Scripts - Episode 3495

THE POLICE STATION

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN, NICK and PARIS are there.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

You were raging, out of control. Saunders told you calm down.

NICK

No, you’re making it sound worse.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Then you went to the movies. You couldn’t concentrate. You couldn’t get her out of your head. How she’d ruined your life.

NICK

You don’t know. You never met her.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

But you came back. You couldn’t help yourself and you had to go around to her place and you argued. Maybe you fought. Maybe you hit her. What did you hit her with Nick?

NICK

I didn’t. I didn’t see her that evening.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

You wanted her dead.

NICK

But I didn’t kill her. Flynn wouldn’t have said I did.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Were you inside when Irene knocked on the door, afraid to open it?

NICK

No, I was outside when Irene.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

You were outside when Irene what, Nick?

NICK

Mr. Burnett.

PARIS

I think that’s enough inspector. If you inspect the boy any further it will be with legal representation.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Sure.

NICK and PARIS stand up.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Try the yellow pages.

NICK

Did Flynn really say he thought I killed her?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

No, he didn’t say anything much. Just that you popped in and were a bit distressed.

NICK and PARIS walk out the room.

THE BEACH

JOSH talks to MIKE. SEB is nearby with his camera and takes some photographs.

THE POLICE STATION

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN and DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM are there.

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

What’s new with young Nick?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Well I’m inclined to be believe Saunders. He went out to the movies. His anger would have been spent by the time he was on his way home. I’m not crossing him, but I reckon the Roberts woman is a better bet, along with McGregor and Sutherland and a few other bed-mates we haven’t encountered yet.

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

Well, here’s another turn up for the books. Guess who Angela Russell’s landlord is?

THE SURF CLUB

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN, DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM and JOSH are outside the surf club.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Looks like it’s going to be a nice night. Might have to get myself a pair of those board shorts for the beach, eh, Simon. Just a few questions if you don’t mind.

JOSH

Actually, I do mind.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Ah, well, if you want to go somewhere more private.

JOSH

No, no, there’s nothing to hide. It’s just that I don’t have a lot of hours to spare.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Unlike us city cops that lounge around all day, is that it?

JOSH

I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

That must be why you forgot to tell us that you own the block of flats that Angela Russell lives in.

JOSH

I own a lot of property around the area. At least my company does.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

And do people die in lot of them?

JOSH

How would I know? It’s just investment property.

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

You did say you barely knew Mrs Russell, sir?

JOSH

That’s right. I own a share in the gym where she was a member. She also had a flat in one of our buildings. The department of education has the lease. Ah, yeah, I suppose I knew her. Summer Bay’s a very small place. I didn’t really know her.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

And you don’t remember a meeting that a Mr. McGregor talked about?

JOSH

No, I’ve already told you guys, no. Jesse McGregor has his own agenda. I couldn’t begin to tell you what that is.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Well that clears that up. Anything else Simon?

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

If you’re happy, I’m happy.

JOSH

I guess that mean we’re all happy. Inspector, do you mind if I go now?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

No, you have a good night. Love the car. A classic.

JOSH gets in his car.

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

You didn’t front him with lying.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

No, I’m working on a better idea.

THE BEACH HOUSE

NICK and JADE are there. SEB and KIRSTY walk in.

SEB

Hey.

KIRSTY

Hey. Geez, man, you look terrible.

NICK

Thanks. I needed that.

JADE

He had another interview with the police.

KIRSTY

Really. Why?

JADE

It’s a long story. Now’s not really the time.

SEB

Sorry, we didn’t know.

NICK

It’s OK. I don’t really want to talk about it. It just eats me up.

SEB

Yeah, we can understand that. Just thought that maybe, you might want to hang out, you know.

NICK

What’s the camera for? My mug-shot.

SEB

No. I was taking shots down the beach while I was waiting for Kirst. Guess what I saw.

NICK

Do I really care?

SEB

Josh was having a fight. I don’t know if he knew I was watching, but I can’t wait to see the shots.

NICK

Do you mean like a fight, like punching and stuff?

SEB

No, more like a shouting fight.

KIRSTY

More like two hermit crabs fighting, so he thinks.

JADE

What?

SEB

Yeah, Josh and that councillor from Yabbie Creek. I couldn’t place him at first. The one that was all over Noah that time.

NICK

A councillor?

JADE

Why would Josh be fighting with a councillor?

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

LEAH and SALLY kiss.

LEAH

They’re more after Jesse than anyone else.

SALLY

You really don’t mind sharing your personal life with the police? You’re usually so private about those things.

LEAH

I don’t want to, but if I have to. Look, the thing is Sal, I’m just not that sure. Look, I know that I should believe in Jesse, but it might be blind faith.

SALLY

But if he was with you?

LEAH

Nothing happened. I had a bit too much wine and I fell asleep in his arms. A freight train could have went past and I wouldn’t have heard anything, so how can I swear on a bible that he never left me?

ALF sticks his head through the hole.

ALF

Who never left you love? Vinnie? I felt the same way about Ailse. I tell you what, I did, eh. Time to move on. Table four?

LEAH

Yeah.

ALF walks over to table four. JOSH walks in.

ALF

Ah, Josh what can I do for you?

JOSH

Ah, just a coffee thanks, Alf and maybe a steak. I’ve had a really lousy day.

ALF

Ah, I guess the cops have been talking to you again, eh.

JOSH

You guessed right.

ALF

Well, it wasn’t really a guess. I feel bad about telling them, but I knew the whole thing had to be a misunderstanding and I didn’t want either of you blokes to get into trouble.

JOSH

Right, you lost me after the guess part.

ALF

Well, I should have spoken to you first. I suppose, at least told you I was there, close enough to see anyway.

JOSH

What exactly did you see anyway?

ALF

Just you and Angie Russell having a blue on the beach. Cops seemed to think that Jesse made that bit up.

JOSH

Alright. Aw, it was nothing. I’d forgotten I’d even seen her. I couldn’t even remember when the police asked me. That’s why I was a bit stroppy with Jesse. Don’t worry about it.

ALF walks into the kitchen.

THE PALACE

ALEX and NOAH play with a football in the garden near the beach.

ALEX

And then she started crossing her teeth while we were still eating, and is if that wasn’t bad enough, Dani and Scott were looking at the whole thing. Man, seriously, I was that close to crawling under the table, I’m telling you.

NOAH

I’m really sorry mate.

ALEX

Yeah, well, never again. I am not going to go out with one of Hayley’s friends ever. There is no.

ALEX puts the ball down and walks over to NOAH. A girl, AMBER comes along and kicks the ball to ALEX. ALEX kicks it back to h.

AMBER

If you want it, you’re going to have to come and get it.

ALEX

I might hurt you.

AMBER

You think. Well, come and give it your best shot.

ALEX

Alright.

ALEX tries to tackle AMBER.

NOAH

This is the first time soccer has ever looked like fun.

ALEX finally tackles AMBER and throws it back to her.

ALEX

You’re great. Alex. Coffee?

AMBER

Amber. Yeah, sure, em, but I’ve just to go in and drop in on a friend of mine. Do you know Hayley Smith?

NOAH starts laughing.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

NICK, JADE, SEB and KIRSTY walk up some stairs.

JADE

All I’m saying is whoever did it didn’t mean it.

SEB

I’m trying to follow your logic Jade.

KIRSTY

Well, if you’re so shocked about it and you go running out leaving the door open.

NICK

Who said the door was open?

JADE

Well I thought.

KIRSTY

The detective guy. He told us it was.

NICK

No, it wasn’t. Did you dad?

KIRSTY

No.

JADE

Why are you making such a big deal of about this?

KIRSTY

I’m going to the library.

JADE

I’m coming with you. At least we’ll have some intelligent conversation.

JADE and KIRSTY walk away.

SEB

The older I get, the less I understand woman.

NICK

They were there.

SEB

What?

NICK

They were in her apartment after she was killed.

SEB

Nick!

NICK

Jade.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

LEAH and ALF are in the kitchen.

ALF

It’s different, you know, when you’re like Seb and Alex. Like the bloke yesterday with Hayley. Gee, a bloke my age wanting to ask a girl out.

LEAH

Alf, you want to ask Rhiannon out? What? She’s too young.

ALF

No, no, not that. A younger woman, yeah. Again, why would someone like that want to go out with an old warhorse like me?

LEAH

Am I missing something here? You’re asking my advice about dating a younger woman, when you find one. Well, Alf, just wait and see how you feel.

ALF

I know how I feel. I just don’t know how to ask her.

LEAH

You mean Maureen, don’t you? Aw, Alf, why don’t you just ask her. If I was Maureen, I’d love to go out with you.

ALF

Would you?

LEAH

Yeah.

ALF

Well there you go then.

ALEX walks in.

ALF

And I don’t want you skiting about your date, because I don’t want to know.

ALF walks out the kitchen.

ALEX

No one wants to know, believe me.

LEAH

You are late.

ALEX

Aw, look at that. How very subtle of you.

LEAH

You are still late.

ALEX

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but you should have seen this girl. Absolutely fantastic. You should have seen the way she dribbled that ball. You know what, I know that Noah’s going to give me heaps, but I’ve got to see her again.

LEAH

So Rhiannon plays soccer?

ALEX

Not Rhiannon. What are you talking about? She brays like a donkey and snorts like a pig.

ALF

Well, there’s no accounting for some peoples taste.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

SCOTT and RHYS are there.

SCOTT

Well, at least with Josh running the park now, I guess there’s one less thing for you to stress about.

RHYS

Yeah.

There’s a knock at the door. ANGIE’S mother, MONICA and DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN are there.

MONICA

Rhys!

RHYS

Mrs Markham. Monica. I don’t know what to say.

RHYS and MONICA hug.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Can we come in?

RHYS

Yeah, of course.

MONICA and DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN walk in.

RHYS

Scott.

SCOTT

I’ll catch you later mate.

SCOTT walks out.

RHYS

I’m really sorry. Nobody rang. It’s just that it’s been such a shock.

DYLAN walks in.

MONICA

Hello Dylan.

DYLAN

Hi Nan.

DYLAN and MONICA hug. Later, DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN, MONICA, DYLAN and RHYS are sitting on the couch.

MONICA

She blamed me, you see. She was obsessive about her father and when he left me, well, it had to be my fault. She could never accept that he was a flawed human being like all of us.

DYLAN

She wanted something perfect, you know and if she didn’t get it, then.

MONICA

I was terribly afraid. Right from when she was about twelve years old, I honestly thought that she might kill me. All I know is that we should have got help then. I’m sorry Dylan. This must be hard for you.

DYLAN

It’s OK. I’ve seen it all.

MONICA

And then she met you Rhys and she was, and she was better and she knew that I was no competition there. I wanted it to work out between you two.

RHYS

It was, eh, special. First love, but.

MONICA

Look, I don’t blame you. I mean, I never doubted that Dylan was your son. I mean, neither did Angela. Obviously she convinced herself.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Mrs Markham, did your daughter have any enemies that you can think of?

MONICA

Everyone was her enemy inspector. She wouldn’t allow them close enough to be friends. I was top of the list, but still, she was my only child and I loved her, but don’t assume, don’t assume her killer is someone here in Summer Bay, because with Angela, her killer could be from anywhere.

THE POLICE STATION

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN and DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM are there.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

The old lady was so. If I was an emotional man, I might have shed a tear.

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

Good job you’re not then.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Don’t be smart. How’s forensics going?

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

We’ve got about another fifty samples to go through, but you’ll love this.

There’s a knock on the door.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Come in.

JOSH walks in.

JOSH

Have you got a minute?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

For you Mr. West, any time.

JOSH shuts the door.

JOSH

Em, I was thinking about that so-called argument with Angie Russell?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Aw, and?

JOSH

Well I think I could have seen her. It may have even been on that day. You see, she wanted to have the flat re-carpeted and I said no and she wasn’t happy with that. That’s all there was to it.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Right. That would explain it.

JOSH

Another thing, when are you guys going to be finished with the flat? See, I’ve got to clean it. Do an inventory. Every day it’s empty, it’s costing me money.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Well, we’re nearly done there. How does late this afternoon sound?

JOSH

Great. Fantastic. Well, see you then.

JOSH walks out.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Liar. Who asks for re-carpeting when they’re about to leave town.

DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM

Here’s another thing. Female hairs on the victims body and they’re not hers.

SUMMER BAY HIGH

PARIS, SALLY, DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN and DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM are there.

PARIS

Absolutely and categorically no, Inspector.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

This isn’t a request Mr. Burnett. I’d hate to see you charged with obstructing the course of justice.

SALLY

Are you saying that every student with fair hair is suspect?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

No, I’m saying that we’re going to DNA test all the female students and it would help our job if the school administration could cooperate.

PARIS

Do you have any idea of the trauma these kids have already been through?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

A woman’s dead. Murdered. Yes, I think I can understand that. My job is to find out who killed her. Not to nurse maid your students. Now, we’ll make it as easy as we possibly can, but it will happen.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN and DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM walk away. PARIS and SALLY look at each other.

THE SURF CLUB

SEB and NICK are there.

NICK

You know Kirsty. I know Jade. Do you honestly think they’re not hiding anything?

SEB

It’s just that things like that don’t happen to people like us Nick. They’ll do the hair tests and then you’ll see.

NICK

I bet you they refuse.

SEB

What?

NICK

The DNA test. I bet you my walkman.

SEB

I don’t want you Walkman.

JADE and KIRSTY walk in.

NICK

Here they come. Is it a bet?

JADE

Just stay cool, OK.

KIRSTY

I’m working on it.

JADE and KIRSTY walk over to NICK and SEB.

KIRSTY

Hey.

NICK

We’ve been waiting on you.

KIRSTY

Yeah, Miss Fletcher held us back to talk to us about the DNA test.

SEB

Yeah, we heard.

NICK

So, when does it all happen?

JADE

It isn’t. I just refused.

KIRSTY

Me too.

SEB

Why would you do that?

KIRSTY

Because we have our rights and I’m really over this whole thing, plus I think it’s time that we get on with our lives.

RHYS stands behind the counter. JOSH walks in.

JOSH

Rhys, why is the gym still closed?

RHYS

Ah, it’s been that way all morning as far as I know. I gave Jesse a ring on his mobile, but it’s out of range or something.

JOSH

I knew it. I knew I was him.

RHYS

Hang on. You think he’s done a runner?

JOSH

Yeah, that’s exactly what I think.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

NOAH talks to some kids.

NOAH

And she’s not some old granny who’s not going to know what you’re talking about. She’s on your side, OK.

SCOTT’S sister, KIT comes into the centre, drunk, knocking over a bookshelf. NOAH runs through to see what the commotion is.

NOAH

Great entrance. You’re new. I haven’t seen you before.

KIT

I haven’t seen you either. You don’t look that new though. I need a place to crash. Some blokes in some badly made blue suits are after me.

NOAH

The cops.

KIT

Hey, you’re really quick.

NOAH

You’re a girl.

KIT

And you’re a guy. Glad we got that cleared up. So, where can I hang out?

KIT hands NOAH the books.

NOAH

It’s not that easy. If you want to stay here you’ve got to be clean.

KIT

Aw, I am. Squeaky clean, like a mouse. Squeak, squeak.

NOAH

You’ve been drinking.

KIT

So?

NOAH

So you’re not clean.

KIT

Aw, come on. I had a few, that’s all. Please. Some friends I knew decided it would be a good idea to nick a car. I’m just going to lay low, OK.

NOAH

Well you understand if the cops come I can’t lie for you.

KIT

Too scared. Haven’t got the guts. Well, you can go jump? Who needs you?

KIT goes to walk away. She chokes.

NOAH

Oh, oh, are you going to be sick?

KIT

Get you bleedin’ hands off me. I don’t want you help. I don’t want anything.

NOAH

OK, OK.

KIT

Bleeding heart. Liberal do-gooder. When push comes to shove, you have no guts and no feelings. I hate your kind.

KIT coughs again.

NOAH

Is there anyone I can call? A family member?

KIT

My brother. Call him.

NOAH

What’s his name?

KIT

Scott, Scott Hunter.

THE BEACHSIDE DINER

JOSH, ALEX, ALF and LEAH are in the kitchen.

LEAH

What? I don’t believe you Josh. Jesse wouldn’t do that. He just wouldn’t.

JOSH

Look, I know how you must be feeling, but do you think I want to believe it? Look, I trusted him. We all did.

ALF

There must be some explanation.

JOSH

Well there’s more I’m afraid. I just read the books and there’s a whole lot of figures there that don’t add up.

LEAH

How? What are you saying? I keep the books Josh.

JOSH

Yeah, I know, but there are fake memberships. There are cash anomalies.

ALEX

I can’t see Jesse ripping people off like this. Have you spoken to Hayley?

JOSH

No, I can’t reach her either.

ALEX

She’s at Uni. Maybe she’s got the mobile off.

JOSH

I’m really sorry Leah. I’ll wait a while, but I’ve got to let the police know. You just can’t let a killer leave like that.

JOSH walks out.

LEAH

There has to be some other reason. There has to be.

SARAH MCKAY DROP-IN CENTRE

KIT and SCOTT are there. KIT is crying.

KIT

Promise you won’t tell mum. Promise. She makes me feel so useless. I’m so, so sorry Scott. Honestly, I’m so sorry.

SCOTT

Don’t worry Kit. We’ll get you cleaned up, OK. You want to talk about it?

SCOTT walks over to NOAH.

SCOTT

Thanks for calling me Noah.

NOAH

Yeah, it’s OK. She really your sister?

SCOTT

What? You didn’t believe her?

NOAH

Well, you’re so straight. She is.

SCOTT

I know what she is mate. A year ago she was just Katherine, my little sister.

NOAH

Well, how did she get like this.

SCOTT

Our dad died. They were so close. She dropped out of year twelve, we let her and that was the last time she asked us about anything.

KIT walks over.

KIT

She. Who’s she? The cat’s mother? Hey, I made a joke. I’ve got a name you know. Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here.

NOAH

Hey, just chill out.

KIT

Not OK beach boy. Up yours.

SCOTT

She’s just drunk mate.

KIT

Up yours too. I should have known better than to count on you. I’m out of here.

KIT walks out.

NOAH

She needs some help.

SCOTT

Yeah, she does.

SUMMER BAY HOUSE

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN, RHYS, KIRSTY and JADE are in the living room.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

I’m not asking for volunteers Mr. Sutherland. Either your girls will be tested or I’ll be forced to assume that they’re hiding something.

JADE

Dad, we don’t want to.

RHYS

Jade, just be quiet. Inspector, surely you can see how shaken up they are about what’s happened?

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Yes, I’m totally sympathetic. I’ve got a daughter of my own, but that doesn’t change anything.

RHYS

They’ve got nothing to do with this.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Forensics can decide that, OK. Now, do I get the samples or do I get a court order?

Later, RHYS, KIRSTY and JADE are there.

RHYS

I mean, let me get this straight. You went to the flat, you saw her body and then you just thought that I had killed her.

JADE

What were we supposed to think?

RHYS

You were supposed to ask me Jade, not just assume that I’m a killer. How could you think that, either of you?

KIRSTY

Dad, no one would have blamed you. I mean, we didn’t know where you were. You didn’t even call us or anything.

RHYS

Yeah, OK, it looks bad, but, look, I will not lie to you. I did not go to her flat and I didn’t kill her. You’re trying to protect the wrong person.

JADE

Dani said you weren’t there.

RHYS

Dani?

JADE

We should have listened to her. She was in such a weird mood though. Acting like there was some big secret.

KIRSTY

Dad, what is it?

RHYS

Aw, it’s nothing.

KIRSTY

Dad.

RHYS

Aw, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about how upset she was at the dance. I mean, it was pretty humiliating for her too, the poor kid, after everything she’s been through.

JADE

Dad, what are you getting at?

RHYS

Nothing, nothing. Anyone could have picked up that pen from the kiosk?

KIRSTY

Dad, come on. Not Dani. Don’t even say that.

RHYS

Of course not. Hey, come on, of course I don’t think that.

ANGIE’S HOUSE

JOSH walks into the flat.

JOSH

So I’ll probably need an hour or two. I shouldn’t need to disturb you though.

JOSH starts searches around the house. He finds some money stuffed inside the cushion. DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN and DETECTIVE SERGEANT WAITHAM walk out the bedroom.

DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BRANNIGAN

Better than winning the lottery, eh Mr. West? Want to guess who’s prints we’ll find on that?