

Robin!

Robin!

ALARM BLARES

SHE WHIMPERS

He cut me.

Sorry I messed up.

I'm not here to tell you off.

How did you manage to...?

I told you I did a self-defence course.

He grabbed me from behind so I did what they taught me.

Kneed him in the groin.

Whittaker's disappeared, they're looking for him.

I just...

Whittaker's sort of thin and he...

The guy that attacked me had a different build.

I looked up Whittaker's band.

They had a gig the night Kelsey was killed.

I just...

I don't think it's was him.

I still want to work.

FLATLY: Well, you've got your wedding to think about.

Don't patronise me.

-Thanks.

-You can leave us alone now.

Robin needs her rest.

Matthew's right. You should rest.

Cormoran, what are we doing about Brockbank?

The police are watching him.

Well, it's not where he goes, it's what he does inside the flat.

We can't save everyone.

You were nearly killed tonight.

Let someone else take this one on.

Cormoran, we can't leave him with children.

-Fine, I need to rest.

-I get why you want to help.

I need to rest.

Back in a minute.

Cormoran, this has to end.

She's barely trained and you sent her out, with no support.

You're a sociopath.

-PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

Is that Ray? It's Cormoran Strike.

I'd like you and Hazel to look at some photos of suspects.

They're not great pictures, but they might jog a memory.

Hazel needs some space.

Don't you understand that, fella?

HE HANGS UP

PHONE RINGS

Oh, sorry. One second.

Can I just have a minute?

Shanker. Hi. Thanks for calling back.

Yeah. Yeah. He told me to give you a call.

I need some help.

Taking the girl to get her stitches out, innit.

Hang on a sec.

If that Cormoran Strike calls while I'm away, hang up.

I don't trust him.

I'm just popping out.

Where are you going?

Police interview.

Can't they come to you?

Well, they want me to have a look at some stuff

they can't take off-site.

-Are you sure you're OK?

-Yeah, I'm fine.

I won't use the arm.

-She's coming.

-Are we sure that's her?

Fit black girl, two kids.

-Positive you don't want me in there?

-No. No, keep an eye out for him.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Oh!

-Who's that?

-I don't know, darling.

Alyssa?

Yeah?

Could I have a word? It's about Niall.

What about him?

Erm...

Could we talk inside?

It's important.

Upstairs, Angel.

Take your sister.

I...

Well, spit it out, then.

My name's Robin.

I'm...an investigator.

Could, could we...?

Look, this is going to be quite hard to hear

but, during a course of a case we've been working on, we've found out...

Sorry, who's this "we"?

So, I work for an agency

that's run by a guy called Cormoran Strike

and we've been looking into Niall.

All right, then. You can get out now.

No, I really need to tell you this...

I know who Cormoran Strike is.

He gave my boyfriend epilepsy.

-Get out right now.

-Please. Alyssa, please just listen to this...

You framed him up, ruined his marriage.

-I know all about you lot.

-Niall sexually abuses young girls.

-I am really sorry...

-Get out of my house

before I give you a proper smack.

He's been doing it a long time.

Just ask your daughters.

-Ow!

-Get out!

Mum...

Just ask her.

Upstairs, Angel. Now.

What's going on?

-You all right, Angel?

-No, this bitch is telling lies about you.

Is she now?

Says she's with Cormoran Strike.

Look after Angel.

You're not phoning anyone.

Stay there.

He done it to me.

What?

What's the idea, barging into people's houses,

upsetting their kids, eh?

SHE GROANS

What the lady said.

How's that, huh? Is it a bit sore?

What you talking about?

How's your bastard, Strike?

-SHE GROANS

-Shanker!

Shanker!

You dirty nonce! I'll skin ya!

Shanker, do not stab him.

-Oh!

-HE GRUNTS

Why didn't you say anything, darling?

-WHISPERS:

-Because he said he'd hurt Zahara.

SHE SOBS

DOORBELL RINGS AND KNOCK AT DOOR

-Look, we're actually packing to go to...

-I don't care.

Robin?

I told you we were leaving Brockbank to the police.

-I know.

-And you went in anyway.

He was raping Alyssa's daughter.

Wardle thinks I sent you in there and now, thanks to you,

-Brockbank's vanished.

-Don't you dare put that on me.

-I do.

-If you hadn't have messed up,

Brockbank would've been in prison years ago.

Laing is a cripple, you ruled out Whittaker,

that means that Brockbank was our number-one suspect,

and now he's off the radar.

We're finished.

-You don't mean that.

-I'll send your last salary on.

Quick and clean.

Gross misconduct.

-It's probably for the best, love.

-Eh...

Goodbye forever, Cormoran Strike.

MOBILE RINGS

-Hello.

-Uncle Ted.

Oh, hello, Cormoran.

Were you at Mum's grave recently?

I wasn't, but I had a friend pop something on the grave

for the anniversary.

It's sea holly, isn't it?

Not much to look at right now, but come June it'll be rather special.

Call me next time you're up, all right?

-Right.

-Take care.

-Bye.

Gotcha.

Donnie did some work for Mrs Williams across the road.

87 with the lawn to cut

and all her family have gone abroad.

Why's he here? Close the door.

Is that the famous Cormoran Strike?

I need the number for the Fire Service.

Not the emergency number,

the one for people who hire firemen.

Let me guess - you want a favour.

I need you to watch my back.

Can you meet me at Elephant at eight?

Right.

I'll text you the address.

Cheers.

Donnie? That you, Donnie?

What's that smell?

Gas. We got a call from upstairs.

Probably coming from here.

We're not going to get blown up, are we?

Well, don't light any cigarettes.

Shit.

All right. Is Donnie in there? He owes me 40 quid.

Afraid I can't help you, mate.

Cheers.

THEY GRUNT

Where are you, Bunsen?

HE YELLS

Bunsen.

Bunsen!

Bunsen!

-Oh!

-Bunsen!

What's going on?

Bunsen, open up.

PHONE RINGS

Calls to this number have been blocked.

DOOR CREAKS What kept you?

That's a steel door.

They're still cleaning up but forensics think there's more

than one body in there.

So what made you think Ray and Laing were the same person?

The photo Ray gave the police has him

on the beach next to sea holly in full bloom, supposedly in April.

It was like the coffee shop photo.

It was staged.

Are you sure you're all right?

Yeah.

Sea holly doesn't flower in the wild till June.

If you find the other bloke,

Ritchie, I'm sure he'll tell you they were taken last year.

Height of summer, but they put coats on to try and look cold.

Ritchie probably thought he was taking part in a benefits scam

or something.

I'm imagining Ritchie's none too clever.

There was a certificate for bravery hanging in Kelsey's sister's house.

I called the Fire Service.

The real Ray Williams, Mrs Williams' son, retired to Spain six years ago.

Laing stole his identity.

He was good at accents

and he spent a lot of money disguising his appearance.

He even managed to find a girl who'd made the mistake of having

a crush on me.

I'll come down the station tomorrow morning.

Sounds good.

MOBILE VIBRATES

We picked up Brockbank.

Get some sleep.

FOOTSTEPS RECEDE

Daddy wouldn't do that.

I didn't mean any of it.

I'm a friend of Brittany. BABY CRIES

I won't be long. All right?

What will happen to him now?

Nothing that involves you.

He'll be tried and put away for a very long time,

and when he's released he'll be on the sex offenders register for life.

That's good.

I wanted you to know

before, you know...

He should've been put in prison a long time ago.

We failed you there, Brittany.

I failed you.

You believed me, though.

And you tried.

That helped a lot.

Was it you who caught him?

No. It was my partner.

For a case you were doing?

No.

But she did it anyway?

Yeah.

Is she all right?

She's a bit bruised, but she'll live.

Will you thank her for us?

What's her name? Your partner.

Her name is Robin.

We've got a second stop.

Yorkshire.

Where's that?

Yorkshire! The county. You know.

HE IMITATES YORKSHIRE ACCENT Yorkshire!

Just keep going north till I tell you to stop.

CAR ENGINE STARTS

Put your foot down.

-It's down.

-Put it down further.

Jeez. I am not having this for the next hundred miles.

Well, that's you sorted then, innit?

Back to being the hero of the hour.

Yeah.

I mean, there's no fixing everything, but...

Nah. Nah, there's not. That's just life, innit, mate?

What's the deal, then, Bunsen, you going to go full-on Graduate?

"Elaine!

"Elaine! What about me?"

No, I was invited. I'm a friend, a guest.

Oh, you're a friend, yeah, right.

You sacked her, mate.

That's not exactly a friend where I come from.

Reminds me of your mum.

Who?

Who?! Your Robin.

She's kind, isn't she? Like the way she wanted to save that kid.

Well, I'm going to try and get her back, aren't I,

-but next time she calls you, if she calls you...

-Yeah, all right, yeah.

-Call you first, yeah. All right.

-Yeah?

Jesus, Dad!

First I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason

why these persons may not lawfully marry to declare it now.

Do you, Matthew John Cunliffe,

take Robin Venetia Ellacott to be your wife?

Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her

and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her,

as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Do you, Robin Venetia Ellacott, take Matthew John Cunliffe to be your

husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him and

forsake all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

Sorry.

I do.

# Romeo and Juliet

# Are together in eternity

# Romeo and Juliet

# 40,000 men and women every day

# Like Romeo and Juliet

# 40,000 men and women every day

# Redefine happiness

# Another 40,000 coming every day

# We can be like they are

# Come on, baby

# Don't fear the reaper

# Baby, take my hand

# Don't fear the reaper... #