Original subtitles

SPUTTA: My own blood. Family.

Police officer.

Why not? 'Cause it's too easy.

What are you working on?

Oh, it was in the archives.

So, someone just left that here?

CATHERINE: But he wasn't just a footnote in a file to us.

He was my little boy.

Witnesses saw Ziggy argue with the deceased the night of the murder.

Ziggy had no alibi for the time and confessed to it.

Geraldine wanted me to make sure that you're coming to the ball tonight.

Yeah.

Let's give it up for Jack Swan!

(APPLAUSE)

Our dads are designed to let us down.

Don't be too hard on him.

(BREATHES SHAKILY)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(CLATTERING)

You mob got any respect?

This is a crime scene. Get out.

WOMAN: Sorry.

Easy, young fella. I'm trying this shirt on.

Country, get out.

Come on.

You let these people do this?

Hmm.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Sputty!

Oi.

Snap out of it.

Alright? Old man, he topped himself.

He don't need it. I'll split the proceeds 70/30.

Oh, for... 60/40.

Put it back.

All of it.

Don't...don't...don't play this...this grieving son, huh?

I know what that is. That's not grief.

That's control, because you got none of it.

Inside you, brother. Inside here.

I've got enough control not to steal from my dead family.

(CHUCKLES)

Stealing?

No, no, no, no. That's inheritance.

Put it down.

Put it down.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, look.

Hey, hey.

(GRUNTS) Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Cut it out! Stop this! Stop it, stop it!

Stop it!

Take this for me.

I got my chair, that's all I want.

(GROWLS)

(COUGHS AND GROANS) Huh?! HEY?

Hey?! We done?!

Yeah, we're done.

(HORSE SNORTS)

Get out.

(CLICKS TONGUE)

Get out. (DOG WHINES)

Out.

(BARKS)

(STARTER MOTOR WHIRRS AND GRINDS)

OK? (SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

I wanted to ask about an old client.

Ziggy Wells.

Right.

What'd you think of the confession?

Unsafe at best.

Police interviews in Jardine weren't always recorded back then, so...

You think they WERE innocent? Not sure.

She was definitely involved.

What happened at trial?

Counsel ran on her statement and mental capacity.

Said basically she was innocent,

but due to certain factors, she, uh, convinced herself she was guilty.

What factors?

(SIGHS)

Anousha, right?

Where'd you work before this?

I was at a firm in the city. Good firm?

Really good. Good money?

Could you go back there?

Yeah, they'd have me back.

You might wanna think about that.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Shit.

Hey.

Sorry, I can come back. I just, um...

I was looking for Xavier and, um...

How's it looking?

Yeah, give her a go now.

(SPRAYS)

(ENGINE WHIRRS AND STARTS)

(ENGINE REVS)

Hey. Out.

(SIGHS)

(SNIFFS)

(SIGHS)

WOMAN: Jack?

Jack?

I'm his son, Jay.

Who are you?

Ziggy?

You're not Jack. Why are you wearing his hat?!

You remember me.

Your family used to live on the corner house,

near the basketball courts.

Jack come out here? Yeah.

Where's Jack? I'm hungry.

We can go back to town and get a feed.

Would you like that?

Who are you, really?

You don't have to worry about me, Ziggy.

You here to take his ganja?

Too late.

I couldn't stop 'em.

Who?

Shiny fellas with the icy eyes.

Shiny fellas came here? They stole the ganja.

Light this place up.

Was Jack here when they came?

Did they threaten him? You're not Jack!

Did someone say they were gonna hurt Jack?

Hey...

I got desert magic. You wanna see?

If I do, you come back with me to town, hey?

Talk about what happened. Yeah.

Wait here. It's a magic show.

No peeking.

(ENGINE REVS)

Desert magic!

Morning.

I'm from Legal Aid.

I'd like to talk to you about Jo...

Have you got my bloody compo sorted out yet?

We can talk about that.

I wanted to ask you about Josh Allen.

Did you see anything?

Sir?

Did you know Jack was growing ganja?

Yeah. Yeah, a bit for his personal use.

But nothing I had to act on.

Oh, it was a bit more than personal use.

He had his own plantation.

Somebody stole the crop and burnt it to the ground the other day.

A witness saw men with blue eyes and shaved heads. Remind you of anyone?

Who was the witness?

Ziggy Wells.

Thought she was dead.

She's been hiding out on the salt lake.

I think it's enough to open an investigation.

Into what?

Jack.

Hang on, you want to open a murder investigation

because of something Ziggy Wells told you?

She's not right in the head.

And what are you thinking - that the Sons of the Soil killed Jack

for treading on their turf?

Is that your theory?

They were in jail last night.

Jack didn't kill himself.

Well...

..he tried it once before.

It was around Christmas last year.

I found him on his kitchen floor,

and he swore to me he'd never do it again.

And, you know, like a dickhead, I...

I believed him.

Listen, I...I know you want answers.

Of course you do.

But a murder investigation?

It's...it's not the place to get 'em.

Go home, mate.

You're officially on leave, OK?

After the autopsy and forensic results.

If they're clear, I'll drop this.

There's not gonna be an autopsy.

At the request of the executor.

I'm the executor.

No, you're not.

Now, I know you said you didn't want one, but I couldn't help myself.

Patrick around?

No, he went camping out on the clay pan.

It's this blokes' thing.

Who are they?

It's a scheme called, um...

..Sentenced to a Job.

It's for low-security prisoners.

They do yard work, mainly.

Convicts? Mm.

I don't think we use that word anymore.

Anyway, the money goes to the Victims of Crime Unit, so...

How are you holding up?

You're my dad's executor.

The role's just admin.

I did it when my own father died, so...

You contested the autopsy.

Well, I don't think we want it getting out into the community

that he killed himself.

Surely it's better if people believe

he died, at home, in bed, peacefully.

And I know it's a white lie,

but I think it's very important for our community

that it doesn't get out.

"Our community".

Suicide is a real problem here,

and you would know that if you'd spent more time here recently.

We don't even know for certain it WAS a suicide.

Jay...

He was my father.

I want an autopsy.

Right.

And where were you all these years?

I was more family to him than his own sons.

Family?

Your dad looked at Jack

and the other blackfellas on his station

as his stock.

Youse weren't family.

You should go.

Mm.

(STARTS ENGINE)

(DOGS BARK)

Hi.

I'm Anousha, from Legal Aid.

Nah, fuck off.

(DOGS CONTINUE BARKING)

Hey, brother.

Your sister said you were out camping.

You alright?

It's Jack.

He's dead.

What?

Yesterday.

What happened?

Gun.

To the head. Oh, fuck.

I just saw him last week, mate, he was, um...

He was sitting there on the porch, just having a yarn with Gerry.

What do you think about it?

You think he was capable of it?

He was Jack, mate. He was...

He was Jack. He was just, you know...

He seemed himself to me.

Um...

Oh, fuck.

I don't know, I mean, what...?

How do you know what's going on in another person's head, you know?

I'm so sorry, mate.

Do you want to just come and have a sit, mate, just by the fire?

We don't have to talk. We can just...

We can just sit.

I'm good. Really?

Geraldine Southwell's removed her objection.

She had no right to begin with.

I don't know if you remember this,

but when you were a young smart-arse...

..we were having a chat in the lock-up one night

about you becoming a cop.

And I said, "Alright, yeah, you've got some choices to make.

"It's either us...or jail."

I remember.

Well, I lied to ya, over all of these years.

I tried to get you accepted into the Academy,

but I couldn't swing it.

You had too many juvenile arrests.

What'd you do?

Well, the Southwell family.

Geraldine told her dad

and her dad rang the Minister of Police,

for you.

Mm.

Righto.

Crime scene forensics.

Your dad.

Jack had been drinking heavily.

There was no sign of a struggle.

Nothing missing from the house.

So, how does that say murder to you?

I've booked you in to see a psych.

And I'm not fuckin' around.

It's compulsory.

Yeah.

Be good for you.

'Night, Peter.

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

Now, you should know, everything you say here

remains completely confidential.

I'm sorry, how long's this gonna take?

About an hour. We... We can take longer if you need.

Mm.

Look, I know this is your job.

And your time.

But this stuff, it doesn't, um...

..it doesn't work for me.

Suits me.

I'm getting paid.

Your dad, Jack, used to order beers for me down the pub.

He was a good fella.

Is that what makes a good fella?

Someone who shouts you beers?

Actually, I was paying.

Yeah, that sounds like Jack.

He talked about you a lot.

(PHONE RINGS)

GRACE: Hello, Legal Aid?

Anousha?

It's for you.

Hello?

(ON PHONE) Hey. Mary.

Hey.

You busy now?

No. Why?

Do you wanna come pick me up from work?

Sure. On my way.

You know no-one's gonna want to talk to you.

I saw Ziggy's old lawyer.

What, that Tony fella?

Yeah. He 'nother kind of bloke, that one.

He thought she was probably involved...

Yeah, of course she was.

(SCOFFS)

I don't care about that bitch.

She should be in jail for what she did.

She could be a fuckin' psycho.

She was always flipping out over something,

getting herself into trouble.

And when she did, it was Joshy there, backing her up.

No-one mucked around with him.

She was there that night.

And whatever happened, it ended up with him in this dump.

Dead.

And she never paid for it.

What if it wasn't her?

(SNIFFS)

MARY: (ON RECORDING) He called me.

He wanted to be picked up.

MAN: (ON RECORDING) Why didn't you pick him up?

(MARY SNIFFS ON RECORDING)

I forgot.

Do you drink a lot, Mary? You ever black out?

No.

Well, we have a witness who says

Josh told her you were on your way to get him.

She's lying. I never did.

Mary...

..what happened to Josh?

I hardly recognise my own voice.

You know what I hear?

A 17-year-old girl in shock, on her own, surrounded by police,

without a lawyer present.

Not only has she been told her brother is dead,

but that she's responsible.

They shouldn't have done that to you.

Who wrote this?

I know how scared you must have been.

You think I DID lie.

I'm not here to judge you.

Fuck you!

Mary...

(SIGHS)

Jay.

Um, you should know that I have planned a ceremony for Monday.

Right.

How would you like us to refer to him?

Mr Swan.

Um, would you consider giving the eulogy?

For the community.

I'm not gonna say he died in his sleep...

That's up to you.

I'll think about it. Of course.

I'm gonna cremate him.

I'd, uh...I'd planned a church burial, but whatever you want.

I, um...

I met your dad when we were 16 and...

You can think what you like, Jay, but we remained friends.

And as a friend, I miss him.

(SEATBELT CLICKS)

(STARTS ENGINE)

(GUITAR INTRO PLAYS ON TAPE)

# Roslan, angel child

# I said, Roslan, angel child

# When the white man came

# And he took you all away

# I said, Roslan, it's not right

# You're my angel child

# Well, they took you from my arms

# Yeah, they took you from my arms

# With the Lord and a gun

# They'll keep you safe from harm

# If only they knew what they'd done

# When they took you, they took you from my arms. #

(SPUTTA STRUMS GUITAR)

You ready to drink with your big brother?

Mm.

Ahh!

Mm.

Remember when he left Mum,

we used to come here on the weekends?

We'd swing around on that old clothes line.

SPUTTA: Mm. It's still bent.

That was your chubby arse.

(SIGHS)

Remember when Dad...

..he used to chase us around with that big wire?

He couldn't catch you.

You know why?

'Cause I was... BOTH: Too quick.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Mm.

Remember when he got him?

Yeah, Dad stole him.

(LAUGHS)

Lucky that farmer never found out.

He's a dog.

(SIGHS)

(WATER RUNS)

(SPUTTA GROANS)

You coming?

Look at you.

Wearing dead man's clothes.

Hmm?

Who do you think you are?

You got no shame.

Oi.

(CLICKS TONGUE) Come here.

(STARTS ENGINE)

(PLAYS SLIDE GUITAR)

(DOOR SLAMMING ECHOES)

You're the spitting image.

Jack would be cursing us if he knew we were sending him off in a church.

Where would have been better?

The pub.

A few days ago, we all gathered together

to pay tribute to our friend,

Mr Swan.

Today, we gather again to mark his passing.

He was a good man.

He was a good friend.

We learnt a lot from each other's...

(DOOR BANGS OPEN) ..backgrounds.

WOMAN: Oh, God...

He lived a big life and he died...

SPUTTA: Tell 'em the truth.

..in peace,

knowing that his legacy will live on.

(SPUTTA GROANS)

(SIGHS)

You...

You killed yourself, hmm?

You left us alone, you bastard!

Hmm?

WOMAN: Oh, my God. SPUTTA: Yeah.

I, uh...I think I've said enough.

Come on, brother. Come on. (SPUTTA SOBS)

You're right, come on.

Sit down, eh?

My father was born on Patterson Inland Mission.

Wongi country.

When he was 12 years old, his mother, Roslan, passed away,

and he ran away to this little town called Jardine.

Got some work at a local station.

By 18, he was the gun horse-breaker and overseer.

But in 1968, him and the rest of the black workforce were let go,

so he had a little bit of spare time.

That's when he discovered rodeo and became a champion.

Then he met my mum.

Not long after, he was working for the Shire, hunting wild dogs,

and his rifle skills got the attention

of the National Shooting Association.

And in 1976, he was selected for the Montreal Olympics.

But going there meant missing half the rodeo season.

And Olympics never put food on our table, so...

..Jack didn't go.

He stayed.

He chose family.

He kicked me up the arse when I deserved it...

..and plenty of times when I didn't.

He taught me to shoot.

"Don't pull the trigger. Squeeze it.

"Line up your target.

"Don't rush.

"And don't you bloody miss."

Just like chasing a women, he reckoned.

(LAUGHTER)

He was a hard man to love.

But I miss you, Dad.

He did Jack proud. Mm.

Sorry for your loss, son.

(CAR ENGINE STARTS)

Old bastard get a good send-off?

Dead or alive, he'd hate being in a church.

You'd think looking like him was enough,

now you gotta dress like him too?

I thought you'd be a fan, Mum.

I thought you might have come round for dinner.

You gonna grill me now?

Today of all days?

Yeah, well, just don't like hearing my son's in town

from my next-door neighbours.

How's tomorrow sound?

I'd like that.

Bring your brother.

Fiona?

Pete.

Can I borrow your son, please?

I'm sorry I didn't make it to the service, but...

..something came up at the station.

Something big.

We've had a...confession.

To murdering your father.

Who?

CATHERINE: My house, my rules.

And if you don't like it, you can get out!

A million dollars, cash, to keep our little family's secret.

My advice is that she's fit for trial.

She's delusional.

20-kilometre stretch of road, never got made.

It's a fake company.

Jack was caught up in something.

Come on, cowboy.

You asked me if I was lying to the police in my statement.

I was.

(FIRES GUN)

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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