Taggart quotes from Taggart

[On the radio to June at base] 361 here. I thought you said the owner was going to be with his vehicle.

[Over the radio] That's what he said.

Check S-reg bronze Ford Cortina.

Details correct.

Looks as if it's been here for months. [Gets out of the truck and approaches the car. He opens the rear passenger door and sees a box on the seat. He opens the box and looks inside...] Jesus Christ! [He runs back to the truck.]

The baby's clothes don't mean the baby's dead.

What do they mean?

I don't know. A way of frightening the Balfours.

What for?

Anger at the ransom collection going wrong.

I suppose he walked into Mothercare and bought the kid a new outfit(!) [Heads back to his car. Livingstone follows.]

What happened wasn't your fault.

I started this sequence of events nine years ago. [They get into the car.] Do you know any kidnapping statistics, Peter? The killing usually happens in the first forty-eight hours. This is the fourth day.

Don't forget what you said: a baby can't betray his kidnappers. So why add murder?

Murray

There's been no message?

None. Not even a note with the baby's clothes.

Murray

It could be just a way of scaring them.

My God, if they're heartless enough to try that...

Murray

We'll keep it out of the media another twenty-four hours, just in case.

In case?

Murray

We don't know for certain the kidnapper witnessed that fiasco in the park. He could still be unaware that we're involved.

I say let them publish now.

Murray

[As they head into his office] No, not while there's a slim chance the baby's still alive. Let's keep the kidnapper's confidence up. He might try and extract some more money.

[With his head in one of his hands] Well, in the meantime, sir... you don't mind if I hand in my papers?

Murray

[Shocked] What?!

You heard. [He slumps in one of the chairs in the office.] It's my responsibility. You're right, I shouldn't have taken this case. I took it for all the wrong reasons - personal reasons.

Murray

Jim, I know how you feel...

Do you, sir? It was me that put David Balfour in prison. Without that, there wouldn't have been any compensation money! No kidnapping! And now... I'm probably responsible for that kid's death.

Murray

We don't know the child's dead.

See, tomorrow, the press'll crucify me. I might as well go out and buy the nails and the wood and do it myself!

Murray

Do you still believe there's a trunk in the Clyde with the rest of Margaret Balfour's remains in it?

Haven't I always?

Murray

Go and look for it. Take a team of frogmen.

[Gets up] In other words, you want me out of the way?

Murray

Yes! If there's any way I can downplay your involvement in this, I will, but you know how difficult that can be...

Don't worry, sir, I'll get right out of your way(!) [Opens the door and storms out of Murray's office]

Murray

[Calling out through the doorway] Well, it won't be roses they shower me with either!

Uh-huh? Who sent you?

I came to see how you were.

Pour yourself a drink.

It's too early in the morning for me.

[Raising his voice] It's too early for me as well! Pour yoursel' one!

[Reluctantly pouring himself a Scotch] When are you going to stop wallowing in self-pity?

What?!

The first time I worked with you, I came to the conclusion you were a bastard. Well, this time I've come to a different conclusion.

Have you?

Frankly, I'd rather see the bastard.

Really?

[Sitting down] The Mint says he gave you the chance to look for that trunk.

And the chance to make another mistake. It was a long shot. The Clyde's a long river.

You have your likely spots where a car could pull up, starting near Dalmally Road.

Out there a baby's lying dead. Right now, that's the most important thing to me.

So, why resign?

[Sighs] Well... We all need faith in something, Peter. Someone. [Getting his little green buddha out of his coat pocket] Remember me telling you about Al Mackie?

Yeah, he went to Japan and became a Zen Buddhist.

He achieved something because he believed in it.

And you believe there was more to Margaret Balfour's murder, well now's the chance to prove it!

Taggart. ...What?! ...Right. [He puts the phone down.] Speaking of Margaret Balfour's murder, we have a confession to it.

Hello, George.

[Waking up] ...Oh, Mr. Taggart. And your colleague... Oh, I forget.

Detective Sergeant Livingstone.

[Remembering their previous meeting at the psychiatric hospital] Varsity.

[Entering the room as Livingstone closes the door behind him] Well, George... what's all this about? [He sits at the desk opposite George]

I've come to confess. I can't live with it any longer.

Live with what?

The murder.

George, the doctor told me when you were at the hospital, you couldn't stop talking about it.

Oh, I couldn't stay there. Every day they make you sit around and talk about your illnesses. Imagine everyone... talking about their illnesses. I told them I was cured, but... they wouldn't believe me.

What do you want to confess to?

Well, can I have a light please? [Pulls out a cigar out of his coat pocket.]

[Getting a lighter out of his coat pocket] That's the one I gave you three weeks ago.

I've been saving it for a special occasion. [Livingstone lights the cigar. George takes a drag and coughs] And I suppose this is a special occasion of sorts. That woman, at 16 Dalmally Road, in O'Donnell's room... I killed her.

How?

With a knife. It was I who... cut up her body, and... hid it under the floorboards.

Where did you kill her?

In O'Donnell's room. She was fine when he brought her back. He went out the next morning, leaving her in bed. And I went in... [he starts sobbing] ...and I killed her!

Why?

Oh... why do the trees shake?

Usually because there's a lot of wind(!)

Well, it was such a long time ago. There was a struggle, I remember there was a struggle...

[Interrupting] George... George! Margaret Balfour was either dead or heavily injured before she was brought back to Dalmally Road.

Was she? I saw no signs. ...You don't believe me.

[Shakes his head] No.

You couldn't just lock me up for one night? I could do with a bite to eat. I'm starving.

Why don't you go back to where you were?

And hear them all talk about their illnesses? I don't want to go back to hospital. I'm not ill, you see?

George... [Writing something down on a piece of paper] Why don't you go to Jo Peebles'?

[Somewhat shocked at hearing that name] Ms. Peebles!?

[Tears the paper off the pad and places it firmly in front of George] There's the address. I'm sure you'll find her very charitable. [Opens the door and beckons George to leave and not waste any more of his time.]

[As he leaves the interview room] Oh, I wish I could get back to Ethiopia. I've got friends there. Thank you. [He finally leaves.]

[As George makes his way up the steps to the exit] He needs a psychiatrist.

He needs a bed. Besides, psychiatrists haven't done him much good up to date.

A few days ago, you were running around like mad trying to find him!

Aye, that was a few days ago. I don't believe he has any idea what went on in Dalmally Road. But, see where he's going - he'll stir up a few unpleasant memories there!

We've four places - here, here, here and here. [Pointing to the map as he references each.] They're the nearest to Dalmally Road with this kind of access.

Assuming he used Jo Peebles' car?

He used it once. Why wouldn't he use it again?

What more do you think it'll prove?

Who the trunk belonged to.

I hope you're right about there being a trunk.

Murray

Jim, we're going to need the frogmen team tomorrow morning first light at Hogganfield Loch.

Why?

Murray

We found a body of a child believed drowned. It'll be dark in twenty minutes, too late to go there now. [Turns and heads back to his car.]

[Turns towards the river, pulling his buddha out of his coat pocket] Well, thank you(!) [He throws the buddha into the river in frustration, close to the frogmen's boat.]

What the hell did you do that for?

Sir, there's a trunk down here!

Well, get it up here! [Murray hears this and returns to riverside] And while you're about it, there's a green ornamental buddha about that size! [References the size with his hand]

Murray

Congratulations!

You were lucky! [They open the trunk and look inside.]

Murray

As you expected?

As I expected!

...Struck from behind, I thought.

[Frustrated with Livingstone's impatience] I do know a bit about skull fractures(!) A hammer, I'd say, with some force.

The cause of death?

Well, it didn't just give her a headache(!)

Why did O'Donnell go to all that trouble to prevent identification?

If she was attacked with a knife in the lay-by, the hammer blow to the skull suggests she was killed later.

Makes sense. He wouldn't use two weapons to attack her with.

[To Livingstone] That bails out your theory.

What's that?

That she was alive when she was taken back to Dalmally Road, like Cunningham said.

Who are you looking for?

That kidnapping story was a Tribune exclusive!

It wasn't my idea.

Now, a lot of folk are going to be waiting to go ahead with this story!

So?

So, how long are we going to be asked to withhold?

As long as necessary.

If that baby dies, your reputation isnae going to be worth a great deal, is it? What was your reason for taking the case? [Taggart ignores the question and starts to make his way to the station. Johnson follows him.] I don't want you to think that we in the Tribune are knocking the police, far from it. After all, we're doing you a favour withholding the story. We don't have to.

You'll get your story. There's a press conference this afternoon.

Will you be there? Or will you choose not to be?

Oh, I'll be there.

Murray

[Sitting on the edge of the desk] You don't have to be at the press conference.

[Sighs] Who has a motive for wanting to cause Mike Balfour distress, the money apart?

Murray

Yes... who?

And why return the clothes at all, and in that way?

Murray

[Nodding at the tape player] Are you suggesting that's David Balfour's voice?

It's well disguised if it is.

Murray

If you're accusing David Balfour of kidnapping and murdering his brother's child, be careful.

I'm not accusing anyone!

Murray

Get a comparison voiceprint first, that's an order.

You forget, sir, I'm off this case! [The phone rings. Taggart answers it.] Taggart.

[At the other end] Jim, we received a tape of the baby crying. The letter, it suggests the kidnapper didn't see what happened in the park.

[Puts the phone down] The kidnapper's been in contact again.

Murray

[Gets up from the desk and picks up the phone handset] They'll have telexed that by now. [He dials a number] ...Get me the Press Association in London. [Checks his watch, then turns to Taggart and shakes his head] We're not going to make it.

Anything you want to say to Jo, you can say in front of me.

[Seeing Jo and David walk past the doorway] Jo? David? [They enter the living room]

What's it about now? The kidnapping?

Not quite. We found the trunk we were looking for - we wonder if you recognise it. [Livingstone shows Jo a photo of the trunk.]

...No, I've told you.

Are you quite sure? [He shows her another photo.]

...Yes!

It was never in O'Donnell's room?

[Finally snapping] Why don't you people ever believe me?

Satisfied? She's been through enough because of him! [Nodding at David]

Listen, you'll have to excuse me, I've got stuff to pack. [Starts to leave the room]

David? [David stops in his tracks] Where are you taking your money abroad? Oh, this is Detective Sergeant Livingstone, I don't think you've met.

How'd you know I was going abroad?

I figured a fellow like you would have bought a car if you hadnae intended on leaving the country.

There's no crime in it.

We hear your brother approached you about the ransom?

That's right.

I knew nothing about it until this morning.

I didn't tell anyone. Mike... wanted it kept secret from the police and the press.

And you refused to help him?

It's my money! He never helped me!

He did. For a year after you were in prison.

And then he deserted me!

Bet you'd do anything to get back at him, wouldn't you? Anything at all.

Are you accusing me?

Who says?

Because I've been accused before. Okay... I hate my brother, but I don't hate him that much! And I'd never hurt a kid. I know who could have done it. [Taggart's glances at David] Norman Burt. [Sheila's husband] He... got out of Barlinnie a week before me. Ask Jo.

Just because he had towels in his bike box?

Towels?

He goes swimming. That was a confidence placed in me by a client. Thank you, David, thank you very much(!)

Who's Burt?

He's a wee man. Used to work in the Peebles' shipyard. Turned to burglary when he lost his job.

Jo Peebles recognised that trunk!

Yeah, I know she did. [They drive off.]

You sure that's him?

I'm positive. [They watch as Norman gets onto his motorbike with a female colleague.]

Do you believe [David] Balfour?

Well, I can't see him hurting his brother's child, could you?

It's just odd that he hasn't been in contact with him since.

The perfect place. We'll give them one minute.

That silo was searched.

Aye, maybe.

Did you ever read Sherlock Holmes, The Silver Blaze?

What's your point?

A paradox. [Taggart observes Norman and the woman getting the towels out the bike box] The curious incident of a dog in the night-time.

Enthrall me(!) [Norman and the woman run into the silo]

The dog did nothing in the night-time. That was the curious incident. [Confused, Taggart takes down his binoculars to glance at Livingstone, before turning his attention back to the silo.]

Where the baby? [He's stunned to find Norman and the woman naked, covering their modesty with the towels, but no baby.]

Well, give me a chance to get my trousers on!

Why the grain silo?

It was a place to go, that's all. Rosie's married, so we couldn't go to her place. Except one night we managed when her husband was away. You won't tell my wife, will you? I'd sooner go back inside.

[Getting up from his chair] I think we owe you an apology, Norman. [Motions for Livingstone to open the door.]

[As Norman is about to leave the room] How well did you know David Balfour in prison?

Why? Who was it that shopped me? It was Balfour, wasn't it?

Any reason why?

Just because I had a go at him the day he got out.

[Taking Norman back into the interview room] What kind of a go? [Livingstone closes the door again.]

I reminded him that there's some people come out to nothing. Do I look like the sort of man who would kill a child? Kidnap anyone? Where would I put a baby? In my bike box? Him working out his compensation money before she was even found. [Taggart's eyes light up] If you ask me, he was lucky. I wish it was mine that'd been found dismembered beneath the floorboards

What did you say?

I said I wish it was mine that...

No, no, no. About the compensation money.

He used to work out how much he'd be entitled to when she was found.

[Turns to Livingstone, who glances back at Taggart, then turns back to Norman] That confident, was he?

That's why I said he was lucky. It happened one day, like he said it would.

Murray

Ah, Jim.

I'm just going to get a fingerprint set from June Balfour's car in the multistorey.

Murray

But there weren't any.

Yes, there were. [He starts going through a filing cabinet]

Murray

Jim, what's going on?

Peter, get me the report on the handbag that was found near the body.

Murray

Is it Burt?

Nah. Burt was a last-minute decoy.

Murray

By whom?

By a desperate man. [He finds what he's looking for and puts the report on a desk.]

Murray

Jim, what are we looking for?

The reason the dog did nothing in the night-time, sir.

Murray

[Confused] Dog?!

There's one thing David Balfour should have done that he hasn't.

Especially as he's going abroad.

He's never asked about the burial of his wife's remains.

The head wasn't cut off to disguise the fact that it was Margaret Balfour, it was cut off to disguise the fact it wasn't.

Murray

Jim, we found Margaret Balfour's thumbprint on the bag and the wedding ring.

Yes, and there it is there, and there, and there, and there! [Pointing to the fingerprints] O'Donnell didn't murder Margaret Balfour. Whoever that body is, Margaret Balfour was in on the killing.

I thought I recognised it. I just didn't connect it with Dalmally Road at that time.

That's because it wasn't there, Jo. It arrived later, when you moved here.

[Finds a record in her books] Ah, that's the couple, the Ritchies. [She hands the book over the Taggart.]

Do you remember anything about them?

[Shrugs] Only that they took the place for a few weeks. It was due for demolition and there was a whole series of short lets. [Taggart passes the book to Livingstone.]

Do you remember what they looked like?

No.

[Reading from the book] 8th September 1976 - that's just after the trial.

And after David Balfour's conviction.

You mean they brought the body in? But how...?

The body wasn't Margaret Balfour's.

See, it was well known locally, Jo, that 16 Dalmally Road was a hostel for ex-cons, and at the time of Margaret Balfour's disappearance, you'd had to move out and re-let.

[Handing the book back to Jo] All part of her plan to fool everybody.

But whose body was it?

We don't know yet.

Why did David need your car four days ago?

He said he wanted to visit Margaret's mother on the coast. Wasn't that the truth?

Aye, it was the truth all right. [He goes to the phone to make a call.]

What's going on?

It's all right, I've just phoned the station. They're getting in touch with Mr. Taggart right away.

[to Dougie] Well, where are they?

Don't know. See, we can't understand it. June got a phone call from her mother, but June's mother's dead.

And you've no idea where they've gone?

They wouldn't say. [The phone rings again. Dougie answers.] Hello? ...It's for you. [He hands the receiver to Sinclair.]

Yes, sir? Oh, I've just got here.

[At the other end of the line in Jo Peebles' office] What? ...He didn't say where? ...Oh, it makes sense to me all right! It means the kidnapper's finished his game. You can pack up. [He replaces the receiver]

And Fred [O'Donnell] had nothing to do with it?

Nothing. The fact that he had your car that night, that he drove along that road, just, er, just coincidental.

Christopher! [Grabbing him and clutching him tight in relief. Meanwhile, Mike cannot help but look daggers at David.]

[to Fiona] You stay here, darling.

Okay.

[Shouting] YOU BASTARD!!

Mike! No, please!

Do you know what you've put us through? Have you got any idea?

[Desperately] I was gonna bring him back to you. I didnae want the police, I didnae know they knew. I didn't want any of us caught!

I'm gonnae kill you, ya bastard!

Oi! [Mike stops a nanosecond before he can deliver the fatal blow. Both he and David turn their heads towards Taggart.] Don't do it, he's not worth it. [Having been caught, Mike throws the plank away.]

Margaret Balfour. [Referencing the picture of her as a teenager] Sixteen years have changed you... or maybe you've changed yourself. [He places the photo on the armrest of the settee next to Margaret.]

We destroyed all the later pictures.

[About Fiona] Take her out.

[To Fiona] Come on, hen. [Taggart leads Fiona to a waiting PC, who takes her out of the room so he and Livingstone can interrogate Margaret.]

How long have you known, Mrs. Robertson?

That Margaret was alive? For years.

You let David stay in prison for a... for a murder he never committed?

We all did!

Why?

Because if you told the truth, you, David and Mike would've gone inside for conspiracy to defraud.

Mike and David wanted my insurance money to start a car hire business.

So it had to look as if you'd died? Your car abandoned in a lay-by, the knife, the blood...

It was meant to look as though I'd been... killed by a stranger. David wasn't meant to go to prison for it. No-one was.

[Tuts] Poor David. He must've loved you a lot to carry the can for you.

When David came to see me three weeks ago, he... told me about the body. How it was Mike who put it there.

We both did, mum. [Christopher briefly starts crying. Margaret sighs] Mike picked a girl up in a railway station in London. We never even knew her name. Mike just made sure she was my height, age...

You killed a total stranger?

It was the only way to free David.

When did you do it?

After the trial.

And then you brought the body back to Glasgow in a trunk, planted it in a house you thought was going to be demolished, and left your wedding ring by the body.

David was convicted on evidence that he'd buried me. Circumstantial evidence that was wrong. Mike said if my body was to be found somewhere where David couldn't have put it... [Christopher squeals] Mike went to see David in prison. Told him what we'd done. Told him he'd only have to wait.

He did. Only you didn't.

Why did you look after the baby, Mrs. Robertson?

They're my grandchildren, aren't they? Even though I've never been allowed to see them... send them presents, anything. They didn't know I even existed.

Don't, mum!

[Choking back the tears] David told me you'd gone on holiday and couldn't take the baby. I never knew the truth... until I heard it on the news.

Sir, we're ready to go.

Come on.

Did David really want our money?

No, all he wanted was revenge, because you married his brother. Calling the police was the only thing he thought you'd never dare to do.

[Noticing Taggart has a dourer expression than usual] You ought to look pleased!

Because we got it right? I was happier when we were wrong.