688: 'Trust Me'

Part 1 of 2

Following days of surveillance, D.S. Max Carter and D.C. Jo Masters raid the house of Jimmy Mack, aware that he has just received £40,000 worth of heroin. However, the officers are frustrated when they fail to uncover the bulk of the drugs or Jimmy's missing girlfriend, Rochelle Chapman.

Elsewhere, P.C.s Sally Armstrong and Roger Valentine are called to the home of former prostitute and drug addict Fran Morris, where her young son Noah has collapsed after having taken some unknown tablets found next to him. Roger quickly realises that Noah has taken Diazepam – the same ones that were found at Jimmy's house. How is Fran connected to Jimmy…?

Back at Sun Hill, Max and Jo interview Jimmy with his solicitor, Damian Tucker by his side. Jimmy claims not to know where the drugs or Rochelle are and when pushed to reveal the name of his boss, he clams up. As the investigation continues, Fran reveals that she is a good friend of Rochelle's and admits she turned up at her house that morning with Jimmy's heroin. Fran swears she hasn't touched drugs in a year and flushed the package down the toilet.

http://images.digitalspy.co.uk/09/38/thebill170909_688_roger.jpgThe case takes a sinister turn when Rochelle is later found at Fran's flat, tied to a chair, having been beaten by someone clearly wanting the drugs back, but Rochelle is too terrified to name anyone. Max is convinced that Fran knows more than she's letting on and tells Roger and Sally to search her flat where they find the heroin in the estate's bins.

Fran is forced to admit that when she discovered who the drugs belonged to, she was determined to give them back, knowing the violent and dangerous drugs boss would kill Rochelle.

Max and Jo are frustrated that none of their witnesses will name names, but are stunned when Fran sees Jimmy's solicitor, Damian in the station and reveals that he's the man they're after…

Max tells Fran that they desperately need her to take part in a sting in order to arrest Damian and put him behind bars, but Fran refuses point blank.

Much to Jo's disapproval, Max finally coerces her into helping them by promising her cash and protection. But frightened for her life and that of her son's, will Fran be able to pull it off…?

The second and final part of this storyline, titled 'Backlash' airs next Thursday, September 24 at 9pm on ITV1.