Sam Mullins

David Davis began telling Clenahan the story of how he and Ron Platt became friends.

David Davis began telling Clenahan the story of how he and Ron Platt became friends.

They first met up in Harrogate, the northern town where the Rolex was last serviced. And then they both wound up living near each other in Essex some years later. As David Davis launched into the story, Clenahan, standing at the tea station, was unprepared to take notes.

They first met up in Harrogate, the northern town where the Rolex was last serviced. And then they both wound up living near each other in Essex some years later. As David Davis launched into the story, Clenahan, standing at the tea station, was unprepared to take notes.

The mundane detail of writing utensil was more significant than Clenahan realized in the moment. He had no way of knowing that in two years' time, this very note would become evidence.

The mundane detail of writing utensil was more significant than Clenahan realized in the moment. He had no way of knowing that in two years' time, this very note would become evidence.

Proof that the man he was talking to was intentionally misleading him.

Proof that the man he was talking to was intentionally misleading him.

When Ron Platt first broke the surprising news about his move to France, David Davis said that he offered to help his friend out financially to make it happen. And while an exchange of money just before someone dies of mysterious circumstances can be a red flag, it didn't sound like it in this case.

When Ron Platt first broke the surprising news about his move to France, David Davis said that he offered to help his friend out financially to make it happen. And while an exchange of money just before someone dies of mysterious circumstances can be a red flag, it didn't sound like it in this case.

But ultimately, as to the question of what the hell happened to him, like everyone else, Davis had no idea what his friend would have been doing in Devon. Boarding a boat that would take him to France? That would make some sense. As they ended their chat on the phone, Clenahan asked if Davis could point them toward any other people who knew Ron.

But ultimately, as to the question of what the hell happened to him, like everyone else, Davis had no idea what his friend would have been doing in Devon. Boarding a boat that would take him to France? That would make some sense. As they ended their chat on the phone, Clenahan asked if Davis could point them toward any other people who knew Ron.

Davis said he'd never met Ron's family, but he knew that he had brothers. And then notably, Davis told Clenahan that Ron had once served in the military, so maybe they could find his family that way.

Davis said he'd never met Ron's family, but he knew that he had brothers. And then notably, Davis told Clenahan that Ron had once served in the military, so maybe they could find his family that way.

This confirmed that they didn't just have a Ronald Platt, but this Ronald Platt.

This confirmed that they didn't just have a Ronald Platt, but this Ronald Platt.

Finally, with a little wind in their sails, through the army records, they were able to find a family member of Ron's in Wales. So they grabbed their coats and were out the door to meet Brian, Ronald Platt's big brother.

Finally, with a little wind in their sails, through the army records, they were able to find a family member of Ron's in Wales. So they grabbed their coats and were out the door to meet Brian, Ronald Platt's big brother.

They began by showing Brian a photo from the coroner's office, a zoomed-in shot of the hand tattoo.

They began by showing Brian a photo from the coroner's office, a zoomed-in shot of the hand tattoo.