The investigation into Eadie Tulloch’s murder took a dramatic turn in the second episode of Shetland Season 10. Detectives Calder and Tosh faced a web of old grudges and fresh deceptions after a suspect set fire to the victim’s home, destroying potential evidence. The episode revealed a secret affair connected to the victim and introduced new suspects with a bitter history.
A Suspicious Fire and a Fragile Suspect
The episode began with DI Ruth Calder and DI Tosh questioning Lana Mair after she was caught setting fire to Eadie Tulloch’s house. Lana, who has dementia, gave unclear answers, describing Eadie as a “force of nature” and a former friend. She hinted at a dark past, telling the detectives, “You reap what you sow. She was always nosing into other people’s business.” When asked if Eadie had hurt anyone, Lana replied, “That’s all behind us now. Some things are best left to lie.” Her agitated state during questioning led to a warning from the Procurator Fiscal that she could not be interviewed again. The fire destroyed the crime scene, making the murder investigation significantly harder for the team.
A Tragic Past Resurfaces
The story delved into a tragic event from the past that changed many lives in Lunniswick. In the early 2000s, a devastating storm sank a fishing boat called The Linty. Both Eadie’s son, Craig, and Lana and Arthur’s son, Ally, died in the accident. This shared tragedy was once a bond between Eadie and Lana. The storm also caused a lasting rift between Eadie and her surviving son, Ed. He confessed that he felt he could never live up to his brother Craig, which started the estrangement from his mother.
New Suspects with a Historic Grudge
Two new suspects emerged from Eadie’s past as a social worker. Sergeant Billy McCabe’s wife, Morag, who used to work with Eadie, pointed the detectives toward Amy Shannon. Amy and her sister, Stevie, were removed from their mother’s care after Eadie filed a report of neglect. Their mother died months after the removal, and the sisters were split up. Amy, now a teacher, is angry and is currently suing social services. Her sister, Stevie, had a more difficult time, moving through foster families and children’s homes on the mainland. Tosh felt a “weird vibe” from Stevie, and it was later revealed that Stevie had a history of manipulating other children in care. The sisters’ resentment toward Eadie gives them a strong motive for murder.
Arthur’s Secret Affair and a Key Visit
Arthur Mair became a prime suspect after Lana, in her distressed state, accused him of doing something terrible to Eadie. Under questioning, Arthur admitted he had a secret affair with Eadie. He claimed he ended the affair for good about five years ago, around the time Lana was diagnosed with dementia. A critical piece of information he had withheld was that he visited Eadie on the night she was killed. He brought her food and whisky, and they shared a drink. However, the autopsy report contradicted his story, showing Eadie had a large amount of whisky in her system, suggesting she was drunk and did not fight back. This was strange because Eadie was not known to be a drinker. Arthur insisted she was fine when he left. While the affair gave Lana a reason to burn Eadie’s house, the detectives did not see it as a clear motive for murder and released Arthur for the time being.
A Dangerous Side Plot
Away from the main investigation, Hayley Burnett was revealed to be hiding a dangerous secret. Her husband, Chris, noticed her sneaking around and constantly checking a secret phone. She initially claimed it was for her restaurant business, but later confessed the truth. Hayley admitted her restaurant was in deep debt and she had done “something stupid.” She is now being blackmailed and is in serious trouble, forced to follow orders to protect her family. She was shown with a large bag of heroin that she had to hand over to a dealer.
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Key Revelations from the Episode
This episode brought several major secrets to light that changed the direction of the murder investigation. The discovery of Arthur’s affair with the victim provided a strong personal motive within the close-knit community. The mystery of Eadie’s whisky consumption on the night of her murder created a significant inconsistency in Arthur’s story. The introduction of the Shannon sisters and their historic grudge showed that Eadie’s professional past had created lasting enemies. The full context behind Lana’s fire became clearer, linking it to betrayal and a fractured friendship. Finally, Hayley’s blackmail plot introduced an element of external danger that could have wider consequences for the community.
Shetland continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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