The episode kicks off with a recap of the notorious 1983 Brink-Mat robbery, first introduced in season 1, culminating in the police's realization that they had only chased after half of the stolen gold. Season 2 embarks on the tale of the elusive other half. The scene shifts to a serene house in Cornwall on the fateful night of November 26, 1983, where the news broadcasts the Brink's-Mat heist. Danny, accompanied by his wife, lounges on the sofa, with her flipping through channels indifferently.
As they nestle into bed later that evening, a car silently cruises up outside. Danny stirs from his slumber and descends the stairs, grabbing a kitchen knife from the drawer out of instinct. Stepping outside, he's greeted by Charlie. The trio convenes around the kitchen table, sipping steaming drinks. Charlie reminisces about their prison days, when they'd use metal cups to rattle against doors as a warning signal, mockingly wondering if the guards would've appreciated a heads-up about his impending arrival. Danny inquiries about Charlie's intentions, to which Charlie simply replies, "Let's get moving."
As they speed away from Danny's abode, Charlie recounts Danny's tales of navigating Cornwall's minefields, emphasizing how a fall into one could spell eternal obscurity. Charlie expresses his desire for such a secluded hideaway. Danny glances back at the gold bullions stacked in the trunk, and they proceed to transfer the precious metal into a concealed mine shaft.
Post-transfer, Danny confesses that he too spun yarns about his past jobs, culminating in their final heist. Charlie muses that many South Londoners turn to crime to establish dominance in their neighborhood, whereas he sought escape. He harbors dreams of one day abandoning his criminal ways. Danny probes into Charlie's future plans, to which Charlie proposes a parting of ways – Danny returns home to keep his wife in the dark, while Charlie flees abroad for a few years before resurfacing when the heat has died down.
Cut to a few years hence. Boyce arrives at a used car lot, meeting Jennings, who is confident they'll uncover something significant. He reveals that the lot is owned by an associate of Charlie Miller, hinting at a solid lead. As they approach men digging holes, their hopes are dashed when they confirm they've found nothing. Boyce, deflated, instructs them to fill in the holes and apologize for the inconvenience.
At Scotland Yard, Commissioner Stewart and Assistant Commissioner McLean are livid with Boyce concerning the car yard fiasco. He, however, insists that they possessed credible intelligence implicating Charlie Miller in the Brink’s-Mat heist. Miller vanished on the very day, allegedly stashing half of the stolen gold before his disappearance. Rumors have it, Boyce adds, that Miller intends to return for his hidden treasure. McLean laments that their funds and support have dwindled, turning this into the longest and most costly case in Metropolitan Police history. Stewart grants him a fortnight to resolve the matter.
The scene shifts to Tenerife, where John Palmer indulges in a leisurely swim at his opulent villa. Back at the precinct, Brightwell informs Boyce of a fresh lead. This time, they claim sightings of Charlie Miller, with Jennings revealing that the witness will encounter him again. Meanwhile, in Tenerife, Jerren, John's chauffeur, collects him from the villa and they depart in style.
Upon receiving the tip, Brightwell and Jennings confer with Danny, whose wife is expecting. The officers present Danny with an ultimatum: cooperate with them and stay by his family's side, or side with Charlie Miller. Brightwell produces a postcard addressed to Danny from Costa Blanca, Spain, bearing the words, "See you soon." Danny feigns ignorance about its significance. Boyce enters the room, revealing that he's secured authorization to either cordon off the moorlands surrounding the mines for 48 hours or assign a constable to monitor Danny's residence for a year, logging visitors and trailing his family wherever they go. Danny will be listed as a corroborating witness, and the news will spread throughout South London. Danny asserts that Charlie will elude capture.
In Tenerife, a couple toasts tourists with champagne and distributes pamphlets promoting investment opportunities in timeshares at the El Dorado holiday village. Meanwhile, John arrives at El Dorado as a minibusload of curious tourists descends for a guided tour. Inside, John pitches the allure of living in paradise through timeshare ownership. One skeptical man questions John about the gold and refuses to deal with a supposed crook. John, cleared of wrongdoing, has Jerren escort the man out. He jests with the remaining crowd, noting that with 20 people present and only 18 timeshares available, they'd better decide soon. After the presentation, a man in the audience tails John as he exits.
The man introduces himself to John as a reporter hailing from The Sunday Times, announcing their intention to include him in their prestigious 'rich list.' He presents John with a dilemma: either they use their figures or John himself can divulge the information they seek. Intrigued, John invites him into his office.
Meanwhile, in Cornwall, the officers patiently await Danny's cooperation. As the phone rings, Boyce answers another line, eavesdropping discreetly. It's Charlie on the other end, informing him of an upcoming visit and inquiring about Danny's wellbeing. Danny, sipping tea and casually mentioning the tin mugs from his prison days, subtly conveys a warning. Charlie catches on, praising Danny as a good lad and affirming his visit for the next day.
Inside John's office, he delves into his safe, withdrawing a substantial stack of cash. He meticulously places it in an envelope and slips it into his bag. As tourists board their minibus, the reporter who earlier questioned John sits in the rear, visibly beaten and bruised. As John exits his office, Shirley reprimands him for engaging with the press, expressing her concern about their scrutiny of the accounts. He counters, insisting they run a legitimate and thriving enterprise. She urges him for greater involvement, but he firmly declines, stating his disinterest in dealing with the papers. When she persists, he reminds her of her fortunate position.
Elsewhere, Charlie reconnects with an old friend at a car yard, seeking a vehicle capable of carrying a heavy load. His eyes light up upon spotting the perfect one. Meanwhile, John ventures to the local police station, handing over the enveloped cash. He then proceeds to another location with another envelope and finally to the local bank, all the while being shadowed by a yellow postal van.
Eventually, they maneuver the yellow van into an alleyway, exit their vehicle, and confront the driver. When John accuses him of following, the driver claims innocence, stating it's just his route. Jerren, drawing a gun, demands the truth. The driver persists in his denial, but John, dissatisfied, warns him never to show his face again and releases him. As the van reverses, the driver gives John a stern glare before speeding off.
John queries Jerren's reasoning behind carrying a gun, to which Jerren responds that with John's substantial wealth, others will undoubtedly follow, necessitating protection. He advises John to be prepared, too. John, unfazed, asserts his readiness for anything money-related.
Back in Cornwall, the police have established a perimeter around Danny's residence, eagerly awaiting Charlie's arrival. A nondescript brown van looms on the horizon. Jennings urges immediate action, advocating for their interception, but Boyce signals for patience. As the van inches closer, Boyce gives the officers the nod to apprehend its occupant. To their bewilderment, they discover only an ordinary man laden with boxes of Tupperware inside. Boyce then turns his attention to Danny, inquiring why his expression betrayed shock upon the vehicle's appearance, despite Charlie's prior notification of his impending visit. Danny remains tight-lipped, prompting Boyce to announce their departure for the mines, albeit uncertain of the exact location. Danny's wife storms in, warning him to recall swiftly or risk never returning home.
Elsewhere, Jerren and John descend from a luxurious private jet, landing in England. The flight attendant bids them farewell, promising to see them again on Sunday. As they disembark, John teases Jerren about his elusive presence in England, noting his preference for private entrances. He boasts of evading the police but acknowledges their persistence. Being a 'ghost' will make it harder for them to track him down now.
Meanwhile, Charlie singly engages in the arduous task of transporting gold deep within a mine. Nearby, the police have set up a roadblock, scrutinizing every passing vehicle. Just as Boyce, Danny, and their officers draw near, an ambulance blares past with its sirens wailing, earning it an unchallenged passage. Danny directs them to halt and proceed on foot, leading them to the mine entrance, which stands ajar. The officers venture inside but find nothing substantial except a solitary gold bar, its serial number hastily and poorly scraped off, pointing in one direction.
Emerging from the mine, Brightwell notes Charlie's sloppiness with the serial number removal, rendering it untraceable yet identifiable due to the rough work. Boyce's realization dawns: Charlie was the driver of the unstopped ambulance. Meanwhile, John arrives at his family home, greeted warmly by his wife, Marnie, and their two daughters. Marnie kisses him passionately but expresses surprise upon seeing Jerren. John reassures her that he keeps tabs on Jerren.
Over drinks with Marnie, John confesses that he has taken immense risks to visit, driven by the need to accumulate enough wealth to ensure his future visits are unburdened by such perilous endeavors. Marnie fears he may never cease his quest. In Cornwall, Charlie returns to the car yard in the ambulance, meeting his friend who awaits with anticipation. Charlie outlines a new job for him, setting the stage for another chapter in their illicit endeavor.
The scene shifts to Douglas Baxter and Lundy, each poised in different locations yet converging towards their next endeavors. At Douglas Airport, nestled on the Isle of Man, Baxter awaits his flight, longing for access to the exclusive executive lounge. Denied entry due to his economy ticket, his demeanor darkens, and he treats the lounge attendant with unnecessary rudeness before returning to his seat, disgruntled.
Elsewhere, Commissioner Stewart and McLean confront Lundy, ready to relieve him of his duties following a panel's investigation into his numerous misconducts and suspected corruption. Lundy's face lights up upon hearing that he's been cleared, but Stewart swiftly dashes his hopes, stating that his resignation is conditional on preserving his pension. Lundy, adopting the persona of a lone hero, pleads to be given one more villain to hunt down, but Stewart standssign firm, threatening to reas him to school visits indefinitely if he refuses. As Lundy exits, he casting a hopeful glance towards McLean for a new job opportunity.
In England, at John's residence, Marnie peruses The Sunday Times Rich List, puzzled by John's desire to be featured. He explains that inclusion granted him an air of legitimacy. Marnie counters that it doesn't deter focus from the gold but rather amplifies it. Back at the Metropolitan Police, Boyce joins Stewart and McLean, revealing that his task force has tracked the gold's movement. Yet, they redirect the conversation, steering clear of the gold and diving into the rich list instead. John Palmer's name, listed alongside the Queen with a £150 million fortune, is deemed a national disgrace by Stewart. McLean announces her impending trip to Downing Street, with Boyce as her escort.
Concurrently, Charlie visits a jeweler, presenting a bullion and inquiring about who could melt it for him. Charlie names gypsies as his potential smelters. The jeweler, intrigued, offers his services at the right price, and Charlie, eager for swift action, departs. Back in the office, Brightwell scours for Charlie Miller's criminal associates, while Jennings laments the overwhelming number of names—200 in total—they need to sift through with just three people on the case. Jennings insists the answer lies within the data, but Brightwell acknowledges they might be asking the wrong questions.
At Downing Street, McLean and Boyce take their seats across from the Prime Minister. Boyce voices his desire for stricter money laundering laws, a freshly minted extradition treaty with Spain, and sufficient resources to achieve his goals. The Prime Minister nods in agreement, pledging to push through the necessary legislation, but with a stipulation: John Boyce's name should only hit the headlines again in connection with legal proceedings at the Old Bailey. Boyce assures him that with the right resources, he can make it happen.
Meanwhile, Douglas Baxter enters a cozy pub, where a woman promptly serves him a drink and mentions she'll be back shortly to collect her belongings. He settles at an unoccupied table, anticipating her return. Instead, Charlie Miller drops into the chair opposite him, claiming to be a friend of a friend and hinting that he's heard whispers about Douglas's money laundering prowess. Douglas fails to mask his displeasure, dismissing the notion that every cockney in town expects him to launder their dirty money.
Charlie persists, unveiling a proposition, to which Douglas responds sarcastically, suggesting Charlie is likely referring to a measly ten thousand pounds. Charlie counters by revealing his knowledge of Douglas's past—a revoked license and a two-month stint in prison for cocaine trafficking. Douglas attempts to brush it off as a mere misunderstanding, but Charlie persists, hinting that he's in search of someone unlicensed for his needs. Douglas, tired of being approached by individuals with paltry sums and little respect, either tells Charlie to beat a hasty retreat or suggests they settle their differences outside. Charlie leans forward, chuckling menacingly.
After their audience with the Prime Minister, Boyce and McLean converse, Boyce waxing nostalgic about London's bygone days when they shielded the powerful while serving the populace. He proposes that if McLean can secure the funds to bring Kohn to justice, she can also allocate resources to track down the remaining gold from the Brink’s-Mat heist. McLean demurs, warning against wasting money on wild goose chases. Boyce, however, confidently vows to deliver results with a bit of extra manpower at his disposal.
At the Palmers' residence, Jerren bids farewell to Marnie, who subsequently turns to John to say her goodbyes. With a heartfelt admission, she informs him that she craved nothing more than what they already shared—a sentiment sufficient for her contentment. John, however, insists on offering her something beyond her wildest dreams. Though visibly upset, she cannot resist his kiss before he departs. As he leaves, she urges him to keep a close watch over Jerren.
Back at the station, Boyce returns to find Brightwell and Jennings excitedly unveiling their new strategy. They propose to trail the money trail, rather than the gold itself. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Lundy's entrance, met with disdainful murmurs about his untrustworthiness. Boyce clarifies that, though the Metropolitan Police had shown no interest in Lundy, he has now been assigned to their team.
Boyce outlines their focus on Charlie Miller and John Palmer, emphasizing the need to scrutinize the individuals surrounding these men, lured by the vast sums of money. These people, driven by fear, choices, and greed, are the key to uncovering whether they will remain upright or succumb to corruption. By anticipating their decisions and potential blunders, they can be prepared to intercept them. Their priority, Boyce stresses, is to ascertain the peril Charlie and John face before they become aware of it themselves.
Elsewhere, the gypsies diligently melt down the gold, transforming it into a liquid form of wealth. The jeweller, receiving his initial consignment, promptly converts it into money, which Douglas collects to initiate the next phase. Immersed in his newfound affluence, Douglas admires a luxurious watch in a jewelry store and indulges in champagne at an exclusive bar, all while the smelting process continues unabated until every ounce of gold is converted. Upon collecting the final payment, Douglas treats himself to a Rolex.
In Spain, Charlie phones Douglas, inquiring about the whereabouts of the money. Douglas evasively responds that he has stashed it securely. Charlie warns Douglas starkly that any shortfall in the £10 million would have dire consequences for him. Persisting with his questions, Charlie presses Douglas once more for the location of the funds, but before he can respond, the scene shifts to reveal mountains of cash piled high in Charlie's office.
