Poor old codger was only 10k over the limit.
I've got to get me kicks somehow.
Calm down and tell me what's happened.
I told you! He took 'em.
He was out the front of the school.
What makes you think it was Barry? Who else would take them?
They could've got detention.
That'd be right!
This IS the third time, Mrs Hart.
This is different!
He's probably on his way to Melbourne.
Maggie, would you get Mrs Hart a coffee?
I don't want coffee.
I want you cops to get off your bums and find my kids!
This way, Mrs Hart.
What's the story?
Nick can fill you in on the way to school.
Are you taking it seriously?! The teachers will
Are you taking it seriously?! The teachers will still be there.
Yeah, Barry Hart, I know him.
Well, show it around.
Perfect end to a perfect bloody day.
I'd put that back if I were you.
You can go to jail for shoplifting.
They don't put kids in jail, you stupid bitch.
Barry called, said he was coming, said he'd take Zac.
He's said that before.
That's why you got an intervention order.
That wouldn't stop him.
Did you leave the kids on their own again?
No!
Last time your kids went missing, you were away with a man.
We picked them up trying to hitch a ride to St David's.
I don't leave them on their own - not any more.
Alright, suppose he came for Zac like he said.
What happened to the sister - Ginny?
He'd take her, too. She's not his kid.
That wouldn't matter.
He's never cared about her.
He'd have to take them both.
Ginny wouldn't leave Zac.
I know Barry's got 'em.
I wonder why Heather's trying this stunt again.
She's sent Barry divorce papers.
I doubt that'd upset him. He damn near hates her.
PJ, you owe me 10 bucks, mate.
What?!
Barry Hart's left Melbourne, said he was going bush.
According to his flatmate, he was s
According to his flatmate, he was stirred up about something.
So, cough up.
What's all this?
He bet it was another false alarm.
Could be coincidence.
PHONE RINGS
Mt Thomas police.
What now? We wait for Wayne and Nick.
Why won't you take this seriously?
I will, when I know I'm not sending all the cops out on a fa
I will, when I know I'm not sending all the cops out on a false lead.
I'll send someone.
Maggie, send Nick and Wayne to Burkes.
Two shoplifters just gave their security man the slip.
What about Barry Hart? Don't worry.
He isn't in Mt Thomas.
There's been no abduction.
These shoplifters were the Hart kids.
I'll give Mrs Hart the good news.
Which direction? Down that way.
Alright. Thanks.
It's them alright.
Oi!
Ouch!
You alright, Mrs P?
Just throw the book at her!
You gave me such a fright.
I said I'd get you.
Why did you run off?
We waited and waited. We thought you'd forgotten us - again.
As if I would, with your stepfather liable to show his face.
Is Barry in Mt Thomas?
If he's not, he won't be far off.
I don't want to live with Dad.
It's alright, I won't let him take you.
We'll go home, eh?
Just a minute, Mrs Hart.
About this shoplifting.
How old are you? 13.
13? What will you be doing when you're 18? Robbing banks?
Not to mention the bad example you're setting for Tiger here.
What will we do about this?
Stealing is stealing.
She'll have to be punished.
Stick her in the cells.
In jail? That's what we do with criminals.
Alright, I'll see this stuff's paid for.
Can we go? When we've done the paperwork.
What paperwork?
Mrs Hart, we let your daughter off with a warning last time.
This time we have to charge her.
Don't count on me to make any more citizen's arrests.
Brat.
Want me to kiss it better? Later.
Why does today feel so long?
It mightn't be over yet, Nick.
Not if Barry Hart's in town. He's not, is he?!
It's not our problem. We knocked off 10 minutes ago.
So get me a beer, will you, Chris?
Chris, do you know Barry Hart? He worked here a few years ago.
Helped himself to the grog, then picked fights with the regulars.
So, it was bye bye, Barry.
Bye. Bye.
Do you know his wife?
Yep, and the kids.
The fights those poor devils must've seen.
Heather walked in here with a new hairdo and
Heather walked in here with a new hairdo and Barry went off.
I thought he'd smack her teeth in.
Is he really in town?
We hope not.
Those kids - the girl's 13 and already a petty crim.
Undersized thug is what I'd call her.
What about the boy? What hope's he got?
His mum's already come close to losing him a few times.
They'd be better off. Kids belong w
They'd be better off. Kids belong with their parents.
It depends on the parents.
Our kids would be alright.
Hey, no pills, no thrills.
Wayne, we're not ready.
We're as ready as we're ever going to be.
I like it being just us.
I thought you did, too.
I do, but there's this empty space.
I wonder if that's why the Harts had their kids.
To fill their empty space.
PHONE RINGS
Mt Thomas police.
Slow down.
Who is it again?
Sweetheart, stay put and we'll be there soon.
Mrs Hart's been bashed.
Daughter thinks she's in a bad way. Her husband?
She didn't say.
Off you go then, both of you.
I'll call an ambulance.
SIREN BLARES
DOGS BARK
(sobbing)
Show us where she is.
Sssh, come on.
We'll know more after the scans.
Right now it's hard to tell how much damage has been done.
We'll need to see her when she's able.
I'll let you know.
Any word on the boy? Not a sign.
Looks like the father got what he came for.
It was Barry. I saw him.
But you were at the shops. He was driving off when I came home.
You haven't seen him for a year. It was him!
Boss, I've spoken to the neighbours.
The nearest was 200 metres away.
No-one saw or heard anything. Alright.
Ginny, when you saw your dad... He's not my dad!
When you saw Barry driving off, was Zac with him?
Yes, he took him. Mum said he would.
Did you see him?
Ginny, we need to be very sure. Barry said he'd get him and he did.
I hope they never come back, either of them!
What took him so long to get here?
He left Melbourne yesterday. Maybe his car broke down.
How is she?
Upset. It was the father alright. I wish to hell it wasn't.
That'd let us all off the hook, right?
There's no law stopping him from spending a weekend here.
PJ, he was under an intervention order.
Until he broke it, our hands were tied.
So, what are we supposed to do?
Are we paid to prevent crime or to pick up the pieces later?
Mags, you're in the wrong job.
You want to play caped crusader, you should be a social worker.
Okay, red top, green pants. Anything else?
He might've had the plastic dinosaur he plays w
He might've had the plastic dinosaur he plays with.
Believed to be carrying dinosaur.
TOM: Any word on that car rego? Yeah, it just came in.
Wayne, get this circulated. Hart could be anywhere.
You get on to that social worker? No answer.
It's a job for the watchhouse keeper's missus.
What is?
Let's talk in my office.
Isn't there another social worker? On leave.
But the other one can't be far away.
We're only talking a few hours, just until we find her.
If it was up to me it'd be fine, b
If it was up to me it'd be fine, but there's Roz.
She's already had a run-in with this kid.
She'll understand.
When does it end?
Woken up by the phone at all hours!
9 times out of 10 we don't even get to spend our weekends together.
Now I'm expected to play minder to an under-age criminal!
She's not that bad.
I had plans for this weekend.
I'll make it up to you next weekend.
You wanted this, didn't you? No.
I bet you even volunteered.
"Boss, Roz needs to work on her maternal instincts."
It wasn't like that.
Anyway, it's only for a few hours. Well, it'd better be.
This job gets up my nose sometimes.
Right, it's all fixed.
You'll stay here until the social worker gets you.
I have to get back to work.
Okay, Ginny, I know we're not exactly friends.
But I'm prepared to forget what happened at the shops if you are.
I'll see you all tomorrow.
Great way to spend my day off.
Any word on Barry Hart? Not a whisper.
City Ds are watching his flat in case he's dumb enough to go back.
I have reports circulating but so far...
He has to be holed up somewhere. But where?
Bet you his missus would know.
Anyone heard how she is? Still unconscious.
Nick's giving up his day off, too.
Wayne, Doris Leahman just called.
Who? The social worker.
She has an emergency. She can't get Ginny till tomorrow.
So where's she staying tonight?
Sure you don't want some juice?
Well, dinner won't be long.
Roz is a great cook.
I knew this would happen. It's only for tonight.
Has she said anything? She's been a regular little gasbag.
"My mum makes better bikkies than you."
"You'd have to be desperate to marry a cop."
"Where's the dunny?"
Hasn't been easy, eh?
I had more fun when I had my wisdom teeth pulled.
What's this doing here?
Just to be on the safe side.
Roz! I've seen her in action.
Do you want her to think we don't trust her?!
I don't.
I've seen kids like this.
The harder we come down on them, the harder they fight us.
Give them a chance and they come good.
You watch too many Walt Disney films.
Ask any child welfare worker.
Tea's up.
Alright, hand them over!
What? My earrings.
What earrings, love? The 24 carat gold ones you gave me.
Don't look at me. I am looking at you.
I haven't touched them.
Are you searching her, or will I? Roz, she said she didn't take them.
I'll count to three.
One.
Two!
Any more pearls of wisdom from the child welfare workers?
You've had more experience, boss.
Roz...we both...thought you and Mrs Croydon...
I'd love to help but Nell's away.
Anyway, the social worker's coming for her today.
Did she say what time? Late morning - ish.
I don't think Roz can wait.
Ginny's been giving her hell.
There's only two rules when it comes to kids - love and respect.
Give them lots of love and mak they give you lots of respect.
Give them lots of love and make sure they give you lots of respect.
That works with your own.
It doesn't matter whose they are, even the Harts'.
How did you go?
No good.
As soon as the social worker rolls up, you can hand her over.
Most parents are stuck with their kids for 18 years or more.
That'll cheer Roz up a lot.
A woman from St David's just called.
A bloke resembling Hart was at her garage yesterday at 11.
It fits. Hart left his wife's at 10. Except for one minor detail.
This bloke was on his own.
You think he stashed the kid somewhere?
He'd know we'd be after him.
Unless he ditched the kid.
But he came all this way to get him. To get him, or get even?
PHONE RINGS
Zac could've been in the car but out of view.
No, the witness was adamant - no kid.
Want me to speak to her?
Yeah, and check out that stretch of road.
Heather Hart's conscious. We can see her.
Maybe she can fill in the missing pieces.
Coming, Wayne? Sure.
Maggie, can you do me a favour? What?
Go tell Roz the boss said no about Ginny.
You've got to be joking?! Thanks, mate.
I haven't finished washing my hair!
Even Rapunzel didn't take 30 minutes to wash her hair!
Get dressed and clean up this mess! What am I? A maid?
You have 2 minutes to get back in he
You have 2 minutes to get back in here - dressed.
I didn't let him in - he forced his way in.
You don't think he'd drive from Footscray for me to slam the door.
Oh, I forgot.
You cops were so sure there wasn't going to be any trouble.
Thought old Heather Hart was just going off the deep end again.
Alright, he forced his way in.
Then what happened?
We had words over the divorce.
He said he was taking Zac.
I'd already sent Zac out the back, told him to make himself scarce.
I told Barry he wasn't home.
That's when he went berko.
We've had blues in the past.
I've never seen him so mad.
He laid into me.
He got Zac, didn't he?
Yes, it looks that way.
Zac's gone, isn't he?! Don't upset yourself.
You let him walk in and take my boy.
Now you're going to sit on your bums until you've got some evidence.
What are you here for? A body?!
You think Barry's capable of hurting Zac?
He's capable of anything!
Yeah, but his own son. Surely he loves him?
It's about being owned.
When Barry says you belong to him, you don't cross him.
Why do you think he got so riled about the divorce papers?
A five year old can be a real pain, let me tell you.
Zac's only got to put on one of his turns when Dad's not in the mood
and he's in trouble - big
and he's in trouble - big trouble.
She's exaggerating. Barry was never violent.
That's not how Chris tells it.
There was one incident.
He almost killed his ex-wife.
He loves those kids. The boy, anyway.
Then why did the court grant an intervention order?
Because he was always making threats.
I knew him, he was all mouth.
It's blokes like that who take it out on their wives and kids.
If he wanted to hurt the boy, why did he take off with him?
I'm not saying he meant to, but maybe the kid wasn't co-operating.
It wouldn't take much to have set Hart off.
We can't be sure of anything until we find Hart.
IF we find him.
Every cop shop in the state is aware of the situation.
There are reports on radio and tv.
If you've got any other ideas, spit them out.
I'm as worried as the rest of you!
Hey, make yourself useful.
Both hands, right where I can see them.
Can we go now? To the hospital?
They said they'd call as soon as your mum's feeling better.
What if they did? We've been out for ages.
We'll call when we get home.
Come on.
Heather Hart, that's right.
Yes, her daughter wants to know if her mother's awake yet.
Excellent. She'll be alright?
Hang on.
Can I come and see her?
Why?
(annoyed) Thanks a lot!
What did they say?
She woke up this morning.
They tried to call but we were out.
Okay, well, we'll go now.
She's sleeping now. Then we'll go later.
The social worker's coming for me. She'll take you.
Fat chance! She wants me and Zac away f
Fat chance! She wants me and Zac away from Mum.
Ginny...
I'll probably never see her again and it's your fault!
Barry Hart?
Boss, Nick just found Barry Hart.
And the boy? Isn't with him.
Help Nick search the area.
The boy could be hiding or could've been hidden.
PJ can bring in Hart.
Rightio.
I never laid a finger on her before.
There was times I was tempted, I can tell you.
And, Ginny, too.
There's a chip off the old block.
Yesterday she laughed at me.
Said Zac hated me.
(sobbing) That he never wanted to see me again.
I couldn't keep it in any more.
All those times I wanted to slap her to shut her up.
It all came out.
Once I started I couldn't stop.
Just couldn't stop.
So you bashed her senseless?
Then what?
I ran, got in the car and drove off.
What about Zac?
What about him?
You didn't see him?
No, he was off somewhere with Ginny.
And you didn't look?
After what I did to Heather I just wanted to get the hell out of there.
Where were you heading then?
Home. Footscray.
I wasn't thinking straight, I was pretty shook up.
I got as far as St David's before it hit me.
Home's the first place the cops would look.
I turned around and went the other way.
Found a back road and kept driving.
You can't have driven far.
You were only 30ks from Mt Thomas when Constable Schultz found you.
That's how far I got when I it'd be safer off the main road.
That's how far I got when I figured it'd be safer off the main road.
I knew you'd be out looking.
Let's go back to Zac.
You admitted you came to Mt Thomas with intentions of abducting him.
How can a man abduct his own son?
Left home Friday, drove to Shepparton.
Made arrangements with a lady friend to put you a
Made arrangements with a lady friend to put you and Zac up for a while.
You stayed the night.
Left for Mt Thomas early yesterday morning.
That's right.
You went to a lot of trouble to plan this abduction.
You came away empty-handed?
I've explained all that.
Zac's missing, Barry.
No-one's seen him since you left Heather's house yesterday.
Where the hell is he?
Not a thing, boss, not even a footprint.
What about the car? Signs of a struggle?
Not that we can see.
Maybe forensics should come out.
I'll ask St David's to help you and Wayne cover the ground.
How much ground do you want covered?
As much as it takes.
Keep me posted.
Mt Thomas station back on channel.
You reckon they'll find anything?
Maybe we should ask the Shepparton guys to check Barry's girlfriend.
Yeah, but she won't have Zac.
Barry had time to drive there and back.
Why would he? Drive back, I mean.
Just a theory.
We'll need a better theory than that to find this kid.
Okay, so Hart goes to the house, bashes the woman and takes the kid.
He knows we'll be after him.
There's no way he can keep the boy.
He loves that kid, but if he can't have him...
What? He kills him and dumps him in the bush?
Yeah, but 9 times out of 10 the fathers do themselves in, too.
He chickened out.
This could just as easily work the other way.
How? The wife knew Hart was coming.
You saw how strung out she was.
Yeah. Between Hart and welfare it's amazing she's hung on to those kids.
Maybe Hart's telling the truth, maybe he didn't see Zac.
He might've already been too late.
It's time for you to have another chat with Mrs Hart.
Good idea.
Mags?
Hang on a minute.
Heather couldn't have done it.
Ginny saw Zac in the car with his dad.
That's what I'd say, too, to protect my mum.
She's awake.
Sit down there, Ginny.
Roz, I have to ask you to stay.
By rights, there should be a social worker present.
Is that the same social worker who was
Is that the same social worker who was supposed to get Ginny?
Ginny, we found your stepfather.
Zac wasn't with him.
But he took him! He says he didn't.
He must have!
You told us you saw Barry driving away.
Yes.
What was he wearing?
I couldn't tell. He was in the car, driving away.
So you just saw the back of his head?
Yes, but it was Barry!
Zac was in the other front seat?
Yes.
You saw him? Yes!
You only saw the back of Barry's head.
How could you see a little bloke like Zac beside him?
Barry took him, I know he did.
You sent Ginny for bread and milk.
What happened then?
I told Zac to play outside.
When I went in to wash the dishes, we were out of water.
I was looking up Glen Watson's numb
I was looking up Glen Watson's number when Barry lobbed.
Glen Watson? He's a water carter.
What is all this?
So Zac wasn't inside when your husband arrived?
Yeah, he was.
I told you, he came in for a drink.
I saw Barry's car pull up and told Zac to go and hide.
Barry kicked the front door in.
Will you tell me what's going on?
We found your husband, Mrs Hart, but Zac wasn't with him.
He says he didn't take him.
And you believe him?
There are other possibilities.
What other...
Oh, come on.
You don't think I had anything to do with this?
My own son!
You bastards! You bloody rotten bastards!
Does your mum get angry with you and Zac?
No.
Never?
She was mad when you nicked off from school.
We did the wrong thing.
Does she punish you when you do the wrong thing?
Does she? Sometimes.
How?
Does she ever hit you? No.
The social worker says she does. Bull!
What about that time Zac was in hospital after your mum got mad?
When you went to the shops, why wasn't Zac allowed to go with you?
He was naughty.
What did he do? He let the water out of the bath.
Mum filled it because the tank was nearly empty.
It was all the water we had.
I bet that made Mum angry.
What happens now?
You'll be sent to St David's for the hearing.
What are me chances of bail? Depends on the magistrate.
Serious assault, breaking an intervention order.
Don't count on it.
And me son?
You haven't been charged with abduction - yet.
You're barking up the wrong tree.
Heather's got that kid stashed.
She must've planned it when I told her I was coming here to get
She must've planned it when I told her I was coming here to get him.
She had plenty of time.
We're looking into that possibility.
Yeah? Well, you look real hard.
He's got to be somewhere.
When this is over, I'm going to get him back.
No judge can tell me she's a better parent than I am.
Not after this.
Sorry, Ginny, there's no coke.
Roz, you have to sit tight until we hear from the social worker.
You ready, Ginny?
Ginny! They think I took Zac.
Tell them where he is. I don't know.
She put you up to it. TELL 'EM!
You little bitch!
You were trouble from the start, just like your bloody mother!
That's enough.
Ginny, Sergeant Croydon says your mum's ready for visitors.
We can get some flowers on the way. Okay.
Does forensic want to check the car?
TOM: They'd be wasting their time.
The little girl was lying.
Hart left the house on his own.
You may as well come in.
They treating you alright? Not bad.
Have they found Zac?
I used to tell Barry the kid'd be better dead than living with him.
Don't, Mum, please.
Bought you a pressie.
They're pretty. Thanks, love.
When are you coming home?
Not for a while.
The social worker's gonna put me in a foster home.
Yeah, I thought that'd happen.
God knows she's tried enough times before this.
It'll only be till you're better, won't it?
Maybe not.
Maybe they'll try to find you a new mum.
A proper dad, too.
Give you all the things I couldn't.
Don't, Mum.
Love, listen to me.
I tried my best.
But there are some people in this world who shouldn't ever have kids.
They don't know how to treat them right.
When things go wrong, they blame the kids instead of themselves.
You and Zac have always copped it from Barry and me.
I want to stay with you.
It's no use.
They won't let you.
Not after this.
Boss, we need some help on this one.
I know that, PJ, and here it comes.
Thanks for volunteering. Volunteering for what?
We're off to the Harts to see what we can
We're off to the Harts to see what we can dig up.
You reckon Zac's hiding?
If he was, he would've surfaced.
A five year old doesn't take up much space.
Cupboards, outhouses, feed bins - check the lot.
Check any freshly dug earth.
What are we looking for?
A body, Constable.
I'm afraid that's about all we can expect to find at this stage.
I know this won't be as good as your mum makes.
Don't worry, I didn't make it, it's bought.
Your mum's going to be alright.
She doesn't want me. Yes, she does.
She doesn't. She never has, not since Zac was born.
She's trying to do what's best for you.
They split up because of me.
Barry never wanted me. There's a lot more to it than that.
People break up for all sorts of reasons.
They fought all the time because of me.
I bet they fought because of Zac, too.
It's not the same, they both love him.
He's my brother and I know it's not his fault.
But sometimes I hate his guts.
That's why I was glad when Mum...
When Mum what? Nothing.
Do you know what happened to Zac?
No, I don't.
Come on, we're friends.
We know each other a bit, don't we?
Ginny, I just want to help.
It was my fault.
Mum was mad with him.
He wanted to come to the shops with me but I wouldn't let him.
Hey, hey...
How about a murder weapon?
Keep a look out but there mightn't be one.
He could've been choked, smothered, drowned i
He could've been choked, smothered, drowned in the bath.
Charming.
You guys check outside.
PJ: We're still searching.
There's a good hectare of property here, it'll take a while.
What about the house?
A big, fat nothing.
Keep looking. He's got to be there somewhere.
She wouldn't hurt Zac, not on purpose.
But when he let the water out of the bath, she went off her face.
She really belted him.
Then she said she wished Barry would come and get him.
And me, too.
Then she told me to go to the shops.
Zac wanted to come.
He chucked a real spaz 'cause I wouldn't let him.
I could hear Mum screaming at him as I went.
Do you think something happened while you were out?
I didn't at first.
When I saw Barry driving off, and then I found Mum...
I thought Barry must've taken Zac.
Then the cops said he didn't.
Then I knew.
It must've been an accident, she wouldn't hurt him on purpose.
Does she hit you a lot?
No.
Most of the time she's great.
Sometimes things get her down.
She says having two kids puts all the blokes off.
Sometimes she gets stuck into the grog.
That's when me and Zac stay out of her way.
She's always sorry later.
She cries and says she's a bad mother.
She buys pizza and lets us stay up late, watching tele.
So, all you have to do is sit tight and wait.
Yeah. Everything's great - till next time.
Where do you and Zac hide?
Lots of places.
Near the creek or in the chook shed.
The best place is where the old cars and stuff are dumped.
Where's that? Near the back ro
Where's that? Near the back road.
We go there a lot and Mum never finds us there.
Zac?
Come on, mate, your mum's looking for you.
Over here!
Zac? Zac!
Get a jemmy, quick!
He'll spend the night in hospital.
He's badly dehydrated but he's a tough little fella.
Poor little bugger. DOOR KNOCK
They're here, Sergeant. Right.
Come on, mate.
Can I see me son? That's not possible.
Just tell me one thing.
Who was he hiding from? Her or me?
From what we can gather, both of you.
He must've been petrified, the poor kid.
That boot would've been like an oven.
He tried to get out. His fingernails were torn up.
If Ginny had have been with him, he would have been okay.
His mother used the husband as
His mother used the husband as a threat.
The poor kid was terrified of him.
Can I help you?
Yes, I'm Doris Leahman.
We were about to file a missing persons report on you.
Sorry, but you wouldn't believe my weekend.
I doubt it'd compare to ours.
Wayne, this lady's come for Ginny. I'll phone Roz.
Take a seat.
And you can tell Roz she did well getting Ginny to talk.
She's responsible for saving that little boy's life.
All set?
Cheer up, it might only be for a little while.
Yeah.
Maybe when Mum's better they'll let her take us back.
You've been okay, you know.
Yeah, I know.
You can visit.
I'll practise my cooking. You're not all that bad.
DOOR OPENS
This is Mrs Leahman.
Hello, Mrs Patterson. Hi.
Hello, Ginny.
I appreciate you taking her in.
No problem.
We could hang on to her for a while if that'd help.
Couldn't we, Wayne?
Yeah, sure.
Thank you, but it's all arranged.
I've placed the children together, for now, anyway.
A very nice couple in St David's. Good.
Come along, Ginny.
You've inconvenienced Mrs Patterson for long enough.
Bye, Ginny.
Coffee?
No, I've got to get back.
What's that for?
Service above and beyond the call of duty.
You worked wonders with Ginny.
You okay?
Yep, I'm fine.
SUBTITLERS: Kerrie McKay, Tricia Moreno, Jill Zerbini, Megan Boaden