January 17, 2001
Chappel's former boss Frank Vickers is found lurking in the basement during a raid on a Soho brothel, and the team learn that Chappel has a more-than-shady past involving former prostitute Jane Farrell, with whom he fell in love. Vickers is determined to clear his name, and Chappel's life looks set to be blown apart when Vickers reveals some very sordid secrets to his colleagues in Vice.
Chappel goes in search of Jane, and discovers that one of her friends, whom he was friendly with, disappeared some years previously and has never been found. When Chappel finds the body in the basement of the brothel, he becomes determined to prove Vickers' involvement in her death.
Attending the trial of a prostitute accused of murdering her pimp, Chappel tries a little gentle persuasion in an attempt to get the prosecuting barrister to press harder to gain a conviction, unaware of his own personal troubles.
When the barrister is caught with a prostitute in a car park by Cheryl and Kirsty, he uses the excuse that he is 'gathering first-hand research' for Chappel and is let off with a caution. However, when caught again, Chappel realises he's unleashed a more dangerous beast than he ever could have realised.
Meanwhile, Joe and Kirsty start to develop an explosive relationship, and when Jane loses her new job and goes back on the game, Chappel soon has new problems.
Chappel goes undercover in a prison for sex offenders in order to flush out the ringleaders of a prostitution racket, which involves both the inmates and the prison staff. Reports suggest that inmates are being threatened with violence unless they allow the ringleaders to have group sex with their wives and girlfriends. However, it turns out to be a far more sinister conspiracy.
Robinson, unhappy with the situation, tries to get Chappel out, but being so close to collecting the vital evidence, Chappel decides to stay undercover. Posing as Chappel's girlfriend, Hutchins is targeted, while Chappel's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic.
Chappel hopes to resume his relationship with Jane despite her descent into prostitution, but his plans are threatened when Vickers begins sniffing around. The team are visited by DC Damon Hills, who informs Chappel that he suspects Vickers of being bent, and wants to bring him down by whatever means possible.
Using Hills, Chappel sets up a secret sting operation, soon realising that not only is he being double-crossed but Vickers has sent Hills to trap him. Determined to give his enemy the treatment he deserves, with Jane's help, he invents a fake, but believable, rape claim in order to ensure that Vickers goes down for as long as the law will allow.