Original subtitles

Yes, it's difficult. One of those times when the best move is to do nothing.

That's easier said than done.

Hey, behave!

- Isn't it an awfully long flight? - 20-odd hours.

20 hours!

Mid-winter, you've got to head for the southern hemisphere.

- You're very quiet, Barry. - He's always quiet, Mum.

He has a rich inner life.

I'm sorry. I'm just very engrossed in my new toy.

- Are you two getting away this winter? - It's a very busy time of the year in my game.

- Too many bins to empty. - Mathew!

You're quite right. You've got to juggle your manpower issues arising out of holiday rostering.

At the same time, people want to dispose of vast amounts of packaging and kitchen waste.

I'll tell it to you straight, boys, it's a make or break time

in waste strategy management.

You still see your future in local authority work, Barry?

Very well suited where I am, Ken.

You think I should hang on to these shares?

Absolutely. In the medium term, at your time of life,

you should be looking to increasing the liquid element in your portfolio.

- We've been talking about that. - Yeah, you don't want too many...

A cosy family weekend in the opulent surroundings of my in-laws second home.

I have around me my beloved wife Angela, her parents,

her inseparable sister Sophie, Sophie's husband Alex,

Angela's partner in an immensely successful chartered accountancy firm.

And my nephews Mathew and Simon, who are in every sense a credit.

I am a very fortunate man... or I thought I was... until this morning.

- Both cars? - Alex brought the luggage up in the four by four,

and Sophie drove Mum and Dad in the Beemer.

Very posh.

We could have another car. I could put it down to the company.

- Whatever for? - I just wondered.

- I've got everything I want. - Aw.

Hey, come here. I don't envy a solitary living soul.

- Aw! - Come on.

- Have you got your head round that yet? - I'm getting there.

Bit intimidating, though. It's got more brains than I have.

- It's just more functional. - You can record on it.

- You do like it, though? - Yeah, it's a brilliant present.

- You two decent? - No, but come in anyway.

Sophie's in a panic - she needs that serving thingy your aunt bought for the veg.

- I wondered where that had got to. - Oh, well, it's on the top of your wardrobe.

- Do you mind, Barry? - No, go ahead.

- I'll get it. - Don't worry, I'll do it.

Can somebody do the drinks?

- Um... - It's all right, I'll do the honours.

Thanks.

- Are you terribly busy, dear? - We've got a bit of a lull on at the moment.

But... we do have a mega consultancy job coming up, haven't we?

Yeah, out of town. A couple of overnights in some dreary motel off the M4, I'm afraid.

Sorry, mate. I won't keep your good lady away from home any more than necessary.

But she is my right-hand man.

I haven't really got the hang of this bit of kit. You see, I thought I'd turned it off.

I can't even see it. Gotcha.

Stop it, you idiot.

Don't be stupid.

Don't be stupid... stupid.

- Someone might come in. - We'll hear them.

- God, I want you. - You can't have me.

- Alex, this is a family occasion! - I'm so near and yet so far.

- This is out of bounds. We made rules. - So we ought to stick to them, I know.

- It's not always easy. - It's necessary, absolutely necessary.

Think of the damage. Sophie, the kids, Mum and Dad. It would be devastating.

- Not forgetting dear old Barry, of course. - Of course.

Barry's the last person likely to notice.

Too wrapped up in his wheelie bins.

That is it. That's your lot. You go and find that bloody...

- I'll tell you one thing, Mrs. Coates. - What?

- You won't get off so lightly on our trip. - I won't want to then, will I?

- A kid at our school was mugged for his mobile. - Lots of kids are.

I just don't understand the world we live in these days.

Only thing to do in that situation is give them what they want and get a good description.

- I hope you understand. - Depends on circumstances.

- Eh? - The boys shouldn't stick their necks out,

but if it was some doped-up yobbo, I might make a fight of it.

Absolute rubbish. Ignore him.

That's just the vintage port speaking. Now, then...

If I were a confrontational person,

I could drop the bombshell here and now.

Blow the happy family apart.

But that's not what I want. I want to put things right, that's all.

With the guilty punished, of course.

But I'll take my time, do things properly.

I read somewhere that revenge is a dish best served cold.

People like to have a giggle about dustcarts and dustmen,

but if the system fails, it soon wipes a smile off their face.

From dawn to dusk and beyond, the city makes waste.

And we have to dispose of it, always trying to stay one step ahead of the game.

I have to plan and deliver services, deal with emergencies

and make sure that men and machines are in the right place at the right time.

In my more fanciful moments, I think of the city as a human body

and I'm a key part of the immune system, keeping it healthy.

If I do my job well, the body's never consciously aware that I'm there.

I like to run my life like that as well.

Identifying problems, collecting data, finding solutions.

You've got the number if you need to get in touch.

- Yes, I have. I can always get you on the mobe. - Oh, no!

- I knew I'd forgotten something. - I think it's on the dresser.

Thanks, Barry.

- You'll be all right, won't you? - I'm always all right.

Aw! Dear, dependable Barry, the one still point in a hectic world.

- Regards to Alex. Take care. - And you. And you.

They will take care. I've been watching them carefully and they really don't put a foot wrong.

We made love last night.

Angela was as responsive and affectionate as ever. I would never have suspected.

I almost believed I was making it all up.

I am not a man to act on impulse. I need more data.

- Ange, it's me. Sorry to call you so late, love. - What is it, Barry?

No, no, it's all right.

- You left some paperwork behind. - Did I?

It's correspondence with an outfit called Ludlow & Orton. Yeah?

- I really need that. - Don't worry, I can fax it to you.

Oh, of course you can.

- Where are you, love? - The Benbury House Hotel.

- Nice room? - Oh, these hotels all look the same.

- They do, after a while. - Do you need me to do anything?

No, no. You go back to sleep and I'll fax them over.

- I'm not sure about the fax number. - Don't worry about that.

- All right, sleep tight. Night-night. - Night, love.

- Benbury House Hotel. - Can I have Mrs. Coate's room, please?

Thank you.

There's no reply. Would you like to leave a message?

- No... no message. Thank you. - Night.

It hurts to be told a direct lie.

But now I know. Now I know for sure.

And now the immune system can go to work.

Honing in on the infection... and wiping it out.

I've been doing a bit of research.

This is a part of the city I usually steer clear of, but accountants do get about.

Clients in high and low places, you might say.

If I wanted to run Angela or Alex to ground, then I'd know where to find them.

But what I wouldn't know is what I'd do then.

- What? What? - Give us your wallet or I'll cut you!

- Right. Don't! - Hurry up!

- I'm doing it! - Hurry up!

- I'm getting it. Got it. - Hurry up!

I'll give you my cash. I'll cancel my credit cards, so don't give yourself the hassle.

- Have the cash. - All right. Just do it!

This is a hopeless sort of exercise. I mean, what can I say?

Hooded top, baggy pants and trainers.

Beyond that... dark, fair, black, white?

I don't know. Could be any kid in millions.

Give us your money! I'll cut you!

If it was just some doped-up yobbo, I might make a fight of it.

There are crimes that no one expects to solve.

Ange! Come here!

- I have missed you. - Aw, it's good to be home.

- Alex been keeping you hard at it? - You know, we are a pair of workaholics.

You are one as bad as the other. All work, no R and R?

We went out for a couple of meals, nothing to shout about.

Put your feet up. I'll get you a drink.

I'll go upstairs and shower and change first, if you don't mind.

- All right. - So anything happen while I was away?

Nothing out of the ordinary. My life doesn't lend itself to events.

Barry!

I don't normally buy my clothes in a place like this, which is part of the point.

The other thing is, you can't go to many stores without getting your picture on a CCTV camera.

I try and think ahead - worst-case scenarios.

That's why I'm going to go for something water-resistant.

Better safe than sorry.

There's a certain appeal, but it's not really appropriate for the job in hand.

Plus there's the risk of what they call "spatter". I mean, even with a waterproof.

You read about the miracles they can do with forensic science these days.

If all goes well, there won't be an issue, but nonetheless...

...I'll try to ensure that me and the weapon interact as little as possible.

I'll have that one, mate.

I'm a very cautious man.

Angela gave me the password to get on line at the firm,

so I can check the diary if I need to know where she is any day of the week.

And if I can look up her appointments... I can know where Alex is as well.

I need something in one of the dodgier areas... I think that's it.

The question is... am I just fantasising or am I really up for this?

Just asking the question is setting the adrenaline off.

The answer is... I won't know till I try.

Anonymity is the name of the game in a place like this,

unless you really do want to make new friends.

This is Alex's last appointment today.

He's running late... Much later and I've got problems.

- It's a horrible place to be at night. - Can I give you a lift?

- Shit! - It's all right, thanks. I've got my car.

- I think we deserve a celebratory drink. - OK.

I'm getting behind schedule.

Maybe I should call it off for tonight.

You've got to think on your feet. You can't be the slave to a plan.

In fact, nothing I've done so far commits me to doing this at all.

We are a pair of workaholics. You are one as bad as the other.

Jesus! Please! Look, look, please! Take whatever you want. I've got plenty of cash.

Please! Ah!

Shit!

Help!

Help!

End of the working day, they go straight to the dump from here.

I'm not saying any of these arrangements are 100% watertight, because they're not,

but they do shade the odds in my favour.

Will I get away with it? Well...

The main thing in my favour, when you think about it,

is there's no reason why I should ever become a suspect.

- Barry? - I'm home, love. Going to have a shower.

Barry, I hope you don't mind. I thought I'd get something... Barry, are you OK?

- Yes. Why? What? - I don't know. You look a bit... a bit pale.

I've been checking the dumps all day. That's why I need a shower.

Am I OK? My heart's going like a steam hammer.

I keep breaking into a sweat. I can blame that on having the shower too hot.

I've gotta relax. Take deep breaths.

Better for Angela to answer it.

Once she's had the news, she'll be in no state to clock anything funny about my reaction.

- Angela Coates. - Hello, Angela dear, it's only me.

Oh, hello, Mum.

Right, let's do this properly.

- Is that properly reheated? - Yeah.

- You don't like it, do you, Barry? - No, it's fine.

I had some biscuits earlier while I was waiting, ruined my appetite. Sorry.

- I thought we were out of biscuits. - I had the last one.

That's funny. Thought I would have made a note for the shopping.

I'll get it.

Angela Coates.

Sophie? Are you all right?

- It's Alex. He's been attacked. - Ange?

- Oh. - The police say that he's been stabbed.

- They're taking me and the boys to the hospital. - We'll meet you there. Sophie, I'm so sorry.

What is it?

Sophie'd had the police around Alex has been attacked.

Oh, my...! Attacked?

- What did she say? - The police are taking Sophie to the hospital.

- He's in the hospital? - Where else would he be?! He's been stabbed!

- Oh, God. Oh, this is awful. - I said we'd meet her at the hospital.

Oh, God!

- Did she say what condition he's in? - She's not a bloody doctor, is she?!

- So he's alive? - Barry!

If you're going to state the bloody obvious, you might as well keep quiet.

Barry!

Sorry. Sorry, love. Sorry. I... I wasn't paying attention. I'm sorry.

No...

No, it's my fault. I'm sorry.

I was taking it out on you. Winding you up.

Let's just get on, all right?

Oh, Sophie...

Oh... How is he?

Erm, boys, why don't you get a cup of coffee for Mummy and something for yourself?

- Don't be long. - You all right?

Mind how you go now.

- It's critical condition. It's a chest wound. - Oh, my God!

- They're operating. - When did it happen?

A witness heard calls for help around 6.30. She found the victim lying by the car.

- Fortunately, he received help quite quickly. - But that was hours ago.

- They couldn't identify him at first. - Oh.

- He couldn't say who he was? Unconscious? - I assume that, sir. I wasn't at the scene.

- So how do you know it was Alex? - They found his wallet.

- Sounds like a street robbery, then. - That is one possibility.

Nothing was stolen.

Mugger would have panicked when he saw how badly Alex was injured and run off.

All lines of enquiry are open at this stage, sir.

This witness, did she have a good look at the attacker?

CID will be putting out a description.

The description won't be worth much.

Hooded top, baggy pants and trainers. I mean, it could be the kid that mugged me.

That's the point. That's why I dressed up.

I don't have to worry about a description. There's only one witness I have to worry about.

Mrs. Cunningham?

I'm sorry.

Hey, hey.

This is where the evidence ended up.

It'll be bulldozed over, landscaped and turned into an amenity.

All this waste was evidence of one thing or another.

Meals eaten... beds slept in... love letters written.

Homes wrecked... violence and death.

Here we go. Special delivery for a special lady.

Barry.

Put that down there and let's have this... Put your feet up.

Come on. There you go. That's it. Good girl.

Thanks for taking so much of it on. I know Sophie really appreciates it.

It's the least I could do.

Alex was more than a brother-in-law to me. He was a pal.

And I know it's hit you hard, because you and Alex were a team.

- You get lots of rest. - Bless you, Barry.

It's been a very testing time.

Moments of great strain. Close to breaking point on occasion.

But I'm beginning to think I've come out of it rather well... smelling of roses, you might say.

That's a bit inappropriate on a day like today.

But in the absence of Alex, the alpha male, I have come into my own.

Moral support, organisational skills - you name it, Barry's your man.

And it goes without saying it's all been done with discretion bordering on self-effacement.

But not to the point where I don't get the credit.

Might be premature, but I think I've got a good result.

Of course, it took two to tango.

I haven't forgotten that Angela was the other guilty party.

But she's been through hell.

Grief-stricken at the loss of her lover, which she can't express to anyone.

All has to be re-badged as sisterly concern for Sophie.

You might say she's suffered enough.

I wouldn't go that far.

Ange?

- Morning. - Would you be Mr. Barry Coates?

Yes.

Detective Superintendent Curry. Detective Sergeant Wickes.

We're here on enquiries concerning the death of Alex Cunningham.

How can I help? I am on my way to work.

It's your wife we'd like to talk to, Angela Coates.

- Is she in? - Yes, yes, she is.

- It's just routine enquiries. - That's right, yes.

They're in here, love.

- You sure you're up to this now? - Yeah, I'll be fine.

- Detective Superintendent Curry. - Detective Sergeant Wickes.

- Hello. Please sit down. - Thanks.

We understand that you worked closely with Mr. Cunningham.

We want to get a picture of the deceased's general situation and circumstances.

I don't see the relevance of that. I mean, Alex died as the result of a street robbery.

- He was a random victim. - Don't let us keep you from your work.

It's OK, Barry. I'll be fine. You get on.

- Will you be all right? - Mm-hm.

Good day to you.

I just want to know what they're asking about. That's not unreasonable.

I don't want to talk about it. They were nosing into the private affairs of people dear to me.

Private affairs?

They pussyfooted around it as far as they could.

"All due respect to my sister," etc, but what they really wanted to know was whether...

...was whether Alex was known to be emotionally involved with anyone in the office.

- What could have made them think that? - Nothing!

They don't need anything.

- Do you think they know anything? - About what?

Well, love, none of us are perfect.

There's nothing to know. Alex wasn't like that.

- Why can't they just let him rest in peace? - Hear, hear. Amen to that.

I just hope they haven't been tormenting poor Sophie with their slimy little innuendos.

- Thanks for coming over at such short notice. - Don't be daft, Soph.

We're here for you. You know that.

You've been awfully good, both of you.

- It's nothing. We wish we could do more, eh? - Mm.

I had to talk to you. I've had that bloody man here, that Detective Curry.

He spoke to you as well?

Yes, yes, he did.

Look... this is... it's very awkward...

If this is strictly sister-to-sister, I could always...

Nonsense, Barry. We wouldn't want to keep anything from you.

Ange... please don't think you have to spare my feelings...

- About what? - Well...

What the police wanted to know was whether I'd ever suspected Alex of having an affair.

Oh, my God.

Of course, I told them I hadn't, in no uncertain terms,

but once they start these things running through your mind, you know...

Well, yes, they did ask me the same questions.

Ange, you haven't said a word all the way home.

Are you all right?

Ange!

I don't like this.

This is where things could start to go horribly wrong.

Barry...

I don't think I can go on like this.

What is it, eh?

When I told the police that Alex wasn't involved with anybody...

Yes?

That wasn't true.

Barry... I'm so sorry.

Wh... what are you saying?

Barry...

- We were lovers. - Bloody hell!

Wha... what are you saying? You got pissed at an office party?

Had a quickie up against the photocopier? What?

Well, Barry, it was a bit more than that.

It had been going on for some time.

- You bitch! - Barry...

I love you. Barry, I always have.

You've kicked the bottom out of my world, Ange. Do you know that?

Oh, Barry...

Barry, please don't do anything stupid.

Think about Sophie, think about the boys. Please, please don't do anything destructive.

Me? Dear old Barry? I haven't got it in me!

Look, I know you're angry but...

...but think about what they've been through already.

Me think about them? What, like you did?!

Barry, I'm not making excuses...

...but our affair was secret.

You are the first person in the world to know about it.

Well, that's something, isn't it? Better to be a private joke than a public one!

We didn't make a joke of you. It wasn't like that.

- ...devastating. - Not forgetting dear old Barry, of course.

Barry's the last person in the world likely to notice.

Too wrapped up in his wheelie bins.

Well, now I know.

It's us against the world.

God, I feel so... so wretched.

What's done can't be undone. I'll just have to find a way of living with the idea.

Oh, Barry. Barry, you've been so good throughout this whole wretched business.

I don't think any of us realised what you were capable of.

Maybe not.

They're playing a bit of a game.

I'm here voluntarily. They asked if I'd mind coming in and answering a few questions.

I didn't have a problem with that.

Being in the nick is a little more intimidating

than answering a few questions at home or at work but...

Then Sergeant Wickes said would I mind waiting in the interview room

while she went and found Detective Superintendent Curry?

Now, leaving me here to kick my heels for about... five minutes helps soften me up.

But none of this means I'm a suspect... not yet.

- Sorry to keep you waiting, Barry. - No problem.

Thanks for coming in to talk to us. We're a bit pushed for time at the moment.

- It meant we can get this out the way. - Fine by me.

We know your address, having met you there. It's a nice area, isn't it?

Suits us.

- And your occupation? - Waste Strategy and Contracts Manager.

Could say we're all in the same business, keeping the streets clean.

What was your relationship with Alex Cunningham?

Brother-in-law. He was the husband of my wife's sister Sophie.

How did you get on with him socially, Barry?

Fine. You know, he was family.

Did he confide in you personally?

- How do you mean? - Did you know if Alex was having an affair?

I haven't got the slightest idea about Alex's love life.

Of course, your wife worked very closely with Mr. Cunningham, didn't she?

- Yes. - When we talked to your wife,

she was clearly very distressed about the death, would you agree?

It was a blow to both of us.

It was worse for Ange because she worked with him on a daily basis.

- Went with him on business trips and so forth? - Yes, as occasion demanded.

It can put a strain on a relationship when one party is very tied up with their work.

Did you feel resentful about your wife's commitment to her work?

No, I understood it completely. I'm very committed to what I do.

What about the working relationship with Alex? Some people would find that hard to cope with.

Did you feel jealous about the time they spent together?

No, I admired their professionalism.

Did it ever cross your mind that there might be more than a professional relationship?

There was more than a professional relationship.

What exactly do you mean by that, Barry?

They were brother and sister-in-law. They were family.

Can you tell us where you were when Alex Cunningham was attacked?

- At home. - Can anyone confirm that?

Yes, my wife. She was with me. Why don't you ask her?

And then maybe we can bring all this distasteful speculation to an end.

Now, the question is whether the police are just covering all the angles

or whether they've picked up on something.

We believed we were totally discreet and I still believe that now.

There's no way of being 100% sure, though, is there?

If they do pursue this line and establish that you and Alex were having an affair,

they're going to start to pay very close attention to me.

- How do you mean? - As a suspect.

- Barry, that's absurd. - Of course it's absurd.

- How could they think you'd done that to Alex? - Because I had a motive.

- He was having an affair with my wife. - You didn't know that till this evening.

Of course. I know that and you know that, but is there any way of proving it?

I mean, where was I when Alex was attacked?

- Well, I... - You don't know.

To be honest with you, Ange, I don't know. On my way home from work, I suppose.

I don't keep a log of my movements. The point is, I was alone. No alibi.

Barry, they couldn't possibly accuse you.

Well, I hope not, Ange, I really do.

Because if your affair with Alex becomes public knowledge,

as you said to me, the damage to the family will be limitless.

Oh, Christ!

- Christ, Barry, this is a nightmare. - No, it's not yet.

I'm just looking at a worst-case scenario. It's a worthwhile exercise.

- It helps to plan preventative measures. - What measures?

Well... if the police do decide to talk to me,

we have to be sure of what I'm going to tell them.

- It can't be the truth, can it? - What?

Well, because you've already lied to them, so I'll just have to back you up.

- Oh, Barry, this is all my fault. - No, no, no, it's not.

Hey, come on. We're in this together.

Shoulder to shoulder, eh? Us against the world.

Oh, Barry. Barry, how can I ever repay you

for everything you've done for me, for the family and for Sophie?

There is something.

Waste is just the half of it.

The excitement is in the recycling side.

A kid I know says his fleece top is made out of recycled plastic bottles!

- Plastic bottles?! - Yeah!

Quite right. That's just the beginning of it.

There's a lot of cutting-edge new technology in recycling.

See the man driving the shoveller over there?

He said you could pop into the cab and pull a few levers.

- Wicked! - Yeah.

I said, "The boys are a little bit old for that sort of thing."

Well, you can have a go, just to keep him happy. Go on. Coming through, Jim!

Aw! I do what I can for the boys. I know that Sophie appreciates it. And Angela.

Dear old Ange. She did the business as promised and provided me with an alibi,

and, of course, in so doing she became my accomplice.

It's up to Curry now to make the next move.

If he's got anything, he'd have to put it on the table.

I'm guessing it's a bit of a bluff.

- Boo! - Oh, be careful!

Listen, boys, you go on ahead, but don't go too far. And mind the edge!

- Devil's-bit Scabious. - You what?

- Scabious. - Oh, right.

- Listen, Ange. - Mm?

That business about Alex's personal relationships that the police were obsessing about...

- Yes. - Well, I...

I think I know what set them off.

- What do you mean? - I was going through Alex's things and...

I found this.

Angela... who's Karen?

Karen? There's nobody.

Oh, wait a minute. There was a tarty little temp called Karen.

Always waggling her tits at the more impressionable articled clerks.

"Darling Alex, can't wait till tonight when you can strip my assets again.

"Yours in lust, Karen."

There's a big kiss and lipstick.

The police must have picked up on a rumour at the office that Alex was playing away,

but they didn't know who with.

Believe me, Sophie, I had no idea.

No, of course. They'd keep the gossip from you, being family.

- Do you think you should hand that to the police? - Stop them barking up the wrong trees.

Yes, I suppose maybe I should.

How about that? Looks like the heat's off and I'm more or less in the clear.

There's still the other guilty party to be dealt with, though.

It's time to address the question of Angela.

- Right, is that the lot? - Yep, you're all aboard.

Come on, boys.

- See you. - Take care, guys.

Oooh...

You stay as long as you like, use whatever you want.

You've both been a tower of strength. We couldn't have got through it without you.

Aw, come here.

You go carefully, all right?

You too.

Bye.

Bit of a blow, isn't it?

Finding you weren't the only one.

It's a torment... jealousy.

You can see how extreme measures become necessary.

When you find someone trespassing, encroaching or polluting...

- Barry, what do you mean? - You have to clean up, Ange.

Stop the rot. Cut out the infection. Strike out in self-defence.

I don't understand.

You and Alex, Ange, I couldn't let it go on.

But you didn't know.

Not until I told you, after Alex was dead.

- Did she say what condition he's in? - She's not a bloody doctor.

- So he's alive? - None of us realised what you were capable of.

Maybe not. Where was I when Alex was attacked?

- You've got to understand. - You keep away from me!

- Ange! - Keep away!

Ange, I would never hurt you. You know that. I did this for us.

Everything was so good. Then Alex came trampling in and spoiled it all.

Now everything's all right again.

There's not a move you can make.

Because as you said, if this ever got out... the harm would be limitless.

I've got you... where I want you.

You're all boxed in.

Where I can keep you safe.

Barry's a man of great depth... hidden strength.

Easy to underestimate.

I'd no idea... what he was capable of.

If I go to the police, I open up a living hell for myself and for the people I care about.

Anyway, I believe him when he says he's disposed of any evidence that could convict him.

Barry's a very thorough man.

He's quite right... he's got me boxed in.

Meadow cranes-bill.

There's a howling wind, Barry.

Put your hood up.

For all his strength... and his cunning, Barry has a weakness.

He can't put himself into the mind of another person.

I don't think we're truly real for him. We're like counters in a game.

You see, the poor man doesn't realise that we have desires

and needs of our own.

It's not evil... it's a kind of disability.

You could call it a fatal flaw.