Taggart quotes from Taggart

Good morning, Jim.

Christmas comes but once a year(!) [He starts to climb down the ladder]

Exciting, isn't it?

[Now down the ladder] I can think of another adjective.

I haven't touched anything. The workmen opened this one.

[Glances at the bones] They are human?

I'd have gone if they weren't.

How long d'you think they've been here?

These bones? [Picks one of them up] Eight or ten years. I might be able to be more exact when we open the rest.

[Glances over at the wall, then motions to the photographer] Hey, over here. [They move over to a corner of the wall where Taggart uncovers a handbag covered in cobwebs. He also spots a set of small wooden discs. He carefully picks one up with his handkerchief.]

[Handing the handbag to a sergeant] Now, take care of that. We might get a print from the inside. I don't know what these are yet [He also hands over a couple of the discs which have been bagged up. To Livingstone] We've a dismembered body down here. I suppose you'll want to look at it. [He descends the ladder again, followed by Murray and Livingstone.]

Stunning! A complete pelvic girdle.

Just what you've always wanted(!)

Murray

One body?

What are you, greedy? Yes, I'd say one.

At least it confirms the sex. The pubic arch and inlet look too wide for it to be male.

So you know your anatomy?

A little.

[Examining the pelvis] You're right. There should be a groove. Yes, there we are, on the front of the ileum. Uterus has decomposed, often it's the last organ to go.

And why the discolouration?

...Fire burns?

That would have been big enough, wouldn't you say?

Murray

Yes... one limb at a time.

There must have been a lot of blood. He could've cut her up in a bathroom.

Murray

You realise this property's been subject to a lot of short lets?

Aye, I know. [Starts to walk off.]

Murray

Jim? [Taggart stops.] I hope you're going to work with him [referring to Livingstone].

Haven't I been a good boy so far(?)

Aren't the... what is it... centres of ossification the only way to tell the age?

Sure you wouldn't like my job?

Right now, I'd prefer it.

Provided she's under twenty-five, I can pin it to a year. But I'd sooner do it in my laboratory.

Can you at least have a look just now?

Why are you so impatient?

Well, the sooner we find out who she is, the sooner we find out who murdered her.

And the sooner you stop working with Jim Taggart!

Right.

...So I've got you back.

Well, it wasn't my idea.

Nor mine.

Do you still keep that lucky charm? [An ornamental green buddha.]

Why?

You might need it. [He shows Taggart the ring] There's a name engraved on the inside - Margaret Balfour. [Taggart's face falls] Of course, could just be coincidence.

I can give you an indication as to her age...

[Solemnly] She was twenty-two.

You're surprisingly clairvoyant this morning. Well, the upper and central vertebrae have almost joined, which would put her between twenty-two and twenty-five. What have you found?

...A load of trouble.

Margaret Balfour, age fourteen. It was the only photo we had to work on. Husband David is serving a life sentence in Barlinnie for her murder. [He brings up the next slide, showing an abandoned car with the driver door open and the bonnet up.] Now, that's the Balfours' car, it was found abandoned on 20th November 1975 in a lay-by between Howwood and Johnstone on the A737. [He beings up the next slide, showing the passenger seat stained with blood] See the blood staining on the seats? Consistent with a stab wound to the left side. [The next slide shows two photos of the sides of the car.] Now, that's the ground around the car. Notice there's no blood?

Suggesting that Margaret Balfour was removed from the car somewhere else, not in the lay-by.

[Brings up the next slide, showing photos of a bloodstained handkerchief and shirt.] Bloodstained handkerchief. Same blood group found in Balfour's possession. His shirtsleeves were also bloodstained. His story was his wife had had a nosebleed. [Brings up the next slide, showing more photos of the ground, as well as one of a knife.] There it is, the murder weapon. Ordinary sized kitchen knife, found in the grass about twelve feet away. No prints. [Brings up the next slide, showing the contents of the car boot.] Heavy soil traces in the car... [Brings up the next slide, showing a shovel and a pair of shoes.] match those found on the shovel in Balfour's flat and on his boots. He said they'd been for a drive down Kilbirnie way the day before and he had to dig the car out of some mud.

Could've been true, after all.

The theory was... [Brings up the next slide, showing a map of the area in which the car was abandoned.] he buried her body in this area, and then abandoned the car here... [points to an "X" on the map] to make it look as if she'd been abducted by a passing motorist. [He turns the lights back on. Livingstone turns the projector off.]

Murray

Your theory, Jim. I wasn't on the crime squad then.

He made a confession.

[As he packs away the projector] Then retracted it afterwards. I was in my first year at university. I followed the case. One of the few convictions for murder without a body on record.

But the evidence was circumstantial, but there was a motive: she had a £50,000 insurance policy taken out by her father before he died. It wasn't to mature until she was forty.

Murray

Did Balfour have any connection with 16 Dalmally Road?

No, none...

[Interrrupting] I've traced the owner of the flat. It was one of the Peebles' properties. Josephine Peebles owned it.

So what's his big idea, d'you know?

He doesn't like friction, he says it's unprofessional.

Sounds like the lecture I got.

Can we at least work together this time? It is teamwork after all.

Are you going to lecture me? When I was a wee boy, Peter, my father forced me to shake hands with my worst enemy after a fight.

And did you?

He shook hands with me... [Rings the doorbell] I kneed him in the balls, so you'd better watch yours.

Mrs. Cochrane?

Yes?

We're police officers. [Shows his ID badge] We're looking for Frederick O'Donnell. This was his last-known address.

Oh, aye, he did lodge here right enough.

Do you know where he is now?

I can point you to him - you go straight doon the road, turn right, and it's first on your right. [Taggart and Livingstone heads off as she calls out to them] But you'se are a bit late!

[Ruefully, to Livingstone] Who needs a lucky charm when I've got you(?)

...five foot six, taking the mean of several estimations. No foetal bones. We've everything here but the skull. Presumably he disposed of that elsewhere to prevent identification.

I wonder why.

The neck looks unnaturally bent.

Cause of death or is that too hopeful?

Impossible to say. [He approaches the skeleton and motions to the fractures] Any fracture such as here, and here, would be caused by dismemberment of the body.

And what was used?

A saw, I'd say.

Murray

How is she?

She'll be up in a couple of days(!)

Murray

Tests brought up one print. [He hands a foolscap to Taggart, who looks through it] On a metal catch inside the bag. Identified as Margaret Balfour's thumbprint.

That's what I like, a nine-year-old print(!)

Murray

What do we have on O'Donnell?

Housebreakings, cheque fraud. Attempted murder of a waitress - not proven. And one conviction of incest against his daughter.

Murray

Where is she?

Same place as him. She took an overdose nine years ago.

Murray

Deathbed confession, Jim?

Nah. He did us no favours. Fell out of bed drunk, died of hypothermia. He was stiff when the landlady found him.

How did you guess about the trunk?

Those pieces of wood that were in the cellar, they had to be sawn out of something to make it sink.

Which means it could be anywhere.

No, not anywhere. In the Clyde, near to Dalmally Road. Though how O'Donnell got it there without a car, I'll never know.

How did he get Margaret Balfour's body from the lay-by to 16 Dalmally Road if he didn't have a car?

Mrs. Robertson. Remember me?

Sit down. [Taggart and Livingstone do.]

This is Detective Sergeant Livingstone, by the way.

Hello.

What did you come for again?

We found your daughter, Mrs. Robertson.

[Taking in the news, she sits down too.] It was only a matter of time.

Her body wasn't where we expected, where we thought it might be.

[Confused] I don't...

We found her body in Glasgow, in a house in Maryhill.

A house?

On the night your daughter was killed, she was driving down to see you, is that right?

Yes.

Well, we now think it's possible she... she was abducted from her car after all.

[Shaking her head] I don't understand.

It, erm... it seems likely your son-in-law David wasn't responsible for Margaret's murder.

Are you sure it's my Margaret?

Quite sure. We found that by the body. [He produces the bagged-up handbag and places it on the table in front of Mrs. Robertson.] It had her thumbprint inside.

[Takes a moment to look at the handbag.] ...It's hers. I bought it for her. I'd like to see her.

She... er... that wouldn't be a very good idea...

See, what he means, Mrs. Robertson... she's been dead a long time. [Mrs. Robertson looks visibly upset] There will be a press announcement this afternoon, but we wanted you to know first. Have you any neighbours we could ask to come in.

[Shakes her head] No neighbours.

A friend?

No-one comes to see me anymore. I prefer it that way.

[Taking back the handbag] Why did you leave Largs?

Too many people wanted to speak about me and not to me. Does it mean that David'll come out of prison?

A report has to go to the Procurator Fiscal, then to the Crown Office, then all the way to the Home Secretary. But, yes, that's what it means.

Murray

Jim, you keep on about it!

Peter feels the same as me, sir.

There's some evidence there was a trunk.

Murray

What do you want me to do about it?

Frogmen. Selected parts of the Clyde where a trunk might be disposed of, starting near Dalmally Road.

Murray

Have you any idea how long an operation like that would take?

I know, sir!

We think you should consider it.

Murray

I am not wasting police time searching the Clyde for something that might not exist anywhere. She could have been kept in a knotted sack under the floorboards. That would account for the curvature of the spine. You find some hard evidence there was a trunk, I'll sanction the request. [Murray heads into his office.]

[To Livingstone] Thanks for your enthusiasm(!)

Well, he has a point.

What does he want? A photograph?

[Tightening a screw] ...the fan belt shouldnae work loose again. I'll take it for a wee drive, see if it's that's what's causing the problem.

Didn't look loose to me...

I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

It's all my brother and me were ever good at.

What's going on?

Oh, David's just fixed the fan belt on the car. Er... [Realises she hasn't introduced David to Ronnie] David Balfour, my husband Ronnie McIsaac...

We've met.

Jo... [Beckons Jo aside] No more.

What do you mean?

I want a home, not a... a halfway house. I want to forget.

Well, it's only for a few weeks.

But you said we'd have time on our own. You promised.

I know...

And why him? [Motioning to David, he starts to aggressively approach him, but Jo stops him. Taggart appears on the driveway.]

Quite a party(!)

[Slamming the car bonnet shut, he stares at Taggart] If you've come to apologise, you're too late. I'll try the car. [He gets in the driver's seat.]

Listen, if there's anything I can do...

Try resigning. After next Sunday, your name won't be worth the space it takes up in the telephone directory.

80,000 nicker... Works out to be... [DC Sinclair gets out his calculator.]

Works out at nearly £9,500 a year.

[Reading the calculator's display] Er, £9,411.76.

Can't folk work things out in their heads nowadays?

Murray

[Entering, carrying some files] Jim? Have you started on the Highlands Electrical enquiry yet?

[Not lifting his eyes from the paper] Yeah, we've got 230 customers' returns.

Murray

Try and be enthusiastic about it. I'm just off to a conference in London.

What conference is that?

Murray

"Policing in the 90s."

Well, you'd better hurry(!)

Murray

Is David Balfour still in your conscience?

[Holding up the paper] He'll be all right for the rest of his life.

£80,000 doesn't carry you far these days.

Murray

Is he still at Jo Peebles'?

As far as I know.

Murray

Forget about him, Jim. He's been compensated. You can't give him back eight and a half years of his life! [He hands the files to Taggart and heads for his office]

[Calling after Murray] I can found out the truth about Margaret Balfour's murder! [He starts going through the files...]

You really think Jo Peebles knows more?

Yes, I do. Why did O'Donnell try to conceal Margaret Balfour's identity?

Well, maybe he panicked after David Balfour was arrested.

[Briefly shakes his head] He'd a dismembered body under the floorboards, what difference did it make? Anyway, he'd left before the arrest.

Murderers don't always behave logically.

You wade through that lot. [Hands Livingstone a large pile of files and papers] I'm going out.

I thought that was for your plants.

Oh... er... Just, er... testing. [Takes another swig. David sits at the kitchen table] You'll be off soon?

I get the impression people are trying to get rid of me.

[Chuckles as he joins David at the table] Made any plans yet? You know what I would do if I had your money? I'd go and live in Monte-Carlo.

Monte-Carlo?

Uh-huh. Always had a great fascination for Monte-Carlo. But I suppose I'll still be here... as long as Jo allows me.

I might go to London.

Aah, there's a city! Oh, I spent a good few years there.

Me and my brother had this... dream once. It was more than that... We were going to go into the car hire business, you know? Go tae London, buy a couple of flash cars... it never come off. Suppose I might go abroad - Spain, Portugal, France... [Alan enters]

Taggart's here to see you.

Tell him I don't want to talk to him.

You tell him.

You here?

I've got nothing to say to you.

You've said it all through the papers. Maybe that's the coward's way.

If I said what I really felt, it'd be libellous.

How long have you been here now? Two weeks? Sit down. [David does so in an armchair opposite Taggart.] You didn't come here just 'cos it was a place to stay... I need your help. [David scoffs.] You find that funny?

No. What I find funny is you coming here to ask me. Why should I help the police do a job they should'ha done nine years ago?

Why did O'Donnell bring her body back twenty miles from the lay-by to Dalmally Road? How could he use Jo Peebles' car without her suspecting anything? Why did she trust him so much? You've got more opportunity to talk to her than I have.

You think she knew?

There were two other people in that house - George Cunningham and Jo Peebles. Cunningham's been in and out of mental hospitals for years. I doubt he'll tell us anything.

Are you saying Jo can?

[Pauses] Well... let's say there's too much that doesn't make sense about what O'Donnell did and why he did it.

There's a lot that didn't make sense about what I was supposed to have done. I didn't hear you asking those questions then.

Why did you confess to me? [The telephone rings in another room.]

You've never been interrogated have you?

Ah, no. No.

I just went along wi' it, to get some sleep.

...Sorry.

Well, you're nine years too late.

[To David] You. Phone. [He leaves.]

Hello?

Hello, David? It's Mike. Look, I need to talk. Somewhere private.

Get in the car!

What's up now?

I'll explain on the way.

This is Carol's first night home. Is it that urgent?

We've got a kidnapping - a Balfour baby. [He heads to the front passenger seat so Livingston can drive]

Does Murray know?

I've left instructions for him to be told.

Do you really think you ought to be doing this? Just stop and think. After the David Balfour case, do you think his brother's going to welcome you taking charge?

Oh, just get in the car.

You've got a bloody nerve coming here! Who's in charge of you?

Mike, give him a chance.

He's the guy who put David in Barlinnie.

Oh, so what? Christopher's life could be in danger for all your arguing now!

I'd listen to him, If I were you. What's your name, son?

Dougie Turnbull. I'm Mike's assistant.

Why didn't you phone us sooner?

Because the note says no police or they'll kill him, and I want my son back alive. So if you don't mind, just go. [Points to the door.]

[Picking up the ransom note] I'm afraid it's too late for that now. [He hands it to Livingstone.]

Have the kidnappers been in contact since?

No.

Your brother... Have you spoken to him?

He won't help me.

We're gonna have to talk to your wife, find out exactly what happened.

She's in no state to talk to anybody.

[Entering] I'm alright, Mike.

If it's, erm... If it's any consolation to you both, a baby can't inform on his kidnappers. It's... it's not in their interests to harm him.

What happens if they cannae pay the ransom?

Well, we hope the kidnapper accepts less.

[To Dougie] Who do you live with, son?

Just my mum.

Well, don't say anything to her. Don't say anything to anyone.

I won't.

Secrecy is crucial, okay?

Okay. I'm like an uncle to these kids, you know?

There. That's all working okay. [Grabs his coat.]

Okay. You'd better stay here tonight.

What?

Well, somebody's got to remain on duty! I'm sorry if it interferes with your domestic arrangements. You'll be relieved in the morning. [Taggart leaves. Livingstone frustratedly throws his coat onto the sofa.]

Lie down. Try and rest.

I can't!

...Had to be Taggart, eh?

Can you not try and have someone else put in charge?

Yeah, I'll try my best.

[Looking out of the window] Where is he, Mike? Where is he?

What kind of guy are we looking for, Peter?

Two, I'd say. They're amateurs, got the idea from the papers. One of them's scared, the other's convinced him that 20,000 isn't enough. One of them fancies himself as a swimmer.

Are you sticking to that?

A boat would have been to conspicuous. They probably have records for something else small-time.

You sound as if you've done this sort of thing before.

No, I just don't fall asleep at seminars.

Murray

No joy?

No, none. Peter's gone to the bank to with the Balfours.

Murray

Are we taking any extra precautions?

The instructions have come through a box at Royal Terrace. We're gonna give Mike Balfour a two-way radio so he can communicate with us, dust the money down with UV powder. I believe they both want to go together this time.

Murray

I just hope Mike Balfour agrees to co-operate with you. [He sits at his desk] I spoke to the Press Association, gave them the story.

Why?

Murray

You know what it's like, Jim... one paper gets wind of it, there could be others. I'm not having a secret blown just because we were too slow in asking the press not to publish.

Well, how long will they maintain secrecy?

Murray

As long as the baby's life is in danger. It's a precaution, Jim. We need them on our side. [Taggart turns towards the door and starts to head out] There is one problem... [Taggart stops.] There was some speculation, not to say amazement, at you being in charge.

[Shrugs] An overreaction, sir.

Murray

Yeah, well, when this story does break, they'll make a big thing of it. If we fail...

We won't fail.

Mike? The money's not important. We can always start again somewhere.

[Grips June's shoulder] I'll be all right.

[Looking into the cup] What are they?

Croutons.

Give me a Valium sandwich. I've never been so nervous in my life, Peter.

Hello?

Look under your own name.

It's working!

Well, why the hell doesn't he communicate?

HEY! [The boys run off as Mike gives chase.] COME HERE! [A police officer sees the boys as they run to the Stewart Memorial Fountain.] Give me that back! [Three of the boys climb the fountain while the others run around with the briefcase, with Mike chasing them] Give me that case! [They pass the briefcase up to the boy at the top. He starts to open the case.] NO, DON'T...!

Hey, you boys! [The boys run off, leaving Mike in despair.]