The Coroner

Happy? - Yeah.

Me too.

I've never felt this way about anyone.

I know we've not known each other that long, but I know that

this feels right.

And I... This might sound crazy.

But what would you say to us moving in together?

It's not like you're getting any younger. - Give it a rest, Mum.

You got plans this weekend? You trying to get shot of me?

I'm just saying - it's time you went to bed with something other than work. - Mum!

Well, last night, you feel asleep with the light on. Again.

With your glasses on. Again.

With work papers falling out of your hand.

Morning.

Oh, you tell her, Davey. She won't listen to her mother.

What, and you think she'd listen to me?

You're not here this early to gang up on me.

No. No, I wish.

A body's been found near Baillie's Causeway.

OK, give me five minutes.

Honestly, Davey. Tell her to give herself a shake.

Get a life.

I heard that.

No ID on him.

Pathologist reckons he's been there for several hours.

If you look at his clothes, they're wet.

It was raining last night, but they think it stopped about 1am, apparently.

So he's been here all night? Yeah.

We think he lost control of the car, swerved off the road.

Probably drunk driving.

Got out and was hit by a passing vehicle.

Hit and run?

Looks that way. No CCTV this far out of town, though.

Excuse me.

Hello... Yeah, go on, let's have it.

..All right, OK. Good work.

We've got an ID from the registration number.

Jason Daniels.

"JD is king".

Poor old JD.

Are you sure this is all right, Mrs Daniels? He has sustained some serious facial injuries.

I need to see him.

Is this your husband, Jason Daniels?

No. No, no, it's not him.

It's the shock.

Sorry. Sorry, I, er...

It's fine. Take as long as you need.

Do you know who this man is?

No. No, can you cover him up?

Are you sure?

Yes, quite sure. Can you cover him up now, please?

I'm very sorry. Is there anything I can do?

No. I... I need to go.

I-I want to talk to my husband.

So do we.

Davey...

Yes. Sorry, Mrs Daniels. If you'd like to follow me out. Thank you.

I knew I'd find you in here.

Yeah. I'll be there in a minute.

Whoa.

Have you seen this?

What?

Well, I've heard of blowing your own trumpet, but even still.

Seriously, Clint, can you show some respect?

No, look.

"Paradise awaits".

OK. We're back to square one.

So I'm going to need you to get me everything you can on Jason Daniels.

Where he went to school, how he made his money.

Did he owe money? Did he have a driver?

Anything. OK?

Have the forensic guys finished?

Yeah, all secured, Sarge.

All right.

We've traced it to a Fred Clegg.

And we found "Dad" in his list of contacts

so his folks are on the way in now.

Can you do me a favour?

Can you speak to them for me, please?

Yes, of course.

Thanks. I've got Jason Daniels coming in for interview.

Who is this "A" person?

"CAN'T W8 2 C U AGAIN".

Well, it's his girlfriend, by the looks of it.

What makes you so sure it's a woman?

Judging by the picture she sent.

Oh, yeah, that would clinch it.

Yeah, it would, wouldn't it? And there's the text messages.

"Can't stop thinking about you."

"Can't wait to see you again." Really lovey-dovey.

Up until last night and then it's...

"Sorry about what I said." "I didn't mean to push you away."

"Please can we go back to the way we were?"

She's got it bad, hasn't she?

Have you spoken to her?

No, not yet.

I want to get a positive ID from his parents first.

Yeah?

Jason Daniels.

Ah, right. Thank you. Mr Daniels. DS Higgins.

My colleague, Jane Kennedy, the coroner.

Pleased to meet you. I'll leave you to it.

Yeah. Have a seat.

Right. I won't beat around the bush.

Do you know this man?

Is that the guy that stole my car?

Are you saying your car was stolen?

While I was away, obviously. Is there any damage?

No. It's just a slight bump.

That's a relief. When can I get it back?

A day or two, I should think.

So, the man in the photo. You don't know him, no?

No.

Right, OK.

Look, I'm very sorry about the mix-up this morning.

Your wife tried to call you. So did we.

But we just got the answerphone.

Have you any idea what you put her through this morning?

Ah, well, like I said, I'm very sorry.

We just have to go with the information that's in front of us.

Yeah, I appreciate that, Sergeant.

So I won't be taking it any further - for the moment.

Terrible business.

He might've been a thief, but to leave him at the side of the road, like a dog...

If there's anything I can do to help with your enquiries?

Ah, yeah, actually. It would be handy to get your fingerprints.

Just for the purposes of elimination.

Should take about ten minutes.

Of course.

And if you need anything else, you can get me in the office.

Ah, right. OK, great, thanks.

OK, I'll show you the way.

I'll let you know as soon as we have any information.

Take care.

Thanks, Sheila.

Hey.

That his folks?

Yes. We've got a positive ID.

Everyone knew him as Fred, but to his mum, he was always Freddy.

PM results.

Right, shall we?

"Examination of the scalp shows evidence of bruising."

"Scalp lacerations with comminuted, depressed skull fractures."

"Extradural and subdural bleeding..."

I can read, Davey.

"Not compatible with a pedestrian road traffic collision."

We've got blood where his head was banged on the door.

There are two sets of prints all over the car.

But there's a third set on the driver's side door handle there,

and on the seat there.

And if you come round here...

..we've got some scratches there. Traces of black paint.

So...?

We think he was run off the road, dragged from the car, beaten up.

And left for dead.

Yeah, well, we know that he lay there for several hours.

So, it's either a murder or a serious assault gone wrong.

Or it wasn't meant for him?

Yeah. Well...

..that number plate does rather scream, "Here I am."

"Come and get me," doesn't it?

So... Fred steals a car for whatever reason.

Takes a hit for Jason Daniels.

Yeah. Either way, a serious crime.

So, what's next?

Well, I'm going to go to Fred Clegg's flat.

Then I've gotta see this "A" woman.

Give her the bad news.

OK. I'll see you later, then.

Hang on.

What? Well, are you busy just now?

Why?

Oh, come on. You know this is the bit I hate.

Breaking bad news? Or asking me for help?

Both. You're much better at it than I am.

Is that a please? Is that a yes?

Yes, go on, then.

Oh, wow! "J Daniels Developments"?

Yeah, he's converting an old church into 40 new harbourside flats.

And he owns a nightclub, too.

The Lighthouse, you know it?

No.

He's Mr Big Shot, you know. A player.

I don't know any Fred Clegg. What's this about?

Do you know this man?

That's Jeremy.

Jeremy?

Jeremy Dutton. Why do you want to know?

No... He can't be. No!

What's going on? Oh, Steve!

Hey, it's all right.

Jeremy. He's dead!

What? Dead?

Oh, yeah, sorry. DS Higgins, South Dart Police.

This is my colleague, Jane Kennedy. She's the coroner.

You're?

Steve Johnson.

My ex.

Look, I understand this is very difficult,

but we really need you to tell us