As the episode kicks off, Di Sunil "Sunny" Khan (portrayed by Sanjeev Bhaskar) dials Sal, leaving a voice message to inform him of his return later that evening. Meanwhile, Jess struggles to compose herself as Dave Adams (played by Mark Frost) engages in a phone conversation, relaying to an unseen party that Ebele has fallen ill and suggesting they reschedule their meeting for early the following week. Tony Hume (Ian McElhinney), dissatisfied, vents his frustrations to Rashid (Nabil Elouahabi), who helplessly admits there's little he can do to assist.
Jess (Sinead Keenan), learning that the firearm Ebele possessed was merely an air pistol borrowed from a flatmate, receives clarification from DC Karen Willetts (Pippa Nixon). Willetts explains that Ebele, after indulging in alcohol with friends, found herself caught up in a whimsical prank. It was a spontaneous dare, turning into an impulsive bank heist fantasy. Ebele subsequently faced a 12-month sentence. Christopher Blackwood, the doorman she threatened, corroborated her account, revealing that after a few minutes of brandishing the gun, Ebele confessed it was all a joke—though not before Blackwood had already called the police. Skeptical, Jess expresses her desire to interview Blackwood personally. She also confirms that forensics discovered what could potentially be the bullet in question.
Ds Murray Boulting (Jordan Long) shares his findings: a bank account belonging to a woman matching Ebele's name and date of birth. Her final transaction, a debit card payment to an off-license on June 26th at 5:43 PM, coincides with the day a social worker visited Precious. Her banking activity had been remarkably consistent, with card usage almost daily. Murray notes that while Precious primarily subsisted on benefits, she occasionally deposited cash, roughly half a dozen times annually since 2010. These deposits ceased after June 26th. Seven months prior to Precious's demise, a standing order for £200 was established, payable on the 1st of each month, with only the initials "DSH" appearing on her statements. Murray couldn't trace any phone contracts, implying Precious likely used a pay-as-you-go phone.
Fran (Carolina Main) flags Joseph Bell's presence in the Police National Computer (PNC) system, having been arrested in Essex the previous day for Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) among other offenses. She is tasked with locating him to determine if they can interview him. Karol (Max Rinehart), on another call, converses with someone who assisted him in obtaining a work permit years ago. Karol mentions having some items that might interest this individual and agrees to meet later that night.
Sunny's arrival prompts him to quiz Karol about Precious. Dave catches up with Ebele, mentioning a London lawyer who had called for her. Puzzled, he wonders about the nature of the call and how they could afford such legal representation. Ebele, unresponsive, walks away without addressing his questions. Karol reveals ignorance about Precious's dealings or conflicts with her suppliers. She had been shuffled between temporary hostels, frequently evicted due to issues with her universal credit payments. Though not actively engaged in sex work, her son encouraged her to return to it, a scenario Karol witnessed a couple of times.Their relationship was fraught with difficulties, with her son habitually plundering her possessions. Precious also disclosed instances of violence perpetuated against her by him. Her bond with her mother mirrored this tumultuous dynamic. Karol's primary focus was to secure stable housing for her and address her addiction issues, yet these endeavors remained unmet due to Precious's tendency to undermine her own assistance. Karol attributed their failure to financial constraints.
Upon Serge's (Louis Bernard) arrival, he was apprised of the police involvement and promptly collected his children. He informed Karol of his decision to sever ties before departing with the kids. Karol was quizzed about paying a visit to Precious at her squat in Hammersmith, where she neglected to mention Tony Hume. He racked his brains but could conjure no connection between that visit and his resignation from his post. He emphasized that his departure stemmed from widespread exhaustion and morale depletion, rather than any untoward incident in the house. Sunny, expressing gratitude for Karol's time, noted his assertion of an uneventful visit.
Keith received disheartening news of his likely replacement by Jay (Rhys Yates). His new legal counsel attempted to secure his release by posting a 10,000-pound bail bond. Sunny reached out to Jess, expressing a desire to delve deeper into Karol's exit from West London Social Services. He suggested scheduling a face-to-face meeting, only to be interrupted by a text from Sal, who revealed her tragic miscarriage and her reluctance to converse at that moment. Meanwhile, Karen embarked on a research spree regarding Tony.
Tony engaged in a conversation with Medhi Hussein (Abhin Galeya), who rejected his grant application with what Tony perceived as an overly abrupt demeanor for a 100,000-pound award. Tony reminded Medhi of his pivotal role in securing his position at the DOT and facilitating his son's introduction to Warburgs. He disclosed that Medhi was derisively nicknamed "Medhi-ocrity" behind his back. Medhi retaliated by asserting that no one harbored such sentiments towards him because he was inconsequential.
Jess and Sunny visited Jay in jail, where he expressed indifference, claiming years of estrangement. He reckoned it had been a decade since he distanced himself from her. When quizzed about his whereabouts around the time mentioned by Karol, Jay vehemently denied any involvement and suggested Karol might have mistaken him for someone else. Regarding the allegations of violence, he dismissed them as his mother's fabrications, asserting she would resort to any means to extract favors. He presumed she had relocated to Wales. Jay recommended probing David Bell, who subjected her to mental, physical, and sexual abuse, treating her like an animal. Jay had witnessed this abuse intermittently from the ages of seven to fifteen. He recounted the challenges in reporting due to their isolation from the nearest town and urged them to consider David a viable suspect.
Elise (Claire Ganaye) rang Karol, inquiring about his encounter with Serge. Karol assured her everything was alright before abruptly terminating the call. Karen delved deeper into Tony's political leanings and his strained relationship with Medhi.As they depart, Jess confides in Sunny, revealing that Jay's family possesses a remarkable talent for deceit, piquing her curiosity about him further. The attorney soon arrives to secure Jay's release on bail. Meanwhile, Fran uncovers Karol's struggles with mental health, exacerbated by two racially charged assaults—one in 2015 and another in 2016, both motivated by his Jewish heritage. A malicious rumor circulates that Karol's departure stemmed from taking inappropriate photographs of a colleague, allegedly capturing an upskirt image of her on a stairwell.
Determined to delve deeper, Jess arranges a meeting with Jay's probation officer. Murray, on the other hand, retrieves the results of the C&C trawl conducted on 64 Waterman Road, uncovering a single incident on June 14th. A resident from 23 Waterman Road reported a violent altercation outside 64, involving two women, one of whom apparently addressed the other as "mum." Jess harbors suspicions that Ebele might have deceived them about her lack of contact with Precious since her birthday on January 15th. By the time authorities arrived, the commotion had subsided, leaving no grounds for further action. Jess ponders how Precious managed to enter and exit the house, considering it was fortified by Tony at that point.
Sunny bears flowers to Sal (Michelle Bonnard), who承认she isn't upset with him for his honesty about his childlessness. Sal confides that isolation weighs heavily on her, acknowledging the oddity of feeling jealous toward a deceased woman yet unable to suppress those feelings. Nine months have passed with no hint of wedding plans, despite her hopeful anticipation that Sunny would propose setting a date. Her fear gnaws at her that she already knows the reason behind his hesitation.
As the persistent ringing of the phone interrupts their conversation, Sal urges Sunny to answer it. While he takes the call, Jess encounters Debbie. Jay learns that his reunion with his girlfriend will have to wait. Debbie confesses to Jess, her voice laden with regret, that it happened only once—a moment of loneliness shared with someone who claimed to feel the same. It occurred three months ago, while Jess was away on a course, in their own home while Debbie babysat the children. Jess responds, her tone tinged with disappointment, that she wouldn't have disclosed it if Debbie weren't so weak.
Szymon calls Karol, relaying a pressing issue: a wholesaler received a crate with a tampered seal, eight watches missing. He urges Karol to come in and help locate them or sort out the paperwork, averting the necessity of involving the police. Karol expresses gratitude for the heads-up and promises to address it soon, calling back to affirm his commitment to resolve the matter.
Jay is escorted to Tony Hume, who introduces himself with an air of authority. Karol, returning to work, spots the police presence and wonders about Joseph's cryptic words. Jay surmises that a figure like Tony, accustomed to exerting control, must find Jay's lack of power intriguing. Jay admits he's been living in fear of Tony since that fateful night, terrified of what Tony might do if he discovered Jay's secrets. Now, face-to-face with Tony, Jay realizes it's Tony who's scared. Tony demands to know Jay's identity and intentions, only to be met with Jay's declaration of his desire for something—followed by a punch.
When Jess finally steps through the door of her home, Kate greets her with a question, inquiring if she had forgotten about Kate's plans to go out for the evening. Jess, with tears beginning to well up in her eyes, responds by asking if Debbie had already broken the news to her. Her mother, sensing the distress, swiftly agrees to postpone her own plans and stay by Jess's side for the night. Meanwhile, Jay returns to his apartment, where Jordan, still nestled in bed with Cheryl (Hebe Beardsall), rises to greet him. Jordan expresses her relief and longing, sharing that she had merely needed someone to care for her during his absence.
Jess confides in her mother, stating that she cannot forgive Debbie, but her mother gently reminds her that her sister is not in good health. Jess voices her uncertainty about ever wanting to speak to Debbie again, and even suggests that her mother should consider severing ties as well.
The following morning, Sunny engages with individuals who knew James, excluding Jess, as she is absent. These acquaintances reveal that James spent most of his time in front of the television, fabricating excuses for his supposed injuries. One man recounts a harrowing tale of how he lived with them for nine months and was subsequently blocked by James's mother from adopting him, ultimately being reunited with her under circumstances he suspects were motivated by child benefit. It was a deeply sorrowful chapter in his life. Another acquaintance harbors no doubts about Jay's capability for violence.
Later, Sunny encounters Jess and inquiries about her whereabouts, promptly apologizing and suggesting they speak in private. In Snowdonia, Wales, Murray sets out to meet an undisclosed contact. Sunny urges Jess to collaborate more closely, emphasizing the importance of being in the same room and generating theories together, despite the emotional barriers between them. He apologizes for any personal turmoil that might have contributed to their distance, sharing with her the pain of Sal's miscarriage of a child he had never wanted. In turn, Jess reveals the betrayal of her husband's affair with her sister. They exchange heartfelt apologies before Karen interrupts with crucial bullet analysis results, linking the projectile to a 2015 robbery in Lisson Grove where Elton Paul King, an associate of Joseph Bell, was apprehended. Notably, King was in Winterstoke at the time of Precious's murder.
Determined to pursue the case further, Jess expresses her desire to re-interview Jay, despite believing he remains incarcerated, and to question King, who was released on parole last year. Karen's departure prompts Jess to acknowledge her emotional turmoil and apologize,承认他们需要深入交谈。 Elsewhere, Tony discusses arrangements to expedite his end-of-life plans with a legal firm.
