Episode 8 of Criminal Record opens with the fallout from the explosive revelation of Carla's audio recording, in which she accused her partner of Adelaide's murder. The recording rapidly goes viral, igniting a furious backlash against the police and sparking angry reactions across the internet. Hegarty and Cardwell are both convinced that Lenker is the culprit who leaked the tape, but Lenker insists that Sonya, whom she suspects of being the real source, must be pursued.
Hegarty's animosity towards Lenker deepens, yet she challenges him on his failure to entertain the possibility of Errol's innocence. She reveals Mostafa's recent confession, which not only corroborates Errol's alibi but also explains why he kept silent, fearing his account would be dismissed. This revelation prompts Hegarty to offer to guide Lenker through the evidence, in hopes of clearing Errol's name.
As Hegarty escorts Lenker through their investigation, he showcases the exhaustive work his team has put in on the case. He reveals meticulous notes on individuals with a history of violence who had frequented Errol and Adelaide's apartment, primarily due to Errol's side hustle of cutting hair for cash. Hegarty notes that none of these individuals left their DNA traces inside the apartment. Lenker presses for details on the individuals who had received haircuts there, and Hegarty obliges, opening a file that contains a list of names. Among them, they notice a familiar face: Stefan, a former associate of Errol's.
Hegarty's memory is jarred by the realization that Gilfoyle's unwavering belief in Errol's guilt had clouded his judgment in the case. He rushes to the parking lot, where he meets Cardwell, and together they agree to track down Stefan. Lenker attempts to dissuade them, but Hegarty insists, urging her to follow their lead. As they embark on their journey, Cardwell remains skeptical of Stefan's connection to the crime, but Hegarty is determined to pursue every lead in hopes of finally bringing justice to Adelaide and clearing Errol's name.
Hegarty and Caldwell arrive at Stefan's abode and rap firmly on the door. His wife answers, her face tense, and whispers to Hegarty to seek Stefan in the secluded rear garden. As Hegarty steps into the lush greenery, he notices a shattering noise, and his gaze falls upon the kitchen window, jagged and broken.
Curious, he ventures inside and is horrified to find Stefan's wife, her face pale and bruised. Without delay, Hegarty and Lenker embark on a frantic search for Stefan. During their hurried journey, Lenker reveals that Stefan had once served as an informant for Gilfoyle and had resumed his association with him in recent times.
Their search intensifies as Hegarty, Lenker, and Caldwell narrow down their target to a specific location. They scour each apartment, anxious to locate Stefan. Suddenly, Lenker dashes into one of the flats and spots Stefan, who turns and lunges at June. A fierce struggle erupts, with June gaining the upper hand and lunging for a knife. Just in the nick of time, Hegarty rushes in, snatching the knife from June's grasp, and Stefan is swiftly apprehended for the grisly murder of Adelaide.
Stefan, desperate to avoid the noose, attempts to broker a deal with Hegarty during their tense ride to the police station. He warns Hegarty of dire consequences if he doesn't secure his freedom, hinting at explosive revelations. But fate intervenes in a startling turn of events. Out of the blue, a cyclist swoops down upon their vehicle, and the masked riders open fire, fatally shooting Stefan.
Hegarty, caught in the crossfire, is struck in the stomach, collapsing in agony. Meanwhile, the police unearth incriminating evidence in Stefan's house, sealing his guilt. Lenker and Sonya convene with Errol, revealing the sordid truth.
Elsewhere, Gilfoyle remains unrepentant, coldly assuming that Hegarty had eliminated Stefan before he could expose his dark secrets. Hegarty hands over the recording of Errol's confession, but the authorities conclude that the confession was coerced and not freely given.
The episode reaches its climax when Lenker stumbles upon a revelation. Hegarty had spoken with a young Patrick in the hospital, who mentioned hearing Errol utter the chilling words, "I'll knock you on the floor," as he addressed Adelaide. Hegarty, shrewd and meticulous, had recorded the conversation and replayed it for Errol, who, beset by a hazy memory, ultimately confessed, uncertain if he had indeed committed the crime. This unexpected turn brings closure to the case, leaving the audience to ponder the complex web of deceit and betrayal that had unfolded.
As Hegarty arrived at the hospital to rendezvous with Patrick, a cartoon was blaring from the television, its vibrant colors and lively animations filling the sterile atmosphere. One of the cartoon's mischievous characters spoke a memorable line, declaring boldly, "I'll knock you on the floor." Little did Hegarty know that this innocuous phrase would soon become the source of contention.
Patrick, seemingly amused by the cartoon's antics, casually repeated the line, not realizing the potential drama it would unleash. But Lenker, evidently more perceptive, was quick to seize the opportunity. She promptly called Hegarty, her voice tense as she confronted him with Patrick's imitation.
Hegarty listened attentively to Lenker's accusations, his brow furrowing in confusion. But in the end, he chose to cut the conversation short, hanging up the phone with a decisive click. The silence that followed was deafening, leaving both parties to grapple with the unexpected turn of events.
