Original subtitles

Fifth death of a Japanese tourist this year. A rape?

Muggings? No need to explain why this is a potential disaster.

Their foreign minister, Tanaka, has made it clear that unless the situation is

rectified, he will not discourage the growing impression that Australia is no

longer a safe and hospitable country to visit.

It's money we simply can't afford to lose.

Yeah, yeah, yes. What I'm questioning is the proposed solution.

We are importing Japanese police to make Japanese tourists feel safe. It's an

affront. Our local police will not wear it. All I can say at the moment is that

we have no firm leads, but my department is taking this matter very seriously.

Thank you. Police will not confirm that during the memorial service for Mr

Minamoto, a decapitated Japanese doll was found in the hotel's mailbox.

similar to the one found several weeks ago at the site of the brutal attack on

honeymoon couple.

The Japanese government is very concerned, and we have to do something.

Now, the Cabinet want to move on this fast.

I assume the local police don't know. It was thought best to keep them out of

the picture until the press conference tomorrow.

We import members of another country's police force. We're asking for trouble.

I still have a problem with the whole principle.

So will others, especially the charming individuals who are sending these.

That's why this operation has got to be conducted with the utmost secrecy and

care. We've got to get Senator Henderson, our Minister for Tourism, and

in and out of that press conference at the Gold Coast tomorrow as quickly as

possible.

How many aircraft do you need?

Well, we'll need one for Senator Henderson.

We'll have to fly Tanaka across from Kuranda, or where he's staying, I'll

one.

Arrivals and departures will have to be coordinated precisely.

If this is the way some Australians treat tourists, can you imagine how

going to react when they find out that foreign policemen are coming to these

shores? Nasty.

you

You all right?

The customs internal inquiry is tomorrow and they've called me in.

Well, why didn't you tell me?

Because I didn't want you to worry.

You'll be fine.

You haven't done anything wrong, have you?

You've got nothing to worry about.

I'm relying on you, Chris.

I've given Grace my word.

I don't think it's appropriate, considering the sensitivity of the work

together, that you should continue your association with a woman who was caught

removing drugs stored as evidence.

There's nothing in our contract that gives you the authority to call the

in my personal life.

Now, Jimbo and the others can handle any request you make. If they couldn't,

they wouldn't be working for me, let alone you.

Chris, you know the delicacy of this situation.

I want you backing me up.

I can't confide in the others the way I confide in you.

Well, I appreciate the compliment.

But I'm afraid it's not possible.

Senator Henderson?

Yes. Jimbo James.

Hi. This is Paula Neeson. She'll be flying you this morning. Good morning.

We'll be taking off in a few minutes. Want to come aboard?

I want Henderson and Tanaka out of that meeting as quickly as possible. There's

going to be a hurrah when this business is announced.

Mr Lightfoot, don't you think that this important Japanese policeman is a little

bit weird? Paula, can we talk about this later?

Now, we've got to get to the press conference by 11 o 'clock, OK? So we

want to touch down any later than 10 .45.

Rosie and Blake should be there on time and meet us there because they left half

an hour earlier to pick up the Japanese minister.

OK. OK.

Tanaka should be leaving for the airport about now.

Will he be all right?

I think it's just food poisoning, Mr. Tanneker, but we have called a doctor to

see him.

But I have to go right now.

He's a nice driver, and I need him.

We've arranged for another driver. He'll be here straight away.

Oh, very kind.

Thank you very much.

All three planes, where they should be, when they should be.

Just like Cockwood.

Excellent.

We'll need to be punctual on departure also.

No problemo.

And, that on that day, at approximately 8pm, you were discovered with a small

amount of an illicit substance in your possession, namely heroin, having

recently removed it from the evidence holding room.

Yes, that is correct.

Miss Mitchell, you must know that all evidence seized by customs and held in

that room, pending legal action, is not to be removed unless it is to be used as

an exhibit in court.

Yes, sir, I am perfectly aware of that.

And I appreciate that my actions were strictly unauthorised, but under the

circumstances, I believe I had good reason for doing so.

Would you be kind enough to enlighten the panel as to what that reason was?

Certainly.

My department is currently preparing a case against a known drug importer who

was intercepted by customs officers late last month.

Now, this is the fourth time that we have facilitated this man's arrest.

The previous three times, he's been acquitted on technicalities.

You think...

Someone in your department is deliberately assisting this person to

prosecution?

I do. I don't see how that involves removing evidence.

Well, I had to be sure that every avenue of possible acquittal, such as

tampering with evidence, was removed.

I was planning to keep the evidence in a safe place until the day of the trial.

How very interesting.

Perfect timing, ten minutes to get to the conference.

What about Tanaka?

Well, Blake and Rosie are running the schedule, so he should be there.

Excellent.

Given the highly unusual and irregular nature of your explanation,

it would help if you could support it with something more concrete.

Such as?

The names of the people you suspect may be assisting this drug dealer.

I have tried to identify the culprit myself, which is very difficult without

alerting him.

So I have nothing more to base my suspicions on other than the results of

last three trials against this man.

You have no idea who this might be?

Well, I don't want to destroy the morale of my staff by having them believe I've

lost confidence in them.

And the action that I've taken, I believe, is preferable to that of a

hunt.

We'll need to familiarise ourselves with all the documentation concerning this

case before we reach our decision.

If you could provide the panel with that?

Immediately. We also ask that you make yourself available to us at any time in

case we have further questions.

Of course.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Oh, thank God that's over.

Let's go.

Well, they have to do further investigations.

But I think it went well.

Great. Let's go ahead and celebrate.

Thanks for being there.

You know you didn't have to.

Senator Henderson.

Neil Roberts, District Commissioner.

How did you do?

I've just got word that you're about to make some ridiculous announcement

about... importing Japanese cops to work with my blokes? Is that right?

What we're aiming to achieve here is a solution to restore Japan's faith in

Australia as a tourist destination.

If it is true, then I will personally take it as the gravest insult against

members of the force.

I'm not going to stand by and have you undermine the authority of the nation's

police. And furthermore... It's been a leak.

Get ready for anything.

This is a complete disaster.

First the whole deal gets leaked, and now this.

I'm doing everything in my power to find Tanaka, Senator.

And what am I supposed to tell the press?

They're already suspicious. I can't delay them indefinitely.

I thought politicians were never at a loss for words.

Tell them what you like. The minute they find out Tanaka is missing, you'll

really have something to worry about. This is a disgrace.

Get back to me, Mick. An important government official goes missing and

knows anything.

New developments are happening all the time. To expect more is to expect the

impossible.

Have the pilots reported in anything yet?

No, not yet.

And you wonder why my government felt the need for this joint task force. My

office is a second to none, madam.

We'll find Tanaka, and when we do, you'll be owing us a very large apology.

We should be there by now.

How much longer are we going to wait?

Look, I've had it. I'm calling Jimbo.

Lightfoot checked.

Tanaka left the hotel at 8 .20 as scheduled. He should definitely be

Tell them to stay put for the time being. Blake, stay where you are and

call you back. I need you to get out there and find Tanaka fast.

What do you reckon? What, lost, broken down?

Tanaka's driver fell sick this morning and was substituted at the last moment.

thought nothing of it at the time.

Now let's assume the worst.

Charlie Tango Delta, this is Big Sky Base.

Charlie Tango, Chris, I think we've only got a local map.

Yeah. And we want to do a wider search of the area. If Tanika's in a car, he

could have gone, I don't know, what, 60, 70 k's in any direction.

Yeah.

And there are roads heading to all points.

East and south of the resort, the land's pretty flat. There's not much

topography. But if they've gone west or north, they'll hit the mountain.

Terrific. That'll make them easy to find.

I suggest you fly a square third, Pat.

Fly your first two tracks at a distance of 100 k's.

Then you're third and fourth, twice that, and so on.

That should give you plenty of coverage.

You and Paula take a tougher terrain.

They're the easiest stuff to play.

Charlie Tango.

Left your gate open, Gracie.

Come on, I'm hanging out. How much longer do I have to wait?

Don't you understand?

I've been suspended. I don't know when I'm going back to work. Gracie, I need

your help. You know that. I rely on you. I mean, what am I meant to do?

Take it.

And we'll tide you over until I know what's happening.

That's it?

That's all you're giving me? I'm going to leave without pay, okay?

It's all I can afford.

It isn't enough, Gracie!

I see something.

A dark blue government sedan. That's the car.

Charlie Tango Delta, this is Julia Oscar Charlie.

Go ahead, Julia Oscar.

Jimbo, we've found a carpet in the description. It's about 20 kilometres

southeast of Lake Carlisle.

Lake Carlisle.

I can see a clearing where we can land.

How long did they say until the cops get here?

Not soon enough if someone's injured.

It's empty.

Yeah, there's no damage.

Doesn't look like they've had a prang or got run off the road or anything.

Maybe they just ran out of petrol.

No, no, they had that last -minute substitute driver, so I doubt it.

Yeah, let's check the boot.

No, don't do that.

The cops might want to check it for fingerprints.

Oh, yeah, good point.

But when do you think you'll be back at work?

I haven't made a decision yet.

Anyway, let's not talk about that right now.

No, obviously we can go after the weekend.

That'd be fantastic.

We can go up the coast.

Man a little place.

Hello?

Yes?

That's so unfair.

But I've explained all that.

So there's no disputing that decision.

What happened?

The panel, um...

has handed down its finding and they've found that

there is no evidence to substantiate my explanation as to my actions.

So what now?

I remain suspended and they hand the matter over to the police to determine

whether charges should be laid.

Well, I'll give life for a call.

See what he can do.

Chris.

He was on the three with the drugs in the first place.

Chris.

There's something you need to know.

The police are searching the car looking for evidence, which is about all they

can do until first light, at which time the main search will begin.

Then you'll be required to transport the police and conduct sweeps over the

surrounding countryside.

We've already searched it. Yes, but we're looking for more specific targets

Remote houses, abandoned buildings, that sort of thing. Chris is on standby with

another plane in case that is needed for the search.

Do the journos know we're staying here?

Yes. So I'm afraid you're going to have to stay in these rooms. Do not answer

the phone. Do not answer the door.

Of course they know Tanaka is missing, but that's about all they know. I don't

want them to find out about yet another broken doll.

You can imagine the sort of thing they're going to make of that. Have a

night. See you at dawn.

Not too much from the minibar, please.

I met Johnny when I was 19.

Rising footy star meet brilliant law student.

It may not have been the most obvious match, but we were so in love.

So what happened?

We were at a party.

Johnny wasn't feeling well. He wanted to go home. He had a big match the next

day.

I wasn't drunk.

But I shouldn't have been driving.

I didn't even see the guy until he was right in front of my car.

You killed someone.

He was a dingin.

I'm in a DUI charge.

It would have ruined any chance I had at a law career.

And sports stars, they always go easy on sports stars. And he hadn't been

drinking.

He said he was driving.

And then the pedestrian died.

Turned out to be some politician's brother.

He only got a year for manslaughter.

So he took the route and you said nothing.

Look, I was ambitious, okay?

Yes, I was selfish.

I justified it to myself a million different ways.

I told him I'll take care of you for the rest of your life.

When he got out, I didn't recognize him.

He'd become a junkie.

God. I found him a place to live. I paid the rent. I tried to get him a job.

I bailed him out of numerous broken enters, assault charges.

He didn't know how to detox. He was hopeless.

All he wanted was another fix.

But you were paying for it. Yeah, but I couldn't afford it.

So when he discovered that I was working for customs and I had access to an

evidence room full of drugs... Well, you just helped yourself.

I told him just once, but he used it to blackmail me. You told me you'd done

nothing wrong and I believed you.

Chris, I started a lie that got out of control.

I was too scared to stop.

Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?

I don't want your sympathy.

I want you to know the truth.

That's why I told you. You told me because you got caught.

You lied to me.

You lied then and you lied now.

You've lied all your life. You don't know how to stop lying.

Chris, I'm sorry.

Where are you going?

Yeah, it doesn't make sense.

No wonder.

Believe it on the same channel for more than a minute, it might.

No, I mean about Tanaka.

You know, if it's the same people who've been attacking these Japanese tourists.

It is.

Blake and I saw the doll.

Yeah, but attacking a Japanese government minister, you know, it hardly

bill. He's not your average tourist, is he?

Hey, maybe they decided he was a better target.

Yeah, but how did they even know he was here?

It's supposed to be all top secret.

Well, yeah, it was so top secret that the district commissioner found out.

All the other attacks were in, like, touristy places, not in the middle of

nowhere. Look, Jimbo, you're going to tell us your theory.

Let's just get it over and done with.

No, no, I don't have one.

Well, that's a first.

Okay, we want an extensive search of the area surrounding where the abandoned

vehicle was found, both on the ground and in the air.

It's important that we work efficiently and quickly.

A ransom note was found outside the consulate about an hour ago.

Now, it could be a fake, of course.

Yeah, but if it's genuine, we've got no time to lose.

They want five million by this afternoon or Tanaka dies.

I'll be flying with the District Commissioner, who will be overseeing the

operation personally.

Blake and Paula, if you want to transport the officers to the manhunt in

Whiskey. And Rosie, if you want to do the same in Juliet Oscar.

And then once we've done that, we can resume the search under my direction.

Remember, the search has become more specific now. We're looking for likely

places to hide a person.

Large numbers of vehicles around remote properties.

Anything out of the ordinary.

Any questions?

All right, let's get out there and find him before our time is up.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Come on, don't shut me out like this.

I love you.

Over to Devil's Gap. Yeah.

Got that. Okay, thanks, Carl.

It's a bit unusual, isn't it?

I thought district commissioners were strictly desk jockeys. When an important

foreign official is kidnapped within my jurisdiction, I hardly think it's

appropriate for me to be seen doing nothing.

I guess not.

You know, I thought you were the one who told others what to do rather than do

it yourself.

Not when the government's proposing...

ridiculous joint task force scheme.

I can't afford for them to think that any of us are unnecessary.

Now, would you take me over to Wolseley Valley, across the range?

Wolseley Valley?

It's a pretty long way to take Tanaka, isn't it?

Besides, we searched there yesterday.

Who's the cop here?

I want to have a look.

Charlie Tango Delta, this is Juliet Oscar Charlie.

Charlie Tango, go ahead, Rosie.

Hey, Jimbo, I think I've spotted him.

He's in the Wolseley Valley about 5km south of the dam.

Oi, you found Tanaka?

Can't have. It's hard to be sure, of course, from up here, but there's this

staggering around all by himself.

There's no proof that I might be able to put down him.

Well, keep me posted, Rosie.

Will do, Juliet Oscar Charlie.

Rosie, good work.

Charlie Tango.

So, do you want to send a car just in case?

Yeah, yeah. Get on to it, Mick, will you?

Can't be Tanaka.

Why not?

Oh, a ransom note.

It's been kidnapped.

But you said it could have been fake.

Yeah, well, just the same.

What are you doing wandering around down there?

I'm just going to call in.

Charlie Tanaka Delta, this is Julia Oscar Charlie.

Jimbo, definitely Tanaka. He's got a head injury. I don't know that much

first aid and I don't want to make his condition worse.

Okay, call straight to the office and she'll call a doctor and pass on any

instructions. Will do, Julia Oscar Charlie.

Just out of the dam, did she say?

I know who that kidnapper is.

You do?

Yeah. Fred Nagel.

He was just near there. He's a crazy old bloke. He's always taking pot shots at

people.

Hates Asians.

Mick, get someone out to Nagel's place quick smart, will you?

Case solved.

He must be relieved.

What, that one of your pilots and not one of my officers found him? Yeah.

That really helps my case against the Joint Task Force, doesn't it?

Oh, the fact that Tanaka's OK is the main thing, though, isn't it?

Just call off the other search planes and get me on the ground as quick as you

can.

Rosie, I spoke to the doctor from the Royal North Shore Hospital and he said

from the symptoms described, Tanaka's probably got a cerebral contusion or...

What's that?

Basically, that's, like, bruising on the brain.

What can I do for that up here?

Okay, apart from keeping him comfortable, the doctor said the most

thing, Rosie, is to fly no higher than 1 ,500 feet, okay? The lower, the better.

He said any higher than that and the drop in air pressure could probably

hemorrhage, possibly fatal.

1 ,500 feet?

That's too low to fly over built -up areas. I'll have to go out soon.

Yeah, well, he said make sure that you get him to the hospital as soon as

possible, okay?

I'm going to make sure that there's an ambulance there at the airstrip waiting

for you.

This guy, babe. Will do, Julia. That's Charlie.

Chris? You OK?

Lightfoot.

Any word from Senator Henderson on whether the press conference will be

rescheduled or not? No decision will be made till the full extent of Tanaka's

condition is known.

I see. Thanks.

They're up to something.

Oh, here we... A major crime's been solved and they didn't seem too happy.

when Rosie said she'd spotted Tanaka, all he was worried about was, like, the

cops getting slurred for not getting there first.

Jimbo! Really, like, if Rosie hadn't been in the area, we would have found

like that.

So you think he knew where Tanaka was?

Yeah, it seems that way.

Why don't you go and refuel for what you have to do?

Do you want a coffee?

No, I've got to go out.

Why? What's happened?

Nothing.

I'll be at Grayson's if life would cause.

Yeah, Oscar Charlie?

Shay, I'm in a major storm. I can't see a thing and I'm not IFR.

Chris? Chris?

It's OK, Rosie, I hear you.

Rosie's in a storm visibility now.

I can't fly, Mother, because it's not safe for Mr Tanaka if I do.

Just stay calm, Rosie.

You've learnt instrument -only procedures.

Yeah, but I haven't sat the test. I've never actually had to do it.

Just keep the plane steady.

Look at your artificial horizon.

Are your wings level?

I know the sky.

Yes! Okay, compare your AH with your altimeter. Make sure you're not going up

down. Okay, yes, I'm level. Okay, now keep watching your four main

Your AH, altimeter, directional and vertical speed indicators.

Keep your eyes on all of them. Don't just concentrate on one.

I've got to get to the Gold Coast Airstrip. I can't even see if I'm still

that way.

Well, you need to dial the frequency in your ADF. Follow the directions it gives

you. I don't know the frequency.

It's 1267.

Oh, I'm sorry. Grace is on the phone. She said that it's really urgent.

Oh, I can't speak to her now. Just tell... Just tell her I'll get back to

soon as I can.

OK, now the needle's pointing 20 degrees to the left.

OK. Then gently turn the plane so it's back on course. A rate one turn, no

You don't want to lose control of the aircraft.

Yeah, sure.

I'm at home. He knows the number.

Thanks, Shay.

Bye.

I'm sick of you, Gracie. Johnny.

I've come to collect.

It's over.

They're going to tell the cops what I've been doing.

I'm going to lose my job and I'll probably end up in jail.

What happens at the airport? I can't see when I get there.

They'll divert you to another strip.

Don't worry, Rosie.

I'll stay by the radio the whole way. You won't be alone.

OK, thanks, Chris. That'll make me feel he's better.

No worry.

See, it's all mine, Gracie. You owe me. And it's collection time.

I'm calling the police.

I know you wouldn't do that.

I will.

Give me the phone.

No!

This time you've gone too far.

You're wrong there.

You see, I never went anywhere.

Thanks to you.

Where's your bag?

Where's your bag?

I've held you long enough, Johnny. It's not my fault that I can't anymore.

Where's your bag? You'll be helping me.

That's it?

That's all you've got?

Huh?

I've got it.

Plenty of money in the bank, haven't you, Grace?

Huh?

What's your number, Gracie?

Tell me your number, Grace.

What?

Congratulations.

Lightfoot.

Well, I think our success will put pay to any notion of importing belief once

Tanaka's recovered.

Unfortunate that it wasn't one of your officers who located him. That would

really proved the point, wouldn't it?

And to think you came so close to finding him yourself.

Well, I had a few theories about his disappearance that I wanted to test.

How about this one?

Tanaka's driver is replaced at the last moment by a member of the police.

What? He's driven to a remote location somewhere.

Oh, there are a few red herrings to complicate the crime.

Red utility truck.

Ransom note.

Oh, and most importantly, the local racist's calling card decapitated

dolls, which makes us all think that the same culprit has struck again.

Ridiculous. After a due amount of time, the police cleverly locate Tanaka, no

doubt setting up some local fall guy to take the blame, thereby proving to the

government and the Japanese that your police are quite capable of dealing with

this current crime wave against tourists.

Only a pilot got there first.

Nice story.

Go write a book.

Tanaka's kidnapping did not follow the established pattern.

The only people who stood to gain from the joint task force being act was your

lot. And the community.

And anybody else who finds the notion of importing foreign police offensive and

undemocratic. The only time we wouldn't have been up to doing the job is if

they'd have brought them in. I can't think of a quicker way to undermine

I never said I thought it was a good idea.

I was just... depositing your outrageous solution to it. And you can't prove a

word of it.

Local police have arrested Fred Nagel, who was found to be in possession of

certain items belonging to the murdered tourist.

He belongs to a local right -wing group, lives not far from where Tanaka was

found. Numerous weapons were found in his home, not to mention a number of

traditionally dressed Japanese dolls.

Neat. Nice working with you, Lightfoot.

Okay, I'm still level.

Don't forget your ADF.

All right.

Hey, Chris, I've got full visibility back.

I can see the estuary.

Well done.

You don't need me to talk you through your landing, do you? No.

No, it's okay. I think I can handle it from here.

Thanks, Chris.

Julia.

I'll be grateful if you need me.

Everything okay between you two?

Yeah.

Hey, Chris.

I think she's good for you.

So do I.

Let's make Chris.

His name's Johnny.

Johnny. Somebody I don't know.

He was an up -and -coming football star about 15 years ago. Yeah.

He's about my height, and he's got dark hair.

I saw him leaving when I arrived.

And you're positive it was him?

Johnny? I don't know. I've never seen him before.

Then how do you know it was him?

Well, it must have been him.

Grave Betty was blackmailing her.

Did he have any blood on him?

I don't know. I didn't stop to look. He's a junkie. He's a dealer. He lives

the cross somewhere.

All right, well, thanks for the information. We'll certainly follow up

of investigation.

When?

Well, in due course.

The forensics are still busy. They may turn up something.

We still don't know whether it was an accident or deliberate.

How many times do I have to tell you Johnny killed her?

They would have been arguing about money. Grace said he wouldn't leave her

alone. Look, we can't be sure of that yet, Mr Manning. Apparently, there's

a spade of break -in enters in the street. The neighbours gave a

two young men... No, no, no!

Forget about that.

Forget about that.

Just go to the cross and look for him. Take me, I can point him out for you.

Just leave the matter at last, please, sir.

He'll do a runner. You've got to go now.

Just leave it with the police.

Be honest and I'll look for him.

I will.

Chris is dead.

What? Well, Chris reckons it was murder and he told the cops who did it.

They're worried that he's going to try to find the guy.

What am I going to do?

He's not at home and he's not answering his phone. Do they have a description of

the suspect?

His name is Johnny.

He's a dealer.

He lives in the cross.

I don't know.

It was an accident.

It fell to the head.

Don't be stupid, Chris.

This is not the answer.

He killed her.

This isn't going to bring her back.

I don't care.

He's going to pay.

Leave it to the police.

Give me the gun. Just give it to me. Now walk away.

Just walk away. I was too late. Walk away.

I was too late.

Get rid of it.