03.03min
Agent Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia) and a priest are discussing the missing Father Stephens. “We’ve had a missing vicar on our books for four years,” says Sophie.
03.11min
The priest explains to LaPaglia that Father Stephens is terminally ill with cirrhosis of the liver. “That happens quite a lot,” says Terry. “Some people when they discover that they are ill don’t want to be a burden, so they go missing.”
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05.42min
Agent Fitzgerald (Eric Close) is quizzing Father Stephens’s doctor as to how he contracted the disease, but the physician refuses to say. “That is true,” says Ben. “Doctors are bound but we do quiz the relatives for information.”
05.46min
Close explains that such infomation can help them trace the person, as they can then find out what bars they go to and make inquiries. “We do that,” says Sophie. “We’ll send people in to where the missing persons used to go — like pubs and clubs — and question the regulars.”
10.01min
The two search credit card records to discover that Father Stephens has bought flights and repeatedly hired cars with his credit cards. “Once we are allowed access, credit cards can be very useful to track a person,” says Ross.
18.03min
Officer Vivian Johnson (Marianne Jean- Baptiste) discovers that there seems to be a drug connection. “There are not as many drug problems as people assume,” stresses Sophie. “We might get about 10 or 15 per cent of missing persons involved in drugs. It’s more common for people to get involved in drug use after they run away and are on the streets.”
30.38min
“85 Hours Missing” flashes up on the screen. “We would never be able to have five of us looking for one missing person for that amount of time, unless it was a high-profile case like a missing child,” says Ross. “We don’t have the resources.”
36.28min
They find the priest after about 90 hours, but he expresses his desire to remain “lost”. “That happens often,” says Ross. “All we can do then is contact their loved ones and pass on a message.”
Verdict
“Generally it is a lot more sensational and a lot more glamorous than anything we do and they find people a lot quicker,” says Sophie. “And, although no two cases are the same, the majority of people turn up in 72 hours.” All agree that many of the cases featured are very similar to those investigated by the Missing Persons Helpline, and that the series, although rather more exciting than reality, is good for a hit TV show.
Without a Trace (15) is out to buy and rent on DVD.
Next week: Cinderella Man