"THE COLOR OF LIES" "Victor!" "Bet you can't catch me." "I'll show you." "Laetitia?" "Laetitia!" "That's Eloise." "She's in my class." "Is she dead?" "The lessons went well?" "Yes." "What is it?" "You seem out of sorts." "My leg hurts a bit." "Want a massage?" "No." "It's the change of weather." "You had some calls." "Three shots, two massages." "The names are by the mail." "I try to be useful." "Everyone does." "Managing to balance your accounts?" "It's okay, we'll manage." "He sends you his books now?" "I looked after his hurt foot for free last year." "This is to thank me." "That's kind of him." "It's kind of him." " Come look." " What is it?" "It's crazy, a totally different view." "I'd never noticed." "I bet Seurat discovered pointillism like this." "Maybe..." "Perfect light." "I'm going." "Hi, René." "Look, I'm onto a load of VCRs..." "Sonys." "A truck broke down around here." "One grand instead of four." "Interested?" "Mine still works." "How's the job going?" "Can't complain." "Well, not too much." "What's new with you?" "Cézanne." "Why don't you do restoration?" "19th and 18th century stuff sells." "Everyone wants antiques." "Shit, the light's gone!" "If you get mad, it means you're talented." "Bad painters are always happy." "It takes more than that." "Right, it's ruined, ruined." "Ruined is ruined." " Jesus, April already." " The third." "Why?" "The great Desmot." "Here every year at the same date." "He runs pretty well." "It was cycling last year." "How does he do it?" "He's on TV, writes in the papers..." "He even writes books now." "He has time for sport, he gets laid..." "He knocks me out." "I don't share your enthusiasm." "What knocks you out?" "His way of life." "I'd like to live like that." "Who are those maniacs?" "Hello..." "Chief Inspector Lesage." " You are René Sterne, the art teacher?" " That's me." "You saw Eloise Michel today?" "Why?" "Her body was found near your home around five." "She had been raped and strangled." "That's not possible." "It's just not possible." " That's awful." " Excuse us." "I need a word." "Let's take a walk." "Tell me about the final lesson." "What can I tell you?" "It was a drawing lesson." "You didn't see her home?" "I never see my pupils home." "So you stayed in?" "Yes." "What did you do?" " I watched TV." " What?" "A rugby match." "Did you keep her last drawing?" "She took it with her." "She always does..." "She always did." "This is so sick." "Well... it wasn't in her bag." "Are you sure you didn't go out between the lesson and TV?" " What's on your mind?" " Nothing." "But a child's been raped and killed." "You're either the second to last or the last person to have seen her." "You'll ruin your eyes." "It's open." "Push the gate." "What an amazing garden." "As the poet would say, far from dark blocks and city streets." "Don't make fun of me." "The countryside suits you." "Thanks for the book." "When did you arrive?" "Two days ago." "I've been sorting the house out." "I was missing all this." "I should have done this sooner." "I made up bouquets when we moved here." "Even with gloves your hands get dirty." "Where did I put my rake?" "A small, short-handled rake." "You'll find it again." "Unlike your youth." "Why do you say that?" "Because I garden in clogs?" "I dress to go out." "You never go out." "You said that at the Town Hall last year." "I was out then." "Do you want a drink?" " You make jam too?" " When I have a lot of fruit." "Your book's had a lot of press." "You're on TV all the time." "It's selling well." "But I just dabble in fiction." "My true trade is journalism." "Who's up next on your show?" " You watch it?" " Yes." "That's kind." "Philippe Sollers, Amélie Nothomb and a Canadian paraplegic who's written a very moving novel." "You never rest." " A little alcohol?" " Please." "I feel a bit run down these days." "You run too much." "It's bad for the heart." "Thank you." "I like sport's discipline." "It's the only sweet form of freedom." "That's debatable, but nicely put." "I give it to you." "He's changed style." "I like his trompe I'oeil work too." "The one for the new theatre is lovely." "Why doesn't he exhibit now?" "He wishes he could." "His last show was in 1986." "Almost 12 years ago, you know." "He keeps trying but it's hard." "People can't afford to buy now." "And it's getting harder." "The galleries won't even look at paintings now." "But he's hopeful." "He's right, that's half the task." "Stubbornness is part of talent." "Stubbornness and patience." "Learning to wait." "That's what we are doing... waiting." "Whose rake is this?" "You've found it." "Germain Desmot came to see me." "Germain Roland Desmot." "What did he want?" "Nothing." "Well, that inspires you." "He doesn't inspire me at all." ""Sport's discipline is the only sweet form of freedom."" "Isn't that a nice saying?" " Some shit by Drieu La Rochelle." " Oh, really?" "It is." "Eloise." "After leaving the home of her art teacher, where she took classes on Wednesdays, the child was attacked." "Only the autopsy results and possible sperm analysis will allow the police..." " They say it's me." " You're crazy!" "I met some woman." "The new Chief Inspector..." "Lesage." "She said I'm the main witness." "I know how their minds work." "If I could find the bastard who did it..." "You have to see the child's mother." "We must talk to her." "I'll come with you." "I called her from a bar before I came home, to tell her how sickened I was, to tell her... she could count on me." "She hung up on me." "Emmanuel Solar here." "It's about your life insurance." "I've found other bond schemes too." "If you can fax me this week, we'll save time." "I'll talk to you later." "Bye." "G.R., it's Hélène." "Thanks for the gorgeous flowers but a weekend away would be nicer." "In the South-West or Venice if you prefer." "I want you." "Little tart." "It's Martine." "I'm off to New York." "Saskia's coming too." "She got your wonderful birthday present." "I said you were too busy to be here." "I did my best." "Try to see her when we get back." "Money isn't a solution." "It's six months since you've seen your daughter." "Ciao." "Saskia and Martine Lecoureur are out." "Leave us a message." "They expect you to be there." " Sure you don't want to come?" " I'm sure." "Eat if you're hungry." "I'll wait." "You won't have eaten?" "We're dealing with organized gangs." "Objects vanish..." "They often go abroad, but it's hard to tell." "Churches, chapels, museums..." "nothing's sacred." "And it all goes to England or Italy." "Maybe, but it's gone on long enough." "Sophie." "It's blasphemy, and an attack on our heritage." "Still, some things are more serious." "Violence, say." "How's the investigation going?" "It's proceeding." "Much too slowly, I'm afraid." "We're waiting for the lab results." "We'll see." "It scares me." "Rumors are spreading in town already." "Please, Inspector, work fast." "We have to work fast and well." "Mrs. Sterne." "Isn't René with you?" "No, I came alone." "Well, with friends." "Our national celebrity." "It's a pity, I'd have liked to talk to your husband." "His fresco is a big hit." "The local paper took a photo." "And regional TV filmed it too." "Lovely..." "You can't accuse people without proof." "Your husband hasn't been charged..." "That's all he needs." "You were wrong to get her dander up." "She's just been posted here." "She's like any other woman with a young daughter." "That's no reason." "Your husband's innocent." "Things will sort themselves out." "Don't worry." "When did you marry?" "In '86, the year he was injured." "That horrible bombing in Paris." "I remember." "He almost lost his leg." "How awful." "The wrong place at the wrong time." "We grew up together." "We hadn't met in 15 years." "I was in training at the time and I did his physical therapy." "A lot of coincidences brought us together." "He was truly wonderful." "So brave, so gracious in a way." "He stopped doing portraits then?" "No, it happened gradually." "He didn't want to paint people." "It's normal after all that." "Let's go back in." "It's so lovely out." "Reynaldo Hahn can wait." "You should wear light hues, Viviane." "Blue would suit you." " Can you hear the sea?" " Yes." "That's music I'll never tire of." "It's like when you dream, then wake up." "You fall asleep and dream again." "I'm too tense to dream." "THE BEGINNINGS OF A SINGER" "You see factories shut down every day." "Worksites are the same." "And businesses too, you know." "It's the same with or without qualifications." "Worse without." "Mr. Bornier..." "I'm an engineer." " I haven't worked in 10 months." " Don't give up hope." "Very funny..." "Things can work out if you believe they will." "I won't go on like this." "In six months, a year..." " One, two, three." " You know your rugby." "Don't lose hope." "We had problems in our business as well..." "Why has your new boss got it in for me?" "She's just doing her job." "It's a nasty case." "Hard for a woman." "You're onto a good thing." "They piss me off." "Just answer her questions." "Why say that?" "It's a good principle." "It's cultural exchange." "If men respected their principles, things would be okay." "A very sound comment, Mr. Sterne." "And after what we've lived through, it's only right you should be the one to remind us of such basic notions." "G.R.!" "Roger, quickly!" "Turn it up!" "Thank you for welcoming us into your home..." "Look at his place!" "Your new book is "Last News of Love"." "One last question, please." "You're a journalist, but an unusual one." "You write in a right-wing paper, a far-left one and also in a gossip magazine." "Doesn't that bother you?" "If it doesn't bother the editors, why should it bother me?" "I've never betrayed anyone and, let me tell you, I'm like the world itself... explosive, combustible, submersible." "But I believe in dignity." "I'll tell you this, Olivier." "Man's dignity is the sincerity of his passion." "I can't stomach him." "Bornier?" "No, he's a joker, a finger in every pie." "He sold fake Indonesian antiques once, maybe still does." "Someone told me." "Your pal Régis?" "He dabbles himself." "Nothing serious." "Times are hard." "No, Desmot's the one I can't stand." "He gets on my nerves." "I don't know why." "Want a lift?" "I've got my wife's car." "She's at the theatre gala." "The boss went too." "Not too disappointed at not making inspector?" "I'm only a year off retirement and experience never counts." "They didn't want to give me an inspector's pension." "You look a bit out of sorts." "Put yourself in my shoes." "I feel everyone thinks the way your boss does, that I..." "It's hideous." "It's not you, she's just trying to see clearly." "Don't worry, we'll get the shit." "We'll get him." "Good night." "René?" "The theatre manager sends his best." "He missed you." "I think we're panicking." "The cop's just trying to prove herself." "I got this too." "The last one." "I'm not very hungry." "We'll have it tomorrow." "See anyone apart from the cop?" "The usual mugs." "Everyone dolled up." "They liked your trompe I'oeil." "My what?" "Was Desmot there?" "Yes, as guest of honor." "He has a name." "What about Dupont?" "Was he there?" "He has a name too." "You know a Dupont here?" ""Tell me, you there, what have you done with your youth?"" "Is that Verlaine?" "Did you see the local TV crew there?" "I didn't feel well." "It was so warm in there." "That music does nothing for me... so I left at the intermission." "What do you mean?" "I took a walk and it passed." "I could have fetched you." "Why?" "It passed in no time." "Desmot came with me." "Hahn's not his cup of tea either." "He was very kind." "He's the same sign as you." "What's wrong?" "What did I do?" "Are you jealous?" "Jealousy requires admiration." "That guy feels like a bad joke to me." "I enjoy talking to him." "He's light, I need that right now." " Our life's hard." " I know." "What is it now?" "He knows all kinds of stories." "Publishing sounds terrible." "I can imagine, through his eyes." ""Explosive, combustible, submersible."" "He juggles but doesn't swallow the knives he throws." "He makes his admirers swallow them." "He's clever, be careful." " I haven't swallowed anything." " I hope not." "Be careful anyway." "Hello, Mrs. Benoït." "Thank you for the check." "You didn't have to pay the full month." "I'll reimburse you for the other classes." "Yes, I insist." "Yes, I still have Angèle's drawings." "She can come and pick them up." "I'll send them over." "Wait a minute..." "You're the one with a problem, not me." "Live with that." " One less pupil?" " Yes." "Strangled." "The killer wore gloves." "Probably raped but no sperm analysis as there was no ejaculation." "A perfect, almost virtual crime." "A dead child isn't virtual." "I don't want him to kill again." "Why "him"?" "It could be a woman." "What?" "It could be a woman." "Some women have strong hands." "No, it's not a woman." "I agree." "But it's not impossible." "Watch the fathers." "Why fathers?" "Or teachers, lawyers, bankers..." "Cops even." "No one's above suspicion." "You read the papers too." "How will you manage?" "Question them all?" "It could be anyone." "There's not a lot the police can do." "Too many things need changing." "In every country." "The whole world's sick." "Maybe." "In any case, apathy is the worst disease." "Get your report handed in as soon as you can." "I don't like her being here with you." "Can you water this?" "Look in my vest pocket." "Françoise has invited us to stay." "We could let her pamper us." "She should take my paintings." "It's kind to invite us, isn't it?" "She wants to keep in touch." "Tell me..." "Would you mind posing for me?" "You want to do portraits again?" "That's up to you." "How about this afternoon?" "You mean today?" "I have a lot of visits." "People's shots." "Like every April." "Later, if you like." "Tomorrow would be better." "It's up to you." "Régis asked me out on his boat." "I think I'll go." " And Françoise?" " What about Françoise?" "Shall we go or not?" "Whatever..." "Let's go." "Don't be so enthusiastic." "See you later." "Look, these are the clipper ships from the old days." "Lovely, aren't they?" "They make you dream." "Finding inspiration, Mr. Desmot?" "Yes, Mr. Schouten, it's beautiful." "Very moving." "If you need any information, just ask." "You too, ma'am." "And you as well, if you want to know something." "See you on Monday." "If you feel queasy or get a rash, call a doctor." "What a lovely surprise." "Interested in sailboats?" "No, I'm on duty." "I'll come with you." "I bet you've never been up to the battlements." "I'm afraid not." "Come on, there's a wonderful view." "That's sweet, but I don't have time." "Five minutes." "It's worth it." "Five minutes." "He's losing his pupils, one by one." "He's well-suited to here." "People liked him." "But within a few days, he feels he's become a savage." "He scares people?" "That's what he thinks." "He won't go out, he doesn't want to see anybody." "I can't help." "Sometimes, I..." "Yes?" "Sometimes, I feel he thinks I suspect him." "He's too fragile." "The worst thing is the way he reacts." "He's so unpredictable." "Sometimes, I don't dare speak." "What he's going through isn't easy." "But he can't use you as a prop." "You're young, alive..." "Don't let death win." "You're doing well." "It's like riding a bicycle." "You never forget." "It's different in bad weather." "Feeling better?" " It takes my mind off things." " You're having problems?" "Your Inspector again?" "His Inspector?" "I baby-sit for her." " Why is she hassling you?" " She thinks he may have raped Eloise." "Rubbish." "The famous man's home." "He hassled me for two weeks last year." "You didn't give in?" "No, he smells of paper." "Let's turn back." "I've got a job going." "Not bad." "If you want, you can borrow it anytime." "Don't you ever feel like getting away?" "You only see me here." "Maybe you wouldn't like me elsewhere." "Quaint idea but it's not true." "You move me." "I'll be late." "Don't let others' gloom devour you." "Kiss me." "I have to go." "Promise to fight." "I'm going." "I'm pleased to see you, Mr. Sterne." "I was just leaving." "Can I have a few minutes of your time?" "As you like." "You have her drawings?" "Yes." "Eloise's mother gave them to me." "A psychologist examined them." "He says that, as she had no father, you were very important." "Did you know?" "Eloise wasn't talkative." "But her behavior..." "She had a crush on you." "Didn't you notice?" "Maybe she never told you, but she talked only of you at home." "You were omnipresent." "Even in her dreams." "How do you expect me to answer that?" "I'll tell you." "Teachers subconsciously seduce their pupils." "It's very common." " Sugar?" " No, thanks." "I don't seduce my pupils." "I'm not a pervert." "I said subconsciously." "Subconsciously." "Let me see her mother, with a psychologist, if you want." "She refuses to see you." "She's resting." "She's been through a lot." "You drew Eloise in classes?" "I draw in every class." "It's still my profession." "Absolutely..." "But the other pupils say you drew landscapes." "Why a portrait?" "I don't know." "I just felt like it." "Of course." "Does that mean I raped her?" "No, don't worry." "I'm just trying to make headway." "Did the lab results help?" "If you can say, that is." "There's no reason not to." "Nothing new, it's going to be a long investigation." "But I'll find the killer in the end." "I hope so." "No one wants that more than I do." "Of course." "Everyone wants that, except one person." "Are you going to the funeral tomorrow?" "Yes, I think so." "Of course I am." "Of course." "What's this?" "I'm tidying up." "Like it?" "I don't know." "Turn round." "You don't like it?" "It's blue." "You like blue now?" "It was a bargain." "Betty said it suited me." "It feels empty." "I know." "I need space." "I'll miss your landscapes." "I'm sick of landscapes." "I want to get back to faces." "Faces cheat less." "They don't change every few minutes in the light." "You're still ready to pose for me?" " Like I used to?" " Yes." " You'd yell if I moved." " I won't yell." " Sure..." " I promise." "Is this Eloise?" "Yes, it's Eloise." "It's funny..." "She made me want to do faces again." "Want me to pose for you?" "Yes, please, for a few minutes, for a sketch." "Can you take the dress off?" "Want me to pose nude?" "No, put the other dress on, I don't like that blue." "It's Eloise's funeral tomorrow." "Yes, I know." "Why didn't you tell me?" "This type of disaster is unbearable in a community like this." "It casts a shadow of suspicion and maliciousness over us all." "Rest assured, my fellow citizens, everything is being done by the police, the magistrates and the town council..." "Elections coming up?" "...to catch this monstrous killer." "Not now." "Clear off." "You were so kind and happy." "You were nice to everyone." "You were generous." "We're all very sad." "Put this on the coffin in the grave." "Put this on the coffin in the grave." "You put this on the coffin." "Are you asleep?" "I've been thinking." "I'm not coming to Rennes." "I can't be bothered." "It would do you good." "You could talk to Françoise." "People would think I'm fleeing." "I don't want that." " You're imagining it." " I know that it's true." "Saying it doesn't make it true." "That's too easy." "Want me to stay?" "No, It's your decision." "But I'd rather not." "I'd like to know..." "What?" "If I'm strong enough to manage on my own." "Three days is too long." "I'll only stay two." "Whatever you'd like." "Getting away will do me good." "I understand." "Apologize to Françoise, say I'm working like crazy." "Don't worry, I can handle her." "What's so funny?" "You're so level-headed." "Go on, have fun." "Feel strong enough?" "Don't worry." "I'll be back in two days." "Two days isn't forever." "I'll tell you in two days." "Two days isn't forever." "Give Françoise my best." "Are you lost?" "You did right." "It's only natural." "Be a gentleman, Jérôme, look after the little girl." "What's her name?" "Nathalie." "Come on, children." " Is Viviane in?" " She's in Rennes." "With Françoise." "Didn't she say?" "She asked us over on Saturday, but Christian, he won't be here." "He won't be back till Sunday." "How are you?" " Fine." "Why?" " I'm a bit down." "Come in." "I'll make coffee." "No, I know you're busy." "Keep away." "I've got a cold." "Do we have to dress up for Saturday?" "It's just the three of us, but dress up if you like." "I want to." "Did you like the blue dress?" "You bought it together." "No, we didn't." "But I want the same one in red." "Hello, Régis?" "About the boat..." "Can I really borrow it?" "I want to go out." "Thanks, Loudun." "Just the coffee, no sugar." "What's that?" "Religious artifacts stolen last year." "Business is booming." "Attila in Wonderland." "Religious art sells well." "Abroad, usually." "In Switzerland." "Not nowadays." "They're clamping down." "More like the Caribbean." "Catching them won't be a piece of cake." "The usual paper chase." "In a small town, people are jealous and resentful." "They have to talk." "You just need to listen." "Talk to craftsmen working in churches." "But discreetly and off the record." "What about the rapist?" "We're getting nowhere." "We've seen 32 guys..." "33 with Sterne." " They've all got alibis." " Except Sterne." "He described the match to me." "Maybe he read about it." "Not the way he spoke about it." "He saw the game." "You like Sterne." "Not particularly." "I just know him." "Like everyone else here." "Not everyone but it makes life easier." "And more complicated too." "You just said the opposite." "You know what I mean." "Passions, revenge..." "It gets me confused." "That's the Parisian view." "You're all paranoid." "Your predecessor was the same." "Maybe I'm nuts, but there may be a 34th one." "We could look into his schedule." "Who?" "Desmot." "It's not because he's on TV..." "He arrived the day before she died." "I did consider it." "Régis Marchal, the plumber, saw him reading at home all afternoon." "Marchal was there?" "Yes, fixing the boiler." "He may have popped out." "If Régis was busy, he wasn't watching him all the time." "Besides, when he's overdrawn, Desmot lends him money." "They have an arrangement." "How do you know?" "It's a small town." "People talk." "You just need to listen." "You think it's possible?" "Seriously?" "It depends." "We'll call him in then." "We'll have to do it gently." "He's a snake." "He'll make fools of us in his favorite papers, whatever their political bias." "I'll handle him." "I'll call him." "Like that, all casual." "Next week." "He took the train earlier." "Probably to be on TV again." "I bet he'll take you out to dinner." "I'd like someone to take me out to dinner occasionally." "Hello, Mrs. Lemoine." "Is Mr. Desmot in?" "Not today, he's gone away." "Where did he go?" "He took the train earlier." "Can I ask a favor?" "Go ahead." "My nephew has his art school exam next month." "Could you look at his work?" "He trusts your opinion." "Gladly." "Hold on, he's just here..." "Hello." "My aunt has explained..." "I never dared to come and see you." "You should have." "When's Mr. Desmot due back?" "He didn't say." "Tomorrow or the day after." "He's never away long." "Hold on..." "Don't rush into it." "It's nice and euphoric." "We're not kids, we don't need to rush." "We don't even need to climax." "I want to try that with you..." "I want to preserve my desire for you." "If we demand satisfaction at any cost, there's no risk." "There always has to be a risk." "Even in love." "Especially in love." "Drieu La Rochelle again?" "No, me." "But he could have said it." "Is there a problem?" "Everything's a problem with you." "All this useless talk..." "You're smart but vain." "I should have been more wary." "Why am I here?" "What now?" "I'm calling a taxi." "You have a pimple on your cheek." "Was that there earlier?" "Could I have a taxi right away?" "Five minutes." "Thank you." "You're going to your friend's place?" "What'll you tell her?" "I don't know." "I'll lie." "At least you've taught me that." "Thank God lies exist." "Society would be hell to live in otherwise." "Who did you steal that from?" "From every liar in purgatory since the dawn of time." "And there are a lot of them." "You're a cheap cynic." "And I'm happy." "Why, kitten?" "Because I didn't get screwed." "Nice expression..." "out of context." "Here are the goods." "Top quality." "Genuine 17th century." "17th?" "I'm not so sure." "It looks more early 19th." "It's too hot, I'm not touching it." "Too bad." "It's a good deal." "That's my price." "Paris dealers are cheaper." "I doubt it." "They buy from me." "So sell to them." "Look, it's a bargain." "Grab it while you can." "Think it over, but not for long." "You've got my mobile number." "How's business?" "Oh, it's you." "No, it's not me." "That's a nice watch." "I love it." "And I love you too." "We can go after I finish and take her home." "Look who he's going out with." "You know her..." "she's in class with Jérôme..." "With Jérôme?" "Yes, you know her." "Her name's Sophie." "The Inspector's daughter..." "Of course you know her." "Who's the tall girl?" "A whore." "She costs him a fortune in lingerie and jewels." "How do you know?" "He was with her when I bought my bra." "He spent four grand that day." "He buys her jewels too." "Watches and necklaces and bracelets..." "I'll be right back." "You could have done that earlier." "Thanks, Roger." "I took your bag." "Pay a little attention." "Don't tell your mom we went to a bar." "She couldn't care less." " Your wife's in Rennes?" " Back tomorrow." "Things will be better then." " Good evening, Anna." " Good evening." "Fate is a great provider." "I heard you came around." "Have a drink." "I was in Saint-Brieuc." "I love rummage sales." " Rummage sales?" " I'm like that." "Rummage sales off the back of trucks at dawn..." "So exciting." "Did you find anything?" "A 17th-century still life." "That's why I'm glad to see you." "It needs restoring." "I'm pretty busy right now." "You can manage that." "You're very competent." "Never turn a job down." "I'll bring it over then?" "What'll you have?" "Nothing, thanks." "They're taking ages with their bloody books." "Chief Inspector." "Hello, Victor." "You know, I met Mr. Sterne the other day." "He seems really nice." "Absolutely." "I think it was someone else." "The rapist..." "I understood." "I can't say who yet, but I've got a lead." "Come see me at work, Hercules Poirot." "You can tell me about it over a Coke." "I don't drink Coke." "There's your sister." "Hello, Inspector." "No babysitter today?" "She's at a hairdressing course." "Aren't all the children out yet?" "I was afraid I'd be late." "Don't worry." "Régis Marchal works here too?" "You'll have to ask him that." "I think he does odd jobs." "Is it true what I read?" "Another statue stolen from the chapel last week?" "Yes." "Wasn't Marchal mending the roof?" "What exactly are you saying?" "Some people pass between the drops and others get wet." "Is that normal?" "No, but it's frequent." "Exactly." "It isn't normal." "When we buy furniture in Indonesia, we pay customs duties, taxes, the lot." "All our stuff is up-to-date and paid in full." "Are your welfare contributions paid in full too?" "Oh, there's Jérôme." "I've missed you." "I've missed you too." "What do you think?" "What can I say?" "I suppose it's me?" " Does your leg hurt?" " No." "I twisted my ankle a little out on the boat." "I'm glad it looks like you." "It wasn't easy." "The sketches didn't help." "I worked from memory." "I opted for the blue dress." "It's a good blue, in fact." "Don't touch!" "It's not dry yet." "Who's the man?" "Who cares?" "It doesn't matter." "He's got his back to us." "You're the one we see, right?" "Stop it." "Stop it." "I love you." "Stop it." "Why didn't you call me?" "I didn't want to bother you." "Besides, I imagined all kinds of things." "What do you mean, "imagined things"?" "Everything falls apart when you go." "I worry too much." "This time more than ever." "Much more." " Serious things?" " No, don't worry." "Bitter, but frivolous things." "Why did you go?" "You need to be alone sometimes." "You're even more lonely when I'm here." "How can you say that?" "I feel I prevent you from finding yourself." "It's the opposite." "The very opposite." "When you're here, everything works." "The wind's changed direction." "Thank goodness." "I've asked Desmot to dinner." " Really?" " Yes." "You saw him?" "At Roger's." "He wants me to restore a painting." "It'll bring in some money." "He'll stay for dinner?" "Well, yes." "Who cares?" "We'll have Betty and him." "Was I wrong?" "Want me to cancel?" "How about lobster tomorrow night?" " Can we afford it?" " Only just." "Good Breton lobster." "Régis can get some." "I bet he can." "With a bottle of Sancerre." "That'll make a change." "My omelet's no good?" "It's wonderful." "It's the best omelet I've ever eaten." "I'll put them in now." "It's really foggy." "Bloody hell." "Why did I let myself get caught up in this shit?" "Fucking dump." "I can't see a thing." "Shit!" "Fucking unbelievable." "Here... take my stick." "You look lovely." "Unlike me." "I fell in the mud." "Luckily, your husband was there." "The bathroom's this way." "Do you want me to eat in my underwear?" "Lt'll soon dry." "My hands need washing though." "Come with me." "The kitchen will do nicely." "Betty just called." "She's not coming." "She's having a nervous fit like last year." "I told her to stay at home." "She reminds me of myself." "When someone's ill, you identify with them." "Stop it." "Yes, you're right, I'll stop." "Lobster!" "How wonderful!" "What's going on?" "It's a power-cut." "Don't worry." "Shit!" "I'm bleeding." "I have what you need." "Bring the lamp." "It takes them a while." "It's just a graze." "Fancy banging into a trompe I'oeil in the dark." "That stings." "Don't you have any Mercurochrome?" "Why?" "You want a red nose?" "There." " There you go." " Thank you." "Lovely." "Are they from the bay?" "In the end, a mask reveals more than a face." "I know hundreds of people whose appearance is now their nature." "The most profitable lie... is when you make a liar think you believe him." "This sauce is absolutely divine, Viviane." "Thank you." "You deserve your Michelin stars." "It's amazing how thirsty lobster makes you." "Are you that interested in lies?" "I prefer the truth." "That's because it's beyond reach." "Imagination is what makes you dream." "As a journalist, I use my gifts of observation." "And since I'm full of imagination," "I write novels too." "Imagination isn't lying." "Quite the opposite." "What do you think, dear?" "You know what I think of this kind of conversation." "There!" "A woman has spoken." "I write to make women dream." "Don't move." "Salt's no use." "Are you working on anything right now?" "Another novel but I'm afraid I've dried up a bit." "Still, my imagination's never let me down before." "I'm not worried for you." "I have an idea or two about this rapist business." "Really?" "What?" "Read my article, old chap." "I don't deflower my articles at dinner parties." "Is that how you see human beings?" "It's for fun." "You've removed your paintings." "I felt the need to look in a new direction." "You know what Picasso said..." ""I don't look, I find."" "It killed him." "Isn't that a Tilburce?" "The devil had talent." "You didn't always say that." "What did I say?" "That he should have retired at 50." "In your column, in '87." "Don't you remember?" "He believed that you prevented two galleries from taking his work." "The poor man." "He killed himself six months later." "You never told me that." "Poor old fellow." "I don't have that much power." "His problem was his wife, a very pretty girl in fact, very moving," "20 years his junior." "She smelled of warm bread." "Did you screw her?" "Maybe I should have." "It's already 11:00." "No coffee for me, Viviane." "Can you save my painting?" "I'll do my best." "I'm sure you will." "One for the road?" "What a grand evening." "Can I make a phone call?" "Use the phone in the office." "Imagination's not the only thing he's full of." "What do you expect after all that wine?" "You'll have to drive him home." "He can't go alone." "It's still as foggy out there." "I'll take him back by boat." "By boat?" "Régis's boat." "It's safer than the road." "The sea's wider." "Is Viviane angry with me?" "Whatever for?" "What's so funny?" "Me." "I find myself funny." " Know where you're going?" " Yes, I know where I'm going." "Where are we now?" "In a rough patch, but things will improve." "You're right, you deserve better." "Your wife's world is too confined." "She drags you down." "Glad you mentioned it." "I was wondering." "So you should." "Be careful." "Inspiration is fragile." "What are you doing?" "Don't you recognize it?" "You're home." "That didn't take long." "Look." "I have my own generator for light." "Even the house is lit." "Amazing." "You're one hell of a sailor." "Pick your car up tomorrow." "Can you see me up to the house?" "I can't breathe tonight." "My heartbeat's too fast to count." "Be quiet." "That might help." "I know." "I talk too much." "Your wife is very nice." "If you chose her, it means she suits you." " And I'm glad she does." " Shut your mouth." "I know why you're so aggressive." "You're right." "It's too late." "Encounters... are like accidents." "You know about those." "The wrong place at the wrong time." "It's nobody's fault." "It's just bad luck." "Shut your mouth." "Good idea." "When you've nothing more to say, shut your mouth." "If you've nothing more to say, it's not your fault." "I saw your painting when I went to use the phone." ""Viviane with the blue dress."" "Just there, in that corner." "You're still trying... in the shadows, as if you were ashamed." "I find it quite poignant." "But painting is different." "It requires fresh blood." "Shut your mouth." "Yes, it's me." "It's me." "I've been stomping through the mud like crazy." "Look at me." "I'm filthy." "You look exhausted, sweetheart." "Come on." "I think I pushed myself a bit too far." "Come." "Talk about a quiet evening together..." "Why did you invite him?" "I've no idea." "It doesn't matter." "Come on." "Sir?" "Sir?" "It was the bath filled with water that baffled me." "He always showered." "Excuse me..." "His father." "He died last year." "They were very close." "They'd talk every week." "Did he have a child himself?" "He didn't talk about her much." " A girl, wasn't it?" " Yes." "A Prozac fan?" "He wasn't the only one." "It's routine in that business." "Where did he keep his notebooks?" "His notebooks?" "Yes, notebooks." "Where he noted down the ideas he had." "He never used one." "He put it all on his computer." "Where is it?" " I'll show you." " Thank you." "Loudun." "When you've finished eating." "We'll need a blowtorch." " A blowtorch?" " Yes." "Thanks." "Publishing contract, life insurance... posthumous works." "Brand new." "The computer." "I'll take that." "Not much here." "You expected shots of nude kids?" "Check if he made a withdrawal from his account." "One last question." "Was he expecting a visit this morning?" "He didn't say." "When some Parisian visitors came, I made up the beds, and he didn't say anything then." "He was too trusting." "He never locked the doors." "People were always in and out." "You knew them?" "I'd like to tell you." "But the police give too many interviews." "I couldn't agree more." "In any case, he ate out last night." "He sent me home at six." "He was having dinner with the Sternes." "Thanks." "He did have dinner here last night?" "Yes, of course." "You saw his car." "We took him home because of the fog." "He seemed fine when he left." "Had you drunk a lot?" "Wine." "Sancerre." "A lot?" "No." "Well, perhaps a little bit more than usual." "Three bottles." "No, not quite." " Only half of the third one." " Right." "It's not that important." "At what time did he leave?" "After eleven." "In fact, it wasn't a real invitation." "He brought me this painting to restore." "We asked him to stay." "Did he often give you work?" "No, this was the first time." "Let your husband reply." "She knows me." "She can tell I'm uneasy." "It was a bad idea to invite him." "And it was a bad idea to take pupils and give them art lessons." "I only ever have bad ideas." "Everything I do manages to drag me down a bit more." "Some people are like that." "I am." "Was it you?" "I'm sure it was." "What was me?" "For God's sake, Viviane, that's not possible." "Don't talk to me." "You scare me." " You wanted to drown him." " Yes." "I imagined that shit sinking like a stone a hundred times." "But I only imagined it." "Tell me what you did." "Go on, I'm listening." " What did you do?" " Nothing!" "I almost did." "I almost did, that's all." "He was talking crap." "He wouldn't shut his mouth!" "He wanted to humiliate us both!" "Surely you don't believe that." "You know me." "You know who I am." "Yes, I know, I know..." "Forgive me." "I had to say it." "It was poisoning my mind." "What will that cop believe?" "They suspect you again." "Yes, I realize that." "I realize everything." "I'm in a tunnel... in the dark and I see everything." "It's horrible." "I only believe you." "You're the answer to all my questions." "You never talk." "How can people guess?" "I'm telling you now." "When you're away, I no longer exist." "I don't know who I am." "I didn't sleep with him." "It's common in 40-year-olds, especially from the media." "You look pleased." "It's common sense." "Sport, overwork, dieting and over-eating, lack of sleep..." "True, he looks like a clown." "He may not get posthumous fame but he'll have a full investigation." "Is the broken snout recent?" "Come on, it's just a bit off center." "Recent, but not fatal." "Note it anyway." "He was on Prozac and had a lot to drink last night." "Come on, doctor, autopsy time." "The morgue cheers you up." "It's the pathologist." "I've never met anyone so cheery." "Do you mind driving?" "No, it's okay." "If Desmot was the rapist, maybe Eloise's family wanted revenge." "No, she only has her mother." "We should have questioned him before." "Before he died?" "That would have been wiser." "I should have listened to you." "Mrs. Sterne, hello." "Have you got a few minutes?" "Come in." "Sorry I didn't call first." "Do you mind?" "There's an ashtray on the shelf." "I like to iron with the radio on as well." "It's the only time I ever listen to music." " Is that your husband's?" " Yes." "Last time I came, it was drying." "I recognize the lining." "That blue dress too." "You miss nothing." "I like it, that's why." "I'd like the two of us to talk frankly." "I'm listening." "The corpse's nose is slightly broken." "Broken?" "I doubt it." "He hurt it in the blackout on the trompe I'oeil." "Trompe I'oeils are trouble." "You can walk right into them." "It's awkward." "The painted plates make the shelf look painted too." "It's an optical illusion." "In that case, how does an optical illusion work in a blackout?" "He looked at it first." "Then the lights went out and he walked right into it." "Okay." "Did you have an affair?" "An affair?" "How so?" "In the way that exists between a man and a woman." "I've examined his computer." "He mentions you in his essay on lies." "I have the passages about you." "It's all about a young woman..." "Liliane... who can't have children, who loves gardening and novels." "A young provincial doctor, she's married to a mentally fragile art teacher, a bit perverse on the side." "She becomes the mistress of a top journalist who's spending a few weeks on the Breton coast." "Is that you?" "What can I say?" "No, it's not me." "Here's my husband." "Mr. Sterne, hello." "I have another question for you." "Yes, what question?" "When did you leave Mr. Desmot on the beach?" "I gave up watches in primary school." "You're stronger than you look." "You're lucky not to have a schedule." "I don't have a watch, but I have a schedule." "So..." "Mr. Desmot left at around eleven, that's what you told me." "How do you know that?" "He had a watch." "He checked it before he left." "Okay." "Did you come straight back here afterwards?" "Yes, by boat, the driving was good." "But once I landed," "I had to plough along." "You drive boats, you plough when you walk, you never do anything like other people." "She won't let it go." "Did you see her eyes?" "She's a hunter." "You're innocent." " She has no proof." "She's desperate." " You think so?" "I love you." "I need to touch you, I need to feel your body." "I need you to be real." "She wasn't his type, your Honor." "But the portrait is unmistakable." "She must have been flattered." "She fell for it..." "The clues are there..." "the blue dress, the beauty mark..." "Besides, in Desmot's notes, he seduces her because her husband is mentally ill." "He says he's perverted, suspects him of rape." "He seduces the wife to make her talk." "He was an odd character." "I bet he started the rumors." "Sterne had every reason to kill him." "There again, the autopsy says it was a heart attack." "Whatever, your Honor, it's your decision." "Goodbye." "What an asshole." "Maybe he's right." " I have to see you later." " Okay." "I'm not disturbing you?" "I'm early." "Here's your gardenia." "No direct light and no tap water." "How much do I owe you?" "A fortune." "I have five new notes with consecutive numbers." "Maybe it's Mr. Desmot's missing money." "You know about that?" "Everybody does." "Who gave them to you?" "I didn't say before to be discreet, but it was Régis Marchal." "He owes us a lot of money." "This is a tenth of it." "When I saw these new notes with consecutive numbers, well, it seemed clear enough to me." "Any idea where the rest is?" "I have a faint idea, yes." "Have you told anyone else?" "Only my husband and Inspector Loudun, while I was waiting." "He gave me a Snickers bar." "Yes." "He loves them." "Yes." "Loudun." "Can you find Régis Marchal and bring him in?" "Yes, I know." "Quietly, okay, no fuss." "I have to meet my husband." "Give me a few minutes more." "I don't want to see Régis." "Don't worry, you won't see him." "I hate those confrontations." "You said people are talking about Mr. Desmot?" "Nothing else." "One takes over from another." "One takes over from another?" "That is to say, his death has pushed the little girl's into the background." " The poor thing." " Exactly." "You know Victor, the kid who found Eloise's body?" "Of course." "His sister's in my grandson's class." "He's funny." "Always ferreting, everything interests him." "He reminds me of Tintin." "Anyway, he came to see me earlier and told me a very strange story." "He found one of Eloise's drawings." "I have it here." "Look." "Sit down." "It's pretty." "Yes, very pretty." "Do you know where he found it?" "In your husband's bag." "What do you mean?" "Last night, at Roger's bar, in fact." "We didn't go there last night." "Or a day or two before." "Victor was at the counter." "You both went out at one point and he searched your husband's bag." "What for?" "I don't know." "It must have been Jérôme's." "You know how kids give each other things." "If his bag is too full, his grandfather puts things in his." "No, Mrs. Bornier." "This is her final drawing." "She left Mr. Sterne's house with it." "Understand what that means?" "Victor also found this in your husband's bag." "I have to admit we all wondered what use this could be." "Inspector Loudun found the answer in this magazine." "Listen." ""This pen-like instrument in its smart case will increase your sexual prowess within months." "Using natural substances employed for centuries in Asia...", etc." "Does your husband give himself shots in the dick to get it up?" "Does he have a mistress?" "A mistress?" "Like hell." "Women don't interest him." "I'm just his mother, you see." "As for the rest..." "He's never been normal." "He had shots." "Still, I never thought it would end like this." "You never know who you live with." "You know nothing." "It all started in Indonesia." "Little girls there are..." "Hooked on little girls, can you imagine..." "He was obsessed by them." "The shame of it!" "He kept insisting on fetching Jérôme from school." "I fought to stop him." "I couldn't do any more than that." "What could I do?" "What you just did." "Come on." "Let's go pick up your husband." "Come with me, Mr. Bornier." "Nice and quietly." "It's all you can do, come quietly with me." "Look after Jérôme." "She'll look after him." "Come on." "St. Malo may well be emerging from the nightmare of the last week." "Chief Inspector Lesage has just made an arrest in the tragic case of the murder of Eloise Michel." "We cannot divulge the suspect's name but, apparently, he is a well-known personality in the town." "The St. Malo police, headed by Chief Inspector Lesage, worked with the gendarmes to solve the case." "It's over, René." "As for the other case..." " At last!" " You think so?" "Yes, I'm sure." "...that case, too, is nearing its conclusion." "Police are currently questioning a major witness..." "I'm afraid nothing's over yet, my love." "Hello, René." "How are you?" "Better than yesterday." "Our new Chief Inspector did a good job." "Are you alone?" "My wife's the breadwinner." "She's got a tough day." "Could you come to the station?" "What for?" "As a favor to Mrs. Lesage." "Why should I?" "Don't be like that." "We've got Régis in custody." "What?" "This money business is fishy." "He's lying like crazy." "Anna's cute but she costs him a lot." "She's not like that." "Maybe." "But he loves her." "He buys her gifts." "She's happy, he buys more." "He wants to see you." "Mrs. Lesage thinks it could help." "Thank you for coming, Mr. Sterne." "Mr. Marchal is tying himself up in knots, yet he's nothing like a killer." "I'm sure." "He asked to see you." "I agreed, hoping it will help us." "You're going to bug the room." "Good Lord, no." "You only see that kind of thing in films." "I've got Anna in my office." "It's hard locking up your babysitter's boyfriend." "Send your daughter to me for art lessons." "I'm not dangerous now, nor even perturbing, I see." "I do my job, Mr. Sterne." "I try to do it well." "I'll leave you then." "Got a cigarette?" "I'm up shit creek." "I was at Desmot's on Saturday." "At 3AM." "He usually worked all night." "God knows when he slept." "What?" "That's impossible." "It's true, he asked me to come over." "All the lights were on." "I rang the bell," "I knocked, there was no reply." "I mean, we had an appointment." "So I took the goods home till the next day." "The goods?" "The stuff he wanted, the religious artifacts." "He'd paid ten percent, twenty-five grand." "All these 17th-century wood paintings." " Really heavy stuff." " What did you do?" "I took them back to the fence, I wasn't keeping them." "He paid 25,000 on Friday, the day before he had dinner with you." "Like the jerk I am, I went showing off at the Borniers' to pay back their dough." "Then I bought Anna that necklace." "They found the body an hour later." "My goose is cooked." "Besides, I lied." "Who'll believe me now?" "I will." "I was told..." "I was told it's sunny several times a day in Brittany." "I'm sorry, Anna." "I'll be keeping your friend here." "You understand, I hope." " I'm exhausted." " You poor thing." " Want a cup of tea?" " Why not?" "How was your day?" "Nothing special." " Did you paint a bit?" " No." "It was me." "Shut your mouth." "Shut your mouth." "Then I went up to the house." "I was at peace, see..." "It was like some force urging me to do everything calmly." "How did you kill him?" "How?" "I don't know now..." "I hit him." "I don't remember." "It was an accident then." "No, it holds together too well!" "I arranged everything after, like for a painting." "To make people think he spent the night here." "I ran a bath for him." "He never took baths." "I didn't know." "I just did any crazy thing." "I'm not gifted for crime." "It was me." "It was me..." "It's all over now." "You don't know who I am." "I lied to you, Viviane." "I'm someone else." "I didn't want to lose you." "I don't want to lose you either." "I'm here now, René." "I'm here." "Welcome to death's realm." "René." "René." "René." "René, René."