As the third chapter of "Code of Silence" unfolds, Alison Woods (portrayed by Rose Ayling-Ellis) crosses paths with Detective Sergeant Ashleigh Francis (Charlotte Ritchie) and Detective Constable Ben Lawford (Nathan Armarkwei Laryea). They disclose information about a person of significant interest, and Alison promptly agrees to keep a watchful eye on him. Francis inquiries about any recent developments, prompting Alison to recount the incident where Braden and Liam confiscated her phone. Assuring them, she notes that her habit of deleting their messages beforehand rendered their search futile. Alison stands firm in her conviction, explaining that this precautionary measure is necessary to escape her past of scrubbing ovens.
Later, in the pub, Liam (Kieron Moore) catches up with Alison, attempting to clarify his actions and offer an apology, only to be interrupted by Braden Moore (Joe Absolom). During this exchange, Alison catches a snippet of Braden mentioning "Pilgrim Lane," prompting her to discreetly inform DS Francis of their impending rendezvous there. She excuses herself to Mark (Colin Hoult), fabricating a tale of her mother needing assistance to secure her departure. DS Francis cautions Alison, informing her that they lack surveillance in the area and advising her to drop the pursuit.
Determined, Alison pedals her bike towards the designated meeting spot, her senses heightened. She infiltrates a land development site, navigating stealthily through the premises. Positioning her phone against the window, she eavesdrops on the hushed conversation within. Liam engages Helen Redman (Beth Goddard) in discussion about the property's security, while Braden reassures Liam with a confident smirk, hinting at his meticulous planning. Their dialogue shifts to the intricate security measures within a vault, and Helen hands over some crucial information to Liam. Helen urges Joseph to continue their visits, amidst fleeting audio distortions caused by nearby machinery, momentarily obscuring Alison's eavesdropping efforts. Nevertheless, she gleans that they are organizing a meeting for Thursday.
Just as DS Ashleigh calls, Alison's phone slips from her grasp, narrowly escaping detection. Liam ventures out to investigate the noise, leaving Alison scrambling to retrieve her device. In a heartbeat, she secures it and conceals herself before Liam's arrival. Alison hastily proceeds to DS Francis, relaying the unfolding scenario. Francis sternly reminds her of the importance of prioritizing her safety, stressing that if she doesn't adhere to the rules, their collaboration could unravel. Meanwhile, DI James Marsh (Andrew Buchan) and his team pour over the gang's cryptic conversation, piecing together clues amidst the jargon.
James is eager to secure his presence at the gang's forthcoming gathering and expresses his enthusiasm to Alison, deeming it an excellent opportunity. He entrusts her with the task of keeping vigilant for any developments at The Canterbury Tap.
Back at their residence, Alison endeavors to assist Julie Brooks, alias Fifi Garfield, with navigating the Access to Work program, only to discover that the waiting period stretches between 16 to 18 weeks. She admits to herself that she had underestimated the challenge.
At her workplace, Liam approaches Alison, who reprimands him for his past actions. Acknowledging his mistake, Liam confides that trust is not something easily earned by him. He reveals that Braden, who is now intertwined in his new employment, holds a debt over him. Braden insists on a casual drink with Alison, leading them both to his abode.
While there, Alison's eyes catch a glimpse of a floor plan lying on a table. She attempts to discreetly glimpse at it before Liam returns with beverages. Curiosity piqued, she prompts Liam to share more about his life. Liam opens up about the terror of being scared, recounting his years-long estrangement from his father, who left indelible marks on him. Following his father's departure, Liam shuffled through foster homes, developing a suspicious mindset whenever someone showed him kindness.
As they bond over drinks, Liam muses that every iris is unique, akin to a fingerprint, and claims that Alison inspires such profound thoughts in him. Alison, sharing her own vulnerability, reveals her resentment towards feeling overlooked. Just then, Liam receives a message, and Alison, noticing its contents about a meeting at the Denstroude Ice Centre, playsfully teases him about reading someone else's messages. They call it a draw, and Alison departs shortly after.
Later, she sends a message to DS Francis, disclosing the location of the meeting and apologizing for her actions. The next morning, Alison discovers Eithan Lewis, portrayed by Rolf Choutan, with her mother downstairs. Julie presents an eviction notice, explaining that their lease has expired, and the new landlord, Hollis & Byrne, intends to demolish the building for new constructions. The tenants are left with no choice but to relocate.
Subsequently, Alison meets with DS Francis and informs her about the text message she saw on Liam's phone, albeit embellishing the details of Liam's whereabouts at that time.
Alison is convinced that her expertise in surveillance will be crucial at the ice rink. They meticulously set up their observation post and patiently await the arrival of everyone. First to arrive are Helen, Braden, and Liam. The undercover agents, eager for a clearer view, maneuver closer. Alison groans that she can scarcely discern their features.
Shortly thereafter, Joseph Holhurst (played by Andrew Scarborough) enters the scene accompanied by a mysterious woman. Suddenly, the surveillance screens flicker and go dark, only to resume moments later. Alison focuses intently on Joseph as he introduces the woman as a trusted friend, revealing her name just before the audio cuts in and out. Believing the name to be Sandra, Alison speculates that her surname might start with a B or an M and ends in an enigmatic "sh."
Detective Constable Nia Caballero (portrayed by Dedun Omole) endeavors to uncover the woman's identity. Helen, seasoned in such endeavors, assures them of her prowess. As the conversation veers towards the mention of a package, Liam underscores the necessity of knowing its exact weight down to the gram. The meeting abruptly concludes.
The woman is later identified as Chandra Bakshi, an employee at A. Joshi Steel Group, specifically working within the transport team of Amir Joshi, a billionaire and patriarch of one of India's wealthiest families. Freshly arrived in the United Kingdom, Amir's presence sparks suspicion in James, who speculates that he might be bringing whatever the criminal operation intends to pilfer. Detective Sergeant Francis clarifies that Amir has landed for a quarterly meeting with his investors. James craves deeper insights into Amir Joshi's background while hesitating to alert him prematurely. He commends Alison for steering them this far.
In a private exchange, DS Francis expresses her concern to James about Alison's deep involvement in the case, insisting it's their duty to safeguard her. James inquires whether her worry would persist if their source weren't deaf. Francis affirms it would, adding that Braden's connections to a gun runner give her an uneasy feeling. James proposes keeping a tighter watch on her, underlining their desperate need for this operation to succeed.
Liam generously extends an invitation to Alison for a proper date tomorrow evening. Upon her enthusiastic acceptance, he promises to send her the detailed plan via text. Meanwhile, Alison catches sight of a man engaging in a conversation with Braden nearby, whom she promptly recognizes from a photograph shown to her by James. With a mix of curiosity and caution, Alison tries to discreetly monitor their interaction while attending to her duties.
As their conversation draws to a close, Braden approaches Alison, inquiring about her inquisitive gaze. He sternly reminds her of her responsibilities to the customers. In a hurried attempt to alert Ashleigh, Alison discreetly sends her a message about the man and the suspicious bag he carried. DS Francis, however, instructs her to take no further action. Realizing the potential risk, Alison swiftly deletes the messages, only to witness an argument erupting between Mark and Braden about the presence of guns in the pub. Braden's warning to Mark, hinting at the consequences involving his children, sends a chilling message. Alison swiftly returns to her work, hoping Braden hasn't noticed her distraction.
Later, she seeks out Ashleigh to relay her observations, convinced that the conversation centered around illegal firearms and that the bag might still be within the pub's premises. Ashleigh emphasizes the legal obligation to report such suspicions and reassures Alison that they will handle the situation delicately. Worried about potential retribution, Alison expresses her concern, but Ashleigh assures her they will manage it discreetly, urging her to maintain a normal routine.
Elsewhere, Ben informs James about the likely target being high-value jewelry and suggests possibly overlooking the gun intelligence in favor of a drug raid on The Tap. As Alison arrives home, she's startled to find Braden having a conversation with her mother, Julie. After Julie excuses herself, Braden makes his dislike and distrust of Alison clear, warning her to stay out of his way at work.
Liam, waiting patiently in the pub for Alison, eventually decides to leave, disappointed by her absence. His disappointment turns to shock when the police arrive with a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act. DS Sara Burns informs Braden and Mark that a drug dealer was apprehended in the alley outside, prompting Mark to swear his innocence, though Braden seems unconvinced.
In a flurry of texts, Alison informs DS Francis of her urgent need to meet. Moments later, Liam arrives, venting his frustration at having waited an hour for her. Alison, preoccupied, responds sharply that not everything revolves around him and reveals that she faces eviction. Suspecting Liam's involvement in illicit activities, she questions him subtly.
Liam asserts that it's not aligned with her perceptions, insisting vehemently that he would never intentionally harm anyone. He vows to enlighten her but necessitates additional time to do so. Subsequently, Braden makes an appearance at Liam's apartment, reclaiming the bag and firearm. He sternly reminds Liam that this isn't his domain. Liam counters by saying Helen assured him there'd be no firearms involved. Braden responds aggressively, asserting his authority over the situation, making it clear he's the one calling the shots.
Elsewhere, Eithan informs Alison that Hollis & Byrne must adhere to the eviction procedures. They possess the option to contest the eviction and rally other residents to their side. They could also alert the local news outlets. Eithan proposes petitioning the directors of Hollis & Byrne andconfesses that his feelings for Julie remain unwavering, regardless of their circumstances. Alison mentions her encounter with the man at the bar didn't progress beyond a single outing. Their conversation shifts to petitioning Mohammed Kirvo, the head of community engagement. Alison notices that Joseph Holhurst holds the position of Chief Financial Officer within the company.
Alison heads to the police station, intending to speak with Ashleigh, but learns he's away for training. Instead, she discusses Joseph's eviction attempts with James. James reveals that Joseph Holhurst has been under their scrutiny for several years, noting his pattern of establishing companies, pushing them into debt, and then declaring them bankrupt before moving on to the next venture. James recounts the gang's last robbery, where an innocent bystander was shot at close range, and the jeweler sustained multiple gunshot wounds while attempting to reach the alarm, now confined to a wheelchair. James emphasizes the dangerous nature of their adversaries, mentioning their success in convicting Alfie Redman, Helen's husband, for manslaughter, while the rest of the gang escaped justice. James suspects Braden was one of the triggermen and stresses the importance of catching them in the act. He mentions that Ashleigh thinks Alison is too deeply involved and urges her to distance herself from the danger, suggesting she should quit her job and disappear. Alison, however, cannot fathom living with herself if Braden hurts someone else. Despite the peril, she remains confident in her ability to handle the situation, albeit maintaining a cautious distance from Braden and Liam.
Returning to the pub to resume her work, Alison encounters Liam waiting outside. Liam expresses regret for their recent strained interaction. Alison apologizes for her behavior the previous night. Liam responds by saying she doesn't need someone like him in her life, maintaining his innocence in ever causing harm. Their reconciliation concludes with a tender kiss.
