- [John Parker has taken over as candidate after he has forced Christina Chance to stand down; Dalziel is talking to him about the office that the party rents in Ransom's building]
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: All roads lead back to this place. Somewhere in these marble halls, there's a nasty little secret. And I bet that if you don't already know it, you'll be let in on it very soon. You're informed, ambitious, more likely to take the mess of pottage!
- John Parker: Mr Dalziel, I am a political candidate, operating entirely within election guidelines.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: Then why are you in this place? Why is Ransom bankrolling you?
- John Parker: He isn't. We've had this office for six months. We signed a three-year lease - it's all paid for by party funds.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: And who makes up the party funds?
- John Parker: In all honesty, I don't know. There is a blind trust. I have never seen the list of contributors. There are people who can verify that.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: And there was I thinking you were smart! Remember, laddie... every pound note comes with a promise.
- John Parker: I can assure you, I have no allegiances, other to my voters and my party.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: They bought your suit, son. Don't let them buy your soul.
- [Ellie has previously given Peter an ultimatum "either you change your job or I leave you"; Peter has just shot dead a suspect who was about to shoot Dalziel and, still in shock, he knocks on Ellie's door late at night]
- Ellie Pascoe: What do you want? It's nearly midnight.
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: [breathlessly] I've just killed someone.
- Ellie Pascoe: What?
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: In the line of duty. I saved Andy's life. He was about to get blown apart with a shotgun. I shot the guy first. Three bullets straight through the heart: perfect grouping.
- Ellie Pascoe: Who was it?
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: Just some burned-out businessman.
- Ellie Pascoe: And what'll happen to you?
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: Well, there'll be an inquest. The coroner will praise my bravery and some time next year I'll probably get a medal. You might be the wife of a decorated man... if you want to be.
- Ellie Pascoe: Will I?
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: That's the question, Ellie! What kind of man do you really want? When I shot that man tonight, I didn't think twice - it's what I'm trained to do. I'm not a lecturer or a house-husband - I'm a policeman. That's me! It's what I am!
- Ellie Pascoe: [tenderly but patronisingly] You're in shock.
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: I've never felt better in my life.
- Ellie Pascoe: [pityingly] Then you need help.
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: I'm being honest for once. I'm not trying to second-guess your reactions and protect you from who I really am, Ellie. Why can we *never* be honest with each other? I'm sick of it!
- Ellie Pascoe: That's enough.
- Det. Insp. Peter Pascoe: Look, I want you, Ellie! Don't walk away from me.
- Ellie Pascoe: I don't want you. Not like this.
- [she walks away and goes back upstairs to bed]
- [Dalziel believes he has a case against Ransom, but he learns that Barbour, who was about to give evidence against Ransom from in jail, has been released]
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: How can a high-security prisoner go missing?
- [Fenning comes into the room]
- ACC Rebecca Fenning: He is no longer a prisoner. He's been taken into protectove custody by the Drugs Squad.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: Drugs Squad? Did Special Branch tip him off?
- ACC Rebecca Fenning: He's turning Queen's Evidence against a number of major drugs traffickers.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: [sarcastically] I bet he is. Beats twenty years in the clink. What's he got to say about Ransom?
- ACC Rebecca Fenning: Not a lot. He's in protective custody - he won't say a word to us now.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: Has anyone asked him?
- ACC Rebecca Fenning: There's no firm evidence to hold Ransom. He's being released from custody.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: You're releasing my prisoner? Who's running this flaming case?
- ACC Rebecca Fenning: Neither of us. Look, Andrew, I'm sorry. Some things are out of our control. Just try to forget it - no-one's going to hold it against you.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: [furious] Forget it? My prime suspect for two murders, one attempted murder, six million quid's worth of money-laundering, is being let off scot free, and you tell me to forget about it! What is this? Some kind of stitch-up?
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: I'm sure that all decisions have been taken in the public interest.
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: Don't give me that! I know why Ransom's walking. He's got so much dirt on so many high-up names, somebody up in the gods decided to cut him a flaming deal. But I'll never forget this as long as I live. It's enough to make me want to chuck in the badge!
- ACC Rebecca Fenning: [to Wield] Take Mr Dalziel to cool off, will you.
- [Fenning walks away]
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: I resign, Rebecca! That's it! I've had enough!
- DS Edgar Wield: Can I get you a cup of tea, sir?
- Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel: Get stuffed, Wieldy!