“Dead Water”
SHETLAND ‘Dead Water’
When an old acquaintance of Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez dies in a suspicious car accident on the island, he wonders whether his journalist friend had uncovered a story that cost him his life.
SHORT SYNOPSIS
When Jerry Markham – an old journalist acquaintance of Perez – dies in a car accident, Perez believes the circumstances are suspicious. But the Fiscal Procurator, Rhona Kelly, decides to call in a Forensic Crime Scene Investigator from the mainland to ensure an objective view of the case. When Willow Reeves subsequently arrives, it’s clear she is a force to be reckoned with – refusing to be intimidated by Perez into making a hasty decision about the case.
As they await the forensic results from Reeves, Perez and his team investigate the reasons for Jerry Markham’s recent return to Shetland. Perez discovers that Jerry was chasing a story around the controversial planning permission being sought for a new gas pipeline. He also finds out that Jerry had treated Evie Watt, a young girl on the island, shoddily some years ago. When Perez speaks to Evie Watt he discovers that, although she is still deeply affected by her past relationship with Jerry, she is now to be married to fellow islander John Henderson. Perez is also intrigued to learn that Evie is running a campaign against the new pipeline, alongside her father Cameron Watt, which involves the fund financially supporting a local fish farmer (Joe Dalhousie) whose land is vital to the gas company’s plans. He further discovers that Jerry had been in contact with all of these individuals in the days preceding his death.
At the wedding of Evie Watt and John Henderson, tensions run high amongst the guests as the proceedings are overshadowed by Jerry’s death and the divisive issue of the pipeline. After the wedding party, when Perez realises there’s not enough forensic proof to support his belief that Jerry died in unlawful circumstances, he decides to re-visit John. But when he arrives at Henderson’s house he is greeted by a gruesome sight and quickly calls Willow Reeves before she boards her flight to the mainland. He is going to need her help once more.
As the team examine the forensic evidence at Henderson’s house, Sandy discovers the body of John Henderson by the roadside, brutally murdered. When Willow Reeves subsequently discovers paint at the site, similar to that found in Jerry’s car, Perez decides to proceed on the basis that the two deaths are linked. While Reeves conducts the autopsy on Henderson’s body, determined to find the type of murder weapon used, Perez is paid a surprise visit by a woman claiming to be Jerry Markham’s fiancé. She gives Perez a memory stick sent to her by Jerry for safekeeping before his death. On it, Perez discovers anonymous emails that confirm potential corporate corruption by Storne Gas, as well as Jerry’s own personal investigation into Joe Dalhousie’s claims of foul play by the gas company to force him off his land. Additionally, there are incriminating photos of John Henderson with Evie’s best friend – Jenny Belshaw.
While interviewing Jenny, Perez is intrigued to discover that Jerry desired John’s help in some way, and was apparently trying to blackmail him to force his hand. Perez speculates if anyone else knew about Jenny’s affair with John? Jenny denies this, but the spotlight shifts to Jenny’s husband, Andy Belshaw – a man who disliked Jerry professionally and could potentially have a personal motive to get rid of Henderson. However, lines of enquiry against Belshaw are soon closed down when he provides an alibi for the night that Jerry died. No closer to finding a clear lead, Perez decides that the answer must somehow rest with Evie Watt, as she was close to both victims.
The investigation into Evie uncovers just how desperate she was to get away from her overbearing father, but she continues to deny any involvement in the two murders. Perez is running out of answers and time. When he re-examines some of the photographic evidence though, and Willow Reeves finally determines the murder weapon used, everything falls into place. A hidden past is uncovered. The true nature of Jerry’s story revealed. And a motive to kill two men finally exposed.