Episode 5 of Dept Q unfolds with Carl and Akram grilling Paul about Sam Haig, a figure shrouded in mystery as he has been deceased for four years. Sam, an enthusiastic climber in his heyday, seemingly embarked on a solo expedition one fateful day, armed only with his daring spirit and an ill-advised lack of proper gear, ultimately plummeting to his death.
A portrait emerges of Sam as a thrill-seeker and a reclusive soul who, when not tethered to his job, could be found scaling rock faces with regular fervor, usually on weekdays when the crowds were thinner. His ascents, particularly when free-soloing sans rope, would consume approximately 45 minutes or slightly more, an endeavor that demanded both skill and sheer audacity.
Yet, the narrative is laced with inconsistencies, which Akram swiftly identifies. Intriguingly, Sam's climbing equipment remained untouched inside his locked vehicle, and neither his keys nor any similar artifacts were discovered at the scene or on his person. The glaring oversight of these critical details hints at a narrative far more intricate, suggesting the involvement of another party entirely. What hidden truths lie beneath this facade?
Flashing back further, we delve into Merritt's troubled past. Her dissatisfaction is palpable as Sam intrudes upon her workplace, his inquisitiveness piqued by her cryptic background concerning Mhor. His editor at the Scottish Telegraph, sensing a scoop, tasks Sam with delving into Merritt's hidden history and her reluctance to discuss her family, whispering tales of deeper, untold secrets.
Merritt, however, is not without her own retaliatory arsenal. She counters by exposing Sam's anonymity online, drawing parallels between their shared desire to shroud their personal lives in secrecy. Sam, too, guards his true self from his colleagues, leaving even them puzzled by his unpredictable demeanor and reserved nature.
In this taut web of secrets and revelations, the stage is set for further uncovering of the truth buried beneath layers of deception.
Returning to the present tense, Rachel descends into the basement in search of Carl, only to cross paths with Rose instead. Her query for Carl yields no fruit but uncovers a conversation about Dr. Sonnenberg, the physician Rose consulted after her heart attack. It becomes instantly evident that Rose grapples with OCD and PTSD, stemming from a harrowing incident where, as a passenger in a chase, they unfortunately struck an elderly pedestrian. This traumatic experience has left her jittery and deeply apprehensive about driving.
Intriguingly, Rachel is already acquainted with Merritt, having encountered her once at a gathering hosted by an ex-lover who was also a fellow lawyer. Beyond this fleeting encounter, however, details are scarce. As Rachel departs, Rose initiates a FaceTime call with Hardy, showcasing the board they have painstakingly compiled for their case. Recognizing the bird insignia due to his fishing background, Hardy identifies it as a Cormorant and requests scans for further investigation.
Upon Carl's arrival, Hardy unveils a theory: considering Jamie's financial constraints versus Lila's affluence, there might be a monetary motive at play. Lila's account is tethered to a trust fund harbored in the Channel Islands, specifically Bank on Jersey. The trail has grown cold, much to Carl's dissatisfaction, who also learns that Hardy's condition is less dire than perceived. His rehab stint has been promising, hinting at the possibility of regaining his ability to walk.
Moira, interjecting in the basement amidst this discussion, demands a thorough briefing on Merritt's involvement. Akram is simultaneously questioned about his handling of the junkies, with a stern reminder that they are not in Syria and must exercise caution.
Carl, upon his return, ignores Moira and addresses his team, emphasizing the need to delve deeper into the timeline. Specifically, they must ascertain the beneficiary of the trust fund. Given William's incapacity to manage his share, it logically passes to his legal guardian – Wallace.
Carl confronts Wallace and uncovers a shocking revelation: she has been systematically diverting funds from William's trust fund. In a harrowing scene, William lies motionless on his bed, his surroundings littered with drawings that hint at the turmoil within the potential murderer's lair. Wallace has orchestrated a grotesque scheme, where William, among other patients entrusted to her care, are heavily sedated. Determined to rescue William, Carl and his companions swiftly transport him to Claire's, where he will finally receive the care and attention he so desperately needs.
Returning to the basement, Rose engages Carl in a discussion about Merritt's bank statements. She has painstakingly combed through her old receipts and credit card statements, this time delving into a year's worth of data, and uncovered a peculiar anomaly. The majority of her shopping excursions led her near the Crown Offices, but one destination stood out like a sore thumb—a laundrette situated by the Cowgate, a location notably distant from the others. Intriguingly, Rose discovered that Merritt had visited this laundrette a week prior to her disappearance. Though Carl refrains from vocalizing his admiration, he nonetheless grants Rose permission to delve deeper into the matter, with Akram by her side.
At the laundrette, Rose engages in conversation with the owner, Shirley, who instantly recognizes the name Merritt and lets loose a torrent of curses, evidently incensed by the mere mention of them. It transpires that Shirley is none other than Kirsty's mother. Recall Kirsty Atkins? The woman who was incarcerated for her struggle with drug addiction. Merritt had initially intended to visit her with apologies, but her courage faltered at the last moment, prompting an abrupt departure.
Currently, Kirsty resides in Pentlands Prison, a facility she was transferred to after Merritt's actions almost cost her life in Saughton Prison. Akram and Rose venture inside to meet Kirsty, who expresses her desire for a fresh start and to vanish once she regains her freedom.
Akram swiftly pierces through Kirsty's hardened exterior, discerning her underlying fear. The assault that nearly claimed her life, resulting in the loss of an eye, was a death sentence disguised as an attack. She had divulged crucial information about Finch and paid the ultimate price for it, as Merritt deserted her at a crucial juncture. The arrangement had been for Kirsty to testify in exchange for early release, but at the eleventh hour, the deal fell apart due to her perceived lack of credibility.
It seems Kirsty had incurred the wrath of someone powerful, as two inmates serving life sentences were compensated with £500 from their commissary funds to complete the job and eliminate her. Prior to the attack, Kirsty desperately pleaded for her life on a contraband phone call with Merritt, who callously hung up upon discovering Kirsty's drug use.
Subsequently, Kirsty was assaulted multiple times, sustaining a stab wound to her eye, another piercing her lung, and a third that narrowly missed her heart by mere millimeters. As this grim narrative unfolds, our earlier timeline reveals Merritt's decision to confront Sam Haig and impart what she knows.
