Gates, knocked unconscious by the attackers, tampers with evidence, hiding a whiskey glass before police arrive to find Jackie has vanished. He claims he has just got there himself. Hastings and Arnott quiz him on his relationship with Jackie and he admits she was an old flame but denies knowledge of her money laundering. Arnott goes over the top in confronting him with evidence to suggest he was at Jackie's house when she was killed but makes himself look desperate. Gates is taken off the case and later, whilst investigating Wes's murder, is grabbed by masked men and an evil child who threaten to frame him for Jackie's murder unless he takes over her money laundering racket.

Whilst the money laundering investigation is passed to Fraud Squad, Gates is still hounded by his blackmailers. Kate wants to connect him to Jackie's murder and sets out to gain his trust to find further proof though Gates' loyal colleague Morton rumbles her. Hastings and Arnott interview Gates' team and learn from D.S. Cottan that he diverted them from attending the drug dealers' murders, leading them to believe that Gates knew that the dead pair were working with Jackie though Gates persuades his gullible superior that the couple were in fact terrorists building a bomb. Arnott is lured to a warehouse by a telephone call purporting to lead to more information but finds himself captured by the gangsters who, as Gates walks away, tie him up and torture him for his knowledge.

Gates returns to rescue Arnott but leaves before Kate, her cover now blown, arrives to find evidence that a body had been stored at the warehouse. Arnott recalls that the chief torturer was called Tommy and admits to Kate that Gates saved him. She believes he is weakening in his attitude to Gates, whom he goes to see in secret, confirming his view that Gates is innocent of all the murders. Convinced that Gates is in danger but can bring the killers to justice Arnott persuades Hastings to let Gates set up a meeting with Tommy, recorded on a wire. Arnott and Kate intend to meet up with them but before they can do so Gates abducts Tommy to force a confession before committing an extreme act in the line of duty.

A dismembered body is discovered, and worries grow when Roz fails to report for duty. After further questioning of Michael Farmer unearths crucial new information, AC-12 challenge the case against him.

As shocking new evidence is unearthed, AC-12 step up their investigation into the case against Michael Farmer.

AC-12's future hangs in the balance after Hilton bars them from investigating Roz Huntley. But Roz's problems are building closer to home.

AC-12 investigate DCI Jo Davidson's apparent mishandling of the murder of an investigative journalist.

AC-12 suspect a cover-up as an officer on DCI Davidson's team appears to have sabotaged the inquiry into Gail Vella's murder.

A new witness comes forward claiming to have crucial evidence in Gail Vella's murder. Kate is torn between her loyalty to Jo and to AC-12.

DCI Davidson faces increasing pressure from all sides. AC-12's attempt to interview a key witness goes horribly wrong.

With time running out, AC-12 attempt to unmask 'H',the fourth individual commanding the network of corrupt officers.