Stolen

'The billion-dollar fiscal envelope has become a media soundbite.

'It has pulled focus from the real issue, which is,

'will the Maori tribes of Ati Awa, New Zealand,

'be compensated in accordance with the spirit in which

'the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. That's what I do -

'give legal representation to some of those iwi,

'and thereby their future generations.'

My precious girl, your favourite.

Put it away, Erana, I don't think she likes the fuss.

-Auntie, you know we could always go to the park.

-Of course.

You know it's your walk time, don't you, my darling. Such a clever girl.

Such a beautiful morning, I think it will be good for all of us, huh?

ENGINE STARTS

SHOUTING

I mean it. I will kill you!

Is it the dog I can take the dog away. Come on, boy.

-Get out of the way. You want me to shoot it?

-No!

Erana , gimme the leash, honey. Give it to me.

I'll blow your fucking brains out.

Please, if you just put the gun down. Look, I'm taking it away.

-Come on, boy.

-Get up the steps. Get up there.

Leave the pram!

-No.

-I said fucking leave it!

BABY CRIES

BABY CRIES

-What happened? What the hell?

-He got my baby.

He got my baby.

BABY CRIES

Morning, Reg.

-BABY CRIES

-Shush, shush, shush, shush, baby.

Shush, shush, shush, shush, shush, shush, shush.

You've got to be quiet.

Ya, ya, ya, ya.

Oh, Yum. Yum, Yum, Yum.

Look, look, look. Mmm. Shit!

Quiet, you hear me?

You have to be quiet.

Shush, shush, shush. Shut up.

He had a short gun. It was wooden.

IN SLOW MOTION: Don't you fucking move!

I saw down the barrel.

It was definitely a Jap car. Yeah, some sort of Mitsubishi, maybe.

Blue.

Silver blue, with some sort of blue stripe down low, you know!

He was all in black, with those big black gloves, stroking the barrel.

Five eight - no taller than me.

It's normally so bloody quiet around here, you know.

Nothing like this is supposed to happen. Not around here.

'Recapping today's main stories,

'a failed coup against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

'has ended after 47 hours.

'28 staff have been convicted of stealing nearly

-'one million dollars of unpaid benefits to bogus clients.'

-You hear that? Nothing.

'The Auckland Blues defeated the Cats, 24-12,

'last night at Bloemfontein.'

Time to disappear, little girl.

BABY CRIES

Thank you. This is some kind of birthmark?

Haemangioma, it's nothing serious, it'll fade.

Chances are it will disappear completely.

Let's hope not, right now.

It makes her readily identifiable.

-Donna, your description was good. You're sure he was Caucasian?

-Yes.

The balaclava was loose enough to see skin.

Wrinkles around his neck.

Who would do this?

We don't know yet that it was a planned kidnap, or a random act.

Mr Wildon, a ransom, surely.

The offender was disguised,

his car was parked in such a way that he could make a clean getaway.

From a time and place where Donna walks most Saturdays.

Then we must consider everything before we can rule anything out.

Leading up to today, did anything out of the ordinary occur?

Strangers hanging around, crank calls?

-There have been several phone calls over recent years.

-Threatening?

Yes.

Very unpleasant.

We'll need a list of all the people you think could have possibly

made those threats.

We should do that now. We can go into our offices...

-We'll have them brought here.

-We can easily...

No, we need you to stay here, at all times.

-We can't leave, can we?

-Everything you need will be brought you.

It's just the way it has to be.

Keep the phone as free as possible.

Assuming the offender knew who you were, it could be the route of contact he chooses.

That's why Sergeant Traill here will be staying with you.

We'll need to move some equipment in.

Of course, whatever you must do.

My brother, Warwick, is on his way from Rotorua.

-He's a policeman, you see. He will stay here, too.

-That's fine.

But I suggest you keep your house as quiet and as calm as possible.

We may get Kahu back tomorrow, or it may take longer.

However it plays out, this will be an emotional roller coaster.

He could be anywhere, couldn't he? With our baby, absolutely...

anywhere.

BABY CRIES

I'll be in touch.

Kahu isn't actually our baby.

I'm sorry, not your baby?

She was, is whangai.

You understand whangai, Mr Wildon?

Maori family adoption.

Four years ago my own baby died in late-term pregnancy,

I thought my world had ended.

Then last year my precious younger sister fell pregnant again.

She asked that her child be whangai'ed. Adopted with us.

We should make that list.

Oh, no.

Sir, it just came over comms,

they've discovered a body on the Hutt River.

-No, sorry, sir, it's a woman's body, mid-30s.

-OK, thanks.

-Could be a connection.

-Yeah, let's hope not.

-Well, I've included the cousins from the Gold Coast, that's...

-HE WHISTLES

-..nearly 50.

-PHONE RINGS

Big Sur, that's going to be a big day. He was a good man, your father.

-Hello.

-Anaha, it's me.

Kia ora, Sis, we were just talking about you fellas.

You guys all set for the trip up next weekend?

For Jarmie's dad's unveiling.

I can't wait to see our little Kahu. I'll bet you she's grown.

Anaha, I need you to listen.

There's something I want to explain. Please try to stay calm.

Are we there yet?

No.

BABY CRIES

Shut up.

BABY CONTINUES TO CRY

Ssh, ssh, ssh.

Shut up.

SHUT UP!

-Will we see baby Kahu?

-Sure, Bub.

Soon, eh?

BABY CRIES

-Kia ora.

-Kia ora. Hello, my little Manumea.

-Thanks, Sis.

-Jarmie.

-Eddie.

-Welcome.

-Jarmie.

-Warwick.

-Come through, please.

This is unbelievable.

-Yes, yes it is.

-The cops got any idea who it might be?

Very little, I'm afraid.

Sorry to interrupt,

-but we're going to need that other room upstairs, too.

-Yes, yes.

So, where have you guys looked so far?

-We're not actually allowed to leave the house.

-What?

Well, we have to start looking right now.

That is precisely what the police are doing.

You just said they don't know anything.

-How do we know they're even looking?

-Jarmie.

Look, on the TV.

'The victim was discovered at 4pm this afternoon.'

-Oh, God.

-'Police are saying little other than it is

'a body of a 36-year-old female, found on the Hutt riverbank,

'near Malling Bridge, and that this is a homicide enquiry.'

'Fran Wilson, for the 3 News special bulletin.'

-These kids are tired.

-Yeah, of course.

-I'll grab our bags.

Jarmie, you can't stay.

What?

As you can see, the police need...

There's no room for everyone.

-The police, you see, I'm sorry.

-You said...

-I know what I said.

-Any time, you said.

Yeah, well this is not any time.

This is a time of great upheaval for us. For all of us.

-There's a motel close by.

-Oh, a motel.

-Jarmie, please.

-It's for the best.

-We can organise a safe place for you and your family.

-Oh, what?

You saying this place is not safe?

Huh? If you can't make it safe, how do you expect to find Kahu?

-Jesus, this is a big mess. You lost our baby!

-I did not lose her.

-You're not listening to what's being said.

-No, I'm listening all right.

-I'm just not liking what I hearing.

-We're not saying you're not welcome.

There is no room. The cops need the space to do their job,

and this is no place for the little ones.

-Yeah, well she's our daughter, too.

-I know.

But you getting all riled up is not helping anyone.

Yeah, just as long as this motel's safe, that's all.

Yeah, of course it's safe.

I thought walking my daughter to the end of the street was safe.

DISTANT THUNDER

BABY WHIMPERS

'Police have confirmed that the body of a 36-year-old woman

'found on the Hutt river bank is that of Kate Alkema.

'The grim discovery was made by a family member.

'And in news just to hand, 'an eight-month-old child

'was abducted at gunpoint yesterday, in St Albans Grove, Lower Hutt.'

REPORTERS SHOUT

Inspector Wildon, is there a connection between Kate Alkema's murder and the kidnapping?

-At this stage we can't rule anything out.

-Are you saying there is?

-No, I'm saying, we don't know.

-When will you have a clearer idea?

The only thing that is clear is that yesterday,

Lower Hutt had a very bad day. Excuse me.

REPORTERS SHOUT QUESTIONS

You can say that again.

Welcome, people.

It's good to have you here.

Now, this operation has two objectives, the first,

and in a simpleton, the safe return of baby Kahu.

The second objective is to apprehend the offender, and nothing,

I repeat nothing, we do from here on in,

can in any way, compromise the first objective.

So, what do we know?

We're focusing on a silver blue Japanese built car,

possibly a Mitsubishi.

Licence plate - UL3802.

The licence plate was reported stolen

from a Mitsubishi Magna in Freemans Bay, Auckland, in 1998.

It's been a long time in the planning.

Four years, and from 600 kilometres away, not on that chance.

The child's mother has received some threats in recent years, Sally.

Donna Hall's legal work deals with, among other things,

multi-land claims, some within the multi-world see her work

as trying to feather the nest of some tribes at the expense of others.

-The offender was Caucasian.

-Gang hires a white guy on contract.

-Arm's length.

-Gangs don't give a shit about treaty issues, Peter,

there's no money in it for them.

-Just putting it out there.

-There was that thing with the nomads.

-You got something on that?

Yes, Justice Durie upheld a claim

of assault against the police from the nomads.

-There you go.

-Upheld, Peter.

The nomads have no logical grievance against Eddie Durie.

Well, who says it has to be logical?

-OK, OK, we can't discount anything at this stage.

-It could be an anti-multi-thing.

A lot of white New Zealanders pissed off

about billion-dollar land claims.

And Donna Hall's high profile could make her an easy target.

We have to consider it all.

But right now we're looking for a stolen number plate, and a Mitsubishi Magna.

Actually it's not that simple.

Mitsubishi have several models that look almost exactly the same.

I think the designers must have phoned in changes

for a few years in the 90s.

There's the V3000, the Magna, and the Verada.

It's like trying to play spot the difference. We're working on it.

-How many vehicles fit the description of the offender's car?

-Around 15,000.

-Jesus.

-Give or take.

All righty, now remember, keep an open mind, do the basics well...

ALL: And the rest will follow.

The child's name is Kahurautete Durie Hall.

She was last seen wearing a navy jumpsuit, with a pink jacket

with dog-shaped buttons on the front and ears on the hood.

She's the daughter of Justice Eddie Durie and Donna Hall.

Police are looking into links between the parents' work

and her kidnapping.

The offender was described as male Caucasian, 40 to 50 years old,

approximately 170 to 175 centimetres tall,

close-cropped greying hair.

We wish to urgently hear from anyone who may have seen

a silver blue Mitsubishi in the Woburn area yesterday.

An information hotline is now operating, and we wish to hear

from anyone with anything that could be of use in solving the situation.

The number is on the screen - 0800 150 499.

Thank you. Any questions?

REPORTERS SHOUT QUESTIONS

BABY SCREAMS

Shut up, you mongrel.

TV: 'To hell in a handcart, that's where we're headed.'

Firstly, it could be someone who has lost a child of their own,

and is looking to substitute.

-What's this?

-Possible profiles of the offender, Sis.

-Thanks, Marian. Mr Wildon, these are my sisters Marian and Anaha.

-Hi, hi.

Secondly, it could be someone motivated by money,

and they will seek a ransom.

-My goodness, people are so generous.

-Just the tip of the iceberg.

-This person hasn't sought a ransom.

-Yet.

Delayed contact isn't uncommon,

they try to build stress on the parents,

counting on the idea that when they do finally make contact,

the pressure is so great that the parents acquiesce to their demands.

-Who do they think we are?

-One possible motivation could be Donna's inclusion on the Rich List.

-Shame on that piece of fiction.

-Thirdly, revenge.

Someone who is angry at the parents

for something that they may have done.

We have a large team looking through

a list of names to isolate any suspects there.

Somebody who has taken a bizarre moral, or religious offence

to the notion of this unique form of adoption.

Perhaps someone who is known to the birth parents.

You think it's an inside job.

What if there was someone who sees the whangai adoption as unnatural,

and wants to take the baby back?

-Could there be someone?

-Frankly that is a ridiculous notion.

This is highly skilled information.

From where? America. They wouldn't know

the first thing about whangai.

-It's the most natural...

-Let's get some air.

What are we really dealing with here?

Like I said, it's early days.

What are the odds of getting Kahu back?

-Donna, right now I'm not interested in stats.

-Well, I am.

I will take anything, and everything,

I need something to hold onto, so if you could furnish me

with that information, it would be greatly appreciated.

We have talked.

We have agreed to do what you recommend.

You're the experts. But we need to be informed.

Information is power, Mr Wildon.

Empower us.

Please.

She's teething, you know.

Kahu.

As a mother, to know your child is hungry, or suffering...

..there is an ache in my stomach.

An unbelievable ache.

Hello, New Zealand.

My name is Donna Hall.

I am a mother and I have agreed to this interview

because Kahu is very important to her father and me.

I want to speak to the gunman

who took her by force from me and my nieces on Saturday.

You know who you are,

and you know me.

You held a gun to my nieces' head.

And you told me you would shoot them

if we didn't do what you wanted.

And then you took Kahurautete.

Kahu will be very frightened right now.

Just as I am very frightened.

You can put right the wrong you have done

to her and to my husband and myself...

BABY CRIES

..by wrapping her in a warm blanket

and putting her somewhere safe and dry.

In the meantime...

..this is the baby formula she most prefers.

She likes it mixed with Weetabix.

I entreat you to do the right thing,

and let our little girl come home.

Well done, Donna.

You were word perfect.

Now I know what it feels like to be on trial.

Those stats that you are after, they are from the UK and the States, mainly.

-Some of it's graphic.

-I want it all.

I will bring this fight to him.

BABY CHATTERS

HE TALKS BABY-TALK

BABY WHIMPERS

'Look, at the end of the day, you've got a dead woman strangled,

'and a baby kidnapped in the same suburb. Don't tell me they're not connected.

'That's all I'm saying.

'It was like she had no emotion, now, what's that about?

'How can a mother sit there, and be so cool, calm and collected?'

Got it, mate. Thanks.

No match on the vehicle has been made from ferry crossings.

We can assume the offender did not take the vehicle

into the South Island.

Our ears on the ground are clear the gangs are not part of this.

Put a line through those, too, boss.

'I just want to say that my heart goes out to those poor people...'

SWITCHES RADIO OFF

You'd dump it, wouldn't you?

You'd burn it out, you'd run it off the road or you'd park it up.

I thought it was the dog that was making him angry.

DISTORTED SLOW MOTION SPEECH

That if I took the dog away, he'd leave us alone.

DISTORTED SLOW MOTION SPEECH

A greyish goatee beard.

Short, cropped grey hair.

A mole.

A spot.

Under his eye, his left eye.

Thanks, Donna.

I thought it was a father who had cracked her for a custody issue.

Some crazy who had stepped off the edge.

So I tried to calm him.

Please, put the gun down.

-It's ironic, isn't it?

-What is?

I walked here most days with Kahu.

She loved this.

She loves this walk up to the river.

And then one day, one fine Saturday morning...

..a man leaps from his car with a gun.

And he steals my precious girl.

His car was parked in front of a creche.

If I had known he was after Kahu, I would have taken him on.

Promise me you'll catch this man, Detective Wildon.

I never make promises I can't keep.

Donna...

we don't know who this man is.

We don't know what it is that he wants, but in time we will.

Deep down, I know that this is going to work out.

That sounds dangerously close to a promise.

I will get Kahu back.

You have my word.

Poor bastard. Not a lot to smile about, is there?

He's talking to a woman who has lost her baby. You don't smile.

Come on, they're revisiting the scene. They've got nothing.

Which kind of means we've got nothing.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made Heaven and Earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.

He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper.

Lord, bring our daughter home.

PHONE RINGS ANSWERPHONE CLICKS

'Hello, you've reached the Baby Kahu information line.'

-DISGUISED VOICE:

-'The baby, the baby's dead.

'Took her, killed her, dumped the body, Albert Road.'

-TV:

-Police are in the process of scouring the area of Albert Road in the Wellington suburb of Berhampore.

Although there is no official comment, it is believed to be

a new development in the case of missing toddler Baby Kahu.

The mystery surrounding her disappearance

stretches into its fifth day...

PHONE RINGS

-Stuart Wildon.

-Stu, we've got something here, mate.

-What is it?

HE SIGHS

Are you ready to do this?

Yes, we're ready.

OK.

Could either of these items belong to Kahu?

No.

She wore nothing like this. She owns nothing like this.

-This was a hoax call.

-Despite it wasting an incredible amount of precious time, I'm glad it was.

We're being terrorised, Mr Wildon.

SHE SOBS

-KNOCKING

-Sis?

-Sis?

-Shut the door.

I don't want people to see me like this.

-It's OK.

-No. No, it's not.

-I heard that message.

-I heard it, too.

They said they'd killed Kahu.

And it's a lie, a joke, that's all.

Why?

Why would someone say that?

It'll all be OK.

It's going to be OK.

It's all going to be OK. Ssh...

-RADIO:

-There's got to be a ransom, isn't there?

-There's been no mention of any ransom.

-They couldn't.

It's probably happening as we speak. My point is they shouldn't pay it.

What if that's the only way to get little Kahu back? Betty?

I actually agree with the last caller. You can't convince these animals.

Yes, but we don't actually know if a ransom is what it's all about.

Come on. It will be. It's always about the money.

OK, thanks. Go ahead.

-Am I on the radio?

-You are, go ahead.

Of course they should pay it. Wouldn't you?

I don't know, I hope I never have to make that choice.

But, if you had it, you'd pay it.

I guess I would, but who's to say they have it?

If, in fact, a ransom is at stake here?

Come on, they're rich gravy train lawyers, aren't they?

But, as I keep saying, there's been no mention of a ransom.

-In fact, there's been no word from the kidnapper to date.

-Hypothetically, you'd pay it.

Because...what if the baby died?

How would they feel then, if they didn't pay

and the baby was drowned or something.

You'd never recover from that, would you?

You know what it's like to lose a child?

No.

It's shit, mate. And until you know, you don't know nothing.

Nothing at all.

-Sorry. Missed one.

-Thanks.

Tell Inspector Wildon to come down to the house as soon as he can.

James, something's up.

-Get your camera.

-Why?

-Just be ready.

'Enclosed are pictures of Kahu on Tuesday.

'She's alive and well

'and will be returned to you in exchange for 3 million

'provided there's no interference from police.'

She's alive.

She is. Our girl's alive.

'If there is any interference from police

'or the ransom is not paid in full,

'you will not see your baby again.'

"There will be one attempt to collect the ransom only.

"Any sign of police or aircraft in the area and you will not see your baby again.

"The ransom will be 1 million in 100 notes, 1 million in 50 notes

"and 1 million in gold coins."

'1,000 Krugerrands.

'1,000 full gold sovereigns...'

When ransom is ready, insert message in the New Zealand Herald.

"Tomme, the bunnies are ready to run, codename Myrtle."

3 million?

We don't have 3 million.

Damn the NBR and their stupid rich list.

They print that nonsense, people think we're rich

and look what happens.

-So, you don't have it?

-Of course we don't have it, Jarmie,

you know that.

But we will get it. We will borrow it.

If that's what we have to do, then so be it.

If we could raise this money somehow, if we...

if we paid this ransom,

will it ensure Kahu's safe return?

For now...

..we follow his demands.

We may need some help with that.

Look at her smiling, for God's sake.

It's like she has no idea.

Your little girl is alive, Donna.

-For now.

-No, we've hooked him.

Better still, he has hooked himself.

This is what we've been waiting for.

Are you a fisherman, Mr Wildon?

No. Not particularly.

Where I come from, people are mad for trout fishing.

My father loved to fish.

When that fish smacks the line, it's all on.

And you reel and you play and you keep the bugger on the line.

But the moment you give him any slack, you know what happens then?

This is good news, Donna.

-This tells us a lot.

-What?

That we are dealing with a greedy, faceless monster?

No, it tells us infinitely more than that.

Trust me.

OK.

Now, that was a smile.

Definite smile.

The ransom note was postmarked from the Hamilton Mail Centre.

We know their catchment area is as far north as the Bombays,

west to Raglan, Kawhia, Otorohanga, east to Matamata

and as far south as Taupo.

The note was posted somewhere within these boundaries.

Now, the offender has gone to a lot of trouble.

His planning has been extensive.

Assuming the offender is aware of these boundaries, we can assume

he travelled into the zone.

The question is, how far did he travel in order to do it?

Shit, he could be in Auckland for all we know.

No, why would you leave the area?

Post a letter in Auckland, you're in a catchment of a million.

Interesting he didn't post it in Auckland.

If he was in Hamilton, why not drive to the Bombays,

post it there and make our lives more difficult?

Which brings us back to how far would you travel?

-Well, he's got a baby to look after. If he's on his own, he can't take the baby with him.

-Why not?

Kahu is the most well-recognised baby in the country.

Drive around with her, you might as well have "I kidnapped Baby Kahu" tattooed on his forehead.

-Unless he covers the birthmark somehow.

-So, an hour there, an hour back maybe, while Kahu sleeps?

What if he's got an accomplice? In which case, this is all pie-in-the-sky.

He could drive from Wellington with all the time in the world.

Now, you put yourself in his shoes.

He knows he's under the microscope, he knows we're looking for him.

So, he has an accomplice. How much does he trust him?

I don't think he is going to put his prize,

his three million dollar prize,

in the hands of another criminal for any longer than he has to.

Now, he's not in Wellington, he's not in Auckland.

He is somewhere in here, with access to the Herald,

planning how to spend his three million.

G'day, Stu.

Good to see you, Larry.

I thought you are on holiday, mate.

Tonga is overrated.

Too many cousins, too much pork.

I called Larry back to oversee both this case

and this Alkema tragedy.

The Minister is keen to see some movement.

-We've had contact.

-I know. Larry is here to help you work the angles.

-What's your next move?

-We need to place the ad by 5pm.

-So do it.

Smoke the bastard out.

The Herald hits the streets at 5:30am in most places.

Let's say he reads it by 6am, he calls the number,

tells Donna, "Meet me in an hour,

"such and such a place with the money."

Can we be ready for that?

The sooner he reads the ad, the sooner he makes the call,

gives up his location, we get Baby Kahu back.

But there can be no risk. We have to get him on the first attempt.

-He'll want to see that money.

-If it comes to that.

I take it the parents don't have that sort of money?

But they are prepared to borrow it.

But to arrange it, they need an underwrite.

So, who has got a spare three million?

3,000,000 to give to a lunatic running around

with an eight-month-old baby under his arm.

-We are not planning on letting him have it.

-It's bait.

But worst case scenario?

You have to understand, this makes it very political.

What sort of message does it send to wannabe baby nappers?

Pick a baby, any baby, and the government will pay out.

That's no different to the DPB, I suppose.

Looks bad either way.

We will be accused of favouring this case because it involves

a Maori High Court judge and a high-profile Maori lawyer.

Three words - political hot potato.

With all due respect, sir, it's not political for Donna Hall,

Eddie Durie and their family.

It is a very personal hell.

I'm sure.

Why us? Can't you source this internally?

The Contingency Fund doesn't have it. And we need it tomorrow.

So, tell me again how this works.

The offender may need to see the money before he gives us the baby.

So, you chaps go, "Look, here's 3,000,000, hand over the child.

"By the way, we would really appreciate it

"if you didn't take the money."

Tell me you're not actually going to pay this bastard off.

This is about an eight-month-old baby, sir.

OK, you have it.

-Thank you, sir.

-Thank you.

Detective, this Krugerrand business,

that tells you you are dealing with a nutcase, doesn't it?

It tells me we are dealing with a man with a plan,

so we have to have a better one.

'Police have released a very detailed description of the offender.

'He weighs around 75 kg, 172 cm tall.

'That's about 5 foot six or seven.'

SHE COOS AND LAUGHS

-Not going to happen.

-That's going to do that.

-Hey, boss, try lifting this.

-Yeah?

Jesus Christ!

We did the figures. Three million in nuggets and coins, it's over 60kg.

-Those Krugerrands are heavy buggers.

-If you can get them. Any luck?

Yeah, it's happening.

Ah!

Whatever his plan is, he's not moving that in a hurry.

Classifieds.

In the personals.

It should read, "Tomme." That is T, O, double M, E.

"Tomme, the bunnies are ready to run."

"Call me on 0256820172."

He could call any time after 5:30am tomorrow.

The operative word here is any time.

For that reason, I need you to have this phone on you at all times.

What do I say?

Tomorrow is about contact, hearing his voice,

finding out what he wants to do next,

feeling reassured that Kahu is OK.

-Ask him about Kahu.

-Try to keep him relaxed.

Relaxed? That's all right for him.

The more relaxed he is, the longer he might talk.

The objective here is to keep him talking.

-And if he wants the money?

-Assure him it's coming.

But we don't have that yet?

Cue five,

try to explain to him that what he has asked for is complicated.

All of these questions and answers cramped onto paper,

How is Donna supposed to remember all this in the middle of the night?

They'll be on cue cards and one of us will be here at all times.

When the call comes, we'll be there to guide you through.

Trust me on this,

this is a proven and successful system designed to make

a very difficult conversation as easy as possible.

-Warm clothes?

-In answer to question two, correct.

-That is an example of a shutdown.

-Why would he ask me what I'm wearing?

We are not sure yet exactly what sort of person we are dealing with, Donna,

what his underlying motivations are.

-Money, surely.

-Sexual?

Oh, God.

If so, we want to shut that avenue down and keep him

focused on the ransom.

That is what he really wants

and that is what's going to bring him out into the open.

Right, let's get to work.

The phone rings. Donna, you answer it. And?

-Hello.

-Is that Myrtle?

-Yes. Is that Tomme?

-It is.

'If you are the person...' KNOCKING

-Hi.

-'Please, tell us what we must do.'

-More kai for you and the kids.

-The house has become a food bank.

You guys seen this? I mean, who is she?

-It is Marian, hon.

-Yes, I know that, but what's she doing on there?

Geez! It's like a party around here. You know?

An out-of-control party full of gatecrashers.

I mean, look at her! Talking away as if she knows our girl.

That should be me and you on there, not her.

You know? I'm her father.

It's not about you, Jarmie, it is about Kahu,

and doing whatever is best to bring her home, home to all the family.

-Come on, she's not even Maori!

-She's Donna's half-sister.

It's confusing, white face, Brown baby.

We needed a non-Maori to speak to the kidnapper,

offer up a dialogue to keep him calm.

Why?

In case the offender has an issue with brown faces.

We must consider every possibility.

I tell you what, if I found this guy,

he'd have an issue with a brown face, all right.

You can keep that stuff.

Stan's unveiling and we're heading off back up north.

You'll call us, eh?

-As soon as you hear anything.

-Of course, sis. Of course.

-Any progress on the Mitzi?

-Did I mention the number 15,000?

Stu.

I thought you should know there's a key suspect in the Alkema case.

-An arrest?

-Not yet.

He's a married fellow who handed her jacket in,

-we're watching him.

-Does it help us?

I doubt it.

Let's hope not, he is a loose unit. There'll be no happy endings.

KAHU CRIES

HE SCREAMS

-SHE CRIES

-Oh.

Fuck.

-Press conference.

-Right.

Heads up, one of the journos is going to ask you about why

-you were smiling yesterday.

-When?

Apparently, you were seen smiling while talking to Donna.

Bugger.

Crack poker player, are you?

Magna, the blue is paradise, paradise blue.

There is a silver grey panel strip running across the lower part

of the doors.

Mate, you are a bloody godsend.

-Good morning.

-ALL: Good morning.

We are now able to ask the public

for information about the Mitsubishi in question.

It is a Magna.

The silver blue is described as paradise blue with a grey panel.

Inspector, what was the good news yesterday?

Good news?

-You were smiling.

-Is that so?

With Donna Hall. It was a definite smile.

Have you heard from the kidnapper?

Our research coupled with advice from overseas experts tells us

that very soon we might expect to hear from the offender.

-We are appealing to him to do just that.

-So, what was the good news?

Well, we now know the make and model of the car.

It is a big step.

If we find that car, it will lead us to the offender.

So, it's a no? You haven't heard from the offender?

It's an appeal to the offender to give us a call.

DOG BARKING

Piss off!

Get the hell out of here! Get out of here!

Go on. Piss off!

Get out of here!

Get out of here. Get the fuck out of here!

Fella, come on.

Here, come on. You want something to eat, eh?

Here, come on. Here. Good boy. Come on, come on, come on!

Here, boy. Here, boy.

Come around here. Come on, boy, come on.

Here. Good boy. Come on, come on, come on.

Here. Yeah, yeah, that's it. Yeah, yeah.

You piece of shit!

METALLIC BLOWS

The poor Alkema family.

Yes. At the very least, we know Kahu is alive.

We have that to hold onto.

Denise. Can you please arrange to send some of these bouquets

over to the Alkemas?

Yeah, of course.

PHONE RINGS

Let's go, people!

Hello.

Well, um, hello there.

-Is this Tomme?

-Yes, you can call me that.

And you'd be...?

-I am Myrtle.

-OK, Myrtle.

Um, I read your ad, it seems like what I am after.

How much are your bunnies?

-Is my baby OK? Is she all right?

-What's that?

-I just want to hear that she is OK. If you...

-Look...

HE MOUTHS

..let's talk about the price.

You said three million dollars.

Three million, what are you, nuts?

We will get it, I promise.

What have you on about?

-Warm clothes.

-Eh?

I don't understand you.

That's what my wife always says.

Your ad said, "Tomme, the bunnies are ready to run."

Well, so am I. I just want a bunny to come over and...

Well, he better hope he has got an understanding wife,

because any minute half the police force is going to kick

his front door down.

For six days now we have followed every move you have prescribed!

For six days we have done everything you asked.

And so far, what do we have?

A 13-year-old girl from Whangarei leaves a message telling us

she has killed my baby.

My mother is in hospital at death's door

because of the stress of all of this.

And now,

now you have got me reading questions off cue cards to perverts

-wanting me to book them a hooker.

-Donna.

-Do not Donna me, Larry!

You tell me one thing.

How many kidnappings have you actually done?

There is no precedent here for anything like this.

We are following the best advice from overseas we can get.

We are making progress.

-We have to stick to the plan, Sis.

-Why?

There can only be one captain of the canoe.

-Larry is right, Donna.

-Really?

Cos right now I'm not sure we shouldn't be paddling our own waka.

He will call, Donna, I promise you that.

And when he does, we'll move into the next phase.

More promises, Mr Wildon. Let's hope they come true.

'I mean, what sort of prick steals a baby?

'What's going through his mind?

'I'll tell you what should be - a bloody bullet.

'For God's sake, we don't know what the background is to this.

'Background? Oh, here we go, I can see his lawyer now, in court,

'arguing his client was abused as a child or something.

'Spare me, the guy's a pervert, isn't he? What else is this about?

'He's a bloody sicko, string him up!'

I used to think waiting for a jury to bring in its verdict

was the most stressful of times.

PHONE RINGS

Excuse me.

-Hey, Larry.

-That suspect I mentioned on the Alkema case,

just confirming, we've got him.

-And?

-It's not your guy.

News, Mr Wildon?

'Got to wonder what the hell the cops are doing.

-'Nothing.

-Seems like it.

'Little one has been gone for five, six days now,

'you'd think they haven't got a clue.

'Look, nothing is happening, no sign of that wee baby for six days!

'These cops need a rocket up their ass!

'It's a bloody shame, it's shameful!

-'Well, you have to wonder about it.

-You're talking about Donna Hall?

-'There must be more to this than meets the eye.

-Meaning?

'Where there's smoke, there's fire, that's all I want to say.'

Calm voice, calm and controlled.

Codename Myrtle, this is Tomme.

Have you got what I asked for?

The baby has been well looked after. If there is any sign of the cops,

you won't see that little girl again.

Terence Traynor can do this.

BEEPING

PHONE RINGS

Hello? It's me.

HE LAUGHS

PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

-Codename Myrtle?

-This is Tomme.

-Yes, Tomme, I hear you.

-Your baby is safe.

-And I am grateful for that.

-Could I hear her, please?

-No, can't do that.

If you could just put her up to the phone.

Have you got what I asked for?

Yes.

Yes, but the Krugerrands are proving hard to source.

-Do you want to see your girl again?

-Of course.

-Then you will have to try harder.

-Please.

I meant what I said about the police. Any sign of them...

-I understand.

-Do exactly as I say and this can end well for everyone.

-Tomme...

-I'll be in touch in a couple of days

-with more instructions.

-A couple of days, no!

HE SIGHS

-Well done, Donna.

-He didn't tell us anything new.

He called. He did what he said he would do in the note,

that means he is sticking to his plan. This is good.

How can a stranger holding my little baby girl hostage ever be good?

We are a step closer to Kahu's return.

You have been saying that for six days, Mr Wildon.

How many more?

The call was placed from a phone box in Te Awamutu.

I will never curse my phone bill again. Thank you, Telecom.

-South of Hamilton, you were right.

-And he's been a busy boy.

Three calls in four minutes.

This cell phone just prior, which we are tracking,

plus a call immediately after his call to Donna.

How do we know they are all from him?

The time is so tight between calls that

if it wasn't him, there was a queue.

Outside a call box at ten to two

on a Thursday afternoon in a small town in central North Island.

Turner's in the air, on his way to Waiheke Island.

-Waiheke?

-The third phone call.

Time to find out who this guy's friends are.

Can I pour you an ale, young man?

I'm Detective Sergeant Glen Turner.

Someone received a phone call here at 1:51pm today.

1:51?

-That's very precise.

-In my line of work, it pays to be precise.

Well, I'm the only one here.

Ten to two...

That would have been Terry.

PHONE RINGS

Hey, Glen.

Stu, I've got a name.

With his boating background, he could be coastal, Raglan maybe.

Cheers, mate.

She's a beauty. Any movement on the price?

And what would that be for cash?

Well there's cash and then there's cash,

we're talking folding.

Did I win the Lotto?

Yeah, as a matter of fact I did, mate.

Yeah, I did.

I think I might shoot over your way for a gander

in the next couple of days.

Reg. Yeah. The name is Reg.

Raglan is a town.

I don't buy it. I don't buy it at all.

A Reg Baker was a regular visitor at Hutt Valley Holiday Park.

Now, he was there on three separate occasions in the last six months.

He was driving a camper van,

but on his last visit he was driving a Mazda.

He left last Saturday late in the afternoon.

The car is registered to a Reg Baker. I've got an address in Taumarunui.

Taumarunui...

Taumarunui. I've got a good feeling about this one.

An hour and a half.

The house is owned by Turner's suspect, Terence Ward Traynor.

Hello, Terence.

Terence Ward Traynor, 54, unemployed spray painter.

He spent his formative years in Lower Hutt,

so he knows the area.

He has got a police record dating back to 1965.

Mainly firearms related,

including a conviction for armed robbery in Australia '87.

Got deported back here after doing time.

Been keeping a low profile, but in recent years he took to

a neighbour on Waiheke with a spade over a dispute about a dog.

-You've got your man.

-But I don't have Kahu.

I don't even know if she is in there.

I don't know if Traynor is working alone.

If we rush in there and he has got Kahu stashed somewhere else...

Glen, get yourself to Taumarunui.

Good morning, everyone.

ALL: Good morning.

Today, I would like to focus again on...

Inspector, any word from the kidnapper?

Morning, Fran. No, I haven't had any contact with the offender.

Does that mean Donna Hall has?

It means we are simply entering a critical phase in the inquiry

and we expect to hear from the offender soon.

We are on day seven, if there has been no ransom demand,

doesn't that indicate this could be something more sinister?

We have not heard in the last six days of any evidence to suggest

that baby Kahu has been harmed.

As I said, we are entering a critical phase.

And to reach the outcome that we all want,

we need to find the offending vehicle.

We are offering a 10,000 reward for any information leading

-to the recovery of this vehicle.

-So, no new leads?

I have nothing to report further at this stage.

'The funeral will be held today in Lower Hutt,

'for Kate Alkema, found murdered on the banks of the Hutt River.

'Police are yet to make an arrest in this case,

'although strong leads are being followed.'

-We've got a visual on the suspect. He is at the address.

-Is he alone?

-It's too early to say.

-Any sign of baby?

-Negative.

Stand by?

Hold positions.

-What about Donna and Eddie?

-Do we tell them?

It's a tough call.

Objective number one - bring Kahu home safely.

I haven't done that yet.

They could do with a bit of hope.

Yeah. If we build them up and it all goes pear-shaped...

Their house is like Grand Central Station.

If one word is leaked, and everything gets compromised.

They can't know.

No-one can know anything.

SHE GURGLES

METAL CLANGS

Da-da. Da.

Why this place?

All the others we've been to are staffed,

they've got a good idea of what is behind those closed doors.

-And this one isn't?

-This one is a private lockup. Keypad entry.

Traynor could have gone in there unnoticed.

-Who owns it?

-Bloke by the name of Dennis Sims.

Here's the thing - you go in there,

Dennis turns out to be a mate of Traynor's,

picks up the phone, Traynor gets spooked, everything goes tits up.

What if you go in there and the baby's gone?

What if he has already disposed of the baby?

Look, I don't want to be the voice of doom here, but shit happens.

That car links us back to him. DNA, the whole nine yards.

You'll get a conviction.

-Surely you want that, at least.

-I want Kahu back.

Hold off for now, but the moment we go in, you go in.

My team have sifted 15,000 cars, 50 bucks says it's in there.

I hope you're right, mate.

KAHU GURGLES

'Visual Ops saw him leave, they can't be sure Kahu wasn't with him.'

-What?

-He's got a bag, Stu, big enough to take a baby in.

-Shit.

-The question is, why would he?

-Depends where he's going.

-I've got the other unit tailing him.

Do you want to call this?

-If we go in and she's not there...

-I know.

-Or who else is in there...

I know!

-But...

-I know!

Go.

-Go!

-Go, go!

KNOCK ON DOOR

Stuart asked that I drive you to the station.

Did he say why?

No.

-Has there been another call?

-Not that I'm aware of.

-I'll tell the others.

-He specifically asked that you not speak to anyone.

Whatever it is, he wants to tell you face-to-face.

He couldn't just...come here?

I mean, it would be better if he told us here.

Please, let's go.

Something is up.

You say that every day.

There's a helicopter about to land, we'd like you to meet it.

Because?

There's a little girl aboard who really wants to see her mum and dad.

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

Where is he now?

He is passing my position, yeah.

PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

-Terry.

Who is this?

It's me. Turn around.

Get down, down! Go, go!

Go, go, go! On the ground! Go, go, go!

So, did it play out how you expected, Terry, kidnapping?

It was all a blur to me.

I know Donna said that I held a gun to their heads,

but I don't remember that. I really don't.

I was just saying, "Get away, get over there."

The gun was loaded?

It was loaded, wasn't it?

I would have used it if someone had bailed me out.

Why did you post the ransom note from Hamilton?

Well, I wasn't going to post it from Taumarunui, now was I?

But you had to leave the baby alone for hours at a time just to do that.

She was all right. Sleeping, mostly.

How long had you been planning to kidnap little Kahu?

Actually, I wanted to kidnap Donna.

But when I sussed her out for the first time,

I realised it wouldn't work.

She was bigger than me, looked pretty staunch.

I wouldn't be able to pull it off.

That's when I decided to take the baby instead.

Either way, you caused these people a great deal of trauma.

I looked after her good. She was given lots of love and care.

Yeah, so you say.

The thing is, there's only two people who really know

what happened inside that house,

and one of them is a little too young to talk about it, isn't she?

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

Where did you get my cell phone number?

-You called it from a phone box.

-But I used a phone card.

-Yes, you did.

Kept my calls to under 60 seconds. "Hello."

-Is that a fact?

-You guys can't trace

a call in under a minute, I've seen the cop shows.

HE LAUGHS

The thing is, Terence, you had a right old catch-up, didn't you?

Needed a bit of conversation, did you? A bit of adult company.

Hello?

-Hey. Terry.

-Terry! Long time.

I suppose that's the downside of kidnapping

an eight-month-old baby then, isn't it?

They don't give very good conversation, now do they?

You lost a child, didn't you, Terence? Eh?

Killed in an accident?

Is that what you did it? Revenge?

I did it for the money, that's all.

But you lost a child, Terence, you knew how it'd feel.

What would you know?

I know that somehow that makes what you did a whole lot worse.

You don't know nothing, you hear me?

You don't know jack.

At 4pm this afternoon, police entered a property in Taumarunui,

where we recovered, alive and well, Baby Kahu.

APPLAUSE

She's back.

Our little girl's coming back, eh.

I spoke to her very gently

to know that she was OK.

When they confirmed she was alive,

it was...a very happy thing.

Were you prepared to pay the ransom?

The money was...

..three million dollars.

I thought she was worth a bit more than that, actually.

Sold herself short.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd