When a young man, Dean Hartley, is involved in an accident following a high speed car chase secrets unravelled. Dean admits to driving the vehicle immediately after the accident but later retracts the statement. PJ had taped the conversation and brings the recorder out to show Dean, but when he pushes the play button he finds that the tape is missing. PJ begins to investigate the tape theft but when he stumbles onto the true identity of Dean's natural mother he finds a secret much more shocking.
PJ and Maggie are on the way to the station when they come across two youths speeding in a stolen car. They pursue, but lose the car over the hill. Suddenly, from over the rise, there is a sound of a crash and a burst of smoke. PJ and Maggie find the car around a tree; one boy is lying unconscious in the car and the other is staggering around. PJ calls for an ambulance and questions the conscious boy, Dean Hartley. He admits, on record and on tape, to driving the stolen car and accordingly PJ brings him in for questioning.
At the station Dean begins to complain of a sore shoulder. Even though PJ wants to keep him in for questioning Tom insists that his injuries be checked out by Zoe.
Word comes in that Dean has a broken collar bone. The fact that Dean was detained before given medical assistance has outraged his parents and Monica Draper arrives to sort out the mess. Dean is now claiming that his mate was driving the stolen car; he had nothing to do with the theft or the chase. Monica is after blood; she is extremely unhappy with PJ's handling of the case and decides to take control. PJ argues that Dean has simply changed his story now the pressures off. Monica explains that firstly Dean was interviewed under duress, and may have been pressured into a confession and secondly there is no proof of the interview.
Meanwhile Dash has been taking an interest in a young truant, Lucy Street. Her truancy and attitude are clearly cries for attention to her single mother; cries which are ignored. In fact her mother makes it clear to Dash that she is no longer interested in the 'inconsiderate little brat'!
The interview with Monica, PJ, Maggie and Dean begins but is interrupted by a tousle between Dean's father and PJ. When they finally get to push play on the tape recorder nothing happens; the tape is missing. Everyone present in the room is searched but the tape has vanished. PJ is sure that Dean is behind the theft but can't find the proof he needs.
Following a tip off, Nick and Dash discover Lucy and a few of her friends inhaling the fumes from aerosol cans. When they pursue the girls Lucy falls down; barely conscious. Dash rushes her to the hospital andthen contacts Lucy's mother. Once she has ascertained that Lucy isn't going to die she tells Dash that she won't be rushing over to the hospital to see her any time soon. She has other things to do. Dash is left to help Lucy piece her life back together.
Back at the station, PJ and Maggie are piecing together the puzzle of the missing tape. They realise that the one place they didn't check was in Monica Draper's handbag. Monica agrees to the search and it reaps a result that no one really expected; the tape is there. Monica is momentarily shocked but then admits to the theft; no explanations given.
PJ is unable to believe that Monica would risk her career for nothing; suddenly he goes from being her greatest detractor to her champion. But the secrets that PJ uncovers on his search for the truth are more shocking than he ever imagined.
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