Murder on Devil's Bridge (Le pont du diable)

Easy, there. Turn!

Easy!

Go around!

What is it, Gaya?

What is it?

THE DEVIL'S BRIDGE

Mind your backs.

Go ahead.

Come on, Gaya!

Take it easy with the flock!

Sorry.

They'll be sending the cavalry soon.

André Savignac, 75, mayor of St Guilhem.

Fracture of the 7th cervical vertebra.

Strangulation marks that match the rope.

Morning!

Captain Charras, Lt Guemmouri, St Guilhem-le-Désert Gendarmerie.

Inspector Fazergues, Montpellier CID.

Like Chantal Fazergues, who runs the hotel in the village?

Why's CID here for a suicide?

There's always an inquest when public officials die.

The prosecutor co-appointed us:

we'll have to work together, Captain.

Savignac's wife died long ago.

There's only his son Eric.

He runs the olive grove.

Because...

André Savignac wasn't just mayor of St Guilhem,

he was the biggest farmer in the region.

He specialized in olive oil.

Ah...

That's Eric on the tractor.

Park here.

Eric's an odd chap. I'd rather announce his dad's death alone.

Teamwork starts here!

Even now, I'm not the son he dreamed of.

It's not your fault, Eric.

We lived together and I saw nothing.

The farming crisis, competition from Spanish oil, falling prices...

It can't always be easy at the olive grove!

No...

She means it's a lot...

even for someone strong like your dad.

Can we see inside?

You don't need to come.

I'll see to it.

You seem to know him well.

What's up with Savignac's son?

His father is dead.

I meant his character.

You said he was odd.

- He is weird... - Depends who with.

Eric's fragile.

He was kept out of school as a child.

In hospital for months.

What for?

Glandular fever, I think. Something similar.

He's barely left the olive grove.

Staying with his dad cut him off from others.

Why?

He's an only son.

Both his parents are dead.

The olive business isn't what it was, but it's a fine inheritance!

You've got a cheek.

Eric's just lost his father and you treat him like a suspect!

Until proved otherwise, Savignac wasn't killed, he hanged himself!

CID sees evil everywhere.

It's better than seeing nothing.

We should check his office.

It's further up, on the left.

Left! Here!

Left!

- Mom, where are you? - At work. I sent you a text.

You promised we'd spent the holidays together.

Sorry, darling, I've no choice.

That's crap.

Can't talk now, I'll call you back. Love you!

You can't come often to St Guilhem. I can't place you.

I'd come with my brother when we were small.

My grandparents ran the hotel, my mother took it over.

But now I don't have much time.

I've been town hall secretary for 10 years.

I'd never have thought he'd do such a thing!

What will we do without him?

How was he, lately?

- Did you notice any change? - No.

The mayor did a lot for the village.

It's thanks to him we have so many visitors today.

Everyone here loved him.

Odd, for someone who everyone here loved.

Captain...

"I know everything. You will pay."

We look for a suicide letter, we find a threatening letter.

We already have a motive: revenge!

Those who write letters don't always act...

Like the doctor said: Savignac died by hanging.

Someone might have helped him.

Someone helped him commit suicide by hanging him?

I didn't think of it, but it's obvious.

Calm down! I'll explain.

Damien!

Little brother. I'm sorry.

You're here for André?

- Yes. I know he was your boss. - He was my friend!

He's the only one who believed in me after the accident.

Giving me his shop was great for me.

- When did you see him last? - Yesterday, for the inventory.

He was hit by the loss of our organic label.

No doubt he felt down, but not enough to hang...

My poor Damien, I just heard. It's awful.

Like the girl 30 years ago.

She hanged herself on the Devil's Bridge.

- What girl? - Nora Allouache.

An olive grower's daughter.

Everyone here knows the story.

That bridge is cursed.

Sorry, I didn't mean you...

It's OK. Thanks for calling in.

Does Mom know you're here?

She'd love to see you.

Inspector!

I'm sorry about André... Really.

Thank you, Captain.

The prosecutor's expecting us in Montpellier for the autopsy.

This is Mr Savignac, ma'am.

Death by hanging,

as evidenced by subconjunctival haemorrhage,

but he was drugged first.

Trace of a needle...

matching an injection of scopolamine,

flagged in the blood tests.

It's a drug that removes any will to resist.

That means he was alive when hanged but couldn't defend himself?

Affirmative.

The killer wanted Savignac to witness his own execution.

Homicide with premeditation.

Any further clues?

Yes. Savignac received a threat.

And a teenager, Nora Allouache, hanged herself at the same spot

30 years ago.

One hanging on a bridge is rare, but two...

We'll look into it.

I knew you'd make a good team!

Good of you to share your news.

You don't share!

I didn't tell you because the whole village knows!

Maybe so, but I don't! My wife's from here.

She wanted to return. We moved not long ago.

I don't know stuff from 30 years ago!

You mind if I pick up my daughter? No school tomorrow...

Thank you.

Where are we going?

I told you, Fanny, to Granny's.

But why?

I told you, it's about work.

We won't stay long.

But it's crap there. I'll get bored.

Why do you say that? You'll really enjoy it...

No, it's not nice. That's why we never go!

You don't like going either!

Mom, let me!

Take off your cap.

What a nice surprise!

Hi Mom...

How you've grown!

Let me kiss you.

Fanny, kiss Granny.

Don't force her, give her time.

We haven't seen each other in ages.

Do come in.

We'll only stay 3-4 days to wrap up the investigation.

Investigation?

What investigation?

- Don't you know? - No!

Damien didn't tell you?

I saw he'd called but I haven't listened to my messages.

What's going on?

André Savignac was found hanged.

Are you OK?

You want a glass of water?

No, I'm OK.

I just wasn't expecting that.

What happened to him?

I don't know. We're looking.

That's why you came back.

Mom?

Is that you on the photo?

You were really young.

Who's the boy with you?

Uncle Damien. Can't you tell?

But he's standing! Where's his chair?

- He didn't need it before. - Before what?

I've one room with a big bathroom. I'll show you.

With a big bed to sleep with Mommy!

Granny, do you know much geometry?

Of course. It's my favourite subject!

Phew!

Any coffee left inside?

And... did you know Savignac well?

Everyone knew him. He was the village mayor.