Several years prior, in the bustling yet tranquil ambiance of a Soho bar in London, a solitary figure awaited, accompanied solely by the bartender. The silence was punctuated by the arrival of another man, who warmly greeted the first as Joey, and they took their seats side by side. Their conversation drifted back to the bygone days of London, reminiscing about the city's rhythms and the underworld's machinations. The topic of Brink's-Mat came up, with mention of Charlie being vigilance itself with half of the stolen funds. Joey contended that while numerous individuals had flourished from that heist, the six perpetrators had not shared in that wealth.
Joey revealed that a particular detective was making waves by bringing down big names in crime, but assured his companion that this threat would be neutralized, one way or another. Inquisitively, Joey inquired about the business the other man had in mind. The revelation: cocaine – a staggering two tonnes of it. The man required Joey's name and influence to distribute it across the streets. He mentioned a clever young mastermind orchestrating the operation, capable of smuggling it all in within a week from Southampton Docks. As an enticement, he offered Joey a 10% cut, amounting to £5 million, merely for lending his name to the venture, a gesture to prove that men of their caliber could still orchestrate such grandeur. As they sealed the deal, the calm of the bar was shattered by the sudden raid of the police.
Meanwhile, on television, Tina was delivering a report on John Palmer, accompanied by incriminating footage. Marnie, glued to the screen, attempted to reach John but to no avail. Elsewhere, Boyce was on the phone with officers stationed in Tortola. He inquired about Logan's whereabouts from Lundy, who explained that Logan was still in the custody of the Americans but that he had devised a strategy to reclaim him. Boyce instructed Lundy to coerce Logan into divulging the location of the money and subsequently Charlie. He revealed his own plans to travel to Tenerife with Harper to secure search warrants against John. Once Lundy and Jennings had exited the room, Brightwell called Boyce back. He brought up the murder on the M25 that had been reported in the newspapers, stating that the suspect's name was an alias. Boyce demanded to know whom this alias concealed, but only Boyce was privy to Brightwell's whispered response.
Boyce steps out with determination, announcing his intent to meet Harper at the airport. The scene shifts to Dartford, Kent, where Boyce engages a police officer in conversation, inquiring about the robustness of their key witness. The officer responds by revealing that the witness is a 17-year-old girl whose boyfriend was brutally murdered in front of her eyes. The media has swarmed around her, relentless in their pursuit, yet she returns daily to scrutinize photographs in a bid to identify her boyfriend's killer. The officer assures Boyce that her resolve is unwavering.
Interrupted by a phone call, the officer informs Boyce that the case is under Kent police jurisdiction. Boyce vows that both helpful and unhelpful individuals will descend upon them, but he asserts his ability to maintain integrity and loyalty amidst the chaos. He directs attention to a photograph of their suspect—Kenny. With a parting wish of good luck, Boyce prepares to depart.
Just as he's about to leave, the officer halts him, revealing that newspapers are labeling the murder a case of road rage. He disputes this, emphasizing that the crime was far more heinous and evil than that. He uncovers a crucial detail: Kenny resorted to using a knife when he found himself losing the fight.
Elsewhere, John, having been spotted on television, now resides in a different apartment. Two men arrive to fetch him, noting their tardiness before they set off together. Meanwhile, Lundy pays Gabriella a visit. She reveals that the gold money Logan possesses is merely a fraction of the total; the remainder stems from drug trafficking. When the drug dealers discover his apprehension, they will undoubtedly seek revenge. Lundy proposes they protect him and initiate extradition proceedings. Gabriella intends to offer Logan federal witness protection the following day, giving Lundy until then to convince Logan to decline it.
At El Dorado, irate tourists stage a protest outside the offices, while John manages to sneak in through the rear entrance. He learns that both Marnie and Léna in France have been incessantly calling him all day, as informed by an office lady. He answers Marnie's call only to be met with her shouting. He places her on hold to attend to Léna's call but returns to Marnie, claiming he needs to call her back before abruptly hanging up. As the tension mounts, the Russians arrive at the office.
In Tortola, Metropolitan Police officers confront Logan, inquiring about Charlie's whereabouts. Amidst the urgency, Logan mentions his pressing need to pack, his time being of the essence. Lundy challenges him, hinting at a perpetual life of paranoia in America if he doesn't cooperate. However, Jennings' mention of extradition prompts a sneer from Logan, who retaliates by stating that they'd require irrefutable proof of money laundering—something he insists they'll never procure. Lundy then proposes a deal: Logan's freedom from British charges in exchange for Charlie Miller's capture. In response, Logan reveals that a meager sum of Charlie's money resides in Costa Rica, dwindling with each passing moment.
As they step outdoors, Jennings and Brightwell are incensed by Lundy's negotiation with Logan. Lundy reassures them, emphasizing their temporary custody of Logan and his incriminating documents until American authorities arrive. He suggests they redirect their focus towards tracking down the illicit funds and appoints Brightwell, known for his youthful prowess in the flying squad, to lead the charge.
Across the globe, in Tenerife, Ivan confronts John, accusing him of evading rather than hiding. John counters, insisting he's merely maintaining a low profile. Ivan's fury ignites over John's televised revelations, fearing further betrayals to law enforcement. John, confident in his island's paid protectors, warns Ivan of mutual peril should he pursue confrontation. Ivan retorts that John's very survival hinges on their mercy, stating they need only step aside, not confront him directly.
Elsewhere, Kenny scans the newspaper headlines detailing the M25 murder in Estepona, Spain. John, in a bid for survival, offers Enrique half of whatever funds he can gather, uncertainty shrouding his escape route. Acknowledging Enrique's foresight regarding Tenerife and the Russians, John still harbors doubts about his ultimate destination. Meanwhile, Joey finds refuge in Estepona as Kenny skulks by, avoiding detection.
Marnie receives a call from Léna in France, who introduces herself amidst her baby's wails. Apologies tumble from Léna's lips before she abruptly hangs up. Back in Tortola, Brightwell and Jennings unwind with a drink, their conversation veering towards his undisclosed past in the flying squad. Jennings confesses his aspiration to become a lawyer, but fate led him into policing. He describes the flying squad as a disappointment, lacking the thrill he anticipated. She urges him to channel his skills into examining Logan's files.
Their tranquility is shattered by police radio chatter announcing the arrival of a suspicious vehicle with two occupants. It sits idly, awaiting its next move. Local authorities plea for immediate reinforcement, but Brightwell and Jennings proceed cautiously towards the vehicle. Jennings, lighting a cigarette, explains the dynamics of threat perception: action or retreat. In this instance, the car opts to flee.
The following morning, Brightwell meticulously perused the array of files, informing Jennings that he discerned a complex web of several dozen companies spanning the globe through which funds were shuffled. Though the pattern seemed haphazard, he deduced that all but one of these entities served merely as decoys. The challenge lay in identifying the solitary genuine player. He further realized that these banks offered a sweet deal of zero percent interest, turning a blind eye to illicit activities in return. Meanwhile, Jennings, captivated by the blossoms around him, grasped the necessity of enlisting Kadene to bridge their path to Logan.
Elsewhere, Boyce accompanied Harper to confront the Madrid police. Harper revealed that despite a two-year investigation into Boyce's target, he had boldly confessed on national television. She proposed obtaining search warrants, yet Boyce stood firm, emphasizing the British nature of the charges. The officer clarified that since the crimes had transpired in Spain, local charges would also ensue. He assured Boyce that John could be apprehended upon his release from Spanish custody. Handing him an Interpol file, she hinted at an alternate scenario unfolding.
In Estepona, Kenny confronted Joey, gripping his arm insistently, demanding to know who had dispatched him. Joey, clueless about the mission's originator, suggested a lunch break to ease the tension. Meanwhile, Jennings engaged Kadene in a heart-to-heart conversation. She confessed her ignorance of Logan's true intentions, clarifying that his schemes benefited not the Tortolians but the affluent who sought the island as a haven to launder their money. She added that while Logan sought the most lucrative deals, he did employ the funds for noble purposes. Jennings probed further, inquiring about these benevolent acts.
Over lunch, Kenny and Joey shared stories, with Kenny inquiring about Joey's betrayal, which Joey admitted, orchestrated by his lifelong friend. He recounted his narrow escape after a fortuitous dentist appointment during pretrial detention. Moved by Joey's plight, Kenny accepted his invitation to stay under his roof, vowing mutual protection. Across town, Boyce and Harper kept vigil outside El Dorado, their patience rewarded by the mantra of "wait, watch, and find the chink in their armor." Suddenly, Harper sprang into action, exiting the vehicle with renewed determination.
Upon entering, Marnie confronts John, only to catch him indulging in cocaine. He curtly remarks that she should have exercised caution before arriving. Marnie informs him that Léna had reached out, prompting her visit, and demands to know the extent of his accomplices. John counters by insisting that Léna's accusations are baseless. Marnie confesses that her respect for him has dwindled to zero, to which he responds by accusing her of being merely attracted to the wealth and lifestyle their arrangement affords. She retorts that she has been using the money as a distraction and presents him with divorce papers. He attempts to negotiate a settlement, but she firmly declines. John scoffs, painting her as just another individual who believes his downfall is inevitable, shouting defiantly that he is far from finished. Marnie symbolically places her wedding ring atop the papers and informs him that his troubles were merely the glint of gold that has now tarnished. With that, she exits the scene.
At El Dorado, a storm of discontent brews among the tourists, who demand a refund. Harper observes the chaos, while Boyce keeps watch as Marnie departs. Returning to their vehicle, Harper suggests to Boyce that they should cede their money laundering operations to Spain, as they are no longer needed. Instead, they possess John's fraud scheme, which is more expansive than anticipated, targeting British victims. The stakes are high—tens of millions at risk and the potential for lengthy prison sentences. Their priority is to escort John back to London to face justice.
Meanwhile, in Tortola, Brightwell and Logan sit on a porch, engaging in a tense conversation. Brightwell reveals his realization that Logan's holding company is the actual entity recycling funds as a decoy, receiving money without distributing it further. Logan cautions that obtaining the account number is crucial, yet it won't be found among the files. Jennings arrives, wielding the account number and exposing Logan's unauthorized use of funds to support Kadene's school. Brightwell advises Logan to return to England, cooperate, and contest the matter in court against the Americans, hinting at a brief stint in an open prison before his release. Logan, however, reveals his awareness of last night's visitors and mentions the protection offered by the Americans. Brightwell assures him they will intervene with their governor to facilitate his situation.
John seeks out Enrique but finds him absent, with Boyce stepping in instead. Boyce mocks John's current plight, contrasting it with the peace he could have had with his wife. He mentions Charlie Miller's escape and grills John about Kenny's whereabouts, warning of additional decades behind bars if it's proven John aided a fugitive. Boyce asserts that they are relentlessly pursuing Charlie, Kenny, and John, suggesting that their prey misunderstands the nature of their pursuers' resolve. John insists that he isn't done fleeing, but Boyce drops a bombshell—a £1 million bounty on his life. John argues his worth alive, but Boyce urges him to return home, face trial, and attempt to best him once more in court.
Jennings sits alongside Logan, her tone laden with reservations as she remarks, "I couldn't muster much pride in owning such a place, considering the manner in which you acquired it." He confesses to her that he fell short of graduating from Cambridge but struck a deal with the Dean, securing a third-class degree. Subsequently, he was dispatched overseas, aiming to return triumphant with a Rolls-Royce. Instead, he was met with humiliation and punishment, yet the prospect of returning home with additional disgrace is unacceptable to him.
Brightwell reappears, vowing to match any offer made by the Americans. Logan laments their efforts as futile. Jennings scorns the notion of his significance in America, to which Logan retorts that he'd sooner be a nobody than a failure. Soon after, the DEA escorts him away.
Gabriella proposes that if they can apprehend Charlie, they might unveil a conspiracy, multiplying the financial penalties and securing a $50 to $60 million share for them. But this contingent upon capturing Charlie.
In Costa Rica, a knock disrupts Charlie's solitude. A young boy stands at the door, eagerly inviting him to join a football game. Elsewhere, Lundy makes his way to the local bank, only to be informed by a translator, acting on behalf of the bank manager, that they are unable to assist him. Lundy persists, pointing out Charlie's withdrawals as proof of their knowledge about his whereabouts. The bank manager responds with fury, insisting Lundy leave immediately. As the manager departs on his bicycle, Lundy notices the translator driving away and decides to follow her instead.
Meanwhile, Joey and Kenny share a meal in Estepona. Kenny inquires about the person overseeing the "supergrasses," and Joey reveals it's a detective at the Yard, though he doesn't know the name. In the past, they might have eliminated such a threat, but now, self-preservation is paramount. Joey expresses admiration for Kenny's role in the Brink's-Mat heist, though Kenny prefers to leave that chapter unopened. Joey empathizes with the plight of the supergrasses, acknowledging the challenges of their existence: the boredom, fear, paranoia, and constant vigilance against unknown adversaries. He harbors a deep disdain for their choices but understands the desire to escape the confines of a prison sentence.
Upon his return to the office, Boyce contacts McLean, informing her that he perused Lundy's file during his flight back and found half of it redacted. She clarifies that Lundy was once in charge of the supergrasses operation, which did not conclude favorably.
In Costa Rica, Lundy trails the woman from the bank, his determination unwavering as he follows her trail straight to Charlie. That night in Tenerife, John indulges in cocaine in his apartment, instructing someone to prepare the plane. When he goes to retrieve his gun from beneath his mattress, it's missing. Realizing he left it in his car, he glances out the window and heads downstairs. As soon as he steps outside, men begin firing shots and chasing him with guns blazing. He sprints away, reaching an abandoned taxi and jumping behind the wheel, speeding off. The assailants steal another car and give chase relentlessly.
In the charming town of Estepona, Joey and Kenny share a leisurely drink, the ambiance shattered when Kenny announces his departure. Joey, inquisitive and persistent, broaches the sensitive topic of the missing Brink’s-Mat gold, inquiring about Charlie and John's whereabouts. Kenny feigns ignorance, his tone sharpening as he reminds Joey of their unspoken rule: never to ask questions. He scoffs at the transformation he perceives in Joey, who retaliates by gently reminding Kenny of the enjoyable day they've shared, hoping to sway his companion's resolve.
As Kenny rises to his feet, the shadows outside the establishment darken with the approach of law enforcement. Flashbacks haunt Joey, revisiting his arrest in a bustling pub alongside a friend. Lundy's entrance is met with Joey's sly wink; it was he who had informed on Lundy, not the other way around. Realizing the impending danger, Kenny attempts to slip away unnoticed, but the persistent knocking at the door signals the police's arrival. In a panic, he seeks refuge with the housekeeper, urgently gesturing towards the hidden tunnels beneath Joey's residence.
Thousands of miles away, in Costa Rica, a young boy, football in hand, shouts a urgent warning to Charlie about the impending police. Charlie bolts out the door, only to spot Lundy closing in. Heart pounding, he races ahead, every step a gamble for freedom. Meanwhile, John speeds away in a stolen taxi, his destination: the airport. With the final fence leap, he narrowly evades capture as another vehicle screeches to a halt nearby.
Kenny dashes through the labyrinthine tunnels beneath Joey's home, the pounding footsteps of the pursuing officers echoing eerily behind him. Charlie's flight takes him toward a perilous dead-end, a sheer cliff looming ahead. John, on the brink of escape, sprints towards his private jet, the promise of sanctuary just within reach. Amidst the chaos, three fugitives, each with their own tale of desperation and deceit, are ensnared in a relentless race against time and justice.
