Slow Horses

From our eye in the sky we are seeing

unprecedented traffic chaos across the capital.

According to eyewitnesses, several cars ground to a halt,

their engines bursting into flames.

Injuries are reported but no fatalities as yet.

The areas around the vehicles are experiencing severe gridlock

which is hampering the response of emergency services.

There is no word on what caused this.

Take Ho down to interrogation cell eight.

- The fright cube? - Yep.

I know my rights. I need to talk to my dad's lawyer.

You don't get any phone calls.

And if you did, you're better off calling the dry cleaner

and a dentist.

Why am I getting my updates on burning cars from the news?

Apologies, ma'am.

We've been waiting until we know for sure what happened.

- And do you? - Well, we've ruled out terror.

They weren't car bombs.

It seems a chemical in the fuel caused the engines to seize up and overheat.

And what are the fuel companies saying?

Denying liability. Claiming sabotage.

First Desk is looking into how and where it might have taken place.

Is he?

I don't understand…

Why are there still all these burning cars on the roads?

The police can't move them until the flames are out

and the firefighters can't get in there until the gridlock eases.

Yeah, but then…

Excuse me. Sorry.

Whelan.

We met on your jog.

Do you have an official comment on the story

we're going to run for Dodie Gimball's column?

You shouldn't have this phone number. How dare you?

There will be repercussions, I promise you that.

The repercussions are on you.

If you weren't so busy chasing skirt

maybe we wouldn't have shootings and gridlock.

Is this traffic situation contained?

Yeah, about ten minutes ago.

I was about to shut down every gas station in London.

- Petrol station. - Petrol… petrol station.

Thankfully we established that all the affected stations

had a delivery from one single tanker.

So, traffic should be back to normal by the end of the day.

The fence at the depot was cut,

so we're assuming that's where the tampering happened.

Likely by climate protestors.

Our London mayor Zafar Jaffrey has issued a statement calling for calm

in the wake of what sources are saying is the result of fuel tampering.

While the emergency services are doing everything they can

to get the roads clear, I would urge people to leave their cars…

Look at them down there, we've driven them crazy.

And what's coming next will drive them even crazier.

How many will it kill?

All of them. It will be a massacre.

The gridlock is focused mainly around those vehicles,

so Muswell Hill, Elephant and Castle, Mile End, and the City.

No fatalities. Although, there is a pensioner in intensive care.

Sorry, why has the explosives unit been stood down?

Well, that would've been nice to know.

So why did the engines explode then?

Well, once the fire is out, get forensics in.

They should be able to tell us what the chemical was

- and where it came from. - What's the plan?

Doesn't help that I'm stuck over here.

The usual.

So, do nothing?

- Yeah. - As long as I know.

Taverner wants them in lockdown while she sweats Ho.

Let me know if the CCTV turns up.

Where's Shirley Dander?

I'd check the downstairs lav.

She'll either be shoveling one up or curling one out.

Phones.

I gave Shirley some money to get us all breakfast.

Not you, I'm afraid.

That was before you arrived.

Hey. Where're you going?

Well… Talking of breakfast made me a bit peckish.

There's fresh cake and crisps downstairs.

Sit down. It sounds like your breakfast is coming.

River?

What? I can't hear you.

- Fuck. - Hey! Watch where you're going!

Come on, stop playing games.

And give me your phone.

Coe, it's a lockdown. Give her your phone.

Hand it over. No comms, this is a lockdown.

- This is a podcast. - I don't care.

Come on, give her your phone, otherwise she's gonna call up

the two Dogs that are in Roddy's office.

Sorry?

I can't hear a fucking thing. I'll see you in a sec.

Why are you being so helpful?

I was just… Occasionally he's not really the most responsive,

but don't know why I bother. Crack on.

You're familiar with the Slough House brief, I assume?

Well, then you'll know that some of us have issues.

Get to the point.

Well, it's just that listening to music--

Podcast.

Listening to music or podcasts has the effect of calming Mr. Coe down.

What happens if he doesn't listen to something?

I'm not sure. We've never prevented him before.

Okay, listen to the damn music. Whatever.

It's a podcast.

Ain't no prison built that can hold me.

The only prison I fear is the prison of the mind.

And I bust out of that years ago.

I am mythical, historical and futuristical.

Roddy Ho is merely the latest incarnation of my most potent energy.

I cannot be created

nor destroyed.

Sir Isaac Newton, motherfuckers.

The only difference between him and me is I don't believe in laws.

I am the law.

How long has he been doing this?

About 20 minutes straight.

What causes that?

Is that a lack of breastfeeding or too much breastfeeding?

Hey, come on.

I'm sure the forest animals that found him did their best.

Alexander the Great. Genghis Khan…

What is going on in here?

Why have you pulled these people off the Hub?

Apologies, ma'am.

His response to the room has been unusual.

Wow.

- Welcome, Clarice. - No, Roddy.

I'm gonna let you sit here quietly for five minutes

and think about this room

and all the things that I can make happen in it if you don't help me.

Okay? See you shortly.

And who are you?

You fucking first.

Room for a little one?

Don't fucking touch me.

For fuck's sake.

What, you just walk in and surrender, did you?

Why didn't you warn me we were swarming with pricks?

I did, I called you.

The whole of London is kicking off.

I couldn't hear you.

All right, well I couldn't hear that you couldn't hear me, could I?

For God's sake, Shirley. You used my money to buy wine?

Yes, see, what I thought was that there'd be that much more for the rest of us.

Well, you can't fault her logic.

You're really gonna start the day with wine?

It's a bit early for spirits, but knock yourself out.

I'm telling you, there's something going on out there.

Total gridlock.

Flyte's up to speed. Maybe she'll deign to share.

There's been an incident at some petrol stations.

Three.

What kind of incidents?

It's Park business.

And babysitting us? Is that Park business as well?

That feels a bit below you.

Number three.

Coe, what is it that you're saying?

On the list.

That I mentioned.

Previously.

The destabilization strategy.

Was trying to allude to it rather than mention it

in front of this unexpected company.

Yeah, well, the main reason not to mention it in front of everyone

is out of sheer embarrassment at the batshit lunacy of it.

Number three is disrupt the transports.

He thinks sinister forces are trying to bring down the country.

Yeah, but it's bollocks.

Doesn't make any sense.

I mean, why and try disrupt London traffic when it is already permanently fucked?

He's gone back in.

So, is that enough of a pattern for it to be a destabilization strategy?

It's not. Why did someone try and kill Roddy?

That's what we should be worrying about.

And why did they try and kill him with the same gun

that executed the Abbotsfield killer?

What? Wait, how'd you know that?

Taverner.

And why are you just telling us that now?

'Cause I've been thinking.

Executed? I thought the Abbotsfield killer killed himself?

Taverner used the word "executed."

And Flyte's not correcting me.

Excuse me?

Couldn't spare me some change, could you? I'm trying to get a hostel.

Have a nice day.

Bad day?

Every day is bad, mate.

Nobody's got any money.

Yeah.

Hard times all around, eh?

I mean they don't have any coins or notes.

Pay for everything on their phones.

Hey.

I got some money for you.