The Burned Barns (Les Granges brûlées)

Who's there?

Ah, it's you.

Your machine broke down again?

No, not this time.

Good day, madam.

Good day.

We found a dead body at the crossing while passing with the snowplow.

- Dead? - Yes, dead.

Did you hear?

Yes. Good day.

But how?

Well, it's a woman's body lying in the snow, with blood stains on her clothes.

You don't know who she is?

Well no... A Mercedes is parked there...

Was it an accident?

Well no, we didn't see anything. She's lying there in the snow.

- I'll get dressed. - Me too.

- We will go to the crossroads. - Okay.

What a shame!

What's going on?

Listen, Paul,

If you need to drink this much, at least put the cork back on it,

and put the bottle back.

Now take some coffee.

And go get dressed.

Do not approach the car.

Let's go home.

Pass by the house when you finish.

It's a shame that snowplow drove onto the body.

When you want to help someone out, you don't think about those things.

Yeah.

But the chief isn't happy.

The snow has covered the first traces, and now...

It's over.

Come on, you don't have to act serious.

Only two of them left the house.

If you want to know what they did last night, ask them.

It's routine.

Al right.

Cato, Louis.

Name of the father...

Oh, Emil.

I'll write it in my office.

Al right, Louis.

I was at Ricco's place.

You know, the carpenter of Jills.

He always goes to play cards with him.

I returned on the upper road. It was the only one without snow.

I had a hard time getting back.

I couldn't see ten yards ahead because of the fog.

At what time?

Around one.

And you?

I was at Raoul's house.

Raoul who?

Raoul Renevier.

We watched TV and then I went home.

Around what time, do you know?

I heard him enter the house at eleven.

I might have some more questions later.

Won't you finish your drink?

Yes.

I'll accompany you.

Bye, Emil.

Bye, Rose. See you later.

There's no point in going back to bed.

I've known them for twenty years, Mr. Prosecutor.

They're peaceful people.

In my opinion there are two solutions,

Either the killer was in the car,

or it was someone who was meeting the girl at the crossroad.

I don't think anyone in the region could commit such a crime.

Well, doctor?

- She was murdered between 10 and 12 o'clock at night.

I might be more precise after the autopsy.

- Did you take the photographs? - Yes, Captain.

Stop.

Stop.

At what time did you return home tonight, Paul?

You know when. You said it yourself.

I said what you wanted me to say.

Leave that.

When did you return home?

I came back after the news.

And when was that?

Well, I don't know. After the news.

And then I went straight home.

Five minutes?

Yes, five minutes.

Is that it?

Yes, from this morning. They just removed the dead body.

Then it's agreed. We'll meet at Pontarlier-

Very well.

Shall I accompany you?

Who's that?

A regional journalist.

See you later, Mr. Prosecutor.

Good bye.

Good evening.

- Good evening. - I'd like a room.

Pierre Larcher.

Yes, immediately, your Honor.

Let me accompany you to your room.

I'd like to eat something first, if possible.

It's a bit late, sir, but I can fix something.

- The dining room is on the left. - Thank you.

Attend to our guest.

You are wanted on the phone, Mr. Larcher.

Thank you.

Yes, it was an exhausting day. I think it will be difficult.

Of course. And as my first job they gave me a case nobody wanted.

Let's see how I do.

The Captain seems like a nice guy.

The Inspector bothers me. He makes his conclusions in front of the whole world.

No, I can't tell you.

The tree?

Well, it's a little early to think about it.

The phone?

It's occupied.

The biggest you can find. As long as it fits on the floor.

Yes...

Al right, dear...

Take this. You'll hear better.

I'll call you back tomorrow, yes, a hug.

Pardon.

They have brought this to you from the Gendarmerie.

Thank you.

Pretty, isn't she?

Yes.

Good day, miss.

Good day, sir...

Pierre Larcher.

The Judge in charge of the case.

- Nice to meet you. - Ma'am.

Won't you enter?

It's better here.

Come in. Sit down.

It's a very large farm.

Oh, yes, it has one hundred twenty-five hectares, but it's not ours.

You're tenant farmers?

No, farmers, and over there are

eight hectares which belong to us.

It's the Judge who's investigating the crime.

My husband.

- Good day. - Good day.

Many people here fought for the liberation, correct?

Yes, sir.

He's happy to come out of there alive.

Have you heard screams tonight?

No.

Around eleven?

No.

Mr. and Mrs.

Sir.

Excuse me.

Her identity has been established.

Good.

Who was she?

A woman from Paris.

She was so young...

I apologize, I have to continue with my work.

Serve the gentlemen, Pierre.

Madam...

Are you sure it was 11 PM?

Of course.

I just turned off the television.

Will you come in for a drink?

No, I never drink on the job.

- Bye. - Goodbye.

Good bye.

It matches.

It doesn't take more than five minutes to get back to the house.

What worries me is that the girl died while the son was away.

Also, it should be noted

that it's all based on the mother's testimony.

You suspect her?

I note. I don't suspect.

That's all.

Hello, Emil.

Hi, kids.

Good afternoon, Emil.

Good afternoon.

Excuse me, Rose, I came to get the German

bayonet you have in the lunchroom.

Al right.

Lucile, go get it.

Okay.-

They want to check everything.

In that case, you would have to check all the drawers in the region,

because you can find 200 knives like this one.

Here.

And don't lose it, OK? You can't find knives like that any more.

You weren't even born yet when Pierre brought it.

Excuse me.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

You know her?

Yes, it's Monique,

Rose's daughter-in-law.

Paul's wife, she works in the hotel.