Exposure

Description

Highland Police Detective Nathan McAllister is given the task of investigating a mountain rescue attempt that ended in tragedy. His good friend, David Campbell, is the inspirational head of the Glen Coe team and a great example of servant leadership. Disaster struck, however, when a valued team member went missing during a rescue, only to be discovered two weeks later. He had died of exposure.

Nathan’s aim is to conduct the investigation quickly, but it doesn't prove straightforward. He finds equipment that's been interfered with, inadequate supplies and a faulty radio. What’s more, Nathan observes that David and the victim’s widow are a little too affectionate given the circumstances.

Nathan faces the gut wrenching realisation that his good friend is a murderer, an adulterer and a liar. How does he break the news? Does he expose David publicly and betray a life long friendship or does he confront him in private … and risk his own life at the hands of one who will stop at nothing to cover up his crimes.

Nathan is bold and brave in his challenge. David falls to his knees in tears and true repentance, fully accepting the punishment he deserves.

Biblical Connection

The biblical account of the fall of David, a man after God's own heart, has everything ... lust, loyalty, deceit, betrayal, murder and repentance. Such themes are as relevant now as they were three thousand years ago. But how do you update the events surrounding Nathan, Uriah and Bathsheba (2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12)? I wrestled with this for months. The breakthrough came in taking the perspective of Nathan, the prophet that King David regularly consulted. I marvelled at the courage it must have taken to confront David over his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. As he prepared to challenge David he must have thought his life was at risk. David was the king, his word was final. What if he turned against Nathan? He’d killed one man already, why stop there? The challenge of updating the story is in finding a modern day team leadership role where there is a real risk of death for whatever responsibilities that team undertakes. Mountain rescue is ideal. Making Nathan a police detective maximises the opportunity of conflict with David, the team leader who has misused his power.