Le Samouraï

THE SAMURAI

"There is no greater solitude than that of the samurai,

unless it is that of the tiger in the jungle...

Perhaps..."

Bushido

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 6200 P.M.

Jef?

I got here tonight at 7:15 and left at 2:00 a.m.

Impossible. Wiener just got back. He phoned to say he's coming at 2:00.

Then I was here from 7:15 to 1:45.

I like when you come here, because you need me.

Call.

How long will you be here?

We rented the room for the night.

I'll be here at 2:00. Save me a seat.

Bring cash, in case you lose.

I never lose.

Not really.

- Who are you? - It doesn't matter.

What do you want?

To kill you.

General alert. Routine roundup.

Identity checks all night.

The killer is described as tall and young, wearing a raincoat and hat.

I want at least 20 suspects from every precinct.

What's 400 suspects in a city of 10 million?

Get a move on. In an hour it'll be too late.

Police. Open up.

Identity check. Your papers, gentlemen.

How long have you been here?

Since 7:00.

Papers, please. And you?

Since 9:0O... 9:15.

Your livelihood?

I get a full pension, sir. I'm a disabled veteran.

When did you get here?

At 2:00... 2:15.

Come with us for a routine check.

If you make a legitimate living, you'll be released at once.

Let's move it.

Silence!

Damolini, Ange Séraphin.

Gros Caillou precinct. Age 41. Picked up in a bar

on Avenue Bosquet with a .32 automatic.

Take off your glasses.

What have you got to say?

Me? Nothing at all.

You were carrying a gun.

For what purpose?

Next.

This way.

Garcia, Juan, age 47,

and Delbarre, Jeanne, age 51.

Picked up near Austerlitz station.

Man carrying a .32 automatic.

Take off your hat.

You're not married?

Living together?

Why the gun?

Paris streets ain't safe at night.

It's just for self-defense.

I'll read your record:

"1945, six-month prison sentence for inciting a minor to debauchery.

1950, 12-month sentence for drug trafficking.

1952, attempted burglary.

1955, new sentence for procuring.

1958, attempted murder.

1960, manslaughter. Given the benefit of the doubt."

Well?

Next.

Costello, Jef. Age 30.

No criminal record. Fits the description.

Not carrying any firearms.

The man wore a hat.

Put on your hat.

It wasn't a hat like that.

The hat he wore

was darker.

No, it was light-colored.

But he had a mustache... I think.

Why'd you shave your mustache off?

I've never had a mustache.

I don't think it's him.

No, it's definitely not him.

Excuse me, but I say it's him.

I distinctly remember the silhouette.

And you?

Yes, it could be him.

Where were you between 12:00 and 2:00?

At my girlfriends.

The lucky lady's name and phone number?

Is that necessary?

A suspect with no alibi stays here.

Jane Lagrange, 11 Avenue Amiral Bruix.

- Phone number? - MacMahon 91-73.

Miss Lagrange, please.

Miss Lagrange alone.

Besides the man outside whom we found at your apartment,

did you have any other visitor last night?

We're not investigating your private life.

You can see whom you like, when you like.

That's not an offense.

I just want to know if, before Mr. Wiener arrived at 2:00 a.m.,

you had any other visitor.

Who and until what time?

Until 1:45. A man.

So I understood. Same age as Mr. Wiener?

No, younger.

Thirtyish?

Yes, thirtyish.

From what time to what time?

From about 7:15 until 1:45.

How did you know it was 1:45?

I made him leave. I expected Mr. Wiener at 2:00.

I understand.

And now one last verification.

The man's name?

Must I answer?

Yes, you must.

Jef Costello.

Excuse me a moment, please.

He didn't say he knew the victim?

Why didn't you mention that? - It's not true.

You'll have to prove that.

No, it's up to you to prove the contrary.

What you can't deny -

for very long anyway -

are your regular visits to his club.

I never set foot in there.

What exactly are you after?

Jef Costello's confession to a crime he didn't commit?

Isn't that going too far?

I'm about to make you change your tune.

Call you back.

Bring Wiener straight in here.

You arrived at Miss Lagrange's apartment at 2:00 or 2:15?

That's right.

Think carefully before you answer.

Did you have the feeling upon entering her apartment

that someone had just left?

Forgive me for being so blunt,

but didn't you feel your spot was already warm?

Excuse me?

I have to insist.

I'm not very observant.

That's everyone's loss.

But I do remember something.

As I entered the building, someone turned on the light.

I saw a man on his way out. He walked past me.

Come to think of it...

he was just a few feet from Miss Lagrange's door.

He might've been coming out.

Could you recognize him?

No, I don't think so.

Let me try something.

Put on your coats and hats and line up in three rows.

Come with me.

Stand over there.

Switch coats with him.

And you switch hats.

Come this way, please.

Do you recognize the man you saw at 2:00 a.m. in Miss Lagrange's lobby?

Do you recognize anyone?

I have a composite image of the man I passed.

A trench coat like that one.

A hat like this one...

or that one.

And a face like his.

Just imagine if you were observant!

Come with me, please.

That's it.

I must ask you both to forgive me.

Our job leaves no room for etiquette.

Can I go now?

Of course.

So much for people's private lives!

I'm investigating a homicide.

I have no choice when dealing with a suspect. Every minute counts.

Can I go now too?

Of course.

Take the lady home.

I'd like you to take one more look at Costello.

Try to be certain.

No "maybe" or "I think."

"Yes, it's him," or "No, it's not him." Understood?

Bring him in.

Do you recognize this man?

Did you see him come out of the office hallway?

Yes or no.

No, absolutely not.

Thank you. Step into my office.

Do you still recognize him as the man who came out of the hallway?

I can answer unequivocally.

That's what I'm asking you to do.

The answer is yes.

Step into my office.

Do you recognize this man?

No. Frankly, I don't think so.

Step into my office.

Same question.