* (HAUNTING MUSIC) Simon didn't kill Julia Stevens. Did you know your husband has a conviction for aggravated assault? I've really fucked up, Ford. Just tell me what's happening. Maybe I can help you. Got what you wanted. (HAUNTING MUSIC CONTINUES) I'd had a hard day. Ford came and suggested we go for a run. He gets wound up if he doesn't exercise. I mean, like, he really needs it. Home just before 11. If he's lying, he's good at it. He's lying. (BOTH PANT) (VOICES ECHO) ECHOES: Simon. (BOTH PANT) Simon! (TYRES SCREECH) Simon! (SMACK!) (TYRES SCREECH) (PANTS) You need to be more careful. (TENSE MUSIC) Captions by Catherine de Chalain. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2019 You've been questioned three times. I know. A QC can make the police leave you alone. No. A lawyer's only gonna make me look guilty. (GATE CLOSES) Look, I can handle it. (SMOOCH!) Promise. (CAR DOOR OPENS) Good luck, Claire. You'll regret missing it when we win. Bye, Uncle Ford. (ENGINE TURNS OVER) (CAR DOORS CLOSE) (TENSE MUSIC) You sure you can handle it? Cops seem pretty, uh, determined. I haven't done anything wrong. Apart from lie about where you were. We both lied. Well, it was either that or tell them about your crazy girlfriend. She is not crazy, and I told you, she's` Yeah, she's a patient. I know. I know the party line. So, you really gonna go to work? You're not my keeper, Ford. No, I know. Quite the opposite. I should be looking after you. That's how it used to be. (TENSE MUSIC) (CELL PHONE RINGS) (SIGHS) (CELL PHONE CHIMES) You think you can just pick me up and put me down whenever you fucking feel like it? WHISPERS: You cannot come here. (TRAIN ROARS) (ROAR CONTINUES) (KNOCKS ON DOOR) (TENSE MUSIC) (SIGHS) You showed up at my home. You were being a prick. That's how you choose to deal with it? (EXHALES) You were being a prick. (EXHALES) (CHUCKLES) What are you doing to me? (SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC) (SMOOCH!) That was Elke, right? At the house? She's beautiful. You can't ever do that again. Or what? Are you still taking amitriptyline? It didn't work. I told you, you have to stick with it. Mereana, you deserve to be happy. And what would you know about being happy? (SIGHS) You know what? (EXHALES) I can't keep doing this. You say that now after you've come around here and fucked me. (SIGHS) Get out, you arrogant asshole. Go on, fuck off! (TENSE MUSIC) (TRAIN ROARS) (TENSE MUSIC) (PLANE ENGINE ROARS) 409. (BIRDS TWEET) (ENGINE TURNS OVER) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (CHILDREN CHATTER) (SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES) Roza. Hi. Hi. I didn't know Izzy played. Oh, she's off with her friends somewhere. Oh. Yeah. I saw you and thought I should come say hello. You must be Elke. Hon, this is Roza. You don't play? More into art, aren't you, love? No, Claire's our sports star. (WHISTLE BLOWS DISTANTLY) Well, do you want to come sit down? Sure. OK. (TENSE MUSIC) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (BREATHES SHAKILY) (SIGHS) (ENGINE TURNS OVER) Hi, I'm Roza. ALL: Hi, Roza. Uh, 18 months clean this time. (APPLAUSE, MURMURS) Thank you. Uh... (SIGHS) I thought it was gonna get easier, but right now I'm under so much pressure. My husband is, uh,... Anyway, that's beside the point. (SIGHS) I, um, made a mistake years ago, before I knew him, and just lately` (RESOUNDING THUD) MAN: You all right? WOMAN: What's the matter? Is she OK? You had me followed to an AA meeting?! Yeah, I thought you fucking trusted me! (TENSE MUSIC) (BIRDS TWEET) (MACHINE JANGLES) Look, I'm so proud of you. You know I am. But one relapse, and there goes everything we've w` (CRASH!) For God's sakes, Roza. (MACHINE JANGLES) OK, no more spies. Just... tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it. (WEIGHTS CLANG) (PANTS) I've invited the Lamptons over for dinner tomorrow night. The doctor and the... excitable wife? And their two girls. Well, tomorrow night's my only night in Auckland. I've got a meeting with the head of... Right. I'll cancel. The Lamptons it is. (UPBEAT MUSIC) (PANTS) What can you tell me? He was head of obstetrics at public, but went back to his own practice a couple of years back. He's held in high regard. One of the best in the country. And then there's this. (TAPS PAGE) He beat up a girl when he was a teenager. Why is Roza so interested? I'm not sure, but... Spit it out, Ed. Look, I know you don't wanna have her followed, but this... fascination ` it's a worry. All right. But you can't let Roza catch you again. (TENSE MUSIC) (SOBS) (TENSE MUSIC) (CRICKETS CHIRP) (DOOR CLOSES) What time do you call this, sonny? What are you doing? Waiting up for you. Where have you been? Working late. (EXHALES) Hey, relax. Everyone's asleep. (TENSE MUSIC) I think I'm losing it. Why? What's happened? You were right. I went to see Mereana. Ah. I broke it off, but... I can't stop thinking about it. Hey, look around you, man. You're the guy that's got everything. Why do you keep fucking this up? Because I want her too. Oh, OK. Well, let's call the midlife crisis police, then (!) Why can't you be happy with what you've got? I don't know. I feel more like myself with` Yourself? (CHUCKLES) Your fucking self? What about Karen and the kids? I know! I know. I don't wanna fucking hurt them. Then stop acting like a man that doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself. That is bullshit. (TENSE MUSIC) Hey, I'm sorry, bro. I'm just being a wanker. I'm not trying to stir things up. I'm just worried about you. Nah. You're right. What the hell is the matter with me? (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) Hi. Hello. Uh, is Dr Lampton in, by any chance? Uh, no, he's not. Sorry. Is there somewhere private we could talk? Sure. Were you working here when Dr Lampton was treating Julia Stevens? Shouldn't you be asking Dr Lampton about that? I have. Now I'm asking you. Yes, I was. Did you know she had a problem with Simon? The whole of Newmarket knew. She was very... upset on a couple of occasions. Did you see her... threaten him in any way? No. Did Simon ever threaten her? No. Has Simon ever threatened you? No. Was Simon having an affair with Julia Stevens? SCOFFS: Oh my God. How can you`? Simon is not like that, especially not with her. What's that supposed to mean? You're not helping him by keeping things from us. (TENSE MUSIC) She bumped into him when he was in Queenstown at a conference, and the trouble started after that. What happened in Queenstown? Well, she followed him to his hotel room. That's what happened. He sent her packing, and she started harassing him in here, making a huge fuss ` it was disgraceful behaviour. But Simon never lost his cool? No. He asked her to leave. She was upsetting the other patients. Apart from her, they all adore him. What? I'd be more than willing to discount him, but don't you think he might have mentioned that business in Queenstown? (TENSE MUSIC) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) That's what you told them? Yeah. I'm so sorry. I just didn't know what else to do. Oh, look, it's not you, it's` (SIGHS) Never mind. Let's just get on with the day. OK. (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) (CELL PHONE RINGS) (TENSE MUSIC RISES) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) The whole lot was completely covered in fairy lights. It was crazy. And on the driveway they had a valet. (CELL PHONE CHIMES) They had a valet, Claire. Wow, awesome. (CELL PHONE BEEPS) Simon. Simon. You promised. (CELL PHONE BEEPS) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) Hello? (BOTTLES CLINK) (BOTTLES CLINK) (POP!) (BOTTLE CAP CLATTERS) (CRICKETS CHIRP) (TABLET CLICKS, ROCK MUSIC PLAYS) (ROCK MUSIC INTENSIFIES) (BREATHES DEEPLY) ECHOES: Let me go. (ROCK MUSIC CONTINUES, DISTORTS) (TENSE MUSIC) See,... (KEYBOARD CLACKS) ...if we re-interview Julia's husband` He was quite sure she wasn't having an affair in his statement. That he knew of. (SCOFFS) Go home. You should too. See you in the morning. (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) (EXHALES) (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC INTENSIFIES) (CELL PHONE CHIMES) (CHUCKLES) (WOMAN LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) Chip? I'm starving. Thank you. I have to ask you ` you look amazing. Where's the dress from? Thank you. Just a little secret spot I know of. I can take you there, if you like. Seriously? Yeah, we'll make a day of it. Great. (CHUCKLES) Do you like shopping, Elke? No. (CHUCKLES) You're into art, though, right? I could take you for a tour around the gallery one day. That would be lovely. (CHUCKLES) Not much of a chatterbox is our Elk. (TAP!) (CHEERS) SIMON: That's my girl. You did it. (DISTANT CHATTER) Do you know who I love? Ed Sheeran. Did you go and see him when he was here? No. Ready for this? (TAP!) (LAUGHTER, CHATTER) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Mum, can I play now? Yeah, of course. (LAUGHTER AND CHATTER CONTINUES) (CHUCKLES) Ready? Oh! (LAUGHTER) Hey. There she is. Your sister got a hole in one. You ready to go? (LAUGHTER) Excuse me. Mum! Look at me! Mum! (DOOR CLOSES) (EXHALES) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (EXHALES) (SNIFFLES) (EXHALES) Hey, Tamara. It's Roza. All that pressure, huge house to run ` she still looks like something off the cover of Vogue. They have staff. I know, but she's so personal. You liked him too. I could tell. Yes, Karen. They're nice people. It was a great night. Now can we just go to bed? You know I'm here for you, Si, if you ever need to talk. I'm not gonna judge you. For fuck's sake. One minute you're wittering on about the Hallwrights and now you're trying to plunder my soul? (EXHALES) I would if I could, but you never let me in. Jesus, Karen. I` I just` I can't talk about it. Why not? (UPBEAT SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) It's not a crime to ask your husband about his past. Si, I shouldn't have to hear it from other people. (CELL PHONE CHIMES) (UPBEAT SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES) (SIGHS) * (TRAFFIC RUMBLES) Lover Boy still giving you the silent treatment, eh? No one's gonna click on some old claim about Hallwright doing a dodgy deal. Look, he swindled hundreds of people out of their life savings ` hundreds. Hard-working people like my mother. Let it go. No. No, cos that is how crooks like him get away with it. They're all crooks, Arty. It's not news. People want to see something happening right now ` something shocking. Mildly titillating, even. Please, if you just follow` Are you even hearing me? If he becomes Prime Minister, then they should know` They should know that the young wife was a hooker in her last life? Even then, without pictures... OK. You want pictures? See, remember when she parked in the handicapped space? Disabled. It's a disabled space. SING-SONG: Went viral. That's what I'm talking about. (TENSE MUSIC) (CAR LOCK CLICKS) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Hi. (CHUCKLES) It's been almost two years, babe. I thought you were ghosting me. I know. I'm sorry. These days my life is not mine. Mm. That spunky husband about to take over the world? You have no idea. Mm. You're right about that. All those hot stone massages are all very well, but, um,... (BAG RUSTLES) ...this is why you're here, isn't it? (EXHALES) (TENSE MUSIC) (SIGHS) I can't. OK. (SNIFFS) (EXHALES) Consider it my, uh, contribution to the campaign. (TENSE MUSIC) (BAG RUSTLES) (SNIFFS) No pressure, but, um,... invite me up to the big house one day, yeah? I've missed you. Thank you. You're welcome. (TENSE MUSIC) (TENSE MUSIC RISES) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) (CELL PHONE CHIMES) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) One week. A lot of interest from upstairs and the, uh, blessed media. So let's get on with it, eh? Singh? Pathology have ruled out a flick knife, kitchen knife ` pretty much anything standard. But the entry wounds are large but they're also irregular, meaning something like a hunting knife. Hard-core types make them from old saw blades and stick a bone or some other dodgy handle on them. Look pretty shit, but can be lethal. Dr Lampton strike you as a 'hard-core type'? (TRAIN RUMBLES) (DOOR OPENS) (DOOR CLOSES) (LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS) (GASPS) (KEYS JINGLE) (TEEKS' 'IF ONLY' PLAYS ON STEREO) (TENSE MUSIC) (TENSE MUSIC RISES) (STEREO VOLUME INCREASES) (GASPS, WHIMPERS) (CRASH!) (MAN SHOUTS, KNIFE CLATTERS) (YELLS) (AIRPLANE RUMBLES) 425. 425. (CRASH!) (WHIMPERS) (YELLS) Fuck! (CRASH!) (SCREAMS) (SMACK!) No. No! (WHIMPERS) No. (GRUNTS, STRAINS) (GRUNTS) No! (CLANG!) (SCREAMS) No! (KNIFE WITHDRAWS) No! (DOOR SLAMS) Stop! You can't! (TENSE MUSIC) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (RAIN PATTERS) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (SEAGULLS CRY) (TENSE MUSIC) (KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS) Washing. Oh, thanks. What happened to you? Oh, it's a long, boring story. It's nothing. It's fine. Here, let me help. Oh, shit. (GRUNTS) Sorry. Well, bear with me. (PACKAGE RIPS OPEN) (SIGHS) Simon's the one with the doctor's hands. I might hurt you. So, what happened? Angry tree? I got off lightly. (SNIP ECHOES) (TENSE MUSIC) (TRAIN RUMBLES DISTANTLY) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (BIRDS TWEET) (ROCK MUSIC PLAYS) Oh, hi. Hi. I'm so sorry. I hope you haven't been waiting long. No, not at all. Look, I do love the girls, but honestly, the endless squabbling ` (CHUCKLES) They're just so different in so many ways, but Claire's off to university next year, and, well, Elke ` God knows with that girl. Excuse me. I'll be back. Sure. (THE BRUNETTES' 'B-A-B-Y' PLAYS) # B-A # B-Y # I love to call you baby. # My sugar # My honey # Don't care if it sounds cliche. # (MUSIC CONTINUES) (GASPS) Look at this. This would make the perfect birthday present for Elke. Oh, no, she's had her birthday. No. LAUGHS: Oh! No way. It's gorgeous. It's on me. Absolute` Abso` I insist. # B-A. # (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) (SIGHS) (PEN CLATTERS) (FILE THUDS) (EXHALES SLOWLY) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) Do you know what this is? What? Do you know how I got it? No. Guess. I` I don't know how you got it. I'm not with you all the time. Guess how I got it. Tell me how` But how did you get it? Crocodile. (LAUGHTER) It's true. I was shaking it. (LAUGHS) (ALL TALK AT ONCE) It's like a wolverine thing. It's tiny. It's dangerous. KAREN: Girls, can you go wash your hands? I was happy with the usual crap, but your wife took pity on me. I just got off the phone with Graham Henderson, the QC. Yeah. (BOWL THUDS) Yeah, he said he might call. Mate, she's just trying to help. I don't need anybody's help. (TENSE MUSIC) (HAUNTING STRING MUSIC) Come on. Bed time. (HAUNTING MUSIC INTENSIFIES) * (TENSE MUSIC) (EXHALES) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) How crazy? Might be something, might be nothing. Hard to tell. (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) Another one of youse. Fuck. I fucking hate you. Yes, Nelf. We know that. But tell us again what you saw. A knife. A big fucking knife. I mean, she didn't ask for it. She never asked for fucking anything. Who had the knife? Bad man. Bad man, he did. Did he hurt someone with it? Mereana. M-Mereana. Is she your friend? Next door. I-I wanted to help, but I promised. Promised what, Nelf? There's a knife! It's a big fucking knife! Jesus! You did the right thing. You've come to the right people. We're looking for someone with a big knife. (SOMBRE MUSIC) Did 9 o'clock cancel? Yeah, most of the calls I've had today have been cancellations. I tried to tell them that all this gossip about you is nothing, but they` OK, thanks. SIGHS: Yeah. Next appointment's after lunch. (TENSE MUSIC) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) (KNOCKS ON DOOR) Mereana? (TENSE MUSIC) (DOOR KNOB JANGLES) (DOOR CREAKS) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (TENSE MUSIC RISES) Mereana? (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (TRAIN RUMBLES) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (ENGINE SHUTS OFF) (CAR DOORS CLOSE) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) Fuckin' here! (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) See? 425. 425. (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) That's Mereana's house? Yeah. Eh, Nelf, let's go check that out first, yeah? (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (PANTS) (PANTS) (TENSE MUSIC RISES) (TRAIN ROARS DISTANTLY) I know this must be hard for you. Mereana was your neighbour, but she was also your friend. She was nice to you. You saw her in here, the man and the knife. 425. 425. Did you get a good look at the man? Not the same one. Not the same one as`? I don't fucking know! I'm a` I` I'm not allowed in here. I mean, I went there. Do you think Mereana knew her attacker? (DOG BARKS DISTANTLY) OK, Nelf. Thank you. You did the right thing coming to the police. (POP ROCK MUSIC) So, have I got this right ` you went to school with Roza Hallwright? Mm-hm. And are you still mates? Yeah, when she feels like it. Ooh. That sounds complicated. What's the real story? Hm. (CHUCKLES) You think I'd sell her out for a couple of cocktails? (MUSIC CONTINUES) (SIGHS) (TENSE MUSIC) (CLINK!) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) MARIE: You mention in your statement that Mereana had a boyfriend? Not a boyfriend, exactly. He was married. What do you know about him? All she ever said was that he was rich but never happy. (CHUCKLES) That made us laugh. So she was never scared or worried or anything? (INHALES) Mereana was sad because of her daughter, but trying to be positive. She wouldn't even take happy pills, even though I bloody would've. (CHUCKLES) She suffered from depression? She didn't see a shrink or anything. She got the pills through her boyfriend. The pills? The prescription. (CRICKETS CHIRP) Oh, hi. Hey. Tough day at work? Uh-huh. So, what do you think? EXHALES: It's great. I love it. Simon. I didn't buy those. Roza did ` for Elke's birthday. Cute, huh? Are you kidding me? Hm? Roza? No, Karen. No, that's what I said too, but she insisted. There's one for Claire too. What are we ` a charity? What? Give me those. Wha`? What are you gonna do with them? Simon! (TENSE MUSIC) (INTERCOM RINGS) Hallwright residence. Janet McDonald speaking. Simon Lampton. Is Mrs Hallwright in? What's this about? Simon Lampton. I was here with my family the other night for dinner. (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) (GATE OPENS) (TENSE MUSIC) (WATER SLOSHES GENTLY) (TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES) Well, this is a nice surprise, but David's in Wellington. This was a very generous gift, but obviously we can't accept it. Elke didn't like it? She doesn't know about it. What is really going on here? What do you mean? The party, the dinner, this ` what do you want from us? (PANTS SOFTLY) I'm so sorry. Why? What's wrong? Roza, what the hell is going on? Did she have a party? Who? Elke. What has she got to do with this? (LAUGHS) Are you on something? What I'm on is the least of my problems. If you need help` You adopted her, right? When you lived in Australia? Yes. And...? And you got to watch her get her first teeth and learn to walk... (SOBS) and go off to school, and now she's 13 and she's beautiful. (SOBS) You're talking about Elke. My Elke? (SIGHS) She's not just your Elke, Simon. She's my Elke too. * It was a closed adoption. I was... an out-of-control 19-year-old. This is` (SIGHS) But I've changed. Everything's changed. What does David say? David doesn't know. You need to tell him. Yeah, I will. When? Jesus, Roza, this is gonna devastate Karen. I don't wanna hurt anyone. What do you want?! To be a part of her life. CHUCKLES DRILY: Oh, really? After we protected her, loved her all these years. Have you even stopped to consider how this will affect her? Simon, she's my daughter. I want her in my life. You gave her away! She's my blood! (DOOR OPENS) (DOOR CLOSES) (TENSE MUSIC) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) (TRAIN RUMBLES) (PILLS RATTLE) (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) Guess who's describing her antidepressants. Your bloody doctor. My bloody doctor. (TENSE MUSIC) Hey, you always get the comfy chair! I do not! Girls, stop arguing. FORD: Hey, girls. Girls. Hey, come on. On the couch with me. How'd it go? What? Roza ` the bags. Oh. She, uh` She apologised. She didn't mean to offend anyone. Oh, God. Oh, that's so embarrassing. No, it's no big deal. She was fine. Really. You're a good mother, you know that? (EXHALES) Really? We're lucky to have you. All of us. (SOMBRE MUSIC) Karen, I need to tell you` Dude, I could've sold those bags for you ` got back some money that the Hallwrights fleeced out of you. It's both bins tonight. I'll get 'em. You're knackered, mate. Dad, come watch this. (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) (DISCORDANT SOMBRE MUSIC) Captions by Catherine de Chalain. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.