Original subtitles

I turn my back for one minute.

ALARM BLARES

We got a radio distress call.

One of our keepers!

We're too late. He's dead.

FELIX: -You're running for council?

I'm going to listen, Felix.

"Reggie Rocco. Vote for who you know."

COLIN: - 11 years ago, he was the driver

in a crash just outside of Perth, with two fatalities.

She was your fiancee.

He lost his eye in the crash.

We lost everything.

Leo Drake, you are under arrest

for the murder of Joe Gratton.

It was real, what we had.

REGGIE: Oh! election day!

See, this is one of the great things about this country.

In other places,

you'd have to queue for hours and hours to vote.

But in Australia, we turn election day

into this festival of democracy.

COLIN: - Fantastic!

Yeah, but that is only since

we officially decided as a nation

that we were all one country.

FELIX: - 1967.

Yes, Felix.

Great day. Long overdue.

My grandfather Bill actually campaigned for it.

Yeah, well, thanks to Bill and heaps of others,

now all Australians are required by law

to turn out and come and have their say

about who they want to represent them.

And we do it on a Saturday, all day,

so everyone can make it.

And there's sausages!

THEY CHUCKLE

Oh! -The democracy sausage!

I tell you what, there would be a much better turnout in England

if these were on offer.

LAUGHTER

Dr Ellen, how are you feeling about today?

Well, uh...

I think it's going to be

a very, very close call, Clementine.

I just feel really grateful that I'm in the race

with such wonderful candidates, like Reggie Rocco over here.

Aww!

REGGIE LAUGHS

Well, she's good value, Dr Ellen.

Yeah, she coaches down at the basketball club.

And here we are, political rivals,

being friendly to each other on election day!

That is the spirit of democracy.

Oh, watch out for this one...

Reggie, hi.

CHUCKLES What have you got there, Linda?

My passion fruit sponge for the cake stall.

What did you bake?

Oh, I...

Oh. Shame.

Hey, Linda, can I grab you for a sec? - Oh!

I have to get back to my customers. -PHONE RINGS

Hello. Senior Constable Wilkinson.

She will send the school a bill for that cake.

Well, apparently, she has to,

because the ex-husband

took her to the cleaners in the divorce, I hear.

Well, who's her ex-husband?

Bob Shank. How you going?

Ohhh! G'day, champ!

Hi. - Bob Shank.

I'm running for council.

MAN: Good on you, mate! -You've got my vote.

Bob Shank. How are you doing, mate?

Dr Ellen!

I'm surprised to see you here.

Why? I'm just doing my bit for the community.

Oh, what's that, exactly?

Making sure everybody gets their free drugs?!

ELLEN SCOFFS

This one, she wants to legalise

the old...Mary Jane, if you can believe that?

Decriminalise, Bob!

Decriminalise!

Ah, just having a lend of you.

Good bird, Dr Ellen, for the bleeding-heart type.

Maybe get that sausage sandwich on the go!

All right, friends, all snags, Shank Meats proudly donated.

Eat your fill. Get stuck right in.

Mmm, mm.

Bit heavy on the sauce there, angel.

Yep, sorry. - Sorry.

Any thoughts on the campaign, Bob?

My wife, Cynthia.

Hey, what a stunner! Even eight months gone!

MURMURING

Linda!

God almighty! World-class rump!

Reggina Rocco, have you voted before in this election?

I have not.

So, what day do you vote in the UK?

It's a Thursday? -Usually, yeah.

I love you, Colin,

but if you have your elections on a Thursday,

you are not a serious country.

Place a number one in the box next to the candidate

who is your first choice,

and then number every box in the order of your choice.

If you make a mistake, bring the ballot back

and I'll give you another one.

Well, here it is -

my democratic voice manifest.

Mmm.

What is your full name?

Trev, mate,

it's me. Colin.

Your full name.

Oh, um...

..Cartwright, Colin.

MAN: - Hi, good to see you.

WOMAN: - You ready? Come on, let's go.

EXCITED CHATTER

Yes, to him.

Mr Waterman?

Josh!

Any final words?

I'm standing on my record.

I've been on council three years now,

and I think the voters will recognise

that Dolphin Cove remains the best place in the world

to live and raise a family.

It'd be better with a new abattoir, though, wouldn't it?

Secure jobs for Dolphin Cove people, over 400 of them.

Tell me, what's your plan for...employment?

Well, my position on further commercial development in the area

is quite clear.

Exactly. See, this guy...

..he doesn't want people working.

Shank Meats is expanding, champ.

You want to get on board

or get rolled over.

Is that a threat, Bob?

It's a campaign platform,

which is more than you've offered

after three useless years on council.

Waste of space.

Upset a pregnant lady.

No, it's not about keeping people out of Dolphin Cove,

it's about making sure that people who are a part of this community

can afford to live here,

that they're not being priced out

of, say, renting a unit in town

because the owner has it online for a fortune

and it's vacant ten months of the year.

It sounds to me

like someone's telling us what to do with our property!

REGGIE CHUCKLES

Bob, don't mince my words.

BOB MUMBLES

Well, my platform's quite simple.

Support for small businesses like mine.

BOB GASPS

The opportunity for everyone to work.

BOB GASPS

Honestly!

Helping people to stand on their own two feet.

CROWD GASPS

Bob! Bob! Bob!

Oh, my God! Bob! Bob!

Hello?

Hey, Frankie.

FRANKIE WHINES

Mackenzie?

I'm here.

There's a piece missing.

Mum used to do puzzles on that table every Christmas,

between swims - swim, puzzle, swim, puzzle.

So, it's got to be in the house.

How long have you been looking?

What day is it? -Saturday.

Yeah, wow, a while.

There's been an incident at the school.

What sort of incident?

A sudden...unexplained death.

Is it a murder?

Unsure at the moment.

But I just want to make it clear,

we can deal with this without you.

So, we wouldn't blame you if you just...

No, no, no...

Who's the victim?

It's Bob Shank.

Shank Meats? -Mm.

Running for council.

Well, um...

Was.

GLENN: - Mack.

How are you?

Um, Frankie won't get in the car.

She's whingeing about her foot, and I don't know what it is.

Do you want me to check on her?

Could you? -Yeah, of course.

So...here he is.

I'm back in the lab for this one.

Then we'll see how we go.

He was here to vote

and did a bit of campaigning, obviously.

Then, he just...keeled over.

Looks like anaphylaxis on first glance.

Could be an allergic reaction. Could be something else.

He didn't choke. His airway's clear.

Whatever it was, it was quick. It wouldn't be more than ten minutes.

Any, uh...any questions?

No.

Oh!

OK, uh...

Let's chat to the wife, shall we?

Wait, there's a...a dead cockatoo.

RIP.

Well, right next to Bob's cake,

what, he just drops dead?

The cake! Poison!

Right. Yeah.

Poison. Poison.

Glenn, can we test this cake, as soon as you can, please?

Yeah. Easy.

And we need to find out who else might have eaten it.

Where did it come from?

Absolutely.

I baked it, yes.

It's my famous passion fruit sponge.

Famous?

I've owned the Dolphin Bakeries up and down the coast

for more than 20 years,

and that cake always sells out.

This morning, did you just drop the cake off at the cake stall?

No, I helped out for a bit.

For the cameras, more than anything, if I'm honest.

Were you here when Bob took his slice?

Uh, yes, actually, I gave it to him.

How would you describe your divorce?

Word is, he got everything.

Well, not everything.

It was a very bruising time, I won't deny that.

Bob has an obsessive personality.

And for a while there, his obsession was destroying me.

And now, he's dead.

Are you accusing me of something?

Well, you did hand him a piece of cake that could have killed him.

Actually, it wasn't quite that straightforward.

When I handed it to him,

someone pushed in and took it,

so I had to cut Bob another slice.

That was a bit cheeky, but that's how it happened.

So, she couldn't have known that he was going to take that slice,

unless she poisoned the whole cake.

But we haven't seen any other symptoms so far.

Hmm.

Do you have any uh... Do you have any thoughts?

He had a stain on his tie.

Right.

Look, forgive me if I'm overstepping but, um...

..are you OK?

Because it was a big shock, you know, the Leo thing,

for us all, emotionally, but especially for you.

You know, if you weren't up for working, then...

Oh! Ask questions, listen to the answers.

I think I can manage that, Colin.

It's OK if you can't.

Colin, I'm fine.

REGGIE: - Hey!

Uh, right, so, no-one else around who's eaten the cake

has suffered from any ill effects.

We checked in with the people on the stall,

and we put together a list, and we'll chase them down later.

Yeah. And Jo, from my crochet circle,

she had two slices, which I actually suspect was three,

and she's fine.

And Clementine Clovelly from The Echo,

she was here with a cameraman,

and they were following Bob once he arrived.

Did he eat anything else? -Yeah.

Mmm! Mm!

Bit heavy on the sauce there, angel.

Ah, yeah, that's the stain. That's the stain on his tie.

Could that be it? A sausage?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

I don't know why this has to be me.

Because I'm a candidate for council, Felix.

It'd be undignified.

This?

Hmm, how long is that? About three inches?

About that.

No, no, that's too long. He'd eaten more, see?

We're looking for about two inches.

But bag that, though. We want to be thorough.

I wonder if this will affect the vote.

No?

Well, Section 180 of the Electoral Act

only provides the vote be called off

when a candidate dies before polling day.

So what happens if he wins?

We'd have to have another election.

Look, here we go.

Two inches. - Oh, yes. Look!

And it's got a torn serviette like the picture!

Felix, I reckon that's our sausage.

So, early indications are that

local politician Bob Shank...

How are we describing him? Divisive?

Oh, no, worse! Self-interested.

The only reason he wanted to be on council

was to get approval for his new abattoir.

Look, some people found him charismatic

and he was polling well. People seemed to love him.

Well, someone didn't!

Poisoned, along with an unfortunate sulphur-crested cockatoo,

by something fast-acting.

We think a passion fruit sponge

given to him by his ex-wife Linda Halfacre.

Oh, insufferable woman.

They sold about seven slices of cake before Bob's.

I spoke to all the customers. They're all fine.

OK, so, the footage we've got...

BOB: - Proudly donated...

No. OK.

So, Bob eats half a sausage.

We've sent that away for testing, as well.

He goes to vote, then, he speaks to a few people.

He doesn't eat anything in between the sausage and the cake.

And what this doesn't show before he dies

is that anyone interferes with that cake whatsoever.

Which means...

It couldn't have been the cake.

Not the cake. -Mm.

It was definitely the cake. -Oh!

Sodium hydroxide in the icing.

COLIN: - Drain cleaner?!

Common things are the most common.

Crystals covered up by desiccated coconut.

A Dolphin Bakery trademark. -Yeah.

There was redness in the throat and some swelling,

which is all consistent with him eating the poisoned cake.

What about the sausage? -Clean.

I tested everything these guys dropped off,

including the sausage he ate.

No poison or anything that could have caused anaphylaxis.

COLIN SIGHS

But...

..the poison couldn't have gone on to the cake before he took it

because nobody knew he would take that slice.

It couldn't have been after because, well, we've just seen the footage.

So, how did that poison get on that slice of cake in that time?

Well, we've just seen the video.

It's impossible.

Well, there has to be a connection somewhere,

because I really don't like that word.

SHE SIGHS

You OK, honey?

Yeah.

Because you just don't seem quite yourself.

Who was Bob's biggest political opponent?

Right, uh, well...none of us were fans,

but Josh Waterman would be the one who would lose his spot on council

if Bob won.

OK. What do they disagree on?

Oh, just about everything.

But the main thing was the Shank Meats abattoir proposal

which Josh voted down.

Ha! -Mm.

I would have thought they align on that - that creates lots of jobs,

ongoing industry commitment to the region.

Well, Josh seemed very determined to oppose it.

We might have an idea why.

Part of the development proposal

requires the demolition of a retirement village.

And...guess who lives there.

Mm.

Oh! Huh.

OK, we'll take this.

Uh...you look into Shank Meats.

Copy that.

Uh, Mackenzie! -Mm.

Just before you go, I had another call from the DPP.

They're ready to move on the murder charge for Leo Drake.

OK. -Yeah. They're just...

..waiting on the investigating officer

to deliver the brief of evidence.

Yeah, I'm nearly done. -Yeah. No, no, no.

Yeah, we appreciate it. It's just...

..it's been a while now,

so, if you need some support or...? -I get it. I'll do it.

Yeah.

Can I go? -Yeah!

Healthcare, education, transport, all very important in my campaign.

Still campaigning?

Detective Senior Constable Colin Cartwright,

Detective Sergeant Mackenzie Clarke.

You seem quite keen to keep the voting going.

Polls are still open.

Someone did die.

And that's a tragedy.

I pass on my deepest condolences to Bob's family and loved ones.

We didn't always agree, but I admired his...

Yeah, OK. There's no cameras around now.

It's not up to me.

The Electoral Commission runs the election.

They've paused voting at the school as per your instructions,

but will reopen shortly.

And the others are still going.

So, the people of Dolphin Cove will get their vote.

Why did you oppose Bob's new abattoir?

See, this guy, he doesn't want people working!

Mackenzie, was it?

That's a nice name. -Question, please?

I didn't think it was the right choice for the community.

Nothing to do with where your parents live?

Uh, Sea Spray Retirement Village.

It's going to be knocked down if the abattoir goes ahead.

Yes, a travesty.

And I represent everyone at Sea Spray, including my parents.

The residents there are going to have to relocate

outside their community, away from their friends,

so I opposed it.

And I'm not the only opposing voice on council, I should point out.

It's close, though, isn't it? It's one vote.

I'm not sure of the exact numbers.

Oh, we checked.

If Bob got on to council, that'd swing it.

Your parents would be homeless. You can't afford to move them.

JOSH CLEARS HIS THROAT

I don't understand what you're trying to say.

Oh, that if somehow Bob was prevented from getting onto council,

your parents would be safe.

HE CHUCKLES

Sorry, but are you accusing me of something?

Because if you're not going to arrest me,

then I've still got votes to win.

Hi, sir. Vote one, Josh Waterman. OK.

REGGIE: - Well, you would not believe the time and effort it takes

to run the volunteer hours.

I love our democratic system, you know that, Felix.

But doing this, if you don't have a rich family,

or a big party behind you, you are up against it.

I guess it'll be a relief for you to go back to your normal life.

No way! I'm just getting started!

Look, I know Dr Ellen is in the box seat,

but, Felix, mate, I am in this to win.

Whoa!

Opioids. He doesn't take opioids any more.

I mean...

You know what I mean.

Um, that's the fourth repeat he's picked up

from pharmacies up and down the coast.

COLIN: -When did he start taking them?

He had a fall last Christmas at the Shank party.

They go pig shooting, barbecue 15 cows, swelter in the sun.

Every year he comes home drunk, sunburnt,

and covered in bites from whatever lives in that scrub.

And then, he tosses and turns all night...

Anyway, you weren't asking about that,

you were asking about his injury.

He tripped and cracked his knee,

and it was very painful and lasted for a very long time.

And so, they prescribed him this.

I can't... I can't remember by who.

No, that's OK. We know by who.

Four repeats of those?

You've got to be joking.

Anyone who prescribes that should be struck off.

You did that. -No.

I prescribed him one course almost 12 months ago,

and a plan to wean him off them.

There is no way that I would have prescribed him

that many repeats, especially as he was trying to conceive.

I mean, it was such a... a wonderful surprise.

I was genuinely happy for both of them.

You know, if there's one person who understands addiction, it's me.

I've always been open about my experience as an addict.

That is why I am so clear about social care.

Rehabilitation... -Yes, yes, we have heard the pitch.

Sorry. I just have been at this so long,

I sometimes don't even remember how insufferable I sound.

Sorry, why was it a surprise?

What?

That Bob and Cynthia were having a baby?

Oh, uh...

He is still my patient.

Excuse me.

ELLEN: - Hey, guys. How are you?

Plenty of leads, but...

..what are the connections?

It is a tough one, yes.

But I think that's about all we're going to get for today, don't you?

Do you want me to drop you on the way home?

So, the leads we've got

put most of the candidates as potential suspects.

Josh - Bob dying means his parents aren't homeless.

Linda, his ex-wife, did very badly in the divorce

and handed him the poisoned cake.

Dr Ellen was overprescribing him opioids, which she denies.

and which Cynthia, his current wife, claims she knows nothing about,

but Bob's will gives her nearly everything.

There's a lot. Yeah.

There is. I just can't quite see how it all...

..comes together.

I'm sorry. Where's Mackenzie?

Oh, um...

..she left work early.

Early? -Yeah.

Mackenzie? -Yeah.

Righto, well, I'm going to head to the surf club

because the polls are about to close,

and I'm going to put some cash behind the bar

to say thank you to my hard-working volunteers.

Felix! Free drinks!

Ah, Wilkinson, Felix.

TREV: - Sorry, mate. Polls are closed.

It's only five to six. -Not by my watch.

Oh, come on, Trev!

Uh, I was working.

Is there anything you can do?

I'm here now.

Surely you can do something?

The polls are closed.

I was investigating a murder.

Do you have a letter from the Prime Minister

allowing you to vote late?

No, I don't have a letter from the Prime Minister!

Even if you did, I wouldn't let you.

Polls close at six. There's nothing I can do.

Hey, Wilkinson, Felix!

Keep an eye on your letterbox for a fine.

I don't know what to do.

She's off her game.

I mean, of course she is, after what happened.

But...I'm worried about her.

Did you try talking to her?

Talking to her?

Sure! It's all I do all day.

But not like that.

She needs someone who knows her.

Like, really knows her.

Felix! Where have you been, mate?

The tab's almost finished!

The school. -Oh, gosh. Why?

I forgot to vote. -You what?

No, no, I've been caught up in the case.

Sorry, Felix, you're going to have to slow...

And then, they closed the polls, and...

Reg...I didn't get to vote for you.

You didn't vote?

I really am sorry.

Felix! Mate, you know how important your vote is,

especially how important it is to me.

Look, all you had to do was show up

and stick a couple of numbers in some boxes.

And, what, you couldn't even do that?

I'm so disappointed in you.

DOOR CLOSES

GLENN: - Hi.

Are you...

are you baking? -Yeah, I...

Look. I saw all those cakes and I thought, "Why not?"

How is she?

Frankie? She was bitten by a tick.

Oh!

Yeah, they're everywhere in the scrub.

Um, I got it out,

but she's in a bit of pain, so I'm going to take her to the vet,

get her checked over, if you wanted to come?

I just popped one of these in the oven, so...

MACK CHUCKLES

Right.

OK. Well, anyway, I brought you this.

Thought you might need the sugar but, um...

..clearly, you've got that covered!

I do! I do...

OK.

I'll leave you to it.

I missed it.

It was right next to me, and I missed it.

Oh, what is wrong with me?

There is nothing wrong with you.

If there's one thing I'm good at, if there's one thing I'm good at...

..it's solving things, and...

When I was a teenager,

I'd wake up, and Mum's not there, so, I have to solve it.

How long has she gone for? So, what's she taken?

Passport? Change of clothes? Is there food in the fridge?

Am I going to be able to eat? I had to...

..solve it.

I know.

So, if I can't do that any more...

..ohh, what is the point of me?

I don't know what the point of you is.

What's the point of anyone?

You could solve a million mysteries, or none,

and you would still be the same incredible person.

You made a mistake.

We all do.

Especially when our heart's involved.

It's actually extremely normal.

I'm normal?

Absolutely not.

But it is normal to make mistakes.

I should get her to the vet. -Yeah, yeah...

Glenn?

I have a test I need you to do.

Another gorgeous morning.

You did laps in the pool this morning.

How did you know? -Salt on your ears.

Could have been for a surf.

Goggle mark on your nose hasn't faded yet.

I could have gone for a swim in the ocean.

You're favouring your left foot,

I'd say because you cut your right

pushing off against the oyster shells on the pool wall.

They are sharp.

And it's working. -What is?

The swimming. You've come down a notch.

And we're back!

Headlines are laryngeal oedema -

irritation that's closed the oesophagus.

All consistent with poisoning

from a high-powered alkali such as sodium hydroxide.

No trace in the mouth, but that's consistent.

I'm still waiting on tox but there's nothing in his stomach

other than the sausage and the cake.

Nothing externally, either,

other than a few pretty gnarly scars on his calf.

And?

And I did the test you wanted me to do.

What test? -Turns out you were right.

Of course. -Right about what?

He was infertile.

Dr Ellen said she was surprised Bob was having a family.

So?

So, when you asked her why, she said it was confidential.

And what medical reason would a GP have

to be surprised her patient is having a baby?

She knew! -Mm-hm.

So, if he's infertile,

who's the father of Cynthia's baby?

Why did you comment on my name yesterday?

I beg your pardon?

We spoke to you yesterday.

You said, "Mackenzie. That's a nice name."

Did I?

You said, "The people of Dolphin Cove will get their vote."

I asked, "Why did you oppose Bob's new abattoir?"

You said, "Mackenzie. That's a nice name."

Do I have to recount the whole conversation?

Oh, she can.

It wasn't flirting. You don't know how.

So, there's only one reason you'd be thinking of girls' names.

OK.

It's Josh's baby.

And, what, you and Josh conspired to poison Bob

and live happily ever after on all that Shank money?

No.

Got the will right here. It's all yours.

JOSH: - We love each other.

We don't need the money.

I'm going to be Prime Minister one day.

Sure. -That's the plan.

Dolphin Cove Council is just the first step.

OK, just humour me here for a moment.

Say that you don't win, and then, you're out of a job,

and then, it's only a matter of time before Bob cuts Cynthia off,

and you're left with nothing.

Bob didn't even know.

About the affair or that the baby wasn't his?

He didn't know anything.

The doctor tells him he's infertile.

He just thought he was so virile

he'd beat it through the sheer power of his masculinity.

The idea...

..that this baby isn't his...

..would never have crossed his mind.

Josh clearly knew.

He was picking out baby names.

Were you ever planning on telling Bob?

Yes, of course.

After the election.

But luckily for you, he's murdered before he finds out

about your betrayal

and cuts you out, like he did with his first wife.

I don't care about that!

I know what Bob was doing to Linda

just because she had the nerve to fight back.

OK, bottom line is that you both stand to gain

a lot of money from his death.

I didn't kill him!

Did you help cover it up, though?

No opioids.

But we found pills in his office.

Well, he wasn't taking them.

Well, could they have cleared his system?

These?

It takes 90 days.

So, even if he was taking them, he hasn't been for a few months.

He's not an addict.

But hang on, Bob's been picking up his prescriptions.

Well...someone has.

You're the addict.

That's not a secret.

I've always been an addict. There's no shame in that.

But you're using now.

Red Bluff Pharmacy,

picking up a prescription for Anna Grace Wheeler.

Oh, come on! That could be anyone!

Um, Simeron Pharmacy in South Inlet

for Aldo Matika.

And Spout Creek

for Casper McDonald.

A long drive, but you had to

make sure that no-one flagged the multiple prescriptions.

Let me take a stab at how it works.

You, a caring GP, prescribing opioids for your patients

who absolutely don't know about their supposed chronic pain,

and then picking them up at assorted pharmacies

as - oof, what - a loving daughter?

CLICKS TONGUE

Caring wife!

This pharmacist got suspicious, called the patient, Bob Shank.

He came down to see what was going on.

Darling!

And look who he found.

I have spent 25 years trying to keep clean.

But this disease, this addiction, it just gets its claws into you,

and one slip, and...

..I was right back there, and I...

..I tried. I really tried,

and the worst part of it is,

the person that was there was Bob! The worst person imaginable!

BOB: - You did not need to come and pick these up for me. Thank you.

ELLEN: -And he tried to pressure me.

He wanted me to pull out of the election because he knew

that I had a good chance to win, and if I did,

I would block the abattoir.

Or another version...

..you knew that if it got out that you were using again,

you'd be struck off, arrested, maybe.

At the very least,

Dr Ellen, beloved GP, beacon of the community,

would be disgraced.

Being an addict... is not a disgrace.

What about writing yourself prescriptions

in the names of your patients?

I'm not prou...

TAKES A DEEP BREATH

TEARY: - I'm not proud of that.

I'm not.

But I will...

..build myself back up again like I have before!

I was nowhere near Bob or that cake when he died.

I couldn't have had anything to do with it.

Excuse me. I was working on that one.

MACK: Dr Ellen's right. She was nowhere near the cake.

There's no way she could have done it.

Hey, guys, I think we've found something.

So, we've been going through what we found at Bob's office...

Actually, I found these particular files.

Doing what was required of me

and not neglecting my constitutional duty.

Um...

is everything OK?

BOTH: - Fine.

Look, we've both been working backwards chronologically,

trying to find something significant or that shifts.

And? -There's some shares.

A whole class of Shank Meats shares

that are being reclassified on Monday.

Look, it's a lot of finance stuff, but the bottom line is,

they are going to go from being extremely valuable

to basically worthless.

And who owns them?

11 years we've been divorced,

since I cut my losses and walked away with almost nothing.

But there are some men who can't stand the idea

of women having a life apart from them.

But I got out.

I dedicated myself to my business and my community.

And sure, it's a tough town to be a conservative, but...

..I believe in my values.

I do.

Hard work, never relying on anyone else to give you a leg up.

But all Bob could see was a woman getting ahead of herself.

TIGHTLY: - And he had to cut her down.

You sound angry.

Maybe I was once.

Now I'm just...tired.

So, after all he did, you just...let it go?

Killing Bob...

..to be honest...

SHE SIGHS -..I just couldn't be bothered.

And I have never had a sausage since.

We may need to speak to you again.

Sure.

I suppose you want to gloat.

Count's not looking good for me.

No.

We're all in it together, aren't we?

Are we?

Well, you know my ex-husband, Damo,

he was the same as Bob.

I mean, different, but...same.

Well, it's lucky you found a friend who supports you so passionately.

What?

Your police buddy.

Felix? -Yeah!

He's been down the beach every morning for about a month,

talking to people about how fabulous Reggie Rocco is.

I reckon he's turned a few undecideds.

He never said.

I'll see myself out.

Hello, you two. -Hi.

Mm, mm, mm, mm...

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

I didn't want to leave her on her own.

How is she?

Yeah, vet said she should be OK.

Um, just tick bites can have a lasting effect,

even years into the future.

Gosh, that sounds ominous.

SHE CHUCKLES

Oh, you didn't need to bring me dinner!

Well, there was a look in your eye this morning

that made me think that maybe you'd forget to eat, so...

I got you drunken noodles from the Thai place.

They still do that? Ah!

Yeah! Why would they ever stop?

True.

I'll get the full autopsy report for you in the morning.

Mm-hm.

Anything else?

That's it. -Mm-hm.

Except... -Mmm?

Fun fact - he was anaemic.

HE LAUGHS

Hilarious!

Bob Shank of Shank Meats was low in iron.

I mean, the guy probably still had steak and eggs for breakfast,

which is actually pretty good for hangovers.

The vet said to keep an eye on her?

On Frankie? Yeah.

For any long-lasting effects?

The Christmas party.

He went pig shooting...

..in the scrub.

He couldn't sleep, but...

..it wouldn't show up on tox.

That's it!

We've been so focused on what he ate,

but what if it was about what he didn't eat?

How could he be poisoned by something he didn't eat?

OK, I need the inventory from when we searched his house

and what was in his fridge.

Aha, aha, aha...

OK, "Milk, eggs. Six types of cheese"?

And that's it.

That's it.

An election is about choice.

What's important to you?

Who do you like?

And maybe more so, who you don't.

They are competitive...

..nasty, brutal.

And for Bob Shank, this election ended in murder.

Poisoned by a slice of his ex-wife's famous passion fruit sponge.

Or was he? I mean, there was definitely poison on the icing.

An unsuspecting cockatoo found that out the hard way.

But what we couldn't figure out was how did the killer get poison

on to a slice of cake they didn't even know Bob would take?

And that's because they didn't.

It was an accident.

I promise.

I did it.

But I didn't mean to.

STAMMERS: - And...and I covered it up.

And it's my fault.

I killed him.

But it wasn't with the cake, was it?

It was with the sausage.

The democracy sausage!

An icon of the Australian electoral system.

Our testing shows there was no poison on it.

Exactly. No poison.

So, how did it kill Bob?

Let's take a step back to the Shank Meats Christmas party.

An annual affair with a barbecue, pig shooting,

and, generally, a sleepless night for Bob.

Every year he comes home

covered in bites from whatever lives in that scrub.

Including tick bites,

which had left scarring...

Pretty gnarly scars on his calf.

..and which can cause unexpected, long-lasting effects

in humans and in dogs.

And in the case of Bob,

that long-lasting effect was alpha-gal syndrome -

a red-meat allergy.

In Bob's case, fatal.

Bob knew that, for the rest of his life,

eating red meat, it would kill him.

But Bob Shank of Shank Meats...

Bob Shank. I'm running for council.

..a man's man...

God almighty! World-class rump!

..the ultimate carnivore, a vegetarian?!

Oh, no! No-one could know.

So, Cynthia, it was your job to make sure

that Bob's sausage was the vegetarian one.

That's vegetarian, right?

But on election day, it was not.

It was 100% Shank meat.

HE MUNCHES

It was an accident, I swear.

I promise.

Bob's wife, carrying Josh's baby,

preparing to leave a man

known to be brutally vindictive

to the women that wronged him.

Well, no-one would believe that was an accident,

so you covered it up.

You knew that Bob wouldn't be able to resist

a slice of Linda's sponge.

And in the commotion after he collapsed...

You snuck into the cleaning cupboard.

Where you found drain cleaner and sprinkled it on to the cake.

CYNTHIA: - Bob! Bob!

Just enough to make it plausibly the poison

that killed Bob and our cockatoo.

I thought it was the vegetarian sausage.

I checked!

Yeah, but it didn't matter

because the real killer had already switched out

the vegetarian sausage for a beef one.

The only other person that knew about Bob's alpha-gal syndrome

and his fatal red meat allergy...

That's vegetarian, right?

..his doctor.

Me?

SHE CHUCKLES

You were on the barbecue.

You knew he couldn't eat red meat.

And you covered up the taste with extra sauce

which Bob noticed.

Bit heavy on the sauce there, angel.

I took an oath to do no harm.

But not before he'd eaten enough to kill him.

When he handed it back to Cynthia,

she realised what had happened, panicked...

..and covered up a crime she didn't even commit.

But...I...I didn't kill him?

And you couldn't believe your luck!

Here we were, investigating a poisoned sponge!

Something that only took us further and further away from you.

And you helped, didn't you?

Accidentally revealing that Bob was infertile.

And Cynthia, pregnant with another man's baby,

well, now, she had a very strong motive.

And your secret was safe - your addiction.

Bob tried to ruin you, but he failed.

But luck, Ellen...is finite.

It always runs out.

That's the thing about elections.

We think we're choosing

the type of person we would like to represent us.

But with every election, the choice is always the same.

What type of person am I?

Who am I?

Election day is when we find out.

He deserved it.

THUDDING

CYNTHIA: - Bob!

He bullied you,

every single one of you in this room.

And you were all just so happy

when he dropped dead in that schoolyard.

Just admit it!

Admit it, all of you! You just...

SHE SNIFFLES

You wanted him gone.

And I was the only one...

SHE SCOFFS

..who had the guts enough to do something about it.

COLIN: - Stand up, please.

Dr Ellen Novak, you're under arrest for the murder of Bob Shank.

You don't have to say anything,

but anything you do say may be used in evidence.

Supposed to meet the others down the surf club for lunch.

Apparently, an election result is imminent?

That was an invitation. -No, I got that.

Good result?

I wasn't sure I'd get there.

Mm.

I'd never felt that before.

Oh, I know. -Really?

SHE LAUGHS

Mackenzie, I've known you since you were 15 years old,

and until this moment, this case,

I have never known you to doubt yourself.

That's a wonderful thing.

I mean, yes, it does get you into a bit of trouble now and then,

and never, ever, ever go near a wedding again.

MACK LAUGHS

But...

..you are who you are.

And never change it.

Right!

Lunch!

You know, I despise election events.

I mean, any kind of social occasion, actually, at all...

TAPPING

..to be honest.

I could swerve this one! Ugh.

Would Reggie make me pay for it?

And would it be worth it just not to endure all that social...?

It's ready.

Send it off.

And we're not swerving it.

SHE TUTS AND SIGHS

OK.

Oh, oh, oh! That's on me.

CARD READER PINGS

I owe you one, after the way I spoke to you.

I deserved it.

No, not voting, it's unforgivable.

True.

I didn't get your vote,

but I know you delivered dozens of others

at 5.30am, down at the beach, I hear.

I just wanted to make sure I spoke to everyone.

You're a good man, Felix.

What about what you wrote on my Year Ten report?

What?

"Hasn't reached his full potential yet."

Well, you still haven't.

But bloody hell, you are on your way!

CHUCKLES

PHONES PING

Ahh... Oh!

OK. So, this is the results of the Dolphin Cove Council. They're in.

Folks! The results are in!

Um, OK.

So, how do I...how do I access...?

Felix, can you do that? - Yep. -Like, it's all happening!

I actually, um... I think I'm going to be sick.

You've won. -What, I've won?

You've won.

I've won? -Yes!

Everybody, I've won!

ALL EXCLAIM

Oh, yes! Go on, Reggie!

Oh, my gosh! I don't know... I don't know what to say!

Like, where do I start? Um...

Thank you, I suppose, to all the volunteers

and to, um, the voters, um...

I...I love Dolphin Cove.

I love that everyone is welcome here...

..no matter if your people have been here

for tens of thousands of years,

or if you've lived here your whole lives...

..you've just arrived recently, or...

..you're still searching for where you belong.

I love that...if you want to be a part of this community,

we'll find a place for you.

And that is not a given.

Now, my dear old mum, Fran,

used to give an Irish blessing, but I'm...

LOUD WHIRRING

My first order of business - ban those!

LAUGHTER

Thank you.

Bring it in.

Oh, Felix!

I couldn't have done it without you.

You did it! -Oh, Phil!

Well, thanks to your support...

Reggie on council.

Drink?

No, I think I'm going to head off.

Um...

..I just wanted to thank you...

..for having my back.

Oh! No problem.

You're a good detective.

And you're a good friend.

Well, I just did, uh...

..I did what anyone would do, do you know what I mean?

I...I trusted my instincts,

and, you know, I, uh...

..I trusted my heart.

And there you go, she's gone. OK. -CLEARS HIS THROAT

Hey, girl!

You're back in the lab!

Who was I kidding? Ten years of training.

MACK LAUGHS Did your mum get in your ear?

Yeah, she did, actually.

It's a good one to come back to, though, isn't it?

Yeah, alpha-gal syndrome. -Mm-hm.

You don't see that every day.

Thank you, um...

..for what you said that helped me get back to myself, about mistakes.

It's nothing.

No. It's everything.

Having someone help me understand that

the best version of myself is...

..this - being a detective.

I can't argue with that.

MACK CHUCKLES

Made me realise something.

Romance and...

..relationships...

they get in the way.

I mean, you said it - that's when we make mistakes,

and mistakes are...

They're the times in my life I've felt the most frightened

and the most confused and... the least...

..me.

So, if I can just shut the door on all those feelings, um...

..maybe I can be safe.

Sounds like you've got it all figured out.

I think I have, yeah.

OK.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Mum did puzzles between walks to the beach...

Mack!

Mack!

Mack!

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0