The List Recap Part I

This is Part I of the recap for "The List". The second part of the recap can be found here.

## Recap

We open on City Hall, a grand presentation is being given by the Chief Constable. and DI Matthew Cottan ("Dot") is being honoured for outstanding bravery for his work with AC-12 when apprehending AFO Hari Bains, with commendable disregard for his own personal safety. There is a huge black tie event for the honour. He is sat on a table with Superintendent Ted Hastings, DS Steve Arnott, DC Kate Fleming and PC Maneet Bindra. Everyone but Steve claps as he goes up. Kate looks quite proud. He gets given the award statue and several offices want to take his picture. Steve leaves immediately afterwards, and Kate watches him suspiciously.

Gill Biggeloe congratulates Dot and gives him some champagne. She asks if he's thought about going in front of the DCI promotion board. He laughs gently at the thought and looks over at Kate who raises her glass to him.

Kate arrives at her home with Dot and asks if he wants a coffee. She gets out the cafeteria and he says not to go to any trouble, instant is fine. She says it's a special occasion. He says to her that it's good they can talk outside of the office, taking on a serious tone. She asks if everything is ok, he shakes his head and says "no, not really." She looks worried, Dot tells her that Steve's been ordering more forensics on evidence seized from Danny Waldron's flat. Kate asks why, Dot says he thinks Steve is trying to make out that Dot missed leads. He says it's a classic tactic, if you've done something you pretend you didn't and point a finger at someone else. Kate shakes her head worried and asks what he means.

Dot says that Steve's hiding something. Dot says that he shouldn't say until there is evidence. He says he hopes he's wrong, but if he's not he needs to know he has Kate's back. Kate says of course he does. Dot apologises for saying anything, that he knows they go back a long time. Kate says that he had too. She gives him a supportive smile and goes back to making the coffee.

On 13 July 2015, we see Steve in the South Ferry Station armoury requesting to check out a Glock 17 pistol. We then see him attending Danny Waldron's funeral. He is the sole mourner there. When he arrives back into the office, Dot is watching him suspiciously and sees the Glock when he takes his coat off. Hastings is watching out of his office. Steve gets suspicious and Hastings goes over and closes his door. Dot goes to make himself a cup of tea and Steve follows to find out what is going on, why there was a briefing for Inspectors and above that he can't know about. Dot says that's why it was Inspectors and above. Dot asks him what the pistol is about. Steve said he went to Danny's funeral and there's still a perceived threat to anyone associated with Danny. Dot asks if anyone was there. Steve says there wasn't. Dot says that's good to know and Steve shouldn't be bringing the gun around as it isn't the Bronx.

Steve goes to see Maneet and asks how she is, she pauses and if she's remembering what he's talking about, but then remembers and says it was just a stomach bug. She looks awkward and pauses. He asks her what the hold up is. She looks awkward and says she doesn't want to get caught between him and Dot. Steve asks her what he means. She looks over at Dot, not sure what to say next. Steve see where she is looked and something dawns on him. He says that Dot knew that forensics didn't bother doing it the first time. Maneet opens a file on her computer and then walks off saying pleasantly she'll be right back. Steve looks over the file Maneet brought up and it's the forensics request that Dot had put in initially and it asked for the envelope not to be tested.

Steve looks around at Dot angrily. He reads the test report now and sees that it shows the envelope likely contained something handwritten in biro with Linus Murphy's blood on it. We see Steve signing back in the gun at South Ferry Station on 14 July 2015 at 19:24. The serial number of the gun was MS 4618761, AFO Lambert is stood behind him watching.

Kate walks into a meeting and asks Steve if he wanted her. He says yes, that he's been reviewing the CCTV of Danny in line with the timeline of Linus Murphy. He shows her footage of Danny turning up the storage. Steve explains that the time and the direction from which he enters the property makes him believe that he had just come from Linus's house. He is also carrying the cooler in which Steve later finds his head, and wearing a rucksack. Steve hypothesises that the rucksack has the head it in and that he brought the cooler on route to the storage facility. He speeds up Danny entering and exiting the facility, we now see the rucksack under his arm, empty, presumably because it's been stored.

Steve says that they see him leave via a different direction than he arrived. Kate looks at him unimpressed, she doesn't say anything and Steve gets frustrated with her. He says he just wants to get the job done, and they've always worked well together. Kate agrees that she can do the job. She pauses and then asks where Steve thinks Danny is going. Steve says there aren't any more cameras, but he pulls up a map of the area. He shows her the various points on it. Showing that he left on a direct route to his flat. Steve tells her that his only opportunity to conceal any information he obtained from Linus was when he was in his flat. Kate asks what information. Steve pauses and then tells her *"Ink and blood was detected on the inside of an envelope found at Danny Waldron’s flat. Now the blood matches to Linus Murphy. To me that means he must have written a message and put it in the envelope straight from killing Murphy, even before he washed the blood off. It was definitely there in that envelope, for a time, at least."*

Kate asks why are they only get that information now. Steve pauses, not sure where he stands with Kate and decides against telling her, that he can't trust her at the moment. He says it's just an admin cock-up, forensics fault. She says ok, walks out and runs straight into Dot. They chat and laugh, he says he's popping out quickly, she says she'll keep quiet for a KitKat.

Gill is walking up the stairs and Dot is leaving, discussing surveillance with someone. Dot asks her for a minute. Dot tells her that he doesn't want to go behind anyone's back, but he's raised concerns about a colleague with his commanding officer. Gill says if Hastings is dealing with it then she shouldn't get involved. Dot says that the problem is he's not dealing with it. Gill says that she can guess who the colleague is then. Dot says he's worried because he's wondering about with a firearm. Gill looks very concerned and says to leave it with her.

Kate stands up from her desk and says she has a lead on Patrick Fairbank. Steve grabs his jacket and follows her. Kate says that there was a complaint made by someone called Wendy Rider, but it wasn't pursued because Fairbank retired. Steve asks what it was about, Kate says the usual has happened and the records are sketchy, to say the least, but it appears to have been about her son, he was a resident at Sands View, but he's overseas with the army now, although she still leaves nearby. Steve tries to compliment her, but she's having none of it.

### First Interview with Wendy Rider by AC-12

At Wendy Rider's house, they begin the interview. They ask her how long her son was a resident at Sands View. She says he went in when he was 13 and it was nearly a year until he came out. They ask why she made the complaint against Fairbank. She says that Greg, her son, wouldn't talk about what happened. She says that he didn't really talk to her anymore after he got taken away, that he blamed her for what happened to him. Kate asks what did happen. Wendy says that he said he'd been interfered with, by a big fat bloke, so she went to the police but they didn't want to know and said Greg was an unreliable witness. She says she told them that if they didn't do anything she was going to write to the papers and the MP and that. They laughed in her face.

Steve asks if that was all that happened. Wendy says no, one of the officer came back a week later and said the chief superintendent had sorted it. Kate wants to know who it was that came round. Wendy says it was a uniformed officer, and he said that the chief superintendent had gotten the bloke to confess, so it was all alright and Greg didn't need to go through a trial and all that. Steve asks her to clarify that she was advised that the offender was being sent to prison. Wendy says yes, but then there was a picture in the paper and Greg said it was the same bloke. Kate gets out a photo of Dale Roach and asks if this is the man. Wendy say yes. Kate asks if that was when she realised he hadn't been charged. Wendy scoffs and says yes, she'd gotten the name of the Chief Superintendent who was supposed to have sorted it all out.

### After First Interview with Wendy Rider by AC-12

Steve and Kate report back to Hastings, that they had a witness claiming that Fairbank suppressed a child rape allegation against Dale Roach. Hastings looks shocked. Kate says that ideally, they'd put these allegations to Fairbank in the presence of his solicitor. Hastings pauses and says he'll have to think about it. Steve tries to push it but Hastings stops him. Kate leaves the office and Steve closes the door to talk to Hastings privately.

Steve tells Hastings there is no operational reason to drag their feet on Fairbank. Hastings tells him he knows how to conduct an anti-corruption case. Steve tells him that he's becoming concerned that the inquiry is going too slowly. Hastings is opened mouthed in shock and says that he's not the issue. Steve looks confused. Hastings says he can't have Steve interview Fairbank because of suspicions hanging over his head. That's why they're dragging their feet, over his better judgement. Steve fights back that if this is still about him planting evidence. Hastings says that they'll bring Fairbank back in, but they can't have him in the room risking future prosecution.

Steve asks if that means they are taking him off the case. Hastings says not to make it harder than it is. Steve asks if it's harder than protecting a former Chief Super who just happens to be a Mason. Hastings tells him he's way out of line. Steve says he saw the handshake. Hasting says he doesn't know the first thing about it. Steve says he knows he is trying to take him off a case about senior officers covering up child abuse! Hasting says that the suspicions against him are more than just planting evidence. Steve looks sick.

### Steve Arnott's Impromptu Meeting with AC-12

We see Steve moments later in a meeting room, waiting for Hastings and Gill to join them. Gill tells Steve that they've discussed it and the best way they see of moving forward is to issue Steve with a Regulation 15 notice, and to suspend Steve from duty until the matters can be addressed at a formal disciplinary hearing. Steve is surprised and wants to know what the Reg 15 is for. Hastings tells him that certain allegations have been made against him.

Steve wants to know by who. Gill says that it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss those matters now. She does want to know if he's bearing a firearm though. Steve laughs, realising it's all come from Dot. He asks for him to be brought in. Gill says it's not a good idea, but Hastings says he'll get him. Gill says again it's not a good idea, but Hastings says his officer has asked for it, so he'll give it to him. He goes to fetch Dot. Steve asks what it's all about, Hastings asks Dot to fill him in.

Dot says that he has a number of concerns regarding Steve's professional conduct. He's been bearing a firearm around the office. Gill butts in to say that contravenes section 7 of the 1968 Firearms Act. Steve says he has now signed the firearm back in. Dot says that Steve has been accused of having an improper relationship with a suspect and of planting evidence against the suspect. Steve loses his temper and shouts that he didn't plant evidence. Dot continues that Steve fits the profile of a suspect they are seeking in a separate anti-corruption inquiry. Steve can't believe this, he thinks it's insane and wants to know what other inquiry. Gill says that she doesn't think anything else should be mentioned whilst it's still being investigated.

Steve fights back that he isn't the problem here. Hastings wants to know what he means by that. Steve tells him that he's got serious concerns about Dot's performance and that's the only reason Dot's having a go at him. Dot sidles up to Hastings and gently tells him this is out of order. Steve tells them all that during a search of Danny flat that Dot failed in his duty to order necessary forensics. He then induced a junior rank to hide it from Steve so he wouldn't find out that Dot had missed a crucial lead.

Hastings says that if there are issues to be addressed by a performance review that will happen separately, but that that is a different matter to the ones they need to address with Steve. Steve pleads with Hastings, admitting he knows he pissed him off, he's sorry about the undercover on Denton but he's the only one trying to solve the case. Dot mocks him that only Steve can possibly solve the case. Gill butts in to say that the need to stop the conversation and herself and Dot leaves the room. Gill thanks Dot for staying calm in there and says it can't have been easy.

Hastings stays behind to talk to Steve. He tells Steve that he is suspended from duty and will return at a time they specify. Steve is horribly upset and starts to cry. He tells Hastings that he knows Dot has his reasons, but he hasn't. What about him and Fairbank being in the Masons. Hastings says that it's one thing to deny allegations against him, but he's not doing himself any favours by trying to sling mud around at his superiors. He says that Steve has let himself down, and he's let Hastings down.

Steve hits back that it was Hastings who fed them a doctored file on Ronan Murphy. Hastings looks confused and just says What? Steve elaborated that Ronan was a known criminal associate of Tommy Hunter - not in the file, he was being investigated as the prime suspect in Tommy's murder - not in the file, and that Ronan and Tommy both being involved in child sexual exploitation - not in the file. Steve ends with and "*And you say I'm the one that's letting you down*." He leaves at that point and is escorted from the building.

Kate is watching Steve leave. Dot joins her and asks if she's ok. She says she's not going to jump to any conclusions, and she's going to wait for the disciplinary hearing. Dot tells Kate that he's got a lead to him planting money at Denton's. She's surprised, Dot tells her that he told her because he didn't want it coming as a big shock, and that he knows this is going to be difficult, but they have to keep an eye on his every move from now on

### After Steve Arnott's Impromptu Meeting with AC-12

That evening, Dot arrives at Kate's flat with a bunch of flowers. He says he thought they might cheer her up. She smiles and invites him in. He's a bit disheartened at her underwhelmed response. Kate gets a vase and says that they're really sweet but he didn't need to. Dot walks towards her and says that he'd be gutted if Steve came between them. He feels like it's a bit of a second chance for him and he doesn't want to mess it up. He goes to kiss her, and she moves her head away. He thinks she's rejected him and looks gutted. Kate explains that she just wants to take it slow. Dot says ok, Kate explains what with the Regs and all. He leaves and Kate looks concerned.

At the East Midlands Headquarters, Kate turns up to request authorisation for an undercover operation from Superintendent Summers. Summers says it's Hastings's call, not hers. Kate explains that it would be against a fellow AC-12 officer. Summers sees the problem. Kate says "*In this situation, guidelines are that I should approach an independent anti-corruption commander in confidence for said authorisation.*" Summers asks why Kate has come to her. Kate says she doesn't want to say. Summer keeps pushing, and says that AC-9 is nearer. Kate again refuses to be drawn in. Summers asks directly if it's because she's a woman and can't be a Mason. Kate looks around worried about the implications of her decision to go to Summers.

### Steve Arnott and Lindsay Denton Meet

Later that day, Steve is waiting in a cafe, Denton approaches. Steve tells her she's kept him waiting. She says she knows, she's been watching for an hour. She figures if he'd wait that long then be must be desperate. She says it's funny, that last time they met, she was the desperate one and he held all the cards. Steve says she doesn't suddenly hold all the cards. Denton says that sheds figured out that he's so desperate that he needs help from some sad cow with no life. She says silly me, then gets up to leave. He says wait. Denton pauses but doesn't come back immediately, she slowly returns to the table.

Steve tells her that there is something he's never said, and he wants to say it now. He's sorry. He did take advantage of her. She was grieving, alone and that gaining her trust, albeit to solve a crime, was callous and insensitive. He says that he's sorry for what happened and although she might not believe him, it was that fact that made him hold back. Denton tells him not to flatter himself, she might have been an emotional wreck but she didn't want him. They were two lonely people having a fumble, it might have sounded convincing on tape, but it was empty and pathetic.

Figuring they've put that issue behind them. Steve moves on to planting evidence. He says that the accusation has been around so long that people are started to think that they don't have to prove it. He now needs to disprove it. He tells her that she knows the truth, she knows he didn't do it. He grabs her hand and she moves back.

Denton tells him that she's just spent a year and a half in prison, she's lost everything, her home, her job, her whole future. Denton wonders if now he has a taste for what it's like being innocent and still having his whole life destroyed. Denton says she'll help him find the real criminals, but she won't spend another day in prison. She also tells him that the money was put in her house to frame her, that she is innocent and she is the victim in all of it. Steve says she's unbelievable. Denton says no, she wants justice, but she doesn't care how unjustly she gets it. She asks him to tell her everything about the case he's working on and how it connects to hers.

Steve says she must be joking. Denton tells him that right now, she's the only person who can help him.

### After Steve Arnott and Lindsay Denton Meet

Hastings and Gill meet in the stairwell. Gill wants to know what's going on, Hastings wanted to ask her off the record if he can count on her full support in investigating former Chief Superintendent Patrick Fairbank. Gill asks on what matters? Hastings says not adequately investigating complaints of child sexual exploitation. Gill says absolutely he can. Hastings is about to walk away when Gill has an idea, she says doesn't it make sense for him to hand over his information to the official inquiry looking into historical abuse, that he can do it via her if he likes. He agrees and thanks her and walks off. Gill looks concerned that he doesn't really agree with her.

### Patrick Fairbank's Second Interview with AC-12

Later that same day Fairbank arrives for his interview with his solicitor, J Cerrington. He goes straight to Hastings and gives him the special Masonic handshake. Fairbanks asks if Hastings and he can't sort it out one on one. Hastings says that it's best to continue as planned, just to make sure everything is above board. Hastings offers them refreshments. Dot looks worried and goes into a meeting room to watch the interview. Hastings tells Fairbank he is being interviewed in respect of Misconduct in Public Office, and then cautions him.

Kate shows him the missing person report on Oliver and says that he was shown this in his first interview on 7 July 2015. Fairbank says that it's from nearly 20 years ago. He confirms he doesn't recall the report. Kate talks them through the fact that he was CC'd on the report from November 1998. Fairbank maintains that he doesn't know if he got it or read it. Hastings asks what he position was in November 1998. Fairbank says he ran Vice. Hastings asks why the head of Vice was being copied into a report on a missing social worker. Fairbank says he has no idea, that it sounds like an admin error to him, but he's guessing, he has no idea.

Kate moves them on to document 3, a copy of the report dated 21 November 98 on the death by suicide of Oliver. Fairbank looks at her blankly. Kate explains that Oliver claimed to have furnished him with a list of names of abusers at Sands View. Shortly afterwards he was dismissed from his position. Three months after that he was found dead. Fairbanks is still playing dumb, he says he doesn't know anything about this or the poor fella. Hastings tells him that Murder Squad have reopened the inquiry into his death.

Fairbanks says to Hastings that these questions are now getting serious. Hastings says that this is an opportunity for him to provide clarity on a number of items which are causing them vexation. Fairbank says that they know he wants to help. Hastings says they are very grateful and asks Kate to move on. Kate shows them the new post-mortem on Oliver. That shows he was struck over the head with a blunt instrument and then thrown into the river to drown. Hastings clarifies this means he was murdered, it is no longer a suicide. Fairbank says he can see why Hastings is worried, but his department had no involvement in the investigation.

Hastings says that they interviewed the officers who carried out the investigation. An officer who was a DC at the time recently told Murder Squad that the SIO DI Marcus Thurwell told him that the death was a suicide and anything that didn't fit should be kept to themselves. Hastings wonders out loud why Thurwell would be so eager to prove it was suicide. Fairbank says he hasn't the foggiest.

Hastings asks if he remembers the name Wendy Rider. Fairbank says they all know by now, he's hopeless with names. Kate tells him that she lodged a complaint against him, in respect of her son Gregory Rider. Greg was a resident at Sands View Boys Home and was allegedly abused by Fairbank's best mate Dale Roach. Fairbank turns to Hastings and says that this meeting was supposed to be a friendly conversation but Kate has just struck a tone that he doesn't like. Kate gives him a flat apology and says they are grateful for his cooperation. Fairbanks says that he knew Roach from a distance, a very great distance.

Kate says that in their first interview, Fairbank said that when these things came up, they would have been looked into. Hastings asks if he stands by that statement. Fairbank says that he must have said it, if they wrote it down. Hastings asks how he investigated the allegations made by Mrs Rider against Roach. Fairbank looks confused and says it'll be in the files. Kate says they've looked but it isn't in the files. Fairbank says he was chief Superintendent not the office boy, if records have gone missing that's nothing to do with him. Hastings says that Mrs Rider was informed that he carried out the investigation himself and that no charge resulted. Fairbank says that it must be because the allegations against Dale proved groundless. Kate notes out loud that he says Dale. Fairbanks corrects himself hastily and says Councillor Roach.

Hastings brings up the lack of records, and Fairbanks tries to say again that he's answered it, he was the chief superintendent, not the office boy. Hastings says that it doesn't make any sense, it was his department and this was an investigation against of a serious allegation against a prominent, public individual, surely Fairbank would have wanted to handle that himself and Hastings can't come up with any reason why there is no record of the investigation. Kate asks if there is no record because there was no investigation. Hasting asks if he swept it all under the carpet to protect a friend. He asks if any of the boys from Sands View complained about sexual abuse to him or any of his officers. Fairbanks says, God, no, absolutely not. Hastings replies because you would have investigated it? Fairbank says that is correct, 100 percent correct.

Hastings tells them that they have a written request from a DI, independent and prior to this voluntary interview to request Fairbanks participate in a video identification process. The solicitor says that Fairbank is reluctant to submit himself to a process that is dependent on what must be now extremely unreliable memories. Kate and Hastings look disappointed at this.

Kate shows Fairbank the next exhibit, a photocopy of a newspaper cutting dated 14 March 1997, showing Fairbank and Roach. Hastings asks what his connection to the charity was. Fairbank says Roach would invite him if he thought there was a crime-prevention angle, something like keeping young lads on the right side of the law. The next image they show is another newspaper clipping dated 7 August 1995, showing Fairbank, Roach and Jimmy Savile. Hastings asks if he recognises the third man, he quietly says he thinks they all do. Hastings asks if this third man was involved in these charities too. Fairbanks says he believes he was involved in some of them.

Hastings asks if other than Roach, were complaints made about any other prominent individuals about assaults on young people. Fairbanks says none that he recalls. Hastings tells Fairbank that their colleagues in Operation Yewtree and Operation Midland both say that there were numerous complaints. Hastings asks why he didn't investigate any of them. Fairbanks says he doesn't remember any specific investigations. Hastings says they know there were complaints that he was supposed to investigate, and in the 7th July interview, he confessed that he'd investigated them. Fairbank says again that he doesn't remember.

Hastings asks if he was pressured to turn a blind eye. Fairbank says he doesn't know what he means. Hastings asks if it was pressure from executive officers or political interests. Fairbanks asks what's made him think that. "*What we have here is Dale Roach interfering with young boys. Now call me a cynic but he’s a politician and they are all born liars. Then we have this “celebrity” up here – and we all know show business people have very low morals. But you were a police officer. A Chief Superintendent.*"

Fairbanks makes a confused gesture and says he wants to help, but he doesn't see what else he can say. His solicitor asks how far they are going to go with this. Do they have any evidence to put to Mr Fairbank? Hastings says that this is a voluntary interview, he's just helping with their inquiries. Fairbank apologises and says again he's sorry he can't help, but he's not as sharp as he was. Kate mutters that he keeps saying that. The Interview is terminated and Dot looks happy and leaves the meeting room before he's found.

Part II of the Episode Description continued here - The List Part II