Les Crimes silencieux

To my mum

I'm back.

Silent Crimes

Generations of miners extracted coal from the earth,

fathers and sons.

Women worked in coal too, in the daytime,

sorting coal in the dust...

Just think.

Your great grandfather

is shown here.

He worked here.

Before they went down,

they were checked in here,

so it was known where each miner was,

in case of problems.

Thanks.

We're off for a bite.

See you later.

- We're staying here. - Alright.

He reserved it,

if we leave, he'll get shirty.

Stop it.

But it is interesting.

The Black Country

Well, well! Aren't you the lucky one.

- Here you are. - Thanks.

Have a nice day.

- Have fun. - Bye.

Give me a bit.

- Is it good? - Yes.

These are the cloakrooms.

They hung clothes here to dry them,

whilst they dug.

Oh shit.

Here, D.C.I.

The duty officer knows?

He's here. A northern coffee?

- I was already here... - Drink while it's hot.

He had this.

Hell's gate.

No. I'm joking.

Disused winding gear. There's a lot round here.

- Levin restored mines. - You knew the victim?

Who didn't?

A Sunday murder, how thoughtless.

Could've waited till you start.

We had a different timetable.

He was quite thoughtful,

using chloroform before the hanging.

A good-natured crime.

Was Arnaud Levin married?

His wife was at all cocktail parties.

A sultry brunette, and local ex-beauty queen.

- I'll hand the case to you. - No.

- All yours. - Just like an initiation ritual.

Let's visit his wife.

For real?

Lucky you. Reality does nothing for me.

Tell me more about Arnaud Levin?

He's a key player in the region.

A politician in all but name.

A businessman, with a killer instinct.

He was awarded all the mine renovation tenders.

Created some jealousy, eh?

I don't suffer from it. Do you?

I was referring to him.

You asked to be transferred here.

OK. Let's start all over again.

Hello. I'm Tess Borski.

Detective Chief Inspector.

Let's keep contact informal, and avoid scoring points.

There's nothing to prove. Is that clear?

Very clear.

Francois Dubois, superintendent,

chief of C.I.D.

- Welcome to my team, Tess. - "Chief superintendent."

So, you're my boss?

Might've said.

You didn't ask. I appreciate that.

We'll stay informal and you'll run the enquiry.

People's deaths exasperate me,

crimes exhaust me, I've had 30 years' worth of it.

- Blase? - Disillusioned.

It distances you

from your family, your loved ones.

Crimes suck you in and bleed you dry.

- It's our job. - Your job.

I'm here to help, observe and cover your back, if necessary.

The rest is irrelevant.

Shall we go?

Let's.

Hello, madam.

We're investigating a homicide

which took the life of...

God, I hate doing this.

- Can you confirm... - I can't believe it.

Yes, it's him. Why would someone do that?

Finding a motive may tell us.

Mrs. Levin, I must ask:

did your husband have enemies, business or family?

You know the region as well as I.

He did a lot here.

No one likes someone else's success.

That's true.

But enough to want him dead? I don't understand.

Denis, the police are here.

Arnaud's been murdered.

Found hanging in the museum cloakroom.

Yes, I'd heard.

- Who did it? - Good question.

Mrs. Levin, what were you doing last night from 11.30 to 1am?

I was at home.

Alone?

No. With Denis, my lover.

He lives with us.

You confirm that?

Yes. I can add that we dined together last night.

Then we made love, as usual.

- Denis, enough. - Happy with that alibi?

You will almost certainly be asked that again.

Love triangle less 1, is a couple.

- The lover did it? - A classic twist.

It was a consensual threesome.

It's all about motive. Find it. Amaze me.

That's encouraging.

Make me want to investigate again.

It's vital.

My role isn't as a chauffeur.

Your predecessor wasn't so fussy.

She was delightfully humble...

Transferred?

No. She burnt to death in her flat.

I supported your application

in front of the judiciary.

Yes. Don't worry yourself about that.

The psychiatric report will stay our secret.

Yes, absolutely. Thanks a lot. Goodbye.

- How are the pancakes? - Like cardboard.

It's mum!

How are you?

Grandad's pancakes are pretty awful.

Hugues Borski.

- Your honour. - I'm no longer that.

I'm now retired from the bar.

- You're a colleague? - Chief Superintendent Dubois.

A high-ranking official. Good for you! Congratulations.

We're in elegant company, it seems. Good.

Dad! Dad!

Dad!

Look, Francois is working with mum.

They're upstairs.

Thanks for housing us.

Rapid transfer, rapid answer. You're welcome.

Thanks.

We'll find a peaceful spot.

Luc needs it.

- And you? - What?

You seem tired.

With your husband...

is it difficult?

Life is difficult.

You know, if you settle here,

you'll never work in Paris again.

I'm saving my couple.

In any case, congratulations.

To your first homicide.

Are you on your own on this one?

Yes, in agreement with my boss.

You're being judged. Be very careful.

The super wants me to cut through the crap,

victim's a bigwig.

Levin was a restorer of old mines.

Know him?

Not personally, only by name.

Off to bed.

- Bye. - Good night.

The safe door

closed accidentally on the thief.

The following morning,

I cuffed him, and he was still asleep.

Tell me another story?

No, time to sleep.

Aren't you fed up with my cop stories?

That's all you know.

Before sleeping,

think of how you want to decorate your new room.

I want it pink,

with a garden outside, like grandad's.

And with a big white dog.

Sleep well, sweetie.

Sweet dreams.

Come on.

Mum, can I read a bit?

- One page. - Thanks.

Move!

Get out of here!

Drop your gun! Drop it!

Drop your weapon!

Any closer, I fire!

Calm down, drop your gun.