Livingstone quotes from Taggart

...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?

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.

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?

Mr. Balfour, phone!

Hello?

Do the police know?

Er... no.

Have you the money?

My brother won't give us it. We can pay you £20,000. [Silence] Say something!

[Snatching the receiver] Please, would you just tell us he's alright? Please! [The line goes dead. She hands the receiver to Livingstone.] ...They hung up. [Livingstone replaces the receiver. June breaks into tears] Ring. Please ring!

Hello?

Okay, here are your instructions...

What went wrong?

We don't know. His plans, probably.

Of course, it wouldn't be yours, would it? [Sighs] I've asked for Taggart to be taken off.

Why?

Isn't it obvious?

[to June] Did you ever know your sister-in-law?

No, I met Mike after she was... [She falls silent and focuses back on Fiona and the jigsaw.]

Mr. Balfour. Sorry to bother you, I was in the neighbourhood, thought I'd stop by and see if you got in touch with your brother okay.

Aye, I did.

That's good. We like to be of help at the Tribune.

You have. Thanks. [He tries to shut the front door, but Johnson catches it and forces it open again.]

[Observing Livingstone's unmarked car] That's a police car, isn't it?

No.

I've been a reporter long enough to recognise the trappings, Mr. Balfour. Nothing wrong, is there?

No. [He finally slams the door shut in Johnson's face.]

[As Dougie gets out of the truck] Hi. I've just been talking to Mr. Balfour. Bad business, eh?

You're from the Tribune, aren't you?

[Nods] Yeah.

I thought they weren't gonnae talk to the press.

Nah, they changed their mind.

You're not gonnae print the story, are you?

No, of course not.

Has the kidnapper been in touch yet?

[Knowing this is the first he's heard of it] I... er... I couldn't tell you.

I thought you weren't going to talk to the reporter about it.

We didn't.

Well, I just met him outside and he said you changed your minds.

What did you tell him?

...Well, I just said that I hoped they wouldn't print it.

[Putting his head in his hands, as does Livingstone] Oh, Dougie!

They wouldn't print without confirming with us. Can I use the phone?

Hello?

20,000 isn't enough. We want 50. Have it this afternoon at four. The phone box in Royal Terrace. Wait for instructions. Ring the police and your baby'll be killed. [The line goes dead. Mike replaces the handset.]

They want 50.

Mike, let me go and talk to David.

No.

He might listen to me.

We get the money ourselves.

How will you do it?

Get a loan, from the bank. It means if we don't get the money back, we have to sell the house.

I don't care about the house! All I want is my baby back!

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.

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.]

[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?

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.