Original subtitles

It was me! I did it all!

I was the author! Me, understand?! Only me!

Yes, I understand.

You did it all, you're the author

But Paul Carpas is the one who gets paid, and Paul Carpas is famous in the country...

- ... and throughout the whole world - Paul Carpas, that son of a bitch

That thief stole everything from me

The character, the story, the success,

- the money - The money most of all

I still have enough to pay you with

Your ad says you charge reasonable rates

What do you call reasonable Cash?

20 dollars a day if, I don't have to leave the city

Very well, you're hired for ten days

Alright, what do you want from me?

I'm used to following cheating wives and things like that

I don't have a wife. I don't have anyone

- Then what do you want me to do? - To show I'm the real creator of Sexy Cat,

that girl that's made Carpas famous

The first Sexy Cat comic was published by Gold Publishers, I signed the drawings

I made the mistake of not copyrighting it

and Carpas stole it and took it to St. Jane to be published,

- they're the official publishers now - And Gold never reported the theft?

It couldn't. There was a crooked manager back then

who sold Carpas the original plates and archival drawings

They didn't have any legal proof against Carpas

And for 200 bucks you expect me to find all that and give it to you on a silver platter

More or less. Would you be able to?

What, do you think I'm Santo? How the hell would I do all that?

That's your problem. If you don't think you can I'll hire another cheap detective,

- a more determined one - Fine, alright, I accept

- I'll see what I can dig up - Move quick Cash,

- if there's a settlement I'll give you 30% - How much would you consider fair?

A hundred thousand would be fair, but don't bank on that

If you get ten thousand that'd be a success. If you fail with Carpas

we still have another chance of getting something

- Where? - At Independent Atlantic Television

Right, they're going to make a Sexy Cat series, I read that somewhere

- Is that what you mean? - That's right, that's what I mean

They won't want the scandal. They'll pay for sure if you handle things right

Alright Grandi. I don't like this job much, but...

... when I agree to something I see it through to the end, you can be sure of that

I am

- I'll keep you informed - Good luck

- Dead! - Yes, that's what I said Cash, murdered!

- You were at his house today, weren't you? - Yes, he was a client of mine

- What did Grandi want from you? - Lieutenant, business between a detective

and his client are always confidential, you know that

Look Cash, we know each other too well. You aren't a brilliant detective that can

put on airs. You were always mixed up in shady business,

and I suppose whatever you had with Grandi wasn't on the up and up,

so you better fill me in on everything

before I remember you're our only suspect in this crime at the moment

- How was he killed? - With a dagger

- A Venetian one, according to the experts - Venetian? How's that?

I don't know, it's some sort of odd medieval weapon

The murderer made sure he was dead, he slit his jugular with a single cut

Alright Cash, let's finish this already. Why did Grandi call you?

He's dead now, there's no reason to keep a professional secret

The key to his death might be in that meeting of yours

- I doubt that - Why?

- Because we talked about drawings, comics - About what?

Look,

about this specifically

Sexy Cat?

Yes, Sexy Cat, the lovely masked killer. Grandi claimed he was her creator

As you can see, nothing that could relate to the crime

It can't, can it? Have you read the title of the story?

I'm afraid you're simply wasting the time I've given you, Mr. Cash

Wasting it? You think so?

- Make it quick friend, I'm in a hurry - Yes, I can imagine

What's the important thing you have to tell me in relation to my character Sexy Cat?

We're about to start shooting the pilot episode,

so you must understand I don't have much time to waste on foolishness

The death of a man is no foolishness, Mr. Carpas

Death?

Whose?

Martin Grandi's

Grandi? Oh yes, Grandi the drunk

We worked together occasionally

I think he only had time for drinking gin

What did he die of? Alcoholism maybe? Or did he commit suicide?

- Murdered, with a Venetian dagger - A Venetian dagger?

Murdered?

- That's strange - Yes, very strange

- Just like in your comics Carpas - I'm sorry Paul, I'm sorry for your show

- A man died just like in your comic - Shut up Sugar, that's nonsense

And what's your relationship with Grandi anyway?

- He was my client - My, so he was your client

And you worked for that loser?

A lot of the time losers are where they are because others took advantage of their work

Not in this case

Sexy is mine, she's my work, and she's legally registered

Even if she wasn't, what would be the point now that Grandi is dead?

He gave me 200 dollars, he hired me for ten days

I have to keep defending his rights even if he is dead

Let's finish this

I understand. Let's make it brief friend

How much?

- Go on - I don't think you've understood

- I told you a client paid me 200 dollars - But Grandi is dead

Why don't we say... ten thousand?

That's what you came for, right?

I suppose for less, but Carpas is generous

Take this and forget the matter

That's a nice bit of cash, huh? I'm sorry Carpas, but I'm not for sale

Are you crazy?

I'm warning you, I won't pay a single dollar more

If you're paying that much, you're afraid of something - Certainly not of you,

you gutter detective

- You convince me more every time - Get out Cash, let's go, out!

Alright, but I still think you're hiding something

if you're willing to pay a gutter detective ten thousand dollars

Look Cash, I don't like tribunals or scandals or tabloids

I'm right on the edge of international success,

The live action Sexy Cat series for television will play all over the world,

IATV pays huge royalties

I'm not trying to hide anything with all of this

- I'm willing to buy your cooperation - I already said I'm not for sale Carpas

Alright, then we'll go before the tribunals! You've tried to blackmail me!

Me, blackmail? I don't think anyone would agree there

No? You heard him Gale, he tried to blackmail me with some filthy nonsense

That's right dear, he tried to get money out of you, I saw it. That's two against one

I wouldn't say that. He ripped up a check for 10 thousand dollars,

- and no blackmailer would do that - Sugar, I picked you for the role,

- what's the big idea? - I'm sorry Carpas, I'm just being honest

And you're right Sugar

I also think what he did is refuse money from the powerful Mr. Carpas

Martha, you're risking your role in the series if you're against me

I'm so sorry Paul, but you know I'm a good actress

I'm here because IATV and the show's producers demand it

If I were paralyzed tomorrow they'd roll me out in front of the cameras in a wheelchair

- Just like Aaron Shyde - But prettier, doll

Come Mr. Cash, I'll see you out, you'll only hear nonsense here

That's three against two Carpas

Watch out for starch

Imbecile

So why the help, you don't know me at all

I know Paul Carpas and his entourage of admirers, that's enough for me

You're risking your artistic livelihood if you make the big fish angry

I'm the only real actress at this station

I don't need admirers to convince the public

Here

- Like Gale Crystal, for example - Gale Crystal? Who is that?

a mixture of races without scruples

but... full of attraction

She is Carpes�s girl friend

-The other? -Sugar Lane?

As an actress she is a ....?

But she would do anybody as long as they cast here as Sexy Cat

And you don't need protection?

I can't tell whether you're a rogue or not

I am, I promise

But in any case, I admire that you'd defend the rights of a dead man for 200 dollars

He was my client

Not many would have refused 10 thousand in the palm of their hand like you did

Maybe Carpas offered ten because there's something at stake worth forty?

I don't know if you're just shameless, a loudmouthed cynic,

or simply an absurdly honorable man

In any case, I'd like to find out

I already told you. A rogue, but a sentimental one

Extraordinary, dazzling...

... but no, it's not possible

I think that...

... we're pushing things, especially after that stupid detective's accusations

and that absurd crime. This would be too much

- But it's what you asked for - Forget it

I need something...

- ... less strong, less cruel - Then should we change Sexy's essence?

No no, not that. The essence must remain the same, just the reflection

Now Sexy has to go into millions of homes

You should tone down that terrible sensation of pleasure

Alright, you're the boss Mr. Carpas

A beautiful monster that terrorizes its own creator

But it's just a doll Paul, isn't it?

I have to see you later, I want to help you

I'm a close friend of Carla's, Carpas' ex-wife

Another woman? What does she have to do with this?

Carpas was married to her when this whole Sexy Cat thing started

- No one would know the truth better - Alright, I'm grateful

I'll be at my apartment at ten, don't be late

We're filming Sexy's pilot episode tomorrow, ''Coral Snake'',

the first episode in the series, and I have to get up early

Be punctual, I need my sleep

I'll be there at ten, on the dot

Is that you Mike?

- Excuse me - Yes?

- Ms. Martha Renov? - Follow me, please

It's on the fourth floor

- Thank you - You're welcome sir

Martha, it's me, Mike

Martha

Martha

Alright Mr. Cash, anything else?

You mentioned the woman who runs the Gold store chain

She's a very rich woman, her name is Diana Singh

She's the widow of the man who created the business empire

She's bitter, both because her business is going south

and because of the son she has who suffers from polio and is tied to a wheelchair

I see. So you don't get along, I mean your companies

We can't get along. They declared war on us along with Carpas, as if it were our fault

They didn't have a written contract with him and so they couldn't do anything, that's it

Could there have been a verbal contract Mrs. St. James?

Liz, if you please

I don't know, that's a matter for Mr. Carpas and his own ethics

I can't involve myself in those matters, and neither can the law

Yes, that's what I imagined. These days a person's word doesn't matter much

compared to a signed contract. Well, I think I'll keep looking

For Sexy Cat, the one who escaped off of the printed page?

Perhaps, or perhaps for a woman who's just sexy, without the cat

- Like me, for example? - Like you, for example

But I'm not a killer, I wouldn't hurt anyone

That's possible, at very least I can say you didn't hurt me

Will we meet again?

Perhaps

Drop by the Ula Ula, I'm there every afternoon...

... when my husband is away

Your husband mentioned Belda Lynn, do you know where I can find her?

She's a model, why don't you ask at the agency?

- Ms. Belda Lynn? - A new sketch artist?

- No, I'm a private detective? - Oh? I have nothing to say to detectives

If some jealous wife sent you tell her I don't have anything to do with-

- No, no jealous wife sent me - I can't trust just anyone, Mr...

Cash, Mike Cash. It's a good idea not to trust people, it's a jungle out there

If you think that's going to convince me... What do you want from me Mr. Cash?

That's enough for today Belda

It's time for my break and it's my habit to have lunch by myself

It'll only take a bit

I'll just accompany you for a bit and then leave, you have my word Ms. Lynn

- I wanted to speak to you - About what?

- About Sexy Cat - Sexy Cat? I just modeled for the character

With Martin Grandi or with Carpas?

Grandi? That old drunk? I hear it's been ages since he's drawn something

- He can't draw. He's dead now - I didn't know

Well, I didn't know him very well, but in any case it's a shame when someone dies

- Yes, of course. So you posed for Carpas? - Yes

And instead of choosing you for the TV series he picks another,

and you made the character famous

I model for many fictional characters who later become famous, but I never do,

and this time because of that pig Carpas

You have nothing to envy Sugar or anyone else for

Thank you

The agency suggested me for the role and the station accepted it,

since I was the one who really brought Sexy Cat to life

It was nowhere near the character we have now,

I mean back when it was released by Gold Publishers

I understand. Sexy already existed before you posed for Carpas

But very different, she was still a cat woman but she had nothing really sexy going

Do you understand? She didn't have any eroticism, I gave it to her

- And now Sugar took your TV role - She's Carpas' little friend

Yes. Is she? I thought that impressive mulatta was, Gale Crystal

Sugar has everything she needs in order to take her place, I'm sure of it

So there's a lot of women dancing around this Sexy Cat thing

Alright Miss, I think that's everything, I won't bother you any further

Forgive me for earlier, I thought you were here on behalf of someone's wife

That's a problem that comes up sometimes. It's this business, you know

- You can have lunch with me if you want - I've already eaten, but I'll come with you

Why are you asking me so many questions?

Because it seems that Sexy Cat has come to life. She's killing people

- My god, are you joking? - No no Miss, it's no joke

Two people have already been killed, I don't know if it was Sexy or not

What I do know is that this gentleman is coming with me right this moment

Lieutenant Cole. A female acquaintance

Do you think you did the right thing Lieutenant?

The right thing would have been to handcuff you and have two agents bring you here

I don't see why

You don't see why, huh? You visit the homes of two people who are murdered in odd

circumstances shortly thereafter and you see no reason for being brought here

I didn't kill them Lieutenant

I'm not so sure of that, but what I can say is that you knew of both these events,

and you knew of the second crime before anyone, then you disappeared without a trace

I called so they'd come to Martha Renov's apartment

You only made a phone call, and then you started investigating on your own,

sticking your nose in everything as if you were an officer and not a damned gumshoe

who with a single word of mine would lose his license and wind up in a jail cell

I only wanted to learn the truth about Sexy Cat. Grandi paid me and my obligation-

Of course, of course

Look Cash, neither you nor any of your kind fool me. There's a lot of cash at stake here

Now that's just unfair Lieutenant

Yes, that's true. If I was fair with you I'd have you in jail for withholding evidence

and as a prime suspect for murder

Come on Lieutenant, you don't think I threw a coral snake at that girl

- or found a Venetian dagger for Grandi - What I think is you know things I don't,

and if you don't decide to be come clean you can be sure I'll carry out my threat

Alright, I guess I should play along, but only because I'm under duress

Duress? You call this duress?

One day someone like you is going to make me lose my patience

Start talking

- Sir? - Mrs. Singh?

This way sir

- Mrs. Singh, I'm Mike Cash - Delighted

My son Malcolm and Dr. Pentis

Please, sit

- Would you like something to drink - No, thank you

Alright, what can I do for you?

Well, I really came to speak with your secretary, I didn't mean to bother you

Carla hasn't come, I suppose you know what happened to the actress Martha Renov?

- Yes - They were friends. Horrible, wasn't it?

- How long has she worked for you? - Since she divorced Carpas

With Carpas working for you Gold Publishing would be doing just fine, isn't that so?

Gold Publishing... it's a luxury ship that's slowly sinking, Mr. Cash

It started leaking while my husband was alive,

when his heart failed everything just got worse

- I'm not a good publisher - Do you hate Carpas?

- Why should I? - Well, for what he did to your business

In the end, it was my husband's fault for believing

- that the best contract was a man's word - And that wasn't the case with Carpas?

No, not at all. Carpas is capable of anything if it benefits him

Even stealing Grandi's idea, right?

I know what you're talking about. Carpas has no ideas, he just copies

- What are you really after Mr. Cash? - First I was investigating a theft,

- now I'm looking for a killer as well - I'll give you Carla Glove's address

I will advice her that am senidng you

Madam, Doctor

- Your personal physician, Mrs. Singh? - Yes, Malcolm is still here thanks to him

Sometimes I'm glad I don't publish Sexy

There are creatures that can cause damage even from a printed page,

though I can't keep Marco for reading it, it's a bit of a passion for him

It's not right that a heroine captures the hearts of her readers by killing

Sexy is bad, but she does it because people were bad to her

- Have you read The Venetian Dagger Malcolm? - Yes, that was several days ago,

afterwards came The Coral Snake and today I start on the new story

Look, The Synthetic Death

- Mrs. Carla Glove? - Yes?

Some flowers for you

Alright, come in

Put them... right over there

Who are you? What's the meaning of all this?

What are you going to do?

- Miss - Have they called me?

- Not yet - They said they would

I don't know. They called you the other day, but you had already left

Who is it?

- I'm Mike Cash, Mrs. Singh sent me - Wait

Mrs. Glove?

The Synthetic Death

Put me through to Lieutenant Cole. This is Mike Cash

Death by asphyxiation, and no more than two hours ago

And not a single clue

- It doesn't make sense to me - Not to me either

You? Damn it, since you got into this mess all you've done is find corpses all over

What's wrong with you that everyone you try to see ends up in the afterlife?

I asked you for permission to visit Carla Glove, remember that

Yes, and you visited her, but not in time

I'm afraid these crimes are going to increase the sales of Sexy's comics 1000%

So who are you suggesting is the culprit, the St. James or Diana Singh?

I'm not suggesting anything

It could also be Carpas, if it increases sales he'd make millions

Yes, and Belda Lynn, the model they keep passing over, Sugar, for publicity,

the television station, to launch their show, even Sexy Cat herself

We have to do something, we can't sit here twiddling our thumbs

So what do you want me to do?

Like it or not, you're going to help the police as best you can

because you're in this up to your neck, understand?

- It'll be a pleasure, Lieutenant - It'll have to be,

otherwise you lose your license. People tend to open up to you

more than with my agents, women mostly. It seems like you have a certain way with them,

though I don't understand why. Alright, enjoy your charms, use them,

do things your way but get them done, do you understand?

- Alright already, what should I do? - Speak to the women most directly related

with Carpas and Sexy. Sugar Lane, Gale Crystal, Belda Lynn, all of them...

- Remember that you're our only witness - Though of what, I don't know

You were invited up to Carla's home through a speaker,

- you said it was a woman's voice - It seemed that way,

but anyone can fake a woman's voice through a speaker

Well, supposing it was a woman, could you recognize her voice?

No, I didn't pay attention, I thought it was Carla Glove

Carla was already dead by then, it was her killer that invited you up and let you in

Someone named Barry McKay wants to speak to you Lieutenant

- McKay? - Yes sir, he says it's urgent

- He's been waiting a while - To hell with it, I have a lot of work

Lieutenant, he says he's a witness to something related to Carla Glove

- He hasn't said more, he's very nervous - Send him in right away, go on, move!

Hey you, come here

May I?

Come in. Come on, don't just stand there

- Sit down - Thank you

They brought me some tea out there, I do get so nervous

Well, I don't have much to tell you because all I say was the escape, you know?

Go on, don't keep us waiting - That's it, I just saw the escape

What did the man look like?

- What man? - The man!

- What man? - The man who fled!

No, it wasn't a man, it was a woman of course, a woman

Go on, go on!

Well...

I don't like getting involved, I'm just a simple tailor

- I came because I thought it was my duty- - What was she wearing?

She was dressed in black! Sorry, sorry

I just get so nervous. Tell him not to yell at me

Here's the cup, thank you

She was in black, like I said. Her outfit was... demode,

antique, graceless, very ugly, oui?

- What was she wearing on her head? - She was wearing some sort-

Yes, on her head, on her head!

Nothing

- Nothing - She wasn't wearing anything on her head

She wasn't wearing anything, no

She did have on some sort of... mask

Yes, a mask. It's the truth, it really is

It sounds like I'm making it up, but I saw it

And her hair?

- Well, her hair was... her hair... - Like what?

Blonde!

She was wearing gloves too, yes, gloves

Was she carrying anything?

No...

Yes!

She had a bouquet of flowers, a bouquet of flowers!

- Did that woman see you? - No sir, I don't think so

Well, at least I hope so

Which way was she going? - The opposite way, towards my apartment

Towards the service escalator

- Is this the woman you saw, more or less? - Of course, that's her

No... but that's Sexy Cat!

Of course that can't be her, but I swear I'm telling the truth, I swear!

It's alright, it's alright, we believe you. Just one more detail,

- did you try to follow that woman? - No, I would never have caught her

And you didn't think of going into Mrs. Glove's apartment?

No, not at all. I thought it might have been something... personal

You know, something between women, a fight or... well, you know

Alright, if you remember anything else let me know

You'll have to sleep here, in a chair or something

Am... am I under arrest then?

But, but, I'm just a humble tailor,

I've always behaved myself! It's absurd, absurd!

You're not under arrest, you can go back to your apartment if you like

If we find you dead tomorrow it won't be anyone's fault

If Sexy or whoever it is saw you and figures you've been here...

Well, do as you like

No, no Lieutenant, I can sleep anywhere, the chair, the table, the ground

Wherever, I can sleep wherever

Or... or I just won't sleep

Yes, I don't think I'll sleep tonight

Please, may I have a large cup of tea?

This is stupid! Stupid and senseless!

Don't make a fuss Carpas, it's not stupid at all

We have a Sexy Cat right in front of us

She's an actress, this is a television set, a backdrop,

and you're talking about a real criminal

It's easy to make a disguise like that. Black spandex, gloves, a mask

That's nonsense, no one would be on the streets dressed like that

Wearing a raincoat and a hat, and in a car...

So in brief: you're back to see me because I'm a suspect,

the prime suspect, right?

Now you'll dredge up my relationship with poor Carla,

and the police will jump down my throat for having created a comic

- Is that my crime? - I don't know what the police is thinking,

but you and your character are in the middle of this whole mess

This is a plot to ruin me and my creation!

You think so? Have you looked at the newspapers? On the front pages,

right alongside the lead stories on the crimes are pictures of your famous Sexy Cat

- You call that ruining your creation? - Listen gumshoe,

I don't need publicity for my comic, it sells millions of copies every day

and I charge massive sums for the rights every month

Why do you suppose I'd risk a stupid-

Paul, I'm going to take a coffee break

Yes, go, I'm tired too

- Do you want anything else Cash? - No, not at the moment

I'll be around, and I'll see you when you've calmed down

I apologize for having interrupted

You wanted to speak with me?

You're a pretty woman. Honestly, I find you more attractive than Carpas

You think I might be a killer?

Why not?

Is that your only interest in me Cash? Just that? Don't you like me?

- Who doesn't like a girl like you? - Carpas likes me too

He says I'll go far, that he'll help me all the way

- And Gale? - Her time ran out

And so will yours, Sugar

We'll see, I'm more than I seem to be. I might even become the second Mrs. Carpas

Sugar, you didn't go out dressed like that to kill someone, right?

Would I tell you if I did?

Alright Sugar, good luck. I'll watch the show tomorrow, I'm sure it'll be a hit

Thank you, I hope so as well

If I weren't so ambitious...

What would you do?

You're a very attractive man, but you don't seem to have much money

Do you think I'm an attractive man?

I wouldn't know. But it's true, women can read your dollar value on your face

and they're never wrong

Sugar needs an account with four zeros at the end, at very least

Do you want an account with four zeros and some other number in front of them?

- Well now, Paul Carpas' great love - No, the woman who hates Paul Carpas most

Couldn't it be jealousy that makes you talk like that?

There's neither passion or jealousy in this

I'm telling you I'd be willing to kill to destroy him

That's serious. Maybe you've already started?

If you mean those crimes then don't worry,

I'd only kill Carpas

Is it about Sugar?

It's about a lot of things that only a woman can feel

But at least I have money

I can offer you a tidy sum

For example?

Let's say... ten thousand dollars

A pretty woman has never offered me so much. So what do I have to do, kill for you?

I'm not asking for that much, I just want you to find Carpas guilty of those crimes

If you manage that then the money's yours

- That'd be quite easy if he's guilty - He is!

You sound like a woman who hates him

Prove that he's guilty and you'll earn ten thousand dollars

You can find proof and testimony, legal or not. Do whatever it takes

And if he's innocent?

Suppose I raised the sum to 15 thousand,

that's more money than you'd earn in your entire life

No. If I discover Carpas is guilty then you'll hear about if,

and if your joy leads you to giving me that money then go ahead,

- but only if that's the case Gale - It has to be now!

Accept and you can have five thousand by tomorrow

You're terrible, terrible and surprising Gale

No, I'm afraid I can't accept a single dollar from you. Goodbye

A double whiskey

Could you make that two? Hello Mr. Cash, you've finally decided to come

If it were up to me I would have come sooner, but things are getting complicated

- Don't tell me you're still in a mess - A mess? I'm at a dead end

Come on, we'll be able to speak more comfortably over here

Did you already hear about Carla Glove?

Yes, poor girl

You're not mixed up in that too, are you?

No, I simply found her in her apartment, asphyxiated with a plastic bag,

but that's it

You're starting to become a sign of bad luck, don't you think?

One must be careful when dealing with you

It's not my fault Mrs. St. James

- Excuse me, Liz - That's better

Mike, do you think someone really wants to ruin Carpas and the publisher?

I don't know. As far as Carpas goes, I have the suspicion he'll ruin himself

Aside from his lack of scruples, I had a conversation with Gale Crystal today

- and she doesn't seem too happy - There's been a change of lovers, right?

- It seems like Sugar Lane will be the next - Why do you think that?

Simple logic

I think Carpas is playing a risky game, Gale could be dangerous

Well, like any woman

I'm not... or am I?

Let's forget all this, Carpas, the publisher, crimes

I'll make sure you won't think about any more horrible things, at least for tonight

You drive

Alright, where to?

I have an apartment on the outskirts of the city. Would you like a drink?

Naturally

Good evening sir

- Good evening sir - Hello

Ms. Gale called an hour ago to let you know she won't be joining you for dinner

We also received a call from the television studio asking you to come in at 9 am

- Prepare a bath - Yes sir

Leave me be!

You can go, I'll call you later

- Is the gentleman going out tonight? - No, I'll have dinner at home

Yes sir

- Does your husband know this place? - I don't think so,

at least we never run into each other here

Forget Cameron

That's exactly what I'm trying to do

Wait

Not right now

Charles!

It must be a wrong number, no one knows we're here

One person does, Lieutenant Cole

I'm under surveillance as a suspect, that damned Inspector

Yes, it's me Lieutenant

What?

I'm on my way

This is getting more complicated

They tried to murder Mrs. Singh and they've kidnapped her son

And a fine time to do it

Why did you wait so long to let us know Mrs. Singh?

I lost consciousness

I don't know if it was fear or pain, but when I came to I called the service

The first thing they did is find the doctor

- Who discovered your son's absence? - Me

I did, Inspector

- And how did whoever get in? - The windows on the terrace were open,

I suppose it was through there

because when I went into my bedroom I heard a noise, and when I turned around

someone shot something like a shotgun. I think it was a crossbow

It must have been my fright that saved me, because at that moment I tripped on the door

when I tried to turn on the light

Did you see the figure clearly?

I already told you I saw it perfectly

You could see her in the light that came from the salon, it was Sexy Cat

Now you must remain completely still and rest as much as possible

You can't be serious Doctor, I can't do that while Malcolm is in danger

What are you going to do Inspector?

The most urgent thing now is the boy. How the hell could a woman have carried him off?

There must have been someone else outside. I think I remember hearing

something outside, though I'm not sure, something like many footsteps on the grass

Another question: is this yours?

No, it's Dr. Prentis'

Hello boss

If you have anything on your mind, out with it

Yes I do, but it's not fit for polite company

Then don't say it. What I want is ideas, understand?

I don't understand a thing in this mess

And I should?

Listen boss, didn't the boy scream?

Yes, a servant said she heard the scream

You think they hit him to knock him out?

Yes, that's most likely...

... but why didn't they kill him?

It looks like Sexy Cat needs money

You think they'll ask for a ransom, right?

I don't know, but if we lose this opportunity to unmask the killer

I doubt we'll get a better one

I have it!

We won't move from this spot until the phone rings, understand?

If it rings, that is

Yes? It's for you, Inspector

Yes?

Now Carpas?! Yes, I'm on my way

Carpas has been murdered?

This doesn't make sense, I refuse to go on

Pretty soon there won't be anyone left in the city

Do you think the kidnapping might have been to distract us so they could kill Carpas?

They may have thought he was being guarded and this way they'd draw our attention

And what inference do you make from all this Cash?

That the killer or killers aren't up to date, or at least weren't close to Carpas

And?

- And so we mustn't suspect anyone we know - Who would you rule out?

I think we can rule out Gale Crystal, Sugar, Lynn, Mrs. St. James

Is that right?

Your little friend Elizabeth St. James?

You ordered me to keep an eye on her

And couldn't you have left your personal business for another occasion?

I wouldn't rule anyone out, especially those closest to us,

they have a wider field of action

This double play was planned out beforehand

Of course, I have it!

I don't understand a single thing, I've already said so

And Mr. St. James? I think he's on a trip

Under surveillance. He's over a thousand miles from the city

Him and his girlfriend

- Belda Lynn? - Under surveillance

- Dr. Prentis? - Under surveillance

- You? - Under surveill-

One question. How much time went by between when you left Mr. Carpas in the bathroom

- and your going up to give him a massage? - 45 minutes sir

And aside from that, do you have any idea what might have happened here?

No sir, I don't have the slightest idea

- Then you're in the same boat as I am - Very kind sir. Excuse me

I hope they haven't murdered Sexy Cat too

- How are you Inspector? - Just here staring at the new corpse

- Come on, tell us what happened to him - Mr. Inspector, it's for you

Thank you

Yes... at first sight it looks like claw marks

- What do you mean, claw marks? - But not from a common animal's claws

How strange. They're deeper, like they were made with steel

- Well, the autopsy will tell us - The call, Cash!

They're asking for a 100 thousand dollar ransom for the boy!

How did you get it?

We got in contact with Mr. Griff right away

He's the president of the bank that handles Mrs. Singh's business dealings

- and the cash was here in under an hour - Making the transfer doesn't bother you?

No, I'm just worried for Malcolm

I believe he'll be in a state of absolute depression

and there's no one better than I to handle the rescue,

he's been my patient for many years Inspector, no one knows him as well as I do

But you'll have to go alone, you won't have anyone to help you if there's trouble

We can't act until the boy is safe or we'd be risking his life

In any case we must do it, and I don't think there's anyone more suited than I am

Did you treat Mr. Singh Doctor? Professionally, I mean

I've been a friend of the family for years, I did happen to treat him as a patient

What did he die of?

He was hospitalized due to a heart attack diagnosed by a colleague of mine

- He recovered and vanished from the clinic - Vanished?

A body was found in the river, one in an advanced state of decay

When the autopsy was carried out, it was proven that the man had perished

due to a heart attack

Mrs. Singh identified the cadaver as her husbands

- When did this happen Doctor? - Six or seven years ago

I should go, the meeting is in an hour and I have more than half that in travel time

Very well, you can tell me later. We can continue this some other time

Good luck Doctor, you'll need it

- Do you want a revolver? - No Inspector, thank you

We'll be waiting for you here

- Try to calm Mrs. Singh down - Don't worry Doctor

Goodbye Doctor

Let's take a look at the kid's room

Well Cash, what do you think of the story the Doctor told me?

It's very interesting

Mr. Singh could be out there playing ghost

I don't know Inspector, this thing doesn't seem to be coming to an end

Don't you know-

Don't you think it's a bad time to be playing darts?

I'm going to go see how Mrs. Singh is doing

Where is the boy?

Want to make a deal?

I'll go to the car and come back in 15 minutes

If I find Malcolm here I'll say I gave the money to a masked man

No one will know that Sexy Cat was here, I just want you to give Malcolm back

You can't kill me!

I'm the only one you can't murder! You know I'd never turn you in,

and without me you'd fail at every turn

Malcolm!

No Doctor, you thought I was in your control but you're mistaken, I never was

I wanted to make sure you knew the identity of Sexy Cat

You haven't been very smart, now it's a matter of your life or mine

You won't be able to escape Malcolm, you've gone too far

I've accomplished my mission. My father died because of everyone's betrayals

and now they've all died for my father

The time has come to say goodbye to this farcical world I've lived in for six years,

to a wheelchair I didn't need, to a meekness I didn't feel

I've been smarter than everyone else and now I want to live

- You never fooled me - I know

In a certain sense you were my accomplice, but I was smarter than you as well

I made you doubt. I was never Malcolm Singh, that's what you'll never understand

Neither will anyone else. Humans are limited creatures

Us comic book characters contain the essence of the unreal

and can overwhelm your absurd world

I'm at the pinnacle of my story, nothing is impossible for me

You'll remain here amid this garbage and I'll continue on my way

Sexy Cat acknowledges no obstacles, she's beyond good and evil

Malcolm!

Cash!

Malcolm!

Malcolm, stop!

Malcolm! Stop or I'll shoot!