THIS STORY IS NOT BASED ON ANY REAL-LIFE CASES.
Last November.
Hong Kong broke the record for the latest arrival of a typhoon.
Typhoon Coral
brought over 200mm of rainfall to Hong Kong.
Man Su! Hurry! Wake up!
- Wake up Man Su! We're being robbed! - Shut up
Answer your phone next time.
- Police Van 71 calling. - Van 71 go ahead.
Container Port Road South in Kwai Chung.
Near street-light CC0381.
- There's a traffic accident. - Stop right there!
Someone's hurt, looks conscious. Wait for more details.
Mister, you're hurt. Do you need an ambulance?
Shut up dude. I can't understand Chinese.
Piss off! Get the fuck out of here.
You're suspected of dangerous and drunk driving.
You understand? Don't touch me. Alright.
Hey, watch your mouth. Quit the foul language.
- Show me your ID card. - What ID card? No!
Do I need to carry an ID card? D'you know who my uncle is?
If you don't show us...
I'll take you to the police station right now.
My uncle will have your ass man.
- Sit down. - Shut up
- Calm down. - Sit still.
Hello. Yeah Uncle. This is Brian.
These dumb ass police won't let me go right now. Alright.
Hey you! Take the phone!
Hello?
This is Emergency Unit Commander M.Y. Shum.
He's suspected of drunk driving. What's his relationship to you?
Uncle. Yeah. Can I go now?
Hello? A man crashed his car. He's suspected of drunk driving.
- He said his uncle is a judge. - What? They're mad dogs.
I got to go.
Hello?
Arrest him!
Joe!
We're cops, not mad dogs.
If you try to hurt us we'll break your face.
Tsui Sir, here are the documents. Thank you.
Lau Sir, the Commissioner's flight just arrived in Copenhagen.
His phone is still off.
Command control centre said apart from
the police public relations and command control centre,
at least three G4 tactical teams took action 15 minutes ago.
- Is it that serious? - There's more.
Commissioner Lee, as
Acting Commissioner, announced a tier one response.
We'll see about that.
- Sir. - Lau Sir.
These threats tonight are obviously directed at you. Be careful.
Skip the formalities. Time is short. Albert, let's start.
Alright. We called you all back so late
because of two things.
First, an hour and a half ago,
an explosive went off outside the Broadway Mong Kok cinema.
So far no casualties have been reported.
Second, last night at 23:00, an Emergency Unit van
in New Territories South was 30 minutes
late reporting back to the command centre.
At 23:19, our report room received an anonymous phone call.
Go ahead.
An Emergency Unit van with five cops
and all the equipment in the van... what's it all worth?
Michael.
The Emergency Unit control centre
confirmed that NTS-71 is still out of contact.
Command records show No. 71 was mid-shift.
At 22:44, it had just dealt with a drunk causing trouble.
They continued on with work and then went missing.
Not only is the EU van missing, but also the
phones of the five officers are dead as well.
We all know GPS isn't exact.
Apart from radio records, we activated the Major Incident Investigation...
and Disaster Support System,
and locked down a 20km radius...
and sent patrol cars to follow up.
Up to now...
Lau Sir, up to this point, what do you think?
Michael is right so far.
But I'd call in everyone related to cases handled
earlier by No. 71 to assist in our investigation.
We've already done what you've just said.
Listen, on the face of it,
the Mong Kok bomb and the hijacked van
can't be random incidents
since they happened around the same exact time.
23 minutes ago, I activated the Emergency Response System.
And this is now the provisional command centre.
Man To, you're the Director of IT.
I want you to explain to all of us, how this happened.
Lee Sir, since the IT department heads aren't here,
let me answer for them.
I'm asking about the technical stuff! Can you give me an answer?
Man To!
Given today's technology and resources,
the hijackers can only block a channel.
Beyond our department, no one knows what frequency we use.
It's simple. We'll check with the Broadcasting Authority to see
where TV and radio signals in New Territories South had interference.
We can then locate where the hijacking took place.
Our budget was cut,
and $540 million was spent over six years
for your state-of-the-art technology!
The Commissioner is in Copenhagen right now
boasting about how safe Hong Kong is.
How could we imagine this ridiculous system
would let a whole team and a police van vanish without a trace?
I could draw conclusions now.
Two possibilities.
First, there's a mole in the force.
Second, there's a serious loophole in our communications system.
Man to! It's your department's responsibility.
- Albert, carry on. - According to the armoury's records,
Van No. 71 was fully loaded.
Five officers were on board:
driver Johnny Wong, 6911;
plain-clothes detective Kelvin Chang, 60625;
Sergeant M.Y. Shum, 48475;
Communicator C.M. Leung, 38543;
and Joe Lee, 78633, sitting in the rear seat.
I'm treating this as a terrorist incident.
Considering its gravity, I've decided to take charge.
The operation code is Cold War.
Listen up! Taking police officers hostage...
is never tolerated in Hong Kong.
Never.
Lau Sir, my team is ready.
You're to watch Man To closely.
To make an EU van disappear,
you wouldn't just block the van's GPS...
and cut all uploads and downloads,
but also kill its radio.
80% of Hong Kong's highways are equipped with cameras.
Even if they all fail, it doesn't matter.
The communications system works like this:
every officer's radio has GPS,
even if it's turned off, we can switch it on via the central computer.
- Why don't I know that? - It's the Category 2 setup.
Not even the legislature's Finance Committee knows.
You're an admin executive. So of course you wouldn't know.
In other words, every policeman is wearing a bug?
Not a bug... a secret weapon.
Listen. The data shows the abducted officers
are being held at the shipyard on Tam Kon Shan Road in Tsing Yi.
Until now, our EU van
and its weapons are still missing.
We have to hurry up.
Because of his son, Mr. Lee has caused this whole deployment mess.
Time is so tight and Criminal Intelligence Bureau isn't involved.
Our men will be put in danger.
- Hmm. - Lau Sir.
Do you think there's a mole in the force?
No I don't.
Maybe there's something wrong with our system.
It's the name of the operation.
Lau Sir.
Lee Sir, get ready to open the window.
Get ready.
Lee Sir, got a second?
I understand Joe is on the hostage list,
but shouldn't you let Albert take charge of this?
The floor plans they're using are three years old...
and don't have the Building Department's changes.
Since their position has been located,
shouldn't we have a plan before storming in?
Don't go any further. It's dangerous outside.
Albert.
Don't worry.
Alright, this is M.B. Lee speaking. Wait for my orders.
Go!
- I'm fine. How are you? - Hey!
- Put the phone down. - Who are you?
What you doin'? What are you doing here?
- Put the phone down now. - Cops! Get up!
Fire!
- Freeze! - Don't move.
- Police. - Don't move.
Team C. Insert the optical cable now.
Team C, approaching the hostages' suspected location.
Sir, we've found five mannequins with radios and phones.
I'm very confident that
Hong Kong remains the safest Asian city,
respected...
- Lau Sir. - Open the door.
- Sorry Sir. - Open it.
Sir! We're afraid we can't.
If Albert is with Lee, tell Albert...
I want to see him.
How dare he?
What can I help you with?
I believe intelligence is the key to a successful operation.
If you don't have access...
and can't read information...
because of your rank, just let me know.
I suspect this case is somehow linked...
is somehow linked to M.B. Lee and his son.
I want the executive council giving me some results.
And I want his background checked.
I'll send you a copy in an hour.
Thank you very much.
Trust your own judgment.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
I understand.
Come in.
- Looking for me? - Come in.
- Coffee. - Thank you.
Sit down.
Did you get any leads?
I passed by the room.
Wasn't allowed in by my rank.
Those South Asians were just being used.
Secretary Luk just came up.
If the interrogation had finished sooner, you would have seen him.
Cut to the chase.
I understand how Lee feels...
but we're the top management of disciplined forces.
His role as a father can't affect his role as a policeman...
when he makes decisions.
I know Secretary Luk thinks highly of you.
He must have made a deal with you.
Yes.
Can you tell me about it?
Not right now.
Okay!
I won't be able to pass along...
what you just told me.
Please tell my boss directly.
I was never here.
Oh, and I prefer latte.
An Emergency Unit van with five cops...
and all the equipment in the van... what's it all worth?
I'll contact you again before 3:00 PM today.
Don't listen to him! Don't save us! Don't!
Has the Commissioner been informed?
Have you checked the files' properties?
We tried,
But they've been overwritten.
It's almost 9:00. We'd normally issue a press release.
Lau Sir, if I were you,
I'd tell Lee about this video right away.
Lau Sir, 20 minutes ago, a hijacker...
called 999 once from an unregistered cellphone.
He asked if we've finished the calculation.
I've set up another system in the conference room to help your work.
A video from the hijackers.
Yes, call IT and forensics to the Commissioner's room.
Now!
An Emergency Unit van with five cops
and all the equipment in the van... what's it all worth?
I'll call back before 3:00 PM today.
Don't listen to him! Don't save us! Don't!
The riddle is about an EU van, five cops and all the equipment.
It's easy to calculate... probably not more than $45 million.
No. It can't be that simple.
There must be something left out.
When it comes to money, everyone wants more.
If this is the answer, they underestimate us.
Who are these people? Daring to pull such a big stunt?
The former Commissioner taught me...
the biggest enemy of the police force is always an internal one.
Vincent, I want a list
of all the staff that has been dismissed.
I can think of no more than five people
capable of taking down the Hong Kong Police.
What a coincidence. Part of the puzzle is the five cops being held.
Call the Administration Bureau.
Find out their compensation.
Five policemen. How could it cost so much?
I'm preparing for the worst.
It's assuming all five of them die.
Lau Sir, he's confirmed.
He's the driver, Johnny Wong. The hijackers are animals.
How is he?
He was found unconscious.
Accident and Emergency suspected a heart attack.
CCTV captured the van dropping him off.
The plates are fake.
They're obviously testing our limits,
especially the police.
Attention.
It's been more than 10 hours...
since our EU van disappeared last night.
Not long ago, the hijackers left a seriously...
wounded officer at a hospital's urgent care entrance.
This action is seriously provoking the police force.
I'll inform the Security Bureau later...
and sign the executive directive.
Due to the increasing gravity of the case,
I'm now activating Tier Two response. All district's morning...
duties will be extended for two hours.
All front-line staff must cancel their leave.
This must happen at once gentlemen.
Inform the marine police, the airport and public transport.
I need two-thirds of the police force for the rescue operation.
I want to dismiss Lee from duty.
- That's impossible. - Why's that?
If you want to take over from Lee, according to the rules,
you need to dismiss him...
as Acting Commissioner, because of his inability to handle duties
due to health reasons.
And the whole procedure takes about two weeks.
Right. That's the normal procedure, but not now.
Do you remember what you told me last night...
when I came back to headquarters?
Lee activated a Tier One response 20 minutes ago as Acting Commissioner.
Since last night, as head of the police force,
Lee announced Tier One response without consulting management.
He did it simply to
deploy the force easily.
He's already done the most difficult part for us.
To apply State of Emergency laws,
you need at least five votes from management.
Currently, half of the members are in Copenhagen.
You don't have five votes.
Albert. Albert Kwong?
He's always been on Lee's side,
has the academic qualifications in management...
and will have a PhD in law in six months.
He understands
the rule of law better than any of us.
I just talked to him. He's hesitating.
Thank you Albert.
This time it's solely based on the legal-system.
Have you anything up your sleeve to harm my boss?
I'll make you pay dearly.
I won't let you down.
When should we start?
In three minutes.
Why?
To give Phoenix some time. She's helping us get votes.
Morning, Lee Sir.
Any breaking news I should follow up on?
Take a look at the headlines.
The Chinese and English versions.
Article 8b isn't right. Cold War is still going on.
I don't want to announce the status to the public.
I don't get it.
I said it clear enough. Do you need me to repeat it?
You just asked me to censor the news Sir.
I don't think this is in the Commissioner's authority.
Wrong. I know the police ordinance better than you.
I absolutely have this authority.
I've served two Commissioners before.
Neither of them ever made such a request from our department.
Because they didn't know how to!
Listen to my order now.
Without my approval, don't release articles 8 to 10 to the public.
Understand?
The operation is ongoing. I agree to coordinate with you.
I can't keep it confidential for you,
because every Hong Kong citizen has the right to know
about the safety of where they live.
If you don't withdraw your request, I won't go.
Which is more important?
The public"; right to know or the safety of police officers?
News and safety are separate things.
If you want me to ignore established procedures and follow your order,
that is rule by an individual, not rule by law, sir.
Phoenix, are you implying that I'm abusing my authority?
I don't mean that.
Do you know I can suspend you from work immediately?
I know.
The PC and the DCP have that authority.
- What are you here for? - I want to discuss something with you.
Call all detectives with inspector rank or above to come over.
Have them bring their pistols. All of them.
What's it about?
Listen Lee, I think it's too much.
That's why you called up so many constables to suppress me.
- You don't mean that! - Oh! I don't mean that?
You two are the same.
I heard you used to date.
No wonder you speak the same way.
Lee Sir.
The van belongs to NT South.
Their head should take charge.
This is headquarters. You and I have our duties.
Since the handover, the Deputy Commissioner
and even the Assistant Commissioner shouldn't be directly involved.
In other words, you also think I'm abusing my power?
I understand how you feel.
I worry that your emotions are affecting...
- I'm asking you: Yes or no? - Lee!
This case is serious,
but objectively speaking, your reaction's over the top.
Sean Lau, you should know that
I don't need any reason
to suspend you from duty immediately.
That's right!
I know, but I have that power too.
With what you just said, and your constables,
I can charge you with insubordination.
Albert, see him out!
Albert!
Take them away.
Sorry, Lau.
What are you doing here? Are you crazy?
Put down your gun. Stand at the back.
This has never happened since I became a police officer.
In other countries, it'd be a coup d'état.
I'm now the Acting Commissioner.
At 09:06, Sean Lau,
you're officially suspended.
Lee! There are rules in the police force.
If a case involves a relative, one should make a declaration.
You obviously failed to do so.
That proves that your judgment is in question!
It doesn't matter which region or department...
Fairly speaking, you should hand over your power.
The hijackers are exploiting our...
This'll be best for everyone!
Your communication is a terrorist attack!
- Sorry, Deputy Commissioner M.B. Lee. - Don't form any factions against me!
- I'll suspend you from duty... - I won't be afraid of you...
for the public interest and safety.
Do you understand me?
Bullshit! Do you want the power?!
Do you have enough votes?!
Sir?
What is it?!
The Commissioner's calling. He's asking for the Chief Commander of Cold War.
Is this the Commissioner's idea?
Tsang.
Lau, are you in charge of Cold War now?
Yes.
Is Lee around?
He's right here.
Also Vincent and Albert.
OK. I'm gonna take the first flight back.
Lau and Lee, don't let the situation get any worse.
Phoenix, keep in touch.
Yes Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Attention, please.
Acting Commissioner M.B. Lee just surrender power
in Operation Cold War for personal and health reasons.
In accordance with Police Ordinance, Chapter 232, Section 16.
Police officers and at least two Deputy Commissioners
have agreed that from now on,
at 9:12
Deputy Commissioner Sean Lau will be Acting Commissioner
and Chief Commander of Operation Cold War. Lau?
You should all know that we are now
at a disadvantage with this situation.
We have to strike a balance between maintaining Hong Kong safety
and rescuing the hostages.
First, remove all emergency status warnings.
All departments, including PTU,
G4 and SDU,
should resume normal duties. We can't let the hijackers know
about any of this because of them.
Second, considering this could be a long fight,
I now assign Senior Superintendents Vincent Tsui and Albert Kwong
as Deputy Commanders of this operation.
Members of the provisional command centre need to set up a duty roster.
Two shifts for the command centre and three for the other departments,
to be in force until the case is closed.
Hello? Who are you?
Why is my colleague's phone in your hands?
Who are you?
My surname is Lau, Sean Lau.
There are three people on the police force with the same name:
one in the marine police, one is a constable, another is
- the Deputy Commissioner of police. - I'm the Acting CP.
I'm asking you again, why's our colleague's phone in your hands.
Watch your manner, when you talk to me.
How will you release the hostages?
Don't go to school if you haven't done your homework.
Remember, your cops are in my hands.
And you're not Sean Lau.
Tell Sean Lau to answer my call in three minutes.
The signal started from Ting Kau Bridge northbound
towards Castle Peak Road. Total duration: 28 seconds.
The suspect should be in a vehicle.
Get that video footage.
I want his psychoanalysis results and a risk assessment.
What SIM card is he using? Which cellphone?
Yes Sir.
Johnny Wong just died.
May, inform Phoenix and the welfare section.
Tell them to send people to the hospital.
How much more time?
45 seconds.
Hello?
Commissioner Lau.
What should I call you?
Commissioner, are you well prepared?
$93.2 million.
Prepared in new Yuan.
Get it ready before 3:30.
I'll tell you how to hand it over.
Did you get it?
- Albert. - Yes?
We shouldn't be here.
You sign off first.
Lau.
Let me go to the vault.
Mr. Luk sent this to me. He wanted me to hand it to you.
He said you would know what it is.
Mr. Tsuy.
We need to talk.
Hello?
Commissioner, do you have the cash with you?
Yes!
Let me tell you, your calculation is wrong.
I can't wait any longer. Listen.
I want $33.3 million in cash.
You have half an hour to prepare it.
Also, don't bother to trace me. I'm at Chung On Street in Tsuen Wan.
Hurry!
After deducting $33 million, around $60 million remains.
Lau Sir! Just a few words.
The Vault's director reminded me before I left that
in case we don't use the whole sum,
we can return what's left to the vault right away.
He doesn't want to get in trouble.
Use a dog van.
Deliver the remaining money back to the vault by dog van.
Be careful.
What do we do with this Lee guy?
His life is more valuable all these people combined.
Don't let him die.
Change the location now.
The cash is ready. How do we hand it over?
- Come alone. Can you drive? - Yes.
- CQ. CQ. - Lau Sir.
I've deployed three teams to back you up.
- Plate number? - KM 1605.
- Where are you now? - Leaving the parking lot.
Go to Arsenal Street, turn left onto Harcourt Road.
Cross the harbour via the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Car 1 will wait at the tunnel entrance.
Sorry, I've changed my mind.
Get out of the car now.
Commissioner, take the escalator on your left
to the footbridge.
IFC is on Lau's left. Four Seasons Hotel in the front.
Star Ferry Pier on his right.
Tsuy Sir, counting on you now.
Car 2 and Car 3, go to the Star Ferry.
Stand by on the left and the right.
At your pace, you should almost be there.
Tell me what's in front of you.
Pier 7 is in front of me.
Piers 2 to 6, outlying islands on my left.
Turn left, go to Pier 6. Take the ferry to Lantau Island.
Turn around.
Take this ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Run over.
Lau turned round. Lau turned round. We're all exposed.
Counter-tailing tactic?
Let's take the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Car 1, slow down at the Kowloon exit and wait for me.
When did you last take a ferry, Commissioner Lau?
You're keep talking to me. Aren't you worried we'll trace you?
I'll call you back in five minutes.
Before I hang up, a friendly reminder...
keep an eye on yourself... your shoe
laces have become untied.
Albert, the phone signal is very close to Lau's location.
Team across the harbour on standby.
- Are you Mr. Lau? - Yes.
Hello?
Commissioner Lau, you're four minutes behind schedule.
Get in a taxi and go to the airport.
Don't wait for a taxi.
Mister, my shift is over. Take another one.
Police. Start the car.
MA3714 LICENSE No. 6613, LEO HUI
Received Lau's SMS.
Taxi, plate number Mother-Alpha-8714.
License No. 6618, Leo Hui.
Hey, wait a while. Coming soon.
I picked up a difficult one. What can I do?
Set up the mahjong table and wait for me. We'll talk later.
PLATE. DRIVER. CLEAN AND NO RECORD.
Where are you now?
Route 5, West Kowloon Corridor.
Don't go to the airport. Go up the flyover to Tat Kok Tsut.
Wait, driver. Turn right, take the flyover to Tai Kok Tsui.
First you said the airport and now it's Tai Kok Tsui.
Sir, are you having fun? Can you think clearly first?
I'm guessing both you and the money bag are equipped with
- tracking devices, right? - Have you ever been in the force?
If you had, you would've had a bright future.
I joined in 1988. Have we met before?
I have absolutely no interest in the job.
How are the hostages?
Stop!
I said stop the car.
- Stop! - My license could be revoked!
Stop!
Sir, what can I do? We can't stop here!
- What do you want? - Throw the money down from the bridge.
You're following me.
Aren't you concerned about your colleagues?
Don't you want to save them?
I'll count down from three, and you'll throw the money clown.
Three, two, one!
Money.
Police! Freeze!
Put down the money!
Vincent, come up to help me.
What about my taxi, sir?
Answer me!
Hey!
Ah! My car, sir! Ah! It hurts!
Vincent.
Albert, call an ambulance.
Lau, we've been tricked.
The money in the dog van was taken.
Call an ambulance!
Find out where Lau is and send an ambulance.
Yes?
- Sorry Sir! - Sorry Sir!
You've worked hard. Get some rest.
Thank you Sir.
Lee.
How is it?
The team is taking statements.
Calm them down first. It's been a tough day for everyone.
Sorry Sir!
Make a statement after dealing with your wound.
Get some rest.
- Where's Lau? - Over there.
Vincent's dead?
- Tell me! - Mrs. Tsui.
Calm down. It's okay.
Vincent's dead?! Where's...
Where's Vincent?!
Oh no! Bring him to me!
Lau Sir.
The Commissioner's flight is delayed until tomorrow morning.
Before he got on board, he knew there was only one commander
for operation Cold War. That was you.
This key, you'd better return it to him personally.
Sorry!
Today was so strange.
Everyone apologized to me once I arrived at the hospital.
I can accept their apologies, but not yours.
Luckily, the four missing officers are okay.
Vincent's case is unfortunate. But we're not totally defeated.
If I'd been in charge...
I wouldn't have known what to do either.
Lau Sir?
The vault's director, William Ngai, is taking a 3-week leave...
without saying where he's going.
I'll check with the Immigration Department tomorrow.
It's already 1:00 o'clock. How about I drive you home?
Lau, we've arrived.
Go home and sleep.
I'll pick you up tomorrow.
Vincent!
Excuse me, sir. I want a confidential briefing.
I received a document this morning from a sender signed "informant."
It's a complaint against Deputy Commissioner Lau
for accepting advantages and perverting the course of justice.
The complaint refers to the Tai Kok Tsui flyover gunfight seven days ago.
The trickiest thing about it
is that one of those in the EU van
was the son of Deputy Commissioner M.B. Lee.
Police ranks of superintendent and above
must pass integrity checks. Billy, are you sure?
For the past month,
at all the registered banks in Hong Kong,
all the counters received an amount of tracing paper
totalling 319.500 dollars.
I don't think I understand what you mean...
Mr. Chan.
What I'm saying is that we at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
never thought tracing paper prepared
for law enforcement departments would be of any use.
You make it sound like the money was lost because of us, Mr. Chan.
Wait. Let me say something.
Tracing paper, so-called traceable banknotes,
hasn't worked well in tracking down criminals at all.
For the Monetary Authority to prepare such money for us in the future,
we'd need to do further assessment.
The Corruption Commission Officers are here Sir.
Mr. Sean Lau!
I'm Officer Billy Cheung. I'm with ICAC Principal Investigation.
We suspect you violated the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, Section 4.
Please come with us.
What do you mean?
You're making an arrest at police headquarters
against the Deputy Commissioner?
Lau Sir, please co-operate with us.
Don't you know any rules?
The people here are the top
the top management maintaining Hong Kong's safety.
If you want to invite Mr. Lau to your office,
you must give at least half an hour's notice.
Also, does your boss know about it?
Half an hour? No problem.
Lee Sir, I'll go with them.
Forgive me, Mr. Lau Sir.
I didn't intend to keep you waiting.
This is my Assistant.
- I'll get straight to the point. - OK
We received a complaint against you.
That's why we invited you here. To get more information.
The force has an operation named Cold War.
Based on your experience and instinct, how easy
would it be to hijack an EU van? Would you say?
Didn't you just say to be direct?
Frankly, given today's technology,
making an EU van vanish is almost impossible...
unless it's an inside job.
Do you think there's a mole in the police force, Lau Sir?
After the Cold War operation,
Internal Affairs Section, opened a file for integrity.
Checking on each person in the van.
Until the report is completed, I have no comment.
Before Operation Cold War, because the Commissioner was out of town,
M.B. Lee was initially the Acting Commissioner.
But when Cold War went into action,
you took it over for him.
That means you weren't originally the Chief Commander
of Operation Cold War. Am I right?
Right.
So can you tell me what criteria the police force uses
to assign the Chief Commander position?
And what's the criteria for changing a Chief Commander?
Of course, the role of Acting Commissioner is very
important. What's the method for assigning it?
The answers are all in the police force ordinance.
You can download it online and find out for yourself.
This operation's report is very different from previous reports.
That's why we asked you to come here, Lau Sir.
Given that there's no record of changing the Operation Commander,
it's already a big issue.
Do you know the difference between a report and a log sheet?
As the hijackers requested, the force took the ransom from the vault.
The hijackers requested a new number and the total sum wasn't used up.
Under legal principles, the remaining money should've been classed
as evidence and placed in the stock vault.
So why wasn't it sent back to the vault on the same day
with minimum security instead?
After Mr. Lee surrendered his power,
you wrote a check in the name of Acting Police
Commissioner for $93.2 million dollars.
Lau Sir, on December 8th,
you were actually
the most powerful person in Hong Kong for two hours that afternoon.
Your every decision
directly affected Hong Kong's security.
Whatever my position is, I always make the
security of citizens the top priority.
We're both in law enforcement.
Do you remember a lesson in the criminology course
that covered Stockholm Syndrome?
Like you said, we're both working for law enforcement,
why do you keep beating around the bush?
Simply tell me, what I've done wrong.
Lau Sir, have you ever seen this document?
No.
Regarding this document, we sent a letter to the Security Bureau.
But they, in turn, asked us how we got it.
We found your fingerprints on this document.
I need my lawyer.
We got permission from
the Secretary for Justice to follow all your phone calls.
We have sufficient criminal evidence on you.
Now tell me!
Where's the $59 million dollars in public money right now?
Tell me, Mr. Lau. I want an answer.
Do you have a laptop computer in your office?
You said you have all the evidence. Show it to me now!
If not, I'll give you time to buy a computer.
I would like to call my lawyer now. Immediately!
Yes?
If you can talk now, cough once, please.
May, go downstairs to see Phoenix in the PR section.
Ask her if she's looked up the person I asked her to check out.
Don't do it right now. You know what I mean?
Yes.
- Mr. Ngai. - Mr. Lau.
Sit down.
Sorry to ask you to meet in such a hurry, Mr. Ngai.
I followed the Hong Kong news in Australia.
Never knew what happened was such a big incident.
Can you do me a favour?
On December 8,
did you ask my colleague Mr. Tsui,
to return money to the vault right away if it wasn't used up?
- No, I didn't. - OK.
Mr. Ngai, if you don't mind, can my colleague
take a statement from you tomorrow at noon?
- No problem. - Thank you.
Nicole speaking. OK.
Billy, the Kowloon Bay Vault's director, William Ngai, just died.
There was a car bomb.
Looking for me?
Our colleagues are dealing with Vincent's funeral.
For me?
He lost a lot of money recently.
His apartment was mortgaged to the bank three months ago.
...and they lived happily ever after.
Have you had dinner yet?
Let me cook noodles for you.
I went to see Janet this afternoon.
How is she?
There's still a lot to be settled regarding Vincent.
I should go over to help her.
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend?
Billy, can you tell me how you got hold of this CD Rom?
I can't at the moment.
The contents are confidential to the topmost level of the police force
with the highest confidentiality.
There's no way a normal informant could obtain it.
If the content inside is true, it may
be beyond our power to investigate it.
But the informer seems familiar with the police,
the ICAC and the law.
We are now the only people who can find the mastermind behind Cold War.
We and the informer are in the same boat now.
We can't go back.
You've always wanted to go back, didn't you?
Billy, I've thought about it, but this case is too complicated.
This is the only chance. This could be the Watergate of our times.
OK! I'll give you three days. Three days.
Thank you Sir.
RANSOM MONEY GUNS FIRED AT TING KAU BRIDGE
According to sources,
Deputy Police Commissioner Sean Lau
was arrested by the ICAC yesterday morning.
Good afternoon!
If you keep throwing out questions like this,
we won't be able to answer them. Please raise your hand.
Mr. Luk, is Sean Lau been suspended now?
He's taking leave for personal reasons.
The opinion of the police force is very low this year.
Now the Deputy Police Commissioner is arrested by the ICAC.
Should anyone in the Bureau take responsibility?
This question... let's discuss it next time.
Mr. Luk, you've not once said in public that
you support Sean Lau to be the next Police Commissioner.
Did the ICAC operation messed up your deployment?
Secretary Luk, what do you think about a high-ranking
police official being arrested by the ICAC?
Do you think Sean Lau is guilty of bribery?
Do you think you've picked the wrong person?
Would you take the blame and resign?
Mr. Luk, before taking action, did the ICAC inform the Security Bureau?
I said it quite clearly. One question at a time.
Let me answer your questions all together.
Deputy Commissioner Mr. Lau wasn't arrested by the ICAC.
He's taking leave on personal grounds.
I personally recognise his integrity and capability.
Another thing I want to clarify again, is that
Hong Kong is an advanced city under common law.
The ICAC doesn't need to report to me before taking action.
I understand...
Even though you're all very free to ask me any question,
I ask you to please familiarize yourself with Hong Kong law
and the spirit of the rule of law before you ask...
because this is the core value
that made Hong Kong an international financial centre
and Asia's safest city.
M.B. Lee was a constable.
Sean Lau rose from administration.
Lau Sir, 44 years old,
is the youngest Deputy Commissioner since the handover.
Lee will be turning 51 next week.
Commissioner Tsang will retire in two and a half years.
But so far, no one knows who will be the successor,
even within the force.
Lee is hawkish and has always been popular
among front-line officers.
Especially Criminal Investigation Department detectives.
He looks like the successor under normal circumstances.
But we were tipped off by senior government sources that
their ideal choice is actually Sean Lau.
Because under his management,
the force has been revamped very successfully.
If no critical mistakes happen in the force management
in these few months,
M.B. Lee would probably be urged to stay
Commissioner and then retire.
Then Sean Lau... could become
Hong Kong's youngest Police Commissioner ever.
Billy, do you think Lee
wanted to strike out at Sean Lau if Lau was threatening his prospect?
If you're making assumptions, you might as well be bold.
Nicole, call the government laboratory.
Three days ago, I received critical info from an informer.
Mr. Mak has contacted the Police Commissioner
and they initially believed the information to be reliable.
Tomorrow, we'll invite Deputy Police Commissioner M.B. Lee here.
We heard Lee is far more sophisticated than Sean Lau.
We have to be alert.
Mr. Lee, we brought you here so early.
We hoped it wouldn't scare you and your family.
Can you recall the names in this document?
- No. - An EU van?
Not including minor players, there's a mole
who knows the operation's details. An IT person...
who set up the whole system, your contact person,
and of course, a member in the EU van.
Four people were needed to extort the Hong Kong police force.
Even if you had an IT person as the fall guy and made the lost guns surface,
the mole and the member in the EU van would remain unknown.
I don't know what you mean.
In 1995, a perfect undercover plan
successfully broke up a triad gang.
The head of the Organized Crime Bureau at the time was M.B. Lee.
After the job, due to safety, you vouched for the officers to join
the last batch of the colonial government's Identity Renewal Program.
They were even allowed to legally change their names?
And obtain legal residency in South Africa.
The file number of the program is ND157.
You sound more like a cop than an ICAC officer.
Even the vault's director was killed by you.
A lot of colleagues helped you stage a big show
to clear Vincent Tsui and kick out Sean Lau, right?
You brought me here so early...
just to hear a story you made up.
If there's nothing more, I have to go.
Mr. Lee, I know you're very good at planning
Sean Lau had an impeccable resume plus a strong support team,
but all this was wiped out by the so-called Cold War operation.
According to records, your father was the highest
ranking superintendent
and your son Joe Lee, with a IQ of 192,
graduated with the Silver Whistle Award.
The Lee family has three honourable generations.
Congratulations, Mr. Lee.
You must to be the next Police Commissioner.
Your have to much of an imagination.
It's not an imagination.
Your old colleague Yeung Chi-On is sitting in the next room.
Do you want me to bring him here for a reunion?
Now kid, don't play games with me.
I'd bet my life there's no one
except your boss in the next room.
With only a biased analysis,
without any logical reasoning,
you dare to bring in the two Deputy Police Commissioners for questioning?
And waste their valuable time. Isn't this exciting?
Seize the hidden mastermind,
and smash the big conspiracy.
Don't you feel proud?
When you reach my position, you will understand.
Even the Commissioner would be amazed by my connections.
What did you think you'd gain
from questioning me like this?
You assumed that one of the Deputy Commissioners is the mole,
either Sean Lau wanted to take the ransom money
or I trapped him to get a promotion.
I've been serving on the force for 30 years.
And I have friends and enemies.
In these 30 years, I've learned one thing.
No matter what organization department or position you're in,
you first need to learn the rules of the game...
whether they're written or unspoken.
But many people failed to and die before they learn them.
Do you know why?
Because they tried to act smart.
Second step.
Find the boundary in the game
and don't overstep it.
Only then can you barely survive.
Can a city be run without the ICAC
or without the police?
Also...
you two are still green. Watch out.
Your boss is not... a good person.
- Lee Sir! - Mac.
This is the first time you've visited us after our relocation.
Why didn't you tell me you'd dropped by?
I was invited by the ICAC today to
help in an investigation, actually.
According to Hong Kong law,
the ICAC can detain me for 48 hours without hard evidence.
I've decided to stay here for a night.
I'll give you two days
and hope you can find sufficient evidence by all means
to allow you to question me again.
Don't be angry.
You're the Deputy Police Commissioner.
We just want to help the force clean out the black marks.
Come on! Come over to my office.
Now you know how to play the game, right?
Mr. Lee! Mr. Lau wants to see you.
You wanted to see me?
Winston Churchill said all wars are unnecessary.
What do you mean?
The report from the government laboratory came in.
It's confirmed that the bomb in William Ngai's car
was made with black powder.
Sulphur, charcoal, potassium nitrate.
Those are the main ingredients for black powder.
Excuse me! What is black powder?
Black powder is low level explosive
used mainly in fireworks.
Don't take it lightly.
Within 4,000 square feet, it can still kill.
They wanted to push the blame onto Vincent and the vault's director
with their deaths.
The hijacking's mastermind came from inside the force.
If any of us continue investigating under Cold War,
they'd certainly know about it.
If they don't do anything more or simply hide away,
we'll never crack the case.
Mak Sir, the ICAC is the only one
reporting directly to the Chief Executive.
Even the Bureau has no authority.
According to the structure, the ICAC doesn't
need to report to me before their operation.
Trust your own judgment.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
I think the informer wants to use the ICAC to dig out the criminals.
Hello?
Are you the informer?
If Lau didn't ask us to help,
he could be the one being kicked out.
In Hong Kong only 44 buildings can release fireworks.
But only 20 people hold black powder licenses.
They're responsible for the firework shows.
We've checked all the fireworks technicians at these 44 buildings
and have targeted three of them.
If we can find the bomber,
then we can find the hijackers.
The autopsy report for Johnny Wong
said his whole body, including hair and nails,
showed ferric oxide residues, plus soil from the environment.
According to statements from the other four EU van members,
all said they'd been kept at a scrap yard.
Their report matched. But I still have doubts
So three days ago, I asked the government lab
to conduct further comparisons with the other four officers' clothing.
Among the four van officers,
three of them only had one type of environmental element...
but one of them had more than one.
The only explanation is that person had
been at the same place more than once.
Do you remember there was a typhoon in Hong Kong last month?
Wind and rain diluted the soil.
Nature became our time witness.
The more careful a person is, the more preparation he carries out.
The hijacking video needed to be recorded in advance to have
enough time to make sure all the background information
could be clear
Although he's been very careful...
the facts are always the most precise.
According to sources, when a fireworks is assembled on a roof,
it's as dangerous as an explosive device.
Be careful everybody!
Killing the vault's director and leaving
traces of black powder... is too obvious.
There has to be something else.
The only logical explanation is that the mole who hijacked the EU van
started to clear away witnesses with outside help.
He'd rather betray outsiders who helped him instead of his own brothers.
- Brother B.! - See you in the gondola.
This is Team B. We've arrived at the south roof.
- Are you Albert Kwong? - Speaking.
Remember Chan Bin? I was at the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau?
I want to be a witness in return for immunity. I have things to say.
See me on the roof now.
Okay! Wait for me.
Michael! Michael!
Michael!
Get Michael and tell him to answer me.
Yes Sir.
Here I am!
Long time, no see.
You've been doing very well, Superintendent Kwong.
How long have you been back?
Tell me who else is involved.
I'll only tell you if the police downstairs back off.
Put the gun down! Calm down and put the gun down.
How many are hurt below us?
You telling me to put the gun down?!
Give me some time. I'll be able to settle this.
I can ensure your safety.
Why did you betray me?
Michael! Why did you betray me?
Go to hell!
Dad, it's so late. Why aren't you asleep yet?
Lau has something for you.
What an oversight.
Why?
Actually, many seniors are on your side.
Not only me... but many people, beyond your imagination.
They've been helping me all along.
How about Vincent? Johnny Wong?
They're policemen too. They have families.
The first day in the academy, the instructor helped me clear my mind.
He said my work would add a degree of danger to my life,
This is part of the cost of fighting for our rights and interests.
I don't see any problem with it.
Have you forgotten what I've been teaching you all along?
I haven't forgotten what you taught me Dad,
but times have changed.
No one acknowledges you for helping people.
If you let other people get promoted, even God can't help you.
I never new you had already gone so far.
I want to ask you a question.
If you were me, what would you do?
I...
I wouldn't turn me in.
I won't go to jail.
If I were you...
I'd let your son go.
Why are you so confident?
Because I'm your only son.
Since Sean Lau has been in charge, all he knows is to reduce expenses
to make the accounts look nice and pleasant.
You know how low morale is at the front line?
The present Commissioner is disappointing us.
I won't let someone like him take the Commissioner post again.
Dad! Many colleagues support you.
We'll have hope... if you take the position.
How many are with you?
I can't tell you that.
I've decided... if anything goes wrong,
I'll sacrifice a few colleagues.
In a few clays, I'll let the guns and the ransom surface,
and you'll be the one to solve the case.
Dad, just one step left.
I did so much. You just have to take the final step.
Joe...
you'd better answer my question.
If I were you, I wouldn't find so many excuses
to do so many wrong things.
I love you Dad!
I wanted to see how much he'd changed,
and how much of the old self was left.
If he didn't pick up the gun, he would still have hope.
But he picked up the gun,
after that moment he was no longer my son.
His future, dead or alive,
has nothing to do with me.
I've been wrong all along.
How could others say Lee is far more sophisticated than you?
Lau Sir. You're incredible.
Chun Sir. Have you ever thought about joining me on the force?
Give me a call.
Come in!
- Sir! - Sit down.
Sir. I have a question.
I know what you're going to ask.
It's because both Lee and I have applied for early retirement.
Lau, I can't do much more.
The future of the police force depends on you.
Lee Sir.
Rule No.1
As a superior, you never run out to look for subordinates.
Only the opposite should happen.
- Sorry Sir. - I should be the one who said that.
You have no practical experience,
but this ultimately became your advantage.
You can look at a case from a wider perspective.
Without violating a law or abusing power,
every department in the force,
the ICAC and even the Security Bureau
became your tools to solve the case.
I doubted your capability all along. I was too subjective.
But you were wrong on something.
In World War ll, when US President Roosevelt
asked UK Prime Minister Churchill how to describe the war,
Churchill said...
it was an unnecessary war that could have been avoided.
He never said all wars are unnecessary.
The Gathering Storm, last paragraph on the first page.
I shouldn't have shown off in front of you.
Operation Cold War was identified as both a success and a failure
in government internal review records.
The records said management at the Hong Kong
police and the ICAC could remain neutral
and they could stick to their positions
in a crisis threatening Hong Kong law and order.
They could uphold the law while exercising mutual restraint.
It is an excellent model for cities following the common law system.
The review document raised a number of improvement measures.
However, after internal assessment by the government,
all records are classified as confidential and cannot
be made public due to public safety considerations.
May I ask who wants to speak to Mr. Lau?
Please hold on for Mr. Lau.
- Lau Sir! - Yes. Hello?
Commissioner Lau,
JAPANESE BANK ROBBERY
do you still remember me?
Yes, I remember.
Your wife is Michelle Chan,
the person in charge at Sunflower Florist.
Your daughter is five years old.
Sunshine Flower Kindergarten, grade three, Josie Lau.
What do you want?
I want you to release someone.