In the wake of Dom’s latest attack, Ric’s shocking injuries leave him fighting for life. Jack becomes suspicious of Peter’s motives as his tangled web of lies starts to unravel.
Extended Summary
Sitting on the floor of the garage, Ric is in serious pain as he washes his acid burnt legs in cold water. Red welts are rising on his shins, were the skin as been eaten away. The injuries are severe, it hurts like hell! He glances at the car battery, knowing full well that Dom is responsible for this. Ric hobbles home and creeps in hoping that no one will see him. Sally, Martha and Cassie appear as Ric scuttles off to the shower. The girls remark about how much Ric seems to be enjoying his job – little do they know. After showering, Ric slowly moves to his bedroom. He tends to his injuries with the first aid kit – antiseptic cream and the like. Sally sticks her head in to the room to let Ric know dinner is ready, Ric quickly hides his legs from her view. He eventually makes it downstairs for dinner, in tremendous pain, when Belle appears wanting to see Ric. Sally invites Belle to join them all for dinner, despite the initial chill coming from Cassie. Ric isn’t in the mood to be chatty, his pain is taking up most of his attention, but he doesn’t want to let on. Belle asks if he is okay – Ric says it’s a headache – and moves upstairs to get some paracetemol .
Martha arrives to ask Jack if he wants to come over for dinner – he’d love to, but he has an extra shift at work – great news as he’s been off for a week and could do with the money! Lucky the break isn’t a permanent one. He’s been working closely with Peter on the murder case – Martha’s glad things between he and Peter are better now after their rough beginnings. Everyone is glad to see Jack back at the station. He is catching up on some files when he remembers to ask Peter about the drug case – Peter is thrown – Jack reminds him – the secret case Peter mentioned (Peter invented this to throw Jack off the scent of what he was really doing back in the Bay). Peter continues with it saying that it’s all come to a head and no local cops were involved after all. Peter is flustered as he invents the story, Jack clocks this. He asks to see the files, Peter says they are with HQ and that he wants Jack to remain quiet about it.
Later, Jack is looking for a file, it’s in Peter’s office. He is about to find the forensics report Peter hid last week about his hair being in the blood at the scene of Bob’s disappearance, when Fitzgerald calls Jack to a job. On the road, Jack notices Peter’s car turning off down a secluded side road – he is distracted once more by the police radio. The next day, Peter mentions that he had an early night – Jack knows this is a lie as he saw him turn off the road that night. Jack becomes curious… Fitzgerald mentions to Peter there is a message for him from ‘TT’ – Peter tries to hide his tension at this message, again Jack clocks it. Moments later Peter rushes from his office out the door. Fitzgerald contacts HQ , Jack asks for the drug case files to be forwarded to him, but they have never heard of this case before! Why is Peter lying to him??!
Ric heads for his bedroom and lies down, unable to sleep due to the excruciating pain. Belle comes in soon after to check on him – Ric cracks – he just wants to be left alone! – the wounds are even redder than before! He starts to feel physically ill and throws up beside the bed. Poor Ric – he’s in terrible shape. The next morning, Sally comments on how shocking Ric looks, she isn’t convinced he should go in to work.
Meanwhile, Belle has filled Irene in about Ric’s snappiness that night – she’s worried about him and thinks she should check on him. Irene tells her to leave it be – he’s a big boy, he can take care of himself! Back at the house, Ric takes a few painkillers before gathering his things for work – as he does so he sweats from the pain and he suddenly collapses on the floor!