The Poisoning Angel (Fleur de Tonnerre)

THE POISONING ANGEL

Thunderflower, get up. Time to go home.

Hélène, not Thunderflower.

Throw those away.

Get rid of them!

I told you not to touch those.

It's belladonna, nightshade. It's poisonous. Come on.

Who wants a drink? Jean? No?

You're funny.

If it makes me as dumb as your husband, I better slow down.

Cruel child, you scared us.

Why did you knock 3 times?

I was cleaning my clogs.

Any noise repeated 3 times is unlucky.

Like the Ankou, the Grim Reaper. He calls thrice, then reaps.

He'll say:

"Thunderflower,

"Thunderflower,

"Thunderflower."

Then you'll hear his cart.

Then you won't be so smug.

He'll grab you

and put you in it

along with all those he reaped on his way.

Stop talking about it.

Drink.

I'm hungry, mom.

Too bad. You should have come home earlier.

Whoever sees the Ankou will never be able to tell.

The Grim Reaper takes him before he can speak.

You can never be angry with him.

You don't have time.

Crack! He just cuts you down.

It's no worse than the black dog.

What black dog? You never told me.

He looked at me and began to speak.

He said:

"I'm Cambris." It was him.

- Cambris, who died last year? - The same.

He had the same voice, the same cough. It was him!

I'm innocent.

Hélène Jégado, where were you born?

I'm speaking to you.

Plouhinec.

Do you have family?

Are these your things?

You won't answer my question?

Is this yours?

This?

Hélène.

And this?

Give it back!

Calm down!

Answer me.

You must cooperate.

Tell me why you've been brought to me.

Let's start over.

Do you know anything about this?

Whose ring is this?

Emily.

You're here.

Come and play with us.

Want to hear them?

I hear people crying.

Stake hens, lots of them.

They want us to free them.

- What are stake hens? - Dwarves. They're bad.

They're dark and hairy.

They come out from under the stone,

take your hand

and lead you to the old chapel.

Come on, let's go.

You're lying. That's nonsense.

- My dad said so. - I don't believe you.

We're not allowed to go to the old chapel.

Let's go together.

You're crazy, stop!

You scare me. You look like a witch.

ANKOU KILLS YOU ALL

You like the soup, Emily?

Yes, Mrs. Jégado.

I'm glad you came.

- You rarely come. - Yes, ma'am.

I'm glad my daughter invited you. You should come again.

I'll do whatever you tell me to.

Mom.

I'm all alone now, I can't keep you.

You'll be fine there. You'll eat well.

Please, Dad. Don't leave me.

I can't do it.

We don't have the means.

She's your godmother.

She's nice. Remember her?

I'll give you my bag.

It's solid. I made it myself.

We'll put your things inside, your Sunday best

and other clothes.

It's yours.

Daddy.

Do you love me?

Not hungry?

No.

Then go to bed. You leave early tomorrow.

Sir. Sir.

Excuse me, sir.

You're the investigating judge?

Yes.

I'm told you're in charge of the Hélène Jégado case.

I must see her.

So, Mr... what was it again?

Véron. Mathieu Véron.

She was a cook in your house.

Yes.

Eight years ago.

In Lorient.

What are the charges against Hélène?

I must know, tell me.

You're concerned about her.

Why is that?

I dare not imagine what binds you, but...

This is a criminal case

of the utmost importance.

We've investigated.

Among many families for whom she worked, one or more people

died violent deaths.

Sir, I must know.

Who are you to her?

It's hard to explain.

But I'd like to help her.

Even if it costs me dearly,

my conscience compels me to tell the truth.

My truth.

Hélène.

My wife had hired Hélène 6 months earlier.

My wife was kind and devoted.

What did you serve her?

Eel with a sauce.

Did you use herbs?

In red wine sauce? Never.

What's wrong?

What's wrong with her?

My love, my love.

My love.

Calm yourself, sir.

I'm here.

After my wife died, I lost my taste for life.

I waited for death.

Sir, you can't remain like this.

You'll fall ill.

Please, make an effort.

At least taste it.

I can't.

Look at me.

Look at me.

I know it may seem indecent, even monstrous.

I loved my poor wife more than anything.

Hélène made me love life again, she saved me.

So now it's my turn,

I'd like to help her, to see her.

I want her to know she's not alone.

Do you understand?

I'll grant that.

But make sure she cooperates.

Otherwise I'll charge you with conspiring with your cook.

Very well.

Your honor.

Simmer it

until the vinegar is completely evaporated.

Then,

you add a tablespoon of hot water.

Not cold, OK? Already hot.

A pinch of salt.

And then

you can add your butter.

Then, when your 2 shallots are finely minced,

you add them to the pot

and pour a tablespoon of vinegar on top.

Godmother?

Where do the dead go?

Well...

What a question!

I think if you've been good your whole life,

like you, dear,

you go to heaven with the angels and saints, bathed in God's love.

You'll see loved ones who've already departed.

You'll surely see your sweet mom again.

Up there, she thinks of you every day and watches over you.

I'm sure she thinks you're pretty.

You look like a heavenly angel.

Go on. Go see the priest.

Thank you.

Come on, help me.

Give this list to the pharmacist.

Here. Buy yourself sweets with the change.

- Sweets for a little girl. - Thank you, father.

Go on! Not too many, though.

What do you need?

Arsenic?

What does father Riallan want that for?

It's for godmother.