Learning English

1. Office

Callie
Attention all units. We need eyes on a silver Mercedes. Registration KS3 FOT. Driver is a white male, 39 years of age, one passenger, 4 years of age. Father and son. We have one unconfirmed sighting, 1028, northbound A23. Reason to believe the father may attempt to take his own life. Possible threat to son.

(thinking aloud)

We need to get a better idea of what’s going on. Nikesh, get on to the mobile provider. Who has he spoken to today? Where was that last text sent from?

Radio voice
Just passed a silver Mercedes parked outside Asda on Beltonfield Road. We’re on route to a callout at the Royal Infirmary. Can’t stop, but the reg was a KS something.

Callie
On my way. 

2. Corridor

Lucy
Dad, I don’t know, I’m with them now. They’re all running around. They’re bricking it…. Because they basically pat me on the head for two hours. The one in charge is a bitch…. It said, “I’m sorry, please forgive me”. It’s turned off again now. I don’t get it. Dad, I’ll call you when there’s news ok? (to Nikesh) Do you have kids?

Nikesh
A daughter, three weeks old.

Lucy
Congratulations.

Nikesh
Ms Phelps, we have every available unit out looking for Pip and for Jamie. But… I’m sure you understand that time is not our friend, here. I need you to think, pretty hard. Is there been anything, anything at all, recently, that has given you pause for thought?

Lucy
The truth is I’ve been quite preoccupied. I’ve been preparing for a trial… I haven’t been… I don’t know, paying attention.

Nikesh
Ms Phelps, do you have access to your husband’s bank accounts?

Lucy
Of course, I mean, everything’s joint and… Jamie’s an accountant, so he manages all of our money, but I think I can get it up on my phone.

Nikesh
Could you do that now?

Lucy
Sure.

Nikesh
I’ll be back in a minute.

3. Office

Callie
False alarm.

Nikesh
Phone records show Jamie called three people today. His secretary, 0825, presumably on his way into work. His brother, Paul, 0835, looks like no answer and Arthur Montgomery, 0900, so after he left the office.

Callie
Arthur Montgomery? Why do I know that name?

Nikesh
He’s a TV chef. Wears yellow trousers, lives on a houseboat… does Asian food with a twist. We’ve got his book, Denise loves him. I prefer Delia. More reliable.

Callie
Alright, we need to speak to all of them. Let’s prioritise….

…Ms Phelps I know it’s difficult but…

Lucy
It’s all gone.

Callie
What has?

Nikesh
The money?

Lucy
It’s an investment account. I never check it – it’s for Pip’s education really. But… we should have fifteen grand in this account. There was fifteen grand in this account.

Nikesh
May I? So, the money was taken out in three lump sums and transferred using BACS  [Bankers' Automated Clearing System] to a Paul Stevenson. The final payment came out on the 15

^{th J}

uly. That was two months ago.

Callie
Who’s Paul Stevenson?

Lucy
His brother. Half brother. Different dad. But he’s loaded. Why would he…?

Nikesh
Ms Phelps…

Lucy
I need to speak to him.

[PHONE RINGS]

Callie
DS Pritchard. Yup, ok. Where? Uh huh… Alight. Thank you.

We’ve got Pip. A member of the public spotted him sitting by the side of the road – A15. Switchboard says he is tired, hungry, a bit wet, but he’s otherwise unharmed. They’re bringing him straight here.

Lucy
Oh my God. Thank you. Sitting by the side of the road? Oh my god. But he’s alright? You’re sure he’s alright?

[PHONE RINGS AGAIN]

Nikesh
OK. Cheers. He’s here. Downstairs.