DCI Banks 5x4 - A Little Bit of Heart (2)

The murder of Xun Li hits the team hard. This case is morecomplicated than they first thought, and it's not necessarilyconnected to the kidnapping. Given there are no indications offorced entry, all early signs point to Xun knowing hismurderer. But Xun was also targeting protection gangs and sotheir boss, the formidable Wendy Xiao, is a prime suspect.And then there's Xun's property rental business – adisgruntled tenant may have an axe to grind. Banks and Anniepay a visit to Xun's brother, Chang and niece Wei at theirChinese restaurant. As Chinese immigrants themselves, Banksimagines them to be prime targets for Wendy Xiao's protectionracket so is surprised when Wei has no idea who she is. At therestaurant, Banks also finds Xun's estranged son, Bo, whosealibi is that he was at work the night his father was murdered.Annie talks to Xun's wife, Rachel, who also has a watertightalibi. The mystery deepens further when the autopsy reveals thecling film found wrapped around Xun's head was appliedpost-mortem. Meanwhile, Ken uncovers CCTV footage thatidentifies a vehicle near Xun's business the night it wasvandalised – the same vehicle that he has matched to one ofXun's disgruntled tenants – Mark Rundle. Still no closerto cracking the case, that evening Banks cuts a lonely figureat home, with only his father Arthur for company – untilAnnie turns up and gives Banks a confession he wasn'texpecting. Banks has a spring in his step as he and Anniequestion Wei as she turned up at Wendy's. Wei admits that sheand her father Chang pay protection money to Wendy. At firstthey refused, but when all their stock was smashed, theydecided to pay like everyone else. Banks wants Wei to giveevidence against Wendy, but Wei refuses for fear ofrepercussions – until Chang steps in, bravely declaring thathe's determined to end Wendy's reign of terror. MeanwhileHelen is having a tough time at her DCI board interview – nothelped by the fact that Chief Superintendent Anderson isleading the interview panel, asking undermining questions in athinly veiled revenge attack for Helen rebuffing his advances.Despite him pointing out all her apparent flaws, Helencounters Anderson's character assassination and defendsherself. However, she can't help feeling that the damage hasbeen done and her chances of making DCI have gone up in smoke.Helen goes back to what she does best, uncovering a cluethat puts Mark Rundle's car near enough to where Xun waskidnapped to question him again. Under questioning, Bomakes an admission. Banks presses him about the night hisfather was murdered – was he really at hospital working? Boinsists he was – but rather than take his word for it, Bankstasks Ken to find out. Having searched Bo's flat, Helen hasfound something that may be of interest. On Bo's tablet isfootage of his father Xun, sent by a friend back in China. Thetiming is significant because it matches with when Bo toldLilly he had a way of getting Xun to pay up. Helen believesthis footage could be important. She tells Banks she will getit translated. The net appears to be closing in on Bo but thepuzzle remains incomplete and Helen receives surprising newsfrom Chief Superintendent Anderson. Banks ponders the footageof Xun found on Bo's tablet, and that is when his eagle-eyesspot an anomaly that slots the final piece of the jigsaw puzzleinto place. As he beckons Helen to go with him, Annie receivesa call, the person on the phone clearly in a state as Kenwitnesses Annie calming them down and promising to be there assoon as she can. As Annie dashes off, Ken offers to go withher, but Annie knows Ken has promised girlfriend Lydia aromantic night in, so declines, reassuring him she'll beOK. Back at the station, Banks kicks off a doublecelebration. As the champagne flows, Annie is in town,meeting someone in a restaurant. But she is being watched bysomeone else. As she leaves the restaurant, walking past a carwhere the watcher remains hidden, Annie wanders down analleyway, leaving an urgent voicemail for Banks – he needsto ring her urgently, she's got big news... and by the way,she loves him.