Bergerac

What about this weather?

Right, Jim, £9.50.

Thanks, Harry. Keep the change.

Ta. On a case?

No... in court all afternoon. Nice and warm for some!

Murder, innit?

What's murder?

Price of petrol. Especially with a car like that.

Yeah, it's thirsty.

Sometimes I think it runs on brandy.

Sergeant Bergerac, innit?

Yeah, that's right. Jim Bergerac.

Well, Jim, boy. I reckon I could do you a right favour.

You're not going to sell me one of those heaps of tin, I hope.

I wouldn't dream of it.

I've had my eye on this roadster for some time.

Away from this job, I buy old cars.

Listen, you'd better stop being interested in this one. It's not for sale.

You 'aven't 'eard my offer.

There's been a dozen offers.

Jim. Yeah?

Let me try again.

You heard me. Wash your ears out. It's NOT for sale.

I have several questions, Sergeant.

I want to be sure about them.

The accused's car

was parked under a harbour-side light and a rear window was open.

Yes, sir. There was a dog inside and I assumed that was why it was open.

It had disturbed a rug thrown over some items?

Several containers.

Plastic ones you believed were filled with petrol and therefore illegal?

I could smell petrol fumes quite strongly, even though the containers were empty.

You waited on Mr Le Fevre and challenged him?

Yes, sir, I did.

He said he'd been to his boat for them and that they were for storing paint-stripper.

When you asked to examine them?

He made it impossible.

By jumping into his car and driving off?

I couldn't stop him.

Sergeant Bergerac, you are a CID officer with the Bureau des Etrangers?

Yes, sir.

The function of your particular branch

involves visitors to this island

whether tourists, immigrant residents, or seasonal workers?

Chiefly, yes. Yet you pick on my client,

whom you are well aware

belongs to an established family. I'm a police officer

and did NOT pick on him.

Later, you drove to Mr Le Fevre's home to question him.

To check the car and clothing.

You knew there had been a fire destroying a hotel.

The blaze would have been difficult to miss.

Or in your mind the connection between the hotel and my client!

You were eager to make that connection.

I warn that if this court finds my client guilty

on the flimsiest evidence... on what seems to be

one man's suspicion, then other damaging conclusions may be wrongly drawn.

I seek adjournment for this matter to go before a jury

and urge Your Honour to take this course.

Well?

They got what they wanted... a jury.

He'll probably get off.

Which means he, his old man AND the company will get off too.

Right.

Is it true Jerome Le Fevre took Deborah out once or twice?

Yeah... Common knowledge, innit?

Jeez! Couldn't somebody else have discovered the fire?

They've got us over a barrel!

Fancy a drink?

I fancy a good, stiff brandy, but no thanks...

I'm off home.

I've had... enough.

Night, Barney... Charlotte.

Take care, Jim.

Goodnight.

Oh!

So...

we AREN'T going to prove arson.

It was a long shot - and the Fire boys found nothing.

We hoped to light a flame.

Under the Le Fevres? Yeah.

Fat chance.

Slow stride, Terry! I hate late shifts!

Hope it stays quiet for you.

You left it unlocked.

Not too smart for the constabulary!

No point.

They'd cut the roof. Who are you?

A stranger on these shores... who was told you could help me.

Right, Sergeant Jim? Why didn't you come up to the office?

And get arrested for being legless?

How much have you had to drink? Lots and lots!

So cheap here.

No wonder your island has a problem.

Who told you about me?

A friend... in the AA.

She knows you and said you wouldn't mind.

My name's Suzy.

Where are you staying, Suzy?

Big hotel on the front. The Grand?

Yes, the Grand.

That where you've been drinking? Not likely.

Far too snooty in the bar.

Anyway...

I'm scared of being in the hotel alone. As an experienced alcoholic

you're thinking I've a bottle in my room.

That's not the only reason I'm scared.

Look, I'd like to help you and I will,

but I must pass you over to someone. No!

I need you to listen, not some AA do-goody. Why?

Because it's police help I want.

Why do you think I'm sitting here in your car?

Honestly.

Take me back to the hotel and... I'll explain.

But you said...

you were frightened. Not if you're with me. Seriously.

I really do need your help.

Sergeant Jim?

Round this way - at the back. We'd better go in there.

There's a service lift at this end.

I'm in room 229. Got the key?

Oh, it's in my bag.

Do you want a coffee? Yes, please.

I'll do that. No, I'm all right.

I feel better with you here.

Mind if I open a window? I could use fresh air.

I bet it smells of booze in here.

Any more of these?

Tell me about your other problem.

I have a husband. That sort of problem?

You don't understand.

My husband, Sam Walsh, is out to get me.

Get you? To kill me.

I really think he would.

Why?

We were divorced six months ago in Dublin.

I left Ireland to get away from him.

He's come after me several times and he's a very violent man, Sam.

That's why I had to leave him.

He drove me to drink.

But it's HIM who's sick!

You think he might be after you here?

He could be on the island already.

If you're frightened he'll find you, why come to a small place like this?

I've to collect some money.

Have you a Jersey bank account? Yes.

Sam runs a transport firm.

He may be unbalanced, but he's a helluva successful businessman.

Two years ago, he opened an offshore company in my name - a tax fiddle.

I only want part of the money...

to live on. He can have the rest.

But he thinks you want it all. Is that right?

I don't know WHAT he thinks.

But I'm frightened. Oh, hey, hey!

Oh, I'm sorry, I've got lipstick on your collar.

First time I've felt safe in three days.

The question is, what do we do about you? I'll be OK now.

So long as I know I can contact you. Don't hesitate.

Aaaahh! Oh, no!

No, look!

It's him... Sam.

He's watching this room.

He'll wait for you to go!

Keep the door locked till I get back.

Oof!

Hello? 'Jim Bergerac. Barney there?'

Yes, he is. Just a minute. Barney... Jim Bergerac for you.

Yes, Jim? 'There's been a murder.'

Murder? 'You heard! Wash your ears.'

I got you the first time. 'You interested?'

Of course I'm interested.

'Stop being inefficient.' Hold on, Jim.

What are you saying?

Where is this murder?

Bureau des Etrangers.

Barney here, Terry. Any reports of a murder?

No, it's as quiet as the grave. Why?

'Jim's been on about a murder.

'Sounded like he's been on the bottle.' No!

'He hasn't rung here.'

Let me know if there's anything.

Right, I will. 'Right.'

Jim DID sound rather uptight.

Bloody rude, you mean. What's going on?

Not like him to be abusive. No, it isn't.

Wait in the car. I'll be with you in a minute.

Bureau des Etrangers.

He's what?

Are you sure it's Jim Bergerac?

Keep him there. I'll be over.

Where? 'The Royal Yacht.'

They say he was paralytic.

I got here quick but he'd vanished. The place is shut.

'Find him!'

Back like a homing pigeon!

Come on, mate.

How did you manage to get home in this state?

Car drive itself, did it?

Come on, mate!

The old man'll be furious.