Original subtitles

We're running out of Johns.

Excuse me. You're Amanda's friend?

I'm Carol Donnelly.

Have you spoken to Bob Stephenson?

Uh, yes, I've tried to, but he, um...

He won't talk to me.

I could speak to him for you, if you like.

I put her in touch with Bob and then what happened happened.

We're having a boy?

Awesome.

I'm not there yet.

I'm going to bed. Do you wanna come?

I've gotta get a demo out to the agency tonight, so...

Hey.

- Hey. - What's up?

Is 8:30 OK for a pick-up?

I'm starting to think that maybe my drink was spiked.

Just take your cash and let yourself out.

Nice one going behind my back.

Yeah, you wanna create drama? Is that what you're trying to do?

Because let me tell you, I can create drama.

Oh, look, look.

It's our crime writer.

Can I ask you something?

Your mate, Alan.

What if he did it,

would you still defend him?

You know I would. That's the law.

Here's a blanket.

Oh, Bob! Bob, no.

Nice suit.

I haven't worn it since Bev's funeral.

I haven't worn it since Bev's funeral.

Didn't think I would be again either,

until I joined her.

Ready?

Been ready for 57 years.

Have a seat.

How'd you sleep?

Like a baby.

Up all night, crying.

I know how you feel, but...

..Bob Stephenson's the one that should be losing sleep.

He's on my turf now.

Bob Stephenson hates me.

Bob Stephenson hates me.

This is a bent cop we're talking about.

He's been on my case ever since I was a kid.

And he's gonna bring up all that shit.

So...

Why were you at the beach that night, Alan?

It was a party for out-of-towners.

I was invited.

We know you brought the booze.

Alan, I can always charge you with supplying to minors

if you don't cooperate.

Does your dad know about that?

He's been obsessed with the murders his whole life.

And he's gonna pin it on me just so he can

finally put me away before he carks it.

Admittedly, he is a credible witness.

But his age will count against him.

Well, you're not exactly a spring chicken yourself.

No, I'm no spring chicken.

I'm a wily old fox.

And that's the difference.

- Settle down, settle down.

Now, look, let me tell you,

I've been around the block a few more times than most...

I've been around the block a few more times than most...

Who do you think is the killer?

..and I know about defence lawyers.

They're a bunch of tossers.

All they're interested in is getting their client off.

What the fuck is he doing?

Excuse me, excuse me. Bob?

- Bob! Bob? - I have been...

- Excuse me, excuse me. - What?

Could you just go with Charlie?

- Hey? - Hey, you take him inside.

What can you tell us about the dead girls?

Uh, Detective Stephenson is a state witness,

and as such he will not be answering any further questions

about this case until after his testimony.

Thank you.

I've explained.

Bob, you know you can't talk to the press before you testify.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

The only questions you need to answer right now are mine.

Yeah, yeah, I'll answer them. It's alright.

You're gonna be great in there.

Yeah, look, I'm OK. I'm OK, alright?

I mean, we've been through it all.

- I know what I'm doing. - Yeah.

I'm OK.

Mr Aziz, please call me back.

- Hey, Dad.

Salma!

Just... getting my uniform for...

It's beautiful, isn't it?

Uh, yeah. Uh...

- We can't afford this, though. - Ah, don't worry about that.

A person on the jury practically gave it to me.

Oh.

You've worked hard, you deserve your own instrument.

You like the bow?

- Nice touch. - Yeah, I tried.

- Yeah.

See ya, Dad!

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

We've done a lot of travel together

and, I mean, I feel like

that's the... the true test of any relationship, right?

- Yeah, sure. I mean... - Isn't it? Is it?

Yeah, I suppose so.

If you can get Delhi belly together,

then, I don't know, you can have kids together.

Sure, why not?

Well...

Yeah, I mean, that's the...

I mean, that's the other issue that keeps raising its head.

- What, kids? - Yeah.

- Really? - Yeah.

Who doesn't want them?

No, it's not... it's not that I don't. It's just...

I don't know, I mean, everyone thinks that their... their kids

I don't know, I mean, everyone thinks that their... their kids

are gonna have these long, happy, healthy lives,

but what if they don't?

I mean, what if something happens

that you never saw coming?

Yeah.

It's really hard to hear people.

- It's really hard! - Yeah!

- Well, it's loud. - Yeah.

- Hey, you guys. - Don't tell me.

- Hey, Jaz. - Hey.

What's up?

Nothing.

Just debriefing.

Camilla came to the club on Friday.

Yeah, shocking headache.

Still. Hmm.

Yeah, I've been there.

OK.

- Did I make that awkward? - No, that was...

- She made that awkward.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

So tell me, did she like it?

You should have seen her face.

- She... she loved it. - Really?

What did she say? Tell me what...

She didn't say much.

No, no, it's a good thing. She was... speechless.

She...

She's never speechless, Hanifa, trust me.

- Oh, my goodness! - It's a good thing.

- You did good. - We did good.

- Yes, we did good.

Toast to that.

- Cheers.

- You know what they say. - Oh! Shit.

Envy is the only deadly sin with no pleasure in it.

No. No, I'm not...

OK, everyone, it's time.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends.

Yeah. Henry Five.

Uh, isn't it, ah, 'into' the breach?

- I think Shakespeare's... - It's 'unto the breach'.

It doesn't matter. They all died anyway.

Can you please state for the court

your name and profession?

Yes, uh, Robert Jonathan Stephenson.

And, Mr Stephenson, you are a...

..retired Detective Senior Sergeant

who served the Western Australian Police Force

from 1965 to 2010, is that correct?

Yeah, yeah, that... that is correct, sorry. Uh, sorry.

That's quite alright.

Mr Stephenson, when did you first meet Amanda Taylor?

July, uh, 2021.

Um, Mr Stephenson?

Hi, I, um...

Uh, I'm Amanda.

Amanda came to me to say she was writing a book

about her father being the Cape Rock killer.

- Sugar? - Yeah, please. Thanks.

OK. Now, uh...

I don't know what you think you've got, Miss Taylor, but...

- Amanda. - Hey?

- Amanda. - Yeah.

They've already destroyed a couple of rainforests

They've already destroyed a couple of rainforests

writing articles about this case,

so unless you've got something completely new...

I am Warren Little's daughter.

I had my doubts about her theory,

but, uh, Amanda was very convincing.

Mrs Donnelly, Amanda is prepared to take

a DNA test

to prove that the semen sample on file,

taken from Susie Mead in 1968...

..to prove that that sample...

..belonged to her father.

If it does,

we've got our answer.

The thing is, this could be something big.

Yeah... Mate, mate...

She's Warren Little's daughter.

Well, Carol and the family know she's here.

They want this to go ahead.

Tell them that I wanna do it.

Look, she really wants to do that DNA test, mate.

It's the guts of her argument.

Jim, I wouldn't ask you to do this, mate,

if I didn't think it was right.

All we ask from the department

is that they release that sample

is that they release that sample

and then run the test for us.

I know it's a risk, but we owe it to those families, mate.

We've got to at least try.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, she's right here.

No, I'll put her on. Here.

Amanda.

Uh, hello, Inspector?

Yes, yes, I am.

Yeah, absolutely.

She was hoping to help, but, uh...

- Bob! - Yeah.

You got the results?

Uh, yeah.

Disappointing. Sorry.

Uh...

No, no, I'm sorry.

Hey.

And what was Amanda's response to that test result?

Well, she said she wasn't gonna give up.

The case had sunk its teeth in.

I guess I understood what she meant.

Understanding what she meant, uh... what did you do?

Ah, I gave her access to everything I had.

Old case notes, photographs.

You right?

Do you keep copies of

all your old case notes, Detective?

No, no, no.

That's it.

Some cases are different.

They, um...

They get under your skin.

The ones about kids, mostly.

Their whole lives ahead of them.

Their whole lives ahead of them.

And when you showed Amanda your... your case notes,

did you tell her anything

that might have steered her towards the accused?

Tell me about this guy.

Oh, him.

Local. Um, poor upbringing.

Mother died when he was young.

Brought up by a semi-abusive publican father.

Left school at 15.

Multiple juvenile misdemeanours.

You're two sugars, aren't you?

Uh, yeah. Thanks.

You know, if you stirred them, you might only need one...

Two sugars, please.

You could die before you're 60.

You could be dead before me!

Alan Chaplin was one of the names

I discussed with her, yes.

Detective, was Alan Chaplin ever a suspect

in the murders of Judith Donnelly and Susan Mead?

Uh, he was interviewed in 1968,

and again in 1978 when the case was reopened,

but police never really had enough evidence

to bring a case against him.

I mean, Chaplin was rough,

but I never thought he had murder in him.

And what about Amanda Taylor?

I mean, did she tell you that

she was investigating Alan Chaplin?

Well, I never heard from or saw Amanda again for...

..ooh, at least a year after the, uh,

DNA sample tests, but, um...

Then I... I got a phone call out of the blue.

Uh, 31 March, 2023.

- Six days before her death? - Yes.

And that was when she told me...

..that she knew who the Cape Rock killer was.

I see. And what exactly did she say to you?

You sure you don't want me to put it away for you?

Ah, just on the table will do.

So you don't need these anymore?

Uh, no, no. I'm done.

Yeah, I understand. It takes its toll, this stuff.

No, Bob, I... I'm done.

What are you saying?

I think I found something.

Something or someone?

She believed it was Alan Chaplin.

All she needed was DNA evidence to prove her case.

Now, the court has heard that Mr Chaplin

never volunteered a blood sample for the 1968 murders.

Is that true?

Would you be prepared to give a blood sample

for the purposes of elimination?

No!

For God's sake, Alan, two girls are dead!

Am I done?

Yes. He refused to provide a sample.

Who were the prime suspects in the case, Detective?

Well, police believed it was one of two sex offenders.

Um, Amanda's father, Warren Little,

and the other, Peter Wayne Flood,

and the other, Peter Wayne Flood,

both of whom were later convicted of similar crimes.

But what raised their interest was that

they were both in the area at the time.

And what did you believe, Detective?

I believe the original detectives had tunnel vision.

I believed it had to be a local.

Why is that?

Footprints.

The footprints indicate that the perpetrator left the scene...

..in a direction away from the beach party.

Now, down that end of the beach, there is a rocky headland,

a steep rocky headland with no clear path.

You have to know what you're doing.

Now, for anyone from out of town

to get up that cliff face at night,

in the dark...

..virtually impossible.

Thank you for your help, Detective.

- Yeah. - No further questions.

Why don't they just do a blanket DNA test

on all the pervs in jail

and then match them up to unsolved crimes?

Mmm. Put them on an island, if you ask me. With lions.

I would 100% watch that show.

They do automatically take tests now. Law's changed.

But if he was convicted back in the '80s,

you know, they couldn't compel him unless he was charged.

Do you think the old boy's right

about the local knowledge angle?

Hard to say.

There's always a question of confirmation bias, you know.

People only see what they already believe, right?

Oh, yeah, right.

A bit like, ah, wishful thinking.

Yeah, a bit like that.

How long ago did your wife pass away?

Two... two years now.

Ohh.

Must be hard.

Must be hard.

- Thanks. - Being a single dad.

Teenage daughter.

No, well, you know, we... we... we cope.

Sometimes the only way is through.

No, no, no, things are tricky, you know?

I mean... I mean, if you're ready to move on, I mean...

..how's... how's your daughter gonna feel about it?

Cross that bridge when we get to it.

Do you want some tea?

- No, I've got protein. - You sure?

- Alright. - Thank you.

- Shawn? - Yeah?

Get off the floor, please.

- Get up off the floor. - Alright.

Hey!

Hey, I was thinking tonight we could do, like...

- ..a pamper date at my house.

Sorry, um...

I... I thought you weren't speaking to me.

Wait, what?

Yeah, I mean, you were just

really upset on the phone the other day, so I wasn't sure...

really upset on the phone the other day, so I wasn't sure...

Oh, I'd had like...

..quite a lot to drink.

But I'm over it.

Please?

We can do, like, face masks and shit.

- We can braid each other's hair.

Cut up some cucumbers.

- OK. - Make mimosas.

I'm sold. I, um...

I would really love a pamper date.

Well, just bring your cute face,

'cause I've got everything else.

OK.

- Sorry. - It's alright.

Hey...

Hey.

Do you wanna get a cheeky drink after court?

I would love that, but, um...

..Gretel's coming over now.

She just doesn't get it.

Mmm.

Well, good luck.

Well, there's a kiosk.

Or we could have a walk and sit at a table somewhere.

Ooh, we'd better stay close to the courthouse.

- Hi, Bob? - Yeah?

- Hi, I'm Vincent. - Oh, hi.

- I'm Louella. - Hi.

They're friends of Amanda.

Oh, well, it's... it's very nice to hear. Hmm.

Ah, do you want to join us for lunch?

Yeah, uh, we'd love to have you.

Um...

Shall we?

Oh, alright.

It's gotta be better than anything

that Colby prick's gonna dish up.

- Just this way. - Thank you. Yeah.

- Listen, Nina.

Robert Jonathan Stephenson.

- Colby...

..you're not seriously suggesting

Bob Stephenson is our John?

No, but it got me thinking.

Wouldn't be the first cop

to investigate his own crime, by the way.

to investigate his own crime, by the way.

Mm.

No, a lot of boys back in the day

who were named after their fathers,

they would use their middle name.

So, let's go back to the original investigation

and check on anyone

whose middle name is John, alright?

OK.

Detective Senior Sergeant...

Oh, do I still call you that,

given that you retired from the force 15 years ago?

Whatever you prefer.

Very well. Mr Stephenson it is, then.

Mr Stephenson, during your career with the police force,

were you ever formally or otherwise charged with

intimidation or unorthodox police practices?

Well, all cops get complaints made about them.

But nothing against me has ever been upheld

and my record is unblemished.

But there was some animosity, wasn't there?

Prior to those murders,

you felt that Alan Chaplin humiliated you.

Objection. Relevance.

Mr Colby?

Mr Colby?

Your Honour, uh...

..if it's a matter of an historical crime

being aired in this court against my client,

then surely it's only fair that

the history between my client and the witness

is also heard here.

I'll allow it.

Thank you, Your Honour.

Now, Mr Stephenson, can you confirm

the theft of your police squad car

from Cape Rock Police Station on June 23, 1968?

Yes.

That Alan Chaplin and his friends

were responsible for that theft.

Yes.

Nasty cut you got there.

- It's no big deal. - Isn't it?

- That what you reckon? - It's my head.

It was my fucking car.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Were you driving?

How can I? I don't have my licence.

Listen, smart-arse, I know you and your mates

stole my squad car.

Driving without a licence

Driving without a licence

is the least of your problems.

I don't know who took your car for a spin,

but maybe you shouldn't leave the keys in it next time.

Not everyone around here can be trusted.

And is it fair to say that

as a result, you were the subject of considerable mirth

among your colleagues?

Here he is.

Bingle Bob!

Got your car keys, mate?

Oops.

Yes.

Move along now, Mr Colby.

Indeed, Your Honour.

Now, I draw the court's attention to

page 16 of the police report

from the Cape Rock murder investigation.

Exhibit 31, please.

Mr Stephenson, do you recognise this police incident report

dated September 19, 1968?

Yes, yes - this is my preliminary report

Yes, yes - this is my preliminary report

on discovering the victims' bodies at Cape Rock Beach.

Mmm. Exhibit 32, please.

You now have a copy of the initial notes in front of you.

Can you read the highlighted section to the court, please?

Ah, yes. Um...

Um... Uh...

When you're ready, Mr Stephenson.

It's very small, the... the print. It's...

These are your original notes, are they not?

Well, yes, but you must realise

I made these notes on the beach that morning.

And it was pretty windy, as I recall.

No, of course, of course.

Continue when you can, Mr Stephenson.

Right, um...

Um... er...

Yes, the, uh...

The female body blow...

..uh, below the time...

..tide... tide line...

The female body below the tide line...

..um, was...

..with, um...

Contusions, Mr Stephenson. Does that ring a bell?

Contusions, yes. Yes, that's what...

That's what that would be.

Um...

And the... the Mead...

- Female. Female. - What? The...

Yes, it says female, but the... the female was Miss Mead.

Do you need a moment, Mr Stephenson?

Er, I... I'm fine, thank you.

Perhaps for your own comfort, um,

we can come back to the case notes later on.

Now, you said you met Amanda Taylor

in July 2021.

in July 2021.

Is that correct?

It was about mid-year, around that time.

Around that time.

In fact, it couldn't have been before December of that year,

as it was Judith Donnelly's sister, Carol,

who gave you the introduction after she met Amanda

in late November.

Uh, alright, alright.

M... May, November. What does it matter?

I met with her.

I put it to you, Mr Stephenson, that it does matter.

As a police officer and a witness in this court,

it is your duty to present the facts, isn't it?

Of course.

You see, um, some things you remember with great clarity,

and other things you don't seem to remember at all,

like the details of what Miss Taylor told you.

Are you remembering those or are you misremembering those?

I did not misremember. Look...

OK, Judith called me...

Judith rang you? Is that what you said?

Sorry, what?

You said Judith called you.

You said Judith called you.

Carol, Carol. I meant Carol, obviously.

Do you take regular medication, Mr Stephenson?

Yes.

Have you been prescribed donepezil?

I have.

It's for occasional memory loss, mild dementia and so on.

You bloody grub.

Your Honour, could I suggest an adjournment

given the witness's age?

It's been a very long day.

Your Honour, the witness is perfectly competent to continue.

The witness's competence

wasn't remarked upon by the defence, Ms Nicholls.

You have an early mark, Mr Stephenson.

- Court is adjourned.

Bob.

Beth!

Alan was nothing like his father and you damn well know it.

Beth, you really should not be talking to me, alright?

You know, you never once hinted to me

that you thought he could have done it.

Not once.

And now, what, you tell the world now,

and never say anything to me, even over 50 years?

Look, Beth, let's just leave it there, alright?

That was a low blow, if you ask me.

That poor detective.

Well, ageism is actually one of the last

socially acceptable forms of bullying.

See you tomorrow.

Along with nerdism, right?

We're not all doddery and incontinent, you know?

Or sexually inactive.

OK, Denise, that is too much information.

An older cop would have totally been racially profiling.

I mean, that's why ACAB.

- Exactly. - Not all cops are bastards.

- I am obsessed with her. - I love her.

- I just wanna be her!

MARILYN ON PHONE: Bassam, it's Marilyn Thorne here.

I'm not sure why you didn't return my call this morning,

but there's no need to call me back.

but there's no need to call me back.

The matter has been resolved. Thank you.

Bassam? Hello.

Marilyn, hey. Hey, how are you doing?

I'm so sorry, I must have, um...

..deleted your message or something.

I didn't get it. But what's happened?

- This yours? - Oh, yes, thank you.

- Ultra healing? - Yes.

You don't need any healing. You're perfect!

Hey, I was just wondering if you... if you wanted to, uh,

come for a free PT session tomorrow morning?

- Personal training. - Oh!

Yeah, I'm offering it to the whole group.

- Sure. OK. - Great.

Uh, see you tomorrow, one hour before.

I'll see you tomorrow, Blake.

- 'Bye. - See... see ya.

Bassam, are you alright?

Yes. I've gotta get home.

I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Oh, OK.

Salma?

Salma?

Headphones.

Is there something you want to tell me?

It was Hayley.

She took full responsibility. And Katie as well.

Oh, you're kidding.

Where were you when this was all happening?

- I was... I was asleep. - You were asleep?

Yeah, and they snuck out. They... they didn't tell me.

OK, and how did you know about Mrs Thorne

and why did you delete the message?

Because I knew she was going to assume it was me

and that you'd react this way.

OK.

Now, you need to listen to me carefully.

I chose to resign. I chose it.

This has got nothing to do with racism.

It's about your future.

It's about...

..opportunities, Salma.

This is something your mother wanted.

This is something I want for you.

I know. Dad, I know.

I know. Dad, I know.

Uh...

Just... I want to believe you, OK, but...

Then do.

Hey!

How was it?

Yeah, it was a long day.

- But good.

Uh, right.

OK. You got it?

- Yeah. - Nice.

So, um, I spoke to Mum.

- Yeah? - And, um...

She says she can take me from tomorrow.

Well, I mean...

Look, I'm... I'm happy to drive you the rest of the week.

I mean, it's... it's no trouble.

Yeah, but then you've gotta wait around for, like, an hour.

It is an hour, isn't it?

- It is an hour. - Um...

OK, well...

..how about we came to an arrangement?

Yeah?

- Make a playlist. - Yeah?

- For the ride, yeah? - Mm-hm.

- Mm-hm? - Mm-hm.

- That way, you get to rehab.

I get musical inspiration.

- And, you know, we call it even.

I don't know if that is even, technically,

'cause my playlists are legendary.

- No, I have... - To be honest with you.

I have heard this. There's a lot of buzz coming off them.

It's true.

And can I say, I'm... I'm kind of worried

- that this five-star service...

..has obviously gone to your head.

Yeah. OK, look, alright, so... it's a deal.

- I will do it. - Yeah?

Playlist for pick-up.

- OK. - Thank you.

I'm still gonna feel pretty guilty, though.

Well, I think I'm the one

that decides on guilt around here, right?

- Oh, really? Oh, really? - Yeah. Yeah!

- Oh, really? Oh, really? - Yeah. Yeah!

I think this jury service has gone to your head.

Objection.

- Just shut up and drive. - Shut up and drive. - Done.

- Hey!

- Sorry I'm late.

So I ducked into my favourite place...

- Mmm? - Turbo Hardware.

And I got the right plugs.

- Mmm? - I think.

And the... the drill bit thingy to... hang the painting.

- Yes! - Yeah.

- Oh, good one! - What could possibly go wrong?

You'll just leave those with me.

I never wanna see those things again.

- You won't touch them again. - They're yours.

- That's awesome. Thank you. - They're yours.

That's the best present you've ever got me.

- Really? - How was the jury?

Ah, it was pretty interesting.

You know, this, uh...

This old cop testified today and got completely humiliated.

Mmm.

There were big chats in the jury room around ageism.

Yeah, OK, but what I'm really interested in is

how is Weird Blake going with the pharmacist?

It's... It's bad.

- Is it? - It's not going well. - Oh, no!

Hey, but, um...

..I was... I was thinking about taking him up on the...

..free training sessions this week.

- Excuse me! Really? - Yep. Yes, yes. OK, OK.

I'm gonna try it out and see if it's any good.

Ooh, I'm gonna get front row tickets to the gun show!

- Oh, gosh, I'm sorry.

Look, there might... there might be a few comps.

But, um, hey, it... it does... it does mean that, um,

you know, I'm just gonna be a bit late this week.

- Oh, it's OK. - It's worth it?

I've gotta go to the toilet.

- For the gun show? - Oh, it's worth it.

- Let's never say that again. - No, it felt...

We are a family of love, not war.

OK, fuck, marry, kill.

Andrew, Denise

and... ooh, Sharon.

OK, I'd marry Denise,

'cause she was literally a chiropractor

before she had kids, so she could crack my back every day.

Ah, that'd be the dream.

Um, I would fuck Andrew, because...

- ..piano fingers.

Wait, you've listened to his music?

Yeah. Yeah, he plays, like, this, um...

Yeah. Yeah, he plays, like, this, um...

..like, angsty, sad, early 2000s dad rock.

But it's, like, weirdly hot.

Yeah, and I'd fuck... I'd fuckin' kill Sharon.

- Um, because who needs a reason?

Nice one, Jude.

- Yeah. Cheers. - Cheers.

How do you get people to just tell you things?

What do you mean?

Like, with Andrew's music and with Camilla's job and...

Oh, I think people just like talking about themselves.

I think it's more than that.

Um...

I just say whatever shit comes to my mind.

I'm not considered, like you.

- You think I'm considered? - Yeah.

- I really like it.

OK, OK, well, if you know everything about everyone...

..what do you think about Shawn's girlfriend?

..what do you think about Shawn's girlfriend?

I think she came in a box.

Jazmyn, that's so mean!

She would come in a box.

Oh, OK. OK.

- Everything alright? - Yeah, just Rowan.

Says he's too tired to hang,

but then he's out with Molly or Stacey or whoever.

Wait, so he's... he's out right now?

Like, out-out, with another girl?

Nah, he says he's with mates.

But he could be getting pegged by the door bitch.

Well, you know what? Fuck him.

OK.

Scoot.

I'm sorry, Jaz.

You guys...

What?

Uh...

Sorry, I... I... I have to go.

- Wait, what? - Yeah, sorry.

I... I feel like I'm getting a panic attack

and, um...

I need to be home. I need to be home. I'm sorry, I can't.

- I have to go. - Wait.

What the fuck, Gretel?

- Good man. - Yeah.

You actually cook a pretty decent steak.

Well, if I didn't, I'd starve out here.

You laughing at me?

Mmm.

Sort of, yeah.

Do you remember...

..taking me on that 'getting to know you' camp,

the camping trip, when I was, like, 12?

You were 11.

Right.

Right.

Do you remember that you told me

that if I didn't catch a fish, we were gonna starve?

Mmm.

And I was so hungry, I was... I was terrified.

Well, I call that incentive.

Right.

Was I that scary?

Not really, no. I just didn't know you.

No, well...

Right.

How did...

How did you and Mum meet?

'Cause you're, what, 20 years older than her?

I know, so...

So inappropriate. Yeah.

Well?

Oh, that's easy. That's, uh...

Charm, lots of charm.

And excellent company.

And extremely good looks.

And extremely good looks.

Fuck off, mate. You're not that good-looking.

No, no, no, no. Not me, you idiot.

Your mother, Mere.

Oh, God, she was...

She was gorgeous. She was so beautiful.

She could charm the birds out of the trees.

And, um...

She was funny. She was...

Oh, she was such fun.

I don't know what she saw in me, but...

Anyway, I couldn't believe my luck.

Didn't know you felt all that.

That's why I bought out here.

Well, next door, initially.

Wanting to settle down, and then...

..you came along.

Never been so happy.

Well, what happened?

Nothing. Nothing... happened.

She just...

She was just never going to stay.

And I think I always knew that from the beginning.

Yeah.

Well...

But no hard feelings. She's a free spirit.

The only thing that made me miserable was that she was...

..taking you, and that...

That gutted me. Yeah.

But there it was. Nothing to be done.

Oh, it's Beth. I'd better take this.

- Beth.

Nicholls did what?

No, I only ask if you said anything

because, apparently,

Beth had a visit from our esteemed colleague yesterday.

- Nicholls? - Yeah.

Reminding Beth that it's the duty of the prosecution

Reminding Beth that it's the duty of the prosecution

to introduce all evidence,

whether it's in the state's interest or not,

and if Beth had anything new.

She said no.

She was fishing.

She was, and it's a risky move because

if she finds John,

and whatever he has to say exonerates Alan,

then... she is fucked.

Mm-hm.

How are you going with those middle names, by the way?

I'm trying.

Good.

She did what?

Apparently they were vandalising the pool

and then two students fessed up, so...

But Salma wasn't involved?

I wanna believe that, I do.

- But you don't? - But I don't.

Ha. I mean, it's...

The thing is, I love her. I love her deeply.

But since her mum...

I don't know, I just think things have changed.

And I think it's because maybe she saw me fall apart,

you know, with... with what happened and...

..and lost respect for me or something.

And I just can't seem to connect with her on that, you know?

And, um, I can't really talk to her about it or something.

I don't know.

Bassam, she... she doesn't have a mother to guide her now.

Yeah.

She's... she's just trying to...

..make her own decisions, you know?

Mmm.

You know, when we lost my wife...

You know, when we lost my wife...

..her sisters, they wanted to take Salma away from me.

I don't know, because maybe I was too young.

They thought I was too young.

Or I was grieving. I was grieving.

- Yeah. - Um...

Sometimes I think...

..maybe... maybe it would have been for the best or something.

- You know? - No.

Look, I was raised by a single mother

and I turned out fantastic.

No, that's where you say, "Yes, I agree."

- Yes, ma'am.

No, but seriously,

my mother was a single mother because...

..we lost my dad to the fighting.

Bassam, I'm not questioning you being a single dad.

I'm just saying people...

People grieve differently.

- Hmm? - Yeah.

Look, you... you have literally resigned,

whereas Salma, she's coming out fighting like Muhammad Ali.

I'm...

I'm not resigned.

I'm just...

I'm just so tired.

Yeah.

- Good morning.

- Morning. - Morning.

- Morning, Sharon. - Morning. How are you? - Fine, good. How are you?

- Talk to her. - Thank you.

You're welcome.

He did great yesterday.

Mr Stephenson,

how are you feeling today?

Fine, thank you.

Good. That's a relief.

Now, you claimed yesterday you have always been certain

that a local man was responsible for the 1968 murders.

That's correct, yes.

That's correct, yes.

And consequently, you are here today

testifying against my client

because you subscribe to the state's theory

that he murdered Amanda Taylor

to cover up those crimes.

That's correct.

Now, Ms Taylor's father, Warren Little,

one of two prime suspects for the 1968 murders,

was he a local?

No, he wasn't.

So if her father wasn't a local,

why did you bother testing her DNA

against the semen sample in evidence?

Well, he was my colleague's favourite suspect and...

Well, I guess I was hoping I was wrong.

I see.

Now, Mr Stephenson, there was only one small area

of Susan Mead's dress

that contained a semen sample, wasn't there?

Yes.

How difficult is it to get DNA

from evidence that is more than 50 years old?

Objection.

The witness is not a forensic expert, Your Honour.

The witness is not a forensic expert, Your Honour.

Mr Colby?

Your Honour, as a long-serving detective,

Mr Stephenson has quite enough knowledge

to make an informed statement.

I'll allow it.

Collection and storage has improved over the decades,

but, um, samples prior to the 1980s can be contaminated,

so, yes, it is hard.

It's harder still if a small sample

has already been used for testing, correct?

Yes.

And in trying to match Amanda Taylor to that sample,

you used the last viable DNA evidence

in this case, did you not?

Look, I knew it was a risk at the time,

and, yes, now I regret taking it.

And as a result,

this critical piece of evidence

has been lost to police forever.

Yes, but look, none of us,

nobody, believed at the time

that we were somehow compromising some future case.

Did the detective in charge of this investigation

Did the detective in charge of this investigation

send an email to you and other officers involved

calling this "a royal stuff-up"?

Yes, I... That was the phrase he used, I think, yes.

Mr Stephenson, who was the other prime suspect for those murders?

Peter Wayne Flood.

Was he ever charged with those crimes?

No.

By the time he was associated with

the Cape Rock area at the time of the murders,

he was already serving a double life sentence

for the murders of two other young ladies.

The police never had enough evidence

to make a case against him.

So has Mr Flood been in custody the entire time since?

Yes... Well, no, uh...

He was out briefly for two weeks, I think, in... 1988.

Really? How did that happen?

Well, he broke out of remand, waiting for a court hearing.

Let's be specific, shall we?

He broke into the ceiling of the remand toilets,

forced out metal air vents in an external wall

and then scaled an 80-foot air conditioning tower

and then scaled an 80-foot air conditioning tower

before jumping off a roof

onto a neighbouring building

in order to escape.

Is that correct?

Well, something like that, yes.

Yes, something like that.

Based on that evidence,

wouldn't you agree that Peter Wayne Flood

was more than capable,

20 years earlier,

to climb a moderately steep headland in Cape Rock?

If you put it like that,

I mean, I suppose it's possible, but...

Yes or no, Mr Stephenson?

Alright, yes.

Speak up, Mr Stephenson, so the court can hear you.

Yes!

Thank you.

Now, summing up.

In your relentless effort to find a perpetrator

for the 1968 crimes...

..you've made mistake after mistake.

You've jumped from one wrong assumption to another.

And now you've landed on my client,

simply because he is guilty of being a local.

simply because he is guilty of being a local.

So I put it to you, sir,

that it was not your colleagues that were guilty...

..of tunnel vision.

It was you.

You understand it wasn't personal in there, Detective.

It's...

Well, you know how it goes.

You may be very clever, Mr Colby,

humiliating me,

poking holes in my memory.

But I remember the important things.

Like I remember the look on that family's faces

when I told them about their daughter.

And I remember how they died without any answers.

And I remember how they died without any answers.

I have to live with that.

'Cause, you see, to some people, Mr Colby,

the truth matters.

Let's go, Bob.

Yeah.

- Salma?

Yeah.