Thursday 15 May 2008 9:00pm - 10:00pm

Max has uncovered the activities of a death squad and is determined to stop them before they kill anyone else on their list. But his investigations are putting his own family at risk.

Fearing the worst, Max (James Nesbitt) races back to his family's home to find that his wife Carolyn (Zara Turner) has been shot dead and his old home is surrounded by police. Max is the number one suspect for her murder, and his daughter has been taken away to live with her aunty Diane (Daniele Lydon).

Max knows he must have been framed for his wife's murder by whoever is behind the death squad but now he's got to prove it. In a panic he goes on the run from the police, hoping he can find the evidence he needs in time to clear his name and uncover the conspiracy.

Alice opens the confidential file she stole from Daniel and uncovers a list of names – one of which is Reza Dunush (Sargon Yelda), Majid’s cousin. Realising there is truth in Max's claim that Defence Concern is involved in a conspiracy, Alice asks to meet him. She confesses to Max that she has found a list of names of national security and Reza's name is on it. Max tells Alice it's a death list targeting pro-Islamists and they have to find out who is next to be killed.

Alice uncovers one more name - Mamood Osmani, a civil rights lawyer. She confronts her boss Daniel and he claims the list is a leak from the Home Office and he was just going to use it to stir up debate to coincide with the visit of Donald Hagan (Alan Dale). Hagan is an elder statesman and the front man of The Validus Group, a hugely successful US private equity corporation and one of the world’s biggest investors in the arms industry.

Alice's computer is mysteriously wiped. Alice decides to resign from Defence Concern - she doesn't trust Daniel and his relations with Donald Hagan. Her fear is that Daniel is being knowingly manipulated by Hagan and that together, they may be planning a dreadful event – possibly even a new 9/11 – to create a greater appetite for defence spending and neatly lining their pockets at the same time.

As Max travels on a night bus, a troubled man approaches him. His name is Gary Elliot (Danny Nussbuaum) and he claims to be the person who killed Max's wife. He is part of the death squad and explains that it is a small cabal of ex-army and ex-national security. It is they who have been dispatching off anyone they perceive to be a threat to ‘our way of life’. Gary confesses that the trophy video of the murder of Majid Danush (Christopher Jefferies) exists, but before Max learns where to find it, Gary alarmingly kills himself right in front of him.

Stealing his wallet and gun, Max make's a dash to Gary Elliot's home to try and find the video. He is confronted by Gary's girlfriend, Lucy (Joanna Horton). She hits Max and escapes with a disk containing the trophy video.

Later, Max manages to track down Lucy. He warns her that she and her daughter will be in danger unless she gives him the video. Lucy is scared and tries to get away from Max but as she does, Max makes a grab for her. Max catches her daughter's teddy in his hand, and in that moment sees the teddy has been restitched. The trophy video is concealed inside the teddy. However, Lucy is too quick for Max and snatches the teddy away, leaving Max empty-handed.

Alice calls Max. She has found another copy of the list and wants to help Max now that she has resigned from Defence Concern. Max has an ally with the perfect link to help him expose the death squad, Defence Concern and The Validus Group. Knowing it's just a matter of time before the truth is revealed, Max hurries to her flat to meet Alice. But as he arrives outside, he sees Blake rushing from her flat, a gun in his hand.

Continued in part 3…