The Gulf

How's it going with the new girlfriend?

Yeah, it's the feelings I've forgotten.

You deserve it.

Your sister's got a little one — a wee girl.

I haven't seen Nadia since we were kids.

There is something I would like you to do for me.

You heard anything more from your

blackmailer? I can help you nail this bastard.

- It's Ruby. - What's Ruby?

The blackmailer. It's Ruby.

- Are you sure? - I'm sure. She's the only one who knows.

Bastard.

I'm at the top of Shearwater Bay. There's a guy in a car. He's following me.

No, I c... I can't! There's nowhere.

OK. I'm heading for the pier. Please hurry.

Incident at pier. Sgt Abernathy attending.

Police! Stop!

Let her go!

- And you had never seen him before? - No.

- Did he say anything to you? - Just that he was— he was going to get me.

Jess.

- Hey. - What do you think he meant by that?

Oh. That's obvious.

Meaning?

He was going to rape me. He said, 'I've been waiting for this.'

Uh, thanks. That should be enough for now.

Ferry's arrived. Forensics are almost here.

- OK. - Uh, Jess.

- Yes? - Um...

She saved my life.

Because I-I wasn't going to let him rape me.

I was going to fight.

All right.

I'm gonna take you to the station, get a residue test and a statement.

I can't hear.

Oh, residue. Sure.

- You sure you didn't recognise him? - Yeah. Don't know him.

Uh, Val needs to get home. Yeah. You take care of yourself. Leave it with me.

I'll take care of it, OK?

- Morning. - Good morning.

The vehicle rego's come though. His name is Marco Peters. Croatian immigrant.

Family owns Granddaughter Vineyard. On Trig Rd.

- Yeah. You know him? - No, I just, uh— I've bought his wine.

- Right. - Any formers?

Nah. Squeaky clean. You know, 46. Single father. Banking analyst turned winemaker.

OK. Let's get Pup to take Valerie home. Make sure that he stays with her.

I'll take Denise to the station. And that means, um, you and Tai need to...

tell the family.

Yeah. I mean, unless you...

- you want me to wait and come with you? - Nah. No, no, no.

Nah, it's good.

Stop.

- Stop. - Just stop!

Oh God.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah. Of course.

Absolutely.

A cop shot Hazel's dad?

- You know him? - Yeah, Marco. He's OK. What happened?

I don't know.

Well, you must. I mean, why would a cop shoot him? He's...

He's a total nerd. You know that, eh?

He attacked Valerie.

Ha— Hazel's dad attacked Nia's mum?

How come, Mum?

I'm coming with you. No, you're not. This is operational.

- She hasn't got anyone else. - What about her mother? Hmm?

Oh my God, you know nothing.

- Siblings? - No. She's an only. We all are.

What do you mean 'all are'?

All the friends in my group — we're all single children.

Oh. Thought you were just ordinary mates.

Well, yeah. But when you don't have siblings, friends are like your family.

Nia.

Oh my God.

Are you all right? I'm fine.

I'm just a bit tired. Your mum's had a big shock,

so I'm going to stay with her for a bit... Mm.

Make sure she's OK.

I can't believe what happened.

- I'm OK. Really. - It's someone's birthday.

Nia has had a cancer clearance after 18 months of treatment.

Oh, congratulations.

Well, it's been a big morning, so it must be time for a cup of tea.

I'll put the jug on.

- Mum, would you...? - Yeah, I'll give you a hand.

No, you sit down. Please?

OK.

I usually take a biscuit too.

Chocolate, if you've got one. OK, sure. Let me have a look.

He was looking for mushrooms. Is that what he said?

He goes foraging most mornings for boletus. They grow under certain trees.

Why would someone shoot him?

Rubes.

Why did they shoot him? Oh, I don't understand.

That woman is Elena Peters, Marco's sister. She runs a real estate company.

Hazel and her dad live just down the road on the vineyard. And the mother is in...

- Finland. Remarried. - Yeah, that's right.

Hazel, I'm Detective Savage.

I know.

Can I ask you some questions? Would that be OK?

I just talked to those guys.

Do you mind helping me with a few questions for the coroner?

Um... Of course.

How did your dad know Valerie? Did he know Valerie?

No.

He knew who she was; that's all.

How did he know?

She's Nia's mum.

You know, Nia — Like, one of our friends?

Did he ever drop you off at Valerie's house, pick you up from Nia's?

Maybe once... or twice.

Mostly, I walk.

Mm.

Did he mention Valerie, talk about her at all?

Look, he would never just attack someone. He's not like that.

Can you think of any reason why he would do something so out of character, then?

No, I can't.

Why not ask your stupid cop why he just shot someone without asking any questions?

She's a good kid, but, you know, she loved her father.

What about you? You and Marco close?

We're very different.

- In what way? - Every way.

I'm a pragmatist. I get on with things. Marco, he's... was a perfectionist.

He held on to things.

What sort of things?

Lifestyle, politics, composting.

I mean, he was a hothead, but this I don't understand.

Mm. What about his wife, Hedda?

She's been back in Finland nearly 10 years. She's such a bitch.

Should I let her know?

Probably best coming from a family member, yeah.

OK.

Yeah, what happens to Hazel?

I mean, she can't go to Finland.

Can she stay with you?

I don't have room.

Are there other family members?

My father died last year, so it's just us.

I mean, she's nearly 18, so I suppose she could

bunk with me until she works something else out.

OK. We'll be back to pick up Ruby.

OK.

Ciao.

So you haven't talked to Ruby.

Wonder where the laptop is.

You're just gonna keep your blackmailer close.

Just not sure the blackmailer is Ruby any more.

Why?

Because blackmailing me is one thing.

Phillip Scully and...

old Joseph Bruce? It just...

doesn't make sense.

Because she's care more about a stranger than her own mother?

No, because families are fucked up, Harding.

And you should know that by now.

What is it?

Hmm?

Well, I guess you can't.

Here's to Marco.

Stupid fuck.

Hey, Ruby. What's up?

Can we take Hazel home?

What for?

She needs somewhere to stay that's not here.

Yeah, no, that's not appropriate.

Well, Valerie offered, but I didn't think that was appropriate.

Valerie's been talking to Hazel?

No, no. Nia has.

Ruby, you really can't be talking about any of this, OK? It's an active investigation.

It's my friends' lives, and one of them just lost her dad.

Yeah, OK.

Yes, she can stay.

Thanks.

Um... Are you gonna be long?

I-I can call AJ to pick us up.

Hello?

Hey.

No, I'll come and get you.

AJ's making dinner.

I know you said we can't talk about the case,

but I want you to know that my dad wasn't a sexual predator.

I don't know what's happened, but he was always really shy and nervous with women.

Neese.

Wine?

Uh, no, I won't. Thanks.

Hey, Nia.

Hey, sit down.

How are you doing?

Oh, um... Still a bit deaf.

How are you?

I'm fine.

Have they given you compassionate leave? You need it.

They don't call it that. It's an automatic stand-down.

There's three inquiries. There's police,

coroner, IPCA. I could be off duty for months.

- Paid, though. - Yeah, paid.

What if I'd lost you?

No.

I told you...