The climax of the series unfolds with Edwyn Cooper incarcerated, his mind wandering through the corridors of his life's legacy. Addressing the prison board, he muses on how existence distills down to a single, concise narrative—for him, that narrative is Brink's-Mat. In his eyes, nothing else in his life holds significance; Brink's-Mat alone defines him. He rejects probation, insisting on serving his entire sentence, convinced that his tarnished identity, forever linked to the heist, is all that matters. While fellow inmates perceive him as infamous, Edwyn sees himself differently, haunted solely by what he has lost. Solace, if any, comes from the realization that he is not alone in his downfall; he was part of a collective whose lives were equally shattered. The scene shifts to Charlie and John in custody, while Kenny lounges in a restaurant, unperturbed.
Lundy confronts Charlie, pressing him to confess to the financial crimes, disclosing the money's whereabouts, and never cross his path again. Alternatively, Lundy threatens to frame him for the robbery. Charlie feigns ignorance, asking, "What robbery?" Lundy retorts that tracing Charlie's rapid ascent from poverty to affluence will hardly be challenging. suggestion of it exposes. He jokes about missing Lundy upon his departure, suggesting their similarities when Lundy inquires about his future. Lundy vows to bring him down by any means necessary, while Charlie fights to the death.
Elsewhere, Boyce engages John in a conversation, urging him to plead guilty and secure a future beyond bars. John, however, is steadfast in his resolve to fight. Boyce warns of the futility of finding a lawyer for someone illiterate, but John insists on defending himself. Boyce scoffs at John's prospects, emphasizing the challenges ahead. Curiosity piqued, Boyce asks about Kenny's whereabouts. John responds with indifference, acknowledging a vague acquaintance but hinting at Kenny's perpetual elusiveness, pursued by unseen forces.
The scene shifts to Cadiz, Spain, where Kenny finds himself seated in a cozy restaurant, placing his lunch order amidst the bustling ambiance. Meanwhile, in Kent, the detective in charge of the M25 murder case is engrossed in unraveling the mystery. His subordinates inform him that the News of the World has caught wind of their pursuit of Kenny. In response, he instructs them to arrange a press conference but to disclose only that rumors suggest Kenny's presence in Spain. They require an eyewitness confirmation of Kenny's whereabouts, shielded from the media's scrutinizing gaze. However, recognizing the inevitable public awareness, he concedes that leveraging the media by featuring Kenny on newspapers' front pages might aid their search endeavors.
Elsewhere, Boyce sits down with Commissioner Stewart and McLean, outlining their strategy: they intend to prosecute John and assist American authorities in charging Charlie in Florida, promising harsher penalties. This dual prosecution will yield half of the Brink’s-Mat gold and see two criminals brought to justice. He underscores that, unlike previous cases where they convicted more individuals but failed to recover the gold, this time, if successful against John and Charlie, they stand to make the largest financial recovery in British policing history, thereby removing the illicit funds from circulation and mitigating their damaging impact.
Stewart counters by emphasizing that, without convictions, their efforts would be fruitless. McLean pleads for an extension on Boyce's behalf, citing his dwindling time, but Stewart rebuffs, noting Boyce's three decades of service have culminated in his mandatory retirement. Nevertheless, Stewart relents slightly, informing McLean that Boyce will charge Charlie with the robbery before his departure. Boyce protests the lack of sufficient evidence, but Stewart argues that, with the public aware of an uncaptured Brink’s-Mat robber, charging Charlie is imperative. As for Kenny, Stewart dismisses it as beyond Boyce's purview.
In Spain, Kenny's shopping spree is interrupted by his own face staring back at him from newspaper headlines. His presence catches another shopper's attention, who threatens him upon his departure. Panicked, Kenny dials Brian Reader at his auto yard, instructing him to use a payphone for a callback. Obediently, Brian complies. Kenny conveys that he's been spotted in Gibraltar and underscores the urgency of consulting their associates to devise a strategy against the pending charges.
At Kent Police headquarters, officers are meticulously poring over a plethora of false sightings reported across thirteen nations. The officer-in-charge muses that Kenny must have accomplices aiding his escape by flooding the system with decoys. Meanwhile, Stewart and McLean summon Lundy and Boyce, amidst reports splashing Lundy's accusations across newspapers. Lundy suspects Charlie Miller's involvement, reiterating his spotless record and unwavering courage in making arrests. He boasts of his unparalleled prowess at Scotland Yard, both in capturing criminals and enduring investigations, suggesting these aren't mere coincidences. Boyce expresses his ignorance of any misconduct but emphasizes the need to charge Charlie. Stewart promptly suspends Lundy, with the suspension to commence post the Old Bailey proceedings.
Upon exiting, Boyce inquires about the Americans' progress in filing charges against Charlie. Lundy reveals that he'll approach them post the verdict in the robbery trial. Boyce expresses concern; what if the charges are dismissed, allowing Charlie to walk free? Lundy warns that if the Americans aren't prepared, Charlie might vanish into thin air. Boyce urges Lundy to ensure that doesn't happen.
Elsewhere, officers keep a vigilant watch on Brian Reader's car yard. Brian arrives, cleverly swaps his car with one in the yard, and ingeniously blocks the police at the entrance, making a swift getaway. Inside the Old Bailey, Charlie Miller faces charges for the Brink's-Mat robbery. Prosecutors contend that Charlie's fortunes soared post the heist, leading him to Spain. However, the judge declares insufficient evidence and acquits Charlie. Lundy meets Boyce post-trial.
In his cell, Charlie demands his release, only to be confronted by Boyce and Lundy. He's to be extradited to Florida immediately. Defiant, Charlie vows to outsmart the Americans just as he did before. He wonders aloud about his six accomplices in the Brink's-Mat heist, questioning their whereabouts. Boyce clarifies that this isn't about the robbery but the money. He warns Charlie that in the end, all he'll have are memories, devoid of the gold or money. As they depart, Charlie's screams echo through the cell. Lundy then informs Boyce of his resignation.
In the dense embrace of the woods, Brian crosses paths with Kenny, who reveals he has narrowly evaded the authorities of Kent Police. With a hint of urgency, Kenny inquires about a mysterious "other thing," only for Brian to dash his hopes, asserting that it is not meant to be. Brian makes it clear that he seeks a dialogue, but such a luxury is precisely what is unforthcoming. Kenny admits to having approached his contacts within the Yard about downgrading the charges to manslaughter, only to meet with refusal. Brian then reprimands Kenny for his ill-conceived actions upon regaining his freedom. Kenny responds with a somber lament, acknowledging that his life seems to be a perpetual cycle of losing friends and amassing adversaries.
Elsewhere, Boyce re-enters the office with a sense of purpose, emphasizing the necessity of collaborating with their American counterparts and presenting Douglas as a key witness against Charlie in due course. The exposure of John Palmer's fraudulent activities promises to rank among the most significant scandals in British history. Jennings cautions that orchestrating such a high-stakes operation will require time, but Boyce, announcing his retirement, asserts that the time is now. Jennings protests their unreadiness, yet Boyce insists they are on the cusp of conclusion. He apologizes for his inability to see them through, expressing the bittersweetness of his departure. Nevertheless, he implores them to carry on.
The scene shifts to a later juncture, focusing on the courtroom drama unfolding in the fraud trial against John Palmer. Jennings whispers to Harper that the jury's attention wanes under the prosecution's lengthy exposition. As if sensing the lull, John rises to enchant the jury, addressing them directly with charisma. He paints a picture of a justice system where cases like his come at exorbitant costs and hints at his无辜 in the Brink’s-Mat robbery, amidst persistent police scrutiny over unrelated matters.
Meanwhile, an officer at Kent Police receives a cryptic call, prompting him to embark on a solitary drive to a specified location. There, he is met by an unidentified vehicle. The following day, he briefs his team on Kenny's whereabouts in Cadiz, handing out plane tickets for their expedition. When questioned about his source, he remains tight-lipped. The officers express concern over the lack of backup, to which he responds coolly, suggesting Spanish authorities as an alternative. However, the officer stands firm in his belief that this is a mission for Kent Police, a sentiment echoed by his team.
In Fort Lauderdale, Douglas stands accused of participating in a criminal conspiracy to launder money, facing the music head-on. He concedes guilt in the matter, prompting the judge to warn him of potential fines ranging from $8 to $10 million, though hinting at a role as a cooperating witness in exchange. Meanwhile, Charlie finds himself entangled in the same allegations but steadfastly denies any wrongdoing.
Across the pond, at the historic Old Bailey courthouse, John grills Harper with fierce determination. He insists that while fraud has indeed taken place, he himself is not the perpetrator, flaunting his affluence as proof of his innocence. Harper counters by accusing him of widespread fraud, prompting John to countersue with claims of a conspiracy involving the police, Harper, and the Brink's-Mat insurers. When Harper queries the motive behind John's £3 million payment to the insurers, he dismisses it as a bid to shake off harassment. She retorts by suggesting he boasts of his concealed wealth, to which John defiantly turns to the jury, declaring his openness and rejecting any notion of swindling tourists. Harper counters sharply, reminding him of the 17,000 duped individuals. John maintains his innocence, insisting he has never marketed timeshares nor embezzled funds.
In Cadiz, authorities track down the restaurant where Kenny has been dining, though his recent absence raises suspicions. They inform him that he is not the first to inquire after him, hinting at a more sinister underlying story.
Back in Fort Lauderdale, Charlie's trial commences amidst heightened tensions. Simultaneously, a Kent police officer catches sight of a newspaper headline speculating on Kenny's murder. His Spanish counterparts confirm whispers of a hit orchestrated by fellow Brink's-Mat heist accomplices. The lead officer, skeptical of these rumors, orders the investigation to proceed unabated.
Hidden in the woods, Kenny holds up the newspaper, jesting with Brian about the exaggerated rumors of his demise. He suggests the threat might not originate from them but perhaps serves as a warning. While Kenny assures Brian of his freedom, Brian counters that true freedom eludes him, revealing a letter from the Brink's-Mat insurers demanding £3 million from all associated parties, else face civil suits leading to financial ruin. John's £3 million payment serves as a grim precedent, and now, Kenny too faces the same demand. Refusing to surrender, Kenny vows to escape, his patience worn thin.
Charlie's trial intensifies as he argues that Douglas led him to an intermediary to legitimize funds from a legitimate business venture, unrelated to the Brink's-Mat heist, for which he has already been cleared in London. The judge clarifies that the issue at hand is not the heist itself but the laundering of proceeds, citing witnesses who implicate Charlie as the originator. Moreover, they possess a co-conspirator under Federal Witness Protection, much to Charlie's astonishment and disbelief. He turns a sarcastic gaze at Douglas, questioning the sanity of anyone daft enough to participate in such a scheme openly. Outside the courtroom, Brightwell calms a distressed Douglas, who fears for his safety. Together, they steel themselves for the trial's resumption.
