*** SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 10:10 AM ***

Deb is sitting patiently behind the front desk when Polly struggles in, armed with a baby bag and capsule. Polly approaches the desk.

WPC Keane:

Do you want a hand, Poll?

WPC Quinnan:

Thanks, I got it.

Polly makes her way over to the counter, placing the capsule containing the sleeping infant on the desk.

WPC Keane:

How are you??

Deb hugs Polly before looking in the capsule. Polly rolls her eyes.

WPC Quinnan:

Exhausted, but I suppose I'll get used to all this.

WPC Keane:

Awww, she has your nose.

WPC Quinnan:

Yeah I know, poor thing. So what's been going on around here?

WPC Keane:

Not a lot really, everyone's just getting ready for Sam's surprise birthday party.

WPC Quinnan:

When is it?

WPC Keane:

This Saturday, I don't know what to get him.

WPC Quinnan:

Hmm, what are the others getting?

WPC Keane:

Lots of different things, I think Reg is getting him a train.

WPC Quinnan:

Figures!

Polly giggles.

WPC Keane:

Poor Sam!

Deb laughs.

WPC Quinnan:

Oh, Deb, can you mind Sam for a sec while I go to see June?

Polly leaves down the corridor as Peter Robertson enters the station confidently.

Debbie looks up.

WPC Keane:

Can I help you?

Robertson draws a gun slowly, but determinedly.

Step back away from the counter!

Debbie steps back and holds Samantha tightly.

WPC Keane:

What do you want?

Robertson smiles slyly.

Why, the cute one with the blue eyes.

WPC Keane:

No, you can't have her.

Give me the child.

WPC Keane:

No, put down the gun!

Robertson reaches forward and tries to pry the baby from Deb's arms, the gun in his right hand. Deb pulls back.

WPC Keane:

I won't give her to you.

I'm not playing games here, now hand her over!

He fires the gun at the floor. Deb puts Samantha in the capsule and stands in front of her.

WPC Keane:

Put the gun down!

Oh, very clever aren't we? That just makes my job easier.

Robertson chuckles.

Move or I'll shoot!

WPC Keane:

No!

Robertson doesn't hesitate before firing just to the left of Deb, managing to clip her right arm.

I warned you!

Deb tries to push Robertson away with her other arm.

WPC Keane:

Keep away from her, take me instead.

It's not you I need.

He pushes her aside and heads for the capsule. Deb manages to trip him and the gun goes off. Robertson fires another shot to her right shoulder.

You don't give up, do you!

Deb falls to the ground.

WPC Keane:

Someone help me!

Robertson grabs the capsule, with the screaming infant in it, and makes for the door.The door to the front office comes flying open.

PC Harker:

What the-? Deb!

Sam runs over to her, not noticing the man leaving via the front door.

Deb speaks weakly.

WPC Keane:

Sam, he took Samantha.

PC Harker:

What?

Sam doesn't understand what has happened, but is just worried about the blood everywhere. He manages to apply pressue to Deb's shoulder, as he tries to comprehend what has happened.

Deb moans.

WPC Keane:

A man took Polly and Dave's baby.

PC Harker:

Ok, it'll be alright, you just try to relax.

Sam continues applying pressure, not really taking her seriously.

By this time both Polly, June, and Luke have come through into the foyer, and an ambulance has been called.

WPC Keane:

Poll, I'm sorry!

Polly looks confused around the room, not knowing what's going on. She vaguely hears Deb's voice, but doesn't comprehend it.

WPC Keane:

He took Samantha!

Deb starts to lose consciousness.

WPC Quinnan:

Deb, who, who did?

Deb speaks very faintly.

WPC Keane:

A man.

Sam whispers to June that someone had better contact Dave. By this time, Polly has lost all sense, ignoring Deb's state.

WPC Quinnan:

And you just let him take her!

Polly shakes Deb by the arms, trying to get her attention. Deb loses consciousness.

PC Harker:

Sarge, sarge! She's not breathing!

June pushes Polly aside as they commence resuscitating Deb. June and Sam manage to revive Debbie, just as the ambulance arrives. Deb is taken to hospital and June, Polly, Luke and Sam are left standing there.June shakes Polly gently.

Sgt Ackland:

We'll find her, Poll.

Polly shakes herself out of it.

WPC Quinnan:

Security cameras! They'll have him on tape!

Polly heads frantically off in the other direction. June looks at Luke.

Sgt Ackland:

Go with her and try to calm her.

Polly and Luke are frantically wading through data, trying to find the details of the kidnapper. Dave enters the room.

PC Quinnan:

Poll, what's happened??

Poll rushes over to Dave.

WPC Quinnan:

She's gone!

Polly sobs hysterically in his arms. Dave doesn't understand.

PC Quinnan:

What??

PC Ashton:

Some guy came in armed, demanding Samantha. Deb did her best to stop him, but she got shot pretty badly, and he got away.

Dave looks at Poll.

PC Quinnan:

Why weren't you there?

WPC Quinnan:

I had to see June, I only left her for a second!

Dave turns away.

WPC Quinnan:

What? Dave, what is it ?

Dave speaks quietly.

PC Quinnan:

I got a threatening message�.where they said they would take Sam.

Polly is in shock.

WPC Quinnan:

What are you talking about?

PC Quinnan:

I got it a while ago, I just didn't believe it.

Poll's mouth is open in complete disbelief.

WPC Quinnan:

And you didn't tell me!?

PC Quinnan:

I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't want to worry you!

Tears start running down his face.

WPC Quinnan:

I don't believe this!

Dave walks out because he can't deal with Poll's emotions.

Polly goes back to looking at the tapes, trying to match up the man with photos.

*** CAD ***

Vicky answers the phone.

WPC Hagen:

Sun Hill Police. How may I help you?

I believe that one Polly Page would be very eager to speak with me.

A baby can be heard crying in the background. Vicky calls Sergeant Boyden over and quickly explains. Vicky passes the headset over to Polly who has just entered after being called by Matt. Polly sighs and takes a deep breath, as Vicky squeezes Poll's hand.

WPC Quinnan:

Who are you?

Just a close friend of Jacob's.

Polly swallows hard, and blinks a few times.

WPC Quinnan:

And?

If you want your child back safe and sound, you'll listen carefully!

WPC Quinnan:

What is it you want?

You're the bitch that caused the death of my friend!

WPC Quinnan:

I wasn't the one who killed him.

Polly sighs as she digs all this back up again.

Shut up, you little tart, I'm the one in control here.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm listening!

Your daughter is quite beautiful. It would be a shame if something were to happen to mar her lovely face.

WPC Quinnan:

You sick bastard, what is it you want ? Why take her?!

Because I want you.

Polly freezes, letting her eyes fall closed. Vicky bites her lip.

Listen to me now or you won't be a mother for much longer.

Polly slams down the headset and runs out of the CAD room, crashing into Sergeant Cryer on her way out. Bob picks up the headset.

Sgt Cryer:

Hello??

There is silence on the phone line. Matt Boyden quickly fills Bob in.

Sgt Cryer:

Hello??

Where is she?

Sgt Cryer:

This is Sergeant Cryer. WPC Quinnan is unwilling to talk to you.

Get her back here.

Bob signals to Vicky to go and get Polly. Polly returns, and reluctantly pulls herself together and takes the headset.

That was a silly thing to do.

WPC Quinnan:

Where do you want this exchange to take place?

I'll call you again, be good now and don't try to set anything up, or little Samantha will have a very bad day.

Sgt Ackland:

Bob?

Sgt Cryer:

I don't think this is right, June.

Sgt Ackland:

We have to do something!

Sgt Cryer:

I know, but what?

Sgt Ackland:

Well, what choice do we have? We have to follows his demands.

Sgt Cryer:

Call Jack Meadows.

PC Quinnan:

It'll be okay, Poll, I won't let anything happen to you again.

WPC Quinnan:

You don't understand. He wants to do an exchange! Me for Sam.

Polly trails off crying again. Dave is furious.

PC Quinnan:

What? Why would he want to do that? I mean, why did he take her?

Polly's eyes well up with tears again.

WPC Quinnan:

He was a mate of Davidson's.

PC Quinnan:

Bloody hell!

Dave looks over at June and Bob.

PC Quinnan:

What are we going to do about this?

June looks at Bob, who sighs.

Sgt Cryer:

I don't think we have much choice, Dave.

PC Quinnan:

You're going to actually let her do it?

Sgt Ackland:

Dave, what other option is there?

Sgt Cryer:

We don't have a choice and we will grab this person as soon as he makes the exchange.

PC Quinnan:

Get someone out there searching for this bastard. I'm not having my wife put herself in another life threatening situation!

Sgt Cryer:

We have the relief out there doing their best, but we need someone to lead us to him.

WPC Quinnan:

No Dave, it'll be alright, really. I'll do what I have to do.

PC Quinnan:

Like hell! Look there has to be something else that we can do.

Sgt Cryer:

Like what?

PC Quinnan:

I don't know, but the only option can't be what he wants.

Sgt Ackland:

Look, he's gonna call back right? What can we do until then?

PC Quinnan:

Did you trace the call?

Sgt Ackland:

Mobile.

WPC Quinnan:

Look Dave, I don't care whether or not it's what he wants, I just want to get her back!

PC Quinnan:

Polly, we're going to fix this but you're not going to put yourself in danger.

They are all interrupted by Vicky signalling that another call was coming through.

PC Quinnan:

Let me talk to him.

Sgt Cryer:

No, Dave.

WPC Quinnan:

Here.

Polly takes the headset.

PC Quinnan:

I'll kill him!

Sgt Cryer:

Let Polly talk to him, he won't talk to anyone else.

Polly clears her throat and proceeds.

WPC Quinnan:

What's going on?

I trust hubby is there.

WPC Quinnan:

So?

I bet he's gone all over protective, suggesting alternatives to my request.

Sam enters quietly.

WPC Quinnan:

So what if he has?

Don't listen to him, Polly, I know what's best for you.

WPC Quinnan:

I couldn't care less about you, I want my daughter back.

And you won't get her back unless you do exactly as I say.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm listening, aren't I?

And so is everyone else.

Polly sighs.

Tell them to leave the room, what I have to say is for your ears only.

WPC Quinnan:

They won't.

Tell them to listen to this.

WPC Quinnan:

Alright!

Polly gets the others to leave the room.

WPC Quinnan:

Fine, they've gone.

Sam opens the door.

I know you're lying.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm not. I'm telling ya, nobody is in the room!

I know you're playing with me, but I don't have the time. Go to the alley off Nelfield Street, you know the one. Two hours from now, no one else and believe me, I have people watching. If I see a hint of a uniform, you'll no longer be a mother.

WPC Quinnan:

Don't worry, we'll play by the book, but someone will have to be there to get Sam.

I don't think so. Once we have you, we'll phone your husband and let him know where he can find his daughter.

WPC Quinnan:

I'm not buying that. How do we know we can trust you?

You don't know, but what choice do you have?

WPC Quinnan:

Why you really doing all this?

Revenge, simple and sweet. I must also admit to be a tad curious about you. I�ve heard a lot. People talk, you know. I want you to be in Nelfield St in one hour and fifty seven minutes. I'm counting the seconds until we meet again.

WPC Quinnan:

Don't!

PC Quinnan:

What's wrong?

WPC Quinnan:

I just wanna deal with all this on me own. There's too much at stake here to go throwing emotion around the place.

Polly has managed to work herself into a state of professional detachment, and pulls herself together as the rest of them listen to the tape. Dave is silent until the tape ends.

PC Quinnan:

He's looking forward to seeing you again? You know this guy?

WPC Quinnan:

I don't, no. That doesn't mean he doesn't know me though.

Dave leaves the room, and slams his fist into something expensive, the sound of glass shattering is heard.