Bill Spoilers 20th August

D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) and D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) work together to stop their prime suspect from carrying out violent threats to Dr Julia Bickham (Emily Hamilton), a woman from Neil's past.

D.I. Neil Manson (Andrew Lancel) and D.C. Grace Dasari (Amita Dhiri) continue to work together on an investigation involving a psychiatrist that Neil knows from a previous investigation, Dr Julia Bickham (Emily Hamilton). Neil is convinced that someone has a vendetta against her and that the suspect also injured her partner, Harry Gilmartin (David Michaels) in a hit and run. As the investigation continues, Neil discovers that their main suspect, Jared Miles (Brett Goldstein), is innocent and when Jared realises the police believe him, he opens up. He explains to Neil that the previous day, he saw young Thomas Sands (Ethan Edwards) standing alone in a road with a crying man who quickly got into his car and drove away. Neil realises that the man Jared describes also has to be the same person that attacked Thomas’ nanny, mistaking her for Julia. From the description Jared gives of the car, Neil and Grace are able to trace the vehicle to Stephen Fairfax (Jonathan Slinger), who insists he’s never heard of Julia or Harry. However, when Neil talks to Thomas and shows him some mug shots, he quickly identifies Stephen as the man who attacked his nanny…

Neil has Stephen followed and he is later seen coming out of Angela Hayne’s (Heather Tobias) house, arguing with her. Neil and Grace visit Angela who explains that Stephen was her daughter Danielle’s partner, with whom he had a daughter, Lily. When Danielle died a couple of years previously, there was a dispute about her life insurance. Stephen was convinced that Danielle took an accidental overdose, but Danielle’s psychiatrist, Julia, stated that she was suffering from depression and committed suicide. Julia’s verdict at an inquest meant that Stephen lost the claim and eventually custody of his daughter. Grace and Neil realise that Stephen is a man on the edge and the pair are horrified when they discover he has kidnapped Julia, with a gun. For Neil, this is his worst nightmare happening all over again. Officers finally track down Stephen and Julia to a deserted warehouse, but Neil refuses to wait for back-up and despite Grace’s pleas, enters the building to face the gun-man alone.

Is this the psychiatrist that looked after the patient who Neil gave the order to shoot? Her name sounds familiar.

Well spotted
551: 'Line of Fire: Part II'
Aired on Wednesday, October 24 2007

Paranoid schizophrenic Michael Simms is persuaded by DI Neil Manson to put down the knife he is holding to Shelley Cooper’s throat. As Michael explains that he only wanted to talk to Shelley, her son Jaz rides in on a scooter and amid the confusion, a gun shot rings out and Shelley falls to the floor.

A stunned Neil radios for help and chases after Michael who is running away from the scene. They end up at the hospital and Neil sees Michael pushing his physiatrist, Dr Julia Bickham into her office. Convinced Michael has a gun and that Julia’s life is in danger, he gives CO19 the order to take him down and Michael is fatally shot. Neil is devastated when a furious Julia tells him Michael didn’t have a gun.

The next day Neil and his colleagues are interviewed by the Department of Professional Standards to ensure the correct procedures were followed. Neil becomes irate and insists he acted without prejudice, while Superintendent Heaton confesses he has doubted Neil’s ability in the past.

Later, Shelley’s ex partner Chris Ramsden, is brought in for questioning and he finally admits that he was the suspect who attacked Shelley and another woman on the estate. He also confesses to planting the ski mask and knife in Michael’s house. After further investigation, the team learn that it was Jaz who possessed the gun and accidentally shot Shelley. As the case unravels, Neil realises that he is responsible for the death of an innocent man and that his career could be over…