All language subtitles for Maigret Series 2 Disc 2.Title2-eng

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[ Waltz-musette music playing I]

[ Woman vocalizing ]

ANNOUNCER:
It's now 10 days since

the collapse
of the children's wing

at the Clairfond Sanatorium.

As France mourns, the disaster
continues to take its toll

with the deaths today
of a boy and girl, both aged 6.

They died without
regaining consciousness,

bringing the death toll
of children to 62.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

In Paris,
the opposition attacked

the government inquiry

set up
by Minister Auguste Point

for dragging its feet,

a claim vigorously denied
by the minister,

who said again that the inquiry
would call all key witnesses.

It is still unclear

whether the man who built
the Clairfond Sanatorium,

M. Arthur Nicoud,

is willing to appear
before the inquiry.

Bobby, is that you?

WOMAN:
M. Piquemal.

The minister does have
an appointment to go to.

Perhaps it would be easier
if you left it with me.

Blanche,
is my statement ready?

M. Point,
I have to speak with you.

Minister, I've told
this gentleman --

Please.

Five minutes.

Come inside.

-MME. MAIGRET: Long day?
-[ Groans ]

[ Chuckles ] That bad?

Worse.
I need a drink.

[ Sniffs ]
Can I smell lamb?

The day's not over yet,
I'm afraid.

In fact, it's not worth
taking off your coat.

A telephone call.

From a minister.

What minister?

The minister of public works,
I think he said.

And he telephoned you here,
personally?

Mm.
From a call box.

-Have I got time for a drink?
-He said it was urgent.

He wants you
to go to his home.

Chief Inspector,
I'm sorry to disturb you

at this time of night.

Uh, did you see anyone outside
as you came in?

No one.

You must think it strange,

a minister telephoning you
from call box.

But I'm sure my telephone
is tapped.

-Will you have one?
-Thank you.

You don't like politicians,
do you?

I've come
to recognize that look.

I see it in the eyes of people
who come to see me.

They need us,
but they don't trust us.

I was there when they were
pulling the bodies out.

62 children killed.

And after the floods,
a whole wing collapsed.

Well, I've set up an inquiry
as the minister responsible.

The minister in charge,
I mean.

I didn't join the ministry until
long after Clairfond was built.

I hardly knew the sanatorium
existed until the disaster.

See, this should
never have happened.

It was avoidable.
They ignored the report.

MAIGRET:
The report?

And after the disaster,

the president asked me
to retrieve it.

But it wasn't in the archives.
It wasn't there.

It had disappeared.

You see, Calame had virtually
prophesied the disaster.

Calame?

Yes.
I'm sorry.

When the Clairfond Sanatorium
was first proposed,

Calame was commissioned
to write a paper

on the suitability of the site
and the building.

He was a professor at
the School of Civil Engineering.

He died two years ago.
Cancer.

This is a political matter.
Why are you telling me this?

Yesterday, a man called Piquemal
came to see me.

He said he'd worked
with Professor Calame.

He had a copy
of the report.

And he gave it to me.

And did the Calame report
predict this disaster?

Yes.

If this thing were published,

there would certainly be
blood on the carpet.

What do you mean,
if it were published?

I read it last night.

And this morning I telephoned
the president's office

and arranged to see him
this afternoon.

When I told him
about the report...

...he said I should bring it
straight to him.

Now, no one knew
I had it here.

I'd locked it in my desk,
here.

Are you going to tell me
it's been stolen?

Yes.

Who else has a key
to this apartment?

My secretary, Mlle. Lamotte.
And the concierge, of course.

And my wife, though she rarely
comes to Paris.

[ Telephone rings I]

Ah, that'll be the president.
I put in a call to him earlier.

Would you like me
to wait outside?

No.
Wait here, please.

Hello?

Yes, that's right.

Thank you.

They're connecting me.

M. Le President.

Yes.

No.
No. It's gone.

Stolen.
I don't know how.

No, I haven't called the police,
not officially.

Well, in fact, uh,
there's someone here with me.

Yes.
Chief Inspector Maigret.

Certainly.

He wants to speak to you.

[ Engine turns over ]

[ Vehicle departing ]

-Won't you come to bed?
-I'm not tired.

A few hours ago
you were exhausted.

What is it?
Don't you trust him?

He's a politician.

Something's been stolen
from his apartment,

and there's no sign
of any break-in.

I only have his word
that something's missing.

Oh, come to bed.

It's all too neat.

Feels like an inside job.

Your holiday's due.
We could go away.

It's not that straightforward,
I'm afraid.

Why not?

COMELIAU:
The president?

Well, under the circumstances,
I could hardly refuse.

I don't
want to know any more.

I may need some more men.

This is not a case
for your department.

Why didn't Point
contact security?

Oh, well, if you must.

They don't need to know
precisely what it's about.

This is
an unofficial investigation

Of course, M. Comeliau.

I'll do my best
to keep your name out of it.

LUCAS:
I'll tell you what --

You should keep your hands
to yourself.

JANVIER:
Fancied her, did you?

You looked like you were trying
to dance with her.

She took a huge great chunk
out of my thumb.

What was I supposed to do?

Ohh. [ Laughs ]

Something's come up.

Lapointe.

This is unofficial.

You don't mention
this assignment to anyone.

The School of Civil Engineering.
Do you know it?

LAPOINTE: Yeah.
Rue des Saint-Péres.

MAN: Piquemal!
M. Piquemall

MAIGRET: There's a teacher there
called Piquemal.

I know nothing about him.

I want to know
as much as possible.

Janvier.

Janvier,
the minister of public works

has a secretary
called Blanche Lamotte.

I want to know if she was seen
at the minister's apartment

on Tuesday morning.

Lucas.

Now, look --
I want no written reports.

Say nothing to the others.
You report only to me.

-Is that clear?
-LUCAS: Whatever you say, Chief.

MAIGRET:
Jacques Fleury,

parliamentary secretary to
the minister of public works --

I want to know everything
you can find out about him.

MAN:
What I want to ask is,

why does the inquiry fail to ask
the fundamental questions?

Why does it fail to call
the key witnesses?

Are you saying the government
inquiry is a whitewash?

MAN: I am saying that if
I were part of the commission,

I would call
those men in the government

responsible for awarding the
contracts to the builder Nicoud

and I would ask them,

is it not true that the
Clairfond Sanatorium was built

not because of your concern
for those children

but in order
to grant favors...

-Inspector Maigret?
-Ah, hello.

-Jacques Fleury.
-Ah.

Isn't that
Charles Mascoulin?

No doubt making more trouble
for the government.

LAMOTTE:
He didn't seem quite right.

Something about him.

But he managed to
get into the minister's office.

-Yes.
-Well, I agreed to see him.

This parcel
he was carrying --

Have you seen it again
since then?

No.

-Look, I don't recall --
-[ Indistinct conversations ]

How long have you worked
for the minister?

Oh, it must be
12 years now.

You must be
very devoted to him.

I am dedicated
to my work.

Dedicated enough, perhaps,

to protect him
if he were in trouble?

I don't know
what you mean.

I'm not sure myself.

Very difficult time
for him.

I don't think I've ever seen him
like this before.

-Distressing for his family?
-Yes.

It's a pity his wife
couldn't be here in Paris

at a time like this.

Chief Inspector,
I thought you were concerned

with this man, Piquemal.

That's right.

M. Fleury comes here every day,
does he?

He's a good customer, yes.

And he meets his wife here?

You mean Jacqueline?
They meet here sometimes.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Well, we were always friends,
from the beginning, really.

I worked for Auguste --
the minister --

in his practice in Vanves.

And then when he was brought
into the cabinet,

he was looking for
a private secretary

and thought
I would be the man.

Things always work out,
don't you think?

Do you enjoy your work?

Hal

No.
I love it.

It's ideal, really.

Oh, I like living in Paris.
It suits me.

Well, thank you very much,
monsieur.

You have been
a great help to me.

Oh, I don't think so.
I hardly saw Piquemal.

Well, I was in my office
most of the time he was here.

Yes, well, if you want to
speak to me again...

Thank you.

Oh, by the way, monsieur,
when was the last time

you visited
the minister's apartment?

Oh, um,
that would have been, uh...

We do
work there occasionally.

But not for several weeks.

Well, very good.
Thank you.

You spoke
to the president again?

I was ready to offer him
my resignation, but he refused.

Said it would arouse suspicion
at a difficult time.

Very few people knew
you had the report.

Piquemal, of course.

Your staff.

And the president.

What are you suggesting?

Last night,
as I left your apartment,

a car passed me
in the street

and shone its head lamps
in my face.

Oh, it's probably security.

As I told you, I'm sure
my telephone is tapped.

Oh, this whole business.

We're facing
a major political crisis.

See, no one's going to believe
me, and who can blame them?

And it won't be long before
someone asks about the report.

Lucas.

You too.

Me too, what?

This place is swarming
with Maigret's lot.

So, what did you learn
about Fleury?

Why should security
be interested?

Oh, we're always interested
in politics, Lucas.

All right.
I'll tell you.

He's good company.

Always willing
to pay for the drinks.

Lives on credit
most of the time,

but he always pays
in the end.

We all pay in the end, Catroux,
one way or another.

Of course, you do know he's got
a wife and two children

living in Vanves somewhere,
don't you?

But he reached that age.

You know what it's like
with some men.

They need something younger.

Why are you telling me
all this, Catroux?

Because one day
you can return the favor.

Can't wait.

JANVIER:
Tuesday morning.

[ Deliberately] Tuesday morning,
the minister's apartment.

Attractive woman.
In her 40s.

Excuse me.
She's deaf.

So I gathered.

Thank you, madame.

Do you know Mlle. Lamotte?

Visited the minister upstairs
Tuesday.

Yes, good-looking.
She's around here quite often.

Let me see.
Tuesday.

No.
I didn't see her.

Didn't see anyone.

Bobby!

Oh! That man.

What man was this?

Fat, overcoat. With a cigar.
On the stairs.

People usually use the lift,
you see?

Oh.
Well, thank you.

MAIGRET: Mlle. Lamotte
and the minister.

What do you think?
Are they lovers?

If they are,
they're very discreet.

[ Chuckles ]

Politicians have been known
to be discreet.

[ Chuckles ]

Lucas.

-Beer?
-Pernod.

Pernod.

What did you find?

Bits and bobs,
this and that.

MAIGRET: Well?

Well, for a start, I'm not the
only one who's tailing Fleury.

Security?

Everywhere I've been today,

the boys from the big house
have been one step ahead of me.

JANVIER: Me too.

Had that creep Catroux
breathing down my neck.

He found it very amusing
I had no idea what was going on.

This is the case
we're working on, isn't it?

Arthur Nicoud.

Isn't he the man
who built Clairfond?

I've been asked by
the minister of public works

to find the Calame report.

Is that why the security mob
are keeping an eye on us --

to make sure we don't dig up
anything incriminating?

Well, they might be.

So who wants that report
to disappear?

Men in the cabinet,
the people who ignored it,

and Arthur Nicoud --
maybe him above anyone else.

What about the minister?

[ Door opens I]

-[ Door closes I]
-Lapointe?

-Beer?
-Beer, please, yeah.

What did you find?

Well, he wasn't at work,
so I went to his hotel.

He lives at the Hotel du Berry,
in the Rue Jacob.

I said that I was his cousin
from Marseilles.

Anyway,
he wasn't there either.

But the proprietor pointed me
in the direction of the café

where he has his lunch
every day.

He wasn't in there today.

First time in years, apparently,
that this has happened.

-Who are we talking about?
-Piquemal.

Who's Piquemal?

-He didn't show up?
-No.

And the porter
at the School of Engineering

saw him getting into a car
with someone.

-Who's Piquemal?
-Description.

He's a fat bloke
with a big overcoat.

-Smoking a cigar.
-What?

Never uses the lift.

The same man that went up
to Point's apartment

on Tuesday morning.

Who is Piquemal?

M. Piquemal.

I think we'll find
he's disappeared.

CATROUX:
Hello, boys.

Mme. Calame, did your husband
talk to you about the report

when he was writing it?

Well, not in detail.

But I know something
was troubling him about it.

Has anyone else
been to see you recently?

You mean Piquemal?

When did he come?

When my husband was alive,

Piquemal was
always pestering him

with things
that he'd written.

He had
the most absurd notions.

But Albert was always generous
with his time.

After he died, I didn't
see anything of Piquemal.

Not until
about a week ago.

He said he wanted to find
some papers

that he'd left
with my husband.

Did he find them?

I have no idea.

As usual,
I left him to it.

Has anyone else
been to see you?

Not to the house.

They didn't ask you
about the report?

Suddenly everyone
wants the report.

It's a pity
you weren't so interested

when Albert was alive.

-Go. Gol
-[ Engine turns over ]

-Catroux.
-Maigret.

I'd like to speak
to Piquemal.

Don't suppose you know
where he is, do you?

And you wouldn't happen to know
the whereabouts

of the Calame report?

I was hoping
you could tell me that.

-Mm.
-[ Coughs ]

[ Sniffles ]

Sitting around street corners
in a cold car.

-You'll catch pneumonia.
-It's lack of sleep.

My resistance to germs
is very low.

My wife keeps telling me
to stay at home.

You know, you should listen
to your wife.

Couple of days off.

Put my feet up,
relax for awhile.

Forget all about
the murky world of politics.

Hot drinks.

-Maybe read a book.
-Hmm.

On second thoughts,
I don't really think that's me.

-What's going on, Catroux?
-I was hoping you could tell me.

How is it
everywhere me and my boys go,

you seem to be
one jump ahead of us?

Don't flatter me,
Maigret.

We're usually the last
to be told anything.

No one trusts us anymore.

Is that why
they brought you in?

That's what I was hoping
you could tell me.

[ Car door opens ]

-[ Car door closes I
-[ Coughs ]

[ Hand pats ]

-[ Whispering ]
-Mnh. Mnh.

M. Nicoud, it would seem

that the cause
of this terrible tragedy

was that the concrete used

for the foundations
of the building

was of, shall we say,
unsuitable quality.

NICOUD:
The building was sound.

We are experienced
in such constructions.

The workmanship was of
the best possible standard.

The materials
were all first-class.

No one could have foreseen
that the river would overflow.

It was a freak accident.

There is no one more distressed
by this tragedy than I am.

DEPUTY: Could you tell us
how you won the contract

to build the sanatorium?

NICOUD: I tendered for work
like other builders.

We made a detailed proposal --
excellence at reasonable price.

Chief Inspector Maigret.

-Charles Mascoulin.
-Hello.

I understand that you're
conducting an investigation

in relation
to the Clairfond disaster.

What makes you think that?

Well, why else
would you be here?

You must be aware
that there is

a great deal of public concern,
outrage, surrounding this case.

I'm one of those
who is concerned.

Which is why
you should be careful.

In politics, things aren't quite
so black and white

as they are with bank robbers
and prostitutes.

Even a famous policeman
like yourself wouldn't survive

if it were thought that he was
part of a cover-up.

Is that what you think
I'm doing?

Perhaps.

But then again, of course,
you may not know it.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Point's a decent man.

In his way.

But he has been careless
in his choice of friends.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

These children
will not be forgotten.

Their deaths
will not count for nothing.

Did you know that he has been
a regular weekend guest

at the house
of Arthur Nicoud,

and the minister's daughter
has received

a number of gifts -- jewelry --
also from Nicoud?

-Who told you this?
-People bring me information.

M. Maigret, 62 children

had the life
crushed out of them.

The truth will come out.
Let me assure you.

NICOUD: We must
all work together to ensure

that this
never happens again.

-If we --
-The murderer!

He is the murderer!

[ Crying ] He killed
my children!

He killed my children.

Why was he not asked
about his relationship

with government ministers?

Why did no one ask him
about the Calame report?

[ Sobbing ]

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

Nicoud makes a habit
of sending gifts

to the daughters and wives
of his guests.

My daughter received
a pen and a compact.

Both gold.

Have you or your wife
ever received

gifts or favors from Nicoud?

-None.
-Has he loaned you money?

Do you hold shares
in any of his companies?

-No.
-You're quite certain?

Chief Inspector,
if you doubt me --

Your Excellency, I have been
conducting this case

against the wishes
of the examining magistrate

and at some risk to myself.

It would have helped if you'd
informed me of your relationship

with Nicoud
before we started.

Well, I'm sorry.
It was an innocent association.

It didn't even occur to me.

Is there anything else
you haven't told me?

Nothing.
I assure you.

[ Knock on door ]

Newspapers, Minister.

They know about Piquemal,

that he handed the report in
at a very high level.

Who told the press
about Piquemal?

They're also saying
that almost immediately after

he handed the report in,
Piquemal disappeared.

He may have been abducted.

I'm sorry, Minister.

I thought you'd like
to see these straightaway.

Yes.
Thank you, Jacques.

A man was seen
going up to your apartment

on Tuesday morning --
fat, smokes cigars.

Now, either he's part of
a security operation

or the information's coming
from inside your office.

No, I don't believe it.

I trust
my people completely.

Who wants you out?

Who wants to destroy you?

Who gives security
their orders?

Ultimately, the president.

Can you trust
the president?

I have to.

Is that it, then?

Security are running one step
in front of us,

tidying up the pieces?

Then why put us onto the trail
if it's a cover-up?

Perhaps so they can say,
if Maigret can find no dirt,

there's none to be found.

-[ Sirens wailing ]
-[ Whistle blowing ]

M. Maigret?
Telephone.

Oh, get that call for me,
will you, Janvier?

Listen to this.

"Dear M. Piquemal, I thank you
for your communication.

I'm greatly interested
in what you tell me

and will be glad
to see you tomorrow,

towards 8:00 p.m.,

at the Restaurant Filet de Sole,
Rue Montmartre.

I beg you not to mention
the matter in question

to anybody until then."

Where'd you get this?

-In Piquemal's room.
-Is it from Point?

-Can't make out the signature.
-Well, neither could I.

But I took it
to the stenographers

at the Chamber of Deputies,

and they recognized
the signature immediately.

-And was it Charles Mascoulin?
-Yes.

Chief, the minister
wants to see you.

What now?

Well, perhaps we won't be
chasing shadows for much longer.

Look at the date on this.

This letter puts Piquemal

in the Filet de Sole restaurant
with Mascoulin

before he approached the
minister with the Calame report.

Minister,
did the Calame report predict

the likelihood of disaster

if the building was constructed
on that site?

It would be inappropriate
for me to speak about that

until the commission
has published its findings.

Minister, is it true
that the report

has conveniently
gone missing?

A statement about the report
will be made in due course.

Minister, are you aware that
Nicoud has fled the country?

You can hardly claim
the man has fled from justice

because he's
visiting Belgium.

Minister, will you be making
the report --

Will you be making
the report public?

Minister,
are you gonna resign?

Minister, isn't Arthur Nicoud a
close personal friend of yours?

[ Door opens I]

The minister will see you now,
Chief Inspector.

Thank you.

Is anything the matter,
mademoiselle?

[ Sighs ]

Yes, Chief Inspector,
there is something the matter.

[ Sniffles ]

The telephone hasn't stopped
ringing all day,

every call full of hatred
and malice for the minister.

He doesn't deserve this.

Mademoiselle --

I know him.

I know what this is
doing to him.

How can they?

After all these years,
all he stood for?

These lies they're printing.

Why doesn't anyone speak out
on his behalf?

I know it's distressing

to watch someone you love
being destroyed.

Can't you do something
to stop all this happening?

The president has asked me
to make a statement.

MAIGRET: You'll tell them
what's in the Calame report?

He asked me again
if I'd read the report.

And he said, "It's a long,
technical report, isn't it?"

And he suggested I would avoid
more serious difficulties

by saying that I'd just
skimmed through it.

If spoke about its contents
and implicate anyone,

I'll be accused
of making charges I can't prove.

And if you said nothing,
you'd be charged

with concealing the report
to protect your friends?

Would you blame them for
reaching that conclusion?

[ Sighs ]

I'll resign.

But not without saying
what happened,

whether or not I'm believed.

Now, what's this?

From Charles Mascoulin
to Piquemal.

Charles Mascoulin?

Arranging a meeting.

What --
Piquemal took him the report?

But why didn't Mascoulin
publish it immediately?

You have
a photocopying machine.

Why shouldn't Mascoulin?

He gave it back to Piquemal

and persuaded him
to bring it to you.

Have you two quarreled?

No.

No.
In a way, I admire the man.

He's a remarkable politician.

Well, perhaps you stand
in the way of his ambition.

Oh, he's a maverick.
He has no ambition.

And he's too outspoken to have
any real hope of office.

Mascoulin lives
for politics.

Is there anything personal
between you two?

Mm, there was an incident

when he was
a young and fiery politician.

We clashed.

And I refused
to shake his hand.

-Where was this?
-In the chamber.

Oh, it was eight years ago,
Maigret.

See, what we have here

is an opportunity for Mascoulin
to place himself at the heart

of the whole Clairfond affair.

If he now has a copy
of the report,

all he has to do
is expose it.

It would make him
the man of the moment.

So why is he holding back?

[ Indistinct conversations ]

What a coincidence
you should come here.

I was going to
telephone you.

May 1?

How is your
investigation proceeding?

In surprising directions.

Really? How amazing.
[ Chuckles ]

But you haven't, uh,
located Piquemal yet.

Not yet.

Well, it was about Piquemal
that I wanted to speak.

Now, as you can imagine,

I get communications from
all kinds of cranks, lunatics.

Not unlike your work,
I don't doubt.

Well, I, too, have to sift
through all the tips and leads

to find what I consider to be
genuine intelligence.

Well, Piquemal's letter
appeared to me to be sincere.

Did it concern
the Calame report?

So I arranged to meet him.

He told me that he wanted to
bring me the report

because he suspected
that there were people

interested in
hushing the story up.

But you would see to it
that it was published.

Well, I told him
that he must take it

straight to
the minister of public works.

Would I be right in saying that
you made a copy of the report

before Piquemal took it
to the minister?

I'm not clear
exactly what your purpose is.

My duty is to Parliament
and to the country,

and tomorrow I'm gonna make
a statement to the inquiry.

And you will say that M. Point
lost the report

in order to protect
his ministerial colleagues.

I'm sure all these men set out
to be effective ministers.

Every one of them.

But they're infected
by authority.

They crave power.

They'll do anything
to protect themselves.

You know,
they call me a troublemaker.

A nuisance
keeps us all awake.

Keeps democracy awake.

Well, no doubt
I'll see you tomorrow.

At the ministry.

I'm sorry, darling.

Maigret.

You've put your feet up,
I see.

Doctor's orders.
[ Coughs ]

Thank you, madame.

So, what can I do for you,
Maigret?

I've had an idea
about who took the report.

I'm looking for someone.
One of your fellows.

Probably thrown out
of the service.

Chucked out?
Why?

I don't know why.

All I know is he's working
for Charles Mascoulin now,

and Mascoulin hasn't got
the kind of power

that puts security
at his beckoning.

I need you
to give me some names.

And why should I do that?

Oh, come on, Catroux.

I'm close. I know I am.
I need your help.

I've racked my brains, and I've
come up with some names here.

Baudelin.

Falcone. Valencourt.

-Fischer.
-Is that all?

There are many more,
I know.

I'm looking for a fellow
who's gone bad.

Probably working
as a private investigator now.

Fat, smokes cigars.

You know him.

Look, I don't know
what you're up to, Maigret,

but I can't help you.

Come on, Catroux.

A man's life's
about to be destroyed

because you can't find it
in your heart to trust me.

Stop picking on me, Maigret,
will you?

I'm a sick man.
[ Coughs ]

-A small gift.
-Gift?

Help you relax
during your convalescence.

Events have taken
a turn for the worse, Maigret.

In this kind of investigation,
M. Comeliau, events usually do.

I have been telephoned
by a news editor.

Oh, then things have certainly
taken a turn for the worse.

He was interested in your role
in the case.

I told him there's
no formal police inquiry

since the Calame report hasn't
officially been reported stolen.

Very diplomatic
of you, sir.

I do not welcome the prospect
of finding my chief inspector

on the front page
of a national newspaper

in such
undesirable circumstances.

What do you have to report to me
on the subject?

Tomorrow morning,
Charles Mascoulin

will address the commission
and reveal my complicity

in the suppression
of the Calame report.

And you find this amusing,
Maigret?

Maigret --

Well done, boys.

You took your time.

I didn't give you this.

Now leave me in peace
with my germs.

And all this time
I've been thinking

that you were
one step ahead of us.

But you were watching us,
right?

Who are you working for,
Catroux?

How high does it go?
The top?

The president?

You don't want to know,
Maigret.

We've got him!

Eugene Benoit,
private investigator!

Get some copies of that
done off, will you?

And go and talk to that woman
in Boulevard Pasteur.

Um, what's her name?

-Gaudry. Mme. Gaudry.
-Yeah.

Go and see
if she recognizes him.

Right. Benoit.

Look him up in the phone book,
will you?

Must have an office somewhere.
And get over there.

-Right. Where's Lucas?
-Wearing his shoes out.

Benoit's office!
Down there, Chiefl

[ Door creaks ]

[ Footsteps I]

The concierge says Benoit
hasn't been home for two nights,

but it's not unusual for him
to take off for a few days...

fishing.

Where did she say he goes?

-She reckons she can't remember.
-Right.

Let's go and help her to get
her memory back, then, shall we?

[ Door opens I]

[ Footsteps I]

What are you doing here?

I might ask you
the same question.

Our friend Fleury.

Very interesting
social habits.

Drinks in
the most unlikely places.

He was seen having a glass
or two with Eugene Benoit

a couple of weeks ago.

Go and pick him up, Lucas.

Right.

Janvier.

Look, uh,
will this take long?

My girlfriend
will be worried.

I should be home by now,
you see?

Wait in there.

You stay with him till the chief
get back from Seine-Port.

Don't let him call anyone.

If he asks any questions,
you know nothing.

Let him stew on his own
for a bit.

But I had a date.

You know
how to use a telephone.

[ Ducks quacking ]

To the right.
About a mile.

Just before
the little wooden bridge.

I'm sorry about that.
[ Clears throat ]

Yes, all right.
I'll tell him.

Bye.

What did she say?

Um, she asked me to tell you

that she probably won't be in
when you get back.

She sounds like
a nice, friendly girl.

[ Ducks quacking ]

BENOIT:
Who is it?

Maigret.

Benoit, where's Piquemal?

Where have you put him?

I won't offer you any.

He's not here, Chief.

Where is he, Benoit?

How long have you been working
for Mascoulin?

BENOIT:
Mascoulin?

MAIGRET: You needed someone
close to the minister.

And it was Mascoulin
who put you onto Fleury.

Keep fishing, Maigret.
There's nothing biting tonight.

Fleury told you the minister
had taken the report home.

And then he gave you the keys
to his apartment.

-Isn't that so?
-That's the easy bit, Maigret.

-What else have you got?
-Chief.

Had to be like that,
of course.

You couldn't use force
to get in, could you?

It mustn't look like
a burglary

in order to implicate
the minister.

BENOIT: Cuff me.
Arrest me.

What will I get
for the burglary?

A year?
Not even that.

Of course, it's very easy
for you and Mascoulin

to manipulate
an amateur like Piquemal --

tell him he's a great man,
a very brave thing he's doing,

striking at the cancer
at the heart of the government.

And he believed you,
didn't he?

-Where's the report, Benoit?
-[ Chuckles ]

Did you burn it?

Did Mascoulin
have you destroy it?

Cuff him.

-What?
-Cuff him.

Come on, Maigret.

I told you
I'll admit to the burglary.

Let's not get silly
about this, eh?

There wasn't much to it.

I just took the keys
from Mlle. Lamotte's bag

and loaned them to Benoit
for an hour on Tuesday morning.

Not much to it?

No, I didn't mean --

[ Stammering ]
God, I feel awful.

She was gonna leave me.

Jacqueline.
My girlfriend.

I mean, she's young.
She likes a good time.

She had her bags packed
and everything.

I needed the money.

What was I to do?

All Benoit wanted
was the keys.

I didn't know what it was about.
I mean...

I thought they were
just checking the minister out.

Look...

Look, you must understand.
I...

I didn't want to
betray Auguste, but...

I love her.

[ Crying ]

He had no idea
he was working for Mascoulin.

Mascoulin?

The incident in the chamber --
refusing to shake his hand.

He was driven out, the deputy.
I won't, uh, give you his name.

Shamed into resignation

when Mascoulin revealed
that this deputy's brother

had been
a wartime collaborator.

It wasn't even him.
It was his brother.

And I felt there was a...

cruelty in the way
that Mascoulin went about it.

He was merciless.
He didn't know where to stop.

Others in the chamber were eager
to congratulate Mascoulin,

but I refused
to shake his hand.

You humiliated him
in public.

I'm indebted to you,
Maigret.

I can go now with honor.

You're going to resign?

I'm tired.

I shall return home
to my family

and watch my grandchildren
growing up.

I can't believe
that Mascoulin

was prepared to
sacrifice Clairfond for this.

You know he's speaking
to the commission this morning.

There are men
in the government

who didn't want us to see
this report.

They know that its existence
proves political corruption

right at the heart
of the cabinet.

They ignored its warnings

because they were
handsomely paid by Arthur Nicoud

in return for awarding
his company

the contract
to build the sanatorium.

But there has been a corruption
even more immoral than this.

Even now,
after the terrible disaster,

after 62 children have died,

there are men --
officers of state --

who have tried to suppress
this evidence

in order to protect
their friends in the government.

I have said that this is
a photostat copy.

So where is
the original document?

We would all like to know.

DEPUTY: You said
members of the government

have sought to conceal
the truth.

Can you tell us who?

I'm...

I'm sorry.
I -- 1 don't remember.

M. Mascoulin,
can you tell us

how you came into possession
of this document?

Who gave it to you?

I did.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

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