Cash on Demand

Two days before Christmas, Gore Hepburn arrives at the bank posing as an insurance investigator. He identifies Fordyce's insecurities and uses veiled threats to manipulate him. He convinces Fordyce that his family has been kidnapped, creating leverage for the con.

Feeling he has no choice, Fordyce helps Hepburn steal £93,000 from the bank vault. He conceals his involvement from the other staff, hoping to keep his family safe. The theft unfolds under the shadow of Hepburn's manipulation.

The bank staff call Hepburn's supposed insurance company as a precaution, and quickly discover that the investigator is an impostor. This revelation shatters the illusion of legitimacy surrounding the plan. The staff grapple with the fraud as the danger grows.

As police close in, Fordyce grows desperate for his family's safety and contemplates his next move. He fears the investigators will uncover the truth and ruin his life. The atmosphere tightens with every passing moment.

Fordyce convinces Pearson to help cover for him and to dismiss the staff's police contact as a misplaced cheque. This attempt to mask his deception compounds the risk of exposure. The staff's trust in him begins to erode.

Police arrest Gore Hepburn, revealing he is a known criminal and not the legitimate insurance investigator. They suspect there must have been inside help with the robbery. The money and the title of 'inspector' become key pieces of the case.

During the investigation, Fordyce is treated with suspicion as potential inside help is suspected. A sealed bank package of £500 slips from his pocket, prompting further doubt about his role. The police scrutinize every clue for signs of complicity.

Gore Hepburn tells the police that he and another man used a tape recorder to disguise their voices and mimic the family’s kidnapping. The revelation adds a new layer of deception to the case. Fordyce remains anxious about the veracity of the accusations.

After review, Fordyce is finally seen as innocent and is released by the authorities. The misunderstanding is resolved and his name is cleared. He is relieved to return to his wife and child without further charges.

Knowing his wife and son are safe, Fordyce’s perspective on his coworkers hardens; he realises who helped him and who betrayed him. This marks a turning point in how he views the bank staff and his own actions. The incident leaves him wary but resolute.

Fordyce goes to the police station with his colleagues to address his wife and the fraudster Hepburn. The group confronts the consequences of the deception and begins to rebuild trust. The tension ebbs as explanations are shared.

With a half-smile, Fordyce tells Pearson to manage the bank in his absence and that he will return in a few hours. He intends to join the staff for the Christmas party, signaling a return to normalcy. The story closes on a note of cautious optimism.