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forensicated · 1 month

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Conviction - Part 6 - Judgement Day (6/6)

Leon and Millie arrive at a disturbance at a playground on the West Gate Estate to find Ara Byatt desperately searching for her niece Jala. Jala had to watch her father die when they were being trafficked by the Devlin's and he and another man were crushed by the poorly loaded contents falling on them. Today is the first day in court.

Callum finds Smithy sat in the darkness of the locker room. Smithy's staring at his warrant card, enduring flashbacks of assaulting Jason Devlin. Callum reassures him not to worry about the witness, everyone knows he's been bought. He's interrupted by Leon reporting over the radio that Jala has gone missing. Smithy and Callum rush to the estate. Leon reports the only other person he saw after their arrival was a road sweeper. Callum tells him to find him and if he can't to get in touch with his boss and track him down that way.

At the court, Neil and Jack learn that Devlin's barrister is very expensive - Daddy must be worried! Smithy has not been called by the prosecution but the barrister wants him on standby just in case he's needed to give evidence. He's going to focus on Hassiq informing about the people trafficking as he classes the assault to be a distraction. Hassiq insists he wants Devlin to look him in the eyes and see that he's not scared of them. He finally feels like a man who is worthy of Ara - if she wants him - now he's speaking out.

Smithy stays with Ara and tries to calm her down and get her to talk through what has happened. Tony and Callum start going door to door. She asks Smithy to speak to his superiors and get them to tell Hassiq that Jala has been taken as she thinks it's either the Devlin's or the community that have taken her to stop him giving evidence - the Devlin's to collapse the trial or the community to stop daylight being shone on so many illegal immigrants living on the estate.

The prosecution barrister opens his case explaining that Devlin is the head of an organised crime group who are involved in human trafficking and the evidence was kept by his bookkeeper who is one of the people he trafficked into the country. The evidence will be deciphered in detail by said bookkeeper - Hassiq. Jack refuses to let Hassiq know about Jala, calling it management not manipulation. Instead he sends every available officer to track her down.

Millie gives evidence and explains Smithy rescued Jala and then returned for her father when she told them he was there. Smithy did his best to save him but it was too late. Jala had to witness the entire thing. The prosecution barrister asks Millie if Smithy was very upset by finding the two men trapped. Millie explains that he was doing his job and the barrister asks again, pointing out that it's distressing to hear Millie was distressed at the time and then asks again if Smithy was. Nah love, he was tap dancing. Bit of a generous bit emotional manipulation to make out Smithy was the most distressed out of all of them and that's why he attacked Devlin. Even the judge fails to see the relevance but the barrister claims Smithy's emotional response is at the heart of their defence and as the prosecution haven't called Smithy she can't ask him herself. When it's allowed, Millie says Smithy was concerned.

Hassiq is delivered to court by Kezia and Will but before they can stop it, Ara runs towards him and tells him about Jala. Neil tells him they don't know what has happened and everyone is out looking for her. He tells him he can go later in the running order but not to give up entirely and let the Devlin's go free. After all, Jala's fathers death would be for nothing. He refuses to give evidence until Jala is found.

Jack is now fuming that Hassiq knows about Jala. Smithy insists it wasn't their secret to keep and that they only get to keep their trust by playing it straight and he's sick of all the lies. Callum tells him he didn't have to be the taxi driver (he drove Ara to court) and that without Hassiq's evidence Smithy is 'the main event'.

Jala has been spotted on the route to her school walking behind three girls. She never made it into school so Rachel wants the girls identified and questioned. It could be witness intimidation so they need to find her quickly to ensure her safety and that the Devlin's don't walk out of court scot free.

Smithy insists to Callum he's going to make it up the right way by finding Jala. Callum says he'll tell him what the school say. In passing Stuart mocks Smithy and says CID 'love him up there'. Stevie tells him to ignore him. Ara doesn't recognise and of the girls Jala was following. Stevie asks if Jala could have gone off for time to think and Ara shakes her head and explains Jala is scared to be alone and that she thinks it's to stop Hassiq giving evidence. Stevie asks if anyone could have cottoned on to their relationship and Ara explains they never went to each others flat and always met away from where people who know them would be. If they met at the community center they would simply say hello and that they're not like Westerners with it on show, they treat love as being private. Stevie explains that Smithy was suggesting that however successfully she thinks they've hidden it, feelings always have a way of showing. "Sometimes you can't help it." She says, looking at Smithy. (this is weird... They're trying to imply something happened and continued after Gun Runner a year ago when it didn't, they agreed to continue just being friends and didn't even have *moments*. And after this it's all forgotten again. It's very confusing and only there for the storyline!)

Callum locates the girls who were walking with Jala. One, Vicky Bell, was assigned to be her 'buddy' so that she could find her way around school but it's clear they're not 'friends'. Vicky says she was with them but went back because she forgot her PE kit. In a search Millie finds Jala's bag at the side of the canal. One strap has been broken but there's no sign of blood or violence other than the strap. Callum and Tony spot Vicky again a little later. She says she's going home because school is over despite it being not even 12. Callum suggests she's looking for Jala's bag to see if they'd found it. He asks what happened. She tells him that they tried to make her come to school but she wouldn't because one of the other girls was bullying her about her father and rubbing it in that they all still had theirs. Smithy updates Ara and asks where she'd go if she was thinking about her dad. Ara doesn't know because she's quiet, but she suggests the cemetery or the river where they threw flowers in for him.

The prosecution call one of the victims of trafficking, Zemar, and ask him to identify his stolen property. He tells them that it - a ring - was removed from him in Holland by Babur the driver. It was found in the boot of Jason Devlin's car. He would get his ring back by working but he claims he doesn't know for who - despite what he said in his statement. Neil and Jack look worried. The defence pulls out a rng from her pocket and hands it to an usher, asking if it's Zemar's ring. He says yes. She does the same with another ring that is the same and he says yes. She says they're 10 a penny in the markets of Kabul and it's not rare. She suggests that the ring found in Devlin's boot could also not be the same ring. Zemar admits it could be any of them or perhaps none of them, He's been gotten to by the Devlin's.

CCTV shows Jala willingly getting into a car that has been spotted on the Longbridge Estate by ANPR. Rachel authorises Smithy to take as many people as he can down there to find her. "No pressure!" Stuart The Dick shouts after him. They force entry into the home it is outside. The mother panics and grabs her children, whimpering in a foreign tongue. Smithy tries to explain it's alright and shows them a picture of Jala. Before he can say anything the little girl cries out Jala's name happily. Tony finds her coat in the front room.

Jack has to tell the judge about Jala's disappearance and that they think it's a message to Hassiq to keep him quiet. The judge asks why and the defence barrister has to admit there's a problem with disclosure and he can't tell him. The judge tells him to get over the disclosure problem or there'll be no extra time. He hopes the child is found for her sake but claims it has no bearing on proceedings as things stand. If Hassiq still refuses to give evidence then the judge shall withdraw the trafficking charge. Jack tells Neil there'll be no delay if Hassiq refuses and the charge will be removed. He insists they've likely got the girl, they've got to Zemar and he wouldn't be surprised if they had the judge in their pocket too.

Smithy explains to Rachel that the woman they've brought in was granted leave to remain a few years previous but the children's father was killed for deserting Afghanistan's army. In interview the woman claims via Sammy the interpreter that it was her daughter who brought the coat home. Smithy gets Sammy to explain that Jala is in danger. She won't be drawn further. Smithy asks Ara to speak to her and explain that the only way to get through it is to stick together and she won't have to be so scared. He says if it happens to Ara it could happen to the women's children and that Hassiq is trying to stand up for their community and release the stranglehold the Devlin's have.

Stevie gives her evidence, explaining that she was escorting Devlin for his own safety after he'd enforced surprise evictions on an angry estate. They found two teenagers attacking his car and he chased the teenagers away before checking his boot. She spotted a holdall in the boot that matched the description that Babur, the driver of the lorry had run away with. Devlin assaulted her to stop her looking in it to see if it was the same one and kicked her unconscious on the ground. He asks why it was so important for her to look int he bag and she explains that if the jewellery was inside it would imply a chain of command - for example Babur removed it and then would pass it to the boss - Jason Devlin. The defence protests it's conjecture and he's advised to stick to fact so he does:

Did Devlin let her look at the bag? No.

Did Devlin kick her unconcious? Yes.

Was the jewellery taken forcibly from people illegally trafficked into the UK found in the bag? Yes.

No further questions.

Ara speaks to the woman 'alone' with Callum and Smithy in the viewing area alongside Sammy. Sammy explains that the woman is saying she doesn't understand any of it and doesn't know where Jala is. Ara accuses her of protecting the kidnapper and thrusts her against the door. Smithy and Callum force the door open and manage to get in, separating them. Ara tells Smithy that the woman said nothing because she's scared for herself.

The defence barrister insists that Stevie is remembering wrong, Devlin acted in self defence only and that there was no holdall in his boot. She claims it was a rollercoaster of an emotional day. She had to look after Jala who had seen her father die, she had to support the mans greiving sister as she identified the body. It would have been very emotional. She suggests she blamed Devlin when it all got too much, despite there being no evidence to support her claim. She says Smithy said 'it was your fault!' to him and Stevie explains that Smithy was meaning the riot was his fault in reaction to his evictions. The barrister goes on to tell the jury that Smithy and Stevie are close and the case had become personal for them. She claims the evidence was dreamt up and was embellished by them together - the judge tells her off for attacking the character of the witness. She's asked if she and Smithy are having a relationship and then if they have feelings for each other. She says no to each. The barrister asks if he has feelings for her and Stevie suggests she'd have to ask Smithy.

"Isn't it true that Sgt Smith shot someone to protect you?" The prosecution barrister leaps to his feet to call an objection. The judge allows it and says it's relevant so Stevie has to explain that there were 14 other people also in danger. "Answer the question, did Sgt Smith shoot someone?" "Yes, in the line of duty" (he was also in CO19 fgs!) and admits that the man did die - but for some stupid reason does not quickly add 'he was holding a machine gun he was about to discharge into a pub full of innocent people'. Even if the jury would be told to dismiss it. The defence asks again if Sgt Smith shot someone to save her. Stevie repeats that she was one of a number of people and adds this time that Smithy didn't even know she was there. "But you were there, you were one of the people he acted to protect." and then speaks to the jury like it's all because he's in love with Stevie and that he then attacked Jason Devlin because Stevie was hurt. I mean, the man also protected Cutler and Gatting's lives - both men who had held guns pointed at him with a legitimate threat to kill him at least three times off the top of my head! She says that her witness will tell them how Smithy reacted in response to seeing Stevie hurt when they give their evidence. Stevie says she knows Smithy did not assault Devlin or plant the evidence. The barrister asks how given she was assaulted. "Because I know the man." she says firmly. "Exactly." The barrister smiles, going on to claim that the case is nothing more than a vendetta dreamed up by two police officers with an intimate and personal knowledge of each other. Devlin Senior smirks across at Neil and Jack.

Smithy is called to attend court by the prosecution so Callum takes over with Ara. Ara says she doesn't recognise the car Jala gets into and she doesn't know how as she's with her auntie if she's not at school. She avoids talking about real emotional things as she's not ready to deal with the pain that brings. She's a very quiet girl. She sings a rude folk song that she learnt in the lorry that was taught to her by one of the other men in the lorry. He promised he'd take her to meet the queen and that there were trains that ran underground and shops as big as palaces. She doesn't know his name however... but it could be him that Jala got into the car to see. Callum wonders if it's Zemar - or linked to him - and he asks Leon to check to see how he arrived to court It's the same car! He asks Ben to go to his flat.

Rachel tells Smithy he has to deny he's in a relationship with Stevie. "... I'm what?" he blinks, his face a picture. Jack advises him to strip the emotion away from the case, keep measured, keep to the facts and nail the case. The prosecution opens by asking Smithy if he is in a relationship with Stevie, if he ever has been and if he has any special feelings towards her. He answers no to all. "No further questions, your honour."

Callum asks the woman where Zemar took the girl - he tells her they know he came to her house with her and then returned for her later so where has he taken her? She tells him that he is a good man who has a daughter the same age. He took Jala there to meet the children and then went to do an errand (or really appear in court.) Then he took her somewhere secret 'where time begins and ends'. Tony suggests the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

The defense barrister claims Smithy and Stevie cooked up the entire thing against Devlin themselves after they took Ara to identify her brothers body. Smithy explains his training, experience and professionalism meant he wasn't emotionally involved like she has been making out. She claims Smithy doesn't like Jason Devlin and he says he neither likes nor dislikes him. She claims he assaulted him when releasing him from the station. He explains he held his arm whilst escorting him out. She classes that as assault and Smithy points out that he made no complaint. She smiles and says he has now and that there is a witness, Mr Eshan who will explain how Smithy "punched and kick-" she starts to say before she's told off again and told Mr Eshan can give his own account of what he witnessed. For an expensive barrister she's not much good! It's like she got her training in the playground. Her entire case is Groundhog Day. "You love your friend!." "No I don't!" "Yes you do!"

She claims Stevie was lying about spotting the bag in the car boot because Smithy hadn't yet put it there. Smithy says that's not true. She asks if they had any evidence prior to this and he admits they didn't and they were working to find it. She suggests his very limited line was that they needed evidence so he made sure they found it. Smithy explains that - like in every police case - they have a suspect and then search for the evidence to prove or disprove that. She suggests that they find the suspect they want and then fit the evidence to frame that person. Smithy says that's not what he said or what happened. She says he held him responsible for the trafficking, the assault on 'his lady friend' and handling the stolen property. Smithy says yes and that was because of the evidence. She tells Smithy he has form of becoming too emotionally involved and brings up Kieran Wallace.

Callum spots Zemar's car in the carpark of the observatory and gets Tony to stop. Within seconds they spot Jala with Zemar. He sees the officers and grips her arm, trying to make a run for it.

The prosecution barrister explains that the constant bringing up of Kieran Wallace and his death is irrelevant as it's a different case and different circumstances. The defence barrister insists that the common denominator in both is Smithy using deadly force. Smithy speaks directly to the judge and says he'd like to properly explain what happened with Kieran Wallace. He pointed out that Kieran was a known criminal armed with a machine gun that he was about to use in a public place. The defence try to cut in and say that they're talking about his motivation and Smithy cuts over her. "My motivation was to protect the public using my training as a firearms officer." he goes on to explain that he identified himself as a police officer to Kieran and ordered him to lay down his weapon. Kieran refused and aimed to fire at him. Smithy only shot when he had to with the knowledge that the people behind him were not in danger. "You're insinuating that my professionalism was in doubt. Read the report. It's not."

Tony approaches Jala and Zemar to talk and manages to get Zemar to hand Jala over. Callum asks Tony what happened whilst Mel takes Jala and Leon and Ben arrest Zemar. Tony tells Callum that the Devlin's offered a whole years wages to do one day of work for them and that he was desperate as he's about to be deported so agreed.

The defence barrister claims there's a parallel - Smithy decided people were in danger so he acted. He decided Stevie was in danger so he acted (It's almost as though - shock horror - he's a policeman!🙄) Smithy points out he wasn't there when Stevie was attacked "But you were there to give first aid to Jason Devlin, to get his blood on your clothes and your DNA on him." Smithy calmly says he arrived moments later. "Milliseconds." the barrister drawls before asking if he was that quick, how did he not see the attack on Stevie. She insists he did and that his 'relationship' with Stevie meant that he lashed out and attacked Devlin. "We're trained to do this, day in day out. I'm not saying we don't feel anything, what i'm saying is that training is the difference between what we feel and what we do." Smithy insists he didn't attack him and he didn't put anything in his vehicle. "YOU'RE A LIAR!" Devlin shouts from the dock. He's told to stay quiet or he'll be removed. The defence brief continues, saying it beggars belief that he could blame Devlin for the 2 bodies and then see his friend attacked and not react in a violent way. She finds that unimaginable "That's why I'm a police officer and you're not." Smithy says calmly - to murmurs of amusement and agreement from the gallery and jury. Neither the defence or prosecution have any further questions so Smithy steps down. Jason hisses at Smithy that he's a liar. Smithy just looks flatly at him before leaving.

Matthew Devlin leaves the room for a breath of fresh air but is stopped in the waiting area and arrested by Callum for conspiracy to kidnap and witness intimidation. He smirks and insist that he knows nothing about what he's talking about but the mask slips when Khaleed Hassiq is called and he stands up, coldly eyeing Devlin Senior as he passes him on his way into the courtroom. Jason looks unnerved as Hassiq enters the room and swears on the bible. He stands up and meekly says 'I'd like to change my plea."

The prosecution brief claims there must be something in Hassiq's evidence that they don't want made public or put on record. Perhaps people they've cheated/bought or someone they're protecting. Either way - they've got the result they wanted. Stevie tells Smithy to cheer up because they've got the result they wanted. "You did it." "Did I?" "Yes, you did!" she smiles.

Rachel tells Heaton she's thought about his offer and she's decided that yes, she will go with him. He also takes Kezia and Stuart. Rachel says they're great officers and he tells her that she's the best person to lead the team. Blah. All four of them will not be missed.*

Stevie goes and finds Smithy after, inviting him for a drink to celebrate the fact they're not an item. "Cor dear, that would have really messed things up if we were wouldn't it!" Stevie laughs. Smithy agrees to go for a pint and says it'll probably end up being several! Jack approaches and tells Smithy he doesn't appreciate him bringing Ara to court. Smithy says she'd have arrived anyway. Jack just nods and says he appreciates a man of principal. "I've heard that Rachel is leaving. Do you want her job?" Smithy does a literal double take. "... Just like that?" "If you want it." "Why me?" "Because I trust you, especially after today." "Ok, yeah..." (I have mixed feelings about this, I'm happy because obv he's been trained and moulded by Gina and he's a good man and it's for the greater good (and it also means Rachel has gone)but also they totally ignore the fact that Smithy still broke the law twice - the assault and perjuring himself in court. It being Smithy, he'd be eaten up by it as he was through the fight with Callum, when he tried to confess and also when they showed him still hearing the screams of the people in the lorry or having flashbacks. He wouldn't immediately feel like he deserved a promotion off the top of it. The only acknowledgement in the entire final episode of Conviction was flashbacks when he was in the locker room. It could have been a more involved and rounded story if it was taken into consideration and if he'd shown further remorse and struggling to align his job and his guilt but I guess they wanted to move on quickly and forget the naughty side ever happened! Especially as the next episode has Callum accused of chasing a suspect into the traffic only for him to be killed by a vehicle so they didn't want both brooding.)

Callum is waiting outside for Smithy and tells him that Devlin Senior is being processed. "You did it then?" he says to Smithy. "...What do you want, Callum?" "Nothing." "Good." Callum tries to make a joke of it saying that it's his caring sharing moment but he's not very good at it. "We walk a hard line and it hardens your soul... I mean it, it does. I've worked with people so cold they may as well be dead inside. Things are going to be different for you now, yeah, but you're not there... you're not even close." "So why does this feel like a defeat then?" "Because it has to. If there wasn't a price then we wouldn't know we'd learnt something." (in my opinion THIS is where Smithy's offer of promotion should have been - after that chat).

*On reflection it's a pretty large clearout before the reboot and the change to 1 episode a week when added together with Sam leaving a couple of episodes before the first Conviction episode and Diane returning for one episode to round off Kaye's contract.* Tony, Sally and Millie are due to leave before the series finishes so that's 9 characters in roughly half a series/year.

Other than Kirsty there are no new officers taken on (not counting Lisa Kennedy as she was a guest for 7 eps). Noone new arrived full stop in series 25 but there are a series of shufflings with Smithy becoming Inspector, Jack finally becoming Superintendent, Will becoming a full DC, Stevie becoming a DS and finally Jo transfering from CID to Uniform within a few episodes of the rebooted S26.

If interested, the last new officer before Kirsty (18th February 2010) was Rachel Weston who arrived 6th August 2008) Poor Sarah, her first appearance on screen was literally 5 weeks before it was announced that the show had been cancelled! She'd have only arrived around Nov/Dec 09 - she got all of 6/7 months on the show when filming stopped on the 15th June 10!

*Old Habits was shot as a 2 parter for Diane to return as a Sergeant but ITV's changes for the reboot meant that they needed to reduce the size of the cast and new scenes were shot to explain Diane moving to Barton St and just returning for one night to get her eye back in after her promotion when she had been working a bit more up north. It did seem odd to have her return for a night so does make sense, but poor Kaye! It was announced in the press on the 22nd January 2009 and Old Habits aired 30th April so would have been being filmed around/just before the announcement so at least there shouldn't have been too much filmed of other eps to have to re-do/edit/re-write. What a welcome back from maternity leave though! "You're going to be a sergeant... ah, you've lost your job."

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forensicated · 1 month

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[Off the top of my head, this is the 7th time Smithy has been held at gunpoint in this year/series alone (and the year/series is not over yet as if I think I'm currently around October.) There's several Gun Runner at-gunpoints by various characters over the episodes, this one and Killer On The Run. If you include CO19 holding him at gunpoint and telling him to put his arms up after dropping the weapon etc in the final Gun Runner before Gina shouts he's a copper it's his 8th! 9th if you include the random gunshot at Carly's funeral but that's a stretch as it wasn't aimed at him (for once)]

Smiffina Episodes: An Honour To Serve - Part 2

This is the final Smiffina episode recap. There is a bonus mention that they met up for a drink down the line but that's it. As a massive aside there is a holby ep that Roberta guests in from 2014 whilst Alex is there as Fletch but they don't get any time onscreen together really 😞)

Part 1 finished with the camera focused on the officers outside whilst Smithy tried to free the hostages and arrest Quinn. The gun went off in a struggle and the last thing Gina heard was Quinn saying "You've got a man down".

Part 2 starts showing what happened inside when it all kicked off. I have issues with this because it's Really. Fucking. Stupid. Particularly for a sergeant and a former officer of CO19 with roughly 13/14 years policing experience at that time. (Who was a squaddie before that!)

Instead of securing Quinn after knocking him down, Smithy hurries round the room and urges the kids and teacher out. He doesn't pin Quinn to the floor and shout at them to go, he doesn't even secure the gun. Quinn struggles to his feet and punches Smithy, knocking him to the ground. He then aims the gun at his head to shoot him at point blank range. Thankfully Sophie hits Quinn with a mug which forces the trajectory of the gun up to the ceiling instead of into Smithy.

This scene just does not make sense because Smithy has the skills, knowledge, common sense, experience and intelligence to know you don't let a dangerous, damaged and mentally ill man with nothing to lose keep free use of his firearm. ESPECIALLY when you have open access to pin him down, get backup and scoot the gun away from him after wrestling him down to the ground in the first place. I am 100 percent biased towards Smithy and can generally forgive him anything (Andrea. Kerry. Kezia.) but this shit is fruit loops.

I know that wouldn't have made for a very long part 2 though but it makes a mockery of the man's training and experience (and is the final push for Gina to resign😪) I've slowed the gif right down to show how stupid it is. He had the opportunity to get on top of him, pin him down and call for backup or scoot the gun across the room and then pin him down at the very least! But no, he runs around and shouts for people to run when he could have done that sat on top of the Very Bad Man.

When Quinn staggers forward and grabs the radio to send the 'man down' message, Sophie pockets Smithy's phone. Gina's expression is devestating.

They play with a little with the sound after and have Heaton call Gina "Ma'am?" twice before he says her name. It's a way of having Gina hear what sounds like Smithy saying 'Ma'am' in a muffled way but given their closeness it would have worked even better if it'd been "Gina?" and made more sense for that to have been said by Heaton given he'd not call her Ma'am as he's her superior. Or as @everythingisdragons says - Callum would have been a much better substitute vocally and subordinate wise and it'd make sense! He asks her if she's ok, WTF mate? Of course she isn't, she thinks Smithy's been shot and potentially killed.

The attention is broken by the children running out of the door. Gina asks the teacher what happened to the policeman and she tells her she thinks he's been shot. Everyone other than Smithy, Polly and Sophie have gotten out. The relief are worried for their Sergeant, especially had noone knows for sure. Gina asks Sgt Hooper if he can go in to end it now and his advice is to wait until they get more idea of the action inside. Gina urges them to go in and take him by surprise so they can get to Smithy but Heaton says they don't have the element of surprise as he knows they're there.

Tony and Ben are sent to the nearby church hall where the children and teachers have been evacuated to see if anyone saw or heard anything of relevance and if not they can go home.

A poorly Rachel arrives having heard what was going and pours over the school blueprints with the other ranking officers and the headteacher. The nearest negotiators are 45 minutes away which is too long. Gina offers her services but Heaton doesn't think it's a good idea given her closeness to Smithy. "I can do my job sir." Heaton tells her he doesn't doubt it but he'd rather it be someone who's not as close to one of the hostages. Callum has done the course but hasn't any practical experience. He asks Gina to remain with him and she agrees. Smithy's radio is cut out of the transmission loop, Quinn's mobile is deactivated and the only people he can contact - and who can contact him - are the police. Rachel is tasked as the link between Heaton and the SO19 Sgt, Callum is going to negotiate with Gina as backup and Heaton is going to control everything from the yard.

Armed officers are placed on the roof opposite and a team of CO19 officers are placed on the staircase leading to the floor Smithy and the others are on. Rachel adds 2 officers to the CO19 team. Gina advises Callum to build a rapport with Quinn and to try and get him to release the girls and give them an update on Smithy, especially if they can get medical help in to him. Sally is set to make notes on the whiteboard of important facts as well as a timeline.

They fear Quinn has a history of dangerous behaviour and is a risk to himself as well as the two teenage girls [and Smithy!!!!!]. He has a history of harassing behaviour in Australia and has used the gun at least twice - once in Aus and once here. It's inferred to be the same gun (how did he get it to and from Australia - especially as he was deported (so you'd think more security when packing/leaving) and both were post 9/11?) Gina points out the only thing Quinn seems to want is Nicola and he won't stop until he gets her.

CO19 sweep the staircases looking for Quinn. They spot him pacing one of the classrooms, freaked by the amount of guns he can see in the yard. Ben reports back to Heaton that they're in position and that Quinn has been seen but Smithy hasn't. Heaton gives Gina and Callum the go ahead to contact Quinn.He refuses to answer at first and drops his phone onto the table giving the viewers the first sighting of a dazed but very alive Smithy! Quinn screams at the phone to shut up.

Finally Quinn answers the phone and Callum introduces himself. He asks to speak to Nicola and Callum says he will see what he can do but asks if they're all ok and if they need anything. He threatens to do 'the same to anyone who comes near as I did to the cop!' Callum asks if Smithy is ok and Quinn says he got what was coming. Callum asks what that means. "It means I shot him." he growls back. Gina instantly turns away from them and looks out the window.

Callum asks if they can send a paramedic in. He claims it's too late for that and to only ring when he can talk to Nicola. Gina blanches and weakly says she has to go speak to the Super, hurrying out the room looking very wobbly.

"He said he shot him." "And we have no reason to believe anything that Quinn says!" Heaton insists, gesturing to the pile of witness statements, telling her none of them mention Smithy getting shot. "It might have happened once they'd left the room so that is meaningless. If Smithy is alive and well why hasn't he got in touch?!" Heaton gives Callum permission to speak to Nicola to see if she's up to speaking to Jake but he has to be adamant that she is 100% prepared and knows what to say. He warns Gina to keep the husband out of the way and tells her to keep positive about Smithy.

Quinn rants to himself that all Nicola had to do was listen to him as Polly is having an asthma attack behind him. "Polly's not well!" Sophie tells him. Quinn doesn't care and answers the phone as Callum rings back, telling him they don't want food/drink or similar, he just wants to speak to Nicola. Smithy and Sophie lock eyes during this and he reassures her but presses his finger to his lips to remind her to keep quiet and not draw attention to him. She shows him that she has his phone when Quinn is distracted ranting down the phone. Smithy gives her a thumbs up and gestures to keep calm and wait and it'll be ok. All Quinn keeps saying is that he wants to talk to Nicola and he knows she's there. Rachel brings Nicola to speak to Gina and Callum. She tells them she'll do anything it takes and say whatever he wants to hear to get Sophie safe. Gina warns her that Quinn is unstable and if they make a mistake they'll never get another chance. Nicola insists she'll tell him any number of lies and promise him anything to get her daughter out.

Sophie asks him why he wants to talk to her mum and Quinn tells her it's because he wants to tell her he loves her and always has/always will. Sophie sobs that he doesn't even know her and Quinn snaps that he does and that he's sorry he hit her and that it's not her fault but it's too late now and Nicola will have the rest of her life to regret what she did to him.

Callum briefs Nicola to not promise him anything unless he okays it or tells her to and that she must do exactly as he says. She promises to and they ring Quinn back and Gina updates Heaton.

Sophie slides Smithy's phone to him when Quinn runs over to the other side of the room after spotting CO19 on the roof opposite. He crosses to another room with the girls and barricades the door, leaving Smithy in the classroom.

Nicola initially freezes on hearing Quinn's voice before asking him not to hurt Sophie and Polly. Callum writes things for her to ask - she asks if they need anything and he says he doesn't want to talk about them and that it's his time for answers. He asks why he rejected her and she says she didn't mean to. She asks him to give himself up. Quinn mocks this "If... when... they put me in prison, you'll be there waiting for me?" "Of course!" "For how long?" "As long as it takes. Let the girls out and we can be together." "Put the cop on...Why are you making her lie?" Callum starts to say that he wasn't making her lie but Quinn hangs up.

Gina receives a call and takes a shocked breath in, gripping Heaton's arm in her relief. "It's Smithy!"

Smithy tells her that Quinn was spooked by CO19 being on the roof opposite and that he's moved the girls into another classroom. He tells Heaton he's fine and Sophie's alright but Polly is struggling to breathe. Quinn is refusing to answer the phone and so Callum keeps ringing back. Heaton says they can't pass Smithy's info on to anyone in the negotiating room because if Nicola lets it slip it's obvious that it's Smithy who told them. Quinn believes he's in control and they have to let him keep believing that. Quinn answers the phone and threatens to kill Sophie if Nicola lies to him again. He asks again why she rejected him and she was afraid of how he made her feel because she's married. She understands that he now loves her more than her husband and that she now knows how it feels to be loved so much and that she'd forgotten what it feels like to truly care for someone else. Sophie runs across the room and removes the barricade, shouting "MUM!" Quinn drops the phone and drags her away, starting to rebuild the barricade which in turn enables Smithy to open the door and unfortunately come face to face with him.

"Long time now see!" He snaps, pointing the gun at Smithy.

When the next part starts, Smithy is being secured to a chair with an extension wire. He reassures Sophie that everything is going to be ok and to try keep Polly calm.

He tells Quinn to give himself up whilst he still can and Quinn points the gun in his face and orders him to shut up whilst he thinks. Smithy tries to reassure the girls as Quinn checks the windows. Quinn answers the phone again and tells Callum the girls are fine but Smithy's 'a bit tied up right now'. Callum asks for proof because an hour ago he'd told him he'd shot him. Quinn says he's tired of game playing and wants Nicola. He says face to face but they refuse it so he says "This might change your mind." And cocks his gun as he puts the phone to Smithy's ear. "Do whatever you need to do." Smithy tells Callum. Quinn is angry it's backfired on him and snatches the phone away, saying "That's enough! Are you satisfied? If I don't get her in here right now I will shoot him and then I'll shoot the lot of us."

Callum asks what to do. Heaton tells him to make contact with him 'Find out how serious he is'. HES JUST FUCKING TOLD YOU! Surely Heaton realises that will just anger him further and make him more likely to do it? The CO19 Sgt thinks going in now would be a risky move as they can't see him now he's moved and he could be anywhere or have chance to shoot them all by the time they get to him. He says if they go in now there'll definitely be casualties, possibly amongst CO19 and almost certainly amongst the casualties. "That's a risk we might have to take." Heaton sighs.

Gina stresses that they have to get paramedics in or Polly out to receive help. Quinn asks Nicola when she's coming in and without approval she says she'll come in as soon as he lets the paramedics in to see Polly. Quinn is surprised but agrees. She tells Callum she'll go in if she has to. Quinn tells Sophie that her mum is coming in to see her!

Rachel offers herself to go in in the place of a paramedic to get Polly so she can tell CO19 and the others where Smithy and the hostages are and the layout of everything. She's a fully trained first aider and Quinn hasn't seen her yet. Rachel changes and goes through, following the directions Quinn gave to allow them access. She and Smithy lock eyes but don't acknowledge each other with Quinn pointing the gun at them. She tries to check Smithy over but Quinn refuses to let her. The actual paramedic insists Polly can't remain in the room and will die if he doesn't let her leave. "Okay... take her."

Smithy squeezes Sophie a small reassuring smile as they wait for Quinn to make his next move. As an officer Smithy knows that Nicola can't/won't be allowed in and can only watch as Quinn rings back and asks for Nicola to arrive. Callum tells him it's not that easy and reassures him that he has to get permission from the borough commander and that he has to promise that he won't try and hurt her. "Hurt her? I love her. Why would I hurt her?"

He gives them 10 minutes and says he'll shoot Smithy if she doesn't appear and if they don't believe him he shot the last man who became him and the woman he loved - Mr Australia.

Rachel tells them that the gun looks like an old army revolver and that he's lost a lot of blood from his side. She tells them where the hostages are and that there's lots of furniture around whilst Callum tells Gina what Quinn said and that he has boasted about shooting a man before so he doesn't doubt he'd do it. Gina tells Heaton that Quinn has called their bluff and given them 10 minutes to bring him Nicola or he'll shoot the hostages and himself. She tells them that she fears he'll kill or die to feed his obsession.

Heaton realises the negotiations are over and asks Gina to tell Callum that CO19 are going in in 4 minutes. He wants Callum to ring Jake when given the signal so that CO19 get a few valuable seconds of distraction. They have to pray he will answer. Callum rings when given the signal and CO19 are given the standby order. Quinn is told that Nicola is on her way and that they rushed through the authorisation needed. Heaton gives the CO19 order to go and they move up as quietly as they can whilst Callum keeps Quinn talking. In the mean time Smithy has managed to untie his arms and leaps to his feet when the door lock is shot out and CO19 rush in, standing in front of Sophie and ordering Quinn to put the gun down. CO19 circle him and order him to put the gun down. He puts it to his head and faces off for a few seconds before complying and dropping the gun and doing as the officers order so he can be arrested.

At the station, Sophie gives her statement and Heaton arranges a briefing. Arun reckons his school was 'like that every day!'. Tony hated school - or -"maybe it was the other way round."

Smithy says he tried the direct approach... but it didn't get him very far. Gina tells him he did very well and sinks into her chair with a very heavy sigh. Smithy asks her if she's alright. She tunes back in as he moves directly into her eyeline and asks again with obvious concern in his tone. She promises him she's fine but there's something she's got to do and she'll meet him in the interview room.

She composes herself after he leaves, moves to her doorway and smartens her uniform before taking a deep breath and leaving her office. She knocks on Heaton's door and asks him for a minute. She tells him she doesn't think it's going to come as a surprise to him as it's been building for some time but she's made her decision and she's going. She doesn't want to wake up and realise she's stayed too long and she's too old for anything else as both have seen happen to others. Heaton doesn't believe she wants to go as she's the one person they'd have to drag out kicking and screaming. "This job is your life." "WAS..." she corrects. She tells him it's not just about the loss of Emma and how that affected the station but everything, reminding him of her reaction when Sally and Callum jumped into water without a second thought to save a woman whilst Gina panicked on the Dock. Something she never ever thought she'd do. "And today when I thought I'd lost Smithy... Honestly Sir, my nerves can't take it anymore." She's so proud of uniform everytime they go out but it gets more terrifying everytime something happens. He accepts. ".. If you're sure. " "Thanks. Thanks very much, John."

Callum tells Sophie that Polly will be in hospital for a few days but she should be proud of herself for getting her help. Gerard is furious when he hears that Quinn needs to be assessed by a psych. He's even less happy when he hears that Sophie and her mum are not going home but to her parents house for a few weeks whilst they come to terms with everything and make a start on a proper separation for the couple.

Heaton tells Gina he knows she's not one for long goodbyes but they still have her for a month... Gina points out she has almost 6 weeks of leave owing and wants to go today without anyone knowing and without a goodbye party. She tells him he's spoilt for choice with three great Sgt's. She doesn't think Smithy will want the job as he didn't enjoy being acting Inspector and she thinks Callum would rather be out on the front line if given a choice. Rachel is the only one left... [ugh!]

Tony overhears that Gina is leaving despite her asking John to keep it private and he goes straight over to Smithy to ask to talk to him after the debrief.

Heaton takes Rachel through to his office to offer her the job. He tells her he was impressed with how she came in when sick and handled the team. He tells her Gina is leaving and he offers her the job with immediate affect. He brought her to Sun Hill because he had heard nothing but good things about her and that he wants someone fresh with energy and vision to move forward. Bulllshiiiiiit. *cough*. She asks to sleep on it and they'll talk tomorrow. Tony tells Gina that she played a blinder today. She says he did too but he tells her it's only because he has the best boss. "Always a pleasure to serve with you." he smiles.

Smithy hurries through to Gina's office to find her packing. He looks utterly gutted. "So it's true then." "Lots of things are true, like I should be at home with my feet up and a stiff drink." Smithy asks her if it's because of what he said and that he knows things have been difficult with everything including 'the Stone thing'. Gina tells him he might not like it but Callum is a good officer. "Look. you know that I've always admired the way you've done the job and that you've always given 100% but you've been a really good friend to me and that's what I'm going to miss the most." "I'm leaving the job, not my friends." Tony has told everyone as it spreads like wildfire round the station. "Not a lot to show for 25 years is it?" she smiles, showing him the head girl badge." "There's plenty to show." Smithy replies, choked. He asks her why now and she said she's done her bit, the jobs changed and it's her time to go. She wants to walk the length of England and Scotland. "and stop at every pub?" Smithy smirks. She asks if they can talk another time, like a drink the next night because she's exhausted and she knows Smithy is "I don't know how you're still standing!" Smithy tells her that the relief are organising a whip-round for a last minute leaving do and she asks him to tell them that she's already gone because she doesn't like long goodbyes and she'll never escape and besides, she'll see them all again soon. "I'll just not be shouting orders, well not in uniform anyway." Smithy smiles sadly and leans in and kisses her cheek.

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