Pasha (Le pacha)

Hero of 39-40,

agent for the Resistance,

Liberation fighter...

Albert Gouvion has always been on the front line.

Albert Gouvion has always served France.

But more than the patriot,

more than the crack policeman,

it is the friend we are mourning today.

There's no need to mourn really.

Albert's just coming back to St Denis.

After a long pointless campaign.

He can rest his bones, weary from all his antics,

here at home, by the Seine.

Before the concrete came,

this was where we'd watch the boats.

We'd pretend barges were bound for Shanghai

or the Golden Gate bridge.

Albert must have continued to believe

in this and that. Maybe that's why he died.

That and his wild fancies.

Everyone talks about heart attacks, cirrhosis,

cancer...

The worst illness there is

is giving all your love to one woman.

But I'd better begin at the beginning.

This is how it started.

I warn you, this is a priceless collection.

The insurance decides on a figure.

But replacing stones of this quality would be nigh on impossible.

You're taking them to Amsterdam?

No. We stop at the Belgian border.

I'm glad to see the back of them. Five nights on duty!

We'll be off then. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Take it easy. We've plenty of time.

Round you go. I'll drive.

- Have a safe trip. - Thanks.

Put your belt on.

They've just set off. Good luck.

OK, go!

Ready!

- They're here. - Let's go.

OK.

Stop!

Get out!

That's wide enough.

See you later!

Don't worry, we'll tidy up.

You lost two outriders.

It's fortunate, in my opinion.

You can use them to cover up the others' cowardice.

You know what else I think?

Your men weren't up to it.

Such inefficiency could be seen as connivance.

I shall say as much in my statement to the press.

Getting told off by a prick like that!

I ignored him. I didn't want to aggravate the situation.

Only a handful of men are capable of a job like that.

Emile the Genoese, Kodréanis,

Marcel Lurat, the Stéphanois, Vincent Angelotti...

I want to know their movements.

OK.

Now Albert. Why did he drive off the road?

Who knows.

We have to find out.

I think he got scared.

Scared! I doubt that.

Poor reflexes, maybe, he's a lousy driver.

But I'd be surprised if he was scared.

Getting shot at by a bazooka surprises you too.

Only three fences are able to handle such a big job.

Sammy Karakatjian.

He's been in hospital for a week. Prostate.

Marcel Courgue, cruising in the Caribbean.

And...

Léon Brunet...

Just left for Rome on the 1.15 flight.

We'll set Interpol on him.

Very well, Sir.

- Well? - We're rounding up suspects.

Get on with it.

I just got the willies.

You saw a hedgehog crossing?

I saw me and the kid Marc decapitated by their thing.

I know what those things can do.

I saw them in '39. I could say where.

Me too. In your tank in the Ardennes, I know all that.

I'm not criticising your tank driving

just your car driving.

I was spooked.

Afraid! I was afraid if you must know.

Is that what you wanted?

- I'm not rejoicing. - You are!

You've waited ages for this!

Waiting for me to chicken out.

I've been taking the hits for 20 years!

Why not recite me your Fearless Freddie comic!

When we collared.

Joe Bigfeet, you scored brownie points.

We both owe Joe.

You get a promotion and I get 6 months in hospital.

This morning I saw a posthumous medal coming.

That shell really scared you.

I only saw you back down once, at the youth club.

That guy asked you out and you didn't move.

I was sleeping with his sister!

You had a reason. Maybe you had one today too.

Don't you think you're pushing it? Where's this leading?

I'm asking you.

If it's an interrogation, have some sandwiches sent up!

What are you thinking?

When they put fools in orbit, you'll be spinning forever.

Intercept Léon Brunet and ascertain the purpose of his trip.

Leave the gate open.

It's pay day!

Jackpot of the century! Four winners.

Only!

Oh, yeah!

I don't believe it!

Just look at it!

Why are you here? Problems?

Boucheron doesn't suspect a thing.

You're not alone?

My wife's next door. But she won't say anything.

I'm sure.

Bring some coffee in!

You're crazy!

No! Nestor is beaten.

He went too soon and lost second place.

First Mélusine, second Mort la loi, third Minipinson.

Tiercé numbers in order: 8, 2, 11.

If Nestor IV had saved his strength

and not gone out so far

he would have won.

Timing is everything!

You took your time.

I was beginning to worry.

I had to see the others first.

Here, look.

Wow! I'd gladly wait for you every day for this.

Yes, it's me.

What?

Morning, Sir. Officer Marquet. I'm the one who called you.

Well done.

It happened about an hour ago.

He was cleaning his gun. He must have left a round in it.

Neighbours heard a gunshot.

They called the concierge, but it took him a while...

He was killed instantly.

Send the gun to the lab anyway.

They won't tell us much. It's an accident.

A regrettable accident.

So was the death of Louis XVI.

I don't get it. We all clean our guns now and then.

At 6 in the morning!

A guy with 20 years' service doesn't leave a round in the barrel.

I don't believe it.

Albert wouldn't have committed suicide over something stupid.

Who mentioned suicide?

So we put everyone on it?

On what! Do we haul everyone in,

interrogate villains who'll produce alibis

confirmed by every clown in Pigalle?

This time they've fired one shot too many.

Albert was a funny old cove, though.

He was no great shakes as a childhood friend.

He was a constant pain. It started at school.

He was ashamed of his boots. I had to lend him some.

Then it was algebra. "I don't get it," he'd say.

So I did it for him.

That sucker's always had problems!

Worse and worse ones.

But what can you do? He was my mate.

Stay on him, you two.

- Have you seen Quinquin? - I don't know any Quinquin.

It's urgent. We need the last known address

of Jacques Vittoret, nicknamed "the Stéphanois".

Marcel? I'm calling about Gouvion's death.

We need information about Kid Angelotti.

We're following every lead.

I need to know his new address, how he lives, everything.

Quickly. Thanks, bye.

Jacques Vittoret, "the Stéphanois",

in hospital following a road accident.

Kodréanis is in London. He was in a poker game

that lasted 36 hours. It was in the papers.

Angelotti has gone to Corsica.

Married, owns a house... Looks like he's retired.

Emile the Genoese follows a strict routine.

He plays guitar all the time.

Recording studio by day. The Blue Note by night.

He must get cramp now and then. Check it out.

OK.

I might have something interesting.

Yesterday, Marcel Lurai played poker at the Korean's.

Let's take a look. When a cop gets killed

suddenly all the villains play poker.

The Korean's on the right.

After the dogs' cemetery and the gasworks.

This really is a crummy area.