Episode 2.4

Episode 2.4 is the fourth episode of the second season of Bulletproof, and the tenth episode of the series overall.

Summary
GUN RUNNERS - Bishop (Noel Clarke) and Pike (Ashley Walters) ramp up their investigation as Mikey (Ben Tavassoli) tasks them with overseeing the hostile takeover of a gun factory outside of London. Alex (Stavros Zalmas) regains control of the family after the fallout from Amsterdam.

Plot
Bishop and Pike arrive at a carpark in London where they’re met by Richard and Tanner. Richard questions their behaviour in Amsterdam, and the two reveal that they have gained Alex’s trust and are in too deep for the operation to be canceled. Richard agrees, reluctantly, and gives them a one week extension before the operation is over. Tanner warns the two that their jobs are on the line if they do not find something tangible within the week.

At the Markides house, Alex berates Eleanor and Mikey about their trafficking operation and disobeying his order; Eleanor tells him that he should’ve stayed out of the deal, but he bites back, telling Mikey to stay put for the foreseeable future. Alex hands Bishop and PIke a bundle of cash each as a token of his appreciation.

Despite being told to stay put, Mikey, Bishop, and Pike take a trip to a warehouse where a make-shift fighting ring has been established. Mikey points out a high-profile arms dealer in the audience and tells Pike that he wants to deal on his level. Mikey approaches the man and asks if he can speak with his supplier, however he refuses and walks away, much to Mikey’s dismay. Mikey asks for Pike’s gun, but Pike refugees, instead, bargains the supplier’s details on a fight. Bishop is horrified at the idea, and jokes that he will shoot the whole place up if Pike loses.

Pike enters the ring and the two begin fighting. Pike seems to be losing initially, but is able to get the upper hand towards the end of the fight. After winning the fight, Pike, Bishop, and Mikey receive details for the arms dealer, and it is revealed that he trades anonymously on the dark web. Bishop tells Mikey that he knows people who are into technology and will track down the dealer. In return, Mikey tells the two that he will set them up for life if they are able to track the dealer. Once Mikey has left, Pike tells Bishop that it is a bad idea, and Bishop agrees, remarking that they’ll run the dealer up to Cockridge, saving their job and catching Mikey on a gun-related charge. Pike receives a call from Donna’s school and leaves immediately.

At the NCA office, Munroe reveals that Yustmanov is willing to talk in exchange for a deal. Tanner realises that if he talks, they can tie connections to Mikey and bring charges against him.

At Donna’s school, it becomes apparent that Donna is lying about feeling ill in a bid to see Pike. Arjana arrives shortly after and questions when Pike will be returning home, but he is unable to answer her given the scale of the undercover operation.

Bishop and Pike eat at a chicken shop, with Munroe and Schooch arriving shortly after. Munroe reveals that he made contact and was told to order the wings. They check the bottom of the box and it indicates that they should check the black recycling bin across the street. Inside, they find a bag full of numerous different types of guns.

Paige, Jonesy, Munroe and Schooch take the guns back to the NCA, where they reveal that they have traced their origin to an area in Kent; they believe it is only a matter of time until they’re able to narrow down the seller.

Pike relays the information to Mikey, who in turn tells Pike to reach out and spark interest — Mikey wants in on his trading business. Mikey seems agitated, and when Pike asks if he is okay, he reveals that he has a few loose ends to tie up. Meanwhile, Bishop relays Mikey’s plans to Alex, who realises that Mikey is heading over a cliff and could fall at any moment. Alex tells him to entertain Mikey and he will step in when it is necessary. Alex invites Bishop to join him in Cyprus where he needs to take care of business.

Cockridge enters the NCA office and reveals that Yustmanov is willing to talk in exchange for a reduced sentence and a transfer; the NCA has agreed as long as the information is enough to put the Markides away.

At the race track, Pike pieces together that Bishop is enjoying his time with Alex and likes the guy. Bishop remarks that Alex is going down whether or not he likes him. Pike and Bishop approach a worker at the race track and ask to speak with the dealer, she leaves to talk with him and when she returns, she tells them that they can return that evening. Arriving later that evening, the two are met by numerous men who pull guns on the two and tell them to leave well enough alone. Pike draws attention to their unique dagger tattoo, citing that it could be of some importance.

Pike and Bishop relay the information to Scarlett, Paige and Munroe, who reveal that the tattoo is synonymous with those who have served in the marines. From the office, Jonesy relays information he has found about the gang, including where some of the crew work. Jonesy suggests calling the local police, however Bishop believes that would away their presence. Pike leaves shortly after to go to the vending machine, and everyone sends in their orders. Scarlett approaches Pike to talk about the occurrence in Amsterdam, she remarks that it didn’t mean anything, and was just a part of the job — Pike agrees, and congratulates her on the quick thinking.

The crew approach the gearbox factory in which they believe the gang is working from. Breaking in, they find numerous disassembled weapons and other lockers full of guns. The two are interrupted when red dot laser pointers appear on their chests. The group emerges shortly after, and a shooting match ensues between them. Scarlett, Paige and Munroe hear the gunshots and rush the factory. Ben and all of his men are killed shortly after during the gunfight.

As the police arrive and wrap up the crime scene, the group are thrown into danger when a sniper on the roof takes out one of the officers. Bishop and Pike follow the shooter and it turns out to be the woman they had spoken to earlier.

In the NCA office, Karen is questioned by Tanner, where it is revealed that Reppas — Karen’s codename — is an anagram for Sappas, the Royal Engineers. Karen explains that she feels betrayed by her country, hence why she turned to crime.

Mikey reveals that he is the new Reppas, and will be taking over the gun trading business. Mikey reveals that he has already dealt with a problem, and Bishop realises that the problem is Yustmanov. Bishop calls Tanner to alert her and, despite her confidence that Yustmanov is safe in his cell, he is found dead by the time they arrive.

Mikey is furious when Alex reveals that Bishop is going to Cyprus with him. Mikey lashes out and claims that there is something fishy about Bishop, but Eleanor is reluctant to listen given Mikey brought him into the Markides empire. Eleanor promises to dig around. Bishop, Tanner and Pike get approval for their mission in Cyprus despite Cockridge’s warnings that the authorities in Cyprus cannot be trusted.