5. Mortal

Complete story — includes the ending

Following a break-in, a frail, elderly woman is found dead in her flat. Ronnie and Sam initially suspect a burglary gone wrong and however, following a tip-off from the victim's grand-daughter Connie, the detectives' attention turns to live-in carer Cecile, who has disappeared having stolen a clock, the police find Cecile with the clock and she is promptly arrested. But Cecile claims the clock was a present and accuses Connie of firing her because she would not obey her instructions and starve Jenny to death. She backs up her claim with written instructions and the detectives discover that Connie, a potential bankrupt, has inherited Jenny's flat and she is charged with murder. Her lawyer Vijay Prasad submits that the accusation is vague and that Connie could easily have smothered her grandma if she wanted. Then Connie gives evidence, stating that her grandmother was in great pain and killed herself for the release. Chief Prosecutor Jake Thorne has the bit between his teeth when he tells the jury Connie was the only real family the victim had, and she left her to die. When Connie tells her side of the story she is very convincing and it seems likely that Jake will fail to secure a guilty verdict.