Original subtitles

When is the café opening?

It won't be long now.

We had some supplies delivered yesterday.

That's good.

How's your daughter? I was a bit worried.

- It was... - Come quick!

Come quick! Hurry up!

TOWN HALL

Oh my God! Vincent!

A DESERTED VILLAGE

- Hi. - Well, hello.

I got your message too late.

So I thought I'd pop by this morning.

It's a surprise. I didn't expect you.

I've only just got out of bed.

If you want to get back in, I'll come with you.

OK.

I see you don't fancy that at all.

No, it's not that at all. I...

I want to do things properly.

"Properly"?

Meaning?

Go out for a drink. Showered, spruced up.

And wearing a shirt, to look less stupid.

Everyone has their own style. Tonight...

8pm? At Les Arceaux?

OK.

Sorry.

Never before breakfast.

That's a pity.

- Hello, Major. - I had trouble finding you.

A strange village, isn't it? Like a ghost village.

The crime rate is almost zero.

0.77, to be precise.

That is precise.

But typical of you.

It's the place's history.

Saint-Martin suffered a rural exodus

which reduced a population of 1,200 to 150 in 15 years.

That'll keep the suspect list down.

- Hello. - Hello.

Who's the victim?

Vincent Restier, 39, deputy mayor.

The secretary and a councillor found the body.

Hello.

Ah, hello, Franck.

Hello.

You like crime scenes now?

I came to check the 2 types of wound.

It's a chance to see you.

Do you have a time of death?

I'd say yesterday evening.

A savage attack.

You mentioned 2 types of wound?

Yes. First, he was hit on the head,

then stabbed in the back with a knife or sharp object.

- No weapon's been found? - No.

Not yet. We're looking.

But this was at the crime scene.

Given the bloodstains, I think he was hit with this.

- A paperweight? - Yes.

- Send it to the lab. - Sure.

Thanks, Franck.

See you later.

Any info on the victim?

Vincent Restier was a businessman who was born here.

He returned after 25 years away.

When did he come back?

Almost a year ago.

His partner's Isabelle Lecomte, who was also born here.

She inherited the family estate with her brother.

You talk to the family.

And do a search. Take someone with you.

- OK. - Thanks.

Are you better? Enjoying yourself?

I'm not playing, I'm working!

I'm training my imagination.

Oh, yes, sure. Yes, but...

- Anything concrete? - Yes.

How good are you at observation games?

- I'm not bad. - Yes?

OK, let's see.

What's... Go on then!

It's the mayor, but he's not at his desk.

So where is he?

At a conference in Marseille, since yesterday.

He's on his way.

So it's not that.

Let's see... The paperweight. I saw it downstairs.

- The paper knife. - Good.

The murderer grabbed what was to hand.

Two weapons. Improvised, not premeditated.

And so?

A burglar? He quarrelled with someone?

Maybe. We'll investigate.

I'll question the witnesses, and keep you informed, as usual.

I wanted to talk about last night.

But... we can talk about it later.

That will be better.

OK. You're quite sure?

I've looked everywhere. Nothing's been stolen.

I can't think who'd do this.

Everyone liked Mr Restier.

Funny, I knew you'd say that.

What project is that model for?

"Eden". A future leisure complex.

The mayor's plan to bring new life here.

To attract tourists?

To bring them back.

When the village was still alive, we got lots of visitors.

It's been a vicious circle.

Businesses closed and people left.

What did Vincent Restier have to do with this project?

It was his idea. He was young, motivated.

He knew the business world, and he had contacts.

- Seems it was wrecked on purpose. - So?

The murderer wasn't just after Vincent.

But also after the project. So:

was anyone against the project?

No, no one!

Oh, yes. You were!

That's a nice bike.

Hello.

Can I help you?

National Gendarmerie.

Étienne Lecomte. Vincent was my brother-in-law.

It was his bike.

It was...

You already know he's dead?

Saint-Martin's a small village. Word gets around.

I want to speak to Isabelle. Is she here?

But go easy on her, she's in shock.

The doctor's just left.

- OK. - Shall I do the search?

Yes. Mr Lecomte, will you show my colleague Vincent's rooms?

Yes. Follow me.

Paul, I got the info on Venel.

From the start, at every council meeting,

he threatened to obstruct the Eden project.

He'd use any pretext.

A dispute could be a motive, no?

And pretending

to find the body makes him look innocent.

Yes, true. Thanks, Sabine.

OK, I'll take over. Thanks, Sandra.

Mr Venel, where were you last night?

- At home. - Can anyone confirm it?

OK, I see, yes. Right.

I opposed the project, so I'm the culprit?

I didn't kill him!

I don't understand. You care about the village?

Yes, of course.

So why oppose the project?

Vincent had ideas, but above all he had money,

unlike most people here.

So?

His project was good,

but it would have tripled our local taxes. He kept that quiet!

So you presented objections. That's a reason to fight.

Are you joking?

I didn't even submit the objections.

Why? Did you change your mind?

He managed to...

Corrupt you? Grease your palm?

I know. He bought you?

He convinced me!

I didn't guess that!

I sold him a plot at twice its price.

He paid you double the price to shut you up?

He told me... that project couldn't fail.

OK.

I blame myself.

Weren't you surprised when he didn't come home?

No. He was...

He often worked late.

Especially since he was deputy mayor. He was so busy.

You spent the evening here?

My brother and I watched a film, then I went to bed.

I thought he'd come home late.

But he didn't.

Vincent soon found his place at the town hall, no?

What are you suggesting?

Vincent was honest!

I found this, Lieutenant.

It's locked, no key.

What is it?

Honest, but he had his secrets.

- Thanks, Nicolas. - You're welcome.

Vincent Restier had files on all the residents?

Some of them mortgaged their houses to invest in Eden Ltd.

The victim's company.

Oh no!

He was buying up the village.

You're wrong.

Vincent never went behind our backs.

So he told you his plans as soon as he arrived?

He had no plan at first.

He came for his aunt's funeral.

And she left him her land, right?

I hadn't seen him for 25 years.

When I saw his flashy car and smart suit,

I was shocked.

Why?

He grew up poor.

His parents could barely provide for him.

He had a hard life. But he fought to succeed.

And he suddenly decided to come and live here?

No. I asked him to help.

I had to insist.

What do you mean?

I've been fighting for my village for years, in vain.

We're trying to survive.

But we're on our own,

and people are suffering.

You saw Vincent as the solution then?

A local boy with business sense.

It was my chance.

His leisure complex was a good project.

A good investment for the village.

Tell me,

did you, personally, invest in the project?

Of course.

And not just me.

Vincent Restier asked the residents to invest in his project.

The mortgages were a guarantee.

In exchange, he made them shareholders?

Yes, with a return on investment based on the profits.

Right.

He must have been remarkably convincing.

Yes, he even organized a meeting

to explain that everyone needed to contribute.

A rather dubious method.

- We must carry on... - Investigating!

Yes! Paul, Paul, Paul.

Yes?

About last night.

I wasn't very... How can I say it?

What are you talking about?

You know, the pizza, last night. At my place.

My pizza! How was it?

Al dente.

Really?

Only joking, but it's not really funny.

I was angry with myself, with us,

our handling of Thomas.

Hey, hey, hey. Stop right there.

Don't get worked up,

we're doing OK.

You think so?

Yes, sure.

Léa, you're a great mother. Believe me.

And Thomas is growing into a fine young man.

But I... I think... you need to stop

always trying to control everything.

Yes, you're right.

Of course I'm right.

But you can't help it.

That's why you love me.

I love you? Nonsense.

Only joking, Léa.

Sure.

Of course.

Vincent had a lot of money in the bank, but nothing suspicious.

Some international companies.

He opened 2 companies in recent months.

One for the family estate and one for the project,

it's in his business accounts too.

Yes. The company documents are all in order.

Even his brother-in-law's contract as director.

Hang on, I've found something.

He didn't choose his bank by chance.

Look at his financial advisor.

Isabelle Lecomte?

So he fell in love with her. It's OK.

Unless he slept with her to get funding.

Is that the "Eden" project?

Yes, this is it. At the back is the hotel.

- Yes. - On this side, the pool and sauna,

slides, hammam.

I see, I see.

In a manner of speaking.

Seriously, I thought the work was more advanced.

There's nothing to see.

The surveyor's coming.

He's taking his time then.

He's very busy.

Sure, he's the only surveyor around, he has lots of work.

But your brother-in-law wasn't one to let things drag,

so what's the problem?

Let's say... Vincent was very demanding.

Demanding, as in a pain in the ass. They didn't get on?

They weren't on good terms.

Vincent wanted things done his way.

What's the surveyor's name?

I'll find it. Come with me.

Yes.

It was odd to meet again after 25 years.

Vincent was my big brother's friend.

I had a crush on him back then.

When he came back, he told me it had been mutual.

Did he told you his feelings before or after you became his banker?

After.

When he started his project, he naturally asked me to help.

He needed someone he could trust to set up his companies.

So... Vincent was a businessman with no bank?

Not in France, his businesses were in the USA.

Until his funds were moved,

he got a loan to start the work.

That's a lovely house.

Our last romantic weekend, in the Luberon.

It was Vincent's house.

He was about to sell it and move in with me.

OK. Can I borrow this?

There. Here are his details.

Hang on! He's the surveyor?

Yes. Why, do you know him?

Yes, indeed I do.

But I can't recall from where.

"Laurent Giron".

Doesn't ring a bell.

Can I borrow this?

- Sure. - Thanks.

Ah, Colonel.

Is something wrong?

- Paul, I want your honest opinion. - OK.

Am I right to be so stubborn?

Refusing to retire even if Annie divorces me?

I think I'm making a big mistake.

The thought of being all alone scares me.

I understand only too well.

Deciding to divorce is never easy. I know that myself.

But excuse me, Pierre,

fear of being alone isn't a good enough reason.

That's true.

You're a man of action, aren't you?

You love your job. Annie loved that about you.

I think so, yes.

Pierre, there are many reasons to avoid this divorce.

But don't ever feel guilty about who you are.

Thank you, Paul. That's what I needed to hear.

I thought so.

The blow to the temporal lobe wasn't fatal.

The wound in the back was.

The subclavian artery was perforated. A fine blade was used.

About 15 cm long, one-edged.

A paper knife, as Marchal suggested?

No doubt, yes.

- No sign of a struggle? - No.

Either he didn't see the attacker...

Or he knew him and suspected nothing.

But there's something strange. A lot of dust under his nails.

Wood dust, from balsa wood.

This is crazy! How do I know this guy?

There!

Maybe from another case.

He looks like a crook.

True, but I don't think so.

Tell me, was that model made of balsa wood?

Yes. Why?

I think the victim smashed it before he was killed.

- But what... - Here...

Thanks, Erwan.

That's Fred in the photo!

Oh, he's one of us then.

No, he's an actor. He did a recruitment film 4 years ago.

Don't you remember?

Why is his photo there?

I called the actor. And guess what?

You tell me.

Vincent Restier paid him to act as a surveyor

with the residents.

And to pretend to argue with him.

Why would he do that?

To delay the work.

This makes no sense.

Come with me and you'll see.

- Easy, easy. - Yes, sorry.

Sabine! Over to you!

Isabelle is about to be fired for giving Vincent loans

without the required documents.

So we went through the lot: childhood, school, etc.

He doesn't have an MBA, he was never in business.

It's all fake.

Fake career, fake companies, fake bills.

- Fake house? - Yes.

He was housesitting for the owner. We found the contract.

So the guy tricked everyone!

- A splendid impostor. - Exactly.

Yes.

Oh no, not more revelations about the victim?

No, no, I... Not at all.

No, I just wanted to let you know that...

Before I forget, I talked to your father.

He looked upset.

I felt he needed support, after your mother's threat.

"My mother's threat"? What threat?

She said he retires or she leaves him.

Sorry, but that's ridiculous.

And my father making promises he never keeps?

Is that ridiculous too?

Can you see your father retire?

Going on seniors' package tours?

Or doing pottery? You father doing pottery?

If it makes Mum happy.

So he has to make all the sacrifices?

I didn't mean that, but still, she's made sacrifices for 50 years!

I love him,

but, if the roles change sometimes, that's being a couple!

A couple's not just that.

I never said it was. Marchal!

Can we get back to the case, please, before you leave?

OK. So!

Vincent Restier lied to everyone.

Maybe someone found out and wanted revenge.

I want to see all those who took out mortgages.

And the Lecomtes.

My bet's on the mayor.

How odd, we don't agree. That's surprising.

We checked the council accounts. He invested the budget

of the next 2 years in the project.

Very good. But Parmentier was in Marseille yesterday,

remember? - Yes, I know.

But his alibi is fishy.

His alibi is fishy?

Now you're telling me?

Well... Your father... The colonel knows about it.

So what's fishy then?

Paul!

Marchal, the d... Door!

You must be wrong. It's impossible.

All this: plans, quotes, studies. It was real!

It looks real, no?

They're all fake.

You never realized?

No, of course not.

Mr Parmentier, the night of the murder you were in Marseille,

at a conference dinner, right?

Yes.

But... There's a but...

Witnesses saw you leave at 7.30pm and return in the early morning.

You had time to come here and go back.

The mayor did nothing!

You'd better look at Étienne and Isabelle Lecomte.

It must be family plot.

Yes, we are doing that.

I want to know where you were that night.

I was in Marseille...

but with a woman.

Looks like we scared them, eh?

OK! OK! OK! That's it!

Don't move! Don't move!

That's it!

Refusal to cooperate, running away...

What better sign of guilt!

A confession, maybe?

Why would we kill Vincent?

Why did you try to run away?

The bank said you'd called. My brother's innocent!

Vincent and I did it all together.

Wait till you're at the station, I prefer to listen in comfort.

We'll keep them in custody for assisting fraud.

OK.

Go ahead, Captain.

Isn't it odd she helped him

after only a year together?

But Vincent wasn't a stranger.

He was her childhood crush.

Taking up with your first love is something.

It's rediscovering your carefree past.

You remember good things.

You idealize the person.

Yes.

But it's not the same.

People change. And not always for the better.

So maybe Isabelle realized Vincent had tricked her,

which would be a good motive?

Shall I work on that?

- Yes. Keep me up to date. - Thanks.

Hey, Inès!

We found a paper knife covered in blood.

It's going to the lab. We'll soon know.

Impossible.

Why won't it save? Why, why, why?

It might be the murder weapon.

It won't save anything.

It's driving me mad, it won't work!

Look. Failed.

Yes, because you must press here.

There.

I was doing that.

Really, but thanks.

You're welcome.

- I'll do it if you're in a rush. - Yes, I am.

- OK. - Thanks, I'll pay you back.

Don't keep your suitor waiting.

Do I know him?

No suitor. A family dinner.

Your family's 600 kilometres away.

Hurry or you'll be eating late.

Bye now.

Yes, bye.

Stop looking like that!

So how was your day, honey?

Tiring, but just routine really.

I'm worried about Dad.

Try these delicious tomatoes, from...

Mum, can you stop a minute?

You've been here 2 weeks,

and we've never talked about you and Dad.

I've said my piece. It's up to him now.

Yes, I agree with you, but...

You were always the devoted wife, accepting everything.

Dad's transfers, his ambitions, his absences, and...

And suddenly, with no warning, you change.

No wonder he feels lost.

No point in talking. You always take his side.

I take his side?

- Don't you? - No!

No, Mum. I'm sorry, I don't take his side, I...

I try to be fair.

Today I argued with Paul, defending you,

so no, I don't take his side.

You defended me?

Yes, Mum. I defended you.

Oh.

That shirt's nice. It's good you wore it.

I like it, but I never wear it.

- Thanks! - A change from checks.

Thank you!

There.

It's nice, the hair on your forehead.

- The fringe! Yes. - The fringe.

I've had it a while.

- Really? - Yes.

Relax. It'll be fine.

It's OK, I... I'm just out of practice.

You haven't dated since your divorce?

Oh yes, I have.

How many girls? 10? 20? 30?

No! No, no.

- 40? - No!

You can count them on your fingers. And on one hand.

To be clear, I feel like I've forced you into it.

And I feel uncomfortable, because it's not what...

Don't feel uncomfortable,

it's good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes.

Yes, especially if you're attracted to someone.

I loved your father because he was ambitious, devoted to others.

Asking him to give up his career,

I feel like I'm asking him to give up his identity.

But he did promise to retire this year.

Yes. But he can't do it, it's against his nature.

I can't see him retired.

He needs to be out in the field, I know.

There are 2 solutions.

I can keep him as he is, or I can leave him.

Isn't there a middle way?

You make an effort and so does he. Couples make concessions.

Couples, yes, but not love!

You don't change the one you love.

We should be ready to change, I think.

To make things work.

I don't know.

I like you as you are.

Cheers.

Paul, you've been on time for 2 days now.

Is this a new habit? Because...

Congrats to the hero from me!

- Sorry? - What?

- The video of Thomas! - Video?

Look.

It's gone viral. He saved someone.

- Hang on! - Really?

- Yes. - It's fine.

3,200 likes.

Hold my hand.

- Here. - Amazing!

- You hadn't seen it? - Thanks.

Hi, Thomas, it's Mum.

- And Dad! - And Dad.

I've just seen the video, that's gone...

- Well done! - Viral.

- And I... - I saw it too!

Congratulations, darling...

- Congrats! - It's brilliant!

It's amazing!

OK, I'll call later. Your dad's gone crazy!

I love you. I'll call back. Love you! Bravo!

Paul, calm down now.

Hang on. Hush, hush.

"Hush"...

Thomas, it's Dad!

Yes, I just saw the video, with Mum... Yes.

- Mr Parmentier, hello. - Hello.

Thanks for coming.

Please.

I wanted to know more about Vincent Restier's childhood.

You were already mayor then, right?

Yes. It was my first mandate.

Was there anything particular, about him

or his family?

When Vincent was 14,

his father lost his job.

All they had was the house, and the plot next door.

The aunt's plot, right?

The father wanted to open a transport business there.

I refused permission.

Why?

The village was thriving.

I didn't want a noisy, dirty business.

Right.

And after that the family moved away?

Yes, I heard later he'd invested all he had,

including the house,

not thinking the project might be rejected.

They were ruined.

Moving, struggling, in debt...

That's where it started.

It'd have been OK if his father

had done things properly.

Instead of investing recklessly.

Vincent harboured resentment towards you

and the village for what he'd lost,

for all these years.

And then he took revenge.

I thought he'd put it behind him.

OK, right.

Major!

Thank you. Goodbye.

Isabelle Lecomte lied again. She wasn't in on Vincent's scam.

How do you know?

From her colleagues. She felt bad, regarding her bosses.

She urged Vincent to provide documents.

Which he couldn't do, of course.

There's an email where she begs him to explain things.

My bosses want proof...

So she wasn't an accomplice,

but his first victim!

Mrs Lecomte, you have to tell the truth now.

I'm willing to believe you were in love with Mr Restier,

but between you and me, wasn't it one-way adolescent love?

He manipulated and betrayed you.

When did you realize it was all fake?

I looked for his accounts in the US.

There weren't any.

Then I discovered that house wasn't his.

So I went to the town hall.

He didn't try to deny it, he didn't even care.

What hurt you the most?

Falling in love with a crook? Or being betrayed?

It didn't just concern me!

He got my brother in it up to the neck, too.

He made him sign papers in his name.

So Étienne would be caught, not him.

I was so angry!

I took the paperweight and hit him.

He fell to the floor. I ran away, scared.

Only when I heard he was dead did I realize what I'd done!

And the paper knife?

What paper knife?

This one.

I don't know.

So it seems Isabelle only knocked Vincent out.

He came round, realized he was in danger,

as she knew he'd lied and would surely report him.

When she ran away after hitting him,

the model was intact.

Vincent must have smashed it then.

His browsing history shows a travel agent's website.

He was going to flee.

The killer surprised him.

And killed him to stop him escaping?

Makes sense.

Vincent had made promises to everyone.

He had to face up to that.

No one would have let him off.

So it's someone who really needed the project to work.

There are so many.

Especially those who mortgaged their homes!

Fourteen hours in the delivery room!

Oh, shit.

Sorry.

You were with her all the time? You never moved?

OK. Thank you.

Bye. And congratulations!

Well?

Out of 150 residents, 60 mortgaged their homes,

and all have good alibis.

And those who'd be indirectly affected?

Indirectly?

Those expecting Vincent Restier to boost the economy

with his project.

I thought it was a dead village?

Today, yes, but at the time...

There must have been a tradesmen's association.

Here it is.

Bingo!

It was wound up when the businesses started closing

one after the other.

It was relaunched 2 months ago!

Just as Vincent Restier promised to bring tourists back.

They believed him.

Especially one person. Look who's the president!

Sylvie Mazureau.

Hello again.

I'd like to talk to your secretary.

I gave her a day off.

The poor woman was devastated by all this.

Paul? It's Léa!

No, Sylvie Mazureau isn't here.

Check her home, I'll put out a search notice.

OK. Talk later.

You think Sylvie's the killer?

It's impossible!

Sylvie's honest. And so committed!

She and her husband had a café. They were...

Yes?

Sorry, it's procedure.

We must question him too.

So you didn't run?

At my age, where could I run to?

I grew up here, married here.

I never wanted to leave.

I understand.

It must have been hard to watch the place slowly die.

People moving away, businesses closing...

Like your café.

So you relaunched the association.

As an example,

to convince people to come back.

Vincent was going to present the model.

I came to get it ready.

So that's what you came for, the model?

But things went wrong.

As I arrived, Isabelle Lecomte was leaving. She was crying.

I thought she'd argued with Vincent.

So I went in and found him at his desk.

He was wounded. His head was covered in blood.

I panicked!

I wanted to call the emergency services.

How did he react?

He said no way! He was furious.

I didn't insist, I thought it was a domestic dispute.

I just wanted to get the model.

But he refused.

Then he cracked.

He started crying, saying the village had ruined his life.

Yes, 25 years of resentment came pouring out.

I can still hear him:

"You'll see what it's like to lose everything!"

He seized the model...

And destroyed it, telling you how he'd fooled everyone.

When people decided to invest in his project,

you renovated your café.

My husband and I ran that café for 30 years.

When we had to close...

No job, no salary, nothing.

And a loan to pay back.

I persuaded my husband to put in all our savings.

We'd finally get back on our feet.

He had no right to do that to us!

He had no right!

Yes, Thomas is here, of course. Yes.

Take your time. I mean...

Take care, OK?

Lots of love, darling.

- There! - Any news of Alice?

I just spoke to her.

- They're held up. - OK, let's start.

- Yes, yes. - OK.

Thanks, Dad. I...

I want to propose a toast to our hero of the day.

Our Thomas.

For two achievements.

- Two? - He's saved a life, and...

brought us all together!

Which isn't easy.

To Thomas!

- To Thomas! - To Thomas!

- To you. - It was nothing.

If you hadn't been there, the guy'd have drowned!

- You were very brave, champ. - Thanks, Grandpa.

The family tradition will go on.

OK, Thomas, come with us now.

Dad and I want to apologize.

In your dream of being a gendarme,

we haven't exactly encouraged you, have we?

It's because... For us, well, for me anyway,

you're still my baby.

But I need to let you grow up.

Yes, exactly!

We're so proud of you,

we know you'll succeed.

Thank you.

I'll do the barbecue! Sausages don't cook themselves.

You know, darling,

I always thought that if I loved someone

I could change them.

Push them to do their best. Yes, you told me.

But no.

It's wrong to try to change people.

Loving someone means wanting the best for them, supporting them,

accepting them as they are,

their good and bad points.

Why are you saying this?

I love you, darling, and I'm proud of you.

- Thanks. - "No, no, don't throw me

"in the fire!" There!

"No, no, not me! Not me!"

You shouldn't try to change him.

Come on.

Subtitles: ECLAIR V&A