As the curtain rises on this episode of "Grace," a shadowy figure snapshots Hannah Belling (portrayed by Lisa Diveney) in a dimly lit parking garage. The chime of Heal Remedy's bell echoes through the air as Hannah receives an eerie message: "They're watching you." Stepping inside, she engages in conversation with Jasmine Alson (played by Shanay Neusum-James) and Sara Joshi (Kiran Landa), with the latter serving as the audience for Hannah's passionate belief that smartphones could herald a revolution in predicting health crises. The Heal Remedy app, she insists, is a game-changer poised to transform the industry.
An unsettling message interrupting her thoughts, mocking her attire choice—red doesn't suit her—continues to haunt Hannah until she terminates her discussion with Sara. Returning home later, Hannah confronts Anya Chandanasiri (Mia Suda Selway), complaining about her loud music disturbing everyone. Anya, irritated, slams the door shut in her face. To Hannah's shock, she finds her own door ajar upon entering. An anxious call follows, as she urgently requests someone's presence.
Elsewhere, Seymour Darling (Joe Hughes) delves into Hannah's online persona, his motives shrouded in mystery. The morning brings a grim awakening for Anya, who wakes up to the sensation of blood trickling down her face. Inside her apartment, Hannah lies lifeless, a victim of an unknown assailant. Cleo Morey (Zoe Tapper) and Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (John Simm) prepare for their day, unaware of the looming tragedy.
At the office, the Chief Constable (Caroline Gruber) addresses Glenn Branson (Richie Campbell) and others, outlining the Benchdale OCG's unprecedented rise and her mission to dismantle it from the top. Kamran Elin, whose criminal endeavors date back to the murder of London journalist Fiona Wilkinson eight years ago, tops her list. She also eyes his deputy, Roel Albazi, linked to the unsolved drive-by shooting of Amelia Pardoe. Cassian Pewe (Sam Hoare)'s attempt to steer the conversation elsewhere earns him a stern rebuke from the Chief Constable. DC Nick Nicholl (Brad Morrison) adds that Elin and Albazi remain elusive, relying on lower-level operatives to execute their dirty deeds.
Glenn receives a call from East Sussex Police, alerting him to the grim discovery. Roy and Cleo visit Dr. Rait Josif (Rebecca Banatvala), who reassures them of no immediate concerns, though Cleo hints at unresolved issues from the past. Interrupted by a call, Roy learns from Glenn about Hannah and her groundbreaking app. Anya, a law student at East Sussex University and Hannah's downstairs neighbor, reported the discovery. Corin Belling (Andrew Knott), Hannah's ex-husband, is notified as the next of kin, their separation having occurred about six months prior.
Bella Moy (Laura Elphinstone) guides Roy through Hannah's apartment, a scene of chaos and loss. Nick Refusing someone's phone request, suggesting tension amidst the investigation. The absence of Hannah's phone and computer raises suspicion. Nadiuska De Sancha (Carolina Valdes) estimates the time of death between 7:30 and 9:30 the previous night, noting Hannah's head wounds and a possible strangulation. Roy observes the absence of her wedding ring, a detail Nadiuska corroborates, suggesting she wore it until recently. Hannah's body has been meticulously cleaned, leaving forensic experts to painstakingly extract skin cells from the floorboards, searching for clues in this perplexing homicide.
Nadiuska discovers a strand of hair that doesn't resemble Hannah's, raising an eyebrow. Glenn steps outside to converse with Sara Joshi, who enlightens him about her recent interview with Hannah and the peculiar text message that came to light. Meanwhile, Cassian informs Roy that the Chief Constable is putting immense pressure on him due to the Amelia Pardoe case, emphasizing the need for swift resolution. Just then, Hannah's ex-lover, Corin, arrives.
Roy engages Corin in conversation, who admits that he still harbors feelings for Hannah. The wedding ring on his finger speaks volumes. Corin reveals that Hannah had given back her ring and insists he was at home last night, having not seen her. He mentions Jessica, who is accompanied by Marcus, stating that Hannah was swamped with work. Additionally, Corin mentions Hannah's troubled brother, Robbie, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Roy mentions that Hannah's car hasn't been found, to which Corin responds it's at his place since they still share it. When Roy requests a DNA sample for elimination, Corin hesitates.
Elsewhere, Jessica O'Sullivan (played by Naomi Yang) urges Chloe (Tazmyn-Mei Gebbett) to grab something to eat. Chloe's father, Marcus (Gethin Anthony), spent the previous night at the hospital. Upon noticing Hannah's apartment on TV, Chloe quickly informs her mother. Glenn inquires with Sara if anyone at The Argus might have information on Sussex Central Hospital, touching upon Ari's plight. Sara assures Glenn she'll handle it. Later, Glenn and Roy delve into Ari's case.
Lauren Packham (Loreece Harrison) sends a message, stating she's fulfilled her end of the bargain and now seeks her due. Ava Packham (Luna Blue Delandro-Abraham) stands nearby, unaware of her sister's actions. Margaret Packham (Nimmy March) enters the room and addresses Lauren, reminding her she doesn't have to sneak around to send texts. Lauren denies it, but Margaret's keen eyes see through her. Someone peers through the window at Ava until Lauren draws the curtain shut.
At the station, Roy announces to the team that Hannah owned a rape alarm and had new locks installed, hinting at a personal vendetta. He suggests focusing on Corin and inquiries about CCTV footage from Lewiston Mansions. Bella reports the side door camera wasn't functioning, while the front door camera yields no suspicious activity. The discussion turns to Hannah's brother, Robbie Taylor, whom she had reported as missing three months ago. Roy vows to find him. DC Vee Wilde (Juliette Motamed) reveals that Hannah had reported a former employee for threatening behavior, leading to his dismissal for bullying. This individual, Seymour Darling, had a restraining order against him issued by his ex.
Roy pays a visit to Nora Philips (Anne Kavanagh) to ascertain Seymour's whereabouts, only to learn she hasn't seen him in days. Unbeknownst to them, Seymour watches from afar. Jasmine shares with Roy and Glenn that they experienced a break-in, albeit nothing valuable was taken. When quizzed about Seymour, Jasmine admits he bullied her but she never reported it. Esme Collins, a volunteer, was the one who stood up to him. A disciplinary hearing was scheduled for the next day, which sent Seymour into a rage. He accused Hannah of causing his relapse. Jasmine believes he'd act on his threats. Just then, Glenn receives a message from Nora, informing him she's reestablished contact with Seymour.
As they confront Seymour, he insists that his intent was merely to engage in conversation with her. Furthermore, he accuses Hannah of consistently shielding the wrong individuals, labeling Esme as a deceitful figure. Nora chimes in, revealing that she intervened on his behalf, asserting that associating with such women was detrimental to his well-being. Seymour views the upcoming disciplinary hearing as an opportunity to unburden the truth. Roy probes him about his whereabouts the previous night, to which Seymour responds that he was engrossed in bird-watching atop the Downs.
Nadiuska enlightens Glenn and Roy on the cause of death and Hannah's injuries, disclosing the presence of semen. Cleo elaborates, positing that Hannah engaged in consensual sexual activity hours before her demise. An avulsion on her ring finger and recent ligament damage beneath it hint at a violent removal of her ring, possibly days or hours before her fateful end, according to Nadiuska. Corin, compelled to submit a DNA sample, confesses to taking the ring, acknowledging its incriminating appearance but keeping silent out of fear. Glenn inquiries about Hannah's romantic entanglements, to which Corin denies any and cross-examines the source of such speculation.
Vee and Bella delve into Jessica's friendship with Hannah, with Jessica affirming that Hannah hadn't mentioned anyone other than Corin since their split. She expresses a strained relationship with Robbie. Glenn notes the absence of glass shards inside the office, hinting at external tampering, with Lauren Packham, the cleaner, being the last to secure the premises. Sensing Glenn's distraction, Roy urges him to consult Ari. Lauren attests to her consistent departure time and her lengthy tenure at Heal Remedy, adding that she received a message post-exit. Roy tasks Bella with investigating Lauren further upon his departure.
Glenn apprises Ari of a journalist's impending scrutiny of the hospital, evoking Ari's concern over potential culpability. Corin, under the influence, approaches Marcus for assistance, wondering if Hannah might have confided in Jessica. Marcus doubts Jessica's silence but reluctantly agrees to help Corin, insisting this be the last time. Nick engages Roy, revealing his potential vehicle sighting near Lewiston Mansions and his temporary residence across from it, citing personal matters to resolve.
Vee uncovers CCTV footage depicting a man exiting Lewiston Mansions the previous night, while Nick highlights suspicious activity outside Heal Remedy—a man observing Hannah as she left, bombarded by texts from Seymour Darling. Her final call was to an unregistered number, with her last text originating from a different one. Seymour, questioned about his presence at Lewiston Mansions, alleges Hannah was compiling evidence against him, prompting his counter-reconnaissance to expose her true character. Vee contests his narrative fiercely. Glenn reminds the group of Seymour's claim about Hannah and a man in a car, with Seymour refusing to disclose the man's identity. Following the interrogation, Roy directs the team to scrutinize Seymour's photographs. The divorce lawyer reveals that Hannah and Corin's divorce isn't finalized, with Corin's contestation of the house sale halting proceedings.
Corin stood to inherit everything upon Hannah's demise, but Bella's revelation threw a wrench into the proceedings: skin cells discovered in the floorboards belonged to an unidentified person. To add fuel to the fire, forensic analysis confirmed that the hair entangled in Hannah's blood was Corin's. Within moments, the authorities apprehended Corin.
Roy, determined to uncover the truth, sought to interrogate Corin in an interview room. Corin, cooperative yet guarded, handed over a clue and urged them to contact Kate Bullworth, his sponsor in his ongoing battle against addiction. This addiction, he confessed, was the reason Hannah had left him. Last night, amidst a relapse, Corin was supposed to attend his support group meeting but instead sought solace with Kate, fearing the loss of his job if his employer discovered his struggle.
Emerging from the interview, Bella imparted crucial information to Roy and Glenn: Lauren Packham, Robbie's girlfriend, could be key. As Bella subtly probed Lauren about Ava's longing for her father, she accused Lauren of facilitating Robbie's entry into Hannah's office. Lauren, defiant and scared, swore Robbie's innocence and claimed ignorance of his whereabouts, insisting she hadn't seen him in months. However, her demeanor drastically changed upon glimpsing a passerby, sending her into a panic.
Glenn's verification of Corin's alibi solidified his whereabouts during the critical hours. Bella, perceptive as ever, conjectured that Lauren was shielding Robbie, noting her reaction and the suspicious presence that seemed to shadow her. Roy, weary from the day's revelations, suggested calling it quits.
Returning home, Roy found Cleo accompanied by Bruno (Finn Guegan), who vented his frustration over his grandmother's silence regarding Sandy. Haunted by Sandy's final thoughts, Bruno sought solace, prompting Roy to engage Cleo in a heartfelt conversation about addressing Bruno's grief. Just as Roy prepared to delve deeper, Bella's urgent call interrupted, informing him that Nick had unearthed crucial evidence: Seymour's photographs. Among them, a car linked to Marcus O'Sullivan stood out. Analysis of Hannah's key fob revealed it was last used at 9:40 PM the previous night, a time when Corin was still with Kate, his vehicle parked at home.
Roy pondered a chilling scenario: could Marcus have accessed the car, retrieved Corin's DNA, and strategically planted it at the crime scene? Summoned for questioning, Marcus denied any involvement in Hannah's murder, asserting their deep emotional bond and recent sexual encounter on Wednesday. He maintained his innocence, his heart heavy with loss.
Vee's revelation further complicated matters: the skin cells were traced back to crime scene personnel. The team, undeterred, returned to Hannah's flat, ready to confront the labyrinthine web of deceit and truth that entangled them all.
At the crime scene, Branson urgently informs Roy of the forensics team's discovery of an additional stain of blood. Shortly thereafter, at the police station, Branson relays to the team that the familial blood sample does not match Marcus's DNA. Roy posits that it could belong to Robbie Taylor. Branson clarifies that forensics estimates the blood has been present for approximately 10 weeks. Bella contributes by stating that Robbie was reported missing on May 18th.
Elsewhere, Lauren receives a harrowing video depicting a battered Robbie, screaming through a gag, before being shot. She instinctively covers her mouth to stifle her scream and frantically begins packing their belongings.
At the police station, Nick updates Roy, Branson, and Bella, revealing that Sussex Central Hospital admitted a man fitting Robbie's description with a gunshot wound on May 17th. Although the attending physician notified the police, the man managed to flee before their arrival. Roy recalls Amelia Pardoe being shot in a drive-by on the same day, which was orchestrated by the Benchdale OCG against a rival gang. Branson highlights that while the driver and shooter were apprehended, an unidentified male, believed to be Robbie, escaped.
Roy speculates that Benchdale OCG was after something possessed by Hannah. Bella uncovers CCTV footage showing an injured Robbie arriving at Lewiston Mansions, shortly followed by Marcus O'Sullivan on May 17th. At the police station, Roy confronts Marcus with the newfound evidence, threatening to charge him with Hannah's murder. Marcus claims he rushed there after receiving an urgent call from Hannah about a medical emergency. Upon arrival, he found Robbie severely wounded by a gunshot but was unaware of the details. He learned about Amelia's fate the following day. Marcus expresses anger towards Hannah for endangering him and his family, claiming she assured him the shooters would be brought to justice. Roy counters that the key witness was intimidated, allowing the perpetrators to remain at large.
A short time later, Branson reveals to the team that DNA found in the car's backseat corroborates the witness's account. He adds that forensics have matched gun fragments from Amelia's shooting to a gun used in Fiona Wilkinson's murder and other crimes. Roy reminisces that Kamran Elin was linked to the murder.
Later, Roy informs ACC Cassian Pewe that he believes the gun used in Fiona's murder is the reason Hannah was killed by Benchdale. Pewe argues back, contending that Hannah's murder was executed haphazardly and unrelated to Benchdale's criminal endeavors.
As Ava trotted joyfully alongside the sidewalk, her playful antics led her to break free from Lauren's grasp. Suddenly, a vehicle screeched to a halt, its doors flying open. A shadowy figure emerged, seized Lauren, and bundled her into the backseat before speeding off. Through the chaos, Lauren managed to shout at Ava to go home. Ava, frozen in shock, watched as the car vanished into the distance.
At the police station, Branson and Roy were immersed in intense work when a call came in, detailing Lauren's harrowing ordeal: she had leaped from a speeding vehicle, sustaining grievous injuries. At the hospital, Roy relayed the harrowing news that Albazi would have claimed Lauren's life had she not miraculously escaped his clutches. Branson pondered aloud, puzzled by why Benchdale would resurrect his campaign of terror against Hannah and Lauren three months after the shooting incident. Margaret handed them Lauren's phone, pleading for them to uncover her attackers.
Lauren, her voice weak but resolute, recounted to Roy and Branson how Robbie, driven by a desire to redeem himself for Amelia, had given the gun to Hannah and attempted to flee. Unfortunately, his escape was thwarted, and he was captured and tortured. She insisted that Hannah had already surrendered the gun to the authorities before her untimely death. However, as Roy was exiting the hospital, Bella's call shattered his hopes: there was no record of Hannah turning in the weapon.
Vee revealed that Chris Haddock, alias Tony Wadham, had reported seeing a suspicious individual using the side entrance to access Lewiston Mansions on the fateful night Hannah was killed. Soon afterward, Chris presented Roy and Branson with dashcam footage. Nick volunteered to deliver the SD card to Enhancement, but upon inserting it into his laptop, his phone buzzed. Glancing around cautiously, he discreetly checked the message and slipped the phone back into his pocket. Later, a forensic scientist, Cavan Clarke, informed Roy that the drive had been tampered with – its contents wiped clean.
Roy confronted Branson about Nick's whereabouts when his car's signal was detected at Lewiston Mansions; Nick claimed to have been staying at a nearby bed and breakfast. At the hospital, Nick flashed his police ID and requested a visit with Lauren. Sensing trouble, Roy and Branson raced to the scene, only to be intercepted by Bella's news: Hannah's laptop had been discovered at the harbor. They arrived just in time to intercept Nick before he reached Lauren.
Outside, Roy confronted Nick about the corrupted dashcam and CCTV footage. Nick unburdened his personal struggles, revealing money woes with his wife Jen, who wanted to move to Scotland with their son. Amidst the emotional outpouring, Roy confiscated Nick's phone and placed him under suspension. As uniformed officers led Nick away, Branson speculated that if Sara had encountered Hannah at last year's Police Commissioner's Dinner, Nick could have done so too. Roy suggested keeping this theory confined to themselves.
Later, at the police station, Roy shared his misgivings with Bella and Vee. Bella stood firm in Nick's defense, while Vee suggested sending the backed-up dashcam footage to Tim Weatherley for analysis, perhaps to identify the mysterious figure. Roy tasked Vee with verifying the timing of DNA samples collected at the crime scene and informed Pewe that Tim was on standby to analyze the dashcam footage featuring Nick at Lewiston Mansions. He received a call from Branson, who informed him of photos placing "him" at the commissioner's dinner. However, Tim ultimately reported being unable to identify the man in the footage.
Roy hands Nick's warrant card back and warmly welcomes him back into the fold. Branson then shows them the commissioner's dinner photos, sparking a moment of camaraderie. As Tim drives along, his phone rings – it's Roy. Suddenly, a vehicle careens into Tim's car, sending it flipping over and landing in disarray. Pewe approaches cautiously, peering into the wreckage and finding Tim badly injured inside.
Back at the police station, photos of Hannah and Pewe lay scattered across a table, hinting at their secret connection. Roy notes that Pewe arrived at 11:07am, whereas the skin cell samples had already been dispatched to the lab at 10:43am. Nick accuses Pewe of erasing Hannah's hard drive but overlooking her emails, which still held incriminating evidence. A wellness app on Hannah's phone captures an image of her with Pewe at her apartment, revealing their intimate encounter. Hannah confronts Pewe, asserting that he's had the gun for three months and threatens to uncover what's delaying their plans. In a fit of rage, Pewe silences her permanently.
Nick relates how he was in the middle of copying dashcam footage when Jen called, and in that distraction, Pewe erased it all. Meanwhile, Roy receives a frantic call from Bella, informing him that Tim's car was sideswiped by one of their unsigned-out pool cars. The hit-and-run driver took Tim's phone and left him for dead.
Clad in a hoodie, Pewe spots uniformed officers surrounding the pool car and panics, spotting another vehicle and bolting on foot. Roy gives chase, cornering Pewe inside a building. Demanding answers, Roy confronts him about Hannah's murder and his ties to Benchdale. Drawing a gun, Pewe claims it's the same weapon used to kill Amelia and places it to his temple. Roy frantically pleads with him not to take his own life. Tears streaming down his face, Pewe hesitates and lowers his hand, allowing Roy to seize the gun. In a moment of distraction, Pewe stumbles into an opening and plummets to a lower platform, injuring himself. Despite his wounds, he attempts to flee until Branson, Bella, Vee, and Nick arrive to apprehend him. Roy hands over the gun to Branson, who secures it as evidence.
Later, Branson informs Roy that he encountered a similar CCTV footage error code while investigating Alvin Smallbone's case. He pulls up the footage, showing Sandy Grace (Clare Calbraith) catching sight of Cassian and fleeing in the opposite direction. Determined to confront Cassian, Roy brushes aside Glenn's attempts to stop him and storms inside. Confronting Cassian, Roy reveals that he knew Sandy was alive all along but kept silent. Cassian acknowledges Roy's suspicion, asserting that Roy wasn't there for Sandy when she needed him most. Cassian confesses to having an affair with Sandy, claiming she was drowning in debt due to gambling. Albazi and Elin threatened to kill her and her unborn child unless the debt was paid. Busy chasing a promotion, Roy was absent, so Cassian stepped in, arranging a new identity for Sandy. She was supposed to contact him once she was safe, but he never heard from her again. He feared Roy might have harmed her until her return. Benchdale had been watching their every move.
Cassian admits that once Sandy was presumed dead, her debt fell to him to repay. He was initially meant to do a few favors, but Hannah's relentless pursuit of the gun drew him deeper into Benchdale's web. Hannah's death was a tragic consequence of his attempt to protect Sandy when Roy couldn't. Roy grapples with the thought that he should have let Cassian face his fate alone. Cassian agrees, acknowledging their shared moment of dark understanding.
Elsewhere, Lauren lays flowers on Robbie's grave, while Roy walks with Cleo, confessing his regret that he didn't recognize Sandy's plight sooner. Cleo comforts him, suggesting that Sandy might have been trying to protect Roy and Bruno. She admits her fear that even when they do everything right, things can still go wrong. Roy reassures her that they can take their time making decisions, content with their small family unit for now.
