All language subtitles for Maigret Series 2 Disc 2.Title1-eng

Subtitling made possible by
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[ Waltz-musette music playing I]

[ Woman vocalizing ]

[ Whistle blowing ]

Oh, madame,
I'm looking for a policeman.

I'm sorry.
I really can't help you.

No, a particular policeman.

Well, I should try
a police station.

This is
Boulevard Richard-Lenoir?

-Yes.
-I1 know he lives here.

I've seen it
in the newspapers.

Maigret.
Chief Inspector Maigret.

I'm sorry, monsieur. I really
have no idea how I can help.

This is ridiculous. I was
at school with him 40 years ago.

He was even keen
on my sister.

Now he's a famous detective,
and I can't get hold of him.

-[ Sighs ]
-Monsieur.

[ Lighter clicks ]

We were inseparable.
Close as close could be.

MME. MAIGRET: Oh.

My father owned the best
baker's shop in Moulins.

I used to give Jules cakes
because he couldn't afford them.

Poor Jules.

"Jules." Heh.

Extraordinary.

He's done so well.
I knew he would.

Always so serious.

But I could make him laugh.

Jules.

You know,
you've hardly changed at all.

Apart from the mustache,
of course.

This is M. Florentin.
An old school friend, I believe.

Would you like something to eat,
M. Florentin?

I'm making dinner.

-Florentin.
-Oh, thank you.

Maybe a little something.

So why have you done me the
honor of getting in touch, Léon,

after all these years?

[ Chuckles ]

One of your little jokes
backfired, has it?

Or do you want me to give you
a reference for a job?

I used to wonder if anyone
would ever employ you.

Has anyone
ever taken that risk?

Please. I am a respectable man.
Antiques dealer.

Oh.

Resident clown
in the Lycée Banville.

The most
extraordinary thing was

you always managed
to get away with it.

So?

Uh, so...

Um, I-1 have
this woman friend.

She's a marvelous girl.
Marvelous.

We've been together
for five years.

And I've been
everything to her.

I've been her lover, friend --
companion, really.

MAIGRET:
Well, that sounds

a thoroughly idyllic life
you've been leading.

Yes, yes.

The only thing is,
um, I'm not the only one.

There are four others.

Four?

Uh, one on Wednesdays,
one on Thursdays.

[ Laughs ]

I'm sorry. Go on.
Carry on.

I'm the really
important one.

Of course.

I-1 was.

Was?

Josee was shot
this afternoon,

T-Through the throat.

In her apartment.
She's dead.

MAIGRET:
Where were you?

I didn't do it,
for God's sake.

So where were you?

In her wardrobe.

I used to stay there
every night --

every night except Thursdays.

She wouldn't
let me stay Thursdays.

MAIGRET:
So who visited on Thursdays?

Who was allowed
such special privileges?

His name's Courcel.

She'd known him for years,
longer than any of us.

Lives in Rouen.
He has a ball-bearing factory.

Mm. What about today?
Who was the Wednesday visitor?

Francois Pare.

He works for the Department of
Highways and Bridges.

He's in charge of bridges.

You know, these are all very
impressive-sounding men, Léon,

men of substance.

What was it you had
that they didn't?

Perhaps 'cause
they were married

and only could afford
one afternoon a week,

whereas you'd spent a lifetime
looking for a soft option

and found one at last.

I don't think you ought to
talk to me like this.

I'm an old friend,
and I'm very upset.

Did all these men
know each other?

No. I'm the only one who knew
there was anybody else.

-Well, it's through here.
-Ah.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

What exactly happened?

FLORENTIN: Well, uh,
we had a bit of lunch.

And then we chatted a bit,
like we usually did.

And about half past 3:00,
the doorbell rang.

JANVIER:
Her Wednesday visitor?

I shouldn't think so. He didn't
usually come till 5:30 or 6:00.

I always made sure
I wasn't here then.

Anyway, I couldn't hear
because I was in the wardrobe.

What, this one?

No, no.

Through here.

Did you often
end up in here, Léon?

Only when
somebody arrived unexpectedly.

They usually kept
fixed hours, you see?

Not much sign
of your clothes.

She was meant
to be living here alone.

Of course.

And you wouldn't
want her protectors to think

that they were keeping you,
as well.

That's not fair.

How long
were you stuck in here?

About, um,
quarter of an hour.

Till I heard the shot.

What did you do?
Run into the bedroom?

No. No, no.
No, I stayed in here.

It could have been
a car backfiring.

Or you might have
got shot too.

So you just stayed in there,
drinking, until he had gone.

How did you know
when the coast was clear?

I heard
the front door close.

That would have been
about, um, 4:00.

[ Siren wailing ]

After you.

So whoever it was

waited a quarter of an hour
before he left,

while you quietly drank your way
through the rest of the brandy.

Well, yeah.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

Josephine obviously had
a sweet tooth.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

Chocolates. Sweets.

Biscuits.

Yes, yes.
She certainly did.

[ Bird chirping ]

Maigret. Which floor?

Deaf.

You did hear me, madame.

What's he done,
this Maigret?

Murdered someone?

There's a lot
of police upstairs.

MAIGRET: Lucas!

Get my friend into the car,
Lapointe.

-You're not gonna arrest me.
-Not yet.

Didn't he do it, then?

Madame, that gentleman
that just left --

Did you see him
earlier today?

[ Chuckles ] Gentleman?

Yes.
Yes, I did.

When, exactly?

[ Grunts ]

When he come running
down the stairs.

When?

Just after 4:00.
About, um -- about 20 past.

Did you see anyone going
into Mlle. Papet's apartment

between half past 3:00
and 4:00?

Half past 3:00 and 4:00?

No.

But you would have seen them
if they had?

Oh, yes.

Did you see anyone else
go up to the apartment

at any time
during the afternoon, madame?

No. No one.

Oh, except
the Wednesday visitor.

MAIGRET: M. Paré.

I don't know their names.

All I know is they turn up
regular as clockwork every week.

He's Wednesday.
Comes just before 6:00.

How long
did he stay up there?

He didn't.
Came straight down.

You're quite sure
about that?

Of course.

Did he say anything to you
when he came down?

Say anything?

He might have done.

But if he did,
I wasn't listening.

Well, thank you very much,
madame.

You've been most helpful.

Lucas.

[ Bird chirping ]

Oil Wait!

I want to know
what you're gonna do with me.

-Jules!
"Jules"?

Get him back to the car
and gag him.

You don't really think
I killed her, do you?

-Why would I come to you?
-Who knows?

Oh, you're mad.

Or you are.

Have you told me everything,
Léon?

Of course.
Why would I lie to you?

Oh, you've lied
to everyone else.

Why should I
be the exception?

Because this is different.
It's a matter of life and death.

What did M. Paré look like?

I've told you.

He was about my age,
tall, balding.

A real civil servant.

Did he take Josephine out
in the evening?

Or didn't she tell you things
like that?

Of course.
She told me everything.

There was a brasserie
on the corner of, uh,

Boulevard Saint-Germain
and Rue de Solférino.

He wasn't very smart,

but he seemed to like
going there for some reason.

Lucas.

-FLORENTIN: Hey.
-JANVIER: Let's go.

What's happening?

MAIGRET: So, what about
the other lovers?

I don't know much about them,
really.

Don't you? I thought Josephine
told you everything.

One of them had a limp.

He was about 60,
I suppose.

He used to come on Saturdays,
after lunch.

I don't think she knew
much about him, either.

Oh, once she told me she found a
season ticket -- Paris-Bordeaux.

And the fourth?

I never saw him.
He was younger.

She used to call him
"the boy."

Where are we going?

To your office?
I'd like to see your office.

Oh, no, no.
We're going to your place, Léon.

LUCAS: Now, then,
just take your time, M. Paré.

[ Inhales deeply ]

This is where we first met.

She was at this table.

Just over three years ago.

She was here.

And I was sitting...

...there.

I used to come here
every day after work

for a glass or two of port

before venturing home
to Versailles.

You need a couple of drinks
before going home,

do you, M. Paré?

My wife's been very sick.

I've never been
unfaithful before, you know?

Josee and I,
we weren't simply lovers.

We...

Well, I suppose
the most wonderful thing was

we could talk
to each other.

To be frank, well,
we weren't really lovers,

not in the strict sense
of the word.

But she was so gentle,
SO serene.

One could open one's heart
to her.

And she could to me.

The last three years, I've lived
for Wednesday evening, you know?

It's my business, you see?

Antiques.

You have done well.

FLORENTIN:
What are you looking for?

Who knows?

Found something, Chief.

Were you aware
of her having, uh --

well, how shall I put it --
any other friends, M. Paré?

No.

No, I can't say
that I was.

She lived
a very quiet live.

[ Coughs ]

I'd have come
to see her more often,

but, well, my wife, she gets
more jealous by the year.

It was hard enough to find
an excuse to stay in Paris

one evening a week.

But you weren't jealous of Josee
in any way?

No. Why should I be?
She never gave me cause.

Well, I was of her brother,
I suppose, briefly.

Her brother?

Yes.

I happened to arrive early
one Wednesday evening,

and he was there.

In fact, he's a very interesting
and pleasant man.

He's an engineer,
apparently.

Is he tall, thin,
rather scruffy looking?

Yes.
You've seen him already.

Of course you have.

He was very upset,
I imagine.

You could say that.

Was there anyone else
that you, um, wondered about?

Well, a few weeks ago...

...I was coming
up the stairs,

and I saw someone
come out of her apartment.

A young man, dark-haired.

Rather full of himself,
I thought.

Don't tell me
you've seen him too.

Just tell me what you know,
M. Pare.

MAIGRET: I see you both shared
the same taste in biscuits,

you and Josephine.

And what an unusual place
to keep them -- under the bed.

Ah.

My word.

You know, I've known people

who are so addicted
to sweets and chocolates,

they were
forced to hide them

in all sorts
of unusual places.

How much altogether?

About 400,000 francs.
It's my savings.

Josephine Papet's savings,
you mean.

No.

Why don't you know
exactly how much there is?

I told you.

-Count it.
-No.

-Count it.
-Nol

You stole this money
from Josephine Papet's apartment

this afternoon, didn't you?

No.

You took advantage
of your lover's death

to steal her life savings.

You stashed it here
before you came to see me.

No.

You know, your lying
is quite endearing, Léon,

in a disgusting sort of way.

[ Sighs ]

All right,
I know how it must look.

I didn't kill Josee.

I was in the wardrobe,
as I said.

Anyway, the money's mine
by rights.

She's got no family.
Who else would it go to?

I'm on my uppers.

I've given her
the best years of my life.

You know,
I'm going to let you go, Léon.

Maybe it's because of
my childhood memories.

I don't know.

Or maybe just because
I'm going soft in the head.

Anyway, I'm gonna give you
the benefit of the doubt.

-Good night.
-[ Baby crying ]

[ Door opens I]

What did you do that for,
Chief?

He must have killed her.

You stay here.
Hide the car 'round the corner.

If he comes out,
follow him.

Good night, Lapointe.

[ Picks up receiver ]

[ Indistinct shouting ]

I know you've not denied it.

So, what was it --
attempted suicide?

Well, what else would it be?

The only woman he's ever loved
has been murdered.

He's got no money,
no future.

JANVIER:
Yes, as soon as possible.

MAIGRET:
That's true.

He did say she was the love
of his life -- or vice versa.

He's got nothing left
to live for,

so he tries
to drown himself.

In the Seine,
by the Quai de la Mégisserie,

with all those people ‘round?

He must be stupid
as well as suicidal.

Cheese again.

He was always a good swimmer
at school.

You can't be tired.
You only just got here.

-I've tracked Victor down.
-Well done.

I had to get a list

of season-ticket holders
from the station at Bordeaux.

Now, you wouldn't think
that was difficult, would you?

But I had to
get down on my knees.

Petty, jumped-up bureaucrat.

Sorry.

Victor Drouet.

His name's Victor Drouet,
and he's a big wine grower.

Very big.

Probably spends too much time
in his cellar.

-Thank you.
-Married money.

It's his
wife's father's business.

And when he's in Paris,
he stays at the Hotel Scribe.

And he's coming to see you
in half an hour, Chief.

-Oh, thanks.
-Rather you than me.

I've already had
an earful of him.

You've done a good job,
old son.

To show my appreciation, I've
got another little task for you.

-The young lover?
-Bodard.

Bodard.

LUCAS:
Jean-Luc Bodard.

According to Paré,
he's an insurance salesman,

works for Continental,

with offices
on the Avenue de I'Opéra.

LAPOINTE:
How'd he know all that?

It's jealousy.

He saw Bodard coming out of
the apartment one day

and must have pestered
poor Josephine so much

she eventually gave him
his visiting card.

To prove there was
nothing naughty going on.

JANVIER:
And he believed her?

LUCAS:
Says he did.

MAIGRET:
But you don't believe him?

LUCAS:
Well, put it this way, Chief --

He'd have to be very trusting,
wouldn't he?

He sounds a bit of a liar.

Just like a lot of people
‘round here.

LUCAS: Right.

Oh, how's Florentin?
Dried out yet?

It's all come as such a shock
to me, M. Courcel.

We were very close, as you know,
my sister and I.

Yes.
Yes, it must be terrible.

What makes it
particularly bad is --

You recall that hotel
development I told you about

in the south of France,
the one I was hoping to design?

The one I lent you
300,000 francs for, yes.

That makes it worse.

You see, I've invested
every penny I own --

land registration, plans,
you name it.

It's only a temporary problem,
but I've got no money at all,

no cash at all.

[ Sighs ]

Not even enough for my...

...sister's funeral.

Oh, dear.
You poor fellow.

How terrible.

Look, don't worry.

It really can't be helped,
but you mustn't worry,

not at a time like this.

Here.

You've always been very kind,
M. Courcel.

No, no, no, no, no.
Please.

Ah. Florentin.

Your old friend
wants to see you.

And you are?

Um, Fernand Courcel,
of Courcel Ball Bearings, Rouen.

I heard the terrible news
of Josephine Papet's death

on the wireless this morning.

I was a...
I knew the deceased quite well.

[ Chuckles, coughs ]

So I believe.

You stay here.
We'll see you later.

This way, sir.

[ Door closes ]

I'd known her for 10 years.

I found the apartment
for her.

We lived there together
for quite awhile, you know?

Long time ago now.

I was passionately
in love with her.

Well, I suppose
I always have been.

In fact, well, it was
a very passionate affair,

in every sense of the word.

But you married
somebody else.

Well,
there was the factory.

It's taken up so much of my life
and given back precious little.

Only last year I thought
we might have to close.

Well, Josee was
a marvelous woman,

but she loved living here.

She didn't want to move
to Rouen.

Why didn't you persuade her
if you loved her so much?

I don't know.

She would have done for me,
I'm sure, but, uh...

Well, it seemed the best
arrangement for both of us.

Extraordinary.

We were both quite happy
with it, really.

And of course it meant
that she could see her brother.

Her brother.
Oh, yes.

Yes, when he got back
from Uruguay.

Uruguay.

I beg your pardon?

Well, he was there
on a government contract

to build a new town.

He's an architect.

He got back, um --
oh, about four years ago.

[ Chuckles ]
They were very close.

You have met her brother?
You must have done. He's --

M. Courcel.

I only wish
she'd been as close

to her other
brothers and sisters --

M. Courcel, I'm sorry
to have to tell you,

but Josephine Papet
had no brothers and no sisters.

What do you mean?
That's absurd.

What about Léon?

Léon Papet's real name
is Léon Florentin.

He's lived with Josephine Papet
for the past four years.

[ Laughs ]

But that's not possible.

Oh, I'm sorry,

but someone's been making a fool
of you, Chief Inspector.

You see, I used to stay with her
every Thursday night.

In fact, I was driving up here
yesterday afternoon.

-Between 3:00 and 4:00?
-What?

Where were you
between 3:00 and 4:00, monsieur?

Well, I was in my car,
on my way here,

as I am at that time
every week.

Were you on your own?

Well, of course.
Who would I be with?

M. Courcel,
a woman has been murdered.

You said yourself
you'd known her for 10 years,

longer than any
of her other lovers.

What other lovers?

Are you telling me you spent
10 years in total ignorance

of the sort of woman
she was?

What other lovers?
Answer my question.

There were five,
including yourself.

No. No, that's not impossible.
I can't --

I refuse to believe you had no
knowledge of what was going on.

You're not a stupid man.

Or are you telling me

you've been entirely blinded
by love for 10 years?

I think you knew
something was wrong for years.

It had been
eating away at you.

You knew Josephine
had been double-crossing you.

You became increasingly bitter
and resentful.

After all, you'd done
more for her than anyone.

You'd even found her
the apartment she lived in.

And what did she do?

She entertained her other lovers
in it while you weren't there.

-Nol
-One day something happened.

Something snapped.
Something trivial.

I don't know what.

But you lost control.
You killed her.

I'm not saying it was planned.
You give me the details.

It'll be easier for you
in the end.

Léon did it.

The bastard.
He must have done.

-After all I've done for him!
-Oi.

Get off mel
Let me go!

That'll be all for the moment,
M. Courcel.

Take him out of the building,
Lucas.

The back way.

Go on, sir.

[ Telephone ringing ]

Uruguay, eh?

Oh. That.
What do you expect me to say?

Eh. I'm just impressed
by your fertile imagination.

What else did he tell you?

He just confirmed
that Josephine Papet

has just as vivid an imagination
as you.

You know, I'm not surprised
the two of you got on so well.

Did he also tell you
that I haven't got any money,

not a centime.

No, that didn't come up
in conversation.

I can't think why.

It's not a joke.
I haven't got anything.

-You took all my money.
-Josephine's money.

I haven't even got
the price of a meal.

It's true.
Search me.

I'd rather not.

What am I gonna do?

[ Sighs ]

Make it last.

FLORENTIN:
Can I go?

Can't think what you're
doing here in the first place.

Well, Lapointe, I'm gonna
have to ask you

to follow M. Florentin
once again, I'm afraid.

Sorry.

Oh, make sure
he doesn't fall in the water.

Oh, by the way, Léon,
do you own a revolver?

Yes.
I bought it for Josee.

Really?

It's very old.

I found it
at the bottom of a trunk

I got at a sale
two years ago.

-Do you keep it loaded?
-Yes.

I told her to put it
in her bedside drawer

so she wouldn't be nervous
when I was away.

Oh, I wouldn't
have thought

she'd have much
to be nervous about,

the number of people
she entertains in her apartment.

Hmm.

You know
it's not there now?

I know.
I looked.

You looked? Why?

Because it's mine.

If anybody found it,
I'd be in trouble.

Well, you're in trouble now.

More trouble
than you've ever been in.

I've always been in trouble.
Do you remember?

But I always got off.

And I will this time, you see,
because I'm innocent.

MAIGRET: Perhaps.

Right, then.

Not too fast for you?

JANVIER: How long did you know
Josephine Papet?

I read about it, you know,
in the paper, this morning.

Five lines.
[ Chuckles ]

Five lines.

Three months.

I met her
three months ago.

She was a nice woman.

Very nice.
A bit old, but...

Anyway, I was trying to
sell her an accident policy.

Matter of fact, I got quite
close in getting her to sign.

Then, well,
we got distracted.

You know how it is.

I'm a happily married man,
M. Bodard.

Yes.

Of course, you are.

She was fun, though.

Just wanted a good time.
No commitment.

The older ones
are often like that.

Makes them feel
they're still young, I suppose.

Ideal.

Did you have a special time
when you went there?

Good God, no.

I'm not turning up
at special times.

What do you think I am?

Be like
going to the dentist.

Was there ever anyone else there
when you arrived?

No.
Well, just the human scarecrow.

He always shot off
when I turned up.

Personally, I could never see
why she stuck with him.

He says they're deeply in love
with each other.

Well, from what
she said to me,

I'd say it was because he was
better than nothing -- just.

Isn't that rather what
you'd expect her to say to you?

Sure. Spot on.

Except...

I don't mean to brag,
but if she was so mad about him,

why did she ask me
to move in with her, hmm?

DROUET: I went to see her
every Saturday afternoon

between 3:00 and 5:00.

Then I took the Bordeaux express
back to my wife.

I'm a man of regular habits,
Chief Inspector.

What were you doing yesterday
afternoon, M. Drouet,

between 3:00 and 4:00?

I was taking a walk
along the Grands Boulevards.

I take a walk every weekday
between 10:00 and 11:00

and 3:00 and 4:00 in the
afternoon, on doctor's orders.

Ask anyone in my office.

But no one from your office
was with you?

Of course not.

You realize this leaves you
without an alibi?

Do I need one?

You most certainly do,
as one of Josephine's lovers.

One of them?

How many of us were there?

Four, I believe.
Plus the man she lived with.

[ Laughs ]

What did she mean to you?

She provided relaxation.

I need relaxation.

She was discreet.

It was more than
a business arrangement, but...

But not much more?

I used to have a mistress.
A former secretary.

Unfortunately, she decided
to get married four years ago.

Luckily, I met Josephine
shortly afterwards.

So there was a vacancy
to be filled.

Oh, I didn't come here for a
moral lecture, Chief Inspector.

If you'll excuse me,

I've already had to rearrange
several meetings as it is.

So unless there's something
urgent to discuss,

I'll bid you good day.

I want you to be here at 10:00
tomorrow morning, M. Drouet.

If you can juggle
your appointments to fit me in.

So Janvier doesn't think
that Bodard killed her.

Janvier's biased.

Bodard reminds him
of his lost youth --

or a youth
he never got 'round to having.

But even Janvier admits
Bodard hasn't got an alibi.

So, what's he say
he was doing?

Ah, he says he'd just sold

a couple of life-insurance
policies, went out to celebrate,

got blind drunk,
but he can't remember where.

The fact is,
none of them has an alibi.

Well, that's not true.
Paré has.

The whole of his office swears
he was in all afternoon.

That's if
you can believe the word

of a bunch
of civil servants.

Threaten them with a cut
in their paperclip supply,

and they'd swear to anything.

Why you so irritable
about it?

Is it because
you haven't arrested Léon?

You think I should, don't you?
Everyone else does.

Oh, I don't know.

He seems rather helpless,
doesn't he?

Poor man.

On the other hand,
you said he needs the money,

that he's the only one
with the obvious motive.

That's before
Bodard came along.

He's certainly got a motive.

He needs money.
He spends money like water.

But it wasn't premeditated.

If it was
a crime of passion...

Then it must have been someone
who was familiar,

a familiar visitor who knew
she kept a revolver

in her bedside drawer.

Huh.

Have you kept
any of my letters to you?

You know I have.
The few that there were.

Ah.

Josephine must have
had hundreds, don't you think?

I've searched her apartment
high and low.

Can't find one.

Well, why don't you ask the
lovers what she did with them?

Brilliant!

Thank youl

That's exactly
what I plan to do.

I'm seeing them all
tomorrow morning at 10:00.

[ Lighter clicks ]

Congratulations.

It seems you've developed
a sense of humor.

-[ Door closes I]
-Unusual.

It's taken you 40 years.

[ Chuckles ]

Who'd have thought it?

MAIGRET: Despite M. Florentin's
flippancy, gentlemen,

I've asked you here
for a very serious reason.

Josephine Papet is dead.

I believe
one of you killed her.

I protest.

I also believe another one of
you knows who the murderer is.

But for a reason
I don't yet understand,

you're keeping that knowledge
to yourself.

It might
surprise you to learn

that Josephine was not on her
own when the murderer arrived.

Would you mind telling us
what you heard

from inside the wardrobe,
M. Florentin?

Not much.

How long did the murderer
stay in the apartment

after you heard the shot?

About a quarter of an hour.

So, what do you suppose
he was looking for?

Any ideas?

Could it have been
Josephine's money?

Maybe it was
something else.

Maybe it was the letters
he wrote her --

possibly
incriminating letters.

I'm sure
you've all written her letters,

maybe harmless ones,

changing the time of an
appointment -- who knows? --

but letters which,
in the wrong hands,

might have torn apart the nice
secure fabric of your lives.

Good God!

Do I look the sort of man who'd
stoop to that sort of thing?!

Most murderers I've met

looked like most other people,
M. Courcel.

I've had enough of this.
More than enough!

I've got impossible pressures
at work!

I don't need these insults!

You accuse me
of murdering Josee

and think
you can get away with it?

MAIGRET:
Sit down, M. Courcel.

Now, I'm not so naive
as to imagine

that one of you is going to
stand up and confess...

...although if the man
who knows who the murderer is

were to come to see me,
it would be to his benefit.

No?

Never mind.

There is someone else.

Someone who also knows
who the murderer is.

[ Knock on door ]

[ Door opens I]

[ Door closes ]

I believe you've seen all these
gentlemen before, madame.

Would you mind
looking at their faces?

Now, which of them
did you see

coming out of
the apartment building

between 3:00 and 4:00
on Wednesday afternoon?

Has one of them
been trying to intimidate you?

You do know
what intimidate means, do you?

Threaten you if you talk.

You're quite safe here.
I promise you.

I'm not stupid, and I'm not paid
to do your job for you.

I've nothing to say.

You can't frighten me.

[ Laughs ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Well, what do you expect --
her help?

I don't know.

I thought one of them
might panic, give me some sign.

So where do we go now if they
all keep their mouths shut?

Back to the concierge.

You really think she knows
who the murderer is?

If we still don't get
anything from her,

I'll have to arrest Léon,

which maybe I should have done
in the first place.

[ Gate creaking ]

[ Groaning ]

Huh.

Well, if it was
one of the other lovers,

he didn't get up to much
that afternoon --

not in the bed,
at any rate.

What did forensics say

about the fingerprints
in the bedroom?

LAPOINTE:
There weren't any.

-None at all?
-No.

Get Léon in my office
straightaway.

LUCAS:
Well, go on, then.

MAIGRET:
You didn't see the murderer?

No.

You didn't recognize
his voice?

-No.
-They were in the bedroom.

Yes.
I could hear that.

The bed's untouched.

So they didn't go in
for their usual purpose.

So why did they?

Why didn't they just stay
in the living room

and have their chat
in there?

Perhaps he came
for the letters.

The letters you mentioned.
Perhaps he came to get them.

Why didn't she give them
to him?

After all, the lovers gave her
generous allowances.

Why would she want to
blackmail one of them, as well?

I don't know.
She's dead. I don't know.

MAIGRET:
The drawer's slightly open.

FLORENTIN:
Yes, I did that.

I opened it to see
if the gun was still there.

-1-1-1've told you all this.
-There are no fingerprints.

Perhaps the murderer --

FLORENTIN:
I didn't murder her.

MAIGRET:
Yes, so you keep saying,

but you won't tell me
who did.

I don't know who did.

Why'd you jump in the river,
Léon?

Because I'd had enough
of everything.

I didn't want to live.
Isn't that understandable?

I'd just lost the only person
in the world who ever --

[ Laughs ]

What's the -- What's funny?

What's funny?
You are.

How about this
for a different version?

You knew
we were following you.

You'd hidden the money
back at your place,

but you'd forgotten
about the letters.

-What letters?
-What letters?

The letters you'd taken
from Josephine's bedroom.

They were in your pocket.

You knew
we were watching you closely.

What better way
to get rid of them

but by jumping in the river?

That's ridiculous.
Ridiculous!

When did your notice expire,
Léon?

What?

To get out of Josephine's
apartment, quit her life?

She didn't want to
get rid of me.

She was desperate
for me to stay.

What are you talking about?
She loved me. I told you.

That's not
what young Bodard says.

He said she wanted you out
so he could move in.

And you believe him
rather than me?

Oh, why should I think
he's a born liar like you?

Why shouldn't I believe him?

I think
she wanted a new model,

someone who was less devious
and less greedy.

[ Telephone rings I]

Maigret.

Oh, damn.

Oh, get back
to the apartment, Janvier.

Wait for her there.
Yeah.

Nearly 5:00.

Lapointe, I want you
to make contact

with M. Florentin's rivals.

Mm-hmm.

Now, don't speak
to any of them directly.

Just make sure
they're still there

and ask if anyone answering
the concierge's description

has been to see
any one of them.

Okay.

Lucas. Car.

LUCAS: You don't think
the concierge

murdered Josephine, do you?

No. I think
she's gonna meet someone.

Who, the murderer?

Thought we had him under lock
and key back at the station.

No, I don't think Léon Florentin
killed her, Lucas.

He didn't?

But I'm pretty sure
the concierge knows who did.

She saw
the murderer coming out.

He probably offered her money
there and then

to keep her quiet.

If he'd
already given her money,

why should
she want to see him again?

MAIGRET:
Perhaps because she saw him

with the others this morning

and realized her silence
was worth a hell of a sight more

than he'd given her for it.

She's just come back.

She nodded to me
and smiled as she went in.

[ Bell dings ]

Well, at least you won't be able
to lose me this time,

will you, Inspector?

[ Chuckles ]

LUCAS: Chief,
looks like you were right.

Hidden away
in this magazine.

Ah.

5,000 francs, madame.

CONCIERGE:
They're my savings.

Oh, really?
Are they?

In brand-new notes?

And what an unusual place
to keep them.

Who gave them to you?

I assume
this is the first payment.

Well, thank you, madame.

I'll certainly bear in mind

your help and cooperation
throughout this case.

[ Telephone rings I]

Hello?

Oh, it's you.

What, not even Bodard?

Right.
Thanks, Lapointe.

[ Receiver hangs up]

I was going to say,

particularly if we come to
prosecute you for blackmail.

You are aware blackmail
is illegal, aren't you,

even blackmailing
a murderer?

I've blackmailed no one.

Well, if that's so,

it's only because you couldn't
make contact with him.

Bit naive wasn't it?

Bit optimistic, surely.

Established,
successful men.

Did you really think
you'd manage

to get hold of one of them
in Paris

late on a Friday afternoon?

Unless it was young Bodard.

Perhaps it was Bodard.

They say
he was still in Paris on his --

What is it, Chief?

He's got good news
for you.

What news?
What news?

If you cooperate with us,
Léon,

I think I can promise you, you
won't go to the guillotine.

-[ Door closes I]
-I've told you, I didn't kill --

Kill Josephine Papet?
Of course.

You see, I might believe it.

Who knows?

Even my friend Lucas here
might believe it in a pinch.

You see, but to get a jury
to believe it, you need proof,

a coherent story,

not the load
of lies and half-truths

you've fobbed me off with
so far.

Now, let's try and work out
what really happened.

I'll start at the beginning.
You stop me when I go wrong.

On Wednesday afternoon, you had
an unexpected visitor, hmm?

We agree on that point
at least.

But what was
really unexpected was

that he'd come to see you,
not Josephine.

He was angry.
Probably very angry.

After all, he wasn't
used to being blackmailed.

He felt he'd given Josephine
a lot over the years,

behaved decently
after his fashion.

After all,
the affair had harmed no one,

so why should he be expected
to pay so dearly for it?

So he decided
to have it out with you.

I don't think he came
to kill anyone

because, you see, he didn't have
a weapon with him.

-He looked as if he did.
-You tried to hide.

He found you and dragged you
into the bedroom.

All right!

I wanted half a million francs
for his letters.

I needed it, Jules. I'm 53.
I'm not a boy anymore.

What would it have meant
to him?

Anyway, how would
I survive on my own, otherwise?

So Josephine was going to
chuck you out because of Bodard?

Janvier, bring him in.

[ Receiver hangs up]

[ Door opens I]

I have never received
such treatment,

having been dragged
from Bordeaux

by two great thugs
of policeman.

Dragged?

Not me, Chief.

Must be the other thug
he's talking about.

How dare you
be so impertinent?

You know I had to share
the same compartment

with the two of them
the whole night?

-And I'd hardly been home.
-Oh, of course.

You must have been looking
forward to that, M. Drouet.

A Friday night at home.

When was the last time
you managed one of those?

Of course,
you didn't think of that

when you killed Josephine Papet,
did you?

There was no need
to stay in Paris

till Saturday then,
was there?

No more Saturday visits.

Of course, the concierge
didn't think of that

when she tried to contact you
yesterday afternoon.

What are you talking about?

I didn't see the concierge.
I was on the train.

Exactly.
For once, you were on the train.

But the concierge didn't
think it through, did she?

Why should she?
Any more than I did.

She didn't realize

you'd be buzzing back
to your wife and kids

like all the other
respectable businessmen.

After all,
you never had done before.

Odd.

You know, you not being there
was what put me on to you.

You've no evidence.

You're going to regret this,
Maigret.

You've no evidence whatsoever.

There's your culprit.

It's obvious.
Obvious to anyone.

Not to me it isn't, you stupid,
lying, pompous idiot.

I've confessed to blackmailing
you for the letters.

I'm damned if I'm gonna be done
for doing the murder as well,

particularly as I saw you
shoot her.

You're not going to believe
the word of a common criminal,

a self-confessed blackmailer?

What do you say, Léon?

Why should I believe you?

Because he was desperate
to get those letters.

He'd have lost everything
if his wife had seen them.

It was her family business,
you see?

He wouldn't
just have lost his wife.

He'd have lost
all his money, too.

That's what really mattered
to him.

He was so stupid, he thought he
only had to shout loudly enough

and I'd give him the letters
without any money.

MAIGRET: No, you see,
it's precisely because

Léon is a blackmailer
that I believe him.

I mean, if I wanted to blackmail
one of Josephine's lovers,

who would I choose?

M. Paré? No.

He's a civil servant
on a civil servant's salary.

M. Courcel?

Well, he's struggling
to keep a factory open.

How about young Bodard?

He doesn't have much.
He's an insurance salesman.

No. I'm afraid it all points
to you, M. Drouet.

No, I'm afraid you're
the only one amongst them

who has any money at all
to speak of.

[ Chuckles ]
It's a complete fabrication.

I deny all knowledge
of any letters.

As soon as he realized

I wasn't gonna give him
the letters, he went mad.

He lost control completely.

He went straight to the bedside
drawer and got hold of the gun.

And shot Josee?

-Yes.
-Why would I do that?

She wasn't blackmailing me.

FLORENTIN:
He didn't mean to shoot her.

I could see straightaway he had
no idea how to handle a gun.

Josee was hysterical.

She came between us,
and she tried to stop him.

He was waving the gun
and shouting.

He was almost as hysterical
as she was.

I was almost on the point

of giving him
the damn letters when...

...the gun went off.

[ Cries ]

DROUET: I'm not given
to hysteria, Chief Inspector.

I'd have
thought that obvious.

He's the unstable one.
Just look at him.

It was terrible, terrible.

[ Sighs ]

There she was, dying,
lying on the floor.

He's clearly unwell.

I doubt if he's even responsible
for his actions.

What happened then, Léon?

um...

He went off.

And then?

Um, I-1 don't remember.
I was in a daze.

And even though
you were in a daze,

you still carefully
went ‘round the room

and cleaned
all the fingerprints up.

Why would I do that?

Because once he was identified,
he'd be of no more use to you.

Isn't that right?

A man as rich as you, monsieur,
desperate to hide a murder.

Now, there was a chance for Léon
to make real money.

He could squeeze you
for as much as he could get.

He could have more money
than he ever dreamt of.

But even money
only buys so much.

Even a compulsive liar, thief,
and blackmailer

like Léon Florentin
has his limits.

No, I'm afraid you're not gonna
get him to stand in

for a murder
that you committed.

Not for all the money
in the world.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

So, you served him well.

Who? Léon?
Oh, yes, of course, you know?

I was just thinking -- everyone
used to bail him out, even then.

You know, I think,
in all honesty,

I can claim I've done
particularly well by him,

considering he was using

a nonexistent friendship
for protection.

-Nonexistent?
-Yes. It never existed.

Oh.

I've put in a word.

Probably get a couple of years,
which isn't bad,

considering he's been involved
with attempted blackmail,

obstructing the police, being
an accessory after the fact.

And what about Drouet?

Ah, it wasn't premeditated.
It was an accident.

There were
extenuating circumstances.

And he's got
a particularly good lawyer.

Precisely, yes.

What did you mean by "oh"?

Pardon?

You said, "Oh."

I said, "It was
a nonexistent friendship."

You said, "Nonexistent?"

I said, "Yes.
It never existed."

And you said, "Oh."

Did 1?

Well, I suppose
what I meant was --

Well, if it never existed,
not at all,

then how did you know
his sister?

How keen on her were you?

-He told you that?
-Were you in love with her?

[ Laughs ]
You're jealous.

[ Chuckling ] I'm not.
Don't be ridiculous.

After all these years.

That's ridiculous.
I'm just curious.

[ Chuckles ]

Good old Léon.
Here's to you, son.

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