FURTHER LINES OF INQUIRY

ONE by one, mugshots going back through the series in order were unpinned from AC-12’S suspect board and filed away in a cardboard box.

First Jo Davidson, then John Corbett, Roz Huntley, Danny Waldron, Lindsay Denton and finally Tony Gates from series one. As the lid was placed on the box, it seemed like a significant and symbolic ending. But could this really be case closed on the hit show?

As we pray to Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey for a seventh series, here are the lines of inquiry that are still very much open...

What will happen to AC-12?

It seems as though the dream team is back together. “Someone’s gotta keep you lot in line,” grinned Kate, telling Steve she might return to AC-12.

The pair admitted they had missed each other, then Kate told Occupational Health that Steve was “the best”.

Meanwhile, painkiller-addicted Steve might have to step away from active duty for a bit but is mostly off the hook – if he can quit the drugs. And Hastings has lodged an appeal against his enforced retirement.

As the trio descended in the glass lift, looking like rock stars, it felt like they were back. But final credits miserably stated: “AC-12’S powers have never been weaker.”

Will Steve get together with Steph Corbett?

Steve has been popping over to see DS John Corbett’s widow Steph (Amy De Bhrun) for more than just questioning and a cuppa. They finally slept together early in the series, but then Steve discovered the bundle of dirty cash in her house and backed off. Steph, left, has been leaving him concerned voicemails and he has been ignoring her.

Now he knows the truth and that she has done nothing wrong, will he call her back? “It’s still early enough to drive up to Liverpool,” said Kate. “What chance has it got?” sighed Steve. Will he give it a go?

Is the Chief Constable corrupt?

Chief Constable Philip Osborne (Owen Teale) has been one of the prime suspects all along.

Osborne, right, worked on the Lawrence

Christopher case with bent coppers Buckells and Thurwell and had everything to lose from

Gail Vella’s planned exposé.

The Chief’s speech on the news infuriated

Hastings as he dismissed institutional police corruption as an “outrageous lie” and blamed everything on “the misdeeds of a few rotten apples”.

Why does he want to diminish AC-12? And why has he appointed close colleagues to senior positions in anticorruption units?

What will DCS Patricia Carmichael do about Supt Ted Hastings?

Overcome with the need for honesty, Hastings went back into Carmichael’s office to make a statement.

He told her his leak to Lee Banks about an informant in the OCG led to the killing of DS Corbett, who had his throat slit by PC Ryan Pilkington.

Carmichael, left, hissed: “What do you expect me to do with that information?”

Hastings declared: “Whatever you do, you do it because you carry the fire.” Will she carry the fire or will she dob him in and bring down AC-12 with a smirk on her tightly-wound face?

Who is running the OCG?

Buckells is banged up in a maximum security prison, but can he escape murderous gang members – or wardens on their payroll?

It was never confirmed that Buckells was in charge. Could someone else be the real mastermind? An officer perhaps or a criminal who now needs another bent copper on side?

Was DS Chris Lomax’ signature on Jo’s prison transport form faked, along with Kate’s, or should we suspect them?

Will the Christopher cold case be opened? And if not, is that a cover-up? And if Buckells was the ringleader, will somebody sneak him a laptop or will someone else step up?