Maigret sees Red (Maigret voit rouge) (Maigret voit rouge)

This is the 10th borough police station.

Yes, ma'am. We're 5 minutes from the Gare du Nord.

-I'm to stand guard all night? -Who knows when he'll show up?

-Do we have his description? -No.

All we know is that he's very discreet

and takes all he can from the covered market.

Couldn't it close at night?

It could, but that's up to the mayor.

-Take it up with him. -We really do it all, don't we?

-What enthusiasm! -This isn't very challenging.

French? Only a little.

MAIGRET SEES RED

"3405-JC75"

I'll get you some help.

OK...

Hey! What are you doing?

-Identity check? -In a way.

-For a hit-and-run? -Even better.

Ah, here:

-3405-JC75, Chevrolet. -That's the one.

-It belongs to Luigi Pozzo. -Italian?

No. American. He owns the Manhattan Bar.

I'll be right with you, Inspector.

Forgive me, Inspector.

It's very busy. What can I get you?

Nothing. Can I ask you something?

Ask away. I have nothing to hide.

-Where were you last night? -Here.

-Sure? -Ask anyone.

-You do own a Chevrolet? -Yes.

-3405-JC75? -Indeed.

Where was it last night at 10:30 PM?

Here, like me. Sorry, parked in the rear.

Are you sure?

I could go check. I haven't used it...

-Are you sure? -As sure as my name is Pozzo.

Please have a seat. What can I get you?

-Beer. -Waiter, 3 beers.

-Tell me, Pozzo... -Listen, Inspector,

I only use the Chevrolet to take my family out on Sundays.

That's odd, because I saw your family vehicle myself

last night at 10:30 PM.

There were 3 men inside firing at a fourth.

-What do you make of that? -I don't understand. My car?

Your car.

Follow me to the parking lot. You'll see you're mistaken.

-Yes? -Lily?

-Speaking. -Get me Bill.

Bill, it's for you.

I give you my word, it was there, like every night.

It's gone now. Just like I said.

Did your Pozzo make a call when you were at his bar?

Not to my knowledge.

Let's take it from the top.

Tell me everything that happened chronologically.

They forced me into their car

and we headed for Marly.

Did they say anything on the way?

In English. I didn't understand a thing.

Then?

They made me get out of the car and interrogated me.

-The 3 of them interrogated you? -No.

Their apparent boss stayed in the car,

the driver translated the questions

and the boxer hit me until I lied down.

Did they stop once they found out you were a policeman?

It gave them extra motivation.

They wanted to know who had taken the body.

When did you start talking?

When I felt I was losing my teeth.

-I'm sorry. -You're only human.

What did you tell them?

Everything.

I told them their victim wasn't dead

and that men in a light DS19 grabbed him.

-Did that seem to suffice? -I guess, they knocked me out.

They asked me if I had contacted the FBI, but I told them

that I wasn't high up enough to deal with the FBI.

Your fans of the open air are no beginners. They've got nerve!

They could do hard time for knocking a pig out.

Say, I haven't seen

your official report.

That's because I haven't written one.

I thought there were rules

against hiding such an event.

I know.

You wanted to investigate this yourself, didn't you?

It's just...

Spit it out.

I've never been lucky:

pickpockets, ridiculous hideouts and shadowing, that's my lot.

Your lot? Please!

That's usually how we catch bigger fish.

-Sure, but... -"Sure, but..."

Listen, Lognon, we'll drive this case home together.

But don't think it's in the bag.

All we have is this.

So? Remember, boss,

all you had was a button in the Morin case.

Sure, but it was a French button.

-These are American sunglasses. -That's a tough nut.

What's the motive?

It's easy when it's in the 14th borough,

-but it might be in the US. -So what should we do?

We'll do what we can. And if we find the man

to whom those glasses belong, we'll know more. Stay here.

Lucas,

get me the wiretap department.

Torrence, go take care of Lognon in my office.

Wiretap department.

Try to wind him up a bit.

This is Commissioner Maigret.

-This is Lambert, sir. -Tap the Manhattan's phone ASAP.

On Anatole de la Forge St. in the 17th borough.

-Intercept all their calls. -Gotcha.

Where's your boss?

Over there.

Mr. Pozzo?

Commissioner Maigret, judicial police.

I hope you didn't come all this way just for my car.

-I did. Good news, we found it. -That's surprising.

-Where is it? -In the judicial police's yard.

-Two Pimms. -Excuse me.

9.50 francs.

Well, I'm thrilled because it's a very nice car.

Eight cylinders. As tough as nails.

It's a nice piece of work, but the resale value is nil.

What can I get you?

A lager. On tap if you have it, no foam.

Nice joint.

Want to see my new bowling alley?

No, thank you. My age and position don't allow it.

Tell me, Pozzo,

-you like boxing, huh? -Do I "like" it?

You're talking to a manager.

Well I used to be one a long time ago.

-A lot of Americans come here. -Some.

Americans stole your car.

How do you know?

People heard them.

They had nasal voices.

The inspector who came here yesterday told me.

He was kidnapped right at your door.

-He was kidnapped? -Yes, by 3 Americans.

-What do you make of that? -How should I know?

-Is that so? -When I know nothing,

-I say nothing. -You're an American citizen?

-Yes. -Born in Sicily.

Palermo.

You really don't seem to want to cooperate with the authorities.

That's not very wise for a foreigner.

What if the government were to suspend your license?

I'd make a formal complaint to the embassy.

In my opinion the embassy has better to do

than to settle disputes for small merchants.

You need grounds for that.

You know, the government can find grounds for anything.

Commissioner,

can I give you a piece of advice?

I prefer confessions to advice,

but go ahead, you're never too old to learn.

No, thanks.

You see, Mr. Maigret,

you might have always triumphed in Paris

because you only had amateur foes.

While 9 out of 10 times, Americans are professionals,

therefore hardened

and organized.

You think I'll fall flat on my face?

I wouldn't dare say it, Commissioner.

Thanks for that piece of advice.

That being said, you should know

that though I might be indulgent with amateur gangsters,

I wage war on professional criminals.

-How much do I owe you? -You're my guest.

Thank you, but I am not your guest.

Then 7 francs.

That register trick is a new one.

You think they used the same code for me?

I'm almost certain of it.

When you told Pozzo about his car, he punched in 27.30.

His boy made the call

and 5 minutes later, the Americans picked you up.

So these guys must live close to the Manhattan.

Indeed, Lucas. 27.30. Know what I mean?

Yes. But how will we find the right exchange?

There aren't that many around there.

-There's Étoile, Wagram... -Carnot, Laborde...

-Balzac. -Galvani.

And Élysée.

That's 7 numbers to call.

Show me what you can do, boys.

Have you tried the hospitals again?

-Yes, nothing to report. -This might take a while.

Our friend Pozzo must have punched in more numbers

and sent the Americans running.

I'm sorry.

Nuns!

"Lily Laure, unemployed."

What did you find for 27.30?