Original subtitles

Confess, mother.

You don't have to lie to protect my father!

Why do you insist on accusing your father?

Because of this.

You didn't mention this gun at any moment.

But it was with the person who invaded the mansion.

And that person went to accompany someone from our family.

- Why were your scissors in Beja's room? - Antônio!

I entered that house alone, with my scissors!

What difference does it make where I left them? I got confused!

- What about this? - I don't know!

Because you weren't there!

And what's more,

it wasn't one person.

It was two people.

The one with the gun was thwarted in the lobby,

but the one with the scissors...

got close to Beja.

Two people? Are you mad?

No woman in this family can hold a gun.

- Only a man could. - My son, you're not...

Uncle Felizardo...

No, not him.

He would have shot her at the plaza with no ounce of shame.

You're involving your uncle, who supported you, into this mess?

Valdo is the family's foreman, he does as he is told...

but he's my friend above all.

He'd never do that to me. Do you see?

It could only have been father.

He has motive. He wants her death.

Everyone in the village wants her dead!

But no one meddles with your sewing kit.

I have no doubts my father invaded the mansion with that gun.

But who left the scissors?

It was Angélica, no?

Do you really think she would have the guts?

She's scared of her shadow!

True.

She's scared of everything.

But we know who isn't scared of anything.

- Was it Maria? Tell me! - Antônio!

- Stop lying! - It was me!

It was me, I told you!

Turn me in to the judge, if you want to.

Report your mother, if you want to!

MADAM BEJA

Maria, may I know why this was in your room?

Where do you think I put my clothes?

This dress is Beja's. I remember.

- She wore it on our engagement dinner. - Since when do you care for dresses?

Where did you find this?

Answer me!

You confuse yourself!

This is my dress, and it has always been mine!

And please, do not meddle in my things!

Maria.

Maria!

Good God, Paulo, be careful!

If the jaguar did that to a bull, imagine what it'll do to you!

My God.

This coat is missing a button!

- Let me switch it. - No, I'm just going...

No. No, no. No way, mister.

- I'll bring you another. Wait. - Good grief.

I don't understand, my father.

You always told me everything.

Why did you not tell me you bought a new gun?

I saw the box at the office.

None of the old guns fit in it.

And since when must I answer to you?

You say that, but I can't get on a horse without you asking where I'll go.

It's your fault. You went to care for a woman that's not yours.

She was my fiancée once.

She was almost assassinated, the whole village wants her killed!

Yes, my son. Here, you reap what you sow.

Do you think she doesn't deserve it?

I can't believe my own father would say that.

A man that always claimed himself fair.

Sometimes, my son, in this life...

people must sully their hands to cleanse their souls.

Is that what you did?

- You cleansed your soul? - What are you implying?

Go on! Tell me, already!

I'm not the one hiding in the shadows.

Like a rat,

- sullying its hands with blood. - Respect me, Antônio!

Just yesterday, I taught you to walk!

- You cannot speak to me that way! - My God!

What's happening here?

Father and son fighting over a harlot!

Is that what that lost soul planted in the heart of our family?

How can you speak like that of someone in the brink of death?

If she dies...

I will not forgive either of you.

- Excuse me. - Antônio!

Please, Mother of God! Please, let Beja live! I beg you!

By the mercy of God, I beg you! Don't take her away from me!

Grandma Lueji...

I beg you! Let her live!

- Please, intervene in her... - Maria.

Go away, Valdo!

- My God, Maria. Let me take you home. - I...

- I was just... - I know.

- I was just... - Everything's fine.

Let's just go home, you needn't explain.

Come.

- Are you certain? - Absolutely.

All of Beja's old clothes stood at their farmhouse.

Nothing was brought here.

Why do you ask?

To eliminate a hypothesis.

One less suspect.

Beja!

Thank God!

You're alright!

You're...

You're alright!

I'm so glad you're alright.

A suspect of what?

Don't you remember?

Beja,

you were at the plaza.

A gun was fired and your horse was frightened.

You fell and hit your head, Beja.

I was at the plaza...

- on a horse. - Yes.

Yes.

I remember nothing else...

I don't remember...

How do you feel, Beja?

Tired...

Confused...

She doesn't remember everything.

She looks so weak.

Shouldn't she eat?

Can you wait downstairs?

So I can examine her?

Thank you.

Thank God, she woke up.

It's like a miracle.

But she remembers nothing. That worries me.

Fortunato is skilled.

- She'll be alright. - Many still want her dead, Antônio.

On that topic, Severina...

the person who came in here,

you said it could be a woman.

Why did you say that?

Did you see something?

Nothing.

But there's no guarantee it was a man. Don't you agree?

That makes sense.

The colonels are accusing Honorato.

They say he fled the village.

But could he be capable of that?

I know. Who cares?

Honorato is as much an animal as I, to the people here.

But no one disappears like that.

That's what a vagabond does, my child.

They disappear.

But, Father,

do you think he disappeared, or that he was made to vanish?

I found Honorato's things!

There are many letters, but I can't read what's on them!

It's from Honorato's parents.

From what I've read,

they seem to love him dearly.

So he has a family?

Did he go back to his parents' home?

This is too strange. Why would Honorato return home out of the blue like that?

- Leaving the letters behind, no less. - You think so?

Honorato is all heart.

He always has been.

He keeps those letters like treasure!

Until he didn't.

He left everything behind, as he did with me.

He is not that kind of man, Carminha.

His friends are priceless gems to him.

He was always beside Alves, remember?

They were friends until the end.

That just makes me more certain...

that he didn't like me the way he said he did.

He could be with another.

Or he got himself into something, and had to run away.

Good morning, Valdo.

Good morning, Antônio.

I wanted to speak with you,

but you're never at the farmhouse!

I came to get medicine for Beja. We can talk about Angélica later.

No. This is about Maria, Antônio.

Your sister isn't well.

Today, I found her praying by Grandma Lueji's tree,

for Beja's welfare.

- Maria, praying for Beja's welfare? - Yes.

Are you certain, Valdo?

Yes, she was holding onto this beautiful dress.

A blue one?

- Yes. - It was Beja's.

Maria seems very strange lately.

She has taken things from other people before, too.

Yes. She took my clothes, once,

to enter the Estate of Jatobá.

Disguised, dressed as a man.

Maria was always mean to Beja, but now she went too far.

What is that gun?

Your father bought it.

To dispatch the jaguar from the farm.

The old ones can't hit such a quick animal.

Let me see it.

Give it.

So it could have been someone else.

Someone else?

What are you on about?

Take it.

Here, Valdo.

Here's the medicine for the bulls the jaguar attacked.

Yes, sir.

- Return to the farm. - Thank you.

Father.

I...

I should apologize to you.

You should return home.

Man up, Antônio.

Hey! Hey!

Honorato would never hurt Beja, she was nice to him.

He was friends with her grandfather.

Alves?

So you believe in friendship between drunks?

A drunkard is always truthful.

- But not the sober man. - Then you can ask whatever you want.

I'll tell the truth.

You know Beja had been working with some local colonels, no?

To join into the local politics.

Did some colonel from Araxá feel betrayed?

Well...

When the topic becomes the local politics,

then it's time to go home.

Excuse me, lad.

Father! Won't you wait?

- Wait? - You asked me to return to the farmhouse

to sort the jaguar problem, remember?

- I'm ready. - Then, don't be.

You can't handle a roach, let alone a jaguar.

- But you told me to return... - No, you won't return.

In fact, don't show up there at all, do you understand?

Daddy colonel said some harsh things, did he, now?

Because of whores.

I'll bet he has whores at his house and doesn't want me to see.

Or he doesn't want to share.

So you think Col. Botelho is hiding something?

There must be someone in his home he doesn't want seen.

Could he be capable of...

What is it, João?

When the shot rang out,

when Felizardo wanted to draw his gun in the plaza,

Col. Botelho said something that...

sounded quite strange.

What did he say?

Wait, Felizardo.

There are other ways to solve this problem.

You think Col. Botelho...

He hired a killer to handle Beja.

It's possible!

So you think someone wants to kill me?

- Beja! - Come.

I was coming to see you, Antônio said you awakened.

How are you feeling?

Confused...

- My head aches a bit... - I told her to stay in bed,

but she's stubborn.

Slowly.

You should be resting.

It's important.

Fortunato said so, remember?

Sit.

Sit down here.

What matters is knowing who...

wants to kill me.

I heard you mention Botelho, what's he got to do with this?

We're not sure yet,

but we'll find out.

In the meantime, Beja, we must keep you safe.

I should go to the farmhouse.

Severina told me someone broke into the mansion.

What if...

we set up an ambush?

Thank you so much for your prayers, Father.

God has listened,

and Beja woke up.

But she's still in danger.

We're taking her to the farmhouse.

It's safer there.

God bless you, my daughter.

Excellent. In a few minutes, the entire village will hear it.

Father,

apologies for making you part of an ambush.

If it will save a life, then God shall help you.

Thank you.

Did I upset you?

- Of course not. - You haven't said a word since we sat.

Silence is important to keep things in their place,

where they must remain.

But, sometimes...

what is in its place...

has died already.

But we are still alive.

I don't know where you're going with that, Avelino.

But I have to stop.

Excuse me.

Your friend fell asleep.

And Beja? Any improvements?

Yes, she's awake.

Thank God!

I prayed so much for her. Tell me, how is she?

We'll talk soon, mother. I need a bath.

Of course.

Apologies...

I...

- think I fell asleep. - João is here.

Is he here to stay?

No.

I can't wait for things to go back to normal.

Mendonça being back home, you being no more than my son's friend.

Was I more than that at some point?

I'll go find some clean clothes...

for João.

We need to know who is trying to kill Beja.

Do you have any suspects?

We do have suspects, but we need proof.

We have a plan.

We'll need help.

Count on me.

Come. I'll explain on the way.

She must be feverish, Genoveva.

Whores get sick too.

It's absurd for me to be here!

Hidden away...

No one can know you're here.

Sit.

Careful.

I should be the bait for the ambush!

Beja!

You are recovering. You need to rest.

Josefa, I'm fine, my dear.

When Mrs. Josefa gets an idea, no one can sway her.

You better obey her, Beja.

She brought you chamomile tea, to help you sleep.

Beja...

I have to go. Antônio is expecting me.

Promise me...

that you'll send me news.

- Promise me. - I promise. I promise, Beja.

Don't worry, Severina.

There are men watching the farmhouse. Every inch of it.

Today, we catch the killer.

And if you can't catch the man...

he'll regret crossing my path.

Excuse me.

Your friend is here.

Take care, Severina.

I'll be downstairs,

keeping watch, with João.

The wait is killing me.

I, too, cannot stand loafing around while a killer runs loose.

- Plenty guards here, no? - Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

I keep thinking about Col. Botelho.

I will not rest...

until I find out if he's in this with the killer.

I won't, either.

Let's go.

Wait here. I won't be long.

Honorato is not that kind of man!

His friends are priceless gems to him.

He was always beside Alves, remember?

They were friends until the end.

No strangers are in there.

Just folks from here.

And the carriage? Any clues?

I did find this earring,

and thought Botelhinho was right.

Col. Botelho is hiding whores in his home.

But, then...

I found this.

Notice the initials.

JISM?

- Could it be our mystery woman? - No.

That's a man's handkerchief.

Meaning,

Col. Botelho is protecting someone, and it can only be the hired killer!

If he's not at the farmhouse

nor here with him...

- We should get back! - João.

- I need to pass by my place, but... - No, no.

You needn't explain.

Take care of your wife.

- We'll meet at the farmhouse. - Right.

Good evening, son.

If you're here for dinner, you're late.

Good evening, father.

- Sorry... - We know what you'll say,

so spare us your apologies.

And remember, you have a child coming.

Are you okay, Angélica?

How do you expect your wife to feel?

Pregnant, without her husband beside her.

God forbid I find a husband like him.

Speaking of husbands...

we should speed up Maria's engagement.

She should be wed as soon as possible.

But what's the meaning of...

- Has she done something wrong? - Maria?

- I've done nothing! - Yet,

but she could at any moment.

There's nothing a fiancée's dress can't fix.

Right, Maria?

You can't manage your own marriage, now you meddle in her engagement?

Is this yours?

It is! You found it!

Was it in the living room?

In Col. Botelho's carriage.

You've been having meetings with him in the shadows.

You have lost your mind, Antônio.

I don't have to listen to this!

You are disrespecting your mother.

Col. Botelho is a friend to us, and...

He listened to her request,

and hired an assassin to get rid of Beja.

I know what I'm saying.

Have you been doing something wrong behind my back?

Paulo,

our son is not well.

He is not well, he'll make up absurd things just to defend that whore!

What's absurd is to invade someone's property in the dead of night,

and attempt to murder someone with scissors.

Did you do that?

Antônio, I thought we'd already sorted this.

Yes.

I thought you were lying because you didn't know where you left the scissors.

Then I found that earring.

Then I understood, it was not a mother's instinctive impulse.

It was premeditated.

By a stone cold woman.

Enough, Antônio!

- This is my problem. - I found her scissors

in Beja's room myself, father.

And that happened because the killer she had hired

couldn't finish the job.

It's sad,

but Mrs. Ceci, my mother...

- is a murderer. - It was me.

It was me.

It was me that tried to have that wench killed.

- Where are you going? - To sleep in Maria's room.

- We need to talk. - What I need, Antônio,

is to care for the child that is in my belly.

Now excuse me, I'm exhausted.

Then stay. Stay here.

Rest.

I'll sleep in the office.

You destroyed my life with Antônio.

Now you want to ruin my family?

His career?

You won't.

Not if I can help it.

Destruction always comes to those who destroy.

- Angélica, honey! - Mom? I...

- I-I didn't... - I know, baby, I know...

I know, my love, you're only doing what any God-fearing woman would do.

This bitch is trying to destroy our lives.

But I won't let her! I will fix this with my very own hands! I'll...

Die!

Die, die, you...

Die, you bitch!

Return to the hell you should never have crawled out of!

Die! Die!

João?

Angélica.

Angélica, we have to go! They'll catch us!

Come, darling, come!

Let's go!

Come! Come!

You two went too far! What if you were caught?

What if the village knew this?

That's all that occurs to you?

What they were about to do is unacceptable!

Antônio, I never thought to end anyone's life.

But for you,

for our son,

- I was willing to do anything! - That's how you want our love to be?

That's how you earn my love?

By killing those I love?

I just want peace.

God, how I've prayed for that, I just want peace!

Peace, and my husband beside me!

Your motives don't matter, Angélica.

I just demand one thing, from all of you!

- This story never leaves this house. - Of course, my love,

I'll never speak a word to anyone!

Never. Calm down, honey, this will harm the baby.

You mean even more so?

I almost fainted at the Mass.

My husband was not there.

Not even to unlock the sacristy.

- If not for Col. Botelho... - What of him?

He looked after Angélica at the church and brought them home.

Why do you think my earring was there?

I never tried to hire a killer.

- And Col. Botelho is a saint! - A saint?

You two should know you were in risk of death!

What are you talking about?

Botelho hired an assassin,

who tried to get to Beja's room so he could kill her.

If he had crossed paths with you...

you'd both be dead.

Holy Mother of God!

- Angélica and I... - The both of you are so reckless!

Angélica, you're carrying my child in your womb.

Please.

Don't be reckless.

Beja can.

Right? She can be reckless!

Like leaving her fiancé behind and lifting her skirt at the Magistrate!

You left your wife alone...

all for a vile wench like her.

- You left me pregnant... - Enough, Angélica!

There's a murderer on the loose!

Excuse me.

Josefa.

Now that Beja is asleep...

we have to talk.

About us.

There is no "us," Avelino.

Please.

Leave me be.

Tell me I'm imagining things.

That you feel nothing for me.

That you don't want to touch me.

To feel my lips.

I promise I'll leave you alone.

I just cannot let myself feel anything for you, Avelino.

You'd rather stifle your heart?

Without allowing love to flourish?

I've experienced great love.

I don't want to hurt anyone...

on account of a whim.

It's not a whim.

It's real.

Excuse me, is anyone there?

Honorato! Honorato!

Talk to me! Talk to me!

Don't move!

You lost so much blood...

Who did this?

He said to me...

He said that he couldn't find Beja.

Who did?

He was going after her...

I tried to stop him, but he was quicker.

How is she?

- Tell me, how is she? - It was awful...

Someone fired, she fell from her horse and hit her head...

- Is she dead? - No, thank God!

I know who shot it.

It was the same man that stabbed me here.

What man?

Honorato! Honorato!

Pardon, sir.

- Just the usual patrol. - Go patrol outside.

You come in here if called upon.

JISM?

Joaquim Inácio Silveira da Mota!

Son of a bitch!

Col. Botelho is protecting the Magistrate!

Not even to unlock the sacristy.

- If not for Col. Botelho... - What of him?

He looked after Angélica at the church and brought them home.

If Col. Botelho knew the sacristy was locked...

then so did Mota!

Beja is in danger!

Hey! Hey!

Beja!

Did you think I'd let it go?

What you did to me in court?

- Beja! - The fiancé!

You got here in time to see her die!