Johnson quotes from Taggart

Hello, David.

[Hesitantly] ...Hello.

I was just coming to see you. Er, did you hear from your brother?

Uh-huh.

Ah, good. He seemed quite desperate to get in touch with you.

Well, he did.

Good.

Listen, I'm in a hurry, I've gottae go.

Listen, the Tribune would still be interested in that reunion shot. You know, David Balfour reunited...

Johnson, I'm yesterday's news, and I'd like to stay that way from now on. Okay?

What are you going to do with your money? [David scoffs at the question] Are you on speaking terms with your brother?

I don't want tae talk about it. And don't you go bothering him.

You sound as if you care about him.

Maybe I do.

Aye, he sounded quite desperate.

Did he?

Coincidental it coming so soon after the compensation award. The two wouldnae be connected, would they?

No, no connection.

Financial difficulties, perhaps?

I've told you. No. [He walks off.]

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!

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.